Kaieteur News

Oil giant Shell argues Nigerians brought oil spill lawsuits ‘too late’

…company accused of delaying matter

British oil giant, Shell Plcisarguingthatthe13,000 Nigerians who filed a lawsuitagainstthecompany andisseekingcompensation forthedevastatingeffectsof oil spills caused by the oil major’s Nigerian subsidiary (SPDC),broughtthelawsuit ‘toolate.’

Thematterwasheardon

Tuesday at the London’s High Court. According to Reuters, the lawyers representing the Nigerians argued that Shell Plc is attempting to shield itself from scrutiny over pollution in Nigeria’s oil-producing NigerDelta.

Kaieteur News had reported that it was on Thursday February 2, 2023,

the people of the Ogale and Bille communities filed claimsagainstShelloveroil spills which they say have wrecked their livelihoods, poisoned their wells, and pollutedtheirlandandwater, which means they can no longer farm or fish. It was stated that the lawsuit will test whether multi-nationals canbeheldtoaccountforthe actions of overseas subsidiaries.

Shellstronglydeniesany liabilityandarguesthatparts ofthecaseswerebroughttoo late.Italsosaysthemajority of the spills were caused by illegal third-party

interference, such as pipeline sabotage and oil theft-Reuterssaid.

It was also reported that the company is asking the High Court to set an initial trial in early 2024 to decide whether parts of the case were brought too late and whether SPDC is liable for oil spills caused by thirdpartyinterference.

Shell says two further trialscouldthentakeplaceto determine allegations against its subsidiary and Shell’sallegedliabilityasits parentcompany Shell’s proposal is “advanced as a device to

shield (Shell) from scrutiny”,RichardHermer,a lawyer representing the claimants, said in court filings Hermer said allowing Shell’s application couldputoffafinaldecision on the lawsuits until 2029.

“The reality is that the defendants can readily afford for their claimants to runforsevenmoreyearsbut the claimants cannot,” he said.

However, Shell’s lawyer James Goldsmith told the court that “the claimants are responsible for the ongoing delays”byfailingtoprovide enough detail about their

cases.“Thisisnotanattempt to delay matters or outresource the claimants,” he added.

A Shell spokesperson in a statement said: “We believe litigation does little to address the real problem in the Niger Delta: oil spills due to theft, illegal refining and sabotage, with which SPDC is constantly faced and which cause the most environmentaldamage.”

The case, parts of which began back in 2015, the United Kingdom Supreme Court allowed a group of 42,500Nigerianfarmersand Continuedonpage8

The damage caused to a Nigerian community (Amnesty International photo)

World Bank urges Guyana to develop institutional structure for oil & gas sector

ByDavinaBagot

Withthehighest o v e r a l l growth rate projected this year for the entire Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Region, specifically driven by its nascent oil and gas sector, Guyana is being urged to develop an institutional structure that ensures the resources from the industry areusedconstructively

This advice was proffered by the World Bank’s Chief Economist for the Latin America and Caribbean Region, William Maloney. During a press conference on Tuesday, Maloney presented the Bank’s economic review “ThePromiseofIntegrationOpportunitiesinaChanging Global Economy” where he shared specific growth projections for LAC countries.

With Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expected to grow by 25.2 percent this year, the World Bank’s Chief Economist in response to a question from

this publication said, “You don’t get 25 percent rate of growth without having something like discovering oil so clearly the oil and gas sectorisdrivinghighratesof growth.”

Maloney while offering his advice explained that, “Thebigchallengewillbeto develop an institutional structure that ensures that those resources go where theyhavetogo.”

This includes using the funds from the sector to constructively lay the foundations to trigger the development of new industries to diversify the economy.

TheEconomistwaskeen to note that this is particularly important to address the long standing socialneedsofthenation.

According to him, “To have a government framework to ensure that these resources are used well; I would say that’s the bigchallengeandIthinkthat is where the World Bank is actually engaged in Guyana rightnow.”

He added, “The big

challenge will be to develop aninstitutionalstructurethat ensures that those resources go where they have to go; that they are used constructively for laying the foundations for new industries to diversify the economy to address long standing social needs and just to maintain, to have a government framework to ensure that these resources areusedwell.”

In2021,theGovernment of Guyana passed a Natural Resource Fund (NRF) legislation that governs the

use of the revenue garnered from the petroleum sector The law does not clearly identifyspecificprojectsthat would be funded through this revenue stream It broadly states at Section 16 (2)thatthewithdrawalsfrom theFundshall“onlybeused to finance (a) national development priorities including any initiative aimed at realizing an inclusive green economy; and(b)essentialprojectsthat are directly related to ameliorating the effect of a majornaturaldisaster.”

Followingthepassageof the legislation, Guyanese EconomistRamonGaskinin an exclusive interview with thispublicationurgedthatan investment plan be drafted, after consultations with the Guyanesepublic.

But in addition to the investmentplanapprovedby the country, Gaskin warned saidthattheoilrevenuemust not be used to fund other “non-priority” projects, citing police stations as an example.

“They need to set out in the law the principal prioritiesonhowthismoney is going to be used, rather thanleaveittothepoliticians to waste, squander and to steal. Politicians will steal themoneybecausetheydoit allthetimebecausetheyare involved in corrupt transactions,”hewarned.

Instead, the Economist noted that the Government should consider directing funds towards reducing its externaldebts,aswellasthe creation of a stabilisation fund so that when the oil prices drop dramatically, it can tap into the fund to

stabilisetheprice.

InFebruary,government made its first withdrawal fromthefundforthisyear It was announced by the Ministry of Finance that US$200 million was withdrawn and deposited to theconsolidatedfund.

“The Minister [Senior Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh] indicated that pursuanttoSection16ofthe NRF Act 2021, US$200M equivalent to G$41.6B has been transferred from the NRF to the Consolidated Fund.”

A total of US$607.6 million was withdrawn in 2022, in keeping with the NRF Act 2021, to finance national development priorities and, as part of the Budget 2023 process, Parliamentary approval was granted for a total of US$1 002 billion to be transferredduringfiscalyear 2023.

It was reported that for the first quarter of this year, Guyana received a total of US$377,140,826.94 in oil revenue, inclusive of profit oilandroyaltypayments.

World Bank’s Chief Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean Region, William Maloney

Printed

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

GUYANA IS EITHER A NATION, OR IT IS NOTHING

As each new revelation in the 2016 Production SharingAgreement(PSA)betweenExxonMobil and Guyana becomes clearer, it is also just as clear that Guyanese must prepare themselves for a showdown. It now appears almost inevitable with ExxonMobil and its partners, and if Guyanese politicians from across the board, the PPP/C Government and the APNU+AFCCoalitionOpposition,refusetobudgeandtake thesideofcitizens,thentheremustbeashowdownwiththem also.

Wewouldseriouslyregretthat,butboththeGovernment and the Opposition now have a chance to prove which side theyareon,whotheystandwith,whatself-respecttheyhave left. It is either that they are on the side of the foreign oil companies, or they are all for the side of the Guyanese people. This is the opportunity for President Ali, Vice PresidentJagdeo,OppositionLeadersNortonandRamjattan toshowwhattheyaremadeof,howmuchtheycherishthis country,itspeoples,andthedignityofboth.

It has come to light that the PSAhas a provision where GuyanahastoseekpermissionfromExxonMobiltorelease the company’s Guyana expenses to the Guyanese public. Thisisincredible,morethanakneeontheneckofGuyana. It is the equivalent of chopping off the head of this sovereign nation, or pouring acid in our eyes, or disemboweling and castrating us. For if Guyanese cannot be allowed to see the expenses incurred by ExxonMobil, expenses that they are payingforfromtheiroilrevenues,thenwhatcantheysee?

If this country, Guyana’s head-of-state, or its Vice President,himselftheformermostseniornationalleader,has tohumblehimselfandactuallylowerhimselftoappealtothe powersatExxonMobilforapprovaltosharetherecordofthe company’s spending (bills/expenses) in Guyana’s oil business, then is Guyana a sovereign nation? Is Guyana a real nation, or a nation with a set of docile people for a population? Should any head-of-state allow this abomination, this most disparaging of insults, to pass unaddressed, he risks being part of what could only be interpretedasunhealthytothiscountry’swellbeing?

Weatthispaperwillbetotallyclear:wedonotthink,we donotbelieve,wecanneveragreetothiscountry,andanyof its leaders, condoning such revulsion, such an unforgivable position on ExxonMobil’s part. For any company, any corporatethinkerandleader,toconcoctwhatisnothingless than a repugnance to the Guyanese people, it would be nothing but slackness and weakness of a special kind, there mustbestandingupandresisting. ExxonMobilisspending ouroilmoney,butwearenotallowedtoreviewandcheckif we are getting value for our money, or if ExxonMobil is cheatingus,likeoilcompaniesdoallovertheworld.

WhatthisamountstoisthatExxonMobilpresentsabillto Guyana for US$10B or US$15B or US$20B, and we must payit,justlikethat,onthecompany’ssayso,thehonestythat it does not have. ExxonMobil, and any other foreign companiesthatthinklikethis,thatbelievethattheycanget away with such barbarousness, should be shown the door, givenaswiftpushoutofit.

Guyanese:itistimetotakeastandandgetinthefaceof theseforeignschemers,thesesharpcorporateoperatorsthat prey upon poor countries, and their hosts of hungry nonwhitecitizens.

Guyanese: unless this kind of angry reaction, this powerfulmessage,istakennow,thentheoilcompaniesand their corporate friends will be free to come into our homes andthrowusoutofthem. Theyarealreadyrobbingustoour faces,andwithoutanyresistancefromourenfeebled,clearly hogtied,politicians.

What else would ExxonMobil not do to Guyanese? Whereelsewouldthiscompanynotgoinitseffortstostripus ofeverydollar,andthenofourdignity?

WhywouldExxonMobilwanttohideitsexpenses,what doesithavetohide,donotwishforGuyanesetosee? This country has to come to its senses, and its citizens must be readytofighttosucceed.

Alexander accuses GECOM of contriving to appoint a PPP/C preferred candidate to position of DCEO

DEAREDITOR,

GECOM has once again contrivedtoappointaPPP/C preferred candidate to a senior position, to wit the positionofDCEO.

In the first instance, when this position was originally advertised, Ms Marshal was the only candidate that met the requirements, however she was not appointed. The position was readvertised. This resulted in Mr. Giddings, who had not previously applied, applying.

Mr Giddings at the time of application was over one year short of the required e x p e r i e n c e T h e advertisementclearlystated: “At least five (5) years` in Management of National

elections and Election Systems is a prerequisite requirement”. Mr Giddings joined GECOM in June, 2018andisstillthreemonths short of the required experience.

Itshouldbenotedthatthe interviewswereinordinately delayed by approximately one year and it is now being arguedthatMr.Giddingshas four years and nine months experience.As much as this is contrived, he still has not met the stipulated years of experience.

Nooneintheprocesshas contested or can contest that fact.Thedecisiontoappoint him has been justified from the standpoint that he is a better candidate than Ms. Marshal. Inotherwords,the criterion of experience has

been thrown out of the window and the baseless ruling out of Ms. Marshal is the basis for choosing a candidate, Mr Giddings, who clearly has not met the criterion.

It should be noted that this is the third time in successionthatGECOMhas contrived to appoint a candidate who has not met the mandatory requirement, towitexperience.

ThecurrentCEOdidnot have the required experience.

All sorts of gymnastics about acting and being a note-taker at the highest level were concocted to argue that he had the requiredexperience.

The position of ACEO wasreadvertisedalthoughat

least four of the original applicants met the requirements and were shortlisted on both occasions, However, a retiree who had not previouslyappliedwasletin andgiventhejob.

It is clear that the PPP/C appointed commissioners are on a mission to foist candidatesoftheirchoiceon GECOM with the Chair beingcomplicit.

These occurrences are at the pinnacle but a tip of the iceberg in relation to the management of human resourcesatGECOM.

These occurrences bring into question GECOM‘s fitness for purpose as an impartialelectoralbody

VincentAlexander GECOMCommissioner

DEAREDITOR,

There is a tendency by those who proffer ‘breaking news’ to claim factuality However,whenfactchecked their ‘breaking news’ is exposedasfakenews,thisis n o t u n c o m m o n internationally

Unlessfakenewsclothed as ‘breaking news’ is constantly monitored, countered and exposed effectively it can, replace truthwithliesandhalf-truths which are worse than lies. Fakenews,irrespectiveofits source, must not be allowed toprosperinGuyana,itmust benippedinthebudatevery conceivablelevelandfora.

I make this observation inthelightofapieceoffake newsbyanobscurewebpage claiming that the PPP/C has ‘plans for a massive rigging scheme’ at the forthcoming LGE.Whateverthesource,it is clearly a PNC-inspired piece of gutter propaganda which, noticeably, is worse thanfakenews.

Itisnotformetorespond onbehalfofthePPP/C,tothe breaking fake news proffered,thePartycan,asit has always effectively done in the past; however, in my capacity as a Commissioner atGECOM,Iconsideritmy duty to expose the wicked and malicious claim by anyone claiming that GECOMwillsitonitshands and allow anyone especially

knownAPNUriggerstoride roughshod over GECOM’s election machinery as was done during the March to August 2020 attempt by the APNU+AFC to violate the democratic will of the electorate.

ThePNC/APNU+AFC’s track record with respect to electionsinGuyanahasbeen rejected by the majority of the voting populace. Their record speaks for itself. But the fundamental question is; how many LGEs has the political opposition ever woninthiscountry

Infact,indicatorsarethat the APNU could be wiped out at the impending LGE and future elections. So the AFC ‘smelt the rat’ and decided not to contest LGE ‘23.

Moreover, it is for that reason that the APNU has madeeveryeffortatthelevel of GECOM to obstruct the holding of LGE this year

There are certain electoral realities the political o p p o s i t i o n w h i l e gallivanting on social media chosetoignoreassafeguards to prevent multiple voting a n d a n y f o r m o f skullduggery come LGE on Monday, June 12, 2023 or any future election in Guyana.

1.Identification oftheVoter

Before an elector is allowed to vote, he/she will

be properly identified as the personhe/sheclaimstobe.In order to facilitate this, GECOMhasplacedelectors’ photographs alongside their names on the Folio that will be at the Polling Stations in the possession of Election Officials and Party Agents. When an elector goes to the Polling Station to vote, an Election Official will first examine the ID card to confirmthatitbelongstothe elector

The Election Official will then compare the photograph on the ID card with the one alongside the elector’snameonthefolioto confirm that he/she is the sameperson.

Providing the Official is satisfied that the elector is whohe/sheisclaimingtobe, he/shewillthenbeprocessed for voting. On the other hand, if any discrepancy is noted, the elector will be subjectedtoquestioning,and possibly, be arrested immediately

2.TheUseofIndelibleInk

In the voting process, electors will be required to dip the first joint of their right index finger in the indelibleink.Beforeelectors are allowed to vote, their fingers will be examined for traces of indelible ink. If traces of indelible ink are found on an elector’s finger, itwillbetreatedasevidence thathe/shehasalreadyvoted

and will not be allowed to vote again. Consequently, the elector will be subjected toquestioning,andpossibly, bearrestedimmediately

3.PartyAgents

On Election Day there willbePoliticalPartyAgents at the Polling Stations throughout the voting process to witness the physical identification of voters and the examination of their hands for traces of indelibleink.

IfaPartyAgenthasgood reason to believe that any person is not the elector he/she claims to be, or that thepersonhasalreadyvoted, the Agent can bring this to the notice of the Presiding Officer

This will result in the personbeingquestioned,and possibly, be arrested immediately if he/she is foundtohavealreadyvoted.

4.ThePresenceof SecurityPersonnelfrom theGuyanaPoliceForce Ranks from the Guyana Police Force will be present at all Polling Stations throughout Election Day to assist the Presiding Officers in ensuring that the election process is implemented in a lawfulandorderlymanner

ThePolicewillbeinvited by the Presiding Officer to takefirmactionpertainingto the commission of any electoraloffencewithinthe

(Continuedonpage6)

The transparency of the voting process will be buttressed through the use of transparent ballot boxes for the elections

Reconciliation cannot be selective!

DEAREDITOR,

The recent statement made by the OVP which mentions “One Guyana being hollow”, and that politicians like President Jagdeo must be willing to “acknowledge and atone for the terrible mistakes made and atrocities and injustices committed”, is selective, mischievous and neglectful of the atrocities committed by the PNC during preindependence.

The author for the OVP also deliberately ignores the heartlessinsultthathasbeen hoisted upon the Indian communityofGuyana.

Everyyear,wearefaced with an independence date, which neglects the remembranceoftheWismar Massacre and adds insult to injury through its celebratory activities. This was the doing of the infamous Dictator President BurnhamandthePNC.

W h e r e i s t h e acknowledgment of the atrocities committed during thatperiod?

W h e r e i s t h e acknowledgment of the atrocitiescommittedbyPNC supporters every time they loseanelection?

W h e r e i s t h e acknowledgment of the persecution and suffering meted out to the Indian community at the hands of PNC supporters during the lastelection?

From the time of the Wismar Massacre to now, the violence experienced by the Indian community at the handsofPNCsupportershas beencontinual.

Not too long ago, devoted followers of Dictator Burnham were on the verge of repeating the

dictatorial mistakes of his past. Roads were blocked andIndianswereassaulted.

TheOVPwouldhavethe publicbelievethatadictator wasasaviour We all know what betrayalisandwas.

He betrayed the true FatherofthisNation,theone w h o g a v e h i m a n opportunity and included him in the struggle for independence.

To fulfill his selfish desires and thirst for power he betrayed His Excellency President Jagan! Dictator Burnham left the Nation bankrupt and our citizens suffering.

He nationalized profitableforeignbusinesses andmismanagedthem.

Soplease,donotaskthe youth of our country to embrace he who betrayed our prosperity and he who betrayed the steadfast and loyal.

Donotaskustoembrace as a Father of Our Nation someone who orchestrated thekillingofsomanyIndian lives in the lead up to “Approved Independence”. Donotaskustoembracehe who selected the date for Independenceasanongoing threat to the well-being of thelargestcommunityinour country

A dictator rules by fear, and that was Dictator Burnham’s intent. We will not accept him as the Father ofourNation.

We will not revere a callous and cruel dictator as aliberator Wewillnotplace onapedestalhewhobrought suffering to every corner of ourcountry!

Hisideaswerebankrupt, corruptandself-serving.

He was known in

Guyanaasoneoftherichest men in the world, yet the people of Guyana could not receive proper healthcare. His demise was his own doing. Neglect for the needs of his own citizens led to the neglect of his own needs. That is the poetic justice handed out to a heartless dictator whose party betrayed the true Father of Our Nation and the Citizens ofGuyana.

If his way of governing was allowed after the 2020 elections,thecountrywould have been sanctioned and embargoed once again Povertywouldhavereturned toourpeople,andthelandof Essequibo would be in the hands of Venezuela So please, don’t tell us lies and try to selectively ignore the pain and suffering that a selfish dictator brought to ourshores.

For there to be reconciliation,wemuststart withtheacknowledgmentof the atrocities of the Wismar Massacre.

We must allow for the remembranceofthevictims, andwemustshiftthedateof Our Nation’s Independence to when it truly occurred, which was when His Excellency President Jagan won the British Guiana generalelectionin1953.

The date ofApril 27th is of more significance to our people.

It is the date when the true Father of Our Nation was elected to liberate Guyana and all of our citizens.

Sincerely,

Mr.JamilChanglee Chairman

T h e C o o p e r a t i v e RepublicansofGuyana

Ramadan, Teachings, Requirements and Customs

DEAREDITOR, Ramadanistheninthand holiestmonthoftheIslamic, Hijri calendar It is also believedtobethemonththe Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) The QURAN actively encourages its followers to live in peace with those of other faiths. Similarly, the HADITH, a collection of sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH), calls for love and understanding towards other religions Islamisawayoflife.

Foundduringmy4years Tenure as Guyana’s Ambassador in Kuwait, that they are 3 Keys in Islamic culture, Relationships, Patience (Sabr) and Respect which takes many years to earn, cultivate and bear fruits. Ramadan fasting for 30 or 31 days is easy for believers with Allah’s Blessings Islam is the world’s second most widely practiced religion. It is also one of the fastest growing religions and today, with approximately 2 billion followers. This religion is based on the Quran, a religious text that followers ofIslambelieveisthedirect word of God. Under Islam, Muhammad (PBUH) is considered the last Prophet of God and many believers adheretohisteachings.

Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Ramadan is the ninth month of the

Muslim calendar and the holy month of fasting. It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon. Because the Muslim calendar year is shorter than the Gregorian calendar year, Ramadanbegins10–12days earliereachyear,allowingit to fall in every season throughouta33-yearcycle.

Muslims believe that Jesus Christ (called “Isa” in Arabic) was a Prophet of GodandwasborntoaVirgin (Mary) and Muslims also believe, Jesus Christ, Isa, will return to Earth before the Day of Judgment. In Islam,JesusChrististheSon of Maryam and is the Penultimate Prophet and Messenger In the Quran, Jesus is described as the Messiah (al-Mas+%), born of a Virgin, performing miracles, accompanied by disciples, rejected by the Jewish establishment, and being raised to heaven. The FIVEcorevaluesareknown as the Pillars of Islam, and they are, Shahada, Faith.; Salat, Prayer, Zakat, Charity , One of Allah’s (SWT) key teachings is that Muslims must give charity to those less fortunate, known as Zakat which is 2.5 % of net wealth, is the Obligation; Sawm, Fasting; and Hajj, Pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia

It is traditional for Muslims to break their fast for their Suhoor (predawn meal) , Iftar (meal after

sunsetduringRamadan) and Eid ul-Fitr (end of Ramadan) celebrations by eatingdates.Thisisacustom that goes back to the very first observance of Ramadan,asitissaidthatthe Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ate dates before he brokehisfast.Thoughitisa custom, it is not a requirement, but this is the practiceinthe57OICand57 IsDB Countries Top 10 Countries with the Highest Percentage of Muslims (2021), are Maldives (100%); Mauritania (99.9%); Somalia (99.8%tie); Tunisia (99.8% - tie); Afghanistan (99.7% - tie); Algeria (99.7% - tie); Iran (99.4%); Yemen (99.2%); Morocco (99%) and Niger (98.3%). ItwasmyHonour, Delight and Joys to visit, read Namaz, and offer Prayers/Duas, for Families, Friends, Global Citizens, Umma Unity, and World Peace at Masjids in 80 countries, including Maldives,Tunisia,Morocco, Malaysia, Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, Al-Masjid anNabaw+, known as the “Prophet’s Masjid” in Medina, Saudi Arabia; and Masjid al-Haram, the Grand Masjid in Mecca, Kingdom ofSaudiArabia. Assuring You of my HighestConsideration Sincerely, Dr.ShamirAlly Former Ambassador to Kuwait

The transparency of the voting...

Frompage4 boundaries of the Polling station.

5.VoterEducation GECOM has embarked on an intensive and nationwide Civic and Voter Education campaign aimed at informing electors about t h e i r r i g h t s a n d responsibilities as voters, and to dissuade them from becoming involved in skullduggery Emphasis will beplacedonthereasonswhy electors should not become involved in the conduct of electoraloffences,aswellas thepenaltiesassociatedwith suchoffences.GECOMwill make it known clearly that the Commission and its Secretariat are committed to having persons promptly arrested if they are found to be engaging themselves in anyelectoraloffence.

6.EfficientConduct ofthePolls

Duringthetrainingofthe Returning Officers, Presiding Officers and all other levels of Polling Day Staff, emphasis was placed on the need for them to always carry out their respectiveresponsibilitiesin a manner that will not cast any shadow of doubt on the election process and the emerging results. GECOM has emphasized that Polling Day Staff would be held accountable, even prosecuted, for any irregularity which could result in the outcome of the electionsbeingtarnished.

7.Absent Electors/DeceasedPersons

Deceasedpersonswhose names are on the voters’list cannot and will not present themselvestovote.

The photographs on the folio at each Polling Station will preclude anyone from

tryingtovoteintheplaceof any deceased person. Similarly, in the case of electorswhomightbeoutof Guyana on Election Day, other persons will not be allowed to vote on their behalfsimplybecauseofthe photographs alongside the electors’namesintheFolio.

8.CountingofBallot atPlaceofPoll

As provided for by law, ballotscastwillbecountedat the respective Polling Stations Each Presiding Officer will sign the Statement of Poll. Each of thePartyAgentspresentwill also sign as on the Statements of Pollan attestation that he/she is satisfied with the counting andrecordingofthevotes.

Thereafter, the Presiding Officer will (i) publicly declare the results of the elections at his/her Polling Station, (ii) give a signed copy of the results to each PartyAgent,and(iii)postthe results at a noticeable place outside of the Polling Station. Twoseparatecopies of the Statement of Poll are sent under Police escort to theReturningOfficerandthe Chief Election Officer respectively

9.Integrityofthe StatementsofPoll

The Chief Election Officer has approached the Commission for approval of a proposal that seeks to introduce measures to protect the integrity of Statements of Poll during their transmission from the Polling Station to the Returning Officer and Chief ElectionOfficer

10.Observers

Observersthathavebeen accredited by GECOM will be monitoring the election process countrywide with a

view to contributing to the electionsbeingconductedin a c c o r d a n c e w i t h internationalbestpractice.

11 Assistance from PoliticalParties

GECOM calls upon all Political Parties and other Civil Society Organizations to appeal to their respective supporters and membership nottoattempt,inanyway,to thwart the successful conduct of the elections by trying to vote more than once, or from acting in any manner which could hinder thesuccessfulconductofthe elections.

In fact, all Political Parties and other Civil Society Organizations are urged to caution their supporters/membership that any attempt to so do would result in them being immediately arrested and prosecuted.Thiscouldresult in them being fined and/or jailed, and possibly banned from voting at future elections.

12.Transparent BallotBoxes

The transparency of the voting process will be buttressedthroughtheuseof transparent ballot boxes for theelections.

Thismovewillguarantee thatthecontentsoftheballot boxes are always in view of all categories of personnel and stakeholders inside the PollingStations.

Under these conditions, no amount of fake news, irrespective of its source, will succeed in distracting the Guyanese electorate from believing in and supporting the democratic forces to realize a free and fairLGE’23.

Yoursfaithfully, ClementJ.Rohee Commissioner

Former Speaker, Scotland, did not interrupt the no-confidence voting in 2018 when called upon to do so

DEAREDITOR,

A letter from an associationwhosenameisas vague like the WPA, “Association of Concerned Guyanese”inKaieteurNews March 30, 2023, caught my attention. It was a letter to rebut what (Leyland Roopnarine)wroteaboutthe Speaker of Parliament captioned, “The Speaker of theHouse’’.Firstly,whoare t h e s e “ C o n c e r n e d Guyanese”?

IwonderedsoIGoogled itandwassenttoaFacebook page. There was a link on the pagethatIalsoGoogledand it went to a blank page so I went back to their FB site. I saw some photos of PPP Executive members being felicitated while they were visitingNewYorkandsome reposting of various PPP

activities and even some statements from the PPP reposted.Itlookedlikeitwas a PPP group in New York City I searched on the ConcernedGroup’spagefor someissuesthatareaffecting Guyanese in NY and so far, found none. Are there any activitiesthattheydidtohelp

the lot of Guyanese struggling in the U.S? Like the present issue of the past and present Mayor not giving Hindu kids in NY a holiday on Phagwah or

Diwali? The proverb “charitybeginsathome”will suffice.

These “Concerned Citizens” contradicted themselves as they said that the present-day Speaker is just following the trend by hispredecessors.

We are well aware that under the dictatorship of

Burnham and the PNC Government, what the role of the Speaker of the House was.Whoaretheonesreally ‘’attempting to question the professionalism and destroy the integrity of the Speaker of the Parliament?’’ Is Mr Roopnarine correct when he expressed his right to free speechashewroteaboutthe present-daySpeaker?

I am also waiting to see/hear what these “concerned”citizenswilldo to help get Hindu kids in New York the right to be treatedequally.Lastly,letus remember that the former Speaker, Barton Scotland, did not interrupt the noconfidence voting in 2018 whencalledupontodothat. Somuchforintegrity

Yourssincerely, A Very Concerned CitizeninNewYorkCity

Betrayal on Exxon’sAudit

DEAREDITOR,

The shocking part of the revelation of audit of Exxon’s expenses is not the US$214M disputed expenses (out of $1.67 B) claimed by Exxon but the availabilityoftheaudititself for public perusal and the extensive attempt to hide it fromthenation.

News report states that the audit was available for sometwoyears(since2021) butitwasnotmadeavailable tothepublic.

The government behaved as if no audit was done and that one was forthcoming.

Throughout 2021 and againinearly2022aswellas earlier this year when asked by reporters about an audit, both the President and Vice President said it would be done and appeared unconcerned about deadlinesasperthecontract withExxon.

In fact, in 2022, a consortium of local and foreign companies was contracted (G$150 5M as

per SN report of Aug 14, 2022)tocarryoutanauditof Exxon suggesting that no audit was done till then. Lo and behold, the nation now learnsthatanauditwasdone and available for some two years.

Why then did the government contract accounting firms to do an audit when it was already done?

Isn’t that wasting financial resources (G$150.5MasperSNreport of Aug 14, 2022) which couldhavebeenspentsayon raising old age pensions or on some other needy project?Oristhisadifferent audit?

Was there some deal to pay off would be auditors? And why the secrecy of this particularauditreport?Why wasn’t the report made available to the public after alloilandgasindustryisnot aprivatematter

It is national asset about whichthepublicisentitledto thereleaseofallinformation related to exploration, d e v e l o p m e n t , a n d production.

Whyhasthegovernment kepttheauditawayfromthe public? I think the nation would be curious to know how SN and others manage tolaytheirhandontheaudit report.

Was it released by the government? Is it available tothepublic?

ThebehaviourofthePPP government on the audit is

worse than that of the coalition in releasing the oil contract and in seeking to hide the US$18M signing bonus.

ItappearsthatthePPPis in a competition for the title of which government is worse in managing the oil andgascontractandauditing revenues The PPP is winningtherace.

The behaviour of both the coalition and PPP in government affirms that Guyana is a doomed country;neithergovernment hasdemonstratedthekindof resource patriotism and managementofassetsthatis in the best interests of Guyanese.

Neither Burnham nor Jagan would have compromised the nation’s natural resources as this and theprecedinggovernment.

The PPP government promised to be an open, transparent, honest, and accountable government. It has betrayed the nation’s trust as it has not honored this commitment and has behaved worse than its predecessor

Itmustpayapriceforits dishonesty

With national elections lessthantwoandahalfyears away,Guyaneseshouldstart thinking of another political force rather than the two racialised behemoths that would better manage the country’sresources.

Yourstruly,

AshleyClarke

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EXXONMOBIL’S US$7.3B AUDIT REPORT - PART 3

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This audit report was due at the end of September 2022…no report!

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The PPPGovernment then committed to December …no report!

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It is nowApril, 2023…no report!

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The PPPGovernment’s tune now is - some time or the other.

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What do we have here: a government for Guyanese interests?

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Or, a PPPGovernment bending over backwards for Exxon’s interests?

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Guyanese Captain and crew bringing MV MA Lisha to Guyana

TheMVMALisha is scheduled to arrive in Guyana by this weekend, after setting sail from Kolkata to Chennai, and then making itswaythroughtheAtlantic Ocean to Trinidad, onApril 2nd,2023

On April 3rd 2023, the vessel was offloaded from theMVSunRiseatthePort of Chaguaramas, as it preparestosailtoGuyana

Onboard the vessel to guideithometoGuyanaisa 14-member Guyanese crew led by Captain Courtney McDonald, veteran Guyanese Captain and DirectorofMaritimeSafety a t t h e M a r i t i m e AdministrationDepartment.

The Guyanese Crew is complemented by three crewmembersfromGarden Reach Shipbuilders and EngineersLimited,andtwo

t e c h n i c i a n s f r o m

MACORP

Hon Bishop Juan Edghill, Minister of Public Works, has expressed his delight in the impending arrival, reiterating Government’s pursuit of t r a n s f o r m i n g a n d improving the country’s transport infrastructure, especially for the hinterland regions.

“This new North-West bound ferry which has the capacity to accommodate up to 276 passengers, along with 18 crew members, can also carry 14 sedan-type vehiclesandtwotrucks Itis ideal for this route and we are especially happy to bear witnesstotheimprovements that this will bring to the lives of residents, who will now be able to travel more freely, frequently, and comfortably.”

“Theeconomicgainsfor local businesses are also expected to be many, as personsshippingproducein and out of region one will now have access to a cold and cool room storage, thereby reducing spoilage. The vessel can also accommodate up to 250 tonnes of cargo,” Minister Edghillhasstated.

The MV MA Lisha as a front loading/ offloading r a m p w h i c h c a n accommodate easy loading and discharging of cargo at ports she will call on The vessel also has side boardingcapacity

A t o t a l o f 1 9 Navigational, Mechanical and Auxiliary Staff of the Transport and Harbours Department were trained in India during 2022 and earlier this year, to operate thenewferryvessel (DPI)

OilgiantShellarguesNigeriansbrought...

Frompage2 fishermen to sue Shell in the English courts afteryearsofoilspillshadcontaminatedland andgroundwater

TheJudgessaidatthetime,therewasan arguable case that Shell, one of the world’s biggest energy companies, was responsible because it exercised significant control over itsNigeriasubsidiary,SPDC.

ThispublicationhadreportedthatUKlaw firm, Leigh Day said it had filed claims on behalfofthousandsofNigerianpeopleand17 institutions including churches and schools from Ogale community in Niger Delta for compensation for loss of livelihoods and damageagainstShell.

Moreover,onthebackdropofthelawsuit beingfiled,AmnestyInternational’sHeadof BusinessandHumanRights,MarkDummett said, “Amnesty stands by these two

communities in the Niger Delta, which have been engaged in litigation against Shell for sevenyears,askingthatthecompanycleanup thedamagecausedandcompensatethemfor theirlostlivelihoods.”

He added, “Had this level of contamination and pollution occurred in Europe or North America, it is hard to imaginethattherewouldnothavebeenswift and severe consequences and legal redress. Shellshouldcleanupthepollutiontheoilhas causedinthesecommunitiesandcompensate those whose livelihoods have been devastated and whose health has been harmed.”

For his part, Kaieteur News publisher, Glenn Lall had cautioned Guyanese to be cognizantofthecrueloilandgasindustryand howoilgiantshavedestroyedthelivelihoods ofcitizensofonceglorifiedoil-nations.

The MV MA Lisha is scheduled to arrive in Guyana this weekend

JAGDEO NEEDS A LESSON IN THE ECONOMICS OF SOLAR POWER

Jagdeo is out of his depthwhenitcomes to the management of the energy sector. It is obvious from his ranting at his most recent press conference that he is not familiar with the cost of generatingsolarpower

Atthatpressconference, he denied that his governmentwasinreceiptof documents showing how solar was a cheaper alternative to the gas-fired powerplantatWales.

As reported by this newspaper, Jagdeo claimed that the lowest offer governmentreceivedtodate for the generation of power is eight cents per kilowatt hour

He then went on to say that if anyone can be found who can supply solar power at four or five cents per kilowatt hour, his governmentwillbeprepared to sign a long-term contract

forthesupplyofpower. Itis hoped that the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana will take up this challenge because not only can India supply solar power at less than five cents per kilowatt hour but such a service will not cost the government of Guyana a cent since the investment can come from privatesourcesinIndia. India is now positioning itself to become a low-cost supplier of solar power It is estimated that by 2030, the cost of solar power in India will be around 0.025 cents per kilowatt hour India is now the second cheapest supplier of solar energy behindChina.Infact,China also is capable of producing solar power at less than US threecentsperkilowatthour Jagdeo’s challenge is therefore surprising considering that he recently returnedfromavisittoIndia country No one should be

so blinded by their commitment to one project thattheywilloverlookother and more feasible options. Jagdeo’s challenge shows how uninformed he is about the cost of solar power In Chile, a country that has temperateclimate,aSpanish company, Solarpack Corporation Technologica, hasenteredintoacontractto supply solar power at less thanthreecentsperkilowatt hour,andthereisnosubsidy provided by the Chilean government.

Guyana has long been proven ideal for low-cost solar power generation Guyanahasahigherlevelof irradiation than Chile. So, if Chilecancomeinatlessthan threecentsperkilowatthour, thenwhynotGuyana?

The Guyana Energy Authority boasts that Guyana has excellent solar insolationlevels.Thisplaces Guyana at a competitive

Man found dead under bridge in Mahaicony

A 24-year-old fisherman man was found dead on Tuesday at Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Police have confirmed the discovery of the man's body and identified him as Amelio Rodrigues. According to information reaching Kaieteur News Rodrigues was found dead under a bridgeinthearea.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death but persons in the area reported that Rodrigues was seen consuming alcohol and suggested that in his intoxicated state, hemayhavefallenoffthebridge.

KaietuerNewsunderstandsthatRodriguesisa fatherofone.Hewasdescribedasjovialandfunny

Dead: Amelio Rodrigues

Businessman caught with unlicensed gun in crotch

Police on Tuesday arrested a 21-year-old businessman after he was found with a loaded unlicensed gun in his pants crotch.Thebustwasmadeat a police road block set up at Triumph, East Coast

Demerara (ECD) The businessmanwhohailsfrom South Turkeyen was reportedly a passenger in a heavily-tinted Toyota Rumion motorcar that was stoppedbypolice.

Ranks searched each occupantinthecarwhenthe cops found the 40 Glock

The illegal gun found in the businessman’s possession.

He was

advantage when it comes to the generation of solar energy, a fact that the governmentseemsblindand deaftowards.

It is now public knowledge that solar power is the cheapest form of electricity for new generation.Thecostofsolar p o w e r h a s f a l l e n tremendously over the past decade, far more than the 50% reduction which is promised by the gas energy facility being built by the government with a more than one billion United States dollars in capital expenditure.

The cost of the capital equipment for solar systems has also fallen over the past 30 years. Estimates show that these costs have declined almost 90% since 1990. The evidence points to solar power being more feasible in Guyana. As Jagdeo ought to know, however, feasibility is much morethansimplythecostof

generation. Many countries are prepared to pay higher costs in other to derive additional benefits. One such benefit is to the environment Jagdeo was once designated as a Champion of the Earth for his role in protecting the environment.

He should know by now that natural gas is not a renewableenergysourceand islesscleanthansolarwhich is a renewable Former University of Guyana lecturer Alfred Bhulai has pointed to a number of disadvantages of using natural gas as opposed to solar Bhulai should know; heisascientist.

Bhulaihassaidthatsolar will be more stable because with natural gas a power outage can affect the entire network, while with home solar power systems, there will be a lesser impact Environmentalists have pointedoutthatnaturalgasis associatedwithhigherrisks.

Leaks and other accidents can have catastrophic effects on the population and this is why there is no much concern over the waiver of an environmental impact assessment for the gas to energy plant being established at Wales. Bhulai has also said that solar energywouldgreatlyreduce the need for operational costs for the gas-to-power plant.

Yet, despite all of these arguments being made, the government has refused to undertake a feasibility study that is specific to the gas to shore and gas to energy projects it is undertaking. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

pistol loaded with four matching rounds in the man’s crotch

immediately arrested and

taken into custody at the Beterverwagting Police S t a t i o n ( E C D ) Investigationsareongoing.

H@RD TRUTHS

GHK LALL

KAIETEUR NEWS 29 AND GROWING STRONGER

In human terms, Kaieteur News is a grown man, a strong woman, a robust product of Guyana’s rich soil. Now that I have limited association with the newspaper,anditsextended network, how do I measure it? How, as seen from the

outside,andnow,asviewed fromtheinside?

In the early years, and from a distance, there were doubts, aspects that I didn’t like; there is remembering whereIstoodinthefirsttwo decades of the publication’s 29 years. There was the

belief that it was too much in-the-face, a no-holds barred vigor evident, no squeamishnesspresent. We existed in separate spheres, and it is a hard truth openly shared.

From the inside, on a roving, visiting basis, many

thingsregistereddeeplyina few short years, some small hours. Thereisapassionfor many things, with one taking centerstage and firmlynailedtothefloor It is oil. At Kaieteur, oil is overhead, in the head, from bedheadtobulkhead. Oilis the beachhead that must be waded ashore to, taken (by storm, if necessary), and occupied through courage and conviction, by force of grit and gristle and grind. This is so that every Guyaneseman,woman,and child can come to experience what the GDP that they have been hearing about; so that the kind of economy of which they are reading about and supposedly living in, really touches them. In its many substances. Inthestrengths and joys that they bring. In the possibilities that they maketangible.

At Kaieteur, my fleeting visits have confirmed a few things to the point that they are now inerasable. Crime andcleanpolicingisamust, and one that is pursued diligently Corruption(God help us! Corruption) is the cancer that is checked into andchasedafterwithallthe relentless and uncoiled fury of chemotherapy and with laserlikeradiationintensity As is known throughout Guyana, corruption in all of its elements-political, institutional, infrastructural, electoral, financial, and on

andon-isofthewidest, thickest national expanse The people at Kaieteur, starting from the headman, see themselves as grasscutters and chainsaws and dredgers. They are probing and digging and dragging though the drift and haze, like fishermen withtheirnets. Thecatchof men and women with their clothes off tell the stories read in KN over the years. But the biggest thing of all, and by the longest country mile, is oil. Oil is on the mind,oilisinthebrain,and oil is what comes out of the pores; oftentimes, I believe in every waking breath Certainly, it is an inseparable aspect of Publisher Glenn Lall’s (no r e l a t i o n ) e v e r y conversation. He has the capacity, definitely the driving passion, to make an unbeliever into a believer about this oil and its matchless significance to this country and to all Guyanese. I applaud the man for the untiring and unequalled presence that he brings to this country’s oil andwrestlingthebestoutof it. As he goes, so does the paper,soalsodohispeople. A hard truth is that we have differences in styles. Another is that we look at the world through different lenses. Still another is that there are distinctions in methods and approaches

Notwithstanding those, I

recognize a man utterly consumed, totally devoted, to pushing any hot button, crossing any Rubicon and redline, and fighting the goodfightfortheGuyanese people Thus, there is Kaieteur News, and its essences. Come to think of it, in the first and final analyses, there is only one essence, primarily one element, in the newspaper’s (and radio’s) existence, and it is oil. In some respects, I would bite the bullet and assert that oil is now the reason for its existence; the newspaper lives and grows strongerat29becauseofoil.

The more that foreign powers are exploitative and self-enriching, the more KN’s footprint expands The more that local politicians, be they in the government or the opposition, conspire and carry on, the more impassioned and muscular the reaction from KN. And themoreshakyandslippery Guyanese politicians prove to be, the more they compromisethemselvesand paint themselves into a corner, the more KN dons, glovesandpolishesitstools. T w o b i r d s a r e simultaneously dealt with: possible corruption and oil deceptions. Intimidation does not faze; rather, it inspires to greater effort. Thoseinchargeshouldtake that message to heart. The more the resistance to shedding light and facing truth,thedeeperthedigging in of the heels at KN Resistance and retaliation fromthepowerful,whatever theform,confirmsthatthere are things to conceal and keep under lock and key Most of all, this means oil. And because this oil wealth meanssomuchforGuyana, then it is a calling, a battle that must be fought, and whateverblowscome,those must be absorbed, so as to gettothetruthforGuyanese. Many healthy and hearty returnsto Kaieteur News,its Publisher,anditspeople.

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

AuditreportonExxon’sUS$1.6Bcostsnotfinal

...preliminary report has several financial inaccuracies - GRA Boss

An audit report that was recently quoted extensively byStabroekNewsregarding US$1.6Binexpensesracked up by ExxonMobil’s subsidiary,EssoExploration and Production Guyana Limited(EEPGL)from1999 to 2017, is not a final document.

This is according to Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey SteveStatia.

In a statement to the media last evening, Statia said the report that was leaked and reported on is filled with financial inaccuracies, and moreover, deficient in a number of otherareas.Hisclarification followed two articles that were published by Stabroek News on the report, both of which highlighted that there w a s U S $ 2 1 4 M i n questionable costs that were flagged by the auditor, IHS

Markit.

In both pieces, it was stated that the IHS report was hidden from public scrutinyfortwoyearsbythe People’s Progressive Party (PPP)regime.

Statiasaidunequivocally that this is not the case. He said the report was not releasedasitisapreliminary document. The GRA Boss recalled that in November 2019, the Government of Guyana entered into a

contractual arrangement with IHS Markit to audit EEPGL’s expenses from 1999to2017.

He said several agencies collaborated to form Guyana’s Audit team It included the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Guyana Geology and Mines and Commission (GGMC) and the former Department ofEnergy(DE)whichisnow a technical department within the Ministry of NaturalResources(MNR).

Statia said the UK auditor had three distinct reports to deliver:An Initial A u d i t R e p o r t , a n Intermediate Audit Report andaFinalAuditReport.

The Commissioner GeneralsaidtheInitialAudit Report was received on March 20, 2020. Kaieteur News understands that work then began for the IntermediateandFinalAudit Reports.

OnJuly31,2020,hesaid IHS submitted a combined reportwhichitreferredtoas the ‘Final Audit Report’. Upon reviewing this document, Statia said IHS was informed that it committed a breach of contractualterms,aswellas, audit standards and good practicessinceittriedtoby-

pass the Interim Audit Reportrequirement.

It was further related to IHS that a report cannot be considered final without Exxon’sresponse.

Further to this, the GRA bosssaidtwoiterationsofthe

‘Audit Report’ were subsequently issued by IHS between July 2020 and November 2020. In each instance, Statia said the Guyana Revenue Authority reviewed the respective reportsandconveyedofficial comments Hesaidtoothatin depth reports were compiled andsubmittedtoIHS

In particular, in early 2021, he said GRA penned itsconcernstoIHSofmajor deficiencies that recurred throughout its report, namely: “the lack of recommendations in the

report; failure to refer to industry standards and good practises for specific findings; inaccuracies as it relates to analysing and reviewing the financials; generalinconsistenciesand deficiencies; and failure to adopt suggestions and recommendations, as well as, address concerns e m a n a t i n g f r o m government of Guyana representatives”.

Statia said IHS was advised to correct the foregoing issues since they “had significant adverse effects on the quality of the reportanditsabilitytoattain the desired outcomes of arresting unsound financial practises on the part of the contractor (ExxonMobil) a n d i m p r o v i n g Governmentalcontrols.”

Statia said GRA further requested IHS to revise the draft Audit Report, once again, to take account of the issueshighlighted.

During 2020 and 2021, Statia said legal advice was solicitedbytheGovernment and obtained as it relates to significant issues arising during the audit and the forms of recourse available totheState.Premisedonthe adviceofthe

Continuedonpage28

GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia

ManslaughterchargeforOgledaycareowner

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Shalimar

Ali-Hack, S C has recommended that the Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), day care owner be charged with manslaughter for the death of 7-month-old Oriyah Gravesande.

The day care owner is slated to appear at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courttoday

Kaieteur News had reported that baby Oriyah diedafterfallingoffabedata daycareandsuffocating.She was pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital on, March21,2023.

The day care where the incident happened

Following a collaborative investigation conducted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the

Child Care and Protection Agency, and the Ministry of Human Service and Social Protection – a file was

sent to the DPP for advice However,thefilewassentback for further investigation which wasthencarriedoutbeforethe chargewasrecommended

Oriyahwasthedaughterof Shavannie Gravesande and Odysseus Clement The grieving parents had revealed thattheirchildwasdroppedoff atthedaycarelocatedinOgle, on Tuesday morning (March 21) “in good health” not knowingthatwouldhavebeen the last time they saw their babygirlalive.

During an emotional interview, Gravesande had said,“Iwasmadetounderstand Continued on page 28

Dead, Oriyah Gravesande

The Guyana Elections Commission(GECOM)bywayofa majorityvoteatastatutorymeeting held on Tuesday appointed former Information Technology (IT) Manager, Aneal Giddings as the Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO).

The Commission’s decision to appointGiddingshashoweverbeen met with objections from o p p o s i t i o n - n o m i n a t e d commissioner Vincent Alexander. Alexander is once again accusing GECOM of failing to follow the

GECOMappointsnewDEO

…Alexander accuses commission of breaching criteria to select ‘PPP-preferred’ candidate

the appointment of the Deputy Chief ElectionsOfficer(DCEO).

Inalettertotheeditor,Alexander claimed that GECOM has for the third time skipped the mandatory protocol to appoint Giddings, a People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) preferred candidate to the positionofDCEO.

He explained that when the position was originally advertised, another candidate met the requirementsbutwasnotappointed Alexander claimed that the position was nevertheless readvertised This, he said resulted in Giddings, who was at the time of applying, one year short of the required experience being placed underconsideration.

The GECOM commissioner explained too that “the advertisement clearly stated that at least five years in Management of National Elections and Election Systems is a prerequisite requirement.”However,hesaidthat Giddings joined GECOM in June, 2018 and is still three months short oftherequiredexperience.

“It should be noted that the interviews were inordinately delayed by approximately one year and it is now being argued that Mr Giddings has four years and nine monthsexperience.Asmuchasthis is contrived, Giddings still has not met the stipulated years of experience. Nooneintheprocess has contested or can contest that fact,”Alexandersaid.

He continued: “The decision to appointhimhasbeenjustifiedfrom thestandpointthatMr Giddingsisa bettercandidate Inotherwords,the criterion of experience has been thrown out of the window and the baseless ruling out of the other candidate on the basis of qualification.”

According to Alexander, this is the third time in succession that GECOMhascontrivedtoappointa candidate who has not met the mandatory requirement, to wit experience.

He said that “the position of Assistant Chief Executive Officer (ACEO)wasre-advertisedalthough atleastfouroftheoriginalapplicants met the requirements and were shortlisted on both occasions;

DCEO, Aneal Giddings

however, a retiree who had not previously applied was let in and giventhejob”.

Alexander therefore claimed that the PPP/C appointed commissioners are on a mission to foist candidates of their choice on GECOM These occurrences, he said brings into question the impartiallyoftheelectoralbody.

Hestressedthattheoccurrences are at the pinnacle but a tip of the iceberg in relation to the managementofhumanresourcesat GECOM

Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander

Jagdeo vows to fast track oil sector for 15 years minimum; has no shame about that

ByKianaWilburg

The PPP/C Government planstoembarkonanumber of measures that will keep the oil industry on the fast track for a minimum of 15 years, says Vice President, BharratJagdeo.

The official said such an approach would include the timely award of production licences as well as encouraging investment in the sector Given the pace at which discoveries are being made in the Stabroek Block, and the overall speed of development activities, Jagdeo said it is critical that the government adopts a complementary approach to ensure local and foreign businesses are not left with strandedinvestments.

He provided this policy positionduringthecountry’s first Local Content Summit held yesterday at Pegasus Corporate Suites and ConventionCentreunderthe theme, “Sustaining Supplier Development through Local Content Partnerships.” The event was hosted by MBW Support Services, a womenpoweredcompanythatisled by Abbigale LonckeWatson.

The summit brought together policy makers, industry operators and c o n t r a c t o r s , vendors/suppliers, investors andgeneralbusinessesinone forumtobetterunderstandthe roleoflocalcontentasadriver oftheeconomicgrowth

Jagdeo was the keynote speaker and thanked the purpose-driven Guyanese entrepreneur for taking the initiative to host the event. Though, noting that the governmentisnota“bigfan” of summits, he did acknowledgetheimportance of such platforms for

generating deeper conversations about local content which speaks to givingfirstconsiderationfor the use of Guyanese goods andservices.

The Vice President also said that government officials were present at the event to listen and not necessarily divulge details about what plans are being streamlined to channel greater benefits in the oil sectortolocals.

Speaking to the mindset that led to the creation of the soon-to-be-amended Local Content Legislation, Jagdeo s a i d i t w a s t h e administration’s intention to not engage in wholesale copyingofbestpracticesfrom other nations “The law was not one you could take best practicesfromelsewhereand transposethemhereinamajor way into the Local Content Legislation we had to go throughaniteratedprocessto craftapieceoflegislationthat isappropriateforGuyanaand the stage of development for goods,servicesandcapacities here without harming interests of first tier oil companies/contractors and without slowing the momentum,” expressed the VicePresident.

He said it was a careful balancing act that will have to be pursued once again with the update of the law this year The policymaker for Guyana’s oil sector also n o t e d t h a t i f t h e administration is to stay true to its objective to build capacity and grow the economyinthefutureyears, itmusttakedecisivesteps.

“We want to be able to amortise the major investments that they (companies)aremakingnow as a consequence of the Local Content Act; for

example, many of them are putting up buildings to rent andtheyneedtohaveenough businessforabout15yearsto recoupcosts.Sokeepingthat in mind, it mandates the government to operate in a certain manner,” the official said.

He said too that the government cannot operate in a manner that would see international and local investors being left with strandedinvestments.

The Vice President said, “All that we are doing is to sustainthelevel/(momentum) andwewilldosoaggressively and unashamedly to sustain high levels of activity for a minimum of 15 years That means licencing new FPSOs (Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading vessels), consistently encouraging investment, goingout,aswehavedone,to an auction in a manner that could potentially have a minimum of five different investorsinthebasin”

Jagdeo was also keen to note that government is not unmindful of the debate taking place globally about the need to reduce carbon emissionstosavetheplanet. He said the administration subscribes to that philosophy. He stressed however that the transition from fossil fuels to renewableshastobejustand in a sustainable manner He said, unreservedly, that the government will not succumb to the jaundiced calls of certain detractors to shut down the industry In closing, he said government will continue to defend the country’srighttodevelopits resources. The official also called for there to be a deepening of the analytical views that make their way intothemedia.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

A section of the audience at the summit

US Ambassador speaks about threats to their business interests but silent on the plight and abuse to Guyana with Exxon contract-GlennLall

Ag a i n s t t h e background of a recent statement issued by the US Embassy alerting its citizens about threats to their business interests here, Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn has questionedthemotiveofthe advisoryandsurmisedthatit could be as a result of the growing dissatisfaction of Guyanese over the wholesale thievery of this country’s resources by foreigners.

Hesaidtoothatwhilethe embassy has expressed concerns about its people, it remains silent on the disadvantages being meted out to Guyana over the lopsided ExxonMobil contract.

In a statement published on its website last week, the U.S. Embassy said that it is urging US citizens to be on high alert as it has received threats against US interest. While the embassy did not specify what those threats were in the statement, it urgedallitscitizensto“stay alert” and “exercise heightenedcaution.”“Outof anabundanceofcaution,we want to inform U.S. citizens that the embassy has increased security protocols due to receiving threats against U.S. interests,” the US embassy said Vice PresidentBharratJagdeolast Thursdaysaidthatthethreat against US interest in Guyanaisa“seriousmatter” andthatitisgettingallofthe government’sattention.

He too did not disclose the nature of the threats but related that the US Government is also looking into the situation. “I don’t wanttospeakaboutit.Itisa serious matter and we are giving it all of our attention fromtheStateandtheUnited States Government also,” Jagdeosaid.

Meanwhile, speaking on his radio programme; ‘The GlennLallShow’lastFriday Mr Lallsaidhebelievesthat the statement was issued “becausetheyarefeelingthe heat, they are smelling the wrath of you the people out there, listening to these programmesandreadingthe Kaieteur News -isthenaked truthwearebringingtoyour ears and eyes. For too long these foreigners have been doing this thing to us, thieving your bread and butter while you are left to

suck the cane husk with salt on it. How things like this cangoonandanationkeeps calm…” Lall made it clear he had no problem with foreign investors, but he is keen on Guyana getting its fairshare.

Turning his attention to the US Ambassador, Sarah AnnLynch,Lallsaid:“every dayyouguysboastingabout how Guyana is so good and great over your interests, whatisgoodandgreatforthe Guyanese people and their interest? Theyaredrivingin Mercedes Benz, Lexus, BMWs and Audis with our wealth, while some of us can’t even afford to buy a bicycleforyourkidtorideto school or a bus fare to send themtoschool.Howcanthis ever be in this country, the fastest growing economy on earth today? How can this ever be acceptable,” Lall lamented. Hesaidtoooften foreigners have been expressing concerns about their prosperity, their interests and their security

However, he asked: “what happen to the prosperity, security and interests of Guyanese?”

Lall said what the West hasdonetoAfricaandIndia for hundreds of years, they are repeating it here right now“withourrawmaterials, our rich natural resources and we must stay quiet; we must not say anything, becauseifwesaysomething it can be interpreted as a threat to their security and businessinterests.“Henoted thatinequalitycausespeople to live in poverty, which sparks hunger, distress, sickness. Lallaskedwhyso manyGuyanesehavetolive scraping from the bottom of thebarrelandlivewith$600 and $1,000 a day “Is this fair, is this just? How isn’t thatathreattothosecitizens oraretheynothumans?”

Lall said he has seen the atrocities committed by Western countries onAfrica and Asia “How can foreigners come here, suckingthebloodoutofour

bodies, the air out of our lungs,andtellustobehappy, not to be angry, not to react, or should we just roll over andtakeitallin...Ihopethat nothing I speak on the radio or have written in the newspaper is ever considered a threat to anybody’s business interest, because all we want is our fair and rightful share from every foreigner doing business in this country Give us that and we will applaud the work you are doing When everybody benefits, everybody is happy When only one side benefits,thenyouseejumbie all over and I think that is what you people are seeing right now – jumbies,” Lall toldhisaudience.

Lalldrewtotheattention ofhisaudience,thelopsided ExxonMobil contract, reminding listeners that while Guyana is getting 2% royalty from its oil resources, the US oil major was walking away with 98%. “Howcanthiseverbe

fairAmbassadors? How can they walk away with 98% and don’t even pay a single centtaxesinthiscountrytoo, to these hungry and angry citizens of this country who ownthewealth? Howcome there is no secret alert on these high crimes being committed against the business interests of the people of this country, Ambassadors? Tell the nation something in another statement from your Embassyabouttheirinterest and their economic security.”

Lall, a businessman and newspaper publisher demanded: “the people of this country must have their rightful share, whether it is from my efforts or from those of the other Guyanese who are moved into action by the things I stood for and done.Thetideisturningand thepotisboilingandthereis nowayIcanseethesetypes ofheinouscrimescontinuing in this land. I am sorry Ambassadors and High

Commissioners, if I am offending you people, it’s not my intention, all I want for me, my family and the Guyanese people is that our interests are secured with what God Almighty blessed uswith.”

TIMETOEND THEABUSE

Lall said it was time the West ended the abuse of countries like Guyana “Your countries and your people have done enough to we the people and this country and it is time this thing come to an end Ambassadors, High Commissioners, I have a questionforallofyou,what kind of human beings walk intoapoorman’shomeand snatch the little food he has forhisfamilyandleavethem tostarvetodeath…? Weall knowthishasbeengoingon forcenturieswherethewhite world huffed out the black world’s wealth in Africa, snatched out the Indians wealth in India, when they were dumb and didn’t know therealvalueoftheirwealth, come on man, today we know even more than youthe value of our resources, whythepeoplebeingtreated thisway.”

He added: “your interest is threatened, then thievery of our wealth is threatened and got the nerve to tell us thattheirbusinessinterestis threatened-nothingforusis being threatened, we police, soldiers,nursesandallthem public servants, the p e n s i o n e r s a n d schoolchildren, must take whattheygettingandmakea goodlifeoutofit.”

Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch

The United States is concerned about the interest of its citizens in Guyana

Kaieteur News celebrates 29th anniversary as country’s leading newspaper

-RadioStationmarks 4yearsinbroadcast

The Kaieteur newspaperandits sister company, the Kaieteur Radio 99.1 and 99 5 FM on Wednesday April 4, 2023, marked their 29th and 4th anniversary respectively

The occasion was marked with a simple ceremony to show appreciation to its staff and supporters and give away items to members of the public.

Publisher and CEO, Glenn Lall in brief remarks to the gathering noted that the success story of the newspaper and radio is nothingshortofamiracle.

He said, “To survive and besuccessfulinthisbusiness for29yearsisnoeasyfeat.”

Lall noted that, “If someonewouldhavetoldme 29 years ago that a littleboy out of Wakenaam on the Essequibo would have been at the helm of the largest newspaper in this country today, I would have told themthat’sadreambuthereI am today celebrating 29 years…butitwouldnothave been possible without God Almighty.”

Mr Lall said that his familyalsoplaysagreatrole inmakingthenewspaperand radiostationsuccessful.

“Without the help of the Creator, my wife and my daughter, this would have neverbeenpossible.Without thestaff,thecelebrationthat we have here today would have never been possible,” Lallstressed.

He continued: “Most of all I want to thank every Guyanese who continues to support the radio and newspaper throughout the years.”

Former Editor-in-Chief of Kaieteur News, Adam Harris said both Kaieteur newspaper and Kaieteur

Radio have changed the medialandscapeinGuyana.

In his remarks, Harris reflected on the journey of the newspaper which started 29yearsago.

He said that he was invited to work for the newspaper during a casual meetingwithMr Lall.Since then, he noted that the newspaper has grown in popularityandcredibility

“Together, we took this newspaper from the days when Mr Lall used to be standing up outside here literally giving it away to it becoming so popular that everyone wanted to buy To an extent that they would even ‘buse and cuss whenever, we had issues with the press and could not put out the paper,” Harris said.

Meanwhile,inhervoteof thanks, the Publisher’s daughter, Teshawna Lall gave kudos to the staff for their dedicated efforts towards making the radio and newspaper a success story

“We are eternally grateful to the employees of Kaieteur News and Kaieteur Radio...A special thanks to all our sponsors especially Digicel Guyana, that is not onlyasponsorbutamentor,” shesaid.

ShealsothankedMr Lall for his persistence in getting the radio station up and running.

“Yourintroductionofthe most popular programme on the radio…The Glenn Lall Show hascertainlytakenthis station to the next level; we are proud that you are using this medium to inform the nation of all they need to knowaboutthiscountryand its wellbeing,” the younger Lall said in expressing gratitude to the CEO and Publisher

Publisher and CEO of the two media entities, Glenn Lall shares a light moment with his daughter Teshawna Lall and her three children.

IDBGroupappointsLorenaSolórzanoSalazarasGuyanaRepresentative

The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) has appointed Lorena Solórzano Salazar as its Representative in Guyana,effectiveApril1,2023.

Solórzano Salazar, a citizen of Ecuador, holds a master’s degree in business administration from IDE Business School and a degree in business engineering from Espíritu Santo University in Guayaquil, the IDBsaidinapressrelease.

ShehasledtheBank’sCountryOfficein Guyana in an interimcapacitysince October 2021andhasservedaschiefofoperationsin thecountrysinceSeptember2018.

Solórzano Salazar joined the IDB Group in 2009 in the Country Department for CentralAmerica,Haiti,Mexico,Panama,and theDominicanRepublic.Priortohertimein Continued on page 28

Lorena Solórzano Salazar has been appointed IDB Representative in Guyana

Imbamadai minerarrested forunlicensed shotgun

A 35-year-old miner from Omenkie Village, Imbamadai, Region Seven was on Monday arrested by police for being in possession of an unlicensed shotgun.

The miner’s mother tried to protect him from being imprisoned after he went home with the unlicensed shotgun and

encouraged him to hide it in nearbybushes.

However, police workingonatip,visitedthe duo’s home and enquired of thegun

The man’s mother disclosedwherethegunwas h i d d e n f o l l o w i n g questioning by the law enforcementofficials.

Police said that the 12

gauge shotgun was found wrapped-upinaplastic

The woman told police thathersontooktheweapon home at around 06:00h. The 35-year-old man was subsequently found and arrested.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the miner has admitted to having the unlicensedshotgun

The miner’s shot gun

IndigenousgroupinAustraliaopposesgasproject - urges banks to halt funding

SYDNEY,April4(Reuters)-Agroupof Australian Indigenous people has lodged human rights grievances with 12 Australian and international banks urging them to withdraw a US$1 billion loan to Santos Ltd foritsBarossaoffshoregasproject.

Environmental and Indigenous groups havebeencampaigningforyearsagainstthe US$3.6billionprojectoffnorthernAustralia, and a top court order in December asked Santos to consult Indigenous people on the Tiwi Islands about the project’s environmentalplan.

SixTiwi IslandsTraditional Owners and oneLarrakiaTraditionalOwnerfiledhuman rights grievances with 12 Australian and international banks, with the assistance of EquityGenerationLawyers,alawfirmactive in climate-related cases, the group said in a statementtothemedia.

Santos did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The complainants are callingonthebankstopulloutfromtheUS$1 billion (A$1.5 billion) loan to the Barossa project, and not to participate in a proposed loanfortherelatedDarwinLNGproject.The

complaints were sent toAustralia’s top four banks: ANZ , Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank and Westpac. The banks did not immediately respondtoemailedrequestsforcomment.

The complaints were also sent to a numberofoverseasfinancialinstitutionsand export credit agencies in Europe, North America, Japan and South Korea. The complainants said Indigenous people have deepspiritualconnectionstotheTiwiIslands and Larrakiacountry, and theSantos project would disrupt their songlines, sacred sites andculturalpractices.

Santos had to suspend drilling on the Barossa project, which is about 140 km (87

miles)northoftheTiwiIslands,inSeptember after a judge found that an environmental approval was invalid because the company hadnotproperlyconsultedtheMunupiclan. EquityGenerationLawyerssaidithadasked thecomplaints’recipientstorespondbyMay 16.($1=1.4756Australiandollars).

Meanwhile,GuyanaispursuingitsUS$2 billion Gas-to-Energy project that will see naturalgasbeingtransportedonshoreviaa12 inchpipelinetobeusedtogenerateelectricity and produce other products to add to the country’svaluechain.

Citizens here have opposed the project andhavesincefiledlegalproceedingsinthe Continued on page 27

China firmly opposes U.S. arrangement for Tsai Ing-wen's "transit" trip

BEIJING, April 4 (Xinhua) -China firmly opposes the U.S. arrangement for Tsai Ing-wen's "transit" trip to the United States andameetingbetweenherandU.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the third highest-ranking official of the U.S. government, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday

Spokesperson Mao Ning made

theremarksatadailynewsbriefing, noting that it seriously contravenes the one-China principle and provisions in the t h r e e C h i n a - U S j o i n t communiques and gravely undermines China's sovereignty andterritorialintegrity

"We urge the United States to abide by the one-China principle and provisions in the three China-

U.S. joint communiques, not to allow Tsai Ing-wen's 'transit' trip to theUnitedStates,andnottoarrange for any meeting or contact between Tsai and U.S. political figures and officials,"Maosaid.

The Chinese side will closely monitor the situation as it develops and resolutely defend the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, thespokespersonsaid.

Local Government Ministry to spend $171M to build schools in Reg. 4 & 8

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Developmentissettobuild sixnewschoolsinRegions Four and Eight at an estimated cost of $171 million.

According to the recent opening of tenders, the ministry is set to build a nursery school at Chenapou, a primary school at Karisparu, a primary school at Campbeltown, a nursery

school at Kato and a nurseryschoolatKopinang alllocatedinRegionEight. The ministry is slated to build a nursery school at Non Pareil. This year, the education sector was budgeted $94 4 billion from the budget, $12 4 billion which will be used to build these among other schools and education facilities.

B e l o w a re t h e companiesandtheirbids:

MinistryofPublicWorks

Emergency

MinistryofLocalGovernment andRegionalDevelopment

Continued on page 31

Indigenous group in Australia opposes gas...

Frompage24 local High Court challenging the Environmental Permit issued to oil major,ExxonMobil.

On March 27, 2023 two citizens Elizabeth Deane-Hughes and Vanda Radzik through their Lawyers applied to the Court seeking an Order of Certioraritoquashthedecisionmadeby the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to award a permit to Esso Exploration and Production Guyana

Limited (EEPGL) ExxonMobil

Guyana- to undertake the GTE project activities, on the grounds inter alia that the decision was in breach of the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act (Cap. 20:05), and more particularly, the Environmental Protection(Authorisation)Regulations.

The citizens argue that the decision to grant the Permit to Exxon was “unauthorised and contrary to law, in excess of jurisdiction, failure to satisfy

or observe conditions or procedures requiredbylaw,unreasonable,irregular or improper exercise of discretion, abuseofpower,conflictwiththepolicy oftheAct,erroroflaw(and)breachof/ omissiontoperformaduty.”

ThePermitwasgrantedbytheEPA onNovember25,2022.

The two women are being represented by Attorneys-at-Law, MelindaJanki,AbiolaWong-Innissand JoelRoss.

reconstructionof DharamSalaBridge,Region6.

Emergencyreconstructionof#64accessbridge,Region6.

MinistryofAgriculture Supplyanddeliveryofcoconutfibremachines.

ConstructionofSmartHealthCentreatMonRepos.

ConstructionofChenapouNurserySchool.

ConstructionofNon-PareilNurserySchool.

RehabilitationandextensionofTarukaPrimarySchool.

ConstructionofKarisparuPrimarySchool,Potaro.

Re-constructionofProvidenceNurserySchool.

Manslaughter charge for Ogle day care...

From page 13 they murder my daughter, they murder my daughter.”

care does come every day to inspect so there is no need for me to come in,” the mother said.

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According to the woman, herdaughterfellintothecorner of a bed in a sheet which reportedly suffocated her “So, by the time they could havecalledmetocomedown, she had arrived at the Health Center unresponsive. By the time they could havebringhertoGeorgetown Hospital, she was pronounced dead on arrival due to suffocation,” the distraught mother shared.

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“First thing, the day care lady deprive me entrance to see how and where my child reallyfell,tellingmehowchild

Moreover, officials had revealed that while the day care owner had been operating for the past 27 years, the operation was unlicensed.

IDB Group appoints Lorena Solórzano Salazar as Guyana...

From page 22 Guyana, she advised to the Country Department’s regional manager in areas related to portfolio management.

Before joining the IDB Group,sheworkedonvarious export- and investment-promotionstrategiesinherhome country and accumulated experienceinbusinessmanagementandpublic-privatepartnerships.

TOLET

The IDB Group is the leading source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean. It helps to improve lives by providingfinancialsolutions anddevelopmentexpertiseto public-andprivate-sectorclients.

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Audit report on Exxon’s US$1.6B costs not...

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From page 12 Guyana Revenue Authority, he said the Ministry of Natural Resources presented the auditreportonJuly2,2021to Exxon’ssubsidiary He said, “During the periodJuly19,2021toMarch4, 2022,therewereongoingcorrespondences between EEPGL,theMinistryofNatural Resources and IHS. In an effort to conclude the audit, inNovember,2022,theMinistry of Natural Resources reachedouttoGRAtoobtain its no objection to the Cost Audit Report.”

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Venezuela opposition envoy urges Biden to ease oil sanctions

Aljazeera - The new r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f Venezuela'soppositioninthe United States is urging the Biden administration to relax crippling oil sanctions on Nicolas Maduro's government or risk seeing thesocialist-runcountryturn into another Cuba with Washington scapegoated for increasing authoritarianism andeconomichardships.

Fernando Blasi's comments represent a sharp break from the opposition's “maximum pressure campaign” of the past four years when it was relying on theUStomuscleMaduroout ofpower

The failure of that hardline approach led the opposition in January to remove the beleaguered former lawmaker Juan Guaidó from his role as “interimpresident”,atitlehe claimed as head of the National Assembly elected in 2015 – widely considered Venezuela's last democratic vote. The opposition has replaced that arrangement with a more horizontal style of leadership of mostly exiledpoliticians.

“If we continue down this path, Venezuela is destined to be another Cuba,” Blasi said. “It will become an issue for politicians in Florida to win elections That would be an extremely sad destiny for acountry.”

Blasi, 51, discussed the future of US sanctions in recent meetings with mainly Democratic members of Congress, including

Gregory Meeks, the ranking member on the House ForeignAffairsCommittee.

While designated in January as the National Assembly's envoy in the US, he cautioned he does not speak for the opposition Unity Platform as a whole. He acknowledged many of his allies in the opposition coalitionbristleattheideaof rewarding Maduro without upfront commitments to level the playing field ahead of next year's presidential e l e c t i o n T h e B i d e n administration has signalled it is prepared to provide sanctions relief in exchange forconcretestepsbyMaduro such as promising not to ban whatever candidate emerges from opposition primaries laterthisyear

But other than issuing a licence to US multinational Chevron so it could resume limited oil production in Venezuela on a six-month trial basis, it has largely left in place a punishing array of sanctions inherited from the Trump administration, which made forcing regime change in the OPEC nation one of its top foreign policy priorities.Video Duration 24 minutes45seconds24:45

Is western opposition to the rule of Nicolas Maduro fragmenting?

'Timeisrunningout'

Blasi said the pace of sanctions relief is moving too slowly Negotiations in M e x i c o , w h e r e t h e government and opposition were supposed to hammer outconditionsfornextyear's election, have not taken

Loop Caribbean - The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency says law enforcement agencieshaveinterceptedavesselinthe Caribbean Sea transporting 3,051 pounds of cocaine, arresting three noncitizensfromVenezuela.

CBP said the arrests and seizures took place near Palmas de Mar, off Puerto Rico's eastern coast and that the estimated value of the contraband is approximatelyUS$32million.

It said the authorities had located a “lights-out vessel traversing at high speed” and with assistance from a US Coast Guard aircraft, located the vessel 10 miles off the coast of Humacao, PuertoRico.

“Agents intercepted a 'yola' type

place for m o n t h s although informal talks have continuedinCaracas.

He said any easing of sanctions would provide much-needed relief to regularVenezuelansbattered by high inflation and shortages. If Maduro fails to honour his commitments, concessions can be quickly reversed,hesaid.

“Time is running out,” Blasisaid.“Wehavetobegin now with a coherent plan whereby we give something and the government reciprocates to try and generate the best possible scenariofor2024.”

T h e B i d e n administration said with the licence to Chevron it had shown itself willing to provide targeted, timelimitedsanctionsrelief.

The State Department said in an email “the policy of the United States is to calibrate sanctions on the basis of humanitarian need and positive democratic outcomes and always in close coordination with the UnityPlatform”.

Dinorah Figuera, who replaced Guaidó as the face of the 2015 National Assembly, took distance from her envoy's comments, saying they do not represent theoppositionasawhole.

“Pluralism is a value and consensus a necessity to move forward,” she said on Twitter

Unlike many exiled activists in the opposition, who fled possible arrest in Venezuela following anti-

government protests, Blasi left his homeland before Maduro took power in 2013, escapingwhathesaidwasan attempt by security forces to extort his medical services company He settled in Miami where he built a real estatefinancingcompany

He owes his newfound prominence to his affiliation with the New Era party, a political movement centred around his hometown of Maracaibo, the oil hub in western Venezuela governed by Manuel Rosales, who in recent days has also sided withMaduroincallingforan end to the sanctions. New Era is one of four political parties that dominate the sprawling anti-Maduro coalition.

When Guaido was recognised in the US as Venezuela's legitimate leader, Blasi was accredited as Venezuela's economic counselloratitsUSembassy

R e f l e c t i n g t h e opposition's new down-toearth approach, Blasi said he will not be looking to take the title of Venezuela's ambassador in Washington as was the case the past four years.

T h e b u d g e t f o r diplomatic missions approved last month by opposition lawmakers elected to the National Assembly in 2015 was $646,800 – compared with anaverageof$5.8moverthe pastthreeyears.

Still,tooperatelegallyin the US, Blasi and a small team are seeking diplomatic

cover They will also need some sort of official recognition to access the $144m Venezuela's central bank has parked at the US Federal Reserve and which the opposition relies on to finance the so-called Freedom Fund to speed up a politicaltransition.

As part of his outreach in the US, Blasi wants to improve relations with Democrats and ensure continued bipartisan support

for the opposition. He said the Trump administration's u n i q u e e m b r a c e o f Venezuelans' fight for freedom led many in the opposition to rally behind hardline Republican politicians in Florida and sideline the views of Democrats.

“I don't want to do what happened in the past and sympathise with one political party to boycott the effortsoftheother,”hesaid.

Local Government Ministry...

From page 27

vessel near the Palmas del Mar resort. On board, (agents) arrested three men whoclaimedtobeVenezuelannationals and seized 40 bales of suspected contraband,”theGBPsaid.

It added that on March 30, agents intercepted a vessel near Mona Island, off Puerto Rico, with six bales of cocaine and arrested two men from the DominicanRepublic.

...Fernando Blasi's call reflects a sharp break from the opposition's 'maximum pressure' campaign of the past four years

Construction of Campbeltown Primary School.

Construction of Kato Nursery School

Construction of Kopinang Nursery School, Potaro.

Red Thread urges Guyanese to join protest today for better oil deal

Non-profit organization, Red Thread will today be taking to the streets to protest in front of the Office of the President(OP)onVlissengen Road, Georgetown to demand a better deal from oil major,ExxonMobil.

In a brief interview with this newspaper on Tuesday, one of the group members, Joy Marcus said the protest will also be demanding that full liability coverage be put in place to safeguard the ongoing oil and gas activities offshore.

Presently, ExxonMobil through its operator, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) is producing over 400,000 barrels of oil in the Stabroek

Block without full liability coverage, even though this is a requirement in its Permits received to extract the resource.

“We are protesting for ExxonMobil to have full liability coverage so that in the event of any oil spill and so on that we know that will be taken care of and not be left on Guyanese and there are other issues which we have been discussing which includes a better oil deal,” Marcusexplained. She added, “If you are goingtododrillingwhichwe are not really interested in having it done, then do it in a safe and proper way and so thatisamainpriority.”

T h e R e d T h r e a d

representative said all Guyanese should support the protest as the calls being made seek to institute measures that would affect theentirecountry.

T h e p r o t e s t w i l l commenceat12pm.

O n M a r c h 8 , International Women's Day, t h e w o m e n o f t h e organization took to the streets with their placards to demand full liability coverage in front of the President'sOffice.

Just over a dozen women were at the event with placards that read: “Show us the signed insurance documents” and “Who will pay the clean-up cost in case of a disaster? “Guyanese tax

payers?”

One of the leaders of the women's organisation, Wintress White told this newspaper that the members

are “mad” and “furious” that Exxon has been proudly reporting the billions it has been earning thanks to Guyana's resources, while

Donald Trump hauled before court

AP—DonaldTrumpconspired to illegally influence the 2016 election through a series of hush money payments designed to stifle claims that could be harmful to his candidacy, prosecutors said Tuesday in unsealing a historic 34count felony indictment against the formerpresident.

The payments, said Assistant District Attorney Christopher Conroy, were part of “an unlawful plan to identify and suppress negative information that could have undermined his campaign for president.”

Trump, stone-faced and silent as he entered and exited the Manhattan courtroom, said “not guilty” in a firm voice while facing a judge who warned him to refrain from rhetoric that could inflame or causecivilunrest.

The next court date is December4,thoughitisnotclearif hewillberequiredtoappear

The broad contours of the case have long been known, but indictment contains new details aboutaschemethatprosecutorssay involved payoffs to two women, includingapornstar,whosaidthey had extramarital sexual encounters with him years earlier, as well as to a Trump Tower doorman who claimed to have a story about a child he alleged the former presidenthadoutofofwedlock.

The arraignment, though largely procedural in nature, amounts to a remarkable reckoning for Trump after years of investigations into his personal, businessandpoliticaldealings.The case is unfolding against the backdrop not only of his third campaign for the White House but also against other investigations in Washington andAtlanta that might yetproduceevenmorecharges.

Trump, his lips pursed in apparent anger, entered the courtroom shortly before 2:30 p.m.

He left court about an hour later, also without commenting.All told, the typically verbose Trump spoke only about 10 words during the entireproceeding.

Before the arraignment, he narrated his feelings in real time, describing the experience as “SURREAL” as he traveled from Trump Tower to lower Manhattan tofaceajudge.

The day's schedule, with its striking blend of legal and political events, represents the new splitscreen reality for Trump as he submits to the dour demands of the American criminal justice system whileprojectinganauraofdefiance and victimhood at celebratory campaignevents.

Wearing his signature dark suit and red tie, Trump turned and waved to crowds outside the buildingbeforeheadinginsidetobe fingerprinted and processed. He arrived at court in an eight-car motorcade from Trump Tower, communicating in real time his angerattheprocess.

“Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse,” he posted on his Truth Social platform. “Seems so SURREAL — WOW, they are going to ARREST ME Can't believe this is happening in

America.MAGA!”

Afterward, Trump lawyer Todd Blanche told reporters that it was a “saddayforthecountry.”

“You don't expect this to happen to somebody who was president of the United States,” he said.

Trump, who was impeached twice by the U.S. House but was never convicted in the U.S. Senate, is the first former president to face criminal charges. The nation's 45th commander in chief was escorted from Trump Tower to the courthousebytheSecretService.

“He is strong and ready to go,” Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina told The Associated Press. Earlier, Tacopina said in a TV interview that the former president wouldn't plead guilty to lesser charges, even if it might resolve the case. He also said he didn't think the case would makeittoajury.

NewYorkpolicesaidtheywere ready for large protests by Trump supporters, who share the Republican former president's belief that the NewYork grand jury indictment and three additional pending investigations are politically motivated and intended to weaken his bid to retake the White House in 2024. Journalists

often outnumbered protesters, though.

Trump,aformerrealityTVstar, hasbeenhypingthatnarrativetohis political advantage, saying he raised more than $8 million in the dayssincetheindictmentonclaims of a “witch hunt.” His campaign releasedafundraisingrequesttitled “My last email before arrest” and he has repeatedly assailed Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, egged on supporters to protest and claimed without evidence that the judge presiding over the case “hates me” something his own lawyer has said isnottrue.

Trump was scheduled to return to his Palm Beach, Florida, home, Mar-a-Lago, on Tuesday evening to give remarks. At least 500 prominent supporters have been invited, with some of the most proTrump congressional Republicans expectedtoattend.

Aconviction would not prevent Trumpfromrunningfororwinning thepresidencyin2024.

T h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n i s scrutinizing six-figure payments made to porn actor Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Both say they had sexual encounters with the married Trump years before he got into politics Trump denies having sexual liaisons with either woman and has denied any wrongdoing involvingpayments.

The arraignment unfolded against the backdrop of heavy securityinNewYork,comingmore than two years after Trump supporters stormed the U S Capitol in a failed bid to halt the congressional certification of DemocratJoeBiden'swin.

Trump was defiant ahead of his arraignment. He used his social media network to complain that he was going to court in a heavily Democratic area, declaring,

Red Thread members at a recent picket exercise demanding full liability coverage

the nation is yet to make sure a parent company guarantee is secured to cover costs if there were to be a large oil spill.

...pleadsnotguilty to34charges

“KANGAROO COURT” and “THIS IS NOT WHATAMERICA WASSUPPOSEDTOBE!”Heand his campaign have repeatedly assailed Bragg and even trained scrutiny on members of Bragg's family

Despite that, the scenes around Trump Tower and the courthouse where Trump will stand before a judge did not feature major unrest. Police tried to keep apart protesters supporting the former president and those opposing him by confining them to separate sides of a park near the courthouse using metalbarricades.

Georgia Republican Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Trump's staunchest supporters in Congress, staged a brief rally at the park, but the scene was so chaotic that it was hard to hear her over the crushofreportersandprotesters.

“We're the party of peace,” Greene said, thanking those Trump supporters present. “Democrats are communists.”

Embattled Republican New York Rep. George Santos also showed up in solidarity with Trump, saying, “I want to support thepresident.”

“I think this is unprecedented and it's a bad day for democracy,” Santos said, suggesting that future prosecutors could target Biden and other presidents with other cases, which “cheapens the judicial system.”

New York's ability to carry out safe and drama-free courthouse proceedings in a case involving a polarizing ex-president could be an important test case as prosecutors inAtlanta and Washington conduct their own investigations of Trump that could also result in charges. Those investigations concern efforts to undo the 2020 election results as well as the possible mishandling of classified documentsatMar-a-Lago.

Former President Donald Trump arrives at T court in New York [Mary Altaffer/AP Photo]

Young batter Sudharsan leads Gujarat to second win in IPL

AP - Young batter Sai Sudharsanperfectlymadeup for the absence of injured Kane Williamson with an unbeaten half century and led the defending champion Gujarat Titans to an impressive six-wicket win against Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League yesterday

The 21-year-old lefthanded Sudharsan anchored Gujarat's run-chase of 163-4 with 62 not out off 48 balls while filling in Williamson's No 3 spot The New Zealander was ruled out of thetournamentafterinjuring his right knee while fielding during Gujarat's five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kingsintheopeninggame. Delhi faltered with the batforthesecondtimeinthe tournament as it got

restricted at 162-8 with Rashid Khan (3-31), Mohammed Shami (3-41) and Alzarri Joseph (2-29) striking with regular intervals.

"He (Sudharsan) has been batting beautifully,” said Gujarat skipper Hardik Pandya. “You can see the fruit of his hard work. In two years he will do something big in franchise cricket and hopefullyforIndia.”

The express pace of Anrich Nortje (2-39), playing his first game of the season, briefly rattled the defending champions when the South African fast bowler clean bowled both openers Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill and then captain Hardik Pandya edged fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed as Gujarat lost three

wickets inside the batting powerplay

Sudharsan then revived the chase by featuring in two half century stands as he added 53 runs with Vijay Shankar (29) and then contributed a further 56 with David Miller, who made a rapid unbeaten 31 off just 16 balls as Gujarat romped homewith11ballstospare.

Earlier, Delhi's struggles at the top-order continued for the second successive game with Shami getting early wickets of Prithvi Shaw and Mitchell Marsh in hissuccessiveovers.

Captain David Warner (37) played onto Joseph's 145.5 kph delivery when he tried to cut the West Indian fastbowler,whowasonahat trick when he beat Rilee Rossouw with another sharp

Wednesday April 05, 2023

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19

Aries, you're likely to be givingalotofthoughttoyour future You're probably wondering how best to increase your financial standing.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20)

If communication has been difficult for you in the past, Taurus, today you may find thingsabitdifferent Youmay have a deeper understanding ofthemotives.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Inside information may come your way today that starts you thinking about improving your financial standing, Gemini. You might hearofcareerandinvestment opportunities that you've neverconsideredbefore.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

You could meet new friends at a social gathering, Cancer, people who could become valuablebusinesscontacts.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

You're by nature a person who likes to look toward the future.Todayisaveryspecial day for you You might wonder what the next few monthshold,Leo.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

Today your spiritual and career goals may come together, Virgo, enabling you to make a living without compromising your ideals. New opportunities may come yourwaytomakenewfriends.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Libra, you're looking forward to making a new start Your intellect is working in harmony with your intuition. Your mind is clearerandmorefocused

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

The position of the planets could have you doing a lot of soul searching, Scorpio You'relookingdeepwithinto discern your true goals. You mightbepleasantlysurprised bywhatyoufind.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Today you might take time out from all the recent excitement to take a good look at your working life, Sagittarius.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Increased communication between you and those around you, particularly the partner in your life, brings a new understanding between you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)

Planstoworkathomeatleast part of the time might be firmingupforyou,Aquarius. Your mind is very much on homeandfamilyrightnow

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Information about possible careers and investments might come to your attention today,Pisces.Youmaygivea lot of thought to these matters,especiallysinceyour thinking is changing along withthetimes.

short delivery first up and was well caught by a diving RahulTewatiaatpoint.

“Losing wickets in the powerplay can be a struggle,” Warner said. “We

have got six more games hereandanticipatetheswing upfront They bowled extremely well. We were in the game but Sai batted extremely well and David Millertookitaway.”

Rashidsqueezedtheruns in the middle overs with his sharp leg breaks and googlies as Safaraz Khan labored for 34 deliveries in making30beforetop-edging a sweep against the legspinnerinthe17thover Axar Patel tried to accelerate in the death overs by smashing three sixes and two fours before falling to Shami in the last over after scoring36off22balls.

Scores: Gujarat Titans 163 for 4 (Sudharsan 62*, Nortje 2-39) beat Delhi Capitals 162 for 8 (Warner 37, Rashid 3-31, Shami 3-41, Joseph 2-29) by six wickets.

Fulham's Mitrovic...

From page 36 said he regretted the incident, has also been fined a total of £40,000 after the FA said his post-match comments questionedtheintegrityofthe matchofficials.

In the aftermath of the loss, Silva said it was "difficult to understand" why K a v a n a g h h a d b e e n appointed to the fixture, accusing the referee of making mistakes during a priordefeatatWestHam.

There could be more bad news to come for Fulham, however, with the FA outlining an intention to appeal the sanctions in a bid toincreasetheirseverity

In a statement, the governing body said: "Our current intention is to appeal both sanctions, however, we will await the written reasons before confirming our final position."

Gujarat Titans Rashid Khan, center, celebrates the wicket center of Delhi Capitals' Abishek Porel during the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans in New Delhi, India, T Tuesday, April 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Westside Golf Course Opens in Grand Style

Thefirstgolfcourse in Region Three opened to the public on Saturday April 1 anditcertainlywasnojokeas dozens of players, special invitees and officials came out for a first look at the innovative design by Aleem Hussain.

T h e p r o j e c t i s a partnership with Nexgen Golf and the Ronald Sami familyfromVreed-en-Hoop.

High Commissioner of India Dr K. J. Srinivasa,

Speaker of the House Hon. Manzoor Nadir, Vice Chairman of Region 3 Omesh Satyanand, Honorary Consul to MalaysiaVic Odit, PresidentofRegion3Private Sector Halim Khan and former Guyana Open Champion Avinda Kishore all spoke glowingly about Guyana's newest golf course and the growth of the sport overthepastfewyears. His Excellency Dr K. J. Srinivasa pointed out, "Golf has the potential to change

the sports landscape in Guyana and I praise the efforts ofAleem and Nexgen Golftodate.

W h a t t h e y h a v e a c c o m p l i s h e d i s unimaginable and kudos to theentireteam."

Vice Chairman, speaking on behalf of Regional Chairman Inshan Ayube talked about the growth Region Three is achieving

Ukrainian city mourns champion kickboxer killed fighting Russian troops

IVANO-FRANKIVSK,

Ukraine, (Reuters)Hundreds of residents of the Ukrainian city of IvanoFrankivsk turned out to mourn four-times world kickboxing champion Vitalii Merinov after he was killed in action fighting Russian troops.

Merinov, 32, died in a hospital last week after he was wounded in the eastern region of Luhansk, claimed and partially controlled by Russia.

The Ukrainian flag was draped over his coffin as it was carried out of the church on Monday."To the hero of Ukraine, Vitalii Merinov, three-timesglory,"hisfriend, Taras Mstyslav, said, with mourners calling out "Glory, glory,glory!"inresponse.

Citizens knelt on the street during the funeral procession, holding Ukrainian flags, while others threwflowers."Hewasavery active person, " said Merinov's godfather, who goes by the call-sign "Boriusyk". "I am not saying itbecausehewasmygodson,

but because he helped everyone: the children, the people, the needy ones. I am speechless...

"Unfortunately, the enemytakesthebest."

Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year in what it called a "special military operation" to "denazify" its neighbour. Ukraine and Western nations have dismissed this as a baseless pretextforwar.

Merinov's mother and

and impact the golf course will have on tourism for the localbusinesses.

"We have seen the commitment and energy put into this project and our full support will continue to be behindthisproject."

Students from 7 Mile Secondary school in Bartica traveled to the new course to practice for their upcoming CSEC examinations and

listened intently as the speakers promoted the benefits of participating in golf.

The opening was sponsored by Banks DIH, Aracari Resorts, Guyana Beverages, Praetorian ExecutiveSecurity,Sunshine Snacks, Toolsie Persaud Ltd, Oddesey Tours, Blue Waters, Party Castle, M Arjune Construction, SaleemaJack,

Fulham's Mitrovic handed eight-match ban after pushing referee in

Aleena and Bill Knight, Nexgen Golf Academy and the Shafura Hussain Foundation.

The facility will be open for regular play just after the Easter Monday celebration when families will be able to come to the course to picnic, fly kites, fish, play other sports in a safe environment. For reservations, call 6450944.

Aleksandar Mitrovic has been handed an eight-match ban after pushing referee Chris Kavanagh.

Old Trafford defeat referee in Old

wife were in tears at the funeral, as were several mourners, while his twoyear-old daughter Leia bid farewell to his portrait held aloftinthechurch.

“Youcanseeforyourself, thousands of IvanoFrankivsk residents came to say farewell to him," Mstyslav said at the cemetery "This is the indicator that he loved people and the people loved him."

SportsMax - Aleksandar Mitrovic has been handed an eight-match ban after pushing referee Chris Kavanagh during Fulham's FA Cup defeat at Manchester Unitedlastmonth.

Mitrovic was sent off for pushing Kavanagh after the official dismissed his Fulham team-mate Willian for handball during the second half of their 3-1 quarterfinaldefeatatOldTrafford.

The Serbia international subsequently apologised for his actions, though he always appeared likely to receive an extended ban after the Football Association (FA) said a three-match suspension was "clearly insufficient".

Mitrovic was subsequently charged with violent conduct, as well as with using "improper, abusive, insulting and

threatening"languagetowardsKavanagh.

Following a hearing by an independent regulatory commission, it was revealed Mitrovicwould be banned for a totalof eight matches on Tuesday, with the striker also receivinga£75,000fine.

Mitrovic missed Saturday's Premier League defeat at Bournemouth through suspension, meaning he must sit out seven further games and will next be available when the Cottagers face Southampton on May13.

Fulham's head coach Marco Silva was also shown a red card during the defeat to United, and he will serve a two-game touchline ban after being charged with improper conduct and using "abusive and insulting"language.Silva,whosubsequently (Continued on page 35)

Aleem Hussain (L) and speaker of the house Manzoor Nadir.

High Commissioner of India, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa, Vice Chairman of Region Three, Vic Oditt, Special Invitees and Students from Bartica join Hussain at the historic golf course opening in Region Three.

Wife Vita and brother Serhii react next to a coffin with the body of Vitalii Merinov, the four-time world kickboxing champion and Ukrainian serviceman. (REUTERS/Yuriy Rylchuk)

2023 Milo U18 Schools Football Championship… Round-of-16 fixtures revealed, UnfoldsApril 8-9 at MoE Ground

The organising team of the Nestlé-sponsored Milo Under-18 Schools Football Championship, Petra, officially released the Round-of-16 stage's fixtures onMonday,aheadofitskick off this weekend at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

On Saturday, April 8, Patentia and Ann's Grove contest the first match of the knockout round from 11:00hrs then Charlestown and Bartica collide in the encounter that follows from 13:00hrs.

Match three pits Chase's Academic Foundation (CAF) against New Central High at 15:00hrs while the day culminates with the defending champion, Christianburg/Wismar S e c o n d a r y ( C W S ) , attempting once more to keeptheircampaignflawless as they lock horns with Dolphin Secondary from 17:00hrs.

The following day, Saturday, April 9, the action continues at the same venue with the first match between Cummings Lodge and East Ruimveldt getting underway th at 11:00hrs while 8 of May tackle Santa Rosa in the second match from 13:00hrs.

The penultimate match of this round features Mackenzie High School and West Ruimveldt, with the kick off time scheduled at 15:00hrs and the final team toqualifyforthequarterfinal round will be the winner of the Westminster versus Carmel showdown, which commencesat17:00hrs.

This past weekend, the third round was contested at the MoE and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Grounds, where a total of 15 matches unfolded. The first match of third round took place the previous weekend between Santa Rosa and St StanislausCollege.

Group stage final standings…

Petra's ninth edition of thetournamentkickedoffon February 25 and has seen a total of 255 goals being scored from the 48 matches intheGroupstage.

After three rounds, which marked the end of the eight-group Round-robin stage, 16 teams advanced (top two teams) while 16

Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) calls horse owners meeting to help streamline sport

Not pleased with how the sport of horseracing is being conducted in the country, the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) is prepared to lend a helping hand in helping to streamlinethesport.

also be made to have the horse owners form a Horse Owners Association to look after the owners' interest, especiallysmallowners.

teams painstakingly found the exit (bottom two finishers).

CAF and Carmel finished on top of Group A with seven points each from two wins a draw to both teams' account, but CAF gained the edge from a superior Goal Difference (GD) of +23 while the latter ended with +9. Dora was thirdwiththreepointsfroma win a two losses and Bygeval suffered three consecutive losses and endedwithoutpoints.

East Ruimveldt topped Group B with nine points fromthreeconsecutivewins, Bartica finished second with two wins and a loss to tally six points while Bush Lot (12) and Marian Academy (15) were third and fourth, respectively, on one point each Westminster tallied nine points to top Group C, New Central High (0) and Charity(-1)weresecondand

thirdafterbothaccumulating a win, a draw and a loss to end on four points each as Annandale came in last with threedefeats.

Group D's winner was th CWS with nine points, 8 of May finished second with sixpointsfromtwowinsand a loss, Vryman's Erven was third with three points while West Demerara's campaign wascompletedwithoutthem gettingontheboard.

Mackenzie High topped Group E with nine points, Patentia (2W, 1L) finished second with six points, President'sCollege(1W,2L) was third with three points and North Ruimveldt (3L) faced three defeats to end in fourth.

Ann's Grove (9 points) and West Ruimveldt (6 points) were the top two finishers in Group F while Vergenoegen (3 points) and Queen's College (0 points) finishedbelowpar

InGroupG,Charlestown (+5) and Cummings Lodge (-2)finishedfirstandsecond on six points each, respectively, while Berbice Educational Institute (-1) and St Cuthbert's Mission (2) occupied the bottom two slots.

S a n t a R o s a ( 7 ) comfortably won Group H with seven points ahead of Dolphin (4 points), St Stanislaus College (-3) and New Amsterdam (-16), who both claimed three points each.

This tournament is sponsored by Nestlé through their Milo brand, sanctioned by the MoE and supported by MASSY Distribution, MVP Sports, Guyana Industrial Minerals Inc

(GINMIN), General Equipment Guyana Ltd

(GENEQUIP), Farm Supplies Ltd (FARMSUP), Yellow Steel Inc and WestzydeMarineInc.

The club which is situated at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice, will be holding an important meetingforallhorseowners in the country The meeting th is set for Saturday 8 April beginning at 10:00 hrs at the clubs facilities at the above address.

The (KMTC), which is one of the premiere horse racing entities in the country, undoubtedly has the best facilities among the horseracing tracks in Guyana.

The club is led by Honorary President Mrs Chan Kennard who took over the reins of the Club from her late husband Retired Chancellor, Justice CecilKennard.

The main purpose of the meeting is for horse owners to have a voice. To share their ideas and speak up on how the sport is being administered and how it could improve. Efforts will

Another topic will be to educate the owners on how to care groom and train their horses.Horse owners will also have an opportunity to look at the classification of horses, how it is done and whatcouldbedoneaboutit.

Those attending the meetingwillbeassistedwith a 10 pounds bag of minerals f o r t h e i r h o r s e s , compliments ofThe CEO of the club Basil Bactowar and the KMTC. They will also be educated on the usage, importance and value of mineralsfortheanimals.

Snacks will also be providedatthemeeting.

The other Directors of the club are Pastor Quesi Henry, Walter Bagot, Ivan Dipnarine, Anil Ganesh, Ramesh Persaud, Earl Harvey, Therbhuwan Jagdeo, Fazil Younas and IsaacDalloo.

According to Mrs Kennard the club will try to maintainitsdignityandstick to the rules and help small owners as much as possible.

(SamuelWhyte)

Petra Organisation also launched their Volunteerism programme, which will assist in the smoother hosting of events.

Yellow Steel Inc. provided branded uniforms kits for two of the 16 teams in the knockout stage.

Yunes overall winner of Robert Birthday Tournament title -Threegolftournamentssetforthisweekend

On Saturday last, the Lusignan Golf Club hosted the Robert Birthday Tournament as many of Guyana's top golfers graced the course with their presence, but, it was Miguel Yunes who surpassed everyone to take the title. Hilbert Shields was also victorious in the 17-36 Flights.

Speaking on behalf of the golf club was Secretary Chet Bowling who noted that the tournament was fantastic. He relayed that course played well and while there was a large turnout, there was healthy competition among theplayers.

AsitpertainstotheEaster weekend, Bowling said, "This weekend is a big weekend, golf continues. We have the Easter Saturday

tournament hosted by Brusters and then on Easter Sunday we have a barbecue and golf tournament hosted

by Romel and Robin, so that is going to be a lot of fun. Then on Monday and Tuesday we are going to be

flying kites at the golf club, so,comeout,bringthefamily and let's enjoy these action packeddays."

Hanoman, since he becameacquaintedwithgolf, has remained committed to the game that he has been playing for more than 20 years Over the years, H a n o m a n h a s m a d e significant and outstanding contributions to the LGC.

Counsel Hanoman has provided legal guidance and direction continuously, in addition to consistent and v o l u n t a r y f i n a n c i a l assistance by means of sponsorships and other areas ofclubdevelopment.

The results for the Stableford tournament are asfollows:

0-16Flights

1st- Miguel Yunes HC 15,

Points37

2nd- Shanella London HC

10,Points37

17-36Flights

1st- Hilbert Shields HC 19,

Points36

2nd- Maurice Deo HC 28,

Points34

Over all best net - Miguel

Yunes37Points

Nearesttopin-LoakPunit

Longest Drive - Shanella London

RisingSunSportswinNorbertAlphonso/HassanRahimT/20Memorialtitle-2023

A large and vocal crowd at the Picturesque Teneze Ferme Sports Club Ground, Lower Pomeroon River on Sunday April 2, 2023, witnessed Rising Sun Sports Club ease their way to an 81 run victory against host Teneze Ferme Progressors to emerge champions of the NorbertAlphonso & Hassan Rahim T/20 Memorial cricket competition.

Play in the highly anticipated match was delayed due to rain which left the cricket outfield wet. The match eventually got going sometime after 2 pm and was reducedto15oversperside.

Rising Sun upon winning the toss batted first. Brian Narine who openedthebattingwasbowledfirst ballofthematchbyRenaldoHenry who opened the bowling for his team. Runs initially were difficult to score as the Teneze Ferme Progressors bowlers kept shining with excellent and accurate bowling Occasionally the odd boundary was hit to sustain the momentumofRisingSuninnings.

An acceleration was needed which came with a 73 run partnership between Nathan Persaud 23 (3x4s), and Neiland Cadogan 76 (8x6s & 3x4s) that put Rising Sun to 146 for 8 from their 15overs.

Constant line and length from skipper Renaldo Henry and Dan Nelson earned them two wickets each Teneze Ferme Progressors begin their run chase disastrously, losing their first wicket, Carlos Matthias without scoring in the very first over Their innings never got going as they lost wickets at

regular intervals They were eventuallybowledoutforamere65 in 19.4 over with their number 9 batsman Junior 18 (1x6 & 2x4s) being the only batsman to reach doublefigures.

Impressive figures from right armspinnerSanjeevRamdeen4-10 (4) and Edward Melville 4-17 (3) overs combined to seize the opportunity and the title to Rising SunSports.

At the presentation, the winner received $100,000 and a trophy, while the runner-up received $60,000 and a trophy, Third and

Fourth place also received cash incentives.

Man of the Match in the final was Neiland Cadogan for his blistering 76 off 38 balls. He received a trophy and cash incentive,whileMukeshSinghand Wayne Narine receive cash incentives and trophies for player ofthetournamentandbatsmanwith the most runs in the tournament respectively The winning and runner-up teams also received medals.

Meanwhile, Ernesto DeMattos, President of the Pomeroon Cricket

Committee, during his brief remarks, thanked the sponsor Mr Alfro Alphonso and Sons for coming on board to continue sponsoring the competition

According to Mr DeMattos, Mr Alfro Alphonso is a sports enthusiasts, and is a lover of the game he also played. “Mr Alfro Alphonso has been one of the backbones for Pomeroon cricket for a very long time, Mr DeMattos added". He went on to thanked the nine teams, while expressing his satisfaction with the competition nature and good sportsmanship the

showcase during the tournament andthefinal.

Meanwhile, Mr Eric Gomes, General Manager of the Alfro Alphonso Group, said the competition was played in memory of the late Norbert Alphonso & Hassan Rahim, father and fatherin-law of business tycoon Alfro Alphonso, whose company sponsoredthetournament.

Vi s i t o r s a l o n g w i t h representatives from the Pomeroon Cricket Committee were present to witness and enjoy an entertaining dayofcricketinthePomeroon.

The Winners' row.

Miguel Yunes (left), the overall winner, was congratulated by the host, Robert Hanoman.

Rising Sun Sports Club eased their way to an 81 run victory against host Teneze Ferme Progressors.

Fund Raising Horserace Meet and Gymkhana in aid of Brighton Park Resuscitation R

The Nand Persaud

G r o u p o f

C o m p a n i e s (NPGC),throughitsSkyPlus Incorporated Promotion Group and the Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee (MJVC) will be holding a fund raising Fund day on SundayApril16,2023.

The activity which was previously postponed will be held in the form of a horserace meet and

Gymkhana at the Company's race course, No 36 Village, M a c e d o n i a E s t a t e , Corentyne,Berbice.

Proceeds from the venture will go towards the resuscitation of the once popular Brighton Park Race track and Sports Facility, situated at Brighton Village, CorentyneBerbice.

According to a release from the organizers' the activity will be one of the

GDF, Fruta Conquerors promise entertaining MVP Sports Women's Football finale tonight

Th e G u y a n a F o o t b a l l Federation (GFF)

Women's Development Football League Playoff finals, set for April 5, between Fruta Conquerors Football Club and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), promises to be a momentous game at the Eve LearySportsGround.

The championship match willbeheldat8pm,whilethe third place game will be held at6p.m.

At a press conference yesterday at the MVP Sports' Giftland Mall location, GDF centre back, Cloetta Dublin, saidherteamhastrainedhard forthefinalgame.

Fruta Conquerors' defender,FayonHarry,added that they are hopeful “all our hard work pays off tomorrow.”

On March 30, Fruta Conquerors FC defeated Pakuri Jaguars FC 8-2, with five spectacular goals from Jalade Trim (21st, 35th, 51st, 67th, 70th), two from Jessica Teasdale (29th, 62nd) and ShanicThornhill's goal in the 32ndminuteofthematch.

Fruta Conquerors FC and the GDF emerged from a tough group of 12 clubs to secure their spots in the much-anticipated playoff final.

Guyana Defence Force defeated old rivals the Guyana Police Force Football Club 1 – 0, with the lone goal coming from Glendy Lewis, sixteen minutes into the first half of thematch.

At the press conference,

largest gymkhana event in the region This will be second such gymkhana activity hosted by the MJVC group.

The first which was held last November was a major success.

The event is expected to attract dozens of owners of horses and thousands of horseracingfansfromacross thecountry

The day's programme is being finalized, but so far a number of gala events are on the cards for the entire family Fans are expected to witness and participate in horse and donkey racing, catching the Greasy Pig, climbing the greasy pole and manymore.

There will also be trampolines and Bouncy Castle and other events to entertainthechildren.

Outstanding participants will be presented with cash andtrophiescomplimentsof theorganizers.

The over 80 years old Brighton Park Facilities was once a mecca for sporting activities in the Central and UpperCorentyneareas.

Itisnowinadilapidated state and the Nand Persaud Group of Companies along with some former and present residents have taken the initiative to have the facilityresuscitated.

When the facility is completeditisexpectedtobe recreation center with a top

of the line horse race track, with facilities for cricket, basketball, Athletics, lawn tennis, volleyball among othersportingactivities.

The facilities are

expected to accommodate over 4000 residents, especially those from the M a c e d o n i a J o p p a Communities.

(SamuelWhyte)

GCB/GOG/MCYSUnder-19BoysInter-ClubSuper-50Tournament…

GFF Technical Director (ag)

Bryan Joseph said that the league was organized to ensure women in football have real opportunities on andoffthepitch.

The GFF Women's Development Football League Playoff, sponsored by MVPSports, kicked off in March this year with clubs Fruta Conquerors FC, Guyana Police Force FC, Guyana Defence Force FC, Pakuri Jaguars FC, Bartica All Stars FC, Potaro Strikers FC, Essequibo All Stars FC, Foxy Ladies FC, Milerock FC, Coomacka FC, New Amsterdam United FC and SantosFC.

The league was launched in June 2022 with 37 teams from across Guyana to give playersthemuchneededtime onthepitchtoshowcasetheir skillsinordertobechosenfor national programmes and to s e c u r e f o o t b a l l i n g scholarship opportunities outsideofGuyana.

M V P S p o r t s representative Selvin Apple noted that the company understands “our social responsibility when it comes to dealing with soccer in the country OurChiefExecutive Officer is always passionate about sponsoring football events ”Women's Football Association(WFA)President Andrea Johnson again congratulated the Guyana Defence Force FC and Fruta Conquerors FC for booking their place in the final and noted that Guyana has seen a high level of talent in women's football over the lastfewweeks.

Wins for Cotton Tree Die Hard CC and Tucber Park CC Berbice highlight

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Government of Guyana (GOG) Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), Under-19 Boys Inter-Club Super-50 Tournament 2023, continued on Monday, April 3, 2023, with recorded wins for Cotton Tree Die Hard Cricket Club and Tucber Park Cricket Club. The Demerara stage of the Tournament commencedyesterday

SummaryScores: Cotton Tree Die Hard beat Bath U19by194runs

Afterpostingadaunting270-6from their full allotment of 50 overs, it was an easy win after Bath could barely muster66-10in21overs.

CottonTree was indebted to opener

TravisDookharanwhoscored74while middle-order batsman Veer Farahd blasted 66 off 37 with 4 fours and 5 sixes.

Two respective 3 wicket hauls from the Cotton Tree pair of Arun Jaikaran andShoaibGaffurwereenoughtohand theirteamacomprehensivewin. Tucber Park beat Guymine by 130runs

Tomani Ceasar scored a valiant 54 at the top, with identical scores of 22 from national batsman Zynul RamsammyandThierryHenry DerojDejongegrabbed3-17tolead histeam'sbowlinginalosingeffort. In reply,Guymineweresteamrolledfor72 afterabrilliantspellfromGavinKisten who bagged 5-16 with Carley Dejonge chippinginwith3wickets.Just20runs from Shaquan Benjamin highlighted theinningsforTucberPark.

Today, Wednesday, April 5, 2023, the Malteenoes Sports Club will do battle with theAgricola Cricket Club at theQueensCollegeground.

Round-three of the Demerara matches of the GCB/GOG/MCYS Under-19 Boys Inter-County Super-50 Tournament, 2023, is termed the Qualifying Round. This round will generally be played on Thursday,April 6, 2023. However, today, at the Transport Sports Club, the Qualifier-5 matchwillhavethewinnerofthematch Transport Sports Club versus GT ONENEXT X1, opposing the DemeraraCricketClub.

The other Round-three Qualifying matches are the Qualifier-1 match, that is, the winner of Bel-Air Rubis U19 versus Enterprise, competing against the winner of the match Lusignan Cricket Club versus Buxton Cricket

Club, at the Lusignan Community Centreground.

TheQualifier-4matchwillhavethe winner of the Malteenoes Sports Club versusAgricola Cricket Club opposing the Georgetown Cricket Club. The Qualifier-3 team will be the winners of the Round-2 match, that is, the match Everest Cricket Club versus the MuslimYouthOrganization(MYO),as determinedbythehelddraw

On Saturday, April 8, 2023, the team of Qualifier-3 will oppose the winner of Qualifier-5, at the Queens College ground, and the Winner of Qualifier-4 will compete against the winner of Qualifier-1, at the Transport Sports Club ground. The winner of the Qullalifier-2 match drew the bye to the final,asdeterminedinthehelddrawfor theDemerarastageoftheTournament.

Tomanni Caesar

Gavin Kisten

The old track and pavilion in the back ground at Brighton Park.

Gold Body by Cosmetics BW and Travellers Sound chip in KaresCrossFitCaribbeanChampionship...

Corporate support continues to be had from a number of entities as time draws near for the ultimate fitness showdown in Guyana, comeApril 15th and 16th, the Kares CrossFit Caribbean Championships.GoldBodyby Cosmetics BW, a company that is committed to bringing the best beauty industry trends to Guyana, and to its customers have made a contribution towards the hosting of this year's event which will showcaseathletesfromsixnations, includingthehost.

Ms. Camille Da Cunha, Executive Director of Gold Body by Cosmetics BW made the presentation to Kares CrossFit Organising Committee Member, Ms Mary Fung-A-Fat Ms Da Cunha said that the company wasveryhappytobeonboardwith the organisers for the first time and they are looking forward to the experience of being a part of an eventofthisnature.

“We at Gold Body by Cosmetics BW are committed to excellence and there is no

hesitation in being on board with the Kares CrossFit Caribbean Championship. We are aware that only the best athletes from each of the competing nations will be on showandwearelookingforwardto some exciting duals over the two daysofrivalry.”

Also on board for the first time

isTravellersSoundwhichwilllend a professional sound to proceedings at the National Park. Owner of Travellers Sound, Mr Leonard Shim shared that his company was more than elated to be partnering with the Kares

CrossFit Caribbean Championship crew to ensure that a quality sound is enjoyed by the patrons and, athletes as well as by Host Tameka Marshall and her Assistant, Coel

M a r k s

The Kares CrossFit Caribbean Championship will be held at the National Aquatic Centre and the NationalParkonSaturday,April15

Berbice Volleyball teams return after suffering mixed results in neighbouring Suriname

Amaleandfemale volleyball team from Berbice returned home over the weekend after suffering m i x e d f o r t u n e s i n neighbouringSuriname.

The Port Mourant Training Centre male team (PMTC) were dominant winning all three of their matches while the female Academy Contingent suffered losses in their encounters.

According to a release from the BVA the two teams participated in the border games, which was held in Nickerie,Suriname.

The event was held at the JOPO Centrum Paradise facility in Nickerie, Suriname from Friday 31st

MarchtoSunday2ndApril.

The PMTC males were dominant in their three encounters as they brushed aside their opponents by similar3-0scores.

In their first match on Friday evening they made light work Titans with a 2510, 25-18 and 25-14 win. Similar results came on Saturday night as they defeated Spikers 25- 21, 2520 and 25-15. The PMTC contingent brought the curtains down on Sunday evening against Team Logic with a 25-12, 25-17 and 2520victory

The Academy females wereupagainstitastheylost their first game on Friday evening to Infinity 25-15, 25-17. The second game on

Sunday evening saw them putting up a better showing before going down 25- 22 and25-19.

The winning and runner up teams were presented withtheirrespectivetrophies attheendofthetournament. The activity was organized by Mr Bano Anthony who was lauded for the planning, execution and success of the first ever historic activity of this nature.

ThepresidentoftheGVF also lauded the BVA for taking up the initiative and mentioned his expectations that same can be opened to otherclubsinGuyana.

The BVA looks forward to continue the initiative. (SamuelWhyte)

The Guyana Contingent PMTC Males and Academy Females.

Ms. Camille Da Cunha, Executive Director of Gold Body shakes hands with Kares CrossFit Caribbean Committee Member, Ms. Mary Fung-A-Fat after sealing the deal.

Jamie McDonald (left) of the Kares CrossFit Caribbean Organising Committee and Mr. Leonard Shim, exchange pleasantries after signing off on the sponsorship

Banks DIH officially powers up Bartica Easter Regatta

The long-standing associationbetweenbeverage giant Banks DIH and the community of Bartica was renewed when the company, through three of its major brands,BanksBeer,GTBeer, and Guinness inked a new dealwiththeorganisersofthe Bartica Easter Regatta 2023, held under the theme, 'We Outside.'

The Branch Manager of the company's Bartica location, Mr Keron Savory confirmed the commitment when he met withthe Regional Chairman and Head of the Regatta Committee, Mr Kenneth Williams, on Tuesday at the Regional Office.

Williams said that the Committee was elated to continue the long and very fruitful relationship with Banks DIH which has always been supportive of activities that empower the community in sports and positive social activities.

“ T h i s c o n t i n u e d commitment from Banks underpins their commitment

to fulfill their corporate and social responsibilities towards the continued upliftment of Bartica and by extension, Guyana. So, on behalf of the Bartica Easter R e g a t t a O rg a n i s i n g Committee,andbyextension, all the communities of this Region, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Management and staff of Banks DIH Bartica Branch and the Banks DIH family at ThirstPark.”

Williams noted that this year's Regatta continues to focusontheempowermentof the community by affording persons the opportunity to compete in multiple sporting and social events. He also noted that, from a financial perspective, members of the community will have the opportunity to earn in every sector

Responding on behalf of the Banks DIH, Mr Savory posited that his company is justmaintainingitsobligation towards building the community, and Regatta, is o n e s u c h m e d i u m

Tournamentkick-offsetforSaturday

The Kashif and Shanghai Organisation's One Guyana Futsal Championship decided its 32 teams that will compete in the April – May 20 event, followingtheconclusionofits Play-In tournament on Tuesday.

Timehri Ballers defeated Vryheid's Lust 6 –2 and will now play in Group F with Stabroek Ballers, Wismar All-Stars and Bagotstown.

Sophia won 2 – 1 over Festival City to join Group H Bent Street, Albouystown and Avocado Ballers, while Thomas United marched into GroupA alongside Sparta Boss, Future Stars and NA United, after defeatingFootSteppers4–2.

Kingston booked their spot in Group G to play LeopoldStreet,Showstoppers and North East, since their opponents on Monday, Gold Shot,failedtoshow-up.

Paradise Invaders

outclassed Ramsay Clan 3 – 0 and will move into Group C with Tiger Bay, McKenzie

“This activity no doubt is the biggestonthecalendarevents here, and it is a multi-faceted one with varying activities where persons have choices. We will continue to play our part and we look forward to patrons, visitors, and members of the community continuing to support our products so that we can continuetomaintainandeven improve our commitment, to you.”

All-Stars and Pouderoyen Brothers.

Foot Steppers, despite their defeat, will play in the tournament's Main Draw in Group B with Gold is Money, Beterverwagting (BV) and Melanie.

Back Circle, Ven-Guy, A l e x a n d e r

Village and

Kitty are in Group D, while Group E brings together Road Warriors, Kitty

S p a n i s h , California Square

a n d B a l l e r s Empire.

T h e O n e Guyana Futsal tournament will carry a first-place prize of $1M, compliments of

Mohamed's Enterprise

Second-place team will pocket $500,000, while $200,000 and $100,000 will go to the teams finishing third andfourthrespectively

The lucrative tournament willseethesecond-placeteam

with $500,000, while

$200,000 and $100,000 will go to the teams finishing third andfourthrespectively

Keron Savory (left) Banks DIH Bartica Branch hands over the letter of commitment to Easter Regatta Committee and Regional Chairman, Mr. Williams in the presence of Treasurer, Ms. Natalie Tilbury

The PMTC males standing and the Academy females before the start of a game.

Representatives from Fruta Conquerors, GDF Women's Football team and the GFF and sponsors MVP Sports.