Kaieteur News

K

AIETEUR AG moves to court

over undelivered

NEWS

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

Saturday Edition August 21, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 31

p.

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Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

motion scales - Patterson, PS,

and Engineer/Manager sued for negligence

Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 92,642

In rush to discover more

Dr. Valérie Marcel, Associate Fellow at Chatham House

oil, Guyana exposed to great risks p.18

- Int'l Expert says country must ask itself key questions: Do you have the regulatory muscle to manage scale of resources?

Do you have the legislative framework to protect your interests?

Do you have the capacity to get maximum value from the value chain?

Bandit gets Man accused of raping, Alleged Ponzi bullet in leg schemer charged for pulling robbing pensioner for faking knife on cop $20,000 refused bail COVID-19 test p.

12

p.

12

p.

17

GAICO Construction signs MoU with key US firms to transfer skills, technology for local oil industry p.

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@11:00hrs on WE HAVE TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS, FOR Kaieteur Radio QUITE A WHILE INTO THE FUTURE - Jagdeo 99.1/99.5FM

Kaieteur News

PAGE 02

Saturday August 21, 2021

EPA exempts New Demerara River Bridge from Environmental Impact studies A

new bridge across the Demerara River has been exempted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from having to do an Environmental Impact Assessment.

The decision was taken despite the potential impacts to be had from the construction of the r e p l a c e m e n t bridge—according to the project summary—includes deforestation as a result of land clearing for the new project in addition to significant erosion.

Additionally, it was noted that potential exists for sedimentation and discolouration of the nearby water sources due to surface runoff, erosion and pile driving activities; and contamination of surrounding water bodies from fuel/oil/lubricants spills.

The decision was taken since the EPA, has through its screening process for the project, determined it being categorised as having no

significant impacts and minor issues can be addressed through appropriate and practical environmental safeguards informed by an Environmental and Social Assessment and Management Plan.

That decision has since been made public by the EPA and provides for a 30 window period for persons wishing to lodge formal complaints against the EPA's decision or for any person who may be affected by the proposed project.

According to the EPA, it is satisfied that if a decision is taken to approve this project, robust measures can be prescribed to ensure compliance with the Environmental Protection Act. To this end, it was pointed out that the Agency requires that an Environmental and Social Assessment and Management Plan (ESAMP) be prepared for the project to address specific issues identified in the screening

process, and detail specific and practical mitigation measures to ensure that the proposed project can be undertaken in an environmentally-sound and sustainable manner.

According to the project summary prepared and submitted to the EPA by the Works Services Unit of the Public Works Ministry, the existing structure has surpassed its technical life.

As such, the proposed replacement structure by the Ministry advances a fixed four-lane bridge with a vertical clearance over the channel of approximately 50 metres above the maximum tide level.

“The proposed design allows for the bridge to be connected to the main road network through road approaches connecting it to the West Bank Public Road and the imminent Mandela to Eccles road, respectively.”

According to the Project Summary, the replacement bridge will span the Demerara River from Nandy Park to La Grange, upstream

and in close proximity to the existing harbour bridge.

“This location shall allow an easy connection to the existing access roads on the West Bank of Demerara and new access roads will be constructed on the East Bank of Demerara.”

The Ministry in its project outline said replacing the existing Demerara Harbour Bridge is necessary to provide the country with a sustainable solution for future river crossing as the existing crossing by a floating bridge in Peter's Hall is causing traffic congestion by a long opening time, low capacity, large maintenance costs and is a risk regarding continuity of the river crossing due to its age and vulnerability. As such, “the proposed high span bridge replacement is intended to fix this problem and will be more appropriate to facilitate traffic going to or

from Georgetown.”

The existing Demerara Harbour Bridge was constructed by the UK firm Mabey and Johnson and commissioned on July 02, 1978.

Apart from providing direct access to Administrative Region No. 3, it also provides indirect access from Georgetown to the Essequibo county (Regions Nos. 1, 2, 7, 8) – areas where activities such as minerals exploration, logging, ecotourism and rice cultivation account for the major part of Guyana's GDP. The pontoon bridge is maintained through tolls.

Tolls at the Demerara Harbour Bridge are collected manually in one direction at the Toll Plaza located at the eastern abutment of the bridge in cash payments only.

Tolls are charged based on the vehicle type and

weight. The current two-lane steel floating bridge connects the East Bank at Peter's Hall with the West Bank at Meer Zorgen.

According to the project summary, between 40,000 and 45,000 people use the bridge each day.

“The current bridge requires fundamental overhaul, replacement, maintenance and repair.

Road capacity is limited due to the retraction system.”

It was noted that opening times are long due to the slow retraction process and that the structure is vulnerable for incidents from vehicles and vessels as well as river forces.

According to the project summary, “as the bridge is the only connection, the West Bank economy and population will suffer significantly in case the bridge cannot be used over longer time.”

E-Networks secures exclusive TV broadcast rights for 2021 CPL T20 in Guyana

T

hanks to a deal with International Media Content Ltd (IMC), the owner and broadcaster of SportsMax, E-Networks Inc. – Guyana's leading TV service provider –was pleased to announce yesterday that it has secured the exclusive rights for live TV coverage in Guyana of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 2021 tournament from August 26 to September 15, 2021.

For the third consecutive year, E-Networks said it is proud to keep Guyanese cricket fans in “The Biggest Party in Sport” by delivering the matches on its E2 channel, available countrywide on all its TV

platforms: DreamTV Satellite, DreamTV Wireless, and DreamTV Fiber.

The company said persons can also use the DreamTV Mobile app on their mobile phones to watch the matches on-the-go from anywhere. It said too that ENetworks customers can catch the action live in crystal-clear, high-definition quality, for as low as $3,600 monthly. Persons can visit www.enetworks.gy or any of the company's social media pages for more information.

In the agreement with SportsMax parent IMC, which is the regional broadcast rights owner for the CPL T20, E-Networks

will broadcast all 33 matches from this year's tournament.

Each match day in the preliminary round will have doubleheaders – first match at 10 AM and second match at 7 PM, except for triple headers for the last two match days at 10 AM, 2:30 PM and 7 PM respectively. First started in 2013, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) saw an increase of 67 percent in television, streaming and digital viewership in 2020, reaching 523.5 million viewers and passing half a billion for the first time in the tournament's history.

The 2021 tournament is the league's ninth season, with all the matches taking place in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 21, 2021

PAGE 03

AG moves to court over undelivered motion scales T

he Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, has moved to the High Court over the three Mettler Toledo Weight-inMotion Scales that the former Government had purchased in 2016 but was never delivered.

The AG sued former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; his Permanent Secretary (PS), Balraj Balram, and his Engineer/Manager Lawrence Mentis. The AG also sued Nevpro Realization Limited, a Jamaican company for breach of contract by failing to deliver the scales.

According to the document seen by this publication, the AG is suing Patterson, Balram and Mentis, for $50M for loss and damage suffered as a result of the misfeasance in public office; in excess of $50M for loss and damage suffered as a result of negligence to the State and $50M for loss and damage suffered as a result of the misuse, misapplication, and improper disposal of public sums of money contrary to the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, Cap 73:02, Laws of Guyana.

Moreover, the Attorney General is seeking $50M from the Jamaican company for loss and damage suffered as a result of the breach of the contract dated December 6, 2016, and he is also seeking liquidated damages against the company in the sum of $7.2M calculated at 10% of the contract price for breach of contract.

According to the court proceedings that was filed, the AG is also seeking an order of restitution of all monies received as full payment under the contract made in the sum of $72,450,000 for breach of the said contract.

In addition, the AG is seeking $100M against all the defendants for aggravated, exemplary damages. Lastly, he is seeking other orders as the court deems just and reasonable prescribed costs.

The AG stated that with his position he has, inter alia, a duty in law to preserve the patrimony of Guyana by recovering land, money or other property that would be a financial loss to the State and the people of Guyana if found to have been taken or

- Patterson, PS, Engineer sued for negligence

Former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson

Former Engineer/ Manager Lawrence Mentis occasioned in, or by the contravention of the laws of Guyana.

It was stated in the AG's facts that a director of the company who was supposed to deliver the scales, was the campaign manager for the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU +AFC) coalition for the 2015 General and Regional Elections and was closely associated with the AFC, the political party of which Patterson is a founding member.

According to the AG, for the fiscal year of 2016, $631,700,000 was allocated, through public funding, to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, under Project code 1902800: Sub-Head – Equipment.

This was for the purchase of road building equipment for the Ministry's Special Projects Unit.

On November 1, 2016, the Ministry invited suppliers through the National

Former Permanent Secretary, Balraj Balram Competitive Bidding and Restricted Tendering method of procurement, to bid for the procurement of 14 different Lots of specified goods, which included the motion scales.

El Dorado Trading, a local company was listed as the only bidder for the supply and delivery of the scales, and the company had made a bid of $10,200,000.

However, the company was disqualified from the tender procedure due to its submission of a fraudulent manufacture's authorisation for the supply and delivery of another Lot within the same tender procedure – as a result, El Dorado Trading was ineligible for the award of the contract for the supply and delivery of the scales.

Minister Nandlall further noted that instead of using the correct method of inviting suppliers to bid for the supply and delivery of the scales, PS Balram entered into a contract with the Jamaican company for the supply and delivery of the said scales, despite the company never being formally invited to bid for the contract in accordance with the provisions of the Procurement Act. On December 13, 2016, the PS sent a letter to the former Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Berkely Wickham, requesting a “waiver of the Tender Board Procedures and for the purchase through sole sourcing” of the scales from the Jamaican company.

The AG stated that the PS did not advance or satisfy any of the conditions set out in the Procurement Act, as a reason

for the request to use the single-source procurement procedure for the supply and delivery of the scales.

Later that month, a purported undated memorandum by former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, was submitted to Cabinet for its examination and “No Objection” in relation to the said request.

According to the AG, there is no evidence for the year 2017, that Patterson, Balram or Mentis made any form of communication with

t h e company to ensure delivery of the motion scales. As such, Minister Nandlall stated that trio's alacrity to make full payment to the company for the motion scales was not replicated to ensure the delivery of the scales for which was already paid for.

On March 15, 2018, in excess of 90 days, six packages purporting to be the motion scales were shipped to Guyana by the Jamaican company. However, to date only three out of the six

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall packages were found at the Laparkan Trading Ltd, storage bond in Georgetown, and none of the packages was opened to verify that the contents of the packages actually were the motion scales or components of the motion scales.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 21, 2021

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

An insult to all Guyana It takes a lot to stun us, but we admit that Guyana’s President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, succeeded in doing so.

It is becoming clear that President Ali does not think before he speaks and, what he has stated embarrasses himself.

When he does stop speaking, there is also no reflection on what was delivered before local and foreign presences, with the same shallowness repeated.

This was what surfaced before assembled foreign dignitaries, and locals, as headlined by us: “Jagdeo-led oil team did not snub Surinamese counterparts -Being at Exxonsponsored conference a coincidence -Ali” (KN August 20).

We disagree that the absence of Guyana’s main oil player, Vice President Jagdeo, can be justified as a coincidence. It is excusable for President Ali to offer this line of reasoning.

But the nation’s leader must strive not to come across as a simpleton, and a simpering one at that, since the dignity of Guyana is at stake.

This is what President Ali had to offer: “when you are in government, you have many competing demands…you don’t deal with a single task in a single day.” We have news for Guyana’s President: that is so obvious, it is a statement of sheer, unmatched ignorance. Poor families deal with that, businesses, too; and national governments have still broader responsibilities. Having put his foot in his mouth up, President Ali delivered this stomach-churning statement: “for us it is never about personalities.” When even the blind and deaf look and listen to his government, it is clear that there is one powerful personality, one voice, one presence (Jagdeo only), with the rest reduced to mere water carriers and messengers.

To excuse the VP’s absence to competing demands does not fly. The Vice President is Guyana’s leading oil sage, maybe in his mind even its Rockefeller. Whether Guyanese agree or not, Dr. Jagdeo should have been here and at the table of discussion. His absence is equivalent to the West Indies fielding a second or third string team at the World Cup. Dr. Jagdeo’s absence could not have been a coincidence. This was an oil summit at which he had to be present, especially since Suriname has done so much better than Guyana with its oil wealth. Guyana could learn plenty from Suriname. Guyanese leaders, if they are on the up and up, could be enlightened by their Surinamese counterparts.

When poor countries are being kept under the boot of oppressive foreign powers, inclusive of countries and corporations, then their best allies, their only ones, are nations struggling to get out of the same impoverishing boat.

This official visit from Suriname is not a surprise flying visit.

It was well-planned, and we believe well-known way in advance. It was, therefore, in Guyana’s best interests for Vice President Jagdeo to be here, and to put heads together to gain needed oil wisdoms from fellow strugglers, and to come up with strong strategies on how to erode, bit by bit, the hold that Exxon has on this country.

Guyana does not need Vice President Jagdeo to be in the belly of the beast, Texas, hobnobbing with ruthless corporate enemies who are determined to keep us weak, so that they feast on our blood and guts. Regarding guts, we don’t have any left, when the delegation that went to Texas is considered. There is history of a certain kind present, which Exxon is sure to know, and sure to capitalise on for its advantage. In other words, to get vulnerable Guyanese with records to jump to its tune, and then cover-up, their dirty deeds. When we think of them, it is obvious that with those Guyanese representing this country before Exxon, then the worst is to be expected, which is more darkness, more skullduggeries.

That is why Texas took a higher, the highest, priority, and President Santokhi had to be content to deal with the second rate. It is where the dirty action is, and what the Surinamese leader had to offer would be sure to conflict with the programme of the PPP Government’s programme and Exxon, which is one and the same. That is, rob Guyana like it has never been robbed before.

Designing infrastructure to foster a more inclusive future for persons living with disabilities DEAR EDITOR, Ten percent of the world’s population lives with a disability.

People living with disabilities are considered the world’s largest minority.

Though disability activism throughout the ages has resulted in tangible advancements for the population, there is more to be done in Guyana to facilitate the independence of that population.

A core aspect to focus on is infrastructure that supports

a more inclusive future for persons living with disabilities.

One of my vivid memories of attending the Calcutta Primary School is that of a little girl slightly older than I, being carried up the school stairs daily by a family member.

Her physical limitations had her wheelchair bound and you couldn’t help but look at her with a little more curiosity and as humans, you can’t help but feel pity. How-

ever, with a touch of exposure garnered through increased interactions with the population and some level of diversity and inclusion research in this area, I have learnt that so many would rather have us keep the pity we feel.

Their drive is to engage decision makers to provide the infrastructure needed to improve the quality of life for persons living with disabilities.

Thinking of Guyana’s tomorrow, I wonder what man-

datory infrastructure guidelines can be implemented to enable a reasonable level of independence for persons living with disabilities?

The future shouldn’t look

like a schoolmate being carried up a flight of stairs, the future should embody sound vision which is a future of independence for the population facilitated through disability friendly infrastructure.

Warmest, Joelly Ann Valentine

The Selection of the Senior National Football Team Head Coach DEAR EDITOR, With the imminent departure of the Brazilian-born Marcio Maximo recently, following an extremely poor showing by the Golden Jaguars Senior Men’s National Football Team in the recently concluded Group Stage of the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers Opening Round; in addition to the elimination at the 2021 Gold Cup preliminary stage, the following is shared. Considering the five (5) matches played in the two competitions, from a statistical perspective. The Golden Jaguars won 1 match and lost 4, scoring 4 goals, while conceding 12 for a goal difference of - 8; and on an average basis failing to score the minimum of 1

goal per match; conceding 2 goals per match, in 4 matches.

Meanwhile, with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) executive not renewing or extending Maximo’s contract, which would have come to an end on 31.08.21 and quite rightfully so. Since the “bona-fide” figures previously mentioned displayed a dismal failure, despite a previous comment by Maximo publicly that, “the World Cup Qualifying Group, despite being tough, was winnable’!

However, since then a host of public opinions have been expressed, primarily so on Facebook, with Former Senior Men’s Head Coach, Wayne Dover, leading the way in his “Opinion Corner”, while cre-

ating a significant disadvantage over other Facebook contenders, in the process.

This eventually led THE way to “mudslinging, name-calling and character assassination” compounded by an accusation of biasness! Responsively, there were numerous responses forthcoming, both local (including myself) and from overseas. Since in one instance, it was indicated, “Dover is an employee of the GFF”!

Nevertheless, an article published in the Stabroek News of: 01.08.21 captioned: “The Wayne Dover question “had mentioned the names of potential individuals to fill the slot namely: Charles Pollard, Chris Nurse (overseas born and based), Wayne Dover and Bill Wilson. Also, on Facebook, Former Senior Na-

tional Men’s Coach, Gordon “Ultimate Warrior” Braithwaite, was mentioned, highlighting his coaching profile at the national level previously, which also included our nation’s best ever placing, in a senior regional competition, a 4th place within the then CFU Shell Cup, back in the 90’s. Additionally, all the other coaches’ profiles were also outlined on Facebook, inclusive of: titles won locally, international exposure (both in team’s coaching and courses).

From a personal perspective, I had mentioned the name of Clyde “Oiler” Watson, who was also a recipient of a Football Scholarship from the famous Clemson University, USA. Additionally, “Oiler” was a (Continued on page 6)

Problems obtaining vital record from UG Renaming street DEAR EDITOR, Kindly permit me space in your newspaper to seek intervention and finality to a matter which in my opinion needs highlighting.

In September 2020, I contacted the Personnel Officer (PO) of the University of Guyana via telephone and subsequently via email and provided necessary information seeking a letter of record of service for a 10-year period since my NIS contributions for that period were missing from the records at NIS. Since the above-mentioned date, efforts to the PO has not resulted in the letter being issued.

I subsequently contacted the Vice Chancellor’s Personal Assistant (PA) and later the Vice Chancellor (VC) via email and had responses where they have instructed the PO and the Bursar to complete this matter. As recent as June 23, 2021, the VC sent a another request and later on July 15, 2021, the PA reminded the Bursar of the need to bring this matter to a close yet to

date it remains incomplete.

Editor, I am five weeks away from submitting my request to the NIS so that my pension can be granted and I can enjoy the benefits of my hard work and contribution to the scheme realised, however, this cannot be done since the above matter is unresolved.

I feel disenfranchise at this point of time, but moreover I feel that my democratic right as a citizen of Guyana who has worked entirely in Guyana is being denied and trampled upon. My thought at this point of time leads me to believe that the Bursar and the PO seem to be their own bosses as displayed by their disregard for the VC’s requests and instructions. Finally, a question, “Are these the people who should be in our public system?” They, in my opinion, seem to be above the rules, which govern their employment and should be dealt with forthright.

Thanks for your kind consideration.

Sincerely, Lloyd Singh

in honour of a great lady DEAR EDITOR, Heads of Diplomatic Missions have rarely served their country and Guyana, the country to which they are assigned, as well as Her Excellency, Sarah-Ann Lynch, Ambassador of the United States of America. In the 19th century, America evolved the policy of the Munroe Doctrine and in the 21st century, she evolved the Policy of “A World of Democracy and particularly Democracy for every country in the American Continent.”

Ambassador Lynch executed her country’s policy with courage, expertise and without fear of her limb or life while walking and standing without bodyguards among bands of fierce undemocratic goons who were hurling threats at her. In her person, she asserted The Stars and Stripes Forever! America and

Ambassador Lynch defeated the evil forces of nondemocracy, and Guyana’s interest and American Policy were synthesized in an everlasting bond.

Her courage and devotion to duty also won the respect and support of all other members of the Diplomatic Corps who stood together with her against the undemocratic.

In honour of America and its great Ambassador, we would suggest that Young Street where the US Embassy is situated be re-named SARAH-ANN LYNCH STREET and the Government of Guyana, formally or informally, petition the Government of the USA to award her an appropriate national honour.

Yours sincerely, Paul Validum Ramlochan

Saturday August 21, 2021

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Kaieteur News

GOAL scholarships represent Not unfair if compensated training equity that would for making the better choice foster a knowledge society DEAR EDITOR, Permit me space to comment on E.B. John’s ‘Congratulations to the Government/GOAL Awardees – plan needed’ in the Stabroek News and Kaieteur News of August 18, 2021. I believe the letter was well intended but its execution was marred by misplaced notions of education, cynicism, and inaccuracies.

This response takes a proactive approach with the view of reminding/enlightening readers of the broad role of education/scholarships from the perspective of GOAL/ Government of Guyana and the knowledge society.

To begin, finding jobs is not the only/primary function of education/training. Training is, in every sense, a fundamental factor in development. No country can achieve sustainable economic development without substantial investment in human capital.

Education enriches people’s understanding of themselves and the world and improves the quality of their lives, which ultimately leads to broad social benefits to indi-

viduals, communities and the society. Education raises people’s productivity and creativity and promotes entrepreneurship and technological advances towards the goal of economic and social progress. Further, it equips people to understand the need for paradigm shift, as a consequence of social, economic, scientific, cultural and political changes occurring around them.

Today’s world is increasingly knowledge-based. A knowledge-based economy comprises well-educated citizens and relies on the knowledge of the citizens to drive its innovation, entrepreneurship and dynamism. Knowledge rests on using, applying and transferring information.

A knowledge-based society thus, provides the platform to compete and succeed in the changing economic and political dynamics of the modern world.

GOAL 2021 scholarships commenced the fulfillment of the PPP/C Manifesto promises and the Budget 2021 allocations. These scholarships

support targeted training and skills development for students and working professionals where local higher education capacity is weak or non-existent. The PPP/C and President Dr. Ali’s vision of equitable education and training opportunities involves bringing education into the villages and homes of Guyanese. It would be difficult to deny this laudable initiative with courses and programmes aimed at preparing tomorrow’s generation of innovative leaders to face daily life challenges, take advantage of economic and lifelong learning opportunities and contribute to their communities. These scholarships, therefore, are seen as key drivers for reducing poverty, achieving gender equality, and fostering socioeconomic growth and development.

John’s cynical comment, ‘what a hungry public!’ about the food and nutrition programme, thus, flies in the face of education/training broad functions and needs of (Continued on page 6)

DEAR EDITOR, The recent comment by Vice President Jagdeo that it is unfair to the Guyanese people to be asked to leave the oil in the ground while having such a low per capita income is a fair concern to be brought forward to the international community.

However, what should be noted is that if the Vice President aggressively pursues compensation for making the better decision to leave the oil in the ground, per capita income for Guyanese will significantly increase without further contributing to the damage of our environment.

This would be fair and also set an example in the world as to how we can work together to prevent exceeding a 1.5 degree temperature rise.

Recent revelations that the current PSA continues to hinder the expected income for the nation and that further exploration pushes out the date of potential capital inflows continues to present a substantial financial risk.

This risk becomes significantly greater as more dry wells are discovered. We must remember that the cur-

rent percentage of dry wells is below average, and this can change the longer exploration continues.

Exxon does not share this risk equally and has ensured that their operating costs are recouped independent of the results of exploration.

The worst-case scenario is that Guyana will owe Exxon money at the end of the industries useful life and the resulting per capita income of Guyana becomes worse as a result.Ensuring a lower risk long-term outcome is therefore the better choice, especially when considering how serious the environmental situation has become.

Climate change continues to devastate our coastline

and the recent flooding shows clearly that we are headed down a path that is extremely difficult to sustain.

Our home-grown Champion of the Planet, Vice President Jagdeo, needs to reflect on this serious situation and chart a course to aggressively seek compensation to leave our oil and gas in the ground at a level that results in a net increase in per capita income.

This being net of paying off our debts in the sector while also ensuring the safe closure and decommissioning of the wells.

Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

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Kaieteur News

Deeply Disturbing DEAR EDITOR, I peruse the dailies almost daily. Recently, I have been

doing so with expectation that our religious leaders would take note of the disturbing state that our society is descending to.

Maybe I missed it, but I’m yet to hear that any of them have condemned recent decrees made by our government.

There are indeed bold attempts, introduced subtly, to embrace a wholly immoral existence.

No longer, are the genders required to be themselves and the covenant of marriage has essentially been thrown out the door.

I guess we are all settling into an ever evolving, deeply disturbing new normal.

Curious contributor

Lessons for Guyana from Afghanistan?

DEAR EDITOR, In just a few days, the Taliban swept across Afghanistan and is now fully entrenched in the country.

US troops gone, Ghani gone and the Taliban back in full force. Might there be many lessons for us from the Taliban manoeuvres in Afghanistan?

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

Saturday August 21, 2021

AFC has lost its way, needs to refocus for relevance DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to Freddie’s column, “Patterson accusation” (Aug 17).

The popular columnist is spot on in his critiques and analyses of the AFC. The AFC leadership needs to be honest to itself; the party has lost the trust and confidence of its (former) supporters and the population at large. I ts support has been decimated and the party has found itself depending on the PNC for parliamentary representation.

The public appreciates, approves, endorses, and welcomes Freddie’s critique of the opposition.

They want more! Even current AFC supporters agree with Freddie, who remains the most popular columnist, writer in Guyana.

Instead of attacking or criticising Freddie, the leadership should visit and interact with voters.

They would get a rude awakening; voters are most disappointed with them, their behaviour in government, and their neglect of their supporters.

The party should also commission a poll (not conducted by me) and it will get a true picture of its support.

The AFC steadily built support from 2005 thru 2015.

The public feels its governance for the five years of coalition rule was the worst since the time of Burnham and the first few years of Hoyte.

In opinions I polled, the public feels that had the AFC not brought down the PPP in November 2014 and linking up with PNC in 2015, stayed out of government during the coalition, or resigned or pull out from the coalition during the period of misgovernance, it would have retained its base of support and built on it.

Many voters feel that had AFC not stained its name by

entering into a coalition with the PNC (APNU), it would have done extremely well in 2020.

All of that is now water under the bridge as its support has shrunk considerably.

Had the AFC contested on its own in 2015, it would have done poorly. It definitely lost support, getting a fraction of what it obtained in 2011 and 2015.

If the party’s leadership genuinely apologises for misgovernance during the coalition rule and behaves responsibly in parliament, as a partner of the official opposition, and distances itself from the crude behaviour of elements among its partners, voters may take a look at it again.

As of right now, voters have limited faith in the AFC. Its support base is looking for a credible alternative.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

The Selection of the Senior National...

From page 4 former national midfielder with his club beginning from Pele, the nation’s most decorated football club. Matching Watson’s local accomplishments is the “Ultimate Warrior”, also a former Pele and national player, who secured a scholarship to Clemson, as well. That aside, in my humble opinion Watson as a Guyanese, remains unmatched in coaching at the highest level on the world stage. Whereby, he was a previous member of the USA Female Coaching Staff that had won a Female Senior World Cup Title! As such, whenever the advertisement comes to fruition, it should be inclusive of Guyanese residing locally and overseas, along with foreigners; last, before I forget, for those of us that were around at the time, would have had vivid recollections of “Oilers “coaching ability with the defunct G.T Cobras,

participation in the CFU semipro league! He had developed numerous locally based players, competing among their foreign counterparts, and local clubs had benefitted from their performances.

Finally, with the Golden Jaguars senior lineup to, the best of my knowledge, not having any international engagements for the remainder of the year, the GFF executive or any appointed committee, should be in no haste to fill the vacancy for the Head Coach.

One must be assured that the process would be more indepth, upon review of the previous contract towards strengthening previous weaknesses. I f, I did say too much, or I didn’t say much at all, at the end of the day, the ultimate aim first and foremost must be: “the continued development and promotion of national football” towards as-

suring the Guyanese public and corporate Guyana, that improved national rankings, competitiveness and an increase in local players securing overseas contracts beyond the CFU region is paramount for qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Worthy of note would be increasing local assistant coaches to four (4), compatible to the requirements of: certification internationally, experience and successes (locally within the club structure). While acknowledging the lack of developmental coaches at the senior level, which should be a consideration. In the meantime, I do hope that the Stabroek News Sports Department would correct its repeated mistake of publishing the loss by the Golden Jaguars to Trinidad and Tobago from 0-4 to the rightful score of 0-3!

Respectfully yours, Lester Sealey

GOAL scholarships represent training...

From page 5 an evolving knowledge society. Similarly, the ‘needed plan’ to consider jobs, especially in or related to the public service, misses the point about the underlying role and purpose of education, more so, within the GOAL scholarship perspective. In fact, it appears that John’s subtle theme/concern is whether these scholarship recipients would in time replace/displace the current cadre of public servants.

It is true that facilitating many of these scholarships requires investments in broadband/high-speed internet services which may

not be available/feasible in some locations, for reasons such as distance/remoteness, topography of the terrain and sparse population. At the same time, sustainable economic development may be hindered without substantial investment in the mechanisms which facilitate development of human capital. Therefore, in this evolving oil and gas economy with knowledgebased aspirations, E.B. John’s understanding of “costly distribution of the technology to facilitate this [what he calls] expansive ‘virtual’ process” may be misplaced.

Finally, it would have been

more beneficial to analyse GOAL scholarships through the lens of benefit-cost tradeoffs, gender representation and regional spread. Such analyses would lead to greater appreciation of the role of widespread education in economic development and the effect of education/ training on labour productivity, poverty, trade, technology, health, income distribution and Guyana’s competitiveness.

Sincerely, Ronald Singh, LLM, MS, Barrister Deputy Director (Student Affairs), GOAL

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Saturday August 21, 2021

Kaieteur News

Everyone knows the age-old principle which says: with everything in life, there must be balance.

It is with this understanding in mind that thoughtful and patriotic Guyanese are saying the PPP/C Government must balance Guyana's oil interests against those of Exxon.

Guyanese are saying continue with fossil fuel BUT WITH PROPER INSURANCE COVERAGE. Keep going with fossil fuel BUT WITH A BETTER DEAL. Stay with drilling and producing, BUT WITH PROTECTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANS THAT HAVE SUBSTANCE AND MEANING. We cannot continue to be treated with disregard by oil giants in our own backyard.

The people of this country deserve better than this!

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Saturday August 21, 2021

Guyana, Suriname settle on model for construction of Corentyne Bridge G

uyana and its sister country Suriname have settled on the model for which the highlyanticipated Corentyne Bridge will adopt.

During a joint press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Thursday, His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali said he and Suriname's Head of State, His Excellency, Chandrikapersad Santokhi have settled on the approach for interested companies to design, build, finance, own and operate the Corentyne

Bridge.

“We both recognise that we now need to consolidate actions to choose from the shortlisted companies that have submitted Expressions of Interest for the construction of this bridge.

“Our sides have also agreed that a working group would be established which includes the addition of the Ministers of Finance to determine the investment and concessions package that would accompany this expression of interest in securing the financing, building, operating and

ownership of the bridge,” President Ali said.

Earlier in July, eight companies were shortlisted to build the bridge linking Guyana to Suriname.

The proposals are to be submitted on September 16, 2021, following which a joint evaluation committee will assess the bids.

Subsequent to the choosing of the successful bidder, the company will have one year to conduct a feasibility study on the bridge.

In October 2020, Guyana's Minister of Public Wo r k s , B i s h o p J u a n Edghill, MP, along with

Surinamese Public Works M i n i s t e r, D r. R i a d Nurmohamed visited the proposed site for the bridge.

During an engagement at the Pegasus on Thursday, President Ali shared that he and President Santokhi have been able to settle transportation impediments that affect private-sectorowned businesses that ply their trades in Guyana and Suriname.

“There has been an agreement on a number of issues that were raised by the private sector in removing hurdles and impediments to allow for

smoother air travel and greater reliability on the ferry between Guyana and Suriname,” President Ali pointed out.

President Santokhi said the bridge would mark a new era for both countries in several areas.

“This bridge on the Corentyne River is not only important to facilitate the movement of persons and goods, trade and cross border cooperation.

It also symbolises a transition from the old to a new era. The era of wellbeing and prosperity of our people and freedom,

democracy and the rule of l a w, ” t h e S u r i n a m e s e President said.

Guyana and Suriname have shared diplomatic relations since November 25, 1975.

In November 1998, the countries entered into a joint-venture arrangement for the Canawaima Ferry Service Incorporated, which has facilitated trade and travel for citizens of both countries.

President Santokhi assured that the ferry service would be operationalised once again.

(DPI)

CDC's Head visits flood impacted communities in Region 10

Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig engages one of the residents

D

irector General of the Civil D e f e n c e Commission (CDC), Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, traveled to Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10) on August 13-14, 2021 to observe and assess the flood affected communities.

The visit began by engaging the CDC supervisory and support staff there who are responsible for shelter management, impact monitoring and hamper distribution (hamper distribution is spearheaded

by Regional Authorities with assistance from the CDC).

Mr. Craig enquired about the consistency and distribution of supplies; and the monitoring of areas from Kwakwani to Sand Hills (along the Berbice River) and was pleased with the results so far.

The Director General

then visited the shelters in the Region that are managed and supported by the Commission. Shelters at Aroaima, Hururu, Forestry and Kwakwani were i n s p e c t e d a n d recommendations were made as it related to management operations. The Hostel, which serves as the remaining shelter, was not visited as there were no occupants at the time.

Further to this, Lieutenant Colonel Craig also inspected a few communities that were, and still are, hard hit by the floodwaters. Ladernsville, Hururu, Lamp Island and the Kwakwani Waterfront were visited where water levels are still fairly high in some residences and business establishments. Several sections of access roads are still inundated and the Director General noticed

structural damage of varying degrees throughout the communities.

Craig also engaged residents and representatives of the Regional Democratic Council, including Ms. Renita Ignatius of Hururu to receive firsthand feedback of the devastating effects of the floods; and the shelter experiences in general. He regarded the engagements as fruitful and insightful.

The CDC continues to monitor all flood prone and impacted areas across Guyana, while working symbiotically with national and regional authorities to gather accurate updates. The Commission's National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) is a 24-hour hotline that steadily receives data from the entire country and residents are encouraged to contact them on 600-7500 to report any impacts.

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 21, 2021

PAGE 09

Walking on both sides of the road E

ver since Bharrat Jagdeo assumed the post of Minister of Finance and effectively handed over economic planning to the intern a t i o n a l f i n a n c i a l institutions such as the IMF, World Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank, Guyana has been caught between a rock and a dead end. One stops you in your tracks and the other stops the tracks.

Guyana has been pursuing a neo-liberal economic model. But the country's financial gurus seem clueless as to which path within the neo-liberal landscape to take. They have meandered between supply-side economics and demand-side economics.

Nothing has changed under the Ali administration.

The country is pursuing both supply-side economics and demand-side economics not realising that the two are not compatible when pursued simultaneously.

Supply-side economics holds that economic growth is best pursued by lowering taxes, reducing interest rates and encouraging investment.

In this way, people invest more and this is supposed to increase production and generate more jobs.

Demand-side economics prefers to increase spending in the economy, especially through increased public expenditure. This spending, it is hoped, will create greater demand for goods and

Dem

boys seh...

D

em boys admire d e p a r t y faithfuls. In and out of season, dem supporting dem leaders and dem party. Dem following dem to both glory and defeat.

Yuh gat to admire such loyalty, never mind it blind and dumb.

When dem leaders bin rigging de elections, yuh think dem bin kay about who punishing. If dem bin kay, dem woulda step aside and allow de international help fuh come flowing.

Some of dem scampish ones bin using de public Treasury as dem private purse. Dem gat different government places buying expensive gifts fuh dem

services and thus generate growth.

Those countries which pursue the neo-liberal model of development often have to make a choice between demand-side policies or supply-side policies. They can switch policies depending on their extant situation but one set of policies – either demand or supply-side policies – are pursued at any one time, except during periods of structural adjustment when greater restrictions are placed on local demand.

Broadly speaking, demand side policies are aimed at stimulating demand while supply side policies are geared towards increasing production. The country's financial gurus have to pick a path; they can't travel on both tracks.

The signals from the country's leaders are however contradictory. On the one hand, the President is pushing investment because with investment comes jobs. He has been touting increased production of poultry to the point of giving incentives to increase production.

We have oil production taking place and a number of businesses are setting up shop in Guyana. The billions of US dollars being invested are responsible for the country's economic growth.

The Guyana Office for Investment – which is nothing more than a duty-free concession factory – is boasting about increased

interest being shown by investors. GOINVEST boasts about “unprecedented investor interest.” This is supply side economics.

Then, we switch to the housing sector and see another side of economics. The President says his government's housing programme – and consequently public investment in housing – will stimulate demand in the country and this demand will increase production and create more jobs. This sounds like demand side economics.

As if to confirm this, last October, the President said, “We cannot talk about sustainability in a housing programme if we cannot create areas of density. Areas of density create demand.

Demand creates job opportunities. It creates new growth pole, new towns.”

And since last year, the government has been attempting to jumpstart the stuttering non-oil economy.

The government is pouring tax dollars into the economy in Keynesian-styled economics in order to generate demand for the business community.

Monies are being poured into the sugar industry in the hope that it will revive the c o u n t r y s i d e e c o n o m y.

Billions of dollars is being doled out to households, parents of school-age children, pensioners and the disabled in the hope that this massive injection of public funds will stimulate the local

Riggers nah gat time! birthday and paying for nice thing fuh dem house.

Nobody nah bin kay about dem poor people wah suffering.

Dem show nuff kindness however to dem big shot friends. Dem share out nuff land to dem friends.

Dem contractor friend send letter and get hundreds of millions. Dem other contractor friends get contract and nah supply de item yet.

Rigging was not fuh de benefit of supporters.

Rigging was fuh continue de merry party wah being taking place.

But de supporters loyal.

Dem nah breaking ranks even though dem back bin breaking with de pressure of de taxes. It mek dem boys remember de story of

Burnham, Jagan and D'Aguiar. Dem three end up in heaven and in front of God who sit down in a chair. God ask D'Aguiar, “What you believe in?”

D'Aguiar answer: “I am capitalist, I believe in the business class.”

God turn to he and say, “Ok, you sit on my right.”

He turned to Jagan and ask, “What you believe in?”

Jagan reply: “I stand with the people. I am for the working class.”

God turn to Jagan and said, “All right, you sit on my left.” God den turn to Burnham and say: “And what do you have to say?”

Burnham look at God and say, “You are in my seat.”

Talk half and be cautious of who yuh supporting.

economy.

The Minister of Finance explained in an interview recently this demand-side economics.

He told the Guyanese Critic in a recent interview that the interventions, which the government have been making such as the cash grants and the reduction in taxes on household items might look like and it is an immediate cost to the Treasury but that they stimulate economic activity.

He explained that when the government reduces taxes or the cost of doing business or provide support to households, that money does not vanish into thin air. He

said it stimulates economic activity, which generates jobs and incomes.

In other words, he is saying, it stimulates demand and this demand creates incomes and jobs. That is, these interventions increase aggregate demand in the economy and this in turn drives economic activity.

This is demand-side economics. The government is injecting monies into the economy in order to generate a demand for goods and services.

The IDB however has warned the government about stimulating too great a demand since this can have effects on the price levels.

The experience of the 1970's where there was high and sustained levels of inflation led to concerns about the usefulness of demand-side economics.

But do not tell that to our financial gurus. They are taking both paths – supplyside and demand-side economics. But to where it will lead, only time will tell!

(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

Saturday August 21, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Can someone define what a consummate professional is?

I

have long argued that this society is so philosophically and spiritually (not in the religious sense) broken that no part of it possesses a moral compass that can act as a beacon of values.

The Stabroek News (SN) is not just another social actor in Guyana. It is an influential media house. When the press criticises the government of the day, people tend to be swayed by the standards the media use to judge the government. When the media become as outlandish

as the lunatic fringe, the society suffers because the men and women with power will display contempt. The reason is predictable. It goes something like this, “These are the people that lambast us daily and they are no example to follow.”

I am not surprised that not one human in this country has commented on the outrageous and dangerous expression of SN that a professional politician who at the same time was a public servant was a consummate professional.

I am asking what is meant by that since it is a pyrotechnical contradiction to me. The examples are endless. A police officer cannot hold a leadership role in an opposition party. At election time, he can transmit sensitive information that can aid his party's campaign.

A simple example should suffice.

Let us say an officer at SOCU knew there was a huge mishandling of a sensitive case involving a foreign investor. He can give that information to his party

that can be decisive in how voters decide in an election campaign.

Of course, it is virtually impossible for any government to know the political affiliation of public servants. That is a brutal reality. But governments know who the leaders of political parties are.

Those leaders cannot be that stupid not to know that if in their political capacity, they hold public sector jobs in managerial positions, then, with change of government, they must know the incoming government will not accept and trust them so they must resign.

In more than three editorials, SN has eulogised the public service performance of Dr. Vincent Adams as head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) but is silent on an identical situation with Dr. Van-West Charles. Adams sat in the executive of the AFC during the APNU+AFC government. Charles sat in the general council of the PNC during the APNU+AFC regime.

Adams headed the EPA. Charles was general manager o f t h e G u y a n a Wa t e r Incorporated (GWI). Both were removed after the PPP came to power in August last year. Strangely, SN has not devoted one word much less

paragraphs in three editorials to the removal of Charles.

Frederick Kissoon For a newspaper that does a daily analysis whose purpose is to the traditional of separation generate intellectual debate of power in the public (that is one of the functions of service whereby politicians a newspaper), SN needs to perform a different role from start a debate on the Charles public officers.

Of course, I don't expect situation. Was it acceptable to retain Charles as the head of SN to offer even a half GWI even when he is comment on this ugly contesting the leadership of paradigm that they have composed. the PNC? In Guyana, no one cares The consistent advocacy about obligation or moral

by SN for Adams to be retained creates an extremely values. You can bet your last dangerous situation never dollars after this column is before seen in Guyana. The published, we will see more PPP did have Dr. Mahender editorials from SN advising Sharma as an election the government on what is the candidate while he headed the morally right thing to do in Guyana Energy Agency and Guyana.

My problem is why no Dr. James Rose was a PPP one in Guyana and outside of election candidate while he served as Vice Chancellor of it, has not composed even one UG. The PNC had Dr. Karen paragraph asking SN to Cummings as an election elaborate on the paper's candidate while she was a insistence that Dr. Adams should have remained as regional health officer.

I n n o n e o f t h e s e CEO of the EPA while still s i t u a t i o n s , w e r e t h e sitting in the leadership of the candidates in the policy- AFC. And Adams must be making executive of their laughing all the time because he still has not resigned from respective parties.

Adam was at the time of t h e A F C ' s e x e c u t i v e his EPA tenure a most trusted committee. What a morally executive of the AFC, collapsed society Guyana is.

(The views expressed in entrusted with authority to make decisions for the AFC. this article are those of the SN's campaign for Dr. a u t h o r a n d d o n o t Adams to be retained is necessarily reflect the uncharted waters. It erases opinions of this newspaper.)

Saturday August 21, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Saturday August 21, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Man accused of raping, Carpenter remanded for robbing pensioner illegal gun in “fanny pack” $20,000 refused bail A

B

rian Luke who was arrested on Monday for allegedly raping and robbing a 64-year-old woman, was on Thursday remanded to prison after he appeared at the Reliance's Magistrate Court.

Forty-seven-year-old Luke of Albion High Reef, Berbice made his first court appearance before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh where he was not required to plead to charge of rape.

It was reported that on August 16, last in Region Six, the man allegedly committed the act and robbed the woman of $20,000. Police reports further state that on the same day of the incident, Luke was arrested at his residence where some of the cash was recovered.

Remanded to prison, Brian Luke After he was remanded on Thursday, Magistrate Singh adjourned the matter to September, 14, 2021.

carpenter who was allegedly found with an illegal firearm in his 'fanny pack' at a city hotel, was yesterday remanded to prison for the offence. Julian Dow, 49, of Lot 63 Perth Village, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly, in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts.

The defendant was charged with the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunitions.

He denied the charge which alleged that on August 18, 2021, at Lot 21-22 Hincks Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, he had in his possession one Bryco .380 pistol and five live .380 ammunitions without being the holder of a firearm licence.

Senior Magistrate Daly remanded Dow to prison and the matter was adjourned to September 10, 2021.

According to a police report, ranks acting on information went to CJ Hotel, where Dow was staying.

It was reported that around 23:50hrs, the ranks requested to conduct a search in the hotel room

Remanded carpenter, Julian Dow The gun and ammunitions that were found of the defendant. The court heard that while ranks were conducting a search on the room, one of them observed a black, one strap bag (fanny pack) that Dow had around his shoulder.

As such, the bag was searched and the pistol was discovered.

The ranks then inquired from Dow if he was a licenced firearm holder and he answered in the negative. He was subsequently cautioned, arrested and taken into custody.

An investigation was launched and Dow was later placed before the court for the offence.

Bandit gets bullet in leg for pulling knife on cop

A

bandit was on Thursday shot to his right foot after he reportedly pulled a knife on a police officer who was trying to arrest him for attempting to snatch a woman's cell phone.

Police have identified him as, Akeem Martin, 25, of Half Mile, Wismar Linden, Region 10. Martin was shot around 16:30hrs along South Road, Georgetown.

According to a police report, two ranks were patrolling on their motorcycles along Croal Street, when they heard a woman shouting, “Thief!

Thief!” The ranks reportedly looked in the direction where they heard the calls for help and saw a man attempting to relieve the woman of her phone.

They rode up to intervene and up seeing them, the bandit aborted his mission and tried to escape. The ranks reportedly rode behind him and soon caught up with the bandit along South Road.

Eyewitnesses recounted that instead of surrendering to the police, he made a dash for a yard and jumped the fence.

The eyewitnesses continued that the cops were not giving up the chase as they parked their bikes and jumped the fence behind him. One of the ranks eventually cornered him in the yard.

Police reported that as the rank was about to apprehend

Screengrab from a video showing Akeem Martin lying in the yard groaning in pain as the cops awaited the arrival of a vehicle to transport him to the hospital

him, a scuffle ensued during which he pulled out a knife and attempted to stab the officer. This reportedly forced the cop to retaliate by shooting the bandit to his right foot.

In a video recorded by nearby residents, the injured bandit was seen lying in the yard and bleeding from the gunshot wound.

As he groaned in pain, the individual recording the video could be heard saying, “Bai u

mek them man vex…U get them man jumping fence and thing… You want snatch people thing and now you crying… Why you crying?

You is a thief; you ain't want wuk”.

The cops called for backup and they subsequently transported him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he is currently admitted and remains under police guard.

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 21, 2021

PAGE 13

Feasibility study underway for major DDL dairy farm T he LR Group of Israel and D e m e r a r a Distillers Limited (DDL) are currently undertaking a feasibility study for the establishment of a commercially viable dairy farming operation designed to supply DDL's TOPCO milk plant with fresh cows' milk for pasteurization and packaging.

The study forms part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the two companies last June which provides for collaboration in the development of a dairy farming operation that will include the participation of local dairy farmers.

The MOU, this newspaper understands, provides for the implementation of strategies to increase the supply of fruits and vegetables from local farmers through the

(From left to right) Mr. Ramesh Persaud, Mr. Harryram Parmesar, Mr. Egbert Carter, Mr. Joseph Harrosh, Mr. Komal Samaroo, Ms. Sharon Sue-Hang, Mr. Lancelot Tyrell, Mr. Rudolph Collins and Mr. Wesley Kirton. provision of support services that promote best practices in crop selection, cultivation, disease control, harvesting, p a c k a g i n g a n d transportation to DDL's TOPCO plant at Diamond. It also provides for jointly pursuing other commercially viable projects in Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean

Community (CARICOM) that fit into the development priorities of member states and the region's efforts to reduce its food import bill and ensure food security.

DDL in a missive to the media yesterday noted that TOPCO is currently testing the production and packaging of reconstituted

definition of the scope of the project is scheduled for completion in early 2022.

DDL was keen to point out that it is pleased about the partnership since Israel is considered a global leader in the agriculture sector, including dairy farming while adding that the project is being designed to utilize best practices and the latest state-of-the art technology.

Mr. Joseph Harrosh, Director of the LR Group, is currently in Guyana and met with the Board of Directors and executive management clinical trials for it to be of DDL headed by Chairman approved for use.

Komal Samaroo.

He did however caution The participants of the parents that their child may m e eting viewed a experience some side effects presentation on the concept such as fever and aches.

According to him, this is very of the proposed project by much common since these Mr. Harrosh and a team of are the effects that would experts from Israel. DDL occur when taking any vaccine.

Guyana is expected to receive 100,000 doses of this emergency use authorisation vaccine for children.

milk which is scheduled to be commercially launched later this month.

The company said the study however is being undertaken to determine the feasibility of transitioning to the pasteurization of fresh cows' milk. Kaieteur News understands that the feasibility study and

Vaccines to arrive in time for reopening of schools - Health Minister

M

inister of H e a l t h , D r.

F r a n k Anthony on Thursday announced that the Government was able to source the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 12 to 17 years and it will arrive in time for the reopening of schools.

The Minister while speaking during his daily COVID-19 update interview

noted that both his Ministry and the Education Ministry have already made preparations as to where the rollout of the vaccines will begin.

“We are working as you know with the Ministry of Education, and we have sent out letters to parents…We have already started preparing where we are going to start the exercise,” he said.

It was previously

reported that these forms can be uplifted at school and for hinterland areas, the Toshao of the various villages, who will facilitate the distribution and collection of the forms.

Parents and guardians are required to be present when their child is being administered the vaccine.

Earlier in the week, Dr. Anthony assured parents that the Pfizer vaccine is safe for children as it would have gone through numerous

said a technical team from Israel will visit Guyana early next year to assess and make recommendations on land selection for the dairy farm and a structure for the participation of private farmers in the process.

Thereafter, the feasibility study will be finalized. Mr. Harrosh and the DDL team also toured the operations of TOPCO for an on-the-spot look at the new state-of-the art equipment recently installed.

Following Thursday's engagement, both Chairman Samaroo and Mr. Harrosh expressed satisfaction at the progress being made with the feasibility study and optimism that the project would be mutually beneficial to the investors and the Guyanese economy.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Saturday August 21, 2021

GAICO Construction signs MoU with key US firms to transfer skills, technology for local oil industry

D

uring the recently held O f f s h o r e Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, Myer Marine Services and Hargrove EPC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Guyana's GAICO Construction Services.

The signing occurred with David Myer, President of Myer Marine Services; Ralph Hargrove, President of Hargrove Engineers + Constructors; and Komal Singh, CEO of GAICO Construction Services.

It was witnessed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd; Sarah Ann Lynch, the United States Ambassador to Guyana; CEO of Go-Invest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop; Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Paul Cheong; Vi c e - P r e s i d e n t o f t h e Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gerry Gouveia Jnr., and other company officials.

The objective of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to allow for collaboration on the development of projects in Guyana. Kaieteur News understands that this strategic partnership will enable the transfer of skills

(from left) Ralph Hargrove, President of Hargrove Engineers + Contractors and Komal Singh, CEO of GAICO shake hands on the signed MoU in the presence of David Myer, President of Myer Marine Services and technology for the development of the Guyanese workforce in the growing oil and gas sector.

In a missive to this newspaper, it was noted that Myer Marine Services has grown very quickly from its founding in 2013 to become a premier steel fabrication, machining, and field services company.

Led by David Myer and sons, Brandon Myer and Bradley Myer, Myer Marine Services offers the full

range of services from initial design all the way to installation of the finished product.

As for Hargrove Engineers + Contractors, this company has innovated sound solutions for the process, manufacturing, and energy industries since 1995. Hargrove serves clients in long-term support relationships in multiple modes of service: onsite support arrangements, plantlevel small projects and

consulting roles, and larger capital projects.

As for GAICO Construction, it has expanded and realigned its operations to cater for the country's newfound petroleum industry. Today,

GAICO has jobs across the length and breadth of Guyana with over 100 employees.

The company is integrally involved in the development of the country in the civil works sector, marine sector and mostly recently, in the oil and gas sector in the areas of oil spill response and waste management.

“GAICO is honoured to be partnering up once again with two major American based companies.

This MOU is the beginning of another big step for not only GAICO but also for Guyana, as we are all determined to growing the economy and bringing the professional skills needed utilising the private sector,” said Komal Singh, CEO of GAICO Construction.

“We are thrilled to enter this partnership today with Hargrove and GAICO, and to become an active participant in the growth and development of

Guyana. With our collective experience and broad areas of expertise, the capabilities of this team are endless, and unmatched in Guyana or abroad.

We are looking forward to what the future holds for this team, and for Guyana,” said David Myer, President of Myer Marine Services.

Ralph Hargrove, President and CEO of Hargrove Engineers + Constructors was keen to note that his company is excited about the opportunity to partner with Gaico and Myer in order to meet the ambitious industrial and infrastructure plans in Guyana while creating skilled employment opportunities for the Guyanese people.

The partnering entities thanked the Guyana Office for Investment, the Government of Guyana, the US Embassy, and Guyana's private sector for facilitating this partnership towards the advancement of the country.

Saturday August 21, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

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Kaieteur News

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

FOR SALE For Sale – 4.018 acres of prime land in New Amsterdam,Berbice.Price reduced/negotiable.Call 592 679-2497.

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

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' L e R e s s o u v e n i r E.C.D.Call:220-2818/3710.

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.

Large Property with Huge Concrete Bond, Prime Location Cumberland, Canje.

Idealfor Business.Price reduced/negotiable.Call:6792497.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Sale of property at Lot 87D Albert St Alberttown. 3 building from Lamaha.

2 4 M , P r i c e negotiable.Tel:675-9217.

House to sell or r e n t , P a r a f a i t e Harmonie.Tel:688-1352.

S e a m s t r e s s , Ta i l o r w a n t e d . Te l l : 6 9 1 - 1 9 1 8 whatsapp.

Wanted Masons, Carpenters, Labourers & Welders.

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

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

One mature general domestic.Must be able to cook.Must be COVID vaccinated.Tel:628-6724;MF,5-7pm.

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.

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.

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.

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

LEGAL NOTICE

For one security guard to work on the East Coast.Contact:624-4633.

Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirtyfive) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice. TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Wednesday the 29th day of September, 2021 at 9:30 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in Court lA via Zoom Meeting 10: 503 218 6789 and Password: court1a of the High Court at Georgetown.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law ‘Courts [Georgetown, Demerara].

The office is open to the public between

Cook/Baker,Kitchen assistant & Pitmen for interior location.Applicants must be experienced.Call:231-2250.

One clerk for TSI Eccles office.English& Mathematics,grade 1 or 2.

Email application:techserigy @yahoo.com or call 6429823.

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles,age 25-50,Car/Van licence.Call:642-9823.

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

Boy and girl to work in factory. Applyin person. R.P E n t e r p r i s e a r e a 'k'LeRessouvenir E.C.D. Call: 220-2818/3710.

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

FOR RENT

VACANCY

Person to assemble bicycles.Apply in person at Alabama Trading.65 Robb Street Bourda.

LEGAL NOTICE 202J-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-692 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF J U D I C A T U R E FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISD I C T I O N FAMILY DIVISION BETWEEN:- PETITION NO.: FD692 SMITH (DENISE)neeDAVID Petitioner Applicant -vSMITH (DAVID THEOPHILUS) Respondent TO: DAVID THEOPI-HLUS SMITH (Last Known Address) Lot 116 3rd Avenue Bartica, Essequibo TAKE NOTICE that on the 27th day of May, 2021 a Petition for Divorce was tiled against you by DENISE SMITH nee DAVID, the Petitioner/Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court inGeorgetown, Demerara. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 2nd day of July, 202 I, the Petitioner wasdirected to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court atGeorgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this

8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed. Dated the 8th day of July, 2021 .

2021-HC-DEM-CIV-FD784 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO.: FD- 784 BETWEEN:- (BRITTON) WANICA MICKESHA nee BAKER Petitioner/ Applicant -and(BRITTON) MAA VIN MARLON ROBERT Respondent TO: MAA VIN MARLON ROBERT BRITTON (Last Known Address) Mocha New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara TAKE NOTICE that on the 16th day of June, 2021 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by

WANTED LEGAL NOTICE WANICA MICKESHA BRITTON nee BAKER, the Petitioner/ Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 3rd day of August, 2021, the Petitioner!

Applicant was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web (Online).

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents. AND FURTHER TAKENOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirtyfive) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice. TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Thursday the 14th day of October, 2021 at 9:00 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Jo-Ann Barlow in Court 5 via Zoom Meeting Il): 296 214 9380 and Password: 1 umVj7 of the High Court at Georgetown. IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara].

The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as theRegistry

Saturday August 21, 2021 WANTED LEGAL NOTICE is closed. Dated the 6th day of August, 2021

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE COMMERCIAL JURISDICTION 2021-HC-DEMSOC-36 BETWEEN: SBF International Inc., a Company incorporated under the Laws of Guyana with registered office situate at 350, East Street, North Cummingsburg,Georgetown, Guyana. Claimant -and- The Guyana Energy Agency, a body established under the Guyana Energy Agency Act, Cpt. 56:04 Mahender Sharma, the Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency Defendants .

NOTICE OF APPLICATION The Applicant will make an application to the court on the day of August, 2021, at the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature at before the Honourable Justice G.Persaud in chambers.PROPOSED METHOD OF HEARING: The application is to be heard (choose appropriate option) in writing because. it is (on consent, unopposed or made without notice); 1. THE APPLICATION IS FOR: (a) An Order permitting the Applicant to join: Action No. 2021HC-DEM-Ci J-SOC-36 SBF International Inc. and- 1. Guyana Energy Agency 2. Mahender Sharma as a interested Party to Chest: proceedings, for the reasons set out. (b) Any other order that the Court may deem just. 2. THE GROU DS FOR THE APPLICATION ARE: The Application is made under: (a) Part 8.01(3) (b) Part I 1.01 (i) (c) Part 1 1.03 (d) Part 19.02(i) (e) Part 19.02 (3)(ij) (1) Part 21.01(l)(d) (g) Part 21.01(3) of the Civil Procedure Rules 2016.

The facts in support of’ the grounds of the application are set out in detail in the Affidavit attached to the Notice of Application. A summary of the grounds is set out below:

Saturday August 21, 2021 LEGAL NOTICE (it. The Claimant, SBF International Inc. in the current proceedings Action No. 2021-HCDEM-CIV-SOC-36, claim to ownership of Diesel Fuel Importing Wholesale Licence No. ILj0029 of 2015 is unlawful because: (a). On 11th November 2015 the Guyana Energy Agency (the GEA) granted Licence No. 1L/ 0029 of2015 to the Applicant’s company Lynwil International Trading (Guyana) Inc. referred to below as “Lynwil”. The said Licence is due to expire/ On 10th November 2025. (paragraph 15, exhibit “LT j 4” of the Affidavit refers). The deponent to the attached Affidavit Lyndon Thomas, is Sole Director of Lynwil.

Lyndon Thomas is the de facto Applicant herein. (b). Dorwain Bess, the Chef Executive Officer of SBF International Inc. is falsely relying on an Agreement dated 21 st November 2014 he entered into with Lyndon Thomas, which Agreement Dorwain Bess breached fundamentally in 2016, and which breach subsists to date. (c). On 24th March 2017Dorwain Bess unlawfullychanged the title of Lynwil International Trading (Guyana) Inc. to SBF Petroleum Inc. (d). On 21st June 2019 Lyndon Thomas instructed the Guyana Energy by way of a letter of equal date to suspend Licence No. IL/ 0029 of 2015.(paragraph 27, exhibit “LT /9” of the Affidavit refers). Dorwain Bess thereafter submittedfalsedocuments to theGuyana Energy Agency in consequence of which the latter wrongly transferred Licence No. IL/0029 of 2015 to SBF International Inc. (e). On divers datesbetween March 2017 to September 2020, SBF imported large quantities of diesel fuel under false Importing / wholesaling License unlawfully. (f). The Applicant herein is competent to testify with the support of documentation as to the facts set out above. The following documentary evidence will be used at the hearing of the application: (i) The Affidavit of Lyndon Thomas (ii) The exhibits to the Affidavit ofLyndon Thomas 4. A draft of the order that the applicant seeks is attached. Rabi S. Sukul, Brickdam Chambers, Lot 60, Brickdam, Stabroek,

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

Alleged Ponzi schemer charged for faking COVID-19 test Alleged Ponzi scheme operator, Ateeka Ishmael, the wife of Cuban National, Yuri Garcia-Dominguez, was yesterday placed before a City Magistrate and charged for allegedly falsifying a positive COVID-19 test result.

Ishmael made her appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the company of her lawyer, Darren Wade.

She was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony.

Ishmael denied the charge which alleges that on July 27, 2021, she conspired with her husband and others to forge a COVID-19 test result to show that she was positive.

Senior Magistrate Daly placed her on $200,000 bail for the offence and the matter was adjourned to September 10, 2021.

According to information, on the day in question, the couple was slated to appear in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court to answer 60 additional fraud charges.

However, when the matter was called, the couple’s lawyer, Dexter Todd presented to the Magistrate two medical certificates, on their behalf, purporting that they both tested positive for COVID-19.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF), however, was not buying any of it and suspected that the medical certificates were fake. An investigation was then launched to deterLEGAL NOTICE Georgetown, Guyana Tel: +592 225 2409 or +5926195000 Email: rsukul@brickdamchambers.com Narendra Singh, 215, South Road, Lacytown, Georgetown, Guyana Tel: +592 223 7656 Email: narendrasingh_lawyer 24@yahoo.com Date: 3rd August, 2021.

mine the authenticity of the documents. In a subsequent release on the matter, the police stated that, “The investigation has confirmed that the medical documents tendered were falsified.”

Ishmael was later arrested and charged for the offence, but no charge was brought against her husband or anyone else.

Kaieteur News had reported that GarciaDominguez was granted citizenship in June 2020. He and his wife are officials of Accelerated Capital Firm Inc. (ACF), a company that lured thousands of Guyanese to invest their money by promising them a 40 percent profit on their investment.

The couple is accused of bilking thousands of Guyanese out of millions of dollars and is currently before three different courts facing 80 plus fraud charges and two charges under the AntiMoney Laundering and

Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act. They were released on $30M bail after spending over a month in prison on remand.

The charges were brought against the couple by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and represented the first time SOCU has instituted charges under the AML/CFT Act. The AML/CFT Act, Chapter 10:11, prohibits businesses from operating as financial institutions without the necessary registration for regulation and supervision by the Regulatory Authorities, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and Guyana Securities Council.

Moreover, in June 2021, two agents/marketers for Garcia-Dominguez were slapped with money laundering charges. Aubrey Norton and Martina Seepersaud of Lot 242 Track ‘A’ Coldigen, East Coast Demerara, were slapped with two charges

Alleged Ponzi scheme operator, Yuri Garcia-Dominguez and Ateeka Ishmael.

under the Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CFT) Act. They too were charged by

SOCU. The duo was not required to plead to the charges that were read to them and were placed on $200,000 bail each.

PAGE 18

By Kiana Wilburg o date, Guyana has discovered over nine billion barrels of oil equivalent resources in the Stabroek Block.

More significant resources are poised to be unlocked as ExxonMobil continues to drill more holes in the offshore concession.

Complementing its rush to find more crude is its desire to monetise its discoveries just as quickly as possible.

In this decade alone, the American oil giant intends to bring into operation, 10 oil ships otherwise called floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSOs) vessels.

But while the rush to find more oil and having several projects pumping oil as quickly as possible is beneficial for its investors and shareholders, one international expert is cautioning Guyana to consider the risks that lie in going at such a fast pace.

During a recent interview on Kaieteur Radio’s programme, Guyana’s Oil and You, Chatham House Associate Fellow and respected industry expert, Dr. Valerie Marcel, said Guyana ought to consider how capable it is in meeting all the needs that T

Saturday August 21, 2021

Kaieteur News

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo Dr. Valerie Marcel, Associate Fellow at Chatham House

come with developing such massive resources. In this regard, Dr. Marcel said the new oil producer ought to consider whether it has the regulatory and legislative capacity as well as the skill sets required to really get maximum value from its resources while ensuring it is prudently exploited. Dr. Marcel said, “I think having a fast pace makes Guyana a very attractive place to invest in, especially for companies like Exxon because they can quickly monetise

their assets. It reduces risks for them. For countries, it does position them well so that they have high production capacity at a time where there’s still a market for their oil, but it comes with a lot of risks. In terms of, do you have a real capacity to supply and to develop the whole supply chain and give you significant local content in these projects?”

She added, “Also, do you have the institutions with the regulatory muscle to be able

to challenge companies and say, ‘Well, we don’t want flaring and you have to slow it down or we’re going to slow down the review of the field development plans to give us time to really rethink what we’re going to do with the associated gas…

And the FDP is a huge document to consider because it has significant implications for the country.”

The experts alluded that a number of questions can be asked in the process that

would help Guyana truly understand just how capable it is of dealing with the colossal resources it has found.

She insisted that governments do need to take time to consider all the variables and how they have to be handled so as to maximise benefits to the country. She stressed that it is very difficult to achieve that when exploration and development are happening at a fast pace.

The Chatham House Associate Fellow said, “It makes

sense for Guyana to slow down. This timeline (for development and exploration is) no one else’s timeline, not the company’s timeline, it is Guyana’s.”

Even though Guyana has been cautioned by several other international experts to slow down its pace of development so that it can have enough time to build its capabilities to manage the sector, the PPP/C Government has proffered a different agenda and mindset.

Specifically, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has said that the administration is capable of doing both simultaneously.

He is of the firm conviction that the administration is more than capable of building the competencies on the legislative and regulatory front to manage the sector while ExxonMobil continues its search for oil, especially in the Stabroek Block.

Since assuming office, the administration has been persistent in its efforts to pursue a robust local content policy which it pledged will be backed by a no-nonsense piece of legislation.

It has also taken steps to hire the relevant experts for gas commercialisation and contract management.

Haiti earthquake: Tensions rise in struggle to get aid to victims (BBC) - Five days after a powerful earthquake killed at least 2,189 people in Haiti help is trickling in, but struggling people say they need it more quickly.

The poorest country in the Americas is in urgent need of medical, food and sanitation assistance, experts say.

Rescue crews are still digging through rubble in a search for survivors, as the stench of death fills the air.

“We are preparing for a public health disaster,” says Nadesha Mijoba of the Haitian Health Foun-

dation.

“The sanitation situation is quite critical... it is our hope that we don’t have an outbreak of cholera,” Ms Mijoba also warned BBC News.

Since the 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the island on Saturday, the US military has transported at least 200 severely injured people to hospital.

Despite rainy conditions, many people have been sleeping outside due to fears that aftershocks could cause more buildings to collapse.

“We are afraid to go inside, so we sleep on the ground in the

street,” one person in the hard-hit region of Les Cayes told BBC News.

“I don’t have a job, I don’t have water, I don’t have food. My house was destroyed, there is nothing,” said another woman.

Around 53,000 homes were completely destroyed in the quake, with about 77,000 more damaged.

The US Army is preparing to set up a field hospital in Les Cayes. The US and British Navy are also each sending ships to help with rescue and recovery efforts.

Doctors are struggling to treat the more than 12,200 people who

have been injured. Hundreds are still missing, and presumed trapped under the rubble.

Rescue workers had had to contend with armed gangs who attacked aid convoys.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on Tuesday that following negotiations, the gangs had agreed to let aid through.

But a major Port-au-Prince hospital closed for two days after two doctors were kidnapped by criminals. A pregnant mother and her baby died while waiting for one of

the captured doctors, who was meant to be on his way to perform an emergency Caesarean delivery.

The earthquake compounds problems facing the impoverished nation, which is already reeling from a political crisis following the assassination of its president last month.

Haiti has been hit by a series of natural disasters in the past, including Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

The deadliest was the 2010 earthquake which killed more than 200,000 people and caused extensive damage to the country’s infrastructure and economy.

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 21, 2021

PAGE 19

NGSA markers must take great care, seek several clarifications if needed

T

he National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) 2021 was successfully completed despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In acknowledgement of this achievement, the Ministry of Education was keen to register its praise and gratitude for the outstanding contributions of its teachers, education officers, parents and students.

The Ministry said a lot of work was done to prepare pupils for this examination which included the distribution of study packages containing all the needed textbooks, the creation of a consolidated curriculum and extending the reach of distance learning mechanisms such as the Guyana Learning Channel.

On Saturday last, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand engaged the 35 table leaders as a group at the Tutorial High School one of two marking centres. The other centre is North Georgetown Secondary.

Markers are assigned to tables which includes one table leader and seven markers.

While there, the Education Minister outlined and reinforced the roles of these teachers in the process and asked that their efforts produce results that cannot be questioned.

On Wednesday, Minister Manickchand visited the aforementioned locations to engage the 210 markers for the four subjects, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science and English. These markers and

- 30% of reviews last year resulted in changed grades - Education Minister table leaders are teachers mostly of primary schools and are employees of the CXC examining body.

She implored markers to pay attention and be careful with the duty they have agreed to perform. She said the outcome is to have accurate results which will depend on how much care they take in their marking.

She told them that if they needed to ask for clarification a dozen times; they must, as the children they are serving are depending on them to award marks earned and particularly because the questions may produce answers from “the lived experience” of children and no examining body in their typical answer key could cater for all that children could experience and therefore write.

To make this point, the Education Minister referenced results over the last five years whereby reviews resulted in changed marks and school placements. Last year alone, 30% of the reviews resulted in changed grades. The Minister reminded that not every parent knows of the review process, can access it on time and pay the requisite fee to get a review so even more resolve is necessary.

She said that such an occurrence does not augur well for the integrity of the examination system, which can lead to distrust by

Three more persons die of COVID-19

Y

esterday, the Ministry of H e a l t h announced that three more persons who contracted the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease have died. As a result of the latest fatalities, the country's COVID-19 death toll has moved to 591.

According to the Health Ministry, those who passed away are an 89-year-old woman from Region One (Barima-Waini) and a 74year-old man from Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) who both died on August 18. An 80-year-old

man from Region 10 also passed away recently.

Further, the Ministry in its daily COVID-19 dashboard reported that within the last 24 hours they recorded 111 new infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 24,047.

Presently, there are 16 patients who are admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 100 persons in institutional isolation, 1,088 in home isolation and three in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 22,252 persons have recovered from the virus.

parents, students and the general public in the system.

The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) has been managing the NGSA examination since 2016 but disclaims knowledge of the changed grades. The body has

however been asked by the Minister to tighten and manage all processes carefully at this year's marking centres to mitigate against inaccurate marking.

During her engagement with teachers, Minister Manickchand said many

policies had been changed this year including the fact that total scores will be rounded up to the closest whole number.

Further, all reviews will be managed by CXC which sets, administers and evaluates the examination.

The Ministry of Education said it is pleased this year that markers were taken from all regions. The Ministry said it feels more confident that the results, which will be announced in

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand October will reflect accurately what students have earned.

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 21, 2021

Saturday August 21, 2021

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Azam, Alam lead Pakistan's recovery on...

PSG WITHOUT MESSI AND NEYMAR BUT STILL TOO GOOD FOR BREST BBC Sport - Paris St-Germain were without a number of star players, including new signing Lionel Messi and Neymar, but still had too much for Brest as they made it three wins out of three to top Ligue 1 with a 4-2 triumph.

Ander Herrera’s volley and a Kylian Mbappe header put PSG in control before Franck Honorat pulled one back.Idrissa Gueye fired in from way out, but Brest refused to lie down with Steve Mounie side-footing in.Substitute Angel di Maria decided the contest for good with a neat lob.Six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is yet to feature for PSG after joining from Barcelona earlier this

month.Both the 34-year-old and fellow forward Neymar started pre-season training late after an extended break following the Copa America, in which Messi’s Argentina beat his clubmate’s Brazil 1-0 in the final in Rio on 11 July.Also absent was another summer signing, defender Sergio Ramos, while European Championship-winning Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was on the bench.Such is the frightening level of talent available to PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino, his

starting XI still included a host of internationals, including Mbappe, Achraf Hakimi, Giorginio Wijnaldum and Marco Verratti.

Roger Rogers flawless on debut with gold, Squat & DL...

From page 25 planned.Thanks to All my sponsors, Fitness Express, Minister of Sports Charles Ramson Jr, NSC, MVP Sports, DeSinco Trading, Guybisco and a few others who I would like to remain private. Thank you all for believing in me and thank you God Almighty for bringing me this far.”

Wazim Mohamed in his

first overseas appearance for Guyana said he was very nervous but was grateful for the experience.

“This was good exposure for me here, it was my first and certainly would not be my last. The category that I was

in was very competitive with many experienced guys. I would also like to thank my teammates and Coach for their support as well as my sponsors for making this dream a reality. I will be back better and stronger.”

Medal Count Gold 3

Silver 1

Bronze 0

Total 4

Saturday August 21, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You have exactly the right amount of discipline and sense of duty to accomplish quite a bit today, Aries. Your thinking should be clear.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Trying to talk your way out of tasks and obligations probably isn't the best way to win friends today, Taurus. In fact, this is a time to get yourself in gear and take responsibility for your actions.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Just when you thought you had everything figured out and planned correctly, another obstacle appears, Gemini. Your first reaction may be to get upset.

CANCER(June21–July22) The fire within you may be burning brightly, Cancer, but unfortunately, there isn't a great deal of fuel available to keep it going.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may find that other people are the missing variable in the equation that you seek answers to today, Leo. Don't feel like you have to come up with all the details and resolutions yourself.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) By jumping around from place to place, Virgo, you may end up feeling like you're getting nowhere. Instead of tackling many different tasks, today is better spent focusing your energy on one. Start from ground level and work up.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Make a plan at the beginning of the day for what you want to accomplish by sundown, Libra. This is a good time to tackle many of the nitpicky tasks that require your attention.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Focus on the information coming your way today. Try not to get too emotional about the consequences of the information. More than likely, a neutral approach is best in any situation you encounter.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Things may get a bit hostile today. No one wants to budge from his or her position. You could be caught between mind and heart issues.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You may think that everything is perfect, Capricorn, when suddenly, there's a great surge of unyielding emotional energy.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Others are apt to play a big role in the events that unfold today, Aquarius. It's likely that closely communing with others will be very important. Despite this, you may still feel alone.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may be in a difficult position today, Pisces, as if you're being pulled in two directions with little say as to how things are supposed to end.

From page 24 the farcical cricket seems to produce more often than just about any other sport on the stroke of tea. Da Silva needed to be taken off with one ball to go in the session, but the regulations stipulated the over had to be completed before the players broke for tea.

It meant there was a lengthy pause while his replacement got himself ready, all to send down a delivery before another 20-minute break.Alam's woes continued post-tea, and it soon became apparent carrying on was impossible. The Jamaican sun had done what Brathwaite's men hadn't looked like achieving for nigh on five hours, and with life injected into the home side, Azam, the epitome of solidity, suddenly began to look susceptible.Two balls after Roach whooshed past his outside edge with prodigious late swing, he found a juicy chunk of it which went to Holder at second slip. West Indies roared with excitement, sensing a swing in momen-

tum; one way or another, they had removed both Azam and Alam. By now, the clouds were blocking out the sun, and with Mohammad Rizwan and Faheem Ashraf new at the crease, there was opportunity to wrestle back the momentum the hosts had lost through the afternoon.It wouldn't quite happen that way. Ashraf is a genuine middle-order batsman since his return to the Test side in December; he averages over 40 with the bat, while Rizwan's versatility has seen him enjoy a meteoric rise of his own.

The over rate was poor, and stoppages for one reason or another became commonplace; at one point, the emer-

gence of swarms of flies at the ground resulted in a lengthy pause as Rizwan tried to prise one out of Joseph's eyes. The intensity had begun to bleed out of the contest, and as the light began to worsen, West Indies were forced into bowling spin from both ends.Nkrumah Bonner, who Brathwaite turned to, is no Sonny Ramadhin; in truth, he was no Roston Chase either.

Sending down three no-balls in the only over he bowled, it appeared everyone had had enough, and a day that began explosively ended - after just 74 overs - with a bit of a whimper.Scores: Pakistan 212 for 4 (Azam 75, Alam 76*, Roach 3-49) v West Indies.

Osaka stunned by Teichmann at...

From page 23 issued her 41st unforced error on match point when she sent a service return long as Teichmann advanced to the quarter-finals with the biggest win of her career.

"I'm shaking right now," Teichmann said.

"She's a very tough opponent, a Grand Slam champion, and I'm the underdog, which is a bit easier. But you've got to start somewhere."

Osaka said she struggled due to a lack of competitive matches, with the 23-year-old competing in her first event outside the Tokyo Olympics since withdrawing from the French Open in May citing mental health issues.

"I thought that for me I felt a bit hesitant, and normally I don't feel that way," she said.

"Of course I put myself in this position by choosing not to play that many tournaments, so, yeah, just feeling more comfortable with it, feeling more confident in myself, as well, because I feel like there were times where I was doubting myself."

Osaka said her thirdround exit at the Tokyo Games had impacted her approach to the game on Thursday.

"I also thought that my performance in Tokyo was also lingering in my mind a bit, because I felt like I was overly aggressive there," she said.

"I felt like I learned a lot from this match today, and if anything to take away from this, I tried my best throughout the entire match so I can sleep at night."

Osaka will look to find her form ahead of the upcoming U.S. Open in New York, where she is a two-time champion.

Thompson v Richardson...

From page 21 turning professional in June after a record-breaking debut collegiate season.

Mu, who also won gold in the 4x400m in Tokyo, faces a rematch of the Olympic 800m final, with Britain's silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson and bronze medalist Raevyn Rogers also entered.

Elsewhere, the Prefontaine's mile race sees a rematch of the Olympic 1,500meter final, where Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen defeated Kenya's Timothy Cheruiyot for the first time to take the gold medal.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

Saturday August 21, 2021

Two-week Tennis Camp concludes Coach thanks Task Force & Sports Ministry for support

The older players were located at the National Park.

Tennis Coach Shelly Daly.

At 4, Jonathan Harding was the youngest member of the Camp.

By Sean Devers Ye s t e r d a y t h e c l o s i n g ceremony of the Sheltez Tennis Club's two-week Lawn Tennis camp climaxed at the Cliff Anderson National Sports Hall.

The Camp was held at two venues; the National Sports Hall and the National Park, between 09:00hrs and 14: 00 hrs.

This was the second camp for Sheltez Tennis Club and attracted 30 kids and was done over a twoweek period.

Coordinator of the programme Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan thanked the participants for their attendance and encouraged them to stay in the sport while thanking GTA for supporting the Camp.

Premium sponsor for both locations was the Lifebouy brand soap. Their representative encouraged the kids to sanitise their hands with the Lifebouy soap while interacting with them.

She added how excited she was to be on board and promised to continue their support of Tennis and the Sheltez Tennis club.

Deborah Persaud, a representative of Rohit's Lumber Yard, one of the sponsors, stated, “I would like to congratulate all the players. We were happy to be on board. And even though all of you may not have won trophies or medals I still think that you are all winners. You have braved this pandemic and the weather and you did it, you completed it and that's what matters. I am sure that all if you had fun, so that's what the camp is all about. Please stay safe and enjoy the rest of your summer vacation.”

Speaking to Kaieteur Sports y e s t e r d a y, S h e l l y D a l y Ramdyhan, Guyana's National Coordinator of programmes, provided information about the Camp.

“The camp catered for

beginners, intermediates and advanced players. The youngest player was four-year-old Jonathan Harding. The beginners did lots of ball skills which included hand eye coordination, ball control, balancing and cooperative drills etc. he intermediate players didn't have hand eye coordination too but worked on some of the main C's in tennis...(control, consistency, coordination, concentration, cooperation and competition).

Those were also done at all the levels too,” said Shelly, who runs her own private coaching business that feeds into the national system.

Shelly revealed that all of the kids were very excited and showed lots of interest.“There was one hundred percent attendance every day and that showed the interest each player had. There was a request to extend the camp for another week also.

Lots of talent was seen at all the levels but more in the beginners; age 10 and under. Some also are

Sports Minister Charles Ramson visited and encouraged the kids to continue playing sports and reminded that tennis is now a core Sport.

already interested in continuing the sport come September,” she informed, who began coaching in 2005. “ S p o n s o r s h i p i s a lw a y s important because it offsets expenses, it also help to support and encourage clubs to plan events. Both would benefit in the end since the sponsors through the event get some mileage and their products are advertised.

The Sports Ministry was

supportive in allowing us to use the national sports hall tarmac but due to heavy rainfall most mornings, we were forced to be indoors sharing the basketball court with the table tennis camp.The staff were very cooperative and supportive throughout the camp and I would like to say thank you to them,” added Shelly “Oh, I am more than satisfied. One concern I had was that the parents would've been concerned about the safety of

their children, but after a few days I was more relaxed after getting feedback from them and seeing consistency in their attendance,” continued Shelly a National Champion for four successive years in the '90s.

Minister Charles Ramson also made a brief visit at the end of the programme and encouraged the children to continue playing sports and reminded them that tennis is now a core Sport.

A group shot at the closing ceremony at CASA.

Saturday August 21, 2021

Kaieteur News

Thompson v Richardson duel highlights Prefontaine Classic AFP - Sha'Carri Richardson faces off against Elaine ThompsonHerah in the Olympic 100m final that might have been at a star-studded Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting in Oregon today.

US sprinter Richardson was barred from the Tokyo Olympics after being given a 30-day suspension for testing positive for marijuana at the US trials at Eugene's Hayward Field in June, the venue for this weekend's Prefontaine.

It meant that the world of athletics was denied the chance to see the charismatic 21-year-old Richardson line up against the might of Jamaica's Thompson-Herah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

In Richardson's absence, Thompson-Herah stormed to the gold medal in Tokyo in an Olympic record 10.61sec, making her the fastest woman alive. Only the late Florence Griffith Joyner has run faster.

Thompson-Herah led a Jamaican sweep of the 100m podium in Tokyo, with Fraser-Pryce taking silver and Shericka Jackson the bronze.

All three medallists will be lining up against Richardson on Saturday in a high-class field which also includes Tokyo 100m finalists Marie-Josée Ta Lou of Ivory Coast,

Switzerland's Mujinga Kambundji and the USA's Teahna Daniels.

While Richardson has raced against Fraser-Pryce twice before -- finishing ahead of the Jamaican on both occasions -- today marks her first head-to-head with Thompson-Herah, who also successfully defended her Olympic 200m crown in Tokyo to complete an unprecedented "doubledouble".

I n To k y o , b o t h Thompson-Herah and Fraser-Pryce coolly batted away questions about Richardson, offering curt "no comments" whenever the US sprinter's absence was raised by reporters.

Richardson, meanwhile, warmed up for today's showdown this week by debuting a striking new hairstyle in a video on Instagram, swapping out her signature flame-haired locks for blue and platinum.

"August 21 and I'm not playing nice," Richardson captioned the post.

Richardson's agent, Renaldo Nehemiah, says his client is focused on simply "running a good race" rather than who she is racing.

"She will be focused on executing her race to the best of her ability regardless of who is in the race," Nehemiah told the Wall Street Journal this week.

While Saturday's 100m race could well be a tantalizing glimpse of what

might have been in Tokyo, it could also turn out to be a sneak preview of next year's World Championships, which will be taking place at the same venue.

- Hassan, Mu will compete The women's 100m provides the most compelling storyline of the weekend, yet a field laced with talent should ensure numerous highlights elsewhere.

In the women's 5,000m, which was held yesterday, Dutch star Sifan Hassan was planning an assault on the world record in her first race since a historic Tokyo campaign, where she won both the 5,000m and 10,000m golds as well as a bronze in the 1,500m.

In the men's 100m, meanwhile, all nine starters have clocked personal bests of under 10 seconds.

Although Italy's newly minted 100m champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs is not in the field, the line-up includes the USA's Tokyo silver medallist Fred Kerley and Canada's Andre de Grasse, the 200m gold medallist in Japan.

The women's 800m, meanwhile, will see teenage star Athing Mu take a wellearned victory lap following her dazzling Olympic gold medal display in Tokyo.

The 19-year-old from New Jersey has taken the sport by storm this year, (Continued on page 21)

PAGE 23

Naomi Osaka of Japan in action during her second round match against Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland.

(REUTERS/Mike Segar)

Osaka stunned

by Teichmann at Western & Southern Open (Reuters) - An error-prone Naomi Osaka was stunned 3-6 6-3 6-3 by Jil Teichmann in the Western & Southern Open third round in Cincinnati on Thursday but the world number two said she had tried her best and would not lose any sleep over the defeat.

Osaka cruised through the first set and looked like she would make short work of the Swiss wild card before Teichmann settled

down and took the second.

Momentum swung firmly in the world number 76's direction in the fourth game of the decider when Osaka missed overhead smashes on back-to-back points, bringing a scream of frustration from the Japanese player.The miscues continued to pile up for the four-times Grand Slam champion, who (Continued on page 21)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Saturday August 21, 2021

Azam, Alam lead Pakistan's recovery on first day ESPNcricinfo - The first four overs set Pakistan back significantly, but the day was defined by a behemoth of a partnership between Babar Azam and Fawad Alam.

Under blisteringly hostile conditions for at least the first two sessions that saw no fewer than three players

forced off the field, the duo put together a 158-run stand to drag Pakistan from the depths into a position of clear dominance.

They were forced together after Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales scythed through Pakistan's embattled top order to leave them three

wickets down for two runs, but the attritional rebuild means it has been Pakistan's day. Alam is still unbeaten, but cramps forced him off to bring his stand with Azam to an end and while the Pakistan captain fell soon after, those were the only four wickets West Indies managed as

Babar Azam Azam and and Fawad Fawad Alam Alam steadied steadied Babar Pakistan after after early early losses. losses. (AFP/Getty (AFP/Getty Images) Images) Pakistan Pakistan put on 212 on the day.

Winning the toss, Kraigg Brathwaite had little hesitation putting Pakistan in to bat, and inside ten minutes, it became apparent why. Abid Ali lasted just three deliveries, pushing - without real footwork and with disappointing familiarity - at one from Roach around the fourth stump line, edging to Jermaine Blackwood in the slips. Azhar Ali became Roach's next victim, falling for a duck in similar style, with the ball kissing the outside edge and leaving the secure Joshua Da Silva to do the rest. Seales piled on the misery for Pakistan, inducing the hapless Imran Butt into a forward defensive prod that, on review, was shown to have tickled the outside edge.

Aside from Irfan Pathan's famous first-over hat-trick at Karachi, this would be Pakistan's joint-worst Test match start in history.

If that represented rock bottom, Azam and Alam used it as a solid enough foundation to begin the rebuild. Both looked vulnerable against an irrepressible seam bowling display from Seales and Roach early on, but the Pakistan captain looked to

Fawad Alam had to retire hurt on 76 after suffering from cramps Aug 19, 2021 © AFP/Getty Images

break out of it through aggression. A mistimed slash over point brought him his first runs, and from there, batting looked to have become easier for Pakistan's premier batsman.

It was initially less straightforward for Alam. He looked particularly vulnerable around his off stump, Jason Holder and Roach in particular beating his outside edge a number of times, while three of his four boundaries came off thick edges to the slips. However, survival was the primary goal, and on that count, it was mission accomplished.

Azam looked just as comfortable in the middle session but much more sedate, especially once he brought up his half-century with a regal late cut behind backward point off Roach, a bowler he targeted in particular early on in the session. He was particular strong square of the wicket, as you might expect, and the slightest infraction when it came to line was a candidate for a put-away boundary.

Alam was significantly improved throughout the session, far more assured with his shot selection and more progressive in his approach. A struggling

Alzarri Joseph, who came off on the stroke of tea, came in for particular punishment, with Alam bringing up his own half-century with a boundary off the 24-year old.

Those fidgety outside edges that kept the slips interested were kept to a minimum, but Alam, too, would find himself suffering through the elements as the sun beat down. The weather seemed to be indiscriminate in the toll it was taking, and Da Silva was forced off the field for a spot of rehydration before the session was out.

The one-dimensional nature of West Indies attack they don't have any left-arm pacers or full-time spinners arguably saw their woes exacerbated as the Pakistan pair batted themselves into a nice rhythm. Brathwaite turned to Roston Chase for a short spell, only to see Pakistan targeting him, and on a sizzling day, the home side had to turn to their quicks once more.

By this point, it was hard to see who might bring West Indies a breakthrough, but Alam was beginning to cramp pretty much every d e l i v e r y. T h e g a m e ' s momentum took a beating, too, and there was a touch of (Continued on page 21)

Saturday August 21, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

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

Roger Rogers flawless on debut with gold, Squat & DL records; Carlos ‘The Showstopper’ Petterson-Griffith rocks again in the Men’s Pan American

By Franklin Wilson in Wazim Mohamed deadlifts Classic (Raw) Open 93kg Orlando, Florida 282.5kg (622.81lb). category. compliments of Pele Franklin Wilson photo P e t t e r s o n - G r i ff i t h ’s Alumni, Fitness Express performance was all the and the Trophy Stall A flawless performance more satisfying even though on debut at this level by tough as he came against R o g e r R o g e r s ( P a n eight (8) other competitors American Classic Masters including fellow Guyanese 11 120kg Class) who was a n d d e b u t a n t , Wa z i m nine for nine on the day Mohamed who did not along with another superb m e d a l . T h i s c a t e g o r y display from Guyana’s attracted the most athletes.

The Mon Repos Fitness leading strongman, Carlos ‘ T h e S h o w s t o p p e r ’ Gym member finished ahead Petterson-Griffith produced of Canadian T. J. Gear with two more gold medals for the silver and the Dominican nation on the second and Republic’s Abraham Miguel penultimate day of the 18th who had to settle for the Annual NAPF/FESUPO bronze. In the process, Pan-American Regional Petterson-Griffith set a new P o w e r l i f t i n g Pan American and National third attempt, Mohamed was Championships yesterday at Deadlift record of 315kg not successful. the Hyatt Regency Hotel, (694.46lb), it was the Turning to the Deadlift, O r l a n d o I n t e r n a t i o n a l strongman’s Personal Best.

Mohamed was good enough The previous best was for 282.5kg (622.81lb), Airport, Florida.

The 52 year-old Rogers, 307.5kg (677.921lb) This while Peterson Griffith, who a RipHit Strength and was achieved on his second will be in action today in the P e r f o r m a n c e S y s t e m attempt after opening with Equipped segment of the member, was not only 290kg (639.34lb). Already c o m p e t i t i o n , a c h i e v e d golden but also set two new accomplishing his goal of 330kg (727.52lb).

Pan American records, Squat b r e a k i n g t h e r e c o r d , He was timed out on his and Deadlift and Personal Petterson-Griffith timed-out first attempt as he was not on his third attempt.

Bests in all three lifts. allowed to take the platform Both Petterson-Griffith in socks alone even though Rogers’ new Squat record is 252kg (553.36lb) and the other debutant he was told by an official at achieved on his third Wazim Mohamed (Flex the weigh-in that that would attempt; it was also his Gym) made their first Bench have been fine. His final Personal Best. The Squat Press attempt of 160kg attempt at 335kg was not record achieved also on his ( 3 5 2 . 7 4 l b ) . A t t h e i r good as he ended with a Total third attempt is 263kg respective second attempts, of 805kg (1973.137lb).

(579.82lb) as well as a PB. 165kg and 170kg, they both Mohamed’s Total was His PB in the Bench Press is failed. While Petterson- 682.5kg (1504.656lb).

190kg (418.88lb) on the Griffith opted to time out his Petterson-Griffith third attempt. His Total of third attempt, Mohamed did commented: “It feels good to 704kg (1552.054lb) was also not and again failed to get the once again be on the lift. impressive. platform representing Mohamed started out Guyana, being on the Rogers commented on a s p l e n d i d d a y : “ I a m shakily but got going as his p o d i u m a n d m o r e s o extremely satisfied with my confidence levels grew. His breaking records. I had a bad performance at my first did not get his first Squat day due to new rules and international meet. I went 9 attempt of 240kg (529.11lb) regulations in the IPF, but I for 9 and copped two but did so on the second was able to hold my records. I don’t know if I attempt. Trying to improve frustrations and compete as could have expected more at to 255kg (562.18lb) on his (Continued on page 21) my first outing representing my nation.

My Coach and I worked on a plan, and it was my task to execute and it worked out very well.

Now, I will continue to work to improve all my lifts. A special thanks to all my many well-wishers and the sponsors who made my participation a possibility.”

G u y a n a ’s l e a d i n g powerlifter, Carlos ‘The Showstopper’ PettersonGriffith lived up to his Men’s Pan American Classic Open 93kg gold medalist reputation as a fierce Carlos Petterson-Griffith is flanked by silver medalist, competitor in the this part T. J Gear (Canada) and bronze medalist, Abraham of the region when he Miguel (Dominican Republic). (Franklin Wilson photo) powered to the Gold medal

Rocking a Deadlift of 370kg (727.52lb) is Carols Petterson-Griffith on his way to the 93kg Pan American Open gold medal in Orlando, yesterday.

(Franklin Wilson photo)

Juman-Yassin affirms reelection bid, BLUNTY REFUSES TO JUSTIFY

By Calvin Chapman The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) held a press conference yesterday at their Lilliendaal Headquarters in which the press was asked to make a special effort to attend. The presser which was scheduled at 13:30hrs began at 14:00hrs and it was majorly a waste of time.

Information that was shared in the various forms of local media was elaborately rehashed in what would've been more useful as a report to the executive of our local National Olympic Committee (NOC) by the travelling team.

However, it was useful and well received when the President, K.A. JumanYassin, noted that the GOA will be setting up an independent committee that will examine the performances of eight-odd coaches that are currently benefiting from stipend through the Panam coaches' development programme. Yassin noted that the committee will be made up of three persons, one from the media and two independent parties that aren't affiliated with the media or the Executive of the GOA.

The committee will also examine the performances of athletes on the Olympic Solidarity fund, determine and/ development a ranking system then make recommendations as to who should continue to receive such funding. However, the GOA will still make the final reserves on who will be recipients of the coaches' stipend and the solidarity funding.

As the media respectfully endured elongated presentations, a question was raised that placed the incumbent head of the GOA on the defensive.

Juman-Yassin, after reaffirming he will be running for another term as head of the GOA to extend his tenure closer to three decades, was then quizzed as to why he would want to return to the helm of the association but he adamantly refused to answer the question, stating that it wasn't the time to ask such a question.

In the same way that under-funded and dedicated athletes, and coaches will be placed under the microscope by the proposed committee to determine whether they should be recommended to remain on programmes, would the GOA have a pass grade after failing to

K.A. Juman-Yassin produce any Olympic medals under the tenure of K.A. Juman-Yassin?

The GOA is due to have elections very soon. During the last elections in 2016, several motions were raised by the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) and passed during that Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Elections, and the one that sticks out is the motion to limit the reign of any GOA head to three-terms.

Local sports journalist and radio personality, Rawle To n e y, i n a n i n v i t e d comment on the incident at the GOA yesterday, noted that, “Mr. Yassin is open to scrutiny since he is at the helm of the GOA. If we take a look at GOA and ask what they have done under Mr. Ya s s i n ' s t e n u r e , a n d examine the condition it is in and the amount of athletes that would've fallen by the wayside due to no support, it will beg the question why he wants to return as President.”

Guyana and the media await the response from the long-serving and respected Sport Administrator.

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

Roger Rogers flawless on debut with gold, Squat & DL records; Carlos ‘The Showstopper’ Petterson-Griffith rocks again Carlos ‘The Showstopper’ Petterson-Griffith on his way to setting the new Pan American and National Squat record of 315kg (694.46lb) yesterday in Orlando. (Franklin Wilson photo)

Roger Rogers setting a new Pan American Classic M 11 Deadlift record of 263kg (579.82lb).

(Franklin Wilson photo)

t r o p S

Kemar Roach dismissed Abid Ali and Azhar Ali inside his first two overs Aug 19, 2021 © AFP/Getty Images

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