Kaieteur News

billion royalties could have been $57 billion had new oil terms applied

Govt. let Exxon merge oil fields in Stabroek Block and hid it from public for three years

APNU+AFC have ‘condemned the people of Guyana’ with Exxon lopsided contract - AG Nandlall Tullow positions itself to cash in on Guyana's oil boom from a distance

Guyana can be forced to choose between welfare of citizens or repaying debt

...asJagdeoclaimsnon-oilrevenuecanserviceloans

Citizens question ExxonM’s

US$50 million expense on Wales gas project

PETER’S HALL

TullowOil’srecent divestment of its 60% interest in the Orinduik Block has raised eyebrows. As details emerge of the company’s shrewd agreement, which could see it profiting handsomely from Guyana’s o i l w i t h o u t t h e corresponding legwork, an essential question is: How do the Guyanese people benefit?

Under the terms of the deal with Eco Guyana Oil and Gas ( B a r b a d o s )

Limited, Tullow is set to receive an i n i t i a l c a s h p a y m e n t o f

US$700,000 Further provisions in the deal could allow Tullow to benefit significantly from any potential success in the Orinduik Block A successful commercial discovery within the Orinduik licence would warrant an additional US$4 million payout to Tullow More impressively, if the Government of Guyana issues a production licence forthearea,Tullowstandsto gainanextraUS$10million. These arrangements, in essence, paint a picture of a company poised to benefit from the toil and risk of others, while watching from thesidelines.

Moreover, the royalty rights embedded in the transaction are striking. Tullow is slated to receive

July$11.3billionroyalties couldhavebeen$57billion hadnewoiltermsapplied

royalty payments on future production from the Orinduiklicence,amounting to1.75%ofthe60%working interest entitlement revenue, net of capital expenditure andliftingcosts.Thisisakin to someone collecting rent onapropertytheynolonger own.

Thereisnodisputingthe

Stabroek Block discoveries, amongotherthings.

Armed with extensive research and an experienced team, Eco is gearing up to drill a Cretaceous well. Gil Holzman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Eco Atlantic, commented:

Guyana’s July financial report for the Natural Resource Fund has brought thenation’soilroyaltiesinto sharpfocus.

The Stabroek Block

Blockcompanies.

strategic brilliance of the deal from a financial standpoint But other companies are actively puttingcapitalandeffortinto exploring and developing offshore Guyana. Tullow’s approachofretainingastake in the game without truly ‘playing’ may be seen as audacious If the block’s resources are proven to be commercially exploitableand this is likely - Tullow will be earning a royalty for theproduction,alongsidethe true owners of the oil, the peopleofGuyana.

Eco(Atlantic)Oil&Gas Ltd., which will be taking over the operatorship, is bullish about the block’s potential, notably due to the proximity to ExxonMobil’s

“We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Tullow and to be able to begin to u n l o c k t h e Orinduik Block’s full potential Since 2014, we havebelievedinthe potential of this Block, with our initial two wells in 2019 proving two different oil plays. Wewillproactively engage in a farm out process for this highly prospective license and begin preparations to drill a well testingthecretaceous,where all light oil discoveries have been made in the adjacent StabroekBlock.”

While Eco will hold a 75% interest, TOQAP GuyanaB.Vwillcontinueto hold a participating Interest of25%.

companies, led by ExxonMobil, paid the Guyanese government a royalty of approximately $11,350,048,000forthepast quarter

This sum, although sizable, could have been a staggering $56,750,240,000 hadGuyanaappliedthenew modelroyaltyrateof10%.

The royalty received is basedona2%ratefromthe oil produced and sold from the Stabroek Block. This payment covers three months.

However, Guyana’s recent introduction of a modelagreementfornewoil blocks proposes a substantially higher royalty rateof10%.

Theintentionbehindthis new model is to maximize the economic benefit Guyana reaps from its rich natural resources Outrageously, the decision was made not to apply this increasedratetotheexisting projects of the Stabroek

The disparity between the potential and actual royalties received from the Stabroek Block is concerning. Guyana could be making more money from the only producing block.

The Natural Resource Fund began July with an opening balance of a p p r o x i m a t e l y $359,340,928,000. With the inflows from the Stabroek Block’s profit oil, which a m o u n t e d t o $15,381,743,000, along with the royalty, the month concluded with a closing b a l a n c e o f $387,677,472,000 (approx. US$1 86 billion) This balance primarily lies as cashandcashequivalentsin the New York Federal ReserveBank.

Fortheyear,Guyanahas received three royalty paymentsandeightprofitoil lifts.Thecountry expects to receive one more quarterly royalty payment and nine moreprofitoillifts.

While the country has seenasignificantboostinits revenuesfromtheoilsector, including investment

income of $1,604,753,000, questions remain How would the country’s financialpositionlooktoday if the revised 10% royalty rate applied to the Stabroek Block?

On the other hand, the StabroekBlockpartnerswill receive more handsome financial endowments this year ExxonMobil,Hessand CNOOCareexpectedtosee combined profits soaring beyond $1 trillion in 2023, as the Payara Development Project will hit first oil this year

It will work alongside theLizaPhaseOneandLiza Phase Two Projects, all of which are expected to produce approximately 600,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd). Exxon and partners already have five sanctioned projects in Guyana and are eyeing a sixthdevelopmentintheoilrichStabroekBlock.

Though the Stabroek Block remains at a 2% royaltyrate,theintroduction of the 10% rate for other blocks is a promising sign forthesharingofspoilsfrom potential development of otherblocks.

Tullowpositionsitselfto cashinonGuyana’soil boomfromadistance

24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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

Question andAnswer

There are many questions about oil and gas matters that callforstraightanswers. Themoredetailedtheanswers,the better Guyanese are informed of what they are getting for many billions spent in this brand-new sector A sector that holds so much promise, in which so much of the destiny of Guyanese is enmeshed. Yet, the PPP/C Government, from its leaders to its lawmakers in parliament, is a study of only the paltriest,mainly trickiest,of answers that could be found on something this vital. Five billion more sought for the Wales gas-to-energy project, highly thought of by Vice President Jagdeo, and perhaps a few others in the government, and there are only the skimpiest, dodgiest, of answers.

What is it that the PPP/C Government and the likes of VicePresidentJagdeo,andFinanceMinisterDr Singhareso frightened by, over the simple issue of expense details and full disclosures that they dance around related questions? What arrangement has been worked out between the PPP/C Government and ExxonMobil that ties President Ali, Vice PresidentJagdeo,andMinisterSingh,inknots,thatlimitsall three of them, to the hazy and frequently sickly? When our top people in government are reduced to this state of limpnessabouthugelyexpensiveoilandgasissues,thenthey are not for the interests of the Guyanese people, they are for ExxonMobil’sinterests.

Parliament is the highest forum of deliberation in this country, and there are all these questions, but clear and convincing answers are not presented. The more that Dr Singhcirclesaroundandevadesquestionswiththepaucityof “interventions” and “management and supervision” and “components”,themorehelookslikeaman,aminister,with many heavy secrets hanging over his head, possibly locked securelyinsidehishead.Theissuesaresimple:letthenation seetheexpenses,givecitizenstheclearestideasofwhatthey are paying for in these tens of billions claimed to be spent by ExxonMobil.

Ithaslongbeensaidthatthedevilisinthedetails. When the issue under the microscope is oil, then there are more devilsthancanbefoundinhell. Howmanylengths/typesof pipelines are being used in the Wales project? How much have we paid for them? When Guyanese know this, then there can be checking, comparing and reconciling, of what ExxonMobil presents as expenses, and how they matchup with real prices. It is time that both the PPP/C Government and the ExxonMobil-led consortium operating our rich oilfieldsfacethisfact:neitheristrustedtoanycommendable extent,ifatall,bylargesectionsoftheGuyanesepopulation. As much as ExxonMobil is welcomed here, and is needed in Guyanaforitsadvancedtechnologiesandworld-classskills, the company does not inspire much confidence, and with each daily development, it is trusted less. It has earned this disregard by its arrogance, its greed, and its haemorrhaging and disemboweling of Guyana and all Guyanese, save for a connectedfew

Whencloseto$50billiondollarshavebeenapprovedthis year for this hotly disputedWales gas-to-energy project, and question after question go unanswered, or disingenuously responded to, then the worst is thought about the manipulationsofExxonMobil,andtheevasiveactionsofthe PPP/C Government. Finance Minister Dr Singh may think that he put on a fancy parliamentary clinic, but all he succeeded in doing was to demonstrate to all Guyanese how he and his government have converted this oil sector into a shabbypicnic. ItisnowcustomaryforGuyanesepoliticians to be pleased with themselves to come across as a mimic for ExxonMobil, but if only they knew how anemic they sound, howpathetictheyappear

Expensesarethelatestinalongandcontinuinglineofoil secrets. When companies and governments see it fit to hide how billions are spent, then it means that they have a whole worldofshenaniganstohide. Ifallwerecleanandclearwith these project expenses, then ExxonMobil would be the first to put them before the Guyanese public, using the PPP/C Government as its channel. When questions are poorly and cleverlyaddressed,thenskullduggeriesarelikelytoreign.

Trinidad’s Local Elections unpredictable

DEAREDITOR, t h e P r o p o r t i o n a l Warner entered the fray on seatssince1983LGE,would Trinidad holds local Representation (PR) system the side of UNC a couple easily win more seats elections on MondayAugust similar to Guyana’s PR. In weeks ago Respondents overall. But in this election, 14 to choose 141 councillors Trinidad, there is opposition represent the demographic the ethnic supporters of for 14 local authorities distrustinelectoralintegrity composition of the PNM are very discontented Some one million voters are The ruling PNM last population. Jack’s entry has with their party some 70 registered to vote to choose October passed a law to energized and excited the percent telling interviewers 141 candidates distributed in extendthetermofofficefora UNC base and has not of NACTA that they won’t fourteen local authorities year Thelawwaschallenged triggered a similar response vote. A higher percentage of that vary in size. A local in court by a voter, from the PNM base. Gary UNC ethnic supporters, government term of office is contending that government Griffith, former National approaching 38%, said they three years In the last cannot unilaterally extend Security Minister and Police will vote The ethnic election, both major parties, the term of councillors. The Commissioner, has also distributionofthepopulation PNM and UNC, each won lower court and Court of shored up the UNC base. between the two largest seven. The UNC should be Appeal ruled in favour of the Many traditional UNC groups is almost balanced. running away with the government The Privy supporters, who were not This places the UNC in an election given the PNM’s Council, the final court of interested in voting a month advantagetowinthepopular unpopularity The approval appeal for Trinidad and ago, now indicate they will vote. But unlike in Guyana, ratingofthegovernmentisin Tobago, reversed the vote. A month ago, only 30 Trinidad has a first past the the 30s percentile. Yet, this Trinidad’s courts’ ruling last percent of the population postsystem–largestnumber y e a r ’s o u t c o m e i s May,forcingthegovernment expressed an interest in of votes in a constituency unpredictable. toholdelectionswithinthree casting ballots, with a wins the seat. The PNM lost

Unlike Guyana that has months. Monday’s elections majority going for the UNC. the popular votes in 2019, 80 local authorities with areunpredictable. That turnout number has but won a majority of seats some 1010 seats, Trinidad Since early July, this inchedupwithmostgoingto because of the way electoral has 14 local entities and just writer has been conducting a UNC. This could help the boundaries were/are drawn. 141 seats, all constituencies tracking opinion poll to UNC in competitive There has not been any shift are first past the post based. determine popular support. I marginal seats in the local in boundaries since them. Each local authority also has have been conducting authorities of Sangre The UNC Alliance has four aldermen allocated by surveys in Trinidad since the Grande, San Fernando, closed the gap with PNM in 1980s The poll has Siparia,andChaguanas. every seat except for a interviewed hundreds of Ordinarily, the PNM, handfulwherethecandidate likely voters since Jack which won a majority of (Continued on page 5)

Dealing with social reality

DEAREDITOR, we have become a nation of categories into social groups

In the ongoing debate on ethnic minorities. The norm is a contingency that the merits and demerits of ofnotpubliclyconcedingthe involves the same set of “ethnic” representation by pre-eminence of ethnicity in actors, where the class and some of our politicians and Guyana is one result of the ethnic motives may either public intellectuals, those ideologicalblindersimposed conflict or reinforce each who insist there are by a Eurocentric scholarship other In multi-ethnic, multispecifically “ethnic” towhichmostoftheopinion- class societies such as concerns and issues that shapingelitestillsubscribes. Guyana, situations which must be articulated and Modern social science pose perceived threats to the represented are dubbed, developed in a Europe that survival of a group, be it “tribalists” Now I have had already ‘solved’ its violence or domination by alwaysbeendeeplyoffended e t h n i c p r o b l e m b y other groups, tend to evoke when this particular term is transmuting it from a “ethnic” responses while usedinodiumandcontrasted ‘national’ problem into an localeconomicissues,which with being “nationalist” international one when they pose threats at the individual Firstly, it connotes the image formed more or less level, may evoke a “class” of societies that have tribes, ethnically homogenous reaction. The lived especially in Africa, as states. “State” and “nation” experience of individuals irredeemably backward and were generally synonymous will determine to which type needing to get on with it to to the early European of group they perceive their become “modern” and theorists who focused on fates to be linked and they develop into a “state”. But economic cleavages rather willreactaccordingly. whatisthemodern“nation”- thanethnicones,whichwere Ethnicity is particularly constructed in Europe - but peripheral to their reality susceptible to politicisation the “tribe” writ large? And The few, who did, such as since it fulfils the which tribe has been more J S Mill, pessimistically instrumental economic violent than, for instance, concluded that: “Free demands of “class” while those same nations as they institutions are next to simultaneously satisfying fought their “world wars”? impossibleinacountrymade the affective, emotional, Witness the survival of upofdifferentnationalities”. cultural and moral needs of European “tribalism” in the The dominance of its group members (ethnic Brexit brouhaha through the ethnicity over class in most interests). In a world of different reactions of the multi-ethnic societies does scarce resources and allEnglish, Scots, Irish and not imply that class is pervasive governments, Welsh, not to mention the negated; they both exist e t h n i c p o l i t i c a l expelledEasternEuropeans. objectively and subjectively entrepreneurs do not find it

Rather than condemn the T h e t w o i n t e r a c t difficult to persuade fellow phenomenon, therefore, our dynamically and as to which group members that their elite and opinion makers preponderates depends on economic interests are better oughttotrytounderstandthe t h e s i t u a t i o n T h e servediftheirgroupcontrols wellsprings of ethnicity and transformation of class and thestate.Theaffirmationof ethnic aspirations – even as ethnicity from analytic (Continued on page 6)

Trinidad’s Local Elections...

Things that bother me

DEAREDITOR, be held accountable much represents a few things that Three generations ago, lesspunished. bother me, even as we are there was a popular column Third, every day, in and proceeding like a bull in a written by Robert Burchell out of Guyana, the China shop, with the gas to OclaveHartentitled‘Things Presidential Posse proclaims shoreprojectandwenowhear that bother me.’ that we are the fastest that our much traveled For this weekend, share growing economy in the PresidentsignedaMOUwith with me only a few of the world. That the proceeds for his counterparts in the thingsthatbotherme. oil, gas, gold, etc. make Dominican Republic among

First,whyareourleaders Guyanese per capita the otherthingstobuildasmelter in Government unwilling to richest community in this I plead with my Government, havemeaningfuldiscussions world, yet our exchange rate I plead with our Government with the official Opposition, whichwas4-1inthe80’sand that the President require his credible professionals, 10-1 in the early 90’s is now Advisors to read a recent experienced experts, 200 odd to 1 in 2023. To a publication titled ‘The Dark religious leaders and our simple man, this makes no Future,’ written by Glenn young people? This of sense, but the financial czars Beck and Justin Trask course excludes handpicked could perhaps explain this Haskins (Editor) before they Party sycophants and dichotomy Fourth, we have embark on their next organizations manufactured an Ethnic Relations globetrotting exercise The bythePPPtopbrass. Commission, useful or a book points to a new

Such consultations waste of taxpayers’ money? emerging World Order would allow us to develop a This Thursday, I gave an controlled by a new set of commonapproachindealing interview to two persons, people perhaps wiping out with those harvesting our one an Indo-Guyanese and traditionalcapitalism non-renewable natural the other, someone whose One must have the resources, gold, diamonds, foreparents were in intellectual vigor to know oil and gas, so that this and Guyanese politics but is where little Guyana with big succeeding generations basically Caucasian who resources stand in what may wouldbethebeneficiariesof lives in parts of Europe, very well be a twenty first these precious resources includingUkraine. century fascism. One former giventousbytheCreator I was asked the question, public figure, Lorri

This requires that those in this Emancipation month, Alexander would say ‘Tings in charge of our government if it is true that the nah regula.’ must be Statesmen and not Descendants of Manumitted Guyana,mydearGuyana foxes that are armed with Africans were in fact being Quo Vadis? In other words, nicewordssetouttodeceive. marginalized by the present my dear Editor, my dear Details are unnecessary, just administration? I invited fellow Guyanese, my dear read the columns of our them to attend a forum to be young people, where are we independent media. In other held at Critchlow Labour going? I wish I could give a words, when will we rid College this Sunday August plausibleanswer ourselves of those wolves in 13, 2023 from 1:00 pm to GuyanaQuoVadis? sheep’s clothing? Second, 5:00pmtogettheanswer

From page 4

withtwoseatsatoss-up.Turnoutisbenefiting makes a difference favouring the PNM. So a UNCbecausePNMsupportersappearturned low PNM turnout will result in a defeat in a off and mal-contented. If PNM is able to marginal seat. There is a dozen of such seats arrest or turn around the apathy, it will retain makingthemveryclosetocall.Minorparties Sando(5-4,6-3)andcaptureGrandeortiethe are also polling votes although not enough to latter4-4. winseats.Theyarethedarkhorsesthatcould This is a landmark election that will have create some upsets and or could also impact a significant bearing not only on local competitivemarginalconstituencies. election but the general election in 2025. If

The PNM has a better equipped and oiled UNC loses, pressure will be on the UNC Election Day machinery than the UNC. The leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar to step down. challenge it faces is convincing its base to If PNM loses a corporation, it still has two come out to vote.The UNC base is energized more years in office to rebrand itself. PNM andexcitedandmaynotrequiremuchvehicle turnout will determine the outcome of the resourcestocomeouttocastballots. elections making it unpredictable.The minor

The latest findings show UNC retaining partieslikeNTA,PEP,andPDParenotoutof local authorities in its strongholds – some six the contest. They could create upsets in safe of the seven it holds including in Siparia and seats in PNM strongholds because of Chaguanas. PNM is projected to also retain widespreaddissatisfactionandcandecidethe six of the seven it holds. Sangre Grande and outcome in several marginal seats including San Fernando are toss ups. In San Fernando, Barataria and seats in Chaguanas, Tunapuna, PNMleadsinfourseatswithUNCleadingin andelsewhere. three seats and two seats are toss ups. In Sincerely, Grande, PNM and UNC leads in three seats Vishnu Bisram

Sincerely, afteranunexplainedhiatus,a Dear Editor, the above Hamilton Green commission to inquire into the tragedy at the Mahdia dorm is now in place, but of interest only after our caring and I don’t mean cunning government has obtained signatures from the relatives of the children who died saying in ordinary words, take five million dollars each.Endofstory.

Here I offer this bet that notwithstanding the credibility and very high regard we all have for the Chairman, that whatever recommendations the Commission may make, no functionary, no blue-eyed boy or girl of the PPP would

Managing our human resources as human beings

DEAREDITOR, which resulted in the ‘servants’ has never been d i m i n i s h e d , a r e : At this point in time, one turn entices a widening

Published just over a decision to step down from known to be embraced by Commissions, Committees, g o e s i n s e a r c h o f rangeofforeignorganisation decade ago was the very the high organizational any public administration in Councils, as well as organisations, public or management cultures that educative text of Frederick perch to what was called the this country – Colonial or representative community private, who invest in a are prone to mimic this ONE Lalouxresultingfromawide ‘shop-floor’ of their Independent. In fact, the andothernon-Governmental philosophy that inspires; NATION’S style of range of research of o p e r a t i o n s , w h e r e v e r y p o s t u r i n g s o f organisations. first equality; next, being character diminution – to a international companies substantivedecision-making ‘independence’ have tended Butattheoppositeendof better human beings. point of illegality in some each of whom managed would in the future be to overlook several thespectrum,toolittlewould Insufficient account seems instances. They themselves s o m e t h o u s a n d s o f affected. constitutional rights of have been seen or heard tobetakenof:morality,trust, take advantage of local employees The survey In the transformation citizens, whether as about the WORKER honour; of being an discriminatory behaviours revealed that the CEO’s had process, the descriptor individualsorasmembersof PARTICIPATION model exemplar even to one’s that are publicized to d e v e l o p e d q u i t e ‘employee’ was elevated to recognised agencies, developed in our sugar families, particularly young reinforce their initial i n d e p e n d e n t l y a thatof‘HumanBeing.’ including of course Trade industry around 1977 – the adults. immigrant aptitude for management philosophy Such an elevation of its Unions Ignored, if not result of intensive debate Thelatter,subjectasthey superiority over a porous between workers and are too much (insensitive) society managers of the various social media, are forced to For what it is worth, the departments across the ten make distinction between Public Service Ministries operating estates, actively what leaders say and how alone contain the following unionizedastheywereatthe theyactuallybehave;aswell categories/levels of time. as to elevate performance of employees:

Now is the time to start the much needed National conversation on improving race relations

DEAREDITOR, undertakings. At the end of cometogetherasOnePeople

In the beginning, it was the contract, I am cheated of in One Nation with One my land. They came to trade my pay Let’s make the most Destiny and then forcibly took what of it. This is the story of the We can pretend when was mine. They slaughtered Indian. there are benefits to be had, my people and forced me to These are very distinct but deep-seated hate can give them my gold. They perspectives of the racial only be overcome by truly then brought slaves from groups in our country Over understanding each other anotherlandtohelpthemrob time we listened to each once again. Trust takes time me of what is mine. This is otherandeventuallyrealized and this is the bridge that we thestoryoftheAmerindian. that we were being pitted must commit to rebuilding.

I was brought captive against each other. Divide Only then can we meet each from my land and forced to and control was the game. other on neutral ground and work for a cruel people. What we had in common mutual understanding where They mistreated me and was being mistreated and reconciliationmaybeseeded forced me to do that which I cheated by those who took and nurtured to bring did not want to do. They what was ours and brought everlasting peace amongst separated me from all that I us to the land of the our peoples. The leaders of loved.Thisisthestoryofthe Amerindianwhosestorywas each of our six peoples must African. of similar sufferings and committodoingserioussoul

After Emancipation horrific atrocities We searching and decide when came Indentureship, a new eventuallylearnedfromeach they and their respective frontier in race relations. other While coming people are ready to truly With it came the game of together to break free of the e m b r a c e p e a c e f u l pitting one race against the servitude and hardships, we coexistence which will other It was mine and now it weresubjectedto,wegained eventuallyleadtounity is yours. I did it for free and strength from each other Rebuilding trust is the now you are getting paid to Ourpowerbecameathreatto f i r s t s t e p , a n d do it. Now that I am free, those in control. So, they acknowledgment of the they should be paying me to made divide and conquer an wrongs of the past is the first do it. You are taking away even stronger weapon by step towards rebuilding my money Resentment was attacking and discrediting trust. This must be followed seeded. the strong amongst us while by forgiveness of ourselves

My people are dying also planting deception and and each other after truly from these harsh conditions betrayal.Thiscreatedfurther accepting the errors of our which we have been division, and as a result own people. We must not subjected to We must retarded our progress hide the truth from our change what we are doing. towards true freedom. Over people and Our Nation. This

This is the story of the time, while experiencing an will then allow us to move labourersbroughtfromother illusion of independence we towards healing and parts of the world (Asia and subjected each other to the reconciliation.Wemusthave Europe). position of less than those an open and honest

I came with a contract who were in power A hand conversation with each and those who came before me down from those who other It will be difficult at us do not care to work. They brought us to these shores. first, but we must take that arelazy,atleastthisiswhatI Having learned the ways of step towards each other was told by those who hired oppression, we have seeded Only then will the “do fuh me. Now they look at me and nurtured hate, which do”approachandhateful with hate and undermine my today makes it difficult to

(Continued on page 60)

A copy of the actual theirownelders.

1.Administrative-1469 c o n s t i t u t i o n a l a n d Meanwhile in our Public 2 Senior Technicalcommunications structure Service,elderandyoung,are 1813 that was approved by the hardly guided or advised by 3. Other Technical and Board and successfully those who should normally CraftSkilled- 254 implemented is still be described as ‘Human 4. Clerical and Office available. Resources Managers’ - a Support-6093

However, the model has descriptor that continues to 5 S e m i - s k i l l e d since been abandoned as the be alienated from the pre- Operatives and Unskilledespritdecorpsbetweenmore dated Personnel Officer as 2690 recent management teams recorded in our annual 6. Contract Employees andnewyoungemployeesin budget–certainlyintheonly -3644 the industry has somewhat Public Service in the These are recruited into diminished. Caribbean, and probably in a n y o f t h e f i v e

Meanwhile, it would be therestoftheworld. categories/levelsabove. interesting to learn whether Not quite irrelevant was Surely at levels 4 and 5, such a human resources one visitor’s pun in there are those who wonder development style ever questioning how many when they would be seen to obtained in comparator ‘Ministers’ do not appear to be ‘Human Beings’ by inept organisations, evidence of knowthattheir‘preaching’is ‘Personnel Officers’ , which might have been done to ‘human beings’with themselves distant in any reflected in published souls case from those who are (annual) Reports that But then there is the expected to address their concentrate on finance and carping observation that, as ‘HUMANRIGHTS’aswell. the produce/service reputedly one of the richest Sincerely, delivered. economies in the world in E.B. John

Dealing with social reality

From page 5

modern man searches for meaning, struggles themselves as a people, and the economic againstatomisationandseekstranscendence. interestserved,mutuallyreinforceeachother ‘Theethnicgroupistheonlysocialinstitution

Ethnicity is based on the perception by a thatdefinesandacceptspersonsforwhatthey group that it possesses common traits, areandnotbywhattheydo’. primarily cultural and ascriptive, and Subjectively, the individual’s perception common origins, which taken together make ofselfandidentityisformedintheearlyyears them distinctive from other groups of socialization, when typically; the ethnic Objectively, when as in Guyana, the ethnic markers themselves become a part of the groups are from different phenotypical individual’sidentity

“races”, the exclusiveness of each group is In our estimation, therefore, political and intensifiedastheculturalmarkersofdifferent other leaders have to acknowledge the religions, mores, and social institutions legitimacy of ethnic concerns and deal with become reinforced by the disparate racial them objectively rather than pretending that characteristics of skin colour, hair texture, theyaredistastefulandmustbesweptundera etc… The cultural basis of ethnicity – tied to rug.

identity - makes it impossible to Even within a “multi-racial” party this compartmentalise from other aspects of life - must be demonstrated. Ethnic caucuses in political, social, and economic. Instead of partiesanyone?

disappearing as most had postulated, the Sincerely, opposite has occurred with ethnicity, as Ravi Dev

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Gas-to-energy

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Anybody with a question must join a line. Those waiting for an answer must go home and come back.

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The PPP isn't answering tough gas-to-energy questions.

On the most touted Wales project, Jagdeo and Ashni Singh lose their mouth.

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Both dig a hole and bury themselves, to hide from gas-to-energy questions.

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Guyanese had better watch out that they are not buried next.

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APNU+AFC have 'condemned the people of Guyana' with Exxon lopsided contract

Th e P e o p l e ' s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) continues to insist on the unfairness and lopsidedness of the Stabroek Block

P r o d u c t i o n S h a r i n g Agreement (PSA) to score political points against the APNU+AFC. But despite its constant yammering, the administration has done nothing to remedy the tragedyofanoildeal.

In a fiery debate on the Petroleum Activities Bill, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Guyana's Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, lashed out at the previous administration, APNU+AFC, over the PSA t h e y s i g n e d w i t h ExxonMobil, the operator of theStabroekBlock.Thefocal point of Nandlall's concerns was the stability clause embedded in the agreement, which he believes puts an

undue burden on the Guyanesepeople.

The Stabroek Block PSA has been a topic of intense scrutiny and criticism due to the lopsided fiscal terms that many believe do not adequately favour Guyana's interests The primary concern raised by Nandlall is the stability clause, which stipulates that any change in Guyanese law after the signingoftheagreement,ifit is materially adverse to the economic benefit of the contractor, requires the government to "restore the lost or impaired economic benefits to the contractor". This provision essentially freezes the contract terms, no matter how Guyana's laws andsystemsevolve.

R e a d i n g o u t t h e contentious portion of the agreement, Nandlall emphasized, “That is what you have imposed on the

backs of the Guyanese people… even if there is a change in government, and there is a change in the law, and a change in the legal system of the country, this contract shall prevail.” He further articulated that the previous government has made this agreement the "mostsovereignandsupreme document"inthenation.

The overarching fear expressed by the AG is that such clauses severely restrict the government's ability to govern and legislate in the best interests of the nation. Especially with a rapidly growing and evolving oil industry, it becomes crucial for governments to have flexibility in policy-making to adapt to changing circumstances However, Nandlall argued that the government has made many gains to improve the

Govt. let Exxon merge oil fields in Stabroek Block and hid it from public for three years

In a recent revelation,

Vickram Bharrat, Guyana's Minister of N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e s , d i s c l o s e d t h a t t h e government had covertly granted ExxonMobil a unitizationagreementforthe Liza and Payara oil fields, and kept the nation in the dark for three years. This move was made to permit ExxonMobil to extract resources from a well in the Liza license area using the Prosperity floating production, storage and offloading(FPSO)vessel.

Bharrat finally discussed thematterwhiledebatingthe Petroleum Activities Bill in Parliamentclosetomidnight last Wednesday He explained, “When we were doing the Payara license one month after taking government inAugust 2020, we were in quite a dilemma. We were in quite a dilemma when the operator asked us for a unitization agreement. We didn't know anything much about the unitization agreement because we were never faced with quite a situationlikethatbefore.”

The rationale behind this

move was to ensure that no oil resources were left stranded. As Bharrat said, “Therewasonewellthatwas intheLizalicensearea,butit was not producing in the Destiny or the Unity FPSO. So it means that if we didn't allow, if government didn't allowExxontopullfromthat wellintheLizadevelopment [with] the prosperity FPSO, that resource would have beenstrandedthere.”

The government allowed the unitization of the fields, though there was no legal framework at the time to facilitateit.

The government has since decided to include unitization provisions in the new Petroleum Activities Bill to ensure clearer guidelines in the event of futureunitizationrequests.

B h a r r a t o u t l i n e d potential scenarios of how unitization may play out in the future, discussing the possiblechallenges.

Hestated,“Itcanbecome challenging when you're dealing with two different operators and two different blocks... And then it goes because if the Corentyne

government's ability to regulatethesector

The PSA has been criticized by various stakeholders for its generous terms to ExxonMobil at the expense of Guyana's potential revenues. Critics argue that as one of the largest oil finds in recent decades, Guyana deserves a morefavourabledeal.

Nandlall also criticized the previous government for hiding the contract and the signing bonus from the public for over a year “That is the history That is the sordid history and track record of those who are now going to protagonize t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability, and lecture to ushere,”Nandlallstated.

He called them “bornagainchampions.”

Despite the glaring concerns raised about the Stabroek Block PSA, the government insists on preservingthesanctityofthis lopsided contract Their

steadfast refusal to renegotiate, even in the face of mounting criticism, showcases a concerning complacency towards an agreement that many view as heavily skewed in favour of ExxonMobil.

Man critical after struck down by firefighter

block is adjoined to Suriname and then there are reserves on both sides, but it can be developed quickly and easily in Guyana. Then our Foreign Affairs minister would have to engage the Surinamese government to ensure that we have an agreementwiththem.”

While the government's initiative to equip itself with a proper framework to handle such situations in the future is commendable, it is concerning that the unitization of the Liza and Payara oil fields was not communicated to the public. This is especially so, as Bharrat did not disclose why it is necessary for ExxonMobil to produce from a Liza well with an FPSO that does not operate there.

The Prosperity FPSO arrivedinGuyanaearlierthis year, and will start production before the year ends. It can produce 220,000 barrelsperday(bpd).Itisthe third FPSO The Liza Destiny and Unity FPSOs are also producing, and have reached levels in excess of 400,000bpd.

A 27-year-old man is presently battling for his life after he was struck down during the afternoon hours last Wednesday by a speeding car driven by a firefighter The accident took place in the vicinity of Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara (EBD), along thenewDiamondAccessRoad.

Hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), is Denzil Smith, of Prospect, EBD. According to his relatives, Smith sustained severe brain damage, a broken leg, arm and rib. They said that he is still unconscious and is currently on a life supportmachine.

Police have arrested the firefighter and it ispossiblethathecouldbechargedinthenew week.

According to one eyewitness, Smith was crossing the road when he was struck down byaspeedingcar

The eyewitness said that he was driving his vehicle in a northern direction when a speeding car overtook his just as the victim wasabouttocrosstheroad.

The eyewitness had slowed down and a minibus travelling in the opposite direction had stopped and put on the hazard light for Smith to cross, but the firefighter's car could notslowdownintimeandendedupknocking himdown.

“…The man overtook us with such a speed, he was unable to stop, he tried to swerve but it was too late”, the eyewitness recounted.

Police have also obtained CCTV footage of the accident too and it showed that after Smith realized that car was not going to slow down, he ran as fast as he could to get to the other side and out of its path but unfortunately,hewasnotquickenough.

The impact of the collision flung him up into the air and he landed on the paved road

face down where he remained motionless. Policewerealertedimmediately

Smith's relatives do not live far from the accident scene and according to his sister, KeishaSmith,shewasinsideherhousewhen her10-year-oldraninandinformedherofthe tragedy

“He ran in an seh, mammy Denzil dead”, thewomansaid.

Keisha recalled that she rushed out to the street and collapsed on the roadway after seeingherbrotherbleedingawayontheroad.

An ambulance arrived shortly after and Denzil was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital. He was referred to GPHC where he was admitted in the ICU unit.

Smith's relatives believe that the firefighter is responsible for his critical conditionandwantshimtobeprosecuted.

Attorney general and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Mohabir Anil Nandlall S.C.

Smith hospitalized at the GPHC.

The TORs should be made public

It was announced at the swearing-in ceremony of the Commissioners of the Commission of Inquiry into the school dormitory fire at MahdiathattheCommission wouldtakeimmediateeffect. But the law has a separate requirement before a Commission of Inquiry (COI)cancommence.

Section 16 of the CommissionsofInquiryAct r e q u i r e s t h a t t h e Commission be first published in the Official Gazette. As at the time of writing of this column, no such notice has been published in the digital version of the Gazette of Guyana. It is therefore not clear whether the Commission has been published in the Official Gazette.

Thelawdoesnotrequire that the Terms of Reference (TORs) be published. But there can be little harm in doing so as part of the publication of the Commission especially since the TORs were not announced during the ceremony to swear-in the Commissioners. As at the time of writing this column, they have also not been publishedinthemedia.

It is strange that our media houses have not yet lamented this absence. The TORs are important to understanding the scope of the inquiry Even though we are told that the COI can make recommendations, these recommendations cannot be outside of the scopeoftheTORs.

It was hoped that given the national importance of this COI, that the government would have

invited other national stakeholderstobepartofthe process of drafting the original TORs The Opposition, for example, had asked to make an input intothedraftingoftheTerms of Reference (TOR). It had demanded that the COI should evaluate the structural integrity, fire safety measures, emergency exits, and overall compliance with relevant regulations in these facilities. Therehasbeenno indication that the Opposition was involved in thepreparationoftheTOR.

TheAmerindian Peoples Associationhasrequestedto beconsultedsinceitfeltthat the TORs should benefit from persons with knowledge of indigenous communities, including the one most affected by the tragedy

Itisnotclearwhetherany Indigenous peoples’ organizations were consulted in the formulation of the COI. But if they were not, that would hardly be surprising because that has been the traditional modus operandi of the PPPC governments.

Ye t , t h e r e w a s precedenceforconsultations with the Opposition. During the tenure of Donald Ramotar, the Opposition parties in the National Assembly were consulted with tin relation to how the Linden Commission of Inquiry should proceed Arisingoutofthatprocess,it was agreed that the COI would be established in a consultative manner and its TORs developed in a consensualmanner

Twenty children lost theirlivesintheMahdiafire.

Dem boys seh...

Even since de Stabber report that Troy nah deh home, everybody asking, “WhereisTroy?”

A Missing Person Bulletinhasbeenissuedfor Troy

But de Popo seh yuh does gat fuh wait fuh 72 hours before you could deem it a case of disappearance. Dem seh Troy missing does not mean he disappear He mussbegonebyafriendor hegonegallivanting.

Butpeopleworried.De man leff de house and he ain’t tell nobody where he was going All de

And to think that notwithstanding what the President said about being sensitive to the need to give the families the necessary time to grieve, it is unacceptable that the COI shouldhavebeendelayedfor almost 11 weeks. It is even more unpardonable that the TORs have not yet been madepublic.

What has been made publicisthatthegovernment has offered assistance to the families. That assistance is substantial Millions of dollarsareinvolved.

The government would know that assistance and support are not the same as compensation and that any assistance offered has to be withoutprejudicetotheright of the families to seek financialcompensation.

Yet inexplicably, we are reading that the families of the children who died or were injured were made to sign a document absolving the state from any future liability

Surely, that report has to be flawed Support and assistance to the families cannot be confused with compensation. To date no member of the government has come forward to deny that such a document was presentedforsignaturetothe families. There may be a need for a COI into why if this report is true that it was necessary for such an agreementtobesigned.

This is a serious development If such a document was presented to thefamilies,thensomething really wrong is going on in theCo-operativeRepublicof Guyana. Ifitistruethatthe families were indeed given

such a document to sign, thentheentirenationshould comeoutandcondemnsuch a move But more importantly,ifitdidhappen, the document should be rescinded. No one expects the present COI to pronounce on liability The Linden Commission of Inquiry did so but the sums

recommended were hotly contested and the same is likely in this instance. So, it best if when the time comes forthecompensationissueto be settled through a class action suit against the government.

(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.)

neighboursasking,“Where is Troy?” Dem claim dem nahknowheain’tdehbout eventhoughdemnaseehe fuhacoupleofdays.

PeoplenahseeingTroy Troy look as if he pack up he bundle and gone. And dem wah claim he gat money fuh dem talking how dem gan gat fuh levy pon he possessions. Is a funnything…isonlywhen a man leff and go away, peopledoescomeoutofde woodwork and claim how heowethem.

Troy did done send homemostofhewukmen. But dem boys surprise fuh

read dat he did even scale down pon de security wah watchinghehouse.

He gat to be careful because in Guyana when yuh leff yuh house unattended, people does moveinandmoveoutwith yuhstuff.

Itlookasifpeopledone start move out with Troy stuff.

Dem boys know Troy gat links down under But demnahsurewhetherTroy gone under or whether he abandon he wuk and gone and look fuh greener pastures.

TalkHalf.Leffhalf.

“Where is Troy?”

GHK LALL

President Ali's first duty is to truth, openness and straightness

Ifeel sorry for President Ali. The President opens himself to ridicule and low estimations, with some of the claimsfromeitherhehimself

or his people. There really ought to be thinking before speaking publicly At least, give the Guyanese public some benefit about understandingalittleofwhat

is going on before their eyes. When Guyanese are insulted with the ludicrous, the President inflicts the ridiculous on himself, sabotaginghisownstanding.

Recently, Excellency Ali flourished: 'African Guyanese will never be marginalized.' Certainly,has thebeautyofaringtoit.

Try selling that harsh, bitter concoction to public servants, IDPADA-G, and communities with the face and history of Georgetown. If that was intended to be a presidential truth, then only His Excellency is persuaded. There is little that is straight or promising about that assertion, other than it was uttered. Shallower than a poorly made hollow block, andjustascrumbly.

Then, take the media. ExcellencyAliinsiststhathis time is the people's time, that he has made himself readily available to address what comesbeforehim. Candoris required.

President Ali has shared his media time selectively President Ali has chosen when, with whom, about what,andhowhewilldiscuss vital matters of this State. Rougher still, but similarly respectfully, when President Ali says otherwise, then he condemns himself to the ranks of the crude with principle, careless with truth, and clever contradictions of which a head-of-state should not be Occasionally, the President speaks with curled lips about how transparent both he and his government havebeen,whentherealityis of an official environment knottedwithsecrecies.

Presidents shouldn't do this to themselves. Not when the independent press is involved.

Ifanyoneelseweretosay what President Ali attests about how well he has dealt with the media, I would call him a bumbling manipulator, a buffoon lacking selfrespect. Thepresidencydoes have the dignity of safe harbours, protective moats. Regarding the press's role, thepresidentcannotreachall Guyanese, get his version of truths across by himself. To communicate with the people, the President has the pillar of the Fourth Estate,

which has its sacred roles, the first of which is real truth, not what pleases pols. Any President who is committed to the straight path would welcome with both hands the presence of the independent press, regardless how caustic it is. A caustic press keeps everyone on their toes, compelsthemtodojusticeby Guyanese When the Presidentbelievesotherwise, the press has a duty to be skeptical, push behind political primroses for concealed 'pimpla.' Corrupt ( c o m p r o m i s e d ) Governments are especially rich with primroses, generous in lavishing them on their own, while leaving the 'pimplas' for their believedadversaries.

President Ali also knows what some other roles of a free, uninhibited press are. Nottotellhimwhathewants to hear; nor ask empty questions.

A second role is to sift through his messages and determinehowtheyfusewith truth, how circumstances clash with presidential sayings. Athird is to present publicly what nobody else is sharing, due to allegiance, circumspection, or fear. None of those are among the roles of a principled, independent media. Mostly, the media's role is not to be cozy,orcravenlysubmissive, toPresidents,betheirfriend.

Guyanese should recall the role of the US media, the W a s h i n g t o n P o s t particularly,andtwodogged, fearlessreporters,Woodward and Bernstein. Watergate resulted An American President ate his words, “I'm notacrook.”

AsIreflectonWoodward and Bernstein's efforts, I remember where even the venerable New York Times feared to thread. This is the tireless responsibility of Fourth Estate practitioners, even when their professional peers crumble. The media has its role, so also Guyana's PresidentAli.

President Ali's first duty is to truth, not play games withit. Notsliceittosuithis objectives. Not splice it for political motives I am talking about the lives of the poor and struggling in Guyana, their expectations: Amerindian Guyanese, African Guyanese, Indian Guyanese. So, should PresidentAliand/orhisclose associates carve up truths, facts, and circumstances to present disingenuousness, then both president and his parties to inaccuracies fail their first test: being honourable. Doing what is completely honest. Honesty istotal,oritisnothing.

President Ali hurts himself when he insists that he is available to the press; that he meets the press. In America, even to think of saying that behind closed doors would brand the Presidentasanuberdeceiver If President Ali were to even attempt to deliver elsewhere what he does here, he risks mockery and effigy of himself.

But Guyana is a different territory,operatesatdifferent wavelengths, cherishes different standards. Indeed, the President has met the press. But only those media sections that are willing to overlook his flimsy p r e t e n s e s O n l y occasionally when he thinks his rickety messages will be given a pass. Only when the media that holds the President's feet to the fire is excluded, or limited in some way Save yourself, President Ali Speak straight, do right, be upright. Stop the jive. I believe that thePresidentcandobetter It beginswithrealtruths.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the o p i n i o n s o f t h i s newspaper.)

MA Lisha's inaugural trip marks a historic moment for Region One and Guyana

TheMVMALisha, an impressive $2 5 billion (US$12.7M) Indian vessel embarked on its inaugural journey on Thursday afternoon, setting the stage for transformation in Guyana'stransportsector

This development has opened the gateway of new possibilities, particularly in Region One, further propelling the country towards a brighter future under the 'One Guyana' initiative.

An immediate result of this is the enhanced travel experience for those journeying to the region, as the state-of-the-art vessel p r o m i s e s t o revolutionise travel dynamics, heralding an era of comfort, convenience and efficiency

The Department of Public Information (DPI) took the opportunity to engage a diverse group of passengers, who expressed a renewed sense of hope that comes withthisnewaddition.

S i m o n e B a s t o n , expressedherrelief,“Ithank the president, all those ministers for providing a new boat so we could breathe good, get fresh air because for a long time, we sufferedintheoldboat.”

Emmer Gomes, a 79year-old citizen, echoed the sentiment, describing her experience as “Very good, e x c i t i n g , a m a z i n g , beautiful.”

Iris Agustus, said, “I am very proud about it because years that come, we never getaboatlikethis.”

AnnPang,at87yearsold was the vessel's eldest passenger,withimmensejoy she related, “Me feel nice, I know how I'm traveling in this boat. I am not traveling by myself but with God. I travel so livelily on this boat and it nice because it clean, everything is clean in this

boat. Not like the boat that we use to travel before when you go, oh my gosh you seeing all things in the toilet, in the bathroom full up but praise god this thing here is verynice.”

Trisha Ramsingh, embarking on her maiden j o u r n e y w h i l e acknowledgingtheinclusion of modern amenities, said, “Sofarverycomfortableand we feel much better that we haveanewboatnow.”

The economic impact of the MV MA Lisha was not lost. Nalini Rose, another

in the region to boost the food security efforts will be realised as more cargo can now be transported to the regioninatimelymanner

In celebration of this feat, the 275 Guyanese who were part of the MV MA Lisha's maiden voyage were greetedbyMinisterofPublic Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, who shared tokens to mark the momentous occasion in thecountry'shistory

Meanwhile,Chairmanof the Board of Directors of the Transport and Harbours Department, Rosalinda

first-time traveller, highlighted the costeffectivenessofthismodeof transportation, underscoring the potential for significant savings compared to air travel.

“I decided to travel because it was the new boat that we receive, so I was eager and anxious to travel on it and I think we can save a lot because the plane ticket is so high it's like $23,000 to go and to come on the boat it's just $2,000 or $3,000. This is very beneficial to the region because we can carry more passengers and also more cargo can go on the boat.Ilikeit.”

Added to this, the vessel will help to further bolster the region's development which will see an increase in commerce and an influx of travellers both Guyanese andtourists.

The government's aim of increasing food production

Rasul, overseeing the 'Ferry Pass' booking, revealed the overwhelming response to the MV MA Lisha, noting that,“thisisthefirsttimethat we have seen a complete booking using the ferry pass.”

Due to the immense turnout of passengers, the General Manager of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) announced that another boat is scheduled to ply the route nextTuesday

As Captain Courtney Mandela navigates the MV MA Lisha, India's First Secretary, Mukesh Kaushik representing the Indian High Commissioner said that this journey symbolises more thanjustamodeoftransport. I t e m b o d i e s t h e flourishing camaraderie between India and Guyana, encapsulated in the vessel's name – MV MA Lisha, “Friendship”.(DPI)

Minister Juan Edghill with passengers on the MV MA Lisha

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY!

SUNDAY –August 6, 2023

Waste of time and money

Exxon's CEO Woods nixedanoilspillstudy

A waste of time and m o n e y, h e s a i d t o shareholders.

In another country, Exxon would be sent packing.

In this country, Jagdeo saysnothing.

Not a word at this vile insult to Guyanese and neighbours.

Jagdeo believes that the foreignerslookonhimasone ofthem.

If he doesn't come to his senses, Guyanese will have tohelphim.

MONDAY –August 7, 2023

Don't come here

Thisistherichestcountry intheworld.

ButthePPPGovtturnsits facefromneedyGuyanese. Hundreds turned up for a helpinghandinBerbice.

The PPP Govt gave them nothing,notablindcent.

Other than instructions to returnthewaytheycame.

But Guyana is the richest countryintheworld.

TUESDAY – August 8,

2023

Jagdeo not informed aboutGRAauditresult

Jagdeosaysnobodyatthe GRAtoldhimanything.

Jagdeo knows nothing abouttheExxonaudit.

Jagdeo claims to know nothing about Exxon's pushback.

Jagdeo is out of the loop onExxonrefusingtopay

What does Jagdeo know aboutthisoil?

Is Jagdeo still on this planet?

WEDNESDAY –August 9, 2023

Import, export

Guyana getting ready to importnurses.

The GRA already exporting audit staff to Exxon.

ExxonsqueezingGuyana bysnatchingawayitspros.

Less skilled people now around to check what Exxon did.

This is how Exxon positions to make rings aroundGuyana.

Nurses to care for our sickandweak.

Exxon ensures that the GRAgetssickandweak.

THURSDAY – August

10,2023

PPPmust end sickening ritual of rushing laws throughParliament

The tendency of the People's Progressive Party

C i v i c ( P P P / C ) administration to try to ram important petroleum legislationthroughtheHouse inthedeadofnight,whilethe Guyanese people sleep, should be a subject of sociologicalstudy

Thieves and vagabonds roam at night. So, what is it that the Bharrat Jagdeo administration has to hide from the scrutiny of the people of this country, about theiroilresources?

Timewilltell.

FRIDAY –August 11, 2023

Spend one, say four!

The Court is a place wherefactsandtruthsthrive.

NowGuyaneseseealittle ofExxon'sjive.

Put in for US$206 million…

Have proof for only US$50million!

Fourtooneareniceodds, sweetbusiness!

ThisisExxonandouroil, thisisGuyana'sweakness!

SATURDAY –August 12, 2023

Pump, pump, pump

Suspect in '50 Cent' murder turns self in, confess to crime

The suspect in the alleged murder of 42-yearold Eric Fraser, called '50 Cent', of Haslington North, East Coast Demerara, has turnedhimselfintopoliceon Saturday

According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the suspect, Terrence Sam, a 51year-old security guard of Haslington, turned himself in at the Brickdam Police Station Police said after being taken into custody, he was then taken to the Cove and John Police Station, where he was video interviewed There he reportedlyadmittedtotheact under caution.Investigations

revealed that Fraser and the suspect were liming at Mogo Barbershop located at Haslington North on Thursday afternoon. While there, an argument erupted between Fraser and the suspect over an old grievance. The police

reportedthatthesuspecttook out a knife and dealt Fraser a stab in his groin. Fraser collapsed and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for medical treatment but was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty His body is at the hospital's mortuary awaiting apost-mortemexamination.

An investigation is ongoing.

Frequently, Exxon pushes production, presses theenvelope.

Just as frequently, the company got the PPP and

Jagdeoinarope.

Neither can say anything, stand for anything, or do anything.

WhatdidExxondo,when

neither PPP nor Jagdeo can floatandsting?

What did Exxon do, for the PPP Govt. to look like a ding-a-ling?

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

Dead, Eric ‘50 Cent' Fraser

WEEK-IN-REVIEW SUNDAY

Govt. has mortgaged the future generations with reckless borrowing - Shadow Finance Minister ...says potential decline in oil price can plunge country into crisis

Shadow Finance Minister, Juretha Fernandes believes government has mortgaged the future of generations to come with itsrecklessgameofborrowing.

The Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) highlighted her concerns over the excessive loans being contracted by the administration during Thursday’s Sitting of the NationalAssembly as the House considered increasing the debt ceiling to allow for higher loanstobetaken.

Fernandes in a heated presentation said, “The administration has mortgaged the future of generations to come with the albatross of debt around the necksofeventheunbornGuyanese boyorgirl.”

She was keen to note that the move by government to increase thecountry’sborrowinglimitbased on the projected oil revenues could only be described as “reckless” given the risk factors associated withthepetroleummarket.

The Shadow Minister of Finance was keen to point out, “There are several risks associated with borrowing against projected oil revenues Oil-dependent economies like Guyana, a nation that is now heavily reliant on oil exports as a primary source of revenue now faces unique challengesduetothevolatilenature of oil prices, which can fluctuate unpredictably, based on global supplyanddemanddynamics.”

In summary, she warned that if oil prices plummet, as it has in the past, Guyana can suffer from a severe revenue shortfall. To this end, the Opposition MP noted that the country could be forced to turn to financial lending institutions for assistance to keep its economy afloat, thereby slipping into a dangerouscycle,wellknownasthe debttrap.Therelianceonborrowed funds to maintain economic stability in the country would lead toaprecarioussituation;ultimately sinking Guyana into a debt crisis should oil prices remain low, limiting the country’s capacity to serviceitsloanobligations.

The MPexplained that a failure on Guyana’s part to service its loan obligations can have other crippling effects on the country’s economy For instance, this can affectinvestorconfidence.

She said, “As oil-dependent Guyana borrows heavily, we face increased debt service obligations andiftheseobligationsarenotmet,

itcanleadtoasovereigndebtcrisis, severely impacting investor confidence and overall economic stability.”

“To prevent this danger, oildependentGuyanamustimplement fiscal reforms that promote transparency, accountability, and responsible debt management,” Fernandesaddedwhilearguingthat the administration has been trampling on those very tenets.The MP pointed out that the National Assembly seldom meets and when it does, the government’s side refuses to answer key questions to give account to the people of Guyana.Thisisalsoreflectedinthe respective Parliamentary Committees that meet only at the behestofthegovernmentside.

DebtDilemmain2023

As Guyana continues to experience double digits growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), due to its thriving oil sector, the government has been looking to fund an ambitious suite of development projects. To support itsagenda,Fernandesnotedthatthe leaders have embarked on an “excessiveborrowing”campaign.

She recalled that in 2021, the debtceilingwasincreased,coupled with climbing expenditure and revenue uncertainties from oil prices,yetthegovernmentreturned tofurtherincreaseitsloanceilingin 2023.

According to her, “This raises concerns about our country’s ability to manage its debt burden and avoid a potential debt trap, under the PPP administration. It is important that we balance growth anddebt.”

Fernandes said the key challenge for Guyana lies in striking a delicate balance between pursuing economic growth and managing its debt effectively “While infrastructure projects and social investments are crucial for the country’s development, a

prudent approach to debt management is essential to ensure sustainability The risk of overborrowing and a potential debt crisis must be carefully navigated to prevent long-term damage to our country’s financial stability,” she explained.

To this end, the Shadow Finance Minister said a more prudent approach would be to have debt tied to the nation’s non-oil GDP as such risk mitigation approach would secure the country’s future against the debt crisis.

She concluded, “There is nothing prudent about the way the PPP is handling debt, their approach is reckless and should be condemnedbyall.”

Loan servicing

TheBankofGuyanainits2022 Annual Report highlighted that the

– approximately US$150M to service its total stock of domestic and external debt,

respectively Notably, US$43.4 million of the US$150 million paid by Guyana wenttowardsinterest.

According to the 2022 report, “The total stock of government’s publicandpubliclyguaranteeddebt increased by 16 9 percent to US$3,655 million and represented 24 6 percent of GDP (Gross DomesticProduct).

During the first quarter of this year, the country’s total public debt increased by 2 3 percent or US$84.5 million. The document noted that this sum would take the nation’s total debt stock to US$3 7B from the end of December2022position.

This means that the country’s annual loan payments will also increase significantly to reflect the climbingpublicdebt.

Only on Thursday, the National

Assembly cleared the path for government to contract higher loans. Guyana’s domestic public debt ceiling was increased to $750 billion, up from $500 billion, and a new external borrowing ceiling of $900 billion was set after its last increase to $650 billion. Guyana’s previous debt ceilings were last increased by the Government back inJanuary2021.

According to the Ministry of Finance, given Guyana’s economic outlook, these revisions to the external and domestic public debt ceilings are consistent with the country’s long-term debt sustainability Dr Singharguedthat with Guyana’s economy rapidly growing, the country’s ability to borrowmoreloansincreases.

Guyana has not conducted feasibility studies for Exxon’s US$40B plus projects - Jagdeo ...says this is the job of oil companies

The importance of oil producing states conducting feasibility studies, particularly to weighthecostofeachdevelopment against benefits to the country was recently highlighted by the Commonwealth in a new report. Guyana however to date has not conducted such a study for any of the five projects it has approved for oil giant, ExxonMobil which collectively carry a price tag well aboveUS$40billion.

This was explained by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursdayduringapressconference atFreedomHouse.

The VP was at the time responding to a question from Kaieteur News on whether or not government has been conducting feasibility studies to compare ExxonMobil’s sanctioned oil projects to other similar projects approved internationally, and more importantly, if an analysis was being done weighing the cost of each development against the returnstothecountry Jagdeo in his response

its

states as these are compiled by specialists in the sector; conversely hepointedoutthatGuyanahasbeen taking a different approach in this regard.

He explained, “What we did, we hire practitioners and people specificintheindustry,sowhenwe did the plans that are submitted before we license new operations, we do an internal review and then we have other external specialists whoreviewthesedocuments.”

This newspaper followed up with the VP for clarity on whether Guyana has taken on the task of comparing the cost of its offshore oil projects to the profits when he pointedoutthatafeasibilitystudyis the responsibility of the oil companies. The former President explained that since the companies are investing into oil production and Guyana has not contributed to this process, it is their job to ensure the investment is secured with a decentreturn.

According to him, “The feasibility studies now are done by the oil and gas companies because they have to raise the funding for that and the funding is of a massive magnitude, we have gone through this before. One project could cost US$10 billion, twice the size of all our accumulated savings in our bankingsystem.”

Jagdeoremindedthatthecostof the oil projects are currently financed by the Stabroek Block partners, ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC through equity or loans. As such he noted, “Their financiers have to make sure that they are gonna get a decent return on these projects, so that’s on the financial feasibilityside.”

Meanwhile, on the technical feasibility of the oil projects approvedtodate,theVicePresident said that the oil companies would present their plans to the government which would be followed by a rigorous review process “On the technical feasibility, they are the ones presentingtheproposalstous.Now whenthosecomeinonthetechnical side, that’s when the review takes placeonthetechnicalfeasibility,”

(Continued on page 15)

Shadow Finance Minister, Juretha Fernandes

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

From page 14

he said. In the meantime, the Chief Director for the petroleum sector saidthattheadministrationisinthe process of strengthening the regulatory framework for the industry, through the Petroleum Activities Bill along with a new Production Sharing Agreement (PSA)thatwouldallowthecountry to have a greater input when it comestotheprojectrelatedstudies.

He nevertheless made it clear, “Normally, an investor, if you are doing a mine here or you are coming in to do an agricultural project, you do your feasibility study, it’s your investment, your money that you are putting in. You may come to government and say I n e e d t h e f o l l o w i n g concessions...but if you fail, if you lose your money, we are not out of pocket, we are not putting in a cent into these ventures, we are not out ofpocket.”

Likewise with the oil sector, he reasoned, “So assuming that the price of oil goes now to US$28 a barrel,thelosseswouldbeborneby the companies themselves, so they havetobecautiousonthatsoIdon’t see why it’s any different for the oil and gas sector It’s the people who risk the money...they have to, trust me, they would ensure that these projectstheycanmakemoneyfrom themtoo.”

Jagdeo added that he is more concerned about Guyana benefitting from a greater take, hence this will now be secured in the new PSAbeing drafted. It must be noted that the new PSA will not extend to the oil rich Stabroek Block.

More importantly, while the Vice President seems relaxed with not ensuring Guyana weighs the cost of the oil projects against its profits since the financing is sourced through the petroleum companies, one must be weary of the fact that these costs are ultimatelybornebyGuyanaasthey arerepaidthroughcostoil.

In the absence of such a study beingconducted,thecountrywould not know prior to its approval if the costswouldoutweightheprofits.

Commonwealthadvice

According to the Economic Advisor attached to the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Ocean and Natural Resources Advisory Division, Naadira Ogeer, governments should take care to do independent analysis that determines the feasibility of such projectsversusthegainstocitizens.

In a handbook developed to help government officials make the best decisions for its people when reviewing a company’s Field Development Plans (FDPs), the expert stressed the need for there to be detailed reviews done by state authoritiesortheexpertstheyhire.

The official said FDPs are documents that ought to be treated withahighdegreeofimportanceas

theyexplainhowacompanywillgo about developing multi-million dollar projects. Taking this into account,Ogeersaiditiscriticalthat the government has a clear appreciation of how revenues will be impacted by changes in key areas of uncertainty e.g. pricing, production fluctuations, and operatingcosts.

“Ideally, the government should have independent economic models and experts to conduct independent evaluation of the feasibility of a project and the returns to the country,” Ogeer statedinthehandbookpublishedby theCommonwealthSecretariat.

Formore,seelinkbelow https://www.kaieteurnewsonlin e com/2023/07/23/govts-shouldhave-independent-study-done-onoil-projects-feasibility-vs-returnsto-citizens-commonwealthsecretariat-advisor/

MONDAY

Guyana’s oil reserves is at least double the official numbers – S&PGlobal

With an estimate of over 11 billion barrels of oil in the prolific Stabroek Block, S&P Global Commodity Insights’ oil pricing andnewsexpertPatrickHarrington said that he believes that the Guyana’s oil reserves “are much biggerthanthat.”

Harrington made the comment during a recent podcast by S&P Global titled, “Guyanese Dream: Oil boom in Guyana could transform global crude market.” S&P Global provides essential intelligence by enabling governments, businesses and individuals with the right data, expertise and connected technology so that they can make decisionswithconviction.

A m e r i c a n o i l g i a n t , ExxonMobil Corporation subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), is the operator of the lucrativeStabroekBlock.

For the Stabroek Block development, Guyana is chained to an exploitative deal that gives it a paltry 2% royalty and a 50% share

of the profit oil after costs are recovered up to a ceiling of 75%. The Stabroek Block, in which ExxonMobil maintains a 45% operatingstake,issupportedbycoventurers Hess and CNOOC, holding stakes of 30% and 25%, respectively

During the podcast, Harrington said, “And if you talk about oil reserves, I think Starr (Spencer) was talking about proven reserves of 11 billion barrels in Guyana. A lot of people have told me, you know when I was down there (in Guyana), that’s just a very lowball estimate.”

He continued by stating that whilethereisanofficialestimateas itrelatestothequantityofoilthatis offshore Guyana, Harrington said, “it’satleastdoublethat.”

In making his case, Harrington highlighted that Guyana is next door toVenezuela, a country which has the biggest oil reserves in the world.

“Venezuela has the biggest oil reserves in the world, proven reservesofover300billionbarrels. So it’s just kind of an unscientific estimate, but it’s easy to imagine that Guyana’s reserves are much bigger than the official numbers,” headded.

Oil Price reported that while Venezuela is one of the most troubled countries in the world, Venezuela is also the country with the world’s largest oil reserves,

peggedatover300billionbarrels.

After a period of flourishing in the nineties and early 2000s, the first oil price slump of the new millennium crippled the Venezuelaneconomy Beforeithad a chance to recover, the United States slammed it with sanctions that have decimated output: in 2022, the average was 600,000 to 700,000 barrel per day (bpd), while exports averaged a little over 600,000bpd.

Moreover, Exxon and its partners currently have five sanctioned projects in the Stabroek Block which are worth over US$40B. The most recent project that was approved was for the Uaru Project. It will have a production capacity of approximately 250,000 gross barrels of oil per day with production targeted to startup in 2026. Recently, this publication reported, that Communications Advisor for ExxonMobil Guyana, Keisha Gilkes in a documentary, asked Exxon’s Global Country Communications Manager, KimberlyBrasingtonabouttherole Guyana will play not only in the future of the industry but with ExxonMobil when she disclosed, “Guyana is the future for ExxonMobil ” Brasington continued that the Guyana operations have been driving the company’s growth while at the same time developing the country, asshelaudedthepartnership.

Jagdeo boasts of ‘free gas’ from Exxon, future benefits of Local Content while refusing to renegotiate lopsided oil contract ...says PPP has kept manifesto promise of ‘better contract administration’

Despite committing to “renegotiation” and “immediately engaging”oilandgascompaniesin “better contract administration”, the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr BharratJagdeohaswalkedback on this promise clearly outlined in the2020ElectionsManifesto,ashe

is now in favour of maintaining the lopsidedtermsoftheExxondeal.

On August 2, 2023 the PPP observed its third-year anniversary in office since its return in 2020, following a months’long elections fiasco. While hailing some of its achievements, that in some cases excelled its initial promise to supporters, the leaders in the party failed to make mention of perhaps its most crucial campaign commitment “to immediately engagetheoilandgascompaniesin better contract administration/ renegotiation.”

The question was therefore raised at the most recent press conference hosted by Vice PresidentJagdeoatFreedomHouse onThursday, by a Senior Journalist from Demerara Waves The Journalist essentially asked the VP and General Secretary of the Party to explain why it has chosen not to renegotiate the lopsided 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with U.S oil giant, ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess and CNOOC, since this was a promise made along the campaign trail.

Jagdeo in his response pointed out that, “We had, that’s why I told you ‘slash’ Better contract management/ renegotiation. The slash was there that if they...we put thatinourmanifestobutifyoulook at our public statements and three weeks before the elections, I was askedatapressconference,willthe PPP be renegotiating the Stabroek Block and there was an unequivocal answer, no, and you can go back and check that. That wasbeforethe2020elections.”

The PPPManifesto said oil and gas companies would be engaged; however, Jagdeo is adamant that Exxonwasnottobeincludedinthis arrangement. The Vice President believes that even though his party has chosen not to renegotiate the contract, it has still managed to prudently engage the company to secure additional benefits for the country

Forinstance,hereferencedthat (Continued on page 16)

A recent protest exercise by members of OGGN in New York.

From page 15

Guyana will not be paying for the gasthatwillbetransportedtoshore to produce electricity at half the current price. On the other hand, he pointed out that the Local Content Actof2021willalsobringinabout US$1 billion annually to Guyanese businessesby2026.

He said, “Just imagine if Exxon had refused to give us the free gas for the power plant and they were unwilling to (heed) the Local Content Law and all of that stuff. We said we need to get better contract management which means we had to get more and also getting morefromthecontractmeansthese other projects- the Local Content project that brings more. We are estimatingthatwithinanotherthree years about US$1 billion of spending per annum will be with Guyanesebusiness.”

Jagdeo boasted that the Gas-toEnergy(GTE)projectwillpayback for itself with revenues generated by the initiative, while the country would “practically have the electricity for free”. The VP added that the 300-megawatt power plant will significantly reduce electricity costs, saving Guyanese about US$70-80 millionperannumatthe current generation capacity of 140 megawatts If the capacity is doubled, Jagdeo said the savings for the country would be in excess ofUS$100million.

Hebelievesthatthissumsupto “substantial”benefitsforGuyana.

“That’s benefit to our people but all of these things get lost in the old doctrinaire type of debate...but that’s why we put that slash there and so when people say oh we are reneging on our commitment, I made a firm unequivocal answer our position has not changed,”hereasoned.

Sanctity

ofcontract?

This newspaper followed up on the question that was put to the VP and asked him to clarify his positiononrefusingtherenegotiate the contract since the party had previously said it wished to avoid thissoastoabidebythe“sanctityof contracts”principle.

In his detailed response, the Chief Petroleum spokesperson for the administration highlighted that government is challenged with a “closing window” for the extraction of the resources. He pointed out that developed countries around the world have been increasing their output while the United Kingdom (UK) for instance just granted hundreds of licencesinthisregard.

He explained, “They need the fossil fuel; they are making a lot of money, notwithstanding net zero. We believe in a global commitment, we believe in decarbonizing so we have to make sure that these resources are extracted and that is why I said our depletion policy is to get as much out as quickly as possible and it

soundscrudeonthefaceofit,butit is in the context of net zero, and therefore we need to transfer these assets that are there...into financial assets as quickly as possible because at some stage if we have net zero, they can’t be utilized any longerglobally.”

Jagdeo therefore indicated, “So if you now engage in a renegotiation, that’s the end of every single oil project, the future projects because nobody until the terms are settled there will be no newinvestmentsinthesector.”

He was reminded by this newspaper however that President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge during a press conference this year said the companywouldnotturnitsbackon Guyana if it decided to seek more benefits for its people. See link attached.

https://www.kaieteurnewsonlin e.com/2023/05/21/exxonmobilwould-not-walk-away-easily-ifgovt-demands-changes-tocontract-exxon-guyana/

To this end, the Vice President responded,“Wearejustlaunchinga bid round. We will get probably nobody in the bid. It will kill momentum at a particular time...yougoandaskExxonifthey will continue or any global investor, anybody who has money If you have a dispute with your partner on the other side that is in charge of regulation and ensuring that you act per contract, whether you will pump US$40 billion into theindustry.”

He went on to point out that the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres is among global frontiers calling for a halt on investments to new fossil fuel developments, since the resources would be stranded; as such, Jagdeo said Guyana must maximize on the investmentflow

Even as the VP refuses to renegotiate the oil contract due the “significant benefits” being harnessed through the Local Content Law and the Gas-toEnergy Project, Guyana continues to leak substantial revenues through the gapping loopholes in the one-sided arrangement with Exxon.

TUESDAY

Jagdeo depending on Exxon cable to verify oil production

The Government of Guyana (GoG), after establishing the regulatory framework for the country’s rapidly developing petroleum sector, will construct a state-of-the-art operations center that will be fed information from ExxonMobil to verify oil productiondata.

This is according to the Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo. On

that governmentplans to access the data that Exxon will be receiving at its new Headquarters at Ogle, East CoastDemerara(ECD)whileinthe meantime, remote monitoring to verify oil production data will be applied.

The VP said, “We will get past the core reforms first…the PSA (Production Sharing Agreement), the Local ContentAct, the auction, the PetroleumActivities Bill; when we have upgraded the architecture we will then move to operation (and)complianceissues.”

The former Head of State was keen to note that the new PSA will strengthenthegovernment’sability to manage the industry, since it would force oil and gas companies to produce pertinent data Likewise, the new oil law that is expected to be passed by September will ensure petroleum companies submit timely data According to the VP, this would give the regulators “a better realtimepictureoftheindustry”.

While government is aiming to utilize data from the company to verify production data, this move could deprive the nation an opportunity to independently confirm the number of barrels beingproducedoffshoredaily This means, Guyana would be blindly accepting the production rates which could be grossly understated bytheoilcompanies.

Nevertheless, the Vice President explained, “On issues relating to production verification, we said that Exxon is building an operational center as part of the head office. They are gonna have a fiberopticcablecomingin,wemay have to get an access to the fiber or in the short term we will probably use satellite technology to have an independentmeasuringoftheflows andeverythingelse.”

Jagdeoaddedthattheuseofthis technology would verify the discharge waters and oil flows, along with other relevant data related to production on the Floating Production Storage and Offloading(FPSO)vessels.

ratefluctuations.

In the report, a comparison was done for the bond yields (20222023) between developing countriesanddevelopedcountries.

Itshowedthatcountrieslikethe United States and Germany had interest rates of 3.1% and 1.5% respectively Whereas, for developing countries in Asia and Oceania, Latin America and the Caribbean and Africa, those countries had to pay interest rates rangingfrom6.5%to11.6%.

“Countries inAfrica borrow on average at rates that are four times higher than those of the United States and even eight times higher than those of Germany,” it was underscored.

This position was first announced by theVice President in Maythisyearwhilerespondingtoa questionfromKaieteurNews.

Back then, he said, “I admitted thatlasttimethatbecauseourfocus hasbeenontheframework,thenext wave of the attention of the ministry and the government will be on building greater monitoring capability.”

Developing countries pay much higher interest rates on loans – UN Report

A recently published United Nations (UN) report highlighted that developing countries, like Guyana are the ones who have to pay much higher interest rates whentheyborrowmonies.

Thereport,‘AWorldofDebt:A growing burden to prosperity’ was produced by the UN Global Crisis Response Group and released in July2023.

Public debt can be vital for development, some Governments use it to finance their expenditures, toprotectandinvestintheirpeople, and to pave their way to a better future – it was stated in the report. However, it was noted that it can alsobeaheavyburden.

Explaining the inequalities in the international financial architecture, it was stated that developing countries are dealing with an international financial architecture that exacerbates the negativeimpactofcascadingcrises onsustainabledevelopment.

Further, it was highlighted that the burden of debt on development is intensified by a system that constrains developing countries access to development finance and pushes them to borrow from more expensive sources, increasing their vulnerabilities and making it even hardertoresolvedebtcrises.

In addition, it was said that when developing countries borrow money, they have to pay much higher interest rates compared to developed countries, even without considering the costs of exchange

Tothisend,itwassaidthathigh borrowing costs make it difficult for developing countries to fund important investments, which in turn further undermines debt sustainability and progress towards sustainabledevelopment.

“Developing countries face additional major challenges due to high levels of external public debt, which make them more vulnerable to external shocks. When global financial conditions change or international investors become more risk-averse, borrowing costs can shoot up suddenly,” it was said inthereport.

Similarly, it was noted that when a country’s currency devalues, debt payments in foreign currency can skyrocket, leaving less money for development spending.

Notably, last week the National AssemblyapprovedaUS$3Billion hike to Guyana’s domestic public andexternaldebtceilings.

Senior Minister in the Office of thePresidentwithresponsibilityfor Finance, Dr Ashni Singh – who tabled the motion to raise the debt ceilings – indicated that as Guyana’s ability to borrow more increases the Government will return to the National Assembly to furtherincreasethedebtceilings.

Devoting more money to pay debts

The report said that in Latin America and the Caribbean, developing countries are devoting more money to interest payments rather than to investment. The report noted that across the world, rising debt burdens are keeping countries from investing in sustainabledevelopment.

“An increasing number of countries find themselves trapped in a situation where both their development and their ability to manage debt is compromised Currently at least 19 developing countries are spending more on interest than on education and 45 are spending more on interest than on health. In total, 48 countries are home to 3.3 billion people, whose lives are directly affected by underinvestmentineducationor

(Continued on page 57)

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Guyana can be forced to choose between welfare of citizens or repaying debt

...as Jagdeo claims non-oil revenue can service loans

The economic decisions being m a d e b y government today can severely impact future generations. As the country relishesintherevenuestream from its blossoming oil and gas industry and enter into more loan agreements to finance projects to support the sector and develop the country, its people can be left to pay the price for an unsustainable debt policy This can cost them their health and jeopardize their education.

This is the view of Shadow Finance Minister, JurethaFernandes.Inarecent interview with this publication, the Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) stressed the fact that while government claims the growth in Guyana's non-oil sector would be sufficient to service the debts being incurred, future generations of Guyanese could have to face severe consequences with limited finances for health and education for example.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo at his weekly press briefing on August 3, 2023 assured that the non-oil economy alone can service thecountry'sdebt.

The VP said, “Yes, because...our debt to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) ratio and our debt service to revenue ratio are among the lowestintheworldtoday,asI speak in spite of all the borrowing.”

Responding to this statementFernandessaiditis “absolute craziness” She recalled that on August 3, 2023 when the Senior Minister in the Office of the P r e s i d e n t w i t h

Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh moved a Motion for the country's debt ceiling to be increased, he told the National Assembly thatGuyana'srevenuestream have been growing. To this end, Fernandes pointed out that the growth in revenue is largely driven by the oil sector

According to the Bank of Guyana2022AnnualReport, the Guyanese economy registered real and non-oil GDP growth of 62.3 percent a n d 1 1 5 p e r c e n t respectively

This year, Central Bank forecasts a real GDP growth of 25.1 percent on account of higher oil production at the Stabroek Block. Meanwhile the non-oil GDP is expected togrowby7.9percent.

As the petroleum sector

continues to out-perform the non-oil economy Fernandes pointed out that growth outside of the oil industry is in some instances as a result of the oil and gas activities. She was referring to the growth in the construction sector for instance which has beenexpandingsince2016to support the development of theindustry

As such, the Shadow Minister of Finance argued, “They can go out there and make this argument to persons who are gullible to whatever they are saying but anybody who is actually analyzing the way they are doing things right now will knowthattheyareborrowing againstprojectedoilrevenue.

Thereisnothingelsetheyare borrowing against and if thereisacrash(inoilprices), the country will suffer We willbeintremendoustrouble and we have to be very cognizantofthat.”

The Opposition MP explainedthatwhiletheVPis trying to convince the nation that a plummet in oil price wouldnotaffectthecountry's abilitytoserviceitsloans,the fact remains that the revenues generated from the non-oil sector would not be sufficient to servicethedebtbeingracked up by the administration without jeopardizing allocations to the health and education sectors for instance.

The lack of financing for medicine and education can have potentially devastating impactsonthepopulation.

Fernandes noted that this warning was recently sounded by the United Nations (UN) in a new report titled'AWorldofDebt'.

The document noted, “An increasing number of countries find themselves trapped in a situation where both their development and theirabilitytomanagedebtis compromised. Currently, at least 19 developing countries are spending more on interest than on education and 45 are spending more on interest than on health. In total, 48 countries are home to 3.3 billion people, whose lives are directly affected by u n d e r i n v e s t m e n t i n education or health due to large interest payment burdens.”

To this end, Fernandes said, “Jagdeo is trying to make an argument that doesn't hold water to say that the non-oil economy can service the loans because...if we are faced with that dilemma of a plummet in oil prices and we are left with these debt then with the very limited non-oil economy that wearegonnahave,it'sgonna be whether or not we service

debt against providing basic health and education and other services to the people andthatisthebigproblem.”

DebtinGuyana

BoG reported that at the end of 2022, Guyana's total stock of public and publicly guaranteed debt increased by 16 9 percent to US$3 6 billion and represented 24.6 percentofGDP

Duringthefirstquarterof this year, the country's total public debt increased by 2.3 percent or US$84.5 million. The Bank noted that this sum would take the nation's total debt stock to US$3.7B from the end of December 2022 position.

Central Bank's Annual Report for 2022 highlighted thatthecountrypaidatotalof $ 3 1 , 4 4 4 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 –approximately US$150M to service its total stock of domestic and external debt, a m o u n t i n g t o s o m e $13,552,000,000 and $ 1 7 , 8 9 2 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , respectively Notably, US$43 4 million of the US$150 million paid by Guyana went towards interest.

Thecountry'sannualloan payments will also increase significantly to reflect the climbingpublicdebt.

Anaesthesiologist saves young pregnant woman life…Dr. Tiffany Fiedtkou's Emergency Mission

Dr. Fiedtkou, a r e m a r k a b l e Anaesthesiologis t at the Georgetown Public

Hospital Corporation (GPHC) displayed her dedication and expertise when a young pregnant woman was in desperate need ofmedicalattention.

The young patient was suffering from a ruptured e c t o p i c p r e g n a n c y, haemodynamically, unstable and unable to be transported to Georgetown due to her criticalcondition.

At around 02:00hrs in the middle of the night, a call of urgency was made, when Dr Fiedtkou was not on call. Without hesitation, she decided to volunteer her services for the emergency case, embarking on a medical mission.

The patient, based at the Mabaruma Regional Hospital in Region One, was in dire

need of immediate medical attention Dr. Fiedtkou's commitment to saving lives was evident as she swiftly prepared to depart for Mabaruma via the Guyana

Defence Force (GDF)

m e d i c a l e v a c u a t i o n operation.

U p o n a r r i v i n g a t Mabaruma at 05:30 hrs, Dr Fiedtkou brought with her vitalsupplies.

The patient's condition was alarming; she was extremely pale and had an irregular heart rate, indicating severebloodlossandshock.

A sense of urgency filled the air as Dr Fiedtkou immediately examined the patient and made crucial decisions for her treatment. The young patient was promptly taken to the operation room, where the doctor initiated her expertise. Upon completing the surgery thatbeganataround06:05hrs,

Dr Fiedtkou discovered that the patient had 3.5 liters of bloodinherabdomen.

Working collaboratively with the gynaecologist, Dr Ravelo Correoso, the bleeding was effectively controlled.

Dr Fiedtkou then skillfully administered the blood products while carefully monitoring the patient's condition, and then extubatedher

Thepatientwasstabilized andplacedunderobservation.

The patient's condition improvedsignificantly

She was then transported to Georgetown Public Hospital's Accident and Emergency Unit for further care. Currently stable and recovering in the maternity ward, the young patient is on herwaytorecovery,thanksto Dr Fiedtkou's swift and expertintervention. Fo

successful intervention Dr Fiedtkou describes the e x p e r i e n c e a s b o t h exhilarating and emotional. She expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to save a life outside of her usual controlled Intensive Care Unit(ICU)environment. This experience marked a unique and challenging e n d e a v

r h e r, highlighting the essential role of medical professionals in emergencies.

Dr Tiffany Fiedtkou's unwavering dedication to her patientsandherwillingnessto go above and beyond the call of duty serve as an inspiring example for the medical communityandbeyond.

Her exceptional skills and selflessness remind us all of thecriticalrolethathealthcare

Shadow Minister of Finance, Juretha Fernandes

Over 180 regional officials fail to declare assets to Integrity Commission

The names of 184 regional officials h a v e b e e n published in the official gazette for failing to declare their assets to Integrity Commission.

The names listed by the Integrity Commission include multiple officials

from each of the ten administrativeregions.

The list includes persons who as of August 4, 2023 failed to make their submission for the 2022 declarations period of July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022. The names were published in keeping with section 9 of the

IntegrityCommissionAct. After it was reconstituted last year, the Integrity Commission published a notice in the daily newspaperscallingonPublic Officials to declare their assetsbytheendoftheyear However, as of July, 2022, the Commission stated

that it had only five declarations from a total 1232 officials who were scheduled to submit their records.

Despite a four-month extension in 2022 for the submission of declarations by public officials to the Integrity Commission, 828

submissions are reportedly stilloutstanding.

The Commission had pointed out that included in the 828 defaulters for 2022, are 17 Members of Parliament(Mps).

There are an additional 104 people from ministries and 493 from agencies and departments.

The commission had promised if declarations are still not received, they would be to seek prosecution of the defaulter

T h e I n t e g r i t y Commissionwasputinplace toimprovepublicconfidence in the integrity of persons in public life by administering and enforcing the Integrity Commission Act which comprises the Code of Conduct,andDeclarationsof income, assets, and liabilities.Thebodyassistsin the improvement of the s t a n d a r d s o f g o o d governance, transparency, and accountability in government.

Having expired on February 21, 2021, a new board of the Integrity Commissionwassworninon May 2022 by Principal Magistrate, Judy Latchman at the Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.

Thefivenew membersof theIntegrityCommissionare Dr Jocelin Kim KyteThomas; Mrs Chandra Gajraj, Mohamed Ispahani

Haniff, Hardesh Tewari, and WayneBowman.

In accordance with the l a w, t h e I n t e g r i t y Commissionisdutyboundto receive and verify the accuracy of declarations of financial affairs from public officials.

T h e I n t e g r i t y Commission Act states that, anyone who fails to make a declaration without reasonable cause shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of $25,000andtoimprisonment for a term of not less than six months nor more than one year

Section 2, Chapter 22 states specifically, “Any person who—(a) (i) fails, without reasonable cause, to file with the Commission or thePresident,asthecasemay be, a declaration which he is requiredtofileinaccordance with the provisions of this Act; or (ii) knowingly files with the Commission or the Presidentadeclarationthatis notcompleteorisfalseinany material particular; or (b) fails, without reasonable cause, to comply with a request made under section 18 or 21 (2) by the Commission, the President or aTribunal, within the time specified there for by the Commission, the President or the Tribunal, as the case may be, or gives incomplete or false information pursuant totherequest.”

T h e M i n i s t r y o f Agriculture (MOA) plans to rehabilitate the existing irrigation structures on the North Eastern Dam of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) lots six,sevenandeight.

T h e C o o p e r a t i v e Republic of Guyana has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Additional FinancingFlood Management Project (AF-FRMP).

This information was disclosed during a recent opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administrative Board(NPTAB).

n a

Minister

of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha

resources for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA); $437.8 million for the National

and

million

The captivating Guyanesebeauty SheminaPerouneis thenewlycrownMiss CaribbeanCultureQueen 2023.The20-year-old,whose ultimatecareergoalisto becomeapilot,desirestomake stridesforwomeninmale dominatedfieldsandinstitutions. Sheminaalsohasakeeninterest incontentcreationandaffiliate marketing.Herfavouritequote isbyAmericanPolitician ShirleyChisholm,“Ifyou arenotallowedtositat atable,makeyour own.”

Shemina Peroun e

An oil rig that environmentalists love?

Here’s the real story

(NationalGeographic)Offthe particularly controversial isn’t just coast of California, an oil platform the bounty of marine life, it’s that, named Eureka is nearing the end of according to Love’s research its lifespan and its time in the publishedbythe Proceedings of the ocean—but it is home to a thriving National Academy of Sciences in ecosystem of marine life 2014, the platform habitat is even comparable to natural coral reef more productive than some natural systems. reefs hosting a thriving

In 1984, eight miles off the ecosystemthatstillexiststoday coast of Southern California, the “If you remove a platform, you 700-foot tall oil platform, Eureka, may be killing tens of millions of was anchored into the depths of the animals because they happened to Pacific. settle on steel instead of a rock,”

For four decades, amidst the constant humming of oil e x t r a c t i o n , m i l l i o n s o f invertebrates began to cling to the pilings beneath the surface, initiating an ecosystem of their

A garibaldi fish swims by a crossbeam on the oil platform Eureka. Anchored into the ocean for four decades, the platform has grown encrusted with an array marine wildlife and is now a thriving artificial reef. PHOTOGRAPH BY

Eureka is an offshore oil rig that pumps oil out of the sea floor and pipes it to refineries on the California coast. PHOTOGRAPH BY MAURICIO HANDLER, NAT

GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Some want oil companies to own. Deepwater corals extend off the completely remove platforms,

multiply both in size and quantity

Eureka soon became an ironic pilings like branching trees, and restoring the marine environment juxtaposition: a massive industrial shoalsofstripedrockfishthatmake toitsnaturalcondition.Otherswant structureencrustedwithvibrantsea up roughly 90 percent of the the rigs converted into protected, life.An endless field of strawberry species of fish associated with the artificial reefs, saying that anemones started to line the rig’s platform’shabitat. dismantling the rig would sabotage industrial beams, and crustaceans Claisse and Love mention that anabundantecosystem. tucked themselves into the dense whilemanynaturalstructures,such Thecomplexandcostlyprocess labyrinth of mussels Now, asmountain-shapedpinnaclereefs, of full decommissioning involves cormorants plunge through the similarly support marine life, the plugging and cementing wells surface,anddozensofsealionsdip scale is nowhere near that of before completely removing the down from the structures above the Eureka. entirestructure.However,someare water, gliding through the plentiful

“Eventhosedon’thavethissort opting for what is called partial schoolsoffishthatroambelow of open space between the decommissioning: where only the

“Every square inch is covered structures that Eureka has,” upper section of the rig is taken in marine life,” says Milton Love, continues Claisse. “It’s a really down to a depth of approximately biologist at the Marine Science weird, productive and unique 85 feet, to eliminate any hazards to Institute at University of place.” ship hulls. The remaining lower California, Santa Barbara The quandaries of portionwouldbeleftasasanctuary around the platform likely drifted

decommissioning for marine life, designated by the over with the currents early in their that you can’t even see through tragedy.”

“Sometimes there are so many fish notes Love, “Which I think is a

By 2055, most of California’s U.S.DepartmentofInterior’sRigslives, finding themselves at the rig them to the platform It’s How Eureka

23 offshore oil platforms are to-Reef program, and a destination when they needed something hard overwhelminglystriking.” supports marine life expected to cease operation. When forrecreationaldivingandfishing. tosettleonto.

This marine hot spot is one of The platforms’ abundance is

oil companies constructed the rigs, However, Linda Krop, chief Near the surface, where a great 23 oil rigs and pipelines off the duetobothitslocationaswellasits they assumed responsibility for counsel for the Environmental deal of photosynthesis occurs, coastofCalifornia,fifteenofwhich idiosyncratic design. Unlike other dismantling, or decommissioning, Defense Center, says leaving the those young fish can feed on areactive,likeEureka.Constructed oil platforms, Eureka’s complex each of them However, the riginplacecouldleavetoxinsinthe plankton, and on the pilings, they between 1967 and 1989, these rigs shape offers hiding spots for unanticipated sea life has many environment a concern she can pick off crustaceans and arenearingtheendoftheirlifespan. marine life, and access to a officials reconsidering whether the currently has about huge debris arthropods living among the With production levels declining, consistentflowofcoldcurrentsthat rigsshouldbedismantledatall. mounds thatremainon the seafloor anemones. what to do with the rigs when they bringinmorespecies.

Recent California oil from platforms removed thirty “Eureka is by far the most arenolongereconomicalremainsa Where most rigs have vertical, spills—like the 25,000 gallons that yearsago. productive of the platforms off of quandary: Should oil companies cylindrical pilings, Eureka has leaked from a broken pipeline “Rightnow,toxicmaterialslike California,” says Jeremy Claisse, remove the rigs, taking the reefs layer-upon-layer of flat skirt connected to a rig—have left many arsenicandleadaren’tbeingleaked who co-wrote the paper with Love. with them? Or should the rigs pilings, which replicate the sea environmental groups wary of any into the marine environment, but “It’s as productive as any other remain,leavingtheecosysteminan floor at various depths throughout oil infrastructure, regardless of they could be disrupted by things marine fish habitat that has been unnaturalstate? theentirewatercolumn. whether it’s actually pumping oil. likeanearthquake,seismicactivity, studiedaroundtheworld.”

W h a t m a k e s E u r e k a Love notes that most of the fish

With eight of the 23 rigs no longer or human-caused disruption, like As fish get older, they tend to producing oil and set to be getting snagged in fishing gear,” slowly move deeper down the decommissioned within the next she says. Krop also notes that, platform, where light steadily few years, time to reach an whenitcomestowhat’strulybest dims, and where the species agreementisrunningout.

(Continued on page 45)

JOE PLATKO

A California sea lion dives down from the surface to investigate divers. Sea lions are often spotted resting on the platform during low tide. PHOTOGRAPH BY JOE PLATKO

Large schools of jack mackerel use the oil rigs in Southern California as habitat in an otherwise barren offshore environment.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOE PLATKO

by the Chair (Sir Ronald Sanders, Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda)

the

Mission to Guatemala regarding the electoral process and adherence to democracy

By:Sir.RonaldSanders

Colleagues, I thank the delegations w h i c h h a v e contributed to this Council’s deliberationstoday

Fullnotehasbeentakenof the many important statements that have been made, and they will all form part of the record of this meeting.NowIwouldliketo summarise today’s meeting andtosetoutwhatappearsto be a consensus, arising from it. We convened today to receiveanddiscussthereport submitted by SecretaryGeneral,Mr LuisAlmagro.

At the invitation of President Alejandro Giammattei of Guatemala, the Secretary-General undertook a mission to evaluate the integrity of the electoralprocess,particularly regarding the run-off Presidential election on August 20th, and the overarching commitment to democratic principles by Government institutions and others.

OnbehalfoftheCouncil,I commend Secretary-General Almagro for his thorough engagement with diverse sectors of Guatemalan

society, including the two candidatescontendingforthe presidency of the country –Sandra Torres and Bernardo Arévalo The assurances

r e c e i v e d f r o m t h e Government and other State

authorities about the forthcomingrun-offelections

being conducted with transparency and fairness are encouraging. So, too, is the assurance that they will accept the result of the elections, including the runoffpresidentialelections,and thattherewillbeanopenand transparent transition of power

We are grateful for the reaffirmation of these assurances by the Foreign Minister of Guatemala, duringourmeetingtoday

The invitation of PresidentGiammattei,forthe OAS Elector Observation Mission to continue its role, not just for the run-off elections, but until the inauguration of the new president on January 14th, 2024,isveryencouraging.

However,membersofthis Council remain concerned about actions of the Public Ministry in relation to the work of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, including

13cases,orevenmore,which havebeenbroughtagainstthe Tribunal. These include requiring information about causal workers employed to carry out data entry during the elections of June 25th, 2023 The Council has taken good note of the Government of Guatemala’s assurances that it wishes to ensure a democratic and transparent process from now, through the August 20thrun-off Presidential elections, and up to and including the installation of the new PresidentinJanuary Member states this morning have expressed their support for the ongoing work of the General Secretariat and for the recommendations made by the Secretary-Generalin his report. That work should include supporting the Supreme Electoral Tribunal initseffortstocarryoutafree, fairandtransparentprocess.

Conscious that we are now only 10 days away f r o m t h e r u n - o f f presidential elections and desirousofcontributingtoa peaceful, free and fair process, this Council agrees that the OAS, through its

strengthened and bolstered electoral observer mission, will accompany the process including the installation of the new President, with vigilance and keen attentiveness.

Further,theCouncilwill meet as soon as possible thereaftertoreceiveareport on the run-off elections, when it will further review the situation in Guatemala,

in the context adherence to the OA Charter and the InterA m e r i c a n Democratic Charter Unless there is any objection, I believe this summary accords with the C o u n c i l ’ s consensus.

(No objection Adopted)

Sir. Ronald Sanders

Summary

of

Consensus arising from the deliberations of the Special Meeting of the Permanent Council on Thursday, 10 August 2023, to receive the Report of Secretary General Luis Almagro on his fact-finding

Zoom orders workers back to the office

(BBC) Zoom, the video 29% had hybrid policies, currently work for Zoom in employees and dispersed expansion of remote work communications company according to a survey by the UK, where it just opened teams connected and prompts rivals, such as whose name became researchers at Stanford anewLondonoffice. working efficiently,” Zoom Microsoft, to upgrade their synonymous with remote University and others that Zoom said that the new said. Only about 1% of the videoofferings. work during the pandemic, has been conducted monthly policy, which was first company’s workers had Growth has slowed has ordered staff back to the sincethepandemic. reportedbyBusinessInsider, “regular office presences” in sharply since the pandemic. office The firm said it Thatissimilartopatterns would put the company in a September 2022, while 75% Earlier this year, it believeda“structuredhybrid recorded by the Office for “better position to use our lived remotely and the announced it was cutting approach” was most National Statistics in the UK own technologies, continue remainder had hybrid 15% of its staff and top effective and people living earlierthisyear to innovate, and support our arrangements, the Wall executives would take major within50miles(80km)ofan Earlier research by the globalcustomers”. Street Journal reported at the pay cuts. Its shares are worth office should work in person Stanford team has found “We’ll continue to time. about $68 apiece today, atleasttwiceaweek. remote work is more remotelyindefinitely. leverage the entire Zoom But Zoom is under down from more than $500

It is the latest push by a common in English- The tech firm said the platform to keep our mounting pressure as the atthepeakinOctober2020. major firm to row back speaking countries and far new policy would be rolled flexibleworkingpolicies. less common in Asia and o u t i n A u g u s t a n d Amazon and Disney are Europe. September, on a staggered among the firms that have Before the pandemic, the timeline that varied by reducedremoteworkdays. share of days worked from country

Surveys suggest that home in the US was only It said it would continue workers are still holding about 5%. Globally, workers to “hire the best talent, onto the ability to work from consistently desire more regardless of location”. At hometosomedegree. f l e x i b l e w o r k i n g the end of January, the

About12%ofworkersin a r r a n g e m e n t s t h a n company employed about the US, where Zoom is employersseeasoptimal. 8,400 people, more than half headquartered, were fully Zoom at one point said of whom were based in the remoteinJuly,whileanother staff would be able to work US About 200 people

Exercisingduringyourmenstruation

ByDavinaBagot

Sometimes when we think of our periods, it is hard toimagineexercisingduring those few days. Everyone’s menstrual cycle varies, not onlybythedurationbutwith the symptoms. For some, exercise during this time maybemoredifficultdueto severe cramps and other symptoms, but what if exercise could ease these uncomfortable pains we experience?

Research has shown that any intensity of exercise during your period or menstruation can help relieve cramping or that uncomfortable feeling in your tummy In fact, physical activity should not only be incorporated into

your lifestyle solely during your menstruation but should be part of your daily routine.

Experiencing your period can be stressful for

somepeoplebecauseofhow it affects your daily activities.Symptomssuchas bloating, headaches, back and thigh pains, muscle aches,diarrhoea,nauseaand

even vomitingmakeit difficultforsome to carry out their usualroutines. Healthline in a recent article q u o t e d D r Christopher Holligsworth, who noted that the period is a complex time

fromahormonalstandpoint. “Both progesterone and estrogen are at their lowest during the entire length of the period phase of the menstrual cycle, which can make people feel tired and less energetic, ” he explained.

Withthatsaid,hepointed out that avoiding exercise will not save energy nor would it make you feel

better Ifyouarenotparticularly goingtothegymbutwantto live healthier, you would be pleased to know that low intensity exercises such as walking helps to reduce s t r e s s h o r m o n e s Meanwhile, moderate to high intensity exercise such as running can lead to a reductionofinflammationin thebody Asaresult,doctors believe any intensity of exercise can potentially assist in the management of periodpains.

Other low intensity exercises such as stretching, yoga,cyclingandswimming are also great to try during yourperiod.Ifyouaremore energetic, you may try

aerobics or Zumba and cardio as high intensity methods to relieve your symptoms.

It is recommended that you exercise for about 45 to 60 minutes at least three times a week to reduce the intensity of your menstrual pains. Research suggests

thattherecanbeabouta25% reduction in menstrual pain by following these exercise guidelines.

It is important to remember that exercise is not something that is a onesize-fits-all.Assuch,thekey is to ensure that whatever activity you choose is done at a frequency and duration that feels right to you and yourspecifichealthneeds.

Lowintensityexerciseduring periods,suchaswalkingorlight joggingcanrelievesymptoms

InterestingCreatures...Crime fighting dogs awarded for years of service

Two police dogs on July has been responsible for the 6 last retired after years of captureofcriminals. service to the Rutherford In February this year, it CountySherriffDepartment, was reported that GPF was Tennessee, United states moving to re-integrate its K(US) and their retirement 9 section into park patrols as ceremony went viral on the part of it crime fighting internet. strategy

The two dogs K-9 G u y a n a ’ s K - 9 Samson and K-9- Eli were department was first awarded with a plaque and established in the 1960s. In treats for their diligent its crime fighting role, the service that resulted in the canine section assists with apprehension of many the detection of explosives, criminals and numerous i l l e g a l a r m s a n d drugbusts. ammunition, blood, illegal capture of many criminals, Investigation Department firearms and explosive Retrievers, Belgium Tavern

E l i s e r v e d t h e drugsandcontraband.Police both local and in law (CID) of GPF had five devices. Shepherd, Springer Spaniel community of Middle ranks also conduct canine enforcement cooperation explosive, narcotics and Ace arrived with its and a mix breed of German Tennessee for 12 years patrols in crime prone areas overseas. firearm detection” dogs- handler, Lance Corporal, andBelgiumShepherd. alongside Sergeant Lee andatkeyportsofentry Rio was part of a police Molly, Niko, Ben, Brenda Dwayne McPherson, and in In addition to its crime Young while Samson served During the early days, operation in one of the andAce-presentinitsunit. thepresenceofthedriverand fighting role, the Canine forseven. Corporal 5083Williams was largest manhunts in

A 2019 Kaieteur News other ranks, led them to the Section is playing a Dogs, because of their in command of the K-9 unit Montserrat and played a role Article titled Scent of Crime left front door panel, which meaningfulroleinthePolice high level of intelligence, and there was one dog so inthesuccessfulrecaptureof reported that the Force’s K-9 when opened revealed an Force’s Community have played a major role in good at performing his the fugitive William unit had played a key-role in unlicensed .38 Smith and Relations programme with crime solving around the duties that he became a Bramble also known as nailing a suspect on Wesson revolver with five c r o w d t h r i l l i n g worldevenhereinGuyana. household name in the “Fine Twine” who was November16,2016. livematchingrounds. performances at Police

TheGuyanaPoliceForce country wanted for several crimes in According to the article, Apart from dogs being Gymkhanas and pet shows (GPF) also has a K-9 His name was Rio the theCaribbean. ranks of the Guyana Police trainedindetectingnarcotics aroundthecountry (Canine) unit of its own that “wonder dog”, owing to the Since then, the K-9 Force conducted a search of and explosives, the Guyana Other breeds of dogs section became and still a taxi driver of Tuschen, Police Force is also in used to assist in crime remains a critical part of law EBE, and his motor vehicle possession of dogs trained in fightingincludetheAiredale enforcement in Guyana, at the Brickdam Police trackinghumanscents. terrier, Akita, Groenendael, ranks were also trained Station. Theinitialsearchby Some of the dog breeds Malinois dog, Bernese overseas to handle and train rankscameupemptyhanded used by the GPF include MountainDog,Bloodhound, the dogs in specialized areas and a decision was made to German Shepherds, Border Collie, Boxer, ofcrimefighting. use one of its sniffer dogs Belgium Shepherds, BouvierdesFlandresandthe As of 2019, the Criminal trained in the detection of Doberman, Labrador Goldenretriever

Photo taken of the K-9 unit of the Guyana Police Force

K-9 Elie

K-9 Samson

This Day in History - Aug. 13 13

Compiled by Richard Francois. (From history.com)

First victim of Memphis yellow fever epidemic dies

August13,1878

city of 50,000, had outbreaks in 1855, 1867

On August 13, 1878, Kate Bionda, a and 1873, with each outbreak getting restaurant owner, dies of yellow fever in progressivelyworse.Thosewhocamedown Memphis, Tennessee, after a man who had with yellow fever were quarantined in an escaped a quarantined steamboat visited her efforttopreventthediseasefromspreading. restaurant. The disease spread rapidly and Often, they were made to wear yellow theresultingepidemicemptiedthecity jacketsasameansofidentification.

“Hound Dog” is recorded

for the

first time by Big Mama Thornton

August13,1952

Yellow fever, which is carried by

InJuly1878,anoutbreakofyellowfever mosquitoes, originally came from West was reported in Vicksburg, just south of Africa and was brought to the United States Memphis. Memphis officials reacted by on ships carrying enslaved workers. The stopping travel to the city from the south. disease requires warm weather to survive However, William Warren, a steamboat and thrives in wet and hot summers when worker, somehow slipped away and into mosquitoes can breed prodigiously After a Kate Bionda’s restaurant on the shore of the three-to-six-day incubation period, an Mississippi on August 1. The next day he needed hospitalization and was sent to President’s Island for quarantine, where he died. Kate Bionda, the first Memphis resident to get yellow fever, died on August 13. After that, yellowfever infections spread quickly throughoutMemphis.

Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” (1956) is one of the biggest and most instantly recognizable pop songs in history It’s a song so closely associated with the King of Rock and Roll, in fact, that many may mistakenly assume that it was a Presley original. In fact, the story of the song that gave Elvis his longest-running #1 hit (11 weeks) in the summer of 1956 began four years earlier, when“HoundDog”wasrecordedforthevery first time by the rhythm-and-blues singer Ellie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton in Los Angeles,California.

Memphis Yellow Fever Epidemic

Most of the residents who were able to fled the city Twentyfive thousand people picked up and left within a week. For the most part, it was the African Americanresidentswhoremained in town, although they died at a much lower rate than the white residents who contracted the afflicted person feels flu-like symptoms disease. An average of 200 people died such as fever and aches. After a very short every day through September There were remission, a more intense stage often corpses everywhere and near continual follows, during which the victim vomits ringing of funeral bells. Half of the city’s blood and suffers liver and renal failure. doctorsdied. Jaundiceisalsoatypicalsymptom,whichis Theepidemicendedwiththefirstfrostin how yellow fever got its name. If a victim October, but by that time, 20,000 people in dies, it usually happens within two weeks. the Southeast had died and another 80,000 Survivorscanfeeltheeffectsformonths. had survived infection. In the aftermath,

Inthe19thcentury,itwasnotknownthat open sewers and privies were cleaned up, mosquitoes carried yellow fever. New York destroying the breeding grounds for City, Philadelphia and New Orleans all mosquitoes and preventing further experienced serious epidemics that spread epidemics. Today, yellow-fever outbreaks rapidly and killed thousands. Memphis, a stilloccurinAfricaandSouthAmerica.

Fidel Castro is born

Big Mama Thornton was a native of Montgomery,Alabama, who came of age on theR&Bcircuitinthe1940safterstartingher professionalcareerin1941attheageof14.In tohimwitha12-barcountrybluestunecalled 1951,shesignedherfirstrecordcontractwith “HoundDog.” Peacock Records and was soon paired with On this day in 1952, Big MamaThornton anotherofitsartists,bandleaderJohnnyOtis, and the Johnny Otis Band recorded “Hound who brought Thornton out to join his band in Dog” and turned it into a smash hit on the California.Itwasthere,inlate1952,thatOtis R&B charts, where it stayed at #1 for seven asked two young songwriters on the Los weeks It wasn’t Thornton’s recording, Angeles music scene if they would write however, that inspired Elvis to record something especially for Thornton. Those “Hound Dog” three years later Presley’s songwriters were Jerry Lieber and Mike inspiration came from a rewrite by a singer Stoller, who would go on to have an named Freddie Bell, who changed the enormousimpactonR&Bandearlyrockand original lyrics to include the now-familiar roll through their work with groups like the “Cryin’ all the time” and “You ain’t never Coasters and the Drifters. But hits like caught a rabbit.” During his first Las Vegas “Yakkity Yak,” “Charlie Brown,” “Stand By engagement in the spring of 1956, Elvis Me,”“JailhouseRock”and“LovePotionNo. Presley heard Freddie Bell and the Bellboys 93 were still ahead of Lieber and Stoller performing the reworked “Hound Dog” and whentheydidwhatOtisaskedandcameback addedittohisrepertoirealmostimmediately

Berlin is divided

August13,1926

outstanding feature of his Cuban revolutionary politics during the period Fidel Castro is born in the was his anti-American Oriente province of eastern beliefs; he was not yet an Cuba. The son of a Spanish overtMarxist. immigrant who had made a Castro’s Cuba was the fortune building rail systems first communist state in the totransportsugarcane,Fidel Western Hemisphere, and he attended Roman Catholic wouldretaincontrolofitinto boardingschoolsinSantiago the 21st century, outlasting de Cuba He became nine U.S. presidents who involved in revolutionary opposed him with economic politics while he was a embargoes and political temporarily ceded power to studentandin1947tookpart rhetoric.Afterthecollapseof hisyoungerbrotherRaúl.He in an abortive attempt by the Soviet Union in 1991, officially stepped down in Dominican exiles and Castro lost a valuable source February 2008. Castro died Cubans to overthrow of aid, but he made up for it on November 25, 2016, at Dominican dictator Rafael by courting European and age 90. In April of 2021, Trujillo. In the next year, he Canadian investment and Raúl Castro stepped down; took part in urban riots in tourism.InlateJuly2006,an Miguel Dias-Canel was Bogota,Colombia.Themost unwell Fidel Castro electedhissuccessor

August13,1961

better opportunities. By 1961, some 1,000

Shortly after midnight on August 13, East Germans including many skilled 1961, East German soldiers begin laying l a b o r e r s , p r o f e s s i o n a l s a n d down barbed wire and bricks as a barrier intellectuals—wereleavingeveryday between Soviet-controlled East Berlin and In August, Walter Ulbricht, the thedemocraticwesternsectionofthecity Communist leader of East Germany, got the After World War II, defeated Germany go-ahead from Soviet Premier Nikita was divided into Soviet, American, British Khrushchev to begin the sealing off of all and French zones of occupation. The city of access between East and West Berlin. Berlin, though technically part of the Soviet Soldiers began the work over the night of zone, was also split, with the Soviets taking August12-13,layingmorethan100milesof the eastern part of the city After a massive barbed wire slightly inside the East Berlin Allied airlift in June 1948 foiled a Soviet border Thewirewassoonreplacedbyasixattempt to blockadeWest Berlin, the eastern foot-high, 96-mile-long wall of concrete sectionwasdrawnevenmoretightlyintothe blocks, complete with guard towers, Soviet fold. Over the next 12 years, cut off machine gun posts and searchlights. East from its western counterpart and basically German officers known as Volkspolizei reduced to a Soviet satellite, East Germany (“Volpos”)patrolledtheBerlinWalldayand saw between 2.5 million and 3 million of its night.ManyBerlinresidentsonthatfirst citizens head to West Germany in search of (Continued on page 34)

Fidel Castro

Hound Dog

The Berlin Wall

Apple iPhone 15 Pro: New Leaks Suggest Surprise Big Upgrade Coming

(Forbes) It’s not long

conflating the storage now until Apple releases its prediction with a separate next iPhone series, that is, rumor of a price increase. iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, While it’s nice to justify iPhone15ProandiPhone15 somethingnegative(ahigher Pro Max (although this last price) with a benefit, there’s one might just have another no guarantee that it’s the name).Wanttoknowexactly case. And if the Pro range when the iPhones will be starts at 256GB but the unveiled and released for regulars remain at 128GB, sale?Readfulldetailshere. 256GB and 512GB, it will

Two new reports claim mean yet another level of there will be a very big differentiation between upgrade to the coming iPhone15and15Pro. handsets for an important

However, what makes element in any phone: the 2TB less likely is that storagespace. A p p l e w a n t s s o m e

Up To 2TB Storage for

Berlin is divided

From page 31

morning found themselves suddenly cut off from friends or family members in the other half of the city Led by their mayor,Willi Brandt,West Berliners demonstrated against the wall, as Brandt criticized Western democracies, particularly the United States, for failing to take a stand against it. President John F Kennedy had earlier said publicly that the United States could only really help West Berliners and West Germans, and that any kind of action on behalf of East Germanswouldonlyresultinfailure.

outstandingsetsoffinancials

iPhone 15 Pro in the coming months, and a

Apple iPhone 15 Pro. How much storage is enough?

DAVID PHELAN

First, according to top-end model with the eyeKorean blogger yeux1122, watering price that 2TB theApple iPhone 15 Pro and could command may not be overkill, it may not be. Extra Storage Could Pro Max models will have a the impression Apple wants storage can be important StartAt 256GB bigger storage option. They to leave its customers with because, although much of And then there’s the say, courtesy of Apple right now The 1TB iPhone our digital lives is stored in second report, spotted by Translate, “This is the 14 Pro Max currently costs the cloud (such as iCloud), MacRumors. In a Weibo supplier source. The Apple $1,599 would Apple weincreasinglyneedstorage account, it’s also claimed iPhone 15 Pro and Max charge even more for 2TB onthephonesthemselves. that the top end of the 15 Pro models will have a new 2- capacity? Some iPhone features series will have 2TB tera option this time.” The That said, the move to requirehigherstoragelevels, capacity But the report goes blogger’s emphasis may be 256GB entry-level storage such as recording ProRes on to make a second todowiththefactthata2TB for the iPhone (and certainly video in 4K resolution at a assertion, which translates iPhone was predicted before the iPhone Pro handsets) is speed of 30 frames per to: “Compared with the but never materialized longoverdue. second. maximum storage, I hope to Currentstoragelevelsforthe With thinner bezels With the iPhone 14 Pro, start with 256GB instead of iPhone are 128GB, 256GB around the display, camera you need 256GB storage or 128GB. After all, the price and 512GB for all models upgrades,betterrepairability higher Models with the hasrisen.” plus, for the Pro iPhones and new display technology, entry-level storage of This would mean the only,1TB. there are already significant 128GB can only shoot storage levels for the Pro Ifthereportisright,there improvements predicted for ProRes at 30 frames per iPhones would be 256GB, willbeanextratierwith2TB this year And that’s before secondat1080Presolution. 512GB, 1TB and 2TB. capacity If that seems we get to Game Mode, new There’s no reference to what eye-catching colors for the will happen with the iPhone iPhone 15 Pro and others for 15andiPhone15Plus. theiPhone15,therecouldbe How ConvincingAre a lot of changes to take on These Rumors? board on or around

The Weibo account is September12.

Finally, in the late 1980s, East Germany, fueled by the decline of the Soviet Union, began to implement a number of liberal reforms. On November 9, 1989, masses of East and West Germans alike gathered at the Berlin Wall and began to climb over and dismantle it. As this symbol of Cold War repression was destroyed, East and West Germany became one nation again, signing a formal treaty of unification on October3,1990.

Rotary engine inventor Felix Wankel born

August13,1902

The German engineer Felix Wankel, inventor of a rotary engine that will be used in race cars, is born on August 13, 1902,inLahr,Germany

Wankel reportedly came up with the basic idea for a new type of internal combustion gasoline engine when he was only 17 years old. In 1924, Wankel set up a small laboratory where he began the research and development of his dream engine, which would be able to attain intake, compression, combustionandexhaust,allwhilerotating.

He brought his knowledge of rotary valves to his work with the German Aeronautical Research Establishment during World War II, and to a leading German motorcycle company, NSU Motorenwerk AG, beginning in 1951. Wankelcompletedhisfirstdesignofarotary-pistonenginein 1954,andthefirstunitwastestedin1957.

Inotherinternal-combustionengines,movingpistonsdid the work of getting the combustion process started; in the Wankel rotary engine, an orbiting rotor in the shape of a curved equilateral triangle served this purpose. Fewer moving parts created a smoothly performing engine that was lightweight, compact, low-cost and required fewer repairs. After NSU officially announced the completion of the Wankel rotary engine in late 1959, some 100 companies around the world rushed to propose partnerships that would gettheengineinsidetheirproducts.

Mazda,theJapaneseautomaker,signedaformalcontract with NSU in July 1961, after receiving approval from the Japanesegovernment.

In an attempt to experiment with the rotary engine and perfectitforuseinitsvehicles,MazdaformedanRE(Rotary Engine) Research Department in 1963. The Cosmo Sport, which Mazda released in May 1967, was the planet’s first dual-rotor rotary engine car. With futuristic styling and superior performance, the Cosmo wowed car enthusiasts worldwide.

Mazda began installing rotary engines in its sedans and coupes in 1968, and the vehicles hit the U.S. market in 1971. In the wake of a global oil crisis in 1973-74, Mazda continually worked on improving its rotary engines to improve fuel efficiency, and by the end of that decade its sports cars had become popular in both Europe and the United States In addition to Mazda, a number of other companies licensed the Wankel engine during the 1960s and 1970s, including Daimler-Benz, Alfa Romeo, Rolls Royce, Porsche,GeneralMotors,SuzukiandToyota.

Meanwhile, Wankel continued his own work with the rotarypistonengine,forminghisownresearchestablishment in Lindau, Germany, in the mid-1970s. In 1986, he sold the institute for 100 million Deutschmarks (around $41 million) toDaimlerBenz,makeroftheMercedes.Wankelfiledanew patentaslateas1987;thefollowingyear,hediedafteralong illness.

Walking just 4,000 steps a day can cut risk of dying from any cause, analysis finds

Study also finds each additional 1,000 steps daily are associated with a further 15% reduction in risk

( T h e G u a r d i a n ) 15% reduction in the risk of plateau for any of the whether these benefits may Walking just 4,000 steps a dying from any cause, while investigated groups,” the exist for intensive types of day may reduce your risk of anincreaseof500stepsaday teamsaid. exertion, such as marathon dying from any cause, the was associated with a 7% However, they cautioned running and ironman largest analysis to date reduction in dying from that the data for such “high challenges, and in different suggests–althoughthemore cardiovasculardisease. steppers” remains limited, populations of different you walk, the greater the “Our study confirms that and further studies were ages, and with different healthbenefits. themoreyouwalkthebetter needed. associated health problems.

Researchers said the study confirms that the more you walk, the better, irrespective of gender or age.

The idea that a sedentary We found that this applied to Banach said: “In a world However, it seems that, as lifestyle is linked to poorer both men and women, where we have more and with pharmacological health is now well irrespective of age, and more advanced drugs to treatments, we should 5,444 in the UK – but the health. If you packaged the established, yet, until now, it irrespective of whether you target specific conditions always think about pandemic resulted in benefits as a pill, we would has been unclear what the live in a temperate, such as cardiovascular personalising lifestyle reduced levels of physical be hailing it as a wonder optimal number of steps subtropical or sub polar disease, I believe we should changes.” According to the activity, and people’s daily drug. “Exercising or getting people should aspire to is, or region of the world, or a always emphasise that World Health Organization, step count still had not active can seem quite if there is an upper limit region with a mixture of lifestyle changes, including insufficient physical activity returned to baseline two daunting if we haven’t done beyond which further health climates,’Banachsaid. dietandexercise,mightbeat is now the fourth most yearslater. it for while or find it too gainsareminimal. “Inaddition,ouranalysis least as – or even more – frequentcauseofdeathinthe Prof James Leiper, difficult to fit into our busy

T o i n v e s t i g a t e , indicates that as little as effective in reducing world, with 3.2m deaths a associate medical director at lives. What’s great about researchers led by Maciej 4,000 steps a day are needed cardiovascular risk and yearattributedtoit. t h e B r i t i s h H e a r t walking is that it does not Banach, a professor of to significantly reduce prolonginglives. Before Covid-19 struck, Foundation, said: “This require special equipment or cardiology at the Medical deaths from any cause, and “We still need good the worldwide average daily research shows us just how training, and you can do it UniversityofLodzinPoland even fewer to reduce deaths studies to investigate number of steps was 5,324 – good walking is for our almostanywhere.” drew on data from 17 from cardiovascular previous studies involving disease.”

226,889 people, who were For younger age groups, followed for an average of the sharpest improvement in seven years to assess the health was seen in health impacts of different individuals taking between dailystepcounts.

7,000and13,000dailysteps,

The study, published in whileforthoseaged60years the European Journal of and over, it was between Preventive Cardiology, 6,000and10,000steps. suggested that walking at The team also assessed least 3,967 steps a day the impact of walking up to started to reduce the risk of 20,000 steps a day –dying from any cause, while equivalent to walking 9-10 2,337stepsadayreducedthe miles for the average person risk of dying from – and found that the health cardiovasculardiseases. benefits continued to

Above these cutoffs, increase. each increase of 1,000 steps “We did not see any a day was associated with a diminishing effect or risk

Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PA

Lessons from a Lashpreneur!!! REASONS YOU SHOULD PRE BOOK LASH APPOINTMENTS

ByLatoyaZephyr

If you’ve ever wondered why booking your lash appointments ahead of time isSOimportant,getthe4-11 on how it can help both YOU and your beloved lash line!

BOOKING LASH REFILLSAHEADMAKES LIFEEASIER

Picture a woman. She’s confident, successful and always on the go. She has a lottojugglebutonethingshe refuses to sacrifice are her lashextensions!

But what happens when she doesn’t take the time to book appointments in advance? One day she realizes she’s in desperate need of a lash refill. She franticallycallsherlashtech only to learn she is all booked with zero availability Your heart’s at the bottom of your stomach right now, isn’t it? That’s whybookingaheadoftimeis soimportant.It’llmakeyour lifeso.much.easier: You won’t have to deal withthestressofscrambling

totryandgetanappointment atthelastminute.

•You’llbeabletolockin lash time with your trusted stylist who you (and your eyelashes) hold near and dear.

• You will be able to get the days and times you prefer

• Most importantly, booking ahead will keep yourmuchneeded“metime” onschedule.

REGULAR L

Enjoy the Enetworks list of must-watch shows this week

YOU LOOKING YOUR

BEST! If the peace and serenity of locking in your lash fill slots aren’t enough to convince you to book early,hearthis: Keeping your biweekly lash appointments locked in means:

•Your lash line will stay full without getting to the point of looking sad and sparse.

• You will not have to spend extra time or money starting from scratch with a newfullset.

•Seeing your lash stylist regularly me more time for toassessyourlash line

adjustments during refills as needed.

By Latoya Zephyr

onthebooksaheadoftimeis truly a brilliant idea, then don’t wait! Visit Lift and lashes and conveniently bookyourappointments. If you already have an appointment coming up, be sure to book those refills earlywhileyou’reinthelash studio.Trustus!You’llbeon cloudnineknowingyouand yourlashesareALLSET!

GNBSINFOCUS USE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TESTED AND CERTIFIED FOR QUALITY

In the construction sector, the materials usedplayavitalrole

ineveryproject. Poor materials will lead to unreliable

structures, loss of revenue and can also result in injuries if they

crumble or collapse.

To guarantee long lasting structures, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) encourages the use of construction materials that are tested and certified forquality

For over fifteen years, the GNBS has been providing testing of various products

including concrete hollow blocks and

recently, cubes and concretestructures.

TheIndustrialMetrology and Testing (IMT) Department provides testing

o f p r o d u c t s f o r m a n u f a c t u r e r s , homeowners, and other stakeholders in Guyana, to ensure products meet the requirements of National Standards.

R e c e n t l y ,

concerns have been

raised about the quality of concrete hollow blocks being sold by some local manufacturers

The GNBS offers testing for concrete hollow blocks measuring four, sixandeightinchesin accordance with the

National Standard - GYS

2 1 5 : 2 0 1 8 –“Specification for Load

B e a r i n g M a s o n r y

ConcreteUnits”

T h e s e p r o d u c t s a r e t e s t e d f o r

Compressive strength, moisture content and absorptionoverthecourseof three days to guarantee a robust end product, and this service can be accessed by manufacturers, contractors andhomeowners.

Manufacturers are liable for the quality and performance of their products over the short and longterm.

Therefore, they need to ensure their products can withstand certain conditions and comply with National and InternationalStandards.

If they are unable to do so, projects can be delayed, and quality canbecompromised.

To promote long term compliance with the National Standard, block makers can get their products certified by the GNBS and join the four certified companies: Gafsons Industries Limited, Dura Blocks, Robin Hollow B l o c k s a n d K S M InvestmentsInc.

As it relates to concrete cubes, these are tested in accordance with the British Standard -BS EN 12390 - Testing of hardenedconcrete.

The testing of cubes guarantees stronger foundations, beams and othercomponents.

This year, the Bureau also began offering NonDestructive Testing for concretestructures.

This test assesses strength, durability, and s u s c e p t i b i l i t y t o deterioration, removing doubts about substandard residentialandcommercial concretestructures I t d e t e r m i n e s compressive strength of the existing structures with arangeof0-8,400Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI) in accordancewiththeASTM Standard (C805) Standard Test Method for Rebound Number of Hardened Concrete

The promotion of quality construction materials has led to several stakeholders becoming aware of the quality of the blocks they manufacture, and at the same time increased the quality consciousness of consumers regarding this widely used building material

Meanwhile, the GNBS offers certification for PVC pipes, Bathtubs and shower units under its Product Certification programme

Under the Permit to use the Made in Guyana Standards Mark, there are also several certified construction materials including plywood, slabs and piles, bitumen, tapered sawn wallaba s h i n g l e s , w o o d e n flooring, molding & decking, aluminum manhole covers and fire hydrantsamongothers.

To learn more about these and other related services provided by the GNBS,besuretovisitour booth at the upcoming International Building Expo on August 24-27 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, EastBankDemerara

Our team of experts is p r e p a r e d t o h a v e meaningful engagements with you throughout the four-day event as we strive to create a culture ofqualityinGuyana

For further information, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190064-66 or WhatsApp 6924627.

You can also visit our website:www.gnbsgy.org and our Facebook page: gnbsgy

Buju Banton Says ‘Destiny’ Was Recorded At Pivotal Point In His Life

(DancehallMag) Buju

Banton said that his 1997 track Destiny was penned during a period of profound introspection, hegrappled of abandoning journey

“Desti that was m at a very my jour Banton, 5

recent interview with EDITION by Modern Luxury

“My innocence as it

righteousness will never ever be embraced by the masses ”

Destiny formed part of ated released 997 ovan ouse uest o m nd, Stitt, andthe real yrie, ce of edits ve to with n d be hing we’re made wasa ionwas concerned, ” he told

EDITION

“Whatever destiny had in store, I had to face it

because I know I’m a servant,notofmanbutofmy father who would make sure whethertheylikemeor not [people] get the message Because no inspirationthatcomestome shall be from the people. Now if I am aware of this, wouldn’t my enemies be aware as well? With more knowledge and esoteric ways of finding out things thanI?

‘Destiny, look from whereyoucallme ’ I cannot hide from it I cannot run from it I must play it out and watch it unfold humbly and with humility.”

Inna Heights, nominated for the Best Reggae Album Grammy at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards, had lost out to Sly and Robbie, who took home the trophy for their album, Friends However,thealbum,withits 21 tracks, is often hailed by reggae aficionados as a worthy successor to Banton’s seminal Til Shiloh (1995). It encapsulated the fervor and awareness that

have solidified Banton’s reputationasacontemporary beacon of roots and culture music.

Amongitsreveredtracks areOurFatherinZion,Hills and Valleys, African Pride, Cry No More, and My Woman Now, the latter featuring his close friend

Heights went to the No. 1 spotontheBillboardReggae Albums chart, where it reignedforeightweeks,and spent a total of 79 weeks, bettered only by Til Shiloh, which had spent 104 weeks onthatchart.Bantonissetto release his 13th studio album, Born For Greatness, onSeptember8,2023.a

Should you keep ketchup in your refrigerator? The age old question finally gets answered

(Woman&Home) Did you know you Asperusual,thissparkedahugedebatein could be storing ketchup incorrectly? the comment section under the tweet, in yet Here’s what condiment brand Heinz says another installment of fairly unimportant yet is the best method to keep your favorite highlyamusinginternetcontroversies. summercondimentfresh.

One of the biggest questions that Twitter

There are certain foods that remain a usershadwastobeexpected:“Sowhyisiton mystery when it comes to where you should the shelves in supermarkets & shops then?” be storing them. For example, many wonder one person tweeted, along with many others foods like eggs and butter should be who posed the same question in the refrigerated, or if they’re okay to be left out comments. on the counter? Of course, you don’t want to

The Heinz account responded to many of riskfoodpoisoning(althoughthenumberone the people who posed this question, tweeting foodthatgavepeoplefoodpoisoningin2022 an image of Heinz ketchup placed in a fourmight surprise you), so it’s important to do packinarefrigeratoratagrocerystore. your research and ensure you’re effectively

The debate got so heated that the Heinz storing your groceries. Plus, with inflation account created a Twitter poll, asking people prices these days, let’s face it - we can’t even to vote on how they store ketchup - and the afford to let a single bottle of ketchup go to results produced an overwhelming winner waste. You might be one of the many folks While63.2%ofvoterssaidthat,yes,ketchup around the globe who has a question about should go in the fridge, the other 36.8% wheretostoreyourketchup-isitsupposedto disagreed, saying it should be stored in a gointhefridgeoronthecounter? cupboard,evenafteropening.

Luckily, global condiment brand Heinz While some folks genuinely got heated just revealed the answer, and we have to say, over the topic, others had some pretty we’realittlesurprised. hilariousresponsestotheoriginaltweet.

The Heinz UK twitter account posted a

“And Barbecue Sauce goes on my desk,”

“I just carry it around in my pocket. You tweet on June 27 revealing the answer to the never know when you might come across a age-oldquestion-andwithsummerbarbecue snack that requires some ketchup,” one season in full effect, this information is more personresponded. relevantthanever

“FYI: Ketchup. goes. in. the. fridge!!!” another said, ignoring Heinz’s ketchup thebrandaccounttweeted. heeding.

An oil rig that environmentalists...

From page 23 living there and its potential to harbor fortheecosystem,scientistshavetoconsider endangered species. With the help of an many factors, not just wildlife populations. ROV,Hazelwoodandherco-founderAmber She worries the abundant fish may attract Sparks found that an iconic starfish species, recreational fishing, limiting the rig’s the Giant Pacific Sunflower, was environmental benefit by reducing fish flourishing. populations.

Currently, the sea stars are classified as Claisse mentions that while some recent Critically Endangered on the International studies conducted at the California rigs have Union for the Conservation of Nature shown no higher levels of heavy metals in (IUCN) Red List. Since 2013, 90 percent of the species associated with the platforms, the sea star’s population has been lost to marine environments near industrial disease caused by increasing temperatures complexes are often infused with harmful andacidification. components. He adds that more research to “They had a massive die-off and are bedonetounderstandindustrialtoxins. really hard to find now, but we found them.”

Sparks of life and saysHazelwood. innovation moving forward

What becomes of Eureka may even set a “Not every oil platform is a good precedent for new energy infrastructure. candidate for an artificial reef,” says marine Claisse notes that Eureka’s environmental conservation biologist Emily Hazelwood, researchisbeingappliedtodesignsforother co-founder of the environmental consulting structures,suchasoffshorewind. firm Blue Latitudes. “You need to do He adds, “No one intended for these oil extensivebiologicalsurveyingtounderstand platforms to be fish habitats, but looking the value [of each] and what marine life is forward, [we have to ask] in what ways can there.” we think about making anything that we put

But she thinks Eureka is a good in the ocean habitual, if they’re going to be candidate, given the wide variety of species outthereanyway?”

THE STELLAR ONE

byDanielErrico

When the universe was youngtheskywasfilledwith planets, and stars, and stardust, and many many rocks.Oneoftheserockswas a bit more special than the rest. Shewasunlikeanythat c a m e b e f o r e h e r She was a kind and happy rock, who always floated nearabigblueplanet.

Sometimes when the light hit her surface, she would glow a brilliant green. At times like those, she almost didn't look like a rock atall.Astheskymovedfrom daytoday,andweektoweek, therockwouldseeplanetsfar offinthedistance.

She would wonder what itwouldbeliketogotothem. Week after week and month after month she would wonder Until one day she decidedtogofindout.

The rock had never gone anywhere before and wasn't surehowtogoaboutit.

She started to rock back and forth.Then she started to spin. Soon enough, she was flyingthroughthesky Asshe left,cloudsswirledonthebig blue planet. For it was sad to see her go, and when planets crythereisarainstorm.

At first the rock was not good at moving. She would spin too far to the right or too far to the left. Slowly she learned how to travel whichever direction she liked, and she enjoyed exploringspace.

She saw a planet filled with water, with not a speck of land. Then found a planet all dried up, with beaches made of sand. She swore she met a planet who looked suspiciously like her And then she saw a planet that was, well… she wasn't sure. One planet she discovered, had grown forests made of green.

Another one was very

FUNWITHPOETRY

shy, not fond of being seen. She flew right by a planet, that was frozen icy cold. And then she saw a planet that was made of jewels and gold! She had started to notice that each planet seemedbrighterthanthelast. They were all so different andallsopretty

It became hard for her to decide where to go next. If each planet she visited was more beautiful than the one before it, then how could she decide which way to go next, and how could she decide wheretostay

So she continued traveling, afraid to miss a singleplanet.

Eventually she came upon the big blue planet that she had once circled, but she found that is was not the same.

It was shining in a way that it never had before. It was more blue than it had everbeen,andcertainlymore beautiful.

This made her stop for a moment. “I do not know where I should go next” she said out loud “Each direction is filled with wonderful planets. And I cannotstop,knowingthatthe nextplanetwillbeevenmore beautiful if I continue on. Even my big blue planet has grown more beautiful every

dayinmyabsence.”

The big blue planet overheard this. “Can you not see why I am brighter?" it asked.

"You are the brightest planet I have ever seen," she said, "but I do not know why you glow brighter today than youdidwhenIleftyou."

“You have brightened me,”itsaid.

“ButIamjustarock”she replied.

“You are no longer just a rock like the day you left me,” said the big blue planet. “You have grown bold and bright.

Now you are a shooting star, and you are the reason thatIshine.

And while you are worrying about which direction to go, all of the planets in space are hoping that you will come their way tobrightenthem.”

And so the shooting star, who was no longer just a rock, finally understood. It did not matter where she went,thelightwasherown.

So the rock sat there for a moment, by the bright blue planetandwondered.

"ShouldIkeeptraveling, or should I fly around the big blueplanetandgrowbrighter withiteachday.”

She thought, until she knewexactlywhattodo.

Art is so much fun

Uncle Roy

THE PERFECT DIY ACCESSORY FOR ANY SUMMERPARTY!GREAT TO SERVE WITH PUNCH, SODA OR YOUR OTHER FAVORITEBEVERAGES.

*WoodenCoasters

*Acrylic paint (green, white,andred)

*Pencil

*Black permanent marker

*Glue

*RedSprinkles

Instructions: You will begin by drawing the two rings, one green and one white, around yourcoaster

Don't worry about it beingexactlyperfect,it'sjust serving as a guide to follow Once you have your circle guides drawn you will want to the paint the outer ring

green, the second ring white and the center red. Just like our favourite sweet treat!

Allow to dry

completely and repeat with a second or third coat, if necessary

I was able to stop at two coats for most of the watermelon coasters, but some needed a third coat if the coaster had a largeknotinthecanterofit.

Using your pencil and black sharpie draw on five small seeds in the center of your coaster. Add a layer of Mod Podge, sparkle to your coasters for some fun and protection against your wet glasses.

Don't like the look of sparkles or glitter? Just swap out the sparkle Mod Podge for your favourite formula such as matte, glossy,orsatin.Nowgohave fun in the sun and enjoy a cold glass of sweet tea or lemonade.

Across [2] What are the columns called?

[8] What element has an atomic mass of 127?

[9] this element is the most abundant element in earths atmosphere making up about 78% of the atmosphere by volume

[11] Metal harder than sodium and in the same group

[12] There are over a elements

[15] has the atomic number of 25

[16] We need this to survive [17] this element is good for your bones

[19] Gas used to stop Cs and Rb from oxidizing in storage

Down [1] This element named material is in pencils

[3] This element is used in semi-conductors

[4] has the atomic number of 35

[5] This element is the lightest element on the periodic table

[6] Na is the chemical symbol for

[7] The rows are called groups or

[10] What makes up the periodic table?

[13] what element has the atomic number of 28

[14] What element is Ga?

[18] This element is a girls best friend

Develop a Sense of Personal Competence to move forward towards your life goals with full Confidence

When you devote all your energy towards achieving thegoalswhichyouhaveset for yourself, then you will find that you will naturally develop that feeling that you canachieve. Italsoinvolves the effort you make towards helping others to achieve theirgoals.

Competencerequiresboth the skills to work at whateverspecialyouneedto achieve those goals, and the belief that you can use them effectively As they say, practice makes perfect, and anyone who desires success inwhathesetsouttodomust take the time and trouble to

keep improving those skills. It also happens that every little success gives one encouragement to continue and to attempt to do bigger things. This means that you need to persist at whatever you are doing, take the problemswhichareboundto

come up in your stride, and s u c c e s s w i l l c o m e eventually Many ambitious peoplesometimeslookatthe tasks which they need to c o m p l e t e t o w a r d s something they have to achieve,andarediscouraged because they look too large and formidable for them. They feel that they would never be able to surmount the various problems which they imagine will face them astheygoalong. Whatthey needtodoistomakeasmall start at whatever little they are sure that they can do. Havingcompletedthissmall step, they then tackle the next. In this way they will be breaking up the large job into manageable ones, until thewholeisaccomplished.

Of course the practical

XSudoku

Each digit from 1-9 occurs once within each row, column, jigsaw block and major diagonal. There is only one solution.

way of achieving this sense of being able to personally accomplishthingsistowork towards acquiring the skills that would be needed for the type of jobs you would have todotomeetthegoalswhich you have set yourself. Your would already have gone part way towards this when you have secured some academic qualification, but then you will have to do some specialist training in the particular field in which youareinterested. Nothing of value is ever achieved easily, and so the effortwhichyouwouldhave expended and the trouble youwouldhaveexperienced to gain this type of competence would be well worth it. Take the guesswork about your future by preparing for it by gaining what skills you need to achieve your goals, and you would benefit by the confidence in yourself which would result from this.

In the following weeks we willbehelpingyoutoclarify these to facilitate your work inthisdevelopment.

We make our own world

by Carmen Mashier

We make our own world, whoever we are, Our happiness is of our own making; We make our own world, wherever we are, Our happiness is there for the taking.

Our world goes with us as we walk and talk each day, Our world can be a heaven or hell, our attitude will say, We make our own world, whatever we are, Let's make our own world, wherever we are.

Keep thinking happy, and we'll make a new world, Happiness in a choice that we can at any time make; When we feel grateful for all we have and can do, Then we will always be happy, whether asleep or awake.

Solutions to last week’s

Move forward with Full confidence when you develop this Sense of Personal Competence.

20 Beauty Affirmations to Boost Your Inner &Outer Beauty

Can words actually help you to feel or look more beautiful? How do you define beauty affirmations?

Affirmations for beauty don't have to be so complicated. We all know it's essential to be beautiful on the inside, but sometimes we tend to forget about our bodies and what we put into them.

Believe it or not, beauty is an achievable goal. It's not a secret that beauty comes from within; think of someone like Julia Roberts, for example. Without her inner confidence, the outer effects wouldn't mean much.

The benefit of these affirmations is to help you see your inner and outer beauty at its best. You are positively promoting self-esteem and self-respect, leading to better joy and wellbeing. These will also encourage you to view yourself differently from others and help you appreciate your beauty

While reading, you will notice a difference in how you perceive yourself.

These 20 affirmations will help you boost your inner and outer beauty, so scroll down for some beauty-enhancing affirmations;

I am proud of my skin and proud of my beauty

I am a goddess.

People around me are beautiful, kind, and loving.

Every cell in my body is gorgeous, and that lights up outwards.

I have smooth and radiant skin that makes me glow

I carry myself very well.

I am a positive person who makes me gorgeous.

I am elegant in the way I move.

I love myself exactly as I am.

I see the brighter side of things.

I have a charming smile that captivates everyone's heart. My inner happiness diffuses an attractive and irresistible personality

I feel so beautiful when I look at myself in the mirror

I am so thankful for having healthy and glowing skin.

My skin is vibrantly youthful.

I am positively beautiful.

I keep away from judging others based on their looks and instead try to find their inner beauty.

I care for myself as well as the people around me.And this makes me more beautiful.

I let go of all the wrong reasons and excuses for not looking and feeling beautiful.

I am beautiful. Everyone is beautiful.

firmations help you

120 years after death... Exhumed remains of Bishop relocated to sacred resting place inside Brickdam Cathedral

ByRehannaRamsay

Almosttwoweeksago,a post circulated on social media about the exhumation of the remains of Bishop Anthony Butler (a senior priest) who died 120 years ago, from the compound of the Cathedral of Immaculate ConceptionlocatedatBrickdam.

The post generated many comments and questions from concernedviewersastothereason for “digging up,” the bones of a dead Bishop more than a century after he was “peacefully laid to rest,”tonowplacethemwithinthe wallsofthechurchbuilding.

Several commentators condemnedtheactasdisrespectful to the dead while others raised concerns about the way in which theexhumationwasdone.

Last week, The Waterfalls spoke to the Administrator of the Cathedral,FatherJoelRathnawho explainedthereasoningbehindthe actwastomovetheremainsofthe deadBishopandplaceitunderthe mainaltarofthechurch.

According to Father Rathna, themovewasdoneinkeepingwith preservation of a century’s Old Catholictradition.

According to him, it is customaryforBishopstobeburied in crypts (chambers) below the cathedrals they served. This crypt isatleastsixfeetbelowthebaseof the main altar inside the Cathedral (principal church building of the diocese) and acts a burial site for the heads of the church. Father Rathnanotedthatcryptsarebuiltto

honourthepracticeoftheCatholic Church.

“This is a traditional practice done all over the world. Only bishops who served in that particular cathedral are worthy of beingburiedinitscrypt.Infact,the wordcathedralcomesfromaLatin term which means the seat of the Bishop,”hesaid.

He noted that while many people viewed the exhumation as disturbing the rest of the dearly

departed Bishop, “For us in the catholic tradition, it is an act of honour,tohavehisremainsplaced in the crypt alongside his other fellow Bishops who served the churchfaithfullyaswell.”

Thepriestexplainedtoothatthe honorary burial was long overdue sincetheBishopdiedin1901,long beforethenewCathedralwasbuilt attheBrickdamlocation.

“Theoldchurchdidnothavea crypt so the Bishop was buried under a tower in the churchyard, then in 1913 when the old church burned down and the new more moderncathedralwaslatererected one which contained a crypt, the traditionofhavingthegravesiteof the Bishops inside the church building began here,” Father

Rathnasaid.

He explained that since then only two Bishops, Benedict Singh and Compton Galton have been buriedinthecrypt.

Father Rathna explained that about three years ago, it was broughttohisattentionthatBishop Butler’s gravesite was not located in the church and the decision was taken by the hierarchy of the catholic diocese to have Bishop Butler’s remains exhumed and placed within “his rightful final restingplace.”

There were a series of consultations with the administrative arm of the catholic diocese headed by Bishop Francis Alleyne. BishopAlleyne has since lauded the efforts of those who played a role in bringing the exercisetofruition.

“The relocation of Bishop Butler to the crypt has been talked about for some years now… I am grateful to Father Joel Rathna for getting things in train for it to happen, ” Bishop Alleyne commented.

However, the process to achieve their end goal was not as straightforwardasonemightthink. The priest explained that the approval had to first be granted by the Ministry of Health Environmental Unit, the Mayor andCityCouncil(M&CC),andthe office of the Commissioner of Policebeforetheexhumationcould takeplace.

“When we started the process, we were not able to move forward becauseweneededtheapprovalof therelevantauthoritiestohavethe Continued on page 61

Administratorofthe CathedralFather,JoelRathna Bishop FrancisAlleyne

The exhumed remains of Bishop Anthony Butler who died in 1901.

The door leading to the crypt located under main altar of the Cathedral; a sacred final resting place for Bishops.

T’s Cakes & Treats

By Renay Sambach

Coping with the loss of her first husband

during the COVID-19 pandemic, 29year-old Tamika Hiles developed a passion for baking, which later catapulted into a business.

Afterlosingherhusband,Tamikafoundcomfort in watching cake baking and decorating YouTube videos.Shelaterstartedpractisingbakingherown cakesforfriendsandfamily

During an interview with The Waterfalls, Tamika said, “I have never seen myself making cakesorbaking,orevenowningacakeorcatering business.However,Ihavealwaysbeenawareofmy creativeskillsandloveforcakedecorating.”

Tamika’scareerstartedwithapostofacakeshe createdtoherWhatsAppstatus.

“The feedback led me to watch moreYouTube videosanddesignmorecakes.Soonafterthis,Iwas encouraged by my immediate family to start a Facebookpageandsharemycakes.”

Eventually, Tamika launched her business T’s Cakes and Treats in 2020. T’s Cakes and Treats is locatedatBuxton/FriendshipontheEastCoastof Demerara(E.C.D)andalsoofferscateringservices for any event. The business is co-owned by Tamika’ssister,TashanaHiles.

Tamikasharedthathermenufeaturesavariety ofcakesandtreatslikesponge,black,fruit,andred velvetcakes.Cookiesandcream,marble,brownie, cheese straw, donut, chicken foot, mithai, cheesecake, pholourie, channa, macaroni, banana bread,stuffedeggs,chickenpuffs,andsandwiches allformpartofhermenu.

Tamika shared that she will forever be grateful to her family and friends who encouraged and supportedherfromdayone.

Lookingahead,shesaidherlong-termgoalwith her business is to have a central location in Georgetown where customers can pick up their orders,insteadofhavingtotravelallthewaytothe East Coast. Tamika said she also intends to add moreitemsonthemenu.

Sharing her experience of being a small business owner, Tamika said, “The journey has been one that has challenged me in many ways. Nevertheless, it has been an incredible one that I continuetoenjoy,whichhasallowedmetogrowas an individual. The sweet moment of this journey comes from customer feedback and my personal satisfaction. Customer feedback gives me the opportunitytobettermyskillsandtostrivetowards customersatisfaction.”

Tamika also shared that owning a business has taughtheralot.Onesuchthingshesaidistoalways believeinherselfandherabilities.

“Since starting T’s Cakes and Treats, I have learnt that customer satisfaction is of great importance Much effort is placed on our preparation and packaging as these appeal to our customers. One thing is for sure is that preparing foodanddecoratingcakesisnoeasytask.Itrequires careful preparation, patience, and a love for it and thatiswhatIhave.”

To support Tamika’s business, you can call/ WhatsApp her on + 592 694-8220 or visit her business on Facebook @T’s cakes & Treats or on Instagram@t_scakes.treats.

Cuisine Culture TT

DrunkdrivercrashesRDCpick-upintoMP’svehicleatMabaruma

Two security guards were detainedbypoliceatMabarumaon Saturday after one of the men crashed a Regional Democratic Council (RDC) pick-up into a sports utility vehicle (SUV) which belongs to Opposition Member of Parliament, Ronald Cox hours earlier

Reports are that sometime late Friday night, two security guards were on duty at the RDC administration building at Mabaruma, when they allegedly uplifted the keys to a Toyota pick-

up bearing registration PYY2164 andwentonadrinkingspreeinthe town.Noonewasinjuredfollowing theaccident

A resident told this publication thataround02:30hrsonSaturday,he heard a loud impact and when he peered outside, he saw that a vehicle had crashed into Cox’s SUVwhichwasparkedinhisyard.

Cox,whowasinGeorgetownat thetimeonvacationwithhisfamily, toldthisnewspaperthathereceived a call from a friend who informed him that the pick-up had crashed

into his neighbour’s fence, entered his (Cox’s) yard and collided with the front of his Toyota Fortuner, before exiting the yard through a side fence. “Those men had to be speeding to do so much damage,” Coxsaid.

Residents at the scene told this publicationthatRegionalExecutive Officer, Tikaram Bissessar arrived on the scene and ordered them not to take any photographs or videos since he noted that they would “embarrass the RDC ” They nevertheless continued aiming

theircamerasatthedamagedone.

Reports are that the vehicle which belongs to the RDC was promptly hauled away from the scene while Cox’s SUV sustained substantial damage. “The lights werebroken,andIfoundoneinthe yard,andanotherpartatthesideof the vehicle. The entire front was smashedin,andmyfencewasalso damaged,”Coxsaid.

He said when he got the call during the wee hours of Saturday morning, he immediately made arrangements to travel to

Mabaruma.Whenhearrivedatthe airstripafewhourslater,hesawthe REO who said nothing to him regardingtheincident.Coxsaidhe called the official and in a dismissive tone, the REO related that it was a police matter “He didn’t have the courtesy to inform me of what transpired,” Cox related.

He said he spoke to Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley who expressedremorseattheincident Coxsaidhevisitedthepolice

Continued on page 56

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Toyota pick-up, which bears registration PYY2164, following the accident on Saturday morning at Mabaruma.

The remains of Opposition Member of Parliament, Ronald Cox sports utility vehicle. The Toyota Fortuner which bears a PAB series registration, was parked in Cox’s yard when a drunk driver attached to the RDC at Mabaruma crashed into the vehicle on Saturday morning.

Guyanese is now author of 104 non-fiction books

Being an author can be an exciting task on one hand and daunting on the other Oftentimes, peoplehavegreatideas,buttheyare unable to express their thoughts logically and coherently when writing.However,Guyaneseauthor Geary Reid has proven to be very different and has defied these odds. He is now the author of 104 selfpublishedbooks.

His consistent writing and frequent publication of his collection of books in diverse subject areas speak to his passion, commitment, and dedication to writing.Allofhisworkisreviewed by experienced professionals, as well as, edited by international proofreaders and editing companies.

Guyanese author, Geary Reid

captures first ever Miss Caribbean Culture Crown

Twenty year-old Guyanese beauty, Shemina Peroune was crowned Miss Caribbean Culture 2023 last Mondaynight,becomingthe first woman from her countrytowinthetitle.

The pageant, which was held in Nevis, saw contestants from nine Caribbean countries compete in a variety of categories, including interview, talent, swimwear, evening wear, and question and answer Peroune was crowned Queen and also received the titles of Miss Photogenic and Best InterviewedDelegate.

Reidisanon-fictionauthorwho took the liberty to write a wide range of genres. His 104 non-fictions books are categorized into these four major genres: Academic/Professional/Business with 36 books; Christian/Religious with 35 books; Family life with 21 books; and General Knowledge/Motivationalwith12books.

Hesaidthatallthemajorcategoriesofthe books can be subdivided into other related categories.

Reidexplainedthathisbookscanbeused by individuals who are interested in starting theirownbusinesses,aswellas,studentsand lecturers pursuing further academic qualifications.

“Moreover, there are books for children, adults, single and married people, husbands andwives,etc.Moreimportantly,Christians and other religious-minded readers can benefit immensely from the collection of books for personal devotions, bible studies, andbibleschools,”hesaid.

Reid’s passion and love for writing are evident in his ability to churn out new material. His last 100 books were published within 62 months all while he provided service to his employer, participating in his weeklyChristianduties,andplayinghisrole asadevotedhusbandandfather Heisaselfpublished and the sole author of all of his books.

Peroune received an overall1,462pointsfromthe judges. Completing the Top Five were Miss St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jada Ross first runner up, Lamonee Morris, Miss St. Thomas, second runner up, along with Miss St. Croix TatyannaMassiahand Miss Trinidad&Tobago,Chronna Khan.

Speaking with media operatives on Friday, Peroune said she plans on using her platform as Miss Caribbean Culture Queen to advocateforwomen’sequity andwomenempowerment.

She said, “And to also strengthen regional integration amongst our Caribbean Countries and to ensure that all the aims of

CARICOM are superseded andmet.”

Peroune’ is also the reigning Miss Guyana Culture Queen. Her platform has been centered

on empoweringwomen, and she intends to expand her role by fostering regional integrationandcollaborating with former and future Miss CaribbeanCultureQueens.

Leopold Street man stabbed to death while parting fight

Trying to part a fight on Saturday proved to be a fatal decision for a Leopold Street man after he was stabbed to death.

Dead is Noel Richard Frazer age 19, of Leopold Street, Georgetown The stabbing reportedly took place during the morning hours.

Details are unclear surroundingthefight,withhis motheronlyrealizingthather sonwasfatallywoundedafter hearing screams and seeing her son running into a yard whereheeventuallycollapsed andbledtodeath.

Information received is thatanacquaintanceofFrazer wasinvolvedinafightwitha man. As it escalated, Frazer allegedly intervened to make peace but ended up getting stabbedtohisleftsidechest.

Policearrivedatthescene shortly after and was seen removing Frazer’s lifeless bodyfromthescene.

ongoing.

Frazer’s body being removed from the scene

Miss Caribbean Culture Queen, Shemina Peroune

Governmentrefusestohaveparliamentaryscrutiny foroilblocksawardedthroughdirectnegotiations

In r e c e n t P a r l i a m e n t a r y d i s c u s s i o n s surrounding Guyana's Petroleum Activities Bill 2023, Opposition Member of Parliament, David Patterson, voiced critical

concerns regarding the provision that would allow the government to issue oil blockswithoutacompetitive tender He also proposed an amendment that would add parliamentary scrutiny to this process, but it was

rejected by the government's side.

According to the provision, the process to grant a license under the act can be executed through direct negotiations, when “specialcircumstancesexist,

which, in the national interest or national security, justify the use of direct negotiation to grant a license.”

While he acknowledged that there may be cases where national interest

n e c e s s i t a t e s d i r e c t negotiations, Patterson arguedstronglythatthereisa needforoversight.

Patterson further accentuated his stance by revisiting a past incident from2020.

“I want this assembly to recall," he began, "an [Arabian] prince arrived in Guyana to look at agriculture, housing, and infrastructure projects. But he left after three days… with a US$50 million contract to supply COVID vaccines with the approval oftheCabinet…”

Patterson explained that the justification for the manner in which this transaction was handled, lack of transparency and all was not dissimilar to the 'national interest' provision that has been injected into Guyana'soillaw

The provision gives the People's Progressive Party C i v i c ( P P P / C ) administration the power to a w a r d b y p a s s t h e competitive process, award oil blocks however, and to whomever it wishes, then claim it is in the national interest.

The example of the COVID vaccine deal with the low-ranking royal from the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook alMaktoum, serves as a cautionary example of the potential misuse of such provisions. While Guyana got the vaccines it needed, it significantly overpaid. Such transactions could be fronts for rampant corruption and theft.

Given this, Patterson emphasized the need for a

legislativesafeguard. “We're saying, sir, if [someone] comes and you decide that you're interested in him nationally, you have to come back to this parliament and tell the people the conditions under which you've awarded the contract, and, sir, that is transparency.”

Patterson wittily remarked that the opposition does not want another prince arriving for a visit to an eco resort and leaving with a petroleum license, all under cabinet approval for the nationalinterest.

The PPP/C rejected this proposal, and the Bill was passed as is.The awarding of the Canje and Kaieteur blocksstandsasasignificant point of contention, showing thepotentialpitfallsofdirect negotiations for contract awards.

These licenses, initially granted to distinct entities through direct negotiation, were subsequently acquired by ExxonMobil, prompting significant public and industry scrutiny Such transactions shrouded in opacity, fuel suspicions of favouritism and misconduct, especially when vast economic interests are at stake Critics argue that without rigorous oversight and transparency, direct negotiations can stifle competition, and allow undue concentration of power in the hands of a few corporations.

In the context of Guyana's oil industry, these concerns are amplified, with many fearing that the nation's vast oil wealth may not be equitably leveraged forthecollectivegood.

Drunk driver crashes

RDC pick-up...

From page 54 station at Mabaruma and the ranks there informed him that the matter is under investigation.Athird person was being sought by the police, he added. He said he was told that none of the men are holders of a drivers' licence.

According to a regional official at Mabaruma, this is the third time the RDC's pick-up has been involved in an accident in recent times. He said that on multiple occasions, reckless drivers would cause substantial damage to the government's vehicles assigned to the region while intoxicated.

Several days ago, residents of Moruca related that another government pick-up assigned to that sub-region, bearing registration PAC 6814, sustained damages to its undercarriage after a driver careened off a bridge and on to the revetment at the side of the structure.

The driver in that vehicle was also intoxicated, residents alleged, and he was seen leaving a popular bar, driving the government's vehicle sometime around 01:00hrs on the morning of the incident.

From page 16 healthduetolargeinterestpayment burdens,”thereportadded.

WEDNESDAY

Exxon tells Court it spent US$206M but only accounts for US$50M - Court documents in Gas-to-Energy case

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), the operator of the StabroekBlock,initsapplicationto the High Court seeking to join the defence of its Environmental Permit for the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) Project claimed some US$206 million was spent on the initiativeasofMay2023.

It was on those grounds that the Court considered EEPGL an interested party and allowed the oil companytojointhematter.

Two months later, the company filed its Affidavit in Defence detailingthatithadexpendedonlya fraction of that amount. According to the Court document, EEPGLcommonly referred to as ExxonMobil Guyana- actually expended some US$50.67 million onactivitiesrelatedtotheproject.

In a detailed breakdown of the expenses, the company said, “To date, the second respondent has expended in excess of US$50.67 million upon the project, of which US$31 67 million on initial preparation of the plant site, US$8.75milliononconstructionof a material offloading facility, US$6.34milliononconstructionof aheavyhaulroad,US$2.88million on construction of a site for the pipeline seawall crossing and US$0.94 million on improvement ofWestBankDemerarapublicroad andbridges.”

BackinMaywhenthecompany filed its Notice of Application it stated, “To date, Esso and its coventurers have expended US$206 million in design and construction works for the Gas to Energy Project. Further or additionally, Essoanditsco-venturersanticipate

spending in the region of an additional US$792 million to complete and commission the pipeline element of the Gas to EnergyProject.”

The huge discrepancy in the figures presented by the company would raise concerns regarding the monitoring of expenses related to the project, even as ExxonMobil is yet to announce the Final Investment Decision (FID) or cost of the venture. Already, the GTE project is the country’s single largest financial venture ever pursued.

The government anticipates that the GTE project would cost US$1.7 billion. The state is also a party to the case defending the legality of the pipeline Permit grantedtoExxon.

In its court documents seen by thispublication,theGovernmentof Guyana(GoG)toldtheHighCourt, “Theinvestmentinthisprojectisin the vicinity of US$1,700,000,000 (one billion seven hundred million UnitedStatesDollars)andincludes allassociatedprojectcostsincurred under respective contracts by the GOG,itscontractors,operatorsand co-venturers.”

The pipeline being constructed by Exxon is a component of the GTE project, aimed at reducing electricity costs by some 50 percent.Thoughtheinitiativeisnot backed by a feasibility study, the government is adamant that the project will deliver benefits to the Guyanese population A 300megawatt power plant and a NaturalGasLiquids(NGL)facility will be constructed at Wales, West Bank Demerara to generate the electricity which will then be transmitted to other parts of the country

Head of the GTE Taskforce Winston Brassington had said the pipeline would cost about US$1 billion while the other two components of the project would costanadditionalUS$759million.

Brassington explained that Guyanawillberequiredtopayback ExxonMobil some US$55 million each year for 20 years to repay the

company for its investment in the pipeline.

“That US$55 million is the amortized cost of US$1 billion for 20yearsatadiscountrate,”hesaid.

In addition to this, Guyana will also be expected to repay another US$51 million annually for 20 yearsonaloanthecountrywilltake to pay for the Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and the 300megawattspowerplant.

Courtcase

On March 27, 2023, two citizens filed a legal proceeding in the High Court, challenging the Environmental Permit granted to Exxon for the pipeline component oftheproject.The12-inchpipeline, some225kilometerswillbeusedto transportgasfromtheLizaOneand Two fields in the Stabroek Block to theWalesDevelopmentsite.

Throughtheirlawyers,Melinda Janki, Abiola Wong-Inniss, and Joel Ross, the citizens are seeking an Order of Certiorari to quash the decision made by the EPAto award an Environmental Permit to ExxonMobil Guyana to undertake the GTE project activities, on the grounds inter alia that the decision was in breach of the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act (Cap. 20:05), and more particularly, the Environmental Protection (Authorisation)Regulations.

The citizens outlined that ExxonMobil in its application, dated June 24, 2021 includes details of the project site, the proposed route of the pipeline and the areas to be used and affected by the project, which includes residential properties, commercial properties and state-owned properties. Be that as it may, the application did not include or provide any proof of ownership, a lease or other agreement with the land ownersofthesaidarea.

Notwithstanding, the EPA

that critical milestone of background flare then we will increaseproduction,upintherange of over 200,000, 220-230,000 barrelsaday,sothatwillbetowards theendoftheyearinto2024.”

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted by the operator of theBlock,theProsperityFPSOwas designed to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day See table attached.

RyansaidthatExxonMobilwas excited to develop the resources withGuyana,ashewentontopoint out that the fourth FPSO- One Guyana- is expected to arrive in Guyana by 2025. In the meantime, he noted that the company is making progress on the fifth project, Uaru to be operated by the ‘ErreaWittu’FPSO.

granted EEPGL a Permit to undertaketheprojectonNovember 25, 2022 Subsequently, the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill in January 2023 passed various orders to acquire lands for the purpose of the project, pursuant to the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act, Chapter 62:05.

Daily production at 3rd project to be increased

...Production Manager says Exxon is excited to develop Guyana’s oil

Ahead of commencing oil production at the Payara developmentintheStabroekBlock, ExxonMobil has already announced its intention to produce more than the estimated 220,000 barrelsperday(bpd).

Vice President and Production Manager, Mike Ryan during Episode29of‘AccessExxonMobil Guyana’ shared an update on the offshore activities planned locally when he highlighted that more than 600,000 barrels of oil will soon be produced daily at the resource rich StabroekBlock.

Ryan explained, “We are currentlyproducingoffshoreonour first two FPSO’s about 400,000 barrels a day from (Liza) Destiny and Unity We are anticipating startup of the Prosperity FPSO this yearandsowewillbeaddingtothat amountofoil.”

It must be noted that both of the FPSOs are currently producing abovethedesignedratesasoutlined in the company’s project documents.

With concerns already growing over the possibility of an oil spill at theStabroekBlockasaresultofthe increased production activities, Exxon is also planning to up productionatitsthirdproject.

The Production Manager informed, “Once we have achieved

Exxon’s third development, Payaraisexpectedtocommenceoil production before the end of this year. In fact, the Prosperity FPSO arrivedinGuyanabackinAprilthis year and is presently engaged in installation activities in anticipation of startup of the deepwater project. The exercise is scheduled to conclude on November 30, 2023, according to a notice that was published back in March.

The Payaradiscoveryis located 200 kilometres offshore Guyana in 1,800 metres water depth. Ten drill centresareplannedalongwithupto 41 wells, including 20 production and21injectionwells.

The project, pegged at US$9 billion, will utilise onshore infrastructure which includes shore bases, warehouses, storage and pipe yards, fabrication facilities, fuel supply facilities, and waste managementfacilitiesinGuyana.

Prosperity was constructed by Dutch ship builder, SBM Offshore.

Onitsarrival,ExxonMobilGuyana Production Manager Mike Ryan said, “The arrival of the ‘Prosperity’FPSO is a testament to the strong partnership between ExxonMobil Guyana, the government of Guyana, our coventurers and the many suppliers that support our operations. We are excited to contribute to Guyana’s energy future and create lasting opportunities for the nation’s growthandprosperity.”

THURSDAY

Govt. sidesteps question on Exxon’s expenditure for Gas-to-Energy project …$5B approved for transmission works in Parliament

The National Assembly on Wednesday approved over $5 billion for transmission and distribution works associated with the highly touted Gas-to-Energy (GTE) Project as government dodgedquestionwithregardtothe (Continued on page 58)

An artist’s impression of the Gas-to-Energy project

From page 57

total sum expended by oil giant ExxonMobil to develop the initiative.

This year, $43.3 billion was approved in the national Budget to supporttheproject.

ItwasformerMinisterofPublic Health, Volda Lawrence who zeroed in on the expenses incurred by the company, during the 67th Sitting of the NationalAssembly as the House resolved into the Committee of Supply to consider Financial Paper Number Three, in whichthegovernmentrequestedan additional $61 billion to support its additionalworkprogramme.

Responding to questions on the specific line item was Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh. He was acting on behalf of Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips whoiscurrentlyoutofcountry

Notably, the Finance Minister did not respond to the Opposition Member of Parliament’s (MPs) specific concern, but instead addressed spending by government ontheproject.

He said, “In relation to the construction of the power plant and associatedinvestmentincludingthe T&D (transmission and distribution), those investments are being financed by the government of Guyana out of the budgetary appropriations that the Budget has approved and now these supplementary appropriations beingsought.”

Former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson followed up on the response and asked the Minister to disaggregate the sum that has been expended on the activities so far, but Dr Singh committed to providing the information to the Assembly at a laterdate.

It must be noted that the GTE project features three components including the pipeline being developed by Exxon along with the NaturalGasLiquids(NGL)facility and 300-megawatt power plant being pursued by the Government ofGuyana(GoG).

Exxon will be funding the 12inch pipeline that will transport the natural gas to the Wales Development site, West Bank Demerara (WBD) In the meantime,governmenthaspursued the United States Export Import (US-EXIM) Bank for a GY$134 billion (US$646 million) loan to finance the other two components. There has been no indication so far that the application was approved bythefinancialinstitution.

The question from the Oppositiononthesumexpendedby Exxon on the project comes on the heels of a report by Kaieteur News that while the oil company told the High Court it spent US$206 million, it only gave account for US$50 million in a subsequent

submission See link below https://www kaieteurnewsonline c om/2023/08/09/exxon-tells-courtit-spent-us206m-but-onlyaccounts-for-us50m/ $5Bmoreapproved

The National Assembly approved an additional $5 billion yesterday to finance the transmission and distribution lines fortheproject.

According to the Finance Minister, “This line item finances a number of interventions associated with the Gas-to-Energy or Gas to Power project including the EPC contract, this is the contract for Engineering and Procurement and Construction of the power plant itself; project management and supervision expenses; components in relation to upgrading the transmission and distribution network in order to adequately and efficiently off take the power that would be generated by this project andassociatedinterventions.”

D r S i n g h s a i d t h e supplementaryfundswererequired as works have been advancing on theseaspects.

He said, “What this amount represents sir, is given the updated projections of how each of these contracts will advance- the EPC contract; the construction of the power plant for which an international company has been contracted and they have already started preliminary work this represents now the latest estimate of what we will require for the totalityoftheproject.”

The Minister also clarified that the sum does not include costs to compensate land owners for the acquisition process presently ongoing to facilitate the transmissionlines.

Guyana signs MoU with Dominican Republic for Petrochemicals Plant, Oil Exploration

Understanding(MoUs).

ThesigningoftheMoUs,which concern oil exploration, agriculture, tourism, bilateral investments, as well as the establishment of an oil refinery and petrochemicals plant, follows President Irfaan Ali’s visit to the Spanish-speakingcountry.

In one MoU, the two nations have agreed to seek investors from both countries to collaborate on the establishment of a 50,000 bpd refinery in Guyana. Dominican partners will have a majority 51 percent stake, while the Guyanese government indicated it would not participateasashareholder

Another MoU focuses on the potential for setting up a petrochemical plant, seeing it as an avenue for economic growth, job creation, and fortifying the industrial infrastructure for both nations and the region Recognizing the importance of the petrochemical industry in transforming crude oil and natural gas into vital products like urea, asphalt,andfertilizersaswellasthe potential to satisfy the current demand for these products regionally, both have committed to identifying qualified companies capable of constructing this plant, with the Dominican government holdingatleast51%oftheshares.

Dr Irfaan Ali, and the Dominican Republic’s Head of State, Luis Abinader also inked an MoU focusing on the joint development and exploitation of petroleum resources. They intend to establish a working group to negotiate exploration licenses in Guyana and hope to develop a free trade area between the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean Community to further economic balance.

InyetanotherMoU,thenations are exploring collaborative efforts in agriculture The initiative encompasses the joint production of corn, soybeans, and other agriculturalproductslikesugarand spices. There is also a focus on the poultry industry, aiming for

synergy between both countries. The agreed-upon agricultural projects could utilize up to 100,000 hectaresofGuyaneseterritory.

The MoU between the Guyana Office for Investment and ProDominicana, the Dominican Republic’s main authority on investment promotion, also outlines a mutual exchange of information on investment activities The intention is to i d e n t i f y c o l l a b o r a t i o n opportunities and aid potential investors in understanding legislation and regulations in both nations.

Lastly, in a MoU between Guyana’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, and her Dominican counterpart, David Collado Morales, both parties committed to promoting tourism They will exchange information and strive to boost tourist numbers through joint marketing campaigns and participation in international tourismexhibitions.

With these agreements, both nations aim to foster deeper bilateral relationships, promising economic growth and regional collaborationintheyearsahead.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the Office of the President said that the MoU signed between Guyana and theDominicanRepublicwillcreate strong and significant value for both countries, ultimately positioning them as leaders in food and energy security beyond the CaribbeanRegion.

President Ali, who is leading a delegation to the Dominican Republic for an Official Visit, said the MoUs allow the states to demonstrate their “collective resolve in addressing some of the major crises our region and the worldisfacingtoday.”

He emphasized that the MoUs offer prospects of tremendous value creation that will benefit the citizensofbothnations.

“The value creations in these agreements are enormous The value creation, of course, would

lead to job creation. And not only the issue of job creation should be looked at in the value of jobs. But we’re talking about specialized jobs, more highly skilled jobs, that will be created out of these joint initiatives,”PresidentAlisaid.

This partnership, according to the Head of State, will see the transfer of technology, knowledge, andtheintegrationofmarkets,food systems and agriculture portfolios. He explained that “there’ll be no conversation on food security, especially in this region, without thetwocountriesbeingapartofit”.

Similarly, on the energy security front, the Guyanese Head of State said the collaboration between the two countries will allowthemtobeleaders,forgingan alliance through which investment and expertise from the Dominican Republic will finance and support the necessary infrastructure in Guyana.

Explaining the potential benefits of the agreements, President Ali said the energy marketwillnotonlybebetweenthe two countries and the Caribbean Region but will expand to northern Brazil, where there is a substantial market.

“So now, with the technology youhave,withthecapitalyouhave, and with these MoUs, that possibilitybecomesveryreal…”

Meanwhile, the President highlighted that alongside efforts towards achieving these goals, discussions have also focused on security cooperation between the two nations. The Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force have initiated engagements with their Dominican Republic counterparts to explore opportunities for increased collaboration.

He revealed that there has been a significant increase in trade as imports of products between the two countries have been climbing, signalling a positive in the partnership.

PresidentAlinotedthatthe (Continued on page 59)

Guyana's Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, and her Dominican Republic counterpart, David Collado Morales sign a MoU to promote tourism.

From page 58 relationship between Guyana and the Dominican Republic “is built on sustainability, resilience, and a thorough understanding as to the challengeswebothface,nowandin the future, as to countries, but more importantly,asaregion.”

The identification of the commonvalues,understandingand the need for advancing development, President Ali said, are pillars which have led to accelerated partnership through which the people of both countries standtobenefitenormously

President Ali highlighted that the Guyanese private sector will benefit significantly from the new partnerships, adding that with the agreements in place, Guyanese businesses will have new access to capital, technology, knowledge, and access to big markets and other opportunities. Another plus for the local private sector, His Excellency said, is “the commitment of both sides to remove all barriers and advancethisrelationship…”

“…In this new emerging relationship,itisimportantthatwe, atthelevelofgovernment,sendthe rightsignalensuringthatbothatthe government level and the private sector level, we demonstrate a relationship that is built on trust, confidence, and tone that we set is imperative for the joint collaboration of our private sectors,”PresidentAlistressed.

Working groups have also been established with the aim of advancing the objectives set out in theagreements.

Friday

House approves new oil law arming minister with super powers over multi-billion dollar industry

Guyanese lawmakers on Thursday morning approved the Petroleum Activities Bill, supplanting the decades-old Petroleum (Exploration and Production)Actof1986.

Presented to the House by Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, this pivotal legislation, once given the presidential assent, will bestow uponhimsignificantauthorityover a spectrum of activities related to petroleum — from exploration and production to transportation and storage, encompassing even the geological storage of carbon dioxide.

Bharratsaid,“ThisBillseeksto strengthen the current system we have in place, bringing more transparency and accountability to the sector as well as new capturing dimensionsnotcontemplatedinthe old law and bringing those aspects underpropermanagement…”

He said too that the Bill gives the minister the power to grant geological and geophysical survey

permits such as those that would be needed for the Gas-to-Energy Project. He lauded the Bill as being a comprehensive document that touches on several aspects of the growingindustry

During his contributions to the Bill, Shadow Minister for Oil and Gas, David Patterson called for criticalamendmentstothedraftlaw such as provisions which require the creation of a Petroleum Commission to provide independent oversight for the industry.

Though he also called for royalty to be as high as 15 percent andforfullliabilitycoverageforoil spills, his focus was on a commission that would help to insulate the industry from undue political influence. In its current structure, Patterson said, “This law proposes to make the minister the newly appointed emperor over all thingsoilinthiscountry.”

Patterson’s call for a Petroleum Commissionwasalsosupportedby his colleagues AFC Leader, KehmrajRamjattanandOpposition Leader,AubreyNorton.

Norton during his remarks said, “…We are not saying the minister shouldn’t have responsibility for thesectorbutthatdoesn’tmeanyou cannot have a commission that is independent and insulates the sector from political partisanship and we need to do that. Why don’t you want to do it now when you were an advocate for it when we ( A P N U + A F C ) w e r e i n government?”

Norton then contended that the Bill offers lawmakers an opportunity to demonstrate the maturityofthelegislativebranchto produce for the people, one of the best laws that protect their interest in a sector that is now the largest revenueearner He said, “…I wish to warn that we are a small nation, and when there is too much discretion in one

amendments, the House then passedtheBillasis.

OTHERKEYPROVISIONS

The Petroleum Activities Bill includes several provisions which state that the minister can delegate some of his powers/duties to an agency Be that as it may, he can revoke those delegations at any time. He is also allowed to review and apply any variations he deems necessary to decisions made by his appointees.

With respect to revenues, the new law states that the holder of a petroleum exploration licence shall or a petroleum agreement must pay annually to the State a rental for area. This amount has already been specifiedtobeUS$1Mannually

exploration, petroleum production licence, or petroleum agreement shall provide for the annual paymentofatrainingfeeduringthe period of the licence or petroleum agreement The law explicitly states that, “The training fee shall notbecostrecoverable.”

A petroleum exploration licence, petroleum production licence or petroleum agreement may also require a licensee to establish a programme of financial support for environmental, social and other projects to be funded by thelicensee,whichshallnotbecost recoverable.

person’s hands as opposed to clear and unavoidable laws then the big and powerful multinational corporations can take advantage of us.”

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall expressed strong disagreement withtheperspectivesofferedbyhis opposition colleagues He said drafters did not produce the Bill in isolation but did so after consultations with the USA, the UK, Norway, Ghana, Ireland, Angola, Brazil, and Trinidad and Tobago.

He said, “In Trinidad and Tobago…noonecandisputethatit has had a successful model as a production centre for 100 years. They have all the powers vested in the minister of energy And for 100 years,theskydidnotfall.”

Nandall said it is the prerogative of the Executive to repose powers in an elected official insteadofanon-electedofficial.

“This Executive has chosen the model where the powers fall with the minister and we stand and fall by that.We included in the Bill that for exceptional decisions he (the minister) has to consult with Cabinet and Cabinet is collectively accountable to parliament and that iswhatmakesusademocracy

“We are holding ourselves out as being accountable because you cannot hold non-elected people (appointed to a Petroleum Commission) accountable,” the AttorneyGeneralsaid.

Other speakers on the Bill included Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar; Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton; Home Affairs Minister, RobesonBenn;Culture,Youth,and Sport Minister, Charles Ramson; and Opposition Members, Deonarine Ramsaroop, Vincent Henry, Ganesh Mahipaul, and DawnHastings-Williams.

After rejecting the opposition’s

The Petroleum Activities Bill also paves the way for oil companiestopayasignaturebonus to the State upon receipt of a petroleum exploration licence Where a licence is granted through competitive tender the minimum value of the signature bonus shall be established in a notice by the minister. As part of Guyana’s first oilblocksauctionsettoconcludein thefourthquarterof2023,thisisset at a minimum of US$10M for shallow water blocks and US$20M fordeepwaterconcessions.

Where a petroleum exploration licence is granted through direct negotiation, the value of the bonus is the amount resulting from the negotiation process. The law also states that signature bonus shall not becostrecoverable.

Thelawstatesthatifacompany wishestoholdontoadiscoverythat itisnotmakinganimmediateuseof then an annual retention fee would apply

The law also states that the holder of a petroleum production licence shall pay to the State, royalty in respect of the gross petroleum produced in the production area. This is currently setatarateof10percent.Failureto pay can see an interest rate of six percentperannumbeingapplied.

Additionally, a petroleum

Furthermore, the Minister assigned responsibility for finance may, by resolution of the National Assembly, direct the Income Tax Act, the Value Added Tax Act and Corporation TaxAct shall apply to, or in relation to, a licensee subject to such modifications and qualifications as may be specified in the order. The licensee would however be exempted from the Property Tax Act; and the Capital GainsTaxAct.

NotablythisBillwillonlyapply toExxonMobilfromamanagement andadministrativeperspective.The oil giant is insulated from all new fiscal terms previously outlined which also include a 10 percent royalty,thepaymentofpropertytax from 0 to 7.5 percent, and a 10 percentincometaxpayment.

Tullow Oil sells Orinduik oil block to Canadian company Reuters - Tullow Oil (TLW.L) agreed to sell its majority stake in the not-yet-producing fields off the coast of Guyana to its minority partner Eco Atlantic for US$700,000 in cash and potential future payments if production starts,thetwofirmssaid.

ThedealwilltakeEco’sstakein the Orinduik field, in which TotalEnergies (TTEF PA) owns 25%andwhereTullowdrilledwhat it deemed two uncommercial wells in 2019, to 75% and make Eco operatoroftheproject.

Guyana has become a major oil producer in recent years, with Exxon (XOM.N) operating prolific fieldsinthevicinityofOrinduik.

Tullow in 2020 said it would focus the vast majority of its spending on its existing infrastructure in West Africa, with Ghanaatitscentre.

Ecosaiditplannedtodrillinthe so-called cretaceous level of the rock which is the depth at which oil discoveries were made in the adjacent Stabroek Block, operated byExxon.Itaddeditplannedtosell downpartofitsstake.

If Eco makes a commercial discovery, it will pay Tullow $4 million in addition to a further $10 million if Guyana issues a productionlicenceandroyalty (Continued on page 60)

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat

From page 59

payments on future production,thefirmssaid.

SATURDAY

Guyana now a “pimper’s paradise” where oil companies come and do what they want ...Deficiencies in new oil law would only make matters worse - David Patterson

Shadow Minister for the Oil and Gas Sector, David Patterson recently described Guyana as “a pimper’s paradise” where oil companiesflockandareable to do as they please. His position was expressed duringhiscontributiontothe debate on the Petroleum Activities Bill 2023 on Thursday

Patterson said the Opposition no doubt welcomes the passage of the Bill that now awaits presidential assent. He said every member of the Opposition acknowledges the need for a modernized legislation that replaces the 1986 petroleum law. Be that as it may, Patterson like many of his colleagues expressedreservationsabout the Bill and its concentration of powers in the hands of the minister

Patterson alluded that Guyana has already found itselfinapredicamentwhere the pace and magnitude of the oil industry is beyond of the capabilities of the government Patterson alluded that oil companies are able to get away with several transgressions since the government’s regulators are either overwhelmed or in some instances, inadequate. He expressed fears that the extensive discretion now granted to the minister will onlymakemattersworse.

“This Bill concentrates all powers and decision makingforthesectorintothe handsoftheministerwithno oversight from any other agency, not even the National Assembly This is problematic from a government perspective,” theShadowMinistersaid.

To underscore his line of contention, Patterson highlighted that the Bill refers to the National Assembly all but four times while it mentions the minister 336 times. In the instances that there is reference to the National Assembly, Patterson said they are not material from a standpoint of requiring t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d

accountability to the citizenry

“Theministerhoweveris mentioned 336 times and of these times, no where is he directedtolayasinglereport in the National Assembly, the highest forum in this country He does not have to seek parliamentary approval for a single item, save and except for when the finance minister needs to pass a resolution for oil companies to be exempt from some taxes,”Pattersonsaid.

The shadow minister for the sector pointed that the National Assembly has passed several bills in the past, all of which contained provisions for the subject minister to report to the House.Hesaidthiswasdone in the case of the Natural Resource Fund Law 2021 where the Finance Minister is required to lay reports on the performance of the oil a c c o u n t P a t t e r s o n contended that it is in the nation’s interest that the Natural Resources Minister be required to act as a conduit to the people on the performance of the oil sector aswellashisdealingsinit.

“This Bill can be renamed Proclamation Bill as opposed to a Petroleum Activities Bill since it is moreaboutthecoronationof our minster rather than the safeguarding of our national patrimony There is absolutely nothing on the administration of the sector outside of the minister who has now been anointed the emperor over all things petroleum in this country,” Patterson said. To ensure there is a degree of independence in the management of the sector, Patterson called for the Bill to require the establishment of a National Petroleum Commission. Without it, he fears Guyana would be heading down a dark alley filledwithcorruptionrisks.

Despite his contentions, the government maintained that a commission was u n n e c e s s a r y T h a t amendment along with all others proposed by the opposition, were thrown out. The Bill was passed as is, paving the way for the minister to have significant authority over a spectrum of activities related to the oil sector

ExxonM failed to provide evidence of “legal right” to pursue Gas-to-Energy pipeline-

Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL),theoperatorofthe Stabroek Block and subsidiary of oil major, ExxonMobil recently told the Court it has a legal right to pursue the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) pipeline project without the prior consent of landownerswithintheRight of Way (RoW) of the infrastructure, since the Government of Guyana (GoG)hasexerciseditslegal authority to acquire private lands to facilitate the initiative.

However, the two citizens, Vanda Radzik and Elizabeth Hughes, who instituted legal proceedings against the Environmental ProtectionAgency(EPA)for issuing the Permit, responded to this claim in an Affidavit to the Court dated July 28, 2023 In the document, the applicants through their Lawyers, Melinda Janki and Abiola Wong-Innisspointedoutthat the oil company failed to provide evidence to support its “legal right” claim to the HighCourt.

Radzik and Hughes in their seven-page Affidavit told the Court that the deponent, Albert Tkachevwhosubmittedargumentson behalf of Exxon on July 14, 2023- has unfortunately erred and misrepresented the basis of their case that the EPA failed to ensure Esso had the legal proof when it applied for the Permit on June 24, 2021. To this end, the citizens noted that the Agency acted unlawfully by granting the Permit for the project on November 25, 2022.

Theapplicantssaid,“The deponent has not exhibited any document of title, any lease (or application for a lease) or any agreement between Esso and any landowner or occupier He has not provided any proof that Esso has the legal right/ abilitytoconducttheactivity without the consent of the landowneroroccupier.”

Further, they told the Court that the company also did not provide documents under Regulation 17(2) (ii) before EPA granted the Permit.

This regulation states, “An application for an e n v i r o n m e n t a l authorization…shall contain t h e f o l l o w i n g information…© proof that the applicant either owns the facilityorhasaleaseorother agreement with the landowner or occupier to enable the applicant to conduct the activity on the facility or has legal rights or abilitytoconducttheactivity without the consent of the landowneroroccupier.”

The citizens noted that while the deponent referred toanumberofextractsinthe Environmental Impact

A s s e s s m e n t ( E I A ) conducted by Exxon for the projectandotherdocuments, theexhibitsdonotamountto theproofrequiredbylaw.

For instance, they pointed out, “The letter of 23rd June (exhibit AT-2) is not even from the owner of the land but from Winston Brassington.

The letter merely says that the ‘necessary land acquisition shall be undertaken in keeping with the project schedule for 2024...the letter also states that GoG commits to working with EEPGL representatives “ in ensuring the mutuality of agreement regarding the finalityoftheroute””.

To this end, the citizens argued that the route of the pipeline was not final up to June 23, 2021 and therefore did not meet the application requirements of Regulation 17(2)(ii).

Additionally, they pointedoutthatthedeponent referred to Order Number 18 of 2021 made on August 7, 2021 which authorized the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) to enter lands for the “purpose

of surveying or otherwise examining” the lands with a view of acquisition.As such, the applicants explained Esso was not authorized to conduct any activities relevant to construction,

c o m m i s s i o n i n g a n d operations of the onshore naturalgaspipeline.

Similarly, in another letterthatwassuppliedtothe Court by the deponent, dated July 29, 2021, Esso was authorized to carry out geotechnical surveys and environmental studies for the project. This authority, the citizens argue, does not amount to proof of any legal right.

“The EIA is not a title document, or a lease or an agreementbetweenEssoand alandowneroroccupier,and does not give Esso any legal right/abilitytointerferewith public or private land. In these EIA extracts, Esso merely takes it upon itself to state what the government willdo,”thecitizensargued.

Radzik and Hughes went on to state that they do not believeParliamentintendsto suspendtheeffectofnational law, such as Regulation 17, merely because an applicant fails to comprehend and

comply with written i n s t r u c t i o n s a n d r e q u i r e m e n t s w h e n completing an application beforeitstartsaproject.

Theygoontonote,“Iam further advised by my Attorneys-at-Law and verily believethatGuyanaisastate based on the rule of law, not the rule of men, that the Agency has a duty to ensure compliance with the Regulations and does not have any ‘discretion’ to allow Esso to evade compliance with national law...”

It was reported that Exxon told the Court it had a legal right to pursue the project. See details in link below

https://www kaieteurne wsonline com/2023/07/19/e

xxon-has-legal-right-topursue-wales-gas-project/ Courtcase

On March 27, 2023, Radzik and Hughes moved to the High Court, c h a l l e n g i n g t h e Environmental Permit granted to Exxon for the pipeline component of the project The 12-inch pipeline, some 225 kilometers will be used to transport gas from the Liza One and Two fields in the Stabroek Block to the Wales Developmentsite.

Through their lawyers, the citizens are seeking an Order of Certiorari to quash the decision made by the E P A t o a w a r d a n Environmental Permit to ExxonMobil Guyana to undertake the GTE project activities, on the grounds inter alia that the decision was in breach of the p r o v i s i o n s o f t h e Environmental Protection Act (Cap. 20:05), and more p a r t i c u l a r l y , t h e Environmental Protection (Authorisation)Regulations.

Thecitizensoutlinedthat E x x o n M o b i l i n i t s application, dated June 24, 2021 includes details of the project site, the proposed route of the pipeline and the areas to be used and affected by the project, which includes residential properties, commercial properties and state-owned properties. Be that as it may, the application did not include or provide any proof ofownership,aleaseorother agreement with the land ownersofthesaidarea.

Notwithstanding, the EPA granted EEPGL a Permit to undertake the project on November 25, 2022 Subsequently, the Minister of Public Works, JuanEdghillinJanuary2023 passed various orders to acquirelandsforthepurpose oftheproject,pursuanttothe Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act, Chapter62:05.

Now is the time to start the much...

From page 6 attitude towards “dem people” be overcome andanewbeginningberealized.

My fellow citizens, those of us in this generation can achieve true change for the better if we look deeply within ourselves and reachforit.

To do otherwise is to choose to remain a pawn of those who have divided us to rule over us. The choice is ours. The way we conduct ourselves during the next general elections as individuals, as a race, as a community and as a political group, will be very telling of the personal choices we have made towards peaceful coexistence and true

unity Now is the time to start the much needed National conversation on improving racerelations.

It is CRG’s hope that the leaders of today will make the opportunity available over this periodleadinguptothenextgeneralelections to find a long lasting solution to the current racial divide in our country so as to bring unity amongst our peoples in Guyana. We must not continue the racial violence that has beenapartoftheelection’scycle.

Sincerely,

Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The

Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

Shadow Minister for Oil and Gas, David Patterson

From page 60 potential that we have the capacity to repay whatever theloanweborrow.”

To this end, the minister noted that as Guyana’s ability to borrow more increases the Government will return to the National Assemblytofurtherincrease the debt ceilings. Following the minister’s concluding argument, the National Assembly approved the motion to increase the country’sdebtceilings.

Recently, Kaieteur News reported on United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres highlighting that half the world is sinking into a development disaster, fuelled by a crushing debt crisis, noting that some 3.3 billion people – almost half of humanity live in countries that spend more on debt interest payments than on educationorhealth.

Also, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in a new report published earlier this year, cautioned Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries against ‘excessive’ borrowing and urged governments to bring their debts down to more prudent levels.

SATURDAY

Draft oil law gives MinisterAuthority to override or revoke powers vested in Petroleum Commission

The PetroleumActivities Bill 2023, laid before the National Assembly on August 3, 2023 promises to bring sweeping changes to Guyana’s oil and gas industry, thereby bolstering the transparency and accountability of the sector

It is anticipated that this groundbreaking draft legislation will replace the e x i s t i n g P e t r o l e u m

( E x p l o r a t i o n a n d

Production) Act Cap. 65:04

a n d t h e P e t r o l e u m

(Production) Act Cap 65:05, heralding a new era of management for the country’s petroleum activities.

Under this Bill, the Minister of Natural Resources will be endowed w i t h s i g n i f i c a n t responsibilities and powers, which, intriguingly, can be delegated to a public officer orastateagency

This aspect of the Bill underscores the recognition of the need for collaboration and the effective allocation of duties to manage the complexities of the industry Be that as it may, the draft law notes that the minister’s delegation of powers is not irreversible.

In addition to having the power to still perform the functions he grants to another; he can also deviate from or alter their decisions made The minister, according to the draft law,

for effectively realizing the purpose of the Act, d e m o n s t r a t i n g t h e p r o g r e s s i v e a n d comprehensivenatureofthis legislation.

Furthermore, the minister will play a crucial roleinensuringadherenceto environmental and safety regulations by coordinating and cooperating with relevant state agencies Through active monitoring of petroleum operations, the Minister can ensure compliance with theAct, the terms and conditions of any license or permit granted, a n d a n y p e t r o l e u m agreement made under the Act and other applicable laws In cases of noncompliance, the minister will have the authority to direct corrective actions and impose appropriate s a n c t i o n s , f u r t h e r e m p h a s i z i n g t h e accountability that the Bill hopestopromote.

Other empowering provisions propose that the minister can prescribe qualification criteria for the granting of a license, direct licensees or holders of a permit on matters regarding regulations under the Act ensure the recovery of all revenues due to the State, and commission necessary studiesorinvestigations.

It is significant to note that the PetroleumActivities Bill 2023 sets a significant precedentfortheburgeoning oil industry in Guyana. Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo previously noted that the Stabroek Block, now brimming with an estimated 11 billion barrels of oil resourcesandoperatedbyan E x x o n M o b i l - l e d c o n s o r t i u m , w i l l undoubtedly benefit from thisrobustlegislation.

Private sector undermining Local Content efforts with ‘rent-a-citizen scheme’- Min. Indar

Amid the government’s concerted efforts to ensure optimal benefits for the Guyanese private sector under the provisions of the 2021 Local Content Act, it appears that certain members of the private sector are impeding these efforts. This is according to the Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, DeodatIndar,whoexpressed the concern during his keynote speech at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association’s midyeardinneronThursday Indar pointed out the disturbing trend of “rent-acitizen” practices within the private sector, whereby foreign investors exploit partnerships with local companies to sidestep the rigorous mandates outlined in the 2021 Local Content Act.

andgassector

can also revoke the powers he gives to an agency or officer, thus further reinforcing the minister’s controloverthesector

Beyond delegation, the Bill bestows the minister with the authority to oversee various aspects of petroleum o p e r a t i o n s T h e s e

responsibilities encompass licensing of petroleum exploration, development, production, transportation, and storage operationsextending even to the geological storage of carbon dioxide. The minister will also have the power to enact subsidiary legislation and issue necessary guidelines

Further, this new law comes at a critical time as Guyana prepares for its maiden oil blocks auction in September 2023. The law serves as a fundamental prerequisite, setting a transparent and rigorous legal framework for potentialbidders.

Through the dynamic powers vested in the Minister of Natural Resources, the law ensures a fair and regulated bidding process.

TheBillalsorepresentsa transformative moment in Guyana’s oil sector history, setting a high bar for transparency, accountability, a n d r e s p o n s i b l e management.

The Local Content Act, enacted in December 2021, designates 40 sectors and sub-sectors for exclusive priority to Guyanese businesses Foreign investors desiring to operate within these domains are legally required to collaborate with local companies, maintaining a controlling beneficial ownership stake of 51% or more.

Interestingly, Indar isn’t the sole government representative to publicly condemn the “rent-acitizen” manoeuvre. In May, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, publicly criticized the dishonest practice. He announced that

due to a surge in grievances

r e g a r d i n g t h e marginalizationoflocals,the g o v e r n m e n t w o u l d undertake a comprehensive review of the local content framework.

Speaking on his weekly program ‘Issues in the News,’ Nandlall had stated, “We (the government)

continue to receive complaints in relation to the local content framework and the local content legislation. Reports indicate that Guyanese citizens are being denied fair opportunities to participate in the oil and gas

s e c t o r a n d r e l a t e d industries ” He expressed t h e g o v e r n m e n t ’ s commitment to addressing the emergent issue and indicated forthcoming c o n s u l t a t i o n s w i t h stakeholders.

It is worth noting that the initial entity to spotlight this issue was the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), a representative body for hundreds of local private sector businesses, including someoperatingwithintheoil

Last June, in a strongly worded statement, GCCI expressed its strong disapproval of fronting tactics that exploit Guyana’s local content laws, ultimately stifling the nation’s benefits The Chamberevenadvocatedfor a meticulous examination of the “beneficial ownership” behind companies seeking Local Content certificates. A d d i t i o n a l l y , i t recommended that the “ b u r d e n o f p r o o f ” concerning beneficial ownership lie with the applicant company This carefulscrutiny,accordingto GCCI, would serve as an extra layer of protection against unethical behaviour intheindustry

GCCI has been at the forefront of advocating for local content long before the law’s passage in December 2021. Prior to the legislation b e i n g p r e s e n t e d i n P a r l i a m e n t , t h e organization’s former President, Timothy Tucker, stressed the necessity of a precisedefinitionfora“local company” for the legislation to succeed. In an interview on Kaieteur Radio’s “Guyana’s Oil and You” program, Tucker had emphasized that local content should not hinder foreign companies but should prioritize locals for workopportunities.

In addition, he had underscored that if a Guyanese entity lacks the required capacity or technical skills for a particular service, only then should they seek overseas resources or expertise through joint ventures However, the majority o w n e r s h i p o f s u c h arrangements must remain local.

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat

Minister Deodat Indar during his presentation

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Bids open for construction of security office & washroom at Finance Ministry’s Annex

During the recent opening of tenders, it was disclosed that the Ministry of Finance is preparing to construct a security building and external washroom at its annex building. These works are estimated to cost $1,892,110. A total of eight contractors have been selected for the

ministry’s project. At the opening, it was also revealed that the Ministry of Local Government is looking for a contractor to carry out general rehabilitation and upgrading to Beach Dam. These works are estimated to cost some $58 million.

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Below are the companies and their bids: Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development General rehabilitation and upgrading of Beach Dam.

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General Domestic needed to work 4 days per week, must know to cook. Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office.

CNQC is now hiring Construction Workers. Email resume: xu0wying@163.com

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West Coast Gas Ghana sign joint venture...

From page 61 for governments in Africa and other parts of the world across these segments, providing turn-key designed solutions in the energy and technology sectors with in-built finance keys to governments to ensure that states receive, in a transparent and accountable manner, their due benefits from natural resources as anticipated by the laws and contracts governing the same.

“We are thrilled to embark

on this journey with eMagic,” Mr. Emmanuel Johnson, CEO of West Coast Gas Ghana stated. “Our shared vision is to leverage our respective strengths to provide the Government of Guyana with visibility to real time oil production data. Together with e-Magic, we will redefine how technology can enhance production processes, minimize risk, and drive sustainable growth.”

Tony Harris, the President and CEO of e-Magic said,

“We are confident that by combining our TwinWorX digital twins platform and deep technical expertise, and West Coast Gas Ghana’s indepth industry knowledge, we will provide a comprehensive monitoring capability that will revolutionize how Guyana monitors its booming oil production.

Our joint venture aims to set new standards for efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in this vital sector.”

Citizens question ExxonM's US$50 million expense on Wales gas project -inCourtdocument

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), the operator of the Stabroek Block that was granted an Environmental Permit to undertake works related to the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project recently told the High Court it has already expended over US$50 million in development works.

The company however did not provide any documentation to support this claim, a move that has been criticized by the applicants challenging the Permit as lacking any credibility

EEPGL, the subsidiary of A m e r i c a n o i l g i a n t E x x o n M o b i l , i n i t s application to the High Court datedMay4,2023stated,“To date, Esso and its coventurers have expended US$206 million in design and construction works for the Gas to Energy Project. Further or additionally, Esso and its co-venturers anticipate spending in the region of an additional

cost of the venture. Already, the GTE project is the country's single largest financial venture ever pursued.Vanda Radzik and Elizabeth Hughes who filed the legal challenge against t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l Protection Agency's (EPA's) decision- to award a Permit for the pipeline works to Exxon-responded to the oil company's claims on expenditureincurredsofarin an application to the High CourtdatedJuly28,2023.

The applicants reasoned, “The Deponent now asserts thatEssohasspentmorethan US$50 million on the Gas to Energy project. Moreover he has produced no supporting documentation, no bills, no receipts and no independent verification Given the magnitude of this assertion, the Deponent's failure to provide even one piece of paper robs his statement of anycredibility.”

During Wednesday's Sitting of the National Assembly, Opposition Member of Parliament Volda

sum that has been expended ontheactivitiessofar,butDr Singh committed to providing the information to theAssemblyatalaterdate.

It must be noted that the GTE project features three components including the pipeline being developed by ExxonalongwiththeNatural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and 300-megawatt power plant being pursued by the Government of Guyana (GoG).

Exxonwillbefundingthe 12-inch pipeline that will transport the natural gas to the Wales Development site, West Bank Demerara (WBD). In the meantime, government has pursued the United States Export Import (US-EXIM) Bank for a GY$134 billion (US$646 million) loan to finance the othertwocomponents.There has been no indication so far that the application was approved by the financial institution.

Courtcase

On March 27, 2023, Radzik and Hughes filed a

2021 includes details of the project site, the proposed route of the pipeline and the areas to be used and affected by the project, which includes residential properties, commercial properties and state-owned properties. Be that as it may,

the application did not include or provide any proof ofownership,aleaseorother agreement with the land ownersofthesaidarea.

Notwithstanding, the EPAgrantedEEPGLaPermit to undertake the project on

Subsequently,theMinisterof Public Works, Juan Edghill in January 2023 passed various orders to acquire lands for the purpose of the project, pursuant to the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act, Chapter62:05.

US$792 million to complete and commission the pipeline element of the Gas to Energy Project.”

I n a s u b s e q u e n t submissiontotheCourtdated July 14, 2023, the company said, “To date, the second respondent has expended in excess of US$50.67 million upon the project, of which US$31.67 million on initial preparation of the plant site, US$8 75 million on construction of a material offloading facility, US$6.34 million on construction of a heavy haul road, US$2.88 million on construction of a site for the pipeline seawall crossing and US$0 94 million on improvement of West Bank Demerara public roadandbridges.”

The huge discrepancy in the figures presented by the company would raise concerns regarding the monitoring of expenses related to the project, even as ExxonMobil is yet to

inal InvestmentDecision(FID)or

Lawrence asked Senior Minister in the Office of the P r e s i d e n t w i t h

Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh to tell the House how much has been spentbyExxonontheproject to date. Notably, the Finance Minister did not respond to her specific concern, but instead addressed spending by government on the project.

He said, “In relation to the construction of the power plant and associated investment including the T&D (transmission and distribution), those investments are being financed by the government of Guyana out of the budgetary appropriations that the Budget has approved a n d n o w t h e s e s u p p l e m e n t a r y appropriations being sought.”

Former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson followed up on the response and asked the Minister to disaggregate the

legal proceeding in the High Court, challenging the Environmental Permit granted to Exxon for the pipeline component of the project The 12-inch pipeline, some 225 kilometers will be used to transport gas from the Liza One and Two fields in the Stabroek Block to the Wales Developmentsite.

Through their lawyers, MelindaJanki,AbiolaWongInniss, and Joel Ross, the citizens are seeking an Order of Certiorari to quash the decision made by the EPA to award an Environmental Permit to ExxonMobil Guyana to undertake the GTEprojectactivities,onthe grounds inter alia that the decision was in breach of the p r o v i s i o n s o f t h e Environmental Protection Act (Cap. 20:05), and more p a r t i c u l a r l y , t h e Environmental Protection (Authorisation)Regulations.

citizens outlined that

dated June 24,

Preparation works ongoing for the pipeline being laid by ExxonMobil

Youth Commonwealth stars receive hero’s welcome at CJIA

Yesterday evening, a rousing hero’s welcome awaited the athletes who had participated in the 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games in Trinidad and Tobago. The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) was abuzz with excitement as these young competitors returned home. Notably, the spotlight shone brightly on the mixed relay team, whose exceptional performance not only brought recognition but also established a fresh junior record in the recently concluded games.

One standout star who captured the attention of all was fifteen-year-old Tianna Springer. In an astonishing

feat, Tianna secured her third gold medal on the international stage within a mere six months.

Her journey began with a triumphant victory at the South American Games in Colombia, followed by another remarkable gold medal in the 2023 Carifta Games in the Bahamas and now, she has clinched yet another gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, solidifying her reputation as a remarkable young athlete. A team of eight members, including track and swimming athletes secured four medals; two gold medals, one silver and one bronze. The gathering at the airport was a ceremonious affair

graced by several dignitaries and esteemed individuals. Among them were Charles Ramson Jr, the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports, as well as key figures like Steve Ninvalle, the Director of Sports, and Frankie Wilson – Assistant Director of Sport, President of Athletic Association of Guyana Sheryl Hermonstine, Deputy Chairman of the National Sports Commission Christie Campbell, parents and well-wishers. Not to be overlooked, the esteemed presence of Godfrey Munroe, the President of the Guyana Olympic Association, added to the sense of honour and pride. During the ceremony, President of the AAG Hermonstine, expressed her

Sunday August 13, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Today your brain is supercharged, Aries. If you've been thinking about doing some writing or have put off analyzing a particularly tricky problem, this would be the perfect day to get started.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

With today's planetary energy, you'll find yourself a little more extraverted than usual, Taurus. You'll finally be able to say what you really think about things.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Today you're unstoppable! You're a very hard worker by nature, and with the current planetary alignment you'll be able to accomplish even more than usual.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Discard those items from the past for which you really no longer have use. As much as you like to surround yourself with objects of sentimental value.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Intimacy will be in the air over the next few days. Loved ones suddenly want to spend more time with you, and you'll want to invite friends over every night! By all means, do.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Feeling unusually adventurous, Virgo? You're often motivated by your idealistic expectations, and the planetary configurations today .

Australia beat France on penalties...

heartfelt gratitude to all the athletes who had participated in this year’s event. She conveyed that this historic achievement was a testament to their unwavering dedication. In her words, their accomplishments went beyond personal victories, extending to the entire nation’s sense of pride.

Minister Ramson and Director of Sport Ninvalle echoed similar sentiments, further underlining the significance of the athletes’ achievements. The entire event was a profound acknowledgment of the young talents’ hard work, determination, and the indelible mark they left on the global sporting stage.

LGC Inked Lucrative...

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

The celestial energy signals a pleasant change for you today, Libra. Finally, the overpowering emotions that have been surging from your relationships will subside. You are now beginning a more contemplative phase.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

This is a good day to devote time and thought to spiritual pursuits, Scorpio. Do something inspirational that instills a sense of wonder deep in your soul.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

A new phase in your life is beginning, Sagittarius. The previous phase could be interpreted as having taught you to be serious and devoted to professional responsibilities.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

Today's aspects might clear up some rather sketchy ideas about your professional future, Capricorn. If you long for a change, such as daring to undertake a more artistic pursuit.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

You have acquired some sound confidence in yourself, Aquarius. Now it is time for you to show everyone else by actually putting it to use in your life.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Today's planetary energy should compel you to commit certain acts of self-affirmation that are needed to define your territory and protect your rights.

From page 66 a loose ball in the box, allowing Van Egmond to nip in and square to Mary Fowler, who seemed certain to tuck the chance away.

Peyraud-Magnin was only bailed out by covering defender Elisa de Almeida, whose last-gasp sliding block was one of the finest pieces of defending seen at this World Cup so far.

Those nerves from Peyraud-Magnin extended into the second half, as she miscued a clearance straight to Fowler shortly after the break and was again helped out by a defender blocking the resulting shot.

Australia manager Tony Gustavsson had said he would only start Sam Kerr if she was definitely fit to play the full match, and duly kept back the Matildas talisman to make an impact in the latter stages.

On 55 minutes, he pulled the Kerr lever, activating an ear-splitting roar from the home fans. The 29-year-old Chelsea striker was immediately into the action, driving forwards to set up a move which resulted in Raso testing Peyraud-Magnin from range.

Australia, newly fired up, applied heavy pressure to the French goal but could not find a breakthrough in regulation time, making this the first in 31 Women’s World Cup matches featuring Australia to be goalless after 90 minutes.

It was also goalless after 120 minutes - leading to a shoot-out which will go down in football history and Australian folklore.

They are the first hosts to reach the Women’s World Cup semi-finals since USA in 2003 - and could be the first since the Americans in 1999 to triumph on home soil.

From page 70 after the ceremonial handover of the Sponsor check and the signing of the agreement between the parties. This was followed by photo ops with representatives of RBL, LGC and a few of the children who will take part in the August golf camp and competition.

Closing remarks were then given by Mr. Paton George, PRO of the Lusignan Golf Club – Mr. George echoed the Sponsor’s statement that golf develops a person’s adversity quotient and gave a few examples of the positive impact the game of golf is likely to have on our youths, particularly the value of fair play.

Mr. George concluded his remarks by inviting the public to register their kids for this very special opportunity.

To register, contact the Club Manager at 592-2205660.

Schedule of Competition

Drive, Chip and Putt will be conducted in four stages:

Berbice Qualifying:

Venue: Belladrum Community Center Date: 12th to 15th August, 2023

Linden Qualifying:

Venue: Linden community center ground.

Date: 19th to 22nd August, 2023

Region 4/East Coast Qualifying:

Area: Region 4

Venue: Lusignan Golf Club

Date: 19th to 22nd August 2023

National Finals: To be conducted

Date: 23rd August, 2023

Venue: Lusignan Golf Club, E.C.D.

Australia beat France on penalties to reach last four

(BBC Sport) - Co-hosts Australia reached the Women’s World Cup semifinals for the first time as they beat France in an incredible penalty shoot-out atBrisbaneStadium.

Followingagoalless120 minutes, the Matildas triumphed7-6inashoot-out which defied belief with its dramatictwists.

Cortnee Vine scored the winning spot-kick for Australia, after Vicki Becho had struck the post for France.

Australia keeper Mackenzie Arnold made a total of four saves in the

shoot-out - including twice from Kenza Dali, having moved off the line for the firststop,leadingtoaretake.

Arnold herself had the opportunity to score the winning penalty as the fifth taker for Australia, after saving from Eve Perisset, but struck the post as nearly 50,000Australiansinsidethe stadium went through every emotionimaginable.

But it is the hosts who marchon,reachingtheirfirst ever Women’s World Cup semi-final.

Australia will play England or Colombia at StadiumAustraliainSydney

on16Augustat11.00BST.

Australiawereroaredon by a capacity crowd who created a lively atmosphere at Brisbane Stadium, but having fallen at the quarterfinal stage in three previous World Cups, initially they looked more cowed by the pressurethaninvigoratedby it.

But they grew into the game and should have led four minutes before the interval.

France keeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin - who looked a bag of nerves all evening-failedtocommand

(Continuedonpage65)

New over rate rules at CPL and WCPL

New penalties for slow over rates have been introducedfortheRepublic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) aheadofthe2023season.

As is customary in the T20format,eachteamwill have 85 mins to bowl their overs, but this will be monitored more closely at thisyear’stournament.The fielding side is expected to have completed the 17th over of the innings after 72’15, the 18th by 76’30 andthe19thby80’45.Over rates will be monitored by the third umpire and communicated to the captains via on-field umpiresattheendofevery over,aswellastothecrowd and TV audience, with graphics showing how far they are behind (or ahead of) the over rate

Dispensationswillbegiven forinjuries,DRSandtimewasting by batting side whereappropriate.

Michael Hall, CPL’s Tournament Operations Director, said: “We have been disappointed that our T20 games have been getting longer and longer each year, and we want to dowhatwecantoarrestthis trend.Itisthedutyofthose involved in cricket to ensure that the game keeps moving and we have sensitised both the franchises and our match officials to this duty ahead of the tournament Our hope is that these in game penalties are not needed, but we believe they are proportionate and necessary.”

To ensure that games are finished in good time, penalties for slow over rates will kick in from the

18th over, and will be as follows:

If behind the required over rate at the start of the 18th over, one additional player must enterthefieldingcircle(for atotalof5)

If still behind the rate at the start of the 19th over, two additional fielders must enter the fieldingcircle(foratotalof 6)

If still behind the rate at the start of the 20th over, teams will lose a player from the field (selected by the captain) and have six inside the fieldingcircle. There will also be anonusonbattingteamsto keep the game moving. After a first and final warning from the umpires, the batting team will be given a 5 penalty for each instanceoftimewasting.

Australia celebrate after winning the penalty shootout and progressing to the semifinals of the World Cup. (Reuters)

JaiswalandGilldominateasIndiadrawlevel

(Cricinfo) - Shubman

Gill has had a year to remember and is on the way to cement his spots across formats for India. Yashasvi Jaiswalisonlytakinghisfirst steps in international cricket but is already making the right noises. And together, theyhelpedIndiadowhatno team managed to do in 15 previousT20IsatLauderhill in Florida - successfully chase down a score greater than95.

Gill and Jaiswal added 165 for the opening wicketthe joint-highest for India in T20Is - to chase down 179 anddrawlevel2-2withWest Indies with a game to go in the five-match series. This was after Shimron Hetmyer’s 61 - his second successivefifty-plusscorein T20Is in Florida - helped WestIndiesto178.

Gill and Jaiswal, a glimpseofthefuture

If West Indies had a semblanceofhopeofsealing the series with a game to spare, India’s young guns had other ideas Jaiswal bookended the opening over of the chase with fours, slashingthelengthballfrom Obed McCoy through third before lofting one over midoff. He then greeted Jason Holder with three fours before Gill brought his trademark short-arm jab to deposit McCoy over deep midwicket.

Jaiswal’s back-to-back fours off Romario Shepherd following which Gill tore into Odean Smith in the last over of the powerplay that went for 16. India rollicked to66for0inthepowerplay

Gill and Jaiswal did not offer any respite to the West Indiesbowlersevenafterthe powerplay, playing out only two non-boundary overs in the phase tilltheirstand was broken. Gill notched up his second fifty-plus score in T20Is before Jaiswal got to his maiden half-century in justhissecondmatch.Itwas utter domination from the pair that helped them equal Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul’s record for the highest opening partnership for India, before Gill picked out deep midwicket with his flick.

Jaiswal, in the company of Tilak Varma, ensured India suffered no more hiccupsinkeepingtheseries alive.

Afamiliarstorytill…

On a bright and hot

Shimron Hetmyer made 61. (AFPvia Getty Images)

morning, West Indies opted tobatfirstonaflatsurfacein the first of back-to-back T20IsinFloridabutcouldn’t get the ideal start Kyle Mayersstartedwithacouple of fours offAxar Patel, who opened the bowling for India, before smacking a maximum off Arshdeep Singh over deep midwicket. But Arshdeep exacted revenge next ball bouncing Mayersouttogethimcaught behind Brandon King continuedtobatpositivelyto drive West Indies in the powerplay He danced down the track to Yuzvendra Chahal’slegspintotonkhim down the ground for a maximum before heaving a length ball from Arshdeep over deep midwicket. But once again Arshdeep struck afteraboundaryballtohave Kingcaughtatshortthird.

When Kuldeep Yadav pickeduptwowicketsinhis first over - including having NicholasPooranmiscueone tolong-onoffhisfirstballof the match - it seemed West Indies would once again flatter to deceive after an attacking first six overs wheretheyscored55for2.

Hope and Hetmyer

propelWestIndies

ShaiHopewasbroughtin for his firstT20I since March 2022 after Johnson Charles hadreturnsof3,2and12inthe firstthreematches Heusedhis feet to attack both Axar and Chahal At the other end, though,West Indies lost three wickets for three runs to go from54for1to57for4when HetmyerjoinedHope

After a couple of quiet overs,Hopebroketheshackles byhittingChahalforafourand sixinthetenthover Hetmyer then unleashed a flurry of boundaries - first flicking Kuldeep over midwicket beforegreetingHardikPandya intotheattackwithasixanda four Theyadded49offjust36 ballsforthefifthwicketbefore Hopeholedouttolong-on

Hetmyer then changed gears to scoop Mukesh Kumarovershortfinelegfor a six before freeing his arms tosendKuldeepsoaringover extra cover. He walloped Arshdeep into the deep midwicket stands before becoming his third victim, thanks to an athletic effort from Tilak Varma, who chargedinfromlong-onand dove forward to pouch the catch.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill put up a century opening stand. (AFPvia Getty Images)

Connecticut Cricket League 40-overs... Sukhwa slams 144 for Riverside Cricket Club

Adrian Sukhwa

Former Guyana youth player Adrian Sukhwa struck an impressive 144 to spur Riverside Cricket Club to a convincing 96run win over Caribbean Cricket Club in the 2023 Connecticut Cricket League 40-overs semi-finalonSundaylast.

PlayingatKeneyPark2,theright-handed Sukhwa clobbered seven sixes and 11 fours to help defending champion Riverside Cricket Club amassing a formidable 296-8 from the 40-overs while Caribbean Cricket Club,inreply,werealloutfor200inthe37th over

The 24-year-old Sukhwa, who represented Guyana at the under-15, 17 and 19 levels, occupied the crease for 114 balls while he featured in a solid, 161-run fourthwicket stand with Johnathan Bonner who contributed61comprisingofthreesixesand fourfours.Bonner,thebrotherofWestIndies test batsman Nkruma Bonner, joined the flamboyantSukhwaafterhelosthisopening partner Junior McKenzie (00), his fellow Berbicians and former West Indies batsmen NarsinghDeonarine(06)andAssadFudadin (18).

Quickie Everton Nelson and seamer Jeff Fraterendedwith3-75and2-27respectively, delivering for the Caribbean Cricket Club unit on a responsive pitch after they were askedtobowlfirst.

When Caribbean Cricket Club batted, few batsmen got starts with Nelson proving hisall-roundcapabilityhittingatop-scoreof 41 while Kevin Baugh made 36 and a fighting25fromShangoThelwell.

Left-arm orthodox spinner Chevon Mclean snatched 3-31 from his maximum eight bowlers to be the most successful bowler for Riverside Cricket Club. He got useful support from Joshua Dhanai, Ashish

Eppa and Kumar Joseph with two wickets apiece.

ThefinalisslatedforSundayatthesame venue as Riverside Cricket Club will be clashingwithConcordEagles.

Meanwhile, manager of Riverside Cricket Club Naizul Hussain has expressed confidence of his team, which has been in existence since 1986, will retain the trophy He mentioned they have been playing positive cricket from the commencement of this year’s edition and having the trophy in theirpossessionhasboostedtheirconfidence immensely Hussain,whoplayedforBerbiceUnder19 before his migration to the United States ofAmerica,statedthatseasonedplayerslike Deonarine and Fududin along with all the other players are doing a fantastic job and theyareanxioustopulloffawinSunday

He pointed out too that Captain Bruce Blackwood,thecurrentWestIndiestestvicecaptain Jermaine Blackwood’s brother, is alsoleadingfromthefrontwithhiscaptaincy skills Before the semi-final segment, Riverside Cricket Club chalked up eight victories, a testament to Blackwood’s astute leadership. Hussain took the opportunity to express elation as well of being a proud sponsor at the 21st edition of the Albion CommunityCricketClub’sCricketAcademy which commenced last Monday in the AncientCountyofBerbice.

According to Hussain, who honed his cricketing skills at the prominent Albion Cricket Club, that 50 young, aspiring cricketers with ages ranging from 8-17 are partofthesix-dayprogramme.

HussainiscurrentlybasedinConnecticut andownsNortheastConnecticutRenovation andRetailersPropertyManagement.

Mt Sinai and Whim CC benefit from BCB Outreach Programme

The Berbice Cricket Board continues to seek ways to lift the standard of cricket in the Ancient County The BCB under the presidency of Hilbert Foster has over the last six years invested heavily in youth development and recently donated cricket equipment and other much-needed items to clubs across the county that have youths in theirmembership

Thelatestclubtobenefit wasMtSinaiwhichreceived a set of junior cricket gear thattheyrequestedwhilethe Whim Cricket Club also benefittedfromadonationof items towards an upcoming fund-raising event. Cricket coach Joel Amsterdam had sought the assistance of Foster for some junior gears fortheNewAmsterdamclub and the BCB President positively replied in quick time. Amsterdam explained thattheitemswereneededto allow the club to play in the upcoming BCB under 13 tournament which is been sponsored by West Indies white ball all-rounder

Romario Shepherd The BCB President handed over batting gloves, batting pads, wicket-keeping pads and gloves along with several

school bags. He wished the cluballthebestinthefuture and reassured Amsterdam that the BCB under his leadership will continue to be there to assist as much as possible. Foster noted that the club has benefitted from the hard work of his administration in the past andhasreceiveitemssuchas cricket balls, catching crib, grass cutter, educational grant for members, school bags, scorebooks, water pitcher, practice nets and foodhampersamongothers.

The Mt Sinai club also benefitsfromtheservicesof a cricket coach daily under the BCB Coaching p r o g r a m m e H e congratulated Amsterdam forhishardworkattheclub and urged him to uphold his high standards. Amsterdam in his brief response expressedthankstotheBCB for the timely response and stated that his club is one of thefewthatplaysinallBCB junior tournaments at the under-11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 levels. Foster pledged his continued support in the future, noting that he was fully committed to the development of all cricketing talents in the county

Meanwhile, cricket administrator Karran Ramsammy was elected President of the Whim Cricket Club. Ramsammy, a University of Guyana Graduate was elected in the presence of Foster and the ChairmanoftheWhimNDC Omeshar Srikishun His deputy will be Vicky Samaroo and Tameshwar Harinarine while T Sookraj is the Secretary Foster handed over a collection of school bags and also a designerwatchandhampers for a fund-raising match. Foster had earlier donated cricket balls, trophies, practice nets, catching cribs to the club which has produced players like VeersammyVerapenandthe Nagamootoo brothers, MahendraandVishal.Foster urged the executives of the club to always place the interest of the game and youths above selfish motives. He reassured the executives of his continued support and expressed confidence in the leadership of Ramsammy The new president hailed the positive movementofBerbicecricket under Foster’s leadership and stated that Whim was happytoplayitspart.

- Ramsammy elected President of Whim CC

BCB President Hilbert Foster hands over the donation to JoelAmsterdam of Mt Sinai CC

LGC Inked Lucrative Kids Golf sponsorship deal with Republic Bank Guyana Ltd

Golfhasabrightfuturein Guyana This was the s e n t i m e n t e c h o e d throughout Tuesday morning’s media launch of theinauguralRepublicBank Junior Golf Clinic and CompetitionattheLusignan GolfClub(LGC).

The program began with welcoming remarks and introductions by Mr Chetwynd Bowling, Secretary of the LGC. This wasfollowedbyanoverview of the events by Mr PatanjileePersaud,President of the LGC, who began by thanking the sponsor for theirgenerosity

Mr Persaud briefed the gathering on the origins of theLGCkidsoutreachwhich began several years ago and was pushed anew in the last two years. He thanked variousmembersofhisteam including Pope Emanuel London and Mr. Paton George who along with Mr ChetwyndBowlingwerethe drivers behind the kids’golf eventsthepasttwoyears.

Mr Persaud went on to expound on the far-reaching

benefits this partnership is likelytohaveonkidsacross Guyana. This partnership between the Lusignan Golf ClubandRepublicBankLtd. islikelytopropelgolfinthe monthsandyearsaheadasa major sport and recreational pastimeaccessibletoall.

Mr Persaud closed by thankingthemembersofthe LGC for their support in making this possible and

Republic Bank and LGC executives pose with a few of the children at the launch that are expected to be a part of the event.

introduced Mr. Stephen Grell, Managing Director of Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd. to give the Sponsor’s remarks.

He said, “It’s certainly mypleasuretobepartofthis very important occasion where we launch the inaugural Republic Bank Junior Golf Clinic and Competition As an avid golfer, myself, to have

Talented U19s awarded developmental scholarships from GAW franchise

The Guyana Amazon Warriorsfranchiseisthrilled to announce that two exceptional young talents havesecuredscholarshipsto join the franchise during their home leg of the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean PremierLeague(CPL).

The two promising players, batting all-rounder, Mavindra Dindyal and fast bowling sensation, Isai Thorne have demonstrated outstanding skills, dedication and potential in their cricketing career The selection process was rigorous with the franchise keen on aiding the development of young Guyaneseplayers.

“We are delighted to welcome Mavindra and Isai to the Warriors family,” Chairman of the franchise, Dr Bobby Ramroop said while continuing, “their exceptional talents and passion for the game has truly impressed us We believe this exposure will contribute significantly to their development and their additionisatestamenttoour commitment in fostering

Mavendra Dindyal

young talents and providing a platform for them to shine.”

Both Dindyal and

Thorne have garnered attention for their remarkable performances at the grassroots level and junior regional levels, demonstratingtheirprowess with bat and ball Both players have featured in the recently concluded Cricket West Indies Under-19 regional tournament with Dindyal scoring over 300 runs with a best of 94 while Thorne,whohasrepresented West Indies at the Youth World Cup, is widely regardedasoneofthefastest

bowlers in the region at the youthlevel.

“I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity,” Dindyal related Henoted,“Joiningthe Amazon Warriors has been a dream come true and I am excitedtolearnfromsome of thebestplayersinthegame.”

Thorne equally expressed hisenthusiasmtobepartofthe setupandhighlighted,“being partoftheWarriorsisanhonor I look forward to giving my bestandlearning as much as possible.”

CPLbowlsoffonAugust 16 but heads to Guyana on September 12 withWarriors facing Jamaica Tallawahs (September 13), Saint Lucia Kings (September 14), Trinbago Knight Riders (September 16) and B a r b a d o s R o y a l s (September17).

The playoffs will begin with the first eliminator on September 19 followed by theQualifier1onSeptember 20 and Qualifier 2 on September 22. The final is setforSeptember24.

All matches in Guyana willbeplayedattheNational Stadium,Providence.

Republic Bank contribute to growing the game of golf carriesextrameaning.”

Mr Grell in his delivery highlightedtheBank’sfocus oninvestingincommunities and providing avenues for the nation’s youth to be involved in meaningful activities that create an appreciationforsportaswell asallthespinoffbenefitsof discipline and social

Sherfane

aptitude. He noted that this clinic and competition, RepublicBankJuniorGolfis nowpartoftheBank’ssocial investment programme, the PowertoMakeADifference, the Bank’s commitment to youth empowerment through sport with the importance of providing Guyana’s youth with the opportunity to participate in a sport that promotes

Rutherford

integrity, tenacity and determination.Mr Grellalso emphasized the parallels of playing golf and life where the sport offers humbling tutelageifonehitsabadshot but must press forward and likewise in life, there’s a needtodeveloptheabilityto rebound from adversity for success.

Theeventconcluded

(Continuedonpage65)

brandishing

Cricket Zone USA’s E4 at CPL2023

Big-hitting Guyanese

b a t t e r

SherfaneEvistonRutherford hassignedwiththeE4brand out of Cricket Zone USA ahead of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League 2023.

The destructive lefthander,whowillturnoutfor St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, confirmedthepartnershipon Fridayeveningwhenhemet with proprietor of Cricket ZoneUSA,RaviEtwaroo,at the store in Castle Hill Avenue,NewYork.

Rutherford vowed to represent the brand with excellence, while urging his fellowcricketerstotryE4.

“For CPL2023 I will be using the new big brand that’s going to take over world cricket- the E4. I urge youguystotryitout,andto support the brand, ” Rutherfordsaid.

“Looking forward to CPL and I just can’t wait to use the E4. It’s customised formeanditcanbedonefor youtoo.”ThebackoftheE4 bat has been customised for Rutherford, with an emblem ofprayinghandsandarosary carryingthename‘Orin’asa

tributetohislatefather,who passed away in September 2021. Etwaroo, a cricket fanatic and successful Guyanese businessman, welcomed the all-rounder as anofficialambassadorofE4 andwishedhimwellinCPL 2023, which bowls off on August16inSt.Lucia.

Etwaroo said Cricket ZoneUSAandE4arealways seeking avenues to support thegrowthanddevelopment of cricketers, and this latest collaborationisindicativeof thatmission.

“On behalf of the entire team at Cricket Zone USA and the E4 brand, I would like to wish Sherfane the very best in CPL 2023 and thank him for agreeing to alignhimselfwiththebrand. We expect great things from him going forward, ” Etwaroosaid.

Rutherford is a hardhitting 24-year-old lefthander, who has also represented the Guyana Amazon Warriors in CPL, and had IPL stints with Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore and DelhiCapitals.

He heads into CPL2023 on the back of some destructive innings in the inaugural Major League Cricket tournament in the U S A , h i s M V P performances firing MontrealTigerstothetitle.

The Guyanese batsman coppedtheDeanJonesManof-the-Series prize of a halfacre plot of land in the USA afterfinishingwith220runs from eight innings, the second most behind skipper ChrisLynn,whomade234.

Rutherford averaged 44 andwentastrikerateof130, hitting 12 sixes and 16 fours.Apart from his 38* off 29 in the final, he also crackedanunbeaten48from 34 in QualifierTwo and 84* off 53 in a league game againstVancouverKnights. Rutherford joins a list of players who have endorsed Cricket Zone USA and E4, includingChandrapaulHemraj, Gajanand Singh, Kennar Lewis, Matthew Nandu, KimaniMelius,NavinStewart, OraineWilliams,TevinImlach, AkshayaPersaud and West Indies female cricketers Rashada Williams and NatashaMcLean.

Isai Thorne Isai (Getty Images)

The Minister of Sport, Hon. Charles Ramson Jr., was present to greet the Commonwealth Youth Games Team at the CJIA.