Kaieteur News

K

AIETEUR Govt. should have fixed Wednesday Edition auditing, insurance NEWS and environmental issues before Yellowtail approval - Norton

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

April 06, 2022 - Vol. 17 No.15

p. 14

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 65,865

Guyanese still in the dark on leasing costs - as Exxon hands SBM another for oil ships contract to build 4th FPSO p.

15

EPA responds to critics on Yellowtail approval - says was not required to publish project's terms and scope Peru fines 3 charged oil company with murder, for failing arson in Nigeria oil to recover spilled crude ship explosion

Granger writes GECOM over replacement for Joseph Harmon, Nicolette Henry

Exxon must comply with Liza 2 provisions to prove it is - Former serious about 4th project EPA boss Oil spill insurance…

The greatest danger this country has ever Listen to Kaieteur faced is NOW under Bharrat Jagdeo! Radio@11:00hrs on 99.1/99.5FM

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Wednesday April 06, 2022

3 charged with murder, arson in Nigeria oil ship explosion A screengrab taken from a video of the explosion in Nigeria. [Facebook]

The aftermath of the oil ship explosion.

[Photo credit, Reuters]

Three employees of the Sheba Exploration and Production Company (SEPCOL) Limited was recently charged for murder, arson and destruction of property through illegal bunkering activities.

The employees, Anthony Nwuba, Orofin Pius Yomi, and Patrick Aganyebi, were charged in relation to the February 3, 2022, explosion of the floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel named ‘Trinity Spirit’, which erupted in flames in Ukpokiti, on the coast of Nigeria’s southern Delta state.

The trio was charge in the Ondo State for the murder of nine persons by setting them ablaze through illegal bunkering activities on the Trinity Spirit and causing an explosion that set ablaze the Sheba Company vessel through illegal bunkering activities.

According Nigerian

media reports, Dr. Benson Enikuomehin, the counsel for the workers described the charges as ‘trumped-up’. In fact, it was reported that he said, “It was callous on the part of the police to charge workers of the company for murder when indeed they escaped death by the whiskers when the vessel they were working with exploded on the sea.”

The police prosecutor, Adeoye Adesegun, asked the court to remand the suspects in prison custody pending legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the State Ministry of Justice.

However, the defence counsel, in a counteraffidavit, likened the charges brought against the defendants to a smokescreen to hide the truth of the evil deposit of the firm at Ukpokiti oil field. He added that the firm owes the staff being prosecuted for murder Continued on page 24

Wednesday April 06, 2022

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OIL SPILL INSURANCE…

Exxon must comply with Liza 2 provisions to prove it is serious about 4th project - Former EPA boss

By Zena Henry The first step to rehabilitation is recognising one’s fault and moving to correct it.

This should be the p o s t u r e o f t h e Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to former head of the state body, Dr. Vincent Adams, especially since the matter of financial assurance, for subsidiary oil companies operating in Guyana, has been deemed critical to ensuring the country’s environmental integrity is protected.

In fact, Dr. Adams told Kaieteur News that given the provisions of the Liza Phase Two permit, the EPA must now seek in writing the commitment of ExxonMobil to cover possible oil spill expenses beyond what its subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited’s (EEPGL), is proposing to prove that they are serious about the regulations stated in the

Former EPA Executive Director, Dr. Vincent Adams recently approved Yellowtail permit.

Dr. Adams is adamant that while the Yellowtail permit covers the matter of insurance and parental assurance, the government must go back to the Liza 2 well and immediately get Exxon to comply with the insurance requirements therein.

The former EPA boss told the newspaper that the provisions within the Yellowtail permit is just an admission that full coverage

does exist in the form of insurance and parent guarantee. However, this same language, he said, exists within the Liza 2 permit but it is not being adhered to despite operations ongoing at the offshore site.

The recently approved Yellowtail permit requires t h a t a P a r e n t Company/Affiliate Guarantee Agreement which covers and keeps indemnified the EPA and the Government of Guyana in

the event EEPGL and its CoVenturers fail to meet their environmental obligations under the Permit. It says that, “The Permit Holder shall provide and/or declare within reasonable time upon signing this permit a combination of the following forms of financial assurance to cover all its legitimate liabilities under this permit. These shall include: (a) Insurance in accordance with Condition 14.5 and shall cover well control and/or clean up and third party liability on terms that are market standard for the type of coverage; (b) A Parent Company/Affiliate (of Operator and CoVe n t u r e r s ( C o V s ) undertaking that provides indemnification for Liabilities under this Permit.” The liabilities, the permit stated, include costs associated with responding to an incident, clean-up and remediation and monitoring.

Among other things, Condition 14.5 speaks to the Permit Holder having

effective environmental liability insurance customary in the international petroleum industry that will cover, “environmental damage caused in the course of the EEPGL will be, jointly and s e v e r a l l y h e l d responsible;…”

The Liza 2 permit under environmental coverage also speaks to insurance with international standards regarding petroleum and the support of parent company to step in, in the case of a spill that the minor company cannot handle beyond its insurance. It says, among

other things, that the “Permit Holder shall have insurance of such type and in such amount as is customary in the international petroleum industry in accordance with good oil field practices for Petroleum Operations in progress offshore Guyana in respect of ii. Pollution caused in the course of the Project for which EEPGL will be jointly and severally, held responsible.”

In terms of parent company obligations, the permit said that, “the permit holder must, as soon as reasonable practical, provide Continued on page 9

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

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

EDITORIAL

Guyana beware

T

he PPP/C Government is engaging in a huge gamble using the rich assets of this society to entrap it and endanger it. This was the stark warning embedded in the article titled, “Guyana may not steer clear of failure with oil if fatal flaws in oil deal not corrected -Intl Analysts” (KN April 3). Fatal is a frightening word, and we dont use it recklessly, for it has a world of meaning. As we use it (fatal), our hope is that what happened to Angola does not become Guyanas nightmare.

Since the 1990s, Angola has been the destination of the hunter-predators that are oil companies. They went there in droves, and the names should be familiar to Guyanese because they are right here now. Americas Exxon and Frances Total are two of the bigger names that led the charge into Angola.

From a peak of 1.9 million barrels a day, production declined to around 1.4 million barrels daily last year. One would have thought that Angolans were rolling in prosperity, among the most well taken care of people in the world. They are not, and now come the lessons, another cautionary tale for Guyanese.

“One in three Angolans live below the poverty level, and more than half live on less than US$1.90 a day” (KN April 3). Despite all that oil production, this was the harrowing reality of Angolans. This was despite that other reality: their country was “ranked 15th in the world of top oil producers.” This was while Angolans were trapped in poverty and scratching out a living on about GY$400 a day. Here is a country, a lesson for the dunces we have for leaders in Guyana, that was producing almost 2 million (1.9M) barrels of oil daily for years, and almost one and half million (1.4M) barrels of oil daily in 2021, and Angolans were still mired in debt and corruption.

Speaking of debt, Angola has a national indebtedness of US$76B. The usual financing sharks, the pawnbrokers and sleazy moneylenders known as the IMF and World Bank, were in the thick of running to the rescue of stricken Angola to help it juggle its debt on a year-to-year basis.

The usual financing gimmicks put to work by the IMF and World Bank, among others, should also be well known to Guyanese: refinancing and debt forgiveness, they are called. This was the spectacle of a country ranked 15th among top oil producers in the world with well over a million barrels produced daily, and it is forced to beg for money to get by.

We are not prophets of doom, but unless Guyana takes stock of what happened elsewhere with countries that had more oil than us, produced more than us, then it is destined to be blighted with the same fatal spiral of Angola. Unless Guyanese citizens force Guyanese leaders not to go down the same road, then there is the highest risk that we could end up like Angola. Right now, we are the talk of towns in Texas, New York, and Washington; we are the toast of places in Trinidad and Toronto and Toledo. Everybody loves Guyana, everybody wants to lend Guyana money by the hundreds of millions and billions, and the PPP/C Government is a flurry of borrowings for numerous big money projects.

However, press leaders in this PPP/C Government to do what the international analysts and experts insist must be done, and both the President and Vice President transform into a state of paralysis.

They who were energetic and excited before are suddenly struck dumb, crippled into inaction. Because they fear the wrath of the foreigners, they prefer to kneel to the dictates and interests of the men of Exxon. The Vice President engages in destructive practices. First, he balks at confronting Exxon to correct the enormous deficits (“fatal flaws”) in our oil contract by demanding renegotiations.

Second, he bets that high oil prices will boost the oil fund.

Third, he splurges on borrowings for possible white elephants. Fourth, he paves the way for more corruptions everywhere. Last, he gambles that he can deliver on this measly two percent deal. Should he continue this way, and Guyana could (would) be the next Angola.

New Highway for the Coast DEAR EDITOR, With the ever increasing traffic congestions on the East Coast and the fact that hundreds of cars are being added to our roadways daily, the time is now right for a complete new modern highway.

This new highway must stretch from Skeldon, perhaps with linkages to the proposed Corentyne River Bridge straight to the Essequibo via the New Demerara Bridge.

It must run along the back of the villages along the coast. Since the areas aback of these villages are domi-

nated by cultivation, some parts of the highway can be elevated on columns passing over farmlands to avoid destruction of farms.

The road must have at least four lanes two in each direction with the center being wide enough for a possible railway line in the future.

There must be connectors every 4 or 5 miles that will link the new highway to the present East Coast Highway.

Toll systems must be established to use the highway for care and maintenance.

Certain class of vehicles must be made mandatory to

use this road. A new highway of such calibre will probably cost over a billion US dollars which the country can access through its new found oil wealth. Hundreds of jobs will be created and road fatalities on the East Coast will be reduced.

Trucks carrying heavy cargo will no longer need to travel through the coastal villages. Vehicles coming from Berbice to Georgetown will no longer need to use the East Coast road thus reducing traffic woes and goods and services will be delivered on time.

Editor, in my opinion this

project is more important and needed more urgent than the road to Brazil.

This new coastal road will benefit more than 80% of the population and support agriculture and other industries on the coast.

Rice and sugar can be exported from new deepwater ports in Berbice and ease the congestion associated with these large trucks in Georgetown. A road of this type will bring tremendous benefits to the people of Guyana.

Regards, Renal Yusuf

Prof. Ryan influenced polling and scholars in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Prof. Selwyn Ryan, who passed away in Trinidad last month at age 86, influenced generations of scholars of all stripes in Guyana, Trinidad, and around the region from the 1970s until now.

He wrote on many topics including on Guyana and on African nationalism.

He has left a strong legacy.

There is no other scholar like him in Guyana or the region. He was also amongst the leading pollsters in the region motivating me to conduct polls.

Ryan was the most eminent influential African scholar who trained many budding academicians in Guyana and across the region.

We met several times at ISER, St. Augustine campus, talking about ethnic politics

in Trinidad and Guyana and opinion polling. T&T looked forward for his weekly political commentaries in the newspaper going back to the 1970s, and his opinion polls relating to elections.

Ryan was very impressed with and praised my work as a pollster and for introducing opinion polling throughout the region.

The late Professor was a giant scholar.

There is/was hardly any scholar like him at UWI, UG, or at any other academic institution in the Caribbean.

Those of us who studied social sciences relating to the Caribbean would have read and cited his works in our research.

No doubt Ryan made an enormous contribution to academia and to socio-politico analyses in the twin-is-

land republic.

But what I credit Dr. Ryan for most was his introduction of polling in Trinidad. Ryan influenced pollsters like me and survey researchers in Trinidad and throughout the Anglophone Caribbean.

We took our cue from him as a leading pollster in the region (apart from Carl Stone of Jamaica).

We consulted him on polling. We competed to predict the outcome of elections in Trinidad.

He did not poll in Tobago where I conducted polls for every election going back to 2001.

Ryan was supportive and encouraged youngsters like me (25 years his junior) to conduct polls – the more the merrier. Because of his pioneering work on opinion polling in Trinidad, pollsters like

me pioneered polling in Guyana (introduced by Prof.

Dr. Baytoram Ramharack), Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Grenada, Antigua, Barbados (Peter Wickham), and several other countries. (Carl Stone confined his polling to Jamaica and Ryan to Trinidad).

We were/are able to assess popular support for political parties and candidates for office and project an outcome, allowing politicians to plan or re-orient campaign.

The public in Guyana and the smaller islands have been most grateful for our reports on quantifiable support for parties or candidates.

I am most appreciative of Ryan’s work as a pollster. The region is all the more poorer without his socio-political analyses.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Show of membership call: Why only Sarabo-Halley?

DEAR EDITOR, In a letter carried in the local press today, UK-based Aubrey Norton strongman; Norman Browne issued a call for APNU+AFC parliamentarian, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley to provide a breakdown of her party’s membership.

For those who are unfamiliar with what is playing out, Sarabo-Halley was initially allocated an APNU+AFC seat in the national assembly by virtue of her being a member of the WPA executive.

After the WPA pulled out of the APNU, Sarabo-Halley broke ranks with her party and was accommodated by the Granger/Harmon faction of the PNC/APNU under the Guyana Nation Builders Movement (GNBM), a political party she hurriedly formed and which existed in name only.

The same scenario played out in relation to Jaipaul Sharma who was given APNU membership through the Equal Rights and Justice Party (ERJP), another hur-

riedly formed, non-existent party.

The APNU is largely made up of such entities apart from the PNC; so why is this call to show membership only being made in relation to Sarabo-Halley?

The answer is simple. In a recent post on her Facebook page, Sarabo-Halley embarrassed Norman Browne’s handler when she alluded to the absence of any level of discussion in the APNU on who should be chosen to fill the two vacant APNU+AFC

parliamentary seats. It is for this reason that she was singled out and attacked by Norton’s UK-based attack dog. I support Browne’s call, however, and I will go a bit further by extending it to Mike McCormack in relation to the GHRA and Policy Forum Guyana, Article 13, Red Thread, WPA, and all the other non-existent press release entities sheltering under the banner of ‘civil society’.

Regards, Thomas Cole

Thinking of transformation and the Harpy Eagle DEAR EDITOR, Today, we are at the beginning of an exciting journey to transform Guyana s economy and society to the next level for a future that must be stable, peaceful, safe and economically secure.

It will not be easy to achieve the next level in our uncertain and precarious world.

No one must be left behind. To avoid any unconscious and unintentional bias, every single Guyanese must

have the opportunity to make a difference. This means that in every neighbourhood, community, school, hospital, factory, farm, office and sports facility, universal human rights (equal justice, equal opportunity and equal

dignity without discrimination) must be respected and enforced to meet the interests of all Guyanese citizens (women, men, youth and children; and the ethnic communities, the workers, (Contiuned on page 5)

Wednesday April 06, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Thinking of transformation and the Harpy Eagle...

From page 4 the farmers, the differentlyabled, the unemployed, the marginalized and the hungry).

Our strength must be the equal inclusion of everyone in our diverse nation. No one person nor any political party or ethnic community has all the knowledge, capabilities and experiences that are required to find the best solutions for transforming complex challenges and problems into opportunities.

Successfully reaching the next level will require new thinking because, many times, the ways we think about changing a problem is the problem. Albert Einstein, the great scientist and humanitarian, advised that, “you cannot solve a problem with the same type of thinking that is creating it” and “the measure of intelligence is the ability to change”.

Therefore, next level thinking requires that every single Guyanese must be given an opportunity to exercise their right to study, understand and question the purposes (solutions or ends) to be achieved. We must be able to begin with those ends in mind and then work backwards by asking what are the first things that must be done and how they will be efficiently implemented.

It is very encouraging and inspirational to see that the nations leader, President Irfaan Ali, in a speech to launch the new Masters Degree in Strategic Development Studies at the University of Guyana, focused on the absolute need to change our thinking when we are analyzing the dynamics of the current global, regional and national situations. He emphasized that there has to be new thinking to develop ideas and create a vision for mobilizing all Guyanese in the transformation of the whole country.

President Ali pointed out that all citizens have a shared responsibility to create national policies to change challenges and threats into opportunities. He is acknowledging that hard work, determination and good intentions by his

government will not be sufficient. Successfully transforming Guyana is not the sole responsibility of the government. All political parties and civil society organizations are equally responsible.

Consequently, that means we have to keep asking questions. Do the government, civil society and all Guyanese have the type of thinking that will create new designs and plans for successfully reaching the next level with a high and rising standard of living for every single Guyanese?

Do we think about including different points of view that may all be true? Do we think of and approach things from different angles so that we can see the connections and patterns, and not ignore or dismiss potentially successful solutions for creating wealth and, at the same time, ensuring social justice? While we should not ignore lessons from our history, are we always thinking about problems from the past that sidetrack us from solving the most important problems today and in the near future? How will the government and civil society mobilize Guyanese to participate in the redesign, reorganization and implementation of innovative solutions for the next level?

Each of us should follow the great Mahatma Gandhi and “be the change we want to see because the world will change when we change the way we think about doing things.” The great Michael Jackson similarly advised that “if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change”.

The transformation of Guyana is bigger than each of us. Instead of blind allegiance or blind criticism or going around in circles, I am trying to improve my thinking during conversations and debates, and when I am writing letters on the challenges and problems in Guyana. It is not that the PPP/C, PNCR, other political parties and civil society organizations are always failing the Guyanese people. They sometimes fail and sometimes succeed.

Also, it is not that they never listen to the people. Rather, we all need to do better and try harder at listening because we all have flaws. Many times, our intentions are good but the approach and methods are bad and they lead to disappointing results. All of us know that life has a way of disregarding our best intentions. Each of us wants respect for what we are proposing, but before we can get that respect, we first have to respect what others are trying to do. There is a period of time between when we read or hear another persons position and when we respond. That time gives us an opportunity to do next level thinking by walking in the other persons shoes and by trying to understand their point of view before we give our response. Of course, each of us is free to choose how we respond to any issue.

I avoid demonizing any individual, any group of people, any political party or any government and I include

praise, acknowledgement and appreciation where it is due.

Consequently, to the best of my ability, I try to explore the strengths, weaknesses and mistakes, the opportunities and the threats of a situation.

When offering ideas and proposals on next level transformation, I have to do better at making them specific, measurable, achievable and relevant with realistic timelines.

When I am discussing or writing about problems and challenges, I think of Harpy Eagles (the animal) because they help me to see holistically the big picture and the details of a problem or a challenge. Before going after an objective (the prey), Harpy Eagles look at the big picture [the rainforest, the weather (rain and winds), the savannahs, the mountains and the rivers] and, at the same time, they look at the details [the trees and the types and movements of animals].

These giant birds stay on task by continuously monitor-

ing, evaluating and recalling previous experiences. They focus on listening, differentiating and filtering the sounds of animals so that they are not easily distracted from their objective (a prey) or overwhelmed by too much information. They are aware of the dynamics between the big picture and the details and they understand that the rainforest (big picture) affects the trees and animals (details), and at the same time, the trees and animals (details) affect the rainforest (big picture). Finally, Harpy Eagles visualize the approach they will take and then they manoeuvre above, below and around the rainforest treetops, thereby moving between the raindrops with agility to minimize risks and threats. In other words, I have learnt that one must have open-minded and harmonized perspectives of the big picture (for example, the health sector) and the details (for example, the particular problems and challenges of

diseases, the human and physical resources in the health sector and the links with other sectors), and how they affect each other. This helps me to visualize, in a flexible and balanced way, how to adjust my approach to a problem. As an example, if I was to focus only on the big picture (the very positive developments in the health sector), I will miss the urgent need to address many critical details such as the stunted growth of children in some hinterland communities and the high death rate of women giving birth in some rural areas. On the other hand, if I look only at those problems (details), then I will not be able to visualize how the big picture (the broad positive developments in the health sector) could help to address those problems in specific geographical areas. To successfully transform to the next level, the big picture counts and the details matter.

Yours sincerely, Geoffrey Da Silva

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Norman should go ask Norton if Activists condemn racial discrimination of policewoman he is the lawful chair of the APNU since he was nominated by Mrs. Halley to take up the position

DEAR EDITOR, On March 20, 2022, a woman special constable of the Guyana Police Force was allegedly assaulted, chased, spat upon and subjected to vile racial slurs while on official duty at the home of retired Chancellor Carl Singh.

The alleged perpetrator has been identified as Mr. Nirvan Singh, an attorney-at-law and son of the retired Chancellor.

At the time of writing, we are unaware of any action taken by the Guyana Police Force to charge the alleged perpetrator and have not heard or read of any concern or condemnation expressed by the government about the alleged incident.

If the allegations are true (and we have no reason to believe otherwise), yet another gaping hole will have been punched in the government’s One Guyana slogan. We continue to see and witness actions which appear to contradict racial and ethnic unity and equality and equity. Discrimination continues to stalk Guyana and cannot be wished away by nice words and photo shoots. For Guyana to fulfill

its mandate of “One People, One Nation and One Destiny,” we all must recognize that we are a multi-racial, multi- ethnic country and find all means to ensure that all ethnic groups, be they the majority or a minority, have confidence that any and all discrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender, geography, social status, sexual orientation, disability, religion or political affiliation (perceived or otherwise) will not be tolerated. Guyana is not only a signatory to but has ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD), which states in Article 2 (a) “Each State Party undertakes to engage in no act or practice of racial discrimination against persons, groups of persons or institutions and to ensure that all public authorities and public institutions, national and local shall act inconformity with this obligation.”

We commend Ms. Shawnette Bollers for her courage in making a report and taking her own legal action.

We call on the Guyana Police Force to ensure that her alle-

gations are fully investigated and appropriate action taken.

We join Red Thread and stand in solidarity with all survivors of racial and ethnic discrimination.

END RACIAL & ETHNIC DISCRIMINATION & HATE SPEECH IN WORDS AND ACTION NOW! Regards, Danuta Radzik Sherlina Nageer Vidyaratha Kissoon Salima Hinds Vanda Radzik Josephine Whitehead Jocelyn Dow Janette Bulkan Akola Thompson Colin Klautky LaToya Williams Joan McDonald Suraiya Ismail Joel Simpson Melinda Janki Nicole Cole Charlene Wilkinson Raquel Thomas Lisa Edwards Ayo Dalgety Dean Ingrid Sarabo Mellissa Ifill Millie Milton Dr. Rei-launya Amsterdam Zoe Sarabo

DEAR EDITOR, Permit me a few inches of space to respond to a letter written by Norman Browne, which was published in the Stabroek News on April 5, in which he asked several questions of coalition Member of Parliament Tabitha SaraboHalley.

Let me first establish that it is quite obvious that some PNC members and so called political activists are nothing more than puerile political masqueraders galavanting as pundits and strategists, but then again, I guess even a circus can have pundits and doyens.

Many of them are clueless as to the dynamics of the very politics they are involved in.

In Normans letter, he asked a slew of questions which outlines the asininity that emboldens many like him within the PNC to use the opening and cavity in the lower part of the human face through which

Poorly kept cages at Zoological Park DEAR EDITOR, After seeing quite a few people sharing a very attractive poster and news media informing the public of the reopening of the Guyana Zoological Park and Wildlife Rescue Centre, out of curiosity, I decided that I would visit the very first/opening day to see changes.

With much anticipation and filled with excitement, my friend and I went.

Whilst purchasing the tickets around 10:42 am on Monday 4th April 2022, I en-

quired if the canteen was opened, only to get a negative reply.

Upon entering the area where the animals are housed, I was greeted with the horrible sight of poorly kept cages, disgusting stenches in certain areas, and one young man washing the lion s head.

Workers building a shed for visitors, poodles of water around, and some walking areas around the cages are under water.

A dismayed-looking building that was supposedly

the holding area for the aquariums, a dilapidated-looking building in the petting area, a non-functional building that used to be for visiting students, and the list goes on.

Editor, when the pandemic hit Guyana, quite a few places closed their doors to the public, and the workforce got regulated. The Guyana Zoological Park and Wildlife Rescue Centre was one of the places, and remains closed to the public until today. It amazes me to see the condition of that place, and the animals there.

Were people working there, were they being paid and if so, what were they being paid to do?

All the buildings and

cages deteriorate and the area also. One would have expected a wide variety of changes to attract visitors, but to my opinion, it’s the opposite, and much worse than when it was forced to close.

My concern is what was management doing all the time? If they cannot manage properly, then put a new batch. It’s sad to know that because of the oil, Guyana is attracting many foreigners, some who are here to do business while others are here to visit, and the Guyana Zoological Park and Wildlife Rescue Centre is an embarrassment to Guyanese. Someone kindly fix it!

Regards, Sahadeo Bates

vocal sounds are emitted and their fingertips and keypads before they consult with their encephalon.

Norman stated that Mrs. Halley owes opposition members and supporters an explanation as to her status in Parliament, what utter nonsense is this?

He went on to say that she must tell Guyanese people whether her party is a lawful partner of the APNU. Norman should let us know what constitutes a lawful partner of the APNU. Norman should go ask Mr. Aubrey Norton if he is the lawful chair of the APNU since he was nominated by Mrs. Halley to take up the position.

Further, Norman has presented no real currency or credential that warrants a response to the questions, which he asked since in his egocentric note to the editor in normal PNC fashion, he spewed lies as it relates to a statement posted to social media by Mrs. Halley.

Norman stated, “Tabitha in a Facebook post recently claimed that she asked for discussions in relation to the extracting of two names from the List that will replace two opposition MPs that resigned.

She gives the impression that the PNC ignored her.

She also claimed that the APNU has not been included in that decision making” Now this is part of what Mrs. Halley said in her Facebook post, “The two vacant seats belong to the PNC and so they have a right to choose who they want to replace the two persons that resigned.

However, time and time again someone keeps putting out statements as though the APNU has met and made decisions.

I have asked for meetings

to discuss matters and have been met with silence.

The APNU has not met since January 25th 2022 when the chairmanship of David Granger came to an end and the General Secretary position ended.

So I am not sure who has been sending out letters and making statements on behalf of the APNU.” It is quite obvious Norman has a problem comprehending basic English Language since it is clear that Mrs. Halley said PNC has the right to choose who they want to fill the two vacant seats and her concern is really about the media reporting that the APNU made a decision when in fact they have never met.

No part of her statement suggested she requested to have a discussion about extracting names.

This brings me to my final point. What exactly do PNC members h a v e a g a i n s t Ta b i t h a S a r a b o - H a l l e y, how has she in any way hindered or disrupted the workings of the PNC? While I believe I know the answer to this question, I will leave it up to the Normans of the PNC to respond. What is striking is the fact that many in the PNC, who claim to be championing the cause in the fight of racial injustices meted out to Afro Guyanese by the PPP, never skips a beat and are excited to tear down their own Black leaders in their bid for self aggrandizement.

I am not sure who knighted Norman with the authority to suggest that he can invalidate in any way, shape or form, Mrs. Halley as a Member of Parliament or her party Guyana Nation Builders as a member of the APNU+AFC Coalition.

Id encourage him to divert that energy towards making sense of what is happening within his party because he might not like the revelations if he continues to traverse uncertain territory.

Regards, Clayon F. Halley

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

Say no to it.

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Wednesday April 06, 2022

Kaieteur News

It is heartening to see that Guyanese are beginning to wake up to the harsh truths that have been staring them in the face when it comes to the management of the oil sector.

For years, this newspaper has been exposing the corrupt leaders and the decisions they continue to make that jeopardise the future of this country.

Some seem to believe that this newspaper was sitting on its hands, but the reality is that Kaieteur News has been at the forefront demanding change all along.

This newspaper is encouraged by the recent threats of other legal challenges to secure a better future for our future generations.

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Granger writes GECOM over replacement for Joseph Harmon, Nicolette Henry

PNCR Leader, Aubrey Norton

By Rehanna Ramsay Former President and Representative of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) list, David Granger has written to Chief Election Officer (CEO), Vishnu Persaud, to have the names of Leader of the People’s National Congress

Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton, and former PNCR Chairperson, Volda Lawrence, extracted from the List of Candidates to sit in the National Assembly as Members of Parliament (MPs).

According to a statement by Granger’s team, the decision follows a request outlined in a letter signed by Norton in his capacity as Chairman of APNU and Khemraj Ramjattan, the Leader of the AFC. The letter informed Granger that the two candidates for the 2020 General and Regional Elections are to be extracted from the list to fill the vacancies created by the resignation of Lt. Col. (ret.) Joseph Harmon and Nicolette Henry.

The two former MPs had written to the Speaker of the National Assembly expressing their intention to resign from the

National Assembly.

As such, the APNU+AFC letter to Granger stated in part: “In the circumstance, the APNU has resolved, with the knowledge of its partner, the Alliance For Change, that the replacements are Mr. Aubrey C. Norton and Ms. Volda Ann Lawrence both of whom were listed by APNU+AFC as candidates in the 2020 submission of the joint list.”

As a result, Granger in his capacity as Representative of the List, as required by Section 99 (A) of the Representation of the People Act. Cap. 1:03, sent the nominations to the Chief Election Officer, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, for the necessary instruments to be issued accordingly.

Last month, Former Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon vacated that post only a few weeks

after he tendered his resignation to the National Assembly, signalling his intent to no longer serve as a Member of Parliament (MP).

His resignation as Opposition Leader came two weeks after the newly elected Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Norton, told a news conference that the party has made a decision that it wants to be led by him (Norton).

Norton was declared the new leader of the PNCR after securing more than 70 percent of the total votes cast for the position during the party’s 21st Biennial Delegates Congress, held in December last.

Following Harmon’s defeat in the party’s internal elections process and the decision of its members to be led by Norton in Parliament, former Education Minister, Dr. Nicolette Henry also

Former PNCR Chairperson, Volda Lawrence resigned from the National Assembly to make room for the new Opposition Leader.

Henry’s resignation was announced on February 2, 2022.

The former Education Minister, under the APNU+AFC Coalition Government, made the announcement as she wrapped up her 2022 budget debate presentation.

Wednesday April 06, 2022

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Loud music and liberal alcohol use is now common place It has come as a total surprise to learn that in the mid-1970s the Maha Sabha successfully petitioned the then PNC government to put a freeze on rum shop licences.

This claim needs to be factchecked since no one to whom I have spoken can recall any such decision ever being made. But we are told it happened. And we are further told that from 1992, there was the sharing out of rum shop licences. The law concerning intoxicating liquor licences does not grant authority to the government or any of its agencies to approve such licences. The law is very clear that when it comes to such licences, the country is divided into magisterial districts and it is these magisterial districts which consider such applications. It is hard to imagine, therefore, any government taking a decision to freeze the issuance of spirit shop licences and even more so considering that this is a judicial and not administrative function. If you walk the towns and villages

of Guyana, you will come across many rum shops which were established during the period when it is alleged that the PNC regime halted the issuance of such licences. So how were rum shops granted permission to be established if there was a freeze in the issuance of licences?

The issue of rum shop licences came to the fore during the debate about noise levels and the consumption of alcohol during Hindu wedding ceremonies. There has been a robust exchange of views on this matter in the press. Unfortunately, some spin has been injected into what should be a useful debate. It is being countered that the issue represents an attack on Hinduism; it is not.

A distinction needs to be made in the debate as to the difference between the religious ceremony and the reception. Religious wedding ceremonies are not usually characterised by either loud music or rum drinking. But I have seen cases in which no sooner does the celebrant

leave the premises, that huge music boxes begin to blare, signalling the start of the reception.

I do not consider the reception as part of the religious ceremony. I have also seen stalls set up outside of wedding houses in which alcohol is sold. I am told that the operators of these stands, actually pay the hosts for the rights to sell liquor since in Hindu weddings liquor is strictly prohibited. I have never seen the sale of liquor take place during an actual religious ceremony. But once the religious rituals are concluded, the bars usually kick in. Not all Hindu wedding houses, however, have such bars established. It has become much too common place for loud music to be played at wedding receptions regardless of the religious status of those being married.

The playing of loud music seems to be the rule rather than the exception. The decibels are so loud that it is impossible to carry on a conversation from even a distance. And the hosts

Exxon must comply with Liza 2...

From page 3 from the parent company or Affiliate Companies or Permit Holder and its Co-Venturers one or more legally binding agreements to the EPA undertaking to provide adequate financial resources for permit holder and its co-venturers to pay or satisfy the repective environmental obligations regarding the Stabroek Block if EEPGL or its co-venturers fail to do so…”

Adams, in comparing the two permits, said that there is basically nothing new in the Yellowtail permit as the two documents utilise identical language regarding insurance and the parental assurance.

“They must now follow the law,” the former EPA head posited. He said it is one thing to put something in place, “but they are not complying

with it; they are ignoring the law.” “So this is how you prove to the Guyanese people that you really mean what you are putting into the Yellowtail permit or else it’s just, again, telling us to trust you and you have not proven yourself to be trustworthy so far.”

The Liza 1 environmental permit only speaks to the Permit Holder being responsible for environmental damage and other negative occurrences. It does not cater for the parent company to step in if the minor is unable to fulfill its environmental obligations. As mentioned by Adams, Liza 2’s environmental permit captures that obligation of the parent company and what has to happen in respect of a spill.

The Payara permit, as well as the recent Yellowtail permit,

also captures the language that indemnifies Guyana through the parent and the minor in the event of a spill.

However, the sums of insurance for the mentioned wells are unknown.

There is a US$2B insurance sum that is pegged for the Yellowtail development but neither the government nor the EPA has made public the information relating to the other wells. Current EPA boss, Kemraj Parsram said, just a day after the Yellowtail approval announcement, that the agency was still pressing ExxonMobil to provide parent guarantee for the entire Stabroek Block.

The Chief said that self-insurance, insurance policy and parent guarantee are three areas the agency wants to cover.

Dem Boys Seh…

Mek friends nah enemies Life dem seh is short. Suh is better tuh live good with dem around yuh.

Why pick fight and trouble when life is short and yuh should be enjoying every moment instead of hurting yuh head over someone dat yuh hate.

Some of we, however, like gat plenty enemies.

We does manufacture dem as if we gat a production line. And most time is yuh friend who does become yuh enemy.

One day somebody is yuh friend and de next day, you and dem fall out over stu-

pidness.

But deh gat some people don’t gat friends nor enemy.

Dem does live longer and dem does end up lonely.

It remind dem boys about de story of de old lady wah go to Church one Sunday.

She listen attentively to wat de pastor say.

Towards de end of de service, de pastor asked de congregation, “How many of you have forgiven your enemies.”

About eight in every person raised dem hands.

De pastor notice dat de old lady did not raise she hands. So he turn to she and

ask: “Are you willing to forgive your enemies?’

De old lady answer, “I don’t have any.”

“That is very unusual.

How old are you?” ask de pastor.

De old lady answer, “I am 96 years old.”

“And you mean to tell me,” said de pastor, “that in all those years, you did not have enemies. Come and tell us how you do not have any enemies.”

“I outlived de bitches,” reply de old lady.

Talk half. Leff half.

usually go to great lengths to hire humongous music boxes: the bigger the boxes, the louder the music. The loudness of the music smothers any attempt at conversation. The loudness is intended to want to make you get up and dance, not engage in chit-chat. If you want to communicate, you had better practice lip reading or sign language. The problem of loud music at social events is not confined to Guyana. It is a worldwide problem. In India, a man recently complained that 63 of his chickens died of heart attacks as a result of a DJ playing excessively loud

music.

Today music equipment is of such that even a small speaker can emit deafening sounds. And as Dave Martins wrote a few years ago, West Indies tend to like their music played with vigour. The problem of the use of alcohol and the playing of loud music at Hindu wedding receptions are not new. One Hindu organisation had said that its pandits will not officiate at weddings at which bars were set up. And this was almost 10 years ago.

So, the problem is not of recent origin. Nor is the playing of loud music or alcohol use restricted to the wedding of persons who are

Hindus. But this fact in itself should not be used as the basis of some denying that there is a problem and constructively deciding how to fix it.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Wednesday April 06, 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

On this day, in 2020, Keith Rowley got angry On this day in 2020, Trinidad's Prime Minister displayed irritation at the ruling of the Court of Appeal (CoA) in relation to the CARICOM supervised recount. It is a long story and we will have to offer the antecedents in order to understand the anger behind PM Rowley's words.

The legal battle over the recount constitutes one of the darkest moments in Guyana's turbulent battles to have free and fair elections.

With our young population, these moments must be highlighted as much as possible so the past with its devouring tentacles could never be repeated.

When you look at the recount saga, your anger takes up permanent residency in your mind not only about the riggers but those who remained silent yet profess to struggle for civil liberties, justice, human rights, responsible governance and equality.

Contact was made with me last week by one of

Guyana's most successful diaspora members over the past four decades in international society. I declined a dialogue on the basis that his voice was silent over five months at the attempt to rig the election. I indicated that I don't want to have communications with him. Once we remind this young nation of those scary hours to defeat election rigging, we must recall the admirable names of Dominic Gaskin and Ian McDonald.

When Guyana needed their voices, they used it in support of their country.

As for the usual suspects ( T U S ) , I w o u l d u rg e Guyanese not to read their letters in the press with its 20 signatures roaming all over the place highlighting everything under the sun except election rigging and violent post-election mayhem in Region Five where a 16-year-old girl and her grandmother were mauled. Maybe TUS had racial reasons for not writing a letter with 25 signatures.

Anyway back to PM, Keith Rowley.

One of the gaping roles in the legal jurisdiction of this country that remains to be plugged is that decision from the CoA. We will return to why that curious aperture still exists. After President David Granger and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo conceded to a CARICOM request for a recount of the votes under the watchdog role of CARICOM, something surreal happened.

A PNC East Coast Regional Candidate for APNU, Ulita Grace Moore (UGM), filed an injunction to block the recount.

President Granger reacted to queries of UGM's intervention by saying his party cannot stop a citizen from taking private action.

He was right but two questions still remain unanswered. UGM was an APNU election candidate subject to the decisions of her party. Secondly, if it was a private initiative, why did

the lead lawyer of the government and the PNC and an election candidate himself take the case?

Justice Franklyn Holder granted the injunction stopping the recount. The Full Court comprising the Chief Justice and Justice Nareshwar Harnanan reversed Justice Holder's edict. The Full Court in pellucid language asserted GECOM's right to conduct the administration of elections as a constitutional body as stipulated in Article 162 of the constitution.

The CoA comprising Justices Dawn GregoryBarnes, Brassington Reynolds and Rishi Persaud reversed the Full Court's ruling stipulating that GECOM does not have the right to invite CARICOM to supervise the recount.

Persaud gave a dissenting opinion echoing the Full Court's ruling that GECOM's role cannot be interfered with. He said that GECOM was empowered to solely deal with resolutions

of election issues.

It was that decision that got PM Rowley angry. At a press conference, he Frederick Kissoon contended that the process of the recount t ook place with a formal was not for CARICOM to watchdog presence of r e p l a c e G E C O M ' s CARICOM representatives. administrative role but to The question remains – can merely oversee the process. GECOM invite the UN or H e u s e d t h e w o r d , the OAS to administer a “disturbing” to describe the recount in a national election ruling of the CoA. in Guyana.

I stated above the CoA's In conclusion, Rowley's decision has created a lacuna disappointment was justified i n G u y a n a ' s l e g a l because there was never a jurisdiction that needs to be mandatory supervisory hand filled. First, Rowley was for CARICOM in the irritated because he felt the election recount. The effort C o A r u l e d o n w r o n g to stop the recount was information – CARICOM another depraved detour of would supplant GECOM in t h e f i v e m o n t h o l d the administration of the b a n d w a g o n t o d e n y recount. Secondly, even if Guyanese their right to vote.

CARICOM would have Only an ugly mind could taken over the supervision of have remained silent from the recount, did it have the March to July in 2020. constitutional authority to do (The views expressed in so?

T h e c o m b i n e d this article are those of the opposition did not challenge a u t h o r a n d d o n o t the decision of the CoA in the necessarily reflect the Caribbean Court of Justice opinions of this newspaper.) and as we know, the recount

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Body of fisherman who fell into Corentyne River recovered After falling overboard while fishing with his captain in the Corentyne River (near Jumbie Island and Orealla Village) on Sunday, the body of Shunny Jagessar of Albert Street, No.79 Village, Berbice was recovered on Tuesday between 07:00hrs and 08:00hrs, reportedly in the same area.

Richard Ramjattan, 62, an uncle of Jagessar, told Kaieteur News that a search party was searching since Monday with police and three other boats but Tuesday morning, while checking back the area where he (Jagessar) fell overboard, he spotted what appeared to be a human head in the water.

Ramjattan said that when they got closer, the body was floating in an upright position and upon further checks, he realised that it was his nephew.

He said that despite his face was eaten away, it was recognisable. He said when they pulled the body up, it was clad in a pair of pants only and there was a black and blue mark to the left side rib cage.

According to the uncle, “we

The body of Shunny Jagessar was recovered on Tuesday. find he right near Jumbie Island, same place he fall, and we leff there lil bit after 8am and reach out at the waterside (Skeldon Estate Stelling) and the police come and certify it and we take the body to the mortuary.”

Ramjattan noted that while it is sad that his nephew is no more, there is a sense of satisfaction knowing that his body was found and they could perform a proper funeral service for him.

Jagessar and his 50-year-old

boat captain departed the Springlands foreshore to fish in the Corentyne River, in the vicinity of Orealla Village on the April 3, 2022.

However, while fishing, Jagessar reportedly fell from the stern of the boat into the water and disappeared.

The boat captain told police that the water was calm that day and all he heard was a splash, and upon checking, he saw Jagessar struggling in the water. The man said that he made efforts to save him but he was not successful.

Relatives of Jagessar had told this publication that the fisherman left home around noon on Saturday and that they were informed about the incident by the boat captain who showed up at their home at No.79 Village on Sunday.

However, according to the family, Jagessar was a good swimmer and so they could not understand how he drowned in the water.

The boat captain was subsequently taken into police custody and was assisting police with the search.

Dead, Shunny Jagessar

Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 06, 2022

PAGE 13

Hundreds of vehicles which entered Guyana via Lethem/ Brazil border, disappeared without a trace – PAC hears

By Rehanna Ramsay

T

he Auditor General’s 2018 report has highlighted a disturbing trend of vehicles entering Guyana via the Lethem/Brazil border crossing and disappearing without a trace.

The issue was brought up before the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) when a team from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), led by Commissioner General Godfrey Statia, presented before the committee last week.

According to the AG’s 2018 report, an examination of the incoming and outgoing foreign vehicles and passengers traversing the border area revealed that there were 29,689 foreign vehicles entering Guyana and only 28,933 vehicles exiting Guyana resulting in 766 vehicles not exiting Guyana as at the time of audit in August 2019.

Similarly, in 2017, the report noted that there were 30,669 foreign vehicles entering Guyana

A vehicular checkpoint at the Brazil/Lethem border.

and only 29,023 vehicles exiting Guyana, resulting in 1,646 not exiting Guyana.

Responding to queries from the PAC, Statia, who is Head of the Revenue Authority, explained that the GRA has since moved to install a close circuit television camera at

the point of entry so as to have a record of the licence plate of vehicles entering Guyana via the crossing.

Statia noted, too, that the police are often notified of the vehicles which fail to exit. He explained that what usually happens is that

the vehicles are stolen and, therefore, the licence plate affixed is identified as fake. Once seized, the GRA boss said that the vehicles are taken back to Brazil and handed over to the authorities.

Further, he said efforts are now in place for Customs to conduct

periodic surveillance exercises of the Multipurpose Complex and the Township of Lethem to ensure that foreign incoming and outgoing vehicles are exiting the Guyana/Brazil border from 7am to 7pm.

Meanwhile, the AG report also pointed out that of the 63 foreign vehicles entering Guyana in 2018, 35 were in transit to Suriname.

In 2017, 29 foreign vehicles were in transit to Suriname.

Evidence was seen where 11 of these vehicles exited, resulting in 18 vehicles not accounted for.

Statia had explained that efforts are now being made to update the spreadsheet as was seen by the auditors that was not previously maintained in a timely manner for foreign registered vehicles that entered Guyana from Brazil through port Lethem, and are said to depart Guyana for Suriname.

The updated spreadsheet is expected to be sent to the supervisor of the Customs Department at Corriverton, Berbice for reconciliation.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Govt. should have fixed auditing, insurance, environmental issues before Yellowtail approval – Norton

By Zena Henry If the Guyana government was genuinely concerned about the development and success of the country through its lucrative oil sector, then it would have ensured that all issues related to the project are addressed before granting approval for the fourth oil well development. At least this is according to Chairman for the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Aubrey Norton.

The Chairman, who also leads the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), was at the time commenting on the recent approval of the Yellowtail development project in the offshore Stabroek Block.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this past Friday that the US$10B project permit was granted for a period of five years to ExxonMobil’s subsidiary and operator of the

Stabroek Block, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), to undertake the requisite construction and operation of production facilities.

The project was initially pegged at approximately US$9B but has now increased by US$1B. Norton has accused the government of being uncaring and placing the country on a path to selfdestruction having granted the Ye l l o w t a i l p e r m i t w i t h o u t addressing existing matters involving, among others, project cost auditing capabilities, human capacity development and environmental assurance that would see ExxonMobil committing to step in if its subsidiary is unable to fulfill its obligations in the event of an oil spill.

“I have pointed out that they (government) are not improving the capacity of the EPA, which means that government itself is creating the conditions for

environmental disaster in Guyana,” said Norton. He insisted that ExxonMobil and its partners will pursue its interest, but it is for the government and people of Guyana to pursue their own.

He opined that, “If the basic step of giving the EPA the human and other resources it needs to be able to do their work isn’t taken, then what in essence the government is saying is ‘look we don’t care…’.”

Norton, moreover, is convinced that the government is not interested in the development of Guyana.

“If they were interested in the development of this country and its people, their actions would have been different. They would have improved the capacity of the Natural Resource Ministry first of all and whatever agencies tasked with the management and oversight of our natural resources and secondly, they would have improved the capacity of the

environmental institution (EPA) to do the work that is needed.”

Norton further accused the PPP/C government of being one that does not focus on human resources development and meritocracy as a form of worker upliftment. He said that instead, the government seeks to put in key positions persons who they believe to be loyal to them and in doing so, mediocrity is what is left along with the inability of state agencies to properly function in the interest of development.

The APNU Chairman reiterated his belief that the government is uncaring, stating, “Now, because of that they are constrained, they cannot take the actions that are needed to ensure Guyana succeeds.

And so the PPP is firmly placing Guyana on a road to selfdestruction.”

The matters identified by Norton are topical issues. That is because Guyana could lose billions of United

APNU Chairman, Aubrey Norton States dollars if it does not have the capacity to audit Exxon’s project development costs.

Environmentalist and other stakeholders have highlighted numerous areas where they say Guyana is lagging in ensuring the protection of the environment. And when it comes to insurance, Guyana is still trying to get ExxonMobil to commit to covering what its subsidiary is unable to in the event of a spill. The public is unaware as to the insurance amounts available for the Liza and Payara wells since they have not been made public.

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Guyanese still in the dark on leasing costs for oil ships

By Kiana Wilburg Dutch manufacturer, SBM Offshore has been the preferred shipbuilder for Guyana’s floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel since 2015. To date, the company has built the Liza Destiny FPSO, the Liza Unity and the Payara FPSO, each costing approximately US$1B, US$1.2B and US$1.6B respectively. What remains unknown however, are the leasing arrangements in place for these vessels.

W h i l e Guyanese continue to remain in the dark on these leasing bills which are being paid for from its Stabroek B l o c k o i l resources, SBM Offshore was nonetheless p l e a s e d t o announce on Tuesday that Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), an affiliate of Exxon Mobil Corporation, handed it another contract to build Guyana’s fourth FPSO. That FPSO called the ONE GUYANA will support the US$10B Yellowtail development project located in the Stabroek Block in Guyana. Under this latest contract, SBM

- as Exxon hands SBM another contract to build 4th FPSO Offshore said it will construct, install and then lease and operate the ONE GUYANA FPSO for a period of up to two years, after which the FPSO ownership and operation will transfer to EEPGL. The award it said follows completion of front-end engineering and design studies, receipt of requisite government approvals and the final investment decision on the project by ExxonMobil and block co-venturers.

Kaieteur News understands that the F P S O O N E GUYANA’s design is based on SBM Offshore’s industry leading Fast4Ward® programme that incorporates the Company’s new build, multipurpose floater hull combined with several standardised topsides modules. SBM was keen to note that the FPSO will be designed to produce 250,000 barrels of oil per day, will have associated gas treatment capacity of 450 million cubic feet per day and water injection capacity of 300,000 barrels per day.

The FPSO will also be spread moored in

water depth of about 1,800 metres and will be able to store around two million barrels of crude oil.

SBM Offshore said it is committed to work with Guyanese companies for work to be performed in Guyana and is preparing to further recruit and employ Guyanese engineers into the ONE GUYANA project team.

The Yellowtail development is the fourth development within the Stabroek Block, circa 200 kilometres offshore Guyana.

EEPGL is the operator and holds a 45 percent interest in the Stabroek Block, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds a 30 percent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds a 25 percent interest.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Wednesday April 06, 2022

EPA responds to critics on Yellowtail approval

By Davina Bagot The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday issued a statement to the media, clarifying reports published regarding

E x x o n M o b i l ’s f o u r t h project, the Yellowtail development, in the Stabroek Block.

According to the agency, it is not required to publish the terms and scope of the

- says was not required to publish project’s terms and scope project, as comments suggest that the body failed to disclose the terms and

scope for the study for the entire statutory 60-day period that the

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) document was available for public scrutiny.

“The EPA is not required to publish the Terms and S c o p e . T h e E P (Environmental Protection) Act mandates that the EPA, following public scoping, ‘set the Terms and Scope of the environmental impact assessment’ taking into account any public submissions during the twenty-eight days (28) notice that an EIA is required, and the public can make written submissions setting out those questions and matters they required answered or considered in the EIA,” the regulator body clarified.

It added that the agency is responsible for developing the Terms and Scope in consultation with the project d e v e l o p e r ’s E I A Consultant, in accordance with the EP Act, Section 11 (7) and (8).

In this regard, the EPA said it is, therefore, at the agency’s discretion to publish the terms and scope.

According to the EPA, “What is important is that Section 11 (4) and (5) already sets out what every EIA must contain and consider. However, the EPA is always looking for opportunities to improve processes and will strive to ensure that Terms and Scope are available as necessary.”

Public Consultation A l t h o u g h environmentalists are outraged at the approval of the Yellowtail EIA, without further consultations to inform the public on whether their concerns regarding the project were addressed, the EPA noted that not only did it comply fully with the requirements of the law, but it also went beyond to ensure public participation in the EIA process for Yellowtail development.

It explained, “The EPA from the early screening stage of this proposed project ensured involvement of the public and conducted public consultations above and beyond what was required by the law. The EPA published its decision that an EIA was required and that the public can make written submissions regarding questions and matters they required answered or considered in the EIA. This

was published in May 2021.

The EPA went above and beyond at its discretion, to ensure public participation, by hosting several public meetings virtually and in person in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, and Six during the months of July and August 2021.”

Further, public submissions were considered in the preparation of the final terms and scopes for the conduct of the EIA, the regulator noted.

Additionally, when the EIA was submitted to the EPA on October 15, 2021, the project proponent published a notice confirming same and inviting members of the public to make any submissions as they consider

appropriate. Again, the EPA said it went beyond what was required and hosted public meetings in the Regions stated before, during the period October and November 2021.

When it comes to making a decision on approving the project and issuing an Environmental Permit, the EPA said it adhered to the requirements of the EP Act and considered public submissions. In fact, the EPA said it secured the services of an independent international expert to support the review of the EIA, during which the public comments were again considered.

According to the body, “The findings and recommendations of this review along with the submissions from the public were submitted to the EAB (Environmental Assessment Board). This review period commenced on January 18, 2022, and concluded on March 25, 2022, with the E A B ’s i n d i c a t i o n o f acceptance and recommendations. The EPA granted its approval on March 30, 2022 in the form of the Environmental Permit. The public was notified via a media release, and publication of notice of approval and the grounds on which it was made.”

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

Manager confesses to killing truck driver

Dead, Pitamber Sharma A manager employed with BK Quarries reportedly confessed to strangling a truck driver at their worksite last Wednesday and

dumping his body into the Mazaruni River, Region Seven.

He reportedly told investigators that the dead man identified, as Pitamber Sharma, 69, of Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD), had threatened to complain to their superiors that he (the manager) was not doing his job properly.

The manager, in his confession, said that he was afraid that if Sharma complained, then most likely he would be replaced by him (Sharma).

Angered at the fact that he might lose his position, the manager said that he attacked Sharma and choked him to death. After Sharma died, he then dragged his body and dumped it into the river.

Kaieteur News was told that the manager was one of two persons that police had

recently detained in connection with Sharma’s death.

Confirming that the suspect confessed to heinous act was Commander of the Region Seven District, Dion Moore.

The Commander said that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali Hack, SC, has since advised that the manager be charged with murder. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance Wednesday.

Sharma was reportedly killed some time after 18:00hrs last week Wednesday. He had

left his home on the West Bank of Demerara earlier that day for work duties at the Region Seven location and had arrived there close to 18:00hrs.

He reportedly called his family and told them that he was safe. The following day, his body was found around 07:20hrs floating in the vicinity of his company’s security base.

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

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Female motorcyclist killed in East La Penitence accident

The speeding minibus that crashed into the woman’s motorcycle.

The Guyana Police Force on Tuesday reported that a 59-yearo l d f e m a l e motorcyclist was killed by a speeding minibus.

Dead is Debra Salikram of 85, West Ruimveldt Estate Housing Scheme, Georgetown.

Salikram was struck down by the minibus around 06:00hrs along the East La Penitence public road.

According to police, the bus was speeding south along the

The mangled motorcycle.

eastern side of the road when Salikram decided to turn west and ended up its path.

As a result, the bus slammed

into her causing her to fall violently onto the paved road. She reportedly sustained multiple injuries about her body.

An ambulance was called to take the woman to the hospital but a doctor with the emergency response team pronounced her dead at the scene.

The bus driver has since been arrested and is presently in custody assisting police with investigations.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 06, 2022

PAGE 19

Four months later…

Toshaos yet to receive promised stipend increase

By Davina Bagot Back in December, Indigenous village leaders, referred to as Toshaos in Guyana, were looking forward to a prosperous Christmas, as the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs had signalled that their monthly $30,000 stipends would be increased to $50,000, but to date, the government is yet to deliver on this promise.

On Tuesday, this publication spoke to a few Toshaos who complained that the monthly stipend remains a mere $30,000, even though they are fully aware that Guyana has vast resources available to ensure citizens are properly remunerated for their hard work.

Michael Thomas, who leads Aishalton Village in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), said he was surprised to see that nothing was included in this year’s Budget for Toshaos.

He said, “Toshaos work is 24 hours so we would like to see them fulfill this promise. During their campaign, they told us they would raise it but I didn’t hear anything back since then…they really raised our hopes during that elections campaign and we feel a way that they haven’t raised Toshaos’ stipend.”

Mr. Thomas said he is aware that teachers, as well other government employees, including the President, have received an increase to their monthly payments, while Indigenous leaders continue to receive a meagre sum.

“Some Toshaos have big families to maintain and I am not sure how they are making out with $30,000 a month. I don’t have a family so I don’t really feel the pressure but I am in support of it being raised to at least the minimum wage,” he reasoned.

M e a n w h i l e , M r. Vi v i a n Edwards of Waramauri Village, Region One (Barima-Waini), said he too has not seen an increase in the monthly stipend. Instead, the Indigenous leader said he was made to understand that the increase is still in the pipeline and he is unsure of how long the process would take.

Edwards went on to explain to

Toshao of Waramuri Village, Region One, Mr. Vivian Edwards this publication that the Moruca District Council, which comprises of the 12 Toshaos in the Region wrote a letter to President Irfaan Ali back in February of this year, but no response has been received from the Head-of-State regarding the increases.

In that letter, the Toshao said that the leaders pointed out the need for a salary to be paid rather than a mere stipend in addition to proposed wages for Councillors in the Region.

He argued, “We know that we have a lot of resources and it is only fair that we be paid a salary…this is one of the reasons why we have been requesting this additional money.”

The Toshao said that many village leaders are forced sometimes to leave their families and seek part time jobs to be able to provide adequately.

Another Toshao from Region One who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed that the increase has not been paid to him.

In fact, he complained that he has not been paid since the beginning of the year. However, the Toshao said, “Is stress we going through and we would love to see it increase.”

On December 9, last year, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Mr. Ryan Toolsiram reported that the increase was being processed by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, as the Toshaos are paid through the respective regional offices.

Toolsiram said, “I can confirm that it has been approved and the

Region is processing the increase for Toshaos. They are Toshaos, but it (payments) came through the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development because the payment comes through the Region.”

The official could not say when the increase would take effect, but assured that the Government has been looking into the concerns previously highlighted.

When he was contacted on Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary said questions on the matter should be forwarded to the Minister.

Efforts to contact the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Pauline Sukhai, were futile.

Kaieteur News had first reported that the Village Leaders were seeking to be compensated with at least $70,000 monthly.

Vi l l a g e To s h a o , Vi v i a n Edwards, complained in a letter in November last year, “I think Toshaos deserve better than just a stipend. These men and women work tirelessly for their respective communities. Toshaos wear many caps and do the work of peace officers, police officers,

councillors, receptionists, negotiators, forest rangers, managers of their respective communities, and the list goes on.

The Village Councils, which they head, are like an arm of many Ministries of the Government (Amerindian Affairs, Agriculture, Health), since they are expected to execute many plans of the Government.”

He added that these Amerindian Village Leaders should be treated with more respect as $30,000 per month does not suffice to pay Continued on page 24

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Wednesday April 06, 2022

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PAGE 21

Human Services’ Empowerment Fund injects $49.7M in hinterland regions

A

whopping $49.7M has been injected to the hinterland communities from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s ‘Empowerment Fund’.

The Empowerment Fund, according to a release, is a collaborative effort between the Ministry and the World Food Programme (WFP) which seeks to aid potential business owners in expanding or starting up with $50,000 and has seen 995 persons from these communities benefitting to date.

Region Seven (Cuyuni-

Mazaruni) had the largest number of beneficiaries with a whopping 367 across two phases. Also, 245 recipients came from Region One ( B a r i m a - Wa i n i ) i n Moraikobai (76), Mabaruma (73), Baramita (72) and Port Kaituma (24). Meanwhile, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and Region Nine (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) had 192 and 191 recipients respectively.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud said, “The Ministry has committed to empowering women across the country and we have managed to do

so in a very significant way through the collaboration between WFP and the Ministry, utilising the WIIN programme where women have been trained.

I was very heartened to listen to women say they had plans to start their own businesses so the cash grants given were perfect stimuli for them to help in beginning their businesses. We look forward to tracking those women to see what improvements they would have made towards their own income and towards helping them to sustain their businesses.”

“In the hinterland where

just under 1000 women benefited from this stimulus grant was no insignificant achievement and I will continue to ensure that we have more fruitful partnerships and also directly through the Ministry which focus on women empowerment,” she added.

Project Coordinator, Mahendra Budhram said the hinterland regions showed good responses with an inspiring collection rate.

“It is heartwarming to see persons coming out to receive this grant because they can now take the next step of starting to develop themselves and putting the

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud is flanked by recipients of the empowerment fund, the World Food Programme team and a team from the Ministry.

A budding businesswoman (left) receives her empowerment fund from Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud. money towards a business that they would have wanted to embark on,” he said.

Among the youngest of the recipients was 12-year-

old Baramita resident, Ashanna Fredericks who completed the computer studies training where she Continued on page 24

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

Peru fines oil company for failing to recover spilled crude The Government of Peru has once again imposed another fine on Spanish oil giant, Repsol. The new fine that was imposed against the oil company is for failing to recover spilled hydrocarbons from their environment.

On January 15, last, over 10,000 barrels of crude was spilled from one of the La Pampilla refineries off the coast of Ventanilla in the region of Lima, Peru.

It was reported that the spill was caused by shock waves from an undersea volcanic eruption near Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean. At the time of the undersea eruption, Suezmax tanker, Mare Doricum, was offloading a shipment of Brazilian crude oil at one of La Pampilla refinery’s offshore mooring buoys, and as such, a quantity of the cargo was released.

R e p s o l h a d underreported the quantity of crude that was spilled to t h e A g e n c y f o r Environmental Assessment and Control (OEFA), an agency attached to Peru’s Ministry of the Environment, stating that only 0.16 barrels of crude was spilled, and affecting an area of 2.5m2. However, later investigations by Peru’s OEFA revealed that more than 10,000 barrels of crude had spilled – more than double the amount initially

Images from the aftermath of the oil spill.

[Photo credits: Getty Images, AFP, and Reuters]

reported by the company with the affected area being a size of 11,061 hectares.

Following the ecological disaster, the Peruvian authorities had initiated several fines and sanctions against Repsol.

The OEFA has imposed the fifth coercive fine in the

sum of Sol $460,000 (US$124,307) for the noncompliance of the administrative measure, containment and recovery of the hydrocarbon from the second oil spill.

To date, Repsol has not complied with five of the 14 administrative measures that

were issued. Those are: identification of the areas affected by the spill, cleanup of affected areas, containment and recovery of hydrocarbons, containment, recovery, and cleanup of hydrocarbons in natural protected areas, and containment and recovery of

the hydrocarbon from the second oil spill. The five coercive fines were imposed for a total amount of S o l $ 2 , 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 (US$$621,537) – four of which have already been paid.

Moreover, in the face of the new breach, the OEFA

Great Grandmother

Grandchildren : Great grandchildren :

has also initiated a new sanctioning administrative procedure. In addition to the five coercive fines, the agency has initiated five sanctioning administrative procedures against Repsol.

For the administrative sanctions, the fines could exceed Sol$92,000,000 (US$24,861,505).

The administrative sanctioning procedure is to determine whether there is administrative responsibility for non-compliance with an environmental obligation that can be audited, the consequence of which is the imposition of a sanction.

Kaieteur News reported that following the devastating oil spill, several Peruvian officials had called for the oil company to offer compensation for the disaster.

The first action taken against the company was by Peruvian judge, Romualdo Aguedo, on Friday, January 28, 2022, who granted the order to prevent four Repsol’s executives from l e a v i n g t h e c o u n t r y.

Peruvian media reported that Judge Aguedo imposed an 18-month ban on the grounds of the potential risk that the officials might leave Peru.

Among them were refinery manager, Jaime Fernández-Cuesta Luca de Tena; terminal manager, Renzo Alejandro Tejada Mackenzie; environmental manager, Gisela Cecilia Posadas Jhong and production manager, José Gregorio Reyes Ruiz.

In taking additional steps, Peru’s former Minister of the Environment, Rubén R a m i r e z o n M o n d a y, January 31, 2022, revealed that the government had taken the decision to suspend the company’s hydrocarbon loading and unloading activities.

In other words, Repsol’s operation in the country was halted until it can substantially prove that another oil spill will not occur again in its waters.

However, in an update, it was revealed that a fuel shortage in Peru had forced the country’s OEFA to lift the suspension on Repsol’s operation temporarily.

However, the company was only allowed to continue its operations for 10 days and under supervision from the OEFA. Since the expiration of the 10-day period, the Peruvian government signalled that it has other alternative sources to obtain fuel.

The clean-up and Continued on page 24

Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 06, 2022

PAGE 23

Guyana to host 38th FAO Regional Conference in 2024 Guyana will, in 2024, host the 38th session of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LARC).

This was disclosed during the closing ceremony of the Conference last Friday in Ecuador.

In a release, the Ministry of Agriculture revealed that this is the first time the conference will be hosted in Guyana and comes at a time when the country has been playing the leading role in agriculture and food security matters in CARICOM. While making remarks after receiving unanimous endorsement

for hosting the conference from all 33 member states, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said that the Government of Guyana remains committed to working with all governments in the region and with the FAO in preparation for the upcoming conference in 2024.

“We are conscious of the many challenges to the agri-food sector across the world, including challenges presented by the climate crisis. We are conscious too, that greater coordination and coherence can result in many opportunities and innovations for addressing those challenges. Guyana is therefore

committed to providing space to further this coordination among the countries of our region and for the sharing of experiences with a view to promoting stronger agri-food sectors across our countries, guided by global policy objectives. We are committed to working with all the governments in the region and with the FAO in preparation for LARC38,” the Minister said.

Minister Mustapha in a subsequent interview with FAO media representatives spoke of the importance of hosting the conference as Guyana and CARICOM work Continued on page 28

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha (left) and FAO’s Director General, Qu Dongyu

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Peru fines oil company for...

From page 22 remediation of approximately 12,000 barrels of crude that contaminated the shores and waters of Peru is expected to cost some US$65 million – this was announced by Repsol’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Josu Jon Imaz.

As the Government of Peru takes action to protect its people and its environment, Guyana in contrast, continues to give American oil giant, ExxonMobil, permission to operate without full coverage insurance to cater for such a disastrous oil spill. In February, last, ExxonMobil announced that it has commenced oil production at Guyana’s second offshore development area called Liza Phase Two in the Stabroek Block.

Among the oil companies working in Guyana’s backyard is the very oil company –Repsol – that caused the oil spill in Peru.

3 charged with murder...

From page 2 more than two years’ salary arrears.

According to the media reports, Enikuomehin further stated that it was some fishermen that helped his clients who were working on the vessel on the night of the inferno, escape being killed in the incident.

As such, he questioned why the charge of murder, arson, and malicious damage would be brought against those who were supposed to be in the hospital recuperating.

The presiding Magistrate, Olanipekun Mayumi, granted the suspects bail and ordered the case file be sent to the DPP for legal advice and adjourned the matter to July 13, 2022.

According to reports, nine persons reportedly died as a result of the oil ship explosion and some 60,000 barrels of crude was spilled.

Human Services’ Empowerment Fund injects...

From page 21 was proficient in Microsoft Office. With the grant, she explained that she plans to buy a laptop and a printer to open a document centre in her community.

Also, Paramakatoi’s Val Ann Edwin, 27 years old, highlighted that she applied for the cosmetology course because there is no existing service of this nature in the community and sees the potential this business has in the remote municipal.

Activist against trafficking in persons, Claudia Fraser, who recently returned from Venezuela, explained that she completed courses in nail technician and hair styling and will look to buy supplies for her business while providing a safe space for women in Port Kaituma.

Toshaos yet to receive...

From page 19 expenses and put food on the table throughout the month.

The Toshaos Council presently has a 114-member body.

Weighing in on the matter was former Toshao and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lenox Shuman who said that the Government simply does not value the work of Toshaos.

In fact, Shuman in an invited comment reasoned that, “The President can increase his salary by $150,000 a month and Indigenous leaders are still stuck with a paltry $30,000. It shows where their priority is at.”

He argued that when the PPP/C was in Opposition, they publicly criticised the former Coalition Government of increasing the Ministers’ wages by 50 percent, yet “they have not done anything to repeal those raises.” In fact, he said that the Government has again significantly increased salaries and they will benefit too.

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 06, 2022

$322 million estimated to repair 28 pontoons for Demerara Harbour Bridge Tapping into its $946 million budgetary allocation, the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) is planning to spend some $322 million to facilitate the rehabilitation of a total of 28 pontoons on the aged floating bridge.

This was revealed on Tuesday during the opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office. The companies which offered bids to repair 24 regular pontoons and four large pontoons are Gopie Investments Inc., Guyana National Industrial Company Inc., Dock Yard, S. Jagmohan Construction and General Supply Inc., and Industrial Fabrication Inc. Rehabilitation of 24 regular and 4 large pontoons

At the opening as well, bids were also received for the supply and delivery of a 15,000 ft marine anchor chain which is also slated for the bridge.

During an interview with the Department of Public Information last month, General Manager of the bridge, Wayne Watson had stated the $946 million the DHBC received this year will be spent on some anchorage work as well to repair the pontoons, among other things.

“One of those works is the anchorage system. So, in 2022 we would have received some funding to do some anchorage work. Also, we have pontoons that need rehabilitation, funding was approved for that. Ten feet deck plates which is Ministry of Finance Supply and delivery of motor vehicles Lot 1: one 4x4 enclosed off-road vehicle, Lot 2: one reconditioned sports utility vehicle, Lot 3: one new minibus and Lot 4: one new 4x4 double cab pick-up.

basically the platform which the vehicles use to traverse on the bridge, funding was also approved for that and the transom beams.

These are the beams that deck plates are seated on, we got approval for 30 such beams,” the General Manager said.

He stated also that the funding the Corporation received, it is estimated that $75 million would go towards the construction of the motorised platform, $411 million to rehabilitate the pontoons, $100 million is set aside for the fabrication of deck plates, $60 million for the fabrication of Hbeams and $300 million for anchor chains and blocks.

Below are the companies and their bids: Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. Construction of 300-metre heavy duty revetment at Blairmont Estate, Lot 1: 154 metre (m) (91m at factory Office Bridge to punt dumper and 63m at Rosignol sluice), Lot2: 146m (106m at Blairmont #1 sluice outfall and 40m at Blairmont #2 slice outfall).

Supply and delivery of 15,000 ft marine anchor chain

Construction of 2000-metre light duty revetment at Blairmont Estate, Lot1: 0 to 1000m (new Middle Walk Canal) and Lot 2: 1000m to 2000m (new Middle Walk Canal).

Central Housing and Planning Authority Supply and delivery of four 4x4 pick-up vehicles.

Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Temporary rental of (60,000 to 80,000 sq ft) compound situated within Houston to Providence, East Bank Demerara for storage of GRA state warehouse goods.

Ministry of Agriculture- Hydro-meteorological Service Transportation for the Ministry of Agriculture's staff operating at the Eugene F. Correira International Airport.

Transportation for the Ministry's staff operating at the National Weather Watch Centre, Hyde Park, Timehri.

Man kills teen for refusing to move from his premises Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Supply and delivery of medical scrub suits

A 16-year-old boy reportedly lost his life on Monday after he allegedly refused to move from his alleged killer's premises located at Hogg Street and Independence Boulevard, Georgetown.

At least this was what his teenage friends, who witnessed him being killed, told police.

The dead teen has been identified as Isaiah Smith of Lot 100, Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown.

Smith was stabbed to death around 14:55hrs.

His friends told investigators that they were all sitting on a bench located on the eastern side of the suspect's home. The man reportedly came out and

ordered them to move but Smith sternly refused.

As a result, the suspect allegedly slapped Smith and a scuffle ensued between them. It was during the scuffle that the suspect reportedly pulled out a knife from his pants waist and stabbed Smith to his abdomen.

Smith then reportedly turned and ran but collapsed a short a distance away. He was reportedly picked up by a taxi driver and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The suspect has since been arrested by police and the suspected murder weapon was recovered.

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 06, 2022

5 patients in COVID-19 ICU, 10 new cases FOR RENT

VEHICLE FOR SALE

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

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A

fter reporting one new case on Monday, the Ministry of Health on Tuesday revealed that within the last 24 hours, a total of 10 new infections were recorded.

According to the Ministrys dashboard, the new cases were detected in Region Four, which recorded two and Region Six which recorded eight.

This has brought the total number of cases in Guyana to 63,283.

The dashboard also shows that five patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, nine persons are in institutional isolation, 68 are in home isolation and 19 are in institutional quarantine.

Additionally, within the last assessed 24-hour period, eight persons recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 61,975.

Woman remanded for robbing man with surgical blade

1 child friendly female to assist with kids and household chores.Contact:653-7776 preferably from E.B.D. A mother of three, Ronda One female to work in Interior,must be 18yrs & over. Jounor of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown was on Monday Tel:674-9999. remanded to prison until April 1 live in to work in George 19, 2022 for robbing a man town.Must be 18yrs & over. with a surgical blade. She apTel:674-9999. peared at the Georgetown Male to work in Interior.Must Magistrate Court before Magistrate Delon Bess and be 18 & over.Tel:686-2201.

was charged for committing robbery with violence. According to reports, she allegedly did not act alone and worked with two male accomplices.

It was reported that the robbery took place on April 1, last at the corner of Regent

and Wellington Streets, Georgetown. Jounor had allegedly approached the man and asked him, “If he was doing business with her.”

The man reportedly walked away and she reportedly followed him. Two men suddenly joined her and at-

tacked the man. One of them reportedly choked him while the other pushed his hands into his pocket and removed $208,000 in cash. As the victim was fighting back, Jounor reportedly used a surgical blade to cut him to his forearm.

Guyana to host 38th FAO Regional...

Female to take care of an elderly male between the ages of 25 to 40. Accommodations From page 23 provided.Call or WhatsApp towards lowering the regional food import bill by 25 percent 1-868-683-1528. by 2025.

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

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One female cleaner.Apply at:Lens 136 Sheriff St C/Ville Georgetown.Contact:2272486 or 227-1511.

in Guyana as a catalyst to move this process forward because by 2024, we would’ve gone a far way in terms of moving and reducing the input food import bill of the Caribbean,” Minister Mustapha noted.

Guyana’s participation at the conference was also commended by the FAO’s Director-General Qu Dongyu. He thanked Minister Mustapha for his willingness to serve as both Vice-Chair and Chair during the ministerial sessions as well as for the delivery of several noteworthy presentations over the five days.

“I want to thank Minister Mustapha from Guyana who very effectively, served as Vice-Chair and Chair of the several sessions of this regional conference. We seek to offer you our support for your active participation in the fruitful and successful delib-

erations. Let us continue to work together in an efficient and effective way and a coherent manner to achieve the desired results. The next turn, it’s a new bar, a new benchmark, and a new standard for my friend from Guyana,” Mr. Dongyu said.

Alluding to the fact that Guyana was the only country to form part of the Caribbean and South America, Minister Mustapha expressed that the next conference will afford officials the opportunity of the best of both worlds.

“Guyana is the only country that touches South America and connects the Caribbean. We’re the only English-speaking country in South America and a big part of the Caribbean. So, when you attend the conference in 2024 you will, to some extent, attend both in Latin America and the Caribbean,” the Min-

ister added.

The Conference serves as a forum for member states to meet, identify, and discuss key priority areas of work with FAO and provide guidance on the effective implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31, in line with the regional specificities of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The biennial brings together Ministers of the world’s largest agri-food net importing and exporting regions to discuss healthy diets, inclusive rural societies, and sustainable agriculture.

Last February, Guyana hosted the International Energy Conference and Expo, which attracted delegates, investors, and exhibitors from around the world. The government is also scheduled to host the first-ever Agri-Investment Forum and Expo sometime in May of this year.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 06, 2022

PAGE 29

SCCP launched at Westminster Secondary School O

n Monday, parents of Grade 10 students of t h e We s t m i n s t e r Secondary School in Region Three along with their children were briefed on the plan to launch the Secondary Competency Certificate Programme (SCCP) at the school.

This is according to a release issued by the Ministry of Education yesterday.

It noted that parents and students were briefed by Officers within the Ministry’s Technical Vo c a t i o n a l E d u c a t i o n a n d Training (TVET) Unit about the different subjects the students will be exposed to and what will be expected of them.

Assistant Chief Education Officer (Technical), Ms. Marcia Paddy said that the meeting was aimed at sensitising parents and students about the programme since the teachers have already

Assistant Chief Education Officer (Tech), Ms. Marcia Paddy speaking to students and parents present at the meeting.

benefitted from a similar process.

She explained that due to the path Guyana is taking, more industries will be expanded and greater emphasis is being placed on skills development formally known as

Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

She said that initially, the programme will offer training in agriculture science, furniture making, hospitality and business

studies. However, according to Ms. Paddy, the programme will expand to offer training in agroprocessing and livestock farming.

She said that Guyana needs to produce the workforce to supply

the expanding industries. The ACEO (Tech) said that it is the intention of the Ministry that every student leaves secondary school with at least one skilled certificate.

Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson said that the Ministry of Education believes that every child is born gifted and therefore the Education Sector must do everything possible to ensure those gifts are maximised so that children can function at their optimum.

He said that Guyana has experienced a revival in terms of the importance and interest in TVET. Dr. Hutson noted that offering this programme to students of the school will give them the perfect opportunity to advance, develop, fulfil their purpose and be dispatched into society to be contributors to the development of this nation.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Tiger Woods set to play Masters at Augusta National (BBC Sport) - Five-time champion Tiger Woods is planning to play in this week’s Masters just 14 months after suffering life-threatening injuries in a car crash.

Woods will play nine holes today before confirming the decision.

But in a news conference at Augusta National yesterday the American said “as of right now, I am going to play”.

When asked if he thought he could equal Jack Nicklaus’ record of six victories he replied: “I do. I don’t show up to an event unless I think I can win it.”

He surprised many when he announced last week that he was hoping to compete at

the first men’s major of 2022.

In February, Woods made it clear that he thought the hilly terrain at Augusta National would come too soon in his recovery.

He spent several months of last year in hospital after sustaining a number of serious injuries in the single vehicle car crash near Los Angeles - caused by him driving at close to double the 45mph speed limit. Woods has said he could have died in the crash, with the need to have a leg amputated another fear at the time.

He played 18 holes last week, a few on Sunday and then nine more on Monday in the company of good friends

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

Tiger Woods has won The Masters five times in his career. (AP Photo) Justin Thomas and 1992 Masters champion Fred Couples.

Woods’ last professional tournament was the rescheduled Masters in November 2020, when he was defending champion.

De Bruyne gives Man City slender lead...

From page 34 selections in previous Champions League knockout stage defeats with City.

However, Guardiola's game-changing decision to introduce Foden should silence a few critics after it turned a difficult evening into a vital victory.

"When the game was a little bit flat, we knew we could change it with the substitutes," Guardiola said.

"Phil has a special quality.He had the composure to make an incredible assist and Kevin is in the best moment of his season."

As ever, City monopolised possession, yet they often found themselves shuffling passes across midfield before Atletico shut the door on them.

Simeone's famously prag-

matic approach presented a stark contrast to the purist principles espoused by Guardiola.Gradually, City rose to the challenge and Ilkay Gundogan went close with a curling shot that deflected wide off Stefan Savic soon after the interval.

De Bruyne's free-kick finally forced Jan Oblak's first save, while Raheem Sterling dragged his effort well wide from a dangerous position moments later.

When Aymeric Laporte headed wastefully over from

IPL 2022: RCB rally to rock...

From page 33 get off to the same strong start on Tuesday, it was a similar story again as over half of his runs came off six balls.

Unsurprisingly, he regained

Finch and Ellis help world champions...

Wednesday April 06, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A number of great ideas either for new creative projects or enhancing ongoing ones could pop into your head during the day, Aries.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) A person with whom you work, probably a woman, could leave suddenly without notice or stated reason, Taurus. This could be confusing, and you might find yourself wondering if there are changes within the company that you know nothing about.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Someone you've wanted to hear from for a long time, perhaps an old friend who lives far away, could ring you up today while you're out, Gemini.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) A rather upsetting dream could disturb your sleep tonight, Cancer. When you wake up and focus on the real world, it could seem so bizarre as to not be worthy of serious consideration.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A colleague or possibly a romantic partner could be in a rather touchy mood today, Leo. Therefore, you might find this person difficult to deal with. You could get a bit irritated and wonder if this person is worth the aggravation he or she is causing you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You tend to be very intuitive, Virgo, but today you could find your psychic abilities short-circuit. If yo u give readings,

don't schedule any for today.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Some rather upsetting news about a friend could come to you today, Libra, probably over the phone.

This could be the truth, but more likely the facts have been distorted in the retelling.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today you could receive a lucky career break of some kind that brings some extra money your way, Scorpio. The downside is that you might have to put in

many extra hours.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) An unexpected visit from someone who lives far away is likely to throw your schedule off kilter, Sagittarius. Even though you'll be glad to see your friend, the visit could require a lot of calls to break appointments and postpone meetings.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) An unexpected financial setback could have you reeling at first, Capricorn. Perhaps an emergency, such as a toothache or car breakdown, requires a substantial expenditure that you hadn't planned for.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You could be feeling restless and frustrated due to a temporary separation from a partner, Aquarius, perhaps a business partner but more likely a romantic one.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A rather disconcerting rumor about your job could reach your ears, Pisces. Perhaps you'll hear that the company is being sold or undergoing a shakeup in the hierarchy.

From page 38 fourth ball of his first over and Fakhar Zaman off a full toss next ball to pull things for Australia.

Azam drove Green for a four to bring up his 26th T20I fifty off just 33 balls. He smashed spinner Adam Zampa for a six but next ball holed out at deep cover.

Khushdil Shah chipped in with 21-ball 24 and Usman

Riyad Mahrez's corner, Guardiola had seen enough and he sent on Foden, Jack Grealish and Gabriel Jesus.

Foden's arrival was an inspired move as the England forward played a key role when City at last broke through in the 70th minute.

Taking possession outside the Atletico area, Foden shimmied away from two defenders and slipped a precise pass to De Bruyne, who timed his run perfectly to drill a low strike into the far corner from a tight angle.

Qadir six-ball 18 not out as Pakistan managed 50 runs in the last five overs, losing five w i c k e t s . M a r n u s Labuschagne, Ben Dwarshuis and Green were handed Twenty20 international debuts by Australia.

Scores: Australia 163 for 7 (Finch 55, Shaheen 2-21) beat Pakistan 162 for 8 (Babar 66, Ellis 4-28) by three wickets.

the outright season lead in the IPL with 205 runs.

RCB retain hold over RoyalsThis was a fifth consecutive RCB win against the Royals; representing Rajasthan's longest active losing streak against any opposition.It is a particularly painful defeat for the Royals, too, having looked on course to continue a winning start to the season, until bowing under RCB's own barrage of boundaries.

Match details: Royal Challengers Bangalore 173 for 6 (Shahbaz 45, Karthik 44*, Chahal 2-15) beat Rajasthan Royals 169 for 3 (Buttler 70, Hetmyer 42*, Padikkal 37) by four wickets

Liverpool in sight ...

From page 33 made it three before half-time but the tie seemed all-but over, the only question how many Liverpool would score in the second period.

Instead, Benfica pulled a goal back shortly after the restart as Konate air-kicked Rafa Silva's cross and Nunez pounced.

Benfica were transformed, as Nunez twice went close before the Uruguayan wanted a penalty for being stopped by Konate.

While the fans were bouncing, urging their team on, Klopp took Salah, Mane and Thiago off, an indication of the superiority he felt his team still held in the tie.

The substitutions knocked Benfica out of their stride and as the game drifted towards the finish, Liverpool snatched a third, Keita slipping in Diaz, who rounded the goalkeeper and slid into an empty net.

Liverpool in sight ...

From page 36 Sweden and the Czech Republic. Poland went on to beat Sweden in their playoff match to qualify for the World Cup finals, which begin in November.CAS had also upheld UEFA's ban on Russian teams taking part in its competitions for the duration of its proceedings.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Europe-South America partnership could challenge FIFA power LONDON (AP) — In a small ground-floor office suite in London's affluent Mayfair district, FIFA's control over world football was eroded with a handshake and low-key unveiling.

The deeper alliance between the two most powerful football confederations from Europe and South America — by opening a joint office — comes just as FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been left chastened by the collapse of his pursuit of biennial World Cups.

The resistance to the attempt to double the f r e q u e n c y o f F I FA ' s showpiece events was led by UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and CONMEBOL counterpart Alejandro Dominguez, who toasted their partnership with the office opening on Monday.

It is a joint base seemingly without any staff, established in time for the launch of a match which shows intercontinental competitions can be organized without any involvement from FIFA. The debut of the Finalissima — a clash of the European and South Americans champions — will see Italy and Argentina meet at Wembley Stadium in north London in June.

In speeches to the small gathered audience of European and South American national

federation heads at their London office, Ceferin and Dominguez sought to emphasize this was not a collaboration with financial motivations.

“It is a historic day for football, for the world,” Dominguez said. “Not greedy. Not selfish. It is for the entire world. We are here to work for the good of the sport we love.”

It forms a closer bon between the only two continents to see its teams win the World Cup.“It's a great day for football,” Ceferin said, “When the only two winners of the World Cup meet it's a big thing. I think Europe needs South America and South America needs Europe."

Ceferin signalled a desire to use the partnership for the benefit of other confederations.

“We are not selfish," Ceferin said. “This is for the development of all football.

We are ready to cooperate with everyone. It is not against anyone. But we need this cooperation and I am looking forward to this great journey."

The journey has already i n c l u d e d U E FA a n d CONEMBOL both threatening boycotts of the World Cup if FIFA pushed ahead with an attempt to double the frequency of the tournament.

Having exhausted time and money into making the

West Indies T20I and ODI captain Kieron Pollard

SportsMax - West Indies T20I and ODI captain Kieron Pollard was selected by the London Spirit with the first pick in the draft for the 2022 edition of The Hundred yesterday.

Pollard will join the likes of Mark Wood and Glenn Maxwell for the Spirit in the 100-ball per team tournament.

His Trinidadian countrymen Sunil Narine and Dwayne Bravo will turn out

case for the plan, FIFA and Infantino are trying to disown the project and shift the responsibility on their members for backing a Saudi proposal for a feasibility study.

"FIFA has not proposed a b i e n n i a l Wo r l d C u p , " Infantino said at the FIFA Congress in Qatar last week, having previously talked up the idea.

“FIFA came to the conclusion that it is feasible, that it would have some repercussions and impacts,” he added. "But once this is certified, the next phase starts and it's a phase of consultation, it's the phase of discussion, it's the phase of trying to find agreements and compromises.”

It was a climbdown after Infantino faced months of public rebukes from Ceferin and Dominguez over the threat to the status of their continental competitions, the damage to the women's game and workload on players.

The formalization of the UEFA-CONMEBOL linkup does move the continents closer to organizing their own joint competition by expanding Europe's Nations League to include South American teams.

Such a plan could grate other confederations, such as the body covering the North and Central America and Caribbean region.

CONCACAF President

Pollard selected with first pick in 2022 Hundred draft for the Northern Superchargers and Oval Invincibles, respectively, while Andre Russell was the first selection for the Manchester Originals. All four West Indians were taken at the highest price range of 125,000 pounds sterling.

The second edition of the Hundred will run from August 3-September 3. The inaugural edition in 2021 was won by the Southern Braves.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during an interview conducted with The Associated Press, in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Lujain Jo) Victor Montagliani, who is keen on a Global Nations League that could feature his teams, has some issues with the power base being built by UEFA. “If the game is really to be global, you can't have a situation where they rebelled against a Super League in Europe, but it's OK to have a

Dinesh Karthik won the Most Valuable Asset Award for his unbeaten 44.

super confederation,” Montagliani said on the sidelines of FIFA meetings and World Cup draw in Qatar last week. “What are the rest of us supposed to do? Just twiddle our thumbs and keeping sending players and capital over to Europe? That can't happen. I'm sorry."

Montagliani added that the fierce debates over biennial World Cups created a “disruptive situation” and a kind of divisiveness that can harm the sport.

“We need to have a hard look in the mirror as leaders of football,” Montagliani said. "I quite frankly think we've done a C if you had to grade us in terms of really coming together for for the sport."As for his solution: “Leave your ego at the door.”

The newest door to enter in world football politics is in the heart of central London, leading into the offices where UEFA and CONEMBOL believe they can reshape the game for the benefit of countries beyond their own continents.

Infantino didn't make the

trip to the London, opting instead to attend an event in Florence, Italy.

The Swiss-Italian is now counting down to his reelection as FIFA president that was launched last week after seeing his first seven years in power marked by d iv is io n s an d ab o r ted changes to competitions.

There was the attempt to c a j o l e F I FA C o u n c i l members into hastily accepting a $25 billion investment package to create new competitions that Ceferin successfully resisted. Then there was a failed attempt to fast-track the expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams in time for Qatar and spread the competition within the region.

“Listen, we all make mistakes,” Montagliani said.

“Nobody's perfect. Whether it's me or whether it's Gianni, whether it's any other confederation president or, quite frankly, any president.

We just need to get better because I think the sport deserves it.”

IPL 2022: RCB rally to rock Royals

Shimron Hetmyer and Jos Buttler added the finishing touches to the Royals innings. (BCCI)

(SportsMax) - Royal Challengers Bangalore roared back to hand Rajasthan Royals their first defeat of the 2022 Indian Premier League by four wickets.

RCB's hopes of victory looked to have escaped them when they allowed Jos Buttler to put on another batting masterclass after his second IPL hundred – and the only century of this year's tournament so far – in the Royals' previous match against Mumbai Indians.

Buttler recovered from a slow start to score an unbeaten 70, ramping up the run rate over a final two overs in which he hit four

sixes and Shimron Hetmyer (42 not out) added another.

Their unbroken partnership of 83 off 42 concluded the Royals' innings on 169-3, which looked a solid total at the midway stage of RCB's reply.

Faf du Plessis had been limited to 29, while Virat Kohli was run out, but RCB had enough batting talent remaining further down the order to reach 173-6 with five balls to spare.

A crucial 33-ball sixthwicket stand of 67 between Shahbaz Ahmed (45) and Dinesh Karthik turned the tide, with the wicketkeeperbatsman sticking around to

make 44 not out and complete the job alongside Harshal Patel (nine not out).

Buttler brilliance in vain Explaining his performance against the Indians, when he bludgeoned 26 runs in the fourth over alone, Buttler said ahead of this match: "You are always looking for that one over that you can really target and go for."

Indeed, his had been just the second IPL century with a dot ball percentage of more than 40; failing to score off 41 per cent of the deliveries he faced, but doing the damage with big boundaries.

Although Buttler did not (Continued on page 31)

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

Liverpool in sight of semis after putting three past Benfica Luis Diaz was making his first Champions League start for Liverpool. (Getty Images)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 34

Wednesday April 06, 2022

De Bruyne gives Man City slender lead over stubborn Atletico AFP - Pep Guardiola praised Manchester City's patience after Kevin De Bruyne broke Atletico Madrid's stubborn resistence to clinch a 1-0 win in yesterday's Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Guardiola's side spent much of the night banging their heads against the red and white wall of Atletico's massed defence at the Etihad Stadium.

But Guardiola sent on Phil Foden midway through the second half and his sublime pass teed up De

Bruyne to finally reward City for their territorial dominance."I didn't expect to win three or four nil. I knew who we were facing. They have been together for many years," Guardiola said.

"They defend so well, so compact and so deep. We were patient. You have to be against these teams. They want you to be anxious.

"It's a good result.

Unfortunately we had a couple more chances with Kevin to score again."

While Guardiola launched a water bottle in a

frenzied celebration that underlined what a testing night it had been for his team, the City boss knows the tie is far from over.

"Even a 1-0 lead going to Madrid is tough," Guardiola said."We have to control our emotions. It will be a good test for us, our maturity. We will try to score and win the game."At the start of a season-defining 11 days for treble-chasing City, this was a qualified success that justified their patient performance.

But Atletico have already

Kevin de Bruyne (left) has scored six goals and created five in his last 12 knockout stage matches in the Champions League. (Getty Images)

knocked out Manchester United in the last 16 this season, while Liverpool fell victim to Diego Simeone's side when the Reds were the holders in 2019-20.

The Spanish champions will believe they can cause another surprise in the second leg in Madrid on April 13."It's clear we were playing against an extraordinary

opponent. We have to use a great way of defending and without being embarrassed," Simeone said.

"We need to be better, see if we can have the ball a bit more in the second leg.

Perhaps we can create more difficulties. We are still in the tie."City have no margin for error over the next two weeks as the Premier League

leaders host Liverpool, just a point behind them in the title race, on Sunday.

They head to Madrid next week before facing Liverpool again in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley three days later.

- 'Special quality' Guardiola has often been criticised for his curious team (Continued on page 31)

Woodpecker Products Junior Nat C/ships

Shomari Wilshire (Boys), Kirsten Gomes (girls) win titles The Woodpecker Products Junior National Championships for 2021 concluded on Sunday at the Georgetown Club Camp Street.

The Championship is being recognised for last year which was missed due to the pandemic. In a tournament that spanned two weeks, with the Under 19's Boys playing out last week. Shomari Wiltshire dominated to take the crown- and when what would have been the final match for the top two girls was cancelled due to injury, Kirsten Gomes became the 2021 Girls UI9 Champ. The Guyana Squash Association dedicated these two trophies to the late Colin Ming to recognise his valued contribution to the sport by naming them the "Colin Ming Junior National Champions".

After a long pause of Junior competition, the younger players dusted off their court shoes and enthusiastically got back in swing for the tournament. Some athletes played in several categories, playing as many matches as three in one day on occasions. Each of the youngsters enjoyed their return to competition and importantly, the competition reignited their passion for the game. A couple of 5 setter matches entertained the crowd and with a return of the GSA hosted its signature fundraiser BBQ on Sunday afternoon.

Squash is back on track in time to prepare the Juniors for the upcoming Caribbean Area Squash Championships, scheduled to be hosted in Guyana in July 2022.

Newly introduced special award “Heart of a Champion” was presented to a beaming Breno DaSilva for his attitude, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm for the game. Along with scooping his first National title at U13, he joined brother, Louis in the Winners group. Multiple wins for Kirsten Gomes in U19 and U17 category, Nicholas Verwey BU19 3rd place, BU17 Winner, and taking 4 new pieces of

silverware home was Safirah Sumner GU19 2nd place, GU17 2nd place, GU15 Winner and Most improved girl.

In a brief speech, Vice President David Fernandes took the opportunity to remember special friends of squash who have passed away during the hiatus from competition including the late Bobby Fernandes, the late Billy Fung A Fat, and the late Colin Ming- all of whom gave so much to the sport and the squash fraternity.

Fernandes, from sponsor Woodpecker Products, handed out trophies to the winners and highlighted the hard work and unwavering, long time support from founder and owner Luana Fernandes.

Tournament director, Deje Dias thanked sponsors, players and supportive parents for a successful week of play.

Prize list: Most improved Boy Louis DaSilva Most Improved Girl Safirah Sumner Heat of a Champion Breno DaSilva BU19 Winner Shomari Wiltshire 2nd Place Samuel Ince-Carvalhal 3rd Place Nicholas Verwey GU19 Winner Kirsten Gomes 2nd Place Safirah Sumner 3rd Place Abosaide Cadogan BU17 Winner Nicholas Verwey 2nd Place Michael Alphonso 3rd Place Mohryan Baksh Gu17 Winner Kirsten Gomes 2nd Place Safirah Sumner 3rd Place Beau Fernandes BU15 Winner Mohryan Baksh 2nd Place Louis DaSilva 3rd Place Shiloh Asregado GU15 Winner Safirah Sumner 2nd Place Rylee Rodrigues 3rd Place Beau Fernandes BU13 Winner Breno DaSilva 2nd Place Grant Fernandes 3rd Place Noah Rahaman

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Kaieteur News

Felix Trinidad likes Yordenis Ugas' chances against Errol Spence Jr. Boxing Junkie - Yordenis Ugas is only the latest in a long line of successful boxers from the Caribbean.

The Cuban teamed up with one of the greatest of all time from the region – Felix “Tito” Trinidad – on Monday to promote his pay-per-view title-unification bout against Errol Spence Jr. on April 16 at AT&T Stadium outside Dallas.

“I remember watching Felix when I was a teenager and he fought against De La Hoya,” said Ugas, referring to the Puerto Rican's majority-decision victory over his American rival in 1999. “Everyone in Cuba was talking about it. That fight really blew my mind. It was amazing to watch Felix go toe-to-toe with Oscar.

“To see Felix achieve something so incredible was a great inspiration.”

Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) has had his own big victories, the biggest coming when he stepped in on short notice to outpoint 42-year-old Manny Pacquiao and win the WBA welterweight belt last August.

Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) figures to be a stiffer challenge but Trinidad, for one, likes Ugas' chances. He described how he believes the fight will play out: “When I watched the Manny Pacquiao fight, I watched Ugas represent Cuba in an amazing way. I believe that Ugas can emulate what he did against Pacquiao in the fight against Spence.

His speed and precision is going to wow the crowd in this fight.

“This is going to be a fight of a champion against a champion. When I fought De

La Hoya, I knew that I had to go all out and couldn't leave anything in the tank. I believe in Ugas, and he's going to make us all proud.

“Errol is a rangy southpaw. Instead of trying to go up against their right hand, I'd let a southpaw throw their biggest shot and dodge it, so that I could deliver my most powerful shot. I'd tell Ugas to let Spence throw that left hand and dodge it.”

He went on: “Ugas' best attributes are similar to mine. It's the conditioning and the mentality.

He brings what he works on in training and uses it in the fight so well. He brings that preparation into the ring just like I used to. It makes me believe in him, and I know that he's going to do well.

“I would tell Ugas to stay

St. Rose's High win Inter Schools Tapeball Competition

The victorious St. Rose's High School team alongside Coordinator James Lewis (left).

St. Rose's High School carted off with the It's Our Life-ARD Trophy when they won the Inter Secondary Schools Tapeball Cricket Competition on Saturday at the D'Urban Park Tarmac.

St. Rose's defeated Charlestown Secondary School in the finale of the four over tournament. On Saturday, Charlestown took

first strike and reach 48 – 4 in their allotted overs before the eventual victors returned to reach 50 without loss in 3.1 overs.

According to a release from the coordinator of the tournament, James Lewis, the next competition is scheduled for Saturday at the same venue for 9:30 hrs.

Teams from East Coast, West Demerara, East Bank

and G e o rg e t o w n h a v e signaled their intent to participate in the event which has a winning purse of $50,000 and the P&P B r o k e r s I n s u r a nce Trophy to accompany the cash incentive.

These competitions are often organised by the Holy Family Bible Club and coordinated by Lewis.

PAGE 35

Yordenis Ugas (left) fights Manny Pacquao.

close and be on offense.

Don't let Spence come to you instead. Right jab and left uppercut is the combination that is going to work best for him.”

Trinidad obviously has a high opinion of Ugas. And Ugas believes in himself.

“I'm a competitor, I would have put my best foot forward in any decade,” he

said. “I would have loved to fight Trinidad and the other fighters of his era. I could have won, I could have lost, but I would have loved to face those challenges.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 36

Football Union of Russia withdraws appeal over FIFA ban (Reuters) - The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) yesterday said the Football Union of Russia (FUR) had withdrawn its appeal against soccer's world governing body FIFA as well as the Polish, Swedish and Czech Republic Football Associations.

FIFA and European governing body UEFA decided together that all Russian teams, whether national or club sides, would be suspended from participation in their competitions until further notice after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia were set to host Poland in a World Cup qualifying playoff on March 24 but FIFA had said that Poland would be given a bye to the final of their path in the playoffs to play either Sweden or the Czech Republic.

Sport's highest court said in a statement that the procedure would be terminated shortly. It added a panel of arbitrators was currently being constituted and no procedural calendar had been established yet.

Russia, which calls its actions in Ukraine a "special military operation", has also

filed appeals seeking annulment of its bans from international gymnastics, rugby, rowing, and skating, CAS said.

Last month, Russia's hopes of competing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar were effectively ended after CAS rejected a request from the FUR to freeze FIFA's suspension while their appeal was being heard.

Several national soccer associations announced they would not play against Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine, including those of Poland, (Continued on page 31)

Wednesday April 06, 2022

National Junior Championship Qualifiers confirmed for April 9 Jessica Callender

The Guyana Chess Federation's (GCF) Junior Championship Qualifiers has finally returned since 2019 after tournaments were halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The four day event is being sponsored by DeSinco Ltd. Games begin this Saturday, April 9, at 09:00 hrs and continue daily until the final round on April 12, all being played at the Guyana National Stadium Providence.

The top ten players at the end of the four-day National Junior Qualifiers will be invited to play in the National Junior Championships. The Championships determine who will be awarded the title of National Junior Champion.

Andre Jagnandan is the reigning Junior Champion, after he earned the title at the age of 19 in 2019.

The 2020 National Junior Tournament came to an abrupt halt in March 2020 due to the pandemic.

Now three years after a new Junior Champion will take the title.

Junior players include Keron Sandiford, who won the Best Junior prize in the recent Gaico Grand Prix Tournament, along with Ethan Lee, Jaden Taylor, Oluwadare Oyeyipo, Rajiv Lee, Ricardo Narine, Jessica Callender and Kishan Puran will all be participating.

Sasha Shariff, who won

Sasha Shariff the Women's Championship in 2020 and also represented Guyana numerous times in international tournaments, including the Olympiad in 2019, will also be competing.

Almost 50 junior players have already signed up to compete. The Qualifiers will be a total of 7 rounds of classic matches. Each game will be played on a time control of 90 minutes with 30 second increments after each move.

The tournament is open to all local chess players aged 19 years or younger on January 1, 2022 and will be FIDE rated. Players interested in competing must register by 17:00hrs on A p r i l 8 , o n www.guyanachess.org and pay a registration fee of GYD $1,000.

The tournament will be

supervised by FIDE-arbiters Irshad Mohamad, John Lee and Anand Raghunauth.

Boards 1 to 6 will be broadcast live on the w w w. g u y a n a c h e s s . o r g website as well as on youtube.

The GCF is thrilled to have DeSinco Ltd once again partnering to provide this opportunity to the young Guyanese chess players who are eager to commence over the board play and expresses its heartfelt thanks to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alicia DeAbreu, for also assisting with the sanitization aspect of the event.

The GCF would also like to also express thanks to the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport for providing the use of the National Stadium for this annual event.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Nicolette Fernandes

Nicolette Fernandes reach Pan Am semis in Guatemala

L

adies team captain, Nicolette Fernandes has qualified for the semifinals in the senior Pan American Squash Championships in Guatemala and is the only Guyanese remaining in the individual category.

Fernandes continues her bid to reach the higher individuals rounds after dropping only one game against Lucia Bautista from Colombia 11/9, 8/11, 11/2, 11/8 before beating Maria Min of Canada 3-0 to advance to the semis which were scheduled to be played last night.

In a field of high standard players, the boys all lost their second round matches yesterday along with

Vryheid's Lust dominates Small Goal Tournament South Turkeyen Sports Committee recently held their Under-14, Under-16 and Senior 3-a-side small Goal Football Competition.

In the Under-14 category, Vryheid's Lust defeated Sophia in the finale 3 – 0 as goals came from Otery Parris, Kneal Paris and Terion Patterson.

In the Under-16 division, Vryheid's Lust defeated Sophia 5 – 0 with doubles from Kadeem Beckles, Michael Jones and Anthony Warne.

In the senior category, Vryheid Lust's defeated the Rest team 2 – 0 with a goal each from Michael John and Michael George.

Trophies and medals for the tournaments were donated by the National

Sport Commission (NSC), while the cash prizes were donated by Ken Phillips of Antarctic Maintenance, Alfred Mentore, P&P Insurance, Jacobs Jewellery and Pawnshop, Attorney At Law Joseph Harmon and others.

Any sponsors desirous of supporting the event can make contact with Johnny Overseas Barnwell on Tel # 666-2950.

The presentation of prizes will be held on Thursday April 7.

The organizer of the event, Johnny 'Overseas' Barnwell disclosed via a release, that another Tournament will be held on Sunday April 10 at C Field Second Block for the Under 14 and Under 16 teams.

GCB/CWI to conduct Coaching Education...

From page 39 Dameon Ross, Wayne Osborne, Nabeel Ali, Surendar Kissoonlall, Gregory Crandon, Gregory George, Rayon De Costa, Parmeshwar Persaud, Nathan Persaud, Stamond Daniels and Heema Singh.

Thursday April 7, 2022: Christopher Barnwell, Tevin Imlach, Virendra Chintamani, Akaze ThompsonJoel Amsterdam, Mirenda Corneilus, Krishna Singh, Orlando Tanner, Jermaine Maxwell, Ryan

PAGE 37

Shun, Mahendra Algu, Davindra Ramdihal, Keon Joseph, Terry Newton, I m r a n B a k s h , LakramLathman, Sharaz R a m c h a r r a n , AnthonyBramble, Ravishwar Latif, Rajendra Chandrika, Divine Ross, Nadine Smith, and Romario Samaroo.

The facilitators, Keshava R a m p h a l a n d Ry e r s o n Bhagoo of Trinidad and Tobago, will be ably assisted by tutors Colin Stuart and Julian Moore.

Gabby Fraser.

Coach Ramon Can A Sue shared, "It has been tough going for the Guyana team so far as we try to acclimatise to the conditions (altitude). We are looking forward to getting better as the tournament moves into the team phase of the event."

Fraser and Samuel InceCarvalhal each nearly took a game f r o m t h e A rg e n t i n i a n s P i l a r Etchechoury and Jeremias Azana.

Fraser had a strong second game narrowly losing it 9/11, while InceCarvalhal made a valiant push in his third game- managing to also get within 2 points of his opponent.

Mary Fung A Fat who was halted in her bid, earned each of her points

against Ariana Alva of Ecuador but was unable to catch her and lost in 36/11 8/11 8/11.

Ashley Khalil enjoyed a solid 3/0 win in her first match against Emma Turnball of Cayman Island, but met with a formidable opponent Argentinian, Valentina Portieri yesterday in a five-setter close battle which she lost 9/11, 10/12, 11/9, 11/7, 10/12.

Doubles categories begin today with siblings Jason and Ashley Khalil teaming up for the mixed doubles, Kristian Jeffrey and Alex Arjoon representing Guyana for the men and Mary Fung A Fat and Gabby Fraser partnering up for the women.

The team event with be played on Friday and Saturday.

PAGE 38

Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 06, 2022

Finch and Ellis help world champions Australia thump Pakistan in T20I

Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green and Adam Zampa, seen here celebrating Babar Azam's wicket, picked up seven wickets between them AFP/Getty Images.

AFP - Skipper Aaron Finch returned to form with a half century and pace bowler Nathan Ellis took four wickets as world champions Australia beat Pakistan by three wickets in the only Twenty20 international in Lahore yesterday.

Finch scored a 45-ball 55 to anchor Australia's chased a 163-run target after Ellis took 4-28 kept Pakistan down to 162-8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Pakistan failed to reach a big score despite skipper Babar Azam's brisk 46-ball 66 with six fours and two sixes.

Finch, who had not scored a half century in the last 13 T20Is, ensured he not only removed doubts over his batting but also helped Australia overhaul the target in 19.1 overs for the loss of seven wickets.

When Finch holed out Australia needed just four runs and despite Sean Abbott fell for nought in the same Shaheen Shah Afridi over, Ben McDermott hit the winning boundary in his 19ball 22 not out to achieve Australia's fourth successive win in T20Is against Pakistan.Finch, who hit six boundaries, put on a brisk 40 for the opening stand with Travis Head (14-ball 26 with three fours and a six) and

Babar Azam lorded over the early part of Pakistan's innings Apr 04, 2022 AFP/Getty Images

another 44 for the second with Josh Inglis who made 15-ball 24 with two fours and a six.

Pakistan did pull back with leg-spinner Usman Qadir (2-33) and pacer Mohammad Wasim (2-30) brought the home team back in the game.

But Marcus Stoinis (nineball 23 with five boundaries) and McDermott ensured they supplement their skipper to achieve the chase.

"I thought the way our bowlers attacked that game were fantastic," said Finch.

"Nathan Ellis had a tough start but showed real character and we took wickets upfront."

Pakistan skipper Azam rued loss of wickets after a good start.

"We had a very good start but then lost couple of wickets that took away the momentum," said Azam. "We lost momentum and in the end were 20-30 runs short."

Pakistan made a brisk start.Azam, who hit back to back hundreds in Pakistan's 2-1 win in the one-day international series, put on 67 for the opening wicket with Mohammad Rizwan (23) after Australia sent the home team in to bat at Gaddafi Stadium.But Green dismissed Rizwan with the (Continued on page 31)

Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 06, 2022

GCOS and Team Mohamed's at BTTSC Table Tennis tourney Action in the Bartica Ta b l e Te n n i s S t e e r i n g Committee (BTTSC) Table Tennis tournament, played at the Bartica Community Center on Sunday April 3, 2022 saw the likes of Jaswan Seenarine and Ian Gomes winning in their respective categories.

Heading into the tournament, all players were aiming to bring their best versions of the game to the tournament. They had their game faces on, and only the best-of-the-best would emerge victorious. In fact, the anticipated matchup saw the “B” and “C” Class battle, with names such as Jaswan

Seenarine, Tyrease Gomes, Rhyse Belle, Marcus McKenzie, Ian Gomes, Joseph Charles, Jameel Seeram, Zinedine DeSantas, Youlandy McThyer, Adrian Fordoyce, Zinco DeSantas, and Lawrence Garnett participating.

Jaswan Seenarine bested Tyrease Gomes in an intense final of the “B” Class, which ended 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 12-10 and 11-5. Rhyse Belle and Marcus McKenzie finished as joint third-place winners.

In the B Class Semi finals, Seenarine defeated McKenzie 3-1, and Gomes also defeated Belle 3-1.

Ian Gomes on the other

hand won the “C” Class title after he defeated Zinedine DeSantas at 11-8, 11-6 and 11-8. Jameel Seeram and Xeohon Ducthin finished as third-place winners. In the other C Class Semi finals, DeSantas defeated Ducthin 3-0 and Gomes defeated Seeram 3-0.

PAGE 39

Team Mohamed's, the BTTSC and the players pose for a photo.

This tournament attracted over 20 players and one guest player in national junior Krystain Sahadeo, who also played with former junior national, Azruddin Mohamed.

As Team Mohamed's were about to leave Bartica, National Table Tennis Coach

Linden Johnson invited Azruddin, Nazar Mohamed and Sheik Moen to give words of encouragement to the young table tennis players.

The youngsters were extremely happy to meet the men and would have taken in e v e r y w o r d o f

encouragement given to them. The Guyana Committee of Services officials spearheaded by Lyndon Jumbie Jones and Mr. Joe Sahadeo were on site and made a monetary donation and playing uniforms to the Bartica Table Tennis Steering Committee.

Annual Mayor's Cup 9-a-side Inter Ward/Village KO Football GCB/CWI to conduct Coaching Education Sparta Boss follow Haslington to finals Development Events on stage, action shifts to Den Amstel Saturday April 6 and 7 at LBI Over 40 Coaches to gain valuable knowledge and insight The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) in collaboration with Cricket West Indies (CWI) will be conducting CWI Coaching Education Development Events from 09:00 hours to 17: 00 hours on April 6, 2022, and April 7, 2022, (today and tomorrow) at the LBI Cricket facility.

These development events are for individuals participating in the CWI Competition Coaching, Level One Course (Guyana).

This programme includes an online component which commenced on March 22, 2022, comprising over 40 participants drawn from the three counties. The practical assessment will be done today, April 6 and 7, 2022.

Prior to the commencement of the online component, potential participants were required to undertake the ICC Foundation Coaching and Child Protection Courses.

Apart from the online and face to face components of the course, the potential CWI Level One Coaches are also required to acquire a first aid certificate and police

Keshava Ramphal clearance as prerequisites to obtaining the CWI Level One Coaching Course. The participants are as follows: Wednesday April 6, 2022: Kevin McAdam, Deon Carew, Pernell Christie, Rawle Merell, Shaun Massiah, Jason George, Vishnu Ramjeet, Dwayne Benjamin, Sydartha Anandjit, Ajay Gainda, Vicky Rampersaud, Quincy Richardson, Ranole Bourne, (Continued on page 37)

T

he highly touted Sparta Boss, based on their reputation in tournaments over recent years, displayed why they are the 'big boys' on the pitch when they joined East Coast Demerara side Haslington as the fist teams through to the quarterfinal stage when play in the Annual Mayor's Cup 9-a-side Inter Ward/Village Knockout Football tournament continued on Sunday last at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC).

Play in the tournament, which is honour of Mayor of Georgetown Ubraj Narine, continues on Saturday at Den Amstel ground on the Westside, then returns to the GFC on Sunday for a full weekend of action.

Saturday at Dem Amstel starting from 12:00pm, Back Street Kings open play against Crane to be followed by Uitvlugt facing Stewartville, then Pouderoyen challenge Hurry Ate, Sara Lodge battle Wales, Den Amstel oppose West Side Masters and West Side Spartans tackle Bagotville to end the first phase of matches. The winners then collide in the playoffs to determine who advances.

Sunday back at the GFC ground from 6:00pm, New Amsterdam face Turkeyen, Timehri take on Subryanville, Airy Hall oppose City Strikers, Tucville challenge Smyth Town, Ann's Grove collide with Mahaicony and Road Warriors battle Bourda All Stars with the winner set to advance to the eight-team finals, joining Haslington and Sparta Boss.

The other playing dates are Sunday April 17 and Sunday April 24 all at the Buxton ground.

Meanwhile, results from last Sunday's competition saw Charlestown beating Club 45 by a 1-0 margin.

This was followed by two teams gaining walkovers to the next phase; Lilliendaal took a walkover from Campbellville and Mocha from Annandale.

Bourda All Stars then brushed aside Kuru Kururu 4-0, Road Warriors defeated Agricola on penalty kicks 65 after the contest expired regulation time locked at 11. Sparta Boss hammered Belle West Stars 6-0 to conclude the first phase of the zone.

The second round of matches saw Bourda All Stars edge past Charlestown 1 - 0 , R o a d Wa r r i o r s

Mayor Ubraj Narine overcame Lilliendaal 2-1 and Sparta Boss moved to the quarters by beating Mocha 2-0.

These teams are battling for attractive prize money and the respective trophies with a first prize of $600,000, second prize $300,000, third $200,000 and fourth $100,000 on offer. Mid Atlantic Oil and Gas Company is the sponsor for the winning purse of $600,000.

Organiser Lennox Arthur has expressed his gratitude at the support of the sponsors noting that Pure Diamond, Gold Target

Exports and CIDI have thrown in their support.

Among the other businesses that have offered support are: IPA, DDL, Digicel, Johil, John Fernandes, General Equipment, Busta, GTT, Namilco, Macorp, New Thriving, Sattar Gafoor, B. Megan, Pritipaul Singh, Ready Mix, Eddie Bobcat, Silvie's, Caribbean Containers, E Networks, Super Bet, Cummings Electrical, China Trading, Dave Lumber yard and Schlumberger.

The rules governing the tournament includes the no offside rule and teams are allowed five substitutions.

The games are of two 20minute halves for a 40minute duration. The tournament is a straight knockout one with no extra time being played. A tie at the end of regulation would result in the teams dueling in the dreaded sudden death penalty shootout.

All other FIFA rules apply and the Referee is the sole authority of these games. Teams showing up late beyond a reasonable time determined by the organisers will be disqualified and their game forfeited via the walkover route.

Team Guyana at the senior Pan American Squash Championships in Guatemala.

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Nicolette Fernandes reach Pan Am semis in Guatemala Woodpecker Products Junior Nat C/ships

Prize winners at the GT club after the presentation.

Shomari Wilshire (Boys), Kirsten Gomes (girls) win titles Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.