Kaieteur News

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E-Networks gets NEWS greenlight to land fibre optic cable from Suriname AIETEUR

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Tuesday Edition August 17, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 32

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

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Exxon decides when and how much oil money Guyana gets p.

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...country in need of corrective action plan - Sanzillo

High-level Surinamese team - Oil and gas, infrastructure, set to arrive today agriculture areas of focus Guyana finally puts Pres. Ali announces Man uses sister locals to monitor new $2.6B relief to trap alleged measures for citizens oil production - to target most vulnerable in society fraudster Mechanic crashes motorcycle, dies while evading police p.

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Govt. pumps $356M more into cash-strapped GuySuCo p.

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- contracts inked for other Agri. Ministry projects Our Manganese and Gold are being fetched away @11:00hrs on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

Kaieteur News

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E-Networks gets greenlight to land fibre optic cable from Suriname Technicians installing the fibre optic cable recently in Essequibo

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o c a l telecommunicati ons and internet s e r v i c e p r o v i d e r, E Networks Inc. has been given the greenlight to land and install a fibre optic cable from Suriname to Guyana.

This is in addition to receiving permission from government for the use of additional domestic frequencies. The decision to amend the company's licence was made with effect August 12, last.

According to the notice since published in the Official Gazette, “the Licence has been amended to grant permission to ENetworks Inc. to land install and operate a fibre optic submarine cable in accordance with Section 23(9) (a) of the Telecommunications Act 2016. The said fibre optic submarine cable will connect Guyana to Suriname

for the provision of redundant connectivity to Guyana.”

According to the notice, the decision to amend the licence was had “after having considered representations, objections, views, statements and alternatives received by interested persons, as well as all surrounding circumstances, and having given E-Networks Inc. notice of his intent to amend and received E-Networks Inc.'s consent to amend, and having satisfied the provisions of the Telecommunications Act and Regulations generally, the Minister responsible for Telecommunications has a m e n d e d t h e Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Licence.”

Additionally, it was noted that after having considered representations, objections, views,

statements and alternatives received by interested persons, as well as all surrounding circumstances, and having given ENetworks Inc. notice of his intent to amend and received E-Networks Inc.'s consent to amend, and “having satisfied the provisions of the Telecommunications Act and Regulations generally, the Minister responsible for Telecommunications has amended the Frequency Authorisation issued on the 5th day of October, 2020, to E-Networks Inc. with effect from the August 12, 2021.”

This is in order to expand its Mobile radio communication services.

The amendment to the company's licence comes on the heels of its recent $1.2B expansion landing first-ever submarine fibre optic cable to the Essequibo Islands and Essequibo Coast.

Tuesday August 17, 2021

Guyana finally puts locals to monitor oil production

The Liza Destiny FPSO currently producing oil in the Stabroek Block.

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uyana as a nation is finally putting locals in place to monitor oil production from the Liza Destiny, Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel in the Stabroek Block.

At least this is according to the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), the National Metrology Institution with legislative responsibilities for ensuring the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices in all sectors of the economy.

According to the GNBS, there are currently nine inspectors in its Oil and Gas Department and this number will increase as the FPSO vessels offshore are added to meet the demand for oil

production.

The GNBS' Oil and Gas Department was established earlier this year. According to the GNBS, “inspectors in this department are responsible for monitoring the custody transfer of Guyana's crude from the FPSO vessel offshore.”

According to the GNBS, inspectors “are tasked with ensuring the measuring instruments used in the transfer and testing of the crude are calibrated and accurate, since inaccurate measurements can affect payments for the commodity.”

GNBS noted that in order to adequately perform t h e i r d u t i e s o ff s h o r e , inspectors were required to undergo stringent training locally and overseas.

It was noted too that through support of the Guyana Petroleum Resources Governance and Management Project, GNBS “has benefited from the training of several inspectors to enable them to competently witness the proving/verification of the custody transfer meters used on FPSO vessel.”

Two of those trainings are the Tropical Helicopter Under water escape Training (T-HUET) and Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS).

According to the GNBS, “these trainings are important since majority of their journey to the FPSO vessel is over the Atlantic O c e a n . T h e T- H U E T programme focuses on escaping from a helicopter following ditching and sea survival techniques while CA-EBS is a training on how to use the Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System.”

Additionally, Oil and Gas Inspectors last month completed an advanced Petroleum Measurement Course offered by the University of Texas at Austin, Petroleum Extension (PETEX) that was customised specifically for the GNBS. Wi t h a c c u m u l a t e d trainings and experience in the verification of measuring instruments, inspectors are required to spend 28-32 days offshore on a rotation basis demonstrating their competency.

According to the GNBS, while offshore, inspectors verify the custody transfer meters and pressure gauges during the transfer of crude from the FPSO to the various oil tankers; they inspect storage tanks before and after every transfer, and witness the composite sampling and testing of crude oil to determine the API gravity, density, salt content, H2S (Hydrogen Sulphide) and the amount of sediment and water in the crude. This by extension determines the net volume transferred to the cargo tanker.

Moving forward, the GNBS Oil and Gas Department is expected to increase its human resources and other capacity to serve on the other FPSO vessels.

“It will also be developing its capacity in gas measurement in the near future, as the Government pursues the gas to shore project.”

Further, GNBS said it is looking to formalise collaboration with the American Petroleum Institute (API), which would facilitate access to training and standards to be adopted for use in verification and metering.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday August 17, 2021

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Exxon decides when and how much ...country in need of corrective oil money Guyana gets action plan - Sanzillo T

he Production S h a r i n g Agreement (PSA) that was signed in 2016 between the Guyana Government and Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)—ExxonMobil Guyana—has seen the country ceding control over how much revenue it will receive, and over the scope and pace of future development.

These are among the findings of the Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis's (IEEFA) Director, Tom Sanzillo, who in a recent report noted that the lack of a ring-fencing provision substantially slows the pace of revenue that will flow to Guyana and that there is need for “a corrective action plan that is more equitable that would serve the interests of both parties in the long run.”

He noted in his report

IEEFA's Director of Financial Analysis, Tom Sanzillo that the lack of a ringfencing provision could be considered a legitimate incentive to encourage the contractor to continue exploration efforts even while it drills and produces oil at existing fields.

Currently, the Liza Phase of the plan is producing oil, and various other exploratory efforts are under

way.

According to Sanzillo “the lack of the ring-fencing provision provides certainty for the contractor as it continues to explore for new discoveries.”

Governments, he noted, typically utilise ring-fencing provisions to prevent oil companies from using losses incurred on one site from sheltering the profits from o t h e r, m o r e l u c r a t i v e investments.

He cited as example, “by setting up one company for one field as the taxable entity, the revenue and expenses from the one site creates a clearly defined universe of profits and loss.”

As such, losses experienced at other locations would not be used to decrease profits from a productive oil field.

Sanzillo in his report documents however that “unfortunately, Guyana has granted the contractor a blank check with regard to

Lindener freed of murder charge on no-case submission

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25-year-old Linden resident was freed of a murder charge in the Georgetown High Court yesterday after a judge upheld a no-case submission presented on his behalf.

Michael Emmanuel was told that he was a free man by Justice, Sandil Kissoon, yesterday afternoon after his attorney, Damien DaSilva, submitted that the prosecution's case against his client lacked the evidence to support guilt.

Emmanuel was charged for the murder of Leonard Peters called 'Lenny,' which occurred at West Watooka, Linden. It was reported, that on that date Emmanuel allegedly murdered Peters after the victim had attended a social event where it was alleged that he “accidentally spilled alcohol” on the accused.

This incident escalated into a physical confrontation between the two. Soon after the altercation, Peters was seen bleeding from the left side of his chest from what appeared to be a stab wound.

The injured man was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex where he

Dead, Leonard Peters called 'Lenny' succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention.

A post mortem examination was subsequently performed on Peters' body and the cause of death was revealed as stab wound to the chest and perforation of the lung. The accused was later arrested and charged.

During the trial however, Emmanuel's lawyer made a no-case submission arguing that his client's case is one of self-defense.

As such, in concluding the case, Justice Kissoon essentially agreed with the

Freed: Michael Emmanuel

evidence that Emmanuel harmed Peters as a means of protecting himself. As such, the Judge held that his actions were justifiable under the law and freed Emmanuel of the murder charge.

future development. The result is that the contractor has a powerful incentive to continue to add costs to the project. The net effect is to push back the point at which Guyana maximises its cash benefit.”

To this end, Sanzillo noted that the Guyana Government failed to protect itself from front-loaded costs in its oil and gas contract signed with ExxonMobil and its partners and as such, receipt of hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars due to Guyana will be held back well into the 2030s.

Sanzillo in his report noted that given the provisions in the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed with ExxonMobil, “over the next five years, revenues from Guyana's

newly discovered oil reserves being developed by an ExxonMobil-led development team will not be enough to cover Guyana's budget deficit, support new spending and build its wealth. Over the longer term, a declining oil and gas sector is highly unlikely to provide Guyana with the robust revenues promised.”

In fact, the IEEFA director in his analysis drew reference to the fact that the International Monetary Fund has issued a warning and IHS Markit, a global oil and gas services company, has concluded that Guyana is receiving a below-average take from the contract.

According to Sanzillo, “the Government of Guyana gave away important protections when it agreed in

the contract to postpone payments of its profits to encourage more exploration of oil.”

He pointed specifically to the fact “it failed to include a ring-fencing provision” and explained that “in effect, the lack of such a provision means the contractor is able to charge Guyana for the cost of new wells before they start producing oil.”

To this end, Sanzillo concludes, “it is unlikely that Guyana would receive annual payments in the $6 billion range until well into the 2030s, if at all.”

He asserts the “the contract is front-loaded, which means the contractors receive more than Guyana in the early years of the contract.”

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Tuesday August 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Afghanistan - a country in shambles It is a tragedy that is still unfolding on many fronts.

Afghanistan is, and this is regardless of who and what is to blame, where the politics has started and inevitably will settle.

Meanwhile, the Afghans stare at the grimmest future imaginable.

Afghanistan started out in response to a cataclysmic tragedy, a world from its forbidding rocky precipices. It was the object of the first and brutally direct, in some ways efficient, expression of American power and American will.

What started as an angry reaction to an American tragedy created countless tragedies along the two-decades long way.

It was almost inevitable that the American well-intended ‘war on terror’ was going to end in the ignominious retreat that now gives birth to countless other tragedies in the making.

What the Russians first found out in places with historic names like Kabul and Kandahar, Herat and Helmand, the Americans are finding out today in 2021. Just like the long, endless line of adventurers and would-be conquerors, starting from as early as Alexander the Great. Not for nothing is Afghanistan called the ‘graveyard of empires.’ It is a name that it has lived up to again, because it is proven yet again, despite all the military hardware, the economic might, the sophisticated technology of those who come from whichever direction, time and again.

As the Americans rush out, more like limp away, with stairways of planes crowded thick, there is a sense of déjà vu, with those stark and somber images reminding of another forced evacuation from 45 years ago, in another distant outpost called Saigon. The scenes are there, the pictures convey the ominous reality of how things have deteriorated so badly, and so quickly. The greater concern is of what is left behind, what will come about as the new and dominant political governing structure, and its implications for an already volatile region, with tentacles sure to extend still farther across a now suddenly worried globe.

There is a humanitarian crisis brewing, with much bloodshed promised and the age-old settling of feuds. In a society long-powered by the idea and ideal of vengeance, such will be swift and savage. Women will return to what is believed to be their rightful places, which is in the homes unseen, in submission, in fear, and in surrender of any little gains that were made. The opium trade and other feared businesses could flourish, and bring about a new era of lawlessness that spans many places and people.

For sure, other powers are already calculating how they can best profit from what is a nation in pieces. The jockeying among the alphabet people, in both the Western and Eastern dominions, are under emergency considerations, with new plans even more urgently reconfigured to meet this rapidly delivered contingency. But whatever those plans are, there can be no doubt that Afghanistan is a country that is in shambles, where iron rule by ruthless men will hold both sway and the day, for a while to come.

As all of this is reflected upon, the role of America, though now dwindling to a trickle there for the time being, must be looked at in a certain way. It went there with rage flaring, the strongest of commitments, and then that withered, before the demands of the long haul.

When the going got tough and tougher, America decided it was time to go. To say in a different way: the Afghans are on their own. They now have to go through the painstaking and perilous process of working through self-destructive issues and memories, and reach resolutions that meet their own visions.

This is concerning to us because, thanks to American interest and assistance, we now have what is called the beginnings of a democracy here. Its diplomatic presence has been most instrumental in bringing that about, even though furious challenges linger that democracy could be truly said to be here. Local pressures are circulating.

Passions can surge just as easily and quickly, like Afghanistan. What will America do then? Most likely, Guyanese will find themselves in the same situation as the Afghans. They are on their own, and forced to sort out their affairs on their own.

Crime fighting needs to be tackled from within the current government Dear Editor, The PPP/C Government must understand that crime, i.e., robberies, shoplifting and home invasions among others cannot be reduced by building additional prisons and offering training to inmates. This will never result in a significant reduction in the sky-high crime rate in Guyana.

Remember, there are hardly any job opportunities

here.

Also, let us not forget that a significant number of Guyanese is forced out of this country daily in search of jobs all over the world. In an environment like this, criminals will relapse into crime.

Further, the PPP/C Government ignored the fact that the primary factors driving the abnormal crime rate include: bad government

contracts, government corruption, inefficiencies in government, widespread political appointments, prime land deals going to government officials, their friends and family, suppression of free speech and lack of job opportunities largely due to our government’s actions.

Further, these are the very factors driving an assortment of problems like suicide,

emigration, alcoholism, unemployment, dysfunction and school dropouts. All of which are all abnormally high.

Crime fighting needs to be tackled from within the current government and there will be no need to build more prisons. Anyone can easily arrive at this conclusion by examining the current situation in this country.

Yours truly, Annie Baliram

My neighbour has illegally used my address to set up a GPL meter Dear Editor, Firstly, let me say that I live on the East Coast of Demerara. One day, I received a bill from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL). The address on the bill was mine, however the name on the bill was not.

There is only one building on my land, which is owned and occupied by me. The bill I received was address to a second building on my land but bears my neighbour’s

name. My neighbour was without a meter for some time and I am not at liberty to say what the reason for this was.

After receiving the bill, I immediately visited the GPL commercial office on Main Street and spoke to a representative. I was told that a service was applied for by the said individual using my address .The said representative was very reluctant to provide me with

details as it relates to what documents this person produced to acquire a meter that is billed to my address.

At no point in time did I sign or give permission for a service to be applied for at my address other than my own. I immediately informed the clerk that the process of acquiring the said service was fraudulent and I need my address to be removed from someone else’s account. I was told that first I need to put this into writing and

address it to the Customer Services Manager after that an investigation would then have to be conducted, until such time nothing can be done. I submitted a letter with my concerns over one month ago and I’m still waiting for an update from GPL and in the meantime my neighbour continues to enjoy a service that was installed under fraudulent circumstances.

I also spoke to a senior GPL representative who (Continued on page 5)

The average citizen of Georgetown has had enough of the political gimmicks Dear Editor, It is my sincere hope that the Guyana Elections Commission can pull off the Local Government Elections before the end of the year, now that there has been some cleaning of the Augean stables at GECOM. If this is not possible then the government has to move swiftly to install an Interim Management Committee as soon as the life of this Georgetown City Council expires. With the recent antics of the Mayor of Georgetown, it is quite clear that there is a dirty plot and plan to bring the Georgetown Municipality to its knees and

consequently the City of Georgetown as well. A house divided cannot stand. It’s as true in life as it is in managing a city. Conflict inside will inevitably lead to conflict outside. It is particularly disappointing to see so much effort being put in to modernise and transform our country as a whole, whilst a few are seeking to destroy our capital and main urban centre.

With statutory meetings being disrupted and adjourned for no good reason, the end result will be that important decisions will not be made including the one to send the new Town Clerk’s signature to the bank as a signatory for

cheques. What is hoped by a few misguided individuals is that this will make workers disgruntled when their salaries cannot be paid and cause contractors to withdraw their services when they are not paid. The Ministry of Local Government must take notice of this and take the appropriate action to nullify this evil plan.

The constant hiring of pricey lawyers and filing of lawsuits and other courses of legal action at the expense of the citizenry by the Mayor and a few at the Council without their express permission must stop. This is not what we are paying property rates for. How about if the Mayor uses that money to buy a garbage truck or two? I wonder what it will take

to get the Mayor and his comrades to understand that the average citizen of Georgetown has had enough of the political gimmicks, the mismanagement, the nepotism, the vice and duplicity at City Hall. We would prefer if more time and effort is spent cleaning the city, preventing crime, getting rid of mosquitoes, clearing the drains and restoring the cemetery.

I say to the new Town Clerk, the ability to manage through an internal crisis like the one currently on your hands is a skillset we know you have and will encourage you to use it. Expect criticism, you will ride it out.

Yours truly, Magagula Jackson

The GOAL Scholarship launch is ill-conceived Dear Editor, I am living in a hinterland community and I was a recent recipient of a GOAL scholarship for which I am extremely grateful. I was informed by the Ministry of Public Service via email that myself and all other scholarship awardees across the country would have to attend the official launch of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship initiative. This was to be held on August 13, 2021 in Georgetown but was subsequently cancelled, with a new date still to be announced. With the COVID-

19 pandemic raging, the economy especially in the hinterland very weak at the moment, hinterland roads are in a terrible state, current airfares from hinterland locations to Georgetown through the roof and exorbitant rates being charged for hotel rooms in Georgetown, many of us in the hinterland will be hard pressed to attend the launch of the GOAL programme whenever it is held.

I did a review of the number of people from the hinterland who had gotten through with scholarships and the numbers are as

follows: Region One with 233; Region Seven with 233; Region Eight with 91; and Region Nine with 225. Would it not make more administrative, economical and logistical sense if the GOAL programme was launched separately at select centralised locations in each of the hinterland regions identified above? This would negate the necessity of us having to travel to Georgetown, allow for better interaction with staff from GOAL, minimise the risk of contracting COVID-19, and allow the management of the GOAL programme to have a

better understanding of the challenges unique to the hinterland. Let’s face it, a gathering of six thousand students in Georgetown on a single day for the launch as is currently being envisaged by the Ministry of Public Service makes for mass confusion, higher risk of exposure to COVID-19, unresolved student issues and general frustration. I am kindly asking if some consideration is given to us the students in the hinterland.

Yours truly, Concerned Hinterland Student

Tuesday August 17, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Freddie has persuaded himself that he can bamboozle the nation Dear Editor, It was brought to my attention by several persons of a Kaieteur News column of August 14, 2021 captioned, “Jermaine Figueira’s jumbie lash may kill Vincent Alexander”.

A caption that is most misleading like the content in itself. I really pity this individual who seems to have an obsession with Greek mythology. I can understand why he has persuaded himself that he can hoodwink, dupe and bamboozle this

nation with his quasiintellectual use of the pen.

I’ll be succinct. Mr. Kissoon’s nitpicking of a part of my presentation on the Rodney’s motion to try make a point, which was to misinform, misrepresent and probably to come off scholarly, has reaffirmed the expressed view of many; that he lacks intellectual depth, critical analysis, use of empirical data and more importantly, irrefutable evidence/facts in his writings.

Sir, what does the Rodney’s motion has to do

with the right and just call for reparations by Guyana and many countries of the world?

Secondly Sir, need I inform this columnist, that Mr. Vincent Alexander has had nothing to do with the Guyana Reparations Committee or the Caribbean Reparations Commission.

Moreover, Dr. Walter Rodney of the WPA, a man who has awaken the consciousness of the world with his masterful and profound work, “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” would be eternally

If foreign interference was perceived to be wrong then how come it is suddenly right now?

Dear Editor It was widely proclaimed by that side of the offensive, that diplomats at all levels, had interfered and meddled in our internal affairs, during the five-month attempted heist on democracy. So what was the congressman

doing in the recent Brooklyn anti-government rally? If foreign interference was perceived to be wrong then how come it is suddenly right now?

Yours truly, Shamshun Mohamed

...My neighbour has illegally used my address From page 4 indicated that this is not a strange occurrence .These kind of transactions is a norm at GPL and it involves clerks, supervisors, the person in the field that checks and verifies that the address is correct and the technicians that install the meter. All these persons are part of a network or people who rob the company of revenues owed. I was also told that one of the

persons involved (clerk) recently resigned and that she was closely aligned to a supervisor who is known to look the other way once the price is right. I am calling on the CEO/ Chairman of GPL to look into this since I’m fearful that this is being swept under the carpet.

Yours truly, Name provided

ashamed and embarrass of Freddie. To even attempt to make a case for the imperial coloniser; the British, not to pay for the worst and longest crime perpetuated against a people of the human race speaks volumes of how gaga he is. Thirdly Sir, I would strongly advise this man to do his research when on such a platform, before ‘attempting’ to

speak from an ill-informed position.

Mr. Kissoon, who appears to be very illogical, should not venture to postulate a perceived logic of someone’s expressed view, without first contextualising the setting in which that view was expressed.

May I offer another piece of advice to this columnist, who

may in the very distant future, endeavour to use my name or any other individual with the likes of Mr. Vincent Alexander, to attract readers to his depleting column, do much needed research and put some respect on our names.

Yours truly, Hon. Jermaine Figueira.

M.P.

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Tuesday August 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

Mechanic crashes motorcycle, dies while evading police The potholes which caused Deopaul to lose control as he reportedly tried to evade police.

The bike that Deopaul was reportedly test riding when he crashed.

A 20-year-old mechanic died yesterday, hours after he crashed the 150 CC G8 motorcycle, which he was riding along a road in La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD). At the time, he was reportedly trying to evade a police patrol.

According to a police report, the mechanic, Mahendra Deopaul, of 267 Parfaite Harmonie lost control when he tried to manoeuvre some potholes around 23:45hrs on Sunday night. Police ranks reported that they were conducting a routine patrol in a pick-up when they spotted a man riding west along the northern side

of the road without a safety helmet.

They had reportedly attempted to stop him but he rode away causing them to give chase.

The chase ended abruptly after Deopaul fell into the potholes and lost control of the motorcycle. As a result, he fell onto the road and sustained injuries about his body and face.

He was reportedly picked up by the ranks immediately after in an unconscious state and rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

Around 03:46hrs yesterday, Deopaul eventually succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical

Dead mechanic, Mahendra Deopaul. attention.

Speaking with Kaietuer News, his relatives said that Deopaul had left home around 17:00hrs on Sunday and that his last words to them were, “a going and tek this bike for a test ride and come back.”

“He put on a helmet and rode off

but he did not say where exactly he was heading,” recounted one of the relatives.

According to the relatives, Deopaul owned his own mechanic shop and the bike he left on was actually one he had repaired for a client. As it would turn out, Deopaul would never return from that test ride. Around 01:20hrs the next day, they received a phone call informing them that Deopaul had met with an accident.

Relatives said that they rushed down to the hospital but their hopes of him surviving were shattered after he drew his last breath that morning.

Some of Deopaul’s relatives are

calling for a fair investigation into the matter because they suspect that it could have been a case where the patrol vehicle could have “jammed him down as well” during the chase.

Asked why they have these suspicions, the relatives claimed that the back fender of the motorcycle was broken and this has led them to believe that he could have been hit from behind.

Deopaul’s relative described him as a jovial businessman who had great plans for his future. He had recently bought a van and was hoping to get married and start a family by age 25.

“Guyana should count India as one of its stable friends” - Indian High Commissioner India has committed to partnering with Guyana towards advancing the country’s developmental agenda. This is according to the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K.J. Srinivasa, who said on Sunday that “Guyana should count India as one of its stable friends.”

The High Commissioner was speaking at the observance of India’s 75th Independence Anniversary which was held at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Bel Air, Georgetown. In attendance to commemorate India’s Independence were Prime Minister, Mark Phillips; Former President, Donald Ramotar; Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud; Minister of Health and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Frank Anthony and Deputy Speaker, Lennox Shuman.

Dr. K.J. Srinivasa in his brief remarks said that the two countries have shared a lot and will continue in the coming years to be partners in progress.

“We are very happy to share our expertise to upgrade skills, to extend capacity and at the same time to see that Guyana get the

Prime Minister, Mark Phillips; Indian High Commissioner, Dr. K.J. Srinivasa; Former President, Donald Ramotar; Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud; Minister of Health and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Frank Anthony, along with cultural dancers at the celebration of India’s 75th Independence Anniversary at the Indian Cultural Centre. best of what it deserves,” the High Commissioner shared.

Guyana’s Prime Minister, who lauded India for its contribution of 80,000 Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines to assist the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, said that India and

Guyana share a bilateral relationship built on mutual understanding.

“Beginning in 1966, Guyana and India have 55 years of mutual understanding and have established partnership in the areas of economic

cooperation, cultural exchanges, infrastructural development, education, health and other mutual agreed field,” he highlighted.

The Prime Minster concluded that with India’s vast potential at manufacturing and

innovation, the country stands as a shining example of the power that freedom, ideas, achievement, action and resolve can have on a nation.

With this, he commended the Government of India for taking a holistic approach on

its Independence observation as it serves as a reminder to its people and the world of the importance of strong and cultural heritage and resilience.

It was on August 15, 1947, India became free from colonial rule.

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N L T BB T...BLU U N L U B .

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N N T T L U U N L L U B U T...BLU B L . .

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Tuesday August 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

The coalition opposition has lost its head, can't find its feet.

Of all the issues it could pick on to take a stand, the coalition decides it will be against mandatory vaccines.

This is backwards and feeble, because many coalition members and supporters have already taken the vaccine. When the coalition takes a stand like this with vaccines, then it is sure to find that a lot of its own support base would not stand with it.

The coalition should pick something that has national support and traction: we highly recommend OIL.

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Tuesday August 17, 2021

Govt. pumps $356M more- contracts into inked cash-strapped GuySuCo for other Agri.

Ministry projects

The signing of the contracts yesterday.

S

everal Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) agencies yesterday signed off on a

total of $474M in contracts.

The majority of the total sum represents three contracts for the cash-strapped Guyana

Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

The three contracts that were signed are for the

supply and delivery of nine long reach track-type hydraulic excavators, one short reach track-type hydraulic excavator and one short reach wheel-type hydraulic excavator.

The contracts for the supply and delivery of the machineries to the tune of $356,500,000 were awarded to Guyana Tractor and Equipment Limited (GUYTRAC).

The excavators, according to information released by the Ministry, are required for the rehabilitation of the drainage and irrigation channels at all estates, including the ones passing through residential communities – it also includes the rebuilding of the surrounding perimetre dam

of the Albion Estates.

It was further stated that the works are intended to reduce the likelihood of future flooding on the estates and other surrounding communities.

Moreover, the machines will also be used for the maintenance of infrastructures like dams, bridges and aqueducts. For years, Guyana's sugar industry has been considered a liability due to its poor financial standing and low productivity.

Yesterday too, contracts were signed for other MOA agencies like, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), National Drainage and Irrigation Agency (NDIA), Hydromet Department and Guyana

Marketing Corporation (GMC).

The contracts signing were held in the Agriculture Ministr y ' s b o a r d r o o m , which is located at Shiv Chanderpaul Drive and Regent Street, Georgetown.

During the signing, A g r i c u l t u r e M i n i s t e r, Zulfikar Mustapha, told contractors that the projects were a critical part of the government's overall developmental agenda for the agriculture sector.

The Minister also reminded the contractors that works should be done to the specification and completed in a timely manner as the ministry works towards completing its 2021 work programme.

Man uses sister to trap alleged fraudster

A

n alleged fraudster found herself before the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts yesterday facing two charges, after one of her victims used his sister to trap her.

Charged by Principal Magistrate, Sherdel IsaacsMarcus, with attempting to obtain and obtaining money by false pretense is Natoya Cottom, 26, of Lot 45 Crane, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

Cottom pleaded not guilty to both charges and was released on $100,000 bail for each charge. She is expected to return to court on August 30, 2021.

The court heard that on July 7, 2021, Cottom had allegedly attempted to obtain

$650,000 from Nazeema Nazir by pretending to sell her a car. Nazir somehow did not fall prey to Cottom's ploy but this did not stop the defendant from trying again.

On July 27, 2021, she allegedly tricked Tameshwar Vishundai into paying her $300,000 by pretending to sell him the same car.

After receiving the cash, the Cotton allegedly told him that she was going to the hospital and would return but she never did. Vishundai even tried contacting her but Cottom had allegedly changed her number.

Realising that he was conned, Vishundai decided to track her down and reportedly hatched a plan.

This was after he saw a photo

of the same car, which she pretended to sell him, for sale in a Facebook post. He suspected that it might be Cottom trying to con more victims. As such, he asked his sister to pretend she was interested in buying the vehicle.

Contact was made with the dealer and after realising that it was Cottom, the sister carried through with the plan and made arrangements to meet the alleged fraudster to make a payment.

Vishundai informed the cops of the arrangement and an unsuspecting Cottom reportedly fell into the trap.

As she was in the process of transacting the business, police ranks approached and arrested her.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday August 17, 2021

PAGE 09

Individual rights are subordinate to collective rights M

an is a social being. He does not live or exists alone; he co-exists with others in society.

There is cost to man's social being. He agrees as part of the social contract to subrogate his rights for the overall benefit of society.

If you live in a house with others you cannot walk in and out of that house as you please. There will be rules and more importantly there will be obligations.

Similarly every person as a member of society has obligations, the foremost of which is to avoid doing anything which would harm other members of society.

These obligations are collective rights and it is these collective rights which are the basis of the social contract which in turn is the pedestal on which social order is constructed. Without collective rights every man would be a law onto himself and without any obligation to show regard for others Individuals' rights are considered inalienable – that is they cannot be taken away; they are inherent by virtue of the nature of human person.

However, these individual rights are conditioned, modified and restricted by collective rights and are subordinate to collective rights even though the latter is socially constructed.

Individual rights assume such subordination.

The right to free expression assumes that there is

collective which someone needs to communicate with or listen to. The right to selfdefence assumes that man lives in a society and has a right to protect himself from the harmful actions of others.

The right to conscience assumes also that there are divergent religious, cultural and other beliefs and in a society, but that each has a right to his own beliefs but only in so far as these do not impinge on the rights of each other.

All of the fundamental human rights have exceptions, and these exceptions are aimed at protecting the good of society – the collective good.

They have limitations.

There is a right to life.

But a person can be deprived of his right to life by the use of justifiable force in effecting a lawful arrest, prevent escape lawful detention or to prevent the commission of an offence.

A person is born free.

This accords him the natural right of liberty. However, as a member of society if he violates the law, the courts can restrict this liberty and imprison him.

The law can also provide for you to be detained if you pose a threat to the health of society. During the early days of the pandemic, the APNU+AFC had issued an Order which allowed for persons testing positive to be mandatorily confined to an institution for recovery and treatment.

The Constitution also provides that a person's liberty may be limited by law in order to prevent the spread of an infectious disease. The Constitution also allows for the passage of laws which would allow for persons' liberties to be curtailed if they are deemed to require treatment or for the protection of society by virtue of them being of unsound mind addicted to drugs or alcohol, or a vagrant.

The Constitution therefore permits laws which limit individual rights, including if such restrictions are necessary to prevent the spread of infectious or contagious disease or to protect the community otherwise. However, a person's freedom cannot be restricted other than by law.

The government can also pass laws which compel you to do national service. That too has to be authorised by law and by law alone.

Citizens have a right to property. But that property can be taken from you by order of the court in settlement of unpaid taxes or by virtue of foreclosures. If the property is derelict and poses a threat to the safety of others, the law may authorise the relevant authorities to condemn the property and pull it down.

Every citizen has a right to freedom of expression.

But you do not have the right to assassinate the character of others or to use free

Walk with de boys seh...

Blue Book!

Dem

O

le people does talk dat if yuh can't protect yuhself, don't expect other people fuh protect yuh.

Charity begins at home.

Dem boys nat tekkin de Delta variant lightly. Dis thing deadly. It attacking dem lil children in America now. And you know dat once it start doing dat in America, is only time before it do dat here.

So everybody gat to tek precautions against dis virus. De best precautions is fuh vaccinate and stay at home as much as yuh can.

Nah bother with dem protestors, Dem gat dem

own agenda.

Yesterday dem had protest about de new COVID-19 measures. A small group of people tun up fuh protest, and right opposite to where dem been protesting dem had hundreds of people line up, waiting fuh vaccine.

De line so long it stretch till pun de road. So dem protestors get dem answer: people dissing dem.

Dem boys nah dissing nobody. But dem boys laying down de rules fuh dem own kingdom.

If yuh coming fuh visit dem boys at home, yuh nat welcome. Dem boys nah

want no visitors. Not with de number of active cases rising after falling to under 700.

But if yuh gat emergency and yuh gat to visit dem boys, mek sure yuh walk with yuh Vaccination Card.

Dem boys seh dem nah want yuh by dem gate unless yuh vaccinated. Mask alone can't wuk. Yuh gat to bring de Blue Book. And de Blue Book gat to have two stamps in it.

Dem boys nah care bout all de talks wah dem hearing.

If yuh coming by dem boys house, mek certain yuh get vaccinated.

Talk half and keep de Blue Book safe!

speech to incite hatred and racism.

A right exists for freedom of assembly. But the government is authorised to take action by law to protect public order, public health and public safety.

All of the fundamental human rights are therefore limited by the need to protect the collective. And given the wide latitude of the exceptions and limitations, it can be concluded that individual human rights are subordinate to collective rights.

The superiority of collective rights over individual rights is enforced by laws. You have a right to freedom of movement but you cannot go through a red light at a traffic junction. The

law provides that if you do so you are threatening the rights of other road users and therefore you can be charged.

Everyone has a right to a healthy environment. This is a collective right and the reason why persons are not allowed to smoke in public places, by law.

In the case of the vaccines, the government can make it mandatory. But the Government of Guyana has chosen not to do so.

However, in the interest of protecting the collective from an infectious or contagious, the government is taking measures to protect others from the unvaccinated. How can this measure which is aimed at public safety be seen as a

violation of a human right when it is protecting a collective right to public health?

How different is this from an employer telling a worker that he or she has a right to employment but if that person comes to work late every day then the employer has a right to terminate that person's services?

(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

Tuesday August 17, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The David Patterson accusation M

y Sunday c o l u m n described a torrid exchange I had with former AFC Minister, and current AFC's General Secretary, David Patterson, last Friday evening on the parapet outside my friends' home right next door to David's party headquarters.

It was a tempestuous affair in which David showed acidic anger over my continuous critical attitude to the AFC. Prior to the 2020

elections, the AFC bigwigs were livid over relentless condemnations in my columns of their use of state power.

I know I was a scornful target of these bigwigs because they would say things about me in the presence of many secondtier leaders who come back to tell me not as gossipers but with an admirable mind that went something like this – “Freddie I know what you say about the AFC is true and

I know how you feel but tone it down, nuh maan.” Many of these second-tier leaders never held an animosity towards me because during the 2015 campaign we became friends.

Of this group, I would count Leonard Craig and Michael Carrington as having been very independent-minded people in the executive of the AFC. Carrington was a parliamentarian. Craig was Deputy General-Secretary. I

know both of these gentlemen many, many moons ago before they ever dreamt of a political career.

What I hated and still hate up to this day is the morbid barefacedness of these AFC kings and queens who refuse to see how powerintoxicated they were and the depraved political culture they exhibited, far worse than any cluster of PPP and PNC ministers from

Frederick Kissoon 1964 to May 2015.

I was so livid with David Patterson's stance against me last Friday that had it not been for the need to feed my dog her dinner, I would have stayed hours and hours educating Patterson on what are the obligations of people in the exercise of power.

Patterson made several accusations against me that Friday evening which over the course of time, I will discuss with the Guyanese people. Guyanese read my columns wherever they are and out of that comes an obligation.

I believe there are positive opinions of me out there and I have an obligation to dispel suspicions these people have of me. In Lockean philosophy it is called obligation.

I will now elaborate on one of the open castigations of Patterson which he stated that Friday night. It is about some type of compact I have with Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo. It has been circulating around PNC layers and their supporters that I made some covenant with PPP leaders.

David Hinds is the driver of this train. In one of his recent insane Facebook cries, he told his fellow insane listeners that he knows I am not a racist but I am beholden to a group of racist Indians.

This is an ugly manifestation of ugly minds from people who cannot see that some humans are not easily bought because they love their country. When I

was researching the mayhem in Buxton between 2002 and 2005, Tacuma Ogunseye wrote in the Stabroek News that I was in the pay of President Jagdeo.

I stood up for my country from March to July in 2020 when the votes of citizens were being cast aside in a general election.

An educated woman like Dr. Melissa Ifill accused me of working for my reward. She wrote, “I wish Mr. Kissoon good luck in what appears to be his current desperate angling for earnings.”

This is a funny life. In the period where Dr. Ifill and I took different positions on the March election, she earned more than her previous salary because in that period, she became the Deputy Vice Chancellor of UG. In that very period, I remained with one job only and in August 2021 still have that one job.

In response to Dr. Ifill's belief that I have a moneydriven mind, I did inform her that it was a huge irony that in fact, I earned less in 2020.

If I was angling for earnings, I wished it did come my way.

So here is David asserting that I have something going with Mr. Jagdeo.

For the record, I have only spoken with two leaders in government since August 2020 – the President and the AG, Anil Nandlall. As stated before, the President asked in what ways I would like to serve my country.

The AG asked me the same thing. My response to the President was that younger people should be given the opportunity to serve. I told the AG, if he offers me a job, his enemies will shout from the rooftop that he gave Freddie Kissoon “a big wuk.” I gracefully declined.

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

Tuesday August 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Tuesday August 17, 2021

Guyana has opened a booth at OTC - the world's largest oil and gas sector trade show.

Guyana attending Offshore Technology Conference - to capitalise on opportunities to learn, network and attract investment

G

uyana has officially opened its booth at the O f f s h o r e Te c h n o l o g y Conference (OTC) which is the largest oil and gas sector trade show in the world. This is Guyana's second time

participating at this international conference in Houston, Texas.

According the Department of Public Information, the Government of Guyana through GO-Invest, is collaborating with several private sector organisations and businesses which comprises its delegation at OTC 2021.

The contingent comprises: Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, MP; Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, MP; Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, MP; and Chief Investment Officer and CEO of GOInvest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop along with representatives from AmCham, GCCI, PSC, GM&SA and private businesses GUYSONSGKB, GAICO, MID Atlantic OIL GAS, GOGEC, GYSBI, GTT, ExxonMobil Guyana and Halliburton.

The OTC's flagship conference is held annually at NRG Park in Houston. The event is sponsored by 13 industry organisations and societies, which collaborate to develop a technical programme for energy professionals to meet to exchange ideas and opinions on advanced scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources, and environmental matters.

Guyana's participation at the OTC is necessary for local content development. It provides opportunities for local businesses to network and seek partners in pursuit of emerging opportunities here.

Participation would also help to attract more of the Supply Chain opportunities to Guyana's shores.

Education, connection and networking are the major focal points of this mission.

Several related events are scheduled to maximise every opportunity to

showcase and attract investment opportunities to Guyana.

A Guyana Evening of Information Sharing and Networking is planned for Wednesday August 18 at the Asia Society Texas Center.

Presentations will be made by the Vice President, Minister of Natural Resources, Exxon Rep, US Ambassador to Guyana and the CEO of GO-Invest to headline the event.

The Guyana Evening is an unpaid invitation-only event. Approximately 400 representatives from various international and local companies are expected to attend to meet with the Guyanese Delegation.

The event will see representatives from both the Public and Private Sector using the opportunity to network and develop relationships with key persons within the industry to attract investment primarily to Guyana's oil and gas and services sectors, and to establish and develop crucial partnerships.

The Vice President will deliver his keynote address at OTC on Tuesday August 17 at 13:30 hours on the topic: “Guyana an emerging oil industry in the context of net zero emissions.”

At 17:30 hours, Dr. Jagdeo will be addressing Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy on “Climate Change Aspirations and the Viability of Small Development Countries.”

On Wednesday August 18, the Vice President and the Natural Resources Minister will be featured on the “Around the World Series Panel Discussion on the Guyana and Suriname Basin and Liza Project.”

Tuesday August 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Tuesday August 17, 2021

Over 100 Parfaite Harmonie residents ink housing contracts O

ver 100 low-income residents of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, on Sunday signed contracts that will see them benefitting from the construction of core homes and home improvement subsidies.

The signing was held by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) at the La Parfaite Harmonie P r i m a r y School. According to a release issued by CH&PA, Collin D. Croal, the Minister of Housing a n d Wa t e r ; H o n . S u s a n Rodrigues, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water; CEO of CH&PA, Mr. Sherwyn Greaves and Regional Vice Chairman, Mr. Omesh Satyanand were present at the exercise.

Minister Croal, in his address, stated that the home improvement subsidies and core homes, which fall under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP), are designed to elevate the living standards of vulnerable groups.

"Our mission at the Ministry of Housing and Water is to increase home ownership across the country and with low-income housing being the highest demand in our system, such programmes are important to our mandate," Minister Croal stated.

The Minister also spoke to some of the Ministry's ongoing development programmes in the region including the drilling of new wells, water service connections and road upgrades.

Meanwhile, Minister Rodrigues in her remarks

elaborated that AHUAP not only will help to improve housing conditions but also provide employment opportunities.

"Job creation and stimulation of the local economy is integrally part of this programme, these are the soft issues that affect people's lives and that we're working on

contractors executing the projects.

Twenty-five (25) core homes will be built through this phase of the p r o g r a m m e a n d 11 8 h o m e improvement subsidies granted.

The core homes will be no less than 330 square feet single family homes with concrete blocks for the outer walls and floors, basic doors,

Some of the beneficiaries pose with Minister Croal.

addressing through our housing drive," said Minister Rodrigues.

Before the signing of the contracts, Head of CH&PA's Legal Secretariat, Ms. Hannifah Jordan, explained the contract terms to beneficiaries. A session for concerns to be addressed was then facilitated by Director of Community Development, Mr. Gladwin Charles, Deputy Director, Mrs. Donell Bess-Bascom and team.

Sunday's proceeding follows the inking of $163 million in contracts between CH&PA and the

windows, electrical wiring and water connections.

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

On the other hand, the home improvement subsidies will be $500,000 granted in the form of building materials for repairs to walls, floors, electrical works and sanitation improvements, among others.

AHUAP is an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) funded programme. The programme

previously encompassed communities from Georgetown to Grove on the East Bank of Demerara, up to La Bonne Intention on the East Coast of Demerara and Westminster, Onderneeming, Recht-Door-Zee, Lust en Rust, and La Parfaite

Harmonie Phase II on the West Bank of Demerara.

It has been recently expanded to include 19 communities on the East Coast of Demerara, stretching the boundary to Victoria. Similar works will commence in these areas, as the programme continues.

GTT encourages employees' COVID-19 vaccination with new initiative

T

he Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) recently started a vaccination recognition drive among its staff to recognise fully vaccinated employees at the company. In a release the company revealed that on a fortnightly basis, one fully vaccinated employee would randomly be selected to win various incentives, offered by the company's Human Resource Department.

GTT's Human Resource Director, Tiana Gurcharran, explained that to enter for the draw, fully vaccinated employees within the company's employ for three months and more can enter their details into a Google form provided by the company, to be randomly selected at the end of the

COVID-19 virus. From upping our sanitisation at our various locations to giving staff the option to work from home. We just want to ensure the safety of our staff, and this is one of the ways to reward those who are contributing to flattening the curve of the coronavirus,” the HR Director said.

“One of the company's new promises is to strengthen our communities. This also means taking every measure GTT's Human Resource we can to make our teams, Director, Tiana Gurcharran stores, customers, and communities safe,” she added. fortnight. The winner would So far, the company has need to provide their selected one winner at its first Vaccination Booklet to claim draw on August 13. The the prize. winner, according to the “From the start of the release, “received some ten COVID-19 pandemic in thousand dollars in mmg+ Guyana, we have explored Top Up.” The GTT employee all the possible ways to help COVID-19 vaccination drive flatten the curve of the will end in December 2021.

Tuesday August 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

UN Secretary General's remarks to the Security Council on Afghanistan T

he world is following events in Afghanistan with a heavy heart and deep disquiet about what lies ahead. All of us have seen the images in real time.

Chaos. Unrest. Uncertainty.

And fear.

Much lies in the balance.

The progress. The hope.

The dreams of a generation of young Afghan women and girls, boys and men.

At this grave hour, I urge all parties, especially the Taliban, to exercise utmost restraint to protect lives and to ensure that humanitarian needs can be met. Conflict has forced hundreds of thousands from their homes.

The capital city has seen a huge influx of internally displaced persons from provinces around the country where they felt insecure or fled during fighting. I remind all parties of their obligation to protect civilians.

I call on all parties to provide humanitarians with unimpeded access to deliver timely and life-saving services and aid.

And I also urge all countries to be willing to receive Afghan refugees and refrain from any deportations.

Now is the time to stand as one. The international community must be united and utilise all available instruments to ensure the following: First, we must speak with one voice to uphold human rights in Afghanistan.

I call upon the Taliban and all parties to respect and protect international humanitarian law and the rights and freedoms of all persons.

We are receiving chilling reports of severe restrictions on human rights throughout the country.

I am particularly concerned by accounts of mounting human rights violations against the women and girls of Afghanistan who fear a return to the darkest days.

It is essential that the hard-won rights of Afghan women and girls are protected.

They are looking to the international community for support — the same international community that assured them that opportunities would be expanded, education would be guaranteed, freedoms would spread and rights would be secured.

Second, the international community must unite to make sure that Afghanistan is never again used as a platform or safe haven for terrorist organisations.

I appeal to the Security Council — and the international community as a whole — to stand together, to work together and act together — and use all tools at its disposal to suppress the global terrorist threat in Afghanistan and to guarantee that basic human rights will be respected.

Regardless of who holds power, these two fundamental principles — in which our world has such a deep and abiding interest — must be upheld. The United Nations is committed to supporting Afghans.

We continue to have staff and offices in areas that have come under Taliban control.

I am relieved to report that in large measure, our personnel and premises have

Woman, 27, 3 men are latest COVID-19 fatalities

T

he Ministry of Health yesterday announced that four more persons, who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, have died. As a result of this, the country's COVID19 death toll has moved to 578.

According to the Ministry, the latest fatalities are that of three men – a 78year-old from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), a 50-year-old from Region One (Barima-Waini) and a 51year-old – along with a 27year-old woman both from Region Four (Demerara-

Mahaica). All four persons died over a two-day period (August 14 to 15) while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

Further, the Ministry via its COVID-19 dashboard yesterday reported that within the last 24 hours there were 14 new infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 23,575.

Presently, there are 16 patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 87 in institutional isolation, 895 in home isolation and four in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 21,999 persons have recovered from the virus.

been respected.

We urge the Taliban to continue to do so and to honour the integrity and inviolability of diplomatic envoys and premises.

The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan affects 18 million people — fully half of the country's population.

It is vital that basic services continue to be provided.

In a statement issued Sunday, the Taliban said that they would work with

existing institutions. It is crucial that civil servant salaries continue to be paid, infrastructure is maintained, airports are reopened, and health and education services continue.

The United Nations presence will adapt to the security situation.

But above all, we will stay and deliver in support of the Afghan people in their hour of need.

Looking ahead, I call for

an immediate end to violence, for the rights of all Afghans to be respected and for Afghanistan to comply with all international agreements to which it is a party.

Afghans are a proud people with a rich cultural heritage. They have known generations of war and hardship. They deserve our full support.

The following days will be pivotal. The world is

UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres watching. We cannot and must not abandon the people of Afghanistan.

Thank you.

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

WANTED

VEHICLES FOR SALE Toyota Tacoma (year 2011) GXX series excellent condition.Call:610-4242 or 626-6722.

1 canter driver sales man.

Layout birds to buy.

Tel:225-0480, 219-2170/6 750587.

Live in experience cook 3035000 wkly. Live in domestic 25-30000 wkly. Tel:648-7866.

Experience welders between ages 30-45. MechanicDoosan & Excavator operator. Tel:223-5273/74.

One male able bodied clerk.Tel:231-2029/616-5954.

Taxi drivers to work and keep.

Tel:225-3234/628-1183.

SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 Houseplan drawing and estimates.K.Lakeram Building Contractor.Call:2160671/692-8464 or whatsapp 622-0267.

VACANCY Vacancy for a domestic maid.

Call: 637-6700 Maid to cook and clean for East Bank. Call:615-9132.

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

FOR SALE 16x6Truck,1 Freightliner,1 Sylphy,1 Hilux LN 172,1 JCB loader.Tel:673-4002/ 665-3676.

Factory workers and sale representatives.Must have a sound secondary education.

Call:223-0090.

Rider's for a delivery with orwithout bike. Professional, neatly attired, well mannered.

Tel:642-6832/whatsapp.

Cleaner, maintenance worker, labours to work with P.S.G.C.S. Call:621-6969 or 615-7784,7-4pm.

FOR RENT Vr e e d - e n - h o o p junction.Place for hair salon, pedicure, manicure ,other.

Call: 603-6400.$15,000 per month.

Unfurnish 3 bedroom upstairs & 3 bedroom downstairs house.New Road Vreed-en-hoop. Call:6433170 or 688-4604.

Furnish & unfurnish apt 1 bedroom,2 bedroom,3 bedroom.Diamond, Providence & Herstelling E.B.D. Call:682-6238.

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

One female cashier & one malewelder/fabricator@Del ice Co. Call:642-9191/2311408, 8am-1pm.

Security officers male & female 18+.Lamaha St between Waterloo & Parade.Call:2234172/632-0510.

1 part time experienced canter driver. Call:626-6722.

Pitmen for interior location.

Applicants must be experienced.Call:231-2250.

Experience carpenter.Apply at Alabama Trading, 65 Robb Street Bourda.

WANTED Puri Roti Cooks.Apply @Shanta's,225 Camp & New Market Streets.

Mechanic 5-7000 day for machine equipment to maintainand repair, Excavator, loader, grader. China Railway First Group. Tel:6321122.

Experience welder.Apply at Alabama Trading,65 Robb Street Bourda.

Vacancy at People's choice kitchen:Cooks, Cashiers, Handymen, Canter staff.

Tel:679-9449.

Cleaner and kitchen help from Monday- Friday 7AM - 2:30 PM. Tel# 661-7639. Good pay.

Tuesday August 17, 2021

Tuesday August 17, 2021

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

High-level Surinamese team set to arrive today - Oil and gas, infrastructure, agriculture areas of focus As a high-level delegation headed by Surinamese President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, is set to arrive in Guyana today for a state visit, President Irfaan A l i h a s indicated that some key areas of focus include oil and gas, infrastructure, agriculture, among other critical sectors.

President Ali told the press on the sidelines of an event on Monday that President Santokhi’s visit is a “very important” one, as he reminded that Guyana and Suriname have committed to various “transformational initiatives”. “[This visit] is a continuation of that collaboration and building stronger ties. Suriname is also going to be a big player in the oil and gas sector. The two countries both have small populations, similar

Suriname’s President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi challenges and opportunities.

We have to see how we can merge our thinking and

make sure that our policies reflect that integrated approach to bring betterment for the people of the two

countries.

Infrastructure, transportation, human resources capacity and capability, trade, security, agriculture, removing barriers for our people, including oil and gas,” President Ali explained to the press.

Notably, this official visit follows President Ali’s visit to the Republic of Suriname in November 2020, during which the two Presidents launched the Guyana-Suriname Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform (SDCP).

Last year, shortly after the inauguration of President Ali, Guyana and Suriname established a working committee that is tasked with finding solutions to stimulate economic growth.

Formed at the policy and technical level and buttressed by the private sector of

Guyana and Suriname, this working committee will seek to lay the framework that will improve multiple sectors such as health, infrastructure, education, agriculture, Information and Computer Technology (ICT), and security.

Taking into consideration that both countries are oil producers, it was said that specific attention would have been given to how both nations can collaborate on this front.

In providing an example of what this could look like, President Ali at a joint press conference with President Santokhi last year had said that there would be a joint engagement that will improve Local Content through the training of the citizens so that they are prepared to reap the benefits from the lucrative petroleum industry.

The Guyanese Head of State had highlighted that

setting out this new agenda will ensure that the governments strategically position themselves to not only benefit but to ensure that the people benefit from a transparent process.

President Santokhi will be accompanied by Mrs. Mellisa K. Santokhi-Seenacherry, First Lady of Suriname, and a delegation comprising Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation, Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin; Minister of Natural Resources, David Abiamofo; Minister of Agriculture Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Parmanand Sewdien; Minister of Public Works, Riad Nurmohamed; Minister of Transport, Communication and Tourism, Albert E. Jubithana; representatives of Suriname’s national oil company, Staatsolie and members of the private sector.

President Ali announces new $2.6B relief measures for citizens - To target most vulnerable in society With the severe economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and with the aim of giving further support to citizens, President Irfaan Ali on Monday night announced an additional $2.6 billion relief programme for Guyanese.

The programme, according to the President, will target the most vulnerable in society.

In his address, President Ali announced that the Government will be issuing a oneoff grant of $25,000 to all oldage pensioners, equivalent to one month of old-age pension. This grant will benefit some 65,000 persons and place an additional $1.6 billion of disposable income in the hands of the elderly.

Further, the Head of State announced an electricity credit paid to Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) on behalf of households consuming not more than 75 kilowatts per hour (kWh) per month. The credit to each household will be equivalent to one month of its electricity bill and will inject more than $200 million of disposable income to more than 40,000 households.

And lastly, the Government will begin the payout of a one-off grant of $25,000 to all public assistance recipients and persons living with disabilities. This grant will benefit about 25,000 persons and place more than $600 mil-

lion of additional disposable income in their hands.

President Ali said that these three measures will provide additional income support of $2.6 billion to our most vulnerable households. This comes on top of the COVID19 relief cash grant the Government rolled out when it assumed office and which is currently in its second phase.

Once this phase is finished, the COVID-19 relief grant would have placed over $8 billion in the hands of families across the country, he noted.

“My government remains committed to supporting all Guyanese. This is your Government delivering to you again.

I say to you that we remain committed and in the coming months, we will continue to work in finding ways in which we will continuously make your life easier.

Ways in which we will continue to make you more prosperous. Ways in which we will deliver to you a life that is fulfilling and satisfying,” the President assured.

Notably, the Head of State also indicated that the payout for a $7.8 billion relief package or farmers who suffered losses due to the unprecedented nationwide flooding will commence this week.

This $2.6 billion relief

programme comes on top of other relief measures the Government instituted when it took office in August of last year.

Through its 2020 and 2021 budgets, the Government removed the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on water and electricity, as well as on basic food items, basic household necessities, and medical and educational supplies.

It also reduced water tariffs by five percent, and reduced by 50 percent licence fees that had been increased since 2014.

Further, the Government moved to make home ownership and home construction more affordable by removing the VAT on basic construction materials, increasing the ceilings on low-income mortgage loans from $8 million to $12 million and on loans granted by the New Building Society from $12 million to $15 million, and doubling the ceil-

ing on loans eligible for mortgage interest relief from $15 to $30 million.

Reductions in the cost of connectivity by taking off the VAT on data for residential and individual use and on cellular phones was also initiated.

“In order to reduce the cost of doing business and to create jobs for all Guyanese, we removed the VAT on heavy machinery and equipment, removed corporate income taxes on companies investing in the education and health sectors, and reduced land rental charges back to 2014 levels. The latter measure alone put $1.4 billion back into the hands of farmers,” the President said.

Just last week, a cap on the freight charges used to calculate taxes on imports was introduced. This measure will allow for a saving of $4.8 billion by consumers and businesses.

President Irfaan Ali

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Tuesday August 17, 2021

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Dream over for Afghan athletes trapped in Kabul LONDON, (Reuters) Zakia Khudadadi would have been the first woman to represent Afghanistan at a Paralympic Games when they start in Tokyo this month, but her dream has been shattered amid the country’s turmoil.

The Afghanistan Paralympic Committee’s London-based Chef de Mission Arian Sadiqi told Reuters yesterday that the country’s two athletes would not be able to attend the Games that commence on Aug. 24.

“Unfortunately due to the current upheaval going on in Afghanistan the team could not leave Kabul in time,” he said.

U.S. forces have taken over air traffic control at Kabul airport, where five died yesterday in chaotic scenes

with reports of firing in the air and a stampede.

Taliban insurgents have overrun major cities and now control most of Afghanistan.

The hardline Islamist movement was ousted in 2001, but has made sweeping military gains in recent months as foreign forces, led by the United States, withdrew.

Sadiqi said he had been due to fly to Japan yesterday while the team — Khudadadi and track athlete Hossain Rasouli — had been scheduled to arrive in Tokyo on Aug. 17.

Taekwondo athlete Khudadadi was profiled on the Paralympic website (www.paralympic.org) last week talking about her hopes for the Games.

“I was thrilled after I received the news that I have

got a wild card to compete at the Games,” said the 23-yearold from Herat.

“This is the first time that a female athlete will be representing Afghanistan at the Games and I’m so happy,” she had said then.

Sadiqi said the athletes had been trying to secure flights, but prices soared as the Taliban took over a string of cities.

Then it became impossible.

“They were really excited prior to the situation. They were training wherever they could, in the parks and back gardens,” he said.

Afghan athletes first competed at the 1996 Paralympic Games but have never won a medal.

Rohullah Nikpai became Afghanistan’s first Olympic

Tuesday August 17, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Take pride in your nurturing instincts, Aries. Rescue an injured bird or join a conservation group. Do something to help save the whales.

Take a more active role in the preservation of the planet.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Something or someone may urge you to make a major move, Taurus. Be sure you make it in the right direction.

Remember that strength lies in numbers.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your ego is strong today, Gemini, and you have a strong will. This is a good time to put your plan for world domination into effect.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Focus more of your power on your home and family life. Take care of domestic issues and stick to household chores and duties.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't be surprised if emotions flare up between you and someone close on a professional or social level, Leo. The issue may be difficult to resolve now. People feel rather sensitive.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) People may be coming on strong, but you will be right there to meet them with an equally powerful rebuttal, Virgo. The problem is, the person who confronts you is talking about apples and you're talking about oranges.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) If something doesn't make sense to you, Libra, question it. Be strong and confident.

Don't let others take advantage of your sensitive and nurturing personality.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Try to control your aggression, Scorpio. People are likely to be a bit more sensitive than usual. You can use your powerful nature in positive ways by turning your energy inward and conquering the demons within.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) It's time to be more aggressive regarding your needs, Sagittarius. Think of your heart as a powerful muscle that needs a tough workout.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You're in the hot seat today.

Other people might put you on the spot for no apparent reason. This uncomfortable feeling could lead to tension if you overreact.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) If there is something you need to fight for, this is the time to do it, Aquarius. For a while now you've been doing research on the best way to proceed.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may not feel in the mood to fight today, Pisces.

If someone challenges you, talk your way out of it. You will probably be able to win any battle with your words.

Try sensitive reasoning instead of open combat.

medallist in any sport when he won bronze in taekwondo at the 2008 Beijing Games, repeating the feat at London 2012.

Sadiqi said the future for Afghan athletes looked bleak, if the past was anything to go by.

“There was a lot of progress, both in the Olympics and the Paralympics,” he said of recent decades. “At the national level there was a lot of participants, a lot of athletes...but we can only predict from what happened in the past.

“Previously during the Taliban era people couldn’t compete, couldn’t participate, especially female athletes.

“For me, it’s heartbreaking,” he said. “This would have been the first female Afghan taekwondo player to take part. This was history in the making. She was excited to take part. She was very passionate to compete.

“Zakia would have been a great role model for the rest of the females in the country.”

...2-Golds for Narayan From page 21 Defeated Kyle Gomez: 21-10, 21-10 in Quarter-Finals Defeated Calvin Siu: 2110, 21-18 in Semi-Finals Defeated Calvin Kwan: 21-6, 21-10 in the Finals In Mixed doubles with Abby Ledda: Gained a bye in Round 1 Defeated Joe Lu/Jing Yang: 21-13, 21-10 in Round 2 Defeated William Kwan/ Eyota Kwan: 21-7, 21-14 in the Quarter-Finals Defeated Rishav Raj/ Anna Chakravorty: 21-15, 1821, 21-15 in the Semi-Finals Defeated Sunny Singh/ Manasi Pandit: 23-21, 21-16 in the Finals.

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Tuesday August 17, 2021

India quicks star with bat and ball in second Test thrashing of England AFP - India’s pacemen starred with both bat and ball yesterday as Virat Kohli’s side thrashed England by 151 runs in the second Test at Lord’s.

Victory gave India a 1-0 lead in a five-match series after just their third win in 19 Tests at the ‘home of cricket’

followed a rain-marred draw at Trent Bridge.

England, set 272 to win in a minimum of 60 overs on the last day, were dismissed for 120.

They were in dire straits at 1-2 after Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami removed openers Rory

Burns and Dom Sibley for nought apiece.

Fellow paceman Mohammed Siraj then followed up with 4-32 — a return that saw him end the match by bowling No 11 James Anderson.

Earlier, Shami, with 56 not out, and Bumrah (34 not

out) both hit their highest Test scores and shared an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 89, during India’s second innings 298-8 declared.

Bumrah then had Burns out for nought when the lefthander was caught off a leading edge at wide midoff. The struggling Sibley followed soon afterwards when he nicked a superb Shami leg-cutter to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.

It was the first time in 141 years of Test cricket in England that both home openers had been out for a duck in the same innings.

The recalled Haseeb Hameed, in on a pair, was dropped in the slips on four before his nine off 45 balls ended when lbw to an Ishant Sharma nip-backer, despite a review. New batsman Jonny Bairstow, was out for just two when lbw to Ishant, although India had to review the original not out decision.

- Root falls for 33 And England’s 67-4 at tea became 67-5 three balls afterwards when England captain Joe Root, who madre a superb 180 not out in the first innings, fell for 33 when edged a Bumrah ball that

angled in to opposing captain Kohli at first slip.

Jos Buttler was dropped on two in the slips by Kohli off Bumrah. But at the other end Siraj struck twice in successive balls to leave England 67-5, with Moeen Ali caught by a gleeful Kohli before Sam Curran complete a king pair when edging to Pant. New batsman Ollie Robinson, in an England side without Ben Stokes, taking a break from all cricket due to mental health issues and fellow all-rounder Chris Woakes (heel injury), gamely resisted for 35 balls.

But Robinson was eventually lbw on review to Bumrah, who finished with fine figures of 3-33 in 15 overs. His exit started collapse that saw England lost their last three wickets all on 120, with Buttler caught behind for 25 before Anderson fell.

India resumed yesterday on 181-6, a lead of 154.

Robinson struck with the new ball to have dangerman Pant caught behind for 22, with India now 194-7.

England fast bowler Mark Wood, entered the fray late after suffering a shoulder

injury when hurtling into an advertising board diving headlong to save a boundary on Sunday. But the express quick was unable to add to his three-wicket haul.

With Shami and Bumrah scoring steadily, Root brought off-spinner Mooen Ali back into the attack.

Bumrah, however, was dropped on 22 by first slip Root off Moeen. Shami went to his second fifty in 53 Tests in stylish fashion, driving successive Mooen deliveries for four and six off to reach the landmark in just 57 balls.

This innings surpassed his 51 not out against England at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge in 2014.

Bumrah also topped his highest Test score for the second time this series after his 28 at Nottingham. India opener KL Rahul was named player of the match for his first-innings 129.

Scores: India 364 (Rahul 129, Rohit 83, Anderson 5-62) & 298 for 8 dec. (Rahane 61, Shami 56*, Wood 3-51) beat England 391 (Root 180*, Bairstow 57, Siraj 4-94) & 120 (Root 33, Siraj 4-32, Bumrah 3-33) by 151 runs.

The celebrations begin for India as last-man James Anderson is bowled by Mohammed Siraj © AFP/Getty Images

CAC bodybuilding championships

Respective Silver & Bronze medals for Campbell & Fung Amid many questionable decisions, Guyana’s six-member CAC team finished with two medals at the event which was staged in El Salvador over the weekend.

Men’s Physique standout, Emmerson Campbell finished with another silver (first one in 2016) in a head scratching decision to the eventual overall winner, while Rosanna Fung snared bronze in the Junior Bikini category.

Guyana’s other competitors, Kerwin Clarke (80kg) and Yannick Grimes (Men’s Physique ) finished fifth and fourth in their respective categories, while Roger Callender (65kg) and Rawle Greene (80kg

and Masters) failed to crack the top 6 in their respective divisions. President of the local federation, Keavon Bess who won the bid to host the event in 2024, stated that he was quite disappointed in the inconsistency of the judging but was overall satisfied with the athlete’s performances.

He said, “Congratulation to all the athletes that competed at CAC 2021. We had to overcome so many obstacles to get here and when we got here the deck was stacked against us and it was shown in the judging.

Nevertheless we did our best and for CAC 2022 we will have a better showing.”

Tuesday August 17, 2021

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2-Golds for Narayan Ramdhani

Mixed Doubles Champions Narayan Ramdhani and Abby Ledda with the Tournament Organizer.

Guyana’s Top National and International Badminton Player Narayan Ramdhani won two Gold Medals in Singles & Mixed Doubles at the Kings University 2021 Open Summer Badminton Tournament in Edmonton Alberta Canada Played over the weekend.

This is the first tournament he played in after he returned to Canada over the last three weeks to finish off his Scholarship Programme in Business Management at the Kings University. While on his break during May-July, he played in the Guatemala International to improve his

world rankings but missed the Olympics tripartite spot by a few points. While in Guyana, he won the National Tournament and conducted four Shuttle Time programmes in Linden and Berbice and one Air

Badminton Project at the University of Guyana. He also helped to raise the standard of our Local National Players.

He is also expected to attend the Mexican International from

September 1-5 to start his campaign towards Olympics 2024.

In Men Singles he: Gained a bye in Round 1 Defeated Jatin Rathour: 21-5, 21-10 in Round 2 (Continued on page 19)

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Tuesday August 17, 2021

Sunshine overcome Masters to win ORSCA 10-10 title Sunshine defeated Masters by six wickets to win the 2021 Ontario Round-Arm Softball Cricket Association (ORSCA) 10-10 competition which concluded on Sunday at Marvin Heights Public School ground, Mississauga.

Sunshine opted to bowl and managed to restrict a Star-Masters team to 77-7. Sunshine overhauled the target in the penultimate over only losing four wickets in the process.

Jeetendra Beharry led the way with an entertaining 41 which counted one four and four sixes. He came to the crease after Sunshine lost Anil Etwaroo for 12 and Ramiz Mohamed for two with the score on 13. However, the aggressive lefthanded Beharry found a useful partner Hemnarine Chattergoon and they two put on a formidable 52-run third-wicket stand that virtually sealed the win in front of a good crowd. Chattergoon, a former Guyana and West Indies youth cricketer and a Canada international player, played a supportive role ending on 10.

Skipper Mark Nazir finished with 2-7 from his maximum two overs for Masters.

Earlier, Masters’ innings never got momentum as wickets fell at

regular intervals. Imran Ali (06), Rajkumar Budhram (00) and Kumar Doodnauth (11) departed early, but ex-Canada player Abdul Samad provided some muchneeded impetus with a promising 23, while Anil Ramoutar (00) and another former Canada cricketer Aftab Shamshudeen (05) were part of the procession. Former Guyana first-class wicket-keeper Azib Ali Haniff added respectability with a steady, unbeaten 18 which included a four and a six.

Rajesh Willie continued his dominance with the ball by snatching two wickets for 11 from two tidy overs. In the quarter and semi-finals, Willie was also outstanding, collecting 3-9 and 210 respectively. Rajendra Dhoray also accounted for two wickets in the championship game conceding 13 runs from his two overs, while Khemraj Harinarain also bagged two wickets for 23 runs off two overs.

At the presentation, the winning team took home a trophy and a bottle of champagne, while each team-member was given a trophy.

The runners-up side also claimed similar prizes while each teamplayer received a medal. Haniff was chosen as the Most Valuable Player

The victorious Sunshine team.

for Masters having taken a brilliant catch too, while Beharry took home that award.

Apart from the presentation of prizes, the president of ORSCA Mitch Bacchus congratulated the

victorious side (Sunshine) and thanked all the teams for their participation. The 10-10 competition was sponsored by Adana Homes, A Canadian Realty Inc. Brokerage and the boss

Satishwar Persaud expressed delight of being a part. He further stated that he was totally satisfied with the well-run competition and promised to come bigger and better next year with cash incentives.

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CPL 4-Day Camp held at Providence - Coach Hercules picks Hemraj as a key with bat & ball

Coach Ryan Hercules (left) works with CPL player Romario Shepherd at the camp at Providence. (News Room photo)

By Sean Devers hirty-three-yearold Coach Ryan Hercules is now working with the Guyana Amazon Warriors which will participate in this year’s CPL set for St Kitts from August 26 with all 33 games scheduled for Warner Park.

According Hercules, who is set to do his level 3 coaching in September in Antigua, a four-day CPL Camp which concluded last

T

Saturday was held in Guyana at the Providence Stadium.

Among those officials present were Manager of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Trinidadian Omar Khan, the team’s Physical Trainer and the Physio were a part of the camp. “We had a lot of intense fielding drills which was conducted by me including batting and bowling strategies with various players.

A lot of physical work

Players and officials at the CPL camp. (News Room photo) was done to test player’s mental fitness, like a yo-yo, shuttle runs and core work,” explained the former Essequibo and National U15 and U-19 all-rounder.

“A lot of emphasis was placed on Chanderpaul Hemraj’s batting and we know he can be a key a player with the bat at the top

Businessman Manniram Prashad joins CWI Board as Non-Member Director ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced that Mr Manniram Prashad, a past M i n i s t e r o f To u r i s m , Industry and Commerce for Guyana, and current Chairman of a several prestigious commercial organisations, has been appointed to the CWI Board of Directors as a nonmember (independent) Director, effective July 30, 2021.

Mr Prashad brings over 25 years of experience in commerce and private sector leadership having held several senior positions in a variety of industries. He has also held the position of chair for a number of large state corporations including the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and Guyana National Shipping Corporation. Mr Prashad is also the current Chairman of MP Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited, Consul General of the Philippines to Guyana, Corporate Coordination and Executive Member of the Private

Manniram Prashad Sector Commission and President of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber.

Mr Prashad is a longstanding cricket enthusiast, having served as President of various cricket clubs and leagues including the Gandhi Youth Cricket Club and Eastern American Cricket League.

CWI President Ricky Skerritt said: “I am confident that Manniram will add significant value to the CWI Board. I have had the benefit of knowing Mr Prashad when we were both serving our respective countries as Ministers of Tourism. He is a very experienced and astute businessman who will help

to bring more gravity and focus to the CWI Boardroom. I also expect him to help CWI reach out to much needed commercial partners in our region and beyond.”

Reacting to his appointment, Mr Prashad said: “I am truly honoured and humbled at my appointment. I see this as a challenge, and an opportunity, to serve West Indies Cricket and to join a team of Directors who are committed to improving and uplifting the standard of our game.”

M r P r a s h a d ’s appointment means that CWI has reached its allocation for four nonmember Directors. He joins Trinidadian Attorney Mrs Debra Coryat-Patton, Jamaican Surgeon and University Administrator, Dr Akshai Mansingh, and former West Indies captain Daren Sammy, as nonmember Directors whose terms will expire at CWI’s Annual General meeting in 2023.

of the order.

He can also bowl useful left-arm spin with the new ball,” said Hercules, who toured Canada with a Guyana senior team.

“Overall we had a successful camp with pacer Oden Smith coming in on the last day to get some work in.

I think looking at the guys

and their fitness level it’s up to par where we would need them to be,” said Hercules, who played club cricket in Melbourne, Australia in 2014. “There is a good Vibz and buzz with the guys as well, the energy level through all the sessions we have conducted even when we had pushed them and

asked for so much more from them physically. With the addition of the overseas players the team can do well this year and complete the task ahead of winning their first CPL title since the inaugural tournament in 2013,” concluded Hercules who played league cricket for six years until 2014.

More volleyball on the horizon as Demerara Association plans league

The DVA volleyball league serves off tonight at CASH. The Demerara Volleyball Association (DVA) has organised a Georgetown edition ‘A’ Division Volleyball League that serves off tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

The League will see three of the best teams in Guyana compete over a two-month period. Games will be played every Tuesday and Friday night from 19:00hs, and will be streamed live via the Guyana Volleyball

Federation’s (GVF) Facebook page.

The participating teams are Young Achievers Volleyball Club, Eagles Volleyball Club and Castrol Strikers Volleyball Club.

“The Demerara Volleyball Association is working in collaboration with the Guyana Volleyball Federation to foster volleyball development and promote the sport to all parts of Guyana,” a release from the DVA said.

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