Kaieteur News

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Thursday Edition Strategic NEWS partnership helps Guyana reduce neonatal mortality by 50% in 10 years

AIETEUR

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

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August 26, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 31

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 84,767

US$100M unrelated oil expenses ends up into Mozambique oil books - Int’l watchdog urges Guyana to take note

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Disruption of 16p. municipal services likely over Town

Clerk’s appointment disagreement One year later…

Mom seeks justice for rape of daughter p.

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The protest continues for a change to the Exxon contract.

4 Venezuelans p. among 5 8 remanded for killing mining camp workers

Operator delays exploration in controversial Kaieteur oil Block p.

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CGX, KAIETEUR operators to start drilling holes searching for oil and the bills will on Kaieteur come in the billions on our backs while you mumble and grumble.@11:00hrs Radio 99.1/99.5FM

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Thursday August 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

Strategic partnership helps Guyana reduce neonatal mortality by 50 percent in 10 years T

here has been a precipitous decrease in neonatal mortality at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), thanks to a partnership established more than 10 years ago, between the government and the Giving Health to Kids Organisation (GHTK), a Canada-based not-for profit.

According to information released by the Ministry of Health, since the partnership, intended to address a high neonatal mortality, Guyana has seen a 50 percent reduction in neonatal mortality.

Although it has helped to improve the situation at the GPHC, there continues to be gaps in neonatal care in regional hospitals and the hinterland, the Ministry acknowledged.

With this awareness, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, along with his Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, had met with GHTK's Canada-based President, Dr. Narendra Singh. They agreed to the principle that “every baby born in Guyana should have equal access to the highest level of neonatal care if required.”

On a recent visit to Guyana, Dr. Singh, accompanied by Dr. Leif

Nelin (Neonatologist) and Dr. Anna Florinda-Chin (local Neonatologist), toured the New Amsterdam, West Demerara, Lethem and Bartica Hospitals.

GHTK in partnership with the government had previously established a level three Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the GPHC, and Level One NICUs at Linden, New Amsterdam, West Demerara, Suddie and Bartica.

GHTK Team subsequently met with Minister Anthony; the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Narine Singh; and the Director General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo.

The discussions and agreements centered on establishing a sustainable Neonatal Network at all regional hospitals, including the hinterland to ensure the optimal health of all newborns.

This, according to the Ministry release, would involve elevation of neonatal care to higher levels (Level Two/Three) to support critically ill babies.

The government has committed to a large capital investment to secure vital neonatal equipment along with the training of healthcare providers to care for the most

Minister Frank Anthony and team engaging GHTK representatives

vulnerable of in population. GHTK will support the training of healthcare providers along with the establishment of the Neonatal Network and a Neonatal Transport Programme.

The partnership between GHTK and the Government of Guyana is rapidly approaching sustainability through education and training. The charity has been

successful in establishing a Master Degree in Pediatrics, and a Diploma and Degree programme in neonatal care in partnership with the University of Guyana.

These programmes have graduated 22 pediatricians and 70 neonatal nurses to date. Under the leadership of Dr. Sara Singh (graduate of the programme) and her team, GPHC has made great

strides as it saves hundreds of babies every year that would have otherwise not survived.

In the last two years, the charity has further extended its reach beyond the shores of Guyana, through the Organization of American States to include Antigua. GHTK has successfully established an ongoing Neonatal Nursing Programme.

Thursday August 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

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US$100M unrelated oil expenses ends up intoMozambique oil books

By Kiana Wilburg

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ew oil producing states such as Guyana are often warned by international transparency groups to be wary of cost recovery bills that are submitted by oil companies.

Their analytical work over the years has found that these bills, in many instances, contain costs for legitimate goods and services that are intentionally inflated by the millions.

However, this is not the only area of concern Guyana is being urged to keep an eye on. The sweet crude producer is also being warned to pay attention to another area of massive value loss—bills containing unrelated or ineligible costs.

Pointing this out was the Centre for Public Integrity (CPI). To underscore the significance of its advice, the American watchdog noted that just last year; it was found that Sasol Limited, a South African petrochemical giant, recovered US$99.8M

in ineligible costs from Mozambique.

Expounding further, CPI noted that an audit ordered by the Mozambican government showed that Sasol declared recoverable costs of US$148.7M for its operations in the southern province of Inhambane in the 2017 financial year.

But the audit found that of this sum, US$50.5 million was not eligible for cost recovery.

The same trend was uncovered when an audit was done for cost recovery claims made by the company in 2018. The government said the oil company claimed recoverable costs of US$114.4M but auditors calculated that US$49.3M was not eligible.

Taking the two years t o g e t h e r, S a s o l h a d overstated its recoverable costs by US$99.8M. This has had a significant impact on revenue that should have gone to the State, government auditors said.

Sasol did not contest the findings but said it has since

- Int'l watchdog urges Guyana to take note submitted feedback to the government to explain the expenditure in question.

It said, “…Sasol ensures that all costs are correctly accounted for, under the terms of the agreement between the shareholders and the Mozambican government.”

Sasol also maintained that it is “an ethical corporate citizen” and that it is “committed to continue developing Mozambican hydrocarbon resources for the benefit of the country, its people and all stakeholders.”

OTHER EXAMPLES CPI was keen to note as well, the experiences of other resource rich countries that lost billions of dollars due to international oil companies routinely claiming billions of

Operator delays exploration in controversial Kaieteur oil Block

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xxonMobil Guyana has decided to delay a planned second exploration well in the controversial Kaieteur Block Offshore Guyana.

The announcement was h a d M o n d a y b y ExxonMobil's partners in the Block, Westmount Energy, which noted that the oil majors are looking to take more time to nominate the prospect target for the second exploration well on the Kaieteur Block.

Westmount Energy, an indirect partner in the Block on Monday cited Ratio Petroleum, which owns a 25 percent stake in the offshore Block, as saying that the date for elective nomination of the prospect target has been extended by seven months to March 22, 2022.

The original Kaieteur second well prospect nomination date was reportedly August 22, 2021, with any drilling consequent

to this decision to start within nine months of the nomination date.

ExxonMobil last year made a non-commercial oil discovery at the Tanager-1 well, in the Kaieteur Block, failing to replicate a string of successes made in the nearby Stabroek offshore Block, where it has so far found more than nine billion barrels of oil.

The Tanager-1 exploration well, drilled by the Stena Carron Drillship, was the deepest well drilled in the Guyana-Suriname Basin to date.

It was spudded on August 11, 2020, eventually reaching a total depth of 7,633 metres.

Westmount said that the Kaieteur Block partners agreed to the decision to delay the nomination date, "to facilitate continuing analysis by the operator and integration of extensive multi-play drilling results and comprehensive data collection programmes into regional petroleum system models and the prospect nomination decision."

Cataleya Energy Limited (CEL), the company that was first awarded the Kaieteur Block in 2015 by former President, Donald Ramotar, had sold one fifth of its 25 percent working interest in the offshore concession to Hess Corporation.

As a result of the transaction, Hess' working interest has moved from 15 percent to 20 percent, while Cataleya is now left with 20 percent.

Meanwhile, the other partner on the Block, Ratio Guyana Limited, holds a 25 percent stake while ExxonMobil's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), holds 35 percent, thereby making it the operator of the Block.

The sale between Hess and Cataleya was reported

by Westmount Energy Limited, a UK investment firm that gives overseas firms opportunities to buy shares in the licenced operators of Guyana's offshore Blocks. According (continued on page 14)

dollars in ineligible costs.

In the 40 plus cases it examined in Indonesia, Alaska, Ghana, Kenya and Timor-Leste, CPI said many of the expenses claimed by oil companies were simply ineligible.

It said examples of such unrelated costs came in the form of: expenses incurred prior to the signing of the “host government agreement” contract; expenses associated with unrelated projects; expenses for personal interests of executives, expatriate

employees and families; expenses for the technical training of expatriates; duplicate invoice for a good or service that has already been expensed; and inclusion of expenses such as oil and gas marketing fees, or expenses related to mergers, acquisitions, or transfers in participating interests that are normally deemed ineligible according to the contract.

To ensure Guyana and other oil producing States do not fall victim to the same abuses that hurt the government's share of the

profits, CPI said rigorous audits must be done annually.

Thus far, Guyana has pursued the audit of over US$460M ExxonMobil claimed was expended prior to the discovery of oil in 2015 in the Stabroek Block.

Another audit was undertaken for over US$1B in costs racked up for the 2015 to 2017 period. Those findings also remain undisclosed despite the government's promise to be as transparent as possible with details on the sector.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday August 26, 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

Return of executions Our streets are becoming extremely dangerous again. To be near to or actually observe a crime being committed, could be the equivalent of a death sentence. Men are being mowed down with automatic gunfire in the most brazen of ways, and with those responsible operating with unchecked impunity. This is the stark, frightening reality of Guyana today, which is best exemplified when criminal executions return and take hold again, while instilling growing alarm of worse to come.

For a few short years under the coalition government, criminal violence recorded some ease, with street-level executions taking a back seat. Similarly, and to a noticeable degree, major drug shipments originating from here occurred with less frequency, and also became a back burner concern.

In fact, things in the big criminal underworld got so tight that even coalition supporters muttered weak protestations about ‘the government should not be everywhere and locking out everyone and seeing everything’ that made for a lot of fast and easy money. Most of those feeling the heat and doing the private, unofficial complaining were the Guyanese who had a stake in the criminal prosperity that had flourished prior to 2015, and of which two of the criminal byproducts were conspicuous consumption and street executions.

Mysterious and heavily armed men were killing off rivals, settling scores, and engaging as readily available guns-forhire in what was a thriving trade and time for business. All those men and all that kind of business dipped to manageable levels during the coalition government’s watch. Make no mistake, there was crime, and there were enormous corruptions in then government circles, among its own cabals. But high-profile criminal episodes took a sort of partial holiday, which the record confirms. As if to furnish further proofs, there were very few, if any, of the high-profile local or overseas drug busts and still higher profile gun blasts of prior times that wiped out both men and menaces to business.

On the other hand, events in the past year have reintroduced what was a worrying reality for Guyanese, and now places it front and centre before the nation’s attention.

This is so, and regardless of whether the interest or care of ordinary citizens exists. They had better be, since they (all of us) are the ones who have to be out on the road without bulletproof protections and armed bodyguards. Citizens are the ones who are vulnerable and have to take evasive action on streets, or cower in their unguarded and mostly vulnerable homes. This is, and they are, part of what is the so-called collateral damage that regular Guyanese have to deal with and bear. While powerful political leaders would wish this away or pooh-pooh away, some things cannot be denied or made to go away, so serious are they.

For they are here and growing in strength. There was the recent resurgence of massive Guyanese-in-origin drug busts by foreign law enforcement. There was the Main Street machine gun execution near a popular nightspot, which remains unsolved, and the trail of which grows colder by the day. What is chilling is that that particular execution took place in the vicinity of the residence of Guyana’s head of state.

One would reasonably think that such a brazen abomination, where the physical welfare of Guyana’s first family is threatened, no matter how indirectly or peripherally, would result in the swiftest of apprehensions of all involved.

Meaning from planners and transporters and executioners, and extending all the way up to the intellectual and financial sponsors. But, as all Guyanese know, there is nothing colder in Guyana today than that clinical Main Street execution, and nothing more under wraps, where even the Guyana Police Force stand insecure and inhibited. This is one story that no amount of public relations plaster can quickly conceal or slickly spinoff.

The second confirmation of the return of executions is that of a Brazilian in the heart of downtown Georgetown.

We have been here before, with law enforcement hands selectively tied before, and with powerful perpetrators given a free passage by political powers. Guyanese must brace themselves, for this is shaping up most ominously to be the way of the future, which is right now, right here.

Get vaccinated, the life you save can be your own Dear Editor, What are the costs of vaccine hesitancy? Some costs are easily computed in terms of dollars and some costs cannot be translated into monetary terms. Who will pay these costs is an interesting question.

Storage of vaccines that should/could have been utilised had it not been for hesitancy is costly, use of purpose-built storage facilities, special freezers with appropriate backup power generation, specialist staff to monitor and control retrieval and security all have costs.

These facilities were supposed to be short term as it was anticipated that Guyanese would appreciate the efforts to vaccinate the entire population and participate eagerly; instead, vaccination slowed to a crawl and it has taken the implementation of regulations

requiring persons to show proof of vaccination to get the inoculation drive moving again.

Delivery of vaccines requires transportation and medical personnel to administer injections; again, these are costs that have increased due to prolonged programs.

There was an appropriate hue and cry over the price paid for the Sputnik V vaccines which prompted the Irfaan Ali administration to provide a detailed explanation of the rationale behind the decision to pay above the suggested market price; will we now ask who will pay the costs outlined above caused by hesitancy and the spread of deliberate misinformation?

I would suggest that a cut-off date for free vaccinations for adults be announced and thereafter individuals be charged a fee

that increases with time as a fair solution; after all taxpayer’s money is not meant to be wasted because of ignorance and politically motivated mischief.

In the category of costs that cannot be recovered monetarily are the loss suffered by our children who were kept at home for the protection of their parents and older family members; the risk posed to children is minimal and to remain unvaccinated is to ask your child to sacrifice her/his education, sport, and socialisation (childhood) upon your altar of ignorance.

Shame on any parent, teacher, or health worker who refuses to inoculate, shame!

The health sector was in difficulty before COVID-19 but managed the pandemic well, however, more can be done with the enormous amount of data gathered by

the boffins at the Ministry of Health; can they let us know how many persons are hospitalised in the COVID Centre? Of those how many are vaccinated?

My information is that no fully vaccinated person has died from COVID-19 to date; it would be useful to have that important fact confirmed publicly by an official government source.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky of the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) said on July 19, 2021, that “there is a clear message coming through; this is becoming a pandemic of the unvaccinated.” Six weeks later, we can remove ‘becoming,’ and ‘unvaccinated’ can be substituted by a wide variety of unflattering words; get vaccinated, the life you save can be your own.

Sincerely Robin Singh

The attack on public servants has reached a new high with this PPP regime Dear Editor, The Minister of Public Service, Ms. Sonia Parag, must be called out publicly for her silence and tacit consent with the manner in which public servants throughout the length and breadth of this country have been treated over the last year. The obvious contempt for our public servants is appalling.

Two more no-confidence motions are needed for the horrific treatment of public servants under the stewardship of Ms. Parag and Ms. Manickchand. If we

continue to sit silently and allow these atrocities to grow without very strong condemnation from all right thinking Guyanese then we have truly sunk to a new low as a society.

The Guyana Teachers Union is standing up for the rights of the teachers. Why is the Guyana Public Service Union so quiet? Ms. Parag must answer for her abysmal stewardship as the Minister of Public Service. I am confident that if an unbiased poll was taken the entire Public Service would prefer

that she vacate the position as she is either clueless about what her role should be as Minister of the Public Service, or she is not permitted to do her job the way it should be done. New public servants are going five months without their salary, scholarship students who expected to have a job in the public service after completing their studies, are being forced to sign documents dismissing them from the public service after six months. The Ministry of the Public Service is failing

miserably at ensuring a conducive environment for professionals to thrive and give of their best. Instead, what permeates is fear throughout the Public Service. In Guyana today these Ministers colluded to allow Police Officers to enter into the workplace of public servants to physically remove them from their work because they were purportedly unvaccinated.

What nonsense. Shame on Ms. Parag and the entire cabal that call themselves Ministers.

Yours truly, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, MP

Clearly, the City Council is unable to formulate or implement policies Dear Editor, I believe that it is important that the people of Guyana, particularly the citizens of Georgetown appreciate the enormity of the task faced, and understand the considerable efforts being undertaken by the Local Government Commission as they seek to fix the broken local government system of Guyana.

If one were to just focus on the challenges they face with the Georgetown Municipality, one would have to be extremely grateful for their efforts so far.

Georgetown is the textbook definition of a ‘failed city’ just as there are failed states promulgated to around the world. Georgetown is composed of feeble and flawed departments. Up until the LGC recently appointed a

new Town Clerk, the administration barely functioned having lost their capacity and professional independence. Georgetown suffers from crumbling infrastructure, and an environment of flourishing corruption.

Clearly, the City Council is unable to formulate or implement policies to effectively build infrastructure and deliver proper and necessary municipal services to the citizenry. Yet, we hear the Mayor and some Councillors trying their level best to have some of those same officers who were removed by the LGC for lack of proficiency returned to their posts to further disintegrate the municipality to the point where they become completely incapable of providing even the most

basic of functions and services to the citizenry?

With very short memories, the Council seems to have forgotten that the very person(s) they are championing to lead the administration of the Council, were subject along with others to some very harsh reproval and denunciation by the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that was ordered by the previous Local Government Commission (LGC).

Indeed, the Mayor and City Council should be made to answer why a few handpicked officers were consistently given special funding and grants for prodigious amounts to undertake special courses for their personal upliftment and empowerment, whilst other staff in dire need of assistance for medical attention, for family emergencies etc. was

callously denied.

Discrimination of the highest order is practiced at City Hall.

Sitting in at their statutory meetings, seems like being at a comedy club. The Mayor and Councillors seem much more interested in attacking, assaulting and demeaning a young woman trying to make a difference and to do a job that she was legitimately appointed to execute, rather than fixing the many woes of the city.

Seemingly unaware that the regulations that govern the Georgetown Municipality which dictate that the signatories to their bank accounts must be the City Treasurer and the Town Clerk, they inanely proceeded to appoint Tom, Dick and Harrylall at their last statutory meeting, as the new signatories to their account.

(Continued on page 6)

Thursday August 26, 2021

A free and impartial media plays an important role in sustaining Democracy Dear Editor As many Guyanese living in Guyana and overseas knows the Guyana State Media in the form of Guyana Chronicle and NCN kowtow to the Government of the day as they tend to propagate the Government’s point of view while lambasting the Opposition.

This needs to change which can only happen via privatisation.

Privatisation of State Media is imperative if Guyana is to truly realise its goal of more Media freedom, which can then hold the Government of the day, the Opposition and all other stakeholders accountable.

Governments should not be frightened by constructive criticism. They should look upon constructive criticism as an opportunity to improve their performance. A free and impartial media plays an important role in sustaining Democracy.

Yours truly, Sean Ori

The tangled web will strangle the city and suffocate its development Dear Editor The incessant calls of racial discrimination in the work place by one side of the divide at every turn seem shallow and without merit.

How can it be justified when the recently appointed TC is not recognised because of perceived political affiliation, even though she

is a young person of the same race that is being touted as being discriminated against?

No wonder trust in the city administration is at an all-time low. The tangled web will strangle the city and suffocate its development.

Yours truly, Shamshun Mohamed

The health risks of manganese mining continue to outweigh the value Dear Editor, The health risks of the manganese-mining venture continue to outweigh the value to be obtained. The company, whose safety record is questionable, continues to be in the lower margin realm for Net Income and even if we have the better share of the margin gains, we will be receiving a lot of a little.

This minuscule amount is far from sufficient to compensate for the human and environmental harm that manganese mining will bring to the Indigenous Community of Matthew’s Ridge. We are already hearing of and seeing the gross mishandling of mining operations. This has already resulted in damage to the current environment and infrastructure. In addition, the lack of respect and care for local workers has been raised as a concern this early in the

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operation and one can only imagine that this lack of regard for workers also extends to the safety and health of the miners.

Events of the recent past should be raising alarms within the government and highlight the need for closer monitoring and increased regulation within this mining operation. Dishonesty of the company has also been highlighted and the jobs promised have not been put in place.

If we consider the current gains from the Oil & Gas Sector, the proportionate amount to be allocated to the Matthew’s Ridge area is close to what can be obtained from this dangerous and unhealthy mining operation.

Therefore, we must ask ourselves if this operation needs to continue given its high level of risk. I would submit that our unanimous answer should be a

resounding no, and we should immediately start to take steps to shut down this dangerous and unhealthy mining operation. It is clear that if extensive contamination of the water system and the environment occurs that the little money gained from the mining will easily be spent on providing health care for those impacted in the Indigenous Community. This need for healthcare could extend to future generations and leave us with a mining project whose Economic Value over its life cycle would have been negative.

Our people are our most important and valuable resource. We must provide leadership that will ensure that their needs, health and safety comes first and foremost when investment decisions are being made.

Yours truly, Jamil Changlee

The compensation relief grant will certainly enable these farmers to have cash available to restart Dear Editor, The recent presentation made by Honorable Zulfikar Mustapha in a round table discussion on the role of farmers and rural communities in the sustainability of agri food systems, organised by the Council of the Americas and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), is evidence of the Minister’s hands-on approach to the managing of the Agriculture Sector. He has garnered so much first-hand information is less than a year in that capacity.

The Minister reminded those present that, ‘We must improve the conditions of food producers, who are the true generators of wealth.’ He made it abundantly clear that the establishment of infrastructure for the processing of crops in rural areas will add value, and which in turn will increase the profitability of the farming activities. The thousands who attended his numerous outreaches will know that this is what he continuously reiterated and what he assiduously worked towards achieving. The numerous challenges, which the Agriculture sector has had to endure, have never been greater in any time in our history, but with every challenge, a speedy resolution was put in place.

The devastating effects of climate change will no doubt cause the Sector to face even more challenges in the future but it is a heartening relief to note, that the Government’s agrarian policies are geared to mitigate those disastrous effects. The recent flood wreaked havoc

in the Sector and the Government worked non-stop to ensure that the negative effects of the flood are minimised. It deployed all its resources in not only giving immediate relief with food supplies and other necessities but give monetary relief to the thousands of cattle farmers, rice farmers and cash crop farmers. The amount allocated is $7.8 billion and this may very well have to be amended as more assessment is being done.

This is the largest compensation package ever to be handed out, and this shows the policy of this Government to ‘improve the conditions of food producers’ and mitigate the fallouts of the flood. This will motivate farmers to produce without fear of similar situations in the future and encourage more persons to take up farming. I could recall the Coalition’s Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, in response to rice farmers’ plea for assistance, said that the government had no responsibility to the farmers, that the rice Industry was privately owned. Would the Coalition have given the farmers any relief if they were

still in government? NO is the answer!

The compensation relief grant will certainly enable these farmers to have cash available to restart their respective farming ventures without borrowing or utilising savings. The farmers who collected the grant were loud in praise for the Government and many described it in glowing terms. It brought great relief and it is a great initiative. The small man is beginning to feel like the real man as this Government continues to roll out the good life to each and every one of its citizens. It was a shame to read what some of the GOAR presenters at the Brooklyn Rally spoke and racism, injustice and marginalisation practiced by this Government against Afro-Guyanese.

There is no doubt that indeed the small farmers hold the key to food security not only in Guyana but in the Region as was highlighted by Minister Mustapha, and as the Government continues to roll out its policies there is no doubt that this will be achieved.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

...Clearly, the City Council From page 4 A drollery at best. The Local Government Commission must move resolutely to further their task of saving the sinking ship of City Hall, by making other much-needed appointments, by dismantling

the systems of nepotism and cronyism so endemic at City Hall and by ensuring that there is justice and fair play at the Council. I say to the LGC ‘Slow fire ah boil hard cow-heel.’

Yours truly, Debra Gibson

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Thursday August 26, 2021

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Brazil’s electoral court chief says Coretta McDonald would hurt election debate is “waste of focus” teachers to gain political points BRASILIA - (Reuters) The head of Brazil’s top electoral court (TSE), Luís Eduardo Barroso, said yesterday there is no problem with the country’s electronic voting system, calling a discussion to adopt printed ballots “a waste of focus.”

Speaking at a banking event, Barroso said Brazilian institutions are functioning normally despite increasing friction between the judiciary and President Jair Bolsonaro, adding he saw no conditions for a coup.

Luís Eduardo Barroso

$50 million injection to sustain NIS unemployment fund Daily Nation - The House of Assembly has approved a $50 million injection of funding to ensure unemployed Barbadians continue to receive benefits from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

This is the first part of an overall $143 million recapitalization plan for the NIS’ Unemployment Benefit

Fund. The fund needed replenishing after 38 000 individuals filed 52 282 unemployment claims last year when the COVID-19 pandemic crippled the economy.

Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment Marsha Caddle and Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations Colin Jordan gave details of the financial support

Tuesday as the related supplementary resolution was debated in the Lower House. Caddle said Cabinet “agreed to a recapitalisation over a three-year period . . . so that in the first instance the proposal is for recapitalisation in the amount of $60 million by March of next year and this $50 million goes to that target”.

Dear Editor, On an APNU+AFC Facebook live programme on the night of Tuesday August 24, 2021, APNU+AFC MP and General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Coretta McDonald, complained that the Ministry of Education was giving Grade Six teachers extra time for their holiday because they had taught through the holiday period. She described this as a bad idea that was not properly thought out.

Are you shocked? Yes, me too. Where else in the world does a union leader who cares about her teachers

complain about extra time given to make up for the time the teachers spent teaching?

She wanted to make a point here and actually said so, that the Ministry of Education did not properly think out that announcement. I am a grade six teacher and I speak for myself and all other grade six teachers when I say we are deeply grateful that the Minister listened to us and gave what we requested of her. Yes. That right. We asked for this. And we got it. Yet our union “leader” is trying to take it away from us. Imagine that.

Coretta took her vaccine but says teachers don’t need

to. Clearly having taken it herself, she knows its value but never once has she spent any time explaining to teachers the life-saving nature of the vaccine. This union head seems more taken up with the politics of her party than genuinely looking out for the interests of teachers. In this period especially, teachers should not depend on Coretta Mc Donald for guidance. She is not a union leader. She is permanently wearing her political hat and would hurt us all to gain political points.

Yours truly, Adron Pires

Overhead conversations Dear Editor, “I have two children – one at Public School, another at Private School. I have to send the one to Public School in September; the other has to stay home because that Private School is going to use distance learning. I don’t know yet who is providing the connecting facility.”

“My child’s private school is going to teach face to face. But nobody has asked what I prefer when I spoke to the teacher; nobody had spoken to her either.”

“I am a single working parent. So I always prefer to take my child to school. The school is now saying that my child must learn from home.

Not only I can’t afford to stay home; but my child would have nobody to play with. I really don’t understand why nobody is talking to me.

When I approach any of the teachers, the answer I get is that nobody has discussed the matter with them either, and they have children too.”

“But now we busy talking, don’t we have to consider how the children themselves feel. It’s just that I wouldn’t know how to explain to them which is right from wrong.”

“We are all in the same boat. Whether Public or Private, we parents are left out of the conversation, so that we can’t provide answers our children are asking for, as if they are not the most important persons of these different arrangements.”

“But then again Public or Private don’t our children have to sit for the same exams?

So why don’t we try to organise our Parent/Teachers Associations to discuss and come up with a position that

could get the hearing of officials? We so need a conversation amongst equals.”

“I think I would support such an idea, because in the final analysis this is not only a matter of teaching and learning, it also involves emotions, relationships, growing up to understand teamanship – studying and playing together; and at the same time counselling about individual strengths and weaknesses; and possibly at the senior level, opportunities for growth.”

“Should we therefore agree to seek to reopen the conversation – as equal partners in education in this pandemic environment, and possibly of the future?”

At which point a passerby intruded: “Check if the Constitution allows mandatory action on citizens and the imposition of discipline on the latter ’s objections.”

Yours truly, Name provided

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Thursday August 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

Jagdeo will NOT slow down Exxon. He prefers to slow down Guyanese who get in his way, and show him the error of his ways with this oil of ours.

Jagdeo's behaviour is a clear reminder that 'massa' days ain't done, but alive and well in Guyana.

Jagdeo prefers to sellout his own people than stand up to the true owners and operators of Guyana's oil plantation.

Look at Jagdeo: he is a stonewall against Guyanese who disagree with him, but he can't bend over low enough before his Exxon's masters, who tell him what song to sing, and when to dance to its tune.

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Thursday August 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

4 Venezuelans among 5 remanded for killing mining camp workers F

our Venezuelan men were among five persons remanded yesterday for allegedly killing a security guard and a worker at a watchman camp close to a mining site at the Black Water backdam, Cuyuni, Mazaruni, Region Seven.

The bloodied bodies of the men, Steven Niles, the security guard and Suresh Bachan, the miner, were

found - one in a hammock and the other on a makeshift bed - around 06:00hrs. on August 5, last.

Region Seven detectives were able to track down five suspects and had arrested them.

According to Commander of the district, Dion Moore, the men had admitted to beating Niles and Bachan to death with a crowbar. The suspects are: Nicholas Ceaser called 'Wild

buck,' 22, a miner of Ya r r o w k a b r a Vi l l a g e , Linden-Soesdyke Highway and four Venezuelans – Juan Oscar Calderon Lopez called 'Gordo,' 25, Jose Ramon Tovar better known as 'Bashein,' 24, Luis Miguel Monrroy, 35, and Jhonny Gonzalves aka 'Sankey Pankey,' 47.

They all appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts, and were jointly

charged with murder by Magistrate, Delon Bess.

The defendants were not required to plead to the indictable charge and are expected to make their second court appearance at the Kamarang Magistrate's Court on September 20, 2021.

According to reports, the suspects had allegedly murdered Niles and Bachan between the evening hours on August 4 and 06:00hrs. on

Murdered worker, Suresh Bachan

Murdered security guard, Steven Niles

August 5. Kaieteur News had reported that the men who were killed were employed at a mining operation in the Black Water backdam, and after work ended during the late afternoon hours of August 4, they along with other employees went to their base camp located some distance away from the work ground.

After having their meals, Niles and Bachan had returned to the work ground where they would sleep at a watchman camp to guard the sluice boxes. The following day around 06:00hrs. when the (continued on page 18)

The five suspects remanded for the murders of Niles and Bachan

Thursday August 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

Your body, your choice!

My home, my choice!

T

he Opposition has become prochoice. The chant of the Opposition supporters during yesterday's poorly attended rallies was “My Body, My Choice!”

The argument behind the “My Body, My Choice” movements is that no third party has a right to tell someone what to do with their bodies. And if no one has a right to tell you what to do with your body, then no one should require you to wear a face mask in a bus or to sanitise your hands when entering a supermarket.

Unfortunately, there is no absolute right to bodily integrity. Society has always placed limitations on human freedoms. You are free to smoke but not in a public place. Your body is yours but it is against the law to commit s uicide or to physically harm yourself.

The exercise of your rights is also conditional on respecting the rights of others. So you cannot expose others to harm by your exercise of the right to your choices. In other words, you are not free to place others at risk. And the function of government is to protect the general population from being harmed. This is why children are required to be vaccinated soon after birth.

You are not allowed to go to school if you have infectious small pox or chicken pox.

Your personal health is not independent of public

health concerns. If the unvaccinated poses a threat to the wider society, then it is within the right of the public health authorities to take actions to protect society.

The claim to a right over what happens to our physical bodies has been a rallying cry for those who support abortion. They contend that they have a right to decide whether to carry a pregnancy to full term or to terminate it since it is their body and it is their choice.

During the campaign to pass the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act in 1995, the pro-choice brigade – who made the same cry: “My Body, My Choice!” –argued the right to determine what happens with their bodies.

The matter was supposed to be decided by a conscience vote in the National Assembly. But when the time came for the vote, one side voted almost totally in support of abortion and the other almost totally in opposition to abortion.

T h e P N C parliamentarians voted overwhelmingly against abortions under eight weeks.

Ironically, today, the same PNC/R is using the “My B o d y, M y C h o i c e ! ” argument to buttress its declining support in the face of the attempt to benefit from electoral rigging. The PNC/R is using the public restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19

pandemic to seek to regain political credibility. And it has chosen, the pro-choice slogan, “My Body, My Choice!” as its rallying cry.

Perhaps now that the PNC/R is touting “My Body, My Choice!” it may wish to revisit its previous Opposition to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Bill. After all, if a person has absolute control over their bodies, then should that person be constrained by law from terminating a pregnancy whether it is before or eight weeks?

The present campaign launched by the PNC is misguided. First of all there is no person who has any absolute right of their bodies.

If it is accepted that life starts at conception, then any medical termination of pregnancy constitutes murder and murder of the helpless unborn child.

Secondly, if it is your body and your choice, then by extension no one can force you to wear a mask.

Yet, it was the very PNC/R which has passed regulations which required the mandatory wearing of masks in public places. So does the “My Body, My Choice” policy relate to the wearing of face masks?

There is no COVID-19 vaccination mandate in Guyana. No one is being forced to take the COVID-19 vaccine. However, there are consequences for those wishing to exercise that

Time and tide boys wait fuh no man seh...

Dem

W

hen dem boys read how de former Fine Ants Minister – de one wah name after de river in de Middle East – seh how if he bin in power today, de cash grant would ah be better, it mek dem boys remember de song by John Rowles “ If I only had time.”

Dem boys wan sing a verse fuh de ex- Fine Ants man: “If I only had time If I only had time, only time So much to do If I only had time, if I only had time

Dreams to pursue If I only had time, they'd be mine” Dem boys remember dat time and tide wait fuh no man.

But dem boys wan tell de exFine Ants man dat he gan need a time machine fuh get fuh implement he plan. Because he government nah gan see power back fuh a long time.

But if he nah believe in time machine, he can set he alarm clock. When he wake up he gan be in de future.

It mek dem boys remember de story about a time when dem see a man standing against a wall praying. Dem boys had

never seen anything like dis before. So dem go up to de man and ask he how long he bin praying to de wall.

De man answer, “Fuh de past 60 years!”

Dem boys seh, “Wow, dat is lang, lang time! What yuh bin praying for?

De man reply, “I does be praying fuh Guyana become rich” Dem Boys ask he, “Wat it feel like to be praying like that for 60 years?”

De man answer, “Is like talking to a wall!

Talk half and remember dat opportunity last does rarely come back!

right. If you are not vaccinated your right to your choice is respected but you have to also respect the choice of those who do not wish to be placed at risk by your non-vaccination.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has expressly said that international labour standards do not directly address the question of mandatory vaccinations as a

condition for work. Thus, the legal basis for such a measure would largely depend on the national regulatory framework.

No one is being denied government services. But if you are not vaccinated then before you can enter certain places you have to prove that you are negative. It is same as if you want to go to a foreign country. It is your body and your choice but

you are not going to put persons at risk in a foreign country by arriving without a negative PCR test certificate or without being vaccinated.

Your right, your choice!

My country, my business, my office, my home, my choice!

(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

Thursday August 26, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Gambit: AFC setting a trap for the PPP T

he PPP ruled Guyana from October 1992 to May 2015 during which time, Region Four elected its chairman from the PNC. In 2020, the PPP won the national election and the traditional pattern continued – Region Four elected a PNC chairman.

Most independent analysts who study the Guyanese sociological landscape will put the PPP down to winning the 2025

poll. Speaking for myself, I believe given the horrific, negative consequences of five months of attempted rigging by the PNC in the 2020 poll, the ambience in 2030 is going to favour the PPP. A number of reasons could be cited. One, is that the physical and financial weakening of the PNC will be a protracted process going beyond 2030. Secondly, only a few small parties will remain from the 2020 battle

and will not expand at the required rate to give the PPP headaches in 2030.

The decadent, degenerate nature of the post 2015 AFC will continue to create nightmares for small parties. It will take a long time for citizens to trust a small party no matter how fast it gathers steam, and no matter how charismatic and smooth-tongued are its leaders.

Thirdly, the stench from March, 2020, will permeate

this country's political landscape for a long time to come.

People from the Indian and Amerindian communities are going to vote solidly for the PPP because the nightmare of 2020 will haunt them when voting day comes around.

Fourthly, by 2025, an impressive percentage of African Guyanese should be comfortable with the PPP's performance because the

Frederick Kissoon treasury by 2024, 2025 and 2026 should have petrodollars to spend. It is highly likely that some of those petro-dollars will be assigned for the enhancement of African communities.

Against this background, it makes no sense, the PPP having anything, even remotely, to do with the AFC. The PPP does not need the AFC for anything at all. There is nothing the AFC can do or can offer the PPP that the PPP will find interesting. It makes no sense therefore, for the PPP to show any interest in the little fight between the AFC and the PNC in the Region Four council.

It would be detrimental to the PPP's post 2020 image to be seen having anything to do with the AFC. There are some commonsensical questions the PPP leadership must ask itself about the intended noconfidence motion (NCM) the AFC is planning to table against the Region Four chairman, Daniel Seeram.

Some of these questions are: -Why Daniel Seeram in 2021 and no other PNC officials from 2015 to 2020?

-Why there wasn't an NCM in April 2016 against Minister Joseph Harmon when at an AFC retreat at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the AFC demanded a curtailment of the vast state jurisdiction of Minister Harmon.

Why the very two men – Amarnauth Chinkan and Neilson McKenzie - who are behind the NCM were never reported in any section of the press of expressing annoyance, disgust or rejection of the thousands of manifestations of abuse of power when the AFC was in power.

I know the two AFC names linked to the NCM. Mr. McKenzie is as close to being a democratic as Trump's far-right supporters. Mr. Chinkan is one of the strongest supporters of Khemraj Ramjattan and is someone whose words to me over the past year I find highly misleading. There are three questions the PPP councillors in Region Four should ask the AFC councillors.

1 - Did Charrandass Persaud take a bribe?

2 - Did they agree with the AFC's expulsion of Charran.

3 - Do they believe the APNU+AFC won the 2020 election?

What has the PPP got to gain from voting with the AFC for the NCM to topple Seeram? More importantly is the question what the AFC stands to gain? Should the PPP vote with the AFC to remove Seeram, there will be more political gain for the AFC than the PPP. First, in the forthcoming local government election, the PNC and AFC are contesting separately. The Seeram ouster will be used by the AFC to appeal to voters to give them a chance.

Secondly, the Seeram removal will be a lifeline thrown to the AFC by the PPP to deceive citizens that the AFC is willing to visualise political developments on the basis of principles and democracy. Obviously, the plan is to resuscitate its political existence.

On the other hand, should the PPP vote with the AFC to dethrone Seeram, citizens in general across Guyana may be angry with the PPP for even talking to the AFC. The AFC became, rotting, fetid, dead meat after 2015. The PPP may be wise to let the meat fully dissolve into nothingness.

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

Thursday August 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday August 26, 2021

Thursday August 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday August 26, 2021

Govt. banks on economic growth with start of Linden Housing Project C

onstruction of y o u n g professional homes in Linden, Region 10, is underway, and this venture government has proposed as a means of helping to foster economic growth.

On January 14, President Irfaan Ali, had announced plans for the construction of 1,000 homes for the mining town, during his first outreach to that Region, according to a Central Housing and Planning (CH&PA) release.

Last Friday, construction of the first 20 homes commenced in Amelia's Ward under the supervision of CH&PA, which falls under

the purview of the Ministry of Housing and Water.

Minister of Housing and Wa t e r, C o l l i n C r o a l , yesterday engaged the contractors and workers on site, as they forge ahead with works.

Already several foundations have been set for the first 20 single elevated two-bedroom homes. This project is being executed by CB Housing Development Inc. with a workforce of some 150 skilled Lindeners.

According to Croal, this project is aimed at transforming lives, raising the standard of living and

fostering economic growth within the Region.

“This project is testament of the President's promise to this Region, it will translate into jobs for skilled and unskilled workers, all the building and construction material will be sourced from hardware stores around Linden,” he shared.

Also, block makers in the Region will be engaged under the Ministry's Community Based Employment Stimulation Project (CESP) to supply blocks.

“The spin-off benefits will be remarkable and reflects government's commitment to revive

economic activities in Region 10.

The government's aggressive housing drive is aimed at creating jobs and this is testament of this commitment,” the Minister added.

Over the coming weeks, as works on site progress, the number of persons being employed is expected to increase. This project is expected to be completed within another four months.

Mobilisation for the construction of another 20 houses is expected to c o m m e n c e s h o r t l y, representing the first batch of houses under President

Ali's 1,000 homes project for Region 10.

As construction in the region continues, simultaneously the Ministry is engaging NICIL and the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission for t h e acquisition of lands for allocations.

“The government's aggressive housing programme is aimed at providing housing options, in the form of built units as well as lands,” Minister Croal revealed.

Meanwhile, under the second half of the Ministry's 2021 work programme, the mining town will see an injection of $40 million, which will go towards road rehabilitation and upgrades in Amelia's Ward and Wisroc.

Under the 2022 work programme, some $100 million will be expended to put in the necessary infrastructure in virgin lands, which were recently acquired by the agency for new housing development.

Additionally, some 8,000 acres of lands will be outfitted with roads, access bridges, water and electrical network for allocation.

Lands are also being sought for housing

Housing Minister, Collin Croal development to meet the housing demands in Kwakwani.

In January of this year, President Ali and members of his Cabinet visited the mining town where he announced an aggressive plan for job creation in the region.

He noted that the intention is to tap into the skills of residents as well as to source the building materials from the community.

Th e P r e s i d e n t h a d highlighted too several other areas in terms of employment opportunities for the mining town, making opportunities available for residents to provide services to support the mining and construction sectors.

Operator delays exploration in controversial Kaieteur...

From page 3 to Westmount in its latest report, the increase in Hess' working interest has occurred on the back of the Tanager-1 oil discovery, announced in November, 2020.

For several years, this newspaper was at the forefront of calls for there to be a thorough, independent investigation into the award of two Blocks, Kaieteur and Canje, since several industry stakeholders who examined the matter, concluded that they were awarded under suspicious circumstances.

With respect to the Kaieteur Block, this publication previously reported that it was awarded

by Ramotar on April 28, 2015, just two weeks before the 2015 general and regional elections on the advice of former Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud. Two companies received the Block with 5050 stakes, Ratio Energy

Limited (now Cataleya Energy Limited) and Ratio Guyana Limited.

Ratio Energy was incorporated in Gibraltar on April 15, 2013, and registered in Guyana on October 23, later that year.

Independent watchdog, Global Witness, said in its damning report 'Signed Aw a y ' ( w h i c h w a s subsequently pulled by the organisation), that at the time of receipt of the Block, the company was owned by an Israeli-based lawyer named Richard Roberts.

Ratio Energy's name was then changed on August 3, 2017, after it received the Kaieteur Block.

Its two directors are Canadian, Michael Cawood a n d G u y a n e s e , Ry a n Perreira, who have experience in mining.

The other initial owner of the Kaieteur Block is Ratio Guyana, a subsidiary of the Israeli company, Ratio Petroleum.

Thursday August 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Thursday August 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

Disruption of municipal services likely over Town Clerk's appointment disagreement

T

he administration o f t h e Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), has announced that over the next few days, the provision of certain essentials municipal services to local communities may be disrupted.

This is as a direct result of the ongoing disagreement within the Council over the appointment of Candace Nelson as the Interim Town Clerk.

In a statement issued to the press yesterday, the M&CC explained that as a result of the issue, a delay in payment of wages and salaries to the Council's employees is anticipated.

The statement went on to explain that on her

appointment to the position of Acting Town Clerk by the Local Government Commission, Nelson wrote to Republic Bank (the institution where the Council has its accounts) and notified its management of those changes.

In that letter, the Town Clerk requested the n e c e s s a r y a n d corresponding changes to the signatures of the Council's accounts.

However, it noted that s u b s e q u e n t l y, t h e administration was “informed, informally” that the Mayor, Ubraj Narine, had written to the bank (Republic Bank) and attempted to instruct its management to retain the old signature of Ms. Sherry Jerrick, who has been

reverted to her substantive position as Assistant Town C l e r k , a n d M r. J o h n Douglas, City Treasurer (Ag) who is on vacation leave.

“Again, this is unprecedented as it is the administration that has the statutory responsibility to communicate with the bank and related institutions.

Neither the Mayor nor any Councillor is a signatory to the accounts of the City Council.

The Act, Chap 28:01, does not confer on the Mayor as an individual the authority to write and instruct the bank or any institution for that matter,” the release added.

For all appearances, the statement said that it does appear that the letter, by the Mayor, caused the bank to

sustain the old signatories to the accounts.

As a result, it noted that to date, new and necessary changes are not reflected in the Council's accounts.

The statement outlined that consequently, the administration cannot move forward with the pay roll within the agreed time to pay workers of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown.

“This would cause a delay in payment of workers' salaries. This w o u l d a ff e c t w o r k e r s ability to perform their tasks and disrupt systems to provide services to citizens,” it said.

Notwithstanding this, it stated that the Town Clerk (Ag), Nelson, has informed the Minister of Local

Interim Town Clerk, Candace Nelson Government and Regional Development and the Chairman of the Local Government Commission.

The M&CC said, that administration is aware that steps are being taken by the Ministry and Commission to resolve the prevailing issue in the shortest possible time.

Additionally, the Town Clerk has also written to the unions (the Guyana Labour Union and the Guyana Local Government Officers Union) that represent workers and officers of the City Council on the matter.

T h e C h i e f Administrative Officer has also informed all heads/sectional heads of departments about this pressing issue and has asked them to communicate the facts of the matter to workers attached to their departments, the release added.

Rollout of Pfizer vaccine begins today at St. Stanislaus College

T

he rollout of the vaccination campaign, which is expected to see 146,250 doses of the Pfizer vaccine being administered to children from the age of 12 to 17, will begin today at the St. Stanislaus College.

The Ministry of Health in a statement announced that the launch of the COVID-19 vaccination programme for adolescents will commence at 14:00hrs. (2:00pm).

Scheduled to grace the

launching ceremony for the campaign tomorrow are Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, Charge de'Affaires of the US Embassy to Guyana, Mr. Mark Cullinane, along with other officials.

Minister Anthony during his daily COVID-19 update yesterday stated that at the launch there will be a “sensitisation session, and then we will do some vaccination for students who

would like to get vaccinated from Saints.” He added that if there are persons from around the community who are interested in getting vaccinated, they too can come as well.

According to the Minister, at today's event they will unveil the rollout plans as it relates to vaccination sites.

The Minister earlier in the month had announced that parental consent would be needed in order to administer the vaccine.

Consent forms were made available for parents and guardians to fill out and submit.

The Education Ministry on Tuesday had received over 4,000 consent forms from parents giving

their approval for their child to be vaccinated.

As parents are encouraged to get their child vaccinated for the reopening of schools, the Education Ministry had made it clear that vaccination for children

will not be mandatory.

With the reopening of schools set for September 6, Minister Manickchand on Tuesday noted that students who are unvaccinated will not be prevented from attending schools.

Thursday August 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

Plans in the pipelines to expand water supply in Region 1

A

r e c e n t assessment of the water systems in Mabaruma and the surrounding villages in Region One, has highlighted the need for an expansion of the distribution network, and hours of supply so as to increase the water supply coverage.

GWI's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Shaik Baksh, and a team of technical officials conducted the assessment, according to information released by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), during a two-day visit to the Region on August 17 and 18. The areas visited were Yarakita, Kamwatta, White Water, Hosororo Falls and Khan's Hill.

I n Ya r a k i t a , G W I committed to improving their water coverage to 95 percent, as opposed to the current 70 percent. This entails inspecting the well and possibly upgrading the solar panels to extend the pumping capacity to farther areas, including the migrants' settlement. GWI, with support from UNICEF and UNDP, is also looking at repairing an existing hand pump in the settlement area.

The village currently depends on a rainwater harvesting system that was set up by UNICEF under the Water, Sanitation and H y g i e n e ( WA S H ) programme.

The team also visited the Community Health Post in Yarakita and committed to rectifying its line network, since the health worker there complained of receiving inconsistent water supply.

This was due to internal plumbing issues as well as a lack of monitoring of the water supply system on the part of the Community Service Officers (CSOs).

GWI also promised to place

a hand-washing sink at the entrance of the building.

To this end, Mr. Baksh pointed to the need to establish programmes for the monitoring and maintenance of the systems.

GWI has embarked upon a training seminar for Community Service Officers to operate and regulate the system. This forms part of a partnership between GWI and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

“I'm not satisfied that we're there as yet and whilst we have done some training already, it has to be more intense, and we intend to return to ensure that training is delivered to all these communities so that the systems are properly maintained. If not, the level of service would decline and it would not be in the best interest of the residents,” the CEO noted.

This training will benefit Yarakita and Kamwatta and is being facilitated by GWI Officer in Charge of Region One, Mr. Richard Robinson.

According to Mr. Robinson, the wells are producing at their maximum capacity, but inconsistent weather patterns affect the functionality of the solar panels, thus, resulting in an intermittent water supply to residents.

He explained however, that with the training of the CSOs and regular monitoring of the systems, their hours of service are expected to improve significantly.

Robinson also highlighted plans for the extension of the distribution network in parts of Mabaruma, which would allow areas that never received water supply to benefit. Meanwhile, over at Khan's Hill, Robinson noted (continued on page 19)

A rainwater harvesting station erected by UNICEF

GWI's CEO - Mr. Shaik Baksh (third from left), his technical team and Community Development Officer (second from right) at the Hosororo water catchment area in Region One

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Kaieteur News

Thursday August 26, 2021

Prime Minister joins India GTU pulls out from participating High Commission to in schools' assessment over observe Raksha Bandhan vaccination concerns

I

n the year of c o n t i n u e d celebrations of India's 75th Independence anniversary, as part of the High Commission of India's Raksha Bandhan celebrations in Guyana, the female members of High Commission of India yesterday tied Rakhi to the Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips, at the Prime Minister's Office in the presence of High Commissioner of India, Dr. K.J. Srinivasa.

Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi Poornima, is an integral part of Indian culture and this festival has become an occasion to celebrate human bondings, relationships and a sense of togetherness by seeking and giving protection, according to a release issued by the Commission. This year, Raksha Bandhan festival was being held on Sunday August 22.

Raksha Bandhan is an important Hindu festival to celebrate brother-sister relationship. Raksha or Rakhi means a sacred thread and Bandhan means bonding. Raksha Bandhan is thus essentially a celebration of bondings. It is celebrated every year on a full moon night of the Indian calendar month, Shrawan.

On this day, sisters tie the Rakhi on the wrist of their brothers. This is a symbolic 'binding,' a sacred vow to 'defend,' protect each other, with sister praying for the long life of her brother and the brother renewing the pledge to protect her life and honour at all costs.

With the passage of time, this festival has become

- signifies friendship, bonding and togetherness between India and Guyana Long live India-Guyana friendship and partnership.

gender neutral.

Once a family festival, today it has become a social event. Nowa-days this festival is celebrated by one and all, regardless of belief systems, castes and creed.

For ages, people have been celebrating this festival in their own way. Raksha Bandhan this year has a special significance when the humanity is facing the COVID-19 pandemic, as it gives a message of togetherness.

Nobody is isolated, nobody need to feel lonely and left to himself/herself as we are all a part of a universal f a m i l y , Va s u d h a i v a Kutumbakam, the foundation of India's world view and today perhaps it is extremely relevant to spread it all over the world, the release added.

It added that Raksha Bandhan celebration in Guyana by the High Commission of India signifies

the friendship, bonding and togetherness between India and Guyana and renewing their pledge to defend and protect each other and praying for each other's long life and welfare and progress.

W

ith immediate effect, the G u y a n a Teacher's Union (GTU) announced on Tuesday that it is withdrawing from participating in the present assessment of schools and all other planned engagements with the Ministry of Education over the recent vaccine requirements put in place.

The Education Ministry on Monday in a release encouraged those teachers who are yet to get vaccinated to use this period to do so before the reopening of schools. While encouraging teachers to get vaccinated, the Ministry also outlined that teachers who do not wish to get vaccinated, are required to submit a negative PCR test once per week. Those who do not report for duty will be marked as absent.

In response to this, the

GTU said that it will withdraw its position until the release is retracted.

“Our teachers were good enough to teach NGSA, CSEC and CAPE, mark NGSA, attend workshops and even participate in school preparedness assessments.

Our members have called on us to act now in their best interest. We are not opposed to vaccination, but it must be voluntary,” the Union stated.

Commenting on this decision, the Union's President, Mark Lyte, in an invited comment told Kaieteur News yesterday that from the inception the Union had stated it was against any vaccination mandate for teachers.

“We do not support that teachers are being force to be vaccinated…While we encourage them that is their personal choice…” the GTU President asserted.

According to Lyte, the Union will soon be taking several steps to indicate their disapproval of the arrangement made for the reopening of schools as it relates to teachers being marked as absent if they cannot produce a PCR test.

This he considered would be extremely costly to teachers.

Lyte added that the Union has indicated to the Education Ministry that there should be more sensitisation and consultations for teachers.

“We have indicated to the Ministry the need for more sensitisation, because of news of all these vaccine cases and different stories.

People are saying they need to have more consultations, more talks with teachers so you know they can be comfortable with taking the vaccine…There should be a better system,” he added.

4 Venezuelans among 5 remanded...

From page 8 General Manager (GM) turned up at the work ground with the other employees, they found Niles and Bachan dead.

Further checks were made and it was discovered that Niles' AR-15 rifle and a gold mat from the sluice box were missing. Detectives, who arrived at the scene later that day, had also noted that a blood-stained crowbar was lying close by as well. An autopsy later revealed that the men were beaten to death with a heavy object, and the detectives were led to believe that it could be that the

blood-stained crowbar was the weapon used.

I n v es tig ato r s b eg an following leads tracking potential suspects. Their investigations had led them to detain two individuals for questioning. Those persons were later released after detectives had found nothing linking them to the crime.

However, vital information would lead the detectives to trail the five men, who are now remanded, for the heinous crime.

During investigations, detectives had sought to ascertain why there were no reports of retaliatory gun fire

from Niles since he was always armed.

As was suspected, Nicholas Caesar, the lone Guyanese suspect, like the four Venezuelan suspects, was known to the victims. It is believed that he, along with the four had planned to steal the gold mat from the sluice box that evening.

Detectives believe too, that one of the victims was part of the plan but to make it a success, they had to get past or convince the other victim guarding the sluice box.

One theory suggests that Caesar had visited Niles and Bachan at the watchman

camp along with the four Venezuelan nationals in the late evening hours of August 4.

It is unclear as to what led to them bludgeoning the men to death, but it is quite evident to the cops that when they tried to carry out their robbery plans something went horribly wrong.

Detectives have since related to Kaieteur News that the men behind bars on remand have confessed that they had beaten Niles and Bachan to death with the crowbar that was found close to the scene before escaping with the gold mats.

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 26, 2021

Berbice man appeals 13 years jail sentence for attempted murder

T

he Appeal Court is hearing the appeal filed by Hansel Andre Lewis also called 'Smiley,' of Angoy's Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice, who was found guilty of attempted murder over the New Year's Day 2013 stabbing of another man.

Lewis, called “Smiley,” “Hansel” and “Andre,” was sentenced to 13 years for stabbing Chris Burrowes, 41, called “Bully,” following a trial before Justice, Brassington Reynolds, and a mixed Jury in the Berbice High Court. He is appealing the outcome of the case on the grounds of severity of the sentence.

Back in 2016, Lewis faced a trial after he was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm or to maim, disfigure or disable Burrowes.

It was reported that Lewis had slashed the man's throat following an altercation. The victim was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital and taken to the Intensive Care Unit where doctors' performed emergency surgery on him. Lewis, a deportee from the USA, went home and was subsequently arrested for the crime and charged. Attorney-at-Law, R a m e s h R a j k u m a r, i s appearing for him.

During his trial, Burrowes had told the court that he knew the accused for a number of years. He had recalled being in the vicinity of the Rainbow Bar, New

Hansel Andre Lewis Amsterdam, where he had drank Banko and was standing on the road.

The accused who was smoking something had come and stood next to him.

He upbraided the accused who told him he liked to “talk.”

An argument between the two ensued and the victim reported that he had just finished urinating and was in the process of zipping up his pants when the accused pulled out a knife from his left side pocket and stabbed him to his neck.

While testifying at the trial, the man mentioned that he had a good look at the accused.

“There was nothing blocking me. I held on to my neck. It was bleeding and the accused calmly walked away.”

Burrowes stated that he subsequently went to his parents' home not far away.

He collapsed and was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was admitted for emergency treatment.

Plans in the pipelines...

From page 17 a resistivity logging exercise was recently conducted, paving the way for a new well to be drilled to supply the area for the first time. He also said, “Preparation is being made to possibly restore a well found in the Arakuru, White Water area. If the technical team deems it fit, residents should be able to receive water later this year.”

At the Hosororo falls, GWI is eyeing a water source that can supply Central Mabaruma. GWI's CEO stated that “since 2013 when I was CEO at GWI, I looked at that and I was optimistic it could be tapped. However work has to be done to ensure the sustainability of the

water source, and the idea is to bring the water up through the solar systems or other means…to supply the whole of Mabaruma.”

According to the Officer in Charge, “our system currently – Mabaruma and Wanaina are interconnected so at one point in the future we're looking to have redundancy in case that something should happen to t h e Wa n a i n a s y s t e m , Mabaruma can back it up and vice versa.”

The study to determine the water volume and sustainability of the Hosororo spring, would entail a collaboration with the Hydromet Office to monitor the flow of water for six to nine months.

PAGE 19

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Kaieteur News

Thursday August 26, 2021

Thursday August 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

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VACANCY WANTED 1 western union representative 5 CXC inclusive Maths &English,3pump attendant,sound secondary education. Tel:646-3117/2740144.

VEHICLES FOR SALE Toyota Tacoma (year 2011) GXX series excellent condition. Call:610-4242 or 6266722.

Ist car for sale.Call:6918420.

WANTED Live in domestic,Lusignan E.C.D. Tel:662-1883.

Experienced cook,bartender and waitress for newly openedLounge Bar. Attractive salary.Call:610-3974.

Motor Lorry drivers needed and Porters. Tel:627-1835.

SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 Installation, Repairs and parts for AC,Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc.Call Nick#656-0110.

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

1 6x6 Truck,1 Freightliner,1 Sylphy,1 Hilux LN 172,1 JCB loader.Tel:673-4002/6653676.

1-16ft boat,1 5 HP Tohatsu engine,4-20ft Hauling seine(Shrimp), 200lb 5" Nylon Seine complete. 6703912.

1 Jet Boat $30,000,000.

Call:695-1356/671-2486.

Male seeks common law wife,ages 18-38. Light housework,salary $80,000monthly. Call:6039085.

Delivery,Lorry license driver.Tel:621-9336.

Able body porters needed.Apply@Why Pay More Trading,7 Public RD Houston E.B.D with application.

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.

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.

Wanted Masons, Carpenters, Labourers & Welders.

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

Experienced cook,must have be able to lead a shift.

ExperiencedSecurity Guard.

H e r d m a n s t o n Lodge,PeterRose Lamaha,225-0808.

Experience welders between ages30-45.MechanicDoosan & Excavator operator. Tel:223-5273/74.

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

LAND FOR SALE Roadside land for sale @ GoodHope Mahaica 500ftx42ft. Call:691-8420.

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

Taxi and Minibus drivers to work and keep.Call:2253234/628-1183.

FOR RENT Bottom Apartment for rent.Call:684-5769.

3 bedroom apartment for rent on E.C.D.Tel:601-2515.

2 bedroom apartment at Herstelling.Tel:#601-0223

Thursday August 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

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

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

E m a i l application:techserigy @yahoo.com or call 6429823.

VACANCY

VACANCY

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

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

Maid to cook and clean for East Bank.Call:6159132.

Security officers male & female 18+. Lamaha St between Waterloo & Parade.

Call:223-4172/632-0510.

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

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

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

VACANCY WANTED

Senior accounts & Sales Clerk & Cashier,must have 4 CXC subjects.Apply at Alabama Trading, 65-66 Robb St Bourda.

Vacancy for Night handy man. Call:637-6700.

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

Thursday August 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday August 26, 2021

Western nations race to complete Afghan evacuation before troops depart (Reuters) - Western nations rushed to evacuate people from Afghanistan

yesterday, with less than a week until foreign troops leave, acknowledging that

many Afghans who helped during two decades of war would be left behind to an

uncertain fate under the Taliban.

Although the airlift is due

to last until Tuesday, the U.S. military said it would shift its focus in the final two days to evacuating its own troops.

U.S. President Joe Biden has ordered all troops out of the South Asian nation by the end of the month, spurning pleas from European allies for more time to get people who helped NATO countries during the conflict to safety.

In the 10 days since the Taliban swept into Kabul, the United States and its allies have mounted one of the biggest air evacuations ever, bringing out more than 88,000 people, including 19,000 in the past 24 hours. The U.S. military says planes are taking off the equivalent of every 39 minutes.

Biden, implementing a withdrawal negotiated by his predecessor, Donald Trump, said U.S. troops in Afghanistan faced mounting danger if they stayed.

The White House said Biden was briefed yesterday on contingency plans for the Afghanistan evacuation as well as the threat from the ISIS-K militant group.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at least 4,500 American citizens and their families had been evacuated from Afghanistan since midAugust, and the State Department was ‘aggressively’ reaching out to about 1,000 remained.

The Taliban have said foreign troops must be out by the end of the month. They have encouraged Afghans to stay, while saying those with permission to leave will still be allowed to do so once commercial flights resume after the foreign troops go.

Several of Washington’s European allies say they no longer have time to rescue all of the many thousands of Afghans who helped their forces and their diplomatic and aid efforts. British foreign minister Dominic Raab said the deadline for evacuating people was up to the last minute of the month. France said it would push on with evacuations as long as possible but was likely to end them in the coming hours or days. Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany would try to help Afghans even after the deadline expired.

The Netherlands said it was all but certain that many people eligible for asylum would not be taken out in time.

Tens of thousands of Afghans fearing persecution have thronged Kabul’s airport

seeking flights out since the takeover by the Islamist militants.

Yesterday, many people milled about outside the airport - where soldiers from the United States, Britain and other nations were trying to maintain order amid the dust and heat.

They carried bags and suitcases stuffed with possessions, and waved documents at soldiers in the hope of gaining entry.

While the focus is now on those trying to flee, the risk of starvation, disease and persecution is rising for the rest of the population, aid agencies say.

“There’s a perfect storm coming because of several years of drought, conflict, economic deterioration, compounded by COVID,” David Beasley, executive director of the U.N. World Food Programme, told Reuters in Doha, saying that about 14 million people were threatened with starvation.

The United Nations itself leaves behind around 3,000 Afghan staff at its mission. A U.N. security document reviewed by Reuters described dozens of incidents of threats, the looting of U.N. offices and physical abuse of staff since Aug. 10. Gunmen have come looking for some, while others have gone into hiding.

Afghanistan was also a hub for anti-Western militants, and Washington, London and others fear it might become so again. The Taliban have said they will respect human rights including those of women, and not allow terrorists to operate from the country.

The Taliban have asked Turkey to provide help to keep the airport open after foreign troops leave, but have also said no Turkish troops will be permitted to stay.

Turkey began evacuating its troops yesterday.

The Taliban are switching focus to how to run a country in crisis. Key posts are expected to be filled by loyal veterans of their insurgency.

According to Afghanistan’s Pajhwok news agency, the future finance minister will be Gul Agha, who is on international sanctions lists for acting as the insurgents’ financial chief. Al Jazeera news channel reported the new defence minister would be Mullah Abdul Qayyum Zakir, a former detainee at the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Thursday August 26, 2021

One year later…

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

Mom seeks justice for rape of daughter M

ore than one year after her 1 2 - y e a r- o l d daughter was allegedly raped by her 19 and 16-yearold cousins, a Region Five mother is still awaiting justice for her daughter.

During an interview with this publication, the woman shared that on August 2, 2020, around 16:45hrs, her cousin's 19-year-old son had asked her daughter to assist them with setting up their stall.

“We don't live far from each other and my cousin usually sells pholourie, egg ball and other snacks, so me and my daughter would usually go over and help her peel cassava and stuff,” the frustrated mother related.

It was while her daughter had gone to give her assistance, the mother noted, that the rape occurred. The woman stated that on that

day she was ill so she had sent her daughter over alone.

She added that around 17:00hrs. she had gone outside to see if her daughter was in front of the yard since that's where the stall is usually placed.

But according to the woman, she did not notice the stall, her daughter or anyone else. She said that is when she decided to go to the back of her home (in order to get a better look at her relatives' home), that was when she saw the 19-yearold boy coming out of the house and her daughter followed shortly after.

She recalled that when she saw her daughter's face when she came home, it was clear that something was wrong. “She said 'mommy I wanna tell you something but I'm scared,' so I said babe you can tell me, what's wrong I won't beat you and

Region Four man is latest COVID-19 fatality

T

he Ministry of H e a l t h announced yesterday that a 58-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) who contracted the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, has died. The Ministry reported also that the man passed away on Tuesday while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

As a result of this, the country's COVID-19 death toll has moved to 602.

Within the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry via its

COVID-19 dashboard revealed that there were 207 new COVID-19 infections.

This has brought the total number of confirmed cases to 24,713. Out of the number of confirmed cases 12,748 persons are women while 11,965 are men.

Presently, there are 23 patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 108 in institutional isolation, 1,465 in home isolation and five in institutional quarantine. To date, 22,515 persons who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered.

then she told me that when she went over by her cousin, the 19-year-old cousin held her down put on a condom and raped her, then his younger brother held her down and raped her too.”

“My daughter told me that she kept screaming for (her) aunty but she didn't come down and that every time she screamed for help, her cousins went and peep to see if anyone was coming,” the mother shared.

The disturbed mother said that when her daughter

confided in her, she was left in such a state of shock that she suffered an epileptic episode.

She noted that when she recovered, she took her daughter to the hospital and the doctors examined her and found that she was sexually active.

Kaieteur News understands that the doctors then called in Welfare officials who reported the matter to the Fort Wellington Police Station.

“I later confronted my cousin to tell

her what her sons did to my daughter and she cursed me out and tell me how she gon bring her own doctor to check my daughter,” the woman said.

According to the woman, her daughter had to undergo three months of counselling.

To further help her daughter, she said that she had to “move her out” for three weeks since her cousin's younger children had taunted her every time they saw her outside.

The woman revealed that

despite checking with police, she has not been updated on the status of the case. The woman also told this publication that she went as far as recently visiting the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

When Kaieteur News contacted the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for an update on the matter, an official promised to return a call. Up to press time, the official had not called.

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 26, 2021

Thursday August 26, 2021

Herstelling Raiders FC has new President Members of the Herstelling Raiders Football Club (HRFC) has elected a new President to serve following their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday last at the Guyana Football Federation National Training Centre, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

President is Kris Roberts with Alicia Samaroo as his Vice President. Leona Lisa Johnson will perform duties as Secretary with Anola Braithwaite serving as Assistant Secretary. Elected as Treasurer was Gopaul Navin Ramgobin, while the Assistant Treasurer is, Indera Amardeo.

The Committee Members are Gavin Ramgobin, Quazim Yusuf, Parbattie Winter and Ryan Gonsalves.

President Roberts in his

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

...Sprint queen Thompson-Herah From page 27 track, I ran 10.7 here in 2019 having just climbed off the plane.”

The 34-year-old FraserPryce warned her younger rival that today’s race was no foregone conclusion, despite Thompson-Herah’s form.

“I definitely have not run my best race as yet and I’m still working on different phases of the races and

hopefully I’ll be able to put that together.

“I’ve always said every time you step out on to the track you want to win, that’s the aim when you get out there. “To have women you know will definitely be setting a fast time adds to the excitement, not only for the crowd but also for you as an athlete too because it raises your game,” she added.

...Jamaica’s Olympic medalists EBFA President Kevin Anthony (standing left) and VP Lambert Clayton (right) take a photo with the new Herstelling Raiders FC Executive. President Kris Roberts is seated, fourth right. acceptance speech stated that he was honoured to be elected and will serve with pride. HE has promised to ensure that the HRFC

continues to focus on youth development as they have produced a number of outstanding youths for Guyana during the years that

Thursday August 26, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Have you been thinking about adopting a pet? Even if you haven't, a lovely little dog or cat could come into your life now and show signs of wanting to stay with you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your imagination is always fertile, but today it's especially productive, perhaps surprisingly so, Libra. You could come up with ideas for all kinds of new projects.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) A friend could propose that you participate in a new project together. This may be something you've never done before, Taurus, and you're likely to have doubts.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A goal that you and some friends have been trying to reach may take a sudden turn and show signs of manifesting sooner than you expected. This could be a real break for you and you might be baffled as to how to make the most of it.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A sudden feeling of love for your home could catapult you into redecorating. News could come your way of sudden good fortune involving a family member.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) New channels of communication may open up for you today. A female author whose work you enjoy could release a new book, Cancer.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your adventurous side could show itself, Leo. You might have a talent for an activity you never considered before, such as rafting, flying, mountain climbing, or skydiving!

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Lucky you! An unexpected break could come your way that gets you started in just the direction you've wanted to follow. This could involve love, career aspirations, or simply a new way of living that you've been longing to experience.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Acknowledgement for work well done could come your way, as those around you suddenly seem to see you in a new light. In some cases, a touch of fame could result.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your desire to advance your education and learn new skills could be promoted by a sudden event that points you in the right direction.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today you might feel an overwhelming physical attraction to a new person even if you're already involved. Also, an unusual stroke of luck could bring some extra money your way.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) An unexpected invitation to a social event could put you in touch with unusual, fascinating people. Some of them may be involved in professions that interest you.

they have been around.

Notably, Committee Member Quazim Yussuf a former National Under-17 Goalkeeper and Shoran James who has played at the Under15 level.

President of the East Bank Football Association Kevin Anthony and his Vice President, Lambert Clayton were on hand to oversee the AGM with Anthony performing duties as Returning Officer. Only one slate was submitted.

...Young Achievers lead From page 28 since Sunday’s fixture was a must-win match for the seniors who did not disappoint.

The first set of the game went in favor of the Seniors after defeating the youth 25-17.

The under-23 men then came back bouncing in the second set defeating the seniors 2521.

The seniors then claimed the third and fourth sets 2516 and 25-22, respectively.

The top scorers on the Senior National team were Quacy Matheson with 14 points, Trevon McRae with 13 points, Juan Valezquez (13 points) and Klondyke Rodney (12 points).

The top performers for the National U23 team were Ronaldo Bobb with 16 points, Kristoff Shepperd who notched 13 points and Andy Rohoman with 8 points.

The fourth leg of the series will be played on the 11th of September 2021

From page 26 Chairman of Mayberry Investments Limited.

“Mayberry wishes to congratulate all the athletes that represented us at the Olympics and all of the people who worked so hard to make this national effort yet another success,” he said.

Elaine Thompson won gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m at the Olympic Games while Hansle Parchment won gold in the 100m hurdles. Meanwhile, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

won a silver medal in the 100m and a gold medal as a member of the 4x100m team. Shericka Jackson won a bronze medal in the 100m and gold as a member of the 4x100m that also included Briana Williams.

Natasha Morrison and Remona Burchell were alternates.

Megan Tapper won a bronze medal in the 100m hurdles. Jackson, Candice McLeod, Roneisha McGregor, Tovea Jenkins, Junelle Bromfield and StacyAnn Williams comprised the 4x400m relay squad.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 28

Thursday August 26, 2021

GCOS continues to assist Athletes & those in need, launch Raffle with $1M 1st prize for Christmas

T

GCOS’s Rajan Tiwari holds a ticket

he Guyana Committee of Service, a nonp r o f i t O rg a n i s a t i o n , r e c e n t l y launched its latest initiative at the Payless Varity Store at 42 Wellington Street in Georgetown; a Raffle.

Under the thyme ‘Help us to help others’ the raffle, which cost $500 for a ticket, will be drawn monthly with the big draw for $1 Million

being done on December 18, 2021 live on TVG. The second and third prize winners will each receive electric bikes with the one for the first prize being the bigger bike. The fourth prize is a 22inch TV set, while the fifth prize is a Smart Phone.

Even those who win in the Monthly draws can win the grand prize since their tickets, which should have

their name and telephone numbers, will be put back into the box.

The proceeds of the Raffle will go towards donations to Athletes and other persons who are in need and tickets can be bought at any Payless Varity Store nationwide.

In addition, Committee Member, Popular Comedian Linden ‘Jumbie’ Jones can be reached by calling 6622485.

The Guyana Committee of Services was launched in 2016 after Guyanese Clive Atwell, after he suffered a head injury during his title

fight with Dexter Gonsalves on October 24, 2015 at the Giftland Mall and needed overseas treatment for a second brain Surgery.

They have also contributed to Athletics teams going overseas to represent Guyana and most recently helped to build a small home for a woman who was living in a Tent.

Jones encouraged the public to this charitable venture by buying tickets and urged Business entities to buy a Raffle book which cost $25,000 and share to their staff and to sponsor prizes. (Sean Devers)

Jamaica’s Olympic medalists to benefit from J$41m ‘rewards programme’ SportsMax - Jamaica’s Olympic medalists and their coaches are set for a financial windfall under what the Jamaica Olympic Association has dubbed an ‘Olympic Rewards Programme’ worth J$41 million. The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) contributed $J5m to the programme while Supreme Ventures Foundation and Mayberry Investments, contributed JS30m and J$6m, respectively.

One US dollar is approximately J$155.

The money is to be placed in individual investment accounts at Mayberry Investments for a period of three years or until the athlete’s retirement from track and field, whichever comes first. At the end of the period, the athlete decides whether to cash in their investments or maintain his or her account.

Under the programme, a gold medalist gets J$6 million, a silver medalist gets J$4 million while a bronze medal winner will be rewarded with J$2 million.

A similar amount will be maintained for the relays but for the relay gold medalists, the J$6 million will be shared among members while for the women’s 4x400 metres relay team that placed third, J$2 million will be shared among the members of the squad.

Coaches will also be rewarded for their work. J$1 million will go to a coach

whose athlete won a gold medal, $750,000 for the coach whose athlete won a silver medal and $500,000 for the coach whose athlete won a bronze medal.

The rewards programme, JOA President Christopher Samuda said, is part of a broader vision of the association.

“For the Jamaica Olympic Association this partnership represents critical aspects of our vision for the future of the business of sport and emphasizes our conviction that the lives of athletes and coaches matter beyond the present,” Samuda said.

“The Jamaica Olympic Association, Supreme Ve n t u r e s L i m i t e d a n d Mayberry Investments Limited have come together in an investment trilogy, at the heart of which are Jamaica’s athletes and coaches and the strategy of which resides in financial prudence and security.”

Meanwhile, Peter McConnell, Chairman, S u p r e m e Ve n t u r e s Foundation, praised the athletes for their success.

“We are incredibly proud of all athletes who have ever represented Jamaica on the world stage, and we are grateful to have this opportunity to reward this year’s cohort of medalists,” he said.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Christopher Berry, the Executive (Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 26, 2021

PAGE 29

Sprint queen Thompson-Herah has eye on long-standing women’s 100m record LAUSANNE, Switzerland, (Reuters) - Sprint queen Elaine Thompson-Herah says she has set her sights on lowering the longstanding record for the women’s 100 metres, believing it is now within reach.

The Jamaican won gold in both the 100m and 200m at the Tokyo Games in the last month, but made

an even bigger statement at the weekend at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene where she ran the second-fastest 100m of all time in a blistering 10.54 seconds.

It edged her closer to Florence Griffith Joyner’s long-deemeduntouchable 10.49 world record set at the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, which could come

under further threat when the Diamond League circuit continues in Lausanne today.

“A few years ago I was asked whether I could break that record and I said it was not possible,” Thompson-Herah told a news conference yesterday.

“But for me to run a 10.54 means it is within reach, therefore it

means anything is possible.”

Thompson-Herah will reprise her rivalry with fellow Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, whom she beat into second place in Tokyo and in Oregon on Saturday.

“Elaine is much, much closer than I am,” laughed Fraser-Pryce when asked about the record.

“It’s good to be able to

challenge a record that women thought for a long time was impossible to break and it speaks to the evolution of sprinting,” she added.

“To be able to be part of that conversation, or to have that conversation, is truly remarkable. I know Lausanne is a very good (Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

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Thursday August 26, 2021

Young Achievers lead DVA A Division league F o l l o w i n g Tu e s d a y night’s last round of play in the Demerara Volleyball A s s o c i a t i o n ( D VA ) A division league, Young Achievers Volleyball Club ascended to the top of the points table with six points after clinching victory over Eagles Volleyball Club in a thrilling five-set game at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Homestretch Avenue.

Eagles started the first set in a 10-point deficit due to them arriving late to the game, and Young Achievers went on to win 25-17.

However, already being at a disadvantage, Eagles came back fighting in the second

set to win 25-19 while the third set went to Young Achievers 25-17.

Backs against the wall, Eagles soared in the fourth to win 25-18 and set up a tantalising fifth set. The fifth set saw both teams exchanging point for point, fighting to claim victory but it was the Young Achievers edging to a 17-15 triumph.

The top scorers for Achievers Volleyball Club were Juan Valesquez with 13 points, Corwyn Richards (11 points) and Ryon Mangrau (nine points).

The next leg of the D e m e r a r a Vo l l e y b a l l Association (DVA) League will be played tomorrow

from 19:00hrs with Eagles battling Castrol Strikers Volleyball Club that are yet to win a game.

All the games will be streamed live on the Guyana Vo l l e y b a l l F e d e r a t i o n Facebook Page.

Meanwhile, last Sunday, the Senior National Volleyball Team today showcased their dominant skill and IQ over the National U23 select team with a commanding three sets to one defeat in the third leg of the best in five series at the CASH. This was a welcomed result after losing the first two matches in the series (Continued on page 25)

National Senior select volleyball team.

Thursday August 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 31

Guyana and Trinidad open this year’s - Barbados and St Kitts CPL from 10:00am today battle in the nightcap ESPNcricinfo - CPL 2021 is set to kick off in St Kitts from today August 26, with Warner Park allowed to host fans up to 50% capacity of the 8000-seater venue - as long as they show proof of vaccination to enter the stadium facility. After a fairly quiet event last year, the league could well return to being the party it always promises to be this season.

Guyana Amazon Warriors will open against the Trinbago Knight Riders from 10:00am in what promises to be a keenly contested game between two teams that have a very competitive rivalry between them. The nightcap at 7:00pm will see Barbados Royals against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots.

ESPNcricinfo look at the team compositions in what should be an exciting day of T20 cricket.

Trinbago Knight Riders Coach: Imran Jan (replacing Brendon McCullum, who is unavailable because of Covid-19-related travel restrictions) Captain: Kieron Pollard Overseas players: Colin Munro and Tim Seifert (both New Zealand), Yasir Shah (Pakistan), Isuru Udana (Sri Lanka) Local hero Dwayne Bravo has moved to St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, but the rest of the Knight Riders’ core remains intact, with wicketkeeper-batters Denesh Ramdin and Tim Seifert back in the mix. Colin Munro, who was sidelined from the CPL 2020 knockouts with a finger injury, returns to bolster the side. Munro believes he is done with international cricket, for New Zealand, after being left out for the forthcoming T20 World Cup, but he still has a lot to offer in T20 franchise cricket. At the CPL, he is the most prolific overseas batter ever, with 1753 runs in 53 innings at an average of nearly 40 and strike rate of 137.38.

On the bowling front, Jayden Seales now has international experience, while the trio of Sunil Narine, Akeal Hosein and Yasir Shah, who has replaced Sandeep Lamichhane, take care of the spin attack. The Knight Riders will look to Isuru Udana to bowl the tough overs in the death,

The CPL is expected to offer the usual excitement for fans starting today. something that Bravo did expertly. The Knight Riders are currently on a 12-match winning streak and they have a strong chance to move further up this list.

Verdict: Pollard’s men have most bases covered once again and are favourites to win their fourth title in five years, although they won’t have the home advantage they enjoyed last season.

Possible XI: 1 Lendl Simmons, 2 Tim Seifert, 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Colin Munro, 5 Kieron Pollard (capt), 6 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 7 Isuru Udana, 8 Sunil Narine, 9 Akeal Hosein/Khary Pierre, 10 Jayden Seales, 11 Ali Khan/Yasir Shah Guyana Amazon Warriors Coach: Rayon Griffith Captain: Nicholas Pooran Overseas players: Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez (both Pakistan), Imran Tahir (South Africa), Naveen-ulHaq and Waqar Salamkheil (both Afghanistan) The Amazon Warriors have made five finals, but are still searching for their first title. After being shot out for 55 in the second semi-final last season, they have revamped their side, jettisoning their captain Chris Green, who has now got a late gig with the Jamaica Tallawahs, coach

Johan Botha, Ross Taylor and Keemo Paul. Spin will be their stronger suit once again, with Imran Tahir, Kevin Sinclair and Ashmead Nedd leading the attack. But, while Afghanistan quick Naveen-ul-Haq brings with him rich recent form, having been the top wicket-taker in the Vitality Blast, the rest of the seam attack appears a bit iffy. Brandon King, who struggled on the turners in Trinidad, will likely enjoy the ball coming on to the bat at Warner Park in the early exchanges, while usual suspects Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer and Shoaib Malik lend muscle and experience to the middle order.

Verdict: Sixth-time lucky? Well, if the batters click in unison, they do stand a good chance of breaking the hoodoo.

Possible XI: 1 Brandon King, 2 Chandrapaul Hemraj, 3 Mohammad Hafeez, 4 Nicholas Pooran (capt & wk), 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Shimron Hetmyer, 7 Romario Shepherd, 8 Kevin Sinclair, 9 Odean Smith/Nial Smith, 10 Naveen-ul-Haq, 11 Imran Tahir Barbados Royals Coach: Daniel Vettori Captain: Jason Holder Overseas players: Glenn Phillips (New Zealand), Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka), Mohammad Amir

and Azam Khan (both Pakistan), Jake Lintott (England) Chris Morris, the first pick in the draft, has pulled out of the tournament for personal reasons, and Glenn Phillips has been signed on as his replacement. Phillips has been the Tallawahs’ top scorer for the past three seasons and, more recently, he was in fine form in the Hundred. He is also set to turn out for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. They have also roped in Azam Khan, the son of former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Moin Khan. Azam can decimate spin as his strike rate of 165.27 against them suggests; against pace it drops to 133.84. Oshane Thomas has moved from the Tallawahs, while left-arm wristspinner Jake Lintott, who was the highest wickettaker for the Southern Brave in their run to the inaugural men’s Hundred title, is another player to watch out for.

Verdict: The Royals have quite a few in-form and X-factor players who could take them to the knockouts.

Possible XI: 1 Johnson Charles (wk), 2 Glenn Phillips, 3 Kyle Mayers, 4 Shai Hope, 5 Jason Holder (capt), 6 Azam Khan, 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Hayden Wa l s h J r, 9 J a k e Lintott/Mohammad Amir,

10 Raymon Reiffer/Ashley Nurse, 11 Oshane Thomas St Kitts & Nevis Patriots Coach: Simon Helmot Captain: Rayad Emrit Overseas players: Ravi Bopara (England), Paul van Meekeren (Netherlands), Fawad Ahmed (Australia), Asif Ali (Pakistan) The Patriots were the worst-hit team by the Covid19 pandemic and the lastminute reshuffle in CPL 2020. Coach Simon Helmot, who had missed that season after testing positive, will reunite with Dwayne Bravo, with whom he had won the title, representing Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel in 2015.

Chris Gayle, too, returns to the Patriots after missing the last season for personal reasons. Allrounder Fabian Allen is back as well, having been ruled out of CPL 2020 after missing his flight from Jamaica to Barbados. He’s turning the ball a lot more these days and has shown glimpses of elite powerhitting, which could make him a future superstar in T20

cricket.

The South African pair of Anrich Nortje and Rassie van der Dussen and Sri Lanka legspin-bowling a l l r o u n d e r Wa n i n d u Hasaranga, however, will be unavailable due to national commitments. The absence of Nortje, in particular, has weakened the seam attack, although Netherlands’ Paul van Meekeren’s recent form is encouraging. He was Durham’s second highest wicket-taker in the Royal London One-day Cup with 14 strikes in seven games at an economy rate of 5.53.

Verdict: With their sensational batting line-up and steady bowling attack, the Patriots could seriously challenge the Knight Riders for the title this year.

Possible XI: 1 Evin Lewis, 2 Chris Gayle, 3 Joshua da Silva (wk), 4 Sherfane Rutherford, 5 Asif Ali/Ravi Bopara, 6 Fabian Allen, 7 Dwayne Bravo, 8 Rayad Emrit (capt), 9 Fawad Ahmed, 10 Sheldon Cottrell, 11 Paul van Meekeren

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

Thursday August 26, 2021

England in command as India implodes to 78 all out

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EEDS, England (AP) — England ripped through India for 78 — its ninth lowest total in test cricket — before putting on the team’s highest opening stand of the summer to take complete control of the third test after Day 1 at Headingley.

Winning the toss for the first time in the last nine tests against England was the only thing that went right yesterday for India captain Virat Kohli, whose batting line-up collapsed in 40.4 overs in the face of some high-class seam and swing bowling — led by the enduring James Anderson.

The most successful fast bowler in test history got three nicks behind, including from Kohli, to reduce the Indians to 21-3 inside 11 overs before a lower-order implosion saw four wickets fall in six balls. Both Craig Overton and Sam Curran had hat-trick balls.

It was India’s third lowest test score against England and brought back memories of the team’s collapse for an all-time low of 36 all out against Australia in December.

England’s rejigged opening partnership of Rory Burns (52) and Haseeb Hameed (60) took advantage, reaching stumps on 120-0 in a party atmosphere in Leeds.

It was just the fifth time in test history that England’s openers overtook their opposition’s total score in the first innings.

England had a lead of 42 runs, with all of its wickets in hand.

“It doesn’t get much better than that,” Anderson said.

Coming after a demoralizing loss in the second test at Lord’s — England was skittled for 120 on

England’s Rory Burns plays a shot during the first day of third test cricket match between England and India, at Headingley cricket ground in Leeds, England, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Jon Super) Day 5 — which prompted serious questions about all departments of the team, this was just the riposte Joe Root’s side needed as it looks to get back into the series from 1-0 down.

All the more so given Root had been forced to go with a pace attack shorn of Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood.

Overton came in for Wood and had figures of 3-14 off 10.4 overs, running through India’s tail. The 39-year-old Anderson’s were even better — 3-6 off eight overs to move onto 629 career test wickets — and it was his early burst that removed KL Rahul (0), Cheteshwar

Pujara (1) and Kohli (7) and set the tone for a dominant day.

“When you bowl someone out for less than 100, you’re never quite sure whether you have bowled well or the wicket isn’t quite as good as you think it might be,” Anderson said. “To see both side bat on it and the way they (England’s openers) went about their business today, we just feel so calm.”

Things couldn’t have gone much worse for India, which lost Ravindra Jadeja to an apparent knee injury before the close. The team’s fielding was also sloppy, summed up by Rohit Sharma letting an edge go though his grasp

at slip and for four as Haseeb — promoted to opener from No. 3 — brought up his third fifty in five matches.

Burns reached his half-century in the next-to-last over, completing an almost perfect day. There was one last ignominy for India, an overthrow for one off the final ball while Mohammed Siraj appealed, in vain, for an lbw.

Kohli barely weighed up whether to review, quickly deciding against it and calling his team off the field. It was as if he couldn’t wait to get off.

He might regret his surprising decision to put his side in to bat.

After all, it was the first time a captain has elected to not put the opposition in at Headingley in 21 years.

The conditions — a bright sky with some clouds dotted around — weren’t obviously in favor of a bowling team but it felt like that the way Anderson ran through the top order with clever and skillful bowling.

Off the fifth ball of the day, Anderson followed up a couple of inswingers with a full-length ball that seamed away, enticing Rahul to go on the drive. Buttler took the nick for the first of five straight catches and Headingley was rocking in its first test match in two years.

Even more so when Pujara defended at an outswinger by Anderson on the first ball of the fifth over and got an edge behind.

Anderson most enjoyed removing Kohli, with the pair having been at the center of some verbal clashes between the teams in the final two days of the second test won by India at Lord’s. Kohli attempted a straight drive off a full delivery from Anderson that straightened off a wobbled seam and got the slightest of nicks.

Anderson screamed with joy and ran straight to Root to celebrate.

England didn’t ease up, with seven of the dismissal being catches behind the wicket.

“You just have to make the most of it while it lasts,” Anderson said.

“These days don’t come around very enough. Be happy when they do.”

Scores: England 120 for 0 (Hameed 60*, Burns 52*) lead India 78 (Rohit 19, Anderson 3-6, Overton 3-14) by 42 runs.

Thursday August 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

Kwakwani’s sport and recreational facilities assessed for upgrades

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PI, Guyana, - A team of officials have conducted an assessment of several recreational and sport facilities in Kwakwani with a view to ensuring the necessary upgrades are made, for the benefit of the citizens.

Acting Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Kwame McCoy, MP, joined

by Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Kashif Muhammad and others, y e s t e r d a y, v i s i t e d t h e football field, the basketball court, the Kwakwani Recreational Centre, the State House, the club house and the swimming pools.

Minister McCoy noted that the assessment of the facilities will determine what works are needed for inclusion in the Recreational and Ground Enhancement Programme.

“So that we could prepare this community to be able to bring its best potential to the fore and be able to produce the best athletes and sports personalities, like we want to do in every other

community across this country and you have seen us invest already in many communities across Guyana.”

The Minister noted that the 2021 budget, which caters for initiatives like the synthetic tracts, mini stadiums and other initiatives, gives sportsmen and women a better chance to succeed.

Ann Gordon, a resident of Kwakwani said there are many youths in the community who stand to benefit from the upgrade of these facilities.

“It would be very beneficial to the young people, especially through sports in the area because Kwakwani has been producing top quality level of sportsmen and sportswomen for a number of years now, and one of the things that we definitely need is infrastructure, things improved, because we can’t be going back or stagnated, we need to go forward,” the resident said.

The Sports Commission Chairman expressed similar views, noting that the Ministry is in support of

From right: Acting Sports Minister Kwame McCoy, NSC Chairman Kashif Muhammad and Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle were among the officials looking at facilities in Kwakwani. (Karime Peters/DPI photo) improving the community.

“Kwakwani is one of the places that we really wanted to visit because they have produced real top-class athletes throughout the years, the basketball court, they are the champions with basketball at the school level and they continue to produce really, really outstanding players,” he highlighted.

Following the

assessment, he pointed out that some of the facilities are in relatively good condition, “some of the buildings are in excellent condition, the football field like most other fields in the country, after the rains and everything needs some work and we are getting an opportunity to see and assess everything that has to be done, with the football

field, with the swimming pools and with the basketball court we will take it back get to the drawing boards and do stuff.”

Additionally, Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle noted that since the ministry has been given responsibility for the clubhouse and the State House, the assessment will

determine which facilities need to be catered for in the 2022 budget.

The upgrade of sport and other facilities is in keeping with the PPP/C Government’s commitment to advance sport development in the country, through the necessary investments.

(Natasha SmithThomas/DPI)

Powerlifting fraternity mourns the loss of a stalwart in Wendell ‘Big Mac’ McPherson

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Flashback! Wendell McPherson (seated left) on duty at Senior’s in November, 2013 as Randolph ‘The Accomplisher’ Morgan Squats.

(Franklin Wilson photo)

he powerlifting fraternity in Guyana is morning the loss of the late Wendell ‘Big Mac’ McPherson once known as the strongest man in Guyana.

Secretary of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) Roger Rogers speaking on behalf of President Gordon Spencer and the powerlifting body posited that he sport has lost a renowned competitor in Mr. Wendell McPherson.

The former strongman kept in tuned with the sport over the years after moving on as a competitor and venturing into the realms of administration and officiating.

Rogers, further stated that, “He was known among his peers as “The Truck”; Wendell was a fierce competitor. He was an ardent sports fan and served the sport as an administrator. The GAPLF extends condolences to his family, friends and supporters in this time of bereavement. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

Immediate past president of the GAPLF, Ed Caesar also shared fond memories of McPherson who he recalled,

competed in the 242lb class.

“In fact, he reigned supreme in that division during the 80s and 90s. Because of his performance, he was called ‘The Truck’.

Although I was in a lower weight class than ‘Mac’, the spectators enjoyed our battles.”

Caesar further noted that McPherson commenced his powerlifting career at Dodger’s Gym which in those days was located at Norton and Haley Streets, Lodge.

He then joined the leading gym at the time and home of many strongmen, Kingsrow Barbell Club, linking up with the likes of Caesar and Frank Tucker who is still competing. ‘Big Mac’ became training partners of the duo which trained four times each week from 20:00hrs; they formed a power pack.

After his competitive career, McPherson, so in love with the sport, gravitated to being an official as he continued to serve and contribute to the sport he loved, voluntarily. He was part of the audience at the last competition, Intermediates & Masters which was held on July 27th last at Saint Stanislaus College.