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Wednesday April 27, 2022
Kaieteur News
Gas-to-Energy project can result in chronic hardships for farmers …quality of crops will be impacted – Exxon warns A farmer in his rice field at Canal Number One.
The planned Gas-toEnergy (GTE) project to be built at Wales, West Bank Demerara can result in longterm hardships for farmers within close proximity to the plant and pipeline, as impacts to their agricultural products could extend beyond the construction phase to the operations stage of the facility. This is according to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) compiled by ExxonMobil’s Consultant, the Environmental Resources Management (ERM). Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), an affiliate of Exxon, will be pursuing the pipeline aspect of the venture, which will facilitate the transportation of the gas from the Liza One and Liza Two fields to the Wales facility. The EIA explains that the project’s use of land when construction starts and during the operation stage will reduce access to land for agriculture and other purposes. It added that the loss of access to personal properties can result in temporary and/or permanent economic displacement for people who may depend on these lands for their livelihoods, employment, and/or income-generating activities. This impact will be
A pineapple field in Canal Number Two.
relevant to rice fields, north and south of Crane, West Minister/ Lust-en-Rust rice fields and pineapple and mixed crops in the northern part of Canal Number Two and the south and northern half of Canal Number One. During the construction stage, ERM explained that surface disturbance to facilitate the construction of the pipeline, the Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Plant, ancillary facilities and temporary construction sites will affect several hectares of agricultural land. S p e c i f i c a l l y, 1 6 . 8 2 hectares of active rice farming, 3.08 hectares of active pineapple/mixed crops farming, and 8.25 hectares of inactive sugarcane fields is anticipated to be disturbed. Other surface disturbances is associated with grasslands, shrublands, swamps, bamboo, palm, early successional forests, and other vegetation, much of which is found in overgrown fields, the EIA details. E R M n o t e d , “Combined, the affected rice and pineapple farming areas amount to an estimated 19.89 hectares, representing approximately 14.4 percent of the total surface disturbance during the construction stage. However, if the permanent Continued on page 29
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Kaieteur News
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Glenn Lall knocks Pres. Ali boasts of $50M ‘VISIONLESS’ monthly returns from supply Guyanese leaders boats while Guyana pays s - raps Pres. Ali for focu on minor issues, while ignoring oil sector
Fifty-six years as an independent nation, Guyana remains trapped in a political and ethnic struggle, which has robbed its citizens of the transformation desperately needed to improve their lives. Compounding the situation is the leadership vacuumwith many of the view that our current leaders lack a proper vision for this country. It is of little wonder that the USAID in a recent report concluded that the ruling p a r t y, t h e P e o p l e ’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the opposition coalition the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) need to find a way to form a functioning democracy based on power-sharing rather than a “winner takes all” mentality. This, the USAID said, would ensure that the unprecedented wealth in oil reserves can be transparently and equitably managed for the benefit of all Guyanese. A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e USAID said the transformation of a small country such as Guyana through large oil discoveries will be historic, with some experts referring to Guyana as potentially the “new Qatar or Malaysia” of South America. However, the report said part of the challenge will be to avoid
the “resource curse,” a malady which has left many countries rich in oil and gas resources (such as Angola, Venezuela, Nigeria, and o t h e r s ) w i t h authoritarianism, corruption, and poverty. “The predominant challenge is to wisely manage this new wealth by carefully planning a sensible development strategy, ensuring that w e a l t h i s n o t misappropriated by a few, but shared equitably with the entire population and with future generations of Guyanese. It is against this background, Publisher of the Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall used his Monday evening radio programme The Glenn Lall Show to urge the current crop of leaders to develop a bold and progressive vision for this country. Bemoaning, the lack of a commonsense approach to this nation’s Continued on page 30
One of the supply vessels Guyana is currently paying for.
$300M daily in rental fees
Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, while attending a ceremony on the West Bank of Demerara on Saturday last boasted that every month, Region Three rakes in $50 million when the supply boats come to shore to purchase fruits, vegetables and water from the markets and small shops. This, while Guyana is saddled with a $300 million daily rental bill for the 30 supply boats that service the oil and gas sector. President Ali, while addressing critics of the sector said, “I was speaking to some of the suppliers for the supply boats that goes out to the rig and when
you check what they buy in Region Three, in the markets, in food supplies, water, they spend more than $50 million here every month in the markets, more than $50 million every month, buying produce and supplies for those boats.” He went on to say that such stories are untold while insisting that farmers, small retail stores and supermarkets owners all enjoy the benefits from those sales. The President did not, however, tell his audience that Guyana’s earnings from oil production are being deducted to pay for the supply boats. Presently, Guyana pays about $11 million in rental
fees for each of these vessels. When a simple calculation is done against the 30 boats that service the sector, it amounts to over $300 million. Prominent businessman, Mr. Glenn Lall, the publisher of Kaieteur News, during his Monday evening radio programme addressed the issue of what Guyana has been losing, compared to the miniscule returns the President bragged about. Lall is of the firm view that the Head of State should have been addressing Guyana taking ownership of those boats and renting them to the oil sector, rather Continued on page 30
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 27, 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
Ancient oil laws – why politicians like it like that “Almost seven years later…Guyana has no independent oil sector regulator; archaic laws still in place” (KN April 25). It stands to reason that, with the discovery of one massive oil find after another, the leaders of this country would be moving swiftly and wisely ahead, to have new laws on the books to govern our rich, new oil sector, if only for the compulsory protections needed for this wealth. Additionally, it makes for the best of sense, if not protection from political corruptions, for Guyana already to have firmly in place an independent oil sector regulator body. Modern laws to safeguard us, and a group of credible and incorruptible watchdogs for vigilant attention to what goes on with this newfound wealth, which holds so much for the future of Guyanese. Though it makes sense to us, and represents sturdy in logic and reasoning for many Guyanese, it is both shocking and surprising that this country still goes about its oil wealth without new laws for the sector. The same can be also, since to this day, we are still without a respected, trusted body to stand above the oil and serve as a powerful and feared check and balance against any ambitions and stirrings of graft-ridden politicians and their still greedier cronies to wreak havoc with the profits from the nation’s oil, the arrangements that go into its clean management. It is shocking that leaders in both the former APNU Coalition Government and this current PPP/C Government all say that they are about good governance, that they are aware of the snares that this oil wealth brings, that they want to do the best for all citizens, but deliver nothing protective. To some Guyanese, it is shocking that nothing has been done, besides what amounts to a virtual ‘go slow’to establish an independent Petroleum Commission, because it could offer so much that is positive and protective. But to those who know Guyanese politicians better, this is neither shocking nor surprising for it is part of the games that they play, and are allowed to get away, throughout the years. When they say they are about what is modern and safeguarding, those are nothing but platitudes and pretenses from crafty political leaders, who speak deceptions by the mouthfuls. They do little, but talk and talk with endless promises that they will not keep, until pushed outside their comfort zones. It is why both the former APNU Coalition and this PPP/C Government have dragged their feet on modernising local oil laws. They prefer to keep things the way they are, because what is missing, and glaringly so, provides the perfect covers for the misdeeds that they have practiced for seven long and unmoving years, and which they continue to perpetuate to this day. Guyanese political big shots in both the previous coalition, and this new PPP/C, have made it to their job, their standard, and their right to deal in secrecy, to do dirty hidden deals that cheat the peoples of this country, with this oil. New oil laws could possibly mean new and robust regulations, more openness and with a degree of transparency that is real, and not of the type that they posture about brazenly and shamelessly before the people who put them into power. Further, an independent regulator for this mysterious and magical oil sector, could be a difference-maker in this country’s ceaseless combat with political corruptions in everything touched. We say mysterious and magical because we know so little, and are so far behind, about oil matters; and magical because of the dreams that it inspires in Guyanese, long poor, long tricked and cheated by their leaders. If there is such a group, one that is truly independent, then a start could be made in watching over this oil, and keeping it free (to some extent) from costly political taints. It likely sets a bar for other areas already riddled through and through with political leadership corruptions, no government excepted. Guyana needs new laws and has much use for an independent oil regulator. The sooner we get both the better. The longer we don’t with either, the more PPP/C and APNC+AFC politicians have opportunity to steal us blind.
Outraged at government’s double standard DEAR EDITOR, The residents of Port Mourant are outraged and appalled by the government’s double standards. On the one hand, the Attorney General is reported to have said that it is illegal to encumber the public reserves, inclusive of road shoulders, embankments, pedestrian walks, government reserves and State reserves. But on the other hand, the PPPCcontrolled local authorities and Regions are encouraging illegal occupation of public reserves. A case in point is the noobjections granted for the establishment of a barbershop on the parapets
across from the Port Mourant Health Centre. The residents had petitioned the Johns/Port Mourant Neighbourhood Democratic Council, objecting to the establishment of the barbershop. The residents are not aware of any public hearings by the John/Port Mourant Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) into the establishment of this barbershop. But word is that the NDC, the Regional Democratic Council and Guyana Sugar Corporation have all given no-objections. Public reserves in Port Mourant are now being
authorised (by no-objections rather than formal permits) for creating barbershop chains. Surely, if those concerned have the resources to establish such chains, they can afford to rent commercial business space. But why go to all that trouble when permission can be had to squat on public reserves? What next? Will the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) connect this barbershop to its grid even though it is on a parapet? Will the Guyana Water Inc. provide this ‘squatter’ with access to water? Will the police take action against the young men who
normally assemble near such establishments to molest our young girl children? Will the public health authorities approve of the operations of the barbershop? It is unfair to ask residents to now incur hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees to stop this occupation of a public reserve, a practice which the Attorney General has already deemed as unlawful. The President is hereby requested to investigate this matter, especially in light of allegations that one of his Ministers intervened, on behalf of the barbershop, to facilitate a no-objection. Concerned Citizen
Notice to Concerned Citizens - The Official Gazette DEAR EDITOR, I wish to advise citizens concerned about Government and Governance to make sure members of their circle keep an eye on the weekly and special publications of the Official Gazette. In particular, there should be someone in the circle who reads the LEGAL SUPPLEMENT of the Official
Gazette. In that section Bills to be debated in the National Assembly and to become laws, are published in advance. Executive Orders made under existing laws, by cabinet members and other officials are printed. If everyone must learn to govern, then we all need to know what appears
sometimes only in the Official Gazette. If as a citizen a person needs to know which minister is responsible for a particular ministry, department of state, or subject such as corporations or citizenship, that person should find the information in the legal supplement of the Official Gazette published at the time when ministers were first
appointed and assigned responsibilities. The Official Gazette contains much more than official information like Transports and Mortgages, Bank of Guyana notices, laws receiving presidential approval, and other reliable official information. Regards, Eusi Kwayana
Guyana urgently needs building codes and standards DEAR EDITOR, The PPP/C government has embarked on a building boom that is receiving worldwide attention. Guyanese at home and abroad are excited, and rightly so, about the impending improvement in the quality of life from this building boom. However, there is a hidden danger that can turn the boom into a bust. There are no codes and standards (or contemporary ones) to guide quality and safety. Over the last four decades, there have been sporadic calls, especially after a fire, from groups and individuals (e.g., L. C. Roopnarine, KN May 7, 2021) for the enactment of building codes. Policy makers have not, at least seriously, heeded
these calls. Rather, they lament, usually after public outrage, when public infrastructural works are poorly constructed, and the public is deprived. Codes (building, residential, electrical, fire, plumbing, and so on) and standards embody technical knowledge from contemporary research and years of practical experience. They include a comprehensive set of minimum health, safety and energy standards to protect the public (safety, security, health and costs), and the environment. These codes and standards are essential guides for safe, sustainable and economical design, construction best practices and maintenance of infrastructural works.
Guyana is in a unique position to capitalize on codes and standards developed and used in many countries, especially highincome countries, to quickly establish its own. This requires personnel familiar with current codes and standards, the local environment and state-ofthe-art practices. For example, the International Building Codes (IBC) is popular in the USA. However, each State and its jurisdictions make amendments to some of the IBC clauses to satisfy local conditions, statutes, and practices. Enacted codes and standards via legislation are necessary but not sufficient. One or more organizational structures are required to provide training of
inspectors, architects, contractors and engineers, and empower enforcement. I implore the current Government to earnestly begin the process of developing and enacting codes and standards, provide for the training needs and enable tight enforcement. The success of the fantastic ongoing and planned infrastructural works including the proposed Silica Smart City is threatened by the absence of these codes and standards. The excitement, hopes and dreams of the Guyanese people must not be vanquished by substandard infrastructural works. Regards, Dr. Muniram Budhu Professor Emeritus
Speaking against our own DEAR EDITOR, I am reading of what intensifies in a faraway place, without a sound of protest in this country, and ask myself why this is so. It is what is happening, not for the first time in India, in Mother India, as thoughtful and sincere Guyanese embrace it to be, and for a host of reasons. They are not alone in their studied silence, their subtle separation, since there are so many other areas in this country that reflect our selfishness, insincerities, and possibly core untruths. I read of Muslims in India
made to feel as undesirables, degraded to pariah status, but the good Guyanese who speak so much good about many other good things are curiously quiet. Yes, they (and we) know about the discriminatory and oppression and subjection, but it is never a one-way street, not ever consigned to one group or one place, which is an embedded ingredient of our constant chronic sicknesses. For sure, in India, there are Muslims of high rank and highly favored. Just like in Guyana, where there are those from different
castes and colors who are part of the rainbow of public political persuasion. It would do us well to remember that rainbows make radiant guest appearances then they are gone, matter for little in the bigger predominant picture. It pains me to add something else, but I must: rainbows, no matter how brightly contoured and colored, are usually within a context that is grey with the cloudy, sometimes even the stormy, present now or promised later. I think that my Guyanese brethren should get my drift, though they may pretend at
bafflement. Thus, when we are bright about the positives in India and what is godly and the rest, we do well before man and the divine not to ignore the negatives, distance from them. Using the same standards, I tell my fellows in this society, we must register our conscience and positions when called for against visions, programs, and people that divide us and wound us. PPP followers who are genuine thinkers and truth-seekers must speak out against the corruptions (Continued on page 6)
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Kaieteur News
The class struggle between Guyanese and Trinidadians DEAR EDITOR, To understand the ongoing brutal contretemps between representatives of the Guyanese and Trinidadian business community we need to do so from a class perspective. A significant component of the Guyanese capitalist class of the preindependence era had their genesis in older family businesses who were dominant in the mercantile, timber, saw-milling and mining enterprises as well as the agricultural and services sectors. This component was represented by the Muneshwars, the Sankars, the Raymans, the Baichandeens, the Deygoos/ Boyers, the Thanis and the Kirpalanis, the Tangs, Kwang Hing and Yong Hing, and the Majeeds, among others. They had been competing with, but eventually replaced the Portuguese businessmen including, JP Santos, the Willems, the DeCairies, the Davsons, the Abdelnours,and the Eliases, save for the D’Aguiars in the brewery and rum industries, the Bettencourts in hand bagmaking, the Fernandes, in shipping and land transportation and the Meckdecies in mining and land transportation. They were considered the ‘Old Guard’ of the preindependence business era. Later came a number of Indian nationals including the Mohans, the Bhojwanis, and many others. By that time a new generation of Guyanese businessmen had sprung up, they were heirs of older businesses belonging to the Kissoons, the SeepersaudMarajs, the Alli-Shahs, the Sankars, the Persauds, the Jaikarrans, the Nagar Sawh, the Jaigobins, the Mazahrallis, the Boyer/ Deygoos, the Beepats, the Puris, the Gafoors,and Lysons whose rise to prominence came in the early postindependence era. Some in this new wave of Guyana’s capitalist class took to the manufacturing sector, while others entered into the services sector and wholesale and retail business. But many were birthed when the PPP Government of 1957 -1964 established the first industrial estate at Ruimveldt. This crop of post-independence entrepreneurs ruled the roost for a number of decades. They represented the overweening hubris of the business elite In pre-independent Guyana, the capitalist class was dominated by foreigners including the Booker Group, WM Forgarty, SanbachParker and Weiting and Richter among others. They co-existed with the
nascent local petit bourgeois and entrepreneurial class beginning from the early 1940’s to the mid-1960’s when they were severely routed by the 1962-1964 disturbances. Many, especially the Portuguese business elite fled the country. From the early 1970’s to mid-1980’s, rigged elections, the emergence of a dictatorship who pursued a policy of ownership and control of the commanding heights of the economy squeezed many out of business. The growth and development of market forces in Guyana was stymied during the 1970’s and early 1980’s as a result of the mismanagement of the economy, a heavy debt burden, as well as the marginalization and near destruction of the business community. Compounding what eventually became an economic crisis, was the severe shortage of foreign exchange and the concomitant restrictions imposed on imported goods Under these conditions, many businessmen opted to engage in illicit financial, economic and trade activities claiming it was for the good of the country when in fact it was clearly aimed at blatant profiteering by exploiting the weaknesses of a tottering economy and a corrupt and degenerate political apparatus. The mid-1980’s saw a marked freeing up of market forces when the once faltering economy received a shot in the arm by the then Hoyte administration. Through privatization of a number of state entities and properties, Hoyte sought, on the one hand, to incubate another hue of the business class while on the other, attacking what remained of the Portuguese business community labeling them the ‘Putagee mafia’. When Hoyte’s newly minted businessmen emerged, they opportunistically sought to flaunt their political allegiance unabashedly by establishing Committees for the Reelection of the President (Hoyte) at home and abroad Thus from the 1990’s to 2015 and much later, another genre of Guyanese capitalists had sprung up. Viewed as separate but intersecting components of the Guyanese business class they morphed into a larger body resulting in a tectonic shift in the history and evolution of the business community in Guyana. Each of the intersecting components of this class of people have deep roots in Guyanese society. Further, under conditions of a small
(market) economy, the components, while coexisting side by side and in competition with each other, pursued different economic and specialized interests. At the same time, within the meaning of a small economy, they engaged in mutually reinforcing, business relationships beneficial to each other and to what may be considered ‘national (capitalist) development’ as a whole. As the intersecting components of the Guyanese business class grew vertically and horizontally they differed from each other in financial status. There are those who are rich and those who are super rich. But that notwithstanding, they all have one fundamental objective in mind, to maximize the returns on their investment as quickly as possible irrespective of the size and scope of their financial investments. Seven years later, with the assumption to office by the freely elected PPP/C government, the new administration declared: ‘A new government will reshape its economic agenda with emphasis on social policy. The PPP/C government will do all in its power to promote local business and the develop ment of an economy in which Guyanese businessmen play a significant role. To expand the base of local businesses while at the same time seeking to attract foreign capital’. The PPP/C government went on to state; ‘It will provide generous tax holidays and other incentives to encourage local and foreign entrepreneurs to invest in the development of r e s o u r c e - b a s e d manufacturing industries in all areas.’ Having laid down its economic development policy, the capitalist old guard looking to earn some extra money in the new dispensation, seized the
opportunity to assert themselves, while the new breed of capitalists wasted no time enriching themselves mightily by leveraging a combination of political and social platforms at their disposal. Meanwhile, their Trinidadian counterparts, buoyed by cheap energy and powered by a dynamic oil and gas industry, had consolidated their economic power and political influence in the twin-island republic. They had made significant progress with the support of venture capital in the manufacturing and services sector because of cheap energy. Exports of goods and services accounted for a significant portion of the twin-island’s GDP. The island’s private sector was poised to assume an aggressive role within the CARICOM market flooding the internal markets of Jamaica, Barbados and Guyana with ‘Made in Trinidad’ products and effectively swamping the domestic markets of the Eastern Caribbean countries. Here in Guyana, the business community was woefully lagging behind with reliance solely on bauxite, gold, timber and agricultural exports including rice and sugar. But the Guyanese capitalist class had already lost almost two decades in terms of its growth and development when compared to the rapid development of their counterparts in Trinidad and Tobago. In the meanwhile, another genre of the Guyanese business class had emerged, Their genesis was the middle class, a growing cadre of young professionals and petit bourgeois elements. Many came from rich and super rich families in the mining and farming communities including the rice and sugar industries. I call them the ‘Young Upstarts.’ Afflicted by a ‘grow up at all costs’ mentality, they emerged
Dedicating the month of May for Indian Heritage celebrations is definitely worth it DEAR EDITOR, It is an excellent idea that the Doctor has suggested. This coming month will bring with it Indian Arrival Day- a day of reflection, celebration, and the embracing of our heritage and values, which have guided us thus far for generations. The suggestion that we leverage the occasion to expand upon it to celebrate
the rich history of our people during the month of May is an idea worth pursuing and bringing into fruition. We the Cooperative Republicans of Guyana fully support making the month of May a month dedicated to the in-depth embracing of the legacy of our ancestors and their Indian Heritage. It will provide an opportunity (Continued on page 6)
at a time when oil and gas was discovered in Guyana. It was this group that aggressively challenged their Trinidadian counterparts who they viewed as a threat to their share of the pie as exemplified in Guyana’s oil and gas industry. These ‘Upstarts’ are part of modern capitalism who, for sometime, spend a large portions of their lives on-line and in an era of innovation and opportunity that gives them space allowing them to morph into a physical force impacting policy formulation at the level of cabinet and government as a whole. At the center of this maelstrom is this group of young, wealthy and charismatic business executives who have declared themselves capable of positioning their companies to take advantage of an economy that is rapidly developing. They have demonstrated extraordinary
levels of boldness and ambition and a willingness to bet big as reflected in the US$300M Vreed-en-hoop Shore Base Facility. As Guyana’s economy continues to move at breathtaking speed, the fight for space in Guyana’s oil and gas industry between the Guyanese and Trinidadian business class reached new heights with the passage of the Local Content legislation, and when Spokespersons on behalf of government made statements backing the Upstarts in their fiery resentment and quest to restrict the aggressive inroads by the Trinidadian business class in Guyana’s oil and gas services sector. The class struggle has already manifested itself at CARICOM Heads of Government meetings, it will undoubtedly, reach the confines of the CCJ. Yours faithfully, Clement J. Rohee
Acts of kindness transcend all barriers DEAR EDITOR, The benevolence of the philanthropist businessman, Azruddin Mohamed, like his father, knows no bounds. This time three single parent mothers are beneficiaries of his timely and auspicious intervention in honour of Mother ’s Day
(INews April 26) Such acts of kindness, in Islam’s Blessed Month, moreso in these last ten days, are the hallmark and foundation of the essence of the religion, which transcends all barriers, like the ‘One Guyana’ call. Regards, Shamshun Mohamed
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PARTNERSHIPS IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM DEAR EDITOR, It was most instructive to read of aspects of the Hon. Education Minister’s address to teachers – at the opening of the Guyana Teachers’ Unions second Triennial Delegates’ Conference – reported in the Guyana Chronicle of April 22. Amongst the highlights of the address were the following: - The GTU will not find any resistance from within the Ministry:-…. i. to a voice that is practical, sensible and where it is impartial… ii. the amalgamation and reflection of highly diverse and sometimes contrasting ideas and desires of our teaching force - Important that the Union is recognised as balanced, unbiased and defender of the rights of teachers - Must resist being easily swayed by the objectives and agendas of ‘desperate’ (should be disparate?) groups within the society. The Minister was further reported as committing the Education Ministry to working hand-in-hand with the Union to advance the overall standing of teachers; also that the Ministry and the Union must work in partnership for the securement of a better future for the children of Guyana. The Minister stressed: i)
that the partnership must ensure that teachers receive access to professional development opportunities that align with the needs of educators, and ii) that policies are formulated to advance the empowerment of teachers and their professional practice. The above is perhaps too brief a summary of the articulation of some very critical objectives to be achieved, indeed jointly, by the Ministry and Teachers (significantly represented by their Union). They accordingly deserve to be copied for as wide a circulation as possible to these ‘partners’, one reason being that there was no indication of the size of the attendance. Unfortunately the reporting did not hearken to the theme of ‘partnership’ and thus provide minimal space for the GTU’s President’s remarks - all the more reason for a more substantive recording of the events to be circulated. In processing the above, one could not help but reflect on whether any of the ‘partners’ present could recall memories of the prior Guyana Teachers’ Association, and the respect in which its leaders were held, not only locally, but also throughout the Caribbean. Knowing this generation of stalwarts one could not help wondering
The 2022 Budget also confirms the same ‘colonial’ salary structure:
whether perhaps they would have interpreted the Ministerial exhortations as somewhat pontifical – with the implication that one ‘partner’ was more equal than the other (due for promotion anyhow!) For one thing the Guyana Teachers’ Association would have easily recognised a Grade structure existing since those colonial days. The progression remains as follows: Teacher Aide; Acting Teacher; Pupil Teacher I/II; Temporary Unqualified Teacher; Temporary Qualified Master III/II; Trained Teacher; NonGraduate Senior Assistant Master; Head of Department; Non-Graduate Senior Master;
An unfortunate letter by Kit Nascimento DEAR EDITOR, I read with much concern a letter published in today’s Kaieteur News written by Kit Nascimento calling upon President Ali to mount an inquiry into the, according to him, blatant attempt to rig Elections of March 2020. He named Granger and Harmon. This is unfortunate. From earliest human experience, we tend to deal with the current crisis ignoring the root cause of our difficulties. The people of West Coast Berbice were understandably upset because the media and the Police Top Brass seemed to treat the torture and killing of the Henry cousins as an ordinary murder. Beyond that, we all know that the present environment suggests a general disdain and disrespect for black people. The trauma experienced by the young woman from Corentyne is unacceptable and must be condemned, but Mr. Nascimento has lived in the United States and he must know that people and here I say, black people can take so much and no more. I cannot and dare not
defend Granger and Harmon, but here again Nascimento has already sat in judgment and condemned them., while making little of the low life behaviour in Parliament on the dildo issue by a member of the ruling elite. Go back one hundred years and Kit must remember the Tulsa incident. Today, reading the letters from Vishnu Bisram and others, we get the impression that the descendants of brutalized,,dehumanised of the African slaves are the demons while all others in Guyana are helpless Saints and an emerging team is what was taught in the colonies of centuries, that the Afro Guyanese or black people, were somewhat not born to
be equal by the Creator. This belief could be still alive and well in the minds of those who feel that some of us have no right to fight for our rights as the Europeans have done for centuries. Let me make it clear, I am a dougla and believe that all lives matter and that when our justice legal system seems in favour of others, we have a problem. Is it too late to call upon the President to have an independent inquiry as suggested by Mr. Nascimento and what about the dozens of mainly Afro Guyanese who were slaughtered during the reign of the Black Clothes and no inquest was held? Regards, Nigel Bacchus
Dedicating the month of... From page 5 to enjoy the music, poetry & plays inspired and created by the likes of Kalidasa, our artwork and art forms from throughout the ages, pre colonial classical dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, cuisine representing the different regions of our motherland and so many more aspects
o f t h e r i c h n e s s o f our culture. Yes, dedicating the month of May for the National celebration of our Indian Heritage is definitely worth pursuing and has our full support. Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana
Untrained Graduate Master; Graduate Deputy Head; Graduate Head. What is discouraging is that neither of the ‘Partners’ over these long years has noted the following salary anomalies: a) TS5 (B) $167,653 $181,195 b) TS5 (B1) $164,658 $178,202 c) TS8 (A) $188,315 $206,691 d) TS8 (B) $190,617 $204,399 Then one has to ask how reasonable it is to assign a fixed (SPECIAL) salary to any long term employee – and at the highest level of Principal. It would appear that overall the ‘partnership’ is fixed in concrete. For example, see the widths of the salary scales following in descending order (however erratic):
There could not possibly be ‘resistance’ to such an arrangement that contradicts the ‘granting’ of increments
being comprehensively revamped. There is no question that this arrangement does not in any way compare favourably with any compensation structure in other public sector organisations, even though the teaching profession is expected to, and achieves, targets of producing successful graduates at the respective educational levels – productivity that is ‘literately’ incomparable with any other government agency. Once again therefore, the plea is made for the Teaching Service Commission (umpire to the ‘partnership’) to take a proactive role in improving the working conditions of our fundamental human developers – that are ‘practical, sensible and impartial’ designed by appropriately qualified counterparts, preferably from
within the CARICOM region. The outcome should certainly ‘advance the overall standing of teachers’ (and indeed their
children). In the final analysis there appear substantial grounds
for optimism regarding a very comp r e h e n s i v e p r o f e s s i o n a l collaboration in the restructuring of working conditions that must include a substantive compensation and benefits component. But there are other voices that should be included in these proactive conversations – the Parent/ Teachers’ Associations, for they certainly ‘teach’ if only by example. However, none of the above should overlook the most important contributors to this intensive discussion – the students themselves, possibly the most creative thinkers about the future of education. Let them participate in
relevant essay competitions, and projects that would evoke new dimensions about their development, for the contemplati on of, and promotion by the adult partners who would have provided the related technology. Regards, E.B. John
Speaking against our own... From page 4 that saturate this government and its leaders, some of which involve money, some others about morals, all of principles, or lack of them. Someone told me the other day that ‘yuh can stap dah’ (corruption). I damn the mere expression, the very thought, but will concede that a start must be made, with only limited progress expected to be made. Third, I call upon PNC loyalists to take a stand against the unacceptable, what does not add up, what devastates not only the soundness of this society, but one’s own standing. This has nothing to do with politics,
but one’s understanding of oneself, and our roles in contributing to a better Guyana. I believe that there is a role and a place and a contribution for everyone, and it must be made, be ready to be given. Fourth, to believers, including coreligionists, we must not fear to call things as they are, be they in the places of worship, before leaders, and let the chips fall. They can crumble, or bounce back higher in a more empowering form. Fifth, to the bigots and merely prejudiced, I say the acids and poisons are self-destructive; they eat away like silent stealthy maggots, or powerful
predators at what could strengthen us, help us to remain somewhat anchored on an even keel. Editor, in a nutshell this is my point, my thrust, my objective: we can go on as we are and go nowhere, since we represent nothing of profoundness, but the shallowness of old, stale air. Or, we can be about something, no matter how small in the scheme of things, and stand for something that is about balance, what is broadly beneficial, and what makes better people of all of us. Perhaps, I would assert, even a better 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 Wednesday April 27, 2022
Kaieteur News
It is sad to see that even as Guyana is finally being recognised globally for something positive, its leaders are treating it with disdain. The state of affairs is equivalent to a man physically abusing his wife daily or selling his daughter to receive financial gains. This reality is especially evident in the management of the oil and gas sector.
It seems that the government is so anxious and desperate to make money that it is willing to do so at any cost.
More frustrating, however, is the fact that the country's earnings from the sector remains at an all-time low since the leaders have failed to renegotiate the lopsided contract that was signed with Exxon.
It is high time that Guyanese realise that their leaders are savages disguised as saviours.
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By Kiana Wilburg The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is preparing to loan the Ministry of Education US$27M to support the transformation of the primary education sector which suffered considerable learning losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The loan is also expected to help the country build the required human capital it needs to manage its oil
resources while driving economic growth and diversification. The proposed first operation of the US$27M loan comes with the following objectives: implement student-centered learning pedagogies and 21st-century skills, focusing on vulnerable populations including indigenous peoples, boys, and children with migration background; and improve and expand access to safe and improved
learning environments. To a c h i e v e t h e foregoing, the four components with subcomponents will be executed. Component 1 is titled: Accelerated Learning, Skill Development, and Support for Students at Risk and will cost US$6M. It is divided into two sub-components. Sub-component 1: Accelerated Learning and Skills Development (US$4 million), aims to recover
learning losses while emphasizing the adoption of 21st-century skills. It will finance the design and implementation of accelerated learning programmes through tutoring services and the implementation of a learning platform to bring students back to grade-level based on simplified diagnostic assessments in Math, Language Arts, and Science. It will also fund the training and coaching of teachers in
Wednesday April 27, 2022
student-centered learning pedagogies, socialemotional skills, formative assessment, and strategies for teaching boys. Sub-component is titled: Support for Students at Risk (US$2 million). The objective for this aspect is to ensure students complete their studies and will finance: the development of an “early warning system” for the identification of students at risk of falling behind and needing additional support services; provision of quality educational materials to students and teachers; teacher training to allow them to detect early on any possible learning challenges (related to eyesight and hearing); and training in English as a Secondary
improvements and will cost US$8 million. It aims to ensure a positive learning environment in primary schools, incorporating climate sustainability and resilience criteria (promoting energy and water efficiency, the usage of building materials with low embodied energy, and retrofitting infrastructure to be climate-resilient). It will finance an audit of water and energy availability and usage in schools; the installation and upgrading of potable water systems and power sources following energy and water efficiency criteria in a first group of primary schools; and the construction of new schools. The fourth aspect of the project which will cost US$3M and deals with the
Language (ESL). The second major component of the project speaks to Digital Transformation (US$10 million). This also carries two sub-components. Subcomponent 2.1 Technology integration into Teaching and Learning (US$8 million) aims to strengthen the integration of education technology (including both low-tech and high-tech) into the teaching-learning process. It will finance the expansion of connectivity in a first group of primary schools; provision of laptops, tablets, and other digital resources for teachers, students, and schools, including software; and digital skills training for teachers, school principals, and administrators. Sub-component 2.2: Education Management Information System (EMIS) (US$2 million) is expected t o s u p p o r t t h e implementation of an open EMIS that contains quality administrative data pertaining to schools, students, and teachers as well as school infrastructure and technology. It will pave the way for the provision of hardware in primary schools, training; and technical support. The third major component deals with school infrastructure
implementation and evaluation of the foregoing components along with developing a project coordinating unit and technical assistance for evaluations. PROJECT IMPORTANCE Over the last seven years, the IDB said it observed that Guyana experienced rapid economic growth and transformation, with its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita increasing from US$6,600 in 2019 to US$9,370 in 2021. In 2020, GDP grew by 43.5 percent and is expected to grow by an annual average of 36.2 percent between 2020 and 2023. The financial institution said this economic transformation allows the government to plan and implement longneeded investments in its social sector. But if it is to ensure the country has the required human capital to manage economic growth and diversification, the IDB said the development of Guyana’s human capital has to be prioritised by the government, hence, it believes that the US$27M loan to the Education Ministry is more than justified. The bank was keen to point out some critical findings which underscore Continued on page 28
Wednesday April 27, 2022
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Prefabricated development Guyanese were led to believe that the country’s hosting of the ICC Cricket would jump-start sustained economic development. Citizens were sold the idea that the hosting of the Super 8 segment of the 2007 tournament would bring so much international exposure that tourism was going to take off. Even the Chief Executive Officer of Cricket World Cup 2007, Chris Dehring got into the act. He said that, “Events of this type generate tremendous activity in the economies of the hosting nations.” He pointed to the focus on improving the country’s infrastructure such as road building, the upgrading of hospitals, airports, and general levels of service, which he said all help to facilitate tourism growth as well. The then Minister of Sport, speaking in the National Assembly, highlighted what he saw as the direct and indirect benefits of hosting the tournament. The direct impact, he said was the increased spending in the economy from the hosting of the tournament. The indirect impact is the spending on infrastructure as well as the investment subsequent to the event.
The Jagdeo government was so optimistic about the benefits of hosting the World Cup that it encouraged investments in hotels and accommodation. There was the fear, however, that even with the investments in the construction of hotels there would be a shortfall in rooms. As such, the Local Organising Committee, which received a whopping $650M from NICIL, launched a ‘bed and breakfast’ initiative. Persons were encouraged to upgrade their homes so as to accommodate the influx of tourists. A great many homeowners fell for this hook, line and sinker. They invested huge sums –flats to make them suitable to the standards which were expected of ‘bread and breakfast’ facilities for the tournament. Many of them borrowed from the commercial banks to do this. After the tournament, they were left with debt on their hands. The massive influx of tourists did not materialise. The majority of persons who came stayed at friends and relatives. Cricket World Cup 2007 conjured up a pipe dream of economic take-off. The jump start and the leap forward never happened. In fact between 2007 and 2014, economic growth slowed considerably. In 2008, 2009
and 2010, real GDP growth was half of what it was in 2007. The dream of economic take-off had turned into a fantasy. Cricket is now in the air once again. Guyana has managed to secure hosting the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) finals for the next three years. The people of Guyana has not been told what commitments – financial and otherwise – the government made in order to secure the rights to host the finals for the next three years. But it must have been quite a hefty package of subsidies and sponsorship. And, as with Cricket World Cup 2007, the Guyanese people are being sold the idea that the hosting of the CPL will do wonders for the economy. In fact, there is once again talk about bread and breakfast facilities for the thousands who will be coming to Guyana for the tournament. Just over a week ago, the Ministry of Tourism was requesting expressions of interest for home-stay packages. Well, once bitten, twice shy. Guyanese are not going to make the same mistake as was made in 2007. And so the government is now announcing that it will buy 300 prefabricated homes to accommodate tourists for the tournament. And when
Dem Boys Seh…
Prezzie almost put dem people to sleep De Prezzie gan to London. But he guh with de wrang message. He talking local investment. Dat moment pass. Is time fuh he sing another tune. It is call trade and dat is wat needed from de UK, not investment. Prezzie telling dem investors bout poultry and soya and corn and even locally grown wheat. But dem people nah interested in dem small business. Dem nah interested in Guyana becoming self-sufficient. Dat is fuh we local investors. Not fuh dem big multinationals. Dem looking fuh big deals.
England gat 60 million people and dem nah interested in mekkin any investment in food security or in poultry feed. Dem gat dem eyes pun de oil industry which is where de billions deh. But dem big companies done seal off all dem major deals. Suh dem nah gat much leff fuh dem. Dem wat hear bout big opportunities nat dem small things wah Prezzie went to talk bout. Dat is why when Prezzie did talking some ah dem people did fighting fuh keep dem eyes open. Dem was bored stiff. And if he did
continue yuh might ah hear some snores. Is time Prezzie get some new advisors. Dem wah he gat around he nah much use now fuh he. Dem should ah tell he dat he shoulda talk bout trade between de UK and Guyana. Dat is wat he should be talking bout. Not investment. He should talk visa-free travel fuh Guyanese fuh go to de UK. After all we is now wan oil-producing state. He should be talking bout de UK buying more rice and other things we produce. And stop stealing we nurses. Talk half. Leff half.
the tournament ends, the houses will be sold to poor persons. According to the President, the prefabricated homes will be used during cricket to house people and the revenue from that rental will go as down-payments for poor purchasers. The prime beneficiary of the acquisition of these homes will be the firm or firms building them. The firm or firms will secure a sale of 300 prefabricated buildings. This is likely to cost about two billion dollars. The winners of those contracts will be smiling all the way to the
bank, unlike those who invested in bread and breakfast facilities for Cricket World Cup 2007. But like CWC 2007, the homes will not be fully utilised during the two weeks that the tournament will be held in Guyana. The anticipated influx of tourists will not materialise and those that come will either stay at hotels or at friends and families. But do not tell that to President Irfaan Ali. He is bent on buying these 300 prefabricated homes to house cricket fans and to sell them afterwards to poor people.
It makes you want to laugh. The cricket has become another excuse for misplaced priorities and another spending spree. (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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Wednesday April 27, 2022
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Read Kit Nascimento's KN letter yesterday. You must. You have to C
ome September 2022, wild horses cannot stop me from regurgitating hate for some people I cultivated after the anti-Indian riots in September 2020. Kit Nascimento in a letter in this newspaper yesterday reminded us about the mauling of the little girl and her grandmother in Region Five after two of the biggest leaders in the PNC at the time went there and incited postelection violence. If you are a regular reader of this column, I implore you to read Nascimento's letter. There is an invisible dimension to that letter that this article of mine here will now bring out - it is about monsters roaming this country calling themselves nationalists concerned with good governance, accountability, transparency human rights, anti-racism, rule of law, women rights, rights of the child, parliamentary behaviour, etc.
With the invention of Zoom, people without any knowledge of sociology, history, political economy, philosophy, comparative politics, ethnic studies have suddenly become interviewers. And they cannot ask even one pertinent question. I saw a television interview in which the host had as his guest, Black Pudding Maan. He told his guest that he, Black Pudding Maan, is a fine example of struggle. Well if Black Pudding Maan is a fine example of struggle then Vladimir Putin is the Caucasian version of Nelson Mandela. I saw a television interview with Khemraj Ramjattan in which the host asked not one question about the five years the AFC held state power and the depraved, degenerate behaviour that characterised the AFC's tenure. In fact, the host asked Ramjattan about what he
thinks about this current parliament meeting so infrequently. You can spend dozens of hours probing Ramjattan about the failure of the AFC in government, 2015 – 2020. All kinds of Zoom interviews are on these days. The interviewers have as their guests, people who want good governance, transparency and accountability in government and respect for the constitution and the laws of Guyana. But none of these interviewers are competent and sensible enough to ask their guests where their voices and pen were when innocent humans were being attacked and their houses and vehicles burned in Region Five in September 2020 simply because they were of a certain ethnic make-up. This country has produced terrible humans some of whom live outside so at least they do not dwell among us to infect Guyanese
with the virus that has devoured their souls, minds and hearts, not that they had those precious endowments in the first place. Imagine a young man spent decades witnessing violent hijacking of several national elections in Guyana, saw his colleagues being beaten up and jailed. In 2022, he writes about ethnic riots in British Guiana in 1855 and avoids like the plague, ethnic attacks on Indians that Nascimento described once more in his missive published in yesterday's edition of this newspaper. A woman replies to me to say she is a meaningful shareholder in a newspaper but she cannot intervene with the editor. So the editor can do what he wants? Sorry but that is not the way shareholders see the administration of their companies. This is Guyana for you, a place where the faint-hearted is liable any moment to get cardiac arrest
or apoplexy. The little Guyanese girl who Frederick Kissoon wrote about the ordeal s h e a n d h e r shield to make their mortal grandmother went through in repugnancy. This teenager the Stabroek News of girl must express once more September 12, 2020 has gone how she felt on that fateful back to New York. Her letter day. is titled: “Horror at In doing so, she allows us Hopetown and the good to further expose TLF, TUS people who rescued us,” of and CMC. These are the September 12, 2020. people who are going to write She did not publish her long letters in a certain name for obvious reason. newspaper with 40 Through this page, I once signatures on a dildo asked her to get in contact comment, a Haitian in police with me. I have not heard custody, a man racially from her. If anyone in New accosting a lady but will have York knows this girl who is no moral shame in now 18 years of age, please condemning the perpetrators forward to her my email of violence as Kit ( fredkissoon@yahoo.com ) Nascimento did in his letter and cell number (614-5927) y e s t e r d a y. T h e s e a r e and ask her to make contact monsters that people should with me. hate. I know I hate them. In her disappearance (The views expressed in from the public, she had this article are those of the given the lunatic fringe author and do not (TLF), the usual suspects necessarily reflect the (TUS) and the Creole middle opinions of this newspaper.) class (CMC), a permanent
Wednesday April 27, 2022
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Wednesday April 27, 2022
Local consultancy firm to offer “civility and ethics” training in business
Dr. Astell Collins, the group’s Executive Director
Taking into account the general changes occurring within Guyana’s various sectors and the expected business boom from the country’s lucrative oil sector, local company, Zoywins Consultancy and Training Institute, has added a new subject – ‘Civility and Ethics’ – to its training curriculum. In keeping with today’s Annual World Civility Day, Dr. Astell Collins, the group’s Executive Director said that the new curriculum will be launched as a means of reminding Guyanese about the importance of goods standards and morals that will be
expected of an immerging nation. “Our hope is [that this subject] reawaken the Guyanese society in terms of morals, standards and overall civil behaviour. As well as the understanding, that our partisan politics must not influence our professional conduct.” He told the newspaper that the teachings of civility and ethics remain an important one for Guyana, especially with its determination to become ‘one Guyana’. “Unless we as a nation embrace civility and ethics, our growth will be stagnated because it is a given that ethics is a way of being human. Furthermore, as the current president advocates for one Guyana, there is still evidence in our society of incivility in both the public and private sectors,” Collins opined. He, nonetheless, submitted that the more than 30 year old consultancy decided to add the new subject as a challenge made by the Wo r l d C i v i l i t y S p o k e s m a n , K i n g Okogyeman Kabina Amissah I, Development King of Ekumfi-Kuotukwa in the Kingdom of Ghana, West Africa, during his virtual address at the consultancy’s 26th Annual Administrative Professional Programme last week. “We are proud to see the country of Guyana so involved in civility work. It is great to see the president calling for a unified Guyana. As a voice from world civility, it does my heart good to see a country moving
King Okogyeman Kabina Amissah I, Development King of Ekumfi-Kuotukwa in the Kingdom of Ghana, and world civility spokesperson
in the direction of civility,” the King said. Zoywin is expected to conduct its first Civility and Ethics Workshop in the first week of June. On June 1, last year, Sir Clyde Rivers was officially enthroned as King Okogyeman Kobina Amissah I, Development King of Ekumfi – Kuotukwa in the Kingdom of Ghana, West Africa. He is the acting Representative to the United Nations – New York for the Interfaith Peace-Building Initiative (IPI) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). Rivers is acting Ambassador and the Director of the North American Division of the Golden Rule International and the Spokesperson for Continued on page 16
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 27, 2022
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Motorcycle bandits rob passengers, 3 arrested for illegal guns at New Amsterdam House driver after bus breaks down Three persons, a driver and two passengers, were on Saturday robbed of their belongings by two bandits on a motorcycle after their minibus reportedly “broke down” in the vicinity of the Guyana Football Club located at North Road, Georgetown. Police identified the driver as, Nicholas Samaroo, 31, of East Street, Georgetown and the passengers as a 39-year-old fisherman, Mahindra Ramcobeer of Section ‘N’ Cove & John, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and Cindy Persaud, 23, a housewife of East Street, Georgetown. The three victims, according to police, were attacked by the bandits around 21:00hrs. The victims reportedly told investigators that they had just returned from the Georgetown Jubilee Fun Park located at Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD) when their bus began having mechanical problems. This forced them to stop a short
distance away from the Guyana Football Club. They reportedly stepped out of the vehicle to see what was wrong but while doing so they were attacked by two armed bandits on a motorcycle, one with a handgun and the other with a knife. The victims recalled that the pillion rider stepped off the motorcycle and pointed the gun to them while demanding that they hand over all their valuables. Fearful for their lives, the victims wasted no time in complying with the bandits’ demand. They were relieved of $112,000 in cash, a guess handbag valued $10,000, a blue iPhone 13 Pro Max valued at $340,000, an iPhone 11 valued at $200,000 and a J2 Samsung cellphone worth $26,000. The bandits reportedly escaped with their stolen booty in a western direction along North Road. An investigation is ongoing.
The illegal guns and matching ammunition found in the New Amsterdam house. Two men and a woman were on Monday arrested for the illegal possession of two firearms found in separate bedrooms of a house located at New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six. A police report identified the detained individuals as a 47year-old self-employed woman of Queenstown, New Amsterdam, the owner of the house; a mixed race male welder, 30, from West Canefield, East
Canje Berbice, and a mixed race male farmer, also age 30, of Adelphi Village, East Canje, Berbice. Police arrested the suspects after conducting a search exercise at the woman’s home around 18:15hrs. During the search, ranks discovered two illegal .32 Pistols in the woman’s bedrooms with live matching ammunition. One of the guns was found under a mattress and the other on top of a
wooden vanity. According to police, the two detained men were inside the woman’s home when the guns were located. Police cautioned them of the offences committed and they were all arrested and taken to the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam along with the firearms and ammunitions. Police have stated that all of the suspects have since denied ownership of the weapons. Investigations are ongoing.
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Wednesday April 27, 2022
Coverden man killed in Bagotstown accident Fifty-six-year old Mohan Toolsie of Coverden, East Bank Demerara was on Tuesday killed in an accident on the Bagotstown Public Road, East Bank Demerara. According to a police report, around 07:45 hours on Tuesday, as Toolsie attempted to cross from the eastern to western side of the Bagotstown road, he was struck by motor lorry GZZ 1233, which was being driven by a 25-yearold man of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway. It was reported that the truck was proceeding north along the eastern carriageway when Toolsie
collision, but due to the short distance, the motor lorry collided with Toolsie. Toolsie received injuries to his body and he was pronounced dead at the scene by the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). Further, a breathalyser test was conducted on the driver of the lorry and no trace of alcohol was detected. According to the police, the truck driver remains i n c u s t o d y, a s investigations continue. Toolsie’s body was taken to the Sandy’s Funeral Home where it is awaiting a post mortem examination.
The truck that struck Mohan Toolsie.
disembarked a parked motor pickup, GNN 7019, which was on the eastern carriageway facing south and attempted to cross the carriageway. Toolsie then reportedly
jumped over the concrete median at the centre of both carriageways and ended up in the path of the motor lorry. The police reported that the driver applied brakes to avoid a
Dead, Mohan Toolsie
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 27, 2022
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Amy’s Pomeroon Coffee gets clearance to use GNBS ‘Made in Guyana’ certification mark Amy’s Pomeroon Foods Inc. (APFI), on Tuesday, received its certification under the Guyana National Bureau of Standards’ (GNBS) ‘Made in Guyana’ Certification Mark Programme. This is the second Guyanese company authorised to affix the prestigious mark on its products, GNBS said in a press release Tuesday. Consumers will now see the Certification Mark on the packages of its Regular and Mocha flavoured ground coffee as well as its roasted and green coffee beans. At a certification ceremony held at the c o m p a n y ’s S o u t h R a i l w a y Embankment, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara (ECD) location, Executive Director (ag) of the GNBS, Ms. Ramrattie Karan, highlighted that the Made in Guyana Mark will increase the potential of Amy’s Pomeroon
From left: Head- GNBS Certification Dept. Ms. Andrea Mendonca, Executive Director (AG) Ms. Ramrattie Karan, APFI Operations Manager Tyronne Gravesande, CEO Louis Holder and Salesperson Sammy Abdool. Coffee to access regional and international markets. “The company has proven to be
another patriotic company and we want to encourage you to continue to strive to meet the requirements of
standards and quality…that will allow you to export and not only to serve the local market,” Ms. Karan
noted, according to the GNBS release. The certification is valid for a period of one year and is open to all local manufacturers. Among the requirements to become certified, manufacturers must use at least 60 percent raw materials from Guyana and employ 70 percent Guyanese staff. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the AFPI, Mr. L o u i s H o l d e r, l a u d e d t h e programme as a good step towards promoting local content. He added that “this is indeed prestigious, and I am happy that my company was able to qualify.” Elated to receive the certificate, Operations Manager at AFPI, Mr. Tyronne Gravesande thanked the Bureau for working with his company to accomplish this significant milestone. He said, “I can hardly express in words how Continued on page 28
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday April 27, 2022
Local consultancy firm to offer “civility and ethics” training in business 12
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Wednesday April 27, 2022
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Minister Croal commissions $32.7M water system to boost supply to 800 Monkey Mountain residents Some 800 residents in the remote community of Monkey Mountain, Potaro – Sipuruni (Region Eight) can now boast of improved water supply with the commissioning of a $32.7 million water supply system in the village. On Monday, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal commissioned the facility during which he pointed out that “This signals the fulfillment of our People’s Progressive Party/Civic government to develop all communities. When we speak of development, we also refer to your social upliftment and so the delivery of water to villages such as yours is a necessity.” According to a release from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), the new well was drilled through rocks at a depth of 100 metres in central Monkey Mountain, where the schools and health centre operate. It now provides access to 95
percent of residents. Previously, the community utilised an existing gravity-fed system, which is deteriorated and could not supply adequate water. This system supplied water to the central area, while Section Two, which is approximately 2 kilometres away, has a separate system that pumps water from a nearby creek. Expansion of the new system is currently being explored. “This system belongs to all of you, it is important to the village and as such I ask that you care for it as best as you can,” Minister Croal urged residents in his closing remarks. Community Service Officers will also be trained in water system operation and maintenance to assist in management of the project. Director of Hinterland Services at the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Mr. Ramchand Jailal, further explained Continued on page 21
Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal enjoys water from the new system.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 27, 2022
Building defenses against vaccine-preventable
diseases requires team effort - CARPHA
CARPHA’s Executive Director, Dr. Joy St. John “For years, vaccines have protected children from deadly diseases like polio, measles, rubella, and mumps. These vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, continue to save lives especially today,” stated Dr. Joy St. John, Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency, in observance of Vaccination Week in the Americas 2022. This year, CARPHA joins its public health partners and the rest of the world in observing the 20th Annual Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA 2022) which runs from April 24th to 30th under the theme: “Are You Fully Vaccinated? Get All Your Shots”. The Caribbean is the world leader in this regard, as the first region to eliminate measles. In 1971, smallpox was successfully eradicated from the Caribbean, followed by the eradication of polio in 1994, and rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in 2015. Caribbean countries have applied high standards in the delivery of vaccination programmes to eliminate diseases that cause d e a t h a n d d i s a b i l i t y. However, “if we fall behind in our programmes, we run the risk of recurrence of measles and other previously eradicated diseases like polio. More people are likely to get sick with vaccine preventable diseases, thus increasing the burden on the healthcare systems,” CARPHA noted in a release. To maintain community protection, it added, Ministries of Health should
continue their routine vaccine coverage. This will ensure that a person completes their vaccination schedule in the shortest possible time frame for effective protection. /Continued vigilance is important, and general practitioners should remain alert and prepared to take appropriate actions in suspected cases of vaccinepreventable diseases./ Although a large percentage of persons in the Caribbean and countries of the Americas have been vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, many still remain unvaccinated. As such, CARPHA asserted that “The COVID19 vaccines are our best protection against severe illness and death caused by this virus, and greater effort must be made to achieve maximum coverage so that economies can resume activity with the least disruption due to COVID19. “ M oreover, building defenses against vaccinepreventable diseases requires a team effort, and “each and every one of us is an integral part of that defense. Let us do our part to keep our loved ones safe. Let us sound the call for action to encourage persons who are not fully vaccinated, to get all their vaccines; to ensure our young and old loved ones are vaccinated; and that no one suffers or dies from a vaccinepreventable disease.” Since it is more cost effective to prevent than to treat a disease, CARPHA’s advice is: “Act Now, Get All Your Shots!”
Wednesday April 27, 2022
Kaieteur News
Gunmen snatch phones from engineer, manager on Hadfield Street
T
wo friends on Monday had their cell phones snatched by gunmen on a motorcycle while greeting each other on Hadfield Street Georgetown. Police identified them as a 30-year-old aeronautical engineer and a 54-year-old business manager. The men lost their cell phones around 20:50hrs, an iPhone 7 valued at $65,000 and a Samsung Galaxy A2 valued at $42,000. According to police, the engineer had gone to visit his girlfriend who resides at Hadfield Street. He reportedly parked his car in front of her home and she joined him inside the vehicle to chat. D u r i n g t h e i r conversation, the engineer reportedly saw his friend, the business manager, riding past on his motorcycle. The engineer reportedly hailed him up and the manager stopped to greet him but while greeting each other, they noticed two men parking their motorcycle a short distance away from them. Police reported that
the men walked up to the manager and one of them pointed a handgun at him while the other snatched his cell phone. Upon seeing this, the engineer stepped out of the car to help his friend but was attacked by the gunmen and had his phone snatched too. After robbing the friends,
the bandits ran to their motorcycle and rode away. The friends reported the matter to police and the engineer was successful in tracking his iPhone to a house located in Albouystown but when they got there no one was home. Investigations are ongoing.
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Map showing the location of the three latest discoveries in the Stabroek Block.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 27, 2022
ExxonMobil makes three more discoveries in Stabroek Block - increases reserve estimate to nearly 11B barrels
E
xxonMobil Corporation made three new discoveries offshore Guyana following which, it increased its estimate of the recoverable resource for the Stabroek Block to nearly 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels. In a missive to the media on Tuesday, the company said the three discoveries are southeast of the Liza and
Payara developments. Expounding on the discoveries made, it said the Barreleye-1 well encountered approximately 230 feet (70 metres) of hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone and was drilled in 3,840 feet (1,170 metres) of water. It noted too that drilling at Patwa-1 encountered 108 feet (33 metres) of hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone and was conducted in 6,315 feet (1,925 metres) of water while the Lukanani-1 well encountered 115 feet (35 metres) of hydrocarbonbearing sandstone and was drilled in a water depth of 4,068 feet (1,240 metres). Operations are ongoing at Barreleye-1 and Lukanani-1. “These discoveries and the updated resource estimate increase the confidence we have in our ambitious exploration strategy for the Stabroek Block and will help to inform our future development plans for the southeast part of the block,” said Liam Mallon, President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company. He added, “ExxonMobil remains committed to delivering value at an accelerated pace to the people of Guyana, our partners and shareholders and reliably supplying affordable energy to meet increasing demand around the world.” Chief Executive Officer of Hess Corporation, John Hess also commented on the exciting news as he said, “These new discoveries further demonstrate the extraordinary resource density of the Stabroek Block and will underpin our queue of future development opportunities. We l o o k f o r w a r d t o continuing to work with the Government of Guyana and our partners to realise the remarkable potential of this world class resource for the benefit of all stakeholders.” The Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Natural Resources also welcomed the continued success of exploration and discovery work by Exxon and its partners, Hess and CNOOC, within the Stabroek Block. Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat stated that the new discoveries add to Guyana’s
growing legacy as an oilproducing and exporting nation with ‘medium sweet crude.’ He believes the resource will catalyse President Irfaan Ali’s mission to realise a higher standard of living and better quality of life for all Guyanese. “The Government of Guyana remains vigilant and committed to ensuring the b e n e f i t s o f G u y a n a ’s petroleum resources benefit all Guyanese paving the way for a thriving future for generations ahead,” said Minister Bharrat. Furthermore, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Government of Guyana welcome these three new discoveries offshore Guyana, totaling 31 discoveries within the Stabroek Block and 36 discoveries overall, which will strengthen Guyana as a petroleum-producing country, while at the same time be guided by good i n t e r n a tional oil field practices for effective and efficient governance. At the moment, ExxonMobil has four sanctioned projects offshore Guyana. Liza Phase 1 is producing approximately 130,000 barrels per day using the Liza Destiny floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. Liza Phase 2, which started production in February, is steadily ramping up to its capacity of 220,000 barrels per day using the Liza Unity FPSO. The third project, Payara, is expected to produce 220,000 barrels per day; and construction on its production vessel, the Prosperity FPSO, is running approximately five months ahead of schedule with startup likely before year-end 2023. The fourth project, Yellowtail, is expected to produce 250,000 barrels per day when the ONE GUYANA FPSO comes online in 2025. G u y a n a ’s S t a b r o e k Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator and holds 45 percent interest in the Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.
Wednesday April 27, 2022
Kaieteur News
Nigeria recorded over 4,000 oil spill cases in six years Oil spills are inevitable and they are quite costly and damaging to the environment. An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon or distilled products into the environment, especially the marine ecosystem. Nigeria, one of the largest oil producers in the world has seen its fair share of oil disasters. In fact, for the period 2015 to 2021, the country recorded a total of 4,486 oil spill cases which was caused by sabotage and equipment failure. This is according to recent data from the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). According to an INSIGHT article, the oil spill cases are equivalent to 38.5 million litres of crude loss, which represents an average of about 62 cases and 3,362 barrels of oil spills every month. It was reported that in the six years, sabotage, equipment failure, corrosion, and operational/maintenance errors were major causes of oil spills in Nigeria. It was reported that the highest incidents of oil spills were caused by sabotage – in which 201,025 barrels were spilt, from 3,299 incidents. Sabotage is of course the deliberate destruction of pipelines used in conveying the crude oil. Moreover, equipment failure issues caused the second-highest number of oil spills with 26,912 barrels from 442 cases, while corrosion (deterioration of facilities) caused 291 cases, which resulted in 4,466 barrels of the oil spills. Further, unstated issues accounted for 273 cases; maintenance error caused 109 cases, resulting in 3,733 barrels of oil spills, while the cause of 72 cases of oil leaks is yet to be ascertained. According to the report,
the reason behind the spillage of 4,378 barrels of oil was not yet determined by the agency, while the cause of incidents culminating in 1,679 barrels of crude oil loss was unspecified. Oil spill incidents occurred 921 times in 2015, resulting in a loss of 47,714 barrels of oil, the highest within the period under review. In 2016, 688 cases of oil spills occurred, culminating in a volume of 42,744 barrels of oil. In 2017 and 2018, 596 and 706 cases of oil spills occurred and resulted in the spillage of 34,887 and 27,985 barrels of oil, respectively. Oil spills occurred on 732 occasions, spewing 41,381 barrels of oil in 2019, and 455 cases were recorded in 2020 with 23,526 barrels of oil. In 2021, companies reported 388 incidents, resulting in 23,956 barrels of oil. The present administration had pledged to ensure compliance with policies and measures to halt the pollution of rivers and waterways in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country. According to the data, oil spills occurred in 16 states, including the federal capital territory (FCT), during the period under review. The states include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Kogi, Lagos, Ondo, Rivers, Bauchi, Ogun, Niger, and Zamfara. The five-highest cases of oil spills occurred in the Niger Delta region — Rivers (1408), Bayelsa (1028), Delta (862), Akwa Ibom (305), and Imo (101) — in the six years. It culminated in about 82 per cent of the total oil spill incidents in the affected states. Some oil spill incidents affected multiple states, according to NOSDRA. According to INSIGHT,
Minister Croal commissions... From page 17 that the new well is equipped with a photovoltaic pumping system, with a submersible pump, controller, solar panels and accessories. The project was completed by R. Kissoon Contracting Services. Other works included installation of 3000 metres of 50mm (2") polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes and 1000 metres of 19mm (3/4") pipes with 80 service connections. A reinforced concrete base was also constructed to accommodate four No. 450-gallon storage tanks and galvanised chain-link fence around the well and photovoltaic system. Overall, Region Eight is slated to benefit from major investment in the water sector, as the Minister noted, that the government aims to increase coverage from 60 percent to 80 percent over the next few years. Regional Chairman, Mr. Headley Pio, Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Louis Kilkenny and representative of the contracting service, Mr. Rudranauth Roopdeo were also at the commissioning.
the data is based on the paper records of joint investigation visits (JIVs), and it is “updated on an ongoing basis”. NOSDRA noted that there are concerns about regulatory compliance relating to the reporting and clean-up of oil spills by the companies responsible. Despite the promises, oil spills have continued to threaten the sanctity of the ecosystem, especially in the Niger Delta — pervading lands, mangroves, creeks, and rivers.
A Nigerian showing the oil that contaminated their environment. [Photo credit, The Economist]
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Kaieteur News
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Wednesday April 27, 2022
Amerindians seeking increased involvement in LCDS discussions
Guyana’s LCDS sets a vision for inclusive, sustainable development, while simultaneously maintaining the country’s forests, about 85 percent of the country’s territory.
Indigenous leaders are calling on government to ensure that they are involved in draft Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) discussions to mitigate any impacts that may arise. The community is adamant that government must also assist through budget allocations to ensure that work continues in protecting the general rights of Amerindians. A missive from the A m e r i n d i a n P e o p l e ’s Association (APA) stated that over 30 Indigenous leaders and representatives from across Guyana had recently participated in a five-day workshop focusing on the Draft Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 and revision of the Amerindian Act. One of the key recommendations from the consultations was to have allocations in the next national budget to cater for revision work to continue. The APA said that two budgets have passed, and no allocations were made for Indigenous groups to continue work as to how the strategy impacts the Amerindian Act and whether it is strong enough to guarantee the rights of the nation’s First People. APA said that, “the government continues to finalise policy development in mining, forestry, and the larger Low Carbon Development Strategy ( L C D S ) , w h i c h encompasses general policy, programme and project d e v e l o p m e n t . Unfortunately, there has not been much opportunity for effective participation and inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in these developments.” Acknowledging hindrances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the A PA s a i d t h a t t h e s e hindrances, “did not prevent policymakers from making critical national decisions impacting Indigenous Peoples despite several concerns raised, including the ineffectiveness of the Amerindian Act 2006 to respond to the rights issues and needs of Indigenous Peoples in Guyana.” In its recommendation document, the APA noted that, “The Government must always respect our rights to consultation, participation, and free, prior, and informed consent (“FPIC”) as well as our rights to lands, territories, and resources.
We consider that our rights to consultation, participation, and FPIC, have already been violated, because the Government has published this Draft LCDS since October 2021 but is only now thinking about consultations with indigenous peoples. We have a right to be consulted and provide inputs at the very inception of any strategy being considered for national development.” Apart from funds to ascertain the effects of LCDS on Amerindian rights, Indigenous groups also want government to allocate funds to villages to prepare for land titling, including mapping work and completion of intervillage boundary agreements. This funding should also support the training of technical persons to support communities in these processes and, “… expedite the land titling process. There should be a maximum of a one-year time period to investigate and decide upon land title/extension applications,” the first peoples’ Association insisted. The recent workshop was set for groups to understand and analyse the government’s draft Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and how it impacts the rights of Indigenous Peoples and opportunities for the mitigation of these impacts. And to build the capacity of resource persons from the regions and representatives of various Indigenous Peoples’ organisations in understanding what effective legislation for Indigenous Peoples could look like. The workshop also took into account summary recommendations made in favour of the revision of the Amerindian Act and what ideal legislation can contain for effective protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Guyana. The workshop is also the latest step the Indigenous Peoples’ organisations have taken towards having the Amerindian Act revised. In March 2017, the APA and the National Toshaos Council (NTC) jointly jumpstarted a national revision process of the Amerindian Act 2006 by having a three-day activity in which several indigenous grassroots organisations Continued on page 28
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 27, 2022
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Knife bandits rob woman of cellphone charger A Linden woman on Tuesday was robbed of her cellphone and her cellphone charger by two knife bandits at the old Footstep Store in the vicinity of Croal Street, Georgetown.
The victim, according to police, is a self-employed woman, Nathalie Williams, 33, of Lot 204 Wisroc Housing Scheme, Linden, Region 10. It was reported that Williams
was attacked by bandits at 04:00hrs. The report stated that the victim was standing in-front of her footstep store when she was approached by the two bandits –
one armed with a double-blade knife. The victim told police that the bandit pointed the knife at her and robbed her. She was relieved of a cell-phone and a charger, a total value of G$18,500.
After robbing the woman, the suspects escaped in an eastern direction along Croal Street. Checks were made by police for the bandits but they remain at large. An investigation is ongoing.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 27, 2022
Public schools back in full operation After being closed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Monday, public schools fully reopened their doors to children across Guyana. Over the next week, pupils in every grade will be returning to the classroom for face-to-face engagement. Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel
Hutson visited several schools around Georgetown. His first stop was at Queen’s College. The education official stated that the reopening of school is an exciting moment for both the students and the ministry. He noted that all studies have shown that the longer schools are closed, the greater the
learning loss would be. “The literature is very clear that face to face education, nothing beats that, and we expect our children to settle in nicely and to do well. We have had a phased reopening because we did not want to create any confusion, and so we wanted to watch and assess the situation.” He also noted that the Ministry is continuing Operation Recovery to ensure those pupils who have dropped out of school as a result of the pandemic are returned to the school system. As schools reopen, the Ministry of Education remains committed to ensure each child receives the education they rightly deserve in a safe and conducive environment. “We recognise that we are not out of the woods as they would say, and so schools are still required to wear the face masks, wash their hands and use sanitisers. So, all necessary precautions still will be made in terms of the safety and security of all
Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson students.” Pupils in Nursery Year Two, Grades Five, Six, Nine, 10, 11 and 12 on Monday returned to face-to-face engagement. On Thursday, Grades Three, Four and Eight are expected to return to school. On Tuesday, pupils in Nursery Year One, Grades One, Two and Seven were slated to return to the classroom.
Pupils in the classroom.
Wednesday April 27, 2022
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 27, 2022
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Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 27, 2022
Amerindians seeking increased involvement...
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From page 22 participated and agreed that the revision of the Act is critical in order to protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. “Between 2017 and now, there has been continuous work among Indigenous Peoples organisations and District Councils, including PROPERTY FOR SALE the APA, towards the revision of the Act.” In Second Field South, West, December 2020, a jointCummingslodge.Tel:603- strategy meeting was 1278. convened to discuss collective actions to develop a proposal on engaging the new government on the next steps in the revision of the Act. However, the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, though LAND FOR SALE invited, did not attend the event, the APA missive Land and Building for disclosed. sale,40ftx94ft.Le Ress ouv enir Main Public Road. Call: 645-1613.
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process.” The Indigenous People are nonetheless looking forward to a response from government based on the recent recommendations made. The recent workshop was facilitated by the APA with funding from the International and Tenure Facility and NORAD. Additional technical support was provided by the Forest Peoples Programme and the Rainforest Foundation US.
Participants involved the Upper Mazaruni District Council, the South Rupununi District Council, the Moruca District Council, North Pakaraimas District Council (NPDC) Region Eight; North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB), Kanuku Mountain Community Resource Group (KMCRG), the National Toshaos Council and other Indigenous resource persons.
Amy’s Pomeroon Coffee gets clearance...
From page 15 proud we are as Amy’s Pomeroon Foods Inc. to receive this Made in Guyana Mark. I can assure you that we will try to maintain a higher standard and keep it to the standard GNBS is expecting from us.” The Made in VACANCY Guyana Certification Mark Accounts Clerk with knowl- was unveiled by First Lady edge of Quickbooks & ac- Arya Ali at the GNBS’ counting experience. Passport size picture required 6092995,email:survival. human From page 8 resources@gmail.com. the need for timely Inventory Clerks.Apply with interventions such as the said passport size photo.Tel:609- loan. It noted for example, that 2995,email:survival. human student learning outcomes resources@gmail.com. are low and unequal in Drivers.Valid drivers license Guyana. In this regard, the (With Motor Lorry & Van). financial institution explained Apply with passport size pic- that national assessment data ture. Tel:609-2995, email: sur- show that among fourthvival. human resources @ gm graders for example, 42 percent do not meet the ail.com. standards for English and 37 Poultry/Livestock Farmers. percent don’t meet Live in accommodations Mathematics standards. available.Tel:609-2995.Canal It pointed out too, that #2 W.B.D & Linden access to education is Soesdyke Highway. unequal and low in secondary Lash,Nail Technician & education. On this front, the Mani-Pedicurist.Must be IDB said the net enrolment English literate. Contact: Reign L.A.B on 643-5855. Vacancy for 2 experienced hairdresser.Location Grove E.B.D,Tel:652-5800.
National Quality Awards Ceremony in October 2021. It is a registered Mark that aims to provide recognition to locally manufactured products on the local and international markets and is a signature of quality for authentic Guyanese Products. The Made in Guyana Certification will be monitored through
surveillance visits by the GNBS to ensure the approved quality is maintained. Applications are open for local manufacturers interested in getting their products certified. To get onboard, business owners can contact the Certification Services Department on 2190064-66 or email certification@gnbsgy.org.
IDB to loan Education Ministry US$27M...
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A m e r i n d i a n representatives will, nonetheless, impart workshop findings and recommendations back to their villages. “This will prepare villages and district councils to participate effectively in policy development and project implementation and monitoring, ensuring that the right to Free, Prior, Informed Consent (FPIC) is respected through any developmental
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rate in primary education is 92 percent, consistent with the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region’s 94.5 percent. The completion rate for primary education is also high at 93 percent. Despite these achievements, the ministry’s data show that children in the Hinterland Regions of One, Two, Eight and 10 have the highest outof-school rate with 2.8 percent, 3.6 percent, 5.8 percent, and 2.9 percent respectively. At the secondary level, the net enrolment falls to 61 percent, which is low compared to LAC’s average of 74.5
percent. The IDB said in its project analysis that overall, the main challenge Guyana faces in developing its human capital is the unequal delivery of educational services across regions. It said these challenges were further exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic in which 183,000 students did not attend school for nearly two years. Schools only reopened this month. It is hoped that the US$27M would help to improve the foregoing state of affairs.
Wednesday April 27, 2022
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Kaieteur News
Agri. Ministry inks $650M contract for pump station at Canal No.1 Out of the $1,093,369,617 in contracts signed by the Ministry of Agriculture on Tuesday, more than half was inked for the construction of a pump station at Canal No. 1, West Bank of Demerara (WBD). This was revealed on Tuesday during the signing of 20 contracts, the Ministry had with six of its agencies – the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA), the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority NDIA at its Regent Street office. Overseeing the signing of contracts was Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha who told the contractors that these works are very critical for the upliftment of the sector and that they should work to the project’s specifications and finish on time. “So this year is very important and critical for us and I want to urge contractors that we will not extend the time, last year we have had some contractor problems with contracts, let us hope that we correct those problems and get the work done quickly and on time,” Mustapha said. At the Ministry’s boardroom, NDIA signed six contracts with the largest being the contract for the pump station. This $650,074,684 contract was awarded to Well Built Construction Services and the project is set to benefit approximately 3,000 acres of residential and farmlands for cash crops and permanent crops in the Canal No. 1 area. The other NDIA contracts were repairs to steel sheet pile revetment
Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha alongside the contractors Scenes from the contract signing ceremony at the Ministry’s office.
at Hubu Sluice, East Bank Essequibo, which was inked to Av i n a s h Contracting & Scrap Metal Inc. to the tune of $34,467,000; drainage and irrigation works at Good Intent, West Bank Demerara which was awarded to BDE Recycling for $34,287,200; rehabilitation of drainage culverts at Bartica which was given to BDE Recycling to the sum of $46,400,200; rehabilitation of drainage culverts in Diamond which was awarded to NP Investment for $17,200,540, and the Construction of concrete bridges at Mahaica. This contract has been divided into three lots and was awarded to N & S General Engineering and Contracting for $24,990,150,
and I &R which will be doing Lot two and three for $56,684,228. The GMC signed one contract and this is for the retrofitting of agro processing equipment for Charity, Region Two. This contract
was given to Guybiz Establishment to the tune of $19,371,100. MMA signed one contract with Meditron Inc. to the tune of $4,794,011 and this is for the provision and installation of equipment at MMA/ADA
Seed Processing Facility. The Ministry signed one contract as well and this is for security services for four of its locations. Sheriff Security Service will provide the services to the tune of $28,492,800. The GRDB signed contracts with five contractors and this will see the construction of drying floor at Somerset, Region Two. The contract was awarded to Yudhisthir Seecharan Contracting & General Supplies for $17,117,520. Minister Mustapha had explained that “dry floors are very critical for us around the country because many times people tend to throw their paddy on the public road. You have conflict between
Gas-to-Energy project can result in... From page 2 onshore pipeline (Right of Way) RoW (discussed below for the Operations stage) is excluded, the temporary construction areas will remove access to 11.29 hectares of existing rice fields, and 2.64 hectares of pineapple/mixed crops.” The Consultant said that even though the pipeline could affect current livelihoods, the total number of land users who would be affected is unknown and the degree of dependency on agricultural activities is also unknown. The environmental impact assessment goes on to say, “For the mixed crops identified south of the proposed NGL Plant and heavy haul road, the potential loss of access to croplands resulting from physical
displacement would be more significant, and could result in chronic hardship for affected farmers.” Similarly, at or near the NGL Plant site, the loss of lands used for subsistence sugarcane farming and cattle grazing could also amount to economic displacement for affected farmers. Temporary construction areas will be restored to preconstruction condition, but the change will persist for more than a year and is therefore considered “continuous and long-term” in the EIA. Near the proposed NGL Plant, which is to be constructed by the government at Wales, impacts to a section of mixed crops south of the proposed NGL Plant and heavy haul road,
and possible sugarcane and grazing areas in/near to the NGL Plant footprint are also likely. To this end, the EIA said that such changes could affect farmers’ ability to engage in their current livelihood(s) at the same level of productivity. Beyond the construction phase, farmers can brace for additional impacts as their overall quality of produce can be reduced. The document says that, “the Project could also result in a change in the quality of agricultural crops harvested from the Primary Study Area. This could result as an indirect effect of dust deposition during the construction stage, which could conceivably extend beyond the project footprint to affect adjacent areas.”
The EIA said that construction activities could generate dust through vegetation clearing, earthworks, and movement of equipment and vehicles on unpaved surfaces. Dust emissions from construction areas could be deposited on nearby crops, and could adversely affect crop growth or productivity. ERM noted that dust levels will be actively monitored so that additional dust management measures can be implemented if required. “Timely revegetation of disturbed areas will also be implemented following construction; success of revegetation efforts will also be monitored. Based on the result of dust monitoring during onshore pipeline construction,
additional mitigations will be developed, as needed,” EEPGL outlines. The developer has pledged to support the government to develop and implement a Resettlement and Livelihood Restoration Strategy aligned with “international standards”. The project 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
motorist and farmers, you have conflict between farmers and pedestrian, so we are looking to implement these dry floors for farmers.” The GRDB is also looking to construct an insectary at Burma Rice Research Station in Region Five. Manohar Services will be building the facility to the tune of $23,151,906. Contracts under this agency were also awarded for the construction of an all-weather road at Burma Rice Station pegged at $26,038,158 and this was given to VR Construction Inc.; supply, delivery, installation and commission of one 10-ton seed paddy dryer and pre-cleaner at Black Bush Polder, which was awarded to SuperBrix for $46,303,320, and the supply, delivery and demonstration of one agricultural drone for Burma Rice Station which was inked to Guydrones to the sum of $7,387,200. It was noted that the drone will enhance the management of pesticides like paddy bugs, optimize field management and disperse weed controls or fertilizers. Lastly, the NAREI will be constructing a number of shade houses for Mon Repos, Agri. Investment and Expo. These contracts were awarded to RP Construction for 12 houses at $20,970,000, J & A Lumber Yard and Contracting Service for eight houses at $12,734,800, and BAC Suppliers and Fumigation Service for eight houses at $12,734,800. Modern Agri. also inked a contract with the agency for the supply and delivery of drip tapes, UV plastics and UV shade cloth for 30 shade houses. This is to the tune of $10,170,000.
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Kaieteur News
Miner disappears after leaving shop Family members of an Essequibo man, who reportedly disappeared on Friday, April 15, last, are worried that he might be dead after receiving a chilling phone call. Reported missing is Noel Anthony Fredricks, 27, a miner of Mainstay/Whyaka Village, Essequibo, Region Two. According Police, at the time Fredricks disappeared, he was employed at a mining camp located at Toroparu Backdam, Lower Puruni River, Region Seven On Thursday, April 14, last, he left the camp around 17:30hrs. Fredricks was later seen at a shop located at the backdam’s landing imbibing. The miner left that shop in the company of another man around 03:00hrs the following morning and was not seen again. After his co-workers did
not see him an alarm was raised. Family members too became worried because it was unlike him to move to another location without making contact. However, it was a phone call that terrified his relatives. According to them, someone had called and related that “rumours are going around that Fredricks was dead and buried.” A report was made to police and ranks have been dispatched to the area to conduct an investigation and look for the missing man. Police described him as a “fair skin” Amerindian man with long black hair who was last seen wearing a white jersey and a pair of blue jeans. Anyone who might have information about his whereabouts can contact police.
Wednesday April 27, 2022
10 out of 19 new COVID-19 cases recorded in Region 9 After reporting four cases on Monday, the Ministry of Health on Tuesday revealed that within the last assessed 24-hour period, 19 new cases were recorded in the country with the majority emanating out of Region Nine. The new infections have brought the total number of confirmed cases to 63,439. The cases were detected in Region Four which recorded six cases, Region Three which
recorded three and Region Nine which recorded10. According to the Ministry’s data, 13 of the cases are men and six are women. The dashboard data shows that one person is hospitalised, 96 are in home isolation and 19 are in institutional quarantined. To date, a total of 62,114 persons have recovered from the virus.
Missing miner, Noel Anthony Fredricks.
El Salvador anti-gang measures ‘a success’ as 17,000 held
(BBC NEWS) El Salvador’s defence minister has praised the extension by Congress of emergency measures which he says are having a “positive” effect in the battle against rampant gang violence. René Merino said that more than 17,000 suspected gang members had been arrested since the state of emergency was declared a month ago. On Sunday, Congress extended the measure by another 30 days. It came into force on 27 March after 62 people were murdered in one day. The emergency measures have been controversial as they limit some constitutional rights, such as allowing the security forces to arrest suspects without a warrant. The sentences for convicted gang members have also been raised to a maximum of 45 years in jail. Defence Minister Merino said that crimes such
as extortion had dropped since the emergency measures were introduced. “The aim is to make these gangs disappear altogether from El Salvador,” he said in a televised statement. He added that “the honest population is very satisfied with the work we’re doing against the gangs” but did not say if any polls had been carried out which supported his statement. Rights advocates have been highly critical of the mass arrests carried out in the past month. The UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) warned earlier this month that thousands of Salvadoreans had been detained without an arrest warrant and that some had reported being subjected to “cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment”. OHCHR spokesperson Liz Throssell said that changes to El Salvador’s criminal
procedure also meant that “criminal trials could now be held in absentia, in the case of alleged gang members, or presided over by so-called ‘faceless; judges whose identity remained ‘confidential’”.Mr Merino said on Monday that those arrested who were found to have no links to gangs would be freed. “This is going to keep happening, that we stop someone, we question that person and then we notice that the person has no links [to gangs] and then we set that person free.”“The people need to know that if they’re not involved in anything bad, nothing bad will happen to them,” Mr Merino said. But rights group Human Rights Watch has condemned tweets by the Salvadorean police which showed suspects being arrested and said that the government’s strategy “seems to be ‘first arrest, then tweet, and
President Ali boasts of $50M monthly... From page 3 than settle for a mere $50 million monthly. In fact, the businessman explained that if Guyana moves to acquire its own supply vessels, the country would benefit more beyond the ‘grocery money’. He reasoned, “Billions going in oil people’s pockets when the month come from your oil money and he (President Ali) proud to announce the farmers getting their bora, bhagi sell…Trinidad and Suriname paying just over $1million per boat and we are paying $11 million a day. Ten million Guyana losing per day, 30 boats by 10 is $300 million Guyana losing a month and our President
proudly saying not once but twice how the people spending $50 million a month.” The daily losses could amount to almost $9 billion a month, the newspaper publisher added. Lall was keen to highlight during his radio programme, also streamed live on Facebook, that Guyana would still benefit from those sales if the government or private persons were to be the owners of the supply vessels, which means the country could benefit twice should it be steered in the right direction. Guyana in 2016 inked a Production Sharing Agreement with Esso Exploration Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) and their partners
Hess Guyana Corporation and China National Offshore Oil Company. Under that agreement, the operator EEPGL—commonly referred to as ExxonMobil Guyana— is allowed to recover up 100 percent of its exploration and other costs by deducting proceeds up to 75 percent of the production from the Stabroek Block. This publication reported that among the support services being utilised by ExxonMobil relate to the rental of its supply boats. These vessels are typically used to transport supplies to the oil platform and return other cargoes to shore. They also store equipment and provide other support services required.
investigate later’”.Homicide figures had been dropping since Nayib Bukele was elected president in 2019. The 40-year-old campaigned on a promise to tackle rampant gang violence and political corruption. In 2021, El Salvador registered 1,140 murders, compared to a high of 6,656 in 2015. But there has been a rise in homicides since the beginning of this year, with 26 March standing out as having been the most deadly day in decades.
Glenn Lall knocks ‘visionless’... From page 3 development, Lall said: “Every day these guys open their mouths, I feel like cry and scream for this country with the kind of bicycle and jackass cart vision they have for this country and its people. Many days when I glance at the newspapers or listen to them as they speak on TV or the radio, I shudder to think what will become of future generations.” Lall drew reference to President Irfaan Ali responding to critics of the Harpy Eagle Monument at MandelaEccles Road roundabout, saying that it is inconceivable that with all the problems befalling this nation, the Guyanese leader had time to respond to such an issue. “A few days ago they open Eccles/Mandela Road and a few citizens complain about some bird that doesn’t look like a Harpy Eagle as a monument at the roundabout, whether this thing look or resemble a bird does that require the President of a country to fight over it? President Ali spent time to tell this nation how he is
standing with the people who made it and that was a huge, big headline in the newspapers. You ever hear a head of state get involved with the opening of a road, more so, talk about a monument of a bird, in the fastest growing country on earth?” Lall asked rhetorically. The newspaper publisher and businessman said, many days he asks himself whether President Ali was living in this 20th century in a country with these massive oil finds. “The other day he talking about call centre jobs and now this week he talking about building pre-fab houses and renting them for cricket. He is telling us that the money from the cricket rental will be used as down payment at the banks to help poor people get loans to buy their pre-fab houses. Something is wrong with these people mentality, this is not even a child mentality, much less a head of state. I wonder many times what goes on in these people’s heads, how this country is going to progress
an inch with these leaders…” He lamented, President Ali “wasting time talking about a bird on a road, but cannot find a group of people to develop a vision that will assist our struggling public servants and make their lives better.” “I can’t believe to this day that our leaders can be so limited in their ability to think or hire the right people, I can’t understand in this oil producing country, our leaders still talking about building pre-fab houses to rent for cricket. You know I would have thought that they would have built hotels and housing schemes and rent them out to the oil companies who are going to be here in this country for the next 40 years, in which we can collect money in the billions of USD through rentals not from royalty or the little profit oil, just rental, instead our leaders talking about pre fab-houses for a couple days of cricket, that’s what these guys proud of. I don’t know if President Ali was talking out of his head or if somebody wrote that speech for him, whichever, it’s sad where Guyana is today,” Lall stressed.
Wednesday April 27, 2022
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Wednesday April 27, 2022
Wednesday April 27, 2022
Green Mango Media sponsors Rupununi Basin... From page 35 Green Mango Media has provided Basin F.C. with two new, branded kits for its female and male teams. Green Mango Media's Climb Guyana brand was launched in November 2021, with an action-packed race to the top of the Kanuku mountain range, including a kayak race on the Demerara River and a speed hike to Schomberg's Peak. Climb Guyana Xtreme – featuring Guyana's first motocross mountain track and obstacle course – is set to take place in Massara, North Rupununi in May. “Guyana is packed full of extreme terrain and adventurous people, and it should be one of the world's leading ad-
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venture tourism and sports locations, but there are nowhere near enough offerings available to showcase its potential,” Wilson said. “With Climb Guyana, we are determined to help turn Guyana into a popular hub for extreme tourism, adventure and sports, both for Guyanese, our diaspora and the wider international community.”
Green Mango Media, whose previous clients also include Sony Music and FIFA, is the brainchild of docume ntary maker
Amanda Wilson, an acclaimed Guyanese journalist who has worked across Europe, the Caribbean, Asia and Africa. Wilson, a former Guyana Chronicle news reporter, received international critical
praise for her 2015 biopic “Cuffy: Face of a Rebellion”, which explored the story behind the 1763 Berbice Rebellion. Wilson established Green Mango Media with her sister, British Virgin Islands-based designer Andrea Wilson, and Matt Falloon, a former Reuters economics and politics correspondent and former senior FIFA communications official.
Buttler struggles but Parag and Sen do the damage for... From page 37 ignite, Parag initially showed great composure before that explosive final over when he reached a 29-ball half-century. Harshal Patel, who took 1-33, was the unlucky bowler, with 18 runs coming from those last six balls. More frustration for Kohli It was another bad day at the office
for Kohli, who has failed to reach double figures in five of his nine IPL innings in 2022. Indeed, it was a bad day all round for the Challengers, who could have gone top with a win, with only Du Plessis scoring above 20. Scores: Rajasthan Royals 144 for 8 (Parag 56*, Hazlewood 2-19, Hasaranga 2-23, Siraj 2-30) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 115 (Sen 4-20, Ashwin 3-17, Prasidh 2-23) by 29 runs.
Wednesday April 27, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Aries, today you could feel the need to work on your finances - pay bills, make deposits, and plan a budget for next month
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Some disturbing dreams could bring up doubts you may have about the motives of someone you consider a friend, Libra.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Usually, Taurus, you have pretty good powers of focus and concentration. However, today you might find that these powers are flagging. Working could be difficult, and you could even find yourself dwelling on disappointments from your past.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Some underhanded and not altogether honest machinations could be happening at the workplace, Scorpio. You could be offended by it, and you could also worry if it threatens your job.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A strange person promoting him- or herself as a mindreader of sorts could come onto the scene today, Gemini. This person, however, is more mixed up than mindful. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your financial goals could seem vague and uncertain at this time, Cancer. Perhaps you face a crossroads in your life as far as income goes, and you might not be sure which way to go. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A colleague's motives could seem rather sinister today, Leo. This person has a definite agenda of his or her own that may not take into account the needs or feelings of anyone who could conceivably stand in the way. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today doubts may crop up for you concerning certain spiritual concepts that you've embraced for a long time, Virgo. Don't let this cause a crisis. It
could just be a normal part of your inner growth.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today you might feel a little out of sorts, Sagittarius, and your concentration could be diminished. You might even have a little trouble focusing on your work. Don't worry about it. It's more mental than anything else, and it will pass. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today doubts, uncertainties, and insecurities could plague a love relationship, Capricorn. Does your beloved share your passion? Is your friend being honest and open with you? AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A member of your household could be going through some rough times, Aquarius, and as a result might become overly dependent on your moral and emotional support. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Some blatantly untrue gossip could reach you today, Pisces. When you think about it, you'll see that what you heard defies all logic and is actually rather ludicrous.
Australia, New Zealand not sending athletes to Asian... From page 34 Shanghai, some 175 kilometres northwest of the city. A media report last week quoted the OCA's directorgeneral as saying there was a possibility the Games would be postponed because of the COVID situation. Most international sporting events in China have been postponed or cancelled since the start of the pandemic, with the notable exception of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which went ahead under strict controls in February.
Sponsors National... From page 41 Marketing Officer of KFC stated, “KFC Guyana is ecstatic to be the primary sponsor of the National Women’s Chess Championship Tournament. KFC has a long history of sponsoring and supporting our local athletes as they compete both at home and abroad, and this tournament is no exception. We wish the competitors the best of success as they compete in this event.” The GCF is happy to have KFC on board and looks forward to a continued partnership. Women and girls who are interested in learning the game are encouraged to register with the Federation on its website www.guyanachess.org under the Women in Chess Community. The Guyana Women in Chess Community will also be hosting beginner classes for girls and women in chess this Saturday April 30th at the Guyana National Stadium. The first session will be from 10:00am to 11:00am while the second will be from 2:30pm to 3:30pm.
Man City beat Real Madrid 4-3 in... From page 36 beating Real by one goal. Real's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti had similar mixed feelings to Guardiola after an entertaining night and left with some regrets but there was a hint of optimism in his analysis. "As a football fan, it was a fantastic game of football. As a manager of Madrid, I have to take into consideration that we ... conceded two goals very early. But we take three goals to the Bernabeu. We now hope to get to the final."
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Wednesday April 27, 2022
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) controls the ball against Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the fourth quarter of game four of the first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs at Barclays Center. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports) Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the fourth quarter of game four of the first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs at Barclays Center. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
NBA roundup: Celtics finish off sweep of Nets Reuters - Jayson Tatum scored 29 points before fouling out late in the fourth quarter as the Boston Celtics never trailed and completed a four-game sweep of the Brooklyn Nets in their Eastern Conference firstround series by holding on for a 116-112 victory Monday night in New York. The second-seeded Celtics, who lost to the Nets in five games in this round last season, await the winner of the Milwaukee-Chicago series. The Bucks lead the Bulls three games to one. Jaylen Brown added 22 points for the Celtics, who shot 47.2 percent and won each game in the series by single digits. Marcus Smart added 20 points and 11 assists, Grant Williams hit four 3-pointers and
contributed 14 points and Al Horford chipped in 13. Kevin Durant scored 39 for his best game of the series but missed two 3-pointers in the final minute as Brooklyn ended a season it had entered as an NBA title favorite. Seth Curry added 23 points, Kyrie Irving finished with 20 and the Nets shot 50.6 percent. Raptors 103, 76ers 88 Pascal Siakam scored 23 points to help visiting Toronto stave off elimination against Philadelphia in Game 5 of an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. Siakam added 10 rebounds and seven assists for the fifth-seeded Raptors, who have won two in a row after losing the first three games in the best-of-seven set. Precious Achiuwa made 7 of 11 shots to finish with 17
points for the Raptors. OG Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr. each had 16 points and NBA Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes added 12 points and eight rebounds in the win. Philadelphia's Joel Embiid collected 20 points and 11 rebounds as he battled through a torn ligament in his right thumb. Prior to the game, Embiid was fined $15,000 for criticizing the officiating following the 76ers' 110-102 loss to the Raptors in Game 4 on Saturday. Mavericks 102, Jazz 77 Luka Doncic scored 33 and grabbed 13 rebounds to ignite host Dallas to a 3-2 Western Conference firstround playoff series lead with a dominant win over Utah. The Mavericks, who never trailed and led by as
many as 33, have a chance to close out the series in Salt Lake City in Game 6 on Thursday. Jalen Brunson added 24 points for the Mavericks. Dorian FinneySmith was the only other Dallas player in double
figures with 13 points, but that was more than enough offense against Utah on this night.The Mavericks held the Jazz to just 55 points through the first three quarters. Jordan Clarkson scored 20 points and Rudy Gobert
compiled 17 points with 11 rebounds. Donovan Mitchell only scored nine points on 4of-15 shooting. He left the game in the fourth quarter due to an apparent left hamstring injury. (Field Level Media)
Australia, New Zealand not sending athletes to Asian Games MELBOURNE, (Reuters) - Australia will not be taking up an offer to send athletes to the Asian Games for the first time this year as none of the invited sports federations expressed an interest in going to Hangzhou, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) said yesterday. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) had invited a quota of around 300 athletes and 150 support staff from Oceania nations, including Australia and New Zealand, to compete at the Sept. 10-25 Games in the eastern Chinese city. "We don't have any athletes going," an AOC spokesman told Reuters on Tuesday.
A New Zealand Olympic Committee spokeswoman also confirmed the country would not participate at the Games. The AOC's outgoing president John Coates, an IOC Vice President and one of the world's most influential sports administrators, had long pushed for Australia's athletes to be included in the Asian Games to expose them to stiffer competition. The quadrennial Asian Games are second in size only to the Summer Olympics. The Hangzhou Games have been under a cloud since an outbreak of COVID-19 in (Continued on page 33)
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 27, 2022
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Green Mango Media sponsors Rupununi Basin Football Club
G
reen Mango Media, the Georgetown-based company behind Climb Guyana, has launched a partnership with Basin Football Club in North Rupununi, including the provision of new male and female football apparel. Green Mango Media, which is preparing to stage its second Climb Guyana event in the Rupununi, is committed to building impactful relationships with communities across Guyana's hinterland to drive sustainable development, promote adventure tourism and build capacity in the tourism, media and sport industries.
The partnership with Basin F.C., a team based in the Aranaputa Valley, also establishes a platform for supporting female and male football development in the Rupununi within Green Mango Media's wider impact strategy as the media and marketing partner of the Guyana Football Federation. “I have always had a deep personal connection with the Rupununi, and it is an honour for us to partner with its communities to help create more opportunities for this beautiful region. We want to help make more parts of the Rupununi accessible and attractive for diverse kinds of
visitors, so that more Guyanese and international visitors can experience its magic,” Green Mango Media CEO Amanda Wilson said. “Sponsoring Basin FC is a huge honour for us as a company, and we are excited to play a part in the growth of this great club, especially in increasing the participation of girls and women in football,” Wilson said. “We believe all companies operating in the Rupununi have a shared responsibility to give something meaningful back to the community.” Basin Football Club President
Basin Football Club male and female footballers in the GMM-sponsored new apparel. (Credit: GMM) GMM Founder Amanda Wilson hands over the new male and female football apparel to Basin Football Club President Aidon Jacobus in Aranaputa, North Rupununi. (Credit: GMM)
Aidon Jacobus said the club was delighted to partner with Green Mango Media, and looked forward to a long relationship in developing football with the company. “I want to take the opportunity to thank Amanda and Green Mango Media for the contribution they
have made to the club,” Jacobus said. “This contribution means a lot to us. The Green Mango Media team is welcome to be part of the club and we look forward to working together.” As a first step in the partnership, (Continued on page 31)
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SportsMax - The Jamaica Men's National Field Hockey Team secured automatic qualification to the 2023 Central American & Caribbean (CAC) Games by placing 1st at the recently concluded CAC qualifiers in Bermuda from April 14th – 17th. Jamaica's Richard Harris was voted Most Valuable Player with Brandon Clark getting an award for leading Goal Scorer in the tournament. The Female team played extremely well but were unfortunate to end the tournament in 3rd position on four (4) points, with Bermuda and Puerto Rico, first and second respectively on seven (7) and five (5) points respectively. Jamaica's Shakira Elliot copped the award for the leading goal scorer for the tournament. The Women's team still have the possibility of qualification, based on the fact that the Games have now been moved from El Salvador to Dominican Republic, whose women team have
Wednesday April 27, 2022
The Jamaica Men's National Field Hockey Team secured automatic qualification to the 2023 CAC Games after winning the qualifier. already qualified. This creates another qualifying position that would have been reserved for the host c o u n t r y. T h e r e f o r e , according to Alberto "Coco" Budeisky the President of the
Pan American Hockey Federation that qualifying spot will/should be awarded to the 3rd place (Jamaica) from the Bermuda Qualifiers. “This was possible only through the tremendous
partnership with the Jamaica Olympics Association (JOA) based on assistance with the delivery of our continued coaching development programs, provision of strategic guidance and the
contribution of critical resources for tournament participation. Thanks to the stewardship of JOA's President Christopher Samuda, and Managing Director, Ryan Foster and the
entire JOA staff, Jamaica Hockey Federation (JHF) will now be represented in the CAC Games in the Dominican Republic in June 2023,” said the JHF in a statement.
Man City beat Real Madrid 4-3 in Champions League thriller MANCHESTER, England, (Reuters) - After one of the greatest of Champions League semifinal clashes, Manchester City will take a 4-3 lead into the second leg of their tie against Real Madrid following an extraordinary encounter at the Etihad Stadium yesterday. A breathtaking and relentlessly fast game, packed with chances, moments of individual brilliance and a smattering of defensive lapses, was a treat for the spectators but leaves City, who had the better of the game, with the slenderest of leads to defend at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday. "It was a fantastic game for both sides. We did many good things. Unfortunately we conceded goals and we could not score more. But it is two games and we have another one in one week," said City manager Pep Guardiola. Liverpool and Villarreal will certainly struggle to match the quality of this game when they meet in the other semi-final at Anfield today. City took the lead after 94 seconds, the fastest goal scored in a Champions
League semi-final, with Kevin De Bruyne's superb diving header after Riyad Mahrez made a piercing run at the Real defence, switched inside and then delivered a killer cross.
champions Real had conceded two goals so quickly in the Champions League and another looked on the cards. Reigning Premier League champions City were on fire,
from them. The goal came via a familiar source, the Champions League's escape artist Karim Benzema scoring a goal out of nothing as he guided a Ferland
City restored a two-goal advantage eight minutes after the restart with veteran Fernandinho, on as a substitute for the injured John Stones, picking out Foden with a perfectly weighted
Kevin De Bruyne scored and assisted in the same Champions League game for only the second time in 59 appearances in the competition, after doing so against Real Madrid in February 2020. (Getty Images)
Guardiola's side doubled their lead in the 11th minute through the in-form Gabriel Jesus, who scored four goals in the Premier League at the weekend, collecting a pass from De Bruyne and spinning away from David Alaba before drilling home. It was the first time that 13-times European
running Spanish league leaders Real ragged, but Mahrez and Phil Foden were both unable to convert promising chances.It was a spell of the game that City may yet look back on as a missed opportunity and as so often Real found a way to get themselves back in a contest that risked running away
Mendy cross into the far, bottom corner with the most delicate of steers after 33 minutes. Guardiola could be forgiven for wondering how his team's high-energy, highquality football had only produced a 2-1 lead at the break but there was a similar pattern in the second half.
cross which the England international nodded home. Two minutes later though Fernandinho was caught out as he allowed Brazilian compatriot Vinicius Jr to break away past him on the touchline.The winger sprinted from the halfway line deep into the area before poking the ball past Ederson
to make it 3-2 with an outstanding individual effort. Yet again City found a way through. Real's defence hesitated after Oleksandr Zinchenko went down on the edge of the box but Bernardo Silva pounced and beat Thibaut Courtois with a superb drive into the top corner in the 74th minute. There was more drama to come as City's Aymeric Laporte was penalised when the ball struck his arm in the area, after glancing off his head, and Benzema converted the penalty with a cheeky 'Panenka' chip down the middle eight minutes from time. Still City searched for more but substitute Raheem Sterling and Ruben Dias were both unable to make contact with a dangerous ball across the box and then Dias slid in again and was just inches away from a deep Mahrez cross. The score was to remain 4-3 but for those who wished this game could have just gone on and on there is another 90 minutes to look forward to next week. City, yet to be crowned European champions, were left with the strange feeling of disappointment at 'only’ (Continued on page 33)
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 27, 2022
Kuldeep Sen had a dream start to his spell, picking two wickets in two balls Apr 25, 2022BCCI
SportsMax - Riyan Parag scored an unbeaten 56 and Kuldeep Sen took 420 as Rajasthan Royals defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by 29 runs despite Jos Buttler's struggles. Buttler has been in immaculate form in the Indian Premier League, scoring successive centuries in the previous two matches, but he lasted just nine balls in Pune yesterday. T h e E n g l a n d international's score of eight included one boundary before he was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood (2-19) in the fifth over. Sanju Samson struck an entertaining 27, including three sixes, to get the Royals back on track, though it was
Buttler struggles but Parag and Sen do the damage for Rajasthan Royals
Riyan Parag repaid the Royals faith with a timely half-century BCCI
Parag who ultimately dragged them through. Having anchored the back half of the Royals' innings, Parag let rip in the
final over, plundering two sixes and a four to get his side to 144-8. Faf du Plessis elected to go with Virat Kohli at the
top of the order, but RCB's former captain went for nine in the second over. Du Plessis tallied up 23 before he fell to Sen, who had Glenn Maxwell for a golden duck with the next delivery. Ravichandran Ashwin (3-17) joined the party, dismissing Rajat Patidar, Suyash Prabhudessai and Shahbaz Ahmed, while Dinesh Karthik was run out. Wanindu Hasaranga (18) offered some resistance for RCB, though their hopes of avoiding a second straight defeat ended when Sen wrapped up the tail as Rajasthan went top of the IPL on 12 points. Parag takes up the mantle With Buttler failing to (Continued on page 33)
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2022 Concacaf Women's U17 Championship…
Junior Lady Jags unit departs
T
he Guyana U17 Girls' National football Team has departed for the 2022 Concacaf Women's U17 Championship in the Dominican Republic, with Assistant Coach Levi Braithwaite stepping up to replace Head Coach Akilah Castello who was unable to travel due to a personal emergency. The diverse 20-player squad, featuring young women based in Orealla, Kamarang, Kwakwani, Georgetown and the United States, will face the winner of Group E in the Round of 16 in San Cristobel on Saturday, April 30. Unbeaten tournament favourites Mexico, top of the group with one game left to play and a very large goal difference, are virtually guaranteed to be Guyana's opponents. The Guyana-based squad has been in intensive training at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre in Providence ahead of the tournament. “We wish the girls all the best in the Dominican Republic as they fly the flag for Guyana at the 2022 Concacaf Women's U17 Championship,” said GFF President, Wayne Forde. “This is the first time we have reached the final stages of this tournament in backto-back qualifications, which shows the tangible
progress we are making at this level, thanks to continuous investments in our Guyana-wide programme and scouting efforts in the diaspora.” “We know the team will face very strong opponents in this stage of the competition, so it is important to manage our expectations,” Forde said. “However, we can be sure that the squad and staff will make us all proud, on and off the field of the play. This Concacaf tournament is another excellent opportunity for our players and staff to showcase their talent and play at higher level than they are used to, and to learn and develop as we build capacity and capabilities for the future.” Guyana qualified for the 2022 championship by finishing second in their qualification group, including wins against Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands and a defeat to Honduras in October and November 2021. The full squad reads: Alexis Bayley, Alyssa Blake, Anostasha Coppin, Sue Edwards, Sydney Facey, Maliya Gangadin, Fayon Harry, Sandra Johnson, Karen Jupiter, Akasha LowKoan, Sara Matthies, Ciara Sarius, Anika Sproxton, Odelli Staughn, Jalade Trim, Akeelah Vancooten, Nikita Wayne, Anaya Willabus, Latoya Williams, Nya-Grace Young.
Carlos Alcaraz youngest into ATP top 10 since Nadal in 2005 LONDON (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz moved up to No. 9 in the ATP rankings on Monday, a little more than a month before he turns 19, making him the youngest man to break into the top 10 since Rafael Nadal did it exactly 17 years ago.Alcaraz rose two spots after winning the Barcelona Open on Sunday. He beat Pablo Carreño Busta 6-3, 6-2 in the final. At 18 years, 11 months and 20 days old, Alcaraz is the ninth-youngest man to reach the top 10 since the computer rankings began in 1973. His fellow Spaniard Nadal was about a month younger when he climbed into the top 10 on April 25, 2005, after a title on Barcelona's clay. The youngest man to crack that elite level on the ATP Tour was Aaron Krickstein, who was 11 days past his 17th birthday when he made his debut in
the top 10 in August 1984. Alcaraz is tied with Nadal for the most ATP titles in 2022 with three; his 23 match wins are second behind only Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has 24 victories this season.Novak Djokovic remained at No. 1 after finishing as the runner-up to Andrey Rublev in the Serbia Open, with Daniil Medvedev still at No. 2, Alexander Zverev at No. 3 and Nadal at No. 4.Nadal, owner of a men's-record 21 Grand Slam singles championships, has been in the top 10 every week since he first got there. The only changes in the WTA top 10 involved Paula Badosa's rise to a careerhigh No. 2, behind No. 1 Iga Swiatek. Badosa moved up one spot, switching places with 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova, who dropped to No. 3.
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after winning the ATP Godo Tournament final tennis match against Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta, in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday April 27, 2022
Magnum Independence Futsal Cup…
Teams battle on National Park's Tarmac tonight
T
he Magnum Independence Futsal Cup will continue this evening with another round of exhilarating matchups in the group stage at the National Park tarmac. Tournament coordinator Edison Jefford stated that the opening night illustrated the support garnered by the prestigious event, as teams and spectators flocked to the venue, which bodes well for the entirety of the championship. “One of the high points I believe o f a s e a m l e s s event in terms of strategic areas, I think overall it was well executed and I am talking about all areas in terms of security was on points, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was present in n u m b e r s , t h e d é c o r, t h e a m b i e n c e , i t had
sufficient lighting, zero complaints from the teams and the patron, everything was well put together. Given the circumstances, we made a great start in the Magnum Cup.” He further thanked all the stakeholders, primarily the GFF, GPF and EPA for their continued support, adding, “I also want to thank Ms. Ramdass of the Parks Commission, who has been extremely supportive of our initiative and I want to give her the proverbial flowers in this regard. In the meantime, it's just about build i n g a n d improving on the start, one of the feedback we received was that the teams are excited to play following a long layoff and we are giving them that platform. We are also getting the
The National Park's Tarmac has played host to a number of memorable futsal tournaments in the past. Magnum's Tournament has the chop to do no less.
grassroots, and community support.” At 19:00hrs, North East La Penitence oppose Ansa McAl whilst Alexander Village match skills with Avocado Ballers from 19:30hrs, and Tiger Bay tackle Stabroek Ballers from 20:00hrs.
In the fourth clash, Leopold Street lock horns with Festival City from 20:30hrs, while Future Stars engage Vengy at 21:00hrs, and Gold is Money face-off with BV from 21:30hrs and in the final match at 22:00hrs, defending champion Bent Street take
centre stage against Agricola. The winner of the event will pocket $700,000, and the championship trophy, with the runner-up 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. MVP Sport, Nigel Hind Financial Services, Andrews Supermarket, Bold Expressions Barbershop, Fireside Grill 'N' Chill, Star Party Rentals, and Lucozade.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 27, 2022
PAGE 39
Badminton Association names team for Panam event in El Salvador A
four-member Badminton team will be representing Guyana at the XXV Panam Individual Championship which is being held in El Salvador, April 26-29, 2022 This continental championship is promoted annually, and the events include men´s singles and doubles, women´s singles and doubles and mixed doubles. World Ranking points will be awarded as this tournament is a Badminton World Federation (BWF) Grade 2 Level 6 event. National players Narayan Ramdhani, Priyanna Ramdhani, Akili Haynes, and Tyrese Jeffery will be competing in singles, with the
Ramdhani siblings competing in the Mixed Doubles category and Haynes/Jeffrey in the Men's Doubles. Over the past weeks, the players have been engaged in rigorous training to prepare for the tournament. The Guyana Badminton Association wishes to express gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the National Sports Commission for affording our players the opportunity to compete in this very important tournament. Special thanks to the Honourable Minister and the Director of Sports, a release from the GBA stated.
The four member Badminton team that will represent Guyana at the XXV Panam Individual Championship in El Salvador.
Lewis & Beharry supports Hohenkirk's cricket dreams 'Mom throws balls for me to bat in the mornings' By Sean Devers
F
ormer Demerara youth Keeper Troy Lewis and Ex Berbice Senior Inter-County left-hander Anil Beharry, who is also a member of Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), made contributions to Transport Sports Club's U17 player Jeremy Hohenkirk. Lewis, the former Malteenoes Wicket-Keeper batter who is in the USA, donated a pair of pads and a pair of batting gloves to the lad which was presented on his behalf by his daughter while Beharry, who last played for Young Warriors in Berbice, presented the 16year-old with a bat and a thigh pad. On June, 26, 2005 at Medical Arts Hospital, Jeremy made his entry into this world and is one of five sons born to Neil and Nola Hohenkirk. “Growing up as a child was somewhat tough because I have experienced alot of life lessons at a young age like moving from house to house. But in 2017 my parents built their own house in Orgista Street, Cummings Park, Sophia, Georgetown and we are currently living there.” Jeremy attended Mae's School at the primary level and is presently attending Christ Church secondary school, the old school of Carl Hooper. He is preparing to
Troy Lewis' daughter Tahara Lewis makes the presentation to Jeremy on behalf of her dad. write seven subjects at the CSEC level. “As a kid I always loved sports and Mae's played a huge role in that, I learned how to play table tennis and lawn tennis there but I was always interested in cricket. Our school had a cricket team which I played for. I fell in love with cricket probably at the age of 7 when I saw my first IPL match,” informed Jeremy. He disclosed that it was Troy Lewis who brought him and his brother to Malteenoes Sports Club. “I am doing fairly well in school I am currently trying
my best to balance my studies with my cricket because I know that education is the key to success. Education is very important for me and my family because I have to have something to fall back on after cricket. My favourite subject is mathematics, though my lessons and school teachers would say something different but I like mathematics the most mainly because I like my brain always thinking. I wouldn't say studying and playing cricket is hard… it is just challenging and I'm
looking to overcome this challenge,” Jeremy continued. Jeremy spoke about his training and how his mother is involved. “At about 5:00 am, I first run 20 times in my street and that usually takes about 40 minutes and then my mother throws some balls to me to bat, until 7 am. After school and lessons, I come home and I do a rigorous exercise routine and then study and go to sleep. I practice for six days from Monday to Saturday,” explained the promising cricketer. The batting all-rounder said that he likes batting more than bowling because of the adrenaline that it gives him. “I prefer two-day cricket mostly because it really tests my stamina. My most memorable match was played at DCC, Transport against 4R Lions I batted at number six and I finished the game hitting a straight six off of Isiah Thorne's bowling. My favourite shot is the cover drive because it makes me look and feel like if I'm playing for West Indies,” informed Jeremy, whose favourite food is stewed bora and chicken with rice. Jeremy is playing at the second division level and played in the recent GCA select under17 against the touring NY Tri-state from the USA and is working at making the Guyana U-19
Anil Beharry presents cricket gear to Jeremy.
team this year after two years of his cricket life was taken away by the Global Pandemic. His hobbies are playing basketball and hanging out with his friends and he says that his mom and dad have played the main roles in his cricket so far. “I got support from all of my coaches, they have played supporting roles especially coach Shaun
Massiah, coach Kervin Ross and Coach Travis Dowlin. My strength is my knowledge, skill and talent that I have for the game of cricket and my weakness is that I put too much pressure on myself because I feel that I'm not performing at the best of my ability as yet,” added Jeremy whose aim is to open the batting in test matches for West Indies senior team by the next four or five years.
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday April 27, 2022
Association Do Shotokan Karate – Guyana holds grading exercise
Students and Instructors take a photo after last Sunday's Karate grading exercise at the YMCA Thomas Lands.
O
n Sunday last, the Association Do Shotokan Karate – Guyana held grading exercises at the YMCA Thomas Lands with Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon – A –Tai 10 t h Dan the chief official in charge of proceedings, grading 12 students
for various Dan levels. The exams started at 10.00hrs and concluded at 12.00hrs with Shihan Amir Khouri, 7th Dan, assisting the local legendary karate master in the exercise. Following the necessary COVID guidelines, the students performed excellently.
A release from the organisation informed that a pleasing days' performance resulted in the following promotions:Promoted to 4th Dan Malcolm Ricky Francis Promoted to 3rdDan Shamar Azam Francis Avinash Ramgolam
Matthew Alexander Gurahoo Promoted to 2ndDan Sienna Sookram Bohan Cao Andre Sookram Rameez Ramlill Luke Adrian Seabra Nicholas Emmanuel Rampersaud
Angelo Eon Harris Promoted to 1 s t Dan Alejandro Ricardo Latchman These stude n t s w i l l b e training towards the next karate championships pending the COVID restrictions release by the relevant authorities.
Annual Mayor's Cup 9-a-side Inter Ward/Village KO Football... With quarterfinals set the battle is on for the money round at GFC Sunday
T
he quarterfinals have been set in the Annual Mayor's Cup 9-a-side Inter Ward/Village Knockout Football tournament and its now unto a pitched battle for the money round on Sunday at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Ground. The quarterfinal places were fixed following play at Den Amstel on Sunday last and the eight remaining teams will look to make it to the final four where they are guaranteed a cash prize. But the big question on football fans mind is who will cart off the main prize, the Mid Atlantic Oil and Gas Company sponsored $600,000 and Mayor's Cup. Lining up on Sunday in the quarterfinal round are Bourda All Stars against Den Amstel in the opening contest at 6:00pm to be followed by Tucville facing West Side Spartan, then Sparta Boss tangle with Friendship Front and Diamond battle Haslington. The winners will be the four teams in the lucrative money round. Fans are
Job Caesar
Ryan Hackett
Delon Lanferman leaning towards Sparta Boss and Diamond, but all the teams are in with a fair chance to make it to the final four and also more importantly lift the crown. All speculation will come to an end Sunday. The 2022 edition of the Mayor's Cup is in honour of current Mayor of Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine. All teams are scheduled to bring their A list of players and an entertaining night of
football is anticipated. Among those on show are: Gregory Richardson, Jamaal Harvey, Ryan Hackett, Jeremy Garnett, Trayon Bobb, Job Caesar and Delon Lanferman. Coordinator Lennox Arthur has expressed immense gratitude to the sponsors for their help and they include: IPA, DDL, Maggie's, Digicel, Johil, John Fernandes, General Equipment, Busta, GTT, Namilco, Macorp, New
Thriving, Sattar Gafoor, B. Megan, Pritipaul Singh, Ready Mix, Eddie Bobcat, Silvie's, Caribbean Containers, E Networks, Super Bet, Cummings Electrical, China Trading, Dave Lumber yard, Schlumberger, Maggie's, Pure Diamond, Gold Target Exports and CIDI. The teams are battling for attractive prize money and the respective trophies with a first prize of $600,000, second prize
$300,000, third $200,000 and fourth $100,000 on offer. Mid Atlantic Oil and Gas Company is the sponsor for the winning purse of $600,000. The rules governing the tournament includes the no offside rule and teams are allowed five substitutions. The games are of two 20minute halves for a 40minute duration. The tournament is a straight knockout one with no extra time being played. A
tie at the end of regulation would result in the teams dueling in the dreaded sudden death penalty shootout. All other FIFA rules apply and the Referee is the sole authority of these games. Teams showing up late beyond a reasonable time determined by the organisers will be disqualified and their game forfeited via the walkover route.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 27, 2022
KFC aids in Female Empowerment… Sponsors National Women's Chess Championship
K
FC Guyana has donated the sum of $250,000 towards the National Wo m e n ' s C h e s s Championship Tournament to be held in June 2022. This will be the first female over the board competition to be held since February 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Top female chess player Sasha Shariff was crowned women's champion in the 2020 tournament. Shariff was also most recently the top female competitor at the Junior Nationals. The Guyana Chess Federation's (GCF) Women in Chess Community is
KFC's Marketing Officer Pamela Manasseh (left) presents GCF Secretary Marcia Lee with the sponsorship cheque. pleased with the initiative by KFC Guyana who expressed interest in specifically promoting female chess competitions. The community which was formulated on February 20 of this year includes girls and women within the GCF. It is intended to promote and encourage growth and development in chess, as well as social and
Sasha Shariff
interactive sessions which will benefit young girls within the chess community and help them to come together and build a common bond and passion for the game. Training sessions for girls and women will help to build a strong community of female chess players as well as empower them to become a formidable force to be reckoned with both on and off the chess board. Chess increases cognitive and critical thinking skills, encourages creativity and planning and strategic skills as well as build confidence. It also protects against dementia and helps ADHD. Pamela Manasseh, (Continued on page 33)
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The Guyanese-based U17 players head for San Cristobel in the Dominican Republic.
Junior Lady Jags unit departs
Green Mango Media sponsors Rupununi Basin Football Club GMM Founder Amanda Wilson (right) and Basin Football Club Secretary Alphonso King pose with male and female footballers in the new apparel on the club pitch in Aranaputa, North Rupununi. (Credit: GMM)
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