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Jagdeo-led oil Friday Edition NEWS team did not snub Surinamese counterparts AIETEUR

August 20, 2021 - Vol. 23 No.34

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- Being at Exxon-sponsored conference a coincidence - Ali

Online readership yesterday, 83,401

Pres. Ali defends oil rush despite Int'l calls to end fossil fuel exploitation Workshop Man shot dead Girl, 19, remanded goes up trying to rescue on rape in flames kidnapped girlfriend charge Alleged Passenger released Man stabbed attempted after suspected to death; cops executioner cocaine turns out on the hunt remanded to be milk powder for suspect

Don't expect big oil money soon - Jagdeo - Nation must live within its means

How can oil money come out from Liza 1 to pay the cost for Liza 2, @11:00hrs on before profits are shared? Can someone answer that question? Kaieteur Radio That's what Exxon is doing to us. Ring Fencing provision can stop this insanity. 99.1/99.5FM

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Friday August 20, 2021

Kaieteur News

Jagdeo-led oil team did not snub Surinamese counterparts Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, (with ceremonial scissors in hand) with the Guyana delegation in Texas.

- Being at Exxon-sponsored conference a coincidence - Ali Head of State, Irfaan Ali, has denied that Guyana's key oil figures snubbed a meeting with Surinamese counterparts currently in Guyana for high-level talks, led by that country's President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, calling the situation a coincidence.

The Guyanese President was asked to weigh in on the observation yesterday by a Surinamese journalist accompanying the Surinamese delegation to Guyana during a joint press engagement at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

Weighing in on the observation, President Ali told journalists at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), “…when you are in government you have many competing demands, when you are in government you don't deal with a single task in a single day.”

As such, President Ali was adamant “don't for a moment believe that for us; this is the only task we are dealing with strategically.”

Referencing the State visit by his Surinamese counterpart, he said this does not diminish the need f o r c o n t i n u o u s engagements.

With regard to the current meetings, President Ali told those in attendance “this strategic dialogue has always been at the level of the President and the Cabinet, so it's just a matter of coincidence that the Houston conference was at the same time with this visit.”

According to Ali, the fact that the key Guyanese oil figures are in fact at an ExxonMobil sponsored conference in Texas, USA, “does not diminish from anything we are doing here.”

Speaking to the glaring absence of the Guyanese oil sector leaders, as observed by the Surinamese journalist, President Ali

instead dismissed the assertion as an invented nuance saying, “there is nothing to this.”

The Head of State said, “our objective is to move forward to deliberate on key issues and to make key decisions; that, is exactly what we are doing.”

Referencing the team being led by Jagdeo in Texas presently Ali told those at the ACCC, “the Vice President who is leading a delegation to Houston, will be in Suriname to work with his counterparts on issues of the environment.”

As such, he sought to assure that the talks held between the Guyanese and Surinamese in recent days was held “with the greatest level of seriousness, the greatest level of attention and the greatest level of respect has been paid to this visit and to the outcome of this visit.”

According to President Ali, “for us it is never about personalities and it can never be about personalities, it has to be about the interest of the people and that is the purpose of the strategic dialogue.”

Accompanying the Surinamese President to Guyana is that country's Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Co-operation, Ambassador Albert R a m d i n .

For Guyana's part, it's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Hugh Todd, is in Texas.

President Santokhi has also walked with his Minister of Natural Resources, David Abiamofo, for the highlevel talks in Guyana but the Guyanese counterpart, Minister Vickram Bharrat, is also in Texas, USA. The Guyana delegation in Texas is being led by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo —the man ultimately in charge of the domestic oil industry—and is joined by (Continued on page 3)

Kaieteur News

Friday August 20, 2021

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Pres. Ali defends oil rush despite Int'l calls to end fossil fuel exploitation

By Kiana Wilburg If nations fail to take immediate action to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the International Energy Agency and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have warned that there would be a catastrophic rise in annual floods, droughts, wildfires, tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters.

It is for this reason that both global bodies increased their calls in recent times for there to be no new fossil fuel exploitation and development activities.

While some countries have pledged to do this to some degree, it appears that Guyana would not be doing it at all.

According to President, Irfaan Ali, Guyana is not only unmatched when it comes to its environmental record, but is not a contributor to the climate crisis that faces the world today. In Ali's eyes, his government has given a commitment to ensure the

prosperity of all Guyanese through the sustainable development of the nation's God-given resources, and this is what he intends to do.

The President made this position known during a joint press conference that was held yesterday at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) alongside the Head of State of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi. There, Kaieteur News reminded Ali and Santokhi that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released the first part of its report that stems from an ongoing assessment on the effects of human activity on climate change.

Following the release of the document, United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, said there must be a swift shift to renewable energy. Guterres said his word of caution against further oil and gas development must be heeded since the internationally agreed threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius is “perilously close.” He had said, “We are at imminent

risk of hitting 1.5 degrees in the near term. The only way to prevent exceeding this threshold is by urgently stepping up our efforts, and pursuing the most ambitious path…We are already at 1.2 degrees and rising.”

United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres had said too that the report sounds a death kneel for the fossil fuel industry and a code red for humanity. It was in this vein that Kaieteur News asked both presidents if they are framing their fossil fuel industries with the findings of this report in mind.

In response, President Ali said, “You and I know there is a gap as to when the (climate change) targets can be realised. We also know that there were many targets, which were set for Climate Change, and…there was also money that the developed world had set aside for climate change and we are still waiting for it. There is now a new pledge for new money.”

“So there are issues with climate change which are global but our credentials on

GAWU engages labour minister about Guyanese workers' exploitation in oil industry T h e G u y a n a Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) on Wednesday, engaged Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton and other officials of the Ministry of Labour, regarding the disregard of workers' rights by several enterprises in the oil and gas sector.

This engagement comes on the heels of workers' in the oil sector regularly reaching out to the Union after the launch of its Oil and Gas Branch a few weeks ago.

According to GAWU, these engagements have revealed a common thread of worker exploitation across enterprises with many workers' rights simply ignored or completely disregarded by the foreign and local bosses and their agents.

GAWU noted that the Minister's attention was

directed to the fact that workers' were denied overtime payments or days off. They pointed out that even though the benefits were statutorily enshrined, it appeared that the enterprises operated with impunity.

The Union stated, that it was duty bound to speak on behalf of the oppressed workers' who are threatened with termination and other forms of intimidation, and also noted that foreigners were being rewarded much more richly than locals despite undertaking the same tasks.

GAWU contended that they recently wrote a wellknown firm in the sector regarding their disregard for workers' contractual obligations, but noted that their correspondence was not even greeted with an acknowledgement.

Minister Hamilton noted that the Ministry was aware of similar situations and was committed to ensuring that no worker right is violated by local or foreign enterprises. He shared that the Ministry, through the Chief Labour Officer, will invite the enterprise in an effort to ensure that the workers' rights are upheld.

The Labour Minister assured that the workers' have an ally in him and the Ministry, and committed to working collaboratively with GAWU and other Unions to ensure that workers' are protected.

the environment outmatch anyone. We can say that in a net way, we are a positive story on the environment side.”

With the foregoing perspective in mind, Ali said Guyana has made several discoveries offshore, which if monetised, can be critical in realising the economic transformation of the country. He said the oil money can be used to create the fiscal space that is needed to ensure the country's food programme can develop in a competitive way to meet regional and international demands. He also noted that the revenues can be used to enhance the country's tourism image as well as improve services across sectors.

On this premise, Ali said his government has a clearcut development agenda while adding that it has respect for international targets and best practices on the environment. He stressed however that Guyana is not a contributor to the climate disaster the country and its regional counterparts are made to face. He pointed out as well that there are no mechanisms for countries such as Guyana and those in the Caribbean to tap into so as to mitigate the effects of climate change.

ABOUT IPCC & ITS REPORT The IPCC was created in 1988 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) and the Wo r l d M e t e o r o l o g i c a l Organisation (WMO) to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change, its implications and potential future risks, as well

as to put forward adaptation and mitigation options.

Through its assessments, the IPCC determines the state of knowledge on climate change. It identifies where there is agreement in the scientific community on topics related to climate change, and where further research is needed. The reports are drafted and reviewed in several stages, thus guaranteeing objectivity and transparency.

The IPCC is now in its sixth assessment cycle. The first report from this process is called Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis.

It was released this week.

The report addresses the most up-to-date physical understanding of the climate system and climate change, bringing together the latest advances in climate science, and combining multiple lines of evidence from paleoclimate, observations, process understanding, and global and regional climate simulations. A total of 234 scientists from 66 countries are behind the first chapter of the IPCC's sixth assessment report. In addition, over 14,000 scientific papers are referenced in the report.

Some of the key findings of the report are as follows: Ÿ Keeping to 1.5 Degrees Celsius will require “immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions” in emissions while slower action leads to a temperature of 2 Degrees Celsius and more suffering for all life on Earth. Ÿ Drought is increasing in more than 90 percent of regions across the world. Ÿ The past five years have been the hottest on record since 1850.

President, Irfaan Ali Ÿ The recent rate of sealevel rise has nearly tripled compared with 1901-1971. Ÿ Extreme sea-level events that occurred once a century are projected to occur at least annually. Ÿ Under all the emissions scenarios considered, all targets for reductions will be broken this century unless huge cuts in carbon emissions take place. Ÿ 2,400 billion tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) have been emitted by humanity since 1850. The world can afford to only leak another 400 billion tonnes to have a 66 percent chance of keeping to 1.5 Degrees Celsius. Ÿ Many changes due to past and future greenhouse gas emissions are irreversible for centuries to millennia, especially changes in the ocean, ice sheets and global sea level. Ÿ Under scenarios with increasing CO2 emissions, the ocean and land carbon sinks are projected to be less effective at slowing the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Jagdeo-led oil team did not snub Surinamese...

From page 2 other key domestic players including Winston Brassington, the head of the G a s - t o - S h o r e Wo r k i n g Committee; key petroleum advisor, Bobby Gossai Jnr., and Guyana Office for Investment's (GO-Invest) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, among others.The Guyana delegation also includes key private sector umbrella body representatives and business groups while representatives of Suriname's national oil company, Staatsolie, and

members from the Surinamese private sector are in Guyana for the highl e v e l t a l k s .

Others from the Guyana delegation in Texas include representatives from AmCham, GCCI, PSC, GM&SA and private businesses GUYSONSGKB, GAICO, Mid Atlantic Oil and Gas, GOGEC, GYSBI, GTT, ExxonMobil Guyana and Halliburton.

That conference is sponsored in part by ExxonMobil, which is headquartered in Texas,

USA. One official had told this publication that meetings of these nature (between Heads of State) do not just happen overnight and that they are planned ahead of time. As such, it can only be seen as a snub on the part of the Guyanese, in their dealings with the Surinamese delegation, since the key local figures are in Texas for the Exxon sponsored conference while their Surinamese counterparts are in Guyana to speak on the subject.

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Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Congrats to VP Jagdeo We have to hand it to Guyana’s Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo. On each occasion, that he is backed against the wall in the tricky oil game he plays, he does a strange jig, which has now become a characteristic feature of the particular oil curse that rests comfortably on his head.

And so, we take our hats off to him (again) for he has done it (again) by coming up with another last-minute rabbit (again) out of his magic hat. When he is on the ropes, he delivers the dope. Look at him, when he is pressed for answers, there is that hunted look that takes over his entire face, every time.

When exposed for having no answers that makes sense with that already anemic looking white elephant, the gasto-shore project, Vice President Jagdeo beats his now customary hasty retreat and uses the time to regroup.

He then comes up with some smart-alecky answers that enlightens no one, and makes him look even dodgier and more untrustworthy. He hides from the independent media, and deals with the softball media outfits that exist to do his bidding.

There he shares his brand of oil truth, while evading the substance of oil issues. It is one of his trusted trick ponies to dodge hard oil issues, while preaching to blind, unquestioning followers.

Also, when criticised for his government’s (really, his one-man monopolist show) mad rush with the nation’s oil wealth, he finds himself caught between a rock and a hard place.

The former is Exxon to whose leaders he owes homage and fidelity that come before any Guyanese considerations, and to which allegiance he has not only lived up to in the eyes of Exxon’s big shots, but far exceeded even their expectations.

While the hard place in which the Vice President is trapped is Guyana itself, where more Guyanese are beginning to see the light with the farces that he delivers with this oil.

When oil accuracies would help this nation appreciate where it stands, the Vice President has crossed the line and bowled no-ball after no-ball.

A small bunch of Guyanese have been relentless in their analyses and exposures of all that is wrong with how Guyana’s biggest oil fish, Bharat Jagdeo, has managed this oil treasure.

As more Guyanese discern what is happening, more of them are condemning what the PPP Government (in general) does, and what the Vice President (to be specific) has tried.

He has tried tricks and deceptions. He has seen it fit to deliver silence and absence, when the tough questions are raised. For a supposed tough guy, he fades and disappears when any heat about oil is applied.

Additionally, the Vice President laboured unsuccessfully to put down critical Guyanese with the position that what he is doing with the gas-to-shore is a ‘no brainer.’

That was one of his more memorable white rabbits that now looks like a real white elephant.

With nothing to show, and no ground on which to stand, while the shallowness of his positions are exposed, he is the one who can be said to have no brain(s), given the conception, construction, and delivery of this massive jiggery-pokery on Guyana.

Finally, he finds himself in Texas, and comes up with his biggest sleight-of-hand to date. He and Guyana are in a race to get the most and best out of our oil wealth before the age of oil comes to an end.

Now the Vice President is in a race against time, and to the point where he allows Exxon to throw caution to the winds to drill and produce without sturdy safety precautions taken.

Exxon is gambling with an environmental disaster, and the company couldn’t have asked for a more risk-ready partner than Guyana’s Vice President Jagdeo. The Vice President is telling Guyanese that he holds a winning hand.

He left out the knaves and jokers.

Let’s fix this Oil and Gas problem Dear Editor, Permit me to comment on an article I read recently in the August 6, 2021 Edition of Oil Now. I refer to a few statements attributed to Mr. Manniram Persaud, Chairman of the Energy Chamber, in which he stated that Guyanese need to learn fast and be able to act quickly to take up available opportunities in the developing Oil and Gas Sector here in Guyana.

I agree with him that prior to 2015, there was nothing going on or any form of education being shared with the public or the local business community in preparation for this Industry.

Guyanese was of the belief that the Industry would develop, and like countries rich with Oil and Gas the economy would grow and then opportunities would flow. However, this is not the way it works...so Manniram is on point here... its education of the general public and

sensitisation of the Guyanese business community of the potential needs of the Industry. Guyanese should have been made aware of the Services, which would have been required, and other Technical supports...here Guyanese were not asking about the big technical stuff but the basic things that would have had them become an integral part of the Industry.

This was not to be, since the Exxon success story off shore in Guyana, Guyanese can hardly say that they feel or see the benefits of this...here it’s not about the payment of the oil sales or Royalty, but business opportunities where scores and scores of Guyanese would have been the recipients of the spinoff of Services and other contracts, instead the bulk of these basic things are within the control of Foreign contractors to support what I am saying.

I will share the results of a

survey undertaken by a group of friends over the past few months.

No Guyanese would believe that the bulk of businesses contracted as suppliers to the Oil and Gas Industry are Trinidadians with over 500 registered businesses in Guyana followed by the United States of America with over 260, then Guyana with over 140, Canada with over 90, and the UK with around 60, and get this, Suriname with more than 50, Brazil and Barbados with several scores.

Can anyone explain to us how can, or why should Guyana be allowing Trinidadians to establish Businesses in the Oil and Gas Industry in this country, to offer services such as Logistics (this term hides the basic stuff they do and it’s not complicated) and Training and Realty and Transportation, and Event Management, House management, etc?...look, this

is so embarrassing when one gets down to the nitty gritty of exactly what they are doing.

Guyanese were made to feel that the Trinidadians knew all about Oil and Gas and we should leave them to operate, but if you doubt me, go yourself and enquire what they are doing here, as a matter of fact all of them. Be certain that they are following the laws and regulations of the country…that they are registered with the NIS and GRA and that they are actually compliant...that they are not hiring Trinidadians or foreign employees to perform the basic roles Guyanese can do...this nonsense must stop. Guyanese should enjoy the benefits of this Industry.

Guyanese have waited too long, treated too badly and denied too many opportunities throughout the regions both in the Caribbean and further afield...let’s fix this now!

Yours Truly, Alex James

Anti-PPP March Dear Editor, Everyone has a right to express their sentiments on topics and political opinions.

It adds value to the multiple narratives needed to drive change. However, an antiPPP march in Brooklyn, NY, does not cause a change in Guyana. People will still send remittances, visit, and carry on with normal life after. The disposition of Guyanese in the US and Guyana will remain the same. The PPP is in government and APNU+AFC is in opposition - will not change for a very long time.

It would be remarkable to

mobilise the community to implement structures that will benefit us. Examples would be institutions to support the care of the elderly and vulnerable, education and training, youth programmes such as sport, and economic stability of those members most impacted by the Covid19. We have a great opportunity to pursue ethnographic research into phenomenon impacting our lives in New York.

All of us desire improved financial freedom and opportunities to pursue education, homeownership,

vehicle purchases, and others. Mobilising the community to form institutions like a credit union supports our economic development.

An improved economic disposition expands into Guyana and can support coproduction activities and business. It also supports in the long term through equity and surety, providing a quality of life to be enjoyed by all.

Instead, we march against the PPP along the busy Flatbush Avenue. A location where few Guyanese own

businesses and most of us live in apartment buildings. It is great to see that leadership works in the Brooklyn community, but better if that leadership focuses on activities to uplift us. Does APNU+AFC only lead Guyana for members of the Brooklyn Community? It is foolhardy to think that, but this shows how rhinoceros’ decisions are made in that camp.

Let us see the effectiveness of this Big March.

Sincerely, Dustin Fraser

United Republican Party’s position on COVID-19 vaccine - respect freedom of choice Dear Editor, The world changed when SARS-COV-2/COVID-19 became a force to reckon with.

The experimental virus started to spread like wildfire, infecting everyone and killing the vulnerable.

The world soon geared up to fight this menace, preventative methods like mask-wearing, hand and respiratory hygiene and social distancing became a mandated norm. In addition, scientists from various countries joined the race to create a vaccine that would curb the spread and decrease morbidity and mortality.

However, these vaccines only achieved 50 percent of the task, it only decreases morbidity and mortalities.

Within the space of a year, multiple brands of COVID-19 vaccines arrived on the

market; some made from brand new technology being m-RNA and some made from the conventional technology being live attenuated. Most of these branded vaccines would have received approval from the FDA and WHO, but these approvals were done under the Emergency Use Authorization clause (section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act).

At present, the race for herd immunity is on. Herd immunity may be defined as the “resistance to the spread of an infectious disease within a population that is based on pre-existing immunity of a high proportion of individuals as a result of previous infection or vaccination” (Oxford Dictionary). With the percentage of vaccinated (26.6% - Reuters) plus the

total number of positive cases to date 22,992 (3.1% of the total population), we reckon that Guyana is on its way in the race toward Herd Immunity at 29.7%.

However, Herd immunity for COVID-19 has proven to be a challenge. The vaccines as mentioned before, have been working at fifty percent (50%). The spread of the virus is still ongoing, as we see spikes of cases (more so the Delta variant) in the UK, Europe, and Israel, some of the front-runners for Herd Immunity via vaccination.

The facts are, that the vaccinated and the unvaccinated can be infected

by COVID-19, and both categories have the potential to spread the virus; hence, the United Republican Party (URP) stands with those calling for freedom of choice.

We believe in respecting the autonomy of our citizens, so we are asking the Government to not divide the population any further. The virus is still spreading, therefore ridiculous reasons like “protect the vaccinated” are unacceptable for these mandatory vaccine measures.

Additionally, we are calling on all Guyanese, vaccinated or unvaccinated to continue to wear their mask, practice social distancing and practice hand and respiratory hygiene. The vaccinated should not get ahead of themselves, since spreading is still possible.

Mutations/variants come about as a result of spreading and there is an unfortunate potential for a mutation to occur against the antibodies induced by the vaccine. At (Continued on page 6)

Friday August 20, 2021

Kaieteur News

Time is running out Dear Editor, Thirteen years ago, I wrote a letter entitled “We Must Take Global Warming Into Account In Planning Our Future.” I simply repeated what science had clearly warned about in the near future.

A recent report by NASA scientists predicted that, “...coastlines will face increasing flooding in the mid-2030s; thanks to a regular lunar cycle that will magnify rising sea levels caused by climate

change...This cycle takes 18.6 years to complete.” It adds that “The prediction pushes previous estimates forward by about 70 years” a n d s u g g e s t s t h a t “ I t ’s critical information for planners.”

If this is true, then coastlines below sea level such as ours will be hardest hit, and “more frequent, and more severe,” some changes becoming “irreversible.”

Therefore, as we continue our blind, aggressive drive for yet more fossil fuels, and to

Melanie NIS’ office closure Dear Editor, Due to incidents of COVID-19, the Management of the National Insurance Scheme has made a decision to temporarily close its Melanie, East Coast Demerara local office.

This closure, which took effect from yesterday, Thursday August 19, 2021, at 12:00hrs, will facilitate the testing of staff for the virus and the sanitising of the building and compound.

The Office will resume services as per normal on Monday August 23, 2021.

NB: All Local Offices as well as the Office situated at Camp and Bent Streets, remain open to the Public.

Pensioners are encouraged to utilise the services of these other locations.

NIS regrets all inconveniences caused.

NIS Public Relations

justify this decision by saying that the carbon sink provided b y G u y a n a ’s f o r e s t s exceeds the effect of carbon emissions from our oil finds, we seem either totally oblivious or totally indifferent to the impending catastrophe that might await our country.

Talk about starting a new town on the Linden highway

is not nearly enough. We must immediately consider relocating the capital. In addition, we must start making plans for possible evacuation of flooded areas and for construction of emergency shelters outside the flood zone. TIME IS RUNNING OUT. Yours truly, Clairmont Lye

Still no word Dear Editor, ‘No cover up’ says the Head, but still no word on the Headley shooting matter

months after. Why is this after several investigations and reports?

Shamshun Mohamed

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Friday August 20, 2021

Kaieteur News

...United Republican Party’s position on From page 4 this time, the URP calls for the government to have constructive discussions with various bodies that might have issues with taking the vaccines.

It is and will remain the position of the URP that every person has freedom of choice, that forcing individuals to take the

vaccines against their will would not be tolerated.

Those who wish to be vaccinated have made their choice and those who wish not to be, should reserve that right. Freedom of choice must be preserved and respected by all.

Dr. Vishnu Bandhu, Leader of The United Republican Party

South entrance/exit of Norton Street a drug alley at nights Dear Editor, As a senior citizen, I have observed a problem in Norton Street, Lodge, at the south ally entrance or exit.

Between the hours of 18:00 and 21:00hrs in the nights, persons usually block

the south ally in Norton Street smoking what appears to be marijuana.

They use foul language and have no regard for persons using the said south ally in Norton Street.

Disgusted senior citizen

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Friday August 20, 2021

Kaieteur News

The UN says shift from fossil fuel to renewables.

The PPP/C government says: what the UN says doesn't matter.

The UN Secretary General's position is that grave danger exists should fossil fuel dependence and activity continue.

Our Vice President's position is: he could talk, Guyana will drill. So it is.

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Friday August 20, 2021

Kaieteur News

Man shot dead while trying to rescue kidnapped girlfriend A shopkeeper identified only as “Saw-Man,” was reportedly shot dead on Tuesday while trying to save his girlfriend, a Venezuelan woman, from her kidnappers. He was killed around 19:45hrs. in the Toroparu Backdam located along the Cuyuni River, Region Seven.

According to investigators, four men armed with cutlasses and a handgun had entered the shop that evening, tied him up and demanded that he hand them gold and cash.

Saw-Man had reportedly told them that his girlfriend had the gold.

The woman was at the time liming at a nearby s h o p . Tw o b a n d i t s reportedly left in search of his girlfriend and had found her. They brought her back to the shop where they

forced her to show them where the gold and cash was.

The men reportedly helped themselves to nine ounces of raw gold worth some $2,700,000, a gold chain valued at $200,000, one 7000 Minelab metal detector valued at $1,000,000 and one 1000 Minelab metal detector valued at 200,000.

After stealing the items, the men decided to abduct Saw-Man's girlfriend as well. Police reported that they took her away by leading her through a trail.

While on their way, investigators related, the bandits saw a flashlight approaching them at a fast pace. The bandit armed with the gun reportedly fired a shot in the direction of the flashlight and ran away with his accomplices leaving the

woman behind.

Loud cries for help were heard soon after and persons rushed to assist and found an injured Saw-Man lying in the trail bleeding from a gunshot wound.

Investigators were told that they picked him up in a conscious state and took him to their camp where he succumbed shortly after from the gunshot wound.

It is believed that after the men abducted his girlfriend, he must have managed to free himself and run behind them to rescue her but ended up being shot dead.

Police have since stated that efforts are being made to transport Saw-Man's remains to Georgetown for it to be properly identified by his relatives.

The hunt is on for the suspects.

Kaieteur News

Friday August 20, 2021

PAGE 09

The Gift!

Look, those who wish to have their intelligence or common sense insulted can go ahead and believe that the US$18M paid by the oil companies was represented as a gift and not a Signing Bonus. I am not buying that neither by hook, by line or by sinker.

If there was the belief that the monies paid were for the legal fees for Guyana's prosecution of its claim before the International Court of Justice and for training, then why was this sum kept secret?

Why this sum was not made public? In addition, if it was indeed perceived as a gift for legal fees and training, then should it not by law have been placed into the Consolidated Fund, in accordance with the law?

The Fiscal Management and Accountability Act provides that all monies received by the government shall be credited fully and promptly to the Consolidated Fund, except for moneys credited to an Extra-Budgetary Fund as stipulated in the enabling legislation establishing that fund, or moneys credited to a Deposit Fund.

The monies were not placed into an ExtraBudgetary Fund created by statue. And it was not put into any Deposit Fund either.

The Fiscal Management and Accountability Act states that a Deposit Fund is a fund created by the Minister.

The Minister may establish one or more Deposit Funds into which

Dem

boys seh...

public moneys shall be paid pending repayment or payment for the purpose for which the moneys were deposited.

However, once a Deposit Fund is established, the Minister has a statutory duty to notify the National Assembly of the Deposit Fund, the source of the money and the purposes for which it is expended, the banking arrangements for the Deposit Fund and the intended investment strategy for the Fund. None of these was done and therefore the monies could not have been credited to any Deposit Fund.

Even if, by some stretch of the imagination, one is inclined to give the former Minister of Finance the benefit of the doubt that he did believe that the US$18M was a gift and not a Signing Bonus, then perhaps he should explain whether he ever enquired as to the status of the Signing Bonus.

The Production Sharing Agreement with ESSO, HESS and CNOOC, which was signed in 2016, clearly states that, “The Contractor shall pay the Government a Signature bonus of eighteen million United States D o l l a r s (US$18,000,000.00).

Such payment will be made within a period of fifteen (15) Business Days after the Effective Date, or such earlier date as agreed amongst the Parties. Such payment shall be made to a bank account within the Bank of Guyana, which is

owned by the Government as designated in writing by the Minister of Finance of the Government.

Contractor shall verify such bank accounts and the Minister agrees to cooperate, assist and provide the Contractor with any information it requires to conduct such verification.”

It is clear from the terms of the Production Sharing Agreement that Exxon was obligated to pay the Signing Bonus within two weeks of the Effective Date of the PSA agreement. The Minister of Finance is not a disinterested party in this matter. He is required by the agreement to designate in writing the bank account into which the monies is to be paid. He is also mandated to provide information, for the purposes of verification of the Signing Bonus to the Contractor and upon the Contractor's request – the Contractor in this case being the oil companies.

One therefore has to ask, if it was the belief that the US$18M which was paid to the Government was a gift for the payment of legal fees and training, did anyone ask what about the Signature Bonus?

Given the recent pronouncements made, the PPP/C administration now has firmer grounds to launch an inquiry into the Signature Bonus and its payment, including who was the negotiator.

While the PPP/C is at it, it should examine the Cabinet records of the

If yuh nah gat money nah get certain sickness in Guyana

Dem boys remember lang ago when dem film star used to come to Guyana, do a big concert and den leave quickly a few days later.

De Tax Man used to collect he entertainment tax at de gate but dem film star and musician did used to done gone by de time he can calculate how much dem gat to pay in income taxes. One time, dem superstars had to cancel dem flight till dem promoter settle taxes.

Dem boys reading some good news about how foreign doctors coming to Guyana and doing miracles. Dem doing surgeries wah saving people life. But when dem boys read how much dem surgery costs, dem boys know dat nuff poor people can't afford dem heavy price duh.

Dem boys know of cases way persons

had to tek discharge from private hospital because when dem hear how much de surgery gan cost, dem family cannot afford it. When dem see de cost, dem get mo sick.

Suh dem does end up in public hospital, which is supposed to be free. But some surgery does only be done by private specialist at de public hospital.

So if yuh nah gat nuff money nah pray fuh get certain sickness in Guyana.

But dem boys glad fuh hear people getting help and dat some people can afford de price wah charging. But dem boys nah hearing anything about how much money dem doctor charging. But whatever dem charging, dem boys know dat de Tax Man gan be watching.

Talk half and clap yuh kinds fuh private health care!

APNU+AFC administration to determine if prior to the PSA being signed, Cabinet had authorised any such agreement.

A Petroleum Advisor to the then APNU+AFC President had said that when he told President Granger about the agreement, he appeared surprised. So was the Production Sharing

Agreement signed behind the back of President Granger and his Cabinet?

The nation needs to know. The PPP/C has an obligation to let them know and to investigate whether there were any breaches of the law in relation to the nonpayment of the US$18M into the Consolidated Fund?

Will the PPP/C

undertake such an investigation? Or would such a violation be considered by the PPP/C as a violation of the sanctity of contracts?

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Friday August 20, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

GOAR or GOAT? A tiny history of anti-Indian violence since Independence A group of PNC aligned personalities have formed an organisation named GOAR. It should have been GOAT. Because that is what they are. The formation of GOAR has essentially destroyed the main weapon of Afro-centric politicians in this country who see the galvanisation of Black people and the maintenance of their passion through anti-Indian violence.

If you form an organisation to stem the tide of racism in Guyana, then how are you going to remain alive when anti-Indian street protest is what keeps you alive? Once you beat up Indians then GOAR become GOAT. The people who formed GOAR named it Guyanese Organisation Against Racism. But the perpetuation of racial anger is what has kept these Afrocentric politicians alive since 1992.

Let us trace the history of the origins of “mo fyaah/slo fyaah.” That was not the slogan behind PNC-

instigated street mayhem just days after the 1992 election results. But in effect the strategy was to start fires in the commercial centres of Georgetown and sustain them to prevent the PPP from taking power.

As the Carter Centre (with President Carter him releasing the results of a quick count), made the announcement of a loss by Desmond Hoyte, PNC personnel began to unleash looters on Indian business places. I was monitoring the violence and I saw a Portuguese woman drove up with a pick-up truck with African youths. They began to destroy an Indian business place directly opposite National Hardware on Water Street. I wish I could name her only to say at the time she made curry powder.

That was the beginning of mo fyah/slo fyaah. The flames grew larger in postelection violence 1997 when innocent young Indian girls were viciously attacked in Regent Street. The

organisation named GIFT, formed by Ravi Dev and others, documented the atrocities committed on Indian citizens, especially in downtown Georgetown.

Indian stores were looted.

Mo fyaah/slo fyaah heated up in post-election violence in 2001. GAWU's building on Regent Street was burned down, so were many Indian stores. This columnist saw African youths destroying the fire hoses as firemen tried to stop GAWU's building from burning. Mo fyaah/slow fyaah by then had become the official name of the antiIndian mayhem.

Mo fyaah/slo fyaah morphed into a Draculean monster in 2002. Anti-Indian personnel from the PNC in G uyan a and th e P N C diaspora groups arranged a Mash Day jailbreak that took up residence in Buxton. The shape of the anti-Indian violence from 2002 had only one parallel in Guyanese history – the near genocide against Indians in

Mackenzie 1964.

The Buxton gunmen were indoctrinated with insane hatred for East Indians in Guyana. Their ideological teachers were Ronald Waddell. Every conceivable African political activist who hated Indians and the PPP journeyed to Buxton. Some of the names would literally shock not only Guyana but the world.

They went about a random killing spree of Indians; the most horrific of these killing fields were the multiple deaths at Nathoo's Parlour on Pike Street, Kitty, the Lusignan Massacre and Minister Sash Sawh's family.

Well-known climate activist, Dr. Janet Bulkan, wrote about the gunning down of a handyman in Better Hope she once knew. The Buxton gunmen were passing, saw him and just killed him.

Anti-Indian violence abated after the demented gunmen were confronted by the ferocity of extra-judicial personnel of which Roger Khan had a more than

passing role. I am getting on in age and hope there comes a time when I could add specific details to the more than Frederick Kissoon 20 columns I did on what happened in I ndian supporters Buxton.

I believe not since the an electoral victory. Indians almost physical liquidation were brutally attacked and of Indians in Mackenzie, has r o b b e d . T h e c y c l e o f modern Guyana witnessed a M a c k e n z i e c o n t i n u e d . deliberate attempt to create Buxton and Agricola were mass killings of Indians as asked to participate in the what was planned in Buxton, September 2020 mayhem.

They declined.

2002-2006.

So now we have GOAR It got me deeply angry when I read a newspaper to protest anti-African letter by former WPA leader, racism.

How can GOAR do such Bonita Bone-Harris, who later became the common- while allowing Indians to be law wife of Ronald Waddell attacked unless GOAR referring to him as a non- become a barefaced GOAT? violent man. To think my But even if GOAR becomes wife and I had this woman as GOAT, Indians should never our guest in our student allow a permanent knee on their neck. apartment in Toronto.

(The views expressed in In September 2020 in Region Five, PNC, WPA, this article are those of the ACDA and elements from a u t h o r a n d d o n o t the AFC tried to resurrect mo necessarily reflect the fyaah/slo fyaah, once more opinions of this newspaper.) to deny the PPP and their

Friday August 20, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Friday August 20, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Guyana, Suriname sign key agreements for Agri., Health industries G

uyanese and Surinamese officials gathered at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) yesterday to sign two key agreements that would foster cooperation and development in the areas of health and agriculture.

The first agreement was signed between Guyana's A g r i c u l t u r e M i n i s t e r, Zulfikar Mustapha, and

Suriname's Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of Suriname, Hendrik Setrowidjojo.

The protocol on trade in fresh agricultural produce will see both CARICOM sisters working together to meet their international obligations relating to the production, certification, processing, packaging, storing and transporting of agricultural produce.

Kaieteur News understands that the terms and conditions set out in the protocol relate only to commercial shipments of agricultural produce.

Additionally, the protocol focuses on the local and organic production of fresh agricultural crops and livestock by providing guidelines under which they will be produced, stored and eventually packaged and

transported to each country.

Both have also agreed to collaborate on addressing access to future North American, European, and regional markets.

The second agreement was signed between Acting Foreign Affairs Minister and Health Minister, Frank Anthony, and Albert Ramdin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation for

Suriname. They signed an agreement for the establishment of services in the field of healthcare.

The agreement sets out the terms and conditions under which both will provide effective capacity building for healthcare personnel and specialty treatment for patients.

They are also expected to develop joint programmes for professional health care

and public health services, disease control, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, pharmaceutical services, and research. The Ministers also agree that in this COVID-19 era, they will coordinate their efforts on cross border diagnostics for COVID-19, contact tracing and quarantine and developing a risk communication strategy in awareness and vaccination.

Friday August 20, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Alleged attempted executioner remanded Derwin Benons of Meadow Brook Drive, Georgetown, was on Wednesday remanded to prison for allegedly attempting to execute a man.

The defendant appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan. He denied the charge, which alleges that on July 28, 2021, at Bamboo Drive, Meadow Brook, he discharged a loaded firearm at Kenneth

Reid with intent to maim, disfigure, or cause him grievous bodily harm.

The court heard that on the day in question, Reid was sitting in front of his home when two men on a motorcycle rode past him. It was reported that the rider reversed and the pillion rider, Benons, dismounted and discharged a round in his (Reid) direction. He, however, missed and Reid escaped unhurt. The matter was later

reported to the police and an investigation was launched.

The defendant was soon after arrested and Reid later identified him as the shooter.

The police prosecutor told the court that Benons and Reid have pending court matters in relation to an ongoing feud.

The Chief Magistrate remanded Benons to prison and the matter was adjourned to September 22, 2021.

Remanded, Derwin Benons.

Friday August 20, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Judge grants interim order suspending bail Brazilians placed on bail for cocaine charge…

J

ustice, Sandil Kissoon, on Wednesday granted an interim order suspending Senior Magistrate, Alex Moore's decision to grant bail to two Brazilian men who were charged with cocaine in their possession.

The Magistrate's decision was challenged by the Attorney General (AG), Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C. The defendants, Andre Luiz Pereira, 31, and 64-year-old Salem Nobrega De Alencar, made their first court appearance on July 22, 2021, before Magistrate Moore.

The men were charged with illegal entry and for trafficking 453kgs of cocaine.

Magistrate Moore had placed them on $3M bail each on the cocaine charge and $50,000 bail

each for the illegal entry charge.

According to reports, the cocaine was found after the plane the men were travelling in crashed on May 20, 2021, at Orealla, Region Six. On August 16, 2021, the AG responded to an application filed in the High Court by Adeline Bernadette Mandokin for and on behalf of Pereira.

The application filed was seeking a writ of habeas corpus ad subjiciendum.

Justice Kissoon heard the habeas corpus application and granted an Order Nisi which was directed to the Commissioner of Police to 'show cause' why Pereira should not be released from police custody.

The matter was then adjourned

Senior Magistrate, Alex Moore to Wednesday and this led to the AG responding.

The AG then filed a proceeding

seeking to have Magistrate's Moore decision to grant bail revoked.

On Tuesday, attorneys-at-law Nigel Hughes and Konyo Sandiford represented Pereira, while the AG appeared on behalf of the Commiss i o n e r o f P o l i c e .

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Kissoon upheld the submissions made by the AG that the Brazilian men should rema i n i n c u s t o d y u n t i l t h e hearing and determination of the Judicial Review c h a l l e n g e t o Magistrate Moore's decision to grant bail in the circumstances.

Justice Kissoon then granted the interim order staying and suspending the order by Magistrate Moore and also ordered that the

Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C 'show cause' order that was granted on August 16, 2021, in the Habeas Corpus Application, be discharged.

Kaieteur News

Friday August 20, 2021

Man stabbed to death; cops on the hunt for suspect Arrow showing Khan's body (covered) in the police cordoned off area at Bennet Dam, Rosignol.

Dead, Ryan Boodhoo.

Hit-and-run driver placed on $1M bail for causing teen's death Tw e n t y - f i v e - y e a r- o l d Casey Stephen, of One Mile Extension, Wismar, Linden, was on Wednesday placed on $1M bail for allegedly causing the death of a 19-year-old youth in a hit-and-run accident.

The defendant appeared in the Diamond/Grove Magistrate's Court before Principal Magistrate, Judy Latchman. He was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, failure to render assistance, being an unlicensed driver and breach of insurance.

Stephen denied the charge, which alleges that on Sunday July 15, 2021, at Kairuni Public Road, SoesdykeLinden Highway, he drove a motor vehicle in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Ryan Boodhoo of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

The defendant also denied the other charges that were read to him and Principal Magistrate Latchman placed him on $1M bail for the causing death by dangerous driving charge and $20,000 bail each for the other offences. She then adjourned the matter to September 10, 2021.

According to reports, Stephen was the driver of motorcar PZZ 2881, which was involved in the fatal hitand-run accident. The accident occurred around 21:30hrs. while Boodhoo was walking along the eastern side of the said road proceeding south in the company of his friends.

One of Boodhoo's friends told investigators that while walking he heard a vehicle approaching from behind. The friend stated that when he looked back he saw the motor vehicle approaching at a fast rate of speed, which caused him to pull his friend who was next to him to safety.

However, Boodhoo was hit from behind by the said vehicle, which then drove away in a southern direction.

The teen fell onto the road surface, which caused him to receive injuries about his body.

He was picked up in an unconscious condition by the police and public-spirited citizens, and rushed to the Mackenzie Public Hospital where a doctor pronounced him dead on arrival.

An investigation was launched and the driver of the motorcar was later arrested and placed before the court.

PAGE 15 Police in Region 5 have launched an investigation into the brutal stabbing to death of a Rosignol, West Bank Berbice (WBB) man. Dead is Feroze Khan, 48, of Carriage Road, Rosignol, WBB. The suspect who has not been identified by police is on the run.

Police said in a release that the alleged murder took place at approximately 14:30hrs. on Thursday August 19, 2021, at Bennet Dam, Rosignol. An eyewitness account of the incident detailed that the suspect had visited a grocery shop at Bennet Dam to purchase a bottle of water and subsequently left. Shortly after, the suspect was seen on the dam armed with a piece of wood running towards Khan, who was walking on the said dam. The suspect then dealt Khan several blows about his body with the piece of wood, causing Khan to collapse on the ground.

The eyewitness told the police that the suspect whipped out a knife from his pants waist, inflicted several stabs to Khan's body and then fled the scene. Police were summoned to the scene and an investigation was launched.

The body of Khan was escorted to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital by the police, he was pronounced dead on arrival.The body was later escorted to Bailey's Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Kaieteur News

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Friday August 20, 2021

Don't expect big oil money soon - Jagdeo - Nation must live within its means

V

ice President Bharrat Jagdeo says Guyanese will have to live within their means for quite a while into the future, since major inflows of revenue from the rapidly developing oil and gas sector will not be had by the country for the next few years.

Jagdeo made the admission during a Baker's Institute Conversation on Tuesday, while attending the 2021 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), currently underway in Houston Texas, USA. The Vice President is currently leading a local delegation to the annual international event and was asked to give a perspective on Guyana's foreign policy relations in the region in light of its newfound wealth.

To this end, Jagdeo told those in attendance, “we don't see ourselves wealthy as yet, oil revenue, the magnitude that would see major flows to Guyana is not coming for the next few years.”

According to Jagdeo, “US$300M/US$400M a year now is not a lot of money and many people think, oh the wealth will come tomorrow or, it's here today and suddenly have to start splurging.”

The Vice President, as such was adamant, “we have

to live within our means for quite a while into the future.”

Doubling down on his position, the Vice President noted, “A lot of people believe we have a lot of money to give,” and drew reference to a publicly voiced opinion, initially by Professor Clive Thomas, who intimated a US$5,000 cash transfer to Guyanese families annually.

Rubbishing the argument, the Vice President noted however, that if such a policy were to be adopted, it would cost some US$1B y e a r l y, “ a n d w e o n l y collecting US$300M.” To this end, the Vice President said that persons had unrealistically raised the expectations for Guyanese with regards their oil wealth for political purposes.

Asked to project his vision for Guyana in the long to medium term, the Vice President pointed to increased contributions to the non-oil economy, generating as much as oil. To this end, he spoke to the diversification on the economy with a particular focus on the nation's agricultural potential.

Guyana's delayed revenue earnings were recently highlighted in a July 2021 Report done by the Institute of Energy Economics and Financial

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, (at left) during the Baker's Institute Conversation.

Analysis (IEEFA).

In that report, IEEFA Director, Tom Sanzillo had documented that by the end of 2024, ExxonMobil Guyana is slated to receive some US$42.7B representing 85 percent of the take from some 555 million barrels of oil scheduled to be produced from the Stabroek Block

d u r i n g t h a t period—representing recoverable costs such as expenses and profits.

Guyana's take during the same period in contrast, sees the country earning some US$3.7B total, US$653M of which would represent taxes being paid by Guyana on behalf of the US oil major operating in the Stabroek Block.

Total royalty for its oil for Guyana at the end of 2024, is pegged to be US$523M or $100M less than what the country will take from its share, to fork over to the treasury as taxes—foregone revenue from ExxonMobil Guyana. The taxes projected for Guyana to pay by the end of 2024 amounts to some $653M.According to Sanzillo's finding, development costs alone to be recovered by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) during the period would amount to some US$24.7B of its total recoverable costs pegged at US$39.4B. Sanzillo in his report notes that prior to 2020, ExxonMobil Guyana had already recovered for oil produced and sold in excess of US$3.4B, while costs recovered during that year amounted to $2.2B in bills to be recovered from cost oil.

This year, according to

Sanzillo, ExxonMobil and its partners are slated to recover as part of its Field Development Costs, US$2.8B. Next year, the amount goes up to US$4B, then to $4.7B in 2023 and US$7.6B by the end of 2024.

This publication had recently reported that exact figures being deducted, as part of the recoverable expenses through the sale of as much as 75 percent of the crude produced in the Stabroek Block, has in large part remained in the domain of the partners and has never been shared publicly.

The recent study on Guyana's Oil and Gas industry and the economics involved by Sanzillo, had uncovered that EEPGL in fact pays its parent company ExxonMobil Corp.— based on Texas USA — a hefty Parent Company Overhead (PCO) fee as part of its recovery fees.A PCO fee is described in business circles as a fee charged by an operator to its co-venture partners in respect of costs of support services from its parent organisation such as Human Resources security and procurement services, and is most commonly charged on the basis of a percentage of all other sums charged to the joint account.

According to Sanzillo in his analysis, EEPGL prior to

2020 paid over US$73M in PCO fees to its parent company. Sanzillo in his July 2021 report said, that EEPGL paid ExxonMobil Corp.

US$35M last year and will this year fork over US$4M more, or US$39M in PCO fees.

Sanzillo predicts the fee being paid to the US based parent company to increase to US$53M next year and then US$64M the following year.

Slated to collect US$93M in 2024, it would mean that by the end of the next three years, EEPGL would have paid over to the Texas based ExxonMobil US$360M total in fees.

This publication had reported too, that Sanzillo in his findings had found that another of the expenditures for which Guyana is being charged a hefty amount, relates to the interest being c h a rg e d o n t h e l o a n s contracted by EEPGL. He had found that on the interest alone that is being paid by the company through recoverable cost oil, the country prior to 2020 had paid US$143M. For 2020, according to Sanzillo, interest on loans accounts for US$229M and this year, he projects the amount to be some US$336M. Guyana's total (Continued on page 20)

Friday August 20, 2021

Kaieteur News

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PAGE 18

Friday August 20, 2021

Kaieteur News

Passenger released after suspected cocaine turns out to be milk powder The suspected Fernleaf packets of cocaine that turned out to be milk powder.

A Barbados bound female passenger and a man, were on Wednesday, released from the police lock-ups after the suspected cocaine they were accused of trafficking turned out to be milk powder.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) had reported that the female passenger was prevented from boarding her flight to Barbados on Monday at The Eugene F. Correia International Airport located at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, after ranks there noticed her acting suspiciously.

They reportedly searched her luggage

and found 12 packets of Fernleaf milk powder stashed among her clothing. GPF claimed that with the use of a Narcotic testing kit its ranks tested the contents from two of the packets. The results, further claimed by the GPF, indicated that the substance inside of the packets was cocaine.

The packets were weighed and ranks labeled them as 4.873 Kilograms of suspected cocaine.

They proceeded to arrest the woman and take her into custody. Confident that the (Continued on page20)

Matter discontinued after policeman's mother accepts $5 million compensation for his death

Towana Clarke Almost two years after 29-year-old Carl Roach, a police constable of Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, met his demise in an accident, the matter was on Tuesday discontinued in court after Roach's mother accepted a $5M compensation to end the matter.

This publication was reliably informed that the charge was discontinued against Towana Clarke,

Dead, Carl Roach

Corporate Secretary at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), of Lot 1919 Norton and Haley Streets, Wortmanville, Georgetown, after the victim's mother agreed to be compensated.

The matter was being heard in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly.

Clarke was charged back in November 2019 for

causing the death of Roach by dangerous driving. She was out on $700,000 bail pending the outcome of the matter.

It was reported that on her first court appearance she denied the charge, which stated that on November 25, 2019, at Chalmers Place, Brickdam, she drove motorcar PMM 2528 in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of the police constable.

Friday August 20, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

MoH records one more COVID-19 death, 141 new infections Yesterday, the Ministry of Health (MoH) reported that a 34-year-old man from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, has died.

As a result of this, the country's COVID19 death toll has moved to 588.

The Ministry reported too that the man passed away on Wednesday while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

Further, in its daily COVID-19

dashboard, the Ministry within the last 24 hours recorded 141 new infections, bringing the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 23,936.

Presently there are 15 patients admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 92 in institutional isolation, 1,048 in home isolation and two in institutional isolation.

To date, a total of 22,193 persons have recovered from the virus.

PAGE 20

Friday August 20, 2021

Kaieteur News

Don't expect big oil...

From page 16 share from production in the Stabroek Block is projected at US$226M, a difference of US$110M. Based on his projections, by 2024, Guyana would have had to repay some US$2.8B on loans for projects that had been approved up to July this year — the month the analyst report was published.

According to Sanzillo, next year he is projecting that the payment for interests would amount to some US$488M, while the country's total take for that year would be US$434M or US$54M less.

For 2023, Sanzillo projects government's total share to increase to US$905M while the US oil major will utilise some US$661M from cost oil to use for interest on loans. In 2024, the financial analyst predicts total earnings for Guyana to be US$1.3B while the interest payments alone for that year would amount to US$946M. The total recoverable costs, according to Sanzillo, are currently far in excess of annual gross revenue from production.

He observes in his analysis that a portion of gross

revenue goes to retire development costs in addition to paying for operations and profit and the remaining unrecovered balance is carried over each year. “It is generally assumed that as each year passes, new wells (Liza Phase 2 and Payara) could be added and revenues grown c o m m e n s u r a t e l y. ” It was noted too, that robust annual revenue payments to Guyana will be delayed as additional development costs are added to the cumulative unrecovered balance.

Passenger released after..

From page 18 Fernleaf packets contained cocaine, the ranks questioned her and she related to them that a man gave her the items to drop off in Barbados.

That man was located and arrested by the ranks as well. He admitted to giving the woman the Fernleaf packets but denied that they contained cocaine. Supposedly guided by the results from their narcotics testing

kits, the ranks placed them in the lock-ups as they continued investigations.On Wednesday, however, the contents in the Fernleaf packets were retested at the GPF's forensic laboratory and it turned out that the almost five kilograms of suspected cocaine was indeed close to five kilograms of Fernleaf milk powder.Both the female passenger and the man they had arrested were subsequently released from custody.

Kaieteur News

Friday August 20, 2021

Workshop goes up in flames An early morning fire tore through the interior of MDG Licence Plate Solutions Workshop, located at Lot 36 D'Urban and Smyth Streets, resulting in untold damages for the owner.

The fire, based on reports received, started sometime between 2:00 and 2:30hrs with smoke emanating from the roof of the building. One of the neighbours in the area who first saw the smoke immediately called the police and reported what was happening and the police without delay summoned the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).

The Service responded promptly and was able to extinguish the flames.

According to information communicated by the GFS,

the fire was as a result of the overloading of an electrical circuit. Due to the overloading of the circuit, a feedback was caused in the electrical panel, which ignited the wooden and concrete building.

The fire started in an area where combustible materials was stored and it escalated around the interior of the building completely destroying the hot stamp machine, the embossing machine and the open tray machine.

The entire workshop was also severely damaged.

According to the business owner, the building is fully insured and the estimated value for the damages is still to be ascertained as further investigations continue.

Girl, 19, remanded on rape charge A 19-year-old girl was on Wednesday remanded for allegedly raping a minor. The defendant, Gabrielle Allen called “Gabby,” of Lot 26 Buck Hill, Wismar, Linden, appeared virtually before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts.

She was not required to plea to the indictable charge, which alleges that she raped a child under the age of 16.

Allen was charged contrary to Section 10 (3) of the Sexual Offences Act Chapter 8:03.

According to the police, the teenager was arrested last Sunday following a rape allegation.

This led to an investigation being launched and Allen was later charged with rape of a minor.

The Chief Magistrate remanded her to prison and the matter was adjourned to September 10, 2021.

PAGE 21

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Friday August 20, 2021

Kaieteur News

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SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040

Wanted Masons, Carpenters, Labourers & Welders.

Contact: 602-9469, 657-5800, 666-2887.

During the opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Board Administration (NPTAB) yesterday, five companies submitted

expression of interest to supply air transport service to conduct medical evacuations, transport of medical supplies, medicines, pathology team and staff for the Ministry of Health.

Ministry of Health Supply of Air transport service to conduct medical evacuations, transport of medical supplies, medicines, pathology team and staff.

One general domestic for Tuesdays & Saturdays preferably between Unity & Norterzul.Call:259-0953,6233231,613-0836.

Additionally, bids were also open for the design and supervision of a four-storey multi-purpose building at the Georgetown Public Hospital, consulting services for the

development and implementation of single window for planning permission system for the Central Housing Planning Authority and the expansion of the GO-Invest main office.

Below are the companies and their bids:

Guyana Civil Aviation Authority Request for approval for restricted tendering, supply and installation of safety data collection and processing system.

Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) Consulting services for development and implementation of single window for planning permission system for CHPA

FOR SALE Household used: Dining tables, Mirrors, Side & Centertables, Floor lamps, Carpets. Call: 655-3070, 6622652.

Pure breed german shepherd pups,11 wks old.Price $100,000.Call:615-6589/6500347.

VACANCY C l e a n e r, m a i n t e n a n c e worker,labours to work with P.S.G.C.S.Call:621-6969 or 615-7784,7-4pm.

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Design and Supervision of a four-storey multi-purpose building in the north block of the GPHC compound.

GO-Invest Expansion of GO-invest main office

One general domestic.Must able to cook vegetarian meal.Apply at Alabama Trading,65 Robb street Bourda.

Vacancy for a domestic maid.Call:637-6700.

Porter and Welder/Serviceman. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 231-2250.

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

Furnish & unfurnish apt 1 bedroom,2 bedroom,3 bedroom.Diamond,Providence & H e r s t e l l i n g E.B.D.Call:682-6238.

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

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

Taxi driver & dispatcher at Princess taxi.Located at RamadaPrincess Hotel.Tel:616-5419,2657075,265-7076.

Chowmein machine operator/steamer.Apply in person R.P Enterprise area 'k' LeRessouvenir E.C.D.Call:220-2818/3710.

S e a m s t r e s s , Ta i l o r wanted.Tell:691-1918 whatsapp.

Counter attendants.Apply @Shanta’s,225 Camp & New Market St.

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

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

S&S security service having vacancy for security officers. Contact urgently: 6916081/226-8645.

Person to assemble bicycles.

Apply in person at Alabama Trading.65 Robb Street Bourda.

Jamaicans encouraged to volunteer for mediation training KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Dispute Resolution Foundation (DRF) is encouraging Jamaicans to volunteer for mediation training through which, the entity says, they can make a difference in their communities.

The voluntary foundation focuses on educating people on, and encouraging them to use alternative dispute resolution methods to settle differences.

Manager for Mediation Training and Network Services at the DRF, Sharon Young Palmer, stated that the eligibility requirements to volunteer include basic literacy and a High School Diploma.

“We also require that persons be of sound character whether they are Jamaican citizens or

Sharon Young Palmer otherwise. Those are our basic requirements for basic level mediation training. We want persons to know that they can… be trained once they meet the basic requirements,” she said.

Young Palmer said people

can also access training at the Supreme Court level, which she noted required that they complete basic level training, adding that individuals would have to conduct at least 10 mediation sessions.

She indicated that the training is ongoing, “even though we try to maintain a schedule; but because of the many requests that have been coming in, we try to accommodate as many as possible once we have persons who are ready”.

“In the past, we would have waited for at least a cohort of 25 persons [but] we no longer do that. If we have at least three or four persons, we will conduct the session.

This is because it takes three persons to participate in a mediation session — the mediator and the two disputers,” Young Palmer

explained.

Meanwhile, because of COVID-19, DRF training sessions are being conducted virtually via the Zoom digital platform. In addition to the regular training, the DRF also offers refresher courses.

“These are available to persons who may have not been training for a time, and so may not be very active. We also have other one-off courses that deal with specific components of the training, including the writing of the agreements, ethics, and those kinds of trainings available for citizens.

Training lasts for five to seven days,” Young Palmer said.

Training within the first five days is instructional, with the sixth day being used for preparation and practice.

Friday August 20, 2021

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...Taharally sets four new records on way to 76kg M1 Classic Gold; Brisport-Luke cops From page 27 all the more satisfying given the circumstances under which it was realised.”

Taharally also commended the work of Manager Kerma Singh and her club and teammate, Roger Rogers in attending to her during the day which commenced since 06:00hrs and concluded after 13:00hrs.

“I would also like to thank my other teammates for the support and motivation that they have given whilst competing. My sponsors, they know themselves, I would also like to say thank you.”

Readers are to note that the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) in 2021 got

rid of the 72kg Class and introduced two new classes in the female segment of the sport, 69kg and 76kg.

The 52 year-old Franklyn Brisport-Luke, contesting the Men’s Pan American 66kg Masters 11, Classic competition, saved the best for last as he achieved a Personal Best of 155kg (341.72lb) erasing his previous best of 145kg to secure the Silver medal in the Deadlift.

He also achieved a PB in the Squat of 120kg (264.55lb) whilst his best Bench Press was 72.5kg (159.83lb). The RipHit Strength and Conditioning System, member said that he was happy with his performance

yesterday noting that it was his real first attempt at the Classic segment of the sport.

He did compete in this segment in Uruguay in 2019 but it was not as he had expected given the ups and downs the Guyana team encountered at the time.

“I would like to extend sincere thanks to the GAPLF for once again affording me the opportunity to represent my nation. I also want to thank our Team Manager Mr. Singh for the great support yesterday, my teammates and all my sponsors for their assistance which made my being here a reality.”

Brisport-Luke would be in action again tomorrow when he would have a chance to

Friday August 20, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) It's important to take a hard look at yourself and know where you're going, Aries.

A little self-analysis never hurt anyone, especially when you feel like you aren't getting anywhere.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Taurus, you tend to run away from confrontation, but today you might not be able to avoid it. Your partner or a family member may be putting pressure on you.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may feel a little weary today. It's a good time to take stock of your life. You may have gotten some news about someone that has caused you some pain.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You have the gift of being able to get your great ideas across to others. In your family, you may be the one who teaches your children about life and its responsibilities.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Libra, life around you today almost seems like a (bad) dream. It's almost as if people are talking, but nothing intelligible is coming out of their mouths.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You can't spend all your time running from one activity to the next, Scorpio.

You need to take a break from time to time. You have all the energy you need, but you should think about relaxing yourself as a whole.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today's planetary configuration has you wondering about an aspect of your life that causes you a good deal of hardship, Sagittarius.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may have been a little difficult to be around lately.

You like to treat yourself to a little moodiness from time to time, but the people around you might appreciate a little cooperation.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) There may be tension in the air as you go about your day. The leftover fatigue from the past few days is starting to wear on you.Take advantage of the situation to clear the air with your friend.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Let your sensual, nurturing instincts shine through, Aquarius. Rely on your sixth sense. If things start to get rough, remember that you have the ability to keep your cool.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You don't live your life by society's rules. Your freedom is what is most important to you. But despite your independence, there are days when you have the sudden, sinking feeling that you could wind up alone in this world.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A solid grounding is apt to be extremely important to you today, Pisces. Hearts may be broken or won, depending on how well you play your cards. Keep in mind that the slow and steady contender is most likely going to win this race.

rake in the gold medal in the 66kg Masters 11 Equipped (Suited) competition.

Meanwhile, the athletes in action today would be Carlos ‘The Showstopper’ PettersonGriffith and one of two debutants, Wazir Mohamed, both in the 93kg Open Classic segment this morning. The other debutant, Roger Rogers will be the focus in the afternoon session in the 120kg Master 11 Classic battle.

...‘She was on the cusp From page 29 kept working, her work ethic is impeccable, so it was a good team effort. In April, when she did another x-ray, by that time the pain in the shin had really started to subside, she was able to train and able to sprint. When she went for the repeat x-ray, in April, it showed no signs of fractures.

That was amazing, that was a miracle, for those fractures to heal while she was actually training is really amazing.”

Typically, a 400m runner, Jackson dropped down to the sprints for Jamaica’s national championships, where she surprised many by placing second in both the 100m and 200m sprints. The rest, as they say, is history.

Nadina Taharally on the podium with her gold medal. (Franklin Wilson photo)

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PSG bullish about Mbappe future AFP - Real Madrid are not hiding their desire to sign Kylian Mbappe but Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino insists he can’t imagine the France superstar playing for another club this season.

Mbappe is out of contract next June and his future has dominated headlines in France and in Spain since Lionel Messi’s shock move from Barcelona to Paris last week.

In Madrid they believe Mbappe does not want to share more of the limelight with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner. “Madrid are not giving up,” said the cover of sports daily AS on Thursday.

PSG, meanwhile, want to keep the 22-year-old to complete a dream front line with Messi and Neymar.

Whether Real make their move before the August 31 transfer deadline remains to be seen, but Mbappe is in no rush to extend his contract at the Parc des Princes.

Nevertheless, while Neymar and Messi build up their fitness following extended summer breaks, Mbappe has played a

starring role for his club at the beginning of the campaign.

He set up the decisive goal as PSG won 2-1 at Troyes on the opening weekend and then created three goals as Pochettino’s team beat Strasbourg 4-2 last Saturday.

“Kylian seems in good shape, he is motivated and working very hard to have a good season. That is what we are all thinking about,” Pochettino told reporters yesterday ahead of PSG’s trip to Brittany to play Brest today.

“Kylian is our player and I don’t see him being anywhere else this season.”

The speculation about his future led to Mbappe being jeered by some PSG supporters before the S t r a s b o u rg g a m e , b u t Pochettino insisted the France World Cup winner was taking it in his stride.

“Kylian is preparing for tomorrow’s game. The only conversations I have with Kylian are about football,” the Argentine added.

“He has a year left on his contract, if he doesn’t renew

it. We are happy with him and from what I see he is happy with us too.”

On Thursday Pochettino gave little away when asked if Messi might make his debut for his new club in the slightly ramshackle surroundings of Brest’s Stade Francis-Le Ble. It would be quite the contrast to the Argentine’s glitzy unveiling before a packed crowd in Paris last weekend, but PSG may give

Friday August 20, 2021

Kylian Mbappe with Lionel Messi at PSG’s training session on Thursday.

the 34-year-old more time to get ready.

Neymar, Marquinhos, Marco Verratti, Angel Di Maria and new goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma are also yet to make their first appearances this season.

“He has given us so much in the last few days,” Pochettino said of Messi.

“There is a great atmosphere in the squad and he has settled in very quickly.”

Player to watch: Konrad

de la Fuente A winger who moved to Ligue 1 this summer from Barcelona. Sound familiar?

De la Fuente may be no Messi, not yet anyway, but he is a thrilling talent, as his first two appearances for Marseille attest.

The 20-year-old USA international joined on a four-year deal from Barcelona, where he made just three appearances last season. Playing on the left, he has looked dangerous for his new club, helping them take four points from a possible six. On Sunday, De la Fuente and Marseille face Mediterranean rivals Nice.

Key stats 32 - In millions of euros, understood to be the size of Brest’s entire operating budget this season. That is three million euros less than Messi’s reported annual

salary in Paris.

19 - PSG are unbeaten in their last 19 top-flight meetings with Brest.

6 - Newly-promoted Clermont have a perfect six points out of six after winning their first two Ligue 1 games. If they beat Lyon they will become the first team to win their first three matches in France’s elite since 1945/46.

Fixtures (GMT) Friday Brest v Paris SaintGermain (1900) Saturday Monaco v Lens (1500), Saint-Etienne v Lille (1900) Sunday Lyon v Clermont (1100), Bordeaux v Angers, Metz v Reims, Montpellier v Lorient, Strasbourg v Troyes (all 1300), Rennes v Nantes (1500), Nice v Marseille (1900)

Kaieteur News

Friday August 20, 2021

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18th IPF/NAPF/Pan American Regional Powerlifting C/ships

Taharally sets four new records on way to 76kg M1 Classic Gold; Brisport-Luke cops 66kg M2 Classic Silver

By Franklin Wilson in Orlando, Florida compliments of Pele Alumni, Fitness Express and the Trophy Stall

Guyana got its medal haul quest off to a great start yesterday when the 18th Annual NAPF/FESUPO Pan-American Regional P o w e r l i f t i n g Champi nships lifted off at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Orlando International Airport, Florida.

Contesting the 76kg (Classic/Raw) Masters 1 Class, Nadina Taharally got the Guyanese off to the best possible start when she captured Gold in this category in commanding fashion, the RipHit Strength and Conditioning System member set four new national records in the process (Open and Masters 1 categories); Squat, Bench Press, Deadlift and Total.

Not a stranger to setting a positive tone for the Guyanese team, Taharally was almost flawless in her execution yesterday, just failing one of her nine attempts, three at each lift. It was her final lift of the day that she did not conqueror, attempting to deadlift 182.5kg (402.34lb), somewhat of a big jump up from her new record set of 170.0kg (374.7lb) achieved on her second attempt. The

A deadlift of 170kg (374.7lb) is a new national record and PB for Nadina Taharally.

(Franklin Wilson photo)

A new PB of 120kg (264.55lb)

by Franklyn Brisport-Luke.

(Franklin Wilson Photo)

o

old record of 151kg (332lb) was owned by Lisa Oudit.

The 47 year-old Taharally was equally hungry (record wise) in the Bench Press when she accomplished a new record of 77.5kg (170.86lb). As a matter of fact, all three of Taharally’s attempts set the bar higher (70kg, 75kg) erasing the old record of 65kg, set by Blossom Babb.

The tone for the day was set when Taharally bumped up the Squat from 127.5kg held by Lisa Oudit to 145.5kg (319.67lb), this being her third attempt.

From the first Squat, the mother of two sent the message out when she achieved 137.5kg (303.14lb); upping the ante on her second attempt to 142.5kg (314.16) which was bettered on her final attempt.

The new Total record stands at 393kg (866.5lb).

Apart from the records, Taharally’s performances were all Personal Best’s to cap a phenomenal day.

Taharally commented: “What can I say, I am very pleased and elated with my performances here today and to set a positive tone for my nation at these championships which as you know are taking place in very challenging times. It was not easy accomplishing what I did as training would have been curtailed to home for the most part due to the pandemic.

It was very close to coming here that I was able to go to the gym only for my Coach, Martin Webster to fine tune a few things. So achieving what I’ve done is (Continued on page 25)

Nadina Taharally pictured setting the new Bench Press record of 77.5kg (170.86lb).

(Franklin Wilson photo)

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Friday August 20, 2021

Australia’s Smith, Finch fit and bound for T20 World Cup

A

FP - Steve Smith and Aaron Finch were both included in Australia’s squad for the Tw e n t y 2 0 Wo r l d C u p yesterday despite injury struggles, while uncapped wicketkeeper-batsman Josh

Inglis was a shock selection.

Batting lynchpin Smith had been under a cloud after pulling out of recent tours to t h e We s t I n d i e s a n d Bangladesh due to a left elbow problem.

He said last month he could sacrifice playing at the

T20 World Cup to ensure he was fit for the home Ashes series against England this year, making clear Test cricket was his priority.

But he was part of the 15strong squad named for the tournament from October 17 to November 14 in the

United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Finch said this week that Smith was “going really well”.

“The last time I spoke to him, he wasn’t having any pain batting so that was a real positive. He’s going to be such an important part of our campaign,” said the captain, who has also been beset by injury.

Finch underwent knee surgery last week after flying home from the Caribbean where he aggravated it during a T20 clash in St Lucia.

He missed the team’s subsequent ODIs against the West Indies and their tour of Bangladesh.

Finch’s knee problems followed eye surgery this year after he complained of blurry vision.

But he will lead the team at the World Cup which will also see the return of David Warner, Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins, who all opted out of Australia’s recent limited-overs tours to rest.

Fast bowler Andrew Tye along with top-order options A l e x C a r e y, M o i s e s Henriques, Josh Philippe and Ashton Turner were notable omissions, but Inglis surprisingly got the nod as back-up gloveman to Matthew Wade.

“Josh has been on our

Australia’s Steve Smith and Aaron Finch are both for the T20 World Cup. radar for some time with his performances in white-ball cricket and more recently in the Vitality (T20) Blast where he topped the run charts,” said chairman of selectors George Bailey.

“He offers the squad flexibility in the batting order with his adaptability, counter-attacking ability and power striking. He is a player we are excited about for the future.”

Selectors opted for four spinners — Mitchell Swepson, Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa and Maxwell.

“Given the amount of cricket being played at the World Cup venues, we expect the wickets in the UAE to favour slow bowling, particularly in the

latter stages,” said Bailey.

Australia head into the World Cup on a miserable run of form.

They lost their recent T20 series to the West Indies 4-1 and slumped by the same result against Bangladesh in a tour capped by being bowled out for 62 — their lowest ever T20 score.

Squad: Aaron Finch (capt), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

Travelling reserves: Dan Christian, Nathan Ellis, Daniel Sams.

Belarusian sprinter who defected plans to run for Poland

Belarusian sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, who left the Olympic Games in Tokyo and seeks asylum in Poland attend a news conference in Warsaw, Poland August 5, 2021. (REUTERS/Darek Golik)

MOSCOW, (Reuters) Belarusian sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya who defected during the Tokyo Olympics this month says she plans to apply for Polish sporting citizenship so that she can run for Poland.

Tsimanouskaya, 24, was taken in by Warsaw when her coaches told her to return to Belarus from Japan

following a dispute, an order she refused to obey fearing for her safety.

Belarus has been gripped by a sweeping crackdown on antigovernment dissent following mass protests that erupted last year over a disputed election.

In an interview with the RBC television channel aired late on Wednesday,

Tsimanouskaya said it can take three years to change sporting citizenship, but she hoped her application would be fast-tracked.

“We are now going to try to change my sporting citizenship so that I can compete for the Polish national team,” she said. “I have decided to stay in Poland and compete for the Polish national team.”

Kaieteur News

Friday August 20, 2021

PAGE 29

West Indies seek batting lift today after thriller against wounded Pakistan E

SPNcricinfo The agonisingly t e n s e denouement to the first Test between these sides would be enough to inject life into any series, and the shot in the arm West Indies gained from that thrilling one-wicket win should serve them extremely well. Having struggled in the format over recent years, it felt like the sort of Test West Indies tend to end up on the wrong side of, and when Kemar Roach nudged one through the covers to send the Caribbean into raptures, you might be tempted to wonder if this was something of a new beginning.

It helps that the victory was timed as sweetly as a Jason Holder extra-cover drive, coming as it does right at the start of this World Test Championship cycle. It catapults West Indies to second spot on the table, but against a dispirited Pakistan, the second Test represents an ideal opportunity for a perfect start to this two-year period.

West Indies were by no means perfect, which of

course indicates there’s room for improvement. But having outbowled Pakistan for significant periods of the Test, Phil Simmons’ side will be aware they have to keep up that quality when it comes to fast bowling, while working out how to put more runs on the board.

The coach had been vocal about calling on his batters to improve, and after that first Test, it’s not hard to see why. There might not be too many changes in personnel, but with the home side’s top order capitulating in both innings, there remains the risk of a wounded Pakistan bowling unit looking to rip through an innings.

There’s been an uneasy calm in the days that followed that Pakistan defeat, but likely little appetite for stomaching another one. Pakistan will feel disconsolate at the manner in which they let the game slip out of their grasp, given the multitude of opportunities they had to put distance between the sides on the first three days, and clear-cut opportunities to seal it on the last.

Individual errors aside, Pakistan’s opening pair looks well short of the quality required at this level, with the extra burden that places on the middle order leaving the side looking unbalanced.

The complete lack of influence spin bowling played in that first Test came as something of a surprise.

With both sides opting to field a spinner, it’s clear that startled the teams, too, with all 39 wickets falling to the quick bowlers. With the second Test to be played at the same venue, under similar conditions, team selection around spin options might be something worth watching out for.

In the spotlight With all the drama around the climax of the first Test, Kemar Roach, Kraigg Brathwaite and Jayden Seales took the plaudits, but Jermaine Blackwood’s role ended up being slightly underrated. On a treacherously difficult surface for batting, he came in on both occasions with his side in trouble, bravely looking to go after the bowlers. It translated into

Malaysian MotoGP cancelled and replaced by second Misano race

Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez finishes in second place in the Malaysian Grand Prix. (REUTERS/ Lai Seng Sin/File Photo) (Reuters) - MotoGP announced yesterday the cancellation of the Malaysian Grand Prix for the second year in a row, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its replacement by another race at Italy’s Misano circuit on Oct. 24.

Misano’s Marco Simoncelli circuit, a home track for Italy’s soon-toretire MotoGP great

Valentino Rossi, is already scheduled to host the San Marino and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix on Sept. 19.

“The ongoing COVID19 pandemic and the resulting entry restrictions for Malaysia oblige the cancellation of the event,” said MotoGP in a statement.

The name of the second race at Misano has yet to be announced.

The circuit also hosted two rounds last year, with the second designated the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

The Japanese, Australian and Thai rounds of the championship have already been cancelled due to the pandemic as well as the Finnish Grand Prix which had been scheduled for last month.

key partnerships, taking the pressure off his captain in the first innings by lifting the run rate. But it was the second innings where his contributions really shone, batting at perhaps the hardest time of the game. Shaheen Afridi was on fire and had just removed three top-order batters. Just before lunch, Blackwood lofted him for two leg-side fours, halting Pakistan’s momentum in a priceless 55-run knock. His role might have been overshadowed, but both sides recognise his quality, and importance to this side.

For much of his career, Yasir Shah was close to the first name on the Pakistan Test team sheet, but it’s difficult not to wonder whether those days might be gone for good. Returning from an injury that kept him out of the Zimbabwe Test series, the legspinner who took 10 more wickets than any other bowler the last time Pakistan toured the

We s t I n d i e s w a s conspicuous by his absence.

He went wicketless through the game for just the third time in his career, struggling visibly with his length and failing to generate much spin. It was admittedly a game dominated by fast bowling, but in a lowscoring fourth-innings chase, Babar Azam turned to him for just three overs. With Nauman Ali in the squad, Shah might consider himself lucky to get picked for this game, and he certainly has a point to prove if he does.

Team news Kieran Powell’s dual failure could bring Shai Hope into the picture, with Jomel Warrican’s place in the XI also under scrutiny.

Chemar Holder, Alzarri Joseph, or even Rahkeem Cornwall are options should West Indies want a different kind of spinner.

West Indies (probable): 1 Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), 2 Kieron Powell/Shai Hope, 3

N krumah Bonner, 4 Jermaine Blackwood, 5 Roston Chase, 6 Kyle Mayers, 7 Jason Holder, 8 Joshua Da Silva (wk), 9 Alzarri Joseph/Chemar Holder, 10 Kemar Roach, 11 Jayden Seales Pakistan must also wrestle with the Yasir Shah conundrum, and determine whether his ineffectiveness in the first Test was a function of the pitch or his own lack of form and confidence.

Pakistan (probable): 1 Abid Ali, 2 Imran Butt, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Babar Azam (capt), 5 Fawad Alam, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Faheem Ashraf, 8 Hasan Ali, 9 Yasir Shah/Nauman Ali, 10 Mohammad Abbas, 11 Shaheen Afridi Pitch and conditions Rain is forecast for part of this Test, but the first day is completely clear. There should be enough good weather around not to seriously spoilt the contest.

‘She was on the cusp of needing surgery’ - How physiotherapist helped rescue Jackson’s Olympic dream SportsMax - Three-time Tokyo Olympics medallist Shericka Jackson impressed plenty of onlookers with her speed at the recently concluded Games, but many were left even more astonished by the superb conditioning that saw her take part in four events.

Jackson claimed a bronze medal in the 100m, competed in the first round of the 200m, and claimed gold in the 4x100m, before being part of a bronze medal-winning team in the grueling 4x400m relays.

A remarkable achievement, particularly considering that only a year ago a troublesome injury threatened to seriously curtail her participation in the Tokyo Games. Jackson suffered from severe shin splints a condition that a ff e c t s t h e t i b i a a n d produces sharp and razorlike pain along the bone.

With the heavy demand placed on the legs by track

athletes, the condition can, at worst, be debilitating enough to require surgery or at the other end of the spectrum certainly prevent the runner from delivering their full potential on the track. When the athlete showed up at the offices of physiotherapist and performance enhancement specialist Yael Jagbir, in September of last year, her condition was much closer to needing surgery.

“It was pretty severe because if I even touched the area it was painful and she was unable to continue her season because of the pain she was in. She would have trouble warming up and things like that, so it was very severe initially,” Jagbir told SportsMax.TV. “I’ve seen stress fractures that you definitely need surgery. If hers wasn’t treated properly it could have led to her needing to do surgery on her shins. It was right on the cusp of that

point that she would have needed surgery,” she added.

After months of highly specialized treatment from Jagbir, however, the athlete slowly began to see improvement and the painstaking work really paid off in April, with the Olympic qualifiers just a few months away.

“Three months between September to November we were doing some very intense work, some pool therapy, land-based therapy.

I was also doing treatment modalities to promote healing for the stress fractures,” Jagbir explained.

“When November came, she went back to training, we continued working with some modifications.

In December, she did an x-ray and the x-ray showed that they were seeing signs of healing and that was the first time she was seeing healing in the shin from when it first started in 2019.” “We just (Continued on page 25)

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Mandolall (96), Shivrattan (95) highlight OMSCC latest round Former Guyana youth player Rovendra Mandolall hit an entertaining 96 to spur Warriors Cricket Club to a handsome 68-run win over Pegasus on Sunday in the latest round of the 2021 Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Division one 20-over competition.

And at the same venue, Woburn Collegiate Institute ground in Scarborough, Polly Shivrattan also missed out on a century as he scored 95 to see his team Ramblers Sports Club defeat United Cricket Club by 69 runs.

The right-handed Mandolall slammed nine fours and a similar number of sixes as Warriors rattled up a sufficient 228-4 from the 20overs and then they kept Pegasus to 160-5 when the overs expired.

Opener Mark Moosia supported Mandolall with 60, while Mahesh Kadir made 24. Anil Versammy grabbed two wickets for 24 from three overs. In Pegasus’ innings, veteran opener Jai Singh scored an unbeaten 76 laced with 10 fours and three sixes, while Suresh

Tickets to go on sale for HERO CPL 2021 The stars will be out to light up this year’s CPL.

Rovendra Mandolall Ragoonauth contributed 25.

Shazam Baksh claimed two for 24 off three overs.

The left-handed Shivrattan hit ten sixes and three fours as Ramblers raced to 193-5 at the conclusion of the 20-overs while United was left stranded at 124-3 when the 20-overs ran out.

Ron Etwaroo hit an

aggressive 44 to support Shivrattan and 22 from Richard Rossan.

When United batted, Imran Rasool led the fight with an unbeaten 59. No other scores available up to press time but three matches are slated for this Sunday at various venues across the Greater Toronto Area as the action continues.

FIDE Youth and Cadet World Cup

Five wins in two rounds for the Guyanese Keron Sandiford

Akili Theophil

In what can be described as ‘the best day for Guyana’ at the International Chess Federation’s (FIDE’s) World Youth and Cadet World Cup, there were 5 wins across two rounds. The under-18 boys were able to register five points for Guyana with round-three victories for

Friday August 20, 2021

Keron Sandiford over Adian Mart of the Bahamas and Oluwadare Oyeyipo over Shamir Martin of Jamaica.

In Round 4, Akili Theophil of the University of Guyana enjoyed a victory against Pablo Gonzalez Lopez of Puerto Rico, and the Queen’s College under-

16 player Kishan Puran defeated Chung Hei Au of Hong Kong, while his schoolmate and fellow under-16 player Raveon Adonis got the better of Luyepo Sautio of Zambia.

Under-12 female competitor Anaya Lall is still to register a win.

Tickets for the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will go on sale on from today at www.cplt20.com and at the box office at Warner Park, Basseterre. The tournament gets underway on the 26 August with all matches taking place at Warner Park in St Kitts.

There will be 25 matches where the public will be able to attend across 16 game days. All those who wish to attend matches will have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and proof of vaccination status will be required to gain entry.

Hero CPL fans will have the chance to

watch more than one match on seven game days giving even more value for money.

Tickets will start from just US$10 with all parts of the ground very competitively priced.

There will be strict COVID-19 protocols for all fans entering the stadium.

St Kitts & Nevis is open to visitors and those wishing to travel to watch Hero CPL matches will be able to do so as long as they are fully vaccinated and follow the arrival protocols and procedures laid out by the local authorities.

Fans wishing to purchase tickets can do so by visiting www.cplt20.com

Kaieteur News

Friday August 20, 2021

PAGE 31

Eagles off to flying start in DVA A division tourney The victorious Eagles Team.

The Demerara Volleyball Association’s Georgetown ‘A’ Division tournament served off on Tuesday night with Eagles Volleyball Club taking an early lead

Some of the action on Tuesday night.

in the three-team competition.

Eagles defeated Castrol Strikers three sets to two in the opening showdown at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH)

Eagles won the first set 26-24, and followed with two 25-18 & 2519 wins in the next two sets, before Castrol Strikers pulled things back with 25-22, 15-13 victories in the

final two sets.

The game’s leading scorers all came from Eagles, with Trevon McRae scoring 19, Kristoff Shepperd 15 and Quacy Matheson

15.

The tournament continues tonight from 19:30hrs with Castrol Strikers playing Achievers Volleyball Club at the same venue.

Dhaniram (60), Seonarine (4-11) see West Indies through to final

F

Varvara Lepchenko.

(Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo)

American Lepchenko provisionally suspended after failing drugs test (Reuters) - American Varvara Lepchenko has been provisionally suspended for an anti-doping rule violation after the 35-year-old returned a positive test for a prohibited substance, the I n t e r n a t i o n a l Te n n i s Federation (ITF) said yesterday.

Lepchenko provided a urine sample on July 12 during the Hungarian Grand Prix, which was found to contain metabolites of adrafinil and/or modafinil both substances prohibited

by the World Anti-Doping Agency, the ITF added.

The world number 127 was issued a pre-charge notice on Aug. 9 and her provisional suspension came into effect yesterday.

“Lepchenko had (and retains) the right to apply to the chair of the independent tribunal convened to hear her case why the provisional suspension should not be imposed (or should be vacated), but has not exercised that right,” the ITF said.

ormer Guyana opener Sudesh Dhaniram struck an elegant 60, while off-spinner Vijay Seonarine captured 4-11 from nine overs as West Indies registered a comfortable 65-run victory over USA on Wednesday at Danville facility in Mississauga, Toronto.

It was the continuation of the Tri-Lateral over-50, 45over series that includes host-nation Canada.

West Indies have now progressed to the final slated for the same venue today having emerged with the most points at the conclusion of the preliminary round.

The lone semi-final was set for yesterday also at Danville between Canada and the Americans.

Dhaniram reached the boundary on four occasions as West Indies totaled 178 all out off 41.2 overs, while Seonarine, another exGuyana player, once again with identical figures, help bowl out USA for 111 in the 42nd over.

West Indies are using this series to intensify preparations for next year’s over-50 World Cup to be held in South Africa.

Dhaniram, now an American citizen, got contributions from opener Rajendra Sadeo who scored 28, while Sunil Dhaniram, the younger sibling of Sudesh, made 26. Both Dhanirams were engaged in a steady 60-run fourthwicket stand after Sadeo, Krish Harricharran (12) and

Sudesh Dhaniram (right) and Vijay Seonarine Shiv Seeram (04) departed.

Seonarine, who got four wickets against Canada in the second match, showed some form with the bat as well scoring 22. Seamer Mohsin Khan grabbed 4-38 from his maximum nine overs, while slow-bowler Sanjay Pandyan collected three wickets for 25 runs in his nine-over spell on a pitch that was deemed lively.

When USA batted, they never suggested a win after losing wickets at regular intervals. Seamer Mohan Harihar, 2-25, instigated the

early collapse by removing Faisal Aktar (01) LBW and had Parsi Ananta (14) caught

at extra-cover before the introduction of the Berbician Seonarine who immediately struck. USA continued to struggle against the pacespin combination reeling at 69-5. Only Syed Shahanawaz batted with a great amount of determination having topscored with 24. Meanwhile, on the adjacent ground, Canada suffered a onewicket defeat at the hands of a Canada Select XI. Notably, the Canada Select XI is participating up to the preliminary stage.

Skipper of West Indies Zamin Amin, a former Guyana youth player, stated that he was confident of his guys doing well and his team remains unbeaten with four victories, including of a practice encounter. The leftarm orthodox spinner noted that they will approach the championship game with the same level optimism and confidence. He mentioned that he is totally satisfied with the performances so far in every facet of the game and anxious to come out on top.