Kaieteur News

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Thursday Edition Three missing AIETEUR NEWS after fire, oil spill at offshore field operated

by Stabroek Block partner p.

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April 15, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 14

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday 98,272

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

Exxon’s malfunctioning gas compressor an unacceptable danger- Int’l to Guyana, the CaribbeanLawyer p.

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Guyana open to Man found dead in tourists despite Supenaam Creek after - Minister pandemic Walrond ‘drinking’ with friend p.

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We can’t build FPSOs, so rent out your properties - VP Jagdeo p.

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Guyanese p. 12 GDF rank killed, No-case submission upheld… fashion designer son hospitalised ‘Grey boy’ freed murdered in T&T after Homestretch of Crum-Ewing’s - family seeks Govt.’s approval to bring home body for burial

Avenue accident

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murder

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Nandlall and Jagdeo contradict each other on gas-to-shore studies p.

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...one says to be done, the other says it’s a ‘no brainer’ if you see the figures Dr. Ashni Singh is warning every citizen about the dangers of not having insurance, but not demanding we get full Insurance coverage from Exxon and others. Listen to The Glenn Lall Show @11:00am on Kaieteur Radio 99.1 and 99.5FM

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Thursday April 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

Nandlall, Jagdeo contradict each other on gas-to-shore studies V

ice President, D r. B h a r r a t Jagdeo, has doubled down on his belief that the proposed gas-topower project in Guyana “is a no brainer for anybody who has looked at the numbers,” but his Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, has since disclosed that the requisite studies are yet to be done.

...one says to be done, the other says it's a 'no brainer' if you see the figures Dr. Jagdeo on Tuesday last, yet again, defended the project, in light of the fact that there is growing public outcry for the feasibility and other technical studies to be done before proceeding with

any such project.

“I saw people say oh, whether we did the feasibility studies and I said it's a no brainer; it is a no brainer for anybody who has looked at the numbers,” the

former president, now vice president, admonished.

Energy Mix At the time a guest of the New York based online outfit, 'Abee Chunes Radio,' which is streamed live on

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall Facebook, he was asked about Guyana's proposed infrastructure projects in light of the emerging oil and gas industry.

The Vice President was adamant that power generation has to be crucial for the wellbeing of people, and that “our people need cheaper power now for domestic purposes,” in addition to industries.

As such, according to Dr. Jagdeo, “we have mapped out what the demand will be for over the next five years and we have come up with an energy mix that will involve solar, hydro and gas-fired power plants to fulfill most of those demands.”

He said there will of course be other initiatives on a smaller scale and pointed to one or two wind power projects that could be installed. According to the Vi c e P r e s i d e n t , 2 5 0 Megawatts (MW) of electricity “will come from the gas-to-energy project.”

To this end, he observed, “I saw people say, oh whether we did feasibility study, I said it is a no brainer and Christopher Ram said I was saying oh people didn't have brains.”

Convinced that the project “is a no brainer for anybody who has looked at the numbers,” Dr. Jagdeo told the moderators that the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) currently produces electricity at a cost of some US$0.14 cents and that this is being sold at US$0.30 cents per kWh (kilowatt hour)—one of the highest in world.

He reasoned, “…if we can, from the gas project get power at US$0.06 cents per kWh and then that drops to about US$0.03 cents or

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo US$0.04 cents, imagine what we can do, we can cut price of power immediately by half.”

The Vice President suggested, “If you cut the cost by half and still make a huge profit then immediately the economy will respond and people's lives would improve; it's a no brainer.”

Solar Costly He noted too, in his defence of the gas-fired plants, that solar energy is expensive to install and that it is in fact unreliable, saying “solar can't be compared with gas-to-power.”

Dr. Jagdeo sought to underscore that gas-topower serves as a base load and questioned what obtains when there is extensive cloud cover even as he pointed out that this would mean returning to fossil fuel power.

He noted that even if the system was to use battery to complement its solar generation then this would push up the costs enormously.

Seeking to rubbish the arguments in the public domain, the Vice President posited that critics of the project are not using the actual figures but are in fact using anecdotes.

“A lot of these guys are talking off the top of their heads, anecdotally; you know this country runs on anecdotes, people don't look at the numbers and gaff,” he said, dismissing the critics.

According to Dr. Jagdeo, “I can understand serious questions about the project and we need to be opened minded about people who (continued on page 8)

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Thursday April 15, 2021

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ExxonMobil's malfunctioning gas compressor an unacceptable danger to Guyana, the Caribbean - Int'l Lawyer T

he design flaws, which have plagued the Liza Destiny's gas compressor system, make it an unacceptable danger to not only Guyana but the Caribbean as well.

It is therefore required of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fulfill its role as an effective regulator and shut down the operations now. Making these and other statements is I n t e r n a t i o n a l l a w y e r, Melinda Janki.

Her invited comments come on the heels of ExxonMobil Guyana's latest announcement that the gas compressor system encountered another design flaw even though it received “repairs and upgrades” in February.

This new mechanical problem led the company to cut the daily production of 120, 000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) by 90,000 bpd.

The American oil giant also disclosed that it has been forced to flare gas, four to five times above pilot level, which hovers around one million cubic feet of gas or less.

Ta k i n g t h i s i n t o

The Liza Destiny which has been flaring continually since December 2019

consideration, Janki said it is clear that ExxonMobil's operations in the Stabroek Block are unsafe. She urged Guyanese not to take the design woes lightly since Exxon itself has come forward to admit that the equipment is faulty. She warned that offshore deep water drilling is an extremely dangerous activity while adding that the smallest design flaw could lead to the devastation of the marine environment.

The international lawyer said, “Equipment failure can lead to a deep water well

blowout like BP's Macondo, which devastated the Gulf of Mexico, killed 11 people and caused damage totalling US$68billion. Guyana and our Caribbean neighbours cannot afford the catastrophic consequences of a well blowout or an oil spill.

The Environmental Protection Agency must therefore shut down Exxon's operations now before it is too late. There is no margin for error.”

In its statement to the media on the latest mishap, ExxonMobil noted that the

new issue pertains to the discharge silencer for the gas compressor.

The US oil king said this was detected during the final testing phase of the gas compressor system. That final run was supposed to be completed this week.

ExxonMobil said that a team from SBM Offshore (the manufacturer of the Liza Destiny), MAN Energy Solutions (the company that did the upgrades and repairs) and ExxonMobil are on site to assess repairs, with support from engineering experts in Europe and the

USA. “This performance is below ExxonMobil's global expectations for reliability,” the company said too.

Since start up in December 2019, Kaieteur News would have diligently followed and reported on ExxonMobil's continually malfunctioning gas compressor system. On December 20, 2020 it had announced that the gas compressor issue was fixed.

But during that one year period, it had already flared 12.4 billion cubic feet of gas per day, equivalent to the removal of 1.6M acres of forest.

In simpler terms, this means that Exxon flared toxic Natural gas that could have been offset by a forest the size of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). (https://www.kaieteurnewso nline.com/2020/12/22/exxo ns-flaring-this-yearequivalent-to-the-removalof-1-6m-acres-of-forest/).

But the issues didn't stop there as the system malfunctioned for a second time on January 13, 2021.

The company did not reveal the cause but said that it was fixed within a matter of hours, or so it thought.

(https://www.kaieteurnewso nline.com/2021/03/07/exxo nmobil-had-flared-earlyjanuary-claims-it-lastedless-than-hours/).

On January 29, 2021, the gas compressor broke down for a third time, forcing ExxonMobil this time around to send the faulty equipment to Germany for repairs and upgrades.

A detailed assessment of the compressor subsequently revealed that an axial vibration of the compressor rotor is what led to other mechanical disruptions.

The equipment was back in Guyana by the second week of March where it was installed on the Liza Destiny vessel. Tests up to this week were being carried out. (https://www.kaieteurnewso nline.com/2021/03/14/exxo ns-repaired-compressorback-in-guyana/).

But before that could be completed, the gas compressor which was supposedly repaired and upgraded, malfunctioned for the fourth time.

ExxonMobil has said that an order was made for a new compressor which is due to arrive by year end.

No-case submission upheld…

'Grey boy' freed of Crum-Ewing's murder R

egan Rodrigues was yesterday acquitted of the murder of Courtney CrumEwing on a no-case submission, which was upheld by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the High Court in Georgetown.

Justice Kissoon upheld the submission presented by Rodrigues' attorney, Adrian Thompson, who argued that the State had no case against his client.

This is the third time that Rodrigues has been freed of the murder charge for CrumEwing. In 2015, a Magistrate, Judy Latchman, had pointed to insufficient evidence against Rodrigues for the trial. She had discharged Rodrigues twice but the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed

Murdered: Courtney Crum-Ewing

Freed: Regan “Grey Boy” Rodrigues

that the matter be turned over to the High Court.

However in coming to his decision at the High Court yesterday, Justice Kissoon noted that the evidence

presented by the prosecution was deficient and tenuous. In the circumstances, the Judge directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty for Rodrigues.

The former accused, nicknamed “Grey Boy,” who joined the proceeding virtually from the Lusignan Prison, broke down in tears as the decision was made.

Rodrigues had faced Justice Kissoon and a mixed 12-member jury for the March 10, 2015 murder of Crum-Ewing, a political activist, who was gunned down at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

According to reports, the bullet-riddled body of CrumEwing was found at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara. The 40-year-old was shot twice to the temple, once to the back of the head and twice to the stomach.

The police in a statement had said that the political activist was accosted by four

men in a car, one of whom discharged several rounds, hitting him about the body. It was reported that the killer(s) used a .32 pistol to execute Crum-Ewing. He died as a result of haemorrhage and shock due to multiple gunshot wounds.

The political activist was well known for his one-man protests outside the office of Attorney General (AG), Anil

Nandlall.

Minutes before he was gunned down, he was reportedly heard via bullhorn urging residents of the Diamond neighbourhood to vote against the PPP/C party.

After Crum-Ewing was shot, the gun which was used in the shooting was reportedly retrieved from a house at Riverview, Ruimveldt, which was occupied by Rodrigues.

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Thursday April 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

IDB report on public financial management Guyanese have been talking about it and living under its dark shadow for the last three decades. We at this paper have been presenting it in one report after another almost daily for more than 20 years. It is what the newest IDB report documents as to the state of this country’s public finance management. To reuse the word that the IDB used, it is still “inadequate” (KN Mach 30).

The IDB report laid out a number of areas that are in urgent need of actions to mend the breaches, close the loopholes, through which resourcefully crooked Guyanese have repeatedly driven a big bus over. There have been some improvements, in observance of the requirements of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act of 2003. That is one piece of good news, with internal auditing regulation, and “ICT upgrades and capacity building” being others that “fostered sustainability and improved transparency in Guyana’s public institutions” (KN March 30). Yet there is so much more that is still lacking, and which demands highlevel attention and action. The shortfalls and negatives are many and material, and of which we restate only a few.

According to the IDB report, Guyana is “well below the regional average” (2.0 versus 2.9) on the professional development index (PRODEV) “on public financial management.” The report “identified weaknesses across the following key areas: transparency in inter-governmental fiscal relations, including lack of information on resources received by delivery units; management of assets and liabilities” and “insufficient legislative scrutiny of external audit reports, uncompetitive procurement…and procurement inefficiencies, with a lack of feasibility studies and rigorous project appraisals” among other damning revelations.

We at this paper are compelled to table this question: what are we really doing at the highest levels in the vital area of public finance management? We ask another: which leaders can be so shameless, so ignorant, so unconcerned, as to stand in supervision (or the lack of it) of such deficiencies that literally invite the roguish in our midst to exploit them to the fullest? When we absorb the extent of the grimness of the IDB report, we can appreciate that our public finance management standards and way of life open the taxpayers and public treasury to be plundered at will.

And as we know so well, this is what has occurred under one government after another, with government officials themselves leading the way in ripping off the people. Those gaps, no matter how charitably looked at, encourages everyone to celebrate Christmas daily.

To be fair, some small steps have been taken, for which some recognition is due. But, when the magnitude of our public finance management deficiencies is reviewed, it is clear that we have only touched the first letter in the alphabet.

But even as we have done so, we turn right around and undermine that when our improved audit regulations are not visited comprehensively and consistently with parliamentary oversight, on how the business of the people, and the monies of the people, is being conducted. Currently, there is this impasse over the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee on the fitness and appropriateness of its chair to be in that position. While things such as these are happening, the work of public finance oversight languishes.

Further, when there are ongoing uncertainties about “resources received by delivery units” then the start that is needed to hold those units accountable falls apart at the seams. It is why the usual skullduggeries are so rampant where the taxpayers’ money is involved. Even further, when there is a “lack of feasibility studies and rigorous project appraisals” then all we are doing is allocating and spending money blindfolded. Our leaders and professionals are no different from drunken sailors on shore leave, who splurge without any thought of costs to the paying public or longterm consequences to the nation.

We urge our readers to think of this: no responsible government that says that it is about prudent stewardship of the assets and resources put in its care, the trust placed in its hands, can operate like this. But this is what we have had for the longest while now. With all those billions being

By giving generously during Ramadan, we can make our communities better Dear Editor, To start off the Holy Month of Ramadan, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama at Linden worked with Humanity First Linden, a humanitarian relief organisation, which distributed food hampers in Linden.

The Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him used to be a very generous and giving person. However, in the month of Ramadan, he

was exceptionally generous.

Thus, in this month of Ramadan, the Muslims of Guyana also try their best to indulge in good deeds and develop good morals and character throughout the month and try to carry them over in the rest of the year.

Aside from this, prayer is a main focal point. Therefore, by serving the community and praying, we fulfill our purpose as Muslims, which is to fulfill the rights of mankind and also

fulfill the rights to God. With this intention, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama at Linden also strived to give back to the community by distribution of food hampers.

Four volunteers helped in this process and through torrents of rainfall, we were able to benefit many individuals and families.

In conclusion, when we give, it also allows us to become humble and increase in gratitude. There is always

someone in more need than you and when one realises that, he/she would be more willing to give and help neighbours. This is the way, which we can make our communities in Guyana a better place. I wish all my Muslim brothers and sisters a blessed Ramadan and to those who are not Muslims that they have a blessed month as well.

Yours truly, Maulana Fahd Peerzada

Once again, America is faced with the slaying of a young Black man by those sworn to protect Dear Editor, Just when the entire world was beginning to grasp (even if momentarily) intricacies of policing— the difference between position and disposition, use of excessive force until the voice goes hoarse and careless awareness of surroundings, the Minneapolis Police Department did it again.

Death for Daunte Wright a 20-year-old male, came at the hands of a police officer who mistook a gun for a taser. Pray tell how is it possible for a trained not brained police officer to confuse a taser with an actual gun? This is a question that humans will be asking each other a lot in the days and months to come.

The chief of the Brooklyn Center Police Department adjudged that Kim Potter, the 26-year department veteran who fatally shot Daunte Wright did so by accidentally by firing a gun instead of a taser.

From a viewer’s perspective of the video, what is overly strange is the fact that one can see the police officer pointing what is clearly a gun rather than a taser at Wright. It was not the type of occurrence where the weapon was grabbed and fired in a split second. There was actually eight seconds in the

video between the first “I’ll tase you” and the “Oh s**t, I just shot him.” To the simplest of minds, even in the heat of the moment, eight seconds would seem to be enough time to realise the mistake.

Already we are being fed an explanation similar to a narrative, which we have heard during the Chauvin murder trial for the death of George Floyd, — that the excessive force is especially inexcusable in light of the comparative lack of severity of the criminal conduct. In the case of Daunte Wright, that argument seems even less persuasive.

The shooting is described as an “accidental discharge”

by Police Chief Tim Gannon of the Brooklyn Center Police Department. According to Chief Gannon, officers pulled over the 20-year- victim for a traffic violation and tried to detain him after learning he had an outstanding court-issued arrest warrant. According to the Associated Press, Daunte had a warrant out for his arrest after he failed to appear in court on charges that he fled from officers and possessed a gun without a permit during a run-in with Minneapolis police last June. As he was being handcuffed, Wright, who was unarmed but did not

borrowed, and with public finance management in the state that it is, this is a programme for continuity of the trickery that has laid this nation so low. If we don’t have the clearest idea on the front end of what is going in (“resources received by delivery units”) and compound that with poor procurement practices (“uncompetitive” and with “inefficiencies”) and close out with less than probing, ethical, and vigilant overview and sign-offs (“lack of…rigorous project appraisals”), then there is no way that our watchdogs and those put in positions of responsibility can give an honest and accurate accounting to the nation on how their monies are spent, and how the related debt obligations that they have to honour have been utilised for the fullness of purposes intended.

Guyanese have been arguing about who stole before, and who stole more. The IDB report on public finance management spares none, condemns all. We are lost, but pretending that we are not and we know where we are going and what we are doing. However kindly considered, that confirms how dunce we are.

appear to have yet been fully frisked by the officers, freed himself from the grasp of police and got into the driver’s seat of his vehicle, and the struggle and shooting immediately followed. The car rolled for several blocks until it hit another vehicle. Wright was pronounced dead at the scene. The initial details are somewhat troubling.

According to the mother, shortly after being pulled over, Daunte called asking her for information regarding the car’s insurance She said police had pulled him over for having an air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror, which is illegal in Minnesota.

The fatal shooting comes amid the second week of the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd during his arrest last May. In a video of the arrest, Chauvin is seen kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes until he became unconscious.

Folks are still trying to come to grips as to how this seasoned veteran could make such a mistake, seeing that there is a notable difference

in weight between gun and taser, and are distinguishable from each other by grip and feel. Tasers have a different type of holster, and an LED control panel lights up when you take the safety off on a Taser. According to law enforcement experts, the gun should be holstered on the officer’s dominant side of the body, and the Taser should be placed on the nondominant side. The officer responsible for the shooting death has resigned, and so has the Police Chief.

Once again, America is faced with the slaying of another young Black man at the hands of those sworn to Protect and Serve. This senseless death also brings attention to how badly the country needs to reimagine policing and public safety.

Why are people of colour the target? When will it cease?

Who must Blacks appease?

Will we ever see equality? Or will it always be evasive?

Riots, looting and protests have done little to nothing; it’splain to see. The war is on, we must fight it using a new strategy. A luta continua— The struggle continues.

Yours truly, Y. Sam

Why would we seek to derail that progress with onerous local content and other requirements?

Dear Editor, Guyana has struck black gold but the government’s plans for local content worry many of us. At best, they may not reflect reality in terms of our capabilities. At worst, they could represent a new era of political favours.

We have made tremendous progress so far.

Why would we seek to derail that progress with onerous

local content and other requirements that we have seen lead to worse outcomes in countries like Brazil? It has been clear from the start that the revenues will be the real prize for Guyana, not the jobs or the contracts. That is as it should be. Revenues can be divided equitably between all citizens or fund projects with wide benefits like new roads.

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Thursday April 15, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Let genuine Citizens need to put those who hold high democracy be positions under greater pressure to perform characterised by a vibrant opposition, except we have none Dear Editor, Everybody tells me that we have democracy in Guyana. I think all of them – media, leaders, foreign powers, private and civil sectors – lie blatantly. I expect that from government, since PPP leaders know no truth, with no names necessary.

Truth is light, and they live in dark silence, while armies applaud, through free speech camouflaging egregious wrongs.

I anticipate lying PPP leaders and the lies they tell, but I cannot tolerate those from a silent and darkened Opposition.

This may be government by the people (statistics), of the people (demographics), but it is not government for the people.

Not when we have an opposition who is contented to sit on its hands and count its pieces of silver.

I insist that genuine democracy must be characterized by a vibrant opposition, except we have none. We have canned noises to signal life and presence, but lacking indications of burning zeal for the people and driving zest for their interests.

I ask what could have converted the Guyana opposition – the PNC, AFC, and other comrades under its closed tent – to this, the State of embarrassingly wretched malaise, disastrous silence. I said earlier that they (leaders and insiders) count their blessings.

It is my belief that the current opposition looked closely at electoral map and its electoral destiny, and all that it can see and sense is goodbye.

It detects an insurmountable numerical mountain that stands immovably before its prospects of triumph at the polls.

Having done so, and its leading people are good at

appreciating the unrewarding endgame, the opposition has settled for the next best thing: take what is given, and give what is asked.

I think the first price for the opposition’s betrayals, as evidenced in its desultory demeanours and exhausted energies, is silence; another is distance, and still another is operating in darkness. Look at the opposition and it has m a s t e r e d all three and delivers on its end of traitorous bargains made.

On the other side of this subversive buyout and sellout of Guyanese (all of them), stand the Americans first, with officials and oil sectors well represented and deep-pocketed enough to make the kind of democracy desired here happen. As happened before to India (Desai) and Persia (Reza Pahlavi).

The next buyer of democracy is the PPP, with deep-pockets and willingness to buy loyalty, losers, and the stained lingerie of Guyana’s soggy sullen opposition. If it can’t win at the polls, then it can at the bank.

The media is part of the ghastly failures, where even august Stabroek News cowers glaringly from its prior commendable courage; its constituency is establishment and civil, which prostrate before a Machiavellian monstrosity labeled AmCham. It is not even pyrrhic; only democracy ransomed continually.

The obligations of honest, consistent dissent fades.

Yes, it is democracy of the people, by the people, who vote with their feet always.

But is it of democracy for the people? To that, I say: NO! knowing well that opposition cannot be limited to only a few, including yours truly.

Yours truly, GHK Lall

Dear Editor, GHK Lall, in his letter in SN and KN of 13th April (KN: “We should aim for transformational citizenry before we call for transformational leadership”) has raised a matter of such vital importance that it warrants everyone’s attention. Focusing on the political sphere, Lall argues that because followers (meaning, almost all of us) exert no pressure on those who lead us, there is neither “reason nor incentive to change one damn thing about what is delivered, and the way, things are done.” He blames us for this leadership arrogance and nonperformance because we are – in his terms – deaf, emptyheaded, blind, and mindless.

He concludes that to transform leaders, we must

first transform ourselves.

Lall is onto something. I would however expand and refine his position in two significant ways. I would expand on it by pointing out that the nexus between a passive population and failed leadership affects not only political parties but also a host of other entities.

Secondly, I would refine Lall’s position by suggesting that his harsh criticisms of followers or supporters miss a key explanatory factor.

First, to expand Lall’s position, the leadership incompetence, which he describes, infuses organisations of all sizes and mandates in Guyana, not only political parties. Public agencies, the private sector, local councils, social organisations, and civil society groupings also suffer

from this malaise. Blame therefore should not be limited to party supporters but should extend to the much wider Guyanese citizenry. We all now mostly accept as a norm the non-performance of those who hold high positions of formal responsibility across the entire society.

Secondly, to refine Lall’s claim. His criticism of party supporters as blind, mindless, and empty-headed misses a key factor. That factor is trust—the trust of supporters in their leaders. This matter goes to the heart of any representative arrangement.

In this arrangement, followers elect a few among themselves to be their reps or leaders.

These few then devote their attention and efforts to the rigors and demands of leading, while the rest of us

go about our regular daily lives. Naturally, followers assume that their leaders know more and know best. So, for example, in the intensely contested aftermath of the 2020 election, I trusted the leaders of my party because I saw them as being in the best position to know and decide.

That is the essence of representation. Followers place faith in their leaders out of sheer necessity. Lall is wrong to include such instances of trust as mindless. But I share Lall’s general thesis that we the citizens (including as a special case, supporters of political parties) need to put those who hold high positions of formal responsibility and authority under greater pressure to perform.

Yours truly, Sherwood Lowe

The business class is running the Covid-19 Task Force Dear Editor, I would be grateful for a space in your daily, so that I can share my experiences and thoughts on the above subject.

Let me start with GPL. I live in the lower East Bank area in an established housing scheme. We have been experiencing continuous power outages (blackout) and low shedding (low voltage) on a regular basis, like there is no end to this. I must confess, this has increased since the PPP came back to power. I am apolitical, I state this because once you criticise one party, you are deemed an opposition to the other. All I am concerned with is getting a service that I am paying for and in this day and

age, I need to enjoy the provision of basic human services. GPL has changed its management team but all it seems to do is improve in sharing a blackout schedule.

GWI – unfortunately, when the power goes in most cases water goes too. Since November 2020, despite an improvement in the quality of water, the pressure has become lower and cuts off regularly. This is one company that is very prompt with the bills in your mail box.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF), I know that it is a very trying job, but at the same time, it is an important job to maintain discipline, law and order in a society. I write particularly to deal with high profile murders. The GPF is continuing to fail the public in this regard. They seems to

be picking up the wrong people in most cases and hoping for a confession to solve the crime. Without a confession or someone being caught in the act, they are not solving any major case. I will not get into the other aspects of failure because the list will be too long to mention. Is the 911 hotline working?

The Covid-19 response – this is nothing short of a disregard by the government.

The Government feels that with some measures in place, the public will easily comply, but it is wrong! The very politicians are parading around with an entourage and garlands around the necks almost every day and expect the public to be fully responsible? The measures need strict enforcement that is how it will be effective. The

order should be amended to fine non-compliant businesses substantially and not just patrons being thrown into a bus. I don’t want to go deep into my dissatisfaction of the handling of this situation because space may not permit me to do so. I usually read Peeping Tom’s (a Kaieteur News Daily Column) reaction to this and I share a lot of his sentiments. The business class is running the Covid-19 Task Force. I am surprised the Guardians of Democracy do not say much; democracy matters more than life or is it they all are well fitted in on the little board positions?

I see in the press, the long lines in front of the passport office; a year ago, this had not been the case. I got my (Continued on page 6)

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Thursday April 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

I believe that the Government is on the right path to developing the oil and gas sector Dear Editor, It is quite unfortunate that as a Guyanese, I had to sit and read the views expressed by International Lawyer, Melinda Janki regarding the prosperity of my beloved country. As someone with a keen interest in the budding oil and gas sector, I paid close attention to the points, which she stressed on in her expression titled “PPP/C, Coalition incapable of leading Guyanese to safe and prosperous future - In face of climate change... – Int’l Lawyer”. Most notably, she based her position on the fact that Guyana’s proposed petroleum production goes against President Joe Biden’s climate change aims and strategies. I found this to be interesting because a simple internet search would indicate that the Leader’s Summit on Climate is focused on underscoring the urgency -

and the economic benefits of stronger climate action.

Such aims of the summit reflect Guyana’s steadfast commitment over the years in terms of advancing a low carbon development pathway. The Government of Guyana’s commitment in this regard is nothing unfamiliar and is public knowledge so I do not comprehend how Ms. Janki would posit that Guyana’s proposed petroleum production is in direct opposition of President Biden’s climate change aims and strategies.

In fact, I have done some research on Guyana’s petroleum production and that, coupled with several media reports over the years, indicate that Guyana will be able to strengthen its climate action from the benefits that will be derived from the petroleum production. At the same time, the October 30,

2020 edition of the Guyana Chronicle Newspaper covered His Excellency President Irfaan Ali’s address at a virtual Climate Change Conference with over 130 countries where he stressed on the importance of mitigation and adaption to climate change. The President also expressed commitment towards protecting the natural environment and called on the G-77 to focus on advancing development in the same regard. If the Government of Guyana was not committed towards improving its climate action given its petroleum prospect, why would the President have taken such a strong stance on climate change at the virtual meeting with the G-77? Also, why would the Government outline in its manifesto that it intends to retain its status as a carbon sink economy if it was incapable of doing so? The fact that such is the reality

begs me to question the views expressed by Ms. Janki in her epistle.

Additionally, I found it alarming that Ms. Janki wrote that it appears that the production from the Stabroek Block is driven by ExxonMobil’s demands rather than the concern for the wellbeing of the Guyanese people.

I know for a fact that such a budding sector would offer a host of advantages for Guyanese. Notably, in terms of climate action, the petroleum sector will also boost Guyana’s mitigation and adaptation efforts significantly. For instance, I know that the cost of transitioning to a net-zero economy will be very high. In order to achieve this without putting pressure on available resources, the petroleum

sector will be able to allow such to happen easier. This is because Guyana will be able to make more major investments towards a new clean energy economy.

Anyone can understand this so I am not sure why Ms. Janki is of a different view.

Lastly, Ms. Janki concluded her expression by citing Article 36 of the Constitution which states that the well-being of the nation depends on preserving clean air, fertile soils, pure water and the rich diversity of plants, animals and ecosystems. She stated that this article should be the basis for Guyana’s immediate transition to a prosperous blue-green economy powered by 100% renewable energy.

However, I do not believe that Article 36 is applicable in this regard given the fact that it

does not deal with the development prospect of the petroleum sector and climate action. In fact, natural gas is known to have one of the smallest carbon footprints.

As the Government of Guyana is focused on developing the gas-to-shore project, I know that as Guyanese, there will be countless benefits heading our way. Therefore, the expression of Ms. Janki regarding the Government being incapable of leading Guyanese to a safe and prosperous future is misguided. I believe that the PPP/C Government is on the right path to developing the oil and gas sector and at the rate at which the sector is expanding, it is safe to say that prosperity is guaranteed.

Yours truly, Erin Northe

...Why would we seek to derail that progress From page 4 Contracts cannot. Companies should be encouraged to hire qualified and ambitious local companies. But there is a fine line here. I think all patriotic citizens would understand that a small price for buying local is worth it to develop our capabilities. But we should not compromise this opportunity with larger sacrifices that would only benefit a selected few.

Overly aggressive local content provisions sound good, but not at the cost of delays or lower revenues. And both are looming on the horizon if some of these rules are not rethought. If local content

laws require hiring a firm with less experience and higher prices just because it is technically Guyanese owned, everyone else loses out because those extra costs come right out of our oil.

The small benefit that goes to a local company that got the contract might pale in comparison. The efforts by some to make Guyanese companies nearly automatic recipients of contracts, which they have neither the skill or experience for reeks of cronyism.

Guyanese do not need another example of favours going to a special few while the rest lose out.

Any effort that is not in keeping with international best practices and backed up by the appropriate framework, including technical capacity and competency, will undoubtedly result in corruption, much like we have seen in other countries around the world. While we work to make the Guyanese oil and gas sector world-class and empower local companies, we must also remember the lessons learned from countries like Nigeria and Angola and not repeat the same mistakes. The focus should be on utilising the revenues, which we have to slingshot Guyana to the forefront of the world economy.

Yours truly, Donald Singh

...The business class is running the Covid-19 From page 5 passport renewed in an hour or so and many other people shared that experience.

You could have measured the improvement. The same with the driver’s licence renewal process, a laudable improvement by GRA. My question is, why this is so now at the passport office, if you read one of the positive impacts of Covid-19, it is how it has accelerated the use of online services.

We have hundredths of UG graduates, and the largest budget ever, why are we going back into the abyss?

As a country, we really need to examine ourselves if we are to prepare for the oil bonanza that we are so boasting about.

Yours truly, Name provided

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Thursday April 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

Regarding COVID-19, we are inclined to believe that we are in a much worse state than our Government is letting on. As more tests are being done, more cases are emerging.

Moreover, we at this publication believe that Government, by now, should have been in a position to determine just what percentage of the population is exposed to the virus.

This, we understand, can only be done via random sample testing.

Since January, infections have surged and random testing of the population should have started in order to determine just how widespread are the infections.

If indeed Government has undertaken this task, keeping this information a State secret is nothing but detrimental to our already declining population.

However, if the “know-how” is lacking, there will be no condemnation in soliciting needed support.

We demand that Government gets a better handle on this COVID-19 situation, even if it means reaching across the political divide.

PAGE 07

PAGE 08

Thursday April 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

We can't build FPSOs, so rent out your properties W

ith the coming boom in the economy as a result of the still nascent oil a n d g a s s e c t o r, Vi c e

President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, believes that Guyanese stand to benefit from the growing housing market and can earn tangibly

from the rental of properties.

This, since the country is unable to support the emerging industry through ventures such as the building

- VP Jagdeo of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO)— the likes of the Liza Destiny, currently producing oil in the Stabroek Block. Dr. Jagdeo was at the time addressing some of the housing challenges facing Guyanese, particularly from the Diaspora, in an online interview with the New York based 'Abee Chunes Radio'.

According to the former p r e s i d e n t , n o w Vi c e President, “in light of the development of the oil and gas sector, the property market has to evolve into a business.”

He pointed out however, that at present, the country does not have the requisite legislation for the construction and regulation of condominiums and such types of buildings that “people are going to be constructing.”

As such, Dr. Jagdeo was adamant, “we are carving the rental market in the oil and gas industry for Guyanese” and suggested, since “we can't build FPSOs, our people must benefit from rental and rent is substantial and the market is growing, so

we have to convert this into a business model.”

He related that at present, “a lot of work is being done to update the laws” and drew reference to a recent ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), which underscored the matter of Guyana updating its housing laws.

Jagdeo noted that work has already started on this front and added that, “there is urgency now, because of what is happening, there is a boom in the property market.”

The lucrative housing market was recently recognised as one of the growing sectors in the country as a result of the emerging oil and gas industry when India's third largest public sector bank—the Bank of Baroda—applied for and was designated an official Mortgage Finance Institution under the laws of Guyana.

The status was officially conferred on the Institution

by Senior Minister within the Office of the President, with responsibility for

Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.

At the time, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, D r. K . J . S r i n i v a s a , underscored that it was the developmental trajectory that Guyana has taken on in recent years, as a result of the country's colossal oil find, that has largely led to the bank remaining in the country.

It was observed by stakeholders that in 2018, the Bank was actively considering exiting the Guyana market where it hosts two of its 9,000 branches worldwide.

He noted that in 2018, while stakeholders were discussing the future of the bank's operation in Guyana, it was determined that the country's projected growth would in fact be a boon for the financial institution with a worldwide customer base of some 113 million person.

Guyana, he said, was deemed a developmental “growth story” and that nobody should miss out on the “golden opportunity”.

He was adamant that, once Guyana's growth takes off, real estate would become a particularly high priced co mmo d ity an d u rg ed potential new homeowners to act with haste.

Nandlall, Jagdeo contradict each other on gas-to-shore...

From page 2 have genuine concerns.”

The Vice President's statements however, run c o u n t e r t o h i s administration's top legal a d v i s o r, t h e A t t o r n e y General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, who just days earlier had confessed that there were in fact no studies done as yet.

Huge Cost Addressing the public in his weekly 'issues in the news' broadcast, the Attorney General sought to lend his voice in support of the proposed gas-to-power project, and assured that “the final numbers will come when the requisite studies are done.”

According to Nandlall, “many persons have been criticising the government for this project but let me say that from all the evidence that is available,” the projections show that “this project will produce energy

as low as US$0.06 cents.”

He noted too that GPL currently produces energy at US$0.14 cents, while selling at US$0.27 cents.

Defending the “huge” capital output or spending for the project—estimated to be some US$800M for the pipeline alone—Nandlall was adamant, “when one weighs that against the benefits that would redound to Guyana, then it appears to be a feasible project.”

He noted however, “…the final numbers will come when the requisite studies are done but people are faulting the project from the inception” and drew reference to the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project.

Speaking to the proposed gas-to-power project, Nandlall said “we don't want that to happen to this project,” referencing the then fate of the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric project.

As such, Nandlall

divulged that, “yes, the environmental impact assessment will be done, the necessary geotechnical studies will be done, we are committed to that course but don't kill the project from the beginning and that is what commentators are doing in the media and in the public domain.”

He said too that “we have to take risks,” and said this is true of any successful business across the world.

Adamant that risk is a part of business, Nandlall noted that these must be prudent and calculated and that “this project is one that is guaranteed to be successful.”

As such, he pleaded, “let's support this project and the government will release more information.”

According to Nandlall, “we are committed also to ensure we comply with processes, we make careful decisions based on expert advice and as far as possible make the document public, as soon as is possible or as soon as it is reasonably possible.”

Kaieteur News

Thursday April 15, 2021

PAGE 09

Government should undertake random testing of the population I

t is not clear how many of the more than 50 persons who died from COVID-19 related causes over the past month, were vaccinated. Since it takes about three weeks for fair immunity to develop after the first jab, we can safely say that quite a few of those deaths would have been saved if those persons were vaccinated, assuming that the majority of the persons who have died recently were not vaccinated.

Of the more than 533,000 persons who have perished in the United States as at March 31, almost 95 percent were 65 years or older. This is more or less consistent with what is happening in the United Kingdom in relation to deaths.

In Guyana, the Ministry of Health is treating data about the age of victims as a state secret. While each death is reported and the age of the victim provided, there has been no aggregated breakdown of the age of the victims, information which can be routinely obtained in the United States. But it has been suggested that Guyana's high-risk group are those persons aged 55 years plus.

The Guyana government initially targeted persons over 65 years. But it appears that there was massive

Dem

boys seh...

D

em had a calypsonian who did sing a song about respecting policemen. But dem boys never agree to he recipe. He did sing, “Beat dem! I say to beat them. Dem must have regard fuh policemen!”

Nowadays de police trying fuh do dem wuk and is dem getting beat. All manner of people now assaulting police.

Long ago, when de police stop yuh vehicle, people used to cooperate.

Dese days is plenty backchat tekking place. And some people bluffing. While de police talking to dem, dem gone on dem phone and pretending to call some 'big

hesitancy and therefore within two weeks, persons over 50 were invited to have the vaccine. It appears again that there still was massive hesitancy and the vaccines are now being administered to persons 40 plus.

Given global trends, it would make better sense for the government to try to vaccinate as many over 55 persons before extending to lower age groups. But considering the vaccine hesitancy, the government did the next best thing and now offers the vaccine to persons 40 plus.

People are still dying and the majority those who have died recently have been persons above the age of 55 years of age, even though a few younger persons have died.

A greater effort needs to be made to mobilize more of the high risk persons, persons older than 55 years, to administer the vaccine.

Unless this is done, the deaths are likely to increase.

There are simply not enough vaccines to inoculate all those persons between the ages of 40 and 50 years old.

There are more than 100,000 Guyanese who are aged between 40 and 50 years.

And it should be remembered that the government has to retain enough vaccines to give persons a second dose. And

while the reported number of vaccinations is increasing, this has to do with the fact that the age limit has been lowered to 40 years.

The government, however, has no choice but to lower the age range. If the deaths fall and the number of infections continue to increase, the government may have no choice but to extend the vaccination to persons above the age of 24.

This would however have to be contingent on there being adequate supplies of the vaccines, something which cannot be assured.

The government has said that it is in talks with Johnson and Johnson. If a deal materialises quickly, it would be a game change for Guyana, because this is a single dose vaccine.

Vaccine hesitancy is for now the main stumbling block to curbing deaths; poor enforcement would appear to be the main obstacle to containing the spread of the virus in Guyana.

The government therefore cannot afford to be working only on one front. It has to intensify its efforts on three levels – vaccination, enforcement of social restrictions and testing.

While vaccines are short, test kits are not. Since January infections have surged. And it is about time that the government

Respect de police! one'. Dem police don't fall fuh dem bluff.

People gat tuh learn fuh respect de police. Not only here but in other country.

Too much hostility being shown when de police stop people and when de police react, dem does get criticise.

But de police also gat to earn respect. Some of dem stooping and padooping!

Like dem fellas wah does be planted at some junction waiting fuh entrap dem cars.

Or like dem early bird police wah does deh hiding underneath building waiting fuh aim dem radar gun pon dem motorists in de morning.

Dem boys hear how de government planning fuh bring in electronic radar

which gan tek out picture of dem vehicle wah speeding.

Dah gan cut up a lot of police runnings. But is time.

Is time also dat people stop giving de police mouth and attitude. De other day, de police pull over a driver and ask he how fast he think he going? De driver tun to de police and seh, “Is it not your duty to tell me?”

Now dat is rudeness and while rudeness ain't illegal so is de right of de police to give yuh a speeding ticket.

If people cooperate with de police, dem gan behave themselves and things gan get better.

Talk half and remember police deh fuh protect people!

undertakes random testing of the population in order to determine just how widespread are infections.

The numbers do raise questions about the effectiveness of government's testing. As more tests are being done, more cases are emerging. So it needs to be determined just what percentage of the population is exposed to the

virus and this can only be done via random sample testing as was done in New York state in the early days of the pandemic. At present one in every 10 persons in the New York has tested positive. This is a staggeringly high rate.

The United States has the highest number of deaths and infections in the world.

Adjusted for testing, Guyana

has a higher infection rate than the United States. And when it comes to deaths, Guyana's per capita deaths are closing in on the United States. We are in a much worse state than most people believe.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Thursday April 15, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Did the government this year try to bribe Dr. David Hinds?

T

he former head of the UK branch of t h e W PA , Leyland DeCambra, sent me the recent posting of David Hinds since I am not on Facebook. I cannot reproduce the entire article so I will have to offer selected quotes. But if you read the item in its entirety, high blood pressure will kill

you.

The most diehard African racist, the most emotionally charged PNC leader, the most inflexible, intellectual supporter of the PNC, would not compose such incoherent, rambling, senseless sentences. This is not a barefaced defence of the March election rigging.

A lot of PNC surrogates have

penned such articles but David's take are mindless, contradictory, utterances that leave you with the distinct impression that David is going through mental meltdown.

Here now are selected examples. I will offer the quotes with my response.

1 – “Many literally and figuratively offered

themselves up for sale. The compensation was attractive, but I refused to nibble. I was taught in my village to not 'allow meh eye to yellow two time.' I refused to be bought.”

Comment – Only two sets of people could have made a pitch to David. One is the business class who supports the government; it wants David's endorsement of the administration. The other is the government itself. David should tell us who attempted to bribe him.

He said the compensation (whether money or job) was attractive. I have a personal interest in this offer. In my next column, I will state that the PPP rigged the election, hoping an offer comes my way. I don't want the job. I want the money.

2 – “I am stoutly opposed to electoral rigging and will never participate in such activity.” Comment – After this statement I think he has now completely destroyed himself in the eyes of Guyanese. He doesn't understand that African Guyanese support the rigging for racial reasons but they know their party lost.

3 – “To reduce an election that took five months for a winner to be “installed” to a man with a piece of paper in a building is

tantamount to trafficking in the Frederick Kissoon comedy of all comedies.” Comment ethnic constituencies in – This is sick and silly. It took five months because the support of their resistance.” loser in control of the state Comment - Poor AFC! Who refused to concede. It was or which ethnic constituency not the man (Mingo) with the the AFC mobilised? So paper in his hand that was the David is actually saying that central actor. Mingo was not the multi-racial AFC had no a strategic actor in the support?

6 – “The world's rigging at all. It was the GECOM secretariat, the superpowers descended ruling party with support Eldorado-like in the midst of from the police force. This an election is nothing short of explains why the process political gangsterism.”

Comment – this descent into took five months.

4 – “The APNU+AFC Guyana during the election had an impeccable human also included the CARICOM rights record.” Comment – Heads of Government; two Anyone living in Guyana former CARICOM prime would have seen the ethnic m i n i s t e r s , t h e changes at the Office of the Commonwealth Secretariat, President. From conspicuous the OAS, former president of Indians faces before May Liberia and Nobel Laureate, 2015, there were conspicuous Ellen Sirleaf; President of A f r i c a n f a c e s . E t h n i c the Caribbean African d i s c r i m i n a t i o n u n d e r Reparations Committee and APNU+AFC even claimed Vice Chancellor of UWI, as a victim an innocent Professor Hilary Beckles; coconut vendor on North Donald Rodney, brother of Road and Orange Walk. He Walter Rodney, etc.

I could go on but the supplied the juice to other side of the coin is that successive government from Hoyte to Ramotar. When not one legislator in any of the APNU+AFC came in, they o v e r 2 0 0 s o v e r e i g n switched to his African governments in the entire world, including the US neighbour.

What impeccable human Black Congressional Caucus, rights record when a grenade offered even a modicum of was thrown at the vehicle of support to the APNU+AFC t h e p u b l i s h e r o f t h i s during the rigging.

The seven quotes here newspaper at a wake for journalist, Dale Andrews, just are just a tiny sample. You weeks after there was a PNC have to read his statement to picket against the newspaper s e e t h e d e s c e n t i n t o for exposing the Minister of psychotic meandering like the Presidency, Joe Harmon, his take on the courts, the for alleged skullduggery with changed attitude of the US to the Chinese. If that grenade the PPP government, etc. had exploded there would This is the diary of a lunatic.

(The views expressed in have been multiple deaths.

5 – “Both sides (PNC and this article are those of the PPP) were unprepared to a u t h o r a n d d o n o t surrender to the other and in necessarily reflect the turn moved to mobilise their opinions of this newspaper.)

Thursday April 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Thursday April 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

Guyana open to tourists despite COVID-19 pandemic - Minister Walrond

A

lthough Guyana has so far recorded in excess of 11,000 cases of COVID-19, the country has been declared safe for tourism, especially for international tourists in search of an environment for rest and relaxation during the pandemic.

At least, this is according to Guyana's Minister with responsibility for Tourism, Oneidge Walrond.

She disclosed this status in a recent interview during a GlobeSpan24X7 broadcast with moderators Dr. Asquith Rose and Charles Sugrim.

In fact, the first-time government Minister used the platform to adumbrate “we have, because of the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic; we continue to market Guyana from the perspective of it being safe to travel.”

In fact, the Minister with responsibility for the Tourism Sector divulged that

Minister with responsibility for the Tourism Sector, Oneidge Walrond Guyana's tourism product is being tailored as a safe environment.

“We have been building up our reputation as a safe place to travel; as a matter of fact, our tourism product is tailored to a safe COVIDfree environment because

A section of the Rewa Eco Lodge, one of many such eco-tourism destinations being marketed locally

we have the wide-open spaces.”

She said too, the marketing of Guyana as a tourist destination during the pandemic is targeting small groups, “so you can travel with your bubble into our eco lodges.”

The Tourism Minister in expanding on different destinations in Guyana underscored that given Guyana's wide-open spaces, social distancing would not be a problem.

She drew reference to the fact that in marketing Guyana internationally, the country won first prize under the theme 'safe for travel'.

This, she said, was in recognition of the country's marketing efforts.

“Our airports are open and we continue to market Guyana, inspire people abroad to come and enjoy our produces when they can come and it is safe to do so.”

She drew reference to the fact that the country is in fact “certifying our destinations; each one of our facilities all across Guyana.”

The Minister disclosed too that the tourism marketing efforts are also targeting Guyanese in other countries who are unable to travel overseas, “so now more Guyanese can be able to enjoy” even as she pointed to the fact that more Guyanese of late have been visiting “other regions”.

She continued by noting that “domestic tourism has been picking up as well and that helps to highlight Guyana.”

Addressing the apparent inconsistency with Guyana's tourism strategy of targeting an eco friendly market, while at the same time targeting industrial development, the Minister said, “we recognise that our eco tourism will contribute significantly to our GDP.” As such, she was adamant that government remains committed to preserving the country's pristine rainforest and tourism product while “at the same time, we don't believe industrial development is not inconsistent with our eco development product, it's a matter of planning.”

Guyanese fashion designer murdered in T&T

- family seeks Govt.'s approval to bring home the body for burial

P

opular Guyanese makeup artist and fashion designer, Marcus Anthony Singh also known as Latchman, was on Tuesday evening found murdered in his El Dorado apartment in Trinidad.

According to reports, the 27year-old Singh had shared the apartment with two others.

H i s b o d y, r e p o r t s suggest, bore three stab wounds to the neck.

According to a Trinidad Express report, “the discovery was made by his boyfriend after he returned home. He saw Marcus lying on the floor motionless, clad in his underwear in a pool of

blood.” An alarm was raised and the police and paramedics were summoned, it was revealed.

Singh, the report added, was pronounced dead by paramedics. His body was removed by the undertakers and is awaiting a post-mortem Murdered: examination.

Marcus Anthony Singh In an invited comment, Samira A s h l e y, S i n g h ' s She said, “I received a Guyana-based sister, told Kaieteur News that “my call around minutes to nine brother had moved to the from Marcus' boyfriend on twin island several years ago Tuesday night and was to boost his career in the i n f o r m e d a b o u t h i s f a s h i o n a n d m a k e u p gruesome death.” Ashley (continued on page 16) industry.”

Kaieteur News

Thursday April 15, 2021

PAGE 13

Three missing after fire, oil spill at offshore field operated by Stabroek Block partner C

hina's state-owned energy company, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), is on a search mission for three of its crew members who went missing after its Penglai oil platform caught fire and spilt oil.

Kaieteur News understands that the platform, which is located in the Bohai Sea of China, and is 51 percent owned by CNOOC, with ConocoPhillips holding a 49 percent stake, began to burn on April 5, last. The fire was extinguished the following day.

According to Argus media, the incident was confirmed by an employee at one of the companies involved, although the details are still unclear. It said that ConocoPhillips referred questions to CNOOC, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The cause of the incident is still to be disclosed.

The Penglai fields produce heavy-sweet crude that is sold to CNOOC's own refineries and to independent refiners in China's Shandong province.

An oil spill, which

occurred at the Penglai fields in 2011, resulted in CNOOC and ConocoPhillips paying several hundred million dollars in compensation. Oil spills have occurred at least four times in that area.

Importantly, CNOOC is also a partner in the oil rich Stabroek Block that is operated by ExxonMobil's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL). (https://www.argusmedia.co m/en/news/2203412-fireoil-spill-at-chinas-penglaip l a t f o r m update?backToResults=true)

The Penglai oil platform

Bar owner, others charged for No taxes attached to payment of breaching COVID-19 regulations pension through banking system - Ministry of Human Services

A

bar owner, his staff and other persons were yesterday hauled before a City Magistrate after they were charged for breaching the COVID-19 regulations.

Meer Rahaman, the owner of Altitude Cocktail Bar and Grill; Nickel Thomas, 23, a bartender; Tiffany Ross, 32, employed at the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) and Club Altitude; Kalvin Ramkellawan, 18, a Hookah business owner at Club Altitude; and Fiona Samuels, 28, employed at Club Altitude, all appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

Rahaman pleaded guilty to charges which stated that on March 13, 2021 and April 4, 2021 at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown, he hosted two private parties.

In his explanation to the court, Rahaman claimed that on both occasions he was closing up when the police arrived and made several arrests. Chief Magistrate McLennan fined him $16,350 or in default one-month's imprisonment.

Thomas, Ross, Ramkellawan and Samuels were charged for attending a private party on March 13 at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown. Thomas, Ross and Ramkellawan pleaded guilty to the charge and they too were each fined $16,350 or in default one-month's imprisonment.

H o w e v e r, S a m u e l s denied the charge and she was placed on $5,000 bail

A

Charged: Joy Craigan Charged: Johanna Craigan

Charged: Kalvin Ramkellawan and instructed to return to court on April 21, 2021.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, J o y Craigan, 19, and Johanna Craigan, 18, also appeared before the Chief Magistrate for attending a private party.

They both pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on March 13 at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown, they attended a private party.

They were also fined $16,350 or in default onemonth's imprisonment.

According to the prosecution's facts of the matter, at around 23:00 hrs. on March 13, 2021 and 23:15 hrs. on April 4, 2021,

Charged: Tiffany Ross members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in collaboration with the COVID-19 Task Force, while on routine COVID-19 operations, visited the Altitude establishment where they observed that the COVID-19 regulations were being breached.

As a result, the persons there were arrested and subsequently charged. The bar was also subject to temporary closure after members of the National COVID-19 Task Force became aware that the establishment had been constantly breaching sections of the COVID-19 regulations.

lluding to the list of services implemented to fast-track the payment of old age pension, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MoHSSS) yesterday announced that there are no taxes applied to pension through the banking system.

The clarification comes weeks after the Ministry announced that citizens can access their old age pension via the bank leading to questions being asked about the fees/taxes attached to using the bank system.

In a detailed release, the MoHSSS stressed that while there are no taxes for those using the banking system, pensioners utilising the system must deposit their life certificates at a Ministry location every quarter to continue receiving bank payments.

The Ministry noted that life certificates must be signed and stamped by either a Justice of the Peace,

N o t a r y P u b l i c , Commissioner of Oaths, Medical Practitioner, Head Te a c h e r, M i n i s t e r o f Religion or a Manager of a Bank. The introduction of the banking system will facilitate pensions being deposited into pensioners' accounts within the first five days of each month.

Wi t h o v e r 5 8 , 0 0 0 pensioners benefitting from the Old Age Pension Scheme managed by the MoHSSS, S u b j e c t M i n i s t e r, D r.

Vindhya Persaud, reiterated her commitment to improving the quality of pension delivery and increasing the options for senior citizens to receive their pension.

Against this backdrop, the Ministry will be sensitising pensioners on the hassle-free options available to access their pension.

To k i c k - s t a r t t h e educational drive, the Ministry will be hosting a weekly LIVE Question and Answer (Q&A) session on

the Ministry's Facebook page every Thursday at 9:00am from April 22, 2021 to respond to all pension related concerns.

In addition, the Ministry's personnel will be guests on a number of radio stations to discuss pension related matters, including the two newer options, which the Ministry has introduced this year to complement the post office system to allow ease of collecting pension.

In the meantime, pension vouchers may now be redeemed at any of the We s t e r n U n i o n o r MoneyGram locations in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and 10, in addition to the post offices countrywide.

Minister Persaud had noted, “Pension vouchers can be cashed at these locations throughout the month and not only during the first week of the month.

They can avoid lines and (continued on page 16)

Human Services Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud during a discourse with pensioners

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Kaieteur News

Thursday April 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

Thursday April 15, 2021

GDF rank killed, son hospitalised after Homestretch Avenue accident

A

Sergeant of the G u y a n a Defence Force (GDF) is now dead while his seven-year-old son is in a stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) following a two-vehicle collision. The accident occurred Monday around 21:15 hrs. along Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

The GDF rank has been identified as 36-year-old Brian Mitchell of Craig Street, Campbellville, Georgetown.

The Sergeant and his son, a police report revealed, had just left Base Camp Ayanganna in his motor car PNN 5515, and were in the vicinity of Help and Shelter when the accident occurred.

Taishan Shanks, the driver of the vehicle which collided with Mitchell's, and a passenger, sustained minor injuries during the accident.

Based on reports,

Dead: Brian Mitchell moments before the collision, motor car PVV 3684, driven by Shanks was heading east on Homestretch Avenue. In that car there was a female passenger, whose name has not been released to the media. At the time of the accident, Mitchell, with his son as his passenger, was heading west on the same

thoroughfare.

Shanks, the injured driver, told investigators that while driving in the vicinity of Help and Shelter, he saw the 36-year-old's motor car swerve from behind another vehicle on the southern side of the road and enter his lane.

With no time to react, Shanks recalled that the two cars collided head-on.

Also, in photographs of the accident, the GDF rank's body was seen hanging out of the driver's side window of his car. Emergency Medical Technicians, who turned up at the scene, transported those involved in the accident to the GPHC, where Mitchell was pronounced dead on arrival.

His son was admitted to the institution with a broken leg; while Shanks and his female passenger were treated for lacerations they sustained and later discharged.

An investigation is ongoing.

Man found dead in Supenaam Creek after 'drinking' with friend

T

he body of a man was found in the Supenaam Creek on Tuesday, April 12, 2021.

The body has since been identified as that of 41-yearold Mohan Khowshal who reportedly went missing last Monday. Reports suggest that sometime around 17:00hrs last Monday, the man left for a friend's home in the Supenaam Creek.

While there, he reportedly imbibed with his friend.

Around 22:00hrs on the said date, the man reportedly departed his friend's home with all indications that he was going home. The wife of the now dead man, according to police, had filed a missing person's report after he failed to return home.

At about 17:00hrs on April 13, 2021, a team of police and relatives of Khowshal formed a search party and commenced a search within the Supenaam

Creek area. At about 23:50hrs on the said date, Khowshal's body was found in the creek.

The body was escorted to the Suddie Public Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty.

Police indicated that no marks of violence was found on Khowshal's body, but noted that a post mortem examination will soon be done in an effort to ascertain his cause of death.

Man found dead on his bridge

M

ere hours after a pensioner was seen staggering home on Tuesday, he was found dead on the bridge of his home located at Area 'G', Meten-Meer-Zorg, We s t C o a s t D e m e r a r a (WCD).

Police have identified him only as 62-year-old Uniram. Uniram, according

to a police report, lived alone and was a frequent user of alcohol. Persons had reportedly seen him staggering home sometime around 11:00hrs. At around 12:00hrs, the report stated, other persons saw him standing on his bridge. Three hours later, it was revealed, that he was found lying motionless on the very

bridge.

The man, according to police, was transported to the Leonora Cottage Hospital for medical examination and there he was pronounced dead on arrival. No marks of violence were seen on the man's body which was taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home where it awaits an autopsy before burial.

Pensioner collapses, dies at NIS office

A

n elderly man collapsed and died yesterday while conducting business at the National Insurance Scheme's (NIS) office located at Camp and Bent Streets, Georgetown.

NIS in a release confirmed this development stating that the man has been identified as Mr. Harold Shaffie. In the release it was noted that Shaffie had arrived at the NIS office around 08:00 hrs. to deal with

matters relating to his contributions.

Some 10 minutes later, while he was waiting to be attended to by a staffer, Shaffie collapsed and was unresponsive. NIS stated that paramedics were summoned immediately but efforts to resuscitate him proved futile. His remains were subsequently removed and transported to a mortuary. NIS has since expressed its condolences to Shaffie's friends and family members.

PAGE 15

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Thursday April 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

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From page 13 crowds by using any of the new options as we work to improve pension delivery.”

The Ministry also provides the direct payment service to pensioners who live in remote communities. Pensioners in over 40 remote communities, notably in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, are already benefiting from this service. To optimise this service in view of the logistics, these direct payments will be made every six months, according to the Ministry's release.

The direct payment service option is also available to pensioners who qualify for the Ministry's shut-in services. Persons who have serious mobility issues, visual impairment or are bedridden will be eligible to have their pension delivered directly to their homes.

The Ministry has established a Register to facilitate this option, and once the information provided is verified, direct payment will commence.

To date, the Ministry has facilitated over 3,459 pensioners via the shut-in system throughout the 10 administrative regions.

To qualify for the pension bank deposits or shut-in delivery systems, pensioners must apply. ALL pension application approval processes will be done within a three-week time frame from time of submission of the application form, the Ministry has announced.

Meanwhile, in an effort to simplify and expedite the processes, the Ministry has dedicated special lines to facilitate all clarifications and queries. The numbers are as follows: Banking system: 227-0130, new applications/shut-ins and remote services: 227-4410 or 225-6565 ext. 2301, and reporting of elderly abuse: 914.

Guyanese fashion designer...

From page 12 said that Singh was her “big” brother.

The woman said that she was told that her brother and his partner had gone to purchase a “poodle puppy” just after noon Tuesday after which they had returned home. His partner, she said, had left to run some errands and upon his return he made the discovery. She went on to state that no suspect has been taken into custody but she is optimistic that justice will be served.

Given the restrictions in Trinidad as it relates to COVID19, Ashley said that she and the rest of Singh's grieving family, all of whom reside here in Guyana, are hoping that Government will intervene so that Singh's body can be brought home.

As news of Singh's death circulated on social media yesterday, there was an outpouring of condolences to the family from those who knew and loved him.

Many persons in their posts noted that “Marcus will always be remembered as an outspoken and multi-talented young man.”

Thursday April 15, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Four more COVID-19 fatalities ‘Unattended kero stove’ leads to apartment building fire recorded The Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday reported that four persons who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have died. Their deaths have now brought Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll to 262.

Early yesterday the Ministry had revealed that a 67-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 45-year-old woman from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) were the latest COVID-19 fatalities.

However, last night, the Ministry revealed that two

more persons – a 76-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and an 86-year-old man from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) – had succumbed due to COVID related complications.

The Ministry revealed that all four persons died while receiving treatment at a medical facility. The MoH reported yesterday too that 97 new COVID-19 cases have been recorded, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 11,374.

Yesterday, the Ministry’s dashboard update revealed that 15 patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 76 are in

institutional isolation; 1,143 are in home isolation and 11 are in institutional quarantine.

To date 9,880 recoveries have been recorded.

Meanwhile, the Ministry in its update last night reminded citizens to observe the protocols of the COVID19 EMERGENCY MEASURES (NO.16), which are in effect until April 30, 2021. This order emphasises: the need for correct and consistent use of a facemask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

- 12 now homeless

A lighted kerosene stove, which was left unattended, is said to be the cause of a fire which resulted in the complete destruction of an apartment building at Lot 7 Lamaha Park, Squatting Area, Greater Georgetown. As a result, a total of 12 persons are now homeless.

The fire, this newspaper was informed, occurred around 08:59hrs yesterday.

According to information released by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), following a report of the fire, a fire truck from the Campbellville Fire Station and another from the Alberttown Fire Station were dispatched. They both reportedly arrived at the scene within minutes.

Upon their arrival, firefighters, along with public-spirited citizens, tried their best to control the flames that were emitting from the building.

According to the GFS’ Public Relations official, Ms. Silyne Griffith, the one-flat, wooden building was the property of Ronaldo Moses. The building, she said, consisted of seven apartments.

An investigation, Griffith said, revealed that the fire was caused by a lighted kerosene stove, which was left unattended. The stove, she said, ignited nearby combustible materials causing fire to spread throughout the building.

A nearby building, located at Lot 6 Lamaha Park, was also affected. The wall of that building was scorched due to the heat and some louvre panes were destroyed.

Griffith told Kaieteur News that while no one sustained burns from the fire, an elderly

The aftermath of the fire. man, said to be in his 70s, succumbed while being transported to the hospital. According to reports, the man, believed to be the owner of the building, was a stage four cancer patient.

Govt. pleased Exxon’s faulty compressor did not affect second Stabroek Block lift

Man jailed 10 years for killing lover’s partner Sterfon Barlow, who confessed to killing his lover’s reputed husband in 2016 after the man caught them in bed together, was yesterday sentenced to 18 years behind bars.

Barlow will however serve 10 years due to several deductions made from the sentence

by Justice, Brassington Reynolds, who imposed the sentence.

Barlow was initially charged with his girlfriend, Alexis Turpin, for the 2016 murder of Sherwin Johnson, who was Turpin’s partner.

Barlow pleaded not guilty to the murder but later admitted to killing Johnson. He had previously faced a trial before Justice Reynolds. However, the jury was unable to arrive at a verdict and Justice Reynolds had ordered a retrial of the case. While Barlow has been sentenced, his co-accused, Turpin, remains on remand awaiting a retrial.

According to the particulars of the case, Johnson and Turpin shared a relationship at

Jailed: Sterfon Barlow.

Lodge, Georgetown. It was reported that Johnson arrived home on the day in question and found Turpin in bed with Barlow.

A heated argument ensued between the parties which escalated into a fight, during which the two accused dealt Johnson several stabs about his body with a metal object — allegedly a crow bar.

Even though the gas compressor for the Liza Destiny vessel has malfunctioned for a fourth time, the PPP/C Government is pleased that the incident did not affect its second lift of one million barrels of sweet crude from the Stabroek Block.

Informing the media of his government’s position last night was Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat.

In his statement, Bharrat said the administration was notified on April 11, last, that the Liza Destiny, which is operated by ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), encountered a mechanical issue with the discharge silencer of the Flash Gas Compressor (FGC). He recalled that the FGC and its associated components were recently reinstalled on April 2 and were undergoing post installation tests. The Minister said the new bout of

technical issues has resulted in the FGC being placed offline while adding that production and flaring volumes are being closely monitored.

He said, “The Ministry of Natural Resources is nonetheless pleased to note that this occurrence has not affected the Government of Guyana’s crude oil lift which was safely and successfully completed yesterday at the planned quantity and in keeping with the Crude Lifting Agreement and Lifting Schedule. This was the government’s second lift for 2021.”

Further to this, the Minister said that Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, along with its contractors, SBM Offshore and MAN Energy Solutions, are actively investigating the failure and assessing repair requirements.

He said too that the Government, through the Ministry of Natural

Resources, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency, has been receiving regular updates since this matter has arisen. Kaieteur News understands that the relevant authorities met with EEPGL yesterday to discuss EEPGL’s findings and plans for the expeditious resolution of this issue.

While the government is “highly disappointed” with the Operator’s inability to resolve this situation to date, Bharrat said the relevant agencies will continue to monitor the levels of daily crude oil output and flaring to best allow for an economically feasible level of production during this period.

He concluded that the government is examining the implications of the loss of output, and consequently, the loss of revenue, including measures that it may have to institute to protect national interest.

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Thursday April 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

Contractor commits to completing $800M Good Hope Secondary School A view of the almost completed $800M

by May Good Hope Secondary School BK International Incorporated has committed to completing the $800M Good H o p e S e c o n d a r y School by May 22, 2021.

This development followed a site visit that was conducted by the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, on Tuesday.

Making the commitment was the c o m p a n y ’s Managing Director, Brian Tiwari, and its Chief Engineer, Ganesh Sawh.

The contract for the construction of the stateof-the-art school was awarded to the company in October 2018. The works started that very month and a January 2020 deadline was given.

However, 15 months later, the school is still incomplete. To that end, during her visit, Minister Manickchand, for the umpteenth time, stressed the importance of contractors completing their work on time. She said, “ We c a n n o t t o l e r a t e lengthy delays on projects.”

The Minister had made a similar utterance when she assumed office last year August. She had made it clear that the delay in completion was “wholly unacceptable” and that “people who bid for contracts and win them must ensure that they do what they have to do to realise the terms to which they have signed in the contract.”

During her recent visit, she also stressed that the completion of the school is important to Region Four, particularly the students living in communities like

Paradise, Plaisance, Enmore and Good Hope, along the East Coast of Demerara.

During the recent visit to the Good Hope School, Engineer Sawh informed the Education Minister that the majority of the works left to be completed on the school are electrical in nature.

It was recently reported by this publication that the Education Minister is hoping to have the school ready by the new school year, which begins in September.

It was also highlighted that last year September, following the sitting of the National Grade Six Assessment, students, who were awarded a place at the school, had to be accommodated at other schools because the school was incomplete and lacked a full complement of staff.

The school’s construction is part of the World Bank-funded Guyana Secondary Education Improvement Project (GSEIP), which aims to aid the achievement of universal secondary education, in

The school’s multi-purpose hall. keeping with modern standards.

The GSEIP caters for the construction of three

schools: the Good Hope Secondary School, the We s t m i n s t e r S e c o n d a r y School and the Prospect

Secondary School.

Upon its completion, the Good Hope School is expected to house 1,000

students and will have features similar to those at the recently completed Westminster School.

Shopkeeper busted with ganja stashed in roof

Minister Manickchand engaging Brian Tiwari and Ganesh Sawh during her visit to the school last Tuesday.

A 56-year-old shopkeeper is now in police custody after he was busted with 112 grams of suspected cannabis stashed in the roof of his home located at Fifth Street, Prospect, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The shopkeeper was busted by police ranks between 15:30hrs and 17:00hrs on Tuesday during a raid conducted in the area.

Police had received a tip-off and decided to search his home.

It was during the search that they discovered a black plastic bag containing the suspected cannabis stashed in the roof of his house.

According to police, the man was cautioned, arrested and taken away to the Providence Police Station.

The black plastic bag containing the suspected cannabis found stashed in the shopkeeper’s roof.

Thursday April 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday April 15, 2021

Thursday April 15, 2021

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Kaieteur News

IOC hopes health plans will sway opinion with Games 100 days away (Reuters) - While most Japanese residents remain opposed to t h e To k y o Games going ahead in 100 days’ time, the International Olympic Committee hopes the mood will shift when people realise how much emphasis has been placed on minimizing the risk of COVID19 infections.

John Coates, the IOC’s chief coordinator for Tokyo, also said stories of Japan’s sporting success, such as Hideki Matsuyama’s Masters triumph on Sunday, would boost support for the Games, which were postponed by a year due to the pandemic.

With just over three months to go before the opening ceremony, organisers face a deluge of

challenges with the pandemic affecting decisions on everything from athlete safety to spectator numbers to ticket sales as well as local public support for the Olympics.

A Kyodo News poll this week showed more than 70% of people in Japan want the Tokyo Olympics to be cancelled or delayed.

Tokyo on Monday began a month-long period of quasiemergency measures to blunt a fourth wave of infections and more than 90% of respondents felt anxiety about the resurgence.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said at a ceremony marking 100 days to go on Wednesday that the fight against “an invisible enemy” had been a major ordeal for humanity but that she was

determined to make the event a success.

Coates said in a media conference call that there was still time to get the public to back the Olympics and that overcoming a negative perception of the Games was nothing new for the IOC. “Once these stories start coming out to the public I am very confident public opinion will turn,” Coates said.

“Sydney (2000 Olympics) was not looking too good before but once we got to 100 days it turned.”

Tokyo will be like no other Olympics, however.

Every Games participant will miss the usual celebratory atmosphere across the city and at their competitions, while testing will be extensive.

International spectators

Thursday April 15, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your creativity is at an alltime high, Aries, so take advantage of it. This would be an ideal day to paint or write.

Even though you consider your talents well below amateur status.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) An unethical acquaintance could be spreading unfounded rumors. Don't take anything you hear today at face value. Get all the facts before drawing conclusions.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Your inspiration and creativity are high today, Taurus. If you've been thinking about taking up painting or poetry, this would be an ideal day to get started.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A longtime friend may become something more today.

It could be that there has always been a certain spark between you, but you haven't been able to acknowledge it until now.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) It's bad enough having too many cooks in the kitchen, but when those cooks argue not only about how to cook the meal but also about how to design the kitchen.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may be frustrated today.

An anticipated romantic encounter may be postponed or canceled. There's no reason to consider it a major setback in the relationship.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your self-confidence is at a low point these days, and this is making you especially vulnerable. It's likely that a recent confrontation with a close friend has you worrying.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You could feel a bit low today due to disappointment in someone important to you, Capricorn. It could be that a mentor no longer supports you or perhaps an authority figure has shown his or her true colors.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may feel some frustration over your perceived inability to reach an important milestone in your career.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Sometimes you can be too passive and let others trample all over you. Your lack of ego is admirable, but only up to a point, Virgo.

Why let others take credit for your ideas? There could be a situation where you feel compelled to speak up. of others?

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You're likely changing your mind about something that has been important to you, Aquarius. Perhaps you're questioning your job, career path, or choice of a mate.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Romance is in the air today.

Alas, it seems to rain down on everyone but you. You must have put on your romance-repellent raincoat before leaving the house this morning.

have been banned and the IOC had to shorten its invitation list to only key essential individuals for the Games. Organisers are yet to decide what to do with the domestic audience.

“The athletes will still compete in the very best conditions,” Coates said.

“There will be no foreign spectators or members of their families to support them.

They will be confined to the village and their sporting

venues.

“They will not go downtown to celebrate. That will be missing (from the Olympics),” he said.

Those measures are all part of a detailed plan drawn up by organisers to ensure the Games are not postponed or cancelled and people in Japan should be in no doubt about the emphasis the IOC has placed minimising the risk of infection, Coates said.

With some experts

concerned Tokyo is on the cusp of an “explosive” jump in COVID-19 cases, Coates was asked whether there were any thoughts of cancelling the Games.

“Definitely not. I know Japanese organisers are not considering cancellation,” he said. “We continue to receive the fullest support. All of the plans are in a worst case situation and we hope to influence public opinion through safety measures.”

...Exclusive: Olympics - COVID cuts hit From page 20 during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak was dramatically reduced but has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels.

According to the latest WADA figures, there were 13,918 out-of-competition tests recorded in March, double the 6,868 taken in the same month last year and more than the pre-pandemic 13,139 counted in 2019.

Those numbers are certain to rise with the crush from a backlog of Olympic qualifiers putting further pressure on pre-Games testing.

“The critical period will be now all the way until the Games,” Cohen said. “We just know we have to target the right athletes, the right

...Shahbaz grabs win for Royal From page 21 from Kyle Jamieson down long-on’s throat.

Ahmed turns it around Warner’s dismissal still left the Sunrisers needing 54 off 40 with eight wickets in hand, a fairly straightforward task in most T20 chases. However, the Sunrisers bowled a succession of tight overs that inched the required rate forward, until Kohli brought on Ahmed for the 17th over. Both Pandey and Bairstow thought that was an over they could target to ease up the chase, but Ahmed’s variations in angles and awkward height meant none of the batsmen could quite get a hold of him, and each one ended up skying the ball for easy catches. That one over completely turned things around and the Sunrisers’ brittle middle order cracked under the pressure, as batsmen kept falling even as the required rate kept rising.

Scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 149 for 8 (Maxwell 39, Kohli 33, Holder 3-30, Rashid 2-18) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad 143 for 9 (Warner 54, Pandey 38, Siraj 2-25, Ahmed 3-7, Patel 2-25) by six runs.

sports, the right disciplines and work hand-in-hand with the national anti-doping agencies.

“The resources are limited, the time is limited and the im-

portance of the qualifier is critical.

“We cannot miss there, we have to be very focused and do the testing on the right athletes.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

Thursday April 15, 2021

Heath Streak handed eight-year ban for corruption

E

SPNcricinfo F o r m e r Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak has been banned for eight years after being charged with and admitting to - five breaches of the ICC’s anticorruption code, including accepting a payment in bitcoins from a potential corruptor.

Streak, Zimbabwe’s greatest fast bowler, had been under investigation for an extensive list of games through 2017 and 2018, during his post-playing career as a coach, from his time in international cricket with Zimbabwe from 2016 to 2018 - as well as stints in T20 leagues including the IPL, the BPL and the Afghanistan Premier League (APL).

The charges paint a picture of Streak as a facilitator of approaches by a corruptor to people within teams he was a part of. But they also include one charge of disclosing inside information pertaining to matches during a 2018 triseries involving Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, a Zimbabwe-Afghanistan series in 2018, the 2018 IPL and the 2018 APL. Streak was also charged with facilitating or attempting to introduce four players - including a national captain - to a potential corruptor. The three other charges revolve around his failure to disclose receiving gifts or payment in lieu of this facilitation, the failure to

disclose potentially corrupt approaches in the 2017 BPL, and, in 2018, the PSL, IPL and the APL. Those gifts include accepting two bitcoins - converted eventually into US$35,000 from the potential corruptor identified in the ICC’s investigation as Mr X. At the APL, Streak was also gifted a new iPhone for this wife, both of which he failed to disclose to ICC anticorruption investigators.

Although he is believed to initially have contested the allegations, Streak eventually admitted to the charges and agreed to the sanctions. He is now banned from all cricket activities and would be free to resume his involvement again on March 28, 2029.

“Heath Streak is an experienced former international cricketer and national team coach, who had participated in numerous anti-corruption education sessions and was fully aware of his responsibilities under the Code,” the ICC’s anticorruption head Alex Marshall said in a statement.

“As a former captain and coach, he held a position of trust and owed a duty to uphold the integrity of the game. He breached the Code on several occasions, including facilitating the approach of four other players. At times, he also sought to obstruct and delay our investigation.

“The offences did not affect the outcomes of any relevant matches and Mr

Streak has agreed to assist the ICC anti-corruption education programme for which we are grateful. He has also expressed his remorse and contrition and entered this agreed sanction decision to avoid the need for a full disciplinary process.

The sanction reflects this cooperation.”

S p e a k i n g t o ESPNcricinfo, members of the Zimbabwe cricketplaying community expressed their shock and sadness at the update, with reactions ranging from “I’m blown away” and “I am genuinely shocked”, to “It’s a kick in the teeth for Zimbabwe cricket and the current crop of players - not only that, but now to regain trust is lengthy process.”

David Coltart, the former Zimbabwe sports minister, also expressed his anguish on Twitter, saying “there can be no excuses for this type of behaviour”.

‘Darkest day in Zimbabwe cricket’ Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), meanwhile, welcomed and endorsed the ICC decision, calling it a “very sad and shameful episode that might well go down in history as the darkest day in Zimbabwean cricket”.

“Streak was a powerful figure adored by many and held up as an idol for future generations of cricketers. In doing this, he held a position of trust and owed a duty to uphold the integrity of the game,” a statement, signed

by ZC chairman Tavengwa

Mukuhlani, said. “But, as we and the rest of the world now know, Streak was also a corrupt, greedy and selfish character who regrettably abused his status and position in pursuit of dirty benefits.

“He has let cricket down.

He has let down the teams and players he coached. He has let the nation down. He has let down the fans including impressionable children - who loved and idolised him.

“While we have been left to pick up the pieces from the damage, it is our hope that the punishment meted out on Streak will help to reinforce the measures that the ICC and ZC have been taking to root out any wrongdoing in cricket. The integrity of ZC and the sport itself is of paramount importance and, therefore, the need to maintain high levels of honesty and professionalism at leadership and all levels of the game cannot be overemphasised.”

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s sports and recreation commission has requested the country’s national prosecuting authority to “ascertain whether any of the criminal laws in Zimbabwe, particularly those relating to corruption, have been breached by Heath Streak in order that appropriate action is also taken locally”. Saying that the body has zerotolerance for corruption in sport, the commission has “fully supported and endorsed” the action on the

part of the ICC. The sanctions will come as a shock to many given his status as one of the greatest players Zimbabwe has produced. He was a major figure in the national sides of the mid-to-late 90s, a period in which they enjoyed their greatest successes. He remains the only Zimbabwean bowler with more than 100 Test wickets (he has 216) and the only Zimbabwean with over 200 ODI wickets (237). Streak captained Zimbabwe as well in the 2000s, during a difficult period when a number of players withdrew from the national side and as relations between the board and team hit rock bottom.

He has since remained in cricket as a coach, with stints as bowling coach of Bangladesh and multiple stints with Zimbabwe. He was also bowling coach for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. The charges ?

2.3.2 - disclosing inside information under both the ICC code and various domestic codes, in circumstances where he knew or should have known that such information may be used for betting purposes. In particular, he disclosed inside information in relation to matches in the 2018 tri-series involving Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan series in 2018, the IPL 2018 and the APL 2018. ? 2.3.3 - directly or

indirectly soliciting, inducing, enticing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating any participant to breach the code. In particular, he facilitated or attempted to facilitate the introduction of four different players, including a national captain, to someone he knew, or should have known, may have wanted to approach them to provide inside information for betting purposes. ?

2.4.2 - failing to disclose the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit that the participant knew or should have known was given to them to procure a breach of the code or that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute. ?

2.4.4 - failing to disclose to the ACU full details of any approaches or invitations received to engage in corrupt conduct under the code including in relation to international matches, matches in the 2017 BPL, the 2018 PSL, the 2018 IPL and the 2018 APL. ? 2.4.7 - obstructing or delaying an investigation, including concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and/or that may be evidence of or may lead to the discovery of evidence of corrupt conduct under the ICC Anti-Corruption code.

Exclusive: Olympics - COVID cuts hit anti-doping programme at Tokyo Games (Reuters) - Anti-Doping accreditations for the Tokyo Olympics have been cut due to COVID-19 but the core management team in charge of delivering a drug-free Games will remain intact, the head of the International Testing Agency (ITA) told Reuters.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will also be impacted by a 20% reduction in its International Observer (IO) team from the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“The IOC understood very well you cannot joke around some of the key functions you need at the Games and luckily we were not that affected,” ITA director general Ben Cohen said.

“We had a number of accreditations for experts from different national agencies we wanted to invite to take part in running the program and those failed but for the core ITA team luckily this was maintained.

“We have the team that was decided at the very beginning, more than 25 on site.”

WADA’s presence at the Tokyo Games will also be cut back with the observer team trimmed from 10 to eight and educational programs scrapped.

“We are confident that the IO team will be able to fulfill it important role effectively within what will be unique set of circumstances this year,”

WADA told Reuters in an email.

The Tokyo Olympics will be the first where antidoping is fully managed by an independent agency, the ITA replacing previous setups operated by host organising committees and their national anti-doping agencies supported by the International Olympic Committee.

COVID-19 has presented numerous challenges for the ITA, particularly regarding outof-competition testing at the Games.

Wi t h a t h l e t e s o n l y allowed into the Village five days prior to their events competitors could be spread out across Japan, creating a

logistical headache for doping control officers.

“It is going to be a challenge for us,” Cohen said. “I think the complexity around COVID will be whether we can circulate.

“In a normal Olympics 90% of athletes are in the village so it makes it easier to test them pre-competition.”

NO HOLES Both the ITA and WADA assure there will be no holes in testing during the critical run-up to the Games.

The Tokyo 2020 PreGames Expert Group, headed by the ITA, has performed a risk assessment of athletes likely to compete in Tokyo and has issued around 26,000 testing recommendations to anti-

The Olympic rings are illuminated in front of the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan January 22, 2021. (REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon) doping organisations.

All 33 Olympic sports were included in the review and a report issued more than six months prior to the start of the Games set for July 23.

The comprehensive review and the early issuing of recommendations make this the most extensive preGames anti-doping program

ever implemented, the ITA said.

For the 2016 Rio Olympics the pre-Games anti-doping program started one month before the opening ceremony and was comprised of only 1,500 recommendations for seven at-risk disciplines. Testing (Continued on page 19)

Kaieteur News

Thursday April 15, 2021

PAGE 23

Shahbaz grabs win for Royal Challengers with three-wicket over ESPNcricinfo - They did it again at Chepauk. Only the cast changed, the drama remained the same. The team batting first got a below-par total, in the region of 150.

The team batting second was cruising in their chase, and looked like they would walk it. Cue collapse, mayhem, and a thrilling win pulled from the jaws of defeat. If Mumbai Indians did it to Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday, it was the turn of the Royal Challengers Bangalore to pull a rabbit out of the hat against the Sunrisers Hyderabad yesterday.

The hero of a five-run win was the previously unheralded Shahbaz Ahmed, who might not even have been sure of making the XI given that Devdutt Padikkal was returning and the Royal Challengers had plenty of bowling options already. But Ahmed, with his left-arm darts, turned a game the Sunrisers had in their grasp on its head with a triplewicket over in the 17th, as the Royal Challengers surged back into the contest.

When Ahmed came on to bowl only his second over, the Sunrisers were 115 for 2, with 35 needed off 24. Jonny Bairstow and Manish Pandey, both coming off half-centuries, were at the crease, but Ahmed would go on to get both in the over, and add the wicket of the bighitting Abdul Samad too.

ESPNcricinfo’s Smart Stats told the story of the match turning in that over, as the Sunrisers went from a win probability of 80.83 at the start of the over to 37.49

at the end.

It capped a fantastic day for Ahmed, who was pushed up to No.3 in the batting order and made a useful 14 off 10 too. He didn’t bowl more than those two overs, but ended with figures of 3 for 7. He was not the only great positive for the Royal Challengers, with Glenn Maxwell notching a fine half-century earlier to drag them to 149 for 8, giving the bowlers something to defend. That something turned out to be just enough at the end, as the Sunrisers unraveled to fall short by six runs. With victory, the Royal Challengers also moved to the top of the IPL 2021 table with two wins in two games.

The Rashid Khan effect The Royal Challengers didn’t have too hot a start, which is critical to do against the Sunrisers because the middle overs are manned by Rashid Khan. His four overs were always going to be crucial, and the Royal Challengers needed their big three of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell to take Rashid on and deny him his usual breakthroughs.

Rashid bowled 18 balls to the three combined, gave up only 15 runs and took the wicket of the most dangerous of them all in de Villiers. It was a masterclass in T20 bowling, never offering a hit-me ball and still being threatening enough that batsmen of that quality had to protect their wickets. He ended with 4-018-2 across two spells, having conceded only a solitary four.

Maxwell turns up The last time Maxwell had scored a fifty in the IPL was before Rashid Khan was even part of the IPL, way back in 2016, when he made 68 off 42 against Kolkata Knight Riders. A new franchise, the surety that he’ll be batting at four and a team management that clearly believes in him, have started Maxwell off better in this IPL than he has in years.

He wasn’t fluent to start with, having come in the over before Rashid started bowling, and took a while to get used to the pace of the Chepauk pitch. He was on 9 off 16 at the halfway mark, when he got stuck into Shahbaz Nadeem, looting two sixes and a four in a 22run over, and then kept ticking to tide over the loss of Kohli and de Villiers, before crunching boundaries at the death, with 24 runs biffed off his final 11 balls. He brought up his half-century in the last over, off 38 balls, end ended with 59 off 41. That the Royal Challengers got something to bowl at despite Kohli never taking off in making 33 off 29 and de Villiers out for just 1 off 5, was down to Maxwell.

Warner takes off After a failure in their opening game loss, David Warner was at his blistering best. He didn’t get much of the strike initially, but that didn’t hamper his rhythm, with the boundaries flowing.

In perhaps a tactical error by the Royal Challengers, Warner faced only two balls from Washington Sundar, who was brought on in the

GuyBiz supports Guyana’s Cricket with generous donation of COVID-19 supplies

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he Guyana Cricket Board yesterday received a generous supply of masks and sanitizers from manager of GuyBiz, Ishwar Singh. GuyBiz is a reputable procurement company located in Berbice, but targets customers across the length and breadth of Guyana. Ishwar Singh, himself, is a former Senior Inter-County player and is the brother of Gajanand Singh a former national cricketer.

In brief remarks, the businessman explained that his company was very interested in the safety and welfare of the players, and that given the ongoing situation with the COVID19 pandemic, he thought it

worthwhile to make this contribution to the cricketers.

Secretary of the GCB Ronald Williams expressed gratitude to GuyBiz for the donation of the COVID-19 supplies and noted that this timely initiative would be of great assistance to the safety and welfare of the players.

The Secretary was particularly high in praise to Ishwar Singh for this gesture in giving back to the game.

He pointed out, that the COVID 19 safety measures are now an integral part of the GCB’s planning process and in this regard the contribution by GuyBiz is most welcomed.

Assistant Secretary of the GCB Davteerth Anandjit

also expressed his appreciation to Ishwar Singh and his company. He indicated that such a contribution speaks volumes of the efforts being taken by those in the private sector to assist sporting organizations in carrying out their responsibility of ensuring that sporting activities are conducted within the established COVID-19 guidelines as laid out by the National Task Force. Anandjit remarked that with the recent rise in recorded COVID-19 cases, such a gesture from GuyBiz is praise-worthy, as this will help the GCB to reinforce the importance of the COVID-19 guidelines in the various cricket-related activities.

powerplay alright, but only in the fifth over.

Manish Pandey struggled to pierce the gaps

during a second-wicket stand of 83, during which the Sunrisers were still cruising thanks to Warner’s

hitting at the other end. He looked in prime touch, until he swatted a slower bouncer (Continued on page 19)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Thursday April 15, 2021

Despite apology, Sir Clive Lloyd proceeding with libel suit against Guyana Chronicle Clive Lloyd (R) and his attorney Ralph Thorne.

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portsMax F o r m e r We s t Indies captain Sir Clive Lloyd is taking the Guyana Chronicle to court, his lawyer Ralph Thorne confirmed Tuesday night.

Lloyd claims that the newspaper attributed to him, disparaging comments made about all-rounder Jason Holder, himself now a

former West Indies captain.

However, the man who is also known as the ‘Big Cat’ insists that he did not speak to the reporter employed by the Guyanese media house.

The offending story published on March 13, was headlined ‘Holder has outlived his usefulness in the position, says Lloyd’ over the byline of Rajiv Bisnauth, who has subsequently been suspended.

The newspaper has also apologized for their publication of the story.

However, Thorne revealed on the Mason & Guest talk show in Barbados Tuesday night that they were proceeding with legal action against the newspaper.

“I am representing Sir Clive Lloyd in association with Guyanese counsel and if the Chronicle or anybody at the Chronicle is hearing let them understand that we are pressing ahead with the case on behalf of one of the great West Indians of the last 100 years,” Ralph Thorne.

In response to Thorne’s declaration, Editor at the Guyana Chronicle Tajeram Mahabir told Sportsmax.TV that since the story was published online, they had taken several actions that included reaching out to Sir Clive Lloyd with an apology as well as publishing a retraction and apology on the front page of their online publication.

Mr Mahabir also revealed that the newspaper had also reached out to Lloyd’s attorney with an apology, also indicating that the attorney had requested a settlement.

He was unable to say whether an agreement was reached on any settlement.

H e d i r e c t e d

Sportsmax.TV to General Manager Moshamie Ramotar, who was said to be in a meeting when a call was made to her office.

Meanwhile, Mr Mahbir, who said he was disappointed and appalled by the headline and the story saying that had he seen it before it would not have been published.

The editor, who described Lloyd as an icon, also said that the newspaper has also engaged the reporting staff in libel training.

O n Tu e s d a y n i g h t , Thorne said regional newspapers needed to be more responsible with their reporting.

“This region is what it is because we have some people called cricketers.

This region derives much of its identity and much of its respect in the international community because of cricket, and therefore because of our cricketers you are not going to meet a more distinguished West Indian than Sir Clive Lloyd,” he said.

“And therefore, newspapers must be very careful how they portray our heroes. Sir Clive Lloyd is a We s t I n d i a n h e r o , a n authentic West Indian hero and when a reporter is going to say to the world in an online edition that Sir Clive Lloyd spoke to him and he quoted Sir Clive Lloyd as having said that he disavowed Jason Holder.

That is unkind, not only because Sir Clive Lloyd is a West Indian hero speaking about a West Indian captain but Sir Clive Lloyd never said that.

These men must not be defamed by newspapers simply because they have the power of the pen.”

Kaieteur News

Thursday April 15, 2021

PAGE 25

Master blaster Babar hits 122 Parfaite Harmony Martial Arts as Pakistan defeat South Africa Academy students excel at exams

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Babar Azam plays a pull © AFP/Getty Images

AFP - Babar Azam gave a batting masterclass to lead Pakistan to a nine-wicket win in the third Twenty20 international against South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion yesterday.

Babar hit 122, his first T20 international century, and shared a record Pakistan first wicket partnership of 197 with Mohammad Rizwan (73 not out) as Pakistan chased down a challenging target of 204 with two overs to spare.

Virtually the only flaw in a dazzling batting display by the Pakistan captain was when he was dismissed with only seven runs needed, nudging an attempted ramp shot off Lizaad Williams to South African wicketkeeper and captain Heinrich Klaasen.

Rizwan embraced his captain as he started on his way back to the dressing room while several South African players ran to congratulate him after an innings of almost flawless timing and placement.

He hit 15 fours and four sixes off 59 balls.

Speaking in Urdu at the

post-match presentation, Babar said he was delighted with his performance.

“I stick to my strengths,” said Babar who earlier yesterday had replaced India skipper Virat Kohli as the world’s top-ranked one-day international batsman.

Babar gave credit to Rizwan, who for the second time in the series remained unbeaten in a successful run chase.

He pointed out that Rizwan was fasting during Ramadan but nevertheless was involved throughout the match both as wicketkeeper and batsman.

It was the ideal riposte by Pakistan, who took a 2-1 lead in the four-match series after being well-beaten in the second match in Johannesburg.

Babar and Rizwan shared the fourth-highest partnership in all T20 internationals, while Babar made the highest individual score by a Pakistan batsman, beating 111 not out by Ahmed Shehzad against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2014.

Babar’s previous highest

Mohammad Rizwan targets the midwicket boundary © AFP/ Getty Images

score was 97 not out against the West Indies in Karachi in 2018.

It was Pakistan’s highest successful run chase, eclipsing the 189 for six they made against the same opponents in Johannesburg four days ago.

It continued a run of outstanding form by Babar in Centurion after he hit 103 and 94 in two one-day internationals earlier in the tour.

The final T20 international will be played at the same ground tomorrow.

“They batted really well, they made a lot of good balls look bad,” said Klaasen.

The skipper admitted South Africa had failed to capitalise on a hard-hitting opening stand of 108 between Aiden Markram (63) and Janneman Malan (55).

By contrast, Babar praised his bowlers for coming back strongly after being punished by the South African openers.

South Africa finished with 203 for five but it was not enough on a ground with a reputation for high scoring.

“We maybe lost a bit of momentum at the end,” said Klaasen.

“We tried a lot of things but our display in the field was poor.”

Two misfields in the second over enabled Pakistan to get off to a quick start, while Rizwan survived a straightforward catching chance to backward point off Beuran Hendricks when he had 51.

Scores: Pakistan 205 for 1 (Azam 122, Rizwan 73*) beat South Africa 203 for 5 (Markram 63, Malan 55, Nawaz 2-38) by nine wickets.

he Guyana International Kyokushinkai Martial Arts Academy (GIKMAA) has just concluded its first exams of this year, 2021.

On the 29 of March, eight (8) out of twelve (12) students of the Parfait Harmony Martial Arts Academy (PHMAA) branch of GIKMAA took part in a karate exam under panel of three judges headed by Shihan A. Nazim Yassim, moving from one level to the next.

The full results of the exam were as follows: From 10th Kyu To 9th Kyu Yellow Stripe - Ameera Ganesh (seven years old) From 10th Kyu To 8th Kyu Yellow Belt (Skipping the 9th kyu level) - Marcus Jaikissoon, Ashley M. John, Nishan Ganesh, Bibi A. Fazeela, Inshan Ganesh and Analee K. John.

Aneia A. John moved from white belt to 7th kyu Orange belt with 96.5% success in the exam.

Fourth Dan black belt, Sensei Marcell Lynda Yassim of the Parfait

The eight students along with their Sensei Marcell L. Yassim (left) and Shihan Nazim Yassim (right).

Harmony Dojo was very pleased with the ability of her students, saying that the students have worked very hard to get to this point where they have successfully moved from one level to the next.

She made special mention of students such as seven year-old Ameera Ganesh, 33 year-old Bibi Ameena Fazeela and 14 year-old Aneia A. John.

The other examiners were 3rd Dan black belt, Sensei Tadious Edun and 4th Dan black belt Sensei Marcell L. Yassim.

Shihan Nazim is very happy with the progress of these students and their

discipline; and looks forward to their continued progress at this next level as he turns his attention to his top fighters Tadious Edun and Umisha Parasram.

These two fighters are currently preparing for the African Federation and Arab B o x i n g W o r l d Championship in Russia that was rescheduled for from April 21 to July 27 to August 10th, 2021.

Anyone who would like to join the Guyana Int’l Kyokushinkai Martial Arts Academy, can make contact with Shihan Nazim Yassim on telephone # 592-6627211, or visit their facebook page: kyokushin Guyana.

Bank of Baroda Golf tourney set for Saturday

Anasha Ali of LGC accepts the cheque from Arun Kumar Gupta in the presence of the members of the club and sponsors.

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he Lusignan Golf C l u b h a s partnered with the Bank of Baroda for the staging of its medal play tournament which is set for Saturday.

Some 50 golfers are expected to participate in the competition for which prizes will be given to the top four best net golfers.

Speaking at the launching ceremony at the

Bank’s office at 10 Avenue of the Republic and Regent Street, President of the LGC Patanjalee “Pur” Persaud expressed gratitude to the sponsors and said a keen competition is expected. He added that the tournament is open to the general public.

The Bank’s managing director Arun Kumar Gupta said they are very much excited to partner with the LGC for this tournament and

is looking forward to a successful event.

LGC Vice President Paton George gave an overview of the competition and said the golfers are very excited. Medal play or stroke play will see an individual golfer recording each of his shots in an attempt to finish the round using the lowest number of strokes. Tee off time is 12:00hrs. (Zaheer Mohamed)