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ExxonM makes Sunday Edition NEWS US$35 on every dollar it pays Guyana AIETEUR

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August 07, 2022

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Price $150

for flaring - Former EPA Head

Online readership yesterday, 66,880

“Bad” ExxonMobil

contract will change, but not now - Jagdeo tells WBD residents

Guyana will have first priority as sugar production unable to meet local and foreign market demands - GuySuCo CEO Govt. to take back New CID headquarters 5000 acres of State lands estimated to WBD …coconut company with cost $225M 700-acre plot at Wales included

‘A better oil deal can cure Guyana’s cost of living crisis’ - Glenn Lall flays Opposition for missed opportunity; indifference to renegotiation

Oil companies “wringing humanity dry” for massive profits

Outraged by the Exxon-favoured Rystad Energy study, Ray Daggers, a faithful protestor for a better oil deal, …delaying energy transition - environmental activist is hoping that the UN will take note of Guyana’s plight

Aggressive scrutiny by Guyanese exposes dangerous loopholes on environmental, financial issues in Rystad Energy study See story on page 25 Listen to The Glenn Lall Show @11am, 4&7pm on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

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Kaieteur News

Sunday August 07, 2022

Sunday August 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

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“Bad” Exxon contract will change, but not now – Jagdeo tells WBD residents

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo addressing the West Bank Demerara residents on Saturday

Kaieteur News

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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 PPP/C Government is Exxon’s biggest champion It is insightful how some people quickly retreat, surrender any honesty that they may have possessed. What the leaders in the PPP/C Government do today stands as the best example of such shameless leadership vulgarities.

Today, there are no bigger cheerleaders, no prouder champions of ExxonMobil’s criminal oil contract with Guyana than PPP/C Government leaders. They have turned out to be the worst betrayers of this nation, the sworn enemies of the interests of the people.

The ExxonMobil oil contract signed by the Coalition APNU+AFC Administration has been slammed far and wide as monstrous in its plunder of Guyana’s wealth. One PPP/C leader after another, when they were in the Opposition, had spat upon it, laughed over it, and mocked it for being the worst thing that has ever happened to this country. We agree with them in every respect with what they stood for back then when in Opposition. We are still where we are with the contract, but where is the PPP/C today now that it is back in government? Where are the same men who had screamed their lungs out at a contract that was condemned as the crime of all time? Where PPP/C leaders were lions before about the contract, they are now nothing but lame ducks. Where they were all snarling panthers before, today they are pleased to be passive pussycats. The publisher of this newspaper brings a tax case in court, and it is the PPP/C Government, with the Attorney General leading the charge, that stands in resistance to making ExxonMobil and its partners pay their fair share of taxes to the Guyana treasury. The Opposition Coalition tabled a Motion in Guyana’s Parliament and four PPP/C Government MPs rise up to go into battle against it with the ultimate objective of dealing it a death blow, which they succeeded in doing. This is the spectacle, this is the reality, of a Government using every wile and every guile to evade putting ExxonMobil on the hook, and compelling it to right a terrible wrong. Every step, every effort, that is intended, be it in court or in the nation’s parliament, is met with the fiercest resistance by the same people who at one time had been proud to denounce all that the lopsided oil deal stood for, meant for Guyanese. It should be obvious by this time that what the citizens of this country have is not a PPP/C Government that is for the people, but a now proven lackey of ExxonMobil and its people. It is the height of insult and injury that the CEOs of ExxonMobil and the Hess Corporation can boast to their people about the sweet riches and results of Guyana, while our own leaders tie bundle with them to make that possible. Leaders (and their carefully selected henchmen) in this PPP/C Government have been the most powerful voices, the most energetic workers, favouring the interests of ExxonMobil and its people. The people of the American oil superpower are celebrating, from manager to worker to investor to supplier because they are all collecting off the backs and blood of Guyanese. While ExxonMobil’s people celebrate, the Guyanese people contemplate the treacheries of their own. While ExxonMobil’s people line up to collect from the riches of Guyana, more and more of the citizens of Guyana line up to protest over the trickeries, sellouts, and failures of PPP/C Government leaders. It has been one promise following another walked back, sparred with, and dodged from doing what can only be beneficial to Guyanese. What could be wrong with pushing ExxonMobil to pay their taxes, just like every Guyanese citizen and company? What is improper about fighting to obtain full company liability coverage should a disastrous oil spill occur? That is, why not the vitally necessary coverage above and beyond the maximum of what insurance companies offer? We need money and we get the paltry, not what rightfully belongs to us. We would rest more comfortably with required protections finalised to safeguard us, and our CARICOM neighbours. This country needs a Government with leaders that are about Guyanese, and about what is good for ExxonMobil. It is not this PPP/C Government or any of its leaders.

Sunday August 07, 2022

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

We shouldn’t expect Glenn Lall and KN to do more, but to save Guyana they must DEAR EDITOR, It has always been a bizarre mystery to me, why Guyanese cheat and rob one another for menial things just to make their lives better as they feel they have no choice, yet neglecting to fight for the over two trillion US dollars of oil, valuable minerals, timber, and value of the beautiful country itself. It is also bizarre that Guyana has so many media sources and so many Guyanese who studied journalism, yet it is only Glenn Lall and KN are bringing to light, the heist of Guyana’s oil and other valuables, the resulting subsequent debt crisis and the environmental catastrophes waiting to

happen because of the selfish, greedy, evil, and inhumane business operations of the oil, mining and forestry sectors perpetrated by unscrupulous foreign exploiters and their corrupted local enablers.

Journalists are supposed to investigate and report facts and, in these days, and with communicating devices in one’s palm, this is supposed to be much easier than long ago, so what happened to credible journalism in Guyana?

FIGHTING FOR GUYANA’S WEALTH FOR A B E T T E R G U YA N A SHOULD BE THE N U M B E R O N E REPORTING ISSUE IN THE MEDIA. In this light, if

it wasn’t for the brave journalism of Kaieteur News’ Staff, we would have seen Guyana being lifted and flown away like the story of Hanuman in the Ramayana, the Hindu Holy Book. For their valuable service to the Guyanese people, the KN staff was attacked, and some killed, they were also assaulted, threatened, sued, and can face complete shutdown, but alas KN’s Staff are Guyana’s only hope for justice, they have given so much, and we can’t ask them to do more, but to save Guyana they must, as no other media source is willing to do what they do.

A l t h o u g h t h e information presented by KN is factual and credible,

because KN sends reporters on site to investigate and report, people are not responding enough to join the fight for “Guyana’s Fair Share” of its oil and other resources. The reasons for this are, they don’t know or believe, that this amount is more than two trillion US dollars. I talked to over one hundred people I know, none of them believed the oil and other resources are valued at over two trillion US dollars, and only one know who Mr. Su is. The people even said to me, if it could be proven to them it’s over two trillion US dollars, they would do something to fight.

KN, if you want the foreign companies to (Continued on page 5)

Sunday August 07, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox We shouldn’t expect Glenn Lall... Mr. Norton’s PNC rally From page 4 change their current order of business to realise there is enough wealth in Guyana for foreigners, elected officials, and the population, that all Guyanese want is, a decent share of their own wealth plus preservation of the environment, to alleviate the poor from poverty to afford the basic necessities of life plus some future savings, it’s only a few hundred thousand people who need, as Guyana’s population is under one million, not tens of millions of people. There is no massive expense like a railway or subway train system to maintain. KN if you want change the order for Guyanese to get their fair share of Guyana’s wealth, as the wealth does not only belong to the owners and shareholders of foreign companies, then KN you have to take the fight to the next level.

KN, if you want the elected leaders of Guyana, both ruling and opposition to show some spine and do their jobs they were elected to do, which is to negotiate Guyana’s oil and other resources contracts for the benefit of all Guyanese. If you want the leaders to realise the people needs strong and transparent leadership now as the leaders’ walls of lies and deceit are crumbling, that people like farmers, fishermen,

sugar workers and now the public service are ready to protest and will plunge the country into chaos. If you want leaders to focus and fight together for better oil and resource contracts rather than attacking each other for power, and if you want leaders to know attacking each other is just auditioning for which party will be the next servants of the foreign masters, KN you have to take the fight to the next level.

KN, based on the current mentality of Guyanese, the next level fight has to be old school at the grass root level as a national campaign, like going to each village with a loudspeaker directly to the people, if people will not show up at Houston let them protest in their own neighbourhood at the same time the Houston protest is going on coordinated by cell phones. Have as many radios broadcasting the protest live including minibuses, fly banners with the same message, the message has to be simple and clear “Guyanese rise and fight for your share of two trillion US dollars”. When the message reaches people’s ears, that’s when they enquire and question it, then you will give the explanation, you have to create a national awareness for one message.

KN, the reason you have to go old school is that many

Guyanese who use Google, YouTube and Tik Tok are not looking for news information but for entertainment, or even tuning in to the Friday 7.20 programme, instead they are getting ready for the weekend or in bars after work.

Guyanese are not proactive to be updating themselves on news, but reactive as receivers on what’s told to them and you can’t blame Guyanese for this, since they have been subjected to over one century of colonial, religious and political indoctrination. Remember people follow a message because the presenter got through to them by connecting with them, not because the presenter stated facts and truth which KN does.

So KN, if this is fight you want to win, you have to go all in, all the great activists and freedom fighters go by one code ‘’they fight so others can be free, since if they

don’t others will still be enslaved, and evil will rule the land’’. However, beware KN, if one day you generate national awareness that threaten the sweet life of the exploiters and their local enablers, the foreign masters will instruct the servant leaders to come after you.

So KN, if you want to go next level you face great risk, if you don’t Guyana is doomed, the choice is yours as nobody has the right to tell you what to do. All Guyanese, if you want to see a better Guyana by getting its’ fair share of wealth and prosper, you should support KN anyway you can, since as of now, KN is our only hope.

R. David

speech focusing on imagined discrimination failed to inspire

DEAR EDITOR, The PNC held a rally at what they call “Burnham Court” on the second anniversary of the PPP coming into office in 2020.

While the PPP published its very long list of projects accomplished, the PNC Opposition Leader Mr. Norton focused much on why he did not shake President’s Ali’s hand at the Emancipation Day festival. He also alleged discrimination to an almost allAfro-Guyanese crowd. But he also advised them to take all

the goodies offered by the Government, since it is Guyana’s and not the PPP’s resources.

The nation wants a strong viable Opposition to keep the Government on track and keep them on their toes for good governance, accountability, and transparency. The Opposition must be a government-inwaiting as it offers alternative policy initiatives, gives reasonable, sensible critiques and is watching (Continued on page 6)

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Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Mr. Norton’s PNC rally speech focusing on imagined discrimination failed...

From page 5 the Government like a hawk, asking questions, and seeking answers. So, Mr. Norton spending the bulk of his time to explain why he did not shake the President’s outstretched hand is uninspiring and underwhelming. Apart from assertions of imagined discrimination, the speech was quite empty. The PNC’s messaging must be credible and go beyond the race card.

Mr. Norton said he was quite surprised at the attendance and did not think people will

show up. If he keeps speaking like that, maybe he will lose his audience in the future.

While he focuses on alleged discrimination, his supporters are experiencing direct engagement from the Government side and seeing some results.

Nation, how can we build a country if the man waiting to be President, cannot do a basic thing such as returning the courtesy of shaking the President’s outstretched hand? Does Mr. Norton believe most people agree with such an infantile

strategy, and think it is a badge of honour? Gandhi said you cannot shake hands with a clenched fist. Another saying is “one hand can’t clap.” Does Mr. Norton not see that wherever President Ali, the VP and the PPP Ministers go, PNC supporters are delighted to see them, take pictures and want to engage with the Government so they can get resources to improve their communities?

Demonisation is not a recipe for transformation and national development. Does Mr. Norton not want to see

the communities of his supporters improved?

The PNC needs to engage the Government and make sure the national budget makes provisions for balanced development across the country. Such engagement requires ongoing dialogue and meetings.

If Mr. Norton’s strategy is to boast that he did not shake the hands of the President, where will that get him? Although the PNC is a party committed to rigging, the President was

magnanimous to extend his hand to Mr. Norton. In politics, you always shake the hands of your political opponents, even though you may not like them.

At this time, the most urgent priority is to get the Government to change course and renegotiate the bad oil contract signed by Mr. Norton’s PNC party.

Mr. Norton has not answered the question whether he met with Exxon’s top brass when he visited the USA. Mr. Norton is also silent on renegotiation and runs away from that “R” word. Mr. Jordan and Mr. Patterson of the Opposition have been making swipes at aspects of the bad oil contracts.

That is good. Mr. Norton needs to get on board and unite with the Government to bring the nation together on this very important issue. The PNC and Mr. Norton should not sit by and allow the oil companies to pump, pump oil on a fast track while the

royalty is low, and then all the oil will be gone and our people remain dirt poor. Wake up Mr. Norton and make oil renegotiation your number one priority. Continue asking questions in parliament on the various projects.

Organise your supporters to monitor the quality of projects meeting contract specifications. Dig deep into why all these infrastructural projects are costing so much.

Your supporters control the Public Service, ask them to be whistleblowers if they are aware of corruption.

Generalised assertions are not enough. To the Government side, I say engagement must be meaningful, not token. Solve problems proactively, such as collective bargaining.

Don’t wait for people to march in the streets, burn things, and block roads before you act on solving problems.

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Sunday August 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

“Independent experts” are rushing to Guyana to offer their own “analysis” of what the country is poised to receive from the oil and gas sector.

Rystad for example, a Norway-based group, came to convince us that we would receive some US$157B by 2040.

This analysis, however, failed to consider the risks Guyana is exposed to, if an oil spill, for example, occurs. While it is true that the discovery of oil has changed Guyana's fortune, because of the oppressive Exxon contract, our wealth is daily slipping right through our fingers.

The truth is, dear readers, Guyana can never achieve the “glossy” imaginations of those “independent experts” who have not dared to gain a better understanding

of the prevailing crisis and the one-sided albatross the Coalition has subjected this nation to.

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Sunday August 07, 2022

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Wismar 1964 was a blot on the nation The events at Wismar, Christianburg and Mackenzie of 1964 are the only known case of ethnic cleansing in Guyana.

The forced ‘eviction’ of almost 3,400 East Indians and the violence and arson perpetuated against them could not have been possible without political backing and direction.

The events have been described as the Wismar Massacre. Burnham, himself, addressing the Legislative Assembly used the world “massacre” to describe the events.

The then Governor appointed a Commission of Inquiry to the events. The Report of that COI is henceforth referred to as the Wismar Report.

The Wismar Report summarises that “racial violence [took place] on 25 May, 1964 by Africans against the minority East Indian population residing in Wismar, Christianburg and Mackenzie, the bauxite mining communities in the upper Demerara River, 65 miles south of Georgetown. In the course of these attacks, a number of Indians were murdered, scores of others brutally beaten and injured, and women and girls publicly raped. These violent acts were accompanied by large scale arson which saw the destruction of more than 200 houses and business places owned by Indians.”

Two months later, a boat, the Sun Chapman, exploded

on the river, resulting in the deaths of 36 Africans. This led to a second wave of reprisals against Indians in which five Indians died and others injured.

The Report noted that the murder of an African couple the Sealeys - at Buxton, East Coast Demerara appeared to be the incident which precipitated the planned reprisal against the East Indians in the WismarChristianburg area on Monday 25th May, 1964. It, however, also injected that the economic prosperity of the East Indian community must have been a latent source of jealousy, and which led to the destruction of property.

No mention was made of any death in Mahaicony Creek having been responsible for the first wave attacks. That incident was not the trigger for Wismar.

At the time there was internal conflict between Indians and Africans in the country. But, despite incidents of violence on the part of both sides the communities of Wismar.

Christianburg and Linden remained relatively calm except for the looting of a shop the previous year.

The Commission noted that those involved in the violence were well-informed about the precise location of Indian premises. The Commissioners said the perpetrators were wellequipped and trained for

incendiarism.

This therefore could hardly have been a spontaneous response to the reports of the killing of the couple in Buxton. The attacks had all the hallmark of a wellplanned and executed plan.

The Report observed that the Indians were shocked by the sudden enmity shown by persons who had been their friends, neighbours and fellow workers. It said that the neighbours of those attacked were afraid to lend a helping hand to those who were attacked and properties set alight. It went on to say that those persons who offered shelter to fleeing Indians were threatened. All of this suggests an orchestrated operation.

The Commissioners concluded that “this was a diabolical plot, ingeniously planned and ruthlessly executed.”

The Report named some of the agitators responsible for inciting and committing violence. But by the PNC government which took command of the country later the same year never prosecuted any of those involved.

Mrs. Janet Jagan, the then Minister of Home Affairs with responsibility for public security, was not even informed of the horrific incidents while they were taking place – and this went on for 38 hours. She was merely told that the situation was tense. She resigned as Minister of Home Affairs

Dem boys seh...

Handshakes is not milkshakes De LoO nah disrespect de President.

De man acknowledge de President in de most respectful manner. He humble heself in front de Prezzie. He nah shake de Prezzie hand; he bow to de man.

Handshake is a greeting.

Is a sign of peace and showing dat no ill-will intended or dat yuh ain’t got no hidden animosity or enmity. Bowing is more a sign of reverence and respect dan a greeting.

Dem Boys remember when de Oslo Peace Accords was signed, de President of Israel reluctantly shake de hands of Yaseer Arafat. De

two leaders did meet and sign peace agreement and when de time come fuh de photo up, Arafat stretched out he hand, but Yitzhak Rabin was reluctant to reciprocate. He did but grudgingly.

Sometimes yuh does gat to shake people hand who yuh nah want to greet or even meet.

Dem boys remember de picture in de papers when Souja Bai did meet Maduro.

He shake de man hand but he pout he lips and mek he face sour.

Sometimes, de most bitter of foes does greet each other in a friendly manner. Like when Obama did greet Chavez

with a firm handshake. Chavez was so moved by de gesture dat he gave de man a book – written by Chavez, of course.

But sometimes, a handshake can disguise illintentions. Like in 1938 when Neville Chamberlin did fly to Germany to meet Adolf Hilter.

De two leaders had a good understanding which was cemented by a handshake.

Well, not long afterwards Hitler turn around and try fuh shake-up England with aerial bombardment.

So nah read too much into a handshake or de lack of a handshake. But de bowing is another story!

Talk half. Leff half.

because of the massacre.

When she inquired, she was told that there were enough troops to control the situation. Well, the troops did not act as they ought to. In fact, eyewitnesses to the raping of two girls notified the volunteers who were nearby but they refused to go to the girls’ rescue. According to Mrs. Jagan, the police and volunteers stood by while looting, arson, rape and murder were committed and made no effort to intervene,

even though they were armed.

Attempts at political revisionism will not erase the facts. Even before the Sun Chapman incident, the then Minister of Home Affairs reported in the Senate that 10 persons were being trained at Congress Place in the use of explosives.

The majority of those forcibly expelled from Wismar left the area with nothing other than the clothes on their backs. Yet amazingly many,

starting from scratch, rebuilt their lives and never used the incident to bemoan any failures on their part.

(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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MondayAugust Sunday May 02,07, 2022 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Anti-govt. propagandists that have no training in international relations

T

he American government requested a meeting with the head of government of Guyana. It has never happened before in CARICOM. The dialogue had to be important. The first asininity to be relegated to the dustbin is the interpretation that the president was summoned.

There had to be a statement from the State Department or a mention by a State Department official

to the press so that the analyst could have read in its subliminal invisibility that President Ali was summoned. There was no such indication. By what logic then could the media and the political observers see the request as an edict to meet?

Anyone who read just one book on international relations would know that the government of a superpower demands a meeting with the

governmental head of a friendly nation to insist on a course of action in an outbreak of internecine domestic violence, civil war, a border war or an escalating national crisis that has implications for American foreign policy.

It is virtually impossible for the Secretary of State to demand a meeting with the head of a friendly ally just to assert that there must be national dialogue with the rest of society for inclusive

governance.

Such a desire is channel through the local embassy or through a visit by a lowranking State Department official who would convey what the Secretary of State wants to the country's Foreign Minister.

That did not happen. If the US Government wants inclusive governance in Guyana, and it has an ambassador here, but if it is left to the Secretary of State to convey that directly to the

c o u n t r y ' s president or prime minister then two things can be alternatively defined.

One is that the US Frederick Kissoon now has become a mediocre government China has now caught up that doesn't know how to with the US in terms of oil conduct diplomacy or insatiability.

What China is Guyana now features largely in the geo-strategic, geo- doing is buying oil at a political configurations of a higher cost from many oilgreat superpower. Guyana producing Third World then as a small, unimportant countries and some Middle actor in international relation East monarchies.

In the midst of this has now assumed global competition for oil, comes importance in the same the Ukrainian War. context as strategic nations China and India will not like Israel, New Zealand, etc. sanction Russia because President Ali was not Russia is the world's largest summoned and the oil producer.

What China discussion of inclusive and India have done is to take governance was not the essential topic. Those who up the quantities of Russian think that the American oil that the US and the EU concern was the nature of used to buy.

The US needs that Guyanese politics do not k n o w a n y t h i n g a b o u t guarantee of oil the way it international relations. One was crazy about it during its of the fulcrums on which the reign in the fifties, sixties foreign policy of the United and seventies. But it cannot get it because it has States stands is oil security. sanctioned Russia.

After World War 2, In step, Saudi Arabia, America was devouring oil Venezuela and Guyana. the way a river receives a President Biden has sought waterfall. After the Cold War began in earnest in 1945, US rapprochement with Saudi s e c u r i t y r e s t e d o n a Arabia so the Saudis can pump more oil. The kingdom guaranteed supply of oil. agreed to do that. Venezuela The area of the world that t h e U S e n s u r e d t h a t has agreed to restart selling guarantee was permanent oil to the US but it is making was the Middle East. Anyone humongous demands about who doesn't know that US easing sanctions. The knows absolutely nothing Republicans senators are about international affairs pressing Biden not to ease and should start reading the sanctions.

This is where Guyana some books about the comes in. Guyana can fill subject.

T h e U S m i l i t a r y needed gaps in supply and it establishment, its industries is one of America's reliable and its technology are the allies since the Hoyte government came in power largest in the world.

That country drinks oil in 1985.

The US knows that the way grass grows on your Russia is going to spend lawn when it rains. The US years in Ukraine so it tells began to be suspicious that Guyana that it expects a the oil guarantee would be consistent supply of oil. derailed by two This, and concerns about developments - the China in Guyana were what acquisition of superpower the Ali visit was all about. status by China and the (The views expressed in defection of Hugo Chavez this article are those of the from the Munroe Doctrine. a u t hor and do not Both of these factors created necessarily reflect the headaches for US foreign opinions of this newspaper.) policy.

Sunday August 07, 2022

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Sunday August 07, 2022

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

SUNDAY Politicians Must Be Held Accountable!

How many times have you heard the statement: Guyana is the fastest growing country in the region?

But where is the evidence of this growth, it is certainly not felt by the average citizens of this country.

And why is this?

The answer is simple.

Although Guyana continues to produce more oil, the citizens are not the ones benefitting from their Godgiven wealth because it is being shipped out by the millions of barrels by the oil companies owing to the oppressive lopsided contract that our government seems bent on defending to the detriment of the nation.

But we, as Guyanese, must know our rights; we have the power to demand the change we wish to see.

It is high time that more Guyanese stand up and hold these unconscionable politicians accountable!

MONDAY Things tight in oil-rich Guyana The oil companies operating in Guyana continue to boast of the heavy returns and rich future that is in store for their shareholders, owing to the loaded Stabroek Block.

Notably, while Hess Corporation and ExxonMobil highlighted their lofty profits, Guyanese continue to suffer, with some being unable to even purchase medication.

People are now buying one card of tablets, rather than a month's supply, while the beggars at the stop lights seem to be more depressed as drivers themselves find it difficult to scrape enough for fuel and bread for their families.

The situation is worsening in the oil rich country, but the masses are not willing to speak up. They lay asleep dreaming of a good life promised by politiciansthemselves already rich. We must stand up to the bullies and demand our fair share.

TUESDAY Failures of the Ali Government Today marks two years since the Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C Government returned to power. Today and perhaps for the rest of the week, social media and elsewhere would

be overrun by propagandists, extolling the administration that had to fight their way into government after the APNU+AFC made a valiant effort to stop them.

But after two years, we can hardly find anything to smile about. If there was one thing that President Ali and his government could have distinguished themselves with during these past years, is our nascent oil and gas sector. After making many grandiose promises during the elections campaign, this sector has been managed poorly. This is the biggest failure of the Ali administration.

After two years, there is no discernible change. The lopsided contract remains in place; the oil companies continue to abuse and misuse us and instead of defending Guyanese, the government has been siding with Exxon and its partners.

Other failures include, unable to revive the unprofitable sugar industry despite pumping several billions into it: 1. F a i l u r e t o clampdown on corruption, which has been made worse with the damning revelations

by Vice News against Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo; 2. Failure to unite the country despite empty rhetoric about One Guyana.

Racial tension remains very high across the country, which is being exploited by politicians for their narrow, selfish gains; 3. Incompetent ministers: In President Ali's Cabinet, are a number of incompetent ministers who should be given marching orders.

D e o d a t I n d a r, N i g e l Dharamlall just to name a few; 4. Failure to repair poor public infrastructure.

Everywhere you go in this country, you can find a number of pothole-filled streets. Citizens are paying their taxes while foreigners are getting duty-free concessions to bring in heavy-duty equipment to break up our roads; 5. Poor parliamentary oversight: instead of using the National Assembly to encourage greater inclusiveness, the PPP/C Government and its lackey Speaker have run roughshod over that august bodyshutting out the opposition and reducing the parliament

t o a 'go-to' to place for money; 6. Failure to address adequately the cost of living crisis that has enveloped this country.

WEDNESDAY Think Again!

Do some of our politicians actually take Guyanese for fools?

Do they really think that they can keep pulling wool over Guyanese's eyes?

Politicians after politicians have wooed the Guyanese people for their votes only to use their time in high office to help plunder the nation's wealth.

Guyana does not belong to any politician, or political party, and any, who for some inconceivable reason think they can 'wheel and deal' Guyanese out of their Godgiven patrimony and live a favoured life, had better think again.

According to the good book: A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

THURSDAY The Railway Embankmess It is now dangerous to drive on the East Coast Demerara Railway Embankment, especially at nights due to the sea of potholes. Every five metres of commute you are bound to encounter at least three potholes.

It is mindboggling that the government claims that it is spending so much money on infrastructure and the embankment- a key thoroughfare for commute along the East Coast Demerara is in such a mess.

Anyone who drives on the embankment on a daily basis can testify of the many potholes stretching from Enmore all the way to Sheriff Street junction.

Potholes in various sizessome covered with water that can deceive unsuspecting drivers.

Something needs to be done quickly to repair the embankment and the many other messy roads across this country. The erstwhile Juan Edghill and his sidekick, Deodat Indar would do well in fixing these potholes rather than trying to defend ExxonMobil's stranglehold on this country.

FRIDAY Guyanese getting shine!

If Guyanese did not enjoy a good laugh last evening when the so-called independent group Rystad Energy tried to paint a glowing picture regarding the amount of money we are getting from this oil and gas contract with Exxon, then I do not know what else will tickle our people.

Coming out of the entire engagement, one thing was certain, Rystad did not, out of the blue, decide to come to Guyana and provide the so called “independent” review of the sector.

T h e S e n i o r Vi c e President Schreiner Parker probably did not expect attendees to understand the intricate pieces of information he sought to report on, but it is getting clearer that Guyanese are getting shine! Outside of getting the agent to admit that ExxonMobil is on its list of clients, he was pressed on the information he was providing while Guyanese themselves have been begging but cannot receive the necessary information that would allow them to assess their own oil industry

the way he has done.

What is very real however, is that many will be coming to Guyana, some paid to divulge information that may very well be true but means nothing to the common Guyanese, because of the poor contractual arrangements. It is clear also that arming ourselves with the relevant information will help us in protecting our oil wealth.

SATURDAY RYSTAD BOGUS STORY Daily, our leaders are at each other's throat over issues affecting this country, but ignoring the foreigners who are studiously working to trick and rob us of our resources.

No doubt, the mismanagement of the country by the current crop of leaders can see us citizens taking to the streets every day, because there are so many things to protest about.

Only this week, we witnessed the bravado, from the so called independent groupRystad Energy with a bogus report hailing the most corrupt oil deal in the world as profitable to Guyana.

These are the things our

leaders should be fighting against instead of fighting each other.

They should be joining forces to defeat enemies like Rystad Energy that came here with the sole purpose of deceiving this young nationno doubt with backing from the Government of Guyana and the oil players operating here.

The Guyana Chronicle's lead story in yesterday's edition reproducing the garbage from Rystad Energy confirms our suspicion that the administration probably assisted in funding the so called study and also was responsible for bringing the Rystad messenger to this country.

Luckily, we have enough patriots here who were able to stand up to the fraud that was being foisted on us by Rystad Energy.

And so, as we motor along in the oil and gas industry, it is important for everyone- including our journalists to watch out for the fraudsters; the bogus analysts and even our leaders who make it their settled occupation to deceive citizens, en route to filling their pockets.

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Sunday August 07, 2022

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Oil companies “wringing humanity dry” for massive profits…delaying energy transition - Environmental Activist

O

il companies are recording massive profits due to high oil prices stemming from the imbalance in the supply and demand chain. Stakeholders are nonetheless holding operators responsible for deliberately keeping production low while making “excessive and immoral profits” described by Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres, when he called out fossil fuel companies for making the gains on the backs of vulnerable people.

Canadian environmentalist, Tzeporah Berman has also lashed out at big oil companies for “wringing humanity dry” in the process of making their hefty gains. In an opinion piece published in the UK Guardian, Berman accused oil companies of working against the transition to renewables and deliberately keeping production down, while making large sums of money off of the poor.

Berman is the international programme director at Stand.earth and the chair of the Fossil Fuel NonProliferation Treaty Initiative.

She said that even as the climate crisis escalates, oil companies are recording huge profits and not accelerating an energy transition. She said that in the second quarter, oil companies have made 11figure profits. “At the same time, inflation has reached 40-year highs around the world and recessions loom.”

She said that “The obscene profits of the fossil fuel industry are jarring when set against the many households currently struggling to afford basic heating, cooling and food needs.” She continued that high energy prices are one of the leading factors driving inflation, and those prices are getting embedded into every facet of daily life, most obviously at the gas pump but also in delivery costs that affect everything from produce to paper towels. “ M e a n w h i l e , ExxonMobil quadrupled last year's figures with $17.85B. Shell beat its previous quarterly high with $11.5bn.

Chevron rolled in with

$11.62B in reported profit.

This comes in the wake of new analysis last week that calculated $2.8B a day in pure profit for the oil and gas industry for the last 50 years.” Berman noted that while oil companies have tried to temper criticisms that their profits are at the expense of consumers, some companies have claimed to

Program Director at Stand.earth, Tzeporah Berman d ouble their investment, but, “it is not being put toward renewable energy that would alleviate the global disruption the world sees today from high energy prices and decarbonise the energy grids, which are critical for meeting climate goals.” “ We n e e d a r a p i d deployment of renewables,” the activist charged. She argued that solar and wind power technologies are already market-ready and cost-competitive. Even when taking into account environmental safeguards, land constraints and technical feasibility, solar and wind energy alone could power the world more than 50 times over, meeting the energy demands of every person in every region of the world.” Fossil fuel companies spend nearly $200 million a year lobbying to delay, control or block policies to tackle climate change, Berman informed.

She said that oil companies' recorded profits are salt in the wound when it is seen that fossil fuel companies have successfully lobbied G20 governments for $151 billion within COVID19 recovery packages on top of their profit, lobby transition delays and even seek assistance for carbon capture on its own projects.

“We can't rely on the fossil fuel industry to break business as usual, especially one that delivers unthinkable profits for the industry while the rest of us reel from the

ripple effects of high fuel prices. That's why there is an urgent need for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to end the expansion of oil, gas and coal, phase out existing production to limit warming to manageable levels and

accelerate a fair energy transition where wealthy, fossil fuel-producing nations lead and support other countries so there is affordable, clean energy from sun, wind and water for everyone.”

The UN Chief has nonetheless urged governments to tax excessive profits from oil companies and use the funds to support the most vulnerable people through these difficult times.

“I urge people everywhere to

send a clear message to the fossil fuel industry and their financiers that this grotesque greed is punishing the poorest and most vulnerable people while destroying our only common home, the (Continued on page 61)

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Sunday August 07, 2022

6 years after sell-out of company's assets…

Over $30M in salaries and benefits owed to Precision workers

F

ormer employees of Precision Wo o d w o r k i n g Limited (PWL) are still waiting to collect some $30 million owed to them in salaries and benefits, several months after a sellout of the company's assets.

PWL's assets were sold off under a receivership arrangement with Republic

Bank Guyana Limited (RBGL) which resulted in a court battle that dragged on for nine long years.

The issue is being highlighted even as trade unionist Eon Andrews continues to lobby for the workers to be paid their full benefits.

In his most recent attempt to secure relief for the former

PWL employees, Andrews wrote to the principals of PWL as well as the Head of RBGL demanding answers as to the reason for the protracted time that the workers have not been paid their benefits. According to the correspondence seen by this newspapers, Andrews notes that there has been no response on his queries of

when the laid off workers would be paid.

Andrews wrote to the parties on July 7, July 21 and August 3, 2022 requesting the information.

In one of the letters, Andrews who acts an advisor to the workers asked: “why, if the company's properties have been sold by the receiver – more than six years ago, for hundreds of millions of dollars in excess of their indebtedness, can't there be a reckoning which would lead to the former employees receiving the balance of their severance benefits?”

In that letter, Andrews also expressed shock that well over a year since the dismissal of the legal action, the receiver has not been discharged” and that to date, both the receiver and the bank are refusing to provide the directors of PWL the financial records regarding their company.

Andrews, in his letter emphasised his interest remains the welfare of the former PWL employees, while adding that given the conclusion of the legal action, their expectation was that the “receiver would be discharged and they would get something from the remaining proceeds.”

In the meantime, Ronald and Rustum Bulkan, the joint Managing Directors of Precision Woodworking Ltd., are continuing their fight in court.

The Bulkans were responsible for establishing and managing PWL, one of Guyana's leading valueadded manufacturers, which was founded in 1983 to

brothers allege that they have established circumstances that indicate a grave miscarriage of justice, which should warrant the Court of Appeal's permission of an expedited hearing of their appeal.

On March 7, 2022, via their Attorney, Roysdale Forde, SC, the brothers filed a Motion at the Court of Appeal seeking an expedited hearing of their case against the decision of Justice Navindra Singh delivered on February 15, 2021, in the lawsuit against RBGL and Ronald Bulkan, Managing receiver Kashir Khan.

Director of Precision The Bulkans' affidavit Woodworking Ltd. contends that the premise of the decision, based on these struck out sub-paragraphs, was therefore flawed and constituted “a substantial and grave travesty of justice.”

They believe that the High Court on this ground did not properly consider their case.

The aggrieved applicants also highlighted that a specialist court, the Commercial Court, took almost nine years to make this flawed decision. They said this was partly because the first defendant, Kashir Khan, took four years to file a witness statement after being ordered by the Court, without Trade unionist, reprimand or penalty.

Eon Andrews They further allege that the receiver appointed by the Bank, Kashir Khan, has disposed of all of the manufacture and export high- company's assets, including quality furniture for the p r i m e r e a l e s t a t e a n d European market using specialised manufacturing i n d i g e n o u s G u y a n e s e equipment, and has refused to hardwoods. give them any account of his I n t h e B u l k a n s ' dealings, nor has he filed application, a copy of which accounts with the Registry as was seen by this paper, the (Continued on page 61)

43 new COVID-19 cases recorded

On Saturday, the Ministry of Health via its latest dashboard reported that within the last assessed 24-hour period, a total of 43 new COVID-19 cases were recorded across the country.

While there has been no new death, the dashboard revealed that one patient remains in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 14 persons are in institutional isolation, 481 are in home isolation and seven are q u a r a n t i n e d institutionally.

To date, a total of 68,359 persons have recovered from the virus.

Sunday August 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

==GNBS IN FOCUS== ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN SAFER MEDICAL LABORATORIES WITH THE USE OF STANDARDS Medical laboratory services are essential to a healthy population and therefore must meet the needs of all patients and the clinical personnel responsible for accurate diagnosis and treatment of those persons.

Management is encouraged to implement Standards to ensure efficient and effective functioning of medical laboratory facilities.

In 2009, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) first adopted the International Standard ISO 15190 - Medical laboratories — Requirements for safety as a Guyana Standard GYS 475 Medical laboratories — Requirements for safety.

This year, the latest publication of this standard was adopted to better meet the needs of an evolving health sector.

The Standard specifies requirements to establish and maintain a safe working environment in a medical laboratory. It addresses design of the facility to ensure safety, security of materials, practices and controls to reduce loss or misuse of resources. Key among requirements of the standard is the need for hazard identification and risk assessment to identify threats that exist or could arise within the laboratory or result from

its activities.

This section of the document pointed out that while there can never be a total absence of risk in a medical laboratory, the aim is to decrease the risk as much as possible.

Precautions to take include engineering controls in the form of proper ventilation, biological safety cabinets, appropriate disposal containers and selfsheathing needles, among others, and administrative controls in the form of trainings, processes, rules and safe work procedures.

The Standard’s management requirements noted that there should be detailed instructions concerning hazard identification, signs/ symptoms of exposure, risk assessment and periodic review of procedures to ensure they remain fit for purpose.

Across the health sector, the likelihood of crosscontamination is often raised.

As such, the GYS 475 Standard specifies the establishment of validated procedures to ensure that appropriate methods for decontamination and inactivation are implemented effectively. Appropriate decontamination is required after routine work or in

emergency situations.

Other topics addressed include chemical classification and labelling, oxidising and corrosive materials, biological spills, chemical spills and waste, electrical equipment, emergency preparedness and response, fire safety, protective clothing in the laboratory, waste disposal and requirements for a safety audit.

While this document is intended for use throughout the currently recognised disciplines of medical laboratory services, other services and disciplines can find it useful and appropriate.

However, medical laboratories handling human pathogens requiring containment levels 3 and 4 will need to meet additional requirements to ensure safety.

Managers of medical laboratories are urged to acquire a copy of the Guyana Standard GYS 475- Medical laboratories — Requirements for safety and implement the requirements of the standard to ensure a safer working environment for their staff and visitors.

For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190069, 219-0065, 219-0062 or visit the GNBS Website: www. gnbsgy.org.

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‘A better oil deal can cure Guyana’s cost of living crisis’ - Glenn Lall flays Opposition for missed opportunity; indifference to renegotiation The deepening cost of living crisis here can be cured with more revenues coming in from Guyana’s burgeoning oil and gas industry. But this can only be had, if the combined opposition and government demand adjustments in the lopsided oil contract this country signed with ExxonMobil, Kaieteur News Publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall has

said.

Lall was at the time speaking on his radio programme ‘The Glenn Lall Show’ aired on Kaieteur Radio (99.1, 99.5FM) last Wednesday. Globally, citizens have been reeling from the high cost of living caused by the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. In

Guyana citizens have been hit by shortages in several food items as well as hike in prices.

The government’s response thus far has been lacklustre and the opposition has been agitating for a comprehensive programme to tackle the problem. Last Tuesday the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the Alliance for Change (AFC) and the

Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall Working People’s Alliance (WPA) held a rally to speak out against the high cost of living, corruption and extra judicial killings. At the rally, they vowed to ramp up their activisms. Speaking on the issue with specific focus on the reluctance of the country’s leaders to press for renegotiation in the contract, Lall told his audience that he has been encouraged “to see the opposition, all three groups, coming out holding rallies to protest against those things, but the most important issue affecting all of Guyana, the present and future generation, was not on the agenda and not even mentioned.” Lall asked, “What drove them to this rally? Food – your belly, the cost of living today, all have to do with money, your pocket. This is the core issue in the world today and all of the issues facing Guyanese today could be solved overnight if we focus on the issue that was not on the rally’s agenda – the oil money, the gold money, diamond and bauxite money. Holding rallies and talking about how things bad in your country is not going to correct anything,” Lall said on his programme.

He said the opposition should take some of the blame for the economic woes in Guyana –owing to the contract it signed with Exxon.

“Things are bad because you people, and I mean you the opposition, have created the situation we are living in today - the hole we find ourselves in, you the Coalition have put us in it, by giving away everything to ExxonMobil with that lopsided Stabroek Block contract, signed by former Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman.”

Directing his attention to the Leader of the Opposition, Lall said, “If that is corrected Mr. (Aubrey) Norton, you will have no need to hold rallies, you will have no extra-judicial killing and less corruption because everybody will be living large, they don’t have to worry where their next meal is coming from. They don’t

Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton have to worry about salary increase; every household would have been collecting a fat, fat something when the month come, if we fix that contract.”

COVID-19 crisis Noting that the COVID-19 pandemic was divinely orchestrated to “wake up the world,” Lall said, the virus and its rapid spread was aimed at sending a message to the world. “COVID is what started the crisis we living in today, Mr. Norton. Workers across the world could not go out of their homes to work and earn a living. All of the world’s ports and harbours were brought to their knees because there was not enough produce to make a boat load – that has caused the prices to soar. A container that used to cost US$3,000 is now beyond US$20,000. To date, COVID hasn’t left the world and it’s still scary, now there is Monkey Pox, which is beginning to get scary too.

People don’t want to risk going to work, travelling in trains and buses, sitting next to strangers for fear of contracting Monkey Pox. Then there is the war between Russia and Ukraine, one supplying about 40 percent fuel – oil and gas to the world and the other supplying over 40 percent wheat and corn – food for the world. And because of the war, food and fuel prices have gone crazy all over the world…” Lall mentioned too that India, which supplies 40 percent of

rice to the world, is also suffering from intense drought. “You know where we are heading there, you guys better get back into the rice fields quickly and start ploughing because soon you will be lining up to buy rice, like how you lining up for sugar,” said Lall. He added too that “The whole of Europe and even parts of America have been going through a massive heat wave for over a month now, which has created wildfires that destroyed billions in wealth.

It even killed over 2,000 people in Italy and Spain, some three weeks ago.”

“So there you have it, COVID, Monkey Pox, war, heat wave, drought, flooding, all leading to crisis after crisis, Mr. Norton. And the only way to get out of the crisis facing this world is to get the most out of what God blessed you with, and that is our resources. I can’t make it simpler than that for all of you, including the government, the opposition and every single Guyanese. Start fighting for your rightful share, then you will have no cause to keep rallies and to keep quarrelling with each other over inflation,” Lall urged.

Exploitation Moreover, the Opposition rally, according to Lall, should not have been against the government, but rather against ExxonMobil, Hess and the Chinese company CNOOC, “and all the (Continued on page 63)

Sunday August 07, 2022

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Sunday August 07, 2022

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Sunday August 07, 2022

Govt. to take back 5,000 acres of WBD State lands …coconut company with 700-acre plot at Wales included

Principal of Amazonia Expert Services (AESL), Dr. Arlington Chesney

Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo speaking to residents at Patentia, WBD on Saturday

By Shervin Belgrave Government is gearing to take back 5000 acres of State lands on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD), including a 700-acre plot at Wales which is currently in the possession of a private coconut company. The 700acre plot was reportedly obtained by Amazonia Expert Services (AESL) in 2019.

This publication

understands that it was part of the closed Wales Sugar Estate and its Principal, former Executive of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Dr. Arlington Chesney, had stated that the land would be used to produce coconut water as well as dried and grated coconuts for the export market. It was Continued on page 62

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Sunday August 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

s l l a f r e t a W The

Young entrepreneur, Carolyn Dean

‘Temptations2Go' …where tasty innovations are created Treat your taste buds to a sumptuous dish from

‘Pour L'Amour'

Young entrepreneur, Kaelly Smith

Kaieteur News

Gabriella Chapman

Sunday August 07, 2022

This week’s stunner, Gabriella Chapman, is a 27-year-old freelance writer and public relations coordinator, well known for her stint in pageantry between 2015—2020. Gabriella is the founder of the Girl Build Girl Foundation, a girl empowerment group which she formed in 2017 while she was the reigning Miss Bartica Regatta. To date, she still enjoys fulfilling her purpose of being a positive influence and offering sister support to young women. Her favourite quote is by American author Earl Nightingale: “What we think, we become.”

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Aggressive scrutiny by Guyanese exposes dangerous loopholes on environmental, financial issues in Rystad Energy study

By Kiana Wilburg Guyanese stakeholders from both government and private sector, collectively demonstrated on Friday last, that their desire to truly understand the extent to which the nation will benefit from its oil resources shall not be a superficial exercise.

This much was clear to a Norwegian company called Rystad Energy which sought to share with citizens, particularly those from the b u s i n e s s c o m m u n i t y, i t s calculations of how much money it forecasts will be earned from the oil barrels in the ExxonMobil-led Stabroek Block.

Through the facilitation of Oil NOW and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Rystad’s Senior Vice President and Head of Latin America and the Caribbean, Schreiner Parker presented some of the key findings of the firm’s Guyana study.

At the Duke Lodge Conference room, Parker noted that government revenue from domestic production is on track to break the US$1 billion mark this year and accelerate to US$7.5 billion annually in 2030, according to Rystad Energy research. He said this year is set to be a turning point for the Georgetown government to start capitalising on the vast reserves in the offshore field, with revenues more than doubling over 2021 levels.

Parker went on to note that the government’s take from the production is expected to increase until 2025, reaching US$4.2 billion annually. The Senior VP said too that the recent spate of prolific discoveries and the steady pace of Final Investment Decision (FID) position the Guyanese government to reap the rewards of these finds with cumulative revenues totalling US$157 billion by 2040.

He was keen to note that Guyana is also the global leader in total offshore discoveries since 2015, with 11.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent, amounting to 18 percent of discovered resources and 32 percent of discovered oil. Of the total, he said a whopping 9.6 billion barrels are oil, far outpacing the US in second place with a comparatively small 2.8 billion barrels. The Stabroek Block accounts for all of these finds, but recent discoveries in other areas show the potential for growth elsewhere, noted the Rystad official.

Expounding further, Parker said Guyana is forecast to produce 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil by 2035 – not accounting for as-yet undiscovered volumes – propelling

Bobby Gossai, Petroleum Economist & Govt.’s Senior Petroleum Coordinator

KN Publisher, Glenn Lall

Economist and Executive Director at GCCI, Richard Rambarran

Rystad Energy’s Senior Vice President and Head of Latin America and the Caribbean, Schreiner Parker

Financial Analyst, Joel Bhagwandin

Chartered Accountant and Lawyer, Chris Ram

the country to the fourth position on the list of the largest global offshore oil producers, leapfrogging the US, Mexico and Norway.

Comparing the fiscal regimes of other offshore leaders, Parker said Guyana’s is on the higher end, with the government’s take clocking in at 59 percent of total value.

In closing his presentation, Parker noted that Guyana is making several steps in the right direction with the establishment of a Natural Resource Fund and membership with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). He was keen to note that it is incumbent on Guyana to strengthen the necessary institutions to ensure the people benefit from the resources which ultimately belong to them.

NO PEER-REVIEW

Following his presentation, Parker fielded several critical questions from concerned stakeholders. First to lay out his observations was Chartered Accountant and Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram. He demanded to know the qualifications of the presenter or the entire range of expertise that underpinned the study. In addition to this, Ram queried whether Rystad allowed for the study to undergo any peerreview to test or challenge the veracity of the claims being made.

While the first question was never answered, Parker noted that none of Rystad’s work is peer-reviewed.

Ram therefore concluded that the report by Rystad is not only authoritative in the absence of being peer reviewed but its

reliability is compromised, to say the least.

The lawyer also queried whether the report took into consideration the impacts of environmental or technical offshore risks on the glowing forecasts, to which Parker answered in the negative. He admitted that no cautionary note was assigned in this regard since it was the expectation of the company that stakeholders know best practices ought to be considered.

Ram was keen to note, however, that he believes that was a grave oversight and therefore further weakens the credibility of the study.

NO EVIDENCE Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall then took to the floor, asking almost immediately if Rystad was paid by the government or Exxon to deliver the study and its rosy picture of the country’s future.

Lall also asked if Parker was aware of the challenges Guyanese stakeholders faced with the passage of the NRF Law which he deemed so easily to be a step in the right direction. The transparency advocate also challenged Parker to say how he arrived at the conclusion that the gas-to-energy project is viable for Guyana when he presented no facts, feasibility studies or independent figures.

Lall also upped the pressure by asking him if he is aware of any other contract in the world that mirrors Guyana’s 2016 Exxon deal which has a mere two percent royalty and a 50 percent profit oil take, both of which swim in a sea of flawed provisions.

Parker could not answer any of Lall’s questions whether pointedly or satisfactorily. He admitted that his understanding of the passage of the NRF Law was superficial, could not present any facts on the gas project, and failed to mention a single contract that mirrors the flaws of Guyana’s 2016 deal with Exxon.

59 percent GOVT. TAKE Financial Analyst, Joel Bhagwandin then took to the floor and challenged Parker about his company’s reporting on the government’s take which it deemed to be 59 percent. The analyst said his computations on the same matter provide a much lower take.

He asked the Rystad Agent to say how he arrived at his figure as he believes it was inflated.

Parker said, however, that it is simply a methodology problem.

Parker said the calculation was made looking at the 26 commercial discoveries today in the Stabroek Block using a US$50 long-term projection. He noted that stakeholders must appreciate that

Kiana Wilburg

Guyana’s 2 percent royalty is taken from gross while the 50 percent take is profit oil. He said those are two different cost banks and when assimilated, along with the addition of the income taxes, 59 percent was arrived at as Guyana’s take.

Bhagwadin disagreed, adding that taxes are included as part of what the government already gets from profit oil. He said this occurs based on the structure of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

Another stakeholder lamented the manner in which the 59 percent was calculated, while stressing that Guyanese are reaching a point where they will require an interrogation of anything thrown their way in a very aggressive manner. The attendee said, “It is nothing against you but any company that comes here must present a transparent methodology along with granular facts…”

Lending his voice in solidarity, Ram asked, “Guyana gets 50 percent profit oil take and 2 percent royalty, what kind of magic transforms that into 59 percent?”

He reminded that Exxon, Hess and CNOOC get a tax certificate from Guyana saying that they pay taxes here when they do not. The Chartered Accountant added, “You are completely out of the mainstream, they are deducting millions of dollars for decommissioning too and that is not considered in your study…”

EXXON’S CLIENT Stabroek News’ journalist, Marcelle Thomas then asked Parker pointedly if Exxon is one of Rystad’s clients to which he answered in the affirmative. He added that all the top operators in the world including Hess Corporation and CNOOC are Rystad’s subscription partners. He also said none of his company’s reports are skewed in favour of its clients.

GAS-TO-ENERGY VIABILITY Ve t e r a n J o u r n a l i s t a n d Broadcaster Denis Chabrol also returned to the gas-to-shore matter, challenging Parker to say if he feels it is the best option, to explain the associated pros and cons financially, and to touch on the environmental implications if such was examined by Rystad.

Though Chabrol appealed for a direct answer on his question, Parker did not prove how he arrived at the conclusion that the project is (Continued on page 45)

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Helping the destitute

By Nigel Williams On any given day you take to the streets, you are sure to encounter a homeless person - a reality that becomes starker from the moment you enter Georgetown.

While the capital city may be most affected by the issue, the matter is one of national concern.

The homeless persons are often also regarded an eyesore to tourists, even businesses, but we have a duty as citizens to help the less fortunate, because it is the right thing to do.

Very often, we associate homelessness with mental illness or drug addiction or even extreme poverty, but the reality is there are many people on the streets who do not fit into any of these categories.

Not all the poor, who have taken up residence on the neglected stands at D'Urban Park or on the parapets in front city stores are of this class. God-fearing, ambitious, well educated men and women have been brought to the depths of poverty or homelessness by illness or misfortune, often through the dishonest scheming of those who live by preying upon their fellow men.

Many who are upright and well-meaning become poor through lack of industrial training. Through ignorance they are unfitted to wrestle with the difficulties of life. Drifting into the cities, they are often unable to find employment. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of vice, they are subjected to terrible

temptation.

Herded and often classed with the vicious and degraded, it is only by a superhuman struggle, a more than finite power, that they can be preserved from sinking to the same depths.

Many hold fast their integrity, choosing to suffer rather than to get caught up in anti-social behaviours. This class especially demands h e l p , s y m p a t h y, a n d encouragement.

A 2012, Inter American Development Bank study revealed that Latin America and the Caribbean face large and growing housing deficit, emphasising that countries need to improve land regulation, boost financing and mobilise private resources to increase the supply of adequate and affordable housing The study also stated that the problem can only be addressed if governments in the region foster greater private sector investment to increase the supply of adequate and affordable housing, noting that currently, one in three families in Latin America and the Caribbean, or 59 million people, live in dwellings that are either unsuitable for habitation or are built with poor materials and lack basic infrastructure services. As many as two million out of the three million households that spring up annually in Latin American cities are forced to settle in informal housing, such as slums, because of insufficient supply of adequate and affordable dwellings.

I therefore posit that if the poor and destitute now

crowding our city streets could find homes upon the land, they might not only earn a livelihood, but find health and happiness now unknown to them.

Hard work, simple fare, c l o s e e c o n o m y, o f t e n hardship and privation, would be their lot.

The government often boasts of its housing drive, but giving out house lots is just one component of solving the huge problem of homelessness.

There are multitudes of poor families for whom no better grant could be given than to assist them in settling on the land bequeathed to them by God in learning how to make it yield them a livelihood.

The need for such help and instruction is not confined to the homeless, even among those who can find shelter, with all the possibilities for a better life, multitudes of the poor are in great need.

Whole communities are devoid of education and opportunities in some parts of this country, families live in shacks with scant furniture and clothing, without tools, without books, destitute both of comforts and conveniences and of means of culture.

And so as we are confronted with this problem daily, it will do us well to reach out to the less fortunate rather than walk past them and ignore their plight.

There are lots of other ways to help homeless people. Donating food and clothing to homeless shelters is a great way to start. You could also volunteer your

time with such an organisation. Educate yourself and others about homelessness and share facts about homelessness with others. Use letters to your local newspaper, blog posts, and social media to spread the word about how

homelessness is a problem and what others can do to help.

Let us as brothers and sisters of this great nation, do more for our neighbours and we would be

playing our part in helping to alleviate the suffering of the homelessness.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 28

Sunday August 07, 2022

A weight trainer, Salma Hack practices using her back support and other safety gears to avoid injuries during her sessions

Tips for treating exercise injuries

By Davina Bagot Whether you are a frequent visitor to the gym, or a newbie to exercise, you are likely to be injured during your routine at some point in time. In fact, physiotherapists say it’s not a matter of if, but when!

While it is important to try our best to avoid injuries, I spoke to my friend Simone Seckle, an experienced physiotherapist attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to share some first aid tips we will need. She holds a Bachelor Degree Physiotherapy, having graduated from the University of Guyana.

Before we delve into how to respond to an injury, it is equally important to understand the type of injury we may have. Two likely disturbances that can occur during workout are strains and sprains. To explain these Ms. Seckle noted that a strain is a tear to the muscle, while a sprain would be a deeper and more severe injury to the ligaments. Ligaments connect bones to other bones.

SPRAIN OR STRAIN? In helping us to understand the difference between the two types of likely injuries, she pointed out that since a sprain is less severe, the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) rule could be very efficient in treating this type of pain.

“If you feel a strain while doing an exercise, you need to stop doing that activity because you can be getting the area worse, so you need to stop and rest the area, ice it and if it’s possible you compress the injury using a brace or a back support. If it’s a lib, you can elevate it,” Seckle shared.

She was keen to note that the RICE protocol should be implemented during the first 72 hours, but prolonging this routine could make the injury worse. The physiotherapist recommends speaking with a doctor or visiting a physiotherapist after 72 hours.

A strain, she said should heal itself within that period of time, but a sprain could be more painful. Given that these occur at the joints, we can look out for these at the wrist, elbow, ankle and even the knees during exercise.

Sprains can easily be ident if

Physiotherapist, Simone Seckle i e d as they u sually cause swelling and redness at the area, restricted movement at the joint and are usually warm at the site.

“It is a deeper injury and sometimes people may hear a little snap when they occur.

Sprains can sometimes require surgical repair, depending on the level of the injury,” she advised. If these symptoms are observed, the physiotherapist said it is best to visit a doctor.

NO RUBBING Typically, when we as Guyanese

experience some pain, we become our own therapist and put our hands to work! The specialist however advises against this, as ru bbing an injured spot can create more trouble.

According to her, “We don’t advise on rubbing just after an injury or just after a strain or so, because remember with a strain the muscle fibres become torn a little and if

y o u rub that a r e a then you can cause more problem for that muscle. Usually when you strain yourself you can see a little swelling or it may even be red so you would know it’s something happening below the skin.” She reminded that it is important to adhere to the RICE rule if you observe these

signs.

In addition to strains and sprains, the physiotherapist shared that during an exercise a person may experience a spasm, which may feel like a slight twitching or painful cramp. To respond, she said you may rest and tap the site, which allows the blood to flow to the area, causing it to resolve on its own within a short period of time. “You can rest, you shake out, maybe you tap it and you just relax the muscle before you can go back into your workout,” she said.

Seckle stressed the fact that if you have those injuries, it is important that you consult with a Physiotherapist so that they can see what groups of muscles were damaged, to target those to be strengthened during therapy. She noted that this would help you to return to your exercise routine sooner and would also assist you so that during high impact activities, the pressure would be decreased on that particular joint or muscles area.

Kaieteur News

Sunday August 07, 2022

PAGE 29

>>> ENCOURAGING EVENTS, DISTURBING DEVELOPMENTS <<<

Exxon's overwhelming arrogance, continued insulting of Guyanese

By GHK Lall

I

need some help.

Who is running this country? Is it the PPP Government and its leaders? Or is it Exxon?

What is the use of Guyana's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) if it is being continually ignored, dismissed, and embarrassed

by Exxon? And the last one is this: is the equivalent of what is happening in Guyana taking place anywhere else?

The fact that I even have to raise questions like these is not just disturbing, it is sickening and enraging.

I take issue with Exxon kicking around from my President to my Vice President to our EPA. There has to be a stop to this nonsense, where the American oil monstrosity (and it is nothing but that) is concerned, but who is going to do the stopping? Yes, I think it is going to have to come to this unhealthy space. But it discourages that leaders in the PPP

Government seem better suited to suck up to Exxon, than to sum up the courage and skill to stand against it.

There is no EPA permit relative to the pipeline to transport gas from the offshore Stabroek Block to the Wales facility, but Exxon could care less, could not have shown a greater disregard for such frivolities as EPA permits.

There is no other way for me to put what Exxon's actions represent, considering the disrespect to all Guyanese, starting from the EPA head, and spreading out from him to Guyana's President, Government, and every citizen of this country.

What Exxon is doing openly and arrogantly should not be allowed to pass unanswered.

The company signed one contract over a week ago for US$1.3B with a Dutch firm Van Oord, and another, Subsea 7, that is registered in Luxemburg to assist with various aspects of the gas-toenergy project. This was despite having no EPA

permit. Last Wednesday, Exxon executed another contract, this time with a British company, Technip FMC. It is described as a “significant” contract, which means it could be anywhere between $75M and $250M. The only thing that the current Head of Guyana's EPA would confirm is that no permit has been issued by his agency.

One would have at least expected some outrage at the audacity and arrogance of Exxon with such a glaring insult, not once, but twice.

Where is our self-respect in this country?

If a Guyanese company dares to try something like that, the EPA (and others) would be all over it. Clearly, our days of slavery are not over, and the discovery of oil has only tightened the chains. It is incredible that Guyana's President and Vice President who both like sticking it to citizens of this country could be so docile and understanding when the fairer ones are involved. I

appreciate that we need foreign investment and expertise. But we don't have to undress ourselves this publicly.

As much as Exxon has a lot of reach and power in the United States, I would like to see something like this there; or anywhere else for that matter.

It is only in a backward place like Guyana, with the kind of compromised and captive leaders that we have in government, that something like this could happen.

The American oil company is behaving itself as though it can do anything here, stretch any envelope past any breaking point, and get away with such without fear of consequence.

It appears as though the company holds some kind of

leadership guarantee that we are going to take it, love it, and live with it, w i t h a cooperative s m i l e plastered over our dark faces.

Go ahead, people of Exxon, kick us with the other foot; feel free to repeat it, too.

This is the type of stuff that has caused other places to erupt.We are worried about Dutch disease and resource curse, and I say look at our own national sicknesses and curses that we have from the top and to the bottom.The President delights in railing and raging

GHK Lall at Guyanese, it would be good to see him exhibit some of that now. The same from the Vice President would be welcomed.

Which one will tame the tiger?

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 30

Sunday August 07, 2022

Has CARICOM reached its limits of regional integration? Part 2

By Sir Ronald Sanders In the first part of this commentary, the conclusion was reached that the great ideals, set out in the 1973 Treaty of Chaguaramas (the CARICOM Treaty) and its

revision in 2001, remain unfulfilled. But does this reality mean that, as the CARICOM project reaches its 50th anniversary next July, it has reached the limits of regional integration?

T h e p r e v i o u s commentary showed that CARICOM expanded by adding new members (Suriname and Haiti), but it failed to deepen its integration arrangements, such that while it has been aspiring to become a Single Market and Economy (SME) since 2001, it still has not established a Customs Union let alone a Common Market.

The prevailing

characteristic of CARICOM, apart from the agonisingly s l o w p a c e o f institutionalising the machinery for integration, has been the jealous retention of “sovereignty” by governments of the region. In other words, as the late, former Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur, put it disapprovingly: “[CARICOM] conceives of (itself) mainly as a community of sovereign states in which sovereignty is pooled but never ceded; with the nation-state being the locus of decision-making in r e s p e c t o f t h e implementation of regional

commitments”.

However, it should not be believed that political leaders are the only persons who cling to sovereignty (in other words, keeping all decision making at the national level).

Over the years, keen to maintain control over what they consider to be their own turf, bureaucrats have also caused decisions to be delayed, deferred or made impossible to implement.

The pull of local control remains greater than the push toward regional authority.

The worst example of failure to operationalise fully a regional institution that CARICOM governments, themselves, established is the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Upon its establishment, the CCJ was to become the final appellate Court for all civil and criminal matters, replacing the British (and colonial) Privy Council. Epitomising the inexplicable dissonance that surrounds the attitude to the CCJ is that its headquarters is located in Trinidad and Tobago, a country that has been independent since 1962, and that has long severed the Queen as its Head of State in favour of becoming a Republic with a native President. Yet Trinidad and Tobago's final appellate Court remains the British Privy Council because of internal politics.

Only four CARICOM countries – Barbados, Belize, Dominica and Guyana – recognise the CCJ as their final Court of Appeal.

Despite the celebration of independence and sovereignty, Caribbean politicians (on all sides) by their failure to explain the merits of the CCJ to their people – or by their deliberate misleading of them – sustain a contradiction.

In part, this situation continues because the “nation state” in CARICOM has not collapsed, supported, as it is, by official development assistance from members of the international community; by international lenders who profit from loans to needy governments; and by investors whose business models are based on over generous tax concessions by the state, motivated by competition between CARICOM states, especially in the tourism industry.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, n o CARICOM country has had to bear the full burden of

national security that would come f r o m t h e establishment of the military a p p a r a t u s necessary to protect its borders and its sovereignty. There has been little or no need for an air force, battle ships, armies or considerable armaments. Up until Russia invaded Ukraine, the borders, territorial integrity and sovereignty of individual CARICOM countries, was protected by an international order and a UN Security Council that seemed to insure protection against military aggression. Despite Russia's action, CARICOM countries have not discussed their collective defence. Instead, they have repeated their desire for the Caribbean to be a “zone of peace”, expecting external actors to respect it, knowing fully well that the cost of defending themselves militarily is far beyond each of their means.

Even at times of natural disasters, causing massive damage and economic reversals, individual CARICOM countries have looked to the international donor community for help; borrowed money, thus increasing their national debt burden; and entered into financial adjustment programmes with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In the latter case, they have been forced to cede aspects of the “sovereignty” to which they cling within the CARICOM grouping.

However, apart from the worthwhile, but under resourced, work of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, CARICOM is not able to respond in the way in which, for instance, the single federal governments of the US or Canada are able to tackle disasters in states or provinces.

To be sure, in the 60 years since Jamaica and Trinidad a n d To b a g o b e c a m e independent states, leading to a procession of Caribbean countries doing the same, independence has allowed national governments to accelerate infrastructural development and economic progress in many countries.

Within the CARICOM group, Haiti, with its history of foreign occupation, exploitation, and succession of dictatorial and repressive governments, is the main

Sir Ronald Sanders exception.

So, sovereignty has not been without its benefits.

But the question remains: how much further along the road to economic and social progress would CARICOM countries have been, had they not only pooled their sovereignty but also ceded aspects of it to a regional centre as occurred with the European Union?

According to the latest IMF research, further liberalising trade and labour mobility in the region can generate significant e c o n o m i c benefits—potentially over seven percent of the region's GDP in 2018.

The February 2020 research finds that “a 25percent reduction in nontariff barriers and trade costs within CARICOM and vis-àvis non-CARICOM trade partners can boost trade and improve welfare gain for all members—at about $6 billion, or 7.6 percent of the region's GDP in 2018. It can also help restructure economies from contracting to expanding sectors, resulting in a net employment gain across the region”.

The IMF report entitled, “Is the Whole Greater than the Sum of its Parts?

Strengthening Caribbean Regional Integration”, lays out solid research to establish that while the small size and supply constraints of these countries may potentially limit benefits from economic integration, acting as a group can enhance the scale, bringing widespread benefits and helping the region further tap into global value chains.

Part 3 next week will conclude this discussion.

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the United States of America and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London, and Massey College in the University of Toronto) Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com

Kaieteur News

Sunday August 07, 2022

PAGE 31

==My Testimony==

For the time I have left, I refuse to live in defeat Sharmain Grainger

H

ave you noticed how fast time is running out these days? Have you also noticed the various developments, some especially disturbing, that are manifesting across our world today? Some people call it the signs of the times.

As we all know, there is a time for everything and without doubt, as time passes, our very existence is inevitably drawing to an end.

According to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: “1There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”

At which juncture do you find yourself today? As time scurries away, can you say with conviction that you have achieved all that you were placed on this earth to do?

Will you be in a position to say

like Paul the Apostle at 2 Timothy 4:7: “7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”? when your allotment of days expires.

Maybe some people can, but at the moment, I dare not embrace such a distinguished posture, for I am only now realising that I have wasted far too much time doing a whole lot of nonsense instead of availing myself to my heavenly father.

As someone who has been rescued after an abundance of transgressions – not because of anything good I did but merely because of God’s unconditional love – it is my place to tell whomever will listen, or in this case read, about the goodness of my redeemer – Jesus Christ who died for me (John 3:16).

However, some people desire logical explanations about the things of God. But if I told you I completely understand the intricacies of being saved by God’s grace, that would be an absolute lie. What I can tell you, however, is that something miraculous happened to me that has completely changed my outlook on life. This astounding development

desperately for help while simultaneously giving an awardwinning performance good enough to convince the world that all is well. Indeed, I was an actress of epic proportion up until I realised that with God, I am allowed to be vulnerable; I am allowed to bare my soul and ask for help to get through each moment of each day.

But it was only recently that I was able to reach this place of enlightenment. Although I, from a young age, had embraced the notion that there is a God, I didn’t quite have a hang of how to live a life pleasing in His sight. I would sometimes think I was getting it right and then before long I was right back at square one; being wayward rather than living an uplifting life.

My enlightenment came after reading one of the most interesting books I have ever come across. While the name may trigger some level of cynicism among some individuals, I assure those who are desperate to live a more meaningful life in Christ Jesus, this book – Prayers That Rout Demons And Break Curses

by John Eckhardt – can offer you some tremendous help, like you have never seen. The audiobook version is available free of charge on YouTube if you use this link

SIGNS OF THE TIMES occurred at a time in my life when I was drowning in fear and insecurity (inwardly) but at the same time I appeared as though I was living my best life (outwardly).

I am so thankful that God sees the heart and knows those who are crying

(https://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=i6gPW9boSpU).

You will notice that it has been viewed millions of times and this suggests to me that many people are now aware, and are perhaps making full use of this Godinspired masterpiece.

After reading some specific

sections of the book (and for those who wish to access it via YouTube there are detailed time stamps there) you will find that you will begin to get clarity about things that are obstructing your spiritual growth, and this will come with an eagerness to free yourself of their stranglehold. Individuals, gifts and even your own thoughts, among other things, can be hindrances and you must let them go in order to get a breakthrough.

Needless to say, over the past few months I have been the ‘landlord from hell’ evicting any and everything with the slightest resemblance to a hindrance in my life.

Surprisingly, among the hindrances that I had was something as adorable as my pet dog. I had gotten the animal as a gift and loved it dearly, and couldn’t see myself parting with it under any circumstance. But then one day she transformed from her bubbly self into an enfeebled creature. After hoping for a while that some TLC would return her to her former self, I realised that medical intervention was probably the best move. Not only was medical help available for my ‘poochie’ but the service entailed someone picking up the dog from my home and returning her, in addition to funding the requisite treatment, if needed. This offer was too good to be true, I thought.

But it was a real deal. I just had to say the word and the process would’ve started.

Sharmain Grainger But for some reason I simply couldn’t take advantage of this next level service that was being offered to me. So, I decided to take the matter to my heavenly father in prayer.

It wasn’t immediate, but I eventually got some clarity. This animal, by virtue of being a sentimental gift, was keeping me linked to a period of my past that has absolutely no place in my future. As such, it became clear to me that I had to rid myself of it. It was a hard but necessary decision for me to make but it has since helped me to rid myself of even more things that can no longer have a place in my life as I move into my Goddefined destiny.

My life belongs to the true and living God and anyone or anything that attempts to hinder my task of glorifying His name through my testimony, or any other means, will certainly be evicted without hesitation.

Revelation 12:11: “11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

(If you have a comment or an enlightening experience to share, e m a i l m e @ sharmain_grainger@yahoo.com)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

Sunday August 07, 2022

Gambling Are you betting addiction: your life away?

By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Emergency Medicine Specialist

G

a m b l i n g addiction is the uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the toll it takes on your life.

Gambling basically means that you're willing to risk something you value in the hope of getting something of even greater value.

It can stimulate the brain's reward system much like drugs or alcohol can, leading to addiction.

If you have a gambling addiction, you may continually chase bets that lead to losses, hide your

behaviour, deplete savings, accumulate debt, or even resort to thieving or harming others to support your addiction.

With access to betting places becoming easier in Guyana, I'm beginning to see more and more persons getting hooked on the rush to win.

My goal today is educate you on the effects of gambling addiction so that you can make more informed decision when it comes to gambling.

WHAT ARE SIGNS THAT YOU HAVE A GAMBLING ADDICTION? The following are

signs/symptoms that highly indicate a gambling addiction: Being preoccupied with gambling, such as constantly planning how to get more gambling money Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to get the same thrill Trying to control, cut back or stop gambling, without s u c c e s s Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut down on gambling Gambling to escape problems or relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression Trying to get back lost money by gambling more (chasing losses)

Lying to family members or others to hide the extent of y o u r g a m b l i n g Jeopardising or losing important relationships, a job, or school or work opportunities because of g a m b l i n g Resorting to theft or harming others to get gambling money Some people with a gambling addiction may have remission where they gamble less or not at all for a period of time.

H o w e v e r, w i t h o u t treatment, the remission usually isn't permanent.

CAN GAMBLING ADDICTION BE TREATED? Ye s . H o w e v e r, pathological gambling can be hard to treat because you may not want to tell others about your problem.

First, you have to admit you have a gambling problem by telling your family and friends.

After that you can visit your doctor who can advocate for treatment in the following ways: Therapy: behaviour therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy may be beneficial.

Behavioural therapy uses systematic exposure to the behaviour you want to

unlearn and teaches you skills to reduce your urge to gamble.

Your doctor will most likely refer you to a psychiatrist/ps ychologist who Dr. Zulfikar Bux can help with this.

Emergency Medications: Medicine Specialist Antidepressants those close to you. a n d m o o d These recovery skills stabilisers may help problems that often go along may help you concentrate on with compulsive gambling resisting the urges of — such as depression, or c o m p u l s i v e g a m b l i n g : Stay focused on your No. 1 anxiety.

Some antidepressants g o a l : n o t t o g a m b l e .

Tell yourself it's too risky to may be effective in reducing g a m b l i n g b e h a v i o u r . gamble at all.

One bet typically leads to Community help: Some people find that talking with a n o t h e r a n d a n o t h e r.

Give yourself permission to others who have a gambling problem or understand ask for help, as sheer willpower isn't enough to gambling to be helpful.

Ask your doctor for o v e r c o m e c o m p u l s i v e advice on self-help groups or gambling.

Ask a family member or if he/she can be of help by friend to encourage you to listening to you.

Turning to trustworthy follow your treatment plan.

Recognise and then avoid religious leaders may be a very good option in our situations that trigger your urge to bet. setting here in Guyana.

In the end, you have to make the choice if riding on HOW DO YOU luck and chance is the best PREVENT YOURSELF solution.

FROM FALLING Some say the best way to BACK? That is a challenging task get lucky is to work hard; the and it will take quite a bit of chances of being lucky commitment from you and increase as you work harder.

Kaieteur News

Sunday August 07, 2022

THE

'Facebook romance scammers' who got caught

Court Journal

By Renay Sambach Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Head, Faizal Karimbaksh, has on multiple occasions warned citizens to be vigilant against “Package Delivery” and “Romance Scams”. Nevertheless, scores of people continue to fall victim to scams, resulting in them losing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

As such, this week, I will give some insight on matters in which persons were brought before the court for allegedly scamming persons through a scheme being called 'Romantic Facebook Scam'.

Susan Richards On July 27, a 25-year-old woman, who pretended to be an Englishman on Facebook to rob another of $85,000, was spared being jailed after the victim accepted repayment and dropped the charge against her.

The person behind the fake Englishman's Facebook profile was identified as Susan Richards of Lot 4 Go Slowe Avenue, North East La Penitence, Georgetown.

An investigation conducted

by SOCU, revealed that Richards was behind a “Romance Scheme” that scammed a woman of $85,000.

Richards was charged with conspiracy to defraud and was placed before the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts.

When the matter was first called, she was unrepresented and had pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to her. The magistrate had remanded Richards to prison and the matter was adjourned to a later date.

However, Richards obtained legal representation and the matter was recalled. She was represented by Attorney-at-law, Eusi Anderson and a bail application was made.

Anderson told the court that his client, Richards, is pregnant and an environment behind bars would not be healthy for her condition. Anderson had argued that Richards was not a flight-risk

and noted too that she was very cooperative with investigators during the probe. In the end, the magistrate dismissed the case after the victim agreed to accept compensation – the $85,000 that was swindled – from Richards.

The victim accepted the repayment and took the stand swearing that she will not give any evidence against Richards and the matter was dropped.

Richards was accused of posing as a man from England called Alex who befriended a woman looking for love and ended up robbing her of $85,000.

SOCU learnt that Richards convinced the victim that she had bought her some expensive gifts from overseas and had shipped them to Georgetown. The victim believed “Fake Alex” and followed his instruction to transfer cash to Richards to clear the package.

She reportedly transferred the money to Richards via Western Union and Alex disappeared from Facebook and never made contact with her again. The package with the expensive overseas gifts never arrived and when the victim realised she was scammed, a report was made and SOCU launched an investigation which led to Richards being arrested. It was later recommended that she be charged with conspiracy to

labelled the incident as “another Facebook Romance Scheme” and related that its ranks had arrested a “third party” suspected in the fraudulent transaction.

SOCU identified the suspect as 56-year-old, John Patrick Lewis of Williamsburg Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six. According to the statement, Lewis was charged with conspiracy to defraud.

He appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly.

Lewis pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted $50,000

Charged, Jaffon Hinds bail.

SOCU reported that the victim met a 'Facebook boyfriend' who won her trust and promised her some expensive gifts. The fake boyfriend then instructed her to transfer some cash to four individuals, in order to 'clear' the package. Lewis was allegedly one of those individuals and via Western Union she sent him a total of $146,500 for a “Money Laundering Certificate” to clear the gifts because they were very expensive.

The victim lost her money and the purported boyfriend vanished.

However, SOCU managed to nab Lewis.

Charged, John Patrick Lewis defraud.

Spared from being jailed, Susan Richards

PAGE 33

John Patrick Lewis Another woman fell prey to a 'Facebook boyfriend' whose motive was identical to that of the fake Englishman – to rob her of cash. The Facebook lover managed to convince his victim to pay more than $140,000 for a “Money Laundering Certificate,” which he claimed she needed to clear some expensive gifts he had sent for her from overseas.

This matter was also investigated by SOCU which had

Jaffon Hinds A few days before Lewis made his first court appearance, an East Bank Demerara (EBD) resident, Jaffon Hinds, found himself before the court facing charges for being part of a “Romance Scheme” after allegedly robbing a woman of $502,340.

The woman was looking for love and met a Facebook friend who won her heart but he turned out to be scammer who eventually robbed her, allegedly with the help of Hinds.

According to SOCU, which investigated the matter, the victim's Facebook boyfriend “promised her a huge package

Renay Sambach

f illed with expensive items” but before she could receive them, the woman had to help out financially with the shipping expenses.

She was allegedly instructed to send cash to Hinds via Western Union and did so on three occasions. Unfortunately, she never received the “package filled with expensive items” and her Facebook love ghosted her.

SOCU's investigation led to the arrest of Hinds, a resident of 106 Downer Street, Grove, (EBD). It is alleged that he acted as a “third party” to rob the woman of the cash and as a result, he was charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit a felony.

He appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Magistrate Zamina AllySeepaul and pleaded not guilty to all three charges. The defendant was placed on $90,000 bail.

SOCU BOSS SOCU boss, Karimbaksh had warned the public that there was a sharp rise in cases in which suspected Nigerian nationals, in

pandemic as scammers targeted primarily women via several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, as well as online dating sites, the SOCU boss had stated.

Karimbaksh had explained too that the modus operandi used by the scammers is to befriend unsuspecting women via the digital platforms using fake profiles of Caucasian men with luxury vehicles and large sums of cash.

They would build trust with their victims and promise them expensive gifts such as designer clothing, jewellery, etc.

The victim would later be contacted by a local associate confirming the arrival of their “fancy” gifts and request their contact number and other personal information.

SOCU continued that the local accomplice would contact the victim again but this time requesting that the individual deposit cash to a specified local

SOCU Boss, Faizal Karimbaksh

Guyana and overseas, collaborate with locals to scam unsuspecting persons.

“Package Delivery” and “Romance” scams became more prominent during the COVID-19

Bank Account or via a Money Transfer Agency to cover brokerage fees, customs duties, penalties and/or shipping charges for the package. Once the payment is made, the suspects

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Sunday August 07, 2022

Health Facts Signs you are dealing with an alcoholic

By Rehanna Ramsay

D

o you believe you or someone you know may be an alcoholic?

If so, there are some definite signs that you need to help diagnose this chronic disease.

According to information obtained from the Ministry of Health, some top symptoms of alcoholism include heavy consumption, denial of abusing it, a change in personality, and neglect of personal well-being, lack of control.

The information reveals that heavy consumption is drinking at least three or four alcoholic drinks on any day or more than 7 - 14 drinks per week. For some persons the consumption or intake may be less but the effect of drunkenness is the same.

The health sheet noted that drinking alcohol once in a while is normal but habitual imbibing can lead to dependence on the substance, placing persons in the

category of an alcoholic.

The data lists alcoholism as a chronic disease because it causes physical effects on the brain and other organs.

According to the information, alcoholism should not be a sign of moral weakness but a physiological response to, at times, some societal issue that causes a person or persons to drink as a method of coping.

For example, stress can be the reason someone leans on a bottle of rum rather than deal with the problems in the home or family.

The information noted too that it isn't uncommon for a person who has become addicted to alcohol to not want to admit that they have a problem.

Denial is the first real sign of a drinking problem.

If you bring up the issue and the person denies having a problem with alcohol and refuses to discuss it further, it's possible that that person has an issue with alcohol.

Alcoholics are known to have a change of personality,

even in a state of sobriety, that person can become reclusive, easily irritated, and become abnormal to socialise with.

Neglect is another factor that occurs if someone has succumbed to the dangerous allure of liquor.

These persons often neglect the things they once cared about, for instance, their family, loved ones, work, bills, personal hygiene, appearance, and any other thing that can help them lead normal lives.

All of the above would be easily replaced to satisfy the craving for alcohol.

A lack of control is another defining symptom.

A person who is an addict may say “Ok, I'll give it up,” but if you've heard it before and it hasn't happened, it's possible that that is an addict.

Addicts and alcoholics persist in their symptoms no matter what, which leads to problems.

Someone who isn't an addict should be capable of

giving up for a week or two at least.

Further, this is how you can tell that a person is really in trouble with alcohol when they can no longer function at work or school.

Alcoholics are prone to hangovers which will cause them to experience the effects of drinking, a day or days' after the drunkenness should have subsided.

This results in mood swings; it affects their ability to focus and they experience difficulty getting tasks completed or done properly.

For alcoholics this is a regular occurrence and not just once in the while.

If a person who has a drinking problem does decide to be rid of the condition, it is likely that they will experience something called withdrawal.

According to several papers written on alcoholism, withdrawal is a big indicator of dependence on alcohol.

Wi t h d r a w a l s y m p t o m s happen because of the

changes in the brain that take place.

Alcohol affects brain function in that it stimulates the release of certain chemicals in the brain.

The body becomes used to this effect and suffers when alcohol is no longer in the body.

S h a k e s , f e v e r, a n d convulsions are all signs of serious withdrawal, along with lesser symptoms like cravings, thirstiness, and anxiety.

Outside of the psychological problem, alcohol dependence affects the functions of the brain and liver.

Liver problems result in one of the most serious symptoms of alcoholism. It's one of the leading causes of death for alcoholics, and it occurs because the liver scars

overtime.

It quite literally destroys it. As a result, addicts turn yellow, suffer immense pain, and then die. It's not a nice way to go, and it exceeds the discomfort of withdrawal.

As it relates to the brain, heavy alcohol use blocks chemical signals between brain cells (called neurons), leading to the common immediate symptoms of intoxication, including i m p u l s i v e b e h a v i o u r, slurred speech, poor m e m o r y, a n d s l o w e d reflexes.

Death by alcohol may be what awaits many with an alcohol use disorder, so if you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the Ministry of Health on telephone number 226-7400.

Sunday August 07, 2022

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Sunday August 07, 2022

Sunday August 07, 2022

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E-Networks to air House of Dragon from Game of Thrones From August 15 to 19, 2022, E-Networks will air Dracarys, the spinoff special from Game of Thrones on

Sunday August 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

Cinemax starting at 10PM. The series will tell the story of the Targaryen civil war that took place about 300

years before events portrayed in ‘Game of Thrones.’ You don’t want to miss this.

Lessons from a Lashpreneur !!!

REASONS YOU SHOULD PRE BOOK LASH APPOINTMENTS

By Latoya Zephyr If you’ve ever wondered why booking your lash appointments ahead of time is SO important, get the 4-1-1 on how it can help both YOU and your beloved lash line!

BOOKING LASH REFILLS AHEAD MAKES LIFE EASIER Picture a woman. She’s confident, successful and always on the go. She has a lot to juggle but one thing she refuses to sacrifice are her lash extensions!

But what happens when she doesn’t take the time to book appointments in advance? One day she realizes she’s in desperate need of a lash refill. She frantically calls her lash tech only to learn she is all booked…with zero availability. Your heart’s at the bottom of your stomach right now, isn’t it? That’s why booking ahead of time is so important. It’ll make your life so. much. easier: You won’t have to deal with the stress of scrambling to try and get an appointment at the last minute.

• You’ll be able to lock in lash time with your trusted stylist who you (and your eyelashes) hold near and dear.

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

• Most importantly, booking ahead will keep your much needed “me time” on schedule.

REGULAR LASH E X T E N S I O N APPOINTMENTS KEEPS YOU LOOKING YOUR BEST! If the peace and

serenity of locking in your lash fill slots aren’t enough to convince you to book early, hear this: Keeping your biweekly lash appointments locked in means: • Your lash line will stay full without getting to the point of looking sad and sparse. • You will not have to spend extra time or money starting from scratch with a new full set.

• Seeing your lash stylist regularly means more time for her to assess your lash line and make adjustments during refills as needed.

• You will have opportunities

to further customize your lash look and try something new.

READY TO GET THOSE LASH APPOINTMENTS BOOKED? If you’re finally convinced keeping Lash Day on the books ahead of time is truly a brilliant idea, then don’t wait! Visit Lift and lashes and conveniently book your appointments.

If you already have an appointment coming up, be sure to book those refills early while you’re in the lash studio.

Trust us! You’ll be on cloud nine knowing you and your lashes are ALL SET!

Jaxx International Grill invites you to Brunch Let this and every Saturday and Sunday be a weekend of a difference. Break out of the monotony and introduce your tastebuds to

some of the most delectable cuisines of the world at Jaxx International Grill’s brunch event. Enjoy the island vibes, unforgettable Guyanese

hospitality and create new memories with family and friends today.

Jaxx International Is the place to be today. See you there!

Kaieteur News

Sunday August 07, 2022

PAGE 41

Staying above the

By Zena Henry

A

lot is hap pening around us, not only here in Guyana but around the world. The global pandemic has hit hard and now this dreaded monkey pox is lurking, only to reach closer to home sooner or later.

The global crisis with high cost of living is not making matters any easier, but is surely demanding resilience on the part of many. At home, Guyanese are also grappling with having to hear the huge profits that oil companies are making as a result of hike in prices of commodities, but still have measly sums in their pockets.

At the end of it, our job is to survive and stay above the madness. That simply means that it is our responsibility to secure our sanity and peace of mind. If you’re a regular reader of my fairly new column, you may say that I have been speaking very often about mental stability.

That is true, and it is because I have come to realise how important it is to ensure that we rise above any situation that is not serving us.

Let’s look at it this way, we may want many things in life and this may include wealth, success, love and mental peace, among many more desires.

But what I, and many like me, have come to realise is that the manifestation of good can only come from within; based on the will and determination of that person and of course, their belief that a higher force is having a direct say in their existence.

It simply means that the mind must be right for the manifestation of one’s advancement, more or less like a properly tilled soil, prepared for cultivation. I often remind myself that if my mind is not focused on a particular thing, then that thing is irrelevant and even none existent to me unless I engage and give it the power required for it to come alive.

An easy example is to say that a person may be getting pinched but is so engrossed in a conversation that they do not feel the pain unless their attention is drawn to the area.

Remembering this unintended disconnect allows me to remember, yes as cliché as it sounds, that I am

more than a human being or that I am a spirit having a human experience and not the other way around. It serves me in ways that say I need to focus on the now; what is and what will serve my best interest.

Outside of this, ensuring mental stability works hand in hand with personal advancement because a calm and easy mind will have the ability to handle various loads that can have influences on our emotions.

Yes, that means too that mental stability contributes heavily to emotional control and management; and we all know that when things are not going well it is our emotions that rage and force us to act in ways that we wouldn’t normally.

Our emotions end up being the driving force behind our actions and many times we find ourselves questioning particular behaviours that we know we would not normally exhibit.

With that said, it is generally not the event, but how we perceive and what we draw from it that influences our behaviour. I am aware of people who cut their wrists, who hit themselves against things and use other methods to harm themselves. When I ask why they are doing it, they simply point

no one cares for you and no one stands up for you, you are left to the mercy of the “advantage takers”, those who ill-treat and berate you because they know there is no repercussion. Issues like these take a toll on a child and it greatly influences how they see themselves, the world and how they react to situations.

Luckily for me, I recognised the importance of mental stability.

Even in my youth I recognised that I would need mental health to reshape ill-conceived believes and ideas formulated from my unfortunate experiences.

Several years ago, I recognised that I needed the assistance sooner than later as I was making decisions that were serving people more than serving me. I recognised I was letting people into my space that did

to how they feel and it usually relates to how they feel about themselves or a particular situation; but mainly how they feel about themselves.

And it is usually stemmed from a bad situation which I will humbly say they failed to protect themselves against. And let me make it clear that protecting one’s mental health is definitely not as easy as I might be making it out to

be. It takes a lot of time and practice and even then one is and could never be insulated against the terrors and challenges of life, but we can very well be prepared.

I have done a lot of work on myself. I have mentioned before that I had no easy childhood although it is one that I treasure. I

was motherless by the age of two, lived with mean, unloving stepmothers, cursed with an uncaring, lackadaisical father, all of whom contributed immensely to somewhat of a hellish upbringing that certainly wasn’t in my best interest.

Understand that as a child when

n’t deserve to hear my voice let alone be around me. I was giving more than was deserved and in the end, I noticed I was being used because as I was making myself likable because I wanted people to accept me and not treat me the way others did when I was younger. But all of these things have their place.

I believe things happen for a reason and it is only when you decipher your situation properly and respond correctly that you see your successes and advancement. It all comes right back to maintaining your mental stability or in my case, finding it.

I am still a work in progress and none of us will ever be perfect because I very much doubt that that is the intension here, but I verily believe that it is our duty to ensure we position ourselves for the best experience we can give ourselves.

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Sunday August 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

Carrot Beetroot Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Introduction: Easily available, bright and delicious, a carrot is a seasonal root. It is an inexpensive vegetable loaded with nutrients. It contains a good amount of beta-carotene (vitamin A). Beetroot, on the other hand, is a red-bulb root and densely packed with antioxidants.1 Blending both these ingredients can make a truly nutrient-rich juice to sip on don’t you think? Carrot and beetroot juice can be a healthier, refreshing drink than many other juices, and one that will surely refresh and rejuvenate you.

Carrot beetroot juice contains a high amount of essential bioactive compounds, making it an excellent morning drink to kick start your day. It has beneficial properties necessary for our daily functioning.1 Let’s learn to make carrot beetroot juice at home. You can use locally available carrots and beetroots. Wash them thoroughly to remove the germs, peel, cut and blend them into a juicer. Filter the red juice obtained using a muslin cloth. Voila, your fresh carrot beetroot juice is ready to be served; enjoy this delicious drink in the morning to have a super healthy start to the day.1 Properties of Car-

rot Beetroot Juice: Carrot beetroot juice contains an excellent source of antioxidants.1 It may have the following properties: · It may have antioxidant potential.1 · It may have anti-carcinogenic action (may have a negative effect on cancer cell development).1 · It may have anti-inflammatory action.1 · It may stimulate an immune response (may be helpful in cancer).1 · It may have a blood sugar lowering effect.3 Potential Uses of Carrot Beetroot Juice: The health benefits of beetroot and carrot juice may be because of the phytonutrients that both these roots are high on, such as vitamins and minerals.

Some of the potential uses of carrot beetroot juice are discussed as follows: 1. Potential uses of Carrot Beetroot Juice for leukaemia (blood cancer) The health benefits of carrot beetroot juice may eztend to helping in (leukaemia) blood cancer. A case report by Marie Christine et al. (2015) demonstrated that drinking beet carrot juice might be beneficial for overcoming the problems related to leukaemia. They showed that it

might benefit lack of appetite and a sense of general wellbeing and increase daily activities. The carrot beetroot juice may also be used with anti-cancer drugs. Hence, this study suggested that carrot beetroot juice may have some beneficial effects on leukaemia and may be useful for patients battling blood cancer. 4 However, further study is required to demonstrate the benefit of carrot beetroot juice/in managing leukaemia-related problems in humans, as these results are insufficient. Therefore, it is essential to see a doctor before relying only on carrot beetroot juice for leukaemia. 2.

Potential uses of Carrot Beetroot Juice for inflamma-

tion Carrot beetroot juice may have a beneficial anti-inflammatory effect. A high amount of antioxidant carotenoids such as beta-carotene, polyphenols and vitamins found in carrots may contribute to this biological property. It may help neutralise the effects of free radicals. Flavonoids and phenolic derivates in carrot beetroot juice might play an important role similar to antioxidants.

They may be helpful in lowering inflammation.5 These studies are insufficient and further studies are essential to prove the potential use of carrot beetroot juice to overcome inflammation in humans.

3. Other Potential Uses of Carrot Beetroot Juice: · Carrot beetroot juice contains antioxidants and phytochemicals that might have a beneficial effect on maintaining blood sugar levels.3,5 · Carrot beetroot juice may have anti-cancer and cytotoxic action. It might be helpful in decreasing the chances of cancer cell development.3 · Beetroot and carrot juice may help with keeping the skin healthy and vibrant. It contains the antioxidant vitamin C which is known to be beneficial for skin health.5 · The benefits of drinking carrot beetroot juice daily might be beneficial in combating issues with hair. It contains vital vitamins which are useful for hair growth; benefitting hair health.5 Despite research demonstrating the advantages of carrot beetroot juice/for a number of health conditions, the findings are insufficient.

Therefore, further investigation is required to clarify the full scope of carrot beetroot juice’s/health advantages for people. How to Use Carrot Beetroot Juice: Carrot beetroot juice is a nutrient-dense beverage. It may be used in the following ways: · Carrot beetroot juice

can be prepared by blending fresh carrots and beetroot · It can be used as a refreshing drink · It can be used with soymilk · It can be mixed with our fruit juices Before taking herbal supplements, you should discuss them with a clinician.

Without seeking expert medical advice, never substitute your regular medication with herbal or ayurvedic medicines.

Side Effects of Carrot Beetroot Juice: There are no relevant data suggesting that drinking carrot beetroot juice has any side/effects. Therefore, more research is needed to determine the harmful/effects of carrot beetroot juice on health. The Ayurvedic doctor who recommended carrot beetroot juice to you should be contacted right away if any side effects are experienced after having it.

They will treat you appropriately. Precautions to Take with Carrot Beetroot Juice: Drinking carrot beetroot juice in moderation may be safe. However, precautions need to be followed. · There are not sufficient facts available to suggest the safe use of carrot beetroot juice for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Therefore, it is essential to take medical advice before using the juice as a herb. · People must be cautious while giving carrot beetroot juice to small children and the elderly because their immunity is less active and might develop reactions. · The use of herbs for selfmedication is not recommended, especially without seeking a doctor’s advice.

Beetroot juice contains a high amount of nitrates. So, people need to consider the possibility that drinking excess carrot beetroot juice might increase nitrate levels above the acceptable limit, producing harmful compounds in the

body. Therefore, people should take precautions and limit the usage of carrot beetroot juice.6 However, a doctor’s advice is always a preferable option to being on the safer side. Interactions with Other Drugs: The combination of carrot beetroot juice and other drugs is not well understood scientifically. Therefore, the assumption that there are no interactions at all is unwise.

Therefore, it is best to follow an Ayurvedic physician’s advice, who will suggest how to consume the juice as a herb in the optimal method.

Frequently Asked Questions: What vitamins are present in carrot beetroot juice?

Carrot beetroot juice is densely packed with vitamins which are natural antioxidants. Vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin C are present in carrot beetroot juice.1,2 What are the benefits of carrot beetroot juice for hair?

Beetroot and carrot juice benefits for skin may be contributed by their vital vitamins. In addition, it may help fight hair problems. It may also provide thicker, healthier and shinier hair.5 However, these studies are insufficient to prove the beneficial effect of carrot beetroot juice on humans. Can carrot beetroot juice provide sun protection?

Carrot beetroot juice contains beta-carotene, which is a skin-friendly nutrient. It is a good source of vitamin A that might be helpful in repairing the skin tissues and harmful effects of sun rays. Drinking carrot beetroot juice in summers might act as a natural sun blocker.5 However, this information is insufficient to back up this claim.

It is better to consult a doctor before having carrot beetroot juice. What are the benefits of carrot beetroot juice in pregnancy? No scientific evidence is reported to confirm the safety of carrot beetroot juice in pregnancy. Hence, more studies are required to identify the benefits of carrot beetroot juice during pregnancy, or you can ask for a doctor’s advice. Are there any side effects of drinking carrot beetroot juice? Drinking carrot beetroot juice in a small dosage is fine. There is no report of any side effects registered till now. However, one should not assume that are no side effects at all. Furthermore, studies will be required to suggest the side effects of carrot beetroot juice on human health. Therefore, if you notice any side effects, call your doctor right away. (https:// pharmeasy.in/blog/ayurvedauses-benefits-side-effects-ofcarrot-beetroot-juice/)

Sunday August 07, 2022

g tin s... s e e er tur t In rea C

B

Kaieteur News

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Bothriechis schlegelii

othriechis schlegelii, known commonly as the eyelash viper, is a species of venomous pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is native to Central and South America. Small and arboreal, this species is characterised by a wide array of colour variations, as well as the superciliary scales above the eyes. It is the most common of the green palm-pitvipers (genus Bothriechis), and is often present in zoological exhibits.

DESCRIPTION The eyelash viper is a relatively small species of pit viper, with adults ranging from 55–82 cm (22–32 in) long, and females being longer and more variable in size than males, which can grow to 69 cm (27 in) long. It has a wide, triangular-shaped head, and eyes with vertical pupils. Like all pit vipers, it is solenoglyphous, having large, hypodermic needle-like fangs in the front of the upper jaw that fold back when not in use, and has heat sensitive organs, or pits, located on either side of the head between the eye and nostril.

The specific name schlegelii honours Hermann Schlegel, who was a German ornithologist and herpetologist.

It’s most distinguishing feature, and origin of its common name, is the set of modified scales above the eyes that look much like eyelashes. The eyelashes are thought to aid in camouflage, breaking up the snake’s outline among the foliage where it hides. The eyelash viper occurs in a wide range of colors, including red, yellow, brown, green, even pink, as well as various combinations thereof. It often has black or brown speckling on the base color. No external features distinguish the two sexes.

COMMON NAMES Common names of B. schlegelii include the eyelash viper, eyelash pit viper, eyelash

palm viper, eyelash palm-pit viper, Schlegel’s viper, Schlegel’s pit viper, Schlegel’s palm viper eyelash snake, eyelash lancehead, eyelash mountain viper, and horned palm viper. In Spanish, the primary language of countries comprising its distribution, common names include bocaracá, oropel (golden morph), víbora bocaracá, toboba pestañas, víbora de pestañas (eyelash viper), and serpiente loro (parrot snake).

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE The geographic range of B. schlegelii extends from southern Mexico (northern Chiapas), southeastward on the Atlantic plains and lowlands through Central America to northern South America in Colombia and Venezuela. It is also found on the Pacific versant and lowlands in parts of Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. It occurs in mesic forest at elevations almost from sea level to 2,640 m (8,660 ft) altitude. The type locality is “Popayan” (Popayán, Colombia).

HABITAT B. schlegelii prefers lower altitude, humid, tropical areas with dense foliage, generally not far from a permanent water source. One study noted the preference of B. schlegelii for deep, shady ravines.

BEHAVIOUR Like other Bothriechis members, B. schlegelii is arboreal and has a strong prehensile tail. It is largely nocturnal, consuming small rodents, frogs, lizards and small birds. It is not known to be an aggressive snake, but will not hesitate to strike if harassed.

A typical ambush predator, it waits patiently for unsuspecting prey to wander by.

Sometimes, it is known to select a specific ambush site and return to it every year in time

for the spring migration of birds. Studies have indicated that B. schlegeli learns to improve strike accuracy over time. Sometimes B. schlegelii (especially juveniles) will employ what is known as “caudal luring”, wiggling the tail in worm-like motions to encourage potential prey to move within striking range.

There is a myth among villagers in some small areas of South America that the eyelash viper will wink, flashing its “eyelashes” at its victim, following a venomous strike. Snakes are not physiologically capable of such behaviour, as they have no eyelids and cannot close their eyes.

REPRODUCTION The eyelash viper reaches sexual maturity at around two years of age, and the ovoviviparous species reproduces throughout the year in warm environments.

Females carry eggs for around six months before they hatch internally, where the young complete their development. Pregnant

females have enlarged lower abdomens, and may stop eating in later stages of pregnancy.

In a typical brood they give birth to 2–20 live young, which are 15–20 cm (5.9–7.9 in) in length and appear physically similar to adults.

Males engage in a sometimes hours-long courtship ritual called a “dance of the adders”, in which two males posture and intimidate one another in an upright, “cobralike” stance until one is pushed away or falls to the ground. They are polygynous, and usually mate at night.

CAPTIVITY Despite the inherent danger of its venom, B. schlegelii is frequently available in the exotic animal trade, and is well represented in zoos worldwide. It is frequently captive bred for colour and pattern. Exporting from the wild is not as common as it once was, but is not unknown. In general they make hardy captives, readily feeding on provided mice.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday August 07, 2022

This Day in 7 0 t s u g u A y Histor T&T denies conspiring with US Compiled by Zena Henry

Billie Holidays “strange fruit” draws to capture, extradite Roger Khan inspiration from lynching poem n August 7, 2006, Trinidad and US Marshal and local authorities before Before taking its place on the “Songs of the Century” list, the unsettling lyrics of Billie Holiday’s 1939 single “Strange Fruit” was used to protest the lynching of Black Americans in the USA. Composed by Lewis

American singer Billie Holiday Allan, the lyrics were drawn from a poem by Abel Meeropol published in 1937. The song protests the lynching of Black Americans with lyrics that compare the victims to the fruit of trees as such lynching had reached a peak in the Southern United States at the turn

of the 20th century, and the great majority of victims were black. The song itself has been called “a declaration” and “the beginning of the civil rights movement”.

Meeropol, born to Russian-Jewish parents, had set his lyrics to music with his wife and the singer Laura Duncan and performed it as a protest song in New York City venues in the late 1930s, including Madison Square Garden.

Holiday’s version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1978 and the “Songs of the Century” list of the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment for the Arts among other achievements.

It was a photo of two Black Americans, J. Thomas Shipp and Abraham S. Smith lynched in Marion, Indiana, which Meeropol said, “haunted him for days” and inspired the piece which was originally named “bitter fruit”. The young African American men were murdered in a spectacle lynching by a mob of thousands on August 7, 1930, in Marion, Indiana. The mob used sledgehammers to break into the jail cells before beating and hanging them from a tree in the county courthouse square. They had been arrested that night as suspects in a (Continued on page 45)

O

Tobago officials had cause to deny involvement in a conspiring with the United States to get convicted drug felon Saheed “Roger” Khan, into the northern territory. T&T based Attorney Odai Ramischand had accused the Trinidad government and the US of acting illegally. In an interview in the twin state, Ramischand said, “…they abducted Khan and unlawfully took him to the US.” He said that he knew Khan and knew that he would not willingly agree to be sent to the US. As such, Ramischand said he was filing a court application declaring the involvement of the T&T government.

He said too that petitions were also being made to international human rights bodies to highlight the method of apprehension which he said violates international law.

T&T’s former Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Rangee Dolsingh and other stakeholders had denied that the T&T acted illegally.

It was said that Khan was not landed by immigration authorities and that he was probably put on detention under the watch of

continuing on his journey.

The T&T official had said that certain

Roger Khan

courtesies were extended to the Marshals under the “Mutual Assistance Treaty” between the US and T&T.

America deploys 15,000 troops in Gulf War

Separate US Embassy attacks in Eastern Africa put attention on Bin Laden, al-Qaeda

Scenes from the Gulf War

The aftermath of the attack on the Nairobi-based US Embassy

T

he 1998 United States Embassy bombings were attacks that occurred on August 7, 1998. More than 200 people were killed in nearly simultaneous truck bomb explosions in two East African cities, one at the United States Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the other at the United States Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. The attacks, which were linked to local members of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, brought Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and their terrorist organisation, al-Qaeda, to the attention of the U.S. public for the first time, and resulted in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

placing bin Laden on its 10 most-wanted fugitives list. The FBI also connected the attack to Azerbaijan, as 60 calls were placed via satellite phone by bin Laden to associates in the country’s capital Baku. Fazul Abdullah Mohammed and Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah were credited with being the masterminds behind the bombings.

The bombings are widely believed to have been revenge for U.S. involvement in the extradition, and alleged torture, of four members of Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ) who had been arrested in Albania in the two months prior to the attacks for a series of murders in Egypt.

The Gulf War was an armed campaign waged by a United States-led coalition of 35 countries against Iraq in response to the Iraqi invasion and annexation of Kuwait.

The Iraqi military invaded the neighbouring State of Kuwait on 2 August, 1990 and fully occupied the country within two days. Different speculations have been made regarding the true intents behind the invasion, including Iraq’s inability to pay Kuwait the more than US$14 billion that it had borrowed to finance its military efforts during the Iran–Iraq War, and Kuwait’s surge in petroleum production levels which kept

revenues down for Iraq. much of the 1980s, Kuwait’s oil production was above its mandatory OPEC quota, which kept international oil prices down.

Iraq interpreted Kuwait’s refusal to decrease its oil production as an act of aggression towards the Iraqi economy. The invasion of Kuwait was met with international condemnation, and economic sanctions against Iraq were immediately imposed by the United Nations Security Council in response. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and U.S. president George H. W. Bush deployed troops and equipment into Saudi Arabia, and urged other countries to send their own forces to the scene. On August 7, 1990, 15,000 U.S. troops, 32 destroyers and 100 helicopters and fighter planes arrived in Saudi Arabia.

Sunday August 07, 2022

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Aggressive scrutiny by Guyanese exposes dangerous...

From page 25 financially viable and necessary.

He reiterated that the country is facing three options with gas: reinject it, flare it, or bring it to shore.

Parker said he believes the gas project is vital as it will be transformative in lowering electricity costs and supporting the expansion of other industries.

Pressed by KN Publisher Lall to say how he is aware it will lower electricity costs when there is no final price tag on the project, Parker submitted to his audience that he is not the author of

Another stakeholder raising a pertinent point during the engagement

Rystad’s position on this matter. He then offered Lall his business card and promised to send the Rystad report on the matter at a subsequent date.

MONTE CARLO SIMULATION Bobby Gossai, Senior Petroleum Coordinator within the Ministry of Natural Resources along with Moderator of the event on Friday, Economist and Executive Director at GCCI, Richard Rambarran, both questioned the Rystad agent on whether the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) was used in the preparation of the study.

In simple terms, MCS is a mathematical equation that allows one to understand the best and worst case scenarios of certain events over a period of time. This method is of particular importance when it comes to the oil and gas sector that is vulnerable to certain external risks.

Readers would recall for example that in the 2020 period, when the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown measures worldwide reduced the demand for oil and gas resources. Many oil

companies recorded billions in losses during that year.

Oil prices were low then slowly picked up in 2021 when the market started opening up and restrictions were relaxed.

Fast-forward to 2022, no one would have imagined that Russia would invade Ukraine in February, sending oil prices soaring through the roof.

Better yet, not a soul in 2015 or 2016, when Guyana was hitting discovery after discovery, projected these two unprecedented events would hit the oil sector down the line. It therefore proves that the oil sector and fiscal forecasts have to consider the best and worst case scenarios hence the relevance and importance of the question posed by Gossai and Rambarran.

Parker eventually revealed that he did not use the Monte Carlo Simulation.

His company simply calculated the barrels available from 26 commercial discoveries, along with other economic factors, using a flat US$50 rate per barrel into 2040.

There was no consideration of impacts from worst case

events like the pandemic or the war.

Both Guyanese economists then urged Parker to consider closing this loophole in the study or at least stating upfront, the true contours of the methodology used.

In his defense, Parker said he is not the author of the report; he is merely the humble messenger. The Senior Vice President said the report was not meant to be technical but just provide a layman’s understanding to persons of what Guyana could get 20 years into the future.

Parker added that the intention of the company was to be as simplistic as possible and not super pedantic in its extrapolations. “This piece is for the general readership, the layman,” he reiterated.

Parker in his closing remarks said he felt enthused by the discussion as it is “a very healthy indicator that the Guyanese population and its citizens are involved. It is critical to have an evolved citizenry. It is an indication that there is a healthy democracy to express opinions.”

Billie Holidays “strange fruit”...

From page 44 robbery, murder and rape case along with a 16-year-old boy, James Cameron, who barely had his life spared when the very photographer who took the photo that inspired Meeropol, and an unknown female pleaded his innocence.

Cameron later stated that Shipp and Smith had committed the murder but that he had run away before that event. The local

chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) had tried to evacuate the suspects from town to avoid the mob violence but were not successful.

The NAACP and the State’s Attorney General pressed to indict leaders of the lynch mob, but as was typical in lynchings, no one was ever charged for their deaths, nor for the attack on Cameron.

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T

he Unicorn and His Friends

By Mahika

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful island. In the island meadows, there lived a young fairy named Isotopia. She had a pet monkey named Poppy. Isotopia and Poppy were simple beings with simple tastes and lifestyle. They lived in a small, simply furnished house. On the same island, there also lived a Unicorn, who had a special ability of flying very high and far. The only dream of Isotopia was that some day, she would ride on the Unicorn.

One day, Isotopia was alone at home and Poppy had gone to eat some bananas. When he climbed a banana tree and started eating, he saw that the Unicorn was also standing down below. He was looking at him. Poppy was not an ordinary monkey. He was very wise and could understand the language of every animal on the island. He dropped down some bananas to the Unicorn also, and said, “Would you allow me to ride on your back some day?”

The Unicorn replied “You have fed me tasty fruits. You can surely ride on me.” Poppy was exhilarated! He jumped on the Unicorn's back and the Unicorn flew high up in the sky.

Poppy enjoyed very much. When the Unicorn landed down, Poppy said “Thanks for the ride.

I had never imagined how different an experience this would be! I am Poppy. What's your name?”

The Unicorn said “My name is Euno. Will you be my friend?”

Poppy said “Of course, I'll be your friend” They played together. When it was late, Poppy said good bye to Euno. On reaching home, he told Isotopia all about the Unicorn. She exclaimed “Oh! How wonderful! I wish I could ride on him as well! Poppy, please will you take me to the Unicorn tomorrow?” Poppy accepted her request.

Next day, when they went to meet Euno, they saw that five wicked men had tied Euno with a rope, were pulling him & forcing him to go with them. Isotopia asked, “Why are you doing this to the poor Unicorn?”

One of the men answered “Say nothing, girl! A unicorn is a very rare find! We are Iucky to come across him. We will earn loads of money from him.”

And saying this, the man pushed back Isotopia. The five wicked men then took away Euno. Isotopia and Poppy felt sad for Euno, but those five men, from the neighbouring village on the island, were famous for their notoriety, so Isotopia and Poppy decided to keep silent. They knew where the men lived.

They made a plan to save Euno.

When night fell, they went to the men's home. Then, they secretly added a sleeping potion in their food. Unfortunately, only two of the men ate that food and fell into a deep sleep. The remaining three men had dinner outside & were sleeping in another room.

Isotopia locked the door of that room from outside. Now Poppy tried to untie the rope with which Euno was tied. But the rope was fastened very tightly. So, when Poppy tried to open the rope, Euno got hurt and uttered a cry of pain. The three men woke up, while two were in a deep sleep. They understood that Euno's friends had come to free him, but found that their door was locked from outside. They started pushing & kicking the door, and after few minutes, managed to break the door and came out. When they came out, suddenly Euno's rope came free. The men came running towards them, but Isotopia and Poppy jumped on Euno's back. One of the men caught Poppy's tail, but when Euno started flying, let go of the tail and fell down. All the men stared at them in anger & disappointment, but what could they do now?

During their flight, Poppy told Euno all

about Isotopia. Euno became friends with Isotopia too. Suddenly, Poppy and Isotopia noticed that Euno was descending to the ground and had brought them to a strange place. They were in very bright light, so they closed their eyes. When they opened their eyes again, they saw that they had reached a huge castle glistening in golden light. Poppy and Isotopia couldn't believe their eyes. Poppy asked Euno, “Where have you brought us?”

Euno said, “This castle belonged to my parents.” “Where are they?” asked Poppy.

“They are probably no more, for all I know.

One day they had gone to the forest, about six months back, & never returned.” answered Euno in a sad voice.

“But maybe they are still alive!” said Isotopia.

“How much I wish that what you say is true,” said Euno in a low voice.

Suddenly, a sound came from behind the bushes.

“Euno! Euno! Where are you?”

“Oh! That's my mother's voice. But surely I am imagining things!” exclaimed Euno.

“No! Euno, no! We can also hear this voice and we can also see two unicorns there!” said Poppy with excitement.

“Where?” asked Euno.

“There! There, Euno! Behind the bushes!” exclaimed Poppy. Euno looked behind the bushes. His parents were actually there! Euno ran and rubbed himself against his father and mother.

“Where have you been, Mommy and Daddy?” asked Euno.

“A hunter had taken us away after trapping us in a huge net, but we ran and flew, and somehow managed to return here today,” said his father.

Euno was very happy. He said “Mommy, these are my friends-Poppy and Isotopia. They helped me to escape from some wicked hunters. Please mommy, let them stay with us.

They are very kind-hearted.”

Mother said, “Yes, son. They can surely stay with us in our castle.”

Euno's mother thanked Poppy and Isotopia for saving her child.

Euno asked his father, “What do you say, Daddy? Can they stay with us?”

Father said, “Yes, they can!”

Euno was overjoyed. Euno showed his friends the whole castle. The castle was even bigger than what it looked from outside. Euno gave his friends a nice room to stay, with beautiful designs painted on the walls and a lovely view from the windows. Isotopia and Poppy liked the castle and their room very much. They thanked Euno and his parents for their generosity. The three friends happily lived ever after together in the lovely castle.

Y

H POETR

FUN WIT

The games we play are so much fun, When my friends and I all meet, Cricket, football, hopscotch and skipping, They make our lives so sweet.

But there are times when I find Some children don't play so fair, They push and hit you when they lose, And sometimes even pull your hair.

Games are one way we get to learn To be friendly, honest and kind; Play hard to win, but always play fair, And you will enjoy them all the time.

by Uncle Roy

Sunday August 07, 2022

Junior page Watermelon

Pinwheels

Supplies to make Red and Green Craft Paper Glue Stick Black Sharpie Pen Green sharpie Pen Scissors Jumbo Straw Hole Puncher Split Pin/Paper Fastener 1 Inch

How To Make Summery Watermelon Windmills 1 – To m a k e y o u r watermelon pinwheel craft you need a piece of paper that is red on one side and green on the other. To make this simply glue two pieces of coloured craft paper together and let it dry.

2 – When your glued paper is dry you need to cut it into a square.

You can measure this out with a ruler but the simplest way is to fold a short end of the paper along a long end of the paper to make a triangle, then cut the excess off.

3 – Fold your square in half diagonally to make a triangle. Cut about two thirds of the way from the middle of the triangle point towards the folded edge.

4 – Unfold the triangle and fold it in the opposite direction to make another triangle and repeat step 3.

Open it up to see a square with four cuts, one at each corner.

5 – Use your hole punch to make a hole in each alternate outer point of your square. f These holes will be used later to secure your watermelon pinwheel sails.

6 – On the red side of your square use your black Sharpie pen to draw the watermelon seeds.

7 – On the green side of your square use your green Sharpie pen to draw on the darker watermelon stripes.

8 – Make a small hole in the middle of your square.

9 – Your watermelon windmill craft will need a handle. We used a jumbo plastic straw and punched a

hole in one end.

10 – To turn your paper square into a windmill take your split pin / paper fastener and put it through one of the holes on the green side of the paper and bend it over gently towards the centre of the red side. Repeat with the other three corners working your way around the square.

11 – When your paper fastener is through all four corners of the paper thread it through the hole in the middle of the square.

Then thread it through the hole in the jumbo straw and open it up on the other side.

Add a small strip of sticky tape over the paper fastener to secure it in place.

Kaieteur News

Sunday August 07, 2022

PAGE 47

TEEN TIME Instil proper values on which to base your life

A

part from the principles which must be adopted to make your life proceed in the right manner, you need to incorporate the values necessary for proper living. Values are what we believe in, the things we stand for and against, the things that give direction and meaning to your life.

As a young person, at the brink of the period when what you do will affect your entire future, you have to decide in good time the values which will direct how you will conduct yourself, and deal with the persons and things around, so that you are prepared mentally, psychologically, spiritually and even physically, to withstand the pressures that you will meet that will be acting against your own ambitions, in your achieving the things you want to do, and the way you want to be.

Without this direction in your life at the outset of your gaining some sort of

To build Guyana

by Rosina Ragobeer To build Guyana, for it to be better, We have to treat it as a serious matter To build Guyana it needs cooperation, So we need to introduce specialisation.

It's like when I read you will write, In this way there will be no fight. independence from your parents and the other guides in your life, you will find yourself as in a boat without a rudder to guide it, and drifting through life subject to all the dangers which the world will undoubtedly thrust in your way.

You have to develop a value system which will be able to deal with all these pressures through your attitude, through your behaviour, and through the choices you make as you face the various experiences.

You have to realise that you seal your fate with the choices you make on the way. These choices during your younger days will determine the destiny or direction of your entire future. You do not need to look too hard to observe all around you many examples of those who did not think it necessary to determine beforehand what those choices should be, and who as a result drifted through life and fell by the wayside.

Take a positive step NOW to determine this

value system which in your situation will be able to guide you through all the difficulties you are likely to encounter on your way.

Take a sheet of paper and write down all the qualities that would make you an ideal person. Keep this list in a place where you can refer to it during your normal day. Resolve in your mind to constantly work on your own personality to adopt those qualities, and make it a habit to display them in your speech, your thoughts and your actions.

o

tt Tell i

Working with this idea and strong management, We can all enjoy our money and ensure it's well-spent; Some must fetch the loads and fill the crates, While some in the ocean are setting baits; Many in the fields will be working late, Thus no man will be able to dominate.

To build Guyana, all must play a part, Sharing work evenly right from the start, Planting roots of pine, cashew and banana, With this simple advice, we can all build Guyana.

Adopting values in your lifestyle will ensure that you are on the right track towards proper living.

Solutions to last week’s Bridges

Hello, readers, Uncle Roy is again asking all of you to try in some way to make a contribution to this page, and thus to the welfare of you and your fellow readers. This contribution can take any form that you feel would be valuable – an account of what is going on in your community and country, any advice you would like to pass on to your fellow teen readers and, on a broader level, any comment or recommendation you would like to make to your fellow Guyanese.

Please remit same to my email – roypaul2002@yahoo.com, and be assured that your worthwhile contribution will have a prominent place on our page.

I can till while you weed, Another dig, and the next plant the seed, Some will have to take their education, While others work on the plantation; Some must for minerals dive, As others in the dangerous rivers drive; To build Guyana I must work to my maximum, For it's not fair to my brothers facing the sun.

The heavy lines indicate areas called cages. Fill each cage with unique digits, counting up from 1. For example, a 1cell cage must contain the number 1, a 2-cell cage contains 1 and 2, a 5-cell cage contains 1 through 5 and so on.

These numbers may appear in any order within the cage. If two identical numbers appear in the same row or column, at least that many cells must separate them. For example, if two 3s appear in the same column, they must be separated by at least three other cells that do not contain 3.

Emancipation Proclamation

Ripple effect

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PAGE 48

5

tips for healthy skin Good skin care — including sun protection and gentle cleansing — can keep your skin healthy and

glowing.

By Mayo Clinic Staff on't have time for intensive skin care? You can still pamper yourself by acing the basics. Good skin care and healthy lifestyle choices can help delay natural aging and prevent various skin problems. Get started with these five no-nonsense tips.

1. Protect yourself from the sun One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems — as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.

For the most complete sun protection: Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.

Seek shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.

Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats.

Also consider laundry additives, which give clothing an additional layer of ultraviolet protection for a certain number of washings, or special sun-protective clothing — which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays.

2. Don't smoke Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow and makes skin paler.

This also depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health.

Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — can contribute to wrinkles.

In addition, smoking increases your risk of squamous cell skin cancer. If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking.

3. Treat your skin gently Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin.

To keep it gentle: Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm — rather than hot — water.

Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.

Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.

Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.

Moisturize dry skin. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF. 4. Eat a healthy diet A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.

The association between diet and acne isn't clear — but some research suggests that a diet rich in fish oil or fish oil supplements and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin.

Drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin hydrated.

5. Manage stress Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — take steps to manage your stress.

Get enough sleep, set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adulthealth/in-depth/skin-care/art-20048237

D

Sunday August 07, 2022

Sunday August 07, 2022

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Sunday August 07, 2022

PAGE 51

Man dies from COVID-19 months after helping wife start her own business The

Detective

By Shervin Belgrave

T

he unfolding of some loud if indeed her husband had an events in life can inkling of how things were destined s o m e t i m e s b e s o to play out.

But despite measures being in peculiar that they leave us with more questions than answers. Such place for her to take care of herself is the plight of Dianna Fredericks and sons, the woman intimated that whose loving husband months losing a loving husband and the before he passed away helped her father of her children suddenly has been no easy pill to swallow. become self-sufficient.

I learnt of Dianna’s story when I Did he have a premonition or was it just a mere coincident? travelled to Bartica recently to cover a government outreach Maybe we will never know. ich was However, the facts of the w h l matter, as received by The Detective, is that at the age of 61, Lennox Andrew Fredericks, who was the sole breadwinner of his family – his wife Dianna and three sons, ages 24, 12, and 7, had his life snuffed out in September 2021. This was following a severe bout with the very infectious d i s e a s e COVID-19 which to date has claimed the lives of millions across the world.

Flashback: Lennox Fredericks enjoying But months before a swim in a pool with his children. he died, while he was still in good health, Fredericks was busy helping his wife set up her own catering business at Bartica, Region Seven.

As she reflected on how things played out, D i a n n a wondered out

had even promised that his government would try its best to assist them in any way possible.

Dianna, of course, was one of the residents who robustly shared her story in hopes of getting help from the government to expand her small business.

She related to the President, “I am a single mother…COVID took away my husband.”

She painted a glowing picture of her husband – he was a good man who served the community of Bartica with pride, dignity and selflessness.

She left no doubt in the minds of those listening that she loved and adored her husband. She spoke of him as her hero who dedicated 38 years of his life to the R e g i o n a l Democratic Council (RDC) as an excellent electrician.

Later, she told me that she had first met him at a domino com

Happier times: Lennox Fredericks (centre) with his wife Dianna and their children

f amil y oriented and loved us and his other relatives ring ate and dearly.” c the sb He related too that “Lennox er, er hu n r loved children a lot. He had this Co of h a e in lp relatio personality that attracted little nsh the he u S t h a t nship she was babies and he would refer to them i ble up w a l i ready to accept his as his ‘lil friend’ and when he goes t ava to se d out on work trips to other villages in o children as her own. e l fo the region, he would make me pack us as ab Their romance continued for o i ic ks w del six years until they decided to tie his bags with treats, lollipops and p nd ederic a s r the knot. In total, they spent 24 so, so that he could share out to e t i t i o n F rie ast ianna years together, of which they spent them. He also had a passion for in Bartica.

At p D ed the time he was 37 18 years and seven months as man helping out senior citizens,” she Baksiness years old. Although he was a and wife. Their union, according to recalled. bu Apart from his wonderful handsome, medium built man, Dianna, produced four sons but e Diana said that he captivated her sadly one of them, Lennon personality, she said that Fredericks d b y attention simply because they had a Fredericks – their second son, died was a dedicated member of the Light P r e s i d e n t lot in common, including a love for in 2016 by drowning.

House Assembly of God Church and Mohammed Irfaan the game of dominoes. “He loved was a part of the men’s ministry As Dianna reminisced on the Ali. During the outreach dominoes and I loved playing wonderful years she spent with her service. He was committed to President Ali had encouraged the dominoes too,” she said. husband, she said, “Words are not seeking souls for Christ.

Bartica residents to tell him about Reflecting on his work life, She disclosed that despite being enough to describe him, he always the problems they are facing and a father already, once they struck up put his family first, he was very Dianna said that Fredericks began

Kaieteur News

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Cuisine Culture TREAT YOUR TASTE BUDS TO A SUMPTUOUS DISH FROM

By Renay Sambach The first dish that I ever tried from Pour L’Amour was its chicken Alfredo pasta, which was paired with a serving of wings (honey barbeque and honey mustard), and since then I became a fan.

Its 19-year-old chef, Hakeem Paul continues to deliver to customers mouthwatering dishes, including a variety of combos to choose from, and dear foodies, his dishes deserve to be praised.

Like I mentioned earlier, there is delicious pasta and wings on offer at Pour L’Amour. However, there are even more sumptuous dishes to enjoy such as burgers, wraps and specials.

And there is even more.

On July 29, last, the young chef added the Waffles and Wings combo to his appetising menu.

For the new Waffles and Wings combo, customers can choose from crispy fried wings, or any of the following flavoured wings: garlic parmesan, barbeque, maple barbeque, jerk and honey mustard.

Pour L’Amour’s daily menu includes: combos, sides, burgers, pasta and wraps.

Grilled chicken and pork with a variety of sides to choose from are also available.

Among the sides are potato fries, loaded fries, macaroni and cheese, vegetable rice, garden salad, plantain, boiled corn and mashed potatoes.

Also, there is the classic beef burger, chicken burger, and vegetarian burger and prawns burger.

His combos include: burger, macaroni and cheese, wings, pan-seared chicken and fries. As for wraps there are

chicken/beef/veggie wrap and the prawns wrap too.

Combos are also available for the wraps.

P o u r L’ A m o u r also offers customers a variety of pastas to choose from, like the creamy chicken Alfredo, prawns Alfredo and spaghetti and meatballs.

To go along with his meals, ‘Chef Paul’ also offers a variety of local juices like passion fruit, pineapple, cherry, watermelon, sorrel and mango.

Now let me tell you about the person behind the meals. Chef Hakeem Paul attended the Brickdam Secondary School and, after graduating, he worked at the Guyana Marriott Hotel as a chef.

He later pursued his studies at the Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) Hospitality and Tourism Institute, where he studied Culinary Arts. He spent roughly a year there.

In April 2020, after many requests from persons to cater for their small functions, Paul started his independent cooking career and excelled.

Paul’s successful catering for such gatherings eventually inspired his decision to officially open Pour L’Amour. According to him, the name ‘Pour L’Amour’ is a French phrase which means “for love” or “for the love.”

“I loved cooking and spending time in the

k itc h e n and I’m glad to this day I’m still following my dream,” he said.

For persons who would like to make contact with Pour L’Amour, you can do so via Facebook, Instagram @pourlamour, or WhatsApp using on cell phone number: +1 (592) 609 1850.

To share any useful information, please can contact me via email: naesambach@gmail.com or phone

Sunday August 07, 2022

Sunday August 07, 2022

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Kaieteur News

V ILLAGE Speightland/Lo wer Kara, a

Speightland/Lower Kara, a peaceful riverine community

By Vanessa Braithwaite

The Speightland community

L

ocated a few miles down the Demerara-River, is the scenic and peaceful riverine community of Speightland/Lower Kara Kara.

Home to about 400 residents, the community is nestled between the farmlands and the peaceful Demerara River. Most of the residents are of Indigenous descent and depend on farming, fishing and hunting for a living.

Also known as Block 42, Amelia's Ward, the community can be deemed a close knit one. As a result, the crime rate is relatively low.

The community can be accessed from either the river via paddle or engine boat from Mackenzie, or it can be accessed from Amelia's Ward (the sand pit area). Residents, however, prefer to use boat, as it is more convenient and affordable.

Susan Marks, a resident, said she has been living there for 23 years. Her family is the first to settle in the community. She said families get their daily bread from small and large scale farming and fishing activities. They would take the produce and sell them in the Mackenzie area. “I don't do a large scale of planting, but they have other guys who are more down, they would do a large scale and when they plant, they would harvest it and carry down to the market and sell it. Some would sell wholesale and some would sell retail,” she explained. Marks said the farmers would use the boats to transport their produce to the market.

Jewan Singh called 'Granddad”, has been living in the community for over 15 years and is

Speightland resident, George Jacobis

also a farmer. He would sometimes brave the scorching sun and other adverse weather conditions to tend to the soil, despite being advanced in age, just to feed his family. “I plant plantain, banana, cassava and I does do lil gardening,” he said with pride. He would normally sell in the community, but during the May/June rains, Singh's farm, along with the majority of others in the community, was inundated and he was unable to support his family during that period. “Right now, I does get it very hard; it is very hard, I am a senior citizen, I does get my pension and that is what is surviving me and my family.”

Across the other side of the river, is the farming community of Dallawalla, which was one of Region 10's main farming hub.

Years ago, the food produced in Dallawalla, would sustain more than 50 percent of Linden's demand and there was no need for food to be imported from other regions.

However, poor drainage and irrigation resulted in farms being

flooded regularly and farmers were forced to abandon their lands for greener pastures. One farmer, however, who remained and continues to battle the challenges, is Mr. George Jacobis. He farms mainly cash crops and ground provision, but like other farmers during the raining season, he experienced significant losses.

Speightland resident, Susan Marks

“Right now, is only the eddo really withstand the rain, everything else under water,” the veteran farmer related.

For the residents of these riverain communities, life does not go by without a fight. Limited amenities, access roads and other challenges can make us appreciate how easy life can be for those who

reside in central Linden.

Young Flemming, has been living in Lower Kara Kara all his life and described river life as tough. “At the back here is tough, you have to toil every day to keep your head above the water.

Farming is very challenging. In Linden, during these May/June you drop the farms because of too much of rain,” he said. The young men of the community would have to seek other means of earning during this period, he related.

As a result of these hurdles, the majority of the community's occupants are middled aged and the elderly, since many of the youths opt to leave after completing school. However, Roshanna Manbodh, a young woman, decided to stay since, according to her, she loves the peacefulness of the community. For fun, she, along with her friends, would keep house parties and other social activities such as community sporting competitions to keep the community spirit alive.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday August 07, 2022

US-based Guyana-born internal medicine specialist,

Dr. Shamsundar Ramrattan is a ‘Special Person’ US-based Internal Medicine Specialist, Dr. Shamsundar Ramrattan and his beloved mother, Pauline

Dr. Shamsundar Ramrattan is pictured in protective gear during COVID-19 runs at a Los Angeles Hospital

A proud moment: Dr. Shamsundar Ramrattan stands alongside his mother after she joined him in receiving his certificate at his medical school graduation

By Rehanna Ramsay

L

osing his father at the age of 10 to a preventable medical condition is what led Californiabased Guyana-born internal m e d i c i n e s p e c i a l i s t , D r.

Shamsundar Ramrattan down the path of helping to save lives – which has morphed into a successful career already spanning over three decades.

always optimistic that he could find solutions to make them lead healthier and better lives.

This week’s ‘Special Person’ holds several awards and credentials in medicine.

His training includes a medical school stint at the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery; an internship at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Rutgers, New

Honour: A younger Dr. Shamsundar Ramrattan is presented with an award for service by a US navy officer.

I n fact, Dr. Ramrattan says that this remains among the key motivating factors behind many achievements as a medical specialist.

Dr. Ramrattan currently serves as an attending physician with the US-based High Desert Multispecialty Medical Group, where he has worked for the past 15 years.

Locally, Dr. Ramrattan treats hundreds of patients annually as part of the Guyana Watch Medical Outreach team that visits these shores yearly to offer health services to the public freeof-cost.

He revealed that he spends a considerable amount of time, examining and treating his patients to the best of his knowledge and capability, and is

Brunswick, New Jersey, and residencies at Princeton Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, and Eric Chandler Medical Center for HIV and Infectious Diseases.

Prior to having a full-time career in medicine, Dr. Ramrattan also served in the United States Naval Force where he copped several coveted prizes and awards including the Honourable Discharge US Navy Good Conduct Award; US Navy Sea Service

Award; the US Navy Antarctic Expedition Award; the National Science Foundation and the US Navy Humanitarian Award for his work with the G u y a n a Wa t c h M e d i c a l Outreach.

And though he is recognised for his exemplary service in medicine, Dr. Ramrattan remains humbled at the opportunities he has been given to serve. Through his efforts, Dr. Ramrattan said that he has learned some of the most valuable lessons in life.

He calls himself fortunate to have “the k n o w l e d g e , perseverance, and experience that allowed me to serve the poor, the e l d e r l y, a n d t h e unfortunate souls with God’s guidance.”

Dr. Ramrattan comes from very humble beginnings but he has been ambitious about his career

decisio ns. Outside of his work, Dr. Ramrattan is a devoted husband of 25 years to his wonderful wife Sarah and a loving father to their three sons – Sanjay, Navin and Rohan.

He revealed his next project is to oversee the rollout of telemedicine services in the Caribbean, - beginning with his home country –Guyana.

HONOURABLE PURSUIT Dr. Ramrattan related that he grew up in Georgetown, Guyana – as the last of nine children for his mother, Pauline, whom he describes as his pillar of strength and the other reason for his honourable pursuit as a medical specialist.

Dr. Ramrattan related, “My mother was a homemaker and seamstress, my father [Rattan Ram] a carpenter who transitioned when I was 10 years old. It was a struggle with my father passing unexpectedly

leaving my mother to raise the family single-handedly.”

He noted his mother is a very proud, industrious soul who did everything she could to keep the family together.

Dr. Ramrattan recalled, “[She] sewed late at nights making children’s clothing that she then sold to merchants at a much-reduced price – whatever it took to keep us fed, clothed, housed, and schooled. My older siblings too would sacrifice their schooling and dreams to help support the family via odd jobs.

Due to all [my mother’s] sacrifice, we were able to transition to the US where more opportunities were available.”

The internal medicine specialist credited his Guyanese upbringing with the strong and ambitious drive for success. He said, “Coming from a humble background with limited resources and opportunities made me strong and ambitious Continued on page 56

Family: Dr. Shamsundar Ramrattan (standing) third from left is pictured with his mother and eight siblings

Kaieteur News

Sunday August 07, 2022

PAGE 55

…where tasty innovations are created

By Allyiah Allicock

“With the entrepreneurial mindset, traits like that of resilience and creativity were embraced which can grow the society and by extension the nation. Thus, our developing country can eventually be claimed developed.”

Young entrepreneur, Kaelly Smith

M

a n y of you ma y have heard of Temp tations2Go or even tried some of its scrumptious donuts. But are you aware of how it all came about? Or the individuals responsible for its existence?

Temptations2Go was launched back in April 2020, shortly after the onset of the pandemic here, by two young entrepreneurs – 21-year-old Kaelly Smith and 22-year-old Carolyn Deane. As the name of the business suggests, the two joined forces to bring forth a unique goodies business with the potential of tempting anyone to try even while on the go.

In a recent interview, Smith, a university student, shared what led them to start this venture.

According to her, prior to the launch of the business, they enjoyed pastry baking as a pastime and o f t e n combined different flavours and ingredients to make their own unique sweet treats. Donuts, which is a main product, is still a

home favourite till this day, she said.

“We made donuts more than any other pastry and thought to ourselves, where in Guyana sells donuts, not just the regular ones but a business innovated to market something new, something never seen, tasted before and spark people’s taste buds? Why not showcase our own innovativeness to the public? With that mindset, we created the apple surprise and our coconut drizzled donut, our best sellers from the very start,” she related.

According to her, ever since introducing persons to the different kind of donuts, their sweet treats have been in high demand and the feedback has been great.

Customers, she said, would oftentimes send ideas from the internet and encourage them to make it their own b y adding their touch and style.

With the overwhelming support, Smith

Young entrepreneur, Carolyn Deane said they are only more encouraged to take things to the next level.

But according to the young woman, during the months of January to March, their business sort of stumbled a bit and this was owing to them trying to balance school and the increase of prices for goods that had occurred during that time. “We were, of course, devastated by such and an eventual demotivation clouded but we encouraged each other to not deflate and find means of working around the problem and so we did,” she explained.

By early April, she said that they were back on track and business has been going smoothly ever since.

Regarding the pandemic, the young woman related that when the business was launched, they were able to ease the strain on their parents during the unprecedented times.

“Thus, the pandemic actually struck our determination even more to establish and ever since we haven’t regretted,” Smith expressed.

Understanding that challenges are bound to occur when operating a business, our featured entrepreneur mentioned that in m oving forward their long-term goals are to produce on a large scale, gather new recruits and also expand their menu.

With a focus on

Some of the delectable donuts @Tempations2Go

helping to alleviate the i s s u e o f u nemployment whe re possible, Smith explain ed that through the m a n y contributions of young entrepreneur s to society, there is more scope for job availability.

“With the entrepreneurial mindset, traits like that of resilience and creativity were embraced which can grow the society and by extension the nation. Thus, our developing country can eventually be claimed developed,” she indicated.

When asked what more can be done to boost small businesses in Guyana, Smith said that the relevant authorities should host small entrepreneurial and marketing workshops for at least three times per year. “This would be suitable due to individuals having the idea for business but the ability to manage and market such ideas successfully poses difficulties,” she pointed out.

If you a desirous of trying some of delicious treats, you can reach out via telephone numbers (592) 655-9344 or (592) 679-7369, or @Tempations2Go592 on Inst agram and Facebook.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday August 07, 2022

US-based Guyana-born internal...

“

Coming from a humble background with limited resources and opportunities made me strong and ambitious with faith in myself that hard work can achieve anything.

“

From page 54 with faith in myself that hard work can achieve anything.”

Dr. Ramrattan said that growing up in Guyana taught him the value of community and teamwork. “Growing in a small community where everyone knew each other we developed strong bonds…We took care of each other and we shared with those who had little or were unfortunate.”

These experiences led Dr. Ramrattan to join the US Navy when he was 17 years old. He said: “It was difficult to pay for my education, I wanted to help my mother out as well as to achieve my own goals and opportunity for a better life.”

Dr. Ramrattan recalled that to support her family in the US, his mom worked as a live-in maid for two physicians. “...We saw little of her. I would help her to clean the medical offices after school and she expressed the wish that one of her children would become a doctor one day. I told her that we aren’t rich and that therefore I would serve in the military to get my education and see what

opportunities I can work my way up to,” he said.

In his first year in the military, the then aspirant doctor was stationed in the Indian Ocean where he took part-time courses towards his Bachelor’s degree with the University of Maryland. In addition, he attended several of the Navy’s training schools for Crash and Rescue.

“It was a great opportunity and an honour to serve the United States Naval Force and also be able to pay for my education,” Dr. Ramrattan said, adding that when he graduated from Medical School it was a special full circle moment.

“I had her join me in receiving my diploma in her honour and fulfillment of her wish,” he said.

Next, Dr. Ramrattan completed his med-school training, internship, and residences. After training, his first position as an attending physician was with Kaiser Permanent of Southern California, where he worked for many years with his office practice during the day coordinating urgent care after hours.

GUYANA WATCH TEAM

Throughout his career, Dr. Ramrattan has strived to make medical services available to people from all walks of life – his focus has particularly been those who cannot afford or easily access those services.

To this end, he started to serve as part of the overseas outreach with the Guyana Watch Medical team, after the flood of 1996, offering services to help the poor, elderly, and underserved.

Many Guyanese patients, young and old, have benefited from Dr. Ramrattan’s services.

He has treated persons suffering from common illnesses such as high blood pressure and rashes as well as patients with chronic illnesses, particularly diabetes. All of the patients are treated free of charge by the team that is sponsored by US-based Guyanese businessman, Tony Yassin.

Since the 1990s, Dr. Ramrattan returned annually for many years to help with local health crises, travelling to remote areas via bus or boat to access the needy, including identifying children needing advanced treatment such as heart

surgeries that were coordinated by the Guyana Watch Medical team in the USA. While the Guyana Watch Team was able to intervene in several cases with early detection, education, and prevention, Dr. Ramrattan said that Guyana’s medical sector lacks access, to early prevention and detection due to limited resources. He hopes to do his part to help with the advancement of the local health sector.

TELEMEDICINE At this stage of his career, he is focused on introducing a new type of medical service to Guyana called telemedicine.

The specialist has been employed as an attending physician with High Desert Multispecialty Medical Group for over 15 years. He explained that the group helps to coordinate urgent care and telemedicine serving very large communities. Dr. Ramrattan is looking to implement the delivery of a transparent, responsible method of equitable health care via technology in Guyana.

The mission of this new venture, according to Dr. Ramrattan, is to be the Continued on page 61

ABOVE: From left, Mr. Tony Yassin, President of Guyana Watch Inc. along with members of visiting team. BELOW: Some of the doctors attending to patients during the outreach programme

Our ‘Special Person’ returns to Guyana regularly to offer his services to the land of his birth through the Guyana Watch Medical Outreach programme

Sunday August 07, 2022

WEEK IN REVIEW SUNDAY AS RECESSION FEARS INCREASE IN THE US… OIL COMPANY TELLS INVESTORS TO BANK ON GUYANA TO WEATHERANY STORM -SAYS CASH FLOW TO INCREASE 25% YEARLY Even as fears increase about a recession on the horizon for the American economy, Hess Corporation has assured potential investors and shareholders that it continues to be a safe bet since its 30 percent interest in Guyana’s oil-richStabroek Block can weather any storm.

Specifically making this known during his company’s second-quarter earnings call was Chief Executive Officer (CEO), John Hess.

Hess was keen to note that by investing only in high return, low-cost opportunities, the oil conglomerate has built a balanced portfolio; one that is focused on Guyana, the Bakken in the USA, the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, and Southeast Asia.

With multiple phases of low-cost oil developments coming online in Guyana and given its robust inventory of high-return drilling locations in the Bakken, the CEO told shareholders that his company is set to deliver highly profitable production growth of more than 10 percent annually over the next five years.

Hess said, “Through the continued development of our high-quality resource base, we are steadily moving down the cost curve. Our four sanctioned oil developments in Guyana have a breakeven Brent oil price of between US$25 and US$35 per barrel.”

In terms of cash flow growth, the CEO further noted that his company has an industry-leading rate of change and durability story.

“Based upon a flat Brent oil price of US$65 per barrel, our cash flow is forecast to increase by approximately 25 percent annually between 2021 and 2026 – more than twice as fast as our top-line growth. Our balance sheet will also continue to strengthen in the coming years...”

“As our portfolio becomes increasingly free cash flow positive in the coming years, we are committed to returning up to 75 percent of our annual free cash flow to shareholders, with the remainder going to strengthen the balance sheet by increasing our cash position or further reducing our debt,” the Hess boss said.

Given the company’s

PAGE 57

Kaieteur News

strong cash flow growth, he shared that Hess commenced a share repurchase programme during the second quarter, repurchasing approximately 1.8 million shares of common stock for US$190 million.

Looking ahead, Hess said his company plans to continue increasing its regular dividend to a level that is attractive to incomeoriented investors, but sustainable in a low oil price environment.

He was keen to reiterate that the key to his company’s strategy is Guyana – the industry’s largest oil province discovered in the last decade.

On the Stabroek Block in Guyana, where Hess has a 30 percent interest and ExxonMobil is the operator, the CEO said his company continues to see the potential for at least six floating production storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs) in 2027 with a gross production capacity of more than one million barrels of oil per day and up to 10 FPSOs to develop t h e d i s c o v e r e d resources on the block.

In terms of our sanctioned oil developments, Kaieteur News understands that production at the Liza Phase One development reached its new production capacity of more than 140, 000 gross barrels of oil per day in the second quarter following production optimisation work on the Liza Destiny FPSO. As for the Liza Phase Two development, which achieved first oil in February, it reached its gross production capacity of approximately 220, 000 barrels of oil per day earlier this month.

The third development on the Stabroek Block at the Payara Field, with a gross production capacity of approximately 220, 000 barrels of oil per day, is on track for start-up in late 2023.

In early April, Hess and its partners announced the sanction of the US$10B Yellowtail Project which will be the largest development to date on the Stabroek Block.

The project will develop an estimated recoverable resource base of approximately 925 million barrels of oil and have a gross production capacity of approximately 250, 000 barrels of oil per day, with first oil expected in 2025.

GUYANESE DROWNING IN COST OF LIVING AS EXXONMOBIL SWIMS IN BILLION $$$ PROFITS – DR. YOG MAHADEO Guyanese across the miles have been complaining

Article 13 member, Dr. Yog Mahadeo about the rising cost of living, struggling to make ends meet, while oil companies operating in Guyana boast to the world of their multibillion profits raked in over a three-month period.

One of the founding members of the civil society group, Article 13, Dr. Yog Mahadeo in an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News on Saturday lamented the fact that both the government and Opposition have publicly said they will not renegotiate the oil contract, however, in the absence of key provisions such as ring-fencing, he believes that the suffering of Guyanese will only continue.

He explained, “The oil companies continue to record significant profits, and we continue to record huge debts while worshipping the same contract. We cannot advance as a country without a renegotiated contract.

Without ring fencing, what profit oil?”

The ring-fencing provision is a key clause that is used in oil contracts especially to avoid the operators from spending on projects and billing it to a specific development.

For instance, it would mean that ExxonMobil will not be allowed to expend resources on its third projectPayara - and withdraw its investment from the current producing Liza One field.

This clause would not only ensure Guyana gets a bigger share of profit, but could also safeguard the country from possible exploitation.

Only on Friday ExxonMobil Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Darren Woods, during the company’s earnings call, said it unlocked some US$17.9 billion in profits during the second quarter of the year alone. It was revealed that Guyana’s vast oil resources played a major role in the company realising such revenue.

Similarly, Hess Corporation, a 30 percent partner in the Stabroek Block, reported some US$667 million in profits for the second quarter alone. Although the

revenue raked in by the two international oil and gas companies were not bound to Guyana shores, they both hinged their success on Guyana’s golden basin.

But while those companies boast on their increased earnings from extracting Guyana’s oil, the people of Guyana continue “to live on crumbs,” Dr. Mahadeo added.

He said, “The oil companies hoodwinked the David Granger-led Government and then placed golden handcuffs on the current administration. We would recall that while in opposition, (Vice President Bharrat) Jagdeo and (President Irfaan) Ali promised to revisit and renegotiate the contract, they lied! Guyana is now their oil company’s flagship! Their cash cow! We have friends like never before, all providing armour to protect the contract.”

To this end, the activist noted that while Exxon and Hess can report their significant windfall to their shareholders, our politicians “who live the good life, fly off to visit countries and governments, paying huge lobbying contracts to open the doors to congressional and other offices and live off the fat of a paper royalty and profit oil.”

At the same time, the member of the civil society body reasoned that local “cheerleading economists” and “financial wizards” continue to uphold the contract as if it were a holy book.

“Our enslaved and indentured forefathers would be turning in their graves at what ‘our own’ is doing to ‘our own’. Not only have we taken from the plate of every Guyanese living presently, not only have we robbed the graves of our forefathers but we have also robbed the cradle, removing financial security from our children’s future so that the current lot can have a good life,” he posited.

Dr. Mahadeo noted too that no one begrudges a fair return on investment, while

adding that the investment would not be there without the natural resource. As such, he reminded that even the “cheerleading experts” have accepted that the contract is lopsided, yet they insist on convincing Guyanese that, “we are getting a good deal.”

“Most of them decried this same contract when APNU was in power. Now they embrace it. They enjoy the good life, flying on our roads and airspaces, flying here and there, while the true Guyanese must continue to grovel in muck that is left behind - a handout here, a hamper there,” he related.

MONDAY TWO YEARS IN OFFICE… ALI GOVT. ALLOWING EXXON TO PUMPAS MUCH AS IT PLEASES WHILE COUNTRY REMAINS WEAKENED WITH OLD PETROLEUM LAW President Irfaan Ali and the PPP administration continue to allow American oil giant, ExxonMobil and its partners to produce more oil – despite the country is weakened by archaic petroleum laws.

With two oil ships, namely the Liza Destiny and the Liza Unity in operation, Guyana is producing approximately 360,000 barrels a day.

The oil operations in the country are currently being undertaken by EEPGL on the prolific Stabroek Block, which spans more than six million acres in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). EEPGL is the operator of the country’s richest oil block, which is estimated to hold nearly 11 billion barrels of equivalent of oil (beo).

Years have passed since Exxon discovered massive crude oil resources in commercial quantities offshore Guyana and the country’s three-year anniversary of being an oil producing nation approaches.

Guyana’s Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act 1986 was enacted at a time when there was no evidence of the discovery of petroleum products in commercial quantities. Since being passed, the Act was amended twice, in the years, 1992 and 1997 and since then there have been no additional changes.

As such, with knowledge of the plethora of oil wealth Guyana holds – a review of the outdated oil laws is overdue. However, despite Guyana operating with decades-old petroleum laws, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo have been encouraging the oil

companies to accelerate their production rate.

CHERRY PICKING OIL REFORM Upon assuming office in August 2020, the PPP administration had promised an overhaul for Guyana’s petroleum laws. In fact, President Ali during his inauguration address pledged to establish a Petroleum Commission to insulate the oil and gas sector from political interference.

However, it has been 23 months since the government assumed office and it has yet to honour its promise to the nation. The Petroleum Commission Bill was initially proposed by the APNU+AFC for the establishment of an independent body which would hold responsibility for monitoring and enforcing Guyana’s modernized petroleum laws, policies and oil agreements. The body was also intended to ensure oil companies comply with health, safety and environmental standards.

That Bill was however sent to a Special Select Committee since its most fatal flaw or characteristic was that it gave the Natural Resources Minister at the time, a toxic level of control over the said body. Since assuming office, the PPP/C Government has not made any headway with the improvement of the Bill, much less its passage. The Vice President and Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat have agreed that such a body is needed to ensure the sector is independently managed and kept away from political influence.

In fact, in March 2021, Minister Bharrat had stated that within a matter of weeks, the independent regulator the government promised to establish for the oil sector would be in place. Minister Bharrat was also quoted on the Guyana Basins Summit website as saying that the Commission is needed so it can “manage this emerging sector without political interference.”

Kaieteur News had reported that according to Bharrat, the commission will oversee the implementation of new regulations such as minimum local content r e q u i r e m e n t s .

Notwithstanding the importance of the Petroleum Commission Bill, the government in the meantime has engaged in the cherrypicking of legislative reform to award itself sweeping powers over the country’s oil revenue.

Kaieteur News had reported that the (Continued on page 58)

PAGE 58

From page 57 PPP/C Government had hurriedly passed the highly amended Natural Resources Fund Act (NRF Act) in December 2021, which gives it control over how the oil money is to be spent. The administration even amended a small part of the nation’s 1986 oil law so as to ensure ExxonMobil has a smooth flow with lands to be used or disrupted during the construction of the gas-toenergy project and other initiatives.

It was last year August Members of Parliament had debated and passed the Petroleum (Production and Exploration) Amendment Bill2021, which ensures oversight by the government during the acquisition of private lands by a licensee for major oil projects.

Significantly, it ensures that there is proper compensation for citizens when such lands are acquired.

HESS VOWS TO PROTECT “SWEET” GUYANA OPERATIONS FROM RECESSION, INFLATIONARY PRESSURES Hess Corporation recently told investors that while recessionary fears are weighing on financial markets, it will be closely monitoring its budgetary spending for the remainder of 2022 into 2023 to ensure scheduled investments in Guyana remain unaffected.

The company said the returns in Guyana are so sweet that it pays to keep pumping more money into the Stabroek Block given the industry leading deal (2016 Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement) it is tied to. Hess during its second quarter earnings call said all companies are dealing with the risk of a recession risk given that there is an economic slowdown now. It also said it predicts a tighter oil market in the coming months since demand is outstripping the rate of supply as markets in China open up.

Having said that, Hess said its Board will definitely stress test its budget for next year. It said definitely there will be a recession scenario in that, while adding that it will be prepared should there be a recession to stay ahead of it to keep the balance sheet strong. Hess was keen to note as well that it will do everything in its power to keep investments on track for its high-return opportunity in Guyana, and “we’ll also take steps as we normally do as we get to the end of the year to make sure we have some price protection….”

Sunday August 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

The company added, “So we’ll be prepared in case a recession occurs. It’s certainly going to be one of the scenarios that the Board has with our senior leadership to make sure we’re financially disciplined going into next year.” With how well its Guyana assets have been performing Hess Corporation revealed that it intends to buy back US$650 million worth of shares by year end. Hess said it already repurchased approximately 1.8 million shares of common stock for US$190 million.

Hess said it intends to opportunistically repurchase the remaining amount by year-end. The company explained that buy backs will allow for a direct transfer of cash to shareholders while allowing Hess to hold more shares in its treasure chest and watch as its value increases in the years to come. In terms of sanctioned oil developments on the Stabroek Block, Kaieteur News understands that production at the Liza Phase One development reached its new production capacity of more than 140, 000 gross barrels of oil per day in the second quarter following production optimization work on the Liza Destiny FPSO. As for the Liza Phase Two development, which achieved first oil in February, it reached its gross production capacity of approximately 220, 000 barrels of oil per day earlier this month. The third development on the Stabroek Block at the Payara Field, with a gross production capacity of approximately 220, 000 barrels of oil per day, is on track for start-up in late 2023.

In early April, Hess and its partners announced the sanction of the US$10B Yellowtail Project which will be the largest development to date on the Stabroek Block.

The project will develop an estimated recoverable resource base of approximately 925 million barrels of oil and have a gross production capacity of approximately 250, 000 barrels of oil per day, with first oil expected in 2025.

In terms of exploration and appraisal in Guyana, Hess said the partners continue to invest in an active programme, with approximately 12 wells planned for the Stabroek Block in 2022. Last week, the partners announced two new discoveries on the block at the Seabob-1 and Kiru-Kiru-1 wells, bringing its total this year to seven. These discoveries will add to the previously announced gross discovered recoverable resource estimate for the Stabroek Block of approximately 11 billion

Hess Corporation CEO, John Hess barrels of oil equivalent. Hess and its partners continue to see multi billion barrels of future exploration potential remaining.

TUESDAY US$750K CONTRACT TO AUDIT EXXON US$9B BILLS …

IF GOVT. WAS SERIOUS, IT WOULD HAVE UNLEASHEDAN ARMY OF FORENSIC AUDITORS BEHIND EXXON- FORMER FINANCE MINISTER Notwithstanding the barrage criticisms against the flawed 2016 Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), Guyana still needs to take an eagle’s eye approach to the multibillion dollar bills being racked up by ExxonMobil and its partners says former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan.

In an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News, Jordan said the monitoring of the costs being recovered by ExxonMobil’s affiliate and operator of the Stabroek Block, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), is one of the key ways Guyana can prevent revenue leakage and wanton abuse. He said too that it is a sure way of maximizing returns to the country.

The economist said, “We have to engage in real time auditing. We can ill-afford to be doing ex-post audit. An audit is like a post mortem, it can’t bring back dead. When there is a dispute of figures, Exxon can tie you up for donkey years in court but they have already collected the sum in contention. They have already billed you; mind you, nothing is being trashed out in our courts. It will be in their backyard.”

The former Finance Minister also provided a glimpse into some of the previous dealings the APNU+AFC coalition had with Exxon on accounting matters. Readers would recall that when former President, David Granger created the

Quintet plus One ( a Cabinet sub-committee to address matters in the oil sector), it included Jordan; former Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; former Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; former Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin, and former Advisor to the President on Petroleum, Dr. Jan Mangal.

Jordan said, “Even when we had the Quintet plus One, we had difficulty with the way how Exxon used to be presenting their tables, graphs and so on and they told us that this is how their accounting system works. It was evident that you could not tell Exxon how to prepare their accounts and in what format…So you need a level of forensic investigation to be unleashed on the bills being presented by this company.

Guyana needs people who know their onions in the oil industry.”

The former Finance Minister said he was hopeful that there would have been a coalition of forensic auditors from accounting majors going behind Exxon and working in the interest of the State. “I know it would cost us a fair bit but the knowledge we would have gained in partnering them with a local firm, it would have been second to none. In checking US$9B plus expenditure from Exxon, I don’t believe a US$750,000 contract can really give us the forensic investigation that we need.

You cannot make a genuine leather watch for US$5,” expressed the economist.

Kaieteur News previously reported that a US$751,000 (GY$157,165,299) contract was awarded to Ramdihal & Haynes Inc., Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting & Consultancy Inc. to audit over US$9B in expenses by Exxon. The local consortium will be supported by international firms–SGS and Martindale Consultants.

The task is expected to be completed in September.

Jordan also bemoaned the

Former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan fact that Guyana continues to see more bills being racked up

by Exxon and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Limited, meanwhile, the country continues to have no say.

He referenced in this regard, the US$1.75B loan that was taken by Dutch manufacturer, SBM Offshore to build the “One Guyana” Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel which will serve the Yellowtail project in the Stabroek Block.

Jordan said, “Now that is a bill they will throw to us. But yet, Guyana has no one tracking that expenditure and no one that was involved in the putting together of the financing. Massive bills are just being thrown at us and we have no clue how Exxon is accounting for it from our oil.

GUYANESE PAYING FOR GAS PIPELINE, BUT IN THE DARK ON SELECTION OF CONTRACTOR - YOG MAHADEO For a government that boasts of transparency and accountability, these two important pillars are grossly lacking, especially in the local management of the oil and gas sector.

This is the view of Dr. Yog Mahadeo, a founding member of civil society organization, Article 13. Mahadeo, a stern activist for transparency, has flagged the fact that Guyanese will be paying for a US$1.3 billion pipeline to transport natural gas from the Liza One and Two fields in the Stabroek Block, to Wales on the West Bank of Demerara; however, the oil company, ExxonMobil has moved to award the contract for these works, all behind closed doors.

It was last week that Subsea 7 and Van Oord, two international companies were awarded the job. Subsea 7, according to its website, specializes in subsea engineering, construction

and services mainly for the offshore energy industry.

The company is registered in Luxembourg with its headquarters in London.

Meanwhile, Royal Van Oord is a Dutch maritime contracting company that specializes in dredging, land reclamation and constructing man made islands.

Mahadeo explained in an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News on Monday that the oil company has not only chosen a firm to conduct the works without the knowledge of Guyanese citizens, but has also done so without first attaining the approval required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

He was keen to point out that the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) allows for the cost of production and cost of disposal of the gas to be deducted from Guyana’s oil, meaning that the US$1.3 billion project will actually be funded by Guyana; yet the citizens are completely unaware as to whether the project was tendered or given to a hand-picked contractor.

The activist told Kaieteur News that while he believes the project can bring significant savings to Guyana in terms of its fuel import bill, he is concerned about Guyanese not having a say on the company being selected to lay the pipeline on behalf of ExxonMobil.

According to Section 12 of the PSA, which caters to associated and nonassociated gas in the Stabroek Block, all costs incurred by the developer shall be recovered.

At Section 12.1 (f) “All costs and expenses incurred by the contractor in the production, use and/or disposal of the Associated Gas of an Oil Field as stipulated in Article 12.1 and those incurred in carrying out any feasibility study on the utilization of the excess associated gas shall be charged to the Development Cost of the Oil Field and shall be recoverable contract costs...” It goes on to say however that “…all costs incurred by the government for the infrastructure and handling of excess associated gas which are not included in an approved Development Plan shall be at the sole risk and expense of the government and will not affect the amount of cost oil and profit oil due to contractor.”

To this end, he explained, “There are many factors that beg for full disclosure on all aspects of the project like the full costs of the plant and the costs involved (Continued on page 59)

Sunday August 07, 2022

From page 58 in transforming the current power systems to generate and distribute the projected 300 megawatts of electricity.”

Mahadeo noted that the public must keep in mind that the cost to upgrade the current national grid is separate from the gas delivery project and must be analyzed from a non-political perspective.

Notably, he shared, “We know already that the initial prices touted for the total gasto-shore project started at US$400 million and has already tripled.

The extrapolated full cost of the project could well be surpassing the US$3 billion mark.”

As such, the activist pointed out, “I support the gas to energy project, but like Amalia, we ask - what is the total cost, inclusive of transmission and distribution.

And like everything else with the current government, we wonder, how much of these funds will be lost due to political directives, political patronage and corruption.

The project is a good one, but it rests upon a rotten and exploitative contract, as well as a Government that is willing to let the oil companies and other favoured “investors” rape our country’s resources.”

The government is pursuing the second aspect of the Gas to Energy project, which will see a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Plant- to treat and separate the gas- and a power plant to generate electricity being constructed at Wales.

Presently, that aspect is going through the tendering process.

As it relates to the environmental permits, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo has explained that an application has been submitted to the EPA and is currently being vetted. About three weeks ago, he said that the regulator will decide whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be required or not. Exxon has already submitted an EIA for its part of the job.

WEDNESDAY EXXON STREAMLINES PROCUREMENT, ENGINEERING WORKS FOR 5TH GUYANA PROJECT Emboldened by the permission of the Guyana Government for an offshore pumping spree, ExxonMobil and its partners have kicked off procurement and engineering works for its fifth oil project in the Stabroek Block.

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Hess and its partners are also simultaneously planning a drilling campaign with 24 wells evenly distributed across its Canje and Kaieteur Blocks. It will also execute a 35-well programme in the Stabroek Block next year.

Making this disclosure was Hess Corporation during its second quarter earnings call at the end of July, 2022.

Hess, which holds a 30 percent working interest in the Stabroek concession said, “Front-end engineering and design work for our fifth development in Uaru Mako-1 is underway with a plan of development expected to be submitted to the government by year-end. In terms of exploration and appraisal in Guyana, we plan to continue to invest in an active programme with approximately 12 wells planned for the Stabroek Block in 2022.”

Hess and its partners a r e also simultaneously planning a drilling campaign with 24 wells evenly distributed across its Canje and Kaieteur Blocks. It will also execute a 35-well programme in the Stabroek Block next year.

In its project summary that was submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ExxonMobil s u b s i d i a r y, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EPPGL) said the Uaru Project will be located in the eastern portion of the Stabroek Block, approximately 200 km from Georgetown.

Current plans include the use of drillships to produce oil from approximately 40-76 wells.

Production is expected to begin between the fourth quarter of 2026 and the second quarter of 2027 with an expected field life of at least 20 years. By that time, Guyana is forecast to be producing over one million barrels of oil.

EEPGL said the production facilities to be

installed include subsea equipment attached to the seafloor as well as processing equipment on the ocean’s surface known as a Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

As for the FPSO, the anticipated production rate ranges between approximately 220,000 barrels and 275,000 barrels of oil per day. The vessel will be capable of storing approximately two million barrels of oil.

Furthermore, third party oil tankers will be scheduled to offload the oil from the FPSO, making the oil available for export to the international market.

The FPSO will also process, dehydrate, compress, and re-inject associated gas produced from the reservoir. As the Uaru and Mako reservoir pressures deplete over time, this gas reinjection will help maintain reservoir pressure and allow for optimum production of hydrocarbons to continue over time. In addition, some of the gas will be used as fuel on the FPSO. Furthermore, EEPGL told the EPA that it has undertaken additional studies to obtain an even more comprehensive understanding of potential impacts of effluent discharges to water, the feasibility of alternative handling of produced water, cradle to grave waste management in Guyana, emergency response capabilities, and environmental compliance monitoring and verification.

The company said the learnings from current operations and environmental studies will enhance the design and implementation of

the Uaru Project, thereby increasing environmental performance and economic value.

UK FIRM GETS CONTRACT FOR GASTO-ENERGY PROJECT WITHOUT EPAPERMIT Although an environmental permit for the planned pipeline to transport gas from the Liza One and Two fields in the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana is yet to be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the company conducting the venture – Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), the local subsidiary of US oil company, ExxonMobil – has moved to award yet another contract.

On Monday, while the country was celebrating Emancipation, the oil company gave out another contract, this time to Technip FMC, a United-Kingdom based firm that provides expertise for subsea and surface projects. According to reports, the company received a “significant” contract to provide engineering, procurement, construction and installation of subsea risers and pipelines for the Wales Gas-to-Energy venture. Though a cost was not attached, it must be noted that a significant contract for Technip FMC is one within the range of $75 million and $250 million. The full contract award will not be included in inbound orders until the project receives a final investment decision and government approvals.

President of Technip FMC Subsea division, Jonathan Landes was quoted as saying, “The Gas-to-Energy Project is another example of how we

are helping to deliver the energy that the world needs, and we are thrilled to be supporting another project in Guyana. We remain proud of our dedicated Guyanese employees and are committed to the continued development and expansion of local capabilities.”

Executive Director of the EPA, Kemraj Parsram on Tuesday confirmed that no permit has been granted for Exxon to pursue the project just yet. He was unable to offer further comments on the matter as he was engaged in a meeting at the time.

It was only last week that Exxon entered into an agreement with two other companies to aid in the laying of the 190 kilometre pipeline.

Subsea 7 and Van Oord were contracted to assist in the project management, engineering, and installation of the natural gas pipeline, with an associated shallow water portion and onshore approach making landfall to the west of the Demerara River, along the coast of Guyana. Subsea 7, according to its website, specialises in subsea engineering, construction and services mainly for the offshore energy industry. The company is registered in Luxembourg with its headquarters in London.

Meanwhile, Royal Van Oord is a Dutch maritime contracting company that specialises in dredging, land reclamation and constructing man-made islands.

The Environmental Protection Act Section 21(1) states that: “No person shall - (a) construct, alter, extend or replace any plant, structure, equipment, apparatus, mechanism, or thing that may discharge or from which may be discharged a contaminant into any part of the natural environment except under and in accordance with a construction permit issued by the Agency…”

This therefore means that EEPGL is required to seek an environmental permit from the EPA before it rolls out any developmental project that can affect the environment.

EEPGL’s gas-to-power project seeks to link the Liza Phases One and Two floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessels, the Liza Destiny and Unity, in the Stabroek Block onshore Guyana, to supply gas to the country.

It must be noted that since the project was conceived, the government has not hosted a single engagement with the public to clarify matters relating to the cost and overall viability of the venture. Instead, a briefing was held by President Irfaan Ali when the deal was finalised, to tell the public that

the project is likely to commence by year end. The invitation to the event made it clear that the Head of State would not be fielding any questions from the media.

EEPGL has revealed that a minimum of 50 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd) will be transported through the pipeline by 2024 and that the pipeline would have a maximum capacity of 130 mmscfd.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been submitted to the EPA by ExxonMobil for the pipeline component of the US-billion dollar venture. The residents of Crane and the Canal Polders on the West Bank of Demerara, who are opposed to the EIA, have called for the study to be redone as they were not consulted.

THURSDAY RYSTAD ENERGY ACCUSED OF PUSHING EXXON’S AGENDAWITH PROPAGANDA REPORT ON GUYANA’S OIL SECTOR -BRIEFED BUSINESS COMMUNITY ON THURSDAY With Guyana’s oil development moving at industry-leading pace, consultancy groups are making their way to these shores to deliver lofty sermons about how much money the Stabroek Block barrels are projected to make.

Most of these groups however, avoid any analysis about the dangers Guyana faces with the industry, or even how much more she could have benefitted from a better contract with ExxonMobil.

Rystad Energy out of Norway is one such group that is here to present an intricate web of forecasts about Guyana’s oil earnings to come. By 2040, it believes Guyana’s oil barrels will rake in approximately US$157M. Given the sweet, light properties of the country’s premium black substance, the world market will need it for decades to come. These two are key points that will be unveiled to the business community this evening by Rystad Energy.

Senior Vice President & Head of Latin America for Rystad, Schreiner Parker is expected to make the full scale presentation on the Guyana whitepaper at Duke Lodge.

Prior to this engagement, an executive summary of the document was presented to selected members of the media at Oil NOW’s Spurwing Drive office.

There, Parker (Continued on page 60)

PAGE 60

From page 59 provided some of the main points of his Whitepaper which focuses on how much Guyana stands to make and the advantageous positioning and ranking she will have in the years to come. The Senior VP said Guyana will go from a frontier exploration country to a top five global offshore oil producer in the next decade and this is not including latest two discoveries in the Stabroek Block (Seabob-1 and Kiru-Kiru1).

Expounding further, he noted that Guyana has been leading in the offshore discovery space since 2015 with 11.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent which account for 18 percent of the resources discovered worldwide and 32 percent of discovered oil.

Wi t h current developments and the production trajectory for the Stabroek Block, the Rystad official said the consultancy group forecasts the country will move up to 1.5M barrels a day by 2035 which means Guyana will be the number four offshore producer and ahead of provinces like Mexico, USA, the UK and Norway.

Further, Parker said Guyana represents material growth for government and oil companies, with revenues for government projected to reach US$7.5B per year by 2030 and amount to a cumulative US$157 by 2040.

Parker was keen to highlight that his company believes the low cost of production and low emissions intensity of Guyana’s barrels leave it armed with a “future-proof” basin.

In closing his presentation, Parker said he believes Guyana is taking steps to implement best governance practices in order to harness the oil and gas revenues for broader economic development. He said these key steps have manifested in the form of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) and the Local Content Law along with membership to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

Kaieteur News, during the Question and Answer Segment, was keen to point out however that it does not agree with the picture painted

by Rystad.

The newspaper’s journalist stressed that the increased production of barrels and the revenues they earn do not automatically translate into transformational wealth for the people as seen with the

Sunday August 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

case of Angola and Nigeria.

Both nations are the two largest producers of oil in the African continent yet, they are fraught with extreme poverty and corruption.

As for the NRF and Local Content Law, Kaieteur News highlighted that there are countries which are armed with both of these mechanisms yet, corruption persists and the true beneficiaries of the wealth are unable to improve their standard of living. With respect to the Local Content Law which came into being in December 2021, the government is currently battling against foreign entities which are trying to circumvent the intent and spirit of the law on ensuring Guyanese have at least 51 percent ownership and make up a large part of the management team.

Government, even at this early stage, is also forced to fight off foreign companies from renting citizens to appear as though they are meeting the requirements of the law.

Complaint s w e r e a l s o registered Wednesday by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) that they continue to lose opportunities to participate in the sector with the bundling of contracts by other oil companies.

As for G u y a n a ’s membership to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Kaieteur News registered its disagreement that this mechanism means the country is able to properly manage the sector. In the EITI reports Guyana has published, none of the recommendations for improvements in revenue reporting have been adhered to; and importantly, it has done nothing to date to bring about greater transparency and accountability in the oil sector. To date, Guyana is still without an independent regulator for the oil and gas sector in the form of a Petroleum Commission, the petroleum laws remain outdated, and production reports on the Stabroek Block have not been made public despite numerous promises by the Ali-led administration.

Publisher of Kaieteur Newspaper, Glenn Lall, upon listening to a recording of the meeting also expressed disgust with the messaging of the Rystad Group as he said it is indicative of the kind of toxic indoctrination that follows from certain lobbyists when the independent media endeavour to educate the public about the realities of the sector.

Lall said Rystad and

Exxon’s propaganda on who really stands to benefit from the offshore resources, are the same. Lall said, “Guyana still has a far way to go.

Kaieteur News has been at the forefront of ringing the warning bells. We have shown how countries like Nigeria, Angola, Uganda, all lost billions of dollars earned from their oil and gas while their people wallow in poverty. Guyana is still struggling to put the fundamentals in place but Rystad wants to fool the people of this nation that we are on the right track.”

The KN Publisher said he is of the firm conviction that Rystad is here to paint a one sided picture of Guyana’s oil story. “It is deceptive, to say the least. But I will break down this propaganda in a subsequent show on one of my radio programmes.”

FRIDAY UN HEAD WHIPS OIL COMPANIES FOR MAKING MASSIVE PROFITS ON BACKS OF POOR PEOPLE -URGES GOVERNMENTS TO IMPLEMENT WINDFALL TAX TO SUPPORT VULNERABLE CITIZENS Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres has slammed fossil fuel companies for the “excessive and immoral profits” they made during the energy crisis sparked by the Russia-Ukraine war in February last. The Secretary General issued a stern call for the massive gains of these firms to be taxed, and the money returned to vulnerable citizens to help them weather the financial storm.

During the Conference of Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons at the United Nations in New York City on August 1, 2022, Guterres said it is immoral for oil and gas companies to be making record profits on the backs of the poorest people and communities and at a massive cost to the climate. The Secretary General said, “The combined profits of the largest energy companies in the first quarter of this year are close to 100 billion US$ dollars.” In fact, Kaieteur News’ research found that oil majors such as Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Shell and TotalEnergies produced a combined profit of US$51 billion in the most recent quarter. The UN Chief said, “I therefore urge all governments to tax these excessive profits and use the funds to support the most vulnerable people through these difficult times. I urge

people everywhere to send a clear message to the fossil fuel industry and their financiers that this grotesque greed i s p u n i s h i n g t h e poorest and most vulnerable people while destroying our only common home, the planet.”

Guterres said many developing countries are drowning in debt without access to finance and are struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said some situations are so dire that nations can go over the brink. “We are already seeing the warning signs of a wave of economic, social and political upheaval that would leave no country untouched,” said the top UN official. He appealed to all global citizens that a firm stance be taken against fossil fuel companies as the current state of affairs is just reprehensible.

According to reports from several international news agencies, Spain and Germany will soon introduce a windfall tax on ene r g y c o m p a n i e s f r o m next year to fund measures designed to help citizens cope with inflation. Both territories would be following in t h e f o o t s t e p s o f I t a l y, America and Britain which have all introduced the said tax.

For those unfamiliar with the term, a windfall tax is a higher tax rate on profits that result from a sudden gain to a particular company or industry, often as the result of a geopolitical disturbance, war or natural disaster that creates unusual spikes in demand and/or interruptions to supply. In America, companies face a 50 percent windfall tax on their mega-profits while a 25 percent is applied to energy firms in the UK. Closer to home, Trinidad a n d To b a g o s a i d i n February that it would be strengthening its legislative framework in an effort to net more gains being made by oil companies during the energy crisis. Guyana is the only country thus far that stands out as the exception on this matter.

After giving away major tax concessions and favourable exemptions in the 2016 Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) to ExxonMobil and its partners, authorities have said there is no interest in going after a windfall tax. They reasoned that upsetting the deal or mood of the investment climate is not part of the administration’s modus

operandi.

SATURDAY RATTLED BY CITIZENS’ CONCERNS… RYSTAD ENERGY SAYS GUYANA WAS SECOND POOREST NATION BEHIND HAITI; OIL CHANGED OUR FORTUNE -COMMENTS EXPOSE COMPANY’S “MASSAMENTALITY” – KN PUBLISHER Norwegian consultancy group, Rystad Energy, has come in for harsh criticism from local stakeholders after it snobbishly noted that Guyana, prior to her significant oil discovery in 2015, was actually the second poorest country in the western hemisphere.

Specifically, the company’s Senior Vice President and Head of Latin America and the Caribbean, Schreiner Parker said the country ought to bear in mind where it came from and where it is now going.

Parker made these and other remarks after being cornered by citizens about his company’s sensational report on the country’s oil future.

A summary of the report which focused on Guyana’s upstream industry was unveiled to members of the business community on Friday evening at Duke Lodge. It stated among other things, that Guyana was poised to receive at a flat rate of US$50 per barrel, US$157B into 2040. Refusing to accept what was presented as gospel, stakeholders at the event organized by Oil NOW and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), slammed the Rystad study for not being peerreviewed as well as the fact that it failed to take into consideration or even mention in a cautionary note, what Guyana’s revenue would look like in the face of environmental and other technical risks. Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall in particular, raised a number of concerns. Lall asked Parker if he, at any point, took into consideration where Guyana sits with the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) in the context of provisions that allow for the oil companies to pay no taxes. Lall also challenged the Rystad VP to say if he took into consideration the fact that Guyana is “at the mercy of God” when it comes to full liability for disasters. Adding two more queries, Lall asked Parker if he analysed the ramifications of Guyana having no ring-fencing provisions in place or even the fact that the two percent royalty is recoverable.

This bit of information,

apparently rattled by the concerns, Parker said his company did take the taxes into consideration while adding that this is something, that is traditional in a frontier exploration area like Guyana.

He was then keen to note that, “Guyana was the second poorest country in the western hemisphere out beat by Haiti before this oil industry was developed.

Now, Guyana will become one of the richest countries per capita in the western hemisphere and the world if you think about it.”

Parker added, “And I think it is really important if you think about the fact of where you were and where you are going. So of course, we will have a difference of opinion and that is what we were exchanging here. Our piece is an opinion piece just as your pieces are opinion pieces…”

Following the conclusion of the event at Duke Lodge, Lall said it is not so much what Parker said that disturbed him but rather, the tone with which it was said.

The KN Publisher said, “It brings out the massamentality, how these guys think of third world, coloured people. In his mind, he believes that Guyana should have been like Haiti and we should be thankful that we found oil. And that oil will lift us out of that situation he cast us in with his plucked out figures from thin air as to how much we will get from the oil industry.”

Lall said he found the Rystad official’s comments to be a condescending reaction to his failure to address the impacts of the lopsided contract with ExxonMobil.

What was even worse Lall said was near the ending of the programme, Parker closed by referencing the democracy Guyana now lives in which therefore gives the press and citizens by extension, the freedom to express their thoughts and opinions.

“By using democracy and freedom of the press the way he expressed himself also reeks of the massa-slave syndrome again; meaning, who are we to question his company’s so-called figures that are masquerading as a report. That for me was very disrespectful to a sovereign nation. All these things can happen because of the kind of leadership we have,” expressed the businessman.

The staunch advocate for betterment in the oil sector said he is of the firm conviction that Rystad, which is a client of ExxonMobil, could not attempt such a brainwashing exercise with “such garbage in any country of its peers.”

Sunday August 07, 2022

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Guyana will have first priority as sugar production unable to meet local and foreign market demands – GuySuCo CEO

By Zena Henry

C

hief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Sasenarine Singh, is assuring citizens that sugar will be available in-country, even as the company is unable to produce the requisite amounts needed to satisfy both its local and foreign export markets. Singh told Kaieteur News Thursday that Guyana will have priority in accessing sugar as talks of an extended commodity shortage rages on.

Singh said that for the second crop, the company will be producing over 40,000 metric tonnes of sugar.

However, based on existing export contract commitments and the estimated amount of sugar needed for local consumption, the production will be inadequate. Singh noted, therefore, that sugar

will not be exported unless an adequate amount of the commodity is available for citizens.

According to information received, Guyana has contracts with the United States to deliver, 18,000 tonnes of sugar, Trinidad & Tobago - 11,000 tonnes, St Vincent - 3,000 tonnes, St. Lucia - 1,000 tonnes; all of which total - 33,000 tonnes of sugar. Most recent data informs also that Guyana consumes around 24,000 tonnes of sugar per annum; bringing the required amount to cover local and foreign obligations to 57,000 tonnes of sugar. Minus export obligations from the projected production amount of 40,255 tonnes, some 7,255 tonnes of sugar will remain for in-country consumption.

Singh has claimed, however, that everything done in GuySuCo is about

principles, “and one of our fundamental principles is Guyana first.” The CEO rhetorically asked why the company would be exporting sugar when Guyana is “my primary market.” “Nobody can force us to export,” the CEO added. “We have contracts based on availability. You don’t execute a contract if you don’t have availability. Our first priority is Guyana.” Singh said that GuySuCo has produced over 3,000 metric tons of sugar since the start of this crop and “we have sold all of it to Guyana. No amount of sugar has been shipped.”

The CEO went on to state that his ambition is to make sure that there is about 30,000 to 40,000 bags of sugar in the company bond for December for Christmas. “People got to mek their ginger beer and black cake and our mission is to make that happen,” the CEO highlighted. He noted

Man dies from COVID-19 months after...

From page 51 working with the RDC in 1983, and because of his dedication to his job, he was promoted to senior electrician of the Region and eventually became the chief electrician.

He had retired in 2015 but was recalled because, as Dianna puts it, “the RDC missed his presence” since he was a very hospitable man who would go all out to assist the Region in its preparations to welcome visiting government officials to Bartica.

“He would drive them around Bartica in his car; he was just very hospitable,” Dianna said.

Despite the many fond memories she has of her husband, the most cherished are the ones they made a few months before Fredericks was inflicted with COVID-19.

When the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, Dianna said she began sharpening baking and cooking skills which she possessed for a very long time, and because of the lockdown then, her husband was home to assist.

“I used to cook but I never thought of using my skills to make money but Lennox, he was the one who encouraged me to start a catering business,” Dianna recalled.

The business quickly became a success, but just as their fairytale lifestyle together was about to get better, things took a turn for the worst in August 2021.

The entire family was infected with dengue and a few weeks later they were diagnosed with COVID-19.

Both Dianna and her husband

had to be hospitalised and were isolated from their children.

Somehow, Dianna recovered, but sadly Fredericks’ condition continued to deteriorate to the point that he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the COVID Hospital.

His church family and relatives prayed earnestly for his recovery and Dianna had hoped that God would answer their prayers. But by late August, doctors decided to sedate Fredericks who had been comatose for several days as they battled to save his life.

Interestingly though, on September 5, last year, Fredericks awoke and gave his family a video call from the hospital. Dianna recalled that this happened during one of their online prayer sessions. One of their sons, she said, answered and he related the news.

Dianna said that they felt happy because they were confident that God had answered their prayers and Fredericks would return home. But this was not to be.

“He video call us and he waved and blinked us and that was the last we saw him alive, ‘’ recounted an emotional Dianna.

The news of his eventual demise was a lot to bear and continues to be a burden for the family. According to the woman, it has mainly been her business that the entire family has been depending on ever since Fredericks’ demise. She related that while her eldest son, Lennox Fredericks Junior, a teacher,

was supportive, he is currently unemployed since his contract was not renewed.

Dianna revealed too that soon after Fredericks’ death, it was quite a challenge to retain customers. This, she said, was owing to their concerns about the infectious disease. But with the help of God and support from her church family, Dianna said that “things started to pickup for her.”

The catering business, Sunshine Corner, has since been registered and with a little aid from the government, Dianna has since been able to expand it.

Dianna does not only provide catering services to various types of events in Bartica but she also sells electrical fittings, in honour of Fredrerick’s legacy as Region Seven’s chief electrician.

As Dianna works to grow her business, she is simultaneously tasked with comforting her children who, according to her, have been suffering emotionally since Fredericks’ passing.

“He was a good father and had spoilt them, he gave them vacations and went all out to provide for them and his passing has left a void that is hard to fill,” Dianna related. Her intention is see her children are mannerly and contribute in a meaningful way to society, just the way their father intended.

Still mourning for their dear father are Lennox Junior, Lennart and Lenton – the three children Dianna shared with Fredericks – as well as their siblings Rockliffe, Rochel, Howard.

too that there will be no incountry sugar shortage.

“Right now… I have 7,000 bales of sugar at Blairmount in 2kg package; I have 8,000 bags of sugar at the other two estates in bags. So when you add that up its about 15,000 bags of sugar.”

Singh had told media operatives that some persons were hoarding and smuggling, particularly packaged sugar, out of the country thus contributing to the shortage.

The CEO has insisted, however, that the company’s biggest challenge to increasing its production is the rain. He noted that 18 months of rain has affected the cane yields. “It is affecting us accessing these canes and getting them out on time.”

He related too that not having the requisite number of machines to prepare the land for cultivation is a humbug to increasing production. And even with the equipment, Singh said that the “platter, platter” mud is unsuitable for the company to conduct its ploughing work. “You can pick the mud up and rub it on your skin,” the CEO said. Tractors cannot work in those conditions. He explained that the ground must be “friable”; dry and stiff to work with.

For this year, G$6B was budgeted to support GuySuCo with Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha criticising statements from the parliamentary opposition that the money would be (Continued on page 63)

GuySuCo CEO, Sasenarine Singh

“Bad” Exxon contract will change, but...

From page 3 the promise to renegotiate the contract.

PROVISIONS IN THE 2016 PSA While both the PPP and former Coalition government are determined to stick to the lopsided 2016 oil contract, citizens in Guyana have mounted daily protest action, highlighting the need for changes to be made so that they can secure benefits from the deal. They believe that the present agreement only

favours the oil company, as Guyana receives a mere two percent royalty for its sweet light crude and settled for 50 percent profit sharing, after Exxon takes 75 percent of the earnings to clear its expenses.

The deal that the oil company often brags about to its shareholders, also forces Guyanese to pay their share of taxes, amounting to millions of US dollars each year. This figure is likely to further balloon as more

operations come on stream.

In addition, the country is allowing ExxonMobil to operate offshore without full liability coverage in the event of an oil spill, which means that the risk is borne by Guyana. Another key provision that is lacking in the document is ring-fencing provision, which would avoid the oil company from using the petroleum revenue in one field to cover for expenses in another.

US-based Guyana-born internal...

From page 56 primary Caribbean site for wellbeing and continuation of care, starting in Guyana.

He said, “We will use technology to deliver seamless health care services from doctor to diagnosis to medication and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM).”

Dr. Ramrattan already devotes some of his spare

time to pro bono remote community work via telemedicine. But since he subscribes to the notion that ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’, he said, “I balance myself by playing tennis, gardening, family trips, watching movies, and listening to music to relieve stress.”

As for his greatest

achievement in life, Dr. Ramrattan said it is to truly know my inner self and have that spiritual awakening guide me in reaching my full potential on this journey.

And when it comes to offering advice to young physicians, Dr. Ramrattan urges them “to be openminded, listen and be compassionate.”

Over $30M in salaries and benefits owed to...

From page 14 required by law.

The Bulkans, in their affidavit, have stated that after the dismissal of their action, they have written to Republic Bank requesting

the accounts, which the receiver has refused to provide, and these requests have also been ignored.

They pointed out that since they have issued per-

sonal guarantees to the Bank, in the absence of the information regarding their accounts, they are denied the opportunity of restarting their business and pursuing legitimate livelihoods.

Oil companies “wringing humanity...

From page 13 planet.” Guterres said many developing countries are drowning in debt without access to finance and are struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Some situations are so dire that nations can go over the brink, the UN official warned.

“We are already seeing the warning signs of a wave of economic, social and political upheaval that would leave no country untouched.”

Guterres appealed to all global citizens that a firm stance be taken against fossil fuel companies as the current state of affairs is just reprehensible.

While other countries are set to introduce windfall taxes on oil companies, operators in the US currently face a 50 percent windfall tax on their mega-profits while a 25 percent is applied to energy firms in the UK. Trinidad and Tobago announced in February

that it would be strengthening its legislative framework in an effort to net more gains made by oil companies during the energy crisis.

Here in Guyana, leaders refuse to introduce the windfall tax, despite operators highlighting the Stabroek Block as a major contributor to their high quarterly earnings.

The local government says it does not wish to affect the oil investment here.

PAGE 62

WANTED Experienced cashier, cleaner, Labourer and counter person.Apply @ Shanta’s 225 Camp & New Market St. VEHICLE FOR SALE One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable & 1 new super custom Hiace Bus 2.5M .Contact:649-0956.

SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design,Advertisements, Wedding decorations & Elderly grooming: Hair,Nail etc.Tel:626-7040.

Specialized Repairs/Service Refrigerator, Washing Machine, Pressure Pump, Stove, Treadmill, Dryer, Filtration System, Deepfryer Ect.6949733.

Brian Moe- 642-3543 Computer Technician Facebook- Brian.Moe.165 Home and office visits at your own comfort!!

Hamid's On Saffon street is now opening on Sundays & Hoildays from 8:00 AM -1 PM. Contact 225-8721 Rengen Atchana herbal specialist cure stroke, Asthma & Any Pain.Interested persons contact 638-2044

VACANCY Vacancy- Lorry Drivers & Porters Contact: 650-0979 "Sales Person. Commission Only. 4 CXC 1or 2 in Math and English Required. Contact 650-5626" Experience Cashier CXC Passes in Maths & English, Knowledge of Quickbook, Apply in writing @ Wieting & Richter Ltd Counter clerk & Porter to work at Hardware store. Monday Saturday Call: 689-4041

Experience Waitress to work shift living on East Coast Preferably $22,000 Weekly. 6103974 Information on any family memberof Jonas Bowser living in Guyana with surname Bowser, 264-2231 1 General Domestic, age 38 or older to work in Herstelling.

Call:697-0157 Wanted One General Worker to work at Guest House. Call 225-6337 / 218-1400

Full time driving instructor, 5 years driving experience, friendly, patient and good at interacting, contact: 602-2583 Certified Accountant Send application to the manager Agri Parts Machinery & Services 202 Mandela Avenue Alexander Village G/town Cashier & Salespersons Mohamed's Trading 23 Saffon st, Charlestown, G/ town tel :231-0066 Vacancy exists for Sales Woman,Counter Attendant @Dian's Deli Bar St Kitty.Tel:225-3700.

Forklift Operator,Delivery clerk / Sales Clerk /Delivery clerk. Contact : 227-1511 / 2272486 Vacancy for Driver, ages 3545. Contact:266-1287 Vacancy for Paint Technician/ Mixer, experience required. contact: 226-1287/ 226-1270

TO LET Commercial Spaces Enmore Mall, ECD.Top floor 275 x 25 ft., Parking available for 25 cars Call Richard 609-7675/ 674-1705.

PROPERTY FOR SALE 1-(2) story house 3 1/2 bedroom,9st Cummings Lodge.Tel:622-8748/652-3158 negotiable.

Peter's Hall, Rebublic Park,Nandy Park Providence & Subryanville -contact: Ray's Realty 627-9685

FOR SALE 1 Foreign used TM-500 Engine-Fuel Pump.Tel:663-0239.

Honda Accord in very good condition for sale. contact 650-5626 Acetylene bottles and Qxygen bottles. Call: 627-5043 / 228-5655 1 acre land with 4 bedroom 2 story concrete house. Price $75 million Gyd,call:(592)6911521 Pitbull pups for sale already got the first vaccine contact: 603-2640

FOR RENT WANTED Handyman for odd jobs and watchman. Housing provided for family in Ulverston Berbice. Contact 650-5626.

One three-bedroom house in Ulverston Berbice. Contact 650-5626.

3 bedroom apartment located at Monrepos free water, Light & Wifi Call:645-9805.

Wanted one experience Hairdresser at Magic Touch Beauty Salon Tel: 225-6492 / 686-3121

2 two bedrooms apartment for rent at New Scheme Herstelling, phone:671-4757

Farm Workers In Timerhi :6172032 / 617-2047.

1 canter driver Tel:644-5957.

LAND FOR SALE Friendship East Bank , 85x213 Garden of Eden East Bank, Soesdyke Double lot & Moblissa Contact:Ray's Realty 627-9685

Sunday August 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

Male porters, female cooks for Interior supermarket and live in domestic for Georgetown, 687-7638/660-9093 Lorry driver,apply at RP'S Enterprise at Area K L e R e s s o u v e i r E.C.D,contact#220-2818

One upper flat at 41 Hadfield street W/Rust suitable for office or business call:651-7676/ 233-1591 Property for over 50 staff with parking Saffon street bottom flat apartment building providence contact: Ray's Realty 627-9685 FOR LEASE For Lease - 27.6 acres of land in Berbice for agricultural use.

Contact 650-5626

Govt. to take back...

From page 19 announced that the Dominican Republic was being eyed as a primary target.

According to reports, the company was only six weeks old when it received a 20-year lease for the plot of land from the then A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) administration.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said on Saturday that since AESL obtained the property it did not plant a single coconut tree. “They (the previous coalition administration) give a single individual (lands) to plant coconut trees and they have never even put down a baby coconut tree as yet,” Jagdeo revealed.

At the time of his disclosure, the Vice President was addressing the launch of a part-time employment initiative at Patentia, WBD. As he spoke of the 700-acre plot of land, he made it clear to his audience that his government “will take it back.”

He revealed that the targeted 5,000 acres of State lands were handed out to private firms by the previous administration and once reclaimed these will be converted to house lots for residents in the region.

According to him, the 5000 acres of land can facilitate some 20,000 house lots.

“We are now looking for land to do 14,000 house lots in this region because that is the number of applications we have received and almost all of the lands in the upper part going back to Uitvlugt is practically gone to private owners, so we are trying to take back some of the lands at Wales and other places,” Jagdeo said.

The Vice President said that his government is prepared to go to court to reclaim the lands.

“Now we will have to probably go and we will have court battles but we will make sure we take back the lands to develop housing because we promise 50,000 house lots and in this region we are gonna make sure the 14,000 people who have applied that they get their plots of lands too,” Jagdeo assured.

Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor.

Say no to it.

7 firms bid to operate and provide security services to NDIA pumps During the recent opening of tenders, it was revealed that seven companies are interested in providing security services to mobile and fix pumps for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

The services, according to the Ministry of Agriculture project, are slated for four lots.

Also opened was an expression of interest tender for the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). The CH&PA is seeking a consultant for the development and implementation of information technology solution to facilitate Single

Window for Planning Permission System.

In an advertisement it was stated that with the expected increase in volume of development application, the Ministry of Housing and Water’s Central Housing and Planning Authority has recognised the need to introduce a far more automated process that streamlines workflow, both within the Agency, and with stakeholder agencies that are part of the overall approval process.

And as such they are looking for a consultant to provide the services.

Below are the companies and their bids:

Ministry of Housing and Water - Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) Expression of interest for consultancy service Development and implementation of information technology solution to facilitate Single Window for Planning Permission System.

Ministry of Agriculture- National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Operations and Security of NDIA mobile and fix pumps within Regions for Lot1 to 4

Sunday August 07, 2022

PAGE 63

Kaieteur News

Taxi used to transport suspect in Canje businessman’s murder torched

P

olice in Region Six are investigating the circumstances which led to a car at Sheet Anchor, East Canje, Berbice, being destroyed by fire.

The owner of the vehicle, Chandrapaul Mohabir, 26, told reporters that an

individual wearing a dark hoodie was caught on his neighbour ’s surveillance camera committing the act.

Mohabir, though unable to say who the culprit is, said that a few weeks ago he had transported Dave Singh to the house of the now dead

businessman, Vickram ‘Vick’ Seubarran.

Singh was on Friday, August 5, 2022 charged with unlawfully killing Seubarran at his house in No. 2 Village, East Canje, Berbice. Singh was granted bail in the sum of $750,000.

Guyana will have first priority...

From page 61) wasted on the ailing sector, during his budget debate earlier in the year. He had stated that “… when we invest another $6 billion, we will create more jobs, tens of thousands of jobs, and we will help tens of thousands of families, and we will put into the village economy more cash and thousands of people are benefitting, not only the sugar workers, but people who live in the community and will depend on the sugar

industry indirectly.”

Government has nonetheless rolled out an elaborate programme to provide part time jobs that will include sugar workers from the Uitvlugt and Wales estates.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had even told Uitvlugt sugar workers to seek employment in other sectors if they wanted to transition from sugar, given the issues being faced in the industry.

On Saturday, the VP again

met with workers from both estates to provide more information on the part-time employment where they will work 10 days for $40,000.

Cash grants and other support were also promised to the workers.

From a supplementary sum of $44,794,011,175, which the administration expects to be passed in parliament tomorrow, the government wants an additional $3.4B for GuySuCo.

‘A better oil deal can cure...’

From page 16 other foreign wealth stealers currently exploiting our resources in the back dam, our gold, our diamonds, our bauxite, timber, manganese and others. That is what you need a rally for…” Lall stated emphatically. He said that citizens want to hear about money, “and the two cents the country collecting from the oil deal the Coalition signed with ExxonMobil…[this] is not going to lift this nation out of poverty. The oil industry at present is sinking Guyana, rather than lifting Guyana from where it is. The oil companies are just enriching themselves while exploiting Guyana, burying us in billions of US dollars in debts.”

He said from the first day Guyana found oil, media houses, especially Kaieteur News, have been relentless in reporting on the sector. “For the last seven years, I don’t think we have had a daily newspapers without carrying an oil story, all with the aim of educating the politicians and the nation at large as to what has happened and what can happen to new found oil producing countries – that was our aim and still continues to be our aim in the newsroom at KN daily.”

According to the newspaper publisher, protests have been going on for over two months now, every day of which he is proud to be part of in the fight for a better deal from “our resources, not only for myself but for all Guyana. Even if you live overseas, you are entitled to your rightful share. More money in the system is more pensions in your pocket, whether you live in America, London or Canada. We began these protests at the Square of the Revolution, and then

we moved it to the Shore Base at Houston on the East Bank of Demerara every day, like I said, with one thing in mind, change the oil, gold, and diamond and bauxite contracts.

Change, renegotiate all of them is a must.”

Lall said corrupt politicians have allowed ExxonMobil to rape and rob Guyana, noting that those are some of the messages displayed on placards during the protests. “But did the PNC, the AFC or the WPA join in…? Not one of them, but they telling you to come out and protest the high cost of living and corruption…”

Mr. Lall remains adamant that getting a better deal from the oil contract is the answer

to the cries at the opposition rallies. However, he said Norton and his members are refusing to address the elephant in the room, “saying we want more, but he’s not going to do the one thing that will get so much more.”

“Renegotiating and changing that lopsided, one sided contract is the solution to all the issues and a good life in this country, Mr. Norton and (Khemraj) Ramjattan. That should be the mantra on the lips of every AFC, PNC, WPA and the PPP member – that should have been the national theme song for this country, but when that word renegotiation is mentioned is like you offend some of the politicians in this country…”

Lall asserted.

Mohabir, who is a taxi driver by profession, disclosed that he was at home awake around midnight on Friday when he heard a “bam”. He said he ran out to his veranda and saw his car on fire.

According to Mohabir, based on the footage, a male figure in a dark hoodie and a steel rod and jar in hand was seen walking towards his car.

“He walk come and wait behind the post and wait until dem vehicles pass and then he light something on the ground and then tek the steel rod and burst behind the back windscreen and I see he pick

The torched car

up the jar and shy the gasoline inside the car...” Mohabir disclosed.

The taxi driver said that he

only acquired the vehicle eight months ago and that it was worth $2.7 million. A probe is underway.

PAGE 64

Kaieteur News

Sunday August 07, 2022

Sunday August 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 65

PAGE 66

Sunday August 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

ExxonMobil makes US$35 on every dollar it pays Guyana for flaring- Former EPA Head

By Davina Bagot

Gas flaring at the Liza One operation.

Former EPA boss, Dr. Vincent Adams

New CID headquarters estimated to cost $225M To h a v e t h e C r i m i n a l Investigation Department (CID) efficiently carry out its functions, the Ministry of Home Affairs is currently seeking a contractor to build a new headquarters for the Department.

According to the 'Invitation for Bids' (IFB) published in last Sunday's edition of the Kaieteur News, the Ministry is inviting sealed bids for the “Reconstruction o f H e a d q u a r t e r, C r i m i n a l Investigation Department.”

The particulars of the tender note, that bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) Procedures specified in the Procurement Act 2003. The ministry stated that bids for this project are slated to open on August 16, 2022 at the National P r o c u r e m e n t a n d Te n d e r Administration Board (NPTAB)

The current Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters.

(Photo: Bevaun Ragobeer)

located at the Ministry of Finance office.

The move to reconstruct the headquarters, a CID official revealed, is to properly house the operations of the CID. The current

building, which it is currently o c c u p y i n g a t E v e L e a r y, Georgetown, has reportedly been in a dilapidated state for some time.

When a contractor is chosen for the job, Kaieteur News was told that

the brand new building will be erected in front of the current building. In the IFB it was stated that the new building is estimated to cost $225 million to build.

It should be noted that this

project will form part of the $17.5 billion that was allocated to the Guyana Police Force from this year's budget.

As reported previously, the allocation will also go towards constructing a new Brickdam Police Station.

The Brickdam station was last year destroyed by fire and some $400 million was earmarked to have it rebuilt.

Also, the money will be used to construct a command centres in Regions Two, Five, Six and 10, to facilitate the rehabilitation of a number of police stations, among other projects.

Just a few days ago, this publication had reported that the Ministry is looking to reconstruct a headquarters for the Guyana Prison Service. That project is estimated to cost $515 million.

Sunday August 07, 2022

Gittens (72*) spurs Canadian Legends to 6-wicket victory Chien Gittens struck an unbeaten 72 on Saturday to lead Canadian Legends to a comfortable six-wicket win over Leguan Warriors in one of the first-round matches of the 2022 Ontario Softball Cricket League 15-overs knockout competition.

Playing at Ashtonbee Park, Scarborough, Toronto, the right-handed Gittens slammed five sixes and three fours as team reached 118-4 in the 11th replying to Leguan Warriors’ 115-6 off 15-overs.

Former national youth player Shiv Seeram supported Gittens with 15 and shared a rapid opening stand of 55.

Another ex-youth player

PAGE 67

Kaieteur News

Canadian Legends. Deosaran led the way with an unbeaten 66 laced with five sixes and three fours. Skipper Wallie Bacchus claimed two wickets for 21 runs from his three overs.

Details from the other matches were not available but the competition continues today with three more matches at various venues across the Greater Toronto Area.

Chien Gittens Krishna Deosaran took two wickets for 18 runs off his maximum three overs.

Proceedings began with Leguan Warriors taking first strike at the invitation of

Sunday August 07, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Even though you might have to work today, Aries, you should still try and take things fairly easy.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You have so many talents and such a range of abilities, that sometimes it's hard for you to know where to devote your efforts.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You can't force creativity. Not even you. As much as you want to produce something fantastic right this minute, you will find that mere mortals such as us need the help of a creative muse.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) It seems that you're ready for a major change in your life, Scorpio. But take care that you don't implement change merely for the sake of change.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may be feeling a bit overwhelmed with the combination of professional and social obligations. If you're doing any entertaining tonight, see if you can drum up some extra help.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You could be feeling the push-pull of internal desires versus external demands today. As much as you want to stay in bed today, with covers pulled tight to your chin, the world is clamoring for your attention.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) When it comes to home improvement, there is something to be said for immediate gratification.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You really don't need to prove anything to anyone, Virgo. You may be feeling under a bit of pressure to get a lot of work done. But some projects, especially those that require creativity, simply can't be rushed.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You have a keen mind, Sagittarius, and are always absorbing new bits of information. What is amazing is how much of it you manage to retain.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Take care not to take on too much today. Your intentions are certainly good and your motivation pure, but even you are limited by the fact that there are a mere 24 hours in a day.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Don't take anything at face value today, Aquarius, especially if it involves money. It's likely that a friend or colleague will approach you with a deal that is too good to pass up.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may find yourself overwhelmed with information today, Pisces. By midday both your voice mailbox and your email box could be full up. It seems everyone needs a piece of you today.

No medals, but Singles, Doubles...

From page 70 the 22nd Commonwealth Games, the Table Tennis team overachieved.

Guyana’s Table Tennis squad at the Commonwealth Games: Men – Shemar Britton (Singles, Doubles, Team, Mixed Doubles), Christopher Franklin (Singles, Doubles, Team, Mixed Doubles), Johnathan Van Lange (Singles, Doubles, Team, Mixed Doubles) and Joel Alleyne (Doubles, Team).

Women – Chelsea Edghill (Singles, Doubles, Team, Mixed Doubles), Natalie Cummings (Singles, Doubles, Team, Mixed Doubles), Priscila Greaves (Singles, Doubles, Team) and Thuraia Thomas (Doubles, Team, Mixed Doubles).

Third Annual Nexgen GolF...

From page 71 Associations to follow Aleem’s model as it serves to develop athletes who enjoy their respective sport.”

Hussain thanked the multitude of sponsors, “Those who have believed in our vision from the beginning and the many new ones who are supporting the rapid growth of golf in Guyana are the reason for our success. Partnerships with the Scout Association of Guyana, Guyana Teachers Union, CPCE, the Ministry of Education Allied Arts Unit, Texas Golf Association and other sports organizations have helped us achieve what many said was impossible..Guyana is now a Golf Nation! But without the staunch support of Mr. Ramsey Ali, Philip Haynes, Nikita, Andrew Ramcharitar, Al Wilson and Steve who are there on a daily basis to ensure our success, we could not have gotten this far.”

To register for the GolFun Camp (space is limited) stop by the Academy on Woolford Avenue or call 645-0944.

Record entries for Guyana...

From page 68 East Coast, East Bank, along with Corentyne, and Georgetown were represented on this day of racing.

We have also never seen this calibre of horses entered, and such big fields.”

Asked what makes this day so special he realted,” Patrons will be treated to record breaking performance in three of the eight races.

In the 1,100-metre Vals Construction sprint, half-brother, Early Bird, and half-sister Lady Bird, who are blessed with tremendous agility will battle for speed supremecy.”

Mohamed quizzed on the Guyana Cup revealed, “In the Guyana Cup seven-USA bred runners, and one Irishbred, Detriot Steel are the newcomers. The race is completed with previous winner, Vera’s Finally, and T&T-bred first time runner, Memories, and Settling Star rounding off the field.”

About his new inmates, Alado and Everesting

Mohamed declared, “Alado has taken to the surface, and he has the class to give his new owners a lovely introduction to the sport.

Everesting is a lightly raced horse, and could surprise.

Vera’s Finally do not know how to run bad in the Guyana Cup.” Regarding the 1,600metre Associated Construction Services Derby Stakes Mohamed outlined, “There are no standout in the eighthorse Derby.

It is an open event. All are newcomers, and most will be making their racing debut. This will bring out the excitement.”

Closing off on the other races he advised, “Get early to the track on Sunday next.

Do not miss out on a very rare moment in time. Today the draw for post positions for the Guyana Cup, the Derby and the Sprint will be held at Pegasus Atlantic Conference Center. This has never been done before.”

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Kaieteur News

Sunday August 07, 2022

Minister of Sport keeps promise to Carifta athletes

A

promise in an effort to make a dream an actuality, which was made by the Minister of Culture, Yo u t h a n d S p o r t , Honourable Charles Ramson Jr to the 2022 Carifta Games athletes, was realized yesterday, as the Ministry played a fundamental role in the acquisition of scholarships for national athletes Adriel Austin, and Anisha Gibbons.

Gibbons, who won gold in the Javelin at the prestigious championships held in Kingston, Jamaica, secured a studentship to New Mexico Junior College, USA. Similarly, bronze medalist Austin, will attend Hinds Community College in Mississippi, USA. Both scholarships are two years in duration, and will be partially funded by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Minister Ramson Jr during the feature address at the simple but significant press ceremony held at the e n t i t y ’s m a i n s t r e e t headquarters, articulated that the marriage between academia and sporting excellence is the vision of his ministry, which aligns with the mantra of the Government of Guyana.

According to Ramson, who is an attorney-at-law by profession, the acquisition of the scholarships is an indication or signal that the athletes are on the pathway to advancement athletically, which is also conduit for the progression of their academics.

He pronounced, “I am using this portfolio and office that I have, to help young people to improve and advance their talents and education, which is something that I view and see as important. It is important for the vision and mission of the President.”

Ramson Jr disclosed, that he is also a product of the scholarship dogma, adding that the existence of such avenues and programmes are for top performers and “Once you do that you are a top performance and you have

indicated that you possess this trait, more avenues will be opened and the road to greatness will be unlocked by you.”

He further added, “On behalf of his Excellency and the Government of Guyana and the people of Guyana, we want to say that we are so proud of you and wish you all the best.”

Similarly, Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, uttered that the promise made by the Ministry via the Government of Guyana, highlights the value and importance in the development the country’s human capital, noting that the entity under the guidance and stewardship of Minister Ramson Jr, is action oriented, as evident by its continued commitment to athlete scholastic and athletic growth.

Meanwhile, Austin praised the Minister for ensuring that her dream and aspirations came to fruition, adding that she is eternally indebted for the opportunity to further her studies and improve athletically.

Likewise, Gibbons extolled Minister Ramson Jr, and the National Sports Commission for fulfilling their promise, which illustrates their objective and aim of developing a student athlete culture.

“It is a dream which has now been realized which can aid in bettering myself academically and athletically”, she added.

Also, Joylyn Beaton, mother of Austin, showered praises on the Ministry for ensuring that the pledge was realized, adding that she is appreciative, as this opportunity provides the possibility for her daughter to evolve academically and competitively.

Additionally, Linda Johnny, mother of Gibbons, stated that she was overwhelmed by the acquisition of the scholarship which was made imaginable by Minister Ramson Jr, who kept this promise in ensuring that this dream became a reality.

Kaieteur News

Sunday August 07, 2022

Avesh and Arshdeep dominate WI batters as India take unassailable 3-1 lead ESPNcricinfo - India maintained their unbeaten series record against West Indies since 2016 by taking an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-T20I series. Their

attacking style of batting helped them post 191 even though they tapered off in the second half of their innings, and their bowlers used cutters well to stifle West

Suryakumar Yadav played a number of innovative shots as always.

(AFP/Getty Images)

Indies’ batting.

This was India’s highest T20I total when none of their batters have scored a fifty.

Only one of their seven batters failed to get to double figures, which was just as well because they had Axar Patel batting at No. 7, and he gave India the finishing kick with an unbeaten 20 off eight balls after a middle-overs slowdown.

I n d i a ’s o v e r- s t a t e d problems against left-arm seam took a back seat as Obed McCoy returned the most expensive analysis - 2 for 66, including six sixes off his bowling - for a West Indies bowler two matches after he returned the best figures by a West Indies b o w l e r. Av e s h K h a n experienced a turnaround in the opposite direction with two wickets in the powerplay for just nine runs in two overs, following which West Indies never really recovered even though Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell threatened briefly.Rohit, Suryakumar hit the ground running Either the India openers quickly surmised that they needed to score their runs

Keeping hope alive!

Guyana into 4x100m relay finals

By Rawle Toney in Birmingham (Team Guyana Press Attaché)

G

uyana’s hope of landing a medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games is alive and well, after Emanuel Archibald, Arinze Chance, Noelex Holder and Akeem Stewart finished third in semi-final 1 of the Men’s 4x100m relay.

With another sold out crowd at the Alexander Stadium, 32,000-roaring fans witnessed the Guyanese quartet running 38.92s to finish behind Trinidad and Tobago (38.84s) and England (38.48s).

Stewart provided the perfect start for Guyana, running in lane two. His pass to Archibald, who ran a superb second leg, was out of a textbook.

Arinze didn’t leave things up for chance on the penultimate leg, as the National 400m Indoor Record holder was perfect on the turn.

Holder, receiving from Chance, powered down the last stretch as if there’s no tomorrow. He was greeted by his joyful teammates, who appropriately celebrated their historic run.

Yesterday’s race marked the first time, in the history of the Commonwealth Games which started in 1930, that Guyana was participating in the relays.

“It was a good effort. Everybody did what they were supposed to do and we got the results we were hoping for,” Chance stated after the race.

Flanked by his teammates, Chance said they executed according to plan, but, they will sit with coaches, Johnny Gravesande and Julian Edmonds and review the race to see if changes are applicable.

However, Holder, chirping in the background, said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”

The Men’s 4x100m relay team will look to the podium today at 7:40am (GT Time), given the fact that they represent Guyana’s last chance of a medal at the former British Empire Games.

At the 1975 Pan Am Games, James Wren-Gilks, Dennis Collison (father of former NBA player Darren Collison), Clifton Schultz and Aubrey Wilson, ran a National Record time of 39.59s when they finished sixth in the finals in Mexico City.

PAGE 69

Rishabh Pant top-scored for India with 44 off 31 balls.

(Peter Della Penna)

while the ball was new or they felt this pitch needed a huge score, because they didn’t hold back at all. Rohit Sharma was the first aggressor, hitting a couple of boundaries in the first two overs, before he and S u r y a k u m a r Ya d a v welcomed McCoy mercilessly. Rohit eased him for sixes over long-on and long-off, and Suryakumar d i s p l a y e d g r e a t f l a i r, whipping and uppercutting him for a six and a four.

India’s fifty came up in the fifth over.

Hosein, Joseph pull things back Akeal Hosein and Alzarri Joseph bowled the two tough final overs of the powerplay, bringing West Indies back into the contest. Hosein pulled back his length after being slogged for a six to bowl Rohit, and Joseph trapped Suryakumar lbw as he tried to open up the leg side once too often.

Once the field spread, West Indies began to bowl cutters into the pitch and the boundaries dried up. Given the conditions, Rishabh Pant, batting at No. 4, played a superb hand of 44 off 31 in

the most difficult phase of the innings. At the other end, Deepak Hooda managed 21 off 19 balls, while Sanju Samson scored 30 off 23.

And once West Indies got Dinesh Karthik for just 6, they would have hoped to restrict India considerably.

Axar gives India the big finish A six over long-off, another over long-on - both off McCoy in the 19th over and then a four off the last ball of the innings, and Axar, playing his first match of the series, brought India 27 runs in the final two overs after the previous three had produced just 18.

Avesh owns the powerplay Going for over 14 an over in the series, and playing possibly only because Harshal Patel is injured, it is fair to assume Avesh was under the scanner in this match. He started after Bhuvneshwar Kumar had been taken for 14 in the first over, and used the legcutter well to get rid of Brandon King with a return catch, and the promoted Devon Thomas off a skier to midoff. West Indies now needed a special innings from

someone in the middle order.

The Pooran and Powell threat Rohit made the surprising call of calling the left-arm spinner Axar on to bowl the fifth over, a difficult over to bowl, with two lefthand batters in the middle.

Pooran was ruthless, hitting three sixes and a four, but the over ended in anti-climax with a run-out as Kyle Mayers sent him back after setting off for a quick single.

This was not the end of Axar’s luck for the day. In his third over - the ninth of the innings - Powell took a shine to him, hitting him for two sixes down the ground, but he chipped the easiest of the deliveries, a full-toss, straight down the throat of long-on. West Indies were now 82 for 5 in nine overs.

India closed out the game efficiently, the highlight being Arshdeep Singh bowling in the middle overs for the first time in T20Is and taking out the threatening Jason Holder to make sure there was no way back for West Indies.

Scores: INDIA 191/5 WI 132. Result: India won by 59 runs.

PAGE 70

Nasrudeen Mohamed jnr.

Kaieteur News

Record entries for Guyana Cup day of racing

A record 80 horses have been entered for the Guyana Cup day of racing when entries closed yesterday afternoon at the offices of Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC)offices, Georgetown.

This day of racing billed as recording breaking, competitive and exciting, will be held on Sunday next, 14th August, 2022, at Rising Sun Race track, Rising Sun Vi l l a g e , We s t C o a s t , Berbice.

Eight races are on the cards with the 1,600-metre Banks DIH Guyana Cup attracting 11 runners for this marquee showpiece, which will be the main event on the card.

The 1,600-metre Associated Construction services Derby Stakes is the supporting ‘cast.’ While these two races will be complimented with the spring championship event the Vals Construction 1,100metre event for E and lower horses.

Nasrudeen Mohamed jnr, representing JJTRC responding to this historic occassion chimed, “It is a record. It is the first time in the 14-year history of this race day that so many horses have been entered.” Asked if this star studded day of racing could be compared to any other day, Mohamed jnr responded, “Never in the history of this race or race day, different regions were repsented. This year West Coast, Demerara, West Coast, Berbice, West Bank, (Continued on page 65)

Sunday August 07, 2022

Vera’s Finally

Here are the entrants for the Guyana Cup, the Derby Stakes and the Sprint:

BANKS DIH GUYANA CUP 2022 1 MILE (1600M) PURSE USD $35,880

ASSOCIATED CONSTRUCTION SERVICES 3 Y.O.DERBY STAKES 2022 1 MILE (1600M) PURSE USD $17,940

VALS CONSTRUCTION E 1 & LOWER 5 ½ F (1100M) PURSE USD $10,765

Kaieteur News

Sunday August 07, 2022

PAGE 71

Tickets to CPL final sold out D

ue to effective and aggressive Marketing, tickets for the CPL final, scheduled for September 30, were sold out hours after they whet on sale on Friday at CPL office on Camp Street. When fans turned up at the spanking new building yesterday they were told that all tickets for the final were sold out both on-line and physically.

Some persons from as far as Essequibo and Berbice queued up from early as 5am to get the tickets for the much anticipated final which will be held in Guyana for the next three years.

When Kaieteur sports visited the ticket-Office yesterday the long lines of fans purchasing tickets for the seven preliminary games, four of which involve the Guyana Amazon Wa r r i o r s , w e r e b e i n g monitored by security officers.

The Guyana leg commence on September 21 with Barbados Royals facing St Kitts & Nevis Patriots from 10am while the home team oppose Jamaica Tallawahs under

lights from 7pm on the same day.

The Warriors play St Lucia Kings on September 22 from 7pm after Trinbago Knight Riders battle SKNP in the morning game.

On September 24 GAW face TKR from 7pm before Jamaica Tallawahs come up against St Lucia Kings on September 25 in the morning game, while GAW oppose Barbados Royals in the night game.

However, fan will have to purchase two different tickets for the two games on the same day but will be required to leave the venue at the end of the morning game. The tickets for the Qualifier 1&2 and Eliminator cost $2000 (mound), $3000 (Orange), $5,500 (Green) and $6000 (Red).

The Final cost $3000 (mound), $4000 (Orange), $6000 (Red) and $6,500 (Green).

When contacted CPL ticket staff was busy and it’s understood that tickets are going fast for the night games involving GAW and not so fast for the morning games. (Sean Devers)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 72

Sunday August 07, 2022

No medals, but Singles, Doubles Round-of-16 - Women’s team finish for Guyana at Table Tennis finished 5th

By Rawle Toney in Birmingham (Team Guyana Press Attaché)

W

hen Natalie Cummings and Chelsea Edghill fell yesterday in the Round-of-16 of the Women’s Doubles to New Zealand’s Chunyi Feng and Yangzi Liu, it brought an end to Guyana’s participation in Ta b l e Te n n i s a t t h e Commonwealth Games.

The New Zealand pair defeated Cummings and Edghill 3 - 0 (11-2, 11-6, 114).

Cummings and Edghill, playing in the women’s doubles, had defeated their South African counterparts Zodwa Maphanga and

Guyana’s Men’s team (L-R): Christopher Franklin, Shemar Britton, Jonathan Van Lange and Joel Alleyne.

Jayavant Patel 4-1 (11-3, 117, 9-11, 11-8) to set-up a Round-of-16 clash with Feng and Liu. The Guyanese duo had a remarkable run, all while creating history along the way, becoming the first female pair to reach the Round-of-16.

Though failing to land

any medals at the Commonwealth Games, Guyana’s Table Tennis contingent wrapped up their participation in Birmingham with at least one mission accomplished.

Coached by Linden Johnson and Idi Lewis, the country’s females, in the Teams’ event, the country

finished fifth behind Singapore (Gold), Malaysia (Silver), Australia (Bronze), Wales, Canada and England.

H o w e v e r, G u y a n a ’s paddlers served their way into the annals of the sport’s history, thanks to Natalie Cummings in the singles, and doubles with Chelsea Edghill, and Men’s doubles pair Shemar Britton and Christopher Franklin.

Cummings played in what was described by many as one of the best matches at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where she went on to win a seven-set nail-biting round-of-32 match against Ruqayyah Kinoo of Mauritius.

The win placed Cummings and Guyana in the Round-of-16 where she would eventually lose 0-4 to Wales’ 16-year-old prodigy, Anna Hursey.

Debutant and teen sensations, Thauria Thomas and Johnathan Van Lange showed a lot of promise at their first Commonwealth Games, despite not getting out of the first round of their respective competitions.

Asked about the

country’s performance at the Commonwealth Games, Coach Lewis said the players did better than expected, but was critical of the lack of investment in the sport locally.

“When you take into consideration the team’s preparation coming into these games and coming up against more heavily-funded athletes at these games, I think they’re performing way beyond expectations right now,” Lewis said.

He added, “When you talk about being on-par, everything comes back to funding. It’s hard to get away

from that aspect. There’s no shortage of talent in Guyana and that’s not just table tennis.”

The popular Table Tennis coach is calling for a drastic change in the approach to sports in Guyana, noting “You see some athletes this year and when you see them back next year, you’re seeing the gap widening. We’re still able to hold our own, but the gap is widening every day, so we need to change the way sport is being governed and the investment into sports.”

Lewis stated that incomparison to the players at (Continued on page 65)

Guyana’s Women’s team (L-R): Chelsea Edghill, Natalie Cummings, Prescilla Greaves and Thuaria Thomas.

Kaieteur News

Sunday August 07, 2022

PAGE 73

Third Annual Nexgen GolF fun Camp set for August 15-27 The Third Annual Junior Golf fun Camp hosted by the Guyana Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy kicks off on Monday August 15th and will run until the 27th from 16:00 to 18:00hrs at the Scouts Association G r o u n d o n Wo o l f o r d Avenue. As usual, the camp is in honour of the Shafura Hussain Foundation and late Coach Colin Ming, both of whom shared the vision of a better future for youths through sports.

This year’s Golf fun Camp is expected to set the standard for fun youth activities as more than 200 youngsters from ages 3-18 will partake in Golfing, Archery by ProArchers Guyana, Physical Fitness, Table Tennis and will be trained in Self Defense and First Aid courtesy of Praetorian Security Services. Drone display by Caliper Drones and Photography by Al Wilson Jr. Players will be provided with equipment, balls, coaching, snacks (Sunshine Snacks), water (CIDI), ice cream (Sterling Products), and will all receive a Certificate of Completion and take part in a skills competition by age and gender where they will win prizes (Guyana Beverages, V&V Distributors, Survival Supermarket) and trophies

(Trophy Stall) from FirstFifth in each category.

Parents will be treated to complimentary massages (ModFin Salon), wine tasting (Italian Gourmet), tea and scones and a chance to play golf and archery with Coaches Anand Mangra and Narda Mohamed and learning to fly a drone with Caliper Drones while they’re waiting for the kids to finish.

As always, dozens of worthy children will attend the GolFun Camp because of generous contributions by long-time supporters Toolsie Persaud Ltd; CMC Security Services; Sunshine Snacks; Sterling Products Ltd; V&V Distributors; Comfort Sleep; Vi v a a n t a S p a ; K i n g s Jewelry; Palm Court; Caliper Drones; Assuria General; Rentokil Initial Guyana Ltd; Guyana Beverages; Survival Supermarket Sheriff Street; Ramchand Auto; Praetorian Security Services; Darthan Investments Print; Dr. Paloma Mohamed (UG); CIDI BlueLife Waters; Party Castle; ModFin Salon & Spa; The Italian Gourmet; Trophy Stall; Demerara Mutual Fire & Life Insurance; Jaxx Restaurant; PasCargo; Giftland Mall and several other donors who prefer to remain anonymous.

President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association and Vice President of the

Guyana Olympic Association Godfrey Munroe expressed his support for the GolFun Camp, “This is the type of activity allows our youngsters to be exposed to a variety of sports so they, not their parents may decide what suits them best. In both my capacities, I fully support and encourage other (Continued on page 65)

Participants will be involved is Golf and other fun activities at the Academy on Woolford Avenue.

Strike Force! (from left) Akeem Stewart, Emanuel Archibald, Arinze Chance and Noelex Holder after qualifying for the Men’s 4x100m Relay Finals.

rts

Spo

Keeping hope alive!

Guyana into 4x100m relay finals Sports Minister Charles Ramson Jr. (left) and Director of Sports Steve Ninvalle (right) meet with the 2022 Carifta Games athletes and their mothers.

Minister of Sport keeps promise to Carifta athletes

Record entries for Avesh and Arshdeep dominate West Indies Guyana Cup day of racing batters as India take unassailable 3-1 lead Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.