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EPA clears way for Exxon contractor to expand operations

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Govt.’s plans for energy can cost in excess of US$2B p.

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Two captured Sleeping man after shootout awakes to fire with police at his doorstep Five Parliament staffers test positive for COVID-19 p.

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- All committee meetings discontinued until further notice

Cuban Communist Guyana sees large turnout p. p.

Party leader, Raúl 18 of young people for 12 Castro steps down COVID-19 immunisation

Govt. goes after ExxonMobil agreements to determine liability Fourth gas compressor malfunction…

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VP Jagdeo sings different tune for different projects.

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Saturday April 17, 2021

EPA clears way for ExxonMobil contractor to expand operations A

n ExxonMobil contractor supporting the Stabroek Block operations has been given the green light to expand its Guyana footprint.

Houston-based Schlumberger has since filed for and received the necessary approvals from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a Source Storage and Calibration facility which will prepare down-hole tools that are used during well drilling, completion, and interventions.

The new infrastructure would be installed at Schlumberger's 33,000 m2 offshore services base at East Bank Demerara (EBD) and includes a liquid mud plant, dry bulk area, and workshop.

According to the documents submitted to the EPA, construction would take around four months to be completed.

Schlumberger has since allocated US$750,000 to the

project while the EPA has determined that it would not significantly impact the environment. As such, it does not require an Environmental Impact Assessment but appeals may be filed.

The proposed project is located at the old Gafoor's H o u s t o n Wa r e h o u s i n g property and currently serves as Schlumberger's Offshore Services Base.

According to the American conglomerate, the Source Storage and Calibration building is expected to be built while other construction and operational activities will continue.

Schlumberger in its proposal to the EPA outlined that its temporary facilities will be housed east of the existing shore-base.

The company said too that when completed, the facility will also be used to house its well intervention activities in order to optimise the production and maintenance of continuous

flow from the reservoir.

It was noted too that the facility will be used too for the storage and installation of radioactive sources into down-hole tools prior mobilisation offshore.

I m p o r t a n t l y, Schlumberger in its brief to the EPA noted that the facility does not require the use of any process related chemicals.

As it relates to general domestic waste, which has to be discarded from the facility, Schlumberger said this is expected to be some 3.5 metric tonnes annually.

Industrial waste, according to Schlumberger, is expected to be some 1.5 metric tonnes annually and while this is expected to consist of mainly oil rags and other cleaning gear, it will be treated as hazardous waste.

A c c o r d i n g t o Schlumberger, general waste will go to the Guyana landfill. It was noted too that industrial waste will be sent to Tiger Rentals Guyana.

The layout of the surrounding properties

Kaieteur News

Saturday April 17, 2021

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GLDA's Veterinary Services Lab receives GNBS certification

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he Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) today received its official certification from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), bringing it one step closer to offering quality testing and results for the livestock industry.

During a simple ceremony earlier this week at GLDA's Mon Repos facility, A g r i c u l t u r e M i n i s t e r, Zulfikar Mustapha said the services offered by the GLDA

remain paramount to Guyana's development as it relates to the livestock sector.

Minister Mustapha said, “…This laboratory started at the Ministry's head office as a sample processing unit and later transitioned into an auxiliary unit of the GLDA, through the acquisition of an I n t e r- A m e r i c a n Development Bank (IDB) loan. This enabled GLDA to construct a new laboratory equipped to improve the quality of services offered to the livestock industry.”

He further noted that government is keen on making the necessary investments to ensure Guyana remains food secure while noting that agencies like the GLDA will have to play a very important role in this process.

He said, “This is why facilities like the Veterinary Services Laboratory are critical for us to advance the sector. Now that we are receiving this certification, the laboratory will be recognised in the country and,

Minister Parag urges Guyanese to take advantage of 20,000 scholarships initiative

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inister of Public Service, Sonia Parag is encouraging Guyanese to take advantage of the 20,000 scholarships being offered through the Ministry of Public Service.

Minister Parag, who was at the time speaking on NCN's Guyana Today programme on Tuesday, said this is a “oncein-a-lifetime” opportunity simply because of the attractiveness of the scholarship package.

“This initiative is to give all Guyanese an equal opportunity, so we're looking at a regional equitable spread; we're looking at people who are financially unable to sustain themselves and therefore will be given the opportunity where the government will be funding this for them.”

Minister Parag indicated that the 20,000 scholarships will not just give Guyanese an education, but that it will help develop the country's human resource capacity. This, she said, is in keeping with the need for a modern society while adding that the Public Service Ministry and the Ministry of Education are

Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag integral to the process.

The Education Ministry will manage the academic and technical aspect of the programme and work along with the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), which is the scholarship secretariat.

“The Ministry of Education will not touch the awarding of scholarships because it does not come under its mandate. The Ministry of Public Service can do that and has the mandate to do that. So, we will be looking at the people who will be eligible for the five universities, and then

CORRECTION

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n T h u r s d a y, Kaieteur News carried an article with the headline, “Nandlall, Jagdeo contradict each other on gas-to-shore studies…one says to be done, the other says it's a 'no brainer' if you see the figures.”

Following a clarification from the Attorney General

(AG), Anil Nandlall on the matter, this publication found that there was indeed no contradiction in the statements made by the AG and Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

Kaieteur News apologises for any inadvertent impressions that resulted from the said article.

deciding, in a transparent manner, who will be the recipients of those awards…

No region will be left out. No community will be left out,” Minister Parag stated.

Avenues will be made available for individuals in the hinterland regions to apply for the scholarships. The Minister said teams from the Public Service and Education Ministries will be conducting outreaches in the interior regions in the coming week.

She added that eligible participants will be able to register during those outreaches.

This initiative is in keeping with the commitment made by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C in its manifesto to grant 20,000 online scholarships over the next five years.

Guyanese can apply to pursue any of the over 80 programmes being offered through GOAL from five internationally-acclaimed universities. These are the University of the West Indies Open Campus (UWI), the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC), the University of Applied Sciences (IUBH), the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and the JAIN “Deemed To Be” University.

Furthermore, programmes will be offered from the Certificate level up to the PhD level. Application forms are now available on the Ministry of Education's website at www.education.gov.gy. The GOAL website will be launched this week to facilitate the submission of digital applications by interested persons.

hopefully, in the near future, across the Caribbean,” The subject Minister also disclosed that, for GLDA's 2021 Capital Programme, almost $66 million will be expended to expand the sector. He added that facilities of this nature will be developed and enhanced over time, in keeping with government's overall development agenda which involves promoting food security in the Caribbean.

Also speaking at the simple ceremony was GLDA's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Grayson Halley who was keen to point out that the laboratory will aid with gearing farmers and

Minister Zulfikar Mustapha receives a certification plaque from Minister of Tourism, Oneidge Walrond producers for the export of livestock and livestock commodities.

The CEO also said that local large-scale livestock farms have already made requests to carry out sampling at the facility. In this regard, he said that GLDA is now working to put systems in place to have those tests carried out immediately.

With Guyana battling the

dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, GLDA's laboratory has also demonstrated its capability to support national development programmes that are considered external to its mandate. The laboratory was able to make its Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine available to assist with testing for the Coronavirus.

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Saturday April 17, 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

Shut it down!

We shout out our position at this publication before all Guyana and the world: SHUT THIS FAULTY EXXON GAS COMPRESSOR DOWN. SHUT IT DOWN NOW UNTIL IT CAN BE FULLY AND CERTIFIABLY FIXED AND PERFORMING COMPLETELY SATISFACTORILY. We cannot be clearer than that, and we cannot be more concerned and angrier about this state of affairs at the wellhead.

We need the oil production for the related stream of revenue monies. We could use those revenue streams from our oil treasure to do so many good things for the citizens of this country. But that is possible, only if our leaders in government put them to the best possible use through honest management of the cash flows from this natural resource.

However, Guyana does not need the uncertainty of a FIFTH failure of this troubled gas compressor. It has not been once or twice, but all of FOUR malfunctions to date; and this piece of equipment just came back from lengthy repairs in Germany. Some of this was what was covered in our article titled, “Exxon’s malfunctioning gas compressor an unacceptable danger to Guyana, the Caribbean - Int’l lawyer” (KN April 15). It is a clear present and continuing danger to which our leaders in the PPP government seem unconscious of and unconcerned about, given the sloth of any sharp, condemning, and determined reactions.

Those reactions should be: ‘Enough is enough. This thing is not working.’ And ‘we don’t want to hear about repairs and fixes.’ And, ‘it is better that we shut down now and wait for the new gas compressor, which was promised for the end of this year, than to continue with this malfunctioning piece of equipment and be sorry, very sorry.’

Our final position is: GET THIS THING OUT OF HERE BECAUSE IT WOULD IMPACT NEGATIVELY NOT JUST GUYANA, BUT A LONG AND BROAD TRACK OF THE CARIBBEAN. Instead of such unmistakable and unswerving leadership agitations and objections from the PPP/C Government’s oil czar, Vice President, Dr. Bharat Jagdeo, what we have had is the near silence of an occasional pathetic whimper. It is a crying shame that we have failed to send the strongest and most ferocious messages to the head honchos at Exxon from Country Manager, Alistair Routledge, all the way to CEO Darren Woods, and then over his head to his Board of Directors and shareholders.

The latter would be with direct aim taken at his climate conscious big shareholding investors. The message has to be: this compressor is not working, and there is the great risk and still greater probability that it could blow up in Guyana’s face and wipeout any prospects that we had in our oil discoveries.

As always, Exxon would pick up its pieces and pack its bags, and leave us holding the baggage of liabilities for any environmental disasters. We would be stuck here, and we could be looking, not at a mountain of money to come our way, but at a mountain of debt hanging over our heads, and draining our expectations and spirits. It is why we have pressed, time and again, for full coverage insurance from the parent companies to protect us in the event of an oil spill, and only God knows what follows from such a catastrophe.

It is not the remote possibility of an imaginary catastrophe, since this is real and could be nearer than we think or could anticipate.

We have no desire to be prophets of doom, for that is not our role. Rather, it is to be about the prudence of commonsense, by exercising what is soaked through and through, in what is protective to our interests and that of future generations; what is founded on genuine concern for the welfare of our CARICOM brothers and neighbours; and what can only come about through the manifestation of wise leadership discretions. The problem is that, to this point, those have been noticeably lacking, largely not forthcoming.

Let us put this another way: when we consider what has already happened, through the repeated failures (four to this point), do we really want to be presented with and presiding over a possible FOURTH malfunction? Where is President Irfaan Ali? Where is CARICOM when its membership is so menaced? Where is CARICOM when the monoculture nations (tourism) under its umbrella could be laid to waste, through a devastating Guyanese oil spill? That is where,

Local content occurring beyond the border DEAR EDITOR, Trinidad is snapping up prized oil business like a bear catching salmon in spawning season. Our CARICOM neighbour stands at the right place, with the assets in hand, and haul in the succulent fare that falls right in their grasp.

Hopeful Guyanese waiting downstream are losing out.

There is no starting from scratch in Trinidad and the associated costly money outlays. It already has the full infrastructure required because of its own decadeslong oil history. Because of that, its nationals feast on both cake and icing: due to the full works being already in place, and the country’s nearness to us, Trinidad can charge far less than we would (or could) and still make it profitable for itself, and more profitable for the likes of Exxon and others doing frontline

business in Guyana’s oil sector. As a crude point of reference, say our charge for a service is $5 per unit; Trinidad could make money by offering the same at $2 each. That is a compelling reason why the real investment dollars, the valuable relationships, and flourishing business developments are happening in Trinidad; it can’t be beat as a favoured destination for oil business. It is sweetness of crude from our oil for Trinidadians and very sour for us, with thoughts of local content benefits looming large in the heads of many here. To be sure, a few bluechip corporate entities here would get the opportunity to be part of joint ventures and consortia and the like. They could get something for building a storage bond for incoming inventory or some

warehouse for downstream hazardous materials. Some old established names own (or lease) waterfront plots, which positions them well to capitalise sweetly. But the big-ticket business is being snared by Trinidad. And currently, there is not much we can manage to offer to counter the advantage of foreign companies engaging Trinidadian enterprises for our oil business.

Another thing: the Demerara River needs to be dredged to accommodate ocean going vessels. Fifteenmeter depths are required.

Today, we are at around 7.5 meters, which is not going to cut it. Dredging may attract some interest, even some foreign benevolence for their own benefit, if the costs are not too prohibitive; but nobody wants to take ownership of ongoing

maintenance of waters and ports in the capital city. It is big one dollar-wise, one that drums up lukewarm interest at best. Everybody at or away from the table knows that something must be done with dredging and maintaining, but nobody is raising hand, stepping forward. Thus, it floats.

As I see matters, Local Content is a dead horse relative to the prospects of ordinary Guyanese workers.

The unskilled will have to be content with labourer toil; the semi-skilled and skilled will get by with some trickledown handouts. But only if all of them embrace a different work ethic: energy and drive, interest and initiative, consistency and adaptability.

That is not what is at work today.

Everywhere I turn, we lose.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Banned goods made funeral rites difficult DEAR EDITOR, As I have been performing rituals for the soul of my deceased mother, I reflect to the period of banned goods that were required for Hindu funerals and rites of other religions. The banning of basic goods and religious items was an act of cultural and religious genocide. Up till now, those, including some Hindu leaders and pandits and Mulvis, associated with Burnham, are yet to condemn Burnhamism and his crude attempt at de-culturalisation of large segments of the population.

The Hindu faith (from religious book as handed down

by God) outlines specific acts and rituals that must be performed from the time of death thru 13 days after funeral (or cremation) and again just before the conclusion of one year from death. There are also specific rituals during the wake and the viewing. I am very familiar with the practice as well as the items required for the preparation of

the dead for burial or cremation, the funeral rites, and the pujas to be performed over the next year or even beyond that time period.

I worked as a youngster assisting my aunt in her supermarket in Ankerville and I was tasked with preparing the items for all kinds of religious services (Hindu, Muslim, Christian) particularly for Hindu funerals and the ‘dead wuk.’

These rituals include oblations with specific items – most of which are not produced in Guyana but were historically imported (mostly from India but elsewhere also). Burnham banned these goods or prohibited their importation.

Some of these items include: Black till (sesame seeds), ghee (produced in Guyana but not even close to meeting demand), ganga pani, agarbati, hing, mustard oil, camphor, gugul, samagri, ksturi, kesar, channa, barley, dhal, wheat flour, ground rice (available in Guyana), cloves, chandan, katcha suit (sacred thread), sindur or kumkum, atar, haldi or hardee (dye), supari

there is a public concern and pressuring CARICOM with what is going on here in Guyana will urge them to act. One needs to take into consideration that when the pristine beaches and natural marine wonders and beauties of its member countries could be seriously jeopardised and citizens’ livelihood is endangered, then that is a great need of concern and requires urgent attention.

We shouldn’t have to, but why do we have to go to these lengths to enlighten Guyana and CARICOM countries and the world as to the high risks with what is going on here? We are not crying wolf or shouting fire in the crowded cinema, when there is neither present. We are not that reckless or that irresponsible or so unpatriotic. It is because of the very fact that we are so Guyana-centric that we raise these legitimate alarms, because of not receiving any reassuring signals or sounds from either President Ali or his oil czar, Vice President Jagdeo. We will not be deterred, and we will never be cowed. We will continue to sound the alarm at every opportunity until something gives. That alarm is, wait for a new compressor and shut this thing down, right now! It is better to be poor now with some oil promise in the future than to gamble with the fates and condemn the hopeful people of this country to many lifetimes of nothing.

(grown in Guyana), milk (available in Guyana), katahar or koa leaves and kush grass and varied other leaves (paan, neem, mango, tulsi, etc.), flowers, that are available in Guyana, and a host of other items like bamboo, piece of iron, pieces of silver and or gold, cutlass, white cotton, etc.

For the puja on the 9th or 10th day and the 12th or 13th day and the one year commemoration, other items are required including alou or potatoes, onion, garlic, and all the spices and ingredients, including elichi (cardamom), that are used for preparation of a traditional meal.

The scripture does not state that preserved raisins or cherries and condensed and evaporated milk are required for the rituals; but it has been a tradition to use these items in cuisine preparation. In Trinidad, India, Suriname, Fiji, Mauritius, Singapore, and Malaysia, and other countries, there are offerings of apples, grapes, almonds, walnut, prunes, dates or cajoor to the almighty for the soul of the deceased.

When these items were

banned or prohibited from being imported between 1970 and 1989 by the dictator Forbes Burnham and his cronies, it was a major challenge to prepare the Hindu dead for final rites and to perform rituals for their souls as prescribed in the scriptures. These items were smuggled into the country from across the Suriname border. Guyanese visiting from abroad also smuggled the banned goods at great risk of fines and imprisonment. In private, Hindu officials who were associated with Burnham told me they appealed to him not to ban the above items but their pleas fell on deaf ears.

They should have disassociated themselves from Burnham. It is not too late to publicly pen or condemn Burnham’s policy of banning goods that were so crucial for religious rituals and practices. It was an act of cultural and religious genocide.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

An impressive Minister DEAR EDITOR, From the time she took office, Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security has impressed and has been impressive.

Her congenial and affable manner, down -to-earth attitude and thinking on her feet and hands on approach has seen many programmes and projects rolled out to better the lives and well-being of the vulnerable and elderly.

The recent initiatives for pensioners to cash their vouchers at money transfer agents and the option to have

their old age pension deposited into their bank accounts are testimonies of someone who is in tuned with the needs of this group of persons and walk the talk.

Minister Persaud had proven her worth to the portfolio she is assigned and it seems she was waiting in the wings to serve and be of service to the people.

Continue with the good work Minister Persaud. You have my vote as Minister for the eight months, since the administration took office.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

Saturday April 17, 2021

Launching of “LITTLE GURU” - A Sanskrit learning App DEAR EDITOR, H.E. Dr. K. J. Srinivasa, High Commissioner of India to Guyana yesterday formally launched ’LITTLE GURU’, a specialised app for learning Sanskrit, in Guyana, Antigua & Barbuda, St Kitts & Nevis a n d Anguilla virtually through the Google meet video link/ U R L : h t t p s : / / meet.google.com/oap-kftnkrz. This App has been launched in India by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) on 9 April 2021 to commemorate the 71st ICCR Foundation Day. Mr. Ravi Dev, Media Consultant, Times Media Group and HSS (Guyana) Sanghachalak and Mr. Vikas Ramkissoon, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture also joined the High Commissioner online during the launch. The dignitaries in their speeches emphasised the greatness of Sanskrit language and suggested that all those

interested in learning the language to take benefit of the app. They emphasised that Sanskrit language is the best pathway to Indian culture and encouraged youngsters to learn the language using the App for their better understanding and immersion into the Indian culture.

Sanskrit, the oldest language, continues to be a living language, being used daily in religious activities as well as by scholars in accessing literary texts for research work, etc. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is promoting Sanskrit across the world by providing books and material to Sanskrit institutes.

ICCR also deputes teachers and professors to universities and institutes for teaching Sanskrit. Over the past few years, ICCR has been receiving a large number of requests from across the world both from the Indian diaspora as well as foreigners interested in Sanskrit. Many

of the Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and other religious texts are in Sanskrit and there has been a great demand from such countries for assistance in learning the language. Within the diaspora community the desire to stay connected with their roots as well as to access the rich literary epics and texts of India has attracted a huge demand for Sanskrit. A number of Sanskrit universities across the world have also been keen on an App which would help not only the students who are currently studying in these universities but also to act as a feeder for young scholars to learn Sanskrit before joining universities.

Little Guru is a gamified app based on an interactive platform which will make Sanskrit learning easy, entertaining and fun. This app will help people who are already learning Sanskrit or those who are desirous to learn Sanskrit to do so in an (Continued on page 6)

Opposition Leader must stop the political grandstanding DEAR EDITOR, Guyana’s Opposition Leader, Mr. Joseph Harmon, is still contending that Mr. Irfaan Ali is not the legitimate President of Guyana and will not recognise his status as Head of State.

In my view, such a display of political grandstanding by the Opposition Leader is a case of “dolly house affair.”

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Kaieteur News

Of note, the most honourable course for Mr. Joseph Harmon, if he continues to disregard Mr. Irfaan Ali as President of Guyana, is to resign forthwith as Opposition Leader and give way…in order for good sense and goodwill to prevail. Since M r. J o s e p h H a r m o n ’s p o s i t i o n , a s O p position

Leader, would equally be considered as illegitimate and null and avoid as well.

Sincerely Yours, Paul Ramrattan

Swami justified in exposing inequity on Religious Vaccination Sites DEAR EDITOR, Swami Aksharnand has justifiable reason(s) to question the selection and u s e o f t h e We s t C o a s t Masjid (April 7) as a site for COVID vaccinations if equitable consideration was not given to sites of other religions or religious organisations. Based on Swami’s original complaint and his follow up riposte (April 11) to Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, all religious groups were not treated equitably in the selection of sites to inoculate the public against the pandemic. Preference seems to have been given to one religious group over the other.

Swami stated that on the day that an advertisement appeared in the media for applications for locations to inoculate the public, the SVN, a Hindu centre and school to which he is the principal and guru, volunteered its facility as a vaccination site. His organisation was told that health centres would be used and not religious sites. Lo and behold, an Islamic site was chosen.

It is not known why the Masjid was selected and SVN was not; both have almost the same space and facilities.

The two are some distance away with thousands living

in between; both sites could have been used on different dates.

It is not known whether consideration was given to any other Hindu organisations or mandirs or Christian facilities aside from the Masjid. Swami has asked for a list of (religious) locations used to vaccinate the public (Letter of April 11).

So far, none has been provided, suggesting the government has something to hide.

One Halim Khan, the imam of the Masjid embroiled in the controversy, penned that the Swami should approach the Ministry of Health offering his site for vaccination rather than complain over the selection of his Masjid. Well, the S w a m i ’s o rg a n i s a t i o n , SVN, did volunteer its site, probably even before the

M a s j i d ’s , b u t w a s n o t s e l e c t e d . Wo u l d I m a m Khan now chastise the government for not selecting SVN as a site for vaccination?

Every religion and religious organisation must be treated with equity in accessing resources from the government. None should be given preference over the other or excluded at the expense of the other. We still await the list of religious sites used for vaccination.

Would government come clean on the request? Or will there be a cover up?

Yours truly, Hema Lokenauth

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...Launching of “LITTLE From page 5 easy manner based on games, competition, rewards, peer to peer interactions, etc. This unique App combines education with entertainment thereby helping keep attention of the learner as well as encourage him/her to advance further. ICCR is confident that the launch of this App ‘Little Guru’ will go a long way in popularizing Sanskrit. This App would help create awareness not only about language but also open the doors for people to access the rich cultural

Saturday April 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

heritage of India. The developers of the app has provided the High Commission with ‘special promotional code’ for the people of Guyana for subscription at concessional prices to unlock the higher levels and learn advance techniques. For more details, interested persons can contact the High Commission at edu.georgetown@mea.gov.in and/ or telephone +592-226 3996 & 2268965.

High Commission of India, Georgetown

Guyanese will benefit from a host of advantages from these scholarships DEAR EDITOR, When we examine how the pandemic has changed our country, one of the things that stand out is the fact that our education systems have become more technologically inclined. While this may be out of the ordinary, especially for students in Guyana, it forces us all to embrace technology in this modern epoch. That definitely is not a bad thing. At the same time, COVID-19 has resulted in many individuals including our young people being out of jobs. The question we must ask ourselves as a society is what we are doing to keep our young people meaningfully engaged and motivated. I believe that the PPP/C Government thought along these lines even as they were campaigning for the 2020 local and regional elections. The reason why I hold such a view is that amidst the pandemic, they have managed to swiftly

provide Guyanese with access to thousands of scholarships from countless universities around the world.

The best part about this is that the scholarships are being offered online.

At the start of the pandemic, I wondered about the severity of the effects on the education system in Guyana. Being an educator for over 15 years, I recognised that certain systems were rigid in terms of education delivery.

However, I was hopeful that in some way, changes could be made. I casually examined the manifestos of the contesting parties at the 2020 elections and not surprisingly, I saw a clearly defined commitment to improving the education system in Guyana. This was in the PPP/C’s manifesto. The Government committed to providing 20,000 scholarships to Guyanese within their first term in office

upon their re-election. His Excellency President Irfaan Ali also committed to building a knowledge-based society, while diversifying and building Guyana’s economy into a more resilient, multidimensional one. The fact that the Government has already managed to provide Guyanese with access to thousands of scholarships in a matter of months since they took office is an indication of their efforts to fulfill their commitment as outlined in their manifesto. Such efforts must be applauded.

In addition, it is no doubt that the way in which the Government is going about with the scholarship programme is the right one. I examined the list of scholarships that were published and I was very happy to see transparency in the way they were presented.

This is commendable on the part of the Ministry of Public

Service as interested persons can clearly see the prerequisites for each area of study without being confused on their eligibility.

The previous administration did not approach their scholarship initiative in this regard. In fact, there was minimal public knowledge on scholarships being offered to Guyanese as far as I am aware. However, I am glad to see that we are on the right track and that the PPP/C Government is showing steadfast commitment towards improving the education system in Guyana even amidst the pandemic.

Guyanese will no doubt benefit from a host of advantages from these scholarships and it only reiterates the President’s position of empowering Guyanese to benefit fully from the country’s development.

Respectfully, Pastor Darion Comacho

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Saturday April 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

The PPP/C Government says the gas-to-shore project is good for Guyana, that the pros outweigh the cons. If so, let them show us the evidence.

Show the people the financial studies you did which prove that this project is sound. Prove that you are not leading Guyanese into another debt trap.

Show the people that this will not be another white elephant like the US$200M Skeldon factory.

Stop treating Guyanese like fools and earn their trust for their megaproject.

PAGE 07

Saturday April 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Guyana complains to UN over access to COVID vaccines at affordable costs G

u y a n a o n Thursday lodged a complaint with the United Nations (UN) over the hurdles being faced by developing countries—itself included—in accessing COVID-19 vaccines at an affordable cost.

This was in addition to calling out the developed community for failing to provide a committed US$100 billion for climate finance by 2020.

The admonishment was adumbrated by Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President, Dr. Ashni Singh. Dr. Singh has since

lamented the hurdles being faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in accessing concessional financing to meet their development needs, especially in light of the targets set by the developed countries.

To this end, Dr. Singh was adamant that “this must be remedied urgently,” and that “we must explore innovative financing methods which would require the strong support of development banks at all levels.”

He was at the time addressing the 2021 United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Forum on Financing for

Development which was held online yesterday.

The purpose of the forum, according to the Finance Minister, was to encourage a high-level political engagement to advance priority actions that will set the world on track for recovery and beyond.

The forum also served to allow for the promotion and sharing of concrete national, regional and global experiences and initiatives on financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a rapidly evolving context.

To this end, Dr. Singh used the occasion to underscore the challenges

Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President, Dr. Ashni Singh that have since been presented by the novel coronavirus pandemic, in meeting these objectives.

According to Dr. Singh, while the global community has entered the last decade before the expected delivery of the SDGs, it is also a uniquely challenging time in human history since, “COVID-19 has wreaked more havoc worldwide than any other public health issue i n l i v i n g m e m o r y, exacerbating pre-existing

systemic challenges in the global economy.”

As a result, Dr. Singh said that the unavoidable consequence has been widespread economic contraction and sharp reversal of previous hardwon development gains.

This, he observed, led to vulnerable countries, including SIDS and lowlying coastal states such as Guyana—still grappling with pre-existing challenges—now having to also confront the “harsh and lasting socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic.”

CONCESSIONAL FINANCING

“I reiterate the heightened urgency with which the official development assistance targets set by developed countries now need to be met. I also repeat the call for the use of a vulnerability index to supplement the criteria for determining access to concessional financing,” said Dr. Singh.

He reiterated that while the immediate and most urgent challenge is stemming the pandemic, Guyana is also extremely concerned that

developing countries are encountering hurdles in accessing adequate supplies of vaccines at affordable prices and on fair terms.

“Achieving herd immunity in our population is absolutely critical to our economic recovery; I emphasise the need to ensure affordable and adequate access to vaccines, particularly for the most vulnerable States,” Dr. Singh pointed out.

The Senior Finance Minister told the gathering that in Guyana's case, the country has spent heavily on its response to the pandemic, “as total expenditure increased by 15.2 percent in 2020 and the Central Government fiscal deficit expanded to 9.4 percent of GDP in 2020 compared to 2.8 percent in 2019.”

He said too, more resources are now required to coordinate health responses, ensure equitable access to healthcare.

Dr. Singh in his remarks sought to underscore that even as the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic are confronted, “the urgency of the climate crisis must 'remain foremost on our minds.”

Govt. fails in bid to remove Patterson as PAC Chair

T

he People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has failed in its bid to remove Alliance for Change (AFC) General Secretary, David Patterson, as Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly.

The decision was relayed on Thursday by Patterson during a virtual press briefing held by the AFC. According to Patterson, when the Committee resumed its meeting this week and having received the legal advice—which was widely circulated and solicited by the Clerk of the N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y, Sherlock Isaacs—it was found that it went beyond the scope of what was requested.

As such, the report was discarded altogether.

According to Patterson, the lawyer—Kevon Best—was asked to simply respond to the question of a Standing Order being able to

PAC Chairman, David Patterson override another.

The Standing Orders are the rules under which the business of the Standing Committees of the National Assembly is conducted.

Patterson said, since the advice went beyond the scope of what was requested, the Committee could not adopt the report from the lawyer and, “so therefore,

there was no way forward.”

According to Patterson, “…at the end, obviously, the report was struck out; there was no way forward.”

This, he said, led to the next item on the agenda for the PAC meeting being the No Confidence Motion to remove him as Chairman.

The AFC General Secretary indicated that, “obviously having no way forward, the motion was not allowed.”

He explained that “if the motion was allowed and we started discussing it, we would end up actually where we were on three previous occasions. Therefore, what was done, we moved on, it was disapproved and we moved on.”

The AFC General Secretary did indicate that in moving forward with the PAC Agenda, “we had full participation, participation from both the opposition as well as the government side (continued on page 17)

Kaieteur News

Saturday April 17, 2021

PAGE 09

JOHNNY WALKING AND THE GOOSE FLYING

I

t happens with every government in Guyana. There are always within the ruling administration, certain persons who have a special talent for bumming and sponging.

Somehow these individuals believe that because they are big ones within the government they have a licence to call up their familiar targets and beg for things, invite themselves to parties, and sponge off you when you are dining or entertaining your friends.

If these spongers and bums used to put their hands in their pockets and help pay part of the bill, their demands would have been more acceptable. But these guys

Dem

boys seh...

D

em boys see de video with de CAN'T YOU rank wah assault de Lethem man with a high-powered rifle. CAN'T YOU seh is a case of ranks needing more training fuh deal with agitation.

Dem boys want tell CAN”T YOU dat de problem is not agitation. Is share ignorance and no amount of training gan cure dat.

Dat come from upbringing. De problem start in de home and if it can't fix deh, it nah likely to fix anywhere.

CAN'T YOU nah seh wah gon happen to de rank wah assault de man. But dem boys nah believe dat person should be in de Unit. And

somehow feel that because they hold down certain positions of influence within the government, they have a right to invade your privacy and to enjoy themselves at your expense.

One of them tried that recently. He saw me and my friends having a drink and decided to invite himself over to our table. Nobody asked him to sit. He decided to pull up a chair and join our company.

Nobody ordered a drink for him; he called the waiter and ordered a drink. He did not pay for it. When he arrived, there were no “cutters” or food of any sort on the table. This sponger decided that he would order some of the most expensive

dishes on sale, assuming of course that it was the table, and not him, that would pick up the tab.

He had a rude awakening. I told him immediately that he would have to pay for what he ordered. He presumed that I was joking and burst out laughing, crowning the moment by ordering another drink for himself and himself alone. Again he felt that somebody was going to pick up the tab simply because he was a government official who everyone wants to befriend.

He was wrong about that also. I had no interest in befriending him, so I got up, went to the waiter and told him that we had an interloper at our table, and that

Manners maketh man dem should check how such an ill-tempered person get wuk in de fuss place.

Nowadays dem bosses only looking at qualification and who yuh know. Dem nah testing dem workers attitude.

If dem do dat, dem gan realise deh mistake.

Dem boys know a barber who always gat a negative attitude. No matter what he customers tell he, he always don't believe dem.

One day a regular customer come in de barbershop and seh how he going to Rome and he want meet de Pope.

De barber's response was typical. "You, meet the Pope? Ha, don't make me laugh. The Pope only sees kings and presidents and queens. What would he want

with you?”

A month later, de man return fuh another haircut.

"How was Rome?" the barber asked.

"Great! I saw the Pope," de customer replied.

"Yes, from St. Peter's Square like the rest of the crowd I suppose," de barber chimed in.

"Yes, but then two guards came up and demanded that the Pope wanted to see me.

They even took me to his private apartment in the Vatican,” said de customer.

“What did he say?" asked de curious barber.

"Who gave you that lousy haircut?" retorted the customer.

Talk half and remember attitude is first developed at home!

whatever this interloper took had to be paid for by him, and should not be added to the table's tab.

I left soon after and I am told there was a moment of embarrassment for the interloper as he was handed a bill for what he took. He learnt a lesson there: that not everyone is going to be imposed upon simply because he holds a position of authority.

There are many like him in the PPP/C government.

Their entertainment bills were paid for by rich businessmen. Their overseas vacations were subsidised by

private interests. I once saw a senior police officer take his entire family, numbering about five, into the embassy to obtain visas.

They were successful, but I had to ask myself how on such a small salary he was going to take his entire family on vacation, especially considering that air fares are prohibitively high. Someone suggested that he would be obtaining assistance to do this. But I cannot say for sure if that is true. The PPP had their bums and spongers.

The APNU+AFC also.

When Christmas comes,

these bums and spongers are going to expect gifts from their private sector friends.

Some like to receive liquor, but this year they are in for a rude awakening, instead of Grey Goose and Johnny Walker, these guys will have to settle for Five-Year-Old and Ivanoff.

Johnny Walker will have to do a lot of walking this year and the Goose will have to fly off.

(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

Saturday April 17, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

What Walter Rodney and Andaiye would have said?

T

here isn't one past or present WPA mandarin from 1974 when Rodney was refused a UG appointment by the demonic autocracy of Forbes Burnham (really, how could David Granger and Vincent Alexander see this dictator as a Guyanese hero?) to April 2021 that have penned a reflection on the March 2020 rigged election.

Surely, even a few paragraphs depicting the two sides of the coin – rigged election means denial of the

right to have your vote counted - would have been appreciated by the burdened people of Guyana.

Two great WPA figures are not alive – Walter Rodney and Andaiye – and there is the curious, tantalising question of what or how they would have shaped their attitude to the March 2020 rigged election.

I know both individuals.

I think I am familiar with their philosophical minds, their epistemological adumbrations and d e c o n s t r u c t i o n

methodologies. Andaiye remains, as of April 2021, the only WPA person who lived under the APNU+AFC government and publicly voiced her disagreement with its politics. But she was cautious. She never wrote about her feelings but gave me permission to quote her as saying she didn't want anything to do with what the WPA had become as part of the government.

She was a great activist. I think the organisers (people like Dr. Alissa Trotz, Karen De Sousa, and Joyceyn Dow,

the main organisers of the day of appreciation when she died) hurt her legacy at how they arranged the event. It was a disgusting show of middle class elitism and racial one-sidedness.

There was not one featured presentation from an East Indian while the daughters of Forbes Burnham and Burnham's protégé, Rashleigh Jackson, took centre stage. Trotz, De Souza and Dow couldn't find a teacher, labourer, sugar worker to a give a brief eulogy of Andaiye? Dow in her presentation told the audience that in the final moments on her hospital bed, Andaiye was mistaking other people for Rupert Roopnaraine shouting; “Look, Rupert, look Rupert!” That was the part of Andaiye I found esoteric.

In government, Roopnaraine turned out to be the most power-drunk, arrogant Minister in the history of this country, a story that people like Trotz and David Hinds witnessed first-hand but refuse to tell the Guyanese people.

Trotz, De Souza and Dow also selected Tacuma Ogunseye to speak on behalf of the WPA. She developed a certain kind of dislike for the p o l i t i c s o f Ta c u m a Ogunseye over his attitude to the Buxton mayhem as explained by Moses Bhagwan in a letter in the newspapers.

What would Andaiye have said Frederick Kissoon about the March election rigging? sensitive and from his Andaiye was in court to greet response, we will know what me, among others, when character David Hinds has.

Mark Benschop and I were David told me during the released on bail after three election campaign in 2020, days in the Brickdam lockup the APNU leadership asked for two minor traffic him to be active. offences that were in fact He said he sought advice t r u m p e d b y t h e t h e n from Andaiye in a four-hour government in 2010. So discussion.

Andaiye knew that the PPP He said she did not reject government was oppressive his involvement in the and autocratic. She was not a campaign but advised him to s u p p o r t e r o f t h e P P P stay clear from election presidencies of Bharrat rigging. I cannot imagine for Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar. a fraction of a moment David Her rejection of the PPP's would deny that like he bad governance would not denied telling me that have led her to accept rigged President Granger got angry election. with Clive Thomas and Before I describe the raised his voice at him. shape of her reaction to the So the answer finally. election rigging, a little bit This is how Andaiye would more digression; two in fact. h a v e a p p r o a c h e d t h e People expanded their tampering with the polls. respect for Andaiye after the S h e w o u l d h a v e Mash 2002 jail-breakers contextualised it in two took up residency in Buxton ways. One would have been and targeted East Indian her philosophical position people for death. that you cannot deny people One of the killers, the right to vote and that was Andrew Douglas, produced w h a t w a s h a p p e n i n g . a v i d e o i n w h i c h h e Secondly, she would have represented himself as a warned the people that freedom fighter for the victory does not mean the l i b e r a t i o n o f A f r i c a n winner takes call. Space has Guyanese. Andaiye wrote a run out for a discussion on letter in the newspapers how Walter would have rejecting Douglas' fight for reacted. the liberation of African (The views expressed in Guyanese. As an African this article are those of the Guyanese, she intoned, “not a u t h o r a n d d o n o t in my name.” necessarily reflect the The second digression is opinions of this newspaper.)

Saturday April 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Saturday April 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Minister Manickchand commissions country's eight smart classroom at President's College

M

inister of Education, Priya Manickchand recently commissioned the first smart classroom in District Four on Thursday at President's College, making it the eighth facility to come on stream across the country.

Kaieteur News understands that the room has been outfitted with a smart board, cameras with face recognition, microphones and a smart television.

Minister Manickchand stated that teachers of any subject can use the room to reach out to their students and improve their educational delivery. She said this would be in keeping with her Ministry's efforts to close the gap in access to quality education between students in the hinterland and those on the coast.

Further to this, the Education Minister stated that the intention is to install smart classrooms in 20 of Guyana's 114 secondary schools. She said this will allow schools to access teachers from other schools if they do not have a teacher for a specific subject.

Furthermore, the official stated that President's College will soon help to tell the story of how, with the right resources, any student can succeed. In this regard, she noted that several students who have not been engaged on certain subjects have been identified to attend the college's new smart classroom.

Kaieteur News understands that the smart classroom will benefit 299 resident students and 577 students who are currently enrolled at the school but are at home.

Students of President's College sharing a moment with the Education Minister, Priya Manickchand and their Business teacher, Ms. Rayonne Venture following the unveiling of the plaque

Five Parliament Guyana sees large turnout of young staffers test positive people for COVID-19 immunisation for COVID-19

T

he Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation's (GPHC) C o m m u n i c a t i o n s M a n a g e r, Chelauna Providence, confirmed yesterday that there was a significant turnout of young people for the COVID-19 vaccine.

During an interview with this newspaper,

the GPHC official shared, “...We did have quite a huge turnout of young people yesterday.

We were getting calls and messages as well all day...We had even run out of vaccines and had to send for some more.”

She said

too that persons were lined up early to receive the vaccine.

According to information received from the Ministry of Health, approximately 4,000 persons were vaccinated across the country yesterday.

25-year-old Patrick Benjamin-Huntley receiving his jab

21-year-old Olivia Chin showcasing her immunisation card

- All committee meetings discontinued until further notice

D

ue to the fact that five members of staff at the Parliament Buildings tested positive during the past week for COVID19, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Manzoor Nadir, has ordered that there will be no meeting of Parliamentary Committees and SubCommittees with immediate effect until further notice.

The Speaker has since instructed the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, to sanitise the entire Building and to ensure that the COVID-19 guidelines are fully in place for Members of Parliament, staff, and visitors to the Public Buildings.

The Speaker is expected to give approval for virtual meetings of Committees when he is satisfied that all Members have access to the internet so that they can participate fully in meetings of Committees.

Those Members of Parliament who have still not been vaccinated are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.

Sleeping man awakes to fire at his doorstep

A

mason of Lot 19 First Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown is counting his “lucky stars” after he woke up just in time on Wednesday to save his home from being razed by a fire that started at his doorstep.

Ronald Willis and his son were reportedly sleeping at the time in their one-flat

wooden home when the fire started. Kaieteur News learnt that the fire began close to 05:00 hrs.

Willis told investigators that he was sleeping in his chair when he was awoken by some crackling sounds.

When he opened his eyes, he saw his door being quickly engulfed by flames. He reportedly raised an alarm and awoke his son. They

both quickly used a window to escape before the blaze got worse.

According the Public Relations Officer, Silvia Griffith, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) received a call around 05:11 hrs that Willis' house was on fire. A fire tender was dispatched immediately from the Central Fire Station located at the Stabroek Market. The

fire fighters who arrived just in time were able to extinguish the flames, preventing severe damage to the house.

They were speculations that the fire was maliciously set; however, Griffith said that investigations revealed that it was caused by a faulty electrical cable running to the house, which resulted in a circuit overload.

Kaieteur News

Saturday April 17, 2021

PAGE 13

Fourth gas compressor malfunction…

Govt. goes after ExxonMobil agreements to determine liability

V

ice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, s a y s t h e Government is exploring whether ExxonMobil is liable for its latest flash gas compressor malfunction aboard the Liza Destiny.

During a recent interview, the official who has responsibility for overseeing matters in the petroleum sector disclosed that the administration has a “great interest” in ensuring that this equipment malfunction is resolved. Due to the equipment failure, ExxonMobil was forced to cut its oil production to 30,000 barrels per day (bpd), a significant reduction from its planned 120,000 bpd.

Against this backdrop, the Vice President said reduced production is a loss of output, and consequently, a loss of income and revenue.

He indicated that the Ministry of Natural Resources has since dispatched a letter to ExxonMobil, seeking a copy of the Shareholder's Agreement. This, he said, will

examine whether liabilities accrue to the operator – Exxon - for “non-performance or faulty performance.”

The VP noted that the Ministry has also requested the agreement between Exxon and the supplier of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel – SBM Offshore.

“If there are issues of nonperformance that result in a loss of revenue and income to the State of Guyana and to the shareholders, then the appropriate penalty must be introduced. That is the position we have taken,” he stated. Following the announcement of the equipment failure, the Government had said that it is “highly disappointed” with the operator's inability to resolve this situation to date.

The Administration said it will continue to monitor the levels of daily crude oil output and flaring to determine an economically feasible level of production during this period.

Meanwhile, the Ministry said Exxon's subsidiary, Esso

Two captured after shootout with police

T

wo bandits were unable to enjoy their stolen booty on Wednesday after they were captured following an alleged shootout with cops in the Cummings Lodge Area.

Commander of the Georgetown Police District, Simon McBean, said that his ranks had responded to a report of an armed robbery committed by three bandits at Sixth Street, Cummings Lodge, Georgetown. The robbery reportedly took place sometime after 20:00 hrs.

Due to the quick response by the ranks, they were able to track the bandits down which resulted in one being captured while the others escaped. The apprehended suspect later led police to the successful arrest one of his accomplices while the third remains on the run.

McBean could not confirm at the time if gunshots were fired during the apprehension. However, eyewitnesses in the area said there was a brief exchange of gunfire as the ranks chased after the bandits.

According to information reaching Kaieteur News, three bicycle bandits armed

with a gun had pounced on two men “gyaffing” with each other on Sixth Street, Cummings Lodge. They reportedly relieved the men of their cell phones and some $25,000 in cash.

The matter was reported immediately and ranks began combing the area for the three robbers. Kaieteur News was told that the ranks spotted the suspects riding along a street in the Cummings Lodge area.

As the ranks pulled up beside them they reportedly dropped their bicycles and began sprinting away.

The ranks gave chase and according persons in the area, a gun shot went off. It appeared, they said, that one of bandits shot at the ranks while being chased. The ranks returned fire and one of the men reportedly surrendered while the others continued their escape.

The bandit who was apprehended during the chase was taken to the Turkeyen Police Station where he revealed to investigators, the location of one of his accomplices. Police have since been able to recover a firearm from one of the arrested bandits.

Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd (EEPGL) and its contractors SBM and MAN Energy Solutions are actively investigating the failure, and assessing repair requirements.

The Government, through

the Ministry, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency, has been receiving regular updates since this matter arose. Furthermore, the

Government recently met with EEPGL to discuss the subsidiary's findings and plans for a speedy resolution of the issue.

Notably, this equipment failure did not affect Guyana's

crude oil lift, which was safely and successfully completed on April 10. This lift was on track with the Crude Lifting Agreement and Lifting Schedule. It was Guyana's second lift for 2021.

Saturday April 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Govt.'s plans for energy can cost in excess of US$2B Solar

Solar

Wind

T

he People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government is insistent that it will enter Guyana into an energy mix, which simultaneously pulls from gas and renewable sources.

This newspaper recently highlighted that while much has been said about the proposed mix and its benefits, the public is starved of information crucial to the building of confidence in these projects especially as it relates to the gas-to-shore endeavour.

(See that article here, https://www.kaieteurnewsonl ine.com/2021/04/11/areguyanese-politicians-feelingin-the-dark-for-electricitysolutions/.)

Another aspect of this energy mix that the PPP is yet to make clear is the cost.

In the proposed mix, the

PPP intends to focus on gas, hydro, solar and wind. A modest projection of the cost for this mix runs in excess of US$2B. While the PPP is yet to have a feasibility study for the gas-to-shore project, which should include the price, estimates for the undertaking hover around US$1B. That by itself is already a heavy investment. Some Guyanese have previously expressed concerns about pursuing such a project when it is not even guaranteed to be the solution to the nation's electricity crisis. But the reality is that this might just be half the cost for the proposed mix.

L a s t y e a r, J a g d e o revealed that the government is already looking to revive the controversial Amaila Falls Project. He was quoted by one online media outlet as

saying, “We have started reviewing the documents etc., to chart a pathway to hydropower development back again, because hydro power is crucial, given our capability and capacity of the country; our abundant water resources.”

In 2011, Stabroek News quoted Jagdeo, the then President, saying the Amaila Falls project would cost US$835M. This price tag can now turn out to be considerably more.

Therefore, Guyana is likely to simultaneously pursue an over US$835M project and an almost US$1B both for electrical purposes.

But there is more in this “matrix”. Prime Minister, Mark Phillips had said that the government will also be pursuing solar and wind. How much will these cost? It depends on the magnitude of these projects.

The government is yet to say what percent of the country's energy supply will be pulled from these sources.

But just to give an idea, Guyana already uses a solar farm at Mabaruma to

generate power to nearby Region One communities.

That farm which is servicing the comparatively small population costs $227M. It was constructed in 2017 under the A P N N U + A F C administration but only became operable last year.

Be that as it may, this gives us an idea of how costly solar farms could be. Then there is the cost for wind.

The government might say that it will propose various models of financing for these projects like publicprivate partnerships, etc.

However, with those come different kinds of problems.

In reality, the dilemma is not only with the price for the projects. The concern is that Guyana may end up spending all this money, most, if not all, of which may have to be borrowed, only to still come up short with a real solution to high electricity cost and power outages.

Gas-to-shore projects, while successful for some countries, is not always the answer. That is why relevant studies are needed. The

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

government's decision to pursue an energy mix is not without merit as there are several factors that can affect the supply of electricity from various sources of energy.

It is true that technical problems offshore can cause problems that may hamper the electricity supply. If there is a problem with a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, Guyana can go without electricity; even the water levels and tides can pose problems.

Furthermore, there are problems that are likely to occur due to vandalism and those cannot be ignored. With solar, a simple cloud can stand in the way of the source of power, the sun. And, as is well known, dry season or drought can affect any hydro project.

Therefore, having a diversity of power supplies may prove to be very useful.

Nevertheless, such diversity must be proven technically and economically sound before a nation spends such huge sums.

Take Ghana for example.

Prime Minister, Mark Phillips Ghana's power supply crisis continues to torment the people of that nation. Ghana tried turning to gas for help.

First buying it from Nigeria then sourcing gas from its own Jubilee field.

But, according to the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), “…what promised to be an energy solution came with enormous hidden costs while also failing to improve Ghana's power supply significantly.”

Banks DIH makes generous donation to St. Vincent and the Grenadines

B

a n k s D I H L i m i t e d announced on Wednesday that it has joined national efforts to contribute critical relief items for citizens affected by the eruption of the La Soufriere volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Kaieteur News understands that the manufacturing conglomerate donated 10,000lbs of Triskit crackers, and 2,400 cases of Tropical Mist juice and water.

Mr. Carlton Joao, Sales and Marketing Executive said that some of the items were shipped to St. Vincent earlier this week while a second shipment is being prepared to be sent to the island soon.

One of the containers being loaded at Thirst Park for shipment to St. Vincent and the Grenadines

According to Banks DIH in its statement to the Press, it has been working closely with the Private Sector

Commission, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), the Civil Defence Commission

(CDC), and other government agencies in mobilising much needed aid for the Caribbean Island.

Saturday April 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

PAGE 16 VACANCY

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

TM and logs truck drivers, porters must be experience call Richard 609-7675 or 6741705

Registry of (thirty-five) days from the date of the Second and final publication of this Notice . on Thursday the 24th day of June, 2021 at 9:15 am before the Honourable adam Justice Simone MorrisRamla!l at the High Court at Georgetown via Zoom Meeting 10: 461 8845616 and Password: court6 IN DEFAULT of you filing an Acknowledgement of Service/ Notice of Intention to Defend, an Answer and/or Cross

Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00 am and 3 :30 pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00 am to 2:30 pm on Fridays except on

public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed. Dated the day of 30th March, 2021

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Call 231-2029/ 616-5954 Male seeks female to live with 18 to 38yrs light house work Salary- $80,000 Call 603-9085 or 695-0331 One trainee AC refridgeration washing machine technician part time Call 683-8734 Wanted land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie, Winstor Forest or anywhere on the West Coast # 697-6311 One professonal Soup cook.

Good pay, few hours. Monday - Saturday. Must live in Georgetown. Tel:661-7639 Male & Female, one cook for interior location. One live in domestic for Georgetown.

Tel#674-1767, 687-7638 Career Opportunity Waitress & Waiter, porter & Kitchen assistant Contact 623-4097/ 647-9555 Experienced seamstress & experienced block maker Call 691-1918

2 bedroom bottom flat, commercial spot @ 2nd smyth st & 7 Hauge W.C.D June 6231562 TO LET

VACANCY

Spaces available at Enmore Mall E.C.D office space camp st. Call Richard 609-7675, 6741705

One clerk for Eccles office English & Mathematics, grade 1 or 2 Email application to techserigy@yahoo.com

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Female cleaner for office Call 642-9823

Commercial property for sale or rent Providence old road Call 623-3440 / 233-5600 LAND FOR SALE Land for sale, Berbice, Georgetown, East Coast, East Bank Tel#664-8641, 6822585, office 219- 2815 #04 mining property Kurupung River and the Umbambaru Creek Area Contact 681-3512

Saturday April 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

Vacancy for painter and carpenter apply at 65- 66 Robb St Bourda Vacancy for one general domestic apply at 65-66 Robb St Bourda Room attendant supervisor 35-55 yrs old 233 South Road Lacytown Tel#225-0198 Vacancy for 1 secretary Call or whatsapp 683-8734

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Experienced pit, jet and marrack men wanted. Call 6821176 or 697-2533

Qualify yourself in Cosmetology & Nail technology pakages starting from $25,000 classes commence: April 12,2021 Call Abby 6176751

Vacancies bettencourt parttime. domestic bakery table operator (male) bakery assistant (male) kitchen assistant Tel#231-1368, 223-1938

Atlas Security Services Inc vacancy for visiting officers and security officers Tel#2269905,231-4962 or 653-1265 Security officers male and female 18 years and above Contact 223-4172 , 632-0101 or 6320909 LEGAL NOTICE 2021-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-lS0 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO.: FD-lS0 BETWEEN: (BOWEN) WALLACE WESLEY Petitioner SYBIL ELEXCIS BOWEN nee AGARD (Last Known Address) Lot 679 Kaneville, GroveHousing Scheme, East and(BOWEN) SYBIL ELEXCIS nee AGARD Respondent TAKE NOTICE that on the 4th day of February, 2021 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by WALLACE WESLEY B~WEN, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 18th day of March, 2021 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of his Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorneyat-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), an Answer and/ or Cross Petition in the

Saturday April 17, 2021

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

AGM denies allegations of poor handling of COVID-19 cases The Zijin Mining Group, which operates the Aurora Gold Mine (AGM) located in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), has denied allegations that COVID-19 infections recorded at the site are being handled poorly.

Speaking with this publication yesterday was the company’s Director of Corporate Office Compliance and Government Relations, Peter Benny. He related to this newspaper that infections have not been recorded at AGM since the end of February and among those infected then were a few asymptomatic cases.

Kaieteur News would have reported this week that the allegations in relation to the poor handling of the cases are currently being

investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department of the Ministry of Labour.

A source had told this publication that a notable number of infections were recorded at AGM; however, the company has treated the situation lightly.

This newspaper was told that management is operating as though it is business as usual.

Responding to that specific claim, Benny stated that as protocol, when an employee reports sick while at the worksite, they are interviewed immediately by the onsite doctors and would have a rapid antigen test conducted.

If that employee tests positive, the company would

then medivac that person to the Eugene F. Correia Airport and he or she is later transported to the David Memorial Hospital in Georgetown, where a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test is conducted. The PCR test is said to be the gold standard for accurately detecting COVID-19.

Further to this, Benny addressed claims of employees not being informed that there are infected persons at the worksite until after they have left. He categorically stated that this is incorrect.

This publication was also told by the source that the company had set up a COVID19 testing site at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport since it is used to transport

The Aurora Gold Mine

Cop saves man from violent lover at Harbour Bridge A cop was caught on camera saving a man on Wednesday from his violent lover who appeared to be threatening him with a knife.

The incident took place in the afternoon hours at the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB).

Commuters who were about to drive onto the bridge noticed the woman assaulting a man with a knife in her hands and decided to record the ordeal with their cell phones.

In one of the recorded videos seen by this newspaper, the violent lover was a relatively slim woman dressed in a short white pants and a red top with an umbrella slinging around

her right wrist.

The two were observed to be in a heated argument while the man tried to put-up some resistance. He managed to free himself by hitting her hands away. But his moment of freedom was short lived as the woman quickly grabbed him by his t-shirt and placed the knife to his face.

Realising that the altercation between two was escalating, commuters decided to notify nearby ranks. When one of the police officers approached, the woman seemed reluctant to release her lover but she eventually adhered to the officer’s instructions to release the man.

Kaieteur News understands that the incident resulted from allegations that the man was unfaithful.

...Govt. fails in bid to remove Patterson From page 8 on those matters and we are slated to meet again next Monday for continuation of the examination (budget) agencies.”

AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan, who also provided internal legal advice to his party on the way forward with regards the removal of the PAC Chairman, indicated that what Patterson's action at the Committee level did, was to disqualify the motion that was submitted by the government's side to have him removed as Chairman.

He was adamant “there is no precedent anywhere in the Commonwealth for a No Confidence Motion against a Chairperson who is appointed by the main opposition.”

With the motion disqualified, Ramjattan posited, “that is the end of the matter.”

He noted however that the PAC is not allowed to venture outside of its remit which is to examine the Auditor General's reports and posited that the actions by the government members were meant to only stall the process.

The motion to remove Patterson as the PAC Chairperson was put by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira.

The government was seeking Patterson's removal as head of the PAC following scathing reports in January of this year that he had received expensive gifts – including a $900,000 gold bracelet – from several government agencies under his control, while he served as Minister of Public Works under the David Granger administration.

workers into the mine.

However, it was stated that there is a trail that can be used by vehicles to drive from Essequibo to AGM and since persons are not tested on that route, the source had believed that most of the cases came

through there. Benny was keen to note however that at all entry points to AGM, persons are tested for the virus.

Benny also assured that contact tracing was done in instances where infections

were found and to date, over 2,700 COVID-19 tests were conducted on employees.

The company has over 800 employees according to Benny and they are tested every time they depart the worksite and return.

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Saturday April 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

Cuban Communist Party leader, Raúl Castro steps down www.bbc.com: While the entire island knew this moment was coming, it was no less historic or symbolic when it arrived: Cuba will be officially governed by someone other than a Castro for the first time since 1959.

The reality is that, at least in the short term, little will change.

The man who took over from Raúl Castro as President, Miguel Díaz-Canel, may well succeed him now as the party’s first secretary too. It

seems likely he will be forced to take further steps to liberalise Cuba’s centrally controlled economy. The island is currently in the grip of its worst economic crisis since the period immediately following the end of the Cold

War. As a result, private farmers were recently permitted to sell beef and dairy products - goods previously under the sole control of the state.

Any hope of improving ties with the US however may have to wait as the Biden administration has shown little inclination to unpick the Trump administration’s harsher sanctions on Cuba at this stage.

One thing is for sure, Raúl Castro’s words of keeping “one foot in the stirrup” means he will remain a powerbroker behind the scenes. And by reiterating the island’s eternal commitment to socialism, it means that political change remains as unlikely under his successor as it was under his late brother, Fidel.

End of an era His retirement means that for the first time in six decades Cuba will not have a Castro formally guiding its politics.

Raúl has been the party’s Secretary-General since succeeding his older brother, Fidel, in 2011.

Fidel Castro led the communist revolution that toppled the Cuban government in 1959, when Raúl served as one of his commanders. Fidel Castro was the country’s leader until falling ill in 2006 and in 2008 handed over the presidency to his brother. Fidel Castro died in 2016.

Cuba under Raúl As leader, Raúl Castro maintained the communists’ one-party grip on power.

He oversaw an improvement in relations with United States between 2014 and 2016, including historic talks with President Barack

Cuban leader, Raul Castro steps down Obama in 2016.

But tensions worsened under Donald Trump, who reinforced sanctions.

Current US President, Joe Biden, has vowed to relax some of Trump’s sanctions, although the White House said on Friday a shift in Cuban policy was not one of his top priorities.

At the congress on Friday, Raúl Castro said his country was willing to “develop respectful dialogue” with the United States but it would not accept having to make “concessions” regarding its “foreign policy and ideals.”

What next?

The change at the top of Cuba’s governing party comes as the island’s leadership is tackling its most serious economic crisis in decades.

The Covid-19 pandemic, financial reforms and restrictions imposed by the Trump administration have hit the economy, which shrank by 11% last year.

A long-awaited currency reform launched on January 1 has sought to make the economy and state companies more efficient. But it has also badly squeezed the budgets of ordinary Cubans.

Many have been calling for much more economic

freedom in the country.

Another challenge will be maintaining ideological unity and support in the face of citizens’ increased access to the internet and social media.

Dissidents have been using social media to stage antigovernment protests and gather live audiences online.

In response, the party has said one of the functions of its congress would be “confronting political and ideological subversion, which has made internet and social media its principal field of operations.”

But despite the change in leadership, few expect it will prompt a dramatic change in policy direction.

A new constitution in 2019 confirmed state dominance of the economy and the “irrevocability of socialism.”

In a tweet on Friday, 60year-old President Díaz-Canel said the congress would be where “ideas are entrenched, history recognised and the future discussed.” But he added that there would be “continuity.” Mr. Castro told the congress he was retiring as “a simple revolutionary fighter.” “And as long as I live I will be ready with my foot in the stirrups to defend the fatherland, the revolution and socialism.”

City Hall still awaiting much needed renovations The idea of restoring City Hall to its former glory was raised two years ago but the building is still awaiting a much needed upgrade.

During a brief interview yesterday, the Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine related to Kaieteur News that he had attended a

meeting earlier in the year with President Irfaan Ali and Minister of Local Government, Nigel Dharamlall to discuss getting the restoration underway.

Narine said it was agreed that the administration building for City Hall would be the first area of focus

when the renovation kicks off. He said that $50M has been earmarked for this purpose while noting that $30M would be provided by government.

Kaieteur News understands that talks are still ongoing to get the project started.

COVID-19 takes lives of four more Guyanese The Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday reported that four persons who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have died. Their deaths now bring Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll to 267.

Dead is an 81-year-old woman from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), another 81-year-old woman from

Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and two men, a 46-year-old and a 64-year-old, both from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

According to the Ministry’s Press Release, all four persons died on Thursday while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

The Ministry also recorded 115 new COVID-19

cases, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 11,642.

The dashboard also shows that 13 patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 77 persons are in the institutional isolation, 1,224 in home isolation and 12 persons are quarantined institutionally. To date, 10,061 recoveries have been recorded.

Kaieteur News

Saturday April 17, 2021

PAGE 19

Sugar workers down tools over stalled wage talks

S

ugar workers attached to the Uitvlugt Estate, We s t C o a s t D e m e r a r a (WBD), yesterday downed tools to stage a picketing exercise, calling on the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) to resume wage and salary talks for the period 2019 to 2021.

The Guyana Sugar Workers' Union (GAWU) in a public missive on the escalating issue indicated that when the two bodies last met to address the issue last month, there was an unambiguous understanding that the Corporation would inform the union of its position by the end of March 2021 but this was never done.

According to GAWU, the union, having not heard from the sugar company, on April 9, 2021 wrote the Corporation seeking clarification. GAWU noted however that its correspondence is yet to be acknowledged.

To this end, the workers held that GuySuCo was disrespectful to them and the union.

It was noted that while

GuySuCo has boasted of massive investments in the fields and factories, there is no such boisterousness when it comes to addressing the plight of the workers. The workers contended that in as much as the Corporation recognised the need for investment in its physical assets, its human assets require also some level of investment too.

They lamented that as a result of the pay freeze, which they suffered during the term of the Coalition, some workers were earning just above the national minimum wage. This, the workers reportedly claimed is hardly sufficient to take care of their families.

The workers have also pointed to a recent interview with the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer, Sasenarine Singh, which appeared in the Guyana Chronicle. In that article, the official was quoted as saying, “they were pleased to learn that GuySuCo is seeking to sell sugar at higher prices.”

According to GAWU, the workers welcomed the initiatives and are hopeful

Fisherman feared dead in Corentyne River

A

2 1 - y e a r- o l d fisherman is feared dead after leaving on April 14, last, to fish in the Corentyne River with his boat captain and four other crew members.

Feared dead is Devin Persaud aka 'Richard' of Lot 35 Grant 1752 Crabwood Creek.

Boat Captain of the boat 'Raghnie' with licence plate BV 04389, Mahendradat 'Raja' Mukram, 24, of Grant 1802 Crabwood Creek told police that he, Persaud, and crew members Azeem Naipaul, Rakesh Deonarine, Imran Baksh, and Shazim Khan, all of Crabwood Creek, left Burn Sawmill Dam on the day in question to go fishing.

The following day, Mukram said that he and his team ventured out by boat into the Orealla channel of the Corentyne River and Persaud jumped overboard to “beat water to chase the fish into the seine.”

Shortly after, they heard Persaud calling out for help.

The captain told the

Devin Persaud police that he turned the boat to where Persaud was located and as they were approaching him, the life jacket he was holding onto in the water loosened.

He subsequently went under the water and was never seen again.

The captain said they made checks in the water for sometime but came up empty-handed.

A r e p o r t w a s subsequently filed with the police and an investigation is in progress.

that even greater quantities of sugar can be sold in the new markets touted.

Workers, GAWU said, held out that their efforts are partially responsible for the improvements heralded and they ought to receive some due reward for their contributions.

The Union, for its part said it remains open to frank discussions with the Corporation and that “GAWU and the workers are eager to find a settlement that is fair to all sides.”

Some of the striking sugar workers

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Kaieteur News

Saturday April 17, 2021

Saturday April 17, 2021

Deepak Chahar’s 4 for 13 sets up big CSK win ESPNcricinfo - After four successive matches that swung wildly at the death for come-from-behind-wins, the Chennai Super Kings eased to a straightforward victory against the Punjab Kings, to notch their first points of IPL 2021. A bowling masterclass led by Deepak Chahar dismantled the Kings top order, and there was no magic recovery this time. Chahar took out four of the Kings’ top five, while the other man - KL Rahul - was run out. For a team structure heavily dependent on the top order to make the bulk of the runs, being 26 for 5 meant the end of the Kings’ hopes in this game.

Chahar bowled a spectacular first spell, with MS Dhoni continuing to bowl him beyond the powerplay for all four overs in one stretch and he ended with 4 for 13, bowling an incredible 18 dot balls. It was left to Shahrukh

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Khan to show a glimpse of his muscular hitting capacity, with 47 off 36 from No. 6 to drag the team into three figures. The 106 for 8 they ended up with was still the lowest total for any team that has batted out its 20 overs at the Wankhede Stadium in the IPL. The Super Kings had a good opportunity to beef up their net run rate. Moeen Ali, who scored 46 off 31, did exactly that, and although a two-in-two burst from Mohammed Shami then slowed the charge, the Super Kings still eased to victory in the 16th over for the loss of just four wickets.

Chahar strikes, Jadeja prowls In the very first over, Chahar got one to curl past Mayank Agarwal’s bat to knock out the off stump.

Pitched on a length and curving away wickedly, it left Agarwal squared up, and

would have probably accounted for most batters. He also got Chris Gayle two balls later but Ruturaj Gaikwad shelled a straightforward chance at backward point.

Two overs later, Rahul took off for a quick single from the non-striker’s end when the ball had rolled off Gayle’s pad to short cover, but he misjudged Jadeja’s panther-like quickness in the field. Swooping down on the ball and rifling a direct hit in one smooth motion, Jadeja caught Rahul short even though the batter had taken a decent start.

Chahar was not to be denied Gayle’s wicket either, and a knuckle ball did the No. 3 in, chipping a drive because he played it early. It was again towards cover and Jadeja was in the thick of it again, diving to his right to hold a good catch. For good measure, Chahar added Deepak Hooda’s wicket in his final

Saturday April 17, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) An unexpected financial windfall could come your way today, Aries. You may stand there with an open envelope in your hand, unable to speak.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Expect to receive some great news today, Libra. Answer your phone and check email all day, because you never know when it will come.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Even though you're slaving away at work, your mind is very much on romance. Passion is running high, especially yours, Taurus!

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your optimistic nature has served you well. This quality makes you a great manager since you can motivate and inspire coworkers.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) If you had to score your life right now, it would have to be a perfect ten. You look great, your career is going well, and your domestic life is harmonious. Could there be anything more to life?

CANCER(June21–July22) You have a lot to celebrate, Cancer, especially where your love life is concerned.

Today you may receive a communication from your loved one that makes you yearn for this person's company.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your optimistic nature has served you well. This quality makes you a great manager since you can motivate and inspire co-workers. Today you may be recognized for your leadership abilities and can-do attitude.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Whether you spend today with your feet on the ground or in an airplane, you're eager and enthusiastic about your life direction.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) There's a lot of work to be done today, and much of it centers on finances. Whether you're working on budgets or investments, you will easily finish the task.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Success and good fortune are strongly indicated today, Aquarius, along with a sense of optimism. All sorts of changes and surprises lie in store for you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may be privy to some information today that will ultimately result in financial gain, Virgo. You may get wind of a new company and be one of the first investors.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Success and good fortune are strongly indicated today, Aquarius, along with a sense of optimism. All sorts of changes and surprises lie in store for you.

over, an awayswinger being lobbed tamely to mid-off. His final over ended up a wicket maiden, and with seven overs bowled, the Kings were going at less than four an over with all of their main batters back in the hut at 26 for 5.

Shahrukh strikes at Wankhede He had walked into the middle in just the fifth over, and as the last recognised batter remaining, Khan could afford to just play and not bother about the scoreboard.

If the Kings were going to get anything defendable, it was all on him, so he could pace his innings his own way. With Chahar bowled out, batting became a mite easier too, and Khan muscled the ball to the fence whenever he was given width. He fell in the final over, missing out on a maiden IPL fifty, but he had ensured the team wouldn’t be bowled out and would cross 100.

Moeen leads the way in the chase The Super Kings stuck to their opening combination of Gaikwad with Faf du Plessis, who both were circumspect against some sharp new-ball bowling. With the target so low though, it didn’t matter even though Gaikwad fell in the powerplay. Ali’s association with du Plessis yielded 66 runs in 7.3 overs for the second wicket, and there was no way the Super Kings were losing after that. Ali had begun to find the boundary with trademark fluency right from when he walked in, in the sixth over, while du Plessis was content to hold his end up. Ali fell before he could get to his fifty, flat-batting M Ashwin to deep midwicket. There was a minor moment of drama when Shami got both Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu off successive balls, but victory was only a formality by then.

Scores: Chennai Super Kings 107 for 4 (Ali 46, du Plessis 36*, Shami 2-21,) beat Punjab Kings 106 for 8 (Shahrukh 47, Chahar 4-13) by six wickets.

...Domestic-based Golden Jaguars From page 20 in part one of the preliminary round of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup in July.

The GFF has set the following key targets for the Golden Jaguars this year: • Reach round two of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification • Improve on the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup performance, when Guyana secured one point in the group stage of the tournament Guyana must win both matches against Saint Kitts and Nevis and Puerto Rico to have a chance of qualifying for round two of FIFA World Cup qualification.

...‘Geography & lack of sponsorship From page 22 any high standard of cricket but the Imam Bacchus ground is a beautiful ground and Mr Bacchus is in the process of improving the facilities there. And what is important to note is the quality of the pitch at that ground.

Some National players have played there and you hear them talking of the pitch there,” said Christiani of an outfield which is arguable second best to the Providence Stadium and where facilities will be upgraded with lights installed and a Media booth erected once the GBC set more youth Inter-county and Franchise matches at that venue.

Giving his thoughts on the return of Senior four-day inter-county matches with the Franchise League used to select the County teams, Christiani said he supported the idea.

“There is no way you can go against more cricket.

The Franchise is serving its purpose and exposing a whole lot more players but yes, if you can have something that is a feeder for the First-Class tournament that would be the best scenario.

You should move from the Franchise to something else.

Something has to between Franchise and First-Class

cricket,” the ECB official stated.

Christiani disclosed that the ECB Hostel in Anna Region, which was constructed over a decade ago as part of the Sanford T20 Regional Development programme, is still there but we were in the process of discussing with the Guyana Cricket Board to have some renovations done there. The structure has had no real maintenance and renovations since it was built. So we were trying to get the GCB to do some work on it and to get the indoor practice facility up and running,” Christiani added.

Christiani explained that in Essequibo there is no twoday cricket played, only T20 and 40-overs competitions are played in the eight area committees.

These tournaments are played in their respective areas, while the only time we had an inter-area tournament was during the Busta sponsorship when all of the area committee teams came to the Coast for an Essequibo tournament.

Christiani said there are some issues in Guyana’s Cricket and Essequibo’s participation and we are looking forward to Essequibo being a part of moving Guyana Cricket forward.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday April 17, 2021

Guyana lose first two matches in FIBA 2023 pre-qualifiers

Jamaica’s Romain Thomas and Joel Bailey (1) double teams Guyana’s Delroy James.

Stanton Rose and his men had two tough opening matches of the FIBA 2023 World Cup Concecaba pre-qualifiers in which they lost to Nicaragua and Jamaica, respectively, in back to back matches on Thursday and last night. Playing at the Gimnasio Nacional Adolfo Pineda in San Salvador, El Salvador, which is hosting all the matches of the fiveteam qualifiers that will see the top three teams moving on to the next round of qualification following one off round-robin matches, Guyana fell 84-73 to Nicaragua in the opening match.

Stanton Rose top scored for the Guyanese with 20 points to go along with 10 rebounds, while Jared Ruiz posted up a match high 29 points for the Nicaraguans.

In last night’s match, Jamaica that were a late addition to the event, built on the win the

previous night to blowout the Guyanese by 20 points in the 107-87 win. Again, Skipper Stanton Rose led from the front for Team Guyana with 19 points but it was not enough as Omari Johnson rallied the Jamaicans with 26 points and seven rebounds.

Guyana played well and was well within the game up until the second half where the Junior Hercules coached team held a fivepoint lead at one-point before the Jamaicans began to pull away. Now, for the men from the ‘land of many waters’ to progress, they will have to win both of their remaining matches tonight and tomorrow and even then, making it to the next round will still not be a given.

Guyana will play the hosts El Salvador tonight at 21:00hrs, while their final match will be against Costa Rica tomorrow at 18:00hrs.

Action between Guyana and Jamaica in the FIBA 2023 World Cup Concecaba pre-qualifiers in El Salvador yesterday where Guyana lost.

Kaieteur News

Saturday April 17, 2021

PAGE 23

‘Big moment’ as Pakistan complete four-series sweep against South Africa AFP - Pakistan completed a clean sweep of four trophies in four series against South Africa but had anxious moments before scrambling to a three-wicket win with one ball to spare in the fourth and final Twenty20 international at SuperSport Park in Centurion yesterday.

“It is a big moment for Pakistan. It is not easy winning matches in South Africa,” captain Babar Azam said through an interpreter at the post-match presentation.

Pakistan, who earlier in the season defeated South Africa in Tests and T20 internationals in Pakistan, followed up a 2-1 one-day series win with a 3-1 victory in the T20s to round off a successful tour.

Medium-pace bowler Faheem Ashraf set up what seemed likely to be an easy win for Pakistan when he took three for 17 as South Africa were bowled out for 144 on what is usually a

high-scoring ground.

Pakistan were cruising at 92 for one in the tenth over as Babar and Fakhar Zaman shared a impressive secondwicket partnership after Mohammad Rizwan was stumped in the first over.

But Fakhar, who hit five fours and four sixes in a 34ball 60, went for one big hit too many and sliced a high catch to backward point.

Babar, who was named man of the series, was caught at wide third man for 24 three balls later and Pakistan found themselves in a collapse in which six wickets fell for 37 runs.

Two no-balls in the penultimate over by Sisanda Magala proved disastrous for the hosts, with the second resultant free hit being slammed for six by Mohammad Nawaz.

However, it still went down to the fifth ball of the over before Nawaz clinched victory with another six, off Lizaad Williams.

South Africa, with five key players released to the Indian Premier League and without appointed captain Temba Bavuma because of injury, batted poorly but clawed their way back into the game despite bowling four no-balls and seven wides. “I am disappointed but we have young cricketers with great talent and I am proud of them,” said stand-in captain Heinrich Klaasen.

“We showed we can fight and compete as a young group but we need to get more consistency in our performances.”

Faheem earlier started a South African collapse similar to that which later afflicted Pakistan.

South Africa had reached 73 for one after the early loss of Aiden Markram when Faheem had Janneman Malan caught at mid-off for 33 in the ninth over.

He followed up with the wickets of Klaasen and George Linde. He bowled

Fakhar Zaman lines up a big hit. (AFP/Getty Images)

his four overs in succession and did not concede a boundary.

“My brief was clear from the captain but the tone was set by the new ball bowlers,” he said.

Fast bowlers Hasan Ali and Haris Rauf took three for 40 and two for 18 respectively.

Rassie van der Dussen top-scored for South Africa

with 52 off 36 balls.

The series completed a truncated home season for South Africa, who lost a T20 series against England and gained their only series win when they won two Tests against Sri Lanka before taking on Pakistan.

Babar praised the facilities provided for his team in a bio-secure country club between Johannesburg

and Centurion, with the matches shared between the two venues.

His team will now head to Harare for three T20 internationals and two Tests against Zimbabwe.

Scores: Pakistan 149 for 7 (Zaman 60, Nawaz 25*, Magala 2-33) beat South Africa (van der Dussen 52, Ashraf 3-17, Ali 3-40) 144 by three wickets.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Saturday April 17, 2021

‘Geography & lack of sponsorship biggest Domestic-based challenges for E’bo cricket’ - ECB secretary Golden Jaguars to - Support return of four-day Snr Inter-County Cricket Tourney

By Sean Devers With the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) President Faizul Bacchus unavailable due to ill health, its Secretary, Otto Christiani, representing the cricket Board of Guyana’s largest County, lamented that the Geography of Essequibo and lack of sponsorship were the biggest challenges for cricket devolvement in the County.

Christiani, who hails from Suddie on the Essequibo Coast, speaking on last Wednesday night’s ‘Sean Devers Sports Watch’ on Kaieteur Radio informed that in Region two (Pomaroon to Supernaam) the Covid-19 virus is not as bad as the other parts of the Country and seems to be under control at the moment.

“The Geography of Essequibo and the lack of sponsorship is our out biggest challenges.

Sometimes it’s not until you get here you really understand the challenge that it is to Administrate Cricket in Essequibo. To have a team or players from Bartica to come to the Coast to participate in Trials or any

programme that we might have, cost a lot of money.

To get a team from Bartica to come here cost $120,000 and the biggest sponsorship we have ever had was from the Busta C o m p a n y, w h i c h w a s $1million. Think about it, just to bring one team out costs $120,000, then you know how difficult it is.

Moving teams around has been the major, major challenge to the development of Essequibo’s cricket,” explained Christiani who served on National Junior selection panel during the last Administration.

It’s public knowledge that most of the executives of the ECB supported the previous Administration but Hilbert Foster the new VicePresident of the GCB and the President of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), has extended an Olive leaf to the ECB, who along with the BCB and the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) make up the GCB. “I would like for us to get past the stage of them versus us and for everyone to have a place around the table and be

united and for our cricketers to have trust in our Administration and to join hands with us to lift Guyana’s cricket even more.

The cricket development committee that I chair has three or four spaces for members of the Essequibo Cricket Board and there is space for them in the other committees. Also there is a place for them in both the Senior and Junior selection committees. We are just waiting for the Essequibo Board to provide names when they are contacted and join us at that table to get the work done,” disclosed Foster who was also a guest on the programme.

When asked if the ECB was willing to work which the GCB for the development of Guyana’s cricket after hearing what the GCB’s VP and new Director of Cricket West Indies (CWI) had said, Christiani revealed he did not have a mandate from the ECB on that matter.

“But I would love to know that we can have a position where we know Essequibo is a part of Guyana’s cricket,” said the

ECB member.

When asked what the ECB would want from the recently elected Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Christiani said that Essequibo is at the weaker part of the Country as it relates to cricket and obviously we would expect more attention be given to Essequibo’s cricket in terms of Coaching, assisting with facilities. “We would love to see Essequibo get more attention so that we can really come up to par,” the ECB executive added.

Christiani informed that there is no cricket being run off of by the ECB presently but informed that some Area committees have been running cricket competitions.

“In my area, which is Central Essequibo, we still have cricket being played.We have contacted the Regional Health Officials and they are satisfied that we can still continue to play,” said Christiani who has been the ECB Secretary since 2007.

The Anna Regina ground is still in no condition to host (Continued on page 19)

resume training today The domestic-based G u y a n a S e n i o r M e n ’s National Squad will restart training sessions at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre today, in preparation for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches in June.

Twenty-eight players, who will undergo regular testing for COVID-19 while in training, have been invited to train for five sessions per week until the final squad is selected before Guyana take on Puerto Rico and Saint Kitts and Nevis in the last two matches in Group F of the first round of qualification.

Guyana currently lie third in Group F following a 3-0 defeat to Trinidad and Tobago and a 4-0 win against the Bahamas in the Dominican Republic in March. Only group winners progress to round two.

The extraordinary domestic squad training arrangements, also deployed in the months before March’s games, have been arranged and fully financed by the GFF to provide players with a professional coaching environment to compensate for a lack of club and competition activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In normal circumstances, national squads only convene for encampment in the days before international fixtures once released by Players Names 1 Norville, Sese 2 Adonis, Shawn 3 Blair, Ronaldo 4 Edwards, Rafael 5 Garret, Jeremy 6 Moore, Eric 7 Fraser, Shemar 8 Adams, Quincey 9 Dundas, Kevin 10 Andrews, Nicolai 11 Lionel Holder 12 Trevon Lyth Coth 13 Wilson, Daniel 14 Wilson, Marcus 15 Pluck, Trevon 16 Kelsey Benjamin 17 Fraser, Delwin 18 Schultz, Pernel 19 Hackett, Ryan 20 Bobb, Trayon 21 Glasgow, Omari 22 George, Dorwin 23 McArthur, Nicolas 24 Niles, Darron 25 Caesar, Job 26 Holder, Sheldon 27 Simpson, Osafo 28 Lovell, Leo-orin

their clubs and when the FIFA international window opens. Squads are also generally only announced in the days before the window opens, once it is clear which players are fit and available.

“We’ll be looking to work on more technical and physical aspects for the next few weeks,” said Golden Jaguars Assistant Coach Charles Pollard. “We will be looking for good commitment and attitude.

We always know that the local players are never short of commitment and attitude – so that’s a plus.”

“We want to continue to build on their fitness and awareness and to get them to concentrate for longer periods of time,” the former national team captain added.

Twelve places in the 23man final squad which faced Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas in March were handed to domestic-based players, including eight alumni of the GFF’s pioneering Goalkeeping coach Eon DeViera said: “With the goalkeepers coming back from a short break, we would like to reinforce the importance of the many games we have coming up in FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the Concacaf Gold Cup playoff. With respect to training, we will be focusing on strength training mainly for the next few weeks.”

Guyana face Guatemala (Continued on page 21) Position GK GK GK DF DF DF DF DF DF DF DF DF MID MID MID MID MID MID MID MID MID MID MID MID MID FW FW FW

Kaieteur News

Saturday April 17, 2021

PAGE 25

Places open for ECB on Barakat Brothers’ Cricket GCB including Selection wishes GCB success Panel - VP Foster - Preaches unity & inclusion to take Guyana’s forward

By Sean Devers Although most the executives of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) have openly supported the previous Administration, new Vice President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Hilbert Foster says positions on the GCB are open to members of the ECB. Speaking on last Wednesday night’s ‘Sean Devers Sports Watch’ on Kaieteur Radio, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President and newly appointed Cricket West Indies Director preached unity and inclusion of all despite who they supported in the past.

“I would like for us to get past the stage of them versus us and for everyone to have a place around the table and be united and for our cricketers to have trust in our Administration and to join hands with us to lift Guyana’s cricket even more.

The cricket development committee that I chair has three or four spaces for members of the Essequibo Cricket Board and there is space for them in the other committees. Also there is a place for them in both the Senior and Junior Selection Committees. We are just waiting for the Essequibo Board to provide names when they are contacted and join us at that table to get the work done,” added Foster.

Former Guyana and West Indies Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan and former Guyana and West Indies U-19 player Andre Percival have already been appointed the head the senior and Junior selection panels respectively.

“We have identified the other members of the selection committee apart from those from the Essequibo Board but those people are still being

Hilbert Foster

contacted and I don’t want the jump the gun and make any announcements. But what we did, we looked at each County along with the independent Chairman and can tell you that the Coach of each one of the National teams will be a part of the panel. We are yet to make a decision if they will have voting power or not” Foster disclosed.

When asked what influenced him to accept the positions of GCB VicePresident, Foster, who is the President of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, disclosed that many had known from the start that he was not interested in the Presidency.

“I was willing to server in any other capacity. I guess it was because of my love for cricket and more importantly to make a difference in the lives of young people to help them fulfill their dreams” said Foster, a huge advocate of youth development.

When asked what different the GCB would do as opposed to what the previous administration did Foster said “Everybody has their own style of leadership but one of the things I want to make sure happen is that we assist young people to fulfill their ambition in the sense that you can’t only do coaching with the young players and expect them to reach the top. There are many young cricketers who are denied the opportunity to fulfilling their talent because

of poverty so I am trying to get the Guyana Cricket Board to assist them as much as possible” Foster said that personally he favoured the return of the Senior InterCounty tournament after the Franchise tournament has been completed and use the Franchise matches to pick the County teams. But as chairman of the Cricket development committee he has to discuss this with his committee members and see what are their thoughts on the idea and then take it to the executives for their approval.

Foster feels the biggest challenge for the newly installed GCB is to raise sponsorship for the tournament that the GCB wants to do, since in addition to the current inter-county tournaments that the GCB organise, the new Board would like to host a U-21, U23 and U-25 as a part of a comprehensive youth development plan. “Getting back the trust of the sponsorship for GCB could be a slight worry” Foster indicated. Also on the programme were former First Class player Neil Barry who is Georgetown Cricket Association’s President and Marketing Manager of the Demerara Cricket Board, Secretary of the Essequibo Cricket Board, Otto Christiani and competitions Committee Chairman of the GCA and GCB Shawn Massiah.

Turkeyen Sports Club and Bannas Foundation to hold football competition tomorrow The Turkeyen Sports Club and Bannas Foundation will stage a 3-a-side football competition tomorrow at Vryheid’s Lust Tarmac starting at 2:00pm.

The event is for Under-16 players and they will be battling for trophies donated by

P&P Insurance Brokers and medals from the Trophy Stall at Bourda Market. The event is organised by Johnny Overseas Barnwell.

Players are reminded to ensure they wear their masks and be mindful of Covid-19 protocols in place.

The Barakat Brothers Cricket takes this opportunity to congratulate the newly elected members of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB). The West Demerara based cricket organization was very instrumental in the development of cricket on the West Demerara for almost fourteen (14) years.

In his message CEO and Managing Director Mr. Feroze Barakat said, “Success is not only measured by money, it is measured by hard work, discipline and the will to succeed. You, the present executive of the GCB has demonstrated this quality.

Hearty Congratulations on your success and do hope that you keep on striving for the betterment of cricket in Guyana.” According to Mr. Barakat who is also is the CEO of Odyssey Sightseeing To u r s a n d O d y s s e y Transport Services Inc. “Our main aim was to promote cricket as a whole on the West Demerara after noting that there was a big void for quality competition. We had our challenges with the relevant board which from time to time would sanction players and umpires who took part in our competitions.

Feroze Barakat This was the main factor that forced us to eventually suspend our competitions taking into consideration the welfare of the players and officials. It is heartening to note the fresh faces in Mr. Bissoondyal Singh and Mr. Hilbert Foster being at the helm of taking cricket in Guyana forward. I am very impressed with the structure of cricket in Georgetown, East Coast of Demerara and

in the Berbice area.

I wish to see similar developments in Essequibo and West Demerara in the near future. I say there is still hope with Mr. Bissondyal Singh and his team at the Demerara Cricket Board.

F i n a l l y, I w i s h M r.

Bissondyal Singh and his team all the best in the future and for us to work together and put Guyana cricket first.”

GCB/Dave Narine to launch Dave’s West Indian Imports & Exports Educational Trust Fund The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) will, on Friday April 23, 2021, launch the Dave Narine Educational Trust fund for fifteen (15) young cricketers across Guyana.

Under this initiative, each county will submit five (5) Under-17 cricketers who will each benefit from a twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) grant. Two of the important criteria to qualify for the grant will be discipline and school attendance.

The current executives of the GCB are cognizant of the constraints related to the Covid-19 situation, in particular the present rise in recorded cases, and the financial impact on families. The GCB will continue to monitor the situation to establish a time frame based on professional advice in which GCB competitions can recommence.

The Cricket Development Committee (CDC) of the GCB will continue to focus on the requisite programmes that are geared at on-field and off-field developmental activities.

The Guyana Cricket Board wishes to express immense gratitude to Mr. Dave Narine, proprietor of Dave’s West Indian Imports and Exports for his continued support of the development of youth cricket.

Mr. Narine has expressed his intention to

Dave Narine once again donate a large quantity of exercise books for distribution to youth cricketers and also to renew his sponsorship of the Under-15 Inter-county Tournament.

Each county will be asked by the GCB to make a submission of their selected five (5) players who will benefit from this initiative

by Tuesday, April 20, 2021.