Kaieteur News

Each household can receive at least $1M annually had Jagdeo ring-fenced oil projects

The Government of Guyana’s refusal to ringfence oil projects in operation at the Stabroek Block, ispreventingatleast $1 million from flowing to e a c h h o u s e h o l d countrywide.

This is according to PublisherofKaieteurNews, GlennLall.

Lall in a recent public commentary argued that Guyanese families can become millionaires if government simply ringfencestheoilprojects.

Aring-fencing provision wouldpreventoilcompanies from using revenue generatedfromaproduction field of one project to offset expenses in another project. In the absence of such a provision, ExxonMobil and its partners have been using the proceeds from the Liza One and Liza Two projects, currently producing about 400,000 barrels of oil per day, to pay for costs related to other Stabroek Block projects.

Though this provision is not catered for in the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), industry stakeholders have said that governmentcanstillinclude this clause in the Petroleum Licences it grants to Exxon foreachnewproject.Sofar, Guyana has already approved five projects for the oil giant without this provision.

T a k i n g i n t o consideration the important role ring-fencing can play, the K/News Publisher is calling on government to ring-fence the sixth project being sought by the company, along with all otherfuturedevelopmentsin the26,800squarekilometers StabroekBlock.

Lall believes a ringfencing provision is equally or even more important compared to a meter to verify oil production. He

-GlennLall

Jagdeo had assured that when the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) returned to office, thiswouldbeaprioritywhen thecontractisrenegotiated.

“They sold us out to the foreigners The oil companies, every time there isafindoutthere,ourpeople should be sad because nothing comes our way We are gonna renegotiate those contracts because that’s not what we had in mind,” Jagdeohadsaid.

He added, “When we were in the early days, we were coaxing the people (ExxonMobil) to go along. They (Coalition) came into office – three billion barrels of proven reserves and they gave up zero royalties, no taxes,noring-fencing.”

said that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, the country’s key petroleum spokesman and manager of the sector understands the importance of ring-fencing, since he threw quite a tantrum while wearing the cap of Opposition Leader, over the previous administration’s failure to institutesuchaprovision.

A passionate and almost angry Bharrat Jagdeo had claimedonseveraloccasions that the then A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition government “sold” the country to “foreigners” because that administration failed to include ringfencing to shore up profits from the 2016 PSA with Exxon.

Lall in his commentary pointedoutthattheCoalition indeed failed to ring-fence the Liza One and Liza Two projects but requested assistance from several international institutions to better understand its shortcomings.Tothisend,he pointed out, “The IMF (International Monetary Fund)cameherein2017and m a d e o v e r 1 0 0 recommendationstoGuyana -onewaswemustring-fence

Continuedonpage9

A section of an IMF Report that urged Guyana to ring-fence its oil projects

K/News Publisher, Glenn Lall

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210

EDITORIAL

Oil blocks extension

Itisinblackandwhite:ExxonMobilshouldbegiving

up20percentof600oilblocksintherichStabroek Block. ThismeansthatGuyanahadtogetback120 of those 600 oil blocks in October, two months from now

The big problem is that what is on paper (the oil contract), andwhatisbeingpracticedbythePPPCGovernmentisthe equivalentof thedifferencebetweennightandday When the people of this country were expecting ExxonMobil to relinquish120oilblocksinOctober,theoppositewassigned andsealed:notoneoilblock,oronedozen,but120ofthem, becauseonemandecidedso.

Bharat Jagdeo did ExxonMobil the big favor of extendingitscontroloverthe120blocksduetoGuyanafor another year ExxonMobil gets to enjoy a free-hand studying, mapping, exploring, and assuring itself that it is worthwhiletoputsomemoneyintocheckingoutwhatthose 120 blocks have in them. Though there might be the pretense of President Ali being involved, and the cabinet participatinginthedecision,thisone-yearextensionmustbe calledforwhatitdefinitelyis. Weatthispublicationbelieve that this is the result of the calculations in the head of one man, the sole handiwork of, Vice President Jagdeo. The crucialdecisionsinthisvitaloilsectorhavebeenscreened, shaped,andsetinmotionbyJagdeo.

The record is there, and it has always been about what benefits ExxonMobil and its partners, both offshore and providing supporting products and services in Guyana and elsewhere. Then, it is what puts a feather in his cap, and makes him feel good about himself about pulling another rabbit out of his hat of maneuvers. Last, it is about what drives a shaft into every hopeful Guyanese, except for Jagdeo’s growing army of those who leech this country’s wealth nonstop. What was done with sugar and in other sectors has now taken off at an unprecedented trajectory with the massive oil wealth. The record is that if ExxonMobilwantstoflaremoretomorrow,theapprovalis as good as signed yesterday When ExxonMobil has little use for Environmental Impact Assessments, Guyana’s EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyfallsinlinewithsigning onthedottedline,eventhoughthereisabookofunanswered questionsaboutperilstoGuyana’senvironmentandpeople andbothforitsneighbors. AndwhenExxonMobilfastens its eyes on a rich new oil project, then Jagdeo is a blur of motion to run with the approval to the company, as if such wasitsbirthrightandnotthatoftheGuyanesepeople.

Intermsofthese120oilblocks,ourpositionisthesame asitwasforthenewoilprojectsgiventhegreenlightbythe PPPCGovernment,whichmeanstheone-manshowthatis Jagdeo. GetmoreforGuyana,Jagdeo;getasmuchascould bewrungfromExxonMobil’stightfists,Jagdeo;atleast,get somethingforGuyana,Jagdeo. Nothingwouldmakemore sense,sinceitisclearthattheprojectsapprovedbyJagdeoin the past three years were very high priorities for ExxonMobil.

Thisisespeciallyso,whenExxonMobilhasbeenbold, bright, and open enough to tell its investors and the world abouthowmuchthiscountry’soilmeanstoitsvisionsand calculations. To put its money where its mouth is, there is the proof of how much the company has adjusted its portfolioofoilassetstoconcentrateonextractingthemost fromthisworld-beatingGuyanaoil.

In each of these scenarios involving new oil projects, JagdeowascontenttogetnothingfromExxonMobil,when hehadthecompanywhereGuyanawantedit. Regardingthe 120 oil blocks, which ExxonMobil clearly wanted badly, Jagdeohadtheopportunity(again)togetmoreforGuyana. Hispositionhadtobethatsincetheseblocksaredesiredso much, make it worthwhile for Guyana. ExxonMobil must giveGuyanamoreusingthenumberinhissamenewsharing agreement. WhatJagdeodidwasrolloverandrelinquished the120oilblocksfornothing,butasmileandthanksfrom ExxonMobil.

Ifthisisnotahideouscrime,itshouldbe.

Ali brings no moral authority to any conversation on reparations

DEAREDITOR,

Once again descendants of formerAfrican slaves are being pitted against descendants of Indian indentured labourers in Guyana by the Jagdeo/Ali Regime Africans have received support for reparative justice from descendants of the Gladstone family, a former Plantations owner resulting i n m u c h p u b l i c pronouncement from the Government of Guyana which has injected itself as the authority to speak on behalf of African Guyanese on all matters even those bearing such grave sentimentstoAfricans.

The pronouncements serve to further highlight PresidentIrfaanAli’sfailure toacknowledgereparationis about compensation for forced unpaid labour committed during slavery and has nothing to do with the paid worker system underindentureship.Assuch the African community is called upon to send a clear message to the Ali/Jagdeo regime that we shall not countenance any act to devalue the contribution of our forebears to the economic development of thiscountry

Whereas the world has seen several economic systems used to generate wealth and a comparison of any of these will result in some areas of similarities, there are fundamental differences making each a

distinctive system The plantation system with its inherent social, economic and political distinction is unique to the capitalist economic model of colonialism It was considered an economically efficient and legal system of production, producing enormousamountsofwealth for colonial powers at the expenseofexploitinglabour as a factor of productionboth that of slaves and indentured immigrants from differentlands.

Labour as an essential factor of production has a value that is largely determinedandpricedbythe market as well as by representativesoflabourand theentrepreneurialclass.

Inthecaseofindentured labourers this value was, according to historians, determined by negotiations between representatives of the lands from which the indentured immigrants came. I am assuming there was some consideration of themarketvalueatthetime, and this would have been based on that existing in the landsfromwhichtheycame.

History records an employment package was agreed to and included free land at the end of an agreed contractualperiodforwhich theywerepaid.

Utilising 20th and 21st Century value systems we can constructively review the contracts and conditions of their employment and critiquethelabourviolations

in retrospect. This does not nullify,norshoulditexclude an understanding of context and the evolution of extensive labour rights and protection.

Comparative to chattel slavery the main, perhaps onlysimilarityliesinthefact that both slaves and indentured workers worked the same plantations under colonialmasters. Plantation slaveryandthesufferingsof the Africans over 300 years remainsincomparabletoany other production, migration and inhumane system, experienced by any other group of people in this world.

Africansdonotwearthis claim as a badge of honour

but as a BADGE of HORROR of other humans displaying their inhumanity, greed and exploitation of another We wear this account of our history as a badge of horror to tell our story to remind and protect others that such inhumanity shouldneverberepeated.

InGuyana,notonlyisthe African subjected to state oppression, marginalisation and attempts to destroy and distort historical facts, we are constantly and systemically having African pride, independence, wealth andcontributionstodevelop Guyana undermined by the p r e d o m i n a n t P P P government We find ourselves even having to compete with our Indian indentured descendants for whose mobility across

continents and conditions of work was worse It’s unbelievable that some can seeksuchcomparison.

We are reminded Africans were denied personal identity, they were ownedaspropertyofanother human, stripped of history, classified as subhuman and alongside the poultry and cattle stock on the plantations. Theywerepaid no wages, had no choice hours of rest as they worked from dawn to dusk, their lives were not valued, they h a d n o c o u n t r y representative negotiating a contract of work. Why do our Indian plantation colleagues strive to underminewhatisdeserving of Africans in order to promote a rewrite of indentureship and make claims for any additional benefits they believe they deserve.

Let it be simply putslavery is slavery and i n d e n t u r e s h i p i s indentureship and neither of these are defined by Ali or Jagdeo.

The Ali/ Jagdeo regime has no moral authority to speak on our behalf on an issuetheycarelessabout.In Ali’s flirtation with history, he does not care that he is usurping and undermining the structured reparation work being done by CARICOM Reparations Commission on behalf of descendants of Africans in theregion. Heisbringing (Continuedonpage06)

DEAREDITOR,

Slavery has been abolished. Our ancestors would have suffered and fought for their freedom. I feelformypeople,butIalso looked at videos circulating of the Gladstones’ family enteringourbelovedGuyana and they are met with disappointedandhurtpeople askingforanapologyandfor compensation.

My eyes are filled with tears because I am torn to takeaside,butIwillexpress my opinion and offer some advice.

My fellow Guyanese, these faces that met yours werenottheonesthatstarted

slavery Their ancestors were It would be tremendously spiteful of us to demand from these folks, compensation and demand, anapology.

If it is that they would liketoapologiseonbehalfof their ancestors, that is entirelyuptothefamily

However, an apology by definition is a regretful acknowledgement of an offence.

These people are apologising for what? History?

Let us not let our past defineus.Weareaforgiving nationandourpeoplearenot subjected to what had hurt

us, we have grown from then. We have created a history of our own abolishingslavery.

Let us not reminisce and make the descendants who did not commit the crime, payforit.

GuyanaIknowourheart hurts for our ancestors and what they would have went through. But let me ask you this dear reader, if you committedacrime,isitright topunishyourchildforyour wrongs?

Is it forgivable for your child to endure the punishmentbecauseoryou?

Nothing can compensate for the loss of lives and for

the barbaric treatment endured by our ancestors. If you look around, we are far from this. We are a free country. No more slavery. Nomore.

Let us not judge too quickly We are a wise country, we should be carefulwithourjudgments. My Guyana, I love you dearlybutletusbereminded by the wise words of Mahatma Ghandi that, “An eyeforaneyewillonlymake theworldblind.”

“Thetimeisalwaysright to do the right thing,”MartinLutherKingJunior Sincerely, SaayaPrasad

Nothing can compensate for the loss of lives and the inhumane treatment endured by slaves during slavery

In support of food security, Guyanese should be given land for agriculture development The Gladstones should also apologize for the misery of identuredship

DEAREDITOR, Our beautiful nation is blessed with resources and we have taken on the responsibility of leading food security in Caricom. The infrastructure being put in place, such as the roads, electricityandwaterwellsis providing access to fertile virginlands.

Those Guyanese of at least the third generation should be given a house lot the size of an acre for their family’s continued development CRG recommends this approach be taken with a zero percentage interest rate on

housing loans for these families. The families given this opportunitywillbe able to support the food security initiative and support organicfooddevelopmentif theysochoose.Afterathree yearperiodifthefamilyhas beensuccessfulinaidingthe food security efforts they should be given additional land to develop. It will also aidinprovidingresourcesto buildtheirfamily’shome.

Guyanesefamiliesinthe third generation or higher have been through the hardships of embargoes and dictatorship They have made enormous sacrifices

over the years and will appreciatetheopportunityto own a lot of land that will provide an opportunity for a more secure future for their families. Giving Guyanese the means by which to sustainably grow their income and build up their family is the foundation uponwhichourgovernment was established. We must continue to embrace this approach to our country’s development.

Sincerely,

Mr.JamilChanglee Chairman

T h e C o o p e r a t i v e RepublicansofGuyana

DEAREDITOR, IN his letter in SN of 823-23 titled “Children of manumitted Africans must utilize every opportunity to secure economic power, recapture zeal for learning” former PNC strongman Mr Hamilton Green signed his letter, he claims,“With tears in my eyes, I sign this letter using the name of my erstwhile persecutors and enslavers! “ Mr Green is being disingenuous He supposedly converted to Islamandhisothernamewas MohamedBilal.

Whyhedoesnotusethis Islamic name is anybody’s guess. Isheashamedofthis name?Thepopularreasonis that Mr Green ostensibly “converted” to Islam was to get the votes of Muslim Indo-Guyanese.Hefailed.

enslavementofAfricansand identuredship”. This is one angryAfrican He takes a pot s h o t a g a i n s t the indentured Portuguese for gettinglicensestotrade Then he claims some Amerindians werenotinGuyanabeforethe Africanandthenhedeniesany similarity between indenturedship and slavery!

TheChineseescapehiswrath.

Thetruthofthematteris Indians had to live in mud logies with open pit latrines builtacrossatrench.

TheIndianwasthelastto arrive after everyone else failed or absconded. The Indianhadtoworkunderthe same slave masters from which the African was emancipated. Indenturedhip was indeed a new form of slavery

strong agricultural economy byplantingriceandkeeping the sugar industry alive and profitable.

It was Mr Green’s PNC that ended up destroying both and forcing Indians to migrate by using violence and by starving Indians of theirnativefoods.

What is needed by Mr Greenisforhimtoapologize forthePNCriggingelections and for bankrupting Guyana from 1964-1992 An injunctionbyIndianlawyers should be brought against a n y r e p a r a t i o n s for Africans to compensate forIndianpainandsuffering and to take a percentage of thatmoneytobuildtheirown c u l t u r a l c e n t e r UntilthenMr Greenhaslost allcredibility

DEAREDITOR

I am glad to read that Toshao Orin Fernandes of C h i n e s e L a n d i n g Amerindian Village has asked the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) for a slot at the opening of the NTC’s conference on Monday 28 August to talk about the continuingillegalminingon Chinese Landing’s titled Village Lands. It has been over a month since the Inter American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) granted precautionary measures to Chinese L a n d i n g ; https://wwwkaieteurnewso nline com/2023/07/26/intlhuman-rights-body-callingon-guyana-to-takeimmediate-action-againstabuse-of-amerindians-bygold-miners-and-police/

I have no doubt that toshao and NTC Chair Derrick John, and the Executive Members of the National Toshaos’ Council, will readily agree to Toshao Fernandes’request.

SN reported NTC Chair Derrick John saying a year ago that “The core executive is new at the leadership of the NTC but we have so far identified that the issues at Isseneru and Chinese Landing (are) urgent and our priority As you know those issues are before the courts but they were raised and we discussedit ”

SN further reported: ‘John said that a team from the NTC would soon be meetingtoformulateawork

planforitstermafterwhicha team would visit both Isseneru and Chinese Landing.

“Wewilldiscussitatthe NTC level. One of our first things that we would like to do is to go down on the ground to assess it for ourselves and reach out to thecommunitiesandtohave a firsthand experience what’s happening and only thenwewouldbeinabetter position to do whatever we can do to try to bring some

c o m f o r t t o t h e c o m m u n i t i e s ” ’ ; https://wwwstabroeknews com/2022/07/20/news/gu yana/chinese-landingisseneru-issues-toppriorities-for-new-ntcexecutive-chair/

Ilookforwardtoreading about the assessment of illegal mining in Chinese Landing done by the NTC and their actions to protect thecommunity’slegalrights.

Yourstruly,

JanetteBulkan

Mr Green and PNC leaders are in no position to talk about oppression, inhumane cruel treatment and slaves clearing the forest.

Heclaimsvictimhoodand willcontinueonthissongand dance to get sympathy The visitofthedescendantsofthe Gladstonefamilytoapologize is most welcome But the Gladstones should also apologize for the misery of identuredship Mr Green believesotherwise Hewrote: “Weshouldbecareful,allof us,nottoacceptthisruseofa similarity between

Mr Greenmustbeaware that Indians developed a

Sincerely,

VassanRamracha

Another senseless loss of lives on our roadways

DEAREDITOR

Another senseless loss of lives with the tragic deaths of eight persons, in lessthantwenty-fourhours, betweenSaturdaynightand earlySundaymorning.

All deaths caused by accidents involving vehicles. Livessnuffedout toosoon.

In the case of the four teenagers, was the alleged seventeen -year-old driver

licenced? In the Unity accident, it is alleged a motorcycle was unlighted. All of this as the ‘Respect the road’ campaign flounders.

Iextendmycondolences tothebereavedfamiliesand afullandspeedyrecoveryto theinjuredorthoseaffected bythesetraumatic,injurious mishaps.

Sincerely, ShamshunMohamed

Lookingforwardtoreadingaboutthe assessmentofillegalmininginChinese LandingdonebytheNTCandtheiractions toprotectthecommunity’slegalrights

Housing and the City of Linden

DEAREDITOR

,

It is unfortunate that the opening ceremony of Building Expo 2023 is now better known for the “FamousGrab”.

Attendingtheeventasa member of the board of Central Housing and Planning Authority and Mayor of Linden, what stoodoutformeduringthe President’s presentation was his government’s development of the housing sector in Linden andRegion10.

The President noted that, over the next three years, his government intends to embark on an “aggressive plan to dent the backlog of (57,000 applications in the system), by opening new lands and constructing morehomes

Hesaid“theplaninthe next three years is to develop14,000newhouse lots in Region Three;

1,000 new homes and 1,000 new lots in Region 10; 1,000 new lots in Region Seven; 4,000 new lots in Region Six; 1,000 lots in Region Five; 20,000 in Region Four; 250 in Region One; and 1,000 each in Regions Two andNine.”

The Chronicle news, of April 22, 2023 stated that “the government had started developing an area at Millie’s Hideout (Linden) to construct houses as part of a commitment by President Ali to build 1,000 homes to meet the housing needs in the miningtown.

However, “the CEO explained that the project was halted after it was discovered that a significant bauxite reserve was present in the area ”

G o v e r n m e n t i s advised that it should

engage in meaningful consultations with all stakeholders in the Region, in order to avoid such blunders again (as this project was in an advancedstage)

If this approach was taken at the beginning, the halting of this project after it was discovered that “A significant bauxite reserve was present in the area”, would not have occurred, saving taxpayers millions of dollars, as the Block 37 Millie’s Hideout area is known to hold some of the richestbauxitedeposits.

The President further noted that in order to meet the additional 20,000 housing needs, many challenges would be encountered when opening up new lands. One such challenge was the amount of resources it would take to tame the “wet-lands” behind regions 3 and 4 The

Cop shot in supermarket robbery

time is now to make Linden Guyana’s second City, by expanding its boundaries to Rockstone, Ituni and Moblissa, this will open up many ideal lands behind those “wetlands” especially in regions3and4

It should be noted that some lands within this area are already being developed by the Government, such as “Silica City” and development within the “SandHills”area. Thetimeisnowforboth Central and Local Governments to see where their goals are mutually aligned so that Linden can movetoaCitystatus.

The “City” of Linden wouldbeidealindrivingthe housing sector in Guyana, by addressing the additional 20,000applicationsonfile.

Sincerely,

SharmaSolomon MayorofLinden

Alibringsnomoralauthoritytoany...

Frompage04 chaos,creatinghostility,and dysfunctiontoaprocessthat is thus far conducted in a deliberative manner His treatment of the Gladstone f a m i l y , w h o h a s acknowledged their role in slavery and is prepared to make restitution, is unbecomingoftheofficehe holds and disrespecting the CARICOM Reparations Commission.

There is no doubt CARICOM would have had the names of those families who were involved in slavery, all Ali is doing is jumping up and seeking to grabattention.

While Africans in the Caribbean and around the world will pursue reparations, which clearly the Ali regime has demonstrated is not within itsremit,hecanstartnowby correcting issues that will bring justice to African Guyanese for violations created by his government.

Afewarelistedhereunder:-

- R e s p e c t i n g Collective Bargaining consistent with Section 23(1) of the Trade Union RecognitionAct

A right the regime violates as employer and principal custodian of the Constitution and Laws of Guyana The GPSU, GB&GWUandGTU.

-Have the Labour

inister and Chief Labour Officer convene a meeting between the

B a u x i t e C o m p a n y Guyana Inc (BCGI) and the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU) to address the severance benefits due tohundredsofworkerssince 2020 - Put systems in p l a c e f o r t h e regularisation, return and/or compensation of all ancestral lands to the various African families that were encroached upon andcovetedbyanumberof persons including the PPP government. -Return all cooperatives to their m e m b e r s a n d t h e government keeps its hands off them and ensures those that have lands are returned tothem.Thishashistorically been the sector where the Africaneconomythrives.

- R e s p e c t t h e constitutional right to free education from nursery to university Theremovalof this right has severely affected the African c o m m u n i t y a n d

opportunities for upward mobility

-Meaningfully engage and work with the APNU+AFC, whose supportbaseisprimarilyof theAfrican community, to ensure their interest is being protected in the m a n a g e m e n t a n d distributionofresources

- Meet with the Leader of the Opposition toconfirmtheappointment of acting Chancellor

Edwards and acting Chief Justice Roxanne GeorgeWiltshire The nonappointment of these two womencontinuetodiminish theirtenureandreducetheir pension when they reach pensionableage.

-Return the statesubventions to IDPADA-G, Critchlow Labour College, and all other non-aligned PPP institutions that pursue Africans’interestorbytheir work Africans stand to benefit.

- Examine and treat the bauxite company in Region10/Berbice River through the identical lens used to treat the sugar industryinRegionSix.Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo recently announced his regime’s reason for reopeningtheRoseHallEstate isnottheeconomicviability of the factory or GuySuCo but the economy of the Region.Thebauxiteworkers andtheircommunitiesareno lessdeserving -Inject soft loans and g ants into African communities across the country, with a v i e w o f g i v i n g opportunities to existing and potential businesses Government’s talks about training citizens to be entrepreneurs but has failed to create the enabling environment, including technical support and finances, to makethispossible.

-Meetwithstakeholders, including the APNU+AFC,

toconceptualiseanddevelop and institute an Affirmative Action programme that wouldaddresshistoricaland existing structures which place the African c o m m u n i t y a t a disadvantage Atthecore of this issue is the disrespect for African descendants by Ali who wants to set the African agenda, dictate who should be their leaders, and feel it is the PPP’s God given right to determine whether Africans thrive or fail

Ali has also touched on Plantation Success, East Coast Demerara, which the Gladstone family once owned This nation is being reminded that the Ali/Jagdeo regime shortly after entering office in 2020 flooded the lands to force people off. They engaged in one of the most inhumaneactsnotdissimilar to the slave masters and colonisers, to evict persons and undermine their right to e c o n o m i c s e l fdeterminationonthepretext GuySuCo wanted to cultivatecanes.

Freed people bought plantationSuccess.

Ali brings no moral a u t h o r i t y t o a n y conversation on reparations given the brutish nature of his regime and its treatment of the African man, woman and child Enough is enough!

LincolnLewis

APoliceCorporalwason Saturday evening was shot androbbedofhisgoldchain and cash during a Supermarket robbery at Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara(WBD).

Nursing a gunshot wound to his left leg is CorporalHall.

Hall was reportedly drinking at the Wang Wang Supermarket around 19:30hrs, when two masked men dressed in hoodies and armed with handguns pulled-up on a black Honda XRmotorcycle.

Oneofthebanditsranto the entrance and held the security guard at gunpoint. He ordered the security guard to lie and the ground and entered the supermarket while the other bandit remainedoutside.

The owner of the

business, a Chinese businessman and his wife wereheldatgunpointasone of the bandit pushed his handsintotheircashregister andstoleanundisclosedsum ofmoney

On his way out, his accomplice attacked the policeofficerandshothimin the leg while relieving him ofhisvaluables.

They then escaped on theirmotorcycle.

Public spirited-citizens rushedtheinjuredcoptothe West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was admitted.

Police visited the supermarket to conduct investigationsandwereable to recover a .32 spent shell fromtheareawhereHallwas shot.

Investigations are ongoing.

‘Madman’ stabs miner to death

A miner will not be returning home to build a house for his family after he wasstabbedhimtodeathon Saturday at Imbamadai Landing, Upper Mazaruni, RegionSeven.

Dead is Stenson Roland, age 35. According to the police, he was allegedly killed around 23:30hrs by a man known as Rohaman. Kaieteur News learnt that Rohaman is the suspect’s first name, but he is popularly known as ‘Madman’.

Roland, according to police was having a few drinks at a shop when ‘Madman’ran into the shop andstabbedhimintheregion oftheheart. KaieteurNews understands, however, that the suspect intended to kill another miner He attacked that miner first and while escaping, he bumped into Roland. Probably believing that Roland might have retaliated, the suspect stabbedhim.

Dead: Stenson Roland

‘ M a d m a n ’ t h e n reportedly escaped into some nearby bushes, while Roland fell to the ground.A community health worker was summoned to the scene and pronounced Roland deadwhenshearrived Police said that his body boreapuncturewoundtothe leftsideofhischest. Roland is reportedly not from Imbamadai and had recently gone there seeking work so that he could raise enough money to build his familyahome.

‘Higher interest rates will not hamper Govt. from taking more loans’

for better terms

Guyana is now ranked a ‘high income’ country as a result of the resources being generated from the oil and gassector Thisnewtitlealso means that the country will no longer benefit from concessional loan agreements but will be requiredtopayinterestrates reflective of its economic status.

Higherinterestrateswill however not prevent the Government of Guyana (GoG) from contracting loans to finance its infrastructure development programme, since the administration is already strapped with a plan to turn to its bilateral partners for

financialassistance.

Bilateral debt refers to debtowedtoacountry,while multi-lateral debt refers to loans owed to lending institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, I n t e r - A m e r i c a n Development Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean DevelopmentBank(CDB).

On Thursday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during his press conference at Freedom House in Georgetown confirmed that Guyana will graduate from enjoying concessional resources.Whileresponding to a question from this newspaper,theVPsaid,“we

had very very concessional resources from most of the multilateral institutions but progressively that pool of concessional resources has beendwindling.”

Asaresult,henotedthat Guyana will be forced to borrow from the ordinary capital resources rather than thespecialcapitalresources. Forinstance,hesaidGuyana no longer qualifies for loans from the International Development Association (IDA). This is a financial institution which offers concessional loans and grantstotheworld’spoorest developing countries. It is also a member of the World Bank Group. In this regard,

the VP explained that Guyana will now have to borrow directly from the World Bank resources at higherinterestrates.

Similarly,hepointedout that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) had funds for special operations and for ordinary capital. One, according to Jagdeo, is concessional, while the other features a market-basedinterestrate.

Jagdeo said that Guyana just received its last set of concessional loans from multilateral institutions. He was keen to point out that Guyana presently has only two variable interest rate loans on its debt portfolio which are owed to multilateralagencies.

He explained, “What we are finding now though is that the borrowing from the ordinary capital of these institutions, which we will have to do now, the interest rates sometimes, in most cases now if we talk about the current situation, will be higher than borrowing from a private commercial bank andfrombilateraldonors.”

TheformerHeadofState

pointed out that Guyana recently inked its first loan

agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

through a bilateral agreement where it will be repaying at a lower interest rate compared to if it borrowed from the World Bank.

“So with Saudi Arabia we borrowed through a bilateral arrangement, our interest rate, borrowing

t h r o u g h b i l a t e r a l arrangements, are a fraction ofwhatitwouldbeifwehad

to borrow under the prevailing circumstances

with a high income country from the World Bank...so thatissomethingthatweare looking at so now what we do we look at bilateral lines of credit, we look at the multilateral financial institutions, we look at private creditors and then if wewantto,ifweborrow,we thenassesstheconditionson each; the grace period, the maturity of the loans, the interest rates and then you make a decision on that basis,”Jagdeonoted.

Hewaskeentonotethat even though the country is considered a ‘high income’ nation, its bilateral partners c o n t i n u e t o o ff e r concessional loans For instance, he pointed to the East Coast Demarara road projectbeingfinancedbythe ExportImport(EXIM)Bank of China. Jagdeo said if Guyana had to borrow from a commercial bank in China such as the China DevelopmentBank,itwould be expected to pay higher interestratesthere.

While the government continues to borrow against projectedrevenuefromits

Continuedonpage15

Oil and Gas industry added more challenges to housing sector – Minister Croal

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, last Thursday disclosed that Guyana’s housing deficit was further exacerbated by new demands brought on by theacceleratedgrowthofthe oilandgasindustry

MinisterCroalwasatthe time, giving his address at theopeningceremonyofthe International Building Exposition2023.

He said, “In 2020 we promised to reduce the housing deficit by setting ourselvesanambitioustarget ofallocatingatotalof50,000 house lots in five years. Within that promise was a commitment to explore new and innovative housing optionsandprovideaccessto finance for allottees especially the poor and vulnerable.”

Tothisend,headdedthat the housing sector has seen itsfairamountofchallenges, including inadequate buildings that are built with sub-standard materials, the gap in the supply; migration and formation of new families have outpaced urbanhousingsupplies.

T h e m i n i s t e r underscoredthatwiththeoil and gas sector brought on more demands for housing, “Wequicklyrealisedthatour promise to providing residential and commercial lots had to take into consideration the gap within the sector from quality controlofbuildingmaterials to finding designs that fit within the structure of subsidized housing, while simultaneouslyensuringthat prices are kept at an affordable rate and keeping true to our low carbon developmentstrategy.”

To this end, he said that his ministry has engaged experts, investors and contractorswithinthepublic and private sectors both locallyandinternationallyto furtheradvancethesector

“We have crafted policies that make access to financeeasierandfaster We haveintroducedmaterialand monetary subsidies and pursued new housing

initiatives such as condominium and town houses These initiatives were coupled with the

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal

introduction of new and updated legislation to strengthen the regulatory framework of the sector,” MinisterCroalsaid.

Furthermore, the Housing Minister stated too that the Government of Guyana is committed to providing subsidized housing citizen who makes an application for the allocation of a house lot and even provide commercial opportunities for investors, contractors and other stakeholders.

...Jagdeo says will turn to bilateral partners

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

PAC opens $60M office in Lethem to further protect, conserve Guyana’s ecosystems

Toexpanditsmandateto protect and conserve G u y a n a ’s n a t u r a l ecosystems, the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) on Saturday opened a new office at 56 Commercial Block, Lethem, Region Nine.

The $60 million office is established as one of t h e m e a s u r e s t o s t r e n g t h e n t h e commission’s ability to monitor and carry out preservation activities in the nearby Kanuku Mountains ProtectedArea(KMPA).

It will also lend support to the Konashen Amerindian Protected Area, which is primarily community-managed

Foreign Secretary and Chairman of the PAC Board of Directors, Robert Persaud, noted that the commissioning ceremony is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment toitspeople.

“[It is] a reflection of howitisthatwecandevelop partnership at the international level, and partnershipatthelocallevel infulfillingaveryimportant mandate. And that mandate is stipulated and outlined in the Protected Areas

Commission Act,” Persaud expressed.

The mandate, he said, is central to the government’s developmental agenda, as it outlines how biodiversity and ecosystem services are deployed for the benefit of the country, especially in those communities where protectedareasarelocated.

“But protected areas are not only about the conservationofbiodiversity, flora,andfauna,butit’salso a b o u t i m p r o v i n g communities. It’s about improving the well-being, improving the lives of our people, particularly local communities and in many instances, indigenous communities.

“This is symbolic, but alsoacleardemonstrationof o u r g o v e r n m e n t ’s commitmentthatwewantto accelerate, facilitate, and ensure from all aspects that we contribute, we facilitate and engineer greater prosperity, greater development, and greater involvement of indigenous communities in our country’s development,” he added.

The chairman expressed theintentionforthebuilding tobeusedasanepicentreof

knowledge sharing in b i o d i v e r s i t y a n d conservation, as well as the inclusion and involvement ofcommunitiesinachieving the goals outlined in the mandateofthePAC.

Persaud highlighted that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other partners will be able to utilise the building for carrying out similar research and conservation efforts.

President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana and PAC Board Member, Omodelle George, shared similar remarks, noting that the establishment of the office is a significant milestone in the work and developmentofthePAC.

George stated that it is a step towards e n s u r i n g t h e m a n a g e m e n t a n d monitoring of ecot o u r i s m a n d t h e environment.

“This office, this beautiful structure I see come to fruition, is more thanjustaphysicalpresence. It is a testament to our continued distribution of education,” she posited (DPI)

Eachhouseholdcanreceiveatleast$1M...

Frompage3 each oil project. They came back in 2018 again, said please ring-fence the oil projects,cameagainin2019 and said the same thing, return in 2020 and beg Guyana, please ring- fence youroilprojects.”

In addition to the IMF, the newspaper Publisher pointed out that the U n i t e d N a t i o n s Development Programme (UNDP), along with another international expert, Chatham House and theWorld Bank urged Guyana to include a ringfencing provision for each project.

Lall reprimanded the former Head of State for taking office in 2020 and committing a more egregious act compared to the Coalition, by signing off on three more oil projects without including a ring-fencing provision

The businessman believes that if the Vice President had included a

ring-fencing provision, each household could have been receiving US$3 5 million annually, commencing this year from the Liza One and LizaTwoprojects.

He explained, “Do the maths them pumping 400,000 barrels a day, at US$80 per barrel, take out US$20 per barrel as production cost to bring it up, you leff with US$24 millionaday

Split that in two is US$12M fuh Guyana Multiply that by 365 days is US$4,380,000,000, divide that by 250,000 households, eachhousewouldbegetting (US$17,420 yearly or) GUY$3.5M a year, had Bharrat Jagdeo ring-fenced those 3 projects he approved.”

Lallsaidgovernmentcan keep $2.5 million from the $3 5 million and every household would still benefit from $1M from the Liza One and Liza Two projectsalone.

On the other hand, the newspaper Publisher argued

that the administration continuestorefuseincluding such a provision thereby forcing Guyanese to settle for“dogfoodsalaries”.

He reasoned, “Your neighbours' fowls, on both sides coming over into your yard, eating out all your chicken feed everyday leaving your chickswithoutfood.

T h e o t h e r neighbours who mining chickens, see what's going on and begging you to put a fencetoavoid thatandyuhnotpayingheed tothat?”

Similarly, Lall said, “Exxon eating out all of Guyana's food, while the nation starves.”

Lall who is also a stern advocate for better contract management is calling on Guyanese to join citizens whowillbeprotestingtoday (Monday)atHoustonPublic Road, East Bank Demerara from 10:00hrs to call on government to stop the “robbery train” for the sake offuturegenerations.

ExxonGuyanaCountryHead–Part1

Ialways knew, constantly said, that Exxon only hires the right people. The company hires them, indoctrinates them in its culture, and then setsthemloose.

Mr Alistair Routledge, Exxon’s Guyana Country Head,glowsasitsequivalent of a corporate Goya masterpiece It is not theater,butwhatissketched on the canvas of real life: Guyanese life Mr Routledgebrokehissilence, andtrilledtotherafters.

In a soprano crescendo, Mr Routledge, the one unequivocal, unambiguous, and unflinching presence in this country soared in symphonic sparkle about how good Guyana is for foreign investors. I wanted

to say unrighteous presence also, but leave that to others who are more inclined to engage in those verbal fisticuffs.

Butwhatthesavvy,street smart, Exxon trained Mr Routledge achieved was incredible: he blew away several birds with one breath. Onebreathandthere isnotraceofevensomuchas afeather

First,Guyanaisgreatfor foreigninvestors,themaster manipulator said. His first audience is the American State Department: take it easy, Big Boy Bharrat has things under control. For sure, he is on the twilight side, but he is good for business. SecretaryofState, Antony Blinken may shake his head in dismay, but the

business of America is business. So, if the man from Exxon says that Guyana(andJagdeo)isgood for foreign investment business, then that’s all that matters.

Second, when Mr Mastermind, Alistair Routledge, says about how good Guyana is for foreign investment and investors, what he does rather sweetly istosignaltohisbrethrenin the overseas deep pocket community that Guyana is a freeforall. Justcomeladies and gents and it is all up for grabs, thanks to a fine Guyanese gentleman by the nameofBharratJagdeo. Itis a predator’s ball, a banquet for any barbarian, whether they like the noun or not. I prefer the glorious coinage of one of Mr Jagdeo’s former heroes now hastily distanced from, who was none other than Comrade Zhou en Lai. I give to my fellow Guyanese: the running dogs of capitalism. Today, in these politically correcttimes,theyhavebeen rechristenedasforeigndirect investors Thanks, Mr Routledge,forinvitingthem to run here, and then run all over the lumpen Guyanese proletariat, and the

reengineered petty and sicklyandstupideeanddutty bourgeoisie.

Forthird,thatisprecisely whatthewilyMr Routledge did to Guyanese. He ran right over them Poor, ordinary, working-class Guyanese. Indirectly, what Mr Routledge did was give anendorsementtothePPPas the kind of government that Guyanesemusthave,asitis so good to foreign money Where is the money for the citizens of this country, Mr Routledge? Hello, is there still any listening and reading going on over there in Exxon land (local and Texas),Mr R?

It is astonishing, the audacity of this American. He is in the right business: oily, greasy, sticky, and messy His words confirm all of that; how he comes here and brazenly tells the citizens from the side of his mouth about how good the PPP Government is for investment, which has the subtitle of good for Guyanese.

Couldsomebodyputthis greatAmericaninaminibus andseehimoffattheCheddi Jagan Airport? I am sure Cheddi would like that, whereverheistoday.

The other master oftheGuyaneserealm, Mistah John Hess, likes to croon and drool to his audiences about how democraticGuyanais.

Democratic yes, but for whom? Certainly not the Guyanesepeople! Notwhen there is a small company of traitorousGuyanesebrothers and sisters in the office of this and office of that, checking these words and phrases to determine how to shutthemdown.

Not when Exxon and Hess Corp can brag before the world about how great Guyana is, while a great manycitizensofthiscountry are hanging by a thread. Certainly not when my President, my Minister of Petroleum, and my Opposition Leader have all joined the orchestra of Exxon, singing its notes in highoctaves.

Mr. Routledge sings about Guyana’s hospitality to foreign investment Whereisthelocalleaderthat is standing up and singing outaloudaboutalittlebitof benefit for the Guyanese people?

I, Mr. Routledge, welcome all foreign investors to Guyana, but it

must be on different terms.

ThePNCtermswerebad.

ThePPPtermsareworse. Andthetermsofbrotherand mother and father to foreign investors, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, are indescribably harrowing for Guyanese The contract that he defecated upon, he now eats and adds some dressing to make it more palatable to Exxon.

It is why Mr Routledge could crow about the PPP Government In some respects, he is a bigger propagandist for the PPP than the entire party and governmentmachinery

Mr Alistair Routledge gives his stamp of approval to the PPP and then he gets going in stamping down on the people of Guyana. He stamps on them first, continuously, and then deliriously,joyfully

D i s c l a i m e r : T h e opinions expressed in this column are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or viewsofKaieteurNews.

Omai to update 3.7 million ounces gold estimates next month – CEO

Almost three years after its return to Guyana, Canadian mining company, Omai Gold Mines will be updating its 3.69 million ounces of gold (indicated and inferred estimates) –next month and will reveal the new estimates of their gold mining project in Guyana.

Omai is one of the few large-scale foreign mining companies working in Guyana.Omaiholdsa100% interest in the Omai gold project in Guyana, which produced over 3.7 million ouncesofgoldbetween1993 and2005.Thepropertyhosts twogolddeposits:theshearhosted Wenot Deposit and theadjacentintrusive-hosted GiltCreekDeposit.

On August 22, Omai published its third drilling resultsfortheyear,callingit another excellent discovery intheirWenotpit,locatedin Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

Elaine Ellingham, President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Omai,intherecentstatement bythecompanysaidthatthe

new results and recent results with wide and good grade zones are expected to positively impact the company’s resources Ellingham continued, “As we move forward to an updated mineral resource estimate expected in late September,withanexpected decision to proceed with a preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”) immediatelythereafter.”

The CEO said too, “Our recent drilling that has focused on expanding the

Wenotdeposithasbeenvery successful. These results for hole 230DD-065 are excellent, intersecting a 127mwidewell-mineralized rhyolite-diorite dike complexwithtwoverywide gold zones, one 27.5m wide andasecond25.5mwide.”

She added that, “The currentdrillingoftheWenot target area remains focused on: 1) testing some of the undrilled gaps within the Wenot deposit model to increase the resource, 2) expanding the western “starter pit” area, and 3) providing evidence of the vast open potential at depth fortheWenotdeposit.These new results and recent results with wide and good grade zones are expected to positively impact the resources as we move forward to an updated mineral resource estimate expected in late September, withanexpecteddecisionto proceed with a preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”) immediately thereafter.”

PREVIOUSRESULTS

On July 17, 2023, just

three weeks after Canadian gold company, Omai Gold Mines announced drilling results showing significant gold deposits in theirWenot pit–thecompanyannounced “similar excellent drill results.”

OnJune22,thecompany in a press release disclosed that within the first six monthsof2023,ithasdrilled 11 holes which showed significant gold in their Wenotpit.

In their July statement, Ellingham, said: “similar to

our excellent drill results fromacoupleofweeksago, these new results again confirm the significant expansion potential for the Wenot deposit, to depth as wellasalongtheflanks.”

The company had disclosed that since their return to Guyana’s gold industry, they have been expanding their search in their pits as well as increasingthedepthatwhich they search for gold

Ellinghamhadnotedthatthe resultssofarhaveprovento

befruitful.

Astheforeigncompanies continuetoexploreGuyana’s goldfields,thegovernmentis yettodeliveronitspromiseto make all mining contracts public

Whileforeigncompanies havebeenrushingtocashin on the “gold fever” in Guyana, the country has been suffering massive declines in its annual declarationssince2017.

KaieteurNewshadmade severalrequestsforthe

Continuedonpage15

Govt.invitesinvestorstobeapartofSilicaCity

The Government of Guyana (GoG) is inviting investors to join the mega housingproject,SilicaCity

Earlier this year work commenced in the Young ProfessionalsectionofSilica City, Guyana’s first smart urban centre located along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway

On Thursday, during the opening ceremony of the International Building Exposition 2023, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, made the call for investorstojointheproject.

H e s a i d , “ T h e establishment of a new city, Silica City is moving a pace infrastructure works for the development of phase one is ongoing”

Accordingtotheminister, Phase One includes the constructionof100homesas well as the development of apartment buildings, malls, condos, restaurants and similaramenities.

To this end he noted that the Government welcomes Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from investors desirousofbeingapartofthe project

The idea of Silica City, hesaid,isprimarilybornout of the need for Guyana to have an urban centre that is complementary to the

Minister of Housing

existing capital city of Georgetown Silica City, as conceptualized since 2013, was first touted by then Minister of Housing and Water, now President,

Irfaan Ali According to Minister Croal, it is envisagedtotackletheissue of non-coastal urban settlementdevelopmentand the challenges of climate changeandsealevelrise

Silica City is set to become the leading destination for eco-friendly livinginGuyana,advancing thecountry’ssustainableand climate-smart agenda. With 3,800 acres of designated land, infrastructure development has already begun – Department of PublicInformationreported

earlierthisyear

The subject ministers and other officials in March 2023, held the first public consultation on the developmentofSilicaCity Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water,SusanRodrigues,had explained that the 3,800 acres of land will be converted for a range of

developments, including housing, commercial, and areas for institutions, such as government offices

Open spaces will also be preserved for recreational spaces, hospitals, schools andotherpublicservices

Some $2 billion in contractswasawardedforthe first phase of infrastructure development works

including the construction of road networks, bridges and culverts.

According to the minister, the first phase of development will also involve the construction of high-endyoungprofessional homesonapproximately109 acres of land, which will provide 300 house lots measuring 600 square feet

each These two-storey houses will be on the periphery of an 18-hole international golf course that is expected to attract peopletothearea

“This will be slightly different from the ones that wereconstructed[ontheEast Bank] Itisgoingtobealittle bit more high-end houses,” shenoted

An Omai pit in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni)

Omai CEO and President, Elaine Ellingham

and Water, Collin Croal

An aerial view of Silica City development

Exxon worst oil deal should be replaced with new model contract

Independent international expertsthathavereviewedGuyana’s oil contract with US oil giant ExxonMobil have concluded that the contract is perhaps one of the worstdealsknowntotheindustry

Thishasbecomemoreevidentas Guyana embarks on its fourth anniversary since it commenced production activities in December 2019, according to the Oil and Gas Governance Network (OGGN), a non-partisan organization that has beenadvocatingforGuyanesetoget thesignificantbenefitsfromtheiroil resources.

In a recent missive, the body proposed that the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) type contract be replaced with a Gross Split Model (GSM) which would allow for a more equitable oil contract delivering a fairer share of Guyana’spatrimonytoitspeople.

The organization said, “It has become clear that the Government of Guyana does not come close to having the capacity to adequately monitor the Stabroek Block PSA giventhefailuretoauditontimethe oilfielddevelopmentcostsclaimed byExxonanditspartners”

Asaresult,thegrouppointedout that billions of dollars due to the nationarelostyearafteryear

Tothisend,OGGNhasproposed

an alternative model oil contract which it argues should apply to all new oil blocks and ultimately also supersedetheStabroekBlockPSA

According to the network, the GSM is an extraction sharing or concession model that is simple, straightforward, and fully

transparent

It said that under the GSM, Guyanawouldgetafixednumberof barrels from the oil extracted in the field,whiletheoilcompanieswould alsobenefitfromaportionoftheoil produced to cover for oil field developmentandextractioncostsas

wellasafairreturnoninvestment

Through this model, OGGN believeseachGuyanesewillbeable tounderstandwhatthecountrygets inreturnforthesaleofitsoilandgas resources

The network reasoned that the GSM model would eradicate the

need for complex arithmetic, and rigorous oversight procedures required to validate expense claims inaPSAmodelagreement

“Forinstance,thereisnoneedto verify whether a first-class plane tickettotheUSwaswarranted;or Continued on page 15

OGGN representatives during a public demonstration calling on the government to respect the rule of law and Guyanese rather than ExxonMobil

Russia says genetic tests confirm Prigozhin died in plane crash

(Reuters) - Russian investigators said on Sunday that genetic tests had confirmed that Yevgeny Prigozhin, chief of the Wagner mercenary group, was among the 10 people killed in a plane crash last week.

Russia’s aviation agency had previously published the names of all 10 on board the private jet which crashed in the Tver region northwest of Moscow on Wednesday. They included Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin, his right-hand man who helped found the Wagner group.

“As part of the investigation of the plane crash in the Tver region, molecular-genetic examinations have been completed,” Russia’s Investigative Committee said

in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.

“According to their results, the identities of all 10 dead were established. They correspond to the list stated in the flight sheet,” it said.

There had been some speculation, especially on pro-Wagner Telegram channels, about whether Prigozhin - who was known to take various security precautions in anticipation of a possible attempt on his life - had really been on the doomed flight.

Authorities have yet to say what they believe caused his private jet to fall from the sky.

‘STAB IN THE BACK’

The crash came two months to the day after Prigozhin and his Wagner mercenaries staged a mutiny

against Russian military commanders in which they took control of a southern city, Rostov, and advanced towards Moscow before turning back 200 km (125 miles) from the capital.

Muscovites laid flowers on Sunday at a makeshift shrine festooned with Russian flags and photographs set up a short distance from the Kremlin to the memory of Prigozhin and Utkin. “I have got used to comrades in arms dying,” said Dmitry Karpov, who wore military fatigues, adding that Prigozhin had shown by his actions how things should be done in wartime. “Such people remain in history as an example.”

Another man who came to pay his respects, Alexander Dykhov, alluded to criticism by President Vladimir Putin of

Prigozhin’s past mistakes. “The talk about some mistakes, different opinions, I think all this will be forgotten. And in people’s memory there will be the image of a hero. He and Dmitry Utkin are real heroes.”

Putin described the June 23-24 mutiny as a treacherous “stab in the back”, but later met with Prigozhin in the Kremlin. He sent his condolences on Thursday to the families of those killed in the crash. Western politicians and commentators have suggested, without presenting evidence, that Putin ordered Prigozhin to be killed as punishment for the mutiny, which also represented the biggest challenge to Putin’s own rule since he came to power in 1999.

‘Higher interest rates will not hamper Govt...

From page 8 oil and gas sector, Jagdeo assured that the debt being incurred is a mere fraction of the country’s ability to borrow.

The VP previously indicated that while there are concerns about the government’s borrowing,

the non-oil sector can efficiently service the country’s debts.

The Shadow Finance Minister, Juretha Fernandes however does not agree with this position.

In fact, in a previous interview she told K aieteur

News that as the country relishes in the revenue stream from its blossoming oil and gas industry and enter into more loan agreements to finance projects to support the sector and develop the country, its people can be left to pay the price for an unsustainable debt policy.

This can cost them their health and jeopardize their education. See more in the link:

https:// www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2023/08/13/guyana-canbe-forced-to-choose-between-welfare-of-citizensor-repaying-debt/

Exxon worst oil deal should be replaced with new...

From page 14 the accommodation costs for spouses and relatives in Georgetown were justified, or if a lavish company party can be claimed as legitimate oil field development costs,” the network said.

It stressed, “The army of local auditors and accounting specialists, who painstakingly

review complex cost recovery claims made by Exxon and its Stabroek Block partners, becomes obsolete, thereby making audit delays a thing of the past.

This is important as labour shortages are becoming a growing problem in Guyana’s booming oil economy. This was exemplified by the head of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA),

Omai to update 3.7 million ounces...

From page 12

Government of Guyana to release the mining contracts, particularly large-scale mining contracts.

In 2019, when Guyana became a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the country agreed to adhere to several requirements. In this case, EITI requirement 2.4 (a) of the 2019 Standard states that Guyana should publicly disclose all mineral agreements entered into force prior to the reporting period, in this case, 2019. Although the requirements were known to the administration, it continued to make excuses to avoid the release of these contracts. In this vain, this newspaper reported in December 2022 that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo dodged the matter on four different occasions. During a press conference in April however, he publicly committed to releasing the fiscal terms for all mining agreements. This was

the second time the Vice President promised to “personally intervene” for the release of the fiscal terms of all largescale mining contracts.

The Vice President made a similar commitment in August 2022 during an appearance on 'The Glenn Lall Show' aired on Kaieteur Radio. While appearing on that radio programme, he told the Kaieteur News' publisher, Glenn Lall, “I don't see the reason why many of these are not in the public domain already. I'll find out about it.”

When pressed further Jagdeo said, “I can undertake to find out with you there, what the GRA [Guyana Revenue Authority] is so cagey about that it doesn't want to release… I will undertake anything that is non-propriety that you get it. I will personally now see that this happen.” However, despite the promises by the Vice President, the contracts remain hidden.

who recently reported a massive shortage of qualified auditing experts.”

Pointing to yet another benefit of this arrangement, the group reminded that any discrepancies found during the auditing process may require costly litigation in the courts. All legal fees must be borne by Guyana.

While there will be no need to conduct cost oil audits, OGGN was keen to note that with a GSM contract, authorities would be required to accurately monitor oil extraction on-site. It pointed out that oil meters must be properly calibrated to function well to get a precise count of the number of barrels of oil extracted. According to the group, “Guyana’s share of the total barrels of oil extracted will be determined on a real-time and daily basis. The domestic pool of skilled technicians and engineers can easily fulfill these monitoring responsibilities.”

OGGN was keen to point out that GSM oil contracts are well-known in the industry, listing Indonesia as a prime example. The group explained that the GSM contract mandates that out of every 100 barrels of oil extracted, the government takes 57 barrels and the oil company takes 43 barrels. For Guyana, OGGN proposes that the government claims 55 barrels while the remaining 45 bar-

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rels go to the oil companies. This proposal would allow for Guyana’s current take to more than triple.

In fact, the body pointed out that this would align with the recommended share for the country.

It highlighted, “In 2020, Global Witness proposed a new contract model, which when computed, amounts to Guyana’s share to be comprised of 10% royalty and 25% taxes with a 50/50 profit share. Similarly, IHS Markit’s model computes to Guyana receiving 10% royalty and 10% taxes with a 50/50 profit share.”

“Both of these approaches are within the ballpark of the 55 barrels for Guyana as recommended by OGGN,” the group added.

As a first step, OGGN proposed that the Government of Guyana engage the Government of Indonesia to learn from their experience and to have their experts work with locals to implement a GSM oil contract in Guyana.

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Accounts & Office Clerks, W/Union CSR'S, Lorry Drivers, Sales Supervisor, AM / PM Cashier , Sales Rep, Porters & Bond Clerk needed. Call: 609-2995.

Vacancy: part-time (3-5pm) Teacher for child Grade 3 and Child Grade 5. WhatsApp: 640-6535.

Two experienced Cooks/ Chefs needed to work on the WBD. Must have a valid food handler's license. Call: 679-2612/ 689-5100.

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

23 graduate with City and Guilds certificates from Nations School of Technology

Nations School of Technology’s City and Guilds Awards in Plumbing left Ruth Pendleton (graduate) and Bernice Thompson (Facilitator)

Twenty three

p e r s o n s

graduated with C i t y a n d G u i l d s qualifications from Nations School of Technology on August21,2023.

In a release from the school,23skilledtradesmen and women earned their SkillsProficiencyAwardsin Basic Carpentry, Masonry, PaintingandPlumbing.

Nations Chief Operating Officer and Director of the SchoolofTechnology,Liam O’Toole, explained that “Nations has become a registered centre for City and Guilds to offer courses that will help G u y a n e s e a t t a i n

international certification in the construction trades We provide certification to those who have the skill

set already through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) by participating in a one-totwo-day assessment of those skills while also offering courses where the skills are taught to individuals who have no experience ” Nations School of Technology has partnered with Guyana Oil and Gas

Tropical Storm Idalia expected to hit Florida as hurricane

(Reuters) - Tropical

Storm Idalia has formed in the Caribbean and could strengthen into a hurricane, bringing high winds and storm surges to Cuba and Floridalaterthisweek.

T h e s t o r m h a s sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and could reach Category 2 strength with sustained winds of 96 to 110 mph when it is forecast to make landfall in Florida o n W e d n e s d a y , according to Governor RonDeSantis

The governor said the hurricane could make landfall in northern Florida’s Big Bend areawhere the panhandle transitions into the peninsula

The U S National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Sunday that the storm is currently near the Yucatan Channel about 80 miles (130 km) eastnortheast of Cozumel, Mexico

Idalia could cause lifethreatening storm surge and flooding from heavy rains along parts of Florida’s west coast and the Panhandle as early as Tuesday, the Miami-based weatherforecastersaid DeSantisdeclaredastate of emergency for 33 Florida countiesonSaturday

“Ifyouareinthepathof thisstorm,youshouldexpect power outages, so please prepare for that,” DeSantis said during a Sunday briefing with Florida’s

Support Services Inc (GOGSSI) to implement the City and Guilds welding, fabrication and pipework courses. These courses also i n c l u d e t h e R P L assessment, whereby welders who have existing skill sets and hands on experience can receive C i t y a n d G u i l d s certification in a 2-day

assessment and those without the skills can complete a multi-week training course to gain the knowledge Mr O’Toole stated, “We are excited to have partnered with GOGSSI as togetherwebringtheperfect combinationofpracticaland theoretical knowledge GOGSSI amongst many othershasaneedforcertified

weldersandwearethrilledto be partnering with a fellow local Guyanese firm to help support the need for skilled Guyanesetoenterthelabour force.” Graduates who receive the Awards in Welding, Fabrication and Pipeworkwillhavetheskill set for employment within theOilandGas,construction and mining sectors in Guyana.

Afghanistan: Taliban ban women from visiting popular national park

Division

of

Emergency Management.

The governor said power company workers would pre-stage ahead of the storm and that 1,100 members of the National Guard were mobilized with 2,400 high-water vehicles and a dozen aircraft for rescue and recoveryefforts

Duke Energy (DUK N) is closely monitoring the approach of Idalia and preparing crews and equipment to respond if customerslosepower

The White House said on Sunday that President Joe Biden had been briefed about Idalia’s forecastedpathandwillbe kept up to date as the stormmoves

(BBC) The Taliban government has banned women from visiting the Band-eAmirnationalparkinBamiyanprovince.

Afghanistan’s acting minister of virtue and vice, Mohammad Khaled Hanafi, said women had not been observing hijab inside thepark.

Hecalledonreligiousclericsandsecurity agenciestoforbidwomenfromenteringuntil asolutionwasfound.

Band-e-Amir is a significant tourist attraction, becoming Afghanistan’s first nationalparkin2009.

Itisapopulardestinationforfamiliesand the ban on women attending will prevent manyfrombeingabletoenjoythepark.

Unescodescribestheparkasa“naturally createdgroupoflakeswithspecialgeological formations and structure, as well as natural anduniquebeauty”.

However, Mr Hanafi said going to the parktosightsee“wasnotobligatory”,Afghan agencyToloNewsreported.

Religious clerics in Bamiyan said the women who were visiting the park and not followingtheruleswerevisitorstothearea.

“Therearecomplaintsaboutlackofhijab orbadhijab,thesearenotBamiyanresidents. They come here from other places,” Sayed Nasrullah Waezi, head of the Bamiyan Shia UlemaCounciltoldTolonews.

Afghan former MP, Mariam Solaimankhil shared a poem she had written on X, formerly known as Twitter, aboutthebanandwrote“we’llreturn,I’m sureofit”

Fereshta Abbasi, of Human Rights Watch, noted women had been banned from visiting the park on Women’s Equality Day and wrote it was a “total disrespecttothewomenofAfghanistan”

Meanwhile, Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, asked why stopping women from visiting Band-e-Amir “is necessary to comply with Sharia and Afghan culture?”

The Taliban have a history of implementing bans on women doing certain activities on what it insists is a temporary basis, including preventing them from attendingschoolsinDecember2022.

Nations School of Technology’s City and Guilds Awards in Masonry, Carpentry, Painting and Plumbing. Back row from left Dr. Dexter Phillips (CEO -Nations), Dwayne Adams, Prakash Bharat, Ajodha Basdeo, Rolman Ramirez, Ronnel Thomas, Evander Charles, Liam O’Toole (COO-Nations). Front row from left Rommel Thomas, Steven Giles, Shri Persaud

Eightdeadinseparateroadaccidents

It was road carnage on Saturday night and during the wee hours of Sunday morning where after three horrific accidents, the lives of eight young people were lost-sixofthemteenagers.

Deadare,RahulThakoor, 19, of Angoys Avenue, New Amsterdam,Berbice,Region Six, two 21-year-old men, Elisha Pellew and Raymond Rosefrom UnityandSupply Village, Mahaica, East Coast D e m e r a r a ( E C D ) respectively, and Shawn Persaud, 19, of Huntly VillageMahaica

The four other victims were killed in a car crash at Canal Number Two, West BankDemerara(WBD),and were identified as, Daveanand Singh, 17 of Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), Ameisha Jaikarran, 19, of Old Road La Grange, West Bank Demerara(WBD), Deviane Narine, 18, of Kitty, Georgetown, and Daniel Tribani,19,ofOldRoad,La Grange.

The first accident took place around 22:00hrs on Saturday night along the UnityPublicRoad,Mahaica, ECD, killing three people, Elisha Pellew, Raymond Rose and Shawn Persaud, and seriously injured three others.

A c c o r d i n g t o eyewitnessesitwasasmashup involving two cars and a motorcyclejustbeforeK&K

Gas Station. Police said that atruckwasalsoinvolved.

Pellew was the rider of the bike and Rose was his pillion rider while the third victim, Persaud was a passengerinoneofthecars.

Investigators learnt that one of the cars, PGG 9823 was heading east along the northern driving lane while other, PAD 171 was travelling in the opposite directionbehindthetruck.

The driver of PAD 171 alleged that the motorcycle

whichhadnolightsovertook him and crashed into the othercarandricochetedinto thetruck.Theimpactcaused the car to spin into his path and although he tried to swerved away, he could not avoid slamming into the car too.

The end result of the collisions was horrific because among the mangled vehicles lay bodies and severedbodyparts.

Those who survived the crash received severe

injuries and include the driverofPGG9839andone ofhispassengers. The passenger sustained a punctured spleen while suffered a Cerebral Concussion.

A few hours later, just another deadly crash occurred this time along Number 11 Public Road, EastCorentyneBerbice.

It involved two motorcyclesandclaimedthe life of 19-year-old- Rahul Thakoor and left two other

persons Keon Willians and his pillion rider, Lennox Reidseriouslyinjured.

Police said that both motorcycles, CJ 2552-the one ridden by Thakoor and CL 4458-ridden by Williams, were speeding in aneasterndirection.

Williams claimed that Thakoor undertook his bike and clipped the handle causingbothofthemtolose control Thakoor crashed into a light pole and he and his pillion rider fell onto the

road sustaining injuries to theirbodies.

Public-spirited citizens stopped and rendered assistance Thakoor was picked in an unconscious state and rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital along with Williams and Reid.

Thakoor unfortunately died while receiving treatment.

Theroadcarnagedidnot stop there At around 01:30hrs Sunday morning a car crashed into a parked truck along the Resource Public Road, Canal Number 2 Polder, West Bank Demerara killing four teenagers, Daveanand Singh, Ameisha Jaikarran, Deviane Narine and Daniel Tribani.

Singh was reportedly driving at the time and according to reports he was speeding east when he lost control of the car and crashed into a truck parked beside the road. The impact of the collision sent the car crashing through a nearby concretefence.

An ambulance was summoned and the medical professionals onboard pronounced two of the occupants dead at the scene. The driver and under passengerwererushedtothe West Demerara Regional Hospital in an unconscious state but they died while receivingtreatment.

Real Estate Association holds discussion on new law governing sector

The Guyana Association of Real Estate Professionals (GAREP) on Wednesday held a meeting at the Pegasus Hotel to updateitsmembersandthegeneral publicaboutanewRealEstatelaw recently passed in parliament to governthesector.

Executives from GAREP and the Guyana REALTOR Associations were present to answer questions about the new legislation from dozens of practitionersinattendance.

GAREP had worked closely with Guyana REALTORS Association and the Attorney General’s Chambers to ensure that the law was not detrimental to the sector

“We as Realtors, regardless of which organization we are affiliated with must work together to raise the standards and professionalism of all representativesinourfield.Weare not just sellers and renters of real property, we are professional advisors on property management and wealth creation in the most lucrative industry in the world”, said GAREP President Aleem

Hussain while adding that, “Every agent is a representative of the industryandifonefails,it’sastain onallourreputationsowearenow inessence,ourbrotherskeeper.”

Meanwhile GAREP’s SecretaryGeneral,NicolaDuggan, spoke of the requirements needed to be compliant with the law and warnedthatviolationswillbetaken

seriouslybytheAG’sChambers. Several issues that affect Real Estate agents were also raised that the meeting. The issues include registration at Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), access to copies of transports at the Deeds Registry andbankinglawsthatallowforthe openingofescrowaccounts.

GAREP promised that it will

Garep members posing for a photo

discuss the issues raised with the AG’sChambers.

Treasurer, Sandy Harry and Assistant Secretary Treasurer, Kerron Boston informed the attendees of the benefits they can receivefromjoiningtherealestate association such training, and seminars.

Trainingwillbeprovidedbythe

Vice Presidents of two associations,NeilMcFoyandRyan Gomes.

Many welcomed the idea and signed for their membership at the meeting.

To register as a member of GAREPand attend future sessions contactcanbemadewithHarryon cellphonenumber,6927610

Dead,RahulThakoor

Dead,DanielTribani

Dead,RaymondRose

Dead,ElishaPellew

Dead,AmeishaJaikarran Dead,Daveanand Singh

Dead,DevianeNarine

Moen Gafoor rules the roost among top word formers

Moen Gafoor proved that his consistency over the last three tournaments was no flash in the pan when he once again captured top honors when the nation’s top players engaged in fierce competition in an Open Scrabble Tournament staged at ‘Flava’s,’ Charlotte Street, Georgetown, last Saturday afternoon.

Gafoor amassed a flawless 5 points with a massive positive spread of 814 to relegate James Krakowsky, with 4 points and a positive spread of 656, to the second-place slot. Curtis Liverpoole,

Sharma all amassed 3 points apiece but it was Liverpoole, by dint of a higher positive

spread (383), who closed off the podium spots. Newcomer, Karamchand

Monday August 28, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

A large weight should lift from your shoulders today, Aries. The air has started to clear, and the winds of communication have started blowing again. Listen closely to the buzz in the air.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

People may be abrasive today, Taurus, but you will find after careful assessment that they don't mean any harm. More than likely they aren't fully informed.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Don't criticize the situation until you've come up with a better solution, Gemini. Be creative. You can accomplish much if you approach the situation confidently.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Your thoughts may have a dreamy quality today, Cancer. You will find that things are less stable than they have been for the past few days. Don't get discouraged by pessimistic people.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Your emotions are soaring, Leo, and you should feel free to indulge in your greatest fantasies. Take a break from reality for a while. Let your inner child play.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Reward yourself with two desserts today, Virgo. Take a bubble bath. Share your fantasies with others and express yourself fully. Don't feel like you have to say yes.

Successful conclusion...

From page 25

Mrs. Marcia Lee, who headed the delegation and Roberto Neto whose coaching and unwavering support proved instrumental throughout the tournament.

Special commendation is reserved for FM Anthony Drayton, whose contributions to the players’ training during the event and prior, has been paramount to their preparation and performance.

The Guyana Chess Fed-

eration and the Guyana Team express their gratitude to the Trinidad and Tobago Chess Association (TTCA) and the Chess Confederation of the Americas (CCA) for their exceptional execution of the tournament.

The team was enriched by the camaraderie and warm hospitality of the Trinidadian hosts, and eagerly anticipates future events of this c alibre. (Guyana Chess Federation)

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

The weightiness of the past few days seems to be lifting. You will find a slight breeze building that will help fuel your fire, Libra. By building a solid foundation, you've created a reliable.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Now that you have a solid grip on your situation, unexpected things may come along that change the rules again, Scorpio. It may feel like the chair you just got comfortable.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

Use gadgets and electronic devices to make life easier today, Sagittarius. Why take the time to chop food by hand when you can use the food processor.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The

Be careful of the information that comes your way today, Capricorn. People may make unwarranted claims and false accusations. The day has a dreamy, innovative quality to it that asks you to venture out on a limb.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Maintain an air of detachment, Aquarius. Feel free to delve into your fantasy world and let your emotions carry you to another realm. Today is one of those days when you might come up with a new invention.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You may find that things are much lighter than they were the past couple days, Pisces. This is a good time to let your physical body take a rest.

Marshall, a low-ranking player, received a special prize for his good showing in the competition.

Meanwhile, Gafoor once again featured on the podium when he received the prize for registering the most bingos (12). The organizers congratulated the respective winners and further disclosed that the next tournament will be staged within the next 2 weeks. Competitors are advised to continue practicing to improve their game.

Kampta Ramnarine, and Roy

Moen Gafoor (2nd L) shows off his hardware with (L-R) James Krakowsky, Curtis Liverpoole and Karamchand Marshall; Waveney Johnson assisted with technical duties.

XIV CAC Youth Chess Festival… Successful conclusion showcases Guyana’s Excellence

The XIV CAC Youth Chess Festival ended yesterday with the conclusionofthefinalround in the morning ofAugust 26 and the subsequent closing ceremonies in the evening. This final event marked the culminationofachallenging and exhilarating journey spanning9roundsofchess.

The festival, which commenced onAugust 21st, brought together 231 young players aged 6 to 18 from a diverse range of countries, including the Bahamas, Barbados,CostaRica,Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras,Jamaica,Panama, Saint Lucia, Suriname, and thehostnation,theRepublic ofTrinidadandTobago.

The standout player for Guyana, was the youngest team member, 10-year-old Kataleya Sam She impressively maintained her third-place standing in the Under 10 Female category, securing a conditional Women’s Candidate Master title This remarkable

achievement awaits official confirmation when she achieves an international ratingof1800orhigher

In a captivating display of strategic finesse and tactical acumen, Kyle Couchman emerged victorious against the ultimate Under 14 Open Champion, Kael Samuel Bisnauth, in an intense match for the final game of thetournament.Asthegame progressed, Couchman capitalised on Bisnath’s w e a k n e s s e s a n d consolidatedhisadvantage.

With precise moves and astute piece coordination, Couchman deftly navigated the complexities of the position. His mastery of the endgame phase proved decisive, ultimately leading toawell-earnedvictory

The final position witnessed a resilient effort from both players, but Couchman’s adept handling of the strategic nuances securedhimawell-deserved victory Alexander Zhang showcased his prowess,

securing 4.5 points in the Under 16 Open. He notably outplayed his Round 7 opponent, Luke Balliram from Trinidad and Tobago, boasting an international rating of 1280 Zhang’s strategic finesse was particularly evident in his adepthandlingoftheFrench defence, culminating in an advantageousendgame.

Italy Ton-Chung playing in the Under 16 Female category, demonstrated her resolve, concluding with 4 points Notable victories against rated player Kavita Singh and a draw against Adelia Duffrin, both from Trinidad, showcased TonChung’scompetitivespirit.

12-year-old Nicholas Zhang played well in the Under 12 Category, accumulating 5 points and secured a noteworthy draw againstAaronJaikaran(1268) from Barbados Dominic Sam’sparticipationintheU14 Open Category yielded 3 points, including an impressive draw against Trinidad’s Kyle Maharaj (1169) CielClementscored4 pointsintheUnder14Female competition with one win

against Haiti, 2 against Trinidadandabye

Newcomer Kaija ClementalsointheUnder14 Femaletournamentbenefited from a bye in round 3 and a round 4 win against TrinidadianAngelaHonore

Aniyah Couchman, playing in the Under 18 Femaletournament,struggled against 3 Woman Candidate Masters and a Woman FIDE Master, but still was able to score by defeating Kinberlie Dunat of Haiti (1357) with a beautiful Ruy Lopez opening and a winning end game Ronan Lee and Matthew Singh ended the tournament on35pointseachintheUnder

Kyle Couchman Kataleya Sam

18 category Lee clinched victories against Trinidadian Keagan Ragoobar (1495) and drew with Saqiv Williams (1334) Singh’s game with Ragoobarendedinadraw,but he was able to score against KaielScoon(1071)inround3, alsofromTrinidad

The tournament was expertly organized by the TTCA and CCA, held at the Cascadia Hotel in Port-ofSpain,andreceivedsignificant supportfromtheGovernment oftheRepublicofTrinidadand Tobago through the Ministry of Sport and Community Development Chief Arbiter Ishmael Soto Gonsalves (IA) fromPuertoRicooversawthe

games, assisted by Deputy ChiefArbiters Roderick Noel (FA)andSadiqahRazark The GCF is proud to have fielded theteamforparticipationinthe CAC Youth Chess Festival TheGCFrecognizestheneed for international competition as it allows players to earn international ratings and wintitles President of the Federation, Anand Raghunauth emphasized the profound value of the experience garnered from thisevent,andtheycanonly grow as chess players from theseevents. Heextendedthanksto (Continuedonpage24)

2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League… Powell and Qais star for Royals

(CPL) - The Barbados Royals defeated the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in their 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL)matchatWarnerPark, StKitts.

The Royals won the tossandoptedtofieldfirst and despite seemingly havingthePatriotsinnings under their control, the home side rallied with late order batting to set a mammothtotalof197/7

InreplytheRoyalssaw Rahkeem Cornwall and Kyle Mayers lay the foundation in the PowerPlay before captain Rovman Powell saw his side home with the fastest 50 in the Republic Bank CPLthisseason

His destructive innings saw the Royals complete the second highest run chase in Republic Bank

CPLhistory

The Patriots got their innings off to a lightning start led by Andre Fletcher’s sparkling s t r o k e p l a y , t h e Spiceman’s 360 cricket allowing the Patriots to reach 56 at the end of the PowerPlay but they lost twowicketsintheprocess

Rahkeem Cornwall induced a mis-timed stroke fromEvinLewis,theopener sweepingonlyasfarasKyle Mayers for 8 before Joshua Da Silva was run out for 5 chasingaquicksecondrun.

OutsideofthePowerPlay the Patriots run scoring slowed significantly, Fletcher and Sherfane Rutherford only putting on 39runsfrom34ballsbefore Nyeem Young dismissed Rutherford caught and bowledfor28.

Fletcherfollowedshortly

afterwardshavingjustgotto his50,QaisAhmadtrapping himlbw

That was only the beginning ofAhmad’s work as he cleaned up Jyd Goolie toleavethePatriotsteetering at111/5.

Powerful late order hitting from Corbin Bosch (38) and Dominic Drakes (20) ensured the Patriots ended with momentum on their side, with a stiff target of 198 for theRoyalstochase.

If the Royals were going to chase the total they would need a fast start and they got that and then some with Rahkeem Cornwall smashing 38 from 15ballstogivethereplythe impetusitneeded.

Having reached 74 at the end of the PowerPlay the Royals were well ahead of the game but

Kyle Mayers fell shortly afterthattoopenthedoorfor thePatriots.

T h e P a t r i o t s couldn’t apply further w i c k e t t a k i n g pressure but even so w i t h t h e R o y a l s poised at 150/3 with five overs to go, the match seemed set for a tight finish.

However, captain Rovman Powell saw his side home with a destructive 67 from 29 balls to guide the Royals home with nine balls to spare

M a t c h d e t a i l s : B a r b a d o s R o y a l s

200/4 (Powell 67* , Cornwall 38; Drakes 2/37, Bosch 1/28) beat St Kitts & Nevis Patriots

197/6 (Fletcher 51, Bosch 38*; Ahmad 2/16, Young2/54)by6wickets

Rovman Powell of Barbados Royals hits 6 during the Men’s 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League against Saint Kitts and Nevis Patriots at Warner Park.

(Getty Images)

Guyana’s MMA team triumphs on the Pan Am stage

Guyana’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) scene is flourishing, marked by resounding success both inside and outside the cage. The recent achievement of four bronze medals by Guyanese athletes at the IMMAF Pan American Championships serves as a testament to the remarkable growth of MMA in our nation.

Gavin Singh, President of the Guyana MMA Association, expressed his immense pride in the team’s r e m a r k a b l e f e a t , highlighting the undeniable spirit that propelled them to victory He emphasized the vital importance of continuous improvement and set the bar high with his aspirations for future gold medals. Team Captian Corwin D’Anjou’s unwavering determination anddedicationtohoningthe team’s skills provide the driving force behind their potential for even greater triumphs.

Singh, acknowledging the significance of this achievement, extolled the

invaluable contributions of the coaching staff and technical team Their steadfast support played a pivotal role in this r e m a r k a b l e accomplishment. The local federation is optimistic about the future of MMAin Guyana, confidently asserting that the sport’s landscape is glowing with promise, poised for further evolution.

“Thefourbronzemedals wonbyGuyaneseathletesat the IMMAF Pan American Championships are not merelyindividualaccolades; they represent a collective triumph for Guyana. These extraordinary athletes have notonlybroughtrecognition to our beloved nation but havealsoignitedafervorfor MMA within our borders,”

Singhpassionatelystated.

He continued, “Their unwavering dedication, combined with the exceptional guidance from their coaches, underscores the bright future of

Guyanese MMA With continued perseverance and unwavering commitment,

theseathletesareonapathto achievingtheirultimategoal - clinching gold medals in future competitions This will further solidify Guyana’s prominent presenceontheinternational MMAstage.”

The IMMAF Pan American Championships have undeniably been a milestone in the journey of Guyanese MMA As the sport continues to gain momentum and recognition, we stand united in

…secures four Bronze Medals

celebrating the collective victory of our athletes, coaches, and the entire MMA community in Guyana.

Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation is the governingbodyforMMAin

Guyana, dedicated to promoting the sport and nurturing local talent for international success We worktirelesslytosupportthe growth of MMA and its athletes, both on and off the cage.

BCB launches Zamal Hussain Trust Fund for Youth Cricketers

Th e B e r b i c e

Cricket Board is w i d e l y consideredasthemostactive and progressive cricket boardintheCaribbeanwitha long list of activities and achievements

Under the presidency of Hilbert Foster, they have hosted hundreds of developmental projects and programmes in an ongoing effort to lift the standard of the game, especially amongsttheyouth

OnSundaylast,theBCB l a u n c h e d a n o t h e r programme that will benefit youthsacrossRegions5and 6. Foster and Region 6 Vice Chairman Zamal Hussain met in a special meeting after the presentation c e r e m o n y o f t h e

BCB/Minister Zulifar

Mustapha Under 15 final at the Port Mourant CricketGround

After the short meeting, an agreement was reached

for the establishment of the Zamal Hussain Berbice Cricket Trust Fund. Under the fund, the Vice Chairman will raise $1M towards assisting twentyfour (24) youths in the county with much-needed cricket gear Each of the players will receive a pair of batting pads, batting gloves and a bat Foster announced that the player would be selected from all five zones in the county – West Berbice, New Amsterdam/Canje, B e r b i c e R i v e r , Lower/Central Corentyne and Upper Corentyne

The BCB President stated that the players would be selected by a special committee headed by J u n i o r S e l e c t i o n

C h a i r m a n B a l r a m Samaroo They would be selected based on potential, talent, personal d i s c i p l i n e a n d commitmenttothegame

Fosterexpressedthanks to Mr Hussain for his support of the game He noted that the main o b j e c t i v e o f t h e

BCB/Zamal Hussain Trust Fundwouldbetoassistless fortunate but promising players to fulfill his/her talents on the cricket field

The BCB over the last 6 years has produced eleven (11) players for the West Indies at all levels and the objectivenowistoproduce another ten in the next five years2024to2028

Amongtheplayersthat have played for the West Indies for the period

2018 to 2023 are Romario Shepherd, Isai

Thorne, Rampertab

Ramnauth, Gudakesh

Motie, Kevin Sinclair, Kelvin Anderson, Shakabi

G a j n a b i , S h e n e t a Grimmond and Ashmini

Munisan Foster also disclosed that the BCB would soon be hosting another edition of the S h i m r a n / N i r v a n i e Hetmyer Trust Fund which would be another boost for clubsinthecounty Hussain, who is a popular politician in the county stated that he was very impressed with the administration of the BCB

under the leadership of HilbertFoster

The Regional Vice Chairman stated that the workoftheBCBPresident was simply outstanding and that every single day, h e r e a d o r s a w developments in Berbice Cricket in the newspaper orTelevisionnews Berbice Cricket, he stated, is in safe hands and he was therefore pleased to play a part in making sure that the legacy of Rohan Kanhai and Basil Butcher continues in the future Hussain also spoke on the government’s effort to improve over one hundred sports grounds in Region 6 He pledged his support in any way possible in the future and urged the administration of the BCB t o c o n t i n u e t h e i r outstanding work (This is a release from the Berbice CricketBoard)

Guyana’s MMA team (L-R): Captian/Coach Corwin D’Anjou, Christopher James, Anevia Frank, Sheneze Bobb, Ijaze Cave and Coach Troy Bobb

BCB President Hilbert Foster (L) and Region 6 Vice Chairman, Zamal Hussain, launched the venture.

2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League… Hetmyer and Shepherd keep Warriors undefeated

(CPL) - The Guyana

Amazon Warriors continued their unbeaten start to the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL)witha34runwinover the Jamaica Tallawahs at WarnerPark.

Despite a tricky start with the bat the Amazon Warriorspostedanimposing totalof210/7withfiftiesfor Shimron Hetmyer and KeemoPaul.

In reply the Tallawahs top order succumbed to the bowling of Romario Shepherd with five wickets falling inside the first seven overs.

A brilliant partnership between Imad Wasim and Fabian Allen saw the Tallawahsrecoverfrom36/5 to 133/6 but the damage caused by those early wickets could not be repaired.

The Jamaica Tallawahs started brilliantly with the ball, claiming two wickets insidethefirstover Thefirst man to go was Hazratullah Zazai who made a two-ball duckonhisCPLdebutwhen he cut a ball from Chris Green to Imad Wasim at point.

WhenSaimAyubedged a ball from Mohammad Amirthroughtothekeeper the score was 7/2 and the Amazon Warriors were in danger of losing the game

insidethePowerPlay

Azam Khan hit a huge six but was dismissed for just 7 when he was brilliantly caught by Salman Irshad who claimed a diving effort on

the third boundary, but from there it was all about the Warriorsbatting.

Shai Hope made an attractive 25 and shared a 50-run stand with Shimron Hetmyer, but the fireworks really started with Keemo Paul walked to the crease. HetmyerandPaulputon99run stand from just 47 balls with both men passing fifty Paul was dismissed for a

career best 57 while Hetmyer made a blistering 60. It was left to Romario Shepherd and Dwaine Pretorius to take the Warriors past 200 as they setatargetof211 Itwasalwaysgoingtobe a stiff chase but when RomarioShepherdbowleda double wicket maiden it madethingsveryhardforthe

RepublicBankGCBU23Super50tournament….

Tallawahs. Shepherd would goontofinishwithfiguresof 3/7fromhisthreeovers.

ThestandbetweenAllen and Imad was full of attacking shots but with the required rate getting unmanageble there was too much left for them to do. When Imad was dismissed for 63 by Imran Tahir the required rate was up to 20 runsanover

Allenfellfor47andwith him any slim hopes of a Tallawahs win departed as the Jamaican side finished on176allout.

Match details: Guyana Amazon Warriors 210/7 (Hetmyer 60, Paul 57;Amir 3/33, Green 2/28) beat Jamaica Tallawahs 176 all out (Imad Wasim 63, Allen 47; Shepherd 3/7, J Sinclair 2/17)by34runs

crowed Champions of Essequibo leg

Ea s t B a n k Essequibo were rattledoutforjust 66 runs S.Viera (18) andA. Mohammed (16) were the only players to get out the blocks.

The North Essequibo bowlers operated as a unit, with the skipper Lance Roberts, Sheldon Charles, S Mohammed and N Gill each picking up2wicketsinagoodeffort.

Opener Rajendra Ramballi then eased himself to 34 not out with 4 boundaries as N o r t h E s s e q u i b o cruised to 68-3 in 18 2 overs

In-form spinner Aryan Persaud grabbed 2 wickets for East Bank Essequibo, who’s bowlers failed to defend the already low total

Skipper Lance Roberts accepts the trophy from Essequibo Cricket Board Vice-President Elroy Stephany

Rajendra Ramballi accepts his MVP award from GCB Operations Manager Anthony D’Andarde

Keemo Paul (L) and Shimron Hetymer both contributed half centuries in the match against the Jamaica Tallawahs. (Getty Images)

Junior Sinclair (L) celebrates the wicket of Kirk Mackenzie with Keemo Paul. (Getty Images)

Guyana’s contingent that participated at the CAC Chess Festival

Romario Shepherd was adjudged Man-of-match. (Getty Images)