Kaieteur News

Govt. releases unsigned contract for sale of country’s crude

The Government of Guyana on Friday released an unsigned contract for the saleofGuyana’soil.

The release of the contract follows mounting pressure from stakeholders to see the terms and conditions under which BP International Limited, a subsidiary of British Petroleum, will sell the country’soil.

The Government announcedinNovemberthat the British Company was awardedaone-yearcontract tosellGuyana’soil.

However,aperusalofthe contract published on the Ministry of Natural Resources website shows thatnosignatureshavebeen affixed.

Stakeholders began questioningthedealafterthe Ministry of Natural Resources announced via a statement that no marketing feesarebeingchargedbythe Contractor The Ministry failed to state the benefits that the British Contractor wouldderivefromthesaleof thecountry’scrude.

According to the unsigned document, the remuneration of the Service Provider pursuant to Clause 6, which states that the Service Provider’s remuneration shall not exceed the Contract Price and shall be a fixed lumpsum including all Subcontractors’ costs, and all other costs incurred by the ServiceProviderincarrying outtheServicesdescribedin the Special Conditions of Contract (SCC), shall

constitute the Service P r o v i d e r ’ s s o l e remuneration in the performanceofthisContract ortheServices.

The unsigned document states that the Service Provider “shall not accept for their own benefit any trade commission, discount, or similar payment in connection with activities pursuant to the performance

of this Contract or to the Services or in the discharge oftheirobligationsunderthe Contract, and the Service Provider shall use their best efforts to ensure that the Service Provider’s Personnel, any Subcontractor, and agents of eitherofthemsimilarlyshall not receive any such additionalremuneration.”

Further, the document

KaieteurNewsapologizesforphoto mix-upindrunkdrivers’case

K a i e t e u r N e w s apologizes to Chhaviraj Naidoo of Montrose, East Coast Demerara (ECD) for publishing his photo in December 9, 2022 article headlined ‘Drunk driver jailedthreemonths,fined’.

The article stated that a Berbice man identified as Errol Williams, 51, was sentencedtothreemonthsin prisonandfined$60,000for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) along the East Coast Demerara (ECD) Corridor

K a i e t e u r N e w s inadvertently published the article with Naidoo’s image. Naidoo, 26, was charged for drunk driving on December 7,2022.

Both Williams and

Naidoo had appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court on December 7, 2022 to answer to DUI charges. However, Williams pleaded guilty and was jailed while Naidoo pleaded not guilty

andwasreleasedon$40,000 bail.

Naidoo is scheduled to returntocourtonJanuary20, 2023.

K a i e t e u r N e w s apologizesforthemix-up.

posted on the Ministry’s website states that “neither the Service Provider nor its Sub-contractors nor the Personnel shall engage, either directly or indirectly, in any business or professional activity, that would conflict with the activities assigned to them underthisContract.”

“The Service Provider has an obligation and shall ensure that its Service Provider’s Personnel and Sub-contractors shall have anobligationtodiscloseany

situation of actual or potential conflict that impacts their capacity to serve the best interest of the Client, or that may reasonably be perceived as havingthiseffect.Failureto disclose said situations may leadtothedisqualificationof the Consultant or the termination of its Contract,” thedocumentsays.

On Saturday, Patterson in an invited comment told Kaieteur News that something was amiss with themissingsignaturesonthe contract.

“I don’t see why you would release an unsigned contract Obviously the signed contract could differ from the unsigned contract. Every contract that the Coalition released was the signed version that was lodged in the Deeds Registry,”hepointedout.

The former Minister of Public Infrastructure is adamant that an unsigned contract is equivalent to not releasing a contract. Efforts to contact subject Minister, VickramBharratwerefutile.

F o l l o w i n g t h e announcement of the contract, the Alliance For Change (AFC), the third largest political group in the country demanded that the contract be released so that

Guyanesecandeterminethe benefits of the deal to the contractorforthemselves.

Shadow Minister of Natural Resources, David Patterson had explained, “The normal procedure for suchmarketingservices,the company would normally either charge a commission on every barrel that is sold. Soyouwouldhaveseenbids there where persons were saying four US cents, one US cent per barrel and obviously when they sell it theycollectthatcommission andthenremittheresttothe governmentorasinBP’sbid they would submit it but it would be charging a fixed base fee…those are the two knownmethods.”

The former Minister of Public Infrastructure was keen to note that this could meantheshipmentprice

Jailed for drunk driving, Errol Williams

BAILED: Chhaviraj Naidoo

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

The unsigned BP Contract released by Government

BHARRAT JAGDEO’S PRESS CONFERENCE

It would have been better if Vice President Bharat Jagdeo maintained silence, stayed hidden, and not

go through the motions of holding a Press Conference. Whykeepone,ifthereisgoingtobenotalking onoil,whichhemadeabsolutelyclearonFridayafternoon? WhatistheuseofkeepinganyPressConference,whenthe richestgift,thebiggestasset,tocometoGuyanaisblocked frombeingpartoftheexchanges,sothatGuyanesecouldget insightsonwhatisgoingwiththeiroilwealth?

It is an ongoing struggle for us when we observe powerful leaders reduced to helpless, pitiful figures when ouroilisthetopicthathastobefrontandcenter Theysay thattheyaredealingwithcitizensinastraightmanner Yet theydoeverythingtoduckandevadeprobingquestions,so that we learn more, and understand much more, than what weknowwiththiswealth.

TheCoalitionGovernmentfailedallofuswiththe2016 oilcontractthatitsigned,whichleftmostGuyanesewhere theyhavealwaysbeen,viz.,inastateofpovertyandneed. It was about silence and secrecy to our grave financial detriment,anditnowbeyonddoubtthatthereturningPPP/C Government, with Jagdeo leading the way, continues the same practices, but at a more cunning level, a sickeningly disturbingdepth.

We all know how much the PPP, when it was in Opposition, and in the early months of its return to the corridors of power, cursed and denounced that 2016 oil contractexecutedbytheCoalitionAPNU+AFConbehalfof theGuyanesepeople.

NowitisthesamePPP/C,thistimeinGovernment,and with all the power in its hands doing nothing, other than giving ExxonMobil still freer rein to continues its rampant robberiesofGuyana’streasure.

Inhisthree-hourPressConference,Jagdeocleverlyused up most of that time talking about race and carbon credits, among other issues, but on oil he had little to say. When Bharat Jagdeo doesn’t want to talk about oil, then ExxonMobilisempoweredsomemoretofillourheadswith whatisbeneficialtoitsinterests.

When Jagdeo and the PPP/C Government give ExxonMobil unconditional leeway to do what is to its advantage,theAmericancompanyhasbeenalltoopleased toseizetheopeningandmisleadGuyaneseonhowmuchthe company is the best friend, a most generous of partners, to Guyanese. When Jagdeo digs in his heels, seals his lips, fromtalkingaboutwheremattersstandwithoutoil,thenitis as good as if he has given ExxonMobil the clearance to speakforthePPP/CGovernment,tobehischiefspokesman totheGuyanesepeople.

ExxonMobil,foritspart,thenmovestofilltheheadsof the Guyanese people with its bilge about its hundreds of billionsfromouroildepositedinGuyana’scoffers,andhow it has dealt with Guyanese cleanly and honestly When Jagdeodecideshehasnothingtosayaboutthenation’soil, he surrenders that responsibility to ExxonMobil, and its schemers, its public relations people, such as Alistair RoutledgeandDarrenWoodstomakefoolsoutofus.

It is obvious that Bharat Jagdeo has made up his mind thatwhateverhefeelsliketellingGuyaneseabouttheiroil, thenthatisallthattheyaregoingtoget.

Whateverheholdsbackandkeepstohimself,Guyanese willhavetolearntodealwithwhateverhegivestothem.

This is the time when Jagdeo should be dedicating himself, his energies and his mind, to delivering the most informationabouteverydevelopmentinouroilsector Yet, it is now that Jagdeo decides that he will do as he pleases, andalsoallowExxonMobiltodoasitpleases.

We have 10 times more oil than when the contract was signed. ButthatdoesnotmattertoJagdeo,socommittedhe istoaidingandabettinghowExxonMobilrobsthiscountry ExxonMobil does not want Guyanese to get the fullest understandingofwhatisgoingwiththeiroil,andJagdeois allforthat,partoftheconcoctionsthatdressupgarbageas gold.

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Speedboat Operators are ruthless, public always hurt

DEAREDITOR, private cars, traffic built up informing passengers by theeastendandhadtoagain Mass chaos, confusion on the west end side of the way of a notice upfront? It facethemusictogettotheir and consternation bridge,runningforovertwo just goes to show how final destination. Those bus confronted passengers on miles, despite the double mercilesstheseguysareand driverswhodecidedtogoall Friday 9th December, 2022, lane crossing in effect all they think about is their the way to Georgetown, astheyattemptedtochannel Workers, school children, welfare, making money and many of them increased the theirwayfromtheVreed-en- vendors and those remain unconcerned about fare. Hoop stelling to Stabroek conducting business one the poor passengers who Acloser look at many of and vice versa This way or the other, were left were left stranded for hours these water taxis would inconvenience occurred as a outinthecoldandrainatthe and have to battle their way reveal how untidy, unkempt result of the owners and mercyofsympathizers. on this part of their journey and uncomfortable they are. operators of the water taxis How can these ruthless Thousands had to suffer the There are dirty lifebuoys, goingonstrikeunannounced water taxis operators be so agony of running late, damaged ones and some not forafewdollarsmore. callous, carefree and getting soaked in the rain, in working condition As passengers piled up connivingtocallastrikeona havingtobesquishedasthey Operatorsareaccustomedto waving, running and crucial day like Friday, fought for a place and space mooring their boats and shouting frantically to the especially when it was in some vehicle, and many hittingotherboatsalongside minibus drivers, cabs and raining and above all, not weredumpedatthebridgeat (Continuedonpage5)

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

Only well-developed areas under PPP Government are Pradoville 1 & 2

DEAREDITOR, class.” Over the years, to be nationin1976,”wereindeed thousand (8000) squatters, calling them “house lots” It is time for the

On the morning of exact, twenty-three (23) to make the “small man the onrecord,fromthePPP/Cin without the basic amenities. CHPA/PPPC regime to lay Monday December 5, 2022, years, pre-May 2015, the realman.”Manyinstitutions May 2015 President Inmanyinstancesmortgages before the National residents in the squatting Authority strayed from its suchasthemortgagefinance Granger’s vision was for were acquired and houses Assembly, a green or white area of Success, E.C.D, and lawful mandate and the bank, cooperative bank, communities to be built, to built but the infrastructure paper focusing on its theentireGuyanawentintoa PPP/Cgovernmentprovided agriculture bank, to name a “provide a roof over each wasbuiltlongafterresidents mandate, providing housing stateofshockandsadnesson housing opportunities for fewwereestablishedbythis head,” not to allocate house moved in Editor, I fortheworkingclass. learningthatayoungcouple middle- and high-income great visionary leader, to lots in pastures without encourage you to visit Low-income Guyanese was electrocuted Their earners. Huge swathes of helpthepoorandpowerless. infrastructure and access to housing schemes such as La deservenothinglessthanthe eleven-year-old daughter is land were sold to “friendly Many of these institutions socialamenities. ParfaiteHarmonie,Tuschen, bestfromourresources.Itis now an orphan. I would like developers” for the became non-functional Yes, we had started the Providencetoseethestateof their fundamental and toproffermycommiseration construction of houses for during the unconscionable process of addressing the their infrastructure, which Constitutional Rights, to be to the daughter, bereaved those who could afford and unscrupulous PPP/C perennial problem of has led to poor occupancy properlyhoused. relativesandfriends. mortgages. government’s tenure during “squatting” and the shanty rates and endless stress for As I conclude Editor, I Our people ought not to The poor and working 1992–2015. town appearance of many homeowners. The Coalition am recommending that the be living under such class, whose earnings The PNC Government’s geographic spaces inheritedtheseproblemsand PPP/C regime, collaborate conditions. Because of the excluded them from the policy on housing was Consultations were held sought to provide some withtheMinistryofFinance failed system in the opportunity to obtain encouraged through “self- with representatives from measureofrelief. to establish a plan which allocation of lands, many mortgages, were ignored help”andrent-to-own. IADB, Habitat for Theonlywell-developed facilitates CHPA building people have resorted to The Sugar Welfare Fund, That is how many Humanity, banking housingareasunderthePPP rent-to-own low-income “squatting”, their only however,madeprovisionfor housing schemes, such as institutions and credit arePradoville1and2,These houses, single and duplex, affordable option. Meeting sugar workers and provided East,West, North and South unions, regarding funding were developed with funds and or enter into mortgage the housing needs for the housing, with infrastructure, Ruimveldt, Laing Avenue, for affordable housing for fromournationalcoffersfor agreements which allow poor should be a priority of for them in Enterprise, Tucville, Shirley Field- workingclasscitizens,many thebenefitoftheelite.They persons to pay CHPA a anycaringGovernment. E.C.Dandelsewhere. Ridley Square, Roxanne of whom were in the CHPA have excellent roads, monthlymortgage,withouta Editor, the Central Credit must be given to Burnham, Castello, West La database since 1992. I also drainage, water supply and downpayment. Housing and Planning Guyana’s first President of Penitence, North East La recalltheBoardofDirectors are well maintained while Then and only then will Authority (CHPA) was the Cooperative Republic of Penitence, Guyhoc, Lamaha andseniorstaffersofCHPA, thepoorareforcedtoendure communities be developed established in 1948, with a Guyana, the late L F S Park, Campbellville under the Coalition unsafe and insanitary living for safe and decent housing clear mandate to provide Burnham, whose policy on Housing Scheme, Tucber, Government, discussing conditions. forlow-incomepersons. housing for the “working “feed, clothe and house the New Amsterdam, Wismar, several options towards Now that the PPP/C Letthemusesomeofour Linden to name a few, were affordablehousing. regime is back in office, the oil resources to provide developed and populated Options such as “sweat work of CHPAis once more housing for the poor All these housing schemes equity, rent to own,” CHPA in disarray I say that to say GUYANESE. were well outfitted with the building concrete duplexes Editor,ratherthanseekingto Yourssincerely, basic infrastructure that any andlowincomeelevatedone build communities with AnnetteFerguson,MP community would need flat 2-bedroom buildings, infrastructureinplaceCHPA They remain a legacy of and allowing persons to pay is once again making lands L.F.S Burnham, which the a monthly mortgage to available for developers PPP/C Government can CHPA, to name a few, were catering to the middle and neverandwillneverbeable beingactivelyconsidered. high-incomeearners. to match The Coalition

Speedboat Operators are...

Frompage4 havetofacetheheatandbeat while causing passengers to thereceivingendoftheshaft fall or being thrown off topaytheheftypenalty?Itis balance and having to past time the relevant scramble or clutch on one authorities pay a closer look another in order to prevent at the operation of the water further accident. Operators taxis and stop taking for do not secure their boats grantedthatalliswell. firmly When passengers are Yoursrespectfully, embarking or disembarking, JaiLall the boats would sway and move away from the steps endangering passengers as theytrytoeithergetonoroff. Someoftheoperatorsloveto blastthemusicsoloudthata descent conversation with anyone or on the phone becomes impossible. Why are they allowed to charge doublefaresattimes?

Howoftenaretheseboats checked by the authorities forsafetyapproval?Wehave seen so many accidents occurring, many of them leading to deaths. Are these boatsequippedwithanysort of radio signals in event of a n y u n f o r e s e e n circumstances?

What happens if both engines ‘konk’ out? Is there any watchtower with telescope or binoculars monitoring the movements of these boats? The PPP/C Government reduced the prices for gas. Yet, no road taxis or water taxis reduced their fares. Now passengers are asked to pay more instead. Why it is that it is always the consumers who

Pre-May 2015, the Thereisnopolicyorplan Government inherited PPP/C’s housing Policy was for low-income earners who approximately eight allocating ‘bush lots’ and donotqualityformortgages.

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

Janette Bulkan should stay of Amerindian matters

DEAREDITOR, mismanagementandcorrupt Bulkan to question the I read with disgust the practices within the forest Amerindians of Guyana, recent article penned by the sector as several large whilesheresidesinhercozy migrated Janette Bulkan concessions were given to abode overseas? Her published in the December affiliatesandmembersofthe intentionsaretodiscreditthe 08editionofStabroekNews APNU/AFC. Editor, this is global recognition of re: ‘NTC must explain legal the real legacy of Janette Guyana’s Low Carbon basisoftheirendorsementof Bulkan. But now she is Development Strategy and Government’smovetomake seekingtocontinueherreign its effective sale of carbon. decisions over Indigenous ofmisinformationandruins. Something Bulkan and her titled lands’. Once again, She is no less than the now failed opposition Bulkan who has been ‘prophet of doom’. But let’s affiliates failed to execute. residing permanently examine her contentions The LCDS and the forest overseas is attempting to The National Toshao sector have withstood dictate the governance of Council comprises a countless attacks from Guyana’s forest resources. complete representation of Janette Bulkan and this She even failed as part of allAmerindianvillagestitled instantisnodifferent. GFC Board of Directors and untitled and neither Therefore, as a private where she attended all Janette Bulkan nor anyone citizenofmixedAmerindian meetings virtually from her else should dictate what the descendants and related to comfort living abroad Amerindians of Guyana scores of Amerindian During her tenure on the choose to support or not. families who are still living Board, large Investors such Additionally, several non- in the hinterland, I asBaramaandBaiShanLin governmental and other respectfully ask Janette wereforcedoutofthesector Amerindianrights advocacy Bulkan to stay out of which collectively affected organizations supported the Amerindian people’s over 1,000 workers. This position of the NTC in a business.Wearecapableand also resulted in a decline in holistic and unanimous competent to effectively productionby100,000cubic decision to sell carbon make decisions in our best metreandclosetoUS$10M c r e d i t s F u r t h e r , interest, including how we loss in export earnings.This Amerindians have the right benefit from the sale of isjustthetipoftheicebergof to choose what they should carbon. J a n e t t e B u l k a n ’s and should not do with their

Sincerely, contribution to the titled lands. Who is Janette CarlosDeBarros

A STAR IS BORN

DEAREDITOR, and,asIlistenedtohim,Ifelt Everyone did. In doing so, I recently had the myself getting smaller…and President Ali was, in effect, pleasure of watching the smaller…and smaller What publicly saluting Eon Singh, ‘One Guyana’ Christmas are my problems and who he brought to the event concertonFacebook. Allthe complaintsreally? I-weall- and gave the spotlight to. items presented were should have an attitude of WhataperformancebyEon! enjoyable and uplifting but gratitude. We should count WhataPresident! can anyone deny that Eon ourblessings. Allow me to wish all my Singh’s rendition of ‘Mercy As Eon was nearing the Guyanesebrotherandsisters walked in’stole the show? I end of his performance, I all the very best for the watched and was deeply said to my wife, “I think Christmas season. Enjoy moved as this severely Irfaan will stand up.” Sure your Christmas shopping challenged individual from enough, President Ali stood too. Essequibo sang soulfully up and gave Eon a well- Yoursfaithfully, fromtheheart.Eonstoodtall deserved standing ovation. SieyfShahabuddeen

Malcolm Rodriques was a tireless worker for social justice

DEAREDITOR, of Bishop Singh and his casualty of the Burnham According to those who predecessorFrGuilly? dictatorship.Itisatthislevel were his associates, Fr Withtheformationofthe that his exposure in Oxford Malcolm Rodrigues was a l o o s e l y k n i t to the higher levels of complex, dedicated, and IPRA/ASCRIA/USA/WPV messaging symbolised by humble capitano in the P grouping, Malcolm Kristos, Euclides and history of colonial/post- Rodrigues emerged as a Einstein, qualified colonialteachingoftheHoly morevisiblefootsoldatofor categorised him as a GospelandJesus. thepoorandpowerless. capitano for the poor and

In fact, his humility At that period when the down pressed.Guyanese can developed on the periphery anti-dictatorship struggle gatheragreatinsightintothe of South Georgetown was beginning to assume a WalterRodneyprospectusof ghettos, may well have popular movement, materialist history just by served as a masque for class Malcolm Rodrigues was recognising Fr Rodrigues and eco political, polarised, certainly convinced that and the paths he chose from ethnicturbulence. localized community based his preadult years at St.

I first encountered his groundings were the best Stanislaus College.In terms compassion in the early option to forge bonds of regional (Caricom) 1970s when Brother Joshua between University radicals integration, it is fair to say Ramsammy was gunned and sections of the working that Brother Malcolm had down near the then Cornhill people situated in a fragile few counterparts of his Street Co-op Bank multi-racialparadigm, vision. And this most likely Apparently,hisperceptionof But his activism was not was due to the differentia in Liberation Theology was an limited, or even determined socio-political impacts of assetguidedbyanawareness byacademiclinkages. Eastern Caribbean mass of the kind of top-down He sought to provide politicalmovementsafterthe authority of establishment spiritual solidarity if not collapse of the West Indian religionspersonagesthelike solacetoeveryvictim,every Federation that fueled ‘small’ island parochialism atgivenphases.

Indeed, much of the contributorstotheWPADay cleanwerequicktoperceive the deeper significance of inter Caribbean networking under the challenging c i r c u m s t a n c e s o f

Georgetown/Chaguaramas complementarity Fr Rodrigues always respected the popular masses and the workingpeople.

W h e n e v e r d u l y summoned for him to perform Walter Rodney memorialsandanniversaries there was always that dispassionate tribute articulated to register truth, to highlight Good over Evil and express praise to the examples set by the teachingsoftheAlmighty GonebutnoForgotten.

Sincerely, EddiRodney

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

Jagdeo held a three-hour Press Conference on Friday.

Jagdeo could barely find three minutes to talk about oil.

Jagdeo twists himself into knots to avoid talking about oil.

Jagdeo bends over backwards to dodge questions about oil.

Jagdeo -is he bowing down before Exxon?

Obviously, Jagdeo is not representing Guyanese.

Jagdeo is all for Exxon, and Exxon is all for Jagdeo.

Exxon gears for more pay increases as company makes highest profits ever

Guyana gets nothing

Despite being among the top a s s e t s i n

ExxonMobil Corporation's portfolio, Guyana will receive no increase in revenue following massive profits earned by oil companies for this year alone.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during a Press Conference held on Friday r e i t e r a t e d t h a t a l l arrangements under the unfavourable provisions within the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between Guyana and the Stabroek Block partners, that there will be no renegotiation ofthe2016oilcontract.

The Guyana Government has refused to bargain for a cut of the windfall cash

ExxonMobil and partners have garnered from increased commodity price, even as it refuses to put specific safeguards in place to capture more cash in the localindustry

T h e G o v e r n m e n t maintains this position even as the US oil giant, along with its partners declare record breaking profits that are allowing for employee pay increases, stock buybacks, increased cash flow and increased returns f o r s h a r e h o l d e r s

ExxonMobil Corporation announced their second and third quarter earnings for this yearamountingtothetuneof US$17.9 billion and US$19.7billionrespectively

Bloomberg said in an exclusive report that Exxon

is gearing to award its US employees “above-inflation payincreasesjustweeksafter the Texas oil giant posted its highest quarterly profit, underlining how strong 2022 has been for the fossil-fuel industry…” The American news agency said that workers will receive an average salary bump of 9 percent, and those who got

promoted will see a further 5 percentincrease.

It was related that “in aggregate, it's Exxon's biggest salary award in 15 years.” A spokeswoman for the company said to Bloomberg that the company is also set to give restricted stock options to 14,000 employees globally, which is more than a fifth of its total workforceandupfrom5,000 workerslastyear

Itwasnotedhoweverthat the pay awards mark a turning point following three tough years for rank-and-file oil and gas workers as Exxon froze salaries and carried out its first mass layoff in decades. The company was said to have experienced a level of employee attrition abovethehistoricalnormand last year, it gave workers below-inflation pay increases,onaverage.

“But surging oil and gas prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, combined with aggressive cost-cutting by Chief

Executive Officer Darren Woods, have turned Exxon's fortunes around. Profits in the second and third quarters were the highest in the company's152-yearhistory,” Bloomberg related. Pay at Exxon is highly dependent on where an employee lies within the company's performance evaluation system, with some top performers who got promoted receiving raises of between 15 percent and 25 percent”, company affiliates highlighted.

Earlier this week, Exxon disclosed that it also rewarded its top executives with a 10 percent salary boost.USemployeesalsogot one-time cash payment worth three percent of their annualcompensationinJune.

Even after a recent drop in crude prices, Bloomberg said Exxon's stock is still up almost70percent.

It noted too that Exxon has recently been able to reenter the top 10 biggest companies on the S&P 500 Index.

Bloomberg noted that with a darkening economic outlook, it's unlikely that all employees across the economy will be able to command inflationmatching wage increases next year But oil workers appear to be among the winners as average hourly earnings in oil and gas e x t r a c t i o n f o r

nonsupervisory workers wereupmorethan13percent in October from a year ago to almostUS$42.

President Irfaan Ali last month announced an eight percent across the board retroactive increase for Public Servants and adjustments to the salaries of otherstateworkers.

He said that those to receive the increase include the Disciplined Services, Teachers, Constitutional Office Holders among others. The President had said that his Government continues to value the hard work of Government employees , but the respective Workers' Unions have described the Public Servant salaries as 'disrespectful', 'arbitrary' and 'minuscule'.

The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) said in a Press Release that the announcement was done in conflict with Constitution and Laws of Guyana, International Labour Organisation's core Conventions and the Declaration of Fundamental Rights and Principles of Workers and the legally binding Collective Labour Agreements between the Guyana Public Service Union and the Government ofGuyana.

The Union's President, PatrickYardesaidthatthe

COVID-19 cases on the rise as17 new cases recorded

Seventeen new COVID19 cases have been recorded within the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health has reported. In a press release on Saturday, the Ministry of Health said that the 17 new casesbringsthetotalnumber of confirmed cases in Guyanato71,745.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e Ministry's dashboard shows that there were no new additions to the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while five persons are in institutional isolation, and 214 persons are in home isolation.

To date, 70, 241 persons have recovered from the virus.

…despite being a major asset,

Guyanese want services but do not wish to pay for them

I do not know whether it Government increase service, the public is went on strike demanding a fares. But they know that if is true that one commercial water rates of electricity outraged.

$20 increase in fares for the they do so, their customers (The views expressed in bankinGuyanachargesafee tariffs, there will be a big It is a chicken and egg rivercrossing. will not be pleased, so what this article are those of the for encashing a cheque hue and cry The majority situation.IftheGovernment But what we have is a they are hoping to do is to author and do not issued by them to a non- ofconsumersdonopaythe increases rate and taxes, it situation in which private gain Government approval necessarily reflect the account holder But I do not economic cost for water losessupport.Andifbecause sector operators want for the very hike which they opinions and beliefs of this see why anyone would and electricity But should of the failure to increases increase in fares. They may wish to impose. Rational n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s complain about the bank the Government not these rates and taxes, the have a right to increase the RequestorNot? affiliates.) doingso. subsidize the provision of Government cannot provide

As someone said in a theseservicestherewillbe certain services, they also blog, banks are service unrestandprotests. losesupport. providers. They have The public is fond of At present, the local overheads and other bemoaning the garbage in authorities are handicapped expenses and why should the city. But find out what because they lack the they therefore not charge a ratesandtaxestheaverage resources to undertake the feetosomeonewhoisnotan homeownerpaysandthese works which they are accountholderwiththem. arenotsufficienttoprovide required to undertake. They

Ifthiscountryisgoingto even sanitation services, have become reliant on modernize, things have to muchlessfordrainageand Governmentsubventionsbut change and change rapidly road repairs and the other this cannot go far enough. This mentality about people municipal services that are But if these local authorities not wanting or complaining provided Successive were allowed to charge about having to pay for Governments of Guyana realisticratesandtaxes,they serviceswillgetusnowhere. are of the view that asking wouldnothavetodependon

Therearenofreelunches citizenstopayaneconomic government’s subventions underaneo-liberaleconomy rate for municipal services and they would be in a Everything has a cost will make them highly position to provide a better attached to it and people unpopular But this is a service to citizens But have to begin to appreciate self-defeating position paradoxically, the very that they have to pay for the because it is failure to citizens who want better services that are provided to charge economic rents services do not want to pay them. which results in the poor fortheseservices.Guyanese

We live in a country qualityofservicesbylocal want to live like Capitalists where many persons are authorities. And it is poor but want the Government to reluctant to pay the quality and absent of behave like Socialists and economic cost of services. services that make people subsidize the costs of Yet, public servants demand dislike governments. On services.Atpresentthereisa higher wages claiming that the other hand, when thought-provoking situation thecostoflivingishigh,and Governments move thattookplacerecently Itis businesses demand payment towards increasing fees, absolutely absurd fortheservicestheyprovide. charges and taxes to cover Speedboat Operators plying B u t s h o u l d t h e the economic cost of a the Vreed-en-Hoop route

Exxongearsformorepayincreases...

Frompage8

contended that Guyana (LNG) projects around the Government is blatantly couldpayitsworkersmore, world. discriminating against the especially if it sought to For Guyana, the workersandtotallyignoring garner more revenue from Americanoilgiantwillhave the astronomical increase in itsoildealwithExxonand at least five major costoflivingandinadequate partners. projects—Liza Phase One, earnings.

Industry experts and Liza Phase Two, Payara, Yarde has stated that the international officials have Yellowtail and Uaru on Government can afford to urgedcountriesgloballyto streamby2027. give a decent pay increase initiate windfall taxes Itsaidsome90percentof but instead prefers to give against oil companies' its Upstream investments handouts. “obscene”profits. that bring on new oil and

The GPSU has filed Guyana has also been flowing gas production are court proceedings against advised to plug loopholes expected to have profits theGovernmenttoadhereto in its lopsided contract to greater than 10 percent at collectivebargaining. earn more revenue for the prices less than or equal to

Guyana Teachers' Union country, but the Ali- US$35perbarrel. (GTU),PresidentMarkLyte, administration has insisted

Exxon's sanctioned also questioned the on keeping the same projects in Guyana carry a Government's rationale for drainingarrangement. US$25-US$35 breakeven the pay 8 percent increase, E x x o n M o b i l price range, allowing the “When the inflation rate in announced Thursday that companies to rake in the country is over 50 its investments next year handsomely with higher oil percent.” will be in the range of prices.

He accused the Ali-led US$23BtoUS$25B.

Apart from the two Administration of showing The company said percentroyaltyandthe50/50 “its disregard for the rule of more than 70% of its split following the 75 law by again ignoring the budget will be deployed in percentexpenserecoveryby constitutional right of strategic developments in Exxon, Guyana earns working-class people or the U.S. Permian Basin, nothing more from its collectivebargaining.” Guyana, Brazil, and prolific US multi-billion

Liquefied Natural Gas dollaroilresource.

ADAM LYNCH’S DEATH: SUICIDE OR MURDER?

I taught Adam Lynch at loudly, and asked if I ever Ramjattan. from Canada asking him to course of I may be UG but knew him before drankcoughsyrup.Isaidyes Adam told Craig that he research Adam’s death wrong and they do thenbecausehisfatherwasa and I have cough syrup at eventually got through because he may have been wanttoknow Butwhy long-standing customer of home Then laughing in becauseofthehelpofavery murdered Maybe that haven’t I been person is then many pieces my mother-in-law’s front of all of us, he powerfully placed friend person knows something contactedasyet? willbegintofit. supermarket Mr Lynch exclaimed; “Freddie, cough Adamtolduswhotheperson thatweinGuyanadon’t. Whydidthepersonfrom

WhathappenedtoAdam patronized the supermarket syruphasmorealcoholthan was. He mentioned that on For security reasons, I Canada suggest that it was in that station for two days overdecades. thisShandy.” Friday(thatis,December2) did not keep the name that murder and not suicide? that caused him to lose his The older Lynch was a I don’t know if that is he was going to the Adam gave me to myself What is it that person mental balance and kill lovelyhuman.Heworkedat true.Cansomeonetellmeif Commissioner’s office to only I told Gildarie who he knows? What do Leonard himself? I believe the line the telephone company that is true. Adam, well collect his permit He is. I told my cousinWilliam Craig and I know? The between sanity and insanity which was state-owned at embedded in his successful showed us his letter of Cox who has an important answer is nothing except a isacourtofvarnish.Mental the time and which was business venture with his approval. job. So four persons know name.Atthefuneralservice fragility in humans is very situated in Wortmanville, other siblings, committed Adamwasarrestedatthe the man’s identity and yesterday, one of the close realIcanspeakformyself.If one block from the suicide last Sunday but not Commissioner’soffice,held Adam’s family members family members told me I see right before my eyes supermarket. beforehedivulgedsensitive indetentionfortwodaysand too Here is a strange before Adam died he something happening to my I have hidden away one information to me and committed “suicide” two dimension to the event. I revealed that his life was wife, daughter and pets, I memory I have of Adam. A Leonard Craig days before hours after his release on spoke with a very, very t h r e a t e n e d u n d e r wouldlosemymind.Iknow group of us was waiting hedied. bail. No one knows what senior officer of the Police interrogation based on what me I know I would outside the church at Here now is what happened. But the police’s Force about Adam’s arrest he,Adamrevealed. Somebody let down Adam, Rosignol for the wedding happened. The three of us explanation was that the and subsequent suicide and Adam’s facilitator is a thepolicedidnothelp,anda ceremonyofLeonardCraig, were liming when Adam approval letter was not toldhimwhothepersonwas personwithseriousreachin wonderfulassettoGuyanais thenintheAFC’sleadership, accosted Leonard. He said: signedbytheCommissioner thatfacilitatedAdam.

Georgetown. Why would dead. to begin. Adam went and “Youseehowthingschange andwasfake. Allwehaveto I told this highly Adamidentifythatpersonto (The views expressed in bought a round of beers. He when administration goonisthenameAdamgave important officer I am me and Craig if he, Adam this article are those of the knew I didn’t drink so he changes.”HetoldCraigthat meandCraig. willing to give him the had no dealings with him? author and do not boughtaBanksDIHShandy Craig was strategically I announced Adam’s name That was on This just does not make necessarily reflect the forme. placed to secure a gun demise on the Gildarie- Thursday I am still to hear sense. If John Jones was opinions and beliefs of this I told Adam the Shandy license for him because Freddie Kissoon Show last from the officer Why the Adam’s contact why would n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s has alcohol. Adam came in Craig was the personal aide Wednesday After I did that, police do not want to know he cite another name? And affiliates.) front of my face, talking to Minister Khemraj Gildarie said he got a call who this personality is? Of when you know who that

FrederickKissoon

If Georgia, why not Guyana?

ByGHKLALL stand for the interests of

Bruising, battering, and matter how many Christmas oldGuyaneseway Gladys Knight and the White and Black Georgians, brutalizing just skim the lights are strung around It may have worked Pips, “Midnight train to and those Guyanese who traumas; and this was them. Nomatterhowmany before. But not now; not Georgia”finallyarrived,and have made their home in without piercing or a speck legalistic or partisan with all this wealth, and lookwhoitdeposited. Atlanta. of bloodshed. Yet here we speeches, attacks and thosewhogetthehogofit,I Ray Charles, American I am thinking of that are, even more roiled, still defenses, are made caution that the embers of Blues immortal, did have Georgia, and how far it has more vicious, and definitely concerningthem. ournevercooledanimosities Georgia on his mind, while come,andthispromptsmeto fartherapartasanation,asa I ask myself whether we stir reflexively Georgia, all I have is Guyana on think of the many small and people.

really want a country, or America could slightly lift mine.Lookatwhathappened large Georgia(s) in Guyana,

Some people came here, what we really desire is a itself out of its prejudiced over in Georgia, America and how little we have watched,heldourhands,and society of inequity, and the past,andinvestsomuchtrust and,likeRayCharles;Ithink traveledfromthedaysofour helped They made fear, possibly the reality, of and power in a nonwhite of what could be, even firstcivilwar recommendations. Change ongoing instability? Forbes citizen. thoughsuchlooklikedistant It is of how we refuse to the State media apparatus, Burnhamhadhispartycard, Itisofprogress,however dreamsforeverunrealized. moveforwardalittlefootata arrangements. Wehave,but and many who never voted paltry IfGeorgiacan,where Two non-white men time, for some fresh space, with tricky and devious forhimgotone. so much blood was spilled, battling for a senatorial seat smallsocialoasisthathigher h a i l e d a s n o b l e Then came 1992, and all and chains (and rope) inGeorgiaofalltheplacesin ground could furnish as improvements. Guyanafinallycametogrips uncoiled, then Guyana’s America’s Deep South.Who shelter, so urgently needed.

GHK LALL

Fix the electoral with who was who, and of Leaders must find it in wouldhavethoughtthatover Instead of moving ahead in machinery, but efforts whatBurnhamwasdoingall themselves to move away 150yearsaftertheAmerican honest fashion, humbled by underway have already along. frombitterpastandpresent. Civil War, that men like our past mistakes, eager to unleashed their own brands It is now 2022 and, like G u y a n e s e o f go. I face that reality Warnock and Walker would undo our failures, and of ancient, proven venoms. Burnham, President Ali independent, and authentic Where have we genuinely begoingtoetotoeforaplace earnest in searching for the Whether media or elections persists in thinking that he inclusive vision must lend gone? Not politics. What on Capital Hill, DC kindofsocietythatmakesus or constitution, we keep will prevail with his calling throatandfeetandfingersto haveweseriouslytried? Not Georgia,abastionoftheold masters of our own destiny, revisiting old grounds and card. make the progress of gimmicks. What are we Confederacy and the new we retreat from such repeatingthesameunhelpful It is the containment of elsewhere take hold right reallyinterestedinotherthan one (the Klu Klux Klan); thinking, automatically ruses clothed in some temporary charity under the here. what suits the ambitions of Georgia, rock-ribbed, red- rejectthosewhocallforit. supposedly fresh, clean stress of circumstances, (The views expressed in one,andnotall? bloodedforstillexistingJim Call for it, not make it a apparel. some personnel face this article are those of the We had some real bad Crow values and visions. shallow propaganda tool of We all know, those still washing(justlikeBurnham), author and do not timesinthe1960s,andsince. Now a son, who has to have it, but chamber of the heart. with clear head and clean and the usual self- necessarily reflect the Buttheworstoftimes,bymy some strain of slave or Georgia has come a far way thinking, that what is put in congratulations for having opinions and beliefs of this humble interpretation, was sharecropperinhim,isgoing from bloodshed and bigotry, public is more ragged and bought another day (and set n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s twoyearsandsomeago,but to Washington (again) to but still has many miles to rottener than before. No ofpeople),tocarryoninthe affiliates.) beginning 19 months prior

‘Make a greater mark on life’

–PresidentAlitellsUG’s2022Graduates

resident IrfaanAli onSaturdayurged the University of P Guyana’s (UG) Graduates to “Make a greater mark on life” during part two of the Institution’s 56th convocation ceremony heldattheNationalCultural Centre.

In a video message, the President said, “Society is there to be changed, you to have a chance to make a greatermarkonlife…Don’t be tricked into thinking that youhavearrivedatyourfinal destination”, Ali said as he urged the Graduates to utilize their education as the stepping stone for greater futureconquests.

“Thepossibilitiesforreal personal success are there,” he said while urging the moral obligation to the with your education, E d u c a t i o n , P r i y a minded

newest Graduates to take motherland,youhaveaduty enthusiasmandinnovation,” Manickchand in a video ina

a d v a n t a g e o f t h e tomakeyourcountryabetter thePresidentsaid. message expressed sincere the citizens,”

nation

its opportunitiesthatcomewith place,Guyanasummonsyou Further,theHeadofState congratulations to the class said. challenges. Guyana’s socio-economic to its service. It is your told the Graduates that of2022.

“As a people, we are all “Itisyourinnovationand transformation. generation which the nation “exciting times lie ahead” She said that the too familiar with our long prowessthatwillenableusto

While noting that many lookstodrivethiseconomic whileurging them“to ignite ceremonyissignificantsince standing challenges in the embrace these changes with University graduates often transformation and propel the engines of natural theGraduatesarepartofthe areasofhealthandeducation confidence. opt to take their skills and prosperity development… [And]strive largest cohort to graduate our need for sustainable

The quality of our utilise them overseas, You skills are needed to be part of the social and fromUG. infrastructure, the citizensisourgreatestasset. President Ali told those more than ever! You are the economictransformation.”

“ You have a binding challenges for quality of I charge you to utilize the gathered at the ceremony custodians of our country’s PresidentAli maintained responsibility as children of food, water and energy, just skills and quality I thattheyshouldbecognizant wealth. You must safeguard that the Graduates can be Guyana’s soil You are tonameafew,”theMinister challenge you to utlise the of their moral obligation to our national patrimony stay part of Guyana’s historical now charged be problem said. skills you have acquired for theirhomeland. and help realise, it economicachievement. solvers in our midst are the Minister Manickchand our common humanity,” “Be cognizant of your unquestionable potential Similarly, Minister of cohort of intrepid critical assertedthatitisthroughthe MinisterManickchandsaid.

trailblazersushering commitment of the students

neweraofprosperity for to professional service that

Manickchand the

will address

Asection of Faculty of Education and Humanities class of 2022 at the graduation ceremony held on Saturday.

Auditor only reviewing

Exxon's US$7.3B bills, not doing forensic audit

REPRINT:

This article was first published on November 27, 2022

ByKianaWilburg

Financial Analyst and Certified

Accountant, Floyd Haynes has sought to assure the public that the audit of c o s t s i n c u r r e d b y ExxonMobil in the Stabroek Block is not a forensic audit orawitchhunt.

During an interview on K a i e t e u r R a d i o ' s Programme, Guyana's Oil and You, Haynes said that he is disappointed with the degree of misrepresentation inthepress thatovershadows theauditingprocess.

That discussion focused in part on the US$751,000 contract that was awarded earlier this year to VHE Consulting, a registered partnership between Ramdihal & Haynes Inc, Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting & Consultancy Inc. The local consortiumwassupportedby International firms— SGS and Martindale Consultants for the 'Cost Recovery Audit and Validation of the Government of Guyana's ProfitOilShare'.

The Auditor said that some stakeholders are of the view that a forensic audit is beingundertakenbutthiswas notthecase.

Heexplainedthat, “Aforensic audit is done with the aim of identifying fraudandembezzlementwith the goal of gathering evidence to be used in a

court” Contrarily, a cost recovery audit is being done pursuant to the parameters of the 2016 Production Share Agreement (PSA) governing theStabroekBlock.

“The goal is to verify the accuracy or rather the legitimacy and validity of cost claimed…There is a huge difference so I wanted toclearthatup,”hesaid.

Haynes said that Guyanese can rest assured that no stone was left unturned by Auditors involved in the examination of ExxonMobil's costs incurred in the Stabroek Block.

Following the contract award, Haynes who is a Partner at Ramdihal & Haynes Inc. said he observed several misconceptions being peddled in some sections of the media. The Business Professor said he feltitprudenttosettherecord straightonthesematters.

He pointed to the inaccurate statements about the costs being reviewed by the Auditors while noting that approximately US$7.3B incurredbyExxonfrom2018 to 2020 is being audited and notUS$9Basreportedbythe media.

This includes costs incurredfortheLizaOneand Liza Two Projects which are currently producing over 360,000barrelsofoilperday

Additionally, Haynes said concerns were raised relating to the date of execution of works He explained that while the contract was awarded in March, the audit started in

Accountant and Fraud Examiner, Floyd Haynes

July following the receipt of the commencement of work orderfromGovernment.

Though the Auditors are but a few weeks outside of the stipulated four-month deadline, Haynes guaranteed that work is still on schedule and should conclude in a week's time. The Auditor noted that an interim report will be issued in the first week of December to government.

“Lots of people said it couldn't be done and it has been We're on schedule and we will deliver and then the Government will decide whether they want to make thatpublicornot,”expressed Haynes.

Meanwhile, Haynes reiterated that the audit was not a 'witch hunt' or a “Got You!” exercise. “You cannot convict someone without a trial and no serious

professional will litigate something this complex in the news media without first having seen the audit or looking at the costs or any of those things I think it's reckless and rather irresponsible…”

Haynes added, “I can assure our Guyanese that no stone will be left unturned, we will look at everything and we are doing this on behalf of the Government and ultimately on behalf of the Guyanese people but at the same time we don't walk into an audit assuming that thecompanyisguilty.”

THEAUDITING PROCESS

The CertifiedAccountant was keen to share his experience working on the audit. He said it involved the receipt of a Joint Audit Data Exchange (JADE) report

This report contains all of Exxon'scostsclaimedaspart of their cost recovery and accordingtoHaynescontains tens of thousands of lines of transactions.

Haynes said there is no Auditor in the world that can sitdownandgothroughallof it. In fact, he said no audit is ever done that way Haynes said Auditors take a representative sample, rather, a scientific sample of thecostsincurred.

He said that sample is basedonanumberofthings.

“It could be high risk areas that you think have potential for exposure based on past experience or based on having done work in the industrybefore.Soyoutakea sampleofthose,youlookatit closely and then you ask for corroboration or additional informationonthosetypesof things and that's what we did,”saidtheAuditor

He added, “Out of that you will have findings, you willwriteupyourreport,and give it to the Government, from there, the Government will engage Exxon in some kindofadiscussion,itwillgo back and forth, and we will probably go back and then produce a final report. That's kindoftheprocessinabroad way.”

GREATEST LESSON

Haynes said he always knew the level of complexity would be high. “But having done lots of audits before, I think this one takes the cake in terms of the degree of c o m p l e x i t y T h e s e spreadsheets you're looking

ataresohugeyouhavetorun pivot tables, you've got to chopitinslicesanddices.”

Haynes said the greatest takeaway for him, is understanding that this kind ofworkreallyrequiresahigh level of expertise in order to be able to perform. He said Guyanadoesnothavethis.

The Fraud Examiner believes that the partnership with the international consortium will help in providing the knowledge transfer that will, over time, allow locals to eventually conductsimilaraudits.

He said too that he has developed a healthy appreciation for the amount of effort that must go into suchexercises.

OUTSTANDING AUDIT REPORT

IHS Market, a British firm, was contracted back in 2019 to audit over US$460M in costs incurred by Exxon. The bills are supposedly for e x p l o r a t i o n a n d administrative costs incurred prior to oil being discovered in 2015 It was also responsible for auditing a portion of costs incurred from 2015 to 2017 but there has been no official confirmation of what this amountis.

Government has also not given a definitive statement on the status of this exercise. President IrfaanAli has since pledged to make these reports public, in keeping with his desire for t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability in the oil and gassector

Govt. releases unsigned contract for sale of country's...

From page 3 could reach US$100,000 per transaction. An adamant Patterson said that no company works for free and the Government must make public its agreement with BP International.

Meanwhi l e , K a i e t e u r News had reported that BP International Limited will be marketing Guyana's oil from the Liza Destiny and L i z a U n i t y F l o a t i n g , Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, currently producing about 360,000 barrelsofoilperday

The firm beat 13 other firms to win the contract. According to t e n d e r d o c u m e n t s , B P

International will be responsible for providing all functions of marketing, assessing regional and global demand centres, selecting customers and making appropriate transportation arrangements, providing support and guidance to theclientinalloperatingandbackoffice responsibilities of managing thesecrudesales.

It will also be expected to facilitate timely and cost efficient crude oil operations; and support the client in the continued introduction of the grade to multiple geographies and refinery systems.

Inadditiontotheforegoing,the Ministry of Natural Resources said BPwill also be required to provide

b

comparisons of prices paid for the client's crude while working closely with the client in understanding the behaviour and yields of the Liza blend and how theseaffectpricingdifferentials.

Kaieteur News previously reported that Aramco Trading Limited (ATL), the London-based trading subsidiary for the State controlled Saudi Aramco, had inked a one year contract with the Ministry to market Guyana's crude entitlement from the Liza Phase OneProject.

Thatcontractcametoanendin October2022.

ATL was among 15 bidders in the Brent-linked tender for

Guyana's light sweet Liza grade, and “was identified as the lowest compliant evaluated bidder at the price of $0.025/bl,” the Ministry hadsaid.

As for the Liza Unity crude, Government has been doing its own marketing At least two cargoes were already sold but little isknownaboutthebuyersandhow theywereselected.

Importantly, sales agreements for the country's share of profit oil havenotbeenmadepublic.

The International Secretariat for the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) has sincecalledforGuyanatodobetter onthisfront.

It has also pointed out that the

country is yet to declare consistently, information pertaining to the volumes of oil collected in accordance with the profit-sharing split in the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), alongside the identity of the buyer for each oil cargo.

Furthermore, the EITI had flagged Guyana for not publishing descriptions of the process for selecting the buying companies, the technical and financial criteria used to make the selection, and any material deviations from the applicable legal and regulatory framework governing the selection of buying companies.

Sunday-Dec4,2022

Sweet Stabroek Block

PSAallows Investors to

recoup exploration,

development costs before production begins – Hess

CEO tells Investors

Hess Corporation’s

Chief Executive Officer

(CEO), John Hess, recently

assured Investors that while

project developments and

exploration programmes at

-

the Stabroek Block are moving at industry leading Guyana’s oil production speeds, they have nothing to is expected to surpass that of fear Profits, he said, will Hess Corporation’s remainsky-high. profitable Bakken North

During a recent Bank of Dakota US asset, and like A m e r i c a ’ s E n e r g y Company Executives, Conference, Hess explained International Analysts are that the Production Sharing also encouraging Investors Agreement (PSA) is so tobetontheheftyprofitsthat perfectly designed for the have been projected for the (FPSO) vessel with a anothertwoweeks. efforts,shewasunabletonot Chelauna Providence, in Investors’ pockets that it future. production capacity of The infant’s father, stop her blood pressure from response to questions posed allows the recouping of Hess had announced approximately 220,000 J e r m a i n G r i m m o n d spiking. ”When she went by Kaieteur News said that e x p l o r a t i o n a n d earlier this year that it would gross barrels of oil per day explained that his 27-year- into the hospital on the hospital takes note of the development costs way be focusing more attention The fourth development, old girlfriend, Sasha Sobers Thursday, they told her that social media post about the before the time kicks in for on its Bakken and Guyana Yellowtail, is expected to was admitted to the hospital she needed to be given infant’sdeath. production. assets, as it expected its net come online in 2025, on Thursday after she was something to bring her She said while the Hess said, “Each one of production to increase utilizingtheONEGUYANA told that her blood pressure pressure under control,” he hospital has a commitment these investments in Guyana between 12 percent and 15 FPSO with a production had spiked above the more- told K a i e t u e r N e w s topatientconfidentialitythat is between US$6B to percent from these two capacity of approximately than-averagelevel. Saturday does not prevent it from US$10B and that includes projects. ‘Seeking Alpha’, a 250,000 gross barrels of oil Jermain Grimmond, The young man said that disclosing the specifics of the costs for a Floating, Financial Institution with perday father of the stillborn h i s g i r l f r i e n d w a s thepatient’smedicalprofile. Production, Storage and over 100 employees who Aplan of development is infant……. subsequently administered The Communications Offloading (FPSO) vessel, provide data and analysis on expected to be submitted to He disclosed that Sobers magnesium sulfate to Officersaidthatshortlyafter drilling, and subsea the global financial market, the Government of Guyana was being closely monitored controlherbloodpressure. the patient was admitted to infrastructure Exxon has before year end for a fifth by Doctors and Nurses “They put in her IV drip done an exceptional job development,Uaru,whichis becausesheisadiabetic. around7:30pmandjustafter bringing several projects in expected to come online at “She was told that she that, she started to complain Guyana forward ahead of the end of 2026 with a gross needed to be monitored and about feeling a burning schedule and under (the production capacity of keep her blood sugar low to sensation and chills from original) budget. At the end approximately 250,000 avoid complications,” within…The Nurses told her of the day, 75 percent of barrelsofoilperday Grimmondsaid.Hesaidthat thatitisanormalfeeling[as] revenue made goes against Guyana’s Stabroek his girlfriend was also told it is a side effect of the the costs incurred each year Block is 6.6 million acres h e r p r e g n a n c y w a s medication,”hesaid. So that is a very tax efficient (26,800 square kilometers). consideredhighrisk.

Grimmond said Sobers and cash efficient way for ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Due to the advice given, went to bed Thursday night you to recoup your Exploration and Production the grieving father said and was examined by investment.” Guyana Limited is the Sobers was extremely medical officers at the He told Investors that operator and holds 45% cautious and heeded the hospital sometime Friday witheachshipthatcomeson interest in the Block. Hess advice of the medical morning. board, Hess makes an easy Guyana Exploration Ltd

“They did an ultrasound US$1Binprofit. holds 30% interest, a and found the child had Hess said Guyana is a CNOOC Petroleum Guyana died,”hesaid. prime piece of oil real estate Limitedholds25%interest.

The aggrieved man said and while 11 billion barrels the GPHC, it was noted that waskeentonotethatGuyana that he believes the baby of oil equivalent resources her complicated pregnancy holds “massive potential” Family seeks answers died in the wee hours of have been unlocked, the resulted in an intrauterine forreturnsonoilproduction. in death of unborn Friday morning since, partners expect it to double fetaldeath(stillbirth).

“My girl told me that she as they go deeper for sweet

It said that Hess Corporation infant at GPHC

“Our team immediately reported an adjusted third- feltthebabykickingupto oil. deployed the relevant quarter 2022 earnings of The stillbirth of an 3 am in the morning but

In terms of the state of protocols in the admission $1.89 per share, “beating i n f a n t a t t h e by the time morning, the play for its current projects, and treatment of the patient again analysts’ expectations

Georgetown Public staff told her that she had Hess said the Liza Phase 1 based on her diagnosis. We thisquarter.” Hospital Corporation died.” and Phase 2 developments are confident that our “GuyanaProductionwill (GPHC) on Friday has

As a result, labour was are currently operating at medical team exercised soon surpass the company left relatives with more induced and the child was their combined gross sound and timely judgment Bakken production,” the questionsthananswers. stillborn. “They [the staff] production capacity of more in the medical management r e p o r t a d d e d a s i t

According to the baby’ told her that this is what she than 360,000 barrels of oil of this patient, ” the recommended buying

Jermain Grimmond, father of the stillborn infant

family, the mother w should expect because the per day at the Stabroek Communication’s Officer company shares at or below admitted to the maternity pregnancy is a high risk Block. added. $140.ItwasnotedthatHess’ ward of the Hospital on professionals. He said that one,”hesaid.

Thethirddevelopmentat

She noted that the quarterly revenues rose to Thursday after a spike in her shehadsuccessfullykepther Grimmond is not Payara is on track to come hospital’s administration $3,157 million from $1,811 bloodpressure. bloodsugarundercontrolby convinced and is demanding online at the end of 2023 will continue to avail m i l l i o n l a s t y e a r

The stillborn infant was attendingtheclinicregularly answers from the hospital’s utilizing the Prosperity themselvestothepatientand “Production from Guyana delivered at 35 weeks and and following the order of administrators. Floating, Production, her family to answer any reached98KBop/d(98,000 according to her family, she thedoctors.

Meanwhile, GPHC’s Storage and Offloading questions and address their

was reportedly due in However, despite her Communications Officer,

concerns.

G P H C h a s b e e n

investigating a string of

maternal and infant deaths

withinthepastmonths.

Monday - Dec 5, 2022

Bet on hefty profits from

Guyana’s oil’

Financial

Analyst urges Hess

Investors …says Guyana

will soon surpass

company’s Bakken North

Dakota production

Members of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council in a Council Session.

From page 14 even as he noted there is still a Barrels of oil equivalent per day) “hugefiscaldeficit”. this quarter Net cash provided by

“Many people believe, they operating activities was $1,339 have this view that we have millioninthethirdquarterof2022, received a lot of funds from the oil up from $615 million in the third andgascompanies.TheMinisterof quarterof2021.” Finance pointed out that they are

‘Seeking Alpha’ said that Hess modest sums that we have Corporation announced its 8th and received. Modest that will grow to 9th discoveries this year in the fairlylargesumsinthefutureyears. Stabroek block called Yarrow-1 We still run a huge fiscal deficit and Sailfin-1 and these two given the development needs and discoveries add to the previous the other needs of the country for gross discovered recoverable intervention,” the former Head of resource estimate for the Block of Stateexplained. approximately 11 billion BOE.

Hewentontopointout,“Ifyou “This is a total of 30 discoveries, look on the whole how much has with two phases producing 360K beengivenbacktotheGovernment Bop/d gross. The company expects to the people of this country on the achieving first oil with its third tax measures that we reversed phase, called Payara, in late 2023.” under APNU, if you analyze those The FinancialAnalyst said the four measures that’s $40 billion less in by our Chinese partner, CNOOC. sanctioned Guyana developments taxes that people have to pay Hess said that 29 significant (Liza 1, Liza, Payara and PublicServantspaythattoo.” discoveries were made with nine runafiscaldeficit.” informed her that she is going on Yellowtail) have breakeven prices

Jagdeo was adamant that had alone this year The nine Following the announcement theroadtopickupherfather of $25- $35/BBL Brent “I his Government not reversed those discoveries, he said, “…are not in ofanacrosstheboardeightpercent On Monday morning when the recommend buying HES at or tax measures, Guyanese would thatresourcebaseestimatesothere increase by President Irfaan Ali on child woke up and realised her below $140 with possible lower have been harder hit by the cost of will be a major upgrade to that November 17, Trade Unions and parents were not at home, she left support at $131.3,” the Advisor living,currentlyaffectingcountries number ” The Stabroek Block members of civil society as well as andwalkedouttothealleyway The said. acrosstheglobe. current estimate is at 11billion the Opposition Parties called out child discovered her parents lying John Hess, Hess Chief The VP also boasted that the barrelsofcrude. the Government on what they motionless beside each other She Executive Officer had also related PPPmanagedtodistributesome$6 dubbeda‘measly’increase. then alerted the neighbour, who the high return value of its billion to 200,000 school children

Jagdeo defends 8% salary

Thepayhikewillberetroactive thencalledthepolice. operationsinGuyana.Atarecently thisyear increase for Public Servants toJanuary1,2022. Police said when they arrived, held Bank of America Securities

He was also keen to note that Notwithstanding this, it was the couple was observed Global Energy Conference, he told Pensioners also received an Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo pointed out that the across the motionless in the alleyway The Investors a ‘major upgrade’ to the increase of $8,000 this year, while is of the view that the eight percent board method means that President bodies were examined and burn 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent some 11,000 Guyanese who were increase in wages by the People’s Ali who receives a salary of markswereseenontheneck,chest, that has been discovered in the formerly unemployed are now Progressive Party (PPP) is enough somewhere around $1.8 million and right wrist of Jagnarine while offshore Stabroek Block benefittingfromparttimejobs. for Public Servants, given the slew monthly will receive an extra burn marks were visible on Fangtooth-1, Lau Lau-1,

“We have given out in cash of measures implemented by the $144,000 on his wage. When this Hansraj’s left wrist and left side Barreleye-1, Patwa-1, Lukanani-1, grants to people about $12 billion Administration to cushion wasmultipliedby12tofactorinthe back. Seabob-1, Kiru-Kiru-1, Sailfin-1 in two rounds. The first round and inflation. retroactivepayitwasfoundthatthe Investigators searched the area andYarrow-1 wells have not yet to then the second round in the

He justified the salary increase President will get $1,728,000 and discovered a length of red and be appraised for the number of Hinterland and riverain areas,” the on Friday after he was questioned more, taking home over $3.5 black wire next to the two bodies. barrelstheyhold.Heinsistedthatto VicePresidentcontinued. by Reporters on the issue at the millionthismonth. Police said that the wire was grow future cash flow there has to

As such, he reasoned, “You sidelines of an event held at State

Meanwhile, a minimum wage connected to an electrical post begrowthintheresource. havetolookatallofthesemeasures House. worker whose salary is $75,000 leadingtothecouple’shome.

At the same event, Hess also in a combined way to see benefits

The former President went into will merely collect an extra $6,000 The couple’s lifeless body told Investors that the Production flowing back to the people of this detail to explain that the country’s moretakingthesalaryto$81,000. besideeachother Sharing Agreement (PSA) the country It’s not just Public Service macro economy must be analyzed, The Guyana Power & Light Stabroek Block consortium has salary It’s not just that, and we still Tuesday - Dec 6, 2022 (GPL) and the Emergency Medical with Guyana is so designed, that it Technicians (EMT) were then allows for the recouping of

Husband and wife die after summoned to the scene GPL exploration and development costs stepping on illegal live wire disconnectedthewirefromthepost way before the time kicks in for and the bodies were pronounced production.

Thelifelessbodiesofahusband dead by a Doctor on the scene

- While the company’s bringingseveralprojectsinGuyana

“Each one of these investments andwifewereonMondaymorning before they were transported to the in Guyana is between US$6B to discovered by their 11-year-old mortuary for a post-mortem US$10Bandthatincludesthecosts daughteraftertheywerereportedly examination. for a Floating, Production, Storage electrocuted by an illegal live-wire and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, leading to their Success Squatting Exxon’s CEO and Executives drilling, and subsea infrastructure. Area, East Coast Demerara (ECD) get 10% salary increase Exxon has done an exceptional job home.

The dead couple has been British staff protesting forward ahead of schedule and identifiedas32-year-old,Sorajanie on the streets for better pay under (the original) budget,” the Hansraj and her 39-year-old CEO related. He noted however husband,PrahaladJagnarine.

A m e r i c a n o i l g i a n t , thatattheendoftheday,75percent

The Guyana Police Force ExxonMobil Corporation on of revenue made goes against the (GPF) in a statement disclosed that Monday announced that from next costsincurredeachyear the incident occurred between year, the company’s Chief “So that is a very tax efficient 19:00h on Sunday and 06:00h on Executive Officer (CEO), Darren and cash efficient way for you to From page 16 Woods and other Executives will recoup your investment,” he Monday According to the police, benefit from a 10 percent increase suggested. Hess told Investors also thecoupleresidedwiththeiryoung ontheirannualsalaries. that with each ship that comes on daughter in an unpainted wooden This increase to the oil giant’s board, Hess makes as much as structureonthenorthernsideofthe top-brass comes at a time when the US$1Binprofit.Inthe6.6-millionSuccessSquattingArea,ECD. company has seen record- acre Stabroek Block Hess has a 30

The child related to the police shatteringprofitsthisyear,allowed percent interest; ExxonMobil has that on Sunday night, her mother (Continued on page 16) 45 with the remainder being held

Dead, Prahalad Jagnarine and his wife, Sorajanie Hansraj

ExxonMobil’s Officer (CEO), Darren Woods. (Getty images)

Chief Executive

From page 15

billboards,iswhoisgettingthe¾of to the Russia-Ukraine war which the apple plus the other half of the has sent oil prices soaring. This quarter apple which remains. “It is publicationhadhighlightedthatfor mind-boggling, that these guys can the third-quarter of 2022 the oil put up billboards staring us in our majorearningswasUS$19.7B. faces to mislead all of us and our

On Monday, Reuters reported leaders,allofthem,aresilent!” that the US oil major is raising the

The company has been annualbasesalaries. hammered locally for the lopsided

It was stated too that Exxon contract it signed with the then Mobil’s compensation committee Coalition Government, which approved an increase in the annual offers this country a mere 2% salary of CEO Woods from royalty The deal is also fraught US$1.70M this year to US$1.88M. with a number of loopholes Notably, in 2021, Exxon paid including the lack of ring-fencing Woods a total compensation of provisionsamongotherthings. US$23.6M in 2021 and US$15.6

Kaieteur News has been told millionin2020. that the oil company has erected

Kathryn Mikells, who became four of the billboards in Berbice; the Company’s Chief Financial twoinRegionThreeandoneonthe Officer in August, last year, will Soesdyke-Linden Highway receive a base pay of US$1.22M in Another billboard was also erected 2023. The company also raised the attheCheddiJaganAirport. salariesofitsseniorvicepresidents,

A f r ican A ctiv is t an d all effective January 1, 2023, pay its workforce a decent wage,” beyondtheirnarrowself-interestof GlennLall Businessman, Eric Phillips Reutersstated. oneworkertoldtheactivistgroup. itsexecutiveshareholders.” The issue of the billboard was commenting on the billboard wrote

Notably, the news agency also Justoveramonthago,President first made public by Businessman on his facebook page on Tuesday reported that the base salaries, of the United States ofAmerica Joe Wednesday - Dec 7, 2022 and Publisher of the Kaieteur that he went to the CJIA Tuesday however, represent less than 10 Bidenthreatenedtoincreasethetax News, Glenn Lall, who denounced morning and “…was shocked at percent of total pay, with stock on the oil majors who saw Guyanese outraged ExxonMobil for the move. The how barefaced this was.” Joining awards and bonuses making up a “outrageous”profitsthisyear over ExxonMobil’s company also indicated on the the thread another person bigger share of what Exxon’s “Give me a break, enough is misleading billboards billboard that Guyana has received commented: “Why lie? Goes to executivespocketeveryyear enough, look I’m a Capitalist and I – Glenn Lall questions whether more than $280B since oil show that they know the deals are While ExxonMobil has have said this before, I have no job was done locally or overseas productionstartedherelate2019. crappy Another Guyanese wrote: announced a 10 percent annual problem with corporations turning Speakingonthisissue,Lallsaid “Yet less than one million adults increaseforitsCEOandexecutives a fair profit and getting a return on A m e r i c a n o i l g i a n t , citizens need to know that the cost can’tbenefitfromamiserlymillion – a few days ago Kaieteur News their investment and innovation, ExxonMobil has embarked on an to erect the very billboard is being dollars that can’t give me a house reported thatthecompany’sBritish but this is not remotely what’s aggressive public relations recoveredbyExxonMobilbasedon foundation.” employees has taken to the streets happening. campaign in an effort to sell the lopsided contract it signed with Additionally, Satruhan protesting more than the ‘pitiful’ Oil companies’ recording Guyanese a message that this the Guyana Government. He also Seerattan commenting under the 2.5percentincrease. profits today are not because they country was receiving 52% of the questioned whether the job to build story published by this newspaper Video footage from London are doing something new or profits from its oil resources in the the billboard was done in Guyana wrote: “I think that this based civil rights group, innovative, their profits are a Stabroek Block. But Guyanese are oroverseas. Government …really got Exxon ‘ReelNews’ showed scores of oil windfallofwar,”heexplained. not buying it, with many taking to “ExxonMobil is spending doing a lot a nonsense and right workers protesting against the 2.5 Biden had called on the oil social media to express disgust at millions, further shortening our now the PPP Government need to percentpayincrease. majors who are “war-profiteering” themessageonthebillboard. share to build and erect huge get out of power now before it too

The video which aired on to meet their responsibilities to the Observers have said that billboards, to tell us the Guyanese late or the Guyanese people will be Sunday November 27, 2022 country and give the American Exxon’s public relations campaign people we are getting 52% out of suffering more we do not need PPP presented interviews with workers peopleabreakatthepumpstations. is sure proof that the company was the Stabroek Block,” Lall stated. or PNC or APNU or AFC they are who claimed that the company was TheU.SPresidenthadnotedtoo under enormous pressure to He asked 52% of what? Not the all the same we need a new making extraordinary profits but that, at the time of war any renegotiatetheoildealandhasnow whole apple, but 52% of a ¼ of the Leader”. unwilling to speak with workers company receiving historic profits turned to propaganda to sell its total revenue made. He added that Adolphus Humble wrote: over a pay increase. “A company like the oil majors are recording, message. what Exxon should have been “WheredoesExxongetthe making billions simply refusing to have the responsibility to, “act Kaieteur News Publisher, telling Guyanese on those huge (Continued on page 64)

Misleading Billboard

Exxon workers during another protest in April

Venezuelan gangs harassing passengers in Cuyuni River

R e s i d e n t s o f Eteringband, Region Seven are reporting that heavily armed Venezuelan men, dressed in all black clothing and wearing military like shoes are preventing Guyanese vessels from passing freely in the Cuyuni River According reports reachingKaieteurNewsriver passengers are being harassed. “It has been over two months since we have not had a commercial

flight…now most travelling here is taking place through the [Cuyuni] River and Guyanese boats are being stopped and searched with passengers on board at gunpoint because of these g o r i l l a s ( a n a r m e d Venezuelan gang called Guerilleros in Spanish)”, the b u s i n e s s m a n ( n a m e provided) told this newspaper.The businessman explained that the situation started two months ago

where the passengers' belongings are taken away from them by the armed Venezuelans The man disclosed that should a boat refuse to stop at the various checkpoints along the Cuyuni River in close proximity to an area called San Martin, for example, theyareshotat. K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the uniformed gang claims that t h e y r e p r e s e n t t h e

Venezuelan Government and isactingonitsbehalf.

However, the locals at Eteringbang do not believe the claims because the Venezuelan army and National Guard have checkpoints along the Cuyuni River too but the ranksdonotharassGuyanese travellers as is being done by thegang.

Thissituationhasbeenon and off for a number of years and has prompted Guyana to

beefupitssecurity In 2018 a gang of armed men standing on the Venezuelansideoftheborder in the vicinity of Botanamu creek, Cuyuni River had openedfireonaboatheading fromEteringbangtoMacapa. One of the bullets struck a Police Corporal onboard, Quincy Alexander, to his lower back The Cop survived and has since been transferred to another locationbutthegangsremain

a threat to Guyanese in the River Eteringbang residents related that they are aware that Guyanese ranks cannot cross over into Venezuelan territory to confront the gangs. However, they are calling on Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips to intervene and n e g o t i a t e w i t h h i s Venezuelancounterparttorid the Cuyuni River of the illegal gangs that have been harassingthemforyears.

Relatives dissatisfied with eight year jail sentence handed down to Mazaruni Shopkeeper killer

The relatives of Bibi Shaneza Bhola, a mother of two who was brutally murdered in 2014, are not satisfied with the eight-year-jail sentence handed down to her convicted killer, 24-year-old NathanAnthonyStoute.

Stoute was sentenced last Wednesday by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow when he appeared at the SuddieHighCourt.

Kaieteur News had reported on Friday that a family member had expressed satisfaction that justice has been served but later learnt that the source of the information was notanimmediaterelative.

Bhola's close relatives have since condemned the statement to be that of a “John Doe” and have signaled their intentions to appeal thesentencinglabelingitasunfair

Bibi Sawh, one of Bhola's relatives who spoke with Kaieteur News on Friday said the impact statementappearedincomplete.

“Those children have become school drop-outs and they have becomeveryaggressive,”theangry woman told Kaieteur News in referencetoBhola'stwochildren.

KaieteurNewsunderstandsthat JuvenileActwasappliedduringthe sentencing because Stoute was underage when he committed the murder Measures were also put in place to rehabilitate him into society

However, Bhola's relatives believe that the number of years he was grantedis toolenient.Kaieteur News has since been advised by a

The Lawyer advised that if the family is dissatisfied then they must write the Director of Public

Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali Hack, SC. requesting a review of thesentencing.

This must be done within 14 daysafterthesentencewasmade.

According to reports, Bhola was murdered during the course of a robbery at her shop located at Rock Creek, Mazaruni River, RegionSevenbetweenFebruary26 and27,2014.

StoutewasemployedatBhola's

shop when he and another coworker robbed and killed the mother of two at her Mazaruni shop.

She was found dead in her bedroom with three stab wounds to thestomach.

Bhola also had a gaping wound to the right side head along with otherinjuries.

A substantial amount of jewellery and cash were also

missingfromhershop.

Stoute, 16, at the time and his co-worker were reportedly hiding inSuriname.

He was nabbed and charged five years later when he returned to Guyanatoattendafamilyfunction.

Reports are that on November 9,2022duringanappearanceatthe Suddie High Court, Stoute admitted that he murdered the 34year-oldwoman.

Lawyer that if the victim's relatives want to appeal the sentencing they cannotdosoprivately

Jailed eight years for murder, Nathan Anthony Stoute

Murdered: Bibi Shaneza Bhola

Digital ID cards, e-visa portal on the horizon - VP Jagdeo

The Government of Guyana on Friday disclosed that it intends to produce new and improved digital national identificationcardsaswellas develop an e-visa portal to facilitate the ease of doing business here and hassle-free travel.

According to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, the new ID cards will be done with assistance from partners from the United Arab EmiratesandDubai.

The Vice President made this disclosure on Friday during a Press Conference

held at the Office of the President where he said that the ID cards will have a secure chip, which can store data including blood type, date of birth, drivers' licence and taxpayer's identification number

The Vice President said the necessary legislation to allow for the card's use will be taken the National Assemblynextyear

“It will be for nationals and people who are resident in Guyana. So, if you're coming to work here, you have a different colour card. Guyanese will have one

colourCard,”heexplained.

The digital ID card, the VP noted can be used at banks and other institutions withease.

“When they [Guyanese] comehome,theycantakeout their card and just swipe and come in. They don't have to go through this elaborate customs and all of that at immigration etc., making it easierforthat,”heexplained.

Additionally, the Governmentisalsohopingto send employees from the Immigration Office and Customs Department to the UnitedArabEmirates(UAE)

to receive training in the operationofthetechnology.

The Vice President also pointed out that the system would not allow the duplication of numbers, since it will operate with software that shows if biometricsarethesame.

Further, he said that the system will be designed in such a manner that when a work permit expires for foreign workers, the cards

Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice President of Guyana

would no longer be valid, allowing for renewal. This, Jagdeo said will make keeping track of persons in thecountryefficient.

Meanwhile, the Vice President said that the Government is also looking to introduce e-passports “The next phase is probably e-passports, ” he said explaining that he met with Abu Dhabi Exports, and Guyana is looking to the entitytofundaprojecthere.

“They'll fund about 90 per cent of the cost, and the Government, 10 per cent. It hastodowithourairport.So, the Cabinet has approved that, to move fully to an e-

visa portal, and put in a number of e-gates, so that in the future, hopefully within eight months to a year, that it will almost seem paperless coming in through our airport, but with a lot of security features,” the VP disclosed.

Additionally, Jagdeo said that, “We'll bring in the stuff fromabroad,butthesewould be full electronic passports with a chip, when you go around the world. It's hard to duplicate, easy for people to travel [with]. Hopefully that would give us more visa-free access to some countries in the world that require secure documentseventually.”

Two year prison sentence for Essequibo man who caused death by dangerous driving

Essequibo

Driver was on Friday sentenced to two years in prison after he was found guilty of the September 2022 death of 63-year old,AmeerAli.

Ganesh Choonilall was charged with causing death by dangerous driving charge,failingtostop after an accident, and failing to render assistance to an injuredperson.

Choonilall was also fined $20,000 for failing stop after an accident, failing to render assistance to an injured person when he appeared virtually from prison before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Suddie Magistrates'Court.

On September 15, 2022 Choonilall was driving motorcar PWW 2293 when he hit Ali on the Adventure

Public Road, Essequibo Coast. The taxi driver fled the scene without rendering assistance to the 63-year-old

manandleftbehindabroken mirror which bore his vehicle's registration number

He was tracked and arrested the following day and has been behind bars since his initial court appearance.

Ganesh Choonilall

onsecuringgreateroilbenefitsforGuyanese

Following its assumption to office, several industry stakeholders expected the PPP/C Government to secure greater benefits from the oil-rich Stabroek Block which now holds 11 billion barrelsofoilequivalentresources.

Much to the disappointment of many observers, the Government has refused to do anything that would ruffle the feathers of ExxonMobil Corporation whose affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) benefits from the lopsidedagreementsignedin2016.

In fact, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo continues to insist that EEPGLwill continue to enjoy the lion’s share of profits from all projects pursued in the Stabroek Block.Hismostrecentdeclaration in this regard was issued during a pressconferenceonFriday

During his engagement with media operatives, he made it clear that all projects will remain shackled to the highly flawed Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).Hisremarkwasinresponse to questions from Kaieteur News Publisher,GlennLall.

TheBusinessmancalledonthe Vice President to tell the nation if the Government would be seeking greater benefits for Guyanese as well as the closure of critical loopholes for the fifth project Exxon is pursuing at the Stabroek Block’sUarufield.

Specifically, Lall asked Jagdeo if the Government would seek an increaseintheroyaltytobepaidon thatproject,andifExxonwouldbe made to pay its fair share of taxes.

HealsoenquirediftheGovernment would demand full coverage insurance from Exxon in the event ofanoilspill.

Jagdeo said, “We made it clear tothepublicthatprojectsunderthe StabroekBlockwillenjoythesame terms as was there in the 2016 agreement.That’sit!”

Later on in his almost threehour briefing, the Vice President expressed his disgust for repeated questions regarding the Stabroek Block.Hesaiditistimeheputsan endtothisredundancy,addingthat his position on the block has been cleartoall.

He said, “In Guyana things seem to be circular Every time I cometoaPressConferenceitison racism, the Stabroek Block etc. There is no proper policy discussion.EverytimeIcome,itis thesamequestion.”

However,Lallmadeitclearthat questions regarding the oil sector, themostcrucialindustrythatcould make or break the future of all citizens, must be addressed. He even requested further time to ask other pertinent questions on the sectorbutwasignored.

TheUaruProject

Initsprojectsummarythatwas submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ExxonMobil subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production GuyanaLimitedwhichoperatesthe Stabroekconcession,saidtheUaru Project will be located in the eastern portion of the block, approximately 200 km from Georgetown and amid previous StabroekProjects.

Current plans include drilling via drillships to produce oil from approximately 40-76 wells Production is expected to begin betweenthefourthquarterof2026 andthesecondquarterof2027with an expected field life of at least 20 years.

EEPGL said the production facilities to be installed include subsea equipment attached to the seafloor as well as processing equipment on the ocean’s surface known as a Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. EEPGL said this subsea equipment is installed at approximately 1,450 – 1,950 m of water depth while noting that the maincomponentsofthesubseakit include the following: production tree, production manifold, flowlines, risers, and umbilicals.

The subsea umbilicals, risers, and flowlinesarecommonlyreferredto asSURF

Additionally, EEPGL’s document explained that the oil, gas,andwaterflowsfromthewell intotheproductiontree.Thefluids arethengatheredintothemanifold Continued on page 20

that all future projects will align with Trotman’s 2016 contract

Businessman and Publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Justice Navindra Singh onFridaydeniedapplications by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, PPP/C Member of Parliament Sanjeev Datadin, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lenox

HighCourtdeniesJagdeo,others requesttostallRoxanneMyerslibelsuit

Shuman and Dr Leslie Ramsammy to stay civil defamation proceedings instituted by former Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Ms. Roxanne Myers until criminal trials against her haveconcluded.

Jagdeo,Datadin,Shuman and Ramsammy alleged that Myers was misconducting herself in public office in respect of the March 2020 General and Regional elections. This formed the basis of her multimilliondollar defamation claims

againstthem.

E u s i A n d e r s o n representing Ms Myers submitted arguments against staying the defamation suits astheyhavenobearingonthe criminalproceedings Healso presented facts that the criminal matters which commencedinOctober2020 have been inordinately delayedbytheProsecution’s appeals of Magistrate Leron Daly’s ruling to conduct a preliminary investigation

into the charges of

MisconductinPublicOffice

Vice President Jagdeo, Datadin,DeputyShumanand Dr Leslie Ramsammy, through their Attorneys, argued that the stay was necessary because according to them, Myers had to first win her criminal case in the Magistrates’ Court before approaching the High Court to ask it for monetary compensation for their defamationofhercharacter Justice Singh disagreed and ruled that fairness and justicedictatesthatMyersbe given an opportunity to have

her defamation claims proceed irrespective of the outcome of the criminal trialsshefaces.

Justice Singh further ruled that since the criminal proceedings are nowhere near commencement, he will proceedwithcasemanagement ofallthedefamationmatterson 3March2023asfollows:

1Roxanne Myers versus Bharrat Jagdeo is based on slanderous and defamatory statements published in the news on 5th day of March 2020 outside GECOM’s Command Centre at Hadfield and High Streets, Georgetown and published online/electronic by News Room, Guyana that GECOM Chairperson was beingheldhostageinaroom withRoxanneMyers.

2Roxanne Myers versus Sanjeev Datadin is based on libel published in news interviewon6thdayofMarch 2020 at Hadfield and High Streets, Georgetown and published online/electronic byNewsRoom,Guyana.

3Roxanne Myers versus Lenox Shuman is based on libel published in the news article “Jimmy James no longer willing to serve in capacity as an LJP

representative” in the Guyana Times on the 22nd dayofJanuary2021.

4MyersversusDr Leslie Ramsammy is based on libel publishedallegationinarticle titled “Ramsammy’s Ruminations: Caricom, ABCE, Commonwealth, OAS – time for sanctions now, no more patience” publishedin the Guyana Times on the 18thdayofMarch2020.

Myers’claimofdamages for defamation against Jagdeo,Datadin,Shumanand Ramsammy, worth in excess of GYD$450million, is now cleared to start as early March,2023becauseJustice Singh refused the applicationsforthestay

Vice President Jagdeo wasrepresentedbyDevindra Kissoon, Datadin by Donovan Rangiah, Ramsammy by Satram and Associates and Shuman by DonovanRangiah

Jagdeo‘sickandtired’of...

Frompage19

whichthenconnectstotheflowlinesbeforetheriserstakethe fluids up to the FPSO for processing. Kaieteur News understands that the umbilical lines support production by providingrealtimecontrolofthesubseainstallationfromthe surface by delivering fluids to facilitate the flow of hydrocarbons.

AsfortheFPSO,itisanindustrialfloatingcomplexthat continuously separates oil from produced water and associatedgasforonboardstorage,andlatertransfertothird party tankers. The anticipated production rate for the FPSO ranges between approximately 220,000 barrels and 275,000 barrels of oil per day The vessel will be capable of storing approximatelytwomillionbarrelsofoil

Furthermore, third party oil tankers will be scheduled to offload the oil from the FPSO, making the oil available for export to the international market. The FPSO will also process, dehydrate, compress, and reinject associated gas producedfromthereservoir AstheUaruandMakoreservoir pressures deplete over time, this gas reinjection will help maintain reservoir pressure and allow for optimum production of hydrocarbons to continue over time In addition,someofthegaswillbeusedasfuelontheFPSO

Furthermore,EEPGLtoldtheEPAthatithasundertaken additional studies to obtain an even more comprehensive understanding of potential impacts of effluent discharges to water, the feasibility of alternative handling of produced water, cradle to grave waste management in Guyana, emergency response capabilities, and environmental compliancemonitoringandverification Thecompanysaid the learnings from current operations and environmental studies will enhance the design and implementation of the Uaru Project, thereby increasing environmental performanceandeconomicvalue

ItconcludedthattheUaruProjectwillcontributepositively, directly and indirectly, to economic growth in Guyana, including increased national revenues, local procurement of select goods and services, increased direct and indirect local employment opportunities which drive associated beneficial ‘multiplier’impactsthroughoutthelocaleconomy

Former GECOM DCEO, Roxanne Myers

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

UK-born

Ms. R ushana Joseph

Meet this week's beauty, the captivating Ms. Rushana Joseph. This 19-year -old belle recently graduated from the University of Guyana with a Diploma in Banking and Finance. She aspires to one day become a Loan Officer. “The thought of being able to help persons fulfil a dream with my help is one of my greatest aspirations,” she told Kaieteur News. Her favourite quote that comforts her on her darkest days says “Que sera, sera” which is Italian for “whatever happens, happens."

Protecting school children and ending gang violence: no time to waste

By Sir Ronald Sanders

[gang]activityillegal”. A spokesman for the thesociety go after lesser There are strong reasons DHS said, “In the wrong I n n e i g h b o u r i n g criminals, as well (The writer is Antigua for this anxiety, and good hands, these weapons could Honduras, the Government a s r e p e a t and Barbuda’s Ambassador cause for a national cause mass casualties”, also faced the criminal offenders”. to the United States of consultation on how the adding that “guns trafficked activities of gangs that held Armed gangs A m e r i c a a n d t h e issue of gang violence from the U.S. have been sway over businesses in the are already an Organization of American shouldbehandled,involving linked to a surge of gang- capital, Tegucigalpa, and the u n w e l c o m e States. He is also a Senior all stakeholders in the related and reprisal murders northern hub of San Pedro phenomenon in Fellow at the Institute of society Theproblemwon’t inTheBahamasthisyear”. Sula. C a r i b b e a n Commonwealth Studies, be solved by Governments The problem of school Taking a leaf from the El countries. This is keep their populations safe, University of London and alone, though they must violence, therefore, has two Salvador playbook, on not a problem that can afford theyhadnochoice. Massey College in the o r g a n i s e n a t i o n a l dimensions. The first is the December 5, the Honduras delays. The approach of the Caribbean countries, University of Toronto) consultations. safety of children and the Government imposed a Governments of El Salvador except Haiti, still have time G a n g v i o l e n c e , Gang violence in school impact on the education ‘state of exception’ and Honduras came after the to address this growing particularly in schools, and is not only a threat to the system. s u s p e n d i n g s o m e activities of gangs were so problem within the rule of directedatschoolchildren,is safety of children, it has the The second is the constitutional rights to help grave that they could not be law fast becoming a grave potential to grievously looming prospect that gangs fightstreetgangs. ignored Consequently, Dealing with it, based on concern throughout the disrupttheeducationsystem, w o u l d b e c o m e s o A f o r m e r P o l i c e draconian measures were national consultations and Caribbean. and, also, to feed the emboldened,thattheywould Commissioner said, “The i n t r o d u c e d w h i c h consensus,isurgent. Recent reports of school development of gangs, seek to control countries, intent is to penetrate these encroachedoncivilliberties.

Reponses and previous children being attacked by which foment criminal c h a l l e n g i n g l a w criminal structures to get to Those Governments c o m m e n t a r i e s : hooded gangs with knives activities that terrorizes enforcement bodies in the the leaders, noting that it would argue that, in www.sirronaldsanders and cutlasses and suffering societies and stunts process. would also be important to fulfilment of their duty to serious injuries, have economicgrowth.

Apart from Haiti, alarmed parents in Antigua Haiti is a deeply developments in two Central and Barbuda, The Bahamas, disturbing example of how American countries – El Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia armed gangs have taken Salvador and Honduras –and Trinidad and Tobago. control of large parts of the should be closely studied by Especially troubling, is an country, confronting police, Caribbean authorities, such observation, made in kidnapping persons for a s t h e C A R I C O M November 2021, by the ransom, ‘barbecuing’people Implementation Agency for Commissioner of Police of they regard as enemies, and Crime and Security, for the St Lucia, Milton Desir, that completely disregarding any lessonstheypresent. criminals have been formoftheruleoflaw

In El Salvador, between targeting school children for Of course, the dastardly March 25 and 27, eightyrecruitment into gangs and a and awful conditions of seven people were murdered lifeofcrime. Haiti, which have consigned in violence that Salvadoran

In The Bahamas, themajorityofitspopulation authorities blamed on two of concerns heightened about to abject poverty, and little the country’s most notorious school safety earlier this opportunity for social and criminal gangs – both of year, following several economic improvement them had migrated from Los stabbings and violent while a small elite profits, Angeles in the U.S. The encounters between students are at the root of the victims varied widely atpublicschools. emergence of gangs. But demographically and most

This led to the Education Haiti’s disorder is also a of them had no known Minister, Glenys Hanna- warning to other Caribbean connectiontoanygangs. Martin, telling Parliament countries that social,

I n r e s p o n s e , t h e that there will be ‘zero political, and economic Government declared a tolerance’ for school circumstances should not t h i r t y - d a y s t a t e o f violence. deterioratetothepointwhere emergency that curtailed

In Barbados, after 2 remedying them become a several constitutional rights, years of incidents at mammoth, costly and including freedom of s c h o o l s , i n c l u d i n g difficulttask. assembly and the right to stabbings, and several The illegal entry of legalcounsel. ThePresident violent crimes that resulted weapons into Caribbean of the country also in many deaths, the popular countries,insupportofdrug authorized the national on-line publication, trafficking and other p o l i c e t o c o n d u c t ‘Barbados Today’, in an criminal activity, is warrantless raids and mass Editorial on October 14, growing If this trend arrests; as of April 26, more warned that if “authorities continues, along with an than seventeen thousand do not get in front of this increase in gangs which suspected gang members issue it will fester and recruit and groom school hadreportedlybeenarrested. grow” children, the implications Almost 60,000 suspected

The Ministry of Social for peaceful and sustained gang members have been Transformation in Antigua stability and growth are arrestedsinceMarch. and Barbuda is clearly so worrying T h e S a l v a d o r i a n anxiousabouttheemergence Just four months ago, the government was criticised of gangs and violence U S Department for for its methods by against school children, that Homeland Security (DHS) international human rights oneoftheremedialactionsit disclosedthattheyhadfound bodies However, the proposed in late November, a substantial increase in the Government’s actions is “developing legislation number of weapons being resulted in a considerable t h a t m a k e s g a n g illegally trafficked to the drop in homicides, and a m e m b e r s h i p a n d Caribbean. significant easing of fear in

Sir Ronald Sanders

Familiarize yourself with muscles in the body (Part 2)

By Davina Bagot

Your exercise efforts become much more effective as you learn therespectivemusclesofthebody One of the key advantages is that you gain a better understanding of which specific muscles need to be targetedtoachieveyourparticular objective(s).

Last week we looked at muscles in the chest and back. In this week's Fit-Nest column, we will explore the muscles found in the arms and shoulder as well as theabdomen.

For a lot of Guyanese, their exercise routines tend to focus heavily on the core (abdomen), as this is usually the area that stores the most fat. While some may be trying to gain that sculpted movie star-like 'six pack' (abs), doing abdominal exercises have proven to assist in the breathing process and the protection of your inner organs.

Obliques

The muscle group on the sides of the abdominals is known as the obliques. Movement of these muscles may result in several actions, but they are best known

Gluteus maximus

for their lateral flexion and rotation of the trunk known as asidebend.Theirfunctionisto helpsupportthespinefromthe front. This means that they are vital in maintaining a good posture Other important abdominal muscles are listed below

Gluteusmedius

One of three gluteal muscles, the gluteus medius, connectstheiliumtothetopof the femur. It controls the level of the hips and allows the thighstorotate.

Gluteusmaximus

The gluteus maximus as the name may suggest is the largest and outermost muscle of the buttock. It attaches to severalplacesinthepelvisand thigh and allows you to extend your upper leg, spread it, and turnitoutward.

Serratusanterior

These are a group of muscles connected to the rib cage, which help stabilize the shoulder

Psoasmajor

Th e Psoas major muscles connect the lower part of the spine to the ilium and the femur and aids inflexingthehips.

Arm and shoulder muscles

Biceps

Thismuscleisfoundinthe of the upper arm. The bicepshelpcontrolthemotionof both the shoulder and elbow joints.At the elbow, the biceps are essential in lifting, and at the shoulder, they help with moving the arms sideways, forward and upwards. Basically, this muscle helps bend or curl the arm toward your

body

Triceps

The triceps are muscles in the back of the upper arm. These muscles help stabilize the shoulderjointandallowtheelbow joint to be straightened The triceps are utilized in passing and shooting a basketball, and help with finite movements such as in writing, drawing or even push and pull.

Deltoids

The deltoids, or delts, are known as the shoulder muscles. This muscle group is used on all side of body lifting motions. They provide support when you carry things and help keep carried items away from the motion path of the thighs The deltoid muscle consists of 3 parts: anterior deltoid, medial deltoid, and posteriordeltoid.

Obliques

Court Journal

Mario Haywood,

November convictions for child rapists

prevalence of such offences and

Mark Fontanelle, the fact that Williams took Ray Williams, advantage of the closeness he

Andrew Blackman shared with the victim and her and Gavin Assanah are the five family men who were convicted this year

Justice Kissoon sentenced for raping a child under the age of Williams to 12 years on the first 16. count of rape of a minor, 13 years

The law criminalises any on the second count, and 15 years, sexual act with a child who is three months on the third count. under the age of 16.The act of any However, his sentences will run person engaging in any sort of concurrently and this means he sexual penetration with a child will only serve 15 years and three under the age of 16 is called rape. months for repeatedly raping a Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at Further, if a person causes a child minor. theSexualOffendersCourt. to engage in sexual penetration

By Renay Sambach

Thirty-two-year-old Andrew In October a 12-member jury with another person, it is also Blackman was sentenced to nine foundAssanahguiltyofrapingthe consideredrape. years in prison for raping a 14- victim during the month August

For this offence, it is irrelevant year-oldgirl. 2014,andonJanuary26,2015. whether or not the person who

Blackman, a Mackenzie, Justice Morris-Ramlall raped the child believed that the Linden, Region 10 (Upper considered the psychological was left in Heywood’s care when child was 16 years or older The Demerara-Berbice) resident had trauma the incident has caused the he took advantage of her and penalty for raping a child in pleadedguiltytothechargeofrape victim before handing down a committed the rapes. It was also Guyanaisimprisonmentforlife. ofachildunder16years. sentence. The Judge had also reported that Heywood had Moreover,thelawcriminalises The man had expressed considered that Assanah breached threatened the child that he would any form of sexual activity with a remorse for his actions of raping thevictim’strust. kill her mother if she told anyone child under the age of 16 – sexual the teen between September 10, Justice Barlow sentenced whathedidtoher. activity with a minor excludes and11,2021. Assanah to serve 16 years on the

OnNovember16,twenty-onepenetration.Itisalsoacriminalact

Duringthesentencinghearing, first count and 17 years on the year-old Mark Fontanelle of First ifapersoncausesorincitesachild the judge highlighted that second count However, the Phase, Kwakwani, Upper Berbice to engage in sexual activity with a Blackman breached the trust by sentences will run concurrently River, who admitted that he raped child and if the person causes the preying on the child during a and he will only serve 17 years in a12-year-oldgirlwassentencedto child to perform a sexual act, for vulnerablemoment. prison. 11yearsimprisonment. example,masturbation.

The final matter I will Moreover, the rape survivor in Fontanelle was sentenced by Again, it is irrelevant whether highlight is that of GavinAssanah her impact statement disclosed Justice Sandil Kissoon at the at the time of the activity, the who was sentenced to 17 years that she suffered from nightmares Demerara Sexual Offences Court accused believed the child was 16 imprisonment for raping a 12- due to Assanah’s assaults which at the High Court. He was charged years or over If convicted on year-oldgirltwice. ledhertoattemptingsuicideatage with Rape of a Child under 16 indictment, the penalty is Assanah was sentenced by 14. YearsContrarytoSection10(3)of imprisonmentfortenyears. the Sexual Offences Act Chapter

On November 23, 39-year-old 8:03. Mario Heywood called “Ratty” Meanwhile, 33-year-old Ray was sentenced to 17 years behind Williams was sentenced to 15

years and three months for bars for three counts of rape repeatedly raping a 12-year-old committedona9-year-oldgirl. girl. Williams was also sentenced It was reported that Heywood, by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown SexualOffencesCourt. had committed the crime back in

Williams had pleaded guilty to 2018. three counts of rape of a child

In October, a 12-member jury under 16 years, which occurred foundHeywoodguiltyofthethree between February and October countsofrapecommittedbetween 2021. October 1, 2018, and November

The judge, during his 20,2018. sentencing remarks, highlighted

As such, Justice Sandil the physical and psychological Kissoon at the Demerara High trauma Williams’s action caused Court sentenced Haywood to 17 thevictim. yearsimprisonment.

The judge also considered the The court heard that the child

Ray Williams

Gavin Assanah (Guyana Chronicle photo)

Andrew Blackman (Guyana Chronicle photo)

Mark Fontanelle

Mario Haywood

By Richard Francois

This week we

conclude this series on driving etiquette, as we examine a few more of the universally accepted norms of correct, safe and courteous driving. The primary aims of this article are to have local d r i v e r s d e v e l o p a consciousness about courteous driving and have themputintopracticewhatis being discussed here, in an effort to reduce the ubiquitous lawlessness that occursonourroadways.

Safe and courteous driving should be something all drivers practice when using the roadways The ability to drive a motor vehicle with courtesy and considerationforpedestrians and other motorists is one sure sign of a professional driver So, if you consider yourself a driving pro, then practice courteous driving at all times. Remember that courtesy means respect for others as well as yourself. Have respect for other road users.

The Christmas season is upon us, and the roads are already congested with lots of vehicles, pedestrians and otherroadusers. Drivers,for this season and onwards, please make due care, courtesy and common sense your gift to all fellow motorists.

Do not use your high beamindiscriminately

A disturbing occurrence that is becoming habitual on Guyanese roadways in the evenings are indiscriminate drivers who continuously drive with their high beams on, blinding all oncoming read users. The high beams on a vehicle are to be used when driving on dark streets orhighwaysingoodweather, when there is little or no traffic Using your high beamswhenitisrainingorin foggy conditions can cause glare, and actually lessen the rangeofvisibility.

High beams are great when driving in rural areas, but can also be used in cities or towns when it's dark and there are few other vehicles on the road. They can help

Driving Etiquette Part 2

drivers avoid animals and quicklyspotroadsignswhen it's pitch black out on the road. It is important that as drivers you remember to lookout for the headlights of approaching cars coming from the opposite direction, so that you can switch back to the low beams when you seesomeonecoming.

Do not use or allow any lihton your vehicleto dazzle another road user This also means that if you are driving behind a vehicle please dim yourheadlights.

Payheedtosirens

Emergency vehicles and those belonging to law enforcement are equipped withsirenstoalertotherroad users that these vehicles are moving at a fast rate and that ALL road users must give way to them. It is a legal requirement that upon hearing a vehicle with sirens approaching, that road users immediately pull over safely in the corner to allow for the safepassageofsaidvehicle.

Sirens must be respected at all times. And as was mentioned in Part 1 of this series, do not tailgate emergency and law enforcementvehicles.

Give way when necessary

It is courteous driving to safely allow for merging traffic.Slowingdownabitto allow for a driver to join the traffic is not only courteous, itissafe.Ifsomeoneistrying tomergeintoalineoftraffic, it is polite to give way and allow them to safely join the flow of traffic. Do not speed up and tailgate the person in front of you just to avoid a driver coming out of a street to merge. Remember that as a driver, you too may find yourself wanting to merge into traffic and will expect another driver to give way to you.

Of course in Guyana, there are peculiarities when it comes to merging traffic. Unscrupulous drivers who are unable to tow-the-line sometimes make up their own lines and try to bully t h e i r w a y i n t o t h e mainstream flow of traffic.

In this case, please remembersafetycomesfirst.

Drivers, it is not your responsibility to defend your space on the road from street bullies. Their own reckless behavior will be their own undoingintimetocome.

Do not use your phone while driving

In these modern times many drivers find it hard to resist the temptation to use their cell phones while driving. Using a cell phone when driving a dangerous thing to do and must be avoided at all times. In most countries across the world, their highway safety codes deal with the prohibition of mobile phone use when driving a vehicle. Failure to obeythismostimportantrule canattractseverepenalties.

In Guyana, it is illegal to use a cell phone while driving.

Any electronic device with a screen must be fixed to the vehicle by means of a purpose-built mount and usedatalltimewhiledriving in hands-free or voiceactivatedmode.

Afew points to note: Complete any call or text beforestartingthecar

Be sure to get proper directions ahead of time, know your intended path of travel.

Finally, if there is a need touseacellphoneinthecase of an emergency, make sure you pull over to a SAFE location and place the car in park before using your phone.

Obey the speed limit at all times

Speed limits are set with thegoalofkeepingeveryone safe.Thereisaninherentrisk when driving a car – not just for the driver, but for others on the road (including passengers, other drivers, bicyclists,andpedestrians).

The speed limits are designed on what is believed to be the safest speed for the flow of traffic and the safety of drivers, passengers, bicyclists,andpedestrians.

Driving at a higher speed increases your risk of losing control of your car while trying to adapt to changing road conditions. If you drive above the speed limit, keep in mind that you'll need

additional time to stop your car or react to changing road conditionssafely

Driver, please adhere to the speed limits. Speeding kills! Always give yourself enough time to get to your destination And as the saying here goes: “you can't belatetwice.”

Slow down a bit and arrivealive.

Use roundabouts correctly

· watch out for all other road users already on the roundabout; be aware they may not be signalling correctlyoratall

· look forward before moving off to make sure trafficinfronthasmovedoff.

R u l e 1 8 6 : Signals and position. When taking the first exit to the left, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

·signalleftandapproach intheleft-handlane

have passed the exit before theoneyouwant.

When there are more than three lanes at the entrancetoaroundabout,use the most appropriate lane on approach and through it You should give priority to cyclists on the roundabout. They will be travelling more slowly than motorised traffic. Give them plenty of room and do not attempt to overtake them within their lane. Allow them to move

The correct procedure at roundabouts

In Guyana we drive on the left hand side of the road just like in the United Kingdom The Highway CodeoftheUKhasasection that deals with the correct use of roundabouts. In the interest of space I will share rules 185 and 186 for your perusal and application when using roundabouts in Guyana For additional information please feel free t o v i s i t : h t t p s : / / www highwaycodeuk co uk /roundabouts.html

1 8 5 :

W h e n r e a c h i n g t h e roundabout, you should · give priority to traffic approachingfromyourright, unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or trafficlights

· check whether road markings allow you to enter the roundabout without giving way If so, proceed, but still look to the right beforejoining

· keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signallinglefttoleave.

When taking an exit to the right or going full circle, unless signs or markings indicateotherwise signal right and approach in the right-hand lane

· keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout

· signal left after you have passed the exit before theoneyouwant.

When taking any intermediate exit, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

· select the appropriate lane on approach to the roundabout you should not normally need to signal on approach

· stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exittheroundabout

· signal left after you

across your path as they t r a v e l a r o u n d t h e roundabout. Cyclists, horse riders and horse drawn vehicles may stay in the lefthand lane when they intend to continue across or around the roundabout and should signal right to show you they are not leaving the roundabout.

Driversshouldtakeextra care when entering a roundabout to ensure that they do not cut across cyclists,horseridersorhorse drawn vehicles in the lefthand lane, who are continuing around the roundabout.

Drivers please try to put into practice the information shared in this series. It is important to practice safe responsible driving at all times. We must all do our part to ensure that our roadways are safer Let safe and responsible road use become a Guyanese reality NOW!.

SINGLE MOM OF 2 STIRS UP AN ‘EROTIC’ FUSION OF TASTE IN BERBICE

ByMalisaPlayter-Harry

whileshedoesnotyethavea resourcesintoit.

Smore sales during the food outlet per se, she “IlovethetimeandloveI pandemic.” operates from home quite put into making my items. I It hasn't always been an u m p t u o u s , successfully do not "skimp" as we the easy road for this Berbice delectable, sweet Nevertheless, as the Guyanese would say, on my 'superwoman', but for her, it and savoury treats demand for her products ingredients, which makes was just another hurdle she that cause your taste buds to increases especially myendproducttastyas knewshecouldovercome,“I explode is what comes to amafighter,Idon'tgiveup” mindwhenyouhearof'Food she said proudly, and noted Erotica'. Be sure to go and thataslongasthereisagoal, savour those yummy bites she will most definitely and delightful treats created achieveit. in the kitchen of New

According to Toolsie, Amsterdam,Berbicemomof one of her major challenges two,NajumaToolsie. ishercompetition.

At 30-years-old, Toolsie

Especially with more has been creating quite the new businesses emerging stir in the taste buds of thatofferthesameproducts Berbiciansandbeyond. and services she said. She Officially established remindsherselfthatshehas in June 2019, 'Food a viable product that is of Erotica'hasbecomeoneof superlative quality, as well the many successful as her own customers and female-owned businesses her products speak for in Region 6, and caters for themselves. everyone Toolsie, who juggles another job and being a mom to her two amazingchildren,ages2and 9decidedtoturnherculinary love and passion into a thriving food business

Offering a variety of withinthepast breakfast,lunch,dinner,and year, she is now is snack options, Toolsie with seriously considering the assistance of the staff opening an outlet in New also caters for weddings, Amsterdamverysoon. anniversaries,birthdays,and Najumasaidthatbesides other special occasions itbeingherpassion,shealso that she secured a business, so that they can There are also weekend thought that having booth at this year's function effectively and snack packs and the popular additional income coming Berbice Expo and provide even greater service “DonutWednesday”. into the home would make TradeFairthatwasheld totheircustomers. The cuisine at 'Food life so much more t the Albion Sports Her advice to those Erotica' will have you comfortable for her and her Complex in October. She venturingintobusinessis“to beggingformore! little family With every ded that it was a be strong” in the sense that T h e m o t i v a t e d deliciousproductshemakes, mentous success since one must be able to businesswoman noted that she pours her heart and participated all four understandthattherewillbe nightsandwassoldoutevery days when you won't make night. asmuchasyouexpected. always.”

It helps The Berbice Expo “Butthekeyhereistobe

She added that many of hertoremainconsistent,and provided an excellent consistent and it will all pay her ingredients are has helped her to gain more platformforhertoshowcase off. purchased in various customers. herbusiness.Sincethen,she Also, I would advise supermarketsandshops,and Najumasaidinanother5 hasbeendoingmoreoutdoor keepingclosetopeoplewho shelooksforthebestprices. years, she envisions herself events that have all been would motivate and support She said while some of the managing her restaurant successful. you in any form, even if it's products may take a few with a wider variety of Moving forward, she by sharing your fliers or by minutes to complete, others deliciousfood. intends to do more of those tellingafriend. could take hours, but in the Since starting her

typesofeventsinthecoming You need people around end, the result is remarkable business she said it has year you who would always see andthecustomersatisfaction helped her to grow She also said that while thebestinyouandthebestin derived at the end of her exponentially as an friends and family promote whatudo.” work motivates her even individualinmanyways. your business via social You can find Najuma's more. “I'm now better able to media, she believes that business on Instagram as

During the COVID-19 plan and execute certain there should be an avenue 'Food Erotica' or you can pandemic, instead of her tasks with a budget. Before, where small businesses can make contact her to order business taking a hit, it itwasextremelyhardforme be promoted on government yourtreatsonhercellphone actuallytookoff! toworkwithabudget.Ithas television and radio stations number675-5695.

“I'vehadmoresalesandI alsohelpedmetosavemore at no cost to the upcoming

The Waterfalls wishes keptreceivingmessagesand and also to skip past my businessowners. Najuma Toolsie greater ordersfrommorecustomers, wants and focus on what I She also wants to see success in her business as time went by during that need,”shesaid. more training provided to endeavours as the NewYear period.Icansafelysay,Ihad Najuma also mentioned persons venturing into approaches.

Cheesecake

Proprietress Najuma Toolsie

InterestingCreatures... The Goliath birdeater (Tarantula)

By Shervin Belgrave

is the Dennis Stewart, is one of the

world’s largest ‘lucky’ persons who spider that is native to stumbled across a Goliath Guyana’s lush rainforest. It birdater in the wild and was belongs to the Tarantula takenabackbyitshugesize. family and like the name Herelatedthatheandhis suggests it is so large and colleagues had found this fierceitcanpreyonbirds. creature in the early 1960s

However, birds are not a whileclimbingtothepeakof regular part of its main diet, Mount Roraima to hoist the because it’s a ground- Golden Arrowhead in dwelling creature. This does c o m m e m o r a t i o n o f not prevent it from feasting Guyana’s first Independence on different kinds of celebration. amphibians, such as frogs. Stewart recounted, “We Goliath birdeaters can easily found a large spider; it was make a meal out of small bigger than a plate.We put it rodents, lizard or even on a plate and the legs were snakes. stillhangingover,”

These animals are The retired army officer nocturnal predators and are saidthathewasprivilegedto masters of ambush. To trap come across such an animal preys,goliathbirdeaterstend and was amazed at how rich to hide on the forest floor in and untouched Guyana’s swampy areas and quickly biodiversityis. strikewithoutwarning. Othertravelerswhohave

Its massive size and dark managed to stumble across

can this

the

anyone. The were not so happy with

inatuptosix

to 11 inches in

diameter remembered running away

(//biologydictionary.net/goli

TA retired Guyana Defence Force (GDF) h e G o l i a t h Warrant Officer Class One, birdeater

whentheysawit roughlyequivalenttogetting by you, they may start to tarantulastendtoonlybitein hairy like appearance

large spider in

wild While they are the stung by a wasp. In fact, the “hiss” – a defensive sound self-defense. strike fear in

biggest spiders in the world, venom will likely do less meant to scare away Source of information: Goliath Birdeater can weigh encounter and described the theGoliathbirdeatersarenot damage to humans than the predators. If you listen and h t t p s :

ouncesandcan goliath birdeater as a the most dangerous. Their goliath’smassivefangs! back off, it is very unlikely

grow

nightmarish creature and venom is mild to humans, Ifagoliathisintimidated you will get bitten as these ath-birdeater/)

The goliath birdeater

Award Winning UK-born children's service provider, Nina Khan is a provider

By Rehanna Ramsay

While most Guyanese m a r v e l a t a n opportunitytolivein a foreign more developed country, therearestillmanypersonswhoare gladly willing to trade places with us for warm weather, fresh fruits and vegetables, and natural landscapes.

This is the case of UK-born, Nina Khan. She first fell in love with her adopted homeland more than two decades ago and ever since, she has made it a goal to do her “tiny bit,” and utmost best, to contribute to the development of Guyana.

This week's Special Person is a certified and celebrated childcare professional,NinaKhan.

Mrs.Khanholdsseveralawards from the UK's Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services, and Skills OFSTED for her work withchildren.

Given her vast experience, Khan has spent the past decade building a daycare facility that she operates out of her Grove, East BankDemerarahome.

She told Kaieteur News that the daycare facility in Guyana forms part of her dream has been a long timecoming.

Khan said “I have always wanted to work in childcare Guyana.Igottrainedinthe I started working with kids my childcare group won couple of awards there, but always wanted to open a facility in Guyana, after I came here for the first timewithmyhusband.”

T h e d a y c a r e proprietor recalled that the first time she came to Guyana in August 1990. She said, “I instantly fell inlovewiththisplace.”

Khan listed her reasons. She loves the natural beauty of Guyana and the fact the of her life, her husband, the Mohamed Ashraf Khan whom called 'Az' was born here. At the time,shesaidherbeloved“Az”was alive and they explored as much of the country as they possibly could. Three years ago she lost her belovedhusband.

Itwasthenthatshemadeupher mind that she would return here to live. She explained “Guyana is a naturally beautiful place, it is not congested with huge concrete buildings, nature was still intact, but I saw some things that troubled me. In some places, I saw children selling sweets on street corners to

help their parents. I thought to myself children should never have todothat.”

It was then, that Mrs. Khan decided that on her return to Guyana, she would open a childcare facility S h e

'Special Person'

said that the dream took more than a d e c a d e t o materialize due to some unforese circumstances but stayedwithitbecause something she always wanted.

Today, her facility caters to between 15 t0 20 preschoolers and toddlers each week. Reflecting on her journey, the UK-born childcare professional is happy she never gaveuponherlifelongdream.

LITTLE IRCHESTER

Khan grew up in a little village called Little Irchester which is in theMidlands.

Her grandparent Elizabeth and Charlie took care of Nina and her twin sister, Madeline while their motherJanewenttowork--shewas a single parent. Khan whose maiden name is Marlow said, “It was a strict upbringing in those days.” She recalled, “When I was at Secondary school I wanted to studychildcare,butmy grandmother wanted me to leave school and get a job, whichshefoundforus.”

The teenage Khan protested against going to work, because she really

wa nted to finish her studies to become a childcare professional, but it was tonoavail.

She said, “I was told by my grandmother that studying childcare would not make the kind of money that I would make in the coat factory, because we had needed the money urgently and there were no other means of gettingit…”

As such, a very disappointed Khan and her twin sister went to work in the coat factory She said, “IwascrushedbutIunderstoodthat myfamilyneededthesupport.”

YOUNG LOVE

Mrs. Khan didn't know it then, but she would later thank her grandmother for sending her away to work, because it was in that very coatfactorythatshemettheloveof herlife.

“That was where I met my husband who was from Guyana; he was born in Wakenaam…He was theSupervisoratthecoatfactory If believes in love at first wasme. was a handsome man,alotolderthanme, but I didn't care, I fell madly in love with him. I was only 16 at the time,” she r e c a l l e d She also recalled too that her husband also helped her out tremendously

“I could not sew to save my life

UK-born child care provider, Nina Khan

The tots from Nina Khan's daycare facility in Grove, EBD

Some of the care providers attached to Nina Khan Daycare in Grove

Mrs. Khan is pictured with her twin sister, Madeleine.

Mrs. Khan is an advocate for cancer awareness and treatment

Mrs. Khan and her husband, AZ renewed their vow after 40 years of marriage.

Formerly known as a hidden paradise, Lake Capoey, a black water creek nestled in Capoey village, Essequibo, Region Three, is increasingly becoming a major tourist site in the Cinderella County

It is one of the largest of three lakesintheCounty

The community was said to be foundedmanydecadesagowhen some families of Amerinidian descent (Guyana's first peoples) settled there. The inhabitants were largely of the Arawak tribe, one of more friendly Indigenous tribes in Guyana. Interestingly, the word Capoey is a Wapichan (another Amerindian tribe) name, which

translates to 'Land of the Rising Moon' Capoey Village is accessiblebybothriverandroad. To access this serene village, youwillneedtotravelalongatwomile long road which branches off fromtheEssequiboPublicRoad

(Continued on page 50)

Lake Capoey is one of the Cinderella County's major tourist attractions County's

Craft and drinks on sale at Capoey Village

Benabs built at the front of the Lake

A beautiful sunset at Lake Capoey

A tasty tuma pot paired with cassava bread

A breath taking aerial shot of the Capoey Lake (Kevin Somwaru photo)

(ALL PHOTOS ABOVE WERE TAKEN FROM THE LAKE CAPOEY FACEBOOK PAGE)

By Allyiah Allicock

'SelftGy' for unique jewellery & accessories

Ever since a young age, Carlyne A. Carew has always been a creative person A Pharmacist by profession,Carewin2020decided to re-explore her creative side and launched her very own jewelry businesscalled'SelftGy'.

SelfGy produces unique costume jewelry and accessories that are attractive and exquisite. This business endeavour is something Carew always loved andhadapassionfor “I have a love for jewelryandpieces,forme was something that was hardtofind.

So I decided to dedicate my time and energy into creating my own unique, p a t r i o t i c a n d beautiful pieces of j e w e l r y a n d accessories,” she told this magazine recently

Carew added, “I started Selft not only to fulfill this need bu because of my crazy work schedule, I needed an outlet relievethestressesofthe Selft which has been making a name for itself in the local industry has been receiving tremendous support and feedback. “The support I received from my family is simply amazing; I can't

t h ank them enough for being there withmeeverystepofthewayfrom the late nights to the exhibitions that I attend Especially my Fiancée, Nicholas Glasgow, who helps me with taking orders, delivery and also participating at exhibitions with me; his support is unending,”Carewexpressed.

Since the launch of this venture, the young woman shared thatthemainchallengeshefacesis

time management. “Due to my work schedule, timing does play a factor, especially if I cover a late shift, so the business demands

rollover wee hours of the morning, but I enjoy every momentofit,”sherelated.

As for the COVID-19 pandemic, Carew stated that it had a positive effect on her business, due to the fact that there was a preference for products being sold online This she noted saved customers time and the hassle of havingtoencountercrowds.

When asked by the Waterfalls Magazine what is the long term goal for Selft, Carew mentioned that her long term goal is for Selft to become an official jewelry brand, for it to be used by many includingdesignersetc.

Our 29-year-old featured Entrepreneur, is of the belief that small business owners are an important group in our society today, they raise the bar local talent “You

them an opportunity to express themselves in the best was possible,”sheexpressed.

Shesuggestedthatforthelocal small business fraternity, there can be improvements by making small loansmorereadilyavailableforthe owners, as well as creating a directory for small businesses, making it easier for persons interested in their products and services to make contact with them.

For anyone interested in making contact with Carew or looking to place an order, Selft products can be found via their Fa cebook page at SefltGy and also on Instagram page @SelftGy Or you can also find

Entrepreneurs play a vital role in our society, it allows us to see what talents are undiscovered as well as giving

“Young entrepreneurs play a vital role in our society, it allows us to see what talents are undiscovered as well as giving them an opportunity to express themselves in the best was possible.”

Young Entrepreneur, Carlyne A. Cafrew

Lessons from a Lashpreneur !!!

TIPS FOR HANDLING ANXIOUS LASH EXTENSION CLIENTS

ByLatoyaZephyr

few questions about how what to expect during their you can do to make sure it relaxing!Thegoalwithyour Some clients we see, long they last, and what to apoointment. This will help will feel comfortable and massagebedistohavethem experience what it is like to especiallythosegettingafull expect. them know what to expect invitingforthem. lay down and fall asleep. A get your lashes done. This set will most likely not have Before the client comes and can help them feel less Setthemoodwithmusic. sleeping client is always the will help you to know what had eyelash extensions we recommend to tell them anxiousandmoreprepared. Spa like music can help to happiest client. Here are you can do to make your before. how to come to the Before your client calm anyone. When your somethingsthatcanmakeit client as comfortable and They will likely have a appointment prepared and arrivesthereareafewthings eyesareclosedandsomeone more comfortable. A soft relaxed as possible. Every isworkingsocloselytoyour cozy blanket, and a nice lash technician’s goal is to face it is sometimes hard to cushioned pillow Lastly, providetheirclientswiththe relax. Calming music can while doing the service help most pleasant and helpwiththat!Whileyouare easetheclientandexplainto exceptional experience doingyourclientitisproper themwhatyouaredoing,not possible to ensure they lashetiquettetosilenceyour to startle them. Explain to continue coming back and phone, to prevent startling them how to take care of refer others to schedule your client. Upon their their lashes at this point and services. They’ll remember arrival also ask them to what to expect. When to thewayyoumadethemfeel, silence their phone as well. come in for touch up so it’s important that you Phones can cause appointments and how to make them feel as distractions causing you to schedule those. Put yourself comfortable and at ease as slow down Having a intheirshoes,betteryetasa possible. comfortable bed can be so lash artist you should

Cup Qatar

Spinach Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects

Introduction: reading to find out what's in conditions.

supporttheconsumptionof Youmighthavewatched itforyou!

Spinach extract showed spinachjuiceinmanaging issue and one of the leading studies to establish the true Popeye the sailor man, Propertiesof good antioxidant activity in andpreventingchronic causes of death worldwide. extentofthebenefitsofherb gulping down spinach and SpinachJuice: lab and animal trials. As diseaseconditions. Diets rich in dark green onhumanhealth.  saving Olive! Well, that Spinach juice may observed during a clinical Therefore,youmusttalkto vegetables such as spinach HowtoUse showdidgetsomefactsright demonstratetheseproperties trial conducted on elderly ahealthcareproviderin may help reduce the risk of SpinachJuice: aboutspinachevenifitwasa as observed in various women, consuming spinach caseofanyhealthissue. cancers Many studies You may consume raw cartoon! Spinach juice is research. juice in a diet could show 2.Potentialusesof demonstrate spinach's spinach juice to enjoy the packed with vitamins, ·Itmayshowantioxidant antioxidant properties in spinachjuiceforobesity protectiveroleagainstcolon, numerous health benefits mineralsandmacronutrients property humans. Healthcare experts often breast, and oesophageal that this leafy vegetable essential for your health. It may show anti- In another clinical study, recommend lifestyle cancers. offers To make spinach Spinach (Spinacia inflammatoryproperty it was observed that the modifications like diet and As per a case study, the juice, blend some fresh oleraceae) is a nutritious It may show anti- consumption of spinach in exercise for people looking consumptionofspinachwas spinachleaveswithaglassof vegetable that is consumed obesityproperty healthy men and women to lose or manage weight. associated with a decreased water to a consistency of by boiling the fresh leaves. ·Itmayshowanticancer couldreduceoxidativestress Spinach can be essential risk of breast cancer in yourchoice. You can consume spinach property inthebody dietary addition for people women Though the Onceitisblended,strain raw as well as in cooked · It may help manage Inflammation is the whowanttomanageweight. protective effects of spinach the mixture into a glass. form.Spinachleavescontain blood glucose levels body's natural response to Spinach extract may help have been observed in Voila! Your spinach juice is plenty of antioxidant (Hypoglycemicproperty) stress and injury induce satiety (feeling full) clinical and animal trials, ready compounds that can · It may help reduce Inflammation for prolong and thereby reduce calorie more research is needed to You must consult a potentially really save you b l o o d p r e s s u r e periods can lead to diseases intake as per studies support the consumption of qualified physician before fromalotofhealthtrouble. (Hypolipidemicproperty)2 likecancer,heartdiseaseand conducted on humans and spinach juice in cancer in taking spinach juice or Many believe spinach Potential Uses of type2diabetes. animals. Evidence suggests humans. otherherbalsupplementsas originatedinPersiaandthen Spinach Juice for Overall Therefore, you need to thespinachdietreducesfood 4.Potentialusesof medical treatment for any spread across Europe and Health: getridofinflammationinthe intake, controls hunger, and spinachjuicefordiabetes health condition. Likewise, Asia. Spinachisarichsourceof body Functional foods like reduces weight gain in Several animal and you should not discontinue As more and more manyphytochemicalsand spinach can be a safe and people. humantrialshaveshownthe or replace an ongoing people are trying to make nutrients.Therefore,itmay effective way to manage However, more research glucose-lowering property treatment of modern better dietary choices, such havepotentialuseinmany inflammation. Spinach has is needed to support the use ofspinachinhyperglycemia m e d i c i n e w i t h a n nutritious foods are healthconditions. shown anti-inflammatory of spinach juice in obese (high blood sugar) or type 2 a y u r v e d i c / h e r b a l spreading rapidly to 1.Potentialusesof propertiesinseverallabsand people looking to lose diabetes. preparation without countrieswheretheyarenot spinachjuiceforchronic animalstudies. weight. Avoid making any During a trial, a spinach consulting a qualified native. Spinach juice can be conditions Animals receiving changes to your diet before diet could improve insulin doctor.  an excellent choice in this Theantioxidantandanti- spinach showed a decrease talkingtoyourdietician. sensitivity and reduce blood SideEffectsof regard because of the inflammatory properties of in the levels of chemical 3.Potentialusesof glucose levels. Therefore, SpinachJuice: presence of its high spinach juice may help markersofinflammation. spinachjuiceforcancer consumingwholespinachor Spinach juice shows no nutritional value. Continue manage chronic disease Moreresearchisneededto Cancerisaseverehealth intheformofjuicemayhelp side effects when taken in reduce the levels of glucose prescribeddoses. in the diet 2 However, H o w e v e r , spinach or other natural overconsumption of spinach remediesshouldnotbeused juicemayposehealthrisks. as an alternative treatment Before using spinach juice for diabetes. Do not use foranyhealthcondition,talk herbal remedies for diabetes to your healthcare provider without talking to a doctor about the possible side first. effects of spinach use. This

Banana Flower: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects

Introduction: yellow or pink in colour Protein–19.60%

One of the most Precisely, the colour of the Fibre–70% consumedfruitintheworld flower can range from Carbohydrates –is bananas and bananas orange to purple and it 53.78% (Musa paradisiaca) are contains pale yellow or Sheng et al , and grown in almost every white florets inside it Elaveniya et al., found in

country, especially in the Banana flowers have many their study that the

subtropical and tropical bioactive compounds and following minerals are

regions. are nutty, crunchy and present in the banana

By

Dr SmitaBarode

Properties of Banana

Itisproducedmostlyin starchytotaste. flower: Flower: India, followed by China, It might also have the Sodium

The banana flower which is the second largest potential to help with Phosphorous mightpossessthefollowing producer of bananas. The certain health conditions Potassium properties: banana plant is the largest likediabetes,diarrhoea,and Calcium

It might be an flowering herbaceous plant cancer Magnesium antioxidant. and a lot of banana flowers Let us discuss the Iron

It might possess a are produced in a single importance and health Zinc1 cytotoxic effect (Kills collectionofbananas. benefits of the banana Other research showed damaged cells) It might

These flowers are flower in detail thatthefollowingbioactive possessanti-inflammatory usually considered a waste NutritionalValueofBanana compounds like alkaloids,

Itmightprotecttheliver material while producing Flower: saponins, superoxide (hepatoprotective). bananas, but it has high A study conducted by dismutase, cardiac

It might be anti- nutritional value The Ramu et al., found in their glycosides, steroids, and microbial. flowers of bananas are studythatthebananaflower phenolic compounds might

It might help lower the huge, red, pointed flowers, contains the following be present in the banana bloodsugarlevels. some of the flowers are nutrients: flower

5.Potentialusesof will help you make wellSpinachjuice informedchoices. forcholesterol PrecautionstoTake

Increased blood withSpinachJuice: cholesterol is a significant Herearesomegeneral risk factor for liver disease, precautionsyoushouldtake pancreatitis, and heart whileusingspinachjuice. disease. Thylakoids present ·Precautionsfor in spinach may help reduce pregnantandwomen the levels of lipids, as P r e g n a n t a n d observed during a trial breastfeedingwomenshould conducted on men and consult a qualified doctor or w o m e n S i m i l a r healthcare provider before observations have been drinking spinach juice madeinanimalstudiestoo.2 Likewise, pregnant women However,donotusespinach should avoid taking herbal juice to control blood juices without talking to cholesterol without their healthcare provider consulting your healthcare first. provider.

·Precautionsfor

Though some studies elderlyandchildren showthebenefitsoftheherb Children should avoid in various conditions, these taking spinach juice unless arenotsufficientandthereis recommended by a a necessity for further healthcareprovider

Also Read: Red Chilli:

Uses,Benefits,SideEffects

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ADVICE TO CONSUMERS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

During this busy Whenpurchasinggoods, of scales. Ensure that the measured Request these and Measures office in your yards may be given in shopping season, it is be sure the supplier or scale is positioned in a goods in grammes and Region and make your addition to the required customary for consumers to business establishment is mannerwhichwillallowyou kilogrammes. complaintsiftheneedarises. metricindicators. engage in the purchase of u s i n g m e a s u r i n g toseetheweighingprocess. 9 Buy prepackaged Notably, nearly all F o r f u r t h e r goods, such as rice, flour, instruments, which are 5 Do not buy from goods that are labeled with measurablegoodsmusthave information, please sugar, meats, preserved verified, suitable and vendors or shopkeepers the quantity (net contents). quantities stated in metric contact the GNBS on fruits and cooking oil by accurate. The following are usingthedomestic(kitchen) For example: 450 g, 1 kg, 3 amounts such as kilograms, telephone numbers: 219WeightsandMeasures. tenoftheseroles: scales. litres,etc. litres or meters. Equivalent 0069, 219-0065, 219-0062 Everything we buy is 1. Buy goods from These scales are not 10. Call the GNBS ‘imperial’quantities such as or visit the GNBS website: sold by weight, measure or vendors who are using approved for commercial hotline or visit the Weights pounds, ounces, pints and www.gnbsgy.org. count.The Guyana National verified scales and other trade because their internal Bureau of Standards verified measuring mechanisms are quickly (GNBS) uses highly instruments I

ed worn, hence they give accurate equipment and properly, approved devices inaccurateweights. skilled professionals, to give correct weights or 6 Do not accept inspect scales, meters and measures. purchase if you have doubts packaged products in stores, 2 Look for GNBS about your weight or marketsandsupermarketsto verificationsealsondevices. measure. ensureequityintrade. The affixed GNBS seals are 7 Buy in metric

While the GNBS has one way of determining quantities. Instruments used been executing its mandate whether the instrument in the market place are in to ensure all weighing and (scale)wasverified. metric units and by measuring instruments used 3. Make sure the device requesting goods in metric in trade are verified used to weigh or measure quantitiesyouareassuredof ( s t a m p e d ) a n d i n yourgoodsiscleanandtidy the quantity of goods issued conformance with the Dirty devices often give toyou. Weights and Measures Act, inaccurate weights and 8 Buy all solids by consumers have meaningful measures and can cause the weight instead of measure. rolestoplaytoguaranteethat contaminationofgoods. Rice, peas and channa are they are not given short 4.Makesurethatyoucan solid goods and all solids weightsandmeasures. see the measuring indicator must be weighed, not

This Day in History - Dec. 11

Compiled by Zena Henry

Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is first approved in the Western Hemisphere

On December 11, 2020, the U.S. review process that included input Food and Drug Administration from independent scientific and issued the first emergency use public health experts and a thorough authorization (EUA) for a vaccine evaluation by the agency’s career for the prevention of coronavirus scientists to ensure the vaccine met disease2019(COVID-19)causedby FDA’s rigorous, scientific standards severe acute respiratory syndrome for safety, effectiveness, and coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in manufacturing quality needed to individuals16yearsofageandolder s u p p o r t e m e r g e n c y u s e

Theemergencyuseauthorization authorization.

The FDAdetermined that PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine had metthestatutorycriteriaforissuance of an EUA. “The totality of the available data provides clear evidence that Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19Vaccinemaybeeffective in preventing COVID-19. The data also support that the known and potential benefits outweigh the allowed the Pfizer-BioNTech known and potential risks, COVID-19Vaccine to be distributed supporting the vaccine’s use in in the U.S. In a statement, the FDA millions of people 16 years of age said it authorization for emergency and older, including healthy use,thefirstCOVID-19vaccine,isa individuals. significant milestone in battling the Inmakingthisdetermination,the devastating pandemic that has FDA can assure the public and affected so many families in the medical community that it has UnitedStatesandaroundtheworld.” conducted a thorough evaluation of FDA Commissioner, Stephen M. the available safety, effectiveness Hahn, M.D. had said that the action and manufacturing quality followed an open and transparent information.”

United Nations Int’l Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is established

UNICEF, originally called the disasters.

United Nations International UNICEF is the successor of the Children’s Emergency Fund in full, United Nations International now officially United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund, created Children’s Fund, is an agency of the on 11 December 1946, in New York, United Nations responsible for by the U.N. Relief Rehabilitation providing humanitarian and Administration to provide developmental aid to immediate relief to children children worldwide. The and mothers affected by agency is among the World War II. The same most widespread and year, the U.N. General recognizable social Assembly established welfare organizations in UNICEF to further the world, with a presence institutionalize post-war in192countriesand relief work. In 1950, t e r r i t o r i e s its mandate was U N I C E F ’ s extended to address activities include the long-term needs p r o v i d i n g of children and immunizations and disease women, particularly in developing prevention, administering treatment countries. In 1953, the organization for children and mothers with HIV, became a permanent part of the enhancing childhood and maternal United Nations System, and its name nutrition, improving sanitation, was subsequently changed to its promoting education, and providing current form, though it retains the emergency relief in response to originalacronym.

Apollo 17 becomes the sixth and final Apollo mission to land on the moon

Apollo 17 (December 7–19, 1972) was the final mission of United States’ NASA Apollo programme, the most recent time humans have set foot on the Moon or traveled beyond low Earth orbit. Commander Gene Cernan and Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt, walked on the Moon, while Command Module Pilot Ronald Evans orbited above.

Schmitt was the only professional geologist to land on theMoon,selectedinplaceofJoe EnglewithNASAunderpressure to send a scientist to the Moon. 12:33a.m.

surface, extended scientific Themission’sheavyemphasison Eastern Standard Time (EST) capability,andtheuseofthethird science meant the inclusion of a on December 7, 1972, after the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV). number of new experiments, only launch-pad delay in the Cernan and Schmitt landed in the includingabiologicalexperiment Apollo programme caused by a Taurus–Littrow valley and containing five mice carried in hardwareproblem. completed three moonwalks, thecommandmodule. It was a “J-type” mission that taking lunar samples and Apollo 17 was launched at included three days on the lunar deployingscientificinstruments.

Armed forces kill hundreds of people inEl Salvador’s El Mozote massacre

El Salvador investigators - November 6, 2019, with relatives of the victims of El Mozote massacre as forensic team removes remains of 11 people, between them 4 children and a baby born three days before the incident

The El Mozote massacre took village on the 10th, following separated the men from the place both in and around the clashes with guerrillas in the area. women and children, divided village of El Mozote, in the The Salvadoran Army’s Atlácatl them into separate groups and Morazán Department, El Battalion was responsible for the locked them in the church, the Salvador,onDecember11and12, massacre. convent,andvarioushouses.They 1981, when the Salvadoran Army Early the morning of commenced interrogations about killed more than 811 civilians December 11, the soldiers theguerrillasinthearea,torturing, duringtheSalvadoranCivilWar assembled the entire village in the andexecutingthemeninseveral The army had arrived in the community square They (Continued on page 55)

Man, who ran the world’s largest securities fraud in US$60 billion Ponzi scheme arrested

Bernard Lawrence Madoff (April 29, 1938 –April 14, 2021) was an American fraudster and financier who ran the largest Ponzi scheme in history, worth about$64.8billion.Hewasatone time Chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange. He advanced the proliferation of electronic trading platforms and the concept of payment for order flow, which hasbeendescribedasa“legal (Continued on page 55)

Gene Cernan salutes the U.S. flag, with the Apollo Lunar Module Challenger and Lunar Roving Vehicle in the background

Madoff (right), exits a Manhattan federal courthouse in 2009. The 70-year-old faced up to 150 years in prison (Reuters photo)

Murder of DJ’s father still unsolved Two years later…

first because he lived there As the investigation Alstrom’s phone along with alone and his closest progressed, Detectives were other personal belongings neighbour was located some led to believe that he was wasmissing. 100 meters away from his murdered during the Cops had detained an premises. furtherance of a robbery individual for questioning

Detective The

By Shervin Belgrave

Nevertheless, those but found no compelling concerns soon faded evidence to tie the person to w a s i n c o n s incident. Persons who communication w lived in the area could not them, calling almost ovide any useful daily to inform them nformation either thathewassafeand Family members said happy He would t h a t A l s t o m ’ s even visit his neighbour did not c h i l d r e n notice any suspicious frequently in movements or heard Georgetown. screams prior to the

MBut the worst discoveryofhisbody fears of this family The last words ore than two remains covered with his community The Waterfalls soon became a Kaieteur News heard years after a towelalone. learnt that he had left his reality as the humble from police on this case

Dj’s father, He was lying with his Georgetown home and farmer was found dead e r e , “ N o n e w Terrance Alstom, age 66, facedownwardintheyardof moved there some years ago onJuly10,2020. v e l o p m e n t s , was found murdered at his his Track B, Kuru Kururu topursuefarming. It is believe stigations are still Kuru Kururu farm house, home located along the He had built a farm Alstrom was probably lured ongoing”. Alstrom’s family police are yet to crack the Linden/SoesdykeHighway house and began planting Sources

case. An autopsy later crops. His relatives related

Alstrom’s body was revealed that Alstrom died that they were concerned at

discovered by one of his from blunt force trauma to sons around 22:30 hrs on his head Someone had July,10,2020.ThisReporter beaten him to death but who can recall quite vividly itwas,remainsamystery receiving a WhatsApp At the time of his death, message with a photo Alstrom was relatively new attached of the man’s to the Kuru Kururu

out of his house to meet his

killer based on where his

bodywasfound.

close to the

is hopeful that Detectives

investigation had related to

can make a breakthrough in

this newspaper that

thecaseassoonaspossible.

Murdered: Terrance Alstrom

Lake Capoey is one of the Cinderella County’s major tourist attractions

From page 42 sourceofincome. office, library and an all with lush coconut trees Village also offers an birthday celebrations Be close to the village of CapoeyVillageisheaded purpose hall. Perhaps the which provide fresh exhilarating nature walk sure to sample some of the Taymouth Manor, followed by a seven member village most exciting infrastructure coconuts that usually make throughitsheavilyvegetated traditional Indigenous by boat across the Capoey council, with aToshao as the isthebenabsandplayground for the perfect ‘cool down’ lands. TheCalabashCabana cuisines when you visit Lake. Close to 400 residents leader The community has located at the front of the beverage Swimming Resort offers packages for These range from cassava now live there, with farming its own Nursery and Primary village,closetothelake. happens to be one of the couples, singles or groups bread and tuma pot or andtimberjobsastheirmain Schools, as well as village The land is decorated favourite leisure activities looking to have a good time pepperpot to farine and the for children and adults in the at the Essequibo village. famous ‘Piwari’ and ‘Fly’ village. Visitors also enjoy a Kayaking and fun on the beverages. good splash in the stygian balloon raft are just a few of Freshfruitsandskillfully dark water of the lake or a the exciting activities you made craft pieces are also thrilling boat ride on the can enjoy Lake Capoey has usually available on sale at water top. Other than the been used as the ideal venue Capoey Village. These make exciting lake, Capoey for wedding ceremonies and fortheperfectmemorabilia.

By Zena Henry

The showstopper for anyone on the go Sciatica:

Forthoseofyouwhofollowmy or an overgrowth of bone puts In 2019, I was column, you may have noticed that pressure on part of the nerve. This struck by sciatica in the for almost two months I had been causes inflammation, pain and right leg, this time it’s missing in action. Let me assure often some numbness in the in my left. I had never you, there was a very good reason affected leg. It is often said that experiencedorheardof formyabsence.Iunfortunatelywas although the pain associated with it before 2019. Despite suffering from Sciatica, a very sciatica can be severe, most cases this extremely painful simple but painful, time- would clear up with treatment in a issue coming on with consuming medical interference, few weeks, usually four to six no cause that I knew of, that would slow anyone down and weeks. People who have severe I remained calm and eventually bring them to a sciaticaandseriouslegweaknessor optimistic, although standstill. bowel or bladder changes might concerned. I met Dr

Since about mid-October this need surgery as the intense pain Jeffery at St. Joseph year I was suffering from sciatic continues to impact on different Mercy Hospital, nerve pain and to be honest, I am partsofthebody described as the best still not 100 percent recovered. I Sciatica pain can be almost orthopedicdoctorinthe was left surprised and intrigued by anywhere along the nerve pathway country; and since this illness. It made me think of the It’s especially likely to follow a sciatica dealt with masterpiece of a body our great path from the lower back to the mobility, he was Creator has given to us. With no buttock and the back of a thigh and recommended Dr real cause, no accident or incident calf. The pain can vary from a mild Jeffery told me what that would trigger such a response ache to a sharp, burning pain. was wrong with me; he from my body, I was left, for the Sometimes it can feel like a jolt or completed a little test most part, bed-ridden and in electricshock,thelegcangetnumb andhadmedoanx-tray continuouspain. andwillsometimesfeelcoldorhot. beforeconfirmingthatI

As I said earlier, I was so One part of the leg can be in pain, was troubling with intrigued by the effects of this while another part can feel numb, sciatica. Unfortunately

illness that before we got back to and tingling; and if you are not for me, Dr Jeffery was leaving the tremendous

as

Acupuncture needles are placed at strategic points in the body to release endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals

business as usual, I just had to having a really great day, one can countryforsometimetheverynext medicine. It took four sessions: a ForweeksIhadsuffered.Many dedicate this column toward experience all the symptoms at day after seeing me He did one -hour session every week nights I got about four hours of sharing my experience and once. however leave me with medication involving inversion therapy, sleep or none at all. Sometimes it explaining all that I have learnt to Coughing, sneezing or sitting that to this day I am still very acupuncture, cupping and took hours to find a position in grateful for because massages. What little pain that was which I could lie down if not, I compared to what I left in my leg, I walked it out in the needed to change positions every experienced this time, my NationalPark. few minutes or just not sleep. last experience was a I wish I could be as enthusiastic Sitting would become unbearable breeze. about my second experience, but I after minutes and walking was

Gravity is the weapon of the inversion table. It allows for release of compression caused by the upper body

The painkillers and really cannot. I lost a lot of time almostimpossible. other pills Dr Jeffery left waiting for appointment dates as I For my current issue, I had to me with worked perfectly planned to use the same avenues as complete about eight to nine weeks I was barely in pain, I was last time. But when I finally got my oftherapy able to sit up, sleep and appointments, I was told that I had My body was too sore and function to some extent to go through diagnosis to ensure it broken for inversion therapy, so I when I was on the was indeed sciatica and nothing had to do about three to four weeks medication. different. By this time, I was in so of acupuncture and heat bags to

The only downside is much pain I was literally dragging reducethepainbeforebeingplaced thatitkeptmedrowsy,soI myleftlegbehindme. on the inversion table. Now that I was sleeping most of the Andtomakemattersworse,Dr am done with holistic therapy day, although I did Jeffery was not working at the however, I am going through my appreciate the rest. Let me hospital the day I went there. But final stages of physiotherapy This just add here that you regardless, I needed to see recoverystagehasintriguedmethe should never be like me someone, so I saw another doctor most because as the pain reduces, I and forget about operating Sad to say, the visit was fine, can literally feel it withdrawing machinery while under professional and everything, but frompartsofmybodyleadingright medication because I the painkillers did absolutely tomylowerback. forgot and drove my jeep nothingtohelp.

The same way the pain started to the shop just one block Foraboutaweekandahalfafter radiating across the body, is the away On my way back, I the Doctor’s visit and about three same way it is withdrawing, from apparently mistook the weeksintotheillnessIcontinuedto my waist to under my feet and up help other people become aware to for a long time can make the trench for the road and drove right suffer I told myself all Doctors are my back and even heading up my this illness called Sciatica. Most situation worst. Pain, numbness, in, accumulating about $50,000 in not the same and that I should give neck. personsItalktoaboutSciaticahave tingling or muscle weakness in the damages.

the medication a chance I To date, I can only rest on my noideawhatitreallyis.Infact,Itoo legorfootcanbeamplifiedandthis WithDr Jefferygone,Iwasnot eventuallyacceptedthatthe500mg left side for a very short time since didn’tknowwhatSciaticawasuntil further restricts the amount of sure what was the next step would paracetamol twice a day which I myhipandbuttisverymuchsore.I I w a s a f f e c t e d movement the body can handle or be. If I am not mistaken, I think I had already doubled up to 2000mg am almost standing 100 percent Online patient portal, Mayo Clinic, the positions the body can go into, saw a Facebook post about this a day to manage pain would not cut upright and most of my limping is describes Sciatic nerve pain or making it difficult and painful to place called Moksha which it. gone. sciatica as pain that travels along walk,sit,standorevenliedown. provides holistic remedies and that So,Irememberedthatpowerful I conduct a heat bag and the path of the sciatic nerve. The Usually, sciatica affects only was where I headed. I know about drug Dr Jeffery had given the last massage routine three to four times sciatic nerve travels from the lower one side of the body, but I guess I ancient treatment and have always time and purchased it. It not only a day with light exercise that back through the hips and buttocks am special because this is actually been intrigued by it, so I gave the took away majority of the pain, but involves swimming. Sciatica is no and down each leg. Sciatica most thesecondtimeIhavebeenhitwith clinicacallandyep,theyounglady of course gave good rest. The pain funillness.Itcanbedepressingasit often occurs when a herniated disk sciaticnervepain. had a remedy for sciatica. I wasn’t was so intense however that I literallybringslifetoastandstill.

nervous at all,

I said, I have neededtodoubleuponthedoseand

respect for ancient addmusclerelaxerstothemix.

Santa's Sleigh Has A Breakdown!

We all know Santa's sleigh. Most of the pictures are just right –big, shiny red, sparkles and sleigh bells, golden sled runners AND gold reins for the reindeer BUT what you don't know is that Santa always takes one of the workshop elves with him. The workshop elf has two jobs- making sure that the right parcels are in Santa'ssackANDtobeready with a hammer or a nail or a bit of magic dust if something goes wrong with thesleigh.

It shouldn't, of course, but you never know! Last year, I think it was last year, the golden sled runners were pulling far too right, slowingthesleighdown.

It doesn't happen often, but they had to make a quick repair stop. LastyearitwasEdwinElf on sleigh duty, and he knew exactly what to do. “The sled runner on the lefthastobeshavedatiny bit, so that they are both exactly the same.” “Do you have the tools?” Santa asked.

This was slowing him down a lot. “I always have the tools.” Edwin opened his tinytoolboxandfoundalittle

golden hand plane “This should do it, just a wee bit to make the runners exactly the same…”

Edwin Elf was as quick asaflash.Thereindeerdidn't mind a short break – Santa did!

Edwin Elf looked at the sled runner and saw the problem.

“It'll need a complete repair in the workshop when we get back But a quick shave of the runner should get it right for tonight, and

running straight again…” It didn't take a moment. Santa was pleased, but the reindeer wouldn't have minded a few minutes more…. Edwin Elf was finished in a twinkle of an eye And, that's what happened last year, well, I thinkitwaslastyear

Santa's sleigh was a tiny bit late, but most children didn'tnotice.

The ONLY children who might have noticed were two children playing in their gardenwiththeirnewtoyson Christmas day “Whatever is this?”

The little boy picked up some shavings of golden wood lying in the winter grass. The little girl looked closer “Golden curly strips of wood?” She looked up into the sky “I wonder wheretheycamefrom?”Of course they never guessed. Would you? But the little girl put those golden wood shavings into her treasure box.

Those curls of gold twinkleinthedarkliketiny Christmas stars…all year round “Golden Christmas Magic…” the girl smiles. “I wonder who dropped you intoourgardenonChristmas Day?”

Junior page

DIY ORIGAMI CHRISTMAS TREE

by Eden

This origami Christmas tree is a festive and creative Christmas craft that you can use to decorate with for the holidays!

· scissors

· Letter-sized paper, green, blues and white

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fold top corner of the paper to align with the opposing side of the paper

2. Cut the bottom of the paper off so that you are left with a square paper folded into a triangle.

3. Fold that in half into a smaller triangle

4. Open the triangles and fold down to create a square x 2

5. Open the sides of the squares to create a tall triangle x 4

6. Trim off the bottom triangle

7. Cut 3 rows on each side, spaced evenly.

8. Fold down the bottom three aps

Tip – you can buy large square sheets of paper to make the big trees

FUNWITHPOETRY

There's a neat little clock In the school-room stands, It points to the time With its two little hands.

It is never late to do its work, And always does it with gusto; It tells us when to start And when to stop and go.

And may we, like that little clock, Keep a face clean and bright, With hands ever ready To do what is always right.

Use these additional tips in writing a poem that can help you to develop this as an art

You will do well to follow these steps so as to make the best of the poems youwillwrite:

1.Think of what a poem really is – a composition of words that expresses what you feel or imparts knowledge in a more concentrated style than in sentences or paragraphs, often with a rhythm and rhyme.

2. Determine a purpose for your writing, and the persons to whom you want tosendyourmessage.

3.Beclearonthesubject of your poem, which would help you to focus on that topic.

This can be an emotion, such as love for or fear of something, information aboutsomeplace,person,or thing, or your like or dislike of what is taking place aroundyou.

4.Whenyouhavesettled on a subject, write down all the words that come to mind whenyouthinkofit.

T h i n k o f t h e experiences you have had in

yourdealingwithit,andalso that of others whom you wanttoinfluence.

5. Choose a format for yourpoem.

Manypoemsarewritten with two or four lines, while somecanbemore,aslongas they follow a style that uses rhythmandrhyme.

T h e r h y t h m i s determined by the number ofvowelsoundsineachline, while the rhyme can be at the end of every other line, orinconsecutivelines.

6 When you have

determined the above, now isthetimetowrite.

Jot down one line to start.

This could end up being your title, your opening line or your last line. Study it andstartaddinglinestoit.

7.Reviseyourpoem.

It would be good if you can put it away for a day or so, and come back to it with afreshmind.

Then you will be able to edit it to become the best youcando.

It may help if you can

get someone to read it and share their thoughts with you.

This will help to get a poemthatothersappreciate.

Remember that your first poem does not have to be perfect, but it can be the start of your writing better onesinthefuture.

Just keep on doing so a n d y o u w i l l b e improving this skill over time, and finding it more enjoyable and useful when you keep at this great pastime.

UNCLEROY Tellitto

Hello,readers, UncleRoyisagainaskingallofyoutotryinsomeway tomakeacontributiontothispage,andthustothewelfareof you and your fellow readers. This contribution can take any formthatyoufeelwouldbevaluable–anaccountofwhatis going on in your community and country, any advice you would like to pass on to your fellow teen readers and, on a broader level, any comment or recommendation you would liketomaketoyourfellowGuyanese.

Please remit same to my email –roypaul2002@yahoo com, and be assured that your worthwhile contribution will have a prominent place on our page.

Ripple effect

The heavy lines indicate areas called cages. Fill each cage with unique digits, counting up from 1. For example, a 1-cell cage must contain the number 1, a 2-cell cage contains 1 and 2, a 5-cell cage contains1through5, andsoon.

Thesenumbersmayappearinanyorder withinthecage.Iftwo identical numbers appear in the same roworcolumn,atleastthatmany cells must separate them. For example, iftwo3sappearinthesame column, they must be separated by at least three other cells that do not contain 3.

Today brings me joy, my whole heart sings, As if it has been given wings, As a new day so new and bright Is spread before my wondering sight!

Today will bring me peace in quiet prayer, As I lift my heart and, everywhere, See God's wondrous works appear, And feel His presence calm and clear.

Today with faith I make my way, Sure of His blessings all the day, Content to trust the staff and rod Of an all-wise, all-loving God.

Today I have wealth much more than gold, Than hands may touch or heart may hold, Because I know that God will feed, By satisfying all that I may need.

Solutions to last week’s

Poetry is one form of writing that can be used to express any emotion. Practising it will help you to be clear about your own emotions as well as that of others.

6steps to better sleep

You're not doomed to toss and turn every night. Consider simple tips for better sleep, from setting a sleep schedule to including physical activity in your daily routine

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Many factors can interfere with a good night's sleep — from work stress and family responsibilities to illnesses. It's no wonder that quality sleep is sometimes elusive.

You might not be able to control the factors that interfere with your sleep However, you can adopt habits that encourage better sleep Start with these simple tips

1. Stick to a sleep schedule

Set aside no more than eight hours for sleep. The recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult is at least seven hours Most people don't need more than eight hours in bed to be well rested.

Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, including weekends. Being consistent reinforces your body's sleep-wake cycle

If you don't fall asleep within about 20 minutes of going to bed, leave your bedroom and do something relaxing Read or listen to soothing music. Go back to bed when you're tired. Repeat as needed, but continue to maintain your sleep schedule and wake-up time

2. Pay attention to what you eat and drink

Don't go to bed hungry or stuffed. In particular, avoid heavy or large meals within a couple of hours of bedtime. Discomfort might keep you up.

Nicotine, caffeine and alcohol deserve caution, too The stimulating effects of nicotine and caffeine take hours to wear off and can interfere with sleep And even though alcohol might make you feel sleepy at rst, it can disrupt sleep later in the night.

3. Create a restful environment

Keep your room cool, dark and quiet. Exposure to light in the evenings might make it more challenging to fall asleep Avoid prolonged use of light-emitting screens just before bedtime Consider using room-darkening shades, earplugs, a fan or other devices to create an environment that suits your needs.

Doing calming activities before bedtime, such as taking a bath or using relaxation techniques, might promote better sleep

4. Limit daytime naps

Long daytime naps can interfere with nighttime sleep Limit naps to no more than one hour and avoid napping late in the day.

However, if you work nights, you might need to nap late in the day before work to help make up your sleep debt.

5. Include physical activity in your daily routine

Regular physical activity can promote better sleep However, avoid being active too close to bedtime.

Spending time outside every day might be helpful, too

6. Manage worries

Try to resolve your worries or concerns before bedtime Jot down what's on your mind and then set it aside for tomorrow

Stress management might help. Start with the basics, such as getting organized, setting priorities and delegating tasks. Meditation also can ease anxiety

Know when to contact your health care provider

Nearly everyone has an occasional sleepless night. However, if you often have trouble sleeping, contact your health care provider Identifying and treating any underlying causes can help you get the better sleep you deserve

Health Facts

Access to HIV treatment in Guyana

Adiagnosis of HIV infections by more than the past to help couples is for any person who the kit, H u m a n half. While Guyana, like affected by the Sexually perceivesthemselvestobeat you do Immunodeficien several other countries, had Transmitted Infection (STI) risk for HIV can access pre- t h a t a t

cy Virus (HIV) missed the UN 2020 90-90- i s n o w exposureprophylaxis.” home so the virus that causes AIDS 90 targets, the country had open to According to Dr you are aware can be devastating to re-committed to the o t h e r Anthony, there are some of what your anyone. Itishowevernotthe UNAIDS Global AIDS persons minor requirements to t e s t s h o w s , end of the world, because affected accessing this treatment, whether it’s positive or availableinGuyana. there are many people who based on a person’s medical negative.

By Rehanna Ramsay

These also cater to other are HIV positive and are background in relation to If it’s positive, then you Sexually Transmitted leading normal lives, thanks cancomeinverifyitatoneof Infections(STIs). tobreakthroughresearchand our testing sites, and get

“This would give people medication. linked to getting treatment, an update on HIV treatment

Adequate care and because if it’s positive then and various aspects of HIV medicine are essential to we will want to put you on Treatment, whether it’s the successfully treat HIV HIV treatment as quickly as new antiretrovirals that are Treatment or antiretroviral possible so that self-testing out, to be used in patients, therapy (ART) involves is something new that we how they work, what taking medicine as have introduced,” the health regimens that we have, that prescribed by a health care ministersaid. Strategy, which particularlecturewillbedone provider Minister Anthony noted aspires to end by an expert from the Mayo While there is still no that while more people are AIDS as a public certain other diseases and Clinicwhoiscomingintodo cure for the virus that causes opting for self-testing, there health threat by medication that they may that particular lecture,” the AIDS, HIV medicine can are now 30 voluntary 2030. currentlybetaking. HealthMinistersaid make the viral load very low counseling and testing sites bythevirus. At present, Self- testing (called viral suppression).

H e s a i d : seventy-three (73)

Self-testing for HIV is HIV treatment reduces the “two years ago percentwhoareawareof also a new initiative that has amount of HIV in your body PrEP was only used in their HIV status in Guyana made it easier for persons in andhelpsyoustayhealthy discordant couples, meaning are on treatment and, almost Guyana to know their HIV I n G u y a n a , t h e that if a couple are together, nine out of every ten of these status. introductionofPre-exposure one of them is HIV positive, arevirallysuppressed.

“With self-testing, you prophylaxis, commonly the other one is not then they Minister of Health, Dr can do that at home, you get called PrEP, is available for would have given PrEP to Frank Anthony in an anyonewhomayneedit. the person who is not interview prior to World

Over the past 20 years, infected, but we have AIDS Day observed Guyana has worked changed that, because the annually on December 4, industriously to reduce new WHO recommendation now said that PrEP was used in

From page 48 was sentenced to 10 years in and Exchange Commission kickback.” Madoff founded prison in 2012, and Mark (SEC) had previously a penny stock brokerage in hanged himself in 2010, c o n d u c t e d m u l t i p l e 1960,whicheventuallygrew exactly two years after his investigations into his into Bernard L Madoff father’s arrest. Andrew died business practices but had Investment Securities He of lymphoma on September not uncovered the massive served as the company’s 3,2014. fraud.

Chairman until his arrest on On December 10, 2008, On March 12, 2009, December11,2008. Madoff’s sons Mark and Madoff pleaded guilty to 11 That year, the firm was Andrew told authorities that federalfeloniesandadmitted the 6th-largest market maker their father had confessed to to turning his wealth in S&P 500 stocks. Madoff them that the asset management business into a employed his brother Peter management unit of his firm massivePonzischeme. Madoff as Senior Managing was a massive Ponzi scheme

The Madoff investment Director and Chief andquotedhimassayingthat scandal defrauded thousands Compliance Officer, Peter’s it was “one big lie”. The of investors of billions of daughter Shana Madoff as following day, agents from dollars. Madoff said that he the firm’s Rules and the Federal Bureau of began the Ponzi scheme in Compliance Officer and Investigation arrested the early 1990s, but an exAttorney, and his now Madoff and charged him trader admitted in court to deceased sons Mark Madoff with one count of securities faking records for Madoff and Andrew Madoff. Peter fraud. The U.S. Securities sincetheearly1970s.

Armed forces kill hundreds of people in...

From page 48 oldgirls. next day went to the village locations Around noon, Finally, they killed the of Los Toriles and carried they began taking the children, at first by slitting outafurthermassacre. women and older girls in their throats, and later by Men, women, and groups, separating them hanging them from trees; children were taken from from their children and one child killed in this their homes, lined up, murdering them with manner was reportedly two robbed, and shot, and their machine guns after raping yearsold. homesthensetablaze. them. Girls as young as 10 After killing the entire In December 2011, the were raped, and soldiers population, the soldiers set Government of El Salvador were reportedly heard firetothebuildings. apologizedforthemassacre, bragging about how they The soldiers remained in thelargestintheAmericasin especially liked the 12-year- ElMozotethatnight,butthe moderntimes.

Awarded UK-born children's service provider...

From page 42 big way, because he was a love with her then fiancé relationship—'he was much I sewed and sent it to the tailor,hewouldsewforusso their decision to marry faced older than me, not English, front they would come back wecouldgetourwages,”she some serious opposition of another race ' My for me to fix it. My husband revealed. fromherfamily grandmother hit the roof sat on the machine opposite Khantoldthisnewspaper “For many reasons, they when she found out; she us and he would help us in a that despite being madly in said, they couldn't accept the called the priest and made me do confession that I would not see him again,” shesaid.

However, determined to stay together, the couple ran off, on one lovely sunny day inCroydon,andgotmarried. The marriage produced two children, a daughter, Nicola, who was born one year later, and a son Darren, born four yearslater

CHILDCARE ACCOLADES

A couple of years after being married and becoming a parent, Mrs. Khan decided to give her dream another chance. She decided in August 1981 to open her house to children whose parentsgotowork.

“I took up studying childcare to improve my knowledge of children, including special needs courses,”Khansaid.

In 2006, she won an 'Outstanding grade' from the Mrs.Clause.” award for Inclusive English Government body -- CANCER TREATMENT 'Childminder of the Year' in OFSTED, and then in 2011, ADVOCATE which a parent of anAutistic she gained an 'Outstanding Outside her work with boy put her up for a Grade'forthesecondtime. children,Mrs.Khanisbigon nomination.

The latter award was raising funds to help fight

In 2007, Khan gained an achieved after; she decided cancer She said when I was shewascomingtoGuyanato intheUKIdidlotsofcharity open a daycare. She said her work for 'Breakthrough with plans were delayed after her Breast Cancer UK' -a husband suffered a serious Charity car accident but she She revealed “I chose continuedtostudy this charity because my

T h e c h i l d c a r e Aunty Madge who was my professional revealed, “I did mum's twin sister passed more studying and gained a away in August 2000 with 'Foundation Degree' with cancer Her focus is not just Open University where I onbreastcancer,butonother graduated on Saturday, cancerstoo.

September 23, 2011, and I have done lots of walks moved to Guyana the next for this charity such as a day.” 60KM, and 5KM Race for

She admits “There were Life, but my biggest walk timesthatIwantedtogiveup was walking the Great Wall childcare as it does have its of China, that was the challenges, such as parents highlightofmylife.” not being happy, whether in In addition to the cancer the UK or here in Guyana, walks, Mrs. Khan also put but I came through and still her baking skills to work to working in my daycare help raise funds for this which it is in Grove Housing worthycause. Scheme.”

She recalled,” It was

Knowing that she is back in March 2010, I had to pouring into young children raise a lot of money so I set and assisting their growth out to do fundraising events, while their parents work, Beauty/Massage sessions, helps Mrs Khan, stay Pink Days etc., but most of motivated. the money I raised was

She said almost every baking muffins, muffins night,Igotobedlatemaking galore, every week I would something for the kids, make about bake 150 “Whether it is a Christmas muffins to sell at childcare Theme which is 'The groups.”

G i n g e r b r e a d M a n , ” Her work to raise Gingerbread Houses from awareness about cancer did cardboard boxes, or giant notendintheUK;Mrs.Khan candy from paper plates. A also participates in the bigChristmasPartyhasbeen annual Breast Cancer planned for the kids in the Awareness month activities daycareandalsoneighbours' every October here in children, where I have to be Guyana.

A teenage Nina Khan and her husband, AZ

Impact study for Wales gas project warns of reduced water quality

...Jagdeo defends site, says project will not cause contamination

Amid concerns that Guyanese will be at risk of cancer from the likely contaminating of the country’swatersupplywhen the Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) project at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD) begins, Vice PresidentBharratJagdeohas assured that there will be no suchconsequence.

Jagdeo told Kaieteur News on Friday that Guyana’s main aquifer which is located below the Wales site, earmarked by Government for a NGL facility and a power plant to generate electricity, will not affect the quality of water reaching homes and even companies.

“The aquifer is intact, that’s part of the environmental studies, the aquifer is intact. We are running a pipeline (and) it’s not gonna contaminate the water supply It will not, definitively not contaminate the water supply,” the Vice Presidentassured.

However, research by this publication has confirmed that the water supply can be affected by thisproject.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Buried deep in Volume Oneofitsalmost1500words Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Esso Exploration and Production GuyanaLimited(EEPGL)or ExxonMobil Guyana, is a statementthatsaystherewill be degradation of the groundwater quality however these impacts wouldbenegligible.

The study was prepared by Environmental Resources Management (ERM), a Consultant firm that has completed most of theEIAsfortheoilcompany todateinGuyana.

According to the study, “HDD [Horizontal Directional Drilling] is a trenchless construction method that uses drilling fluids under pressure. The potential impacts on groundwater resources from HDD operations are related to the potential loss of these drillingfluidsfromtheHDD bore to the surrounding formation With proper drilling fluid design and management, these losses areexpectedtobeinfrequent and where they do occur limited in a real extent.”

At the same time, it was alsoexplainedthat,“Insome cases, unforeseen circumstancescanleadtoan excessive loss of drilling fluid from the HDD bore to surrounding groundwater or to the ground surface, as a loss of this magnitude is a situation that is not reasonablyexpectedtooccur as part of planned Project activities.

In summary, the HDD boresthatwillbecompleted inthesoilsalongtheonshore pipeline corridor are not reasonably anticipated to result in effects to water

quality in the shallow groundwater zones through which the HDD bores will pass Further, the HDD operation will not involve withdrawal of groundwater, sotherewillnotbeanyeffect on groundwater availability associated with this Project activity Theintensityofthis potential impact relative to degradation of groundwater quality is therefore rated as negligible during the Constructionstage.”

In addition to this, ERM explained that there is a possibility for untreated wastewater to be released fromtheNGLPlant.

“The infiltrating water could include dissolved contaminants such as nitrates, phosphates and other nutrients, metals, h y d r o c a r b o n s , biodegradable organic matter, and pathogenic microorganisms,” the study warned.

These constituents, the EIA continued, could infiltrate into soils and increaselevelsintheshallow water-bearing zone, which could then discharge to canals and potentially contribute to human health impacts, but only over a localized area it therefore again classified potential impacts on groundwater as low

This major concern regarding the project was first raised by an environmental advocate and Geologist, Simone MangalJoly Last week this newspaper reported that the location identified by the Government of Guyana for the country’s gas-to-energy projectisunsuitableandwill likely pose great danger to the country’s main

groundwateraquifer

An aquifer is an underground layer of waterbearing, permeable rock,

rock fractures, or unconsolidated materials Groundwater from aquifers is extracted using a water well.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently approved ExxonMobil’s pipeline and NGLPlant for Wales, in the absence of any updated studies.

Notably, a critical documenttoprovethesafety of the area was never published.Atthesametime, the site at Wales sits above Guyana's main groundwater aquifer that provides 90 percent of all the domestic andcommercialwater As such Geologist, Simone Mangal-Joly has labeled the approval of Exxon's project “criminal”.

In an exclusive interview with this publication, the environmental advocate pointedoutthat:“Whenyou

Guyana inches closer to Egmont membership following amendments to AML/CFT legislation

Guyana has made progress towards acquiring Egmont membership following the passage of required amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering / Countering Financial Terrorism (AML/CFT) Legislation, the Ministry of Legal Affairs said on Saturday

In a Press Release, the Ministry said that Guyana received an update on its application for Egmont membership and “is now a step closer to acquiring membershiphavingrecently passed further necessary amendments to the AML/CFTlegislation.”

Guyana’s application is expected to be presented to the Egmont Group’s Membership, Support and ComplianceWorkingGroup on the Margins of the next Egmont Plenary scheduled forearly2023.

The Egmont Group facilitates and prompts the exchange of information, knowledge and cooperation amongst member Financial Intelligence Units (FIU). It provides FIUs with a secure platform to exchange expertise and financial intelligence to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and associated predicateoffenses.

Meanwhile,theMinistry said that after attending the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s (CFATF) 55th Plenary andWorking Group meetings, Guyana’s delegation is optimistic that the country is on track in its preparationforitsupcoming mutualevaluation.

The delegation was led by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall SC. He was accompanied by senior representatives from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Bank of Guyana (BOG), the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) to the Plenary andWorking Group meetingsheldintheCayman Islands from November 27 toDecember1,2022.

The Plenary which was attended by hundreds from the CFATF membership as well as FATF and other international organisations, was the first in-person

meeting of the CFATF Member countries since the COVID-19pandemic.

At this in-person Plenary,Guyanawasableto strengthen its position to combat money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/TF) through a number of strategic alliances which occurred on the margins of the Plenary meeting, the Ministrysaid.

“Guyana’s participation inthePlenaryisinlinewith t h e G o v e r n m e n t ’s commitment to fight financial crime and moneylaunderingonallfronts.Itis also aligned with our recent acceptance as a member of the Regional Security Services(RSS).Guyanaalso attendedtheAnnualGeneral Meeting(AGM)oftheAsset

Recovery Inter-Agency Network of the Caribbean (ARIN-CARIB), which is the operation arm of the RSS, focused on informal cooperation of the law enforcement agencies to facilitate exchange of intelligence in the recovery of assets accumulated from the proceeds of crime,” the pressreleasesaid.

At the AGM which was also held in the Cayman Islands prior to the CFATF’s 55th Plenary, Guyana was invited to become a member oftheARIN-CARIBSteering Group TheSteeringGroupis comprised of eight members of the network and is r e s p o n s i b l e f o r administrationoftheGroup

Delegations benefitted from presentations from

regional and international bodies including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United NationsOfficeonDrugsand Crime (UNODC), and the UnitedStatesDepartmentof Treasury- Office of Terrorism Financing and Financial Crimes (OTFFC). This is in addition to extensivediscussionsonthe mutualevaluationreportsof SurinameandVenezuela.

Inthemeanwhile,onthe margins of the Plenary, the FIU signed six (6) M e m o r a n d u m o f Understanding (MOUs) with FIUs from Bermuda, Bahamas, Haiti, Saint VincentandtheGrenadines, theTurksandCaicosIslands and the British Virgin Islands The MOUs will

assist in supporting intelligence gathering and analysis related to money launderinginvestigations.

Guyanawillbenefitfrom additionaltrainingtofurther prepare for the September 2023 Mutual Evaluation, with a virtual 4th Round FATF Standards Training slated to occur in early January2023.

The BOG also held discussions with the CFATF on the margins of the Plenary, with regard to sectorspecifictrainingforits staff in preparation for the u p c o m i n g M u t u a l Evaluation, whilst SOCU was able to meet with other regional law enforcement agencies to create strategic alliances with regard to combatting cross border relatedissuesofML/TF

Additionally,thePlenary also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the existence of the CFATF, which was founded by way of the Kingston Declaration in 1992.

The 55th Plenary was attended by Dr. Gobin Ganga,GovernorofBankof G u y a n a , M a t t h e w Langewine, Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Ms. Alicia Williams, Head of Compliance – FIU, Mr Karim Baksh – Head of theSpecialOrganisedCrime Unit (SOCU), Ms. Natasha Backer- Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions and Mr Rommel St Hill, AntiMoney Laundering/ CombattingtheFinancingof Terrorism (AML/CFT), Officer in the Attorney General’sOffice.

SeveralRegionSevencommunities experiencesevereflooding

Mango Landing, Region Seven

Atleastsixcommunities in Region Seven have been

nda

n

ed following intense and excessive rainfall over the last two days resulting in the closure of mining operationsandbusinesses.

TheCivilDefenceCommission (CDC) on Saturday confirmed

, Phillipai, Pappy Show Landing, andMangoLanding.

Other areas such as Eteringbang and Arau Village are alsoexperiencingfloodslevelsasa resultofswollenrivers.

KaieteurNewsunderstandsthat

a team of Officials from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) led by Regional Chairman, Kenneth Williams is presently conductingfloodassessmentinthe variousareas.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Information (DPI) has reported that the team is working

along with the Police and other community groups to manage the impactandthe CDCwillremainin constant contact with persons on the ground to determine what measuresshouldbetaken.

A video of the devastating impact sent to this media showed that wooden buildings are almost

covered while persons were seen evacuatingcommunitiesinboatsin abidtogettohighergrounds.

The last two years have seen severalcommunitieswithinRegion Seven experiencing severe floods causing residents to lose their goods and experience damage to theirproperties.

From left: Mr. Karim Baksh, Head of the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), Mr. Matthew Langevine, Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Ms. Natasha Backer,Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Hon. MohabirAnil Nandlall, SC, MP,Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Ms.Alicia Williams Head of Compliance (FIU), Dr. Gobind Ganga, Governor of the Central Bank and Mr. Rommel St Hill,Anti-Money Laundering/Caribbean Financial Task Force (AML/CFT) Officer in theAttorney General’s Office.

Situation in Middle Mazaruni

Police, GDF beef up security at Five Star Backdam as reports of Venezuelan gang invasion surface

Members of the Joint Service ( G u y a n a Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force) have intensified security efforts at the Five Star Backdam, North West District (NWD), Region One area following reportsofaVenezuelangang invasion.

Five Star Backdam is a mining community located close to the Guyana Venezuela Border and the community of Imataka in Venezuela.

Reports are that Miners and other business persons working in the community are being forced to leave a f t e r a m a r a u d i n g Venezuelan gang invaded the area on November 30, 2022.

Miners and business persons alike have called on the law enforcement authorities to intervene and protect them from the heavily armed gang of more than30persons.

Region One's Police Commander, Himnauth Sawh,toldKaieteurNewson Saturday that Joint Service

ranks have been dispatched totheareatoverifyreports.

Sawh said the ranks are in the area and have since been informed of the Venezuelan gang but they have not been able to verify the presence of the gang in thearea.

Notwithstanding, persons residing in the community have informed Kaieteur News that the gang membersareusingexcessive force and have even shot at residents and business persons to get them to hand overtheirbusinesses.

“We have scanned the area and searched for spent shells but we have not found anyandnooneontheground could confirm if indeed a shootout or robberies had taken place,” Sawh told KaieteurNews.

Despite being unable to confirm the presence of armedVenezuelangangs,the Police Commander said heightened security will remainintheareatomonitor Collaborations will also be done with the Force's Venezuelan counterparts to ensurethereisnoinvasion.

Recently,theVenezuelan Government had deployed troops to mining regions of Tumeremo and Imatakaareas close to the Five StarBackdam to flush illegal armedgangs.

Commander Sawh said the Force is aware of the Ve n e z u e l a n A r m y ' s operations and is cognizant thatgangmemberscanflee.

“That is why we will continue to maintain a strongpresence there and monitor the area”, Sawh told Kaieteur News while assuring that Guyanese will beprotected.

Meanwhile, reports of the alleged invasion reportedly started at Lena landing – a part of Five Star Backdamthatislocatedvery close to the Venezuela border

Reports are that the gang members said they cannot return to Venezuela and are going to 'fight their way out' if anyone tries to stop them from a takeover of the Guyanesemines.

In 2017, three Guyanese were slaughtered at Imataka. Gunmen brandishing high-

powered weapons had stormed into their mining camp around 03:00 hrs on Wednesday July 19, 2017 and riddled them with bullets.

Policeidentifiedthedead

as Vernon Eudoxie, 51, Cologne Solomon, 23 both of Fitzburg, Port Kaituma and Samuel Moses, 19, of Four Miles Oronoque, Port Kaituma, North West District, Region One

Venezuelan authorities suspected that killings were carriedoutbytheSindicatos, a Venezuelan gang, that would cross over into Guyanese mines and rob victimsfrequently

Map of the Five Star Backdam

From page 16 divisiveness of the politics was an brothers returned to their camp professionals in place. The experts this lawlessness that was allowed, authority to do something like this oilman dream come true, all they wheretheyslept. said Trinidad has been in the game it prevented the Government from inaSovereignState?Anybillboard hadtodowasstirbehindthescenes On Tuesday morning, the for more than a century while abiding with a section of the law they erect should be advising and bingo! hence, what’s suspect reportedly took revenge by adding that it has made some that requires a register of such Guyanese how they can be happeningnow…” entering the men’s camp and admirable moves to ensure that its licences to be properly kept and gainfully employed within that Ram Singh wrote: “52% equal viciously attacked them with a industry had significant levels of madeavailableforpublicscrutiny. company. Our Government solely, 50% of 25% profit oil plus 2% cutlasswhiletheyslept. capacity building and technology “…Soyousee,onecangetvery must be the authority to inform its royalty. Guyana percentage equals Commander of the Region transfer. In spite of having attained complacent in the face of oil citizenry of the country’s benefits 14.25%ofoilextraction.” Seven District, Dion Moore, this fantastic feat, Trinidad and money…Guyananeedstobeaware or losses. Since this is not actually confirmed the chopping incident Tobago’s economy is desperately of this danger,” the expert added the case we must wonder what is Man chopped to death but up to press time could not tryingtogetbackonitsfeet. while stressing the need for civil Exxon’s true role in this oil in sleep after ‘football row’ disclose much information. Moore One of the stakeholders who society actors to communicate the industry It would appear as if explained that his ranks were at the spoke with this newspaper said, poignancy of these arguments to Exxon, its partners and A 32-year-old man was early Aurora Backdam where

“Everyone can see that Trinidad is themanontheground. international players are the real Tuesday morning chopped to death investigationsareongoing. struggling so it shows that having Inconclusion,industryanalysts owners of Guyana’s natural inhissleepafterarowoverfootball local content policies and are of the view that Guyana has to resources, not oil alone. In this at Aurora Backdam while his Thursday - Dec 8, 2022 supporting laws are very good build a clear line of sight for modern day of technology we are younger brother received chop virtues. They are necessary but communicating activities, impact, well aware of and up to date with wounds. Don’t get giddy over cleaning, trust me, they are not sufficient and and outcomes to the citizens and international conspiracy theories, catering, taxi service contracts Guyana must not run away with make people feel that they have a and how they work. According to or money in oil account’ that idea.” The Energy Specialist right to demand better and know the saying ‘you can’t fool all the …real benefits can only be added, “You must have proper howtheycangoaboutdoingso. peopleallthetime‘. realised with strong institutions – governance and oversight or else it

Guyanese let’s face reality, we Int’l Experts warn willallfail,allyourinvestmentwill Oil spill hits 4 kilometers of were sold out to our colonizers all fail or will lose value day after Venezuelan coast overagain.Weareworthnothingto While Guyana has made day.” these Politicians even though we successful strides in ensuring oil Further to this, the experts An oil spill on Monday has thepeoplearetherealGovernment. companies have 90 to 100 percent stressed that at the heart of polluted approximately four Our Government will not and oftheircontractsfortransportation, Trinidad’sstruggletodayisthelack kilometers of coastline of one of cannot do anything to stop Exxon catering and janitorial services go of accountability of the regulators Venezuelan’s top tourist even though the oil contract can be tolocals,itshouldnotdistractfrom ofthesector destination. changed.Ya’llknowwhy?Because thebiggerpicture.

In this regard, one of the The hydrocarbons have been there is another secret agreement

Infact,internationaloilandgas stakeholders said, “I will give you spilled along the shores of that none of us can see, which experts are cautioning Guyanese to an example if you think I am Lechería,aVenezuelancitylocated ensures such. Our only solution is avoid buying into the dream that mistaken. The law says that every northeastoftheAnzoáteguiState. for Guyanese of all ethnicities to Dead is Rafael Cadogan more money in the nation’s oil company operating in the oil and The city’s Mayor, Manuel unite together and enforce our role Cadogan’syoungerbrotherCliveis accountoraccomplishmentsonthe gas industry, no matter what they Ferreira González in a Twitter post as Government. We the people are currently nursing chop wounds at a local content front, automatically do, be it pipelines or gas confirmed the incident, and the Government not those who are cityhospital. translates to a better standard of petrochemicals, must have a declared the closure of several supposed to manage on our behalf. Kaieteur News understands living. licence. But you know what, there beachesintheAnzoáteguiState. WakeupGuyaneseandlive. that the chopping occurred at a According to the industry were many companies in the On Monday he posted, “We J o a n n J o s e p h s a i d : mining camp and followed a row experts, the key to real petrochemicalindustrywhodidnot confirm the unfortunate news that “Unbelievable!! A giant over football between the suspect transformative growth lies with have licences and they have been our coasts are being affected by an brainwashing billboard,!!,Exxon andCliveCadoganonMonday having strong institutions and an operatingfor40years.” oilspill.” knows exactly what kind of This newspaper was informed experienced cadre of professionals

As a result of this state of Mayor Ferreira González population they dealing with, long that the row led to a fight between overlooking the spending of the oil affairs, the industry expert said described the situation as a before they started operations here the Clive and the suspect and wealth. The experts were keen to there was extreme opposition and “catastrophicscenario.” they sent in their people to suss out Rafael intervened to defend his highlight that Trinidad and Tobago difficulties to implement In another post, he stated that the population to see what they brother underscores how critical it is to guidelinesinabidtoregularisethat thecityauthoritieswillcontinueto could get away with The Following the altercation, the robust institutions and section of the industry In light of

Murdered: Rafael Cadogan

Scenes from the oil spill in Venezuela (Photo credits,Mayor Manuel Ferreira González)

From page 64

monitor the coastlines and added,

“The hydrocarbons authorities

have not given us information, but

realityspeaksforitself.”

Notably, at the time of writing,

percent clients enjoy the presumption of neither the Government of interest and CNOOC Petroleum innocence until proven guilty, and Venezuela nor the State owned Guyana Limited holds 25 percent thattheyareentitledtoafairtrialin PDVSAOil Company have not yet interest. a reasonable time – the Chief announced what caused the oil

deniedbailhighlighting spill, or the quantity of

In the interest of Public that in the interest of public safety hydrocarbons that contaminated Safety: KN robbery suspects duringthistimeoftheyear,shewill the coastline of the state of to remain in jail …Chief not be granting bail but noted that Anzoátegui. Magistrate tells Lawyers she will entertain another bail Images and videos posted by application on the next hearing the Mayor, depicts the

The men accused of carrying withnewcontentions. contaminatedwaterwithdeadbirds out the armed robbery at Kaieteur On Thursday, the Prosecution andfishes. News’ Saffon Street, Charlestown also amended the charge to show office were on Thursday further that the total value of the items

Friday - Dec 9, 2022 remandedtoprisonuntilDecember stolen from the media entity during 15,2022. the wee hours of October 10, 2022 ExxonM pockets to gush with

The Prosecution made partial amountedtoover$50million. profits in 5 yrs …as multi- disclosure of the statements in the The five men were jointly also reducing Upstream emissions approximately US$9 billion in million dollar investments case and on the next court date, the chargedforrobberyunderarmsand by 40-50% through 2030, structural cost reductions by yearplanned for increased remaining evidence will be handed itisallegedthatbetweenOctober9, compared to 2016 levels end2023versus2019. production in Guyana, Brazil, overtotheDefence. 2022 and October 10, 2022 at Lot Importantly, all of Exxon’s The CEO also noted that other high-return projects

Those on remand are: Ryan 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, sanctioned projects in Guyana Upstream earnings potential is Wharton, 33, a former Kaieteur while being armed with a carry a US$25-US$35 breakeven expected to double by 2027 versus ExxonMobil Corporation News Research Assistant of R4- dangerous weapon, the Defendants price range The company is 2019,resultingfrominvestmentsin announced yesterday that its 574 Canary Street, Tucville, robbed Kaieteur News owned by therefore expected to be gushing high-return, low-cost-of-supply investmentsnextyearwillbeinthe Georgetown, 35-year-old Joshua Glenn Lall of $38.8 million, a with profits over the next five projects. range of US$23B to US$25B. The Junor, Kaieteur News Security Republic Bank cheque valued at years.

Exxon and its co-venture company said more than 70% of its Guard of Middle Road, La $9.1 million, US$9,306, one black The company also announced partners, Hess Corporation and budgetwillbedeployedinstrategic Penitence, 25-year-old Ivor .32 Taurus pistol serial number the expansion of its US$30 billion CNOOC Petroleum Limited developments in the U.S. Permian Belingie called ‘WildLife’of Back FHS60749 valued $350,000, share-repurchase programme, currently have four sanctioned Basin, Guyana, Brazil, and Circle, East Ruimveldt, 23-year- ammunition valued at $480,000, which is now up to US$50 billion developments on the Stabroek Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) old Lemuel Grant, a clerk of onefirearmcasevaluedat$25,000, through 2024. It also recently Block. The Liza Phase One and projectsaroundtheworld. Russell Street, Charlestown and two handles valued at $10,000 and increased its annual dividend Phase Two developments are

By 2027, Exxon said its 36-year-old Harry Stongster of sixmagazinesvaluedat$60,000. payment for the 40th consecutive currently operating at their investments will allow its Hyde Park, Timehri, East Bank The charge also stated that the year combined gross production production to grow by 500,000 oil- Demerara(EBD). men allegedly robbed Noel Junor, Byyear-end2022,ExxonMobil capacity of more than 360,000 equivalent barrels per day to 4.2 The Defendants appeared theothersecurityguardwhowason said it expects to distribute barrels of oil per day The third million oil-equivalent barrels per virtually before Chief Magistrate duty of $5000 and Wayne Lyttle, a approximately US$30 billion to development at Payara is on track day. It said more than 50% of the Ann McLennan at the Georgetown GraphicArtist,whowasalsoon shareholders, including US$15 to come online at the end of 2023 totalwillcomefromthekeygrowth Magistrates’Courts.

(Continued on page 66) billion in dividends and US$15 utilizing the Prosperity FPSO with areasmentioned. billioninsharerepurchases. a production capacity of

For Guyana, the American oil Exxon was keen to note that its approximately 220,000 gross giant will have at least five major Upstream investments programme barrelsofoilperday projects—Liza Phase One, Liza as well as its expanded share The fourth development, Phase Two, Payara, Yellowtail and repurchaseprogrammeformpartof Yellowtail, is expected to come Uaru—on stream by 2027. These its five-year plan to drive leading online in 2025, utilizing the ONE projects will produce at least one businessoutcomes.

GUYANAFPSOwithaproduction million barrels of oil per day

Darren Woods, Chairman and capacity of approximately 250,000 ExxonMobil and its partners in the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) grossbarrelsofoilperday. Stabroek Block will walk away commented, “We view our success A Plan of Development is with the lion’s share of this as an ‘and’ equation, one in which expected to be submitted to the production. we can produce the energy and GovernmentofGuyanabeforeyear

Exxon was also keen to note products society needs – and – be a end for a fifth development, Uaru, approximately90%ofitsUpstream leader in reducing greenhouse gas whichisexpectedtocomeonlineat investments that bring on new oil emissionsfromourownoperations the end of 2026 with a gross and flowing gas production are and also those from other p r o d u c t i o n c a p a c i t y o f expected to have returns greater companies.” approximately 250,000 barrels of than 10% at prices less than or He said too that the company oilperday equal to US$35 per barrel, while remainsontracktodeliveratotalof The Stabroek Block is 6.6

millionacres.ExxonMobilaffiliate The Lawyers for Grant, Junor

Esso Exploration and Production and Stongster renewed their bail

Guyana Limited is operator and applicationbuttheywerealldenied

holds 45 percent interest in the bytheChiefMagistrate. Whilethe

Stabroek Block Hess Guyana Lawyers contended that their

Exploration Ltd. holds 30

Magistrate

ExxonMobil Corporation CEO, Darren Woods

Remanded, Kaieteur News former security guard, Joshua Junor

Remanded, Kevin France

Remanded, former employee of Kaieteur News, Ryan Wharton

Remanded, Collis Haywood

Remanded, Harry Stongster

Remanded, Ivor Belingie called ‘Wildlife’ Remanded, Lemuel Grant

From page 65 said are pushing for more and more duty, of one cellular phone valued explorations licences so that by the at $44,000. The Prosecution then time the first relinquishment is due made an application for the matter in 2023, the 20% would be of a tobedisposedofsummarily. considerablyreducedportionofthe

This means that a request for StabroekBlock. the matter to be tried at the

To date, ExxonMobil has made Magistracy level as opposed to the over 30 discoveries in the Stabroek HighCourt. Block. It is also rushing to find

Chief Magistrate McLennan more oil discoveries before the end granted the application for the of the year and no doubt before matter to be tried in the 2023. Magistrates’ Court and as such the charge was re-read to the

Speedboat Operators

Defendants who all pleaded not

strike after

request for fare increase

Govt. denies guilty

Saturday- Dec 10, 2022

A month long battle between Speedboat Operators and the ExxonMobil to give Government for an increase of the up 20% of oil-rich StabroekMarkettoVreed-en-Hoop Stabroek Block next year water taxi fare, resulted in a strike onFriday

Vice President, Dr Bharrat

The move by the speedboat Jagdeo on Friday disclosed that 20 operators resulted in hundreds of percent of the Stabroek Block persons being left stranded for which spans 6 million acres would hours at both the Stabroek Market bereturnedtotheStatenextyear andVreed-en-HoopStellings. The top official responsible for This promoted Government to oil sector policy told Reporters that utilise boats belonging to Sheriff the20percenttoberelinquishedby Security, the Guyana Defence ExxonMobil’s affiliate, Esso Force (GDF), Guyana Police Force Exploration and Production said,“Thestandardprovisioninthe relinquishment

and (GPF) to shuttle the stranded Guyana Limited (EEPGL) is in Petroleum Act is that on an fouryearsandonly20percent

passengers, many of whom had to keepingwithprovisionsinthe2016 application for first renewal at the the end of seven years,

go to one of the boat operators, Stabroek Block contract. He said end of the four years, the company with 75 percent in normal

2023

(only name given), said the portion of the block would also is required to give up 50 percent of situations.

be subject to any form of that he and his colleagues decided beupforgrabsatGuyana’snextbid the block granted and on an He was keen to note that the machination via production to strike because the Government round. application for the second renewal, first person to utilise this loophole licences. has refused to increase the water

Chartered Accountant and whichisattheendofsevenyears,it was Janet Jagan in the 1999 Pre- ExxonMobil and its partners he taxifarefrom$100to$120. Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram is required to give up 25 percent of discovery Agreement. He said it had previously pointed out that theremainingconcession.” was made worse under the 2012 Exxon should actually be He added, “At the end of the 10 modelAgreement produced during relinquishing 75 percent of the years, which brings you to the end the time of former President, blockinsteadof20percent. of the third renewal period, the Donald Ramotar and former He said the company is able to companyhastogiveupallportions NaturalResourcesMinister,Robert holdontoalargepartoftheacreage of the block not subject to a Persaud. duetoaloopholeinthelawthatwas productionlicence…”

The Chartered Accountant exploited by both the Coalition and He noted that under normal reserved his disgust with former thePPP/CGovernments. circumstances, ExxonMobil would Natural Resources Minister, Ram had explained that the have been expected to follow the Raphael Trotman, and former initial period of a prospecting foregoingprocess.Instead,through President David Granger, the key licenceisfouryears.Suchlicenceis the reckless abuse of the loophole players in the 2016 post-discovery subject to two renewals of three in the law which obliges that the Agreement and its relinquishment yearseach. subject Minister can vary the provisions.

Expounding further, the lawyer relinquishment arrangements, no Ram expressed the fear that

is required after with little oversight

after undisclosed arrangements between

compared ExxonMobil and the Government,

the blocks to be given up in

Hussain

can

Passengers on Friday flocked the water taxi operators strike in protest for increased fares. Vessels from the Coast Guard,GPF, Sheriff Security, MARAD and from Parika-Supenaam service assisted passengers with crossing the river.

Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling as

Map showing the size and location of the Stabroek Block

Passengers about to join one of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) buses that was transporting passengers free of cost from Georgetown to Vreed-en-Hoop (Photo courtesy of Ministry of Public Works)

A Sheriff Water Ambulance shuttles passengers between the Stabroek Market to Vreed-en-Hoop Stellings. (Photo courtesy of Ministry of Public Works)

AFC calls for speed boat operators landing fees to be waived

Following the strike held boatoperatorswentaheadon by Georgetown to Vreed-en- their own and began Hoop speed boat operators charging passengers $120 on the Friday, the Alliance because, according to them, for Change (AFC) has called $100 was not enough to for the Government to waive maintain their vessels and someoftheirlandingfees. feedtheirfamilies.

In a Press Release issued However the MARAD on Saturday the AFC stated, penalized one of them and “Itisnosecretthatspeedboat they begged the authorities operators are charged $1500 but were threatened that if daily for docking fees and they persisted, they will face other services… We would, therefore, encourage Government to examine possibility of offering workable waiver of the landing fees to ease the b u r d e n o n t h e operators”.

A F C a l s o suggested that authorities can offer each registered operator “a $1000 per d a y f u e l c r e d i t redeemableatGUYOIL”

Speed boat operators decided to strike after month long battle between themandthegovernmentfor penaltiesandsuspension. a $20 fare increase bore no This resulted in the fruits.

speedboat operators striking

One of the operators, on Friday Passengers were Hussain, told Kaieteur News left stranded for hours but that he and his colleagues then the Government had approached the Minister stepped in to counter the of Public Works to have strike by using boats from water taxi fares increased Sherriff Security, the Joint from $100 to $120 but were Services and boats from denied.

Parika to shuttle passengers

He claimed that they had across. consulted with the Maritime Army buses were also Administration Department used to drop passengers (MARAD) too but were across the Demerara “shunned”.

freeofcost.

D e s p i t e t h e

Government’s

them

increase

Antigua: Nation’s multi-million dollar redeveloped port now officially open

AntiguaObserver-The country’s redeveloped Deep WaterHarbourportwillhelp putAntigua and Barbuda on track to becoming a transshipment spot for the EasternCaribbean.

That’s according to Prime Minister Gaston B r o w n e w h o t o l d Thursday’s official opening ceremony that the facility is the only container terminal portintheOECS,enablingit to provide services to neighbouringcountries.

The US$90 million port was constructed by Chinese pandemic.

Grenada PM has ‘receipts’ on diplomatic passport transaction

Loop Caribbean - Prime Minister of Grenada Dickon Mitchell has hit back at suggestions made during the 2023 Budgetdebatethathemademisleadingaccusationsregarding a diplomatic passport transaction involving a Polish national and thousands of dollars which went to a bank account other thantheState’s.

the Plant Protection Darwin

of construction giant, the The port now boasts a Unit, Immigration and other the “momentous

China Civil Engineering new cruise berth, cargo and services to prevent t o w a r d s t h e p o r t ’s Construction Corporation logistics facilities, and other customers being forced to completion, adding that the Work began in 2018 but amenities. journey into St John’s and facility now had “all the was beset by delays, Offices have also been back. makings for an excellent exacerbated by the Covid built to house Customs and Port Authority CEO future”.

During a townhall, the prime minister had alleged that a Polish national claimed earlier in June, in the midst of the general election campaign, that he was asked to pay US $290,000 for a diplomatic passport, with US $150,000 for the State and US $140,000 for a bank account involving a constituencyoffice.

Opposition leader Dr Keith Mitchell during his Budget rebuttalonThursdaydeniedanysuch arrangementtookplace under his NNPadministration.He also called on PM Mitchell toshowthenationtheCabinetconclusionofUS$290,000.

The Prime Minister on Friday during the budget debate saidhehasthereceiptswhichwillbereleased.

the operators but it appears I n a s u b s e q u e n t Georgetown to Vreed-en- pressure and returned to HarbourBridge

progress was not made with statementreleased,MARAD Hoopremains$100”. work for the same $100 on Minister within the

refusal to regards to the boat operators stated that “it wishes to Some boat operators Saturday but others are Public Works Ministry, grant

an

the requestfor$20more. reinforce that the fare from have already buckled to continuingtoholdout. Deodat Indar, had met with

Sheriff Security boats shuttling passengers across the Demerara River on Friday

Excise,

Telemaque spoke

journey”

Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne and a representative of CEXIM (Antigua Observer)

$160M estimated to build new GRA office at Mabaruma

Five Contractors have Minister of Culture, submitted bids to construct a Youth and Sports, Charles new Guyana Revenue Ramson told Kaieteur News Authority (GRA) office at earlier this week that works Mabaruma,RegionOne.The being done at the Sports Hall project is estimated to cost are being done in phases. $ 1 6 0 , 0 9 0 , 1 3 4 T h e

Speaking of the first phase, Contractors are Angad the Minister said “this one is Ganesh Building & General for the redesign of the front C o n s t r u c t i o n section; the entire front ($157,874,860), Jemcorp section is going to be pulled Engineering & Imports down and be modernized.” ($219,950,665), Aruca This specific phase is Investment ($129,402,059), expected to be completed in B&S Contracting Service eight months The other ($140,134,456) and South phases will see the entire QuantumTradingInc. facility air conditioned and Additionally, when the installation of bucket tenders were opened at the seats.

National Procurement and The Minister disclosed Tender Administration that the Sports Hall’s Board (NPTAB) office flooring will be enhanced as recently, more projects were well while the bottom sides identified for the Cliff of the building are to AndersonSportsHall. extended “to give us a little Kaieteur News had bitmoreroom.” reported that the Ministry of Ramson said that the Culture, Youth and Sport is Sports Hall is old and currently rehabilitating the rehabilitation is aimed at Sport facility Recently a modernizingthefacility $97M contract was awarded Below is a list of the to redesign the front of the companies that have building and works on that submitted bids for various phasehassincecommenced. projects:

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Rehabilitation of the CliffAnderson Sports Hall for electrical installation.

Rehabilitation of the CliffAnderson Sports Hall- HVAC Installation (Air conditioning).

Rehabilitation of the CliffAnderson Sports Hall for main roof modification.

Asphalting of parking lot phase 3 at National Tracking and Field Centre Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

Ministry

Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Works at the Chip Factory for lots 1 to 3.

Impact study for Wales gas project warns...

From page 61 look at that EIA, it says the impacts on the groundwater will be negligible. Nowhere in the world can you put a power plantandanNGLplantandapipelineovergroundwaterand it never gets seriously impacted. Basic common sense will tell you that upset conditions of spills etc. over the 30-yearlife of such heavily polluting industries put the groundwater athighrisk.Andthisisourmostprizedgroundwateraquifer Guyana’s coastal water supply comes mainly from the A SandAquifer,whichliesbelowtheWalesEstate.”

The Geologist explained that when hydrocarbon pollutants get into your water supply, they remain there permanently,andarecancerous,makingthewaterunsafefor consumption.

The EPA on November 25 gave US oil giant, ExxonMobil its blessings to commence the US$1.3 billion Gas-to-Energy project that will allow for the construction of a natural gas pipeline, as well as a NGL facility and supportinginfrastructureatWales,WestBankDemerara.

While many stakeholders had raised concerns regarding the safety of the project, the EPAin its decision to grant the Permit, said the project’s EIA and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) have been declared acceptable, by the EnvironmentalAssessmentBoard(EAB)inaccordancewith section 11(13) of the Environmental Protection Act, Cap. 20:05.

“TheEPAissatisfiedthattheprojectcanbeconductedin accordance with good environmental practices, and in a manner that avoids, prevents and minimizes any adverse effects which could result from the activity,” it said. Exxon hasbeengrantedafiveyearPermitbytheagency,thismeans it will remain in effect until November 24, 2027. It will be renewedonlyafterthePermitHoldersubmitsanapplication form six months before its environmental authorisation expires.

Meanwhile, Government said the Permit for its 300 MegawattPowerPlantwillbeissuedinafewweeks’time.

Guyana Elections Commission Rehabilitation of building's roof.

Construction of shed workshop.

Guyana RevenueAuthority Construction of new Regional Office, Mabaruma Region One.

of local Government and regional Development Supply and delivery of one new 3 ton compactor garbage truck.

Three killed, several missing after explosion on island of Jersey

WANTED

Live-in domestic/ maid and canter driver to work in the Interior. Call: 614-1819.

Carpenters, masons and labourers required. Call: 645-9805.

Driver, sales man, porters to work in warehouse. Must have experience , attractive salary offered. Call: 6964444.

One experience accounts clerk required. Call: 231-0363

General domestic covid vaccinated for Tuesday's & Saturday's between Cove & John & Machaica, E.C.D 259-0953/623-3231.

Handyman, maid & male receptionist for night needed. Call: 225-9211.

Experienced crew (Jet, Maroc, Pitmen) and servicemen required for mining operation. Must be willing to work through christmas and the new year. Call: 697-2533.

Nimbus water system are now Hiring porters. Apply with application at Lot 79 Albert and Laluni streets queenstown. Contact 622-0445 or 6857659 .

Male & female needed to work in the Interior, ages 18 years & older and one live in domestic to work min Georgetown. Call: 6862201/ 691-3942, 674-9999.

One housekeeper needed ages 18-35yrs, must have child care experiences and living in Timerhi/ Soesdyke or Kuru-Kuru. Call/ Whatspp: 603-0210.

Farm workers, clerk and admin assistant needed. Preferably living in Timerhi/ Soesdyke or Kuru-Kuru. Call/ Whatspp: 603-0210 or email: tjjason52@gmail.com

One Domestic needed. Call Ameena: # 226-4948.

Male workers needed for Candy Factory, $3500 per day. 7am - 4pm, transportation provided. Call: 6117839.

Experience Cashier, Cooks, Counter Staff & Cleaners. Apply @ Hot& Spicy Albertown. Call: 225-6255/ 226-9000.

VACANCY

Wanted: Experienced supervisor, cashier, counter person, cooks and labourer. Apply @ Shanta's, 225 Camp and New Market Sts.

Data Entry clerk needed. Apply to: Essential Care Pharmacy & Supercentre , Block X Mandela Avenue or G3 Building Diamond East Bank Demerara Or Via E-mail - essentialcarepharmacy@ yahoo.com

Pharmacist & Pharmacy Technician needed. Apply to: Essential Care Pharmacy & Supercentre, Block X Mandela Avenue or G3 Building Diamond East Bank Demerara or E-mailessentialcarepharmacy@ yahoo.com

Log truck driver, Diesel mechanic, Porters and Timber grant manager. Call: 609-7675/ 674-1705

Cook/ baker, pitman and servicemen for Interior location. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 615-0545 or 2312250.

One general domestic to work in G/town. Must know to iron clothes. Call: 6153379 between 8:00-4:30.

We are now hiring sales girl & counter attendant @ Dian's Deli food outlet, Bar St Kitty. Tel:621-7862/2253700/225-6478.

Vacancy at People's Choice kitchen for experinced cooks, pastry maker & kitchen assistant. Call: 6799449

SERVICES

Repair & install fridge, freezer, washer & dryer, AC units, stove, etc. Whatsapp/ Call: 637-4927, 654-9511 or 683-8734.

Visa application: Canada and UK & U.S.A. Graphics design & advertisements. Wedding decorations & elderly grooming: hair, nail etc. Call: 626-7040.

Repairs at affordable price: fridge,\air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer.Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158.

LAND FOR SALE

30.991 acres land at Princess Caroline upper Demerara river west bank. Call: 6630800 or email: ssrinvestgy @gmail.com

Lot 17 Bushy Park Parika 275'x72' river and road access. Call: 663-0800/email: ssrinvestgy@gmail.com

Property @ Section H Huston, land size 160x80 with three storey building 2300 sq ft. Call: 663-0800 or email: ssrinvestgy @gmail.com

Property @ Lance Gibbs Street Queenstown, land size 80x60. Call: 663-0800 or email: ssrinvestgy @gmail.com

Land 90x600 @ section A Triumph backlands. Call: 663-0800 or email: ssrinvestgy@gmail.com

Land @ D'Aguiar park 3/4 acres, with lake at the back. Call: 663-0800 or email: ssrinvestgy@gmail.com

(Reuters) - Three people were killed and around a dozen others remain missing after an explosion early on Saturday morning at a block of flats on the island of Jersey, off the coast of northern France.

“We now have, I regret to say, three fatalities,” Robin Smith, Chief Officer of the States of Jersey Police, told a news conference.

The explosion occurred just before 0400 GMT and the fire has since been extinguished.

Emergency services will continue to search for survivors through the night, Smith said.

had been called to the property on Friday evening before the explosion after residents had reported the smell of gas.

He did not comment on the cause of the explosion, and said that would be subject to investigation.

Smith said a three-story building, located near the

harbour in the island’s capital St Helier, had completely collapsed.

He said 20 to 30 people had been evacuated and that two “walking wounded” had received hospital treatment.

Jersey is a British Crown Dependency with a resident population of just over 100,000 people.

UN Sec-Gen urges Nigeria to investigate mass abortion report

He confirmed fire services The army programme allegedly involved terminating at least 10,000 pregnancies among women and girls Boko Haram abducted.

FOR RENT

Two bedroom apartment for rent on E.C.D. Call: 6296237

Aljazeera - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Nigerian authorities to investigate allegations of systemic and coerced abortions reportedly perpetrated by its army, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric has said.

TO LET

The Reuters news agency reported on Wednesday that the Nigerian Army has run a secret, systematic and illegal abortion programme in the country’s northeast since at least 2013.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

DAF CF85 Double Axle Twin Steer Dump Trucks for sale.

$9 Mil each negotiable. Call 658-9008

2014 Nissan X-Trail $4.5 Mil negotiable. Excellent condition, dark blue colour & black interior. Call 658-9008.

One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable & 1 new super custom Hiace Bus 2.5M .Contact:6490956.

Land @ 816 Plantation Mon Repos housing scheme. Call: 663-0800 or email: ssrinvestgy@gmail.com

Property @ Good Hope on the Main road, land size 150x120, house is 8000 sq feet. Call: 663-0800 or email: ssrinvestgy@gmail.com

259 acres land @ Susannah rust, river and road access. Call: 663-0800 or email: ssrinvestgy@gmail.com

2.6 acres land @ Craig village ( busy dam). Call: 6630800 or email: ssrinvestgy@ gmail.com

Store at Lombard street, commercial spaces at Enmore mall, top floor 300ftx25ft. Call: 609-7675/ 674-1705.

EDUCATION

Have your child/children (7 years and older) accelerate in their reading, writing and phonetic skills. Call 6508925 or email nmf1010@ gmail.com

The programme allegedly involved terminating at least 10,000 pregnancies among women and girls, many of whom had been kidnapped and raped by Boko Haram, according to dozens of witness accounts and documentation reviewed by Reuters.

“The Secretary-General takes note with concern of the allegations of systemic and coerced abortions reportedly perpetrated by the Nigerian Army against women and girls who had already been victimized by Boko Haram,” Dujarric said in an email to Reuters. He called for a

thorough investigation and “immediate remedial actions and accountability measures,” if such measures were necessary.

“We call on the Nigerian authorities to fully investigate these allegations and make sure there’s accountability,” Dujarric told reporters later on Friday.

A US State Department spokesperson said the Biden administration was “deeply troubled.”

A man walks below the Union and Jersey flags in St Helier, Jersey, Britain November 7, 2017. REUTERS/Darren Staples

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses reporters during a news conference in New York, United States, on June 8, 2022 [File: Mary Altaffer/AP Photo]

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY!

In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecency in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

SUNDAY –

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

The selling of Guyana's Oil

Will Guyanese ever get a littlesliceofjusticewiththeir oil?

TheAmericans rob them. Now it is the turn of the British.

There is clever money to be made from marketing Guyana'srichoil.

Plenty of tricks in the trading of oil by which the B r i t i s h c o u l d t r e a t themselves.

WecallonthePPPGovt.: publicize the contract for marketingouroil.

Already we hear about confidentiality, and competitivedisadvantage.

Guyanese beware: it is moreoftradesecretsandPPP Govt.skulduggery.

MONDAY

–

DECEMBER 5, 2022

Atankerfulloftrouble

It's a new day in Guyana, but with the same backward PoliticiansandBureaucrats.

A tanker crashed into the Demerara Harbour Bridge, anditwasallowedtoleave.

Allowed to leave without depositing a dollar, despite causing over a billion in damages.

Who do we have running this country? Men without brain? Bureaucrats without backbone?

Or Criminals joining with foreigners to plunder us

atwill?

Americas, Chinese, Russians,nowPanamanians.

Guyanese must stand up for their rights and protest thisstateoflawlessness.

TUESDAY

–

DECEMBER 6, 2022

Guyanese Criminals preyingonGuyanesecitizens

A man hit it big in the bettingshop.

Criminals laid in wait for him, killed him, and robbed him.

His grieving family is now fighting for truth and justice.

Guyana keeps hitting it bigwithoil.

Political Criminals lay in wait to pounce and rob us of presentandfutureprospects.

They kill dreams, ravage hopes and are getting away (fornow)fromlootingtheoil treasury.

WEDNESDAY –

DECEMEBR 7, 2022

Workers'UnionBegging, PoliticiansFeasting

Guyanese workers are beggingforalivingwage.

The best they can expect togetisafewmorescraps.

The ordinary Guyanese work beg to get by with a littledignity

Guyanese Politicians and their families fatten themselves on the people's wealth.

Guyanese workers can barely buy bread, struggle to pay their bills. Guyanese

Politicians feasting on champagne and steak, cheesecake and the richest ice-cream.

ThisisGuyana:thehaves and have nots. The few that are banqueting, the many livingwithanemptyplate.

THURSDAY

–DECEMBER 8, 2022

B r a i n w a s h i n g b y billboards

Exxon delivered another gift to Guyanese: deceptive billboards.

Billboards are Exxon's new weapons to beat Guyaneseintotheground

Billboards are the new structures that Exxon builds toimprisonGuyaneseminds

Guyanese should spit upon and curse each time theyseethem…

Guyanese should kick up astinkeachtimetheythinkof Exxon'sinsultingbillboards!

FRIDAY – DECEMBER

9, 2022

Exxon's10%PayRaise

Exxon's fat cats give themselvesa10%raise.

Guyana's cheap oil getting them father and richer

How about giving Guyanese 10% royalty, Exxon?

Why not agree to pay 10% taxes in new Stabroek Blockprojects?

Do something honest for once,Exxon.

Revers the robbery, banditry, and other criminalityonthiscountry

SATURDAY –

DECEMBER 10, 2022

Audit of Exxon

US$7.3B

Expenses

When Guyanese needed an auditor, they got a bill checker

When Guyanese required a detective, they got what is defective

When Guyanese long for the truth about those billions, theygettheboot

When Guyanese need courage from their own, they end up with another haemorrhage.

US$7.3B gone down the drain to Exxon just like that; thanksMr Jagdeo.

And they are off at Port Mourant Today – excitement expected at the “Big Yard”

Despite the inclement weather all seems set for the Port Mourant Turf club (PMTC) one day horserace meet set for today at the club’s track situated at Port Mourant, Corentyne Berbice. The occasion will be the grand one day sevenevent Pre Christmas meet.

Most of the top horses in the country have taken entry for the big showdown. When entries closed, some 50 horses had already registered in what is expected to be a

classical event.

The club recently undertook massive rehabilitation works to its track and the grand stand and despite the rain the event is expected to be exciting.

The sponsorship money has been upped to over a whopping $9M with jockeys, owners and patrons all expected to cash in on some massive giveaways which the organisers have arranged for the day.

The main event is open to

all racehorses in Guyana. A number of top horses the likes of Memories, Regal Intention, Coup d’ Etat, Early Bird, Golden D Or, American Intention, Alado and Looking to Heaven are expected to line up for the main event over 1 mile.

The winner will race away with a massive $2M and trophy complements of Banks DIH Limited.

Another feature event on the day’s card is for all West Indian bred horses in Guyana.

The winner will take home a hefty $1M and trophy over 1mile.The other events which will all be run over 6 furlongs and will be for H and lower horses; Two years old Guyana and West Indian bred horses; J and lower horses; J non-starter and horses that placed second and lower in J3 non-starter/earner events and one for K and L animals.

Sponsors already on board include Banks DIH Limited, Delmur Company Limited, KP Jagdeo General Contractors,

Jumbo Jet, Kascon Engineering and Archway Snackette among others.

The day’s activity will be conducted under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA).

Interested persons can contact Therbhuwan “Gingo” Jagdeo, Dennis DeRoop and other members of the PMTC for information and entry.

Post time is 12.15 hrs. (Samuel Whyte)

Sunday December 11, 2022

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

People are apt to try to hit you square on the head with their ideas and thoughts today, Aries, so be ready for the onslaught of information that may come your way. There's a distinct advantage.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Anchor yourself in practical matters before you try to prove your point to others. There's a great deal of primal energy rising within you today and searching for some sort of outlet.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Don't take no for an answer today, Gemini. Know what you believe in and stick with it. There's a distinct advantage to holding true to your inner nature.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Be a pioneer thinker today, Cancer. There's a noble courage in your thoughts, so don't let this quality go to waste. You will be surprised at how cutting edge you can be when you put your mind to it.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Be aggressive and forceful when it comes to exerting your will, Leo. Let others know that you won't be a pushover. Your opinions are extremely important,

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Today may be one of those days in which you come to a four-way stop and no one knows whose turn it is. Don't sit and wait for everyone else to go first, Virgo.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

People would be foolish to challenge your thinking now, Libra. The power behind your words is volatile, and you may find yourself going to extremes in order to get your point across.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your old ways of thinking have carried you quite far, Scorpio, but you may now find that it's time to seek a new platform for your ideas. Look for more adventurous ways to express yourself.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21) One quick phone call to a friend may turn into a long discussion about the meaning of life, Sagittarius. Be conscious of the fact that there's a great deal of momentum building in your mind now.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) It could be that you feel a bit of pressure today to start or create something that you aren't quite ready for, Capricorn. There is hesitation on your part that indicates you should take it slowly .

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Move forward with your plan of attack today, Aquarius. There's an anxious rumble within you that's urging you to get going with a current plan. You have all the facts you need,

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Add spark to your life today, Pisces. It could be that things are getting stale and boring. If so, consider the possibility that you simply aren't challenging yourself.

Giroud header sends France past England into semi-finals

GiroudheadedhomethewinnerfromanAntoineGriezmanncross and England's hopes of getting back on level terms again foundered when Kane skied a second penalty over the bar six minutes from the finalwhistle.

France

ALKHOR,Qatar,(Reuters)-AbrilliantOlivierGiroudheader12 minutesfromtimekeptFranceoncoursetoretaintheirWorldCuptitle witha2-1winoverEnglandinatightlastquarter-finalyesterday Aurelien Tchouameni put France ahead with a long-range strike after 17 minutes but England skipper Harry Kane equalised with a 54th minute penalty following a foul by the French midfielder on BukayoSaka.

will play Morocco for a place in the final on Wednesday after the North Africans beat Portugal 1-0 in yesterday's earlier quarter-final.

England's Harry Maguire in action with France's Olivier Giroud.

(REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed)

France's Aurelien Tchouameni celebrates scoring their first goal.

(REUTERS/Dylan Martinez)

Ishan Kishan: India batter hits fastest ODI double century in win over Bangladesh

BBC Sport - India batter Ishan Kishan hit the fastest double century in one-day international history by smashing a sublime 210 in victoryoverBangladesh.

Kishan took just 126 balls to reach 200, breaking thepreviousrecordformen's and women's cricket held by NewZealand'sAmeliaKerr Kerr reached the mark off 134 balls against Ireland in2018.

West Indies opener Chris Gayle held the previous men's record, taking 138 deliveriesagainstZimbabwe in2015.

It is only the ninth time a batter has hit a double ton in men's ODIs, with Kishan's the joint-fifth highest score, while the 24-year-old is also the youngest man to achieve thefeat.

Hestruck24foursand10 sixesinhisstunning131-ball knock, sharing a secondwicket partnership of 290 with Virat Kohli - the seventh-highest in men's ODIhistory

Kohlihitafinecenturyof his own, making 113 off 91 ballsasIndiaposted409-8in Chittagong, their fourth highesttotalinODIs.

It was Kohli's 44th ODI ton and 72nd across all formats, moving him ahead of former Australia captain Ricky Ponting into outright second for the most internationalhundreds.Only India legend Sachin Tendulkar has more, with 100.

Bangladesh never threatened in the chase and were eventually bowled out for 182 off 34 overs to lose by227runs.

However, the Tigers had already secured the series following victories in the firsttwoODIs.

The two sides now move on to a two-Test series, which starts in Chittagong onWednesday

K i s h a n , w h o s e century was also his maiden ODI ton in his 10th match, was only playing because of an

Highest men's ODI

Ishan Kishan's stunning innings was also his maiden ODI century. (Getty Images)

Morocco makes African history with 1-0 quarterfinal win over Portugal

Yahoo Sports - Morocco became the first African team to advance to the semifinals of a World Cup with a 1-0 win over Portugal yesterday morning The winning goal came in the final minutes of the first half when Youssef En-Nesyri skied to win a header from a towering cross by Yahya Attiat-Allah Portugal keeper Diogo Costa tried to beat En-Nesyri to the cross but En-Nesyri out-jumped everyone and thumped the ballintothebackofthenet.

Morocco’s improbable run to the semifinals likely ends Cristiano Ronaldo’s chances of ever winning a World Cup. The 37-year-old star started on the bench for thesecondconsecutivegame and came on just minutes into the second half. His best goal-scoring chance came in the 91st minute as Ronaldo got a shot on target off between two Moroccan defendersonabreak.Butthe shot was saved by Yassine

Bounou.

Ronaldo immediately left the pitch after the game and started crying as he walked down the tunnel to the Portugal locker room. His playing time in Saturday’sgametiedhimfor the most international appearances with Kuwait’s BaderAl-Mutawaat196.

Shortly after that Ronaldo chance in added time,Moroccowentdownto 10menaftersubstituteWalid Cheddira got two yellow cards in a matter of minutes. Morocco then had to defend for the final seven minutes with one fewer man than Portugal Cheddira’s red card for the second yellow was just the second red card issued to a player all tournament.

Can Morocco win the WorldCup?

Morocco’s success at the 2022 World Cup can be boiled down very easily It simply does not give up goals.

The Moroccans have allowed just one goal through five games and that was an own goal. No opposing player has scored against Morocco in this tournament.

T h a t d e f e n s i v e excellence was why Morocco won Group F over Croatia, Belgium and

Canada and how it became the fourth different African country to make the quarterfinals of a men’s World Cup. Cameroon first made the quarterfinals in 1990 before Senegal in 2002 andGhanain2010.

It’s also a reason why Moroccoisaseriousthreatto winthisWorldCup.

While Morocco will end up playing either England or France in the semifinals on Wednesday, it shut down a Portugalteamthatscoredsix goals against Switzerland, and a Spain team that scored seven goals against Costa Ricabeforethat.

Teams with bigger stars and seemingly more offensive talent are simply findingitimpossibletoscore against this Moroccan team.

Portugal’sdisappointment

Portugal, meanwhile, is left to rue what could have been its best chance to win the World Cup. It has made the semifinals of the World Cup just once ahead of a fourth-placefinishin2006.

Ronaldo started six of Portugal’s games in that tournament and scored a goalinawinoverIran.

T h a t Wo r l d C u p established him as the focal point of Portugal’s squad movingforward.

But the team has simply been unable to replicate that

Portugal was eliminated in the Round of 16 in 2010 and 2018 and didn’t make it out of the group stage in 2014.

Portugal’s international success with Ronaldo has comeintheEuros.

Portugal beat France 1-0 in extra time to win Euro 2016. But Ronaldo played just 20 minutes in that game andwasforcedtoleaveinthe first half because of a knee injury

This sure felt like Ronaldo’s last World Cup, especially after he was dropped to the bench against Switzerland and could soon find himself continuing his club soccer career outside of apowerleague.

And it’s impossible to quantify Saturday’s loss as anything other than a disappointment both for one of the world’s greatest players ever and for Portugal.

Ronaldo’s penalty kick goal in the first game of the tournament against Ghana was his only goal of this World Cup, and it’s indisputable that Portugal looked a lot better with Gonçalo Ramos up front against Switzerland than it had with Ronaldo leading the front line in any of its otherthreegames.

WorldCupsuccess.

Portugal’s Pepe misses a chance to score. (REUTERS/Carl Recine)

Boland’s3wicketsputAustraliaincontrolagainstWindies

ADELAIDE,Australia (AP) — Pace bowler Scott Boland took three wickets in an over yesterday to putAustralia in command of the second cricket test against West Indies.

Australia bowled out West Indies for 214 on Day 3 before declaring its second innings on 199-6 early in the last session, setting the visitors a target of 497towinwithmorethantwodays remainingintheday-nightmatchat theAdelaideOval.

Boland (3-9) then entered the attack in the sixth over and snared three second-innings wickets without conceding a run to have the tourists reeling on 15-3

He took a wicket with his first ball, having skipper Kraigg Brathwaite(3)caughtbehindwitha

deliverythatstraightened.

Boland also trapped Shamarh Brooks (0) lbw with a delivery that moved back off the seam two balls later and had Jermaine Blackwood (0)caughtlowatgullybyCameron Green.

Left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc (1-11) picked up an unexpected wicket when

Tagenarine Chanderpaul, after scoringawatchful17from28balls, feathered a catch down the legside towicketkeeperAlexCarey

It was given not out by the on-field umpire but the Australians reviewed, despite Starc and Carey seemingly not convinced there was an edge, and got the reward as West Indies slipped to 21-4 in the 9th over Devon Thomas and Jason

It was an eventful day, with West Indies resuming on 102-4 and losing two wickets before adding a run as they quickly surrendered a first-inningsleadof297.

Great hope Chanderpaul (47) wasrunoutoffthefourthballofthe day when he prodded into space, took off, turned around and was caughtshortbyaStarcdirecthit.

Nathan Lyon finished with 357 while Starc ended up with 248 after having Holder caught behind for a duck and dismissing Roston Chase off a hook shot for 34.

The Australians showed attacking intent from the start with openers David Warner and

Chase, who was wicketless in 30 first-innings overs, took a wicket with his first ball second time around when Warner (28) dragged one back onto his stumps

He claimed another victim two balls later with some genuine turn, when left-hander Khawaja (45) edged to wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva.

Chase then took an excellent, low catch at ankle height in the gully to remove Marnus Labuschagne for 31 at the end of the middle session, with Australia on 136-3.

It was the first time in four

innings this series that

Labuschagne didn’t reach a century

Stand-in captain Steve Smith (35) and Travis Head (38 not out) kept the run-rate flowing before Australia declared in a bid to pick upwicketsunderthelightswiththe pinkball.

The hosts will resume Sunday needing six wickets for a two-test sweepaheadofathree-matchseries against South Africa starting next weekend.

Scores: West Indies 38 for 4 (Thomas 8*, Holder 8*, Boland 39)and214(Chanderpaul47,Phillip 43, Lyon 3-57) need 459 runs to beat Australia 199 for 6 dec (Khawaja45, Joseph 3-33) and511 for7dec.

One Guyana President’s Cup Regional tournament starts tonight

The One Guyana President’s Cup football tournamentwillkickoffthis evening from 18:00hrs at theNationalTrackandField Centre, with a doubleheader F o l l o w i n g t h e tournament’s opening ceremonywhichwillseethe attendance of high-ranking Government officials and o th er k ey f o o tb all stakeholders, fans will be treated by a clash between Region6andRegion9from 18:00hrs.

Thenight’ssecondgame willbringtogetherthehome side, Region 3, coming up againstRegion1.

Following the InterWard tournament played throughout the country, the districts selected their best 25 players to play in the RegionalTournament.

In Group A, Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica), ranked as the top seed, will be joined by Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne), R e g i o n 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), Region

9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) and Region 8 (Potaro-Siparuni).

District 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) wasplacedasthetopseedin Group B and joined by R e g i o n 5 (Mahaica/Berbice), Region 1 (Barima/Waini), Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) and Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The teams will play in a round-robin format in the initial stage, where the top two teams from each group

will advance to the semifinals.

Matches will be played at the National Track and F i e l d C e n t r e , t h e

Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Ground, the Buxton CommunityCentreGround, the Bartica Community Centre Ground, #5 Ground and Albion Community CentreGround.

The One Guyana President’s Cup will be one of the most lucrative tournaments ever held in G u y a n a , w i t h

approximately $30M going directly to the players and staffofthe10teams.

Apart from the $2M up for grabs for the winner, each player will pocket $80,000 as a one-off payment Team captains willreceive$100,000.

The head coach of each team will collect $100,000, while members of his coaching staff are to receive $80,000.

For each win in the group stage, teams will be rewarded $200,000, and

each semi-finalist will collect $400,000. Second placeteamtoget$1M.

The tournament will continue Wednesday, December 14, at the GFC Ground, with Region 4 facing Region 7 and Region 10 coming up against Region5.

Some of the sponsors include GTT, Digicel, Ansa M c A l , N e w G P C , Caribbean Airlines, ENetworks and Edward Beharry Group, among others.

Holder each scored eight to help WestIndiesreach38-4atstumps.

Usman Khawaja putting on 77 in 14 overs before Chase slowed thingsdown.

Scott Boland takes off in a triple-wicket maiden. (Getty Images)

David Warner chopped on against Roston Chase. (Associated Press)

FIFAchargesArgentinafordisordersatWorldCupmatch disordersat

DOHA, Qatar (AP) —

FIFA opened a disciplinary caseagainstArgentinaforits players’ actions during a contentious World Cup quarterfinal match against theNetherlands.

The soccer governing body cited “order and security at matches” in its disciplinary code for charging the Argentina soccerfederation.

Argentina substitutes and coaches encroached on the field as the game turned confrontational in the late stages as the Dutch scored

two late goals to force extra time There were more heated exchanges on the field afterArgentina won the penalty shootout following the2-2draw Lionel Messi was among a World Cup record 17 players or coaching staff members who were shown yellow cards during or after thegame.

Team misconduct charges are routine for collecting five yellow cards in a game and disciplinary cases were opened against both Argentina and the

Netherlands,FIFAsaid.

Both federations could get the same 15,000 Swiss francs fine ($16,000) that FIFA’s disciplinary panel imposed twice on Saudi Arabia at this World Cup for teammisconduct.

Argentina will likely get aheavierfinefortheseparate disordercharge.

FIFA gave no timetable for verdicts, which have typically not been published before a team’s next game at thisWorldCup.

Argentina faces Croatia inthesemifinalsonTuesday

Sciver leads in England 3-0 sweep of CG United ODI series

ST JOHN’S, AntiguaEngland Women completed a 151-run victory in the third CG United ODI against the WestIndieswomen,toclaim a 3-0 series clean sweep at the Sir Vivian Richards StadiuminAntigua.

Head Coach Courtney Walsh told CWI Media, “It was a poor series by us, we didn’tplaythetypeofcricket we wanted to play, England outplayed us. I know we can play better cricket than that, so I am disappointed. We bowled and fielded better in the last two matches; we have to focus everything nowontheT20series.”

Walsh added, “We have to make sure we get somethingoutofthisseriesas wehaveatri-seriesandWorld Cup early next year What is pleasingtomeisthebowling we were able to rally in the last two games. I am pleased with Hayley’s captaincy and her rotation of bowlers. The highlight was Rashada Williams have two good

peformances with the bat. And the debut of Kaysia Schultz, she’s been around the team for a long time so we wanted to see how she performed so it was very pleasing to see her get the two early wickets, she will only get better from this exposureandexperience.”

Scores: EnglandWomen 256allout(43.3overs) N a t S c i v e r 8 5

- ShakeraSelman9-129-3

A m y J o n e s 3 2

- Hayley Matthews 10-0-56-3 West Indies Women105/9 (37.3overs)

Hayley Matthews 28

- Sophie Ecclestone 9-6-9-3 Kyshona Knight 13 - NatSciver4-0-16-2

Player of the Match and Player of the Series: Nat Sciver

Neymar hints at Brazil retirement as head coach Tite steps down

BBC Sport - Neymar said he “cannot 100% guarantee” he will continue playing for Brazil after their World Cup exit, while coach Tite confirmed he will step down.

The favourites went out at the quarter-final stage for the second World Cup running, losing on penalties to 2018 runners-up Croatia aftera1-1draw

Tite, 61, says he “goes in peace” after six years as Brazilmanager.

But Neymar, 30, will takestockbeforeconfirming his decision, adding: “I need to think a bit more about this.” The Paris St-Germain forward equalled Pele’s ‘official’ goalscoring record of 77 in 124 appearances for the Brazil men’s national team after firing them into the lead against Croatia in extra time But Bruno Petkovic’s 117th-minute equaliser and Brazil’s subsequent 4-2 defeat on penalties left the former Barcelona player with a decisiontomake.

“I am not closing any doors on the national team b u t I a m a l s o n o t guaranteeing 100% that I will return,” said Neymar, who made his international debutaged18.

“I need to think a bit more about this, about what is the right thing for me and

for the national team ” Neymar played in three World Cups for the Selecao, helpingthemreachthesemifinals in his home country in 2014 before missing the 7-1 humiliation at the hands of Germany in the last four throughinjury

“It is an awful feeling. I think this is a worse feeling than what happened at the last World Cup,” said Neymar,referringtoBrazil’s 2-1 quarter-final defeat by BelgiumatRussia2018.

“It is difficult to find the words to describe this moment.WefoughtandIam proud of my team-mates, proud of the character they showed to step up and take penalties.”

‘Igoinpeace’

Tite left no room for a possible return as Brazil coach. He said before the tournament he would stand downregardlessofhisside’s performance.

“It is a painful defeat but Igoinpeace.Itistheendofa

cycle,” said the former Corinthiansboss.

“Ialreadysaidthatayear and a half ago. I didn’t come here to win and then turn around and say I was going tostay.Peoplewhoknowme know that.” He took on the role in 2016 and won the Copa America in 2019, but was unable to guide Brazil past the last-eight stage in twoWorldCups.

“It is very difficult,” added Tite, who won 61 of his 81 games in charge of Brazil,losingseven.

“I said I needed to have the full cycle and now I have the full cycle and have followedthemoments.”

Asked whether he had left a legacy, he said: “Time willanswerthat.

I am not in a position now to evaluate all the work we have done, but as time goes by you will be able to makethatassessment.

“I don’t have the capacity to do that now after wehavebeeneliminated.”

Netherlands alternate players confront Argentina’s Nahuel Molina, center,during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Captains Hayley Matthews and Heather Knight with the CG United ODI Series trophy which England won. (CWI)

Nat Sciver in action. (CWI)

The IGG –Aculturalrelevance

The importance and relevance of sport is a question that can often create or spur a subjective answer. Is it simply an avenue for competitive personal and/or collective conquest, or a platform to bridge differences, and forge a common unity amongst dissimilarsocieties?

The latter half of the aforesaid question seems apt, even more human, as a genuine answer to this surprisingly common enquiry InGuyana,theissueoftherelevanceofsports oftencomestotheforefront.

A localized query, the proverbial microscope for analysis of this subject matter, is fixated on the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG), and whether significant in this day and The IGG, which concluded d a y s p r i o r , w a resuscitated following an absence of five years. First held in 1967, the event was customarily an annual affair, with the previous version, the 2017 edition, being hosted in Suriname.

D i s c i p l i n e s inclusive of Football Volleyball, Basketbal Cycling, Swimming, Athletics (Track and Field), are contested by the competing nations of French Guiana, Guyana, andSuriname.

The2022edition,whichwasheldlatelast month and was essentially a previous vow of President Irfaan Ali, was staged over the duration of three days. In excess of 433 athletes and officials, a record in the event’s history, participated in nine disciplines, which was also a first, and illustrated the Government of Guyana’s objective in

resuscitating the tournament in the grandest ofmanner

And why not? The IGG is of cultural significance, which rooted in sport, education, a n d t e c h n o l o g i c exchanges in an effort to forge stronger ties, trust, and overall unity between the respective n a t i o n s , w h o s e populace share historic resemblances. A true ‘One Guyana’ enterprise for u s

reasons. A s such, an expa on of v e , should not only be expected but pursued by the respective national organizers, notably Guyana who were pivotal in its revival. Expansion must be a enet of its future innovation.

Let’s think bigger picture; a statement attributed to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles RamsonJr,iscertainlyappropriateifthelong term vision of an internationally recognized tournamentistobeattained,andtheintended relevanceistobemaintained.

Though Guyana finished 2nd overall, the restoration of the event, and the subsequent successful staging despite its compacted timeframe, should be viewed as a seminal moment in an attempt to add international

value and flavour to local sports. The IGG following such a prolonged absence, would have always proved to be a undertaking, especially in light of its historic numbers participation. That’s an ncontrovertible point, and as such, Ramson, the Ministry of Sport, National Sports C o m m i s s i o n , Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle and others should be commended for rising tothechallengein stagi event a without an tunate

Frankly, to point at any perceived failure or administrative shortcomingismeritless, and basically does a disservice to the initial concept and idea of the games.

The IGG is exclusively not for competitive purposes. It is an event that goes beyond the respective arenas, and plays our shared cultural identity The prominence of the event cannot be understated. The presence of Suriname and French Guiana reinforced the importance of maintainingtheculturalandmutualcohesion amongst the peoples of the Guianas via the social authenticity of sport. That extends beyondourrespectivecompetitivenatureand disposition, and is suggestive of a commitment, and social movement to utilize

sports as a vehicle to galvanize the trinity of nations. Notwithstanding the physical and health benefits that are afforded to the respective sports men and women, the fraternity of sports has served, since time immemorial, as an agent for inclusivity The education system has also wedded into this empirical conviction, as the student athlete phenomenon and culture has formed a major part of the modern education infrastructure, ofwhichGuyanaispresentlypoisedtojoin.

The IGG is part of that social and educational fabric, and must remain a constant of the future. After all, sport is a universal element in all societies, and essentially, an illustration of life and responsibilities,andtraits.

s n o c u l t u r e i s ndardised, and is constantly evolving, sport

remains that one constant; a perpetual constituent and component, that has championed different subjects, bridged many divides and challenged detested bigotries and biases Racism as a blight on your global humanity, is ss prevalent and destructive because of the

The IGG forms part of that endeavor Thatistheessenceoftheevent,and its ensuing relevance. Camaraderie, not necessarily competition is its salient virtue. Thiswesawinlivingcolourafewweeksago. There must now be a consolidated effort by Minister Ramson and his team to make sure thatwebuildonwhatwaslearntandcreatean even bigger picture the next time. Long live thegames.

US sportswriter Wahl dies suddenly while covering World Cup

WASHINGTON/DOHA

, Dec 10 (Reuters) - WellknownU.S.soccerjournalist GrantWahldiedsuddenlyon Friday after collapsing while covering a match at the World Cup in Qatar, his agentsaid.

U.S. Soccer said it was “heartbroken to learn” of Wahl’s death His wife responded to the U.S. Soccer statement on Twitter, saying shewas“incompleteshock”.

Qatar’s World Cup organizers, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), paid tribute to Wahl’s “enormous love of football” and offered condolences to his family, f r i e n d s a n d m e d i a colleagues.

Wahl, a former Sports Illustrated sportswriter who moved to the Substack online publishing platform, had been tweeting about the Netherlands-Argentina

matchearlieronFriday

His agent, Tim Scanlan, told Reuters that Wahl had “appeared to suffer some kind of acute distress in the start of extra time” at the quarter-finalmatch.

Scanlan said attempts were made to revive Wahl in the press box before he was taken to a local hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

“We are in touch with the U.S. Embassy and relevant localauthoritiestoensurethe process of repatriating the body is in accordance with the family’s wishes,” the SC spokespersonsaid.

Qatar’s international media office did not immediately respond to requestsforcomment.

“Everyone’s emotional and it’s really traumatic,” Scanlan said. “He was a true advocate for both the men’s and women’s games and

reallyjustcareddeeplyabout the sport. He was empathetic and just truly a brilliant writer.”

president of world soccer governing body FIFA, offered condolences, saying in a statement that Wahl’s “love for football was

immense and his reporting will be missed by all who followtheglobalgame”.

Wahl said in late November he was briefly stopped at a World Cup stadium security screening point when he tried to enter while wearing a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBTQ community. In Qatar,same-sexrelationsare illegal.

He said World Cup security denied him entry to the United States’ opener against Wales at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan and asked him to removehisshirt.

Wahl wrote on Monday that he had visited a hospital whileinQatar

“I didn’t have Covid (I test regularly here), but I went into the medical clinic at the main media center today, and they said I

probably have bronchitis,” hepostedonSubstack.

U.S. State Department spokesmanNedPricesaidon Twitter the department had beeninclosecommunication withWahl’sfamily

“We are engaged with senior Qatari officials to see to it that his family’s wishes are fulfilled as expeditiously aspossible,”saidPrice.

T h e U S s o c c e r community shared in an immediate outpouring of griefoverthenews.

“He was a kind and caring person whose passion for soccer and dedication to j o u r n a l i s m w e r e immeasurable,” Major L e a g u e S o c c e r Commissioner Don Garber said.

“This is so devastating,” twice World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe said on Twitter “All the love to his familyandlovedones.”

A selfie shows Grant Wahl with a t-shirt supporting LGBTQ rights. (Grant Wahl via Twitter/via REUTERS)

Steve Ninvalle Director of Sports

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

Minister Charles Ramson jnr

Morocco makes African history with 1-0 quarterfinal win over Portugal

President Irfaan Ali and GFF president, Wayne Forde, flanked by representatives of the teams competing in the inaugural One Guyana President’s Cup football tournament. (Office of the President photo)

Morocco’s Youssef En-Nesyri celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Morocco and Portugal, at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022.

(AP Photo/Martin Meissner)