Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR Stifled by debt, Sunday Edition NEWS Sri Lankans want leaders ousted for 'loan crimes'

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

April 17, 2022

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Price $140

Online readership yesterday, 66,965

After approving Exxon's Yellowtail licence...

Govt. reveals controversial Canadian politician was - Industry part of review process experts p. 3

EPA Yellowtail Permit should be deemed null and void - Environmentalist Lethem woman found hacked to death in Mazaruni Backdam - Suspect denies murdering her

Civil society advocates are critical for ensuring public accountability Even as we celebrate Easter, the protest continues for a better oil deal.

…as calls increase for use of Access to Information Act

Listen to The Glenn Lall Show @11am, 4&7pm on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

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Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

The damaging widespread pollution of corruption

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orruption is now more than a national sickness.

Corruption is a cancer that keeps marching straight ahead, while spreading treacherously and uncontrollably across this society. The most innocent of things, the best of what is promising, is twisted and turned into the monstrous deformities with which citizens must live. Most of all, it is those trapped and hapless citizens who pay year after year the debts piled up, who are supposed to benefit, but many times are left wondering what they got, if anything. They are not a part of the party, not a party to the multimillion-dollar corruption practices and festivities. Almost a day doesnt pass without some media report of huge public works projects in motion. These works of the state involve massive amounts of money, the hardearned dollars that Guyanese taxpayers part with from their pay cheques, the transaction they engage in that are taxed, and which sums go to service debts incurred in their names.

The public works projects are about positive developments, which on the face of them, if carried to full and honest conclusion, hold many benefits for strapped and needy citizens in numerous communities. The reports are of schools and health clinics and bridges, and potable water facilities to be built. In the Guyana of today, ten million or a hundred million for such projects are considered to be less than impressive, a bit on the poorer side. Today, Guyana is awash with projects that cost a billion here, and another over there.

Now that is talking about visionary projects and the kind of money required for them. This is where the trouble lies, where it begins, continues, and flourishes with unchecked abandon. It is because here we have those in leadership positions, and those in their close-knit surrounding company, who see projects as not an opportunity to serve the hopeful people of this country, by doing good and delivering completely what was promised, what is due.

Rather, these multimillion works and billion-dollar projects in this administrative region and any others named for a facility that is needed, is seen as a grand opportunity to make gold while the going is good.

There is a whole cast of characters, it is better to call them for what they are, Guyanese predators of the most voracious kind, who feast on these projects in what they rip from them, and the fleshy, juicy parts that they tear out for themselves. There are elected political officials and public servants and private contractors who know how the system works, where the money can be extracted (stolen), and who are their allies in many grand schemes. A hundred million or a billion possess a great amount of room to seize something criminally for self, and for those who are part of the ripping off, gouging out, and paying off crew. Because those involved have been engaged in such criminal practices for so long, they have gotten very skilled at stealing, of shortchanging the people who are paying for the shoddy work they do. They are also very good at getting away with the endless corruptions because they know what follows afterwards, how toothless, and meaningless, are the checks and balances that are in place. The evidence is there in what Guyanese have been reading and hearing from this source for years. It is of collapsed roads, of shabby buildings, of bridges that crumble, and of other projects that suffer the same cheated fate. And as we examine the long record of all this, it is now powerfully obvious that corruption is not just a crime, not merely a cancer, it is a circus also. There is an Auditor General who probes, reports, and exposes, and as immense as those are, there is the understanding that some costly issues could have been outside the reviewing microscope. The Parliamentary Accounts Committee meets, questions, denounces, moves on. Everyone moves on because no examples are made of those who cheat the taxpayers. No one is punished, nobody pays a price for their corruptions. That is, except for the taxpayers who live with what falls apart, and pay from what they dont have.

Corruption is killing most Guyanese, while some Guyanese make a killing.

Sunday April 17, 2022

Send your letters to Kaieteur News, 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com

We need both massive infrastructural projects and measures to enhance incomes DEAR EDITOR, As residents are restless and hurting due to an increasing high cost of living, Government is to be commended for outreaches to allay their fears and disgruntlement.

The grants for heart and kidney treatments are good measures but we must plan for Government facilities in each region providing better health care delivery in these areas.

It is obvious that our Guyanese people have rising expectations since we now have oil. They are asking, “Weh the oil money deh?”

The people want to know when the oil wealth would show up in their pay cheques, and in the form of pensions, social security benefits and safety nets, income enhancement initiatives, tax-free wages and salaries, efficient services from Government agencies, improvement of roads in their villages where they live, etc. Government has taken hampers to fishermen who complain of low catches since oil started, and regions are promised large, costly infrastructural projects.

When those hamper items are used up in a few days, the fishermen would need more hampers until the root cause of their problems are fixed. The infrastructural projects are needed but so are the income enhancement measures for all workers.

The VP has said there would be 8,000 part time jobs nationwide at minimal wages.

Region 10 has been promised 800 jobs. Region 2 will get 1,000 jobs. The President is organising work for unemployed Uitvlugt cane harvesters. Region 6 has been promised 3,000 part-time jobs. Yet the Government said we do not have enough workers and were encouraging Guyanese in Suriname and elsewhere to return home. I dont know which Guyanese would leave a country with a higher currency exchange compared to the Guyana dollar, to come back home. Even in tiny St. Kitts, the currency is higher than the Guyana dollar.

The Government also announced lots of hemp production in Berbice, a stadium and hotel at Palmyra, and a new

airport at Rose Hall. It is not known if thats Rose Hall, Canje or Rose Hall Town, Corentyne. I dont know if those items were in the PPPs Manifesto or if they are just pulling things out of a hat.

How come no mention was made of these in the budget debates? Is a stadium for Region 6 a high priority item, when the Albion Sports Complex is not a well utilised venue? Is that a felt need or an imposed project? Which stakeholders were involved in those discussions? Is that hotel a priority item? Will the Government be building it as they did the Marriott or is that a private venture? Truth be told, most workers will not afford to stay at a hotel for a night because it will cost a whole months salary at the current minimum wage.

In the matter of high bridge tolls to cross the Berbice River, the Government said no to lower tolls on the Berbice Bridge as requested by the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce. That is a real problem for Berbicians, and any relief would have made a big differ-

ence for those staunch supporters of the PPP. The working poor are understanding what the KN and SN have been educating them that Guyanas oil wealth is being appropriated by the foreign oil companies and Guyana is getting a pittance which is not enough to solve all our problems that have been simmering for the past 60 years under both major parties. Simply, Guyana has been so far behind in basic infrastructure, and there are so many needs, the current income from oil is not enough to solve all our problems relating to more infrastructure as well as policies to increase income. The renegotiation of the oil contract is the only way forward and the masses are understanding that its our country and our wealth. Its just a matter of time, they will take to the streets to demand the Government and the Opposition work together for renegotiation of the oil contracts. We must get more income from our oil and natural resources to have a better life.

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

Sunday April 17, 2022

Kaieteur M@ilbox HE IS RISEN! HAPPY EASTER! DEAR EDITOR, Kindly permit me to share a few thoughts this Easter time, as we celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Who is this Person that had such a profound effect on mankind that history is recorded - before Christ (BC) and after Christ (AD - anno domino - in the year of the L o r d ) .

Here are some famous statements made by this Prophet of God, who is recognised as such by other religious g r o u p s . ”I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through

me.”

John 14:6. ”... He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, Show us the Father?”

John 14:9 ”I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.” John 8 : 2 4 . ”I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live.” John 11:25.

Even as we fly our kites, let us remember His resurrection and join in the shout: CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED! Have a blessed and safe Easter week-end!

Claudia Heywood

Lobby for fairness Dear Editor, I drive between Essequibo and Georgetown for a livelihood. I use the Harbour Bridge more than most. I am really glad to know that there are many good companies who want to build a better bridge. This is progress. I have wasted so much of my life waiting and waiting and waiting because the Bridge was closed....or was it because it was opened - after so many years I still don’t get it.

I call for transparency.

Real transparency. The company that gets this business should have the people in mind. How will this Bridge af-

fect the people? I hope that the contract is just not given to some company who knows some big boy or gyal in politics. Every company deserves a fair chance.

Somebody said that one of the companies that put in a bid got bad experience in America. They build some bridge in Miami that collapsed and people died.

The impact of this bridge on the Guyanese people is of most importance. God smile on Guyana now and the people deserve the best. Keep the blessing on us. Choose the best company. Play a fair game. No favorites.

A. Persaud

Some thoughts on Hicken seeking assistance from the Hindu organisations in recruitment process DEAR EDITOR, I write regarding the letter captioned “Hicken should seek assistance from Hindu organisations in recruiting and retaining Hindus in the police force” by Malcolm Harripaul, Kaieteur News, April 9, 2022.

In the letter Harripaul writes “Post 1992 Hindus were actively discouraged by both PPP and Hindu leaders from enlisting in the Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force”. Previously, in an article titled The PPP and Guyanese Indians in 1999 and revised in 2003, Mr. Harripaul wrote, “Since regaining office the PPP, has repeatedly demonstrated that it remains anti-Indian in nature. It has failed to balance the Armed Forces…” And, while being interviewed on May 5, 2015 by Dr. Rudy Jadoopat on ITV in New York, he stated that immediately after the 1992 elections Dr. Jagan told him that he (Jagan) was not going to implement any change to address the

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imbalance in the police force or the army.

In my view, considering the politicisation of the army and the police by the previous administration and the fact that in 1992 they voted almost entirely for the previous administration, it may have been a wise decision by Dr. Jagan not to attempt any rebalancing immediately after assuming power in 1992.

However, it is inexcusable that in its twenty-three years in office the PPP made no attempt to address this matter.

In any case, not addressing the imbalance is not the same as actively discouraging Hindus from enlisting. I am not aware of any evidence that supports Mr. Harripauls latest view that the PPP and Hindu leaders actively discouraged Hindus from enlisting in the security forces.

Mr. Harripaul continues “Over the past 6 years whenever I addressed Hindus and urged them to serve in the Police and Army I was (Continued on page 6)

Kaieteur M@ilbox

GWIs Response to Freddie Kissoons Column titled “My words to the President on our first exchange” DEAR EDITOR, In our attempt to respond to the above captioned column, penned by Mr. Freddie Kissoon of Kaieteur News and published on April 15, we wish to first of all remind customers that we cannot address their concerns if they are not brought to our attention.

In other words, if no report has been made, then we have no record of your complaint in our system, hence we cannot address same.

In his column, Mr. Kissoon complained of not receiving a water bill for the past three months, prompting him to make a substantial payment to put his account in a credit, thus avoiding disconnection.

Prior to his public missive, we were not informed of his claim of not receiving bills.

Upon checking however, our Bill Deliverer has confirmed

delivering his bill each month, as she was able to positively describe M r.

Kissoons home and mailbox.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, M r.

Kissoon has had mobile numbers for two Customer Service Representatives, who he called in the past when he had queries. Mr. Kissoon is therefore encouraged to utilise these and other options available to him before making a public complaint.

Mr. Kissoon also raised a query about one Mr. Raymond Persaud, who related to him that he (Mr. Persaud) has not been receiving bills for four months and when a disconnection crew visited him, he subsequently sent his uncle to the office to ascertain his bill sum but he was turned away.

Based on our investigations, it is believed that the

man showed up at or nearing the time of office closure for the day and made a payment the following day.

Nevertheless, we did not disconnect Mr. Persaud s water service.

Our records also show that the account fitting the description of Mr. Persauds home, has been operating a car wash under a domestic account, when he should have been registered as a commercial customer.

He was therefore utilising a large quantity of water monthly.

We also found that although he was paying monthly, he had arrears totaling over $12,000.

It should be noted once again that we did not receive a report from the customer about non-delivery of bills.

We wish to use this opportunity to remind all customers that they can raise any

query or concern with us via our Customer Call Center number: 227-8701, WhatsApp number 6201667or the GWI office nearest to them. For persons wishing to view their balance, they can sign up for monthly E-billing by sending their email address to our WhatsApp number.

Additional options for queries and ascertaining your account balance include our live chat, available on our website at www.gwiguyana.gy, entering your account number via our website or sending us a message on social media.

Our Customer Services teams countrywide also issue reminder notices to customers and make calls to owing customers, prior to disconnecting.

Regards, Management of GWI

The Acting Commission of Police DEAR EDITOR, The current acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) has started off on the right foot.

In a kind of a way. He has made the rounds and issued the most pleasing sounds.

Those are easy to do, since there are now heavily embedded in national practices, to the point of being full-blown culture. For now, I give the chief some space and time to observe and analyse how he does, what he does differently, and what could be fairly assessed to be the level of his performance. I say this, despite an early blemish, that is interpreted to his being torn and undecided leading to escalation and consultation. It is part fear, part CYA, part politics, and all Guyana, which will be touched upon in a moment.

Many tiers in the Police were covered by the acting CoP in what I would term whirlwind moments. Communities were given commitments, reassurances were extended. Commanders were put on notice of expectations.

Sergeants and ranks all told in no uncertain manner that it is the new day of shape up or

be shipped out. To where, I will have to revisit some other time, as to those held as holy bulls (or sacred cows) who transgress.

For that remains to be seen regarding the acting CoP s disposition then, and the type of dispensation that follows from his hand. So far, so good, and like I said before, there can be no quarrel with any of what the new man on the scene has put out for public consumption. In fact, if he delivers by getting a troublingly undisciplined Police, a widely perceived corrupt Police, and too often unprofessional, abusive, and untoward Police to rise, despite its weaknesses and perform cleanly and consistently, then I take my hat off to the new acting CoP. I would give him the shirt off my back, size differentials and gratuity prohibitions duly noted.

The problem is that Guyanese have heard all of this before. In some similar speechifying and pious pontifications, that Top Cop chant does sound like a golden oldie. Except there is nothing golden about it, at least for citizens paying in

some form or the other. To be helpful, in case the subtleties that went over thick Guyanese heads, that means in flesh or funds. Or fears.

Another problem for the new man on the beat (sorry, in charge of the block) is that he comes with baggage, be such perceived or real. I have my instincts, which I will spare both citizens and chief by keeping to myself. For now.

First, he is considered a certain kind of creature, one of those animals (apologies, again, as no offense meant) that are not too welcome in the zoo that is Guyana. Second, the spirited objections to his ascendancy to the pinnacle of the Police was not, as contentiously publicised, about seniority. It was about the darker side of policing in this country, and of which the new head is well aware. It is not in Region Four either.

Thus, there is this small matter of credibility and trustworthiness, which swirls unceasingly, waspishly. The former Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs man could enlighten, but he already took the Fifth. It is called I dont

recall. Repeatedly. Oh, well….

Now, I turn to that nuisance blot that quickly graced the new headman on his arrival. It involved allegations from a female worker against an attorney at law; the contradiction of an officer of the law battling another officer the law.

It is not an ordinary attorney, but one with a pedigree possessing much connective tissue. It is termed who knows whom, as in elevated reach. It was not something that should have been left to PR flaks and political police hacks. The acting CoP should have been in the forefront, which would have been his best confidence-boosting card.

Regrettably both the acting CoP and the Police itself went MIA, meaning mum. It is the degree of dumbness that has dogged commissioners and the entire cohort of the Police for too long.

Not an inspiring beginning, Mister Commissioner.

Maybe that should be Comrade Commissioner.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

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Sunday April 17, 2022

Kaieteur News

Building bridges to Africa - Jamaica, Rwanda strengthen ties with two MoUs (Jamaica Observer) Jamaicas effort to achieve closer ties with countries in Africa is expected to be boosted by the just-concluded State visit to the island by a delegation from the Republic of Rwanda led by President Paul Kagame.

Speaking following the signing of two bilateral memoranda of understanding aimed at formalising joint activities between the two countries on Friday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared that the ground work had been laid for a deeper

engagement with Rwanda and, by extension, other countries in Africa.

“We may be geographically apart but today we have made another important step to building closer bridges,” declared Holness.

“Establishing and deepening strong fraternal connection with countries of the African continent have been a strategic area of focus for Jamaicas diplomatic engagement under my Administration.

“The Jamaica/Rwanda relationship should therefore be seen within the greater framework of our historical connection, not only with the continent but with Rwanda since the establishment of diplomatic relations in

November 1998,” added Holness.

The prime minister noted that the two countries have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on political consultations (Continued on page 69)

Some thoughts on Hicken...

From page 4 met with resentment from Hindu mothers …. Just over one year ago the GDF held recruitment drives in Indian areas all over Guyana and only succeeded in recruiting one Indian who was Christian…”

In the preceding, Harripaul focuses on Hindu mothers and purports to present their views.

Did he speak to the Indian mothers who are Christians or those who are Muslims? Do their views differ from those of the Hindu mothers? Why single out Hindu mothers? Interestingly, he informs us also that only one individual, a Christian, responded to the GDFs recruitment drive.

Based on figures from Wikipedia, the religious breakdown of Indo-Guyanese is as follows: Hindus 24.8%, Muslims 6.8%, Christians 8.23%.

If we accept Harripauls assertion that Hindu mothers and Hindu leaders actively discourage Hindus from joining the GDF and the police force, what discouraged the Christians and the Muslims so that only one person, a Christian, responded to the GDFs recruitment effort? After all, Christians and Muslims at 15% (6.8+8.2) comprise more than half the Indo-Guyanese population.

Over the years the myth that Indians do not want to join the security forces or the civil service developed and is now accepted as truth. The

fact is that during the latter half of the Burnham presidency, these areas of public service were unwelcome, even hostile, to Indians. Indians were generally bypassed during recruitment and the few who gained admission had their career advancement blocked. In the army, many Indian senior officers quit when they were subjected to political indoctrination and one West Point graduate together with his AfroGuyanese fellow West Point compatriot was refused commissioning. Consequently, the younger generations of Indians developed negative perceptions of these organisations, hence their reluctance to enlist.

For the record, when the SSU, forerunner of the GDF, was established prior to Guyanas independence, the Head and several of the senior officers were Indians.

Also, in 1961 when the Ministry of Home Affairs was first created and Mr. Balram Singh Rai was appointed Minister of Home Affairs in the PPP government with responsibility for the police force, he proceeded to address the problem of racial imbalance in the police force.

In early 1965, a Commission of Inquiry into Racial Problems in the Public Service was conducted by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) upon the invitation of then Premier LFS Burnham.

In its report of October 1965, the ICJ states “In 1961, a more positive effort was made on the direction of the then Minister of Home Affairs to improve the percentage of racial groups other than African, and it was decided that all recruitment into the Force, would be on the basis of 50% Africans and 50% other racial groups.

This policy has been maintained to date, and since November 1, 1961, out of a total of 294 recruits entering the Force 142 have been of racial origin other than African”. It is noteworthy that this result was achieved under the existing rules without any change to the admission requirements of height and chest size.

What is even more significant is that the key recommendation of the ICJ remains outstanding to this day. In its report the ICJ stated “we recognise that the present position, which is the result of a combination of factors, is not satisfactory and is one that calls for special treatment.

For this reason, we recommend that in each year for a period of 5 years, whenever the number of qualified applicants at Constable or Cadet Officer levels permits, 75% of the applicants accepted should be Indian, and 25% from other races”.

The ICJ report would be a good starting for Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr. Clifton Hicken.

Undoubtedly, the task of Mr. Hicken to address the racial imbalance in the Police Force will be difficult. He, his administrative team, and the Minister of Home Affairs will have to overcome skepticism and mistrust in the Indian community. More importantly, they will have to do battle within the police organisation itself to make it more accommodating to change. However, if then PPP Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Balram Singh Rai could have achieved a high degree of success in 1961, there is no reason why a committed PPP government cannot effect change now. President Ali and his ministers, not Hindu leaders or Hindu priests, have a responsibility to lead the effort and ensure its success.

Harry Hergash

Sunday April 17, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Sunday April 17, 2022

Lethem woman found hacked to death in Mazaruni Backdam - suspect denies murdering her

By Shervin Belgrave Lethem woman was on Thursday last found brutally murdered along a track at the Papi Show Backdam landing located along the Middle Mazaruni River, Region Seven.

She has been identified as Vanessa Francis, 27, of Yarankita Village, Lethem Region Nine. The woman had left her home some time back and had gone to the area to work. On Thursday around 10:00hrs, persons traversing the landing area stumbled upon her battered body lying face down in a clump of bushes along a small grass track.

A

Kaieteur News has seen photos of the woman's corpse and it was a gruesome sight. Her blue blouse was pulled down to her waist leaving the upper half of her body completely nude. Her skin bore multiple black and blue marks suggesting that the killer might have beaten her too. Francis' blood stained face bore a huge chop wound across the left side, completely disfiguring it.

It is also being speculated that Francis was also raped by her attacker.

According to police, the woman was last seen alive last Wednesday night with a man and was murdered sometime after then.

They have since arrested the man and he is being questioned at the Bartica Police Station.

However, Kaieteur News was told that the suspect, identified as a dredge owner in the Papi Show Backdam, has denied that he had anything to do with her murder.

He admitted that he knew the woman and had been with her on the night that she was last seen alive but was not the one who killed her.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, Commander of the Region Seven Police District, Dion Moore, said that the suspect remains in custody and investigators will continue to question him in relation to the incident.

Vanessa Francis' body being transported out of the Papi Show Backdam

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 17, 2022

Dem Boys Seh…

De guvament bicycle nah gat brakes De guvament deh pun a spending spree.

Dem announce all kind of projects but up to now dem nah talk whether dem conduct feasibility studies specific to dem projects.

Like de gas-to-shore project. Dem going ahead with um despite people telling dem dat dem should do a feasibility study to see whether dem gat cheaper alternatives. But read through de lines and ask yuhself why dem suh keen to move ahead.

Dem about to dredge de Pomeroon River to de tune

of half a billion dollars. But ask if dem do any studies to find out if dis is de solution to flooding in de Pomeroon.

Dem planning fuh build four-lane highways in Region 2, 3 and 6. But dem nah see how dis is not de solution to de traffic problem.

And dem four-lane road does become death trap.

Dem building stadium in Berbice and nuff ah dem ground nah even in good condition. Dem planning fuh extend and upgrade de airstrip in Canje. But cow grazing pun Skeldon airstrip.

Now dem looking fuh lease some more heavy oil electricity generating sets.

But dem yet to explain to de Guyanese people about de false alarm wah happen recently when de generating sets at de Eden Gardens did have to shut down because dem claim dem had a problem.

De engineers nah tell we yet wat was de problem, but suddenly we learning dat deh gat plans fuh lease generating sets wah does use fossil fuels.

Talk half and watch dis guvament with eagle eyes!

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Sunday April 17, 2022

EPA Yellowtail Permit should be deemed null and void - Environmentalist

By Davina Bagot

C

iting “blatant irregularities” in the conduct of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for oil giant, ExxonMobil's fourth project, the Yellowtail d e v e l o p m e n t , Environmentalist, Simone Mangal-Joly has written to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) insisting that the permit recently granted for the company's operations be cancelled.

In a letter to the EPA head, Mr. Kemraj Parsram, dated April 16, 2022, Mangal-Joly contended that the regulator

deeply erred when it granted the oil company the go-ahead for its project, even though the principles of the EIA process were not adhered to.

According to the specialist, “The EPA has systematically and knowingly violated the Environmental Protection Act in its handling of ExxonMobil's local subsidiary EEPGL's (Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited) Yellowtail Project environmental assessment and permit.”

She went on to explain that there were four violations of the process, which renders the Yellowtail

Permit invalid.

During a virtual consultation held with the public back in November last year on the project's environmental impacts, several questions to the developer were left unanswered.

In fact, EEPGL and the Consultant that prepared the EIA, Environmental Resources Management (ERM) merely referred the public to sections of the EIA to understand the project, rather than clear up any misconceptions or directly provide answers.

To this end, Mangal-Joly in her letter to the EPA head,

which was also copied to the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB), said there was a failure to assess the significant impacts of the project, before its approval.

She said, “The EPA illegally deferred the assessment of impacts to the Environmental Permit. For example, Section 1.3 of the permit specifies that: “The Permit Holder shall conduct an updated targeted marine environmental baselines studies program to develop a robust understanding of the marine environment within the area of influence (AOI) of the Yellowtail project.”

Among the listed requirement is 1.3.c: “Fisheries stock assessment and impacts.” It is well established in law that deferring the assessment of impacts defeats the whole purpose of an environmental impact assessment.

The deferral was not only incorrect, but also “irrational and illegal” the environmentalist concluded.

Mangal-Joly pointed out that the EPA's core responsibility is to assess impacts, and based on the findings, determine whether a permit should be granted for an activity.

Instead, she said that the EPA “disgracefully reneged” on this responsibility by placing the responsibility on ExxonMobil and affiliates to assess their own impacts.

“The Agency is openly subverting the law with this permit.

In so doing, the EPA is further depriving the public of their statutory rights to participate in the development of the TOR (Terms Of Reference), and the right to scrutinise an environmental impact study.”

On the other hand, the environmentalist also challenged the selection of ERM to conduct the EIA on behalf of the oil company.

Environmentalists in a letter to the EAB had alerted the review committee that ERM was the only Consultant ever selected to conduct EIA studies for ExxonMobil and requested that the EPA publish the list from which the company was selecte, in keeping with the Environmental Protection (EP) Act. The concern was reportedly never addressed, but the EPA recently issued a statement to the media on April 4, last, where it

Environmentalist, Simone Mangal-Joly explained that it is currently in the process of developing a list of consultants which can be used to undertake the studies. In the absence of that list of credible consultants, the EPA said it has been approving Consultants on a case by case basis, making sure to review the company's experience in developing such documents.

However, Mangal-Joly noted that the agency seems to have allowed itself the right to cheat the process, by ignoring Section 3 (a) of the EP Act. “There is nothing in the Act that speaks to an alternative means through which the EPA may select qualified persons to conduct EIAs. Whether one does it on a case-by-case basis or from a pool, or whether it is a local or foreign individual or company, Section 3(a) of the Act is clear that the Agency cannot select the consultants by itself; the selection must be done “with the assistance of internationally recognised environmental groups.” This is specifically to avoid bias and underhandedness,” she pointed out.

The environmentalist argued that the EPA was aware of this requirement before selecting ERM, as complaints on the subject were raised during the Yellowtail public comment period.

While making her third point, the environmentalist said that the EPA failed to publish the reasons for justifying the issuing of the Yellowtail Permit.

“Section 12(1) of the EP Act (a)(b) and (c) directs the E PA t o c o n s i d e r : ( i ) Recommendations of the EAB; (ii) Views expressed

during consultation under section 11(9), and (iii) The environmental impact assessment and statement in deciding on a permit.

Notably, Section 12(2) compels the EPA to account for its decision: “The Agency shall publish its decision and the grounds on which it is made”. The Agency's published Notice of Decision on April Fool's Day, April 1, 2022, merely parrots the instructions of the EP Act. It says that the EAB found the environmental impact study acceptable, and: “The EPA has taken all relevant considerations into account, including the views expressed by members of the public during consultations done in accordance with s e c t i o n 11 ( 9 ) o f t h e Environmental Protection Act, Cap. 20:05,” the environmentalist pointed out.

In this regard, she noted that the description of the agency's perceived steps of actions are not justifications for the granting of a permit as required by law. In fact, the agency failed to identify and account for how significant impacts and public concerns were satisfactorily addressed before it granted a permit, the environmentalist reasoned.

She said the EPA was in breach of Section 12 (1) of the EP Act. On her fourth point, the environmentalist said that the EPA failed to disclose the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the EIA, a document which specifies the obligations consultants are required to fulfill in the conduct of the study.

The EPA had said it was not required by law to publish the TOR for the project.

However, Mangal-Joly is questioning the reasoning behind this stance of the EPA. She said that the absence of the document was raised with the EPA before and it decided to publish the report only two days prior to the closure of the public comment period.

She said, “The Agency has since told the public that it is not required under law to disclose the TOR. If it honestly believed this, why didn't it say so back in December 2021? Would the EPA have the public believe that after the pains the Environmental Protection Act goes to ensuring public input into the TOR for an EIA, the Act also preserves the Agency's right not to disclose the TORs as part of (Continued on page 14)

Sunday April 17, 2022

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Sunday April 17, 2022

Stifled by debt, Sri Lankans want leaders ousted for 'loan crimes' The island nation of Sri Lanka is in the midst of one of the worst economic crises it has ever seen. It has just defaulted on its foreign debts for the first time since its independence, and the country's 22 million people are facing crippling 12-hour power cuts and an extreme scarcity of food, fuel and other essential items, such as medicines.

Even as the debt piles up, Sri Lanka looks to International Monetary Fund (IMF) for an immediate bail out.

A Sri Lankan delegation heads to Washington, DC, to secure funds, street protests calling for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government to demit office continues.

Sri Lankans protestors have labeled the Rajapaksa regime “loan criminals,”

noting that foreign debt led to an inflation which is at an alltime high of 17.5 per cent, with prices of food items such as a kilogram of rice soaring to 500 Sri Lankan rupees (US$1.56) when it would normally cost around 80 rupees (US$0.25).

On April 1, President Gotabaya Rajpaksha declared a state of emergency. In less than a week, he withdrew it following massive protests by angry citizens over the government's handling of the crisis.

The country relies on the import of many essential items including petrol, food items and medicines. Most countries will keep foreign currencies on hand in order to trade for these items, but a shortage of foreign exchange in Sri Lanka is being blamed for the sky-high prices.

Many believe that Sri Lanka's economic relations with China are the main driver behind the crisis. The United States has called this phenomenon “debt-trap diplomacy”.

This is where a creditor country or institution extends debt to a borrowing nation to increase the lender's political leverage – if the borrower extends itself and cannot pay the money back, they are at the creditor's mercy.

Sri Lanka has granted China a 99-year lease on Hambantota port, which is located along one of the world's busiest shipping routes.

'BAIL OUT' This week a team led by newly appointed Finance Minister Ali Sabry hopes to start talks with the lender of last resort on April 18 and secure aid as early as a week

Sri Lanka has formally handed over its southern port of Hambantota to China on a 99-year lease, which government critics have denounced as an erosion of the country's sovereignty. (Photo Credit: Associate Foreign Press) after negotiations.

“We need immediate emergency funding to get Sri Lanka back on track,” Sabry said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Thursday, while pegging the funding need this year at between $3 billion - $4 billion. “Our appeal to them

is to release it as soon as possible.”

Sabry will be joined in the talks by central bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe and Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana, both of whom have had stints with the IMF. Still, political turmoil at

home, with street protests by citizens calling for the ouster of Rajapaksa only make the job of convincing the IMF to lend money more difficult.

The $81 billion economy faced $8.6 billion worth of debt obligations this year before it suspended (Continued on page 14)

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 17, 2022

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BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY! In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecency in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

SUNDAY Guyanese are a people who are easily pleased.

With mere promises – especially of the cash grant and subsidy kinds – any charismatic leader can coerce the majority of our people to vote him/her into office.

But it would take a truly compassionate and visionary leader to ensure that citizens receive what they truly deserve without a fight.

Until such leaders are voted into office, we at this publication, without fail, will continue to carry the fight for a better Guyana – a Guyana where citizens have confidence in their elected leaders to protect their patrimony come hell or high water.

MONDAY Guyanese want more Guyana is at a serious crossroad. The country is at a stage where it can reposition itself from a poor developing nation to one of the most prosperous countries in the region and even the world given its resources versus the less than one million souls living here.

Leaders of this country

must however believe that Guyana can be lifted from the abyss. They must believe in their People to back them if they demand more from the foreigners who have seen our resources and want to benefit from it.

There is nothing wrong in asking for more. There is nothing wrong with saying to our foreign friends that we appreciate your investment, but our people deserve more.

When our leaders cannot do this, who will stand for us?

Guyanese we must stand up.

We must ensure our own future.

TUESDAY Why can't we just get along?

In a country that's clearly on a robust developmental path, once our wealth is handled with care, it seems quite a tall task for our leaders to get along.

For instance, for years, respective Presidents and Opposition Leaders of this country have been incapable of agreeing on nominees to appoint a substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice.

But as proclaimed by the CCJ President, Justice

Govt. reveals controversial Canadian...

From page 3 companies submitting a proposal for the Yellowtail or Payara reviews.”

The American expert said, “Canada has a vested interest in Guyana's offshore development, in that Canadian companies are actively exploring for oil and gas in blocks adjacent to the Stabroek Block. Is Redford's consultancy therefore a conflict of interest, in that she as a Canadian has been given access to proprietary information not otherwise available? These are critical questions the media should demand answers for.”

It should be noted that Bayphase has performed the review of both the Liza Phase 2 Environmental Impact Assessment and the Field Development Plan; review of both the Payara Environmental Impact Assessment and the Field Development Plan; the Field Development Plan review for Payara; and the Field Development Plan review for Yellowtail. These are projects worth approximately US$30B.“Since the consultancy performing all reviews to date is also the

same entity that educated the government as to how the reviews should be performed, industry experts say citizens must ask how they can rest assured that the reviews have been performed with their best interest in mind.

“Has the Government directed Bayphase to perform their analysis with the best interest of Guyana in mind?

International oil and gas experts will agree that it is possible to develop a field utilising international best practices that is of more benefit to the licensee than the resource owner. It is Esso's job to advance their best interest: It is the government's job to safeguard the best interest of its people. It is not clear that this is taking place,” said another expert with over 50 years in the sector.

The experienced contract negotiator who is based in Ghana said Guyana ought to demand that all reports, data and analysis regarding the review of the FDPs approved thus far be made public. She opined that if the government refuses to comply; it may very well be afraid of exposing how much value they left at the table.

Adrian Saunders, the time has come for these appointments to be made.

Come on leaders, it is about time that these intelligent and hardworking women at the helm of our judicial system, are appointed so that they can serve this country with pride.

WEDNESDAY Jagdeo to fishermen: Drop your nets and follow hemp Amid the economic and other crises in this land, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo over the weekend told fishermen, farmers and other Berbicians that the soon to come Hemp industry is a worthy alternative to their daily troubles.

His remarks were aimed at appeasing fishermen who

have suffered immensely due to low catch and now rigid relations in neighbouring Suriname. For several months fisherfolk have been crying out about low catch presumably as a direct result of oil drilling activities offshore Guyana.

Yet, it seems as though their complaints have fallen on deaf ears, with only a promise from the Agriculture Minister that a probe would be launched into the issue.

This is a typical example of putting the cart before the horse as the Government should not be relying on the complaints of the fishermen to investigate the impacts of the oil production on the sector rather, they should have conducted an assessment before the drilling activities began to prepare for the impacts.

Now that 'boat gone a falls' the VP is telling them to drop their nets and follow hemp.

THURSDAY

Whither the decrease in construction materials?

At the beginning of the year, government boasted about removing taxes on construction materials during the 2022 Budget Debates.

Even though this promise was announced, the price tag on government projects remains shockingly high.

This newspaper continues to highlight weekly, shocking sums estimated to build new schools, or repair current structures. It seems that the price has gone up, rather than decreased. One may argue that shipping prices have impacted these materials, but the fact is that Guyana has its own sand, stone and even cement among other necessities.

We b e l i e v e t h a t corruption is taking place in every sector of this country, at the behest of our dishonest leaders. They have encouraged the foreigners to come into our land and rob

the Guyanese people of their wealth, as they themselves continue to do daily.

FRIDAY Guyana must rise It was a day like today that Jesus Christ after being betrayed was crucified on a cruel cross. Three days later, Christians believe He rose from the dead to be the saviour for all of mankind.

We at this newspaper are praying for the day of resurrection to come for our country, when after the 'sellout' of our patrimony, Guyana can rise from the dirt and truly be the saviour for the Caribbean, as our young President has been assuring the people.

This resurrection for Guyana can begin with our leaders agreeing to renegotiate the lopsided oil contract with ExxonMobil.

Until such a time, this newspaper will continue to be the 'voice in the wilderness' advocating for a better deal.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday April 17, 2022

Jealous teen kills man for drinking with his wife

D

A shot of the Oronoque community where the incident occurred.

rinking with another man's wife ended tragically for Felipe Galaviz, a Venezuelan National who was killed on Friday evening by his fellow country man, at Oronoque, Port Kaituma, Region One. The suspect wanted for Galaviz's death has been identified as a 19-year-old Venezuelan teen and police are currently hunting him.

Galaviz was stabbed to his neck with a knife around

23:30hrs at the suspect's home. He was rushed to the Port Kaituma Hospital located close by to the crime scene but succumbed while receiving treatment for his injury.

Ranks visited the scene and learnt that Galaviz had visited the suspect's home when he was not around and had started drinking with his

wife. The teen arrived sometime later and met the two imbibing together and became suspicious. An argument soon after ensued between them. It led to a confrontation between the teen and Galaviz, resulting in Galaviz's death.

Police have since detained the suspect's wife and several other persons.

EPA Yellowtail Permit...

From page 10 consultations on the study?”

The environmentalist explained that Section 11(6) of the EP Act requires that before an impact assessment is begun, the EPA shall publish a notice to the public with a project summary.

Section (11) (7), specifically states that: “Members of the public shall have 28 days from the date of publication referred to subsection (6) to make written submissions to the agency setting out those questions and matters which they require to be answered or considered in the environmental impact assessment.”

To t h i s e n d , s h e questioned the conclusion reached by the EPA that “what is important is that section 11(4) and (5) already sets out what every EIA must contain and consider” as was published in a statement issued by the EPA. Moreover, the specialist challenged another section of

the EPA statement, in which it said the agency went beyond the requirements of the EP Act to engage the public. According to her, “Even if the Agency had held ten thousand meetings, these would not have negated the sabotage of the public comment period occasioned by depriving the public of the knowledge of the requirements of the TOR. Performing meetings and merely keeping up appearances do not meet legal standards of consultation. When the EPA granted the Yellowtail Permit it knew full well that none of the meetings took place before the public had sight of the TOR.” As a consequence of the “blatant irregularities,” she called on the EPA to cancel the Permit issued for the Yellowtail project and asked that the EIA process be restarted in alignment with the legal provisions of the EP Act.

Stifled by debt, Sri Lankans...

From page 12 payments on foreign loans to preserve cash to pay for essential food and fuel imports.

Even with officials more amenable to working with the IMF in place, it will be an uphill task for Sri Lanka to raise the kind of funds, Sabry said the country needs to tide over a balance of payments crisis this year.

The last time IMF extended help to Sri Lanka in 2016, the loan was capped at $1.5 billion and the programme was prematurely terminated after disbursing $1.3 billion. That was when the economy was growing at about five percent and tourism accounted for a similar percent of gross domestic product.

In the absence of revenue from tourism, Sri Lanka has in recent times turned to countries, including China and India, for support amid a

weak foreign-reserves position. The nation is also in talks with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for support, Sabry said.

Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi to seek further help for securing food and fuel imports for the island nation, a statement from the high commission said.

New Delhi has already provided a $1 billion credit facility to buy food, medicines and other essential items as well as $500 million for fuel imports, since the crisis.

Sri Lanka faces elevated dollar debt payments in coming years. (www.channelnewsasia.c om,https://www.aljazeera.co m/economy/2022/4/15/srilanka-looks-to-imf-for-abail-out)

Sunday April 17, 2022

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Sunday April 17, 2022

Kaieteur News

= =T h e Cre ati v eCoven ==

The Introduction…

By Zena Henry

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Sunday April 17, 2022

Kaieteur News

Lindener, Anita Narine, is a Good Samaritan to stray animals

Anita Narine feeding some stray dogs on Good Friday in Linden

By Vanessa Braithwaite Many look at this season as a time of giving, but for y o u n g L i n d e n e r, A n i t a Narine, her type of giving is one dedicated to stray animals.

While there is much emphasis on giving cross buns, Easter hampers and Sunday lunches at this time of year, Narine spent her Good Friday feeding stray animals and caring for them – an act that is not widely seen in our society.

While the reason for doing so is out of pure love for animals, Narine also embarked on this venture to improve the aesthetics of Linden, her home town. “We don't want to attract tourists for the Linden Town Week and see unhealthy animals roaming. It's bad enough to have strays but we can help to treat and feed them. We don't want fleas to get into contact with the human body when we have our little activities for the Town Week,” Narine said.

Narine has been feeding strays and taking care of animals for as long as she can remember and is now on a mission to establish an animal shelter in Linden to further reduce the number of stray animals in the town.

She currently has four pet cats at home and often takes in strays until she finds a home for them.

Daily, Narine feeds stray animals, including cats and dogs and even leaves bowls of store-bought animal food and water in public areas for them to enjoy.

Her routine also includes purchasing flea and tick sprays, providing medical assistance for animals and

ensuring animals are left in their natural habitat. “Too many animals are being abused and are being strayed; sometimes left on the road or gutters to starve to death.

Helping them is something I love and I would always do but most times quietly.”

But according to Narine, she is seeking all the public support she can get, to construct and operate the proposed animal shelter.

“Many say it's a nice initiative to feed the strays in Linden cause not many people have the patience and time to feed them. While some say, oh is strays we could leave them.

But over all, it's a very nice thing to do because as most people say, they don't have the time to deal with it and look at strays as though they need help,” she posited.

She always has pet foods in her possession to feed strays on her way to and from work, on holidays or anytime she is free.

“The first couple of times I used funding from my pocket and I did it because it is something I love doing. And eventually over time a few business owners and residents also made contributions to make the activity even more successful,” she shared.

Narine said her love for animals is more than casual thus she will continue to dedicate her time and resources to ensure strays are taken care of.

Anyone who wants to stray an animal can contact her and she will take good care of them, and persons who are interested in making donations to assist her in 'feeding the strays' can contact her on 658-5835.

Kaieteur News

Felicia. Ally

Sunday April 17, 2022

Meet Miss Guyana Supranational 2021 Felicia Ally. Ms. Ally earned the 2021 title by working to drive transnational change. Miss Guyana Supranational is the Guyana chapter of the Miss Supranational pageant which brings women from around the world together, honouring their accomplishments and talent.

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Sunday April 17, 2022

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 17, 2022

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The old guard is complicit in the betrayal of the working class

M

a r x i s m Leninism was t h e o ff i c i a l creed of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) from 1969. But that was more of an internationalist posture rather than the guiding ideology of the party.

The PPP started out as a nationalist movement with the aim of ending colonial rule and exploitation. Even before the Cuban Revolution, the West had feared Cheddi Jagan more than it had feared Castro. Cheddi Jagan is today still idolised in Latin America as a hero of the antiimperialist struggle.

But after the success of the Cuban Revolution, the party came under intense pressure from western imperialism. As declassified documents now attest, the territorial gambit was part of a plot to provide the basis for the toppling of the PPP. Plans were even made to kidnap Cheddi Jagan and his wife, Janet Jagan, and fly them to Venezuela as part of the plans to topple him.

After the expulsion of the elements of the extreme Left from the party, the PPP went through a phase in which he became reliant increasingly on the support of the Communist International. As such the party aligned itself as puppet of the Soviet Union but Jagan was widely respected within the nonaligned movement. Onto this day, it aches the PNC to know that Cheddi Jagan was honoured with the Companions of Oliver Tambo Award, by the government of South Africa.

The PPP therefore projected itself internationally as a communist party. Locally, its policies were in support of creating a democratic socialist state.

But the international respect it derived was more due to strident opposition to apartheid and imperialism, and its support for the decolonisation process.

After Ranji Chandisingh defected to the PNC, Cheddi Jagan became the undisputed ideologue within the party.

But despite the party having an ideological school,

Marxism-Leninism was never deeply entrenched w i t h i n t h e p a r t y, i t s membership or supporters.

The leadership of the PPP was never properly grounded in Marxism-Leninism. The membership only had a general knowledge of dogmatic Marxism and used it merely as a tool of analyse what the party saw a Burnham's state capitalism.

PPP supporters were the least interested in establishing a socialist state.

They wanted liberation from the PNC dictatorship and saw the PPP as the only hope for removing the illegitimate, corrupt and incompetent PNC regime.

When Cheddi Jagan was restored to office in 1992, he faced a difficult choice. The communist world had already collapsed and the former communist countries were in deep crisis. He could not look towards them for support.

The triumph of the neoliberal order and its facilitation of free and fair elections also presented a dilemma for Cheddi. The West was still wary of leftwing parties. It was the West which had pressured Hoyte to make electoral changes which led to free and fair elections. The new found friends in the business community convinced Cheddi that he needed to assuage the fears of the West.

As such prior to the 1992 elections, the PPP issued a statement saying that it was not contemplating the imminent building of socialism in Guyana.

That was seen more as a tactical manoeuvre by the PPP rather than an ideological shift in the party.

Cheddi in fact was forced to walk a tightrope between transformation and adjustment.

There were no powerful left-wing ideologies within the party. As such it was very easy for the party to abandon Marxism-Leninism after Cheddi died. For a short period Janet Jagan attempted to fend off attempts by a small band of persons to remove the reference to Marxism from the party's

Constitution. She viewed this as an attempt to destroy Cheddi's legacy. Khemraj Ramjattan was expelled for daring to propose that references to MarxismLeninism be deleted from the party's Constitution.

This development revealed just how out of touch he was with the ideological character of the party.

There was no need to

place his political career at such great risk merely to change delete references to Marxism-Leninism from the party's Constitution.

Those references still remain. But MarxismLeninism is merely a memory in the PPP. The PPPC is now a bourgeois party which espouses, and has done so since 1999, unabashed neo-liberal economic policies.

The greatest betrayal of the PPP/C, however, was not the shelving of MarxismLeninism. It was the abandonment of working class policies in favour of measures which profited a small powerful economic oligarchic and the party's ingratiation with the bourgeois class.

The old guard of the PPP was complicit in this process.

But it was even guiltier of

allowing a political neophyte to seize control of the party and to align it with the very economic classes which had no time for the PPP during its 28-year long vigil in Opposition.

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

Kaieteur News

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Sunday April 17, 2022

Developing countries also victims of Ukraine war

By Sir Ronald Sanders

I

n the words of UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, the war on Ukraine by Russia “is fast becoming a matter of life and death for vulnerable people around the world”.

His comment is strongly supported by a UN report, published on 13 April and entitled, “Global Impact of war in Ukraine on food, energy and finance systems”.

Its findings make grim reading and should fully dispel all the opinions that Russian aggression against Ukraine is a “white peoples' war” or that it does not affect regions as distant as the Caribbean.

Here's what the report finds in summary: The war in Ukraine, is producing alarming cascading effects to a world economy already battered by COVID-19 and climate change, with particularly dramatic impacts on developing countries.

Commodity prices are reaching record highs across the board. On April 8, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) stated that food prices are 34

percent higher than this time last year and have never been this high since the FAO started recording them.

Crude oil prices have increased by around 60 percent, and gas and fertilizer prices have more than doubled. The world's poorest countries tend to be net food importers and export and import measures on trade can further exacerbate rising food prices. At current price l e v e l s , FA O e s t i m a t e s i n c r e a s e s i n undernourishment and food insecurity.

Therefore, as the UN Secretary-General has aptly put it, “the war has launched a silent assault on the developing world”.

The Caribbean is not excluded from this assault. And while Belize and Guyana might be excluded, to some extent, from CARICOM countries that will experience food shortages and high prices for food imports, no other CARICOM country will be spared the undernourishment and food insecurity that will ensue.

But Guyana and Belize will suffer from wheat shortages because Russia and Ukraine provide around 30

percent of the world's wheat and barley, one fifth of its maize, and over half of its sunflower oil.

Also, together, Russia and Ukraine account for a fifth of the world's fertilizers which are now either not being produced or are not being exported.

C o n s e q u e n t l y, t h e agriculture sector in all CARICOM countries, including Guyana and Belize will decline.

Ordinarily, countries in the Caribbean would look to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) to assist with the grave financial challenges that will, undoubtedly, flow from this deeply troubling situation – the full impact of which has not yet been felt and is, perhaps, clouding popular perception of the clear dangers that are now on the region's doorstep.

H o w e v e r, t o h e l p countries in the Caribbean cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WB and the IMF extended special mechanisms for lending to low and middleincome countries.

Except for Antigua and

Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis, the two institutions also provided credit to highincome countries such as Barbados and the Bahamas.

In August 2021, the IMF also expanded the allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) equivalent to $650 billion to boost liquidity and reserves around the world.

About $275 billion of that $650 billion went to emerging and developing countries, and low-income countries received about $21 billion.

The credit that was extended, while immediately helpful to the recipient countries that were confronted with a decline in income from COVID's effects on their economies and increased expenditure, particularly in health and support for the poor and unemployed, means that the majority of CARICOM countries are now facing the limits of their borrowing capacity.

It will be difficult – if not impossible – for them to find the increased resources needed to pay for skyrocketing oil prices and food. Further, the IMF has

gone as far as it can go in expanding allocation of SDR's to increase liquidity and reserves.

The IMF and WB, whose Spring Meetings with world governments are now in session, have announced no new avenues of assistance.

Thus, they are telling Caribbean countries that “the increased financing needs of the Caribbean region will lead to even higher debt levels, which for some were in excess of 100 percent of GDP prior to the COVID-19 pandemic”.

They have also indicated that diversification of small economies is very difficult.

This means that reliance on industries such as tourism and one-crop agriculture – both of which are vulnerable to extreme Climate Change events will continue.

So far, however, the IMF and WB have not produced any new means to increase liquidity and fiscal space, so that governments in developing countries can invest in the poorest and most vulnerable. The countries that control the WB and IMF – the United States, Germany, France, China and Canada among them – should step up with the means for small economies to provide for their people.

After all, even in this crisis, as is Climate Change and the COVID-19 pandemic, small countries were the least contributors but the biggest victims – as they are of an unjust international financial system.

Against this background, it should also be clear that Russia's aggression against Ukraine is a humanitarian disaster for that country but a dagger at the heart of

Sir Ronald Sanders developing countries, especially small economies.

Up to 1.7 billion people – over one-fifth of humanity – are being cast into poverty, destitution and hunger on a scale not seen in decades.

Apart from the fact that Russia's military aggression against Ukraine is a violation of international law that has weakened the system and left small nations bereft of the only meaningful protection that they had, the economic consequences are also now battering small countries disproportionately. This is why Russia must be sent the clear message by all the world that nothing justifies its violation of international law, including international humanitarian law and the disregard to the rules of war that have killed thousands of civilians including children, and put the world's economies in jeopardy.

The war must end, and global peace and security restored by all.

Small economies must raise their hands for this cause.

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the United States of America and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto).

Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 17, 2022

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THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The lesson the young should learn from Naomi Osaka's inexperience

I

n March this year at the Indian Wells tournament, Naomi Osaka was booed by a spectator while playing. It affected her, she began to cry, and her game fell to pieces.

With the experience of playing around the world, Ms. Osaka should have known better.

But at 24 is she experienced enough to learn about one of the most invaluable lessons of life?

And yes, it is one of the most important things, if we do not know about it, can mentally destroy every human. And it may have psychologically damaged, beyond repair, to countless humans throughout life.

What is that lesson? Do not be deterred by your

detractors. Live your life how you want to live it, be respectful to others, acknowledge the rights of others, ensure you do not deny others their right to happiness but never let the attitude of those you do not know, want to know and you don't care about, shape and affect your life.

Humans are inherently flawed and selfish.

Humans will say anything that come to their mouths and you have to understand that, ignore it and get on with your life. From the time you become a parent, this is the great lesson of life you must impart to your children.

I have one child, a daughter. When she came into this world, I was experienced and educated enough to understand the flaws of humans. So, I asked her to internalise that invaluable lesson. I put it to her the way it has been said always – “don't bother with

people you don't take your plate to.”

My daughter is grown-up and I have peace of mind that I know she has inculcated that seminal advice all parents, teachers and mentors must impart to younger people.

It was unfortunate that Ms. Osaka let that hooligan get to her. She could not show him the middle finger in that ambience at Indian Wells but that is what she should have done.

She will never see that man again. She didn't know him. She doesn't know if he is intelligent enough to know the difference between a padlock and a spoon. She does not know if he is educated enough to know that Nigeria is not a part of the United States, yet she let him get to her.

I am definitely sure, Ms. Osaka must have been told millions of times since March 2022 not to ever let that happen again to her. I am

sure Ms. Osaka must have been advised by countless friends and admirers that she must never allow stupid people to ruin her day.

The double standards of life have been with civilisation since time immemorial and they will be part of life forever.

I did a column in support of Indian star cricketer, Hardik Pandya when he was suspended. Pandya in an interview said when he is in a nightclub, he usually assesses the women before he makes his move.

Why was Pandya suspended for that emanation in a country that tolerates the most vicious discrimination based on skin colour?

Since the Hindi screen started, no leading star has been dark-skinned.

The Academy of Motion Pictures awarded Roman Polanski an Oscar at a time when he is still wanted in the US for sodomising an underage girl. Mr. Polanski

lives happily in France. Do you think the usual suspects, their Frederick Kissoon middle class acolytes and their media facilitators care about have the time to iron your what people say about their top, that is your business.

Pull it over your shoulders hypocrisy and racism?

Why should you be and run into the supermarket deterred from running over to and do what you have to do.

Life is about obligation. the supermarket with your If you work at the bank, then wrinkled T-shirt because the bank puts food on your people will laugh at you?

Do you carry your plate table. If the bank says you are to those people? Do you not permitted to wear a ring think those people are in your nose then don't. intelligent enough to know Schools have rules, you are what a democratic country being educated there.

If they say uniforms must is? be worn, then you have to Did those people, who comply. you think will laugh at your Outside of these T-shirt, contribute to your environments, don't let fools education? and strangers that don't care Did they put food on your about you dictate your life for table when your parents were trying to feed you and your you.

(The views expressed in siblings? this article are those of the If the answer is no, then a u t hor and do not why do you care what they will say when you wear your necessarily reflect the wrinkled T-shirt? If you don't opinions of this newspaper.)

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Kaieteur News

Sunday April 17, 2022

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 17, 2022

PAGE 27

Elevated cholesterol does not cause symptoms

By Dr. Zulfikar Bux

E

m e r g e n c y M e d i c i n e specialist Too often, I'm visited by patients who complain of feeling unwell and associate their symptoms with having a high cholesterol level.

There are even times when patients are adamant about cholesterol being the cause of their illness and plead for a cholesterol test.

Once the test is done, and they realise their cholesterol is normal, t hey start to feel better. It obviously proves cholesterol was not the cause and may even be a mind over matter situation.

As physicians, we try to figure out causes of patient's symptoms and attempt to remedy their ailments.

Treating a patient's cholesterol to treat their mind and not the underlying cause of their symptoms, is not in the best interest of the patient.

Today, I will attempt to explain the role of cholesterol and hopefully,

help to debunk this widespread myth of cholesterol being the reason for someone's symptom(s).

Is there a purpose for cholesterol in our body?

Cholesterol should be considered both or friend and more importantly, our foe.

At normal levels, it is an essential substance for the body's normal functioning, but if levels get too high, it becomes a silent danger that puts us at risk for multiple conditions.

These conditions will be the cause of symptoms over time and not the elevated cholesterol by itself.

One should therefore not think that elevated cholesterol is harmless, but should also be mindful of incorrectly associating their medical complaints with having a high cholesterol level.

How does cholesterol function in our body?

Cholesterol is oil-based and so does not mix with the blood, which is water-based.

It is therefore carried around

the body in the blood by lipoproteins. Cholesterols are carried b y t w o t y p e s of lipoproteins; Lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL - cholesterol carried by this type is known as 'bad' cholesterol) and H i g h - d e n s i t y lipoprotein (HDL c h o l e s t e r o l c a r r i e d by this type is known as 'good' cholesterol).

Cholesterol has four main functions, without which we could not live. It contributes to the structure of cell walls, makes up digestive bile acids in the intestine, allows the body to produce Vitamin D, and enables the body to make certain hormones.

leads to blockage of arteries, we start to see the complications of the cholesterol blockage.

These complications can include high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack. So as we can see, it's not the cholesterol that will cause us to feel bad, but it's the complications associated with cholesterol blockage of arteries.

These blockages take years and will not cause symptoms until those years have elapsed.

Therefore, we should not associate a sudden rise in our cholesterol with any specific symptom.

What happens when your cholesterol levels are high?

You can assist our body with controlling our cholesterol levels by eating the right food, exercising and avoid smoking.

High levels of the bad cholesterol (LDL) will lead to it being stored in arteries and build up over time causing blockage.

This bad cholesterol build up is called atherosclerosis and when it

How can you control your cholesterol levels?

Limiting intake of bad fat in the diet will help to manage cholesterol levels.

The following foods are high in bad cholesterol

By Dr. Zulfikar Bux and should be Emergency avoided as much Medicine Specialist as possible: · Full fat dairy p rocess. and its products (Butter, If we do these well, our Cheese, Full fat milk, etc.) chances of having high · Red Meat (Beef, Pork, cholesterol and subsequently lamb, etc.) having complications from · P r o c e s s e d m e a t high cholesterol, will be (Sausage, Beef Jerky, reduced.

Canned meat, etc.)

In life we will all · Fried foods (French e x p e r i e n c e v a r i o u s fries, Fried chicken and other symptoms from time to time. deep-fried foods) It may be that nagging · Baked sweets (Cake, headache, or that crushing pastries, cookies, etc.) chest pain or you're just not Of course, one cannot feeling well. emphasise enough about As Physicians, we will regular e x e r c i s i n g a n d look for causes of these avoidance of smoking symptoms and treat them; i n a s s i s t i n g t h e high cholesterol will not be c h o l e s t e r o l r e d u c t i o n one of those causes.

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SUNDAY EXXONMOBIL OFFERS GUYANA US$2B TO COVER OIL SPILL COSTS NOT SATISFIED

BY SUBSIDIARY - EPA REFUSES TO SIGN OFF UNTIL JUSTIFICATION PROVIDED American oil giant, ExxonMobil Corporation has presented the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a proposal for a US$2B guarantee which would cover any oil spill costs not satisfied by its subsidiary and Operator of the Stabroek Block, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

But the EPA has chosen not to accept this offer as yet until ExxonMobil can justify how it arrived at the US$2B guarantee for a worst case scenario offshore Guyana.

This was revealed by EPA Head, Kemraj Parsram during his recent appearance on Kaieteur Radio programme, Guyana’s Oil and You. He was accompanied by Head of the EPA’s Oil and Gas Department, Joel Gravesande and the EPA’s Legal Officer, Frances Carryl.

During the discussion which focused on key provisions in the Environmental Permit for the US$10B project, the insurance arrangements in place for an unmitigated oil spill in the Stabroek Block were examined.

Also given due attention were other mechanics in place to ensure Guyana is well protected in the event of pollution by EEPGL. In terms of the liability for environmental damage as a consequence of the activities that are ongoing offshore, Carryl said the Environmental Protection Act has the benefit of being general enough to ensure liabilities are covered.

The Legal Officer explained that one key provision in this regard can be found in Section 13 of the Act which makes it clear that permit holders have a responsibility to restore and rehabilitate the environment; in other words, regardless of what occurs, EEPGL would be held responsible for the restoration and rehabilitation of the environment.

EPA Head, Mr. Parsram was also keen to note that there is a strict liability principle to which EEPGL is bound; that means, “We don’t have to go to court to prove anything, we can start to take action against you.”

Expounding further, the Legal Officer said, “Section Four of the Act lists a number of principles which the EPA must utilise in fulfilling its obligations and one of those is the Strict Liability Principle

Sunday April 17, 2022

Kaieteur News

which speaks to the fact that the requirement to prove fault is eradicated so it does not really matter whose fault it is; there is no blame game, the person at whose instance it occurs, being EEPGL in this example, would be held strictly liable. It would be quite difficult for the company to escape liability given the provisions of the permit and the Act.” (Continue reading here: h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/10/exxonmobiloffers-guyana-us2b-tocover-oil-spill-costs-notsatisfied-by-subsidiary/) GOVT. TAX WAIVER TO OIL COMPANIES AMOUNTS TO MASSIVE LOSS IN REVENUE FOR GUYANA - DECISION TO GRANT CONCESSIONS SHOULD BE OVERTURNED GLENN LALL TELLS HIGH COURT Maintaining that he is within his legal right to file court action against the Government of Guyana (GOG) over its decision to grant Exxon Mobil and its affiliates extensive tax waivers, Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall has told the High Court that the concessions granted to oil companies amounts to a massive loss of revenue for Guyana.

As such, Lall is arguing fiercely to have the government’s decision to grant the concessions overturned by the court. The GOG has already filed a response through the office of the Attorney General defending its decision to grant the tax waivers.

Among other things, the government has said that Lall has no right to file the action since the agreement it has with the oil companies is a matter of private law.

In an affidavit filed in response to the GOG, however, Lall held to his position that the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between the Government and oil

companies contains discriminatory tax provisions.

The newspaper publisher is adamant too that the law allows him to challenge such actions by the government.

He noted that as a citizen, businessman, newspaper publisher and taxpayer of Guyana, the Constitution broadly provides him with the right to make the application for an interpretation by the Court of whether the concessions given to expatriate employees under Article 15.12(ii) of the Petroleum Agreement are discriminatory of the contractor, affiliated companies and non-resident sub-contractors.

Lall noted, too, based on the advice of his attorney, the issue falls in the category of administrative law, which is considered a branch of public law and not private law.

In the sworn document, the KN publisher noted that the issue deals with the decisionmaking of such administrative units of government that are part of the executive branch in such areas as international trade, manufacturing, the environment, taxation, etc.

“That I have been further advised by my Attorney-at-Law, and verily believe that …a person as acting in the capacity of a public authority where “the person is endowed under the law with functions, duties and powers of a public nature and for the purpose of the application of the law, he was clothed with coercive powers,” Lall said in his affidavit.

(Continue reading here: h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/10/govt-taxwaiver-to-oil-companiesamounts-to-massive-loss-inrevenue-for-guyana/) MONDAY STRENGTHEN OIL LAWS TO AVOID BEING FOOLED, ABUSED BY OIL COMPANIES IN FUTURE OIL DEALS –EXPERT When one reflects the

extent to which Guyana has prepared for the effective regulation of its oil and gas sector and the revenues to come, Trinidadian Energy Strategist, Anthony Paul, asserts that there is indeed more the nation can do to protect itself.

During one of his interviews with this newspaper, Paul posited that Guyana needs to put robust laws in place as quickly as possible so that oil companies can have no room to debate or wonder what exactly is required of them.

With such laws in place, the industry expert said Guyana would reduce the chances for regulators being surprised by certain tactics or simply being fooled/abused in future oil deals.

The Trinidadian said, “It has been a difficult period for everyone because of COVID19 and Guyana, since it started, has had to move at a rapid pace, and has been forced to improve its institutional capacity as quickly as possible. But that aside, Guyana has been able to get its lifts offshore done on time, and it has managed to find partners to sell the oil

to and get the revenue put away for the future.”

He added, “…But the spotlight of the world has been on Guyana and how it is managing its resources. Now, we know Guyana has limited resources and it has been trying to do as much as it can with that.”

Paul said that such circumstances are not unique to Guyana. He has seen it to varying degrees with Trinidad and Tobago, and even Ghana. In the case of the latter, he said that this African nation had the luxury of having had a state oil company in the earlier years with technical people who knew the industry, and could have supported the current regulatory arm that was needed to monitor its industry. But even then, Paul said, that Ghana still took some time to get off the ground with its oil finds in 2010 and improve capacity.

The expert said, “But once they did, they ramped up very quickly…Importantly, they put in very early, strong laws and regulations to underpin the experienced people who were doing the work. Now the challenge of small countries doing oil and gas and dealing with sophisticated companies, is making things right. At every point, there is a discussion or negotiation on what to do.”

When countries like Guyana are in such a position, where the institutional capacity is not strong, Paul said, he would recommend putting in place, the strong rules and regulations as well as procedures, so that it is easy for companies to know what they must do and how they must do it. “That way, there is no discussion, argument or surprise where

this is concerned. And it is easy for the government to get things right, so someone who is making a decision without strong experience, won’t be bullied or cowered or fooled.”

(Continue reading here: h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/11/strengthen-oillaws-to-avoid-being-fooledabused-by-oil-companiesin-future-oil-deals-expert/) ‘PUT CHECK ON UNLIMITED FLARING, DUMPING OF PRODUCED WATER’ - ENVIRONMENTALISTS TELL CARICOM IN APPEAL FOR SAFE OIL PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES IN GUYANA Gas flaring, the dumping of produced water and oil spill insurance to cover petroleum activities are key matters that will affect not only Guyana but its Caribbean neighbours.

As such, environmentalists attached to the Oil and Gas Governance Network (OGGN) have written to CARICOM Chair of Conference of Heads of Government and Prime Minister of Belize, Johnny Briceño, to alert the organisation of the transboundary risks to the Caribbean coasts from ExxonMobil’s oil fields, offshore Guyana, and to request that the body ensures Guyana plays its part in ensuring the oil company’s operations are carried out in a safe and environmentally sound manner.

The letter to the CARICOM leader was dated April, 8, 2022 and was shared with this publication over the weekend. In its missive, OGGN warned that Guyana’s failure to ensure that its oil (Continued on page 29)

Sunday April 17, 2022

From page 28 and gas activities are carried out safely could d e v a s t a t e t h e r e g i o n ’s environment, thereby c r i p p l i n g i t s e c o n o m y.

Signatories of the document included former head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams, Alfred Bhulai, Janette Bulkan, Darshanand Khusial, Joe Persaud, Mike Persaud, Ganga Ramdas and Charles Sugrim.

Oil spills One of the key issues highlighted was the lack of a sound insurance policy to safeguard against the consequences of massive oil spills occurring in Guyana’s waters.

The group explained, “We noted that Guyana’s combined annual oil revenues generated by the sale of its 12.5% share of produced oil and the 2% royalty received from ExxonMobil is half a billion USD, projected to rise to well above USD 1 billion/ year in a couple of years.

CARICOM should compare that sum with the value of beach-based tourism in the Caribbean Islands at potential risk from oil spills in the Guyanese EEZ. Jamaica’s tourism alone is around USD 1.3 billion.”

In the letter to the CARICOM leader, OGGN was keen to note that the Consultant, Environmental Resources Management (ERM), which prepared all of the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), to date, for Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, includes a map which confirms transboundary impacts.

However, they pointed out that the oil spill response plan has been criticized as weak by international specialist Robert Bea, considering the problems which have arisen in United States oil fields.

Compounding the issue, was the lack of public information on transboundary engagements in respect of the common Caribbean Sea, and the complete lack of transparency exhibited by the government and Exxon when it comes to sharing information, despite the numerous requests and outcries from the international community, civic organisations and the public, the group added.

(Continue reading here: h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/11/put-check-onunlimited-flaring-dumping-

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Kaieteur News

of-produced-water/) TUESDAY GUYANA HAS POWER TO IMPROVE 2016 EXXONMOBIL DEAL, NO PROVISION IS OFF LIMITS - UNDP REPORT Oil contracts are not set in stone. If there are fiscal arrangements that leave a country holding the short end of the proverbial stick, then renegotiation is not an unreasonable expectation.

This is essentially the viewpoint of a report that was facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

That report was written by Anthony Paul, Principal Consultant of the Association of Caribbean Energy Specialists Ltd. In the document that was handed over since 2016, Paul noted that one of the basic rules of contract renegotiation is that the minute one party opens an agreement up for review; all terms are up for discussion.

It means, therefore, that Guyana during its review of the ExxonMobil oil deal in 2016 was in a position to renegotiate to the state’s benefit, all fiscal terms.

Nothing was off limits.

For future contracts, it was recommended that Guyana puts in place a strategy for renegotiating contracts. Paul said that this must include engaging an experienced negotiator. As with other such advisory services, Paul said that if such a person is taken on, use should be made of her/his presence to train and mentor Guyanese staff from the Ministry and other agencies, involved in contract negotiations.

Paul also said that Guyana’s authorities must get clarity on terms it may want to review while adding that this is regardless of the security of certain terms. He said that Guyana may want to review terms that relate to the extension of licences, sale of assets, opportunities to capture capital gains taxes, local content and capacity development, procurement rules and strategies, cost recovery limitations, etc.

CHATHAM HOUSEAGREES In an effort to ensure transparency and accountability, Chatham House is another international agency which has advised Guyana to input renegotiation and periodic review clauses in all oil contracts.

Chatham House is a nonprofit, non-governmental organisation based in

London. Its mission is to analyse and promote the understanding of major international issues and current affairs.

In its 2016 report, Chatham House said that the aforementioned clauses would allow renegotiation when specific triggers are activated. It advised that such a move helps to maximise economic returns to the state.

Additionally, Chatham House advised that Guyana and other emerging producers should design fiscal terms that are aligned with a national vision and ensure clear fiscal priorities.

It said that these must also clearly articulate the fiscal terms that govern upstream petroleum activity.

Chatham House said, “Emerging producers must also develop simple tax structures. Tax obligations should be defined in the tax code rather than in contractual agreements. This includes provisions for taxing capital gains earned by companies that sell or assign their rights or part of their rights before or during production.”

The London-based organisation said, “New producers seeking capital for exploration should focus on requiring viable work programmes in order to encourage drilling activity. To attract and retain investors, the use of progressive, flexible fiscal formulas and royalties that respond to changes in profitability is particularly recommended.”

(Continue reading here: h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/12/guyana-haspower-to-improve-2016exxonmobil-deal-noprovision-is-off-limits-undpreport/) EXXONMOBIL SEEKS ANOTHER EPA APPROVAL FOR FIFTH OIL PROJECT In January 2020, oil giant, ExxonMobil announced its 16th discovery, Uaru-1, in the Stabroek Block of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

In April last year, the company announced another oil find, this time its 19th dubbed Uaru-2 in the Stabroek Block. ExxonMobil said that the well is located approximately 6.8 miles (11 kilometres) south of the Uaru1 well.

The two separate announcements or discoveries are, however, being pursued through one application process, as one project, under the guise of Uaru+ as was announced by ExxonMobil Guyana

President, Alistair Routledge, as the final investment decision for its fourth project, the Yellowtail development, which was declared last week.

In fact, this newspaper was told by Exxon’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Janelle Persaud, that the Uaru+ project is also seeking to develop other discoveries in the Stabroek Block that are within close proximity to the Uaru discoveries.

She pointed out that presently, the only identified discoveries for which approval is being sought is Uaru 1 and 2. Persaud was also keen to note that since the two discoveries are being pursued as one project, one Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel would be required for the operation, along with the other supporting equipment.

Messages sent to the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr. Kemraj Parsram, for details pertaining to the application went unacknowledged since Saturday.

Nevertheless, while making the announcement on April 4, Routledge said that the company’s application for the fifth project reflects Exxon’s commitment to “steadily and responsibly” develop the more than 10 billion oil equivalent barrels found in Guyana’s waters.

He pointed out, “These developments and our ongoing exploration success will enable the continued advancement of our Guyanese workforce and the companies that are supporting our activities, all while enabling enhanced economic growth for the country.”

Routledge also boasted of how the revenue from oil has been beneficial for the

country’s growth. “The direct revenues the government is receiving have surpassed US$600 million and growing quickly as a result of high oil prices and the recent startup of Liza Phase Two Project.

Revenues from the first two years of operation have been incorporated into the 2022 government’s Budget to support key national projects,” the ExxonMobil Guyana President related.

Additionally, he highlighted the benefits of the company’s operations to the local workforce, as more than 3,600 Guyanese are presently involved in the development of the country’s resource. In fact, this figure represents an increase of more than 50 percent since 2019, according to him.

(Continue reading here: h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/12/guyana-haspower-to-improve-2016exxonmobil-deal-noprovision-is-off-limits-undpreport/) WEDNESDAY OIL VS. FISHERIES PT 1 EXXONMOBIL WARNS THIRD OIL PROJECT COULD DRIVE AWAY FISH, UNLEASH TOXIC EFFECTS Environmentalists locally and abroad have over the years, placed much of their attention on the debilitating effects an unmitigated oil spill from any of ExxonMobil’s projects can have on Guyana’s fishing industry.

In all of its Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) submitted to the relevant authorities, the American oil giant’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) has admitted that an oil spill from

its approved Liza Phase One, Liza Phase Two, Payara and Yellowtail Projects, has the potential to cause significant damage to the commercial fishing industry.

But even with no oil spill, fishermen have been complaining, especially in recent times, that their catch is dwindling at worrying rates.

Dreading the destruction of the industry, they have since appealed to the government to conduct a study to understand how and to what extent, EEPGL’s oil production and development operations are affecting their main source of income.

Interestingly, one may not have to await the conclusion of government’s independent study for a glimpse of the effects fishermen are yearning to understand.

Deep within the EIA of the Payara Project are blatant admissions from EEPGL that this third oil development which will produce over 220,000 barrels of oil per day, can have an impact on the migratory pattern of the local fish stock. It also warned that toxic effects can also be unleashed on these aquatic vertebrates.

The oil company noted that its drilling operations for the project will have an impact by way of artificial lighting on drill ships and major installation vessels, installation of equipment for vessels including pile driving, permitted liquid waste discharge, and permitted drill cuttings and fluids discharge.

The key effects on the fishing industry from this project are as follows: changes in the distribution of fish due to altered water quality, auditory impacts from vessel sound, auditory impacts from sound from vertical seismic profile surveys and pile driving and attraction to artificial light.

As for production operations, EEPGL said this could lead to changes in the distribution of fish due to altered water quality, auditory impacts from vessel sound, changes in distribution and habitat usage due to altered bottom habitats and the presence of project infrastructure, and loss of fish eggs and larvae due to entrainment of immature life stages.

EEPGL was also keen to note that the combined impact of increased temperature and chlorine concentrations will make the localized mixing zone inhospitable to some species.

However, unless fish are physically confined or otherwise prevented from escaping unfavorable water quality conditions (e.g., in the case of fish eggs), fish are (Continued on page 30)

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effectively with investors. At present, the key laws governing the sector include the Petroleum (Production) Act of 1938, the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act of 1986 and related regulations, and the Upstream Legal Requirements for Petroleum (2004).

These instruments, along with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission Act, the Mining Act, the Environmental Protection Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and other relevant legislation, are yet to be adjusted to reflect that Guyana is no longer a frontier but instead a proven oil producer.

(Continue reading here: https:/ /www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/14/shortage-of-expertshindering-guyanas-capacity-tomonitor-audit-and-regulate-oilcompanies-world-bank-report/)

From page 29 usually capable of detecting and avoiding harmful water quality conditions, thereby minimizing potential toxicological impacts.

Additionally, EEPGL said aquatic species may be indirectly impacted by the elevated temperature and residual chlorine in the offshore discharges made by the company.

Kaieteur News understands for example that elevated temperatures may result in aquatic species avoiding regions close to the discharge while residual chlorine may interact with naturally occurring organic matter, resulting in chlorinated byproducts with the potential to result in indirect toxicity impacts on aquatic species.

EEPGL was keen to note that there are no regulatory limits for residual chlorine in marine discharges in Guyana.

To be continued…

Kaieteur News will be continuing its series on oil versus the fishing industry over the next few weeks.

ECONOMIST FLAGS ‘RECKLESS SPENDING’ ON INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS - URGES STEPPED-UP SCRUTINY OFAMAILA FALLS The current public investment climate in Guyana is worrying to Economist, Elson Low, who believes that the reckless spending of the administration must not be allowed to easily slip by.

In fact, Low believes that one does not need a microscope to see the wrong decisions the government has been making when it comes to spending from the public purse, as several decisions to invest in various infrastructural projects remain controversial. One such example, according to the Economist, is the Amaila Falls Hydropower project. Although the government will not be investing into the project with upfront costs, Guyanese will have to carry the burden of that project, and after 20 years, the ownership would be transferred to Guyana from the Chinese contractor, China Railway First Group.

The 165 megawatt (MW) project is pegged at US$700 million. It is being pursued under a Build Own Operate Transfer (BOOT) model, in which Guyana would be buying electricity from the hydro project at an estimated cost of about 7.7 cents per MW. However, at the recent International Energy Conference and Expo, hosted in Guyana, Head of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Dr. Mahender Sharma has indicated that Guyana currently receives enough sunshine every two hours, to power the country’s present electricity demands for an entire year. To this end, some analysts hold the view that investing in solar power may have been the cheaper, more reliable route for Guyana. In this regard, Elson Low, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in political Science and Economics from a United States College,

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Kaieteur News

NANDLALL SAYS CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM COMMITTEE READY TO PROCEED WITH WORK

Amherst said, that the government’s spending on large infrastructural projects must be subject to proper scrutiny.

“People often say that you can’t eat roads but what I would do is be a bit more specific to say that we have in this country a history of poorly executing our large national infrastructure projects, and so I think that those need to be subject to much more scrutiny. I have spoken at length about the Amaila Falls and even using the government’s own estimates for other projects, solar projects, you could generate the same amount of electricity for almost half the cost so Amaila is an example of really really poor planning by the government and a very poor project,” the Economist told this publication in an exclusive interview.

Low added that the Amaila Falls project is one in particular which, if not properly managed, will not result in the type of benefits it could have, especially if Guyana were to be more efficient in the way it invested. He signaled, “So as a result, you will see a lot of spending, but not a whole lot of benefit to the population, if we have that type of poorly planned infrastructural projects by the government.”

The financial analyst also observed that the price of numerous government projects remain questionably high, even though the government said it reduced and removed taxes on some building materials.

THURSDAY SHORTAGE OF EXPERTS HINDERING GUYANA’S CAPACITY TO MONITOR, AUDITAND REGULATE OIL COMPANIES - WORLD BANK REPORT A key report by the World Bank has outlined that the shortage of oilsector experts in relevant

government entities, combined with inadequate human and capital resources, limits the country’s ability to monitor, audit, and enforce regulations on oil companies.

It has therefore urged the oil producing state to address this gap quickly in sectoral governance or the consequences would be dire.

Further to its call for the relevant experts to be put in place, the financial institution said the international experience for oil producing states reveals that successfully managing the sector requires the transparent and accountable implementation of robust policy and institutional framework composed of five core elements. These include: (i) policies, laws, and contractual arrangements that maximize the benefits of oil revenues and minimize downside risks; (ii) a set of regulatory institutions capable of effective oversight; (iii) appropriate fiscal policies and sound public financial management (PFM) infrastructure; (iv) robust revenue management and distribution mechanisms; and (v) policies to promote sustainable long-term development. Although Guyana has made substantial progress in strengthening the management of the oil sector in the said areas outlined, the international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low- and middleincome countries, outlined that further measures are desperately needed to align the country with best practices.

Expounding further, the bank was keen to note that the legal and regulatory frameworks for the oil and gas sector need to be updated. It stressed, in the same way other stakeholders have done for the last six to seven years, that legislative modernisation will help maximise benefits, manage technical, environmental, social, and financial risks, and build capacity to engage

After months of delay, the Parliamentary Committee set up to coordinate the much talked about Constitutional Reform process in Guyana is expected to proceed with its work, Attorney General, Anil Nandlall has said.

Kaieteur News understands, the committee will meet early in the new week to discuss the work programme. Nandlall SC told Kaieteur News that the committee has already started to discuss and review work done in the previous cycles of the constitutional reform.

“The standing committee on Constitutional Reform has been appointed and the work has begun…Currently on the agenda is the discussion of the work programme. The discussion will start on April 19,” the AG said.

The Attorney General had previously announced that the process for constitutional reform will commence this year. He had explained that the process was stymied last year because of the Coronavirus pandemic and a number of other matters. He nonetheless stressed that once the meeting is held, the process will begin to achieve momentum “and we will have constitutional reform.”

Nandlall therefore expressed hope that all stakeholders will participate in the process so that a healthy consultative exercise can be had and that it can produce solid recommendations to propel the way forward.

During a recent airing of his Facebook commentary Issues in the News, the AG touched on the issue.

Nandlall spoke of the numerous provisions that have been added to the constitution as a result of the previous reform processes.

According to the AG, this should not be, as the document now contains a series of unnecessary clauses and legal provisions. “The Constitutions is a serious document …but we have many provisions in our constitution that should not be a constitution,” Nandlall said noting “nevertheless that the new cycle of constitutional reform will be driven

by public consultation.”

Soon after the PPP/C took office in August of 2020, Nandlall had outlined the legislative agenda for his ministry and he had said that reform of the election laws and constitution were high on the agenda. Last July, he had disclosed that the National Assembly’s Constitutional Reform Committee met only twice for the year due to COVID-19 constraints but at the same time had noted that should not be seen as non-commitment to the process by the PPP/C government.

A standing Committee for Constitutional Reform was appointed pursuant to Article 119A of the Constitution. The Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform consists of at least six members nominated by the Committee of Selection.

The Committee was appointed for the purpose of the continually reviewing the effectiveness of the working of the Constitution and making periodic reports there on to the National Assembly, with proposal for reform as necessary. To assist in its work, the Committee also has the power to co-opt experts or enlist the aid of other persons of appropriate expertise, whether or not such experts or other persons are Members of the National Assembly.

FRIDAY ANOTHER EXPERTAGREES FEASIBILITY STUDY CRITICAL FOR SUCCESS OF GAS-TOPOWER PROJECT -SAYS GUYANA MUST GUARD AGAINST BEING CAUGHT IN OVERSUPPLY TRAP Similar to the positions held and disclosed by the likes of Trinidadian Energy Strategist, Anthony Paul and Chatham House Associate Fellow, Dr. Valerie Marcel; International Economist, Dr. Justin Ram agrees that the US$900M gas-to-power can be a springboard for national development.

The former Director of the Economics Department at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) firmly asserts that the project, once done correctly, can ensure affordable and reliable electricity that would boost economic growth, ensure job creation, lead to savings in foreign exchange, and reduce the nation’s carbon footprint.

But what he also concurs with is that a feasibility study would be in Guyana’s best interest so as to determine the overall viability of the project. The expert who possesses over 25 years of international experience in practice, research, development and management made this opinion known during an Oil NOW webinar that was held on Thursday morning. The informative session that was moderated by Oil NOW’s Research and Content Developer, Kemol King, allowed for some of the nation’s journalists to have a front row seat to Dr. Ram’s presentation on his white paper on the project.

During the question and answer segment that followed, Kaieteur (Continued on page 31)

Sunday April 17, 2022

From page 30 News asked Dr. Ram for his perspective on how important it is for one to consider the feasibility of the project. The international economist said, “…Any project needs to have a feasibility study done and one of the important implications of that is the need to do a proper demand and supply analysis which I recommended. The reason for this is to ensure we get as close as possible to the needed supply of gas for the project.

What tends to happen, and one of the lessons that has been learnt from other parts of the world, is that there is an oversupply agreement that is put in place.”

Dr. Ram continued, “What tends to happen is, if the government or those who are involved in the generation of electricity using the gas, they tend to be generating more electricity than is actually needed.

Now of course the reverse can also happen but if that happens, it is quite easy to ramp up (production). So from that aspect I think the feasibility study is really quite critical…”

Citing two case studies Guyana ought to pay attention to where gas projects are concerned, Dr. Ram listed Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago.

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BUILDING STADIUM, AIRPORT SHOULD NOT TRUMP CITIZENS’ WELFARE - ECONOMIST REMINDS GOVT. OF HIGH COST OF LIVING, HEALTH CARE, MINIMUM WAGE ISSUES Guyana has already tapped into oil profits earned from its offshore oil developments which contributed to the largest national budget in the country’s history. Large sums of money have been budgeted for several infrastructural projects, but some stakeholders and civil society members continue to insist that these investments should not precede the wellbeing of citizens.

Economist, Ramon Gaskin told the Kaieteur News that there are several areas, some dealing with life and death situations that the government should address before spending on major investments that do not directly and immediately improve the quality of citizens’ lives.

Gaskin expressed concern that Guyanese are still burdened by the meagre $44, 200 minimum wage which the government has not yet approved despite the awful effects felt by the globally influenced high cost of living.

Gaskin pointed to the lack of attention being paid to free

education at the University of Guyana despite this requirement being in the Constitution.

He highlighted the need for subsidizing basic food items and even the need for price control on those primary items that have seen huge price increases due to external influences.

Gaskin was especially concerned about what he noticed was an increase in the establishment of private health institutions to which he said government was delegating services instead of itself investing the funds to

reduce cost paid by citizens.

Gaskin said it is appalling that all these multi-million and multi-billion dollar infrastructural projects are coming on stream, while the government has failed to improve the minimum wage which its labour ministry and workers’ unions had agreed to during tripartite discussions in 2019.

He opined that the government has instead embarked on projects that will benefit a small few.

For example, in Berbice where the President recently announced a number of

projects, these he said will not ease the pressures of the region, which was severely impacted by the reduction of the sugar industry.

The government announced the construction of a stadium, modern hotels, municipal airport and a private hospital, “but none of these will address the matters that these people are currently facing,” Gaskin said.

Additionally, the fish industry in that region which had saved many of the retrenched sugar workers is also facing difficulty as a result of difficult licencing requirements to

access fishing grounds.

To cushion unemployment issues, the government has nonetheless promised 3,000 part-time jobs that will pay $40,000 monthly for three days work weekly.

They have also promised produce diversification in the sugar belt region to focus on hemp and shrimp production.

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Sunday April 17, 2022

>>> ENCOURAGING EVENTS, DISTURBING DEVELOPMENTS <<<

Oil and fishing, Mayor and AG, spending and eating I

By GHK Lall

h a v e d i ff i c u l t y believing that Exxon's people have honest bones in their bodies.

Then again, some connections cannot be avoided, for the correlations are there, just can't be denied.

This has to do with oil and fishing; how one impacts the other, which one end up being the loser.

Some gratitude is necessary on this Easter Day for a moment of rare

credibility from Exxon and its goodly folks.

I am encouraged that the dogged at KN (April 13) drilled deeply and unearthed the damning. Since it is Easter, I replace damning with damaging.

It is said that the devil is in the details, deep down in it for those determined and patient enough to probe for it; they usually find it.

From its own Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Exxon did disclose that the fishes

would have problems. I deleted such qualifiers as 'potential' and 'the risk' of problems; it is real.

This was what was buried deep in the vault of the Payara EIA (not to be mistaken for one of those nursery rhymes of old); that the sights and sounds and smells and spillages from Exxon's offshore operations would wreak havoc with marine life there.

Fish would be chased away, oil-related poisons released, and much damage

would be done. To fish and fisherfolk. To buyer and consumer.

This finding of KN just rendered meaningless whatever studies are being done, or said to be in the works regarding environmental impacts.

Thus, all this sparring by the EPA, and pretending by Government leaders that all is well, have come back to haunt them.

It is disturbing that our own institutions and our own rulers (who are also ruled in

their turn) saw it fit to p l a y a t ignorance, to mislead, to do n o t h i n g mitigating or helpful.

There was not e v e n a n attempt at d a m a g e control, because to do so meant holding up mighty Exxon, and the resident American lady chief would not like such a development.

She is protecting her own.

Who is protecting Guyana's vulnerable, now worrying, definitely losing?

Then, there is this latest developing public tussle between Central Government and City Government.

KN's edition of April 13 noted the respective combatants in the persons of the Hon. Attorney General and Hizzoner, the Mayor of Georgetown (or what is left of it and still in his hands).

It is over street vending and the troubles that emerge from that corner.

This is a mixed bag of both the encouraging and disturbing under one umbrella.

It is encouraging that a leading political figure says there is the necessity to do something about the encroachments, the traffic snarls, the possible dangers.

It is disturbing that the targets are those hustling an honest living.

Well, there is no bacon without pigs, no omelets without eggs.

Somet h i n g h a s t o give here, some sensible fallback p r o v is ions made, w hich b r in g s me to th e other d is turbing as p ect o f our mode of governance and leadership.

There doesn't have to be this open, public warfare (it is

By GHK Lall already that, isn't it?) about how to go about getting it right. If the objective is total control, then the AG is on the way on behalf of his masters.

If the idea (a costly scarcity in this society) is to find a balance, a workable medium, before an alarming reality, then I think it is better to put heads together for a solution than to put up dukes for a confrontation.

People get bruised, and many a time the resulting battering can be reciprocal.

Nobody wins.

There is nothing Easterly about this, simply practicality.

When the fighting is continuous, then all we will do is keep picking up pieces.

Last, an economist spoke of 'reckless spending' on infrastructural projects (KN April 13 again).

I am encouraged that there are Guyanese who see what is going on, and for what it is.

Infrastructure is lovely, lovelier when delivered completely cleanly, and not as opportunity for billiondollar thievery.

But even then, citizens cannot feed on steel, glass, and concrete.

They are hungry and hurting, l e t t h e r e b e a balance with spending on projects and putting something on the table for the small p eople.

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

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Ansa MCAL’s ‘Day Dream’ event goes down today

Ansa McAl Trading Limited, the official distributor behind one of the world’s most popular cognacs in Guyana, Hennessy, is set to host its Ultimate All White Experience event called “Day Dream” today.

The event which is set to give patrons a one of a kind Hennessy experience will be held at Togetherness Park, Liliendaal, starting from 13:00hrs.

Speaking briefly about the event for the launch of the coveted event earlier this month Atina Samad, the company’s Hennessy, Moet and Wines Manager who shared that, “What we are trying to create or do with the brand, is not just limited to consumption of the product but aligning it or elevating our experiences on how we de-

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liver our products to our customers and consumers.”

To this end, she said the All White event is going to be something new Guyanese have never experienced before. “It’s something that is definitely going to be new to the country, something we are putting our best effort into. So in terms of décor, food, entertainment, the experience is going to blow your mind, so it’s an event you definitely don’t wanna miss.”

Also speaking at the conference was Mark Nelson, Divisional Manager, at Ansa McAl who noted that being the official distributor of Hennessy, they are trying to do “some really exciting things with the brand”.

Noting that Hennessy plays a pivotal role in terms of the entertainment experi-

ence in Guyana, it also has a range of products to offer. He explained that there is the Hennessy VS, the Hennessy VSOP and the Hennessy XO. With that being said, he elaborated that the upcoming event is part of them exposing customers and consumers to the range of Hennessy.

It was noted by the Special Events Manager, Errol Nelson that at this event, all Covid-19 protocols are going to be in place.

Tickets for this event cost $5000 for general admission and VIP packages ranging from $75,000 to $160,000 are available. Tickets can be purchased at the following locations: Ansal McAl Trading Limited,Twee Gourment Shoppe located at the Giftland Mall, GT Shop and That Look Boutique.

Lessons from a Lashpreneur!!!

Caring For Your Natural Eyelashes

By Latoya Zephyr Why Should You Look After Your Natural Eyelashes?

It’s important to look after your natural eyelashes, especially when you wear false eyelashes on a day to day basis or you have lash extensions. But how do I care for them we hear you ask!

That is why we have some tips on how to take care of your natural eyelashes! Most women strive for thick, long black eyelashes and want to keep them looking as healthy as possible. There is many products out there on the market claiming to strengthen and lengthen your lashes such as serum. However, sadly a lot of these products don’t actually work that well, if at all especially if you are not already taking good care of them. You can easily look after and maintain those beautiful lashes of yours on a tight budget, even using some house hold products you are likely to already have!

The Basics… Eyelash Care It is very important to keep those lashes healthy, this can be done very easily and you might not even be aware that you are already doing it!

By cleaning your face daily (preferably both morning and evening) you are cleaning your eyes lids and lashes.

This is great for your eyelashes as you are removing any excess makeup products from them such as mascara or eyelash glue. If you don’t clean your lashes you could end up with a build-up of bacteria, dirt or product. This will result in your lashes becoming brittle and not so healthy.

Another reason for cleaning your eyelashes is if you are going to the gym or getting sweaty. Your eyelashes stop sweat from dripping in your eyes, if they are not cleaned you will get a build of sweat (eww, we know). A great way to clean your lashes is to use such as baby shampoo as this is super soft and gentle!

If that is not your thing, we suggest you use some makeup remover such as micellar cleansing water. Another fabulous way to take care of your eyelashes is applying a small amount of Vaseline or petroleum jelly on to the lashes. This will lock in moisture and help with the health of them. You should apply this every other week and takes seconds to apply but makes a world of differ-

ence.

Removing Eye Makeup Back from a night out and can’t wait to jump in your warm bed? It’s so important you always take off your makeup and never sleep in it,After a long day we understand you might be in a hurry to get those falsies off and that eye makeup. However, you must take care when removing anything from your eye area. Toughing on your lashes will result in you pulling your eyelashes out and could cause ingrown eyelashes. Instead of using baby wipes or makeup wipes opt for a more natural product or micellar water. A great natural alternative is coconut oil, it can be picked up at most pharmacies, grocery stores or drug stores and can be super cheap for a big tub of the stuff and gets eye makeup off in an instant!

Never, Ever Share Eye Products!

We know it can be tempting if you have forgot to apply your mascara that morning and your friend offers to lend you their mascara but DON’T! You never know if they have an eye infection and they may not be aware yet they have one either. It is also extremely unhygienic and is just going to pass on the bacteria to your eyes. It is also important that if you are getting your makeup done by a makeup artist,they use disposable mascara wands with their mascara. Many MUAs

may be tempted to not bother with this but you could really regret it the next day. Eye makeup brushes should also be cleaned along with any eyeshadow used.

Look Carefully at Ingredients You want to keep any eye creams, serums or products as organic and natural as possible.

This is why we suggest products such as coconut oil.

If the products you are using are packed with chemicals it could cause a reaction or damage your eyelashes. If you are using eyelash adhesive / glue then you should always do a patch test when using a different brand.

This is because some people are allergic to the latex that is in many eyelash glues.

However, not to worry there are also many alternatives out there with lash glues that are latex free! A top tip we can give you is to never buy any lash adhesive that is not from a well-established company or has not carried out certified testing.

Avoid buying any lash adhesive of places such as eBay. There is plenty of fake Duo Glue out there on the market and you never know what dodgy products they have added in there which can completely damage your natural lashes.

To keep safe we recommend you shop for the authentic products.

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Management of diabetic foot ulcer using neem By : Dr. Sooraj Surendranath, Assistant Dean and Associate Professor, College of Medicine, Texila American University, Guyana Diabetes is a main metabolic disorder in which a person suffers from high blood sugar level over a prolonged period of time. Increased thirst, frequent urination and increased appetite are the common symptoms. Diabetes if not controlled properly can cause various health complications which includes diabetic ketoacidosis, cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, foot ulcers, damage to the nerves (diabetic neuropathy), damage to the eyes (diabetic retinopathy), cognitive impairment and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, leading to the death of the individual.

People with diabetes are at greater risk of developing diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). The occurrence of DFU is common in elderly people with higher prevalence among men than women and is higher among

people with type 2 diabetes.

The main reasons include lack of awareness, late reports by individuals, walking barefoot, low socio-economic status, as well as lack of knowledge about DFU. Risk factors for DFU includes peripheral neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, poor glucose control, poor footwear, infection and duration of diabetes, smoking, and diabetic nephropathy which increases with age of the individual.

Patients with peripheral neuropathy are at higher risk of developing DFU leading to critical complications in the absence of proper care to the wounded area.

The risk of diabetic foot ulceration increases with age, duration of diabetes which increases the chances of limb amputation.

Fifteen percentage of patients with diabetes will suffer from foot ulcer during their lifetime.

The healing process of foot ulcers is complex usually interrupted by factors such as

moisture, infection, and the dressing method along with age and nutritional status of the individual.

Effective management of DFU starts with physical examination and appropriate wound care to prevent tissue

loss, ischemia, and infection.

Dressings are used to reduce the risk of infection and provide an ideal healing environment.

Wound irrigation is the essential component of wound management which

reduces the risk of infection, remove foreign material, remove cellular debris or exudate from the surface of the wound.

Common irrigation solutions used for wound irrigation are normal saline or sterile water.

Using medicinal plants having antioxidant and antibacterial properties, have been found useful in fighting against infection and accelerate the healing of wound.

Azadirachta indica (neem), a Meliaceae family tree, has been used in various Asian countries for many years in the treatment of several diseases.

All parts of the neem plant are used for the treatment of inflammation, infections, fever, skin diseases, dental problems, and diabetes.

Various research studies have showed that neem oil can be used for the management of chronic non-healing wounds.

Individuals with chronic wounds experience significant burden due to prolonged

duration of treatment.

Improving healthcare and providing affordable health services are the important challenges for healthcare workers. Using herbal plant extracts to treat chronic wounds have been found to be economical.

Several research on neem extract for irrigation of wounds has been conducted.

Neem has various uses including antibacterial, antiallergic, antifungal, and medicinal treatment.

Grind the neem leaves in a mortar and pestle until it becomes completely mashed, transfer to a clean container with boiled water (room temperature) in it.

The mixture should be allowed to steep in dark for three days and strained to remove the leaves from the mixture.

The extract should be clear and dilute with three parts of boiled water prior use to irrigate the wound.

The extract should be stored in dark bottles in refrigerator and to be used within the next few days.

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g tin s... s ere ure Int reat C

P

Sunday April 17, 2022

Porpoises

orpoises are a group of fully aquatic marine mammals, similar in appearance to a dolphin, all of which are classified under the family Phocoenidae, parvorder Odontoceti (toothed whales). They are, however, more closely related to narwhals and belugas than to the true dolphins.

There are eight extant species of porpoise, all among the smallest of the toothed whales. Porpoises

are distinguished from dolphins by their flattened, spade-shaped teeth distinct from the conical teeth of dolphins, and lack of a pronounced beak, although some dolphins (e.g. Hector's dolphin) also lack a pronounced beak.

Porpoises, and other cetaceans, belong to the clade Cetartiodactyla with eventoed ungulates. The cetaceans' closest living relatives are the hippopotamuses, having diverged from them about 40

million years ago.

Porpoises range in size from the vaquita, at 1.4 metres (4 feet 7 inches) in length and 54 kilograms (119 pounds) in weight, to the Dall's porpoise, at 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in) and 220 kg (490 lb).

Several species exhibit sexual dimorphism in that the females are larger than males. They have streamlined bodies and two limbs that are modified into flippers. Porpoises use echolocation as their primary sensory system. Some species are well adapted for diving to great depths. As all cetaceans, they have a layer of fat, or blubber, under the skin to keep them warm in cold water.

Porpoises are abundant and found in a multitude of environments, including rivers (finless porpoise), coastal and shelf waters (harbour porpoise, vaquita) and open ocean (Dall's porpoise and spectacled porpoise), covering all water temperatures from tropical (Sea of Cortez, vaquita) to polar (Greenland, harbour porpoise).

Porpoises feed largely on fish and squid, much like the rest of the odontocetes. Little is known about reproductive behaviour.

Females may get one calf every year under favourable conditions. Calves are typically born in the spring and summer months and remain dependent on the female until the following spring.

Porpoises produce ultrasonic clicks, which are used for both navigation (echolocation) and social communication. In contrast to many dolphin species, porpoises do not form large social groups.

Porpoises were, and still are, hunted by some countries by means of drive hunting. Larger threats to porpoises include extensive bycatch in gill nets, competition for food from fisheries, and marine pollution, in particular heavy metals and organochlorides.

The vaquita is nearly extinct due to bycatch in gill nets, with a predicted population of fewer than a dozen individuals.

Since the extinction of the baiji, the vaquita is considered the most endangered cetacean. Some species of porpoises have been and are kept in captivity and trained for research, education and public display.

(Source: Wikipedia)

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Lewdness and lack of diplomacy characterize the sitting of our National Assembly these days T

By Renay Sambach

he first time I visited Guyana's N a t i o n a l Assembly, I was an 11-yearold student on a school tour.

On that occasion, I got a chance to sit in the Minister of Education chair and each of us on the tour took turns to sit in the Speaker of the National Assembly chair.

It was an honour to be able to visit the National Assembly – where the political leaders of our land pass legislation and make amendments in the best interest of the nation.

Today, I am writing as a 20-year-old reporter attached to the Kaieteur News who was given the opportunity to revisit the National Assembly as an assignment.

Since becoming a reporter a few years ago, I always wanted the opportunity to attend Parliament to see Guyana's politicians 'live and direct' rather than merely seeing them in action when clips of sittings are aired on television or shared via the internet.

On Wednesday last, I attended the National Assembly for the second time since I started my career as a reporter, and it is that experience, as well as my first, I intend to chronicle for you today.

Even though I took notes on who said what, in this

article, I will refrain from naming any Member of Parliament (MP).

To sum my experience up before I elaborate, I can safely say that my experience at Parliament as a reporter did not meet my expectations?

Rather, it was far from what I had expected.

From what I observed, some MPs showed little to no respect to the House.

The first time I attended the National Assembly as a reporter it was earlier this year, leading up to the debates of Guyana's 2022 budget, $552.9B, the largest ever.

During the budget debates some of the MPs used their time to talk about what the opposing party did, rather than stay on track with what they were presenting.

Sadly, I have observed school children with better contributions to their school's debates than what some MPs had to offer.

Some presentations were so distasteful that many times I was worried I would not be able to capture their presentations in a wholesome article for the newspaper.

In addition to recording digitally, what I did as a reporter was to write the name of each MP that took the floor and listed the issues along with some key points mentioned which I believed would make my article an interesting read.

However, while I was

there, for most MPs the only thing I was able to write was their names.

This, understandably, caused me to shake my head in disbelief. It was hard for me to comprehend how some of these individuals were chosen for the noble task of representing the nation.

Instead of focusing on the business of the nation, at times they were engaged in childish banter and disrespectful exchanges which, in my opinion, had no business being uttered in such a setting.

Needless to say, there was no diplomacy in heckling. In fact, some MPs would mention other MPs personal life stories in an effort to embarrass them. I even observed two MPs throwing hints at each other's sexuality.

I tried my best to give a deaf ear to the constant mudslinging but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't. Every insult, every disparaging accusation made – and believe me, there were many – this young reporter had to endure in the name of journalism.

Since when degrading someone's partner, education, child, sexuality or family is acceptable in any sitting of a National Assembly?

Is this the way our leaders are hoping to achieve “One Guyana”?

What I observed was the government MPs mainly

highlighting all the bad the Opposition side did and then the Opposition MPs took their turn to do the same.

The annoying squabble caused me to silently ask myself: Who really is working in the best interest of the people?

Notably, while there were MPs making a spectacle of themselves by engaging in nonsensical heckling, there were others who refrained from engaging in such, and those, I must admit, I admired.

After that first experience, I had sworn that I would never set foot back into the National Assembly.

However, my Editor advised that instead of staying away, I simply had to do my job by detailing my experience.

Accompanied by a colleague, I ventured to the Arthur Chung Conference Centre for another sitting of the National Assembly last week, it was Wednesday, April 13, 2022 to be exact.

The highlight of my second experience was listening to Government and Opposition MPs argue, at high decibels, 'who stole the most money'.

Yes, this reporter had to endure hearing Government and Opposition members, in the National Assembly, debating who stole the most MONEY, complete with the pointing of accusing fingers to each other.

Despite being daunted by

the loud exchanges, the reporter in me took note of the projects mentioned in which money was allegedly stolen.

I intend to follow these so I can inform the nation whether they received value for money or not.

I had also intended to get some information about an oil production issue that this newspaper has been following diligently – The US$9B Payara audit.

Due to the importance of this issue, I initially reached out to the relevant MP in February, 2022. However, since then my questions to that MP have been unanswered, although I was assured an update would be forthcoming. I had hoped to have a face-to-face interview with that MP on Wednesday last.

However, during the breaks of the sitting I spent hours trying to locate the MP but he was nowhere to be seen.

Coincidentally, when I went back into the dome the MP walked in shortly after through another entrance.

At another break, I waited outside the door where I saw the MP had exited previously but he never came out. As such, my colleague went into the dome and asked him if he could facilitate a quick interview with Kaieteur News.

He promised to avail himself the following day for

The area where I sat and observed the Members of our Parliament.

an interview but he never did.

But I am not disheartened because I have come to the realisation that sometimes getting the hard facts often requires patience and diligence and I am daily learning to embrace these traits.

But back to the heckling.

“He ain't in he grave yet?” was asked by a MP who, at the time, was referring to a former government official who was present at the last sitting.

As the heckling continued MPs asked sometimes unrelated questions like: “What about Pradoville?

You ain't talking that?”, “How much fuh a gun licence?” and one even had the audacity to say to another, “You is a baboon…”

There were threats of “We gon bully you now…” and commands to “Shut up, you like disrespect women” and “You don't talk, you does steal vehicles.”

These utterances and many more of a disparraing nature constituted my second attendance of a sitting of Parliament as a reporter – an event which is described as a formal conference for the discussion of public affairs where laws are passed and national decisions are made.

What I observed, dear reader, was a total mockery and disrespect to the nation laced with some valuable presentations.

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== GNBS IN FOCUS ==

GNBS SERVICES HELPING TO BOOST MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

I

n recent years, several small businesses have opened their doors to offer a range of products and services on the local market.

Many are now working to implement standards in their operations to heighten operational efficiency and increase customer confidence as well as open opportunities for export or global partnerships.

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) through its awareness sessions, trainings, technical assistance, testing and certification services, works with owners of these Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to implement standards to provide quality products and services to their customers.

Standards provide as many benefits for small businesses as they do for global enterprises.

The GNBS has over 600 National Standards inclusive of the GYS 231 standard, 'Requirements for good manufacturing practices for micro, small and mediumsized enterprises.”

The National Standard defines the fundamental requirements to enhance small business performance through the process of continual improvement and a s s u r a n c e o f q u a l i t y, environment and occupational safety and health requirements. There are also standards for tourism, agriculture, craft, advertising and other sectors.

Specific standards, which can be implemented by small businesses in Guyana include Specification for package water, Specifications for jams, (fruit preserves) and jellies, Specifications for salted fish and dried salted fish, Specifications for coconut oil, and Specifications for bread and

rolls. A full list of available standards can be found on our Standards Portal at gnbsguy.com.

T h e B u s i n e s s Development Department (BDD) of the Bureau offers free awareness sessions on these and other National Standards. In addition, technical assistance is offered to help businesses implement several international standards including the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) Standard, ISO 22000:2018 Standard: A Food Safety Management System – Requirements for any organisation in the food chain and ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems — Requirements with guidance for use among others.

Further, the GNBS offers training tailored to the needs of different businesses. For example, training is provided on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Storage Practices, Food Safety Prerequisites, Good Manufacturing Practices, Quality Management Principles, Corporate Writing, Meeting Management and many others.

Local SMEs are therefore encouraged to consult with the GNBS to be sensitised on how they can implement Standards to guarantee improved business performance.

Recently, the Bureau also introduced its Made in Guyana Certification Mark geared towards certifying authentic Guyanese products. Local manufacturers and producers can now apply to the GNBS for certification to the programme which focuses on creating national competitiveness for authentic Guyanese products

certified under the Programme, while also

creating and promoting brand recognition and market

advantage for participating businesses.

Meanwhile, the GNBS (Continued on page 58)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 58

Sunday April 17, 2022

RNS==

==CONSUMER CONCE

HAPPY GREETINGS FOR THE EASTER SEASON! T

By Pat Dial

oday, 17th April is Easter Day which commemorates the Resurrection or 'Rising of Jesus' from the dead, the affirmation of the Truth of the Christian message and the Ascension or final

departure of the Lord from the Earth and the milieu of mortal life.

In the Guyanese Tradition, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday are regarded as being bound in close catenation, each dependent on the other for

meaning unlike in some other traditions where focus is wholly on Sunday when the Lord conquered death and arose from the dead.

Thus, Guyanese speak of the Easter Season.

Good Friday (or God's Friday) is the day when Jesus was crucified; Holy

Saturday is a day of anxious waiting for the Resurrection; Easter Sunday is the day of victory when the Lord triumphantly conquers death and is resurrected; and Easter Monday is purely celebratory.

Before we go into detail of how each day of the

Season was commemorated in Guyana, we would like at this point to reject the nonsensical attempt to link Easter with the old Teutonic religions.

When the Anglo-Saxons were adopting the Christian religion, they used the name of one of their deities, Eostre, whose attributes bore some resemblance to Easter to describe that Holy Day. In several Latin languages, Easter is known as Pascal but the celebration is the same everywhere in the Christian world.

Further, to try to link Easter with the old Teutonic religions is analogous to saying that since, in the English Language, the days of the week are named after Teutonic deities, Englishspeakers pay obeisance to or worship those deities, for example, Thor on Thursday o r Wo d e n ( O d i n ) o n Wednesday!

Good Friday is the most solemn and sad day in the Guyanese calendar – No music or dancing or any commercial activity is permitted. Many people fast on this day.

Church services are the only public activity. In the mainstream Churches such as the Catholic and Anglican, the services take the form of verbal dramatic presentations of the persecution, sufferings and crucifixion of Lord Jesus with the Stations of the Cross also depicted on the walls.

Holy Saturday is spent in prayer and in anxiously awaiting the resurrection of the Lord.

Then on Sunday, Jesus is miraculously resurrected, walks among his disciples who touched his body and Thomas, to be absolutely certain he was seeing Jesus, placed his finger in the wounds.

All Churches hold joyous Easter services celebrating the resurrection and the mainstream churches are decorated and the priests wear special vestments.

Finally, comes Easter Monday. Easter Monday is a time of quiet celebrations,

family lunches, visiting friends, sponge cakes in contrast to the black cakes of Christmas, ginger beer and above all, ubiquitous kite flying and picnicking.

Kite flying was believed to have originated in celebration of the Ascension.

For the last three years, kite flying disappeared, largely by the onset of the Covid Pandemic and it is hoped that there would be a vigorous resuscitation this year, though the lockdown has been lifted recently.

In Guyana, unlike in Europe, Asia and Africa, the holy days of the three national religions, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam are celebrated to a greater or lesser degree by adherents of all three Faiths because it is generally accepted that all religions lead to God. Some festivals like Diwali and Christmas have a universal following but holy days more intimately connected to their respective Faiths like Easter are less celebrated by all.

Easter is, however, gradually having more and more Hindus and Muslims understanding its story and more are finding no barrier against some participation.

Jesus, for example, is a Prophet of Islam and Hindus f i n d n o d i ff i c u l t y i n accepting the Virgin birth or Jesus being an incarnation or Outar of God or Jesus being killed and resurrected.

With the new ethos ushered in by th e O il and G as indus try an d the greater in tegratio n o f G uyan es e s o ciety, all groups s eem r ead y to participate in Easter and help to p r es erve and resuscitate its cus toms.

May the great spiritual teachings of Easter touch all Guyanese and may all enjoy a happy and peaceful Easter Season!

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

GNBS SERVICES...

From page 57 also offers testing and certification of gold jewellery and concrete hollow blocks to ensure conformity with standards. Testing and/or certification guides m a n u f a c t u r e r s on the

quality of their products and helps to adjust for improvement.

For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190065, 219-0066 or visit the G N B S w e b s i t e : www.gnbsgy.org

Sunday April 17, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 59

Kaieteur News

PAGE 60

Sunday April 17, 2022

GEMS Theatre Productions presents Shirley Chisholm's th “Unbossed and Unbowed” on April 29 …Guyanese-American actress, Ingrid Griffith, of 'Demerara Gold' fame to perform Ingrid Griffiths Solo Show is largely the unheard story of Shirley St. Hill Chisholm, a Brooklyn-born politician of immigrant parents (father is Guyanese from Linden and mother is Barbadian), who in the 20th century was the first AfricanAmerican woman to win a seat in the U.S. Congress and run for the Presidency of the United States.

The story journeys back to 10year old Shirley returning to the U.S. after being separated from her parents during The Great

Depression years. We see how the years living with her grandmother in Barbados manifested and reinforced Shirley's Caribbean heritage in her bearing, speech pattern and expectations of herself.

Ingrid Griffith is an actor, writer and solo show artist. She wrote Unbossed and Unbowed and plays Shirley and the other characters in her world.

Ingrid feels that the solo show genre is empowering and important for her as a performer. It allows her to write stories without having to

worry about how big the cast is or that she'd need to have a huge budget and elaborate sets in order for the show to be successful. The solo show genre is also empowering for audiences to see, how, with some ingenuity, they too don't have to limit themselves.

Ingrid is excited to be sharing what Shirley Chisholm accomplished over 50 years ago and how her contributions have been an inspiration for the many women of colour who, since 2018, have been the largest number to

hold seats in the U.S. Congress – Kamala Harris becoming Vice President of the United States of America in 2021 and most recently, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's promotion to the Supreme Court.

Guyanese theatre supporters, appreciative of serious drama will have a treat on April 29th at this GEMS Theatre Productions presentation of Ingrid Griffith's highly acclaimed performance in 'UNBOSSED & UNBOWED', at (Continued on page 66)

Guyanese-American actress, Ingrid Griffith

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 17, 2022

1 patient in COVID-19 ICU, four new cases

E

ven as 13 individuals are recovering, the Ministry of Health on Saturday revealed that one patient is now in the COVID19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) receiving treatment.

The Ministry in its latest dashboard recorded four new infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 63,368. Out

of the number of confirmed cases, 34,198 individuals are women while 29,170 are men.

The dashboard data further shows that 10 persons are in institutional isolation, 80 are in home isolation and 12 are in institutional quarantine.

To date, a total of 62,049 persons have recovered from the virus.

PAGE 63

Kaieteur News

PAGE 64

Sunday April 17, 2022

Recipients of the 25 Influential Women Leaders Awards (25IWLA) for last year.

25 Influential Women Leaders Awards 2022

…An honour by women for women

C

elebrated as the most coveted award in Guyana to honour women, the 25 Influential Women Leaders Awards (25IWLA) returns to the spotlight to honour outstanding women in their respective career paths.

According to a release from the organisation, the 25 Influential Women Leaders Award is unique in its focus on honouring women leaders from every sector, rather than a single industry or endeavour, and this year will be held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Georgetown on Saturday June 18, 2022.

Co-Creator of the Award and Founder/CEO of the NICO Consulting Inc. Michelle A. Nicholas shared that “Women are powerful agents of change. They broke glass ceilings and push the frontiers of women's leadership.

This award brings together a powerful network of influential women in Guyana with the lens of inclusion, diversity, and equity.

What began as a dream is now a significant movement.”

She said: “It is an honour to be able to recognise eminent women, who nurture, inspire and challenge us, and who are making a difference

in their communities and the world.

We've all witnessed the benefits of women in leadership... I look forward to celebrating our 2022 formidable women leaders.”

Lyndell Danzie-Black, who is also Co-Creator of the Award and Managing Director of Cerulean Inc., remarked that “As I observe an increase in the participation and empowerment of women, I am heartened by the number of programmes and projects championed by women. This creates an opportunity for society to celebrate more and more women in various strata.”

She noted that “In spite of the recent global challenges, we persevered, and this is our third Awards Ceremony and we are grateful for our many corporate citizens, community leaders and supporters who relentlessly continue to nominate and celebrate women leaders from across Guyana. This year we look forward to celebrating another 25 inspiring leaders.”

As such, Danzie-Black encourages members of the public to nominate truly outstanding female leaders in any field, so that they may be considered to be a recipient of this honour.

Co-Creator of the Award, Michelle A. Nicholas According to the release, 25IWLA is a creation which recognises the success of national and regional women leaders as well as the achievements of women from all walks of life, who have pushed the boundaries nationwide.

The aim of the 25IWLA is to redress the underrepresentation of women and transform how women leaders are viewed in Guyana by recognising their value,

achievements and contributions.

The award is designed to turn the spotlight on women – with 25 awardees who truly stand out for their passion and commitment to uplifting the business sector, their communities and society.

This is the environment that the 25IWLA creates to empower women, and the organisers look forward to nominations of outstanding Guyanese coming in from every part of our country so the diverse nature of the contribution of women to Guyanese society could be truly recognised.

Fifty women leaders, representing a diverse and visionary community have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to Guyana and Guyanese since the inaugural event in 2019. Even more importantly this curated group of female leadership talent has been given the chance to empower each other to elevate their abilities and achieve exponential impacts in their work; through creating dynamic communities where women leaders can cross pollinate ideas and networks.

Over the past three years, the awards have been lauded by

Co-Creator of the Award, Lyndell Danzie-Black. attendees and supporters alike.

Speaking at the Awards (Continued on page 70)

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 17, 2022

PAGE 65

>>>Young Entrepreneur on the Move<<<

Choose 'Edible Treats by Georgie' …to satisfy your craving for sumptuous foods

H

ailing from Sisters Village on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD), is a young woman whose business, once utilised, leaves people craving for more.

The woman is 23-year-old, Dionne George, the owner of a popular baking and catering business called 'Edible Treats by Georgie'.

The business, which serves just about anything for special events, was launched by George about four years ago.

The young woman, who is a past student of the Patentia Secondary School, WBD, is also a holder of a Diploma in Catering and Hospitality Management from the Carnegie School of Home Economics and a holder of a Diploma in Business Management.

In a recent interview with Kaieteur News, George said the motive behind starting her business was to unveil this deep passion she has for cooking, something she has had in her from as long as she can remember.

“The reason for me starting 'Edible Treats by Georgie' is that I've always had a passion for cooking but more so cooking in large quantities.

Being an entrepreneur was always one of my aspirations not only because of the profit that comes with being one but the impact that can be made in my employees' lives,” she shared.

Ever since deciding to open her own business, not once has she doubted its potential, given the fact that her support system has been nothing but tremendous from the onset.

“I've been fortunate to have a circle of people who've supported me in both tangible and intangible ways,” she added.

And what keeps it thriving too, is that people would regularly recommend her business to others.

“I have persons who would recommend Edible Treats and I've never even met them. I have persons who from time to time would call me to encourage me and I've never seen them,” the young woman said.

Apart from the support, George highlighted that the pandemic caused more positive than negative impacts to her business since it allowed her to be more creative, “to adjust and see opportunities in crisis.”

Moving forward, she hopes to one day expand her operation, and in doing so, to somehow provide opportunities for others in business.

“For me, expanding will help

reason for me starting 'Edible Treats by Georgie' is that “I'veThealways had a passion for cooking but more so cooking in large quantities. Being an entrepreneur was always one of my aspirations not only because of the profit that comes with being one but the impact that can be made in my employees lives.

“

By Allyiah Allicock

Some of the sweet treats you can order.

me to achieve one of my personal goals and that is to train as many people as I can. I've always believed that as an entrepreneur you do not need a multi-million-

dollar company in order to contribute to your country, as a small business I plan on recruiting and training as many persons as I can, but mostly targeting the

youths,” she disclosed.

George is of the belief that “owning your own table is one thing but selflessly giving others a seat at that table is one of the g r e a t e s t achievements any entrepreneur can have.”

When asked how she currently sees herself in society, her exact words were, “I think as young entrepreneurs we are the change makers and ceiling breakers; I

beam with joy every time I see a youth become an entrepreneur.”

She noticed too that no longer young entrepreneurs are allowing themselves to be placed in a box, instead, they are occupying their rightful space in society while being a force to be reckoned with.

And with more entrepreneurs emerging every day, George suggested that in order to boost small businesses locally, there should be easy access to financing.

For persons who would like to utilise her catering service, contact can be made via Facebook @Edible Treats by Georgie or telephone number (592) 658-0658.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 66

Sunday April 17, 2022

Family of missing fisherman - says Berbice police seeking justice probe unsatisfactory

By Malisa Playter-Harry

I

t has been 12 days since the body of 52-year-old Kallicharran Mohabir of L o t 1 4 U l v e r s t o n Vi l l a g e , Corentyne, East Berbice disappeared reportedly in the Corentyne River.

Mohabir fell overboard in the Corentyne River some distance away from the Rose Hall foreshore while he was fishing with his boat captain and two others.

However, as the days elapse, his sister, Gaitree Mohabir, who has been at her wits end, has admitted that she had had thoughts of giving up since there has been no word coming from the police and the owner of the fishing vessel.

Gaitree told this publication that since the incident, there were only two searches and the search party included two of her brothers, a policeman and the other crew members who had gone fishing with her brother. She said the search was conducted on a Wednesday (the day after the incident) and Friday but there has been no search since.

"Me whole skin ah pain me,

nothing is coming out of this, nobody not telling us anything. We want justice even if we just get the body to bury it. The police not saying nothing to us, they just leave us and abandoned us and they dragging their foot," said the woman.

Kaieteur News understands that the captain for the fishing vessel and the other fishermen have since been released from police custody but while efforts were made to confirm this, calls to the Regional Commander, Boodnarine Persaud, went unanswered.

According to Gaitree, during the search, one of her brother's friend indicated to her that a crew member had told them that when Kallicharran fell overboard they stuck a red flag in the location where he fell and attached a seine.

She noted, however, "…when me (other) brother tell dem leh dem go search deh, a next crew member seh no, leh we search somewhere else

The Corentyne River

Dead, Kallicharran Mohabir

and dem end up and carry me brother them to search till at Rosignol side."

"Why don't you want to search there?" she questioned. She added that it has raised a lot of questions in her mind as to what really may have occurred on that fateful day. She said days after the incident, she along with her brothers decided to meet with the Police Commander who had asked whether her brother "ever catch fits (seizures)" since this was the information provided

to police by the other crew members while they were in custody. The woman insisted that her brother has no history of seizures.

As such, she is calling on the authorities outside of Berbice to investigate the matter since she is dissatisfied with the way the matter is being handled by Berbice police.

"I want the police to do a better investigation, these men dem release, dem shudda keep them longer in custody because them

telling the police me brother catch fits and my brother never had fits before," she stressed.

Recently, a decomposed body was discovered in the waters at the Dantzig foreshore at Mahaicony.

Relatives of the fisherman, Suraj Dhaneshwar, who had fallen overboard near the Bath Settlement foreshore on March 16, 2022, had indicated that the remains could be their relative. However, DNA samples were taken from the remains and relatives, and until those results are returned, only then will it be positively identified.

A fisherman's nightmare From page 61 normally just want what we have,” the fisherman said.

But to ensure his own safety, he noted that he would normally inform his family how many days he plan to spend at sea, and also alert them as to who he will be with, so that his wife would know who to contact if he does not return within the stipulated days.

Sometimes, London said he would enjoy sailing out in the open, but a fisherman's job is more than throwing a net overboard. He explained the process to Kaieteur News. According to him, “When we leave the wharf we would start the setup. We have a GPS so we would know where to go and not to get lost. We would set up something called the 'danboy'.

It's like something with a light and a flag that is used to tell people a fishing boat is there with the seine and so on so that other fishermen won't come there to set up. We would leave it for like four to six hours and then check to see if we get anything.

Sometime the seine would tangle up and you go to spend a lot of time to loose it out. Some time you get fish so you have to get it out fast to put in the ice box because we don't want any to spoil. The whole process could take whole day sometimes. If we find that we waiting and we don't get anything at that spot, we would move up to another location.”

“I think what they should do is go out to sea with us to get a firsthand experience of what is going on. I can't understand the Vice President (Bharrat Jagdeo) is saying that he has fishing background and fishing got seasons. It does not matter how much University education you got, you got to hear from we about what is going on.” - Dereck London

Dark days The seas have become a dark and more feared place, and so have the days for the fishing industry, according to the experienced fisherman. “Because when we go out now, we don't get the catch like we used to get before. Sometimes when you work is like you working for 70/30. The man who boat you using got to get half the profit, whatever leff back we got to split between the crew after the 12 or 13 days. Long time we used to catch about 300 or 400 snapper… but now, them boys saying three boats going out and they only coming back with about 50 after all them days. The boat cost is like $1 million to go out to sea alone. So after we done take out we expense we barely getting a li'l thing to go in we belly,” he shared.

With fears stirring of the industry's collapse, London said young fishermen are now looking to turn to other sectors for jobs. He said that the young men are turning to construction work, while others are now becoming guards to secure an income for their families.

London reasoned that it is unfortunate that fishermen in Guyana continue to face such hardships, and the government seems not to have a clue about the reality of what is happening to the sector.

According to him, “I think what they should do is go out to sea with us to get a firsthand experience of what is going on. I can't understand the Vice President (Bharrat Jagdeo) is saying that he has fishing background and fishing got seasons. It does not matter how

much University education you got, you got to hear from we about what is going on.”

In addition to experiencing lower catches, London said that the quality of fish has also reduced. He told Kaieteur News that one snapper used to weigh about 30 pounds back in the earlier days, but now a snapper weighs around 10 pounds.

The fisherman is certain that since the oil and gas operations started, the seafood business started its decline. Although London did not have the luxury of completing his high school education, the fisherman said he has good knowledge of what the oil and gas sector can do to a country's fishing industry.

“You see when they go down to we sea floor with them noisy equipment, what you think would happen? It would chase the fish away...When they pull up the oil deh, you believe is oil alone coming up? No man, is gas with the oil, plus some kind of water that causes the fish to dead. When them throw back

the water into the ocean, what you believe happens to de fish? Plus, when them throw back the water deh, it got oil inside and the thing is wah does kill out the fish them,” London believes.

Amidst all the fears that fishermen are plagued with, he said they are still hopeful that the government would intervene in the situation.

In a brief comment, London's common law wife, Ms. Kamltwie Lera, who has been with the fisherman for 19 years now, said she is saddened to see her husband's current state. She explained that he recently returned home from the sea and has fallen ill. Doctors have diagnosed him with pneumonia. He is currently undergoing treatment and will be unable to work for the next six weeks. In the meantime, she said she has been doing domestic work to keep food on the table.

With some financial help from their children, the couple is looking to build their own home for the very first time.

GEMS Theatre Productions presents... from page 66 at the Theatre Guild from 18:30hours (6.30p.m). Patrons would be treated to this rare opportunity of high calibre theatre for 80 minutes (no intermission) followed by a short Q&A session with the actress.

Tickets are $3,000 and available from the Pegasus Hotel front desk and Survival supermarket (Sheriff Street). For enquiries and group bookings contact 624-8694 (Whatsapp).

Sunday April 17, 2022

PAGE 67

Kaieteur News

$314M estimated to construct core houses in Regions 3 & 4 During the opening of tenders on Tuesday last, at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), six bids were received for projects under the purview of the Central Housing and Planning Authority

(CH&PA) which are to construct core houses in Regions Three and Four.

The governments core homes programme is one being financed by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) which falls under the

Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) Construction of core houses in Regions Three and Four for Lots 1 to 14.

CH&PAs Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme.

These projects are divided into 14 lots and a total account of the engineers estimate pegged the works at $314,502,860.

The contractors vying for the contract to execute the construction of these houses are Cemmex Procurement and Contracting Inc., Ivor Allen, A & J General Contracting Service, General Procurement and Construction, Elite Con-

Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Construction of Cane Grove NDC building, Region Four.

struction, and R. Kissoon Contracting Services.

Bids also opened for the construction of two Neighbourhood Democratic Council offices, one at Cane Grove which is estimated at $15 million and the other at

La Grange-Nimes estimated to cost $18 million. These are projects which fall under the purview of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.

Below are the companies and their bids:

Construction of La Grange-Nimes NDC building, Region Three.

Upgrade of Leguan Disposal Site, Region Three.

GUYSUCO Supply and delivery of one steam turbine with reduction gearbox for Rose Hall Factory.

Ministry of Legal Affairs Procurement of computer hardware and accessories Guyana Police Force, Police Regional Divisions 1 to 10.

Construction of reinforced culvert at Central Matthew s Ridge, Matarkai, Region One.

Upgrade of Wakeenaam Disposal site, Region Three.

Upgrade of Number Naught Disposal Site, Region Six.

Consulting firm: consultancy, sentencing guidelines (encompassing diversion & alternative sentencing options).

Closure and restoration of Babu John Dumpsite, Region Six.

Construction of storm-water sedimentation and control pond at Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill.

Ministry of Public Works Expression of interest: Consultancy services for the redesign of an existing road network on the East Coast of Demerara; Belfield to Rosignol.

(Continued on page 68)

PAGE 68

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 17, 2022

$314M estimated to construct...

From page 67

Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation Construction and installation of 204 anchor blocks for the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

FOR SALE

VEHICLE FOR SALE One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable.

Contact:649-0956.

1-Model M Truck,TM Truck, 428 Caterpillar Backhoe,416 Caterpillar Back hoe,Front end loader, Cement mixer truck,Mini Excavator.6500402/652-0251.

Nissan X trail in immaculate condition,model 204.Price $2.8M negotiable. Contact: 641-1303.

One (1) RZ Minibus,BJJ Series.Contact:646-5608,negotiable.

Household:Bedspread sets; Travel urinal; Center table; Mattress; Printer; Desk; Fax; Dining Table. Call:655-3070/ 662-2652.

Cases of Hand Sanitizer For Sale: 250ml at $250 While Supplies Last. Call 650-5626.

FOR RENT 2 bedroom located 515 Peter's Hall E.B.D. Contact:660-4330 betwenn 8am-5pm.

One,Two,Three bedroom apartment furnish & un furnish in Providence, Diamond, New Road, Vreed-en-hoop.

604-6664, 682-6238,216-2299.

Linden.2 bedrooms, upper flat at one mile Public road.

Tel:675-7667.

Ministry of Home Affairs Construction of senior officers living quarters at the Lusignan Prison.

SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design,Advertisements, Wedding decorations & Elderly grooming: Hair,Nail etc.Tel:626-7040.

Specialized repairs/service refrigerator, washing machine, pressure pump, stove, treadmill,dryer, filteration system, deep fryer.Call:6949733.

Mo's Bobcat Rental & Towing Service.Now hiring Bobcat Drivers. Call:643-8727/ whatsapp 685-9744.

Installation, Repairs and parts for AC,Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc.Call Nick#656-0110/630-1600.

Relaxing Massage Service.

Tel:674-8147.

We repair all brands laptop & desktop computer.Tel:6962843.

FOR SALE Mature Palms & Trees.Get a head start now,so you can enojy later.Call:612-1848/ 648-1821.

6-4 & 5 bedroom house at Schoonord,1-3 story building at Zeelugt,1-3 bedroom at Blankenburg.Contact:6500402/652-0251.

Prime business spot(1/2 acre land) @Parika, house lots at Blanken burg,double lot at Tushen. Contact:650-0402/ 652-0251.

VACANCY WANTED

One bulldozer operator to work in Great Diamond. ConServers needed at tact:632-1118/647-4161.

Emmanuel's Delight. Located One female cleaner.Apply at Diamond,tel:651-6342. at:Lens 136 Sheriff St C/Ville One male able bodied clerk: Georgetown.Contact:227225-2313/226-1497.

2486 or 227-1511.

Taxi Dispatcher.Experience only,salary $28,000 wkly.

Contact GR Taxi Ganesh on 614-6202.

1 Forklift Operator.License not needed.Apply at LENS 136 Sheriff Street, C/ Ville.Tel:227-1511/227-2486.

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

Keyfood Trading,Mc Doom General worker, Handyboy, village.

Receptionist & workers to Plant Shop Sales Staff.Age work at Hotel.Contact:693- 18-30.Must be able to read & 3946. write,work outdoors & team Waitress needed,$20,000 player.Call:646-2108. weekly.Contact:610-3974.

Pitmen,Serviceman,Hauler Female to take care of an eld- Operator for interior location. erly male between the ages of Applicants must be experi25 to 40. Accommodations enced. Call:231-2250. provided.Call or WhatsApp Vacancy for 2 experienced 1-868-683-1528. hairdresser.Location Grove E.B.D,Tel:652-5800.

2 Construction Manager wanted to work with con- Pastry Maker.Must be able to struction company.Contact work with whole wheat flour.Call:697-8160.

Seema on 226-9416.

1 male to work on Chicken Farm in the interior.Must have knowledge about poultry farming.Contact:680-2702.

Bar girls,Male Porter & Fe- An experience & qualified male cook for Interior. Con- manager to manage a wholesale & retail distribution tact:687-7638/660-9093. business.Apply at Alabama Dried carilla bush,soursop Trading. leaves,lemongrass,mango leaves (anyquantity). Call: One clerk for TSI Eccles office English & Math, grade 1 609-8281/693-3003. or 2.Call:615-9132 or email One Housekeeper.Must be application to techserigy able to cook,45-60 yrs old. @yahoo.com.

Must be living E.B.D. One handyman/store help, 695- Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area.Call:615-9132.

4785/265-3541.

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 17, 2022

PAGE 69

Cash grants remain plausible option to benefit citizens The idea of direct revenue to citizens from oil profits is not farfetched as several stakeholders believe the notion is plausible.

Shadow Minister of Natural Resources and Oil and Gas, David Patterson has been the latest voice in support giving hard cash to citizens.

He was at the time expressing Guyana's loss from not auditing oil industry expenses when he insisted that the sum could have gone directly into citizens' pockets.

Patterson, during an interview on the Politics 101 show urged that Guyana's ability to audit will see the country paying less than what is presented for developing the oil sector. He said that proper verifications and checks to oil expenses would highlight whether

Guyana is overpaying. “So what happens, is the cost that they declare, this US$9B, (for Liza 1 and 2) conservative estimates are that you can save as much as a billion US dollars or $900M, 10 percent knocked off from the price they are reporting. “With US$900M you can pay public servants a $200,000 minimum wage,” Patterson suggested.

He said it would be easy for the government to increase workers' pay from $70,000 with the money saved. He continued by noting that there have been calls for cash transfers, but the government has insisted that they can't afford the payouts. He posited, however, that if valid and true audits are conducted, “the money garnered from the audits, the savings, that

alone can fund, or at least partially fund some sort of limited cash grant transfer to the poor and vulnerable and the youths.”

Local economist, Professor Clive Thomas is also advocating for the handing out of cash grants to citizens. In fact, he believes that any sum handed over to citizens should be enough to immediately take them above the poverty line as a means of directly attacking the issue of poverty. In his Buxton proposal, Prof.

Thomas proposes hard cash be given to citizens from oil revenues as a “structured and direct assault” on poverty.

He said the objective of the proposal is to ensure that everybody gets a basic universal income that takes them above the poverty line as defined and measured in

Shadow Oil and Gas Minister, David Patterson Guyana.

This measure, Thomas had proposed, would see direct benefits to citizens, especially when large investments are not being made to increase human capacity.

There have been claims, however, that handing hard cash over to citizens would

increase inflation and that it would see citizens wasting the money. To both of these issues, Thomas offered explanations. He said that other countries that give cash to its citizens have seen them spending it on what he called investment goods. They improve their quality of life by improving their homes, health and welfare of their families. Thomas said that for inflation to become an issue, citizens would have to see constant increases in their salary for prices of goods to increase.

In the oil producing nations of Alaska and Kuwait, citizens are paid direct sums. The Alaska Permanent Fund (APF) is a constitutionally established permanent fund managed by a state-owned corporation, the Alaska Permanent Fund

Corporation (APFC). As of 2019, the fund was worth approximately $64 billion that has been funded by oil revenues and has paid out an average of approximately $1,600 annually per resident.

In 2011, every citizen in Kuwait received $3,500 in cash and free food for 13 months to help citizens improve their living conditions. The oil-rich nation has provided other measures to support citizens' welfare.

Prof. Thomas has pointed out that Guyana has less than five decades to make the best of its oil resources since the world is moving away from fossil fuel. He insists therefore that the government must find a way to remove its people from poverty by the time that happens.

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Ronaldo hat-trick rescues Man United amid fan anger in Norwich win MANCHESTER, England, (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo’s 50th club career hat-trick and second Premier League treble of the season earned below-par Manchester United a 3-2 victory over Norwich City yesterday amid scenes of fan protest at Old Trafford.

With Tottenham Hotspur losing 1-0 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion earlier on Saturday, the door was open for United to close on the Champions League qualification places with victory over bottom side Norwich and they just about took advantage.

A first-half double from veteran striker Ronaldo seemingly put the hosts on course for a comfortable win in the

sunshine, with Norwich struggling to keep pace.

However, Kieran Dowell’s goal out of nowhere in firsthalf stoppage time got the visitors back in the contest, before Finnish forward Teemu Pukki completed the Norwich comeback to stun Old Trafford into silence seven minutes after the break.

Fans who protested against the club’s owners ahead of the match were singing “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” in the second half as their team were second best to a team seven points adrift of the Premier League safety zone.

United’s France midfielder Paul Pogba was booed by his own fans as he was substi-

tuted before Ronaldo stole the show once again with a sensational winner 14 minutes from time to drag United out of the mire once more.

The win, United’s first in four games in all competitions, moved them above Arsenal, who lost 1-0 at Southampton, into fifth on 54 points from 32 matches, with Spurs now just three points in front. Norwich stay bottom on 21 points.

“I don’t think we need to speak anymore about Cristiano,” United coach Ralf Rangnick said. “He made the difference once again, at least two goals were not easy to score.

“He showed against Tottenham and today he can be the difference maker. It is

Sunday February 17, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You're a conscientious, hard worker, Aries, but today your thoughts are more on home than work. You feel especially close to your family and friends.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You have much to be grateful for, Libra. Why not go out tonight and celebrate with friends? Forget about work and family troubles and kick up your heels.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Today is likely to be another busy one for you, Taurus.

You might have a volunteer activity in the morning and then get roped into running errands in the afternoon.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You're eager and optimistic today, Scorpio, which works well with your strong, capable nature. You're likely to find that things begin to click into place at work.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You have a strong spirit of cooperation today, Gemini. It inspires you to pitch in and help others without being asked. Your romantic partner could be surprised to see you show up and help with a chore.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Make some plans to write a letter, send a greeting card, or put together a package for someone far away today, Cancer.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today your strong sense of nostalgia likely has you leaning toward all things old. If you do some furniture shopping, you'll be drawn to antique shops rather than contemporary stores.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) This could be a rather intense day for you, Virgo. Your mind is filled with plots for novels you want to write and ideas for ways to streamline production at work.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today should be devoted to paperwork and getting your financial affairs and budgets in order, Sagittarius. Once this is done, you can relax in the evening with friends and loved ones.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) All financial undertakings have good aspects today, Capricorn. It could be that you have been thinking of starting a new business venture.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) This is bound to be a wonderful day, Aquarius. You're looking and feeling great and it shows! This is a day of kindness and cooperation.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) This is a good day for you to analyze information, Pisces. You have an especially acute business sense, which you should use to your advantage.

no coincidence he has scored the amount of goals he has.

“But I am not happy with that performance. If you want to defend properly in this league, you just have to be physical and not allow players to get past you so easily.

This is what this team do not do well enough.”

Thousands of fans protested outside the stadium before the match against the Glazer family ownership, chanting “get out of our club”, among other things, with many not inside to see Ronaldo break the deadlock seven minutes in.

Young winger Anthony Elanga did the leg work, winning the ball off Norwich defender Ben Gibson before squaring for Ronaldo to net his first goal in five games for club and country.

A trademark Ronaldo leap from an Alex Telles corner in the 32nd minute doubled the home side’s lead, as all was well inside Old Trafford.

Dowell’s first-ever Premier League goal on the cusp of halftime on the end of a Pukki pass did not seem like it was going to derail United, but their second-half showings this term have often been their undoing, and sure enough, Pukki was then left all alone to level.

Home goalkeeper David de Gea was then forced into a fine save to deny Milot Rashica as Norwich pressed to really cause uproar at Old Trafford, with fans turning on the players.

Another Dinesh...

From page 75 snatch the game from Royal Challengers. After Thakur slogged Hasaranga for a six over long-on, Pant hit him for a four and six off back-to-back balls. In the next over, he muscled Mohammed Siraj over deep midwicket to bring the equation down to 48 needed from 22 deliveries.

Siraj then bowled a high full toss, and Pant tried to smash that but lost his balance. It was still going over extra cover, where Kohli moved to his right, timed his jump well and plucked it out with one hand. Two overs later, Hazlewood bounced out Thakur to ensure there was no miracle.

Scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 189 for 5 (Karthik 66*, Maxwell 55, Thakur 1-27) beat Delhi Capitals 173 for 7 (Warner 66, Pant 34, Hazlewood 3-28) by 16 runs.

Continental Park Raptors...

From page 79 tournament continued last weekend.

At Queen’s College, Uprising CC batted first and managed 203-5. S. Wong led with 112 which included four fours and 13x6 off 51 balls, while Ryan Shun scored 51 with five fours and two sixes of 49 balls. K. Ross took 2-24.

In reply, Continental Park Raptors CC made 205-4 in 16.4 overs.

Shamar Angel slammed 10 fours and six sixes in a top score of 102 off 51 balls while Alvin Mohabir scored 52 from 31 balls with five fours and two sixes. Shun had 2-20.

Herstelling A took first strike and managed 145 for 9.

Martin Salick made 31 and Ricky Sargeant scored 22.

Peter’s Hall were bowled out for 99 in reply.

Narendra Persaud and Yogendra Singh got 17 each as Tej Persaud took 2-1 and Anand Bharat 2-13.

Herstelling B made 151 with Trevor Benn scoring 37 and Miguel Parks 31.

Laurel Parks claimed 4-11 and Darren Manohar 3-11.

Meadowbank were sent packing for 63 in reply.

Brandon Jaikarran scored 20 as Daniel Persaud claimed 3-23.

Softball fraternity...

From page 76 softball but society lost true gentleman who was always willing to render assistance whenever called upon.

Singh was known for his politeness and was always calm in his approach, even to the most challenging of situ-

ations. When it comes to the sport, he had a fearless approach.

He has left a void that will be very difficult to fill.

The cricketing fraternity and Kaieteur Sports Department expressed condolences to his family.

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Kaieteur News

Quadruple-chasing Liverpool reach FA Cup final, ending Man City’s treble bid AFP - Liverpool reached the FA Cup final as Sadio Mane’s double inspired a 3-2 win over Manchester City that kept alive their quadruple bid and shattered their rivals’ treble hopes.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are chasing an unprecedented clean-sweep of the four major trophies in a single sea-

son.

They remain on course to achieve that incredible target after a scintillating first half display in Saturday’s semi-final at Wembley.

Ibrahima Konte put Liverpool ahead and Mane doubled their lead thanks to a blunder from City keeper Zack Steffen.

Senegal forward Mane struck again before half-time and, although Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva netted after the interval, City were unable to complete a remarkable revival.

Liverpool will make their first FA Cup final appearance since 2012 on May 14 when they face Chelsea or Crystal

Liverpool’s Sadio Mane in action with Manchester City’s John Stones. (Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine)

Palace, who meet in Sunday’s semi-final.

The Reds, into the FA Cup final for the 15th time, haven’t won the competition since 2006, while Klopp has yet to lead them to a domestic knockout trophy.

Trailing Premier League leaders City by just one point with seven games left, Liverpool have already won the League Cup and have also reached the Champions League semi-finals, where they will play Villarreal.

Despite Klopp’s protestations that the quadruple is an impossible dream, this was another step towards football immortality.

For City, fatigued physically and mentally, it was a game too far as Liverpool handed them a first defeat in 11 games.

Both league meetings this season had ended in 2-2 draws, including a pulsating clash at the Etihad Stadium last weekend.

But, battered and bruised after surviving a gruelling Champions League quarterfinal at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, City were unable to match Liverpool’s intensity as they surrendered possession with uncharacteristic mistakes.

Pep Guardiola claimed City were “exhausted”, giving him “no choice” but to

make changes, with Kevin De Bruyne on the bench alongside Ederson, Ruben Dias and Rodri, while Kyle Walker was sidelined with an injury.

In contrast, Klopp recalled Mane, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent AlexanderArnold after resting his key players for Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Benfica.

Guardiola will believe his selection was the right move if City can pip Liverpool in the title race and reach a second successive Champions League final.

- Relentless Reds It was a bad day from start to finish for City, who issued an apology after their fans forced referee Michael Oliver to cut short a pre-match tribute to the 97 Liverpool fans who died at Hillsborough 33 years ago by chanting through the minute’s silence.

Liverpool exacted revenge on the pitch, tearing into City and taking the lead in the ninth minute.

Konate had scored with headers in both legs of the Champions League quarterfinal against Benfica, but City surprisingly opted not to give the French defender special attention.

Andrew Robertson’s outswinging corner looped

into City’s six-yard box, where Konate towered above Nathan Ake to thump his header past Steffen.

Liverpool were tormenting City with pace and movement, leaving their rivals so rattled that they gift-wrapped the second goal in the 17th minute.

Ake’s back-pass should have been easy for Steffen, but the American took too long to decide whether to pass or boot it clear, allowing Mane to slide in and deflect the ball into the net from virtually on the goal-line.

Liverpool, pressing relentlessly, scored again on the stroke of half-time.

Thiago Alcantara clipped a deft pass out to Mane and he volleyed past the slowto-react Steffen from the edge of the area.

City pulled one back in the 47th minute when Gabriel Jesus twisted away from Fabinho and squared for Grealish to fire home from 10 yards.

Suddenly threatening a stunning fightback, City were denied by Alisson’s two superb saves from Jesus.

Silva converted Riyad Mahrez’s cross in stoppagetime, but the final whistle triggered a wall of sound from Liverpool fans dreaming of quadruple glory.

Sunday April 17, 2022

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GCC secure consecutive wins Another Dinesh Karthik in U-19 50-over Tournament blitz fashions Royal - Persaud captures 7-10 Challengers’ victory

Host Guyana Cricket Club (GCC) defeated the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC) teams on Tuesday and Wednesday in back-to-back matches in the Georgetown Cricket Associations’ (GCA) Ramchand Auto Spares, Survival Group of Companies & Trophy Stall U19 50 overs cricket tournament.

On Tuesday Shemar Yearwood’s 58 was crafted in a losing cause as DCC fell for 172. Rivaldo Phillips had 3-27 that featured a hat-trick, while Thaddeus Lovell supported with 3-39 and Krishna Singh chipped in with 2-20 for GCC. In reply, GCC reached 173 with Zachary Jodah finishing unbeaten on 57 after Lovell (22) and Aryan Persaud (21) supported him with starts.

The next day, still at Bourda, spinner Aryan Persaud ripped through the GNIC batting to finish with 710 with Lovell supported with 2-8, while Phillips accounted for the other wicket to fall as GNIC were decimated for 36 in 11.4 overs.

Aryan Persaud had a 7wicket or GCC at Bourda.

Shahbaz Ahmed and Dinesh Karthik put on an unbroken 97-run

GCC then cruised to 39 without loss with Deonarine Dindyal (14) and Marlon

Ramsurace (13) seeing the Bourda Blues to an emphatic victory. (Sean Devers)

Bahamas’ Keyshawn Strachan breaks javelin record at Carifta

Keyshawn Strachan of the Bahamas got his Carifta Games participation off with a bang by breaking the Boys U-20 javelin record.

SportsMax - Keyshawn Strachan of the Bahamas started the 49 t h C a r i f t a Games with a bang by breaking the Boys U-20 javelin record at the National Stadium in Kingston yesterday.

Strachan, a finalist at the World Junior Championships in Nairobi last year, threw an impressive 78.89m to

break the record of 78.28m set in 2016 by Grenadian 2019 World Champion Anderson Peters.

The Trinidadian pair of Anthony Diaz (63.69) and Dorian Charles (57.52) rounded out the top three.

Elsewhere in the field, Jamaica’s Danielle Noble cleared 1.73m to win the U-17 Girls high jump ahead of

Trinidad and Tobago’s Tenique Vincent (1.65m) and the British Virgin Islands’ Jah’kyla Morton (1.60m).

Morton’s BVI teammate Savianna Joseph took home the Girls U-17 shot put with 13.54m ahead of Jamaica’s Nastassia Burrell (13.10m) and the Bahamas’ Terrell McCoy (13.00m).

ESPNcricinfo - Glenn Maxwell’s 34-ball 55 helped Royal Challengers Bangalore overcome a poor start. Then, continuing his superlative form, Dinesh Karthik struck an unbeaten 34-ball 66, laced with five fours and as many sixes, to propel his side to 189. That, in the end, turned out to be 16 more than what Delhi Capitals could manage despite another quick start from David Warner and Prithvi Shaw.

The win meant Royal Challengers moved up to third on the points table with eight points from six games.

Above them are Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants, also with eight points each but at a better net run rate.

Royal Challengers’ wobbly start After Rishabh Pant opted to bowl, Mustafizur Rahman troubled Faf du Plessis in the first over. From the other end, Shardul Thakur made the first incision by trapping Anuj Rawat lbw with an overpitched delivery.

In the next over, du Plessis skipped down the track to Khaleel Ahmed, looking to go over covers. Instead, he ended up slicing it towards deep point, where Axar Patel took a couple of steps to his right and pouched it.

Maxwell hit two fours off Mustafizur in the sixth over, but Virat Kohli was struggling at the other end. Kohli was on 12 off 13 when he dropped one towards point and set off.

Maxwell realised there was no run there and sent him back but, by then, it was too late.

Lalit Yadav charged towards the ball and, throwing off-balance, nailed the direct hit with

just one stump visible. That left Royal Challengers reeling at 40 for 3 in the seventh over.

Maxwell revives the innings Coming into this game, Maxwell had taken Kuldeep Yadav for 56 runs off 37 balls with two dismissals across all T20s. On Saturday night, taking advantage of the shorter leg-side boundary, Maxwell smashed Kuldeep for two fours and two sixes in a 23run over. Two overs later, Maxwell brought up his halfcentury off 30 balls with a four off Thakur.

Pant then changed Kuldeep’s end, giving him the cushion of the bigger leg-side boundary. That forced Maxwell to hit straighter but the ball dipped at him, and he ended up offering a straightforward chance to long-on.

In his next over, Kuldeep could have had Karthik too.

He induced an under edge off a wrong ‘un but Pant dropped the chance. Karthik was on 5 off ten balls at that stage, and according to ESPNcricinfo’s Luck Index, that drop cost Capitals 26 runs.

Karthik makes Capitals pay Given the form Karthik is in, it was inevitable he made Capitals pay for the reprieve.

He hit Khaleel for two sixes in the seamer’s next two overs, but it was Mustafizur who bore the real brunt. In the 18th over, Karthik smashed him for 28 runs. The sequence read: 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 4.

That meant Karthik brought up his half-century in just 26 balls after being on a run-a-ball 17 at one stage.

Shahbaz Ahmed, who was mostly quiet until then, also got into the act, and the two

picked up another 29 in the last two overs. In all, they added 97 in 8.4 overs in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand.

Warner, Shaw give Capitals flying start Capitals started in an aggressive manner, with Warner and Shaw hitting at least one six between them in each of the first four overs. The two brought up the team’s 50 in just 4.3 overs - their third consecutive fifty stand. Siraj provided some relief with Shaw’s wicket but Capitals finished the powerplay on 57 for 1.

Mitchell Marsh, playing his first game of the season, struggled for timing but Warner kept going. He slogswept Wanindu Hasaranga for a six, brought up his fifty off 29 balls, and then took Harshal Patel for another six and four. Hasaranga eventually trapped Warner lbw when the batter failed to connect a switch hit.

The mini-collapse Pant hit a couple of lapped fours off Hasaranga before drilling one back towards the bowler. Hasaranga tried to stop it but the ball brushed his fingers and went on to hit the stumps at the nonstriker’s end. Marsh was out of his crease, which brought an end to his agony. He walked back for 14 off 24 balls.

In the next over - the 15th of the innings - Rovman Powell nicked Josh Hazlewood behind for a firstball duck. On the last ball of the over, Lalit holed out to deep square leg as Capitals slipped from 112 for 2 to 115 for 5 in the space of seven balls. Kohli’s brilliancy sees the end of Pant Pant still threatened to (Continued on page 73)

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GRFU 13-man squad confirmed for RAN Sevens

NY Tri Guyana tour 2-day game...

Shrivastava, Shivakumar score ton as NY Tri reach 333-8 Adil Shivaskumar drives during his entertaining century at DCC yesterday. (Sean Devers photos)

Avery Corbin (left) has been a regular occurrence in Guyana’s set up.

The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) has selected a 13-man team to travel to attend the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens Tournament, scheduled for April 23-24 in the Land of the Flying Fish.

Accompanying the team will be the Head Coach, Theodore Henry and Manager, Ryan Dey, who is also the GRFU President.

The team reads: Jamal Angus, Godfrey Broomes, Tyresse Prescod, Avery Corbin, Michael Barrow, Michael Edwards, Lancelot

Adonis, Owen Adonis, Peabo Hamlilton, Rickford Cummings, Lionel Holder, Vallon Adams and Matthew Talbot.

In addition to the team, the non-travelling reserves are Dwayne Schroeder, Adrian Hall, Joshua Griffith and David Garnette.

This will be the first international Sevens competition hosted by RAN since last year’s Fireminds RAN Sevens in Turks and Caicos, where Jamaica lifted the trophy as champions with a 21-7 win over

Mexico in the final.

Earlier this year, RAN announced that its RAN Super Sevens tournament – which was to be played in Mexico City February 12-13 with both senior and age-grade divisions – had to be postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic.

T h e t w o - d ay event – which includes senior Men’s and Women’s divisions – will serve as qualifiers for the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 along with The Commonwealth Games 2022.

Softball fraternity bids farewell to Lakhram Mike Singh

By Sean Devers In sweltering heat at DCC the GCA U-17s chased leather all day on a lightning fast outfield as the visiting New York Tri state unit, led by centuries from Skipper Utkarsh Shrivastava and his deputy Adil Shivakumar and 57 from Saharsh Shwethan carried their score to 333-8 at the end of day one of their two-game yesterday.

Shrivastava’s114 lasted 172 balls and was decorated 18 fours while Shivakumar scored 112 from 144 balls with 14 fours and shared in a fifth wicket stand of 200 runs.

Anirudh Bolisetty is unbeaten on 15 with leg-spinner Riyad Latif 3-129 from 23 overs while Dillon Ramsaroop (2-30) and Jeremiah Honenkirk (2-13) are the main wicket-takers so far.

Left-handed Tanish Dongre, who was leaving wide balls from the paces, tried to steer one which straightened from left-arm pacer Ramsaroop and was taken at second slip for a duck at 3-1.

Shwethan joined the inform Ruhan Swar, the leading run-scorer in limited overs games, and the pair took the score to 41 with Swar dominating the stand with an array of delightful drives and couple imperious flicks which raced to square-leg boundary while Shwethan played the supporting role.

However, with Swar, looking set for another good score, he seemed unlucky to be given LBW as Ramsaroop struck again to remove the right-hander for a shot-filled 27.

After Lunch, which was taken 84-2 with the skipper on 25 and Shwethan 29, both batters played enterprisingly before Shwethan, dropped on 8 of pacer Wavell Allen and at slip off Joshua Vanlange on 10, got a ball that bounced from Latif and gloved a catch to silly mid-off as he pushed forward.

Swethan’s 57 lasted 110 balls and included eight fours, while Latif had Abhiram Yeruva caught behind next ball and Latif was on a hat-

trick and the score on 129-4.

The pair of Shrivastava and Shivakumar batted beautifully with the skipper showing why he is regarded as the team’s most technically correct batter by executing elegant stroke-play on a track which got better for batting in the afternoon session and

by Tea, the tourists were 2164 with Shrivastava on 87 and his Vice-Captain looking set on 41.

After Tea both batters progressed to hundreds, but when well set for a big ton Shrivastava played an irresponsible sweep to Latif and spooned at catch to slip at 275-5.

And when Shivakumar was bowled by off-spinner Jaden Dowlin a run later it was 330-6 before Jeremiah Hohenkirk removed Ansh Rai and Akshay Garg for ducks.

Today is the second day and play starts at 10:00hrs and is it hoped that the Umpires can correct their mistake of wearing black shirts in a red ball contest instead of white.

Players form a bat arch as Lakhram Singh body is being taken for cremation.

The old adage ‘Heroes can always be remembered, but Legends never die’ can be used to describe the type of character Lakhram ‘Mike’ Singh was, not only to softball cricket, but to society at large.

On Thursday last the softball fraternity bid farewell to one of finest players to have graced the sport - Lakhram ‘Mike’ Singh.

Following the service at his home in Bel Air, Singh was cremated at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara.

Members of the softball arena was left in a state of shock when Singh, the owner of Wellman Masters, Legends and Wellwoman, passed away in Florida while playing for Wellman Legends in the over-50 division in the Florida Cup. He was 61 years of age.

Singh, who was the Proprietor of Mike’s Pharmacy, also played for Floodlights and was an executive member on that organisation. He also sponsored and organised an inter-county softball competition, sponsored U19 tournaments in Wakenaam and supported cricketers in Guyana.

He also did charitable works.

Not only have the sport of (Continued on page 73 )

Saharash Shethan clips one off his legs during his fifty. (Sean Devers photo)

Sunday April 17, 2022

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Kaieteur News

GCB embarks on gear distribution to drive development…

Essequibo receives 4 million worth of Cricket gear, Upper Dem to also receive The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) recently embarked on an empowerment exercise, which includes the distribution of cricket gear.

This contribution is being made to support the county boards’ efforts in assisting their affiliates with the equipment required for training and matches.

Recently, the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) was the recipient of over four million dollars in equipment from the GCB. GCB’s President Bissoondyal Singh was very enthusiastic about the occasion. He explained that given the relaxing of COVID-19 measures that several activities will be conducted across the country.

These activities involve both training and matches, so it will be essential for counties and associations to have an adequate quantity of cricket gear to support the player development plans.

The President said, “Among the GCB plans for 2022 are the school cricket activities which will be rolled out towards the end of April with training of 150 teachers from 75 primary schools.

This is to support a sponsored pilot project

ECB’s President receives a quantity of cricket gear from the GCB President.

GCB President Bissoondyal Singh

from a reputable commercial business.

Once the teachers receive the necessary cricket training, attention will shift to the training of pupils before the competition is played.

This is a sponsored project from a reputable commercial business.

So, the GCB felt there

was need for this significant donation.

We trust that those responsible will make full use of the gears and look forward to seeing talented players coming out from the schedule programmes and the rise in standard of cricket being played locally.”

Further, Singh commended the ECB for their pro-

active approach to cricket development, having just been elected the new executives being able to conduct major development activities within a short space of time.

He said, “This includes the ECB Under-15 training and competition activities and the coordinating a coaching education programme.

This is an enormous feat

and I implore you to build on this foundation you have set.”

President of the ECB, Deleep Singh, was high in praise of the GCB’s President and the GCB. He indicated that his executives and all affiliate committees are grateful for such an enormous contribution. The ECB President pointed out that the worth and value of the ge a r goes beyond its four million dollars.

This quantity and way of distribution will enable many players to freely ac-

cess to participate in development activities.

He indicated that several children interested in playing the game can now focus on getting themselves to the ground in appropriate attire and participate in the development activities.

The ECB President stressed that his board would continue to create the environment for players to grow and look forward to sustained energy and continued support from the members of the seven ECB committees.

Bartica Regatta Power Boat Races makes grand return today at Golden Beach From 09:00hrs the Town of Bartica would welcome with open arms the competitive return of the Easter Regatta Power Boat Races which has become a main staple and attraction on the Regatta calendar.

The Formula 1 Class A events (Unlimited Power) are expected to feature four boats being piloted by Dave Scott aboard ‘Jaguar’, he is aiming to rake in his 9th championship title of this event, Randy Belle and the Gonsalves from Pomeroon it is understood will be bringing two boats for this category.

Among the other races listed for today, all being lucrative, Class C (75-90HP), Class B (115-200HP), Class D (2540HP), Class E (15HP), Jet Ski, Bush Boat, and the Wo o d s k i n / C a n o e .

Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams, who is also Chair-

man of the Regatta Committee, has informed that all systems are in place for a successful event which is being dubbed, ‘Bounce Back’. ”The community of Bartica and by extension Guyanese are eagerly awaiting this event, as you know we are coming back after two years, and this, as you know, is a result of the corvid19 world pandemic.

Regatta also presents a huge opportunity to boost the economics of our vendors and other service providers.”

Williams is expressing gratitude to the corporate community who he said would have come on board in short order to make the shortened edition of Regatta a success.

He noted that the football competition which was organized by the Bartica Football Association and ended last

night, was also a success.

The list of sponsors are as follows, GTT, General Equipment, Guyana (Ltd), Aruwai

Resort White H2O, Banks DIH Ltd., B&R Imperium Gold Mining Inc., Digicel, Bolo Store, Sir Service Station,

Mohamed’s/Enterprise, Team Mohamed’s, Nelly Boat House, Nizam Kassim, M.I Yassin, M.F Yassin, Pandit

& Sons, Ryan Variety, Ministry of Tourism, BK International, Distribution Services Ltd.

Bartica Easter Regatta Chairman Kenneth Williams (4th right) was seen with some of the Speed Boat racers and other officials during a meeting yesterday.

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Kaieteur News

Chess introduced to Special Needs Schools across Guyana

First chess session at the Schoonard Learning Centre for Diverse needs.

The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) has been working in collaboration with Sabine McIntosh, Managing Director of the Deaf Association of Guyana (DAG) Inc., to make chess more accessible to children with special needs.

This is part of the Federation’s mandate to make chess more accessible to all children across Guyana.

To date, Sabine McIntosh has reached out to six schools; David Rose Special School, New Amsterdam Special Needs School, Schoonord Centre for Children with Diverse Needs, Gifted Hands Learning Centre for Special Needs, Annai Learning Cen-

tre, and the Harold B. Davis Special School at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre.

Two students have shown interest and aptitude in the sport at the Schoonord Centre for Children with Diverse Needs. Classes began here on March 10 and continue weekly.

At the David Rose Special School, 26 students will be exposed to chess next term.

There are plans to form a small chess club here for students that show strong promise and interest in the sport.

Oxana Cox, a Deaf teacher assistant who previously had some chess training, will conduct introductory sessions,

until the students are ready for more advanced training.

Cox will also conduct sessions at the Gifted Hands Learning Centre for Special Needs for two students next term.

Training will also commence soon at the New Amsterdam Special Needs School.

Due to the pandemic and irregular attendance, a core group has not been identified.

In the meantime, Teneisha Isaacs, a Deaf teacher assistant who had some previous chess training, will do preliminary instructions.

At the Annai Learning Centre, Senior Councilor

There was also a meeting at Gifted Hands Learning Centre for Special Needs.

Zalita Moses is facilitating the teaching of two students.

Dr. Mellisa Corlette, Head of the Harold B. Davis Special School at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, has agreed for weekly sessions to begin next term. Six students were listed as potential participants.

Two male chess players, former students of David Rose, have volunteered to assist with the initiative.

Prior to the pandemic, there were numerous training and workshop opportunities at various institutions for students who are Deaf.

Unfortunately, these programmes and initiatives

suffered as a result of covid19 due to the difficulties in connecting with these players virtually and the lack of amenities to do so effectively.

Schools such as David Rose Special Needs School, New Amsterdam Special Needs School, Special Needs School East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Tuschen Deaf Academy previously had annual Deaf Chess Workshops.

These were facilitated by the DAG with support from the Ministry of Cult u r e , Yo u th and Sport through the National Sports Commission (NSC).

Despite challenges in engaging chess players with special needs during the pandemic, 12-year-old Anaya Lall, a student of Tuschen Deaf Academy, defied the odds and excelled in the game both locally and internationally.

Throughout the pandemic she participated in a number of local online tournaments and also represented Guyana at the Online Youth and Cadet World Rapid Championships.

She went on to become the first deaf chess player to represent Guyana internationally at the 4th FIDE World Chess Championship for People with Disabilities.

GFF identifies 20 Golden Jaguars for UEFA U16 Tour of Europe - Squad departed yesterday The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has selected the final roster for the nation’s first participation in a UEFA-sanctioned competition, with 20 players making the grade in the Under-16 boys’ National Squad bound for the experience of a lifetime in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Facilitated by UEFA Assist, the Junior Jaguars will play Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania and Montenegro in a unique development tournament in southeast Europe this month, following a nationwide search for talent and weeks of intensive preparation at the GFF National Training Centre in Providence. The U16 squad making history for Guyana this month comprises of Shemaiah Samuels, Troy

Gibson, Omar Sam, Shakem Welcome, Matrim Martin, Reegan Lewis, Herman Gill, Christopher Whitter, William Escarraga, Hemant Khedoo, Jayden Culley, Bryan Wharton, Elon Anderson, Travis Williams, Jaden Harris, Gerry-Mayer Burnette, Swade Edwards, Dexter Milo, Seon Cato, and Kvist Paul.

The squad departed for Europe yesterday under the guidance of Head Coach and former Senior Golden Jaguars player, Vurlon Mills. The players and staff will be hoping to make a positive impression on European audiences as well as impressing national selectors ahead of Concacaf U17 Championship qualifiers in August. “It means a lot for us, for Guyana’s football, and for our development,” Mills said.

“This is part of nation build-

ing, networking and development in the whole for football because it forces us, as a small nation, to work hard to implement ideas, philosophies, methodologies and best practices that UEFA might have for us to improve ourselves.”

“With tournaments like these, our football can really explode and take off,” Mills continued. “I am really glad for these youngsters, who will be participating in this tournament – they will never stop talking about the experience of being the first team to represent Guyana internationally in Europe.”

Guyana play a Bosnia and Herzegovina combined team on April 19, Lithuania on April 21, and Montenegro on April 24. Hosts Bosnia have ranked as high as 13th in FIFA’s world rankings, but currently lie in 59th place, with Lithuania in 138th place and Montenegro,

who have previously peaked at 16th, in 70th position. The unprecedented opportunity for some of Guyana’s most promising young talent to perform at international level on the European stage is the direct result of the GFF’s sustained focus to foster a strong relationship with UEFA and other international football partners as part of its efforts to strengthen Guyana’s standing and image in the football world. “The opportunity we have been granted

by UEFA is truly a watershed moment for the GFF, which punctuates the importance of international relations in football,” said GFF President Wayne Forde. “These young boys have been given a huge responsibility to make a first impression of Guyana within the European football space, both on and off the field of play. They are now our am-

bassadors, and I am extremely proud of the confidence and eagerness with which they have embraced this responsibility.”

Forde said the weather, opposition and conditions in Bosnia will likely pose a challenge for the players, observing that “a great deal of learning will undoubtedly take place and we all have to manage our expectations.”

“I would like to thank the boys’ parents for trusting the GFF and our technical staff with the care and protection of their sons as they set off on this historic journey,” he concluded. GFF Assistant Technical Director Bryan Joseph said he was pleased with the preparations so far under the leadership of Coach Mills, and expected the whole group to rise to the occasion and represent Guyana to the best of their abilities in a spirit

of fair play and respect.

“That will bring credence to the work we are putting into youth development across the football spectrum,” Joseph said. “I want to say special thank you to the team at UEFA Assist and President Forde. It is testament to the vision of the organisation as we continue to make every effort to ensure our players get the necessary exposure and opportunities for them to fulfill their football potential.”

The staff list for the trip includes Head Coach Vurlon Mills, Assistant Coach - Devon Winter, Goalkeeping Coach - Eon De Viera, Fitness Coach - Wilson Toledo, Team Manager - Randy King, Team Doctor - Nico Alstrom, Equipment Manager - Rawle Joseph and GFF Assistant Technical Director Bryan Joseph.

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 17, 2022

PAGE 79

GBBC President, RTR Promoter donate tickets to GDF for Road to Redemption

A

s the greatest boxing event in G u y a n a ’s h i s t o r y, t h e WBC double International Championship ‘Road to Redemption’ match starring Elton Dharry and Dexter Marques on April 23rd inside the National Stadium draws closer, the Guyana Boxing Board president Peter Abdool and local promoter Aleem Hussain paid a courtesy call to the Chief of Staff Brigadier Bess to thank the Armed Services for their service to the country and donated a large quantity of complimentary tickets.

Brigadier Bess expressed his gratitude for the gesture and committed to working with ranks to ensure continuity in the performance of the Boxing gym. He stated that members of the gym will work with youths interested in the sport as a way to ensure that they occupy themselves meaningfully. “We will always support the endeavours of our ranks who venture into the field of boxing,” Brigadier Bess added.

Aleem Hussain of Nexgen Global Promotions said: “On behalf of Elton Dharry Promotions and Jack Bharat, I wish to present the members of the Armed S e r v i c e s w i t h complimentary admission to what will be the first of its kind event in Guyana. We have similarly provided the other services, Guyana Police Force and Guyana Fire Service, with the same opportunity because it is important to recognize their selfless service on a daily basis to all Guyanese.”

Abdool was high in praise of the Guyana Defence Force Boxing gym and its performance over the years. He praised the critical contribution of the GDF gym to local amateur boxing.

“GDF is pivotal to amateur boxing in Guyana. The discipline among GDF boxers always shows and this is commendable. Look at what is happening in amateur boxing and so this is the opportune time for there to be a return of the Inter services boxing competition.”

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport ensured that

From left: Staff Officer Two General Three with responsibility for Sports, Major Keith Watts, Promoter Aleem Hussain, Brigadier Godfrey Bess, GBBC President Peter Abdool and GDF Boxing Coach Terrence Poole.

Brigadier Godfrey Bess (left) receives the complimentary tickets from Promoter Aleem Hussain. the greatest event had the biggest stage by allowing the action to take place inside the Providence National Stadium, usually the home of CPL Guyana Amazon Wa r r i o r s , t h e r e b y underlining the significance

and importance of this return of World Championship Boxing to Guyana.

According to National Sports Commission Director Steve Ninvalle, “The Ministry will be distributing 1,000 tickets to young

persons and I believe that this is a key step towards rejuvenating the amateur ranks in boxing as it gives youngsters a chance to see boxing in the grandest setting.” Sponsors of the event include: Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; Demerara Mutual Fire; Guyana Tourism Authority; Samtronix; Giftland Mall; M o rg a n ’s I n v e s t m e n t ; Unique Electrical & General Store; Caribbean Motor Spares; HRTM; Banks DIH; DDL; Comfort Sleep; Darthan Investments; Hand in Hand; Shareef General Hospital; Puran Brothers; Dave West Indian Imports; Bradley Mechanical Corp; MBBF Foundation; Skyport Homes; Pinegrove Inn Restaurant; NY Security & Communication; G e o rg e t o w n A b s t r a c t ; G e m i n i ’s L o u n g e & Restaurant; New Apple

Funding; law Office of Jaleel Adam; Steve’s Jewelry; Excalibur Capital; AGT Energy; SA Seafoods; D Ross Express and Amerigroup Properties.

Despite the magnitude of the event which is expected to include a halftime music and cultural show put on by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, ticket prices are just $1,000 for the Mound, $2,000 for Stands and $4,000 for Ringside. A limited number of allinclusive tables for 8 which will receive service from Hard Rock Cafe are available by calling 6450944.

Tickets are on sale at all Assuria General Insurance offices nationwide, Giftland Mall, Amazonia Mall, Movie Towne, The Locals Restaurant in Vreedenhoop and Fagoo’s General Store in Parika.

UCCA Vishnu Super Store Inter Club 40-overs cricket competition badly affected by rain T

he start of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) Vishnu Super Store Inter Club 40 overs cricket competition got under way last Sunday. However, the dominant factor was the inclement weather which washed out a number of matches.

Results of some matches played saw: No64 Fighting Marines conquering No52 Survivals by 49 runs. The No64 Marines reached 142 with Kamer Chan 44, Vadnand Sugrim 21 and Colin Leecock 19. Bowling for Survivals, Sanjay Mohan took 4 wickets.

In reply they were bowled out for 93 with Raymond Nandalall 27 and Orlando Campbell 19.

Bowling for the Marines Charles Francis and Kamer Chan took 3 wickets each.

In the game between No70 MYO and No70 Young Blood; MYO won by 45 runs after taking first strike and reaching 146 all out. Extras led the way with 48 with Y. Salim 34 and Ahmad Khan 19.

Bowling for The Young Blood there were 4 wickets for P. Nickey and 3 for Fazil Alim.

In reply Young Blood ran cold and were dismissed for 101 with Extras and Rasheed Khan leading with 27 each. Bowling for MYO there were 4 wickets for Vijai Khan and 3 for Anand Mohamed.

In another game, No71 Sports Club whipped Eagles Cricket Club

by 235 runs.

No71 batted first and galloped to 251 with T. Persaud 89, R. Singh 51 and R. Rampersaud 32. Extras were a healthy 55. Bowling for Eagles T. Persaud 3 and I Jamesy 2 wickets led the bowling.

Eagles were then bundled out for 16 with R. Roopraj and R. Appiah taking 4 wickets each.

The game between No69 Vikings and Gladiators saw Vikings winning by 61 runs.

Vikings made 159 with Vinandra Goniah 65, Antonio February and Extras19 each.

Bowling for Gladiators Steven Jacobs picked up 5 wickets as they in turn were dismissed for 96 with Steven Sukhoo 31 and Extras 24 their main contributors. Bowling

for Vikings Divinash Seecharran, Y. Nandram and Gooniah picked up 3 wickets each.

In a close encounter between Skeldon Community Centre and Race Course Vitality, Skeldon CC won by 6 runs.

Skeldon CC made 161 batting first with Soman Chitnarine 90 (4x4, 2x6), Extras were 33.

Harris Sahadeo picked up 3 wickets bowling for Race Course Vitality as they in reply came close to end on 155. Jerry Moore 43, Rawle Jabbar 35, Eton Odel 18 and extras 23 were the contributors.

Saif Kamal with 5-22 was the main wicket taker for Skeldon CC. No70 A Spartans gained a walkover over No72 All Stars after the latter failed to show up for their

encounter at No70 A Spartans ground.

The competition is expected to continue next Sunday with 15 matches at various venues throughout the Upper Corentyne Black Bush areas.

Some 30 teams participating with the teams placed into four zones.

Cash, trophies and other incentives will be awarded to the top teams and outstanding individual players.

The competition is being coordinated by the UCCA competitions committee which is being led Vice President Former National Wicketkeeper batsman Sydney Jackman.

(Samuel Whyte)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 80

Sunday April 17, 2022

IPL 2022: Nedd’s plan mapped out for RCB nets stint - Spinner recommended

by Sherfane Rutherford

By Sean Devers uyanese left-arm s p i n n e r A s h m e a d Romano Nedd was born January 10, 2001, to Gavin and Roxanne Nedd and grew up in Alberttown, a ward in Guyana’s Capital City.

Last Wednesday the talented 21-year old, who can also bat, travelled to India as a nets bowler for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) camp for the remainder of the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

Nedd’s father is a former Guyana youth and FirstClass off-spinner who is arguably Guyana’s best youth Coach and also a member of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) which has produced West Indian greats like Clive Lloyd,

G

Lance Gibbs and the late Roy Fredericks.

On his arrival in India Nedd told Kaieteur Sports that he was recommended to be a nets bowler and also train with RCB by his former DCC team mate and close friend, Sherfane Rutherford, who plays for that Franchise.

“I won’t say I am excited but I’m really thankful and happy that I got this opportunity to be around one of the best cricket leagues in the world and also to be practicing with world class players. Sherfane was asked for a net bowler and he gave them me,” informed Nedd, a member of the West Indies in the 2018 U-19 World Cup. “This will benefit a lot, me heading to India with good batting and bowling conditions helping me

develop different varieties when bowling. Going there as a spinner could really help me with my game. I want to ask simple stuff about their routine as professionals and how I can better my game as a youngster moving forward,” said Nedd.

The RCB includes professionals like Faf du Plessis, Virat Kholi, and Glenn Maxwell.

“I want to thank my family and my friend Sherfane for also giving this opportunity,” said Nedd who also thanked Alfred Mentore, Deputy Mayor of Georgetown and former DCC President and National youth batsman.

Many bowlers who made it to an IPL team as nets bowlers in the past had impressed and were subsequently picked up in

the squad as well and Nedd hopes to join those who have done so.

With his favourite food being Roti and Curry, Nedd who made his U-19 debut at age 14, could feel at home in India.

In 2015, Nedd got his first International experience when he was picked by the To n y H a r t f o r d U - 1 7 Academy team of Trinidad & Tobago for their tour of New Zealand.

Nedd was selected by Scouts from the Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board and the Academy due to his showing in the Regional U17 tournament in Tobago.

After playing in the Regional U-19 tournament and the Youth World Cup, he made his List A debut on November 9, 2019, for the West Indies Emerging Team in the 2019–20 Regional Super50 tournament.

In November 2019, he was named in the West Indies’ squad for the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup and was the leading wickettaker for the West Indies in the tournament, with eleven dismissals in six matches.

In June 2020, Nedd was

selected by the Leeward Islands, in the players’ draft hosted by CWI ahead of the 2020–21 domestic season. In July 2020, he was named in the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad for the 2020 the CPL. He made his Twenty20 debut on 22 August 2020, for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the 2020 CPL. Since then, he has gone on to play seven games in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) picking up three wickets at an impressive economy rate of 5.64.

He made his List A debut in 2019 and has taken 17 wickets in 12 games at an economy rate of 3.50.

Nedd was at DCC as a toddler and literally grew up at a venue. It was there that he first developed an interest in cricket from seeing his father bowl. Eventually, it was Coach Nedd who changed young Nedd from a left-arm seamer to a spinner.

“Dad told me if I bowled spin I would get more opportunities to make teams since in Guyana not many fast bowlers were picked because of the slow pitches here that favour spinners,”

Ashmead remembered.

Ashmead attended the St Gabriel’s Primary and later Tutorial High and Chase’s Academy. He is a skilled youngster who also played football at Tutorial High during a Digicel School’s Football Competition.

Nedd was also outstanding with both bat and ball in the National Secondary School’s Cricket League as he helped Chase’s Academy to the North Georgetown Zone title.

“As a parent and a Coach I am very proud of Ashmead success. I never told him to play cricket he just picked up a bat when he was very young and got hooked on the game and once I noticed his interest in wanting to play it seriously, I stepped in as both a father and a Coach,” Ashmead’s father said.

The DCC’s ‘Gavin Nedd Nursery’ programme has produced players like West Indies under-19 selectee Tevin Imlach, Keemo Paul and Rutherford.

Ashmead is moving up the cricketing ladder and should soon join his dad as a father/son pair to play First Class Cricket.

West Demerara FA Bounce Back Football underway

R

Ashmead Nedd and his father Gavin, prior to his departure.

ivalry in the West D e m e r a r a F o o t b a l l Association (WDFA) Bounce Back tournament is expected to conclude tonight at the Leonora Track and Field Centre. Play was expected to continue last night, the second night of action which saw Friday’s opening play producing a huge upset when Wales United needled Uitvlugt Warriors in the second match of the triple header.

Pouderoyen FC made light work of Crane Rovers, brushing them aside, 4-1.

Hitting the network for the winners were Lenroy Semple in the 4th minute, Chidi Matthews with a double in the 24th and 29th minutes and Devin Gaskin in the 43rd minute. Julius

Eagles FC goal scorers Nashawn Livan and Orlando Henry Griffith netted a consolation goal for Crane Rovers in the 67th minute.

The feature clash of the night saw the WDFA’s #1 side, Eagles FC of Stewartville trouncing Bell

West, 6-0 on account of a hat-trick each from Nashawn Livan and Orlando Henry.

Games last night were Pouderoyen against Uitvlugt Warriors and Eagles versus Wales.

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 17, 2022

PAGE 81

Annual Mayor’s Cup 9-a-side Inter Ward/Village KO Football

Teams hunt quarterfinal spots at Buxton ground tonight

F

ootball fans on the East Coast will be treated when football action takes to the Buxton ground with competition in the Annual Mayor’s Cup 9-aside Inter Ward/Village Knockout Football tournament tonight.

Te a m s a r e h u n t i n g quarterfinal places and the contests promises to be intense. Play at Buxton commences from 6:00pm with New Amsterdam coming up against Turkeyen.

Following on pitch will be Airy Hall facing City Strikers, Tucville oppose Smyth Town and Timehri battle Mahaicony in the preliminary matches.

After those games, the winners collide for a place in the quarters. Two key games will close out the night with Friendship Front colliding with Road Warriors and BV opposing Bourda All Stars with the winners securing places to the quarterfinals.

After tonight, the tournament continues at Den Amstel next Sunday April 24 from 2:00pm.

Pouderoyen are down to face Stewartville, Sara Lodge challenge Back Street Kings, Den Amstel battle Uitvlugt and West Side Spartan tangle with Bagotville. The winners will collide after to claim their quarterfinal spot.

The grand finale is set for May 1 at Buxton along with the quarters, semis and finale to close the curtains on this 2022 edition of the Mayor’s Cup in honour of current Mayor of Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine.

Several leading footballers are expected to

be on show and among them are Gregory Richardson, J a m a a l H a r v e y, Ry a n Hackett, Jeremy Garnett, Trayon Bobb, Job Caesar and Delon Lanferman.

Haslington and Sparta Boss were the early teams through to the quarterfinals and a keen competition is anticipated tonight and next Sunday April 24 for the remaining places in the quarters.

Maggie’s has joined the list of sponsors which include: IPA, DDL, Digicel, Johil, John Fernandes, General Equipment, Busta, GTT, Namilco, Macorp, New Thriving, Sattar Gafoor, B. Megan, Pritipaul Singh, Ready Mix, Eddie Bobcat, Silvie’s, Caribbean Containers, E Networks, Super Bet, Cummings Electrical, China Trading, Dave Lumber yard, Schlumberger, Maggie’s, Pure Diamond, Gold Target Exports and CIDI. Arthur has expressed heartfelt gratitude to them for their assistance.

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

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

The games are of two 20minute halves for a 40minute duration. The tournament is a straight knockout one with no extra time being played. A tie at

Continental Park Raptors CC, Herstelling A and B triumph

Sheldon Wong

Ryan Shun

Continental Park Raptors CC and Herstelling A and B registered victories when the

East Bank Demerara Cricket Association/ S and D T20 (Continued on page 71)

the end of regulation would result in the teams dueling in the dreaded sudden death penalty shootout. All other FIFA rules apply and the Referee is the sole authority of these games. Teams showing up late beyond a reasonable time determined by the organisers will be disqualified and their game forfeited via the walkover route.

Delon Lanferman

Job Caesar

Ryan Hackett

GFF identifies 20 Golden Jaguars for UEFA U-16 Tour of Europe

- Squad departed yesterday

rts Spo

The Under-16 Golden Jags outfit prior to departure for Europe.

Dave Scott aboard the 8th time Formula 1 Boat, Jaguar.

Bartica Regatta Power Boat Races makes grand return today at Golden Beach

Bartica Easter Regatta Chairman Kenneth Williams (4th right) was seen with some of the Speed Boat racers and other officials during a meeting yesterday.

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