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August 07, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 29

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Effective oversight of oil companies is where Guyana- Int’l focus needs to beExpert Two more Lindeners Caribbean countries will - Health charged separately for recognise travellers Minister rape, exposing genitals vaccinated with Sputnik V

Man previously jailed for stabbing, assaulting daughters remanded for shooting their friend Elderly woman Proof of Vaccination, ID succumbs to COVID-19, required for taxpayers 14 patients in ICU visiting GRA offices

ExxonMobil suspended from Int’l Climate Council it helped form @11:00hrs on By 2024, Guyana and oil companies to get US$2.8B each as Kaieteur Radio profits, but Exxon walks away with US$36.2B in expenses 99.1/99.5FM

Kaieteur News

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Saturday August 07, 2021

ExxonMobil suspended from Int'l Climate Council it helped form

ExxonMobil Corp. has been suspended from the Climate Leadership Council

following a secretly recorded video that showed one of the company's lobbyists

detailing its strategies to delay climate action.Exxon was among the first corporate

backers of the centrist group, known for its advocacy on a carbon fee and dividend proposal, but the sting tape released in June cast significant doubt on the company's support for carbon pricing.

“After careful consideration, we have decided to suspend ExxonMobil's membership in both the Council and Americans for Carbon Dividends, our advocacy arm,” CLC and Americans for Carbon Dividends CEO, Greg Bertelsen, said in a statement.“We continue to believe that we will establish lasting climate solutions by bringing together a broad and diverse group of stakeholders who can work together to address this enormous challenge.”

The suspension, first reported by Bloomberg, and then by E&E News, stems directly from the secret recording of Keith McCoy, a senior director for federal relations at Exxon. McCoy told a group of Greenpeace activists posing as

headhunters that the company only supports carbon pricing because Congress lacks the “political will” to pass it.

The tape raised suspicions that Exxon had been supporting groups like the Climate Leadership Council to green wash its public image while it continues to produce more fossil fuels.

It has become part of a wider congressional investigation into the fossil fuel industry, with House lawmakers looking to bring McCoy in for testimony.

Exxon, for its part, disavowed McCoy's comment and says it will continue to advocate for the policy. “CLC's decision is disappointing and counterproductive,” Exxon spokesperson, Casey Norton, said in an email. “It will in no way deter our efforts to advance carbon pricing that we believe is a critical policy requirement to tackle climate change.”Exxon had given $1 million to the group in 2018.

While that's a fraction of the company's total lobbying budget, it did mean the company was offering direct financial support for a specific plan to address climate change.

The CLC and its sister organisation advocate for the so-called Baker-Shultz proposal, which would slap a fee on carbon emissions starting at $40 a ton, with revenues returned to the public via a dividend check.

Exxon's membership has ended, but the CLC plans to allow the company to reapply later.

CLC had initially defended Exxon after the

ExxonMobil CEO, Darren Woods. sting tape dropped in June, noting that the company had “helped bring other organisations on board in support of carbon pricing.”

But a CLC official said the incident initiated an internal review that resulted in the suspension today.

The company's name and logo has been removed from the group's website, which still features tags for its other corporate members, including BP, Shell and Total.

The Alliance for Market Solutions, another carbon tax group that gets financial support from Exxon, defended the company today.

Executive Director, Alex Flint, said Exxon has “always characterised a carbon tax as an essential part of a longterm climate policy.”

“When ExxonMobil is involved, the discussions about energy and climate policy are serious, and serious climate conversations frequently conclude that a climate policy based on a carbon price is preferable to one dependent on regulations and subsidies,” Flint said in an email.(https://www.eenews. net/articles/exxonsuspended-from-climategroup-after-sting-tape/)

Saturday August 07, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Effective oversight of oil companies is where Guyana needs to be - Int'l Expert A

s Guyana continues its preparations for the oil sector, Chatham House Associate Fellow, Dr. Valerie Marcel, is of the firm view that focus should be on the oversight of oil companies. Dr. Marcel made these and other remarks during her first appearance last year on Kaieteur Radio's programme called Guyana's Oil and You. There, Dr. Marcel said that Guyana needs to outline the rules by which the operators are to work. She said these have to be laid out along with having pellucid policies to guide the sector's d e v e l o p m e n t .

The Chatham House Associate Fellow said, “So for example, what is Guyana going to do about flaring and what are the rules for it? In

some stances, there are rules, but the rules have to be better developed I think and then also, I would say building the institutions.”

Dr. Marcel said that in light of the size of the discoveries, there is certainly a justification for establishing a regulatory agency for the petroleum sector.

This was supposed to be in the form of a Petroleum Commission but the legislation to bring it into being remains stuck in a Parliamentary Select Committee.

Dr. Marcel said it is important that Guyana begins to build the regulatory capacity needed for the oversight of costs as well as capacity within the Environmental Protection A g e n c y ( E PA ) .

Chatham House Associate Fellow, Dr. Valerie Marcel “But it all takes time.

It has only been five years and it is a lot to develop in such a short time, so kudos to Guyana for doing as much as it has.

It is a big challenge, because Exxon is on a quick

pace of development by industry standards and it is difficult for government to keep up and get all the agencies and policies up to date,” the Chatham House Associate Fellow stated.

While there is still much for

Guyana to get done, Dr. Marcel was keen to note that the nation has done some things right. In this regard, she said that it has demonstrated that there is a vision for the use of the oil resources.

Dr. Marcel commented that a vision is an important component in managing the sector, since the purpose for the resource is not in question.

“So that is very good,” the Petroleum Governance Expert added.

In terms of revenue management, the official said that the Ministry of Finance has done good work, as it has laid out the rules for spending versus saving. She also lauded the creation of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), which she deemed to be an important aspect of

preparedness for the oil sector.

Moreover, Dr. Marcel was keen to point out that the authorities need to be mindful of the challenges that could come with spending the oil money.

She alluded to the fact that Guyana has to ensure the right programmes for the effective spending of the money would need to be in place.

She noted that there are several examples around the world, Timor-Leste being one of them, where the respective agencies were unable to spend the full budget they received.

That only led to more issues. Dr. Marcel said that Guyana may very well face this challenge; and therefore, preparations to guard against this would be prudent.

Requirement to re-inject, utilise Natural Gas, makes gas-to-shore pipeline not economically viable

U

niversity of B r i t i s h Colombia (UBC) Professor and noted Guyanese Environmentalist, Dr. Janette Bulkan, has recently raised the concern that the proposed Natural Gas pipeline might not be viable as it may lack the required volume for operation.

Dr. Bulkan notes that Section 12 (1) (a) of the ExxonMobil production sharing agreement signed on 27 June 2016 provides that 'the Associated Gas produced from any Oil Field within the Contract Area shall be with priority used for the purposes related to the operations of production and production enhancement of Oil Fields, such as Gas Injection, Gas Lifting and power generation.' Section 12.3 (c) provides that 'The Contractor shall have the right to use Natural Gas, both Associated Gas and NonAssociated Gas, as may be required for Oil Field and

Gas Field operations, including the right to reinject for pressure maintenance and enhanced recovery without charge, fee or royalty.' Furthermore, she posits that such a requirement has persisted, as the modified environmental management issued to Exxon/EEPGL by the Environmental Protection Agency on 12 May 2021 confirms in Section 3.12 that 'Gas is to be re-injected into the reservoir or utilised as fuel gas on the FPSO during normal operations.'

Dr. Bulkan goes on to cite ExxonMobil, quoting from a post on the oil giant's Facebook page 'We are currently re-injecting and consuming more than 96 percent of the gas produced.'

In light of the aforementioned, she posits that the 16 million scfd (standard cubic feet per day) of Associated Gas that has been routinely flared since production started in December 2019 was an

- Dr. Janette Bulkan aberration from what was intended by the petroleum major and Guyana as reinjection of the gas to maintain reservoir pressure is the norm.

She notes that the process of re-injection is a vital component of petroleum exploration as reinjection of gas maintains reservoir pressure and that in turn allows the operator to extract more petroleum from a specific wellhead. If the operator chooses instead to flare that gas into the atmosphere or to transport it via a pipeline to a processing plant, then it becomes uneconomic sooner to extract the remaining oil which may later leak out of the capped well and pollute the ocean and living organisms in the marine ecosystem.

She goes on to state that “If only 4 percent of the Associated Gas is now

surplus from the FPSO Liza Destiny with a nameplate production of 120,000 bopd (barrels of oil per day), and if FPSO Liza Unity will be onstation this year and producing at the nameplate 220,000 bopd and with the same proportion of Associated Gas, and if the FPSO now under construction for the Payara field is rated also at 220,000 bopd, the proposed gas-toshore pipeline planned for 50 million standard cubic feet per day (mscfd) appears to be not viable.”

Her reasoning is that “FPSO Liza Destiny would have 4 percent of 16 mscfd = 0.64 mscfd, Liza Unity and

Dr. Janette Bulkan

the FPSO Liza Prosperity for the Payara field would have 1.17 mscfd each. This means that there will be a total of less than 3 mscfd available from the first three FPSOs for a pipeline intended for 50

mscfd.” This leads her to conclude that the pipeline would simply uneconomic to operate and that it may not be technically possible to operate at all with such a low volume.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 07, 2021

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

Manganese mining risks By its own hand, through disclosures contained in its 734-page report, Guyana Manganese Incorporated (GMI) presented the risks surrounding manganese mining. What is operable throughout the globe, wherever manganese is mined, also stays the same in terms of the potential dangers to Guyanese workers. This is what BMI was honest enough to reveal and as presented by us in the article titled, “Manganese workers will be in danger of serious neurological illnesses - company’s EIA report” (KN July 18).

We don’t think that the company had any choice, but to make such a disclosure, and now there are other choices which BMI must make, if only to offer Guyanese workers the best shot at the safest, healthiest working conditions. Given what has been happening to Guyanese workers at the hands of foreign companies and their managers, any hope is best guarded, with the best proof being delivery.

Manganese toxicity from continuing exposures is not a new discovery, but one almost as old as the history of the mining and use of this valuable commodity itself. Therefore, BMI must now proceed to do the right thing to the fullest, if it hasn’t started doing so already. Then, it must maintain whatever standards Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and this country’s occupational health and safety mandates of this country say they must be. A number of stakeholders must be vigilant, and they range from BMI management to Guyanese workers, at the pinnacle of the pyramid, to the workers representatives to officials of Guyana’s watchdog state agencies. All have their part to play, and must do so, without fear or favour, sloppiness or foolishness.

The risks are too severe, with neurological illnesses not something to take lightly. As is well known, we are now beginning to build some local “know-how” and skills in this vital area. We have one neurological medical professional, and some supporting staff, but that is about it. In fact, things are so rough that many of our seriously mentally sick do not have necessary health options available, which is one reason why more than a few roam our streets in varying states of self-endangerment and behaviours imperiling to others. To go a little further, the costs to treat neurological illnesses in this country (anywhere for that matter) are extremely prohibitive to the ordinary citizen. So, if risks are known beforehand, and they are with manganese mining, then let all that can be brought to bear to protect Guyanese workers be done, and at the earliest.

We are worried that foreign companies have, and may continue to, cut corners with expenses, especially as those relate to safety equipment, proper training, and robust procedures. We have had the situations where Guyanese workers are shortchanged for pay and benefits and, believe it or not, for food, too. If foreign companies harbour the thinking that they can get by with skimping on proper food for Guyanese, then it does not take a big leap to appreciate how far they may be prepared to go with safety equipment and much more.

These things and practices are expensive, whether respirators (personal protective equipment) or monitoring tools (sensors and reports), or periodic medical checks of all workers to determine the levels of exposures that they may have lying unknown in their body and blood. The owners of BMI were proud to announce to Guyanese citizens that they plan to spend US$75M on their manganese business in this country.

For sure, that is a sizable sum investment, which must make provision not just for excavating and producing as much of the precious manganese commodity as possible, but also to encircle strong and comforting health and safety provisions for Guyanese workers. The related standards are known, and what has to be done to make them come alive in Guyana is also familiar to BMI. It must deliver and on a continuing basis, for the safety and confidence of all concerned.

Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency and Labour Ministry must demonstrate that they are both on the job and fully awake to the perils. Officials from both agencies must hold the feet of companies like BMI, and others to the heat, so that the best is delivered for the benefit of Guyanese workers.

Steve Coll’s ExxonMobil book on the origin of the stability clause. How had it ended up in Guyana’s oil contract?

Dear Editor, I have long considered Steve Coll’s book, “Private Empire: ExxonMobil and American Power”, as the bible on ExxonMobil (EM). All government officials and Ministers with responsibilities for the Oil portfolio should take the time to do a serious study of this book whose publication in 2012 predated Minister Trotman’s signing Guyana’s Oil Contract.

Minister Trotman had renegotiated the Oil Contract in 2016 in secret, signed it in secret – and kept it secret for over a year. Minister Trotman should have known about the habit of EM to insert the Stability Clause that literally takes away the ability of the leaders of host countries from performing normal management of their countries. If he hadn’t read the book prior to 2016, it is likely he would have been briefed on it by his advisors at the Ministry or by the foreign consultants he had hired. (Read more on this from the Global Witness Report).

Here is a brief extract taken from page 159, describing the rationale for the Stability Clause – and how it came to be inserted in the 1988 Chad’s, and later in Guyana’s 2016 Oil Contract.

“The generous terms were required, the oil companies insisted, to compensate for the exceptional risks, which they would endure in Chad.

No political order in the country was likely to last for thirty-five years. Exxon’s negotiators addressed this conundrum not just by negotiating for favourable royalties; they also inserted into the 1988 contract what was known in the oil industry as a stability clause. Article 34, entitled “Applicable Law and Stability of Conditions”, placed the terms of the convention beyond the reach of any Chadian law that might be enacted by any government of the future. The clause protected Exxon against political risk. That Exxon had the power to carve out rights trumping any future law passed by any future Chadian regime was perhaps not surprising in this instance; Exxon’s 1988 net profits of $5.3 billion exceeded by several times the size of Chad’s entire economy.

Article 34.3 declared: During the term of this Convention, the State guarantees that no governmental act will be taken in the future, without prior agreement between the Parties, against the Consortium which has the effect either directly or indirectly of increasing the obligations or amounts payable by the Consortium or which adversely affects the rights and economic benefits of the Consortium provided by this Convention.

“The contract was unambiguous about the

parties’ relative sovereignty: “In case of contradiction or inconsistency between the Convention and the laws and regulations of the Republic of Chad, the provisions of the Convention shall prevail, unless the Parties decide otherwise”. When Deby [president of Chad] presented the Contract to his Cabinet for approval, recalled Salibou Garba, then the country’s Minister for Telecommunications, the president declared, “You don’t have time to read this – and they need it in Houston.

“Even Deby “did not take time to go through it,” Garba said.

“Only later did he realise that the terms were not as favourable as he wanted”.

The foregoing passage is as shocking as it is revealing.

Leaders are sworn to uphold their nation’s laws (never to compromise on sovereignty) and at the minimum, to read properly and conduct due diligence in all contracts dealing with your nation’s natural resources.

For the Guyanese people, all the evidence on the public record, tells us that what happened in Chad was replicated in Guyana. The Stability Clause is a clear violation of Guyana’s sovereignty. Attorney Chris Ram has tirelessly argued for litigation or renegotiation to remove this clause from the contract. Just as Chad’s Deby did not read the Contract, Minister Trotman also did not

read the Contract. No trained lawyer, as Minister Trotman is, could possibly have read it – and still sign away Guyana’s sovereign rights.

Except for the fact that Mr. Trotman himself said he had been instructed to sign. He never revealed who instructed him to sign.

In Guyana’s case, the Contract fiasco is much worse than Chad’s. The Contract was not even presented to Cabinet for approval. One Minister’s signature (signed in Houston) was good enough – and the Contract became legal and binding for the next 35-years.

Every Friday afternoon I am out on Little Guyana Square here in Queens, New York, holding up Banners and Poster Boards pointing out how lopsided the Guyana Contract is – and calling for renegotiation. Last Friday, a Guyanese-born attorney walked up to me and said, “If Burnham were alive today, he would have ordered these SOBs back to the negotiation table a long time ago”. Later a Guyanese woman walked up and said, “Cheddi always told us how the Colonial Rulers took our bauxite and paid us pennies on the ton. It is a shame this sort of thing is still happening today in an Independent Guyana”.

What else can I say?

Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham must be turning (Continued on page 6)

Steps to follow if you suspect a child has been abused sexually Dear Editor, Despite the prevalence of sexual abuse within our society, it is still a topic that many continue to shy away from. This reluctance to discuss sexual abuse is incredibly harmful, as it helps to maintain a lot of misinformation, stereotypes and victim blaming towards survivors. As a result, many persons who suspect or become aware of those who are being abused sexually do not know how to adequately address it. Often, this leads to them saying or doing the wrong thing. Talking openly about abuse will not only make the topic less taboo, but will also equip more persons with accurate ways in which to respond to cases of violence, particularly if it is a child who is being sexually abused.

While girls are more likely than boys to disclose

instances of sexual abuse, the reality is that many children will not come forward with their abuse, if they are not asked. This partly has to do with the fact that many do not recognise what is happening to them as abuse, and it is only as they grow older and become more knowledgeable do they come to terms with what has happened to them.

So, parents, caretakers, service providers should all aim to become familiar with the signs of abuse. These signs are not always obvious, so paying attention to children and their physical or behavioural changes can make all the difference. Watch out for children, who might suddenly become withdrawn or less talkative, engage in conversations or behaviours that are “too adult” for their age, become more aggressive, or who begin exhibiting regressive

behaviours such as thumb sucking, bed wetting, etc.

If you notice signs that make you concerned that a child is being abused sexually, try to talk to them in an environment that is nonthreatening and comfortable.

Children often pick up verbal and non-verbal cues to assess whether they are in trouble or not and this can impact if and when they open up to you. So, ensuring that you use a casual tone and calm body language when beginning a discussion with them can go a long way with a child who is feeling fearful or anxious. One needs to be very mindful of the way they respond to the child’s experience of abuse. Avoid using any statements that might indicate that you are judging or blaming them for what happened. Reassure them that they are not in trouble and thank them for confiding in you.

Maintaining the child’s

safety is paramount, so ensure that they are in a safe and secured place. Let the child know that you will be talking to someone who can offer them more help and support and report the case to the relevant authorities such as the Child Protection Agency or the nearest police station. If a parent is not abusing the child, then consulting with the parents before making the report is recommended. Reporting any crime, particularly child sexual violence, can be a very emotionally taxing experience. So even as you go through the necessity of reporting, remember to care for yourself throughout the process. Children are unable to protect themselves when being abused, so aiding in their protection through reporting can be a lifesaving act.

Akola Thompson, Blue Umbrella Consultant

Saturday August 07, 2021

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Kaieteur News

The PPP Govt. must stop resorting to brute The pandemic, vaccines and the future force to get its way Dear Editor, With the alarming spread of the Delta Variant worldwide now estimated to be in over 100 countries, the question in mind is how well the three vaccines used in Guyana are holding up i.e. preventing infection, reducing transmission, and prevent hospitalisations and deaths.

There are recorded deaths and cases of hospitalisation in Guyana daily. The Ministry of Health needs to publish weekly figures indicating where the deaths or cases of severe diseases are happening?

In the vaccinated or unvaccinated?

If it’s happening in the unvaccinated, I am sure this will help to encourage vaccination in Guyana since many despite compelling evidence overseas that vaccines work well don’t want to take the vaccine.

The media in the United States of America is now dubbing the pandemic ‘the Pandemic of the Unvaccinated ‘, of course this could only be a result of how the disease is affecting people who for whatever silly reasons don’t want the vaccine. Guyana is very fortunate to have so many doses of vaccine available and the PPP Government and the Minister of Health must be commended for their hard work in getting life saving vaccines.

Many countries are not fortunate as ours. I am sure that booster doses may be needed to combat the newer strains of the virus. The government must start early negotiations with companies for adequate booster doses for current and future variants.

B. John

Female cleaner took on a foreign company Dear Editor, The scant regard and treatment meted out to a female utilities cleaner with a foreign company operating locally, has to be wondered the company did not think or believe the female worker had the gall to file a lawsuit against them. They did not think a cleaner would take

them on. Well she did and won. Good for her.

This is another example of the treatment meted out to locals by foreign companies, an all too familiar experience in the local employee/foreign company landscape.

Over to Labour Ministry/ OS&H Department.

Shamshun Mohamed

Dear Editor, The COVID-19 vaccination process should be done by way of informed consent not by way of the rabid anti-working-class tactic of criminalising model working-class Guyanese citizens by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP Government).

Dismissing workers, sending home workers without pay. It is only the GTU General Secretary Coretta Mc. Donald who has stood up against these tyrannical impositions that take the food off of the tables of many families while it restricts and contains our freedom of movement. Next, it will be mandatory for pensioners to produce vaccination passbooks to get their pension. On the other hand, the maximum leaders of the PPP continue to shield themselves behind Article 80 of the Guyana Constitution, immune from prosecution stemming from charges brought against them before and while in office. Simply put, most people do not trust the PPP. Long before the party “set

foot” in office on August 2 2020, they had known: 1) That the party had not the expertise nor the administrative ability to govern Guyana singlehandedly; 2) that it had not the political will to stand up in defense of Guyana’s Sovereignty and had given away our Kaieteur and Canje Blocks in the past and now once again in office, they are paying ExxonMobil and the other oil consortiums to exploit our oil resources; 3) that they had not the capacity to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic singlehandedly, and if they had any interest in the welfare of Guyana, they would have created a broadbased Task Force made up of a wide cross-section of trustworthy Guyanese out of Civil Society, Churches, Trade Unions, NGOs, communities and opposition parties, etc. If they had done so, there would not have been the willful loss of hundreds of lives; and transparency and accountability in procurement of Covid-19 vaccines.

But the PPP took advantage of the situation

and sought to delude Guyanese, skillfully manipulated its support base, divided the population, and with the private sector politicised, in the oil/gas era, it showed its true colours.

They used COVID-19 as a smokescreen to cover-up their crooked deals with ExxonMobil wi t h t h e intention of creating the gas-to-shore project and many others to ensure that Guyanese don’t benefit in any possible way that would bring this povertys t r i c k e n n a t i o n out of poverty. They are faced with increasing pressure from a wide cross-section of Guyanese at home and abroad to renegotiate the oil contract with the oil companies so that Guyanese can benefit.

The daily reports in the two major newspapers, the Kaieteur News (KN), and the Stabroek News (SN) of the secrecy, confidentiality and skullduggery between the Guyana Government, ExxonMobil and its partners; the inevitable oil spills and environmental impact and Guyana having no insurance coverage has caused the PPP to crack up and to return to

its old destructive dictatorial ways.

It is now left to be seen whether the ABC+E countries that vigilantly stood by Guyana’s side to ensure the preservation of our electoral democracy, are now going to move to enforce sanctions on the delinquent PPP Government now that it is derailing our fragile democracy.

After one year, the PPP has refused and continue to deny Guyanese of Civil Society our Constitutional Right to inclusive governance and to be part of the Covid-19 Task Force, to interface with Guyanese communities and address people’s concerns, who are eligible to be vaccinated.

Vaccination should be based on informed consensus, rather than have the PPP resort to brute force and ignorance, draconian legislations and the use of the repressive state apparatus to consolidate its dictatorship under the smokescreen of the COVID-19 regulations and measures.

Yours faithfully Desmond Alli (General Secretary Guyana United Artists GUA)

PAGE 6

Peru’s presidential development should inspire all rural Guyanese, especially Indigenous ones Dear Editor, On July 28 2021, Pedro Castillo was sworn in to lead his country, Peru, after a tightly contested election.

Reading the edifying news, I would like to highlight the elevation of this rural man to power and congratulate him as the new President of Peru.

Mr. Castillo is of Indigenous heritage and a peasant man as he refers to himself; from the interior of his country.

When I visited that country in 2017, I spent time in Tarapoto, an interior location, and interacted with the people there. They told me that he was a promising leader for them, which became a reality; even though he now faces a strong opposition in the senate to work with.

However, with transparency and healthy dialogue between the two sides, it is hoped that both can work things out to execute projects that best benefit the people of that country.

The newly elected President Castillo is a teacher and Indigenous man, an inspiration for Guyana’s Indigenous or other rural people to initiate a political party in the future, with innovative approaches and bottom upwards plans for unifying the country and promoting a holistic development for all

Guyanese.

President Castillo’s political party evolved from the bottom wards (coming from a mud house in the interior to eventually winning) and now living in the presidential palace, leading his country as an Indigenous and rural man.

I wish him all the best in his leadership endeavours!

As a primary school teacher in rural Peru, President Castillo over the years, used his teaching skills to not only teach academics and cognitive learning, but to educate and empower his fellow grassroots people with the necessary knowledge: to think critically, and be conscious to deal with skullduggery, political rhetoric and to accept and bless handouts from the governments while maintain their empowerment to develop themselves holistically and to speak and act united to achieve their goal that resulted in putting a fellow grassroots man to lead their country.

Editor, I think Guyana needs this approach in its politics even, though afterwards, sometimes power will eventually corrupt the grassroots man. However, for too long this country has been ruled by a bourgeois group of politicians from the coast who have a myopic

vision in politics. Most of whom think that Guyana is Georgetown and most display arrogance and are vindictive towards one another.

Additionally, they make their ‘intelligence and brilliance’ stifle commonsense and wisdom that result in a myopic vision of leadership for the country, compounded by a quagmire of soup drinkers and yes-men politicians who suck up to imperial powers.

Against this backdrop, Pedro Castillo’s victory serves as a good example for us rural or grassroots population in Guyana, be they from the Indo, Afro or Indigenous and others; to mobilise and empower ourselves while accepting government’s services and investment from the oil money and simultaneously forming innovative and open-minded persons with trust (for example in the future to go ‘beyond frontiers’ of ethnocentrism, etc. where we can have an Afro Guyanese leading the PPP and an Indoor Indigenous Guyanese to heading the PNC/APNU) to govern the country and eventually shatter the rival Afro-Indo coastal dominant political hegemony that obstructs the country from developing united.

Yours faithfully, Medino Abraham

Poll: Strong Support for Local Content in Oil & Gas and Agriculture Dear Editor, There is strong support for flood relief and greater investment in agriculture and infrastructure, and assistance to farmers and enforcement of local content laws in oil industry, according to the findings of an opinion poll conducted in the latter half of July by this writer. The poll also finds complaints about rising cost of living, soaring crime (particularly boldly committed ‘choke and rob’), and stagnant wages that are not keeping up with rising prices. Concerns are also expressed about joblessness, race relations, the recalcitrant behaviour of the opposition, and political instability, among other perceived problems.

However, government is praised for handling of COVID, flooding,

public works and infrastructure, local development, housing, education, social security, oil and gas, public information, among other departments. In general, a majority of the public praise the government for “trying” to address the challenges it faces, noting it has performed better than the preceding Granger administration.

The poll interviewed 750 respondents (41% Indians, 30% Africans, 18% Mixed, 10% Amerindians, and 1% other ethnic categories) reflecting the demographics of the population.

Asked if government should roll out another round of economic stimulus or pandemic assistance for lowincome families, 82% said yes with only 8% opposing and

...Steve Coll’s ExxonMobil From page 4 over in their graves to know how today’s crop of leaders have compromised our nation’s sovereignty and sold

Saturday August 07, 2021

Kaieteur News

out the nation’s patrimony for crumbs. Why did they do it?

I will take up this question in my next letter.

Mike Persaud

10% not offering an opinion.

Many respondents caution that government should not create a dependency syndrome in over reaches to help the poor. Many respondents feel government should focus on raising salaries and creating jobs, saying workers need livable wages rather than handouts.

They note that salary is not keeping pace with inflation, complaining that cost is going up almost every week for basic goods.

Respondents also call on government to help create jobs to address the swell of unemployed from COVID and work termination during the coalition period of governance. On this note, they express support for the re-opening of sugar estates of GuySuCo. However, they caution that only a small fraction of former terminated workers has been re-hired.

Former GuySuCo’s workers say they are still waiting to be hired. The poll finds that those (Continued on page 16)

The diaspora in New York Dear Editor, In a 2019 letter, a suggestion was made to implement a diaspora strategy. This letter was supported by Dr. Vishnu Bisram, who described lived experiences and perceptions on the topic. Today, very few of the emerging ideas have been realised. There are priority objectives that have not yet been defined so Guyana can move on to benefit from its diaspora beyond remittances. Again, as we pursue a diaspora strategy, there must be the restoration of trust in diaspora communities in New York. Government must understand that there exist political differences in Brooklyn and Queens. The fact is that both boroughs are required to implement a holistic national diaspora strategy. There are disparate lived experiences among these communities. The business, family, and individual intentions vary based on those influences.

Demographic variables are essential to understand the issue. The specific problem is that there are varying intentions for the Guyanese diaspora in New York. This lack of

cohesiveness does not augur well for us. The over-served behaviour of those elected and self-proclaimed leaders are very different in influence, performance, and community service. The question is, how does the Guyana diaspora in New York help to improve the lives of all Guyanese?

There are many diaspora communities in the US. Exemplar communities include Haitians, Italians, Polish/Slavic, Jamaicans, and Jewish. These communities have mature structures to support diaspora community service, economic, and social development. It must be acknowledged that the diaspora supports national safety, security, and surety.

Jamaica has a robust strategy that focuses on 10 thematic areas.

Based on correlated observations, those most vital to Guyana are “Economic Inflows, Investments and Trade,” “Legislative and Policy Review,” and “Socioeconomic Engagement and Involvement.”

A Guyanese Diaspora Strategy is not difficult to prepare. One challenge is how diverse the inputs are and closely aligned to the specific needs of all Guyanese, wherever they are.

Another is who will be

responsible, accountable, consulted, and informed. Guyana must pursue robust research into diaspora engagement and remove the commonplace activities that have no merit.

Jamaica’s strategy provides a lighthouse to begin our path to successful diaspora work. The measures of effectiveness and performance of their strategy are evident in their global success.

Guyana can equally benefit in priority areas such as business, culture, economic development, tourism, and youth activities.

The different voices in the diaspora are essential, but they are not all equal. The events and narratives about Guyana’s diaspora must be considered before implementing policy. These events and narratives must foster positive influences and not the projection of selfish or rhinoceros’ motivations.

The Guyanese diaspora in New York needs to take advantage of every opportunity, including unity.

Once we create a conducive environment to begin dialogue and sharing, we can benefit from an ecosystem of successes. Are we willing?

Thank you, Dustin Fraser

Force is not necessary Dear Editor, This letter is intended to be an inquiry into the application of Section 145 of Guyana’s Constitution in the issue of those of our people resisting the vaccine being intended to “protect us” from Covid-19.

Section 145 begins with the subsection, “Except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of conscience, and for the purposes of this article. The said freedom includes freedom of thought and of religion, freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others, and both in public and in private, to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance “ followed by six other sub-sections.

With all the knowledge and information, both good and bad, being afforded to the people, through various means, on the vaccines, doesn’t the sovereignty of the people allow them to choose whatever they

think is best? Force should not be necessary.

Our Head of State stated on the 4th day of August, 2021 that “unvaccinated persons are as deadly as the virus itself” and against the backdrop of the universal concept of belief being a cure or a killer with due respect to the discretion of the beholder/what the scientific world has accepted to be the placebo effect, that statement concerns me as a son of the soil. Reference to Section 145 must again be made. The late Emperor of Ethiopia, Tafari Makonnen, spoke of persuasion over force and factually, numerous citizens have been persuaded on their own time that the vaccine is safe. There should be no need to force anybody to take it nor should there be any stigma or discrimination against those who are only doing as they are entitled. May those entrusted to serve and protect us, humbly do so without fear or favour. God protects Guyana.

Concerned Guyanese

The restoration of Democracy in Guyana Dear Editor, After the attempted rigging of Guyana’s 2020 elections, democracy was restored by decent minded citizens and the international observers especially CARICOM. Yet, the APNU +AFC are peddling a false narrative that democracy was stolen from them and the democratically elected PPP/C Government of Guyana was installed by foreign powers.

If the APNU+AFC feels so strongly about that, why did they not continue in Government?

Is it because their American Visas were more important?

The failure of the APNU+AFC experiment in Government was that they really did not have a clue on how to take the country forward.

Who can forget the pre-2015 election promise that sugar was too big to fail yet they turned around and sacked thousands of poor

Guyanese people or the rice farmers are private business so they are on their own or telling people to become entrepreneurs when people lacked skills and financial resources to do so.

So the story goes: the APNU+AFC told Guyanese that the PPP/C was corrupt pre-2015 then when they got into power, they did audits only to find out there was no widespread corruption.

Oh yeah, the APNU+AFC reduced VAT from 16% to 14% only to increase taxes in other areas and taxed previously exempted goods and services. How much of that VAT reduction was actually passed onto Guyanese?

Then PNC led APNU+AFC operated more on sound bites rather than sound policies.

Much like they are doing today with their false claims of “The Theft of Democracy”.

Yours faithfully, Sean Ori

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Saturday August 07, 2021

Kaieteur News

Despite advice to the contrary, the government continues to engage in a fool's mission with the US$900M gas-to-energy project.

The world is moving to renewables which is cleaner and cheaper.

Yet, we continue to be stuck on fossil fuels. Why are we being forced into a direction that is opposite to the advice of international experts and agencies?

Why are these environmentally and financially costly and burdensome projects being forced down our throats?

Who really stands to benefit by placing these fiscal shackles on the ankles of current and future generations?

Guyanese, it is time to wake up and demand that your tax dollars be used for the betterment of your future!

PAGE 07

Proof of Vaccination, ID now required for taxpayers visiting GRA offices In keeping with the COVID-19 Emergency Measures published in the Official Gazette on July 29, 2021, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has advised that all taxpayers desirous of entering its offices must show proof of vaccination (hardcopy vaccination card) and a valid form of identification (ID Card/Passport/Driver's Licence) with effect from Monday August 9, 2021. No electronic or photocopies will be accepted.

The Revenue Authority said it will only facilitate entry to unvaccinated taxpayers on prior

Saturday August 07, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

appointment made via the switchboard operator on telephone numbers 227 6060 or 227-8222 extension 1502, 1506/7, or through its online m a i l b o x e s : appointments@gra.gov.gy – for GRA's Headquarters; branches@gra.gov.gy – for all Integrated Regional Tax O ff i c e s ( I RTO s ) ; a n d wharves@gra.gov.gy – for all GRA's operations at the Wharves/Transit Sheds.

Paragraph 17 of the Emergency Measures states: A member of the public who wishes to enter a Ministry or Government Agency to access a service shall be vaccinated.

Where a member of the public is unvaccinated, that person may only access the service in person by appointment.

The mandate will be in effect at all of GRA's offices and wharves countrywide.

These are, Mabaruma, Anna Regina, Parika, New Amsterdam, Corriverton, Bartica, Lethem and Linden and GRA's operations at the respective wharves.

In addition, all taxpayers whether vaccinated or unvaccinated must comply with the existing COVID-19 protocol– wearing of masks, sanitising of hands and social distancing.

Ex-con back in jail on armed robbery charges E

x-con, Orin Favourite also known as “Solo,” of Rosemary Lane, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, w a s o n We d n e s d a y remanded to prison for two armed robbery charges.

Favourite was previously sentenced to five years behind bars for stealing a gold chain. But despite his previous conviction, the man once again found himself back in prison for a similar offence.

The first charge alleges that on July 30, 2021, at Hadfield Street, Georgetown, while being armed with a gun, he robbed Mishal Juman of his iPhone 11 valued at $200,000. The latter charge states that on the same day and at the same location, while being armed with a gun, he robbed Chandroutie Juman of her phone valued at $98,000, one handbag valued at $25,000, and $405,250 in cash.

Thirty-five-year-old Favourite appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Chief

Remanded, ex-con Orin Favourite.

Magistrate, Ann McLennan, who read the charges to him and he denied same.

He was remanded to prison and is expected to make his next court appearance on August 18, 2021.

According to the police prosecutor, on the day in question, the Jumans were making their way to motor car PZZ 3450 which was

parked on the southern side of Hadfield Street, when Favourite and another man approached them.

The men were armed with guns and after relieving the Jumans of the articles mentioned in the charge, Favourite allegedly fired a shot at them – but no one was injured.

The matter was reported to the police and an investigation was launched.

This led to Favourite being apprehended and charged for the offence.

While in custody, the defendant reportedly said, “I want to see the people saying I rob them. I was present in the area when I saw some Police officers come and pick up a bag from a garbage bin not too far from where I was standing.” However, the Jumans positively identified Favourite as one of the men who robbed them.

In May 2017, Magistrate, Dylon Bess, had sentenced Favourite to five years' imprisonment after he was found guilty of stealing a gold chain worth $135,000 from Charlie Hytmiah.

Caribbean countries will recognise travellers vaccinated with Sputnik V -Health Minister

M

inister of Health, Dr. F r a n k Anthony, MP, says persons inoculated with the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine can now travel to most Caribbean territories.

Following discussions on the matter, all Caribbean countries except for Trinidad and Tobago said persons travelling to their shores can enter once they have been fully immunised with a COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr. Anthony made this disclosure during Friday's COVID-19 Update.

“There is still ongoing discussions about vaccination, the cards, how vaccines would be recognised and so forth.

Those discussions have not been concluded, but individual countries have

been making decisions that relates to entry into the particular country. So, while there is no global mechanism in place or global guidance, individual countries have now been adopted their own rules.

“In the Caribbean, while some countries are not using the Sputnik V vaccine, the countries in the Caribbean have agreed that if you are vaccinated with Sputnik V, they will recognise it as a person receiving the vaccine and being fully vaccinated if you have both doses, so that's not a problem.”

T h e Wo r l d H e a l t h Organisation (WHO) has approved several vaccines to fight COVID, including the AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Johnson and Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer.

“There're probably about five or six more that are there waiting WHO's consideration and approval.

Sputnik V is one of those that is in the pipeline awaiting WHO's approval.

“WHO would have conducted inspections of the plant where the Sputnik V is being manufactured; I think there are six plants.

They would have done those inspections; they would have written reports; they would have asked for clarification, so that process is an ongoing one.

I guess once they are satisfied then they would assume at least the emergency use listing,” Minister Anthony said.

The Sputnik V vaccine is in use in more than 80 countries around the world.

(DPI)

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 07, 2021

PAGE 09

Open Letter to the World Bank and IDB The World Bank (WB) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) cannot be oblivious to the adventurous and highly risky investments which the PPP/C administration is proposing in the country's energy sector. Given the risks involved and the implications for the country, the WB and the IDB should make future assistance to Guyana conditional on the government's willingness to undertake feasibility studies on its two flagship energy projects – the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project and the Gas-to-Shore Project.

These two projects are mired in controversy. There is a lack of transparency surrounding the gas-to-shore project, and the resuscitated Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project is an attempt to revive the dead.

No feasibility study has been done in respect to the gas-to shore project. This is unacceptable considering that this project is likely to be the largest single investment project in Guyana.

The government says that studies which were undertaken during the tenure of the APNU+AFC, is the basis for moving forward with this project. However, the World Bank itself had observed that scoping studies and not feasibility studies were conducted.

Before the gas-to-shore project proceeds any further, the Bank should insist on a proper feasibility study. The WB should equally express its concern over the fact that while consultations are

taking place on this project, the Government of Guyana, in its mad rush, has invited expressions of interest from investors.

The gas-to-shore project was not the brainchild of the PPP/C. It was the IDB which foisted the idea of a sustainable energy mix on the government. In one of its reports, the IDB alluded to the possibilities of associated gas being brought to shore and used for power generation, thereby allowing for a sustainable energy mix.

The IDB said that such a mix could transform the country's energy generation.

It pointed to how in the shortterm and medium-term, natural gas could provide the source of the baseload for the country's energy generation, with renewables assuming a greater share over the longterm.

Transparency has been a key factor for the support, which both the World Bank and IDB provide to Guyana's energy sector. Under the Guyana Petroleum Resources Governance and Management Project, the WB provided US$20M to Guyana to support the strengthening of the energy sector. One of the key aims of the project is the enhancement of the sector's transparency, governance, legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks.

Similarly, the IDB's support for the strengthening of Guyana's energy sector is aimed at improving transparency. The IDB must demonstrate that it truly believes that transparency is

a critical feature of guaranteeing optimal oil and gas sector performance.

Transparency is lacking in the governance of the country's oil and gas sector.

As this newspaper reported this week, Guyanese are yet to see any of the local content reports, which are submitted by the oil companies to the government on a quarterly basis. Nor have they seen the production reports. Nor, also, have they seen the report of the audit done into the pre-contract costs. Not being revealed also is the report prepared by Canadian consultant Alison Redford.

The WB and the IDB should demonstrate their commitment to transparency by insisting that the government be more transparent by releasing the above-mentioned reports.

They should also demand a proper feasibility study before any action is taken in respect to the gas-to-shore project.

The IDB should have no problem with this latter demand. It was the IDB, which suggested the need for key studies to be done in the transition to the energy mix it proposed and which the PPP/C has uncritically adopted.

There are two other reasons why both the WB and IDB should put on pause their assistance to Guyana.

The first has to do with environmental concerns and the second has to do with the financial models for these projects.

The WB's support for the oil and gas sector was

People ain't kay bout boys seh... de Cricket Board!

Dem

Is ah set ah confusion tekkin place in de Guyana Cricket Board. Is two times now dem mek criticisms of de West Indies selectors. Is like dem nah understand dat dem is part of de West Indies Cricket Board (WCB) and suh to demand wan explanation from dem is like demanding wan from yuhself.

When dem bin fuss express concern bout de selection criteria, dem get remind how dem bin at a meeting when de matter bin raise. But dem seh dem bin newbie and didn't get briefing from de outgoing representatives.

Dem also fuhget how de Chairman of de Senior Selectors is one ah dem Executive members. So dem could have ask he rather dan raising all dem concern

publicly.

Now dem wan know how come dem submit eight names for de Under-19 camp and only four get pick. Dem boys want remind dem dat is not de selectors who does organise match during de rainy season. So nah blame nobody if dem selectors nah get to see all de persons wah did get nominate.

De Pakistan team bin come hay and one ah dem cricket board man bin stand up plane side fuh greet de players. But when de team was leaving de airport, de man was like a spectator standing one side while de players dem going in de bus. Dem boys vex with dat because dem boys seh more respect should have been shown to de man.

Talk half and wait fuh more confunction nonsense!

predicated on the need for legislation, which will forbid routine flaring of associated gas and for Guyana endorsing the Zero-Gas Flaring Initiative. The legislation which has been passed makes some allow ance for routine flaring. In fact, Guyana is setting targets for flaring rather than outlawing it totally. Moreover, Guyana is not listed as an endorser of the Zero-Gas Flaring Initiative.

But perhaps the most important cause for pause is the return of the usual suspects and their methods.

Mindful of the financial

models which were developed for the Marriott Hotel and the Berbice River Bridge, the World Bank and the IDB should question how it is that even before the technical and environmental assessments have been completed, the government is moving ahead with such haste on inviting investors, and doing so without making public the financial model of the gas-to-shore project.

Glenn Lall, the publisher of this newspaper, has single-handedly led the fight for greater transparency and for a better deal for Guyana.

He is now joined by a group of non-governmental

organisations who are raising specific concerns about the gas-to-shore project.In the face of this rising tide of disaffection, it is time for the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank to take action. They should put on hold all assistance to Guyana until the government undertakes the necessary studies and improves transparency.

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

Kaieteur News

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Saturday August 07, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

James Bond: Quantum of solanine

L

et's examine more of the contents of the epistle of the Guyanese 007 that he wrote in the newspapers this week.

Yesterday, I looked at some parts of it. Just in case you don't know the meaning of solanine, please look it up. It is a toxic chemical.

Bond writes that during the March 2020 election, David Granger was, “President and Commander in Chief; Leader of APNU/AFC; Chairman of APNU; Leader of the PNC/R;

Campaign Director APNU/AFC.” This is the first time since February 2015 when the APNU and AFC joined forces to contest the 2015 poll as a coalition, we have been told that there is a single entity named APNU+AFC and it has a leader.

Guyanese always assumed that APNU and AFC were in a coalition. By coalition, it is meant that there are different entities with separate leaders. So it appears that there is no longer

a coalition but that there has been a merger. It appears there is no longer a party named the PNC but the PNC is now APNU+AFC with David Granger as the leader.

My curiosity as an academic who studies the Guyanese sociological and political horizons is about the deputy leader. Who he/she is?

There is a coalition in power in Israel. But there is no merger between them. At the governmental level, there is a prime minister but he is the head of the government.

He is the head of his party which is just one component.

He is not the leader of the coalition, which does not h a v e a l e a d e r. E a c h component that makes up the government in the Israeli Cabinet has its own leader.

The identical situation obtains in Italy. In Scotland, a coalition is about to be formed between the party, (Scottish National Party) one of the world's famous women in politics, Nicola Sturgeon, and the Green Party. I doubt anyone would say that Ms.

Sturgeon is the leader of both.

So when did this merger between the APNU and the AFC occur?

Was it while both parties Frederick Kissoon were sharing government? That A ccord and some of the would have been between May 2015 and July secrets it contained see my 2020. In which month did two columns - Friday, that happen and in which February 14, 2020, “No human can be so sick to vote year?

We know from Bond who f o r s u c h G u y a n e s e was the Deputy Campaign politicians, ” and Wednesday, Manager for Georgetown February 10, 2021, “The that during the first half of shocking secret part of the 2020, when APNU+AFC Cummingsburg Accord.” was in power, Granger was The three persons who would know if the AFC formally the leader of that organism.

So could the merger have merged with the PNC are Dr. taken place in February 2020 Vincent Adams, Dominic when the PNC and AFC Gaskin and Leonard Craig. r e n e g o t i a t e d t h e 2 0 1 5 They were the AFC's team Cummingsburg Accord? renegotiating the accord.

Bond also informs us that Everything now makes sense given the quantum of “Granger as Campaign solanine that we are seeing Director controlled the from the epistle of the local campaign. His immediate assistants were Joseph 007.

Top AFC executives who H a r m o n a n d R a p h a e l have been around the party Trotman.” This is interesting since its birth in 2005 told me stuff. James Bond is bringing the completed, renegotiated out information that sheds accord was never presented light on why the party named to the final statutory of A P N U + A F C l o s t t h e meeting of the AFC's election. So three Africans national executive held in were in charge of the February at the Georgetown campaign?

If Granger was campaign Club.

After the completion of head, how come Harmon was negotiations, both Joseph h i s a s s i s t a n t a n d n o t H a r m o n a n d K h e m r a j Ramjattan who at the time Ramjattan told the public that was leader of the AFC? If Granger appointed some parts of the document will have to remain secret. another APNU as his deputy, Then Ramjattan made one of Joe Harmon, how come the most asinine statements Trotman was the other to the press in the history of assistant and not Ramjattan?

So there was no Indian Guyana.

When asked by the media from either the PNC or AFC why the secrecy, Ramjattan that co-directed the election told the reporter who asked campaign.

Space has run out but the the question, if she would local James Bond is not a publicise all her business.

That was an idiotic, good spy. Spies do not give stupid analogy. This was a away secrets.

(The views expressed in secret covenant between two parties that were asking the this article are those of the Guyanese people to vote for a u t h o r a n d d o n o t them. For the secrecy of the necessarily reflect the renewed Cummingsburg opinions of this newspaper.)

Saturday August 07, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Saturday August 07, 2021

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GMC commissions incubator, ATVS, refrigerated trucks to boost nation's agro-processing industry

T

he nation's latest Agri-Business development incubator was commissioned by the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), along with three All Terrain Vehicles (ATVS) and two refrigerator trucks yesterday afternoon.

The handing over ceremony was done at the Ministry of Agriculture Complex, Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) Compound and saw the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, as well as the Chairman of the GMC's Board of Directors, David Fernandes and General Manager of GMC, Teshawna

The two refrigerated trucks.

The newly commissioned ATVS. Lall being present at the event.

The 'one stop shop' AgriBusiness development incubator is said to boost local business performance

and help Guyana realise its 'bread basket of the Caribbean' title according to Mustapha.

The purpose of the incubator is to facilitate the

Agri. Minister, Chinese Charge d'Affaires discuss assistance for flood-affected farmers T h e C h i n e s e Government through its embassy in Guyana has once again signalled its commitment to assist the Government with its floodrelief efforts. This was disclosed by the Embassy's Charge d'Affaires, Chen Xilai, during a meeting with A g r i c u l t u r e M i n i s t e r, Zulfikar Mustapha.

The meeting which took place on Friday at the Minister's Office and saw the o ff i c i a l s d i s c u s s i n g a number of areas for collaboration in the sector.

Some of the areas discussed were technical cooperation for the rice and aquaculture sector as well as assistance for flood-affected farmers.

Minister Mustapha explained that the government is currently working to resuscitate the sector and get affected farmers back to the land.

He further stated that the Ministry is looking at longterm systems to minimise the effects of climate change on the sector.

“With the recent flooding, our agriculture sector suffered a massive hit, both crops and livestock.

Right now, the government

is working to give some assistance to farmers so that they can get back to the land.

In addition to the assistance that was recently announced by the President, from the Ministry's standpoint, we are working to help farmers with things like seeds and other planting materials... Moving forward, the government through the Ministry will be working to develop more shade houses across the country given the impacts of climate change on the sector,” Minister Mustapha said.

During his remarks, Mr. Xilai said the Chinese Government, given its longstanding diplomatic relation with Guyana, was pleased to offer assistance to the government and people of Guyana in a time of need.

He was keen to remind that the Embassy had provided a batch of muchneeded supplies to the Civil Defence Commission during the early stages of its outreach efforts. He said later on, the Embassy provided US$50,000. “We know that agriculture is quite vulnerable and with the extreme weather conditions because of climate change

we have to prepare for those kinds of challenges. In terms of soya beans, China is the largest importer of soya beans.

We are also a very large importer of peanuts. If we can encourage local farmers in Guyana to plant those commodities on a large scale, there's an additional market over in China. From our end, we are happy to provide technical assistance and training for farmers and fishers. We can also look at providing assistance in other areas as part of your floodrelief efforts,” Mr. Xilai said.

On this note, Minister Mustapha informed the official that the Ministry is working to expand the country's non-traditional and aquaculture sectors.

“We are also expanding into non-traditional and aquaculture sectors.

Those sectors have great potential. We are also looking at corn and soya beans because we want to be self-sufficient.

A pilot project is currently going on and we hope to move into largescale production soon after,” Minister Mustapha disclosed.

design and printing of product labels, generate bar codes and nutritional facts, assist with completion of business registration forms and all other processes that

are responsible for the correct labeling and packaging of local products for distribution.

Kaieteur News understands that the ATVS

will be given to the officers in Mabaruma, Linden and Kamarang areas where there is primarily earthen roads and scattered agriculture (Continued on page 18)

Man previously jailed for stabbing, assaulting daughters remanded for shooting their friend Fifty-five-year old Peter Thompson, who was jailed for stabbing and assaulting his daughters in 2018, was yesterday hauled before a City Magistrate for allegedly shooting one of his daughter's friends.

Thompson appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleges that on July 29, 2021, at Durban Street, Lodge, he discharged a loaded firearm at Cherie-Ann Wills, causing her to receive grievous bodily harm.

The court heard that Thompson and Wills are known to each other through Wills being a friend of Andrea Howard, Thompson's daughter.

The defendant and his daughter are presently before a High Court Judge for the division of a property at Lot 78 Durban Street, Lodge which is occupied by Howard.

Thompson is restrained from going to the property.

However, on the night in question, around 18:30hrs, Wills and Howard were in the company of two others sitting on an old car in the yard of the said property when Thompson approached them and discharged three rounds in their direction.

One of the bullets struck Wills to her upper right side back and is still lodged in her

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, in discussion with the Chinese Embassy's Charge d'Affaires, Chen Xilai (left)

Remanded, Peter Thompson

Injured, Cherrie-Ann Wills right side chest. The woman was rushed to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where she is still hospitalised.

The matter was reported and Thompson was later arrested and charged for the offence. Chief Magistrate McLennan remanded the defendant to prison and the matter was adjourned to August 16, 2021.

According to reports, the issue between Thompson and his family is due to the ongoing property dispute in the High Court.

On April 30, 2018, Thompson had reportedly broken into the Durban Street property and had attacked his reputed wife and daughters.

He had reportedly stabbed his wife multiple times, before pelting his eldest daughter to her head with a bucket and then chopping her to the lower back. Thompson had also stabbed his other daughter twice.

Following the ordeal, Thompson's reputed wife had succumbed to her injuries but he was never charged for her death.

However, he was charged for inflicting wounds on his daughters.

In 2019, Magistrate Dylon Bess sentenced him to a total of 12 months imprisonment after he found him guilty of stabbing and assaulting his daughters.

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 07, 2021

PAGE 13

Lindeners protest mandatory vaccine imposition

Scenes from the protest action that took place yesterday.

Scores of Lindeners on Friday took to the streets to protest against the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine imposition on citizens.

The protest was led by former Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon and comprised of civil citizens representing various groups such as teachers, public transportation drivers and other public servants. The protesters

attracted spectators as they chanted d o w n R e p u b l i c Av e n u e , Mackenzie, with their placards, chanting, “My body, my choice!”, “No mandatory vaccine!”, “we ain't teking no bully”, “we ain't paying for no test”.

The placards were marked, 'Equal Rights and Justice, 'Where is Human Right, 'I have a right', and 'The Constitution says Equal

Rights and Non-Discrimination.”

Earlier in the week, Apostle Nigel London had also led a protest in Linden, with a group of followers calling on the government to stop the 'big stick' approach, in making the vaccination mandatory. This is despite regional officials calling for Lindeners to take the vaccine as the vaccination rate in Region 10 remains the lowest among the

regions. As of August 6, 2021, 17.5 percent of Region 10's population has been vaccinated. In addition to the high hesitancy to the vaccine drive, residents continue to flout the COVID-19 protocols by keeping house parties and other social gatherings. Over 1500 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and 43 of these have succumbed to date, including the Vice Chairman

Two more Lindeners charged separately for rape, exposing genitals One week after a Linden man was remanded to prison for allegedly raping a minor and another was placed on $200,000 bail for allegedly exposing his genitals, two more Lindeners appeared in court for similar charges.

Both men appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts via zoom.

Twenty-year-old Keron Vandregen, of Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden, was charged for sexual activity with a child under the age of 16, which allegedly occurred on April 28, 2021.

Vandregen was arrested on May 14, 2021, but was only recently charged under Section 11 (3) of the Sexual Offences Act Chapter 8:03.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was placed on $150,000 bail. He is expected to make his next court appearance on August 18, 2021.

The second defendant, Edward Reddock, 49, of Lot 678 South Amelia's Ward, Linden was slapped with two counts of exposing his genitals which occurred on June 18, 2021 and was also charged for two counts of assault.

The exposing of genitals charge was laid under

Remanded, Edward Reddock Section 28 (2) (a) of the S e x u a l O ff e n c e s A c t , Chapter 8:03.Reddock pleaded guilty to the two assault charges and was fined $15,000 each.

However, he denied exposing his genitals and he was remanded to prison until August 18, 2021.

Last week, this publication reported that Quincy Skeete, 33, and Clyve Lewis, 57, virtually before Magistrate, Wanda Fortune, in the Linden Magistrate's Court for separate charges.

It was reported that Skeete was charged for sexual activity with a child

Placed on bail, Keron Vandregen contrary to Section 16 (3) (a) of the Sexual Offence Act, Chapter 08:03. He was not required to plead to the charge and he was remanded to prison.

In the other matter, Lewis, was placed on bail for allegedly exposing his genital, the charge was laid contrary to Section 28 (2) (b) of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 08:03.

The charge was laid indictably and he was not required to either plead guilty or not guilty to the offence. He is expected to make his next court appearance on August 18, 2021.

Quincy Skeete

Clyve Lewis

of the region, Douglas Gittens.

Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Gregory Harris, says 80 percent of the region's population must be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, however, the district continues to lag behind with only 17 percent of its adult population vaccinated to date, this means less that 6,000 of the 40,000 residents have been inoculated.

The Old Road residence where the alleged stabbing occurred.

DPP recommends inquest into death of husband killed with his own knife

T

he Director of P u b l i c Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C has recommended an inquest into the death of father of three, Anthony Pakamram of Providence, East Bank Demerara. On July 25, last at Lot 3 Old Road, Providence, Pakamram was killed with the very knife, which he had armed himself with while he and his reputed wife were arguing.

According to a police report, the deceased had a

Saturday August 07, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

history of being violent towards his reputed wife whom he had an 11-year relationship. The day before the tragic incident, it was reported that the couple had a misunderstanding, which led to Pakamram to physically assault the woman. Kaieteur News learnt that on day of the incident, around 15:30hrs, the man had returned to the woman's residence where another altercation happened, which ended with his death.

News had surfaced that

The injured pedestrian lying on the roadway.

Deceased, Anthony “Max” Pakamram. the woman had stabbed Pakamram once to the neck during the altercation but in an exclusive interview with this publication, the woman had claimed that she cannot recall inflicting the fatal (Continued on page 18)

A motorcyclist and a pedestrian are now hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital Cooperation (GPHC) following two separate hit and run accidents, hours apart.

The two men involved in the accidents are; Lincoln Leitch of Lot 2 Ann's Grove, East Coast Demerara and a 60-yearold pedestrian name and address unknown, up to press time.

According to the police, the first accident occurred on Thursday around 23:50hrs at the junction of Rupert Craig H i g h w a y a n d Conversation Tree, Public Road, East Coast Demerara.

Two hospitalised following separate hit and run accidents The licence plate that was discovered at the scene of yesterday's hit and run

However, the police could not provide details surrounding the accident due to the fact that the motorcyclist is presently undergoing surgery at the GPHC for a fractured right leg. His condition is listed as stable.

Also, the owner's name,

address and licence plate number of the motorcar involved in the accident are also unknown.

The second hit and run accident also occurred on the East Coast of Demerara.

Yesterday around 02:10hrs, the 60-year-old pedestrian (Continued on page 18)

Saturday August 07, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

$163M set aside for Core Home Support & Home Improvement Subsidies in La Parfaite Harmonie The Ministry of Housing and Water and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) signed over $163 million in contracts for Home Improvement Subsidies and Core Home Support in La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal; Permanent Secretary, Mr. Andre Ally; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CH&PA, Mr. Sherwyn Greaves; and Director of Projects, Mr. Omar Narine, attended the signing on Friday, in the Ministry's Boardroom.

Minister Croal stated that the two components which fall under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (Continued on page 18)

A section of the contractors

PAGE 16

Saturday August 07, 2021

Kaieteur News

7 companies bid for No. 52 Village road project PROPERTY FOR SALE

VEHICLES FOR SALE

Sale of property at Lot 87DAlbertSt Alberttown.3 b u i l d i n g f r o m Lamaha.24M,Price negotiable.Tel:675-9217.

Toyota Dualis PVV 8961 2.5 neg.Tel:677-2542.Own by a Doctor,first owner.

WANTED

SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 Installation, Repairs and parts for AC,Fridge, Washing machine,Stove etc.Call Nick#630-1600.

Book your swedish massage and get a free manicure,Home visits available.Call:623-0594.

FOR SALE Pure breed German Shepherd pups,black,tanned & pure white.Contact:6659140.

2&3bedroomhomes.

Onderneeming, WBD,Tuschen,EBE H a s l i n g t o n , ECD.Whatsapp:673-6210/ 694-9793.

Two houses one yard income generator,Diamond H/SchemeE.B.D.34M negotiable.Contact 6572951/612-9697.

Pilot to fly 172/206 Cessna Xen Aviation.Send a p p l i c a t i o n t o rtilak@adamtiumholdings.com Domestic/Cook.Tel:2235273/74.

Male & Female to work in factory.Apply in person R.P'S Enterprise,Area "K" L e R e s s o u v e n i r E.C.D.Tel:220-2818.

Welder fabricator for grill work.Call:621-5310.

Experienced mechanic and servicemen needed f o r m i n i n g operation.Call:697-2533.

Experienced bartender for Bar Lounge,1 experience cook from around Ogle Area.Tel:610-3974.

Male & female to work in Interior & female cook.Tel:687-7638/674-1767.

1 welder/fabricator for inter i o r , $ 2 5 0 , 0 0 0 monthly.Experience 5 yrs and over.Contact:642-2359.

Vr e e d - e n - h o o p junction.Place for hair salon, pedicure, manicure ,other.Call:603-6400.$15,000 per month.

1 2 bedroom apartment.Lot 2043 Plot C Herstelling E.B.D.Contact:6961 6 8 0 . Av a i l a b l e 1 s t Aug,2021.

3 bedroom upstairs & downstairs apt Vreed-enhoop,1&2 bedroom furnish in Providence.604-6664/ 682-6238.

PROPERTY FOR SALE 20 room Hotel on Sheriff St for sale as a going c o n c e r n . P r i c e negotiable.Tel:632-6072.

23 kilometers to the Canje Creek area.

According to an April 2021 article by the D e p a r t m e n t o f P u blic Information (DPI), the Minister had said, “the intent is that we want to open a road that will eventually give us access to new lands for the expansion of agriculture, cattle farming and any other land use that will

catapult G u y a n a ’s development.”

Similar to this, the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) explained that hundreds of farmers in the East BerbiceCorentyne areas are set to benefit from 20,000 to 30,000 acres of new farming

Below are the companies and their bids.

Construction of No.52 Village Road, Corentyne Bidders AJM Enterprise Associated Construction Service M&B Construction RIM Construction Inc. A&S General Contractors Inc. T&R Construction Services

lands that would become available with the construction of the “all weather access road at No. 52 Village this year.”

On Thursday too, bids were also opened for the rehabilitation of Maria Johanna to Ridge Main Access Road, Wakenaam and the rehabilitation of Caledonia to Zeelandia Main Access Road.

Amount Submitted $247,905,000 $239,732,000 $230,933,800 $236,106,000 $281,418,400 $249,587,800

Elderly woman succumbs to COVID-19, 14 patients in ICU The Ministry of Health yesterday reported that a 95year-old woman from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID19) disease has died. The woman died on Thursday while receiving treatment at a medical facility and as a result of this, the country’s COVID19 death toll has moved to 554.

The Health Ministry, via its COVID-19 dashboard reported that within the last 24 hours, they recorded 54 new COVID-19 cases bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 22,843.

The dashboard also revealed that there are 95 persons in the institutional isolation, 14 patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 668 persons in home isolation and five in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 21,512 persons have recovered from the disease.

VACANCY One salesman,5 subject cxc.Experience in writing bills,stocktaking& cashing.Keyfood Trading,Mc Doom village.

Maid to cook and clean for East Bank.Call:615-9132.

FOR RENT

During the opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) on Thursday, the Ministry of Public Works received bids from seven companies who submitted Expression of Interest (EOI) for the construction of the Number 52 Village Road, Corentyne. The engineer estimated this project to cost approximately $263,216,800.

In April, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill along with a team of engineers, regional officials and farmers went into the Region to inspect the road alignment, which will span from the Number 52 Village and run for

Driver Eccles office,Car/Van licence.Call:642-9823.

Female cleaner office.Call:642-9823.

for

One clerk for TSI Eccles officeEnglish& Mathematics,grade 1 or 2 . E m a i l application:techserigy @yahoo.com or call 6429823.

One male supervisor & male ice handlers @Crystal Ice House,Rosignol Berbice.Call:618-3800 between 8-12am.

Factory workers and sale representatives.Must have a sound secondary education.Call:223-0090.

...Poll: Strong Support for Local Content in Oil & From page 6 re-hired at the re-opened estates are very pleased for getting on a payroll, resulting in smiling faces.

Asked if government should help farmers and households affected by flood, almost everyone answered positively.

Asked if government should invest more in agriculture, 74% of all VACANCY For person to assort goods.Apply at Alabama Trading.65 Robb Street Bourda.

For security.Apply at Alabama Trading.65 Robb Street Bourda.

Auto Electrical apprentice age 19-25 yrs.Apply in person, Lot 120 Forth Street Albertown G/Town or call 610-0340.

respondents said yes with 18% saying no, and 8% not offering an opinion. The public feels government should not rely on oil and gas for growth but diversification of the economy.

On Ministerial performance, asked who they would you rate as the most outstanding Minister, Anil Nandlall leads the list for his legal acumen and parliamentary presentations.

Nandlall has an approval rating of 74% and disapproval of 19% with 7% not offering a view on his performance. All of the Ministers are praised for their performance and outreaches and as doing a better job than their predecessors.

On the Opposition side, Jermaine Figueira (new PAC chair) and Ganesh Mahipaul stand out as the most outstanding MPs. The

opposition is critiqued (criticised) for ‘opposing for opposing sake’ and not offering workable solutions to problems. Asked if GECOM should terminate staff charged for attempted election rigging, 59% said yes with 31% saying no and 10% saying ‘not sure’. Many feel that those involved in rigging should have been long gone, terminated immediately after the declaration of the results last year August.

Asked if they think that the country is moving in the right direction, 48% said yes with 43% saying no and 9% not sure.

Respondents were also queried about the oil and gas contracts. Just half the population is au fait or paying attention to “oil”. The unemployed and lower and middle classes are more worried about eking out a

living and daily survival rather than focusing on oil and gas matters and how much revenues being received. Of those familiar with the oil contract, almost all of them agree the benefits is lopsided in favour of the oil companies and that Guyana’s royalty and profit sharing are low. They feel the contract should be honoured and renegotiated if possible.

They are not supportive of unilateral violations of the agreement. But they are of the view that the oil companies must honour local content laws to benefit Guyanese. Respondents praise Minister Vickram Bharrat for his performance at the Natural Resources Ministry and addressing the challenges of the emerging oil and gas industry.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Saturday August 07, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 07, 2021

...GMC commissions incubator, ATVS, From page 12 holdings. The ATVS are slated to maximise how GMC can provide extension services to better equi p farmers with the “knowhow” to solve complications, which they may face on their farms.

For perishable goods and agricultural commodities, and to make sure such

commodities are kept within an optimal temperature range as desired, the two refrigerated trucks will assist farmers, exporters, agroprocessers, fish suppliers, supermarket owners and other stakeholders, with transporting their commodities from the market, which in turn will help to maintain the quality of these

products and reduce postharvest losses.

At the end of the ceremony, a tour was given of the incubator where its design and labeling services were presented as well as the ribbon cutting of the vehicles and handing over of keys by the Minister of Agriculture and the GMC General Manager.

...DPP recommends inquest into death of From page 14 injury. The mother of three believed that it could be a case that her abusive partner had fell on his own knife after he had allegedly wrestled her to the floor.

During the interview, the woman had recounted that she was asleep when Pakamram stormed into her bedroom. She said that the loud entrance startled her and immediately after, the man launched his attack.

According to her, he had pinned her down on the bed and tried to stab her. In an attempt to save herself, she held onto his hand which had the knife and a scuffle ensued. There, she added was when he wrestled her to the floor beside her bed.

The woman continued that she did know what happened next but can only remember that he fell over and started to groan. Her account of the incident was partially stated in

a police report that was sent out the following day after the incident. The report noted, “In the melee, the suspect then heard the victim groan and saw him bleeding from his neck.”

The injured man was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he had later succumbed to his injury while receiving treatment.

As investigations continue, cops had disclosed that the woman was on $100,000 station bail. They had disclosed too that the file on the matter was prepared and sent to DPP for advice on a way forward.

When contacted, Commander of Division 4 ‘B’, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Siwnarine informed this publication that the file was returned just recently and that an inquest was advised by the DPP to investigate further the occurrences surrounding the man’s death.

U.S. examining what authority businesses have to mandate vaccines (Reuters) - The Biden administration is examining what authority businesses have to mandate vaccines, a top U.S. official told Reuters on Friday, as it considers what more steps can be done to halt the spread of COVID19.

“We are looking at that just to see how far employers can go when it comes to vaccines and asking their employees to be vaccinated,” U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh told Reuters. “It’s on the radar.”

United Airlines Inc (UAL.O) on Friday joined companies ranging from Microsoft (MSFT.O) to Tyson Foods (TSN.N) that are mandating COVID-19 vaccines.

While the shots are widely available in the country, some Americans

have opted not to get them.

Meanwhile, the fastspreading Delta variant has threatened to undo the country’s economic and public health gains.

But companies have wrestled with the extent of their authority to require shots. Among the concerns is the possibility that companies will be exposed to discrimination lawsuits as they call staff back to their desks after 18 months of pandemic-induced work from home. For his part, President Joe Biden has already endorsed such moves. “I will have their backs and the backs of other private and public sector leaders if they take such steps,” he said on Tuesday.

Still, the federal government, which is the country’s largest employer,

has stopped short of such steps. They have required unvaccinated employees to submit to increased testing.

The administration has also been in early policy discussions about a “range of options” to “continue to mount a wartime response against the virus,” press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters.

Those options could include restricting federal funds, such as Medicare money, from nursing homes and long-term care facilities to spur vaccination.

According to the preliminary results of an ongoing pulse survey of more than 200 American employers launched on July 19 by consultants Mercer, 14% now require staff to be vaccinated in order to work at a company site.

...$163M set aside for Core Home Support & Home Improvement From page 15 (AHUAP) are funded through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to improve housing conditions.

“This programme has been reformulated, as part of our goal to provide sustainable and affordable housing, as well as, access to basic infrastructure for Guyanese, particularly those in low-income communities.”

He also emphasised the importance of the programme for enhancing mobility and safety in vulnerable communities. The Minister in his remarks also urged the contractors to put their best foot forward in ensuring the projects are delivered in a quality and time efficient manner.

CEO Greaves further explained that 25 core homes will be built through this phase of the programme in La Parfaite Harmonie and one hundred and eighteen

(118) home improvement subsidies will be granted.

The core homes will be no less than 330 square feet single family homes with concrete blocks for the outer walls and floors, basic doors, windows, electrical wiring, water connections etc.

The homes are designed to meet basic standards that a family can move into and affordably expand over time.

The contract was awarded to Cemax Procurement and Contracting – Lot 7 ($10,881,287) and Mike and Daughters Lumberyard – Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 ($54,257,545).

Meanwhile, the home improvement subsidies will be $500,000, granted in the form of building materials for repairs to walls, floors, electrical works and sanitation improvements, among others. Lots 1-5 of this contract was awarded to Tristar Industries Inc. at a sum of $98,920,225.

All beneficiaries are

individuals in vulnerable households, living in structures considered to not be habitable.

These are also persons who possess ownership of the said property and would have applied and prequalified for the programme.

The programme previously encompassed communities from Georgetown to Grove on the East Bank of Demerara, up to La Bonne Intention on the East Coast of Demerara, and W e s t m i n s t e r , Onderneeming, Recht-DoorZee, Lust en Rust, and La Parfaite Harmonie Phase II on the West Bank of Demerara.

The Ministry recently expanded the project to include nineteen communities on the East Coast of Demerara, stretching the boundary to Victoria. Similar works will commence in these areas, as the programme continues.

...Two hospitalised following separate hit From page 14 was struck by motorcar PZZ 1276 while walking along the southern side of the Railway Embankment, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

It was reported that the motorcar was proceeding in

an unknown direction and after colliding with the pedestrian, the driver made good his escape.

The pedestrian was then picked up by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) in an unconscious condition and rushed to GPHC. He

was admitted to the Accident and Emergency Unit Critical Bay and is suffering from broken legs and lacerations to his head and his body.

The accident was reported and when ranks visited the scene, the motorcar’s registration plate was discovered along the roadway.

The investigation into the two hit and run accidents are ongoing.

Saturday August 07, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Heavyweight La Cruz joins Cuban veterans’ 2-time gold rush TOKYO (AP) — Only six fighters had won gold medals in two weight classes in Olympic boxing before a trio of polished Cuban veterans joined the club over the past four days in Tokyo.

Julio César La Cruz, Roniel Iglesias and Arlen López showed the Cuban domination of this Olympic discipline is far from finished, no matter how much the game changes around them.

La Cruz capped the trifecta yesterday with a clear victory over Russian heavyweight Muslim Gadzhimagomedov, putting on a defensive masterclass in his 5:0 win.

La Cruz added the Tokyo heavyweight title to his light heavyweight gold from Rio de Janeiro. His two-time teammates also moved up one weight class from their previous championship

divisions to claim their second golds.

An extraordinary feat has been made common by these three Cuban stars, and they’re aware of the importance of their achievements in their nation’s decorated boxing history.

“We have great talent in our ranks, so we’re confident,” La Cruz said through a translator. “We just have to prepare, train hard and focus on the objective.”

Amateur boxing has changed significantly from the sport that the Cuban teams dominated through long stretches of the past halfcentury. The Tokyo field contained more than 40 boxers with professional experience, and the overall skill level seems remarkably high throughout most of the weight classes.

But Cuba’s indefatigable

program can add a fourth gold from Tokyo when lightweight Andy Cruz meets Keyshawn Davis of the impressive U.S. team Sunday in the final competition session.

Only two Cubans had won medals at three Olympics before Iglesias and three-time bronze medalist Lázaro Álvarez doubled the size of that club over the past week.

López, the middleweight champ in Rio, then succeeded La Cruz as the light heavyweight champion in Tokyo, while Iglesias claimed gold in his second try at welterweight after winning at light welterweight nine years ago in London.

“Right now we have a group of athletes that have been working together for 11 years,” La Cruz said. “Starting in London 2012, our team has only lost one final. In Rio we won three (gold) medals, and

Saturday August 07, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) It's very possible that the best solution today is to simply give up control, Aries. When it comes to matters of the heart, other people may be in a whirl of turmoil.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Be aware that you might feel overshadowed or that your efforts won't be recognized, Virgo. You could feel like you do all the work for others and get nothing in return.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Mind your manners today, Taurus. Make sure your charm is turned up high. Merging with the group is essential as you keep the momentum of the energy going.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Focus on the information coming your way today. Try not to get too emotional about the consequences of the information. More than likely, a neutral approach is best in any situation you encounter.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Situations and people with strong opinions about how things are done may impede your trajectory today, Gemini.

CANCER(June21–July22) Your adventurous spirit is noble, Cancer, but you might find that this is one of those days in which you're asked to justify your actions.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The warrior within may be stirred today. You might also have some self-doubt about your actions. Stay confident that you're on the right path at all times. There may be a bit of tension in your world, but try not to get too worked up over it.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Be aware that you might feel overshadowed or that your efforts won't be recognized.

You could feel like you do all the work for others and get nothing in return. The key is to make sure that you do the things you do because you want to.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Things may get a bit hostile today. No one wants to budge from his or her position. You could be caught between mind and heart issues.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You may think that everything is perfect, Capricorn, when suddenly, there's a great surge of unyielding emotional energy.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Others are apt to play a big role in the events that unfold today, Aquarius. It's likely that closely communing with others will be very important. Despite this, you may still feel alone.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may be in a difficult position today, Pisces, as if you're being pulled in two directions with little say as to how things are supposed to end.

now we’ve already won three (in Tokyo), and we hope to go further. We will see, and hopefully we will clinch that final victory and provide a triumphant moment to the people of Cuba.”

While some Cubans — including Robeisy Ramírez, a fellow two-division gold medalist from London and Rio — have left the national team for pro riches, the Cuban system is still nurturing top talents.

And the Cubans’ best fighters in Tokyo seemingly aren’t interested in careers outside the team: La Cruz drew attention from the IOC when he appeared to make a proregime statement in the ring after an early victory in Tokyo, and both Iglesias and López have spoken of their pride in fighting for their country over themselves all the way to Paris in 2024.

“To win Olympic gold is really very, very tough, and it requires everything really from the boxer,” La Cruz said.

“The fighter has to give it his best. All of the boxers are at a very, very top level here, and to reach that gold medal requires hard work and sacrifice.” La Cruz won the eighth heavyweight gold medal for the vaunted Cuban team, but the first since Odlanier Solís claimed the glamour division’s title in 2004. La Cruz joins Solis and legendary three-time Olympic heavyweight champions Teófilo Stevenson and Félix Savón.

Gadzhimagomedov pressed forward throughout the bout, but La Cruz showed off his spectacular footwork and elusiveness while peppering his bigger Russian opponent with counter shots.

La Cruz won the fight 30-27

...Permaul aims to get back in From page 21 experience gained from FirstClass cricket I feel more comfortable now and understand my game better. My goal at this point to get back in the West Indies team,” disclosed Permaul who has not played Test cricket since he played against Australia in June 2015.

These practice games have been held by CWI to help select the West Indies squad for the two-series against Pakistan which commences on August 12 in Jamaica.

However, maybe with Jamaica more focused on the Tokyo Olympics where their Athletes are dominating the medal count on the track, the reports on the game has not been disseminated to the Caribbean and further afield as it should.

Cuba’s Julio la Cruz celebrates his victory over Muslim Gadzhimagomedov, of the Russian Olympic Committee in the men’s heavyweight 91-kg boxing match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) on three judges’ scorecards and 29-28 on the other two, completing a four-fight run through the Kokugikan Arena during which he won 5:0 twice and 4:1 twice.

La Cruz collapsed after the verdict, spread-eagled at the center of the Tokyo ring and soaking in the achievement

by a superb athlete whose career could have ended in 2014 when he was shot in the hip during a robbery attempt.

“Going to Paris and winning (a third gold medal) is one goal that can be achieved,” La Cruz said. “It has no size. No color. No price.”

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Saturday August 07, 2021

Jamaican women underline sprint dominance with big relay win

T

Briana Williams (centre) celebrate with Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson after Jamaica stormed to gold in the 4x100m relay. (Reuters)

OKYO (Reuters) - Fuelled by the three individual 100 metre medallists, Jamaica surged to an emphatic win in the women’s 4x100m relay yesterday, posting a national record 41.02 seconds to finish well clear of the United States and Britain.

Elaine ThompsonHerah, who now has all three available sprint golds at Tokyo, Shelly-Ann FraserPryce and Shericka Jackson delivered again, after Briana Williams had done her job on the opening leg.

It was Jamaica’s first gold in the event since 2004, after back to back silvers behind the U.S. in London and Rio.

There had been talk of a world record but all the leading teams had some stuttering changeovers, and no doubt some nervous waits. But by the time the men’s race had come and gone and the lights were out in the stadium, there were no official notifications of any appeals and the medallists were safe to celebrate.

“I was just excited for the team to come out here and put on a show,” said Thompson-Herah, who claimed back-to-back sprint doubles earlier in the week.

“The feeling is surreal to capture three golds and we got a national record.”

Fraser-Pryce, who took silver in the 100m but managed only fourth in the

200m, added: “We are so grateful to win this gold medal for Jamaica on national Independence Day. For two years we have been unimpressive, so to get it back today is special.”

Britain’s women had set a national record in qualifying fastest for the final and though they were not quite as slick, they were well worth their second successive bronze.

“I saw quite a few people, I was like ‘oh time to move’,” said Dina AsherSmith, who ran a superb third leg. “But I’m one of the best sprint athletes in the world and I just needed to keep it coming round the bend and make sure I came into Daryll Neita like a train.”

Canada beat Sweden on penalties to win women’s football gold BBC Sport - Canada beat Sweden on penalties to win women’s football gold at Tokyo 2020.

It marks a first Olympic gold in the competition for the Canucks, who won successive bronze medals in London and Rio. The game went to extra time after Canada’s Jessie Fleming equalised from the penalty spot to cancel out Stina Blackstenius’ opener.

Midfielder Julia Grosso scored the winning penalty in the shootout as Canada won 3-2.

In a game of few chances, Sweden’s Blackstenius opened the scoring in the 34th minute, beating goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe with her low, first-time strike from Kosovare Asllani’s cross.

But Fleming equalised from the penalty spot after veteran forward Christine Sinclair was fouled by Amanda Ilestedt.

Referee Anastasia Pustovoytova initially waved away Canada’s appeals, but the Russian pointed to the spot after the video assistant referee showed the Canadian was kicked from behind as the pair challenged for a loose ball inside the box.

With the scores level after 120 minutes, both sides looked nervous as they lined up for the shootout, which lacked real quality as seven of the 12 penalties either missed or saved.

Nathalie Bjorn and Olivia Schough scored from the spot for Sweden, but Grosso won it for Canada after Fleming and Deanne Rose also converted their spot-kicks.

Sweden have taken the silver in successive Olympic women’s football finals after their Rio 2016 loss to Germany.

Canada midfielder Quinn is the first openly transgender athlete to win an Olympic medal. Canada and Quinn won bronze in Rio 2016 before Quinn came out in September 2020. The victory is a first major title for Canada boss Bev Priestman, who was born in County Durham and coached England’s women’s under-17 squad before becoming Phil Neville’s assistant coach with the senior team from 2018-2020.

She was appointed head coach of Canada in October 2020 after previous spells coaching their youth teams.

On Thursday, the USA beat Australia in a seven-goal thriller to claim the bronze medal.

Canada women celebrate after they triumphed with their first gold medal in women’s football, beating Sweden 3-2 on penalties. (Reuters)

Saturday August 07, 2021

Kaieteur News

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RMA’s must become driving force at community level for the game - GFF TD

By Franklin Wilson echnical Director of the Guyana F o o t b a l l Federation (GFF) Ian Greenwood is adamant that the Regional Member Association (RMA) of the Federation must become the driving force for the development of the game at the community level.

Greenwood made these comments on Thursday afternoon last at the GFF National Training Centre when the Federation distributed equipment to the nine RMA’s which now have full responsibility for the running off of the Academy Training Centers (ATC).

Greenwood, who is on a mission to set a solid foundation for the game with an eye on creating clear player pathway for domestic players which will lead to a sustainable national team programme noted that the RMA would now be held accountable for the successes of competitions within the respective regions.

The ATC’s for males would be conducted at the U11, 13, 15, 17 and 20 levels whilst in the area of female development, there would be Pilot Projects at the U9, 11, 13, 15 and senior levels.

Soon to be launched would be a nationwide U15 girls t o u r n e y, G r e e n w o o d informed.

A new road map would have been developed by the GFF for the ATC’s based on a

T

comprehensive review in 2019 following its initial launch and implementation period in 2017.

With a view to ensuring consistency across all the RMA’s, Greenwood stated that four main documents would be driving this aim.

They are the GFF Coaching Philosophy which will speak to creating learning environment among other areas.

Coaching Fundamentals is another such area; he also explained that coaches would have to spend equal amount of time in planning, delivering and reviewing sessions.

“We’re also going to be asking the coaches to ensure that in every session they are connecting with the players, activating the players, demonstrating and consolidating with the players as part of our learning process.”

Another section f the document focuses on Plan, Do and Review as well as the five Pillars focusing on the different coaching styles players would be using and Playing Philosophy.

“That is a document that is called our game model, again, that is age specific and it’s talking about how our key principles are in the different moments of the game. In attack, in defense, transition in, transition out and set pieces. Again that is broken down from small sided into eleven v elevens so its age specific going

through the age groups.”

There would also be the Coaches curriculum that would be available to all the Coaches which would guide each session they do. This would allow for consistency across each ATC so that when players are called to the National level, they’ll be on the same page.

Greenwood also announced that a new Coaching Programme would be announced in the coming weeks that would be linked to the Concacaf Coaching Convention which Guyana is applying to be a member of.

T h e v a r i o u s AT C Coaches would have been involved in online learning during the covid-19 pandemic to get them prepared for the take off of the ATC and they are already equipped with the four main documents from the GFF that would guide them.

“Se we’re very, very excited about the academies starting back up again and the regional associations being that driving force to ensure that we get the best players across Guyana into our national teams and also into our competitions.”

The GFF would continue to take care of the emoluments of the Coaches involved but the general management of the ATC would be the responsibility of the RMA’s, GFF Youth Development Officer, Brian Joseph reminded.

“One of the key things that is going to happen is

Permaul aims to get back in Pleased with 5-Wkt Windies colours haul in Jamaica

By Sean Devers Guyanese Veerasammy Permaul, who turns 32 on August 11, captured 5-38 from 17 overs on day two of the first four-day practice match organised by the CWI at Sabina Park in Jamaica on Wednesday.

This was despite an unbeaten 77 from Kraigg Braithwaite and 41 from Roston Chase as Windies team 2 were bowled out for 173 as Guyanese pacer Nail Smith had 2-32 from 10 overs.

While many of his Guyana team mates journey to the USA to play competitive cricket the Berbice left-arm spinner did not do so.

“It felt good to play competitive cricket and get

in a performance because due to covid-19 there is no regional cricket at the moment. I want to make sure I utilize every opportunity I get playing cricket to get back in the team,” Permaul told Kaieteur Sports from the largest English speaking Caribbean Island which celebrated its 59th Independence Anniversary yesterday.

Permaul, who has 18 wickets from six Tests, informed that the pitch was good.

“It didn’t offer a lot of spin, I just try to be patient on a good length, line and keep challenging the batmen’s defence and that brought me success,” explained Permaul who made his Test debut against

Bangladesh in Dhaka on November 12, 2012.

“Because of the current pandemic I wasn’table to get much pitch practice I been working more on my fitness.

I try to utilize whatever facility I get, sometimes at the GCB indoor facility at LBI and at the Albion community cricket ground,” informed Permaul, the last of five Test players produced

by Albion.

The former West Indies U-19 player had taken 536 wickets from 121 matches with a best of 8-18 at an Average of 20.65, said he has gained alot of experience playing regional cricket over the years since making his debut at that level in 2007. “With the (Continued on page 19)

approval process for payment for the coaches that are operating within the academies would have to be verified by the president of the respective RMA.” The GFF Technical Department would continue to monitor the delivery of

sessions and to also ensure the growth of the coaches and their development, “And also ensuring that the national philosophy is being delivered at the training centers.”

Joseph stated that success of the ATC’s would

require a huge effort from the R M A’s a n d t h e G F F Technical Department to ensure that collectively, the best is derived from the players, coaches ultimately leading to the best elite players getting into the national teams.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 07, 2021

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 07, 2021

PAGE 23

Two more youth cricketers Pakistan benefit from BCB/Michael Captain Azam Ramdeen Memorial Trust Fund not satisfied - Chesney receives grass cutter from BCB

Two under 13 youth cricketers on Wednesday last benefitted from a donation of a cycle as the pro active Berbice Cricket Board continue to make a positive difference in the lives of youths in the Ancient County.

The donation of the cycles was done under the BCB/ Michael Ramdeen Memorial Trust Fund. The two players receiving the cycles were Antonio Depaul and Sohail Mohammed.

BCB President Hilbert Foster stated that the players were selected by the management of the Chesney Cricket Club and the Edinburgh Cricket Club based on their discipline, attitude and promise for the future.

Foster, who is also the Vice President of the Guyana Cricket Board and a Director of Cricket West Indies, stated that former Berbice player Kevin Ramdeen contacted him with the idea of assisting youth cricketers with cycles in memory of his late father, who was an outstanding cricket administrator in Canje.

The Late Michael Ramdeen served as the cricket coach for the Rose Hall Canje Community Centre Cricket Club for a long period and was highly respected. His two sons - Kevin and Richard Ramdeen both played at the junior level. Richard played for the West Indies at the under 19 level and also represented Guyana at the senior level including the Champions Cup in South Africa.

Under the fund, a total of eight cricketers would received a cycle from the BCB, one each month from between the period of May to December. Kevin Ramdeen has also committed himself to assisting several youth players with educational materials during the Christmas season. The BCB President stated that with the board been unable to play tournaments due to the ongoing rainy season and covid 19 pandemic, efforts are been focused on off the field activities. He stated that currently, the board is working on a historic youth coaching manual, which is expected to be published in two weeks.

The thirty two pages manual was specially prepared by eight cricket coaches including Winston Smith, Julian Moore, Travis Hardcourt, Leslie Solomon and Michael Hyles. Among the topics covered are batting, fast bowling, off spin, leg spin, running between the wicket, wicket keeping, mental approach to the game, attributes of a good batsman, physical fitness and fielding.

Babar Azam takes part in a fielding drill © Getty Images

with results

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The President of the Chesney CC Narine Deonarine poses with the grass cutter.

Foster stated that every youth cricketer in the county would receive a copy, while the BCB would also donate several copies to players in Demerara and Essequibo.

Kevin Ramdeen noted that he was very impressed by the Hilbert Foster led administration and as such was delighted to invest in the development of players and the game. He stated that the game of cricket had enabled him to follow his dreams and shaped him into a very disciplined and focused individual. Ramdeen also noted the role his late father played in his life and stated that he was humbled to be involved in a project to honour his dad.

Meanwhile, Foster also handed over a grass cutter to the Management of the Chesney Cricket Club under the BCB Ground Enhancement. Under the special project, the board has distributed a total of twenty two grass cutters to clubs across the county. The main objective of the project is to assist clubs in the county to prepare their venues for the cricket season. The BCB President urged the President of the club, Mr Narine Deonarine to take care of the equipment and to use it for the intended purpose.

akistan Captain Babar Azam said although they won the recent T20I series 1-0 against the West Indies he is not satisfied with the results.

Speaking after the fourth game at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence Azam said that was not the desired results. “Although we have won the series, I am not satisfied with the results, but we can’t do anything about the weather, it’s not in our control,” he added.

Azam, however, credited his players and stated that they would have liked to try different combinations.

“We could have done better and tried different combinations before the world cup, but still I want to give credit to my players they have done well. This is

what we have planned for this series to try out our different combinations, to test their skills, unfortunately we could not have done that here, but still we have time we will go back home and then sit together and plan accordingly, he said.

Azam noted that it not

easy leaving their families behind for training in these challenging times and commended the players and support staff.

He informed that they are looking forward to the test series and will try to do better. Pakistan won the second T20I by seven runs.

(Zaheer Mohamed)

Rockaway Group of Companies supports LBI SC

The two young cricketers poses with their fathers after the presentation.

CEO of Rockaway Group of Companies Mr. Hafeez Ali (right) presents the equipment to Mr. Richards of LBI SC.

Rockaway of Companies has supported La Bonne Intention (LBI) Sports Club of East Coast of Demerara.

At a simple ceremony held on Monday last at his residence in Mon Repos, the entity’s Chief Executive Officer Hafeez Ali presented a quantity of cricket equipment which included a bat, pads, gloves and a cricket bag, to Captain of the LBI SC Mr. Richards.

Richards expressed gratitude to Mr. Ali and said the equipment will benefit the youths. He commended Mr. Ali for supporting sports throughout Guyana and called on other businesses to do likewise. Mr. Ali said he is pleased to support the club and urged the youths to take the game seriously. Mr. Ali also plays for Everest CC Masters.

Rockaway Group of Companies had also supported teams from Wakenaam, Kato, Berbice and East Coast Demerara.