Kaieteur News

K

Sugar Workers NEWS on strike over return to Rose Hall Estate

Thursday Edition

AIETEUR

August 17, 2023 - Vol. 16 No. 34

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 51,239

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

…demand compensation; call for meeting with President, VP

CGX extends deadline for Berbice deepwater port facility for third time; now scheduled for 2024 US Company reveals talks ongoing for a floating natural gas site between Guyana and Suriname 'Rasta' disappears after boat sinks in Mazaruni River Pomona farmer dies at ‘Grave Hill’ on return home from farm Missing: 'Rasta'

Dead: Ganesh Ramcharran

One dead, three missing after drill rig accident in Nigeria

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Thursday August 17, 2023

Kaieteur News

CGX extends deadline for Berbice deepwater port facility for third time; now scheduled for 2024

T

he Berbice deepwater port facility being undertaken

by Canadian oil explorer, CGX Energy Inc. through its subsidiary, Grand Canal Industrial Estates Inc. (GCIE) would not be ready for use until next year. This is according to the latest financial statements for CGX dated August 10, 2023.

The financial documents note that the port, located adjacent to Crab Island on the Eastern Bank of the Berbice River, is being designed to service the oil and gas industry as well as general cargo and the agricultural industries in Guyana.

Notably, the port is expected to benefit from its proximity to the oil and gas industry in Suriname.

CGX said the project now targets operation of the cargo terminal aspects during first quarter of 2024 while the operation of oil and gas support base is slated for operation in mid-2024, subject to construction schedules, financing, and supply chains. It should be noted that this is not the first time the project has faced setbacks in its timeline. It was initially scheduled to be completed since the fourth quarter of 2022 (See link for further details: https://www.kaieteurnewson line.com/2022/08/11/berbice -deepwater-port-will-not-

meet-2022-deadlinecgx/#:~:text=Kaieteur%20N ews%20%E2%80%93%20C GX%20Energy%20Inc,bank %20of%20the%20Berbice% 20River.).

That timeline was then pushed back to late 2023 which this newspaper reported on. (See link : https://www.kaieteurnewson line.com/2022/11/30/berbice -to-get-oil-and-gas-supportbase-in-late-2023/) Even before the close of the year, the company has already put its shareholders on notice that critical aspects would not be ready until 2024 but even that is hinged on certain conditions as outlined earlier.

In its financial statements, CGX said significant infrastructure projects in Region Six which have been announced by the Government of Guyana are what motivate the completion of the cargo aspects of the port, especially with respect to the handling of aggregates and other construction materials which must be imported into the region from elsewhere in the country and offshore. Some of these projects include the construction of the Guyana Technical Training College which will place special emphasis on skill sets for the oil sector. That project is set to be located in Port Mourant.

It is a collaborative effort

A section of the port facility being done by CGX between the Guyana Government and an ExxonMobil-led consortium which operates the oil-rich Stabroek Block.

During the six-month period which ended on June 30, 2023, GCIE said it incurred additional costs totalling US$551,549 for the port. For the year ended December 31, 2022 this total was US$3,245,855. It therefore means that approximately US$3.8M was already expended on that aspect of the facility for that period, adding to the over US$20M already spent since the project got started. The total cost for the facility is pegged at US$80M. GCIE said it expects that the port will significantly boost local content engagement in the oil and gas sector and add enhanced

logistics capacity for import and export, including expandable capacity to accommodate the possibility of increased product flow to and from the northern states of Brazil.

Due to its location close to Suriname, the port's oil and gas support functions will also help to serve the rapidly growing offshore exploration and development activities in that country's oil and gas sector.

Furthermore, GCIE said the port is expected to add significant capacity to the agricultural sector, supporting rice, sugar, agroprocessing and agricultural materials. GCIE said too that it has performed various developmental works on the site, including the installation of vertical drains and geotechnical treatment of the

quayside land.

The subsidiary noted that riverside construction is completed on approximately 500m of rip rap flood protection, a 10 acre quayside laydown yard built to a five tons per square metre load bearing capacity, an access bridge to the main Corentyne highway and 2.6 km access road, both built to American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (ASSHTO) standards, concrete drains and driveways for residents along the roadway and extension of municipal water and power to the port site.

It said requests for proposals were advertised for the wharf platform and access trestle, capital dredging programme, design and construction of all gates,

buildings, firefighting and first aid structures and covered storage areas.

Kaieteur News understands that evaluations of submitted proposals for the capital dredging and construction of the wharf platform and access trestle were completed and a local contractor, Gaico Construction and General Services, awarded. The successful bid incorporates an update to the design of the wharf and trestle to realize cost efficiencies.

GCIE said work on inriver construction of the 50 x 12 m access trestle being built from the quayside yard westward into the Berbice River is progressing on budget and no health and safety related incidents, with completion of the trestle expected in August 2023.

One dead, three missing after drill rig accident in Nigeria A drill rig accident in Nigeria on Wednesday morning left one person dead and three missing. The rig owned by Seplat Energy called 'Majestic', reportedly capsized.

In a statement, Seplat said that 92 of the 96-member crew are accounted for and safe. It stated, “Tragically, one fatality occurred during the incident, while three other rig personnel are still missing.”

The company said too, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the crew member who sadly lost his life and the three crew members who are still missing at the time of this report. Our emergency response and rescue efforts working alongside the rig owner and the authorities have been activated and are onsite. Our utmost priority will continue to be the safety and wellbeing of all the affected personnel and their families.”

Seplat said that further details on the accident will be provided, at the conclusion of the investigation.

A screengrab of a video from the drill rig incident

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 17, 2023

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US Company reveals talks ongoing for a floating natural gas site between Guyana and Suriname United States oil exploration company, Apache Corp. has announced that discussions are advancing regarding a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) site between Guyana and Suriname.

This is according to a Bloomberg report which noted that the company's confidence in its recent oil discovery, achieved in partnership with TotalEnergies SE off the coast of Suriname, has led to active engagement in talks for this significant endeavour.

Apache Corporation, often referred to as Apache Corp., is an American oil and gas exploration and production company. Founded in 1954, the company is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Apache is involved in various aspects of the energy sector, including the exploration, development, and production of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids.

Natural gas is a by-product of oil production that companies and governments can utilize in a

number of ways. However, Apache has plans in the medium term to reinject the gas under the surface of Suriname. Recently while speaking at the Enercom conference in Denver, its Vice President, Gary Clark told analysts that in the long term, Apache could seek to export it through an LNG terminal.

It was keen to note that output from Guyana, the world's fastestgrowing economy thanks to massive offshore oil reserves found

by Exxon Mobil Corp., already is surpassing expectations and should produce more than 1 million barrels per day by 2027.

In Suriname, no oil has been produced yet but Apache executives said recently that they are pausing drilling for the remainder of 2023 to appraise the company's recent work at an area that could have more oil than previously thought.

Apache is not the first to hold talks on Guyana and Suriname working together to develop gas

resources. In fact, in May, Vice President of Guyana, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed that the country's National Gas Strategy will encompass a comprehensive examination of key areas, including the potential for a joint venture with neighbouring Suriname.

Highlighting the government's dedication to refining the strategy,

he emphasized the awareness of Suriname's gas field discoveries and expressed interest in exploring collaborative development opportunities. This aligns with the government's broader objective of assessing the monetization of resources beyond the Liza field within the esteemed Stabroek Block.

C u r r e n t l y, G u y a n a i s undertaking its own gas natural gas facility (NGL) under the Wales gasto-energy project. Through this project, the government of Guyana aims to construct a 300-megawatt combined cycle power plant and NGL facility. Both the NGL facility and the gas-powered plant will be interconnected with a pipeline that receives gas from the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek Block. The construction of this pipeline is being undertaken by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), the local affiliate of ExxonMobil.

Comprehensive utilization of the Gas-to-Energy pipeline has the potential to bring an additional 70 to 80 million standard cubic feet of gas per day ashore in Guyana.

However, the specific applications for these supplementary resources will be outlined in a Gas Utilization Study conducted by ExxonMobil according to Jagdeo.

ExxonMobil searching for contractors to build US$100M oil and gas training facility

E

xxonMobil's local affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) has published a Request for Information (RFI), noting that it is seeking qualified companies capable of constructing Guyana's first state-of-the-art oil and gas training facility at the Guyana Technical Training College (GTTC).

This facility, which is situated in Port Mourant, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), will be dedicated to the oil and gas industry and will be constructed to the tune of some US$100 million.

In December 2021, while delivering remarks after his site visit to the Berbice Deepwater Port, President Irfaan Ali made the revelation that the Port Mourant Training Centre would be transformed into the country's National Oil

and Gas Institute.

He cited the quality of the craftsmen that the centre has produced throughout the years, many of whom excelled outside of Guyana and with its drive for excellence; he indicated that it would be the perfect location to have the transformation area of study.

In the Request for Information (RFI) published

by EEPGL on Wednesday on the Ministry of Natural Resources website, it was outlined that the project's scope of work encompasses a multitude of aspects aimed at creating a comprehensive learning environment.

The project's buildings are expected to comprise various structures, each serving distinct functions and purposes. Collectively, these structures are anticipated to occupy a total area ranging between approximately 60,000 to 80,000 square feet. These

buildings will include dormitories for both students and tutors, a versatile dining hall, classrooms, administrative offices, workshops, a guardhouse, and operation and storage facilities.

Each building is intended to be fully functional and will feature key components such as reinforced concrete foundations and superstructures, concrete masonry partition walls, waterproofing, thermal and acoustical insulation, roofing, as well as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, s e c u r i t y systems including CCTV and fire alarm systems, along with IT infrastructure, will be integrated.

In addition to the main structures, the project scope features covered walkways and a gazebo spanning an approximate area of 10,000

to 15,000 square feet. These elements will be constructed with reinforced concrete foundations, supported by structural steel framing, and covered with metal roofing sheets. Adequate electrical lighting and grounding will also be provided for these areas.

The envisioned site enhancements encompass minor improvements spanning an area of approximately 5 to 7 acres.

These improvements are set to include activities such as dewatering, as well as the proper clean and compacted fill of around 2 feet.

This scope also encompasses the creation of roads, sidewalks, and building pads. Furthermore, site utility services will be established through the procurement and installation of pipes and conduits to support various systems including potable water, wastewater, stormwater,

power, data, and a compressed air distribution system.

M o r e o v e r , comprehensive water storage and treatment system, as well as a wastewater collection and treatment system, will be incorporated.

To ensure security, a perimeter security fence will be erected around the property, and adequate site lighting and emergency power generation systems will be implemented, along with associated power distribution systems within the project site.

In line with its commitment to fostering local talent and resources, EEPGL in its RFI placed considerable emphasis on local content requirements.

The company said its local content strategy seeks to promote workforce and supplier capabilities within the community, emphasising

the integration of local elements in the project's execution.

Contractors vying for participation in this project are mandated to demonstrate an understanding of the Local Content Act (2021) and its potential implications on their work within the scope.

Furthermore, all bidders are expected to outline their preliminary local content strategies, aligning them with EEPGL's objectives and the Act's provisions.

EEPGL indicated that this approach not only ensures the development of the local workforce but also the creation of opportunities for Guyanese suppliers and contractors.

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Gun and crimes There has been a surge in crimes involving guns recently. Citizens killed, some deliberately targeted, others randomly shot, as gunfire and the mayhem that it produces touched the lives and communities of Guyanese from different walks of life. A very senior education official, who was sharing a relaxing moment with friends in a public place met his death by gunfire, a stray bullet ending his life. Death can come from out of nowhere as that, with the innocent and uninvolved seriously injured or killed by this fearful presence of guns, and without anyone having an accurate picture of the extent of the danger.

From high levels, announcements from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are that ‘serious crime’ is down.

Guyanese would be interested to find out what the GPF categorizes as ‘serious’, and how it arrived at that conclusion. More interesting could be what the GPF saw fit to leave out of its so-called ‘serious’ categorization, and what benign home was found to park such. It could be also that the GPF has its own unique ideas of what constitutes a ‘crime’ these days, which could be another mystery. One aspect of the work and new culture of the GPF that should not be ruled out is the possible massaging of numbers and definitions to suit its objectives. Whether serious crime is on the way down, or standing still, or travelling in another direction, Guyanese are dying, or getting injured, by gunfire, and through the seemingly unstoppable proliferation of all kinds of firearms locally. Ask any Guyanese the proper questions about crime and guns, and most are likely to give responses that speak to dread and an abiding fear. Check on the state of any community, and residents are frank in the precautions they have to take, how they are concerned about the presence of so many guns, and the apparent inability of the GPF to make a difference in the frightening presence of so many weapons, many illegal. Even within gated communities, and the presence of armed sentries manning entrances and exits, there is a healthy worry about crime and guns.

It is this endless tide of guns that is present in local society, and that are clearly on the streets and primed for action in the commission of crimes, and the settlement of disputes. Though it is a hit and miss operation, the GPF could consider doing more sweep and interception operations. The key is the element of surprise, and once that holds, there is a solid probability that a gun or two could be netted, on each such occasion. Once properly thought out, and well implemented, there could be results, no matter how miniscule. It stands to reason that because guns are so prevalent on the streets and in the many communities of Guyana, there is the strong likelihood of guns being found on persons, or in vehicles, and charges being laid. At the least, such exercises by the GPF would serve as a deterrent from the almost routine presence of firearms on the ground in Guyana.

The effects are many, and range from the psychological to the physical, among others.

While the GPF busies itself with polishing soothing statistics about inroads made against crime, and in the categories that count with citizens, we would recommend that there is greater attention to housekeeping, and managing its people better. Too often, its ranks are seen openly consorting with those whom the GPF itself would call ‘shady characters’ or those that citizens have suspicions about. The PPPC Government itself is more focused on money matters, and scrambling to lockdown deals that are abundant with possibilities for ministers and others in the party’s cabal of cronies and comrades. The kind of keen attention that should be brought to bear with laser like focus is just not noticed.

The most jarring example, perhaps, of the PPPC Government’s nonchalance with crime involves a brazen murder that occurred near to the President’s official residence. If gunfire can erupt there with murderous effect, then all Guyanese are exposed. With the GPF wishing to be seen as stumped, Guyanese take stock and shrink from where they find themselves in this world and culture of guns.

Thursday August 17, 2023

Mr. Yusuf’s banalities are a cover for possible corruptions, mismanagement, and incompetence at Guysuco DEAR EDITOR, Someone drew to my attention a strongly worded letter appearing in the Chronicle newspapers of Monday August 14, 2023 titled “Hamilton Green owes the Nation an apology.”The letter was about the state of the sugar industry and defending the PPP’s role and criticizing PNC/AFC’s stewardship in the post-2015 Coalition Government on the industry.The letter further referred to my own, published in the independent media in which I referred to Guysuco’s administration gobbling up more billions by the government seeking an additional large sum to put into an industry that continues to be used as a political football by this administration.

Emerson once said “truth is too simple for us: we do not like those who unmask our illusions.” What follows briefly is the truth and I hope that the state-controlled Chronicle has the journalistic decency to publish my letter in the same way that they published the one as titled above written by Haseef Yusuf.

First, I was not a member of the Government when the decision was taken to effect changes in the sugar industry, in the 2015/2020 coalition administration.

However, as a concerned citizen I held the view then that the Granger Administration was trying to correct historical flaws

which characterized the previous management of the s u g a r industry.Knowledgeable concerned citizens have earlier commented on aspects of the industry. I will ignore the banality of the language used in Mr. Yusuf’s letter but reminds us all to provide the evidence to support his contention that during the period 2015 to 2020, the APNU through subventions, and some according to him ‘Blood sucking Bond issue, gave Guysuco a total of 49.6 billion dollars.’

What I know is that the Guysuco Board kept badgering the Coalition government to put millions of taxpayer’s money into the sugar industry, a business supposed to be run to make a profit and not be a burden on others. Apart from the general environment, it was noted that substantial sums were used to pay the travel and accommodation expenses for the top echelon of Guysuco. In some cases, merely for the chosen few to travel from North America to attend Board Meetings.

Of interest are the following - in 2020 when the PPP returned to power Guysuco’s production was 88,868 tonnes, but the 2022 total production was only around 47,000 tonnes, even after receiving massive subsidies. This decline was due to poor management, incompetence, and likely corruption.Mr. Yusuf seems

to be satisfied that simply saying that the estates will be reopened is enough, but this is not supported by the response of the workers to take up employment. In fact, over the years because of the failure to mechanize effectively, the corporation’s yield has been falling and the workforce declining. Yes, Guyana owes sugar much from its past contribution to the economy of this nation, but to keep the estate open and badly run with a dwindling workforce and no proper mechanization in place is foolhardy.

It is wise that national ownership must benefit equally all of our citizens, whose ancestors worked as slaves, and later as indentured laborers to produce enormous profits for the old colonial masters of this country. Any national entity which is draining the income taxes of the majority taxpayers in the country, i.e. t h e p o l i c e , t h e a r m y, teachers, nurses and doctors in the public sector, the civil and public servants, is a form of massive injustice.This year, to achieve the meagre first crop achievement of 16,200 tonnes, they were forced to harvest a total of 1,800 hectares of this second crop canes, i.e. they were raping (This is not a typographical error, it is the term used by earlier planters and managers to describe adjustments in harvesting to deal with the vagaries of our weather) those canefields

since they raped - this second crop cane during the first crop of this year. They are again raping the 2024 first crop cane now, to achieve the 60,000 tonnes, as promised by the Minister. It is still advised by knowledgeable people that they will not make more than about 45,000-50,000 tonnes this year.

Editor, we must forgive the PPP for their wanton waste of taxpayer’s money in the Skeldon Estate, such as the $200 million plus squandered on the infamous Skeldon Estate venture and other misadventures in this industry. I hope they haven’t lost their sense, not to recognize the changes that have and are taking place in the sugar industry.When I held the portfolio of Vice President (Production), Irecognised that young persons born and growing up in the sugar estate environment were beginning to shy away from the hard work in the hot sun associated with the harvesting of sugar cane..

Strikes to demand cut and drop instead of cut and load typified the demand for less drudgery and many young men, long before our oil boom and the expansion of technical training could secure employment in the construction and other industries.

Even when efforts were made to change methods of tilling and harvesting, our (Continued on page 06)

Broomes to lead the way forward DEAR EDITOR, Burnham said leave our wealth in the ground if you cannot agree to the deal we put on the table. He told the movers and shakers in the capitalist world we live in that the deal would be something like 70/30 and the 70 is ours. He knew we would not go hungry because our lands and waters were pregnant with food. It was the nation’s dignity he was concerned about. The White world would never have agreed to such deal.

We never went hungry or died of malnutrition.

Burnham died and Hoyte took over. Some historians tell me that Hamilton Green was to be where Hoyte was, but he was not an academic.

Hoyte, I was told, was an

economist. He was an educator and very bright, they said. He give away Omai to a foreign company for a mere 5%. We remained in poverty with the hope that Hoyte’s economic recovery programme would change our fortunes. It never got off the ground. Hoyte died and Hamilton Green is still alive.

What would Guyana have become for poor Blacks and the poor in general if Hammy had become president? Anil Nandlall is brighter than Jagdeo and Irfaan put together, but Jagdeo chose Irfaan over Nandlall to push the Indian empowerment agenda and the agenda of Black destruction. They are being successful as we speak with Irfan as president. The oil is

pumping by the second and the capitalists in Guyana are running things and sending our wealth back to their already filthy rich homelands and they don’t mind that the powerbrokers in government in Guyana are laundering the billions they are collecting in those developed countries the capitalists are from.

Meanwhile, there is a sudden surge in crime among young Black men.

The daily violence with knives, ice picks and guns is in full force. The police are targeting Blacks and they are brutal and quick to kill. It seems to me that our foreparents have always suffered and sacrificed to build worlds on this planet only for their generations

never to enjoy the day of the feast. Others are cutting steaks and we are left to cut each other.

We a r e s o m e t i m e s architects of our own sorry destiny, making the same mistakes over and over through the ages. Tomorrow, I am choosing Broomes to lead Guyana and take us out of this mess. I am not choosing a socalled economist, lawyer or another jackass with a big title. Black people have suffered at the hands of such local colonial leaders. In my book, it is Burnham or Broomes. Burnham can’t make it at this time. Our liberation must come.

Sincerely yours, Norman Browne Social and Political Activist

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 17, 2023

PAGE 05

Guyanese toil in the sun, foreign exploiters and local house slaves celebrate in the shade DEAR EDITOR, Guyanese love brand names, like Nike shoes, Gucci sunglasses, Rolex watches, Versace belts, Mercedes cars, Kangol hats, Ford pick-up trucks, Sony TV, Apple iPhones, Pepsi drink, IBM computers, etc.

Those who can afford to buy them have them, those who don’t try to steal them. Now there is a big brand conquering all Guyana by the name of ExxonMobil, but most of all there are also the PNC and PPP brands.

If Guyanese fight for their rightful share of Guyana’s wealth, they can have all the name brands they want, but they have chosen to be branded instead like cattle by the PNC and PPP, who in turn have themselves branded by ExxonMobil as Exxon’s property. Since independence these two political parties have evolved into name brands rather than political parties and Guyanese have been hooked by them so much, and refuse to stand up against these parties while giving them unconditional support.

This is allowing foreign exploitation of Guyana’s oil, resource wealth and environmental destruction.

The PNC and PPP for the last forty years have never agreed on anything, except allowing foreign exploiters to carry away Guyana’s oil, gold, and other wealth, particularly ExxonMobil, while collecting no taxes with no environmental protection for Guyana.

Exxon is like a customer at a brothel talking big about

financial capability and getting the top two prostitutes on both sides, namely, PNC and PPP. When the prostitutes wake up they found out Exxon took back the money they paid them, took all their other money, and Exxon also took drinks and food at the brothel’s bar on their accounts. Yet the PNC and PPP follow, lie and fight for Exxon against Guyanese c o n s t a n t l y . T h e V P, Guyana’s oil czar, instead of having Exxon relinquish the oil blocks as per law, have extended Exxon’s hold on the oil blocks, and since he has been getting criticism for this, has responded by saying Guyana will get free gas from Exxon.

The same Exxon whose shareholders want every cent from Guyana, and the same Exxon throwing bills on Guyana they themselves cannot substantiate as per the GRA. So, I don’t know which hole of ExxonMobil the VP will be getting free gas from for Guyanese. President Ali said, enforcing Guyana’s inadequate and outdated laws will strongarm the oil companies which he doesn’t want to do, yet this man fully well knows that’s the exact reason why these laws were written in the first place, and him being the chief enforcer is responsible for such enforcement. The PPP and their mouthpieces who criticized the handling of Guyana’s oil and resources by the PNC have now become hypocrites, turning criticisms of the same PNC policies, into now “Good for Guyana” policies since their

party is now in power. The PPP mouthpieces can’t face facts and figures, so now they have now gone into full excuse mode for the PPP. The PPP’s chief financial analyst writes to pro-PPP newspapers quoting laws that give Exxon and the government the right to deny Guyana parent company unlimited liability full coverage insurance for oil disasters.

Some mouthpieces say Guyanese should stop complaining, be contented with what they get, and go back to planting kitchen gardens and mining fowls and ducks.

Yet, they are the same people who criticized Burnham and the PNC for the same thing when PNC implemented the “Self Sufficiency Food Drive”, which since then to today has put food affordability out of the poor’s hands. Other mouthpieces say if Guyanese get their get rightful share they will stop working and live irresponsibly, yet these same mouthpieces will never accept anyone telling them how they should spend their wealth. If they had any knowledge, they would know many people turn to alcohol, drugs, and other addictions because they can see no hope. Many people also take on risky jobs they are not physically fit for and do not have the necessary experience and skills to do, like security guards, prostitution and interior work just to make ends meet.

As per all the social experts, poor people who get

assistance to move up in life have a successful rate of over 85% by turning their lives around, me included, so I don’t know where these mouthpieces get their data from to criticize giving Guyanese their rightful share of their wealth.

The biggest mouthpiece of all, rightly said Guyana is no longer a fly-over country for foreigners, but he didn’t mention it’s now a land, load up, and leave with Guyana’s wealth for foreigners. None of the mouthpieces condemn the foreign exploitation and destruction of Guyana, but give support to the government that is allowing this to happen, they will criticize opposing voices to the exploitation even as these opposing voices come from experts with proven track records. There is now a new no-skill or no-talent lucrative career in Guyana,

which entails, creating a forum to support the foreign exploiters and their local enablers, just ask the Guyanese Critic and the others like him. The foreign exploiters, local MPs, and their mouthpieces can talk to Guyanese like this, because Guyanese seem to be like branded cattle to the PNC, PPP, and foreign exploiters, where the cattle stay on their owner’s ranch, accept the scraps thrown at them and march to the slaughterhouse whenever the ranch owner orders.

Guyanese, if you choose not to stand up against the foreign exploiters, the MPs, and their mouthpieces, then wake up and go toil in the sun for a pittance, just like the slaves in the days of slavery toiling, while the slave masters and house slaves sit in the shade and count the money they make off you.

Remember Guyanese, those slaves didn’t have a choice, but you do. So make the right one and stand up for what is rightfully yours.

Those who sold and are currently selling out Guyana, along with those who support them, will take their ill-gotten gains and go into hiding, when they get tired of hiding, they will re-emerge, like Robert Persaud in New York and now author Raphael Trotman in Guyana, both former Minister of Natural Resources who sold this country out, citing flimsy excuses for what they did, but to them, others like them and their mouthpieces, I say, take those jiggerypokery excuses and put them in the same ExxonMobil hole where Bharrat Jagdeo says he will get free gas from to give Guyanese.

Truly yours, R.David

What accountability, what transparency?

Dear Editor, I t i s b e y o n d understanding that the lamebrained explanation offered by community officials to residents for a large sum of unaccounted cash as being discovered only when they returned to their hotel room and the commercial bank

“had robbed them”.

Really!

It is being alleged the matter was downplayed and no investigation was undertaken by the authorities (KN August 16).

Now another set of unaccounted for monies matter has taken hold with

residents protesting.

It has been boasted that measures are in place to avoid financial malfeasance with the national coffers.

With these revelations the echoes of accountability and transparency ring hollow.

Shamshun Mohamed

Kaieteur News

PAGE 06

Thursday August 17, 2023

Hooray for the Guyana-China relationship DEAR EDITOR, Region 3 social and economic development would not be derailed by simmering concerns over Guyana’s relations with a development/trade partner, China. The new Demerara River Bridge which is being built through a Chinese joint venture will open vast new economic opportunities in the region, including the provision of greater access to markets, faster transport/ travel, uninterrupted flow of

traffic, less carbon emission, and significant reduction in lost person hours. These factors will combine with others to stimulate and u n l e a s h t h e r e g i o n ’s entrepreneurial potential.

A well-known businessperson, RR, who transacts business with several countries including China, reminds us that Guyana has established trade and technical assistance for decades with China. That relationship began with the

historic link that commenced in 1853 when Chinese indentured laborers were imported to work on sugar plantations. By 1879 when Chinese immigration ended, 13,541 Chinese landed in Guyana., The majority of Chinese and their descendants have made Guyana their home and have established businesses, while many have entered the various professions.

Says RR, “It is the government’s neutrality

What needs to be done to improve the safety of tall buildings DEAR EDITOR, If per chance there has been a mistake, two not unrelated incidents of disrespect were reported to have occurred in Region 10 recently. One revealed the apparent ineffectiveness of the Ministry of Labour in the matter of a claimed worker in the mining industry; the other being the dismissive treatment of voted officials of that Region during an alleged celebration by the same employer in the presence of the highest leadership of all Ministries.

It is unclear how alert the latter has been about the dismissive manner in which the Ministry’s Officers were treated in the earlier legal issue.

Nor is it certain how appreciated the implied shortage of relevantly skilled Labour Safety Officers. A human resource deficit that would result in inadequate enforcement is critical Safety Regulations particularly in relation to the current deposition towards infrastructural development, more particularly in multistoried edifices. For starters, there appears to be a need to create at least two

official questionnaires for completion by: 1. Owner/Funder of the building in relation to: Design requirements as stipulated in the case of the capital city by the City Engineer and approved by the City Council. One is uncertain whether similar authority obtains in other Regions for schools, hospitals, hotels and Training Centers, as examples.

2. Contractors The questionnaires would concern, amongst others: - Certification of relevant skills and experience. - Provision of appropriate and legally required safety protection for workers. From the ground floor up.

Indeed, the excessive expansion of the multistoried structures has created a challenging environmental issue that could better be addressed by an appropriately coordinated Authority inclusive of say: Ministry of Labour Ministry of Public Works Ministry of Heath: and possibly - Ministry of Local Government and Regional Administration, supported by representative Industrial Training Centres.

The Authority would

certify and monitor: -Design and operations of say, * Elevators * Fire Alarms * Electrical Installation * Escape Facilities * And related systems Th e A u th o r ity w ill conduct scheduled and unscheduled inspections, whether day or night, and report accordingly. It must also be able to recommend remedial action as necessary, as well as to exercise relevant disciplinary responses.

The foregoing clearing implies the need for the current laws and regulations to be updated to the point of ensuring that all workers are registered, as one condition of employment. In the process, urgent consideration must be g i v e n t o t h e conceptualization and promulgation of a more comprehensive national Occupational Safety and Health Programme, including for construction workers, taking also into account the high incidents of fires. The Madia Incident was not an accident, nor was the mining industry incident one to celebrate.

Sincerely, E.B John

(non-aligned) policy in international relations that will also allow Region 3, as well as other regions, to burst forth with new economic opportunities, including infrastructural development.

The new bridge that is being built by Chinese contractors and with a loan from China will serve as an important gateway to the gas-to-Shore pipeline project that terminates at Wales. This project is being executed by Exxon, of which the Chinese company CNOOC is a p a r t n e r. G u y a n a h a s established 50 years of diplomatic engagement with China. Region 3 residents’ exuberance overshadows any worry over the growing trade and business relations between Guyana and China.

They want and cannot wait too long to enjoy the prosperity (of which the new bridge is a component) that the government promised.

The new bridge that will run from Nandy Park on the East Bank to La Grange on the West Bank Demerara, is a fixed structure, not built upon pontoons, but above water, high enough to allow ships to pass. The new bridge with a length of 2.65km, a driving surface width of 23.6 meters, with bicycle lanes, will facilitate regular, uninterrupted traffic on its four lanes (two lanes each way).

The projected life span is 100 years. The new bridge will replace the existing bridge which is 45 years old (35 years more than its projected life span of 10 years). The new bridge will accommodate more than 18,000 vehicles per day and thousands of commuters.

A previous bridge project proposal under the DesignBuild-Finance (DBF) model at a cost of $(US) 256.6 million by China State Construction Engineering Corp Ltd was shelved by the PPPC government because of the high financing cost.

The government proceeded next to negotiate with China Railway Caribbean Company Ltd (CRCCL) and its partner China Railway Engineering Bureau Group Company Ltd (CREBGCL) to construct the bridge but not under the DBF model.

They agreed to build the bridge at a slightly higher cost of $(US) 260.8 million but with far better financing terms and with funding from the Guyana budget which accounts for $(US) 100 million and a loan of $(US) 160.8 million from the Bank of China Ltd. The fact that the new bridge is “the biggest transport infrastructure project in the history of the country,” combined with other contract awards to Chinese contractors such as the $(US) 184 million East Coast Road, and President Dr Irfaan Ali’s recent visit to China, have unsettled some people’s nerves. They believe that Guyana might be caught in the middle of a n e w C o l d Wa r b a t t l e between China and the US. This is an ambivalent position. Although India, for example, has joined an antiAmerican economic system called BRICS that plans to replace the US dollar as the medium for international trade with their own BRICS currency, there has not been any outburst over this.Skeptics conveniently

forget that China’s biggest investment in Guyana is within the oil and gas industry. The Chinese company CNOOC holds 25% of the stake in the Exxon consortium. This means that C N O O C ’s i n v e s t m e n t (development) in four oil fields: Lisa I, Lisa II, Yellow Tail, and Payara was $(US) 7 billion, which is 1.8 times Guyana’s 2023 budget.

It is conceivable that Guyanese skeptics recall the during the Cold War between Russia and the United States, how the latter intervened to curtail the ministerial power of the PPP government after their 1961 electoral victory, and how they also removed the PPP government from office in 1964. Any fear should be allayed as those interventions happened in the early 1960s when Guyana was a colonial territory; now Guyana is an internationally respected sovereign state where the circumstances are anathema to intervention. The PPPC g o v e r n m e n t i s unequivocally committed to democracy, the rule of law, the Guyana constitution, inclusive governance, as well as remain faithful to the to the Chaguaramas Treaty and various UN resolutions on freedom and democracy.

Let us be clear: China and India are important partners in Guyana’s development, and so is the United States, CARICOM, and other countries. And the importance of GuyanaChina relations is also shared by residents in the other regions of Guyana.

Truly yours, Dr. Tara Singh

Broomes to lead the way forward...

From page 4 soil conditions presented a challenge. In Guyana even though we still get two crops annually, we are technically talking of a single crop annually and the acreage of land has been substantially reduced.

Also noting that the acreage of sugarcane lands continues

to be reduced.

Many former sugarcane lands are now booming industrial and housing estates.

The question is - is the PPP government willing to listen to the advice of the few remaining experts to give them good guidance or as it appears to be, the only

advisors they are comfortable with are those who mount their political platform and are sycophants of the ruling elite.

For the sake of the industry, and for the sake of those who are true patriots, I hope and pray that wisdom to make good decisions, wisdom to make difficult choices, wisdom to be courageous and not pusillanimous will penetrate and save the industry and our country.

This I believe is what our slave ancestors and those who came after Emancipation would wish to see take place.

Yours truly, Hamilton Green Elder

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B T LUNT. UNT...B BL Thursday August 17, 2023

Kaieteur News

The self-enrichers must be celebrating at Public Works.

They cronies in the cabal are having Xmas in August.

Like GuySuCo, Public Works is now a sinkhole.

Both devour billions, like rodents.

Both gnaw and eat away at the treasury.

Both could be places of great skullduggeries.

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 8 10

Lack of consensus makes concept of power sharing unattainable - Attorney General Lack of consensus on critical issues such as the appointment of a substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice is clear indication that Government and Opposition in Guyana are in no position to cooperate on the matter of shared governance.

This perspective was shared Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC during his weekly live streamed commentary “Issues in the News.”

During his commentary broadcasted via Facebook on Tuesday, Nandlall shutdown the calls for shared governance between the ruling People Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) and the Oppositions, A Partnership For National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC).

Nandlall said that the concept would be unattainable given that the two main political parties have a record of failing to agree on smaller, yet critical issues. The AG said while the concept of power sharing looks feasible on paper, it is not a viable governance structure.

“This issue of power sharing only arises and applies when the PPP/C is in government. We have people

Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall ,SC calling for shared governance overlooking the fact that we can't get these two parties to agree on a Chancellor and Chief Justice,” Nandlall said noting that the appointments require consensus between the President and the Opposition Leader.

“These are important issues... Right there, is mechanism for power sharing to take place since you are calling for shared governance but it has never happened for close to two decades… it has never happened,” Nandlall lamented.

The Attorney General said that given the current rapport between the government and the opposition, power sharing will ultimately lead to the

government grinding to a halt, since the opposing views of the parties are likely to clash.

“Then, the government will indeed grind to a halt!

Then you will have anarchy and chaos in the country! But maybe that is what they want; they want power at all costs. So, they will concoct and formulate these nonsensical formulations and spout them publicly…It's a veneer only so that it sounds intelligent and it sounds profound, but it's a nasty, shameless grab for power without winning an election,” Nandlall stated.

He said that the persons who are now mounting calls for inclusive governance were silent when the PPP/C was in opposition.

“They were comfortable with the status quo then. But every time the PPP gets into government, suddenly there is a clamour for power sharing and shared governance. And they create the impression that society will collapse and Guyana will implode, and we will have ethnic strife and ethnic war unless power is shared.

Don't fall prey to the veneer of sophistication being used to wrap clumsy and ridiculous permutations and argumentations,” AG Nandlall stated.

Thursday MondayAugust May 02,17, 2022 2023

Suspect in ‘50 Cent’ murder charged Terrence Sam, the suspect in the alleged murder of 42-year-old Eric Fraser, called '50 Cent', of Haslington North, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was on Tuesday charged and remanded to prison for the crime.

Fifty-one-year-old Sam made his first court appearance at the Cove and John Magistrates' Court before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore where the charge was read to him.

Sam was not required to plead to the charge which alleges that on August 10 at Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD) he murdered Fraser of Haslington North.

The accused was remanded to prison and is expected to make his next court appearance on September 26, 2023.

Kaieteur News had reported that two days after the incident Sam had turned himself in to police at the Brickdam Police Station. After being transferred to the Cove and John Police Station, he reportedly admitted to the crime.

It was reported that the 42-year-old construction worker was stabbed to death around 19:30hrs that day.

Dead: Eric '50 Cent' Fraser

Charged: Terrence Sam Information reaching investigators revealed that Fraser left his home at about 16:00hrs that day and was at a barbershop at Haslington North, where he was hanging out with some friends.

Police said while there, an argument ensued between him and the suspect, who took out a weapon and stabbed Fraser to his left-side groin.

The argument, this publication understands was over an old grievance the two had.

It was reported that after being stabbed, Fraser ran about 200 ft and collapsed. He was picked up by Emergency Medical Technicians from the Melanie Fire Station and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Upon examination of his body, the police detailed that a single stab wound was seen.

Subsequently an investigation was launched in the matter.

$294M Vigilance Magistrates’ Courts commissioned

On Wednesday afternoon, the $294 Million new Vigilance Magistrates' Courts, a technologically advanced court was commissioned – to improve the delivery of justice to residents of the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

Present at the

commissioning ceremony was Acting Chancellor of the J u d i c i a r y, Yo n e t t e Cummings-Edwards, Acting Chief Justice, Roxanne George-Wiltshire, Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall, SC and other members of the judiciary.

The smart court replaces the old court which was built since the 1940's. The new building features two court rooms, a magistrate and clerk living quarters, drug treatment department, and a domestic violence room.

The court was constructed by Builders

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall, SC and members of the judiciary at the ribbon cutting of the new court

The new Vigilance Magistrates' Courts Hardware General Supplies and Construction at the cost of $263,019,670. The contract was signed on July 13, 2021. The furnishing of the court cost over $5 Million, the design and supervision of the court was done by E and A Consultancy Inc. for the sum of over $25 Million.

The Magistrates who will be presiding in the East Coast Demerara districts are: Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore and Marissa

Mittleholzer, Alicia George, Rushell Liverpool and Christel Lambert.

The court is located in the same compound as the Vigilance Police Station, ECD. During the ceremony, it was announced that the court will commence using Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) for bail and other fees. Diamond/ Grove Magistrates' Court and Vigilance are the first two courts that were designed to digitalize the work of the

court and improve services to citizens.

In her address, Justice Cummings-Edwards said the modernization of the court was long overdue as the original court was constructed in the 1940s with no architectural style. She described it as a small twostorey wooden building.

The Chancellor said that overtime the building started to show severe signs of wear and tear, which resulted in (Continued in page 16)

Thursday August 17, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

The Petroleum Activities Bill appears to conflict with the Constitution

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h e n i n Opposition, B h a r r a t Jagdeo was opposed to politicians having control over the country’s oil revenues. This newspaper quoted him as saying, “We don’t want politicians to manage this money. This fund has to be independently (and) technically managed not by politicians and stored

by Central Bank. We have a problem with that model and it departs radically from best practices such as (those observed by nations like) Norway and others where they have an independent group that manages this.”

When the PPPC amended the Natural Resource Fund Act it instituted a Board, a Public Oversight and Accountability Committee and an Investment Committee. The Board does not consist of any active politicians. As such it is considered as apolitical. No politician has also been appointed to the other two bodies. In this regard, in relation to appointments, the government can be said to have stuck to its philosophy of insulating the management and oversight of the NRF from direct political management.

However, as has been pointed out, the Act itself allows the Minister of Finance considerable influence over the Fund. So while no politician is presently represented on the Board, Oversight Committee and Investment Committee, the Board and the Investment Committee are guided by directives from the Minister of Finance. Section 5(8) of the NRF Act provides that the

Minister, a political figure, may give general policy direction to the members of the Board and they shall give effect to such directives. It is also the Minister that appoints the Investment Committee and who, in accordance with Section 27(h), provides directions relating to the Investment Mandate.

When in Opposition, Jagdeo was also opposed to having the Bank of Guyana manage the Natural Resource Fund. But it appears as if his government has had change of heart. For, as is being reported, the new Natural Resource Fund Act 2021, which was passed by the PPPC in December 2021, gives the Bank of Guyana the responsibility for the operational management of the Fund.

As has been pointed out b y P r o f e s s o r Ta r r o n Khemraj, fiscal policy is the remit of the political administration. While the Board and Investment Committee may exercise control over the Fund, based on directives from the Minister, it is the political administration which has complete control over the specific uses to which the proceeds of the Fund are put.

So much so for insulating the fund from political control!

In 2018, the PPPC was strongly opposed to political influence over the NRF. By 2021, this position had been diluted and has been further watered-down by the recently passed Petroleum Activities Bill.

The Bill, that will soon become law, assigns vastranging and broad powers to the Minister responsible for petroleum. These powers are

of such a general nature that they can allow for intrusion into operational matters rather than limiting the Minister to providing general policy directives.

For example, the powers of the Minister include the licensing of petroleum exploration, development, production, transportation and storage. They also include monitoring petroleum operations to ensure compliance with the Act and the terms and conditions of a license, permit or agreement entered into under the Act. In other words, the Minister virtually replaces the Petroleum Commission.

It its criticisms of the Petroleum Activities Bill, the Opposition called for an independent Petroleum Commission so as to insulate the sector from political partisanship. It should be recalled that under the draft Petroleum Commission Bill, developed by the APNU+AFC, the powers of the Minister were severely cut. The government has not sought to hide the fact that under the Petroleum Activities Bill the Minister has wide-ranging and broad powers. In the National Assembly, it was conceded that, “This Executive has chosen the model where the powers fall with the minister and we stand and fall by that.” The powers of the M i n i s t e r, u n d e r t h a t legislation, go beyond providing general policy directives. In fact, the Petroleum Activities Bill specifies that the Minister has responsibility for exercising any other powers required for the management of petroleum resources and

Dem boys seh...

Tomorrow never comes Nuff of dem wife happy.

Dem husband coming home fuh watch de CPl cricket. It starting early and so some of dem men reaching home early fuh watch de game.

But deh gat some wives d a t n a h h a p p y. D e m husband going to dem bars with large screen TVs fuh watch de game. And dem staying out late and coming home under the influence.

So if yuh want to gat yuh hubby near yuh, volunteer to watch de game with he if he going to de bars.

But generally, the streets gan be lil more quiet.

And we might get less accidents because less vehicles on de road. So leh we count we blessings and say thanks fuh de cricket and dem TV stations wah bringing de matches live in we homes.

Dem local fans hoping dat de Amazon Warriors gan win. But dem gat to also do some praying because yuh can never tell with de Amazon Warriors. One time dem play unbeaten throughout the while tournament. Only to lose in de finals.

Every year dem fans

hooping that dis gan be dem years. But as dem boys like to remind dem, tomorrow never comes and next year also never arrives. But we gat to hope that de team can bring home de goods this time around.

Deh gat nuff people want to go to de matches.

But dem nah want put dem hands in dem pockets and buy tickets. Dem looking fuh freeness. Dem gan gat to look hard dis year because dem free tickets limited and is nuff people competing fuh de freeness.

Talk half. Leff half

operations. It is the Minister who grants a production, exploration and other licenses under the Bill.

These powers appear to conflict with the Constitution of Guyana.

Article 115 of the Constitution limits the role of the Minister, responsible for any department of government, to exercising ‘general direction and control’, a euphemism for making policy. It is trite law that parliament may limit the

exercise of powers which are conferred on a Minister but cannot expand these beyond the boundaries provided by the Constitution.

The PPPC therefore has come full circle. Instead of seeking to insulate decisionmaking and authority in the petroleum sector from political control, the PPPC is now pursuing a model of development that gives the subject Minister excessive powers in relation to the oil and gas sector. That surely,

given the experiences of other countries in managing their oil resources and wealth, is disconcerting.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10 S

UTH

D TR

HAR

HK

BY G

L

LAL

Thursday MondayAugust May 02,17, 2022 2023

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Sketches of Oil Leadership – Pres. Ali, a Profile in Fear, Frailty, and Froth

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hat has this national oil patrimony done to them? I am speaking of the three top political leaders in Guyana, His E x c e l l e n c y, P r e s i d e n t Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Vice President and Oil Commissar, Bharrat Jagdeo, and Opposition Leader, Mr. Aubrey Norton. In three public contributions, my humble offerings before all Guyanese, I sketch each leader and brother, and what the arrival and stupendous growth of oil has done to them. This is articulated with malice towards none, and charity to all, including Americans. Excellency Ali is first.

I once held hope that Excellency Ali would be a breakout president, conducting himself like the head of an oil State. A true head of a true oil State; one that has the world hanging onto his every word, a world rushing to worship at his feet, like those three wise men with their precious gifts. To say that disappointments choke and curl into a ball

understates reality. With oil's might at his fingertips, Excellency Ali should have the majestic presence of William the Conqueror, yet his bearing and expressions are that of William the Silent, of a man who lives with the dread of dark secrets. He looks over his shoulder in fear when he has all the armaments to convert him into the bravest, enough to make all fears beat a hasty retreat.

President Ali is comfortable going everywhere, and pronouncing about everything, save for one. No oil! He waxes poetic about loans from oil collateral; but on oil itself he is pathetic. It is not how a national leader with a PhD should be with the greatest national patrimony that Guyanese will ever see.

Which American, which white man, could back him into such corners that he, the President of Guyana-a country the envy, the glory, of the world-transforms into this weightless, wordless wonder? About oil, of all things?

About its

management and condition and disposition?

If the President of this hallowed Cooperative Republic of Guyana cannot speak freely with sparkling efficiency, with compelling astuteness, on what means so much to the people who put him on his lofty pedestal, then of what can he speak?

Belated appreciation emerges of the new interpretation that can be affixed to the new description, this new reality, of “Cooperative Republic.”

Thanks to President Ali, Guyana is now a cooperative oil republic mutated into a state of utter cowardice. I envisioned a President Ali, after his fighting words when in Opposition, to lead the charge against the likes of Alistair Routledge, or any new viceroy Exxon dispatches here, to feast in this buzzards' roost that is now Oil Guyana. Whenever oil is the subject, however, President Ali is a conspicuous disappearing act.

The President may fool himself, and all the

president's men join in the circus, that he is Akbar the Great, or Jehangir, when Guyanese live with an inglorious imitation of Baghdad Bob, and his blusters and pretenses at bravado.

It is history repeating itself: before maharajahs and nawabs rubbed shoulders with the British bulldog and emerged as whimpering pussycats.

Here, Americans replace British, with Guyana's Nawab Ali as smiley emoji. I think what this country needs most urgently is a refined version of Subhas Chandra Bose, but clearly that is not to be, as the entrails, livers, and frog's feet indicate. It would be interesting how the fancy pants Guyanese react to that last person named. Fact check: oil has produced more Guyanese turncoats and traitors than barrels coming out from below the sea daily.

I can't wait for the new American Ambassador to get her hands greasy, for with a name like Nicole Theriot, she will make French fries out of Guyana, one leader, one Guyanese, one Yankee

Company at a time.

Cajun cooking it will be.

Unfortunately, President Ali will be as he has been. I should say blowhard, better is diehard for Exxon and America, and damn Guyanese.

Under President Ali's watch, the damn Yankees keep coming.

This is Guyana, not Texas; but President Ali is all smiling, welcoming, hugging. In this land of Lilliputians, President Ali is pleased to be hollow giant behind Alistair Routledge and Bharat Jagdeo. Another barbarity is that President Ali has presided over the arrival of all these swaggering Klansmen, who turn Guyana into Stone Mountain, Georgia, that revered outpost of bigots in white sheets and cone hats. They burn their crosses on our backs; brand them across our foreheads, while Excellency Ali glistens with indifference, silence, impotence.

I imagine apoplexy in OP. Separately, discernments solidify re: how the ICJ can

be influenced, and neighbors to the north discover a different confluence of circumstances here, should American grily maneuver.

But I also know that life is not worth living under the enslaver's boot, the piracies of predatory exploiters.

Guyana needs a president on a horseback with its oil wealth, not one riding pitifully and helplessly about town on some trick pony. Do this! Or be gone! This is my birthright, and there will be no begging, no abject kowtowing. Not to Exxon and Routledge.

Not to government, and not to Excellency Ali. To both Exxon's Routledge and Guyana's Ali, I say: do right with this oil, and a champion may be born.

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

Universal Health Care French group looking to cash-in on Guyana's economic Laboratory certified by GNBS development The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) on Wednesday certified the Universal Health Care Laboratory to the National Standard GYS 170:2021 – “General Requirements for the O p e r a t i o n o f a Laboratory”.This is the thirtieth laboratory to join the Bureau's Laboratory Certification Programme.

Laboratory Director, Dr. Ravi Persaud received the certificate on behalf of Universal Health Care Laboratory during a simple ceremony held at the facility's Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) location.

General Manager, Mr. Devendra Singh expressed gratitude to the GNBS Technical Officers who worked with the laboratory

to meet the requirements of the National Standard. “We have worked hard, and we will continue to work with the Standard to consistently produce quality results,” he affirmed. The laboratory is certified to perform tests relating to Haematology, Biochemistry, Serology, Urology and Immunology.

The certificate was handed (Continued on page 16)

Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh (right) and members of the French group Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh on Wednesday met with the Regional Head – Southern Cone of Proparco, Julien Vanhooydonck, and the Project Manager Suriname-Guyana, of the French Development Agency (AFD), Julie Grunner, at the Ministry of Finance located in Georgetown.

The Ministry of Finance reported that the AFD is France's inclusive public development bank that commits financing and technical assistance to projects in various sectors including energy, healthcare, biodiversity, digital technology, professional training, among others to assist with transitions towards a safer, more equitable, and more sustainable world.

It was stated too that, Proparco is a subsidiary of the AFD Group that provides funding and support to private sector development, and its action focuses on key development sectors including infrastructure - m a i n l y f o r r e n e w a b l e e n e rg i e s , agribusiness, financial institutions, health and education, all with the aim to strengthen the contribution of private players to the achievement of the SDGs. During discussions, Minister Singh invited the Proparco's officials to continue to explore Guyana's financial landscape to examine ways in which they can forge possible partnerships with the various private sector institutions and contribute to the country's current economic development.

L-R: Deputy Quality Manager, Mr. Lendon Wilson, Laboratory Director, Dr. Ravi Persaud and General Manager, Mr. Devendra Singh of Universal Health Care Laboratory pose with affixed GNBS Sticker on the front door of the premises.

Thursday August 17, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Thursday August 17, 2023

Kaieteur News

‘Rasta’ disappears after boat sinks in Mazaruni River Pomona

farmer dies at ‘Grave Hill' on return home from farm

The area where the boat sank.

A man identified only as 'Rasta' is feared dead after the boat he was traveling in on the Mazaruni River, Region Seven sank.

Other passengers on board the vessel said the man known to them only as 'Rasta' and 'Mark' is believed to be from Region Two. Investigators learnt that at around 20:30hrs, Shojhi Roberts, a 32-year-old Ranger of Isseneru Village, Middle Mazaruni River, borrowed the village's wooden Balahoo boat powered by 75 Horsepower outboard engine to go to Apaiqua Landing, located some five minutes away from where they were.

Roberts took 'Rasta' and another man named Mark Benn with him. However, shortly thereafter while navigating through one of the waterfalls in the river, the boat collided with a rock. The passengers were thrown overboard and the boat sank. Benn and Roberts managed to swim to safety but 'Rasta' disappeared.

The trail where Ramcharran's body was found.

A

Missing: ‘Rasta’ Several checks were made for 'Rasta' but they were futile.

The incident was reported to police and a search party was formed around noon on Wednesday.

Roberts is in police custody assisting with investigations.

n Essequibo farmer was on T u e s d a y reportedly killed after allegedly losing control of his motorcycle while returning home from his farm located east of Mashabo Mission, Essequibo Coast, Region Two. Dead is 40-year-old Ganesh Ramcharran of Pomona Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast.

Ramcharran was found dead while lying faced down a short distance away from his motorcycle along a trail at 'Grave Hill' Mashabo Mission, just after 16:00hrs.

Investigators learnt that Ramcharran had left his home around 06:00hrs on

Tuesday for his farm.

Ramcharran lost control of the motorcycle while on his way home and fell onto the trail. It is believed that the impact of the fall was so severe that it killed Ramcharran on the spot.

Another farmer passing by a short while later, found Ramcharran lying motionless. That farmer alerted other farmers and villagers living close by and police were called in.

Detectives said that when they arrived at the scene, they saw blood on Ramcharran's face and some oozing from his nostrils. No marks of violence were seen on his body and the front wheel of his motorcycle was bent.

Dead: Ganesh Ramcharran His body was taken to the Suddie Public Hospital, where it was further examined by a doctor before being sent to a morgue.

GPHC and HERO collaborate to nd complete 22 surgical mission T h e G e o rg e t o w n P u b l i c Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has announced the completion of yet another successful surgical mission in collaboration with the Health and Education Relief Organization (HERO).

HERO, a US-based non-profit organization that has a longstanding partnership with GPHC, once again demonstrated their commitment to delivering vital medical care to those in need by completing 18 surgeries, the GPHC said on Wednesday.

During its recent mission, HERO combined their expertise to perform eight paediatric orthopedic surgeries, targeting lower extremity deformities in children at GPHC. Additionally, 10 plastic surgeries were undertaken, primarily breast reduction procedures for women in need.

“The surgical procedures have not only provided life-changing transformations for patients but also exemplified the dedication of both organizations towards enhancing the quality of life for

nd

The HERO Team that completed their 22 surgical mission at GPHC those who need it most,” GPHC said in a statement.The hospital said that HERO's support extended beyond surgical procedures, as their skilled anaesthesia assistance proved instrumental in ensuring the safety and comfort of the patients throughout the operations. This

collaboration, according to GPHC, underscores the importance of teamwork and cross-border partnerships in delivering comprehensive medical care.

The hospital in a statement, noted that since its inception in 2007, Operation Hero has

facilitated hundreds of surgeries for patients in dire need, significantly impacting their lives and wellbeing.

“The partnership has also enabled GPHC's medical team to gain valuable hands-on experience, exposure to intricate cases, and

access to advanced surgical materials and equipment. This dynamic exchange of knowledge and resources has contributed to enhancing the overall capabilities of GPHC's medical professionals,” GPHC said in the statement.

HERO was founded by Guyanese physicians in the United States who shared a common goal of giving back to their homeland.

Their commitment to making a difference is evident through their biannual visits to Guyana, usually occurring in March and August.

These visits encompass not only surgical missions, but also educational and medical initiatives aimed at uplifting various communities.

While HERO's medical and educational missions extend across different communities in Guyana, the surgical aspect of their efforts is primarily conducted at GPHC. The strategic focus allows for the concentration of expertise, resources, and facilities to maximize the impact of each surgical mission.

Thursday August 17, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Thursday August 17, 2023

Adopt-an-Orphanage initiative …142 children benefit from medical screening

A

s part of First Lady Arya Ali's, 'Adopt-anOrphanage' initiative, a total of 142 children from 10 homes and orphanages benefitted from a number of medical services on Wednesday.

The medical outreach was held at State House, Georgetown and was done in partnership with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China.

The initiative, which has since adopted 11 orphanages and homes, was launched in 2021 and seeks to provide financial and other support to underfunded orphanages across Guyana through assistance from the private sector.

Delivering brief remarks at the outreach, the First Lady said the medical outreach is to give the children the care and attention they need that their respective homes and orphanages are unable to provide.

“Children in institutional care require greater medical care and attention for a number of reasons.

First, children in general have weaker immune systems when compared to adults. This therefore limits their natural ability to fight infections,” she disclosed.

The First Lady also explained that children, especially under the age of five, have significantly higher developmental delays and are vulnerable to illnesses as their immune systems are not fully developed.

As a result, children who fall into this category require greater medical attention and care.

Mrs. Ali said too that children in institutional care are at a higher risk at developing mental and physiological problems which in turn affect their physical health.

“Children in institutional care fight many silent battles that we do not know of, in many ways they struggle mentally, emotionally and physically almost on a daily basis and a fact that we know this poses on us a responsibility to act,” she said.

The First Lady thanked Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Guyana, Guo Haiyan and her team for partnering with her office to ensure the children receive the care they need.

She said that the Chinese Embassy has always been a pillar to her office.Meanwhile, Ambassador Haiyan in her remarks said the people of China are always pleased

to be a part of such initiatives and that the embassy would continue to support the orphanages, as well as lend support to other projects.

Wednesday's outreach was carried out by a 16-member group of medical professionals from the Chinese Medical Team. Among the

Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Guyana, Guo Haiyan on Wednesday making a contribution to First Lady Arya Ali's 'Adopt-an-Orphanage' initiative.

services offered were eye, hearing, and dental tests, blood pressure testing as well as heart and lung examinations.

Children between the ages of three and 22 years benefitted from the outreach.

The participating homes and

orphanages are: Hope Children's Home, Shaheed's Boys and Girls orphanages, Joshua's Children Centre, Ruimveldt Children Home, Bless the Children Home, Prabhu Sharan orphanage, St. John's Bosco, and Red Cross Convalescence.

Six Guyanese Youth chosen for the 2023 Youth Ambassadors Program

The 2023 Youth Ambassadors

Six Guyanese youth, aged 15 to 18, as well as two program mentors, will be representing Guyana in the U.S. Department of State's sponsored Youth Ambassadors Program from Wednesday, August 16 to Wednesday, August 30, 2023.

Representing Guyana in this year's exchange program are Shonjay Mendonca, Naila Rahaman, Alyssa Persaud, Mya Saunders, Charisa Corbin, Carrian Perriera, and mentors Omario Gooding and Mellesia Lindie.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Guyana, the inperson exchange brings together outstanding young people between the ages of 15 and 18 from across the

Americas for an enrichment program to explore themes such as civic education, leadership, cross-cultural connections, community service, and youth and social transformation through experiential learning activities, leadership training, civic participation at the community level, and mentoring by community, business, and NGO leaders, and volunteering. The youths were shortlisted from a large pool of applicants after going through an interview process. They join a cadre of sixty-one youth leaders and eleven adult mentors who have been part of the Youth Ambassadors P r o g r a m ( YA P ) s i n c e September 2012.

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 17, 2023

PAGE 15

Rewa village store commissioned M

i n i s t e r o f Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai on Tuesday commissioned a village store in Rewa, a remote Amerindian Village located in the North Rupununi, Region Nine.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the store was constructed by villagers and was funded through the ministry's $10 million Economic Investment Fund/Covid-19 Relief Fund which was provided to villages in 2021.

Minister Sukhai congratulated the village on the construction of the new village store while reminding them of the government's mandate to provide resources to Amerindian villages to bridge the development gap.

Notably the minister highlighted that other villages have

been benefitting from significant investments through Presidential Grants, Community Development Projects, and now funds earned from the sale of Guyana's carbon credits.

She explained, “We need to bring the hinterland closer to what exists elsewhere and so, while it may look as though more attention … is being poured into the hinterland, it is not generally because we want to short change other citizens in the country, but for too long, the hinterland which includes the majority of Indigenous communities have not been able to catch up.”

Meanwhile, Rewa's Toshao, Dickey Alvin during an interview with DPI explained that $2 million from the Covid-19 Relief Fund was issued to construct the building and

The brush cutter that was handed over to CSOs of Apoteri another $2 million to stock the store.

Toshao Alvin explained that once profits are made from the stores, it will go towards the students who are attending Secondary Schools.

Additionally, a cheque valued over $4 million was handed over to the Village Council, as part of the $3 billion supplementary fund provided by the government in 2022, following the National To s h a o s C o u n c i l ( N T C ) Conference. The funds will be used to commence the first phase of construction of a multi-purpose facility in the village.

Minister Sukhai also delivered a brush cutter and sewing machines

The 10M village store that was commissioned by the Ministry of Amerindians Affairs in North Rupununi, Region Nine

to the village, which will be utilized

by Community Service Officers (CSOs) and the sewing centre, which generates incomes for women within the village.

The Minister also engaged villagers of Apoteri and apprised them of the developments that are taking place across the country.

Youths were also encouraged to take advantage of available training opportunities through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme and in the health sector.

The minister also handed over a $1.5 million Presidential Grant cheque to the Apoteri Village Council, as well as a brush cutter and sewing machines.

$38M health centre commissioned at Fort Ordinance A spanking new health centre valued at $38M was on Monday commissioned at Fort Ordinance, Canje, Berbice.

The new facility was commissioned by Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.

The facility has a number of examination rooms and a spacious waiting area. The building is also equipped with air conditioning units.

During the opening ceremony, Minister Anthony said that the government's intention is to ensure that Guyana has a world class health care system that would provide quality service to citizens.

"In terms of building a world class system, the government is investing in building twelve new hospitals and you would have two of those hospitals here in Region 6," the Minister of Health said.

The minister disclosed that construction of a new hospital at Skeldon and the New Amsterdam are ongoing. He said the New Amsterdam hospital is expected to be a level five facility outfitted with modern amenities that will allow for diagnostic tests and clinical care for patients with complex medical cases.

Minister Anthony said that his

ministry has recognized that the existing facilities throughout Region 6 and across the country are in need of upgrading and has noted that since 2020 the government of Guyana has been upgrading Health Centers and other health facilities there.

He noted that Region 6 as the first to receive $100M to rehabilitate the health centers throughout the region. “We saw that worked so well in Region 6 and we adopted it to the other regions and we gave them each $100M so that they can upgrade their facilities as well," Minister Anthony said.

The Minister of Health said too that through the supplementary budget that was recently passed in the National Assembly, an additional $1B has been allocated to rehabilitate other health centers as well as accommodation for health care professionals. He said Region 6 is expected to benefit from another $100M facilitate the rehabilitative works.

Dr. Anthony urged residents to make full use of the services that will be offered at the health center and also encouraged healthcare workers to provide the best health care service.

The newly built Fort Ordinance Health Centre

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman, David Armogan said several things were taken into consideration when constructing a new health center.

"One is the population of the area and two the proximity to the nearest health facility and those were two major criteria. In 2022 we recognized the growing population in this area because we have an additional area at the back where the ministry of housing is developing so it is almost automatic that we should put down a health center in this particular area," he

said.The Regional Chairman said that under the leadership of Roy J a f a r a l l y, t h e f o r m e r Neighbourhood Democratic Council Chairman, there were strong recommendations for Fort Ordinance to have its own health center. He said that following through on Jafarally's suggestion, the government has decided to construct three other health centers in Region Six: Albion Chesney, Canefield East Canje Berbice and Mara on the East Bank of Berbice. “...So therefore the Ministry of Health and by extension all the

health services in this Region and throughout the country, have an important role to play in ensuring that our people's health is taken care of...”Armogan said too that once the health centers are completed, it would aid in the reduction of the number of persons who visit the hospitals to seek treatment and collect medication.

Additionally, the Regional Chairman disclosed that given the expansive yard space, a businessman expressed an interest in creating a recreational space for children of the community.

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 17, 2023

More than 60 migrants feared dead at sea off Cape Verde coast Survivors were helped ashore in Cape Verde (Reuters)

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Cashiers needed at Two Brothers Gas Stations, WCD. 1+ experience. Call/ WhatsApp: 592-708-3256.

One live-in Housekeeper needed to work in Virginia, USA. Ages 30-50 yrs. Call: 592-615-5476/ 845-325-8241.

Looking for a reliable live-in aide for an elderly woman.

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Security Officers urgently needed! Must be able to read and write, $350 and $400 hourly. Contact: 603-5140.

Security/ Handyman needed.

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General live-in Domestic needed. Call: 660-9093.

Experienced Nanny preferably from the East Bank.

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Wanted! Male & Female workers for packaging pasta and chowmein on the Back Road (Mandela Ave). Call: 611-7839.

One male and female ablebodied Staff needed to work in a store. Call: 225-2313, 2261497, 658-8559.

Looking for a land to buy in Kuru Kuru, offering price- 5-8 mil. Call: 2615926.

FOR RENT Bottom flat, 2 bedrooms and top flat 3 bedrooms at Durban Street. Call Leon or June: 612-5296 or 623-1562.

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Bobcat & Roller Operators needed. Ages 30 years & older. Must have atleast 5 years experience. Email CV: rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com, Call: 613-0855.

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Diesel Mechanic and Skilled Labourers needed for road construction. Ages 20 years & older. Must have atleast 5 years experience. Email CV: rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com, Call: 613-0855.

Able- bodied Porters/ Driver, Must have Lorry License and Cashier, CXC Maths & English required. Call Telles Steel & Hardware: 231-3265, 226-6771.

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found drifting.

The wooden pirogue style boat was seen almost 320km (200 miles) off the island of Sal by a Spanish fishing boat, which alerted authorities, police said.

Senegal’s foreign ministry said in a statement issued late on Tuesday that the boat had left Senegal on 10 July with 101 passengers on board.

The ministry said it was liaising with authorities in Cape Verde for the repatriation of survivors, one of whom was from GuineaBissau.

Cape Verde is around 600km off the coast of West Africa on a maritime migration route to the Spanish Canary Islands, often used as a gate-

way to the European Union.

IOM spokeswoman Safa Msehli said: “Safe and regular pathways to migration are sorely lacking, which is what gives room to smugglers and traffickers to put people on these deadly journeys.”

At least 559 people died trying to reach the Canary Islands in 2022, according to figures from the IOM, while 126 people died or went missing on the same route in the first six months of this year with 15 shipwrecks recorded.

At least 15 people drowned when a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of the Senegalese capital Dakar in late July.

$294M Vigilance Magistrates’ Courts...

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BBC - More than 60 people are feared dead after a boat carrying migrants was found off Cape Verde in West Africa.

Thirty-eight people were rescued, including children aged 12 to 16, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said.

An estimated 100 people, mostly from Senegal and Sierra Leone, were said to have been on board the boat and had been at sea for a month.

It is not immediately clear when the incident occurred.

The vessel was first spotted on Monday, police told the AFP news agency.

Initial reports suggested the boat sank, but it was later clarified that the boat was

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From page 8 frequent repairs.

This she said took a chunk of the judiciary’s annual budget to upkeep. Further, she disclosed that members of the judiciary held discussions in 2020 with the Government and had also submitted their proposals for a new court house.

However, the green light was not given for the Vigilance, Port Kaituma, and Mabaruma.

The Chancellor disclosed that President Irfaan Ali was later contacted and the judiciary resubmitted its proposal

to the Ministry of Finance, and funds were released for the construction of the new Magistrates’ Courts. She underscored that the new Vigilance Magistrates’ Court signifies improved access to justice and noted that the other courts are in the final stages of completion.

Chancellor CummingsEdwards thanked stakeholders including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Canada, United States and United Kingdom for their donations towards buying equipment and furniture for the court.

Meanwhile, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall disclosed that next week the Government will turn the sod for the construction of the $388 Million Friendship Magistrates’ Court and the $303 Million Timehri Magistrates’ Court – which are going to improve the delivery of justice on the East Bank corridor.

“These new facilities and addition to the architecture and design of these court houses no doubt will enhance and augment efficiency,” Nandlall said.

Universal Health Care Laboratory...

From page 10 over by Head of the GNBS Certification Services Department, Mr. Keon Rankin and is valid for two years during which surveillance audits will be conducted.

Mr. Rankin extended congratulations to the management and staff of the laboratory for demonstrating commitment to quality. He encouraged the laboratory personnel to continue to maintain the requirements of the Certification Programme.

Meanwhile, two laboratories were recently recertified to the revised National Stan-

dard; the Balwant Singh’s Hospital Laboratory and the Anamayah Memorial Hospital Laboratory.

Through its Laboratory Certification Programme, the GNBS ensures the operations of Medical and Testing Laboratories satisfy the requirements outlined in the National Standard. Laboratories, which conform to the requirements of this standard are provided with formal recognition to attest that they have implemented an effective laboratory management system, which aids their provision of accurate and reliable

results to customers.

The Bureau encourages all uncertified laboratories to pursue certification under its Laboratory Certification Programme. Certification can serve as a stepping-stone towards international accreditation while it also improves operational efficiency, boost customers’ confidence and attract more clients.

To learn more, please visit the gnbsgy.org website or contact GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0064-66, the GNBS hotline number 2190069 or Whatsapp us on 6924627.

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 17, 2023

PAGE 17

Guyana’s oil discovery prompted BVI trade mission BVI News - Deputy Premier and Trade Minister, Lorna Smith has u n d e r s c o r e d G u y a n a ’s discovery of oil and its stratospheric economic rise in recent years as being behind the BVI’s quest to bolster trade relations with the South American country.

Smith, along with a team of government officials and a group of private sector representatives, embarked on a three-day trade mission to Guyana late last month where matters in relation to trade, agriculture and financial services, among other things, were discussed.

Smith told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday that Guyana will, in the next few years, become one of the largest oil producers in the world and argued that the BVI has the kind of investment structures needed for Guyana.

“Guyana is a CARICOM member, and the BVI is an Associate Member and we all know that Guyana has discovered oil and gas,” Smith said. “So, there is that

Trade Minister, Lorna Smith and CEO of BVI Finance, Elise Donovan. (BVI News photo)

reality. Why now? The BVI has the kind of financial services structures that could be used for investment into Guyana and vice versa.”

Chief Executive Officer of BVI Finance, Elise Donovan, in supporting Smith’s position, added that Guyana has had an unprecedented growth rate of some 62 percent in the last few years. “That is arguably the highest growth rate in the world, in terms of economic development,” Donovan

said.

She continued: “BVI is a facilitator of global trade and investment and business, and we see the synergies that we are able to produce across the world in terms of facilitating global trade, that we can be that facilitator with what we see happening in Guyana.”

In the meantime, the Deputy Premier explained that there is already a natural alignment between Guyana and the BVI, given

Man remanded for robbing GNBS inspector An unemployed man was on Wednesday charged for robbing an Inspector with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) at Friendship School Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The alleged bandit is Chris Charles, 22, of Lot 34 Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

He made his first court appearance at the D i a m o n d / G r o v e Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Judy Latchman.

He was charged with Robbery Under Arms and pleaded not-guilty to the offence. He was remanded to prison and will make his second court appearance on September 28, 2023.

According to details of the investigation, he allegedly robbed the GNBS Inspector of his haversack containing, $15,000 cash, his bank card, and a dark blue Samsung Galaxy S10 E smart phone, valued at $75,000.

Persons from the community said that Charles “is a regular thief man”.

Remanded for armed robbery, Chris Charles

their respective regional positions and association with CARICOM. According to the Deputy Premier, the spirit of partnership between the two countries was evident throughout and there was mutual agreement that the mission was what she described as the ‘starting gun’ on building a closer relationship.

She also alluded to the strong cultural connection which exists between the two countries, with Guyanese forming the third largest immigrant group in the

Vi rg i n I s l a n d s a n d constituting a significant portion of the workforce.

Smith further shared that the BVI wants to turn that natural alignment into a more robust partnership and develop mutual business and investment opportunities between Guyana and the BVI. “Guyana’s economic growth is clearly significant, and we were very impressed with the government’s focus on using its oil and gas resources to develop a sustainable economy,” she added.

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 17, 2023

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 17, 2023

PAGE 19

Sugar Workers on strike over return to Rose Hall Estate

Some of the sugar workers protesting on Wednesday morning

…demand compensation, call for meeting with President, VP Sugar workers who were originally stationed at the Rose Hall Sugar Estate and then transferred to the Albion and Blairmont Estates after its closure in 2017 are demanding that the Government of Guyana compensates them for being transferred back to the Rose Hall Estate.The sugar workers, who were mainly cane harvesters, were part of a strike Wednesday morning

where they called on the President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to meet with them to have the matter resolved.

The once closed Rose Hall Estate is scheduled to be reopened in September. Kaieteur News understands that on Wednesday at a meeting held at the Albion Estate, some workers were informed that 130 workers from the Blairmont

Estate and 140 from the Albion Estate will be returned to the Rose Hall Estate.

“Some was transferred to the Blairmont Estate and some was transferred to the Albion Estate and it is unfair to us to go back to an estate wah already close down, pay off and reopen back now… We the frustrated workers out here requesting to see the Excellency the

President and the Vice President Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo fa come and solve this problem here for us,” one worker expressed.

The workers told Kaieteur News that while they have raised their concerns with senior officials in the sugar sector, they believe that only the President and Vice President could respond appropriately and favourably to

their concerns and requests.

“We are asking his Excellency to come out so we can voice our concern and we the frustrated workers out here is not cutting no more cane until they come and solve this problem,” another worker told Kaieteur News.

The strike is scheduled to continue until the country's two leaders meet with the workers.

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 17, 2023

Thursday August 17, 2023

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Letter to the Sports Editor

No Goodwill for Guyana’s 2023 Goodwill Swimming Championship Team, it seems Dear Sports Editor, The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) entered a team of fourteen swimmers to represent the Co-operative Republic of Guyana at the 27th Edition of the Goodwill Swimming Championship, August 18-20, 2023, Jamaica. Contrary to what the President of GASA has reportedly said to potential donors, there are several medal contenders in this team.

These swimmers have been training very hard and

are eager to represent their country at this regional developmental meet. Attending this meet is all the more important since Guyana last participated, at this level, at the 25th Edition of the Goodwill Swimming Championship in 2019, where the team placed fourth out of nine countries, earning 43 medals (six gold, five silver and 12 bronze medals in individual categories and eight gold, four silver and eight bronze medals in the relay categories) in the process.

Even though GASA entered a team to participate in the Goodwill Swimming Championship in 2022, the first after the Covid-19 pandemic ended, they failed to send the team to represent Guyana. At that time GASA, under this current President, promised solemnly to not let such a situation occur again.

At this late stage, a few days before the 2023 Goodwill Swimming Championship commences in Jamaica, on August 18, 2023, it is very dis-

Thursday August 17, 2023 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Share your skills today, Aries. You will find that as you engage in the role of teacher, you learn more than if you just hold onto your knowledge without sharing it.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Just because your emotions are reserved or somber today doesn't mean you shouldn't share them with others, Libra. Work through difficulties.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Don't underestimate the power of other people today, Taurus. They may seem flighty and scatterbrained on the outside, but underneath you will find that they have a great deal of wisdom to share.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may need to jump to many different people and situations today, Scorpio, yet something is holding you back. Listen to this inner voice that's asking you to be conservative at this time. .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) ou feel like you have a stone strapped to your back, Sagittarius. The farther you walk with this load, the slower you go, and the more hunched over you will be by the time you reach your destination.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Remember that there's a benevolent force out there that loves you, Gemini. No matter what, there's always a shoulder to cry on, even if it isn't a tangible one. Even in your darkest moments.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Don't hesitate to say the obvious today, Cancer, even if it sounds corny. Many times people hesitate to say what they really feel because they think it's obvious to everyone.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Look to older figures for advice today, Leo. Seek counsel with a parent or grandparent on issues you feel strongly about. Relationships with older people are likely to go especially well.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Consider composing a bit of poetry today, Virgo. Use this as an exercise to condense your ocean of emotions into a very few words.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) = It Feel free to break ties with certain people now, Capricorn. You may be overextending your emotional bank account by investing too much of yourself in others' lives.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Less is more should be your motto for today, Aquarius.

The more you cut back in certain areas of your life, the more room you open up to bring in new and exciting things.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may be asked to slow down today, Pisces.

Whether this comes in the form of a speeding ticket or a scrape on the knee when you trip.

heartening to learn, that GASA has no money to even pay for a Coach to travel with a reduced team of swimmers.

Several weeks ago, the President and Vice President, Administration of GASA met with the parents of the selected swimmers at the National Aquatic Centre.

The President of GASA promised that he will seek to utilise a portion of the Olympic Aquatic Support Programme (OASP) funds, which World Aquatics pledged to GASA, for swimmer development from grassroots to elite levels.

Even though he said, several weeks ago, that he will seek to have an emergency meeting of GASA to discuss the use of a portion of the OASP funds, he confessed that he has not presented a proposal to the GASA Council as yet, because he had no figures.

The figures he speaks about have been shared several times with him.

He also promised that GASA would seek additional funding from the Government of Guyana, the Guyana Olympic Association and the private sector. Parents are aware also and have accepted that they needed to make a contribution to their children participating in the Goodwill Swimming Championship.

The President of GASA has recently informed us that he has received no funding from anyone and that GASA has no money either to assist the Goodwill Team. Given the situation with lack of funding, several parents committed to fully funding their children’s participation.

This meant that most of the team had to withdraw due to lack of funding.

Even with this approach, GASA at the very last moment, said they had no money to pay for the Coach to travel with the reduced team to Jamaica.

Despite valiant efforts from parents, GASA has provided very little support to me as Team Manager of Guyana’s 2023 Goodwill Swimming Championship Team. The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association seems unconcerned that Guyana, as a founding member of the Goodwill Swimming Championship, missed the championship in 2022, for no good reason, that its desire to host the Goodwill Swimming Championship in 2025 will suffer a huge setback if no proposal

is presented to the congress of the Goodwill Swimming Championship in Jamaica on August 17, 2023, that the young swimmers have been training very hard for several months with the expectation of participating in this swimming championship, that there are several medal contenders in the team and that this seeming callous treatment of young swimmers may have a negative impact on their (and other young swimmers) further engagement in

this vital core sport/discipline.

At this stage, I am unaware if GASA has made a decision or has communicated anything further to the Aquatic Sports Association of Jamaica, regarding Guyana’s participation in the 27th Edition of the Goodwill Swimming Championship, August 18-20, 2023, Jamaica.

Mrs. Atanica Vieira Team Manager Guyana’s 2023 Goodwill Swimming Championship Team

Thursday August 17, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

England reach first World Cup final despite Kerr stunner SYDNEY, (Reuters) England reached their first Women’s World Cup final after beating Australia 3-1 yesterday despite a wonder goal from Matildas striker Sam Kerr as the co-hosts’ fairytale run came to an end.

After falling at the semifinal stage in the previous two World Cups, England will face Spain on Sunday looking to add a world title to l a s t y e a r ’s E u r o p e a n Championship triumph.

Attacking midfielder Ella Toone gave England a first-half lead to silence the crowd of 75,784 but a stunning strike from Kerr, making her first start of the tournament, squared things up after halftime as Stadium Australia erupted in euphoria.

However, Lauren Hemp restored England’s lead before Alessia Russo put the result beyond doubt shortly before the end.

“This is the one thing I’ve always wanted, to make finals at a World Cup and after two times of getting huge disappointment, honestly I can’t believe it,” England full back Lucy

Bronze said.

“We all dreamed of being in the final and all our family and friends who booked to stay here until the final because they all believed in us.” Sarina Wiegman’s side clearly had a game plan to impose themselves physically on Australia, committing nine fouls in the first half as they nullified their opponents’ attacking options.

England opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Russo worked her way to the byline before cutting the ball back and Toone smashed it into the top right corner for her first goal of the tournament.

HISTORIC MOMENT Australia started the second half much brighter and began pressing England higher up the pitch, looking to create a historic moment that would match Cathy Freeman’s incredible 400 metres victory in the same venue at the 2000 Olympics.

And they got it in the 63rd minute when Kerr received the ball in her own half, ran toward goal and fired an unstoppable rocket

into the top left corner from 25 yards out beyond the diving Mary Earps.

The stadium erupted as Australia fans finally got to see their star striker score at this tournament, reigniting hope that Tony Gustavsson’s side could yet play for the title.

But the hosts found themselves behind again less than 10 minutes later.

Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter failed to deal with a long ball over the top from Millie Bright, allowing Hemp an easy finish into the bottom corner to restore England’s lead.

The 23-year-old was involved once more as the game entered the final stages. Shortly after Kerr had missed a golden chance to equalise again, Hemp turned brilliantly on the halfway line before releasing Russo, who fired a low shot into the far corner to seal England’s place in the final.

Australia will play Sweden in the third-place playoff on Saturday and Kerr said they were proud of what they had achieved despite falling at the penultimate

Beacons win to stay atop, Rivers View lose again

F

ormer Champions Beacons FC won for a sixth time while defending champions Rivers View suffered a 2nd defeat when the Senior Men’s League of the Bartica FA c o n t i n u e d l a s t Wednesday night at the Bartica Community Centre ground.

Led by a 2nd hat-trick of the season from Shaquille Hopkinson, Beacons brushed aside Mil Ballers 41 to remain the only unbeaten side at the end of the first round of matches in the 9-team League.

Hopkinson netted in the 2nd, 22nd and 40th minutes to push his tally to eight and Kyle Caesar added the fourth, one minute into the 2nd period. Kishon Tobin reduced the lead in the 66th minute.

At the completion of their quota of games Beacons have six wins and 2 draws to top the table on 20 points, while Ballers lost for the 7th time to stay 2nd from

Shaquille Hopkinson the bottom on 3 points.

In the other match of the double-header, cup holders Rivers View were outlasted

by Rising Stars, thanks to a 61st minute strike by Tyrese Gomes. It was the 4th win

for the Stars who occupy 4th place on 14 points, while Rivers View are kept on 18 points and one place above.

The start of the 2nd round of competition will be next Monday.

England’s Ella Toone celebrates scoring their first goal. (REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli) hurdle. “We can’t thank the fans enough, they’ve been amazing,” she said. “We’ve felt the love all over the country. Just to see the support has really pushed us on.“So hopefully this stays around because this has been amazing for us... It’s hard to think about (the third place playoff) now but Tony’s already said it’s a quick

turnaround.

“We’ve got to pick ourselves up and hopefully not go home emptyhanded.”

After leading her native Netherlands to a runners-up finish in 2019, Wiegman becomes the first coach to take two different teams to a World Cup final.

“This team has

ruthlessness, whether it’s up front or in defence, we really want to keep the ball out of the net, we really want to win and we stick together and we stick to the plan, and it worked again,” the 53-yearold said.

“I’ve never taken anything for granted, but I’m like ‘Am I here in a little fairytale or something?’”

John Fernandes Ltd supports GAPLF for the 2023 FESUPO Powerlifting C/ship John Fernandes Limited (JFL), the leading customised shipping and logistics solutions in and out of Guyana, connecting with any worldwide destinations are on board as a sponsor of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) to the 10th South American Men’s and Women’s Classic Powerlifting & Bench Press Championships (FESUPO).

The competition, bringing together the best athletes in the South American Region, will take place from September 610th in Lima, Peru.

Ye s t e r d a y, a t t h e company’s 24 Water Street, Georgetown, Guyana, Head Office, The Office M a n a g e r, M s . A l i s a Maxwell, handed over a sponsorship cheque to the Treasurer of the GAPLF, Mr. Maxwell Denny, in the presence of President, Franklin Wilson.

Ms.

Maxwell expressed her company’s delight at being able to contribute to the GAPLF’s expenses for Team Guyana’s participation at the event. ”John Fernandes has been very supportive of Guyana’s sportsmen and women over the years across many disciplines and we are proud to maintain this legacy. We are well aware of the exploits of our powerlifters over the years and we are happy to be of assistance to the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation. We wish the team every success and look forward to you continuing to do our nation, proud.”

Mr. Denny conveyed his gratitude and that of the Powerlifting Federation to John Fernandes Limited for their support which he said would certainly assist the Team in getting to Peru and doing the nation proud. ”The support of corporate Guyana for athletes in their

quest to represent the Golden Arrowhead is always important and we at the GAPLF would like to express our thanks to John Fernandes for being a partner in this journey. We can assure you that the team will be ready to take on the challenge that’ll be presented by the athletes from the other competing nations and will do Guyana, proud.” Some ten nations, including the host, will be batting for podium positions from September 6-10 in the equipped and classic segments of the championships. Over 230 athletes (male & female) along with officials as well as executives of the contesting nations will be converging in Peru. Guyana, Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, E c u a d o r, C o l u m b i a , Uraguay, and Bolivia will be testing each other on the platform in the three lifts, squat, bench press, and deadlift.

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 17, 2023

Twin-brothers Kristopher and Kyle Karran hit centuries in ORSCA’s T20 playoffs

K

yle Karran and his 18-year-old twin-brother Kristopher Karran struck a century each last Sunday in representation for Cool Runningz against Panthers as the 2023 Ontario RoundArm Softball Cricket Association (ORSCA)/T20 Playoff segment got underway.

Playing at the Emancipation Park at Dixee407 in Brampton, the righthanded Kyle fashioned an impressive 132 while his sibling Kristopher carved out an equally attractive 102.

They shared a magnificent, unbroken 249run second-wicket stand, perhaps historical since the formation of the ORSCA in 2011.

Their team galloped to a daunting 249-1 from the 20overs while Panthers, in reply, reached 152 all out from 20-overs. They lost by 97 runs.

Kyle batted with more aggression despite he was put down on few occasions, clobbering 14 sixes and four fours during his 66-ball display at the crease.

Kristopher faced up only 50 balls knocking ten sixes

Kyle Karran and four fours.

Both players have been playing hard-ball professionally representing various teams and also this Province in CanadaCricket’s tournament at the Under-19 level.

When Panthers batted, Avinash Basdeo hit a fighting 62 laced with nine sixes from 42 deliveries.

Dinesh Ajodha and Rishi Sanchara chipped in with 21 runs apiece as Canada-based Guyanese Mitch Bacchus grabbed 3-37 from three expensive overs. Jordan Bacchus claimed 2-8(2) while Kyle Karran proved his all-round capability by

taking two wickets as well but conceded 29 runs from his maximum four overs.

Reggie Lalsaran also accounted for two victims (2-37) in his four-overs outing.

Meanwhile, details from the other games in a subsequent post. Semi-finals are slated for August 26th with matches across the Greater Toronto Area, though.

This Saturday, the 10-10 Adana Homes knockout competition will continue with the quarter-final showdown.

Their parents are Canada-based Guyanese.

PAGE 23

Sukhwa (101) spurs Riverside Cricket Club to championship Another century from opening batsman Adrian Sukhwa was enough to inspire Riverside Cricket Club to an efficient fivewicket victory over Concord Eagles in the final of the 2023 Connecticut Cricket League 40-overs competition.

The right-handed Sukhwa slammed 101 to help Riverside Cricket Club safely reach 187-5 with a whopping 52 balls remaining. Concord Eagles had earlier tallied up an inadequate 182 all out in the 40 overs. Riverside Cricket Club won the toss.

In semi-final at the same Keney Park venue, Sukhwa slammed 144 the previous Sunday. On this occasion, the Berbician, a former Guyana youth cricketer, batted with similar aggression hammering six sixes and seven fours from 66 balls. He also shared an enterprising, 109-run opening stand with exGuyana and West Indies player Narsingh Deonarine.

The left-handed Deonarine stroked 43, an innings contained three fours and a six. Ashish Massey and Vaibhav Sharma ended with 2-23 and 2-28 respectively for Concord Eagles.

When they (Concord Eagles) batted, right-handed

Adrian Sukhwa

middle-order batsman Lahiru Perera top-scored with 77 which spanned 76 deliveries. He tucked away three sixes and four fours w h i l e Ve n k a t R a o contributed 40 and 21 from Shoaib Shaikh.

Seamer Ashish Eppa grabbed three wickets for 33 off his maximum eight overs for the winning combination on a pitch that offered variable bounces. Skipper Bruce Blackwood, the brother of West Indies player Jermaine Blackwood, supported Eppa with 2-23 in his eight overs as well.

Sukhwa was named playerof-the-match for his outstanding batting performance, and he received cash incentives.

The winning and runners-up teams were also awarded with trophies. Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Sukhwa

expressed elation with his batting display and was indeed delighted to make a big contribution for the team. Quizzed on how he approached the innings, Sukhwa responded: “Just went out there and be positive and I was confident our team coming out victorious.”

Sukhwa continued to ply his trade in North America and glad that he is getting to opportunity to play competitive cricket. He mentioned that he is very ambitious of representing Guyana at the senior level and will continue to work hard on his game.

“That [is] my priority now to be back in the Guyana Cricket Board’s setup and represent the country in both the four-day and limited formats,” Sukhwa commented.

Republic Bank, GCB launch historic Under-23 Inter-Club Super50 nationwide tourney - Action bowls off Friday August 18 The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Republic Bank Limited continued their decades-long relationship when they officially launched their nationwide sponsored, inaugural Under-23 Super50 inter-club cricket tournament.

D u r i n g y e s t e r d a y ’s historic launch held on the Bourda Cricket Club Ground, cricket was again taken to a newer height with the launch of this U23 initiative, which is set to bowl off on Friday August 18.

Delivering the opening remarks, GCB Secretary Ronald Williams said this new concept will target specifically, players who have finished their careers at the U19 levels but may need to further hone their skills while needing a feeder-like system to enable that final spark which leads to senior

or West Indies cricket selection.

The GCB Secretary added that the 44 respective clubs from across the 3 counties (Demerara, Essequibo, Berbice) will now play a huge role with this new format expected to host many national cricketers who are on the cusp of commencing their careers as seniors; add that Republic Bank and GCB will now help to bridge the gap between Junior and senior cricket.

GCB Manager of cricket operations - Anthony D’Andrade who gave more logistical insight into the structure of things, said beforehand that the GCB found it necessary to introduce this system as it will play a key role in feeding from one system to more senior, regarding transitioning.

The Manager of

GCB Secretary Ronald Williams during his opening feature address.

Operations went through the GCB’s recent string of events which featured the Republic Bank 5FORFUN which targeted age groups 510, the GCB U13 intercounty and the recently concluded U13 Bilateral

Series held in Trinidad & Tobago between Guyana and the hosts.

He noted that players who may not be successful at U19 could play U23 to keep their careers going with another shot at making the

senior team before it’s too l a t e .

C o m m e r c i a l M a n a g e r, Republic Bank Mr. Harry Dass Ghaness during his brief remarks, outlined the b a n k ’s p l e a s u r e i n supporting the GCB for yet another venture, adding that the two entities have been sharing close working ties for decades, citing one main factor as having a major impact on lives and youth development.

With Republic Bank being the premier sponsor of t h i s y e a r ’s C a r i b b e a n Premier League (CPL), Ghaness stated that cricket is the Bank’s Social Investment Program as it creates an environment for kids and Sports alike while creating a huge positive impact for all beneficiaries.

He said cricket especially, allows youths to find at an early age the tenacity, strength, and confidence

needed to thrive in both a social and economic structure while building an overall competitive environment.

Meanwhile, GCB executive Robby Saywack lauded the Bank for playing a huge role in cricket growth, filling a void which has been there since he was a former player, adding that the void is now filled thanks to the support of Republic Bank.

Essequibo will have 7 teams playing in 6 matches while Berbice will feature 16 teams who will battle in a total of 18 matches.

Demerara will have 21 teams playing in 19 matches, with the winner of each county competing in a national playo ff . C o u n t y f i n a l s a r e e x p e c t e d t o b o w l o ff September 1 as county preliminary and finals are set to end on August 30. The Finals will be held on September 3rd.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Thursday August 17, 2023

Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboy/ Junior boxing c/ship set to kickoff tomorrow A

s the highly anticipated W i n f i e l d Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys/Juniors Championship draws nearer, the spotlight is on the 17 skilled local boxers who are gearing up to step into the squared circle. The championship is scheduled to take place from August 18-20 at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue. Out of the 17 participants, 16 will be making their debut on the international stage.

These promising young boxers set to make their mark are Joel Hinds, Markel Blue, Shemroy Wintz, Jofes Jackson, Matthew Thomas, Travis Sancho, Kenyon Hamilton, Chance Niles, Raheem Peters, Khumba Alexander, Ken Harvey, Ryan Rogers, Leon Albert, Arlington Johnson, Keyon Britton, Tianna Moore (the sole female participant), and

Roopesh Balgobin. Notably, Ti a n n a M o o r e b r i n g s valuable international experience from her participation in the 2023 Organization of East Caribbean States (OECS) Championship.

Guyana’s boxing scene has taken a leap forward as the country proudly presents the largest group of debutants since the championship’s inception in 2016. The roster of participating nations includes Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago, all of which have formally announced their involvement.

The selection process for this formidable team began with the monthly U16 Championships hosted at the Andrew “Six Head” Lewis Gym in Albouystown.

Following the conclusion of the previous competition in July, the talented combatants were shortlisted for further

Scenes from July’s Pepsi Schoolboys boxing tourney as boxers prepare for Caribbean Schoolboys championship which start tomorrow.

evaluation. As a direct result of this meticulous process, the team was expertly

chosen. The coaching staff supervising the team during the preparatory phase

includes GBA coaches Lennox Daniels, Sebert Blake, Clifton Moore,

Cuba’s Francisco Roldon, and Technical Director Terrence Poole.

Messi magic continues as Inter Tribunal finds Marlon Samuels Miami reach Leagues Cup final guilty under anti-corruption code Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) dribbles the ball before missing a shot against Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake (18) during the second half at Subaru Park.

(Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)

(Reuters) - Lionel Messi notched his ninth goal in six matches as Inter Miami crushed Philadelphia Union 4-1 to reach the Leagues Cup final on Tuesday.

Philadelphia, who made the MLS Cup final last year and have a dominant record at home, were poised to be Miami’s biggest test since the latter added the Argentinean striker to their roster last month. But the visiting Miami once again got off to a quick start when a running Josef Martinez scored three minutes into the game on a pass from Serhiy Kryvtsov.

Messi was somehow left unguarded just past midfield where he caught a pass from Martinez and dribbled forward before firing a shot from distance in the 20th minute that

rolled past Union goalkeeper Andre Blake, who was slow to react. Jordi Alba further demoralized the Union with a goal just before halftime for a 3-0 lead as fans booed the home team as they headed into the locker room.

Philadelphia got one back through Alejandro Bedoya in the 73rd minute but David Ruiz found the net in the 84th minute for Miami, who have scored 21 goals in their last six matches.

Miami will face either CF Monterrey or Nashville SC, who play later on Tuesday, in Saturday’s Leagues Cup final, Miami’s first final appearance in club history.

The win also mean Miami will play in their first ever CONCACAF Champions League next year.

Marlon Samuels

SportsMax - Former West Indies player Marlon Samuels has been found guilty of four offences under the Emirates Cricket Boad (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code following a hearing by an independent AntiCorruption Tribunal.

Samuels, who was charged by the ICC (in its capacity as the Designated Anti-Corruption Official under the ECB Code) in September 2021, has been found guilty after he exercised his right to a hearing before the Tribunal.

The Tribunal will now

consider the submissions of each party before deciding on the appropriate sanction to be imposed.

The decision will follow in due course.

Samuels has been found guilty of: Article 2.4.2 (by a majority decision) – Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official, the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the Participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute.

Article 2.4.3 (unanimous decision)- Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official receipt of hospitality with a value of US $750 or more.

Article 2.4.6 (unanimous decision) – Failing to cooperate with the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation.

Article 2.4.7 (unanimous decision) – Obstructing or delaying the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation by concealing information that may have been relevant to the investigation.

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 17, 2023

PAGE 25

GBA’s Referee/Judge training seminar underway

Participants engage with Trinidad Instructor James Beckles (right-standing) on the opening day of the 3Star Referee-Judge training seminar.

T

he Guyana B o x i n g Association (GBA) has embarked on a significant endeavor with the commencement of a two-day Referee/Judge training seminar yesterday at the National Racquet Centre located in Woolford Avenue.

Distinguished Trinidad and T o b a g o 3 - S t a r Referees/Judges Assessor, James Beckles, arrived in the country to spearhead these essential workshops coinciding with the p r e s t i g i o u s Wi n f i e l d Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys/Juniors Championship.

Beckles, a standout figure as the sole 3-Star Referee/Judge Assessor in the English-speaking Caribbean, has undertaken the responsibility to lead two pivotal training sessions. His

expertise will be channelled into an intermediary forum addressing recent rule changes made by the International Boxing Association (IBA), the world governing body.

Additionally, a beginner seminar is on the agenda to nurture emerging talents in the field.

Having previously visited as a referee judge, Beckles now holds the prestigious position of IBA Olympic 3S t a r r e f e r e e / j u d g e ’s Instructor/Evaluator. The comprehensive workshop structure encompasses both theoretical and practical facets. Mornings sessions are dedicated to theoretical knowledge dissemination, while afternoon sessions are earmarked for hands-on practical evaluations. The overarching goal of these workshops is to elevate the

caliber of local refereeing and judging.

Prominent attendees at the inauguration of this twoday workshop included GBA President Steve Ninvalle, revered referee/judges Winfield Braithwaite, AIBA certified International Technical Officer (ITO) Elton Chase, and distinguished female referee/judge Paulette Nurse. Alongside these established figures were a number of fresh faces, showcasing the widespread enthusiasm for enhanced training.

In his address, Ninvalle underscored the workshop’s significance, highlighting its potential to enrich the local refereeing and judging landscape. With optimism, he expressed hopes that participants would acquire substantial knowledge,

GBA President Steve Ninvalle (right) with IBA 3Star Instructor and Evaluator, James Beckels as he delivered his opening remarks.

ultimately earning an IBArecognized 3-Star certificate. The seminar, spanning the upcoming days, promises to be a

dynamic and interactive learning experience. As the GBA takes proactive steps to raise the bar in the realm of boxing officiating, this

seminar serves as a testament to their commitment to nurturing talent and fostering excellence within the sport.

rts Spo

England’s Alessia Russo celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates.

(REUTERS/Carl Recine)

England reach first World Cup final despite Kerr stunner

John Fernandes Ltd supports GAPLF for the 2023 FESUPO Powerlifting C/ship

FL’s Office Manager Alisa Maxwell (center) hands over cheque to GAPLF Treasurer, Maxwell Denny in the presence of President, Franklin Wilson.

Republic Bank, GCB launch historic Under-23 Inter-Club Super50 nationwide tourney Players, the Republic Bank team alongside their commercial Manager as well as GCB executives following yesterday’s launch at Bourda Ground.

- Action bowls off Friday August 18 Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.