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Marudi mining dispute… Sunday Edition

Wapichan elder says Indigenous communities still awaiting details on new agreement

December 19, 2021

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PPP/C wants to give itself power to override oil money rules can withdraw any amount as it sees fit for emergency puts no jail time for abuse of mechanism The protest continues for change to ExxonMobil’s contract.

Private Sector wants some Local Content targets revised - calls for supportive institutional framework

6 dead, 3 injured in WCB 3-vehicle smash-up PNC/R must take GDF rank new road with new feared dead leadership- Chairman in river

…as party delegates vote for change at 21 st Biennial Congress

mishap

Caribbean organisations object to Yellowtail EIA - cites lack of consultations with Region on oil spill risks Listen to The Glenn Lall Show @ 11am, 4&7pm on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

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Sunday December 19, 2021

Sunday December 19, 2021

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Private Sector wants some Local Content targets revised The Private Sector Commission (PSC) in congratulating the Government on the tabling of the Local Content Legislation and in welcoming the new law, has noted as example, “while the legislation caters to a number of specific areas, the percentages in some areas, we believe, require some revision.”

Notwithstanding, the PSC in a public statement yesterday outlining its position on the new law said “we are of the firm belief that the legislation will serve to develop our local companies by affording them the opportunity to meaningfully participate in the Oil and Gas sector.”

According to the PSC, the need for this legislation has been advocated by the Commission for a number of years and we see its “tabling and passage as a fundamental step in fostering the growth of many local businesses and advancing Guyana’s national development. We look to many businesses, both manufacturing and services quickly embracing the opportunities that the legislation opens up.”

According to the private

...CALLS FOR SUPPORTIVE INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK sector representative body, it expects that with effective implementation and monitoring, the required changes will be instituted.

We encourage all local businesses to get prepared and develop themselves to take full advantage of this legislation.

The entity, nonetheless, said it commits to working with the Ministry of Natural Resources and by extension the Government of Guyana in realising maximum benefits from “our” National Local Content Legislation.

Meanwhile, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), in welcoming the Bill tabled this past week, said it retains its view, in a steadfast manner, that Local Content will facilitate material benefit to the Guyanese private sector.

For its part, it reminded that the Chamber has undertaken an expansive range of activities which it viewed as being necessary to aid in the general public’s understanding of local content, including but not

limited to forums, seminars, webinars, policy briefs, extensive commentary, advocacy, crafting of a model legislation and consultation sessions. As such, it said the Business Support body, reinforces that the Local Content Bill being tabled is representative of a gold standard instrument in supporting private sector development.

The GCCI has actively participated in the consultations with the Government of Guyana and in welcoming the legislation, said it is especially pleased at the Bill’s establishment of two key institutions – the Local Content Secretariat a n d t h e I n t e r- A g e n c y Advisory Committee.

“These two institutions engender the dynamism which such a Bill ought to encapsulate. This will ensure that the private sector continues to benefit from this legislation long into the future.”

To this end, the Chamber of Commerce said it now anticipates further improvements and reforms

to both the institutional and legislative framework necessary to support the country’s development including the establishment of the Petroleum Commission.

S o m e o f G u y a n a ’s proposed Local Content measures now enshrined in law had been criticised by some international experts as being ‘unrealistic’ and a perusal of the first schedule The Private Sector wants some of the draft bill would see the Local Content targets revised.

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Sunday December 19, 2021

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

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

EDITORIAL

China’s claim, Guyana’s President commitment Sometimes this life brings laughter, even when we don’t want to, because of the sheer outrageousness of the context and circumstances. One such situation came to light recently, and was carried in an article by a wellrespected and globally read American newspaper, with the following as the subject line: “Ahead of Biden’s Democracy Summit, China says: We’re also a democracy” (New York Times, December 7). To say that that claim is a heavy shade on the far side would be an understatement, so incredible it is. This democracy claim by China is the equivalent of Guyana’s own President Ali making the farfetched claim that his government has been about transparency on everything related to its oil dealings. As to which one brings the house down for more ridiculousness and brazenness, we reserve judgment and leave that to readers. In China, as the New York Times elaborated, “the Communist Party of China rules the country’s 1.4 billion people with no tolerance for opposition parties; that its leader, Xi Jinping, rose to power through an opaque political process without popular elections; that publicly calling for democracy in China is punished harshly, often with long prison sentences.” The Chinese Communists may not know it, or revere it, but those are the cornerstones of any democratic process worth the name or claims to such standing. Those, however, do not make a difference to the assertions of the Chinese Communists, whose stance coming out of Beijing is that “its system represents a distinctive form of democracy, one that has dealt better than the West with challenges like the pandemic.” That may be so from the perspective of that nation’s hardline communists, but that does not make it come close to even measuring up with what democracy is all about at its most basic level. With due respect to the Chinese people, we think that its Communist leaders have a long learning curve about what constitutes democracy, and what does not.To extend this point some more, our objective is not so much about the accuracy or reasonableness of what the Chinese Communists claim about their special brand of democracy, but of how crucial words and their associated concepts and their meanings can be twisted to suit any purpose that the speaker has in mind. From the point of view of the speaker or claimant, it does not matter whether such comes across as the embodiment of utter ludicrousness, but that it has been placed before an absorbing public, most of the time, a docile and captive one and it must, therefore, stand as gospel for the mere fact of being said. For this is the very claim that Guyana’s own Head-of-State went public to proclaim a little while back.

Here, His Excellency, President Irfaan Ali, made the astonishing claim that he and his government have been about transparency on most things in which both have engaged in, and especially as such relates to management and developments in this country’s recent oil discoveries.

Like the Chinese Communists, all that Guyana’s President succeeded in doing then was to make himself come across as a man, who had lost touch with reality or someone who has extreme difficulty with truth and labours with what pretends to be about it or a leader, who can’t be given the benefit of the doubt to tell a full and straight story. It must be appreciated that we are struggling to be courteous to the nation’s Head-of-State (just like we toiled to be frank, but fair, with the Chinese Communists). In the growing Guyana oil story, a largely rancid and rickety one so far, secrecy has been the order of the day. Yet its president, who had and still has the demanding duty to be obedient to facts and accuracy, could make the bold and barefaced assertion that he and his government have been about nothing but transparency. It is tempting to state that Guyana’s President has lost some of his marbles with this oil, but we are content with saying that he lost sight of what transparency means to its core. When oil studies and money management details are hidden, that’s not transparency, but exemplary governmental skullduggery.

First funds from the Natural Resource Fund should be spent on massive infrastructure DEAR EDITOR, I would like to suggest that the first pot of NRF money should be dedicated towards a massive infrastructure plan similar to what President Biden did when he got in. Let’s fix all the roads and bridges! You can call it the ‘Highways to Happiness’ Plan if you want.

This can be the tipping point for Guyana. (Tipping point refers to the one thing you can do in a situation, process, or system, that can make such a big, significant,transformatio nal, far-reaching difference that can bring about more unstoppable effects or important changes).

In my recent trip to Guyana, I was so abhorred by the atrocious condition of the roads. I had seen the pictures of new roads being built and thought there was widespread progress, but

realised those were just “a drop in the bucket” given the massive road building needs all over the country. Coming from the airport, there were so many potholes right through up to the Bridge area; that road qualifies to be called an “abortion road” as PM Naga had called the road from Parika to the Bendorf area in East Bank Essequibo.

I was so ashamed that’s how we welcome visitors to Guyana who would think we have so much oil wealth, but we are a backward place still. (‘Abortion road’ is a term coined to refer to a bad road that causes jerking up when the vehicle travels and if it goes into a hole can induce an abortion for a pregnant woman in a vehicle). Drivers have to bob and weave, dodging holes so as not to fall in a bad hole and damage the rims, axles or damage the bottom of their vehicles. You

can hit other vehicles driving in that zigzag manner. But if you want to get where you are going, the situation requires such dangerous driving. I wondered how can ministers who have travelled to and from the airport see those holes, and why would he or she not call the Public Wo r k s ( a n d L o c a l Government) Ministers and ask them to send a truck with asphalt right away to patch up the holes. People need to start suing when their vehicles are damaged due to unmaintained roads that pose an ever-present danger to all road users. Many of our roads all over Guyana are religious – they are ‘holey’and many are ‘abortion roads.’ One engineer told me about 80 percent of our roads are really terrible. From East Coast to Rosignol, there are many potholes. The same problem from New

Amsterdam to Crabwood Creek – that road is deteriorating quickly. The only good highway was from Vreed-en-hoop to Parika. We want to be like Dubai, don’t we?

In the villages, almost all the roads need patching and/or paving and repaving.

In my village of Whim, all our 32 roads and cross streets need paving. The Whim/Lancaster Road needs to be an all-weather farm-tomarket road, as well as the Whim/Auchlyne Ketting Dam. (The PPP always takes Whim for granted and has done very little over the years to pave these roads.

They approve shoddy work, and the roads don’t last any time). The same for the road from Parika going to the St. Lawrence area. That’s a productive area and enormous wealth comes out (Continued on page 6)

Sunday December 19, 2021

Govt. must be careful to not overspend, trying to do everything at once DEAR EDITOR, After reviewing the sitting of Parliament that occurred on Thursday, 16th of December, 2021, one cannot help but conclude that our nation’s spending must be better controlled.

Forecasting to attain a sustainable level of development is becoming more important in Guyana’s fiscal planning process. The Ministry of Education is a great example of where such an opportunity for improvement exists.

The almost fivefold increase in capacity and intended output of new teachers must not result in a struggle to provide pay raises in future years, as seen in the recent past. Preventing such problems that have resulted in protests and strikes will require a significant reduction in the vulnerability, which currently exists in the fiscal planning process. The Ministry of Education is taking the correct step towards the development of our workforce, and the Ministry is also ensuring that our people are prepared to benefit from the accelerated development that will occur in our country.

To support this growth, we must be careful not to overspend and aggressively use up the funds in our Sovereign Wealth Fund.

Not being fiscally conservative could lead to increased financial exposure within the economy. Especially when poor fiscal and budgetary management is currently present within the government. Nonpayment of expenses, whether electricity or other business necessities, by those managing the purse strings of the various branches of government continues to be an ongoing opportunity for improvement.

Our government must prove that they are willing and capable of ensuring that the

government’s bills are paid on time. Hidden surprises in the expense account will increase our liabilities and increase the risk of serious indebtedness, if prudence is not exercised in government spending; and if government savings and investments are not conservatively managed.

Also, the opportunity to improve the procurement process continues to present itself. As stated in Parliament, even the Drainage and Irrigation system, which is of utmost importance, has experienced a major procurement setback. The supplier management process continues to be a challenge that has cost the country directly via a purchase resulting in critical equipment not meeting the current urgent needs of the country. In addition, a number of Drainage and Irrigation projects are ongoing, which has resulted in a continual need for additional funds beyond their allocation in the budget. We must continue to cater for this overage in this section of the budget, but with a focused effort on improved project management.

Given the infancy of the construction industry and how long it has taken for the Drainage and Irrigation of the country to regain sufficient attention for rebuilding and improvement, trying to build and fix everything everywhere at the same time can and has resulted in sections of the system being fixed slowly due to delays in construction, reduced project oversight, and projects exceeding their budget.Our speed of development is dependent on the quality and quantity of highly skilled individuals that can support our growth. Therefore, we must be fiscally conservative, while improving our internal processes so as to be able to have budgetary flexibility that can absorb the inefficiencies currently

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within our internal processes.

The negative impact of such inefficiency on our fiscal management system could be substantial and an unplanned event, such as the current pandemic or a major oil spill could leave the economy in ruins. Vulnerable growth in non-oil sectors in the midst of the pandemic; the increasing frequency of flooding; and the lagging investment in D&I and sea defence projects, are risks that could be devastating to the economy, if increased prudence and improved prioritisation does not occur during the next budgetary period.

We cannot afford to do it all at once and we must choose wisely. The productive and revenue generating sectors of the economy are seeing increased activity that is driving the urgency for increased availability of higher skilled knowledge-driven human resources.

This must, however, be balanced against future earnings and productive sector development, which continues to compete with the urgent infrastructural needs of the coast. Driving Foreign Direct Investment, and a stronger currency strategy, must play a key role in filling this gap.

A structured job creation programme to support the increased investment in Human Resources will help ensure job availability for graduates, and having targeted training that aligns with our forecasted growth will also enable the quick uptake of future graduates.

The strength of the economy and the benefits of our nation’s development must be reflected in a low unemployment rate, a stronger currency and improved fiscal management.

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

Inaccurate attacks on Ramharack

by Ramotar and Rohee DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to the attacks by Clement Rohee (KN Dec. 13) and Donald Ramotar (Dec 4) on Prof Baytoram Ramharack’s epistle commenting on the political and ‘cultural’ flaws of the late Cheddi Jagan. The duo focused on the writer while Ralph Ramkarran, Harry Hergash, Ramesh Gampat, Leyland Roopnarine, and I focused on the content of his missive. The attack on Ramharack as a person could as well be an attack on me since I happen to subscribe to several conclusions on Jagan. I would like to address the incorrect description of Dr. Ramharack as antiJaganite and middle class and the struggle that benefitted the PPP. I first encountered Ramharack as a student at City College of NY (CCNY) in September 1977 when we were Freshmen at 17 years old. We both migrated to NY the same year to pursue tertiary education and coming from humble backgrounds, we came to America penniless, and our families were farmers, his from Bohemia and mine from Port Mourant.

Our families could barely afford the cost of the ticket to fly to NY, and at any rate, Burnham did not allow Guyanese, least of all Indian Guyanese, to leave with any money even as students. In NY, we were both financially struggling students coming from working class parents and living in apartments in the Bronx. We could barely afford to pay our tuition and purchase books. We had to find part-time work to meet living costs. So clearly, neither he nor I could be middle class.

At CCNY, we were initially enrolled in pre-medical studies as our parents wanted us to be doctors, a cultural norm

of Indian families. We met Vassan Ramracha, who chided us for not starting a student struggle to combat racism in Guyana and Burnham’s dictatorship. He encouraged us to study Political Science to prepare us for such a struggle.

Ramharack switched major to do a BA in Pol Sci, while I continued my studies earning a BS in Bio-Chemistry and then completed the majors in Pol Sci to gain admission for the MA in International Relations.

At CCNY, in 1977, we attempted to join the Caribbean Students Association. Club hours were on Thursdays, from noon to 2:00 PM. We were resented in CSA on account of ethnicity; IndoCaribbeans were not welcomed.

Vassan Ramracha encouraged Indo-Caribbeans to join the India Club but it was not very active, and one could sense that the Indian nationals were uneasy with our presence, as we were not from India. Vassan encouraged us to found our own students association (Indo Club that welcomed Indians of any nationality – Trinidad, Guyana, India, Singapore, Africa, etc.).

We organised and hosted many programmes and activities pertaining to Guyana.

Vassan and I ran for office in the student government and we won. He served one year

as Treasurer.

0 I was re-elected three times as Senator and Vice President of Education and later as President of the Graduate Students Council and he as Treasurer of the Council.

During our tenure in office, we were successful in funding a number of programmes related to Guyana — lectures

by Dr. Jagan and Janet Jagan at CCNY and several symposiums by other speakers, including Arjune Karshan, Mel Carpen, Chuck Mohan, Joey Jagan, Ralph Gonsalves, Maurice Bishop, Michael Manley, Tchaiko Kwayana, and so many others who would be considered as “progressives”. Ramharack was an executive of the Indo Club and assisted in organising our activities and programmes. Does that sound like someone who was anti-Jagan or in bed with imperialists as painted by Ramotar and Rohee? I supported and organised several activities for Jagan, but opposed his socialist ideology.

Does that make me anti-Jagan and an imperialist apologist?

We were all Jaganites (in terms of advocating good governance, anti-corruption, serving the less fortunate, combating racism, etc.), but we were not socialists (Marxists) and we are/were proAmerica, and culturally (Continued on page 6)

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GUYANA in KUWAIT, IsDB and OIC Dear Editor, I read Columnist PEEPING TOM, September 5, 2021, on “Guyana has no economic interests in the Middle East”. https:/ www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2021/09/05/guyana-has-noeconomic-interests-in-themiddle-east/With all due respect, the following details are from my experiences serving as Guyana’s 2nd Ambassador to Kuwait, August 1, 2016, to July 31, 2020. Guyana and Kuwait with Diplomatic Relations from August 17, 1995.Visionary Kuwait Prime Minister, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Nasser AlMohammad Al-Ahmed AlJaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, with a TEAM of 10 High Level Kuwaitis, VISITED GUYANA on July 19, 2010, during their Latin American States’ Visits.

In Kuwait, I learnt that most of His Highness’s Group, questioned the Guyana Visit, and His Highness was confident that Guyana will be a future star, so their visit.

January 20, 2011: the Guyana Embassy was established in Kuwait, with the first Ambassador, Dr. Mohamed Ali Odeen Ishmael, CCH, who served to June 2014.

August 30, 2016, my arrival in Kuwait, and 9 out of 10 persons at ALL LEVELS

including Ambassadors did not know, Guyana, with an embassy in Kuwait since 2011. They thought our Embassy was for Ghana or Guinea.

September 2016, Ambassador Dr. Shamir, requested his wife Dr. Maryann, a USA Global Senior Marketing Director to DESIGN a BUSINESS CARD to “Show, Tell, & Know” GUYANA, South America, with flyers, presentations, activities, et al.

KUWAIT and the Middle East are heavy on relationships; afterwards projects are discussed, then decided on with agreements. Relationships do take time to build.

Guyana and Kuwait with 9 Agreements.

1. Agreement on Conducting Bilateral Consultations.

2. Agreement of establishing a Joint Commission for Cooperation.

3.Cultural and Artistic Agreement 4.Agreement for the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investments.

5.Trade Agreement.

6.Agreement for The Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes Income and Capital.

7.Air Services Agreement 8.Agreement for Eco-

nomic and Technical Cooperation. 9.Agreement for Mutual Exemption of Entry Visa for Holders of Diplomatic, Special and Official Passports.

1.DEBT RELIEF to GUYANA from KUWAIT: USD $50.7 Million Guyana Ministry of Finance Head of Debt Management, reached out to Ambassador Dr. Ally, for Kuwait Debt Relief as she had been trying with past officers without successes.

Ambassador immediately commenced worked on this item. March 2019, Kuwait Wrote OFF 67% of DEBT for USD $50.7 Million. The Remaining 33% for USD $24.9 Million to be repaid in a combination of cash payments and debt swaps. We actively tried for 100% WRITE OFF but had to be mindful of precedents... 67 Nations of the 112 in Kuwait, OWE Kuwait.

Weekly herculean efforts with Guyana’s Senior Minister of Finance & MoF Head of Debt Management and Kuwaiti officials all levels. h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2019/08/18/total-publicdebt-stands-at-us1-65b-midyear-report/ Minister said, “Had it not been for that relief, the growth of the public debt from the previous half year would have been 4.5

Inaccurate attacks on Ramharack...

From page 5 rooted, as can be gleamed from the club we formed and the activities we hosted like celebrating Eid, Holi, Diwali, Indian Arrival, etc.

We also were very active in the struggle against the Burnham dictatorship from the inception of our university studies, producing newsletters, organising protest marches and picketing exercises, etc.

Every weekend, we were on 14th Street, spending hours, distributing handouts about persecution and human rights violations in Guyana.

At times, we crossed path with ACG (PPP support group) activists.

Similar activism was carried out on Liberty Avenue, which Vassan and our group coined as “Little Guyana” since the late 1970s.

We consistently critiqued Jagan on socialism, because we recognised it did not serve the interests of Indo-Caribbean people and Guyana.

We lobbied Members of Congress (Solarz, Engel, Kennedy, etc.), Presidents Carter, Reagan, Bush, Sally Cowal, etc.

Sunday December 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

We visited Washington several times pleading for assistance for the restoration of democracy in Guyana.

We made annual trips to Guyana combating Burnhamism.

We conducted surveys that found the PPP winning an election. Some of us were beaten and/or terrorised.

We had guns pulled on us

by Burnham’s thugs.

Our struggle continued well beyond 1992 when the PPP was elected to office.

While we were battling Burnham in the US and in Guyana, Rohee and Ramotar spent some eight years in Czechoslovakia.

I visited Czechoslovakia and several East Bloc countries including Soviet Union.

There was/is no freedom to engage in struggle for (liberal) democracy in Guyana or to work and earn an income.

We worked in America and spent our money to help liberate Guyana from Burnhamism.

The Western countries have allowed us to champion human rights and democracy in Guyana.

Our training in political

science provided us with the knowledge that the US or the West would never allow a Marxist (Jagan) led government in Guyana.

We sought to moderate Jagan’s ideological position to make him acceptable to the US. We helped to lay the groundwork for Jagan to meet Members of Congress and the Carter Center. Why would Jagan want to meet American officials if he had not recognised that he erred in his anti-Americanism?

We are eternally grateful to the US for helping to restore democracy to the homeland. Jagan and the PPP have been beneficiaries of Ramharack and our struggle.

It is ‘nimakharamism’ to attack Prof.

Ramharack who has only one house and lives a modest Jaganite lifestyle in the US volunteering to empower less fortunate Guyanese.

Is there anyone who is defending Jagan’s legacy and who is living a Jaganite lifestyle?

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

All three candidates for PNC leader do not measure up DEAR EDITOR, These three men are not suitable for the role of leader - opposition or otherwise.

They have serious cognitive biases and misunderstandings of their political universe. The false sense of seniority or dues paid to society adds no value to their ability to lead a nation-state. This critique is solely on the mediocre measures of performance and effectiveness in roles they previously held.

They could not keep them, to begin with, and made every error to improve Guyana. Yet, there is a sense of respect, reminiscent of the days before wokeness.

Guyana requires a strong opposition that can set agendas, while not having political power. Currently, the opposition only laments about what they can do when in power. People’s social and economic dispositions change regardless of who is in power. In Guyana’s unique case, an opposition must continually find ways to support their constituencies. This opposition hasn’t found any solution to problems currently affecting their constituents.

There are several others in the PNC and APNU+AFC who can do better than the egocentric forerunners. Rather than promoting themselves,

they toe the line behind these dinosaurs. Several females would easily help us to forget their blunders.

An effective opposition leader is one who is a friend to the incumbent. One who understands high and low power distances, yet can affect or influence change. The value of those changes to citizens and their perceptions of who is responsible is the political game. These three just do not play and lives are impacted. Irrespective of who wins, the vision is easy to keep them from the government. Wrong choices. No diversity.

Dr. Dustin Fraser

Electrical products should not be offered in this manner DEAR EDITOR, While browsing through a once popular department store downtown, I came across containers (in the east wing) filled with what looked like electrical extension cords neatly wrapped and put out

for sale in the passageway traversed by shoppers and staff alike.

My consternation is that unsuspecting and unknowledgeable housewives and other shoppers might purchase these items in the ab-

sence of proper electrical guidance and advice.

The point here is that these types of products require expert advice and should not be put out for sale in this manner, as witnessed.

Shamshun Mohamed

Country first DEAR EDITOR, As Guyanese, who witnessed the debacle at the last election, we are disappointed with the focus on the academic credentials of the GECOM CEO. What we experienced was not that the GECOM staff were not suitably qualified for the positions. We saw that

the people who were supposed to do a proper job, lacked honesty, morality and independence of mind; the most important qualities needed for our election process. The problem to be solved at GECOM is not one of finding the highest academic achievers. It is to put in place, people, who will re-

spect our wishes and deliver them as the laws set out. In addition to selecting ‘fit for purpose’ personnel, complementary system changes are needed to deliver transparent and fair results. Country first.

Focus must be on solving the actual electoral problems we face.

Muhammad Alli

First funds from the Natural...

From page 4 of there in the form of lumber and farm produce. That road needs fixing urgently for those hardworking folks. This is the same story in every village. Mud roads and bad roads predominate. In the villages, almost all the roads are narrow and only one vehicle can travel at a time. If you were coming in from one side and somebody was driving in from the opposite side, somebody better wait, or you would have a long reverse to do.

What is needed to make the streets a little wider is to concrete the drains at the side, and let the edge of the roads extend to the concrete sides.

Nation, how long will we have to walk and drive in mud, while the oil companies carry away the bulk of our oil money, leaving us some fine change that cannot do much

for us? We have US$600 million in the NRF. How many US$ billions did the oil companies make? We have been walking and driving in muddy roads all the days of our lives under the PNC and PPP. Our punishment never ends. Driving on bad roads steal your time and your joy when you have to slow down all the time to dodge potholes and craters, making you late for work and appointments.

Nation, let’s fight for this ‘Highways to Happiness’ Plan as a tipping point strategy! Guyana’s wealth belongs to Guyanese first and foremost. It is our country and our wealth! You may say but Health, Education, Salaries, Pensions, Housing, Agriculture, Crime control, Flood and Sea Defence control, Water Treatment plants, Solid Waste disposal, etc. are im-

portant too. And they are. But understand that our leaders of both parties are allowing the oil companies to rape our nation, and we have to go “one day at a time sweet Jesus” to get all these things done.

Until the PPP and PNC catch some sense, or until Guyanese nationalists who care, form a new Oil Renegotiation Party to secure renegotiation of the oil contracts, we will not get more money to do all the things we need to do to take us to the promised land. Right now, we are in Babylon not Zion! The working poor are still in purgatory, and we will still be a “rich country of poor people” unless people wake up and take action to improve their lives.

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

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Kaieteur News

Guyanese! Look at your fellow citizens, those Azerbaijanis and their own airport project.

Azerbaijanis got a spanking new, 21st century airport in 8 months for US$40M.

Guyanese get repeated sticks to hold, costing more and more millions.

Guyanese get this from this PPP Government, the previous Coalition, and the PPP ones responsible for this failure.

Will we have to deal with a cabal of crooks and criminals forever!

Come on Guyanese, open your eyes!

PAGE 07

PAGE 08

Sunday December 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

Some of the beneficiaries of the training courses offered to migrants in Mabaruma by the Guyana Foundation and the UNCHR.

Guyana Foundation, UNHCR team up to provide training courses for Venezuela migrants Venezuelan migrants

D

riven, among other things, by the simple truth of Mother Teresa that “poverty does not consist of being hungry for bread but rather it is a tremendous hunger for human dignity,” the Guyana Foundation and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, have teamed up to offer training courses to refugee and migrant communities in Port Kaituma, Mabaruma and Bartica.

The Foundation announced its latest collaboration with the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in a statement to the press.

Head of the Guyana Foundation, Supriya SinghBodden said that the collaboration has been months in the making. The o rg an is atio n ' s F o u n d er explained that, “We have started cookery and pastry making classes in Mabaruma and Port Kaituma.

In addition to this, she said that sewing and patternmaking classes are currently being taught in Bartica. “We would like to thank the Catholic Church for very generously offering us support and a space for the workshops to be conducted in the North-West. The church has kindly allowed us to use their location in Bartica. This support was vital to making the collaborative effort work.” The courses benefitted over 60 refugee migrants and Guyanese,” Singh- Bodden said.

She noted the participants expressed gratitude for the

opportunity to improve their skillsets. “It is our hope that they will be able to open small micro-enterprises in food and sewing to serve the c o m m u n i t y. G u y a n a Foundation team members are bilingual in Spanish and English. So, all coursework was conducted in both languages,” Mrs. SinghBodden added.

Additionally, she noted that the participants were taught basic bookkeeping principles to manage a small business. The logistics involved in getting equipment and supplies to these remote locations was c h a l l e n g i n g . H o w e v e r, Singh-Bodden noted that the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency team and the local team members of the Guyana Foundation worked tirelessly to make the programme a reality.

Mrs. Singh-Bodden said, “We must never lose that warm hospitable heart that our old Guyanese grandparents instilled in us.

We have people in our midst who are strangers, but when we make the effort to reach out, we will see as they come closer that they are our brothers and sisters. We must embrace them.

They need us at this time.”

Guyana is home to an estimated 24,500 refugees and migrants from Venezuela, including some 2,500 Indigenous Warao.

Some have settled in hard-toreach areas near the Venezuelan border and others in or around the towns of (Continued on page 54)

Sunday December 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

Dem boys seh ...

Kangress should cancel de elections Kangress is de highest decision-making forum of de Pee-N-Cee. It can tek any decision it want and de party gat to accept it.

It muss not turn into a campaign rally. Deh gat serious decisions to mek bout de direction of de party and de country and dat muss tek precedence over election of office-bearer.

Right now, it look like dis Kangress is more bout electing leaders dan bout assessing why de party bin lose de 2020 elections, where it deh and where it planning

fuh go. Dem boys agree with de Shaart man who seh de Kangress should examine dese matters. In fact, it so critical dat it should be de only issue which dem discuss.

After dem finish dis discussion, dem should tek it back to de membership and hold a Special Kangress to discuss de findings and to chart de way forward.

Dat is how normal parties operate. But dem political parties in Guyana nah always normal.

So de talk gan be bout who fuh elect as leader and who

nah fuh elect as leader. And de big questions gan only get attention from dem who been part of a certain narrative which nah relevant.

But Kangress can override all ah de talk bout leadership elections by passing a decision dat no elections fuh Leader or CEC will take place until and unless dere is a detailed assessment of de elections and a plan bout de future.

After all, how yuh electing leaders and yuh nah know who going.

Talk half. Leff half.

Private Sector wants some...

From page 3 assumption appearing to bear true, since it demands and reserves for Guyanese, the supply of several types of materials currently not produced in Guyana. Table four of the Bill’s Schedule outlines that the supply of Steel Plates, Flat Sheets, Sections, Steel Pipes, Low Voltage Cables, High Voltage Cables all to be supplied 100 percent by Guyanese companies in 10 years’ time. Guyana produces none of the items reserved as materials to be procured exclusively by Guyanese.

According to the draft schedule, other demands being reserved for Guyanese to supply up to 95 percent, include the supply of valves and pumps, drilling mudbaryte, bentonite, cement, heat exchangers and other piping accessories, steel ropes and other mooring accessories, protective paints and Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) pipe.Additionally, when it comes to legal services, all legislative drafting for the sector has been reserved for Guyanese from day one as well as Legal Consultancies. The proposal does allow for a sliding scale

at the lower end of between 50 and 60 percent to, at the end of 10 years, 95 percent of in-house legal work as well as legal advisory services being supplied exclusively by Guyanese.

Another red flag in the proposed legislation is the fact that reserved 100 percent for Guyanese relates to Accounting Services.

These include, tax return preparation, payroll support, accounting support, tax advisory accounting and finance employment. With the exception of Financial Advisory service, which in 10 years is reserved at 95 percent for Guyanese, each of the other slots are to be supplied exclusively by Guyanese. Notably, on the administrative side of things, Management Staff has only been reserved at 45 percent for Guyanese, while supervisory staffing positions at the end of 10 years should be provided by a 65 percent local workforce.

Technical and professional support staff have been capped at 80 and 90 percent respectively while all of the semi-skilled and unskilled administrative labour will be reserved for Guyanese

throughout.Other services that see high expectations on the part of the ratio of work to be provided for by Guyanese include Front End Engineering and Design (FEED), Detailed Engineering and other services. These positions, as contemplated by the proposed bill, are to be reserved by as much as 90 percent for Guyanese.

Fabrication, Construction and Storage also accounts for a high supply of Guyanese input between 80 and 100 percent, in addition to transportation, supply, and disposal services.

The first schedule did point out, “Given that some services such as well cementing services, ROVs, directional drilling services, tools and wireline logging are currently being implemented by International Tier 1 Contractors, Guyana is moving towards an encouragement of more joint ventures and partnerships through technological adaptation and skills transfer.”

This, the draft bill said “would allow for our local labour force and businesses to better participate in the provision of these services.”

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 19, 2021

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY! I

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

SUNDAY China took over Uganda's international airport.

Given the loans Guyana is borrowing, China is positioning to take over this country.

That is why China lends us so much money.

They know Guyanese Governments will squander and can't payback.

Then, China takes over Guyana.

MONDAY The UN estimates there are over 24,000 Venezuelan refugees in Guyana.

We think that number is terribly underestimated.

It could be double that number (at least), perhaps even much more.

This is trouble for Guyana.

First, it is China, now Venezuela: everybody wants a piece of Guyana.

TUESDAY Hess boss tells Guyana to expect one FPSO every year post- 2025.

We tell Guyanese to expect one big lie with oil every day from PPP leaders.

The American oilman is frank and transparent.

Guyana's oilmen are devious and secretive.

Oil blessing or oil curse?

WEDNESDAY

Some people Christmas spoil.

It's CANU that spoiled the people in New York Christmas.

CANU went and seized two pounds of cocaine in Christmas cards.

Guyanese learning from PPP/C and PNC leaders.

Leaders live with tricks, Guyanese getting trickier and trickier.

THURSDAY One observant Guyanese call what Guyana has today an 'oil hustle.'

When there is a hustle in motion, it means there are oil hustlers around.

We urge our fellow

Guyanese not to look too far, for they are all here.

Foreign oil hustlers.

Local political oil hustlers.

Private sector oil hustlers.

They are a mostly dirty, obscenely smelly bunch knocking the poor out of the w a y, a n d g r a b b i n g everything in sight.

FRIDAY When anti-corruption mechanisms are taken away, the table is set for corruption.

Costly leadership corruption. Dirty crony corruption. Ugly oil corruption that robs Guyana and enrich them.

How is it that we are still hearing that we have a Government that is all for the poor, small, and left behind.

What a group of scoundrels!

This is transparency and accountability, the 'low-life' Guyanese way.

SATURDAY

The CJIA project needs another $25 million for new offices.

Thank God, it is in Guyana dollars and not American greenbacks.

This is how Guyana Governments and contractors rip this country off and drain taxpayers. $25 million here, $25 million there, and soon there is enough to build another airport.Who are the people we have for leaders around these projects?

Sunday December 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 19, 2021

GDF rank feared dead in river mishap Yesterday, a search was ongoing for a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard Private, Junior Kenroy Sooklall, 24, after he reportedly went missing on Friday when a boat he was in capsized in the Essequibo River. Sooklall, according to reports, was stationed at Fort Island, Essequibo River.

According to police, the GDF Base Commander for Fort Island, Staff Sergeant 18990, Everette Tudor of 659 South “B” Field Sophia, Georgetown, and three other persons were intoxicated while they travelled in a

privately-owned “unregistered” boat.

It was noted that when questioned by police, the boat captain, Ramesh Beepat, revealed that they were travelling from Fort Island when the 17-foot, wooden boat with a 150 HP Yamaha outboard engine hit a wave and capsized. The mishap occurred at around 16:45hrs on Friday in the vicinity of St. Lawrence.

Detectives related too that a breathalyser test that was conducted on Tudor showed that he had a Blood Alcohol Concentration

(BAC) of .101 micrograms in the first reading and .114 micrograms in the second reading.

Police detectives explained that the boat captain, Beepat, had BAC readings of .132 and .118 micrograms, and Turendra Lochan's (another passenger of the boat) reading was .108 and .119 micrograms. Beepat is a 28-year-old who resides at Lot 2 Old Road Le Destin, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), and Lochan is a 28-year-old barber of Zeelugt, New Housing Scheme, EBE. According to police, a

GDF rank, who was passing the area where the boat capsized, heard persons shouting in the river and observed that some passengers were stranded. As the ranks quickly went to the direction of the persons, they observed four men in the water and two others in a green and black boat a few metres away.

A group of soldiers was dispatched immediately and they managed to rescue the stranded persons. The ranks then took the rescued men to Mangal's Wharf, after which a report was made to the

GDF Private, Junior Kenroy Sooklall

police.

The others, who were rescued were 14-year old Eon John, a student of Parika Primary School who resides at Lot 2 Le Destin, EBE, and 16-year old Ryan Beepat, a student of Lot 2 Le Destin

EBE. A search and rescue team was dispatched to the area in search of Sooklall but up to press time, he was not found.

The search is expected to continue today as investigations continue.

Sunday December 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

MARUDI MINING DISPUTE… PPP/C wants to give itself power to override Wapichan elder says Indigenous communities oil money rules still awaiting details on new agreement - can withdraw any amount as it sees fit for emergency - puts no jail time for abuse of mechanism

T

he PPP/C administration has proposed in the amended Natural Resource Fund (NRF) legislation, various methods of calculations for the withdrawal of the nation’s oil dollars. But if there is a major natural disaster, the government is proposing to give itself the power to override those rules in place and withdraw any amount it deems fit for the said emergency.

The amended law states that the Minister must however ensure the sum gets Parliament’s blessings and shall provide documents to the House explaining the gravity of the major natural disaster and its impact on the environment, and why the specific withdrawal was required and the projects it would be used to finance.

The Minister would also be required to provide a table showing the current fiscal year of the withdrawal requested for emergency and the withdrawal from the fund approved in the annual budget.

In the draft legislation, a major natural disaster includes an earthquake, flood, hurricane or other disaster caused by the natural processes of the earth that has such a severe impact in the environment and the living conditions of the population or part of the population that in the opinion of the Minister, additional public spending in the excess of the amount that can be financed by the ceiling calculator is required to ameliorate the impact on the population and the environment.

Importantly, there is no provision that caters for any abuse of this “emergency” mechanism.

According to the draft legislation, the purpose of the NRF is to manage the natural resource wealth of Guyana for the present and the future benefit of the people in an effective and efficient manner by ensuring that volatility in natural resource revenues does not lead to volatile public spending; ensuring the natural resource revenues do not lead to a loss of economic competitiveness; fairly transferring natural resource wealth across generations to ensure that future generations benefit; and using the natural resource wealth to finance national development priorities including any initiative aimed at realising an inclusive green economy.

Furthermore, powers of overall management of the fund rests with a Board of Directors whose three to five members will be appointed by the President. That board will also determine the investment mandate of the fund.

Over three weeks ago, a team of Ministers rushed into deep-south Rupununi, Region Nine, to assure Indigenous communities, surrounding Marudi that the activities they have permitted small miners and a new Canadian company to undertake are safe but, to date, the villagers are yet to be privy to the details of the new arrangements, even though it is poised to affect their daily lives.

During the meeting, residents of Aishalton and other surrounding Amerindian settlements were promised that the agreement will be shared with them. However, Wapichan elder, Chief Kokoi, also called Tony James, recently wrote to this newspaper, complaining that they are yet to receive the documents.

In his letter, the Chief explained, “The Minister is claiming that the issue is being politicised by a few” but “asking to be included in decisions that will affect us cannot be considered politics. This is a basic and Amerindian Chief and Wapichan elder, fundamental human right and that is Tony James. (Meshach Pierre photo) what we are demanding in this situation”.

He added, “…the Minister issue is not about the “benefits and promised that the agreement will be sent to us. Up to the time of writing, we livelihoods, or whether we want mining, have not been sent anything. Such is the it is about the agreement that was made respect the government has for the without our inclusion or input, when the very Ministers are talking about “Free, Indigenous peoples of this country”.

As The respected elder detailed that the Prior and Informed Consent.

traditional owners of these lands, we are simply asking that we be included in decisions that will impact negatively on us in time to come”.

Kaieteur News understands that a new agreement was recently inked with the small miners of Rupununi, which will allow for gold mining operations to resume on traditional Wapichan lands.

Moreover, a new licence was granted to a Canadian company to prospect the Indigenous peoples’ sacred land for gold.

Marudi is a sacred mountain and is in the Traditional Lands, in an area where the Wapichan tribe currently has a pending extension application. The land has been formally claimed by the Indigenous group since the 1967 Amerindian Lands Commission Report.

T h e Wa p i c h a n p e o p l e h a d previously objected to decisions being made about Marudi without prior consultation or participation in decision-making.

The Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, recently told reporters that a “small group” of persons were politicising the issue, but did not answer specifically when asked if consultations were indeed held with the Indigenous people, before the operations resume.

Amerindian chief and Wapichan elder, Tony James, said, “It is true that Continued on page 15

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Sunday December 19, 2021

President commissions access bridge at Palmyra linking CGX Inc. Berbice Deep Water Port

The site where the port is located.

By Malisa Playter-Harry As Canadian owned oil and gas exploration company, CGX Energy Inc. and its subsidiary Grand Canal Industrial Estates Inc. (GCIE) pushes ahead with civil works for the construction of the Berbice Deep Water Port, on Friday President Irfaan Ali, during a visit to Region Six, commissioned its approximately US$1M access bridge.

Located on 30 acres of land on the eastern bank of the Berbice River, just adjacent to Crab Island, the access bridge has been under construction for the past few months linking the access road to the port.

It should be noted that works on the access road is still ongoing but following the simple ribbon cutting activity, the Head-of-State, along with Ministers of Government, including Dr. Ashni Singh and Deodat Indar, visited the port that is estimated to cost US$130M. Professor Suresh Narine – Chairman of CGX Inc. noted in his remarks Friday that while the project has been “percolating” for 10 years, it has recently gained

“tremendous momentum.”

The oil and gas supply base, he said, is expected to be completed and fully operational between August and October 2022, along with the other parts of the

expenditure of $80M and then we have earmarked another 10 acres for development following that,” said Narine. He went on to note that “of the 30 acres we have up there, we

President that we are pursuing a low carbon development strategy, so it is a great opportunity for Berbice.”

With the construction of the port, it is expected to

operations are set to be completed in 2023.

President Irfaan Ali as he addressed the gathering of private and public sector representatives, stressed that the ultimate plan for Region

The new access bridge. facility.

“We are on schedule and on budget; we will have the rest of the facility built to handle agriculture import and export. That will be ready in 2023, this part of the facility will be for a total

have earmarked 10 acres to be a living laboratory of mangrove habitats, to study how habitats can co-exist with commercial development and this is tremendously important as has been announced by our

provide some 1,000 jobs during the construction phase of the project and another 300 when it is completed, CGX had announced. It was revealed too that agricultural and g e n e r a l c a rg o s e r v i c e

Six and by extension the country, is to develop and build sustainable communities. He underscored too that sustainable jobs, social services, economic empowerment and

opportunities, coupled with reduce disparity between the rich, the middle class and families, are “fundamental elements to sustainable development.” He added that “a total revamp of infrastructure” is required for the building of the regional and national plan altogether and as such, for that expansion to take place, “infrastructure that is robust and macro in nature to provide a catalytical push to a d v a n c e t h o s e opportunities” is required.

The Head-of-State noted too that Region Six has the “catalytical push” to foster trans-border development.

“So if we have the deep water harbour (port) in Region Six that is linked to Suriname and other opportunities, the infrastructure must be in place to take care of this. We must have wider roads; we must have better highways and most people do not understand that Region Six has the important catalytical push to bring trans-border development,” President Ali said.

He expressed optimism that the investment of the port by CGX and GCIE will Continued on page 49

Sunday December 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

PNC/R must take new road with new leadership - Chairman The People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) yesterday ran off its 21st Biennial Congress held for the first time across the country and in the Diaspora in what was described as a hybrid format taking into account COVID-19 restrictions.

The confab, held under the theme, “Learning from the past and conquering the future” was declared open with welcoming remarks from party Chairperson, Volda Lawrence. To this end, she charged in her clarion call that the party is at a critical juncture in its 64-year history—one where it must take a new road or path, with a renewed leadership.

Delegates across the country and those voting from the Diaspora are expected to know by today which of the three candidates—Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, Aubrey Norton and Dr. R i c h a r d Va n We s t Charles—vying for leadership of the party was successful.

Addressing the delegates via a live stream, Lawrence implored that this congress, “finds us at a critical crossroad of our party’s future.”

Recalling what she described as a glorious history of the party, Lawrence

…as party delegates vote for change at 21st Biennial Congress

PNC/R’s Volda Lawrence implored of delegates, “Our party must now take a new road, with new and renewed leadership as we pass the baton to the next generation of leaders.”

It should be noted that incumbent leader, David Granger, has not been nominated to contest for the post and Lawrence in her address confirmed that she would not be seeking reelection to the post of party Chairman.

Speaking to the future of the party and the demands that come, Lawrence was adamant that “this party is no stranger to change and continues to demonstrate its capacity to lead and remain relevant.”

To this end, she posited, “we have always been and will continue to be an

Wapichan elder says...

From page 13 there have been mining permits issued over Marudi for years, but any change in circumstances immediately demands meaningful and effective consultation with, and the consent of the rights’ holders, the Wapichan, before any agreement can be signed.”

“I demand of the present and future governments to respect us as first-class citizens who deserve respect, especially for our rights to our lands, territories and natural resources; our right to be consulted in accordance with our traditional norms, and our right to give our consent, be it negative or positive, free of political interference, intimidation or any other form of coercion,” the Wapichan leader urged.

Furthermore, he said the way in which the people of South Rupununi, Region Nine learnt of the agreement was disrespectful.

A ministerial team comprising of the Minister of Natural Resources, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, and Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai had rushed into Aishalton village to meet with residents, after they had started protesting the signed agreement with the Rupununi Small Miners to reboot operations, which they learnt of through a social media post.

The controversy over government’s signing of the agreements, without consultations with the Indigenous people, has attracted the attention of a Caribbean Human Rights lawyer. The lawyer believes that the incumbent administration should not only apologise to the locals, but rescind the contract until the required processes are followed. The Human Rights lawyer, Malene Alleyne, explained the importance of consultations. “This is essential, so that any consent that is given by the Wapichan people is informed, so they give their consent knowingly and voluntarily,” Alleyne said.

Additionally, the Human Rights lawyer pointed out that another requirement is that these consultations must be in good faith, with the objective of reaching an agreement, which must be in accordance with the Wapichan people’s own traditions.

institution that is a refuge for the advantaged, the discriminated and the neglected.”

Adamant that her party remains strong “and proud of its record,” she said the PNC/R is a bold party, not afraid of challenges, evident in the decentralised format of the Congress.

Speaking to the democracy that exists within the PNC/R, Lawrence told delegates “dialogue,

discussion, debates and differences are healthy for any political party.”

These actions, she said, “allow for greater participation at all levels and confidence in our commitment to the democratic processes which we demonstrate.”

Qualifying her position further, Lawrence said, “evidence is right before us comrades; the large number of young persons’ vying for positions at this congress demonstrates that our Party can rejuvenate itself and is rejuvenating itself which our democratic process has facilitated.”

Confident in a revitalised PNCR, Lawrence in wishing the candidates well, said she “trust that they recognise that at the end of this democratic process which concludes their extensive campaign, we the PNC/R must harness all

our energies towards returning to government and continue the pursuit of a good life for all our people.”

Granger, the former Party leader, is not in the country for the Congress since he had to travel to Cuba for health concerns.

The announcement was made this past week ahead of yesterday’s vote.

He was scheduled to deliver the keynote address to the Party delegates who are expected to vote for the new l e a d e r s h i p .

Granger had failed to pick up any nominations by his Party’s delegates to compete for any of the positions to be voted on, including Party leader and chairman.

That PNC/R Biennial Congress was slated to be held on December 11, last but was postponed to yesterday as a result of the lack of its preparedness to pull off the

event, as was determined by its internal Chief Elections Officer, Vincent Alexander.

Prominent Lindener, Sharma Solomon, former Attorney General, Basil Williams, are among those who were nominated to contest for leadership of the Party. Williams had however, pulled out of the leadership race with Lawrence also confirming that she would not b e c o n t e s t i n g .

As it relates to the post of Party Chairman, those nominated include the incumbent, Volda Lawrence, Gary Best, Shurwayne Holder, Amanza WaltonDesir, Roysdale Ford, Annette Ferguson, Aubrey Norton, Sharma Solomon, Ronald Bulkan, Christopher Jones, Richard Van-West Charles, Simona Broomes, Geeta Chandan, Dawn Hastings, Joseph Harmon and Mervyn Williams.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 19, 2021

Caribbean organisations object to Yellowtail EIA Now that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially closed off the public submissions phase for ExxonMobil’s fourth project, the Ye l l o w t a i l d e v e l o p m e n t Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), organisations as well as concerned experts have been coming forward to let the Guyanese public hear their voices as well.

In fact, a group of Caribbean organizations, including the Caribbean Coastal Area Management (C-CAM) Foundation, The Jamaica Fish Sanctuary Network, Jamaica Environment Trust, Institute for Small Islands, Fishermen and Friends of the Sea and Freedom Imaginaries, recently submitted a letter to Kaieteur News in which representatives complained that E x x o n ’s C o n s u l t a n t , t h e Environmental Resources Management (ERM), has violated international laws by failing to consult them on the likely impacts of the project, even though the EIA clearly outlines the dangers they are exposed to.

Section 9.24 of the EIA document states, “The planned project activities are not predicted to have any measureable “transboundary impacts”, (i.e. impacts outside the Guyana (Exclusive Economic Zone) EEZ. All predicted impacts from planned Project activities will occur within the Guyana EEZ. However, there is the potential for transboundary impacts to result from unplanned events that may occur, such as oil spills.”

A release from a loss-of-well control event over 30 days, according to the document, is likely to have impact on over a dozen Caribbean nations. “…there is the potential for oil to reach portions of Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela,

- cites lack of consultations with Region on oil spill risks

One of the World’s largest spills ever recorded took place in the Gulf of Mexico.

In this Mongabay photo, some 2,100 barrels of oil or nearly 90,000 gallons was sitting on the ocean. The Deep water Horizon spill gushed nearly four million barrels of oil over the course of three months in 2010.

Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica,” the EIA details.

Furthermore, the document notes that impacts on resources and receptors in these other countries would be similar to those Guyana would encounter.

These include “(i) impairment of the quality of the natural environment or any use that can be made of it; (ii) injury or damage to property or to plant or animal life; (iii) harm or material discomfort to any person; (iv) an adverse effect on the health of any person; (v) impairment of the safety of any person; (vi) rendering any property

or plant or animal life unfit for use by human or unfit for its role in the ecosystem, (vii) loss of enjoyment of normal use of property; and (viii) interference with the normal conduct of business” as is highlighted in Section Four of the EIA. But in addition to these, ERM said that some additional resources could potentially be affected such as corals.

As a consequence, the organisations have argued that the Government of Guyana, Exxon’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), and its British and Chinese partners have been aware of possible transboundary impacts

of a potential deep well oil spill, since the conduct of the first EIA for the Liza 1 development in 2017, yet the countries remain unaware of the dangers they are exposed to as a result of this project.

The representatives in the joint letter said, “Except for efforts to develop a MOU with Trinidad and Tobago, neither the Government of Guyana nor EEPGL have alerted our governments with the specifics of the risk shown in the oil spill modelling or invited them to consult, thus enabling them to consult internally with directed affected parties.

The proposed approach in the Yellowtail EIA of engaging us as potential transboundary victims

only when a crisis is upon us is prejudicial against our interests.

Among other things, it deprives us of the opportunity to participate in preventative efforts and it fails to allow for a fair process for establishing ecological and socioeconomic baselines as the basis for damage claims. It is, in fact, a clear violation of our rights under international law”.

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights, in its 2017 advisory opinion on “The Environment and Human Rights” summarised the status of international law on this point in paragraph 196, which states: “Consequently, the Court concludes that States have the obligation to notify other potentially affected States when they become aware that an activity planned within their jurisdiction could result in a risk of significant transboundary harm. This notice must be timely, before the planned activity is carried out, and must include all relevant information.

This duty arises when the State of origin becomes aware of the potential risk, either before or as a result of the environmental impact assessment. Carrying out environmental impact assessments requires time and resources, so in order to ensure that potentially affected States are able to take the appropriate steps, States of origin are required to give this notification as soon as possible, without prejudice to the information transmitted being completed with the results of the environmental impact assessment when this has been concluded.”

As noted by the Inter-American Court in para 189, this duty “extends to every case in which there is a possibility of significant transboundary environmental harm … as a result of activities planned Continued on page 53

Sunday December 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Sunday December 19, 2021

Nafeeza Balkissoon

PAGE 18

Meet the charismatic Nafeeza Balkissoon. This gorgeous belle enjoys spending time with her family and reading. One of her favourite quotes says, “Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you would have preferred to talk.”

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 19, 2021

PAGE 19

THE TRUTH WE AVOID T

he elephant has been staring us in the face for too long. But rather than admit to the presence of the elephant, we constantly attempt to pass judgment on it.

We dabble with the superficial rather than addressing the substantive causes of our present predicament. A recent panel discussion involving wellintentioned persons highlighted the sort of superficial solutions which are often proposed in addressing the problems of Guyana. And yet the truth continues to stare us in the face.

That truth is two-fold: political and economic. The first part, the political problem, is that our country is multi-ethnic but there are two main dominant ethnic groups with the majority of persons in each group wanting to be ruled by their own.

Election after election has long established the fact. The central issue dictating voting patterns among the majority of the population is the desire to be ruled by their own.

Instead of accepting this reality, we condemn ethnic voting and polarisation. And we lecture about the importance of principles rather than ethnic choices. The public we intone must cast aside ethnic preferences in their political choices and vote on the basis of issues.

But we have failed to convince ourselves. Even those who have so bravely argued for some form of power sharing or greater inclusion have failed to convince their constituents. The bottom line is that the majority are not interested in power sharing but in holding power. And there is no successful model of power sharing anywhere around to act as a guide.

The APNU+AFC promised to share power were it to be elected. It reneged on this pledge no sooner had it tasted the honey of power.

And the majority of its supporters were hardly likely to have countenanced the sharing of power with the PPP/C. The PPP/C came in to office in August 2020 waving the banner of political inclusion. But as we have

seen, its idea of inclusion is to neutralise opposition by buyingout it prospective opponents. Its obsession with control has caused it to even dismantle inclusion in overseeing the oil and gas sector.

Despite this, we continue with the belief that a time will come when with the right politicians and policies, the ethnic polarisation will disappear. But we are only fooling ourselves.

We are not alone in this regard.

We are not the only country in which there is ethnic polarisation in politics. Trinidad and Tobago has the same issue but they have remained more stable because each side accepts when it loses elections.

Not so easy in Guyana.

It is not as if one side no longer has any chance of ever gaining political office. As the elections of 2011 and 2015 have shown, each of country’s major political groups have a good chance now of being democratically elected to power.

The demographics have changed.

East Indians are no longer a majority. The mixed races and Amerindians are now critical

voting blocks. There is no need to resort to rigging.

The second part of the truth, which we ignore is the economic question. Since the days of colonialism, we have always been rigidly stratified economically.

There has always been a small economic oligarchy, a larger middle class and a huge class of poor people. And the gap between each of these classes has been growing.

The middle class may have expanded because of the increase in the bureaucratic and professional middle class. Poverty has also been reduced and this has created the illusion of reducing income gaps.

But the reality is that the income gaps between the oligarchic class, the middle class and the poor have widened.

The PPP/C and the PNC/R have both abandoned the radicalism of their founders, Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham. The APNU+AFC and the PPP/C have both found it comfortable to pursue new-liberal economic policies. These policies however, have an undeniable track

record of increasing rather than decreasing inequality.

These are the realities with which we are confronted but which we avoid. We have to live with ethnic polarisation but accept that no one side now has a permanent lien on political power. Change is possible through the ballot.

We also have to end the petty squabbling about which race is monopolising the economic pie and realise that this squabbling obscures the reality that the gap between the rich and poor is widening. But we must also face the reality that with the present neoliberal approach to economic development, the poor – of all races – will be doomed under such a system.

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

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 19, 2021

Reform the OAS or oversee its irrelevance

By Sir Ronald Sanders Our world exists today in troubled circumstances, governed by outmoded charters and laws that are no longer fit for purpose and do not respond to human needs.

When most of these Charters were signed 70 or more years ago, more than 70 countries were not independent and had no say in their formulation. Therefore, the conditions of underdevelopment, poverty and disease that today plague nations around the globe were not considered; if anything, they were regarded as the natural condition of colonised people that would be addressed by their predictable death. Life was cheap.

The charter of the Organization of American States (OAS) is one such governing document. It was signed in 1948 but was brought into force on December 13, 1951 – 70 years ago. The leaders, of the 14 countries that signed the C h a r t e r, w e r e m o s t l y autocrats who were more concerned with avoiding being overthrown by

military coup d’état’s than they were about the will of their own people. They were especially concerned that, notwithstanding any actions they took to repress dissent among their own people, no other country should have any right to criticise.

Only one present day CARICOM country – Haiti was a Member of the Organization at that time.

The leaders were also concerned with settling disputes between themselves peacefully and in acting collectively against external aggression against any of them.

Not all of them succeeded in pursuing peaceful dispute settlements with neighbours. Military skirmishes, saber rattling, and other acts of aggression continued.

Significantly, while the 7 0 t h a n n i v e r s a r y, o n December 13, 2021, of the Charter coming into force should have been an occasion for celebration, the date came and went with no commemoration by the OAS. The Charter has been amended only four times in the last 70 years, and then only in response to urgent political crises. Yet, it cries

out for reform.

The CARICOM member countries of the OAS place great value on the major cornerstones of the Charter, particularly: the effective exercise of representative democracy, non-aggression, the pacific settlements of disputes, the multi dimensionality of security, the recognition that economic cooperation is essential to the common welfare and prosperity of our peoples, and the proclamation of the fundamental rights of the individual without distinction as to race, nationality, creed or sex.

However, knowing that many of these principles, particularly as they refer to development, are recognised more by omission than commission, CARICOM countries have, at various times, urged that the Charter be rejuvenated, making it relevant to the present challenges that confront the Americas.

It is not sufficient for the Charter to recognise the indispensability of economic cooperation without commitment to ensuring economic development. It is

not enough for the Charter to proclaim fundamental rights of the individual without distinction as to race; and yet be silent on positive action to end racism which still lurks in the shadows of some governance systems and, sometimes, displays itself even in the bright daylight of their flawed justice machinery. Nowhere in the Charter is it inscribed that Member States should implement machinery to eradicate the scourge of racism from the Americas.

Is it adequate that the Charter declares, as a principle, that education of peoples should be directed toward justice, freedom and p e a c e w i t h o u t acknowledging that justice, freedom and peace will not be served while inequities of access to education continue to exist across the hemisphere?

In today’s interconnected world where borders are no barriers to disease and no walls against Climate Change, is it right that the Charter should declare that “Development is the primary responsibility of each country”, when today small states are ravaged by the effects of CO2 emissions from other countries that retard and erode their development with impunity?

Is it right that, against the reality of the loss and damage that are inflicted by Climate Change and Global warming, that all the Charter says is that “member states should refrain from practicing policies and adopting actions or measures that have serious

adverse effects on the development of other member states”, and yet not provide for a d e q u a t e compensation or measures that would cause offending countries to cease and desist?

When the Charter entered into force, it suited the requirements of the leaders of the 14 countries that directed its authorship. But 1951 c o n d i t i o n s a n d preoccupations of 14 leaders should not continue to prevail in 2021 circumstances for 33 countries. I say 33 because Cuba and Venezuela that were among the original signatories have withdrawn from the Organization, although there is a fiction that Cuba is still a member, and that Venezuela is represented by a nominee of an “Interim” President who is recognised by fewer than 50 countries globally (and then only barely).

If the members of the OAS want the Organization to be relevant to the lives of their people, to their economic advancement, and to their social improvement, they have to make its framework fit for purpose.

Governments should consider the establishment of a Group of Wise Persons, reflective of the regional membership, to analyse the Charter and to make recommendations on how it should be reformed. The alternative is to limp along – mostly to be paralysed – in the illusion that yesterday’s

Sir Ronald Sanders Charter is still fit for purpose in our hemisphere of today.

There is a Biblical proscription against pouring new wine into old wine skins, for surely, the old wine skins will burst, and the new wine will spill, wasting the years and effort that were devoted to its production.

By seeking to retain a 70year-old document, written at a very different time by representatives of only 14 countries, and to apply its outmoded approaches to 33 countries in modern day realities, the OAS members are pursuing an effort that can no longer be sustained.

After 70 years, the governments of the OAS member s tates s hould recognise that it is time for a comprehensive study to recommend its reform, renewal, and relevance.

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the OAS. He is a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are his own) Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com

Sunday December 19, 2021

Dear Reader, in light of the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our publisher, with you in mind, has taken the decision to extend our weekly review of some of our major stories in their entirety.

SUNDAY AZERBAIJAN COMPLETES NEW US$40M INT’LAIRPORT IN 8 MONTHS…8 YEARS LATER US$160M AND COUNTING CJIA STILL INCOMPLETE Azerbaijan, a country located in Europe has completed the construction of a new airport, Fuzuli International Airport, in the region of Karabakh in the span of eight months, while after 8 years Guyana is still struggling to complete what has been dubbed the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project.

Thus far, the CJIA has cost Guyana a whopping US$160M and more money is still being pumped into the project, whereas, in the case

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of the Fuzuli Airport in Azerbaijan, the government there reportedly expended in the region of US$40 million to complete the project.

According to online news sources, Fuzuli International Airport, which is located nearly 100km from Shusha and 300km from the capital Baku, was completed in a span of eight months. Its foundation stone was laid in January this year while the initial test flight to the airport was conducted in August.

By August 2021, Fuzuli airport was able to accommodate all widebody aircraft, including large cargo aeroplanes.

At present, the airport’s runway is 3000m long and 60m wide and its terminal has the capacity to handle 200 passengers in an hour. In addition, the airport features automatic systems and a control tower in line with international civil aviation and transportation standards.

The aviation infrastructure has baggage conveyors, VIP lounges, a registration system, shops, restaurants and other necessary facilities.

According to online news sources, extensive landscaping work has also been executed around the airport.

On 16 October, last Azerbaijani Prime Minister, Ali Asadov signed the decree that granted the status of ‘international airport’ to Fuzuli airport which has since been included in the list of international airports with the code of FZL (global standards for airline safety) by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The Fuzuli airport is expected to operate as a gateway projected to boost the development of tourism and trade in the region.

On one of his previous visits to the airport, President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev was quoted by the Daily Sabah as saying: “The construction of the airport started this year. At that time, I said that Fuzuli International Airport will open this year. Perhaps no airport in the world has been built at this speed.

The runway is ready. Final preparations are being made…”

In contrast, Guyana’s CJIA Airport expansion project, which

commenced in 2012, remains incomplete even as its cost continues to climb. The CJIA expansion project was expected to be a US$150M venture; US$138M financed from the China Exim Bank and $12M from the consolidated fund (taxpayers’ money).

The project faced a number of delays, with the Chinese Contractor, China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC), requesting several extensions to complete it. In the meantime, the airport expenditure continues to increase. This, however, has not been allowed to continue without criticisms from concerned members of society, including publisher of this newspaper, Glenn Lall.

Earlier this year, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, had promised that the total cost for the project will not exceed US$200M. However, Edghill provided no guarantee for this as the venture is currently a work-in-progress that the PPP/C administration is still pumping money into.

Since his announcement, that the spending on the CJIA expansion will not surpass US$200 million, other subcontracts that are catered for in the original contract have requested additional funds.

One of those projects is for the “Construction and Rehabilitation Works of the VIP Lounge and new and existing commercial buildings of the airport at an estimated cost of G$612,500,000.

Another subcontract project was estimated at G$23,223,375 for the rehabilitation of the existing roof at the airport.

In September the Ministry awarded a contract for US$2M to a local company named Total Solutions for the supply of two additional air-bridges for the long ongoing CJIA project, some

US$350,000 more than what was paid for the other air bridges.

Additionally, a new runway was commissioned at the airport, complete with an Instrument Landing System (ILS) touted to reduce flights diversion by 90 percent. That aspect of the airport was completed at a cost of G$518 million.

During a recent interview on Globespan, the Public Works Minister had hinted that more monies will be spent, when he said, “Very soon we will be developing the car park…the sewerage system has to be addressed and we are working on that and the water treatment system also.”

According to him, the contractor, CHEC, had agreed to undertake other works on the airport at no cost to Guyana, and his engineers have estimated the value of the works to be somewhere between US$11M and US$13M. The airport was expected to be completed by December 31, 2021, but Edghill had said that due to the constraints of shipping as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, works might not be completed until early 2022.

INT’L EXPERTS WANT YELLOWTAILEIA TO BE SCRAPPED A group of international environmentalists have teamed up to demand that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scraps the Yellowtail development Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), given that the document fails to address critical subjects such as the impacts of the total waste brought to shore, and baseline data for Guyana’s fisheries sector.

In a letter to the EPA, that was (Continued on page 22)

PAGE 22

From page 21 seen by Kaieteur News, the experts Simone Mangal-Joly, Alfred Buhlai, Vanda Radzik, Janette Bulkan, Denuta Radzik, Jerry Jailall, Alissa Trotz and Maya Trotz, who all participated in a virtual meeting on November 11 to discuss the impacts of the project on the environment, said that not only were their questions not answered by ExxonMobil’s Consultant, the Environmental Resources Management (ERM), but the recommendation for the firm to provide answers in writing, before the closure of the public comment period, has fallen on deaf ears.

The public feedback on Esso Exploration Production Guyana Ltd’s (EEPGL), Exxon’s subsidiary, Yellowtail Environmental Impact Assessment closes on December 15, 2021.

Given that the Consultant is yet to assure the environmental experts of the safety of the project, they have demanded that the EIA be declared null and void.

They said, “The Environmental Assessment Board cannot possibly consider that the current 60day period for public scrutiny of this EIA is valid when the Final Terms and Scope remains hidden from the public.”

The group reasoned, “The public relies on provision of information to make an informed evaluation on the adequacy of the EIA during the 60-day feedback process. The ERM states in the Yellowtail EIA volume I revision 0-2, October 2021, pages 4-7, that EEPGL seeks to support open dialogue and receive stakeholder feedback, opinions, concerns, and knowledge regarding the way the Project may interact with the natural and social environment.

Through consultation, EEPGL’s objective is to identify key stakeholder issues and concerns. Consultation or dialogue activities involve a two-way flow or exchange of information between stakeholders and EEPGL or the Consultants.”

The group added, “However, this has not been our experience with EEPGL or its consultant, ERM. Instead, we were treated to a sustained period during and since the virtual consultation in which they did not provide answers to the actual questions we asked and have ignored requests to provide answers as a follow-up to the virtual meeting.”

The experts, who together have decades of expertise when compiled, also noted that even after combing through the EIA document,

Sunday December 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

they were unable to find a transparent record, in the form of transcripts of discussions, held with other stakeholders, during the preparation of the EIA, to determine if the questions or concerns that other stakeholders raised were in fact addressed.

As a consequence, the group documented a list of questions that have arisen through the Virtual Consultation, by way of statements made by EEPGL, ERM, and the EPA. On the ‘Impacts of total volume of waste brought to shore for the lifetime of the Yellowtail project’ the experts said they need to know “What is the exact quantity of waste that will be brought on shore for the life of the project? What is the constituent component of that waste? How will the waste be transported and offloaded at treatment site(s)? What specific risks does its transport pose at the specific sites of treatment giving surrounding receptors? What are the specific toxicities and risks to human health and ecology of each component, and specifically how will the waste be treated to remove toxic components?”

Additionally, the environmentalists said they are requesting information on “What Public Communication discharges will there be to air, water, and ground during treatment and what are the chemical compositions of these discharges and what risk do they pose to human health and ecology? Will any discharge be directly into rivers and estuaries with protected forest species, and if so, what threats do they pose to such bodies over the full life of the Yellowtail project? Will this discharge affect fisheries and other activities into any estuary?

What is the chemical composition and risks of the residues that will be taken to a landfill? What is the total volume of waste bound for landfills during the life of the project? What is the total land demand for such landfill given the volume of waste produced over the life of the project? What are the standards for operation of such landfill, and what are the risks if these standards are violated?”

Meanwhile, on the ‘cumulative impacts of total volume of waste brought to shore for treatment and disposal for the lifetime of Liza1, Liza 2, Payara, and Yellowtail’ they asked “What is the total volume of waste produced by all four production platforms, and what would be the cumulative impact of transport, treatment, and disposal of the

total volume of waste? What is the total amount of land that will be required for waste disposal and how will this land use requirement be met in terms of volume of waste and land fill requirements?”

When it comes to Baseline information on Guyana’s fisheries sector, the group requested the consultant to provide them with specific data such as the total number of formal and informal operators, size, catch per unit effort in the dry versus the wet season, economic value of formal and informal production, livelihood dependency, economic linkages, and total economic value of the sector considering linkages with other sectors. It was also requested that information pertains to the near-shore and offshore fish nurseries located and mapped by geospatial coordinates be provided.

Further they asked, “What are the life cycle migration patterns relative to the offshore oil blocks and locations of offshore and near shore nurseries? Where is the document proving that this information was collected and analysed and publicly ventilated for feedback from fisherfolk prior to extensive 2015 seismic surveys and disturbances conducted by EEPGL? Where is the ongoing monitoring and evaluation data since 2015 covering the start-up and production at Liza 1 and all exploratory drilling activities conducted to date, their effects on said nurseries in population samples collected and the change in catch per unit effort of fisheries? Where has this data been made available for public scrutiny?

Where are the offshore and near shore fish nurseries for the species of commercial fish and their prey located on a map with geospatial coordinates relative to the Yellowtail production area, effluent discharge, and current patterns?”

Since information was lacking in the EIA with regard to baseline for fisheries loss and claims, the team asked ERM to show them the baseline data on formal and informal production that will be used for claims of losses from fishermen in the event of an oil spill. Furthermore, they asked Exxon’s Consultant to present the proof that the methodology has been subject to public scrutiny.

In this regard, the environmentalists said, “We submit that, that entire process has been miscarried and call upon the EPA to declare it null and void and reset EEPGL’s application for

E n v i r o n m e n t a l Authorisation”.

MONDAY ‘GUYANAWITNESSING OIL HUSTLE’- THROWS AWAY FUTURE GENERATION’S WEALTH FOR FAST CASH - DR. THOMAS Former Head of Transparency International Guyana Inc (TIGI), Dr. Troy Thomas is perturbed by the way in which Guyana’s oil industry is being handled, noting that instead of there being earnest efforts towards the protection of the nation’s patrimony, the citizenry is witnessing a “petroleum hustle.”

During a recent interview on Kaieteur Radio, for International Anti-corruption Day (December 9, 2021), Dr. Thomas, a University of Guyana Lecturer commented: “We did not consider intergenerational equity and intergenerational justice. We wanted some fast cash and we were willing to give away the wealth of future generations in order to get that fast cash and when you listen to the conversation and the justifications that people put forward even to this day, that’s what you’re getting…”

Dr. Thomas added, “We’re not thinking beyond or looking at what we can do in terms of infrastructure right now or looking at what we can do in terms of building this and that and the other. (We are) not recognising that whatever natural resources we have, belong to our Guyanese and even future Guyanese and if we think about it that way then we would want to step back and make sure we get things right.”

He alluded that the policy leaders of the day would want to ensure they maximise the value that is returned to Guyanese and that they would follow the law.

Additionally, the former TIGI Head said he is bothered by the way, which the oil sector and the Exxon MobilGuyana Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) have been handled. Dr. Thomas also expressed dismay about the fact that there are some citizens who believe that “you want to “stop the progress if you raise objections to what is taking place.”

“But I would ask what progress are you talking about exactly? So I think we have to be very sober about it. (The current head of TIGI, Fred Collins) mentioned the giving away of 600 oil blocks to Exxon in the form of the Stabroek Block when the law

says only 60 and that bothers me very much as well because we have given up any competitive advantage we could have had. Based on all the analysis that would have been put out by various organisations, it seems like we’re getting the short end of the stick…”

In a December 11, 2021 publication, Kaieteur News had featured Mr. Collins’ views on the oil sector which echoed similar sentiments expressed by Dr. Thomas. He had essentially noted that good governance of the oil sector will continue to be undermined if “the original sin” or root case is not fixed by the leaders of the day.

Collins had said the “original sin” refers to the 1999 award of 600 blocks as part of the Stabroek Block licence to ExxonMobil when the law only allows for 60.

This newspaper had previously reported that former Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman had a golden opportunity to correct this illegality but chose not to, citing various reasons, such as the law allowing for such awards to be done in the event of special circumstances. But Collins was keen to note that he does not agree with this line of argument while noting that the country will pay the price for failing to correct the state of affairs that reflects total disregard for the law.

Furthermore, the TIGI Head said this “original sin” has resulted in a domino effect of dire consequences that

now plague the sector and would continue until the end of the industry if not addressed. Due to the sheer size of the block, Collins noted that ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Limited, have the ability to produce multiple projects across a massive acreage. He noted that the absence of ring-fencing provisions to prevent costs for projects in the development stage are not deducted from those, which are producing has also made matters worse. Collins noted that if the Stabroek licence had 60 [blocks] as the law prescribes, the impact of no ring-fencing provisions would not have been so economically damaging. With no ring fencing provisions in place and the leverage to go as fast as it wants with exploration and development, ExxonMobil has racked up astronomical costs, which the State is yet to audit. In fact, Guyana is yet to audit over US$10B in costs, which Exxon said it expended from 1999 to 2017. Even if Guyanese authorities conduct the audits tomorrow, they would essentially be left at a disadvantage since the two-year timeline to object to ineligible costs has elapsed.

What also complicates this predicament Guyana is caught in, is the fact that ExxonMobil has the most favourable relinquishment provision of all the oil companies in the basin.

Following negotiations in (Continued on page 23)

Sunday December 19, 2021

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From page 22 2016 with Trotman and other officials in the David Granger administration, the oil company is allowed to relinquish 20 percent of the oil block in seven years when the law prescribes that 75 percent of the concession be returned in that timeline. This was made possible due to a loophole in Guyana’s oil laws.

AN ADDITIONAL $25M TO BUILD NEW OFFICES ATTHE NEWLY RENOVATED CJIA

A new office building for the renovated US$160 million and counting Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) is estimated to cost $25 million according to the airport’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ramesh Ghir.

In a Department of Public Information (DPI) release, Ghir stated that the design for the construction of a new office building is completed and the next step is to go to tender for the selection of a contractor. It was stated that that the project is estimated to cost $25 million.

Kaieteur News has reported that the airport expansion project commenced in 2011, and was expected to be a US$150M venture; US$138M financed from the China Exim Bank and $12M from the consolidated fund – taxpayers’ money.

However, to date more than US$160 million has already been spent on the contract.

The new office building falls under the multi-million upgrades that are being undertaken at the renovated airport, the additional upgrades to the airport was split into three parts – it should be noted that the upgrades are separate from the ongoing modernisation works being undertaken by Chinese Contractor, China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC).

Kaieteur News recently reported that Ghir announced that within a decade, a second terminal will be needed at the airport. The CEO had also stated that efforts are being made to have the construction of the $513.7 million airport office building completed on time to house the duty-free bond, a conference room, offices for the airlines, and other supporting agencies.

Additionally, it was stated that the construction of the airport office building paves the way for more upgrades to CJIA and that talks with foreign investors have already commenced. It was reported in a DPI article that Ghir also noted, “With that new building, we are able to free up more space in the

existing terminal building because maybe half of the staff is housed in the terminal.

That now translates itself into concession space.”

The CEO further disclosed that the $38 million international apron and the taxiway Charlie should be completed soon.

Moreover, even though the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, had promised that the total cost for the project will not exceed US$200 million, that cannot be guaranteed now as the venture is currently a workin-progress and the PPP/C administration is still pumping money into it.

Since Minister Edghill announced that the spending on the CJIA expansion will not surpass US$200 million–other subcontracts for works that were catered for in the original contract, but which the government now has to spend additional funds to do were signed by his Ministry for the airport.

One of those projects is for the “Construction and Rehabilitation Works of the VIP Lounge and new and existing commercial buildings of the airport at an estimated cost of GY$612,500,000.

Another subcontract project was estimated at GY$23,223,375 for the rehabilitation of the existing roof at the airport. In September, the Ministry awarded a contract for US$2M to a local company named Total Solutions for the supply of two additional airbridges for the long ongoing CJIA project, some US$ 350,000 more than what was paid for the other air-bridges.

Also, a new runway was commissioned at the airport, complete with an Instrument Landing System (ILS) touted to reduce flights diversion by 90 percent. That aspect of the airport was completed at a cost of GY$518 million.

The airport was expected to be completed by December 31, 2021, but Minister Edghill said that, due to the constraints of shipping as a result of the COVID-19

pandemic, works might not be completed until early 2022.

TUESDAY GOVT. SPENDS $53B APPROVED BUDGET FOR THE YEAR The total budgetary allocation for the fiscal year 2021 was approved in March last for a total of some $383.1B, but government has already spent more than US$52B that was represented in Financial Papers submitted to the House for approval.

A total of four Financial Papers have been submitted to the House by Senior Minister within the Office of the President, Dr. Ashni Singh—the last two for almost $26B presented to the National Assembly during Monday’s sitting.

The Financial Papers represent government’s accounting for funds issued from the Contingency Fund for the year. The first such paper was presented to the House by Dr. Singh in June last, after which two more were submitted Monday. Financial Paper 1, represented an accounting of $1,906,775,000 million, expended from the Contingency Fund for Capital and Current Expenditure.

Financial Paper 2, for the sum of $21, 360, 385, 051 million was addressed earlier in the year— was also submitted in June last.

Asking for the Papers to be debated in the House Thursday, Dr. Singh on Tuesday submitted Financial Papers Three and Four, for $5,112,355,210 and $21,477,833, 982 million respectively.

As such, it would mean that the government has already expended some $53B more than the $383.1B allocation for this year.

A perusal of Financial Paper 3 submitted by Dr. Singh illustrates spending for the Office of the President and Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Health, Home Affairs and Local Government.

According to the Finance Minister, that money was used to provide for

operational expenses to the Lands and Survey Commission, and security expenses across the regions, in addition to cash grants for students among other allocations.

As it relates to Financial Paper 4, accounting for some $21,477,833 982 million, it was noted that allocations were made to the Office of the Prime Minister to cater for loans contracted from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB).

Additionally, it was noted that some $4B would have been provided to the Guyana Power and Light Company, as a “provision for clearance of arrears” to the utility.

Further, funds were earmarked as being for the reconstruction of bridges at Issano and Bamia, and sea defence works.

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport was also earmarked some $420M for a baggage handling system.

In addition to accounting for more loans and line(s) of credit, the Financial Paper presented to the House by Dr. Singh also seeks to account for payment of stipends, in addition to a number of COVID-19 pandemic relief measures.

Finally, there were provisions for more fire hydrants in housing schemes, school upgrades and the accounting of loans contracted by government, such as a $56.8M provision for the law reform commission. Members of the House are expected to flesh out the details of the expenditure ahead of a vote, when the National Assembly meets next Thursday.

GRAAT PAINS TO KEEP AUDITORS FOR EXXON’S COST AUDIT - SAYS OFFICERS LEAVING FOR HIGHER SALARIES AFTER BEING TRAINED COSTAUDIT OFFICE NOW VACANT, WITHOUT CLEAR DIRECTION FROM GOVT. Due to better salaries

being offered in the private sector, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) says it is having an awfully difficult time keeping auditors it trained to oversee the oil and gas sector. This was noted in the 2020 Auditor General’s report, which was laid in the National Assembly on Monday.

The report recalls that in July 2020, approval was granted by the Board of the Authority for the establishment of the Petroleum Revenue Department. With the implementation of the new structure, the Petroleum Revenue Audit Department was changed to the Petroleum Revenue Department, and its functions were extended.

Since this is a new industry for which the skills were virtually non-existent in Guyana, and current salary levels could not attract expatriate staff, the GRA said the decision was made for the Authority to do its own internal training with the help of the Office of Technical Assistance and the International Monetary Fund.

The training, Kaieteur News understands, sought to build capacity to ‘Administer Domestic taxes within the Oil and Gas Sector’ and ‘conduct Cost Recovery Audits’ from March 2017 to July 2019.

Following these exercises, which were done to build a cadre of officers, who can pass on their training to other staff, the GRA said, “It has been found that because of better salaries in the private sector, some of these officers leave as soon as their training is completed, hence the need for improved remuneration.”

The tax authority noted as well that since this is a new section on which the future of the nation depends, “Management of the GRA has been at pains to build a cadre of patriotic and learned officers that will be a shining light for others to follow.

Management, therefore, had moved to sources external to the GRA for qualified accountants, auditors and

financial analysts.”

Kaieteur News understands that the structure of the department also allows for a petroleum engineer and a cost recovery audit section with 20 officers, neither of which has been filled. GRA said the engineer has not been hired because of salary constraints, while the Cost Audit section is vacant, because there is not yet a clear direction as to whether the GRA would be the agency that will do Cost Audits, or whether the Cost Audits would be done by external contract auditors, in the first instance, since Guyana presently lacks such expertise.

Kaieteur News understands that the Petroleum Revenue Department has a staff of 26, but with plans to fill the Cost Audit’s vacancies, the number is expected to increase to 48 by year-end.

WEDNESDAY GOVT. PRINTS $200B DEBT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS …DECISION TAKEN TO CLEAR ‘ILLEGAL’ $163.3B OVERDRAFT AG REPORT FINDS Both the Coalition, A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), and the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) governments, by the end of 2020, had racked up a whopping $163.3B ‘illegal overdraft’ in the national coffers—the Consolidated Fund.

Illegal, since bringing the Consolidated Fund into overdraft is in breach of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMA).

To rectify the illegal and fiscally embarrassing books for an oil producing nation, the PPP/C administration in May this year, approved the sum of $200B, “through the issuance of Debentures ranging from 1 to 20 years, to raise funds to clear the overdraft. This exercise took effect in June 2021.”

The damning revelations were made public on Monday when the Auditor General Report for 2020— representing spending for both administrations—was made public when the National Assembly resumed its sittings since coming out of recess.

What the findings essentially mean is that at the end of last year, the Consolidated Fund or Guyana’s Treasury— presided over by the APNU+AFC and PPP/C administrations for that (Continued on page 24)

PAGE 24

From page 23 year—was not only empty but had a $163.3B debt.

That state of affairs, according to the FMA Act, is a breach. To this end, the PPP/ C Government in 2021 approved the printing of debentures, or a debt guaranteed by government, oftentimes referred to as treasury bills.

This in turn, was then sold to all and sundry in order to raise the $200B needed to clear the overdraft.

The bills were sold to those willing to make purchases on the agreement that government would buy back the bonds when matured—as indicated, for period between one to 20 years—therefore repaying the ‘debt’ incurred.

It was explained that this was done in order to raise the cash needed immediately, clear the overdraft while at the same time bringing government into compliance with the laws of Guyana.

The Mid Year report for this year, in documenting the move by Cabinet had stated in June 2021, that government securitised the inherited overdraft at the bank of Guyana.

That report issued by the Ministry of Finance, under the auspices of Substantive Minister, Dr. Ashni Kumar Singh, had said this securitising of the overdraft was done using 85 variablerate debentures, with tenors ranging from 1 to 20 years, totalling G$200B. “Consequently, the first half of 2021 ended with the Consolidated Fund, as well as public deposits, reflecting a positive balance.”

According to Dr. Singh in his report, “these moves were intended to bolster transparency and accountability in public debt management, and to restore the integrity of Guyana’s fiscal accounts.”

SPEAKER BARS DEBATE ON ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF GAS-TOSHORE PROJECT …TELLS PATTERSON HE IS NOT OBLIGATED TO GIVE REASONS Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir has thrown out a request by opposition Member of Parliament (PM), David Patterson, to debate certain environmental impacts from the proposed Gas-to-Shore Project, as well as the cost analysis of the initiative, when compared to alternative power generating options.

Patterson, who is also the Shadow Oil and Gas Minister in the Opposition benches, told this publication in an

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Kaieteur News

invited comment, that the motion was submitted by him since October last and was seconded by his colleague opposition member, Khemraj Ramjattan of the Alliance for Change (AFC).

In documents seen by this publication, Patterson was informed by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs on November 29, 2021, that in accordance with Standing Order No. 27 (2)(b), the Speaker has altered his motion.

The correspondence outlined that one of Patterson’s clause in his motion was rephrased to read, “And Whereas it is unclear whether any investigation or study has been conducted to understand the environmental and safety risks from pipeline leaks and ruptures that may be caused by defective construction, aging, corrosion, seabed landforms, mudslides, hurricanes, faults, fractures, and seismic activities such as earthquakes and volcanoes.”

Additionally, Patterson said, he was informed that three other clauses from his proposed motion had been removed, along with the request for an economic analysis, including the total estimated project cost and alternatives covering energy mix, and phased approaches.

One such omitted clause, was seeking discussions on gas leakages and exposures in the marine environment, which have shown to be highly toxic to fish, and living organisms and the ecology, which could devastate the fishing industry.

Another of the omitted clause from the motion had indicated that “whereas determined in a March 2021 United States Bureau of Environmental Enforcement (US Offshore oil & gas regulator) comprehensive report, that the technology is not matured and reliable enough to ensure the integrity of deep-water pipelines and detection of subsurface leaks.”

Yet another omitted clause, sought discussions on the proposed Wales facility—located at the mouth of the Demerara River, which has a very shallow draft and where 90 percent of the commercial marine traffic operates, as was pointed out by the former Minister of Infrastructure.

During a telephone interview with this publication, the MP said that when he wrote to the Speaker to clarify why the amendments or exclusions were necessary, he was reminded by the Speaker, that he is not obligated to answer him.

According to the correspondence addressed to Patterson from the Clerk of the National Assembly, “if the Speaker is of the opinion that any notice of motion which has been received by the Clerk of the Assembly, infringes the provisions of the Standing Order, or is in any other way out of order, he or she may direct: – that the Member concerned be informed that the notice of motion is out of order.”

As such, the Clerk indicated “…therefore, the Hon. Speaker is not obligated under the Standing Orders, to give reasons for altering questions and motions.”

As a consequence, Patterson explained that if the motion, which has essentially been dissolved of its purpose, is passed in the House then the Natural Resource Committee will only examine what was contained.

He said, “…it will be so watered down, that really would be a sham. If the Motion is successful, the committee cannot explain the issue affecting the fishermen, gas leakage, and damage at the mouth of the river, plus the project cost.”

Some 30 companies have already expressed interest in the project pegged at US$900 million, which has been dubbed as one of the largest infrastructural venture to date.

Even though this is the case, it was only recently announced that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would be required.

Following its review of ExxonMobil’s application to proceed with the US$900M gas-to-shore project, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it has determined that an EIA is required.

The regulator said it has also approved Environmental Resources Management (ERM) to conduct the EIA, while noting that it has also given authorisation for the terms of reference it once used.

One of the terms notes, that the company must examine the introduction of increased dangers such as fire, explosion, spills, chemical and other hazardous substances to the surrounding environment, including coastal communities. ExxonMobil is also required to investigate possible effects of the project on the demographic and socio-economic and cultural profiles of the communities.

When it comes to the feasibility of the project, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo has, however, already concluded it’s a “no-brainer.”

Financial Feasibility studies are considered crucial elements when one is considering entering into a large-scale business venture.

A feasibility study examines how much start-up capital is needed, sources of capital, returns on investment, and other financial considerations, while also examining how much cash is required, where it will come from, how it will be spent and potential obstacles that may impede its operations.

Yet for Guyana’s intended gas-to-shore project, no such study is being conducted.

“The financial aspect is a no-brainer; any sensible person with a modicum of sense, a tiny brain, even a residual brain, would understand that,” according to Vice President Jagdeo.

THURSDAY GOVT. BORROWS DOUBLE WHAT IT EARNS Guyana last year collected some $230.4B in current revenues but with its total public debt figure standing at some $415.2B, it would mean the country, last year, earned as a nation half the amount it owes.

The startling revelation was laid bare in the Auditor General’s report for the fiscal year 2020, made public when the National Assembly met on Monday last.

Documented in that report, the Auditor General outlined that, the total public debt stood at $415.153 billion or the equivalent of US$2B at the end of 2020. This compared with the sum of $388.5B billion or the equivalent of US$1.8B, at the end of 2019, representing an increase of $26.7B. The Auditor General,

Deodat Sharma, in his report noted that, expressed as a factor of current Revenue— $230.383B—the total public debt at the end of 2020 was 1.80 times the current earnings, with a factor of 1.61 at the end of 2019, and 1.80 at the end of 2018.

It was noted that during the years 2015 to 2020, the total public debt increased by $63.1B or by 17.92 percent as shown in the table below.

Public debt in 2015 stood at some $352.1B which has since moved to the $415.2B by last year.

The country’s public debt is required to be serviced out of the Consolidated Fund and as such is subject to scrutiny by the Audit Office. The Internal Debt for government at the end of 2020 was $143.428 billion, compared with $120.096B at the end of 2019, a net increase of $23.332B, according to the Auditor General. It was noted too in the report that the External Loans Act, Chapter 74:08 of the Laws of Guyana, as amended by Order ¹. 31 of 1991, authorises the Government to raise loans outside of Guyana not exceeding G$400 billion.

In February 2021 however, the external debt ceiling was increased from G$400 billion to G$650 billion.

The domestic debt ceiling was also increased in February 2021 to G$500 billion from G$150 billion.

According to Sharma, during the period under review—2020—the Government of Guyana entered into four new loan agreements totalling G$14.9B. However, there were no disbursements on these loans during the year 2020.

The related loan agreements were all laid in the National Assembly during 2020 and

2021. These related to additional financing for the flood risk management project and amendment to the original financing agreement, COVID assistance and a small hydro power plant.

Current revenues had by the national coffers are sourced from collections made by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) through the payment of various taxes and fees, such as the Pay and You Earn (PAYE) contributions by taxpayers, earnings from the Value Added Tax and Customs and Excise duties among other sources.

The midyear report produced by the Ministry of Finance on its financial performance of the country for the first half of the year had pegged the country’s total stock of debt to be some US$3B. Former Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, subsequently lamented the state of affairs saying, the country’s ballooning debt should be of concern to all Guyanese. According to Jordan, the administration’s signaled intention to borrow several billions more is based on the assumptions that oil resources will continue to earn at current world market prices at some US$80 per barrel.

Only recently, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, confirmed that Government was looking to access some US$1.5B in loans from China.

The former Finance Minister noted that at half year, the debt stood at US$2.9B and along with the proposed loan from China, there is also another amount to the tune of some US$1.9B from the Islamic Development bank to be secured.

He drew reference, too, to the fact that only recently, Head of State President Irfaan Ali announced an intention to approach the United Arab Emirate (UAE) to tap into their ‘sovereign wealth fund’ for investments in Guyana.

Additionally, the President had announced an intention to approach the Kuwaitis with an interest in accessing their investment fund. These additional debts, to be contracted, according to Jordan, do not even include the regular borrowing from institutions like the World Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), among others.

The IDB currently has the largest share of Guyana’s external debt according to the government’s mid-year report on the country’s finances.

According to the information contained in the Mid-Year Report for 2021, monies received from the IDB (Continued on page 25)

Sunday December 19, 2021

From page 24 in loans increased 10 fold, from US$5.2 million in the first half of 2020, to about US$55.5 million for the corresponding period in 2021. The report stated, about 75.2 percent of the latter amount was allocated to combating the economic and social ramifications of the pandemic.

Additionally, this publication last month reported that Guyana had approached the IDB for a loan totalling US$1,817,764 to support the development and implementation of a MediumTerm Development Strategy, which will leverage on the country’s emerging oil and gas revenues.

GOVT. SEEKS $4B TO PAY GPL - SAYS MONEY REPRESENTS ARREARS

BY MINISTRIES, DEPARTMENTS Despite the fact that some $2 billion was allocated in Budget 2021, to pay for electricity charges to the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL), government is seeking an additional $4 billion from the Contingency Fund. This time it says to clear arrears owed to that company by state agencies.

This request comes just a week after GPL announced that it was broke. Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon during a Press briefing on Wednesday flagged the request, citing that the amount is a 329 percent increase from what was paid to the company in 2019. He said, “Additionally, $4 billion is being requested to clear the arrears owed to GPL by the government ministries. The Ministry of Finance budgeted $2 billion for electricity charges in 2021. Now this is a 329 percent increase, from what was budgeted for in 2019”.

Harmon pointed out that since the government is requesting more monies, he would like to know the exact sum of the arrears owed to the state-owned GPL. “What we would wish to know, since this is arrears payment, is whether in fact the Ministry of Finance has taken over all of the arrears payment for all Government ministries and in that manner, how much is the arrears and what is left to be paid, after this sum is taken out,” the Leader of the Opposition explained.

The matter is expected to come up for discussion today in the National Assembly.

Harmon reminded that Article 220 (1) of our Constitution states that “Parliament may make provision for the establishment of a Contingencies Fund and for authorising the Minister

responsible for finance to make advances from that Fund if he or she is satisfied that there is an urgent need for expenditure for which no other provision exists.”

Further, the Financial Management and Accountability Act, section 41 states clearly that the Minister must be satisfied that all matters that are dealt with under this section are urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen, therefore justifying the need for the expenditure.

He therefore reasoned that “The question that is therefore left to be answered when one looks at Financial Paper Three of 2021 is, can any reasonable minister, responsible for Finance, honestly say that all of the monies taken from the Contingency Fund during this period fit the criteria set out by our Constitution and the FMAA?” According to him, the pattern of the PPP has revealed to not only him, but the country at large, that the administration is ‘extremely poor’ at budgeting and at economic management. In fact, he argued that this is the very reason that the economy is in “such a mess”. “It’s either that, or they are very cavalier about an approach to national resources. That they believe they can give you a National Budget and three months after you come for another sum, another four months after you come for another sum. So it’s really not proper planning and this is why our economy is so messed up.” Harmon posited.

He explained that while some of the Government’s requests, such as the provision for vaccines and drainage and irrigation to mitigate flooding meet the requirements set out in the Constitution, the majority does not line up.

In this regard, the Opposition Leader assured that the administration will be seriously interrogated when such matters come up today.

“We don’t just go through this just to criticise but we actually have gone through this line by line and where in fact it does not meet the requirement, as set out in the Constitution, then clearly these are matters which (we) would flag and seriously interrogate these numbers,” he said.

Today, the government will be seeking an additional $26.5 billion in the National Assembly, through its two financial papers. The requests made by the PPP for additional funding from the Contingency fund, if successfully passed, will allow for more monies to be

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directed to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and for security services, among others.

FRIDAY MINISTER GIVEN POWER TO WAIVE OILCOMPANIES’ COMPLIANCE WITH TARGETS IN LOCAL CONTENT BILL In less than two years of being in office, the PPP/C Government, specifically its Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, was able to table the Local Content Bill 2021 Thursday in the National Assembly which features several provisions that seek to ensure Guyanese have an equal participatory chance as well as an advantage in the oil and gas sector.

The Bill proposes the creation of a Secretariat that would be responsible for a Local Content Register which will have approved companies and citizens to be used by oil companies. It also provides 40 categories of work as opposed to the previous 153 in the draft schedule of targets. Those 40 categories in the Bill contain various levels of local content to be achieved by oil companies. These areas that have been put aside for Guyanese participation include medical, legal, dredging, environmental, sanitation, lay down yard, cargo management, pest control, transportation, catering and borehole testing services.

Of significance is the fact that while companies are expected to meet the foregoing requirements least they be slapped with a $50M dollar penalty, the Bill reposes in the Minister, the power to waive an oil company’s need for compliance with the minimum local content targets

to be achieved.

The Bill specifically states, “The Minister may waive the requirement set out in subsection (1) where –the Minister, after consultation with the Secretariat, deems any petroleum operation to be of national interest; a Contractor, Sub-contractor or Licensee is unable to comply with the minimum local content level in the performance of any petroleum operation due to the lack of current Guyanese capacity; or compliance with a Master Service Agreement executed by a Contractor, SubContractor or Licensee which is still in force immediately before the coming into operation of this Act prevents the Contractor, SubContractor or Licensee from complying with the minimum local content levels set out in the First Schedule.”

Importantly, this provision is not in keeping with any of the policies previously done for Guyana.

It is also not part of the recommendations made by the Local Content Committee that was constituted by President, Irfaan Ali.Be that as it may, the explanatory memorandum for the Bill states that it represents the principal vehicle through which Guyana seeks to negotiate a tradeoff between investors engaged in the petroleum sector and Guyanese nationals and Guyanese companies involved the petroleum sector.

The Bill endeavours to do so by striving for economic diversification through prioritizing Guyanese nationals and Guyanese companies in the procurement of goods and services for the enhancement of the petroleum sector value chain.

The Bill says this prioritization will guarantee that there is an increased retention of the economic

benefits in Guyana while simultaneously allowing for there to be an upsurge in the number, competencies, and capabilities of Guyanese nationals and Guyanese companies participating in the petroleum sector.

To deliver on its legislative target, the Bill puts in place regulatory mechanisms to implement, investigate, supervise, co-ordinate, monitor, and evaluate participation in local content in Guyana.

Altogether, the Bill provides for the promotion of competitiveness, and the encouragement of the creation of related industries that will sustain the social and economic development of Guyana as well as other related matters.

GOVT. TO DOMINATE OIL FUND COMMITTEES – PRESIDENT, MINISTER TO MAKEALL APPOINTMENTS – NO PLACE MADE FOR MEDIA, TRANSPARENCY GROUPS The amendments to the legislation governing the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) which were tabled on Thursday in the National Assembly by Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, propose that there be two key committees and a Board of Directors to preside over the management of the nation’s oil money.

Importantly, all of the members on these committees as well as the Board will be appointed by the President or his Minister responsible for natural resources.

As part of the governance structure for the NRF, the government proposes to establish a Board of Directors which shall comprise of not less than three and not more than five persons who shall be appointed by the President, and one of whom shall be appointed

Chairperson by the President.

The amended Bill proposes that the directors be selected from among persons who have wide experience and ability in legal, financial, business or administrative matters. It was noted that one of the Board members shall be nominated by the National Assembly along with one from the private sector. The Bill states that the directors shall be appointed for a period not exceeding two years and shall be eligible for reappointment.

It is being proposed that the appointment of the directors and every change in appointment shall be published in the Official Gazette, on the website of Ministry of Natural Resources and in two daily newspapers circulating in Guyana.

With respect to its functions, it is being proposed that the Board be responsible for the overall management of the Fund, reviewing and approving policies of the Fund, monitoring the performance of the Fund, ensuring compliance with approved policies, exerting general oversight of all aspects of operations, and ensuring the Fund is managed in compliance with the Act and other applicable laws.

The Board would also be responsible for preparing the investment mandate. It was noted that when preparing or amending the mandate, the Board would have to seek the advice of the Investment Committee, be assisted by the Senior Investment Advisor and Analyst of the Fund and enter into an operational agreement with the Central Bank for the operational management of the fund.

Apart from the Board, there would also be an Investment Committee which shall have seven members appointed by the Minister of (Continued on page 26)

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From page 25 Natural Resources. They will include nominees from the Minister of Finance, Minister in charge of the oil sector, the Attorney General, Leader of the Opposition, the Private Sector and two ex officio nonvoting members: the Senior Investment Advisor and Analyst and a nominee from the Governor of Bank of Guyana.The Committee would be required to take account of the current conditions, opportunities and constraints in the relevant financial matters, the principle of financial diversification with the objective of maximizing risk-adjusted financial returns and taking into account the capacity of the institutions involved in the management of the fund and the nation’s ability to bear financial risk.

As for the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee, Kaieteur News previously reported Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, as saying this would not be preserved in the amended law since 22 members would make it nearly impossible to run the fund.

Based on the amendments, the government has kept a revised version of the body which includes nine members, all of whom will be appointed by the President. They will include one nominee from the National Assembly, two from the private sector, two from organized labour, one from the professions and three from the religious community.

Importantly, there is no place for media and transparency groups which were catered for in the original legislation. The amended legislation is expected to be debated and passed before year-end.

SATURDAY AG FLAGS AD HOC PROCUREMENT OF COVID-19 SUPPLIES – FOUND $424M IN CONTRACTS AWARDED WITHOUT TENDER BOARD APPROVAL Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, has flagged the ad hoc procurement of COVID19 supplies by the Ministry of Public Health and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) for the period March 2020 to August 2020.

In a special value-formoney audit, Sharma said a review was conducted on the procurement process used, the storage and accounting for items purchased and gifts received, and the distribution of hampers. He said this was done to determine whether the activities were done in compliance with relevant laws,

Kaieteur News

regulations, guidelines, and international best practices.

But following this audit, the AG said several troubling findings were made. In this regard, he noted that a total of 18 contracts valued at over $424M were awarded before approval was received from the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). He stressed that this is not in keeping with the nation’s laws.

In response to this finding, officials at the Ministry of Health explained that with reports of the coronavirus being contracted in human beings and spreading rapidly from China to other neighbouring Caribbean countries at a fast rate, Guyana was put on notice to be in a state of readiness, in the event that the coronavirus impacts Guyana in the near future.

Subsequent to a meeting held in this regard, the officials said a list of equipment and medical supplies were put together to be procured immediately for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation in order for it to be prepared for such a reality.

As such, the Ministry said it had its Procurement Department carry out a procurement process in order to ascertain which suppliers had these items readily available on the ground and to be delivered immediately.

The officials said the contracts were signed before the award was sent from NPTAB, in order for the Ministry to be able to secure these items and have them in place.

As for the Civil Defence Commission, its management said it would appreciate any guidance, which can be given on the procurement of emergency supplies which may be needed within a short timeframe, and which does not allow for the requesting of relevant approvals. The CDC said, too, that it is committed to observing all regulations and only sought to expedite the procurement to provide urgent COVID-19

relief to affected households in keeping with a task assigned to the Commission by the National COVID-19 Task Force. Upon noting the feedback from the entities, the Auditor General’s Office recommended that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health and the Director General of the Civil Defence Commission engage the Ministry of Legal Affairs and other stakeholders to have the Procurement Act 2003 amended to include emergency procurement policies and procedures.

Further to the foregoing, the AG also discovered three other worrying findings.

Sharma outlined that the contracts effected by the agencies in question did not have fundamental provisions, which could have protected the interest of the State and ensured value for money.

Sharma noted, for example, that nine contracts prepared by the Civil Defence Commission did not have definite terms as to the start and end dates for delivery of the items. Sharma said the failure on the part of the Commission, to legally bind suppliers to a stipulated delivery period, resulted in delays on the part of suppliers. Furthermore, Sharma was keen to outline that a penalty clause serves as a deterrent to prevent parties from breaching the terms and conditions of a contract. That said, Sharma stated that his office expected all contracts to have this clause to protect the Ministry and the Civil Defence Commission against late suppliers. Surprisingly, the AG said his office found that the Ministry had no protection against late suppliers because many of the contracts did not have penalty clauses.

His report goes on to state, “We noted that the Ministry of Public Health and the Civil Defence Commission worked quickly to procure items and spent over $1 billion to buy equipment, food, drugs, and

medical supplies to fight the coronavirus disease or COVID-19.” “We noted that suppliers delivered close to $400M in supplies a month late.

The Ministry could not act against them and had to wait on the suppliers for the items. This delayed the distribution of the items to vulnerable persons. As a result of not inserting penalty clauses in contracts, the Ministry lost money and vulnerable persons had to wait for much needed supplies.”

Conversely, in one instance where the clause was included, the AG said the Ministry did not even deduct the penalty fees of close to $5M. Adding that this saving could have been used to purchase additional supplies to help fight the disease.

Speaking to other anomalies, Sharma said the Ministry of Public Health and the Civil Defence Commission did not monitor the performance of contracts from their beginning to end. He said, too, that his office found no evidence that the entities valued donations or gifts and properly recorded and disposed of same.

He said the failure of the Ministry and the Civil Defence Commission to properly account for the items received, resulted in him being unable to determine the true value of gifts received during the period. He subsequently recommended that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health and Director General of the Civil Defence Commission put in place gift registers to account for donations or gifts received.

Taking the foregoing factors into consideration, the AG categorically stated that the entities did not procure COVID19 supplies in an efficient manner.

EXXON MUST GET YELLOWTAILEIA RIGHT BEFORE EPA AUTHORISATION - INT’L LAWYER International Lawyer, Melinda Janki has submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), ExxonMobil’s subsidiary that will be

Sunday December 19, 2021

undertaking the Yellowtail Project in Guyana’s waters, must first get its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) right, before permits are granted.

In her submissions to the EPA, Janki, an international lawyer of over 30 years said, “It is clear that the EIA, produced by ERM (Environmental Resources Managementthe Consultant hired by Exxon), contains conclusions that are contrary to science, gives assurances that are unsupported by evidence, and lacks the technical, and other data necessary to provide an adequate professional assessment of the environmental impacts of the proposed Yellowtail Project. The EPA must, therefore, reject the EIA and require EEPGL to submit an EIA that meets the required technical and legal standard”. She added, “Until that is done, the EPA must refuse EEPGL’s application for an environmental authorization”. Janki holds an LL.B from University College, London and two masters degrees in law – the BCL from Hertford College, Oxford University and an LL.M in public international law from University College, London. She has advised international financial institutions, governments and multinational corporations, including oil companies and is currently challenging dangerous deep water petroleum production offshore Guyana.

The lawyer in her submission to the EPA, on December 15, 2021, did not only make submissions based on her opinion and personal knowledge, but also included independent reviews from international experts in the field.

One such person who gave their reviews was Dr. Erik Cordes. A quick search on Cordes showed that he is an Associate Professor and the Vice Chair of Biology at Temple University. He has worked on the ecology of

deep-sea corals and hydrocarbon seeps for over 20 years. He has spent over 16 months at sea on over 30 research cruises, 10 as Chief Scientist.

Dr Cordes’ report states that sections of the EIA reviewed by him are, “missing critical information that is required to make an informed decision.”

For example, he points out the paucity of the data relating to fish. The specialist’s recommendation is that, “additional data are required to properly evaluate the potential impacts of the proposed project.” His conclusion is that, “… the EIA is deficient and the EPA does not have the scientific and technical information required to make an informed decision about the potential impacts of the proposed project”.He also warned that without this information, the Yellowtail Project is highly likely to have greater impacts than those indicated.

Another specialist, Dr. Mark Chernaik, a lawyer and science expert, also gave comments on the Yellowtail EIA. Chernaik is attached to the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW). He helps attorneys and citizens make effective use of scientific information to defend the environment. Mark received a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the Johns Hopkins University.

Janki in her submission included that “Dr Chernaik points out that the EIA (i) fails to address the indirect impacts of greenhouse gas emissions; (ii) fails to disclose the inconsistency with the Glasgow Climate Pact; and (iii) fails to contain the required information about waste. This information is required by law”.

As a consequence, the local activist told the EPA that it should not accept the EIA prepared by the ERM, owing to these and other deficiencies.

The public feedback on the Yellowtail Environmental Impact Assessment closed on December 15, 2021.

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 19, 2021

PAGE 27

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Shall I sue Charles Ceres for libel?

C

harles Ceres referred to me as a pseudo researcher who is still to realise his dream of post-graduate qualifications. Referring to someone who is a trained academic with 26 years of teaching at a university with publications to his name is in my opinion, libelous.

To say a person doesn't have post-graduate qualifications when that person did post-graduate work right up to the doctoral programme at two of the world's best universities is certainly libelous.

I am not going to publicise my academic achievements because someone like Ceres says I am under-qualified.

I consider it infra-dig to offer my qualifications in print because someone questions it. But let's stick with the libel dimension.

People all over the world could be heard saying that there are things inside their DNA and there are things that are not part of their DNA. Suing people for their scandal sheet on me is not in my DNA. I just would not sue

people. I don't know why. I just don't know, that is not me.

Firstly, I have protection against damage to my character that is also a factor in deterring me from suing people.

I have over 50 years of social and political activism.

I have 33 years of media functionalism and 26 years of university teaching.

Out of this ocean, Guyanese people in and out of Guyana of all ages and professions have come to know what I stand for.

I don't think Ceres has the talent, capacity and learning to say anything about me that, though fictional, people would believe.

Secondly, in relation to Ceres himself, I don't consider him important in Guyana to want to sue him for what he wrote about me. I don't know Ceres, don't want to know him, and don't think he is relevant to Guyana for me to want to sue him.

Thirdly, when you sue someone for damage to character, you are conceding that the person has influence in the society and that

influence can shape the way people see you.

I don't see Ceres as having any influence in this country so that his words can shape Guyanese's perceptions and conceptualisation of me.

I close this aspect of the libel discussion by saying I have no respect for Ceres and will never.

Now I don't think there is a judge who could command another person to respect another. I believe humans in this world still retain the right to say who they respect and who they don't.

Now for the bicycle incident.

If Ceres had studied philosophy like I did at one of the world's top universities, he would have been better endowed to understand how life works.

The bicycle is not the issue. Perhaps I can educate Ceres by some ground structuring engineering into p h i l o s o p h y a n d epistemology.

It is not the bicycle that is the issue.

The incident with the eviction of my bicycle in the

National Park was a display of power. The bicycle doesn't have any value in deconstructing the event.

Power was used to victimise an Indian citizen on three occasions in the National Park.

The issue is power and how it was used in the National Park by the party that was founded by the man that Ceres informed readers empowered him to believe in himself.

I hope Ceres recognised Guyanese history in which Burnham empowered other people to kill other people.

I would gladly offer a free copy of the Walter Rodney Commission report to him to substantiate my opinion on Burnham.

F i n a l l y, l e t m e b e pellucid, unambiguous and pyrotechnical in the articulation I am about to present.

Here it is. I am an

e d u c a t e d Guyanese who has lived all my life here. My research (I couldn't be bothered what an engineer says about my social science research; Frederick Kissoon he has no training to judge it) and my existence in because it is my right as both Guyana enable me with the an academic and a Guyanese. capacity to write about all If Indians don't want to write ethnic groups in this country. on African-Guyanese and if I don't know what makes African-Guyanese don't want any African Guyanese feel to examine the sociology of that because they are African- Indians, then that is no Guyanese, no Indian has the business of mine. right to analyse the history Finally, I never got any and sociology of African scholarship from the State Guyanese. under any president and I Well, I am telling Ceres worked for 26 years in the and all the others who think public service for a lousy pay. like him; this Indian has the That is patriotism. right, will exercise this right (The views expressed in without fear of being this article are those of the intimidated or scandalised to a u t h o r a n d d o n o t write on Africans in Guyana. necessarily reflect the I will continue to do so opinions of this newspaper.)

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Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: Even after the infection, the problem continues for some

By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine

A

few months ago, I had highlighted that there are long-term effects of COVID19 that are showing up in patients and may be a worrying trend for survivors of COVID-19.

Unfortunately, studies are showing these effects in more survivors than previously thought.

Some studies have shown effects in up to 70 percent of survivors but the common consensus seems to be around 10 percent of the population showing these long-term effects.

Patients affected by this are called “long haulers” and scientists are calling this new phenomenon Post-COVID19 syndrome.

What is surprising, is while Post-COVID-19 syndrome is seen more commonly in those with the severe form of the disease, doctors are seeing increasing numbers in patients who were asymptomatic or had the milder form of the disease.

Today, I will highlight some scary facts about life after COVID-19 so that we can understand and help support those with postCOVID-19 syndrome.

What are the symptoms of Post-COVID syndrome?

Just as COVID-19 itself can come with a range of symptoms, so, too, can PostCOVID-19 syndrome. The most common symptoms that can linger include: -Fatigue -Difficulty breathing

-Joint pain -Chest pain -Brain fog, including an inability to concentrate and impaired memory -Loss of taste and/or smell -Sleep issues -Complications from organ damage caused by the infection Which organs can be damaged?

Although COVID-19 is seen as a disease that primarily affects the lungs, it can damage many other organs as well.

This organ damage may increase the risk of long-term health problems. Organs that may be affected by COVID19 include: Heart – imaging tests taken months after recovery from COVID-19 have shown lasting damage to the heart muscle, even in people who experienced only mild COVID-19 symptoms.

This may increase the risk of heart failure or other heart complications in the future.

Lungs – the type of pneumonia often associated with COVID-19 can cause long-standing damage to the tiny air sacs in the lungs.

The resulting scar tissue can lead to long-term breathing problems.

Brain – COVID-19 can cause strokes, seizures and Guillain-Barre syndrome — a condition that causes temporary paralysis.

Researchers are still trying to understand how COVID-19 precipitates these conditions leading to long-term complications.

They are also looking at evidence, which may suggest that it increases the risk of

developing Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.Kidneys and Liver – COVID-19 causes extensive blood vessel damage in some patients.

The kidneys and liver have extensive vascular networks and are sensitive to such damage. As a result, there are many patients that are suffering from liver and kidney failure if they survived the COVID-19 infection.

Mood and fa igue problems People who have severe symptoms of COVID-19 often have to be treated in a hospital's intensive care unit, with mechanical assistance such as ventilators to breathe.

Simply surviving this experience can make a person more likely to later develop post-traumatic stress syndrome, depression and anxiety.

Because it's difficult to predict long-term outcomes from the new COVID-19 virus, scientists are looking at the long-term effects seen in related viruses, such as the virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Many people who have recovered from SARS have gone on to develop chronic fatigue syndrome, a complex disorder characterised by extreme fatigue that worsens with physical or mental activity but doesn't improve with rest.

The same may be true for people who have had COVID-19.

Who's more at risk for developing Post-COVID-19 syndrome?

Post-COVID-19 syndrome can be seen in people who went to the hospital with concerning symptoms or who had advanced symptoms that required a brief hospital stay, but it can also occur in people who had mild symptoms and self-treated at home.

The actual frequency of Post-COVID-19 syndrome is still largely up for debate, and different studies find this condition to be more or less common in various groups of people.

Those who seem to be most at risk of developing post-COVID-19 syndrome include:

-Adults over the age of 50 -People who experienced a more severe case -Individuals with underlying health conditions, p a r t i c u l a r l y cardiopulmonary issues, hypertension, diabetes or obesity It's very obvious that COVID-19 is more than just overcoming a bout of flu-like illness.

The lasting effects are too common and can be dangerous.

The best way to avoid Post-COVID-19 syndrome is to avoid COVID-19 itself.

Practice preventative measures and avoid getting

the virus so that you do not have to face life with PostCOVID-19 syndrome.

t

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Sunday December 19, 2021

>>> ENCOURAGING EVENTS, DISTURBING DEVELOPMENTS <<<

Guyana's President and the perversion of a promise…

By GHK Lall I was encouraged in August 2020, when Guyana's head of state, His Excellency, President Ali promised to be about transparency and accountability. I thought that this young Guyanese thrust into the glare of the national, regional, and international spotlight, as this country's national leader

was owed a clear field, and the luxury of time to prove himself, for the better, or for worse. I gave him the room to deliver on what were more than leadership promises, but that which rose to the level of hard, powerful commitments to transparency and accountability.

The President passed the first test. He said the right

things in the right pitch at the right pace, and the right inflections and emphases that such grand things as transparency and accountability require.

Most regrettably, it is the only test that President Ali has passed since that fateful August, so filled with hope and dreams.

In many Guyanese minds, revulsion has since replaced them.

Revulsion because the President has disappointed, failed miserably to honour his word, his promise, his commitment to transparency and accountability. He who came with something different (I so believed) has been nothing but standing over the same shabby, rancid, appalling barbarities, as before, and which have now come to characterise his sickly-sweet presidency.

It is disturbing that he who held out so much, has deteriorated to nothing but the savage shallowness of words, someone in a suit that speaks to the ways that perversions have saturated his promise.

I offer examples that are familiar to brethren, including his own fawning followers. They know, I know, all Guyana knows.

Guyanese were sickening, dying, and filled with the frightening.

COVID-19 and flooding were the first examples. The President announced the right thing - relief billions for the suffering hundreds of thousands of strapped Guyanese. Then, the bottom fell out, because whenever money is around and his people (PNC people, too) smell money, they lose their minds. They do anything for money, even steal money that helps the needy, hurting, dying; they also play politics.

These are the kinds of wastrels who we have for public servants and party comrades here.

They find ways to profit personally (even if to be had from their mother's

tragedy… funeral).

They are damnable to the extreme f o r t h e corruptions.

But what o f t h e President?

Of this, he prefers not to k n o w, t o govern with a bag over his head, saying, doing absolutely nothing. In his book, from his academic training, this is what he interprets transparency and accountability to be. His handpicked people (the VP's really) make awards for hundreds of millions to the unqualified and unproven, and the President celebrates that as transparency and accountability. It is where the perversions of his ringing promises condemn him. It is a sorry state for a head of state.

It is a still sorrier state and disturbing to behold what his lovely VP (in the topsy-turvy world of Guyana, his omnipotent, unchallengeable master) has done with this oil. When the President stepped into the dog turd that is oil, he soiled h i m s e l f m o s t embarrassingly. The smell has traveled all the way to Houston, Texas and back.

He said that oil secrecy is transparency. This is what I call the most exemplary perversion of the English Language that I (must) have encountered.

Abuse of language is one painful matter; abuse of truth and

By GHK Lall trust is another one altogether. And when both occur, especially the latter, then there is no turning back, no curing.

About 7-8 days ago, the PPP Government, with the VP as spokesman, announced a push to dismantle two protective controls in current legislation over this oil. The word is that they are too cumbersome and complex. I am sorry that I can't agree, for even though that may be so, this chronically corrupt country needs every stitch of oversight and control that it can get. Demolishing them knocks out anti-corruption safeguards and makes more costly corruptions easier.

Perhaps, the President also thinks that those are good things, and transparency and accountability will be wells e r v e d . To m y f e l l o w citizens, Guyanese and American, have a healthy and safe holiday season.

And do remember: get vaccinated.

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

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==CONSUMER CONCERNS==

Sunday December 19, 2021

“VALUE FOR MONEY”

SHOULD BE YOUR MOTTO IN THE SHOPPING SEASON

By Pat Dial "Value for Money", the motto of the Guyana Consumers Association, should be a guiding principle as we enter the shopping season harbingered by the advent of the Christmas holiday season.

The Christmas season is a time when the population becomes relaxed, when there is feasting, of enjoyment of the "Christmas Weather" with its cool Trade Winds, its pastel sunsets and lengthy blue dusks and its ubiquitous

decorations of various shiny tinsel formations and fairy lights and Christmas trees, all dominated by the Christmas colours of red, green, gold and blue. Children look forward to this season with dreamy expectations and the religious are reminded of the touching story of the Lord Jesus' birth and the ethical teachings of the Christian religion and evergreen Christmas music with its carols and songs pervading the air.

Shopping is an important facet of the

Christmas season.

The annual Christmas blitzkrieg is mounted on the consumers by the shops and markets.

They are invitingly spruced up with colourful decorations and new and attractively packaged merchandise are put on display. These range from haberdashery such as clothes, cloths of various colours and textures and curtains; furniture which appear more comfortable than they actually are and washing

machines, toasters, blenders and grinders; groceries from the world over including special hams, sausages and cheeses of varieties not seen during the year; decorations and ingenious toys.

In confronting this blitzkrieg, we would remind consumers of the following: Resist impulsive buying and buy only items you need; compare prices before buying and ensure you are given a proper bill or receipt stating the item bought with price and date clearly marked; check on expiry dates and whether one is being offered seconds, especially in the markets and small shops; always check on the quality of the goods bought as for example on the stitching on garments; and always collect a proper guarantee or warranty on consumer durables like washing machines and cookers. A warranty on such items should be for at least one year.

Many smaller stores have such items priced lower than the recognised shops but they give a warranty for only a month or three months at most and in any case, they do not have repairmen or spare parts. It is wiser to buy such items from the recognised stores.

In Christmas shopping, there is a prejudice which has survived from past times when Guyana did not manufacture anything, that one should always buy foreign goods. Now, there are a number of Guyanaproduced goods which are world class and sell cheaper than their foreign equivalents. We will mention some of the products and producers: Banks DIH crackers are world class and their range of sweet biscuits compare with the equivalents imported.

Danish cookies packed in a lovely tin have become a favourite Christmas gift, but the beauty of the gift is in the tin rather than the cookies; it may be a pleasant change to give a few cartons of Banks sweet biscuits instead of imported ones. Banks beers are among the best in the Caribbean and there is little difference between the local beer and the foreign imports.

Another Guyanese company which produces goods of world class quality is the Edward B. Beharry company.

Indeed, all their products are ISO licensed and enter difficult markets like the American without the custom authorities rejecting their products.

Their sweets, which are all European formulated and wrapped in colourful high quality wrappings are world class.

And so are the complete range of their pastas.

Their curries and 50 varieties of spices are sought after in foreign markets. And their prices are better than any of the imported equivalents.

Sterling Products is another company which produces goods of the highest quality and their production manager and his team are uncompromising in respect of quality. Their margarine is superior to any other in the local market and is the only margarine that uses a fermentation process.

And so are their other products like soap powders, ice cream, yogurts and other food products.

And their prices are better than their Caribbean equivalents.

One could not speak of world-class local products without mentioning Demerara Distillers (DDL).

They produce the best rums in the world and the El Dorado brand has made Guyana famous worldwide.

El Dorado rums are sold in all the main international airports, bars and hotels.

Their variety of liquors, many of which are famous brand names bottled under license, are among Christmas bargains.

Their other products like their fermented vinegar and Topco juices are much appreciated. Topco fruit drinks are the only ones in the local market, which uses fresh fruit. All DDL products are ISO licensed.

There are a number of other local products of the highest quality produced by individuals or small companies.

Pomeroon coconut oil, quite nicely packed in plastic bottles, is preferred to olive oil by many both locally and abroad and has regained its status as the main and preferred cooking oil.

Locally produced honey is now preferred over foreign honeys because they are pure, fresh and not diluted with various substances as the foreign imports are. The market is almost completely inundated with imports of clothes, mostly from East Asia but there are still a few tailors who make pyjamas, shirts and underwear; the locally produced clothes are better stitched and the parts stitched together are broader.

Alim Shah's in Regent Street was one such store which assisted local tailors.

At this season of shopping, consumers would find it profitable to be guided by the motto: "Value for money" by buying local.

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

Chad to deploy additional 1,000 UN peacekeepers to Mali Mali's foreign affairs ministry has said that Chad planned to deploy 1,000 additional UN peacekeepers to Mali to reinforce its troops battling armed groups in the former French colony.

“The deployment is part of a bilateral framework at the request of the Government of Chad for reinforcing its contingent in Northern Mali following the reconfiguration of the Barkhane force,” the ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

Chadian soldiers make

up nearly 1,400 of the UN's 13,000-troop peacekeeping force in north and central Mali, where an armed rebellion has escalated despite a nine-year effort by an international coalition to subdue it.The upcoming deployment will reinforce those and other Chadian troops as France scales back its 5,000-strong regional counterterrorism mission known as Barkhane.

Earlier this week, French troops left the city of Timbuktu where, in 2013, former French President

Francois Hollande declared the start of France's military offensive in Mali.In June this year, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a major troop drawdown after a military takeover in Mali in August 2020 that overthrew the elected president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.France has already closed three bases in northern Mali this year.

By next year, it is set to have about 3,000 soldiers in the Sahel, down from 5,100 at the height of its deployment.

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Lessons from a lashpreneur !!!

The Do’s and don’ts of maintaining your lashes this holiday season

BY LATOYAZEPHYR Hey lash babes,well the Christmas season is truly upon us and for those of you that didn’t get to book your lash appointment and those that didn’t get to book re fill appointment,no need to worry.

Here’s some tips for maintaining those gorgeous lashes until your next re fill.

DON’T get them wet for 48 hours To ensure the glue has proper time to set, and will give your extensions the best chance at lasting, you should avoid getting them wet for the first 48 hours. This including hitting the gym (sweat) or going for a steam or sauna. Moisture of any kind should be avoided.

DO brush them once a day When you go for your first appointment, you should be given a special brush to use to comb your extensions. This should be done once a day to avoid them from becoming tangled and keep them looking as lush as possible.

DON’T use oil-based prod-

ucts The biggest warning you’ll be given for taking care of your extensions is to avoid oil-based products, as they can break down the glue and cause them to fall out. This not only means skincare, but makeup as well and remember NO mascara on your extensions.

DO clean them with a ‘special’ eyelash cleaner If you’re unsure if your current skincare products are oilbased, it’s better to be safe and switch to a specific eyelash shampoo . You don’t have to use it every day , but 2-3 times a week will help keep your lashes cleansed and moisturised, without compromising the adhesive bonds.

DON’T go in with eye makeup on When going for your eyelash extension appointments, go without eye makeup on to save time. They’ll only have to remove it anyway, so it’s better to go in prepared.

DO get them refreshed every

2-3 weeks Eyelash extensions do need maintenance, so to keep them looking fluffy and natural it’s best to go every 2-3 weeks.

You can usually book in for 15 minutes slots (depending on how many you need to be replaced). The longer you leave it between appointments, the longer you’ll likely

need for a refill.

DON’T pull them out Your lash extensions will naturally fall out as they wear and, as tempting as it can be, do not pull them out yourself because this can do damage to your natural lash and eyelid. Either head in for a refill, or to have them professionally removed.

DO have a break If you’re planning to commit to lash extensions long term, it’s a good idea to give your natural lashes a break every now and then. Just one month off in a year should suffice.

DON’T forget your sunglasses on holiday I’ve noticed that whenever I’m

on holiday, my extensions tend to fall out quicker. I believe this is due to the temperature making the glue more malleable. So make sure you wear sunglasses if you’re spending loads of time in the sun to keep them protected.

As a bonus this week,here are some beautiful holiday lash looks for the season.

Grandma's Christmas Gifts Grandma Burns sat knitting busily in the sun one bright morning the week before Christmas. The snow lay deep, and the hard crust glistened like silver. All at once she heard little sighs of grief outside her door. When she opened it there sat Peter and Jimmy Rice, two very poor little boys, with their faces in their hands; and they were crying.

"My patience!" cried grandma. "What can be the matter with two bright little boys this sunny morning?"

"We don't have no good times," sighed little Peter.

"We can't slide. We haven't any sleds," whimpered Jimmy.

"Why, of course boys can't have a good time without sleds," said grandma, cheerily. "Let us look about and see if we can't find something." And

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grandma's cap-border bobbed behind barrels and boxes in the shed and all among the cobwebs in the garret; but nothing could be found suitable.

"Hum! I do believe this would do for little Pete;" and the dear old lady drew a large, pressed-tin pan off the top shelf in the pantry. A long, smooth butter-tray was found for Jimmy. Grandma shook her cap-border with laughter to see them skim over the hard crust in their queer sleds. And the boys shouted and swung their hands as they flew past the window.

“I do expect they'll wear 'em about through," murmured grandma; "but boys must slide,—that's certain."

And the pan was scoured as bright as a new silver dollar and the red paint was

all gone off the wooden tray when Peter and Jimmy brought their sleds back.

Grandma knitted faster than ever all that day, and her face was bright with smiles.

She was planning something. She went to see Job Easter that night. He promised to make two small sleds for the pair of socks she was knitting.

When the sleds were finished she dyed them red and drew a yellow horse upon each one. Grandma called them horses, but no one would have suspected it.

Then the night before Christmas she drew on her great socks over her shoes to keep her from slipping, put on her hood and cloak, and dragged the little sleds over to Peter and Timmy's house.

She hitched them to the door-latch, and went home laughing all the way.

Anagrams of Christmas Movies

By ESRA GURKAN

In each of the following ten pictures, Can YOU guess the iconic Christmas movie by an anagram of its name?

Junior page Supplies: Mason Jars Glue Epsom Salt Glitter Greenery & twine Flameless tea lights Hot glue

C

ombine 1 cup of Epsom salt with a tablespoon of glitter in a disposable plate or bowl.

Depending on how many jars you plan to make, you may need more.

Apply a layer of glue around the mason jar. Be careful not to layer it on too thick or the glue will start to drip once the Epsom salt is applied. I used tacky glue for these and it worked really well. You can also use decoupage glue.

Sprinkle the glitter Epsom salt around the jar until evenly covered.

Place the jars on a cleanable surface or paper (newspaper, wax paper, etc.) in case glue drips down while drying.

Allow the jars to dry for several hours, preferably overnight.

Cut a small piece or faux greenery and use a dot of hot glue to adhere to the top of the jar.

Yo u c a n f i n d holiday greenery at most craft stores during this time of year.

You could even add fresh greenery from your yard. Then wrap twine around the mouth of the jar a few times and tie off with a bow. Add a flickering tea light to create luminaries for your holiday decor.

FUN WITH POETRY

Santa's Watching You Christmas time is coming, It's time we must be good, For Santa's watching every day, And we should behave as we should.

Clean our room and wash the car, Help mom with every chore, For presents we are after, And a good one we must score.

No time to chat, no time to play, There's dishes to be done; There will be a lot of time later For us to have some fun!

by Uncle Roy

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TEEN TIME

Double your Blessings by mentioning the good that others do

I

t is a normal thing for people to talk bad things about others, even about their friends and relatives.

But is it usual for them to repeat the good in others and in what they do? Sadly, this is not so.

If you take the time to listen to others, you would readily find that they are more ready to criticise or to repeat something negative about someone else than they are about the many positive things he/or she does or says.

There is a certain lady in our neighbourhood who always places her candles in front of a mirror so that she gets a lot more light from them than if she had left them against a dull background which did not reflect the light and make the place brighter.

Suppose we were to apply this practice to our own conduct.

If we were to emphasise the good around us, we would really be holding it up to a kind of mirror. Like the reflected light of the candles, we would be

multiplying the evil in the world by this negative way in which we treat others.

It is therefore left for each of us to use the mirror of our mind to reflect the positive things that others do that we meet as we go about our daily lives.

Then we will find that, just as we will increase those positives, our own blessings will double as a direct result. doubling this good and making the world a better place.

And, if we think carefully about it, we can find so many ways of doing this.

We can talk about the good things that someone has done or spoken, we can tell someone about the kind and generous qualities of some mutual friend, or we can try to repay some kindness by helping some other person who can benefit from our help.

In the same way that we can double the good that others do by reflecting their positives, we are

The best way to prepare for Christmas must be to make a special effort to ensure others enjoy the holidays.

TELL IT TO UNCLE ROY I am again appealing to all youths who have some personal problem to contact me so that we can work on a solution. Please know that I am an experienced e d u c a t o r, a q u a l i f i e d

counsellor, and a person whose main purpose in life is to ensure that others live their lives safely and effectively. Please get in touch through my email – uncleroy1992@yahoo.com

Solutions to last week’s Christmas cryptogram

Holiday Algebra

by Craig Wilson in Games Many Christmas songs have lyrics in which a word or phrase is repeated.

Several repetitive lyrics have been extracted from a number of holiday favorites.

Each algebraic expression below represents a song,

If we always count our blessings, And all the treasures we possess, Instead of just complaining Of your troubles and distress, We would find the good out-measures All the bad that comes our way, And we'd find our days of sunshine Would outnumber those of gray.

If we will count the ones who love us, Count our friends and the joys we share, We will rejoice instead of crying, Have more hope in our loves to bear.

If we would only count our blessings, And give thanks for every one, Then we would see our cup running over, As blessings keep coming one by one.

where each word is represented by its first letter and exponents show the number of repetitions. If two or more words are repeated as a group, they appear in parentheses.

For example, (JB)2 is short for "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells."

Can you identify all the songs below?

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Dry skin

Lifestyle and home remedies The following measures can help keep your skin moist and healthy: Moisturize. Moisturizers provide a seal over your skin to keep water from escaping. Apply moisturizer several times a day and after bathing. Thicker moisturizers work best, such as over-the-counter brands Eucerin and Cetaphil.

You may also want to use cosmetics that contain moisturizers. If your skin is extremely dry, you may want to apply an oil, such as baby oil, while your skin is still moist.

Oil has more staying power than moisturizers do and prevents the evaporation of water from the surface of your skin.

Another possibility is ointments that contain petroleum jelly (Vaseline, Aquaphor). These may feel greasy, so you might want to use them only at night.

Use warm water and limit bath time. Long showers or baths and hot water remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower to five to 10 minutes and use warm, not hot, water.

Avoid harsh, drying soaps. It's best to use cleansing creams or gentle skin cleansers and bath or shower gels with added moisturizers. Choose mild soaps that have added oils and fats.

Avoid deodorant and antibacterial detergents, fragrance, and alcohol.

Apply moisturizers immediately after bathing. Gently pat your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains.

Within a couple of minutes of bathing, apply moisturizing cream or ointment to trap moisture in your skin. A product in which petrolatum is one of the top three ingredients may be best. Products containing glycerin, lactic acid or urea may also help.

Use a humidifier. Hot, dry, indoor air can parch sensitive skin and worsen itching and flaking. A portable home humidifier or one attached to your furnace adds moisture to the air inside your home. Be sure to keep your humidifier clean.

Choose fabrics that are kind to your skin. Natural fibers, such as cotton and silk, allow your skin to breathe. But wool, although natural, can irritate even normal skin.

Wash your clothes with detergents without dyes or perfumes, both of which can irritate your skin.

If dry skin causes itching, apply cool compresses to the area. To reduce inflammation, use a nonprescription hydrocortisone cream or ointment, containing at least 1 percent hydrocortisone. If these measures don't relieve your symptoms or if your symptoms worsen, see your doctor or consult a dermatologist.

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YOUR CHILD DESERVES SAFE TOYS AND PLAYTHINGS THIS HOLIDAY ==GNBS IN FOCUS==

As we move deeper into the holiday season and closer to Christmas Day, it is customary for parents to begin to consider what toys or gift items they would present to their children. Of course, many would agree that finding the perfect toy for their little ones could be a challenge, especially with

innovations, new varieties, costs and the special preference of the child. To ensure safety and durability, it is also crucial for quality to be considered when purchasing these items.

Toys and playthings are one of the categories of products monitored by the Guyana National Bureau of

Standards (GNBS) under its Product Compliance Programme especially during the Christmas holidays. This is necessary to ensure that poor quality toys do not get into the hands of children, and for toys on sale to have the requisite labelling information, outlined in the Guyana Standard

Specification for Labelling of Commodities – Part 12: Labelling of Toys and Playthings to guide their use.

According to the standard, labels shall have the name and/or description of the item, country of origin and manufacture, name and address of manufacturer ,

packer or distributor, and a registered trademark or trade name. For toys, which are inherently hazardous, labels must also include precautionary instructions.

As the GNBS maintains its monitoring efforts based in the standard, the added vigilance of parents during purchase and use of toys and

playthings can also help to protect children. The following are some useful tips to consider when purchasing these items: 1. Read the label.

Wa r n i n g l a b e l s g i v e important information about how to use a toy and for what ages the toy is most (Continued on page 46)

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Game Xpress - 17 years of selling quality toys

A product displaying the Certification Mark on the left of the box.

H

undreds of new t o y s a r e manufactured and imported annually for children across the country, whether for their birthdays, to celebrate a notable accomplishment or to be presented as that special gift this Christmas. Whatever the occasion, for children, the joyful effects of receiving toys are usually lasting.

However, for many parents and guardians, the quality of these items remains a concern.

More than two decades ago, Nazima Henriques experienced the challenge of

finding quality toys as she tried to acquire a few pieces for her toddlers. “At that time, my kids were younger and it was difficult to get stuff (toys) that would last –maybe the kind that can be passed on to others – and stuff (toys) that can teach them things.” Ms. Henriques said that every time she got the good type of toy, it would be one that a family sent from overseas, as there was no business selling it here.

As a result, she decided to invest in a toy business, birthing the now popular toy store, Game Xpress, which is located at 25 North Road,

Asst. Manager Devika Ramesh

PAGE 45

Lacytown, Georgetown. The business sells educational toys, board games and other items. “I found that there is a lack of entertainment for kids in Guyana…so we decided that since most persons do home entertainment, we went into selling the board games, video games and so on,” the proprietor added.

Henriques said toys and playthings are purchased all year round since they include educational items for various age groups, but are a welcome treat during the holidays. “We have games which teach ABCs,

beginners reading, identify sounds, so people buy them just because of what they do.”

One year after its establishment in 2004, Game Xpress registered with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) to import toys and playthings. As a requirement, the business has been completing its registration every year since.

The GNBS monitors toys and playthings based on the requirements of the National Standard Specification for Labelling of Commodities – Part 12: Labelling of Toys and Playthings.

Products are inspected at t h e p o r t s o f e n t r y, warehouses and at sale outlets to ensure that they are in conformance with the National Standard. They are checked for the type of materials used to make the

toys, the name of the manufacturer, the type of finish used and whether they can be dangerous to children.

Importantly, Inspectors also ensure that the products carry a Certification Mark from a recognised laboratory in its country of origin. This mark indicates that the product was tested for quality and approved for use by children.

Asked what it has been like working with the GNBS, the proprietor praised the Bureau for the service offered. “I wish if every other organisation was like the GNBS. It's been a breeze working with them, it's been easy…We always meet the requirements, we never had an issue,” she noted.

To upkeep compliance, Assistant Manager at the Lacytown store, Devika Ramesh noted that the business avoids purchasing

toys, which are not properly packaged and labelled.

“There is nothing out of a box or so. Everything is well labelled. People can see what they want to purchase, all the features are listed there as well; so there are not instances of persons thinking I am going to buy a toy but I don't know what it does,” she explained.

Both Henriques and Ramesh are urging persons purchasing toys and playthings for this Christmas season to look for quality products. They are also encouraging customers to read labels, which help to identify the best options for their children. To retailers, the proprietor and manager urged them to only offer for sale items, which are of quality to ensure that consumers get value for money. (GNBS' stakeholder feature)

Proprietor of Game Xpress, Sonia Henriques

PAGE 46

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 19, 2021

YOUR CHILD DESERVES...

From page 43 appropriate. Be sure to show your child how to use the toy the right way, especially if they cannot figure it out by themselves.

2. Think Large. Make sure all toys and parts are larger than your child's mouth to p r e v e n t c h o k i n g . Ta k e caution with toys that can be unassembled by children into many tiny pieces.

3. Avoid toys that shoot objects into the air. They can cause serious eye injuries or choking. If such toys are the preference of older children, make sure they understand the implications.

4. Avoid toys that are loud to prevent damage to your child's hearing.

5. Look for stuffed toys that are well made. Make sure all the parts are fitted tightly and seams and edges are secure.

It should also be machine washable. Take off any loose ribbons or strings to avoid strangulation. Avoid toys that have small bean-like pellets or stuffing that can cause choking or suffocation if swallowed.

6. Buy plastic toys that are sturdy. Toys made from thin

plastic may break easily.

7. Avoid toys with toxic materials that could cause poisoning​​. Make sure the label says “nontoxic.”

8. Avoid hobby kits and chemistry sets for any child younger than 12 years. They can cause fires or explosions and may contain dangerous chemicals. Make sure your older child knows how to safely handle these kinds of toys.

9. Electric toys should be “UL Approved” or carry any other certification mark.

Check the label to be sure.

L a s t l y , a g e recommendations on toys can be helpful, because they offer guidelines on the following: · The safety of the toy (for example, if there are any possible choking hazards) · The ability of a child to play with the toy · The ability of a child to understand how to use a toy · The needs and interests at various levels of a child's development For further information, call the GNBS on telephone number: 219-0065, WhatsApp: 692-4627 or visit the Bureau's website: www.gnbsgy.org

Sunday December 19, 2021

Tropical Shipping donates to Sophia and Redeemer Primary Schools

Tropical Staff Member, Ayanna Cameron presenting to Ms. Audrey Sue, Headmistress of Sophia Primary School.

On Wednesday December 15, last, Country Manager of Tropical Shipping, Glenis Hodge, donated vouchers to the Sophia Primary School and the Redeemer Primary School.

The presentation, according to a release from the company, occurred in its High Street, Kingston, Georgetown boardroom and will go towards the purchase of classroom school supplies since the COVID pandemic has created an additional need for school supplies for the students.

Continued on page 56

Country Manager, Tropical Shipping, Ms. Glenis Hodge presenting to Graduate DHM, Kizzy Howell of Redeemer Primary School.

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 19, 2021

New book club creates safe space to help members ‘escape’

Escapé Book Club Founder, Sameerah Mohamed Ferouz challenges, she decided she would do something about it.

As such, she sought occasions in which she can help initiate and support causes that help

Members of the Book Club during the first meeting in June 2021.

T

he onset of the COVID-19 p a n d e m i c brought along with it the popularisation of certain concepts; social–distancing, temporary lockdowns, quarantine, and isolation.

These not only placed a lull in all gatherings and social events, but it had its own effect on the mental health of the global

population as people everywhere began to experience the adverse effect that such a crisis has on various aspects of their lives.

To alleviate some of these effects, people were forced to reinvent ways to stay connected. AmericanGuyanese, Sameerah Mohamed-Ferouz is one such person. The young property manager and

entrepreneur, who was born and raised in New York, moved to Guyana in March 2020, right around the time when the country recorded its first case of the deadly virus.

Since then, she developed the idea for the Escapé (pronounced Es-capay) Book Club as part of her efforts to help people cope with the mental fatigue of the

“Reading is so important and many individuals take books for granted.

Vocabulary is increased and knowledge is gained because of books.” p a ndemic. The book club, which was launched last June now has members from virtually every part of the coastland.

Mohamed Ferouz move here came after marrying the love of her life, last August.

And as one would imagine, settling in a new country was no easy task for the newlywed, much less during a period of partial lockdown.

She shared, “I was accustomed to a fast-paced lifestyle and it was not easy settling in Guyana during this period…”

Nevertheless, the Escapé Book Club founder who believes in the infamous philosophy coined by Mahatma Gandhi “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” noted that instead of wallowing in her own

addu ce some form of positivity to the citizenry.

After exploring several ideas, Mohamed-Ferouz set aside time from the busy schedule of studying, managing several properties, being a wife, and being the secretary of the Board of Governors for St. Rose’s High School to initiate the book club.

She revealed her book club is driven by the ideal of “wanting my experiences and knowledge of being born and raised in the US to improve on certain aspects in Guyana.”

Mohamed-Ferouz said, “As you know, the pandemic had an impact on mental health all over the world and there was minimum interaction worldwide. It

[the isolation caused by the pandemic] was getting to me and I wanted to help people in similar situations in a COVID-safe space.”

She continued, “I toyed with a few ideas in my head as to how to make a difference in the lives of persons who might be feeling lonely, bored, or fed up with being shut-in. I started to think about what I enjoyed; I always enjoyed reading books growing up, however, life has gotten so busy that I hadn’t gotten the chance to sit down and indulge in one for a while.

Then it came to me. We needed to socialise in a healthy COVID-safe way. In June 2021, Escapé was born.”

As she emphasised its importance, MohamedFerouz noted that she believes that there was definitely a need for her book club.

“Reading is so important and many individuals take books for granted.

Vocabulary is increased and knowledge is gained because of books,” she added.

Though the intention of the book club was to be for both females and males, Mohamed-Ferouz said most applicants were females. “ We a c t u a l l y h a v e members that come from Georgetown, East and West

The goodies and gifts that the book club will donate to the orphange this week.

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 19, 2021

President commissions access bridge at Palmyra linking...

From page 14 see containerised traffic, direct export upgrades and will reduce cost of transport and logistics which ultimately will bring direct benefits to the consumer.

“Today, we see an investment that will lead to trickle down opportunities for transport and logistics, oil and gas services, but a critical link between the two is energy. We will have cheaper energy; we will have greater industrial development, greater manufacturing so the type of investment that we are doing will support it but it requires infrastructure development.”

Meanwhile, Minister responsible for Finance, Dr. Singh, dubbed the commissioning of the access bridge as a “momentous occasion” and noted that while the commissioning of the bridge is important for economic development to take place, “it did not just happen” but it was the foundation that was laid many years ago. He added that assurances were given by the CGX Chairman, Professor Narine that the project will be completed on time.

“We want this to happen and to happen in a hurry,” he asserted.

With the recent consecutive commercial discoveries on Block 58 in Suriname and the exponential increase in drilling offshore Suriname, coupled with the ongoing exploration and production activities on the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana and explorations wells to be drilled by CGX and others in 2021, the demand for ports servicing these operations have grown almost exponentially.

Currently, more than 75 percent of the port business servicing offshore oil and gas operations in Guyana and Suriname are provided by Trinidadian ports. However, there are cost, fuel and carbon footprint concerns for companies operating in Guyana and Suriname as the sailing time to Trinidad ports to the fields offshore Guyana and Suriname require approximately 48 hours of sailing one way, as opposed to between 12 and 14 hours from the Berbice River location for the CGX Port.

This means that significantly more fuel is consumed for services from Trinidad based ports, leading to increased carbon emissions and escalation of costs related to fuel consumption, equipment rental, wear and tear and complicated logistics. Importantly, this presents an opportunity not only for CGX, but also for Guyanese seeking to capitalise on the emerging jobs in the oil and gas industry.

Also speaking at the event was the High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, Mr. Mark Berman, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, Regional Chairman, David Armogan and President of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association, Ryan Alexander.

PAGE 49

The site where the port is located.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 19, 2021

Our Frontline Worker of this Week is…

Community Health Worker,

By Malisa Playter-Harry

Saif Ally passionate about my job.”

Ally noted that his passion for being in the health sector did not just randomly surface but b e c a u s e o f h i s grandmother’s death, he was inspired.

He recalled that he was in secondary school in the year 2011 when his grandmother had a heart attack. She was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital but by the time she got up the stairs, she stopped breathing.

He added that despite nurses being around, no one attempted to save her life and it was at that point, he vowed to join the profession and do

A

s frontline workers in the health system continue to work hard in keeping the nation safe and most importantly vaccinated against the deadly COVID19 disease, many among them have chosen to dedicate their time and energy to the people.

Many of these workers have sacrificed quality family time, personal time and even their own resources, in order to get the job done.

Saif Ally of Line Path, Upper Corentyne, Berbice, at the age of 27 is taking the health system by storm and is doing so simply because he is passionate about it.

Ally is a Community Health Worker (CHW) and is tasked with vaccinating persons in the Upper Corentyne area. He is also presently the acting head of the Crabwood Creek Health Centre, a facility that he has been working at since 2013.

Ally, who attended the Skeldon High School and graduated in 2011, said he always wanted to be in the health sector but wanted to be a doctor, a dream that he says is still alive which he hopes to one day achieve.

“Ever since I was a child, I wanted to be a health care worker, I wanted to be a doctor, but this is where I ended up, but I am thinking in the future to pursue it,” said Ally. He added that he has plans to migrate and pursue studies in medicine and eventually return to lend his skills to Guyana as a doctor.

Ally said when he heard about the coronavirus ripping through the world, he had already prepared himself mentally for when it hit Guyana, something he knew was inevitable.

He said, “When I heard about the outbreak, I knew it would come to Guyana and we would have to be ready to serve the people.”

Ally said that he was asked to be on the COVID response team to provide vaccination services and has single handily administered vaccines to approximately 12,000 persons in the Upper Corentyne area, surpassing the target of 4000 to be

“…Now I use my experience with the vaccine to convince others to be vaccinated. My job is very important, vaccinators are like the main people, without us, nobody wouldn’t take the vaccine.”

Saif Ally in work mode.

vaccinated in Crabwood Creek.

He added that while the job is a risky one, there were times when he got scared of possibly contracting the virus and exposing his

Saif Ally is our Frontline Worker this week.

family members to it.

He, however, is convinced that, “there is a God and while I was scared, I knew this was my job and if I have to risk my life for the people, I will. I am

better.

He added that he has developed such a close bond with the people he caters to that many are inclined to praise him for the dedication and passion he puts forth while executing his job.

This, he said, makes him feel good about himself and motivates him to improve and keep working for the people.

His day, with work starting at 08:00hrs and ending at 16:30hrs daily,

would usually begin at 06:00hrs since Ally noted that he would receive calls from persons very early in the morning who want to be vaccinated. Ally, notably, was the second person on the Continued on page 56

With some of his colleagues.

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 19, 2021

PAGE 51

6 dead, 3 injured in WCB 3-vehicle smash-up

Dead: Keanna Dow

Two of the vehicles that were involved in the accident.

By Malisa Playter-Harry Six persons are dead and three others injured following a three vehicle accident on the Plantation Ross public road, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

The dead persons have been identified as Joel Jacobs, 29, of Sophia, Georgetown, Gary Blair of Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Keanna Dow of Belladrum, West Coast Berbice, Jamol Lynch, 22, of Hopetown, WCB, Lindon MacFarlane, 23 of Belair, WCB, and Jashaun Saul of Belair, WCB. The injured persons have been identified as Fiona Massiah, Akeem Solomon and Brian Goodridge.

Police in a statement said that the accident occurred sometime around 03:00hrs on Saturday. They said that motorcar PNN 3536, which caught on fire, was driven by Lindon McFarlane, while PYY 4293, a Nissan X-Trail, was driven

by Gary Blair. The third car with no fatalities, PWW 208, was driven by Akeem Solomon, 30, of Lot 30 Number 4 Village, WCB. Reports are that Blair and Solomon were proceeding west, along the southern side of the road, at a fast rate while MacFarlane was proceeding east at a fast rate when a collision occurred.

MacFarlane’s car burst into flames upon collision while the two other vehicles were badly damaged.

As a result of the collision, occupants Jamal Lynch and Jashaun Saul, who were both in MacFarlane’s car, were taken out of the vehicle by public-spirited persons, along with the driver, and taken to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital where they were examined by a doctor who pronounced them dead on arrival.

The occupants of PYY 4293, Jacobs, Goodridge, Dow and Blair, were removed from the vehicle and taken to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital where Dow, Blair and Jacobs were pronounced dead on

Dead: Joel Jacobs

Dead: Gary Blair

All dead from left: Lindon MacFarlane, Jamol Lynch and Jashaun Saul. arrival. Goodridge was treated and referred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was further examined, treated and transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The occupants of PWW 208, Massiah and the driver Solomon, were removed from the vehicle and taken to the Mahaicony Public Hospital where it was discovered that the driver sustained head injuries, and the occupant, a fractured leg.

Meanwhile, sister of Jamol

Ly n c h ( d e c e a s e d ) , Ti m i k a Williams, disclosed that her brother had celebrated his 22nd birthday yesterday. She said he left home on Friday on his bicycle and sometime around 21:00hrs MacFarlane and Saul came to invite him to a bar-beque in the village.

Williams said at some point, her brother returned home and dropped off his bicycle and then left with his friends for another party at Lichfield, West Coast Berbice. It was while they were on their way there that the accident occurred.

Mother of Jashaun, Marva Saul, said that she received a call from her daughter-in-law saying that her son’s friend, Jamol Lynch, was in an accident. Marva said that in her heart, she knew that her son was also in the accident since he was always with Lynch.

Vincent Jacobs, father of Joel, told reporters that he was not aware that his son was in Berbice but that his niece called sometime around 04:30hrs Saturday and informed him that his son had perished in the smash-up.

At the scene, Milton McPherson, 73, said he was sleeping when he heard a loud impact that awoke him and his family. He said that when he peeped out, he saw what appeared to be a car on fire at the front of his gate, which is located near the Ross public road. By that time, persons from nearby had rushed out to assist but bodies were everywhere on the parapets with debris scattered everywhere.

According to Regional Commander, Kurleigh Simon, while it was determined that the cause of the accident was speeding, investigations are ongoing to determine who collided with whom first.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 19, 2021

>>>Young Entrepreneur on the Move<<<

‘Royalty Business Network’ ...CATERING FOR YOUR VEHICLE NEEDS ist…

“We looked for something that did not ex that offers there is nobody else in the community services.” auto parts, accessories and vulcanising

The couples’ establishment located in Kuru Kururu.

By Allyiah Allicock

H

ailing from the village of Kuru Kururu, which is located on the S o e s d y k e / L i n d e n H i g h w a y, husband and wife, Brian and Daniele Henry, are on the path of making a difference not only for themselves but for the people of their community by establishing a needed but very lacking service.

They are the proud owners of the very first auto parts and accessories and vulcanising business in Kuru Kururu called ‘Royalty Business Network’. This

business was something long in the making for these two but was only launched in November last year.

During an interview with Kaieteur News, Daniele said that the inspiration to start the business came from looking at services needed in the community that would best serve residents.

“We looked for something that did not exist…there is nobody else in the community that offers auto parts, accessories and vulcanising services,” the 31-year-old added.

She noted that the idea of the business was conceptualised back in 2016 but at the time, they did not

have all of the necessary resources to put it all together. Now the duo, who operates their business at the Smith’s Plaza in Kuru Kururu, offers services such as auto repairs and services for any kind of vehicles, tyre repairs and more.

Since coming into existence, the young woman revealed that their support has been nothing but positive. She noted too that they have improved a lot in services from day one, pointing out that there is still room for more. “We are satisfied with the community support and the positive feedbacks we have been getting,” she said. To

Proud owners of ‘Royalty Business Network’, Daniele and Brian Henry.

this end, the young lady said that there is a lot more they are hoping to achieve and implement with their business. Importantly, to expand services and giving customers more to choose from.

“Long term, we want to offer a wide range of tyres for people to purchase, we want to offer more parts, and also to bring in vehicles,” she mentioned.

As it is today, some of the challenges, which they face include not having a variety of parts and accessories to offer customers since they make much of what they sell.

“We don’t have the type of variety we want to have at the moment because of the fact that we don’t really have any investors; it’s just me and my husband and so, we still have a long way to go and ensure that we have things that people would walk in and ask for,” Daniele shared.

At the moment, they have only one person employed with them and this too, she noted, has proven to be a challenge. Moreover, in moving forward, they are looking to employ more people and bring about opportunities for residents in the community.

In terms of the global pandemic, she noted that just like any other business in these times, they too have been impacted.

Daniele is of the belief that young people have the gift of making a meaningful impact in the society. What she has observed is that it is often young people who see the need for services in their environment and they try to fulfil that gap. For this, she applauds young entrepreneurs. She advises those who may not be bold enough Continued on page 56

Sunday December 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 53

Interesting Creature…

Grey short-tailed opossum [Monodelphis domestica]

T

he grey shorttailed opossum [Monodelphis domestica] is a small South American member of the Didelphidae family of opossums. Unlike most other marsupials, the grey short-tailed opossum does not have a true pouch.

The scientific name Monodelphis is derived from Greek and means “single womb” [referring to the lack of a pouch] and the Latin word domestica which means “domestic” [chosen because of the species habit of entering human dwellings].

It was the first marsupial to have its genome sequenced.

The grey short-tailed opossum is used as a research model in science, and is also frequently found in the exotic pet trade. It is also known as the Brazilian opossum, rainforest opossum and in a research setting, the laboratory o p o s s u m .

Grey short-tailed opossums are relatively small animals, with a superficial

resemblance to voles. In the wild, they have head-body length of 12 to 18 cm [4.7 to 7.1 in] and weigh 58 to 95 grams [2.0 to 3.4 oz]; males are larger than females.

However, individuals kept in captivity are typically much larger, with males weighing up to 150 grams [5.3 oz].

As the common name implies, the tail is proportionately shorter than in some other opossum species, ranging from 5 to 9 centimetres [2.0 to 3.5 in].

Their tails are only semiprehensile, unlike the fully prehensile tail characteristic of the North American opossum.

The fur is greyish-brown over almost the entire body, although fading to a paler shade on the underparts, and with near-white fur on the feet. Only the base of the tail has fur, the remainder being almost entirely hairless. The claws are well-developed and curved in shape, and the paws have small pads marked with fine dermal ridges. Unlike many other marsupials, females do not have a pouch. They typically

possess thirteen teats, which can be retracted into the body by muscles at their base.The grey short-tailed opossum is found generally south of the Amazon River, in southern, central, and western Brazil. It is also found in eastern Bolivia, northern Paraguay, and in Formosa Province in northern Argentina. It inhabits rainforest environments, scrubland, and agricultural land, and often enters man-made structures, such as houses.

There are no recognised subspecies.

Grey short-tailed opossums eat rodents, frogs, reptiles, and invertebrates, as well as some fruit. They hunt primarily by scent, poking their snout into vegetation in search of prey or dead animals to scavenge. Once they find living prey, they pounce onto it, holding it down with their forefeet while delivering a killing strike, often to the base of the neck, with their sharp teeth.

They can successfully take prey up to their own size.

They are nocturnal, being

Caribbean organisations object to...

From page 16 by a State or by private individuals with State authorisation.

In such cases, notification is usually the first step towards facilitating cooperation and also permits compliance with the duty of prevention [of environmental harm].”

In this regard, the organisations agreed that to date, all of the EIAs conducted by ERM, since 2018, have identified the possibility of significant transboundary harm. Yet, all the EIAs conducted by ERM have failed to identify Guyana's legal obligations to notify and consult with potential transboundary victims before a project is undertaken.

On the other hand, the groups said that they were also not pleased that ERM's oil spill modelling, “which was done with an unrealistic worst-case scenario that heavily favours the company at an underestimated 30-day spill window”, when the Macondo deep water well took 87 days to control, “and at the very least this sets the precedent for a worst-case scenario”.The organisations

added that ERM has been in fact copying and pasting sections of their previous EIAs into this new document, without considering whether or not those assessments were done to honour the steps it had outlined regarding potential transboundary victims.

The document now says that “In the event that there is an oil spill incident that impacts areas outside the Guyana Exclusive Economic Zone, EEPGL—with support and approval from the G o v e r n m e n t o f Guyana—will work closely with representatives for the respective locations to: Coordinate oil spill response o p e r a t i o n s a n d communication between different command posts in the region; Create a spillspecific transboundary workgroup to manage waste f r o m a p r o d u c t release—including identifying waste-handling locations in the impacted regions and managing commercial and legal issues; Work with nominated spill response vessel owners/operators to identify

places of refuge in the impacted regions where vessels could go for repairs and assistance; Determine how EEPGL and the impacted regional stakeholders can work together during a spill response to allow equipment and personnel to move to assist in a spill response outside the region while still retaining a core level of response readiness within the jurisdictions; Determine spill-specific financial liability during a response to a transboundary event; and on a spill-specific basis, work with local communities within the impacted areas to raise awareness of oil spill p l a n n i n g a n d preparations”.

During the Yellowtail EIA Consultation, held on November 11, 2021, Exxon's Consultant, ERM, was questioned as to why these countries were not consulted when they stand to be impacted.

An ERM representative responded by saying that the firm was guided by Guyanese laws.

most active in the first three hours after dusk. Although they may occasionally shelter in natural crevices in the rock, they normally spend the day in concealed nests constructed of leaves, bark, and other available materials.The nests of females are more complex and tightly woven than those of males. They are solitary, coming together only to mate, and with each individual occupying a home range of 1,200 to 1,800 m2 [13,000 to 19,000 sq ft], flagged with scent marks.

The approach of another

member of the species is commonly met with hissing and screeching, which may escalate to defensive strikes launched while the animal is standing on its hind legs.

The opossums breed year round, when the climate is suitable, being able to raise up to six litters of six to eleven young each during a good year. Females only come into oestrus when exposed to male pheromones, with ovulation being induced only by physical contact with the male. Gestation lasts fourteen days, after which

the young attach to a teat, where they remain for the next two weeks. Like all marsupials, the young are born undeveloped; in this species, they are just 1 centimetre [0.39 in] in length and weigh 0.1 grams [0.0035 oz] at birth. The young grow hair at around three weeks, open their eyes about a week later, and are weaned at eight weeksGrey short-tailed opossums are sexually mature at five to six months of age, and live for up to forty-nine months in c a p t i v i t y. [ S o u r c e : Wikipedia]

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 19, 2021

Lagos party plans threatened by Nigeria Covid passports New rules that require people to confirm their Covid status before attending large gatherings in Nigeria's biggest city are being largely ignored, reflecting a general indifference towards the pandemic, despite a recent surge in cases.

While the UK added, and then removed, Nigeria to and from a travel red list over concerns about the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, life in the country carried on pretty much as normal.

Even some officials don't seem to be taking their own advice too seriously. Just 48 hours after announcing new Covid restrictions in Lagos, state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was at a statesponsored cooking show with the winner of reality TV show Big Brother Naija.

Attendees and other government officials are now required to show they're fully vaccinated (currently two doses) or proof of a negative test taken in the past 48 hours to attend such gatherings but this did not happen.

There has been a more than 500% increase in Covid cases across Nigeria since last week, pushing authorities in Lagos to introduce new restrictions.

The measures are largely targeted at young revellers preparing for two weeks of wild parties across Lagos in what is known as "Detty December". It is a period when Nigeria's Afrobeats

stars try to outdo each other with lavishly staged shows that attract thousands, while many neighbourhoods hold 24-hour street parties.

But the new guidelines are hardly being enforced, especially in the neighbourhood parties that attract hundreds, and authorities are concerned.

"Experience has shown that these events have the tendency to be super spreading events," the state commissioner of information Gbenga Omotosho said in a statement.

Mr Omotosho defended the governor's appearance at

attend.

'Malaria is a bigger problem' Around eight million people have received a first dose of the Covid vaccine in Nigeria, and only half of that number have received two doses.

But this falls far short for a country of 200 million people where the vaccine rollout has been hampered by people's indifference, the unavailability of vaccines in some parts of the country and inadequate supply.

Nigeria has largely relied on donated vaccines which authorities have had a hard time convincing people to

A covid passport in Abuja has led to queues at vaccination centres in Nigeria's capital. the food show, saying that the crowd grouped in clusters but admitted that he and others did not show proof of vaccination to

take, highlighted by plans to destroy one million vaccines which arrived in the country with less than six weeks before they expired.

Guyana Foundation, UNHCR team up to...

From page 8 Mabaruma and Port Kaituma.Access to services for these communities is limited and the delivery of aid is impeded by remoteness, lack of transport infrastructure and distances.

Assessments conducted in October and November among Warao refugees and migrant households indicate mounting needs, aggravated by the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Most Waraos have only one meal a day or less.

Lacking formal job opportunities, many of them mentioned resorting to begging, working odd jobs, often in exchange for food, selling handicrafts or depending on humanitarian assistance.

Most families also do not have access to drinking water, relying instead on rivers for drinking, as well as b a t h i n g a n d defecation.UNHCR has been delivering food

Street parties such as this in Oworonshoki, a Lagos slum, are popular in December but few are following Covid guidelines

hampers, solar lamps, mosquito nets, water purification tablets provided by the Guyanese Civil Defence Commission, and other basic relief items to some 400 Indigenous Waraos from Venezuela who are living in northern Guyana, including in the Anabisi community.

Together with partners, since 2019, “we have been distributing material assistance, providing shelter and support to access education services to refugees, migrants, and members of the host communities in this region and across Guyana to help i m p r o v e l i v i n g conditions,” said SinghBodden.

UNHCR also provides counselling, interpretation services and facilitates their access to government services, including health programmes and vaccination against COVID-19.

Across the region,

UNHCR supports national efforts to provide adequate shelter and access to food, medical and educational services for Indigenous populations from Venezuela.

UNHCR also works with the Indigenous communities to strengthen their leadership structures, preserve their identity, and protect their traditional knowledge and cultural heritage.

In the framework of the inter-agency response for refugees and migrants from Venezuela, UNHCR works across 17 countries to respond to the plight of five million refugees and migrants from Venezuela hosted in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Indigenous communities.

The Refugee and Migrant Response plan to meet the needs of the Venezuelan refugees and migrants and their host communities in these 17 countries is only 43.6 percent funded to date.

With the rising number of cases in Lagos, a city of more than 20 million people, it is hoped that the introduction of the Covid passports will force more people to get the jabs especially Nigeria's young many of whom have not been vaccinated.

But most revellers are not pleased. " W h y a l w a y s December?" asked 22-yearold Blessing Ibelema, who said she was looking forward to attending the concert of one of Nigeria's biggest stars, Burna Boy, at the end of the year.

She has not been vaccinated and doesn't intend to. Like many she says she does not understand "the fuss about coronavirus".

"If you give us a malaria vaccine you'd have people queuing up for miles waiting to get it," she said.

This comparison between malaria and Covid has become increasingly popular since the beginning of the pandemic.

According to the WHO, last year 200,000 people died from malaria in Nigeria, more than 80 times the number that died from Covid.

'Keg of gunpowder' But Nigeria's leading virologist, Prof Oyewale Tomori, has warned of the dangers of using death as a marker for Covid and has compared the country's attitude towards the virus to "sitting on a keg of gunpowder".

Prof Tomori told the BBC that that it was dangerous to play down Covid, as many Nigerians are doing now, as it might trigger hypertension or other conditions later in life.

Currently, Nigeria has officially recorded about 3,000 deaths linked to coronavirus and while it is still hard to be sure how many people have had the virus because of a low rate of testing, the fact is that the country has been spared the catastrophic number of deaths witnessed elsewhere.

Hospitals have not been overrun and some of the isolation wards built in haste because of Covid have mostly remained empty.

Strict lockdown measures imposed last year and experience in dealing with other diseases like polio and Ebola have helped Nigeria in the fight against Covid.

Social gatherings were limited, face masks were imposed, event centres were locked down and workers encouraged to work from home.

And like most other African countries, Nigeria's young population has helped it escape the worst of coronavirus. More than half of Nigerians are less than 30, and so less likely to become severely ill than older populations in some other parts of the world.

Many of these young people are not worried about Covid and consider the government guidelines a nuisance.

They rue the impact of Covid restrictions on the country's economy and the thousands of jobs that have been lost.

"My father lost his job last year in an IT firm in Lagos and has had to move to the village in the east," said Ms Ibelema.

No vaccine, no entry Yet that is why some are taking the new directives seriously - the prospect of losing millions of naira for the second December in a row is one they can't stomach.

Bartender Mercy Ikwulebgu has been vaccinated so she can continue to attend events.

But some team members grumbled that they only got vaccinated as a last resort to keep their jobs.

Covid passports are new in Nigeria and Lagos will be hoping that its guidelines are as successful as a similar rule in the capital, Abuja, which made it compulsory for civil servants to be vaccinated under the "No vaccine, no entry" policy.

The number of those vaccinated in the capital since early December has tripled, said one official.

Nigeria has also started giving out booster shots as more cases linked to the Omicron variant are confirmed.

There are still no definitive answers about how severe an Omicron infection is, though evidence so far suggests milder symptoms and lower mortality than previous variants.

That, and the authorities seemingly flouting their own rules, make it even harder to convince young Nigerians to get vaccinated.

"If the government wants a card it will get a card, but rest assured I am not getting vaccinated to attend a party," said Ms Ibelema. (BBC)

Sunday December 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

Community Health Worker, Saif Ally...

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Sales Attendant, Cashiers, Porters.Apply with application/CV and passport photo to Survival 16 Vlissengen rd,Newtown Kitty.

From page 50 Corentyne to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, but that it did not stop him from contracting the virus.

Although he contracted the virus earlier in the year, he credits the vaccine for preventing him from experiencing severe symptoms. He only lost his sense of smell and taste but regained it a few months after.

“The vaccine did a great job, the virus passed normal, I wasn’t sick and so,” he said,

adding, “Now I use my experience with the vaccine to convince others to be vaccinated. My job is very important, vaccinators are like the main people, without us, nobody wouldn’t take the vaccine,” he underscored.

There are currently three persons on the vaccination team at Crabwood Creek and Ally is advising all who would listen to take the vaccine since it helps the body to fight off the virus.

To paint a picture of Ally’s

dedication towards his job, during the first day of the Pfizer vaccine roll out in Region Six for schoolchildren, he got into an accident while he was on his way to the school with a vaccine carrier.

An individual riding an electric motorcycle rode into his path and caused him to end up in an accident. He said he suffered four fractured ribs, among other internal injuries but that did not stop him from working that day.

As injured as he was, Ally

chose to work through his injuries and help to execute the vaccination roll out in the upper Corentyne area.

Ally also applauded the efforts of the Regional Health Officer Dr. Vishalya Sharma, whom he said is always with them on outreaches and promoting unity in the workforce.

The CHW said he is proud of the role, which he plays in such a critical time and has vowed to continue working tirelessly until herd immunity is achieved.

New book club creates safe space to help...

From page 48 Coasts of Demerara as well as the West Bank, she said, adding that, “after a long week of the monotony of work; taking care of kids and family, studying, etc, members of the club can look forward to a much needed healthy environment where they can have an outlet to rejuvenate and socialise through the love of books.”

The founder revealed that from the very first meeting, she knew exactly what she wanted Escapé to be. “It would be a safe space to talk and discuss issues troubling members in their everyday lives. They would be able to bond and relate to one another, talk as they please, and relax, all while sharing their love for books.”

“Our motto is actually, ‘Let us embark on a journey of escaping by indulging ourselves in all sorts of books, discussions, and of course, a good latte! We read to escape reality, however at the same time, we read to confirm a reality we know is there, but some of which we have not experienced,” she added. The

businesswoman expressed happiness too that the membership of the club is growing. She noted that, “It started off with only a few members because of COVID. Aunty Nisa (Walker) of Oasis Cafe said she would be more than happy to host us in the private room. After a few meetings, our club grew so my Uncle Shameer who owns Ocean Spray Hotel was more than happy to let us use the hotel. We meet there once a month and we have themed potlucks depending on what month and season it is.”

Along with food, clothing, and decor to match the seasons, Mohamed-Ferouz said that Escapé decided to volunteer and execute ideas to help the community in any way possible.

“For example, she said, “during October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Escapé volunteered with the Guyana Cancer Foundation (GCF) at their Candlelight Vigil. Members also attended the High Tea and Fashion Show fundraiser for the GCF as well.”

Aside from volunteering with Escapé, MohamedFerouz also became a member of the GCF and recently assisted at the latest medical outreach on the East Bank of Demerara.

For the holidays, members of the club did a beautiful and festive-themed meeting with clothes, decor, and food.

“We had so much fun.

Since Christmas and the New Year were fast approaching, I began to think about the less fortunate kids and how Escapé Book Club can mobilise to bring cheers to them. I thought about a holiday gift drive where we can have new unwrapped gifts donated to an Orphanage,” Mohamed Ferouz revealed.

“We intend to wrap the gifts and have them personally donated to the Guyana Red Cross Children’s Home specifically to girls and boys ages two to 14. We look forward to seeing those happy faces on delivery,” she said.

The Escapé founder revealed that she is trying her best to get as many opportunities as she can for the mem-

bers.

She said, “I want them to experience great things. One exciting upcoming event that we have is a zoom meeting with the author of two of our very first sets of books. They had no idea and were completely surprised.

I had also entered a contest and won our club a signed copy of her bestselling novel. We just received our first merchandise item, tshirts.

I have big plans for Escapé and it’s only now beginning. I plan on increasing the number of members next year and possibly form a kids segment.”

As for now, the businesswoman noted that she can absolutely say that the members of Escapé are already a family.

“We not only have meetings, but we do things outside of the club. We volunteer together, have lunches together and attend events together such as CJ Couture’s Paint and Sip Party,” the Escapé founder added.

Tropical Shipping donates to Sophia...

From page 47 According to Hodge comments, “We are happy to once again provide assistance to the schools as we are aware of the domino effects of the pandemic and the challenges that the schools and students VACANCY Procurement Clerk.Contact via email(chungsvacanc y@gmail.com). Tel:218-5120 or 632-0914, between 8am to 5pm.

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are facing.

The donation will go a long way in ensuring a comfortable and rewarding learning experience for the children and in the big picture; we hope that it will make a positive impact in the community.”

Hodge noted too that the Tropical Shipping’s community donation programme focus is geared towards youth

and educational initiatives that are impactful, unique, and sustainable.

Tropical Shipping is committed to the success and wellbeing of individuals and businesses throughout The Caribbean and The Bahamas.

The Company has chosen and implemented community relations programmes to support the people and way of life in the communities they

serve.

Tropical Shipping is a logistics and shipping company that has over 50 years’ experience in transporting cargo from the US and Canada to and from the Caribbean Regions, Guyana, and Suriname.

Serving Guyana for more than 25 years, its transit time from Florida to Guyana is seven days and from Florida to Suriname is eight days.

‘Royalty Business Network’...

From page 52 to chase their ideas to “be persistent, be determined to offer your services to meet a greater need.”

When asked what more can be done in Guyana to boost small businesses, Daniele said that there should be deliberate efforts aimed at helping young entrepreneurs in particular.

Although there have

been some events which featured businesses, according to her, a lot more can be done.

She suggested that by hosting more events for small business owners, it will equip them with the necessary knowledge and understanding on how to operate their establishment.

“So I think there should be more forums where everybody can be given the chance

to learn and share their experiences with each other and that can be of great help,” the young woman added.

Persons interested in auto parts and repairs services from the ‘Royalty Business Network’ can contact the duo on telephone numbers 676-1012 or 612-5823 or email them atrbnautopartsgy@gmail.com.

Sunday December 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 19, 2021

Sunday December 19, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Police overcome spirited Orella Falcons to book semi final spot

By Zaheer Mohamed Police defeated a spirited Orella Falcons 4-0 to secure their semi final spot when the Guyana Football FederationGNWFA Women’s Super 16 tournament continued yesterday at the National Training Centre, Providence.

A goal less first half summed up Orella Falcons determination and their goal-

keeper Marsha James had an outstanding game as she ensure the game stretched into the second half, undecided.

James pulled off a number of fine saves to keep Police at bay and her heroics between the uprights caught the eyes of many.

Orella Falcons were technically sound, but their

Australia leave England reeling...

Marsha James

Martha Chance netted 80th minute for Police

Sunday December 19, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your practical nature should be appreciated under the prevailing aspects. There's a powerful force helping you in every task you undertake, and the strength of will to get things done.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) The key today is to keep things practical. Try to keep your focus and hold your ground. People aren't going to be concerned with fanciful daydreaming, so keep these feelings to yourself.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) The good news is that today you should be able to find stable ground for your intense emotions. There's aggressiveness to your nature that may manifest.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) There's aggressiveness to your emotions today. This feeling will command your attention and demand that you be stable and reasonable regarding all tasks you undertake.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Make the most of this day, because energy like this doesn't come around often.

Feel the aggressiveness in your nature that urges you to get things done.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) The day may barely get started unless you center yourself and ground your powerful emotions. Your usual detachment may help you deal with issues on a cerebral level, but today you need to be more emotionally receptive.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may have to take a break today from your time in the clouds. Touch down and deal with practical issues that you normally avoid.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your emotions are going to have a special kick today, which you're apt to take very seriously. There's a strong instinct within you that's ready to defend your sensitive feelings.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) This is a terrific day for you.

Not only are your emotions at a cyclical peak but they also have added strength that will help you stay courageous in the face of any opposition that comes your way.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Bring your flighty nature back down to Earth today.

It's important for others to have their say. Don't interrupt when they're talking.

Keep your mouth shut and your ears open.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Attend to your home today and take care of chores.

Clean the floor, do laundry.

Make lists and stick to them.

You may notice that there is a strong grounding feeling to the day that helps you stay on task.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may experience a burst of physical energy today that urges you to bring life to your emotions. Act out your true feelings at all times.

From page 60 fast as Ollie Pope went for just five and Jos Buttler was out for a duck, with spinner Nathan Lyon (3-58) and paceman Starc (4-37) doing the damage.

Ben Stokes, who required 24 balls to get off the mark, was bowled for 34 by Green after looking to up the scoring tempo once Chris Woakes (24) fell by the wayside.

Ollie Robinson (0) soon followed and Stuart Broad went for nine, while James Anderson was five not out as the innings ended painfully.

Though 237 runs to the good, Australia skipper Smith snubbed the follow-on option and told his batsmen to pile on more runs and more English agony.

Marcus Harris was 21 not out while a mix-up saw David Warner run out for 13 before the close of play.

Scores: Australia 473 for 9 dec and 45 for 1 (Harris 21*, Neser 2*) lead England 236 (Malan 80, Root 62, Starc 4-37, Lyon 3-58) by 282 runs.

lack of pace upfront prevented many goal scoring opportunities.

Following a goalless but exciting first half, Orella Falcons squandered a few chances as Queeny France, Meranda Charlie and Denisa Williams all had their efforts thwarted by Police goalie Ashantie Smith. James continued to deny Police, despite some inspiration upfront by Lakeisha Pearson, however the energetic Pearson put Police head in the 70th minute when she fired home from within the area.

Police captialised on the space provided and Martha Chance stretched her team’s lead when she found the back of the net in the 80th minute before Onika Eastman added another in the 83rd to seal her team’s win.

ECCB set Buxton as...

From page 62 Black Clubs. “He now finds himself in a bind between the President and the Sports Minister,” said the ECCB source who did not want to be named.

Record number of GFF coaches...

From page 61 this level of professional certification,” said GFF President Wayne Forde. “In the coming years, as more men and women move through the continuous and incremental licensing process that is standard practice throughout the football world, the GFF will be able to meet all of its coaching needs through local talent, including national team appointments.”

“We inherited a neglected environment for the professional advancement and training of our homegrown coaches but, with patience and investment, we are now making up for those lost years,” Forde said.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 19, 2021

Trophy Stall Annual Christmas Doubles Badminton Tournament concludes Guyana Badminton Executives, Darrell Carpenay & Marlon Chung with the Winners following the presentation.

The Trophy Stall annual Christmas Doubles Badminton tournament concluded on Friday evening after three days of action packed matched at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue.

Narayan Ramdhani and Jonathon Mangra were the champions of the Men’s Doubles, while Priyanna Ramdhani and Shivani Persaud were the victors of the Women’s Doubles. Akili Haynes & Priyanna Ramdhani copped first place for the Mixed Doubles games.

The Tournament which is the first held after the death of Guyana Badminton Association President, Gokarn Ramdhani, brings the curtains down for 2021.

Over the last week, players were involved in intense Doubles and Mixed Doubles games. The Guyana Badminton Association would once again like to express gratitude to Mr. Ramesh Sunich for his sponsorship of trophies.

The results of the tournament are as follows: The over-all results are: Men’s Doubles: 1st- Narayan Ramdhani & Jonathan Mangra 2nd- Akili Haynes & Tyrese Jeffrey 3rd- Marlon Chung & Priyanna Ramdhani Women’s Doubles: 1st- Priyanna Ramdhani & Shivannie Persaud 2nd- Anna Perreira & Christina Kumar 3rd- Ayanna Watson & Emily Ramdhani Mixed Doubles: 1st- Akili Haynes & Priyanna Ramdhani 2nd- Narayan Ramdhani & Mishka Beharry 3rd- Jonathan Mangra & Shivannie Persaud Men’s Doubles Consolation Winners: Mahender Sharma & Jason Stephney Mixed Doubles Consolation Winners: Ty r e s e J e f f r e y & Christina Kumar Results of Matches Played on Final Day:

Australia leave England reeling in Adelaide as tourists collapse once more SportsMax - Australia had a 2-0 Ashes series lead in their sights after another batting collapse by England put the hosts firmly on top in Adelaide.

The hosts led by 282 runs at stumps on day three after dismissing the tourists for 236 in 84.1 overs, with Australia electing not to enforce the follow-on and going on to reach 45-1 in their second innings.

Despite impressive contributions from Dawid Malan (80) and Joe Root (62), England’s momentum collapsed once Captain Root fell. From 150-2, they slid to 169-6, and it was damage limitation from that point.

The visitors had begun the day at 17-2, replying to Australia’s 473-9, knowing it would take a huge effort to get close to that total but determined it was not impossible.

Malan and captain Root looked to have England comfortable, steering them to 150 before the skipper fell victim to Cameron Green, edging to Steve Smith at first slip.

Malan followed Root back to the England changing room six overs later after a first wicket of the day for Mitchell Starc, another chance gobbled up

by Smith. The wickets fell (Continued on page 59)

Broadway Hotel supports GFF-GNWFA...

From page 63 being shared on the GFF’s official Facebook page throughout the competition.

The tournament, which was officially opened by British High Commissioner to Guyana Jane Miller, is promoting a campaign

against domestic abuse, under the tagline “We Rise Against Domestic Violence”.

“Together, we must work to eliminate domestic violence,” said Upper Mazaruni player Glenda Daniels.

Men’s Doubles Finals: Narayan Ramdhani & Jonathan Mangra defeated Akili Haynes and Tyrese Jeffrey 21-12, 21-18 Wo m e n ’s D o u b l e s Finals:

Priyanna Ramdhani & Shivannie Persaud defeated Anna Perreira & Christina Kumar 21-18, 21-13 Mixed Doubles Finals: Akili Haynes & Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Narayan

Ramdhani & Mishka Beharry 21-13, 21-14 Men’s Doubles Consolation Finals: Mahender Sharma & Jason Stephney defeated Matthew Klautky &

Matthew Singh 21-10, 21-13 Mixed Doubles Consaltion Finals: Ty r e s e J e f f r e y & Chgristina Kumar defeated Esa Sanichara & Priyanka Shivnauth 21-17, 21-18

Historic day as Sports Academies begin; Squash, Volleyball first to serve off

M

inister of Culture, Yo u t h a n d Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, along with Director of Sports of the National Sports Commission, Steve Ninvalle, yesterday were on hand at the National Racquet C e n t r e a n d t h e C l i ff Anderson Sports Hall, to see the start of the first-ever National Sports Academy.

The Academy will initially focus on the 12 core sports, cricket, football, athletics, basketball, table tennis, swimming, hockey, squash, rugby, volleyball, tennis and badminton. At the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue, Squash players, under the guidance of National Coach Carl Ince, began their training in what the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) President Owen Verwey called a momentous occasion.

“We’re very proud and happy to be the very first one (Association) to kick-off the sports academy. For Squash, we’re a relatively small f r a t e r n i t y, b u t w e ’ r e dedicated. So we’re focusing on delivering what we’re supposed to do for sports and for the youths in particular,” Verwey said.

Minister Ramson

Minister Ramson meets one of the Squash players at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue, yesterday. informed that facilities were a major factor in identifying the core sports and pointed to the Squash courts at the National Racquet Centre, which is said to be the only public squash court in the English-speaking Caribbean.

The facility was commissioned in 2013, but Minister Ramson noted that it was “under-utilised.”

However, under his leadership at the Ministry, the Squash Courts at the National Racquet Centre are now available, free of cost to the GSA and its members specifically for the implementation of the Sports Academy.

Meanwhile, over at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, President of the Guyana Vo l l e y b a l l F e d e r a t i o n (GVF), Levi Nedd, stated that in his over-40 years involved in the sport, he has never been part of such a programme.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) will oversee the National Sports Academy, as the Director of Sport, after highlighting the historic occasion, said the 12 core sports will be the beneficiary of the Government’s long-term investment in sports.

Ninvalle encouraged the athletes to pay full attention and remain dedicated to the

training programme during the duration of the Academy.

During a public presentation of the National Sports Academy at the inaugural Guyana Sports Conference in October at the National Cultural Centre, Minister Ramson pointed out that the nursery level will target players between the ages of 12-17.

At the tournament level, the Government of Guyana, through the NSC will earmark at least $12M annually for the governing bodies of the core sports, to support the organisation of tournaments. Aboveaverage performers, who excel at tournaments, will be selected for the elite training.

The elite training will last on average four to eight weeks and will see selected individuals dedicating themselves full-time to training. In order to achieve this, the Minister announced that a stipend would be given.

Minister Ramson said that the Sports Academy was a specific manifesto promise and reflects President Irfaan Ali’s “bottom-up” approach to national development.

The remaining core sports will continue to roll out in the next few weeks as they complete their preparatory arrangements and training.

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 19, 2021

PAGE 61

Roger Harper Ann’s Grove and Police on to next round removed as West Indies’ lead selector GFF-K&S Super 16

Action continued on Friday night in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/ Kashif & Shanghai (K&S) 2021 Super 16 tournament with Georgetown All Stars battling Police FC in the opener, while Ann’s Grove clashed with Buxton United in the feature match of the double header at the National Track & Field Center (NTFC), Leonora.

The first match was keenly contested with much spirited attacks between Police and GT All Stars, but after 120 minutes of the high intensity match ups, no goals

were scored. The Policemen eventually won via kicks from the penalty mark, 3-0, to upset the favourites, GT All Stars.

In the feature match, Buxton United went down 30 to Ann’s Grove. Clive Andries (10th minute), Aden Lawrence (20th minute) and Phillip Williams (32nd minute) netted once each to g i v e A n n ’s G r o v e a comfortable 3-0 lead during the first half.

The second period of play just called for resolute defending from Ann’s Grove that had a comfortable lead,

which they did effectively to book their spot to the next round.

Both fixtures were originally scheduled for the Buxton United FC ground but the inclement weather has forced all matches to be contested at the NTFC so far.

The GFF/K&S Super 16 is made possible by the following sponsors, Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, KFC GUYANA, Mohamed’s Enterprise, MVP Sports, Dinars Trading, DDL with Pepsi, Gatorade, Diamond Water, Statement Investment Inc.,

HJTV & 94.1, Stars Party Rental, Namilco, Capelli Sports, Fireside Grill N Chill, Cevons waste M a n a g e m e n t , To n y ’s Jewellery Store, Daphness Foundation of New York, Ground Structural Engineering, Fast Lane Auto Spares, Bakewell, Pegasus Guyana, C MOBILE, Jim’s Variety Store, New GPC Mr. Bobby Ramroop, Secure Innovation and Concept Inc, SIMEXTRA TRADING G U YA N A , S u p e r i o r concrete, Fitness Express, Banks DIH and Rose Ramdehol Auto Sales.

Head coach Phil Simmons will take temporary charge of selection responsibilities, along with the team’s captains in the various formats

Officials and coaches participating in the Concacaf ‘C’ license Certification programme at the Academy Training Centre.

Record number of GFF coaches pursue CONCACAF ‘C’ license The Guyana Football Federation’s Technical Department has accelerated i t s e ff o r t s t o u p s k i l l homegrown coaching talent, with a record number of Academy Training Centre, GFF and national team coaches starting the journey towards Concacaf ‘C’ license certification.

Fourteen coaches, including U20 Men’s Team Head Coach Wayne Dover, Golden Jaguars Assistant Coach Charles Pollard, GFF Coach Education and Development Officer Lyndon France, GFF Goalkeeping Coach Eon DeViera and Head Coach for the domestic-based Lady Jags Akilah Castello, began the multi-module course during December.

The first part of the “blended learning” programme, facilitated by Anton Corneal, Concacaf Coaching Educator and former Technical Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association, involved online theoretical lessons followed by practical sessions with players at the GFF National Training Centre between December 1 and 7.

“The GFF is committed to investing in the

development of local coaches to drive improvements throughout football, from grassroots level to senior national teams, and we are delighted to see such a strong appetite from our talented coaches to upskill and realise their own potential with the formal Concacaf structures of coaching qualifications,” said GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood.

“Having more coaches at this level of certification means that our national coaching philosophy and pathway will be strengthened over the longterm, increasing the pool of talent we have available for the impactful delivery of our programmes, for national team duties and for technical opportunities within the GFF,” Greenwood said.

The internationallyrecognised license will give participating coaches the skills and knowledge to design and deliver effective coaching sessions for a wider range of players and scenarios, especially for youth football development t h r o u g h t h e G F F ’s nationwide network of Academy Training Centres.

“It’s a blessing to be able

to access a course of this nature and it will definitely improve and strengthen my ability to teach the game of football. It also means that the Technical Director and the GFF see me as an asset to the development of this sport in Guyana,” said Castello.

“This course will provide information that would allow me to deliver coaching sessions targeting not only individuals but relationships between a bank of players.

It’s definitely a step forward and I’m excited about this new growth in my career.”

Georgetown Football A s s o c i a t i o n Yo u t h Development Officer and course participant Colin Nelson said the certification would enable him to “gain the knowledge and experience necessary to accomplish my goals”.

“This course means a lot to me because I aspire to make a difference in football as a coach-teacher and in the lives of the persons I intend to teach,” Nelson said. “I know that, for me to reach those heights, I need the knowledge and experience necessary to reach my full potential.”

“This course is helping my development as a coach by arming me with the tools

and knowledge necessary to lead and teach positively,” he added. “It has also given me a platform to challenge myself mentally because of the amount of information and perspectives from the instructors and other coaches.”

After inheriting an ecosystem of coaches with no valid qualifications in 2015, the Technical Department has since enabled the progress of an all-time high 61 coaches to ‘D’ license or ‘C’ license level, alongside three Guyanese Concacaf coaching instructors, as well as introduced a coaching philosophy and pathway to ensure a uniform approach to football development across the GFF’s nine regional associations. The number of coaches with ‘D’ license or ‘C’ license certification will increase to 75 as a result of the current course.

Assistant Technical Director Bryan Joseph and GFF Coach Mentor Sampson Gilbert are working their way towards qualifying as Concacaf ‘B’ license coaches in 2022.

“I want to congratulate this cohort of coaches for stepping up and striving for (Continued on page 59)

Roger Harper has a chat with Kieron Pollard. (AFP/Getty Images) ESPNcricinfo - Roger Harper’s two-year term as West Indies’ chairman of selectors will be coming to an end on December 31 with the board unwilling to renew his contract. Having taken up the job in late 2019, the teams that Harper selected won five out of 16 Tests, 11 out of 21 ODIs and 14 out of 39 T20Is. Selection became a hotbutton topic for West Indies at the recently concluded T20 World Cup, where Jason Holder was not among the original 15-man squad to take part in the tournament.

T h e f o r m e r c a p t a i n ’s performances in the IPL - 16 wickets at an economy rate of 7.75 - only added to the scrutiny.

Named as a reserve player, Holder was eventually brought into the squad after they lost their first two games of the tournament where West Indies went in as defending champions and went out with just one win. Chris Gayle was at the centre of another controversy around selection when he went after Curty Ambrose for suggesting he wasn’t an automatic pick in the West Indies team anymore.

CWI will begin looking

for a new lead selector in January. Until then, head coach Phil Simmons will take temporary charge of those responsibilities, along with the team’s captains in the various formats. That’s Kraigg Brathwaite for Test cricket and Kieron Pollard for limited-overs assignments. Jimmy Adams, CWI’s Director of Cricket, will oversee the process.

“I would like to thank CWI for the opportunity to serve West Indies cricket in the role of lead selector and I wish the organisation the very best for the future,” Harper said. “I would also like to thank all those whose efforts and cooperation helped me to perform my role efficiently.”

Miles Bascombe, who served with Harper, has also been terminated.

“We want to thank Roger and Miles for their work and dedicated services to West Indies cricket in the last two years, as members of the Men’s Senior Selection Panel,” Adams said.

“Selecting West Indies teams for international competition is a very challenging assignment, and both gentlemen performed their roles with transparency and dignity.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 62

ECCB set Buxton as a venue for President Ali’s Unity Cup

Sunday December 19, 2021

Hannah Rampersaud

- But Sports Minister says only Football will be played there The Buxton cricket pitch is being resurfaced.

Buxton ‘Carl Hooper’ CC President Essie Peters

By Sean Devers All is set for the start of the Unity Cup along the ‘Corridor of Unity,’ which includes several villages along the East Coast Demerara. The cricket tournament is the brainchild of His Excellency President, Dr. Mohamed Irfan Ali President Ali in February of this year announced that several communities along the East Coast of Demerara will benefit from a pilot project to enhance unity as Guyana moves forward with a singular objective of growth and development for all.

The communities targeted are Lusignan, Enterprise, Buxton, Foulis and Golden Grove. The Head-of-State made it his mission to personally inform the residents of the plan according to well-placed sources inside the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) which is led by GCB and DCB President Bissoondyal Singh, fixtures state that the Buxton ground is one of the venues as home ground of the Buxton Cricket club which was formed in 1997.

However, according to President of the Buxton ‘Carl’ Hooper’ Cricket Club,

Essie Peters, who is an executive of the ECCB, the Sports Minister Charles Ramson Jnr. disclosed that the Buxton ground would be developed into a Football facility.

“Mr Singh helped us with funds to resurface our pitch but now we are confused since the President is fully behind the Unity Cup which includes the Buxton cricket Club who are the defending champions in the Elizabeth Styles First Division Cricket tournament. So it is very confusing when we heard Minister Ramson say Buxton is a football ground,” explained Peters.

When contacted for a comment, Singh could not be reached, but sources inside the ECCB say their President is firm supporter of cricket in Buxton.

“We have been playing cricket at the Buxton ground for many years and although we have to share the ground with the Footballers the venue has a pitch and a sightscreen which makes it a cricket ground. We have no problem sharing the ground with Football,” continued Peters.

Peters says although

Minister Ramson said only Football will be played at the Buxton ground he has not sent any correspondence to the ECCB or the executives of the Buxton ‘Carl Hooper’ Cricket club which is registered with the ECCB. Acting Secretary of the Club, Marvin Cato, pointed out that the Buxton ground is a part of ancestral lands and belongs to the community.

“The Sports Minister has not met us and I doubt that he will. This is not just me or Mr Peters but all Buxtonians who have an interest in cricket are against the minister preventing us from using our ground. Let me make clear that we are not against Football being played there but that only Football will be played there.

This is a community and no Government…PPP or Apnu…can stop us from using a Community ground.

If football is the only Sport to be played there, then not only cricket will suffer but other sports that are played there like Volleyball and basketball. If all cannot benefit then nobody should benefit,” added Cato.

Peters said that $15million is reportedly

Sean Devers conducts a coaching session at the Buxton cricket Camp.

Marvin Cato being spent on the venue but nothing was given to the cricket section, which is Guyana’s number one sport.

“The Minister bypassed the ground committee and NDC and only consulted with one group. I believe this is about politics. We will continue to fight and continue to do our pitch. If we can’t play cricket at Buxton, where will our team practice?” Peters asked.

“The Minister has never met with the cricketers or given them anything. The young cricketers have done a lot for this community and will not give up our ground just like that,” Peters noted.

The ECCB source says they feel sorry for their President who he said does a lot for East Coast cricket and would often also assist the (Continued on page 59)

Hannah Rampersaud aiming to take the bikini stage by storm today

T

he story of a 20 year-old, Hannah Rampersaud, a single mother of one child, aspiring to become a professional body builder makes for fascinating reading.

Prior to July of 2021, the budding Ms. Bikini contestant never lifted a single dumbbell, let alone exercising of any sort. But as faith would have it, a visit to the SleepIn International Hotel Gym on Church Street, brought with it an undying love for the sport which Ms. Rampersaud hopes would transform into a fruitful career.

At the SleepIn Gym, her eyes, like any new comer would be cast on the various persons doing their thing.

Even before hitting the gym to exercise, Ms Rampersaud revealed that she would admire body builders locally and on the internet and developed a love for the sport.

One day during her exercise routine, her eyes would stick on a particular individual, a former national athlete who she would eventually strike up a conversation with in her own inquisitive way as she sought

information on how to become better. That was the conversation and moment that would motivate her to being where she’s currently at; with an encouraging career beckoning.

M s . R a m p e r s a u d ’s transformation from July to now has been very encouraging and that would all unfold this evening at the National Cultural Centre when she competes against some seasoned campaigners at the Guyana Body Building and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) Senior National Championships.

She would be contesting the Miss. Bikini competition and said that she would be taking things in stride come competition night.

“This is a good test for me, I am so looking forward to this challenge and to be competing against other athletes who I am sure would make me a better athlete and push me to do better and go further in a career that I have chosen.”

The sky is the limit for this confident athlete, the stage at eh National Cultural is all set and ready to welcome Ms. Hannah Rampersaud to the world of competition.

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 19, 2021

GFF-K&S Super 16 Cup - Powered by KFC Guyana

PAGE 63

RHTYSC, MS Cricket teams Christmas Charity Programme 2021

Namilco, Imran Amjad, Ministry of Natural Resources, DeSinco, Ansa Mcal, Fitness Express among donors on board Buxton United’s goalie Oswin Fredericks is beaten by Ann’s Grove United’s Phillip Williams (not in pic) at Leonora on Friday night last. (Franklin Wilson photo)

Bartica and Leonora to host male and female Super 16 double headers today Fans are in for respective double treats today when the Bartica Community Centre Ground and the Leonora Track and Field Facility host male and female matches in the ongoing year-end GFF-K&S Super 16 Cup and GFF Women’s Super 16 Festival.

Bartica All Stars will entertain Essequibo All Stars in both male and female encounters.

The winner of the male shindig scheduled to kick off at 20:30hrs will earn a Christmas Day quarter-final date with Western Tigers which defeated Rupununi in their Round-of-16 match.

The female match between the two GFF Regional Member Association teams will get underway at 18:00hrs with the winner set to play on Christmas Day at the same venue in a

final eight game. The stakes are high in both matches as the players are all harbouring ambitions of moving on with an eye on the big prize. Over at the Leonora Track and Field Centre Football Field, the Den Amstel based Foxy Ladies will open their campaign in the GFF Women’s Super 16 Festival when they come up against Lethem in what is anticipated to be a keen contest from 18:00hrs.

This would be followed by the main attraction of the evening when Santos Football Club match skills with Den Amstel in the GFF-K&S Super 16 Cup from 20:30hrs. The winner of this clash will move on to face Fruta Conquerors in quarter final play.

Broadway Hotel supports GFF-GNWFA Women’s Super 16 Festival Broadway Hotel has signed up as the latest partner and sponsor of the historic Guyana Football Federation-Guyana National Women’s Football Association Women’s Super 16 Festival 2021.

The hotel company, situated on Broad and Charles Street in Georgetown, made a financial donation to the first-of-its-kind tournament and urged corporate Guyana to get behind the return to competition for senior female players.

“I want to encourage other private sector organisations and companies to support and, for those who have contributed, to keep supporting the Guyana Football Federation,” said Broadway Hotel General Manager Junica Pluck.

The company joins NAMILCO, the GFF International Support Group, Grand Coastal Hotel, Golden Taste Seafood, the Eon DeViera Goalkeeping Academy, Oraul Transportation Service, BACIF and The Consulate as a corporate sponsor of the event, which offers prize money of more than $1 million.

Broadway Hotel General Manager Junica Pluck hands over their contribution to GFF President Wayne Forde.

“We are delighted that corporate Guyana has stepped up in this unprecedented way to support the return of women’s football and this important step forward in our women’s competitions programme,” said GFF President Wayne Forde. “I would like to offer our sincere thanks to Broadway Hotel for their generous donation and for their longterm partnership with the GFF as we seek to develop of football for all communities across Guyana.”

The Women’s Super 16 Festival features eight teams from hinterland regions and is currently in the first round stage of its straight knockout format, with matches being played at the GFF National Training Centre (NTC) in Providence,

Leonora, Bartica and St. Cuthbert’s Mission.

So far, Swan FC, the GDF, GT Panthers and Fruta Conquerors have progressed to the quarterfinal stages.

Yesterday, a double header at the NTC featured Santos against New Amsterdam United and Police versus Orealla.

Today, December 19, Foxy Ladies will face Lethem at the Leonora Track and Field Centre at 18:00 hours, while Bartica will play Essequibo All Stars at the Bartica Community Ground at 18:00 hours.

All participants, including players, coaches, match officials, media, staff and fans are required to show proof of vaccination to attend the tournament’s fixtures in person, with live match updates and coverage (Continued on page 60)

The plans of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club MS cricket teams for the hosting of their biggest ever Christmas Charity programme continues to attract support from friends of the club. The teams under the supervision of the management of the club would be hosting a series of activities during the festive season to make a positive difference in the lives of the less fortunate and children from single parent households.

The teams have already hosted a feeding programme where hundreds received a box of food and refreshments, while thousands of toys have also been distributed to groups across the county. The teams also sponsored a two hours Christmas Concert at the St Francis Roman Catholic Church in Port Mourant. The Concert was attended by dozens of church members who were entertained by a wide array of artistes including the Council of Friends of New Amsterdam Musical Band.

Overseas based Guyanese businessman Imran McSood Amjad, founder of Naglico and his wife Rena donated US$3,000 to assist hundreds of students with school bags, exercise books, pens and other educational materials.

The educational packages would be distributed via cricket clubs across the county and the New Amsterdam Council Band.

Other upcoming activities would include the sharing out of 7000 toys, one thousand food hampers and hundreds of special Christmas Hampers.

The teams would also be handing out hundreds of Christmas Breakfast to

Sarah Savory hands over donation of milk to RHTYSC Secretary Hilbert Foster. senior citizens, while several persons would receive a financial grant to assist them to develop their homes. A fifty five years old resident of Warren, No 19 Village, received a financial grant to assist him to construct a septic tank for his home, while another seventy years old female of Tain received assistance to purchase a bed.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster noted that the club over the last week received donations of toys, food items and finance from a wide array of friends including NAMILCO, DeSinco Trading Ltd, HA Snacks Co Ltd, WR Enterprise, Ansa Mcal { G U Y } L t d , To u c a n Industries, Bounty Farm Ltd, Ministry of Natural Resources, Fitness Express, Food for the Poor and Len Craft. Donations were also received from national players Leon Johnson,

Gudakesh Motie and Chris Barnwell who donated boxes of apples for the special packages project.

The seventh edition of the RHTYSC Christmas Village would bowl off on the 22nd of December and would end on the 24th with very strict covid 19 guidelines in place. The cricketers under the supervision of Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu are working around the clock to complete preparation for the village.

Naidu also expressed thanks to all the donors for their assistance.

The twelve cricket teams of the RHTYSC are Poonai Pharmacy under 12 and 13, Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Bakewell u17 and Second Division, Pepsi U19 and Intermediate, Metro Females, Vitality Inc Under 23 Namilco Thunderbolt under 21 and first division.

Fitness Express Jamie McDonald hands over his contribution to Hilbert Foster.