August18,2022-Vol.15No.33 Online readership yesterday, 75,995 Thursday Edition -sayspoliceengaginginternationalpartnersonFagundes’killing Pres. Ali not against protectionprovidingforBascom - Says “We don’t know what’s coming around the corner; not all wells as sweet as 2015 Liza find” Exxon concocts reasons to avoid renegotiating flawed Stabroek Block contract VP Jagdeo, Pres. Ali at of ExxonMobil contract ‘No insurance talks for gas-to-shore “PapermurderShorts”… Quindon Bacchus murder… obstructing justice gets High Court bail Cop charged with ...despite contracts signed for laying of US$1.3B pipeline - Brokers Associationproject’ Detective Sgt. was threatened by murder suspect but says CID don't investigate threats Crime Chief confirms odds over renegotiation

‘No insurance talks for gas-to-shore project’
Kaieteur NewsPAGE 02 Thursday August 18, 2022
President of the Guyana Insurance Brokers Association, Mr. Peter Abdool By Davina Bagot Despite at least two contracts being awarded by oilgiant,ExxonMobilforthe US$1.3 billion pipeline that is slated to commence construction by year end, the operator is yet to commence talkswiththelocalinsurance companies to secure its operations.President of the Guyana I n s u r a n c e B r o k e r s Association, Mr Peter Abdool in an exclusive interview with this capacity to offer coveragenewspaper on Tuesday for gas plants. He explained,explained that he is unaware “We cover gas plants rightof any policy being now, there are gas plants indiscussed presently. He Guyana and how are theynoted that if the oil company covered? We cover them.had reached out to the The insurance industry doesInsurance Association of that, we are capable ofGuyana, he most certainly putting any kind of coverwould have been informed. globallyinplace.”However, Abdool noted that On June 30, PresidentExxon would have likely Irfaan Ali invited the mediaapproached the Brokers over to State House whereAssociation first, before the key stakeholders in theinitiating discussions with GTE project were present.theinsurancebody He announced that theThe Guyana Insurance Government of Guyana hasBrokers Association plays a concluded its latest round ofkey role in helping n e g o t i a t i o n s w i t hbusinesses determine the ExxonMobil Guyana and itsrighttypeofinsurancethatis Stabroek Block partners onsuitable for their operations. the Gas to Shore EnergyI t f u n c t i o n s b y Project, which will see theunderstandingtheoperations project coming in much lessof that business and than had been previouslyultimately guides the way in envisioned.According to thecrafting a policy catered to President, with thethatcompany’sneeds. negotiations now concludedA n a l m o s t u p s e t and with the deadline forPresident of the Insurance Request for proposalsBrokers Association told ending in September, it isKaieteur News, “I am sure expected that contractsthat they will go the same would be signed for theway as this environmental project in the last quarter ofimpact cover that we are the year President Ali intalking about now (for the addressingtheissueofafinaloffshore oil operations). It’s price tag for the project,going to be in the newspaper intimated that while thererather than being sorted out have been a number ofproperly.” He was keen to figures being floated, a finalnotenonetheless,“Attheend cost for the project could notoftheday,thecoverhastobe be had as yet since thatin place so we are ‘gonna’ would be determined[going to] identify clearly, through the final biddingwhatthosebitsare.” process. So far, Exxon hasWhen it comes to the submitted an Environmentalimportance of insurance Impact Assessment (EIA)coverage for the gas for the project, whichpipeline, as well as the highlights that an explosionNatural Gas Liquids (NGL) may be caused by a leakingplant and power plant to be pipeline. There is also theset up, Abdool noted, “The likelihood of fires andgovernment is aware of it explosions at the NGL andand certainly they must power plant facilities to beknow that if something were manned by the government.to happen there, it’s going to However, both parties havebeserious.” been mum when it comes toThe President of the insuring the project whichAssociation was keen to has been described as thepoint out that the local largestfinancialventureeverinsurance companies are (Continued on page 16)competent and have the - despite contracts signed for laying of US$1.3B pipeline - Brokers Association


A
Exxon advanced the the Guyana operations will provisions leave the country The official added, “So engineering work and allow it to have over US$1B at risk for significant far since then, the (other) procurement processes for inprofitsyearly. revenue leakage. The reservoirs are not as good; multiple projects and He said this is what they loopholes in that document now they’re still very good locking in critical contracts would be making with each are so damning in size and and at high oil prices that we for Guyana and other assets ship due to the low number that calls echoed see today it looks fantastic because it sees well into breakevens and the demand ExxonMobil Corporation The Stabroek Block partnerthroughout the years for but we know we’re in a future regarding market that will exist for Guyana’s back in January 2022 holds has also bragged that renegotiation; for the commodity business; we demandforlowcostbarrels. sweet crude. Hess has also enough oil deposits to Guyana is two to three times government to amend some know that we’re in a world Wi t h r e s p e c t t o declared Guyana as a underpin its own Floating, better than any other energyof those terms that leave the where we need to be moving Routledge’s point that the “phenomenalprovince”with Production, Storage and p l a y e r i n o f f s h o r e nation in a disadvantageous in an energy transition and returns on other wells in “excellent returns” to be had Offloading (FPSO) vessel. development. Both Hess and position. the oil prices are almost Guyana would not be as well into the next three Even though the resource is Exxon have admitted that E x x o n M o b i l certainly going to fall and so good as the Liza find, his decades. buried 1800 feet below the Guyana is key to their Corporation’s affiliate, Esso it(theagreement)needstobe company’s accelerated But that is not all sea floor, compared to the survival during the energyExploration and Production robust. It needs to be durable approach to develop and Guyana’s oil is so sweet that usual 1500 feet where the transition. Guyana Limited (EEPGL) for all the parties for it to have in operation, 10 oil Exxon and partners are other discoveries have been D e s p i t e s u c h was tightlipped for the most continue, for us to continue shipsinthisdecade,suggests drilling deeper to find more. made, Hess said the oil is importance, calls to close part; only referencing on toinvest.” otherwise. Even Exxon’s Infact,Hesshadsaidthatthe worth going after and will even one fiscal loophole in occasion that it subscribes to Though Routledge holds partner in the Stabroek Fangtooth discovery which therefore fall into the queue the2016dealhavecontinued the principle of contract the foregoing points, they all Block, Hess Corporation, w a s a n n o u n c e d b y of oil wells to be developed. tobeignored.sanctity Just recently appear hallow when however, EEPGL’s Head, compared to the statements Alistair Routledge went a madebyExxonMobil’sCEO little further to concoct and Chairman, Darren reasons to justify the Woods. company’s position. During While he asserted that a bizarre discourse with the company does not know social media platform, The what is coming around the Guyanese Critic, Routledge corner, Woods painted a was asked to say if the different picture during company would ever Exxon’s second quarter consider renegotiating the earnings call. The CEO had Stabroek Block contract, said the company’s even if it was merely to US$17.9B profit during the a p p e a s e G u y a n e s e reporting period was not a Routledge said, “Look, the matter of mere luck but businesswe’reiniswedon’t prudent management and know what’s coming around analysisofthemarket.When the corner It may look great companies were pulling today but I would say we’ve back on spending during the
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ExxonMobil Guyana Head, Alistair Routledge Says “We don’t know what’s coming around the corner; not all wells as sweet as 2015 Liza find” h e n t h e kind of made it look easy so 2020 COVID-19 hit period, has hailed all of Guyana’s f o r m e r far There’s a lot of the Exxon he said remained discoveries and the APNU+AFC resource we found that is bullish and continued heavy developments to come asW Government going to be more difficult to investments in key assets being“industryleading”and had released the Stabroek develop The returns on like Guyana as they knew its key to it securing a future of Block Production Sharing thosewon’tbeasgoodasthe low cost, low emission multibilliondollarprofits. greement (PSA) in first.TheLizafieldwefound barrelswouldbeasafeinany Hess’ boss, John Hess D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 7 , wasthebestresourcethatwe marketcycle. during his second quarter stakeholders far and wide found in the Stabroek Block Woods even noted that earnings call had also said agreed that the inherent thatwaswherewestarted.”
Kaieteur News PAGE 03Thursday August 18, 2022
Exxon concocts reasons to avoid renegotiating flawed Stabroek Block contract



PPP never promised to renegotiate oil contract
PAGE 4 Kaieteur News Thursday August 18, 2022 Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.
Editor: SHARMAIN GRAINGER Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL KAIETEUR NEWS
DEAR EDITOR, There is a common folk aphorism in Guyana – “if ya mek yaself grass, cow gon lay down pon ya”! In this my first letter to any media in 2 years, I read the article published today where Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, Leader of the AFC, falsely claims that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) promised to re-negotiate the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil and it is patently unprofessional and irresponsible for this media house to repeat this falsehood especially knowing that it is false.Before our re-election to government, I attended or watched every single press conference held by the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party and then Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Bharrat Jagdeo, before our political party was re-elected.
The ever-clever leaders of America’s oil major, ExxonMobil, have placed the tightest handcuffs around the wrists of Guyanese, and shackles around both their feet to control and dictate them for ages to come. This ugliest of machinery, a gas chamber for Guyanese if we are not alert, is called the Stability of Agreement or, more commonly, the Stability Clause in the oil contract between this country and the oil superpower. We lay out its language immediately below. Article 32 of the contract, which lists conditions for ‘Stability of the Agreement’ states at 32.1 that “Except as may be expressly provided herein, the Government shall not amend, modify, rescind, terminate, declare invalid or unenforceable, require renegotiation of, compel replacement or substitution, or otherwise seek to avoid, alter, or limit this Agreement without the prior written consent of Contractor.”
There were many instances when he was asked by reporters from newspaper agencies if the PPP were reelected, would we renegotiate the contract with Exxon. Moreover, on every single instance, he expressly stated that we would not and immediately provided a list of measures which would be implemented including “better contract administration”. Mr. Jagdeo also stated that all other PSAs would not receive the same contract terms because we were no longer a frontier basin. The videos are on YouTube and on Facebook as evidence of all of this and it must be that this media house knows this. During the campaign, we went into every community and this is what was said by all of our candidates. The Manifesto summary says, “engage oil and gas companies in better contract wouldpositionfornegotiation”.administration/re-That“/”isthereareasonandcapturesthejustoutlinedi.e.wehavebettercontract administration with Exxon and renegotiate better terms with all other oil and gas companies. I have done interviews with this media house on numerous occasions re-stating this position. So, while I will not speak on any sector outside of my portfolio, as a member of the PPP, this falsity about the PPP’s position leading into the election must be corrected for the record. As for Mr. Ramjattan who is yet to share the information he has about the missing Russians and the missing Statement of Polls, he has not said one word of condemnation of the disgraceful saga with the US$18 signature bonus which was lied about by the APNUAFC government and the worse re-negotiation of an oil contract in modern history. In fact, he seems to proffer an explanation by saying “Sugar was eating up our treasury’s money. What do you do? Your need a brand new revenue stream…although it was an imperfect decision”. Incredible! The worse renegotiation of an oil contract in modern history is described as an “imperfect decision”. In fact, I remember clearly Mr. Ramjattan went on to do an interview just before the election seeking to discredit the criticism about the re-negotiated contract and the APNU-AFC paid for a full-page ad which falsely claimed that the “Government Take” would be 63%. Apparently, the math wizards in the APNU-AFC calculated that 2% royalty + 50% profit oil = 63%. Go figure!While we can disagree until the cows come home, Guyanese do not have to become grass because a falsehood advances a position which is not agreed on. We all have responsibilities.
DEAR EDITOR, On Monday, August 15, 2022, by way of a news article in the Kaieteur News Daily Newspaper, Former APNU+AFC Government Minister, David Patterson, admitted that the $188 million rental for UN offices in Guyana was high. This admittance, though welcomed, is a bit disheartening because of inferences that suggest the Government got a good deal when this was not the case. There is a quote that says, “Lies are like cockroaches, for everyone you discover, there are many more that are hidden,” and Mr. Patterson’s admittance reminds me of this. In Parliament, I answered a question from the Opposition Bench on this matter, and there I relayed that under the APNU+AFC Coalition, a 10-year lease indeed was signed with Blue Wave Apartments Inc., for the rental of a property located at 107-108 Duke Street Kingston, Georgetown, to house the United Nations (UN) offices in one compound. At the time, I also expressed my dissatisfaction with the agreement the former government entered into. Reading Mr. Patterson’s attempt in the article, to justify the then-government’s action was both sad and vexing. Allow me to draw your attention to the Lease Agreement between BLUE WAVE APARTMENTS INC. and THE GOVERNMENT OF GUYANA represented by the then Ministry of Public Infrastructure. In Article 4 – The Tenant hereby covenants the following condition: 1. To pay the Landlord the Lease Fee as set forth herein, in accordance with the following conditions: 2. Years 2019 – 2025 (year 1 to year 7) From January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2025 Lease Fee is USD 68,882.00 per month plus the Applicable VAT (currently 14%) with the Quarterly VAT inclusive Lease Fee being a TOTAL of USD $235,576.44 payable in advance in USD. 3. Years 2026 – 2028 (year 8 to year From10)January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028, the Lease Fee will increase by 1% for each of the remaining three years under this Lease Agreement plus the applicable VAT payable in advance in USD. [The payment once made in US dollars shall be converted at the official commercial rate of exchange (i.e. THE SELLING RATE) prevailing at the depositing Bank.]Inow take you to Article 8. While the said (Article 8) in fact states that the Landlord shall, during the term of the Lease , be responsible for all major repairs to the structure of the building, Article 9 , states that the Tenant is also responsible.Mr.Patterson’s statement that “Included in this fee were water rates, rates and taxes, security from (6:00 AM to 6:00 PM) on working days, maintenance of landscaping, car parking, grounds, and other associated external structures,” suggests that was the end However,all.I draw your attention to Article 12 of the Government of Guyana agreement, which states, “Water, Electricity, Security, and Utility. The Tenant shall pay directly all sums due during the term of this lease in respect to his consumption of electricity and all utilities consumed or benefitted from the utility company or its agent.The Tenant shall also make provision for internal and external manned security for the building and their operations once it has been handed over to them. Also, in Article 9 (2) The Tenant covenants from time to time and at all times during the term hereby granted to clean and tidy at his or her own expense all areas of the interior of the Leased Premises.Thebuilding was also leased devoid of furniture andCitizens,furnishings.itcan also be confirmed and verified that the UN in Guyana has been paying all utilities and security, and all charges as it relates to their obligations in the contract. I hold firm to the belief that the previous administration acted in total disregard for citizens, whose tax-paying dollars could have been used more wisely. The evidence has been presented, now you be the judge. Finally, I assure you that the Government, under the leadership of His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, will continue to work with our international partners here in Guyana, the UN agencies in this instance, to ensure they are properly housed in a comfortable workspace, “an energyefficient and cost-effective facility.”
Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456
HonourableSincerely, Charles S. Ramson, MP Judge for yourselves, did David Patterson tell the truth?
Stability Clause mocks Guyana’s sovereignty
Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill
We have a Stability Clause like this, are forced to live with the humiliation of something as gutting and castrating as this, and there are some among us, who proudly call ExxonMobil, a trusted, a true, oil partner. In the intricate web of its essences, what this ugly, perversity of a Stability Clause does is to put a stranglehold on government after government of this trapped country. This Stability Clause just converted every parliament of this country into a shell, the emptiest of loud barrels, where our own oil wealth is concerned. We can vote, we can have constitutional reform, we can mend our political fences, and we will still remain totally subject to the ploys, plots, and power of ExxonMobil, as is enshrined in this Stability Clause. This is what should make all Guyanese fighting mad, lose any civility and hospitality, when they consider the reach and devastations that ExxonMobil’s self-enriching, and Guyaneseimpoverishing. Stability Clause wreaks upon this nation. Even when viewed from the kindest and politest perspectives, this accursed Stability Clause condemns Guyana to being less than a sovereign nation. If other Guyanese are hesitant to say it, we at this publication assert and insist that this offensive Stability Clause that ExxonMobil made sure is an inviolable part of its tricky oil contract actually transforms Guyana from a sovereign nation to a slave state. This is the modern-day equivalent of that heinous article in the hallowed Constitution of the United States of America that sanctioned the counting of human beings as property, chattel slavery is what it is called. We call things for what they are, and how they are, if only to enlighten our fellow Guyanese. This country is seen by the leaders of ExxonMobil in Houston, Texas, as their vast plantation on which they are free to roam. Our oil wealth, the fabulous riches, they are free to pluck, be they our men, women, weak leaders, or woefully greedy professionals joining hands with them to sellout their fellow citizens. And in perfect alignment with the old slave plantation mentality, the leaders of ExxonMobil are cunning enough and still more criminally wrathful enough, to take aim at the few Guyanese who rise up and rail against their continuing and intensifying predatory assaults. It is to silence them, or otherwise marginalise them and neutralise them. This is exactly what the original slave masters did in the American Old South, including Texas (the home of ExxonMobil) when they recruited slaves to betray or compromise those daring at rising and standing in rebellion against them. When we study the implications of this oil contract, and the farreaching power of that hideous Stability Clause, for all intents and every objective, that Stability Clause renders Guyana and Guyanese the property of ExxonMobil, this great white oil shark. It is voracious, vicious, and venomous, and if we are not careful, not possessing of the required strength and determination, we run the highest risk of being ripped apart, chewed up, and swallowed. This rapacious American oil company that would be the death of us, as it sucks our blood. ExxonMobil is such a callous partner, a haemorrhage to this nation that it is ready to draw every drop of blood that it can squeeze out of Guyanese. This is all evidenced in that Stability Clause. When will Guyanese be outraged and rise up?
robustness. I should trust AG Chambers, Audit Office, CoP, OPR, PCA; all suffer from deficiencies. If no confidence in those offices, then where, to whom, and for what? Stabroek News recommends disclosing to President or Home Affairs Minister. I trash thisTherecommendation.ministermay be marginally better, lighter shade of darkness. This is how thoroughly bad things are. Maybe the Chief Justice or US Embassy, depending on issue and access. Tenders are shams with the inexplicable frequent. There are findings of massive fraud with fuel, but no action. Want evidence, there is evidence. Circumstantial. Connect dots. Mocks those slippery people, slipperier postures about produce evidence. Moreover, why this incorruptible PPP Government brought back so many tarnished exiles for high offices? Known taints. Those needing evidence, take those. Cease pretending at appalling ignorance, selfinflicted Whereneeded?protect,andsamelie.themselves.arewhoeverybody.everycorruptionscirclesinterlockingThesecollectorsfunctionconspiringtheisrouteThiswrongdoersfences.agencies,cleaningInsteaddumbness.ofPresidenthouseatStateheismendingHeshouldbeoustinganddeceivers.farcicalpeacemakingraisestheissuesofwhobeingprotected,anditiswholekitandcaboodleofcorrupters,whoasscreenersandforpoliticians.arethelayeredsegmentsandthatnurturechronicateverylevelinspherebyalmostIncludingthoseclaimtobeagainstit,oruntouchedbyitTheylie.FlatoutArmy,sugar,oil,Chinese,story.SpeakagainstoneIronCurtainsrise;object,collect.EvidenceIgivesketch,zipfile.thereissmoke…
Break the chain of mental slavery DEAR EDITOR, As August draws to a close, it is useful for us leaders and those led to reflect on the significance of this month in Guyanese and international history since there are useful lessons to be learnt. The older folk will remember that it was on 6th and 9th August, 1945 that for the first time the destructive nuclear weapon was used by humans against fellow human beings. I refer to the use of the atomic bomb. At home, supporters of the PNC still painfully remember the loss of their guide on 6th August 1985. It was around this same time in 1942 that the Germans threw their military might in an effort to capture the Russian city of Stalingrad. This military assault lasted until February of 1943 and has been described as the most vicious and horrible battle in recent history, taking the lives of young and old, over a million lives in a few short months. The Russians prevailed and Stalingrad remained under Russian control.15th August also marked the dismantling of British India part of the great British Empire over which as youngsters we were told the sun never sets and so British India became Hindu dominated India and Muslim dominated Pakistan. Later, we had Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as separate nation states. These events were preceded by communal strife and the loss of life. There is also clear evidence that we can no longer take lightly the ill effects of climate change and mankind’s mistreatment of the environment. Forest fires, the destruction to communities, houses and farmlands in the developed world should compel the rich and powerful to take seriously the declarations in the Glasgow Summit. Of course, all Guyanese are conditioned and affected by the end of slavery in the British Empire 1838. But dear editor, I bring to notice the above events to remind all of us first that the attitude of domination and the underlying philosophy of some of us believing we are superior are alive and well today. Methods have changed but those beliefs are deep and Secondextant.thatto overcome this, the exploited must know that they have got to agitate and make their voices heard if they are to end exploitation and make a change. And finally, as we see today in Guyana that the exploiters always maintain an effective PR machinery including the use of the selected few who have been described in some quarters of having the house slave mentality.Those in receipt of the handouts from the ruling class are blinded, ignore reality and wittingly or unwittingly support the new ‘massa’.
Try these DEAR EDITOR, Ongoing postures in corruption tradecraft compress to ‘produce the evidence’ since hearsay and perceptions mean little. I sense smirks and haughtiness reminiscent of ‘catch if you can….’while knowing hanky-panky proliferates. Smug partisans love throwing ‘show the evidence’ into the teeth of claims about corruption. The PNC does it, the PPP does so more skillfully. Though countless Guyanese abandon reasoning when political loyalty stirs, I furnish freewheeling environmental evidence that supports the existence of chronic corruptions throughout this society. These include almost everyone: public servants, private sector, parliament, political backrooms; plus, little guys scrambling to narrow cost-oflivingMeanwhile,gap(s). evidence is visible phantom: national budget (private influencers); confidentiality shelters (tricky concealment); whistleblower reminders (speaking has peril).Those thread Guyana’s corruption fabric. The evidence challenges of corruption defendersleadership denials, wagon circlers, social themduescantcommissionsOfficersOmbudsmenleadersdependentproblem,publicinspirebeginning.fromcredibility.justice?chicanery,exposingenough,istosafely?contrast,bearsWhobeguiling.boosters-representmediatheWhoknows?knowswhat?Whowatching?InhowtoexposeWhoisreliablego-personoragency?Whountainted,powerfultobeundeterredinfinancialgivingGuyaneseThepoliceareout.NoIt’sdownhillthatdisastrousVeryfewjuristsregard.Seniorservantsarenotsolution–tooonpoliticalfortheirexistence.andEthicslackmuscle,andcommandregardforescalationtoconclusionsaboutbeingcreaturesof
The above condition requires us the masses and those truly interested in sharing the bounty available not to be Currentfooled.events and the shenanigans in the oil and gas industry and our gold industry suggest that this spiritual awareness and consciousness is a matter of urgency if we are to close this month hopeful that we can come together to face the conglomerates and negotiate a fair deal so that this and succeeding generations would avoid the embarrassment of being recolonised, and escape the well known imperial technique of divide and rule. Let us work within our religious bodies, business enterprises and political parties to break the chain of mental slavery. Let us pay attention to editorials, to the crusaders who daily expose the inequalities noticeable in our present arrangement with the giant conglomerates. In this way, we honour those who struggled for India’s independence and emancipation of the slave. Hamilton Green Elder
Evidence of corruption needed?
GHKSincerely,Lall
TheProtectiveviasincewithholdresihimself.cronies;tangentially.developmentsbesmirchedname,involved;NBS,Arjoontrouble.investigate;evidenceshortchangedandsenior.possibly.neglected.thepossibledisappear,surveillancevanquished.andhadBacchus:battleground.ThenuntoucheduncompromisedGuyaneseface.thereistheWehadinformerGeorgedispatched.WediligentAliciaFosterLavoyTaljit–bothWehadevidencedoctored;interceptionsreMainStreetmurderOrdersLikelyveryStill,thedeviousethicallysaypresenttopolice;thepoliceareTherewereMauriceandKentVincentofwithpoliticsoneman,oneonepowermostdirectlyorLookathisstudythemanAbsorbthis,dentUSsecuritypeopleintelfromlocals,soldtointendedtargetspoliticalandpolicehands.Further,thereistheDisclosuresAct.adventurouscantestits
unclean leading political operators. Obviously, massive areas for intel sharing are eliminated because of zero trust, great fear. Guyanese are in this harrowing place because of the acute failures of presidents, ministers, religious ministers (bias), and learning lessons from the fate of others.Everywhere there is stark fear in this North Korean-East German-Red Chinese silent, survivalistSectionssociety.ofthe media generate confidence. None touches State media, or politically inclined ‘independent’ media? The perceptions of clean servants are put head down, know nothing, assure continuity; if not the private sector (patented leprosy) and overseas beckon as remaining options, if accessible. This is part one of what
Thursday August 18, 2022 Kaieteur News PAGE 5






Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum
PAGE 6 Kaieteur News Thursday August 18, 2022
me,calledclaimedthatandsuspectmentioninvestigation.suspectbeingBascomatwhetherrespondingdon’treportBascomStation…WhetheratreportinvestigateWednesday.ConferenceCommissioneradetective.didsuperiors,knowledgethatShorts”.bettermurderwantedthreatenedSergeantStationlodged(CID)InvestigationconfirmedWednesdayonthattheCriminalDepartmentwasawareofareportattheBrickdamPoliceallegingthatpoliceDionBascomwasbyasuspectfortheMarch2021ofRicardoFagundesknownas“PaperBlanhumevenadmitteddespitehavingofthis,Bascom’sincludinghimself,nothingtoassuretheHemadethecommentsatnewsconferenceheldattheofPolice’sRoomon“TheCIDdonotthreats.SoaasIwastoldwasmadetheBrickdamPoliceMr.followeduponhisatthepolicestation,Iknow.”BlanhumwasatthetimetoaquestiononornotheandothersCIDcanconfirmthatmadeareportofthreatenedbyainthemurderHewascarefulnottothenameofthebutresponded,“Firstforemost,theinformationIhavereceived,Bascomthatanindividualhimandsaidifyouwantcomeandgetmeat By Shervin Belgrave
MurderedRicardo Fagundes Police SergeantDion Bascom Crime Chief, Wendell Blahnum “XYZ” place… whether that is a threat or not, I won’t be able to Thesay”.Crime Chief then added that his detectives would receive threats all the time and it is the Force’s Standing Operating Procedure for them to lodge an occurrence.Blanhumalso confirmed Bascom’s claim that his superiors were indeed the ones who had advised him to make a report after complaining to them about the threats. Kaieteur News had initially reported in February this year that an arresting officer and some other ranks were threatened by a suspect in the Fagundes’ murder case, after they had gone to arrest him on three occasions. That suspect was identified as “Shop Man”, a security guard that works with a prominent business establishment located in centralWhenGeorgetown.themedia reports about the threats surfaced, Kaieteur News learnt that the threatened cop was taken off the case and transferred to another location.Back then, the Crime Chief had said that the cop was among a group of ranks who were promoted and because of his ascension in the Force, he was transferred. Sources had contested this and related that after the report surfaced, Bascom was accused of leaking out information to the media that could jeopardize the case. Months later, in a ‘Facebook Live,’ Bascom identified himself as the cop who was threatened and identified “Shop Man” as Mark Richmond, a security guard with Mohamed’s Enterprise.Hesought clarity too that he had not gone to arrest the suspect on three occasion but only once and alleged that the man had told him to stop looking and asking people for him.The company had later confirmed that indeed Mark Richmond is a part of its security team but not the head of the security operations as Kaieteur News had initially reported.Bascom had made these revelations, while accusing his superiors at CID of setting him up in a recent drug bust at Norton Street simply because he had accused them of accepting a bribe to coverup the case. Bascom had named one of the superiors as Superintendant Mitchell Caesar and publicly accused the senior cop of collecting a $30M bribe to destroy evidence.Asitrelates to the murder investigation, Bascom gave details alleging how the superiors were covering up the Hecase.claimed that with the use of technology, he and some other ranks had managed to place Mark Richmond at the crime scene on the night “Paper Shorts” wasFagundesmurdered.was reportedly gunned down around 21:00hrs on Main Street by two men seen on a CCTV camera emerging from the back of a white tinted Toyota Fielder.According to Bascom, phone records had also showed that Richmond was in contact with prominent businessman, Azruddin Mohamed around the time of the killing.When this information was related to the superiors, they allegedly never acted on it. Blanhum and his detectives at Wednesday’s press conference called Bascom’s allegations false and even moved to debunk the claims implicating Mohamed in the murder and placing the suspect at the crimeThescene.Crime Chief said that the Force is not in possession of any device or technology that could make suchHediscoveries.wentonfurther to state that the other investigator who the one was allegedly using the technology while Bascom was present has since made a statement denying the Meanwhileclaims.the acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken upheld a statement he had made on Tuesday evening calling Bascom’s allegations of an alleged police cover-up unfounded.Inthatstatement, Hicken said that Bascom never submitted himself for an investigation or provided any evidence to back up his accusations.Infact,the investigation by Force’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) was focused only on Bascom’s alleged breach of the police’s code of conduct… And according to Hicken, the findings with recommended charges has already been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) SC. Shalimar Hack for legal advice.However, Kaieteur News understands that Bascom was reluctant to cooperate with the OPR investigation or submit any evidence because the same individuals he has accused of the cover-up are tasked with the responsibility of reviewing the case file before sending it to the DPP. The businessman, who he implicated in “Paper Shorts” murder, the suspect he accused of threatening him and the police superintendant he claimed covered-up the case for $30M, have threatened millions in lawsuits for defamation of character. In response, Bascom publicly stated that he stands by his allegations and is prepared to defend himself in court.His lawyer, Nigel Hughes has since written a letter to President Mohamed Irfaan Ali requesting witness protection for his client. Ali at sidelines of an event on Wednesday said that he did not read Hughes’ letter but is not against granting Bascom protection if it is needed. As investigation continues into the murder case, Blanhum and his team assured the media that his detectives have been working along with (Continued
Crime Chief confirms Detective Sgt. was threatened by murder suspect but says CID don't investigate threats
“Paper Shorts” murder…
on page 18)









No one, not even the Guyana Government trusts the Guyana Police Force. It is the least credible public institution in this country and perhaps the hemisphere. When a crime is committed, no one expects it to be solved. No one wants to even make a report to the Force. It is the sad state of affairs for such a key institution that has responsibility of protecting citizens. There have been calls for an international investigation into the Fagundes’ killing and the alleged cover-up. We believe there should a probe into the entire Force from which should flow sweeping changes from top to bottom.
Police credibility
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The Guyana Police Force is fighting to protect its tattered image following bombshell revelations by one of its own that senior officers are part of a grand cover-up of the investigations into the murder of businessman, Ricardo Fagundes. It is nothing new. This has been the case for decades and from commissioner to commissioner, nothing is being done to reform this State institution.
he refusal of the institutions such as judicial killings, and the the elite of the PPP, friends, issue on hand must be of a Irfaan Ali regime GuySuCo. unlawful cover up of and family The PPP is “definite matter of urgent to investigate the This view was expressed m u r d e r s a n d o t h e r compelled to criminalise the public importance,” and inT allegations of by the APNU +AFC illegalities as seen Statesoitcanbeprotected.A his opinion, the issue bribery and corruption opposition at the weekly perpetrated by members of state that operates based on regarding the VP was not. against Vice President press conference held on the Guyana Police Force the rule of law is impossible TheSpeakersaidhehasseen Bharrat Jagdeo continues to Tuesday The party claimed (GPF) and PPPoperatives in under the PPP It is in this in the media many such embolden the corrupt that the government refusal State institutions. “The PPP context, we again call on the allegations of corruption officersintheGuyanaPolice to act could lead to further politicization of the GPF is VicePresidenttoresignorbe against many current Force and other State corruption, bribery, extra- clearly intended to protect removed from office and for members of the Assembly an international, credible “And if we have to take investigation team be every allegation in the press assembled to investigate the on any issue as a matter of allegations against Bharrat urgent public importance, Jagdeo,” the party outlined then we are going to have, in intheirstatement. my view, a Parliament that Scores of Guyanese, will be considerably including those in civil diminished.” society have called for an have the matter addressed at This, the Speaker said, independent investigation to the level of Parliament adding that in applying the be conducted following the However, Speaker of the two basic principles of accusation leveled against National Assembly, urgency and public J a g d e o b y C h i n e s e Manzoor Nadir dismissed importance, “I do not see the Businessman, Su Zhi Rong the Opposition’s Motion urgency in this. While the in aVice News documentary calling for an independent issue of corruption is publishedlastmonth. probeoftheallegations. important to all of us, the The Opposition was In announcing his urgency of the particular particularly vocal on the decisiononthematter,Nadir allegation I cannot accept issue, making attempts to informed the House that the andsoIdenythisrequest.” Ali’s refusal to remove Jagdeo, probe bribery widespread corruption
on
- APNU+AFC
Kaieteur NewsPAGE 08 Thursday August 18, 2022
allegations opening floodgates for
Pres.
9)
Vice BharratPresident,Jagdeo PAHO in move to strengthen preparedness, response to future pandemics in Caribbean During a regional there were 170 million cases convention adopted by workshop in Argentina, the and nearly 3 million deaths Member States of the World Director of PAHO called for due to COVID-19 in the Health Organization (WHO) countries to increase Americas. She noted that to prevent and respond to investment in epidemic and other respiratory pathogens public health threats that can pandemic preparedness are re-emerging, and that cross borders and affect because the question is not seasonal influenza causes populations around the “if there will be a new between 290,000 and world. “Functioning health pandemic,butwhen”. 650,000 deaths each year in systemsarethefoundationof With the aim of the region. “We must never health security,” asserted Dr supportingcountriesinLatin forgetthatitisnotaquestion Etienne and it is essential to America and the Caribbean of whether a pandemic will “secure supply chains of to develop or update their occur due to a new influenza vaccines, medicines, operational plans to face virus, but when it will laboratoryreagents,personal future pandemics, the Pan occur,”shewarned. protective equipment and A m e r i c a n H e a l t h “Our capacity to respond other strategic public health Organization (PAHO) is to health emergencies goods” before the next holding a regional workshop depends on what we have emergency occurs, and on preparedness and done before they occur and “strengthen the resilience of response to events with what we have learned during health systems with human pandemic and epidemic previous emergencies” such resourcesandplanning.” potential in Buenos Aires as COVID 19, said the The PAHO Director this week. This workshop PAHO Director during the recalled that two centers in will build on the lessons opening of the workshop, Argentina and Brazil were learnedfromCOVID-19. which brings together designated by WHO for the “As we meet today, we technical experts in future development and continue to deal with the epidemiology, laboratory, production of vaccines using c u r r e n t C O V I D 1 9 immunization and risk m R N A t e c h n o l o g y, pandemic and, at the same communication from the somethingthatisexpectedto time, we are facing an ministries of Health of improve timely and outbreak of Monkeypox in Argentina, Bolivia, equitable access to vaccines several countries,” said Colombia, Costa Rica, in the region and contribute PAHO Director Carissa F Dominican Republic, El to health self sufficiency Etienne COVID 19, she Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, “Allofthisiskeyforustobe said, “has been a formidable Honduras, Nicaragua, prepared to respond and challenge” and “a stark ParaguayandSuriname. succeed during emergencies r e m i n d e r o f t h e A preparedness and thatthreatenourregion,”she responsibility we all have to responseplanforeventswith stressed. invest in prevention, epidemic and pandemic TheMinisterofHealthof preparednessandresponseto potential is one of the core Argentina, Carla Vizzotti, communicable pathogen capacities required by the considered that the COVIDevents”. International Health 19 pandemic showed that Dr Etienne highlighted Regulations (IHR), a legally health“mustbeapriorityfor that, as of last Wednesday, binding international (Continued page


(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Thursday August 18, 2022 Kaieteur News PAGE 9
THOSE EXAMINATIONS
Only in Guyana, we does gat electronic traffic lights wah can adjust fuh peak and off-peak periods. Yet every day during peak hours, we gat police ranks being stationed at junctions with traffic lights to direct de flow of traffic. Dem boys thought dat dese ranks woulda get put weh no traffic lights deh and instead adjust de lights to cater fuh de heavier traffic. Only in Guyana! But dat is Guyana. Yuh spend tens of thousands of dollars on traffic lights, yet yuh gat to put police fuh direct traffic. Only in Guyana!
Dem boys seh...
De guvament create thousands ah part-time jobs. But guess wat, dem nah create part-time jobs fuh traffic wardens fuh direct traffic in de busy city. Every two corner in de city, dem gat traffic jam during de day. And not a policeman or warden can be found. But yet de guvament claim dem creating part-time jobs. Only in Guyana! We gat nuff roundabout in de city. Dem gat one by de Cenotaph and we gat one around de St. George’s Cathedral. Yet at de fuss one, dem gat traffic lights. And all because nobody nah decide yet fuh lane de roundabout. Only in Guyana!We build four-lane highway pon de East Coast. Yet, dem gat zone wah de speed limit is 55 kmh. And dat is pon a four-lane highway. Only in OnlyGuyana!inGuyana, we gat markets alongside four-lane highway. Only in Guyana, de more four-lane highway yuh build, de more permission being granted fuh businesses alongside de highway. Talk half. Leff half. success of these students but I do hope that there are no tradeoffs between the number of subjects written and the quality of the students that are being produced. To me it is simply amazing to comprehend so many students passing so many subjects at one sitting.Ofcourse as with other examinations, the results of the top performers do not reflect the overall passes of all those who sat the examination.Forevery student that excels, there will be 10 others that have not made the grade. It is also noticeable that despite the fact the top performers at these examinations have been chalking up in excess of 10 passes, most employers still ask for a mere four or five subjects at one sitting or six at two sitting; the same thing also prevails for entry into tertiary educational institutions such as the University of Guyana. This is the best indicator, short of the Ministry of Education providing data as to the average number of subjects passed per student, that the average passes per student per sitting is less than half of what the top performers achieve. This column has always insisted that the Ministry of Education should publish the total number of students that sat five or more subjects at each sitting of these examinations and should indicate just how many of these secured passes in five or more subjects at the three top Thegrades.issue of the grading in respect to the CXC examinations also still befuddles me. We now have the possibility of student gaining a Grade 1 at the CXC but this may not necessarily be with a distinction. In the past when one spoke of a Grade 1, thus automatically was presumed to be a distinction. I believe that this situation should be remedied by the Caribbean Examinations Council which should direct that a Grade 1 be a pass with distinction and a Grade 2 be a pass with credit and a Grade 3, a general pass. There is no such problem with the GCE examinations. An “A” in those examinations refers to a distinction.Thisissomething that the Ministry of Labour should closely examine since if we are moving closer to international standards, we need to ensure that the grading schemes of the respective examinations that our students do are standardised so that both a Grade 1 and an “A” refer to a distinction.Representation needs to be made to the Caribbean Examinations Council to have this situation with its various Grade 1s rectified to a single Grade 1 which should indicate a pass with a distinction. To hear about someone passing, obtaining eight Grade 1s with four distinctions, is all too confusing, and will pose problems for employers in the labour market.
Only in Guyana
I am wondering just how they do it. Either these kids today are sharper and brighter than what we produced in the past or the examinations are becoming easier. I am in no position to say since I have not analysed the content of the examinations so as to make a judgment as to which period there were more difficult examinations. I am also unable at this time to make a comparison between the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Examinations which originate in London and those of the Caribbean Examinations CouncilWhat(CXC).Idoknow is that the students of today who are writing 19 and 20 subjects at the ‘O’ levels as compared to seven and eight subjects two or three decades ago, have a wider choice of subjects and this in itself provides some cushion for them. I have seen for example a host of subject areas such as information technology and computer science which were not offered in the past, and which allow present day students to write these high levels of examinations. I am not trying to take away anything from the
From page 8 everyone” because “without health, one cannot study, work or produce”. After indicating that the government had to reformulate its response to the pandemic, Vizzotti said that the region must tackle the challenges around access to medical supplies -something learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, and “think about how we can produce and expand access to Reflectingvaccines.”onthe countries’ response to the emergency, Vizzotti stated that, PAHO in move to strengthen preparedness... “we were able to do many things in a very short time. We have to look back to see what we learned, but also forward in order to make improvements and take action that will position us better for the next “Thepandemic”.COVID-19pandemic is not over yet,” said the PAHO Representative in Argentina, Eva Jané Llopis, and added that since the declaration of the public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020, “the response had to be adjusted, to seek funding and involve other sectors” due to its great scope and duration. “Reflecting on what we did, taking it to the level of strategies, and thinking about other epidemiological challenges is crucial to continue moving forward,” she said. PAHO expects to hold similar workshops with other countries in the region during 2022. The outputs of this and other workshops will integrate the vision of the Americas region into global pandemic preparedness and response documents and guidelines.


THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN Frederick Kissoon
here is no other country needs another Mark public parking. Where then Cheryl Darrell. It was clear on the intercom. police force and Benschop. At the moment, I arevisitorstopark? Ms. Darrell did not like me Someone came on government in do not share even in the Security personnel told but we absolutely had no t h e i n t e r c oT any other country remotest way, the politics of me the cones were there for unfriendly exchange The without identify that would allow its Traffic Benschop. years.Somethingwaswrong cameras would show that I himselfandtoldus Chief to be contemptuously But whether you like here. How can a trillion only spoke to Ms. Darrell. It have to wait until the dismissed by a private Benschop or not; during his dollar company hijack an meant that management chief security officer sayingIwasaprivatecitizen company, the way Banks active days in Guyana, he enormous amount of public heardthatIwascomplaining islocated. butnotthepolice. DIHtreatedtheTrafficChief espoused human rights parapet? Inside the office, a about the cones and evicted After waiting, the TC Onlyonepersonspoketo atThirstParkyesterday causes. If Benschop were management official told me me. I sought protection from decided that he has to make the TC. Not one official I am calling on the here, he would have that was company policy the Commissioner of Police. contact with management.A came out to meet him or Commissioner of Police and protested the illegal afterIcomplained. HeaskedtheTrafficChiefto woman came on the invited him in. I knew there theMinisterofHomeAffairs hegemonyofBanksDIH. I was given the number check on the legalities of the intercom and insisted that and then what I was to demand an apology from Yesterday morning, my of the legal department. I cones The Traffic Chief the TC must wait. The TC witnessing – the power of Mr Clifford Reis Two daughter, wife and I went to was right in front the door of (TC),InspectorRamdas,and asked for name and money and status that thingsonmymindneedtobe BanksDIHatThirstPark.As the office but decided to ring I travelled to Thirst Park. designation, she refused, derecognises any authority said. I drove in, the gate security first.IwastoldMs.Williams Then something weird then, said her name was Ms. in government, the police One is that Mr Reis, at toldmetheyhavenoparking cannot see me because she happened. Weeks but flatly refused to and the army It is a sad day age90,needstoretireandlet facility for non-staff. I then was busy After I came off Remember management give her designation. All of for any country and for the new brains lead Banks DIH enquired why then almost the phone, security came up knew I was evicted and the this waiting wa s at the front rule of law when the Traffic into the future. The board half of a mile of public to me and told me placeisringedwithcameras. security hut. At no time, Chief of a country could be and management of Banks parapet, beginning from management has ordered me So, they saw when I arrived anyone from management treatedlikethat. DIH have too many persons Rahaman’s Turn way down to leave. I spoke to no one with the two police officers. invited the TC and Inspector He was a gentleman and that need to give way in a to Mandela Avenue on the except one lady. I had no Immediately, one of the Ramdasforadiscussion. in order to preserve his country where 70 percent of Ruimveldt public road, encounter with anyone at security ranks went on the The TC and Inspector credibility, he walked away thepopulationisunder45. Banks DIH has placed Thirst Park. I spoke with intercom and pretended he Ramdas knew they were saying that the police will The second thing is this dozens of cones preventing only one lady whose name is wastalking. given the grand run-around. remove the cones. Oh, how I He took more than five Banks DIH management wish I were the same crazy minutes.SotheTCaskedthe knew we were there. They youthIwassolongago. rank manning the outpost if were looking at us from the (The views expressed in she got through to cameras. I have no locus this article are those of the management. standi in the matter but the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t Shesaidshecannotmake police did. Banks DIH could necessarily reflect the contact because someone is have refused to talk to me by opinions of this newspaper.)
What Banks DIH did the Traffic Chief and me
Kaieteur NewsPAGE 10 Thursday August 18, 2022




Thursday August 18, 2022 Kaieteur News PAGE 11


Local Math teachers to get help
Kaieteur NewsPAGE 12 Thursday August 18, 2022 …asEducationMinistry,Canadian Govt.embarkontrainingexercise
Canadian High Commission Mark Berman engages participants at the training programme for specialist Mathematics teachers Underscoring the Mclaren, a specialist from importance of having Red River Valley School teachers equipped to teach Division in Canada, along the various subjects areas, with NCERD Specialists, the Ministry of Education on Leslin Elliot, Kathleen Tuesday launched a Parasnath and Vishnu programme to train Panday, who is also Head of specialist Mathematics MathematicsatNCERD. teachers. During brief remarks, The programme is being Director of NCERD, Ms hostedinNationalCentrefor QuenitaWalrond-Lewis said Educational Resource that the programme plays a Development - NCERD’s significant part in the rollout auditorium and is in of the renewed curriculum. collaboration with the She explained that while the Government of Canada n e w M a t h e m a t i c s throughtheCanadaCaricom curriculum is guided by Expert Employment international best practices, Programme(CCEP). it is contextually prepared The programme aims to for Guyana. “We are not prepare primary school plucking and transplanting. teachers to serve as We are assessing what is are future stewards of this children learn naturally will see that Mathematics is expertise Canada can bring Specialist Mathematics good, what is quality, and nation. w h i c h i s t h r o u g h centraltowhatweneedtodo to Guyana to work with Teachers of Grades One to what is best for our “So, we are excited m a n i p u l a t i o n a n d in terms of reforming the professionals in several Fourcurriculumanddevelop indigenous setting because because we get to do a new e x p e r i m e n t i n g school system for better sectors. “We’re delighted to a repository of resources for thatistheonlywaythatthese t h i n g i n p r i m a r y implementation.” results.” be able to organise this and them to utilise when initiatives work. When we mathematics education Chief Education Officer, High Commissioner of bring an expert here to work planningtheirsessions. takethebestthatwecanfind where we bring learning Dr Marcel Huston deemed Canada to Guyana, Mark with you all; it couldn’t have Under the initiative, a around them and adapt for back to the hearts of t h e p r o g r a m m e a s Berman highlighted this is come at a better time total of thirty teachers from ourcontext,”Walrondsaid. children, back to play, back transformative for primary the first in-person technical Guyana is at a significant across Region Four will be She added that also to pedagogy that requires us education and urged the assistance initiative through point in history and growth, trained to be Specialist aligns with the education to be curious, experimental, participants to view the CCEP being carried out in so we are extremely proud MathematicsTeachersovera sector plan to create citizens ask questions and seek sessions as such. “When we Guyana. He further that at this pivotal time, four-day period. Facilitators who are critical thinkers, answers in ways that are look at our strategic plan expressedthatthiswillbethe CCEDM is here to help,” forthetrainingincludeHylin problem solvers, and who endemic to the ways that 2021-2025 Vision 2030, you first in many areas of Bermansaid. hile it has i n t e r v i e w w i t h t h e rapidly expanding oil and 40 different services that oil taken note of Newsroom on Friday sought gasindustry.” and gas companies and their t h e to justify the extensive Henotedthat“TheLocal subcontractors must procureW complaints of period in which businesses Content Secretariat, and by from Guyanese companies the lengthy wait by small wait for their payments. He extension the Ministry of bytheendof2022. contractors to receive their saidthatthecostsaresubject Natural Resources realise For instance, these payments for the provision to a rigorous process which that in order to create a companies must procure of goods and services to the is an accepted norm around system that works in the from Guyanese companies, oil companies, the Local the world and that their interest of both contractors 90 percent of office space Content Secretariat (LCS) clients have the assurance of and suppliers, continuous rental and accommodation said it is virtually powerless being paid, despite there is engagement is warranted at services; 90 percent to bring any redress to the nodefinitivetimeline. alllevels.” janitorial services, laundry issue. In the meantime, “This has to do with the and catering services; 95 This was explained by Director of the LCS Martin fact that local content in percentpestcontrolservices; the newly minted Head of Pertab told Kaieteur News Guyanaisrelativelynewand 100 percent local insurance CommunicationsattheLCS, that while LCS has taken a work in progress. To this services; 75 percent local Mikaila Prince. Prince told note of the complaints by end, we have been working supply of food; and 90 Kaieteur News that the small and medium size closely with contractors, percent local accounting lengthy delays in payments businesses, it will continue sub contractors and services. to small or medium-sized to engage both the suppliers to facilitate These are just a few of business are not an isolated contractors and suppliers to implementation of the Local the services highlighted in one. try to find resolves to the ContentAct,”headded. thefirstscheduleintheLocal She noted that the delay opportunities of the oil and companies. Just last week, issues. Earlier this year, the ContentAct. in payments to small gas sector continue to President of ExxonMobil In a statement in N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y The Act also details businessesisaninternational complainaboutthelongwait Guyana, a major player in response to Kaieteur News, approved $22 million to penalties for oil and gas normwiththeoilcompanies. for payment for their goods the field, Alistair Routledge Pertabsaid,“Itmustbenoted begin works on the companies and their sub“So there is basically isn’t andservices. not only admitted to forcing thatthispracticeisonethatis establishment of the Local contractors who fail to meet anything that the Local Local businesses have companies to wait for not supported by the Local Content Secretariat – the the minimum targets of the ContentSecretariatcandoto complained on having to several months to receive Content Secretariat, which body responsible for legislation, as well as those address the issue,” she said. wait for up to six months or their pay, but is also aims to promote and o v e r s e e i n g a n d who are in breach of theAct. Her comments come even as later to receive payments for defending the lengthy preserve the interests of implementation of Guyana’s These fines range from as small/medium businesses goods and services already waitingtime. Guyanese and Guyanese the Local Content Act. The low as $5 million to as high are seeking to tap into the provided to oil and gas Routledge during an owned businesses in our Local Content Act outlines as$50million.
‘There is nothing we can do’ Director of the Local Content Secretariat, Martin Pertab.
- Local Content Secretariat says powerless to rectify lengthy delays in payments to small businesses by oil companies


VP Jagdeo, Pres. over renegotiation of Exxon contract
Kaieteur News PAGE 13Thursday August 18, 2022
EU Ambassador (left) and President Irfaan Ali
Vice BharratPresident,Jagdeo ice President spoken about many times safe and of benefit to the to allow them to continue (VP) Bharrat and the minister, is that entire population That investing in the production Jagdeo and his future PSAs would be far interview premiered on of Guyana’s oil and gasV boss, President differentfromthisone.” August 12, less than a week resources. IrfaanAliareatoddsoverthe However, on August 6, after the VP spoke of The 2016 PSA issue of renegotiation of the during an outreach hosted at renegotiatingthedeal. ActivistsinGuyanahave lopsided ExxonMobil Patentia, West Bank Routledgeeventurnedto beenlobbyingforchangesto contract, with the VP on Demerara (WBD), Jagdeo Mikhail Rodrigues, be made to the 2016 PSA as record acknowledging that who has oversight of the oil popularly known as the Guyana receives a mere two the “bad” oil contract will and gas sector while GuyaneseCriticonSaturday percent royalty for its sweet change in the future, but the addressing hundreds of for exclusive discussion light crude and settled for 50 Guyanese leader saying, residents specifically stated: where he again defended the percent profit sharing, after therewillbenochangetothe “on the one hand, you see oil contract. Routledge in Exxon takes 75 percent of deal. Rystad Energy and Exxon respondingtothequestionof the earnings to clear its On the sidelines of an trying to prove that they are considering a renegotiation expenses. eventonWednesday,Aliwas the best thing for Guyana, of the oil contract said, “The The deal that the oil asked by this publication which is not so.The contract business we are in is we company often brags about whether a renegotiation of was bad, we have to change don’tknowwhat’scomingor to its shareholders, also the deal is presently on the it in the future but we are not what’s in the corner It may forces Guyanese to pay their table when he insisted that goingtorenegotiatenow.” look great today but I would share of taxes, amounting to forthepeopleontheWBD.there will be no such thing. Nonetheless, Jagdeo gathering which other say we kind of made it look millions of US dollars each See link below from 11Infact,hewentontosaythat pointed out that when he contract exists that only easysofar year minutes:he does not believe the VP notices the “extremism” in benefits oil companies, Alot of the resource that This figure is likely to https://fb.watch/eZ3Bmwas quoted correctly the daily newspapers rather than countries, but wefoundisgoingtobemore further balloon as more WO6a2/According to the Head of “swinging from one end to noted that his administration difficult to develop The operations come on stream. Following the VPsState, “I don’t think you are the other in terms of policy stands in the middle where return on those won’t be as In addition, the country is r e m a r k s r e g a r d i n gquoting the Vice President making,itis obvious thatthe thedealisconcerned. good as the Liza Field. The allowing ExxonMobil to renegotiation of the oilcorrectly because the Vice administration simply “We stand in the middle first Field that we found was operate offshore without full contract, President ofPresident would have said cannot succumb to such and we are not going to be the best resource that we liability coverage in the ExxonMobil Guyana,that future (Production strategies, especially since populists in orientation found in the Stabroek Block. event of an oil spill, which AlistairRoutledgeembarkedSharing Agreements) PSAs the “big goal is long term because government’s side Thatwaswherewestarted.” means that the risk is borne on a public relationswould be different from development, however hard that are populists in He went on to explain byGuyana. campaign to sell the oil dealthis ” The President itis.” orientation and say things that so far, the reservoirs Another key provision asbeinggoodforGuyana.Intherefore noted that this is He went on to explain thatpeopleonlywanttohear, havenotbeenaslucrative.At that is lacking in the a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h“completely different” from that while Kaieteur News they can never craft a the same time, the high price document is ring fencing Newsroom, an online mediasayingthecurrentagreement and “a few others” believe sustainable policy for the of oil on the global market provision, which would entity closely affiliated withwouldbechanged. that the contract is the worst country,”theformerHeadof “will almost certainly fall” avoid the oil company from the government, RoutledgeTothisend,hesaid,“The in the world, this too is State noted, before which means that the using the petroleum revenue sought to assure citizens thatgovernment’s position, simply not true. Jagdeo did switching gears to discuss businessmustbe“robustand in one field to cover for its operations in Guyana arewhich I have heard the VP not bother to tell the part-time job opportunities durable” for all stakeholders expensesinanother
ByZenaHenry with sophisticated investors done”. system is not usual since coming here, that local TheEUAmbassadorina there are countries that s calls for the business people must spend side interview told media provide such documents to delivery of days in neighbouring personnelthatworkhasbeen countries in other states,ASchengen visas Suriname to access the visa ongoing in relation to the pointing to Cubans, for heighten, European Union toEurope. visa matter He noted example, having to collect (EU)Ambassador, Fernando The President said that however, that the existing American visas here in Ponz Canto informed “it’s not a luxury for the EU problem,“…isthatthisisnot Guyana. Ponz Canto noted W e d n e s d a y t h a t anymore to take their time a responsibility of the EU, that the matter is a consideration is being given and grant us that facility”, but of the EU members.” In complicated one, but issued to have the travel document since the bloc must other words, he continued, his support for the complete provided in country understand that it is in their “the delegation of the EU removal of visas to travel to periodically by consular strategic interest to have that doesn’t have the mandate to Europe. “What I would like officials as to ease the hassle facility here in Guyana as deliver any visas.” He said it is to get to an agreement for of Guyanese having to travel soon as the next three is the competency of the lifting the visa requirements, to Suriname for permission months. member states and in this but this is clearly for the toaccessEuropeannations. The President suggested case, it is the Netherlands longer term.” He also shared The Ambassador’s that the parties have to find a that delivers visas to the idea of having the office statement came shortly after way to get the visa issue Guyanese. Ponz Canto said for the visa moved to President Irfaan Ali joined resolved; that is which he understands the Guyana, but noted the local stakeholders in embassy is in a position to frustration associated with numerous difficulties in registeringtheimportanceof get it done in the next three having to go to Suriname for doing so, including the the visa being delivered in- months and what Guyana the visas, “but we are financeinvolved. country, given the strong must do to get it done. “We working hard to find a United Kingdom (UK) relationship the country has can’t have our business solution”, and facilitate High Commissioner to withitsEuropeanpartners. people going to Suriname to changeofthesystem. “Who Guyana Jane Miller recently At the launch of the develop, and apart fromT h e G e o r g e t o w n spendthreedaysandthenget knows perhaps, of course highlighted that the British upcoming Guyana/EU being the richest country inChamber of Commerce and a travel document it’s without any commitment, government was considering Chamber of Commerce theworldpercapita,thetimeIndustry (GGCI) just days “nonsense” that it is but one possibility could be anassessmentthatcouldlead event yesterday, former has come for the facilities toago reiterated its long absolutely ridiculous” he that some officials could to the removal of visa Trade and Tourism Minister, beinGuyana.standing call for the removal told the gathering The come periodically and restrictions on Guyanese Manniram Prashad also PresidentAliaddedtotheof the visa requirement that President also suggested that deliver the visas. We are travelling to that European called for an ease in conversation saying that it isexists for Guyanese who within the next 48 hours, the exploringthatpossibility,we state. accessing the travel “nonsense” and “absolutelywish to travel to the UK government and the envoy don’t know whether it will She said that the visa document by having the ridiculous” that in thisfollowing the return of can “double down” on the work,” the Ambassador issue is a matter that the facility in-country He said modernworldwhereGuyanaBritish Airways’ service to issue, and “make the related. nation is constantly looking that as Guyana continues to is strategically positionedthecountry appropriate noise and get it He said the current at.
President Irfaan Ali
Ali at odds
…EU Ambassador says periodic delivery of travel document being looked at Pres. Ali nudges EU on in-country access to Schengen visas



CCJ to rule on appeal in Neesa Gopaul murder case on Friday he Caribbean Court of Justice is set to rule on its review of the NeesaGopaultrialonFridayT
Kaieteur NewsPAGE 14 Thursday August 18, 2022
The Neesa Gopaul case had gripped the nation in March of 2015, when her mother, Bibi Shareema Gopaul, and her stepfather, Jarvis ‘Barry’Small, were sentenced for her gruesomemurder In October, 2010, Gopaul, 15, a student of Queen’s College was reported missing from her Leonora, West Coast Demerara home. Her disappearance took a sudden twistwhenapartiallydecomposedbodywas found in a suitcase submerged in the Madewini Creek on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway–attachedtothesuitcaseweretwo dumbbells and a red rope which was purportedly used to anchor the suitcase and keepitsubmerged. A passport was also discovered in the Appeal in Guyana saw the duo’s sentence suitcaseandaninvestigationlaterconfirmed beingreducedto45yearseach. that the passport and the decomposed Not satisfied with the deduction, the two remains were that of Neesa Gopaul. A movedtotheCCJinhopesthatthecourtwill subsequent probe led to the arrest of her overturntheconvictionandsentenceandset motherandstepfather themfree. Following a joint trial in the High Court Their appeal has since been heard by before Justice Navindra Singh, Bibi (CCJ) with defence attorneys representing Shareema and Small were convicted. They the duo convicted of murder raising were sentenced to 106 years and 96 years in contentions over what they believe to be prisonrespectively prejudicial evidence used in their High However, an appeal to the Court of Courttrial. Murdered: Neesa Gopaul.
Local, Foreign Consortium is first to be accredited to deliver oil sector training s t r a t e g i c provide best practice firefighting emergency alliancebetween guidance and quality responsetraining. G u y a n a ’ s assurance for standards and Located in Lusignan,A O r i n d u i k competence management more than (USD) $20M has Development Incorporated, Furthermore, OPITO been invested into the the USA’s Windsor certification is a common infrastructurewhichfeatures Technologies, and the UK’s requirementforthousandsof its own skills hall, welding 3t EnerMech, has paved the global offshore workers andfabricationshop,rigging way for the country’s first whose employers require a and lifting areas, technology accreditedcentrefortraining shared knowledge of safe suite and a 14ft deep sea and certification from the w o r k i n g p r a c t i c e s survivalpool. OffshorePetroleumIndustry benchmarked against the T h i s n e w s p a p e r Training Organization sameindustrystandard. understands that nine new (OPITO). The 3t EnerMech full time jobs have been Foundedin1977,OPITO Guyana Training Centre of created, including seven achievement I’m extremely “We look forward to the training they need to is the not for profit Excellence, developed by Guyanese nationals, with proud of our entire team and rolling out our first OPITO supporttheirbusinesses.The organisation that defines the the partners, has since been furtherlocalhiresplannedas partners for successfully programme along with a raft oil and gas sector is verystandards in the offshore oil established to support the an integral part of its growth passing the audit and ofothervitalsafetycourses.” buoyant in the region and and gas industry By region’s growing need to strategy It also plans to obtaining this globally Now operational, there is a large proportion of continually reviewing the increaseitsoilandgastalent. introduce class leading recognised accreditation for ODITC’s training centre has the workforce which will safety course curriculum, The new facility, according simulationandvirtualreality ourfacilitysosmoothly recently entered the final need regular training to Kaieteur News understands to the developers, obtained technologies aimed at the “Previously, Guyanese stages of its phase one industry standards to be able that OPITO makes sure that the OPITO approval to train rapidly growing offshore, nationals looking to secure development which is to work safely and w o r k i n g o f f s h o r e personnel across a range of drilling and Floating roles in oil and gas would be expected to be fully effectively We are well continually gets safer and rigger,banksmanandslinger Production Storage and faced with travelling to complete by September positioned to leverage ourless hazardous. Since 1991, skillsandcompetenciesafter Offloading (FPSO) vessel Trinidad, the USAor Europe 2022 The team recently strategic location, local the organization has set the meeting the strict criteria set operations. togainthenecessarytraining welcomed a VIP delegation, content, in-house trainingbar for safety in the oil and out by the global skills 3t EnerMech’s Alan and OPITO certification which included eight expertise and quality gas industry Each year it is organisation for the energy Sharp has recently been The JV business between members of the Georgetown accreditations to grow the training more than 250,000 sector In addition, 3t appointed General Manager local firms and 3t EnerMech Chamber of Commerce and business steadily and peoplearoundtheworld. EnerMech is on track to to oversee the new training was created precisely to Industry (GCCI) as well as significantly.” As well asImportantly, OPITO widen its OPITO offering in complex He said, “Being the mitigate these challenges, its president Timothy beingabletodeliverthisfirst develops technical and the coming weeks to include first training provider in with the Training Centre of Tucker, to see how its plans trancheofOPITOaccredited safety training standards Basic Offshore Safety Guyana to obtain OPITO Excellence offering areadvancing. courses, 3t EnerMech also which act as the oil and gas Induction and Emergency approvaltodeliveritstraining appropriate training that’s Mr Sharp added, “…To recently signed a four-yearindustry benchmarks and Training (BOSIET), and standards is a fantastic more accessible. Our main get to this point, we have exclusivity agreement with objectives are to help engaged with a number of t h e E n g i n e e r i n g develop the region’s international oil and gas Construction Industry homegrown talent and companies, drilling Training Board (ECITB) to sustain the growing needs of contractors and local supply become the sole provider of the sector for a safe, skilled chain in Guyana to ensure its licensed training in andcompetentworkforce. our course portfolio delivers AngolaandGuyana.



olice Sergeant, Demerara High Court D a m e i o n However, Justice KissoonPMcLennon, who denied the application w a s c h a r g e d w i t h stating that it was a matter of obstructing the course of publicinterest. justice in the murder of DaSilva later made Quindon Bacchus, was on another bail application but We d n e s d a y g r a n t e d this time before acting Chief $250,000 bail in High Court Justice(CJ),RoxaneGeorge. after spending more than a The CJ granted bail in the monthonremand. sum of $250,000 with no On July 5, McLennon, conditions attached to the 35, of Lot 175 ‘B’ Field, bail. In the bail application, South Sophia, Georgetown, DaSilva stated that the made his first court charge against his client is appearance via zoom before “eminently bailable ” He Chief Magistrate Ann noted too that his client was McLennan Also charged notonthesceneatthetimeof was Lance Corporal the shooting death of Thurston Simon, 24, of Bare Bacchus. Root,EastCoastDemerara. Quindon Bacchus was McLennon and Simon reportedly shot several times were charged for allegedly on June 10 allegedly by perverting the course of Special Branch rank, justice by providing false Kristoff DeNobrega, during information to investigators. an alleged sting operation at The charge against Haslington, East Coast McLennon stated that on Demerara An injured June 30, 2022, at Eve Leary, Bacchus was picked up and Georgetown, he willfully rushedtoahospitalwherehe attempted to obstruct the died while receiving course of justice by giving treatment. A post mortem false information to the conducted revealed that police, in the course of the Bacchus died of multiple investigation into the death g u n s h o t w o u n d s ofBacchus. DeNobrega was charged In July, attorney-at-law with murder, while Bernard DaSilva made a bail McLennon and Simon were application on behalf of charged for obstructing McLennon before Justice justice – DeNobrega and Sandil Kissoon in the Simonremainonremand. DameionSergeantMcLennon Shot and killed, Quindon Bacchus
Quindon Bacchus murder…
Kaieteur News PAGE 15Thursday August 18, 2022 Cop charged withHighjusticeobstructinggetsCourtbail




‘No insurance talks yet for gas-to-shore...’
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Experience Serving staff & Kitchen staff needed to work in a Restaurant. Whatsapp : Kitchen609-9893.assistant/ Sales Person and Babysitter needed. Call: 659-5559. were contracted to assist in the project management, engineering, and installation of the natural gas pipeline, with an associated shallow water portion and onshore approach making landfall to the west of the Demerara River, along the coast of Guyana. Subsea 7, according to its website, specialises in subsea engineering, construction and services mainly for the offshore energy industry. The company is registered in Luxembourg with its headquarters in London. Meanwhile, Royal Van Oord is a Dutch maritime contracting company that specialises in dredging, land reclamation and constructing man-made islands.The following week, it gave out another contract, this time to Technip FMC, a United-Kingdom based firm that provides expertise for subsea and surface projects. According to reports, the company received a “significant” contract to provide engineering, procurement, construction and installation of subsea risers and pipelines for the Wales Gas-to-Energy venture.Though a cost was not attached, it must be noted that a significant contract for Technip FMC is one within the range of $75 million and $250 million. The full contract award will not be included in inbound orders until the project receives a final investment decision and government approvals. It must be noted that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is yet to approve the pipeline aspect of the project, as citizens had objected to the impact assessment the company submitted. Meanwhile, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said that the government’s application for the project is currently being vetted by the regulatory body.
PAGE 16 Kaieteur News Thursday August 18, 2022
From page 2 pursued by the government. The arrangement will allow for the oil company to fund the pipeline and Guyanese will pay back those costs through the purchase of electricity generated in the process. The repayment will be done over a 20-year period. Given the metrics involved, citizens have questioned who would take responsibility for a leaking pipeline and if those costs would be billed to Guyana should any damage be caused. These concerns are yet to be addressed. In the absence of such details for the massive project, and with no insurance talks, Exxon has already embarked on making preparations for the construction of the pipeline. During the last week of July, Exxon entered into an agreement with two companies to aid in the laying of the 190 kilometre pipeline. Subsea 7 and Van Oord
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Among the important issues that will be discussed during an official state visit to Trinidad and Tobago this week, is a partnership between Guyana and the twin island state in the development of gas resources as part of a plan to facilitate the commodity within the region. This is according to President Irfaan
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President Irfaan Ali (left) and Trinidad Prime Minister Keith Rowley during the MOU signing
President Ali to discuss gas development
Ali who gave a rundown of the events that will take place in Trinidad within the next few days, as a follow up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which was recently signed by the two countries. Ali said that food security, energy partnerships, and the development of an efficient trade environment will be among important areas of discussions when he attends Trinidad and Tobago’s AgriInvestment Forum and Expo II which will open tomorrow and last until the 21. Ali said that Trinidad has some ideas in relation to gas development and wants to be part of the discussion with Guyana and Suriname in building up this corridor. That nation, he continued, is interested in assessing what they can do to be integrated in what Guyana and Suriname is doing, “…so that we have a broad development concept in terms of the gas strategy for the region.” Ali clarified that based on discussions with Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Keith Rowley, “…the PM has expressed Trinidad’s willingness to work with Guyana and Suriname in the development of our gas resources”, while looking at other opportunity areas within the energy sector. President Ali informed that the first part of his travel will be an official state visit where Guyana will be looking at what that nation is doing in relation to industrial and manufacturing areas. He said the two parties will be going through the MOU areas of partnership so that they can move forward directly in agriculture and the removal of trade barriers, as the two countries have been working on these issues in the last few months. President related that the two countries will also be looking at the manufacturing sector and industrial development to see how, “…we can integrate our food production system with their (Trinidad) built up capacity…” The second part of his visit, “…is advancing the CARICOM food security initiative,” the President said. He added that many leaders from CARICOM will be attending the forum and the bloc will be assessing their progress since their commitment to reduce the region’s food importation bill. He said the bloc will be looking at how measures are being theasideBankcommitmentsthatresponsibilityregionimplementedstrategicallyacrosstheashehasthatofprovidingupdate.AspartofbyRepublictohaveresourcessettowardthesecurityoffoodproductionsystem in agriculture, the President said meetings also are scheduled with that institution during this visit. “So, there are a number of proposals that Guyana has been able to work with other countries and develop. We are also supporting many countries in terms of the shade programme, the revitalization of the coconut industry,” the Guyanese leader related. He posited the importance of transportation logistics and noted the work that has to be done in that regard; as well as technology and trade barriers. The President is expected back home o ver the weekend. Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, in May signed the MOU to work closely to renew and advance cooperation in areas including trade and investment; addressing nontariff barriers and other hindrances to the flow of goods and services between the two CARICOM nations. The agreement also looks at teamwork in the areas of infrastructure, security, education, tourism, sports and culture.
Enterprise Inc.








Canada’s offer comes through the Canada CARICOM Expert Deployment Mechanism (CCEDM) which is a fouryear programme that is funded by the Government of Canada and implemented by the Canadian Executive Services Organization (CESO). The initiative allows government agencies in the Caribbean to benefit from several capacity building services through coaching, training, and workshops. During the launch of the specialist Mathematics Teacher training programme which took place at the National Center for Education Resources Development (NCERD) on Tuesday, the High Commissioner explained that there is no limit to the advisory support that can be provided since the CESO has a roster of about 1,500 qualifiedMinistryinstructors.ofEducation is one of agencies has already been able to benefit from the CCEDM programmes. Some 30 primary school teachers from Region Four (Demerara- Mahaica) are being trained to become specialists in mathematics. He therefore urged that other State agencies take advantage of the expertise knowledge and skills being offered by Canada at no cost to the government and people of Guyana. He
Murdered businessman, Ricardo Fagundes Attorney-at-Law,NigelHughes
An 82-year-old woman of the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region succumbed to the dreaded Coronavirus as Guyana’s death toll moves to 1276. In a press release, the Ministry of Health also reported 142 new cases with two persons in the Intensive Care Unit. Meanwhile, the MOH expressed sincerest condolences to the families of One more Covid-19 death, 142 new infections the deceased and committed to making every effort to provide all the necessary support during this difficult time to render any assistance needed. The Ministry is also appealing to the general public to respect the confidentiality of the deceased and her family and to allow them to mourn their tragic loss in peace. All Guyanese are being encouraged to continue to observe the public health measures set out by the Ministry of Health. The public health measure encourages: the need for everyone five (5) years and older to get vaccinated against COVID-19; the need for everyone to get a COVID19 booster dose after completing the primary vaccination series; the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance (Continued on
page 18)
Pres. Ali not against providing protection Bascom
“We are instructed to request, as we hereby do, that pursuant to the powers vested in you by virtue of section 9(2) of the Protected Disclosures Act 2018 that you establish an independent investigation peopled by regional or international police officers into the allegations of our client and the murder of Ricardo Fegundes. Our client stands by the statements he made and is prepared to testify under oath. We are instructed that our client who is an employee of the Guyana Police Force makes this disclosure against his employer and another employee of his employer. We are further instructed to request as we hereby do, that in the absence of the establishment of a Protected Disclosures Commission as required by the aforementioned Act, that our client be provided with “witness protection” as set out in section 20 of the Act. We fear that the life of our client is in grave danger. We wish to extend our appreciation to your Excellency for your kind intervention,” Hughes letter to President Ali concluded. Fagundes was gunned down outside Palm Court Club in Main Street, Georgetown in March 2021. Bascom who was earlier this year removed from investigating the killing of Fagundes and transferred to another location, has alleged a grand cover-up by senior ranks of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Guyana Police Force and the payment of a large bribe to a named officer as part of the cover-up. The officer, as well as a prominent businessman linked to the crime, has since denied the allegations and even threatened to sue Bascom. Fagundes, a close friend of Roger Khan was riddled with more than 20 bullets on March 21, 2021 moments after he stepped out of Palm Court on Main Street, Georgetown. CCTV cameras had captured two shooters getting into a white, tinted Toyota Fielder motorcar, making good their escape.
Canadian MarkCommissionerHightoGuyanaBerman
posited that “Guyana, as you all know, is at a significant point in history where the country is experiencing rapid growth and the country may need expertise in certain sectors and support for certain initiatives” The CCEDM’s Regional Representative for Guyana and Suriname Renata- ChuckA-Sang also indicated that other government ministries and agencies have indicated an interest in benefitting from the programme. She said, “There is training available for oil and gas, media, communications, operations management, climate change, education… For oil and gas, the Ministry of Education has already requested a programme for that…” She noted that already the University of Guyana and Ministry of Human Services and Lands and Surveys have already requested assistance from the CCEDM. She, however, clarified that the programme is a demanddriven one that requires organizations to request advisory services and the services requested must align with the organisations’ strategic plans. “The programme is demand-driven and so it must be part of their already focused work plans,” Chuck-A-Sang added.
President Irfaan said he was not against providing Stateprotection for Police Sergeant Dion Bascom who has made bombshell revelations accusing senior police officers of covering up the investigations into the murder of businessman, Ricardo Fagundes. The Headof-State also said that he is aware that the Guyana Police Force has been engaging its international partners on the Fagundes’ case. “I won’t say that I am against it, I have to see what is the content of the letter, what is the nature of what I’m being asked for. But as I said, this system must provide an even platform for everybody, it must provide a socially just platform for everyone and in that context, I will make my decision,” President Ali told reporters on Wednesday as he reacted to a letter by Bascom’s lawyer, Nigel Hughes requesting protection for the policeman. Hughes also requests an independent investigation into the killing of Fagundes. Bascom last week in an explosive Facebook video, linked businessman, Azruddin Mohamed and Superintendent Mitchell Caesar to the crime. The Guyana Police Fore last week said the Office of Professional Responsibility is tasked with investigating the allegations by Bascom, but former chairman of the Police Service Commission and respected Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe, said that the body was
Thursday August 18, 2022 Kaieteur News PAGE 17
for
The Government of Canada stands ready to assist the Government of Guyana with capacity building training in the oil and gas sector and other key areas, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana Mark Berman has said. Berman noted that Canada stands ready to assist Guyana with capacity-building training for oil and gas sector
- says police engaging international partners on Fagundes’ killing too compromised to conduct such a probe. Slowe also said that no unit of the Police Force should investigate the case and called for an international probe.Asked about the issue on the sidelines of an event Wednesday, President Ali said, “In this particular case, I have made it clear that everything must be done professionally.Tobehonest, I have not seen the letter as yet. I am not saying the letter was not sent; I have not seen it as yet. I have not addressed my mind to the letter because I have not seen the contents but I don’t shy away from addressing these issues, “ the President said. President also told reporters that he has been briefed by the Police on the allegations by Bascom, adding that he has been told that the Police have started to engage its international partners in relation to the Fagundes’ case. “The Police [Force] have been working with international partners on this case also. I can’t get into the details that’s for the Police but I know they have been working and seeking help from international partners for specific aspects of this case,” the President said. In his letter to President Ali, Hughes wrote: “Our client who is a Sergeant of the Guyana Police Force stationed at Anna Regina, during the course of the last week made several public disclosures on social media in relation to the improper conduct of the lead investigators who were charged with the responsibility of investigating the murder of Ricardo Fagundes which occurred close to your residence on the 21st March 2021. In the disclosure, several actions and omissions of the Officers were specifically referred to. The acts and omissions of the Senior Police Officers have caused the investigation to be stalled and frustrated. We are instructed to disclose to you, as we hereby do, that some of these acts and omissions are contained in a statement dated the 2022/02/07 by our client which is included for your benefit. We are further instructed to disclose to you that the technology available to the Guyana Police Force at the time of the incident had the capacity to determine the location of cell calls made at the time of and subsequent to the murder, which calls passed through various cell towers thereby disclosing the locations of the principal suspects at the time of and subsequent to the murder of RicardoHughesFegundes.”added, “We are instructed that our client was directed by the lead investigator to arrest Mark Anthony Richmond also known as Shopman. No arrest was effected as it appeared that Mr. Richmond had been provided with advance warning of his arrest. After the aforementioned directions, our client received a call from Mr. Richmond which threatened him. We are instructed to disclose to you, as we hereby do, that our client made a report on the 18th May 2021 to the Brickdam Police Station about the threat by Mark Anthony Richmond who was a person of interest in the investigation into the murder. A copy of his report to the Brickdam Police Station is enclosed for your benefit.” Hughes told the President: “after the public disclosures made by our client, he has received threats on his life and is extremely fearful that members in and out of the Guyana Police Force will harm him. Our client is also fearful that the lead investigator and other officers of the Guyana Police Force who are involved in the investigation into the Fagundes’ murder will target him as a result of his exposures. The aforementioned incidents are matters which may prejudice the national security of the State given the seniority of the Police officers who are involved, their relationship with one of the principal persons of interest in the investigation, the proximity of the incident to the President’s residence and the notoriety of the parties who are involved.”



theheatedmalesYoungpolice,adjourned.prisonLatchmanOwenheSorrellstatedindictablerequiredLatchman.PrincipalMagistrate’stheDemeraraPerseverance,prisonWednesdaywenty-five-year-old,JeremyRoachwasonremandedtoforthemurderofaEastBankyouth.TheaccusedappearedinDiamond/GroveCourtbeforeMagistrateJudyHewasnottopleadtothechargewhichthatonAugust13,atDrive,Perseverance,murdered20-year-oldYoung.PrincipalMagistrateremandedRoachtoandthematterwasAccordingtotheonthedayinquestion,andtwoidentifiablegotinvolvedinaargumentwhenoneofsuspectsarmedhimself
From page 17 of maintain ing a safe distance of six feet from others and; the need for good hand hygiene to help One more Covid-19 death, 142 new... reduce the spread of COVID19. If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 IMMEDIATELY or visit us at www.health.gov.gy.
Minister of NaturalVickramResources,Bharrat
PAYMENT DELAYS Another bugbear is the payment delays from oil companies to local businesses. Kaieteur News had reported that local businesses servicing the oil and gas sector continue to lament the lengthy time it takes the oil and gas companies to pay them for goods and services provided. The issue of late payments has been a sore one and is being blamed for the stifling local businesses. In July, GCCI had interacted with Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C, where they raised several issues of pertinent importance, including, regulating payment arrangements in the oil and gas sector. On the same issue, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, had stated that the legislation provides for the government to regulate the payment terms to local companies. He said, “…the issue of payment terms, we spoke of it in opposition, we raised it with the oil and gas companies and that has to change and the legislation provides for us to regulate this.”The Vice President noted that a 90-day payment term to smalls firms in Guyana is not acceptable. “We are getting around to regulating that to ensure that Guyanese companies could have better payment terms,” Jagdeo noted. During an interview with this publication, the Attorney General explained that local businesses have complained of a systemic delay in payments for good supplied and services rendered. “They complained that this delay is having severe impact on their limited capital and liquidity thereby hampering their ability to discharge their contractual obligations,” he added. According to the Minister, the local businesses related to the government that in many instances, they are unable to secure sufficient credit facilities and as a result, they have to flunk the financial capital in some occurrences. It was noted that in some instances where they are required to pay VAT (Value Added Tax) in relation to monies that they have not yet received, in respect to transactions that they have not received payments for. As such, Nandlall noted that the businesses are requesting some form of regulations that would limit the timeframe for the credit arrangements. “One avenue that is being explored is the promulgation of regulation for the Local Content Act to address the issue,” the AG note.He recalled that when the Local Content Act was being debated in the National Assembly, the government made a commitment that after it becomes functional – if any inadequacies were to arise or difficulties encountered, regulations would be made to address the Notably,issue.the Attorney General stated that if the amendment to the local content legislation is not effective – the government will then explore other means.
MIN. BHARRAT SITTING ON POWERS While the government and private sector have agreed to lobby the oil companies to operate in a favourable manner to local businesses – Minister Bharrat has been sitting on the powers given to him under the Local Content Act. In addition to the duties of the minister under the legislation, according to Section 25 (Power to make regulations) of the Local Content Act, it was stated that, “The Minister may make regulations for carrying out the purposes of this Act.” However, the minister has not implemented any regulation to bring ease to local businesses that are being stifled by the oil companies.
Man remanded for murder of Perseverance teen T
Local Content law gives Minister Bharrat the power to regulate bundling of contracts, payment delays
Just last week, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Timothy Tucker, reiterated the issue of the bundling of contracts by oil companies which has been stifling local businesses. The Chamber in a statement said that it has taken note of recurrent contract bundling practices within Guyana’s petroleum sector and expressed its disapproval of this practice. It was stated that the contract bundling, which is the consolidation of the procurement of various goods and services under one contract, has seemingly become a practice of companies within the petroleum sector. The Chambers noted too that the contracts are being solicited for Expression Of Interest (EOI) and Requests For Information (RFI) under one umbrella by various players in the industry. To this end, it was explained that the sum-effect of this practice is that Micro, Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) are unable to compete in the space since the ‘bundling’ practice will set an artificial barrier to their participation. Apart from its obvious hindrance to MSMEs wishing to service the sector, the Chamber believes that contract bundling works against the spirit and intent of Guyana’s Local Content Act 2021 thereby, defeating the objectives of the Act as it relates to private sector development.
JeremyRemanded,Roach Dead, Owen Young
PAGE 18 Kaieteur News Thursday August 18, 2022
By Renay Sambach
with a knife and stabbed Young to his right side neck. Young was escorted to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor. Roach and another male later surrendered to the police in the company of a lawyer. However, Roach was the only one charged.
Despite the passage of the Guyana’s Local Content legislation in December 2021; local businesses have been struggling to benefit from the oil and gas sector. The Local Content law is intended to regulate the way companies operate in Guyana’s oil and gas sector; employ persons, buy services and the way that they procureSincegoods.thepassage of the law, several members of Guyana’s private sector have voiced concerns in relation to local content issues, particularly, the bundling of contracts by oil companies and the lengthy time it takes oil and gas companies to pay local businesses for goods and services provided. In December 2021, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, had tabled the Bill in the National Assembly and in May 2022, the minister reported that he received several complaints from local companies on the challenges they have been facing in the oil and gas sector. The minister had stated that he received complaints that oil companies have been bundling services for catering, security, garbage collection and other technical offshore support systems as part of one contract. This, Bharrat said, has been posing significant challenge to locals, as they are burdened to offer a service they are not registered to. There were also reports, on oil companies taking a lengthy time to pay local businesses for services provided, thereby hampering their competitiveness in the oil and gas industry. As a result, Minister Bharrat had put oil companies on notice that the Government of Guyana will not tolerate the shortchanging of citizens in their own country. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Private Sector Commission on Wednesday associated themselves on the issue of unbundling of contracts and shorter payment period to local businesses. It was stated too that both sides agreed to continue to push for the unbundling of contracts and to examine a 30-day payment period for small and mediumsized businesses.
From page 6 international partners to crack the Fagundes’ murder case. Fagundes was on March 21 riddled with more than 21 bullets just moments after sharing a drink with a close friend and other associates at a popular bar on Main Street. Investigators had told Kaieteur News that they were able to trace the car used in the hit from North Road to Main Street prior to the Crime Chief confirms Detective... shooting. They also suspect that a burnt out car found at along the Soesdyke /Linden Highway after the hit was the same one captured driving away from scene after Fagundes was still lying in a pool of blood on Main Street. In recent developments, more allegations were brought to Kaieteur News ’ attention that detectives were reportedly tipped off by an informant about a suspected driver of the getaway car but they never made any arrests. That suspect Kaieteur News understands later landed in hot water and was remanded for illegal gun possession and ammunition. It is unclear if he was ever questioned or if he still remains behind bars and at Wednesday’s press conference, detectives did not speak on these new allegations.
BUNDLING OF CONTRACTS




Kaieteur News PAGE 19Thursday August 18, 2022
Peru’s Minister of ModestoEnvironment,Montoya eru’s Minister of Environment, M o d e s t oP Montoya, on Monday announced that his ministry has prepared a legislative proposal for the creation of a guarantee fund against environmental disasters.This move by the minister comes seven of Peru has to take legal note that with the comingmonths after approximately a c t i o n a g a i n s t a n d onstream of the Liza Phase12,000 barrels of crude continuously fight for Two operations, the countryspilledfromanoilrefineryin Repsol to honour its duties – now has an installedPeruvianwaters.
Peru proposes guarantee fund against future environmental disasters In wakeofoilspill…
The oil spill not only ProtectionAgency(EPA). (OEFA) revealed that the affected the environment, In July, a four-hour long cleaning of 13 sites (10 but it also disrupted the debate on a Motion seeking beaches and 3 points) has livelihoodofPeru’sartisanal full liability coverage for oil been verified, which are fishermen. spills ended with the Motion free of hydrocarbons, while As such, the Peruvian being thrown out by the 27 sites (25 beaches and 2 government had ordered the government. points) are still affected by oil giant, to pay a total of The Motion that was said contaminant element US$1400 compensation to filed by Opposition He added too that 57 sites each citizen affected by the Member of Parliament (beaches, cliffs, points and spill. (MP), David Patterson, who mouths) are still in the Thegovernmenttookthe sought to not only include evaluationprocess aforementionedroutesincea unlimited liability coverage Despite Repsol is l e g a l p r o c e s s f o r for oil spills and other blaming the environmental compensation to the affected disasters related to Image of the oil spill in Peru. (Photo: Municipality of Ventanilla)
Guyana in contrast, production capacity ofMinister Montoya stated c o n t i n u e s t o g i v e some 360,000 barrels of oilthat his sector will prepare a ExxonMobil permission to dailylegislative proposal for the operate without a guarantee This is from the twocreation of a guarantee fund that it would cover the cost Floating Production Storagein the event of eventual disaster on shock waves families would take a long petroleum production but for any oil spill that a n d O f f l o a d i n genvironmentaldisasters. from an undersea volcanic time. a l s o t o d i r e c t t h e surpasses the capacity of its Vessels—Liza Destiny andHe said once set up, eruption near Tonga in the Nevertheless,inMay,the Government to conduct an subsidiarytopay Liza Unity currentlyevery company must sign on South Pacific Ocean – the Peruvian authorities filed a independent analysis on the In February last, operating in the prolifictothefacilitybeforetheycan spill triggered a flurry of lawsuit against Repsol, for a possible ill effects of an oil ExxonMobil announced that S t a b r o e k B l o c kstart production “The accusations and several total of US$4.5B for the spill, and present this report it has commenced oil Additionally, the operationsregulations that we have Peruvian officials called for environmentaldisaster to the Parliamentary production at Guyana’s are being undertaken,inherited as a country do not the oil company to be held The lawsuit was filed by Committee on Natural s e c o n d o f f s h o r e producing360,000barrelsofallow us to be more drastic, accountable. National Institute for the Resources to be used as a development area called oil daily (bpd) in Guyanathat is, we have practically To date, the country had Defense of Competition and referenceforallotherfuture Liza Phase Two in the without full coveragereceived a handcuffed State, to impose several fines on Protection of Intellectual o i l d e v e l o p m e n t StabroekBlock. insurance in case of a spillwhich allows polluting and the oil giant for non Property (INDECOPI) a submissions It would be poignant to domesticallyirresponsible companies to c o m p l i a n c e i n t h e government agency, on While the Government dowhattheyaredoing.”The r e m e d i a t i o n o f t h e behalf of more than 700,000 Peruvian minister specified environment. affectedcitizens. that the aforementioned Bill The first action taken INDECOPI filed the will be sent to the Council of against the company was by lawsuit before the 27th Civil Ministersforapproval. Peruvian judge, Romualdo Court of the Superior Court Notably,hisnewmoveis Aguedo, on January 28, of Justice of Lima, and the added to the many action 2022, who granted an order litigation commenced in Peruvian authorities had to to prevent four Repsol’s July take against Spanish oil executives from leaving the Peru’s fight to get the oil giant, Repsol, the owner of country Judge Aguedo has c o m p a n y t o t a k e the refinery Repsol is one of imposedan18-monthbanon responsibility for the the companies operating the grounds of the potential environmental disaster here in Guyana. In late July, risk that the officials might comes even as the Guyana it was reported that the leave Peru and not honour government recently threw company was still to honour their obligations in the out a Motion that was its obligation to remediate country seeking full liability the effects of the oil spill in In January, the Peruvian coveragefromoilcompanies Peru. government had suspended foroilspills. It was on January 15 last the company’s hydrocarbon Despite promising to that thousands of barrels of loading and unloading press ExxonMobil Guyana crude were spilled from one activities. Subsequently, a (Esso Exploration and of the La Pampilla refineries fuel shortage in Peru forced ProductionGuyanaLimited) off the coast of Ventanilla in the country to lift the on the issue to have the theregionofLima,Peru. suspension on Repsol’s p a r e n t c o m p a n y Ingivingarecentupdate operation temporarily (ExxonMobil) for the on the status of the Repsol was only allowed to Guyana Operations sign on contaminated areas, continueitsoperationsfor10 to binding full coverage Minister Montoya stated days and under supervision insurance, the Irfaan Ali led that based on an assessment from the OEFA that PPP administration has d o n e b y P e r u ’ s operation has come to an shifted that responsibility to Environmental Assessment end. t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l and Control Agency



PAGE 20 Kaieteur News Thursday August 18, 2022



Brooks 79, bowlers guide WI to 1-0 lead... on a pitch which rewarded spinners with bounce. New Zealand made a solid start with a 41-run partnership between Martin Guptill and Finn Allen, who struck two sixes and a four from Holder’s bowling in the seventh over. A short rain break followed at the end of the 8th over and Allen was out for 25 four balls after the resumption. From then on New Zealand lost wickets regularly and struggled to build the partnerships that were necessary to reach a more challenging total. Allen was Hosein’s first wicket, caught by Pooran who had to run back and hold onto the ball as it came across his shoulder. Guptill fell in Hosein’s next over, caught by Kyle Mayers at slip for 24 when New Zealand was 53-2. Captain Kane Williamson attempted to lead a New Zealand recovery with an innings of 34 from 50 balls. But he lacked support: Devon Conway (4) Tom Latham (12) were out cheaply as New Zealand slumped to Williamson’s88-4. partnership with Daryl Mitchell held promise and the pair had added 28 for the fifth wicket before both were out to Joseph in the 30th Mitchellover.had made 20 from 32 balls when he was trapped lbw and Williamson followed in the same Allroundersmanner.Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner added 40 for the seventh wicket but weren’t able to tip the match back in New Zealand’s favor. Bracewell was out for 31 from 33 balls, trapped lbw to give Carriah his first wicket in one-day internationals. The Trinidadian wrist spinner finished with 1-49 from nine overs.The New Zealand lowerorder often comes to the rescue of the team but on this occasion there was no fightback. Santner was out for 25 w ith the total 189-8 and the last two wickets fell“Obviouslyquickly. it was challenging out there to get some rhythm and some ets.2-39.TrentPooranShamarh36.HoseinMichael(45.2samebecricket.”veryandecutedthatIndiestoWilliamsonmomentum,”said.“CreditthewaytheWestbowled.Theygotalotoutofsurfaceandex-theirplanswellultimatelyplayedagoodgameofThesecondgamewillplayedtomorrowatthevenue.Scores:NewZealand190Ov)KaneWilliamson34,Bracewell31;Akeal3-28,AlzarriJoseph3-WestIndies193/5(39Ov)Brooks79,Nicholas28,ShaiHope26;Boult2-49,TimSoutheeResult:WIwinby5wick-
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You're anxious to take action, Taurus, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Be careful about acting too hastily. It's important that you and your loved one.
ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may have that awful feeling that you really need to get down to work yet something seems to stand square in the way of progress. Perhaps you feel like you're at a four-way stop with three other cars.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) You're apt to feel more talkative than usual, Cancer. There are many times when you may shrink from a situation in disgust or perhaps boredom. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may be anxious to try an uncharted path that speaks to your sense of risk and adventure, Leo. It's important to temper these actions with realistic planning.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Other people are likely to be anxious to get up and moving with their plans, Virgo. It might be better for you to hang back a bit and see how things pan out before you take action.
Thursday August 18, 2022 Kaieteur News PAGE 21
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your heart has been active, Libra, and you're probably feeling the need to take charge of a certain relationship. Instead of being too hasty in your pursuit of this romance, you should probably do more planning.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) There is solid grounding to your emotions right now that is helping you stabilize your sensitive feelings, Scorpio. As you become more attuned to your internal needs,. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your relationships are going well from an intellectual perspective, Sagittarius, but from an emotional one, you might feel like they a ren't as fulfilling as you'd like.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Concentrate on nurturing your needs right now instead of trying to accommodate the needs of others, Capricorn. There is a difficult tension that arises when you try to comfort someone.
Thursday August 18, 2022
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) It may feel as if something or someone is trying to keep you from moving ahead with your ambitious goals and aggressive nature, Gemini. At first you may resent this ball and chain attached to your ankle.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Things may roll along nicely in love and romance and then suddenly run into a snag, Aquarius. Perhaps you failed to recognize an important birthday or anniversary. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Here's a reminder that it's OK to be you. You may feel more centered than usual, which encourages you to stand up for yourself and say the things you must to people who need to hear them.
From page momentum22set by Brooks. The first came in the opening over of the innings and the second in the 29th when the West Indies were only 42 runs from victory. At that point the West Indies already were well ahead of a winning total under the Duckworth-Lewis system.Pooran was out for 28 immediately after the second rain break but Brooks retained a strong guiding hand on the run Hosein,chase. Joseph and debuting spinners Kevin Sinclair and Yannic Carriah turned the tide of the New Zealand innings with accurate bowling in the middle overs



Poole MS, Technical Director Guyana Boxing Association, announced the names of the young fighters chosen. “These are the boxers that will be going into camp to represent Guyana at the Caribbean school boys and girls/ Junior Championships: Shawn Sabola RHJ, Matthew Thomas RHJ, Travis Sancho RHJ, Joshua Thambaran RHJ, Arlington Johnson RHJ, Jahuan Haniff RHJ, Markel Blue VBG, Garvel Hyman VBG, Malchi Greenidge FYF, Tequan Sampson FYF, Seon Graham FYF, Shaquan James FYF, Dwayne Baptiste FYF, Eon Bancroft Jnr YA, Kendel De Monic YA, Jeremiah Duncan PPBG and Yusdiel Gala Sixhead Boxing Gym.”
PAGE 22 Kaieteur News Thursday August 18, 2022
Guyana Caribbean school boys and girls/Junior CHAMPIONSHIPS squad named Terrence Poole MS countries, Guyana, Jamaica and St Lucia. Many of the Caribbean countries are now recovering from Covid-19, as a matter fact, some of them have said they had no schoolboys and junior boxers right now.”Ninvalle continued, “…We still see it very important that we have this tournament and keep it alive because of the fact that is we do not have a robust, energetic nursery then it’s going to become more difficult to have proper seniors. As it is right now we have had confirmation from four countries participating in this tournament. We expect them to start arriving by late next week. Our hope is that we can have a tournament that we can all be proud of as Guyana and a region.” “We have started encampment for our boxers and we would have been in preparation since the start of this year and that’s the reason we would have been having two Under-16 competitions per month which was sponsored by DDL. I cannot overstate the importance of such a tournament because we really need this in this region and I salute the Caribbean presidents that would have supported us; Mr. Cecil Forde of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Vincent Straughn of Bahamas, David Christopher of St Lucia, Neil Roberts of Grenada and all the other persons who have supported us,” Ninvalle mentioned.
Brooks 79, bowlers guide WI to 1-0 lead over New Zealand of 190. “I was just focused on going out there, getting some partnerships and getting that total off.” Rain breaks punctuated the West Indies innings but couldn’t disturb the steady (Continued on page Brooks got off to a good start after West Indies lost early wickets. (AFP/ Getty Images)
Kong Supra can break 7-second barrier kota Drag Strip.
Steve Ninvalle
The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has announced their squad for heightened preparations for the upcoming Caribbean school boys and girls/ Junior Boxing Championships set for August 26 to 28 at the Cliff Anderson SportsTerrenceHall.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP) — Shamarh Brooks scored 79 and shared a 75run partnership with captain Nicholas Pooran which guided the West Indies to a five-wicket win over top-ranked New Zealand yesterday in the series-opening one-day cricket international.Brooks reached his fourth ODI half century from 58 balls and had faced 91 deliveries when he was out in the 34th over with the West Indies closing on New Zealand’s inadequate total of 190. Jason Holder (13) and Jermaine Blackwood (12) were at the crease when the home team reached its target with 11 overs to spare.
21)Shamarh
The former Karting Champion mentioned that the fastest time he has recorded with the machine was an unofficial 8.2 seconds last year but since, mechanical problems have derailed any top performances from being recorded.However, issues have been resolved with thanks from the team Mechanics; S&D Performance, and with help from Time Machine Racing out of Miami that has tuned the vehicle. The main issue that was fixed pertained to the lagged building of boost and computer issues that led to manual shifting.Going forward, Hopkinson believes that he can register a high to mid 7second time, with the car’s main advantage being its handling, which is an asset on the somewhat tricky South Dakota 1320 drag strip. However, the main focus of Team SI&C is to stop the foreign competitors from Trinidad & Tobago and Suriname in their tracks then they will look to get past at least one of Team Mohamed’s GTR.
In brief comments, President of the GBA Steve Ninvalle, who is also the Director of Sports in the Sports Ministry, stated, “This would be the fifth edition of the tournament which was started in 2016. The reason for starting the tournament is because of the fact that we were unable to gauge as a Caribbean region where our nursery department was. Countries would have been operating in silos relating to their junior and nursery department, so there was no way for us to actually gauge where each individual country was. We had the first tournament which had three As the days wind down, preparations are quickly afoot in the camp of Team Secure Innovations & Concepts Inc. (SI&C) and during a recent sit down with this publication, driver of the team’s ‘Kong’ 2Jz Supra, Denzel Hopkinson, shared nothing but optimism andTheexcitement.Supra, which had won the unlimited class at the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) 1320 Heat Rematch in October 2019 with a time of 8.7s, has immense potential according to Hopkinson; who is eager to get back on the South DaGMR&SC International Drag Race
Earlier, Akeal Hossain took 3-28 and Alzarri Joseph returned 3-36 as the West Indies bowled out New Zealand for 190 in 45.2 overs after choosing to bowl in the first of three ODIs at the Kensington Oval. It was the first time New Zealand has been dismissed in a 50-over match since March 2020.“Watching the Kiwis bat I realized it was a bit tough going early for them,” Brooks said in a television interview. “I guess credit must go to our bowlers for reducing them to a score




GCB Republic Bank coaching programme underway in Wakenaam Square Cavaliers Sports Club.Andrews stated that he is pleased with the response from the children and the community which has been helpful. He thanked the Wakenaam NDC, Gurnauth Khemraj and Mustak Mohamed for their input. Sessions are being conducted with students from Sans Souci, Maria’s Pleasure, Arthurville and Zeelandia primary schools.
Come this Sunday, all roads will lead to the South Dakota Circuit in Timehri where the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) will host its first International Drag Race meet in three years featuring competitors from the twin-island republic of Trinidad & Tobago and Suriname, both who will be looking to dominate the localHowever,daredevils.that will be a tough task as the local dragsters have a formidable team, which is boosted considerably by the King of the South Dakota 1320 strip; Team Mohamed’s, that have a fleet of GTRs to go along with the Pro-modified car. Team Mohamed’s Pro-
Thursday August 18, 2022 Kaieteur News PAGE 23
Students at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground following a session with Coach Nandkishore Andrews.
The Guyana Cricket Board Republic Bank coaching programme is currently underway in Wakenaam. Sessions are being conducted by Coach Nandkishore Andrews at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground and at G GMR&SC International Drag meet Team Mohamed tipped to reset record mod car currently holds the track record, a blistering time of 7.5 seconds in addition to the second fastest time of 7.6 seconds, and it is expected that the front runner of Drag Racing in Guyana will continue to add more record times comeAlthoughSunday.the two rail cars from Trinidad & Tobago will pose a threat, Team owner, Azruddin Mohamed, is unfazed by the competition after already making light work of Sheldon Bissessar’s rail car (driven by his brother Andy) with his GTR Goliath (driven by Terrence Cox) back in 2018.Mohamed’s camp, which recently brandished all their vehicles with the Golden Arrowhead on the roof, may very likely be in a race by themselves come Sunday as they seek to break into the six-second mark which the Pro-mod car is more than capable of achieving according to reports.To guarantee fans get to their money’s worth, Team Mohamed’s acquired the services of the United Statesbased Brandon Jackson of T1 Race Development to lead the preparation of the GTRs over a month ago, ensuring that all systems will be in place for Sunday’sTicketsshowdown.fortheevent cost $2000 for adults and $1000 for kids, while VIP and VVIP cost $30,000 and $40,000, respectively.
SportsMax - Deandra Dottin produced a match-winning all-round performance in the Women’s 100 competition in England to lead Manchester Originals Women to an 11run victory over Welsh Fire Women on Dottin’sTuesday.unbeaten 37ball 67 propelled Manc hester Originals’ to 156-2 from their 100 Dottin,balls.who recently retired from international cricket and Sophie Ecclestone, who Dottin outguns Matthews to lead Manchester Originals to 11-run victory over Welsh Fire made an unbeaten 36, were mainly responsible for MO’s winning total after they lost opener, Emma Lamb, for 35 and Lizelle Lee for just three. Alex Hartley had the best figures for Welsh Fire with 1-17 from 20 balls while Annabel Sutherland took 1-33 from her 20-ball allotment.Needing 157, Welsh Fire made a fist of it, scoring 145-3, thanks mainly to the eff orts of openers Tammy Beaumont who scored 45 from 42 balls with five fours and Hayley Matthews, who smashed 69 from 41 balls, blazing 12 fours along the way. Dottin dismissed Racheal Haynes for 11 and Sutherland for 0 as the Welsh Fire chase fizzled, to return figures of 2-21 from 15 balls.Ecclestone who took the prized wicket of Matthews had figures of 127 from her 20 balls.





PAGE 24 Kaieteur News Thursday August 18, 2022
D-Up Basketball Academy aims to produce student-athletes
D-Up Academy female team. is only one court from Vreeden-Hoop to Parika. “The lack of funding is another challenge and we are asking the business community for assistance. I visited Leguan recently and we are looking to renovate the court at the Secondary school there,” he posited. Kandar is happy with the progress shown by the students since they commenced training in Tuschen. “Our U12 boys’ team won against an U12 team from Linden, which took part in the Hamid and Joy Foundation tournament there, while our U16 boys lost. Our next assignment will be on August 21 and 22 when we will be hosting three teams from Kwakwani,” he related.The coach stated that he would like to see more facilities here especially in region three, and securing scholarships for students is in the pipeline. “Not everyone is going to represent their country, but every child must have the basic tools to be a productive member of society,” Kandar said. The current executive of the academy is-Kandar –President, Joshua Daniels –Vice President, Trudy Paris-Secretary, Kamala Rameshwar -Treasurer, Ric hard Phillips –Assistant Secretary Treasurer and Elliott Daniels PRO.Kandar has expressed gratitude to coach Ann Gordon, Superbet of North Road, Ele’s VIP Barbar Shop, Brother Rafman of F and R Buy Everything Cheap Supermarket, Miss Parris of Farm Nursery School, MR. Charles from the Ministry of Education, head teacher and staff of Tuschen Primary School, parents. (Zaheer Mohamed)
D-Up Academy U12 team (pink jerseys) and the U12 team from Linden. 16 year old is the latest to benefit from “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana” project Lutesh Singh accepts the items from Deoprakash Ramdat. donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicket keeper/batsman.Todate,thirty nice young players from all three counties of Guyana have already benefited from three junior gear bag, two trophies, two arm guards, fourteen bats, one box, three helmets, twelve pairs of cricket shoes, ten pairs of batting pads, one bat rubber and twelve pairs of batting gloves. In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each while RHCCCC received two, fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket keeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails and the Essequibo Cricket Board. Cricket related items, used or new, is distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist to identify same. Progressive and well managed clubs will also benefit. Thanks to the media for the role they are playing in promoting this venture. Distribution will continue. Anyone interested to contribute can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.
D–UP Basketball Academy, which is based at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, is aiming to produce student-athletes in the near future. The Academy was founded in 2020 and is headed by Coach Anthony Kandar who is currently training students of Tuschen Primary School, East Bank Essequibo.Kandar pointed out that he started to play the sport at the age of seven and took up coaching while in High School in Canada. He told Kaieteur Sport that himself and coach Ezekiel Skeete would tutor students on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 15:00hrs to 17:30hrs and on Saturdays from 14:00hrs to 17:30hrs.Headded that the response from the public has been good, but sighted the lack of facilities as a major challenge, noting that there
Right arm medium pacer Lutesh Singh of Skeldon and Just Try Cricket Clubs were recently presented with one pair of cricket shoes, one helmet and an arm guard, compliments of this initiative and Davo Naraine of the UK. Young Singh, a fifth form student of Tagore Memorial Secondary School, represented the Rising Star team in the GCB 2022 Under19 Inter County Cricket Tournament which was aborted due to excessive rains. “Thank you for this timely gesture,” the young cricketer Representingsaid.the initiative was former Berbice Youth Allrounder, Deoprakash Ramdat who stated that the project is happy to assist in the development of our young cricketers and at the same time encourage them to educate themselves and be better citizens of ThisGuyana.jointinitiative is between Anil Beharry of Guyana and Kishan Das of the USA. Total cricket related items collected so far: $250,000 cash, two trophies, twelve cricket boots, nineteen pairs of batting pads, twenty one bats, fifteen pairs of batting gloves, nineteen thigh pads, one pair of wicket keeping pad, two arm guards, six cricket bags and three helmets. In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was





ational table used clever serves varied 4-11,11-7. she lost to finalist Imani tennis ace and attacks, tactical precision Guyana’s Van Lange EdwardsTaylor. G u y a n a ’ s andshowedgreatcomposure came third in the same Guyanese players areN highest ranked to defeat Knights in a very tournament, while Nigel also participating in the men’s player Shemar entertainingfinal. Bryan, Krystian Sahadeo ICWI league, some players Britton, fresh from his 2022 T h e c o m p e t i t i o n and Niran Bissu made it to under the Titans banner are B i r m i n g h a m attracted 80 players which the round of 16. Guyana also participating in a Commonwealth Games i n c l u d e d s e v e r a l Colin Wong exited in the training camp being hosted sojourn was in great form to international players group stage Thuraia by the Caranage TT Club win the ICWI Table Tennis E n r o u t e t o t h e Thomas competing in the conducted by Edwin Silver Bowl senior TT championships victory, women’s championships Humphreys with Dwain Championships Hedefeated Britton defeated Terry madeittothequarterfinalsof Dick ITTF level two coach regional table tennis Corbinbya3-0margin(4,3, the Women’s singles where astheexpertonduty defensive maestro Barbadian 10). In the round of 32 in the Tyrese Knight by a 3 1 round of 16 he defeated margin 11 8, 11-9, 8-11, 11- Jamali Mauge by a 3-1 score 6, in the men’s singles final (8, 8, 14, 6) in the held at the Eastern Regional Quarterfinals he defeated Indoor Sports Arena in Kenneth Paramand by a 3-1 Tacarigua,onSunday margin (4, 5, -9, 19). In the In a battle of the two top semifinals, Britton outlasted men’s table tennis players in compatriot Jonathan Van the English speaking Lange 11-5, 12-10, 11-5 and C a r i b b e a n , B r i t t o n Knight got past Tobagonian representing Queen’s Park, Derron Douglas 11-3, 11-5,
According to the DirectorofSport(DoS),they discussed several issues which are geared toward charting a way forward for concluded highly successful “President Ali had promised becomeareality.” Suriname, and French significance, which is rooted theGames. discussions with his that the IGG would return T h e H o n o u r a b l e Guiana, with the last recent in sport, education, and Those ten disciplines are counterparts from the host under his stewardship. This Minister of Culture, Youth edition being hosted in technological exchanges in Cycling, Athletics (Track and Suriname in French hasbecomeahistoricreality and Sport, Charles Ramson Suriname in 2017 The an effort to forge stronger and Field), Tennis, Table Guiana. He then confirmed It was confirmed and agreed Jr, also declared the dates of Badminton discipline was ties, trust, and overall unity Tennis, Volleyball, Football, the inking of the agreement upon in a documented theIGG. the latest addition to the list among the respective Swimming, Squash, upon his arrival from manner, that the IGG will be First held in 1967, the ofsportingevents. countries, formerly known BasketballandBadminton. Cayenne. staged in Guyana. This is IGG is normally an annual The Inter Guiana as the Guianas (French, Recently, the DoS Ninvalle disclosed, another ambition that has affair between Guyana, platform is of cultural DutchandBritish).
Shemar Britton wins ICWI Table Tennis Silver Bowl TT Championships in Trinidad and Tobago
Director of Sport meets with heads of disciplines 2022 Inter Guiana Games… Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, and Assistant Director of Sport, Melissa Dow-Richardson, engaged several issues with Presidents of the disciplines involved in the upcoming Inter Guiana Games. lans continue to converge for the return of theP historic Inter Guiana Games that have been confirmed for November 25 27 in Guyana, following a fiveyearYhiatus.esterday, the Director ofSport,SteveNinvalle,and Assistant Director of Sport, Melissa Dow Richardson, met with the Presidents of the ten disciplines that will comprise the event, at the Ministry of Culture, Youth andSport’sboardroom.
Shemar Britton
Kaieteur News PAGE 25Thursday August 18, 2022




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. Sports Team Secure Innovations & Concepts Inc.’s (SI&C) 1998 Supra, ‘Kong’. Kong Supra can Kong7-secondbreakbarrierSupracanbreak7-secondbarrier GMR&SC International Drag meet Team Mohamed tipped to reset record Team Mohamed’ fleet of GTRs. Brooks 79, bowlers guide WI to 1-0 lead over New Zealand Akeal Hosein, Kyle Mayers, Sharmarh Brooks, and Kevin Sinclair celebrate after Devon Conway’s dismissal. (AFP/Getty Images) Shamarh Brooks got off to a good start after West Indies lost early (AFP/Gettywickets.Images)




