Kaieteur News

on

wrapping up

parent company

Photographer believes “social media personality” responsible for shooting up home

- Hasbeenunabletoworksinceattack discussions

Man swindles granny, others out of money for US Visas

Oil-rich Guyana among five

NewIMFreport: countries in the Region listed as

“heavily indebted poor countries”

Publisher: DR. GLENN LALL - TEL: 624-6456

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

NEW DRAFT PSA RECOMMENDATIONS

PresidentIrfaanAlihasgivenassurancethatcomments, concerns, and recommendations relative to the new draft Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) will be addressed publicly Thisisgoodnews,butonlywhenoneconditionis fully satisfied. That is, what the Guyanese people say is givenfair,clean,andfullconsideration.

WhenquestionedonthedraftPSA,PresidentAlihadthis to say during his visit to Leonora: “Definitely When they collate all the comments and so… definitely I’m sure that you will be updated on some of the issues that were raised andhowweareaddressingit…Evenifthereareissuesthat wefeeldifferentlyaboutwesaythat.”

In normal circumstances, this should be sufficient and comforting, especially given that it is coming from the national leader, and on something as massive as our oil wealth. TheproblemisthatwhenPresidentAlisignalsthat matterswillbeaddressed,helaterfindswayseithertowalk them back, or to deliver what does not even scratch the surfaceoftheissuesraised.

Wewillbefrank,andassertthatPresidentAlihasfailed to inspire confidence that his words and postures can be relied upon, because he means what he says. Because his actionsthatcomelaterhavenotreinforced,inthebroadest, most persuasive fashion, the things he committed to, said willhappen. Tomakemattersmoreunpalatable,Guyana’s Presidenthasrepeatedlyletusdownbyfailingtodeliveron his words on things that are of the most importance to Guyanese, to wit, our national patrimony in its various ingredients. PresidentAlihaswaffledandwiggled,withoil and other natural resource components, only for all those actions that he believes give him an ‘out’ and bringing disappointmentabouttheleaderthathecouldbe.

The President promised transparency from the earliest days with national power in his hands.We point to oil, and note all the secrecy with studies, and of which the gas to shorestandsasaprimeexample. Wecontinuewithoil,and ask about audit reports for the Liza 1 and 2 projects, and wonder about the reasons why the US$7.3 billion audit report on ExxonMobil’s expenses is the source of so many extensions,nopublicizing. Wegobeyondoil,andpointto theminingcontractsrepeatedlypromisedtobemadepublic, only for them to be hidden, and Guyanese made into fools, againandagain.

Using these important aspects of our natural resource treasures as precedents, and pointing to what the President and his Government promised versus what actually occurred,wehavenochoicebuttotakewithapinchofsalt, this latest Presidential promise about the recommendations in the new draft PSA received being addressed publicly Indeed, we have no doubt that it will be so, but it is what couldbeinvolvedin“updatedon…theissues”and“howwe areaddressingit”(sic). Asissaid,thedevilisinthedetails, for “updated” and “how we are addressing” can be the old songanddanceofthePPPCGovernmentsharingalittle,but withholding the substances of what the Guyanese people really should know All Guyanese should recall how commitments to transparency transformed into insistence that there is also something else called confidentiality Confidentialityinthehandsofgovernmenthasservedasan instrumentforcover-up.

ThelastthingthatGuyaneseneedwiththenewdraftPSA is more spinning of, and avoiding, the hard issues raised. AlreadythatdraftPSAstartedoutonthewrongfoot,withthe measly and clever 14 days allowed for review This alone indicatesagovernmentthatisnotinterestedingettingtothe meatofwhatmaybemissing. Rather,itismorefocusedon glossingoversensitivematterswithournationalpatrimony, and then turning around and insisting that Guyanese were afforded every courtesy and opening to participate in the draft PSA, and make meaningful contributions to their economicwelfare.

We have no wish to be enemies of President or government Our efforts for more frankness and transparencies should not put either on the defensive, but welcomed as an asset that helps in doing better for all Guyana.

Why action on some issues only after the media is involved?

DEAREDITOR,

Itwasnotuntiltherealownerofthe Sheriff Street manhole cover was clarified that the public received positive movement on its replacement,

whichisexpectedbyApril15. Why is it always that only when issues are placed in the public domain throughthemediathatrequiredactionis forthcoming?

This particular issue has been outstanding for a long time, now it can bereplacedwithinamatterofdays.

Sincerelyyours, ShamshunMohamed

The Public Procurement Commission is comatose

DEAREDITOR,

SN article on the progress of the Bamia Primary School highlights the challenges that exist when previously untested contractors are awarded contracts for major infrastructure projects Basedonpublicinformation, thiscontractwasawardedto a company that was established only three (3) months before the award, bringing into question if the companywouldhavemetthe technicalcriteriaassetoutin NPTAB’s Standard Bidding Documents.

Almost three months ago,basedontheuncertainty surrounding this contract award, I would have lodged several complaints with the Public Procurement Commission, requesting

DEAREDITOR, I wish to bring readers’ attention to a very unfortunatesituationthatmy friend found herself in. She has a motorcar on loan and insured for $3,000,000 GYD.

Shepaidherpremium. Her car was involved in an accident where she was wrong and damages to the other persons car amounted to approximately $500,000 GYD. The repairs to my friend’s car is a little lessabout $400,000 GYD. Mind

investigations to be conducted into the award of several contracts, including the Bamia Primary School. The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) is the constitutional body tasked with investigating complaints from the public on alleged procurement breaches-buttodate,Ihave not been afforded the c o u r t e s y o f a n acknowledgement of receipt ofmycomplaint.

Unofficial information received states that the currentCommissionisofthe opinion that any complaints that arose before their establishment (July 1, 2022) cannot be investigated - in the Commission’s opinion, they are only empowered to investigate procurement allegations committed after

you,thisisacomprehensive policy

My friend visited her insurance company and reported the accident but lo andbehold,shewastoldthat sheonlyhas$100,000GYD cover for the other person’s car,andshewillhavetofind the remaining $400,000 GYD to make good the repairsonthecar

Shewasalsotoldthather repair bill would have to be scrutinized but in any event, she has to contribute $150,000GYDtothatrepair

thisdate.

The Commission sought internal legal advice, which contradicted their position, but clearly dissatisfied, additional external legal advice is being sought to support their position that only procurement breaches which occurred post July 1, 2022, can be investigated. The external legal counsel shortlisted would be of little surprise to the public and until such a decision is c o m p l e t e d , t h e Commission’s work will be inlimbo.

An even more bizarre position adopted by the current Commission is that no person other than a supplier or contractor can lodge complaints to or even request the Commission to conduct investigations into

bill.Theinsurancecompany toldherthatisacompulsory excesswhichIunderstandis standardpractice.

My friend is however, aghast that she has comprehensivecoverbuther insurance company is only goingtopay$100,000GYD towards the other persons repairbill.

Mr Editor this is shocking and unbelievable.

This was never explained to her Thetermcomprehensive connotes some kind of extensive, broad or all

alleged breaches of a contract.

In other words, the membersofthepublicorthe taxpayers cannot request investigations by the Commission unless they were an interested party to that specific contract. This position departs from the work of the previous Commission, which conducted several investigations arising from complaints submitted by the public,mostfamousofthese being the investigation into the award of the feasibility studiesfortheproposedNew DemeraraHarborBridge. Further, unofficial information indicated that the internal legal opinion also contradicted this position,andasbefore,the

(Continuedonpage6)

encompassing. This is bare bones cover I believe, Mr Editor, that this practice amounts, at best, to missellingandatworst,fraud. How could this be allowedtocontinue?Whatis theinsuranceregulatordoing about this? I hope this letter is a wakeup call to persons with motor insurance to checktheirthirdpartylimits and also for the regulator to do their job and protect the insuringpublic.

Sincerely,

DerekRamlochan

Red Thread does not condemn all forms of violence, was silent on Tacuma’s outrage

DEAREDITOR,

Allow me to respond to RedThread’sopinionpiece–“Mr Persaud should understand that the term grassrootsisnotrestrictedto his limited interpretation” published on April 7, 2023. ThelettersignedbyWintress White, Halima Khan, Joy Marcus, ShirleyAult, Susan Collymore, Vanessa Ross, Maeve Ramsay, Jonel Perreira, Michelle John, is further confirmation that Red Thread is rudderless outfit excepting for its commitments to the wild ambitionsoftheWPA.

It is response to my

original critique of Red Thread’s conspicuous political biases, the signatories to “Mr Persaud shouldunderstand…”boldly declare that one of their fundamental principles is that they stand against “all formsofviolence.”

I read this entry and framing of it a few times to makesureIhaveitright.You may recall I specifically critiqued Red Thread for remaining silent on Tacuma Ogunseye’s racially motivatedcallfortheviolent o v e r t h r o w o f t h e democratically elected government of this country

And here they are now, with themostblatant,brazen,and barefacedclaimthattheyare against “all forms of violence.”

Editor, what is equally troubling about this little

bourgeois group is

concealment of their association with the WPA and other regressive social forces in Guyana. They embrace a particularly sinister kind of cultural nationalism, one that is in sync with the central tenets of Ogunseye’s warped idea of what would constitute a justpoliticaleconomy

Let me repeat what I

argued in the first instance. The original letter signed by theninepersonsabove,wasa call for protesters Red Thread declared purpose in that letter was to schedule protests at the Office of the President.

The use of the label “grassroots” was the usual ploy employed to cover up the decidedly political commitments of this overwhelmingly urban group with a long history of anti-PPPC activities. No definition of grassroots fits RedThread.

Sincerely, Dr

RandolphPersaud

I believe this is mis-selling, if not outright fraud

Central Govt. bent on total control, steamrolls Local Govt., lawless and decay reign

DEAREDITOR,

Ever since the discovery of oil, Guyanese have envisagedabetterqualityof life and indeed government officials have responded with transformational changes of the landscape.

Subsequently, numerous Greenfield plots have been transformed into habitable environments which, to the uninitiated, is indicative of continueddevelopment.

However, those in the know have condemned, not necessarilytheinitiative,but themethodologyinvolvedin these projects which they claim are, unstructured and chaotic.

This transformation is primarily driven by the public sector investment programme (PSIP) which addressespublicgoodssuch as roads, sea defense, and parks, coupled with private capital, the sole purpose being the maximization of investments.

Naturally, one would have supposed that government engineers would have considered several pertinent issues whilekeepingakeeneyeon the political and financial objectives of these initiatives.

Apparently, these technical professionals have engaged in a haphazard developmental strategy that has blatantly ignored the fundamental tenet of land use plans and zoning. It seems also that these planners, whether intentionally or otherwise, have failed to evaluate the offshoots and consequences of usurping the authority of localgovernmentbodies.

The capital city, Georgetown, is the seat of the central government, and all local government areas areadverselyaffectedbythe adumbrated issues. Though Guyanaisaunitarystate,the conceptoflocalgovernment allows for the devolution of power, specifically, transferring some authority t o l o c a l b o d i e s Unfortunately, the current regimehasrolledbacksome of the gains made under the l o c a l g o v e r n m e n t framework.

Instead of working to realizegreaterdevolutionof power and authority, the regimeisobsessedwithtotal control.

The intrusion of Central Government through the

Local Government

Commission and the

Ministry of Local Government has negatively affected the delivery of quality goods and services across local government areas.

One glaring example is the fact that while being aversetoincreasedratesand taxes to address improved services, the central government hypocritically chastises the M&CC for poor deliverance of these veryservices.

Georgetown, because of its natural beauty and opulence, was once dubbed ‘The Garden City.’ This is now a thing of the past as currently, this once pristine mass of land has been redubbed, ‘The Garbage City’ due to a litany of problems including poor waste management, unkempt parapets, poor burialservice,poordrainage and irrigation, and inadequate public open spaces, among others Therefore, the objective of any government initiative ought to be the reclamation ofthatpristinetitle.

The issues among government officials of the Local Government Ministry and those of the Mayor and City Council have made it almostimpossibletoachieve the aforementioned goal which is now a daunting task. The issue is further compounded by the lack of governmentalsupportofthe M&CC coupled with the laxity of the business sector initscivildutyofpaymentof relevanttaxes.

Every other observer, exceptgovernmentofficials, coulddetecttheacrimonious relationship between the central government and the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) as the factor responsible for the degradation of the city However, the Central Governmentstubbornly,nay unwisely, continues to demonstrate absolute disdain towards the M&CC, pointedly disrespecting its mandated functions.

Naturally, such belligerence has resulted in poor deliverance of municipal services coupled with the arrogance of government officials to squarely lay the blame at the M&CC’s doorsteps.

There are statutes that have implications for local

governance yet the roles under these laws are executed by other agencies hence making it difficult for local authorities to effectivelygovern.

Acaseinpointisthefact that the M&CC is hindered from effectively enforcing land use plan and zoning regulations because such functionsareexecutedbythe Central Housing and Planning Authority Consequently, the absence of a current development planforthecitytoguidethe planning process has resultedinmixedlandusein several wards. Further, the once peaceful and serene n e i g h b o r h o o d o f Queenstown has morphed intoacommercialjointwith a multiplicity of activities ranging from food vending tobrothelservices.

Such demeaning situations certainly do not bode well and point to a rabid political culture that manifests a dysfunctional system that places partisan/self-interest above collective interest. Another sordidrealityistheunlawful precedent where privileged propertyownersareallowed toconstructbuildingsintotal defiance of the established criteria.

The M&CC has the mandate to enforce the municipal act and by-laws but this entity is unable to address its functions due to the intrusive power and influence of the Central Government.

Thefrighteningrealityis that even the dead have not been spared of this calamitous situation; their final resting place, the Le RepentirCemetery,isdotted with swamps, dense vegetation, and debris, all contestingforlimitedspace, among the mortal remains and looks more like a biodiversitypark.

Someone once quipped that “despite this sordid reality, many folks are still dying to get in there ” Seriously though, this situation is abominable, and noeffortshouldbesparedin the acquisition of land for a new cemetery within the boundaries of the city. The time is long overdue for officials of the Central GovernmentandtheM&CC toputasidetheirdifferences and urgently address this issue.Thechallenges

(Continuedonpage6)

DEAREDITOR,

Almost instantaneously after the celebration of the birth and life of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan on March 22nd at Babu John, a ridiculouslysmallnumberof letterwritersandcolumnists took umbrage of the honorific title of the ‘Father of the Nation’ which is bestowed upon him by the Guyanesemasses.

Thesemisanthropistsare sofullofhatethattheyhave failed to recognize the great struggles which both Dr JaganandJanetJaganhadto endure although being relentlessly persecuted for the stance which they took against the Colonial masters to liberate the Guyanese people These bitter and envious people should read Jagan’s ‘The West on Trial’ to fully appreciate the daily struggles which the Jagans and the members of the PPP hadtobravelytolerate.

They were beaten, tortured and jailed for what they believed in: dignity, self-respect,democracy,and freedom.

Onecolumnistseemedto believe that this title should be shared between Dr Jagan and LFS Burnham, but then hedidnotstopthere.

He insulted, vilified and pour scorn on Guyanese by asking two rhetorical questions;‘Whowouldwant children like these? Which father in his right senses, with some residual dignity, would own up to be the ancestor of Guyanese, both of yesterday and especially today?’

The writer being a US

citizen by naturalization has bluntly declared that Guyanese are not worthy of being the ‘children’ of the Father of the Nation. If his argumentholdstruethenthe question must be asked: are Trinidadians worthy of the late Dr Eric Williams, are Indians worthy of Mahatma Gandhi, are Americans worthy of the Founding F a t h e r s ( G e o r g e Washington, John Adams, ThomasJefferson,etal);and the list goes on. However, the most relevant question thecolumnistshouldask:are weworthyofourFatherwho isinHeaven?

It is a historical fact that whilst Dr Jagan struggled against the horrors of the Colonial system, Burnham supported the oppression againsttheGuyanesepeople and orchestrated the first division of the Guyanese people which his Party, the PNC has kept alive even today

Even when Guyana’s Independence was achieved he began a dictatorial rule which saw the continued deprivations and sufferings oftheGuyanesemasses.Life becameworsethanunderthe Colonialruleandtheexodus of Guyanese to all parts of theGlobebeganinearnest.I am positive that some of thesemalcontentsfledtothe US under the PNC only to return and glorify the very

evil monster which continued on its destructive path, spewing racial disharmonyandacrimonyin its bid to get into Government.

There are so many great achievements by this great man but one which I truly admired was his Job like patienceandperseverancein putting up with the rigged electionsfrom1968onwards but kept his Gandhi like ideals aloft in fighting the PNC dictatorship. I recall a famousquotefromGandhii, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you,then they fight you, then you win.”Dr JaganwastherightfulPrime Minister/President but kept out of Office by a nefarious tyrant whose band of corruptors wants to now label as the ‘Father of the Nation’.Thisisagrossinsult toallthatafatherstandsfor Which father would assassinate, impoverish and deprivehischildrenofbasic foodandmedicines?Afather must be assessed on the life he provided for his children and Dr Jagan and the PPP always strove to bring the better life for all Guyanese. DrJaganneverwantedtobe in Government for the sake ofpowerbutfortheuplifting of his people, unlike Burnham They were completeopposites. Yourssincerely, HaseefYusuf

Cheddi Jagan is the only one qualified for the title of ‘Father of the Nation’

Hamilton Green has freedom to write today, he should use it wisely

DEAREDITOR,

One has to force oneself to read the words coming from the person who often signs his letters as “Elder.”

ThistimeinK.N.4/12/2023, he writes; “History has shown that if our young people do not demand a change of attitude, things will stagnate and the wealth will not be evenly distributed.” I wonder, has

the Elder forgotten when he andhisfounderleaderdrove almost all the young people from the silent majority to seekeducation/safety/lifeon other Shores away from Guyana? When National Serviceswascreatedtostem thehugeinfluxofkidsofthe very silent majority who were seeking higher education? Did those young people not matter? They

were not allowed a chance for higher education much less dared to think about demanding for any right.(Thisisourtruthandno matterwhosaysthatNSwas good, just tell this to the many youths who fled these shores those dark days and you will surely get an earful ofprofanity.)

“Ourpeople,particularly the young, must agitate for the somersault for our debilitatingtitfortatpolitics andtheregurgitationofhalftruths about our history, and itisagoodtimeforustoplug for authentic Press freedom, which means ending the state control of sections of the media, which I bet dare not publish this letter ” “Elder”furtherstated.

Isthisanotherthreatlike theoneTacumamade;albeit “veiled?” What is this “regurgitation of halftruths?”

Is it referring to the cockeyed ones that “Elder” keeps on plying in the newspapers’ columns?

‘’Elder’’ dares the media to publish his rants and diatribes then talks about “state control of sections of the media,” The gall of one whose administration was akin to a gulag on not only the free press but on all of Guyana Every time the “Elder” sends another missivetothepress,itislike whatthosewhoopposedthe regime he was part and parcel of, wished they were allowedtodoopenlyinthose darkdays.Today,thathecan sit in the safety of his home and pen hogwash at the presentGovernmentisproof enough that he is enjoying the freedom that he and his Government denied many a Guyanese during his PNC regime. Enjoy this freedom, Hamilton Green, one that you, your Comrade Leader and Government, have denied many a Guyanese so manyyearsago.Thatyouare calling for “agitation” is nothingnewagaintoo,isit?

Yourtruly,

N.Sahadeo

Frompage4

Commission, being dissatisfiedwiththisopinion has opted for external legal advice.ThecurrentPPCwas established on July 1, 2022, after receiving full support

by all Members of Parliament on both sides of the House.The Government has boasted that the reestablishment of the PPC, clearly demonstrates their commitmenttotransparency

and accountability

However, since its 2022 establishment, this PPC has only concentrated on hiring (and firing) of staff, Christmas and New Year’s parties, Commissioners’ entitlement to duty free vehicles,andinfact,thetwo most pressing matters currently engaging the Commission, are the procurement of staff uniforms and securing a more comfortable office building.

The PPC, like the Public

Accounts Committee (PAC) which has cancelled its next scheduled meeting on April 1 7 , 2 0 2 3 , d u e t o ‘unavailability of most members”–hasfallenvictim to the Government’s continued position of preaching accountability, while in practice doing their utmost to stall efforts to uprootcorruptpractices.

Unsurprisingly, this fits well into the Government’s competence of unsurpassed, beguiling Public Relations and publicity while reminding us of the adage that says “Empty barrels make the most noise” Guyanese need to look past the glitz and glamour of p h o t o s a n d p r e s s conferences and remember that “Actions speak louder than words” and then ask themselves, what have the actions of this Government meant for you, your friends andfamily??

DavidPatterson

Frompage5 affecting local government issues are certainly not insurmountable and can be fleshedoutthroughunityand compromise.

Bothentities,theM&CCand the Central Government must first aspire to join in harmony and demonstrate respect for the laws and a willingness to rise above partisan interest in the deliverance of quality

service.

The citizens are important stakeholders, and they must strongly emphasize a desire to have the relevant statutes enforced.

Otherwise, we will have no other alternative but to dwell among the muck and grime while covering our respectivenoses!

Sincerelyyours,

Lelon

Saul

The Public Procurement Commission is comatose

Central Govt. bent on total control, steamrolls...

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

SHERIFF/MANDELA ROAD: NEW DAY, SAME SICKNESS

Build a $6B road, and get a big hole.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

This is infrastructure PPP Govt. style.

Spend more, steal more. Build more, burglarize the people some more.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

Damaged vehicle owners are on their own.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

When is this madness, this scampishness going to stop?

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

JAGDEO IS CONFUSING HIMSELF!

Jagdeo continues to insist that there was no private investor intheMarriotHotel.Andhe even went as far as saying thatheispreparedtoresignif evidence can be found as to any single private investor obtaining any monies in the Marriott.

Yet, he conceded earlier that his government had been seeking an equity investor and a loan for the hotel And it was even willing to take a lower take on its return to encourage suchanequityinvestor

T h e s e a r e v e r y interestingrevelationswhich bring back memories of the Berbice River Bridge where at one time the government was even saying that it may have to temporarily forego itsreturnonitsinvestment.

Why should the government have had to contemplate reducing its take on the hotel just to facilitate a private equity investor? Is this another exampleofhowJagdeofeels a government should be run asabusinessconcern?

Where Jagdeo confuses himself is that he is conflating an owner with an investor As such he insists therewasnoprivateinvestor intheMarriott.

He has arrived at this point because as far as he is concerned the very fact that the hotel is 100% owned by the government means there isnoprivateinvestor

He is dead wrong and it

shows how little he understands the lexicon of investment.

An investor in a project does not necessarily have to be the owner A project can have investors who are not shareholders.

In order to construct the hotel, the government went out for a loan, but not any ordinaryloan.

It went out to obtain a syndicated loan A syndicated loan is a loan provided by a group of lenders to a large borrower The syndicated loan constituted an investment in thehotel.

But it was not just any investment. The syndicated investors in the Marriott Hotel enjoyed certain preferred rights. According to the forensic audit conducted as regards the constructionofthehotel,the syndicatedloanofUS$15.25 is ranked as having priority overNICILwhichputupthe bulk of the money for the hotel.

Further the syndicated loan attracted generous interest rates of 9.15% and 8.65% during construction andpost-constructionphases respectively

The audit found that the bank which put together the syndicatedloanhadalienon the hotel via mortgages and debentures.

As such the audit concluded that should the project run into financial difficulties,thebankwillget

Dem Boys Seh...

preference over NICIL in terms of terms of loan repayments.

The APNU+AFC which eventually,wearetold,took overtheloan,reportedlywas not able to ascertain the name of the persons who contributedtothesyndicated loan.

Assuch,uptonowthere has been no public disclosureastowhowerethe ‘investors’ that lent the money as part of the syndicatedloan.

Itisextremelydisturbing that in this age when great attentionispaidtosourceof funds that a government could enter into an arrangementforasyndicated loan and not know the identities of the parties that were lending the monies, or if it did refuses to make this public.

Surely, some law needs tobepassedtoensurepublic disclosure of such arrangements.

How can a government be part of a project in which there is 100% shareholding interest by the government butitborrowsmoniesanddo not know the identities of thosewholentthemoney?

Nowthatthegovernment isdeterminedtosellthehotel – against what many see as better judgment – it should be asked to recover some of the sums which were provided by taxpayers or which were forgone during the construction and the operationofthehotel.

WE GAN SOON GET MORE PRESS CONFERENCE DAN REPORTERS

Deh seh when it rains, it pours.Well, it pouring press conferences dese days. But mainly by de Vee Pee. It look as if every weekdemancallingapressconference.Dis weekisone,andnextweek ganbeanother one fuh discuss this week’s press conference. De following week gan be another one to discuss last week’s press conference.

But it look as if is a one-man show at desepressconference.LikedePeePeePee nah gat nobody else fuh hold press conference. Is one man sitting at de table andgivingsermon.Bydetimedeflooropen toquestions,yuhdoesgattowakupsomeof dem reporters and remind dem weh dem deh.

Is nuff cuss out tekking place at dem government press conference deses days. Onemanbinaskhereporterfriendwhatis de difference between Shakespeare press conference and a government press conference.

Hefriendtellheoneisdetamingofthe Shrew and the other is the shaming of the true.

When yuh leff some of dem press conferencesyuhmoconfuseddanwhenyou

go.

Dat is why nuff of dem reporter does stay away from dem event. Some of dem does leff so bassidy, dem can’t remember wheredemliveorwuk.

Deh gat a story dat when Janet was retiring, she called Jaggy into a room and tellgivehethreeenvelopes.Shetellhedat whenproblemsstartindeeconomyhemust openeachofdeenvelopeswhichgatadvice onwhattodo.

Six months afterwards there was a foreign exchange crisis. Jaggy decide fuh opendefussenvelope.Itread,“Callapress conferenceandblamedeTrinidadians.”

Jaggy do dat and eventually de people believehe.

Two months after growth began to stagnate.Jaggyopendesecondenvelope.It read,“BlameyuhMinistersandfiresomeof dem”.

Jaggy went ahead and reorganized de government.Depeoplebelievehe.

Butthreemonthsaftertherewasamajor fuel crisis. People start to protest Jaggy decide fuh open de third envelope. It read “Preparethreeenvelopes.”

Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

Members of the public should insist that after the hotel is valued, the government should add the following costs: the cost of re-routing the city’s sewage lines to facilitate the constructionofthehotel,the market values of the lands taken over by the government in the constructionofthehotel,the total value of all fiscal concessions offered to the hotel both during and after

construction. These sums should be added on to the valuation when determining the minimum sale price of the hotel.

Jagdeo has said nothing as yet about these costs. He needs to be reminded about them because these were sums provided or foregone by the taxpayers of this countryandthosesumsneed to be restored to the Treasury

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

BYGHKLALL

H@RD TRUTHS

GHK LALL

A POISONED, HOBBLED OPPOSITION

In this time of the greatest national need, the leading PNC Opposition is at its weakest. A political group that should be treatedwithsomerespectissubject toallmannerofridicule. Manyof those are deserving because they are self-inflicted, and the sources ofwhichwouldjarthoseGuyanese who do not know what is really goingonbehindthescenes.

One of the planks within the PNC is determined to undermine the work of present Leader of the Opposition. Theleadershipofthat plankwouldsurprisemany,evenin the PNC. Instead of a uniting of competing and ambitious forces within the main PNC, what is at work is what sabotages the interestsoftheirconstituencyfirst, and the nation next. It takes a considerable amount of chaser (or castor oil) to digest that there are powerfulelementsinthePNCthat couldbesoself-centered,solustful forpower,sonarrowlyunthinking, thattheywoulddowhatisharmful to African Guyanese. If this is what is being done to their own breadandbutterpeople,thenwhat couldbeexpectedfortherestofthe nation.

Ifanyoneconcludesthatthisis an endorsement of Mr. Aubrey Norton,Ihaveamessageforthem: perishthethought. Myvisionisof what is uplifting for all Guyanese, noneexcluded. WhenOpposition LeaderNortoncandeliveronthat, then he has my qualified subscription. Meanwhile, I look on at the men and women running about like mavericks in the Opposition PNC, and the word comesthattheyareservantsofnot what is good for Guyanese, not even of PNC supporters. Instead, their first loyalties are to those in the PNC hierarchy who are responsible for their ongoing presence, and who quietly and cleverly orchestrate their maneuvers and public outpourings, as well as their internalpartymachinations.

No group, no leader, operating with such an overhang is likely to beaseffective,orassuccessful,in combating the challenges faced. Certainly, no Opposition has a chanceofcomingintoitsownwith vigor and focus. A luckless cat caught in a well-populated doghouseisinabetterplace. What isembarrassingtomeisthatIhad

lentpublicsupport,forwhateverit was worth, only for subsequent developments to emphasize that I hadmisjudgedwhatIthoughtwas of a low level at first, only for the terrible to evolve as matters have been coming to light today Normally, I could care less about goes on inside the PPP and PNC, butwhenthewelfareofstruggling andhopefulGuyaneseisinvolved, thenthereisanobligationtospeak franklyandtakepublicstands.

To repeat an oft-stated mantra of mine, Guyana needs a vibrant and credible Opposition at all times. In the worst of times, the PPP of Cheddi Jagan stands unsurpassedinthisrespect. Inthis the so-called best of times, it is even imperative that this country anditscitizens,allofthemwithout concernfortheirpersuasions,have an even more viable political Opposition at work, on the move, and in the face of the government oftheday Thishappenstobethe PPP, and most perilously, it is closertoaghettoofgangstersthan any government that Guyanese have ever had.Whenthe political, social, and economic environments run rampant with

PPP Government rackets, then it goes without saying that the demand for the most potent Oppositionisatitshighest. Thisis whetherthiscountryhasoilornot.

The ugly, sickly, reality is that we now have what degrades Guyana to its absolute worst (PPP with its jaws on oil) and we lack what Guyanese need the most (an Oppositionatitsbest). Thoughof adifferentkind,thisisacurseanda diseaseallbythemselves,andboth at the same time. Brother Norton has been tentative, but must find stratagems to overcome his internal foes, and quickly find his feet. Timeisnotonhisside,with local and foreign circumstances boxing him in a tight corner, with little room for missteps. Still, the onusisonhimtomakesomebold moves, and compel a different, more wholesome, recognition of his presence, the potency of his group. Guyana cannot afford, is notequipped,tolurchalongwitha weakened and hobbled Opposition, and its leader seeminglygropingforawayoutof themolassesthatholdshimdown.

AcrippledOppositionisworse than no Opposition. Reference the

latter, there is no expectation, no option, no conviction, and no connection What GuyaneseIndians, Africans, Amerindians, andtheirvariousfusions-thenhave is a PPP juggernaut that jugs Guyanese with one governmental revulsion and financial obscenity following the other The only beneficiaries are Americans, Europeans, Red Chinese, subcontinent Indians, and their GuyanesecabalinthePPP Insuch circumstances,itisbetterifthereis nooil.

And should we persist with what is the equivalent to no Opposition, then disband GECOM, say goodbye to democracy,thenreachwithahello tothenewtyranny

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

HARDTRUTHS

Anna Catherina fisherman died of perforated heart and lungs

conducted on the remains of Anna Catherina fisherman, 26-year-old Munaf Azeem,

has revealed that he died of perforation to the heart and lungsduetoastabwound.

ThePMEwasperformed onWednesdaybyDr Nehaul Singh at the Ezekiel Funeral Home Following the procedure the deceased's body was subsequently handed over to the relatives forburial.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that police in Region Three are currently awaiting the Director of Public Prosecution's (DPP) advice on the way forward withthematter

On Wednesday, this publicationhadreportedthat fivepersonswerearrestedin relation to Azeem's death. It was reported that the fisherman was stabbed to death, after an argument ensued among the men on Tuesdaymorning.

Reports are that the five men, at around 07:55hrs on Tuesday approached Azeem at the Anna Catherina Sea Wall and accused him of chopping up their seine Kaieteur News understands that one of the men was armed with a cutlass, while another was armed with a knife.

It was reported to the

Dead: Munaf Azeem

police that an argument had ensuedamongstthemandthe suspect with the knife dealt Azeem one stab to his lower right-sidechest.

Azeem was rushed to the

Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The five suspects remain in police custody as investigation continues.

Govt. compliant with procedure meant to correct atrocities committed at state agencies - Jagdeo clarifies

Vice President (VP) Bharrat

Jagdeo has clarified that government is not delinquent in complying with the process meant to correct the financial irregularities highlighted in theAuditorGeneralreports.

His comments came on the heels of an accusation made by Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC),JermaineFigueira. Figueira accused the Government of dragging its feet on implementing measures to correct the repeated skullduggery perpetrated at the level of Stateagencies.

He claimed that this is owing to the government's failure to adhere to the Parliamentary Standing Orders which stipulates that recommendations to help address those irregularities aretobemadeviaaTreasury Memorandum which has to be laid in the Parliament by theMinisterofFinance.

T h e T r e a s u r y

Memorandum contains recommendations for accounting officers to addresstherepeatedfinancial and managerial anomalies that were identified by the AuditorGeneral.

Addressing reports that Governmenthasfailedtolay over th

reasury

Jagdeosaid:“Thefactof the matter is that only the 2016hassofarbeenadopted by the National Assembly After a resolution [is] passed…. The Minister of Financewithin90dayshasto submit his Treasury Memorandum.

This was done and the Minister has submitted his Treasury Memorandum on 24February2023.”

the Memorandum on February24,2023.

Meanwhile, in response to the explanation proffered by Jagdeo, A Partnership for National Unity

out the government for flouting the parliamentary Standing Orders to help address the irregularities highlighted by the Auditor General'sreport.

Parliament at a press conference on Thursday, VP Jagdeo said that the Governmenthasdoneitspart

by submitting the Treasury MemorandumtotheClerkof the NationalAssembly for it to be placed on the Order Paper

He said too that the Treasury Memorandum pursuant to resolution No. 46/2022datedNovember30, 2022 on the public accounts of Guyana for the year st ending 31 December 2016 was submitted on February 24,2023.

According to Jagdeo, the Government is now waiting on the PAC Chair to move a Motion in Parliament so that thenextmemorandumcanbe laidovertotheHouse.

He continued: “So the 2017 and 2018 reports…it is Mr Figueiranowneedstogo to the [National] Assembly and move a Motion and the Motion have to be debated and only when the debate is concludedthentheClerkcan issue the resolution and thereafter the Minister of Finance has 90 days to submit the treasury memorandum So the Minister of Finance cannot submit a memorandum now, ifthePACChairhasnotdone hispart.”

OnThursday,Clerkofthe NationalAssembly,Sherlock Isaacs told Kaieteur News that he received the Treasury Memorandum and it will be placed on the O r d e r P a p e r a n d subsequently laid at the next sitting of the National Assembly

Isaacs added that there wasnosittingoftheNational Assembly since he received the document. He received

+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament (MP), Ganesh Mahipaul said that the Opposition members cannot be blamed for raisingtheallegationagainst thegovernment.

“We have had no parliament for the longest while so if it is submitted to theClerktobeplacedonthe Order Paper but not laid or circulatedtoMPs,thereisno way of us knowing this,” he said.

Mahipaul had also called

In a press statement issued two weeks ago, Mahipaul had disclosed that the issue dates back to recommendations made for the 2016 Auditor General Report.

He explained that the PAC has presented, debated, and adopted a report on the audited public accounts of Guyanauptotheyear2016.

He had accused the government of failing to follow through with the process to table theTreasury Memorandum that is

necessary to help correct the wrongdoings committed at thelevelofStateagencies.

Vice President, Bharat Jagdeo

The document showing that the Treasury Memorandum for the 2016 report has been handed over to the Clerk of the National Assembly to laid in the House.

PAC Chair, Jermaine Figueira

Final report on audit of Exxon's US$7.3B bills handed over to Govt.

T h e G u y a n a Government has received thefinalreportfromtheteam

of auditors that reviewed ExxonMobil's US$7 3 billion expenses between

2018and2020. At a press conference on Thursday, Vice President

(VP) Bharrat Jagdeo said that the report has been received and the technical teams are presently reviewingthedocument.

According to him, “The report has been concluded and it's now with the technical people and I'm not going to they have to review it, the GRA(Guyana Revenue Authority), the technical group and they have to then make a (pronouncement).

Iamnotinterfering.”

Jagdeo said there is a notion that the government wants to hide the reports to protecttheoilcompaniesbut thisisagainsttheintentionof theadministration.

Heclarified,“Wehavea bigteamgoingthroughthese audits because we want to see any area, we have auditors but we want to see any areas where we believe we should strengthen and theyarehelpingusnowalot in resolving the issues now with the new PSA (Production Sharing Agreement) and also with thenew(Petroleum)law.”

The VP explained that the audit team has helped to identify the weaknesses in the Exxon contract and has assisted government in understandingthesectortoa greaterextent.

TheStabroekBlockPSA allows for audits to be conducted within two years, from the end of each calendaryear

At the conclusion of the process,theContractormust be furnished with the report and its findings within 60 daystoprovidearesponse.

The response from Exxon will detail its objection or acceptance of the audit claim, along with explanationsthereof.

The contract also allows the subject Minister to c o n d u c t f u r t h e r investigations within 60 days of receiving the Contractor'sresponse.

It must be noted that the PSAmakesitclearatSection 1.5(b) that: “…If within sixty (60) days of the Minister's further investigation, the Parties are unable to agree to the disposition of the Minister's audit claim, the claim shall be submitted to the sole expert in accordance with Article 26 of the Agreement.”

Article26ofthecontract sets out the conditions as it relatestoarbitration.

The contract in the meantime allows for the Contractor to recover these costs until the dispute is

settled.

TheUS$7.3billionaudit was awarded by the current administration back in May 2022. It was conducted by VHE Consulting which is a registered partnership between Ramdihal & Haynes Inc, Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting & Consultancy Inc.

TheLocalConsortiumis supported by International firms - SGS and Martindale Consultants for the 'Cost Recovery Audit and Va l i d a t i o n o f t h e Government of Guyana's ProfitOilShare'.

To this end, the audit zoomed into ExxonMobil's expenses between the years 2018 to 2020, which have already been billed to the country

When the contract was signed,itwasexplainedthat the process would be completed in four months however, Minister Bharrat recently sought to explain thatthetimelineallottedwas 120“workingdays”.

When President Irfaan Ali was asked to give an update on the audit during his last press conference in Region Three, he told this newspaper that the issue would be addressed at “the appropriatetime”.

Guyanese women on drug charges in Jamaica remanded

JamaicanObserver-TwoGuyanese womenheldwith21poundsofcocaineat SangsterInternationalAirportinJamaica wereremandedwhentheyappearedinthe StJamesParishCourtonWednesday

Twenty-one-year-oldOshauraMoses and 27-year-old Abiki Moses — both from Georgetown — have been charged withpossessionofdealingin,attempting to export, and conspiracy to export cocaine.

According to police reports, both women checked in at the airport about 7:30pmlastTuesdaytoboardadeparting

flight to the United Kingdom.During a search of their luggage, cocaine weighing 21 pounds was allegedly discovered hidden inside false compartments.

AtWednesday'shearing,noapplicationfor bailwasmadeontheirbehalf.

Attorney-at-law Henry McCurdy, who is representing both women, asked for a new mention date so that arrangements could be madeforhimtoreceivecopiesoftheessential documents.

PresidingparishjudgeSasha-MarieSmithAshleythenremandedthetwowomenuntilthe casereturnstocourtonApril20.

EPA wrapping up discussions on parent company guarantee for Stabroek Block –VPJagdeo

ByKianaWilburg

VicePresident,Dr Bharrat Jagdeo c o n f i r m e d yesterday that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of wrapping up discussions on a parent guarantee from ExxonMobil Corporation for the Stabroek Block.

D u r i n g a p r e s s conference at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) yesterday, the chief policymaker for the oil industry said he spoke with officials at the EPA before attending the briefing and they confirmed that those discussions are in the final stages.

He predicted that it should reach finality in a matterofweeks.

The vice president was keen to note that he does not want to impose, whether unwittingly or not, any artificial deadlines on the EPAteamwhichcouldaffect its ability to be thorough at the technical level. He did note however that the matter of a parent guarantee, which could be in the vicinity of US$2B,remainsapriorityfor regulators.

Last year, Alistair Routledge who heads ExxonMobil Guyana, had said that his company would be sure to handle what it deems to be eligible costs pertaining to environmental mishaps resulting from its operations.

Onthispremise,Kaieteur News asked the vice president to say how government will treat which such an approach The official said this is a critical matterthatisbeingaddressed by the EPA, adding that it is one of the resolutions that would be handled in the documents pertaining to the

parentguarantee.

The vice president said, “We don't believe Exxon should decide on eligibility” while noting that Exxon is also keen on ensuring that Guyana's demands for the coverage of costs are not unreasonable.

He proffered that government will probably have to find an intermediate step to ensure both sides are comfortablewithwhatwould bedeemedeligible.

Asdiscussionspertaining to the parent guarantee continue, Dr Jagdeo said there is a US$600M per occurrence coverage from the Stabroek Block consortiumwhichconsistsof Exxon's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited. Should any environmental accident require more than the US$600M available, the vice president assured that government has access to EEPGL's assets which are in the vicinity of US$8B to US$9B.

In a previous interview with this newspaper, EPA Head, Kemraj Parsram assured that the regulatory body is still working to

secure a mix of financial assurance to cover the entire oilrichStabroekBlock.

Intermsoftheoilandgas sector, Parsram had explained that there are various forms of financial assurance.

Hesaidthefirstform,self insurance, is already in the proverbialbag.Hesaidbased on EEPGL's financial rating and its liquidity, it is typical across the globe that selfinsurance is accepted as a form of financial assurance. Parsram said regulators can alsorequireinsurancesimilar to an insurancepolicywhich wastakenoutbyEEPGL,the operator of the Stabroek Block.

“…then this third aspect which we are now trying to finalize is the parent guarantee or what you can a l s o c a l l p a r e n t company/affiliate guarantee. So these are three forms typically used globally that cover financial assurances. Thereareotherformssuchas bonds and letters of credit; they are all in the same bracket but these are the major ones and we are looking at a combination of these three, not one or the other,” expressed the EPA Head.

Headded,“Sowithinthe current permits, well you don't have to state the selfinsurance,thatisagiven,and any public document that is available, you can check on the EEPGL as well as ExxonMobil's financial ratingandyoucangetasense of their self- insurance and theirliquidityandvalue.”

The EPAHead was keen to note that insurance is alreadyinthepermitsforthe Stabroek Block projects, but talks are ongoing for what is termed “parent guarantee”. He said progress is being madeinthisregard.

ExxonMobilGuyanahad

heldabriefingwithreporters in 2022 where its officials assured that it has the technical and financial resources to address a spill, though it is very unlikely to occur

The company said too that it adheres to an internationally accepted, tiered response system used t o d e t e r m i n e t h e requirements of response personnelandequipment.

Exxon Guyana officials had said this system remains alignedwiththeprinciplesof the International Convention o n O i l P o l l u t i o n Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC), the Caribbean Island Oil

Pollution Preparedness Response and Cooperation

(OPRC),andtheNationalOil Spill Response Plan of Guyana to provide an efficient framework to build preparedness and response capabilities matching the oil spill risks from all types of operations.

“The value of insurance will not limit the company's abilitytorespondtoanevent, andresponseactivitieswould certainly not be delayed by discussionswithinsurers.

We have the financial capacity to meet our responsibilities for an adverse event and we are committed to paying all legitimate costs in the unlikelyeventofanoilspill,” President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge hadsaid.

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

Photographer believes “social media personality” responsible for shooting up home

- Has been unable to work

since attack

Keron Bruce, a well known photographer has heightened security at his home while police continue to analyze footage of an attack that resulted in his house being riddled with bulletsonTuesdayevening.

Thefootageshowsalone gunman pulling up on motorcycle and opening fire atthehisresidencelocatedat Eccles,EastBankDemerara (EBD) and according to Crime chief Wendell Blanhum, his investigators are doing their best to track down the suspect in the shortestpossibletime.

K a i e t e u r N e w s u n d e r s t a n d s t h a t investigators have also obtainedfootagesfromother security cameras in the neighbourhood to assist in identifyingthegunman.

However,inaninterview with Kaieteur News on Thursday, Bruce said that a “popular social media figure” could be responsible fortheattackonhishome

The individual, he

claimed, had threatened to expose his location and addresstocriminalelements. Bruce alleged too that he even has evidence of the person staking out his house in a heavily tinted vehicle monthsago.

Meanwhile, Bruce has not been able to work since the attack because of fear that the gunman might return.

“I have been lying low because I am really concernedformylifeandthe lifeofmyfamily,”Brucetold KaieteurNews.

Bruce said that his son normally plays in their yard but he has been forced to keephimindoorsbecauseof fear that a bullet could take hislife.

The photographer added that the trauma of the attack has even led him to contemplate moving out of his home that he worked so hardtoacquireforhisfamily

“It has certainly affected our normal way of living”, Brucesaid.(Felicia

Hallim)

Photographer, Keron Bruce

Photographer's bullet riddled vehicle

Gunshot holes on Bruce's home.

Guyana has to utilise Int'l arbitration to address disputed costs by Exxon – Jagdeo

TheGovernmentof Guyana (GoG) is prepared to challenge disputed costs claimed by ExxonMobil, to extract the resources in the Stabroek Block, through the process of international arbitration.

This is so as it refuses to renegotiate the terms of the lopsided agreement signed by the former A Partnership forNationalUnity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalitionin2016.

According to the contract,coststhathavebeen flagged in an audit and deemed unacceptable can be recovered by the Contractor untilthedisputeisresolved.

Annex 'C' of the PSA at Section 1.5 (b) states “…In the event that an audit claim by the Minister is not settled to the Minister's satisfaction by the Contractor's reply as provided for above, the Contractorshallbeentitledto recover any disputed amounts pending final resolutionoftheclaim…”

Theagreementalsostates that Exxon can provide reasons justifying the costs,

but government would have to head to international arbitration to reclaim these sums.Upontheresolutionof the issue, Guyana would be repaid with interest, if the country is successful in its challenge. However, all the legal fees incurred for both partieswouldbebornebythe state.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during a press conference onThursday was asked if the government is preparedtotreadthispathto challenge such questionable costs.

In his response, Jagdeo explained, “Clearly if you have a dispute, if they are saying we believed we have supplied- so of the US$214 million that they have flagged in the audit- they onlysaidthatUS$28million should be removed from the cost bank and come over to theprofitbasicallytobepart of available for distribution asprofitsbecausetheyfound that a significant part of Exxon's supplies of goods and services were sole sourced. Almost 36 percent, butinthe36percentthatwas

solesourced,theyfoundthat about US$28 million did not reflect industry standards w h e r e t h e y w e r e competitively sourced so that's, we could have a dispute over the US$28 million. So Exxon may say no, that's not true, so what happensifyouhaveadispute you have to go to arbitration process.”

Jagdeo pointed out that this process is key to breaking the deadlock betweenthetwoparties.

According to him, “We may have to strengthen that process but right now you wouldalwayshavetohavea dispute resolution process because if you have two partiesthatdon'tagreebased on audit and they say oh we believe it is competitively sourced,youhavetodothat.”

The VP also sought to highlightthatthePSAmakes provisions for the disputed costs to be repaid immediately after the resolution by the Contractor throughitsshareofprofitoil.

By signing the 2016 oil contract, Guyana has agreed to submit its dispute to the

International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) for arbitration before three arbitrators - pursuant to the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States. Research by this newspaper foundthattheinstitutionwas established in 1966 for legal dispute resolution and conciliation between international investors and States. It is parented by the WorldBankGroup.

TothisendJagdeonoted, “I believe its standard, almost every contract that yougotoICSIDoryougoto three arbitrators or a sole arbitrator Almost any dispute, not just with oil companies,anyinternational dispute with a foreign company you have to have those dispute resolution clausessothat'showIseeit.”

He said Guyana needs to makeuseoftheinternational arbitration process, since the

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

international companies operating in the country would not be willing to accept the ruling of the local Courts.

In fact, the VP said Guyanaispresentlyutilizing this method of conflict resolution with the 'Parking Meter'scandal.

BiasedPSA

While Guyana may have settled for its monies to be deducted by the oil

companies and only be reclaimed through international arbitration, Trinidadian Energy Strategist, Anthony Paul in an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News said the recovery of costs in dispute are in keeping with the onesided nature of the 2016 oil contract.

He explained that contractsgenerallyallows (Continuedonpage22)

Guyana secures GRULAC support for its United Nations Security Council Candidature

Gu y a n a h a s secured the support of all thirty-two members of the GroupofLatinAmericaand C a r i b b e a n S t a t e s

(GRULAC) for its candidature for a nonpermanentseatontheUnited NationsSecurityCouncilfor the2024-2025term.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Hilton Todd on Thursday met with Permanent Representatives of the Group of Latin America and Caribbean States (GRULAC) at the UnitedNationsheadquarters inNewYork.

The Minister took the opportunitytopresenttothe GroupGuyana'scandidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2024-2025 termandtooutlineGuyana's vision and priorities once successful. Minister Todd also expressed Guyana's

appreciation to the Permanent Representatives for their respective Governments' support for Guyana'scandidacy

Theelectionisscheduled tobeheldon6June2023in New York During his presentation, Minister Todd underscoredthefactthatthe Latin America and Caribbeanfamilyhavemade significant contributions to international peace and security, including through the establishment of the regionasaZoneofPeace.

Additionally, countries from the region, big and small, that have served and are currently serving on the Council, have proven that theregionpunchesaboveits weightinthisregard.

The Minister identified several priority areas that would engage Guyana's attentionasanon-permanent member of the Security Council including climate change, food insecurity and

conflict; Children in armed conflict; Youth, peace and security; Women, peace and security and; Peace building andconflictprevention.

Thanking the members of GRULAC that offered to share their experiences on the Council, the Minister stated that Guyana's term will not be a national flag waving moment but a continuity of GRULAC's contribution to peace and security

He emphasized the primacy of the United Nations Charter and the i m p o r t a n c e o f multilateralism in s a f e g u a r d i n g t h e independence and security of States, especially for SmallStateslikeGuyana.

GRULAC is allocated two of the ten nonpermanent seats on the Council, currently held by Brazil and Ecuador. Guyana submitted its candidacy to GRULACin2011andisthe

Grove woman charged with threatening President, attempting to excite hostility

A 59-year-old Golden Grove woman was on Thursday charged for threatening President IrfaanAliandattemptingto excitehostilityorill-will.

Thewoman,ZalenaAli called 'Kim Ali' made her firstcourtappearanceatthe D i a m o n d G r o v e Magistrates' Court on T h u r s d a y b e f o r e Magistrate Sunil Scarce to answertothecharges.

Days prior Ali, a housewife of Lot 140 Section 'A' Block 'Y' Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was seen on a video which was circulated on social media, making a racial statement and using threatening language against President IrfaanAli.

She was charged with attempting to excite hostility or ill-will, Contrary to section 2(3) of the Racial Hostility Act,

Charged: Zalena Ali called 'Kim Ali'

Chapter 23:01, committed on Raynard Sobers and use of threatening language, Contrary to Section 141(a) of the SJOA Chapter 8:02, committedonPresidentAli.

Ali pleaded guilty to the chargewhichstatedthatshe

attempttoexcitehostilityor ill-will and she was fined $75,000 On the second charge, the woman pleaded not guilty and she was placedon$25,000bail.That matterhasbeenadjournedto May18,2023.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation met with Permanent Representatives of the Group of Latin America and Caribbean States (GRULAC) at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday. (Department of Public Information photograph)

region's sole candidate for the one vacant seat. It has received the confirmed support of all thirty-two membersofGRULAC.

Minister Todd's remarks were well received by the GRULAC Group and Member States concurred that Guyana's successful bid

will contribute to the continued success of GRULAC as a whole (Department of Public Information)

Businessman charged with murderof Port Kaituma labourer

Forty-four-year-old Miguel Hutson who was accused of killing a 24year-old labourer last Friday at Water Front, Port Kaituma, North West District, Region One was on Wednesday chargedwithmurderandremandedtoprison. Hutson, a businessman of Ann's Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD) made his first court appearance at the Matthews Ridge Magistrates' Court before Senior Magistrate DylonBesswherethechargewasreadtohim.

The businessman was not required to pleadtothechargewhichallegesthatonApril 7 at Water Front, Port Kaituma he murdered Joel Ramitt of Red Hill, Port Kaituma. Hutson who was remanded is expected to make his next court appearance onApril 17, 2023forthefilingofstatements.

Kaieteur News had reported that Ramitt wasreportedlykilledforstealingthesuspect's haversack,atanapartmentcomplexatWater Front.

Ramitt, according to information received, died after reporting Hutson to the police.Policeinareportsaidthatthesuspect reportedly stayed in a rented room at the apartmentcomplexthatday,andhadsecured itandleftaround21:00hrs.

Investigators learnt that at around 23:00hrs,Ramittwasspottedbyanotherman jumping out of the suspect's apartment window with a haversack on his back. The man reportedly stopped Ramitt and detained him with the haversack before taking him to thesuspect.

After learning that Ramitt was caught jumping out of his window, the suspect checkedthehaversackandsawthatitwashis.

Police said that the suspect then reached

foraknifefromhiswaistandstabbedRamitt totheabdomen.

Ramittmanagedtorunallthewaytothe Port Kaituma Police Station, with his intestinesprotrudingandreportedthematter TheranksondutyrushedhimtothePort KaitumaHospitalwherehesuccumbedtohis injuriesaround08:00hrsonSaturday Hutson was arrested and subsequently an investigationwaslaunched.

Remanded: Miguel Hutson

Exxon's boss pay rose 52% to nearly US$35.9 million last year–TheGuardian

Th e C h i e f Executive Officer ( C E O ) o f

American oil giant, ExxonMobilwashandeda52 percent pay increase to US$35.9 million for 2022, after the oil company reported its highest profits ever amid the Russia's invasion of Ukraine which sentoilpricessoaring.

TheGuardianreportedon Thursday,thatDarrenWoods' salary rose by 10 percent to US$1 9 million last year while his bonus and share awards surged by 80 percent compared with the year before.

The company said the bumper payday was “reflective of record company earnings and stock priceperformance”.

ExxonMobil made US$56 billion in profits, or US$6.3 million an hour, last year after the war in Ukraine ignited a surge in global oil andgasprices.

The company's record profit was also the highest reported by any western oil company

In an official company filing, Exxon's remuneration committee said that under Wood's leadership the company had “delivered

exceptional business results” Meanwhile, the company's share price outpaced its industry rivals last year after climbing by 160percent.

Its main US rival, Chevron, had a record US$36.5billionprofit,while the European oil company Shell announced the biggest profitsinits115-yearhistory, at US$39.9 billion, and BP reported a US$27.7 billion profit.

The news agency also said that the oil industry's outsized profits were criticisedas“outrageous”by the United States President, JoeBiden,duringhisStateof

the Union address in February Biden has previouslyaccusedExxonof making “more money than God”.

In the UK oil industry profits stoked public anger, leadingtocallsforawindfall tax on companies that had profited from the surge in global energy market prices as a result of the war in Ukraine.

In May 2022, the then chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announcedan“energyprofits levy” against oil company profits to help support households struggling with theirenergybills.Thecurrent chancellor, Jeremy Hunt,

later toughened the windfall tax as part of his autumn statement in November but faced renewed calls to adapt it after the announcement of bumper earnings from BP andShellearlierthisyear

In December 2022, Kaieteur News had reported that the US-oil major announced that Woods and other executives will be benefiting from an increase ontheirannualbasesalaries.

This announcement came after it was reported in the media that the company's British employees had taken tothestreetsprotestingmore than the 'pitiful' 2.5 percent increase.

ExxonMobil's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Darren Woods (Getty images)

Man swindles granny, others out of money for US visa

WANTED VACANCY

Skilled Carpenters, Masons and Labourers needed. Call: 602-9469, 660-6385 or 6257642.

Canter and Truck Drivers needed, must have atleast 3 yrs experience. Call: 6447088/ 624-7248.

Excavator Operators required, must have atleast 3 yrs experience. Call: 6447088/ 624-7248.

Office Clerk wanted, must have experience in Microsoft Excel and Words. Call: 6447088/ 624-7248.

Experienced Mechanic/ Welder (must hold qualifications) and Servicemen wanted for mining operation. Call: 697-2533.

Experienced male Cooks and Medic/ Camp Attendant wanted for mining operation. Call: 697-2533.

Wanted: Experienced Cashier, Cooks, Counter Person, Supervisor and Labourer. Apply @ Shanta's, 225 Camp and New Market Sts. or WhatsApp: +592-6541361.

Canter/ pick up Drivers needed. Call: 223-5273/ 223-5274.

Mini bus and taxi Drivers needed. Call: 628-1183.

1 Junior Accounts Clerk with NIS paye payroll knowledge, live-in Handyman and Night Guard needed in Hill Foot, Soesdyke and Industry area. Call: 227-5222/ 6750587/ 219-2170.

Professional Carpenters, Painters and Labourers wanted, attractive salary offered. Call: 686-1982.

Pump Attendant needed at Shell Station, Providence, E.B.D. Working shift (6am2pm and 2pm-10pm). Email: Shellramsburg@gmail.com

Experienced Hair Colorist, Hairstylist, Receptionist/ Massuese and Nail Tech needed. Call/ WhatsApp: 649-5005/ 226-6705.

Receptionist and Desk Staff needed at 233, South Road Lacytown, GT. Preferably males, 25-50 years old. Call: 225-0198.

Delivery Clerk and Porters needed. Apply at Lens 136 Sheriff Street C/Ville. Call: 227-2486/227-1511. Email: lensgy@outlook.com

Vacancy exists for Carpenter, $7000- $10,000 daily and Labourer, $5000-$6000 daily. Call: 650-1394/ 705-2817.

Kitchen Assistant, Supervisor, Chef and Salesperson needed. Call: 659-5559.

Vacancy for a Domestic Maid with experience in Indian cooking. Call: +592-637-6700.

A man who in past has been charged for scamming multiple individuals out of their hard earned cash is once again under the radar for allegedly swindling hundreds of thousands of dollars out of a ‘granny’ and others under the pretense that he could get them visas to travel to the United States.

Speaking with Kaieteur News on Thursday, the elderly woman (name provided), said she met the alleged swindler in February 2023 after he was recommended through a trusted acquaintance.

The woman explained that she had applied for a United States (US) visa two years ago but was turned down.

The acquaintance reportedly recommended that the alleged swindler has links with officials attached to the American Embassy in Guyana and can assist but she will have to pay more.

Eager to obtain a US visa the woman contacted the swindler but had no clue that the man would have deceived her. The elderly woman paid the man $160,000 to get her the visa.

“We call him and he told us [elderly woman and her daughter] to reach him at Giftland and from there he pick us up in his car take us to a place in Sophia,” the elderly woman said.

The suspect reportedly picked them up in a posh convertible and his words, according to the victim, were “so sweet” that she was convinced the man could assist her with the visa.

month while drinking at a bar at Giftland and when she questioned him, he claimed that he was manager at the bar and then made another excuse.

After some time elapsed, the victim decided to check with bar but was told he is not an employee but drinks there regularly.

The woman and her daughter continued calling his phone frequently and when he answered he would insult them and make outrageous excuses.

One of the excuses he made was that visa process was delayed because of a threat against the US interests in Guyana. “We call the embassy to find out if this was

true but the people say interviews are still ongoing and that has not affected the visa process”, the woman said.

When confronted, the alleged swindler reportedly responded that he has to check with his connections because “they have been telling him the wrong thing”.

In order to cover himself, the man allegedly told the victim, that she did not get her visa because the embassy had raised the price and she needs to pay more.

To verify if this was true, the daughter made some queries and learnt again that new visa price will be in effect from May 30.

After refusing to pay more, the alleged swindler

began to ghost them.

Realising that she was scammed, the woman contacted social media personality, Melly Mel to share her story.

Melly Mel posted his identity and other persons came forward alleging that they too were swindled hundreds of thousands of dollars for an American visa.

One woman said she was swindled $200,000 for a visa for her husband.

Another victim claimed they were swindled close $1M too.

A background check also revealed that the suspect was in the past charged for scamming multiple individuals.

Guyana has to utilise Int’l arbitration...

From page 17 for costs to be recovered only after the dispute has been settled. On the other hand, he also shared that the twin island has asserted its sovereignty in cost recovery by assigning the Minister responsible for Finance as the final arbiter in all matters related to taxation, including cost recovery.

As such, he noted, “The notion of having foreign courts of jurisdiction and arbitration is a slap in the face for sovereign nations, indicating that we are not to be trusted in making such decisions, even though they involve our own property. This

is consistent with the way our people and resources have been seen and treated for centuries.”

To further strengthen the process, the expert noted that there are clear rules that guide the Ministers decision. He said, “The point I am making here is that there needs to be a series of things to complete the governance system, beyond laws, regulations and contracts, to include guideline, rules, procedures and so on. Trinidad has some but not all. The most significant gap in T&T is the lack of mechanisms for holding the regulators to account.”

To this end, Paul said

where contracts leave room for ambiguity; clear regulations will close those gaps. He therefore urged, “So what should happen is that the Minister is the final arbitrator but there must be clear rules guiding him in making his decision and in how he reports to the people, who are owners of the resource he manages on their behalf.”

The specialist explained that oil companies very frequently attempt to force countries into international arbitration, fully cognizant of the fact that governments- like those in the Caribbean- cannot afford the process, so avoid it, even at a loss.

SERVICES

Visa Application: Canada and U.S.A. Graphics design & advertisements. Wedding decorations & elderly grooming: hair, nail etc. Call: 626-7040.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 629-5526.

She recalled that he collected the sum of $160,000 and began the application process on his computer. After completing the process, the woman asked him to print out the confirmation letter but the alleged swindler said that he had troubles with his printer and would deliver the document to her the following day.

It was at this point that the alleged swindler began making excuses until he started ghosting his victim.

“Is then the excuses pon excuses start,” the woman told Kaieteur News.

The woman’s daughter reportedly “ran into him” last

TO LET

One apartment for rent at 13 Stewartville Pasture, opposite the secondary school. Call: 649-2179.

FOR SALE

One double Lot 80x160 on the east side of Friendship, Public Road, $12M GYD neg. Call: 626-4234/ 628-6212.

Pure honey, wholesale and retail quantity. Call: 6214273.

New unfurnished & furnished apartments and houses for short & long term rental. $ 800, $ 1000 & $2000 USD. Call/ WhatsApp: +592700-0030.

3 unfurnished bedrooms , 2 bedrooms in Vreed-en-Hoop & 1, 2 & 3 bedrooms furnished apt in Diamond & Providence. Call: 659-0277, 682-6238, 216-2299/ 6046664.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

One CRV Honda, $3.3M negotiable and 1 Toyota Allion, $3.350 M, fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage . Contact: 649-0956.

$70.6M estimated to upgrade Coomacka, St. Luis, Harmony schools

The Ministry of Local Govern ment and Regional Development is looking to spend some $70,616,244 to have the

Coomacka and St. Luis Primary Schools extended and the Harmony Secondary School rehabilitated.

The projects were revealed during the latest open-

Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Extension of Coomacka Primary School.

ing of tenders which disclosed that Coomacka Primary would be extended at an estimated cost of $29.6 million, the St. Luis Primary would be extended at an estimated cost

of $19.9 million and the Harmony Secondary would be rehabilitated at an estimated cost of $20.9 million. Besides these rehab works, the Ministry of Education is looking to un-

Ministry of Education Construction of RC revetment and land raising at Tucville Secondary School.

dertake a number of electrical works at a number of schools including the East Ruimveldt and Dolphin Secondary schools and, Winfer Garden and Graham’s Hall Primary. These

works according to the total account of the engineer’s estimates is expected to cost $42,742,875.

Below are the companies and their bids:

Rehabilitation of electrical works at Dolphin Secondary.

Row between business partners ends in chopping incident

Rehabilitation of electrical works at East Ruimveldt Secondary.

Rehabilitation of electrical works at Winifer Garden Primary.

Arow between two business partners reportedly ended with one of them being chopped on Thursday at Quartzstone Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven.

The victim was identified as Dwayne Ward, a 43-yearold man of Wismar Linden, Region Ten.

According to police, Ward was chopped twice by his former business partner identified only as “Country” or “Brother” at around 07:00hrs at Linda’s Shop in Quartzstone Backdam.

The victim is hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) with a gaping wound to the face and an almost severed

left finger. Ward’s condition is listed as serious.

Ward reportedly told cops, that he and ‘Country’ were business partners but had severed ties after a misunderstanding.

On Thursday morning, ‘Country’ reportedly saw him (Ward) in the vicinity of Linda’s Shop and called out to him but he ignored him and continued walking. Ward said he remembers the suspect sneaking up on him from behind and chopping him twice.

Persons close by reportedly intervened and rescued him.

Investigations are ongoing.

IMF chief says global growth ‘not enough’

Rehabilitation of electrical works at Graham’s Hall Primary.

IMF’s 2023 global growth estimate of 2.8 percent is ‘most worrisome’ as it projects weak growth over a longer period, she said. growth over a longer period of time,” Georgieva told a news conference at the IMF and World Bank meetings in Washington on Thursday.

Aljazeera - International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has said that the global economy has proven remarkably resilient to multiple shocks, but has yet to overcome a combination of weak growth and sticky inflation.

The IMF’s projection of 2.8 percent global growth for 2023 “is not enough to bring opportunities to businesses and people around the world, and most worrisome is the projection for weak

The IMF on Tuesday warned that a major new flare-up of banking system turmoil that choked off lending and sparked a rush into safe-haven assets could slam global growth back to 1 percent, throwing many economies into recession and putting considerable stresses on emerging market economies.

Extension of school building at St. Luis Primary School.

Extension of Education Centre.

Rehabilitation of Harmony Secondary School, Wismar.

Walsh disappointed at sacking, felt Windies Women players were making progress

(SportsMax) - Sacked West Indies Women’s Coach Courtney Walsh said he was shocked and disappointed by his dismissal by Cricket West Indies as he feels the players were showing signs of improvement.

CWI announced early this week that the contracts of Walsh, Robert Samuels and Corey Collymore were not renewed and that they were looking at recruiting new coaches for the West Indies Women, who have struggled

for form for the past three years.

Walsh took over from Gus Logie in October 2020. Under his charge the West Indies Women won seven out of 24 T20Is and 11 of 32 ODIs. The team lost 15 consecutive T20 matches and made it to the semi-final of the ICC Women 50-over World Cup in 2022. However, during T20 World Cup in South Africa, West Indies failed to qualify for the knockout round after winning two matches -

Friday April 14, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

You're feeling especially loving, attractive, and romantic, so romance is likely to be on your mind. Romantic novels and movies could seem especially appealing. If you're currently involved.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

An increased level of ESP and imagination could have you feeling more creative and artistic. You might want to channel this energy into writing, painting, or adding touches to your living room.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

An attractive neighbor with whom you seem to share a bond could become a friend. A group you're affiliated with could be expressing highly idealized goals and purposes.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Dreams of a new career could fill your mind today, perhaps because of too much stress in your current one. You might even think of becoming a movie star.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Spiritual goals may be at the top of your priority list now, Leo. You may be looking for online metaphysical seminars or meditation workshops, perhaps taking place in a distant state or foreign country.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Lovely dreams could spark your imagination and get your artistic abilities going. You could learn a lot about yourself and whatever has been limiting you.

against Pakistan and Ireland - in the group stage.

Notwithstanding, Walsh while a guest on Mason & Guest radio show in Barbados on Tuesday, Walsh said he was surprised when he was told that his contract was not going to be renewed.

“I was surprised at the time when I was told, but it was a job, and I was employed until the end of last month when I was told the contract won’t be renewed,” Walsh said.

“The timing was very surprising. I would have much preferred to have known earlier, but that’s not my call. I got a message to call him [CWI director of cricket Jimmy Adams] and I called him, and he told me the contract won’t be renewed.”

Walsh also revealed that he was disheartened by the news that the Samuels and Collymore had also suffered a similar fate as he believes the players were showing signs of progress.

players at some crucial times, but we still fought through it, and I felt the coaches worked

really hard in trying to get the best team we could on the park in tough times.”

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

A new friend could arrive today, Libra. You're probably going to like this person very much. He or she probably shares many of your interests. You could become close friends.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

If you've been thinking about a job change or even a new career, a chance interaction could provide the opportunity. However, Scorpio, remember, "If something seems too good to be true.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

A journey by air to a distant place might be on your mind, though you might not make it for a long time. Knowledge is important to you, and you can be insatiably curious. This is likely to be one of those days.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

The desire to beautify your home could hit you full force today, Capricorn. Perhaps you're expecting future visitors or house guests and want to make a good impression.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

A new neighbor could arrive who you feel especially drawn to, Aquarius. You might have high hopes for a friendship with this person. He or she may seem especially congenial and share a lot of your interests.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You could be feeling especially sociable today. Maybe there's a virtual party of some kind you want to be invited to. You could hear some good news.

“I was also disappointed to find out that the other coaches were not going to be reinstated, as well. I thought we were making some strides with the girls and the pool of players we had at the time,” Walsh said.

“We suffered injuries to

During Courtney Walsh’s tenure, the West Indies Women won seven out of 24 T20Is and 11 of 32 ODIs.

More CARIFTA Games drama!

- GOAbeingaskedtofront US$12,000charterbillincurredbyAAG

ByRawleToney

As parents and wellwishers assembled today to welcome home the Guyanabased athletes, the Guyana OlympicAssociation(GOA) is being asked to front a $12,000 (GY$2.4m) charter billincurredbytheAthletics Association of Guyana (AAG)throughtheBahamas OlympicCommittee.

A c c o r d i n g t o information received (with evidence), in a last-ditch effort by theAAG to get the team to games in Nassau on time, a flight was chartered, with the help of the North American,CentralAmerican and Caribbean Athletic

Association (NACAC) president Mike Sands, from Havana, Cuba, to The Bahamas.

The last-minute effort from the AAG came after they were unable to secure flightstotheBahamasaday prior to the Games’opening ceremonyonGoodFriday

H o w e v e r, u p o n completionofthegames,the Government of Guyana, after learning of the team’s inability to find their way homeonMondayduringthe f i n a l d a y o f t h e championship,tookoverthe responsibilityoftheteam.

Nonetheless, the GOA was contacted by the

president of the Bahamas

Olympic Committee, RomellKnowles,askingthat the cost of $12,000 incurred to take the team to the Bahamas be paid to the private charter in the Bahamas,sincethey’vebeen unable to contact AAG president,AubreyHutson.

HestatedtotheGOAthat the BOC could pay the bill, which means that Guyana would be in debt to the B a h a m a s O l y m p i c Committee since their concern is payment to the privatecharter

When contacted today, Hutsonsaidhe’sunawareof a $12,000 bill, stating that

theNACACpresidentnever told him about a cost attached to the charter from CubatoTheBahamas.

The AGG president said he received $3m from the GOA, and $3m from the N a t i o n a l S p o r t s Commission (NSC) while also collecting over $3m from sponsors. Hutson, in several interviews, said the moneywasnottheissue.

At the time of making this report, Kaieteur News wasunabletogetacomment from the GOA on whether the country’s Olympic Committee will make the $12,000 payment on behalf oftheAAG.

AAG and the Power of Incompetence

In Guyana, everyday life is

rife with varying levels of incompetence and in the public space, the town hall of existence, this flourishing condition has found a venerated refuge.

On this episode of ‘Local Incompetence’, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) makes another stellar appearance in what has become a common production.

Itsleader,AubreyHutson,isa recurring character; a pantomime villainthathassolidifiedhisstatus as a major antagonist in this spectacle,whichhasevolvedfrom a simple digest into an annual episodicspectacle.

This exposition has been in syndication for ages and the AAG’s latest appearance has its origin in its shambolic administrationandorganizationof theJuniorCariftaGamesTeam.

Though one expects the initiated to be Au Fait with the aforementioned catastrophe, a prologuewillbeventilatedforthe sake of coherence, and to remove anysenseofambiguity

The team, which are u n w r i t t e n n a t i o n a l ambassadors, were unable to arriveonlocalshoresfollowing the conclusion of the annual event that was staged in the Bahamas during the traditional EasterWeekend,owingtoalackof travelarrangements.

The absence of the a f o r e m e n t i o n e d w a s compounded by the dearth of accommodations, which resulted in the athletes having to seek shelter in the homes of

Guyanese nationals dwelling in Nassau, as they were essentially maroonedontheisland.

This absurdity was simply t h e c u l m i n a t i o n o f incompetence, as several members were initially stranded in Cuba and only arrived in the 11th hour on the openingdayofthecompetitionvia alatecharteredflight.

The Government of Guyana (GOG)anditsrelevantsporting arms, the Ministry of Culture, Youth (MCYS), and Sports and the National Sports Commission (NSC),haveundertakenthefiscal obligation in ensuring the team’s homecoming.

This is against the backdrop ofonlybeingmadeawareofthe athletes’ plight on Sunday evening

Many questions from a curious but mostly angry populace must be answered by theAAGchiefHutson

Why did theAAG wait until the 11th hour to try and acquire visas for the team? Why did the team arrive on the day of the tournament, and why weren’t the ticketsboughtweeksinadvanceof theevent?

On the topic of sponsorship, it was reported that in the vicinity of 6 million was acquiredbytheassociation

While it is known that 3 million was given by the Guyana Olympic Association, and 3 million came from the government of Guyana, where didtheother3emanatefrom,and can all the garnered funds be accountedfor?

In the same way, when did

the AAG receive the monies from its donor but more importantly when did they commence their sponsorship drive given the traditionally establisheddateofthecompetition isknowntoallandsundry?

Bythesametoken,giventhe a m o u n t a c q u i r e d i n sponsorship, why weren’t ideal accommodations and travel arrangements finalized prior to the team’s departure? Continuing in a similar vein, was per diem afforded to the athletes and what wastheamount?

More importantly, did the team travel to the Bahamas on one-way tickets, and was this done intentionally with the expectation that the government would foot the bill for the return fareundernationalduress?

The AAG under the stewardship of its current boss seemstohaveapredilectionfor incompetence It’s almost like ineptitude has become a human quality in the AAG Could ineptitude be Hutson’s superpower?

While sports administration has been an inexhaustible source of sins, there has been a certain kind of villainy associatedwiththeAAGunderits current leadership. Indisputably, thisisnotHutson’sfirstrodeo;his firstdabblewithineptness.

In recent memory, Hutson dropped the proverbial ball on the staging of the 50th edition of the Carifta Games on home soilwhichresultedintheBahamas securingtherightsfortherecently concludedchampionship.

Let’s not forget the 2022

Carifta Games Curacao debacle which is somewhat analogous to the current quandary or the SouthAmericanGamesruination.

Regrettably, sports administration seems to have a magnetism with incompetent leaders.

American author Orrin Woodward once said, “The problem with incompetence is its inabilitytorecognizeitself.”

While this certainly applies to the current AAG executive committee, it is also applicable to the relevant clubs and entities under the jurisdiction of the governing body, which seems based on a lack of corrective endeavour, comfortable in their currentandempiricallyconsistent condition, much to the detriment oftheathletes.

Interestingly,thedebaclehas morphedintoapoliticalfootball underpinned by the ethnic realityofourexistence

However, in the spirit of objectivity, any politician, journalist, commentator, and/or social activist who ascribe fault to the GOG for the team’s present predicament, should have their head examined, as they are intellectually dishonest anddeceptive.

The GOG, the MCYS, and the NSC past and present have had their fair share of warranted criticism for their handling and mismanagement of the sporting landscape especially on the national team front However, thisisnotsuchacaseorinstance.

There is no conspiracy or stratagem by a diabolical conglomerate behind closed

doors to denigrate any specific group or to foster influence and control by ushering in change via a concocted and protracted fiasco.

To favour and subscribe to such a belief is not only absurd but is to have partiality and overall fondness for overall incompetence It also advocates for an excuse grounded in asininity and gives rise to suspicions of fostering ethnic narratives against what can be consideredasofttargetintheform oftheGOG.

Are we that politically aligned and entrenched that we are willing to provide ineptitude and incompetence with safe havenandprotection?

Peter Bergen, American Journalist once stated, “Incompetence is a better explanation than conspiracy in mosthumanactivity”

Similarly, Sir Arthur C Clarke, an English science fiction writer notably uttered, “Never attribute to malevolence what is merely due to incompetence” The AAG and primarily President Hutson, are the only entities that should be held responsible for what has unfolded The AAG failed its athletes again Hutson failed the athletesoncemore Period!

To revere incompetence, to normalize, assimilate, and excuse ineptitude under the premise of ethnic lines is distasteful and wrong! Change at the helm of the AAG is needed after years of ineptitude The athletic community deserves this small mercy

GOA president Godfrey Munroe

‘Red Carpet’ welcome for CARIFTA Games athletes

- Minster Ramson assures issues will never reoccur

ByRawleToney

Ataredcarpetwelcome for the Guyana-based CARIFTA Games athletes andofficialsyesterdayatthe Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

The contingent arrived on a chartered flight from Havana, Cuba, and was greeted by parents, guardians, well-wishers and Governmentofficials.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles RamsonledtheGovernment of Guyana’s delegation which included Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle and NSC Commissioner Cristy Campbell.

Thesoundsofdrumsand gyration filled the arrival area of the CJIA as the athletes each received a bouquet from their parents, complimentsoftheMinistry ofCulture,YouthandSport.

Tearsofjoyfloweddown thefacesofsomeparents,as the athletes’return signalled the end of an unforgettable drama-filled50thCARIFTA Games for the Guyanese athletes. In the words of WilliamShakespeare,“All’s

WellThatEndsWell”forthe Guyanese athletes, as they ended the three-day championshipsfinishedfifth inthefinalmedalstanding.

NEVERAGAIN!

Meanwhile, Minister Ramson assured the athletes that their struggles this year under the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) will never happen again.

Ramson explained that Government intervention andagoodrelationshipwith the Government of the Bahamas resulted in the athletes that missed the morning session on the opening day of the CARIFTA Games, being allowed to compete in the eventstheyhadmissed.

“Now that the athletes arehomesafely,we’regoing todealwiththesituationthat occurs. What I can say is, I can give the Government’s assurancetothepeopleofthe country, is that whatever transpired over the last few days that led us to the point ofhavingtointerveneinthat kind of way; that will never occur again,” Minister

Ramsonsaidtocheers.

TheMinisteradded,“No oneinGuyanacouldeverbe happy about not giving the k i n d o f c a r e a n d representation and management to our athletes. No one could ever be happy aboutwhattranspired,much less the Government of Guyana And when the Government of Guyana builds a strong relationship withassociations,weexpect the associations to take the leadandmoveforwardfrom them ” Minister Ramson hintedatsomechangesinhis Ministry’s approach to SportsAssociations, adding, “Going forward, we will have a much more elaborate engagement with the associations, where they’ll havesomepolicies,changes and directions, which you’ll hearmoreabout.”

EIGHTMEDALS

Three gold, two silver and three bronze saw Guyana finishing behind overall winners Jamaica since the athletes from the LandofWoodandWaterhad 78 medals (40 gold, 22 silver,16bronze).

Host nation Bahamas wassecondonthetablewith 46 medals (10 gold, 13 silver, 23 bronze), Trinidad and Tobago ended in the thirdpositionwith31medals (nine gold, 10 silver, 12 bronze), while St Kitts and Nevis were fourth (11 medals – five gold, two silver,fourbronze).

The US Virgin Islands (3), Barbados (10), Grenada (10), Guadeloupe (8) and Belize (2) rounded off the

top 10 at the event that featured22countries.

Anisha Gibbons earned the title of ‘Javelin Queen’ aftertheNewMexicoJunior College athlete earned her third gold medal in consecutive CARIFTA Games.Tianna Springer had one of the games’ most memorable performances when she came from behind towinthegirl’sU17400m.

Guyana’s third Gold Medal came from Javon

Roberts, who ran a clinical andwell-timed800mtowin theboysU17category Roberts had also won silver in the boy’s U17 1500m, while the country’s other silver medal at the games came from Attoya Harvey in the Girl’s 3000m open. Trevon Hamer (Boys U20 Triple Jump), Seon Booker (Boys U20 1500) andEzekielSaul(BoysU17 Triple Jump) are the bronze medallists.

Ghanpat wins Romel and Robin Golf Tourney

and Harry winners in respective flights

Last Sunday, the Lusignan Golf Club hosted their annual Romel and Robin Golf tournament, which featured three flights, namely the 10-and-under, 11-18 handicap and 19-36 handicap.

Intheend,onemanstood

out-theexperiencedHardeo Ghanpat, who was adjudged theoverallwinner.

Speakingattheendofthe tournament was one of the s p o n s o r s RomelBhagwandin who said, “It has been a real pleasure, hosting this

tournament for the seventh time. Wehadahugeturnout,a totalofforty(40)players,the highest we have had so far forthisyear.”

“It was a great feeling to see the members engaging with caddies and non-

members. To see so many persons turn out in such a greatmagnitude,itbringsus a lot of joy in hosting the tournament.”

The results for the tournamentwereasfollows:

0to10Flight

1st -DavidHarry

2nd-AvinashPersaud

3rd–AassrodeenShaw

11to18Flight

1st-KevinBoodram

2nd-MahendraHarry

3rd-BridgelallHarry

19to36Flight

1st-HardeoGanpat

2nd-DenoBissassar

The winners with their trophies

3rd-ArnolDeo

B e s t G r o s sAvinashpersaud

Overall Best NetHardeoGanpat

Longest Drive - Max Persaud

Nearest to pin - Patrick Persaud

(from left) Tianna Springer (400m u17 gold), Javon Roberts (800m gold, 1500m silver) and Attoya Harvey (3000m). (Rawle Toney photo)

Squads named for Headley Weekes Series to be played at CCG

(CWI) - Cricket West Indies (CWI) Senior Men’s SelectionPaneltodaynamed thesquadsfortheupcoming Headley Weekes Tri-Series. Team Headley – named in honor of George Headley –will be captained by Joshua DaSilva,thewicket-keeperbatter. Team Weekes –named in honor of Sir EvertonWeekes–willbeled by Alick Athanaze, the lefthandedtop-orderbatter

Thetwoteamshavebeen drawn from the leading performersinthe2023West Indies Championship and those deemed to be on the fringe of the Test team. Additionally, CWI named the teams to provide further first-class opportunities to thebestperformersfromthe West Indies Championship in a competitive and intense setting, as well as opportunities for players who the selectors believe would benefit from playing red-ball cricket as West Indies prepare for the upcoming “A” Team tour of Bangladeshandthetwo-Test SeriesagainstIndiaathome.

TeamHeadleyandTeam Weekes will play against each other and against the West IndiesAcademy in the three-match series running fromApril19toMay6,atthe Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) inAntigua.All three matches have been awarded first-class status. The West Indies Academy was unveiledlastyearandplayed

CG United Super50 tournamentlastNovember

Team Weekes will feature Athanaze, who was theleadingbatterintheWest Indies Championship with 647 runs, which included two centuries; left-arm spinner Veerasammy

Permaul the second-highest wicket-taker with 28

wickets; as well as Jahmar Hamilton who was the joint leading keeper with 19 dismissals.

Team Headley will feature experienced lefthander Darren Bravo, who was the second highest runscorer in the West Indies Championshipwith446runs which included two centuries; fast bowler

AkeemJordanwhowasthird highestwicket-takerwith22 wickets in four matches; as well as Tevyn Walcott, who was the joint leading keeper with19dismissals.

Lead Selector, the Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes, said: “Following the conclusion of the West IndiesChampionship,weare pleased to have more firstclass matches on the calendar This is a great initiative and will provide our players with more opportunities as we look ahead to the very important TestSeriesagainstIndialater in the year as well as ‘A’ Teammatches.Welookedat everyonewhowasavailable,

and we came up with teams whowillbeverycompetitive andpusheachother.”

All matches in the Headley Weekes Tri-Series willbestreamedLIVEonthe Windies Cricket YouTube channelwithlivescorecards and ball-by-ball scoring on the Windiescricket.com live matchcentre.

Team Headley: Joshua Da Silva (captain), Sunil Ambris, Darren Bravo, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Chaim Holder, Akeem Jordan, Marquino Mindley, Shayne Moseley, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Kieran Powell and Tevyn Walcott Team Weekes: Alick Athanaze (captain),Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Keacy Carty, Dominic Drakes, Jahmar Hamilton, Brandon King, Jair McAllister, Zachary McCaskie, Veerasammy Permaul, Raymon Reifer, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith andDevonThomas.

West Indies Academy: Kevlon Anderson, Ackeem Auguste, Joshua Bishop,

Teddy Bishop, McKenny Clarke, Rivaldo Clarke, Joshua James, Johann Layne, Kirk McKenzie, Ashmead Nedd, Kelvin Pitman, Keagan Simmons,

Ramon Simmonds, Kevin WickhamandNyeemYoung

Allmatchestobeplayed atCCG,Antigua

Match 1: 19-22 April:

TeamHeadleyvWestIndies

Academy

Match 2: 26-29 April:

Team Weekes v West Indies Academy

Match3:3-6May:Team WeekesvTeamHeadley

Impressive Guyanese men falls to Canada

ByRawleToney

A valiant effort was not enoughtosavetheGuyanese men from a 5 – 0 defeat to their Canadian counterparts in their final Group B game attheJuniorPanAmHockey Championships in Bridgetown,Barbados.

TheRobertFernandescoached team went into the contest oozing with confidence after securing the country’sfirstwin atthe tournament since 1992 following their 1 – 0 victory overBarbados.

Guyanahadopenedthe tournament with a 0-3 loss t o t h e A m e r i c a n s andhoped to score an unprecedented win over Canada.

H o w e v e r , t h e Canadians, the higherranked side between the two, showed their superiority against the Guyanese.

Leighton De Souza opened the Canadian’s account in the 29th minute, scoring from a Penalty Corner

Jude Nicholson (33'), Hudson Loh (35'), Jyothswaroop Sidhu (38') and Brooklyn Aranha (44')

are the other Canadians to findthebackofthenight.

Canada ended the group stage unbeaten with winsoverGuyana,theUSA and Barbados, while the Americans ended on six points with wins over the BajansandtheGuyanese.

Guyana will play their final game of the championships tomorrow

Jabari Lovell on the move against Canada at the JR Pan Am Hockey C/Chips

againstBarbados

Meanwhile, the women’s team, coming off a historic 1 – 0 win over Barbados on Wednesday, will play Chile today at 12:00pm.

Chileishopingtoremain flawless in the tournament, with wins over Canada and Barbados in their previous matches.

The Regional event will feature three teams.

GFF, Marics Company handover One Guyana President’s Cup Top Scorers’ Prizes

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and Marics and Company

Limited this afternoon handed over two new white and red Honda XR 150L motorcycles to One Guyana President’s Cup top scorers Abumchi Benjamin and KelseyBenjamin.

The simple ceremony was held at the GFF H e a d q u a r t e r s i n Georgetown. Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) defeated Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West

Demerara) 2-1 in a spectacular January 1 final of the inaugural tournament at the Leonora National TrackandFieldCentre,West Demerara.

The Benjamin men represented the Guyana DefenceForceFootballClub and scored 10 goals each. One of the motorcycles was donated by Marics and CompanyLimited,thehome of Honda in Guyana, while theotherbikewassponsored byGFF

Marics and Company

Marketing ManagerAnjanie Hackett said her company

has always supported GFF’s tournaments and that they were happy to present the XR Honda motorcycle to one of the top scorers of the One Guyana President’s Cup.

“Marics and Company Limited has always supported sport in Guyana. It’s not the first time we’re doing it sometimes we give bikes, sometimes we givecash.Sowearehappyto givethiswonderfulprizeand it’s495,000fortheXRbike. So we are happy for the winner Hackett assured that Marics will be sponsoring a prize for the 2023 year-end tournament.

GFF Secretary General IanAlves explained that the federationhadtostepinand sponsor another motorcycle after two players scored the most goals at the end of the nationaltournament.

“Initially we got the donation from Marics and Company for the one motorcycle XR because we were assuming there would have been one highest goal scorer As the tournament

was as competitive as it was…itshouldbenotedthat because there were two highest goal scorers, we were forced to find another prize.Asaresult,theGuyana Football Federation chipped in by purchasing the other motorcycle from Marics so that both of the highest goal scorers could have gotten

their prize ” He added: “Marics is already committedtothetournament this year and to additional support for other Guyana Football Federation’s tournaments.Forthisweare indeedgrateful.Oncewecan guarantee support of companies like Marics, we can see our players being

much more motivated and willing to give their best in thesetournaments.

The club leg of the One Guyana President’s Cup kicked off on November 13. It was followed by the championship round, which started on December 11 and featured10regionalteamsin two groups Abumchi

Benjamin of the Guyana DefenceForceFootballClub after collecting the keys for his new bike said he was happywiththeprize. “On behalf of GDF, I thank GFF and also Marics Company,”heshared.

Kelsey Benjamin added that he was “very, very excited”.

Director of Sport hails another...

(SportsMax) - With the vast improvement in the performances of Jamaican juniors in track & field over the last few years, there has beenasteadyincreaseinthe number of athletes who forgo a tertiary education to pursue a professional career immediately after high school While Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association President Garth Gayle admits there is nothing the administration can do to prevent this, he is urgingathletestothinkabout life after track & field when makingthesedecisions.

“I’ve always said education is the means by whichanyindividualwillbe abletomakegoodinyearsto come, ” Gayle told SportsMax.TV

“So, these are young athletes that are doing exceptionally well in their chosen disciplines within track and field. We believe that it is best for them to

reach a particular age or at least a level of experience because getting into the senior elite program is not easy There is some level of protectionwithintheschools or within the education system and I believe they should relish and seek to benefit from that rather than to be making the rush too early,”Gayleadded. He did point out, however,thattherearesome clubsouttherethatprioritize athletes’ education while giving them an opportunity tocompeteprofessionally

“Thereareprogramsand clubs that allow for these juniorathletestobeproperly prepared and taken care of, including their education. UsainBoltwhenhemadethe move from William Knibb into the High-Performance Centre and continued his education as well because there was that support base andhewasabletoearnvery well,”hesaid.Gayle,whois

also principal of the Charlemont High School, then had a message for young athletes in all sports, not just track and field.

“Those that are making this transition, remember your education because there is life after your chosen sport. It happens in all the various sports As an educator myself, I believe the more youcanbeprotectedandget the necessary guidance, it will allow an athlete to stay with the sport a lot longer,”

he said. “There will come hiccups and when they come, and you don’t have thatsupportbase,Jamaicans are hard task masters. We demand a lot from our sportsmenandwomen,more so in track and field. It is on that basis that I would want to be cautious but we can’t stop it. We would want to p r o v i d e a s m u c h encouragement and guidance towards one’s development through education,”Gaylesaid.

Frompage30 programme has also been conceptualized and will be conducted during the month of June, which further d e m o n s t r a t e s t h e government’s exhaustive and extensive policy for the advancement and overall evolution of the sports ecosystem.”

Kaieteur News met with a few high-spirited parents and guardians after the press briefing which

was held yesterday at the Colgrain Swimming Pool; thegeneralconsensusisthat they are pleased with the efforts of the MCYS and NSC to develop the sport of swimminginthecountry They also commended the coaches that are involved in the 2023 programme for their engagements with the kids a n d t h e g e n e r a l progression of the 2023 programme

“There is life after your chosen sport”

- JAAA President urges young athletes to take education seriously

Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association President, Garth Gayle

One Guyana President’s Cup top scorers Kelsey Benjamin (far left) and Abumchi Benjamin (far right) recently received their prizes.

Trinidad & Tobago crowned West Indies Rising Stars U15 Champions - Guyanasecures2ndplace

A brilliant half-century from Christian Lall led Trinidad and Tobago to the West Indies Rising Stars

Under 15 Championship title, while Guyana finished as runners-up following an excitingcompetition.

The Twin Islands Republic defeated the Leeward Islands by six wickets at the Coolidge CricketGround.

The Leewards batting first posted 162 all out in 48 overs,withahalf-centuryfor skipperMatthewMiller

He shared in a 63-run partnership with Jaheem Clarke as the pair showed resistancetothespinofYasir Deen and Alejandro Kassiram.

Deen and Kassiram finishedwithfiguresof3/34 and3/9respectively

Lall and Dimitri

Ramjattan then posted a 77run opening partnership beforeRamjattanwascaught for19.

Trinidad and Tobago lost three more wickets in pursuit of victory, but Yasir Deen nudged the ball forthewinningsingleinthe last ball of the 35th over.

KunalTilokanifinishedwith figuresof2/45.

Wi n d w a r d s a n d

Guyana close out tournament with wins

The Windward Islands tookhomeafour-wicketwin over Jamaica at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium to

close of their championship onawinningnote.

Batting first, Jamaica posted 146 all out in 42.3 overs, thanks to a top score of 39 from Demarco Scott and 36 from Odane Binns. TheoEdwardwasthepickof the Windward bowlers with figuresof4/27.

In the third match, Guyana beat last year’s winners Barbados by seven wickets at Liberta SportsGround.

Batting first, Barbados were all out for 69 in 20 5 overs

Oliver Gooding topscored for the Bajans with 23 Arun Gainda 3/10, skipper Dave Mohabir 3/13 and Jonathan

Mentore 3/14 were the leading bowlers for Guyana

Mentore then returned totopscore17runsand14 from Romario Ramdeholl, but it was the 25 runs that came via extras that took Guyana home to a comfortable win Akobi Crichlow-Byer was the best Barbados bowlerwith figuresof2/18.

LeadingPerformers

Most Runs - Earsinho Fontaine (197 from 4 innings)

Most Wickets - Yasir Deen(14wickets)

Most DismissalsChristianoRamanan(9)

Most Catches -Sycon Charles(6)

Director of Sport hails another successful Easter Vacation Swimming programme

After almost ten days into the 2023 Easter

Vacation ‘Learn to Swim’ programme it is easy to conclude that this year’s programme has been the largest, most successful editionthusfar

An initiative of the NationalSportsCommission (NSC) through the Ministry ofCulture,YouthandSports (MCYS), which is aimed at teachingyouthsbetweenthe ages of 6 and 18 the basic knowledgeonhowtoswim.

This year’s programme was extended to Linden and East Berbice as opposed to previous years, seeing over two thousand kids and at least forty coaches being engaged daily as they develop their swimmingtechniques.

T h e p r o g r a m m e unfolded at the Watooka Swimming Pool (Linden), Albion Estate Pool (East Berbice) and also in Georgetown at the National Aquatic Centre and Colgrain Swimming PoolfromApril3-15

Meanwhile, Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, during a brief comment stated that the annual initiative is indicative of the government’s resolute

commitment to the development of the sports l a n d s c a p e v i a a n encompassingapproach.

He explained, “The growth of the programme, which has witnessed a 200% increase from the previous iteration of 600 participants, underscores the government’s modus operandi in that the development of the sports sector should entail and be guided by a comprehensive blueprint ” According to Ninvalle,theoverwhelming

success of this edition, will certainly serve as a clarion callfortheexpansionofthe annual initiative, declaring, “The expectation is that the programme will eventually serve as a catalyst and conduit for the emergence of many Raekwon Noels, who historically clinched five gold medals at the recently concluded Junior Carifta Games in the Bahamas ” He further said, “An adult’s variant of the present (Continuedonpage29)

Guyana captain, Dave Mohabir

Participants assemble for a group photo at Colgrain Pool Students and coaches going through their paces at yesterday’s morning session

Seven Seas sponsors Archery Guyana’s 2023 National Indoor Championships

Archery Guyana will be hosting its Seven Seas N a t i o n a l I n d o o r Championships2023shortly with Ranking Rounds to be shot from April 23-29 2023 and the Finals on Sunday 30th April, 2023 at the NationalGymnasium.

Guyana’s best local talents will be on display aiming for the bragging rights of Indoor National Champion Here Archers will have to demonstrate greatdiscipline,strengthand stamina to walk away with thetitle.

Thequalitiesrequiredby theArchertoachievesuccess twins harmoniously with The Seven Seas products. You may ask why Seven Seas?This is because for 88 years we have proudly delivered to you the best products, sourced from the ocean and manufactured to thehigheststandards.

Seven Seas has been at theforefrontofsupplements and vitamins since 1935, when a co-Operative of fishing trawler owners from Hull started producing bottles of pharmaceutical

grade Cod Liver Oil. Fastforward to today, they are determined to support your whole-body Health through thepowerofOmega-3.

Recently,atthehandover ceremony at the Massy Distribution’sHead-officeat D4 Starlite Square, Montrose, East Coast Demerara, president of AG, Mrs Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon and Archery Guyana’s Competitions Committee Chair, Mr Jeewanram Persaud were able to learn more about the products from the knowledgeablestaff.

Ms Karen Connell, Pharmaceutical Manager of Massy Distribution and Ms. Dileya Deonarine, Pharmacist/Brand Manager of the Seven Seas portfolio here in Guyana, explained that their tailored range supports an active lifestyle focusing on the health of your bones, cartilage, Muscles, and connective tissue.

All these products start with Omega-3 & Glucosamine with the Addition of Chondroitin,

CalciumandTurmerictosuit your specific Joint Care needs.

One of their featured products:

JointCareMaxhasbeen specifically formulated to supportanactivelifestyle.It supports Cartilage, Bones, Muscles and Connective Tissue to help in four important areas of Joint Care.

It also contains our h i g h e s t l e v e l o f Glucosamine at 1500 mg.

Their Perfect 7 Plus line’s Pharmacist/Brand Manager, Ms Dileya Deonarine explained that it brings together the benefits of a daily multivitamin and Omega-3tohelpsupportthe demands of modern life and yourbusylifestyle.

The Perfect 7 Plus man aidsthebodyin7keyways, supporting your muscles, heart, brain, bones, vision, metabolism and energy levels.

The Perfect 7 Woman

Plus aids the body in 7 key ways,supportingyourbrain, Skin & Nails, Hair, vision, heart, hormonal activity

Since this brand was founded,MassyDistribution and Seven Seas have strived to provide customers with thebestqualityproductsand committedtoputting‘you’at the center of everything we do.

According to Deonarine, “We feel it is our obligation to not only produce great

products, but to also share our 88 years of expertise in vitamins and minerals with you!” Thanks were expressed by Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, President of Archery Guyana, for Seven Seas collaboration as a competitionsponsor Jeewanram Persaud reminded the media that members of the Public are invited to attend a spectacle on Sunday 30th April at the NationalGymnasium.

Seven Seas’Pharmacist/Brand Manager, Dileya Deonarine (centre), signing the official sponsorship documents in the presence of President of Archery Guyana, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon and Archery Guyana’s Competition Chair, Jeewanram Persaud.