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AIETEUR Government seeks NEWS
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intellectual authors behind elections fiasco
August 09, 2020
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com
p. 9
…President Ali announces “review”
20 key areas Govt. must urgently address Ill-prepared oil industry…
p. 14
pgs. 11, 16 & 49
Ali commits to being a President for all during historical inauguration Caribbean model of governance requires swift transition...
Political appointees should - Regional resign immediately Commentators p. 7
Murdered Ruby Govt. to limit political US$22.5M 55p. woman was 12p. overreach in oil p.7 announced threatened industry with petroleum for COVID-hit day before commission - President households
Beware of Ponzi schemes - Regulator warns as hundreds in Guyana reportedly lose millions of dollars EU reminds Pres. Ali of commitment to p. 8
p. 3
constitutional reform
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The Oil Deal Omissions of President Ali's Inauguration Address
K
aieteur News congratulates President Irfaan Ali on his party's victory in the recent elections and his ascension as Guyana's 9th Executive President. We commend his resolve to address electoral corruption, put behind him the country's historic divisions and be a leader for all Guyanese. This publication looks forward to this muchneeded quality of leadership. We stand ready to support his stated goals, where they involve the interests of all our people. We will do our part to ensure that he and his government do not stray from that path of always acting in the best interests of our people. The President delivered all the right sound bites but missed the opportunity to better address the big-ticket issues. He spoke, most notably, of resuscitating sugar and “our traditional sectors” but failed to specifically address the key concerns in the oil and gas sector. While the government's concern for traditional sectors and the plight of workers therein are commendable, he must equally be mindful of the opportunities which flawed agreements have provided for predatory foreign investors to cart away billions of US dollars of our wealth while their countries dole out charity of a few millions in return. The President pledged to ensure that every Guyanese benefits from the country's oil resources. Unless, however, a country knows what it has, it would be unable to determine what it is losing. While promising to establish legal and regulatory mechanisms to account for every cent of oil revenues, the President avoided mentioning his party's promise to renegotiate the oil agreements. Nothing he said in fact demonstrated any concrete commitment to obtain a better deal for the country's oil, an omission that would have pleased those foreign diplomats whose countries' investors are involved in Guyana's oil and gas sector. On this score, the government's economic thinking is akin to that of a beggar rather than a landlord. If we can obtain better terms for our natural resources, there will be no need for us to be seeking handouts from PAHO and other international organizations and governments. The country would have enough to attend to its needs and to lift the living standards of all its citizens. There is no reason, given our resources, why we cannot be as rich as Kuwait, Qatar, and Norway. Guyana, therefore, must first and foremost strengthen its position in the oil and gas industry. President Ali had previously signaled this. This newspaper has assiduously advocated for it. Policies, laws, regulations and institutions must be put in place post-haste. Action must be taken to re-balance the oil agreements in Guyana's favour. In the absence of any serious undertaking to seek more favorable terms in the oil sector, the President's promise of economic transformation will become a hollow platitude. The new will sound much like the old.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday August 09, 2020
Kaieteur News
Sunday August 09, 2020
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EU reminds Pres. Ali of commitment to Constitutional reform President Irfaan Ali
T
he European U n i o n i s reminding newly sworn-in President Irfaan Ali that he has made a
c o m m i t m e n t t o Constitutional and electoral reforms. T he statement came from the European External
Action Service – the EU's diplomatic service – shortly after the President gave the feature address at his inauguration at the National Cultural Centre yesterday. “It is essential now that all parties and stakeholders work together diligently to overcome past differences and join efforts in uniting all Guyanese,” the EU stated. The President reiterated the promise, during his address yesterday, when he said: “In our manifesto we pledged to pursue
inclusionary Constitutional Governance. I intend to see that pledge is implemented.” He explained that such reforms will be informed by consultation with the people. “ We will conduct a national conversation in which all ideas will contend, and all voices will be heard,” the President said. The People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has criticised the former Government for failing to deliver reforms as it had promised in its 2015
Mahdia miner dies following stabbing over name calling
A
miner, 36, is now dead after being stabbed following a heated altercation that took place on Thursday, August 8th, at Nine Miles, Mahdia in Region Eight. Dead is Seon Grant of Lot 36 De Kendren, West Coast Demerara. He was allegedly stabbed by the suspect, Andre Thompson, a 20-year-old chainsaw operator of Canal Bank, Port K a i t u m a , N o r t h We s t District, Region One. The incident took place at 01:30hrs. According to police reports, Thompson was at a bar in Nine Miles consuming alcohol with his 26-year-old brother, also a chainsaw operator. Thompson later left the rum shop with his older brother through a trail to head home.
Dead: Seon Grant
It was reported that Grant and another male rode up alongside the brothers on a motorcycle and asked Andre Thompson who he was calling names. Grant then
came off of the motorcycle and shoved Andre Thompson which resulted in a scuffle between the two. Thomspon at the time was armed with a long black-
handled knife which he drew and dealt Grant two stab wounds; one to the right side of his neck and the other to the right side of his abdomen. Grant then collapsed and was picked up by passersby who rushed him to the Mahdia Regional Hospital where he subsequently began receiving treatment. A decision was taken to rush him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. It was while awaiting the medevac that he died. The body of the deceased was later transported to the Lyken Funeral Home and is presently there awaiting post mortem examinations. The matter was reported to the police around 2:30hrs. The suspect was arrested and has since been in police custody assisting with investigations.
campaign. It said that it would make up for that. The EU has committed to assisting Guyana with those reforms based on the recommendations in the final report of the electoral observation mission it fielded to Guyana's 2020 elections. The EU team consisted of dozens of observers, who later produced a comprehensive r e p o r t w i t h recommendations not only for electoral issues, but for many inter-related governance issues. It also, throughout the electoral process, made
statements, sometimes in concert with ambassadors of America, Britain and Canada to nudge electoral stakeholders in the right direction. “The EU has been a staunch supporter of democracy and rule of law throughout the entire process,” it stated. “We look forward to working together to further develop our strong partnership based on our human, cultural and historical links.” The EU said it welcomed the democratic conclusion of Guyana's electoral process and congratulated Ali on his swearing in.
Sunday August 09, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Trinidad Elections could go either way according to NACTA poll results DEAR EDITOR, The latest findings of the ongoing tracking opinion poll being conducted by this writer for the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) shows a very close election in Trinidad Tobago which votes on Monday. Opinion polls were conducted by four other outfits – three of them put the incumbent African-based PNM in the lead though the margin is almost within striking distance. Another poll puts the opposition Indian-based UNC in the lead but a statistical tie. The latest survey was conducted by this writer who has been involved in polling in Trinidad since 1990. The latest poll interviewed 920 voters representative of the ethnic demographics (41% Indians, 40% Africans, 19% Mixed/others) of the population and was conducted over the last week. This writer updated the poll findings thru Saturday morning and puts the race
as a dead heat. It could go either way with an edge for the challenger because it has been gaining momentum over the last several weeks. It is possible for the UNC to win the popular votes and still not win the elections. The PNM won the popular votes and seats in 2015. Unlike in Guyana which has a PR system, Trinidad has a first past the post system in 41 seats; 21 is required for a majority. Trinidad has 39 seats and Tobago 2 seats. Currently, the PNM is defending 23 seats (21 in Trinidad and two in Tobago). The UNC is defending 18 seats, there are very close. As in Guyana, the electorate is polarized by race. In Trinidad, constituencies have either a large majority African/Mixed or a large majority of Indian. Some seats have a racial balance of both with swing voters from among the different races deciding the outcome. Both sides have 15 safe ethnic seats in Trinidad.
There are nine marginal seats. Of the nine, this pollster has the UNC leading in three and the PNM leading in three. Three seats are a dead heat. In addition, one seat, currently leading by the PNM, faces a strong challenge from former FIFA Vice President, Jack Warner who is running under a small party, ILP, he founded in 2013. The Undecided swing voters (5%) in the nine marginal seats would determine the winner. Other pollsters have the undecided between 16% and 24% with two days before voting. PNM is leading in both seats in Tobago, but the PDP led by public service union President Watson Duke is putting up a strong fight and an upset is not ruled out. If Duke and or Warner were to win seats, a hung parliament could be in the making. The UNC, led by former Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar, goes into the election with a strong tailwind and the PNM, led by Dr. Keith Rowley, is on the
defensive over widespread disenchantment over governance issues. Only 38% of the population approves of the performance of the government. And some 61% said they are worse off today than they were in 2015 when the PNM took over. The poll also shows Kamla as having a higher approval rating than Rowley and in the rating for empathy and compassion. Rowley leads in handling Covid. The PNM has won the propaganda war in the traditional media and is flooding the airwaves, social media, and publications with advertisement. The PNM is also known to have the best electoral machinery in the entire Caribbean. Taking everything into consideration, the election is too close to call. Whichever party gets its supporters out on voting day would win the eleven marginals and elections. Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram
Agriculture Minister urgently needed in Region Two to address paddy bug crisis DEAR EDITOR, There is a looming crisis facing the rice farmers in Region Two. The dreaded paddy bugs are swarming in abandoned fields waiting to destroy the rice crop which is flowering at this time. Farmers are complaining that with the new Government just sworn in, the personnel attached to GRDB seems disoriented and are not responding to pleas from farmers to do something to eradicate these bugs before the paddy fields produce grains, only to be damaged by the bugs. Sir, it is no secret that the past administration had no clear policy via GRDB to assist farmers in the control of paddy bugs. Hopefully, that has changed from now. By the time the president’s quick assessment team would have reached to GRDB it would be too late to save the rice crop from the paddy bugs in Region 2. I would like to appeal to you, as the newly appointed minister of Agriculture to visit region 2 urgently to discuss a strategy with the GRDB personnel and farmers to tackle the
eradication of the paddy bugs there. Farmers are of the opinion that a window of opportunity existed to nip this impending crisis in the bud, if immediate action is taken. Cde Minister, it is no secret that the paddy bugs infestation is the most devastating factor that threatens the survival of farmers and the rice industry. Damage done by paddy bugs impacts negatively on both the quantity and quality of the rice crop. In this regard the farmers in Region 2 are expecting a speedy response from you Sir. Yours truly, Rudolph Singh
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Sunday August 09, 2020
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Appointments must be based on skill and competence DEAR EDITOR, A new, fresh start. We suffered five years of abuse under the coalition. A change was badly needed. But we can’t have more of the same and accept it as change. I support the sentiments expressed on social media and the press that appointments must be based on competence and skills. Appointments must not be based primarily on loyalty to the leadership. Non-appointments or exclusion must not be based on hate and spite because of internal party politics. Those who played critically important roles in the change of government must be recognized and honored with
positions that fit into their field of competence. Roles must be found for Charandass Persaud, Peter Ramsaroop, Sase Gunraj, Dharamkumar Seeraj, among others. Charles Ramson and Vickram Bharrat should be repositioned to head different Ministries. Without Charandass Persaud vote in the no confidence motion of December 21, 2018, elections would have been held the earliest in August 2020. And the outcome may well have been different than what currently obtains. So I wish to convey the gratitude of the Guyanese people for the conscience vote of Mr. Charandass that
brought down a government that had lost its way. It was a heroic act which would forever be etched in history as it was the first time that a government was brought down by a democratic vote in parliament. Charandass has a role in our politics and development of the nation. He is a lawyer. He had a successful practice before he was forced to leave Guyana because of threats to his life. He spoke out against corruption. I recommend him as legal advisor to the Police Force to assist in cracking down on corruption. Mr. Peter Ramsaroop assisted with providing security cover for Charandass. He also played
a role in the election campaign, voting day activities, the count and the recount exercise. He is a former soldier. A role should be assigned to him in the security sector perhaps to revamp the military and paramilitary forces. Dharamkumar Seeraj assisted in the protection of the ballot boxes from March 2 thru the recount in early June to prevent vote tampering and skullduggery. He was present almost every evening at Gecom as one of guards. He is a leading specialist in agriculture, drainage and irrigation. He should be appointed in the Agriculture Ministry as a Junior Minister to assist Zulfikar Mustapha.
There is an avalanche of protests on social media as well as on the ground against the non-appointment of stalwarts. General Secretary Jagdeo should interact with rice farmers to find out how angry they are that Seeraj has been excluded from the cabinet. Seeraj has the skill to turn around the industry. The outcry against nonappointment of Seeraj must be brought to an immediate end. He is qualified for agriculture and is most deserving of a ministry having championed the cause of farmers and played a very prominent role against electoral fraud. He has been a stalwart in the PPP. He has worked with all foreign and local
organizations pertaining to the rice sector. He is exceptionally qualified for the minimum position of Junior Minister. Others also played important roles on the ground, in the media, and internationally in the battle for free and fair elections, the election campaign, and the count and recount exercise. I applaud the contributions of Kaieteur News and other independent media houses and all those writers who helped to make a change in government possible. Some writers were in the papers almost daily, and they must also be recognized for their contributions. Yours truly, Boysie Mangru
DEAR EDITOR, I wish to congratulate the new President Irfaan Ali and recognize the great work of those who were involved in that struggle for free and fair elections, in particular the recount, protecting the ballot boxes, and calling on David Granger to accept the results. Several eminent personalities like Roshan Khan, Chris Ram, Kit Nascimiento, Dr. Vishnu Bisram, Freddie Kissoon, Nigel Hinds, Ron Sanders, among other eminent personalities, as well as Kaieteur News and other media houses appealed to David Granger to concede. I applaud Freddie for writing daily exposing the fraud and the duplicitous nature of coalition personalities. I salute all of them for contributing so
honorably to bring about the change in administration and I petition the PPP leadership to reward them for their work. Without their intervention, democracy would have remained stifled. I agree with Freddie that a bust should be made of the diplomats and other heroes who fought for democracy. I personally pleaded on Mr. Granger to concede defeat for the good of nation. And I wish to acknowledge his gesture of magnanimity to peacefully demit office though he did so reluctantly under relentless international pressure. I urge the new Irfaan Ali/ Mark Phillips/Bharrat Jagdeo administration to recognize the contributions of those who protected democracy in their writings and in the ground. And I appeal to Jagdeo and Ali not to engage in the kind of bitterness that exemplified the coalition that victimized critics, political opponents, and others from within their own party that opposed them.
It is very clear that some party stalwarts have been excluded from appointments because of their known opposition to the leadership. In the response on social media and in the press in Guyana, all is not well with cabinet appointments. The government is already planting seeds of hate and enmity with the exclusion of key people from Ministries and the mismatch in appointments. It is also glaring that prominent names are missing in the lineup, among who are Charandass Persaud, Dharamkumar Seeraj, Peter Ramsaroop, Sase Gunraj, and Neil Marks. Some role must be found to reward these individuals. The Ali/Jagdeo leadership must not victimize its own especially Sase and Seeraj who played key roles at Gecom – the former championing the recount and the latter protecting the containers with the ballots, ensuring the change in administration. Yours truly, Shawn Simmons
Our Court system should Recognize the contribution of review two of its practices Freddie Kissoon and others
DEAR EDITOR, Since the NCM in 2018, the courts have impacted on our political destiny as never before. This impact, with an election petition looming, could soon become even more gamechanging. In the rulings of the recent election cases, several court practices raised my concerns. I here highlight two of them, which may have implications for the quality of our jurisprudence going forward. The first concerns the trustful reliance by our lawyers and judges on prior case laws (precedents) that likely were decided in judiciaries polluted by local politics. Many of these precedents were birthed in countries ranging from weak democracies to full totalitarian; or were birthed in societies now described as democratic but during a period of undemocratic governance. In such countries or during such times, judiciaries would have been assaulted by direct political pressure, political meddling or full political control. Regardless, every prior court decision from every corner of the Commonwealth seems to have the power to shape or bind opinions in our courts. That these prior cases have not apparently been vetted for their moral and legal legitimacy is troubling and undermines the
quality of our jurisprudence. No doubt, assessing the political context behind court decisions from Africa to Asia to the Caribbean is an enormous challenge. It is a challenge normally taken up by legal academics and law departments. Whether these are up to the task or not, our courts must be more vigilant in their use of prior cases from countries whose politics and political history have influenced the outcome of cases as much as, or even more than, good law. Secondly, I see no wisdom in the practice where our Court of Appeal (CoA) does not issue a single majority decision, but instead allows each judge to offer individual opinions. This practice, if indeed it is, undercuts the quality of rulings as these do not benefit from the expertise and experience of all CoA judges working together. For clarity and consistency, courts must speak with one voice, whether singly or as a synchronized majority. Where differences of opinion exist within a panel of judges, our CoA would do well to present its rulings to the public in the highly structured manner used by the US Supreme Court. Yours faithfully, Sherwood Lowe
Sunday August 09, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Caribbean model of governance requires swift transition…
Political appointees should resign immediately In the Caribbean, the system of governance requires for swift transition after an election takes place and a new administration secures the reins of power. As such, any politically appointed employees within the state should understand that their role in Government has expired and therefore take immediate steps to remove themselves from office. This is the perspective shared on Kaieteur Radio’s ‘Room 592’ on Friday by a panel of regional political commentators. The show is h o s t e d b y D r. Yo g Mahadeo and Senior Journalist/Editor, Leonard Gildarie. During the discussion, Guyanese-born, Trinidadbased media consultant Orin Gordon were among those shared his views on what appears to be standoff between political appointees of the previous A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change Government, (APNU+AFC) and the newly sworn-in People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). Gordon stressed that across the region it is customary for swift transitions to take place after a new government is elected. He noted since Guyana, like most of the Englishspeaking Caribbean, ascribes to the Westminsterinfluenced political transitions- there is no place for transitions to last for months. “Our Westminster model caters for very brutal transfers of power. We don’t have the luxury of two and half months of transition. “So”, he added, “my take is that the political appointees know themselves and should not wait until the new administration removes them…do the dignified thing and resign immediately to accommodate a smooth transition of power.” On that note, Gordon said the political appointees should take a page from the book of Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines,
– Regional Commentators
Panelist: Wesley Gibbings Ralph Gonsalves. Gonsalves, he said “clears everything out of state property (work and residential) the day before an election and not even a toothbrush is left behind.” He stressed: “This is a big, big…point in transitions, and I’ve never seen one done without mishap.” He added: “Political appointments are selfevident, and, on principle, their resignation letters should be offered the morning after the elections, if their team loses. Their residential premises, if any, (too should have been vacated).” Much like Gordon, Barbadian political analyst, Peter Wickham, believes that there is no room for agents of the previous Government to hold on to assets of the state after they have lost power. He noted that in any mature political society, asset transition is imperative. “When an election comes around and there is clearing of the decks, people who are political appointees should know that it is time to go. There should be cleared-out offices and state property on election eve.” Alluding to the monthslong stalemate over the elections results, Wickham noted, agents of the losing party had enough time to relinquish their connection to any property of the state. “They had enough time to relinquish the house, the car, the keys to the car, the cell phone. So, they need to turn those things in like
Panelist: Orin Gordon
Panelist: Peter Wickham
yesterday,” Wickham emphasized. Further, Wickham pointed to instances where people don’t realise they are political appointees. He referenced some of the people who work for the Guyana Chronicle. “Some of them who say that they are not politically appointed but realistically
how many of those people can serve the PPP/C administration after the way they went after Mr. Ali with the vilest attacks in the past couple of months? Realistically, I don’t think they have the capacity to do it.” Wickham added that the new President should be given the wide scope to
implement the necessary changes. “There should be a lot of changes in key state agencies and media outlets …it comes with the territory,” he added. Caribbean media personality, Wesley Gibbings, a Trinidadian who is busy with coverage of his country’s elections set for tomorrow, also shared a similar view. He noted that in “many instances, people await a push before they jump.” Gibbings stressed that this should not be if conventions are established for the post-elections transitions. The comments come on the heels of an announcement by newlyappointed Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, that political appointees in the former APNU+AFC
government have one week to quit their positions or they will be fired. A number of them, including former Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and his legal advisor, Geeta Chandan, have both asked for leave. They were both candidates for the Coalition who operated out of the Ministry of the Presidency. Another Coalition candidate, Ganesh Mahipaul, made the news after he said he was not granted a month to move from a government house. In a virtual press c o n f e r e n c e o n F r i d a y, Teixeira noted that as is customary when a new government takes up office, ministers are a utomatically no longer ministers and they are required to vacate their offices and expected to hand over State property and assets.
Govt. to limit political overreach in oil industry with petroleum commission - President President Irfaan Ali yesterday touted plans of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government for the establishment of a Petroleum Commission, during the feature address of his inauguration. PPP/C General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, had been a staunch advocate for such a Commission during his time as Leader of the Opposition. “We are conscious that the proceeds of this bounty must be managed in a transparent way that will assure the people of Guyana that they will be the beneficiaries in a fair and equitable manner,” the President said. The Commission is to be established, he assured, “to ensure that the oil and gas sector is not subjected to undue political interference.” The purpose of a Petroleum Commission is regulation, similarly how the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC)
President Irfaan Ali
oversees mining. A draft Petroleum Commission Bill made under the former A Partnership For National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government had stated that the Commission is needed “to monitor and regulate the
efficient, safe, effective and environmentally responsible exploration, development and production of petroleum in Guyana.” However, the draft Bill was criticized in 2017, more notably by Attorney-at-Law and Chartered Accountant,
Christopher Ram. He had opined that the provisions in the draft demonstrated “legal laziness” and that even more worrying, were those seeking to grant excessive powers to the subject Minister. In one regard, he had explained that under the draft, the Minister would not only choose who he wants as directors but also determine the resources at their disposal. Due to discourse on the Bill, it was sent to be adjusted by a special Parliamentary Committee. Until now, the draft Bill continues to languish in Parliament. In the absence of the Commission, the oil industry is being managed by several agencies, principally the Department of Energy. The PPP/C has said that the former Government failed to adequately prepare the country’s petroleum regulatory infrastructure, and has committed to making necessary preparations swiftly.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday August 09, 2020
Beware of Ponzi schemes in Guyana Authorities are warning citizens to be careful and not be wooed by get-rich quick schemes. This came after several persons reported of being fleeced or not collecting their investments and returns. The warnings would be about supposed investments in several foreign exchange trading operations as well as another which promises major returns, more than any other investments. Kaieteur News was told that several businessmen and hundreds of citizens have been ensnared in the foreign
- Regulator warns as hundreds reportedly lose millions of dollars exchange trading operations, among others, where they are asked to participate in training and then trading in foreign exchange. However, it is unclear how the monies are being moved. Kaieteur News was told that persons are collecting cash. In any case, at least one bank, worried by stringent anti-money laundering laws, has closed the bank accounts of one outfit. The principals of two
such outfits, one based in Trinidad, has since expressed a willingness to talk about the foreign exchange trading training while another, of Accelerated Capital Firm wants to also talk with Kaieteur News/Kaieteur Radio, to defend against the allegations. On Friday, the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), in a statement expressing worry, advised citizens to be wary of pyramid and Ponzi
schemes which are disguised as legitimate investments. “The warning from CCAC is being issued in the wake of several enquiries made to the Commission about the investment “scams”. The Commission has also been told of approaches made to persons with the “get rich quick” through investing in these groups that will earn them multiple times their investment. Part of the scheme is for them to also engage in continuous
recruitment of persons to join this pyramid scheme.” The regulator said that consumers need to note that “essentially, the foundation on which the pyramid scheme is built is the problem. Any plan that offers commissions for recruiting new members will inevitably collapse. The real casualties in the collapse are always the people in the bottom, with the people at the top of the pyramid protected.” It was pointed out that Part V of the Guyana Consumer Affairs Act, No. 13 of 2011 speaks to the issue of “pyramid selling” as it clearly states a person shall not promote or operate a pyramid selling scheme and any person who contravenes the subsection of this act commits an offence. “The Act spells out that the term “pyramid selling scheme means a scheme that (a) provides for the supply of goods or services or both for reward; (b) that, to many participants, constitutes primarily an opportunity to sell an investment opportunity rather than an opportunity to supply goods or services: and (c) that is unfair, or is likely to be unfair, to many of the participants in that…” It was also pointed out that the financial rewards of many of the participants are dependent on the recruitment of additional participants; and the number of additional participants that must be recruited to produce reasonable rewards to participants is either not attainable, or is not likely to be attained, by many of the participants. The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlights several tips that should be considered when making a decision to be involved in these schemes. According to CCAC, persons should avoid any plan that includes commissions for recruiting additional distributors. “It may be an illegal
pyramid. Beware of plans that ask new distributors to purchase expensive inventory. These plans can collapse quickly and may be thinly disguised pyramids. Be cautious of plans that claim you will make money through continued growth of your “downline” – the commissions on sales made by new distributors you recruit – rather than through your sale of products.” The commission also said that persons should beware of plans that claim to sell miracle products or promise enormous earnings. “Just because a promoter of a plan makes a claim doesn’t mean that it is true! Ask the promoter of the plan to substantiate claims with hard evidence. Beware of “decoy” references paid by a plan’s promoter to describe their fictional success in earning money through the plan.” In fact, citizens should not pay or sign any contract in an “opportunity meeting” or any other high-pressure situation. “Insist on taking your time to think over a decision to join. Talk it over with a knowledgeable friend, an accountant or lawyer. In the case of the “investment” Ponzi schemes, the CCAC reminds consumers about an advisory issued in October 2019 by the Guyana Securities Council warning persons about fraudsters fleecing unsuspecting persons by asking them to invest in business in the securities market but are not licensed to so do by the Council,” the commission said. “In this case, consumers are advised to check with the Securities Council before making any investment. The CCAC encourages consumers to do thorough research before becoming entangled in any of these schemes. If you think you have been scammed please contact the CCAC to investigate.”
Sunday August 09, 2020
Kaieteur News
Govt. seeks intellectual authors behind elections fiasco President Irfaan Ali
The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government led by President Irfaan Ali has made a strong commitment to review the events of Guyana’s five month-long 2020 elections. It is vowing to hold those accountable who sought to “pervert and corrupt” the system. Addressing his inauguration ceremony yesterday, President Ali made it clear that the painful events of the last five months are etched into the minds of Guyanese all across the world, “as vigorous attempts were made to destroy our democratic credentials, and deny the will of the electorate.” “Therefore, a review of events - related to the electoral process over the last five months - will begin shortly in order to determine, forensically, exactly what transpired, and to hold accountable any persons who sought to pervert and corrupt the system,” President Ali said in his address at the National Cultural Centre. Guyana’s 2020 Elections only came to an end on August 3, bringing to finality,
…President Ali announces “review”
the five month-long process dubbed “the mother of all elections.” Though the voting process which ended on March 2nd, a timely conclusion to the election was marred by a series of events – the fraudulent acts of Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, and the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield and a string of court litigations brought by members of the then A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition… all aimed at granting a false victory to that party. Already, the CEO is facing three private criminal charges related to the fraudulent declaration of results. At the conclusion of the national recount, however, the will of the people was reflected revealing a win for the PPP/C. It was owing to these events that President Ali vowed to ensure it never reoccurs. “All of us have an obligation,” he said “to the nation and to ourselves to ensure that never again should any generation of our people be subjected to such
unlawful behaviour.” More importantly, Ali committed to pursuing the necessary reforms for a more transparent electoral process more transparent and our democracy stronger – a call that has been echoed by many in the regional and international community who bore witness to Guyana’s elections. The President then went on to commend member states of CARICOM and the international community including the Organization of American States, the Carter Center and the Commonwealth Group of Nations along with the resident diplomatic corps from the United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union and the United States who “fearlessly defended our people’s political rights.” “Some of those who stayed alert with us, through those dark days are with us as a new dawn dispels the darkness of despair and shines a light of unbounded expectation on us today,” President Ali said. Further, he paid homage to the late Barbadian Prime Minister and the Leader of the Commonwealth Elections Observer Mission, Owen Arthur, who played an integral role in highlighting the fraudulent acts of Clairmont Mingo during the electoral process. “He was a true friend of Guyana, a man committed to justice and the rights of the people...one man who put our country before himself in his determination that democracy should not die in Guyana, nor should our people be deprived of their political rights,” Ali said.
Dem boys seh...
A man get invite without invitation Dem now gat difference between a ‘swearing-in’ and an ‘inauguration’. When yuh gat fuh tek de Oath of Office, de British does call de ceremony a ‘swearingin’. De Americans call de same thing an ‘inauguration’. De Pee-Pee-Pee-Cee copying from de Soulja Bai. He bin had wan ‘swearing-in’ at Parliament and den he had an ‘inauguration ceremony’ at the National Stadium. Irfaan…sorry, Jagdeo decide dat dem gat to do both a ‘swearing-in’ and an inauguration. If Soulja Bai can do it, den Pee-Pee-Pee-Cee gan do it too. Nuff invitation get send out fuh de inauguration. Kaieteur News get invite. Dem even send an invitation fuh Mr. Awis but it did have no portfolio pun de envelope. Dem boys had to open de envelope fuh only find out if was de same Mr. Awis who no longer wukkin at de Waterfall paper. When dem open de envelope, it empty.
Somebody send de envelope without de invitation. Dem staff at de Waterfall paper call Mr. Awis fuh tell he. He tell dem to still send de envelope. He ask dem fuh send it to de office of he friend Mr. Kay Bee wha bin get plenty contract from the HAP-New+HAY-Eff-See. Dem boys nah know whether Mr. Awis get a piece of any of dem contract. Mr Awis is now wan Facebook journalist. He put up wan story since last Tuesday. And de last time dem boys check, it nah get a single ‘like’. Lil Joe, who was he friend, asking fuh leave. Like he nah know dat he wan political appointee. Was de same thing with Mr. Awis, he too bin ask fuh leave. But de Bossman think he ask fuh leave de wuk. Talk half and wait fuh see where Lil Joe gun spend he leave. It can’t be in Camp Street.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday August 09, 2020
Ali commits to being a President for all during historical inauguration
Despite the scorching sun, which was regrettably followed by heavy downpour of rain, along with social COVID-19 restrictions, hundreds still managed to assemble at the National Cultural Centre (NCC), yesterday, for the historical inauguration of Guyana’s ninth executive president, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. Attendees included ministers and officials from the recently sworn in People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) administration, members from the Diplomatic Corps, the regional and international community, Guyana’s Joint Services, supporters and members of the media. With preparations beginning for the ceremony
since Thursday last, every item on the agenda was executed without incidents, with almost perfect performances. The highly-anticipated day began with members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) seen marching and mounted on horses at the NCC. Along with the GPF were the members of the Joint Services. When President Ali and Prime Minister Mark Phillips arrived at the venue, they were accorded a 21-gun salute—a customary practice performed by the firing of cannons or artillery as a military honour for heads of states. Although the ceremony did not have a packed
itinerary, the events on the agenda were exquisitely performed. Some of the performances included cultural dances, telling stories of Guyana’s rich and diverse culture, an idyllic recital of a poem by a Queen’s College student, Nikhil Sankar. The cream at the top was a powerful and inspirational performance by Jackie Jaxx and Jeremy Sobers in the hit song, Guyana. There were tears and she became a social sensation. PRESIDENTALI ADDRESSES THE NATION Without hesitation, during his presentation President Ali first sought to thank all of those who cemented their efforts in
fighting for democracy in Guyana—in what were protracted elections and threats to the rule of law. He shared his appreciation and unwavering support to the member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Carter Centre, the Organization of the American States (OAS), the Commonwealth Group of Nations and the international community for fearlessly defending the nation over the last five months. Special homage was paid to former Barbadian Prime Minister (PM), and head of the Commonwealth election observer mission, who recently passed away. Owen Arthur, according to the President, was a man who
fought for democracy in Guyana and for people not to be deprived of their political rights. “He was a true friend of Guyana,” President said… “a man committed to justice and the rights of the people. I honour him today.” With the sacrifices made by all who fought for Guyana’s democracy, the new head of state committed to “be the President for all the people of Guyana,” who “will serve each of you with affection, without discrimination and with every attention to fairness and equity.” “From this day forward, our one nation and our people must join together to peacefully transition our country to a pathway of economic and social development at home, and respect and regard abroad. From this day forward, we must – each of us – become our brother’s and sister’s keeper, ensuring that in our journey to progress and prosperity, no one is left behind.” It is in this context that President Ali committed to fulfilling the pledges in his party’s manifesto on which they contested the March 2, General and Regional Elections. NEW COVID-19 RESPONSE UNIT TO BE ESTABLISHED Ali announced that his PPP/C government will be dismantling the National COVID-19 Task Force, that was established by the Coalition and heavily criticised for being filled with political appointees. He said that the country’s response to the pandemic will now be guided by a collaborative policy to address medical responses and to create a COVID-19 impact socio-economic plan. This new COVID Response Unit will include Government policymakers, represented by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health, and our regional and international partners such as CARICOM, PAHO, and UNDP. According to Ali, the immediate tasks of the new response COVID-19 task force will be crafting a socioeconomic plan to address the response to the pandemic’s effects on citizens. The unit will be guided by a collaborative policy to address medical responses and to create a COVID-19 impact socio-economic plan for our people. Further, he noted that some $4.5B is being secured to help households during the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Ali had stated that his government has already met with the Governor of the Central Bank and directed him to extend regulatory permission to allow bankers to continue extending moratoriums. “We have also looked at the possibility of adjusting the Reserve Requirement, which will allow the banks to have more disposable resources and tying that adjustment with lower interest rates,” the President stated. Acknowledging the effect the pandemic has had on the workforce, the Head of State noted that his government will be determining what support they can lend to the private sector from a fiscal perspective. NEW SINGLE-WINDOW CLEARANCE SYSTEM REDUCE RED TAPE, COST OF DOING BUSINESS The President highlighted that a SingleWindow Clearance System will now be created to reduce bureaucracy and the cost of doing business. President Ali said the new system will make it easier for local and foreign investors to start-up and establish businesses in Guyana – an economy which has been forecasted by the World Bank to grow by 52.8% this year – surpassing all 26 Latin American and Caribbean states. GOVT. SEEKS INTELLECTUAL AUTHORS BEHIND ELECTIONS FIASCO Most notably, Ali yesterday made a strong commitment to review the events of Guyana’s five month-long 2020 elections. It is vowing to hold those accountable who sought to “pervert and corrupt” the system. Addressing his inauguration ceremony yesterday, President Ali made it clear that the painful events of the last five months are etched into the minds of Guyanese all across the world, “as vigorous attempts were made to destroy our democratic credentials, and deny the will of the electorate.” “Therefore, a review of events - related to the electoral process over the last five months - will begin shortly in order to determine, forensically, exactly what transpired, and to hold accountable any persons who sought to pervert and corrupt the system.” (See photos on pages 16 and 49)
Sunday August 09, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Sunday August 09, 2020
Karawab girl, 2, exhibits Murdered Ruby woman no symptoms, tests was threatened day before positive for COVID-19 A two-year-old girl from the community of Karawab, Upper Pomeroon, is Essequibo’s latest COVID-19 patient. This information was confirmed Friday by a doctor, on the Essequibo Health Emergency Committee. The doctor, who was at the time reporting at the Committee’s meeting at State House, said that the test result was confirmed last Thursday night as being positive. During her report, the doctor said: “Last night there was a situation with a two-yearold at Karawab being tested positive for the virus... we have the two-year-old in institutional quarantine and we are now exploring five possible cases because we went
to the family, screened them and whoever they came into contact with.” According to information reaching this publication, the child did not exhibit any symptoms, when screened at the Charity Port of Entry. The child later came into contact with staffers at the Oscar Joseph Hospital, Charity, before being transferred to the Suddie Public Hospital. Health officials told Kaieteur News specimens were taken from a number of staff members. It is presently unclear how the child became infected in the first place, but the Health Department in Region Two indicated that they are presently investigating.
Waheeda Shamshudeen, 52, of Good Hope, Ruby, East bank Essequibo (EBE), who was brutally murdered, had received two death threats on the day before her body was found. Shamshudeen’s body was discovered by her son-in-law at around 10:00hrs on Thursday with the head almost severed. It was found in the hallway of their house. Kaieteur News was also told that her body was found lying faced down with hands bound behind the back and three plastic bags wrapped around the head. Relatives noted, as well, that her dress was rolled half way up exposing her undergarments. As investigations continue into Shamshudeen’s brutal murder, relatives recalled their last telephone conversation with her at around 18:30hrs on Wednesday. They said Shamshudeen disclosed that she had received death threats twice that day. The first was from a relative of the suspect who had allegedly chopped her son underneath his left arm during an argument. “She told us that the individual threatened to kill her if she makes the suspect get lock up by police”, said the relatives. They continued: “She also told us that her brotherin-law had threatened to rape and kill her as well. Shamshudeen did not tell us why he threatened her but what we do know, is that there was an ongoing dispute between she and she in-laws
MURDERED: Waheeda Shamshudeen over a house and land.” Relatives said that she was scared and told them that she will call back at around 22:00hrs that night but did not. “We called back instead but the phone rang out. However, we were not bothered because we knew that her son-in-law was home with her.” The relatives called again after 04:00hrs on Thursday morning to see if she was awake but surprisingly her phone was switched off. The son-in-law was contacted and he said that Shamshudeen was up since 03:00hrs preparing fried plantain and coffee. He told relatives that while he left for work at around 03:15hrs she was washing wares. However, later that morning when one of her relatives visited the home to pick her up, he stumbled upon her body in the hallway.
Crime scene investigators believe that Shamshudeen’s murder was well planned and orchestrated. Kaieteur News learnt that the woman might have been murdered not long after her son-in-law had left. Neighbours recalled that the woman’s television set was switched on very early and playing loud music. When police came to remove the body, the television was still on. The rooms were also ransacked. It was discovered, too, that her son-in-law’s bank card along with $200,000 cash was missing. Investigators believe that the perpetrator(s) had switched on the television to drown out the woman’s screams from alerting neighbours. Cops have since detained her brother-in-law who is assisting with the ongoing investigations.
Kaieteur News
Sunday August 09, 2020
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Rains, clogged drains blamed on Number 53/54 flooding
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esidents in the 53/54 Villages yesterday woke up to inches of water in their yard and in the lower flat of their homes. The flooding, which resulted from an extended downpour of rain Friday night, had residents clamouring to save their household items and furniture from the water that gushed in. Many took to social media posting pictures showing the result of the heavy rainfall. A couple from Number 54 Village, Reno and Artie Ramdial, told Kaieteur News that while nothing was damaged in their home, it is not the first time they experienced such flooding. Reno stated that the water receded slowly from his kitchen but remained in his yard up until yesterday afternoon and although there was little damage, it is not the first time their yard has been flooded. “This whole one side at Number 54 here (backdam
side) flood out but I think it is a drainage problem that cause this because this thing does happen steady. Like dem get small tubing to drain out the water and it not doing the work,” he stated. He added that the tubing was replaced sometime last year with the same small tube and so the flooding persisted when there is heavy rainfall- their home has been flooded four times. He stressed that the N u m b e r 5 2 / 7 4 N e i g h b o u r h o o d Democratic Council “not doing anything properly, even if you complain to those people there they don't even come around and do nothing.” Meanwhile, another resident from Number 54 Village, Vishal Persaud, stated that his entire bottom flat which included a kitchen and living room with furniture and appliances was flooded. He stated that the water has since receded “a little” up to yesterday afternoon.
The flooding situation
According to Persaud, “the area needs to open up a little because remember for the year nothing na do, and
normally NDC does come around and do, but for the year dem na do nothing. So due to this hard rainfall it
kind of raise the water.” The residents are calling on the NDC to be proactive in dealing with the issues of
the various communities especially in situations of flooding that affects more than one person.
Kaieteur News
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Sunday August 09, 2020 1)
Review of the Local Content Policy 2020: This document that was completed by an ExxonMobil associate, Dr. Michael Warner, does not have provisions which put Guyanese first in the industry. It does not even require that oil companies and their subcontractors ensure that at least one percent of the services they use are Guyanese. It also hides from public scrutiny, all reports submitted by companies on their local content efforts. Kaieteur News examined more than 30 policies across the world and none of them included such provisions.
2)
Putting in place appropriate technology offshore to monitor the measurement of oil remotely.
3)
Designing a roadmap to use a portion of the oil money to build sustainable industries
4)
Outlining benchmarks for Corporate Social Responsibility
5)
Establishing a Depletion Policy
6)
Establishing a Decommissioning Policy
7)
Outlining a structure for what is to be expected in Field Development Plans
8)
Strengthening key auditing agencies, specifically the Office of the Auditor General
9)
Strengthening institutions that will be responsible for the expenditure of the oil money-including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Ministry of Health.
Ill-prepared oil industry…
20 key areas Govt. must urgently address By Kiana Wilburg
B
efore oil production began in December 2019, former President David Granger and his administrative team had received numerous lessons on what need to be put in place before a drop of oil was extracted and sold. Granger's counseling on how to best prepare Guyana for the looming revenues came from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Chatham House, the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) and a slew of other internationally renowned bodies and experts. This counseling was being administered over a period of approximately five years. But when one examines the advice given versus what the new Government under the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has taken over and must now build on, it leaves most transparency advocates with the firm conclusion that Granger has left Guyana completely illprepared for oil and gas. Not even half of the fundamentals for the efficient governance of an oil industry are in place. One example—which does not begin to touch the tip of the iceberg—relates to a 2016 report from the UNDP that called for the government to complete an oil policy before moving to review the nation's archaic petroleum laws. The reasoning for this approach was quite simple- the UNDP report that was authored by Trinidadian petroleum expert, Anthony Paul, noted that the policy is the foundation for what is to come. It sets the stage and outlines the vision of the c o u n t r y r e g a r d in g th e k i n d o f regulation it wants to have for the sector. Wi t h o u t t h a t vision, one would
be shooting in the dark. To put it more simply, the policy can be likened to a plan for that dream house before it is built. That plan will say how many bathrooms, bedrooms and windows a homeowner would want. That plan then gives the builder a clear idea of what the end product must be. Instead of following those sage words, the Granger administration went ahead and awarded a US$1.2M contract to an American law firm, Hunton, Andrews, Kurth LLP, to review Guyana's oil laws. The UNDP document which Kaieteur News has reported on extensively, also underscored the importance of due diligence for all contracts that awarded. Even that advice was ignored. It took the investigative work
of this newspaper to expose that the law firm hired to modernize the nation's legislative framework, is actually registered as an EXXONMOBIL LOBBYIST! On the foregoing premise, Kaieteur News will examine some of the key pieces of advice the Granger administration failed to act on as well as some of the critical areas the new government must seek to address with haste. This examination will be done in a multi-part series to show how the new government, using the advice and lessons already given, can begin to manage the present well, fix past mistakes and set the stage for a prosperous future.
10) Improving Guyana's capacity to monitor and record emissions offshore, particularly in the case of the Environmental Protection Agency 11) Providing resources to the EPA so that it can make unannounced visits to the FPSOs while following safety standards. 12) Hire technical experts needed within the Ministries of Natural Resources, EPA, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) etc. 13) Improving and making public, Guyana's National Oil Spill Contingency Plan 14) Review of massive tax concessions/ tax holidays. Example: provisions in oil contracts that allow tax exemptions on capital gains tax, personal income tax and withholding tax 15) Updating policy/laws/regulations regarding direct and indirect transfers of interests in offshore blocks 16) Establishing a Petroleum Commission 17) Implement software solutions for compliance monitoring and for operating requisite controls for expenditure of oil money 18) Update laws and regulations to address issues of ring-fencing, transfer pricing (and other financial loopholes/issues), health and safety of workers, monitoring of the environment (regarding issues such as flaring and stiff penalties for such infractions), prequalification criteria for oil blocks, etc. 19) Outlining a vision for the oil sector following consultation with citizenry 20) Strengthen and increase systems for reporting on decisions in the oil and gas industry
Kaieteur News
Sunday August 09, 2020
Chief Executive Officer of Sueria Manufacturing Inc., Frank Sanichara officially handing over the trampoline to Ms. Accra of Joshua's House.
Sleepy Diapers donates trampoline to Joshua House
S
leepy Diapers on Thursday continued its commitment to giving back to the Guyanese community, donating hampers and a huge trampoline to orphans at Joshua House. Joshua House is one of the oldest orphanages in Guyana and houses both orphaned boys and girls - the trampoline will be helpful in diversifying the variety of play available to the children of
Joshua House. Chief Executive Officer of Sueria Manufacturing Inc., Frank Sanichara told Kaieteur News, “The donation was made possible due to the tremendous response customers have had to the Sleepy Diapers and other Sleepy brands of products.” In a direct message, Sanichara stated, “I want to thank all of our customers for making this possible.”
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Sleepy Sanitary Pads Congratulates its first $100,000 Winner!
S
leepy's AllNatural Sanitary Pads is excited to congratulate 15-year-old Ms. Chandanie Hardyal of Canal # 1 as the first $100,000 Winner in the “Sleepy Monthly Special Promotion.” Ms. Hardyal won with a total of 33,433 shares on Facebook. Asked what she plans to do with her prize money, the excited young woman said, “My birthday is next month and I will buy myself a gift and put the
remaining towards savings.” The other four top contestants did not leave empty handed. They were each given hampers consisting of various Sleepy products. With five more months of this special promotion left, we urge all women to participate for their chance to win! Here's how to enter for your chance to win: 1. Take a creative photo of yourself with your favourite Sleepy Sanitary
Pad pack. 2. Submit that Photo to our Sleepy South America Facebook Page via Inbox, along with Your Name and Contact Number. 3. Your photo will then be uploaded to our Facebook page, where you and your friends can Share. 4. A Winner will be selected from the Top Five (5) Photos with the most Shares via a Live Drawing. 5. Promotion lasts from July 15th 2020 – December 31st, 2020.
Kaieteur News
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Sunday August 09, 2020
Remaining resourceful and dedicated to a noble cause…
Retired Headmistress,
Wendy Chichester-Norville, is a 'Special Person' from her parents. Ms. Chichester draws, paints, and sews. The retired HM also does her own p l u m b i n g , u p h o l s t e r y, masonry, electrical work, carpentry and even her own joinery. And in 2017, she said, “I covered my own chairs and built my wall divider which became viral on Facebook.” As such, she boasts a beautiful home for her family of three. EARLY IMPRESSIONS
Ms. Chichester strikes a pose following a much deserved evening out By Rehanna Ramsay
A
ccording to the M e r r i a m W e b s t e r dictionary, “a calling is a strong desire or duty to a particular vocation, especially one that is driven by divine influence and geared towards helping others.” This definition so aptly describes how Mrs. Wendy Ann Chichester-Norville feels about her career as an educator - a path she chose to follow as a teenager and continued into retirement. This week's 'Special Person' who many of her colleagues and students simply refer to as “Ms. Chichester,” is probably best known for her role as the former Headmistress (HM) of the New Diamond/Grove Primary School. However, her work in the nation's education sector spans in excess of three decades and started in 1982 at Long Creek Primary S c h o o l o n t h e Soesdkye/Linden Highway. In fact, for most of her career, Ms. Chichester taught at several primary schools, particularly those
along the East Bank Demerara (EBD) corridor before retiring in January of this year. She spoke to Kaieteur News candidly about her career -- something which brought her immense satisfaction throughout the years. In fact, Ms. Chichester lists the “Grade A” performances of students at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) Examinations amongst her treasured accolades. For her, being able to play a role in raising the academic and physical standard at the New Diamond/Grove Primary School is one of her proudest moments. “I was happy to help m a k e t h e N e w Diamond/Grove Primary School one of the top performing and child friendly public schools in Region Four,” she said. In addition to these accomplishments, Ms. Chichester describes herself as a conscious, creative and loving wife and mother. These roles, she said, have allowed her to explore the creative niche she inherited
Born on 29th December, 1965 at Grove Village, East Bank Demerara, Ms. Chichester is the fifth child and eldest daughter to her parents Neville and Eudora Chichester. She explained that the family lived for the first six years of her life at Grove before they relocated to Long Creek on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway in 1971. She recalled that Long Creek was a farming community where “my father had obtained 10 acres of land to cultivate crops.”
But for the young Chichester, it was paradise. “Long Creek was my first life changing experience. As a child, the natural scenery, flourishing farmlands, the black water creek and the friendly people were a taste of heaven for me,” she said. As such, Ms. Chichester said that she bonded with her environment. The country life, she explained, also gave her the scope to dream, cultivate and create. Though her father worked as a fireman, she noted that the family often farmed. “We planted acres of pineapple, pumpkins, corn, citrus and other fruits and vegetables. We also reared Creole fowls and meat birds as part of our subsistence. My father also hunted and fished to help take care of the household.” This was something she adapted to help provide for her own family later in life. Ms. Chichester said, however, that her earliest impression of what a teacher is came after she entered the Long Creek School system.
Our 'Special Person' in work mode There, she met Ms. Joan Hinds -- her first teacher. According, Ms. Chichester, “it was Ms. Hinds who helped me overcome many learning challenges due to her excellent teaching strategies and love for children.” “She gave me the selfconfidence and feeling of self-worth as she unlocked the potential I never knew I possessed,” Ms. Chichester
added. In addition, she noted her e l d e s t b r o t h e r, B r i a n Chichester, was also a teacher at Long Creek Primary School. Ms. Chichester said that “I admired the way he dressed and his passion for teaching. It was he who walked me to work on my first day and who taught me my first professional ethics. I (continued on page 50)
With her two adoring children and grand-daughter
In favour of creativity, Ms. Chichester showcases a hand crafted doll
Kaieteur News
Sunday August 09, 2020
PAGE 19
Did Granger do that? J
an Mangal made a b o m b s h e l l revelation. Mangal, the former Petroleum Advisor, to David Granger, disclosed that when he told the then President about the ExxonMobil contract, Granger seemed surprised. Why would Granger appear surprised if he had full knowledge of the contract? Did Mangal misread Granger's body language? Granger has never confirmed or denied whether the ExxonMobil contract was signed behind his back. His government has never admitted whether the contract was discussed with Cabinet prior to it being signed. The new government, hopefully, would now have access to the records of Cabinet which would verify whether and when Cabinet would have pronounced on the contract. One would have
expected at the minimum that a contract of such national importance would have been well ventilated. Less major issues are usually ventilated at Cabinet. It therefore needs to be determined whether the ExxonMobil contract was inked behind Granger's back? And was the signing bonus which was subsequently negotiated also signed behind the President's back. This issue has resurfaced because we have had a very strange disclosure being made by the one-week old PPP/C administration. It is now being reported that, as President, Granger had delegated his powers to grant land leases to the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys. This is a shocking revelation because it is not the type of authority which any President should delegate. Under the law,
leases have to be approved by the President and this is one power which very few Presidents would have been expected to delegate. Land ownership in Guyana is a contentious issue. The majority of the lands in Guyana are owned by a small percentage of the population. In 1992, it was estimated that a mere 5% of the population owned 70% of the lands in the country. This disparity in land ownership has been a major contributor to economic inequality. When Cheddi Jagan came into office, he took the conscious decision to reclaim lands from large landowners, trying to place limits on the amount of land any one single person or company could own. Skewed land ownership had led to calls for land reform. Granger himself appointed a commission to look into certain land issues. It therefore comes as a total
surprise to learn that instead of keeping his finger on the pulse when it comes to land distribution, the former President would have delegated powers to rent, grant, or permit occupancy of public lands. It is inappropriate for the Lands and Surveys Commission to be tasked with approving the very applications for the grant, lease or occupancy of public lands. Under the Lands and Surveys Commission Act, the Commission also monitors and regulates the terms and conditions for the grant, lease or occupancy of state lands. The Commission also values public lands. An agency should never be asked to approve the very lands for which it processes applications, values and regulates. A mistake was made here. The question to be answered is, whether the mistake was with the full
knowledge of Granger, or whether it was done in his name and possibly unknown to him. It needs to be known whether Granger signed the order delegating such powers or if the Order, delegating the powers, was signed on his behalf. If the Order of delegation was signed by the President, it can be considered a major blunder on his part. It amounts to him delegating a major part of his powers and his ability to control land reform. In other words, it needs to be ascertained whether the Order was approved behind Granger's back and, as is suspected, happened in the case of the ExxonMobil contract. Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. had described the ExxonMobil contract as illegal and irretrievably flawed. It deduced that the contract was either the result
of grand corruption or grand incompetence If, however, the contract was signed behind the backs of Cabinet or Granger, then this has implications for its legality. It would be open to question whether those who signed did so in excess of their jurisdiction. S i m i l a r l y, i f t h e delegation of presidential powers was done without the expressed consent of the President, that is whether it was done on his behalf rather than under his hand, it could have implications for the legality of all land contracts issued subsequently. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Sunday August 09, 2020
Challenges facing the new Govt. of Guyana By Sir Ronald Sanders
T
he one upside of the challenges facing the Government of Guyana after a five-month impasse in declaring the result of general elections on March 2, is that the country's economic growth in 2020 is projected at a whopping 52.8% - surpassing all 26 Latin American and Caribbean states. This trend is likely to continue for many years to come. Guyana has become a hotbed for new oil and gas production. Since 2015, there have been 19 oil discoveries, resulting in estimated recoverable petroleum resources of more than 8 billion barrels. Between December 2019 and June 2020, this newly found wealth in oil and gas provided the government US$95M in royalties paid by ExxonMobil from its first two oil sales. Money could go a very
long way to alleviate the circumstances of the Guyanese people who, since the 1980s, have been the second poorest in the Caribbean; Haitians being the poorest. Per capita income in 2018 was US$4,760, less than half the average for the Latin American and Caribbean region. A 2014 World Bank survey identified “not enough money” as the most significant factor limiting financial inclusion in Guyana. It also said that low per capita income is only part of the problem; skewed income distribution toward the wealthiest is also significant. Income levels should now increase, improving living standards for all, particularly the poor. But that depends on how well the oil revenues are managed and how equitably they are distributed in Guyana's society where race has been a more defining
characteristic than class. This will be the first challenge that Guyana's new President, Irfaan Ali, and his government will face. Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, now a Vice President, has said that the new government would establish a petroleum commission “to ensure the sector is not subjected to undue political interference”. This development would go some way to assuaging fears about the management of the oil and gas revenues. The government will also have to respond appropriately to demands by civil society groups, - which are not always wellinformed - for a better deal with the giant oil companies now engaged in exploration and production. This will include improved public information on the existing contracts and on any new arrangements that might be made. Early action on this
matter could douse the flames of criticism that have been fanned, particularly over the past two years. Managing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is also a major and urgent challenge. At the time of writing, Guyana has confirmed 497 cases of which 186 persons have recovered and 22 have died. However, the picture is not clear. The five-month impasse over declaring the result of the March 2 Guyana elections, coincided with the spread of the coronavirus. With no elected government in place, controlling the disease was less than adequate and a huge spike was recorded in July. The new Government will have to get an early handle on the situation to prevent a backlash from a populace that has tolerated it only because of their greater anxiety over the threats to their peace and security posed by the five-month
uncertainty over the elections result. The electoral machinery has repeatedly failed the Guyanese people, largely because members of the Elections Commission are appointed by leaders of political parties. The Commission, therefore, is pre-set for a stand-off between the appointees of opposing sides, which played out between March 2 and August 2 this year. The way in which the Commission is appointed should be scrapped and replaced by a broad-based body, representing various sectors of the society. The involvement of political parties could lead again to the five-month tense, and almost perilous, situation that the country endured while it awaited a declaration of results of the March 2 elections. The biggest challenge of all, however, will be the establishment of conditions that address the fundamental
Sir Ronald Sanders issue in Guyana of racial equity. Guyana's population of approximately 750,000 people consists of East Indian descendants (39.8%), African descendants (29.3%), mixed race (19.9%), Indigenous Amerindians (10.5%) and other races (0.5%). The majority of the population of African descent who supported the previous government, formed by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), will view President Ali's government of the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) as a party of people of East Indian descent. Unless these racial suspicions, which have abounded since 1957, are allayed by positive (continued on page 48)
Sunday August 09, 2020
Kaieteur News
Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce eager to work with Govt. - intends to hold it accountable
Mohammed Rafeek, President, Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce By Malisa Playter-Harry The Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce-led by its vibrant, President, Mohammed Rafeek, a businessman, has stated its intent to work closely with the newly installed government. The Chamber in commending the newly installed Irfaan Aliadministration is also prepared to monitor government’s progress having gotten off to a “flying start”. Rafeek made this revelation at a recent press briefing at the Chamber’s building in Rose Hall Town. He mentioned that the Chamber present at a recent with President Irfaan Ali, along with his senior team and the private sector on Monday last, where pressing matters were discussed. “The discussion focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and many other things they are putting together and, as far as we are aware, a programme to inform the people will be released shortly,” said Rafeek. He said too that “We in the private sector are also making proposals to put to government on working in relation to the pandemic… In a sense we know the pandemic is here to stay and so we have to find a way to live with it and also to get our economy growing. So a lot of these protocols are going to be forwarded to the government,” he added. He revealed too, that one of the many things the government is aware of is the daunting state that many people are living in due to pandemic. This state of affairs was brought to the fore, he said, during several visits to communities to conduct hamper and mask distribution exercises. “We had a first-hand look
at how the people are living in this country and it opened a lot of eyes, and we are hoping that a lot of those images, many people in the government would have seen them. As a matter of fact, many of the people forming this government were in the fields also and we are hoping that those same images would motivate them to want to do good for the people of Berbice and Guyana. We are hoping that the government would come up with strategies for people who have lost their jobs and who cannot feed their families…that is something that we hope government will look at urgently,” he said. Expressing gratitude that the election impasse has come to an end, Rafeek said “we are happy that this has been settled and we are willing to work with the government to uplift the people of Berbice.” The Chamber served as an observer at the recent recount exercise and its members were very vocal about attempts at rigging the results. They also played a critical role during the pandemic bringing relief to hundreds of Berbicians. Based on Monday’s discussion, Rafeek said that government is contemplating bringing further relief to persons who were impacted by the pandemic. In this regard, Rafeek said that it was revealed that government is likely to have talks with banking institutions to find a way to bring relief to those who have lost their jobs and have loans and mortgages to pay. In addition, Rafeek stated that the Chamber will continue to represent Berbicians but at the same time hold the government accountable when necessary, even as a bright future for Guyana unfolds.
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==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==
All human choices are existentially determined After the American invasion of Grenada in 1983, my professors at the University of Toronto set about securing asylum for me in Sweden. I turned it down. I wanted to stay in the Caribbean. I never felt the attraction of winged impulse while living in the Caribbean. I truly love the Caribbean. I made my decision to stay in Guyana without external determinants. After the 1992 election, Yesu Persaud persuaded the head of the UNDP, Juan Laraburre, to offer me the job of local head of the UNDP. I turned it down in preference of staying at UG. The students at UG needed to know about philosophy and how it shapes the world. That was my existential response determined by free will. Not hundreds but thousands of persons have expressed bewilderment at my endurance in social activism in Guyana and up to this day they would ask me: ‘Why risk so much pain and suffering?’ For what? My answer has been repetitive over the decades - that the choice I made in life are my own without intervening considerations and I have no regrets. We make our decisions in circumstances that may impinge on our own volition but in the end, humans always have space for alternative pathways. Once we choose our directions, we cannot eat our cake and want it too. Many folks in and out of Guyana have contacted me about the future of Guyana and what will become of race relations in this land since one side wins the other loses. I have had umpteen reactions about the break-up of my friendship with David Hinds. I return to recent remarks
of Nigel Hughes, I mentioned twice in these columns about the ethnic dilemma. Nigel’s thoughts were insightful. Nigel said that the PNC failed to institutionalize constitutional reform and put faith and its fate in elections. That was an existential state of mind the PNC arrived at with free will. When the election was lost, the PNC saw the election as irrelevant, its value was substituted for ethnic sharing of power. This is where I lost respect for people who I once held dear to my heart like Eusi Kwayana, Moses Bhagwan, David Hinds, Nigel Westmaas, and others. You cannot treat people who voted for the winners of a national election with such despicable contempt. The PNC had power for five years during which time, it could have convinced the people, who later voted for the PPP in March this year, that election could wait and there were better things ahead like constitutional changes, decentralization of power, offering society pathways to extirpate the sarcoma of racial animosity, and the actual
sharing of power. Those roads were not taken. Those were existential choices that were made by the PNC. It lacerates the collective psyche of a nation when those who neglected to change a country for the better, abandons the election road they embraced and invent a narrative that excludes the winner of the elections and the countless numbers who voted for the winners. There is a statement I have made on television, radio and in these columns about the 2020 elections that I think brought out the innate dishonesty and the deep moral morass of certain humans who are Guyanese. Their attitudinal shape to the election was determined by the return of the PPP to power. It is unadulterated evil, not abstract but pure evil that you can choose to deny a nation its right to vote, accept rigged election and its concomitant per m a n e n c y o f p o w e r because you do not trust the winner of a national election to govern properly. That is not a standard the
world should live by. That is not a value humans should accept. It is pregnant with consequences too horrible to contemplate. I now will inject a personal note about this theoretical insanity. It is about my life under permanent power. I paid to enter the University of Guyana as a student, only to wake up a morning to find that I had to do compulsory national service or be thrown out. I woke up a morning under permanent power, like the rest of my fellow
Guyanese to find out that the unelected president announced that his party that never won a free poll (you see what rigged election does to a country) was given more legal power than any other national institution in the entire country. I woke up a morning under permanent power and found out that a series of essential foods were banned, courtesy of the unelected president. The 2020 election was about the right to vote and remove politicians who you think didn’t perform. Only an ugly mind thinks
Frederick Kissoon otherwise. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Sunday August 09, 2020
An invaluable source of information of a key pillar of Guyana’s foreign policy (A review of David Granger’s Forbes Burnham and the Liberation of Southern Africa.) David Granger’s Forbes Burnham and the Liberation of Southern Africa examines one of the more enlightened foreign policy initiatives of Forbes Burnham’s administration between 1970 and 1985. This book provides unassailable evidence of Guyana’s support for the liberation wars in Southern Africa. Support for the liberation wars and the condemnation of apartheid and whiteminority rule in South Africa were among the guiding principles of Forbes Burnham’s foreign policy from which he never deviated. Other precepts were support for the Non-Aligned Movement, Caribbean regional integration, AfricanCaribbean-Pacific collaboration, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the primacy of international law in relations between states. Granger points out that Burnham’s Southern African policy was part of his wider opposition to colonialism, imperialism and racism and predated the radicalization of
Guyana’s foreign policy. Granger recalls Burnham’s condemnation of the barbarous killings perpetrated by the colonial powers in Nyasaland (now Malawi) in 1959 and his denunciation of the Sharpeville massacre in South Africa in 1960. Granger did not set out to disabuse assertions of the link between Burnham’s international relations and the radicalization of national politics. He does provide, however, indisputable evidence of Burnham’s opposition to the whiteminority rule in the South African government when Burnham said: The whole South African Government’s policy is to be deprecated and the shootings at Sharpeville and Pondoland were just the culmination of the most disgusting policy. Not only are the native Africans – the original inhabitants of the country – robbed of their political rights but they are also destitute of human rights. They are not allowed to
organise trade unions in the same way as the whites are; it is an offence for them to strike, and the trade union leaders, from time to time, are prosecuted. This book – Forbes Burnham and the liberation of Southern Africa – provides proof of the various forms of support which Guyana provided to the liberation movements in Southern Africa. These included diplomatic, financial, political and sporting sanctions. Burnham’s support was remarkable considering Guyana’s economic difficulties at the time and the likely pressure such support was likely to evoke within the imperialist camp. United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, on Christmas Eve day in 1975, asked his Ambassador to Guyana to request Burnham to deny the use of his country’s refueling facilities for planes transporting Cuban troops and supplies to support the Movemento Popular de Libertaçao de Angola (MPLA) in Angola.
Another directive was issued, one week later, urging the US Embassy in Guyana to do all that was possible to urge the Government of Guyana to deny permission for the use of the Timehri International Airport for refueling the planes transporting Cuban troops to Angola. Burnham never acceded to the US demands. The Forbes Burnham administration understood the risks involved in pursuing such a courageous policy and especially through the specific measures and political postures which were adopted. Those measures included granting Guyanese passports to African freedom fighters, imposing a ban on persons with sporting ties to South Africa, allowing refueling stops and advocating African liberation within the Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations. Guyana’s support for the African liberation struggles was consistent and has been so acknowledged. Addressing a ceremony to mark Guyana’s 51st Independence anniversary in May 2017, the Public Works Minister, Nathi Nhleko said: “Guyana ardently and unapologetically became an activist state against the continuation of imperialism, colonialism and racism in Africa, and stood firm for the liberation of the oppressed peoples the world over.”
The book – Forbes Burnham and the Liberation of Southern Africa – is structured logically in three sections. The ‘Introduction’ establishes the historical record of support for African liberation; the second section, titled ‘The Struggle against Colonialism’, examines Burnham’s policy of support for ending colonial rule in Africa, and the third section, entitled, ‘The Struggle for the Liberation of South Africa,’ addresses Guyana’s anti-apartheid policy, including the actions it took in pursuit of this policy. The book demonstrates how a small state can punch above its weight in international relations. Guyana stood out as beacon of support for African liberation. Forbes Burnham was an indefatigable champion of that cause. David Granger published this book two years before he assumed the Presidency of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. As President, he made it his duty to ensure that Forbes Burnham’s and Guyana’s contribution to the liberation struggles in Southern Africa were never forgotten. In his address at the accreditation of the High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, in November 2016, the Guyanese President recounted the practical steps
which Guyana took in helping to dismantle apartheid, liberate southern Africa and ensure majority rule in the Republic of South Africa. He recalled that: Guyana employed every available international forum – including the Caribbean Community, the Commonwealth, the NonAligned Movement and the United Nations – to agitate for an end to apartheid in South Africa. Guyana sponsored and co-sponsored resolutions, at the United Nations, which condemned this racist system and which called attention to acts of brutality committed against opponents of this system. We welcomed Oliver Reginald Tambo to Georgetown in July 1987. We celebrated Nelson Mandela’s release from prison. We exulted in the introduction of majority rule in the Republic of South Africa. These events and achievements vindicated the solidarity between our peoples. Scholars and students will find this book an invaluable source of information of a key pillar of Guyana’s foreign policy. David Granger is a scrupulous researcher. He has acknowledged earlier research by Vincent Alexander, Ronald Austin, Rashleigh Jackson and others and tapped into sources including policy speeches, newspapers, and unpublished manuscripts, government publications, newspaper columns and books. The book’s greatest value is to be found, however, in its contribution to understanding the craft of policy-making. It reveals how Guyana constructed a policy predicated on ideology and principle and explains the manner in which it gave effect to that policy, including the forging of strong personal relations. This book – Forbes Burnham and the Liberation of Southern Africa – is a permanent testimonial to Burnham’s admirable and bold policy towards Southern Africa. It is policy which cannot ever be disabused or diminished. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Sunday August 09, 2020
Kaieteur News
CORONAVIRUS: A strong, prepared immune system is our best bet By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center It’s been more than six months and we are still waiting on the miracle cure for the COVID-19 infection. It has always been challenging for the scientific world to develop treatment cures for viruses. For the most part, supportive care and allowing our immune system to “fight out” the virus has been the mainstay of care for most viral infections. We have always known that a strong immune system is key to fight off viral infections such as the flu and common cold. It is no different with the COVID-19 infection. Our immune system is our body’s defense against foreign pathogens such as the coronavirus. If there has ever been a time the world needed everyone’s immune system to be strong, this is the time. The stronger your immune system, the better your chances of surviving a COVID-19 infection. I will shed some light on factors
that science has shown to boost our immune system and help effectively fight off viral infections such as the coronavirus. VITAMIN C Vitamin C is an essential nutrient with many roles in our body. Vitamin C helps our immune health in several ways. Its antioxidant activity can decrease inflammation, which may help improve your immune function. The vitamin also boosts the activity of phagocytes, immune cells that can “swallow” harmful viruses and other particles. In addition, it promotes the growth and spread of lymphocytes, a type of immune cell that increases your circulating antibodies, proteins that can attack foreign or harmful substances in our blood. We can get our daily requirement of Vitamin C from supplements or the following foods: • Guava • Citrus (lime, Orange, Lemon, Tangerine) • Broccoli • Tomatoes • Peppers
We need 65 to 90 mg of Vitamin C Daily. ZINC Zinc is a mineral found throughout cells in our body. There are a number of ways zinc boosts the immune system but primarily it activates enzymes that break down proteins in viruses and bacteria so they are less able to spread. It also increases the activation of cells responsible for fighting infections. It also helps to reduce inflammation that can occur during viral infections. We can get our daily requirement of Zinc from supplement or the following foods: • Guava • Seafoods such as crabs and lobsters • Beans and nuts • Avocado • Ground beef We need 8 to 12mg of zinc to meet our daily requirements. VITAMIN D Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, which has many roles in our body including fighting off infections. It plays a critical role in promoting immune response. It has both
anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory properties and is crucial for the activation of immune system defenses. It enhances the function of immune cells, including Tcells and macrophages that protect your body against pathogens such as viruses. Low Vitamin D levels are also associated with an increased risk of respiratory diseases such as viral and bacterial respiratory infections. We can get our daily Vitamin D requirements from supplements or the following foods: • Sunlight- While this is not a food, daily exposure to sunlight is needed to help our body make Vitamin D active. • Egg yolks • Fatty fish such as tuna and mackerel • Cheese • Beef liver We need 25-100 micrograms of Vitamin D daily.
QUERCETIN Quercetin is a natural pigment present in many fruits, vegetables, and grains. It is a potent antioxidant that can bind to and neutralize free radicals formed from infections such as COVID-19. It has strong antiinflammatory properties which is very handy since the COVID-19 infection triggers a massive inflammatory response in our body that worsens the illness. You can get quercetin from dietary supplements or from the following foods: • Grapes • Apples • Black tea • Tomatoes • Citrus fruits Daily intake of 500mg quercetin is sufficient to help your body. Regular exercise, reduce stress Stress has been shown to cause inflammation and
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Dr. Zulfikar Bux suppress our body’s immune response. Exercise has the opposite effect. The more we exercise and less we stress, the stronger our immune system gets. While we wait for preventative or curative treatment options to come out against the COVID-19 infection, we need to prepare our immune system in the event that we do get infected. It’s the main defense that we have and the best way to ensure it is prepared is to utilize the options discussed today. Start preparing our immune system and remember to stay home, wear a mask if you have to go out and practice proper hygiene.
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SUNDAY SURINAME’S OIL DEAL… COUNTRY TO GET 36% OF GROSS REVENUE The Republic of Suriname is set to rake in 35.84% of the gross revenue from oil production in Block 58 – a lucrative deep-water concession, near its border with Guyana. Eddie Jharap, former Managing Director of the state-owned oil company, Staatsolie, made this projection in a publication Saturday (August 1). Features of the agreement include 6.25% royalty on gross production and a 36% income tax on the company’s profit oil for the people of Suriname. The oil companies on the block, Apache and Total, both have a 50% working interest. The Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) was signed in 2015 with Apache. Total farmed in late last year with a US$100M signing bonus paid to Apache. The agreement has a 30-year validity period. The value of the block has been propelled by discoveries made by ExxonMobil in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. Oil companies operating in the Guyana-Suriname basin have been working relentlessly to replicate ExxonMobil’s successful finds. Total and Apache have been lucky to make three oil finds this year, with the most recent one announced just days ago. They have moved on to a fourth prospect. Staatsolie, from the terms of the agreement, is allowed a maximum stake of 20% for participation, in which case, Suriname’s projected revenue share would jump from 35.84% to 43.39%. “Staatsolie is in extremely interesting times,” Staatsolie’s current Managing Director Rudolf Elias told an energy conference in Trinidad in February. Meanwhile, the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed in Guyana has received international condemnation for its lopsided fiscal terms in favour of ExxonMobil and its
Sunday August 09, 2020
Kaieteur News
partners, Hess and CNOOC. Guyana’s projected share of gross Stabroek Block revenues is less than half the share Suriname is set to get, despite the fact that the Stabroek Block is leagues more lucrative. ARMY SILENT ON PLANE SCANDAL… SPOTLIGHT FOCUSED ON PROCUREMENT, MAINTENANCE COSTS The army has remained silent on the purchase of four planes despite growing concerns over the costs and the due diligence that were conducted. In 2018, just about three years after it entered office, the Coalition Government moved to buy four planes for the army- the smaller Islanders and two Skyvans. The latter are capable of fetching soldiers. The two Britten-Norman Islanders arrived around August 2018 while the two Shorts Sc-7 Skyvans reportedly came in June last year. The story was carried last Sunday, July 26, in Kaieteur News highlighting the over $700M that was reportedly spent on the planes. Two of the planes are not in operation as they are ground e d a n d t h e r e a r e reports that tens of millions of dollars have been spent to bring the planes up to regulations-readiness. It was the former Minister of State for the Coalition government, Joseph Harmon, who had told the National Assembly in early 2018 that the Islanders were first manufactured in 1976 while the Skyvans were first manufactured in 1977. The army was asked to respond to a number of questions related to the procurement of the aircraft, the expenditure so far on maintenance and repairs, and the private provision of flight services in the wake of the aircraft being grounded. The Public Relations Department acknowledged receipt of the request but has not provided the information sought. There were
attempts to follow-up on the matter, but to no avail. According to persons in t h e a v i a t i o n i n d u s t r y, including persons knowledgeable about pricing, there is no way that Guyana could have spent that much on four used planes. “We know the prices” one source told this paper, “Everybody knows. It shocked everyone that we paid that much for planes manufactured in the 1970s.” According to another industry expert, $700M for four planes manufactured in the 1970s is just too much: “Something smells to high heavens here. Repairs will carry that seven hundred million price tag to over one billion. That is what we’re looking at. The Army must tell the people of Guyana what happened here.” With regards to how the aircraft were bought, Harmon had said that the Skyvans, which were being used for
troop transport and parachuting, were procured from Belgium through Liberty Aviation, an American company that operates from North Carolina. The Islanders, according to Harmon, were purchased from Brazil which utilized the planes for passenger and cargo services. Both models are no longer being manufactured. According to persons familiar with the purchase of aircraft, it is very important that one takes into account the flying hours that would have been chalked up by a plane. EXXONMOBIL’S LACKADAISICAL ATTITUDE COULD SPELL DISASTER FOR GUYANA – EPA HEAD – SAYS COMPANY OPPOSED TO PAYING US$3,000 FINE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL BREACHES Since it started oil production in the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil has had six fluid spills, three of which
occurred this year. Albeit small in nature, head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams, said he is deeply concerned about the “dangerous signal” these spills send about E x x o n M o b i l ’s safety culture and its approach towards addressing environmental infractions. During an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News, Dr. Adams noted that the company was fined $100,000 (US$500) for each incident, bringing the total payment to $600,000 (US$3,000). But what has left him disappointed and more so appalled is the company’s opposition to paying the p a l t r y f i n e . D r. A d a m s noted that the company has sought to make a case to underpin its resistance as it noted that the spills of hydraulic fluid was negligible and therefore had no significant impact on the environment. “They are making a case
using that argument about the spills being small but that’s not my business…We are maintaining our position that they have to pay up. Our position is grounded in the law which says zero emissions and zero discharges and if they refuse to comply, we will go to court,” the EPA head insisted. Turning his attention to the cause of the spills, Dr. Adams said they occurred due to ExxonMobil’s failure to follow basic manufacturer’s guidelines for a hose on the vessel. Dr. Adams said that the instructions are clear on having an inspection done before use, He added that it was not done. He said, too, that ExxonMobil is in breach of its permit which states that it has to follow the manufacturers’ guidelines. The EPA head said: “…What these spills tell me about ExxonMobil’s conduct of operations mindset is very worrisome. If you are not (Continued on page 27)
Sunday August 09, 2020
From page 26 following basic instructions, how could the EPA trust that for more high risk situations, you are not going to do the same thing and leave the country with a disaster on its hands?” MONDAY 5 MONTHS AFTER E-DAY… IRFAAN ALI SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT, MARK PHILLIPS AS PM · GRANGER TO TAKE “ANOMALIES” TO ELECTION PETITION · GOV’T COMMISSIONERS WALK OUT OF GECOMMEETING · JAGDEO COMMITS TO TALKS ON GOVERNANCE MODEL;APPOINTED VICE PRESIDENT ·ALI MAKES SEVERAL OTHER CABINET APPOINTMENTS Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali was Sunday declared the ninth Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and sworn into office five exhausting months after the Guyanese electorate ventured to the polls to exercise their democratic franchise. The event has finally brought an end to the ‘mother of all elections’. The historic declaration was made by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh mere minutes after the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, executed his statutory duties and handed to the seven-member Commission, his final report reflecting the results of the
National Recount. GECOMMEETING The day was, however, not met without controversy, as the three Commissioners appointed by the former coalition government, walked out of a meeting that was held to address the way forward following the unanimous ruling of the Appeal Court last Friday in the Misenga Jones vs GECOM et al litigation. Just an hour after the meeting was convened, Commissioners Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman gave journalists an account of what ensued. The APNU+AFC Commissioners expressed that they distanced themselves from the declaration made by the Chairman, on the premise that the Election Day process was heavily tainted, and that any declaration emerging from those results would be unlawful. They have held this view despite clear rulings by the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) all pointing to the need for a declaration of the credible results of the CARICOM-certified national vote recount. Further to the foregoing, Alexander told the media that an idea that the way forward should be left in the hands of the major parties’ leaders, Bharrat Jagdeo and David Granger, was presented at the meeting. He said that the Chair attempted to facilitate discussions between the two leaders but Jagdeo remained adamant in his stance not to engage in any discussions “until a declaration”. ELECTIONS PETITION Shortly after the aforementioned interaction with Alexander, Granger gave the nation his first indication
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that he was ready to concede an electoral loss. Granger stated that “irregularities which have been uncovered during the recount process cannot be accepted and will form the grounds for an election petition.” The former President noted that he is open to talks with Jagdeo, but stated that he also recognized that the Commission has a legal obligation to declare a winner as adjudicated by the Courts. PRESIDENTALI APPOINTS SEVERAL CABINET MEMBERS Following his swearing in Sunday as President at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) by the
Chancellor of the Judiciary (Acting), Yonette CummingsEdwards, Irfaan Ali made four key appointments. Brigadier Mark Phillips was appointed Prime Minister. Phillips had previously served as the Chief of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Former President and General-Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Bharrat Jagdeo, was appointed Vice President. Executive of the PPP/C Anil Nandlall was reappointed to the post of Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. Meanwhile, Gail Teixeira has been appointed Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and
Governance. She had previously served as the Parliamentary Chief Whip for the PPP/C. According to the recently sworn in President, he anticipates making the remaining appointments later in the week. SURINAME GETS ALMOST THREE TIMES GUYANA’S REVENUE SHARE FROM OIL DEAL The Republic of Suriname is lucky to have benefitted from three consecutive oil discoveries made this year by Apache and Total, all within the confines of Block 58 – a concession located near its border with Guyana. However, the revenue
share that the people would get from the production of the oil in that block is due not to luck, but to the prudent management of the patrimony of the people of Suriname by its Government. Former Managing Director of Suriname’s state oil company, Eddie Jharap, recently calculated that the probable revenue share would be 36 percent of gross production. This is noteworthy as Guyana is set to get a 14.5 percent revenue share from gross production revenues on its Stabroek Block. Despite the fact that Guyana’s Stabroek Block is much more lucrative, Suriname’s revenue share would amount to almost three times that of Guyana. Jharap provided a simple arithmetical calculation of this on Saturday last. First off, the royalty for Block 58 is 6.25 percent of gross revenues, which is more than three times Guyana’s meager two percent. Aside from the payment of royalty, the operational costs of about 20 percent of gross production are to be paid, Jharap explained. He also pointed out the investment costs during the first five years, which would be about 20 percent of oil production per year. The remaining 53.75 percent of the gross production is referred to as profit oil. As a concession holder, the state company, Staatsolie, obtains 16 percent of gross production free of charge. Of the remaining 37.75 percent profit oil, the investors are to pay 36 percent income tax to the State of Suriname, which amounts to about 13.59 percent of gross production. (Continued on page 28)
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From page 27 A summation of royalty, Staatsolie’s share, and income taxes amounts to 35.84 percent of the gross production. Jharap said that Staatsolie also has an option to participate up to a maximum of 20 percent with investment capital, in which case, Suriname’s share of the production would move from 35.84 percent to 43.39 percent of gross production. In Guyana’s case, the investors recoup their investments by up to 75 percent of gross production, leaving 25 percent as profit oil. The profit oil is split 50-50 between them and the government. The oil companies pay no taxes. The government also receives two percent of gross production as royalty. Half of profit oil gives Guyana 12.5 percent of gross production. Added to a royalty of two percent, Guyana’s total revenue share is 14.5 percent of gross production. Many have criticised Guyana’s contract with ExxonMobil as lopsided and unfair to the people. Global Witness has calculated that the poor terms would cause Guyana to lose US$55B over the life of the contract. It has criticised Guyana’s leaders for the part they played in the signing away of the massive concession to the multinationals, ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC. Despite facing international and local condemnation, neither of the major parties has shown interest in securing better terms for the people. ExxonMobil has even boasted that it has received assurances from the parties that the contract will remain intact, and that its projects will be allowed to move forward. TUESDAY PRESIDENTALI SHAKES UP POLICE FORCE On his first day in office, newly elected President, Irfaan Ali commenced a major shake-up in the Guyana Police Force (GPF). Most notably, Ali’s new appointments will see the Former Commander of A’ Division, Assistant Commissioner Edgar Thomas tasked with heading the President and Prime Minister’s security. Thomas will be assisted by Deputy Superintendent Amit Dass. Thomas was removed from his post as Commander in March verbally by officials from the Force’s Administrative Department. He was reportedly told he was
Sunday August 09, 2020
Kaieteur News
being transferred because he had refused an order to remove Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, and others from the Guyana Elections Commission High Street media centre on March 5. Thomas had said his decision to not remove Gunraj and others was “a judgment call.” Commander Thomas and Sase Gunraj were discussing how to secure the room in which crucial documents related to the General and Regional Elections were stored. Shortly after, four Tactical Services Unit (TSU) ranks approached. One rank said that they had received orders for everyone to “clear the building.” Commander Thomas reportedly told the rank, identified as a Deputy Superintendent, that he was speaking with Gunraj regarding securing the building. He alleged that the ranks left, but returned some ten minutes later. The same Deputy Superintendent again told Commander Thomas that he had received orders to “clear the building.” Thomas reportedly informed the Deputy Superintendent that the rank was being disrespectful. The junior rank was reportedly told that he had failed to report to Thomas, who was in charge of the area. He was then yanked from his post as Commander and placed in the Traffic Division. Additionally, the Force will now see Assistant Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken assuming the position of Deputy Commissioner after Maxine Graham was finally sent off on her pre-retirement leave and subsequent retirement. According to information received, the Deputy Top Cop was handed her letter sometime Monday following the Top Cop’s marching orders on Thursday last. Both officials were expected to cease functions in the Force months ago but were still on the job, managing a “special elections operation” despite accumulating significant leave. They should have proceeded on their accumulated leave since early June. From documents seen by Kaieteur News, the two racked up more than 16 months in accumulated leave. According to the documents, Commissioner James had accumulated 306 days, and should have proceeded on leave on June 28 last. His retirement date, according to the documents, is May 5, 2021. With regards to Deputy Commissioner Graham, she
had accumulated 172 days of leave and should have left her post since June 11 – her retirement date is December 1, 2020. With her gone, Deputy Commission Clifton Hicken will head Force Operations. Hicken, along with his Deputy, Senior Superintendent Fazil Karimbaksh, were seconded back in January. Hicken was moved to the Ministry of Citizenship while Karimbaksh who worked under him was shifted to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC). CARTER CENTER URGES CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM Following the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) being declared as the winner of the March 2 General and Regional Elections, the Carter Center is once again calling for the new administration to make constitutional reform a priority. The Center previously called for constitutional reform in February, urging that it be done before the next election in 2025. They further noted that, based on their engagement in Guyana, they have observed that even though political parties have made repetitive commitments in their manifestos to enact Constitutional Reform, it is not being done. They are hoping that Guyana’s key leaders can halt the country’s racial divide and combine efforts to ensure the electoral and constitutional reforms are completed before the next election and indicated strong support from the international
community. The internationally recognized organization had also called for constitutional reform in 2017, describing the “winner-take-all” system as a very problematic one. They had also previously stated that the importance of constitutional reform is greater in the wake of Guyana becoming an oil-producing nation, a situation “which has the potential to exacerbate ethnic and political conflicts.” According to The Carter Center, reform will allow individual candidates to stand for President and remove the limits on candidature for presidential office. Additionally, it will allow membership in the National Assembly to those who join party lists. The organization highlighted the unreasonable limitation on the “freedom of association and on the right to run for an election.” They also suggested ranked voting. They believe that due to the history of racial polarization this might be the best way forward for Guyana. In their report, they noted that, “This places an incentive on candidates to appeal to voters across party and communal lines.” The Carter Center had observed the March 2 General and Regional Elections but had withdrawn after they felt that the electoral process was being stalled. They had stated that they were harassed and blocked from executing their mandate on several occasions and felt no sense of security. When the recount was slated to begin, the organization has applied for reentry permission for their staff to observe but then President David Granger had
turned down the request, first with explanation and then citing the COVID-19 lockdown. The organization, in its statement, commended the Guyana Elections Commission and its Chair, Claudette Singh for bringing down the curtains on the General Elections and declaring a winner based on democracy. WEDNESDAY EXXON’S PROMISES FALSE, LAUGHABLE; HOLD BACK PAYARA PERMIT – INT’L LAWYER URGES International Lawyer Melinda Janki is of the view that Guyana should hold back on approving the Payara Field Development Plan (FDP), as its promises of wealth for the Guyanese people are false and laughable. The company has for several weeks urged Guyana to approve the plan and permit it to move ahead with production in the field. During its second quarter earnings call on Friday, ExxonMobil’s Senior Vice President, Neil Chapman, said that the company is waiting on approval from the Government to make its Final Investment Decision (FID). He explained that the company hopes to make such a decision by September, and that a delay of approval could cause the FID to miss a certain window, pushing it back for months. “Everything we and the partners can do to progress Payara on schedule, we are doing and we’ve done,” he said, “but we need an
approved development plan, and that approved development plan needs to come from the government.” The line the company continues to put forward is that Guyana will lose out on billions if it does not approve the plan soon. Its Senior VP said that “what we continue to stress to the government is that if the project does get delayed, it’s a loss of value to the country.” Janki isn’t buying it. She is of the view that it is Exxon that needs Guyana’s oil – and fast. The international lawyer explained that the company “needs free oil… [ExxonMobil needs] the Guyana oil and they want it as fast and cheap as possible” due to the glut of oil on the world market which is keeping prices low. Former Advisor to President David Granger, Dr. Jan Mangal, had said that the ploy Guyana should not fall for is the rush by oil companies to produce oil as fast as they can. “That’s a massive risk for Guyana,” Janki told Kaieteur News. The impact of the company’s operations on the environment is already a risk, which has been magnified by the company’s unlawful and prolonged gas flaring. Janki has criticised this as well. Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams, had even drawn attention to the risk of disaster for Guyana, evidenced by the multinational’s attitude when it revealed its opposition to paying paltry fines for six small fuel spills which occurred since production (Continued on page 37)
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Sunday August 09, 2020
Our Frontline Worker of the Week is…
Dr. Narash Torres By Sharmain Grainger
A
s the world, with bated breath, awaits the availability of a vaccine that could help protect humanity from the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, health workers are valiantly continuing to be the heroes of nations. Guided by the Hippocratic Oath, many doctors are among the champions on the frontlines in the health care system.
of instances of limited resources such as personal protective equipment to fully safeguard some of our frontline workers, but the fight, many insist, must go on. In the face of increasing cases, at times too alarming to conceive, they remain belligerent towards a contagious opponent. They deliberately suppress the thoughts that warn of possible risks to themselves. And, indeed, fighting COVID-19 presents
“
While many young people and persons without underlying conditions may fully recover, we must not rule out long-term damage, including lung scarring, heart damage, and neurological and mental health effects. We should and must adhere to the precautionary measures outlined by WHO and the Ministry of Health. Studies have shown that by simply wearing a face mask can reduce the risk of transmission significantly.
”
They have essentially thrown 'fear to the wind' in their quest to save lives and help reduce the spread of the disease. In Guyana, our native land, there have been reports
daunting risks as it has been doing even more than just claiming far too many lives. But death may not even be the worst outcome since researchers have been able to deduce that surviving the
disease could mean a life of painful complications because of the amount of damage it can do to the anatomy. But even this latter revelation has not thwarted the focus of health workers on the frontlines who use their skills as a worthy weapon in their quest to delay, as far as possible, the extinction of humanity. However, our heroes on the frontlines have long recognized that they cannot do it alone. Everyone can be on the offence too simply by wearing face masks, practicing social distancing and embracing good hygienic practices.
classic symptoms of COVID-19,” he recalled. He started experiencing a dry cough which was eventually complemented by a mild headache and nausea. He decided to get tested and before long was faced with the disheartening news. But even though inflicted, Dr. Torres' biggest concern is “I miss work, especially now that I'm needed to combat the situation in my Region.”
Dr. Narash Torres
BATTLE READY
STAGGERING BLOW But sometimes even when every possible tactic is employed, the enemy is able to penetrate the camp with a staggering blow. Taking the debilitating hit for the squad recently, and now on the sidelines recuperating, is Dr. Narash Torres. Dr. Torres, employed at the Lethem Regional Hospital in Region Nine for the past for years, was just a week ago tested positive
During a recent outreach with the GDF to sensitize residents of Surama Village
Ready to swab some patients.
Spending some time with his dog, Neo
with COVID-19. Since the outbreak of the disease here, he has been a crucial member of his hospital's Task Force dealing hands-on with some cases. Days before his diagnosis, he knew sometime was very wrong. “Initially it was very difficult; I presented with the
There has been an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Region Nine in recent weeks. Although he desperately wants to help, Dr. Torres has no choice but to recuperate in isolation. “It makes me appreciate life more, the time I spent in quarantine and now isolation…it gave me the
opportunity to reflect on life and focus on personal wellbeing,” he shared recently. He is currently on a mission to evict the virus from his system in hopes of reclaiming his place on the frontline in the shortest possible time. After being diagnosed, Dr. Torres was treated medically and ever since started a strict diet. “I'm having good results so far,” he eagerly intimated. But he isn't oblivious to the possible far-reaching impact of the disease on his system. “While many young people and individuals without underlying conditions may fully recover, we must not rule out long-term damage, including lung scarring, heart damage, and neurological and mental health effects. We should and must adhere to the precautionary measures outlined by WHO and the Ministry of Health. Studies have shown that by simply wearing a face mask can reduce the risk of transmission significantly,” he passionately underscored.
Ever since he volunteered to be a part of the Task Force in Region Nine, Dr. Torres knew it was risky business. But choosing this path he believed was logical since he is not yet a family man and had the adrenaline rush to dare confront the foe. Not only was he tasked with overseeing screening and swabbing in the North Rupununi District, but he also worked on the isolation ward with symptomatic patients. “For us, health care professionals, we see it as just another day on the job. We are faced with many other infectious diseases on a daily basis. Yes, COVID-19 is new and we were indeed very concerned since no protocols were in place but that didn't stop me from taking up the challenge,” said Dr. Torres. But an added and very notable dimension of combating COVID-19, Dr. Torres noted, is the fact that “we are back to teaching basic hygiene methods which we all should've learnt at home and playschool.” Considering the impact that the disease has had on the world, the General Practitioner emphasized the notion that “we all can make a difference by taking the necessary precautions.” INSPIRED BY A DOCTOR It isn't at all surprising that he chose to delve into the medical field. After all, Dr. Torres recalled, he grew up seeing one of his own uncles practicing medicine. He was intrigued and decided from a young age he wanted to be just like him. But this was after he got over the idea of becoming a pilot. Because of his uncle, he said, “I wanted (continued on page 45)
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Sunday August 09, 2020
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Sunday August 09, 2020
g ts in s... re ture e t In rea C
T
HOARYbat
he hoary bat (Aeorestes cinereus) is a species of bat in the vesper bat family, Vespertilionidae. It lives throughout most of North America and much of South America, with disjunct populations in the GalĂĄpagos Islands and Hawaii. The hoary bat averages 13 to 14.5 cm (5.1 to 5.7 in) long with a 40 cm (15.5 in) wingspan and a weight of 26 g (0.92 oz). It is the largest bat normally found in Canada. Its coat is dense and dark brown, with white tips to the hairs that give the species its 'hoary' appearance for which it is named. The body is covered in fur except for the undersides of the wings. Males and females are dimorphic in body mass, with females 40% heavier than males. The bat normally roosts alone on trees, hidden in the foliage, but on occasion has been seen in caves with other bats. It prefers woodland, mainly coniferous forests,
(Aeorestes cinereus)
but hunts over open areas or lakes. It hunts alone and its main food source is moths. The bats can cover an impressive 39 km (24 mi) while foraging. Hoary bats are long-distance migrants, spending the winter in Central America and the southwestern United States and the spring and summer in more northern latitudes in the United States and Canada. The reproductive cycle of the hoary bat is not yet fully documented, but it is thought that they mate in August with birth occurring in June of the following year. It is thought that the gestation period is only 40 days and that mammalian embryonic diapause (delayed implantation) may play a role. The female bears a single pup, or sometimes twins. The young spend about a month with the mother before dispersing. While not listed as threatened or endangered, hoary bats suffer significant mortality from wind
turbines. Across the United States in 2005, 40 percent of all bats killed by wind turbines were hoary bats—over 1000 hoary bats were killed in 2005. Most bat deaths occur during migration in the spring and fall. One common theory explaining this is that bats are attracted to the tall structure, possibly believing them to be trees that can be used for rest. (Source: Wikipedia)
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K O O
B
Book: Nurturing the Garden of Joy - Provocative Essays on Relationships Author: Claudette Joy Spence Critic: Glenville Ashby, PhD Your Daily Word.
I
n Nurturing the Garden, Claudette J o y S p e n c e administers to the unsuspecting and the unseasoned. And to those harangued by the ghost of Sisyphus, she offers hope. Nurturing the Garden is penned with the insight of an elder and the self-assurance and savoir vivre of a sage. Her musings serve as a compass for those swerving from the path of fulfillment. In 'We Know when we
Sunday August 09, 2020
Nurturing the
Garden
Kno w,' she celebrates the power of femininity. “The excitement and joy about being a woman comes from our special ability to convey love, joy, hope, faith and intuition...Many women have no doubt been asked, in the absence of evidence, “How do you know that!” We know when we know. Call it a special privilege When communication with Life is open and consistent, we enjoy the privilege.” Throughout, Spence assumes an inexorable sense of confidence, ever mindful of our resourcefulness. In 'No Wretch Here,' she lays claim to this birthright. She chides the selfdeprecating lyrics of Amazing Grace, words that read, 'Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. She avers, “I
don't sing that anymore, since I am convinced that I am no wretch. And neither are you! She adds, “Examine the songs you've have been singing for years to see which lyrics reinforce negative images in you. She impresses her truth, “We are worthy. We are worthy irrespective of the errors and mistakes we make.” I n ' E n d i n g Relationships,' Spence calls for reflection and reexamination of behaviors that stymie our professional development. “Honestly assess. Constructively analyze,” she counsels. “Determine the type of environment in which you want to work and the way you want to be treated in the workplace. Actively seek those relationships. Critically and reasonably assess which of your actions you need to change into a consistent behavior pattern.” On a personal level, she cautions against abusive
relationships in 'Is He Likely to be Abusive - Some Early Warning Signs.' She calls for temperance and prudence before commitment, for only then can the true nature of one's suitor be discerned. “Once you are in an abusive relationship,” she warns, “it can be very difficult and painful to extricate yourself from it. But you must leave.” And welcoming is Spence's panoptic view of victimization. “All intimate relationships are fertile ground for abuse.” 'The Power of “No” addresses a common personality defect. While the source of this trait is outside the purview of this work, she offers solutions. She writes, “Saying “no” is powerful! Saying “no” to an excessive or unreasonable demand on your time, talent and other resources is healthy for you. Reclaim your time for yourself.” Ready yourself to be maligned, but be steadfast
and unbowed by criticism is her message. “Don't be swayed... You're taking back control of your life...You will like yourself better and that is what is important.”
Equally engaging and instructive is 'Men of Father's Day - Recognize those Responsible Men.' It is a timely treatise that (continued on page 46)
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THE
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Sunday August 09, 2020
STORY WITHIN THE
A Time for Healing and Building By Leonard Gildarie
O
ne week ago, as I wrote my weekly piece, we were hours away from a key meeting of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). For more than five months, the people of Guyana stood in shock and disbelief as the most critical election ever to choose a new government in this country quickly spun out of control. The players kept changing. From Clairmont Mingo, to Keith Lowenfield, to a number of virtually unknown women, it was constant check for the king on the chess board by the generals. There were more than a dozen court cases with little thought of the dangers of COVID-19. The gains of the economy over the years, coupled with the peace among the people, was shattered when a handful of persons, both inside and out of Guyana, stooped to the lowest of low…they called on the race card. For me, it was the most painful thing that one could have witnessed. I watched my brothers and sisters beat up on each other and could not help but marvel at our frailties. I watched as the sacred judiciary came under fire and judges were pitted against each other publicly by the overnight pundits who sprung up from nowhere. Sitting at the podium, beating their chests and masked were the little gods who abused state resources to the maximum in a desperate bid to foist an illegality on the people. A few, barefacedly, insist they have a right to continue serving the people in the same positions. I hurt for the supporters who were lied to time and again. I hurt for a few leaders who honestly believed the lies they were told. A few have stopped talking to me. I can't trust myself to look at their visage and not cringe. I said it before and will repeat. The David Granger administration had this game to lose. And lose they did. As a general leading his troops, there were opportunities to lose the battle and yet win the war. The country was the prize. The coalition banked on the goodwill of 2015 without paying heed to the dismal
showing at two Local Government Elections. It was a battering. It appeared both the A Partnership for National Unity, and the smaller faction, the Alliance For Change, both abandoned any pretence of campaigning for the LGEs. Coming in to the 2020 elections, it was clear that the game plan had to change. The rented crowds, it appeared did little to appease the people, who felt betrayed by a scandalous oil deal with ExxonMobil. There can be no excuse for what we have. The ministers who all overlooked this deal should be very afraid and ashamed to look in the eyes of the people of Guyana. We all deserve so much more. I believed that Granger was misled as a president, sitting at the head of the Cabinet on this deal. There is no way he would have sanctioned it. The ministers simply advised him, and he took it wholesale. Was it stupidity or corruption with the ExxonMobil deal in 2016? Maybe we will never know. There has to be questions asked. Suriname is smiling all the way to the bank with a reservoir that cannot match the quality of the Stabroek block, a worldclass find. We messed up on that one. Yet we flung ourselves headlong into the granting permits for other developments by ExxonMobil. Something is wrong with this picture? By the time this piece was completed, it was time for the inauguration ceremony for the country's 9th president, Irfaan Ali. Sworn in last Sunday, hours after the country was stunned by the swift declaration by chair of GECOM, Justice (Ret'd), Claudette Singh, Ali and team swiftly went to work. Guyana was shocked into silence and it was a surreal feeling that more than 18 months of pain was over. I had a déjà vu feeling. The good will of 2015 is here. There is a marked difference. This time, I could not help by contemplate the missed opportunities. I saw arrogance from a few ministers. I met a few ministers who I respected. As the new president puts the inauguration behind him and gets ready to host his
Leonard Gildarie second Cabinet meeting this week, let us be very clear. The people expect that there will be questions asked and answers given. Is it true that swaths of our lands have been parceled and shared out? Is there any credence to rumours that last-minute payments to the tune of hundreds of millions were made for contracts which did not follow the procurement procedures? Is it true that the five months were used to grab up and hide away traces of crimes in office by ministers? We should know. News that a number of accountants have been appointed, pro bono, to determine the financial health of 19 government agencies should be welcomed. It is not full audits, but rather rapid assessments of the entities. However, I pay little attention to this. I am praying, rather, that the administration pay attention to the deep divide that has opened between our people. It may take years. But every journey begins with a step. We must. We have to address. I would suggest the administration appoint a special body to examine ways to help heal this beautiful country of ours. The churches, mandirs, mosques and civil societies will all have to play their role. Our religious leaders will have to find the ways. In the meantime, we should understand that we cannot change what is before us. Whether we like it or not, there is a government in place. President Ali should call for healing and building. Despite the words of former president, Granger, yesterday, the battles must now be fought in the National Assembly and by agitation in the media. The problem is that a few persons have angered the private media houses so much that it will take time for the hatchets to be buried. We have to pull out the stops. Much love and may God continue to bless this country we call home. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Sunday August 09, 2020
From page 28 began in the Stabroek Block. Adams had said that this raises serious concerns about Exxon’s safety culture and its attitude toward environmental infractions. Amidst these risks, the company is producing oil in the Liza Phase one project, and intends to begin production in the Phase two project in 2022, and is seeking swift approval for the Payara project. “All the risks are on Guyana,” Janki, a staunch advocate for environmental justice said, “What price do you put on the destruction from flaring? Or the sewage pollution? Or the ocean becoming more acid?” Despite all of these risks, Exxon appears to have been given assurances by the Government that it accepts the urge to approve the Payara FDP as fast as possible. It is “very, very clear” that the Government and the Energy Department understands that, Chapman said during the Friday earnings call. At the time, the David Granger Coalition had still held power. Now, the Irfaan Ali led administration has taken over. However, this does not worry ExxonMobil as it has been in contact with both major parties, and has received, according to Chapman, reassurance from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for its support of the Payara development and the Production Sharing Agreement which governs operations on the Stabroek Block. “I’m confident that we’ll move on Payara,” Chapman said. Experts say that this is not good for Guyana. Janki is not in favour of producing. Dr. Mangal, on the other hand, told Kaieteur News that the approval for the Payara project should be held back
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too, but only as leverage for improvement of the terms of the PSA. The PSA found its genesis in a 1999 contract signed by the late President Janet Jagan, with negligible improvements made in 2016 by former Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. The terms pose the likelihood of grave environmental harm without sufficient measures or recourse to protect the country. On top of that, Global Witness has found that Guyana is set to lose US$55B over the life of the contract, due to its lopsided make-up. Dr. Mangal said that there is no justification for Government to continue forfeiting that wealth which belongs to the people of Guyana. CCJ DEMANDS MILLIONS $$ IN COSTS FROMAG, HARMON AND OTHERS IN ELECTION CASE The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has ordered that costs be awarded to newly elected President, Irfaan Ali, and Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, for the recently concluded election case. According to recently appointed Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandall, the CCJ in its orders issued on July 31 last, awarded costs in the matter of Mohammed Irfaan Ali and Bharrat Jagdeo vs. Eslyn David and others. David, an A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) supporter was joined by Party Agent, Joseph Harmon, and the former Attorney General Basil Williams S.C in seeking to block the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from declaring the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) the winner of the March 2020 election. The case was eventually discarded by the CCJ – Guyana’s Apex Court – which ordered that cost be paid by
members of the losing team. Among the orders, Nandall noted that the CCJ outlined that costs be paid jointly and severally by the AG, David and Harmon to Ali and Jagdeo. The CCJ also ordered that the previous costs order made by the Court of Appeal be set aside and that only the costs awarded in that court to Ali and Jagdeo be paid by David.The CCJ in the order outlined that the award of costs is certified fit for two counsel to be taxed in default of agreement. Setting aside the technical terms, the current AG explained that the order simply means that in respect of the Court of Appeal’s proceedings, David is to pay to Ali and Jagdeo, costs for two counsel which is to be taxed unless there is an agreement. As regards the appeal to the CCJ, he said the Court orders the AG, David and Harmon to pay costs for two counsel unless there is an agreement. Nandlall noted, however, that, that agreement is unlikely. He explained that the costs to be taxed fit for two counsel will require an elaborate bill of costs to be submitted to the Court which would include all of the expenses associated with the two appeals, including stationery, photocopies, filing fees, preparation of pleadings, preparation of written submissions, preparation for oral arguments and appearances in the court. According to Nandlall, the photocopying cost alone for one of the two appeals approximated to G$500,000. “The charge out rate for one counsel approximates to several hundred US dollars per hour. Whatever is the sum for each appeal it will double (for two counsel). In short, several millions of dollars will have to be paid in costs by those against whom
the orders are directed,” he said, adding that the cost is for a frivolous, vexatious and abusive litigation. EX -ARMY OFFICER SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR KILLING REPUTED WIFE Former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Captain, Orwain Sandy, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the unlawful killing of his reputed wife, Reona Payne. The ex-army official is expected to serve at least 20 years in prison before he is eligible for parole. Sandy’s sentence was handed down by High Court Justice, Sandil Kissoon, Tuesday via a zoom hearing. He had been charged with murder after he shot Payne several times at point-blank range on March 31, 2018, at Masjid Road, Alexander Village. During his initial appearances at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, Sandy sought to use a psychiatrist report as part of his defence that he was innocent of the murder charge. He, however, opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter when he appeared before the High Court, last week. His sentence was deferred to facilitate a probation report which was presented to the Court Tuesday. Sandy’s lawyer, Ravindra Mohabir, followed the reading of the report, with a plea for leniency. Mohabir asked the court to consider that his client suffered a sudden loss of control due to provocation. The lawyer claimed that his client was engaged in a heated argument with his partner in whom he demanded that she called a man named “Kwame” and end the relationship she was having with him. In response, the lawyer
claimed that Payne grabbed Sandy’s pistol and threw it out the window. Mohabir said that this incensed, Sandy and he lost control. Likewise, in his address to the Court, Sandy said that he was deeply affected by his actions. He claimed that he suffered from a mental breakdown on the day he shot Payne whom he referred to as “his first love”. Sandy told the Court too that he is deeply sorry for his actions. As he begged for a second chance to contribute to society, Sandy promised that he will use his time to become an advocate of mental health issues and against domestic/inter partner violence. However, Prosecutor Lisa Cave who presented the State’s case against Sandy asked the Court to hand down a sentence that is reflective of the crime committed. She said that the sentence must serve as a deterrent to like-minded individuals that such acts against women will not be tolerated. The State Prosecutor also noted that while Sandy accepted responsibility for his actions, the court needs to send a strong message to society to help dissuade perpetrators of domestic abuse. In addition to the
Prosecutor’s submission, the Court heard an impact statement from Payne’s children as well as their father Richard Bevany. THURSDAY 15 NEW FACES JOIN PPP/C CABINET – FINANCE MINISTER YET TO BE NAMED The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)’s new Cabinet has been packed with new faces, many of whom are markedly young. Newly-appointed Prime Minister, Mark Phillips, as well as the party’s veterans, Anil Nandlall, Gail Teixeira and Bharrat Jagdeo, had taken up their posts on the day of President Irfaan Ali’s swearing in- Sunday last. Wednesday, saw 19 more appointments. The Ministry of Agriculture will be headed by Zulfikar Mustapha. He has served as a Member of Parliament for the party; was the former Region Six Chairman; the party’s Chief Scrutineer in the recently concluded electoral process, and its Executive Secretary. The Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs appears to have reverted to its name under the PPP/C- the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. Pauline Sukhai, who (Continued on page 38)
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From page 37 previously headed the Ministry up to 2015 under the PPP/C, has resumed occupation of the post. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport will be headed by Charles Ramson Jr. This Ministry was, under the previous government, placed under the Ministry of the Presidency, and was dubbed Ministry of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport. Following Ramson’s swearing in, the Attorney-atLaw was asked whether he expected to be placed in a Ministry of or akin to Natural Resources, as he has a Master’s Degree in Oil & Gas Management. Ramson said that the most important resource in Guyana is not oil, but the people. He said that in the past few years, Guyana was absent in youth and sport leadership, and a mediocre arrangement where culture is concerned. Ramson pointed to a background in sport and dealing with youth, which he determined would equip him well to manage such a portfolio. “I am not disappointed,” Ramson told the press. “In fact, I am elated…” Priya Manickchand has returned to the Ministry of Education, having served in that post under multiple previous PPP/C governments. The Attorneyat-Law was previously attached to the Legal Aid Clinic, and has served as Minister of Human Services under a previous Jagdeo-led government. Karen Cummings’ spot at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been taken over by Hugh Todd. Todd is Assistant Dean in the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation, University of Guyana. He handles the Ministry’s portfolio at a vital time, as Guyana is currently involved in a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to settle the ownership of the Cooperative Republic’s
Sunday August 09, 2020
Kaieteur News
Essequibo region once and for all, and protect against Venezuela’s claims. Dr. Frank Anthony has been appointed Minister of Health. He previously served as Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport. Anthony gave an extensive interview to members of the press Wednesday on his plans for the health sector, as he is taking over while Guyana is in a pandemic. He has criticised the infrastructure established by the previous government to manage the pandemic as poor and disjointed, and intends to rapidly improve the response. Robeson Benn now sits at the helm of the Ministry of Home Affairs, reverted from Public Security, where Khemraj Ramjattan served. Benn was the Minister of Public Works under the last PPP/C government, and he briefly acted in the Home Affairs portfolio. Benn is a Commissioner on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), and passionately represented the party during the electoral process. Following Ali’s swearing in, Vice President Jagdeo had commended Benn for his advocacy. Colin Croal, who served as Member of Parliament during the PPP/C’s time as Opposition in the previous term, is now at the helm of the Ministry of Housing & Water. This portfolio has been moved out from under former Minister Bulkan’s, Ministry of Communities, which has also been revamped. A former Permanent Secretary, he is the brother of former Minister Robert Persaud. Susan Rodrigues, of the youngest members of the PPP/C Cabinet, will be joining Croal as Minister within the Ministry of Housing & Water. The Ministry of Labour has now been freed from the Ministry of Social Protection, and will be headed by Joseph Hamilton. He used to be a member of the People’s National Congress (PNC).
Following his move over to the PPP/C, he had served as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health, and a Member of Parliament. The Ministry of Social Protection has been renamed to Minister of Human Services & Social Security, and will be headed by Dr. Vindhya Persaud. She has years of service as a Member of Parliament, a medical doctor, and President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha. The Ministry of Communities appears to have been renamed Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, with Nigel Dharamlall at the head. Dharamlall has served as a PPP/C Member of Parliament, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. He is joined by owner of National Television Network (NTN), Anand Persaud, who will serve as Minister within that Ministry. The Ministry of Natural Resources has been taken over by Vickram Bharrat, who had replaced Ramson Jr. in the National Assembly in 2016. President Ali was asked where the portfolio for Energy/Oil would fall. He said that it would be made evident in an upcoming edition of the Official Gazette, delineating the ministers’ responsibilities. Warren Kwame McCoy is now Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister. McCoy said after his swearing in, that his responsibility will be for Public Affairs. He will be in charge of State media entities, including Guyana Chronicle, National Communications Network (NCN) and the Department of Public Information (DPI). Attorney-at-Law and relative newcomer to the scene, Sonia Parag, is now
Minister of Public Service, which appears to have moved out from the Ministry of the Presidency. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure is now reverted to Ministry of Public Works. It is headed by Bishop Juan Edghill. He formerly served as Ministry of Finance; was an advisor to former President Jagdeo, and Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Committee (ERC). Businessman and Accountant, Deodat Indar, will serve within the Ministry of Public Works. Indar was President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and was Vice Chair of the Private Sector Commission (PSC). Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce will be headed by Oneidge Walrond, daughter of Grantley Walrond. She is a former Magistrate, and was one of the persons suggested by Jagdeo to serve as Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Kaieteur News also learnt Wednesday that Prime Minister Phillips will be responsible for Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA). He will also handle the portfolio of Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s , formerly handled as a separate Ministry by Cathy Hughes. A former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Phillips will sit on the Defence Board. He will also oversee the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and Public Information. The Finance portfolio is expected to be under the control of the Ministry of the Presidency until a Minister is appointed. Following the swearing in of the Ministers Wednesday, President Ali called the
appointments a “multifaceted fusion of experience and skill-sets” and challenged the Ministers to move swiftly to ensure the country is taken care of. The government is expected to provide clarity on other Ministerial responsibilities in a publication of The Official Gazette. SPECIAL TEAM APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE 19 STATE AGENCIES President Irfaan Ali has appointed a special technical team to immediately conduct a “Rapid Financial and Management Assessment” into 19 key agencies. Those agencies are as follows- the Guyana Power and Light, the Guyana Water Incorporated, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Central Housing and Planning Authority, the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Guyana Gold Board, the National Industrial and Commercial Limited, the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission, The Lotto Fund, the Guyana Energy Agency, the Guyana Rice Development Board, the Guyana Oil Company, the Guyana National Shipping Corporation, the Guyana Office of Investment (GoInvest), and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). The special technical team comprises Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento, Public Communications Consultant; Chartered Accountant and Attorney–at-law, Christopher Ram; Nigel Hinds, Certified Public Accountant and Sasenarine Singh, Financial Consultant. Additionally, the team will also be conducting a review of the operations, policies and
programmes of the Department of Public Information (DPI), the National Communications Network Incorporated (NCN) and the Guyana National Newspaper Limited (Guyana Chronicle). Further, the team will address the matter of the functions of the Guyana Broadcasting Authority (GNBA). This move almost mirrors what was done back in 2015 by the then A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) David Granger-led coalition where he had commanded the services of Christopher Ram and Nigel Hinds to conduct investigations into then former PPP/C administration. According to reports, a total of $133 million had been spent on forensic audits for several State agencies and other bodies. GRANGERAND RAMJATTAN ‘BUSE-OUT’ PPP/C’S CABINET The David Granger/ Khemraj Ramjattan-led APNU+AFC coalition Wednesday went on a tirade against the governing People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) following the appointment of the new Cabinet at the Arthur Chung International Conference Centre. The coalition made it clear that it sees the appointment as a “rubberstamp” Cabinet under the “authoritarian” control of Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. The coalition hurled insults at Jagdeo, and challenged the legitimacy of the Cabinet of President Irfaan Ali. Read the full statement below: APNU+AFC sees new (Continued on page 39)
Sunday August 09, 2020
From page 38 fraudulent ‘Cabinet’ as Jagdeo rubberstamp The APNU+AFC Coalition has taken note of the PPP’s naming of ‘ministers’ who will now form a fraudulent ‘Cabinet’. The naming of the various ‘ministers’, resulting from fraudulent elections, is in itself uninspiring and appears to be a hodge podge of misfits and Jagdeo loyalists. The nation can expect to be besieged by nothing but blind loyalty to the dictates of Jagdeo – from the ‘President’ to the most junior ‘minister’. The new ‘Cabinet’, illegitimate as it is will be nothing more than a rubberstamp of Jagdeo’s maniacal control ‘freakism’. This ‘Cabinet’ is a creature of Jagdeo. There is the return of Robeson Benn who picked up the moniker of ‘Bruck Up Benn’ during his tenure a Minister of Public Works. He is now appointed to the Home Affairs portfolio. This is a sad day for citizen safety and security in Guyana when a callous, heartless authoritarian as Benn is taking charge of Guyana’s public security. The ordinary citizens would be justified in being engulfed in fear and trepidation as they go to bed tonight. It was Benn who barged into the National Communications Network and demanded that a local song be banned from the airwaves. This belligerent dictator is now being put in command of the security forces. A tainted and toxic indivi d u a l a s K w a m e McCoy who the PPP, in shame, hid from public view for the last five years suddenly surfaces and is made a ‘minister’. August 5, 2020 will be recorded as a day of infamy, shame and d i s g r a c e i n G u y a n a ’s national, governmental and parliamentary history. Vickram Bharrat lacks experience and competence and is a complete misfit at the Ministry of Natural Resources. Mr. Bharrat does not even have the benefit of wither serving a full term as an opposition parliamentarian (he came in as a late replacement for Charles Ramson Jr.) nor did he shadow the portfolio. R a m s o n J r. m u s t consider B h a r r a t ’s appointment to Natural Resources as a slap in his face as he (Ramson Jr.) is the only member of the ‘Cabinet’ who hold qualifications in the oil and gas sector, yet he has been banished from this portfolio.
The appointments of Anand Persaud, Joe Hamilton and Nigel Dharamlall reek of gross incompetence and clearly demonstrates the dearth of quality leadership in the PPP. It would appear as though the ‘Prime Minister’, Mark Phillips, is without portfolio, yet he has a junior ‘minister’ whom, it appears he will be required to babysit as his full-time occupation. N o t a b l y, no appointment was made for the critical portfolio of finance. No mention was even made. We take note too that several high-ranking PPP executives and leaders have been sidelined or discarded. These include Clement Rohee, the former General Secretary; Indra Chandarpaul, head of the women’s arm of the PPP; Robert Persaud, a former Minister of Natural Resources; Shyam Nokta, Odinga Lumumba, Harry Gill, Jennifer Westford, Africo Selman and Dharamkumar Seeraj, among others. It is further evident that the Jagan legacy in the PPP has been unceremoniously demolished and discarded. Today, Guyanese have witnessed what the APNU+AFC has warned of – that the PPP has not, in any way changed. It remains a one-man authoritarian cult and this has now been formalised with this fraudulent de facto ‘Cabinet’.
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Kaieteur News
FRIDAY 17 IN DIASPORA DEMAND COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF OIL SECTOR – RESOLVE DISCREPANCIES IN PRECONTRACT COSTS – PROBE COST ANOMALIES BETWEEN LIZA 1 & 2 – REVIEW TAXES PAID BY GUYANAFOR OIL COMPANIES – REVIEW UNSPECIFIED INTEREST RATES ON OIL COMPANIES’ LOANS – IMPROVE WEAK ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS – REGULATEAMOUNT OF OIL BEING PRODUCED A group of 17 civil society professionals in the diaspora are calling on President Irfaan Ali to undertake a comprehensive review of the oil sector before it approves the Payara Field Development Plan (FDP) permitting ExxonMobil to produce oil in a third well. At the top of its list is the renegotiation of the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), which has faced widespread condemnation for its lopsided provisions. Canadabased Engineer, Darshanand Khusial heads this list. He told Kaieteur News that the President, whom he congratulated on his assumption of office, should live up to his promises to ensure Guyana’s energy resources are properly managed. The others on the list boast legal, economic and education portfolios, among
others. ExxonMobil has been producing oil in the Liza field since December, 2019. It is on track to produce from Liza Phase 2 in 2022, and has been campaigning vigorously for the swift approval of the Payara project. Its claims are that any delay in approval would result in billions of losses for Guyana. Experts like Former Advisor to President David Granger, Dr. Jan Mangal, believe otherwise, and have advised Guyana not to fall for Exxon’s ploy. The infrastructure necessary for Government to prudently manage the oil sector is severely underdeveloped. That much was expressed by newly sworn in Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. He said on Wednesday that the former Government did not sufficiently prepare the country for the sector. First and foremost, the group held that the Stabroek PSA has to be renegotiated in order to regain the losses its current provisions are set to incur. Global Witness projects the losses to be to the tune of US$55B over the life of the contract. Recent revelations that Suriname is set to reap 36 percent of the revenue share if oil is produced in its lucrative Block 58 have exacerbated concerns, as Guyana is set to reap a 14.5 percent revenue share from production in the Stabroek Block – a concession much more lucrative than Suriname’s Block 58. The civil society group pointed to an interview had
by the Guyanese Critic with Ali just days before the March 2 election, during which Ali said that all deals would be on the table for review. This newspaper has asked the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/ C)’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, on many occasions whether the public could expect the controversial contract to be renegotiated under a PPP/C Government. He has made it clear that all contracts, save and except for the Stabroek PSA, are up for review. ExxonMobil’s Senior Vice President even reported during the company’s earnings call, last Friday, that it was given assurances by both major parties of their support of and confidence in the contract. Notably, if changes are made, such as new legislation, which affect the economics of the agreement with ExxonMobil and its partners, the contract mandates that Guyana would have to compensate the companies for whatever losses they would incur. However, the contract may be renegotiated if the Government and contractor(s) agree to do so. The civil society group also pointed to several issues with the contract and other oil sector management related to ExxonMobil and the agreement, which have been well ventilated by this newspaper over the years. ExxonMobil is looking to recover US$460M in precontract costs. Those costs are currently being audited by UK firm, IHS Markit in concert with a local multi-agency
team. Attorney-at-Law and Chartered Account, Christopher Ram, had said that the figure represents an overstatement of US$92M. It is unclear when the audit will be completed. The deadline for the completion of the audit had been extended due to COVID-19. The joint civil society letter also includes concerns about payments of taxes. Oil companies and their contractors have been given a range of tax exemptions set to amount to billions of dollars, where the life of the Stabroek PSA is concerned. In addition to exempting taxes, the Government is also expected to give ExxonMobil and its partners tax certificates to take to their home countries, to exempt them from payments there. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that if Guyana is paying oil companies’ taxes, then its share of profit oil should be higher, but no move has been made to provide for Guyana to get a higher share. Unspecified interest rates expensed to Guyana for loans taken by oil companies, is also a concern of the civil society group. To put it simply, the Exxon agreement allows the company to recover all of its expenditures to operate on the block. If those funds are used from loans taken by the contractor, Guyana is also expected to repay the interest incurred on those loans at unspecified and uncapped rates. Khusial himself had noted in previous writings to Kaieteur News that Guyana could lose up to (Continued on page 40)
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From page 39 US$16B. Khusial had stated, “Why Guyana would agree to pay interest on loans that the oil companies negotiated with their bankers is puzzling.” Following this newspaper’s reporting on this matter, Kaieteur News saw a government document noting that, “interests would no longer be a recoverable/deductible expense” by oil companies. However, the issue still remains for the Stabroek PSA. Next on the list of concerns raised by Khusial and other signatories to the joint statement is the state of Guyana’s environmental management infrastructure. ExxonMobil has been flaring gas for months, instead of reinjecting into the reservoir, resulting in emissions of billions of cubic feet. The issue was caused by mechanical issues experienced with its gas compressor system for the Liza Destiny vessel. In addition to that, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Head, Dr. Vincent Adams, reported on ExxonMobil’s opposition to paying paltry fines for fuel spills, explaining that the company’s lackadaisical attitude toward an issue of that magnitude could spell disaster for Guyana, in the event that the company commits graver environmental infractions. AG Nandlall has committed to refining the legal framework to ensure oil companies respect Guyana’s natural environment. The rate of oil production ExxonMobil intends to pursue is also a matter of concern. Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe, had said that the guidelines for a Depletion Policy, which would mandate oil companies’ production levels, were completed since last December and submitted to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) which funded the exercise. Discourse on the need for a depletion policy has gone on for years, as Exxon ramps up its plans to have as many as five Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels offshore Guyana in the next five years. The IMF has called this “unprecedented” and has explained that if Guyana does realize those plans, it would reach one of the highest ratios of daily oil production per capita in the world. The group is also of the view that mathematical anomalies observed between Liza Phase One and Two are to be sorted out. The Liza Phase One project initially was projected to cost US$4.4B in 2017, was reduced to US$3.7B in 2018, then to US$3.5B in 2019 – a total reduction of US$0.9B. Liza Phase Two is now projected to cost US$6B. Judging
Sunday August 09, 2020
Kaieteur News
from the cost of Liza Phase One, Khusial and his associates are skeptical. Both of these projects have been approved already. “Rushing approvals and lack of high-quality analyses have resulted in US billion-dollar benefits to the oil companies and to equivalent losses for the Guyanese people,” Khusial had stated in a letter. These concerns form part of many, raised over the years by local and international civil society, and industry experts. “There are generations to be born that will prosper or suffer based on the actions he takes with respect to the oil contracts over the next few weeks and months,” the statement noted. “The past 5 months leading up to the Declaration have made it abundantly clear that there are tens of thousands in the Diaspora who are paying keen attention to events in Guyana. Consistent with the manifesto for inclusive government it would be wise to use some of the experts who reside abroad and who are always willing to contribute.” The group said that practices employed in the past, such as hurried contracts and refusal of expert advice should not be repeated. “A New Deal,” they added, “can result in Guyana becoming independent economically returning to the days it was the bread basket of the Caribbean.” Apart from Khusial, the signatories are Baytoram Ramharack, John Peters, Dhanpaul Narine, Ramnarine Sahadeo, Rajendra Singh, Jerry Jailall, Joe Persaud, Mike Persaud, Kris Dindial, Steve Kishore, Harold Ragnauth, Hari Singh, Bhowanie Benimadhu, Singh Bernard, Ravin Sankar and Charles Sugrim. $1.6B OCEAN VIEW HOSPITAL… OWNER NOW DEMANDS OVER $52M IN RENT Businessman and owner of the newly renovated $1.6B Ocean view hospital, Jacob Wilfred Rambarran, is threatening to take steps to repossess the property over rent monies to the tune of millions. Rambarran has been silent for months about the arrangement while the previous A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration claimed to have expended over $1.6B to renovate and transform the building from a hotel into a infectious diseases hospital. In fact, the entire negotiation between the owner of the hotel and the government was done in secret save for the sum expended to renovate the facility. The APNU+AFC had initially claimed that the building
was being rented from Rambarran but later issued a notice of compulsory acquisition for the property. However, in breaking his silence Thursday, the businessman in a letter to the new government, through his Attorney R. Satram, is now saying that he never entered into negotiations with the former government for the compulsory acquisition of the property. As such, Rambarran said that the notice should be treated as unconstitutional and ineffective in law. In the letter dated August 6, 2020, the businessman said that as the owner and sole shareholder of the Ocean View Hotel Limited, he is demanding the new Government pay all arrears of rent due amounting to over $52M within 14 days of the date of the letter, failing which he will terminate the existing tenancy and take steps to recover possession of the property. According to the correspondence addressed to Attorney General,Anil Nandlall, and Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, Rambarran explained that in early April he was approached by representatives of the Ministry of Health to lease the property for the purpose of establishing a facility to create the capacity to treat and otherwise deal with COVID-19 patients. According to document, the health officials outlined an urgent need for the facility to accommodate the expected increase of COVID-19 cases as estimated by PAHO/WHO. The hotel was then visited by a number of officials representing the State including doctors, engineers, officers of the Guyana Defence Force, staff of the Ministry of Public Health and members of the COVID-19 taskforce. Subsequent to this, the letter noted that a tenancy agreement was reached with the Ministry of Health for one year at a monthly rental of $13M since, at the time, the government did anticipate that they would need the property beyond one year. According to the letter, a lease was drafted following
approval by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and other officials. However, the letter outlined that after it was submitted to the Ministry of the Presidency it was never executed —no rent whatsoever, was ever paid to Rambarran. According to the letter too, the Government later issued a notice of compulsory acquisition of the property, without entering into any negotiation of purchase with the businessman. In light of the foregoing, Rambarran is claiming that the notice is unconstitutional and ineffective in law. “You are respectfully reminded that Article 142 of the Constitution safeguards our client’s right to possession of his property. Our client demands the payment of all arrears of rent due within fourteen (14) days of the date of this letter, failing which he will terminate the tenancy and take steps to recover possession of the property,” the letter outlined. The letter followed hours after the newly appointed Minister of Health, Dr. Anthony, described the recentlycommissioned Ocean View Infectious Diseases Sanatorium as “an absolute disaster” even vowing that a full investigation will be carried out. Dr. Anthony, moments after his appointment, told media representatives the Ocean View Hospital is “literally a shell”, adding that the previous administration merely refurbished a building but not much else. “One would have thought that the facilities would have been there but what you have is a space and there is nothing else,” Dr. Anthony noted. The newly appointed Health Minister also noted that even more alarming was the cost to equip the building. Former Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, had put the price to acquire the needed equipment for the sanatorium at “three times” the $1.6 billion construction cost–something the new government would have to find.
SATURDAY PRESIDENTALI STRIPS LANDS CHIEF OF CRITICAL POWERS – ALL CONTRACTS, LEASES SINCE NCM WILL BE REVIEWED – ATTORNEYGENERAL, ANIL NANDLALL President Dr. Irfaan Ali Friday gazetted an order stripping the Commissioner of Lands and Survey of critical powers vested to the Commissioner, a move that Attorney General Anil Nandlall said is intended to prevent the Commission from further sanctioning the renting and granting of leases, licence and permission of occupancy of all government lands. In the order issued Friday, President Ali revoked the Delegations of Functions Order, 2016 vested to the Commissioner of the Lands and Survey under Order No.9 of 2016. That order states that “The Commissioner of Lands and Survey Commission is hereby deputed to exercise on behalf of the President, the functions relating to the sanctioning of renting and granting of leases, licence and permission of occupancy of all public lands…” Following the release of the official gazetted revocation order Friday, Attorney General Anil Nandlall in a statement announced that the government will be conducting a review of all the leases, licences and permissions to occupy Public Lands granted by the Commission following the December 2, 2018 No Confidence Vote. The Attorney General argued that the APNU+AFC Government was reduced to a caretaker status following vote and hence was not authorized to issue documents related to land distribution. In an interview with Kaieteur News Friday, Commissioner of Lands and Survey, Trevor Benn said he received no consultation regarding the order and the revocation of some of his key responsibilities, adding,
however, that “It is the president’s prerogative to delegate or revoke the authority.” Moreover, Commissioner Benn also pointed out that the initial order was issued by former president, Mr. David Granger. This, Benn added, was done with the intention of “speeding up” the lengthy application process attached to the renting/granting of leases and licences of government lands. When asked whether he held any objections to the revocation of his authority as Commissioner, Benn reiterated that the grating and removal of such authority is solely dependent on the President’s prerogative. Benn further added that the authority was “granted to him by one president and can be taken away by another.” Explaining further, Benn noted that such authority had never been granted to a Commissioner of Lands and Survey until his appointment in 2016 and is just one of 22 functions of the Lands and Surveys Commission. Before his appointment as Commissioner of the Lands and Survey, Benn served as a Senior Land Developer with the commission. He later resigned from that post to serve as a Programme Analyst with the United Nations Development ProgrammeAnalyst Department for several years. Following the PPP/C’s removal from power in 2015, Benn later rejoined the Commission where he was appointed as Commissioner by former President David Granger inApril 2016. Following his appointment, former president Granger issued Order No.9 of 2016, granting Benn the authority to make sanctions on behalf of the president in the granting of leases, licence and permission for the occupancy of public lands. While in power, the APNU+AFC coalition government had come under scrutiny by the PPP/C for facilitating numerous controversial land deals including the signing away of over 130 acres of prime lands to various entities along the East Coast Demerara.
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Kaieteur News
The Amazing benefits of This 30-Day Squat Challenge
PINEAPPLES
http://www.whfoods.com: Pineapples have exceptional juiciness and a vibrant tropical flavor that balances the tastes of sweet and tart. Although the season for pineapple runs from March through June, they are available year-round in local markets. Pineapples are a composite of many flowers whose individual fruitlets fuse together around a central core. Each fruitlet can be identified by an “eye,” the rough spiny marking on the pineapple’s surface. Pineapples have a wide cylindrical shape, a scaly green, brown or yellow skin and a regal crown of spiny, blue-green leaves and fibrous yellow flesh. The area closer to the base of the fruit has more sugar content and therefore a sweeter taste and more tender texture.
HEALTH BENEFITS Potential Anti-Inflammatory and Digestive Benefits Bromelain is a complex mixture of substances that can be extracted from the stem and core fruit of the pineapple. Among dozens of components known to exist in this crude extract, the best studied components are a group of protein-digesting enzymes (called cysteine proteinases). Originally, researchers believed that these enzymes provided the key health benefits found in bromelain, a popular dietary supplement containing these pineapple extracts. In addition, researchers believed that these benefits were primarily limited to help with digestion in the intestinal tract. However, further studies have shown that bromelain has a wide variety of health benefits, and that many of these benefits may not be related to the different enzymes found in this extract. Excessive inflammation, excessive coagulation of the blood, and certain types of tumor growth may all be reduced by therapeutic doses of bromelain when taken as a dietary supplement. Studies are not available, however, to show these same potential benefits in relationship to normal intake of pineapple within a normal meal plan. Bromelain extracts can be obtained from both the fruit core and stems of pineapple. Potentially important chemical differences appear to exist between extracts obtained from the stem versus the core fruit. However, the practical relevance of these
differences is not presently understood. Most of the laboratory research on bromelain has been conducted using stem-based extracts, however. Although healthcare practitioners have reported improved digestion in their patients with an increase in pineapple as their “fruit of choice” within a meal plan, we haven’t seen published studies that document specific changes in digestion following consumption of the fruit (versus supplementation with the purified extract. However, we suspect that the core fruit will eventually turn out to show some unique health-supportive properties, including possible digestionrelated and anti-inflammatory benefits. Antioxidant Protection and Immune Support Vitamin C is the body’s primary water-soluble antioxidant, defending all aqueous areas of the body against free radicals that attack and damage normal cells. Free radicals have been shown to promote the artery plaque build-up of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease, cause the airway spasm that leads to asthma attacks, damage the cells of the colon so they become colon cancer cells, and contribute to the joint pain and disability seen in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This would explain why diets rich in vitamin C have been shown to be useful for preventing or reducing the severity of all of these conditions. In addition, vitamin C is vital for the proper function of the immune system, making it a nutrient to turn to for the prevention of recurrent ear infections, colds, and flu. Manganese and Thiamin (Vitamin B1) for Energy Production and Antioxidant Defenses Pineapple is an excellent source the trace mineral manganese, which is an essential cofactor in a number of enzymes important in
energy production and antioxidant defenses. For example, the key oxidative enzyme superoxide dismutase, which disarms free radicals produced within the mitochondria (the energy production factories within our cells), requires manganese. In addition to manganese, pineapple is a good source of thiamin, a B vitamin that acts as a cofactor in enzymatic reactions central to energy production. Protection against Macular Degeneration Your mother may have told you carrots would keep your eyes bright as a child, but as an adult, it looks like fruit is even more important for keeping your sight. Data reported in a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology indicates that eating 3 or more servings of fruit per day may lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, by 36%, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily. In this study, which involved over 110,000 women and men, researchers evaluated the effect of study participants’ consumption of fruits; vegetables; the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E; and carotenoids on the development of early ARMD or neovascular ARMD, a more severe form of the illness associated with vision loss. While, surprisingly, intakes of vegetables, antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids were not strongly related to incidence of either form of ARMD, fruit intake was definitely protective against the severe form of this visiondestroying disease. Three servings of fruit may sound like a lot to eat each day, but pineapple can help you reach this goal. Add fresh pineapple to your morning smoothie, lunch time yogurt, any fruit and most vegetable salads. For example, try adding chunks of pineapple to your next coleslaw or carrot salad.
Will Transform Your Body http://www.refinery29.com: Bring on the short shorts! Whether it’s trimming, firming, or lifting you’re after, this 30-day squat challenge will make you want to flaunt your rear end — or at least love it a little bit more. Why squats? An oldie but a goodie, the fitness move is a tried-and-true butt burner. “Not only do squats build muscle strength, the multi-joint movement has a metabolic effect, revving your heart rate, increasing endurance, and boosting your calorie burn — both during and after your workout,” says Angela Leigh, trainer and Equinox National Manager ETC. Leigh developed this easy-tofollow plan to target your glutes, hamstrings, and your oft-forgotten calves, helping you sculpt a firm butt, strong back, and sexy, shapely legs. Before you tackle the move each day, complete 30 seconds of butt kicks, 30 seconds of high knees, and 30 seconds of jumping jacks. “A light warm-up gets blood pumping, preparing your body to move and shortening your recovery time,” says Leigh. Then, set yourself up for a successful squat with the help of a bench or a chair. “For a proper squat, you want to lower down until
your toes slightly turned out. Lift your arms out straight in front of you for balance, and lower your butt toward the ground, making sure your knees don’t go past your toes. When you feel your butt tap the seat, push through all four corners of your feet to return to standing. Pro Tip: Think about driving your hip bones back to avoid leaning forward; keep your eyes facing straight ahead and your chest open to avoid rounding or arching your upper body. Weighted Squat Stand with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart and your back straight. Keep your toes slightly turned out. Hold a dumbbell in each hand. Keeping your arms at your sides, lower your butt toward the ground, making sure your knees don’t go past your toes. When your butt taps the seat, push through all four corners of your feet to return to standing. Pro Tip: Start with 5-lb weights. Next time, try 8 lbs and then 10 lbs. If you feel fatigued after a few reps, slowly lower the weights and
your hips, knees, and ankles create a 90-degree angle,” says Leigh. “It’s easy to inadvertently pitch forward or not lower down as far as you think, so it helps to use the bench as a guide — when you feel your butt tap the seat, it’s time to stand back up.” As you get stronger, try lowering your target by using a shorter bench or chair to give you a more challenging squat. Each day, perform three sets of the designated squat with a two-to-three minute break in between each set — and don’t skip your rest days! “Your body needs this recovery time to build the muscle and tone you’re looking for, and over-training will only hold you back,” says Leigh. Basic Squat Stand with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart and your back straight. Keep
finish the set using the lighter weights. Hands-Behind-Head Squat Stand with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart and your back straight. Keep your toes slightly turned out. Interlace your hands behind your ears, with your elbows out wide. Lower your butt toward the ground, making sure your knees don’t go past your toes. When your butt taps the seat, push through all four corners of your feet to return to standing. Pro Tip: Equally push your head into your hands and your hands into your head. This will create tension that keeps your posture open and straight. Elbows should be wide enough that you can’t see them in your peripheral vision.
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Sunday August 09, 2020
Kaieteur News
The mesmerizing history of Indian music and their accompanying instruments The music of the Indian subcontinent is usually divided into two major traditions of classical music: Hindustani music of North India and Karnatak music of South India, although many regions of India also have their own musical traditions that are independent of these. Both Hindustani and Karnatak music use the system of ragas—sets of pitches and small motives for melody construction—and tala for rhythm. Ragas form a set of rules and patterns around which a musician can create his or her unique performance. Likewise, tala is a system of rhythmic structures based on the combination of stressed and unstressed beats. Within these rhythmic structures, musicians (1996.100.1) can create their own rhythmic patterns building off the compositional styles of others. One of the main differences between North Indian and South Indian music is the increased influence of Persian music and musical instruments in the north. From the late twelfth century through the rise of British occupation, North India was under the control of a Muslim minority that was never able to extend its sphere of influence to South India. During this time, the music of North India began to acquire and adapt to the presence of Persian language, music, and musical instruments, such as the setar, from which the sitar got its name; the kamanche (1998.72) and santur, which became popular in Kashmir; and the rabab (alternately known as rebab and rubab), which preceded the sarod. New instruments were introduced, including the tabla and sitar (1999.399), which soon became the most famous Indian musical instruments worldwide. Legend has it that the tabla was formed by splitting a pakhavaj drum in half, with the larger side becoming the bayan and the smaller side the dahini. The barrel-shaped pakhavaj drum, which was the ancestor of both the tabla and the mrdangam, has been depicted in countless paintings and prints. New genres of music were formed as well, such as khyal and qawwali, that combine elements of both Hindu and Muslim musical practice. Hindustani classical music is known largely for its instrumentalists, while Karnatak classical music is renowned for its virtuosic singing practices. Instruments most commonly used in Hindustani classical
music are the sitar, sarod, tambura, sahnai, sarangi, and tabla; while instruments commonly used in Karnatak classical music include the vina, mrdangam, kanjira, and violin. The use of bamboo flutes, such as the murali, is common to both traditions as well as many other genres of Indian music. In fact, many of these instruments are often used in both North and South India, and there are many clear relationships between the instruments of both regions. Furthermore, often instruments that are slightly different in construction will be identified by the same name in both the south and the north, though they might be used differently. Throughout its history, the peoples of India have developed numerous systems for classifying musical instruments, many of which were based on m o r p h o l o g i c a l characteristics. The ancient Hindu system divided instruments into four categories: stretched (strings; 2008.141.2a,b), covered (drums; 89.4.165), hollow (wind; 1986.12), and solid (bells; 89.4.154). This system is widely known to be the inspiration for the Western system of instrument classification put forth by Mahillon in 1880, which renames these groups— c h o r d o p h o n e s , membranophones, aerophones, and idiophones—basing the
distinction on the way in which sound is created and not exclusively on construction. (A note on spelling: All terms used for Indian musical instruments and musical concepts are common transliterations of the original terms. Subsequently, there are numerous possible methods of rendering the same term in English and inevitable discrepancies in spelling. The spellings adopted here are the ones used by The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians 2001) KANJIRA (KHANJARI) The kanjira is a frame drum of South India. It consists of a skin (usually iguana) stretched and pasted on a circular wooden frame. There are often three or four slots in the side of the frame, in which bell-metal jingledisks are suspended from metal crossbars. The name kanjira is related to the khanjari and kanjani of North and East India and Nepal. The kanjira is tuned to various pitches by wetting the skin. It is held at the bottom of the frame by the left hand, which also varies the tension of the skin, and is beaten with the fingers of the right hand. KAMANCHE The kamanche is one of the world’s earliest known bowed instruments. It has been altered and changed as it has traveled to other parts of the world (1998.72). Some argue that the kamanche is the
predecessor of many other stringed instruments such as the rabab, the sarangi, and the Chinese erhu. MRDANGAM The mrdangam is an elongated barrel-shaped drum found predominantly in South India (1986.467.18). It is derived from the pakhavaj and is used as the primary rhythmic accompaniment in Karnatak music as well as in
religious Kirtan music. In the east (Bengal, Odisha), this barrel-shaped drum is known as the khol. MURALI The murali is a transverse flute made of bamboo. It is used in a variety of musical genres and is often associated with the Hindu deity Krishna. PAKHAVAJ The pakhavaj is a barrelshaped drum with two heads, each of which contains tuning paste, or siyahi. The history of the pakhavaj is unknown, yet as the predecessor of both the Hindustani tabla drums and the mrdangam of Karnatak music, it served as the primary accompaniment for much of Indian classical music. It appears in the musical iconography of Hindu religious painting and in the artworks of the royal Muslim courts of the Mughal empire. RABAB The rabab is a stringed instrument with a skincovered resonator that can be bowed or plucked depending on performance tradition. It is found in various forms throughout North Africa, the Near East, South Asia, and Central Asia. Similar to the way the setar and the vina were adapted to eventually become what is known today as the sitar, the rabab was adapted to become the sarod. However, there are many musicians in India today who still play the rabab, and it is quite popular in several music genres. SAHNAI (SHENAI)
The sahnai is a double reed instrument of North India and Nepal. In South India, a double reed instrument called the nagasvaram is used. Both instruments have seven equidistant fingerholes and no thumbhole. Frequently, the instrument’s flared open end is made of metal while its body is made of wood or bamboo; however, they are not exclusively made in this fashion. SARANGI A sarangi is a bowed stringed instrument with a skincovered resonator (89.4.200). The typical sarangi is made by hand, usually from a single block of tun wood about 66 to 69 centimeters long (46.34.43). The three playing strings are made of goat gut, and the sympathetic strings (usually as many as thirty-six, though the number varies) of brass and/or steel. However, the design of sarangis varies from region to region (1982.143.2). For example, the Nepalese sarangi is generally much smaller than its Indian counterpart, and not all sarangis have sympathetic strings. SAROD The sarod is a relatively new instrument to South Asia, having been around for less than 200 years. The sarod is a plucked stringed instrument with a skincovered resonator and sympathetic strings. Like the sitar, it is primarily used in Hindustani music and is accompanied by the tabla. ( h t t p s : / / www.metmuseum.org/toah/ hd/indi/hd_indi.htm)
Enetworks to air Lovecraft country on August 16 via HBO
For the lovers of dramatic television series, Enetworks has just the show for you to look forward to—Lovecraft Country. The show which premiers August 16 on HBO is an upcoming American drama horror television series developed by Misha Green based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Matt Ruff. The series is produced by Monkeypaw Productions, Bad Robot Productions, and Warner Bros. Television with executive
producers including Jordan Peele, Green, J. J. Abrams, and Ben Stephenson. The story is about a young African American who travels across the 1950s segregated United States in search of his missing father. This begins a struggle to survive and overcome both the racist terrors of white America and the terrifying monsters that could be ripped from a Lovecraft paperback. Be sure to mark your calendars for this one.
Kaieteur News
Sunday August 09, 2020
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Our Frontline Worker of the Week is…
Dr. Narash Torres
From page 30 to help sick people…my uncle inspired me by sharing his experiences.” Born on November 5, 1991 as the eldest of six, Dr. Torres spoke of being raised at Wowetta Village, an indigenous community in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region of Guyana. His mother Judith Moses, a headmistress of Wowetta Primary School, ensured that he and his
siblings gained an early appreciation for the importance of education. Dr. Torres recalled attending the Wowetta Nursery School and then the Wowetta Primary before moving on to the Annai and then St. Ignatius Secondary schools to complete his secondary education. His school days were laced with many exciting adventures yielded from nature hikes, swimming in creeks, and of course he
participated in quite a few competitive football matches. Growing up, he hadn't amenities such as television and internet and so he opted to read, often gleaning wisdom from encyclopedias as he caressed the thought of becoming a doctor. At the Latin American School of Medicine in Havana, Cuba he was eventually trained and today regards his profession as especially noble. “It's one we all do for the love of it, with
the single aim of helping sick people during long shifts day or night,” said Dr. Torres of being a doctor. As a General Practitioner, he gravitates more to primary health care and the promotion and prevention of chronic diseases, which are in fact crucial assets in the fight against COVID-19. GOOD SUPPORT
He credits the person he has become, a passionate
In the company of his dear mother and sisters All in a day's work medical professional, to the guidance he received over the years. His mother's support, he noted, is forever unwavering, and his stepfather, Kelvin Moses, a primary school teacher, also had a hand in helping to raise him right. Currently living on his own in the Township of L e t h e m , D r. To r r e s sometimes reflects on his journey to becoming doctor. Times, he noted though, have changed a great deal since the pandemic, especially as it relates to how he interacts with family members. “Before the pandemic it (interacting with family) had never been a problem. It has
changed drastically and not only for me but all health care professionals,” he observed. He worries about the immense pressure those on the frontlines are under and hopes that more can be done to help them remain safe as they valiantly combat COVID-19. But not even a threat such as COVID-19 will succeed in taking the joy out of life for Dr. Torres. Moreover, he intends, with every fibre of his being, to do his part to help return humanity to an existence where enjoyable activities such as travelling and spending quality time with family can resume.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday August 09, 2020
Nurturing the
Garden
From page 34 prioritizes the black family. “Let's give recognition to those responsible men who have taken the necessary steps to ensure that they do not bring children into one more single-parent household,” she writes. “[W]here as people of African descent living in these Americas, the child and his/her parent will have far too many unnecessary barriers placed in their lives to deter and undermine the child's success and fulfillment.” In the thoughtprovoking, 'Man's Role as Provider,' Spence challenges social norms as the measurement of one's true worth. She asks, almost rhetorically, “Is a man a man if he is not able to provide for his lady? She prods, “Is a man's ability to provide support, financially, a criteria for manhood? And if he is not able to provide emotional support, does that distract from his manhood?” In like vein, Spence speaks of self-recognition and personal responsibility in 'What Makes Your World Turn'. “[E]very woman has her own challenges [and] every man has his own
challenges,” and that “the world turns against you when you do not realize what your insecurities and unworkable beliefs and values are. And that “the world turns against you when you turn against yourself.” Provocative is the philosophical, 'To Be Alive.' Here, Spence explores man's eternal grapple with the unknown, with his mortality and his uneasy dance with life. “I think we are thankful that we're still alive because we're afraid of death,” she argues. “As good as or as bad as times get here, we know this is life. Our teachings, our experiences, our faith have not brought us to that point for us to not fear death and embrace the goodness of eternity that is promised us.” And sealing the book's overarching thrust is 'Fruits of Discipline,' where she brings her professional and personal experience to bear on her every word. She advises, “...to be more successful in the workplace, we have to broaden our approach from teaching job skills to teaching life skills.” There is clarity in meditation, she opines, convinced of its multifarious
rewards. Beholden to her Christian values, she unreservedly refers to that practice as prayer. “The important thing I emphasize is that this consistent daily practice begins to build a discipline that can have greater impact on our abilities to acquire material things we want to enjoy and to help us grow to become the people we want to become.” 'Nurturing the Garden' is stripped of all academic pretense. Spence serves as a 'warner' among us, presenting her truths, many timeless and incontestable. Her work reads as a codex, an enduring admonition worthy of reflection, her every counsel proving transformational, if only we listen. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) F e e d b a c k : glenvilleashby@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleashby I n q u i r i e s : csolutionsinifini@yahoo.co m ISBN: 9798603745121 Available at Amazon Ratings: Highly Recommended
Sunday August 09, 2020
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Sunday August 09, 2020
Immigration Filing Fee Increase on October 2, 2020 By Attorney Gail S. Seeram
U
.S. Citizenship and Immigration S e r v i c e s (USCIS) has announced an astronomical 80% fee increase on cost to become a U.S. citizen, obtain a green card and other immigration services. This filing fee increase could make the legal immigration system inaccessible to millions of
people. The increased filing fees will become effective on October 2, 2020. View a list of forms and fees using this l i n k : https://tinyurl.com/y2kr6jcq Adjustment of Status When filing for adjustment of status in the U.S. or a green card based on marriage to a U.S. citizen, the total filing fees are $1,760. The fee increase will charge an extra $1,150 bringing the new cost of
obtaining a green card to $2,910. Naturalization/ Citizenship USCIS increased the total cost of a naturalization application or becoming a U.S. citizen by over 80%. Online naturalization applications will now run $1,170, up from the previous price of $640. USCIS says the new fee will cover the full cost to process the application as well as some
overhead costs. Say goodbye to fee waivers as USCIS is also eliminating almost all fee waivers that it previously provided for low-income immigrants seeking citizenship. H-1B Filing fees for employers petitioning for an H-1B worker will increase by 70%. The cost to petition for one worker will total over $3,000. The agency is also increasing the time it takes to
process H-1B visas. Employers who pay for “premium processing” of their petitions will now have to wait almost twice as long to receive a decision. Fee for Asylum Applications USCIS will now charge a $50 fee to apply for asylum. This will be the first time the United States has charged a fee since WWII. This makes the United States only the fourth country in the world to charge a fee for asylum applications. Iran, Fiji, and Australia also charge a fee. USCIS also refused to provide any fee waivers for this expense. USCIS' History of Financial Mismanagement USCIS has furlough twothirds of its staff and has enormous budget shortfalls. The agency claims that the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent office closures wiped out most of the feebased agency's revenue. But USCIS has long suffered from fiscal mismanagement. The fee hikes represent the culmination of years' worth of financial recklessness and poor policy changes. These issues have only been exacerbated by the
Gail S. Seeram pandemic. The published rule, however, says the agency did not take COVID19 into consideration when determining the new fees. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) NOTE: Immigration Law Offices of Gail S. S e e r a m o ff e r s a f r e e consultation to discuss related fees for a process and explain options. Our office will NOT tell you how to complete the legal process on your own. If you seek legal representation, then legal fees will be due to our office. Call | text 407-292-7730 WhatsApp 407-3531 3 6 3 . E m a i l : Gail@GailLaw.com L i v e c h a t : w w w. G a i l L a w. c o m . Download FREE App: Gail Law. Copyright ©Law Offices of Gail S. Seeram, 2020. All Rights Reserved.
Challenges facing the... From page 20 action, Guyana will exist in a state of persistent unease. Its governance will always be unstable, until ethnic inclusion in decision-making and economic benefits are institutionalised. Past governments, dominated by one or other of the two major racial groups, have failed to deal effectively with this issue. The new Government of Irfaan Ali has the real opportunity to tackle it seriously. To do so will call for constitutional change and institution building, and it must start with the policies of the new government. Integral to these policies should be ethnic balance in the composition of government ministries, statutory bodies, and the security forces, especially their decisionmaking positions. Authority should not be regarded as residing in the hands of any one ethnic group at the expense of others. Ways should be sought to institutionalise ethnic balance, including by enshrining it in the country's constitution.
In his brief remarks on August 3, when he was sworn-in as President, Ali told the Guyanese people, “We're building a country for every Guyanese. There is no need for fear, there is no need for distinction based on political persuasion; no need for distinction based on religious belief or ethnicity. This is a Government for all of Guyana and that is the way this Government will operate”. Making a reality of this pledge will be the new Guyana government's biggest task, but one which will bring even bigger benefits to Guyana if it is accomplished. (This commentary in a shorter form was first written for the website of The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of Affairs on whose International Advisory Board Sir Ronald is a member.) (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the U.S. and the OAS. He is also a senior fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The view expressed are entirely his own.)
Kristal Inshan
Sunday August 09, 2020
This week's beauty is Mrs. India Guyana 2019, Kristal Inshan. This Guyanese beauty is the embodiment of allure, courage, and humility. She is also a strong advocate for the empowerment of women.
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Sunday August 09, 2020
Retired Headmistress,
Wendy Chichester-Norville... From page 18 also believe that I was greatly inspired by my own teaching sessions at home with my younger siblings.” With the support of her family and teachers, Ms. Chichester moved quickly through the school system. After writing the Common Entrance Examination, she went on to obtain a place at the Covent Garden Secondary School. Impressing on her that education is the key to unlocking many of life's successes, Ms. Chichester's parents ensured that she obtained her CXC certification in 1982. Shortly after completing secondary school, by then a teenager, Ms. Chichester said she was offered a teaching job at the Long Creek Primary School. A CALL TO TEACH Ms. Chichester said that she quickly took up the offer since it was the career she longed for.
Sharing a light moment with her niece and granddaughter, Aria Raine
As she answered 'the call,' Ms. Chichester soon realized that teaching was something she wanted to do for the rest of her years. As such, she soon obtained her trained teacher's certificate from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE). She later followed up on
She explained that before that, she taught at the Craig Primary School for several years -- there she gained most of her experience. With the right kind of professional mentorship, Ms. Chichester said that she was able to take on bigger roles in the school system. Among them, was a
“
Being a teacher is the best choice I have ever made and if I had to live my life all over again, I would definitely choose to be a teacher again.
her desire to be more qualified by reading for a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in English (History being her Minor) at the University of Guyana (UG). Shortly after completing UG, Ms. Chichester was promoted to Senior Mistress at the Grove Primary School in 2005.
”
promotion to Deputy Headmistress (DHM) at Eccles Primary School and later at the North Georgetown Primary School. However, faced with many challenges including difficulties travelling from her home at Craig East Bank Demerara (EBD) to the city, Ms. Chichester prayed for a solution. However, there were no vacancies for her along the East Bank Demerara. But it was while listening to a T.D Jakes' sermon she was inspired. In the sermon, he said, “'there may not be a position for you, but God will create a position'.” She said it was this that strengthened her trust that her prayers will be answered. In 2012, a golden opportunity presented itself with the construction of the New Diamond/Grove Primary School. B a s e d o n t h e recommendations of a friend, Ms. Pamela Browne Young and the District Education Officer, Ms. Stembeso Grant, she was hired as the first DHM of the New Diamond/Grove Primary School. As part of the team, Ms. Chichester joined the other teachers working late into the nights to organize and realize a vision of making the New Diamond/Grove
Primary School one of the top performing schools, not just in Region Four but in the country. She said that under the superb leadership of Ms. Browne and the support of staffers, the Parent-Teacher Association and the Officers of the Region Four Department of Education, the school took its first leap towards becoming a top performing school. In 2014, after Ms. Browne retired, Ms. Chichester was given the opportunity to become the next head teacher of the school. She continued in that post until she retired this year. 'RETIRED NOT EXPIRED' Though, she took a proverbial bow from the public school system on January 1, last, Ms. Chichester still continues the work of an educator. Ms. Chichester stated “Many of us may be familiar with the statement 'retired but not expired', well that's me. My retirement date also became the date of my new appointment as Principal of the Canadian School of Arts and Science.” The school is also located on the East Bank at Diamond. For Ms. Chichester, the school is somewhat a new experience. She believes nonetheless with Jehovah's guidance and help, along with the support of her staff and parents, the Canadian school will receive great results in the near future. Besides work, Ms. Chichester has been a loving wife to Allan Norville for over 30 years. The couple has been blessed with two beautiful children, Alana Norville, a trained teacher at the Friendship Secondary School and a son, Alonzo Norville, who is a police constable who is attached to the Diamond Grove Police
Helping to promote literacy among primary school students Station. The retired HM is also a doting grandmother to baby, Aria Raine, with whom she spends most of her leisure time. Asked about her advice to those who are thinking of joining the teaching profession, Ms. Chichester said, “Go for it, for the rewards of teaching are
invaluable and as Henry Adams states, 'A teacher affects eternity: he can never tell where his influence stops'.” “For me,” she added, “being a teacher is the best choice I have ever made and if I had to live my life all over again I would definitely choose to be a teacher again.”
A cabinet that Ms. Chichester built from watching videos on Youtube
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Kaieteur News
AG Chambers announces review of operations
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs meeting with staff members of the Ministry of Legal Affairs.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, on Friday met with the staffers of the Ministry of Legal Affairs. In brief remarks, the Attorney General reminded the staffers that their priority, at all times, must be to render professional and competent service to the Government and the people of Guyana. Further, Minister Nandlall assured all staff members that there will not be any form of discrimination or witchhunting, of any sort, at the
Ministry of Legal Affairs and that all staff members are expected to discharge their duties professionally and competently. The Minister indicated that there will be a review of the work and operations of the Ministry and any actions and conduct considered to be excessive and unlawful will be addressed swiftly and condignly. The Attorney General emphasized that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) Administration is Continued on page 54
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Sunday August 09, 2020
Kaieteur News
STANDARDS IN FOCUS:
SERVICES
LAND FOR SALE
Visa Forms Preparer. Tel#626-7040, Publish your Death Annoucements & In Memoriams online. Email: dthmemo@gmail.com
Middle Road La Penitence, Paradise East Coast & Soesdyke Highway. 10,33 & 300 Acres. Contact Ray's Realty: #627-9685
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Republic Gardens- Phase 1, Single Plot, Corner Lot G$28 Million. Gated Community. Tele : #660-0192, 688-5554
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
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PROPERTY FOR SALE 8 House Lots corner to corner with new model house. Corentyne. Price 3.77 Crore. +346-818-0822 New home sea view,four bedroom,threetoilet $40,000,000 GYD Tel#6751510. Two storey concrete downstairs, $11.5M Neg. Location Patentia, W.C.B. Tele: #6712659 or 676-3950 1 two storey house. Location Herstellling E.B.D. Price $14M Neg. Interested Person can contact: #658-0195 or 6170487 Active Business place in Covent Garden Island. Interested person only. Please Call: #615-7784 or 621-6969
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Tuchen Housing Scheme 2&3 bedroom. Concrete, Fully Fence, Parking. Tele: #6925525 or 266-3973
Experience Accounts clerk in Maths & English.Apply at Alabama Trading, 65 Robb Street, Bourda. Sales girl.Apply at Alabama Trading, 65 Robb Street Bourda. Cook for Private Residence on East Coast. Contact: #2235273 or 223-5274 Waitress/Waiter. Contact #223-5274/ 225-0328 or email: rtilak@ adamantiumholdings.com Maid to cook and clean for FOR SALE East Bank area. Call: #615-9132
WANTED Urgent Security at S&S Security. Tele: #225-5180 or 6916081 Labourers to work in Cabbage and Tomatoes farm. Experience 3-4 Years. Tele: #6956139, 679-7552, 638-7420 One cook to work in the interior, must know to bake Bread. Call: #683-3360 One Arc Welder. Must know to do grill work with limited supervision. Call # 613-3879 Truck Drivers to work Interior, To drive 4X4 and 6X6 TM. Must have knowledge of Buckhall road. Tele: #2235180 One qualified Pharmacist to work in Essequibo. Interested person can make contact on cell: #625-5136. 8am to 4pm Tyre Repair Techician. Call: #227-1717 Saw Operator and Laborer for wood consecion. Interested person. Call: #677-5710 (Red Man) Live in Couple. Duties: Husband-Driving, Wife-Sales Person, Georgetown Area. Tele: #227-1813 One Live in Babysitter Needed. One Hairdresser who knows to do everything. Contact Melisa: #695-5633
PENPAL Man seeking female age 30-40 for serious relationship and willing to live in the Interior. Tele: #673-2437
Domestic Maid for Daytime. Call:#627-1154 Evening Cleaner caretaker (Male). Call: #627-1154 Dragger operator. Contact 2235273/223-5274 or email:rtilak @adamantiumholdings.com Cook, must have restaurant and grilling experience. Contact 223-5274/225-0328 Looking for a job & educational services? Contact The Job Centre 43 Croal & Alexander Street or call: 6008457 Manager to work in Bar/ Restaruant. Contact: guyana.vacancies2020 @gmail.com Office Assistant, Labourers and Maintenance Workers. Interested person apply. Please call office: #615-7784 or 621-6969 Yardman/Handyman. Contact: #223-5273 or 2235274 Mechanic, Fitter/Machinist, Welder Fabricator and Male cleaner. Apply in person to 18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles.
GNBS implores Consumers to take up their Roles during Measurement Purchases Although the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has been executing its mandate to ensure that all weighing and measuring devices used in trade are verified (stamped), it relies on consumers to do their part in trade transactions to guarantee that they are provided with accurate measurements. Daily, consumers visit the community shops, markets supermarkets, and other retail outlets to purchase a variety of goods, such as rice, flour, sugar, meats, ground provisions, preserved fruits, and cooking oil by weights and measures. Unfortunately, some consumers are not vigilant as they should be to ensure that the quantities given to them are what they have requested, and this needs to change. The GNBS implores consumers to take up the following roles when purchasing goods by weights and measures: 1. Buy goods from vendors who are using verified scales and other verified devices. If used properly, approved devices give correct weights or measures. 2. Look for GNBS verification seals on devices. The affixed GNBS seals are one way of determining whether the device (scale) was verified. 3. Make sure the device used to weigh or measure your goods is clean and tidy. Dirty devices often give
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inaccurate weights and measures and can cause the contamination of goods. 4. Make sure that you can see the measuring indicator of scales. Ensure that the scale is positioned in a manner that will allow you to see the weighing process. 5. Do not buy from vendors or shopkeepers using the domestic (kitchen) scales. These scales are not approved for commercial trade because their internal mechanisms are quickly worn, hence they give inaccurate weights. 6. Do not accept purchase if you have doubts about your weight or measure. 7. Buy in metric quantities. Devices used in the market place are in metric units and by requesting goods in metric quantities you are assured of the number of goods issued to you. 8. Buy all solids by weight instead of measure. Rice, peas, and channa are solid goods and all solids must be weighed, not measured. Request these goods in grams and kilograms. 9. Buy prepackaged goods that are labeled with the quantity (net contents). For example: 450 g, 1 kg, 3 litres, etc. 10. Call the GNBS hotline or visit the Weights and Measures office in your region and make your complaints if the need arises. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190069, 219-0065, 2190062 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org
AG Chambers announces... From page 53 committed to improving the lives of every Guyanese and reminded that this is the Ministry that is charged with the responsibility of laying down the legal infrastructure to make that possible. Minister Nandlall assured the staff that he remains accessible at all times to any staff member, irrespective of the position they hold. The Attorney General concluded by expressing his best wishes to everyone and stated that he expects a cohesive and harmonious relation with every member of staff. (DPI)
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US$22.5M announced to help COVID-hit households Newly elected President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, announced yesterday that steps have been taken to secure $4.5B to help COVID19-hit households. Addressing a gathering of hundreds in attendance of his inauguration ceremony held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC), President Ali divulged that his administration has already started to examine from a fiscal perspective, the extent of support needed to stimulate the economy. According to Dr. Ali, of major concern is how much money can be given to the private sector to stimulate a resumption of their economic activities and putting people back to work who have been dislodged because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The COVID-19 pandemic has already claimed too many lives. Everything possible must be done to protect our people from this dreaded and dreadful disease. That is why, as President, I will personally and urgently participate in my Government’s programme to stop infection by the Coronavirus, curb its spread, and safeguard the health of our nation. After completing a rapid assessment, I have already begun to establish a structure to tackle the virus
President Irfaan Ali at the inauguration ceremony yesterday. as effectively as possible,” Dr. Ali said. The new President also spoke of his plan to create a COVID-19 Response Unit comprising Government policymakers, represented by the Prime Minister, Mark Phillips, and the Minister of Health, and the regional and international partners
including CARICOM, the Pan American Health Organisation and the United Nation Development Programme. According to Ali, the unit will be guided by a collaborative policy to address medical responses and to create a COVID-19 impact socio-economic plan
for our people. He said “since taking office in just one week, we have mobilized and received 46,000 rapid antibody-test kits, Personal Protection Equipment, (PPE) approximately 240,000 surgical masks, and face shields, gowns and other urgently needed supplies.”
In addition to the rapid test kits, Dr. Ali noted that the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, is sending us an additional 15,000 PCR test kits. He said by next week Guyana should receive another 10,000 PCR kits from PAHO with a commitment to supply an additional 40,000 PCR kits. “We have accessed three PCR testing machines with two more being sourced, and plans are in motion to train persons, including persons from the hinterland areas, in the use of the PCR machines and rapid test kits,” Ali disclosed. Further, the Head of State said that his team has met with the Governor of the Central Bank and directed him to extend regulatory permission so as to allow for bankers to continue extending moratoriums. “We have also looked at the possibility of adjusting the Reserve Requirement which will allow the banks to have more disposable resources and tying that adjustment with lower interest rates. We have started to examine from a fiscal perspective what support we can give to the private sector and other groups all with the
view of supporting a resumption of the economic activities and putting people back to work.” He said that the government has reached out to several multilateral and bilateral sources with a view to urgently mobilise financial resources of the magnitude that is necessary to overcome the effects of this pandemic. “I must say the response has been encouraging,” the President announced. His announcement of securing billions to help offset Guyana’s COVID-19 impact comes months after the previous APNU+AFC administration tried and failed to secure monies for COVID19 relief. The $4.5B is reportedly coming from a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank. The previous Government‘s request had been rejected by international banks and funding agencies in wake of a political stalemate over the results of the 2020 elections. However, just over one week in office, the new People Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration said it was able secure the funds to the tune of billions for the cause.
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Govt. determined to complete land project in indigenous communities
Newly-appointed Minister of Amerindian People’s Affairs, Pauline Sukhai expressed the determination to resume the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) Project. The project that commenced in 2013 sought to have land titles issued and demarcation processes completed in all Amerindian villages that submitted requests. It also served to provide mechanisms for identifying and resolving land issues within Amerindian communities and revised communication strategy. The PPP/C government had signed a $2.2 billion (US$11M) document for the implementation of the project. Over the three year course, the project was expected to provide demarcation and land titling in 60 villages. After it concluded in 2016
many of the selected communities did not receive any land titling. The then APNU+AFC government sought to extend the project and $165M was designated to advance the remaining identified areas for land titling, yet many communities are still lacking land titles presently. Last year then Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Sydney Allicock announced the extension of the project to 2021. However, Allicock had also stated that it was impossible to complete the project in such a short space of time. On Wednesday, Sukhai stated to members of the media that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) administration had previously allocated funds to tackle Amerindian land issues but she is now more
determined than ever to ensure these issues are resolved. Sukhai was reappointed to the Amerindian Affairs portfolio after being sworn in on Wednesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre; she had previously served as the Amerindian Affairs Minister before the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) lost office in 2015. During Wednesday’s interview, she said that, “We were expected to have all the land that was applied for by Indigenous people looked at, but there has been a setback and a pause on it more or less and I intend to resume with more robust attention towards completing that project.” Sukhai added, “We have had gross neglect over the last five years, which we will have to work to transition into
– Minister Sukhai much more ease for the hinterland communities.” The Minister also stated that other priorities included ensuring job provision for indigenous youths, development for them, and affordable housing. She also indicated that they will be engaging in investing in private enterprises. She also informed the media that the Presidential Grant program which was started under the PPP/C government will be continued since it provided income, a source of livelihood, and made way for food security in hinterland villages in Guyana. Sukhai also addressed the COVID-19 situation in indigenous communities, where she mentioned the
donation of face masks to the Pakaraimas. She stressed that while President Irfaan Ali is committed to addressing COVID-19 nationally, keen attention is being placed on indigenous communities. The minister believes that there is a lot of potential in the indigenous communities but there is lots of work to be done as well. She ensured that the PPP/C administration will ensure that these areas progress to their greatest potential and provide a better life for the indigenous people in these communities.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai
Trinidad prepare to vote for a new Govt. tomorrow PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Voters in Trinidad and Tobago go to the polls tomorrow to elect a new government following allegations of corruption, race and promises in a campaign severely hampered by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The election here is not the only one in the Caribbean where the pandemic has played a major role in limiting the campaigns, following upon similar polls in Anguilla, Suriname, Guyana, and St. Kitts-Nevis. Caribbean countries have been forced to implement measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus that has killed 719,000 people and infected 19.3 million others worldwide. Among the measures are limiting the number of people allowed to congregate in any one place to between 10 and 25, adhering to social distancing, wearing masks and curtailing movement through the implementation of curfews, mainly in the evenings when political rallies are usually held. In the end, political parties have had to be innovative, using virtual meetings to spread their messages, and spending excessive funds on radio and television advertisements and buying air time. In addition, the closures of the borders have presented yet another problem, with opposition parties claiming that the government has used the closures to prevent nationals from returning home to vote. Trinidad and Tobago, where 1, 134, 136 people are eligible to cast ballots at the estimated 2, 200 polling stations, is no exception.
PAHO helps procure PCR diagnostic tests for COVID-19 for Caribbean countries WASHINGTON - CMC – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says it has leveraged its Strategic Fund for Public Health Supplies to procure and distribute millions of COVID-19 diagnostic kits, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and other essential health supplies to countries throughout the Americas, including the Caribbean. PAHO said that the Strategic Fund procured an estimated US$75 million worth of COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests for six countries, working with suppliers to purchase, deliver and distribute the supplies. So far, over 10 million PCR tests have been sent to six countries and PAHO said the fund also obtained PPEs including face shields, gloves, goggles, gowns, masks and respirators for 26 countries, valued at US$14.6 million “Technical cooperation and pooled procurement form an important part of the organization’s response to the COVID19 pandemic, which has spread to all 54 countries and territories in the Americas and has resulted in more than 9.9 million confirmed cases and over 372,000 deaths to date,” said PAHO in a statement. It said the Strategic Fund was established in 2000 to improve access to essential medicines and strategic public health supplies, and has facilitated the procurement of millions of lifesaving treatments for a variety of diseases – including HIV/ AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, diabetes and hepatitis C.
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Sunday August 09, 2020
CONSUMER CONCERNS
GINGER AND ITS USES By Pat Dial From time to time, this column carries articles on food items generally used by consumers. We have, for example, recently carried articles on turmeric and vinegar. The response we have had from consumers is very positive, since though they have used such items frequently, and indeed for most of their lives, they know very little about them. This week, we would be focusing on ginger, a muchloved spice, which is widely used for culinary purposes as well as medicinally. Ginger is believed to have originated in South East Asia and was widely used by early Indian and Chinese civilizations some 5,000 years ago. It was introduced into the New World shortly after Columbus’ arrival and quickly spread throughout the Americas. In Guyana, it was widely used during the times of slavery and indenture much more as a culinary than a medicinal substance. It was used in cooking both meat and vegetable dishes and in making a large variety of confections including ginger fudge and ginger flavoured sweets of various kinds. Ginger breads and ginger
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cakes had always been favorites. It was used as a cocktail mix in a large variety of drinks associated with the Caribbean and rum and ginger has held its own as a perennial. Ginger teas, flavoured with a variety of spices, were used as a convalescent drink and a treatment for colds, flu and fevers and many doctors quietly recommended its use. Its most well-known use in Guyana and the West Indies is to brew ginger beer. Ginger beers are brewed in a variety of strengths and sweetnesses and is a Christmas celebratory drink. Ginger is one of the most easily grown spices. A fresh piece of ginger placed in a plant pot or in any part of a garden or in any bit of land surrounding the house would germinate in about 10 days with grass-like leaves with the smell of ginger. The ginger spreads as an underground root and is ready for reaping in about three months. Housewives in the poorer parts of the city always kept a ginger plant in their plant pots. The culinary uses of ginger are well-known so we will not reiterate them. The varied medicinal uses are, however, less known: In the first place ginger makes an invigorating tea which could be used with milk
and sugar or merely as it is brewed. From the times of slavery and indenture, it was used as an effective relief against fevers and colds and its potency was strengthened with a dash of rum. It was long used as an effective treatment of nausea which could occur from the upset stomach resulting from surgery or chemotherapy. It is also used for seasickness. Owing to gingerol, its main bioactive compound, it is a powerful antiinflammatory. Chronic inflammation is a leading cause of many diseases and pain. It is known to lower blood sugar and as such it is an antidiabetic. It had long been used in alternative medicine to treat chronic indigestion. It helps to stimulate the digestive process by removing food from the upper stomach to the intestines and by so doing, relieves pain and discomfort from the upper part of the stomach. “Bad cholesterol” (LDL), associated with heart disease, has its levels lowered by the use of ginger. Likewise, it is known to inhibit the growth of various “bad bacteria”. It is known to reduce menstrual pain. Two medicinal uses comparatively recently attributed to it is as a
treatment for colon cancer, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer and as a protection against Alzheimer Disease
and other forms of Dementia. The ginger root, like its relative the tumeric root, was used in the ancient Ayurvedic system of medicine as well as in ancient Chinese medicine for over 5000 years and is still in use today. Western science has been researching both spices and tumeric is now being absorbed into western
pharmacopeias. Ginger has, however, not attained the status of tumeric but its widespread medicinal use is growing. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Sunday August 09, 2020
Messi and Suarez help Barca to... From page 60 breakthrough when Clement Lenglet headed in Ivan Rakitic’s corner after 10 minutes. Lionel Messi doubled his side’s advantage in style as he wriggled his way past three defenders, before bending a shot between another two Napoli players and into the far side of David Ospina’s goal. The Barcelona captain thought he had further added to his tally of 115 Champions League goals in 142 games just seven minutes later, but a lengthy video assistant referee review deemed he had
handled the ball in controlling Frenkie de Jong’s pass. Another VAR review then awarded Barcelona a penalty in first-half injury time after Kalidou Koulibaly felled Messi and Luis Suarez stepped up to net his 25th Champions League goal. It was Napoli who had the final say at the end of an incident-filled first half, however, as Rakitic conceded a penalty for a foul on Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne converted to make it 3-1 at the interval. In a significantly quieter second period, Insigne’s header early in the half failed
to test Marc-Andre ter Stegen as Napoli chased a lifeline, while Kostas Manolas was at full stretch to deny Suarez the chance to put Barcelona out of sight. Napoli substitute Arkadiusz Milik was on the pitch for less than two minutes when he headed past Ter Stegen with time running out for the visitors, but the Poland striker’s goal was ruled out for offside. German champions Bayern Munich await Barca in the last eight after beating Chelsea 4-1 on Saturday to complete a 7-1 aggregate victory.
Sunday August 09, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Changes taking place in your home could cause some temporary frustration tense nerves on the part of family members, Aries. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Miscommunication with someone from far away could lead to bruised egos, heightened emotions, and angry phone calls. It's best not to get drawn into a quarrel, Taurus. Try to straighten it all out. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Miscommunication with someone from far away could lead to bruised egos, heightened emotions, and angry phone calls. It's best not to get drawn into a quarrel. Try to straighten it all out. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Someone who interests you could seem to be showing interest in someone else. This might arouse your insecurities and cause a bit of jealousy. Don't make yourself crazy, Cancer. All may not be as it seems.
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LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A female visitor who needs some sympathy could contact you today. She may want advice on some problems, Libra, but she could also bring information, possibly involving new scientific or metaphysical studies. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Some important plans, perhaps involving a vacation or education, could be temporarily blocked by circumstances beyond your control, Scorpio. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A letter or call could arrive today bringing upsetting news about money, Sagittarius. Your first reaction might be to blame yourself or someone else, but the circumstances are probably beyond anyone's control. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Jealousy could rear its ugly head today, Capricorn. This could involve a romantic relationship. Jealousy is often groundless, so avoid it by doing some communicating.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Someone is keeping secrets from you. We all have private issues, Leo, but this situation affects you. Your intuition will probably tell you who the person is. Try to get them to open up without exerting pressure.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Nervous tension could cause a temporary malaise that keeps your energy very low today. But there are tasks that need to be done, Aquarius, so you'll probably try to do them in spite of the way you feel.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Circumstances beyond your control might get in the way of attending a group event. This could cause some disappointment for you and others. It's best to find something else to do.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A group with which you're affiliated may be temporarily torn apart by quarrels among its members. It's best to stay out of it. A friend could be having trouble and come to you for advice and help.
India retains T20 World Cup in 2021... From page 62 ICC insisting the BCCI find a solution to the longstanding tax exemption issue concerning global events in India. Recently the ICC wrote the BCCI saying it reserved the right to take away the 2021 men’s T20 World Cup from India, after the BCCI failed to secure a tax exemption for the tournament from the Indian government. The ICC has given the BCCI until the end of the year to resolve that issue. Setback for Cricket Australia The IBC decision will hurt CA in various ways. With the pandemic causing havoc across the world, CA had accepted that it would be impossible to host a global event comprising 16 countries this year. As early as May, Eddings had sent an e-mail to the Finance & Commercial Committee, a powerful wing in the ICC on which he sits, to say it would be
“detrimental to cricket” in case the “cancellation” of the T20 World Cup in Australia this year was “replaced by award of” the tournament in October-November 2022. Contents of Eddings’ correspondence with the ICC were reported by the Times of India originally. In that email, Eddings also said that it was important for the ICC to have certainty about who would host the marquee tournament to ensure member countries benefited financially from the revenue distribution model which is dependent on the broadcasting rights income. At the time, Eddings suggested that since Australia had “thankfully managed to flatten the (Covid19) curve” it meant “there is greater certainty of being able to play in Australia in 2021 (which is key to maintaining member distribution).” Currently Australia has reported over 20,000 Covid19 cases with less than 300 deaths. India, meanwhile, has the third highest count globally behind the USA and Brazil, with over 2 million cases and over 40,000 deaths. Eddings had said allowing
India to host the tournament in 2022 would allow the country to “resolve any Covid-related problems.” The IBC decision means CA will need to dismantle the local organising committee it had originally created for the event and create a fresh structure to host the tournament in 2022. That would also include signing fresh venue hosting agreements with state associations in Australia. In a media release on Friday, the ICC said that all 16 teams that qualified to participate in the 2020 edition would feature in India next year. For the 2022 tournament, the ICC will conduct a new qualification process which will determine which teams compete in Australia. While Imran Khwaja, the ICC’s interim chairman, said today’s decisions “are in the best interests of the sport”, Manu Sawhney, chief executive of the global cricket body, said the developments would provide “absolute clarity on the future of ICC events enabling all of our Members to focus on the rescheduling of lost international and domestic cricket.”
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Zone disagrees with panel’s Gayle-Warner pairing for Ultimate T20 openers SportsMax - A panel of experts has decided that a pairing of Christopher Henry Gayle and David Warner would represent the best openers the T20 game has ever seen. According to Zaheer Clarke, statistician, Chris Taylor, cricket umpire and commentator and noted cricket commentator and journalist, Fazeer Mohammed, Gayle’s body of work over the course of his career in the T20 game made him the first name on any list of all-time greats in the format. The panel were picking from a final six after 13 shortlisted players were whittled down on Wednesday. The six who made the final were Gayle, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Aaron Finch, David Warner, and Brendon McCullum. While Gayle was a shooin on all the panellists books,
there was a little difficulty in picking who would partner him. According to Fazeer Mohammed, Finch would make a good partner for the b i g l e f t h a n d e r, w h i l e Taylor and Clarke felt that Wa r n e r w o u l d d o m o r e damage up front with the Universe Boss. The panel’s decision counts for 40% of the overall vote on who makes the SportsMax Ultimate XI, while the SportsMax Zone, like an online voting audience, has a 30% stake in proceedings. This means there are still some decisions to be made with Gayle, by virtue of bagging votes from the Zone and the panel being selected as one of two Ultimate XI T20 openers. The uncertainty about who will make up the other part of the pairing lies in the fact that the SportsMax Zone did not agree with the panel
on who should partner Gayle, instead going with India’s Sharma. Gayle stands head and shoulders over every batsman to ever play the T20 game with 1 3 , 2 9 6 r u n s behind his name at a healthy average of 38.20 from 404 games. Gayle strikes at an incredible 146.94 and has a whopping 22 centuries and 82 halfcenturies in the format. Sharma, who the Zone has picked, from 328 games has 8,642 runs at an average of 32.24 and has scored six centuries and 60 halfcenturies. Warner has not played as many games as the two, but enjoys a 142.20 strike rate from his 280 games, and has scored 9,218 runs, inclusive of eight centuries and 75 halfcenturies already. The choice is tough and may come down to who you like, as Lance Whittaker says,
From left: David Warner, Chris Gayle, and Rohit Sharma he is a Sharma fan. To make your choice regarding who makes the SportsMax Ultimate XI, check the SportsMax website.
Maybe like George Davis, you think the Zone is crazy for not picking Warner. If you want to learn more about the players, you can also check
the website. (https:// www.sportsmax.tv/ index.php/studentwriters/ itemlist/category/613ultimatexi)
Sunday August 09, 2020
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NBA roundup: Nets, Magic fill out East playoff field Tobias Harris scored 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to lift the host Philadelphia 76ers past the Orlando Magic 108-101 Friday near Orlando, but the Magic ended up the day’s big winner nonetheless. Despite the loss, Orlando clinched the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot after the Washington Wizards lost to the New Orleans Pelicans later in the day. Joel Embiid added 23 points and 13 rebounds while Alec Burks scored 22 points. Al Horford had 21 points and nine rebounds and Shake Milton handed out a careerhigh eight assists for the Sixers, who won their third in a row. The Sixers played without All-Star Ben Simmons, who will remain sidelined indefinitely with a partially dislocated left kneecap. Nikola Vucevic led the Magic with 21 points and 12 rebounds while Evan Fournier added 22 points. D.J. Augustin scored 16 points, James Ennis III added 14 and Markelle Fultz had 13 for the Magic, who fell to 32-38.
Terrence Ross missed all 10 of his field-goal attempts and did not score a point. Brooklyn Nets 119 Sacramento Kings 106 Brooklyn improved to 3-2 since the restart and rebounded nicely from a 149115 loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night to join the Magic in clinching an Eastern Conference playoff spot. Caris LeVert made 9 of 21 shots and also handed out seven assists as the Nets shot 48.8 percent, made 17 3pointers and handed out 30 assists. Joe Harris added 21 points and center Jarrett Allen nearly posted a triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high eight assists. The Kings fell to 1-4 since the restart after going 10-5 in their final 15 games before the pause on March 11. Sacramento dropped to 13th in the Western Conference, 3 1/2 games behind eighth-place Memphis. Bogdan Bogdanovic led Sacramento with 27 points on 11-of-19 shooting. Boston Celtics 122 Toronto Raptors 100
Jaylen Brown scored 20 points and Jayson Tatum added 18 as Boston rolled to a victory over Toronto. The Raptors had won seven consecutive games, including their first three contests, since the resumption of play. Kemba Walker scored 17 points in a contest in which Boston never trailed and led by as many as 40. Brad Wanamaker added 15 points, Daniel Theis contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds, Semi Ojeleye tallied 11 points and Robert Williams III scored 10 for the Celtics. Fred VanVleet scored 13 points to lead Toronto. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Kyle Lowry, Norman Powell and Pascal Siakam added 11 points apiece and Terence Davis had 10. San Antonio Spurs 119 Utah Jazz 111 Derrick White poured in 24 points and Jakob Poeltl added 19 points and 10 rebounds as San Antonio overwhelmed short-handed Utah at the HP Field House near Orlando in a key NBA seeding game. The Jazz played without four starters - Mike Conley
(right knee soreness), Rudy Gobert (rest), Donovan Mitchell (left peroneal strain) and Royce O’Neale (right calf soreness). Lonnie Walker IV and Rudy Gay added 14 points for the Spurs. DeMar DeRozan hit for 13 and Dejounte Murray scored 11 for San Antonio. Jordan Clarkson scored 24 points off the bench for the Jazz, with Tony Bradley adding 15 points and 11 rebounds, Miye Oni and Emmanuel Mudiay contributing 14 points each, and Joe Ingles pumping in 12. Memphis Grizzlies 121 Oklahoma City Thunder 92 Dillon Brooks scored 22 points to lead Memphis to a win over Oklahoma City. The Grizzlies win
snapped a five-game losing streak that dated back to before the season was put on hold by the pandemic. It also kept Memphis in the eighth spot in the Western Conference, a game ahead of Portland with three games remaining. Memphis shot 55.4 percent from the field, including 8 of 11 shooting for Jonas Valanciunas, who added 19 points. Ja Morant also scored 19. Chris Paul led the Thunder with 17 points. Oklahoma City shot just 35.1 percent from the field, its worst shooting performance of the season. New Orleans Pelicans 118 Washington Wizards 107 Jrue Holiday scored 28 points as New Orleans
overcame the absence of Zion Williamson to keep Washington winless in five games since the restart. Williamson, who has been on a minutes restriction (conditioning), was held out as the Pelicans were playing their second game in as many days. Brandon Ingram added 17 points, JJ Redick started in Williamson’s place and scored 15, Frank Jackson scored 13 and Derrick Favors had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Rui Hachimura led Washington with 23 points, Thomas Bryant scored 22, Troy Brown Jr. had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Ish Smith had 18 points and 10 assists. (Field Level Media)
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My aim was to play test cricket - Hemnarine Chattergoon By Zaheer Mohamed It is the dream of every young cricketers to play at the highest level and while it is understood that not all of them will reach the pinnacle of the sport, one would expect that the most promising players, especially those that are committed and remain disciplined, would frequently attain elite status. However, over the years we have seen many talented cricketers bowing out early in their careers, hence this does not paint a good picture for the younger players. And this happens for various reasons - indiscipline, lack of commitment, injuries, not being favoured by selectors and lack of proper guidance. But in the case of former Guyana and West Indies U19 batsman Hemnarine Chattergoon, it was a matter of frustrationafter not gaining selection on the Guyana senior team, Chattergoon opted to migrate to Canada in 1998 and his decision virtually brought the curtains down on what was a promising career. Hemnarine Chattergoon is the eldest of four brothers, all of whom represented Guyana; Sewnarine is the lone Chattergoon sibling to don maroon colours at the highest level. Ramnarine and Harrinarine turned out for Guyana at the U19 level; the former also played for the University of the West Indies. Born at Fyrish in Berbice, Hemnarine developed a passion for the game at an early age, and along with his siblings started to play in their backyard and in the streets using bats made out of coconut branches with small coconuts for balls. Following his sitting of the Common Entrance Examination, Hemnarine earned a place at J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School where he started to play competitively and later became a member of the Albion Cricket Club. “I was 13 when I learnt from a friend
Hemnarine Chattergoon with one of his many collections. in school about an Under 16 team at Albion CC. I was excited to hear this news and I subsequently became a member of the club. There I met coach Fabian Naiken and he helped me along,” he said. The 43-year old Hemnarine is one of the few players who played senior inter county cricket before playing at the junior inter county level. He made his first division debut at the age of 15 and after scoring heavily, he was called up to represent Berbice in the senior inter county tournament at the age of 16 and made his debut against Demerara. Despite playing senior inter county cricket at an early
age, Hemnarine said that he came into the limelight after scoring 86 against Malteenoes Sports Club in a nationwide club tournament. “This was an important game for us and we were up against the likes of Barrington Browne, Neil Barry and Lennox Cush among other national players. This innings caught the eyes of many and my career took off,” he added. Hemnarine earned a place on the Guyana U19 team in the 1996 Regional U19 tournament in Jamaica. He became the first Guyanese batsman to register centuries in his first two innings of a Regional Under-19 tournament - 128 versus
Messi and Suarez help Barca to quarters BBC Sport - Barcelona set up a Champions League quarter-final meeting with Bayern Munich after overcoming Napoli at the Nou Camp. With the sides tied 1-1 after the first leg in February, Dries Mertens set the tone for an eventful first half as he struck the post after 90 seconds - but it was Barcelona who made the (Continued on page 57)
Barcelona continued their run of reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League every season since 2006-07. (Getty Images)
Barbados and 110 against Windward Islands. The Guyana team which was led by Vishal Nagamootoo and also included Ramnaresh Sarwan, Azeemul Haniff, Andy Chinsammy, Ricardo Mohamed and Travis Dowlin emerged victorious in that competition - one of their record sixth consecutive victories. After ending that tournament with a healthy average of 76, Hemnarine was awarded a place on the West Indies youth team to oppose Pakistan U19 in the Caribbean - the other Guyanese that gained selection on the team were Sarwan, Nagamootoo, Chinsammy and Haniff. In the first U19 test, Hemnarine made 69 and 42 in Jamaica, he was dismissed without scoring in the first innings of the second test in Barbados, but rebounded with an even hundred in the second innings - his knock helped the regional side to a draw; Haniff and Sarwan also made centuries in that game. Hemnarine recalled that following his century, former West Indies batsman Gus Logie, who was part of the West Indies U19 management unit got emotional. “We were asked to follow on in that game and Haniff and I shared in a crucial partnership. I got to my century with four consecutive fours and I would forever cherish that moment, I remembered Gus
Logie getting emotional following my innings,” he recalled. The third test which was played at Bourda as well as the series was drawn. Regarded as the most naturally talented of the Chattergoon brothers, Hemnarine was certain to represent Guyana at the First Class level and was confident of playing for the West Indies at the highest level, but what followed sent shockwaves throughout the Region. Hemnarine visited Canada in 1997, he returned the following year and played in the senior inter county tournament. He was included in the Guyana training squad for the remaining three away games in the Regional first class tournament. The team was training at Uitvlugt when he got the good news of his inclusion in the touring party, but he was subsequently omitted. “We were fine tuning preparations at Uitvlugt and after the team was selected, the manager (the late Ivor Mendonca) told me that I am on the team to play in the remaining three games and he extended congratulations. I was excited and on hearing this news. However, when the team was released my name was missing from the list. I felt disappointed and for this reason I migrated to Canada.” Hemnarine alleged that the reason for his name being
struck off from the list was his refusal to play for a city side. “One official from the Guyana Cricket Board back then had asked me to play for Georgetown Cricket Club instead of Albion. I told that official that I would only play for GCC when I do not have a commitment with Albion CC and this resulted in my omission from that team.” Hemnarine, who plays only softball cricket these days, said that if he was to relive that moment, he would have definitely played for GCC due to the fact that his goal was to play test cricket. “I was confident of playing 100 test matches,” he stated positively. Hemnarine played first class cricket for Canada against UAE in 2006 and in 2010 versus Zimbabwe and according to him by then his best playing days were over. He indicated that his parents (Dianand and Shamshadbagan both deceased) were very supportive and provided much needed guidance and motivation. Hemnarine is advising the young cricketers today to stay focused and work hard to achieve their goals, adding that the sky is the limit. “Cricket now has a lot of advantages whereby the youths can earn a decent living even by playing at the first class level.” He urged them to remain disciplined.
F1 2020: Bottas pips Hamilton to pole for 70th Anniversary GP Omnisport - Valtteri Bottas pipped Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton to pole position in a thrilling finish to qualifying for the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix yesterday. In the same week he was handed a contract for the 2021 Formula One season, Bottas produced a time of one minute 25.154 seconds to ensure he will start today’s race from the front of the grid. Hamilton’s final lap was 0.063secs slower than the Finn’s, denying him an eighth pole at Silverstone, which would have equalled a feat only achieved by Michael Schumacher at Suzuka and Ayrton Senna at Imola. In the midst of a difficult week Racing Point had reason to celebrate with Nico Hulkenberg – standing in for Sergio Perez after he tested positive for coronavirus – taking third ahead of Max Verstappen, while Sebastian Vettel failed
to get out of Q2. A late puncture saw Bottas slip from second to 11th in last weekend’s British Grand Prix and fall 30 points behind Hamilton in the drivers’ standings. However, he put himself in a great position to make up for lost ground in with a fine final lap late on in Q3. Hulkenberg staked his claim for a seat next season by taking a spot on the second row alongside Verstappen, who will start the race on the hard compound. It was a significant positive for Racing Point, who were on Friday docked 15 points and fined €400,000 after an FIA investigation found their rear brake ducts were designed by Mercedes, contravening regulations. The team have appealed against the decision, while Renault, who lodged the initial complaint, Williams, McLaren and Ferrari have also confirmed their intention to challenge it.
Vettel showed a lack of pace on the medium compound and, despite switching to soft tyres for his final run in Q2, could only go 12th quickest. With Charles Leclerc only fast enough for eighth, Ferrari’s, and Vettel’s, lacklustre campaign showed little sign of abating. P r o v i s i o n a l classification: 1. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 1:25.154 2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +0.063s 3. Nico Hulkenberg (Racing Point) +0.928s 4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +1.022s 5. Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) +1.143s 6. Lance Stroll (Racing Point) +1.274s 7. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) +1.380s 8. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +1.460s 9. Alex Albon (Red Bull) +1.515s 10. Lando Norris (McLaren) +1.624s
Kaieteur News
Sunday August 09, 2020
Woakes and Buttler propel England to unlikely win over Pakistan
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - A magnificent partnership between Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes propelled England to an unlikely three-wicket win over Pakistan in a topsy-turvy first test at Old Trafford yesterday. Woakes joined Buttler at the crease with England having slumped to 117-5 and seemingly sliding to defeat in their pursuit of a daunting 277 on a bowler-friendly pitch. But between them Buttler and Woakes launched a superb counter-
attack to turn the tide of the match towards the hosts with a sixthwicket stand worth 139 runs. In a final twist, Buttler was eventually out lbw for 75 to leg spinner Yasir Shah with England requiring another 21 for victory, thereby reviving Pakistan’s fading hopes. Stuart Broad was also dismissed lbw attempting to knock off the last four runs but Woakes finished on 84 not out. Pakistan had earlier boosted their overnight 137-8 with 32 quickfire runs to be bowled out for
169 — a frenetic flourish that looked to have put the visitors in control. England had reached 86-1 in reply with skipper Joe Root looking in control, but four wickets fell quickly to leave them reeling in their attempt at the second-highest successful fourth-innings run chase seen at Old Trafford. Scores: England 217 (Pope 62, Yasir 4-66) and 277 for 7 (Woakes 84*, Buttler 75, Yasir 4-99) beat Pakistan 326 (Masood 156, Azam 69, Broad 3-54) and 169 (Broad 337) by three wickets.
Insults fly as F1 bosses speak out over Racing Asked later about his fellow followed the regulations to a tee. American’s “BS” comment, “And when you go to appeal, Point case Szafnauer made his feelings quite you’ve got different types of judges Motorsport.com - In a verdict issued by the FIA stewards yesterday, Racing Point was fined €400,000 and docked 15 World Constructors’ Championship points for using the brake duct design of the Mercedes W10 on this year’s RP20. To the surprise of many observers the team can continue to use the ducts for the rest of the season, with the FIA stressing that the breach was in the design process, and that today’s penalty is sufficient. Rivals disagree, and on Friday evening Ferrari became the first team to confirm that it has lodged a notice of intention appeal against the decision in an effort to get a tougher penalty, with McLaren following shortly afterwards. Brown was one of several team bosses to question the decision yesterday. “I think that is confusing for the fans, how something that is not legal in Austria is still on the car,” he said in an FIA press conference. “Around this whole copying, obviously they claimed that they had copied the car via photography. It’s clear from reading the document that is BS and therefore you have to question anything else around that car.”
clear too: “So Zak Brown, it is BS, because he’s not an engineer,” he fired back. “He’s got no idea what he’s talking about. Zero. “And I’m surprised at how little he knows about the rules of F1. It seems to me he knows more about historic racing than he does about F1.” Szafnauer says that Racing Point has yet to decide whether or not to appeal, and cited a range of considerations that it will take into account. “I think an appeal, for example, would require some further legal assistance from lawyers,” he said. “And it could very well be that the lawyers cost you more than the fine. So that’s something you’ve got to decide. “And then to me the 15 points that we’re docked you’ve got to assess as well, is that gonna matter at the end of the championship? In some years it does. And some years it doesn’t. So it’s hard to predict. That could be a yes. “And then the last thing is having done absolutely nothing wrong, but being in breach of a sporting regulation process, that in itself is also not a positive thing. So, we should just also consider appealing to clear our name. We did absolutely nothing wrong, we
that will hear the arguments.” Asked what his overriding emotion was after a dramatic day in the paddock, Szafnauer said: “Probably frustration, because the brake duct moved from a non-listed part to a listed part. We did have a relationship with another team, as Haas and Toro Rosso do, where they were running others’ brake duct designs forever. “Haas, I don’t think has ever run a brake duct design that wasn’t Ferrari’s, ever. They never designed their own. “We’ve always designed our own. And we started the process of getting some data legally from Mercedes on brake ducts in 2018, before they were even contemplating moving them from non-listed to listed, and now we’re in breach of a sporting regulation process that says, because we started with some data that we legally obtained from Mercedes, we’re in breach. “It’s just ridiculous. That is the frustration. And you look at people like Haas, and Toro Rosso, who forever have been getting not just data but brake ducts and designs and everything, and they’re all okay, but we’re not? That’s a frustration.”
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Task Force recommends far-reaching changes to CWI governance structure SportsMax - Cricket West Indies (CWI) is in receipt of the comprehensive and detailed report prepared by the Independent Task Force for Corporate Governance Reform. The Report recognised the enormous cricket talent in the region and the need to harness that talent and promote its growth and presented the way in which improved governance will contribute to the process. The Task Force also conducted case studies of cricket governance models among major cricket nations and considered it important, in the exercise of their mandate, to highlight those principles of modern corporate governance, which in their opinion, should apply to the Board of Directors of CWI as a corporate entity carrying out a public function. The objectives of the Governance Task Force included the need to undertake a review of the corporate governance framework, standards and practices of CWI and to recommend changes “to enhance stakeholder trust and ensure more transparency and accountability in line with modern best practices for corporate governance. The objectives also included reviewing the roles of president and vice president, the structure and role of CWI’s Board of Directors and the committee framework of the Board of Directors. Overall, the report noted that reform was needed to ensure the sustainability of CWI, highlighting the “need to foster the rebuilding of trust and a common purpose between CWI and the other stakeholders, especially with regional governments”. Also among their recommendations were the comprehensive reform of the governance structure using key principles of modern governance to provide greater accountability and transparency. They also recommended that the membership of the Board of Directors reflect a wide crosssection of skills and competencies, and a smaller and more balanced Board of 12 (currently 18) in the immediate instance, with an eventual reducing to nine including at least two women. Other key recommendations also included the redefining of the roles of president and vice president to be more Board specific and non-executive as well as the establishment of a nominations committee to identify and evaluate potential directors and to nominate future directors and committee members. The reduction in CWI Committee structure from 12 to
five (5) Committees was also recommended. Jamaican Senator Don Wehby headed the Task Force, which also included Sir Hilary Beckles, Mr Deryck Murray, Mr O.K Melhado and Mr Charles Wilkin QC. The Task Force consulted extensively within CWI, the region and internationally; and the 36-page report drew from a wide cross-section of expertise – from knowledgeable stakeholders in the West Indies as well as in the global game. ”I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of my Task Force for their selfless dedication to the completion of this project, over the past year. Their time, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has made the finalisation of this report a reality. We would also like to commend CWI President Ricky Skerritt and his Board of Directors for seeing the need for governance reform and giving us the opportunity to make a contribution to the sport we love, and for which we wish the utmost best,” said Wehby. “Our Task Force has met formally 16 times over the period and we have spent many hours preparing the report submitted (the Wehby Report). We are positive that, if implemented, the recommendations of the Wehby Report will improve the governance of CWI and result in positive effects on team performance. “The principal roles and responsibilities of the Board are organisational and financial planning and reporting, decisions on investments and capital projects, preserving the assets of the company, establishing policy, selecting the executive, general oversight of the executive and exercising other powers given to it by the constituent documents of the company. The membership of the Board should reflect a wide cross-section of the skills and competencies required for carrying out its roles and responsibilities.” CWI President Skerritt said reform was key to the success of West Indies cricket and was the basis for their campaign that led to victory in the CWI elections of March 2019. “Governance reform is one of the important promises Vice President Kishore Shallow and myself made prior to our election last year. When all is said and done, we expect that the Wehby Report will be seriously considered by the Directors and member representatives,” Skerritt said. “The task force and stakeholders can be assured that we will do all we can to ensure the implementation of this report.”
Kaieteur News
PAGE 66
Sunday August 09, 2020
Martic sets up semi-final against Kontaveit in Palermo (Reuters) - Top seed Petra Martic held her nerve in two tiebreaks to beat Belarusian qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich 7-6(5) 7-6(3) to seal a place in the Palermo Ladies Open semi-finals on Friday. She next faces 24-yearold Estonian fourth seed Anett Kontaveit who hit 57 winners to end Italian teenager Elisabetta Cocciaretto’s dream run with a 6-1 4-6 6-1 win. Martic, having come through a gruelling threesetter with Liudmila Samsonova on Thursday, was forced to concede a break in the opening set against Sasnovich before fighting back to take it to a tiebreak in which she prevailed. The Croatian then established a 4-1 lead in the second set and looked to be headed for a straightforward victory before Sasnovich clawed her way back, saving three match points until Martic converted the fourth in the tiebreak. “I had to adjust from my match yesterday. The points
Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit celebrates during her match against Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic during the Australian Open. (REUTERS/Hannah Mckay) were longer and it was more physical,” Martic told reporters in a virtual news conference. “It was a tough two sets, but I’m really happy that, even though things weren’t going my way at the end of the second set, I managed to pull through. The tournament is the first in five months since the Tour
was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Martic said she felt the effects of not playing competitive tennis for so long. “I had two tough matches and my body’s holding up well. I have no major issues,” Martic added. “Just maybe soreness that I’m sure we all have in the first tournament back. It
Croatia’s Petra Martic in action during her semi final match against Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina at the Dubai Tennis Championships. (REUTERS/Christopher Pike) feels nice to be reminded of how it feels to be that kind of tired.” Wildcard Cocciaretto had
upset sixth seed Donna Vekic in the second round but struggled against Kontaveit as she lost the first set.
The Italian recovered to win the second but Kontaveit raised her level to claim the final four games in the third.
India retains T20 World Cup in 2021, Australia to host in 2022 ESPNcricinfo - India has retained the rights to host the 2021 men’s T20 World Cup, while Australia has been asked to host the 2022 edition. In another significant decision, the ICC also postponed the 2021 women’s ODI World Cup which was scheduled in New Zealand between February and March, to 2022. All these decisions were taken by the ICC Business Corporation, the business development wing of the ICC, which met virtually on Friday. The 2021 event will be hosted in India between October-November next y e a r, w i t h t h e f i n a l scheduled on November 14. Australia, which was originally meant to host the 2020 edition, will now host the tournament in 2022 between October-November with the final scheduled for November 13. This women’s World Cup is the second global event the ICC has been forced to postpone in the last two months due to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In July, the ICC Board had deferred the 2020 men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled in OctoberNovember in Australia this year to next year. The board had given the
nod to the ICC management to create fresh windows for the three marquee global events: the T20 World Cups in October-November 2021 and October-November 2022, and the ODI World Cup in October-November 2023, pushed back from its original March-April window. How did India retain the rights? Although it confirmed the development, the ICC did not give any precise reason as to why India had retained the right to host the event “as planned”. However, ESPNcricinfo understands the decision for the IBC, which comprises all the members of the ICC Board, became easier once Cricket Australia chairman Earl Eddings said his board would not be able to commit the support of the Australian government to host the tournament in 2021. It is understood that Eddings said that although CA would prefer hosting the event next year, it could not guarantee the government’s support at this point. Government backing is key to hosting global events, and the ICC needed a guaranteed undertaking from the host board. It is understood that Sourav Ganguly, the BCCI
It is understood that Sourav Ganguly, the BCCI president, said his board was confident it would get the Indian government’s support, which helped the ICC make its decision. (IDI/Getty Images) president, said his board was confident it would get the I n d i a n g o v e r n m e n t ’s support, which helped the IBC make its decision to retain India as the hosts as per the original schedule of global events. Another thing that went in India’s favour is that ICC would not need to change its contractual agreements with its commercial partners for the 2021 edition, since it was staying in India. As for the
contractual agreements for the 2020 event which was postponed, the ICC will need to rework them for 2022 - but the ICC felt that was more helpful commercially. This means there will be no global event for nearly 18 months since the ICC hosted the women’s T20 World Cup in February-March this year, which was played in Australia. What it also means is that in 2022, which was meant to be a gap year
without any global event, there will now be four ICC events. The year will start with the Under-19 World Cup in January in the Caribbean, followed by the women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand in February-March, then the men’s T20 World Cup in October-November in Australia, and be bookended by the women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
On its part, the BCCI had always favoured hosting the 2021 edition instead of in 2022 as that would mean, potentially, India could host three marquee tournaments within a year: the T20 World Cup in 2022, the IPL in 2023 and the 50-over World Cup in 2023. The BCCI feared such a scenario could hurt its content commercially. Another unresolved issue, a thorny one, was the (Continued on page 57)
Kaieteur News
Sunday August 09, 2020
FIBA revamps Restart Guidelines for return to basketball
T
he second edition (2.0) of FIBA’s R e s t a r t Guidelines is now available for National Federations and leagues. The purpose of these guidelines is to offer direction and advice for the restart of basketball activities and competitions. As basketball activities and competitions are gradually returning around the world and with the situation relating to COVID19 evolving since the first publication of the Return to Basketball – Restart Guidelines for National Federations, FIBA has compiled a further set of key recommendations to its Restart Guidelines. The FIBA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group (MAG) has been regularly reviewing the latest scientific knowledge as well as all the information including know-how, best practices and challenges in the context of the return to basketball, that have been provided by those National Federations and leagues which have resumed their basketball activities and competitions. T h e Wo r l d H e a l t h Organization (WHO) has revised the first version of the Risk Assessment Tool for sports event organizers to provide an overview of the process for determining the risk of COVID-19 spread. The FIBA MAG has reflected the following updated scientific evidence on both COVID-19 and mass gatherings, as well as the valuable input and feedback from National Federations and leagues: FIBA Return to Basketball Guidelines 2.0 · Inclusion of the aspect regarding the COVID-19 spread through aerosol; · and Addition of specific risk mitigation considerations to support professional leagues as well as national competitions in their restarts Basketball Risk Assessment Tool 2.0 · Inclusion of the aspects regarding the possibility of modification of event delivery format; · Addition of the Decision Tree; and · Addition of the Risk Communication tab as communication of the COVID-19 risk to individuals in a mass gathering is considered as
Patrick Haynes important as the other factors for risk assessment. FIBA Secretary General, Andreas Zagklis commented on the new guidelines saying, “As the restrictions put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 continue to change around the world, we have witnessed some of our member federations and their leagues implement a safe and successful return to basketball in the past few months at the national level. Meanwhile, the GABF Secretary General, Patrick Haynes said, “The GABF considers the well-being including the mental and physical health of all
involved in our sport to be of paramount importance. We are thankful to the experts from the WHO/PAWHO, the FIBA Medical Commission and the FIBA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group involved in this important work. We welcome this second edition of the Restart Guidelines which will further assist us when presenting our plan to the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Health to ensure our restart plans ad hears to the current plans of Guyana, therefore a safe return to basketball and 3x3 basketball competitions.”
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‘They have to look in the mirror’ S
- Windies legend Roberts insists better infrastructure won’t help WI batsmen
portsMax Legendary West Indian fast bowler Sir Andy Roberts has pointed to a poor work ethic on the part of the region’s batsmen as a major factor in the team’s inability to take a step up to the next level. Following the promising start but a disastrous end to the tour of England, a lot of discussions surrounding how to improve the team’s performance focused on increased technological infrastructure around the region. The typically fiery former pace bowler was, however, quick to point out that such investment is unlikely to make a difference if the attitude and work ethics of the batsmen do not improve. “Infrastructure will not make you a better player. You have to make yourself a better player and I don’t think the commitment is there from a lot of West Indies players,” Roberts told the Mason and Guest radio programme. “It’s not just the Test players but a lot of people
Sir Andy Roberts has pointed to a poor work ethic on the part of the region’s batsmen. who play cricket in the West Indies, I don’t think they commit themselves enough. If you did, you would not be averaging 30 in first-class cricket and that is what we are getting.” In the recently concluded series, it was Jermaine Blackwood that averaged the most for the team with 35.17 but he was the only one to get to 30. Overall, for the series, the team averaged closer to 20. In fact, the team’s highest
batting average in a Test series consisting of at least two matches since 2017 is 34.66 and that was against Zimbabwe in 2017. “You can’t beat any quality team with that type of average. So, our guys first have to stand up in front of the mirror and think what am I doing to improve myself, because, until our players improve their batting we are not going to score runs against a strong team.”
Woakes and Buttler propel England t r to unlikely win o p S Task Force recommends over Pakistan
far-reaching changes to CWI governance structure CWI President Ricky Skerritt and Vice President Kishore Shallow.
Former Guyana and West Indies U-19 batsman Hemnarine Chattergoon.
Chris Woakes reaches fifty in his stand with Jos Buttler Š Getty Images
F1 2020: Bottas pips Hamilton to pole for 70th Anniversary GP Valtteri Bottas pipped Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton to pole position.
My aim was to play test cricket - Hemnarine Chattergoon 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.