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AIETEUR Woman says. Sunday Edition NEWS she knifed 10 ex-boyfriend to death in self-defence April 04, 2021

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Exxon contractor snubs local firm; cites lack of experience in supplying P.

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safety hats, gloves and vests Govt. agencies found to First batch of Russian Pepper spray fails be biggest Occupational to stop bandits Safety and Health 57. COVID-19 vaccines . from robbing 57. defaulters - Labour Minister arrives in Guyana 55 businessman P

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Angola hunting oil wealth stolen by ex President’s daughter P.

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rolls out Govt. earmarks Grove woman MOH recorded Ministry slashed, new lands for beaten, bank payment stoned over 94 new cases option for old housing schemes name-calling of COVID-19 age pensioners argument P.

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…resolutions published in Official Gazette

Guyanese deserve a fighting chance - GCCI for oil contracts Official P.

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Pres. Ali probing dirt contract instead of the owners of our Oil Blocks.

Tune in to Kaieteur Radio (99.1/99.5FM) @11:00hrs to find out!

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Kaieteur News

Sunday April 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 04, 2021

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Exxon contractor snubs local firm; cites lack of experience in supplying safety hats, gloves and vests

By Kiana Wilburg

A

lmost one year a g o , international Energy Lawyer, Mr. J. Jay Park, had conducted a review of the provisions in the Guyana-ExxonMobil Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for the Stabroek Block. Following his assessment, Park found that the clauses, which should ensure Guyanese get first preference for jobs and contracts in the oil sector, leave much to be desired.

The terms were found to be so poor that he had given the said provisions an “F Grade.”

The renowned energy expert, who has practiced energy law for over 30 years, with a specific focus on creating optimum petroleum regimes for States, had explained that the reason for such a grade is premised on the fact that the provisions would put Guyanese at a disadvantage, as they give Exxon and its contractors, enough room to make excuses for not giving first preference in the award of contracts to local businesses.

Less than one year of making this pronouncement, Park's words are coming to past.

Kaieteur News was recently informed that a local manufacturing company had submitted an Expression of Interest to supply SBM Offshore, one of ExxonMobil's prime contractors, with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Despite joining forces with W.W Grainger, an internationally recognized supplier of PPE, the local company was still told that it was not eligible to submit a bid. The Guyanese c o m p a n y, w h i c h w a s hopeful of getting a foot into the oil industry, was rejected on the basis of having zero experience in supplying the industry with PPE. In an email seen by Kaieteur News, SBM Offshore said, “Dear (withheld on request for anonymity) Thank you for your email. We had to run our technical pre-selection amongst a significant number of suppliers and based on the feedback that your company provided, your company has not been

Gloves & Hand Protection

Hearing Protection

Respiratory

Face Protection

Eye Protection

Head Protection

Footwear and Footwear Accessories

Workwear

Top PPE products provided by W. W. Grainger Inc. approved for applying to this tender. Immediate justification that I received from the team was the lack of previous experience(s) in supplying PPE within the Oil and Gas industry and in Guyana.”

Speaking with Kaieteur News, the medium sized manufacturer said it is quite astonishing that after partnering with W. W. Grainger, Inc, an American Fortune 500 industrial supplier founded in 1927, it had thought that it would have been able to prequalify.

The local firm said it was flabbergasted to learn that it could not tender for the contract because it had no experience.

“How do you expect the small man to benefit from the sector when he can be shut out for not having experience in a sector that is new to the country? How do you expect the small man to have experience in the first place? We are being told to ready ourselves and form partnerships and invest our money but when we do, we are shut out became of lack of experience. This needs to be addressed,” the local company expressed.

EXPERT ASSESSMENT In his analysis of Guyana's PSA with ExxonMobil, Park –one of the world's leading energy attorneys – had placed under the microscope Article 18 of the agreement (page 46)

which states, “In the conduct of petroleum operations pursuant to this agreement, the contractor shall require than the Operator give preference to: (a) the purchase of Guyanese goods and materials, provided that such goods and materials are available on a timely basis of the quality and in the quantity required by the operator at a competitive price; and (b) the employment of

Guyanese sub-contractors insofar as they are commercially competitive and satisfy the operator's financial and technical requirements and meet the requirements of Article 18.1 (a)…”

Park was quick to note during a webinar last year that he has a problem with the foregoing provision. The international lawyer had said that the provision does not create any kind of preference for Guyanese goods and services.

Expounding further, Park said that a local businessman can provide goods but the c o n t r a c t o r, w h i c h i s ExxonMobil, can simply say, “I can find it some other part of the world and get it at a lesser price.”

The lawyer continued, “And let's say you do match or better all the prices in the entire solar system, the contractor can then say, 'Sorry, I have found a better quality someplace else.' Then you might say you can also find equal quality and sooner too.

But even then, the contractor can say 'Sorry, I need 10 times as much as what you have and I can get that at another source'.”

In other words, the Managing Partner of Petroleum Regimes Advisory and Park Energy Law said that Article 18 in the Stabroek Block deal is not a local preference clause.

International Lawyer, J. Jay Park, Q.C He said, “It is basically a clause that says 'Yea, we will buy Guyanese goods that are competitive with everything else in the world and with every possible factor that can be used…”

The lawyer alluded to the fact that it would be virtually impossible for Guyanese businessmen to compete with the rest of the world for contracts in their own backyard.

Taking everything into consideration, Park said the Stabroek Block deal gets an F, a s i t p r o v i d e s n o environment to create a local preference at all.

The PPP/C Government is hopeful that with a robust policy and law for local content, this state of affairs could be improved.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday April 04, 2021

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

President Ali and debt relief We agree that debt relief is needed and support His Excellency’s call made early last week. But sympathetic debt relief should not be viewed as the passport to repeat the leadership errors of the past and present. There have been monumental errors made through leadership debt recklessness, which have crippled citizen and country.

Those expensive debt errors must be shunned like the serious sicknesses they are.

For starters, debt appeals made, and potential debt forgiveness extended, provide an opportunity for leaders to appreciate that major mistakes were made with money, the peoples’ money: how much was unwisely borrowed; how wastefully, if not criminally, it was spent. Though we believe that we are speaking into the wind, we persist: today’s government and leaders must not travel the wide, inviting debt road again. We call upon leaders in the PPP government to have the honesty to recognise that too much debt, such as they are trapping us in today, is a future curse. A curse to be avoided in the present to promise a less debt-plagued future, where we have to be begging again for debt forgiveness.

Leaders must listen and make a start to clean up themselves and the mess that they make. Resolve not to enslave nation and peoples again.

We also point out to President Ali that debt relief is not an entitlement. It is the courtesy of favourable consideration, the generosity that is part of charity and, in some respects the duty of advanced and rich First World countries to lend a helping financial hand to those poor societies that need it the most, and need such debt relief in significant quantity most urgently. Let beggar’s hat in hand not be ours.

Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic has badly hurt many countries across the globe. A part of the punishment of the pandemic is to condemn already poor and struggling societies to a deeper state of poverty and burdening struggle.

Countries cannot carry their weight, respond to the needs of their people, or see their way out of the economic contractions and devastations. They are limited in how they can plan for the future, since the present is so filled with trouble and gloom. The ‘highly indebted countries’ plentifully dotted around the world in much of Africa, parts of Asia, and right here in the Caribbean and Latin America need that ease from debt service, through debt forgiveness.

What was hard before, has today, been made unimaginably more difficult by the long running brutal assaults of the pandemic.

Because of all of the above elements, which represent only a high-level smattering of the woes, the human traumas, that afflict poorer societies presently, we back President Ali in his appeal for timely and material debt relief. He is on the right track, made his play at the right forum, before the right people. His audience has the resources, the deep pockets and strong finances to do something to give smaller, poorer countries a little breathing space, and some precious space in which to find their feet and function. But, as we say this in support of the president, we share another aspect of debt that may not be so warmly welcomed by either he or his people.

Regardless of the reception, we have a duty to be frank with the president and table our cards where Guyana’s debt is concerned.

We, therefore, exhort President Ali: learn from the costly mistakes of others, who were there before us with abundant oil, and made the same uncaring and unheeding decisions that we are embarking upon today. We encourage the President and his team, his Vice President, his economic gurus, to examine where other oil producing countries are today, given how they went about incurring massive debt burdens, ensnaring themselves in vice-like debt traps.

Observe how those societies are barely breathing, how limited they are in honouring debt obligations. Many poor countries got carried away by their newfound oil wealth and splurged on gaudy projects, made possible by extravagant borrowings, many such projects are now unfeasible and

The oil conversation and the Diaspora DEAR EDITOR, With so many anticipations, proposals, suggestions, doubts, uncertainties, concerns, questions and queries arising to shroud the transparency of the oil industry, one salient fact remains remarkably

opaque and firmly unchallenged. David Granger, Raphael Trotman and the entire APNU+AFC Party signed a lopsided contract riddled with propensities advantageous only to Exxon. The cabal agreed to sell out the rights

unsustainable.

Today, the failed and non-performing projects furnish evidence of enormous waste, the utter lack of leadership prudence. Today, there are the agonising hangovers, and the bitter memories of what was done wrong. It is how thrilling debt sprees when they were occurring. There is jarring reality now that the debt binges have ground to a halt, of the immensity of what was engaged in, and what must be faced now. Delivery has to be made to the debtors, except that it is not there in quantity and substance - there is economic slump, little to no production, and lesser and lesser demand, since those who were once buyers of commodities are themselves in the same leaky economic boat.

Once more, we call on our own nation’s leader, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, think again, think more sensibly, and think more carefully. Go more slowly. Do not go about these gargantuan borrowings of billions so casually, thereby adding significantly to our debt overhang. It is not free money; none of the money comes cheap, for those billions come with hefty price tags that have to be honoured by the peoples of this

and interests of Guyana; they denied Guyanese from being awarded revenues enjoyed by other countries as per international standard; that party enriched the new colonial master and shackled Guyanese to a different sovereignty, saddling us with

their expenses and leaving us with mere pittance as handout. APNU+AFC party accepted a paltry US$18M signing bonus and further hid that from the public, only confessing after being caught and exposed. That (Continued on page 6)

society at some time in the near future. Look at Nigeria and be enlightened by its plight: a great many citizens in that oil rich society exist on poverty’s doorstep. It should not be, given what they are blessed with, the riches that they once had.

We present this cautionary note in a spirit of prioritising the interests and prospects of this country, rather than with any speck of partisanship of purpose, of being critical for criticism’s sake. That would be self-defeating for all of us, not helping anyone, but hurting us, too. We recognise that it is highly likely that this warning and urging will fall on deaf ears, since all the indications are that leaders, from the president all the way down, are set in their ways, and will not be restrained from barrelling ahead into the unforgiving jaws of more and more debt. Just the contemplation of that, only makes the probable occurrence all the more troubling. If our leaders refuse to listen, then the people will have to pay the price: lost hope, lost opportunities, lost moment when sanity and discretion in the highest councils should have prevailed, but did not.

Sunday April 04, 2021

Several diplomatic positions to be filled DEAR EDITOR, It is now eight months since the Irfaan Ali administration took over though five months delay because of a move to manipulate the elections results, there is a lot of work to be done, besides cleaning up the mess created by the Granger/Nagamootoo coalition. Most important is the appointment of High Commissioners and Ambassadors. This is crucial since overseas diplomats are important to “sell” the country to the commercial world, especially at this time when Guyana is raking in billions because of the oil boom.

Appointments have to be made in Brazil, South Africa, China, Kuwait, Canada and the United Kingdom.

London has been without a High Commissioner for 18 months sin c e the resignation of APNU+AFC Hamley Case and over a year in Ottawa since another of David Granger’s nominee, Clarissa Riehl, quit. Bayney Karran, a PPP/C named diplomat was fired by the coalition government in January last year. Bayney, an attorneyat-law by profession, was a diplomat for 17 years having served in Washington and Beijing.

He is back in Georgetown working as a senior executive with an oil company.

The Irfaan Ali government announced

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Kaieteur News

that Samuel Hinds, 78, a chemical engineer graduated from the University of New Brunswick, who served as Prime Minister for a total of more than 30 years and briefly as President of the Co-operative Republic, to be the new Ambassador to the United States and OAS r e p l a c i n g D r. R i y a d Insanally, a highly qualified career diplomat, who holds two masters degree and a doctorate from Harvard University. He also speaks French and Spanish fluently. No announcement was made if Dr. Insanally, who is in his mid-sixties, will be posted to another country and this raises eyebrows because of his vast experience having served in Georgetown and Wa s h i n g t o n , a n d w a s Tr a d e A d v i s o r t o t h e Guyana High Commission in London and Commercial Representative of the Guyana Sugar Corporation.

M e a n w h i l e , D r. Vi s h n u Bisram, a well-known Guyanese born pollster and columnist who is based in New York, said Hinds is a model leader and is extremely honest, who has consistently spoken out against rigged elections and will be an excellent diplomat.

Meanwhile Guyanese in London are not too happy about the inordinate delay in the appointment of a High Commissioner which was without one for

18 long months...it was pointed out that despite the delay, the Irfaan Ali administration took office eight months ago and should by now be in a position to fill the vacancies in the Overseas Missions.

H o w e v e r, government sources contend that serious consideration will have to be taken in selecting suitable persons to fill the positions. It is important that the candidates have the capacity to discuss trade and commerce and ways and means to attract investors to Georgetown. I gather from sources in Georgetown that the administration is considering the appointment of a woman of Chinese heritage to be the Ambassador in Beijing.

The diaspora in Canada was advocating for Charrandas Persaud to be appointed as the High Commissioner in Ottawa, but he was posted to India.

I do not think he could be appointed, since he is a Canadian citizen.

Charrandas will no doubt do a good job in Delhi. He is a Hindu and was a keen follower of the Indian culture since he was a kid.

Yours truly, Oscar Ramjeet

If this is democratic governance of PPP leaders, then it is what it is DEAR EDITOR, Concerned citizens have shared almost the same conversation with me. It goes like this: the political players can be vindictive. I am appreciative about the reminder, for I know well of the PPP, and mostly of its Vice President, whose well-earned record is of a mean machine.

Here is where I stand.

In the throes of last year’s elections, a couple of tempered and wellintentioned PPP supporters, I would call them insiders, told me that the PPP has changed, that its leaders (and none more than the VP) recognise that there must be change: party and leaders must change their sick mentalities, their corrupt ways, their ugly approaches.

I asked, ‘what about the big man’ (meaning the VP), how does he react to that, where does he stand on those grave deficits? The response was that they are working on him and that it requires time.

In turn, I told a couple of people to their faces: good luck with that; as I didn’t see that going anywhere. I think that the last eight months have proven me right on all counts, and in the worst ways possible. I suspect that this

is only a start, which is made incalculably worse by the utter frailty, of an all but nonexistent opposition.

Editor, I say this and in the clearest terms: I am responsible for me. The PPP government, from the President and Vice President to the rest are responsible for what they do, and how they go about their works. It can be works for the common good (which is not happening, despite all the noise); or it can be works of more evils (which is more satisfying to the PPP’s leadership).

If the evils are their expression and execution of democratic governance, then they have a choice: still the voices, pens and spirits that stand against them and which call them out frankly, but fairly.

There I stand, which is my understanding of what democracy is all about.

Should the political opposition be a part of the perversities that are present and will unfold in this society, then I regret that also, but

must stay the course chosen, given the surety of touch that follows strong belief system.

If the Americans, who were so vigorous in their postures and pressures for electoral democracy and democratic governorship, become silent condoning partners in Guyana’s domestic dirtiness, then it would not be the first time; and it is considered part of that loaded and cocked euphemism called collateral damage. Again, I say let it be, for there are some things, many things, of which I have zero expectations. My absorptions of what democracy and its abstract freedoms are about include one that I prioritise and prize the most: that would be freedom of conscience. If I have neither, then who am I? Just another opportunist?

One more charlatan? Another traitor to beliefs and blessings?

I would rather not. I just can’t. The chips falls where they do.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

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Sunday April 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

Govt. has dropped the ball on the fight against COVID-19 DEAR EDITOR, Please permit me space to share my views on the whole COVID-19 nightmare that plagues the country. About a year ago, I wrote that a two weeks lockdown would be better for us.

However, that fell on deaf ears and of course never materialised. The reactive attempts to curb the spread of COVID-19 are quite disappointing. There are

many ways to ensure enforcement of protocols.

However, the selective enforcement continues throughout the country.

Yes, the minister said citizens should be more responsible but if we are opening certain places at a certain capacity and business places refuse to follow those rules, shut them down!

Persons are still walking around without masks!

Yes, vaccinations are rolling out, great! However, the vaccination does not prevent the virus! It is appalling that even government officials are breaking protocols, such as hosting community meetings with lots of persons attending these meetings. Yes, they are wearing masks but still! We need to do better!

Sincerely, Tanya Niamatali

We are not interested in international geopolitics DEAR EDITOR, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Clement J. Rohee for his letter “Guyana must walk between the rain drops amidst US China tensions” (SN, April 2, 2021) whereby the gentleman indicated that Guyana needs to balance its international relationships.

The vast majority of Guyanese are interested in raising our living standards and reducing/eliminating poverty in Guyana not International Geopolitics.

The APNU+AFC had practically signed-away Guyanese oil to US interests and now the PPP/C is looking to sign-away our other natural resources to Chinese interests.

We do want the investments from China, America, Canada, CARICOM, UK, EU, Russia, etc. But, we want sustainable development of our resources. We do not want all the gold dug out of Guyana leaving us with environmental degradation and empty

pockets.

At the moment, Guyana’s economy is the fastest growing economy in the world. We need to capitalise on this momentum and bring in other investments into Guyana to help with job creation to alleviate poverty.

Or, the PPP/C can sit there for the next four years and play “Geopolitical Chess” with its development partners.

We’re a Democracy that supports Democracies.

Yours Faithfully, Sean Ori

A forensic audit of GFC is needed DEAR EDITOR, Since taking office in August 2020, the new administration, quite rightly took stock of several Ministries/Commissions, notably the then Ministry of Public Infrastructure; the Demerara Harbour Bridge’s Asphalt Plant, and the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC). The audit revealed mass irregularities and fraud involving former government ministers and senior officials; however, no mention of an audit of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), a revenue collecting agency unable to pay staff in 2019/2020.

Over a decade ago, a prominent saw milling enterprise was found in possession of exporting seals/stamps of GFC and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). That matter was swept through the “backdoor” to my knowledge without any investigation. The parliamentary opposition will not demand an audit of GFC; it will reveal their incompetence and skullduggery during their period 2015-

2020.

Lately, the Honourable Minister of Natural Resources spoke of increasing the availability of state forest to local and foreign investors for exportation; glossed GFC of issuing 300 sawmill licences annually over the past 10 years. A check with GFC reveals that instructions were given to withhold information regarding the amount of operable sawmills; relevant information for the public should not be suppressed.

Is the Honourable minister deceptive or purposely misled? I hope it’s neither. GFC must clarify the amount of operable sawmills.

Should the administration fail to enforce an audit of GFC, this will only influence the thought that government and opposition are in collusion of protecting their maladministration from exposure.

A forensic audit of GFC is needed.

Sincerely, Gerald Schomburgh

Garbage not collected DEAR EDITOR, Wards in north Georgetown serviced by M&CC have not had their garbage collected on the

specified days. A query to City Hall suggests there might be some discord among this category of workers.

If this were so, would it

have anything to do with the recent sum pledged to the City?

Yours truly, Shamshun Mohamed

...The oil conversation and the From page 4 contract may be renegotiated but only if Exxon agrees to that request. But because of the binding clauses, Exxon will not shoulder anything detrimental to its welfare or bear any cost that will affect its interest. One concrete conclusion Guyanese can walk away with from this sweetheart deal is that, the APNU+AFC Party must not be trusted ever again to negotiate for the interest of Guyana and represent Guyanese to bargain for their welfare.

They will certainly sell out our birthrights and only serve their personal interest. This is an established fact as evidenced by the oil contract and history has established a paper trail documenting their corrupt methodology as being their legacy.

As such, any fair-minded Guyanese will unhesitatingly refuse to accept the APNU+AFC leadership and will not agree to be governed by that Party, ever again.

A question to ponder is, how dependent are the “reliable” data sources pertaining to published information regarding the ramifications of the oil industry?

Are we being fed both sides of the story and are we being educated in-depth or partially spoon-fed? Everyone has their own agenda and serving different master and purpose! The original problem was created from doubts at the very inception.

The issuance of shares for blocks were clouded and shrouded. Sales and transfers are beyond G u y a n a ’s c o n t r o l a n d knowledge with no return t o t h e c o ff e r. R a p h a e l Trotman was wined and

dined in Texas, at the behest and expense of Exxon.

To sign an absurd contract, ignore all expert warnings and professional advice and without the knowledge of Guyanese, paints a glowing picture of high speculation. It’s an open secret who got what from the contract; one that handcuffs the hands of Guyanese; one that shackles the feet; one that hangs an albatross on the neck; one that leaves the blind at the edge of a pit; one that creates a monster all over again as a new colonial master.

It’s not a matter of the government can’t or wouldn’t renegotiate, but, the problem of the ridiculous clauses stipulated and agreed to by the greed and selfish APNU+AFC Party, bearing unfavourable repercussions! The gas-toshore project is already riddled with controversial speculations, reservations and provides little transparency.

But it also envisages high anticipation and mutual benefits, whether declared or undeclared.

Unless the public is meticulously enlightened and kept abreast perpetually as per each step, doubts and despair will determine how detrimental any diversion will dictate.

A factor grossly being overlooked is that, oil failed to generate net US$300M in revenue last year. The money gained is secured in a Natural Resource Fund kept by the New York Federal Reserve Bank and awaiting legislation regarding its withdrawal and usage. Whether it’s sitting accumulating interest only is uncertain.

Now, in comparison, remittances received from the Diaspora surpass this amount, without any expense incurred by the government. This large sum of money has already been channelled and filtered down directly to the pockets of Guyanese, and recycled in the economy of the nation, benefitting all and sundry, directly and indirectly. Whether it is productively and carefully utilised is another matter, but hopefully not wasted on unnecessariness. Consideration should be encouraged and entertained by the Government to harness monetary input from the Diaspora and invest this capital in a fund that can be productive for the benefit of needy communities. Other countries, India for example, have capitalised tremendously on such an idea.

There are approximately 500,000 related Guyanese overseas. Using a hypothetical case as surmised by Dr. Tara Singh, if 500,000 contribute US$10 in a year, or, if one percent, i.e. 5,000 invest US$1,000 each in this scheme, it will account for US$5M converted to G$1.1 B. Now, this money could be managed by the government to expedite significant projects identified, and help Guyanese living in areas, which are in need of dire help, desperate and urgent care and attention.

The initiative lies with the Government to reach out to the Diaspora. This is one area, which should not be ignored but explored. The Dutch Disease is not a myth but a potential reality.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

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Sunday April 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

Guyanese deserve a fighting chance for oil contracts - GCCI Official While the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration has received much commendation for the extensive consultations that were held on the draft Local Content Policy, some of the document’s provisions still come in for heavy criticism as they have been deemed to be “too ambitious” or “unrealistic.”

Specifically, much of the attention has been on the 111 services being proposed to have, at minimum, 30 percent participation from Guyanese.

With a population of approximately 700,000 people, several industry stakeholders have said this is ludicrous, while pointing out that Brazil with over 20 million people struggled to have its citizens supply 90 services in the oil industry. As a result, the Portuguese-speaking nation was forced to reduce its local content targets for the sector.

With this in mind, some stakeholders have said that Guyana should temper its expectations for the sector.

Upon taking note of this however, Senior Vice President at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Timothy Tucker, noted that he does not agree with the popular opinion.

Tucker said that all opportunities should be available to Guyanese, even if it is believed that the capacity does not exist at the moment to supply certain technical services.

Tucker said, “We have to realise that we do not have the

GCCI Senior VP, Timothy Tucker capacity to do everything, but it does not say that I cannot find a partner to take on the toughest one or the most lucrative contract to supply a service in the sector. I can safely say that there is no way I can do underwater diving with remotely operated equipment and deepwater fabrication or anything like that, but maybe I can compile a good proposal and put it to Government or I can find a partner…”

The GCCI official continued, “But the thing is that we cannot limit ourselves. We should not set a limit, we should add as much as we want to the policy. It is a policy, and it can be reviewed over time and it should say that Guyanese should be given the first consideration.

We are not going to say that you have to give us, but consider us….”

At least, the very least, Tucker appealed that Guyanese be given a fighting chance to win oil contracts.

“It is our oil after all,” he concluded.

Sunday April 04, 2021

Body of drowned fifteen-year-old recovered Adyemi

The body of Adyemi Stephen, the 15-year-old who reportedly drowned last Thursday, was found yesterday morning. According to police, the body was seen floating on the western side of the Onderneeming beach, between some rocks.

The body was retrieved by his father and was later examined on the scene by a doctor, who pronounced him dead. The body was escorted to the Suddie Hospital awaiting a postmortem examination.

According to reports reaching Kaieteur News, (Continued on page 64)

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Kaieteur News

Stephens.

MOH recorded 94 new cases of COVID-19

A total of 94 new COVID-19 cases have been recorded yesterday, which pushed the number of confirmed cases for the deadly disease in Guyana to 10,540. According to the regional breakdown, Region Four has the highest number with 45 new cases; Region Three cases increased by 21 new infections; Regions Ten recorded 10 new cases; Region Seven has

12 new cases; Region Five has four new cases; and Region Six has two.

To date, the number of deaths remains at 237. Meanwhile, there are 99 persons in home isolation; 77 patients are in institutional isolation and 13 patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Infectious Disease Hospital.

Dem boys seh...

Talking to de wine!

A man was asking weh he could get locally made wine fuh buy. De shopkeeper tell he fuh check in Lusignan Prison. Dem mekkin’ wine in deh. And is like de prison wardens getting high because dem nah notice nuttin.

Dem seh wines does improve with age.

But when dem boys drink wine, dem does improve. Dem boys does see ugly things tun nice. Beast does tun into beauty.

De other day a man was drinking wine with he wife when he shouted out, “I love you so much, you know. I don’t know how I could ever live without you.”

De wife tun to he and ask, “Is that you or the wine talking?”De husband replied, ‘It’s me talking to the wine.”

Dem boys love cooking with wine. Some-

times dem does even put it in de food.

When yuh nah gat plenty money in yuh pocket fuh buy a proper drink, yuh could always settle fuh a bottle of Banko. It does give you a ‘head.’

One time a man bin drinking Banko in a disco. And he decide fuh walk across de dance floor. He win de dance competition!

One-time dem boys went to party and see a man drinking de wine from de bottle. He wife was embarrassed and suh she ask he how he could do dat.

He explain dat when he open a bottle of wine de fuss thing he does do is to see if it breathing. And if it not breathing, he does administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Talk half and drink in moderation.

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Sunday April 04, 2021

Kaieteur News The canter that Harris’ friends allegedly vandalised, while trying to capture his stabber.

Woman says she knifed ex-boyfriend to death in self-defence A woman, who confessed to the police that she knifed her ex-boyfriend to death on Thursday last, is claiming that she killed him in self-defence.

Her ex-lover, Darren Harris, a cook, of ‘E’ Field, Cummings Park, Sophia, was reportedly stabbed three times around 21:30 hrs. A police report detailed that he was stabbed once to his left-side chest and twice to his upper back.

Eyewitnesses told the cops that the stabbing occurred on the E Field main road, not far from where the woman lived. One of them

recounted that they had heard Harris and the woman involved in an intense argument. That individual peeped outside just in time to see Harris falling to the ground, and the woman running away.

The woman who was arrested mere hours after the stabbing, told detectives that she and Harris had a scuffle and he chopped her to her hands with a knife. She further alleged that in retaliation, she managed to take away the knife from Harris and stabbed him. The woman continued in her statement that she proceeded to throw away the weapon and run away.

Other eyewitnesses who spoke with this media house said that Harris had attacked the woman first, while she was on her way home from work. They added too that Harris’ friends were there with him when he approached her.

The two started arguing and things became physical quickly. When Harris fell to the ground, recalled those eyewitnesses, his friends began chasing the woman presumably to apprehend her.

The woman’s father, Ivan Nedd, said that he was home when his daughter came running towards the gate pursued by a “bunch of people.”

“I recalled her saying, ‘daddy, daddy open quick,’ but before I could do so she jumped over the fence and ran inside,” recounted Nedd.

He reportedly ran behind her and locked the door as her pursuers attempted to forcefully enter his yard. Nedd remembered arming himself with a cutlass to defend his daughter and himself just in case they got in.

“They started pelting bottles into the house, when that didn’t work, they began brukking up my canter,” he related.

Shortly after, said Nedd, the police arrived and he asked his daughter “what happened?”

He recalled that she began

A dead Harris lying on the ground after he was stabbed

Stabbed to death, Darren Harris to cry and said, “Big Six (Harris), chop me and I stab he.”

It was then, continued Nedd that he saw his daughter bleeding from a “chop wound” to her hands.

“I told her, don’t worry baby, go with the police, you will have to go with them,” narrated Nedd.

Police had reported too, that when ranks arrested the woman, they noticed she was indeed wounded between her right index finger and ring finger. They reportedly took her to hospital, where she was treated and then escorted to the lock-ups.

Kaieteur News learnt from the woman’s sister, Loraine Pierson, that she (the woman) had begun a relationship with Harris in January this year.

Harris had reportedly moved in with the woman at her father’s home since then.

However, things started to go sour between them after Harris became abusive.

“It was like he had a jealous problem – he would get vex with her for speaking to certain friends and so,” said Pierson.

“Things started to get out of hand in the relationship and my sister decided to break it off,” Pierson added.

That relationship reportedly ended last Saturday night, when the woman told Harris that it was over and ordered him to leave her house at once. Nedd, her (Continued on page 61 )

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Sunday April 04, 2021

A lot more needs to be done with Local …is critical to future economic development Content in Guyana of country - Fmr. T&T Energy Minister W

hile Guyana has not done too badly in terms of its development of its hydrocarbon industry and related benefits in recent years, Former Minister of Energy for Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) Kevin Ramnarine, believes “when you look at local content, for example, there is a lot of work to do with local content, and a lot more involvement of the Guyanese private sector that could happen.”

He did concede however, that “by and large, when you look at what has happened, when you look at the amount of Guyanese who have been trained and are working on the FPSOs (Floating, Production Storage and Offloading Vessel) and the drill ships at the shore-base and so on and you look at what is coming potentially.”

Ramnarine was speaking during a recent webinar hosted

by OilNOW where the former T&T Energy Minister gave his

views on the proposed gas to shore project for Guyana.

According to Ramnarine there will be in future, more shore-bases being constructed to service the industry which would see an increased demand for local human resource.

Ramnarine's position was had a day before the Ministry of Natural Resources announced that it had concluded a third draft Local Content Policy for the country.

The Ministry made the

announcement on Tuesday last—some two years since the country started producing oil—and reported that “...the general focus of the stakeholders' response to the draft document fixated primarily on the state of the current capacity of Guyanese's businesses and skills.” This in addition to the “expectations for better participation and benefits from the sector, the identification of opportunities that exist for Guyanese to participate in the

Fmr T&T Energy Minister, Kevin Ramnarine industry and the need for transformation in key related sectors such as education and finance to support business enhancement that will cater for the needs of the growing petroleum economy.”

Speaking to the general sustainability of the industry and its long term employment benefits for Guyanese, Ramnarine in his discussion had noted that the cost of producing a barrel of oil in Guyana's deep waters is very competitive.

He posited “when you stack it up against the break even cost in let's say, shallow water Trinidad, the break even costs of producing oil in Guyana will keep the industry alive in difficult times.”

Ramnarine suggested that this would allow for when oil prices go into the US$20s and the US$30s per barrel “as happened last year, it is not something which would cause you to get, you know a heart attack in Guyana.”

He opined that the industry survived last year and it is because of the cost of producing a barrel of oil compared to other deep water provinces around the world right. As such, Ramnarine noted that “Guyana in terms of oil and gas, I think the country hasn't done badly, (but) of course there is a need to institutionalize the industry in Guyana through the establishment of the Petroleum commission and the passage of the legislation to support that.”

He was adamant “there is a continuous need to continue to educate the population and create the skills resource base and noted that “even so, a lot of Guyanese have transitioned from manufacturing and from gold mining, and from the bauxite industry and so on,

into the oil industry and the transition has happened pretty quickly.”

According to Ramnarine, “I think the government is on the right track with putting their foot down for local content, I think they are taking local content very seriously and reiterated “local content are important for the sustainable economic development of the country.”

The Ministry said the latest version of Guyana's Local Content Policy came about through consultations held with some 180 public and private sector agencies and firm. The latest round of consultations in an attempt to finalize a local content policy for Guyana began on March 3, last and concluded on March 25, some 23 days later.

Guyana's first attempt at promulgating a Local Content Policy that would eventually direct a legislative framework for enforcement began soon after the 2015 Liza I discovery b y a U S o i l major—ExxonMobil—led consortium in the Stabroek Block some 126 miles offshore Guyana in its Exclusive Economic Zone.

The initiative has seen several rounds of consultations by both administrations including consultations such as renowned petroleum specialist Anthony Paul. The Trinidadian had submitted a report that was supported by the local private sector over its proposals but was subsequently scrapped by the then coalition A Partnership for National Unity, Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC).

That administration engaged yet another consultant, United Kingdom (UK) resident, Dr. Michael Warner, who led another round of consultations, this time submitting a report to the then Department of Energy, since subsumed into the Ministry as its Petroleum Management Unit. That report was embroiled in controversy not only over its author and his relations to the operator ExxonMobil but the fact that the final document appeared to have removed safeguards for locals and was instead heavily in favour of the oil operators.

That second document was never finalised as a Policy which led to the Irfaan Ali led administration initiating a third round of consultations that have since been completed with the date for a final document to be announced.

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Sunday April 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

Miss Divya Yabindranauth

Sunday April 04, 2021

Meet the dazzling Miss Divya Yabindranauth. This belle once held the Miss United Continents Guyana back in 2017. One of her favourite quotes is, “Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”

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Kaieteur News

Sunday April 04, 2021

'Sir' Boadnarine Harrinarinie, is a 'Special Person'

By Romario Blair

“

I may not have been able to become a bank manager but when I look, I have many students who would've worked at banks and probably hold senior positions at banks.”

Those were the words of 'Sir' Boadnarine Harrinarine, a veteran educator, who has been moulding and sharpening the minds of students for over two decades.

In the year 2018, 'Sir' Harrinarine, now 42-years old, took a step back from the classroom, when he commenced the Ministry of Education's Cadet Training Programme. As he reflects on his experiences, 'Sir' Boadnarine no doubt feels a sense of accomplishment, as his 23 years in the classroom were beyond remarkable.

'Sir' Boadnarine hails from the community of Devonshire Castle, a tightly knit community on the Essequibo Coast with a deep appreciation for neighbourly

love. He pursued his secondary education at the Anna Regina Secondary School, and graduated as a business student.

During an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News last Thursday, 'Sir' Boadnarine revealed that he

wanted to become a Bank Manager and I think that's why I pursued studies in the Business stream.”

After high school, 'Sir' Boadnarine gained some work experience when he secured a job as a clerk for a popular business enterprise

teaching, which I did.”

The year 1997 signalled the commencement of his teaching career. He was assigned to the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School, which was, and continues to be, one of the top secondary schools on the

“

The best aspect of being a teacher is knowing that you are making an impact in the lives of many children -- knowing that you are a part of who and what they will become. The knowledge you have, those skills, quality and knowledge you possess as a teacher, you're not only keeping them for yourself, but you're sharing it with people, and the glory comes when you see these same people who you shared the knowledge with, evolve into positive people in society.

had never envisioned that the teaching profession would have been the career path he would follow. In fact, he revealed that he always had the desire of one day becoming a bank manager.

“I never saw teaching as a profession for me. I always

'Sir' Boadnarine and his beautiful wife, Canesha, are parents to three amazing children

in Georgetown. When he returned to the Coast, he was encouraged to join the teaching profession. “I came back home for the holidays and then I was encouraged by two well-known teachers, Mr. Balsam Danny and Par mesh Worrall, to pursue

”

Essequibo Coast.

It was at this point 'Sir' Boadnarine said that he discovered his “natural ability” to teach.

He went on to say, “Though teaching was not my first choice as a career, from a young age, I used to

'Sir' Boadnarine Harrinarine is a 'Special Person.' be attached to Sunday school and I would teach Sunday school classes…I believe that would've sparked a little interest in me, in wanting to teach… but when I began teaching, I found that I had a natural ability to teach.”

During the period 1997 to 2018, 'Sir' Boadnarine taught several subjects at the Anna Regina Secondary School. The subject areas included Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Office Administration, Economics, English and Social Studies.

For most students who would've attended the Anna Regina Multilateral, 'Sir' Boadnarine is without a doubt remembered as a stern disciplinarian, who was nevertheless approachable.

During his interview with this publication, 'Sir' Boadnarine revealed that being a teacher requires more than merely imparting knowledge.

He went on to note that dedication to the job is of paramount importance. He mentioned too that a touch of approachability is essential, with a blend of originality. “I was a committed, dedicated and approachable teacher. I had a good relationship with all of my students. But, at the same time I was a stern disciplinarian,” said 'Sir' Boadnarine.

He went on to say, “One of my principles that I worked with, was getting my children to like me, but at the same time I tried not to be an encourager of slackness. I understood my students, and I knew that once I got them to like me, they would also like the subject that I was teaching. I believe for this reason, throughout most of

my career, I've achieved almost 100 percent pass rate for my subjects each year.”

'Sir' Boadnarine explained that while his dream of becoming a bank manager never materialised, he has been granted the opportunity of shaping the minds of future bank managers. This, he said, is the single most rewarding aspect of the teaching profession.

“The best aspect of being a teacher is knowing that you are making an impact in the lives of many children -knowing that you are a part of who and what they will become. The knowledge you have, those skills, quality and knowledge you possess as a teacher, you're not only keeping them for yourself, but you're sharing it with people, and the glory comes when you see these same people who you shared the knowledge with, evolve into positive people in society,” said 'Sir' Boadnarine.

AN ENCOURAGING EXPERIENCE As an educator, the experience of running into a former student who has used your principles to excel can be a great experience, according to 'Sir' Boadnarine.

Speaking of one such experience, he said, “there was this one particular individual, who was invited to our school's graduation and he was invited to deliver t h e c h a rg e a n d m a d e mention of me having an impact on him becoming w h o h e i s t o d a y. H e reminded me of how I used to talk to the class and (continued on page 51)

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Sunday April 04, 2021

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Parking and dumping!

T

wo articles recently caught my attention that are worthy of public comment. The first related to parking in the city and the second the alleged indiscriminate dumping of garbage on a city parapet.

The City Council is said to have approved for a part of the Merriman Mall to be set aside for parking for a business enterprise. No doubt, the beneficial party will be expected to pay some form of rental.

In addition, the approval of this plan would appear to be supportive of the businesses.

However, there is a bigger problem, which has to be addressed not by the Georgetown City Council but by the Central Housing and Planning Authority. It concerns the approving of building permits without provision being made for customer parking. It would appear that it is quite commonplace for businesses to be erected within the city and to be approved for such usage without any consideration being given to parking.

Georgetown is changing.

However, it is changing for the worse not the better.

Moreover, the major culprit is the Central Housing and Planning Authority, which appears to have little sense of what is known as zoning.

G e o rg e t o w n i s n o t designed for the number of businesses, which are being established within its precincts.

Many of the streets in Georgetown are narrow and with so many persons already owning cars, the city streets are being congested.

When businesses are added to areas designed more for residential rather than commercial usage, it adds to the problems.

The Government had promised to reconstitute the Central Housing and Planning Authority. But before it does this, it should design a new zoning plan for the country.

Anyone it appears can simply buy a property and apply to have it converted into a commercial lot. This is happening even outside of the city in government housing schemes, which are not supposed to have any commercial enterprises.

The only way to stop this cavalier violation of zoning laws is to impose extremely high taxes on businesses erected in residential and former residential areas.

Unless the government acts and acts immediately to arrest the zoning problem, Georgetown will become unmanageable.

Recently we read about a new hotel being erected in the city. But nothing was said about where the clients and customers of that new hotel will park. This is the sort of mismanagement, which is resulting in chaos in the country.

The second issue concerns the alleged indiscriminate dumping of pharmaceuticals on a city parapet. It may have been put there for a private garbage collector to uplift.

It is not unusual for persons to place their solid waste on the parapets, either for the municipal authorities to remove or for disposal by private waste collection.

We must not read too much into what was found. It was reported that the waste was found in proximity to a building, which once provided medical services and this could well have been a house-cleaning exercise.

If you are doing spring cleaning of your property, where else are you going to deposit the waste other than

on your parapet. The fact that this was done does not mean that there were no plans to have the items collected for proper disposal. It is just that the waste disposal was not done simultaneously with the house cleaning.

The dumping of solid waste onto parapets is a national problem. Only recently, the Mayor of New Amsterdam was bemoaning the indiscriminate dumping of solid waste on that town's

parapets.

This discovery of the solid waste on the parapets in Georgetown comes at a time when the government has suddenly discovered that the health system has a shortage of drugs.

This is also a matter, which requires an investigation. Surely if there was a drug management system, whether manual or automated, this problem ought not to have arisen. And

it is mind-boggling that it took the authorities a full eight months to decipher that there is a problem.

The situation is fraught with suspicion. It needs to be confirmed just how such a situation has arisen and who is to be held responsible.

This requires an independent investigation.

The added advantage of such an investigation, apart from getting to the truth, would be to ensure that this

shortage is not a contrived crisis aimed at the government trying to make emergency procurement from one of its most favoured suppliers.

(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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Sunday April 04, 2021

Collective CARICOM voice for recovery at IMF-World Bank meetings

By Sir Ronald Sanders

T

he response by policy makers of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to the depth of COVID-19's effects on Caribbean economies needs to be urgently reviewed, particularly regarding debt.

An unduly optimistic assessment of the extent of

damage to economies and an overly confident expectation of how long the effects will last, have resulted in inadequate instruments to help Caribbean countries get out of the hole into which they have been sunk through no fault of their own.

Caribbean countries did not create the pandemic and they have been among the most successful in containing it at

great cost to their Treasuries.

The staff of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG) and the Directors on the Boards, representing CARICOM countries, deserve credit for advancing the region's interests. The inadequacy of the IFIs response is not their fault; it is entirely due to Board directors of some

larger countries who remain stuck to mistaken policy positions whose failures have enlarged the harmful effects of the pandemic.

One of these continuing unhelpful policy positions is the application of per capita income as a criterion to deny high income Caribbean countries access to concessionary loans, even though these countries are

subject to the same vulnerabilities as lower income countries.

Something of a breakthrough might have occurred.

The World Bank Board has approved the preparation of loan documents of $100 million each for the Bahamas and Barbados – two of the countries with the highest per capita incomes in CARICOM – “due to their heavy reliance on tourism”.

This is an admission that the Board of the Bank has accepted vulnerability as a criterion, that is superior to high income, as a qualification for concessionary loans. It is to be assumed, therefore, that, if these loans are approved by the Board in the coming weeks, this criterion can now be applied to other highincome CARICOM countries such as Antigua and Barbuda and St KittsNevis. CARICOM Finance Ministers at the Spring Meetings of the Bank and Fund should raise this issue collectively.

Doing so, is especially relevant since countries that might have been “high income”, according to IMF/WBG measurements, in 2019, are certainly not so today. High unemployment, resulting from the pandemic, has shaved as much as 30 percent from per capita income in some countries and is likely to reduce it even more as unemployment increases and poverty expands.

Amid all this, the IFIs response to high and crippling debt in many CARICOM countries that has spiralled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, has increased their debt service burdens.

While the Bank and Fund have explicitly stated that debt levels were, for some, more than 100 percent of GDP prior to the pandemic, the debt instruments that they have provided are burdensome.

As an example, the IMF's Debt Service Suspension Initiative is only temporary.

It is also applicable only to the poorest countries.

Therefore only five CARICOM countries qualified. The initiative is supposedly to help them cope with the economic and

Sir Ronald Sanders fiscal constraints caused by the COVID-19 crisis. But it gives only a one-year grace with repayment having to be made over five years.

Clearly, there will be an increase in the debt service burdens of these countries.

The duration of the pandemic's effects on CARICOM economies and its severe impact, will be longer than anticipated.

Countries, such as Guyana and Suriname, with their oil and gas resources will be better placed, but PostCOVID, many CARICOM countries will have much reduced economies, high debt, diminished revenues, and little capacity to recover.

The UN has already said that the Caribbean will face 'a lost decade' with economies and per capita income declining to 2010 levels.

They will need access to low-cost financing and grants from both IFI's and donor governments.

Immediately, they need debt relief in the forms of writeoffs and deferral of repayments on easier terms.

If these initiatives are not taken, Caribbean economies will be caught in a poverty trap from which they will not emerge for a generation and, even then, only if they experience no disasters such as hurricanes, prolonged droughts, or flooding – all of which have a high probability of occurring.

The governments of CARICOM countries are struggling to keep their economies afloat with policy initiatives either to revive dormant activities, such as agricultural and fisheries production, or to encourage new technology-based endeavours.

These will help with economic diversification over time, but they will not be immediate large contributors to economic growth or replacements for (continued on page 39)

Sunday April 04, 2021

Dear Reader, in light of the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our publisher, with you in mind, has taken the decision to extend our weekly review of some of our major stories in their entirety.

SUNDAY THE PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO QUESTION GAS-TO-SHORE PROJECT – JAGDEO’S ‘NO BRAINER’ COMMENT IS ARROGANT AND INSULTING – CHRISTOPHER RAM “Disappointing, arrogant and insulting.”

That was how Chartered Accountant and Attorney-atLaw, Christopher Ram, describes the recent comment made by Vice President (VP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo that the financial feasibility of Government’s intended multibillion-dollar gas-toshore project is a “nobrainer.”

The project, since being announced by the Irfaan Ali administration has faced its share of criticisms by industry experts despite having strong support from the nation’s leaders.

One such criticism is its economic soundness. That aspect seems not be of much concern for Government as the VP and local oil boss publicly announced that it was a “no-brainer” as the project would significant reduce the cost of power for all Guyanese, in response to the many concerns raised at the way the project was being handled.

Ram, who is also a staunch anti-corruption advocate, stated clearly that Guyanese, as taxpayers and citizens have “every right” to information on projects and expenditure in their name and the Government has a corresponding duty to both consult and inform.

He stated “Emboldened by the mild response to his description of the proposed gas-to-shore project as a “nobrainer,” Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, compounded his statement by referring to the tininess of the brains of persons who dared to raise legitimate questions about a multi-year, multimillion dollar project.”

“The statements by Mr. Jagdeo are more than disappointing. They are insulting; smack of the kind of arrogance which we all hoped had been put behind us, and reminiscent of Joe Harmon,” Ram continued.

Cleaner, cheaper and more reliable electricity are just a

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few key benefits Guyana can gain from its intended project slated. And considering the fact that Guyana is plagued with frequent blackouts, having a stable power grid would be a refreshing change.

But on the other hand, Ram pointed out that there are several options to meet that demand with a range of market, price, technological, engineering and environmental factors involved: “Natural gas is by all accounts superior to gasoline and diesel, but it is still fossil fuel and still has consequences for the environment,” he said, asking “Is the PPP/C now turning its back on its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and was that strategy purely transactional, devoid of any genuine commitment to sustainability?”

Ram also pointed to the Government’s “mixed” track record with previous developmental projects including the Amelia Falls Hydro Project, Skeldon Modernization Project and the Del Conte Road Project to advise that the gas-to-shore project be taken up by the Committee of the National Assembly and be open to consultations by all Guyanese.

Government has already identified the former Wales Estate as the location for the onshore infrastructure with a crude estimation for the cost of the project standing between US$500-800 million depending on the design, pipeline size and surveys.

Presently, ExxonMobil is in the process of selecting suitable firms to conduct four studies before moving to the construction phase of the project. Those are an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), a Lidar study, along with Geotechnical and Geophysical studies. The results of those studies are expected to inform the design of the pipeline.

LOCAL CONTENT POLICY MUST PROTECT GUYANESE FROM BEING USED AS “WINDOW DRESSING” BY FOREIGN PLAYERS – THEY MUST BE MEANINGFULPARTNERS IN OIL SECTOR – GCCI SENIOR VP While the draft Local Content Policy contains provisions which encourage joint venture partnerships between citizens and foreign companies, it must ensure that there is adequate protection to prevent Guyanese from being “rented” or used as “window dressing.” This perspective was recently

proffered by Senior Vice President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Timothy Tucker.

During his first appearance on Kaieteur Radio’s Programme, Guyana’s Oil and You, Tucker was keen to note that the current draft is a vast improvement over the one that was promulgated by the former coalition regime. Be that as it may, Tucker said, the final policy must have a clear-cut, foolproof definition of what qualifies as a local business.

In his eyes, a foreign company should not be able to cheat the system by using the name of a Guyanese on registration documents, stating that the local has 51 percent ownership, and say they are now a local business, when in reality, the local partner is just there as “window dressing.”

The Senior Vice President said,”…We need to have a real test of locality. We do not want to have companies coming and rent a citizen. You would probably end up with people sitting back and because their name is there…Timothy Tucker Oil and I own 51%, it is really and truly that my agreement is that I have a retainer fee and 95% of the profits are going to a partner who only owns 49%…”

He continued, “So we have got to make sure that the profits, the way that it is defined, that there is a term test of locality, that your local content and the Guyanese there, that the money is actually staying here because that is the purpose of local content. It is to get that money to stay here and it could develop the country.”

Tucker added, “There are a few laws that need to be changed to help that situation and we have identified those to the government and I am sure the Chamber will release

its official comments in the press release at some point in time.”

Kaieteur News would have reported last week that several countries have sought to ensure that there are stiff penalties to guard against the kind of local content deceit Tucker noted by way of policies, laws and regulations.

In Ghana, for example, the legislative framework ensures that any foreigner who desires to set up shop and bid for contracts can only do so if they partner with locals. But for those who even contemplate effecting schemes to cheat the system, Ghana was keen to have clearcut fines and jail time stipulated for such actions.

The Local Content Regulations of that African nation state, for example, “A citizen who acts as a front or connives with a foreign citizen or company to deceive the Commission as representing an indigenous Ghanaian company to achieve the local content requirement under these Regulations, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than one hundred thousand penalty units and not more than two hundred and fifty thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than two years or to both.”

It also notes, “A person who connives with a citizen or an indigenous Ghanaian company to deceive the Commission as representing an indigenous Ghanaian company to achieve the local content requirement under these Regulations, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than one hundred thousand penalty units and not more than two hundred and fifty thousand penalty units or to a term of

imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than two years or to both.”

It is instructive to note as well, that anyone who knowingly submits false documents and makes false statements to Ghana’s Commission along with fronting for a foreign individual or a company to give the impression that local content is being achieved, would also have to face the proverbial music.

Ghana’s regulations in this regard specifically states that, “A person who submits a plan, returns, report or other document and knowingly makes a false statement, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than one hundred thousand penalty units and not more than two hundred and fifty thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than two years and not more than five years or to both.”

MONDAY US$800M GAS-TO-SHORE PROJECT: WHERE DID JAGDEO GET HIS FIGURES WITHOUTA FEASIBILITY STUDY? …GUYANESE MUST BE CONCERNED –ANUGEXECUTIVE The construction of a gas-to-shore power plant without undertaking a cost benefit analysis or feasibility for a project that could likely cost Guyana some US$800M, should be cause for concern to all Guyanese.

This according to Executive Member of A New and United Guyana’s (ANUG), Jonathan Yearwood.

The politician whose party holds representation in the National Assembly through its Joinder List representative, was at the time responding to an article carried by this publication captioned “Financial feasibility of gas-to-shore a ‘no-brainer’ – VP Bharrat Jagdeo.”

The politician in his response to the Vice President’s approach via a letter published in today’s paper said, “I was absolutely dismayed when I read the article.”

This publication had reported Jagdeo as having said the following: “The financial aspect is a nobrainer. Any sensible person with a modicum of sense, a tiny brain, even a residual brain, would understand that.”

Yearwood in his response underscored that Jagdeo had defended his position saying, “If you are generating power

at US$12 or US$13 per kilowatt hour with the current price of fossil fuel…if you can supply power at US$7 or US$8 per kilowatt hour, a mad man would make the decision not to do so and that is what this opportunity offers…to cut the cost of generation by 50% from its current level.”

According to Yearwood, “I would like to ask Jagdeo how possible was it for him to arrive at the figures of US$7 or US$8 per kilowatt hour or, “to cut the cost of generation by 50 per cent from its current level” as no feasibility study was done?

Yearwood, relying on an Investopedia definition noted that “a feasibility study is an analysis that takes all of a project’s relevant factors into account—including economic, technical, legal, and scheduling considerations—to ascertain the likelihood of completing the project successfully.”

According to the ANUG Executive Member, “Jagdeo has a Master’s degree in Economics and is a very intelligent person, thus I am confused when he says there is no need for such a study.”

Yearwood posited, “He is supposed to know and understand the vitally important reasons for conducting this type of research, especially for a project as massive and expensive as this Gas-toShore project.”

He was adamant that the importance of a feasibility study is based on organizational desire to get it right before committing resources, time, or budget.

It was suggested by the politician that a feasibility study might uncover new ideas that could completely change a project’s scope and that “it’s best to make these determinations in advance, rather than to jump in and to learn that the project won’t work.”

He said, too, that conducting a feasibility study is always beneficial to the project while adding that “it gives you and other stakeholders a clear picture of the proposed project.”

The ANUG Executive in his response to Jagdeo qualified his position by pointing to sentiments expressed by the former Energy Minister of Trinidad and Tobago (TT), Kevin Ramnarine who is quoted as saying, “that a rough estimate would be US$600M to US$800M for the project.”

According to Yearwood, for a project that is expected to cost Guyana between US$600M to US$800M, “is our Vice President and Minister of Oil and Gas (Continued on page 26)

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From page 25 saying that no feasibility study is needed…this cannot be the correct manner in which our Government is expected to operate, and we Guyanese should be very concerned about not having a feasibility study done for this Gas-toShore pipeline.”

The comments by the ANUG Executive Member is in line with the perspectives of other stakeholders who strongly disagree with posture of the Vice President on the gas to shore project, despite the fact that there is no feasibility study conducted as yet to ascertain its cost benefit analysis.

This publication on Sunday reported eminent Chartered Accountant and Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram, underscoring that citizens have a right to question the feasibility of the gas-to-shore project while adding that Jagdeo’s sentiments are “arrogant and insulting.”

Ram—a staunch anticorruption advocate, was adamant that taxpayers and citizens have “every right” to information on projects and expenditure in their name. He said that the Government has a corresponding duty to both consult and inform.

“The statements by Mr. Jagdeo are more than disappointing. They are insulting; smack of the kind of arrogance which we all hoped had been put behind us, and reminiscent of Joe Harmon,” Ram continued.

Ram also pointed to the People’s Progressive Party /Civic G o v e r n m e n t ’s “mixed” track record with previous developmental projects including the Amelia Falls Hydro Project, Skeldon Modernization Project and the Del Conte Road Project to advise that the gas-to-shore project be taken up by the Committee of the National Assembly and be open to consultations by all Guyanese.

Government has already identified the former Wales Estate as the location for the onshore infrastructure with a crude estimation for the cost of the project standing between US$500800 million depending on the design, pipeline size and surveys.

ExxonMobil—the Stabroek Block Operator—is currently in the process of selecting suitable firms to conduct four studies before moving to the construction phase of the project.

These include the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and a Lidar study, along with Geotechnical and Geophysical studies.

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Kaieteur News

The results of those studies are expected to inform the design of the pipeline.

15 YEARS LATER…GUYANASTILL WITHOUT ROBUST PROCUREMENT RULES – IDB REPORT – SAYS PRACTICES CONTINUE TO RECEIVE LOWEST SCORES Public procurement is a critical area that needs prompt improvement, as it represents about a quarter of budgets and plays a critical role improving financial management in the Caribbean.

Making these and other fundamental points is the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in its recent report titled, Economic Institutions for a Resilient Caribbean.

One country in need of this prompt improvement is Guyana, says the IDB, as it highlighted that despite 15 years of assessments, the country is still without robust procurement rules. In fact, the IDB wrote in its report that “little progress” had been made to measure and publicly report data in critical areas such as competitive tendering.

Further to this, the development institution noted that public protests related to corruption in the procurement process exacerbate the perception that large swathes of the procurement process are closed to some bidders.

However, the bank’s evaluation does not stop there, as the IDB stated that 23 of the country’s procurement practiced continue to receive the lowest scores (D) Successive Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) assessments.

According to the IDB, this PEFA assessment is a tool for evaluating public financial management, as it provides a thorough, consistent, and evidencebased analysis of public financial management (PFM) performance at a specific

point in time and repeated over time.

The assessment measures the extent to which PFM systems, processes, and institutions contribute to the achievement of desirable budget outcomes, aggregate fiscal discipline, strategic allocation of resources, and efficient service delivery.

When this PEFA assessment was conducted on Guyana, the IDB said that the results reflected “poor competition, value for money and procurement controls.”

Furthermore, it observed “considerable gaps”, particularly regarding the institutional framework, m a n a g e m e n t c a p a c i t y, market prices and transparency of the system.

To this end, the report added, “As well as the ongoing need to achieve the objectives of fairness, t r a n s p a r e n c y, a n d b e s t value.”

The report also indicated that weak linkages between in-year-budget adjustments, procurement plans and internal control weaknesses within personnel and procurement management are among the shortcomings identified as hampering improvements in the operational efficiency of service delivery.

To address these gaps, the bank identified a slew of recommendations. (See table attached) Notably, to tackle some of the aforementioned weaknesses, the IDB wrote that in 2014 had provided technical cooperation to modernize public procurement and strengthen public financial management to streamline the allocation and management of public resources. The bank had also given support to upgrade and implement technological platforms for expenditure systems.

It is against this that the bank noted, “The 2019 Budget Speech recognized the importance of a sound PFM system and stressed the

government’s commitment to improving it.”

TUESDAY GAS-TO-SHORE PIPELINEALONE COULD COST US$800M - COUNTRY WILL STILL HAVE TO INVEST IN CAPACITY TO MAKE INDUSTRY FEASIBLE – MUST DO INDEPENDENTAUDIT OF GAS RESERVES; DON’T DEPEND ON EXXONMOBIL - FMR. T&T ENERGY MINISTER Guyana’s Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has suggested that in light of the perceived benefits, a gas-toshore pipeline from the Liza Field to the Wales Estate is a “no brainer” given the possibility of reducing the cost of generation of electricity in Guyana.

Former Energy Minister of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), Kevin Ramnarine, is of the view that Guyana needs to do much more before forging ahead with the project, since, among other reasons, the touted US$800M price tag is just for the pipeline alone.

The stark warning was given by Ramnarine during a recent webinar on Guyana’s proposed gas to shore project, hosted online by Oil NOW. Drawing on the T&T’s experience, Ramnarine noted that the bulk of the natural gas produced in that country does not go into electricity generation directly, despite the fact that all electricity in the Twin Island Republic is generated using natural gas.

He noted that the gas recovered from the field could be used for varying purposes, in addition to electricity generation.

It was explained that while electricity can be generated using the methane in the gas, there are other associated gases that can also be commercially feasible and spoke of propane that is for cooking and butane that are used in cigarette lighters.

He was adamant that the feasibility of bringing gas to shore would require a holistic approach that will guide a strategic strategy for the country’s industrial development.

These would include the proposed gas to power plant to generate electricity for the domestic grid in addition to separate facilities for the processing of the other gases.

The former energy minister was adamant too that if Guyana is serious about developing a feasible natural gas industry using the associated gas discovered so far in the Stabroek Block, it must first undertake an independent audit of the gas reserves.

The country is currently dependent on ExxonMobil for its data regarding the Stabroek Block potential.

The former energy minister was keen to point out that his country, which currently produces all of its natural gas from electricity, only use a small amount of its production for this purpose.

According to Ramnarine, data currently available from ExxonMobil indicate that about 20 per cent of the just about nine billion barrels of oil is associated gas.

He reminded that the company has committed to supplying some 50 million cubic feet initially on a daily basis.

According to Ramnarine, the proven reserves currently indicate about 9.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas but the country would need to be able to ascertain that there is enough gas in order to sustain the industry for some 20 years.

“There is a significant amount of natural gas out there, 20 per cent of eight billion barrels of oil equivalent is 1.6 billion equivalent, which when converted into gas is 9.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.”

He explained that the gas does present a huge development opportunity for Guyana but there is a need for a well thought out natural gas

master plan “as to how the country plans to use the gas.”

He reiterated that the 50 million cubic feet tranche of gas that can potentially begin landing onshore in 2024 “is only the beginning of the gas story in Guyana.”

As such, Ramnarine was adamant that such an independent audit would be able to inform the industrial development of the country and optimizing the use of the gas.

He said “increasingly, as the decade’s progress, I think more gas will be making its way to the shoreline, so the question is what is the best way to use this gas to develop industries that are sustainable.”

“Liquefied natural gas is certainly a growth industry; gas is going to be around for a long while,” according to Ramnarine, and as such, he suggested that the Guyanese government may wish to “have an independent third party assessment of the reserves that have been discovered thus far.”

According to Ramnarine, such an independent assessment will give the country a better idea of the reserves in its possession “so right now, we have some figures and those figures have been given to us by Exxon(Mobil) out of their reporting.”

The former T&T Energy Minister was unwavering in stating that “it would be useful for the Guyana government to have an independent third party assessment; audits like that would give the Guyanese government a good idea of what sort of resource base you are playing with.”

This, he said, would inform industrial strategies and planning going forward in order to make the gas-toshore initiative economically feasibility.

According to Ramnarine too, the technology exists to bring the pipeline and he estimates it would cost between US$600M and (Continued on page 27)

Sunday April 04, 2021

From page 26 US$800M and that the cost would be minimal when juxtaposed with the total returns from the Stabroek Block and would probably reduce electricity generation in Guyana by about half. The industry, he advised, must be approached in a holistic manner.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE BULLETS WERE MEANT FOR ME – SAYS ROGER KHAN AS RICARDO FAGUNDES LAID TO REST “Every single one of those bullets were meant for me…all 20 something of those bullets were meant for me.” This was the declaration of Roger Khan Monday as he paid tribute to his slain best friend, Ricardo Fagundes popularly known as “Paper Shorts”, who was laid to rest Monday.

Fagundes, a biker and gold dealer, was riddled with more than 20 bullets two Sundays ago, as he exited the popular Main Street nightclub, Palm Court. The act was carried out by two men who had emerged from a heavily tinted white Toyota Fielder wagon (new model).

During his farewell service held at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club located at Thomas Lands, Georgetown, Khan made it clear that he (Khan) was the intended target and not Fagundes.

Khan began his 15-minute long tribute by referring to Fagundes as his own son before going on to share his conviction that he (Fagundes) had died in his place.

“There are many things said about my association with Ricardo, so the first thing I would like to do is clarify my relationship with him. He is not my friend, he is not my associate, he is not my worker; he is my son.”

Khan continued, “Whoever killed him, did not kill an associate, they did not kill my friend… they killed my son.”

“This was not an attack on Ricardo,” he said, adding that “Today is a difficult day for me… especially for me to face Ricardo’s friends and family because he died in my place.”

Khan also recounted his final moments with Fagundes at Palm Court. He said that they had arrived at the bar around 20:42hrs. He noted that the car, which transported the gunmen arrived an hour later.

He claimed that they waited for some 20 minutes until Fagundes stepped outside, sometime after 22:00hrs, presumably to

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move his (Khan’s) Ford pickup and bring it closer to the bar. Khan explained that the gunmen were lurking to attack the person who drives the pick-up. Tragically, that night, it was Fagundes walking to the driver’s side of the pickup, which resulted in him being killed.

As he continued his tribute, Khan said that even though he would have preferred to have taken the bullets, he believes that it was Fagundes’ appointed time to go.

He quoted Hebrews 9:27, a biblical verse, which states “people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”. Khan interpreted the verse by saying that “no man can determine one’s death, enemies can sit and plan but God has the final say.”

Nevertheless, Khan demanded justice for his slain friend and even lashed out at the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for not working diligently to find Fagundes’s killers.

He accused the Force of failing Fagundes and his relatives miserably by not doing its best in relation to the investigation. Khan went on to question why no roadblock was set up immediately, in order to trap the getaway car, which the gunmen used.

Khan also claimed that the police are harassing Fagundes’ family members, instead of hunting for leads in the case. He said too that investigators had told him that they could not obtain video footage where the car went because the State’s security cameras are not working.

As Khan called for justice, he passionately underscored that “history can tell us that when there is no State security, lawlessness will prevail.”

“The hearts of men bleed for justice,” he added, as he insisted that the investigation into Fagundes’ murder should be given the same importance that was given to the Henry boys’ case.

Meanwhile, the GPF, in a statement issued in direct response to Khan’s remarks, assured that the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Fagundes killing were never compromised.

“This incident is being treated with every seriousness and alacrity spearheaded by investigators of the Force’s Major Crimes Unit (MCU),” the GPF stated.

The Police Force also made it clear that a comprehensive investigation is being conducted and all leads are being followed to bring the perpetrators of the

for the project. Patterson had deemed it “an act of lunacy” as it would entail placing a gas pipeline along the mouth of one of Guyana’s busiest rivers.

heinous crime to justice.

WEDNESDAY GAS-TO-SHORE PROJECT MUST BE GUIDED BY MANDATORY STUDIES BEFORE BEINGDEEMED A “NO-BRAINER” Before any aspect of the intended multibillion-dollar gas-to-shore project could be deemed a “no-brainer,” it is pertinent for it to be guided by the requisite studies conducted by Government and not ExxonMobil subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Limited (EEPGL).

At least, this is the view of Dr. Vincent Adams, Former Director of the Environmental Protection Agency. His opinion comes on the heels of the public’s mixed perception of the project since Government made the announcement.

Many have argued that Government has been moving a bit too fast and should slow down, at least until a thorough plan and proper studies are conducted, since a location was identified prior to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) being conducted.

After pressure mounted to provide answers to the many questions raised, it was Vice President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo, who announced that four studies would be conducted – an EIA, LiDar study along with a Geotechnical and a Geophysical study.

However, what was not disclosed by him, was that it was EEPGL conducting the studies.

That detail was revealed later by the Natural Resource Minister, Vickram Bharrat.

And when concerns were raised about the economic soundness of the project, the VP said this aspect was a “no-brainer,” on the basis that it would significantly lower the cost of electricity for Guyanese.

But while this is so, Dr.

TRINIDAD ONLY USES 8% OF NATURAL GAS PRODUCED TO POWER THE WHOLE COUNTRY …MAJORITY IS EXPORTED TO SERVE AS COUNTRY’S MAIN ECONOMIC PILLAR - FMR. T&T ENERGY MINISTER Adams is of the firm view that such a major project “must” only be guided by “comprehensive mandatory studies to include the technical, economic and environmental components of the project, before it could be deemed a ‘nobrainer’.”

“In order to win the trust of the Guyanese people concerning the doubts surrounding this project, the Government must ensure that these studies are truly independent, in that they must not be conducted by EEPGL, nor any entity with a conflict of interest relationship with EEPGL,” the Former EPA Director outlined.

N o t o n l y t h a t , D r.

Adams said, Government must ensure that there is the requisite technical capacity on its side to review and be satisfied with the soundness of the s t u d i e s . I n i t i a l l y, t h e previous David Granger administration had identified the GreenfieldMahaica area as the preferred site, but according to the VP, that idea was discarded as the land is privately owned.

In defending Government’s choice to use Wales, Jagdeo had said that it would not bring the facilities to Region Four in places such as Ogle or the East Bank of Demerara, since those areas are set for major development.

Consideration was also made to not place such a facility in close proximity to the capital city as in the past; there has been public resistance to the establishment of certain chemical facilities on the East Bank.

Government thought it best to identify areas sporting virgin lands and low population density with two locations being chosen – Crab Island and the former Wales sugar estate. The latter was then selected.

But this area, according to Dr. Adams, was never zoned designed to accommodate a sprouting of industrial complexes that have potential for severe environmental consequences – much of which Guyana has never dealt with.

He commented “During m y t e n u r e a s t h e E PA Director, I steered many interested investors of this nature, to consider locations at the sparsely developed areas at the mouths of the Essequibo and Berbice rivers.”

F o r t h a t r e a s o n , D r.

Adams advised Government to investigate these and other similar areas outside of the Georgetown area, for these developments, which are fast coming.

It should be noted that the shadow Oil and Gas Minister, David Patterson, also expressed concerns about using Wales as the site

The bulk of the Natural Gas produced in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) has to be processed in some form or another and exported as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), ammonia or similar hydrocarbon products, since the country’s total electricity consumption, only uses about eight percent of its total production.

In fact, the 100 percent reliance on Natural Gas for its electricity generation has also since left T&T in a position, where its production far exceeds its peak demand.

Compounding the situation further, is the fact that the cost of producing that electricity is increasing, which will lead to an inevitable increase in tariffs to be paid soon by consumers.

This, not to mention the fact that the country has now embarked on a national initiative to produce more electricity through renewable mechanisms such as solar energy.

‘No-Brainer’ The revelations were had on Monday last, when the twin island republic’s former Energy Minister, Kevin Ramnarine, discussed Guyana’s proposed gas to shore initiative during an Oil NOW webinar and drew reference to his country’s experience, using gas for electricity generation.

The discussion comes on the heels of growing public debate domestically over the feasibility of the initiative.

(Continued on page 28)

PAGE 28

From page 27 Guyana’s Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo has suggested that bringing gas to shore would reduce electricity by as much as half and as such, a feasibility study was not required, since the decision would be a ‘no brainer’.

According to Ramnarine however, only about seven to eight percent of Natural Gas produced in that country goes toward electricity generation.

The bulk of the natural gas produced, according to the former Energy Minister, is liquefied and exported while smaller amounts are used for ethanol production and ammonia production in addition to propane for cooking gas in T&T, among other uses.

“Natural Gas to electricity really constitutes about 7 to 8 percent of all” Natural Gas produced in the country…”the bulk is used to make LNG which is exported and that LNG business has really been the main pillar of Trinidad’s economy for the last 21 years.”

Trinidad and Tobago began utilizing natural gas for electricity general in 1953 and has since then become 100 per cent reliant on the fossil fuel.

He was adamant, “…electricity is a small subset of the natural gas use” in Trinidad and Tobago since the country first started to commercialize the resources in the 1950s—first for power generation and later for ammonia production.

Excess Capacity The former energy minister expanding on the use of gas for electricity noted, that in T&T, there are four electricity-generating stations on the main island and another located in Tobago.

He disclosed however, “we have an installed capacity of about 2,100 (megawatts) MW in Trinidad and right now the peak demand in Trinidad is somewhere in the region of 1,350MW.” Ramnarine explained to the moderator—Chris Chapwanya—”yes, we do have excess capacity in Trinidad.”

He said the excess capacity or glut in supply is underpinned by some key developments in the country over the past decade and cited as example the cancellation of an aluminum smelter :”A power plant was built to supply the aluminum smelter and that smelter was cancelled.”

Ramnarine underscored too, that “we have had the closure of one of the major

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steel producers in the country…we have had the closure of the refinery in Trinidad, the oil refinery so that accounts for that big gap between installed capacity and what we call peak demand.”

As such, the former Energy Minister divulged that the T&T government is currently looking to now diversify its electricity production away from natural gas towards solar.

“To that extent there is a project that is being pursued jointly by BP and shell to build the country’s first solar farm,” Ramnarine said.

He noted that there are two such farms planned that will produce some 110MW of power.

The former Minister did point out that using natural gas to generate electricity in Trinidad did allow the country to sell the utility at about the second lowest rate in the hemisphere which has had its own spin off effects.

Increased Tariffs The low prices charged according to Ramnarine, “…has really underpinned the lifestyle so to speak, or a lot of the prosperity in Trinidad.”

He cited as examples the benefits to the manufacturing and industrial sectors as a result of cheaper electricity.

The former Energy Minister warned however, “the time is coming very soon when those rates will have to be revised.”

This, he said, has not been done in T&T in over a decade and that the cost of production over the years has been increasing.

“The time is coming very soon where I think it will become inevitable that we have to revise the electricity rates upward in Trinidad; their costs have been going up, but their revenue streams remain the same.”

Underscoring the feasibility of bringing gas to

shore, Ramnarine intimated that such an initiative would only be commercially successful if it goes beyond electricity generation.

THURSDAY GUYANA’S SECOND EITI REPORT REVEALS… 48 COMPANIES IN GOLD, DIAMOND, BAUXITE, TIMBER, OIL INDUSTRIES, ETC. REFUSE TO GIVE OUT TAX, FINANCIAL DATA – COUNTRY’S EXPORT, PRODUCTION STATS. IN DISARRAY – GOVT. AGENCIES FAILTO SUBMIT REQUESTED DETAILS When countries sign up to be members of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), they agree to follow a set of international standards which seek to ensure all financial transactions between governments and companies in the forestry, fisheries, mining, and oil and gas sectors are in the open.

This way, citizens have a clear idea of how much money should be in the national purse and can therefore question how it is being spent to improve their livelihoods.

When Guyana joined this good governance club in 2017, it was the hope of many that the foregoing would be achieved. But for the last three years, local authorities have started to understand just how difficult it is to remove the extractive sector from the cloak of darkness and into the light of transparency.

For the second time, Guyana has failed in its attempt at producing a report which accurately captures the transactions between State and companies.

According to the 2018 report, which is on the website of the local EITI chapter, the extractives industries

pumped $27.6B into the economy in 2018. But 39 percent of that could not be verified. The report, totalling 178 pages, notes that there are three reasons for this. The first is that companies operating in the sector have refused to give up details on their payments to the State; the second is that government agencies such as the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) are prohibited by law from giving out tax data without written waivers. The third reason is that the country’s export and production data is in total disarray.

According to the report, auditors were unable to reconcile discrepancies totalling close to $7B. The document said, “This unreconciled difference relates mainly to GRA that was unable to submit its reporting templates for forty-eight (48) extractive entities because of the lack of signed waivers.”

In light of this, the report noted that GRA’s total receipts from the mining, oil and gas sector could not be estimated.

It was highlighted as well that the National Insurance Scheme and the Ministry of Finance did not submit reporting templates for more than 40 companies.

Along with the fact that these government agencies were unable to provide the information requested by GYEITI, it was noted that 41 extractive entities out of the 59 selected for review did not submit their reporting templates.

“Given the lack of reporting templates from both Government Agencies and extractive entities as set out in Section 1.4 of this report, it was not possible to ensure the comprehensiveness of the revenues collected from the extractive entities retained in the reconciliation scope,” the document

outlined.

In the longer term, the 2018 report said that a review of the mining regulations should be carried out to include provisions with regards to EITI reporting such as: reporting obligations for extractive entities while specifying the level of disaggregation of the data to be submitted; and sanctions which could be imposed against extractive entities in the event of non-compliance or false declarations. In the short term, the EITI report recommended that application and renewal forms for mining licences and permits explicitly include a declaration of consent to disclosure of information required for compliance with EITI reporting and that such information be made available in a disaggregated, project by project, format.

With respect to the export data for the fiscal year covered by the EITI Report, including total export volumes and the value of exports by commodity, and when relevant, by state/region of origin, it was noted that Government Agencies’ records were different from one another as well as from the companies’ records. It was found for example that the Guyana Gold Board does not systematically crosscheck exports data against GRA’s records to identify the potential discrepancies, hence they both carry different data. (See Chart One attached to article which shows the difference in the export data held by GGB and GRA).

Going forward, it was recommended that GRA and GGB implement automated controls to ensure the comprehensiveness of export data reported by mining entities and to develop analysis tools to ensure consistency of exports data.

Kaieteur News understands

that this may include: putting in place a computerised system allowing the update and oversee of this data; collecting data from mining companies on a common and accessible IT platform for the relevant Government Agencies; and performing monthly control of exports data collected from Government Agencies to prevent discrepancies.

As for the disclosure of production data, including the volumes and the value by commodity, it was noted that the Guyana Gold Board and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) are the Government Agencies responsible for collecting reliable data to assess the companies’ liabilities in terms of royalties on production and the subsequent monitoring of their payments.

The report highlighted, however, that GGB and GGMC do not have their own procedures to collect and control production data reported by mining companies. As a result, the report stated that the minerals production data declared by GGB does not match production values and quantities declared by extractives companies.

US STATE DEPT. 2020 REPORT FINDS… GUYANAPOLICE, MAGISTRATES’COURT SYSTEM CORRUPT – SAYS WIDESPREAD PUBLIC PERCEPTION IMPLICATES OFFICIALS ATALL LEVELS The US State Department’s Country Report on Human Rights Practices for Guyana has found that the ranks of the Guyana Police Force are frequently engaged in acts of corruption—a practice that also taints the country’s magistracy.

The recently released (Continued on page 29)

Sunday April 04, 2021

From page 28 report on Guyana found that the Magistrates’ courts, which deals with both criminal and civil matters, was plagued with “inefficiencies, and alleged corruption in the magistrates’ court system affected citizens’ ability to seek timely remedies in civil matters, and there was a large backlog of civil cases.”

Pointing to the hurdles facing the country’s judicial sector, although the law provides criminal detainees prompt access to a lawyer of their choice and to family members, the report noted that authorities occasionally did not fully respect this right.

It was noted too that while the state provides legal counsel for indigent persons, this is only done when such persons are charged with a capital offence.

The report said too that lengthy pretrial detention remained a problem, due primarily to judicial inefficiency, staff shortages, and cumbersome legal procedures.

It was pointed out that the average length of pretrial detention was three years for those awaiting trial at a magistrates’ court or in the High Court and this often exceeded the maximum possible sentence for the crime for which they were charged.

According to the US State Department, while the law provides for an independent judiciary, and the government generally respected judicial independence and impartiality, “delays and inefficiencies undermined judicial due process.”

Additionally, “shortages of trained court personnel, postponements at the request of the defence or prosecution, occasional allegations of bribery, poor tracking of cases, and police slowness in preparing cases for trial caused delays.

Additionally, it was noted that in Guyana while the law recognises the right to legal counsel, it was limited to those who could afford to pay, except in cases involving capital crimes.

“Although there is no formal public defender system, a defendant in a murder case that reaches the High Court may receive a court-appointed attorney…The Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic, with government and private support, provided advice to persons who could not afford a lawyer, particularly victims of domestic violence and violence against women.”

As it relates to the Guyana Police Force, the US report concluded simply that,

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“Corruption by police officers was frequent.”

Qualifying its position, the document cited as example “there were reports the government prosecuted members of the police force during the year” and that “in July, the government prosecuted police officer Richard Persaud for extortion.

Persaud resigned from the police force in August, and the prosecution against him was underway as of October.”

As it relates to public officers holding high office, the report lamented the deficiencies of the country’s Integrity Commission.

According to the report, while the country’s laws requires public officials to declare their assets to an integrity commission and sets out both criminal and administrative sanctions for non-disclosure, no publications of convictions occurred during the first nine months of the year.

It was underscored that “if a person fails to file a declaration, the daily newspapers and the official gazette can publish that fact” and that “failure to comply with the law can lead to a summary conviction, fines, and imprisonment for six to 12 months.”

If property is not disclosed as required, the magistrate convicting the defendant must order the defendant to make a full disclosure within a set time.

The report outlined, however, that although the integrity commission was reconstituted in 2018, after a 12-year hiatus, it did not appear to be fully functional since no publications or convictions occurred during the first nine months of the year.

According to the report, the law provides for criminal penalties for corruption by officials, and the government generally implemented the law effectively but there were isolated reports of government corruption during the year, and administration officials investigated these reports.

The report stated, however, that there remains “a widespread public perception of corruption involving officials at all levels, including the police and judiciary.”

Other damning infractions highlighted in the US State Department document on Guyana were reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killing.

It stated for instance that, “in July, police shot and killed Cecil Sampat, an unarmed civilian.”

It said, according to

police, Sampat was one of three passengers in a car who opened fire on the police but no gun was found in Sampat’s vehicle, nor was there gunshot residue on Sampat or the other passengers.

In August, the government charged the police officers who allegedly shot and killed Sampat.

Speaking to the matter of arbitrary arrests, the US report noted that in August 2020, police arrested Christopher Jones, a senior member of the opposition, and searched his home, although Jones had a courtissued injunction preventing the search.

FRIDAY BROTHER OF SLAIN HENRYTEEN ALLEGEDLY CONFESSES TO MURDERING PENSIONER FOR REVENGE – HAD REPORTEDLY SAID: “HE KILL ME BROTHERAND NOW I FEEL PLEASED I KILL HE NOW” Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, has confirmed reports that Mark Anthony Henry, brother of one of the slain Henry teens, has allegedly confessed to murdering the Berbice pensioner, Surojdeo Deochand, for revenge.

Mark had reportedly made that confession to his relatives on Tuesday, the same day Deochand’s body was found butchered at his home located in Number Three Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB). The discovery was made some time around 17:30Hrs. Detectives learnt that Mark and Deochand lived next door to each other.

Kaieteur News had reported too, that the murdered Deochand was a former suspect in the Henry boys’ killing but he was cleared by police of involvement.

Investigations into Deochand’s murder later revealed that earlier that day Mark was armed with a cutlass and was reportedly behaving disorderly by “pelting bricks at Deochand’s House” and his brother had to be called over to calm him down. Detectives were told When Mark’s brother arrived and confronted him about his actions he yelled, “Dem kill we brother and we ain’t get justice”.

Mark then reportedly charged towards his brother with the cutlass but the brother dodged and pinned him to the ground. He, however, reportedly freed himself and ran away to the Number Four Village.

Detectives said that Mark’s brother had headed over to Deochand’s house but retreated after he noticed blood stains on the ground.

Mark, according to what police found out was spotted some time later drinking with some men at Number Four village. After that drinking session ended, Mark returned to his home around 17:03 Hrs. It was there that he reportedly shouted out, “I just chop up that one Sarji; I chop out he neck, face. He kill me brother and now I feel pleased I kill he now”. He was seen wearing blue short pants with “blood spots on it” and carrying a jagged edge cutlass.

Not long after, Deochand’s body was discovered with chop wounds to his face, stomach and arms. Kaieteur News had reported that Deochand’s relatives had received a call that afternoon informing them that he was chopped up in the home.

“Somebody call and seh how somebody chop up uncle and then we call the police and when they go, they see he chop up,” one of the relatives had said.

A nephew who wished to remain anonymous had said that when he arrived, he saw his uncle’s body wrapped in

a sheet on a stretcher. He had recounted that he had unwrapped the sheet and saw that Deochand’s hand was severed off.

“His stomach had chop wounds and his face was also brutally disfigured with chops,” he had related.

The Guyana Police Force had moved to issue a wanted bulletin for Mark Henry but he turned himself in to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at Eve Leary with a lawyer the following day. Police believe they have enough evidence to pin Mark to the pensioner’s murder and a file has been prepared and sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.

EXXONMOBIL WANTS FLEXIBLE LOCAL CONTENT POLICY/LAWS -SAYS UNREALISTIC DEMANDS CAN JEOPARDISE OPERATIONS - LOCAL CONTENT CONSULTANT ExxonMobil Guyana is warning the Guyanese public to temper expectations with regards potential benefits to be had from tapping into the oil and gas industry, since these could have negative implications.

This position was reaffirmed following the company’s latest submission to the government on the draft local content policy, “reaffirming its commitment to implementing effective initiatives to help build a globally competitive workforce and supply base.”

The company in a public missive on Wednesday confirmed that it had submitted written submission to the government following engagement with officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources recently.

This is in addition to the quarterly reports that are compiled and submitted to the Ministry.ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge, in making the

announcement, underscored the company’s commitment “to growing local content that will generate broad and sustainable economic development, while supporting safe development of the nation’s oil and gas resources.”

He said, ExxonMobil is “pleased that the government continues to seek broad input and collaboration to develop an approach suited to Guyana’s unique situation and national development objectives.”

He cautioned nonetheless that “Local content policy or legislation should be informed and supported by appropriate economic, labour and industrial baseline studies.”

According to Routledge, “It is essential that when driving local content in one sector, actual and projected national capacity is taken into consideration to avoid negatively impacting other sectors of the economy.”

He said “prior experience around the globe demonstrates that overly aggressive local content regulations and mandates can have unintended, negative consequences on the development of projects, industry, and the broader economy.”

The company, earlier in the day, hosted a Local Content Backgrounder for journalists, where SocioEconomic Local Content Consultant, Traecy Roberts, spoke to the need for flexibility in any Local Content Policy and Laws that are promulgated.

She was adamant that changing the laws and contract terms intermittently could undermine investments and the operations of the industry generally.

Roberts further contended that with the oil and gas industry being a technical operation, the company would not want to jeopardise its operations by (Continued on page 30)

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From page 29 setting unrealistic standards.

She cited as example, the fact that Guyana does not even produce steel.

According to ExxonMobil Guyana Local Content Advisor, Devon Seeram, the company works closely with its prime contractors to ensure that they are equally committed to developing local content and tracks that their local content plans are effectively implemented.

He too pointed to the need for better understanding of the needs of the industry and noted, for

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example, that while in 2020 some US$3M was spent by the company for transportation, only about US$1.8M was actually retained in country, since the remainder went towards imports which means that the money expended was not actually expended in country.

He used accommodations as another example and noted that last year while some US$17.6M was spend on accommodations, 80 percent of this spending was not actually retained in country, since that went into importing commodities and materials.

This scenario was repeated,

across other sectors more glaringly in the form of insurance, where only one percent of what was spent was spent in country since local insurers did not have the capacity.

He did seek to point out that since “our first discovery in 2015, we have made significant progress creating jobs, growing the number of local suppliers we work with and increasing our local spending.”

He disclosed that at the end of 2020, the total Guyanese workforce supporting ExxonMobil Guyana’s overall activities was 2,338 persons and accounted for some 56 percent

of the local workforce.

According to Seeram, since 2015, more than GY$77.6B or some US$338M has been spent directly with more than 800 Guyanese companies for goods and services ranging from food to engineering.

Roberts did use the occasion to also caution that because ExxonMobil is the operator in three different blocks that are in different stages of operations, the workforce demands can vary and cited as example periods where more technical expertise not available in country would have to be utilized.

The company officials also noted that in its development of its local content policy it was cognizant of the fact that experts could be pulled away from other critical sectors in the country.

The consultants used the occasion also to speak of the need for domestic companies to reinvest into their operations in order to build capacity.

According to Seeram, the company collaborates with its suppliers to ensure Guyanese are given preferential treatment “once they have the capacity and are competitive.”

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==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==

A dangerous myth has raised its head; it must be exposed Here are the words of a prominent Guyanese, Vincent Alexander, who I believe has a voice that many African Guyanese listen to. I am not African Guyanese. I am not an Indian activist. I am a Guyanese academic, media operative and human rights activist.

I do not have a pair of racial lenses to use in those three horizons that I operate on, therefore my mission is to write about and correct wrongdoings perpetrated by people in general. The pen I have, has no interest in protecting any ethnic group, including the East Indian race, whose DNA is part of me without me having any original choice in that (not that I cared which ethnic parents I was born from).

Before we come to elaborate on the headline of this article here, an expression of mine is important. I know this country. I know its people.

I will not be deterred by negative things said about me. That is life. This aspect of life will remain with civilisation forever. One just has to do the things that are in one’s heart, soul and mind and ignore the ranting and bile of limited minds from race groups and political prostitutes that live in miasmic cocoons.

Here is what Alexander wrote in the letters section of the Stabroek News of

February 5, 2021, “As an African Guyanese, it is my firm conviction that the enslavement of Africans along with the post-slavery institutionalisation of their subjugation, in Guyana, has left them economically disadvantaged and psychologically scarred.”

Any Guyanese social scientist trained in political economy, political sociology and history of their country who can accept that statement except the last two words, is either incompetent or is an academic charlatan.

I am not African and not a descendant of African slaves so I cannot be that stupid and impertinent to decide how African Guyanese psychologically feel about the enslavement of their ancestors. But I do have a little bit of authority to comment on things I see among African Guyanese since I grew up among them, lived among them all my life and have several African nieces and nephews from three African brothers-in-law and one African sister-in-law.

In this country, the Africans and East Indians are intricately connected because of Guyana’s demography and economy so it is pathetically absurd to tell an African or an Indian that they do know absolutely nothing about each other’s race. From where I stand

historically and in modern times, I did not and do not see the psychological scars of slavery that determined and is presently shaping the psychic and mental structure of African Guyanese.

What I believe is that African politicians and certain bigoted Africans with a certain agenda used the “psychological scar sentiment” for sinister, narrow purposes. I keep writing about that statement Melinda Janki made in 2020, that the people of Guyana are not racially driven but it is the politicians, who drive the race hate in the country.

My task here is to dissect the part of Alexander ’s statement that refers to the economic disadvantage of African Guyanese. It cannot stand up to historical and scholarly scrutiny. It is a dangerous myth with a purpose to mislead young African Guyanese. It should be confronted and be defeated.

Here is what Professor John Gafar wrote in his book, “Guyana: From State Control to Free Markets,” on page 41 about who owned the wealth of Guyana, “The PNC B u r n h a m Government…took control of over 85 percent of total investment and over 80 percent of the recorded import and export trade, miniaturised foreign banks

and insurance companies, instituted a system of price, exchange rate and trade controls….”

Here is what Professor Ramesh Gampat wrote in his book, “Guyana’s Great Economic Downswing, 19771990, on page171" about who owned the wealth of Guyana under the PNC government, “The Government was responsible for 85 percent of gross domestic capital formation…private domestic capital fell from 70.5 percent to less than 20 percent during (sic) 1978 to 1988.”

The obvious question

then was who owned the wealth of Guyana in those days when an overtly Black party was in power and its hegemony was complete?

Here is an informative bit of statistics from Gampat, “In 1977 public and private fixed capital formation as a share of GDP was 20.5 percent and 5.3 percent respectively.”

I returned from studies abroad in 1984 after a short stint with the Maurice Bishop Government in Grenada. I went into the J.P. Santos supermarket and it was empty.

Rice farmers were literally devastated by the Burnham regime. The External Trade

Frederick Kissoon Bureau regulated all trade at the time. Where was the economic disadvantage of African Guyanese? More later.

(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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Coronavirus: These are our endgame options; our behaviour will determine where we end up

By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center You should be fully aware that we are in another phase of the pandemic, where there is a surge in infections worldwide. Scientists are associating this surge with the new variants that are currently circulating and their ability to thrive and further mutate as humans continue to behave irresponsibly. In Guyana, it is no different as the general disregard for the current situation continues to

rise.

This has obviously led to a rise in cases and deaths to the point where we are in the middle of another epidemic.

This period of rise in infections and deaths will last for weeks to come and our outcome will be determined by how we behave during this time.

We now have ways to get to the end of the tunnel but our current choices and actions will determine if we do and the number of casualties we face along the way. Today, I will share with you the possible outcomes that we are

now left with given the current situation.

Fully eradicate the virus and return to normalcy While this seems more unlikely as mutations and infections continue to rise, there is still a small possibility of it occurring.

It will take a few years and will mean that there is worldwide cooperation to ensure equitable vaccine coverage. In addition, there will have to be drastic change in behavioural patterns to curb the spread of new mutations of the virus as the more the virus mutates, the

likelier it will become a permanent fixture with us.

I am not optimistic that this option will occur given the current behavioural patterns and the inequitable and slow vaccine distribution thus far.

Recurrent surge accompanied by deaths The cyclical rise and fall of infections and deaths is the pattern that we have been faced with thus far. We have so far been experiencing periods of high infections and deaths followed by periods of low infections and deaths.

There seems to be a correlation between the rise in deaths and infections every time we are exposed to a new variant of the virus. If we are not careful, this virus will continue to mutate and evolve into forms that are more deadly and vaccine resistant.

Should this occur, then we will be stuck with it for the foreseeable future and be faced with cycles of infection surge followed by increases in deaths. There is a decent chance of this option being the long-term reality once we continue to be irresponsible and do not achieve the desired vaccination rates.

Tame the virus sufficiently

for us to thrive There is a strong possibility of this option occurring by the end of this year but it will take more commitment and responsible behaviour.

First, we will have to ensure stricter adherence to prevention guidelines so that we prevent the virus from spreading and mutating to more infectious and vaccine resistant forms. This will then buy us sufficient time to ramp up vaccination rates and decrease the spread of the virus and its ability to mutate into deadlier and more infectious forms.

While we may not be able to fully eradicate the virus with this option, we may be able to weaken it sufficiently that it can be contained and cause milder infections similar to the common cold or flu.

This seems to be the likely path for us at this stage but stricter adherence to prevention guidelines, along with universal vaccine coverage is needed.

Vaccinate! Vaccinate!

Vaccinate!

We have only managed to vaccinate around five percent of Guyana’s population thus far. This is a far cry from our goal of 80

Dr. Zulfikar Bux percent vaccination to contain the epidemic. To complicate matters, the current vaccines are not currently approved for children.

This means that close to 100 percent adult vaccination is needed if we are to control the virus and be able to return to a semblance of normalcy here.

Should we fail, then there is a possibility of vaccine resistant strains forming and will cause more devastation for years to come. This means all of us have to play our part in getting vaccinated and ensuring we educate and encourage others to do the same.

Falling short is not an option given the consequences that lie ahead for us. Get vaccinated and be part of the solution to this pandemic rather than being part of the problem.

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BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY! In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecency in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

SUNDAY Like the ship stuck in the Suez Canal is causing billions of dollars in losses for many companies, traffic congestion on the East Bank of Demerara Public Road leading to Georgetown has become a never-ending plague to the lives of the poor and working people of Guyana. Five years in office and the APNU+AFC did not fix it. Let’s see if the PPP/C will stick to its guns.

MONDAY It is not only disappointing that Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo does not believe a financial viability study is necessary for the behemoth gas-to-shore project.

It is also very telling. This man seems to believe himself the owner of the transport for Guyana.

He must see himself so highly that with the flick of a finger, he can green light a

project to the tune of hundreds of millions of US dollars, without showing the Guyanese people that it will work.

The sheer arrogance of this man, to think that the taxpayers footing his salary, the people who voted him into office, do not even deserve the dignity of a justification.

There is no place for the Vice President’s hubris in this democracy.

TUESDAY With this month being regarded the deadliest since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic to our shores, there is still need for the administration to take decisive action, and swiftly too.

Yes, the President has recognised that the country is faced with a dilemma, as do our health officials, but action does speak louder than words.

Cosmetic actions such as

arresting persons for breaching curfew will not save us!

Indeed, we have some hope that the vaccine will work in our favour, but until then must we silently look on as infections increase and bodies continue to drop?

Isn’t a lockdown – maybe just for a week or two - warranted to curb the unprecedented spread and the far too many deaths?

Yes, it will mean loss of revenue but without our people, of what use will be all the revenue in the world?

WEDNESDAY The Cabinet is the highest decision-making forum in this country.

The decisions Cabinet makes has an impact on all citizens of this country. It is therefore non-negotiable that the citizens of this country have the right of head, outside of national security is-

sues, to know what Cabinet is up to.

President Irfaan Ali needs to take responsibility and reinstate post-Cabinet press briefings immediately!

THURSDAY Even as COVID-19 continues to batter our nation, we are faced with yet another epidemic – crime.

Almost daily our newspaper has been reporting on crimes, some especially heinous, that are committed.

Even the most vulnerable among us are not spared.

The activities of bicycle and motorcycle bandits have seemingly become a societal norm.

Is the Commissioner of Police paying attention?

Is there a strategy in the making to eradicate this callous behaviour?

Our people are under attack and we clearly cannot cast all the blame on COVID19!

We need the Police Force to serve and protect as it is mandated to do!

FRIDAY We repeat the call for post-Cabinet press briefings under the Dr. Irfaan Ali administration.

President Ali was not only duly elected, and hence owes an obligation to the people of Guyana to con-

stantly apprise them of his Cabinet’s handling of their business, but was the key beneficiary of the international fight against a monthslong process that threatened to completely undermine public faith in executive government.

The low bar set by his predecessor is not an excuse or opportunity to discard attention to accountability and transparency in the administration of government.

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>>> ENCOURAGING EVENTS, DISTURBING DEVELOPMENTS <<<

The George Subraj Foundation, President Ali and dirt, and Phagwah celebrations

By GHK Lall

I

t is the Easter weekend, so I have hope in my heart, as I ponder how much was given to us (me), with so much needing to be given back. As I looked for the encouraging, I came across, in KN, some who are indeed, giving back very quietly and very significantly.

There is the work of the people associated with the George Subraj Foundation, and their extensive humanitarian efforts with kidney patients in Guyana.

I am encouraged that there are those Guyanese who went ahead, but could still look back; those who rose up, but do not look down.

Rather, they give of themselves, through what they have been blessed with, and so they reach to bless others, by giving them hope, an extension of time, some timely quality care, possibly some quality-of-life ingredients.

This Foundation, which is dedicated to philanthropic outreach in a number of areas, and to an increasing number of Guyanese, is a difference maker of distinction; sometimes, it is literally between that of life and death.

My hope in this Easter interlude is that other Guyanese would be encouraged to give something, those who are already doing so to give a little more. I am encouraged by these people, and extend a warm thank you.

I am encouraged that His Excellency, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, found the time in his most likely busy schedule, to rail against those who continue to look for

ways to extract more dollars than they are legitimately due from contractual relationships with the citizens of this country.

It involved some selling dirt at $2,000 a truckload back to villagers in Berbice; pick a multiplier (20 or 30, perhaps more) and soon that adds to a nice number of dollars in the thousands.

It should not be, since contractors are being paid enough to make a decent, if not superb, surplus/return from the contracts on which they bid (with their own final price stated) and win.

For them, to pursue opportunities to exploit neighbouring citizens with something as tiny as dirt, emphasises the lengths to which they will go to rip the taxpayers of this country, when the big money is involved.

I am encouraged that President Ali has started at this smallest of small points. Now I would be further encouraged - and I think that all Guyanese would be, too - if he

and his government would concentrate their time, visions, and energies on how to do right by us, on what is better than a $2,000 truckload of dirt for us.

I am thinking of the billions in oil, which will come in various expenses; those can be whittled down considerably, through conscientious and comprehensive leadership strategies and tactics.

I would be encouraged to hear and read that the President and his Vice President bring that same powerful anger, that great distaste in their dealings with foreign companies that operate here, and nickel and dime us to the tune of tens of billions, with our natural resources, of which oil stands as the foremost.

I think of how those villagers felt when the head of state intervened and raged at the outrage.

I would feel the same (and all citizens would too) to be eyewitnesses to that same rage and outrage taking hold on that asset that matters the most.

It is oil, not dirt. I would like to thank President Ali some more; I would be most encouraged if he affords me the opportunity, through his government's patriotic, powerful, and transparent management of the national oil blessing.

In the spirit of tranquility of Easter, I close out with another encouraging event, which this time involved last week's Phagwah celebrations.

It is a festival that brings much individual delight when shared close-up, which the COVID-19 pandemic ruled out with finality.

The media reports were of subdued and sensible celebrations of the day in Berbice and Essequibo.

It is good to read of this maturity and bow to sobriety by fellow citizens. If we can get more like this, it would be still more encouraging.

(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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Collective CARICOM voice for recovery at IMF-World Bank...

From page 24 situation because of their vulnerability to their trading partners which, without exception, enjoy relatively large trade surpluses with the region.

Some of these same trading partners are among the most vociferous in the continued application of mistaken criteria that disqualify many CARICOM countries from concessionary financing and debt relief.

At this month's meetings of the IMF/WBG, Caribbean representatives have an opportunity to advance

proposals for support.

One of the points that should be made is that, since the huge balance of trade surplus that rich countries enjoy with CARICOM states runs into billions of dollars perennially, giving them revenues and employment, they should regard debt forgiveness and rescheduling, as well as concessional financing, as investments in CARICOM countries from which they derive considerable benefits annually.

If the economies of CARICOM countries are not

helped to recover, there will be a corresponding contraction in their ability to continue to buy goods and services from the rich.

Efforts must be made to create a framework that integrates debt sustainability, growthinvestment, and building resilience for CARICOM countries.

Such a framework must also take full account of the region's vulnerability to destructive forces they do not create, such as Climate Change.

CARICOM countries

should speak with a collective voice in proposing such a framework to the IMF/WBG meetings, omitting no country.

(The writer is Antigua

and Barbuda's Ambassador to the United States and the Organisation of American States.

He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of

Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own.)

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BRAND

Brand YOUth Founder and CEO, Selywn Collins

YOUth

- an empowerment movement aimed at boosting leadership capabilities were not ambitious; they have this sense of entitlement, did not want to work and were basically waiting for handouts and that hurt me because I knew it was not true and so I wanted to do something to change that perception about our

By Rehanna Ramsay

“

Imagine a Guyana whose young people are determined to make a difference, committed to excellence, community, and country.

Imagine if they had more resources, or were taught and encouraged to be more resourceful…”

This is the concept behind Brand YOUth, a new empowerment movement that aims to harness the leadership capabilities of the nation's young people towards achieving a common goal --building a better Guyana.

A goal, which, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brand YOUth, Selywn Collins, explained could be achieved through three basic strategies, building economic relief initiatives, empowerment initiatives and an entrepreneurial academy.

He explained that the concept behind Brand

YOUth was birthed just less than three years ago.

Since then, Brand YOUth has hosted the inaugural 40 Under 40 Entrepreneurial Awards, held a Tax Reform Forum in an effort to foster meaningful discourse on how Guyana's tax regime may be made more favourable for local entrepreneurs.

Brand YOUth is pushing other initiatives to engage, enlighten, empower, and encourage entrepreneurship.

The US-based web solutions consultant, who is known for his self titled Web TV broadcast series “ C o n v e r s a t i o n s Wi t h Selwyn” (CWS), told Kaieteur News that the idea was spun from a conversation, he had years before with Guyanese in the Diaspora about the nation's youth.

“They were making some quite disparaging remarks about our young people here in Guyana. They

Collins said.

At that time, Collins was on a journey of capturing the stories of prominent people, many of them Guyanese or of Guyanese heritage.

The CSW creator has since interviewed over 500 people from across the world

minds.”

Collins noted that same concept started an empowerment movement that is now known as Brand YOUth global.

After hosting a number of initiatives, including a women's empowerment

and put together a collection of their stories with the hope of giving the future generations a glimpse into the lives of key/historical figures.

Collins said that many of the people featured in CSW collection of stories have amazing life stories to tell.

The web solutions specialist, who believes that people are never more connected than when they share their stories, explained that it helps to expose people to the commonalities that “show us that despite the cultural and ethnic differences, we are more alike than different.”

He continued, “I wanted to share the knowledge and experience but more importantly create a library for future generations, so that young people have access to these amazing

conference here, Collins said that he was moved to highlight the stories of some of the amazing young people making an impact on Guyana's academics, creative, humanitarian and skills frontier.

“I started to say to myself imagine if we can harness these powerful stories of young people and put on a platform to inspire others. It is more than just showing them off to the Diaspora but giving the other young people right here in Guyana something to look up to so that they can move in the direction of improving themselves.”

As the idea for the empowerment initiative began to evolve, Collins said that he reached out to some of the nation's leading young (continued on page 43)

Some of the Brand YOUth Ambassadors

were saying things like the Guyanese young people

young people. I just did not know what was at the time,”

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B R A N D

YOUth

- an empowerment movement aimed at boosting leadership capabilities From page 41 people and started a discussion on how he could honour them and highlight their achievements.

And within the space of one year, Collins said Brand YOUth (Global) was born.

In April 2019, the movement held the inaugural 40 Under 40 Entrepreneurial Awards, a ceremony that featured 40 of the crème de la crème of Guyana's young people under the age of 40 years.

Among the awardees, is Research Entrepreneur, Anjie Lambert; CEO of Curl Fete Natural Hair and Beauty Expo, Tamika Henry-Fraser; Eldon Marks, Founder and CEO at V75 Inc; Evie Kanhai-GurChuran, the Managing Director of Girls in Tech Guyana and CEO of Java Coffee Bar; Dr. Vishnu Doerga, CEO Action

INVEST Caribbean Inc. and Action Coach Guyana, and Stacy Dos Santos Rahaman, co-founder of the popular tourism blog/website Visit Guyana. The movement, which currently boasts 40 ambassadors, is expected to grow annually.

“We have a mentorship programme and other [initiatives] to help bring the youth of Guyana together…”

Collins added.

Speaking on the prospects of the movement, B r a n d Y O U t h Aw a r d s Alumni, Eldon Marks, told Kaieteur News that he is looking forward to networking with the community of youthful entrepreneurs, academics and skill sets to help bring improvement to the nation.

He noted that Brand YOUth offers an avenue for

Guyana's young to pool efforts to address issues affecting them individually and collectively.

“If a single purpose driven entrepreneur has the potential to change the world, you can imagine what a community of us can do,” he said, adding that Brand YOUth is looking to roll out a series of campaigns aimed at addressing the root causes of several issues facing Guyana's young people.

Marks noted that through its empowerment strategy the brand is poised to greatly impact many youths, particularly entrepreneurs.

“Brand YOUth is committed to addressing many of these issues by encouraging participation from those directly affected- t h e G u y a n e s e entrepreneurs,” he said.

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>>>GNBS IN FOCUS<<<

GNBS certifies fibreglass tub and shower units To ensure businesses maintain quality and customers are satisfied, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has been constantly reviewing, developing and adopting new Standards to which businesses are urged to conform. One such standard is the Guyana Standard for plastic bathtub and shower units (GYS 557:2020), which was adopted in 2019 and approved by the National Standards Council.

This Standard has recently aided the certification of fibreglass bathtubs and shower units manufactured

by Fibre Tech Industrial Plastics (FTIP). These locally manufactured products are now, for the first time, certified under the Standard Body’s Product Certification Programme after they were found to be in conformance with the requirements set out in the document. This standard was adopted from the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and the American National Standard Institute (ANSI).

It provides general requirements for materials composition, supporting structure, dimensional tolerances, units for testing, installation instructions, care and maintenance.

The Standard also addresses workmanship and finish, the structural integrity of complete units (all types), physical characteristics of materials (all types) and additional materials tests.

Through the Product Certification Programme, and by the GNBS Act No. 11 of 1984 Subsections 17 and 19 respectively, manufacturers are permitted to affix the National Standards Mark to the certi-

fied products.

With the certification of locally manufactured bathtubs and shower units, hotels in the Tourism Industry and others in the construction of accommodation establishments can readily access quality and affordable products to enhance the experience of their guests. Additionally, homeowners can also benefit from the use of the certified products, which were tested and proven to be durable.

As the GNBS continues its mandate to create a culture of quality in Guyana, it offers Product Certification as a voluntary programme, under which local manufacturers can claim that their products are made to consistent quality. Product testing and conformance to relevant standards are most important to certification.

The Programme aims to implement and monitor systems within participating companies based on requirements of National Standards. This not only gives an assurance of quality to buyers of these products but also provides a competitive edge to manufacturers in local and international markets.

Other products currently certified to National Standards are PVC pipes, Gold jewellery and Concrete hollow blocks. More manufacturers are being encouraged to have their products certified under the Product Certification Programme to give consumers assurance that they provide quality products.

For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190069, 219-0065, 2190062 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org

Sunday April 04, 2021

Regé-Jean Page Steps Out After Breaking Everyone’s Heart With Bridgerton Exit Dearest readers, we bring to your attention the first sighting of Regé-Jean Page, aka Bridgerton’s Duke of Hastings, since the h e a r t b r e a k i n g announcement of his untimely departure from the series.

The 31-year-old fanfavorite actor was spotted making haste while leaving a residential building in North Hollywood, Calif. on Friday, April 2, hours after it was announced that he would not reprise his role on the upcoming second season of Shonda Rhimes’ hit period drama. Page wore a white KN95 mask, a white T-shirt that showed off his impressive biceps, black pants and a black sweatshirt tied around his waist as he walked down a flight of steps to the sidewalk, holding a suitcase, towards a vehicle waiting for him.

“While all eyes turn to Lord Anthony Bridgerton’s quest to find a Viscountess, we bid adieu to Regé-Jean Page, who so triumphantly

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played the Duke of Hastings,” read a statement posted on Bridgerton’s Instagram page on Friday, designed to look like one of show narrator Lady Whistledown’s society papers. “We’ll miss Simon’s presence onscreen, but he will always be a part of the Bridgerton family.”

Page later posted on his own Instagram page a message reaffirming that he would not reprise his role of the Duke of Hastings, who also went by Simon Basset.

He wrote, ”The ride of a life time. It’s been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be your Duke. Joining this family - not just on screen, but off screen too.

Our incredibly creative and generous cast, crew, outstanding fans - it’s all been beyond anything I could have imagined. The love is real and will just keep growing.”

The next installment of Bridgerton focuses on Page’s character’s brotherin-law, played by Jonathan Bailey, who was introduced

in the debut season. It was announced in January that production on season two would begin in the spring. A premiere date has not been announced.

Meanwhile, fans can further burn for Page when he is back on the screen— the big one. In March, he began filming the Netflix movie The Gray Man. The action thriller also stars Chris Evans, Ryan Gosling, Billy Bob Thornton, Alfre Woodard and Ana de Armas.

The project was directed

by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, who helmed the final two Avengers films.

Page is also set to star in a new film adaptation of Dungeons and Dragons, along with Chris P i n e , S o p h i a Lillis and Hugh Grant. The movie is set for release in May 2022. ( h t t p s : / / www.eonline.com/news/ 1255350/rege-jean-pagesteps-out-after-breakingeveryones-heart-withbridgerton-exit)

Taylor Swift Releases the Track List for Fearless: Taylor’s Version: “You Cracked the Codes” Just one day after asking fans to decipher her scrambled track list for her rerecorded album Fearless: Taylor ’s Version, Taylor Swift dropped all the info about her upcoming release.

On April 2, Swift dropped a video showing scrambled words emerging from a vault to social media. She included the oh-so-Swift caption, “The vault door is about to be as unhinged as you’ll think I am after you watch this video. Level: Expert. Happy decoding!”

Fortunately, Swifties sprung into action, and successfully decoded the words, much to the “unhinged” Grammy winner’s delight.

“You cracked the codes and guessed all the From The Vault titles,” Swift wrote in a message to fans on Instagram on April 3.

“Here’s the full track list, my friends.”

The six previously unreleased tracks are “Bye, Bye, Baby,” “That’s When,”

“Mr. Perfectly Fine,” “Don’t You,” “We Were Happy” and ”You All Over Me,” featuring Maren Morris, which Swift dropped last month as a treat for fans.

One big question fans had after unscrambling the “Blank Space” artist’s track list was where Keith Urban, whose name was a part of the hidden message, would fit in.

Swift, fortunately, made it easy for fans by revealing exactly where the country star would appear on the album.

“I’m really honored that @keithurban is a part of this project, duetting on That’s When and singing harmonies on We Were Happy,” she shared. “I was his opening act during the Fearless album era and his music has inspired me

endlessly. I’m counting down the minutes til we can all jump into this brave world together, filled with equal parts nostalgia and brand newness.”

Swift is currently in the process of re-recording her previous albums after a dispute with her former record company Big Machine over ownership of her masters.

In addition to “You All Over Me,” the 32 year old also released her new version of her Fearless single “Love Story.”

Fearless: Taylor’s Version officially drops on April 9. (https:// www.eonline.com/news/ 1255348/taylor-swiftreleases-the-track-list-forfearless-taylors-version-youcracked-the-codes)

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Sunday April 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

GCCI membership doubles in two years of oil production- President The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) this past year, despite performing poorly financially, saw its membership increased to almost double its prior two years’ representation, making the Business Support Organisation (BSO), the

largest in Guyana.

This was the report presented to GCCI membership on Saturday, by GCCI President, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, who presented the report for the BSO’s financial year 2020 to 2021at the entity’s 131st Annual General Meeting

(AGM).

According to DeygooBoyer, GCCI has been able to amass 201 new members over the past two years—a feat in itself.

Notably the hallmark of Guyana’s economy over the past two years has been the commencement of oil

production in December 2019 with the country exporting in excess of 35 million barrels of oil to date.

During that time, according to the GCCI President, “our Chamber has now been able to almost double its membership, standing at about 420 members, by and far, the largest BSO in Guyana.”

He noted that “of these, many continue to be extremely active in the Chamber, participating in committees, programmes, webinars and, benefitting from the work of their Chamber.

He recounted that the past year “as we are all aware, was an unprecedented start to a new year. First-hand, we have seen how fragile our lives are, and we have witnessed the precarious nature of our business community.”

The GCCI president noted too, that with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with a period of political “uncertainty both posed significant threats to our community’s health, the prosperity of our businesses, and the strength of our

GCCI President, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer.

economy…However, your Chamber continued to press on steadfastly.”

Reporting on the financial affairs of the BSO, DeygooBoyer noted that despite the increased membership “this year, our financial performance declined when compared to previous years, afflicted by the inability to host our in-person physical events, an extended period of slowed business growth, and a general dampened global and domestic environment during 2020.”

As such, the GCCI recorded an operating deficit of $3.9M down from $7.3M, a

usual surplus of operation.

He noted however that “this operating deficit however, is due primarily to the fact that income from our two main fundraiser events of the GCCI – the Annual Awards & Gala Dinner as well as the Business Guyana Magazine – were not recognized until January 2021 due to both events being delayed.”

As such, he explained that “these figures will be reflected in the subsequent financial evaluation of the Chamber and will be sure to provide a strong rebound to the (Continued on page 62 )

Sunday April 04, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Easter greetings to all!

May we recapture its traditions, post-pandemic!

==CONSUMER CONCERNS==

By Pat Dial Easter is the most important celebration in the Christian calendar for it commemorates the death and Resurrection of Lord Jesus. If the Resurrection did not occur then there would be no Christianity.

The basic story of the Resurrection is well known but it could always bear repetition: Lord Jesus was born in a poor carpenter’s family and as he reached his late 20’s he began to teach an ethic which was different from that which obtained in his home country of Palestine. The ethic which he taught very much resembled that which Lord Buddha had taught many centuries before and several historians have surmised that the 15 years of his life which were unaccounted for in the Scriptures were spent in a Buddhist country where he imbibed the Buddhist teachings and ethic.

The ethic which prevailed in Palestine and the Middle East in general could be encapsulated in the phrase “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” while Jesus’ teaching was “If anyone slapped you on one cheek, turn the other”.

Jesus’ teaching was therefore strange and revolutionary.

Lord Jesus’ birth was miraculous in that he was born from the Virgin Mary and was recognized as the “Son of God” by his family and even by people in faraway lands such as the Magi who came to visit him at his birth and pay homage to him. The concept of God reincarnating Himself, that is, assuming human form, was well-known and accepted in Eastern religions such as Taoism, Buddhism and Hinduism. In Hinduism, the incarnation of God is known as an ‘Avatar’ or ‘Outar’ and Lord Krishna is the most well-known Outar in Guyana.

Lord Jesus’ teaching was therefore subversive to the status quo and the Jewish Establishment which controlled Palestinian society at the time, felt that Jesus should be silenced. Trumped up charges were made against him and he was brought to trial before the Roman governor of Palestine, Pontius Pilate. Pilate could find no fault with Jesus but the Jew-

ish Establishment could engender widespread disorder and Pilate was constrained to condemn Jesus and order that he be crucified. He was made to drag his heavy cross to the execution grounds where he was crucified on Friday. This day came to be known as ‘Good Friday’ or ‘God’s Friday’.

After several hours when he had died, his family took his body down from the cross and buried it in the family vault and for Saturday his family and Christian believers agonisingly awaited his Resurrection. On Sunday morning they found the large stone blocking the entrance of the vault had been removed and Jesus had gone. He was seen walking about and many, such as the disciple Thomas could not believe their eyes; Jesus had to tell Thomas to place his finger in his wounds to convince him that it was with Jesus he was speaking.

The Resurrection had occurred on Sunday as had been prophesied and this day was celebrated as Easter.

There are a number of persons, especially from the peripheral churches, who posit that since Easter is named after the Anglo-Saxon goddess of Spring, Eostre, Easter is a pagan festival and has no relationship to Christianity.

This nonsensical position is easily demolished by pointing out that in the Mediterranean countries they use the word derived from the Hebrew word for Passover for Easter; in French, for instance, it is ‘Pascal’ and the celebration of the holy day is much the same throughout the Christian world. Another point which shows the absurdity of those who claim Easter is a pagan festival, is that in the English language, the days of the week are named after Teutonic deities such as Wednesday being Woden’s day or Thursday being Thor’s day; it is foolish to think that Englishspeakers worship Woden on Wednesday or Thor on Thursday.

The Covid19 Pandemic has greatly affected the traditional ways Easter and the Easter Season had been celebrated. The Stations of the Cross Service or the Midnight mass on Holy Saturday and other church services take

place virtually or not at all.

The traditional dinners or lunches for family and friends and the children’s fun of searching for Easter eggs and

rabbits on Easter Monday morning have fallen into abeyance and above all, the Easter Monday kite flying and all day picnicking have become

extremely restrained. All are however confident that when the Covid-19 Pandemic would have passed away, Easter would re-emerge in all its

glory.(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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Sunday April 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

Thirty-six criminal cases deposed in first session of Demerara Assizes

Under COVID-19 guidelines…

Under strict COVID-19 guidelines, thirty-six criminal cases were disposed via the Georgetown High Court. Dur-

ing a goal delivery presented on Thursday last, Justice Navindra Singh explained that of the 342 cases listed,

36 were disposed of. Of these 36 matters, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) presented 23 in the High

Court of Demerara while 13 matters were nolle prosequi in writing by the DPP, of which l2 were for sexual offences and one for the offence of trafficking in narcotic substance.

For the sexual offence matters, eleven of the complainants submitted written statements that they did not wish to proceed with their matters, while in the other case, the accused died while awaiting trial. In the trafficking in narcotic substance case, the accused was committed to stand trial 24 years ago and the witnesses could not be located.

Those cases that were presented were presided over virtually by Justice Brassington Reynolds, Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and Justice Navindra Singh. Of these 23 matters presented, 14 were for the offence of murder, eight for sexual offences and one for the offence of attempt to commit murder with on alternate count of felonious

wounding.

There were a total of 29 accused in relation to these matters. There were four convictions, three formal verdicts of not guilty, eight hung juries, eight not guilty verdicts by jury and five guilty pleas.

State Counsel Tiffiny Lyken and Teriq Mohammed completed eight matters for the offence of murder before Justice Singh. In three of these cases, the juries returned hung and the accused persons were remanded back to prison to await new trials.

In the other five matters, one of which had two accused who both pleaded guilty, they were respectively sentenced to 39 years and 29 years imprisonment. In another two, one accused was sentenced to 60 years imprisonment after the jury found him unanimously guilty, while, the other one pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and was sentenced to seven years and eleven months imprisonment. In one

of the other two cases, the trial Judge upheld a no case submission and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

The accused in the other one was acquitted by the jury with a unanimous verdict of not guilty.

State Counsel Nafeeza Baig and State Counsel Sarah Martin prosecuted eight matters in the Sexual Offences Court before Justice Barlow.

In two of these cases, the accused were both found guilty by jury verdicts; one accused who was indicted on two counts of rape of a child less than six years, was sentenced to 22 years on the first count and 25 years on the second count. The other accused was sentenced to 21 years imprisonment. Another four accused were acquitted by jury verdicts while in the other two cases, the juries returned hung.

Meanwhile, State Counsel Seeta Bishundial and State (Continued on page 62)

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 04, 2021

PAGE 51

'Sir' Boadnarine Harrinarinie, is a 'Special Person' From page 22 encourage them to pursue higher studies and degrees, to do the best they can do to become positive individuals in life.”

He added, “I felt satisfied...if I have made an impact in one person's life, then I would've made an impact in the lives of thousands of persons.”

EDUCATION 'Sir' Boadnarine revealed that of the four children his parents (Harrinarine and Leelawattie Narine) had, he was the only one fortunate enough to complete a secondary education.

In the year 2001, 'Sir'

University of Guyana (UG), 'Sir' Boadnarine gained additional teaching experience at the Vreed-enHoop Community High School, then later at the St. John's College in Georgetown, where he was attached as Head of the Business Department.

According to our 'Special Person,' attending UG was challenging during the culmination of his studies, as he lost his mother.

Explaining how he dealt with this challenge, he said, “During my time at university, I lost both parents, one of them during the midst of final exam. My lecturer, however, was kind enough to let me re-sit the

A photo captured during the Rangoli competition during the period he served as Headmaster of the Aurora Secondary School.

encouragement and that took me a long way.”

He added, “I must give

His small congregation Boadnarine was enrolled at the Cyril Potter College of Education, where he pursued studies in Secondary Education and Social Studies. During his training at CPCE, he continued to teach at the Anna Regina Secondary.

In 2003, he eventually climbed the academic ladder, as he went in pursuit of a degree in Business Studies at the University of Guyana.

While attending the

exam. I practically 'sent' myself through University…my relatives, and our neighbours at Devonshire Castle, were instrumental in assisting.”

Reflecting on the acts of kindness shown to him during his challenges, 'Sir' Boadnarine said, “Those experiences taught me that support doesn't have to be material to impact one's life because many of my neighbours simply offered a word or two of

credit to my church also, they always expected good things out of you, and they always pushed you to fulfill their expectations, especially the older folks at that time.”

After completing his studies at UG, 'Sir' Boadnarine was reassigned to the Anna Regina Secondary as Head of the Business Department. In the year 2010, he was eventually appointed the Deputy Head Teacher.

In 2018, he was appointed Headmaster at the Aurora Secondary School, where he remained briefly before commencing his Cadet training.

When asked why he signed up for Cadet Training, 'Sir' Boadnarine replied, “I always wanted to make an impact, and if the opportunity comes for me to make a bigger impact in education, in Region Two, and if time permits, I'll take it.”

While there are still a number of challenges ahead of his endeavours, 'Sir' Boadnarine remains confident that he will overcome future obstacles with the continuous support of his family, friends and

God. With his loving and supportive wife, Canesha Harrinarine, 'Sir' Boadnarine has fathered three amazing children: Emannuel, Sammuel, and little Leah Mahima, the newest addition to the family. She arrived in March.

Noting that his family has been supportive of his profession, 'Sir' Boadnarine said, “they understand the demands of my job and they support me wholeheartedly.”

As an educator, he also emphasises to his own children the value of a sound education. “I understand the importance of education, it takes us places, it makes the impossible possible, and I take pride and dignity in

ensuring my children secure an education,” said 'Sir' Boadnarine.

In addition to being an academic educator, 'Sir' Boadnarine is also a religious educator. He is presently in charge of a church with a small congregation.

He said, “We are a small congregation but we are making an impact in our society.”

'Sir' Boadnarine, who believes that one never stops being an educator, said that he lives each day of his life embracing the biblical principle, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” With that in mind, he believes he can overturn all future obstacles.

PAGE 52

g ts in s... re ture e t In rea C

S

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 04, 2021

Skipper

kippers are a family of the Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) named the Hesperiidae.

Being diurnal, they are generally called butterflies.

They were previously placed in a separate super f a m i l y, H e s p e r i o i d e a ; however, the most recent taxonomy places the family in the super family Papilionoidea, the super

(butterfly)

family of Butterflies, which taxonomically proves their reference to as Butterflies.

They are named for their quick, darting flight habits. Most have their antenna tips modified into n a r r o w, h o o k - l i k e projections. Moreover, skippers mostly have an absence of wing-coupling structure available in most moths.

More than 3,500

species of skippers are recognised, and they occur worldwide, but with the greatest diversity in the Neotropical regions of Central and South America.

Description and systematics T r a d i t i o n a l l y, t h e Hesperiidae were placed in a monotypic super family Hesperioidea, because they are morphologically distinct from other

Rhopalocera (butterflies), which mostly belong to the

typical butterfly super family Papilionoidea. The third and rather small butterfly super family is the moth-butterflies (Hedyloidea), which are restricted to the Neotropics, but recent phylogenetic analyses suggest the traditional Papilionoidea are paraphyletic, thus the subfamilies should be reorganised to reflect true cladistic relationships.

C o l l e c t i v e l y, t h e s e three groups of butterflies share many characteristics, especially in the egg, larval, and pupal stages.

Nevertheless, skippers have the antennae clubs hooked backward like a crochet hook, while the typical butterflies have clublike tips to their antennae, and moth-butterflies have feathered or pectinate (comb-shaped) antennae similar to moths.

Skippers also have generally stockier bodies and larger compound eyes than the other two groups, with stronger wing muscles in the plump thorax, in this resembling many moths more than the other two butterfly lineages do. Unlike, for example, the Arctiinae, though, their wings are usually small in proportion to their bodies. Some have larger wings, but only rarely as large in proportion to the body as in other butterflies.

When at rest, skippers keep their wings usually

angled upwards or spread out, and only rarely fold them up completely.

The wings are usually well rounded with more or less sharply tipped forewings. Some have prominent hind-wing tails, and others have more angled wings; the skippers' basic wing shapes vary not much by comparison to the Papilionoidea, though.

Most have a fairly drab colouration of br o w n s a n d g r e y s ; some are more boldly black-andwhite.

Yellow, red, and blue hues are less often found, but some largely brown species are quite richly coloured, too. Green colours and metallic iridescence are generally absent. Sexual dichromatism is present in some; males may have a blackish streak or patch of scent scales on their forewings.

Many species of skippers look very alike.

For example, some species i n t h e g e n e r a l Amblyscirtes, Erynnis (dusky wings), and Hesperia (branded skippers) cannot currently be distinguished in the field even by experts.

The only reliable method of telling them apart involves dissection and microscopic examination of the genitalia, which have characteristic structures that prevent mating except between conspecifics.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Sunday April 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 53

Kaieteur News

PAGE 54

Sunday April 04, 2021

Govt. earmarks new lands for housing schemes T

he Central Housing and P l a n n i n g Authority (CHPA) has officially demarcated a number of portions of state lands across the country, in order to prepare them for transformation into a residential housing scheme as part of government's proposed plan to issue some 50,000 house lots during its first time in office.

As such, the areas that have been identified for the development into housing schemes have since been gazetted under new regulations and since approved by the board.

The new schemes gazetted for development in the coming five years, includes the East Berbice Housing Development. That parcel of land has as its boundary to the north the Berbice Bridge Access Road running south to the Ordinance Housing Scheme with Cumberland to its east.

A village planning scheme has also been gazetted in No# 75 Village for a new housing area that is part of the existing Corentyne Berbice Housing Development.

Additionally, the formal resolutions have also been passed for a village planning scheme for Skeldon Estate Backland Planning Scheme,

…resolutions published in Official Gazette Additional areas demarcated for new housing development schemes are the Strathspey Planning Scheme and the La Bonne Intention Planning Scheme.

Lands have since been

Minister of Housing and Water, Colin Croal a new housing area that is said to be a part of the existing Corriverton Housing Development.

That new scheme is to be bordered by the Berbice River to the north and rice lands to its south between N o # 7 9 Vi l l a g e a n d Queenstown.

Similarly, another area that has since been demarcated for the Experiment Planning Scheme in the vicinity of Hope Village to its east and Bath Settlement to the west with its northern boundary identified as the Atlantic Ocean and rice lands to its southernmost extremities.

demarcated along the East Bank Demerara for new housing schemes and have been identified as the Prospect Phase II Planning Scheme.

On the East Coast of

Demerara (ECD), De Endragt Planning Scheme between Good Hope and Mon Repos to the north of the backlands have also been formally demarcated for the development of new housing

schemes.

Additional lands have also been demarcated in the Official Gazette for new housing developments on the ECD. These include (continued on page 55)

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 04, 2021

PAGE 55

First batch of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines arrives in Guyana

The vaccines being carted off.

(Photo: Ministry of Health)

G

uyana has received its first batch of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines, further boosting the government's immunisation campaign. A quota of 25,000 doses arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on Friday and more are expected to come in the following weeks since the government is paying US$4 million for a total of 200,000 doses.

A press statement from the Ministry of Health noted that the vaccines were procured from the United Arab Emirates; however, it is of Russian origin since that is where it is being manufactured.

Kaieteur News has learnt that citizens can see a possible rollout of this set of vaccines this week and another batch will also be s h i p p e d s h o r t l y. T h e Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, was quoted in a Department of Public Information article as saying, “This vaccine is a two-dose vaccine as well and we'll have an interval of

three weeks between first and second dose so the 25,000 that came in are all the first dose; we've made arrangements as well to start getting the second dose.”\ He also urged all that are eligible for vaccination to capitalize on the opportunity.

Currently, those eligible for vaccination are frontline health care workers and persons 40 years and older.

“As we continue to roll out this process, we'll get more and more people on board with their vaccinations. So, it is important for people to get their vaccines because these vaccines would obviously prevent people from getting sick with COVID,” Dr. Anthony was also quoted as saying.

The Health Ministry's release also outlined that the current vaccine rollout will ramp up from Tuesday and there will be almost 100 fixed vaccination sites countrywide. The Sputnik V vaccine is the first registered COVID-19 vaccine and has been recommended for persons 18 years and older.

Guyana has received 152,000 doses of various

Govt. earmarks new lands for housing schemes From page 54 areas at Cummings Lodge and Industry.

According to the publication in the Official Gazette, the Cummings Lodge site has as its northern boundary the Eugene Corriea International Airport leading into the new Parcel 409 Industry development to the south of the former identified scheme. Lands have also been identified at Annandale, ECD. A new East Bank Demerara Housing development will be bordered by Covent Garden, Little Diamond, Arcadia and the East Bank Public Road.

The area south of the Buddy's Housing Scheme and North of the Mocha

Access Road has since also been demarcated.

Minister of Housing and Water Colin Croal recently oversaw the inking of some 200 contracts to the tune of $13.9B at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre that serves to provide the infrastructure required for the creation of new housing schemes.

“We live in a society where the quality of housing is important,” Croal told a recent gathering as he pointed to the spinoff effects of the measures taken in totality. With the 200 contracts, he stated, it would also mean increased employment, which would in turn lead to increased demand for varying goods and services.

vaccines to date. Of those received were; 3,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony present at the arrival. (Photo: Ministry of Health) from Barbados, 20,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine from China, 80,000 doses of the AstraZeneca

vaccine from India, another 24,000 doses from the COVAX facility and the newly arrived 25,000 doses

of the Sputnik V vaccine.

A p p r o x imately 4 0 , 0 0 0 Guyanese have been vaccinated thus far.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 56

Sunday April 04, 2021

Grove woman beaten, slashed, stoned over name-calling argument

P

o l i c e a r e investigating an assault case, where a woman was beaten, stoned, and slashed with a knife by a Craig family over a name-calling argument.

Kaieteur News learnt that the incident transpired on Monday, March 29.

The victim, Maria George, 20, of Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was allegedly attacked by the family of three around 17:30 hrs. Samantha George, the victim's mother said that her

daughter was walking along Craig Old Road with her sister around that time.

While passing the family's home, Mariah reportedly received several insulting remarks and was called names by a female occupant of the house, she reportedly stopped to confront the individual for taunting her.

Mariah's mother explained that her daughter was acquainted with the woman, since they both had relations with the same

boyfriend in the past.

That confrontation led to an argument between the two, which became physical.

According to an eyewitness account, Mariah George was attacked first by the woman.

Upon seeing this, the parents of the attacker also stepped in to assist. George's older sister, who was with her at the time, recalled the suspect's father shoving Mariah into their yard and locking the gate. After doing so, the trio dealt her blows Mariah George shows injury to her head (continued on page 61)

Stitches received for cut wound to her leg

Sunday April 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

Pepper spray fails to stop bandits from robbing businessman A businessman failed in his bid to thwart a gunpoint robbery using just pepper spray on Tuesday. The businessman, Sean Seales, 54, of 22 Callender Street, Charlestown was robbed around 19:30Hrs while sitting inside the shop, having a chat with his sister. Sean Seales told Kaieteur News that he was at his 184 Callender and James Streets business establishment having a normal day when a young man entered the building that evening. The individual pretended to browse around the various products within the shop for a while and then walked up to him.

Seales said that he was not alarmed since he had seen the individual earlier in the week doing the same thing.

However, things took a drastic turn when the man in-

structed him not to move and grabbed his $400,000 gold chain. The bandit then tried to relieve him of his two cellphones which were in his pocket.

According to Seales, the man was unarmed so he attempted to fight back by reaching for his pepper spray that was attached to his keys.

In the midst of him trying to defend himself against the “menace”, a second individual appeared “from nowhere” and pointed a gun at him. Seales said that he froze as the gunman told him, “Don’t try nothing”.

The other bandit then continued to reach into Seales’ pockets, relieving him of the cellphones valued at some $78,000. The two then exited the building and made good their escape by running east towards James Street.

Govt. agencies found to be biggest Occupational Safety and Health defaulters- Labour Minister The Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton giving his address at the ceremony.

It has been revealed by the Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, that some of the worst Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) violations have been found in public sector entities during the rollout of the Ministry of Labour’s OSH campaign.

Hamilton made the disclosure during the ceremonial launching of OSH month last Friday as he stressed how unbiased the campaign has been.

The campaign started over a month ago with the intent of ensuring maximum compliance to OSH regulations across all sectors in the ten administrative regions. It saw both private and public sector entities being placed under scrutiny and when compared, it was the public sector that accounted for the worst violations.

“I have travelled through the length and breadth of this

country along with my senior officers, and some of the worst violation of occupational safety and health I have seen is not the private sector it was public sector entities,” Hamilton lamented.

While delivering his speech, Hamilton asserted that “There is no sacred cow, the law is for everyone, so public sector entities cannot be exempt from being held accountable.”

He noted that in some instances, when OSH officers visited some government ministries and agencies, violations of the OSH Act were found and officers had to go the extra mile to read the Act to senior ranking officials.

They were “visiting and reading the OSH Act to permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies, that has to change and must change,” the (Continued on page 60)

The businessman then proceeded to contact the relevant authorities and made a report at Ruimveldt Police Station. Seales said that this is the second time for the year his business establishment has been robbed. The first took place in January. No arrests have been made so far, but police are continuing to investigate the matter.

PAGE 57 The business establishment where the robbery occurred.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 58

Molly’s Easter Hen

by Annie Willis McCullough When Molly came in from the chicken house, she looked very sad.

“O dear me!” she sighed.

“I’m so disappointed!”

“What is it, sunny girl?” asked mother.

“Red Top hasn’t laid an egg, and to-morrow is Easter.

I shut Red Top in all by herself, so I should know that it was her very own egg, and she hasn’t laid any.”

“But the other hens have.

We shall have plenty of Easter eggs to color,” said mother.

“But I was going to take one of Red Top’s eggs to Auntie Brooke for Easter,” said Molly, dismally.

“Wouldn’t any other egg do?” asked mother.

“It wouldn’t be half so nice,” replied Molly. “Auntie Brooke gave me Red Top, and this is the first Easter since I had her. I told Auntie Brooke I was going to bring her one of Red Top’s eggs for Easter.”

“You shouldn’t count on Easter eggs before they are laid,” said her mother. “I am sure Auntie Brooke will understand if you take her another egg. You may color it pink, and I will let you have some gilding, so that you can mark her name on it. It will be a beautiful Easter egg.”

Molly tried to smile. All day she kept going out to where Red Top was, to see whether the expected egg had been laid. That, and the work of coloring eggs for the family, kept her busy all the day.

The pink eggs were beautifully colored, but she would not gild Auntie Brooke’s name on one.

“I have a plan,” she said.

“I believe I’ll have an Easter egg for Auntie Brooke, after all, mother.”

On Easter morning Molly ran out into the hen-house before any one else was awake. After breakfast she slipped away; she carried a covered basket and walked very fast. First she went

Suguru puzzles are quite different than Sudoku, so you’ll want to read these rules carefully: You’ll see that the grid is subdivided into containers or cages, each of which is 1 to 5 cells in size.

You need to fill each container with unique digits, counting up from 1. So for example a 2-square container contains the numbers 1 and 2.

A 5-square container contains the numbers from 1 to 5. Adjacent (touching) cells may never contain the same number, and this includes diagonally adjacent cells. That’s it!

through the green lane that led from their house to the road, and then along the road until she came to Auntie Brooke’s. The lane was all trimmed with beautiful spring flowers for Easter, and the trees beside the road were full of birds, all singing Easter songs.

She went through Auntie Brooke’s squeaky gate and along the gravel path to the side door. An old lady with a sweet face sat out on the doorstep.

“Auntie Brooke,” said Molly, a little out of breath, “I’ve brought you an Easter egg, only it isn’t laid yet. You may keep Red Top until she lays it, and then you can give her back.

You’ll have to excuse there not being any pink on it and your name in gilt letters, but Red Top didn’t lay it in time for that.”

“Thank you, dear,” said Auntie Brooke, trying not to laugh. “I’m sure I shall like it just as well as if it were pink with gold letters on it.”

Sunday April 04, 2021

Junior page Accordion Leaf Wreath

D

ress your front door with a cheerful wreath that can be left up all season long.

Follow these step-bystep instructions to make the paper leaves: 1. Cut a square out of your paper and fold it in half, keeping the fold on the left.

2. Using your ruler and a X-Acto knife, create a triangle by cutting from the top left point to the lower right point.

3. Starting at the bottom of the triangle, fold about ¼” and flip it over to repeat until you’ve created an accordion all the way to the tip of the triangle.

4. Fold the accordionfolded paper in half and attach the two middle pieces together with a strip of double stick tape.

5. Repeat the above steps with different size leaves and paper colors.

6. Starting with the larger leaves, hot glue a few down

on the bottom in different directions and layer smaller leaves on top. Finish it off by adding a few paper or faux flowers.

RY OET

FUN

W

P ITH

Easter Time

Easter time is here again, And we will have much fun, With kites and food at picnics, With my family every one.

Easter is such a joyous time, That we all like to share, Forgetting work and school, even TV, At this great time of the year.

It makes me so happy, To see everyone play together, Eating, dancing and flying kites, I wish Easter would last forever.

by Uncle Roy

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 04, 2021

TEEN TIME Do your part to promote a

Youth Improvement Group in your community Uncle Roy is now requesting all our readers to do their part in fostering his proposition in last week’s TEEN TIME that we should start a nationwide movement by which an organisation be developed in each community in our country with the specific aim of getting our youths to interact on a regular basis, and share their views on improvement of members in the various aspects of their lives.

I am also soliciting the help of those in authority, nationally and communally, to help in this effort to get these entities established and run efficiently. I am certain that there are enough youths in each area with the

ability, the goodwill, and the commitment to make this a reality.

I am sure we all agree that this will ensure that we shall gain tremendously, not only in the benefit that our young people will reap now, but this will go a long way towards their becoming better citizens in the future, which will help our nation in its all-round development.

One way by which you can make this an ongoing process is to start a discussion group in which you get those who are members of any group to which you belong to interact and spread your ideas of good behaviour. Getting this group to

meet on a regular basis, say weekly, at a determined venue, can provide a guarantee that personal problems will be discussed with the object of finding proper solutions.

You can get someone who is respected by your group’s members from the various organisations in your area, e.g. religious, police, medical and local authority to speak to your group when you meet. This will make it an ongoing exercise that will be of immense benefit to the members as they develop and share a cult

ure of good behaviour As I did last week, I am gain appealing to our citizens at all levels to share their views on this proposal.

If you have any ideas to contribute to this proposition, please get in touch by email with Uncle Roy:roypaul2002@yahoo.c om

PAGE 59

A Life of Service A life of service really is a thing that you should treasure, For you will make a difference to this world that lasts forever; For those who are around, someone whose life has good intent Will always and forever be affected by their scent.

While you may humbly fail to see the permeating heat That comes from all your kindness to the people that you meet, Yet others do appreciate the blessings that you bring; It adds a glow to life, just as the sunshine does in spring.

You may not ever notice it, you may not ever know, The beauty of your life’s work, when humbly put on show;.

So, never feel resentment, guard your heart as if it’s gold; Just wear the belt of kindness, and let God’s truth unfold.

Don’t rely on gratitude for all the things you do, But ask the Lord for grace to help you see them through; Enjoy your special role and know the privilege is yours: God chooses workers carefully to compliment His cause.

Be assured that many of the seeds you sow will root, And in your absence will go on to flourish and bear fruit, So live in humble servitude, content that God above Is watching with a father’s pride to shower you with love.

The very act of attempting to unite with others for a common purpose of improvement of everyone will reap immense rewards to yourself and all others in your group.

Solutions to last week’s

Suguru

Kakuro puzzles Kakuro puzzles are like a cross between a crossword and a Sudoku puzzle.

Instead of letters, each block contains

the digits 1 through 9.

The same digit will never repeat within a word.

If you add the digits in a word, the sum

willbe the number shown in the clue.

Clues are shown on the left and right sides of “across” words, and on the top and bottom sides of “down” words.

Killer Sudoku

PAGE 60

Sunday April 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

Angola’s justice ministry has previously asked Emirati and Mauritian authorities to help it locate the assets of the dos Santos family.

Now it is taking the treasure hunt all the way to Singapore. Isabel dos Santos, for her part, is fighting back in court in London.

The request for judicial assistance, which arrived last month, looks like a test case for the Singaporean legal system. As it did with the Emirates (Africa Intelligence, 08/ 03/21), Mauritius, and Monaco (Africa Intelligence, 15/ 03/21), Angola’s justice ministry has sent the city-state a request for legal help to locate the assets and bank accounts of Isabel dos Santos, her husband Sindika Dokolo, who died last year, and her proxy, the French businessman of Congolese origin Konema Mwenenge.

In the document, the ministry states that the eldest daughter of former president José Eduardo dos Santos is the subject of legal proceedings in Luanda, in particular for misappropriation of public money.

Isabel dos Santos, for her part, claimed last week in a legal filing in London that Angolan président João Lourenço is pursuing a “political agenda and a personal

Isabel dos Santos vendetta” against her, and is running a government task force targeting dos Santos “using the resources of the Angolan state and institutionalised power”. That claim is based on recordings made by Israeli investigative firm Black Cube, which is stepping up its business in Africa (Africa Intelligence, 29/09/20) As Singapore, like Mauritius and the Emirates, is not renowned for its zeal in providing legal assistance, the Angolan request places its authorities in a delicate position. Angola’s national oil company Sonangol is a major client of Singapore’s tax and legal system, which is favoured by all oil traders.

The state-owned company has had a subsidiary, Sonangol Asia, in Singapore for nearly 20 years that trades with countries in Asia, the largest importer of Angolan crude.

A sign of the importance of the Sonangol Asia outpost was the fact that it was inaugurated in 2004 by Elisio Avila de Jesus Figueiredo.

Figueiredo was a trusted ally of the former president, who put him in charge of Angola’s relations with France and one of the regime’s main business partners, the Franco-Brazilian Pierre Falcone.

Following Sonangol’s example, all the key figures of the dos Santos era domiciled their assets in Singapore. This was notably the case of General Leopoldino Fragoso do Nascimento, nicknamed Dino, whose company Cochan was associated in Singapore with the trader Trafigura through the (Continued on page 61)

Govt. agencies found to be...

From page 57 Labour Minister stressed.

There was even an instance, the Minister recalled, whereby a visit was conducted at an unnamed government facility, and a “senior functionary” said that he would have preferred to be given a notice of the said visit.

Hamilton then outlined that labour officers are “people with statutory garments”, meaning that they have a right by law, to appear at any worksite and conduct their inspection, whether day or night.

Furthermore, Hamilton said that he will hold them to doing their work.

The Labour Minister highlighted another instance where a visit was paid to a government facility where works were being done and the manager was not on site.

Additionally, the workers on site were operating in an environment where “water and electricity is married”, meaning that they were exposed to possible electrocution.

Hamilton would have noted that the current OSH campaign will continue throughout the year and as OSH month is celebrated, keen attention will be paid to the construction and mining sector since most workplace accidents occur there.

Sunday April 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

Ministry rolls out bank payment option for old age pensioners The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has rolled out a bank payment option for old age pensioners.

According to information posted on the Ministry’s Facebook page, pensioners need to fill a form providing their name, address, ID or passport number, bank account number and name of their bank. Pensioners can uplift the bank application form, free of cost, from any of the Ministry’s offices and sub-offices countrywide or download it from the Ministry’s website.

The forms are to be signed and returned to any of the Ministry’s offices. Once the pensioner is using the banking system, the Ministry said that the pension book must be surrendered at any

of the Ministry’s offices.

Minister of Human Services, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, has been encouraging pensioners to utilise the banking system. During a recent press conference, Minister Persaud announced that the Ministry would be promoting the use of the banking system as a method of pay out for pensioners.

Under this system, Dr. Persaud said that the payment would be made directly to the bank account of the pensioner between the first to fifth day of each month, following which the pensioners can access the funds whenever they wish.

“So this is making it easier for them and we would like to really encourage persons who have bank accounts to utilise this service, so again it

Angola hunting oil wealth stolen ...

From page 60 joint-venture DT Group (Trafigura has since bought back Dino’s shares).

Unlike Isabel dos Santos, Dino made an agreement with President Lourenço’s office and returned a significant part of his assets to the regime (Africa Intelligence, 04/ 03/20), which enabled him to avoid being targeted by the global asset hunt.

He is however still the target of several legal proceedings in Angola, even if

they are on a much smaller scale than those against Isabel dos Santos.

Republished from: African Intelligence See story at: https:// www.africaintelligence.com/ central-and-westafrica_diplomacy/2021/03/30/ lourenco-follows-dossantos-asset-trail-tosingapore%2C109654319evg?utm_source=AIA&u tm_medium=email&utm_campa ign=PROS_EDIT_AR T&did=87749564&eid=592293

Grove woman beaten, slashed...

From page 56 about her body. She tried to free herself from the chaos, recounted her sister, but was held down by the suspect's father and slashed several times to her leg and one of her arms with a knife. She was also reportedly assaulted with bricks to her head.

Kaieteur News was told that George had to be rescued by one of her relatives, who happened to be passing through the village at the same time.

That relative, made her way to the suspects' gate and Mariah escaped.

The wounded Mariah George was later taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for treatment.

She received stitches to her leg and arm and was released on the same day. Police have since informed this newspaper that the suspects were arrested and later released on bail, as they await a medical to file charges.

Woman says she knifed...

From page 10 father, said that he was home when she decided to “put Harris out.”

“It was a big argument and he started to behave disorderly, so I had to intervene and tell him to get out – I even instructed my daughter to put his clothes at the gate,” Nedd recalled.

He added that Harris did not want to leave and had threatened them.

“He broke a bottle and said that he was gonna stab us up.”Nedd claimed that Harris eventually left after a neighbour came over.

“I then went down to the Turkeyen Police Station and lodged a report against him for threatening us,” continued Nedd.

To Nedd’s disappointment, the cops never made any efforts to arrest or caution Harris. Following that report, Nedd claimed, Harris began harassing his daughter everyday on the road until the time of his death. A male friend of the woman said she had asked him earlier on Thursday to follow her to catch a bus because Harris would frequently “embarrass her” on the bus park.

would reduce the lines that we see and the number of persons squeezing up to receive their pension,” the Minister stated.

She also addressed issues of collecting pension under (Continued on page 64)

The Ministry of Human Services rolls out pension payment through the banking system in an effort to put an end to the long lines at the Post Offices.

PAGE 61

PAGE 62

Sunday April 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

Active covid19 cases up to 351 LAND FOR SALE Land for sale, Berbice, Georgetown, East Coast, East Bank Tel#664-8641, 682-2585, office 219- 2815 VEHICLE FOR SALE Mitsubisi Canter 4M40 6 months insurance goods & service and alarm system Price $1,600,000, Contact 6933003 1 Mitsubishi 3.5 canter. 4 m51 engine. wide nody, 17" tray.

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NEWSDAY - It was another big day for covid19 in TT as it infected 20 people as reported in yesterday’s Ministry of Health 4 pm update. Active cases rose to 351.

The virus has been having a good run over the past few days with 44 new cases on Friday, 46 new cases and three deaths on Thursday, and 22 on Wednesday. In all, there were 132 cases in four days.

The recent surge brought the total number of cases to 8,136.

Between Friday and Saturday, active cases increased from 347 to 351, the number of people in home isolation increased from 270

VACANCY Sheriff street, pattensen / turkeyen, Diamond/ Grove, Kitchen assistant, pitman Zeelught, Utvlugt & Enterand hauler operator for inteprise ECD, Qeenstown Con- rior location. Application tact Ray's Realty 627-9785 must be experienced. Call 231-2250 EDUCATION SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040

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Live in domestic must know to cook. Various dishes (female) salary range 20,000 30,000 Weekly Tel#610-3974 Wanted experience hire car drivers at Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel Contact 616-5419/ 690-2242 1 dental nurse/ assistant apply to, C. Persaud dental 14 Peter's Hall, EBD email: svpersaud25@gmail.com Tel#233-5137/ 5927 or 6932565 Experienced counter server, roti/ puri cook, kitchen assistant, handy boys apply @ Hack's Halaal resturant 5 Commerce St One person worker to work shift system Tel#225-6337 FOR SALEPEN PAL

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to 297, and those in state quarantine facilities increased from 389 to 396.

The number of deaths

remain at 145 and those at stepdown facilities remain at six, while hospital patients increased by one to 28.

The number of recovered patients also increased by 16 to 7,640.The number of tests done in TT was 111,041.

GCCI membership doubles in two...

From page 48 financial performance of the organization in the upcoming fiscal year.”

He did report that importantly, cash and cash equivalents for GCCI totalled $66.2M at the end of the year, up from $44.2M in 2019.

Additionally, the Balance Sheet position improved from $90.4M in 2019 to G$113.9M in 2020. In spite of the COVID19 pandemic and its accompanying impact on business, the revenue stream for the future looks promising for the Chamber as we continue our vigorous efforts

to increase main revenue drivers while diversifying.

The GCCI president used the occasion to observe that “as Guyana seeks to build a sustainable, resilient economy in the face of challenges, so too does the GCCI aim to continue its evolution into a diverse organization that thrives in spite of headwinds.”

It was pointed out too, that in August 2020, after several months of delays, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government took office in Guyana, with His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed

Irfaan Ali being sworn in as the Executive President of Guyana and that in the ensuing months, the GCCI established a collaborative working relationship with the new political administration.

This, he said, is “with the aim of fostering greater economic growth and overall social development.”

The Chamber, he said, “remains committed to helping businesses navigate a new road map and will continue to advocate robustly on all businessrelated issues on our members’ behalf.”

Thirty-six criminal cases ...

From page 50 Counsel Tyra Bakker presented seven matters in Justice Reynolds’ Court; six of these were for the offence of murder and one for attempt to commit murder with an alternate count of felonious wounding.

The accused for the attempt to commit murder charge with an alternate count of felonious wounding was

found guilty for the felonious wounding and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment; the complainant in this matter also accepted compensation of $500,000 in Court. In three of the six murder matters, the accused were all acquitted; two of these were by jury verdicts while in the other, trial judge upheld a no case submission and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of

not guilty. In one of these cases, there were two accused who were indicted together and were both acquitted.

Of the other three matters, two accused pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and while one was sentenced to five years imprisonment, the other one is awaiting his sentence. The other one matter is in progress.

Sunday April 04, 2021

PAGE 63

Kaieteur News

Teen disappears after leaving barbershop “Mom I am coming home,” was the last words a mother heard from her son before he went missing on March 31, after leaving a barbershop at the Harbour Bridge Mall located on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

Joel Skeete, 19, a fulltime student of the University of Guyana, disappeared sometime after 19:10 hrs. that night.

Skeete’s mother, Lorenza Griffith, said that the Harbour Bridge Mall is located some 20 minutes walking distance from their home. She recalled that earlier that evening, she followed Skeete to the East Bank Public Road and

watched him walk over towards the Harbour Bridge Mall.

She had returned home to wait for Skeete. Griffith said that around 19:10 hrs., he called her and said that he had finished cutting his hair and was leaving the barber to come home. She added that because of the hour and security concerns she had advised Skeete not to walk home, but to take a taxi from the Nandy Park Entrance.

After he hung up the phone, Griffith waited with the expectation that he would arrive in at least ten minutes.

Those ten minutes turned into

Missing Joel Skeete

Man found dead in brother’s home with throat slit A man was yesterday found dead in his brother’s home located at Adelaide Street, Charlestown, lying in a pool of blood with his throat slit.

Police did not reveal the man’s identity but reported that his body was discovered by the bother in the early morning hours.

The brother told the cops that the man might have taken his own life since he had tried to do so last December.

He stated to police that he had been informed on Friday around 18:00hrs that his brother was inside the Le Repentir Cemetery.

When he got there, he reportedly saw him sitting on a tomb and proceeded to ask him what was wrong.

The brother claimed that he received no answer from him but nonetheless, took him to his home. At around 23:00Hrs that evening they went to bed in separate bedrooms.

The following morning he made the gruesome discovery.

Cops who investigated the scene reported that they saw no signs of forced entry or breakage. Nevertheless, they will continue to investigate to ascertain whether it was indeed suicide or murder.

hours and days of waiting, because Skeete never made it home. She tried calling his cellphone but got no answer.

His friends and other relatives have not seen him.

The taxi drivers at the

Nandy Park Entrance did not see him either and related that on the night he went missing, no one matching his description went there to hire a cab.

Skeete was last seen wearing a dark red T-shirt, dark

grey long jeans, and red slippers.

He also had a Samsung J5 cellular phone in his possession with a blue and gold case. As Griffith continues to wait for her son’s return home,

she is asking if anyone knows where he is or might have seen him to please contact her on 233-6368/618-7834 or his uncle on 611-1004. They can also contact the nearest police station.

PAGE 64

Sunday April 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

Biden U.S. infrastructure ideas popular, but support for plan is partisan: Reuters/Ipsos poll NEW YORK - (Reuters) President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan is loaded with road repairs, internet upgrades and other initiatives that are widely

popular on their own, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, but U.S. public support declines when the initiatives are packed into a Democratic bill and sold as a Biden-backed

plan.The March 31-April 1 national opinion poll highlights the challenges facing Biden and fellow Democrats in Congress as they roll out the American Jobs Plan in

front of Republican opposition and a hyper-partisan American public.While most Americans, including many Republicans, like the ideas in the plan in general, they are

less likely to support legislation written by Democrats to make those ideas a reality, the poll shows.

Democrats control both chambers of Congress by narrow margins, and the prospects for passage could be difficult if Republicans line up against the plan.

Republican leaders have been sharply critical of the planned expansion of federal spending, especially if it is financed with tax increases.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called the plan “another Trojan horse for far-left demands.”

Some Democratic leaders also have raised issues.Economists at

Georgetown University estimate a $1.5 trillion infrastructure investment could create 15 million jobs.

The poll found: - 79% of Americans supported a government overhaul of American roadways, railroads, bridges, and ports.

- 71% supported a plan to extend high-speed internet to all Americans.

- 68% supported an initiative to replace every lead pipe in the country.

- 66% supported tax credits for renewable energy.

Americans also were largely supportive of ways that Biden has proposed to pay for his massive infrastructure bill.

Body of drowned fifteen-year-old...

From page 16 Stephen drowned at the Onderneeming Beach last Thursday, during an outing with a few of his friends. His sudden and tragic death brought great sadness to the people on the Essequibo Coast, primarily within the Suddie, Maria’s Lodge community.

Kaieteur News understands that Stephen, who was a former student of the Abrams Zuil Secondary School, was quite ambitious.

The boy’s family, when speaking to the press yesterday, said that he would usually perform exceptionally well at school.

His sister, Bibi Faneza Amin, explained that Stephen had plans of writing up to 20 subjects at CSEC. “He was a willing child,’ she said, “he never use to get himself in trouble, even if there was a lil hiccup, he never take it personal, he always try to find a way to make fun out of it.”

Commenting on his academic life, she said, “He was a very bright child, he came to me when he had to full up

the form for the streaming, and he was going to write 20 subjects. He had plans on going to UG and he wanted a scholarship. We had no doubt about him making it, because he uses to make his studies a priority.”

Deboarah Azeez, the teen’s mother, said that her son will always be remembered as a kind hearted individual. Azeez revealed that the tragic news was quite emotional, as the last thing she remembers was her son indicating that he was departing home. “The last thing he said to me was ‘Mom A gone’, and then he left to go by a friend.”

She also told this newspaper that she and her son shared a close bond: “We had a good relationship because I always tried to be an approachable mother. Any problem he had he will always come and talk to me about it.”

She added, “He was a loving son, kind hearted, he was a really brilliant child in school, he always telling me he wanted to become the President of Guyana.”

Ministry rolls out bank payment...

From page 61 the current system. The Minister emphasised that she is totally against the lining up at all of the locations where pensions are paid.“Once the monthly payment starts every day, people can go in and get their payments. There is no need for everybody to go on the first day that the pension is paid. There is an alphabetical system that they use so you can go in any day and uplift your pension and I really hope that pensioners will make use of this, it really hurts my heart a lot, when I see so many of them out there,” she added.In addition, the Minister announced that steps would be taken to ensure the post offices are upgraded to cater for pensioners.“…Because sometimes there is rain and sun, and the elderly pensioners are there in the inclement weather, so we are trying to work with them to ensure that

the conditions are better for people to go and get their pension, and we will also be moving to team up with NGOs so that they can work with us to provide refreshments where we can,” she said. Further, Dr. Persaud said that she’s trying to ensure all elderly persons receive their pension on time. Towards this end, she disclosed that the Ministry is rolling out the sixmonth payment plan for pensioners, who are considered as shut-ins, as well as, those who live in remote areas across the country.“Those monies have already been delivered in some regions for the first half of the year and the second will be from July.

We have completed those persons in Region Four, Six, we are concluding Ten and we are currently in Eight, and soon we will move to Seven, then we will start the second half of the direct payment,” she explained.

Sunday April 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Sunday April 04, 2021

Sunday April 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 67

World Athletics Relays Silesia21 preparations enter finishing straight WorldAthletics - After 18 months of intense preparations, plans for the World Athletics Relays Silesia21 are now in the final stages, with just one month to go until the event. On 1-2 May, the Silesian Stadium in Chorzow, Poland, will welcome more than 1000 athletes across 150 relay teams and the Silesian Voivodeship assembly chairman Jakub Chelstowski says the organisation will be “100 percent ready” when the first teams arrive in late April.

“It seems like we only became the host recently, and yet over one and a half years have passed,” said Chelstowski. “Now, just as runners on a relay team, we are on the final leg, entering

the finishing straight.

“The preparations are in full swing and a few more weeks of hard work are ahead of us. The teams – and I have to stress, we will be hosting the representatives of many nations – will arrive in late April. I know the athletes are hungry for competition. I am happy to see them show so much interest in our event. I am convinced we will be 100 percent ready when the first teams arrive, but until that time, all of us will have to put in a lot of work.”

The event in Silesia has been promoted all over the world and the list of ambassadors now includes Britain’s 2004 Olympic 4x100m gold medallist Jason Gardener as the World

Athletics ambassador for the event. He joins Polish ambassadors Justyna SwietyErsetic, Patryk Dobek and Joanna Jozwik.

“April will be a very intense month for me,” said world and European medallist Swiety-Ersetic, who led the Polish team to a famous victory in the 4x400m at the last World Relays two years ago. “Soon, I will be leaving for a training camp in Spain.

All that work is aimed at showing our best on 1-2 May in the Silesian Stadium. The event is our priority for the first part of the season. We want to show our strength at the World Athletics Relays Silesia21. A good result in May will be a positive motivator for the rest of the entire Olympic

Sunday April 04, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may get frustrated today when people don't seem to act rationally. To you, the issues may be perfectly cut and dried. Keep in mind that not everyone sees the world the way you do.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Be careful of letting your heart get carried away today, Libra. Extreme emotions are likely, making you very aware of your environment and what other people are thinking about you.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Go deeper beneath the surface today. You may get along just fine with the way you now handle things.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Be prepared for an emotional backlash that's likely today if you get too possessive about your romantic partner, Scorpio.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may wonder why it is that you can gain control of so many parts of your life, but nothing seems to go right when it comes to romance? Dismiss the notion that you're unworthy of love.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Try to stay on the lighter side today, Cancer. This may be easier said than done.

You're the bridge that connects an island to the shore.

The water is rising and the island is about to be completely submerged.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may be trying to deal with things in a neat, orderly manner today, Leo. Try not to get too frustrated if things don't work out exactly the way you'd like.

Tension may occur when matters of the heart come up for discussion.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Just when you thought you had love and romance all worked out in your head, Virgo, something or someone steps in to put your heart in a whirl once again.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may feel blocked on all sides today, Sagittarius, with no escape hatch.

There's a strong set of forces acting in such a way as to make you feel responsible for some mess that has occurred in your life.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your emotions could be quite strong today, Capricorn. You may find it difficult to act without having intense feelings come into the picture.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Other people may find it difficult to deal with today's intensity, Aquarius, but you will be quite adept at fitting into whatever situation comes your way.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Issues of the heart may be a bit difficult to deal with now.

Try not to completely shut off the channels of communication while you work on dealing with these issues. It's vital that you open the channels wider and bring more of your feelings to the surface.

season.”

The World Athletics Relays Silesia21 also offers the chance for teams which have not yet earned Olympic qualification to book their tickets to Tokyo. Away from the on-track preparations, developments can also be seen in the competition venue with the Silesian Stadium, known since last year as the National Athletics Stadium, being adapted to the event’s requirements.

“Preparatory work has been going on for many weeks now,” said Silesian Stadium chairman Jan Widera. “We are preparing workplaces for the media and refreshing the spaces which will be used by participants.

Many installations will be made immediately before the event.

The work is going ahead full steam. We are working on the stadium; the athletes are working on their form. All of it is aimed at being fully ready on 1 May.” A great deal of attention is being put on pandemic safety measures, with medical safety protocols having been prepared for all groups of participants in cooperation with World Athletics.

...Italian teenager Jannick Sinner From page 72 met last month in Dubai, with Sinner winning in three sets.

The 1000 events are the highest level of Masters tournaments on the ATP Tour. He becomes the second-youngest Miami Open finalist after Rafael Nadal in 2005 and will be chasing his third career ATP title after winning last year in Sofia and an Australian Open warm-up tournament in Melbourne.

Plans for the World Athletics Relays Silesia21 are now in the final stages

Kaieteur News

PAGE 68

Sunday April 04, 2021

Mexico edge Honduras in penalty shootout to win CMOQ uadalajara, Mexico – Mexico are champions of the 2020 Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying (CMOQ) Championship after edging Honduras 5-4 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in the Final on Tuesday night at the Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Mexico.

For Mexico, it is their third straight CMOQ crown and their eighth overall.

Despite the loss of DF and captain Denil Maldonado to injury, the Honduran defense stayed compact and organised and managed to keep the El Tricolor attack under wraps in the first 45 minutes. Honduras enjoyed a strong start in the second half and hard-hit shots from Luis Palma and Joseph Rosales forced Mexico GK Sebastian Jurado into a pair

G

Mexico, 2021 CMOQ Champs. Concacaf of saves. The Catrachos continued to grow into the game and a slick one-two

combination between Jose Reyes and Palma ending with a Reyes shot produced a

diving save from Jurado.

It was going to take something special to beat

Jurado, and Edwin Rodriguez did just that with a sensational left-footed strike from outside the area in the 72’ to hand Honduras a 1-0 lead. Mexico went to work right away in search of an equalizer and after a foul in the area; Jose Juan Macias brought the home side level 1-1 in the 80’ with a penalty conversion.

There would be no

winner before the final whistle, so the two teams went to extra time and the best chance came for Honduras when a Jose Garcia header off a corner kick spun wide. Matters had to be settled in penalty kicks and after Jurado saved the first Honduras attempt, El Tricolor converted all five of theirs to nail down the 5-4 shootout win.

Carl Frampton announces retirement after losing to Jamel Herring in WBO world title fight

Jamel Herring (right) on the attack against Carl Frampton who was bidding to win a world title at a third weight.

BBCsport - Carl Frampton announced his retirement in the ring after being stopped by Jamel Herring in the sixth round of their WBO superfeatherweight contest. The Belfast man was bidding to become Ireland’s first threeweight world champion.

Herring dropped Frampton a round earlier before another left uppercut in the sixth sent Frampton to the canvas. Amid a flurry of shots and little defence, Frampton’s corner threw in the towel.

“I said before I would retire if I lost this fight and that’s exactly what I’m going to do,” an emotional

Frampton said in the ring. “I just want to dedicate my life to my family now. Boxing has been good to me, it’s also been bad to me.

“The last few years with these boys [trainers Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis], but the last few years with these boys have been the best few years of my career. “I just want to go home to my beautiful wife and kids and that’s it.”

After losing to Josh Warrington in December 2018, Frampton seriously considered retiring but opted to continue in pursuit of another world title, firm in the belief he still had that level of performance in him.

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 04, 2021

PAGE 69

BCB’s 4th annual Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh Coaching Programme underway T

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) in its continuing efforts to ensure that every potential is fulfilled on the cricket field, has launched the 4th annual Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh Coaching programme.

The programme which is expected to benefit over 700 youths is sponsored by long time BCB sponsor and overseas based Guyanese, Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh. This year’s edition was launched Tuesday last with dozens of players from the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), MS at the Area ’H’ Ground.

Level Three Coach Winston Smith is Head Coach for the programme and he is expected to visit over twenty-two (22) clubs to work with youths. BCB President Hilbert Foster informed that the

programme has been very successful in the past as it has enabled the Board to identify new players for the future.

Over the last three years, over one thousand (1000) junior players have been involved in the Coaching programme and have emerged better players for their home clubs and the County.

The first three clubs that benefitted during the first week this year were RHTY&SC, Port Mourant and Albion.

Female players from Rose Hall Metro were also involved in a special session with Coach Smith. Special emphasis was placed on batting, bowling, fielding and physical fitness in the intense four hours session.

Among the other clubs that would benefit from regular sessions are Rose

Hall Canje, Tucber Park, Guymine, East Bank Blazers, Rama Krishna Foundation, Edinburgh, Kendall Union, Blairmont, Cotton Tree, Bath, Achievers, Mt Sinai, Bush Lot United and No. 73 Young Warriors.

The BCB President also stated that two Mini Academies would be held in the West Berbice and Upper Corentyne areas before the Countywide Academy is held in August for the County’s top seventy (70) youth players.

The Academy is set for the Albion Ground and will run for 7-days. It would be facilitated by a panel of five coaches headed by Smith.

The BCB has invested over $400,000 in cricket gears and coaching equipment to make ensure all of the programme’s objectives are achieved.

Coach Winston Smith in session with players of the Port Mourant Cricket Club.

Foster also disclosed that his Board would continue to invest in educational materials including posters and its popular Youth Information Booklet to support the on field Coaching sessions while numerous players would

benefit from donation of personal cricket gears as part of a comprehensive development programme for Berbice youth players.

Over 300 young cricketers are slated to receive a donation of gears, bicycles, school materials

and uniforms for 2021 from the BCB. Additionally, the Board would be organising cricket tournaments at the Under-13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and female levels to ensure that the players have opportunities to showcase their talent.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 70

Sunday April 04, 2021

West Indies and Sri Lanka Sandals Test Match Series ends in draw

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indiescricke t - Te n wickets proved too tall an order for West Indies on a placid strip as Captain Dimuth Karunaratne and Oshada Fernando hit half-centuries to earn Sri Lanka a draw on the final day of the second Sandals Test match on Friday.

Starting the day requiring a massive effort in order to win the contest and claim the series, West Indies managed only two wickets, with Sri Lanka reaching 193 before both captains shook hands and called time 20 minutes before the close at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.

Left-hander Karunaratne used the occasion to topscore with a polished 75 while Oshada Fernando hit

an unbeaten 66 and lefthander opener Lahiru Thirimanne, 39. Rain forced a 35-minute delay at the start and with Karunaratne and Thirimanne surviving the first session to reach lunch on 93-0 chances of an outright result were slim.

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite said afterwards they were always aware of the challenge before them on a good batting pitch but praised his young side for their disciplined approach. He was speaking on the Sandals Player Zone.

“Obviously it was a good pitch. In both Test matches the bowlers really worked hard and what I was pleased with is that none of the guys ever gave up,” Brathwaite said out.

“Even down to Alzarri’s

last spell he was still giving an effort to get some short balls in so I’m very happy with the effort of the team.”

He added: “… battingwise, we continued to bat a number of overs – 90-plus overs which is a positive for us. And yes, we would’ve liked to have won but I was very happy with the attitude and discipline that we had.

The pitch was a good one throughout; it didn’t spin at all, but I was very happy with the fast bowlers’ effort.”

Brathwaite was named the Sandals Player-of-theMatch for his scores of 126 and 85, while Sri Lanka’s experienced seamer Saranga Lakmal was Player of the Series for his 11 wickets at 21.4 apiece in the two matches. Scores: West Indies 354 and 280-4 dec.; Sri Lanka 258 and 193-2.

Brathwaite was named the Sandals Player-of-the-Match for his scores of 126 and 85.

Stanton Rose named captain of Guyana’s 12-man squad for FIBA World Cup qualifiers Stanton Rose (right) and Delroy James

Pakistan beat South Africa by three wickets after last-ball victory

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Babar Azam has scored 13 one-day centuries. Getty Images

P

akistan secured a last-ball victory over South Africa to win the first one-day international by three wickets.

Captain Babar Azam set the foundation for the visitors’ victory with 103 off 104 balls and Imam ul-Haq added 70 as Pakistan posted 274-7 in reply to South Africa’s 273-6.

Three quick wickets for Anrich Nortje pegged Pakistan back as their chase stumbled to 203-5 before Mohamed Rizwan and Shadab Khan put them back in charge. They needed three runs from the final over with Faheem Ashraf scoring a single off a wide delivery for the win.

Earlier Rassie van der Dussen scored his maiden

ton for the Proteas, finishing unbeaten on 123 at Supersport Park, Centurion.

The next match in the threegame series is in Johannesburg today.

South Africa 273-6 (50 overs): Van der Dussen 123*; Shaheen 2-61 Pakistan 274-7 (50 overs): Babar 103; Nortje 4-51.

Pakistan won by three wickets.

he Guyana A m a t e u r Basketball Federation (GABF) released the final 12-player squad that will travel to El Salvador on April 12th next to play in Guyana’s first appearance at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) CONCENCABA prequalifiers for the 2023 World Cup. Twenty-one year-old Power Forward Stanton Rose remains the captain of the team that has been bolstered with brothers Delroy and Gordon James who both possess a wealth of experience. Co-captain Anthony Moe is another extremely valuable player on the team with experience against many of the players that will be suiting up for the opposing teams during the qualifiers.

The remaining players of the squad are Yannick Tappin, Nikkoloi Smith, Te r r o n We l c h , Tr a v i s Belgrave, Deylon Bovell, Harold Adams, Timothy Thompson and Israel Yaw.

Initially, Guyana was set against the hosts, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica but a late application by Jamaica has now seen the number of teams in the first round of qualifiers moving to five.

A release from the FIBA read, “We have the mission to develop and promote our sport, and to that purpose, a group of strategic objectives has been established. One of those is the Empowerment of Federations through encouraging the participation in international competitions and increasing the number of National Federations participating in the top groups.

Over the past couple of days, we’ve received late requests from the sub-zone National Federations requesting to be allowed to participate in the CONCENCABA PreQualifier for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup that will take place in El Salvador.

After a thorough assessment of those requests by our Regional office, in

combination with FIBA’s Headquarters, we’ve concluded that Jamaica’s request has merit for being in compliance with our registration procedures. All other late requests were denied on the basis of b r e a c h i n g F I B A’ s registration procedures.”

Three out of the five teams will advance to the next round of qualification following one off roundrobin matches.

Guyana will tip off the competition when they clash with Nicaragua on April 15 from 21:00hrs then they will play Jamaica the next day at 18:00hrs followed by El Salvador on the 17th at 21:00hrs before their last game against Costa Rica on the 18th at 18:00hrs.

The partners making the team’s participation possible include JHI Associates, Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, E-Networks, Nigel Hinds, Hand-in-Hand, Atlantic Mining Supplies, American Airlines, Rima Guest House and Sleepin International.

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 04, 2021

PAGE 71

GCB and DCB Executives extend Motor racing-Hamilton’s team ahead of Rosberg’s in Extreme E qualifying heartfelt condolences on passing of Pretipaul Jaigobin

I

t was with profound sorrow that the staff and the recentlyelected Executives of both the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) learnt of the vehicular accident on Thursday, April 1st, 2021 that resulted in the tragic death of Pretipaul Jaigobin, the Treasurer of both Boards.

Pretipaul was reportedly travelling from Mahdia to the Ministry of Finance after completing a Covid-19 assignment when the accident occurred. He was an Economic and Financial Analyst of the European Union Task Force Unit of that Ministry.

Jai, as he was popularly known, was well liked and respected; his congeniality, humility and sense of humour endeared him to many. Jaigobin had been an active and trusted Cricket Administrator for over twenty (20) years with a vast knowledge of the name especially in relation to cricket records and statistics.

His contributions to the deliberations and decisions

The late Pretipaul Jaigobin at cricket meetings especially on financial issues and effective governance were invaluable. Jai had a special affinity for youth cricket.

His professional approach helped in the stimulation of affirmative action in cricket administration.

He was constantly looking at ways to improve the accounting and marketing procedures.

He had previously served on the GCB as the Assistant Treasurer during the period 2009 to 2011. In May 2011, shortly after a particularly tumultuous meeting of the GCB Executive Committee, he was badly burnt with acid by an unknown assailant and

spent forty-two (42) days in the Georgetown Hospital.

Jai was a stalwart and contributed immensely during the long struggle for accountability and legality at both the GCB and the DCB. In February of this year, he was elected Treasurer of the DCB at the court-supervised elections of that Board.

On March 29, 2021 he was elected Treasurer of the G C B a t th e el e ct i o n s convened by the Cricket Ombudsman in accordance with the Guyana Cricket Administration Act, No. 14 of 2014. It is sadly ironic that Jai died just after so much was achieved after that long struggle.

His passing is a tremendous loss to the wider cricket fraternity. It is with heartfelt grief that the Executives of the GCB and the DCB and the staff members extend sincere sympathy to his family, relatives and friends. Please be assured that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of bereavement.

May Pretipaul Jaigobin be comforted by the Good Lord as he takes his eternal rest.

Reuters - Lewis Hamilton beat old Formula One rival Nico Rosberg in the battle of team owners in qualifying for the first race of the new electric off-road Extreme E series in Saudi Arabia on Saturday (yesterday).

France’s nine-times world rally champion Sebastien Loeb and Spanish team mate Cristina Gutierrez led the way for the seventimes Formula One world champion’s X44 outfit over the rock-strewn tracks and desert dunes.

Rosberg X Racing, run by the retired 2016 F1 world champion and Hamilton’s former Mercedes team mate, would have been fastest but picked up a penalty for speeding in the driver switch zone. Teams have only one car, with a male and female driver doing a lap each.

The penalty dropped Sweden’s triple world rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson and Australian rally driver Molly Taylor to third. Three-times Dakar winner and double world rally champion Carlos Sainz qualified in second place with Spanish team mate and regular motorcycle rider Laia Sanz.

“The old former duel between the Rosberg team and Hamilton’s team seems to be pretty hot,” former F1 driver David Coulthard said. Rosberg, who unlike Hamilton was on site to watch the series’ debut, said there had been a problem with the speed limiter.

Only six of the nine teams ran in second

2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the race on the podium. REUTERS/Lars Baron qualifying with Veloce pulling out of the event altogether due to car damage caused by French driver Stephane Sarrazin crashing heavily. That withdrawal came as a blow for British team mate Jamie Chadwick, winner of the first all-female W Series, who had yet to run.

The JBXE team entered by 2009 F1 champion Jenson Button, who is also competing, were sixth fastest. The brainchild of Formula E founder Alejandro Agag, Extreme E aims to highlight climate change and promote sustainability by racing in remote parts of the world affected by global warming and environmental damage. There are five rounds ranging from locations in the Arctic to the Amazon.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 72

Eden Park Auckland, venue for the opening match. New Zealand Football

Gianni Infantino - FIFA President

FIFA Women’s World Cup

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Sunday April 04, 2021

Excitement builds following host city and stadium reveal

IFA - The firstever FIFA Women’s World Cup™ to be held in the southern hemisphere feels a step closer following the announcement of the Host City and Stadiums that will welcome the world in 2023.

Ten stadiums across nine cities were revealed early on Friday morning (late Thursday evening CET) as

Australia and New Zealand prepare to welcome the world for the biggest football tournament ever to be staged in the region.

From the Opening Match at Auckland’s Eden Park, host to many of New Zealand’s great sporting moments, all the way through to the Final at Sydney’s Stadium Australia, site of the 2000 Olympic Games, the venues will offer

a broad taste of the best of Down Under.

If the reaction of some of the players and other leading figures is any gauge it is set to be a hugely exciting event.

“As the first co-hosted FIFA Women’s World Cup, the first edition co-hosted between two continents and first to feature 32 teams, I congratulate and welcome the 9 Host Cities. On behalf of FIFA, I look forward to working closely with you and with the whole of Australia and New Zealand,” Gianni Infantino, FIFA President.

“I’ve gone on to play in front of some amazing Aussie crowds and some really cool stadiums in the city (Sydney) and now the rest of the world will get to experience it,” Australia defender Alanna Kennedy.

“To be the nation that welcomes the world to this global event will be very special. As well as showcasing the skills of some of the best players in the world and providing great entertainment, these matches can make a positive and lasting change to the w o m e n ’s g a m e . T h i s tournament can inspire and encourage more women to get involved as players, coaches, match officials and administrators,” Hon Grant Robertson, New Zealand Sport and Recreation Minister. The FIFAWWC Australia New Zealand 2023™ host cities are: Adelaide, Auckland/Tâmaki Makaurau, Brisbane, Dunedin / Ôtepoti, Hamilton / Kirikiriroa, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Wellington / Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

Italian teenager Jannick Sinner reaches maiden ATP Masters 1000 decider BBCsport - Italian teenager Jannick Sinner reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final with a stunning victory at the Miami Open.

The 19-year-old world number 31 recovered from a break down in the final set to beat Spanish seventh seed Roberto Bautista Agut 5-7 64 6-4.

He faces Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in Sunday’s final,

after he beat Russian fourth seed Andrey Rublev 6-3 6-4.

“It sounds incredible to reach the final. I am very happy,” said French Open quarterfinalist Sinner.

“At the beginning, we were both a bit tight but it was windy today so I just tried to serve better, move him a bit more and mix it up that was the key.” The pair (Continued on page 67)

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 04, 2021

PAGE 73

GFF mourns loss of former Audit & Compliance Committee member Pretipaul Jaigobin The Guyana Football Federation on Saturday paid tribute to Ministry of Finance analyst and former GFF Audit and Compliance Committee member Pretipaul Jaigobin, who died in a road accident near Mabura this week.

A highly-respected economics and financial policy expert, Jaigobin joined the GFF’s Audit and Compliance Committee in 2016. The committee plays a vital role in monitoring the responsible management of

Pretipaul Jaigobin GFF finances and ensuring strict compliance with FIFA’s rules and regulations.

“We are deeply saddened

by the sudden loss of such an upstanding and wellregarded member of the community,” GFF President Wayne Forde said. “On behalf of the Guyana Football Federation and the entire football community, I would like to send my thoughts, prayers and condolences to Jai’s family at this tragic time.”

“Jai had been a valued member of one of the GFF’s most important oversight bodies. He will be greatly missed by us all,” Forde said.

AAG mourns loss of former executive Colin Ming Samuel Colin Ming, who is the brother of wellknown businessman, Stanley Ming, died on Friday following a road accident with an ambulance on Thursday. Colin, a former Golf champion, was a lover of sports in general and s e r v e d w e l l a s Vi c e President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG).

In addition to serving in administration, Ming was a cheerful patron who assisted many athletes with funding in a bid to help them reach higher heights. During an invited comment with Kaieteur Sport, incumbent

Colin Ming - Former AAG Vice President

head of the AAG; Aubrey Hutson, expressed deep regret at his passing and sent out his condolences to the

family and friends of the late Colin Ming on behalf of the AAG and the track and field fraternity.

Ashleigh Barty successfully defended her Miami Open title on Saturday (yesterday)

Miami Open: Ashleigh Barty retains title after Bianca Andreescu injury BBCsport - Top seed Ashleigh Barty retained her Miami Open title after her Canadian opponent Bianca Andreescu was forced to retire with an ankle injury. The Australian world number one was leading 6-3 4-0 in the first meeting between the pair.

The 2019 US Open champion had treatment from the trainer after she fell in the third game of the second set but was unable to complete the match. “It’s never the way you want to finish,” said Barty.

“I feel for Bianca because she has had a lot of injuries and I hope it doesn’t hamper her season too much. This is the first time I have defended a title and I’m excited we could kick-start a long season in the best possible

way.”

Barty had broken her opponent early in both sets and controlled the match after that, moving her opponent around the court. She held serve in the opening game of the match and immediately broke before going 3-0 up.

Although the Canadian took advantage of an erratic service game from Barty to break back and close the deficit to 3-2, it was only a temporary reprieve as the Australian broke in the next game and continued to exert her dominance again to take the set.

Andreescu was soon under pressure in the second set, suffering an early break to go 2-0 down before the injury soon brought a disappointing end to her tournament.