Kaieteur News

$44.7B surplus Wednesday Edition budget, a slush fund for continued PPP corruption - Norton August 10, 2022 - Vol. 17 No. 33

Online readership yesterday, 84,317

Guyana already gripped by Dutch - Fmr. Finance Minister, Jordan DiseaseDon’tWinston just reclaim WBD lands but also those awarded to Su, others - Norton to Jagdeo

Sophia woman Pandit was allegedly confesses to murdering killed for being a “snitch” watchman p. 16

Agri. Ministry inks over $610M in contracts - $426M for ailing GuySuCo

Guyana fails to complete development plan for oil sector with US$11.6 million IDB loan

Wednesday August 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 02

Don’t just reclaim WBD lands but also those awarded to Su, others

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

– Norton to Jagdeo

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton challenging VP Jagdeo to repossess lands given to his ‘friend’ Su Zhi Rong

While Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo is on record signalling his intent to reclaim prime State lands that were leased to an individual, to startup a coconut farm on the West Bank of Demerara, the Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton, has challenged him to do the same when it comes to the

thousands of acres of lands that were given to his Chinese ‘friend’ and businessman, Su Zhi Rong.

Norton was at the time engaging members of the press corps on Tuesday during the Opposition’s weekly press conference when he gave the charge.

During an outreach at P a t e n t i a , We s t B a n k

Demerara, Dr. Jagdeo told hundreds of residents gathered there that government is gearing to take back 5000 acres of State lands on the West Bank, including a 700-acre plot at Wales which is currently in the possession of a private coconut company. The 700acre plot was reportedly obtained by Amazonia Expert Services (AESL) in 2019.

To this end, the Leader of the Opposition reasoned, “that VP Jagdeo, while being accused of bribery and corruption, and of presiding over the doling out of Guyana’s lands to the PPP elite family and friends, has the temerity to speak about taking back lands from a respectable Guyanese professional.”

According to him, “The VP will do well to repossess the lands that were allegedly given out during his Presidency to Su and others.”

Importantly, Norton pointed out that the unwillingness and

reluctance of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) regime to investigate the allegations of bribery and corruption against Bharrat Jagdeo is nothing but a clear indication that the regime has no regard for the people of Guyana. He believes, “They do not believe in democracy and the rule of law. Their only interest seems to be in the pillaging of the resources of Guyana.”

As a consequence, he called on the citizens of Guyana to join their voices in demanding that an impartial investigation be conducted into the allegations levelled against the VP. In fact, he argued that the government has disrespected Guyanese by allowing an official accused of bribery and corruption to have a seat at the table to manage the country’s national resources.

Norton was keen to note, “In any democratic society, he would have had to resign or be removed. Since Guyana under the PPP is a Continued on page 19

Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 10, 2022

PAGE 03

Guyana fails to Guyana already gripped by complete development Dutch Disease plan for oil sector with – Former Finance Minister

One of the latest reports of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has projected that for 2022, Guyana’s oil and gas resources will account for almost 60 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), clearly outstripping the contributions of the other traditional sectors such as rice, sugar, bauxite, timber and gold.

Taking this level of domination into account, along with the heightened cost of living pressures, former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan said the Dutch disease phenomenon is already in Guyana.

For those who may not be aware, the Dutch disease is a concept that describes an economic phenomenon where the rapid development of one sector of the economy (particularly natural resources like oil) leads to a decline in growth of other sectors.

In a recent interview with this newspaper, Jordan intimated that the government’s incessant

Former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan “diversification talk” does not change the fact that the contributions of other sectors are declining due to what he believes is a clear case of economic mismanagement.

Jordan reasoned that there is only so much blame that the government can throw at the feet of the COVID-19 pandemic and the RussiaUkraine war. “Yes, those things do contribute to the economic strain but they cannot be blamed entirely,” Jordan stated.

Expounding further, the former Finance Minister said, “Government is spending the oil money like wildfire and rushing the development of the oil without any care for environmental consequences that abound. Who will be left on the hook when we start experiencing acid rain when the 10 oil ships are out there releasing toxic gases into the atmosphere? It will not be ExxonMobil; they are just on the hook for eligible oil spill

costs.”

Added to those environmental concerns, Jordan said the country is heavily dependent on oil; meanwhile, the traditional sectors are losing their competitive edge. Jordan said, “When you look at the non-oil performance and outlook, it is a sorry picture for Guyana. The Dutch Disease is already here, oil is already dominating the economy. The real sector which includes rice and sugar which are in distress, along with bauxite, and gold, nothing much is happening.

Their contribution is waning and it is the opposite of what the government is saying...”

The economist added, “You have never seen this level of poverty before and that is a symptom of the Dutch Disease…”

In a previous article published by this newspaper, Jordan had also cautioned citizens to not fall prey to “screaming headlines” about Guyana being the fastest growing economy on in the Continued on page 20

US$11.6M IDB loan Despite taking an US$11.6M loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) back in 2018 to strengthen the nation’s governance framework for the oil sector, several objectives were either not achieved, or, in cases where they were, are no longer being utilised by t h e c u r r e n t administration.

According to an IDB report on the performance of the loan, it was noted that a key goal for the bank was the creation of a development plan for Guyana’s oil and gas sector.

Given Guyana’s inexperience in handling such a massive and highly technical sector, that plan was intended to outline what steps ought to be taken to build up institutional capacity. That plan was also intended to guide the country on all the experts it

needed along with demarcating how and in what fields Guyana should start training for its people to be in the driver’s seat of managing the industry.

The IDB said too that this is a critical document for the country to be armed with noting that its advice in this regard was premised on the

governance and institutional development experiences of other resource-rich countries, even as it recognised that the circumstances of each country are unique, as are industry and market circumstances at any point in time.

The financial institution said Guyana was poised to Continued on page 22

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 10, 2022

KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: SHARMAIN GRAINGER Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Vice Presidential oil contract developments, really?

I

s this country’s Vice President of Oil, Bharrat Jagdeo, at long last seeing the light, actually being touched by its rays? Has he really been listening all along to the intensifying clamours from many Guyanese minds and mouths about their concerns with Guyana’s crime-of-thecentury oil contract with ExxonMobil? Is the Vice President feeling the heat of rising temperatures from locals on how they view this monstrous oil deal, and what it means for them, in how it cheats them? Or is it yet another instance of more leadership games being played by the Vice President who now stands as a proven master with such slick skills?

It is clear that Vice President Jagdeo has not merely changed his mouth, but he has shifted his prior postures (“Jagdeo flip-flops on Exxon contract…now saying that the deal “not the worst in the world” …attacks critics who point out flaws in the deal” -KN August 8). Every day that dawns in Guyana delivers a new wonder, with the latest being this turnaround by Mr. Jagdeo. There could not have been any harsher critic of this rotten, villainous oil deal than the Vice President himself. He never missed a beat in beating down the Coalition executed oil contract on behalf of the Guyanese people. Mr. Jagdeo made sure his people followed suit in trashing the former Coalition Government’s oil deal, with scorching language about it being an unimaginable horror for Guyana, among the most heinous of capital crimes ever committed in the history of the world. But today, he signals a change in his tune, and his people are sure to quickly fall in line and join the chorus singing the praises of a horrible oil contract, which now finds favour in PPP/C Government quarters.

“It is not the worst in the world” and for that a word of thanks is due to Mr. Jagdeo for his conversion, his bornagain status. Now like a true believer, he sets his sights on infidels (critics), those not toeing he and his party’s new line on the contract. He denounces those who assert that the contract in its many enslaving provisions is nothing but a hard, choking yoke around the neck of this nation, and all its peoples.

This is nothing new for us at this publication, for we have grown accustomed to being the messenger singled out and vilified for exposing truths, and the nakedness of governments and leaders, without exception. The messenger is always the first to pay the worst of prices.

We can deal with that, but how does the wily Vice President Jagdeo plan to deal with this not-so-worst contract in the world? He has cleverly staked out the position that he and his PPP/C Government are trapped in the middle, so that it would require a lot of time and wisdom to move on the contract.

He refuses to renegotiate, which is on record, since it was what was promised. Today, rather artfully, what Mr. Jagdeo has just succeeded in doing is dangle change in the air, while giving himself breathing space to ease the squeezes coming at a rising level from enraged and impatient Guyanese.

At the end of the day, and however this is analysed, what Guyanese heard was that the PPP/C Government is only going to move when it is good and ready on the oil contract for the urgently needed improvements. And, more importantly, when ExxonMobil signals its own interest in listening, and giving a little crumb here and there to pacify hostile, and increasingly outspoken, Guyanese. In other words, any renegotiation of this horror story of a contract will only begin when ExxonMobil is ready.

It is not because the Vice President and his Government found the fearlessness and straightness to make such renegotiation a prime component for continued oil production in this country by anyone.

What should be obvious to all citizens watching and listening to the Vice President is how much this confirms that there is so little that separates the PPP/C and the APNU+AFC, whether they are in government or in opposition. They promise, they betray, they live to govern, and continue the partnering with those who cheat us and rob all Guyanese.

‘Oil: What you could see daytime, doan look fuh at night with fire stick’ DEAR EDITOR, Permit me to respond to a letter in Stabroek News dated August 6, 2022 by Joel Bhagwandin, Financial Analyst, captioned,’ Guyana poised to earn close to US$5b annually when the four approved oil platforms are producing concurrently’. In that letter, it is stated that,’ Professor Hunte failed to cite the specific section that … the 14.5% take that Guyana currently gets is enshrined in the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). The reason for his inability to show the evidence of any such clause in the contract though is because it does not exist.’

In responding to this claim, I am reminded of a Guyanese proverb, ‘What you could see daytime, doan look fuh at night with fire stick’.

So here are some issues that the Financial Analyst did not consider.

First, as Mike Persaud reminded, there is no ring fencing in this project. This implies that the company is free to cover all its cost on any

new exploration activities from the existing revenue stream. Under normal circumstances, drilling costs would be covered with highrisk money, since there is no guarantee that every well drilled will yield a financially viable project. Only recently, it was reported that Tullow Oil said it would abandon its Guyana drilling operations since the results showed the well contained water and no oil. Consequently, Tullow Oil share value dropped on the stock exchange. If this happened with EEPGL, and they did have a few dry wells, they will have a soft landing on the current revenue stream in EEPGL. This is the benefit of no ring fencing, and a clear signal that, ‘What you could see in day time…’

Second, no business will be financially viable, if it cannot cover all its costs; and a serious professional Financial Analyst without question will subscribe to this rubric. In this regard, limiting the total cost to 75 percent of total revenue is an

obvious ploy, as the remaining 25 percent must be covered for the company to remain financially viable; otherwise, they will go out of business.

Referencing Section 11.3 in the PSA that the Financial Analyst quoted, it is observed that: “To the extent that in any month, Recoverable Contract Costs exceed the aggregate value of Cost Oil and Cost Gas determined in accordance with Article 13 and / or Article 12, the unrecoverable amount shall be carried forward and, subject to limitation stipulated in Article 11.2, shall be recoverable in the immediately succeeding month, and to the extent not then recovered, in the subsequent month or months.”. This condition implies that EPGL will most likely be ramping up exploration, development and extraction, since they have a guaranteed soft landing in place that is fully covered by current revenues. It is therefore useless to write 14.5 % or any other percentage in

the contract, given this extravagant gift.

Third, the Financial Analyst make the prediction that, ‘The estimated gross revenue is approximately US$177.3b (this is: 2,638 million barrels times $67.22 per barrel); the total Government’s Take is an estimated US$49b or 28% while the Oil Companies’ Take is an estimated US$42b or 24%.’. Adding together the revenue shares of the government (US$49b) and EEPGL (US$42b), this total of US$91b falls short of the total revenue of US$177.3b by US$86.3b (48.7%). In the circumstances, the Financial Analyst must explain who is this unknown party who is receiving the largest share of the revenue (48.7%) when in fact the only two known entities in this arrangement are the government and EEPGL. I implore the Financial Analyst to shine some sunlight on this hidden entity.

Meanwhile, one of (Continued on page 5)

Why is it so hard for Government/EPA/Oil operators to release all insurance policies and related documents to show proof of insurance?

DEAR EDITOR, I call on the PPP Government/EPA, Exxon/ HESS/CNOOC to release all insurance policies and related documentation on this ongoing vexed question of whether the oil companies have adequate insurance in the event of an oil spill. Mr. VP, as you would say, this is a “no brainer.”

Civic Society, environmentalists and the concerned public at large have been following this simmering debate of whether the Government and EPA are doing due diligence for the safety and security of the environment in ensuring that

the oil operators have adequate insurance to cover all damages and consequences of oil spills. A recent article stated “ExxonMobil, EPA, Vincent Adams clash over ‘full liability coverage’ “ (SN, August 8, 2022).

Of these three parties, I would choose to believe the story of Dr. Adams. Of the three, he is the only one speaking on behalf of the people of Guyana and those who want peace of mind that when Exxon and friends will soon have 50 wells operating at the same time and the risks are high, that we are covered in the event of an oil spill.

Nation, is it wrong to ask for proof of insurance, since we are unsure whether there is insurance or not? Why is the Minister and EPA unwilling or afraid to release the policies and related proof of insurance, to assuage the fears of the nation? When the police stop a vehicle on the road, the first thing they ask for is licence and insurance on the spot. Don’t they? Can you tell the policeman, don’t worry about it, I have the policy at home and it’s all good, and if I make an accident, I will pay for it?

Would he not haul your sorry self to the police station, charge you, and probably

impound your car? We need the EPA to be our police not to sound as if they are the PR arm of the oil companies. The people have a right to see the insurance documentation for all the projects. We have low trust in the Government, EPA and oil companies. They seem to be on the same side and the same team versus the people of Guyana.

Also, if you have a new car, would you not buy comprehensive and collision insurance instead of the bare minimum liability insurance?

The Government knows the issue of insurance is a big deal for the people of (Continued on page 5)

Wednesday August 10, 2022

‘Oil: What you could see daytime...

From page 4 the useful aspects about working with oil projects is the fact that all costs and revenue can be expressed in barrels of oil. For example, when it is postulated that Guyana receives 50 percent of the revenue and EEPGL receives 50 percent of the revenue, this implies that for every two barrels of oil produced, Guyana receives one barrel of oil and EEPGL receives one barrel as well.

Furthermore, if the price of a barrel of oil is US$67.22, then Guyana and EEPGL receive US$ 33.61 each.

The Financial Analyst stated that Guyana will receive 28% of the revenue.

This implies that EEPGL receives 72 percent of the revenue which converts to 2.572 barrels of oil for every one barrel of oil that Guyana receives, when 3.571 barrels of oil are produced.

EEPGL revenue will be US$48.40 per barrel and Guyana revenue will be US$18.82 per barrel, when the price of a barrel of oil is US$67.22 (Table 1). If Guyana were to receive more than 50 percent of the revenue, this implies that EEPGL will receive less than one barrel of oil for every barrel of oil that Guyana receives. See the results in Table 1 for Guyana shares of 51% and 59 %.

Given this arrangement of more than 50 percent of revenue to Guyana, no investor will engage in such an outcome.

Fourth, it is reported in an article in Kaieteur News August 7,20222, written by Kiana Wilburg, that Financial Analyst Joel Bhagwandin objected to the government share of 59 percent of revenue made by Schreiner Parker, Rystad Energy’s Senior Vice President.

The Financial Analyst contends that this share is overstated due to the fact, ‘…that taxes are included as part of what the government already gets from profit oil. He said this occurs based on the structure of the 2016 Production Sharing

Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor.

Say no to it.

Agreement (PSA).’ Editor, may I remind the Financial Analyst that EEPGL do not have to pay income taxes on their profit share and the government has to provide a receipt that can be used for tax deduction purposes.

Undoubtedly, issuing a government receipt for money not collected is fraud and corruption.

The implication of this situation is that Government would be giving-up its sovereignty to a private company, and therefore Guyana would be a laughingstock for all time.

Finally, the Financial Analyst indicates that, ‘… the estimated reserves to be recovered is approximately 2.64 billion barrels of crude of which Liza 1 accounts for an estimated 438 million reserves, Liza 2 an estimated 600 million reserves, Payara an estimated 600 million reserves and Yellowtail an estimated 1 billion reserves.’

Given that Guyanese have been told that the estimated reserves (or Oil in place or oil in the ground, as stated in the literature) is 11.0 billion barrels of oil, and ‘recoverable oil’ (the oil that can actually be extracted) is only 2.64 billion barrels (24% of the total), this is certainly a signal that Guyana has been misinformed about the expected oil wealth, for 11 billion barrels are not going to market from these projects.

Incidentally, it is also reported in the literature that, ’Recoverable oil is generally between 30-37% of ‘oil in place’, although in certain difficult regions, it drops to 12-16%.’ Please note that the estimated amount of 24% by the Financial Analyst falls outside these two ranges.

Furthermore, given that 11 billion barrels of oil will not

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Kaieteur News

be extracted; that the speed of extraction is expected to increase; that the life of the 4 projects is between 8 and 11 years, as stated by the Financial Analyst, it therefore follows that the likelihood of the project being around for

a few decades is a pipe dream, for ‘What you could see in the daytime, doan look fuh at night with fire stick’.

Sincerely, C. Kenrick Hunte, Ph.D. Professor and former Ambassador

Why is it so hard for...

From page 4 Guyana, so why would the Government not release the documents to put our minds at ease?

Does the Government think Mr. Glenn Lall, KN, SN and Civil Society would go away if they keep playing hardball? Why does the EPA/Government have to be forced to show transparency and accountability on such an

important issue? The EITI and Escazu, World Bank, IMF and international agencies are watching on to see what the Government side will do.

It’s our country and our wealth, and we watching you, watching you.

Release all insurance documentation now!

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

A look at PPP/C Government shift on lopsided Exxon contract DEAR EDITOR, The PPP Government has now shifted its position on Guyana’s burdensome oil contract with Exxon. It is speaking a different language in carefully constructed wording. It seems that the leaders in the PPP Government are readying to move slowly and cautiously to bring about changes in the contract that they had cursed so vehemently. I warn all citizens from today: be careful! Much more is afoot than meets eye and ear.

The record is an open book.

Numerous PPP spokespeople, when the party was in the Opposition,

had raged against the contract signed by the then APNU+AFC Coalition Government. The party’s spokespeople went to town with one scornful putdown after another on how vile the contract with Exxon was. The attacks against the Coalition continued when the PPP returned to power in 2020, and has never really let up in intensity, with every opportunity seized to remind all Guyanese how criminal the contract was. In parliament, in the media, and in the outreaches before captive audiences loaded with docile supporters, PPP leaders (Continued on page 6)

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Wednesday August 10, 2022

A look at PPP/C Government shift on lopsided Exxon contract...

From page 5 or ministers lashed and bashed the contract. It was another way of burning the Coalition in effigy before frenzied, delirious believers.

Now the Vice President has publicly announced the first movement in a different direction. The new position is that the oil contract with Exxon is not the worst one ever (walking back previous strenuous contentions), and it is not the best one that could have been had; a rare occasion he agrees with me.

It is not that bad, and it is not so good. Therefore, the admission that some work is required to bring about much needed changes in this

terrible contract. This is the new position taken, the new direction to be pursued, with the Vice President as lead vocalist.

It is not overnight development; but after wise weighing of the environment, the pressures coming from pockets of protesting, and with what the territory could absorb. Regarding the latter, it is where Government leaders could keep up the charade of not being in bed with Exxon, while working towards what would be acceptable to Exxon’s leaders and interests. I think that such an approach benefits the Government.

First, it weakens the steam

from those in the streets calling for renegotiation; after all this is in motion, but on a different timetable, meaning, later. Second, tabling contract change buys time, distracts, and keeps the people occupied.

Third, this development involving middle ground being taken, paves the way for the change talked about to unfold. This is the new mantra of change later in nuanced language. It will be radical (hostile) or aggressive (in the face), but deliberate, step-by-step methods to consume time, while maintaining the candle of change on this wicked stepmother of a contract. As a reminder, a contract by the

enemy PNC; there is the added benefits of a possible major issue under review by the Coalition being preempted.

In sum, work is going for contract changes for more for Guyanese. Change will come, and though not foregone, there is energy, and plenty confidence in delivering for Guyanese. Nothing beats that; few can differ.

Regarding Exxon, I foresee it playing along, which is part of the game played upon gullible Guyanese, with only polite noises from the top company people.

The timeline looks like this. The PPP Government, with the Vice President

arranging and conducting the orchestra for oil contract change, would lead the dance, while tantalizingly dangling change before the nose. One year is a good middle ground regarding timeframe, for building up the narrative to a crescendo. As elections draw near, the more prominent talking about change, and moving towards change in the contract, will be in the air. Exxon will collaborate to maintain the appearances of real discussions going on. To take another position, I believe that Exxon has already finalized what it is prepared to yield; it is around a 1-2% increase in royalty (plus some

fineries), and a year prior to elections. The victory for the PPP would be that it is 100% better than the PNC managed.

As an elections ace, it can be bettered.

The PPP gets to crow about fighting for Guyanese, how well it did for them.

Exxon is able to speak brightly about partnering and collaborating (if Guyanese know how) with this country.

Americans get to join in the feel-good moment. And all Guyanese live happily ever after. What is there not to love about oil contract change(s), PPP Government and Exxon style?

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Wednesday August 10, 2022

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Wednesday August 10, 2022

Health Ministry gets additional $332.6M to upgrade national healthcare system The Ministry of Health has received an additional $332.640 million, which was approved on Monday in the National Assembly, to assist with its plans to upgrade the national healthcare system.

The sum forms part of the supplementary funding totalling G$44.7 billion for the fiscal year 2022 which the National Assembly approved on Monday.

Health Minister Dr. Frank Attorney explained that as part of the expenditure, moves will be made, among other things, to upgrade the healthcare system infrastructure through support from the US-based Mount Sinai Hospital.

Dr. Anthony noted that, “Guyana is in the process of modernising its healthcare system via the partnership we have with the Mount Sinai

Hospital. Under this agreement, Mount Sinai would be working with three broad areas…”

According to the Health Minister, “The first area of focus is the national health strategy initiative under which, we will be improving our health information system, because right now, we don’t have a comprehensive electronic health data system… This is something that

we believe will greatly enhance patient care.”

Dr. Anthony went on to note that another key area of the collaboration with Mount Sinai is human resource development.

“In healthcare, we have to train a lot of nurses, doctors and medical staff, some of them in specialised areas…This initiative will allow us Continued on page 9

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony

Wednesday August 10, 2022

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Kaieteur News

The PNC/R is a divided house There was a coup within the PNC/R. Following the defeat of the APNU+AFC at the March 2, 2020 elections, a mutiny broke out within the party with rogue forces directing their ire towards the then incumbent leader David Granger.

Those forces were opposed to the Granger’s acceptance of the final declaration of results of the elections. Their opposition was mirrored by other elements in society who wanted Granger to intervene and scrap the result of the elections and, supposedly, to rule by decree.

Granger however took the constitutional path. That path meant that he was compelled to accept the final declaration of GECOM. He did so and as a result, the rebellion against him intensified.

Some of his former colleagues even sided against him. Their chagrin was that he should not have given up power. In the end, he was isolated, and the person many saw as being aligned to him also became the victim of the campaign against the former leader of the PNC/R. At the heart of the plot to unseat Granger from the

party’s leadership was that he should have allowed the rigging to proceed. The PNC/R has a notorious history of electoral rigging dating back to the 1968 polls.

At that time, it went by the name PNC. It rigged the 1968, 1973, 1980 and 1985 elections and attempted to benefit from attempts to rig the 2020 elections.

In each of those successive elections, the rigging became more glaring, brazen and barefaced. Peter D’Aguiar, a former ally of the PNC, said this about the 1968 elections: “To call it an election is to give it a name it does not deserve; it was a seizure of power by fraud, not election.” The 1973 elections were branded as “fairy tale elections”. The British Parliamentary Group of Observers described the 1980 elections as being more “crooked than barbed wire.”

The PNC also rigged the 1978 referendum which gave it power to change the Constitution.

The world changed in 1989 when the Cold War ended and the PNC knew that it could no longer rig its way to power. It lost the 1992 elections and all successive

elections until the 2015 polls when the APNU+AFC narrowly defeated the PPP/C which had ruled for 23 years.

Following its electoral humiliation in the 2006 polls when Bharrat Jagdeo swept aside Robert Corbin by more than 20 percent of the votes cast, the PNC/R decided to rebrand itself. It projected itself as a party practising internal democracy in the choice of its Presidential candidate. It opted for a new image and a new leader. It opted for David Granger.

While he lost the 2011 polls, he successfully put together with the AFC an electoral coalition, which narrowly won the 2015 elections. David Granger represented, in the words of the party, integrity, decency and honesty.

But apparently that was not good enough for the rogue elements in the PNC/R which wanted him to condone the rigging of the 2020 general elections. He did not. He accepted the declaration of the Guyana Elections Commission and began to prepare his party for its role in the Opposition.

Realising that the party needed to invest in younger leadership, he appointed a

Dem boys seh...

Start and stop is de new speed Dem use to have a man wukin at de Ministry of Education and he use to have two speeds for wukkin: slow and dead stop.

De man dead and gone to he Maker but he reputation lives on. Dem gat nuff people who does gat dem own two speed fuh wukkin tuh – is now start and stop.

Well it look as if de present guvament deh pon start and stop.

De President did announce belatedly a Commission of Inquiry into the 2020 elections. Den we hear how de terms of reference

formulating. Dem boys hope is nat a start and stop operation. Because up to now, dem boys can’t hear nuttin about when de inquiry gan start and if de hearings gonna be virtual or live. Is like a start and stop commission.

Dem boys also hear how serious charges coming against dem wah commit mayhem in de country when dem attack dem vendors at Mon Repos and loot and burn property. Dem boys still waitin fuh de charges wah a man seh gan be serious.

Dem boys hoping is not de usual blow-blow talk.

Nuff things start and stop in Guyana. Is two years since de guvament get swear in and one year since dem bin promise fuh give out democracy awards. Dem boys know about two persons in Article 13 who eligible fuh duh award.

And dem boys want know whether is because of de two persons dat de rest of de Guardians of Democracy can’t get honoured. Dat is another start and stop promise.

Talk half. Leff half.

Health Ministry gets additional $332.6M...

From page 8 to study our healthcare system, look at our human resource deficit and develop it. We will also be developing new training programmes, upgrading current training programmes and so forth,” he added.

Additionally, Dr. Anthony said that the initiative will allow for the Ministry to work with medical specialist to strengthen the public healthcare system.

“We will also be looking at new ways to finance the sector …that’s a big part of what we will be looking at,” the Minister said.

In terms of infrastructure

upgrade, Minister Anthony said that the work will start at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

“We will start there because it is our premier public health facility but it will be replicated across the country, “Dr. Anthony said. The Health Minister told the House that the Guyanese public is set to benefit from input by worldclass healthcare provided as the Mount Sinai Health System, it is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area.

Mount Sinai Hospital has more than 43,000 employees working across eight hospitals, over 400 outpatient

practices, over 300 labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education.

Kaieteur News understands that as part of the initiative, a 40+ member project team of leading healthcare experts from the Mount Sinai Health System, including Mount Sinai International and the Arnhold Institute of Global Health arms of Mount Sinai dedicated to advancing the institution’s mission of delivering innovative, highquality healthcare around the globe, will begin work on implementation in partnership with the Government.

number of young persons and newcomers to the National Assembly. He also left out a number of stalwarts.

This became the occasion for further animosity against Granger and in the end, he did not have the strength or support to avoid the plot against him. He decided not to contest the leadership of the party and retired into the political sunset.

The results of the party’s 2021 Congress represented an almost complete change of guard within the PNC/R. Even the General Secretary was not returned. The

Granger brand had all but been erased.

There are Kingmakers behind the scenes that are determined to ensure that the party returns to its old ways.

And given the devastating psychological impact which the election loss has had on sections of the party, it is not likely that the party can be rescued from its present handlers.

The PNC/R is a divided house and is likely to not be in the best of financial straits.

But come elections, the factions will come together.

And the party can be assured

that once a date for elections is named, the cowardly business class in this country is going to set aside their contribution envelopes to finance the PNC/R’s elections campaign.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Wednesday August 10, 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

I do not visit Guyana; I live in Guyana I refer to a letter critical of me published by Dr. Asquith Rose in the yesterday’s edition of the Kaieteur News. What an ironic letter. He ends it with the words: “engage your brains before opening your mouth.”

Dr. Rose has a Freudian mind larger than the parts of Guyana that he visited when he came to Guyana, assuming that he was in Guyana. He brought out his Freudian mind when he used those words, maybe borrowed from someone where he lives in the US. The identical quote can apply to him. It was buried in his mind when he applied it

to me but he really meant it for himself. He should engage his brain and do research on my country before he opens his mouth on Globe-Span each week and interview people living in Guyana.

1 – Dr. Rose has not responded to the one and only point raised in my column. Maybe he did not understand it. I will repeat it for him. A person cannot live outside a country and interview citizens living in that country. That foreign interviewer before he opens his mouth to talk, he should do research on Guyana so he will know which relevant questions to ask his Guyanese guests.

2 – Dr. Rose is right. I write on many foreign countries. I do not support the Russian invasion of Ukraine and I wrote on that.

For the education of Dr. Rose, that is called unresearched opinions that all humans have. Unresearched opinions transform themselves into verifiable facts when the opinion-holder goes to the

country and do research.

He/she then has the credibility to work as a columnist, journalist or war correspondent and write authoritatively on the country involved.

I have opinions on Ukraine, the US and other countries. I have more than opinions on Guyana. I have facts on Guyana because I live in Guyana and investigate Guyana. I know what the president is doing. I know what the opposition leader is doing. I have the authority to interview Guyanese on what is taking place in Guyana because I know what is taking place in Guyana.

3 – Dr. Rose mentioned that social media has brought all countries together. That is a stupid point in an argument about journalism. Social media cannot substitute for a word Dr. Rose loves to use – Research. You have to take your smart phone and your social media presence and go to the country, do the research, then you can interview people.

J u s t o n e

commonsensical answer should educate Dr. Rose.

You live in Afghanistan and with your smart phone, you see the batsman from Afghanistan moved down the wicket to the spinner of the opposing team, in a match played in Barbados.

The batsman got bowled. So you saw live the action of being bowled.

If you were not in Barbados, you would never know why he reacted to the spinner like that. But the journalist in Barbados would know that because the batsman was asked why he did that and he explained that the coach instructed him to treat the spinner like that.

4 – We can write how much we want on foreign countries, but we must be in those countries to properly understand the nuances in the society. I was shocked when in his bid for a second term, Barack Obama, advocated same sex marriage. I thought it would hurt his re-election bid because his major constituencies – AfroAmericans – are not keen on

gay marriage.

But Obama knew what he was doing. He had a better sense of his country than I, who lived far away.

5 – Dr. Rose Frederick Kissoon informed me on the places he questions Guyanese living in visited while in Guyana, assuming that he Guyana but the interviewer did visit. I am under no does not live in Guyana. It is obligation to believe him. highly improper and makes a Well he had to visit them. I mockery of journalism.

Equally obnoxious is the don’t have to visit them.

They belong to me and the foreign-based Guyanese 800,000 Guyanese who live i n t e r v i e w i n g a n o t h e r here. They are available to us foreign-based Guyanese on 24 hours a day. Dr. Rose will life in Guyana.

What do both of them see them in the future if he chooses to visit. I can see know about Guyana? I end with throwing back at Dr. them anytime.

In conclusion, I reiterate Rose what is essentially his the essential point in my problem – engage your column that Dr. Rose took brain, and do decent research umbrage at. And I repeat my before opening your mouth advocacy to Mr. Nohar and talking to other people about their country.

Singh.

I cannot disclose what (The views expressed in the reaction was by Mr. Singh when I spoke to him. this article are those of the Globe-Span should not have a u t h o r a n d d o n o t a weekly programme in necessarily reflect the which the interviewer opinions of this newspaper.)

Wednesday August 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

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PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 10, 2022

House passes motion for updated Low Carbon Development Strategy …to keep greenhouse emissions flat; protect coastland and hinterland from climate change

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh The updated version of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) was passed in the National Assembly on Monday following presentations from members of the government side.

The motion, which was presented by Senior Minister in the Office of the P r e s i d e n t w i t h responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh noted that the draft version of the LCDS 2030 was built from the 2009 version of the strategy.

He noted that the LCDS 2030 represents the manifestation of the PPP/C’s commitment to sustainable renewable development and builds on what was already achieved. The Finance Minister noted too that with Guyana’s new oil-producing status, there was much to take into account.

“It has been updated to current realities, outlines a clear mechanism for the mobilisation of forest resources, and makes provisions for the blue economy…,” Dr. Singh said, noting that when the former APNU+AFC Coalition took office, the strategy, as well as the projects intended to improve the livelihood of citizens had stopped.

Added to this, Minister Singh stressed that the forests are an extremely valuable part and one of the most effective mechanisms in global climate solutions.

With that, Dr. Singh noted that the LCDS 2030 takes Guyana forward and creates a new stream of revenue for investment in low carbon. It will also ensure that the country maintains its position as a net-zero country.

“When it comes to the

issue of low carbon development, the 2015 to 2020 years can be characterised as lost years…But we will see to it these projects are revived and ensure that the revenues we earn from the LCDS are processed through the most rigorous budgetary process,” Dr. Singh added.

In her remarks, Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai noted that rigorous consultations had happened as part of LCDS 2030.

“All major civil society organisations, the private s e c t o r, c o n s e r v a t i o n organisations, Amerindian people’s organisations, and other stakeholders were afforded the opportunity to share their ideas and suggestions, to help shape the approach for how Guyana can achieve developmental goals that will benefit people across the country,” she said.

Minister Sukhai said that the strategy also received the endorsement of the newly elected Chairman of the National Toshaos Council, Derrick John.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lenox Shuman endorsed the LCDS 2030, describing it as a comprehensive document that benefitted from the inclusion of the Amerindian people, something that was absent under the APNU+AFC. According to the Executive Summary of the document, “The expected opportunity to access a market mechanism for forest climate services, and other ecosystem services, will enable Guyana to store 19.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (the Continued on page 20

Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 10, 2022

PAGE 13

Pandit confesses to murdering watchman A

pandit of Canefield, East Canje, Berbice, who was also employed as a pump operator at the Rose Hall Estate Pump Station, has confessed to killing his co-worker, a 59-yearold watchman.

Regional Commander Boodnarine Persaud told this publication that the suspect confessed while being interrogated by ranks on Tuesday.

The pandit confessed to

strangling pump station watchman Angraj Indrapaul, called ‘Charles’, of Lot 940 New Area, Canefield, East Canje, over a misunderstanding which he did not detail.

Indrapaul’s death was initially being investigated as a drowning after his body was pulled from the pump station canal on the morning of Friday, August 5, 2022 by estate workers. His daughter Roshnie Indrapaul had stated that her father

had left home for work on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 16:00hrs and the next day around 07:00hrs, the family had gotten a call informing them that he was not seen at the worksite although his bag and boots were there.

She said that when they arrived at the location, workers were already searching for her father and a few hours later, his lifeless body was located and pulled from the canal.

According to reports, the pandit was working with Indrapaul on the shift when he went missing. The daughter of the deceased man had indicated that she found it strange that the pandit did not call to inform the family about the situation. It was an estate worker who had called, the daughter revealed.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Indrapaul died from strangulation. Police arrested the pandit subsequently.

Dead, Angraj Indrapaul

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday August 10, 2022

$4B approved to pay off GPL debts The allocation of funds, sought by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) in the National Assembly was progressing smoothly on Monday, until the Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar interrupted to question a $4 billion sum to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. In the Financial Paper circulated in the House, it could only be understood that the allocation was to service the electricity arrears to the power company. The funds were being requested

by the Ministry of Finance.

To this end, Indar asked that an explanation be given as to why the money is needed to pay arrears.

Responding to the Minister’s query was his colleague, the Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.

Singh explained that the money was required to pay off the debts that were inherited from the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change ( A P N U + A F C ) administration. In fact, he said what the PPP became

heir to was a “dire financial situation.”

The Minister said, “We inherited a state of affairs in a number of the entities in the public sector and in particular amongst the several Stateowned enterprises which reflected very dire financial circumstances. Indeed sir, a number of these agencies were found effectively to be bankrupt. The Guyana Power and Light Inc., to give one example, had accumulated, only from its public sector entities, receivables in excess of $12 billion.” This figure, he explained, represents the

sum of money that was owed to GPL that was not being paid.

Dr. Singh noted that the $12 billion debt resulted in a “tremendous liquidity and cash flow crisis at the company.”

He went on to note, “This was a cascading problem because amongst the entities that owed the GPL were in turn a number of other agencies who were in similar states of financial distress.”

For example, the Guyana Water Inc., he said, owed the power company in excess of $9 billion and was incapable

Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh responds to a query from his colleague Minister on the $4 billion provision for GPL of servicing that debt.

Another agency that accumulated debt to GPL was the Guyana Forestry

Commission (GFC).

In offering another explanation for the Continued on page 22

Wednesday August 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Govt. moves ahead with Constitutional Reform Bill

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira

D

espite the initial back and forth b e t w e e n members of the government and the opposition towards establishing the Constitutional Reform Commission, the National Assembly, in the absence of the Opposition, on Monday passed the Constitution Reform Commission Bill, in a bid to move the process forward.

M i n i s t e r o f Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira presented the bill on behalf of Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, SC. The passage of the Bill comes weeks after government members of the parliamentary constitutional reform committee accused opposition members of stymieing the process by failing to attend meetings and participate in the consultative process towards establishing the commission.

The passage of the law to establish the commission is a critical part of the process of establishing constitutional reform in Guyana. It is also a fulfillment of the agenda of the campaign manifesto of the ruling People Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration.

The explanatory memorandum of the Bill passed on Monday states that the 2022 Act seeks the establishment of the Constitution Reform Commission which will consist of 20 members.

The commission shall be appointed by the President and will include five members of the PPP/C, four members of the APNU+AFC, one member from the liberty and justice party, and one member each from the A New and United Guyana (ANUG).

Added to that the commission will have a single nominee from each of the following civil society groups: the Guyana Bar

Accomplice in Chinese supermarket break-in charged

Charged for breaking into a supermarket, Edward Gudge

The injured Lloyd Thomas who remains hospitalised

Even as the shot businessman, Lloyd Thomas, who is accused of breaking into a Chinese supermarket on Wednesday last, remains hospitalised, police have managed to capture one of his suspected

accomplices.

Police have identified the accomplice as Edward Gudge, 43, a construction worker of 75 Back Street, McDoom, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Gudge Continued on page 18

Association, the Labour Movement, the National Toshao’s Council, the p r i v a t e s e c t o r, representatives of women organisations, youth organisations, Christian, Hindu and Muslim organisations, as well as a nominee representing farmers.

According to the memorandum, the commission will review the constitution to provide for the current and future rights, duties, liabilities, and obligations of the Guyanese people and for that purpose shall receive, consider, and

evaluate submissions for the alteration of the constitution a n d r e p o r t i t s recommendations to the standing committee for transmission to the National Assembly.

The document noted that in conducting the review of the Constitution, the commission shall take into account the following; the full protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Guyanese under the law; the rights of Indigenous people of Guyana; the rights of children; eliminating discrimination in all forms;

improving race relations and promoting ethnic security and equal opportunity; measures to ensure the views of minorities in the decisionmaking and in the conduct of Government are given due consideration.

The commission will also, among other things, ensure measures to maintain and strengthen the independence of the judiciary and implement reforms relating to elections and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), taking into consideration its composition, method of electing its chairman and

members and its jurisdiction over national registration and electoral process.

According to the law, during the period of review, the commission is also mandated to consult the widest possible geographical area, i.e. with as many persons, groups, communities organisations, and institutions as possible including religious and cultural organisations, political parties, youth organisations, high school and university students, women’s organisations, private and public sector organisation and the media.

Wednesday August 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

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CXC, local stakeholders discuss including CVQ in 34 more institutions

Deputy Chief Education Officer (Technical), Dr. Ritesh Tularam delivering remarks

T

he Caribbean Examinations C o u n c i l (CXC®), the Ministry of Education and the Council for Technical Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) on Monday hosted a pre-stakeholder meeting to begin the assessment of 34 secondary schools in Guyana to offer the C a r i b b e a n Vo c a t i o n a l Qualification (CVQ).

In a release issued by the Education Ministry, Ms. Linda Stuart-Doman, CVQ Auditor and a Manager in the

Syllabus and Curriculum Development Department of CXC ®, gave an overview of the meeting.

She said that the prestakeholder meeting allows CXC to provide an overview of the audit procedure and to clarify any concerns stakeholders may have regarding the audit instrument and the processes to be executed. Further, she said it focuses on assessing the readiness of the institutions to deliver the regional occupational standards and to implement

Sophia woman was allegedly killed for being a “snitch” Twenty-two-year-old Vanessa Anderson, a mother of three of ‘B’ Field Dam Sophia, Georgetown, was on Monday night killed reportedly over a feud that resulted from her being a “snitch”.

According to police, Anderson was murdered around 18:30hrs at ‘B’ Field Dam Sophia, allegedly by a 20-year female and her 29year-old sister, both of ‘B’ Field Dam, Sophia.

Kaieteur News understands that the young mother and the two sisters were neighbours who had an ongoing feud. The sisters had accused the young mother of calling the police to search their home.

According to police, on Monday night, Anderson was in front of her yard when she was approached by the two suspects and an argument ensued between them.

It was stated that during the argument, the 20-yearold suspect collected a knife from her 29-year-old sister and stabbed the young mother twice – one to the upper left back and the other

Ms. Linda Stuart-Doman, CVQ Auditor and a Manager in the Syllabus and Curriculum Development Department of CXC ® the CXC quality assurance criteria in training candidates pursuing programmes for CVQ certification. She said that the process has various stages which will include physical site visits to schools.

Presently, eight schools in Guyana are offering CVQ certification in four areas.

The Ministry intends to add 34 more schools to that list with the bigger aim to eventually have CVQ programmes offered in every secondary school across Guyana so that each child can exit secondary school with both a CXC certificate and a CVQ certificate.

Secondary schools from each Education District are included.

Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson said that following a deliberate review of its secondary education programme, the Ministry of Education is determined to ensure that all the students are offered a secondary level education that will make them

academically and economically viable. He said that countries with similar historical timelines as Guyana that have invested heavily in TVET in their formal education system have lower unemployment rates.

He said that the data supports the argument that the time is right for Guyana to move in this direction.

According to Dr. Hutson, Guyana can ill-afford not to invest in TVET. Deputy Chief Education Officer (Technical), Dr. Ritesh Tularam said that Monday marked a historic engagement for the Education Ministry and its TVET Unit as the second phase of pre-readiness audits begins for the additional 34 schools in 12 CVQ occupational programmes.

These programmes are Crop Production, Aqua Culture, Commercial Food Preparation, House Keeping, Plumbing, M a s o n r y, G a r m e n t Construction, Fish Handling and Processing, Furniture

Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson

Director of the CTVET, Mr. Patrick Chinedu Onwuzirike Making, Livestock Rearing, Customer Service, Business Administration, Data Administration, Fabric D e s i g n , M e t a l Wo r k Engineering and Agro Processing.

He said that in 2021, the Ministry’s TVET Unit moved to have eight secondary schools and Practical Instruction Centres (PICs) to satisfy the prereadiness audit requirements f o r t h e s m o o t h implementation of the CVQ programmes. As such, he said that CXC gave Guyana the green light to commence

Dead, Vanessa Anderson [Photo Credit: Big Smith News Watch] to the left shoulder.

Anderson stumbled into her yard and collapsed. She was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Anderson’s body is presently at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a postmortem examination.

The two sisters subsequently turned themselves in at the Turkeyen Police Station along with the knife used to stab Anderson. They remain in custody as an investigation continues.

Education Officers and teachers in attendance at today’s meeting

for the first time the implementation of the programmes. He said that as a result, 119 students had successfully secured registration for the CVQ level one programmes in the four occupational areas commercial food preparation, furniture making, fabric decoration and crop production.

He said that the Ministry’s Strategic Plan speaks to ensuring that every child leaving secondary school leaves with a duality of certification, that is, a Continued on page 21

Wednesday August 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

Guyana receives 52,800 Pfizer paediatric vaccines from US Guyana has received 52,800 Pfizer paediatric COVID-19 vaccines from the United States of America (USA).

The donation is part of the COVID-19 Global Action Plan to increase COVID-19 vaccinations around the world to end the acute phase of the pandemic and strengthen global health security.

The paediatric vaccines were handed over on Tuesday to a team of Ministry of Health (MOH) officials, including the Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony. In a statement, the US Embassy noted that the vaccines were donated through COVAX and are intended for children ages 5–11.

The donation will further strengthen Guyana’s National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and, according to the statement, the shipment would not have been possible without the partnership of the MOH and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

In handing over the donation, US Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), Adrienne Galanek noted, “We remain steadfast in our commitment to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines and help save lives.”

The United States has already provided more than 550 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to more than 115 countries, as part of a commitment to donate 1.2 billion doses worldwide. Moreover, in June, Guyana received 52,800 doses of the Pfizer vaccine from the Government of Spain.

The handing over of the Pfizer paediatric vaccines on Tuesday

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday August 10, 2022

Agri. Ministry inks over $610M in contracts One day after the Ministry of Agriculture secured over $5.4B in supplementary funding from the National Assembly, it has moved to ink over $610M in contracts and $426M out of that amount is for the ailing Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

A total of 13 contracts, six of them related to GuySuCo, were on Tuesday signed at Ministry’s board room at Regent Street and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.

The six GuySuCo contracts were mainly for the recapitalisation of its operations and were inked by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sasenarine Singh. Out of the $426M worth of contracts signed by the entity, $25.9M were for the supply and delivery of eight 20 feet flat bottom aluminum boats with engines from General Equipment Guyana Ltd. Another $45.1M was inked with Garnet Engineers for the supply and delivery of materials to re-tube a boiler.

The ministry claimed that this expenditure is necessary because “all of the generating tubes of the boiler are worn out to its minimum acceptable wall thickness and their replacement is necessary to avoid a

- $426M for ailing GuySuCo

Minister Zulfikar Mustapha posing for a photo with contractors on Tuesday catastrophic failure during operation.”

GuySuCo also handed out a $17.6M contract to M. Sukhai Contracting Services for the construction of a 300metre light duty revetment dam at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate. According to the Sugar Corporation, a new dam is needed there because the current one has eroded significantly and is in a dilapidated state.

The State entity will also pay General Equipment Guyana Limited a total of $295M for mobile drainage pumps to combat flooding of its sugar lands due to recent

significant increase in rainfall across the coast.

Forty of the mobile drainage pumps being obtained are CUSEC ones and will be supplied at a total cost of $40M. GuySuCo is also rehabilitating the Cane Gantry at Rose Hall Sugar Estate in Berbice, Region Six for $43.2M and the works will be done by Yunas Civil and Buildings Construction Services.

The remainder of the 13 contracts is for the Guyana Livestock and Development Authority (GLDA) and the Ministry’s Agriculture

GuySuCo CEO Sasenarine Singh signing one of the multi-million dollar contracts handed out on Tuesday to support the ailing sugar industry

Accomplice in Chinese supermarket...

From page 15 was arrested by police last Thursday and was charged for attempting to commit robbery under arms on Monday at the Diamond Magistrate Court.

Gudge appeared before Principal Magistrate, Sunil Scarce and pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleges that he, along with another man and the hospitalised Thomas, had on August 3, last, broken and entered the business place of Zhou Jianhua at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara in an attempt to commit a robbery under arms.

The Magistrate granted Gudge $150,000 bail and ordered him to return to court on October 25, 2022.

Until then, he must report to the Timehri Police Station at 08:00hrs on the last Friday of each month.

It is alleged that Gudge is one of two men

who had escaped in a burgundy Chevrolet van after the owner of the supermarket , Jianhua, opened his bedroom door and found Thomas, a businessman of Grant Sand Road, EBD, shot and lying on his floor.

Jianhua had told police that he was awakened by a banging sound on his metal door and had gotten off his bed to investigate.

As he was approaching his bedroom door, he said that he heard a gunshot and when he opened it, he found an injured Thomas and spotted two men running away.

Police believe that the two men seen running away were attempting to burglarise the supermarket with Thomas but their plan back fired after one of them might have accidentally shot him to the face. In fact, the men had already made a hole in a concrete wall to gain access to Jianhua’s living quarters where he resides with his wife.

Sector Development Unit (ASDU).

GLDA handed out three contracts and these amounted to over $34M. Out of that amount, $24.1M is for the construction of a swine facility with a semen processing area by Triple A Construction Services Limited at Mon Repos on the

East Coast of Demerara (ECD). A sum of $7M was awarded to R. Persid Construction to build a housing facility for Broiler and Black Giant Breeder birds and J & A Lumber Yard and Contracting Services got $3M to build a support for an autoclave machine at the G L D A’ s v e t e r i n a r y

laboratory.

The last four contracts, totalling $147M, were for the supply and delivery of l a n d a n d w a t e r transportation for the Ministry’s ASDU department. Some $68M will go towards the purchase of 4x4 double cab pick-ups Continued on page 21

La Penitence man who allegedly killed mason in self-defence remanded Forty-eight-year-old Alex Nedd of La Penitence Public Road, Georgetown, who had confessed to killing 33-year-old Rodwell Phillips called ‘Fishie’ in selfdefence, has been remanded to prison for murder.

Phillips, a father of two and a mason of Broad Street, Charlestown, Georgetown was killed on August 1, 2022. He was discovered lying face down on the La Penitence Public Road, with a cutlass near to his body.

On Friday, August 5, last, Nedd appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge that was read to him and he was remanded to prison.

According to reports, Phillips’ body bore several wounds. He had wounds to his chest, right side face, left side back and another to his left foot. The day after Phillips body was discovered, a wanted bulletin was issued for Nedd, who later surrendered in the company of his lawyer.

According to police, Nedd was told of the allegation, cautioned and arrested. The accused reportedly gave a written statement in the presence of his attorney admitting to the offence.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said that Nedd told

Remanded, Alex Nedd

Dead, Rodwell Phillips aka ‘Fishie’

police in his statement that he was in front of his home with a friend when Phillips came and started a conversation with his (Nedd’s) friend. The accused claimed that he eventually told his friend that he was going inside, “because he cannot deal with the conversation between him and ‘Fishie’.”

According to Nedd, he then went and locked himself inside of the vulcanising shop that he operates in front of his yard. He said that after a few minutes, he heard Phillips saying “when he is finish with the vulcanising shop, it will not open again.”

According to the accused, Phillips’ word caused him to open the door and he confronted him and asked what the problem was.

Nedd claimed that in return Phillips dealt him a cuff to his face and a scuffle ensued.

He stated too that during the

fight, Phillips bit his left ears and this caused him to reach into his pants waist for a knife which he used to stab Phillips three times.

Nedd added that they fell to the ground but he managed to get up and run into his yard. He told police that he disposed of the knife in a drain close to a shipping company on Lombard Street (Georgetown) before heading to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GHPC) where he received medical attention.

A post-mortem examination (PME) conducted by State pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, revealed that Phillips died as a result of a stab wound to the heart. The PME was conducted last Wednesday in the presence of Phillips’ mother and sister.

Phillips body has since been handed over to his relatives for burial.

Wednesday August 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Don’t just reclaim WBD lands but also others awarded...

From page 2 kleptocracy, it seems normal for alleged bribe takers and corruption architects to continue as if it is business as usual. The law must take its course.”

While Dr. Jagdeo is on a mission to reclaim the 700acre plot at Wales, Su, the controversial Chinese national at the centre of the e x p l o s i v e Vi c e N e w s documentary series, amassed

a significant portion of mineral-rich land under the PPP administration.

Su, who unknowingly told undercover Vice News reporters posing as investors that bribing government

officials was the way to secure business in Guyana, holds some 12,000 acres of precious stones and goldrich lands under his name.

This information is provided in the Guyana

Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GYEITI) documents.

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission records specify that the naturalised Chinese

businessman has 10 active mining permits in his name and it covers some 12,000 acres of land that were issued on June 3, 2014, within the Northwest, Region One and Cuyuni, Region Seven.

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday August 10, 2022

$44.7B surplus budget, a slush fund for continued PPP corruption - Norton Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton is confident that the $44.7 billion approved in the

National Assembly on Monday will aid in the continued corrupt practices of the incumbent People’s

Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government.

In an Opposition press conference on Tuesday, he

justified the decision by his side of the House to abstain from the Sitting, noting among his reasons that it was

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton important to send a clear m e s s a g e t o t h e administration that it will not accept the “illegal” suspension of its eight Members of Parliament (MPs).

Norton explained, “What we saw was the presentation of a request for finances, to continue to have a slush fund for the PPP’s corruption, handout and bribery of voters, and so we thought that we couldn’t be in that environment.”

The Leader of the Opposition told the press that before publicly announcing the boycott of the day’s proceedings, at the Rally held on August 2 last, the joint Opposition convened a meeting where it was decided that there was no point of attending the Sitting and that they would get the information they need outside the confines of Parliament Building.

He argued, “We believe it would have been an act to legitimise the illegal

suspension of members of the Opposition if we had attended, because one, we have challenged the matter in Court and every child knows that if people didn’t get a hearing then there’s a violation of the rules of natural justice and so there was no way we were going to go. We had to be in solidarity with the Members of Parliament of the APNU+AFC who they have arbitrarily gotten rid of.”

The A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change APNU+AFC MPs: Sherod Duncan, Christopher Jones, Ganesh Mahipaul and Natasha Singh-Lewis will be required to be absent from four consecutive sittings, while Annette Ferguson, Maureen A. Philadelphia, Ta b i t h a H a l l e y and Vinceroy Jordan would be suspended for six consecutive sittings. It was revealed that the MPs will lose pay and will not be Continued on page 22

Guyana already gripped...

From page 3 world. He stressed this is nothing but a mere mirage to distract from the real economic danger at hand. The economist said the real truth can be found in an examination of the dismal performance of the non-oil economy.

FIRST QUARTER REPORT According to Bank of Guyana’s 2022 first quarter report, the rice and sugar industries experienced declines in production by 53.1 and 47.7 percent, respectively.

The institution explained that the substantial decline in the production of rice can be attributed to the effects of the flooding in 2021, which prevented farmers from sowing all available lands for the first crop of 2022 along with higher input costs.

Kaieteur News also understands that sugar production decreased as a result of the halt on grinding at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate caused by mechanical issues which impacted production. This estate was responsible for 25 percent of output.

House passes motion for...

From page 12 measure used for greenhouse gas emissions – the world emits about 50 billion tons a year).”

The Strategy will be accompanied by an investment plan that will outline the main programme areas for each sector within its ambit.

The Investment Plan 2030 will identify project-based initiatives that will be undertaken. The document will also identify budget and financing options. This plan is expected to be reviewed every three years, for update if necessary. “…Simultaneously, Guyana can grow its economy fivefold over 20 years and keep energy emissions flat; invest in Amerindian, hinterland and sustainability planning; protect the coast and hinterland from climate change; create jobs; and integrate Guyana’s economy with its neighbours,” the LCDS 2030 summary states.

Wednesday August 10, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Corentyne murder… Wanted man admits to stabbing ex-wife

T

he suspect currently at large for allegedly stabbing his ex-wife, Cindy Ramchandar, 25, to death on Monday has reportedly confessed to one of her relatives that he had killed her because he was told she was seeing another man.

Ramchandar was attacked and killed allegedly by the suspect, Suraj Ganpat, around 08:00hrs on Monday while she was heading to her cousin’s home at No. 47 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six on an electric scooter.

Kaieteur News has learnt that after committing the heinous act, Ganpat called one of the woman’s female relative to find out if she was okay.

The relative reportedly recorded their conversation without his knowledge.

Based on the recording, Ganpat divulged his motive for attacking Ramchandar with a knife.

According to the wanted man, he was triggered to attack his ex-wife after “Mama” told him that Ramchandar was seeing

someone else. “Mama”, Kaieteur News understands, is the victim’s cousin.

This media house was able to obtain a copy of the recorded conversation and below is a transcript.

Suspect: “Visit which hospital, she gon be ok?”

Relative: “You na bore am this morning?”

Suspect: “She gonna be okay?”

Relative: “You bore am this morning” Suspect: “Meh ask you a question” Relative: “How much time you bore am this morning, and then meh guh tell yuh” Suspect: “I think three” Relative: “Three times you bore am? Suraj which side yuh bore am?”

Suspect: “Over by mama” Relative: “Which part the body you bore am?”

Suspect: “Me ain’t know, mussy the belly or something” Relative: “You been really love Cindy Suraj?”

Suspect: “Yea but is ayuh deez mek this happen” Relative: “No, but you been really love Cindy Suraj?”

Suspect: “Yeah”

Agri. Ministry inks over $610M...

From page 18 from Beharry Automotive Limited, $21.2M for new ATVs and off road motorcycles from Marics and Company and $59.1M for outboard engines and boats from Farm Supplies Limited.

Speaking at the contract signing, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha said that his ministry has been signing millions in contracts during the course of this year to fulfill its responsibility to the

people of Guyana. Justifying his government’s decision to continue pumping billions into GuySuCo, although it is operating at a lost, Mustapha said that the sugar sector is very important for the country. The minister added that his government is now pumping more into the ailing sector for the purpose of recapitalising its operations in hopes that the investment will bring a “break even and at the same time profitability” at GuySuCo.

- says he was told she was “seeing somebody else” Relative: “Why yuh bore am fuh then? Why you nah been give some time fuh think? Cindy’s mammy been comeback hay this month.

Why you na give am some time fuh relax she mind” Suspect: “No she na beena come” Relative: “Yes she beena come. Meh bring forward she ticket for this month hay” Suspect: “Mama tell me Cindy beena see somebody else” Relative: “Mama can’t tell you that” Suspect: “Yes!” Relative: “Wa proof you get that Mama tell yuh that send it to me then a guh believe you” Suspect: “Hold on” The conversation ended there but then resumed with the relative asking the suspect in a loud tone of voice: “Why you get the mind to bore Cindy?” The suspect responded by saying that he had confronted Ramchandar about “Mama’s”

Stabbed to death, Cindy Ramchandar

Wanted for his ex-wife’s murder, Suraj Ganpat claims that “she was seeing someone else”.

The relative then insisted that “Cindy” was innocent of the accusations but the suspect wasn’t buying it and alleged that his ex-wife had indeed gone to a beach recently to meet the person.

According to reports, the suspect and the woman were separated, but on Monday, he

showed up in the area where she was living and they got into an argument.

After killing her, he fled the scene in his car. Police later found the vehicle abandoned along the Palmyra public road and a bottle containing a suspected poisonous substance was inside. Ganpat was however nowhere around.

CXC, local stakeholders discuss including CVQ in 34 more...

From page 16 CSEC and CVQ qualification.

Further, Dr. Tularam stated that the ultimate intention is to ensure that every secondary school must consciously and proactively strive to ensure that the CVQ programmes are institutionalised and form part and parcel of the schools’ programmes.

The Director of the CTVET, Mr. Patrick Chinedu Onwuzirike said that once the programmes are implemented properly, employers will receive a stock of well-

prepared human resources.

He s a i d t h a t T V E T i s industry-led and is informed by market intelligence information, which says what skills are needed by industries during specific periods.

He said that TVET and the CVQ will not only reduce unemployment but will attract further investment to the country.

The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of CXC, Dr. Wayne Wesley said that CXC® is transforming for greater regional impact. He

said that part of the Council’s strategic agenda is to provide and f a c i l i t a t e a c c e s s t o educational services and products that will enable Ministries of Education to offer a convocation, such as CVQ through a secondary education system.

He said that the Council is extremely pleased to see the Ministry of Education taking such a bold step in ensuring that there is a comprehensive approach to human capital development.

He said, “it is highly

commendable to see the action being taken for the preparation and expansion of the Caribbean Vocational Offerings to 34 [schools], representing the skills necessary not only to equip students with the requisite skills to take advantage of emerging job opportunities but also to advance the economic development of the country.”

Regional Education Officers, TVET instructors and teachers from the various schools were also present at Monday’s engagement.

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 10, 2022

Guyana fails to complete development plan for oil sector...

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From page 3 have a plan that drew from those nations that developed an effective institutional architecture for the governance of their energy resources such as, Brazil, Colombia, and Norway and most recently, Mexico. It reasoned that these and other countries provide lessons and widely recognised best practices which can be considered as orientating experiences and benchmarks for Guyana.

The sectoral plan was also expected to lay out what are the objectives of the government with the oil funds for the benefit of the people of Guyana. It would have also served as the people’s first line of defense on holding the government accountable should it divert from the agreed pace of institutional and economic development with the funds.

Importantly, the bank contended that it is crucial for Guyana to have a development plan for the sector as it would outline what mechanisms are to be implemented and over what

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time period for the State to sustainably administer its resources, manage risks and opportunities, and incorporate oil revenues into the development and diversification of certain sectors.

In Tuesday’s publication, it was reported that a Depletion Policy Guideline for the oil and gas sector was one of the targets achieved under the loan but the PPP/C Government refused to make use of it. Those guidelines essentially serve to help Guyana independently determine the right pace of oil extraction and development, all the while giving authorities enough time to develop their governance systems.

Government has contended however that Guyana needs to pump all of its oil as fast as possible since the world is moving away

from major fossil fuel use by 2050.

OTHER UNDERUTILISED LOANS This IDB loan is not the first to be underutilised.

Kaieteur News previously reported that the PPP/C Government has also placed a US$20M World Bank loan on pause. That money was approved on March 29, 2019 for the Guyana Petroleum Resources Governance and Management Project (GPRGMP). The programme’s objective is to ensure the enhancement of legal and institutional frameworks and the strengthening of the capacity of key institutions to manage the oil and gas sector.

The financial institution said in a report that the project’s overall implementation has been downgraded to ‘Moderately Unsatisfactory’, with around 24 percent of the total credit disbursed and no

disbursement requests received by the Bank since the second quarter of 2021.

The bank in its report said that the government has indicated as recently as late December 2021, its intention to “refine the scope of the project to bring it in line with current government priorities.” That process is still ongoing.

This newspaper also reported that a US$1M grant from the World Bank to strengthen the monitoring capacity of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was also underutilised.

This programme had, for example, set the stage for the regulator to be armed with a 34-member unit of oil and gas experts including highly specialised and experienced petroleum, geological and environmental engineers. This, among other objectives under the grant, are yet to materialise.

$4B approved to pay off...

From page 14 additional funds, the Finance Minister noted that the price for fuel has increased on the global market, moving from US$40 per barrel to about US$100 per barrel today. He reminded that government promised to offset these charges, hence the need for additional cash flow to the utility firm.

The Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) were not present to scrutinise the $44,794,011,175 in total supplementary funding that was being sought from the House.

The Opposition decided to boycott the Sitting over the suspension of eight of its MPs. In an article published in Monday’s edition of this publication, the Opposition’s

Chief Whip, Christopher Jones highlighted that this specific provision was questionable.

He noted that, “some of the provisions that they are asking for, there is the Standing Orders that state the only time you can come with a supplementary document is when the matters that you are requesting the money [for] would have had to be unforeseen.

In one of them, they got $4 billion for electricity arrears.”

In light of this, Jones enquired, “How is it that a Ministry doesn’t know that at the end of every month, they got to pay electricity and every year in the Budget, there is an allocation for electricity charges. So how is it that they

coming for electricity charges and arrears, so therefore where is the money that we allocated year after year for the Ministry of Finance to pay GPL?” Particularly interesting the Opposition MP said was that none of the supplemental funding will go towards addressing the cost of living crisis burdening every Guyanese. He argued that nothing is being done to subsidise the cost of electricity or reduce the cost of basic food items, even as public servants continue to be ignored an increase of salary.

It was only on February 10 of this year, the largest Budget – $552.9 billion – ever presented to the National Assembly was passed.

$44.7B surplus budget, a slush fund...

From page 12 allowed within the precincts of the Parliament Building or Chamber, use of the library or participation in committee meetings, over the ruckus caused in the House back in December, during an attempt to steal the Mace.

Besides the “arbitrary” suspension of its MPs, Norton also believes that the surplus budget presented and approved to the tune of $44.7 billion did not include any provision to ease the cost of living crisis prevailing in the country. He pointed out that just before Monday’s Sitting, the Speaker threw out

a Motion to discuss the current inflationary pressures.

He was keen to point out too that the PPP also refused a request by the Opposition to deliberate on the now passed Hemp Bill in the Select Committee, to allow all stakeholders to be involved on crafting the legislation.

The Opposition Leader informed, “At that Parliamentary session, the PPP made it clear that they are not encouraging any discussion on the Hemp Bill and that they were going ahead and since they had a majority, minus eight, it made no sense to go. We felt we put the information in the public domain and as a form of protest, stayed away from Parliament.”

In fact, he pointed out, “The present Speaker is on record at some stage in his Parliamentary life, I think it was while he was a Minister

(saying)…the Opposition will have their say and we will have the way. What that means is that they have no interest in Parliamentary democracy and therefore we cannot operate as if it is business as usual.”

To this end, Norton said the Opposition will “selectively take action” to ensure it is made clear to the PPP that the Parliament is a charade, and that the body does not perform the functions it should.

Measures will also be taken to alert the public of this, he said, noting that one such way is by boycotting Sittings of the National Assembly.

The Opposition Leader was keen to note, however, that not all Sittings will be boycotted, as the political group is devising “tactical decisions” to prove to the world that the country simply does not have a democratic Parliament.

Wednesday August 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday August 10, 2022

Wednesday August 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

Scheffler ‘frustrated’ by LIV legal action (BBC Sport) - World number one Scottie Scheffler says it is “frustrating” to see three players from the Saudibacked LIV Golf Series suing the PGA Tour so they can play in the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

A court will decide whether Australian Matt Jones and Americans Talor Gooch and Hudson Swafford can take part in the lucrative three-tournament event.

The FedEx Cup Play-offs start at TPC Southwind, Memphis, this week.

“I definitely am surprised to see some guys now suing us,” Scheffler said.

A hearing has been set for

later on Tuesday.

“Those guys kind of made their decision to go join another tour and they broke the rules and regulations of our tour, and now they’re trying to sue us, which is definitely a bit frustrating,” Scheffler added.

FedEx Cup Play-offs: Memphis tournament overshadowed by uncertainty in the men’s game The three are seeking a temporary restraining order from a US District Court judge against a ban on their participation.

The PGA Tour has suspended members for taking part in the breakaway

LIV series.

“If they win, come out here and play, that’s something that’s up to the courts, I can’t control what’s going to happen in a court case,” Scheffler continued.

“Definitely interested but at the end of the day it has no effect on my preparation for the week.”

The three are among 11 players - including Phil Mickelson and Ian Poulter contesting their suspensions with an anti-trust lawsuit against the PGA Tour.

“It’s kind of part of it now,” said Scheffler. “Guys are going to leave. There’s another tour going on and

Wednesday August 10, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today you might complete a difficult project that's important to your career.

Acknowledgement of your dedication and hard work could find you more emotionally overwhelmed than makes you comfortable.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) A long-awaited event, perhaps a wedding or christening, could have you moved to tears. As you're naturally a person who doesn't like to show your feelings, you might need to be by yourself until the urge to cry has passed.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) An intense, emotional dream could move you so powerfully that you awaken with the odd sense that the dream was real. Write it down.

CANCER(June21–July22) Emotional discussions with your partner could move you to tears, Cancer. You've overcome any difficulties and probably reached a new understanding.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Ancient social traditions could be a powerful part of today .

An emotional event concerning your family, perhaps planning a wedding or other milestone, could have you feeling especially moved.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You usually place a lot of importance on selfcontrol. Today this skill will come in handy when you receive some wonderful news that might otherwise move you to tears.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Expect some great news regarding money, possibly professional advancement.

You may have to control the urge to break into tears of joy.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Happy events involving a close female relative might have you feeling emotional, Capricorn. A marriage or birth could be involved. Your projects, particularly those with other people, could proceed well despite difficulties you've had to overcome.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today you may feel the need to do a lot of work around your home, Leo. Perhaps you expect future visitors or simply want to spruce up the place for yourself. You may need to pace yourself and not try to do everything at once.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your telepathy and intuition are at an all-time high today.

You should find it easier than usual to tune in to others' thoughts and feelings.

It might be a good idea to control your reactions.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Some intense communications with a close friend or lover could reveal wonderful things about your relationship.

Perhaps you have more in common than you thought.

Maybe your fears and insecurities prove groundless.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today a deep concern for others' feelings could have you lending a sympathetic ear to those in need of some understanding. It's more important to listen, even though your practicality might want to express itself.

now they’re suing us, so there’s a lot going on.”

Reports in Australia have claimed Open champion Cameron Smith and Australian compatriot Marc Leishman will be among those players joining LIV Golf in the near future.

Scheffler, though, has ruled out being among their number, despite the $25m (£20.72m) purse on offer at its events, saying it was never his “dream” to chase “financial benefits”.

“I’m not going to speak about the guys that are going to LIV and all that speculation.

If that’s what they want to do, that’s what they want to do.

“The PGA Tour is where I want to play and it continues to be the place where the best golfers in the world play.”

WINLOTT Inc. joins CWI as...

From page 33 substantial investment in sports throughout the region.”

CWI Vice President, Dr. Kishore Shallow: “CWI is excited about this partnership with WINLOTT for the upcoming Rising Stars Men’s Under-19 Championship.

WINLOTT through their Super 6 game have been champions of youth cricket in the Windward Islands for many years, so it is remarkable to have them as an official partner at this level, as we continue to give young cricketers the opportunity to showcase and develop their talents.”

Fans across the region can watch every match in the West Indies Rising Stars Men’s Under-19 Championship live on the West Indies YouTube channel with LIVE scoring and daily reports on the https:// www.windiescricket.com website.

PAGE 27

44th FIDE Chess Olympiad…

Guyana defeats Burundi and Timor-Leste in Round 10 Guyana’s Open team defeated Burundi while the Women’s team defeated TimorLeste on Monday in Chennai during the FIDE Chess Olympiad.

The Open team comprised of CM Taffin Khan, FM Anthony Drayton, Loris Nathoo and Ethan Lee scored 2.5 points against Burundi’s 1.5 to win the round.

Drayton defeated his opponent Joe Rukundo, while the remaining three team members all drew their matches. Khan drew with Dieudonne Muheto (1830) while Nathoo and Lee drew with Hugues Mutabazi (1666) and Havyarimana Elvis (1724), respectively. Team members will all rack up rating points from their Burundi opponents.

The Women’s team comprised of Anaya Lall, Jessica Callender, Sasha Shariff and Pooja Lam, scored 2.5 to their opponents’ 1.5 to win the round.

Lam, whose rating is 1163, scored her second win of the tournament against Timor-Leste’s Zulmira Tilman (1255). Her teammate, Jessica, also won her game against Maria do Ceu Gusmao (1442).

Both women will have improved rating points from these victories. Young Anaya Lall missed her chance at winning against her Timor-Leste counterpart Elfiana Dos Santos (1560) and instead drew her game earning her half of a point.

In the final round which was played on August 9, the Open team members Khan, Drayton, Nathoo and Lee took on Haiti, while the Women battled against Libya.

The Closing Ceremony was held after the conclusion of the final round at the Nehru Stadium.

The 44th Chess Olympiad was organized by FIDE, the All India Chess Federation (AICF) and the Tamil Nadu government of India.

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday August 10, 2022

Serena Williams suggests retirement from tennis after US Open (BBC Sport) - Serena Williams has suggested she is set to retire from tennis, saying she will be “evolving away” from the sport after the US Open.

Writing for Vogue, the American 23-time Grand

Slam singles champion said she is moving towards “other things that are important to me”, adding she does not like the word “retirement”.

In an accompanying Instagram post, she wrote that “the countdown has

begun”.

“I’m gonna relish these next few weeks,” the 40year-old said.

Williams made her singles return at Wimbledon in June after a lengthy injury lay-off that had led to

speculation about her retirement.

She says she will play at the US Open, where she has won six of her major singles titles, later in August.

Williams has won more major singles title than any

female player in the Open era and the second most of all time, behind Margaret Court’s 24.

“Unfortunately I wasn’t ready to win Wimbledon this year. And I don’t know if I will be ready to win New York. But I’m going to try,” she wrote.

“I know there’s a fan fantasy that I might have tied Margaret that day in London, then maybe beat her record in New York, and then at the trophy ceremony say, “See ya!”

“I get that. It’s a good fantasy. But I’m not looking for some ceremonial, final

uncomfortable lump in my throat, and I start to cry.

“I know that a lot of people are excited about and look forward to retiring, and I really wish I felt that way.”

In singles, Williams has won the Wimbledon and Australian Open seven times, along with six US Open trophies and three French Open titles.

Her first major title was the 1999 US Open, when she was 17.

She won her last Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open when she was eight weeks’ pregnant with daughter Olympia.

Serena Williams won her 23rd Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open in 2017 on-court moment.

“I’m terrible at goodbyes, the world’s worst.

But please know that I am more grateful for you than I can ever express in words.”

On Monday, she had her first singles win in 14 months, beating Spain’s Nuria Parrizas Diaz to reach the second round of the National Bank Open in Toronto.

‘I’m getting closer to the light’ - Serena Williams hints at retirement ‘It is the hardest thing I could ever imagine’ In the lengthy essay, Williams says she has been “reluctant to admit to myself or anyone else that I have to move on from playing tennis”.

“Alexis, my husband, and I have hardly talked about it; it’s like a taboo topic,” she wrote.

“I can’t even have this conversation with my mom and dad. It’s like it’s not real until you say it out loud. It comes up, I get an

She says there is “no happiness” in the possibility of no longer playing tennis.

“I know it’s not the usual thing to say, but I feel a great deal of pain. It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine,” she wrote.

“I hate it. I hate that I have to be at this crossroads.

I keep saying to myself, I wish it could be easy for me, but it’s not.

“I’m torn: I don’t want it to be over, but at the same time I’m ready for what’s next.”

Williams nearly died in childbirth with Olympia but returned to the sport, reaching four major finals after coming back from maternity leave. She lost them all, leaving her, tantalisingly, one short of Court’s record.

She discusses having more children in her essay, stating: “I definitely don’t want to be pregnant again as an athlete.

“I need to be two feet into tennis or two feet out.”

Wednesday August 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

New Zealand Tour of West Indies…

T20 Series bowls off today in Jamaica The international calendar is becoming is very packed and players are not getting any breathing space between the series. West Indies are all set to play five T20I matches in the span of 8 days this week with the first starting today at 14:30 hrs (ECT) at Sabina Park in Jamaica.

They were struggling against the Indian tem in the T20I series played recently and lost 1-4 in the 5-match series.

New Zealand on the other hand enter this match after whitewashing Ireland, Scotland, and Netherlands in their most recent T20I series. West Indies were bowled out for 132 & 100 in the last 2 T20I matches against India.

Shimron Hetmyer looked in good touch scoring 56 runs off 35 runs in the last match.

Brandon King and Kyle Mayers played some good cameos but were not consistent with the bat. Rovman Powell, Nicholas Pooran, and Devon Thomas had a forgetful tour with the bat and will look to score some runs in this series.

Obed McCoy was among the few bright spots in the series as his 6-wicket haul helped them win the lone match.

Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph were taken for lots of runs but took 5 wickets each in the match. Akeal Hossain was their most consistent player in this series picking 4 wickets at an economy rate of 5.75 RPO. Dominic Drakes and Keemo Paul will look to make their mark with the ball in this match.

Meanwhile, New Zealand has announced a full-strength squad for the Caribbean tour and will be led by Kane Williamson.

Martin Guptill and Tom Latham are expected to pair up at the top with the likes of Devon Conway, James Neesham, Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner, who are expected to aid their skipper in the middle order, effectively. Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Lockie Ferguson will form their pace trio in the starting XI in this match with Matt Henry waiting in the ranks.

Spinners Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner will slot themselves in the playing XI in this match looking at West Indies spin weakness.

James Neesham and Daryl Mitchell can give overs if needed in the middle overs, effectively.

West Indies (T20I squad): Nicholas Pooran (Captain), Rovman Powell (Vice Captain), Shamarh Brooks, Dominic Drakes, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Devon Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr. New Zealand (T20I squad): Kane Williamson (C), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.

Kane Williamson (left) leads the number five ranked T20 team on the ICC List.

PAGE 29

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 10, 2022

Wray & Nephew to lift Sunshine Girls spirits with Consortium including Lewis 3-year multi-million-dollar sponsorship deal Hamilton purchases NFL (SportsMax) - Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls, silver medallists at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England have attracted a lucrative three-year contract from Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, the company announced on Sunday.

Wray & Nephew will support the Jamaica Senior Netball Team and Netball Jamaica, the governing body for netball in the country, to the tune of $14 million in cash.

This partnership will be an initial threerelationship, with an option for renewal thereafter. According to a statement released by the company on Sunday, the same day the team played in their first-ever netball final at the Commonwealth Games, over the years, there have been calls for public and private sector support to match the successes of the “Sunshine Girls,” who have had consistent world-class displays on the global stage.

“Their moments of heroism include medal-winning displays at past Netball World Cup and Commonwealth Games. The 2022 staging of the latter is currently ongoing, with Jamaica’s historic triumph over Australia in the Games already one for

the books,” the statement said.

An elated Tricia Robinson, President of Netball Jamaica, expressed her gratitude to Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum for coming on board. Pavel Smith, Marketing Manager, J. Wray & Nephew Limited, says his team is honoured to partner with The Girls and their Federation. “The Sunshine Girls have consistently showcased to the world, what true Jamaican character and spirit looks like by Jaminating their competitors against all odds,” Smith said.

“As an integral part of the fabric of Jamaican culture, Wray Rum believes that it is important for us to sponsor the trailblazing senior Sunshine Girls senior programme.

The $14 million cash support over the course of three years, will go towards their gears, local transportation, international travel, and other recurring expenses, that they have been vocal to the public about.”

For the brand, each of the $14 million in cash support represents the 14 parishes of Jamaica, which mirrors Wray Rum’s currently available Parish Collection, to mark Jamaica’s 60th Independence.

franchise for record $4.65bn

The Denver Broncos are three-time Super Bowl winners, last winning the NFL’s premier title in 2015 (Getty Images) (BBC Sport) - A consortium featuring B r i t a i n ’s s e v e n - t i m e Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton has completed the record purchase of NFL team the Denver Broncos.

T h e Wa l t o n - P e n n e r group has bought the threetime Super Bowl champions for a reported $4.65bn (£3.84bn).

A vote needed at least three-quarters of the league’s

32 owners to allow the sale but NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said approval had been unanimous.

“We couldn’t be more excited,” said consortium chief Rob Walton, 77.

“We are grateful for the support and trust of the National Football League and the 31 other teams with today’s vote,” he added.

The previous highest fee paid for a sports franchise

was the $2.4bn (£1.98bn) spent on the New York Mets baseball team in 2020.

The deal to purchase the Broncos also more the doubled the NFL high of $2.275bn (£1.88bn) splashed out on the Carolina Panthers in 2018. Walmart boss Walton is listed by Forbes as the 19th richest person in the world and he welcomed Hamilton into the consortium last week.

Wednesday August 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 31

Rudi Koertzen, former ICC elitepanel umpire, dies aged 73 (ESPN Cricinfo) - Rudi Koertzen, the former South African umpire who was part of the ICC’s elite panel, has died aged 73. He died in a car accident while driving from Cape Town to Despatch in Eastern Cape in South Africa, where he lived with his family.

Koertzen’s son, Rudi Koertzen jr, confirmed the news. “He went on a golf tournament with some of his friends, and they were expected to come back on Monday, but it seems they decided to play another round of golf,” Koertzen Jr told Algoa FM News, a South African website.

Koertzen was part of the ICC’s elite panel of umpires for eight years from 2002 and officiated in 331 international matches, a record at the time of his retirement in 2010, which has since been broken by Pakistan’s Aleem Dar. Along with Dar and West Indies’ Steve Bucknor, Koertzen was one of three umpires to stand in over 100 Tests.

“It is a very big loss

foremost for his family and then for South Africa and cricket,” Dar said of Koertzen’s death. “I stood in so many games with him. He was not only very good as an umpire but also an excellent colleague, always very cooperative on field and also always willing to help off the field. Because of the way he was, he was also wellrespected by players.”

Fellow South African umpire Marais Erasmus said: “Rudi was such a strong character, physically and mentally.

He paved the way for South African umpires to get to the world stage. Made us all believe it’s possible. A true legend. As a young umpire, I learnt a lot from him.”

At the age of 43, Koertzen’s first international series was India’s tour of South Africa in 1992-93; his first game was the second ODI in Gqeberha (then Port Elizabeth). He went on to become one of the best and most well-respected umpires in the world, and won praise

in September 1999 for refusing a bribe to manipulate a match between West Indies and India in Singapore. The 2007 World Cup final, however, was a blip in his career: Koertzen was the third umpire in that match in Barbados, where the officials came in for criticism - and were penalised by the ICC following a chaotic finish to the game.

After retiring as an international umpire in 2010, Koertzen published a book, Slow Death: Memoirs of a Cricket Umpire (with Chris Schoeman), in which he addressed the 2007 World Cup final. Koertzen went by the nickname “Slow Death” because of the amount of time he took to raise his finger while giving a batter out.

The last representative game Koertzen stood in was in 2011, an IPL match between Royal Challenger Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings in Bengaluru.

At the time of his death, he was still umpiring a few

Rudi Koertzen with a trophy presented to him after his final Test (Getty Images) games in his hometown of Despatch and helping his local club, Despatch Cricket Club, with preparing pitches.

“A legend in his own right passed away this morning and will definitely leave a great void in the cricket world,” Despatch Cricket Club said in tribute today. “We want to express our heartfelt sympathy and empathy to Uncle Rudi Koertzen’s family and loved ones.”

Cricket South Africa chairperson Lawson Naidoo

said: “Rudi departs at the time when cricket is beginning to enjoy the fruit of his toil. His passing has robbed us of a giant upon [whose] foundation we now stand.

“While this is a sad day for cricket in South Africa, we are however comforted by the many lessons of servitude and servant leadership he has left behind for us to embody and emulate.”

In his youth, Koertzen played top-division club

cricket in Kimberley and was a medium pacer. Before becoming a professional umpire, as he told ESPNcricinfo in an interview in August 2010, he “worked for the railways as a carpenter in Port Elizabeth.

Then I worked as a superintendent in the building trade, in the civil engineering section, supervising new buildings and renovations. I worked for them for 28 years and was a semi-professional umpire until ... 1993.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

Wednesday August 10, 2022

USA Tri State tour to Guyana...

Fifties by Walters, Latif & Campbell powers GT X1 to win over Tri-State USA On another day blessed with glorious sunshine, the Tri-State U-17 side from the USA suffered their first defeat in three matches on their two-week tour to Guyana, when they were beaten by 135 runs by a Georgetown U-17 team, yesterday at Everest ground.

GCA X1 made 237-7 in 45 overs as Shaquan Walters made 69 from 89 balls with seven fours, Jaden Campbell scored 52 from 58 with seven fours while Riyad Latif contributed 52 from 56 balls with five fours and a six.

Anirudh Bolisetty (237), Abhiram Yeruva (2-57) and Shishir Yelameli (2-32) were the pick of the bowlers f o r t h e S t a t e Yo u t h Development Team, who replied with 102 all out from 26.5 overs, despite a resistant 30 from Ruhan Swar.

Swar followed his

Avish Rukhram

Ruhan Swar followed up his century on Monday with a top score at Everest yesterday in a losing effort. (Sean Devers photo) Jaden Campbell drives during his 52 yesterday at Everest.

(Sean Devers photo) magnificent century at the same venue on Monday by reaching the ropes twice and clearing it on two occasions, but of the other batters, only Siddarth Kappa (16) and Yeruv (11) reached double

figures as extras contributed 20.

Leg-spinner Latif (2-31), left-arm spinner Brandon Henry (2-23) and Myhiem Khan (2-4) were the architects of the destruction

for the lads from the City.

The next match for the tourists is scheduled for Thursday when they play their third game against the GCA X1 at the same venue.

(Sean Devers)

Canada-based Family Fun and Birthdays at the Cricket this summer Guyanese slams The Hero Caribbean Premier popcorn, children’s entertainers and given a CPL goodie bag. If you have back-to-back centuries League (CPL) has long been known as live music and dancers. someone who is having their 10th the Biggest Party in Sport. This summer There will be matches in St Kitts & birthday while matches are on in your

the party has got even bigger with the introduction of the Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) and the SKYEXCH 6IXTY. To help celebrate 10 years of Hero CPL and the arrival of these new tournaments, the 10am matches will be a party for children and their families.

For all of the game days at the SKYEXCH 6IXTY and Massy WCPL and during the morning matches for the Hero CPL 10am tickets will include activities such as face-painting, sweet treats like snow cones, cotton candy and

Nevis, Saint Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana in 2022. As well as all these family friendly events there will be plenty of giveaways from the tournaments’ sponsors.

2022 represents the 10th anniversary of the Hero CPL and to mark this special occasion the tournament is inviting those who are celebrating their 10th birthday while matches are taking place in their country to have a party at a CPL game.

The birthday boy or girl can bring four friends to the match, and they will be

c o u n t r y, y o u c a n e m a i l info@cplt20.com to request a spot at one of the games.

Chris Watson, Hero CPL’s Head of Marketing, said: “We are so excited to be bringing fans back into the grounds for 2022 and it is very important to us that we give families a chance to enjoy the Biggest Party in Sport. These activities combined with world class cricket at a very affordable price makes these games a great chance to bring the whole family to the CPL, WCPL and The 6IXTY.”

Pugnacious left-handed opening batsman Avish Rukhram slammed back-toback centuries last weekend in the continuation of the Canadian Premier Softball Cricket League Regular Season 20-overs competition.

He first struck 115 for his team VP Boys against Challengers and then hit a brilliant 193 versus Star Boys.

At Great Lake venue in Brampton, Saturday, VP Boys piled up a challenging 239-6 from the 20-overs and Challengers only responded with 153-9 at the expiration of the 20-overs. Rukhram, who has been in phenomenal form this year with several centuries, hammered 13 sixes and 5 fours while former Guyana and West Indies player Royston Crandon supported him with 44 and 42 from another ex-Guyana youth player Dillon Heyliger.

Orvin Kisnasammy and Vishwanauth Ramnauth picked up two wickets each.

When Challengers batted, Kisnasammy returned with the bat to make a fighting 39 and Nick Poonai with 33. Rukhram

proved his all-round capability by snatching two wickets for nine runs from 1.5 overs while Crandon and Aftab Shamshudeen also with two wickets apiece.

Across at Glen Forest facility in Mississauga, the next day, the rampant Rukhram once again provided rich entertainment pounding 24 sixes and 7 fours during his magnificent 193 as VP boys galloped to a formidable 353-6 off the 20overs while Star Boys replied with 45-8 (9 players) in the 9th over.

Raakesh Gobardhan also made a statement with the bat by scoring 82 and Rudy Ramdayal with 30.

Ansar Ali claimed two wickets for 31 runs off his maximum four overs.

In All-Stars’ innings, Shivon Naraine made 18 as Sharaz Hamid grabbed 4-23 from four overs while Robin Persaud and Randolph Persaud (unrelated) had two wickets each.

The competition continues on Sunday with a list of matches across the Greater Toronto Area. It will be the final preliminary r o u n d a s t h e p l a y o ff segment begins the following weekend.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 10, 2022

PAGE 33

TPCC commences 2 annual Summer Camp nd

New Amsterdam based cricket club, Tucber Park Cricket Club (TPCC), is set to host a one week summer camp.

The second edition of the summer camp is geared at teaching the basic skills of cricket to youngsters along with other life skills like leadership, the importance of education, etc. The first edition was held in 2019 prior to the Covid-19 outbreak which affected the world.

One of the main objectives of this camp is to provide children with an opportunity to be part of a sporting organisation so that they can be meaningfully occupied with extracurricular activities which can one day result in them representing Guyana and West Indies.

The camp which began on August 8 will conclude on August 14 and will be held at the All-Saints Primary and Berbice High School (on

selected days). Starting time for each day will be 13:00 hours each day. Young boys and girls around the area aged 8-and-over are invited.

The coaching staff at the camp includes Female HeadCoach of Guyana, Julian Moore, a CWI Level 3 qualified coach, National Senior Women’s Team pacer Tremayne Smartt, who is a CWI Level 2 coach, Anthony D’Andrade, a CWI Level 2 coach and coordinator of the camp, Level 1 coaches Orlando Tanner and Gregory Crandon. There will also be guest coaches and speakers during some sessions.

The camp continues tomorrow at the All-Saints Primary School ground.

Interested parents/guardians are asked to contact coordinator Anthony D’Andrade (655-4638), head coach Julian Moore (615-9239), assistant coach Tremayne Smartt (6822389) or Assistant Secretary Gary Millington to register.

A snippet of the practical session from the opening day of the Camp

WINLOTT Inc. joins Stabroek Travel becomes Hero CPL’s official Travel Partner CWI as partner for the WI Rising Stars Men’s U-19 Championship

- Three-day, red ball Tournament to be hosted in St. Vincent

Dellon Peters, Hero CPL Sponsorship Officer, celebrates the partnership with Ferial Suliman, Travel Sales Manager, and Kurt Baboolall, Country Manager, from Stabroek Travel.

The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) have confirmed Stabroek Travel as their Official Travel Partner for the 2022 tournament which gets underway on 31 August 2022. The Hero CPL will once again be travelling around the region with matches in St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana.

Stabroek Travel will be working with Hero CPL to put together bespoke packages for fans who wish to travel around the Caribbean to watch the

Biggest Party in Sport. From the comfort of their homes and convenience of their electronic devices, CPL fans will now be able to access great deals on travel and accommodation through Stabroektravel.com.

Stabroek Travel will allow fans to take in Hero CPL action at all four of the 2022 venues.

The tournament starts in St Kitts & Nevis on 31st August before moving on to Saint Lucia for matches between 7 and 11 of September. There will be matches in Trinidad &

Tobago from 13 to 18 September before Hero CPL heads to Guyana for seven group games and the knockout stages between 21 and 30 September.

Chris Watson, Hero CPL’s Head of Marketing, said: “It is fantastic news, after two very hard years during the pandemic, it is now possible to move freely around the region and we are delighted to be partnering with Stabroek Travel to help fans follow their teams both home and away.”

Ferial Suliman, Stabroek Travel’s Division Head,

said: “The team at Stabroek Travel looks forward to this exciting collaboration. We know the hype CPL brings to the Caribbean and we are delighted to be able to provide services that will allow fans the opportunity to experience that excitement again in person after two of the most challenging years of our lives”. Hero CPL fans wanting to take advantage of the Stabroek Travel services s h o u l d v i s i t www.stabroektravel.com or e m a i l contact@stabroektravel.co m.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua — Cricket West Indies (CWI) announces a new partnership with WINLOTT Inc. as the official partner of the West Indies Rising Stars Men’s U19 Championship to be hosted by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association.

The youth tournament, which plays a vital role in the development pathway for the next generation of cricketers across the West Indies, is resuming after a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The matches will take place from Wednesday 10, August to Saturday 27, August with the 2022 event titled the West Indies Rising Stars U19 Championship, presented by WINLOTT. The six-team tournament will comprise four rounds of three-day red-ball matches.

A total of 12 matches will be played. The opening round of matches will see home team Windward Islands taking on Leeward Islands; Trinidad & Tobago face

Alvin Mohabir leads Guyana’s team in this 2022 edition of the Championship Guyana; while Barbados meet Jamaica. First ball daily is 10am (9am Jamaica). In 2019, Barbados won the most recently played tournament, which was then a 50-overs format.

Chairman Murray Bullock stated: “WINLOTT Inc. is proud to partner with Cricket West Indies to host this Rising Stars Under-19 Championship. With the public’s continued support for Super 6, WINLOTT remains committed to (Continued on page 25)

Guyana’s Jessica Callender and Sasha Shariff

r ts Spo Pooja Lam

44th FIDE Chess Olympiad…

Guyana defeats Burundi and Timor-Leste in Round 10 Rudi Koertzen, New Zealand Tour of West Indies… former ICC elite -panel umpire, dies aged 73 Lockie Ferguson celebrates the wicket of Shimron Hetmyer during game one of the T20I between WI and NZ at Eden Park on November 27, 2020.

(Getty Images)

T20 Series bowls off today in Jamaica 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.