Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR NEWS

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

US$900M Gas-to-Shore Project…

Monday Edition

Feasibility hinges B D I on price Exxon - eport charges on gas r says

April 04, 2022 - Vol. 15 No. 13 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 66,770

Glenn Lall should have

approached Court

sooner

...“sat on his hands for five years” - Exxon says

Release Yellowtail production licence to improve oversight

- Article 13 tells Govt.

‘Report not enough’ ...relatives of missing fishermen want closure Two years later…

Unarmed man shot by police dies with bullet still lodged in his spine

Wales Gas project

contract leaves 53 days: No Guyana exposed to Parliament all risks ...but protects Exxon

...Norton says Govt. ducking from scrutiny, oversight

Today Kaieteur News celebrates 28 years serving the Nation. We say thanks to all for your support.

p. 12

PAGE 02

Monday April 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

EPA defends decision not to re-engage public on EIA changes E

nvironmentalists are outraged that t h e Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has moved to approve ExxonMobil's fourth project - the Yellowtail Development and accepts its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), even though the public remains completely unaware of whether their initial concerns have been addressed, as no

follow-up meeting was held in this regard.

But the Executive Director of the EPA, Mr. Kemraj Parsram has made it clear that the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB), which was tasked with the review of the document gave the project its blessing, hence the EPA furnished the developer with the requisite approvals. In a brief interview with Kaieteur

N e w s , M r. P a r s r a m explained, “The Environmental Protection Act Section 11 outlines the statutory process, including public review period which, was the 60 days so the Consultants were not required to re-engage (the) public at this time”.

He added, “The EAB is the authority on acceptance o f E I A s o r E I S (Environmental Impact

Study) and they gave their a c c e p t a n c e a n d recommendations on the 25th (March) and we reviewed and (made) clarifications, and discussions concluded on the 29th (March). We issued our approval via environmental permit on the 30th.”

When pressed about changes that were required to the document, the head of the agency pointed out that the

Down payment!!

key recommendations related to “reliance on international standards such as World Bank and good international industry practice; environmental effects monitoring, grievance mechanism, improving oil spill management and response such as capping stack (and) first response technology”.

He did not say whether the concerns of the environmentalists had been addressed in the revised EIA. It was on February 27 that Parsram shared with this publication that ExxonMobil's Consultant, Environmental Resources Management (ERM) was required to revise the EIA it prepared.

While the EPA head did not reveal what specific adjustments were required, Kaieteur News had reported on the submissions made by environmentalists on the EIA document which was described as “significantly deficient” by one specialist, Simone Mangal-Joly.

The expert in an invited comment to this newspaper back in December argued that the document failed to specify how toxic waste brought to shore will be disposed of for the full life of the project, as well as the amount of toxic waste that will be generated. MangalJoly in her comments to this newspaper noted that in the absence of such provisions, ExxonMobil must address this deficiency in the Yellowtail EIA. She argued, “This matter should be of concern to all Guyanese. The quantities of toxic and other waste being brought to shore, health, and ecological risks of each of their constituent parts, and how they are treated and disposed of are critical issues, as the toxic waste treatment facilities are in areas where people live and all are at high-risk for flooding and creating a toxic soup on the coast, and our coastal groundwater aquifers are at risk. We stand to lose a lot. We need to understand the value of what we currently have and risk losing, both in terms of quality of life and health and monetary terms, and to protect ourselves and our valuable natural resources that could be despoiled.”

In fact, she said that the Yellowtail EIA cannot be accepted as it stands. A group of international

Executive Director of the EPA, Mr. Kemraj Parsram environmentalists, Alfred Buhlai, Vanda Radzik, Janette Bulkan, Denuta Radzik, Jerry Jailall, Alissa Trotz, Mangal-Joly and Maya Trotz, had made a submission to the EAB calling for the Yellowtail development EIA to be scrapped, given that the document fails to address critical subjects such as the impacts of the total waste brought to shore, and baseline data for Guyana's fisheries sector.

The environmentalists said they are requesting information on “What Public Communication discharges there will be to air, water, and ground during treatment and what are the chemical compositions of these discharges and what risk do they pose to human health and ecology? Will any discharge be directly into rivers and estuaries with protected forest species, and if so, what threats do they pose to such bodies over the full life of the Yellowtail project? Will this discharge affect fisheries and other activities in any estuary?

What is the chemical composition and risks of the residues that will be taken to a landfill? What is the total volume of waste bound for landfills during the life of the project? What is the total land demand for such landfill given the volume of waste produced over the life of the project? What are the standards for operation of such landfill, and what are the risks if these standards are violated?”

When it comes to baseline information on Guyana's fisheries sector, the group requested the consultant to provide them with specific data such as the total number of formal and informal operators, size, catch per unit, effort in the dry versus the wet season, economic value of formal and informal production, livelihood dependency, economic linkages, and total economic value of the sector (Continued on page 6)

Kaieteur News

Monday April 04, 2022

PAGE 03

Glenn Lall should have approached

Court sooner A

fter putting up strong arguments in Court that Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall has no right to file a court case challenging its terms of agreement with the Government of Guyana, Exxon Mobil's subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) is in the same breath saying that Lall is guilty of undue delay in bringing the court action.

In fact, in the response to Lall's legal challenge to the Government of Guyana over the discriminatory tax provisions of the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), EEPGL contends that Lall should not be granted the reliefs he is seeking because “he sat on his hands for five years” and allowed Esso and its coventurers to expend huge sums of money [to the tune of billions of US dollars] which could now be wasted.

In January, the Kaieteur News Publisher filed an action to challenge the Petroleum Agreement, dated June 27, 2016 between the Guyana Government and the oil companies. According to Lall the agreement between the oil company and the government grants exemptions to persons other than licensees, which violate the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act, the Financial Administration (and Audit) Act, the Prevention of Discrimination Act, and the Constitution.

EEPGL which was recently added as respondent in the matter is arguing to have Lall's case thrown out on several grounds.

In an affidavit filed in its defence, the oil company has extensively contended inter alia that Lall in his capacity as a private citizen cannot file an action in court to challenge a legally binding agreement between the Government and an oil company but it is for the Attorney General of Guyana to take on that role in the interest of the public in a civil suit.

But in the same document, the oil subsidiary said that based on the advice of its Attorneys-at-Law, it is to be believed Lall is “guilty of gross and undue delay.”

In explaining their contention EEPGL noted that “The Applicant [Lall] has been aware of the Petroleum Agreement and its contents

since in or around the month of December, 2016, the Applicant did not see fit to challenge it or to seek the reliefs he is seeking until the 1 2 t h d a y o f J a n u a r y, 2022...Nor has he explained anywhere in the Affidavit in support of the [Fixed Date Application] FDA as to any reason why it took him in excess of five years to institute these proceedings.”

The Added Respondent [EEGPL] therefore contended that “it would be unconscionable to allow the Applicant the reliefs that he is seeking when he has sat on his hands for five years and allowed Esso and its coventurers to expend these huge sums which could now be wasted,” The Exxon subsidiary had previously contended in the same document that the fact that Lall is a citizen of Guyana and the publisher of the National Media and Publishing Company Limited (Kaieteur News), does not entitle him to bring the present proceeding in his own name, in his private capacity for declaratory relief alleging breach of public rights. “…Nor has the applicant (Lall) shown any special loss or damage he would suffer over and above the public so as to entitle him to seek the reliefs that he does,” EEPGL added in its sworn statement.

The oil company had explained that based on the advice of its attorneys, Lall as a private person is not entitled to seek the declaratory reliefs in order to prevent what are alleged public wrongs or to assert a right on behalf of the public in proceedings, which are not for judicial review, and are brought in the regular jurisdiction of the court.

The Exxon subsidiary had argued further that it is a fundamental principle of Guyana law that public rights could only be asserted in a civil action by the AttorneyGeneral of Guyana representing the public.

It explained that “Except where a statute otherwise provides, a private person could only bring a proceeding to challenge a breach of the law if his claim was based on an allegation that the breach constituted an infringement of his private rights or would inflict special damage on him.”

“A private person was not

...“sat on his hands for five years” - Exxon says

entitled to bring an action in his own name for the purpose of preventing public wrongs, “the company stressed.

“Consequently,” the company held that, “the court has no jurisdiction to grant relief in such a proceeding as the present one and the proceeding brought by the applicant ought to be struck out forthwith.”

Through his application filed last January, Lall moved to challenge the government over the discriminatory tax provisions granted in the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA)

for the oil companies.

The PSA between the oil giant, its partners and the Government of Guyana essentially states, “…no tax, value-added tax, excise tax, duty, fee, charge or other impost shall be levied on the Contractor or Affiliated Companies, in respect of income derived from Petroleum Operations with the Stabroek Block.”

The Stabroek Block is currently being drilled by Exxon's subsidiary EEPGL, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana

Limited.

The case outlined that the tax reliefs listed under Article 15.1 of the Petroleum Agreement, dated June 27, 2016, between the Guyana Government and the oil companies, violate the P etroleum Exploration and Production Act, the Financial Administration (and Audit) Act, the P r e v e n t i o n o f Discrimination Act, and the Constitution.

Lall is therefore seeking declarations to have the provisions nullified and reversed.

Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall.

PAGE 4

Monday April 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Fourth Oil Project

A

few Guyanese may have harboured the flimsy belief that the leaders of the PPP/C Government would slow down, take stock, and come to their senses with what is involved with the approval of the Fourth Oil project. It is of what could be had from skillfully using that much sought after approval as a trump card to get what is desired for Guyanese.

We at this paper have been loud in leading the charge for what is wrapped up in that approval, and in our oil business going forward. It is a better deal, an acceptable one that we can live with, be temporarily satisfied.

But it was not to be. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, the nation’s oil czar, just does not have it in him to change the odds, to reset the table of discussion, to holdup Exxon’s theatre of operations in our rich oilfields. We have the oil by the billions of barrels, and we hold all the cards that Exxon craves.

But in our trembling hands, they have turned out to be immaterial, of no significance whatsoever, so helpless our leaders have been before Exxon. Mr. Jagdeo stands at the front of the line in all of his weak-kneed, spineless presence. When he should stand up for Guyana, he cowers; when he should lay his body and blood on the line for Guyanese interests, he is on the other side pushing for their plans and programmes.

On every occasion that has presented itself, where Guyana could have put the brakes on Exxon, we couldn’t find our feet, the necessary courage. We even say the needed wisdom deserted our leaders, from President to Vice President all the way down.

There was Payara to be used as an opportunity to stall Exxon and lean on it for a better deal, but our leaders were only able to wet themselves at the mere thought of confronting the White Men with their stuffed briefcases, smooth handshakes, and sweet words. So that opportunity to level the scales so terribly weighing against us went by the wayside, with one feeble excuse after the other coming from Vice President Jagdeo.

The man is a weakling, and his manipulations keep coming back to haunt him, no matter the garden path that he continues to lead Guyana down.

Government and oil leaders led Guyanese down that same garden path with Yellowtail, this huge fourth oil project. Guyanese forced themselves to believe that their President and Vice President would find the manhood to face the foreigners and say: enough is enough, and we must get more.

The woeful reality was that Guyanese found out on April Fools’ Day 2022 how much they were fooling themselves about the quality of the leaders that they have.

It was that Yellowtail is approved.

Vice President Jagdeo claims to know all that there is to know about business. Somehow, he didn’t know that he had a powerful bargaining position that could hijack Exxon’s visions, throw an obstacle in its shareholders’ expectations. He had to holdup approval for Yellowtail to convey that Guyana is dictating the pace of oil exploration and production in this country, and not the other way around. Meaning, it is not Exxon and Woods and Routledge, these 21st century entrappers and enslavers that wreak havoc with the aspirations of poor nonwhite Third World societies, like Guyana.

Exxon wanted Yellowtail approval more than anything currently to keep its profit prospects rolling, to maintain its shareholders contentment.

But we did not do a single thing of substance at the political leadership level, move a muscle on our own behalf, to get what is due to us. It is a better deal, which is not going to be had because we hope for such. We have to fight for it, sacrifice for it. And any leader worth his salt, possessing of any kind of self-respect and dignity, would relish the idea, the opportunity, to go to the mat for his people.

It is obvious by now that Vice President Jagdeo is not the man for the job. He is an excuse for an oilman, an apology for the national oil champion needed. It is why Yellowtail just had to be.

The VP – a leader lacking in what it takes DEAR EDITOR, In some circles in this country, the Vice President is hailed as someone of substance. I pity these willfully ignorant Guyanese, the self-inflicted blindness that many natives wreak upon themselves. But with the Yellowtail debacle, I am beginning to see him in a still worse light, and this one will bring a shudder to many a Guyanese heart.

There is no positive, no upside to it, unlike the man to whom I now compare him with, the one whom he mirrors frighteningly to a point before ignominious collapse follows.

When I consider the ploys, the plots, the practices of Guyana’s Vice President, I am reminded jarringly of one LFS Burnham. The cunning and scheming that were an integral aspect of PNC Burnham, are also indelibly, irreversibly embedded in the person of the PPP VP. One was, and this one is, a secret operator, a stealth conductor of tricks and troubles of national proportions. Both have held mesmerising sway over many Guyanese minds and hearts, despite all their known perversities, their

accumulated national atrocities, their bitter legacies.

For all the wrongs ever experienced in this country, look no further, peer no deeper, than the two of them, and there is the gospel of Guyana written in the blood and agony of Guyanese, and in block capitals.

As I progress, I realise that I am trampling upon two Guyanese heroes, two of this country’s iconic figures, which alone provides all the evidence needed of what kind of society and people we have here.

But when I do take the time to ponder Guyana’s Vice President of today, it is Burnham all over again, save but for a few remarkable distinctions. I will single out only two of those palpable differences.

Burnham was a man wise beyond his age, his time and his contemporaries. In fact, he was too damn smart for his own good, and he paid the bitterest of prices - his own turning hand and heart against him. The Vice President thinks he is smart, pretends at wisdom, but is a poor shadow of the real thing.

A truly wise one is not so easily detectable; a man of the

sublime profoundness that the VP aspires to, is not so petty and small-minded; the two, wisdom and pettiness, are not bosom companions that the VP tries to force to coexist inside of him. Wisdom will have none of it, and deserts him in short order. It is why he stands so exposed with everything he does with this oil. Promises made are not to be honoured, leadership strength pretended at just doesn’t exist, and this much was known from the inception, but they were made anyway.

Renegotiation was one.

Burnham wouldn’t have made any, not shown his hand, not committed so fully.

But he would have waved his wand and worked his magic to get his way. He did, and we have that record, which is there for the VP’s benefit.

The key to Burnham was, despite of all his faults (My God! they were many), he knew how to deal with the white man. Burnham didn’t fear the white man or shrink from him; he played him. He made the white man watch him and worry about him. And when he did drop the hammer on them (nationalisation), he knew that they would never

forgive him, always detest him with a passion.

Regrettably, Guyana’s Vice President of today who fancies himself as a big man in the big leagues is only recognised by the foreigners as a Guyanese big fish in the little Guyanese pond, and nothing more.

A weak local presence that crumbles in their hands at the slightest touch. There is Yellowtail, which is wellnamed for the colour brands him revealingly.

Nobody ever called Burnham a coward, not when he was dealing with foreigners, who he played like violins, strummed their guitars with his own tunes.

For sure, Burnham was a fox in the local chicken coop, just like the VP. But he was a lion when dealing with foreigners.

He developed a mastery over them that made them see matters his way, and then he bit deeply and memorably, when they least expected.

When the VP arrives close to that stage, then he could be somebody, a man to reckon with, a leader (not a pretender) who has what it takes. Whatever it takes.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Guyana was low in importance to UK in 1970 DEAR EDITOR, A recent declassified UK report in 1970 has been released rating Guyana as very low on its radar in terms of political importance to the United Kingdom. The document reveals the thinking of the UK government on the political importance of countries globally.

According to the report, the USA and the USSR were the most important countries with all others falling below those two.

The document assessed the world in 1970 in terms of how the imperial nation categorise countries by degree of diplomatic and political importance to the UK. In

its rating of political importance, the UK Foreign-Office assigned a points mark and letter grade. The USA was assigned a score of 650 and USSR 290; both were assigned a letter grade of A, the only countries to be so graded.

All others received lower grade that go down to H. It is not known what characteristics or factors were used to evaluate countries and how scores were assigned.

Countries between scores of 50 and 290 received a B grade. Canada, Australia, and India were the only Commonwealth countries to receive B. C graded countries received marks of between 20

and 50. Pakistan, Malaysia, Nigeria, New Zealand got a C grade.

D rated countries received marks of between 10 and 20.

Kenya, Singapore, and Zambia were the only Commonwealth countries to make that grade. Guyana and Jamaica in the Caribbean were E rated with a score of between 5 and 9.

Trinidad was F rated with a score of 3 to 4. Barbados was in G grade with a score of 1-2. All other countries received 0 or negative scores.

In 1970, Guyana would have been relatively politically important to the UK as it was still in the orbit of Cold War politics.

The country’s dominant political leaders Jagan and Burnham introduced Cold War politics in Guyana in the 1950s with the former aligned with east bloc and the latter the western bloc with devastating consequences to the nation from which it seems unable to recover till this day.

Although the UK and US intervened in Guyana’s internal affairs, the country seemed politically unimportant to the UK. It would have been far more important to the USA that engineered the ouster of Jagan replacing him with Burnham.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

The PPP has done terrible things to Guyana and does not intend to stop DEAR EDITOR, The cost of living is sky high in Guyana and the average man/woman is suffering and down on hard times.

There is no question that the PPP is and has always been an uncaring government that put the population through hell.

Yet, ministers, their families and cronies are enjoying the good life.

Why must our citizens struggle to buy plantains and can barely afford to buy eggs?

Indians are struggling, Afri-

cans are struggling and Amerindians too.

Even the Chinese are complaining that the price of noodles is no longer affordable.

It is alre a d y p u b l i c knowledge that Mr Jagdeo is ill.

No matter our political differences or how much I despise him, as a human being I will not wish him any bad in terms of his illness.

Sickness will eventually envelope us all and death

is a sure thing for us mortals but the record of how we live will stay in the hearts of those we have affected.

A person who had just returned to Barbados from Guyana while I was there told me that they were in Mr. Jagdeo’s presence and he seemed very unwell. If the doctor told Mr. Jagdeo that he should stay away from certain foods that doesn’t translate to mean that Guyanese cannot enjoy food of their choice.

Jagdeo runs Guyana, what

will he do about the cost of living?

There should be a national strike to signal to the PPP that the Guyanese people are serious about the cost of living. Why children cannot have plantains and eggs in their lunch kits?

The PPP have done terrible things to Guyana and do not intend to stop.

Faithfully yours, Norman Browne Social and Political Activist

Monday April 04, 2022

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

GTT is testing my Mental Health Beyond remittances – Guyana DEAR EDITOR, This is probably the fifth letter that I’m writing documenting my experiences with the poor quality of service that I’m receiving from GTT. Firstly, kindly refer to my last letter published in your newspaper https:// www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2021/12/28/poor-servicefrom-gtt/.

After that letter was published, my wife received several calls from different representatives of the telephone company and a crew visited and changed my modem/ router along with the service line coming to the building.

They removed the pods that I was using and paying for even though they were not working. After this was all done, I received a bill in February and I noticed that I was being billed for the pods that were removed. I then contacted GTT’s customer service via their WhatsApp number and after waiting for what seemed like an eternity, I spoke with one of the representatives (name provided) who informed me that she would forward this query to

their billing department and assured me that this would be corrected and I should expect to see this correction on my next bill. In March, I received my bill without the adjustment/correction. I contacted GTT again on March 9 and after waiting for another lengthy period, I spoke with another representative (name provided) who apologised for the inconvenience and assured me that this will be corrected. I was also given case #02602669. I requested the email address for Mr. Eshwar Thakurdin and the department supervisor since I did not have the confidence that this will be corrected. I was provided with the email address of the supervisor only and I was told that the supervisor will be making contact with me shortly. I explained to the representative that I am not in the country and contact should be made with my wife who can provide all the details if needed. My wife was contacted on the said date by a supervisor (name provided) who assured her that this would be corrected and a call back will be made the follow-

ing day informing her of the adjusted amount. My wife never received a call back.

This is now April and I just received my bill with NO CORRECTION/ADJUSTMENT. I am so sick and tired of the service being provided by this company. The only time GTT is efficient in solving queries is when letters are published in your newspaper.

And I’m sure that after this letter is published, Mr. Thakurdin will respond saying that they had this corrected, the customer was contacted and he apologises for the inconvenience this has caused. A pattern we see every time a letter is published in your newspaper. GTT needs to have better systems in place to resolve their queries and to do follow-ups with customers. It’s frustrating, I have to take the time out of my schedule to spend an hour or more trying to make contact with GTT. If the other company was providing a fibre service in my area, I would’ve switched a long time ago.

Frustrated customer, Christopher Houston

Ramadan - The Fresh Start Effect DEAR EDITOR, How often have you caught yourself affirming statements such as: ‘I’m going to start eating healthy’ or ‘I’m going to stop procrastinating.’ We all desire to change and want to lead more productive and healthier lifestyles. But where and when do we start? Our lives are so dynamic and we are entrenched with routines that limit our openness to change.

Improvement, however, becomes increasingly achievable when we have a clean slate to work with. For instance, why is it that 40 percent of people make New Year’s resolutions? Why do some people promise to forgo a bad habit on a birthday?

This is because we consider these days as a new opportunity to overcome past failures.

Studies reveal that people don’t perceive time as a continuum, rather we look at our lives as passing chapters or episodes. These new chapters provide us small windows of opportunity to start afresh.

For instance, when we pass

through our student life we use different labels to describe ourselves. We have the ‘high school’ chapter or the ‘college’ chapter and at the onset of each chapter, we are highly determined and motivated to kick-start that phase of life in the best possible manner. As Katy Milkman writes in her book, How to Change, ‘people might be more open to change when they feel they have a fresh start.’

This same fresh start principle can be observed in the holy month of Ramadan. Worshippers begin to populate Mosques in flocks, we spend more time reciting the Holy Qur’an and increase our charitable efforts. A sudden rejuvenation takes hold of many Muslims who otherwise may have been more occupied in worldly pursuits throughout the year. We utilise the month of Ramadan as a fresh slate towards developing our relationship with God Almighty and bettering ourselves. In fact, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) expressed, ‘Whoever fasts in the month

of Ramadan out of sincere faith all his previous sins will be forgiven.’

Ramadan is a time to reflect on our past failures and deficiencies and vow to become stronger believers. Once we enter the holy month of Ramadan, we are provided multiple opportunities for a clean slate. For instance, the Holy Prophet (sa) stated that the first 10 days of Ramadan bring Allah’s mercy, the middle 10 days His forgiveness, and the last 10 days save one from the fire of Hell.

These three phases in the month of Ramadan provide us with a renewed hope and opening to gain God Almighty’s pleasure.

When the month of Ramadan draws to an end, it doesn’t mean we should fall back into our old habits and wait an entire year for (Continued on page 6)

should measure the economic impact of the diaspora DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana government should seek to understand and measure the economic contributions made by the diaspora.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), financial contributions beyond remittances include investment, trade, tourism, and philanthropy.

Guyanese have been migrating from Guyana for several decades, and the trend continues today.

Guyana benefits from the remittances of more than US$400 million per year from Guyanese living abroad.

While the current administration has called on Guyanese living overseas to return and invest, there is no mechanism to measure their economic contributions.

In his inaugural address, President Ali identified the importance of the diaspora in nation building and pledged to develop policies to attract the diaspora.

Minister Todd promised to establish a diaspora department that would function with greater efficiency.

The IOM defines “diasporas” as including first-generation emigrants and foreign-born children of these individuals and their children, as long as they maintain some link to their parents’ home country.

There are more than 1.4 million in the Guyanese diaspora communities by definition.

But Guyana still lacks a comprehensive diaspora engagement policy and a robust structured mechanism to draft, implement, monitor, and evaluate diaspora contributions.

While figures on remit-

tance flows exist at the national and international levels, the lack of data through other forms of contributions has impacted Guyana’s formulation of evidence-based policies.

The scarcity of data leaves the government with little evidence to make policy and strategy decisions.

The IOM noted that data generated from measuring the economic impact is utilised to make more precise policy interventions and develop more effective policies and programmes to engage the diaspora as developmental actors.

Data collection points include diaspora investment, trade in goods and services, tourism, and philanthropy.

Countries of origin benefit from diaspora communities through social, cultural, and economic contributions. Diasporas make direct contributions through savings, the purchase of insurance products, direct and capital market investment, philanthropy, trade, and diaspora tourism; diaspora make indirect contributions through skills and knowledge transf e r, t r a d e p r o m o t i o n , a stimulus to entrepreneurship and innovation, and the return of talent. Diaspora communities play an invaluable role by creating bridges, sharing, and disseminating knowledge, ideas, values, technology, and other re-

sources.

Effective diaspora engagement can accelerate the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and propel the transformation of Guyana’s social and economic landscape.

Wi t h o u t data, Guyana may make ill-informed policies, programmes, and initiatives to attract the diaspora. And although data collection methods a n d f r a m e w o r k s differ across countries, Guyana must develop a methodology to collect data outside of the financial remittances through a phased approach.

Policymakers can use the data in the following areas: a. The diaspora affairs office/unit/desk, b. The ministry or department of foreign affairs, c. The ministries or departments of investment, trade, and labour, d. The national statistics office, e. The central bank, f. The ministry or department of planning, g.

Local and regional authorities making changes and developing the framework for measuring the economic impact of the diaspora will allow for the disaggregation of local statistics that will underpin policy formulation and programme development for the Guyanese diaspora.

Dr. Wayne Forde

PAGE 6

Monday April 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

The President must slavishly adhere to the Constitution DEAR EDITOR, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali appointed Assistant Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken to act as Commissioner of Police with effect from March 30, 2022 after Deputy Commissioner Nigel Hoppie who was performing the duties of Commissioner proceeded on leave prior to retirement.

Hicken therefore, has all the powers, privileges and immunities of a Commissioner of Police.

He pre-empted the course of action as on March 28, 2022 he was photographed in office wearing the rank of Commissioner in an inappropriate manner.

Perhaps, he did not understand and appreciate the simple communication coming from his Commander in Chief and how to properly wear the badge of rank of a Commissioner of Police.

According to the President’s Chief Legal Advisor, the President acted lawfully under the Doctrine of Necessity in the appointment of Hicken as acting Commissioner of Police.

I am not an attorney-atlaw, but I have some legal training.

Ihave been associated with Law Enforcement for over 49 years.

This knowledge was acquired through specialised training, direct instructions, legal research and osmosis. I can easily comprehend basic legal concepts.

I have common sense which is not common in everyone and common place.

It is apparent that the appointment of Clifton Hicken as the Acting Commissioner of Police is a flagrant violation of the letter, spirit and intent of some of the most sacrosanct constitutional procedures manifestly established in Article 211 (1) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

The Article states, “The Commissioner of Police and every Deputy Commissioner of Police shall be appointed by the President acting after

meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and Chairperson of the Police Service Commission after the Chairperson has consulted with other members of the Commission. “ This Article is very pellucid.

The President has to have meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and the Chairperson of the Police Service Commission before he appoints a Commissioner of Police or Deputy Commissioner.

Presently there is no Leader of the Opposition and Chairperson of the Police Service Commission for the President to consult with.

Therefore, any reasonable layman like myself will conclude that Article 211 (1) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana was fatally breached which must render the appointment of Clifton Hicken null and void.

The Attorney General in a presentation on his programme: “Issues in the News, “ argued that the appointment of Clifton Hicken was a necessity and it fits within the ambit of the Doctrine of Necessity.

He further stated, among other issues, that the Guyana Police Force cannot be headless.

Hence, the appointment of Clifton Hicken as acting Commissioner of Police.

There are many technical and legal elements as it relates to the Doctrine of Necessity.

Time and space do not permit me to go into details.

There are other persons who are both competent and compellable to do so. I hope they do.

However, my little research revealed that the Doctrine of Necessity is a term used to describe the basis in which extra constitutional actions by administrative authorities which are designed to restore order or attain power on the pretext of stability are found to be constitutional even if such action normally be deemed to be in

contravention to establish norms and conventions. It also includes the ability of a private person to violate a law without punishment where the violation of the law was necessary to prevent worse harm.

The Maxim which the Doctrine of Necessity is based on is an old and seldom used one. It has its genesis in medieval times made popular by legal writings of jurist Henry de Bracton and advanced in modern era by legal authorities including William Blackstone.

The Maxim is: “That which is otherwise not lawful is made lawful by necessity.”

It was used by Pakistan in 1954, Grenada in 1985 and Nigera in 2010.

The vex questions are: Was the appointment of Clifton Hicken lawful in accordance with the ancient and rarely used Doctrine of Necessity?

Was the President sheltered under the Doctrine of Necessity?

Why he did not use the Doctrine of Necessity to appoint two Deputy Commissioners of Police to full the two vacant positions of Deputy Commissioners as the GPF appears to me to also be neckless.

The AG intimated that the GPF was headless, hence the appointment of Hicken.

The neck (four Deputy Commissioners), supports and even controls the head at times.

Why the President did not use the Doctrine of Necessity when he unlawfully disbanded the last Police Service Commission led by Paul Slowe, Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police of which I was a member?

Why not use the Doctrine of Necessity to appoint the Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Judicature knowing that there is no Leader of the Opposition to consult with?

Was it a matter of necessity that the very junior officer, Assistant Commis-

sioner, Clifton Hicken was appointed to act as Commissioner instead of the more senior rank Deputy Commissioner, Paul Williams, contrary to Rule 35 of the Public Service Commission Rules?

It would appear as though Paul Williams who was unlawfully posted at the COVID-19 Secretariat is too busy checking on COVID-19 deaths, negative and positive reported cases, even though the curve has flattened. He has no medical training.

Maybe, those enforced activities which he is carrying out will prevent him from performing the duties of acting Commissioner of Police.

Why not use the Doctrine of Necessity to withdraw much needed money from the Natural Resource Fund for urgent National Development Programmes?

Why the Doctrine of Necessity was not used to confirm or appoint Nigel Hoppie as acting Commissioner of Police.

He performed the duties of Commissioner of Police for over 20 months.

He was not an Acting Commissioner, neither was he

sworn or given the Instrument to perform such duties.

Maybe, during that period the Guyana Police Force was not headless.

There are many more pertinent questions to be answered. It is not clear what were the defining principles of the Doctrine of Necessity the legal advisors presented to influence the President to unlawfully appoint Clifton Hicken as Acting Commissioner of Police.

There are desenting views. It is not a good thing to be nibbling around the edges of justice.

Urgent clarity is required.

Some of our legal experts particularly those who are knowledgeable in Constitutional Law can clear the air.

A Judicial Review may also suffice.

This matter cries out for clarity in the interest of justice, fair play and transparency.

Being futuristic, I hasten to posit that before a Commissioner is confirmed or appointed to act he/she should appear before an appointed Bipartisan Select Parliamentary Committee for a confir-

mation process in order to ensure transparency and accountability.

The process should be live, like the present Public Accounts Committee.

There will be no need for a change in our Constitution to get this system in place.

The Doctrine of Necessity will prevail in keeping with the current thinking of the President’s legal advisors.

We are not living in North Korea where Kim Jong-Un is the supreme leader and rules with absolute power.

We are living in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana where our President is a creature of the Constitution.

He must slavishly adhere to the Constitution unlike what is being propagated in the media and elsewhere by his legal advisors and some others.

Let the confabulation continue in the public interest. May God bless Guyana.

Yours respectfully, Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)

Can compensation be pursued on a presumption?

DEAR EDITOR, Following the BoI and damaging findings into the fishing boat mishap and the still missing three crew members, it was revealed that legal advice will be sought whether compensation can be

sought from the company.

From a layperson perspective, would this be prudent since the missing men have not been found or their bodies retrieved. So their official status is: missing, presumed dead. The question remains

can compensation be pursued on a presumption?

Shouldn’t some time elapse before the men are declared officially dead and then the compensation process can be instituted? Just wondering.

Shamshun Mohamed

Ramadan Mubarak

DEAR EDITOR, His Excellency’s message for Ramadan was the best speech I have heard him make to date.

Congratulations, and we too wish you and our fellow Guyanese all the best during this Ramadan celebration.

Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

Ramadan - The Fresh Start...

From page 5 Ramadan to come around again. Otherwise, as His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) aptly puts it, ‘Ramadan would be futile for us.’

Rather this blessed month should serve as a jumpstart to further develop our spiri-

tual faculties and increase in goodness.

Though this holy month will come to a close in 30 days, its spirit must continue. As Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) briefly stated, ‘The virtuous habits which we established during Ramadan should continue on

past Ramadan and should increase.

If we don’t do this, then there will have been no benefit to passing through the month of Ramadan.’

Maulana Qasim Choudhary Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at

EPA defends decision not to re-engage...

From page 2 considering linkages with other sectors. It was also requested that information pertaining to the near-shore and offshore fish nurseries located and mapped by geospatial coordinates be provided. The public feedback period on Esso Exploration Production Guyana Ltd's

(EEPGL), Exxon's subsidiary, Yellowtail Environmental Impact Assessment was closed on December 15, 2021. In addition to these individuals, Caribbean organizations had also objected to the Yellowtail EIA. The Caribbean Coastal Area Management (C-CAM) Foundation, The Jamaica Fish Sanctuary Net-

work, Jamaica Environment Trust, Institute for Small Islands, Fishermen and Friends of the Sea and Freedom Imaginaries contended that ERM has violated international laws by failing to consult them on the likely impacts of the project, even though the EIA clearly outlines the dangers they are exposed to.

T N U L B . . .

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N .

T U T N N T U N U L L U B .

L B . . . .

B .

T . .

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N N T U N L LU U B .

N L . .

U B 28 years of service to the nation!

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L . .

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LU ...BLUN B T . . .

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N N T T L U U N L L U B U T...BLU B L . .

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Monday April 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

It has been 28 long years that this newspaper- the Kaieteur News has been privileged to serve this nation. We vow to continue to be a voice for all Guyanese!

These have been long but fruitful years.

We feel that we have shed light, facilitated some justice and empowered frankness across Guyana.

The struggle has just begun. There are bigger challenges now that oil is ours. We are resolved, fully committed like never before to lead the way. We must fight the fight for a better oil deal. And we will.

PAGE 07

Monday April 04, 2022

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

The betrayal continues T

he PPP/C will be in office for at least the next seven years. Its political nemesis, the APNU+AFC, has gifted it at least another term in office through the attempt to benefit from electoral rigging.

In 2011, the Guyanese people, including a portion of the traditional PPP/C support base, became so disgusted by the rampant corruption within the PPP/ C and its indifferent leadership, handed the then combined Opposition, comprising of the APNU and the AFC, a majority in the National Assembly.

That eventually led to a narrow electoral defeat in the 2015 general and regional elections.

The Guyanese people saw through the smokescreen of the APNU+AFC; they witnessed first-hand the authoritarian tendencies of the Coalition; they experienced the ethnic bias inherent in many of the Coalition’s practices; and were appalled at the decision to close three sugar estates and send home almost 7,000 workers.

The ordinary man and woman saw the government impose heavy taxation on them while becoming cozy with the rich.

But what really outraged citizens was the secret signing of the Production Sharing Agreement with Exxon, CNOOC and Hess, and the scandalous terms of that agreement which deprived Guyana of an equitable share to its patrimony.

The Guyanese people did not take to the streets in mass protests.

Protests always have their problems because protests against the government are often interpreted as implying support for the Opposition,

and vice versa.

And this has always acted as a deterrent to protests.

The people are not powerless.

And when given the opportunity, the people express their power through the ballot.

Sufficient numbers of persons who had voted for the Coalition or who had been apathetic in the 2015 polls, decided that it was time to give the Coalition the boot.

And they did, only to see the Coalition attempt to throw the country back to the horrendous days of dictatorship and all the hardships, suffering and oppression of that period.

That attempt at the rigging of the elections has relegated the PNC/R and whoever it finds to become part of a coalition to contest the 2025 elections, into the political Opposition at least until 2030.

The Guyanese people will therefore have to live with the PPP/C administration for the next seven years.

The fear of a return to political dictatorship, under the APNU+AFC, will act in the favour of the PPP/ C. But the ruling party must not take the votes of their supporters for granted.

People find ways of rejecting you when you threaten their rights and their livelihoods.

As such, therefore, the APNU+AFC can never again be trusted by large swathes of the local electorate, the PPP/C must not feel that they can run roughshod over the rights and the livelihoods of their people.

The PPP/C has done the unpardonable.

It has failed to renegotiate the oil contract, instead claiming that it will claw back benefits in granting permits

and licences under the existing contract.

It has been presented with opportunities to do so: Payara and Yellowtail.

Its recent approval of the development of the Yellowtail project represents another act of betrayal by the present PPP/C government.

That permit should not have been granted unless the issue of royalties and corporation taxes were first settled.

Nor should the permit have been approved without further consultations with the people.

The Guyanese people have once again been betrayed.

Their children can look forward to a poor inheritance.

Moreover, it is that betrayal which may see Guyanese staying away from the polls en masse in 2025.

But staying away does not weaken the oil companies and their political lackeys’ stranglehold on the oil sector. It will only strengthen it.

The Guyanese people have to send a non-partisan signal to our leaders that what they are continuing to do with the people’s wealth can no longer go without protest. It is time for all Guyanese to join in condemning the recent permit, which was granted.

A protest against the recent permit must not be viewed as an Opposition protest.

The oil contract controversy is a national issue and all Guyanese, regardless of race or political affiliation, to support efforts to ensure a better deal for all Guyanese.

It is no use saying that you will wait and express your rejection at the next elections. Both sides have been complicit in underselling the country’s national

Dem Boys Seh…

Need fuh speed

Dem boys hear a rumour dat de Education Minis-tree planning fuh increase de number of literature textbooks in dem school to 12 every term.

Dem seh if de environmental people can read 6,000 pages in five days, dem school children should be able to read all 12 ah dem textbooks per term, and learn dem from cover to cover.

If dem West Indies fast bowlers coulda bowl as fast as dem environmental people could read, dem woulda been unplayable.

De ball woulda hit de stumps before de batsman

see it.

UG looking fuh speed readers.

Dem seh deh gat some lecturers who does tek too long fuh read and mark dem exam scripts. Dem wan employ dem environmental people fuh be dem internal examiners.

Dem environmental people gan speed mark all dem exam papers in one day.

Yuh could leff de exam room and get yuh marks before yuh reach UG gate.

But de police looking fuh dem speed readers. Dem claim dem breaking de speedreading limit.

One man did get inspire fuh try speed reading. He was

a little slow but now he doing better.

He claim now he can read ‘War and Peace’ in 20 seconds… since is only three words.

Dem gat nuff benefits to speed reading.

Dem seh it does improve yuh memory and yuh does learn plenty things since yuh only concentrating pon de essentials.

But two weeks ago, a man who was speed reading end up in hospital. He was reading so fast dat he trip pon a comma, hit a full stop and crash headlong into a bookmark.

Talk half. Leff half.

patrimony. It is now time for all Guyanese to reject this latest permit.

(The views expressed in

this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

PAGE 08

Monday April 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

T&T's oil addiction only inflicting more economic hardships on citizens A cautionary tale for Guyana…

...IMF says Authorities must move swiftly to develop renewable energy sector Trinidad and Tobago's decades-old addiction to fossil fuels has resulted in negative impacts on the nation's economic health especially in the face of price shocks and declining reserves. Unfortunately, this state of affairs only worsened after 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the region. To ensure its addiction does not lead to further economic hardships, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged that the CARICOM State make a concerted effort to create robust renewable energy and non-energy sectors.

The global financial watchdog made this recommendation, among others following its February 9, 2022 meeting with Trinidadian officials. This discourse was in keeping with the Article IV Mission of the IMF. Under Article IV of the IMF's agreement with governments, an IMF team of economists visits member countries to hold discussions

with the administration and Central Bank officials on economic development and p o l i c i e s , e v e r y y e a r.

Following this meeting, a report is prepared for discussion by the IMF's Executive Board and the views of this board is then presented to the country's government.

Before the pandemic, the report which outlines the economic wellbeing of the CARICOM state says T&T was in the process of recovering from a prolonged period of poor economic performance.

However, the pandemic interrupted this process and pushed the country back onto that path of further economic decline.

According to the report on consultation, the country's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) decreased by 7.4 percent in 2020 and was estimated to further decrease by about 1 percent in 2021. Inflation in the country was mostly

under control until the surge in international food and energy prices causing a 3.9 percent increase in October 2021. The fiscal position also worsened significantly during the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 and 2021 by 11.6 percent of GDP and 10.1 p e r c e n t o f G D P, r e s p e c t i v e l y. T h e unemployment rate also increased and the labour force participation decreased which the IMF said could have a negative effect on recovery prospects.

As a result of the country's economic state, the financial institution said

T&T needs to make a few policy decisions to ensure the recovery and growth of the country.

The IMF officials stated that it is also crucial for T&T to develop its renewable energy and non-energy sectors to dampen the dependency on fossil fuel.

The Executive was keen to point out that its experts determined that the economic decrease began in the energy sector, due to gas, oil and refining suffering the most during the pandemic, but subsequently spread over to the non-energy sector. The

board mentioned that structural changes are paramount to reduce commodity dependence and warned against the country waiting too long to invest in other sectors, risking the opportunity of safe growth.

The IMF officials said taking advantage of this opportunity would minimise the risk of any long-term losses from the pandemic and create greater opportunities for inclusive growth.

The Board advised the government to ensure that the necessary changes are

Guyana's lack of expertise, a major bugbear to develop oil economy ...Financial Analyst says less than 5% of labour force has tertiary education

Financial Analyst, Joel Bhagwandin.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Monday April 04, 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Why blame Trinidad? Guyanese presidents didn't complain Some people say a story has more than two sides. In fact, a story can have multiple dimensions. There is now a vigorous debate about who is wrong and right in the story about Trinidad and Guyana in relation to our local content law.

The tall tale of the relationship between Trinidad and Guyana has more than two sides. But wherever the debate leads, it should not deny Trinidad's right to inquiry about Guyana's treaty obligations in CARICOM. Trinidad has a right to make demands on Guyana if it feels a fellow member of the integration movement is not complying with treaty obligations.

No Guyanese can be so unreasonable to say a CARICOM member state cannot condemn another for what that country sees as treaty violations. Of course the infringements may not be factual. When the CARICOM Private Sector

Organisation, headed by the owner of the Massy conglomerate, noticed that our local content legislation may not be in sync with the fundamental basis of CARICOM's existence of free trade, there were indignant responses from some influential Guyanese quarters.

Anyone over the age of 50, living in or out of Guyana, who has followed developments in Guyana would know those outbursts h a v e F r e u d i a n underpinnings. Over the long decades, Guyanese businessmen and Guyanese travellers have nurtured a Freudian resentment of Trinidad even though the two countries are historical friends.

For the traveller, it was the undignified way Guyanese have been singled out for mistreatment not only at the airport but in Trinidad in general. For the businessman, it was the

barefaced violation of CARICOM rules this business person resented but felt helpless to do anything about because his government in Guyana was not willing to confront Trinidad on the issue.

Trinidadians are right to complain.

They feel our local content law is not in harmony with the underlying principles of free trade within CARICOM. What Trinidadians are lamenting in 2022, we should have been doing decades ago.

Guyanese presidents from both the PNC and PPP and Guyanese business folks have not been vocal and irate about Trinidad's treaty violations over the past decades.

Interesting to note what the Massy conglomerate itself did when it opened its supermarket at Turkeyen. I live across the road so I skip across to the supermarket almost daily. In the first few

years, Massy at Turkeyen did not sell local beef, jams and spices and other Guyanese products. This is just a drop in the ocean of the trade indignities Guyana has suffered within CARICOM over the past 40 years.

If you do a meticulous check of trade violations in CARICOM, even the smaller islands are unfair to Guyana. Guyana's presidents and its business organisations over the long decades have not protested these infringements to their fellow heads even though for decades now, there have been an annual meetings of CARICOM heads.

What accounts for this avoidance? Here are some brief notes. 1 – From Hoyte to Granger, Guyanese presidents felt that the Guyana economy could survive without the additional income from Trinidad buying more so they didn't see raising the issue as a priority. 2 – The

presidents felt that Guyana has always b e e n t h e controversial member Frederick Kissoon in the history of CARICOM and to r eact by saying who is poor fight Trinidad over trade Guyana to want to fight u n f a i r n e s s w a s a n Trinidad? unnecessary battle.

6 – All the presidents 3 – All of the Guyanese w e r e r u f f l e d a b o u t presidents felt that Trinidad mistreatment, first by BWIA was the powerhouse of then by CAL, of Guyanese CARICOM and to take it on travellers. But they never over the way it treats trade highlighted the grievance at with Guyana could cause the meetings of heads r e s e n t m e n t a m o n g because they were fearful of CARICOM member-states. the embarrassment Barbados 4 – All the presidents knew and Trinidad would have that to pick a fight with caused by saying, “then keep Trinidad could have brought your people at home.” unforeseen circumstances 7 – All the presidents into play, meaning Guyanese knew that Trinidad has had a in Trinidad both legal and negative impression of illegal could face adverse Guyana (most of the islands situations. do because they see 5 – There was a feeling t h e m s e l v e s a s i s l a n d among the presidents that neighbours and Guyana is Guyana has such a lacerated South American), and just image among CARICOM never could have been member states that once bothered with making a fuss Guyana stood up to Trinidad, about Trinidad's attitude to CARICOM nationals would Guyana.

What I believe President Jagdeo and subsequent presidents had done is to find alternative airlines that would cut out the in-transit nightmare in Trinidad. One hopes Dr. Ali continues that policy.

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

Monday April 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Monday April 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

Wales Gas project contract leaves ...but protects Guyana exposed to all risks Exxon All cost incurred by the contractor, American oil giant, ExxonMobil Corporation (EMC) subsidiary for the US$1.3B gas-to-shore project is recoverable – whereas, all cost incurred by Guyana is at the country's sole risk and is non-recoverable. This is according to the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for the Stabroek Block that Guyana signed onto.

The gas-to-shore project was first touted as a US$900M project inclusive of a gas pipeline, a gas fired power plant and related processing facilities.

However, Budget 2022 has confirmed this to be untrue

presentation, confirmed that government had already allocated in excess of US$20M towards the project.

A perusal of the project profile for the capital allocation that falls under the Office of the Prime Minister, points out that the government has in fact pegged the total cost for the power plant and other facilities at some US$520M, of which US$20M has been allocated for use this year.

It was reported that with ExxonMobil spending in excess of US$800M to conduct surveys and other ancillary works for the project, including the laying of the pipeline, and the Government allocating

utilization of the excess associated gas, “Shall be charged to the development cost of the oil field and shall be recoverable contract cost.”

Whereas, in contrast, “All cost incurred by the Government of Guyana for the infrastructure and handling of the excess associated gas which are not included in an approved development plan shall be at the sole risk and expense of the government and will not affect the amount of cost oil and profit oil due to the contractor.”

Additionally, the Finance Minister had stated that the project encompasses the establishment of a power

A screenshot of the PSA. and has in fact now confirmed a new price tag in excess of US$1.3B. Guyana Government has committed to provide some US$520M in total, towards the gas fired power plant. In fact, Minister with responsibility for Finance within the Office of the President, Dr. Ashni Singh, during his Budget 2022

US$520M – the total cost of the project is now pegged in excess of $1.3B. However, a perusal of the PSA, article 12, revealed that any money spent by the oil company in the production, use and/or disposal of the associated gas of an oil field and the cost incurred by the contractor to carry out any feasibility study on the

plant to generate 300MW of power as well as a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) plant that will cover domestic demand.

The project also entails the construction of a 225 km 12 pipeline to transport the guaranteed minimum of 50 mmscfd of natural gas from offshore Guyana to the Wales Development Zone.

According to Dr. Singh,

Map layout of the Wales Development Zone where the gas-to-shore pipeline will run.

“ongoing geotechnical and geophysical works for both offshore and onshore operations are advancing with portions already completed.”

He had noted too that an Environmental and Social

Impact Assessment is expected to be completed by early second quarter of 2022 and the construction is expected to start in the third quarter of 2022 and will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2024, he said.

Moreover, Co-Director of Energy at Americas Market Intelligence (AMI), Arthur Deakin, last Tuesday night during a panel discussion on the project was keen to note that while there (Continued on page 16)

Court discharges case against man accused of killing Baramita teen girl Thirty-nine-year-old Wickroy Mitchell called “Shatta” who was charged for the murder of his 16-year-old drinking partner back in 2020 was on Tuesday last set free when the case was discharged against him owing to insufficient evidence.

On November 19, 2020, Mitchell, a miner of No. 53 Village Corentyne Berbice, made his first court appearance and was remanded to prison. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that between November 14 -15, 2020, at Coanna Backdam, Five Star, North West District, he murdered a 16-year-old girl of Baramita Village, after being on a drinking spree with the teen and her mother.

In February 2021, the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the matter commenced in the Matthews Ridge Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Dylon Bess.

According to Mitchell's lawyer, Leslie A. Sobers, the prosecution's case was based almost entirely on an alleged confession in a caution statement. The lawyer noted that after a voire dire was conducted, the court found that the caution statement that was given by Mitchell was not obtained voluntarily, and as such, it was declared inadmissible.

The lawyer also shared that there were several other material discrepancies in the prosecution's evidence. Further, the main eyewitness, the dead teen's mother was not convincing in her testimony and contradicted herself.

As such, the Magistrate ruled that there was insufficient evidence for Mitchell to stand trial in the High Court for the murder of the teenage girl.

On Saturday November 14, 2020, around 12:00hrs, the teen was seen imbibing, together with her mother, Mitchell and other

Wickroy Mitchell called “Shatta.” males at a shop. Around 15:00hrs, the teenager and her mother became intoxicated and decided to leave the shop. The accused had also reportedly left with them. It was reported that before doing so, they purchased another bottle of rum along with a quantity of rice.

Sometime later, the police had reported that the teen's mother returned to the shop alone and spent a while there. On Sunday November 15, 2020, around 07:30hrs, the teen's body was discovered lying motionless behind her home, at North West District. She was then transported to the Port Kaituma Hospital, where she was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty.

The police had reported that the teen was allegedly strangled to death by Mitchell.

There were also reports that the teen was allegedly raped before she met her demise.

Kaieteur News

Monday April 04, 2022

PAGE 13

EAB hearing on waiver of EIA for new DHB…

Appellant says EPA did not address submission on significant impacts The Environmental Assessment Board (EAB)) last Tuesday hosted a hearing on objections to the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to waive an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the new Demerara River Bridge, at the Cara Lodge Hotel on Quamina Street, Georgetown.

The purpose of the hearing was to determine whether the EPA made an acceptable decision in November 2021, when it waived the EIA for the bridge and whether the EAB should reverse the decision. Ms. Simone Mangal-Joly objected to the waiver on the grounds that the EPA needed the engineering designs for the bridge to draw conclusions on likely impacts, and that the EPA failed to justify the waiver with the reasons it published.

The hearing gave the EPA an opportunity to defend its decision to exempt the Ministry of Public Works' project from the study. There was a presentation from the Ministry of Public Works, followed by one from Ms. Mangal-Joly, the appellant, and the EPA, respectively.

The Ministry of Public Works spoke to a list of undisputed benefits the project would have, noting that upwards of 20,000 vehicles traverse the existing bridge daily and the traffic flow would be greatly eased by the new four-lane bridge.

Also, river vessels would not have to wait for the bridge to open. The Ministry showed an artist's impression of the bridge, but did not present engineering designs of the structure.

Mangal-Joly commenced her presentation by stating that the benefits of the project were not in dispute, adding that the purpose of the hearing was whether the EPA's reasons for waiving the EIA were convincing. She began by explaining that a main purpose of an EIA was specifically to look at how different environmental receptors and subgroups of stakeholders would be affected and to determine ways to minimize or mitigate those effects. She explained that with a project such as the bridge, with an elevated access ramp road for vehicles to get up to the bridge, the impact assessment and design process must go

together, as the design is often altered based on modelling of impacts. She argued that the EPA was putting the cart before the horse in waiving the EIA. Fatal Gaps She pointed to two gaps that were “fatal” to the EPA's decision to waive an EIA. The first was the EPA failed t o a d d r e s s t h e hydromorphology dynamics of the proposed bridge, and the second was that the EPA failed to account for the impacts of the ramp road that would have to be constructed to get vehicles up and onto the bridge. This would have to be an elevated road running for quite some distance along communities such as Nandy Park and Republic Park and would result in vehicles spewing pollution down on communities below.

Hydromorphology impacts On her first point, Mangal-Joly used technical illustrations of how water flows around structures anchored to a riverbed, illustrating how piers affect erosion and sediment flow.

She noted that, “A floating

investments going in and the existing ones; cargo shipping; the bauxite company coming from up the river, ordinary fisherfolk who have their boats there etcetera. So if you are going to talk about a likely impact, and you are gonna waive an EIA, you have to have your ducks lined up in a row to talk about hydromorphology dynamics.”

Mangal-Joly contended that failing to consider this was a fatal gap in the EPA's decision to waive the EIA. She argued that the EPA cannot know these impacts without an impact modeling study, which cannot be had without a design for the bridge.

Phantom roads Even though the East Bank Demerara by-pass road is currently in the making, the environmentalist in her appeal to the EAB said that the EPA did not address how 20,000 vehicles per day would get up onto the bridge and the associated impacts of this access road. The EPA also failed to identify the stakeholders and likely impacts along this feeder road: “It doesn't talk about

A conceptual design for the replacement of the existing Demerara Harbour Bridge.

living downwind of the bridge and its access ramp would be exposed to harmful levels of pollution and nowhere is this type of pollution even mentioned or considered in the EPA's decision to waive an EIA. Worse yet, the EPA made the most unscientific and unacceptable conclusion about these likely impacts.

In its Screening Decision, the EPA said, “Impacts related to dust emissions and traffic air emissions during construction and operation are expected. Main potential receptors are residents and commercial activities within the vicinity of Nandy Park.

An illustration used by Environmentalist, Simone Mangal-Joly during her presentation at the appeal hearing, where it was argued that the EPA was putting the cart before the horse in deciding to waive an EIA for the new Demerara River Bridge in the absence of key details. bridge has a lot less impacts than one that has piers… and we are dealing here with a river that gets very high siltation with a heavy rainfall season…there is carving, there is deposition…the river bottom can change completely.”She explained that this can lead to sandbanks forming in certain areas, even the channel of the river can be altered. “You can silt up the mouth of the river, there are all these stakeholders downstream, none of whom have been identified by the EPA: Oil and gas shore base operations that have to navigate that river; the brand new

the homesteads, the business operations and specific schools…all of that is part of the impact area of the bridge,” she reasoned. She said that the matter is being treated as if 20,000 vehicles per day will just fall out of the sky and land at elevation on the bridge.

Traffic related air and noise pollution Mangal-Joly explained that pollution related to highways such as fine particulate matter and nitrous oxide cause major health issues including cardiovascular disease, asthma, and lung cancer. She explained that stakeholders

However, the impacts are expected to be neutral as the area is already exposed to these impacts from the current traffic and bridge.”

But Mangal-showed the Ministry of Public Work's statistics on how the baseline level of traffic on the current Demerara Bridge has been rising since 2012, as well as the Ministry's projection of traffic increase in the next twenty years. She said that t h e E PA c a m e t o a n unacceptable conclusion, especially considering traffic increases with the new housing developments planned for Region 3 as well as the Wales Industrial

Estate, which would be adding more commercial vehicles to the mix.

Moreover, the idea that only Nandy Park and not all the other communities such as Republic Park and others would be exposed was simply inaccurate, pointing out that the ramp road would be at elevation therefore polluting communities below.

Mangal-Joly also addressed noise impacts, reviewing how chronic road noise is linked to increased heart attacks, strokes, low birth weight and low cognitive ability in children.

She also showed the EAB a map illustration of how an EIA process would work, pointing out that it was unacceptable to draw a broad brush and dismiss impacts.

The task was to identify specific pockets and subgroups of stakeholders that would be affected by dangerous levels of noise, air pollution, or even pile driving impacts for the construction of the landbased ramp road, and then targeting those areas for mitigation measures or shifting the design to minimize impacts.

She argued that the EPA was acting irrationally by brushing aside likely impacts without knowing the design elements of the bridge and was in fact telling the public that the significance of both known and unknown impacts was low and they need not worry about having an EIA. She underscored that without the statutory EIA process, the EPA would be picking and choosing who it wanted to engage rather than allowing the affected public access to take part at key stages of the impact assessment.

The EPA during its presentation stated that it had relied on many studies to

make its decision. The main one was the feasibility study conducted by Lievense CSO in 2017 where different bridge options and alignments were considered.

It also said a social and environmental impact assessment was done in that study.

Additionally, the agency noted that it had been engaged with the Ministry of Public works assessing possible impacts of the bridge, including relocation of 22 households to make way for the bridge and moving utility installations.

However, the EPA did not provide specifics or evidence to rebut Ms. Mangal-Joly's points of the appeal. They did not account for where the river piers would be located, their size, shape or how they would affect the river morphology and downstream stakeholders.

The Agency provided a map of the roads that would feed the bridge but did not account for the long ramp road that would have to be built to get cars up onto the bridge or address the specific pockets of air pollution and noise pollution, and which communities would be affected and why they concluded the effects would be insignificant.

A f t e r t h e E PA ' s presentation, the public asked several questions.

Among these, they asked the EPA to show the traffic data it was relying on to come to its conclusion that there would be no significant impacts, but the EPA did not provide any.

They asked about why there was a dangerous curve on the bridge, but there was no actual design for the bridge or designers at the hearing. One gentleman spoke about the adverse impacts on all the businesses that were built up around the current Demerara (Continued on page 18)

PAGE 14

Monday April 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

'Greater access to justice for Region 10' …as chairman lauds commissioning of $37.8M Kwakwani Magistrate's Court The Supreme Court of Judicature here last week commissioned a new Magistrate's Court in Kwakwani, Region 10 and the Chairman Deron Adams hailed the move as another step in guaranteeing citizens greater access to justice.

Residents of Kwakwani and other communities nearby over the years have had to travel to Linden and sometimes outside of the region to have their matters heard in court. The $37.M Kwakwani Magistrate's Court is one of three that were budgeted for in 2019 under the Coalition Government , when the decision was taken

to ensure that justice is dispensed to the furthest reaches in Guyana.

During his address at the commissioning of the court, Adams said the Regional Democratic Council of Region 10 holds a special interest in ensuring the equitable distribution of services to our constituents all across this vast Region.

He said the 6,555 square miles of terrain that "we are elected to secure development initiatives for includes areas that are urban and rural in nature, but we are committed to working towards ensuring that the opportunities and amenities

available to residents in the more urban areas are extended to other communities as well."

According to Adams, access to justice features prominently in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, whose Target 16.3 of Goal 16 is about

The Kwakwani Magistrate's Court.

promoting the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensuring equal access to justice for all. "This is particularly important when a person's fundamental rights to life and liberty are put at risk. The Kwakwani Magistrate's Court is one of three that were budgeted for in 2019, when the decision was taken to ensure that justice is dispensed to the furthest reaches in Guyana."

"It is against this backdrop that I am so happy to join in this simple yet important ceremony here today, as we welcome the provision of access to legal action being brought closer to the people who need the service.

For those who are accustomed to having easy access to these services in other areas of Guyana, the hardship of being without it may not be readily apparent.

However, I am certain that the people of Kwakwani and the Upper Berbice River communities look at this as a welcome development."

Adams noted that "the efforts and representation of your Regional Democratic Council on this and other issues will continue, and I stand here today to say to you that your elected representatives still have much to do in terms of representation for similar services to be brought to your

communities.

We look forward to the day when banking services, licensing and other government services are provided on site here in the Berbice River.

This objective is never far from our focus."

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, said Guyana has another facility to ensure there is access to justice. She explained that at one point in time, the people of Kwakwani had to travel all the way to Berbice to seek justice, something that is now a thing of the past for the over 4,000 residents in the community. “Although I am told there are no street names except for Old Market Street in this community and there are no lot numbers, everyone knows everyone in this community, and for the most part, they all get along well.

Nevertheless, time and again there has been infractions of the law; there is a need to uphold the rule of law in any community and therefore a court is needed,” the Chancellor said.

Meanwhile, Attorney General, Anil Nandlall also speaking at the event said that access to justice is an inalienable right to the people of Guyana.

According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) release, the Attorney General said the

judiciary is the fundamental pillar on which a modern democratic society stands. "It is the justice system and the rule of law that protects life itself, that protects our ability to speak, to move, to celebrate and to do some many things that we take for granted,” the Attorney General stated. He relayed that the setup of courts from a decade ago has changed tremendously, becoming more comfortable for everyone. Those are accomplishments that must not be taken for granted, he noted, adding that today, persons have access to the most modern facilities in the most rural areas. "When in government, we speak about the economic, commercial and infrastructural transformation that is taking place in our country across its every landscape.

The same thing is happening in the judiciary as well.” Government, he said, is committed to resourcing the judiciary as far as possible. “As soon as they ask for a plot of land, I immediately get my particular clearance and I go to the requisite department and I make my request and it is delivered. We do so not because we want any particular favour from the judiciary, we do so because we are committed to ensuring (Continued on page 16)

A school girl cuts the ribbon in the presence of Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire, resident Magistrate, Wanda Fortune, Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Region 10 Chairman, Deron Adams and Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Kaieteur News

Monday April 04, 2022

PAGE 15

US$900M Gas-to-Shore Project…

Feasibility hinges on price Exxon charges on gas - IDB report says

B

ack in 2018, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) had partnered with the State to conduct a feasibility study of the planned US$900M offshore natural gas pipeline.

The primary objective of t h e s t u d y, w h i c h w a s executed by Energy N a r r a t i v e f o r U S $ 7 0 , 0 0 0 — a n international entity that provides strategic market analyses and advice was to determine the overall feasibility of transporting natural gas from offshore Guyana, building an Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) separation plant and a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) production plant to market the liquids from the natural gas stream, as well as building a new electricity generation station to use the remaining dry natural gas.

(See link for report: h t t p s : / / n r e . g o v. g y / w p content/uploads/2021/04/Fe asibility-Study-for-GuyanasOffshore-Natural-GasPipeline.pdf)

According to the study, the project's financial feasibility hinges on the price of natural gas that will be negotiated between the Government of Guyana and ExxonMobil's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL). The consultant was keen to note that in this

negotiation, EEPGL's priority will be to secure a price for the natural gas and LPG that will provide the greatest return on investment. At the same time, the report said the Government of Guyana's priority is to minimize the cost of electricity generated with the supplied natural gas.

It therefore means that a

careful balance needs to be struck to ensure Guyana is not saddled with paying for gas at a price that only provides the greatest return to Exxon's affiliate.

It is important to note however that the discussion in this regard is still ongoing.

Yet, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has

categorically stated that the project is economically viable and a “no-brainer” at that.

During a press conference that was held last year February, Jagdeo had said once the proposed gasto-shore project comes on stream, Guyana's electricity costs could be reduced from 30 US cents to six, or even

World Bank appoints new Resident Representative to Guyana The World Bank has appointed Diletta Doretti as the new Resident Representative for Guyana and Suriname.

She will be based in Georgetown, Guyana, the bank said in a press release.

Ms. Doretti brings a wide range of development experience to her new position, the bank stated.

An Italian national, she joined the World Bank in 2002 and has held various positions throughout her 20year career, most recently as a Senior Private Sector Development Specialist for the World Bank West Africa region based in Bamako, Mali.

“I look forward to deepening the World Bank's engagement and partnership with Guyana and Suriname to address their most pressing development challenges,” said Diletta Doretti. “It's critical we address climate vulnerabilities, including flood risks, strengthen private sector development, improve human capital, and support a green, resilient, and inclusive recovery from

Ms. Diletta Doretti is the new Resident Representative for Guyana and Suriname the COVID-19 pandemic. I am committed to working closely with our partners, including government, private sector, and civil society, for the betterment of the Guyanese and Surinamese peoples.”

Ms. Doretti comes to the position with strong and diversified World Bank experience. In addition to her regional and country experience, she worked on corporate assignments, as well as developed strategies for private sector

e n g a g e m e n t , entrepreneurship, and innovation. Before joining the World Bank, Ms. Doretti worked as a legal researcher.

She holds a Master's of International Economics from SAIS Johns Hopkins and a Bachelor's of International Affairs and Law from the University of Florence.

As the new Resident Representative for Guyana and Suriname, Ms. Doretti is responsible for the policy dialogue and partnership with these two countries, as well as successful implementation of the World Bank programme, which includes an active portfolio of seven projects worth $116 million in Guyana and two projects worth $58 million in Suriname.

T h e Wo r l d B a n k ' s programme focuses on building resilience to climate change, human capital development, private sector development, and financial inclusion. The Wo r l d B a n k i s a l s o providing analytical and advisory services.

three US cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). Jagdeo was keen to highlight the significant cost reduction as he noted that some critics have said that the project is not feasible without even doing a feasibility study. The official said that when one considers the massive cutback in costs, the gas-toshore project is “a nobrainer.”

While the numbers are still being worked out for other aspects of the project, the Vice President said that the pipeline could cost US$500M to US$800M while the power plant could be approximately US$300M. The latter would be financed by the government while ExxonMobil would stand the costs for the pipeline.

As for cost to transport the gas via the pipeline from the Liza Phase 1 project, Jagdeo said he is hopeful to have this at zero but for the time being, the numbers stand at six to three US cents per kWh. It would be reduced once the repayment for the

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo pipeline is made. This he said could take about four years.

As for the location of the landing of the pipeline, Jagdeo told members of the media that Wales was determined to be the most suitable location given the low population density and the fact that it is less costly than the previous sites proposed by the

APNU+AFC regime. Those sites were proposed to be in the areas of Clonbrook, New Amsterdam and Sophia.

Jagdeo had said too that the government took the decision to not have the gas project on the East Coast since there are a number of chemical storage plants being established in the said area. He had said that having the two in the same region could spell disaster.

Further to this, the Vice President had assured the nation that four studies on the project's impact on the environment would be conducted and released in the interest of transparency. He had said too that a master plan is being mapped out to determine where at Wales the pipeline would be landed and where the power plant would be situated.

Depending on the type of plant used, the government would determine what industries would be developed in the area which would best make use of steam that may or may not be produced by the plant.

U.S urges greater partnership between Guyanese, foreign firms to reap benefits from oil sector United States Ambassador to Guyana, S a r a h - A n n Ly n c h h a s encouraged Guyanese businesses to engage in partnership with U.S companies that will lead to both parties benefitting from the development of the country's oil resources.

This was stated during her presentation on Thursday last at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Annual General Meeting.

A m b a s s a d o r Ly n c h stated that “Guyana has the opportunity to benefit greatly from the involvement of U.S. firms, and that we should look at these firms as partners and not as competitors.” The ambassador highlighted the fact that there are many amazing U.S. firms in Guyana and looking to partner with Guyanese companies.

The ambassador expressed great enthusiasm as she spoke about an event

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch that occurred last year at the O f f s h o r e Te c h n o l o g y Conference in Houston where many Guyanese and U.S companies were able to mutually benefit from the signing of Memorandums of Understanding.

The Ambassador further stated that all the additional effort of achieving international standards, rules and regulations will pay off with the opportunities the country and local businesses will gain. She said many U.S

companies are looking to partner in different sectors including oil and gas, infrastructure, agriculture, health care, services, tourism, etc Ambassador Lynch also urged companies to uphold health and safety standards while providing the highest quality of products and services. “Safety and health programs help businesses prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, reduce costs, and increase productivity and enhance overall business operations and attract quality talent,” she noted.

The Ambassador stated that many job opportunities will be created for Guyanese, highlighting that they will be provided with good jobs based on their merits. She said, “More than 3,000 Guyanese benefit directly from good jobs in the oil and gas sector, but we know the numbers are much higher especially when you factor in the indirect employment numbers.”

PAGE 16

VACANCY

FOR RENT

VEHICLE FOR SALE One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable.

Contact:649-0956.

SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design,Advertisements, Wedding decorations & Elderly grooming: Hair,Nail etc.Tel:626-7040.

Specialized repairs/service refrigerator, washing machine, pressure pump, stove, treadmill,dryer, filteration system, deep fryer.Call:6949733.

WANTED One office assistant. Call: 2332725.

Supervisor/counter clerk, preferably live in(female 2540yrs) for bar & shop. Tel:6103974.

Pitmen,Serviceman,Hauler Operator for interior location.

Applicants must be experienced. Call:231-2250.

Female to take care of an elderly male between the ages of 25 to 40. Accommodations provided.Call or WhatsApp 1-868-683-1528.

One salesman,able bodied porters.Experience in writing bills,stocktaking & cashing.

Keyfood Trading,Mc Doom village.

1 child friendly female to assist with kids and household chores.Contact:653-7776 preferably from E.B.D. Dried carilla bush,soursop leaves,lemongrass,mango leaves (anyquantity). Call: 609-8281/693-3003.

VACANCY One excavator operator and one grader operator to work in Diamond.Contact:6321118/647-4161.

Experienced roti/puri cook, kitchen assistant, cleaners.

Apply at Hack’s Halaal Restaurant,5 Commerce st.

FOR RENT Prime Business spot to rent,Vreed-en-Hoop Junction. Preferably pharmacy, bookstore,potstore etc.

Tel:600-1559.

Furnish & unfurnish one,two & three bedroom apartment in Providence & New Road Vreed-en-Hoop West Coast.

604-6604/682-6238.

2 bedroom,1 bathroom downstairs for 60k.Call between 912am or 1-5pm Mon-Sat. Call:227-5196.

LAND FOR SALE 48 acres of transported rice land situated in Goodhope, East Bank Essequibo. Contact:1-917-807-6424/6889077.

One domestic-cook,clean & wash.Must live in Mahaica / Mahaicony area, $60,000 per month 5hrs per day.Call:6159112.

One (1) welder to do grill work. Call 625-5763.

FOR SALE

1-40 acres land@Linden Highway.Contact:650-0402/ 652-0251.

Inventory Clerk.Survival Shopping Complex tel: 6092995,email:surviv al. human re sources@ gmail.com.

Male Clerical Asst,age 25-30 yrs.Must have Secondary Education & license is required. Tel:225-8131/2236488.

Minibus driver for 40 route.

Contact:683-0558.

Motor Lorry drivers needed and Porters. Tel:627-1835/ 626-4691.

2-1 acres land@ blankenbu rg W.C.D. Contact:650-0402/ 652-0251.

Monday April 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

One female cleaner.Apply in person at Alabama Trading,65 Robb St. Vacancy exists for Water Delivery Driver and Porter for E.C.D.Tel:676-1363/692-6768.

Billing clerk & Porters, location Stabroek Market. Experiences is an asset. Contact: 661-1000,226-9800.

Maintenance man & room attendants,30-50 yrs old.233 South Road Lacytown or 2252304.

Accounts Clerks.Quickbook knowledge & accounting experience.Survival Shopping Complex,173 Sheriff St,Camp belville Georgetown. Tel:6092995.

Valid Drivers License(with motor lorry & van).Tel:6092995,email:surviv al. human res ources@ gmail.com.

Western Union CSRS. Experience will be a plus,tel:6092995,email:sur vival.human resources @ gmail.com.

Five new COVID-19 cases recorded The Ministry of Health on Sunday reported that there are still four patients at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit.

According to its daily reporting, the Ministry said too that it has recorded five new cases in the

country within the last 24hour period.

The new cases, which now bring the total number of cases in Guyana to 63,272, were detected in Region Three which recorded one and Region Four which recorded four new cases.

In the Ministry’s updated dashboard, it states that eight persons are in institutional isolation, 18 are quarantined institutionally and 72 are in home isolation.

To date, a total 61,962 persons have recovered from the virus.

Guyana's lack of expertise, a major bugbear...

From page 8 the maximization of economic and social returns from the resources remains at a nascent level.

The bank said developing the capabilities to manage and regulate an oil producing contract will surely

overlap with those required for other oil blocks currently under exploration, as well as other transcendental capacities to be handled by the government, such as rights (license) management, long-term gas commercialization, and market-

ing of the government's share of oil production.

It said this situation therefore increases the risks of delays and value erosion during oversight activities and heightens the probability of lower social returns.

'Greater access to justice for Region...

From page 14 that we do everything possible so that they can deliver to you the quality of justice and service that you deserve as people of our country,” he

said.

Her Worship Wanda Fortune will be the resident Magistrate for the court, which will have two sittings per month.

Also present at the opening

were Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack and other senior officials. (DPI)

Wales Gas project contract leaves Guyana exposed to...

From page 12 is need for the project to come on stream, clarity is needed on the gas generation capacity of the Guyana's largest oil reserve, the Stabroek Block.

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

pacity,” he added.

Deakin pointed out that it has been said that the power plant will produce 250 megawatts, but what is not known is how much of the gas that can be piped

out from the Liza 1 well to shore.

As a result, he emphasised the importance of greater clarity on the issue, which he stated must be addressed.

Monday April 04, 2022

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

Two years later…

Unarmed man shot by police dies with bullet lodged in his spine

By Shervin Belgrave Winston Frazer, 29, one of two unarmed men who was shot by police almost two years ago, died in his wife’s arms on Friday at his East La Penitence, Georgetown home.

He had just taken some sips of cherry juice before breathing his last. At the time of Frazer’s death, bullet fragments were still lodged in his spine. Not only was he paralysed by the shooting but the remaining bullet fragments in his body caused him to develop other medical complications and he was forced to live with severe pain until he drew his last breath.

Kaieteur News heard of Frazer’s final moments from his common-law wife, Nikita Field, who had to take over his role as breadwinner of their family of three and still be his nurse seven days a week, taking care of him and comforting him when he was in pain. A grief-stricken Field recalled that Frazer died in her arms a few minutes after 14:00hrs on Friday.

“He died at home right in my arms. The last thing he said to me was that he was feeling hungry and wanted something to drink and I gave him some cherry juice and he after sipping some, he just give out on me”, Field told Kaieteur News.

Frazer’s grandmother had also died the night before and according to Field, she does not know if that might have contributed to Frazer giving up his fight to live.

Although his relatives are awaiting a post mortem to determine Frazer’s cause of

Troy Monroe, one of the policemen currently on manslaughter charge for the death of Frazer’s friend, Cecil Sampat

Corporal Godwin Thomas, the second policeman who is yet to be recharged. death, there is no doubt that the bullet fired from the gun of a policeman led to his eventual demise. Frazer was among four men traveling in a car that was shot at by patrol ranks armed with high-powered rifles around 02:00hrs on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at the intersection of D’urban Street and Mandela Avenue. Frazer the driver of the car and his friend, 39-year-old Cecil Sampat were struck by bullets and the car crashed into a nearby stand before coming to a halt. The other two occupants of the car escaped unhurt.

Ranks had claimed that they had spotted the men’s car at a party earlier that morning at Agricola on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) and

decided to approach them but before they could get close, they were shot at and the car sped off.

Patrols ranks continued that they gave chase but the men continued to drive and when they lost them, they alerted other patrol ranks of the car. They eventually swooped down on the men along Mandela and decided to open fire men.

Frazer and Sampat were severely injured and were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), while the other two occupants were locked up.

Investigations later revealed that the four men in the car were unarmed and there was no evidence to corroborate police version of events.

Seventeen ranks were subsequently placed under close arrest. Sampat died 12 days later and doctors said that Frazer may never be able to walk again.

Sampat was shot four times and the bullets destroyed key organs leading to his death. Frazer, on the other hand, had to make a life and death chance because he was shot to the back and the bullet severed his spine, leaving fragments inside of the canal.

It was impossible for him to walk again but he was given an option to undergo a risky surgery to remove the fragments. His wife had told Kaieteur News back then if he had chosen to do the surgery, it was a 50/50 chance of survival. If successful, he could have lived without pain but he would still develop other medical complications.

Should it be an unsuccessful surgery then fluids from his spinal cord would leak out and

Dead, Winston Frazer he would die.

Frazer was given some time to make the decision even while the police had organised a special team to investigate the matter. A few days later two ranks, Corporal Godwin Thomas and Constable Troy Munroe were charged with the murder of his friend Sampat and remanded to prison.

Months later in December 2020, The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) S.C Shalimar Ali Hack, advised that murder charge be dropped and the cops be recharged with manslaughter.

They were both released on $500,000 bail each even before the murder charge was officially dropped.

Subsequently after there was another development, only one of the policemen, Monroe was recharged with manslaughter, and was granted $150,000 bail. According to reports, a manslaughter charge against Thomas, the other cop allegedly involved, would be decided after ballistic test re-

sults from the investigations were obtained.

Kaieteur News while seeking a recent update on the matter was told that the ballistic test results returned from the laboratory in November 2021, but to date, there is no official word on whether Thomas will be recharged or not. In the meantime, the court matter against Monroe continues. A preliminary inquiry has commenced and some 15 witness are expected to take the stand to testify against him. The next PI session is scheduled for the 29th of this month.

It is unclear at this time whether or not, Monroe will be slapped with a second count of manslaughter charge but what is factual is that since the day Frazer was shot, his life and that of his family was never the same again.

Assistance According to Field, Frazer ’s employer, John Fernandes Limited had assisted with some of his medical bills and had even supported them with $20,000 a week from August 2020 to November 2020. From then on, life was hard for the family of three.

“We had to manage on our own. I begged just to make money to keep up with the medical bills and sustain our family”, Field recalled.

Throughout their struggles, Field said that no member of the Guyana Police Force visited them to check on Frazer’s deteriorating condition. Frazer was discharged from hospital on January 22, 2022.

Release Yellowtail production licence to improve oversight – Article 13 tells Govt.

Given that production licences for well developments in the Staborek Block is dependent on the satisfaction of certain requirements, notably, actions taken to ensure the integrity of the environment, civil society group Article 13, is calling on the government to make this authorisation public so that specialists and citizens could play an adequate oversight role.

The body bemoaned the expediency in which State organisations worked toward the approval of the US$10B Yellowtail development project and thus sought to have the government involve non-governmental opinions through the release of the document.

Article 13 said that, “while it is not an express requirement of the law, [we] call on the

Government to publish the licence not only in the cause of transparency and accountability, but also, so that the environmentalists and the public can play their role in monitoring the operation of the licence which is good for twenty years in the first instance and a renewal period of ten years.”

The civil society body explained that on Friday, April 1, the Ministry of Natural Resources issued to ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), a Petroleum Production Licence for the Yellowtail project in the Stabroek Block.

They said that the issuance of the licence came two days after an Environmental Permit was issued by Kemraj Parsram, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA).

“In what at best was a well-coordinated and orchestrated exercise, Alistair Routledge, President of Esso, signed as agreeing the terms and conditions of the Permit on the very same day.”

As if that was all that the Ministry of Natural Resources was waiting for Article 13 said that their technical staff were also able to review and evaluate the 41-page EPA environmental permit, with terms and conditions considered necessary, as well as those of the Natural Resource Ministry, and drew up the Production Licence for signature by Minister Vickram Bharrat, in less than 48 hours.

Additionally, the civil body said, that the Ministry’s Environment Assessment Board took a matter of days

to review the revised impact assessment report following representations made by environmental experts and other members of the public on what they considered to be a procedurally and technically flawed impact study used in the application by the oil companies for the grant of the production licence.

However, “What stands out in this whole sordid business,” Article 13 pointed out, “Is not only that the Environmental Protection Agency, the Environment Assessment Board and the Ministry of Natural Resources are unable to exercise independent judgment among themselves but that the Government seems willing to act in accordance with the dictates of the oil companies.”

Article 13 highlighted nonetheless, its recognition

of a number of studies that are required for the environmental permit.

They recognized too that the oil companies are required to submit to the EPA for approval, a Terms of Reference (TOR) for the conduct of each of the studies, which leads to further steps, reviews and actions. The group thus questioned why these studies are only now being sought given that the first production licence was issued years ago, despite all wells constituting Stabroek Block.

“We are advised that the law requires that these studies should have been carried out and their results form part of any application.

We therefore consider these belated requirements farcical, meaningless and disingenuous.”

Article 13 thus repeated its

call for the Production Licence to be made public stating that Guyanese have the right to access this information. More than that, “we cannot substitute expediency and submissiveness to Esso for competent management of the country’s natural and non-renewable resources,” the civil group warned.

The body urged the government to not commit the errors of the former APNU+AFC Government that hid information on the “signing bonus” and the 2016 Agreement. They warned the government to release the document and not wait until the pressure become irresistible. Some of Article 13’s members include Yog Mahadeo, Jonathan Yearwood and Christopher Ram.

PAGE 18

Monday April 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

53 days: No Parliament - Norton concerned about lack of regular sittings

‘Report not enough’

…says government ducking from scrutiny, oversight

- relatives of missing fishermen want closure

By Zena Henry The Covid-19 pandemic may have had a significant impact on the number of National Assembly sittings the People’s representatives were able to keep, but there is no reason why the administration continues to limit the number of meetings that are currently being held given the removal of Covid -19 restrictions and the extent of economic activity being undertaken by the Administration.

In fact, not convening the legislative body on a regular basis, seems to be in keeping with the government’s posture to prevent oversight, incoming Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton has stated.

Today makes it 53 days since the last sitting on February 10, 2022.

The A Partnership for National Unity chairman told the Kaieteur News that he recognises the “undemocratic” behaviour of the government and would be making moves to address the inadequacies when he assumes his position in Parliament.

“Parliament is one element of the political system,” Norton explained, “but unfortunately in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) mode of stifling anything democratic, Parliament rarely meets unless they want money. So, all of those things we will have to deal with as we progress.”

The truth of the matter, Norton asserted, is that the government in a large measure decides when Parliament will be called.

“But their (government) actions suggest that they have no interest or a place for parliament.”

The government is not interested in scrutiny, the APNU chairman stressed. He said that the government will do everything to avoid parliamentary sittings.

“But outside of that, the minute one (sitting) is called, we will be ready to go into parliament and deal with the issues.”

It’s been more than a month since the last meeting of the National Assembly, following sittings that dealt with the recently read budget 2022.

Not only has the opposition pointed to more engagements involving representatives, but more hearings in important parliamentary committees that scrutinize in particular, lucrative sectors within the country.

It was reported that key Standing Committees of the House: the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources and the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services had not met for 18 months.

The three missing fishermen, Anthony Harold Damon, Winston Sam, and Ronald Burton.

PNCR Leader and APNU Chairman Aubrey Norton Parliament’s Public Relations Officer had told the newspaper that the Natural Resources Committee had not held a single meeting since the start of the 12th Parliament while the Committee on Economic Services has met a few times, but only to discuss agricultural matters.

Shurwayne Holder, PNCR’s Chairman and Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services had said that while the opposition wishes to address matters involving the topical oil and gas sector they were being stone walled.

Holder had pointed to among other matters, Covid, which prevented some hearings. He said however, that there needs to be more oversight into matters involving oil and gas, but the government with a majority at the committee influences the programme.

The issue of the irregular meeting of Parliament was flagged before by the opposition.

Back in May 2021, then Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon had filed a complaint with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) over the Speaker’s ‘failure’ to convene sittings of the National Assembly.

But Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had said then that the APNUAFC has no moral authority on the matter since for close to two years they ran a government without parliamentary oversight.

In the letter then dated Thursday, May 20, 2021, Harmon had warned that the action of the Speaker, Manzoor Nadir, is eroding parliamentary democracy in Guyana. According to Standing Order No.8 (1), a Government Minister, by way of a motion, may set a date for the next sitting of the National Assembly; however, Stand-

ing Order No. 8 (2) empowers the Speaker to convene the sitting of the National Assembly.

“If, during an adjournment of the Assembly, it is represented to the Speaker by the Government, or the Speaker is of the opinion, that the public interest requires that the Assembly should meet on a day earlier than that to which it stands adjourned, the Speaker may give notice accordingly and the Assembly shall meet at the time stated in such notice...,” a section of the Standing Order states.

Meanwhile, Norton told the Kaieteur News that while he has been identified as the Opposition Leader designate for the APNU+AFC Coalition, he expects to take up his seat the next time the National Assembly meets.

He said that contact has been made with former President David Granger, Representative of the APNU+AFC list and he is expected to act according to the desires of the relevant parties.

Norton said that that following the resignation of former opposition leader Joseph Harmon and MP Nicolette Henry, he understood that Granger had left the jurisdiction.

He said, “We got a letter from him (Granger) confirming the vacancies.

And so he has been written to and we expect that he will act in keeping with the APNU, AFC and the PNC’s decision.”

When asked about taking up the opposition bench, Norton said sittings would first have to convene, “But I think at the next sitting of the Parliament…” he highlighted.

Norton is expected to be joined by former Health Minister and chairman of the PNCR, Volda Lawrence.

Family members of the three fishermen who disappeared with a fishing trawler on Saturday February 19, told Kaieteur News on Sunday said that a report on the mishap is not enough to give them closure; finding their loved ones dead or alive will.

The missing men: Anthony Harold Damon, 45, the captain of the trawler and a father of three, Winston Sam, 46, and Ronald Burton, 75, all residents of Agricola on the East Bank of Demerara were part of a four-man crew that was scheduled to return home from sea on the same day the vessel reportedly sank.

The vessel identified as World Friend 307, was owned by their employer, Noble House Seafoods Limited and reportedly sank in coastal waters, some 18 miles off Mahaicony. One of the crewmen, identified as Vincent Dazzell survived the tragedy and was rescued by a passing boat but his three workmates are still missing along with the trawler. Only a fishing net belonging to the vessel was reportedly found.

Following the mishap, a search was launched and a Board of Inquiry was set up to probe the incident. The search for the missing men proved futile and it was suspended but the probe was completed and report typed up and handed over to the relevant authorities. Copies were also given to relatives.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, the relatives of the missing men disagreed with some of the conclusions in the report but according to them that is not important to them. For them, finding their loved ones, whether their remains or locating them is what is important to give them closure in the matter.

Damon’s wife, Tonszadel Damon Beckles is still clinging to hope that her husband might be alive. She said, “let me tell you something, it is my prayer to God that they find my husband and them three men alive, if that come true, I will do anything for God, even if it calls for me to go out in the streets and shout his praises, I just want him home”.

Asked what she would do if it turns out that Damon is dead and will not be coming home, she responded, “I would be so devastated, but at least, I will have peace of mind and some satisfaction that they found them”.

Ronald Barton’s daughter, Claudine also shared similar sentiments that closure for them means finding their loved ones. They revealed that the authorities have assured them that despite the search has been suspended; other vessels operating in the area where the trawler reportedly sank were instructed to be on the lookout. Should a crew spot anything, they must alert authorities immediately. As it relates to the report, the relatives contended that the

Board of Inquiry findings that the crewmen were incompetent to handle an emergency at sea and were not properly trained for the job.

Damon Beckles related that her husband has been captaining vessels for more than five years and has a wealth of experience. “It is not the first time that he has captained a boat that malfunctioned at sea, he brought in many boats safely that had issues and when they were docked, he had to prepare a report and submit it to his superiors of all the mechanical issues the vessels had,” Damon Beckles told Kaieteur News. Claudine on the other said that her father is a veteran seaman for more than 20 years.

One of the key findings of the report was that Damon, the captain of the vessel, was not legally licensed to operate the vessel. In fact, the report stated that he had a fake licence. With regard to the fake licence, Damon Beckles said, “I don’t know if his licence was fake or not, only he (Damon), can answer that”. Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill in a recent press conference had pointed out that based on the investigation conducted, the Noble Seafoods might also be culpable for the mishap. He had said that he will consult with Attorney General, Anil Nandlall to determine whether or not it should be penalised for shortcomings.

Appellant says EPA did not address submission...

From page 13 Harbour Bridge and how they would be affected by the closure of the bridge was not being considered.

Ms. Mangal-Joly pointed out that the Leviense CSO study, which the EPA was leaning heavily on to justify not requiring an EIA, was a study of different bridge options and it specifically stated that an Environmental and

Social Impact Assessment would be required for the bridge option selected in accordance with the laws of Guyana.

She also said that the EPA had adm i t t e d o n p u b l i c record to subverting the law by waiving the requirement for an EIA but carrying on an impact assessment behind the public's back with the Ministry of

Public Works and stakeholders that the y p i c k a n d choose.

She underscored several times that the decision before the EAB was not only whether the EPA acted rationally in deciding to waive the EIA, but whether it acted properly and had the relevant information before it in November 2021 when it granted the waiver.

Monday April 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Monday April 04, 2022

Monday April 04, 2022

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

GUMDAC Easter Badminton Tournament concludes The atmosphere in the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Saturday afternoon was electrifying as players competed in semi-final and final games to bring the curtains down on the GUMDAC Easter Badminton Tournament.

Akili Haynes bested Tyrese Jeffery in an intense match for first place in the ADivision men’s singles.

Haynes was victorious with the score being 21-12, 21-15.

Meanwhile, in the women’s category, Anna Perreira copped first place, beating Shivanie Persaud 21-14, 14-21 and 21-13.

The competition was equally exhilarating in the men’s singles B-Division with Varendra Bhagwandin and Matthew Beharry competing for the first place. The two

athletes gripped the spectators as they battled it out in a riveting contest. In the end, Varendra claimed the victory 25-23, 18-21, 21-6. Anna Perreira also copped the first place in the women’s B-division after beating Mishka Beharry 21-17, 21-9. Matthew Kluatky is now the men’s Cdivision champion after beating Nkosi Beaton 21-10, 1021, 21-14. In the women’s category, Mishka Beharry bested Priyanka Shivnauth 21-16, 21-12.

Full Results: A – Division Men’s Singles 1st – Akili Haynes 2nd – Tyrese Jeffery 3rd Avinash Odit and Jonathon Mangra Women’s Singles 1st Anna Perreira

The respective winners of the GUMDAC Badminton winners take a photo with Mr. Darrell Carpenay, sponsor of the event, and Guyana Badminton Association officials at the conclusion of the event.

2nd Shivannie Persaud 3rd Ambika Ramraj and Ayanna Watson

B – Division Men’s Singles 1st Varendra Bhagwandin 2nd Matthew Beharry 3rd Ajave Singh and

Jaurel Hendricks Women’s Singles 1st Anna Perreira 2nd Mishka Beharry 3rd Priyanka Shivnauth &

GMRSC apologizes...

Monday April 04, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Feeling grumpy lately, Aries? Don't fret, because your bad mood won't last. This attitude is unlike you. Coworkers notice your change in personality but still treat you with consideration and respect.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) How hard you have to work to achieve your purposes, Taurus! It's as though you carry around an overstuffed sandbag and each step requires a huge effort.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You could have an urge to invent new things, Gemini.

You feel compelled to create something in the artistic, technical, or philosophical field.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Generally, you come up with the perfect, witty answer one day too late. Impulse and intuition take a back seat to your excellent selfcontrol.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You think of yourself as fairly modern in your thinking, don't you, Leo? But have you really been able to reject tradition entirely?

Have you rid yourself of all the outmoded VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) There is some likelihood of a slight career conflict, Virgo. You might have to deal with a co-worker who steps on your toes or runs roughshod over your gentle nature.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) For a few weeks now you've understood that each day brings its share of constraints, Libra. For example, today you could feel doubts about your physical appearance.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This is a day to think about your private life, Scorpio.

Expect to be particularly sensitive to all kinds of demands from those close to you.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today can be a relaxing day, provided you make the necessary effort to deal with material constraints, Sagittarius. You would like nothing better than to spend much of the day planning fun activities for the future.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) There is a lot on your mind today, Capricorn. Over the last three weeks you've analyzed your relationships on a deep and profound level.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) After a few days that were a bit serious, Aquarius, today you awake with a light heart and boundless energy!

Your capacity for seduction will be at its peak.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) If you have children, Pisces, you could be feeling a bit overworked and overwhelmed. If you don't have children, perhaps the constraints and demands of your professional life.

From page 24 ensuring that the day is run off effectively and safely.

Fans are also reminded to

follow the flow of traffic.

As a club, we look forward to ensuring that this event goes off without a hitch.

Ayanna Watson C – Division Men’s Singles 1st Matthew Klautky 2nd Nkosi Beaton 3rd Aiden Bhagwandin & Zachary Persaud Women’s Singles 1st Mishka Beharry 2nd Priyanka Shivnauth 3rd Jayde DaSilva and Deandre Assing

U-16 boys...

From page 23 Montenegro, who have previously peaked at 16, in 70th position. The Guyana squad is currently in intensive preparation at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre, following a nationwide search for talent. The travelling contingent of 20 players and eight staff depart for Bosnia on April 16th.“We have got plenty of individual talents,” Mills said.

“We have seen a tremendous amount of improvement from these boys in every practice session. I'm really happy to be working with this team because I know, with this bunch, we can make a difference for football in Guyana.” “We are using this tournament as part of our preparation phase going into the Concacaf U17 qualifiers in August,” he explained. Among the young talent eager to make an impression in Europe is 15-yearold Shakem Welcome, a centre back who players for Timehri Panthers. “It means the world for me to play for my country, to represent my country, and to make my family and everyone here back home proud,” Welcome said after a training session on Saturday.

“I get to showcase my talent in Europe, where all the big teams play,” he added. “I want to say a big thank you to the GFF and to UEFA for giving us this opportunity to showcase Guyana's talent in Europe.”

PAGE 22

Monday April 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

Golden Jaguars return to training after impressive results The Senior Men’s National Team resumed training this past weekend at the Guyana Football Federation National Training Centre after a strong performance in the Courts Caribbean Classic, with Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz focused on ensuring

the squad is well prepared for the Concacaf Nations League in June.

Coach Shabazz said that, while pleased with his team’s performances against Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados in the friendly tournament last weekend, he was

“not getting carried away”.

A fluent and energetic Guyana side, largely drawn from domestic-based players, thumped Barbados 5-0 and held hosts Trinidad & Tobago to an entertaining 1-1 draw, making a statement of intent

ahead of June’s League B matches.

“We are happy to see things taking shape, but we have a lot more work to put in for the Concacaf Nations League,” Shabazz said, explaining that a muchneeded team building process

Jamaal Shabazz was well underway.

UK-based veterans Neil Danns and Sam Cox made a sensational return to the fold, while Romania-based Terell Ondaan, AFC Bournemouth’s Nathan Moriah-Welsh and the Jamaica Pro League’s Kevin Layne and Akel Clarke completed the overseas contingent. Forward Omari Glasgow, one of the stars of the tournament, has also just signed professional papers with Chicago Fire II. Captain Daniel Wilson, Trayon Bobb, Quincy Adams, Clive Nobrega and Jeremy Garrett were among the domestic-based players who also excelled during the tournament.

“In the two games in Trinidad, the most important achievement was getting overseas and locally based players on the same page,” he said.

“They gelled really well.

We drove home the point that it’s not about where we were born as Guyanese, but who we are and whom we represent.”

Shabazz believes that the

understanding of who the players are and who they represent is vital to the success of the project.

“Marcus Garvey said as a tree without roots is dead, so too is a people without knowledge of their roots, history, and culture,” he said.

“Everyone played their hearts out: a reflection that they value the opportunity to represent Guyana.”

The Trinidadian born Shabazz was also high in praise for his technical staff, which included Assistant Coach Wayne Dover, former national captain turned coach Charles Pollard and Dylan Palmer, a strength and conditioning coach from Coventry in England.

“The staff has shown tremendous commitment and passion,” he said.

“Trainer Dylan Palmer has been a great addition, and the players are getting stronger and fitter under him.”

Shabazz says he plans to engage the Golden Jaguars in further friendly matches before June.

The draw for the Concacaf Nations League takes place on April 4.

Monday April 04, 2022

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Hackett edges out Englishman Watkins, Captain Prashad to win STP Investments Inc. Golf tournament

Regal teams capture Florida Cup double - Kingsmen take Open title

STP Investment Inc Construction Company was represented by Project Manager David Harinarine at the trophy presentation.

Golfers showed up on a cool rainy Saturday to compete in a shortened 9-hole shootout. The intermittent rainy condition was just what the doctor ordered for Brian Hackett who prevailed ahead of Tom Watkins and Patrick Prashad.

The Captain sounded the horn to end the tournament after 9-holes due to inclement weather.

At the conclusion the winners were: First-Brian Hackett playing off handicap 9: Net 33, gross 42; Second-Tom Watkins handicap 2: Net 34, Gross 36; Third-Patrick Prashad handicap 5, Net 34, Gross 39; Forth-William Walker handicap 5: Net 35, Gross 40; Closest to the Pin-Paton George; Longest DriveRackesh Harry. STP Investment Inc Construction Company was represented by Project Manager David

Brian Hackett accepts his trophy.

Harinarine at the trophy presentation. He stated that the company supports sports and is proud to partner with the Lusignan Golf Club be-

The victorious Kingsmen with the All-Stars trophy.

cause of the direction and support for growing the game of golf in Guyana, and has committed to future sponsorships.

GAPLF intermediate/masters championship set for May 15 The Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation will be hosting the intermediate/masters championship on May 15.

The event was set for

May 8, but the Federation shifted the date due to the Holy month of Ramadaan to accommodate the Muslim athletes. Fierce rivalry is expected at the championships

and the venue will be announced in a subsequent release.

Among those expected to battle are Winston Stoby and Mark Seymour.

A swashbuckling innings from Eric Thomas backed up by tight bowling saw Regal Legends defeating Toronto Blizzards by 79 runs in the final of the Over-50s category of the 2022 edition of the Florida in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday.

The other Regal team in the three-day tournament, Regal Masters defeated SVC Corriverton by 67 to take the Over-40 title in sunny conditions also at the Brian Piccolo Park.

Regal Legends won the toss and were off to a bad start. At the halfway stage of their innings, they were 57 for 4 with Captain Mahendra Hardyal (04), Ramesh Narine (00), Unis Yusuf (10) and David Harper (17) all back in the hut compliments of Rabindra Parasnauth with magical figures of 4-0-9-3.

After the resumption following the 10-over water break, Regal Legends soon lost Mohendra Arjune for 22 (4x3) in the 12th over at 65 for 5 and in danger of being bowled out. At that stage the Canadians were well ahead but then the power hitters from Guyana walked to the crease.

Eion Abel was first to take a liking to the bowling hitting 28 (4x1; 6x3) from 11 balls to accelerate the scoring rate.

But it was Eric Thomas who knocked the wind out of the sails of the Blizzards. The powerful left-handed batsman hit six sixes in the 16th over bowled by Desmond Chumney in a display of power hitting never seen before. In all, ‘Tamo’ hit 9 sixes and one four from 14 balls in the top score of 62 to hand the advantage back in to Regal Legends. Thomas was then bowled in the 17th over at 158-7 which was par for the championship match. How-

ever, Regal Legends were not done. Rudolph Baker smashed a 14-ball cameo of 33 (4x1; 6x4) to finish the innings on a high at 196 for 9.

Bowling for the Blizzards, Shazam Baksh was expensive but picked up 4/48 to support Parasnauth on a green top.

In reply, the Blizzards openers put on 53 runs for the first wicket in 6.5 overs before things started to fall apart.

Laurie Singh got the break through when Sunil Dhaniram was sent back for 32 (4x4; 6x2) from 19 balls followed by the brilliant run out of Shivnauth Seeram for 19 at 53 for 2. It was the point of no return for the Canadians and they were eventually bowled out for 117 in 17.4 overs.

Singh finished with 2/24 while Ramesh Narine was the pick of the bowlers with 4/17 with support from Mahendra Hardyal with 2/22. Regal Legends played unbeaten in the tournament to lift another overseas title. Ramesh Narine was named best bowler, best batsman and Most Valuable Player of the tournament while Eric Thomas was the Player of the Match in the final.

In the Over-40s final, on the back of half centuries from Chien Gittens and Lennox Mark, Regal Masters beat SVC Corriverton by 67 runs to complete the Regal double. Gittens carried his bat to finish on 76 not (4x8; 6x1) but it was a pugnacious knock from Lennox ‘Assassin’ Mark that took the match away from SVC Corriverton.

Mark hit eight towering sixes and a solitary four to finish on 63 from 17 balls.

SVC Corriverton picked up the wickets of Samuel Kingston (17), Mohamed Ayume (16) and Khemchandra Dindyal (0) at regular intervals to keep the

scoring in check until the 98run fifth wicket partnership between Gittens and Mark.

Sydney Jackman Jr (1/16) and Feroze Karimullah (1/42) were the successful bowlers for SVC Corriverton who were then limited to 121 for 6 from their 20 overs. Karimullah returned to hit the top score of 37 but no other batsman passed 17 to threaten the target. Tyrone Sanasie wrecked the innings with 3/20, while Gittens for 1/14.

Gittens later collected three individual prizes; Player of the Match, Most Valuable Player of the Tournament and most runs in the tournament.

Bowler of the Tournament was Kayume Mohammed of South Florida Masters.

In the Open category, Kingsmen All-Stars lead by former Guyana and West Indies youth player Zamal Khan defeated South Florida All Stars by eight wickets in the final match of the day which was watched by about 1200 spectators.

At the presentation ceremony, John Ramsingh speaking on behalf of Regal champion teams and the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc (GSCL) said their sides played the tournament in honour of Lakeram ‘Mike’ Singh of Mike’s Wellman.

Ramsingh said the teams dedicated the victories to the late great ‘Mike’ who died in the line of duty doing what he loved.

This year’s Florida Cup was the 16th edition of the tournament which was organized by the South Florida Softball Cricket League (SFCL) lead by President Dave Singh and assisted by former President Anoop Basdeo. The three-day tournament started last Thursday with 22 teams in the three categories.

PAGE 24

Monday April 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

Healy fires Australia to Bartica Easter Regatta thumping World Cup win one-week ‘Bounce Back’ set to sizzle

(Reuters) - Opener Alyssa Healy smashed a record 170 as Australia routed England by 71 runs to claim their seventh Women’s World Cup win in Christchurch yesterday.

Healy’s belligerent 138ball innings, the highest total in a World Cup final, helped Australia set a mammoth victory target of 357 at Hagley Oval which proved beyond the defending champions despite a fighting century by Nat Sciver. Sciver’s unbeaten 148 entertained the crowd but she played a lone hand as England were bowled out for 285 with six overs to spare.

“That was pretty special from our group,” said wicketkeeper-batter Healy, player-of-the-match as well as the tournament.

“Our team sets out to win events like these.

“We have done it all but to do it on the biggest stage, I never imagined in my wildest dreams.”

Meg Lanning’s Australia finished unbeaten in nine matches, erasing their 2017 World Cup disappointment when they were stunned in the semi-finals by India in England.

The peerless Australians have now won three of the last five 50-over World Cups and own both the major global trophies, having claimed the T20 World Cup on home soil in 2020.

“I think we deserved a victory today,” said skipper Lanning.

“It hasn’t been easy but it is nice to be able to get to the end of this block and say we are the champions.”

Four days after hammering 129 in the semi-final against West Indies, Healy again burnished her big-game credentials.

Two years ago, she routed India’s bowlers in a 39-

Nat Sciver scored another fighting century against Australia • Apr 02, 2022•ICC via Getty Images

ball 75 as Australia won the T20 World Cup final in Melbourne. Yesterday, she blasted 26 fours as Australia posted 356 for five after England skipper Heather Knight won the toss and elected to field. England’s bowling plans were ripped to shreds as Healy and Rachael Haynes put on an 160-run opening stand, enabled by dropped catches and poor fielding.

Haynes (68) might have been run out on 19 but for a weak throw to the wicketkeeper’s end.

Seamer Kate Cross was let down twice in four balls by her team mates, with Haynes dropped for 47 and Healy for 41.

Healy cut seamer Anya Shrubsole for a single to bring up her fifth ODI century, yelping in delight as her husband Mitchell Starc, the Australian men’s fast bowler, clapped in the crowd.

She was again dropped on 136 at short fine leg by a leaping Tammy Beaumont trying to scoop Sciver.

Finally stumped by Amy Jones off Shrubsole, Healy strolled off to a standing ovation, having carried Australia

to 316 for two. With England needing more than seven runs an over, Sciver was magnificent in her 121-ball knock but ran out of batting partners.

Pace bowler Megan Schutt (2-42) did the early damage, removing both England openers to leave them 38 for two, before legspinner Alana King (3-64) took over in the middle overs. Left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen took 3-57, sealing the win when tail-ender Shrubsole slogged to Ashleigh Gardner at mid-off.

Knight said she was “massively proud” of her team for reaching the final after losing their first three matches, and defended her decision to field first.

“I think it was a 50-50 decision at the toss,” she said.

“Credit to Australia for bringing such a performance in the final.

“They were ruthless and take the game away from the opposition.”

Scores: Australia Women 356 for 5 (Healy 170, Haynes 68, Mooney 62) beat England Women 285 (Sciver 148*, Jonassen 3-58, King 3-64) by 71 runs.

Football and Powerboat Racing to headline mouthwatering bonanza The event has become the main staple in the sports and social diet of Barticans and by extension, many Guyanese here and in the Diaspora are set to make a grand comeback under the theme, ‘Bounce Back’.

The annual Easter Regatta which would have been curtailed for the past two years due to the covid-19 world pandemic will be held this year from April 11 - 18 with several events planned.

In an invited comment, the Chairman of the Bartica Easter Regatta Committee, Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams stated that despite the time being short, they do have the organisational capacity to pull off the event that the Bartica community so deserve.”Bartica Easter Regatta has always provided a significant boost to our local economy so despite shortened preparatory periodpost-pandemic.The Regatta Committee was duty-bound to respond to pleadings from

RegionalChairman Kenneth Williams (News Room photo) the various sectors/industries, .transportation,hotels,and the general populace.

This event fits into our extended vision for the region where we see sport, religion, and eco-tourism playing a major role in our diversification agenda.The extractive industries have been our bedrock since time immemorial andwe must embrace new and exciting ventures to augment our existing economic base.

August Regatta is planned for the summer and the community anticipates that this will

Powerboat icons, Dave Scott (left) and Randy Belle will be seeking to outdo each other on the water top

also help to boost ourlocal economy.”Attractive prizes will be at stake in the sports events planned and it is anticipated that the much looked forward to powerboat races will re-ignite the healthy rivalry between the Bell clan and Dave Scott.

More details with regards to the teams and other individuals who will be lining up to compete would be shared with you as it becomes available over the coming days.

Following is the calendar of events: 1.

M o n d a y, April 11th from 7:00 pm: Gospel Fest – promoted by the Chosen Generation Band, at the Bartica Tarmac 2.

Tuesday, April 12th from 6:00 pm: Regatta Football Tournament (Male) 3. We d n e s day, April 13th from 6:00 pm: Regatta Football Tournament (Female Semi-Finals) 4.

Thursday, April 14th from 6:00 pm: Regatta Football Tournament (Male Semi-Finals) 5. Saturday, April 16th from 6:00 pm: Regatta Football Tournament (Male & Female Finals) 6. Saturday, April 16th from 8:00 pm: Regatta Road Jam (under the theme – Bartica Reunion) 7. Sunday, April 17th from 10:00 am: R e g a t t a Power Boat Races at the Bartica Golden Beach and Racing Circuit 8. Sunday, April 17th from 7:00 pm: Regatta Mega Concert, featuring artists from around the world – at the Bartica Basketball Tarmac.

9. Monday, April 18th (all day) Regatta Wash Down at the Bartica Golden Beach.

GMRSC apologizes to fans, competitors for incomplete drag meet “The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) wishes to apologize to its fans, spectators and racers for its failure to complete its March 27 Quartermile return drag race meet.

Following the events of the Quarter-Mile Return meet, we feel the need to clear the air on several issues regarding the event and the way forward for those competitors who were not able run their time brackets, namely the fifteen (15) second, the fourteen (14) second and thirteen (13) second time brackets,” a release from the GMR&SC outlined.

“The premature end to the day was a result of the fading light combined with the fact that spectators had crowded both the start and finish line, making it impossible for any more races to be run off.

At that time, the Team Mohamed’s GTR Godzilla was attempting a ‘bye’ (single) run for the strip record, a run that had to be abandoned due to the circumstances stated above.

We wish to state that while we are grateful for the fan support which was considered to be one of the largest in recent history for drag racing, we also wish to remind

those spectators that their safety and the safety of our competitors, marshals and officials are of paramount importance.

As such, we have convened a special committee to firstly identify where the shortfalls occurred on March 27 and to recommend changes to prevent its reoccurrence.”

Sensor malfunctions and system errors We are cognizant of the fact that there were at least two instances of a prolonged period where we were unable to carry on any events. These were in full due to a malfunc-

tioning down track sensor which after investigation, resulted from ardent race supporters unintentionally disaligning the instruments used for timing and the fact that the senor itself failed shortly after.

On separate occasions, we were forced to shut down the timing system, re-align the sensors and in one case change an entire sensor before re-starting the system and resuming racing. This takes time hence the lag in racing action.

In the future, we are planning to ensure that the area where these instruments are

placed remains sterile of fans and other persons who may unintentionally upset the equipment.

Incomplete classes and events After careful deliberations with all stakeholders, we have decided that those incomplete classes will have one day of planned action. A majority of the competitors have confirmed this as the most amicable way forward.

After said deliberations, April 10, 2022 is the proposed date only for the completion of these classes.

Free entry for Fans and Spectators

Again, we are cognizant that we have let our fans and racing enthusiasts down by not completing the event in a timely manner and as such, we owe it to them to make up to them as much as possible.

As such, we have decided that when we host the completion of the fifteen (15) second, the fourteen (14) second and thirteen (13) second time brackets, proposed for April 10, 2022, all fans will enter the venue free of cost.

It is imperative that fans understand that adherence to the marshals and officials are of the utmost importance to (Continued on page 21)

Kaieteur News

Monday February 07, 2022

U-16 boys ready for “huge” UEFA tourney in Bosnia and Herzegovina

PAGE 25

President's College celebrate in a team photo after their victory.

The U-16 players listen attentively to the coaching staff during practice.

The Guyana U16 Boys' National Team is about to make history by participating i n a U E FA - o r g a n i s e d friendly tournament in Europe, with Head Coach Vurlon Mills calling the unprecedented experience a “huge” opportunity for the players, staff and Guyana.

The four-team tournament, facilitated by UEFA Assist, has been moved to Bosnia and Herzegovina in central Europe from the original hosting nation Moldova, which shares a border with Ukraine. The competition takes place between April 19th and April 24th and features European teams Lithuania, Montenegro, the hosts, as well as Guyana.

It will be the first time a Guyanese national youth team has participated in a

European tournament.

“The opportunity to have Guyana participate in a UEFA tournament is huge, not just for the players and coaches, but it's huge for Guyana's football development,” said Head Coach Mills, a former senior national team player. “ We a r e t r y i n g t o improve as we go forward, and even though we play at one level in the Caribbean, we understand that UEFA is the next step ahead,” he said.

Guyana play Bosnia and Herzegovina on April 19th, Lithuania on April 21st, and Montenegro on April 24th. Hosts Bosnia have been ranked as high as 13 in FIFA's world rankings, but currently lie in 59th place, with Lithuania in 138th place, and (Continued on page 19)

Coach Vurlon Mills makes a point during a training session with the U-16 team.

President's College win Janet Jagan Windball Cricket East Coast Zone

R

esults in the National Sports Commission/M CYS Janet Jagan Memorial 2022 season opener s c h o o l g i r l s Wi n d b a l l Cricket action at the National Gymnasium organised by Sports Officer A Munroe show President's College are the East Coast Zone champions.

Presidents College claimed the Region 4 East Coast Demerara title after they defeated Bladen Hall Multilateral in a nail-biting

final.

President's College took to the middle first and scored 106-1 off their 5 overs with Chrisleyan Richards 34 (6sx5), Khelse Austin 30 (6sx5) and Yukel Armstrong 25 leading the batting department.

Bladen Hall Multilateral in reply, were restricted to 97-2 when the overs expired with Aveah Ali 44 (6sx6) and Aneesa Chetram 20 offering fight with the bat.

Bowling for the winners, Player-of-the-Final,

Chrisleyan Richards, came back with the ball to capture 2-4.

Meanwhile, Organiser of the programme, A. Munroe expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education CEO, the Regional Education Officer Region #4, the Head teachers, Teachers, Students, all the Umpires, Scorers and those Drivers who ensured the teams got to the venue and returned safe.

He also thanked the National Sports

Commission staff who worked to ensure the programme came out as was planned in the 2022 season opener for the Windball Cricket programme.

Munroe also mentioned the Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle and The Minister of Sport Charles Ramson jr. for giving the opportunity to organise this event which attracted more than One Hundred and Sixty students and teachers who were a part of the Region 4 tournament.

Regal teams capture Florida Cup double - Kingsmen take Open title

Regal Masters and Regal Legends of Guyana after winning the Florida Cup double on Saturday at the Brian Piccolo Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

t r o Sp The Australia players lift their seventh World Cup AFP/Getty Images.

A general view of a fireworks display during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Beijing National Stadium. (Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)

Healy fires Australia to thumping World Cup win Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.