Kaieteur News

Citizens ramp up protest against poor management of oil sector

Scores of citizens on Wednesday took to the streets to p r o t e s t t h e G u y a n a G o v e r n m e n t ' s p o o r management of the local petroleumindustry

The picket activity was held outside the Office of the President, Vlissengen Road, Georgetown and was o r g a n i s e d b y N o n Governmental Organisation (NGO), 'Red Thread'. It was the second such activity

hosted by the organisation, demanding full liability coverage be put in place to secure the oil and gas activities in the Stabroek Block, operated by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)the subsidiary of oil major ExxonMobil.

O n e o f t h e representatives from the organisation, Karen Desouza while on the picket line told Kaieteur News, “the

nonsense that they are telling us that they have insurance coverageisnotgoingtocutit because the insurance is not going to pay the full cost of any potential clean up after a spill.” DeSouza added that similarly, it is unacceptable for the country's elected leaders to believe that there would not be an oil spill offshore as such she urged that the nation must not sit and wait for such an event to take place before it takes

steps to put protection in place.

“Wedon'twanttogetinto any kind of adversarial positionwiththegovernment or the oil explorers; what we are saying is that we are Guyanese and it is Guyanese whowillhavetobearthecost if we do not have those guarantees and so we are asking the government and t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l Protection Agency to recognise that and to act in the interest of Guyana to make sure we have signed protectionsandguarantees.”

DeSouza pointed out that a signed guarantee from ExxonMobil is in fact a requirement of the Permit granted to the oil company Head of the Transparency Institute in Guyana, Frederick Collins was also part of the protest. In an invited comment, he said there is no clear governance policy in place for the sector, butrathermere“antics”from thepoliticians.Heexplained, “the way I see things going

there is more sham than sincerity We have for example heard that we have some kind of anti-corruption framework launched by the government but they didn't even entertain questions. It was a sham. In fact the way the EPA operates it is worst than a sham. They appear to be on the side of the oil companies instead of being abletosupervisethem.”

Collins said the decisions of the agency have so far alignedwiththeobjectivesof the oil company, rather than the interests of Guyanese with “not even a care about theoptics.”

The President of the local Transparency Institute said he is not calling for better managementoftheoilsector, but management of the industry According to him, “I won't say better m a n a g e m e n t b u t management of the sector It is so ridiculous, one can hardly call for better management; it needs

management. There is an appearance of management, just enough to please and impresssomepeople.”

He said to ensure there is a management plan in place; the politicians should ensure timely audits are conducted of the expenses and transparency as it regards the saleofthenation'soil.

Meanwhile, another citizen, Gregory Allen who joinedtheRedThreadprotest said he was there to demand better fiscal terms in the Stabroek Block contract Allensaiditiscriticalthatthe politicians understand the need for ring-fencing to be implemented along with improved terms on all projects to be approved for Exxon. “No other project must be approved unless we have better royalties, ringf e n c i n g a n d b e t t e r management of our oil sector,” Allen said He believes more citizens shouldjointheprotestasthe

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...say failure to conduct audits, implement liability coverage could cost Guyana US-billions

Kaieteur News asks Court to make final decision in Brassington libel suits

Kaieteur News (KN) Publisher, Glenn Lall has askedtheHighCourttomake the final decision in at least five remaining libel suits former CEO of the National Industrial and Commercial Investment limited (NICIL), Winston Brassington had filedagainstthenewspaper Brassington has sued KN 19 times for defamatory remarks in which the newspaper published against him in the satirical 'Dem BoysShe'column.

TheformerCEOhadwon several cases before the court inwhichhesecuredjudgment awards of amounting to over $40 million. Kaieteur News has since asked the court to consolidate the remaining matters and make a final determinationinthecase.

On Wednesday, Lall

through his attorney, Christopher Thompson asked presiding High Court JusticeFidelaCorbintomake her decision, while considering the hefty judgment award that Brassington has already been granted in the multiple suits that he won against the newspaper Brassington had received over $40 million in judgment awardsfordamagesunderhis claim As such, Lall's attorney asked the court to consider that the Former Head of the NICIL had already been adequately compensated for the purported damages to his name and character and as such,thecourtneednotgrant him, any other monetary award.

The lawyer contended furtherthatifthecourtshould

consider an award, it should be given in a nominal sum. The lawyer argued that Brassington filed over a dozen lawsuits outlining the same allegations over and overagain.

Thompson proposed therefore that to save precious judicial time the matters should be dealt with collectively Senior Counsel, Timothy J o n a s r e p r e s e n t i n g Brassington was not in agreement with the suggestion. He said that the Court should consider that Lall engaged in a smear campaign against his client, who suffered and must be adequatelycompensated.

He reasoned that though the court awarded judgment before it ought to consider that the repeated attacks meted out against his client.

Citizens ramp up protest...

From page 2 exercise seeks to ensure locals benefit from the offshore activities, especially since their food chain and environment are being threatened by the industry.

Another Red Thread representative who only stated her name as 'Shirley' said she wants to see the leaders enforce the p r o v i s i o n s o f t h e environmental permit granted to Exxon for the company to sign a parent company guarantee so that Guyanese are not left to foot thecostsafteranoilspillthat the limited insurance fails to cover

Civil society activist, Danuta Radzik was also at theprotest.ShetoldKaieteur News, “It is necessary, now more than ever, for Exxon to be audited very carefully as to what we are doing in relation to all the money that

Guyana is paying them for all the oil and gas development and the industry.”

Radzik argued that the government cannot simply accept the bills handed to country but must instead scrutinize these thoroughly to ensure the nation is not beingrobbedofUS-billions.

Shewaskeentonotethat forthecountrytohavebetter management of the sector, it must be equipped with the requisiteexperts.

According to her, “I don't think it's being done properly

All the evidence that the people of Guyana including t h e p r e s s a n d environmentalists have been exposing continuously proves to be accurate so it continues to be a huge problem for the actual monitoringoftheoilandgas industries in all kinds of areas, including drilling,

exploration, production etcetera because there are many issues like waste management...”

The activist said even though the generation of hazardous waste in communities continue to be a problem, there have been noreportstoshowthepublic how much waste is coming to shore, if tests are conducted and how it is treated.

“When you read the international press, ExxonMobil does not have a goodreputation.

There are numerous places in America but apart fromAmericatherearecases where people have taken them to Court (but) they (government) don't seem to be taking that seriously enoughanditseemsaswhen it comes to ExxonMobil and EEPGL, they just have permission to do as they want,”sheprotested.

In response, Justice Corbin noted that the Court will take into consideration and assess the damages based on what has been presented in the evidence.

The judge noted too that allegations in the matters before the court were almost identical to each other She noted that it was almost as if the accusations had been “copied and pasted” to the documents. The judge said s h e w i l l m a k e h e r considerations and make her th final decision on June 30 at 11:00am.

Brassington secured the judgments against the newspaper after the Court upheld his contention that statements published by KN were defamatory and meant orunderstoodtomeanthathe as NICIL's head was “dishonest and had been

guiltyofcriminalactivityand was habitually guilty of criminal activity and had engaged in criminal fraud and corrupt practices.” He claimed that the information severely impacted his character and integrity given that it was published in a

newspaperwhichwaswidely read and circulated throughout Guyana and online where it is read worldwide.

TheformerCEOhadwon five cases before Justice Corbin-Lincoln in which he secured judgment awards of $3.5 million for each case bringing it to a total of $17.5 million In another case, which was tried before Justice Navindra Singh, Brassington was awarded $10 million against KN by the Court The sums calculated with an interest of fourpercentperannumalong with legal fees brought the total to $34.4 million. In another judgment award, Brassington secured an additional $2 million award against the newspaper The sum took the amount to over of$36.4million.

Govt. to complete rehabilitation works of Kitty Market, other projects

The central government has assumed responsibility for the rehabilitation of the KittyMarketinsteadoftheMayorandCity Council (M&CC), the Department of PublicInformationhasreported.

The DPI said too that the enhancement of the Albouystown, East Ruimveldt, Stabroek,andBourdaMarketswillnowbe undertaken by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.

Minister, Nigel Dharamlall made the disclosure during an invited comment on thesidelinesofaneventonWednesday

He noted that like many other projects, the council has not been able to complete the enhancement works at the Kitty Market, which began in 2016. “The projects have been left unattended for a long time… At some point in time, we

expect the leadership in the city… to take account of all these investments The unfortunate thing about all of this is that every timegovernmenthastodotheheavylifting,and CityHallearnsover$2billionperyear Whereis itgoing?”MinisterDharamlallquestioned.

He explained that many of the locations that fallunderthepurviewoftheM&CCfacesimilar issues, including infrastructural defects, lack of proper management, and inadequate security “I think that the investment the citizens of Georgetown need to make is to invest in a new council.Ithinkthatistheonlywaywearegoing to be able to alleviate the problems in Georgetown,” he expressed. He, therefore, calledonthecitizensofGeorgetowntoexamine key areas that need to be addressed, and elect a council that will represent their issues, rather thanhinderdevelopment.

Justice Fidela Corbin

Georgetown, Guyana.

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

DEFENDING THE INDEFENSIBLE

The first indication that matters could get out of handwasthehourandahalfnotice. Thesecond wasthatthevenueforthepressengagementwas Leonora,theareainwhichPresidentAliwasbornandraised. The third was that actual space for the President and press interactiontotakeplacewasinatentopentohundredsofPPP supporters. ThefourthwasthatthePresidentdidnothingto stopwhathadclearlydeterioratedintoahostileenvironment.

All these ingredients indicated a leader and government determinedtobendtheindependentpresstoitswill,byany means available And, then to present for public consumption that nothing out of the ordinary occurred, that othershavearighttofreedomofspeech,aswell.

On any occasion, barring some unseen emergency, the fact that there was the prior 90-minute notice to the media basedinGeorgetownforthedistantvenueofLenora,isitself troubling. WhenconsiderationisfactoredinaboutGuyana’s traffic woes, then those 90 minutes become a difficult undertaking.

The Office of the President should not be insulted with media representatives arriving late, or at intervals, thus disturbingthepeaceofthePresidenthimself. Itwouldbethe height of disrespect to the highest office and officer in the land. Using the same standard, to extend a 90 minute prior notice to the media smacks of disrespect for the role that it playsatthiscrucialtimeinGuyana.

TheMinisterwithintheOfficeofthePrimeMinistercan spin,curl,andbendasmuchassuchpleaseshim,butthisis whatthat90minutenoticetothepressembodies. Then,for such a last minute decision to surface about a press interactionwiththePresidentinLeonora,ofallplaces,smells of the mischief that was likely afoot, in the setup that was alreadyinplace.

Thoughtheremaybeafewpeoplewithdissentingviews in the Leonora area, not one of those residents would be foolish enough to express objection publicly (or in the presenceofthePresident),giventhehighprobabilityofthe frenzied reactions that are now part and parcel of the PPPC Government’s conduct, and what it has stoked in its supporters.

To say this in the simplest manner: a Presidential press engagement in his place of birth, Leonora, could only have oneresult,whichiswhatwashad.

Theministermaytwisthimselfintobarbwire,butthereis no getting away from the fact that the media, especially certain sections of it, would be received in Leonora in the most hostile and aggressive fashion. Hostile and aggressive and intimidatory it was, despite the Minister’s fandango aboutfreedomofexpressionthathesoartfullyweaveswith “the peoples’freedom to openly express dissatisfaction…” By this standard, others get to determine what issues are prioritised, and what questions may be asked about them. Then, only what is pleasing to the President and his PPPC Government gets to be tabled, are afforded the care due in cleanandconvincinganswers.

Undersuchcircumstances,someissueswouldneverget ventilated, leaving Guyanese to conclude that all is well, wouldsuitthegovernmentfine.

ItisunderstandablethatLeonoraresidentsmaynotwish to see their President, himself a former villager, ruffled and rattledthrough persistencewith oil questions. But many in thepopulationthroughouttherestofGuyana,definitelyhave an interest in the answers not forthcoming, and the issues obscured,withtheiroilandgaspatrimony

Third, even though the media meeting had to be in Leonora, there can be no justification for members of the public(arearesidents)tobeunderthetent. Thepublicisnot allowed that nearness at the Convention Center, or in other media briefings. Only a free for all would result, which is what was, perhaps, premeditated, all related developments considered.

Last, President Ali’s reaction to the several hundred heckling,pressing,intimidatingvoicesofhissupporterswas notoneofhisfinermoments. Presidentsdonotstandbyidly, with body language projecting unconcern. They do not permit the dignity of their office or themselves to be desecratedlikethis,evenbytheirown.

RETRACTIONANDAPOLOGY

In our October 27, 2020 issue of the Kaieteur News wepublishedaletterwritten by Vassan Ramracha containing defamatory words against Mr Eusi Kwayana.

Those words meant and were understood to mean that in all the history of

Guyana,mostofthepolitical division in Guyana was caused by Mr Kwayana. Further, the words in question, conveyed that Mr Kwayana have urged the unconditional partitioning of Guyana and that he had prior information about a massacre that took place at

Wismar in 1964 and that he had the means to prevent its occurrence, yet he allowed suchamassacretoproceed.

Kaieteur News has recognised that these remarks are all libelous, all entirely false. Their effect has been to cause injury and damage to Mr Kwayana’s

reputation, to bring him into public odium, contempt, ridicule and lower his estimation of right-thinking membersofthecommunity

Therefore, the Kaieteur Newsissuesthisunqualified apologytoMr Kwayanaand also retracts the offending letterbyMr Ramracha.

Agricola a redemptive community

DEAREDITOR,

I write this letter to highlight the community of Agricola.

Agricola is historically oneoftheearliestvillagesin Guyana.Havingbeenknown foritstroublesanditssordid past in the early 2000s, Agricolaasacommunityhas turned a new leaf The village is essentially redemptive and spiritual rather than political and physical.

After Emancipation and Indentureship, 177 plots of land were purchased by the newly freed Africans on the southern boundary of Plantation Rome, later known as Agricola The streets of the new village Remus, Romulus, Caesar, Cato, Titus and Brutus were named after outstanding RomanConquerors.

Afteritsestablishment,it is said that Agricola had a good community spirit whichaidedinitsgrowthand sustained development. The village thrived socially,

economically and culturally

Thevillagegrewandbecame diverse, welcoming a rainbowofethnicitieswhich obtainstothisday

In the 1970s the c o m m u n i t y w a s incorporated into Greater Georgetown, where, due to migration and Guyana’s economictravesty,theoncethriving village started experiencingunemployment and instances of crime, which plagued the community for generations. However, while the communityisnotwithoutits social issues today, crime and its association and involvement therewith, has significantlydecreasedtoan almost non-existent state The village is considered to beingontherise.

Last month, Agricola received its first-ever visit from a Head of State with President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali meeting with residents to address the concern of the villagers to better their lives. Promises

were made and we await theirfulfillment.

The government has vowedtoworkalongsidethe village and its residents to a c c e l e r a t e t h e i r development.

The President has also

promised to promote opportunitiesthatwillfoster a future that will give the young people of the

community the best possibilities, as well as

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

community We look forward to this and hold PresidentAlitohisword.

We desire many opportunities, in particular, forthetrainingofouryoung people in construction as well as the development of technical skills. We have skillfulathletesacrossallthe sporting discipline The Agricola Red Triangle football unit remains a heavyweight in the East Bank Demerara Football Association from the under13totheseniorlevels.More assistance is needed to

Discerning and Overcoming Barriers to

DEAREDITOR,

The first step in development is indeed to enact and enforce open transparent systems. A second, no less essential, step is to work for similar high levels of participation (bidding) and success of all groups so as to give substancetoouraspirationof ‘OneGuyana’.

For a society to stay together the necessary standardsshouldnotbeseen andapproachedashurdlesto failandexcludemany,butas standards to which many, if not all, are to be trained and couldbetrained(byvarious methodsandpaths)toattain.

I commend also other reportsontrainingtoachieve requiredstandardsinsmaller infrastructuralworksandthe acceptanceofthealternative concrete roads which in terms of capital needs, experience and expertise, pose lesser hurdles (than asphalt roads) to small contractors; and thereby putting persons in the street

to work. Development must getontoapathofputtingour people to work in their own development by doing, working and learning the work and learning about working; getting better each day: and in that process developing ourselves, our surroundings and our country and arriving in time atadevelopedstate.

We could be on the road of that development. The faces in the picture of a section of the potential contractors were full of attention, and in which I thought I discerned at the sametimeagreatdesireand some anxiety about doing well and being successful. And though a small number of faces, eleven, it was a good representation of who, wewhoareGuyaneseare,in raceandgender Without doubt my sensitivity to this issue of

has been heightenedbymyattendance yesterday afternoon at the

develop the village’s talent better

This new generation of young people has been completing school, passing with good grades. We, the future of this community, strive to aggressively find solutions to our social problems as we strive for self-empowerment and social development through much-neededincentives.We implore everyone with a willingness; to partner with usaswestriveforbetter We are keeping our face to the sunshine; thus, we cannot see the shadow of the past. We look to the future, being productiveandprosperous.

We believe as a community firmly in the wordsofBarackObamathat says,“Changewillnotcome if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for We are the changethatweseek.”

Sincerely,

NkoseiWilliams ResidentofAgricola

Development

“Presentation of the World Bank’s Review for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)”byMr.BillMaloney, Chief Economist for the Region.

It was a challenging and inspiring presentation. On many measures, we of LAC as a whole, are not doing well: a projected average

growth rate of 1 4% compared with 2.1% for the whole World. Yes, averages

often obscure wide variations around the average - two brighter spots were the Dominican Republic which has been doing especially well in diversifying their economy, and good prospects for Guyana in developing their young, rapidly growing oil sector

The Chief Economist posed some tantalizing questions ‘on the run”

“About100yearsago,Chile was number 1 in production of copper in the world, and Mexico was number one in silver-andwhowasnumber

2? - Japan. How was it that Japan developed a diversifiedeconomyfromits number two position and Chile and Mexico did not from their number one position? I said tantalizing questions,becauseIthinkthe Chief Economist knew the answerthatIwouldventure.

Alotdependsonhowwesee each other and if we see worth, purpose and a valued end in working for the good of each other: being comfortabletoapproachand discuss with each other how wemaybetterourselvesand country

And so as Chief Economist hinted, in Japan the work and income in copperandsilvercouldinthe numberofwaysrequired,be the base of and lead on to ever widening economic activities.Japanwasalready or nearly already one Japan, whilstmanyofourCountries in the LAC are still to become ‘One Country’. In ChavezinVenezuela,Evo

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Guyanesegroupdisrespectedand dishonouredbyNYAG’sdisinvitation

DEAREDITOR,

The New York-based Guyana Democracy Project (GDP) issued a release

Wednesday morningApril 5 vehemently protesting the disinvite of prominent Guyanese community leaders to a meeting in QueenstoengageNewYork StateAttorneyHon.General LetitiaJames.

The engagement stems fromstatementissuedbythe AGlastOctoberinBrooklyn relating to allegations of racisminGuyana.

Several members of the Indo-Guyanese community in Queens were invited to a session a few days ago with theAGinQueens.

The invitation came through the office of

Richmond Hill elected District Democratic Leader, Mr Richard David, an IndoGuyanese American No representative of the Guyanese government was invitedforthediscussion.

The private meeting was slated for Wednesday 4:30pm at the Guyanese ownedStarlitePavilion,101 Ave and 130 Street in RichmondHill,Queens.But on Wednesday, several of them received a memo that theyweredisinvited.

The number of invitees was restricted to 25 and included some of the most active and grounded leaders inthecommunity Lo and behold several individuals who have their grounding (good knowledge

Another minority subject to troubling behaviour in the PNCR

and track record) in the community in New York well as about issues in Guyana learnt late Tuesday April 4th that the AG has disinvitedthem.

They are: Pt Ram Hardowar, President of Federation of Hindu Mandirs; Fazal Yusuf, President of ICD; Dr Tara Singh, President of NYGM; and Dr Dhanpaul Narine, President of Trimurti Bhavan, among others. The disinvite also came through Mr David.

Those disinvited feel very dishonored and disrespected and a loss for words on why they were suddenly excluded from the meet.Itappearedthatthe (Continuedonpage6)

Discerning and Overcoming Barriers to...

Frompage4 Morales in Bolivia, Pedro Castillo in Peru and even Lula in Brazil, we see made evident the conflicts, contradictions and struggles still to be resolved, reconciled and synthesized across race, class, and the urban/rural gaps remaining from the colonizing era set loosebyColumbus.

As is evident here, often, when answers cannot be found to issues in the sector beingstudied,onemayhave to look into other very different sectors to discern and open any barriers

Evidently the nature and quantity of development in our LAC Region is still largely socio-politically constrained.

Weprobablyhavetoresolve those constraints before we hit the periods of high sustained growth rates for whichmanyAsiancountries havebeenknown;orifwehit those rates we would have resolved our socio-political problemsunknowingly

The Chief Economist perhaps with an eye to the future put another puzzle to us.

In a named area in Mexico there is a similar concentration of electronic firms as in South Korea –Howisitthatwehavehada Samsung (and an LG) emerginginSouthKoreaand none similar as yet in Mexico?

These are not fanciful considerations – they are recognized in business studies as “the mind of the business” beyond earning enoughprofits.

Indeed, we can and should ask of any

organization, what is its mind? its world view? the kindofworlditisseekingto fashion?

For us in Guyana, and still so for us of the PPPC, CheddiJaganandhisperiod ofstudyintheUSAhasbeen a great boon to our people andcountry

TheAmerica he lived in of 1936 to 43, was still then revolutionaryinanumberof ways, still suspicious of Old Europe holding on to its Empires, and still the place wherethesmallmenhadthe best chance to become big men; and where the view of eachotherastoilingworkers wasstillwidespread.

No doubt Cheddi’s American experience (enrolling himself in and successfully completing an American Liberal Arts Course at a YMCAcollege) inspired him and fortified him to establish UG (whose sixtieth anniversary we are in the midst of celebrating) through the taunts of “Jagan’s night school” Cheddi wanted to bring an American Liberal Arts Tertiaryeducationwithinthe reach of every one of us in Guyana.

The Chief Economist threw some other difficult

questions before us of the Caribbean. “You have been w o r k i n g a t Integration/Federation for decades now without success should you still retain the idea? (if not rethink it fundamentally). And referring to migration and subsequent remittances, he questioned one Ambassador- “ Imagine you were a young person thinking you could make a n a m e i n N u c l e a r Engineering, wouldyounot emigratetoNorthAmerica?

O u r E c o n o m i c development, requires our Socio-Politicaldevelopment tobecomeOneGuyana,One GuyanesePeopleagainstthe backgroundinwhichCheddi found sustenance- One World, One Human Race in all our diversities of physiological appearances, languages, religions, cultures,histories.

Regards,

SamuelAAHinds FormerPrimeMinister FormerPresident AmbassadortotheUSA

DEAREDITOR,

We have breaking news thatGeneralSecretaryofthe PNCR, Dawn HastingsWilliams, was denied entry intotheparty’sheadquarters inSophia.

Iftrue,thisisatroubling development because, of recent, minorities in the PNC/R have been treated with alarming disrespect Leader Aubrey Norton should make every effort to clarify what is happening in theparty,becausethepublic has a right to know In December2022,theGeneral Secretary of the PNCR was apparentlyprevaileduponto resign. According to media reports, Geeta ChandonEdmond “endured” a lot in the PNCR since Mr Norton became Leader The Guyana Chronicle also reported that Ms. ChandonEdmond “resigned after growing concerns that she was not allowed to fully function in her capacity as GS” (15/12/2022). Only a monthlater,inJanuary2023, another minority related scandalbrokeout.Thistime People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Treasurer, Faaiz Mursalin, resigned — apparently in protest against

having to sign blank cheques. A taped telephone conversation among PNCR Executive Member Ganesh Mahipaul, PNCR Executive Member Roysdale Forde, andFaaizMursalinbasically confirmed that the blank cheque issue was central to the latter resignation from the PNCR. Based on a media interview with Mr Mahipaul, the public learnt that Mursalin “…informed the two party members of a number of eyebrow-raising concerns, including that he wascalledtoCongressPlace on many occasions and ordered to sign numerous blank cheques, as party Treasurer” (Guyana Times, 16/1/2023) Further, Mursalin “who is of East Indian descent, detailed in the letter that he was subjectedtoracialabusebya well-known PNCR member”(Ibid). Thingsgot even worse in mid-March when the PNC/R tolerated the racially-charged call by the WPA’s Executive Member,TacumaOgunseye, to turn the guns in the right direction.What was implied issodiabolical,itshouldnot be repeated here. The sad, but also alarming thing, is

that it took the East Indians, and only them, to condemn Ogunseye’s inflammatory discharge.

Had Ganesh Mahipaul, Natasha Singh-Lewis, Daniel Seeram, and Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narinenotspokenupagainst Ogunseye, no one in the PNC/R would have. The minorities in the PNC/R were‘thrownunderthebus’. I expected at least the Hon. Annette Ferguson to say something, given her frequency in the press about discrimination. After all of these glaring instances of mistreatmentofminoritiesin thePNC/R,onewouldthink the party leadership would beextracareful.

But here we are again, only one month later, with yet another case of disrespecting another minority woman in the PNC/R. ThePNCRhasvery lowratingsinthepublic,and these glaring instances of disrespectingminoritieswill only push them further down. As for minorities in the PNC/R, they should stand up and be counted. Standupforyourright!

Sincerely,

Dr.RandolphPersaud

DE - ‘PRESSing’Behaviour

DEAREDITOR,

“I cannot hear what you are saying, for who you are deafensme.”

The foregoing is capturedintheexpositionof the President of the Guyana Press Association, as portrayed in Kaieteur News of April 02. What Ms. Raghubir, depressed as shouldbe,notonlyonbehalf ofself-respectfuljournalists, butofreadersofthesameilk, did not elaborate on, was what the young, educated generations also heard, but may be critical of the examples they were set to emulate Interestingly, no thought seems to have been given to the wide range of images, interpretations, b e h a v i o u r s a n d commentaries thereon, available online to all those

young witnesses, sensible

and becoming more sensitive. So that it is not to be assumed that they necessarily think in the footsteps and bearings of their adult relations, howeverimperiousthelatter maybe.

But then there are many adults who ponder on Ms. Raghubir’stearfulremarks–journalists in the Caricom neighbourhood, and members of international c o r r e s p o n d e n t s ’ communities who are immediately alert to their colleagues the world-over are treated daily.The latter groups also relate formally to counterpart government agencies who monitor b e h a v i o u r o f t h e aforementioned ‘deaf’ across nations, regardless of

economicwealth.For,inthe process, they must measure those with whom they communicate and negotiate, even sometimes from their ownfaultlines.

Butinthefinalanalysisit iswithourchildrennow,and generations immediate and later, to whom our leaders owe accountability for their presumptuous behaviour –that ONE NATION is the sameforall? —unforgiven nevertheless by the Guyana Press Association, and of course those who claim a modicum of experience in p r o f e s s i o n a l c o m m u n i c a t i o n , organisational and human resources management and development, inclusive of performanceevaluation.

Humbly, EBJohn

Some spiritual leaders identify more with cult of personality and money than god

DEAREDITOR,

Some Pastors have become gods unto themselves. It is sad when you have to see what many Pastors are doing today

These leaders believe that they are the new celebrityin townandshouldbetreatedas such These people have serval bodyguards and persons carrying their bible and water bottle These leaderstermthosewhohave become their water boys as amour bearer and coin it as servanthood.

They have redefined servanthood and place emphasis on others serving theminsteadofthemserving the church Scripture requires all leaders to serve the people and not the other wayaround.“Butamongyou it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.” Luke 22:26NLT

DEAREDITOR,

Iamwritingthisletterto encourage awareness for a sensitivetopic.

Sexual Assault is a common illegal practice around the world. To be sexually assaulted means a victim may have been explicitly touched without consent and may have had encounters with sexual behavior without their permission. Sexual Assault is not just limited to sexual acts.

It includes attempted sexualacts.

There are wicked men and women roaming the earth with evil intentions to manipulate innocent children into doing things which they’ve not yet processed.

This can come in the formof

1 Games - where a perpetrator may take advantage of the child’s innocenceandconfusethem into thinking they should be having fun when they’re doingsomethingrepulsive.

2. Grooming - where once again the perpetrator u s e s t h e v i c t i m ’s inexperience to their advantage and lures them into sexual acts (which they mayhavebeenobliviousto)

It is sad to say but many persons may encountered sexualassaultatleastoncein theirlife.

Itisevenmoredisturbing to say that many children haveaswell.

SexualAssaultSurvivors are one of the strongest personsalive.

If you are someone whoseexperiencingorknow someone that is a victim of

sexualassault.

Speak up There are hotlines such as the “914” 24/7 hotline which the MinistryofHumanServices and Social Security has helpedcounseledandprotect manywomen,men,boysand girls.

Sexual Assault is never somethingtobesilentabout.

It’s horrendous enough toknowthatapersoncanbe deceitful and hurt someone willingly

Take away their innocence and pride. Then wear a mask in the crowd to blendin.

A wolf in sheep’s clothing. There are people who gain from other’s loss. Letusnotletthemtakeuntil there’snothingleft.

Actquick,actnow Regards, Saaya

Prasad

In his writing to the

persecuted Gentiles the Apostle Peter reminded the elders about not “lording” overthepeople.(1Peter5:3) Christianity is not about being served but rather serving.

ThegodofMammonhas entered the heart of many leaders and as a result everything they do revolve aroundmoney Nowtheirlife is about the abundance of riches.

They often brag about theirwealthintheirsermons failingtorealizeshepherding is not about becoming rich.

“Shepherd the flock of God whichisamongyou,serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly...”1Peter5:2NKJV

Worse, we see the thrones they build in the church and exalt themselves to a high position. What is even worst, they have everyonebecomingsonsand daughters of the leader creating a “cult of

personality.”Believersareto follow us as we follow Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1)The church then responds to their whims and fancies with everyone idolizing and worshipping them The church then believes everything they say which is very theatrical instead of searching the scripture for themselves (Acts 17:11) These people oftenlietothecongregantsin thenameofprophecyjustto gettheirmoney “…Ididnot speak to them, yet they prophesied” Jeremiah 23:21bNIV

It is more dangerous when they speak of the Pastor more than Christ and knowseverythingabouthim and nothing about Christ. Believers must know God for themselves and those leaders who have become a god unto themselves don’t know God. (Matthew 7:2123)

YoursTruly, LincolnRobinson

Theelderlyfolksstilltalk aboutlifeinthelogies.

Bitter-sweetmemoriesof atimewhentheyknew no wooden floors or carpets but the scent of the dampEarth.

When there was no faucettoopenorclose, butthelonestandpipefor theneighborhood, and a brotherhood and sisterhood we now little know

When people washed theirclothesinthetrenches, andtherewasnoColgate and toothbrush but black sage, and no fashion or style

but simple cottonwear and a smile.

Wheneverychildlooked ateverymanandwoman as another father or mothertoleanon, and an injury to one was aninjurytoall.

When neighbors were morethanneighbors, as if they carried the sameblood. Nofeverishhastetobuild abetterfenceorgate— there’re no fences or gates, but a shared ground andadeepbond.

With bongo and tassa drumsandfestivemusicand dance,

t h e y f o r g e d a forgetfulness of the oppressor’sheartandhands.

Itwasenoughforthemto know the Earth and the sundrenchedgrass, but they dreamt of their childrenpluckingthestars.

Wewonderifwewillsee againsuchcommunalbond, asifitcamefromalonglostageandland. There was much love in their bamboo-thatched logies our glittering mansions couldneverdreamtohold.

Yourssincerely, Haimnauth Cecil Ramkirath

Guyanese group disrespected and dishonoured by NYAG’s...

Frompage5 attendees to the meet were pre-selected and that the meet had a pre-determined agenda The AG is not known as someone who fears engaging even her worst critics. She has had a long history of engaging IndianGuyaneseandIndians inthediasporawhenshewas Brooklyn Councillor in the CityCouncil.

Thus, it is inexplicable why she would exclude some of most veteran Guyanese activists in the community

In protest, the NY GDP says that “the action is extremely disrespectful to

these authentic community leaderswhohavealwayshad a strong abiding interest in our Queens community affairsaswellasinGuyana”.

Theagendaofthemeetis notknown.

But there is speculation that it has to do with clarifying statements about the socio-politico situation in Guyana and to advise the AGaccordingly

The release states: “The Attorney General, who is close to a top Brooklynbased opposition aligned operativeinNewYork,does nothaveafavorableviewof Guyana Government We believethatthemeetingisto

clarifymisconceptions.

In addition, she needs to neutralize differences with Guyanese community leaders in Queens, since she recognizesthathermarginof victory in the November 2022electionwasnarrow It should be noted that the incumbent James was runningagainstanunknown candidate who had no name recognition”.

TheGDPstatementadds: “We worry what such a meeting could accomplish when the most active and prominent Guyanese community leaders in Queenshavebeenexcluded. We do not wish to

besmirch those Guyanese leaders who will attend the meet to engage the AG, but we are not confident in how they may present the socioeconomic and political conditionsinGuyana”.

Dr Singh, one of NYGDPquerieswhetherthe participants would present evidence to the Attorney Generaldebunkingherclaim that the PPPC government practices racism and marginalizing of AfroGuyanese.

The NY GDP statement saysthat“itisconcernedthat thismeetingwiththeAGthat excludes legitimate stakeholders could end up

giving legitimacy to previous unsubstantiated statements attributed to the Attorney General on the Guyanasituation”.

The NY GDP says it hopesthat“theoutreachwith thesmallnumberofQueensbased Guyanese is not a publicity stunt to make the Attorney General look good in that she is reaching out to the Guyanese community in Queens.

She knows of our (Queens-based) growing political strength where we can make a difference in statewideelections”.

T h e G D P a s k s rhetorically: “How a top

Democrat, number three in statewide office, could embraceexclusionwhenshe disinvited the main Guyanese community leadersinQueens”.

As a result of publicly launched pressure, it is learned that the planned meeting has been converted into a dinner so that the organizers now reserve the right to invite whoever they want.

However, says the GDP, “the goal remains the same withtheAGnotbeingableto get a true description of the factualsituationinGuyana.

Yourstruly, VishnuBisram

If you are being sexually abused speak up now

LOGIES - what is forgotten, what has been given up

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

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EXXONMOBIL’S US$7.3B AUDIT REPORT - PART 4

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Whengovernmentsmake promises,theymustkeepthem.

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Whenleadersmakecommitments, theymusthonorthem.

Thisiswhatcleangovernance isabout.

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Thisiswhatethical leadershiprepresents.

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Toomanydelaysmeanthat defaultinggovernmentmustgo.

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Toomanydodgesforcemen ofprincipletoleave.

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Guyanese:don’tholdyourbreath.

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CDB to fund study for cargo service in Caribbean ...initiativeaimedatboostingagricultural

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) will finance consultancy services for a study to explore options for establishing a Maritime Cargo Service between Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago primarily for the movement ofagriculturalproducts.

Theinitiativeispartofthe CDB's pledge to improve food security within the Caribbean, and to promote RegionalCooperation.

It also demonstrates the Bank's support for the imperative, announced last year by CARICOM Heads of Government, to achieve a 25% reduction in the Region's food import bill by

2025, CDB said in a press releaseonWednesday

The Heads identified lack of adequate regional transportation as a major obstacle to the movement of agricultural products within the Region and major contributor to food insecurity

“Policy makers in CARICOM have established t h a t i n t r a - r e g i o n a l agriculturaltradecanbalance food deficits and surpluses, contribute to price stability, and increase the diversity of food supply, all of which can achieve greater food and nutrition security for the Caribbean,” CDB's Director of Projects, Mr Daniel Best explained. He added, “CDB

tradeintheSouth-EastCaribbean

isawarethatimprovingintraregional trade in agriculture will require interventions across the ecosystem, however the provision of efficient and sustainable transportation to move agricultural goods will go a far way in achieving 25 by 25.”

The Project will explore options for addressing a range of factors affecting the conveyance of agricultural products by sea including management and operational systems, onshore facilities, food safety provisions, and customs and plant quarantine operations The main objectiveoftheinitiativeisto identify opportunities for urgent improvement in maritime transportation

nd transportationmodalitiesand provide solutions which utilise existing shipping assets.

A Technical Working Group will be established to provide oversight of the study The body will include

tives from governments of the participating countries, the CARICOM Secretariat, the CARICOM Private Sector Organization,andtheCDB.

Following their summit last year in Suriname Caricom Heads had said that they considered the Region's need for a significantly enhanced transportation system that can bolster food security and deepen regional integration.

“Heads of Government welcomedanupdatefromthe Prime Minister of Barbados on advanced discussions with the United Arab Emirates regarding support for both a traditional ferry and fast ferry service for the Region and noted that a related proposal from the Capital Abu Dhabi is being awaited,” the heads had said in their end-of conference communiqué. Besides, the

headsalsoagreedtoestablish a Working Group to provide oversight of the project

w h i c h w i l l i n c l u d e representatives from the Governments of Barbados, Grenada, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, as well

a s t h e C A R I C O M Secretariat, Caricom Private Sector Organisation (CPSO), andtheCDB.

The matter of improved

t r a n s p o r t a t i o n a n d connectivity had been one of grave concern over the years and it was raised again at the recently held Agriculture Expo hosted in Guyana. The CARICOM Heads of Governmentattheexposition calledoninvestorstoallocate funding to transport goods throughouttheCommunity Premier of Montserrat, Joseph Farrell had rallied investors to support the acquisition of “at least two ships, one going north and one going south, so that we can move our products from one country to the next.”

PrimeMinisterKeithRowley had also referred to the multipurpose vessels that weredonatedintheeraofthe WestIndiesFederationbythe GovernmentofCanadatothe Region, and told investors,

“If you really want to help CARICOM …, one of the best things that you could do is to help the team of governments to fund and have operating, within the CARICOM Region, vessels of that nature so as to bring our people together by seas…It has been done; it needs to be done. Goods and services by sea after by rail is always the cheapest,'' Dr R o w l e y a s s e r t e d

For his part, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minster, Gaston Browne, said it is imperative to find the means to “move our goods”, as he pointed out that it was easier to ship goods from Miami thanwithintheRegion.

“If we don't have transportation then all our efforts would be in vain… In this regard, reliable transportation by sea and by air is imperative and urgently requiresattention.

It is imperative and urgently demands attention,” he said Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Chester Cooper also threw out the challenge for the Caribbean to develop a strategic plan that targets logistical transport and connectivityissues.

Shotrobberysuspectnabbed bypoliceatcityhospital

ArobberysuspectwasonTuesday

t Albouystown,Georgetown.

He is presently hospitalised and investigators will be questioning him about robberies he is suspected to have been involvedin.

Kaieteur News understands that he was liming with some friends when a group of

men approached around 21:00hrs and openedfireonthem.

The suspect was hit and had to be rushed toacityhospitalfortreatment.

The injured man is no stranger to the law andwasremandedforsnatchingagoldchain in2021.

He was also accused of a series of armed robberies.Investigationsareongoing.

AMERICA IS A PARTNER BUT NOT ONE TO BE ALWAYS TRUSTED

Th e f o r m e r President of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, once warned his people about the Americans and the Europeans and their agenda concerning Africa’s wealth.

He said to them, “If EuropeandAmerica,tellyou that they love you, be careful. They love the oil of your land: the oil and not yourpeople.”

Guyana has discovered oil And ever since that discovery Europe and America have fallen in love with Guyana. But is it with ourpeopleorwithoil?

A few weeks ago, a delegation from the United States Congress visited Guyana.

AndPresidentAlialmost tripped over himself in adulation of the Americas. Hetoldareceptionhostedin honour of the visiting delegation that they have nothingtofearfromGuyana, andthatAmericaisa“trusted partner”.

He was quoted by the GuyanaChronicleassaying, “Youareourtrustedpartner We are proud of our partnership and we’re going to work together to make GuyanaandtheUSstronger together “You have nothing to fear; Guyana is, and will continue to be an important strategic partner of the UnitedStates.”

Under President Ali, relations with the United States have never been healthier But he is reaping the rewards of the rapprochement which began under President Granger whohadtheenviabletaskof repairing the fractured relationship which resulted fromthedecisionofaPPPC Minister to go the then US Ambassador’sresidenceand deliveraferalblast.

Withthediscoveryofoil

and the fact that the major partner in the exploration and production of oil is the American multinational ExxonMobil, it is only natural that Guyana should enjoy a good relationship and, indeed, a partnership with the United States of America.

It is also in Guyana’s nationalinterestthatGuyana should pursue a strategic relationship with the United States of America, more so because of the threat which wasposedtoourdemocracy bytheattempttorigthe2020 elections. But to say that America is a “trusted” partner is a case of the President’s inexperience showing.

Americacanbeapartner just as China can be a partner But the President must not make the assumption that the Americans can ever be a “trusted”partner

For almost 25 years, America conspired to deny the Guyanese people free and fair elections because they saw Burnham as the lesser of the two evils when compared with Jagan. And even Burnham ended up feeling the wrath of the Americans. They refused to help him when he needed help.

Afterthebombingofthe Cuban aircraft in 1976, Burnham met with a US diplomat.

Now declassified documents reported the diplomatasrecallingthathe was of the opinion that Burnham felt a personal responsibility for the loss of the Guyanese lives on that ill-fatedflight.

Duringtheconversation, Burnham requested that the United States kill those responsible for the terrorist attack.

Thisrequestshockedthe

Dem Boys Seh...

diplomat who promptly told Burnham thatAmerica does notdothingsthatway

To which Burnham replied, “You have done it before!”

Unlike Ali Burnham understood where he stood withtheAmericans.

He had a sound understanding of US imperialism and its ways. Burnham, however, needed them to keep Jagan out of power

Buthewouldneverhave deemed them a trusted partner Under President Ali,Guyanahasdevelopeda fawning relationship with theUnitedStates.

And the United States has spared no effort in making it clear that it does not support improved relations between Guyana and China. Indeed,America is now involved in a new ColdWaragainstChina.

But does President Ali feelsthatthisnewColdWar isaboutprotectingGuyana’s interests?

It is not. It is all about curtailing China’s growing influence in the world, an influence that could see China superseding America as the world’s dominant economy by mid-century Guyana needsAmerica.The threat posed to our democracy requires the active support of the Americans.

But Guyana has to be warythatAmericaislooking afteritsinterestsandisusing its influence to ensure that the interests of American companies are not jeopardized in Guyana.And it is within the right of the Americanstodoso.

But Guyana must also look at its own interests and not become a pawn in the newColdWarwhichisbeing waged by America against China.

Wanton waste does bring woeful want

Ole people does tell yuh dat “wanton waste does bring woeful want”. Guyana throwing away money like water on duck back and one day all dis waste gan come backtohauntwe

Imagine, we had wan audit of de oil expenses fuh between 2017 and 2019. De audit find that almost one in every six dollars we should ask fuh explanation. It also find dat we might have overpaid pun somethings.

Yuhwouldahthinkdegovernmentwah havebeenpromptandwouldquestionthese expenses. But instead is all kind of excuse and passing de buck tekking place. Some people even trying fuh pass de buck to de GRA.ButdemboysknowdatdeGRAisnot de government auditors. De GRAonly gat an interest in de oil expenses only in relation fuh collect dem taxes. And de

agreementnahprovidefuhmuchtaxesfuh collect. So GRA is nat to blame. In fact, GRA should not be involved at all in querying de expenses. Dat is fuh de governmentfuhdo.

But we government tekkin dem good timeanddelongerdemtek,deharderitgan be fuh appeal and reject some of dem expenses. As far as dem boys concern de timedonepassfuhquestiondemexpenses. But it nah look like de country bothered at all.Dechickenfeedwahdemoilcompanies throwing at we, gat we feeling happy and contended.

But dem ole people does warn we dat wanton waste does bring woeful want. We gat to go back to dem ole people teaching because if we don’t, de well gan dry up fasterthanwethink Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

If the balance sheet is examined, China has done more for Guyana than America.

Apart from Cuba, China has been the best ally that Guyana has ever had as an independentstate.

America is a weakening power Itsglobalinfluenceis waning. Just recently Brazil and China signed an agreementfortradebetween them to be settled in their respectivecurrencies.

This means that the US dollar will no longer be the intermediating currency for trade between these China andBrazil.

PresidentAlihastotake note of these emerging internationaltrends.

While no one expects him to harden his stance towards the Americans, the least he can do is to become more realistic about his description of relations with theUnitedStates.

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

Guyanese had enough time with 14 days to scrutinise new oil contract - Jagdeo

By Kiana Wilburg

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo has confirmed there will be no extension of time for stakeholders to review the provisions of the draft Model Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) for deepwater and shallow wateroilblocks.

The chief policymaker for the nation's oil sector said 14 days to review the document is enough time. On the sidelines of a Local Content Summit on Tuesday he said, “We have had quite a few comments from a large number of people (on the draft documents but) I find it strange that this matter has been in the public domain for the last five years about what'swrongwiththecurrent PSAand so people have been saying that two weeks is not enough.”

The Vice President added, “They knew we were going to put out the draft PSAs. It is a five-year issue …Ithinkitisjustanotherone

of those things where people call for more time but they really don't want to put in the t e c h n i c a l effort…Nevertheless we are movingforward.”

Since the release of the documentsonMarch14,last, the political opposition called for there to be an extension of the timeline for review, adding that it should be sent to the National Assemblyfordebate.

Since making those calls however, it has not said publicly what it agrees, or disagrees with, in the draft documents.

It has also not offered an alternativetowhatitbelieves oughttobeaddressedinsuch agreements.

Bethatasitmay,Kaieteur News on March 15, 2023, published an extensive review, highlighting some of the key features of both documents.

When compared to the controversialStabroekBlock P r o d u c t i o n S h a r i n g Agreement (PSA), signed with an ExxonMobil-led

consortiumin2016,itisclear that the government made deliberate efforts to close several dangerous loopholes for abuse and revenue leakage.

A significant feature in the new draft agreements is that the government has preserved the right to review and approve the budgets for the exploration and development programmes of

Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo

otherexistingPSA.

Equally important is the insertion of a new provision thatensuresthecountryisnot leftonthehookforanyofthe oil companies' bills. That c l a u s e s p e a k s t o indemnification.

The ability of oil companiestoself-insure,that is, to rely on their own fiscal resources, is also part of the Stabroek Block PSAand was highlycriticizedforyears.

the oil companies The agreements state that, “The contractor shall submit to the minister for approval, in accordance with the Accounting Procedures, a Budget of the Costs to be incurred in implementation of each Work Programme, simultaneously with the submission of such Work Programmes.

The minister will decide on the proposal of Budgets simultaneously with the a p p r o v a l o f t h e corresponding Work Programme.” Such powers are not enshrined in the Stabroek Block PSA or any

At Article 30.2 it says: “The contractor shall indemnify, defend, and hold the minister and Government of Guyana harmless against all claims, losses and damages of any nature whatsoever by any personnel of the contractor or of any subcontractor for the loss or damage to personalpropertyorinjury or death to persons caused by or resulting from any petroleum operations conducted by or on behalf of the contractorunderthis Agreement or any License issuedpursuanttotheAct.”

Ontheissueofinsurance, the draft contracts state that the oil companies must have in place, policies that cover pollutioncausedinthecourse of petroleum operations for which the contractor may be heldresponsible.

Theagreementsalsostate that, “At the minister's discretion the contractor may bepermittedtoself-insureall or part of the aforementioned insurances.”

A new arrangement or demand rather, is that oil companies must also ensure their subcontractors have adequate insurance coverage too.

Importantly, the draft agreements state that oil companies will not be allowed to acquire the blocks and sit on their hands for decades.

The draft documents categorically state that, “If in any phase of the Exploration Period, the contractor does not fulfill its obligations in respect of the Minimum E x p l o r a t i o n Wo r k Programme for that exploration period, the contractor is obliged to pay the Government an amount equal to the difference between the minimum expenditure obligation specifiedforthatphaseofthe exploration period and the actual amounts expended on the work commitments carriedout.”

In the Stabroek Block PSA or in other existing agreements, no such penalty isinplace.

Venezuelan lawmen open fire on Guyanese businessman at Eteringbang ...sayhehadfailedtostopattheircheckpoint

AGuyanese businessman working at Eteringbang, Cuyuni River, Region Seven is alleging that he narrowly escaped being riddled with bullets after members of the Venezuelan National Guard recently opened fire on his boat.

Kaieteur News was able to confirm that the man had reported the incident to authorities in San Martin, a Venezuelan Village located oppositeEteringbang.

This newspaper was able to make contact with those in charge of San Martin and they confirmed that the alleged shooting took place in February in the vicinity of Wenamu, Cuyuni River Kaieteur News understands that the businessman had failed to stop at check point manned by the National Guard, which caused them to open fireonhim.

The businessman, however, explained to

Kaieteur News that he was returning to Eteringbang at the time with an empty boat and was nowhere close to hisbase.

He admitted that he saw the Venezuelan law men signaling him to stop but like most Guyanese in the area he did not adhere for fear of being “fleeced” by the Venezuelan lawmen Kaieteur News understands that due to the economic crisis in the country, the Venezuelan armed forces have begun to act just like the gangs in the areastopping Guyanese b u s i n e s s m e n a n d demanding cash and goods. “I am lucky to still be alive to tell you what had happened to me”, said the businessman as he recalled seeing the bullets skidding on water narrowly missing himandhisboat.

After surviving the ordeal, the businessman made sure that he reported the matter to the relevant authoritiesinSanMartin.

Regional workshop to improve prevention and treatment services for AIDS elimination by 2030 completed

Dr T a r i q J a g n a r i n e , P r o g r a m m e Manager, National Aids Programme Secretariat (NAPS) and Dr. Shanique Greaves attached to the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) last week attended a regional workshop and share fair, which focused on improving prevention and treatment services for AIDS eliminationby2030.

The three-day event was hosted by the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) in collaboration with the Pan A m e r i c a n H e a l t h Organization, World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), Organisation of Eastern CaribbeanStates(OECS)and C a r i b b e a n M e d L a b s Foundation (CMLF) in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on March 28 to 30, 2023.

According to a press release, the regional workshop focused on differentiated services for HIV prevention, care and treatment (including the diagnosisandmanagementof opportunistic infections,

transitioning to dolutegravir (DTG) as the preferred firstline therapy for adults and c h i l d r e n (PAHO/WHO,2023).

Meanwhile the share fair c o n s i s t e d o f t h e representatives of the participating countries and organizations sharing experiencesonthepilotofthe HIV self- testing (HIVST) a n d P r e - e x p o s u r e prophylaxis (PrEP) for key populations.

Dr Greaves noted that GPRA's involvement in the WHO's goal to eliminate AIDS by 2030 and with the organization's scope of clientele, the knowledge gained from this workshop will give the organization an opportunity to expand its services to reach key populations. She also shared that GRPA prides itself as a safe and secure environment where persons can receive differentiated services and care(testingandtreatment)at one location. She agrees with the quote by Nelson Mandela which says “AIDS is no longer a disease, it's a human rightsissue”andbelievesthat with a collaborative effort the goalcanbemet.

Dr. Jagnarine (left) and Dr. Greaves pictured at the workshop in Port of Spain.

A

UNICEF makes donation to support immunization of children in Guyana …Will aid

life-saving

UN I C E F D e p u t y Representative to Guyana and Suriname, IrfanAkhtar,onWednesdayhanded over 10 solar refrigerators, 4 solar freezers,8electricalrefrigerators,1 Ultra-LowTemperaturefreezerand associated equipment, to the Ministry of Health (MOH) to ensurethesafestorageanddelivery of vaccines for immunization of childreninGuyana.

“Vaccines protect and save lives

To ensure the safe distribution of vaccines where they are needed, a high-quality cold chain is essential. The equipment being delivered today will ensure that COVID-19 and other important vaccines reach communitiessafely,eveninremote villages in Guyana's hinterland,” saidAkhtar

He continued, “These are some of the most reliable cold-chain equipment available The solar poweredtechnologymeansthatthe solar direct drive equipment will operate without the cost of additional power or fuel. This is extremely important. It means we can reach more people in some of the most remote communities across the country, including those atthelastmile.”

Akhtar thanked Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, and all health workers for working relentlesslyoverthelastthreeyears to ensure the population is knowledgeableaboutandprotected fromCOVID-19andothervaccine-

in equitable access to

vaccines in hinterland areas

preventable diseases. Ahead of World Immunization Week later in April, he also encouraged persons to“getvaccinatedandgetboosted.”

In welcoming the donation, Minister Anthony said the equipment supports the ministry's priority to equip all health centres and ensure vaccines are stored properly

He said the areas where the equipment will be installed have already been identified. Minister Anthonysaidtherehasbeenaslight decrease in immunization in Guyanaandtheministryisworking on an intensified programme. He thanked UNICEF for continuously working to mobilize resources for Guyana and supporting the health

sector

UNICEF stated in a press release that the provision of the equipmentwassupportedbyGAVI, the Vaccine Alliance and the COVAX Facility The solar direct driverefrigeratorsandfreezerswill be deployed to hinterland regions and will ensure that vaccines are availableinareasthatdonothavea regularelectricitysupply It was explained that solar direct drive refrigeration systems are a new generation of solar powered refrigeration systems and do not require a battery to store energy All associated equipment including solar panels have been provided while installation and transportation costs are covered,

which will allow the equipment to be made fully operational immediately

Moreover, it was noted that since the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic, UNICEF has supported the MOH to strengthen its cold chain capacity, providing solardirectdriverefrigerators,over 450 vaccine carriers as well as capacitybuilding.Thecoldchainis the system for safe storage and transport of vaccines. Cold chain equipment is essential to ensure that vaccines are stored at the right temperature in order to maintain vaccinequality Thelatestdonation is part of UNICEF's ongoing support to enhance national capacitiesinthehealthsector

Mr. Irfan Akhtar, UNICEF Deputy Representative to Guyana and Suriname, and Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Frank Anthony, with staff of the Maternal and Child Health Unit at the handover of cold chain equipment at the Ministry of Health bond, Georgetown

Private hospital sued for removing woman's reproductive organs without her permission

Private hospital sued for removing w o m a n ' s reproductive organs without herpermission

The Balwant Singh Hospital is being sued for allegedly removing the cervixanduterusofapatient who did not consent to having her reproductive organsremoved.

In a court papers drafted by Attorney, Sanjeev Datadin, the patient,Wonder Kellman-Hall accused the

hospital of causing her to suffer, “physical and emotional” damage. She is suingforinexcessof$6.6M worthindamages.

According to the court documents seen by this newspaper, Kellman-Hall outlined, she visited the private hospital after she started to encounter health issues. She claimed that she was advised by Dr Madhu Singh, a gynaecologist who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Balwant Singh, that she had fibroids andanumbilicalhernia.

Kellman-Hall who described herself as a married woman in her mid 40's with two adult children, saidthatthehospitalcharged her $650,000 to perform two operations; one to remove her womb, the other to remove the hernia. She said that she agreed to pay the sum but was adamant that she did not want her ovaries andcervixtoberemoved.

She claimed to have “expressly informed” Dr. Singh of her decision.

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e information outlined in the court document, the surgeries were performed on June 9, 2021 and KellmanHall was discharged from the hospital on June 11, 2021.

August 23, 2022, Kellman-Hall underwent an ultra sound at Balwant Singh. The woman claims that Dr Singh told her that everything was “normal” with her body Still, at that point, nothing was said about the removal of her

cervixorovaries.

Kellman-Hall said that some time after the surgeries she started to experience some strange symptoms which included extreme sweating, pains, hot flashes, chills, lack of energy, lack of concentration and mood swings. However when she visited the private hospital, Dr Singh never told her of the additional procedure to remove her organs The woman said it is until she decided to get a second opinion owing the persistent s y m p t o m s t h a t s h e discovered that her reproductive organs were missing Kellman–Hall divulged that the discovery was made after she took another ultra sound at the Cancer Institute of Guyana Inc. where the medical team there told her that the ultrasound revealed that her cervix and ovaries were removed.

Thewomansaidshethen revisited Balwant Singh Hospital and confronted Dr. Singh with the information. She said that it was then Dr Singh explained that she had bleeding on one of her ovaries and she decided to removeitduringthesurgery

Kellman-Hall said she r e q u e s t e d a l l t h e documentation from the hospital concerning the surgery however she has not r e c e i v e d a n y s u c h i n f o r m a t i o n o r documentation to date. As such, she has hired a team of attorneysanddecidedtotake the private hospital to task in thecourt.

Wonder Kellman-Hall

Three years on… Audit of Exxon's US$1.6B pre-contract costs still ongoing

It is now more than three years since a British firm, IHS Markit, is yet to complete an auditofUS$1.6Binexpenses for the oil-rich Stabroek Block Those costs were incurred during the period 1999to2017byExxonMobil Corporation's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

Confirming the status of the audit was Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Godfrey StevenStatia.

His clarification came on the heels of two articles published by the Stabroek

question are not in keeping with industry standards and would therefore have to be refunded for distribution

among the partners Government has not said if it would take this course of action, should Exxon maintain its disagreement withitsfindings.

Furthermore, the length of time the audit report is taking to be completed has caused some degree of concern among observers. Some individuals have said, for example, that authorities should properly explain why it is taking so long to complete an audit for a company when the Audit

US$10B and is expected to come online in 2025 with a production capacity of approximately250,000gross barrelsofoilperday

Exxon is awaiting approval for its fifth project at the Uaru field in the Stabroek Block with talks already initiated for the sixth at the Whiptail discovery field.Uaruwhichisexpected to come online at the end of 2026 at a cost of US$12.5B

will have a gross production capacity of approximately 250,000barrelsofoilperday Exxon and partners currently have a line of sight for at least 10 FPSOs offshore Guyana to extract the 11 billion barrels of oil resources discovered in the StabroekBlock.

News on IHS Markit's report that it provided to the PPPC regime Stabroek News comprehensively, and clearly, outlined that there were some US$214M in costs that could be contested byStateauthorities.

GRA's boss did not denounce these figures as inaccurate He did note however that IHS' report, as is being quoted, is not the final document, adding that government is now at the stage of awaiting feedback from Exxon's subsidiary He also did not provide a timelineonwhenthisprocess would be completed. Statia also noted that the government will make the report public at the appropriatetime.

At a Local Content Summit held on Tuesday, Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo was keen to note that the report is not being withheld from public scrutiny

He said too if there are costs that are questionable, andExxoncannotadequately justify same, then it will be disallowed. According to the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), it would not be such an easy walkinthepark.Government would first have to prove through a process of arbitration, that the costs in

Office of Guyana takes approximately 12 months to audit and produce a report on thenation'saccounts.

There are also concerns about the accelerated pace at which government is approving oil projects and the difficulties that would ensue for cost regulation and monitoring since it is still stuck at auditing costs associated with the 1999 to 2017era.

A second audit is currently underway for costs totalling US$7 3B which were incurred from 2018 to 2020 That contract was awarded last year May That tooisstillongoing.

Be that as it may, Jagdeo said at the Local Content Summit that government intends to keep the industry on the fast track for a minimum of 15 years so that investors, both local and foreign, will have enough time as well as a thriving business environment to recouptheirinvestments.

The Guyana Government has already sanctioned two additional oil projects, namely the Payara and Yellowtail developments which will use the Prosperity

Boss GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia

Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo

PAHO, Ministers of Health of the Americas discuss renewed focus on primary health care

The Director of the Pan American H e a l t h Organization (PAHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, participated in a high-level dialogue with Ministers of Health and other health leaders of the Americas to discuss ways to strengthen and transform health systems in the region, using the Primary Health Care approach, to face current challenges and prepare for future health emergencies.

The event, Health for all: Strengthening primary healthcare to build resilient systems, took place on Wednesday as part of the Wo r l d H e a l t h D a y commemorations and to honor the World Health Organization on the 75th anniversary of its creation.

The PAHO Director was joined by Dr Nisia Trinidade Lima, Minister of Health of Brazil, Dr Frank C S Anthony, Minister of Health of Guyana, Dr Francisco Alabi, Minister of Health of El Salvador, Juan Núñez Guadarrama, Coordinator, México Salud-Hable Coalition, and Dr Jaime Urrego, Vice minister of

PublicHealth,Colombia.

During the dialogue, Dr Barbosa highlighted some of the achievements in primary care in theAmericas over the past decades, including an increase in life expectancy, the eradication of endemic transmission of measles, rubella and congenital rubella, and a reduction in infantmortality

Despite this progress, however, low levels of investment, fragmented health systems and limited response capacity at the first level of care mean that barriers to access health remain, disproportionately a f f e c t i n g t h e m o s t vulnerable.

T h e C O V I D - 1 9 pandemic has also “exposed, exacerbated, and created structural health system challenges” that have further deepened inequalities and affected response capacity and results in the field of public health, the Director said.

“We aspire to develop and achieve health systems that have the capacity to prepare for and respond effectively to an emergency, maintain basic functions

when a crisis occurs, and reorganize and transform if conditions require,” Dr. Barbosasaid.

The PAHO Director also highlighted that expanding primary health care is key to addressingtheburdenofnoncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly given that 240 million people currently live with a chronic conditionintheAmericas.

To ensure a focus on primary health care, Dr Barbosa urged countries to strengthenthestewardshipof health authorities, the

governance of health systems, improve social empowerment, and develop

integrated health services focusedonprimarycare.

“The leadership role of National Health Authorities is undeniable,” Dr. Barbosa added, thanking the Ministers for participating in thedialogue.

Countries must now

invest in “creating, s t r e n g t h e n i n g , a n d institutionalizing spaces for social participation where people can learn, participate, get involved, and hold health

leaders and systems accountable to address collectiveneeds,”headded.

“Achieving universal health in our Region requires

our joint effort and collaboration. From the Pan A m e r i c a n H e a l t h

Organization, we reiterate our commitment to provide all our technical capacity to support Member States in achievingthisobjective.”

Dr. Frank C.S. Anthony, MinisterofHealthofGuyana speaking at the forum said, “We recognize that primary health care is the foundation of our health care system and that's why we're placing so much emphasis on the development of primary health care, to give people access, to ensure people have an expanded range of services they can get and also to bring it as close as p o s s i b l e t o t h e i r communities so they can benefit from all of these services.”

The East Coast of Demeraraissettoexperience significant development in the coming months, with planstoallocate3,000lotsfor n e w h o u s i n g a n d infrastructure works to supportthegrowth.

Some 1,500 house lots have already been allocated in the communities of Lusignan and Good Hope during the 'Dream Realised' housing drive held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre(ACCC)onTuesday.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues said the exercise is part of a larger plan to develop 3,000 lots along the east coast in 2023 alone.“So, far on the East Coast from 2020 to 2023 we have already allocated 5,900 lots,” the minister said duringtheevent.

She highlighted that the government has already invested over $24 billion in infrastructure works along the east coast, while the development of new highways and roads is set to create one big city when the

east coast is linked to the east bank. “We are developing a very complex network of highways and roads and you will see a whole different community being developed along the east coast, linking to the east bank.”

The interventions will provide much needed housing for the growing population as well as create new economic opportunities and improve the overall quality of life for residents.

The new highways and roads will make transportation easier and more efficient, while the creation of new neighbourhoods and commercial areas will boost local businesses and create jobs.Meanwhile,theminister h i g h l i g h t e d t h a t infrastructural works are ongoing in the communities of La Reconnaissance, NonPareil, Bladen Hall, Vigilance, Annadale, MonRepos, Strathspey, and De Endragt.(DPI)

Dr. Jarbas Barbosa

3,000 house lots to be developed on East Coast this year – Minister Rodrigues

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues (DPI)

Elderly woman killed while crossing Rupert Craig Highway

A 69-year-old woman identified as Kissoondia Sewratan died Tuesday evening after she was hit down by a minibus while crossing the Rupert Craig Highway, East CoastDemerara(ECD).

The dead woman was a resident of La Bonne Intention and was reportedly heading homewhenshemetherdemise.Accordingto police the minibus struck her down around 18:20 hrs in the vicinity of Movietowne. The buswasbeingdrivenatthetimebya39-yearold businessman of Seaforth Street, Campbelleville, Georgetown. It is being alleged that he was driving east along the northern drive lane of the highway when Sewratan allegedly ran across the road. The man alleged that he could not slow down in time and he ended up crashing into her She fell onto the roadway bleeding from injuries. Anambulancewascalledandshewasrushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival. The bus driver is presently in custody assisting withthenecessaryinvestigations.

Corentyne woman in critical condition after boyfriend attack

Police are investigating a chopping incident that took place yesterday April 5, 2023, at No 55 Village, Corentyne,Berbice.

Injured and hospitalized in a critical state at the New Amsterdam Hospital, is Sandy Persaud called'Baby', 34, of No 55 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. Reports are that Sasarina Sankar, a Barber, attacked Persaud with a sharp weapon and dealtseveralchopsabouther body leaving her with life threateninginjuries.

Regional Commander, Shivpersaud Bacchus said that police are currently searching for the suspect who has since gone into hiding.

Aunt of the injured woman, Parbhattie Dyal, 55, disclosed that the screams of her niece were heard next door, but by the time she got to her assistance, the man had already chopped Persaudandescaped.

“BythetimeIrunandgo, she already get chop up and deh in the house, if you see blood on the bed…she get chop on right shoulder, left hand, finger, head, back, foot She get bad chop up…she seh Moosy ayuh

Sandy Persaud called 'Baby'

pray for me…he chop me andgetaway,”Dyalsaid. Dyal said that her niece had made plans to go on vacationoverseasbutSankar was not supportive of that and as such, an argument ensued and the man leveled threats against her In February, Sankar had attackedPersaud and injured her, causing her to seek medical attention at the Port Mourant Hospital She

moved out and stayed with her cousin out of the region, but returned to Berbice a week ago. Kaieteur News was told by the aunt of the injured woman that Sankar also attacked Persaud while shewaspayingbillsatNo.57 Village,Corentyne.Berbice. He reportedly pulled a knife on her and she pushed him away Acar driver came to her rescue before he then escaped.

Dead: Kissoondia Sewratan

Shopkeeper charged with manslaughter over death of Mabaruma businessman

The shopkeeper who was accused of beating Aaron Conyers, a businessman of Mabaruma about his body, before he died on March 28 last, was on Tuesday remanded to prison on a manslaughtercharge.

Zamul Samuels, the shopkeeper, on Tuesday made his first court appearance, where he was not required to plead to the charge of manslaughter Samuels, 27, of Gaja Landing, North West District, Region One, was later remanded to prison untilMay22,2023.

Kaieteur News was informedthatSamuels,after he was arrested had confessed to detectives that heindeedassaultedConyers onMarch27,last.

A police report revealed that the 38-year-old businessman of Gaja Landing located in the Mabaruma area was attacked after imbibing alcoholatSamuels'shop.

The police had reported that according to Leon Caravaio, a labourer from the area, that at around 21:00hrs on March 27, he went to Dorathy Samuels' house to charge his phone when he saw Conyers in the company of four men, ages 22, 24, 27, and 40, all of the samevillage.

Hesaidthemenwereall drinkingalcoholatSamuels' shop on the eastern side of

DorathySamuel'syard.

It was reported to the police that Conyers and one of the men he was drinking withbegantofightwhenthe shopkeeper intervened, causing Conyers to verbally abusehim.

The shopkeeper apparentlythrewConyersto the ground, resulting in him hittingthebackofhishead.

The police learnt that Conyersgotupandbeganto

Special Miracles Ministries Church to host Good Friday Service

use indecent language againsttheshopkeeper,after which he walked out of the yard, and shortly fell by the roadside near a lamp pole, andremainedthere.

Accordingtoreports,the businessman was picked up by his wife and sister and taken home, where he was placedonabedtosleep.

T h e f o l l o w i n g morning (March 28) he was overheard groaning and was subsequently taken to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital, where he died while receiving treatment.

The four persons with whom Conyers was reportedly drinking with that night were arrested and taken into custody at the Mabaruma Police Station, whereSamuelsconfessed.

This publication learned that Conyers who leave to mourn his four children and other relatives died as a result of hemorrhage to the brain due to blunt trauma, thepostmortemrevealed.

Special Miracles Ministries (SMM) Church, located at Lot 203 Freeman Street, East La Penitence Georgetown is extending an invitation to the general public to attend a specialGoodFridayservice.

Thechurchwhichisunder the leadership of Archbishop Wingrove Babb will host the service from 10:00 am on Fridaymorning.

In addition to the regular praise and worship, a special programme has been preparedforattendees.

P a s t o r M i c h a e l Haywood, who is a Senior Minister attached to the Ministry told this newspaper that since Good Friday and the subsequent Easter

holiday, marks a special time of reflection in the Christian community, he is sure that manypersonswillwantcome outtochurch.

“Weareinvitingeveryone to join us for a time of worship, reflection and celebration For Good Friday andevenEasterSundaywhen service starts at 9:00 am. It is

a time to renew your faith in God; in Christ and the sacrifice he made on Calvary'sCross,”hesaid.

Pastor Haywood said too that in addition to the Good FridayandEasterService,the church will host its fun day activity where the entire family can come out and enjoy a time of food, fun, and fellowship.

Dead, Aaron Conyers

US Speaker McCarthy meets Taiwan’s Tsai despite China pressure

China has denounced the meeting with Taiwan’s president as a provocation, in violation of its ‘One China’ policy.

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(Al Jazeera) United States House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has met with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ingwen in his home state of California on Wednesday, a historic visit that has already sparked warnings from China.

The two leaders sat down together at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in

Simi Valley, approximately 55 kilometres (34 miles) from Los Angeles.

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The closed-door meeting makes McCarthy the highest ranking official to meet with Taiwan’s president on US soil since 1979, the year Washington established diplomatic relations with China.

McCarthy called Tsai “a great friend to America” and added: “I am optimistic we will continue to find ways for the people of America and Taiwan to work together to promote economic freedom, democracy, peace and stability.”

Tsai thanked McCarthy for his hospitality, calling it warm, like the California sunshine, and also thanked the rest of the congressional delegation, saying: “I am so pleased.”

through New York late last month. Her “transit” through California on Wednesday is part of her return journey to Taiwan.

The unofficial US stops, however, have triggered a strong response from China, which considers Taiwan an inalienable part of its territory and therefore opposes any state-to-state relations with the island.

On Monday, China’s consulate in Los Angeles reiterated that the meeting with McCarthy would destabilise “the political foundations of China-US relations”, as well hurting “the national feelings of 1.4 billion Chinese people”.

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A bipartisan group of politicians were present at the meeting, according to a statement from McCarthy’s office in the lead-up to the visit. A small crowd also gathered outside the library, demonstrating on behalf of pro-Taiwan and pro-China views.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called Tsai’s transit “normal”, noting that she has made six similar stopovers in recent years.

The US, however, has maintained an unofficial policy of “strategic ambiguity” toward Taiwan and questions of its sovereignty. It does not maintain official diplomatic relations with the island.

But while it “acknowledges” Beijing’s “One China” policy, Washington rejects any use of force to settle the dispute over Taiwan’s independence.

It also offers the island support through military resources and trade.

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“Beijing should not use the transit as an excuse to take any actions to ratchet up tensions, to further push it changing the status quo,” he said Wednesday during a news conference in Brussels.

However, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, Zhu Fenglian, has warned that Beijing will “resolutely fight back” in the wake of any meeting between McCarthy and Tsai.

For his part, McCarthy, a Republican, has been outspoken in his opposition to China’s leadership. In December, he collaborated on a Fox News editorial that read, in part, that “the greatest threat to the United States is the Chinese Communist Party”.

He has been a strong advocate for “aiding Taiwan in its self-defense” against China’s “aggression”, even proposing a visit to Taiwan after being elected House speaker.

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The meeting comes at the tail end of a trip Tsai made to Central America, to shore up support in Belize and Guatemala, two of its 13 remaining diplomatic allies.

But her travels took her

That position makes him the third-highest ranking politician in the US government.

China, however, has repeatedly warned against any meetings between US and Taiwan leadership.

Supporters gather outside a Los Angeles hotel where Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen is set to arrive [Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP Photo]

Eight Guyanese engineers complete SBM Offshore training programme

Ei g h t G u y a n e s e engineers have s u c c e s s f u l l y completed SBM Offshore G u y a n a ' s G r a d u a t e Engineers' Programme and have earned themselves a spot within the company To commemorate the occasion, a graduation ceremony was held at the Guyana Marriott Hotelfortheengineers,who formedthefirstcohortofthe programme. According to SBM, the programme provided international training for the engineers, who graduated from the University of Guyana, to support the Prosperity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, the third vessel SBM Offshore is deliveringtoGuyana.

SevenoftheGraduates

Malik Lewis, Andy Sattan, Tanisha Selby, Paula Ceres, Raymond Luckhoo, Kishaun Lall and Daniel Troyer

received training in the Netherlands and then Singapore for six months each, where they gained hands-on training on the Prosperity FPSO The eighth Graduate, Maryam Nasir, was trained in Monaco and the Netherlands, where she participated in the

creationofaDigitalTwinforthe Prosperity FPSO– a digital replicaofthevessel,designedto e n a b l e i n f o r m a t i o n management.

Following the completion of the training, the Graduates were awarded official placements within the company They now serve in the following capacities:MalikLewis,Vendor Callout Coordinator; Andy Sattan, Reliability and Optimisation Engineer; Tanisha Selby, Instrument and Controls Engineer; Paula Ceres, Facility Engineer; Raymond Luckhoo, Planning Engineer; Kishaun Lall, Planning Engineer; Daniel Troyer, Facility Engineer, and Maryam Nasir, Data Scientist. The company's efforts to train and employ Guyanese is in keeping with its aim to develop localcontentinGuyana.

During the graduation ceremony, General Manager of SBM Offshore Guyana, Martin Cheongnotedthattheactivityis in keeping with the company's Local Content Master Plan and indicated that this is just one of the capacity development programmes SBM Offshore Guyana offers. He said, “SBM Offshore is committed to building local content and providing capacity-building opportunities for Guyanese to play vital roles in the managementofourcountry'soil andgasresources.”

President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, remarked, “What an exciting daytocelebratethebeginningof such bright careers at the beginning of a blossoming industryhereinGuyana.Youall are, as you've heard, the first cohort, you are the leaders breakingtheground,youarethe futureofSBMOffshore,youare the future of the industry and you will lead the way for years andyearstocome.”

In her remarks, Human Resource Manager, Onecia Johnson noted the resilience of the graduates, who commenced training during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said, “They are committedandresilient.

From weathering unfamiliar climates and being away from

their families as they underwent training, to absorbing the teachingsoftheindustryexperts that they worked alongside, this impressive team of graduates displayed zest for the training opportunities they were presentedwith.”

Prosperity FPSO Project Director, Boudewijn Ledderhof commended the Graduates for their proactive approach to training, and the vigor with whichtheyundertooktheirdaily tasks, saying, “You have shown that with the right attitude and with the right mindset you can grow rapidly into roles that SBM Offshore needs, and the industry needs You are all textbookambassadorsforallthe cohorts to follow, and you shouldbeveryproudofthat.”

Moreover, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, during his remarks, congratulated the young engineers on their achievement, and commended SBM Offshore for their capacity-building efforts. He noted, “In saying that,wemustrecognisethework of SBM Offshore, we must commend SBM [Offshore] as well for taking this initiative to ensuringthattheybuildcapacity among young people in Guyana.”

Also, a new batch of Graduate Engineers has been recruitedasthesecondcohortof the programme, in alignment with SBM Offshore Guyana's ongoinginitiativestobuildlocal capacity,andexpanditsGuyana workforce.

The eight young engineers, Daniel Troyer; Malik Lewis; Andy Sattan; Raymond Luckhoo; Tanisha Selby; Kishaun Lall; Paula Ceres and Maryam Nasir at the graduation ceremony.

Peru withdraws as host of the under-20 World Championships

(Reuters) - Peru has pulled out of hosting next year’s under-20 athletics World Championships after political instability and social unrest, as well as natural disasters left the country unable to stage the event, World Athletics said yesterday.

Peru’s northern region was hit by torrential rains last month during Cyclone Yaku, which buried houses and cars in mud and killed at least six people.

The championships were due to be held in Lima from

Britain’s Dina AsherSmith in action during her heat. (REUTERS/ Kai Pfaffenbach)

Aug. 26-31, 2024.

“We would like to thank the Peruvian Federation and

the Local Organising Committee for the time and effort they have already put into this

Thursday April 06, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

In order to reach your destination, you may have to take an unusual route today, Aries. Zigzag your way to the finish line. Don't automatically assume that this is a bad thing.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Get out of the doldrums and enjoy life, Taurus. The situation is such that if you remain stagnant for a little while, you will soon sink into a spiral of depression and downward thinking.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

This morning is your time to shine, Gemini. You should be in a good mood, with a positive outlook that helps you attack the day's tasks with vitality. Elements of the unexpected.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

You may get a bit frustrated in the morning because of a lack of commitment on the part of others, Cancer. You may find it hard to pin down an answer when everything seems to be up in the air.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

The energy you put out today will most definitely fuel the fire, Leo, so make sure you have an extinguisher within reach.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

You may feel indecisive today, Virgo, especially in the morning. Other people's actions may confuse you. Don't worry. Concentrate on your projects and goals.

Fitness Express contributes towards expenses of the CARIFTA Games Team

As has been the norm over the years, Fitness Express, Guyana’s leading sports supplement and fitness equipment retailer has continued to support athletes across the divide.

The latest gesture came in the form of a financial contribution towards the overall expenses of Guyana’s participation at this year’s CARIFTA Games are set for this Friday to next Monday, April 7-10 in the Bahamas.

Bahamas is by no means an easy task, as it is a very huge bill to see us get there, and every contribution, adds up.

Mr. McDonald has always been supportive of us and we are very thankful for his continued backing.”

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Emotionally, you should be feeling quite good today, Libra. This is important since you may get thrown off balance by a strange, unexpected force. The more stable you are on the inside,

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Free your mind and consider alternative options, Scorpio. This is a time to throw away the old to make room for the new. There's a distinct advance in original and forward thinking today.

.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

You might find your energy comes in strong, erratic bursts today, Sagittarius. Don't be surprised if you're high as a kite one moment and down in the dumps the next. Even if you're driving everyone.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The

You may feel a tendency to do things the same old way today simply because it's what feels most comfortable, Capricorn. Even though the familiar route may be tempting now,

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

An extra log has been thrown on your fire today, Aquarius, so don't be surprised if you burn especially hot.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Don't feel like you have to rationalize everything, Pisces. Accept the fact that there are some things in life that occur without a specific logical explanation. More than likely these are the most interesting

event,” World Athletics, who will look for a replacement host, said in a statement.

Soccer’s global governing body FIFA also announced this week that it was stripping the South American country of hosting rights for failing to meet infrastructure commitments ahead of the U17 World Cup.

President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson has indicated that his Association is pulling out all the stops to ensure that Guyana is well represented at this year’s Games despite the challenges being faced to get the full team there.

”The AAG would like to express gratitude to Mr. Jamie McDonald and Fitness Express for assisting us in a big way. Getting our team to the

McDonald in brief remarks after handing over the company’s contribution to the Team Manager and Council Member of the AAG, Mr. Keith Campbell, shared that Guyana has a very good chance of doing even better than 2022 when the nation ended the 49th edition of the Games in Jamaica, with seven (7) medals.

”Athletics in Guyana is really going places and I am sure that with the consistent work, the AAG has been putting in, we will certainly reap huge rewards in short order. This year’s team is a talented one and we at Fitness Express would like to make our contribution toward its success.”

Barcelona stunned as Benzema hat-trick sends Real into Copa final

B A R C E L O N A , (Reuters) - Karim Benzema struck a hat-trick as Real Madrid thrashed arch-rivals and league leaders Barcelona 4-0 to reach the Copa del Rey final in stunningfashionyesterday

Barca, bidding for a fourth successive Clasico victory this season, looked setforthefinalhavingedged a1-0wininthefirstlegofthe semi-final in Madrid last m o n t h B u t a f t e r dominating the early stages of the second leg they fell apart in unlikely fashion to lose 4-1 on aggregate with Benzema becoming the first Real player to scoreahat-trickin a Clasico at the Nou Camp sinceFerencPuskasin1963.

Vinicius Jr gave Real the lead in first-half stoppage time following a lightning counter-attack and the semi-final was turned on its head when Benzema stroked a shot into the corner five minutes into the second half from a LukaModricpass.

Eight minutes later Vinicius was fouled in the area and Benzema thumped his penalty past Marc-AndreterStegen

With jeers echoing around the Nou Camp, Barcelona tried to respond but it was Real Madrid who looked the more likely to add to their tally w i t h B e n z e m a unstoppable

In the 80th minute he was again set up by Vinicius to complete his second hat-trick in a matter of days having also hit a treble in the 6-0 destruction of Real Valladolid.

Real will fancy their chances of winning the trophy for a 20th time when they face Osasuna in the final after they beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 on aggregateonTuesday

“It was a complete match. If you don’t make it complete, you can’t win 0-4 here,”Ancelottisaid.

“In the first half we had difficulties but the first goal

changesthedynamicsofthe wholematch.

“It’s a game in which personalityandexperienceis a very important aspect. We mixed the energy of Rodrygo, Valverde and Camavinga with the experience of Vini, Modric, Kroos They played a spectaculargame.”

After suffering at the hands of Barcelona this season, it was a spectacular ripostebyAncelotti’ssideas RealbeatBarcabyatleasta four-goalmarginforthefirst timesince1995.

Realareadistantsecond behind Barca in La Liga havinglost2-1totheirbitter rival last month. But while the title may be gone, they regained bragging rights in style. There was no hint of what was to come on Wednesday as Barcelona lookedinthemoodtokillthe tie with Thibaut Courtois thwarting the hosts on a number of occasions. It was from one Courtois save to deny Robert Lewandowski that the tie turned in an

ANSAMcALTrading/GuyanaBreweries...

Frompage31 in 2018. We here in Bartica are very appreciative of the backing from your two companies towards Regatta which has seen multiple sporting events as well as social activities.”

Softball cricket, football, grass track (April8),cycling,andthisSunday’smarquee powerboat racing set for the Golden Beach Circuit are among the sports events Mr Prowell in response noted that ANSA McALTradingandGuyanaBreweriesInc.is

just happy to be continuing their long-term supportoftheeventandthepeopleofBartica.

”Wehavebeenonboardformanyyearsand will continue to lend support towards this eventthatisthebiggestinthecommunityand is looked forward to by thousands of Guyanese here and in the Diaspora. We wouldliketocongratulatetheBarticaEaster Regatta organising committee for ensuring thattheeventismaintainedasitalsocreates greatopportunitiesforallandsundrytoearn andcontribute.”

instant. Real broke forward at pace and Vinicius exchanged passes with Benzema before his shot creptoverthelinedespitethe efforts of defender Ronald Araujotokeepitout.

Five minutes after the breakModricglidedinfrom therightandrolledapassto Benzema to send a precise finishintothecorner Xavi’s

Barcelona were in tatters minutes later when Vinicius was fouled and Benzema exactedpunishment.

Tempers flared with players from both sides getting involved in skirmishesbutBenzemahad the last laugh to complete a magical night for Real and one Barca will want to forget.

“CongratulationstoReal Madrid, who had a great second half,” Barca coach Xavi,whowasbookedinthe first half, said. “If you show Madrid mercy, they don’t showyoumercy

“It will be hard to sleep, as I am from Barcelona and many of the squad are. But tomorrow, we think about Girona.”

Ronaldo overshadowed by prolific Al-Nassr team mate Talisca

(Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo continues to find the net in Saudi Arabia, scoringtwogoalstoreach11 in nine league games - but still can’t step out of the shadowofteammateandAlNassr’s topscorerAnderson Talisca.

The Brazilian also hit the net twice in the 5-0 victory over Al-Adalah on Tuesday and is the league’s joint top scorer with 16 goals, level with former Manchester United and Watford forward Odion Ighalo who plays for AlHilal

Al-Nassr, who signed 38-year-old Ronaldo in January until 2025 in a contractestimatedbymedia to be worth more than 200 million euros ($219 million), are second in the league standings on 52 points, one behind leaders Al-Ittihad

There are eight games remainingintheseasonfor each team “Every top playerdoeshisjob Myfull focus is on Al-Nassr

winning, not on being the league’s top scorer. My main goal is to lead the team to win, and then everything else will come,”TaliscatoldSaudi’s SSC channel through a translator Just before the international break, Ronaldo handed Talisca the task of converting the winning penalty against

Abha four minutes from time, which the Brazilian scored and described the gestureas“mutualrespect” fromPortugalcaptain.

On Tuesday, Al-Nassr took the lead from a penalty inthefirsthalf,butthistime Ronaldo decided to take it and scored to reach double figuresfortheseason.

($1=0.9132euros)

Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their fourth goal to complete his hat-trick. (REUTERS/Albert Gea)

Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Anderson Talisca during the warm up before the match. (REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri)

Players assist Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior after a fall during the Copa del Rey (King's Cup) semi-final second leg football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. (Photo by Pau BARRENA/ AFP)

Ellis rocks Royals as Kings cling on to start with two wins

SportsMax - Punjab

KingsfendedoffaRajasthan Royals fightback after a stunning spell from Nathan Ellis had teed up a five-run win that saw them start the 2023 IPLwith back-to-back victories.

Both teams had enjoyed opening wins, and this match too could have gone either way despite the Kings appearing to be in complete control thanks to Ellis.

After Punjab captain Shikhar Dhawan did the heavyliftingwith86notout toseehissidefinishon1974,Ellis(4-30)tookaseriesof vital wickets to slow the Royals’response.

Luck was initiallyon theAustralia bowler’s side asaninsideedgeloopedup off Jos Buttler’s pad for a smartcatchfor19

S a n j u S a m s o n carried the scoring burden, making 42, before he too departedoffthebowlingof Ellis, who also accounted for Riyan Parag (20) from his next delivery, then bowled Devdutt Paddikal (21)laterinthesameover

Adeep Royals line-up still contained Shimron Hetmyer (36 off 18) and impact player Dhruv Jurel (32 not out off 15), and the pair combined for a quick 61.

But even with Ellis’

allocation up, Hetmyer had himself run out in the final over as Sam Curran (0-44) just about kept the batting side at bay Chahal’s slow progress

This was not a night IPL veteran Yuzvendra Chahal will reflect on particularly fondly, even ifitsawhimedgecloserto the tournament’s wickets record.

His figures of 1-50 were damaging – Punjab scoring easily despite some fine fielding, including from Buttler –but the wicket of Jitesh Sharma was his 171st in the IPL,movingaheadofLasith Malinga and now trailing onlyDwayneBravo(183).

Inter’s Lukaku wants action from Serie A on racist abuse

ElectricEllisexcels

Both teams named unchanged XIs, meaning Ellis was preferred to 99wicket Kagiso Rabada

The Australian had onlyfiveIPLwicketstohis namepriortothis match

Ellis significantly added to that tally, however, his spell turning the tide and providing a reminder of the talent that saw him take a hat-trick on his T20I debut in 2021 –even if Curran’s contribution was still required to get the jobdone.

Scores: Punjab Kings 197 for 4 (Dhawan 86*, Prabhsimran 60) beat Rajasthan Royals 192 for 7 (Samson 42, Ellis 4-30)byfiveruns.

(Reuters) - Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku has urged Serie A to take action after he was subjected to racial abuse during Tuesday’sCoppaItaliadraw withJuventus,withtheTurin side saying they were collaborating with police to findthoseresponsible.

Lukaku scored a stoppage-time penalty to canceloutalategoalbyJuve midfielder Juan Cuadrado and earn Inter a 1-1 semifinalfirst-legdrawinTurin.

During his celebrations, the Belgian striker held his

finger up to his mouth in front of Juve fans The gesture was judged to be provocative and he was sent off after a second yellow card.

In a statement released late on Tuesday, U.S.-based sports agency Roc Nationwhich represents Lukakudemanded Juventus apologisetothestriker.

“I hope the league really takeactionsforrealthistime because this beautiful game should be enjoyed by everyone ” ‘FANS TO SILENCERACISTS’

Racism has been a longrunning problem in Italian football and authorities have beencriticisedfornottaking strongenoughaction.

Advertisement·Scrollto continue Reportanad “Clubs, as they have always done, will identify the guilty individuals and ban them from their respectivefacilitiesforlife,” SerieAsaidinastatementon Wednesday in which it condemnedracism.

The league did not name Lukakuinthestatement.

L I P P S T A D T (Germany), (Reuters)HussainBesouwasjustfour when he started asking his father to teach him chess, hoveringaroundtheboardas he played in the evenings in theMiddleEastuntilhesaid yes. Aftermasteringthebasic moves, Besou quickly surprised everyone with his talent.

“Hestartedcorrectingus and telling us what we should have done to win,” said his 43 year-old father Mustafa.

Now11,Besouwillplay for the German national chess team at the Mitropa Cup in Croatia later this month, making him the youngest German national player in the history of the GermanChessFederation.

German national youth trainer Bernd Voelker says Besou is an exceptional

player.“He is very quick to grasp the chess positions. Thisreallyisextraordinary.”

When the Besou family, whoareSyrian,settledinthe western German town of Lippstadt in 2016 as refugees, the first thing Mustafadidwasbuyachess set and find a youth chess clubforHussaininthesmall town.

The club trainers soon sawBesouwaswayaheadof the other children even thoughhehadnotyetlearned enoughGermantobeableto understand the coaching Theyrecommendedthethen 6 year-old attend a club at statelevel.

Besou’s chess teacher Andreas Kuehler said his commitmenttothegameand desire to win are part of his talent He recalled an exercise when players were asked to switch sides in the middleofthegameandtake

over their opponent’s strategy

“Hussain strictly refused to turn around his board and would rather stop playing completely,”Kuehlersaid.

Besou began signing up for tournaments, winning first place in Germany’s Under 10 Competition in 2020 and the third place in the World Under 12

Championshiplastyear.

For Besou, the game’s similarity to maths is what makesitfun.

Today he speaks fluent German,learnedduringthe many tournaments he has played Staying focused through a game which can take several hours is his biggestchallenge,hesaid.

His family have launched a crowd funding campaign to help fund the c o s t o f t r a v e l t o tournaments and training, and they hope he will eventuallyfindasponsor

“People only see success as if it’s magic, there is a lot of work and costs behind it,” his father said

But Mustafa also appreciates the support his son has received in Germany, saying his son’s talents would have gone unnoticedifhewasinSyria.

“If he was in Syria with this talent, he would have needed someone with authoritysupportinghimin order to excel and even then he could only have reached a certain point,” he said.

Despite not yet having full German citizenship, Besou will play with the German team as the youngest player in their history

Voelker, who selected Besou, says all that is expected of him is to gain experience in Croatia, given that he will be playing older opponents.

B e s o u h i m s e l f acknowledges the challenge ofbeingsoyoung,butseesit asanopportunitytoworkon hisskills.

“IfIwin,thenthankGod forthat.

IfIlose,thenIwilltryto winnexttime,”hesaid.

Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku clashes with Juventus’ Juan Cuadrado. (REUTERS/Massimo Pinca)

The Syrian refugee who has become Germany’s youngest national chess player at

11

Chess prodigy Hussain Besou

Nathan Ellis celebrates after sending Jos Buttler back caught and bowled. (BCCI)

Man Utd go fourth as Rashford goal beats Brentford

BBC Sport - Erik ten Hag says “it’s the truth” Manchester United are too reliantongoalsfromMarcus Rashford after the England strikerhitthewinneragainst BrentfordatOldTrafford.

The Red Devils climbed backintothetopfourthanks to Rashford’s 15th Premier Leaguegoal-and28thinall competitions for his clubthisseason.

“Yes, it’s the truth,” said Ten Hag when asked whether United were too reliantonRashford.

“But we know other players can score as well. Bruno[Fernandes]canscore aswell.Wehavemanymore playersacrossthesquadwho canscore.”

Only Napoli’s Victor Osimhen has more league goals in Europe’s top five leaguessincetheWorldCup than Rashford, who has scored 10 winners in the Premier League this season, the most by a Manchester Unitedplayerinacampaign since Wayne Rooney in 2009-10.

His latest winner took United back above Tottenham in the race to qualify for the Champions League, and was the response Ten Hag needed followingSunday’sdefeatat Newcastle. Brentford, who are chasing European

qualification, lost for only the second time in 17 PremierLeaguematches.

Scott McTominay and Antony went close before Rashfordfinishedfromclose range, with a headed assist byMarcelSabitzer,afterthe Bees failed to deal properly withacorner

Brentford, flat for large parts of the first half, were much better after half-time and United were relieved to hearthefinalwhistle.

Home goalkeeper David de Gea needed treatment aftermakingacrucialsaveto keep out substitute Kevin

Schade.

United are level on 53 points with third-placed Newcastle - and three ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham, who have played one more gamethantheirrivals.

Brentford stay ninththree points behind sixthplaced Brighton, having playedtwomoregamesthan theSeagulls.NervyManUtd securethepoints

ManchesterUnitedhada eight-point cushion on fifth spotafterdefeatingLeicester on19FebruarybutSunday’s defeat - coupled with Tottenham’sdrawatEverton

on Monday - left them outside the top four for the firsttimesinceDecember Manager Ten Hag recalled Jadon Sancho in an attempt to provide the team withmoreenergyyetUnited werehangingontowardsthe end against a Brentford side thatgrewinconfidence.

Sabitzer tested David Raya after half-time while Fred blazed another opportunity over the bar but Unitedwereforcedtoendure several nervous moments before full-time after failing toaddtotheirtally De Gea’s save from

Schade was a huge moment in the game, the Spaniard keeping his composure to thwart the Brentford player who was clean through with only the keeper to beat. Questions will remain about United’s over-reliance on Rashford for goals but Ten Hag will hope United will build on their first Premier League win since winning theCarabaoCup.

“It’snotacceptablewhat we did on Sunday,” added Ten Hag. “Today, that was theperformanceIexpectand demand ” Season to rememberforBees

Brentford have spent the past few months making a mockery of second-season syndrome. Having finished 13th last season following promotion from the Championship, the Bees are just three points away from equalling last season’s tally of46points-whichsecured them 13th spot - despite defeatatOldTrafford.

Theyfolloweduptheir40 thrashing of United in London on 13 August with statement wins over Manchester City and Liverpoolandtheysonearly came close to snatching a pointhereonlyforDeGeato produce the save of the game. Thomas Frank’s side entertain in-form Newcastle - 5-1 winners atWest Hamnext but it is a testimony to theeffortsoverthepasteight months that they are still in with an outside chance of Europeatthebusinessendof the season. “It’s a good picture of how far we have come that we’re sitting here disappointed we’ve not got anything out of the game,” saidFrank.

“We’rejustdisappointed thatwedidn’tgetanythingof it. That’s crazy because we were playing Manchester United. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves of who we are and what we have done.”

Embiid makes MVP statement with 52 points against the Celtics, Warriors move up the standings

SportsMax-Philadelphia76ers

center and MVP hopeful Joel Embiid put together arguably his bestgameoftheseasononTuesday to deliver a 103-101 home win againsttheBostonCeltics.

Embiid put up 52 points – over halfofhisteam’stotalandthethirdmostinhiscareer–whileshooting a remarkable 20-of-25 from the field.Healsograbbed13rebounds, dished six assists and blocked two shotsinhis39minutes.

The 29-year-old, who has finishedastherunner-upinthepast two MVP votes, had never scored morethan50pointsinagameprior to this season, but he has done so three times this campaign, highlighted by a 59-point, 11rebound, eight-assist, seven-block showing against the Utah Jazz in November

AgainsttheCeltics,Embiidwas supportedinstylebyJamesHarden asthe76ers’secondstarchippedin 20 points (seven-of-17 shooting) and10assistswithnoturnovers.It was only his second game this

seasonwithoutaturnover

Meanwhile, the Celtics were leftshort-handedasAll-StarJaylen Brown was ruled out in the hours leading up to tip-off, and Jayson

Tatum was disappointing in his highly anticipated showdown against Embiid, delivering just 19 points on seven-of-20 shooting with six rebounds, six assists and threesteals.

Tatum had a plus/minus of minus 13 in his 38 minutes, meaningBostonwereplus11inthe 10minuteshewasonthebench.

LeBron lifts the Lakers in overtime

The Los Angeles Lakers have now won seven of their past eight fixtures after a 135-133 overtime victoryontheroadagainsttheUtah Jazz.

It was a mediocre offensive showing from the red-hotAnthony Davis as he shot just seven-of-16 fromthefieldandseven-of-12from thefreethrowlineforhis21points, but he added 14 rebounds, six assists,twostealsandtwoblocks.

Instead it was LeBron James coming through for the Lakers, producing his best game since the All-Star break with 37 points (14of-27shooting),sixassistsandfive rebounds. Austin Reaves stepped up in D’Angelo Russell’s absence, contributing28points(eight-of-13) and six assists in an equal teamhigh42minutes.

The win improved the Lakers’ record to 41-38, leaving them tied with the Los Angeles Clippers for the sixth-best record in the West –withtheLakersandClipperstoface offonWednesday Warriorsstayoutoftheplay-in

TheGoldenStateWarriorswere at risk of being leapfrogged by the Lakers and falling into the play-in tournament placings, before coming from behind to defeat the OklahomaCityThunder136-125.

ItwastheThunderleading106102headingintothefourthquarter, but with Klay Thompson missing through injury, Jordan Poole steppedupastheWarriors’hero. Poole scored 18 points in the

fourth quarter while the Thunder scored19asateam,withthefourthyearguardfinishingwith30points (eight-of-19shooting).

StephenCurrywasjustasgood, dropping a game-high 34 points (11-of-25), while Most Improved Player candidate Shai GilgeousAlexanderhad32points(11-of-17)

andsevenassistsfortheThunder

The win means the Warriors have jumped the Clippers into the fifth seed with just two games remaining, while the Thunder’s loss keeps the Dallas Mavericks alive, with just a half-game separatingthe10thand11thseeds.

Marcus Rashford scored his 28th goal for Manchester United in all competitions this season. (Reuters)

Philadelphia 76ers center and MVP hopeful Joel Embiid scored 52 points to lead his team against the Celtics.

Tiger Rentals under-13 football... Inter-Association round-robin matches concludes today

ASK-G holds first Karate Grading Examinations for 2023

On Sunday 02ndApril, 2023attheYMCAThomas

Lands, Shihan Amir Khouri, 7th Dan, assisted by Sensei Parmeshwar Persaud, 5thDan, and Andre Sookram, 2nd Dan, examined 58 students for kyugradeslevels.

It was the first exams for the year and commencedat10.00hrsand concluded at 12.00hrs on theday

9thkyu to Orange belt 7thkyu:Adi Persaud

8thkyu to Orange belt 7thkyu:Jahmar Bullen, Natalia Persaud, Tyler

Spooner,Aryan Shiwdas, LucasSpooner, Alisha Moideen, Rachael Seymour

8thkyu to Green belt

ShivannaBrijbhukan,Isaac Ramsarran.

5thkyu to Brown belt

3rdkyu:-

Rayden Austin,

Marissia Appanah, J’ude T h o m p s o n , J ’ a d e Thompson

4thkyu to Brown belt

3rdkyu:-

Shivraj Brijbhukan, AllanaMargan.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/Tiger

R e n t a l s u n d e r - 1 3 developmental programme continued yesterday at the National Training Center (NTC),Providence,andwill concludetodaywiththefinal round of play in the interassociation tournament, which is being led by East Demerara Football Association(EDFA).

East Coast are currently tiredwithGeorgetownon16 points after both played a total of six (6) matches winning five and drawing once.

However, East Coast boasts a better goal difference than Georgetown withsevenmoregoals.

Upper Demerara are

Kares

ComeApril 16, 2023, at the National Park, the second day of the Kares CrossFit Caribbean Championships, top athletes and fans alike are expected to cash in from the generosity of Desinco Trading Limited which has comeonboardasoneofthe sponsors for this eagerly anticipatedshowdown.

Chief Executive Officer ofDesincoTradingLimited, located at 48 Sheriff Street, Campbellville, Ms. Alicia

DeAbreu made the disclosure when she handed overafinancialcontribution to Organising Committee Member,JamieMcDonald.

Apart from the cash donation, Ms DeAbreu informed shared that the company would be rewarding athletes with gift bags whilst fans attending

thirdwith9pointsalbeitthey haveplayedonlyfivegames.

East Bank Football Association (EBFA) are fourthwith9pointsfromsix matchesplayed.

Bartica are fifth with 6 points,WestBerbicestandin sixth with 6 points while West Demerara are seventh with four points and East Berbice close off the table, havingsecuredjustapoint.

Yesterday, Bartica played Upper Demerara in thelonematchoftheday

However, today, action kicksoffat10:30hrsandwill feature two games being playedsimultaneously

The first two matches will see Bartica matching skills with West Berbice whileWestDemerarawillbe

pitted with Upper Demerara inthesecondgame.

In the second set of games,whichwillhavetheir first whistle at 12:00hrs, Georgetown will lock horns with East Bank in match three of the day, while East CoastwillplayEastBerbice in game four before the BarticaandUpperDemerara fixture (13:30hrs) closes off theday’splay

Tiger Rentals Guyana has invested over $10m into this historic under-13 development football initiative. In addition to this i n t e r - a s s o c i a t i o n tournament, intraassociation play has commenced in Georgetown, West Demerara, Bartica, LindenandRupununi.

F o l l o w i n g t h e conclusion of the grading examinations,ShihanAmir Khouri presented Dan certificates to the successful students of the previous examination in October2022.

The results were announced to the examined students and photographstaken.

A successful day r e s u l t e d i n t h e following promotions:-

Promoted from

10thkyu to Yellow belt 8thkyu:Wayne Browne, Shemson Suffrien, Miah Rajkumar, Kayden Savory,DonteEnnis,Isaiah Hunte, Rodney Gentle, SachinPitamber.

10thkyu to Orange belt 7thkyu:Mekhel Murphy, Julia Badal, Nathania Nedd,

6thkyu:Monasseh Bacchus, Jason Richards, Nia

Richards

7thkyu to Green belt

6thkyu:-Raheem Josiah, Jeevika Tiwari, Tremiyah

Lake, Marquis Ferreira, Mikhail Tobin, Zuriyah

Howell, Erik Lynch, ShivendraBrijbhukan.

7thkyu to Blue belt

5thkyu:Josiah Clinken, Wyatt Fraser, Al’lure

T h o m p s o n , G a r y

Thompson.

6thkyu to Blue belt

5thkyu:Ashton Chang, Zane

Elcock, Christopher

Cooblall, Aden Persaud, DanielMciver, Sachin Mulchand, Mariah Francis.

5thkyu to Purple belt

4thkyu:-Lukas Singh, Simkhael Levans,

AlgernonSealy, Gerrett Lalljee,

3rdkyu to Brown belt

2ndkyu:Samara Siland, Mahir Rajkumar

2ndkyu to Brown belt

1stkyu:-

Theron Lake, Teshana Lake,DavidMelville

The large number of Parents and supporters that turned out on this Palm Sunday was e l e v a t i n g a s a testimony to the interest Parents have in their Children’s success and welfare

Training continues at the Land of Canaan Dojo (Sensei Parmeshwar Persaud): Albion, Canje, Rose Hall and B l a i r m o n t D o j o s (Sensei Hazrat Ali): N e w A m s t e r d a m Berbice DoJo (Sensei Clinton Moriah): YMCA Dojo (Sensei’s Roger, Keith, Malcolm, Patrick, Matthew, Andre, BevonandShihanAmir.)

Windies ODI captain Shai Hope signs to play three matches for Yorkshire County in 2023 LV= Insurance County Championship

theeventwouldalsobenefit.

”We will be setting up a special spectator booth where we would be having some exciting minicompetitions and those who win, will be rewarded with attractive prizes. So, we are encouraging all to come out andenjoythecompetitionas well as take part in the fun games that we would be puttingon.”

McDonald expressed thanks to Ms DeAbreu and her company for their support and partnership which he stated, would add to the overall success of the event which will attract competitors from six Caribbean nations including Guyana.

The competition will get cracking on Saturday morning, April 15 at the National Aquatic Centre

from around 06:00hrs with a 150m swim, followed by a two-mile ride on a stationary (echo) bikeafterwhich,theathletes willthencompeteina3-mile run from theAquatic Centre totheNationalPark.

They will then enjoy a two-hour rest before battling it out to see who will lift the heaviest back squat

That’ll be it for day one with more intense workouts set for Sunday at the National Park from 12:30hrs.

General admission is $1000 with VIP tickets costing $5000 and can be obtained from Fitness Express on Sheriff Street, Kares CrossFit, or Lotus Hardware Store on Broad Street. Children Under-12 wouldbeadmittedforfree.

SportsMax - West Indies

ODI captain Shai Hope has signed to play for the Yorkshire County Cricket Clubforthefirstthreegames oftheLV=InsuranceCounty Championship2023season.

The 29-year-old Barbadian’s signing will provide the team with wellneeded experience said Yorkshire County Cricket Club Managing Director DarrenGough.“Heisagreat

signing,” said the former England fast bowler “He bringssomuchexperience–one thing we are lacking is just a little bit of experience so he just gives us that and comesintothesquadforthis first game “We felt we needed just the one experienced face in and we went for Shai. He has been playing well for the West Indies in one-day matches, hehasgotarecordofplaying

Testcricket–hehadhistwo hundreds at Headingley beforefortheWestIndies.”

In 2017, Hope became the first player ever to score two centuries in the same first-class match at Headingly while playing the West Indies in a Test Match againstEngland.

Hope,who23atthetime scoredof147and118notout astheWestIndiespulledoff aremarkablevictory

CrossFit Caribbean Championship Desinco Trading Ltd. to add flare with gift bags; Spectators to also cash in

Shai Hope

Some of the action in the Tiger Rentals under-13 football tournament.

Bartica Easter Regatta Football reaches Quarterfinals stage

Eteringbang scored four andconceded oneagainstRisingStars to kick-off the Super Eight Round of the Bartica Easter Regatta Football Tournament, which is sponsored by ExxonMobil.

In a hard-fought match,theBarticaclub, Rising Stars, put up strong resistance, but could not hold off a strong and compact Eteringbangattack.

Inthesecondmatch, A.KGalaxyheldaonegoal lead for a majority

of the ninety-minute encounter with Beacons, but conceded a late equalizer to take the game to kicks from the penalty spot to decideawinner

In the shootout,A.K Gakaxy’skeeper,Harry Persaud, came up with two big saves to snatch the game away from Beacons,andlaunchhis team into the semifinals.

Other quarterfinals weretofeatureAgatash United vs Rivers View and Potaro Strikers vs MiddleMazaruni.

BeaconsandRisingStarseliminated

Mushfiqur ton, bowling attack gives Bangladesh edge in Ireland Test

AFP - Bangladeshi leftarm spin duo Shakib Al HasanandTaijulIslammade quick work of Ireland’s top order yesterday to leave the tourists flailing at 27-4 on daytwooftheirone-offTest inDhaka.

Mushfiqur Rahim’s knockof126putthehostson the front foot after early wobbles in the first innings and the hosts were still 128 runsaheadatstumps.

Andy McBrine claimed 6-118, becoming only the second Irish bowler to take five Test wickets, to help close out the first innings in thefinalsession.

But Ireland’s batsmen spoiled his party with four quickwicketsbeforetheday wasdone.

Murray Commins (1), James McCollum (0), Andy Balbirnie (3) and Curtis Campher (1) wilted in front

of Taijul and Shakib, who claimed 2-7 and 2-11 respectively

HerryTectorwasbatting on eight alongside Peter Moor,10notoutattheendof play to leave Ireland staring at the prospect of an innings defeat. Bangladesh resumed on 34-2 and looked shaky afterlosingMominulHaque, bowledroundhislegsfor17, in the third over of the morning.

But Shakib and Mushfiqur turned up the aggression to quickly claw back the deficit with a 159runpartnershipforthefourth wicket.

Shakib was at his mercurial best until he chased a ball from McBrine wideoutsidetheoffstumpto getafeathertouchonthebat.

He was caught behind after an impressive 14 fours from his 94-ball knock

Liton Das joined Mushfiqur tocontinueonthefrontfoot, adding 87 runs for the fifth wicket.

Mushfiqur finished his hundredfrom135ballswith afouroffMarkAdairbefore Ben White dismissed Liton for43runs.

McBrine finally dispatched Mushfiqur with Commins taking a fine diving catch at long-on — and cut short the tail with three wickets in three consecutiveovers.

Irelandhavelostallthree of their previous Tests since becoming a full member of the International Cricket Councilin2017.

Scores: Ireland 214 and 27 for 4 (Moor 10*, Tector 8*, Taijul 2-7, Shakib 2-11) trail Bangladesh 369 (Mushfiqur 126, Shakib 87, Mehidy 55, McBrine 6-118) by128runs.

Eteringbang football Team.

Mushfiqur Rahim raises his bat after his century. (AFP/Getty Images)

In Berbice, wins for Tucber Park CC, Rose Hall Canje Arborsmart, No.73 Young Warriors/Radha Krishna Foundation, in Demerara, Everest, Transport and Peter’s Hall won

Boys Inter-Club Super-50 Tournament continues

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Government of Guyana (GOG) Ministry ofCulture,YouthandSports (MCYS), Under-19 Boys

Inter-Club Super-50

Tournament2023,continued on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, with recorded wins for Tucber Park CC, Rose Hall Canje Arborsmart, and N o 7 3 Y o u n g

Warriors/Radha Krishna

Foundation, and in Demerara, There were wins for Everest, Transport, and Peter’sHall.

SummaryScores:

Tucber Park beat Edinburghby153runs

Amassive total of 293-9 was amassed thanks mainly to National youth player Zeynul Ramsammy, who stroked 16 fours and a few

sixes in his majestic 136. Support from opener Kevin Kisten,whosetthetonewith 73wasenoughtonegatethe likes of Edinburgh’s Wesley Castellowhopickedup5-45 amidstthechaos.

In response Edinburgh was kept to 140 with Jarvon Wharton (22) the main scorer, following some collective bowling from Marvin Arjune 3-13 while Kisten (3-26) and Ramsammy(2-28),returned toprovidemoreimpetus.

Rose Hall Canje

Arborsmart beat Achievers

Bbymassive381runs

Isai Thorne stroked a brilliant 123 from 63 balls, Enrique Mickle had 79 and Zadeen Larose had 51 as theirteamrackedup437-6in 50 overs It was easy

pickings at the end for Rose Hall,aftertheyknockedover Achieversfor56runs,ledby Devon Warton’s 6-26. No batsman managed to reach doublefiguresforAchievers.

N o 7 3 Y o u n g Warriors/Radha Krishna Foundation beat Skeldon Community Center by 53 runs

N o 7 3 Y o u n g Warriors/Radha Krishna Foundationmade133Allout in35overs.

TomeshHemrajledwith 48asOkaziBoyce2-24and Farhan Elamodeen 2-18 and Mahendra Sukai 2-20, keeping things going for theirteam.

Skeldon Community Centerwasknockedoverfor 80in33.4overs,withFarhan Elamodeen scoring 18

Bartica Easter Regatta 2023 - ‘We Outside’

ANSA McAL Trading / Guyana Breweries Inc. makes a significant contribution

ANSA McAL Trading and one of its sister companies, Guyana BreweriesInc.,havemadea substantial contribution towards the event which is being held under the theme, ‘We Outside’ Easter Regatta Committee Chairman, Kenneth Williamswhoalsoholdsthe ChairmanshipofRegion#7, C u y u n i / M a z a r u n i , expressed delight at the two companies coming on board to add to the expected excitement of the event that willbecateringtothousands o f G u y a n e s e Williams, who received the sponsorship cheque from Branch Manager, Mr Akeem Prowell said that it is always important for the leading companies in the community to be

identifiedwitheventsofthis magnitude.

Ansa McAL has been a very good partner of this eventovertheyearsandhas

Bowling for No. 73, saw Tavindra Doobay 4-22, M. Mersalin2-14,LuteshSingh 2-18, and Yougesh Khemraj 2-18,sealedthewin.

EverestbeatMYOby84 runs

Everest batted first and madejust137alloutin38.5 overs, with only two batsmen Anesh Haimnarine (19*)andSaifSamaroo(21) managing respectable scores.

MYO batsmen apart fromDillonRamsaroop(26) failedtomakedoublefigures and they were eventually bowled out for 54 in 19.4 overs.

Transport Sports Club beatGTONEXTXIwonby 9wickets

In a game reduced to 30 overs for each side, GT ONEXTXIwonthetossand chose to bat but was destroyedforamere49in15 overs. Joshua Daniels had the top score of 14 for ONEXT XI, as the duo of NehemiahHohenkirk(3-15) and Renaldo Grenville (216) bowled superbly for Transport.

Inreply,TransportSports Clubsurgedto50-1thanksto Hohenkirk returning to hit 19* and Alvin Mohabir adding 18*, sealing a good

victory

Peter’s Hall defeated Sandpipersby148runs

Batting first, Peters Hall SportsClubpiledon237for 3in30overs.JosiahLimled with74notoutwhileDravid Mahnonarhit65notout. Sandpipers Sports Club thenslidto89alloutin22.1 oversaftersomemagicfrom spinnerSayedLakeramwho bagged5-23.

Today,Thursday,April6, 2023, Peter’s Hall will compete against the team that drew the bye in the first round,WestDemeraraatthe Meten-Meer-Zorg ground, inWestDemerara.

shownarealcommitmentto ensuring the satisfaction of its customers here when it openedaBranchhereback’ (Continuedonpage26)

ANSA McAL Trading Bartica Branch Manager Mr Akeem Prowell (left) hands over the cheque to Easter Regatta Committee Chairman, Kenneth Williams.

Zeynul Ramsammy

Wesley Castello

Nehemiah Hohenkirk

Josiah Lim

Dravid Manohar Sayed Lakeram

AAG CARIFTAGames Team Manager Mr. Keith Campbell (right) receives Fitness Express’ contribution from Manager, Jamie McDonald.

Kares CrossFit Caribbean Rep. Jamie McDonald receives sponsorship from the CEO of Desinco Trading Limited, Ms.Alicia DeAbreu.