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Tuesday Edition Gas-related NEWS explosions can have adverse effects on human health - GTE environment study
AIETEUR
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
April 26, 2022 - Vol. 16 No. 17
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 79,454
Govt. puts hold on US$20M World Bank loan to strengthen scrutiny of oil sector Poor governance, - wants to set new agenda for funds
lack of vision caused TT gas sector to lose US$$$millions in taxes - Guyana must be extremely cautious - Expert
Man admits to murdering Soesdyke re-migrant Former Govt. engineer accused of contract breach, - criminal lying to PAC probe ordered
IMF advises against development of national oil company ….tells Guyana to improve oil contract terms for higher profit instead
Pres. Ali building 300 pre fab houses to rent one month to cricket fans before building hotels and housing schemes to rent oil companies for two lifetimes! Smart way to do business, eh!
@11:00hrs on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday April 26, 2022
Kaieteur News
Tuesday April 26, 2022
Govt. puts hold on US$20M World Bank loan to strengthen scrutiny of oil sector By Kiana Wilburg Since the PPP/C Government has not requested any disbursements from a US$20M loan Guyana took three years ago to help strengthen the nation’s capacity to manage the oil sector effectively, the World Bank said it has been forced to downgrade the country’s performance score on the loan. The latest implementation status and results (ISR) report recalls that the money was approved on March 29, 2019 for the Guyana Petroleum Resources Governance and Management Project (GPRGMP). The programme’s objective is to ensure the enhancement of legal and institutional frameworks and the strengthening of the capacity of key institutions to manage the oil and gas sector. A Financing Agreement in the amount of US$20 million was signed and declared effective on April 11, 2019 under the David Granger administration. The ISR, which was reviewed by Kaieteur News presents the implementation status of GPRGMP as of March 2022. The financial institution said, “The project’s overall implementation has been downgraded to ‘Moderately Unsatisfactory’, with around 24% of the total credit disbursed and no
- wants to set new agenda for funds
disbursement requests received by the Bank since October 2020.” Starting in the early part of the second quarter of 2021 and following a seven-month hiatus, the bank said traction with, and engagement by the client had improved markedly under the Ministry of Natural Resources leadership, and momentum on procurement activities picked up considerably. However, starting in the fourth quarter of last year, the bank said project implementation came to a halt, particularly on critical procurement activities intended to have helped the project reacquire its implementation timeline, and meet its indicators and performance objectives. The bank in its report said that the government has indicated as recently as late December 2021, its intention to “refine the scope of the project to bring it in line with current government priorities.”
The World Bank said it remains on standby awaiting any guidance from the Government of Guyana on the status and direction of the project and a resumption of critical project activities. Kaieteur News understands that the project has four components: C o m p o n e n t A Enhancement of Legal Framework and Stakeholder Engagement: (US$3.20 M), Component B - Capacity Building of Key Institutions: (US $10.70 M), Component C - Enhancement of Fiscal Management Systems: (US$3.50 M), and Component - D. Project Management & Project Preparation Facilities: (Cost $2.60 M). For explanatory purposes, the first component being for the enhancement of legal framework and stakeholder engagement, aims to support the update of G u y a n a ’s l e g a l a n d regulatory frameworks for the governance and oversight
of the sector as well as support stakeholder engagement and transparency. This component includes two subcomponents: update the legal and regulatory frameworks for the sector, and support stakeholder engagement and transparency. The second component on the capacity building of key institutions includes four subcomponents: support immediate technical needs at key institutions with responsibility for oil and gas, support critical training needs at key institutions with responsibility for the sector, build up petroleum data management, and strengthen environmental and social management. The third component is the enhancement of fiscal management deals with, among other things, i m p r o v i n g G u y a n a ’s capacity to manage the Natural Resource Fund. F i n a l l y, t h e f o u r t h component gives proper management and coordination of all project activities financed under the project. More specifically, it provides support and builds the Government’s systems for procurement and financial management, while allowing for the implementation of safeguards for proper management, monitoring.
Former journalist caught with cocaine strapped to body pleads guilty, sentencing deferred - former CANU officer, GRA officer placed on $750,000 bail each Former journalist, Zanneel Williams, 25, of Lot 181 Lamaha Gardens, Georgetown, who was caught last Friday with a quantity of cocaine strapped to her body and also in her luggage, accepted culpability on Monday when she appeared in court and her sentencing was deferred. Meanwhile, her allege accomplices, former Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit ( C A N U ) o ff i c e r, A n i l Sookhoo, 33, of Lot 127 Kuru Kuru, LindenSoesdyke Highway and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) officer, Shameka Caesar, 27, of Lot ZZ, D’Urban Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown denied the charge that was read to them and they were both placed on $750,000 bail each.
Former CANU officer, Anil Sookhoo
GRA officer Shameka Caesar
Former journalist, Zanneel Nirmala Williams.
The trio appeared in the D i a m o n d / G r o v e Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Sunil Scarce. Wi l l i a m s i s b e i n g represented by attorney-atlaw Lloyd Conway, Caesar is being represented by attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes and Sookhoo is being represented by attorney-at-law Adrian
Thompson. Williams pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on Friday, April 22, 2022, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), she had in her possession 9.6 kg of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. The Magistrate deferred Williams’ sentencing to May 30, 2022, and ordered that a
psychiatric evaluation be conducted on her and a probation report be prepared. Further, Sookhoo and Caesar, who both denied involvement, were granted bail in the sum of $750,000 each and the matter was adjourned to a later date. According to police (Continued on page 16)
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Gas-related explosions can have adverse effects on human health - GTE environment study By Davina Bagot Gas releases from the planned Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project at Wales, West Bank Demerara can result in explosions which can pose grave risk to human and environmental health, according to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project, which was conducted by the Environmental Resources Management (ERM). In the EIA document, prepared for Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), ExxonMobil’s subsidiary which will be developing the project, it was explained that a loss of integrity of the offshore pipeline, resulting in a natural gas release can be caused due to corrosion, objects striking the pipeline, and a buildup of stress in the pipe wall, causing buckling. The EIA goes on to say that if an unplanned release of gas from damaged subsea pipelines occurs, the released gas will generate a gas plume that rises from the seafloor to the sea surface. Therefore, “Fire or explosion accidents can occur when the released gas disperses into the atmosphere and encounters ignition sources, which could have an adverse impact on human life and environment in the immediate vicinity of the fire.” ERM added that the consequences of a release would likely be less severe offshore as it “is extremely unlikely that there will be an ignition source to cause a fire, and the gas will passively disperse without affecting any resources” rather than an onshore occurrence. However, a release close to the Floating Production Sharing and Offloading (FPSO) vessel could result in a fire onboard the FPSO. EEPGL said that to reduce the likelihood of a gas release, the offshore pipeline
design and installation will vary depending on the pipeline depth. “At a minimum, the pipeline will be laid in a trench, with sections closer to the nearshore area buried, which will reduce the likelihood of an external impact causing a release. The offshore pipeline will be constructed using international good practices, which will reduce the likelihood of stresses building up in the pipeline walls and thereby reduce the likelihood of buckling,” the EIA notes. Added to that, the oil company said that a gas leak would be quickly detected and isolated using emergency shutdown valves. While onshore pipeline integrity failures are rare, if a loss were to occur, the most likely causes would be due to a third party striking the line, or corrosion of the pipe. A strike to the buried line can occur as a result of a third party excavating in close proximity to the pipeline without knowing the exact location of the pipeline and would present a source of ignition for the released gas, which could result in the immediate ignition of the gas, the EIA notes. But if, “the release is not ignited immediately, a flammable gas cloud would be formed and this could ignite, causing either a flash fire or explosion. An explosion would only be likely to occur if the gas is released into a congested space. A congested space can be defined as any space within which there is an obstruction to the free movement of a gas through the space. The most likely places where obstructions would be present near the onshore pipeline would be densely forested areas or thick undergrowth. The strength of the explosion would be correlated to the proportion (Continued on page 16)
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday April 26, 2022
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
Exxon’s concern about losing
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obody likes losing, which stands to reason, for who wants to be out of the running, not rising to the top, getting the way, controlling the whole show. There is no glory in coming up short. In the world of oil, Exxon hates losing more than any other presence, more than with a passion; it is more accurate to assert that Exxon will do anything, make any move (including unconventional ones), and pullout any stop to succeed. Thus, it makes little sense for Exxon to be unduly anxious about losing in the courts of Guyana in a pending matter (“ExxonMobil concerned about US$13B investment in Stabroek Block if loses case to Glenn Lall”, KN April 25). Something is wrong about this, more than out of place, and blown out of proportion, which does not reflect reality. We at this publication make this clear: ExxonMobil is not going to lose its US$13B investment. Even should ExxonMobil lose the tax case brought by the publisher of this newspaper, the company still wins. It does not lose its investment, but it does not make out as proudly handsomely as it would with what is embedded in its lopsided agreement with Guyana. It would not do as spectacularly richly for its shareholders globally, on the backs of the poor, struggling, hopeful peoples of a troubled Third World country, but it still does beautifully financially. To highlight this point, ExxonMobil would still make money the old-fashioned American way, meaning, hand over fist. The only issue, and this is from ExxonMobils perspective is that it is a smaller fist, and at a slightly slower rate of collection from the overwhelmingly sweet oil coffers of Guyana. Exxon has to cease being so greedy and be all about its own money interests at the expense of other people, the people who own the wealth that it explores for and exploits. Because when a careful consideration and comparison is given to Exxons global holdings, there is no close comparison to what it gets out of Guyana, how it enriches itself and its investors. To cut a fine point on this, Guyanas cheap oil is one of the major contributors, perhaps the biggest one, to its turnaround from dismal multi-billion dollar losses to pleasing profit margins that are the envy of its competitors. Its heavyweight investors are happy, and they would still have much cause to be delighted, even if Exxon were to lose the tax case pending in Guyanas court. People initiate court cases with one objective only. That is, to win and win resoundingly, and the people at this paper are no different from any other in this regard. So, this development about Exxon being concerned or troubled or bent out of shape by the probability of losing, whatever the likelihood, is seen through for what it is. It is nothing but what is shed by that monstrous reptile that lurks to lure the unsuspecting. Crocodile tears, it is called, and Exxon has begun that offensive as part of its comprehensive public relations strategy, to complement the work of its legal eagles and craftsmen, while it wrings its hands, and sings what Guyanese would call this first pity poor boy tune. For emphasis, we understand how capitalism works as well as anybody, and we appreciate that Exxon must make a nice, tidy profit. Given the broad, deep forests of fabulous financial returns that Guyana offers, and which the company is in the drivers seat to mine, all that the masters of the universe in Exxons Texas corporate headquarters need to do is adjust their mindsets a shade. They must be willing to give a little more, to get a whole lot more. Give a little something to Guyana and still end up with an enormous bank haul and bank roll. All we want, all that we at this paper fight for, is a fair share, a square deal, a true partner. There is nothing more American than that, more practical and capitalistic than that kind of thinking. ExxonMobil must not want to get lock, stock, and every barrel of Guyanas cheap oil. It must be willing to leave something in the barrel for us. It starts with taxes.
Only a cohesive country can progress and prosper DEAR EDITOR, Your columnist Freddie Kissoon (Friday, 22nd April, 2022), under the title “I cannot contextually understand the continuation of the dildo controversy” writes “I will never forget how helpful Kit Nascimento was in highlighting in the press what happened to a teenager and her grandmother in post- election violence in 2020”. My letter was published in the Stabroek News at the time. I consider it well worth reminding your readers of what I wrote then and I quote from it: “A sixteen-year old girl from the Corentyne Coast, along with her grandmother, a friend who drove the car and a family friend, left for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport for a flight to the US in the midst of the violence on the West Coast Berbice, believing that they would be safe, protected by the police.” She has described the terrible experience in a letter to the Stabroek News in simple, straightforward but graphic detail of the horror of a victim, of the ugliness of racial hate and ignorance promoted for political purpose. I read the letter as so many others, I hope, have done, wanting to weep for my country and for that young girl and her family. At Hopetown, they encountered both soldiers and police clearing the road from the 2 trucks that the rioters had set on fire. There, they got trapped. “Suddenly, our car and a pick-up truck were attacked”, she writes, “by a large number of rioters”. Their car was surrounded. “We couldn’t go anywhere and couldn’t do anything; we were a car of Indo-Guyanese. The rioters showed us little mercy”. This young girl, the absolute horror and fear of this moment forever inscribed in her mind, tells that “all we
could see were their eyes full of rage” as the attackers smashed at the windscreen of their car, got into the car and then dragged them out. “I clearly remember the first thing they did as they entered the car. One of the men ripped my cross from off my neck, which I wore for safety all my life”. This young girl remembers seeing her grandmother being dragged out of the car and robbed of everything she had. The “protestors”, in turn took her bag with her phone, wallet, passport and Green Card. They then beat up the driver who refused to give up the car keys. It was a young black Guyanese man who came to their rescue. She describes him as “our guardian angel”. The young man managed to get them safely back into their car when, luckily for them, the GDF arrived on the scene. But, they were trapped in Hopetown, unable to escape going forward or going back, as she writes, the GDF were failing to control the rioters. Again, it begs the question, why not? Again, they were rescued, this time by “a young mixed race couple”, who led them into and hid them and their car in their yard. They remained trapped there for a further 5 hours. They had been robbed of their phones and money but had recovered their passport and Green Card, which had been thrown on the ground by the “protestors”. They were sheltered and cared for throughout the night by the young couple who lent them their phone to call their family and gave them $3,000. They were finally able to leave for home in the morning when the rioters had been dispersed by the army, even then, on their way out, bottles were being thrown at their car. At the Berbice Bridge, they
joined dozens of other cars with families who had been similarly attacked. She writes, “some were kissing the ground and thanking God that they were alive”. In concluding her letter, this young Guyanese girl gives thanks to the “Afro-Guyanese man” who rescued them and the “mixed neighbour” who harboured them. “You are good people”, she writes. She and her family, her grandmother who became sick after her terrible experience and countless others like them who have kept their silence, remain haunted and traumatized, unbelieving that fellow Guyanese would do this to them, but remembering, still, that other Guyanese of the same ethnic origin of those who attacked them came to save them. Who, I ask, must bear responsibility and take the blame for organizing and directing this deliberate attempt to use race hate as a means of destabilizing the entire country, if not David Granger and Joseph Harmon? Innocent, ordinary Guyanese who happened to be of Indian descent were brutally attacked and robbed by other Guyanese who happened to be of African descent, all of whom were living, working and playing together, until the politics of race was used as a political weapon to drive them apart by the leaders of a party unwilling to accept electoral defeat. But there are others, too, in our country, who must bear responsibility for keeping silent when their voices would have made a critical difference when these same men and women sought to steal an election. Freddie Kissoon, in his unique style, put it best when he asked the question, where were the voices of TGI and the Red Thread when “the most blatant electoral frauds seen
anywhere in the world” was taking place, but who now are suddenly calling for unity but are unwilling “to identify Granger and Harmon as the culprits”? The founder of Heal Guyana, Sharon LalljeeRichards, has, importantly, added her organization’s voice to placing the responsibility for the injury and the trauma suffered by so many others, like this young 16 year old girl, when she points out that David Granger and Joseph Harmon when they “visited the grieving relatives of the Henry family…took it upon themselves to utter irresponsible words which served to instigate an outburst of violence among protestors who were demonstrating their discontent over the brutal murders of Isaiah and Joel Henry”. Clearly, it would be insufficient now for our government to rely solely upon the results of the police investigation into these murders to provide a solution to what has occurred over these past 6 months. President Irfaan Ali must now direct the holding of a Commission of Inquiry, bodied with internationally respected jurists, to ensure that all of those persons responsible for attempting to steal the results of the 2nd March election and all of those persons responsible for promoting and directing the racial violence which has followed, are brought to justice. Perhaps, our people may then grasp the fact that only a cohesive country can progress and prosper and that no matter from where we originated, Guyana is our country and that those dedicated to the politics of race hate and division will be duly punished for the criminal enterprise which they practice”. Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento
PM Phillips should have taken the opportunity to announce 50% increase for public servants DEAR EDITOR, Dear Editor, So the Honourable. Prime Minister stated at the launching of the International Energy Conference and Expo Guyana 2023, that, “ the Government’s commitment to use the proceeds from the oil and gas industry is to develop and improve the lives of all Guyanese.” Fine words, good intentions and noble thoughts. Guyana, like the rest of the world, is facing critical times and even though statements
by some of our purported leaders can offer the relief of laughter, we can ill afford this luxury. What we’ll prefer to hear are specific, concrete statements. The opportunity ought to have been taken to announce an immediate and I emphasize immediate 50% increase on the salaries and wages of every Public Sector employee, in particular our Policemen, Soldiers, Firemen, Teachers, Nurses, Doctors et al, and a similar increase to all pensioners. With the rising cost of liv-
ing, this is a good start to make a reality of spreading this enormous wealth now controlled by the Government. I would advise this likable fellow to save himself the embarrassment of making such statements in circumstances where neither he nor his immediate predecessor can determine how Government funds are now used. As an aside, massive infrastructure works are always welcomed, even where there is evidence of inflated contract prices and skullduggery. However, but
to drive along good roads, and see massive buildings going up provide little comfort for public offices who still struggle to make ends meet. Monday’s Editorials, in both Kaieteur News and Stabroek News are instructive and should be read and digested by all of us. As the folks say, let us “be for real,” and let Government Employees benefit now and I mean now from this bounty of Oil and Gas. Regards, Hamilton Green Former Prime Minister
Tuesday April 26, 2022
Inconceivable that Forensic Lab does not have the competence to test for cyanide DEAR EDITOR, When I retired from the University of Guyana (UG) in 2003, a 3rd year chemistry student was capable of testing for cyanide in a few minutes with common (not esoteric) laboratory chemicals. It is also in the CXC CAPE Chemistry syllabus. It is therefore inconceivable that
the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL) does not have the competence to do that. All it requires is a grain or crystal of the substance, not the whole lot. The GFSL occupies a part of the UG complex, a stones throw away from the UG Chemistry Department. What
prevents them from consulting the competent staff there? Or what prevents them from consulting Dr Marlan Cole, recent former head of the GAFDD? Taxpayer money must instead be spent to send to an overseas lab for testing. Sigh! Regards, Alfred Bhulai
The Police Force needs to make their strategic plan known to the public DEAR EDITOR, Top Cop, Clifton Hicken in his maiden response after being appointed Acting Commissioner of Police boasted that the Guyana Police Force has a new Strategic Management Plan 2022 - 2026. A Guyana Police Force press release issued after the recent signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Guyana Industrial Training Centre and the Guyana Police Force quoted Senior Superintendent of Police, Calvin Brutus as saying that the signed agreement was part of the GPF Five-Year Strategic Management Plan 2022 - 2026. According to Calvin Brutus, the Plan focuses on training and development. This Strategic Management Plan 2022 - 2026 appears to be Top Secret. Ask the general membership of the Executive Leadership Team of the GPF about the Strategic Management Plan 2022 - 2026. They will not only be at sea, but way out of the ocean in grappling to explain it to you. Sub Divisional Officers, Inspectors and Subordinate Officers who were contacted are not au fait with the plan. They have the majority of the police ranks under their command but they cannot pass on to their subordinates what is contained in their Strategic Management Plan 2022 - 2026
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Kaieteur News
because they do not know about it. If the Plan really exists, it is blocked at the very Apex of Management in the GPF. There are numerous burning questions: When was this New Plan conceptualised, designed and developed? What consultations were done and with whom? Did the police look at international best practices? Was external help sought from experts or was the Plan done by unqualified and inexperienced members of the Force? Did they identify strategic risks? Was the plan compressed into a single document or is it in several pieces scattered all over the place? Was it circulated to at least all the officers? Would there be an evaluation? Did the police plagiarise the Plan? There are numerous other questions to be asked. The words of Reggae singer, Johnny Nash keep ringing in my ears, “There are more questions than answers and the more I find out, the less I know.” I heard some words about the Plan coming out of the mouth of Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus when speaking about this New Plan. They are Operational Priorities, People, Partnerships, Performance and Infrastructure- sounds familiar? They are the legs of the
Strategic Management Plan 2011 - 2015. I do not know if the New Plan also stands on those five legs or if any of the legs was cut off or fresh legs added. Is it basically a copy of the previous Plan with very little changes? Whatever the Plan is, it must be understood, appreciated and communicated to all members of the GPF so that there can be an effective implementation. In addition, the public must be aware what their protectors have in store for them in order to promote and maintain much needed public confidence and trust in the Force. Strategic Management is important to any police force, moreso, the Guyana Police Force. The Plan is about changes. It is about reform. Most reform fail because the authorities concentrate on the agents of change while the victims of change are neglected. The victims of change are the people in the organisation who will be adversely affected by the changes. They must be equipped with the requisite coping skills to deal with the changes. Rules without relationship lead to rebellion. Effective communication is the lifeblood of any law enforcement agency, whether it is written, spoken, (Continued on page 6)
Political appointments: a closer look DEAR EDITOR, For years and decades under different governments, we have heard about ‘political’ appointments and the fate of such creatures in the public service when there is a change of the political guard. In the last two years, give or take, under this new government, the screams against political appointments have risen to a fever pitch, as if it is a new leprosy, a peculiar virus unknown to this society. I have listened and looked as one highly qualified Guyanese public servant after another has been scornfully booted, and to the thrills that fill narrow minds, the reflexive malice that saturates the mean spirited. Though there have been the racial that blankets the politically charged retributions, there is so much more that have not been touched upon, regarding these cleansing actions. I take this beyond the usual clearing out of human obstacles-possibly uncooperative for the right reasons (rules and regulations), and considered untrustworthy in what matters most (loyalty tests and fears)-to those areas that I have not heard addressed to date, and the wideranging implications for the ambience of this society. Editor, when these socalled political appointments are held up to public humiliation through identification and selection for a certain kind of employment solution, meaning degrading termination, there is more than tarring and feathering, and running out of town. Those are the physical and occupational hazards experienced by those targeted, now an established part of Guyanese territory. This has been so under the PNC and the PPP; while both sides add insult to injury by speaking of the democratic and consti-
tutional, and what is fair and just. As in almost everything else, they lie, they con; they engage in the worst of shallow pretenses, when they put qualified and patriotic Guyanese to the bureaucratic sword, and cheer themselves for a good job done, and good riddance. Except that the actions don’t end there. What the jarring jettisoning of so-called political appointments do is go against a number of things that we say we are about, that we have. Democratic and constitutional ideals and provisions respectively. First, when a competent, untainted (conduct, not politics) public servant is dismissed for his or her politics, this violates their freedom of assembly. That is, they are effectively prohibited from being present at any political rally of interest to them, but which finds disfavour with those governing. Second, there is a de facto prevention of freedom of association (and choice, to use abortion language) at an intimate personal level, when Guyanese are fired under the flag of political appointment. Third, when they are axed, under the same pretext, rulers have just curtailed their freedom of speech, which I interpret to mean that they can’t say I am for or about a side that is different or found objectionable to those deciding their fate. In any form that angers
the holders of political power, be such orally, in writing, or by attitude. Fourth, and worse still, when public servants are separated from the flock of bureaucrats, with the castration and execution exercises following, their very freedom of thought is first trickily diluted and then forcefully diminished out of existence. In sum, it is this political and leadership compulsion, using their agencies, to think one way and one way only. For us, and absolutely no other. Editor, as I view this distasteful practice now in full flow about political appointments, I discern an intensifying tyranny over thinking, which incarcerates minds first, then amputates movement towards, a position for, and a thought on behalf of those found encouraging, pleasing, even inspiring. For those who are enlightened and civilized, Solzhenitsyn, Stalinism, and Siberia, and the gulags of the Steppes should connect to known precedents and parallels. My concern is those are not of what was in old Russia and is in the new Russia, but what has seized control right here, and much more now. So, when someone is fired under the banner and bugle of political appointment, let us pause and reflect on how far and deep this reaches in this country. (Continued on page 6)
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday April 26, 2022
2020 Election Rigging was different from others pre-1992 DEAR EDITOR, Friends were recently reminiscing about the planned or attempted rigging of the March 2020 elections. I have studied Comparative Politics and holding of elections in multiple societies. Rigging (wholesale electoral fraud, manipulation of the electoral list, voter count, ballot stuffing, capturing of polling stations and ballot boxes, changing of count, switching ballots, etc.) is common in but not exclusive to African countries. We have experienced almost all of the preceding methods of rigging in Guyana in elections from 1968. One political party was primarily responsible for those kinds of activities in Guyana. The rigging in Guyana in the elections of 1968, 1973,
1978 (referendum), 1980, 1985, and 1992 took place before the actual date of the elections. The incumbent could not win with the minimal rigging (ballot box stuffing) in 1992 because the margin was too large to make up. Pre-rigging was difficult as the Carter Center monitored the voters list. Reputable observers were watching, making it very difficult to engage in massive fraud to claim a victory as in earlier elections. It was almost impossible to rig some 10% of the vote to win an election on election day in 1992. There was some rigging like booth capturing in traditional strongholds of one party. The riggings of pre1992 were well planned and executed making victory possible especially when western
powers were on the side of the regime to keep out the communists. In 1992, the western powers demanded free and fair elections because the communists were no longer a threat to western interests. Massive rigging was not permitted, and therefore it was impossible for the incumbent to manipulate the numbers to such an extent to win over 50% when its traditional base had consistently remained around 40%. The coalition won in 2015 because of some 11% vote brought by AFC, and the western powers wanted the incumbent out. In 2020, the western powers could not close their eyes to rigging in light of what was happening around the region. The attempt to rig the 2020 election was re-
buffed. Apparently, the regime felt confident it could or would win in 2020 without engaging in massive rigging. Observers were watching every election step like a hawk to deter rigging. Preelection polls I conducted showed the regime losing. Polls commissioned by the regime showed it winning. In fact, one poll report showed a massive victory for the incumbent. I was asked if I wanted to see it; I expressed a disinterest. I wanted to know where that pollster conducted the poll. I have been conducting polls too long to recognize nonsensical numbers. Anyone who knows anything about polls would tell you that all polls conducted around the same time would find similar results. All of the
polls I conducted pre-2020 (and from 2016) showed the coalition trailing. The coalition lost support when it closed the four estates, terminated Amerindian and Indian workers at other jobs, denied the rice farmers the promised minimum price of some $9000 a bag for paddy, arrogance of Ministers, the refusal of AFC to stand up to “eye-pass” of its supporters, over-taxation, poorly negotiated oil contract, hiding the US$18M oil bonus, among other factors. A majority of voters told my interviewers and me that they had enough of the regime. There was no credible poll that could find the coalition winning a majority of support. The independent polls I conducted consistently showed the challenger winning the election. And that was the actual outcome. The PPP victory was not surprising. Any objective credible pollster would predict a PPP victory. If the leadership or high officials of the coalition regime felt they were going to win the elections, they fooled themselves. Victory was not possible without rigging. In fact, it was hinted at a meeting in Atlanta two years earlier that in order for the coalition to win, it had to rig as it did pre-1992. Any plan to rig the 2020 election through manipulation of voter IDs and the voters list was circumvented in the defeat of the December 2018 election and the reversal
by the CCJ of the validation by the (2-1) Court of Appeal of the appointment of Patterson as Chair of GECOM. Had the coalition won the no confidence motion and or the ruling on Pattersons appointment, the coalition would have a free reign to win the election. The no confidence motion saved the country from a rigging and a return of the pre-1992 system of governance. Nevertheless, the coalition must have still felt it could or would win the election through electoral manipulation. Having known and recognized that it had to rig to win, it cannot be understood why the effort was made to rig the outcome after the election rather than on election day or before the count or during the initial count. When it became clear that the regime had lost, then it attempted to rig the count to certify the count (SOPs). It was the clumsiest way to rig an election not attempted since elections in Zimbabwe and a few other African countries and perhaps a few others elsewhere. This led to former Jamaican PM Bruce Golding saying he had never seen such a transparent attempt to rig an election. It was done under public glare. The shame and embarrassment did not bother the officials or leaders involved in the attempted rigging. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
The Police Force needs... From page 5 downward, upward, lateral, formal, informal, internal or external. Let the communication on the Strategic Management Plan 2022 - 2026 flow freely from the Apex of Management to Ground Zero and to the general public who the
police swore to serve and protect. May God guide and bless the Guyana Police Force. Regards, Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)
Political appointments: a... From page 5 One claiming to be about democracy and constitutional rights and protections, and how far we have progressed
in defeating those and devastating the shaky surface serenity of this society. Sincerely, GHK Lall
T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N T B . U . L . L T B . N . U . N U T L N B . U . T . L N T U N B . N U . L U L LUNT. B . T . . T T N N B U B . U . L . L T B . B . . N . . . T U T L N N T U U L N L B U . B . . L . . . T B T . . N . N T U L N LU B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . NT LUNT...B NT...BLU N U L B . . B . U . . T L . N T B . . U N . L N T B U N . . L . U T L B . . N B . . . T U . L N T B U . . L . UN T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L B U UN .BLUNT. . . L . T B . . N . T U . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . LU ...BLUNT LUNT...B NT...BL T B U . . L N . T B BLU T...BLUN BLUNT... UNT...B . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B BBLU T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU . T . N . N T T U L U L N L B U T...BLU U B . L . N . B T . . . N T U N N N L U U U B L . L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Tuesday April 26, 2022
Kaieteur News
A massive investment is to be made this year through the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) Project, but the feasibility of this venture still remains questionable.
One aspect of the project, which is the laying of the pipeline offshore and onshore, to transport the gas to Wales on the West Bank of Demerara will cost US$1.3 billion. This sum is just a few thousands short of what our country’s total external debt stood at in 2020.
Nevertheless, our government is convinced that this venture will lend to the greater development of Guyana. Last week, the Environmental Impact Assessment for the GTE was published, citing the harmful effects the project can have. We at this publication only hope that our farmers, who will not be able to provide for their families as result of this mega venture, will somehow manage to feed their families. Our leaders seem hell-bent on satisfying their own needs even at the risk of hurting the very people who elected them to govern.
Wake up Guyanese, start fighting for your right to a better future today!
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Mason seen by police stabbing another man, charged with murder The suspect who was detained for the alleged killing of Sherwin Smith, the man who was stabbed in front of a police officer on Easter Monday at the Mabaruma Settlement ground, was on Friday charged for the offence. Making his first court appearance in the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Sunil Scarce, via Zoom, was 48-year-old Christopher Van-nooten, a mason of Barimanobo, Mabaruma, Region One. Van-nooten was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleges that on April 18, at the Mabaruma Settlement Ground, he murdered 44year-old Smith of Kumaka
Charged, Christopher Van-nooten Waterfront, Mabaruma. After the charge was read to him, he was remanded to prison by Magistrate Scarce who then adjourned the matter to May 17, 2022. It was reported that Smith and Mason knew each
other well and it is believed that a grievance between the two led to the stabbing. According to a police report, an officer witnessed the moment Smith was stabbed and had intervened. The policeman, according to the report, was standing at the eastern gate of the ground performing his duties when he saw the suspect approaching Smith with a knife. As the rank left his post to intervene, the suspect allegedly stabbed Smith twice to his body. The policeman managed to relieve the suspect of the weapon and arrested him immediately. An injured Smith ran to a nearby car and (Continued on page 10)
Tuesday April 26, 2022
Man admits to murdering Soesdyke re-migrant
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wenty-five-yearold Keino Corbin, on M o n d a y , admitted to the murder of a remigrant, Agriculturalist Anthony Breedy, whose lifeless body was found in his Hill Foot, Soesdyke residence in 2016. Corbin was arraigned before Justice Jo Ann Barlow in the Demerara High Court. He is being represented by attorney-at-law Ravindra Mohabir. Corbin pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that between March 12 and March 14, 2016 at the Lot 67 Hill Foot, Soesdyke residence, he murdered Breedy during the course of a robbery. Corbin’s sentencing was deferred to May 9, 2022 at 13:15hrs. According to reports,
Dead, Anthony Breedy
Keino Corbin has pleaded guilty to killing a remigrant
between the date mentioned in the charge, Breedy was murdered during a robbery. The body of 60-year-old Breedy was found in the lower flat of his two-storey house, with multiple injuries to his head. It was reported that his hands and feet were also bound. Breedy’s Sports Utility
Vehicle (SUV) and other belongings including an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card were stolen after he was murdered. Corbin was jointly charged with, ex-convict Paul Goriah of Grove Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara and Donnel Trapp called ‘Short man’ for the murder of Breedy.
4 new COVID-19 cases recorded, 1 patient still in ICU The Ministry of Health on Monday revealed that within the last assessed 24hour period, four new COVID-19 cases were recorded. The new infections, which have brought the total
number of confirmed cases to 63,420, were all detected in Region Four. The new cases are that of three men and one woman. Also, the Ministry’s dashboard shows that one patient is still in the COVID-
19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), one person is in institutional isolation, 16 are in institutional quarantine and 78 are in home isolation. To date, a total of 62,112 persons have recovered from the virus.
Tuesday April 26, 2022
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Kaieteur News
THE OLD AND THE NEW Membership has its privileges but friendship, especially the right friends in the rights places, has its benefits, and in the case of Guyana, enormous benefits. You look around Guyana today and without a doubt, there has been tremendous development. But at the same time, you have to ask whether within the next year or so there is going to be any part of Guyana left for the people of Guyana, other than what is privately owned. From the way a small band of individuals is gobbling up Guyana, you have to ask just what is going to be left. Guyana is a big country and it has always been presumed that it is big enough for every citizen to have his share. But from the way some individuals are cashing in on their friendship with others, it seems as if they may eventually own the entire country. What is fascinating about this very troubling development, is that in normal circumstances, there would have been nothing wrong with this happening because in a capitalist society, it is the most competitive that win. The problem in Guyana is that a small oligarchy, a small number of individuals, is cornering great wealth and it would seem this is so because of connections that they
have. What is even more amazing is that these individuals have mostly been outside of the ruling party. They do not enjoy their new found fame because of the ruling party but because of their close friendship with individuals within the government. In fact, many of those who are now benefiting from the largesse of the state were never close to the PPP. They are outsiders who now seem to have great influence in what happens within the ruling administration. Guyana has always had an oligarchy. During the long rule of the PNC/R, even though the country was professed to be a socialist society, there was a small group of mainly family owned businesses that dominated the economy after the state. This group enriched themselves and are still enriching themselves today. Throughout all the difficult days, they made money and they are still making money. They have, however, now been surpassed by a new oligarchy, one that owes its wealth almost entirely to the connections. These connections have brought untold wealth to certain individuals and they are not letting up. History has taught us that these individuals usually constitute themselves into a
class and this class uses its influence and wealth to exercise control over the policies of the country. This is how you end up with class rule. The two main political parties may harbour the idea that they can do without the oligarch class. The reality, however, is that the oligarchy always finds a way of keeping the political parties under their wing. In order to contest elections, political parties need money, big money. Overseas Guyanese may also believe that the parties depend on them to fill the elections coffers. The reality also is that only a pittance is likely to be raised from overseas. The bulk of the election funds have to come from Guyana. How will the main political parties preserve their independence in the face of their dependence of the finances of the oligarchy? It is not an easy situation because they know also that history has shown that whenever the oligarchy gives assistance, it comes with strings attached. Therefore, the oligarchy is going to come knocking after the elections. In the case of the post1992 PPP, the old oligarchy appointed commissars who did their bidding for them. And then, they discovered a
Dem Boys Seh…
Words get in de way De Prezzie is wan intellectual. De man celebrate he birthday yesterday but it was on Saturday dat he mek dem boys had tuh go tuh dem dictionary fuh check-up de meaning of wan term. De Prezzie talk bout how some investment ‘de-risk’ de marine sector. De dictionary seh how de-risk means making something less risky or likely to make a financial loss. Dem boys did know dat when Exxon bin fuss exploring fuh oil, de financial risk was high because deh was no guarantee dat oil would have been found because no oil was ever found before. But when Exxon find oil, it could no
longer claim dat de basin wah it bin exploring was risky. Dem find oil and suh dem investment was de-risk – less likely to make a loss. But dem boys can’t understand how a company wah bring in a big dredge gan derisk de marine sector. Dat one hard fuh dem boys fuh understand but if de birthday boy seh suh, who is dem boys fuh seh nay. De birthday boy also urge dat whatever we build now must be to international standard. Dem boys also hope dat de guvament gan be to international standard and dat all dem people complaints gan get handle professionally and
swiftly. But dem boys know dat while all are equal some are less equal dan others. Some workers get letters fuh go home. It gat to be dat dem was contract workers. De Ministry of Health intervene and tell de CEO fuh withdraw dem letter until dere is wan evaluation of dem workers performance. Dat is international standard. But was not de same standard when Jadoopat contract did come to wan end. He did not have wan expectation of renewal once he performance review was good. All are equal but some are less equal dan others. Talk half, leff half.
weakness in certain individuals and began to work on these individuals to the extent that it seems as if they were able to influence these individuals to do what they wanted. This has continued to the degree that this influence has spread widely within the government and a new oligarchy has emerged, one that is confident that their interests are preserved. The old oligarchy has been left out in the cold and they are now waking up to the
reality that the new kids on the block are eating into their businesses and with the sort of political clout that they have may even force them to close down. There are two oligarchies, one that is on its way out and which had had a history of trying to get close to ruling parties, whichever ruling party was in power. This new oligarchy has never sought to get close to any political parties. They use their connections to get close to
figures within the government. (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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Tuesday April 26, 2022
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
My goodness! Bank of Nova Scotia again
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he next few lines you are not going to believe. Here is what happened. I remember it well. I will always remember it once Guyana remains an unmodern country. I spent about 20 minutes trying to get a telephone call through to the Robb Street branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS). At one time in my continuous efforts, a voice came on the phone and the lady identified herself from the call centre in Antigua. To get on to a local bank, someone came on the line from Antigua. I never got through. I remember writing about this incident a few
years back. I have written several columns over a 15year period about how commercial banks treat lowincome people. Now, mind you, not people in general but low-income people. They do not hassle wealthy folks for a reason that is so simple that if you do not understand it then you are simply a moron. The high officials at the banks know the wealthy folks so when a rich Guyanese gives the mechanic a cheque, the mechanic will cash it right away because the rich guy is going to telephone one of the big bigwigs at the bank and say: “Ah just give a man named David Bush, my
Teen remanded for murder of stepdad Nineteen-year-old Joshua Williams was on Monday remanded to prison for the murder of his stepdad, Joseph Davis, a 41 year-old miner. The teen, a labourer of Lot 20 Swan SoesdykeLinden Highway appeared in the Diamond/Grove Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Sunil Scarce. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which states that on March 27, 2022, at Swan Village, he murdered his stepfather. The Magistrate remanded Williams to prison and the matter was adjourned to May 30, 2022. Wi l l i a m s a l l e g e d l y stabbed Davis, during an argument, which they had at their home in Swan Village on March 18, 2022. Davis was reportedly rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) soon
mechanic, a cheque. Cash it for him.” When the poor grass cutter gets a cheque, he has to produce two pieces of identification, TIN, and proof of address to cash his cheque. This is how the poorer classes are treated in this country the past 30 years by the commercial banks. Here is a story I mentioned in one of my columns. Given the context of this article here, I am writing it again. I wrote a letter to a certain very powerful person at the GRA. I wrote again after not getting a reply. I could not get through to his secretary. I had his cell number. I made about six calls. I never got a response. Here is what happened right in my presence. An employee of a businessman called his boss to say he was being hassled by a GRA officer on the wharf. The business told him to stay on the line. The businessman used another phone and called this big wig. The matter was resolved there and then. Why
was I slighted? The GRA powerhouse simply said to himself – “let him write what he wants, I don’t care.” On the other hand, the wealthy businessman is a person of substance in Guyana. This is the way commercial banks treat lowincome folks in this country. I get heart-breaking stories about these banks. And you never see or hear these civil society groups discussing it on television talk shows or Zoom discussion programmes. Here once more is yet another sad episode of how ordinary people are treated in their own country. This lady came up to me in the National Park on Thursday morning. She had a sad story to describe. She got a house lot from the Housing Ministry. She borrowed $25M from BNS to build her house. She carried on a small furniture business at her home. The husband suffered a stroke that rendered him completely incapacitated.
She had a new full-time job - to take care of him plus two small children. She defaulted on her loan payments, BNS legally levied on Frederick Kissoon her. As it stands, she has no place to live. ministry’s business to do She said her father is willing what the bank should do – to build a small place if she g i v e t h e l a d y t h e can secure a house lot. She information. Thirdly, the asked for my help. ministry is too busy for that They say in life, “nothing kind of external endeavours. ventured, nothing gained.” I intervened and simply Housing Minister, Collin told Ms. Farah Budram of Croal is someone I knew BNS that the proper thing is when he was in short-pants. for the bank to give the lady a He never fails to respond to factual letter, no matter how me. I called him. He agreed restricted or tiny the content to see the lady. is even if the lady has to pay M i n i s t e r C r o a l ’ s for it. curiosity was in order. He The ministry wants to see wanted to see something such a letter. Yesterday the from the bank that confirms lady got from BNS what she that the bank took her was rightfully due. Someone property. please help the poor and Do you know what BNS powerless of this land! told this helpless woman? (The views expressed in The ministry has to write the this article are those of the bank. First that is improper a u t h o r a n d d o n o t a n d o u t o f p r o t o c o l . necessarily reflect the Secondly, it is none of the opinions of this newspaper.)
PAC flags late delivery of fire boat - contract signed in 2017, vessel arrived in 2019 Remanded, Joshua Williams. after and was admitted in a critical condition. However, on March 27, Davis succumbed to his stab wounds while receiving treatment. The police later issued a wanted bulletin for the teen who managed to evade them for more than a month until he was nabbed in his father’s house located at Kuru Kururu, another village located along the same route.
Mason seen by police stabbing... From page 8 was rushed to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital where he was admitted in the emergency unit. Around 20:00hrs that night, the man succumbed to his injuries. Van-nooten, who was taken into custody according to investigators, had claimed that he was not the person seen by the policeman stabbing Smith, and denied that he had anything to do with his death. Although he claimed his innocence, investigators had evidence against him, and witnesses who saw him committing the heinous act.
I
n 2017, a contract was awarded by the N a t i o n a l Procurement and Tender Administration Board via sole sourcing of $307.457M for the procurement of one multipurpose fire rescue boat for the Guyana Fire Service. Based on the audit report, the contract was signed on August 4, 2017. However, based on the record of the audit report, the boat was delivered to Guyana’s shore two years after the contract was signed. The issue came up before the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday when officials of the Home Affairs Ministry presented. There was notably no representative of the Guyana Fire Service to respond to some of the questions raised. According to information presented, after the contract was signed, on December 31, 2017, the amount of $131.354M was paid to the contractor. The report noted that approval was granted for a multi-year contract by the Finance Secretary and the final payment was budgeted for in 2018. However, at the time of audit reporting in
The fire boat that was purchased by the Guyana Fire Service
2017, the boat was not received although 10 months had elapsed. Nevertheless, it was noted that the supplier indicated that the boat would be shipped in on November 5, 2018. The Audit Office, therefore, had recommended that the Ministry follow-up this matter with the supplier to have the boat delivered and provide the Audit Office with the necessary documentations upon delivery. According to the document, the sum of
$330M was budgeted for the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme and Citizen Security Programme II for 2017. Supplementary allotments totalling $268.663M were then approved, giving a revised budgetary allocation of $598.663M. According to the Appropriation Accounts, the full amount was expended. The two projects were funded by the InterAmerican Development Bank and are subjected to separate financial reporting and audit.
The sum of $431.835M was allotted for the purchase of office furniture, equipment, agricultural tools, communication and other equipment for the Ministry’s Secretariat, the Guyana Police Force as well as the Prison and Fire Services. A Supplementary Allotment of $8.877M was approved, revising the budgetary allocation to $440.712M. According to the Appropriation Accounts, amounts totalling $439.749M were expended during the year.
Tuesday April 26, 2022
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Tuesday April 26, 2022
Cause of death inconclusive for friends found dead in hotel parking lot - PM report
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ost mortem examinations (PM) conducted on the bodies of the two friends who were found dead in a car at the Marriott Hotel parking lot on Saturday, have failed to uncover what really caused the men’s death. The examinations which were conducted on the remains of Justin Teixeira, 34, and 25-year-old Paishnarine Hansraj, also known as Richie, a local singer of Hague Backdam, West Coast Demerara, was done on Monday morning, according to information released by the Guyana Police Force. According to police, stomach contents were removed from both bodies and handed over to investigators, which will be sent overseas for testing. The bodies, however, have been handed over to the respective relatives for burial. The men’s lifeless bodies were discovered around 00:16hrs on Saturday morning in the car. It was a hotel employee who made the shocking discovery. Kaieteur News had reported that Teixeira was a guest at the hotel and around 23:30hrs on Friday, his mother, a 60-year-old resident of Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, called and requested that an
employee “check up” on her son because he was reportedly having a seizure. Police in its report did not divulge who informed Teixeira’s mother about his condition but reported that an employee of the hotel was instructed to do as she had requested. However, when the individual got to Teixeira’s room on the sixth floor, he was not there. The employee then decided to check on his SUV parked in the hotel’s parking lot and found him sitting motionless in the driver’s seat. The employee reportedly proceeded to open the passenger’s side of the vehicle and saw Hansraj in a crouched position. A 911 call was immediately made and police turned up shortly after with an ambulance. The medical personnel on board the ambulance pronounced them dead at the scene and police began their investigation. Police had stated that it appeared as if the men had consumed a deadly substance as they were seen frothing from the mouth but there were no marks of violence on their bodies. On the backseat of the vehicle, detectives found a plastic container containing a whitish hard substance. At first glance, detectives thought that it was some
form of narcotics such as crack cocaine. After removing their bodies from the scene, detectives had sent the substance to the Guyana Forensic Laboratory for testing and while they awaited the results, there were speculations that they could have died from a drug overdose. That theory, however, quickly faded after the test results of the substance returned negative for narcotics. The lab officials told police that it could be sodium cyanide, a substance that is lethal in small quantities but they were not sure since the forensic lab, which has been in existence since 2014, does not have the capabilities to test for such toxic chemicals. Detectives have since sent samples of the substance overseas for further testing. While police are awaiting completion of the overseas tests, they are said to be reviewing CCTV footage from the hotel to t r a c e t h e m e n ’s l a s t movements for clues that might help them solve the case. This publication understands that the two had been friends for years and are well known individuals who were very active on the various social media platforms.
The two friends who were found dead inside a car in the Marriott Hotel parking lot on Saturday, Paishnarine Hansraj (right) and Justin Teixeira.
Poor governance, lack of vision caused TT gas sector to lose US$$$millions in taxes - Guyana must be extremely cautious - Expert For the last decade, Energy Strategist and Local Content Expert, Anthony Paul, has observed that Trinidad and Tobago’s oil and gas sector has been nothing but a slow train wreck. In a virtual discussion this year with his fellow Trinidadians on the depressing state of the economy, Paul said in no uncertain terms that the country’s gas sector has been doing dramatically badly for a long time. Paul said he would attribute the industry’s declining health to a lack of adherence to the principles of transparency and accountability, two key elements of any robust
Energy Strategist and Local Content Expert, Anthony Paul governance framework. The oil expert said, “The fact of the matter is that there are systemic issues that have not been addressed over the years but have gotten worse, hence where we are today…But what surprises
me is that not enough questions are being asked. I get the feeling that this prosperity that we have had or enjoyed for a long period, people seem to think it is coming to an end. And they don’t know if this is going to be a temporary state…” The Energy Strategist continued, “We see that there is a difference in the prosperity we enjoy now compared to previous years. And, that observation leads me to ask firstly: well what led us to the prosperity in the first place and what did we do right then? And how have things changed?” Candidly speaking, Paul said when Trinidad and Tobago started governing the (Continued on page 17)
Kaieteur News
Tuesday April 26, 2022
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Former Govt. engineer accused of contract breach, lying to PAC - criminal probe ordered By Rehanna Ramsay
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annie Ramdolar, a f o r m e r government engineer, who was attached to the Ministry of Home Affairs, is expected to face a criminal investigation after he was accused of lying to the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) during a sitting on Monday. Ramdolar was among a team of Home Affairs officials which presented before the PAC. He was questioned about some missing information in relation to a contract for works to a sluice at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara in 2018. According to the Auditor General’s report, a sample of nine projects with contract sums totalling $38.581M for maintenance works were selected for physical verification. It was noted that a contract for the renovation of a new self-acting sluice at
Western Section, Lusignan was awarded in the sum of $4.636M by the ministerial tender board to the lowest evaluated of 16 bidders. The engineer’s estimate was $5.780M. The contract was signed on December 5, 2018 with duration of two months for completion and defects liability period of three months. As at December 2018, amounts totalling $4.544M was paid to the contractor. It was discovered that the engineer certified that the works were completed since December 16, 2018. However, the auditor ’s physical verification on May 3, 2019 revealed that the contractor was still on-site effecting works to the structure. As such, it was noted that the engineer falsely certified that the works were completed since December 2018. Physical inspection of the concrete works to the structure revealed shoddy
‘Don’t be a puppet of any political party’ - trade unions told, as Labour Week kicks off General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, Coretta McDonald
The Guyana Trades Union Congress on Sunday commenced the annual Labour Week celebrations with calls for trade unions to resist the urge to be puppets of political parties. Held on the laws of Parliament Buildings, labour leaders laid wreaths at the foot of the Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow Monument before singing The Internationale and paying homage to the F a t h e r o f t h e Tr a d e Unionism. Norris Witter, a veteran Trade Unionist and President
of the General Workers Union (GWU) spoke about the lack of independence by so called independent organisations in Guyana. Expressing his deep concerns with the situation, Witter accused the government and other organisations for their cynical approach towards the trade union movement. Witter underscored his point by referencing the Federation of Independent Trade Union of Guyana (FITUG) - a close ally of the (Continued on page 16)
works, with honeycombing of the concrete and pieces of cement bags cast into the finished structure. The Audit Office had recommended that the head of the agency must immediately desist from certifying and processing payments for incomplete works and improve in the supervision of works and should not make payments for unacceptable works that do not meet the specifications. During the PAC hearing on Monday, Ramdolar faced a series of question in relation to the contract and payment for the project. Minister of Public Works and PAC member, Juan Edghill made specific enquiries “as to how a blank bill of quantities ended up being presented with the contract for audit.” Ramdolar explained that “Normally three contracts are signed…for some reason, the blank copy ended up with the ministry and there was a mix up of some sort…” His explanation proved unsatisfactory to the committee. The Minister noted that, based on the Auditor General’s report, there were numerous incomplete works that were part of the substantive project and not remedial works. Edghill insisted that the contract should not be paid in full if the work was not
completed. “If two weeks after you sign a contract, you prepare a final payment voucher that went to the Ministry’s Finance department for payment…when the work was not completed, it was not done…We’re in breach, serious breach,” he said. He continued, “The rules are that unexpended sums must be returned to the consolidated fund and there is nothing stopping you in your budget the next year, to ask for the sums to be allocated as a multi-year project.” “What is difficult for me to understand is that two weeks after the contracts were signed, you prepared everything in full,” Edghill lamented. Former Permanent Secretary of the then Ministry of Public Security, Daniella McCalmon told the PAC that the payments were processed in this manner to facilitate the retrieval of funds at the end of the year. Edghill said, therefore, that the sum should have been re-budgeted in 2019 as a rollover project and not paid in full as it is reflected in the report. But Ramdolar maintained there was no breach. He claimed instead that the substantive works set out in the contract were completed in December 2018 and only remedial works continued in 2019.
Dannie Ramdolar, a former government engineer, is to face a criminal probe for lying to the Public Accounts Committee. But the PAC was not convinced. Chairman of the PAC, Jermaine Figueira pointed to sections of the audit report and photographs were proved otherwise to the claims of the engineer. “Sir you are deliberately misleading the PAC, your explanation is in direct conflict with the audit report and the pictures presented by the auditor and this is despite the fact that you were warned that you can commit perjury under the Legislative Bodies (Evidence) Act, Chapter 1:08 read to you before the commencement of this meeting.” The former engineer, nevertheless, maintained what he said. Both sides of the PAC agreed that the engineer should be criminally
investigated for the alleged perjury committed before the Parliamentary Committee. Edghill asked that a criminal investigation be called and this was seconded by Ganesh Mahipaul. This call was approved by the PAC Chair who said that the Finance Secretary Sukrishnanlall Pasha would be guided by the PAC’s decision. And in an unprecedented move, both PAC members, Juan Edghill and Ganesh Mahipaul, recommended that Finance Secretary Pasha refer the matter to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for a criminal investigation. Figueira then asked Ramdolar to recuse himself from further examination of the ministry.
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Tuesday April 26, 2022
$91M in machinery commissioned at MMA
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he Mahaica Mahaicony A b a r y Agriculture Development Authority (MMA-ADA) on Friday commissioned two longreach excavators and one heavy-duty high-powered tractor totalling some $91 million. This is according to a release issued by the Ministry of Agriculture which noted that the pieces of equipment were procured as part of the authority’s
2022 capital expenditure and will be added to the fleet of machinery used to service the scheme’s agricultural activities. While speaking at the commissioning exercise, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said that the investments being made to purchase these pieces of machinery are part of the government’s overall goal of developing the sector and ensuring food security. “The government is very committed to investing in the
agriculture sector and we are now beginning to see a lot of attention being given to the sector in terms of investments. This is a result o f t h e g o v e r n m e n t ’s commitment to increasing production because this sector has to give us food security and continue to bring wealth to the country. This scheme has the potential to increase production, not only in rice and other crops but in livestock as well,” said the Minister.
Duo pleads not guilty to murder of Tuschen resident
Dead, Dewaun Anthony Baksh
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Somar Shako
wo men, who were charged for the 2016 murder of Dewaun Anthony Baksh, 22, of Lot 55 Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo on Monday pleaded not guilty to the charge that was read to them. Rocky Lallu and Somar Shako were arraigned before Justice Jo Ann Barlow at the Demerara High Court. Lallu is being represented by attorney-at-law Ravindra Mohabir and Shako is being represented by attorneys-at-law Narissa Leander and Sophia Findlay – while the State is being represented by Latifah Elliott and Marissa Edwards. The duo denied the charge which stated that on
Rocky Lallu
January 1, 2016, they murdered Dewaun Anthony Baksh. The matter continues today. According to reports, Baksh was stabbed to death around 22:00hrs on New Year’s Day in 2016 at a bar in Greenwich Park. The young man was at the time “liming” at the hotspot with his younger brother, Rafeek, and two friends when he was attacked by a group of three men who had an old vibe grievance with his brother. There was an altercation during which Baksh was stabbed to the neck, shoulder, head and under the right arm. He was pronounced dead at the Leonora Cottage Hospital.
Minister Zulfikar Mustapha along with other MMA and Regional officials while cutting the ceremonial ribbon during the commissioning exercise He continued, “When the President commissioned the Black Belly Sheep Project here, he said that he wants to make this region the livestock capital of the Caribbean. I think we can also make it the capital for rice and other crops. This region has the potential to not only feed the country but also this part of the Caribbean and to make a very impactful contribution to agriculture production.” Although the MMAADA is the largest agriculture scheme in the country, Minister Mustapha told the gathering that the scheme has the potential to produce more and that the government was working to bring more lands into operation for agricultural purposes. “For this year, almost 76,000 acres (of rice) were cultivated, and to date, a total of 1,473,131 bags of paddy were harvested in the MMA Scheme alone. That is only 59 percent of the crop so imagine, when harvesting is completed, we will have close to two million bags. We
are looking to increase the acreage in this scheme because I was told that the scheme has the capacity to plant almost 108,000 acres. We ’ v e b e e n w o r k i n g assiduously to put the necessary systems in place so that this can become a reality. We’ve moved the production of seed paddy in Region Five from 3,000 bags when we took over about 18 months ago to 30,000 bags last year. This year, we’ll be expending another $55 million to upgrade and rehabilitate the seed paddy facility and increase production to approximately 60,000 bags,” he added. Technological advances in the MMA In addition to the m a c h i n e r y, M i n i s t e r Mustapha also disclosed that the government was working to modernise the operations in the scheme. “ We ’ v e a l r e a d y purchased a drone to do surveying and mapping of areas in the scheme using GIS so that we can identify lands and know what is happening in areas that are
not so easily accessible,” he said. Other agricultural activities Minister Mustapha also told the gathering that in addition to rice production, the government was also addressing livestock and cash crop issues. “We are also looking to develop cattle pastures. I know you have almost 98,000 acres of land that can be developed into pastures. If we want to develop the livestock industry then we have to ensure we have proper pastures. The scheme also has 3,000 acres of cash crops under cultivation. I am mentioning these amounts of land for you to get an idea, as residents and farmers, of what you have right here,” he noted. Since taking office in August 2020, the MMA–ADA has already procured six excavators to service the scheme and assist farmers with their agricultural activities. The machines are also used to rehabilitate access dams and clear drainage and irrigation channels.
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4 Guyanese set for International Hackathon competition - were winners of the GTT-backed Innovation Challenge 2022 A group from the University of Guyana, including both past and current students, are on their way to represent Guyana at the first 5G for Change Hackathon, presented by Verizon in the USA. GTT in a release noted that the young men, who are the winners of the recently concluded GTT backed Innovation Challenge 2022, hosted by the Office of the Prime Minister, are thrilled to be presenting a useful green solution to the world. GTT said it is elated to support the team’s travels to N e w Yo r k , U S A t o participate in this once-in-alifetime opportunity. This sponsorship is in keeping with the company’s promise to strengthen the community
and innovate for all in Guyana. The initial stage saw over 150 international teams apply, according to Malik Williams, one of the local team members. He beamed that his team of developers were among the five finalists chosen to present their solution for change. “The role GTT and the University of Guyana have played in our success in becoming finalists in this competition is immense,” Malik said. His other team members are current UG student, Jun Leung and UG alumni Shomari Williams and Andrew Garnett. The challenge aims to build real-life solutions to major issues plaguing the
world. The winning team will walk away with a Webby Award – akin to an A c a d e m y Aw a r d f o r technology innovations, and USD$50,000. The Webby Awards’ website says it has a long history of recognising change-makers and companies that have used the Internet to have an impact on the world, from the inventors of the Internet to founders of Black Lives Matter and Greta Thunberg, among many others. At its core, the solution being presented by the developers will see the reshaping of Guyana’s efforts to maintain its forests, using technology, and help weed out illegal forest activities to promote more
Senior Manager, PR and Corporate Communications, Jasmin Harris (centre) with members for team Frameperfect (l-r) Malik Williams, Andrew Garnett, Jun Leung, Shomari Williams. sustainable ecosystems in Guyana. Malik made special mention of his lecturers at UG, who he said gave them the confidence to take on significant challenges and the ability to approach them systematically and the technical skills required to design feasible solutions. “GTT has continuously contributed to initiatives in
Guyana that give us the ability and confidence to express our ideas…and our lecturers at the Department of Computer Science have always encouraged us to think of solutions to global issues — especially in our research projects,” said Malik. He further explained that youth involvement in competitions like these show the tremendous abilities of
Guyanese youth and their awareness of local, regional and global issues. Jasmin Harris, Senior Manager PR and Corporate Communications at GTT, extended the company’s best wishes to the team and added that the company stands ready to support young Guyanese minds and encourage innovation. “GTT is (Continued on page 16)
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Tuesday April 26, 2022
Kaieteur News
Gas-related explosions can have adverse...
Sheriff St,Enterprise C,East Coast,Zeelught,West Coast, Blairmont Berbice. Contact: Ray's Realty 627-9685.
From page 3 of the gas cloud within the congested area. The higher the proportion of the gas cloud that is within a congested area, the stronger the resultant explosion would be. Consequently, open areas—such as that characterised by the onshore pipeline corridor—are unlikely to be conducive to an explosion in the case of a natural gas release from the onshore pipeline,” according to the EIA.
Second Field South, West, Cummingslodge.Tel:6031278.
VACANCY
PROPERTY FOR SALE VEHICLE FOR SALE One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable & 1 new super custom Hiace Bus 2.5M .Contact:649-0956. 1 Model M Truck,TM Truck,428 Caterpillar Backhoe,416 Caterpillar,Front end loader,Cement Mixer & Mini Excavator.Contact:650-0402/ 652-0251.
Cummingslodge,Middle Road,La-Penitence,Cornelia Ida,Bachelor's Adventure, Yarrowkabra Highway. Contact: Ray's Realty 627-9685.
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. Installation, Repairs and parts for AC,Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc.Call Nick#656-0110/630-1600.
WANTED Taxi Dispatcher.Experience only,salary $28,000 wkly. Contact GR Taxi Ganesh on 614-6202. One male able bodied clerk: 225-2313/226-1497. One handyman and one cleaner to work at Hotel in the interior.Contact:6802702. Bar girls,Male Porter & Female cook for Interior. Contact:687-7638/660-9093.
FOR SALE Over 30,000 BM used hard wood,various sizes & cheap price.Tel:227-1511,645-1613. Cows for sale at Houston Estate.Tel:227-5468/6164387/624-2920.
Housekeeper,age 35-40yrs to perform general domestic work,4 days per week. Tel:225-8131/227-0332. Experienced crew and male cook wanted for mining operation. Call: 697-2533.
Male & Female to work at 6-4 & 5 bedroom house at Magic Touch Car Wash & Schoonord,1-3 story build- Detailing Centre.Call:604ing at Zeelugt public road,1- 1980. 3 bedroom house at Blankenburg.Contact:650- Labourers,Skilled Carpenters & Masons to work in 0402/652-0251. Georgetown & Linden. ConPrime business spot (1/2 tact:660-6385/615-7526/602acre)@ Parika,9 houselots 9496. together at Blankenburg & Double lot at Tuschen. Con- Washbay workers at Nandy Park.Tel:233-5227/682-1616. tact:650-0402/652-0251. Male able bodied clerk. Tel:231-2029,616-5954. 1 experience Roti/Puri/Pastry Maker,Cook & Kitchen Assistance,between 5:306pm.Tel:603-1278.
FOR RENT
Linden.2 bedrooms, upper flat at one mile Public road. Tel:675-7667. Saffon St Georgetown, perfect for business or bond space.Contact:Ray’s Realty 627-9685.
request of the Government, is proposing the Project to provide fuel for the Power Plant. The project will involve capturing associated gas produced from crude oil production operations on the Liza Phase 1 (Destiny) and Liza Phase 2 (Unity) Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, transporting approximately 50 million standard cubic feet per day. Construction will begin after the company receives all necessary authorisations, with a target date of August
2022 for start of NGL Plant site preparation, and will take approximately three years. The combined offshore and onshore pipeline system is targeted to be ready to deliver rich gas by end of 2024, and the NGL Plant is targeted to be operational by mid-2025. The project has a planned life cycle of at least 25 years. The aspect of the project for which the oil company is responsible, that is to say, the installation of the offshore and onshore pipelines, is set to cost a whopping US$1.3B.
General Manager to work with Prominent Gold Mining Company.Contact Seema on 226-9416 or 625-1413.
LAND FOR SALE
SERVICES
The Gas-to-Energy project is being pursued by EEPGL, on behalf of itself and its co-venturers – Hess Guyana Exploration Limited and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited. It proposes to bring the associated natural gas, produced from the Liza field in the Stabroek Block, to shore for use. The Government of Guyana is pursuing a separate project to construct a power plant that would use a portion of this associated natural gas as a fuel source. Accordingly, EEPGL, at the
One Housekeeper.Must be able to cook,45-60 yrs old. Must be living E.B.D. One handyman/store help, 6954785/265-3541.
Driller & Drill Helpers at Land Star Drilling Co. Call:231-1408/642-9191. Water Delivery Driver and Porter for E.C.D.Tel:676-1363/ 692-6768. Accounts Clerk with knowledge of Quickbooks & accounting experience. Passport size picture required 6092995,email:survival. human resources@gmail.com. Inventory Clerks.Apply with passport size photo.Tel:6092995,email:survival. human resources@gmail.com. Drivers.Valid drivers license (With Motor Lorry & Van). Apply with passport size picture. Tel:609-2995, email: survival. human resources @ gm ail.com. Poultry/Livestock Farmers. Live in accommodations available.Tel:609-2995.Canal #2 W.B.D & Linden Soesdyke Highway. Lash,Nail Technician & Mani-Pedicurist.Must be English literate. Contact: Reign L.A.B on 643-5855. Grade 2 Teachers,Secretary & Security Guards. Contact:6 49-8174. Vacancy for 2 experienced hairdresser.Location Grove E.B.D,Tel:652-5800. One able body Porter, Handyman,age 20-35yrs. Must be vaccinated photo & recommendation. Keyfood McDoom Village. Female Cleaner for office. Call:642-9823. Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area.Call:615-9132. One clerk for TSI Eccles office English & Math, grade 1 or 2.Call:615-9132 or email application to techserigy @yahoo.com. Fitter Machinist,Welder fabricator & mechanic. 3 yrs experience.Call:642-9823 email:techserigy @yahoo. com. 1 Forklift Operator.License not needed.Apply at LENS 136 Sheriff Street, C/ Ville.Tel:227-1511/227-2486.
Former journalist caught... From page 3 reports, last Friday Williams was an outgoing passenger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport destined for the United States. However, the woman was nabbed with a quantity of cocaine in the false sides of her laptop bag. She was then
arrested and escorted to CANU’s Headquarters with the narcotics. A further search of the suspect, which was conducted at the CANU headquarters, revealed a quantity of cocaine strapped to her body. The substance was then tested and came back positive as cocaine, with
a total weight of 9.6 kg – 7.9 kg discovered in her luggage and 1.6 kg strapped to her body. The narcotics had a total street value of G$60 million which is equivalent to US$300,000. Further investigations led to the arrests of the former CANU officer and the GRA officer.
‘Don’t be a puppet of any... From page 13 PPP/C Government, which boycotted the event. Principal Assistant Secretary of Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) and General Secretary of the Guyana Postal and Telecommunication Workers’ Union, Eslyn Harris opened her speech by stating that the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated government mandated shutdowns caused a shock to the economy and job-loss was concentrated among the working-class and unto this day, workers are still reeling from the COVID-19 impacts. Referring to Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, she said, “As we assemble this afternoon to celebrate another death anniversary of a National Hero and the father of Trade Unionism in the British Empire; the Trade Union Movement remembers the significant contributions made by him, the struggles he endured and we pay homage to him.” Noting that he (Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow) saw the fruition of the Trade Union being recognised as a legal entity, by way of the Trade Unions Ordinance (1919), Harris highlighted that the trade
union movement here was birthed before the two main political parties (PPP 1950 and PNC 1957) came on the scene and it remains the oldest organisation that exists. Harris stressed that Critchlow advanced the welfare of the working class. “There is no Guyanese today holding high office who does not owe such elevation to workers’ struggle for equality,” she said. Harris also expanded on the fact that trade unions and trade unionists should not succumb to party politics which only serves to divide, conquer and rule. “The Trade Union Movement must be able to work together. Workers must be bold in their pursuits to call out the politicians on issues that are injurious to their welfare and wellbeing, livelihood and existence. Matters that run counter to our collective de-
velopment and democracy must be exposed,” she added. Harris said the workingclass continues to face the true costs of workers’ deprivation and the working-class faces grave threats from employers. “As if that is not enough, attacks on our women have become all too common. Disease and accidents also take a heavy toll on workers and the working environment,” she continued. “The Trade Union Movement must support the implementation of activism, whenever it becomes a necessary initiative and workers must register their disgust using their constitutional rights as enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana.” Harris concluded by assuring the audience that the Trade Union Movement is alive, contrary to what the supposed impartial tripartite actor suggested.
4 Guyanese set for... From page 15 interested in creating an environment for bright minds to thrive and be a part of Guyana’s development through innovation. We will continue to support initiatives like these, which strive to engender change. Best wishes to the team on their journey!” Harris noted.
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IMF advises against development of national oil company ...tells Guyana to improve oil contract terms for higher profit instead By Zena Henry The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised Guyana to secure a higher share of profit oil through its model Production Sharing Agreement, rather than actively participating in the task of petroleum development through a national oil company. In one of the institutions 2019 documents providing technical support to the government, the Fund concluded that there is no strong business case to show that Guyana would receive more value from its oil endowments if it were to participate as a partner via a national oil company (NOC) in the development of the oil blocks. The financial institution explained that while there are many oil producing countries that have state participation in petroleum operations, that route may not be one that Guyana should take. State participation in petroleum operations could be an instrument for governments to add to its share of profit within the upside of the project, but this participation would also mean that Guyana would be taking on additional risks by wanting to develop oil blocks. Given the substantial regulatory powers, the government already has within the upstream (exploration, drilling, and extraction) aspect of oil development, the IMF said that, “It is not evident that participation is necessarily adding much more value.” This is because, if Guyana takes on a participating interest in a petroleum project, it would not only re-
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during his interview on Bloomberg Summit ceive a share of the contractors production value, but it would also have to contribute to cost; including the blocks development phase, which is the most capital intensive aspect of oil project development. Having a participating role in petroleum projects would also require Guyana to finance a fully-paid participating interest or the country could opt to enter into an arrangement that would see the blocks contractor financing governments share of the development expense to be repaid with interest out of the governments participation returns. The latter method, the IMF warned however, would delay benefits coming to Guyana for its participatory role. To avoid these complications, the IMF noted that, “the government may be better off securing a higher government take from progressive profit oil share, rather than having state participation in a project.” The IMF pointed out that there are non-monetary reasons why countries would opt
to play a participating role in petroleum development since it offers a government “a seat at the table” for decision-making and further reduces difficulty in accessing important oil related information. The body noted, therefore, that should Guyana still prefer to have state participation, it could consider including “an optional state participation right in its Model PSA,” to allow the government to elect at the start of a projects de-
velopment whether it wants to participate, and the details of that participation. The IMF noted that many countries manage their state participation through national oil companies, but this often raises governance and transparency challenges. Where Guyana is concerned, the financial institution reiterated that Guyana has no strong business case for a national oil company. “Therefore, should the government decide to have an optional state participation, this participating interest could be managed by a State Holding Company under the oversight of the Ministry of Finance.” Guyanas government is currently considering whether it would auction off the remainder of its offshore oil blocks or whether it would create a national oil company to engage in the management of the resource. Last week, during a Bloomberg interview, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
said that the government was swamped with foreign investors interested in oil exploration offshore Guyana. To that, he said “Weve decided now that we want to either auction it [the remaining oil blocks] or were exploring now whether we can vest these in a national oil company but play a very passive role, as a passive investor, and get a strategic developer to work within the company to take shares and operate the company for us.” The Vice Presidents suggestion has started some rumblings in certain sectors as stakeholders are already asking questions about who this “strategic developer” would be, the benefits, and how this individual or company would be selected. Given governments statements about significant benefits from oil wealth, questions are also being asked ask as to why Guyana would need a strategic investor to
have shares and run the countrys national oil company. Economist Ramon Gaskin is not impressed by the governments recent statement and believes that the new oil company, with the strategic investor idea may be a recipe for trouble and “corruption”. He said that Guyana would instead do well to market its oil property and stay away from huge fees that would have to be paid to outsiders to manage the oil sector and its assets. Another commentator opined that having a strategic investor in Guyanas oil company would give that person or entity a permanent lien on all of Guyanas oil resources. That means that the strategic investor would have the right to keep possession of property belonging to Guyana until it pays any potential debt that is owed. This is a recipe for cronyism and nepotism, it was suggested.
Opposition says importation of foreign workers regressive (Jamaica Gleaner) Brown Burke says steps should be taken by the government to increase the pool of skilled workers to fill vacancies. -File photo. The Opposition People’s National Party says it is against the importation of workers to fill gaps in the construction industry. Instead, Spokesperson on Education and Training
Dr Angela Brown Burke says steps should be taken by the government to increase the pool of skilled workers to fill vacancies. Speaking at the groundbreaking for the 700-room RIU Aquarelle in Cooper’s Pen in Trelawny last week, Prime Minister Andrew Holness hinted that Jamaica could be forced to import skilled workers for the con-
struction industry amid a shortage. It was noted that more workers are needed in light of the fact that at least seven major developments are on the horizon along the north coast. Holness expressed concerns regarding the situation, which he said could become a really bad one if not solved soon. But Brown Burke is of the view that more opportu-
nities need to be provided to Jamaicans. She notes that the Government has announced several training programmes including the HOPE programme which sought to train and certify over 20,000 youth in various skills, yet it is now seeking to import skilled labourers into the country for jobs for which the local labour force is qualified.
Poor governance, lack of vision caused TT gas sector to lose... From page 12 oil industry post independence, it was lucky to have the late Eric Williams as a visionary leader who took the “long game approach” and that allowed the country to be positioned for the fluctuations in the sector, to be able to build on it in the long term and to benefit from what was put in place. “Now sadly, what we are seeing today is a lack of that vision,” expressed Paul. Speaking to the birth of Trinidad and Tobago’s vision for its oil sector, Paul noted that in 1963, the government of the day had set up a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the oil and gas sector, which sought to analyse the industry, the needs of the country, and the desires of its people. Paul said this CoI led to the birth of a robust regulatory regime to manage the sector, which included Trinidad’s Petroleum Act. This CoI, he said, also paved
the way for robust institutions and people to be interwoven into the system. “So it was all about good governance, transparency and accountability. Several instruments were also put in place to allow those managing the sector to be held to account. But if I fast forward to today, the big difference between then and now is the lack of accountability for those who govern the sector,” expressed Paul. The Trinidadian also bemoaned the fact that Trinidad’s Energy Ministry is governing the sector with outdated laws and regulations. “It is still using a law which is from 1969 vintage and regulations which are 1971 vintage. Beyond that, the law sets up a mechanism for regulations to be added as the industry grew but this is honoured in breach,” the oil expert noted.
Paul was keen to note that the absence of updated laws is not the only area of concern. What troubles him also, is the failure to implement even the fundamental aspects of the oil laws. In this regard, Paul noted that the nation’s legislation dictates that any company operating in the sector, no matter where, must be licensed and each licence must be in a register. To this day, the Trinidadian said none of the downstream companies are licensed and are therefore operating without the control mechanisms that were designed to govern their granular activities. Paul stressed that this state of affairs has actually worked against the country and “cost it millions of dollars in taxes.” Expounding further, Paul referenced the case of Train 1, which began commercial operations on March 13, 1999, in Trinidad and Tobago and
became the first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility to operate in the Atlantic Basin, and the second in the Western Hemisphere. Paul said one issue that was not mentioned about Train 1 is that it had received a 10year tax holiday when it started operations and under the laws of Trinidad and Tobago, every operation, meaning processing plant and its subsidiary activities including storage, shipping, etc. should be licensed. Furthermore, every contractor associated with the plant and its operations should also be licensed. This even includes the marketing company used. Unfortunately, none of those agents were licensed. “What happened is that Atlantic LNG (which is owned by the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago and local subsidiaries of companies such as BP) was allowed to operate its Train 1 plant
above nameplate capacity for 10 years in which they paid no taxes. So it means they put through a whole lot more volume than intended tax free,” explained Paul. Had a licence been in place, Paul said the volume of gas produced during that 10year time would have been capped. In addition to this, Paul said at the time the investment was made in Train 1, and the 10-year tax holiday approved, the price for Natural gas was one TT dollar. He noted, however, that when the tax holiday came into the effect, the price for gas shot up to TT$14. He said in the absence of a licence, this led to a huge windfall of profit for Atlantic LNG and no returns for Trinidad and Tobago in the form of taxes. To make matters worse, when the 10-year holiday was over, Paul noted that the company suddenly started to experience techni-
cal issues and was shut down for extended periods. “Even production at the fields was shut down for extended revenues and that shortened revenue. So that is just one of the many examples of what can happen in a broken regulatory and governance system and it has caused us immense harm and that has multiplied along the value chain,” expressed Paul. He concluded, “So if you ask me why we are here, I would say to you it is because there was a breakdown in governance.” Paul has since urged Guyana to be extremely mindful of the Trinidad experience as it continues to develop the legislative and regulatory framework for its oil sector. For him, if the fundamentals are not in place, the interest of the people is never served and the sector essentially becomes infected with massive scales of abuse.
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Saskia Persaud, Sharma crowned... From page 22 female category, the opening match saw Akila Mendonca lose to Jaquiza Chase 10 – 7 then Monisha Persaud claimed a victory over Kezia Luke by the same scoreline. The third match had Saskia Persaud pitted against Chase but the former won 10 – 2. The final then saw Monisha Persaud and Saskia Persaud battle for top honours as the latter won 10-4. The third place showdown between Luke and Chase ended in favour of Kezia Luke who won 7 – 1. For the male category, Anish Sharma and Jonathan Robinson contested the first match with Anish winning, 7 – 0. In the match that followed Ridwon Kasim defeated Zico, 7 – 3. The third place match which preceded the final featured Zico and Robinson, which the latter won 7 – 1. In the finale between Sharma and Kasim, Sharma prevailed with a 7 – 3 score line to win the category. The winners and top performers of the Tournament received prizes at a Presentation Ceremony at the conclusion of the event.
From page 24 for Linden are former national Travis Waterton, Kurt Bailey, Dwayne Charles and Keion Bristol. The list from which the Georgetown Club side 45 will have in their team are Lance Wills, Curtis Davis, Freedman Fordyce, James Sullivan and Lance Wills. The second game from 9.00pm will see Linden Over45 being led by former standout national captain and defender Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard, Garfield ‘Snooks’ Shepherd, Eon ‘Axeman’ Wills, and Lennox ‘Grandpa’ Harvey taking the field. Anish Sharma
Tuesday April 26, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Just as a watched pot never boils, so, too, do anxiously awaited checks or letters refuse to arrive in the mail, Aries. Beyond doublechecking that the person or company has your correct address.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You're looking beautiful and feeling passionate, Libra. If only your passions could be reciprocated! Even though there may not be anyone special in your life right now, that's no reason to not treat yourself well.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) No doubt you're feeling attractive and passionate today, Taurus. Don't be surprised if a former lover gets in touch with you to try and rekindle the old flame.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This could be a frustrating day in the romance department, Scorpio. Communication is blocked at all levels. You're anxious to speak with your loved one, but simply can't reach him or her.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) As you get older, you're drawn more and more to spiritual matters, Gemini. It isn't so much that you're embracing any particular religion. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Don't hesitate to try something new today, Cancer. If you've thought about joining a book club or taking a class, do it today! You're likely to meet some interesting people and enter a new social world. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You're likely to feel optimistic and enthusiastic about life today, Leo. You might also feel especially sexy, a feeling you should definitely take advantage of. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today is full of possibilities, Virgo. You could fall in love at first sight, or at least meet someone who captures your interest.
Georgetown, Linden...
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You have certainly felt better than you do today, Sagittarius. We'll pause here while you go and fetch the aspirin. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You could be feeling playful today, Capricorn. Your romantic partner will certainly appreciate your funloving mood. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Don't be surprised if you have a desire to redecorate. The celestial energies have put you in the mood to rearrange your house a bit. Take care to not go overboard, Aquarius. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Be sure to answer all phone calls and open all letters and emails today, Pisces. You're likely to receive some interesting news.
GAICO Grand Prix... From page 23 be played on Saturday April 30th and Sunday May 1st at the Guyana National Stadium. Trophies will be awarded for the best female player in the tournament, as well as the top male and female junior players. Trophies and cash prizes will be offered to the top three finishers in the tournament while medals will be given to 4th to 10th place. The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) wishes to express its gratitude to Gaico Construction and General Services Inc. for their generous sponsorship of the three Grand Prix tournaments. The tournament is being supervised by FIDE-arbiters John Lee, Anand Raghunaught and Irshad Mohamed.
MVP Mentore leads Rising... From page 23 runs for the third wicket with Rose being the aggressor and Lovell playing some elegant drives. When Rose, who made an entertaining 52 from 61 balls with five fours and a six was bowled by pacer Nicholas Hall at 152-2 the Rising Stars suffered a mini-collapse as three wickets fell in the space of two runs. Mentore, bowling medium pace, had skipper Elisha Ramdat (0) caught at deep mid-wicket and Earo Benjamin bowled for a duck, next ball
to be on a hat-trick and leaving the Rising Stars on 156-4 before Lovell and Rakesh Kellawan (3) saw Essequibo to what many thought was a winning total. But that was not to be as the vastly improving Essequibo side slipped to their second loss after losing to Demerara in Essequibo. The other game between Demerara and host Berbice was washed out without a ball being bowled. The competition continues tomorrow.
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GCOS to host anniversary softball competition in May In observance of its sixth anniversary, the Guyana Committee of Services (GCOS) will host a nationwide softball competition in the month of May. The 11-a-side competition is set to attract the leading softball teams in the country
vying for some attractive cash prizes and accompanying trophies. The entrance fee per team is G$10,000 and the champion side is guaranteed G$100,000, while the runner-up will receive G$50,000 and third G$25,000.
According to GCOS member Rajan Tiwari, all teams will be provided with 12 red supreme balls, which is the ball of preference for this tournament. Tiwari said the competition will commence on May 1 in Berbice and will
The Guyana Committee of Services will host a nationwide softball competition next month. (News Room) continue on May 8 at Lusignan, May 15 at GoedFortuin and May 22 at Togetherness Park at Lilliendaal. The final, Tiwari
indicated, will be played a venue to be confirmed. Interested teams are asked to contact Tiwari on 592-6529570 for registration and more
information on the tournament. GCOS is a nonprofit organisation that offers support to athletes and others in need of assistance.
Guyana Committee of Services supports Table Tennis team for SA Youth games
Coach Idi Lewis (L) accepts the vouchers from Linden Jones in the presence of team members. The Guyana Committee of Services (GSC) has supported the Guyana table tennis team which will be competing at the South American Youth games. Linden Jones of the GSC yesterday presented mem-
bers of the team with gift vouchers. Jones congratulated the team and urged them to be good ambassadors. Coach if the team Idi Lewis thanked the Guyana Committee of Services. Those that will be repre-
senting Guyana at Table Tennis are- Jasmine Billingy, Thuraia Thomas, Jonathan Van Lange and Kristian Sahadeo. The Games are billed for April 28 to May 8 in Rosario, Argentina.
Marian Academy Invitational Tennis Tournament...
Saskia Persaud, Sharma crowned champions Marian Academy’s 4th Form Physical Education CSEC Students successfully hosted an Invitational Lawn Tennis Tournament on Saturday April 9, 2022 at the school’s Tennis Court on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown. The Tournament is an SBA Class Project for students preparing for the 2023 examination. The event was declared open by the school’s Principal, Sister Marie Harper, OSU, who congratulated the students’ hard work during the planning stages of the Project in particular the preparation of the Tennis Court. She also expressed confidence in the Project being a success. The Tournament was divided into two categories Male and Females and was played on a knockout format with most of the players coming from Marian Academy. In the (Continued on page 21)
Saskia Persaud
Tuesday April 26, 2022
Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden…
Defending Champion destroy with ‘Swag’
Action between Bullets (red) and Trend Setters in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden edition at the Christianburg Hard-court. Defending champion Swag Entertainment, Bullets, Germans, and Darkside secured contrasting wins, when the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden edition started on Saturday at the Christianburg Hard-court. Holders Swag Entertainment sent an ominous warning to the remaining combatants, dismantling Midas by an 11-0 scoreline. Kendolph Lewis led the rout with a helmet-trick in the seventh, 11th, and a Guinness Goal (GG) (a goal scored in the final three minutes count as two) in the 28th minute. Supporting with a hat-trick was Colwyn Drakes in the fifth and (GG) 29th minute. Chipping in with a double was Renee Chester in the 16th and 21st minutes. Adding goals in the ninth and 17th minutes respectively were Deon Charter and Jermaine Grandison. On the other hand, Bullets
edged Trend Setters 3-2. Donovan Francis, Darrel George and Clifton Halley scored in the ninth, 14th and 26th minutes respectively. For the loser, Keevin Gittens and Carlon Hinds found the back of the net in the fourth and 18th minutes correspondingly. Meanwhile, Darkside edged Coomacka 2-1. Keon Bristol and Kerwin Bethune etched their name on the score sheet in the 14th and 19th minutes respectively and for the loser, Jamal White netted in the sixth minute. Also, Germans squeaked past High Rollers 2-0. Tyriq McAllister recorded a (GG) in the 18th minute. The tournament continues on Thursday at the Silvercity Hardcourt. Complete Results Guinness Goal-(GG)-2 Game-1 Swag Entertainment-11 vs Midas-0 Kendolph Lewis-7th,
11th, and 28th (GG) Colwyn Drakes-5th, and 29th (GG) Renee Chester-16th and 21st Deon Charter-9th Jermaine Grandison-17th Game-2 Bullets-3 vs Trend Setters-2 Bullets Scorer Donovan Francis-9th Darrel George-14th Clifton Halley-26th Trend Setters Scorer Keevin Gittens-4th Carlon Hinds-18th Game-3 Darkside-2 vs Coomacka1 Darkside Scorers Keon Bristol-14th Kerwin Bethune-19th Coomacka Scorer Jamal White-6th Game-4 Germans-2 vs High Rollers-0 Tyriq McAllister-(GG)18th
GAICO Grand Prix: Taffin Khan remains unbeaten Candidate master Taffin Khan is currently in the lead as the second Gaico sponsored Grand Prix Chess Tournament reaches its halfway mark. Khan is one of only two titled players in the tournament which is being contested by 24 participants. He is the only player on 4-points after four rounds of intense competition. Khan has so far defeated Mayas Khan, Frankie Farley, Justino De Silva and Jarell Troyer. The candidate master is the highest rated player in the tournament with a FIDE rating of 2018. As he heads into the final four rounds of com-
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Kaieteur News
Taffin Khan (right) won this match against Jarell Troyer.
petition this Saturday and Sunday unbeaten, he is followed close behind by Loris Nathoo in second place on 3.5 points. Errol Tiwari, Farley and FM Anthony Drayton are in 3rd to 5th place, respectively, all on 3 points. Leading female chess
players as the points stand; Sherlyta Campayne, Pooja Lam, Sasha Shariff, Anaya Lall, Jessica Callender, and Maliha Rajkumar are all on 2 points approaching this weekend’s games. Rounds five to eight will (Continued on page 21)
Guyanese Roberts, Sookdeo set to turn out for Pickwick CC in Barbados Guyanese Keon Roberts and Premchand Sookdeo are set to turn out for Pickwick Cricket Club in the Barbados Cricket Association Division 1 competition. The duo departed Guyana yesterday. Roberts started playing at the Golden Grove Cricket Club before moving to Zeelugt’s Cricket Club, East Bank Essequibo and then to the University of Guyana Trojans team. He is also a member of the Rising Stars Cricket Club where he has been playing for the past six years. Roberts hosted his own cricket competition in August of 2018. He is pleased to be given a chance to ply his trade
Keon Roberts in Barbados. Sookdeo, a right handed opening batsman and useful off-spinner, hails from the village of Clonbrook located on
Premchand Sookdeo the East coast of Demerara. He is a member of the GNIC CC and also played for Clonbrook and East Coast Demerara.
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Tuesday April 26, 2022
Kaieteur News
Magnum Independence Futsal Cup…
Tournament favourites slide through winners’ row It was business as usual when tournament contenders Sparta Boss, Gold is Money, and Back Circle recorded impressive wins on the opening night of the 4th Magnum Independence Futsal Cup on Sunday at the National Park tarmac. Sparta Boss crushed Alexander Village 6-1. Eusi Phillips netted a hat-trick in the sixth, 22nd and 24th minute. Adding goals in the 12th, 15th and 23rd minute were Nicholas MacArthur, Job Caesar and Darron Niles. For the loser, Errol Bacchus netted in the 17th minute. Similarly, Gold is Money mauled Albouystown 6-2. Randolph Wagner scored twice in the 4th and 9th, while Darren Benjamin tallied a double in the 6th and 20th minutes.
Adding goals in the 12th and 16th minutes were Philip Rowley and Jakeel Cadogan respectively. For the losers, Tevin Curry and Raphael Edinborough netted in the 2nd and 15th minutes apiece. Likewise, Back Circle downed Melanie 3-0. David George recorded a double in the 12th and 26th, while Jermaine Beckles scored in the 17th minute. In other results, East Front Road made light work of Avocado Ballers 7-0, whilst Mocha defeated Sophia 3-1, and Showstoppers edged Belfield Warriors 6-5. In the final match of the section, Beterverwagting (BV) defeated Road Warriors 4-3. Action in the event continues tomorrow, Wednesday at the same location. North East La Penitence oppose
Ansa McAl at 19:00hrs, with Alexander Village matching skills with Avocado Ballers from 19:30hrs, and Tiger Bay taking aim at Stabroek Ballers from 20:00hrs. In the fourth clash, Leopold Street face-off with Festival City from 20:30hrs, while Future Stars battle Vengy at 21:00hrs, and Gold is Money lock horns with BV from 21:30hrs and in the final match of the night at 22:00hrs, defending champion Bent Street take centre stage against Agricola. Winner of the event will pocket $700,000, and the championship trophy, with the runnerup walking away with $400,000 and the corresponding accolade. On the other hand, the third and fourth place finishers will pocket $200,000 and $100,000 respectively.
Red Stripe Beer Linden Town Week Football...
Georgetown, Linden Masters clash at MSC tonight A veterans’ rivalry will be featured as the Linden Masters faceoff against their Georgetown counterpart tonight when the Red Stripe tournament begins at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden. This Linden Town week match-ups comes in light of football being a popular game in Linden and will have a
number of players batting to rekindle rivalry of old between the two community based teams. Linden and Georgetown rivalries date back to years of competition and while club football players may have been inactive, the veterans have been playing as they observed the protocols which made them engaging in play.
Bidders outplay Cats and Big Landing to capture $100,000 Linden Town Week Dewars dominoes final
Marlon Washington, who is the PRO of the Masters from Linden, noted that the Masters from Georgetown and Linden were still engaging in unofficial play. However, they are set for a good night’s football where in the first game from 7.00pm the Under45 year players will be on show and among them (Continued on page 21)
Bidders celebrate as Oswald ‘Speedy’ Charles (second from left) hands over the trophy to Jevon Leacock at right. In a strong finish, Bidders with 75 games staved off a surging Big Landing and Cats both finishing on 68, to emerge as champions of the Ansa McAl Trading Inc. sponsored Dewars Linden Town Week dominoes tournament when the final was played Sunday night outside Speedy’s Juice Depot on the Wisroc/ Amelia’s Ward Car Park. But the second place was taken by Cats on the fact that they scored more Fives in this final, after they were level on sixes. The riveting final ended with victory for Bidders, who
led throughout the first four sittings but were pushed to second place on 60 games when the fifth sitting ended, by a rebounding Big Landing who positioned themselves ahead on 63 games as last tournament winners Cats were in third place with 57 games. But Big Landing were held to just five games in that final sitting and guided by Jevon ‘Massive’ Allicock and Ian Bacchus who both marked six games in that final sitting as they pulled away comfortably to reach 75 games, as Cats and Big Landing closed out with 68 games apiece. Allicock for his steady play marked 17 games in the final was adjudged the Player of the Tournament and received the Attorney-at-Law Candacy Welcome Trophy. Tyrone Perry of Cats, later named the Most Valuable Player of the final, played excellent dominoes marking the maximum 18 games in the final but his efforts were in
vain. He collected the Marlon Fields Trophy for winning that award. While Allicock got the top score for Bidders with 17 games, Ian Bacchus marked 14 and Kelvin Hooper 12 for the winners as Big Landing’s Rampersaud also marked 12 games and won the Marlon Fields Trophy for sharing the tournament’s first love in the final. The winners walked away with $100,000 and the Dewars Trophy, while the second place finisher Cats got $50,000 and a trophy and third place finishers $30,000 and also a trophy. Gerry Faucet won the Marlon Fields Trophy for sharing the first ‘love’ of the tournament as June Cummings received the Best Female Player Award. The presentation of prizes was made by organizer of the competition Oswald ‘Speedy’ Charles at the end of the tournament.
NSC Independence 3 stage cycle road race to commence on May 14 The National Sports Commission Independence 3 stage cycle road race is set to pedal off on May 14th at 07:30hrs from Corriverton, Berbice. The first stage will culminate at New Amsterdam, while the second stage will commence at New Amsterdam and proceed to Georgetown on the same day. The third and final stage will begin the following day at Kara Kara, Linden and conclude in
Georgetown. Teams are expected from Suriname, while a number of USA based Guyanese riders are expected to participate. The winner of this event will take home $90,000 and a trophy. The showpiece began in 1983 as an upright event which lasted for three years before racing bikes were introduced. The inaugural winner was Bissoon Pharbudhin of West Demerara; he also won in 1984.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday April 26, 2022
Dave’s West Indian Imports U-15 Inter County cricket
MVP Mentore leads Rising Stars to 4-Wkt win over E’bo By Sean Devers Watched by his dad, Deputy Mayor of Georgetown and former Guyana U19 batter, Alfred Mentore, Jonathon Mentore hit an unbeaten 29 after taking 2-35 to take the Most Valuable Player Award and lead Rising Stars to four wicket win over Essequibo in the second round of the Dave West Indian Imports U15 Inter-County Cricket tournament at Everest yesterday. Set 163 to win after restricting Essequibo to 1624 from 50 overs, Mentore returned with the bat to score a responsible unbeaten 29 from 91 balls with a single boundary, while Hemant Sukhdeo hit two fours in 14 to see the Rising Stars home. A whooping 53 extras contributed to the win as did Arvin Suknanand (27), Keron Phillips (21) and Dravid Manohar, who was
MVP Jonathon Mentore made an unbeaten 29 after taking 2-35 at Everest yesterday. (Sean Devers photo) run out for 15. Varendra Pooran took 215 for Essequibo, who won the toss and elected to bat in overcast conditions on a good track and fast Everest outfield. Essequibo got a 51-run opening stand from 11-yearold Ethon Silas who held up one end with two runs from 76 balls and Omarion Smith who hit three fours in his 85-
ball 29 before the pint size Silas retired hurt suffering from wind pain. When Smith was removed at 60-1 in the 28th over, Nicholas Lovell, the nephew of ex-Guyana pacer Roddy Lovell, joined the powerfully built left-handed Zandon Rose, who got off the mark with a six and together the pair added 94 (Continued on page 19)
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Magnum Independence Futsal Cup… rts o p S
Tournament favourites slide through winners’ row
Action between Sparta Boss (blue) and Alexander Village in the Magnum Independence Futsal Cup at the National Park tarmac.
Taffin Khan (right) won this match against Jarell Troyer.
GAICO Grand Prix: Taffin Khan remains unbeaten Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.