Kaieteur News
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Monday August 02, 2021
Men robbed while opening gate Quebec rejects US$14B natural gas project amid environmental concerns
Screen grab the video that recorded the bandits robbing the men.
Quebec’s Environment Minister, Benoit Charette
CCTV footage has captured yet another brazen robbery taking place in the city. This time around, the victims were two men opening their gate to their home. Based on the footage which was uploaded on Facebook, the men were attacked by four motorbike bandits sometime after 06:00Hrs on July 20, 2021. The victims had pulled up in front of their house on a scooter. The pillion
rider got off and proceeded to open the gate while the rider remained on the scooter. As the pillion rider was opening the gate, the CCTV camera captured four men on two XR motorcycles passing by. They rode pass but returned seconds later. The pillion riders of the XR bikes then approached the unsuspecting victims. One of them had on a grey hoodie and was armed with a hand gun. He was
seen holding the men at gun point as his accomplice joined him. The victims were assaulted as the men searched through their pockets and even removed their helmets to see if they had anything stashed underneath. One of the bandits even kicked the victim’s scooter before they escaped. Kaieteur News understands that one of the victims had stopped home to pick up some items before going about his day.
A US$14-billion project that would have seen natural gas from Western Canada exported to Europe and Asia through Quebec, has been rejected by the government of Quebec amid environmental concerns. The project had seen mass opposition from a variety of environmental and indigenous groups. According to Canadian based media house, The Canadian Press, Quebec’s Minister of the Environment, Benoit Charette said, the provincial government is not convinced the proposed natural gas project in Saguenay would lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Speaking to the local press, the minister said “the promoter has not succeeded in demonstrating [that the project would reduce greenhouse gases.” He added that the government is also worried it would discourage natural gas buyers in Europe and Asia from moving to cleaner energy sources, stating that “this is a project that has more disadvantages than advantages.” GNL Quebec had proposed building a plant in Port Saguenay, Quebec, about 220 kilometres north of Quebec City, to liquefy natural gas from Western Canada. The project would have also required the construction of a 780kilometre pipeline to connect the plant to existing natural gas pipelines in Ontario. The project had initially
been greeted positively by the Québec government. The Canadian Press had stated that Charette previously said he was predisposed to support the project, but in the end, it didn’t meet the required environmental conditions. GNL spokesman LouisMartin Leclerc registered the company’s surprise and disappointment with the decision in an emailed statement which stated, “Our board of directors will evaluate the next steps to deal with this difficult decision that will have an impact on our employees, our investors and our stakeholders.” GNL had said the plant would be carbon neutral and would encourage an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, because natural gas would replace dirtier fuels such as coal and oil. Quebec’s environmental review board, however, concluded in March that the estimated reductions were unlikely to occur. A coalition of environmental groups, including Equiterre, the David Suzuki Foundation and Greenpeace, said the decision was a victory for activists who had opposed the project. “ T h e Q u e b e c g o v e r n m e n t ’ s announcement of the rejection of the GNL Quebec project demonstrates that there is no future for fossil fuel projects,” the groups said in a statement. Several Indigenous communities had also opposed the project.
Monday August 02, 2021
Kaieteur News
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After spending one month in jail… Two out of five companies vying to audit Exxon’s costs Mom of six seeks job to pay owed child support affiliated with oil giant
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ince issuing its invitation in April for interested companies to submit bids to audit ExxonMobil’s 20182020 costs, five entities come forth in hopes of being selected for the job. These companies are: Bayphase Oil and Gas Consultants; Rosa, Correia & Associados (RCA) Inc. in partnership with Swale House Partners; Gaffney Cline and Associates in partnership with Squire Patton Boggs; Calender Law Firm; and Eclisar Financial and Professional Services. Upon a preliminary review of the companies vying to verify ExxonMobil’s costs, Kaieteur News has discovered that at least two out of the five interested companies and/or their primaries are associated with the United States oil giant. One would recall that in January 2020, Bayphase, a company headquartered in the United Kingdom, was hired under the former APNU+AFC administration to review the Field Development Plans (FDP) for Payara — Exxon’s third development offshore Guyana. During that same period, Kaieteur News had reported that the company was not only a client of ExxonMobil but even a number of its primary contractors are working in Guyana. These included NEXEN, a subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), Schlumberger and Technip FMC. This paper had shown too that Bayphase never gave any unflattering reports on its clients. Kaieteur’s research has also found that Gaffney, Cline and Associates Incorporated also has links to ExxonMobil. Gaffney Cline and Associates Incorporated, is a consultancy firm that has been in the business for some 50 years. On its website, it boasts of its work which “enables energy companies and governments to navigate economic and technical uncertainties by providing creative and practical solutions”.
According to a biography on the Natural Resources Forum, the Principal Commercial Manager of Gaffney Cline, Ryan Perreia “brings over 12 years of experience in the energy sector, from industry and advisory roles, with majors (ExxonMobil) and operators (Centrica Energy), as well as working with joint venture parties and national oil and gas companies.” Kaieteur News is unaware of whether these company’s ties would disqualify them from winning the contract. However, the Consultant is required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest arising out of other assignments. The expression of interest of this project relates specifically to the consultancy for Cost Audit under Sub-Component B.1 of the Guyana Petroleum Resources Governance and Management Project that is funded by a US$20M World Bank loan. The assignment for cost audit will also require the provision of on-the-job training to the staff of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and other agencies as directed by the Government of Guyana on the audit process. Furthermore, the company selected would be expected to assess the impact of the audit on future Profit Oil revenues. The duration of this assignment is expected to be four months, commencing June 2021. The Consultant’s physical presence would be required, as agreed by the Client, for at least 30 days of the four months and as set out in the Implementation arrangements.’ Importantly, local firms with the required skills, qualifications and experience are encouraged to apply for this consultancy. Wherever necessary, the government said that the eligible partnership that exists between a local and international firm that can perform these tasks should be expressed in an application.
A 28-year-old mother of six, who reportedly spent one month in jail for not paying a total of $550,000 in child support, is now seeking a job to cancel the owed debt. Bibi Ally is a resident of Bee Hive, on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and was only released from prison last Thursday. Scared to return to jail, the woman is desperately looking for a job so that she can earn some money to pay off the owed child support. The mother of six told reporters yesterday, that she previously worked as a domestic worker and would accept any similar job she can find at the moment. Questioned by reporters as to how she ended up in such a situation, the woman claimed, that five years ago she decided to end a relationship with her husband after enduring years of abuse. The relationship they had shared produced five children, three boys and two girls.
When Ally decided to break free, she left with her daughters and opted to leave the boys with their father. Not long after their separation she got involved with another person and hoped to make a fresh start at having a happy nuclear family. According to the woman, her ex-husband somehow found out about her new relationship. After the man learnt that she had moved in life he decided to take her to court to pay child support for her sons. The woman said she had begged him not to move forward in that regard as she did not have a job at the time. Nevertheless, he went ahead and filed a summons against her and she was subsequently ordered to pay up. Ally further noted that she became pregnant and was unable to work. The child support owed started to accumulate because she was not making payments.
Kaieteur News understands that after she gave birth she still encountered difficulties in finding a job. Even as she faced such trying circumstances, the woman related that her vengeful ex-husband still pursued efforts that saw her being hauled before Cove and John’s Magistrate’s court three times to explain her failure to pay. The woman said at each court appearance she explained to the magistrate that she was not finding a job and did not have money to pay. Ally said she even begged the court to assist her in finding a job. After failing to cancel the debt, the woman was sent to jail for one month. Ally is now pleading for the assistance of the Minister of Human Services, Dr. Vindya Persaud, and the public at large to assist her in finding a job, as she is fearful her exhusband will stop at no ends to see her back in jail over this matter again.
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Monday August 02, 2021
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor: SHARMAIN GRAINGER Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Worrying oil costs Three captions in KN’s edition of Sunday August 1 conveyed some of what is wrong about how the oil wealth of this country is managed at the political leadership level. The first was pipeline costs (“Norway’s 44 in gas pipeline costs US$3.8M per mile, Guyana’s 12in gas pipeline to cost US$4.7M per mile”). The second highlighted fees (“Exxon parent company demand millions in fees from Guyana’s oil”). And the third was about actual costs (“Actual costs of Exxon’s projects, new discoveries, dry holes remain unknown -Int’l report”). Instead of asking what is going on, we simply say that we are in for it. Meaning, one monstrous rip-off after another by a great white shark of a company, the biggest, most predatory one in modern times. The three stories were all about oil and costs. Shady costs, questionable costs, suspicious costs, and a barrage of millions in U.S. dollars in costs, most likely that will add up to many billions of such costs, whether totalled in American or Guyanese dollars. We are not just in for it on the receiving end, but the costs heaped upon us by Exxon are killing us. When netted out against the revenue streams that could be coming to us, we are staring at huge deficits at the bottomline level, when the accumulation of these costs is considered, and the passage of time factored into the overall picture. Exxon seizes every opportunity to cheat this country by piling up all manner of costs, some highly likely not to pass standards of clean scrutiny and best accounting practices. This is a solid first explanation for the deliberately hazy, impenetrable barrel of molasses that was supposed to represent the company’s financials for parts of its Guyana operations. The financial wizards at Exxon have done this before with other countries, but never with this freedom and to this extent. For here, Exxon’s wizards utilise every old costing trick, plus they manufacture new ones that are customised for the leaders in Guyana’s Government, since thy know that they will get away with all of their financial and billing tricks, without much of any resistance. Now, we will be clear as to where we stand with these costs. It is our belief at this publication that some of these costs are a combination of heavily inflated ones, imaginary ones, tricky ones, borderline ones, and outright cheating ones. When we speak of borderline costs, we do not mean the numbers, which give every impression of being padded, but borderline in terms of the accounting gimmickries that are employed by Exxon. Some are right at the margins of what is acceptable. There is full understanding for price differentials, and supplier markups, the significance of time, and the hosts of other variables that could be used as explanations to justify the enormous spread (gaps) in what we are charged versus what is the norm in the international marketplace. The problem is, as we have noted just now, that the cost differentials are so wide, which means they are so unbearably expensive for us. It also means that these costs taken individually or together diminish the revenue flows coming to us, and dim our present and future prospects for the genuine prosperity that is due to every resident in this society (including the foreign born and illegal ones). In the meantime, with every single one of these cost discoveries laid bare before Guyanese, a few other things become clearer. It is how Exxon’s profit line is heavily dependent on Guyana. It is why Exxon eases away from other global places of exploration and production, where it has stakes, and places much of its future on Guyana. And it is how Exxon’s shareholders and suppliers benefit richly off the backs of Guyanese, who get less and lesser from this oil of ours. Further, this provides all the subtitles anyone could need, as to why America took the lead in muscling our political leaders around in the last elections, because its people stood to reap so much from the oil wealth of this country. Meanwhile, Guyanese are left hoping, while holding an emptier and emptier bag. Costs are just another aspect of this country’s continuing oil curses.
Ms. Candace Nelson is a qualified public servant Dear Editor, Recently, the Local Government Commission ( LGC) appointed Ms. Candace Nelson as interim Town Clerk, and it was noted that the Mayor of Georgetown, Mr. Ubraj Narine stated that the decision taken by the commission was unlawful, and further added that Ms. Candace Nelson is unqualified for the position as has been reported in the Kaieteur newspaper dated Saturday, July 31, 2021. I wish to add that the Local Government Commission (LGC) did not act beyond the scope of its authority, the commission has the power to deal with all matters relating to staffing of local government organs and
in particular, shall be responsible for employment, transfer, discipline and dismissal of staff. Further the Local Government Commission Act 2013 is very clear on the powers and authority of the commission and nothing was done unlawfully with regards to the appointment of Ms. Candace Nelson as the interim Town Clerk. Secondly, I am not surprise that the Mayor is once again attracting young professionals in the employment of the council since he is known to be a person who love to jump on the media and talk about person’s qualification. Ms. Candace Nelson is knowledgeable about the City Government by-laws and
the day to day operation of the Council than the Mayor and more so, for the position as Town Clerk, and for the record, she attended St. Joseph High School where she excelled in her CXC examinations with distinctions and graduated from the University of Guyana with a Bachelor of Social Science in Business Management, and have been in the employment of the City’s Council for over five years and held several positions which includes training Officer and acting Town Clerk, which provided her with knowledge and experience for the position she has been elevated to . Ms. Nelson is a qualified and disciplined public servant who has the qualities
of leadership, and have shown unwavering integrity, loyalty, superior intelligence, efficiency and enthusiasm in the discharge of her duties. I have no doubt that she will not carry out her new functions as Interim Town Clerk in a professional and effective manner towards the development of the city of Georgetown. The Local Government Commission has made an excellent choice based on expertise, experience and talent and I welcome its decision and congratulate Ms. Nelson in her new role as the Acting Town Clerk with God blessings, protection and guidance. Yours truly, Name provided
Will Guyana take advantage of these remarkable victories in sustainable energy generation? Dear Editor, Sustainable energy is set to become one of the most profitable and ubiquitous industries on the planet. The rate at which solutions are being developed, operationalized and scaled is mesmerizing. Breakthroughs in battery chemistries are occurring at breakneck speed. New innovations are being reported almost every day in the news. In the United States, solar companies are laying down massive PV facilities and are now starting to add storage units using the muchimproved lithium-ion battery, now implementable at gridscale. Across the seas in China and India, photovoltaic parks continue to exceed total capacities which are large enough to astonish. Wärtsilä, the Finnish
energy manufacturer with interest in Guyana, has come up with a software system for intelligently switching between intermittent power sources. Data from Wärtsilä showed that fossil-fuel generator usage was cut back by about 80% using this system. Wärtsilä has committed to the energy transition in providing this ‘hybrid grid’ since sustainable but intermittent sources like wind and solar cannot simply be hooked up to the existing unidirectional grid without the help of computers. A contract was signed by the company in 2020 for the deployment of one such solution in the US Virgin Islands. The plant will use the dual-fuel engine that is soon to be deployed in Guyana. Advances in battery technology have unlocked a new way of thinking about
the electrical grid. The new paradigm is one in which electricity production is aggregated from the net-zero or self-sustaining home to collections of battery networks that form resilient layers at the neighbourhood, then town, then city and right up to the utility level. A software layer dubbed the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is being conceived to redirect power intelligently from these battery networks which allow current to flow intelligently in either direction under varying conditions. In this new paradigm, consumption units are collected into aggregate layers that spill over or receive from layers above. Small-scale hydro has stepped up its game in recent years, becoming affordable, environmentally safe and easy to implement for communities of all income levels. ‘Turbulent’ turbines
are producing electricity 24/7 for rural communities by safely redirecting streams and rivulets without blocking them or harming their aquatic life. Suriname has recently commissioned one such 15kW project. Kwakwani and Linden, areas that have struggled to achieve 24/7 power, come to mind. Much of the rest of the world is seeing clearly and many are investing wisely. The cost environment for all of these solutions has changed dramatically over the years. Will Guyana take advantage of these remarkable victories in energy generation and material science? Are power companies in Guyana aware of these resources? Will they act accordingly? Have intelligent investors in Guyana taken note? Yours truly, Emille Giddings
I commend the government for their efforts over the past year Dear Editor, It is with much enthusiasm that I write to you today to join in the celebration of the PPP/C’s one year in office. I could not be happier with what I have seen accomplished in such a short time and I am ecstatic for what is to come. In just one year, the Government has done much more for us Guyanese than what the previous administration did and for that reason I call on my fellow brothers and sisters to commend the PPP/C Government for the strides they have taken thus far. I cannot begin to outline everything that the Government has done that is worthy of applause because
it will be too much to write about. However, I must stress on the strides they have taken to improve education and healthcare delivery throughout Guyana. With the Covid-19 pandemic affecting us all, we were forced to adapt to newer systems in both these areas. Education delivery became much more challenging as everything moved online. However, the Government has shown their dedication to the children of Guyana by providing access to online resources and even providing tablets and laptops to students in need. More specifically, they have enhanced the Learning Channel which has now become a vital part of the
education system throughout the country. The QuizMe platform which was recently launched is a great initiative that will help thousands of students and I commend the Government for bringing such an idea to fruition. I must also commend the Government for reintroducing the cash grant as it is a great help for parents across the country. With the pandemic changing so much of our lives, the grant will help to provide our children with the resources they need to continue learning online until the pandemic is over. On this note, the only way for the pandemic to come to an end is for us all to get vaccinated. The Government has shown how focused they are on
making that the reality by going to all length and breadth to secure vaccines for us. The rolling out of a robust countrywide vaccination program is just one of the many initiatives aligned with the health sector that the Government has implemented which is helping to improve healthcare in Guyana. The removal of VAT on medical supplies and private healthcare are indicative of their commitment to such. I wrap up by commending the government for their efforts over the past year and I offer congratulations to the President for leading his cabinet in the right direction. I am excited for what else is to come. Yours truly, Attiya Baksh
Monday August 02, 2021
Reconciliation needed to mend the nation’s wounds Dear Editor, The Irfaan Ali-led PPP government has completed its first year in office. As an objective observer and a concerned Guyanese who is not a member of any political party in Guyana, I would say to all Guyanese, regardless of race or political affiliation that they should never allow what happened in the aftermath of March 2, 2020, General and Regional elections to occur again. The March to August 2020 election fiasco period was extremely painful, tension filled, racially charged and violence filled that could have exploded had it not been for the wisdom of the ordinary citizens and the sound and proper decisions of the appellate court in Guyana and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Thankfully, international pressure especially from the ABC countries eventually forced former President David Granger to capitulate. The perpetual trumpeting by President Granger that he would accept the results as declared by the GECOM chair was a sham with sinister underpinnings to prolong the agony for five long months. But time was not on his side; ultimately, he had to accept defeat and surrender against the wishes of PNC hardliners. His capitulation fits neatly
with the adage “the longest rope has an end.” Now is the time for every Guyanese of every race in and out of Guyana to put the country first and stand up for what is right and just. Sadly, many in high society simply analyzed how the wind blows to choose their team. The people of Guyana, especially the youths who are 65 percent of the population, must never again experience such political trauma. What transpired at the Ashmin building and at GECOM head office in March 2020 by the Returning Election Officer of Region Four and others was reprehensible, scandalous, outrageous, unpatriotic and borders on treason. It was a blatant attempt by the Granger-led administration to steal the elections and remain in power. And those who perpetrate such vicious and thuggish acts and held the nation hostage for five long and arduous months must face the full force of the law and should be banished from politics and society. So far, such exercise has been at a snail paced toward the pursuit of justice. It is true that from March to August 2020, Guyanese everywhere had witnessed an election filled with trauma, falsehoods, and threats to
destabilize the country, discredit the elections, and overturn democracy, thus denying the will of the people to elect a government of their choice. However, these efforts have failed, thanks to the overwhelming support from the ABC and EU countries, CARICOM, the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Commonwealth of Nations whose goal was to make sure that democracy prevailed in Guyana. The five months ordeal has disgraced the citizens, stained the country, and damaged its reputation in the international community. The lesson learned is that overturning election results in Guyana after the votes were casted and counted was not an easy task considering the impact of high technology and social media. It is time for everyone, including our politicians, not to dabble or be involved in such deceitful and barefaced venture. Whether we believe it or not, Guyana has and continued to be a blessed land with its talented and skilled people at home and abroad and its abundance of raw materials and natural resources, especially its huge oil reserves. What happened in the five precarious months
in 2020 must never be allowed to occur again in the country we loved and cherished. As Guyanese of every walk of life celebrate the 183rd Emancipation anniversary, we must call on the present government to initiate a national reconciliation process, to heal the nations wounds and prevent any impending danger posed by the country’s two major ethnic groups—Indo-andAfro-Guyanese. This year’s celebration of Emancipation comes at a critical juncture for all of us as we continue to navigate the changed political environment triggered by the change of government a year ago. As many of us recognize, any change of government brings with it new anxieties and fears for all in society, but most importantly, for the group that has lost power. Like other elections, the last election has left in its trail an unprecedented racial fallout that has worsened ethnic relations in the country between the two major ethnic groups. Therefore, we again call on the present government to initiate a national reconciliation process to lessen the racial tensions, mend the ethnic wounds and unite the people. Yours truly, Leyland Roopnarine
Leadership directly that sold out the country is foremost to be blamed Dear Editor, This letter is for all who cares about Guyana and especially those who will consider the country to be your home for a long while to come, to reflect about what future do you want as your leaders have decided that Guyana will be ripped of its resources and polluted, while they will amass enough resources for them and their families to flee as the damage is being done, so what about you? Leadership being referred to is political leaders both ruling and opposition, religious leaders, military leaders, academic leaders, media leaders, union leaders and anyone who have a position in influencing people, you have all failed since the country gained independence , in that it was the culture of making money, show off with no respect for the land and no plan on preservation of what was our great lushful and rich country. Leadership directly that sold out the country is foremost to be blamed; others who not directly involved in signing deals are also at fault, as staying silent is complicit as the governments taught it was ok to sell out as silence
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Kaieteur News
meant it was ok. As of now everyone is fighting over renegotiating oil deal for Guyanese to get more(rightfully), but what of protecting and preserving the land?, the leadership and citizens of Guyana does not seem to have a plan for the land. Guyana is being drilled up, dug up sliced and diced to get what riches is underneath for those few who will make money, the rest of the population will resort to crime. It is observed there is sludge in the Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice rivers,
people says it is from the offshore oil fields, it is not, it is from the ships in Guyana’s waters dumping their waste in Guyana’s waters as they can’t do that in countries with strong environmental laws, the once grand rivers of Cuyuni and Mazaruni and others in the interior are now swamps as the dredging for the gold destroys them, wildlife some the rarest in the world is being destroyed, native amerindians habitat is being destroyed, the men have to come and beg while the women become
prostitutes. This means nothing to Guyana’s leadership nor Guyanese and foreigners who just want to make money. Guyanese like to say money talks and bullshit walks and in Guyana so it goes, this is not gonna save you this time if the land is being destroyed. Remember the mud slides? That happened because the trees were cut down as the trees was a barrier to the rain and held the soil together. Remember the heat wave? That happened because the (Continued on page 6)
I trust that the Government would continue to serve the people of Guyana Dear Editor, It has been a full year since the PPP/C has returned to office. I have paid keen attention to their performance as I was very intrigued by the promises which were outlined in their manifesto leading up to the 2020 elections. As such, it would be remiss of me not to voice my opinion on their performance to date. To begin, I have always been critical of governments throughout the years so I am speaking from an unbiased perspective. The PPP/C Government has shown that they know what they are doing. They do not look for short-term fixes to problems but rather look at the longterm advantages before making decisions. The revival of the Amalia Falls Hydropower Project and the Gas-to-Shore project are both evidence of such. These projects will bring a host of advantages and benefits for the country and I am in support of them both. The fact that the PPP/C Government has been moving ahead so far with them shows that the cabinet has been adopting a
visionary-approach. On another note, the Government has shown that they are for the people. They have rolled out several programmes and initiatives for the benefit of all Guyanese. In particular, the partnering with Commonwealth to offer hundreds of Coursera programs, the provision of 20,000 online scholarships and the establishment of several resource centers in different regions point to the Government being proactive and focused on the betterment of the people. I commend the PPP/C Government for these efforts as they have been doing what they were elected to do. I trust that the Government would continue to serve the people of Guyana with the same zeal that they currently show. I am confident that should we continue down this path, Guyana will be developed beyond that which we imagine. Congratulations to the Government for a great year and a more progressive one ahead. Yours truly, Alvin Hamilton
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Guyana’s unions are living off past glories as opposed to dealing with present realities Dear Editor, The fact that Guyana has such high unemployment is not just a failing of governments. It is also an indictment of the unions in Guyana whom are deemed to be politically aligned. Politically aligned unions prostitute themselves to politicians and peddle the party they support line of reasoning. They would rather see a few people employed at relatively high wages rather than pushing to get more people employed. Unions should also be looking to attract investment to create jobs which requires stability. Unlike one union leader who told a company to pack up and leave Guyana if business was not profitable. Politically aligned unions does a disservice to workers. But, the argument goes, the unions are necessary to negotiate a living wage. Really?
Monday August 02, 2021
Kaieteur News
In what way does telling companies to pack up and leave benefit workers? Then, we have union leaders pushing for increased wages even when a company is not profitable. With such high unemployment the politicians and unions should be looking to attract investment in Guyana. The politicians, especially, should be tasked with job creation which requires a holistic job creation plan. Failing that, nationwide welfare programme that targets unemployment should be established. Meaning unemployment benefits and working benefits. The benefits of working should exceed unemployment benefits. I am sorry but the Guyana unions of today are living off past glories as opposed to dealing with present realities. Yours truly, Sean Ori
Each person has some responsibility for the preservation of this precious life Dear Editor, I had written the following letter on Thursday, July 29, 2021. It was delayed because of a misunderstanding. On Friday night, I heard news of changes in Guyana, affecting the citizens’ willingness to be vaccinated. I reconsidered the usefulness of the letter and I have now decided to send it to the press for what it is worth. I must add that there is now a warning from the CDC in the USA that vaccinated persons can catch the Delta variant of the Covid19 and can spread it, but that the infection of the vaccinated person will be mild: Ever since March 2020 when the virus, causing what has become Covid-19 hit the world, more and more humans began to think about our immune system. The ISystem, present in animals, is said to be a complex thing. It includes many cells, organs, tissues, secretions, and bone marrow. It is our body’s defense against infection. The immune system is on autopilot and, as I understand it, we cannot switch it on or off. We know how efficient our own system is by results.
If it is in high gear, it crushes the infection. If we get sick, it is not up to mark. We may be strong and muscular and yet have an immune system that is not in high gear or near to high gear. Human communities in every part of the world today are divided by behaviour, opinion and the way we respond to challenges. Dr. Lin Yu Tang, a Chinese philosopher popular in the nineteen forties, said humourously, “the world is divided into smokers and non-smokers.” Today, he would find a world divided into supporters and opposers of vaccination. One reason for my writing these comments is to encourage those who see nothing helpful in vaccination in the present pandemic to look at the situation again. There are individuals and communities of people inspired by science or religion, or both, but are confident of their ability to resist the Covid-19 virus and its mutations without vaccines. There are other individuals and communities of people who see vaccines
as an intrusion into nature and as directly harmful. Both of these communities have at heart a deep interest in the welfare of humanity. The attitudes noted above did not arise out of nothing and are not just postures of people who want to differ from the crowd. Part of the reasons for these attitudes can be found in the publications of movement over many decades at locating a reduction of population in those parts of the world regarded by them as overpopulated. Another feature which has raised the level of disenchantment with vaccines at present may be the way they have become available to the world as commodities produced for profit by major corporations, some of them with a history or reputation of their own. There is also the confusing fact that not all the vaccines being traded and dispensed or administered have been approved by the World Health Organization. At the same time, the reason for absence of the WHO’s approval is not widely known. Of course, it is the duty of all governments to satisfy their citizens’ doubt about any vaccine chosen by the government and about other measures the government has decided to take. In countries like Guyana, political choices and differences are complicated by myths we like to pretend are unimportant. In our country, the 2015 coalition of APNU-AFC was the first to be responsible for managing
the country during a pandemic. It set the pattern of treating this important responsibility as a party project. When in 2020 the PPP/C became the Government, it continued to treat the pandemic as a party project, but on a more active scale. In fact, the two paramount parties may have lost all sense of what a national project is. I refuse to explore the possibility that this partisan embrace by two succeeding governments has contributed to the reluctance of wide cross-sections to be vaccinated. So what? Regardless of discouragements and the bungling of governments, each person has some responsibility for the preservation of this precious life. Vaccines here and there give rise to reactions that may need medical attention. However, vaccines do not cause disease and do not kill. It is the virus that kills. And it is vaccines that most swiftly target and destroy the virus, permitting life to go on. Timely vaccination may help the individual to avoid a course of illness from the virus that often leaves the patient with damaged tissues. A person who takes the vaccine for this current virus can expect to avoid the trauma of a Covid-19 illness. Such a person then has all the time in the world to follow up with a well-considered and well-informed life style that can contribute to a better quality of life. Yours truly, Eusi Kwayana
...Leadership directly that sold out the country is foremost to be blamed From page 5 trees were cut down and concrete houses were built, the trees was a free natural coolant, so when the heat came people had to leave the houses and big screen TV and come outside as the air conditions couldn’t help them, failure to protect the rivers combined with poor drainage and sea defence management caused the floods, so what good is the cars and money when the place flood? There are letters posted to KN from past leaders and ministers like Donald Ramotar and Hamilton Green and others highlighting achievements of their governments, face the fact that both your governments have failed this country as you could not balance resource management with
environmental protection. In any government there is some sort of corruption but when no respect is given to the land that is evilness, so leaders answer the following questions, aren’t you ashamed of the points mentioned earlier? How much money is enough? How big your house has to be? How many vehicles you have to have? When enough is enough that you can care for the land? The few Guyanese who have spoken for the land, kudos to you, the majority of you whether local or overseas it is time you speak for that land, that land give you or your ancestors something you have benefited from as the land cannot speak for itself. Yours truly, Roddick David
Monday August 02, 2021
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Monday August 02, 2021
Magistrate dismisses forgery charges against Fisherman beaten, robbed by bandit GNSC employee after prosecution fails to prove case While waiting on transportation to go about plying his trade, a fisherman was beaten and robbed by one of three suspects. According to a police report, the 42-year-old was at Unity Junction, East Coast Demerara (ECD) at 5:00hrs on Saturday. At the time, the man noticed a red motorcar with three occupants approaching him. The driver for the vehicle then stopped in front of the man and enquired where he was going. After this, one of the occupants exited the vehicle and was armed with a steel bar. The suspect then snatched the victim’s cell phone from him before delivering several lashes about the man’s body and head. After obtaining the victim’s Samsung A10 phone, the suspects immediately fled the scene. The victim was then subsequently taken to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, where he is presently receiving treatment for his wounds. However, one of the three suspects, known as ‘Thick Slice’, was contacted and arrested while checks are being made for the other two. The probe into this matter is ongoing.
Guyana National Shipping Company (GNSC) employee, Jailall Bridglall, last week walked free of charges which alleged, that he forged bill of lading documents and uttered forged documents. Magistrate Rhondell Weaver in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts dismissed six counts of forgery, and the charges which allege that the defendant uttered forged documents. The charges were dismissed against Bridglall after the Magistrate upheld Bridglall’s lawyer no-case submission. The defendant was represented by attorney-at-law Bernard DaSilva who contended that the prosecution failed to meet the prima facie threshold of proof and highlighted several causes. The charges allege that on August 7, 2020, at Guyana Revenue Authority
(GRA) Head Office Camp Street, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, Bridglall forged a letter with: Bill of Lading # CCGH438394; 810 – 88208094; 81087804872; custom declaration form # C 283; 285; 284; all purporting to show that same originated from the GNSC and signed by its agent. It was also alleged that on August 7, 2020, at GRA, Bridglall uttered a forged document. He reportedly uttered a letter with: Bill of Lading # 810 – 882208094 # CCGH 1438394 and # 81087804872. Moreover, the defendant was charged for uttering custom declaration forms; #C 283; 285; 284; all purporting to be custom declaration forms, originated from the GNSC and granted permission to release transshipment cargo, knowing same to be forged. According to information,
Bridglall had reportedly forged several bill of lading documents. Bill of lading documents are presented to the sea carrier at the port of unloading, in order to be able to collect the cargo from the port. To prove its case against Bridglall, the prosecution had called several witnesses. In doing so, it was supposed to prove that documents were forged, that the defendant uttered the forged document with intent to defraud and that the forgery was done by Bridglall. However, in DaSilva’s submission to the court he noted that the prosecution failed to prove any of those key elements in order for a prima facie case to be made out against his client. The Magistrate later upheld the defence’s submission and the charges against Bridglall were dismissed.
Monday August 02, 2021
Kaieteur News
WASHOUT!
When the National Stadium at Providence was built, it was considered the fastest draining ground in the Caribbean. That reputation is now facing its sternest test following the waterlogged field after a torrential downpour yesterday. The rainfall resulted in the match being abandoned in the second over. And a huge question mark now hangs over Guyana as a venue for hosting international cricket. The National Stadium at Providence was built under the Jagdeo administration. There were lots of unfounded criticisms about the decision, including how it would exacerbate Guyana’s debt crisis. At the time, Guyana did not have a debt crisis. And it was absolutely necessary for Guyana to have constructed that Stadium. Unless it did, Guyana would never have seen international cricket again because the standards demanded by the ICC would not qualify Bourda even for net practice for international teams. During the hosting of the 2007 World Cup tournament, there were torrential downpours. But this did not result in the abandonment of any matches. Everyone present was in total amazement at the rate at which the ground dried after the showers. The stadium acquired the reputation of being the fastest drying outfield in the Caribbean. It would appear that the secret to the rapid drying of the field had to do with its solid sand base soil. This allowed it to dry fast but it was said that this also affected the pace of the pitch. The square (where the batting pitches are located) was dug up in 2016. This decision was effected. One of the reasons given for this was because sand had penetrated into the mud soil of the pitches and
affected its evenness of bounce and pace. But what seemed to have been overlooked was the fact that this stadium, built for Cricket World Cup, also hosted other events and the damage done to the outfield by those events, including football, led to a deterioration of the facility. Just last y e a r, controversy was raised when football was hosted on the soggy outfield leading to much damage, a charge which was denied by the government but which was evident from photographs of the outfield. Just a few days there was the usual ‘blow-blow’ talk about how much money was spent in readying the facility for the present Pakistan tour. Well, the state of the ground has left no doubt that all the money which was spent could not allow for the holding of cricket yesterday. An inquiry should be held into the state of drainage out of the outfield. The source of the problems needs to be identified because even if showers would not have allowed play, the waterlogged nature of the outfield was frightening considering how excellently the ground drained before. There is a bigger problem though. There is stiff competition for international cricket. No less than 13 countries now compete for hosting matches. Guyana therefore was fortunate to have acquired the rights to host three of the present matches. In the Caribbean, this decision was met with criticism. But the main reason had to do with the fact that facilities in Guyana are known to be friendly to teams from the
Asian continent and therefore it was felt that hosting matches in Guyana would give Pakistan an advantage. As it stands, Pakistan won the match which was hosted on Saturday. They go into Tuesday’s final T 20 match with one- nil lead in the series and if rain washes that out then West Indies would not have been given a chance to level the series. Yesterday’s washout would have been carefully observed by the West Indies Cricket Board. And they could be disinclined to bring any more matches to Guyana given the ease with which the field was water-logged. Guyana is not listed among the best grounds to host cricket in the Caribbean. In fact, persons prefer to go to Kensington Oval in Barbados or the Darren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia than come to Guyana. Guyana’s hosting of international cricket is therefore threatened. This is all the more reason why there should be an investigation into why the ground became water-soaked so easily given the fact that the surface is atop layers of sand. If Guyana hopes to continue to attract international cricket, it will have to restrict events at the Stadium only to cricket. Given the competition for hosting matches, Guyana cannot afford to be allowing football and athletics on the turf at the National Stadium. This will be a licence for the denial of rights to host matches. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Dem Boys Seh…
Guyana wins Academy Award! A lot ah memories come flowing back. One year ago, one party seh dem statement of polls show dem win de elections. Dem tell Soulja bai dis and he believe. He was confident dat when he agree to a recount dat he party statements of poll had to prove dat he win de election. But no sooner de leader sign pun de dotted line, dat de same party wah seh de recount gan show dem win de elections, didn’t bother to object to de motion to de court fuh stop de recount. And when de recount
did start, de same people wah say dem statements of polls gan show dem win de elections fair and square suddenly start claim dat dead people and migrated people vote. And to think dat dem had polling agents at every polling station who nah see when these dead and migrated people vote. When de international observers seh dem satisfy with de recount and how it show how de PPP/C win de election, de tune change pun de other side. Dem seh how is only Caricom could pronounce on de recount. Well Caricom did
pronounce. Dem seh how de Coalition party went pun a fishing expedition. But yuh think da mek de Coalition concede. Nah too much was at stake fuh some ah dem. Dem nah complain again when court action file. And is a whole set ah results declare. If de elections was a comedy movie, Guyana would ah win de Oscar. But guess wat de same people who claim dem get cheat, tek up dem seats in de National Assembly. Dat too deserves an Oscar! Talk half and wait fuh de award ceremony.
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Monday August 02, 2021
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Dr. Irfaan Ali: The acquisition and maintenance of power It was the leading light of the 1918 Russian revolution, Vladimir Lenin, who observed that power is more easily acquired than maintained. This saying does not apply to Dr. Irfaan Ali, the UWI graduate who b e c a m e G u y a n a ’s 9 t h executive president. Today is one year since he secured the presidency. What type of pathways has he walked since then and how has power been maintained for the 365 days? To understand the survival of the Ali presidency, it is best to do the analysis within the comparative context. Space constraint will not allow for a detailed assessment. Be that as it may, three presidents had a rough landing in the early stages in their presidency. When one makes the comparison, Ali’s acquisition of power was far more difficult than the other
two and his survival within the first year was far more onerous and exhaustive than his two predecessors. With Desmond Hoyte, he faced two daunting tasks. One was how to revive an economy that was not static but literally moribund. The other was how to bypass those in the party and state who were conditioned to accept the ideology and methodology of Forbes Burnham that they lived with for over 15 years. In the first situation, there were inviting circumstances. The western world, the opposition parties, the business class and other sectors of the Guyanese society supported Hoyte’s de-Burnhamisation. It was the second road dissolving the Burnhamite ramparts in the ruling party that was frightening. Hoyte succeeded because those
ramparts did not have any constituency in the entire country to strengthen their conspiratorial manoeuvres. With Bharrat Jagdeo, the environment was pregnant with threats and instabilities. The PNC had decided that elections would perennially favour the PPP and had definitively concluded that the methodology of “mo fyaah/slo fyaah” would be used to topple Jagdeo. It didn’t because mo fyaah/slo fyaah was not energised by the holistic passions of African Guyanese, but by PNC leaders manipulating the lumpen proletariat of south Georgetown. The failure of mo fyaah/slo fyaah led to the Buxton operation. Convinced that street protest would not result in Jagdeo’s overthrow or shared government, anti-PPP forces resorted to the Buxton
operation. That too failed because it only devastated parts of Region Four while Regions One, Two, Three, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10 were not affected. In those Regions the people and the economy carried on as normal. Ali’s rise to power was far more troubling than years gone by. His initiation into office must be seen against the backdrop of the near collapse of Guyana’s society and economy, a process that lasted 17 months beginning with the December 2018 noconfidence vote (NCV) and five months of frenetic, cruel, crude, sickening and debased expressions of election rigging. As the months dragged on from December 2018 with a ruling party not prepared to recognise the NCV, the society was literally in limbo. But it was the five months of moral collapse of Guyana that made the possibility of an Ali presidency remote. Here now is the crucial distinction between the seminal problem Ali faced as
compared to Hoyte and Jagdeo. The totality of Guyana was r not undermined b y t h e maneuverability of the detractors Frederick Kissoon of Hoyte and Jagdeo. The attempts to deny Ali the emove the Ali presidency. presidency almost brought His one year has to be seen about the collapse of the within the context of these society. Guyana was not only nightmares unleashed by the split along racial and party opposition and certain civil lines but the spirit of the society actors. His survival was made society, the collective soul of possible by his lack of the society was lacerated. A l o n g w i t h l o c a l arrogance, his people’s stakeholders who out rightly approach to politics and his rejected efforts at election penchant of trying to put out r i g g i n g , t h e c r u c i a l bush fires by his direct intervention of CARICOM presence. His first year has and the ABC/EU countries seen a little bit of the Cheddi made an Ali presidency a Jagan touch where the ordinary Guyanese feel that reality. Opposition forces and they do not have a big anti-PPP sections of Guyana business government that joined forces to destabilise neglects them. Ali’s presidency, the turning (The views expressed in point of which was the mayhem created by PNC this article are those of the leaders in Region Five last a u t h o r a n d d o n o t September. I would say that necessarily reflect the was the first attempt to opinions of this newspaper.)
Monday August 02, 2021
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Monday August 02, 2021
Robb Street becoming a “war zone” between foreigners and bandits
Cummings and Robb Streets where the foreign nationals said the attacks would usually happen.
R
obb Street, Georgetown is on the verge of becoming a “war zone” between the foreigners and locals, since there are increasing incidents of the former being repeatedly targeted for acts of robbery. Yesterday, when this publication visited the area, some Venezuelans who took up residency there, highlighted some of the attacks that they see taking
place and what they too are enduring. Robb Street over the years has been an area that is highly populated by foreigners, mainly Brazilians, Cubans and more recently Venezuelans. The Venezuelans told reporters that it was only last Friday night that two women who live in an apartment building on Cummings Street, heading home were attacked and robbed by
bandits. One of the women during the ordeal was stabbed, while the other escaped unharmed. It is alleged that the men took away the injured woman’s belongings which included her cellphone. In a similar incident, a n o t h e r Ve n e z u e l a n national, a male in this instance, recounted that he too was robbed. The man said sometime last month he was sitting at a corner on
Robb Street when two knife wielding bandits approached him and relieved him of his money and cellphone. The man said he tried to fight back, but one of the perpetrators picked up a rock and threw it at his head which left him injured. While recalling that terrifying experience, the young man showed reporters his scars, and indeed, a mark was seen on the right side of his head.
The foreigners are claiming, that after 19:00hrs it is unsafe or dangerous to go outside, as bandits it appears, would usually patrol the streets. And because of that, along with the lack of police intervention, they said it has prompted some of them to fight back with these individuals who they say are local persons. While reporters were taking their report, just a stone’s throw away, media operatives witnessed one such attack where two youths were assaulting a foreign national as he was walking on Robb Street. The duo was armed with a piece of wood in their hands as they attacked the young man. He was punched to the face and shoved to the ground, and as they were about to beat him, the Venezuelans who were speaking with reporters rushed to save him. They began cursing in Spanish and some of the men threw beer bottles at the youths as they made good their escape. One of the Venezuelans told Kaieteur News that they were attempting to rob the foreigner. Moments after the commotion, two police
officers on patrol motorcycles were stopped by Kaieteur News reporters who related what happened and told the police that it was more than likely an attempted robbery. While doing so, local food vendors across the street who witnessed the ordeal shouted at the officers telling them to pay no mind to the reporters. “Aye yall don’t listen to them leave them bais alone, is not no robbery,” they said. They then continued (probably unaware that reporters were present) “We ain’t know what them come here for, them is trouble makers, they like pick trouble. Them is thieves.” Nonetheless, the officers went to the direction where they were seen talking to the same youths, but no arrest was made. While this media house was at Alberttown Police Station, enquiring about another matter, one of the foreigners called and claimed that the youths came back and were armed with cutlasses. The woman added that they had to escape in a taxi just to protect themselves from the youths.
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Monday August 02, 2021
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Int’l Treaty allows Oil Company to sue Italy for banning oil exploration – GUYANA COULD FACE SIMILAR FATE By Carlos Gonsalves
A
ccording to international media house, The Guardian, Italy could be forced to pay millions of pounds in damages to a UK oil company after banning new drilling near its coast. This perplexing occurrence was made possible by an obscure legal mechanism which allows fossil fuel companies to sue governments. The suit against the Italian government follows the passage of laws to protect the environment and has sparked outrage amid fears that such cases are slowing down action on the climate crisis. According to the Guardian, oil company Rockhopper Exploration, b a s e d i n S a l i s b u r y, Wiltshire, bought a licence to drill for oil off Italy’s Adriatic coast in 2014. The media house notes that there had already been a wave of opposition to the project, with protests that drew tens of thousands of people. Within two years, the campaign won over the Italian parliament, which imposed a ban on oil and gas projects within 12 nautical miles of the Italian coast. Following this decision, Rockhopper fought back using a obscure legal mechanism known as i n v e s t o r- s t a t e d i s p u t e settlement (ISDS), which allows companies to sue governments for introducing policies that could affect
their future earnings. Local reports on the matter had suggested that Rockhopper had spent US$29m (£21m) on the offshore project to date. The oil company lawsuit sought damages of US$275m based on expected future profits from the oilfield, with the company saying that it has “strong prospects of recovering very significant monetary damages” as a result of Italy’s actions. A LOOK AT THE INVESTOR STATE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT MECHANISM As aforementioned, the ISDS allows for an investor to sue a State on the ground that a particular policy decision could significantly affect their future earnings. The mechanism was originally devised in the 1950s by a banker and the chief counsel for oil company Royal Dutch Shell, with its original purpose being to protect companies’ investments in newly independent countries, where it was feared that governments might try to wrest back control of their natural resources. The concept gradually took hold and it is now written into thousands of investment treaties worldwide. Decades later, fossil fuel companies are using it to protect their assets, this time in the face of an oncoming wave of climate legislation that seeks to enact more stringent control and mitigation mechanisms for
Members of the European Parliament express their disapproval of the ISDS mechanism. (Italy) the impacts of oil and gas exploration. The Guardian highlights that this is achieved by virtue of the fact that ISDS forms part of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), meaning energy companies can sue any of the 53 signatory countries – including the UK – if they take action that could dent those companies’ future earnings, such as banning the exploitation of coal, oil and gas reserves. The German energy company RWE, for instance, is suing the Netherlands for €1.4bn (£1.2bn) over its plans to phase out coal. Many stakeholders have since contended that cases like these could slow down action on the climate crisis, as governments await the
outcome of legal battles that could take years to resolve. Ruth Bergan, senior adviser at the campaign group Trade Justice Movement, says: “People are watching these cases and there is evidence that they look at what is happening elsewhere and it puts the brakes on their own policies. It also just adds a huge price tag to climate action and we can’t afford it.” Lawyers have also
confirmed that governments are acutely aware of the threat of litigation when developing policy. This has been noted by Toby Landau, a top lawyer in ISDS cases who recently said in an interview with the London School of Economics: “As a practitioner, I can tell you that there are States who are now seeking advice from counsel in advance of promulgating particular policies in order to know
whether or not there is a risk of an investor-state claim.” The Guardian highlights that many signatories have recognized the potential threat the treaty poses to climate action, and points out that France and Spain both want to withdraw from the treaty, but that would not protect them from claims related to past investments. Additionally it notes that Italy left the ECT in 2016 but Continued on page 16
Kaieteur News
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Monday August 02, 2021
Handyman’s body found floating in Mocha trench
T
he remains of a handyman were yesterday discovered floating in a canal along the Mocha Access Road, on the East Bank Demerara (EBD). The dead handyman has been identified as Joseph Curt, 63, of the lot 122, Prospect, Mocha. According to police, his corpse was spotted in a trench in the vicinity of Fourth Bridge by a passerby. The police were alerted of the discovery around 10:30 hrs. and investigators were sent to the scene immediately after. They reported that Curt’s remains were found clad in a red jersey and multi-coloured pants while adding, that marks of swelling were seen around his left eye. The investigators learnt too that Curt is known in the community as an alcoholic who did handyman services for residents living in the area. After wrapping up preliminary investigations, his body was fished out of the trench and taken to the Memorial Gardens where it is awaiting an autopsy to determine the cause of his death.
The scene after Joseph Curt’s body was found. (photo credits Big Smith News Watch)
COVID-19 takes lives Man found dead in alleyway after fight at nightclub of five more Guyanese Yesterday, the Ministry of Health (MoH) reported that five more persons who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID19) disease have died. As a result of this, Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll has moved to 546. According to the Ministry, the latest fatalities are that of three women – a 65-yearold, a 77-year-old and a 59-year-old all from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and two men – an 82-year-old from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and a 64-year-old from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
All five persons died over a five-day period (July 27 to July 31) while receiving treatment at a medical facility. Furthermore, the MoH via its daily COVID-19 dashboard recorded 74 new infections bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 22,597. The dashboard also shows that 12 patients are presently in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 87 persons in institutional isolation, 759 in home isolation and four in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 21,193 persons have recovered from the disease.
A Venezuelan national with Guyanese roots, was yesterday found dead in an alleyway, located close to Sleepin, Hotel mere hours after he had reportedly gotten into an altercation with a group of men at the Rio Night Club located in Queenstown. The dead man has been identified as Ian Singh, 32, better known as Caracas of Lot 5, North Road, Bourda. Georgetown. His remains were found just around 06:00Hrs, shirtless and lying in a pool of blood with multiple injuries to the head a n d a b o u t t h e b o d y. According to police it was a maintenance worker of Sleepin, who had stumbled on Singh’s body in the alleyway. It is believed that Singh might have died from multiple stab wounds he possibly received from his killers. So far, police are still to arrest a suspect or suspects in the case. Nevertheless, based o n p r e l i m i n a r y investigations conducted, it is believed by detectives that his killing might have stemmed from an altercation he had at the night club. Based on information received from Singh’s friends, the altercation between him and the men took place around 04:00Hrs this morning. According to their account of events, prior to that hour, Singh had a minor argument with an exgirlfriend which was resolved. Moments later, a fight broke out between a group of Guyanese men and one of his friends. They claimed that Singh had rushed to defend his friend in an attempt to resolve the issue but he was
Dead: Ian Singh
attacked as well. The friends said that it was a chaotic scene and the individual he had rushed to assist managed to escape but unfortunately, led to the men taking advantage of him. As the men pounded away at him, an eyewitness related that bottles could be heard breaking. One individual said it appeared as if they were “lashing” him to the head with the bottles. Singh had managed to free himself and reportedly ran away. But investigators
believe that he might have collapsed in the alley and died. There are other theories which suggest, that his attackers might have followed him there and “murdered him.” Some eyewitnesses related that shortly after the altercation, men were spotted leaving the same alleyway where Singh’s body was found. Singh was described as an easy going person who often kept his friends entertained with funny jokes.
Kaieteur News
Monday August 02, 2021
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Palms accepts pensioner who was abandoned by children at GPHC The Palms Geriatric Home recently accepted as a resident, Mr. Ovid called ‘Joku’ of Enterprise, East Coast Demerara. The pensioner was reportedly abandoned by relatives at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) last month. Following this, Kaieteur News had reported that the hospital had reached out to the Palms to accommodate him, but the staff
there had refused to accept him, due to the lack of space, in addition, to his inability to walk and do other things for himself. This state of affairs has since changed with the pensioner now being housed at the Palms. Mr. Ovid was admitted to GPHC on July 12, 2021, for an abscess. That was the last day he saw or heard from any of his relatives. He was later discharged
from the hospital but was without any change of clothes and personal care items. Kaieteur News learned of Mr. Ovid’s ordeal after a woman reported to this publication that while visiting her father in the hospital. she noticed Mr. Ovid was always alone. During an interview with this publication, Mr. Ovid, with tears in his eyes, related his fear that his
children had abandoned him. “If they don’t come back for me, the hospital might put me on the street,” the tearful man had lamented. Following Kaieteur News’ article on Mr. Ovid, Good Samaritan, Sheik Yassin decided to provide some support. Yassin first visited the hospital on July 28, 2021, where he met with Mr. Ovid Continued on page 16
Mr. Ovid
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Monday August 02, 2021
Kaieteur News
Trump raises big money in early 2021, but doesn’t spend much
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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A fundraising group run by former President Donald Trump raised $62 million in the first half of the year but only spent $3 million, with the biggest chunk of money going to a pro-Trump research center and more than $65,000 to Trump’s own hotels, according to federal records published on Saturday. Trump, a Republican, established the Save America committee in November shortly after losing the presidential
election to Democrat Joe Biden. Under Federal Election Commission (FEC) rules, the committee has broad leeway in how it can use its money. A filing with the FEC showed Save America made a $1 million contribution in June to the America First Policy Institute, a nonprofit run by veterans of his administration. The group’s leadership includes Brooke Rollins, who led the White House’s Domestic Policy Council under Trump, and Larry Kudlow, who led Trump’s National Economic Council.
The money spent at Trump hotels was described as covering lodging or meals, according to Save America’s filing. Another Trumpcontrolled committee, a former campaign account now known as the Make America Great Again PAC, spent an additional $13 million in the first half of the year, mostly to cover legal fees and Trump’s efforts to reverse his November election loss, according to a separate FEC filing. Together, the two committees brought in the bulk of the nearly $82 million that Trump’s office said he
helped raise between January and June. Republicans will face a well-funded slate of Democrats in next year’s elections. Democrats raised over $373 million in online donations in the first six months of the year through ActBlue, the party’s dominant payment processor, according to a disclosure filed on Saturday. That outpaced the $258 million that Republicans raised during the same period through their online payment processor WinRed.
U.S., Britain believe Iran attacked Israeli-managed tanker off Oman L O N D O N / WASHINGTON - (Reuters) The United States and Britain said yesterday they believed Iran carried out an attack on an Israeli-managed petroleum product tanker off the coast of Oman on Thursday that killed a Briton and a Romanian, both pledging to work with partners to respond. Iran early yesterday denied it was involved in the incident, after it was blamed by Israel.
“Upon review of the available information, we are confident that Iran conducted this attack, which killed two innocent people, using one-way explosive UAVs,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement, adding there was “no justification” for the attack. “We are working with our partners to consider our next steps and consulting with governments inside the region and beyond on an
appropriate response, which will be forthcoming,” Blinken said. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said early in the day that UK assessments had concluded that it was highly likely that Iran had used one or more drones to carry out the “unlawful and callous” attack. “We believe this attack was deliberate, targeted, and a clear violation of international law by Iran,” he said. The UK was working
with international partners on a “concerted response,” he added. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett had accused Tehran of “trying to shirk responsibility” for the attack, and called its denial “cowardly”. Speaking during a weekly meeting of his cabinet yesterday, Bennett said: “I declare unequivocally: Iran is the one that carried out the attack on the ship,” adding that intelligence supported his claim.
...Int’l Treaty allows Oil Company to sue From page 13 is being sued under a “sunset clause” that means former members are subject to the treaty for 20 years after they have left. Several London-listed companies have recently launched lawsuits under ISDS, including mining companies Anglo American and Glencore, which are suing the Colombian government after they were banned in 2017 from exploiting part of a huge VACANCY ExperiencedSales Clerks,must be computer literate.Apply at Alabama Trading at 65 Robb Street,Bourda. Female cleaner office.Call:642-9823.
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opencast coalmine because of its impact on the environment. Aim-listed Ascent Resources is suing Slovenia after the country’s environment agency asked it to carry out an environmental assessment (EIA) before embarking on a fracking project, which activists say could pollute critical water sources nearby. The company said six of Slovenia’s government ministries and conservation organizations concluded that an EIA was not required, so the request was “manifestly arbitrary and unreasonable”. ISDS is considered particularly powerful because a state’s assets abroad can be seized in order to pay any damages. Scottish oil and gas company Cairn Energy, for example, is attempting to seize the planes of state-owned Air India after India was ordered to pay the company US$1.2bn
in damages under ISDS. Proponents say that by protecting companies from unfair treatment by governments, ISDS encourages foreign investment. The main criticism of ISDS is that the justice it provides is imbalanced because governments cannot sue companies, and it is only open to foreign investors. In the past, the cost of legal fees – which average US$8m a case–, has also made it the preserve of multinational corporations. A number of specialist funders have, however, emerged offering a “no win no fee” service for international arbitrations. Rockhopper, which used one of these services to bring its ISDS case, has a stock market value of just £42m, so an ISDS award potentially worth hundreds of millions of pounds would be significant
for its finances. When asked how the project fits with the International Energy Agency’s warning against investing in new fossil fuel projects, Rockhopper declined to comment. Some regional stakeholders believe the aforementioned developments spell worrying news for Guyana. Despite the country not being a signatory to the energy charter treaty, it is still liable to be sued under the ISDS legal mechanism, and in fact has already been named as a respondent State under the ISDS, according to the United Nations International Investments Agreement report 2020. The 2001 matter saw UK Company Booker Plc. Suing, and eventually settling with the Guyana Government for over US$ 9,000,000 for a compensation dispute relating to sugar industry.
...Palms accepts pensioner who From page 15 and took clothes and food. Yassin had posted on his Facebook page, “I found uncle Ovid, took some clothes and foodstuff for him, he requires pampers and food. Please help him. The good Lord will reward you.” Despite being moved from the City hospital to the Palms, Yassin and persons overseas
continue to donate to support his well-being. Yassin occasionally updates his social media page on Mr. Ovid’s welfare. In his recent post, he stated, “Today I paid a visit to Uncle Ovid at the Palms. Not allowed to take pictures inside. But want to say thanks to sister, Safrana Safdar of New York, and an-
other sister who asked not to mention her name, for the donations that were made today. May the good Lord reward them.” Before that, another Facebook user, Herlall Kissuer, posted this publication’s initial story on Mr. Ovid and stated, “I know this man, his name is Joku from Park Street, Enterprise.”
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Monday August 02, 2021
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Guyana will push for Govt. working to secure more Sputnik V second doses - Dr. Anthony reassures compensation for enslaved Africans - Pres. Ali
President Irfaan Ali To mark the August 1, Emancipation celebration yesterday, President Irfaan Ali announced that under his leadership Guyana has recommitted to working with the rest of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to continue efforts for compensation and other forms of justice for the enslavement of Africans The President noted that: “Guyana will continue to support the efforts being made within the Caribbean Community to press for the convening of an international summit to demand reparative justice for the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, African enslavement, and its enduring effects.” The President also called for “a full and unconditional apology” from those responsible and/or who benefitted from the transatlantic trade in captive Africans and their consequent enslavement, but he said that would not be sufficient. “Reparative justice, however, cannot be confined to such an apology. It must go further,” he said. Ali also paid tribute to the indomitable will of those who rebelled against the indignities of slavery. The President noted, that G u y a n a ’s h i s t o r y i s punctuated by uprisings – courageous acts by enslaved Africans, including the decisive blows for freedom that took place in 1763 Berbice slave rebellion and 1823 Demerara rebellion. “As we look to the future on this anniversary of Emancipation, I assure you, our African-Guyanese brothers and sisters, that you will not be excluded from or left behind in Guyana’s national development. Every citizen will benefit from the opportunities which are being unlocked. We want every Guyanese to be part of this development, sharing in
its transformation and in its resultant benefits.” “As I said during my inaugural address to the 12th Parliament earlier this year, and as I have repeated on many occasions after, an essential part of my Government is inclusion. As Guyanese, we should be defined by our nationality and by our common love for our country. The establishment of the One Guyana Commission will give life to our vision of oneness,” Ali said, reiterating his call for togetherness and brotherhood. As he sought to assure African Guyanese that that they would not be excluded or left behind in Guyana’s national development, credited African Guyanese for historically laying the groundwork for Guyana’s economy and their contributions today in a vast array of sectors and national life. “You, our AfricanGuyanese brothers and sisters, remain integral to national development and continue to excel and contribute to our nation’s progress. African-Guyanese doctors, nurses and other medical personnel are among those on the frontlines providing life-saving care and treatment to our sick and infirmed,” Ali said adding, that African Guyanese have distinguished themselves in all spheres of human endeavour. The President also noted that achievements include laying of the foundation of G u y a n a ’s e c o n o m i c infrastructure, establishing the village movement, pioneering undertakings of the peasantry, developing Local Government systems, promoting co-operative institutions and other social organisations, and being in the forefront of the emergence of local trade unionism.
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony is appealing to persons awaiting their second dose of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine to be patient, as the Government is working to acquire the vaccines. The Minister made this appeal during an update on Guyana’s COVID-19 immunisation efforts. “As you know, we have been getting second dose in increments and this week, we received 10,000 second dose. We have allocated the second dose to the people who got their first dose in April and in May. “Right now, I think we have been able to distribute it in all the regions so that people can get their second dose, and we are right now at the tail end of that shipment
that we received. So, I’m asking people for their patience as we work to make sure that we get more doses in. There is going to be a second dose for everyone who took their first dose. I don’t want people to be worried about that.” Further to this, Dr. Anthony was keen to note that the first doses of the Sputnik V vaccines are still available and urged the public to get inoculated. The other vaccines available in Guyana at the moment are the Oxford-AstraZeneca and Sinopharm. Guyana is also awaiting a donation of 84,800 AstraZeneca doses from the United Kingdom. This was made possible through a bilateral agreement between
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony the UK and Guyana. Of this consignment, Minister Anthony said many of the outlying regions will benefit because of the easy storage standard. “ T h i s w o u l d
complement the vaccines that we have in Guyana. And, as you know, we’ve had good experience using AstraZeneca vaccines here. It was the first vaccine that we received, and we have good experience working with it. “What it also would help us to do, is to get a lot of this vaccine out to communities that have challenges with cold storage, because these vaccines can be stored between two to eight degrees Celsius. So, it would work well, especially in the interior communities.” To date, 249,908 adults in Guyana have taken their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 136,919 adults have been fully immunized.
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Monday August 02, 2021
Monday August 02, 2021
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Kaieteur News
Bahamas Gardiner leads throng of Caribbean athletes through to 400m semi-finals SportsMax - The British Virgin Islands Chantel Malone and Trinidad and Tobago’s Tyra Gittens will represent the Caribbean in the women’s long jump final after finishing 5th and 9th in qualifying on Saturday. The other regional athletes in competition, Jamaicans Chanice Porter and Tissanna Hickling finished 24th and 25th respectively in qualifying with distances of 6.22 and 6.19. Elsewhere, Trinidad & Tobago’s Portious Warren could not manage to get among the medals after finishing 10th in the final of the women’s shot put.
Men’s 400m Nine Caribbean men advanced to the next round of the men’s 400 metres. Heat 1 of the event saw Grenada’s 2012 Olympic Champion, Kirani James, finish second in 45.09 to advance. Demish Gaye of Jamaica and Alonzo Russell of the Bahamas also advanced to the semi-finals from heat 1 as two of the six fastest losers, after finishing 4th and 5th in 45.49 and 45.51 respectively. The third heat also saw three Caribbean men advance to the semi-finals as Jonathan Jones of Barbados, Christopher Taylor of Jamaica and Dwight St. Hillaire of
Trinidad & Tobago all made it through. Jones and Taylor finished second and third with times of 45.04 and 45.20 to advance automatically and St. Hillaire finished fourth in 45.41 to advance as a fastest loser. Steven Gardiner, the reigning world champion, easily won heat 5 in 45.05 to advance to the semi-finals. Trinidadian Deon Lendore also advanced from heat 5 after finishing second behind Gardiner in 45.14. Jamaica’s Nathon Allen was also in heat 5 but failed to advance after finishing fourth in 46.12. Machel Cedenio, the Trinidadian who narrowly missed out on a medal five years ago in Rio, also
Monday August 02, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Sticks and stones may break your bones, but names will never hurt you, Aries. The problem with today's energy is that there just may be some sticks and stones tossed in your direction. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Emotionally speaking, things might get tense for you today as others demonstrate a rather selfish attitude. Remember that selfishness isn't always considered negative. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You might be quite stirred by the general energy today, Gemini. "Stirred" may be too light a word. Put on your armor and get ready to do battle. CANCER(June21–July22) Move in for the kill today, Cancer. Don't stop until you succeed. Don't let other people's insecurities become yours. Have confidence in yourself and the way you act around others. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Now is the perfect time to say something you've been meaning to say for quite a while, Leo. Get it out in the open. Keeping it inside is only eating away at your internal mechanisms. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your opinions might be the focus of conversation all day, Virgo. You have a very strong will that you aren't afraid to express. You will get that chance. Enlighten others with your wealth of knowledge.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your sensitive heart may be touched by anger today, Libra. Don't be afraid of hurting other people's feelings as you express this emotion. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You might feel a great deal of physical power today, Scorpio. If someone asks you to help move a couch, you're likely to be able to pick the whole thing up by yourself. Don't sell yourself short. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) The train is headed out, so you'd better hop on, Sagittarius. People won't be too sympathetic to your emotional sob story today, so keep it quiet. Whining will most certainly get you kicked off the train altogether. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Jump into action with energy today, Capricorn. Order others around and delegate tasks for a change. An aggressive approach is what's needed, and you have the ability to deliver the goods. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Guard your heart well today. It's a prime target for the abrasive words being tossed around. Your sensitivity leaves you feeling alone and naked in the harsh atmosphere. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A position involving power and authority is opening up, and you're the perfect one for the job. Today's astrological aspect is helping you find the necessary confidence and physical strength.
Nine Caribbean men advanced to the next round of the men’s 400 metres. advanced to the semi-finals after finishing third in the 6th and final heat in 45.56. Men’s Lomg Jump Earlier, Tajay Gayle qualified for the final of the men’s long jump, despite picking up an apparent left knee injury. The Jamaican fouled his first attempt and picked up the injury while jumping 6.72 in his second attempt. He jumped out to 8.14 in his third, with heavy strapping around his left knee. Juan Miguel Echevarria of Cuba had the longest jump in
qualifying after leaping out to 8.50 in his first attempt. The men’s long jump final will get underway at 8:20pm today. Natoya Goule won her semi-final to advance to the final of the women’s 800 metres. Goule took the lead early and never looked back, running 1:59.57 to get to her first Olympic final. Jamaica’s Chad Wright, in the meantime, finished ninth
in the men’s discus final with a throw of 62.56. Elsewhere, the Dominican Republic mixed 4x400m team of Andres Feliz, Marileidy Paulino, Anabel Medina, and Alexander Ogando ran 3:10.21 to finish second in the final and secure the silver medal. Sean Bailey, Stacy AnnWilliams, Tovea Jenkins, and Karayme Bartley ran for Jamaica and finished 7th in 3:14.95.
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Monday August 02, 2021
Italy hails new sprint king, as drama unfolds at airport
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OKYO, (Reuters) Lamont Marcell Jacobs won the most coveted crown in athletics yesterday, giving Italy its first 100 metres gold on a night of high drama in Tokyo. As Jacobs stormed to the first Olympic title of the post-Usain Bolt era, the fate of a Belarusian sprinter’s Tokyo Games was playing out at a nearby airport. Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, who had been due to compete in the women’s 200 metres today, told Reuters she had sought the protection of Japanese police at Tokyo’s Haneda airport after being taken to the airport against her wishes. She said the Belarusian coaching staff had taken her to the airport to board a flight back home after she had complained about national coaches at the Tokyo Olympics. “I will not return to Belarus,” she told Reuters in a message over Telegram. The Belarusian Olympic Committee said in a statement that coaches had decided to withdraw Tsimanouskaya from the Games on doctors’ advice about her “emotional, psychological state”. In a video published on
Telegram by the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation, Ts i m a n o u s k a y a a s k e d t h e International Olympic Committee to get involved in her case. An IOC spokesperson said the governing body had seen media reports and was looking into it. The spokesperson said it had asked Belarus’s Olympic committee for clarification. A Reuters photographer witnessed the athlete standing next to Japanese police. “I think I am safe,” Tsimanouskaya said. “I am with the police.” FORZA ITALIA! Jacobs’ European record 9.80 second run ended Fred Kerley’s bid to become the first American winner since Justin Gatlin in 2004. Kerley took silver in a personal best 9.84, while Canada’s Andre de Grasse 9.89 earned him a bronze. “I’ve won an Olympic gold after Bolt, it’s unbelievable,” said the sprinter, who was born in the United States but moved to Europe with his Italian mother when he was a month old. Gianmarco Tamberi made it double gold for Italy with an emotional, and unusual, high jump victory in a night to remember. The 29-year-old shared the gold
Caeleb Dressel of the United States reacts during the race. (REUTERS/ Carl Recine TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
with Qatar’s world champion Mutaz Essa Barshim. Tamberi, who broke his ankle days before the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016, hugged everyone he could find on the track. Draped in an Italian flag, he was also the first to embrace Jacobs after his 100m win. “This is a bit of history that will stay with me forever. I will tell my kids, if I have them. I will never sleep again,” he said. Italy ended the day in the top 10 of the Olympics medal tally with four golds. China was on top with 24 golds, the United States second with 20. Japan were third with 17 and Australia fourth with 14. DAY OF FIRSTS It was a day of firsts across
Tokyo’s sporting arenas. In gymnastics, Artem Dolgopyat won the men’s floor, delivering Israel’s first Olympic title since 2004, and only second ever. Rebeca Andrade, a surprise silver medallist in the all-around, went one better in the vault to give Brazil its first ever women’s title in gymnastics. American Simone Biles was not competing, having earlier announced her decision to also pull out of Monday’s floor exercise final as she continued to deal with the mental health issues that have limited her to a single vault in Tokyo. Emma McKeon continued Australia’s success on the final day of competition in the pool to
become the first female swimmer to win seven medals at a single Olympic Games when she won golds in the 50m freestyle and 4x100 medley relay. Ghana celebrated its first individual medal in almost half a century when featherweight boxer Samuel Takyi overpowered his Colombian opponent Ceiber Avila to guarantee himself at least a bronze. Caeleb Dressel helped Team USA to rise up the medal rankings and confirmed his dominance in men’s sprint swimming when he won his fifth medal at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre. As the swimming ended, the celebrations promised to be more muted at the Tokyo Game than in previous years after organisers said they were investigating a report of athletes breaching COVID-19 health protocols by drinking in a park in the village. “We’re all fine with putting off any celebrating,” said U.S swimmer Ryan Murphy. “We love this team. We love to celebrate with this team. We’re not going to be in a gathering where other people are there. We’re going to continue to be safe and make sure the Japanese public feels safe with us being here until we’re gone.”
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Monday August 02, 2021
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Guyanese Concacaf Elite Referee Assessor Dianne Ferreira-James creates history Becomes first female to officiate in Gold Cup Final on debut S h e w a s a n outstanding FIFA Referee who served with distinction during her tenure internationally, regionally a n d l o c a l l y. T h a t professionalism has now been transferred to her duties as a Concacaf Elite Referee Assessor. Last evening, Dianne Ferreira-James created history by becoming the first female Elite Referee Assessor to be in charge of a Concacaf Gold Cup Final (USA vs Mexico-2021) played at the Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas, Nevada. What’s makes Dianne’s achievement more memorable is the fact that this is her first time officiating at the Concacaf Gold Cup. And it does not end there, during this year’s Gold Cup, Ferreira-James would have officiated in seven (7) matches leading up the final including the semifinal between the USA and Qatar. In the Preliminary Round she was in charge of the following matches: Haiti vs Bermuda (6th July DRVPink Stadium, Florida), Canada vs Martinique (11th July Children Mercy Stadium, Kansas City),
\
Diane at the Gold Cup Guadeloupe vs Jamaica (16th July Exploria Stadium, Orlando), Honduras vs Qatar 20th July BBVA Stadium, Houston). She took charge of the quarter final match between Mexico and Honduras on 24th July at the State Farm Stadium, Arizona before performing duties in the semifinal clash between Qatar and the USA on 29th
July at the Q2 Stadium. Prior to adding this achievement to her still bulging collection, FerreiraJames would have officiated at every FIFA and Concacaf tournament as a Referee, standing in the middle for almost 100 international matches. She would have been in charge of a staggering 500 matches at every level.
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Kaieteur News
Monday August 02, 2021
Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim, Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi decide to share gold in men’s high jump
Gold medallists Mutaz Essa Barshim (left) of Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy celebrate on the track following the men’s high jump final at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. (PHOTO: Christian Petersen/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Y
ahoo Sports Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi shared the gold medal in the men’s high jump at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics yesterday. All three medalists cleared the 2.37 meter mark in the final. Maksim Nedasekau of Belarus had more failed attempts and therefore won bronze. He set a national record at that height. Neither Barshim nor Tamberi had a failed attempt until 2.39 meters, which is the Olympic record. When they couldn’t clear the mark, an official came over to talk about going forward with a jump-off to determine gold. One asked if they had to go to a jump-off and the broadcast showed the celebration with later clarification they would tie.
Tamberi leaped into the arms of a beaming Barshim, who seemed to make the call first to share the medal. Barshim, 30, adds gold to his 2012 bronze, which was won behind gold medalist Russian Ivan Ukhov, who was later banned for doping. He earned silver in 2016 and won world titles in 2017 and ’19. Tamberi was a favorite alongside Barshim heading into the 2016 Rio Games. He set the Italian record at 2.39 meters and trailed only Barshim (2.40m) for the best mark for the year. But he was unable to compete after suffering a serious left ankle injury that required surgery at the 2016 Diamond League in Monaco. When the two decided to share the gold medal in Tokyo, the 29-year-old Tamberi grabbed the plastic cast from his ankle injury
and ran around the stadium in celebration. It said “Road to Tokyo” with 2020 crossed out in place of “2021.” Italian teammate Marcell Jacobs won gold in the 100meter sprint about 10 minutes after Tamberi celebrated in earnest around the track. Ties are uncommon given the number of events contested at each Olympics, but happen about every summer cycle on at least one medal stand — yet only rarely in track and field. It’s the first co-champions in an athletics competition since American Jim Thorpe and Norway’s Ferdinand Bie won in men’s pentathlon in 1912. Thorpe won the competition, but was later stripped of it for having played minor league baseball. The IOC later declared him a co-champion in 1982.
Monday August 02, 2021
Kaieteur News
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Third T201 ends in No-Result
Back to back titles for Jordan, Sharma WI can no longer win series captures first GBTI Boys Title
The Providence Stadium wears a flooded look. Jul 31, 2021 © AFP/Getty Images
On Emancipation Day in Guyana, West Indies were looking to break the shackles Pakistan had them by beating the visitors for the first time in a T20I game since 2017 to level the fourmatch series 1-1. This would have meant that the deciding game would have been from 11:00hrs at Providence tomorrow. However, the rain God had different plans and the match ended in the second no-result of the series following a similar result in the first game in Barbados. Pakistan have won all four series against West Indies in this format since they first clashed in 2011 and with the victors winning its 12th game against the Caribbean side on Saturday, West Indies knew that they had to beat Pakistan for only
the fourth time to keep the series alive. But now, the best West Indies can do is win tomorrow, which will draw the series and will mean that the Regional unit will not have defeated Pakistan in this format in five consecutive series. The start of the third T2OI at Providence was delayed by 15 minutes because of mid-morning showers in what was a mustwin match for the West Indies. After electing to bat in overcast conditions on a track which looked good for batting than the one used on Saturday, West Indies made the forced change of replacing injured Evin Lewis with Andre Russell. The hosts immediately demonstrated ‘positive intent’ as Andre Fletcher,
Andre Fletcher goes big down the ground. Jul 31, 2021 © AFP/Getty Images
who was bowled second ball by Mohammad Hafeez on Saturday, hit him for six off the second ball of the contest yesterday. The Grenadian then eased Mohammad Wasim back over his head in the second over for another six before torrential rain, six minutes into the contest, sent the players scurrying off the field after 1.2 overs with the score on 15 without loss. Fletcher was on 14 and Chris Gayle, back his customary position as opener, on one. There was no return to field and game was officially called at 14:15hrs, the latest time the game could have restarted as a five-over contest. Scores: No result West Indies 15 for 0 (Fletcher 14*, Gayle 1*) vs Pakistan (Sean Devers)
Renola Jordan became GBTI’s Girls champion following a 6-2 - 6-4 victory over her sister, Norella Jordan in the final stage of the GBTI U-18 round robin competition. Representing the Rebel Tennis Club, Renola didn’t drop a set en route to her maiden GBTI Title. Jordan was the player to beat, after winning the Rebel Tennis Tournament three weeks ago. Norella Jordan finished runner up in the Girls 18s, with a hard fought win over Devanie Arjune. The final score was 6-2 / 7-5. Meanwhile, in the Boys under-18 division, #1 seed Viraj Sharma won his first GBTI Boys’ Title with a comprehensive 6-0 / 6-4 win over tournament debutant, Gerald Scotland. Sharma, after losing in the final of the Rebel Junior
Renola Jordan Tennis Tournament, used his experience to craft wellconstructed points to force errors from first-time finalist Scotland, and took the first 60. In the second set, Scotland found some rhythm and upped his game, but the experienced Sharma did not
Viraj Sharma show any signs of nerves, and wrapped up the match with a 6-4 score in the second set. With his first GBTI Boys under-18 title and second title of the year, Sharma has extended his stay at the top of the game in the Juniors Division.
Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela celebrates after breaking the world record. (REUTERS/ Athit Perawongmetha)
Venezuela’s Rojas smashes women’s triple jump world record to take gold TOKYO, (Reuters) - Venezuelan triple jumper Yulimar Rojas soared out to 15.67 metres yesterday to smash the world record with her final attempt, as she became the first woman Olympic champion in her country’s history. A charismatic presence throughout, Rojas began with a brilliant jump of 15.41m that took her 2cm beyond the Olympic record set by Cameroon’s Francoise Mbango in 2008 in Beijing. But the world best mark of 15.50m, set by Ukraine’s Inessa Kravets in 1995, was the main target in her sights. “I was looking for it, I knew we had that distance in my legs to get it today. I was failing a bit in the technical aspect but the last jump was one to give everything, and it was like that,” she said. Rojas, who won silver five years ago in Rio, held the smattering of people in the stands, part of Olympic delegations who likely came to see the 100m final later in the evening, enthralled. The 25-year old raised her hands and clapped, inspiring a call-and-response with the audience, and roared and muttered to herself before her jumps. “I focused on giving my best... It makes me happy. I have to enjoy it now, and live the experience,” she said. Rojas has been the dominant force in the sport since the last Olympics, winning the
world title a year later and repeating the feat in Doha in 2019. Now she has added an Olympic title. “I can’t describe this feeling and this moment...Wow. It is a fantastic night,” she said. Patricia Mamona of Portugal won silver with 15.01m, a national record. The bronze went to Spain’s Ana Peleteiro with 14.87, also a national record. Mamona, who caught COVID-19 in January and had to take a few weeks out from training, said winning an Olympic medal had made 20 years of hard training all worth it. “I’m in the clouds right now. ...I dreamed about it,” she said. “I knew that I had to work incredibly hard to achieve something like this.” Of Rojas’ record, she said it spurred her on. “I took some of her energy myself,” Mamona said. Peleteiro said her medal had given her peace of mind. “I worked hard to achieve this, because no matter how blessed you are, you aren’t getting anything if you do not work,” the 25year old said. There was no repeat for defending champion, Colombia’s Caterine Ibarguen. She finished in 10th, but said was special being part of Tokyo 2020. “I am blessed to have another opportunity to represent my country. I leave with the biggest pride,” the 37-year old said.