Kaieteur News

AIETEUR Show us Exxon’s Saturday Edition NEWS response plan for possible well blowout - UG students, in 4th Yellowtail project lecturer, others Natural Resource Fund Bill 2021…

K

December 25, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 49

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 65,759

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

PPP/C setting stage for corruption, borrowing frenzy, and spending sprees p.24

- rushing to pass legislation within days

Ramroop’s New GPC gets more than half of Govt.’s - Audit $8B drug purchases Report

Mr. President...

Our Christmas could have been better than this had we gotten our fair share.

…33 other suppliers share remaining contracts

The entire Kaieteur Family extends a Joyful, Peaceful and Blessed Christmas Holidays to ALL OF YOU...!

Next Edition on Tuesday

New law to give Pres. Ali dangerous control over oil money - Analyst cites frightening reduction of oversight mechanisms PPP moving to Parliament on Wednesday to legalise thievery of our oil money. Hear more about it on The Glenn Lall Show today at 3pm on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday December 25, 2021

Saturday December 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

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New law to give Pres. Ali dangerous control over oil money - Analyst cites frightening reduction of oversight mechanisms

I

nternational Consultant and CoDirector of Energy Practice at Americas Market Intelligence (AMI), Arthur Deakin is of the firm conviction that the PPP/C Government's Natural Resource Fund Bill 2021 gives a worrying degree of power to the President which is not catered for in the existing law.

In his latest commentary, Deakin wrote, “The proposed Natural Resource Fund legislation is concerning.

Although the original law gave too much power to the Minister of Finance, the new law simply transfers those powers to the President.”

Deakin flagged the fact that the oil money will be controlled by a Board of the Directors with no less than three and no more than five members, all of whom would be appointed by the President.

The analyst also raised concerns about the fact that government has done away with the 22-member Public Accountability and Oversight Committee and replaced it with a 13-member version, all of whom would be appointed by the President with no clear confirmation process.

To e n s u r e p r o p e r accountability, the CoDirector said, members should be selected by nonpolitical institutions.

Either the private sector or multilateral organisations, and confirmed by the National Assembly.

Overall, Deakin said the bill has moved towards less oversight, instead of more.

Over the past two weeks, Kaieteur News has been at the forefront of exposing several weaknesses of the Bill which include a noticeable absence of consequences for the misuse

or abuse of the oil money that can be withdrawn for e m e rg e n c i e s o r g r e e n economy initiatives.

When Guyana had pursued the creation of its first NRF legislation back in 2018, it was warned to have clear penalties or the fund could run the risk of failing to serve current and future generations.

This advice was provided by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), which also cited numerous examples from around the world of how often Natural Resource Funds become easily mismanaged, and the perpetrators go unpunished.

The 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) fund, established in 2009, has proven to be a major source of alleged c o r r u p t i o n a n d mismanagement. Designed

to attract investment into Malaysia through joint ventures with foreign firms, 1MDB acquired over US$11 billion of debt by 2014. Among its more suspect transactions are a US$1 billion investment in a Saudi oil company in 2009 which has gone missing; funds that were diverted in 2012 from an Abu Dhabi state fund to a firm in the British Virgin Islands (a secrecy jurisdiction); and US$4 billion that has been misappropriated from Malaysian state firms.

Malaysia, the US, Switzerland, Singapore and the UK are still trying to unravel the web of corruption and money laundering schemes that are related to the fund and robbed current and future generations of their wealth.

The Azerbaijani and Iranian funds are other

examples of extra-budgetary funds, which have been used to fund the legacy projects of political parties instead of being prudently saved for future generations.

In Azerbaijan, for instance, government authorities have used the State Oil Fund (SOFAZ) to directly finance strategic government projects, such as the railway between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey.

These expenditure items were not subject to the same reporting or public procurement requirements as those financed through the regular budget process, nor were they subject to as much parliamentary oversight.

In Iran, that country's US$40 billion National Development Fund provided loans to private-sector companies, cooperatives and economic enterprises owned by non-governmental

AMI's Co-Director of Energy Practice, Arthur Deakin

institutions through agent banks. While the fund managers did not provide information on the specific investments, news reports revealed where they actually went.

I m p o r t a n t l y, t h e executive directly controlled the fund and, therefore, some decisions bypassed normal budgetary and parliamentary procedures.

Taking the foregoing into account, among other cases of blatant mismanagement, Guyana was urged to have “clear consequences for malfeasance.”

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Kaieteur News

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creased cortisol (also produced by the adrenals during times of stress), this can leave you feeling tired, anxious and blue. High levels of androgen hormones also make it harder to lose weight – particularly bad news at this time of year.

A simple daily meditation practice is a great place to start. [3] Or choose another activity which enables you to relax such as yoga, walking, listening to music or reading a good book. It doesn’t matter too much what the activity is.

The key is that you find it relaxing. Aim for 20-30 minutes a day, but if that feels too much then 5-10 minutes is fine too – something is better than nothing!

Try to see it as time dedicated to looking after your health, rather than another item on your to-do list.

6) Plant power While they may not scream party food, the phytoestrogens in foods such as chickpeas, flaxseeds, oats, lentils, alfalfa and apples are great at keeping androgen hormones in balance. Basing your daily diet around nutrient-rich plant foods will help to support you during those times when you are not able to make such healthy choices.

Many of the traditional winter vegetables are nutrient power houses and are cheap and easy to find at this time of year.

Red cabbage, broccoli and even the humble Brussel sprout are great options. Substituting sweet potatoes for

the traditional roast potatoes will increase your vitamin intake and thanks to their low GL count, they are less likely to spike your blood sugar.

7) Happy gut, happy hormones Looking after your gut health is essential if you have PCOS. [4] Fermented vegetables like sauerkraut, kimchi and traditional red cabbage help feed the healthy bacteria in your gut. They also go really well with turkey leftovers or other cold meats.

Making simple swaps can mean you can enjoy dessert too: use natural or dairy-free coconut yoghurt sprinkled with cinnamon instead of ice cream to boost your friendly bacteria and keep the sugar content low.

8) Get your beauty sleep Regular, deep, nourishing sleep is essential for healthy hormone balance. This is particularly true for women with PCOS, as adequate sleep helps to reduce insulin resistance. [5] However, getting enough can be tricky at this time of year.

No one likes to be the first to leave, especially when you are having fun with friends or loved ones. However, when you do have the opportunity for an early night, take it. Do you really need to stay up and watch the next episode of the latest Netflix boxset? Save the later evenings for spending quality time with your nearest and dearest and on the other nights choose to nourish your health by getting a solid eight hours. If you have

a noisy household invest in a good set of ear plugs and an eye mask to help you sleep.

Limit smartphone and TV use in the hours before bed as the blue light from these devices can disrupt your hormones and make it more difficult to nod off.

9) Treat yourself as you would a friend Although this is the last point, it is perhaps the most important.

The best way of keeping your health on track over the festive season is to look after yourself.

This means treating yourself as you would a loved one or friend. Rather than beating yourself up if you stray from your healthy eating goals, use it as an opportunity to practice kindness to yourself.

If you indulge one day, enjoy it! Then endeavour to start the next day afresh.

The irony is that putting unnecessary pressure on yourself or piling on the guilt can leave you feeling stressed, which can aggravate PCOS symptoms in itself.

Instead, give yourself permission to enjoy the festivities and spend time with loved ones and people that make you smile.

Your hormones will thank you for it!

Christmas is a time for you to relax, and enjoy time away from work with loved ones and to remember all the good things you are blessed with in life.

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.

Eyes on Tufton, Chang, Montague...

From page 12 move in the two ministries which could cost the JLP the next election, but Chang in health and Samuda in charge of security could work,” the source argued.

Robert Montague could also find himself shifted, based on the number of questionable incidents under his portfolio, but after trying him at national security, agricul-

ture, and his present portfolio of transport and mining, Holness could be forced to keep the powerful party chairman in his current post.

Holness could also use the shuffle to say goodbye to veterans Karl Samuda, who is in charge of the labour and social security ministry; and Audley Shaw, who recently had agriculture and fisheries added to his industry and

commerce portfolio. “It’s uncertain as to what will happen to the education portfolio, which is key to the PM based on his history, but recent missteps by the minister, Fayval Williams, could see her in trouble, although I expect the PM will hang on to her,” said the source who added that Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte could be shifted to the Ministry of Jus-

tice with Delroy Chuck being reassigned.

“I expect the PM to announce the changes early in the new year because it is clear that he has been working on it for some time and had it not been for the Christmas holiday the changes would have been announced already,” declared one source.

Show us Exxon’s response plan for possible...

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From page 46 with hunger, so make sure you have a large glass of water at least 30 minutes before a meal or before heading to a party to avoid any mixed messages.

4) Be savvy with your tipple Alcohol can be hard to avoid at this time of year, yet as a form of sugar it can play havoc with PCOS symptoms.

Does that mean you have to abstain completely? Not necessarily. Just as with food choices, the answer is in the planning. Avoid drinking on an empty stomach as this will spike insulin levels and lead to further hormone imbalance.

Eat a protein-rich meal or snack before you plan to drink and match every alcoholic drink with a glass of water to stay hydrated.

Choose your drinks wisely, avoiding high sugar mixers, and focus on quality not quantity.

A glass or two of a drink you genuinely enjoy is a much better option that knocking back cheap alternatives for the sake of it. So opt for the best you can afford and really savour it.

5) Keep your stress levels in check Not an easy one this, especially as the big day approaches. However, managing your stress is key to maintaining a healthy hormone balance and keeping PCOS symptoms in check. Stress affects your adrenals, which in turn triggers an increase in circulating androgens in the blood. [2] Coupled with in-

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gas-to-shore project, which will feed off the combined resources of the ExxonMobilled Liza Phase One and Two projects.

Kaieteur News had reported that development costs for the Yellowtail project are poised to exceed US$9B or GY$1.8 trillion.

Exxon said the costs are expected to be higher since

there would be a greater number of development wells and associated drilling costs when compared to its Payara project, which will also cost Guyana $1.8 trillion.

According to project documents, Yellowtail will consist of drilling approximately 41 to 67 development wells (including production,

water injection, and gas reinjection wells); installation and operation of Subsea, Umbilicals, Risers, and Flowlines equipment; installation and the operation of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel in the eastern half of the Stabroek Block; and— ultimately—project decommissioning.

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Kaieteur News

Why Exxon and the ABC not speaking out against PPP/C? DEAR EDITOR Sadly, the major oil companies Guyana, chiefly ExxonMobil and representatives of the ABC governments, are in bed with the current administration for the sole purpose of extracting as much oil, gas and money from Guyana as the PPP allows.

In fact, these corrupt officials helped the PPP to secure an electoral victory, not because they like the PPP, but because of their own interests in profiting from Guyana’s oil and gas resources.

The ABC governments have a mountain of evidence of PPP corruption and human rights violations; therefore, they have more leverage to direct the show from behind the scenes.

The PPP must in turn act accordingly, otherwise many

of their leaders will be sanctioned and court jail time.

For all of their tough talk, do you ever notice that these government officials are seldom on the frontline? Instead, they rile up the population using racist innuendos and tactics to pit Indo-Guyanese against Afro-Guyanese and employ the criminally inclined to do their dirty work.

In the end, Guyana will end up worse than Venezuela with the PPP Government. It will take time, do not concern yourself with all the grand spending that is publicised by the current PPP Government.

All this is doing is putting Guyana into more debt, mortgaging the wellbeing of your grandchildren, great grandchildren, their children and subsequent generations and distracting the masses

The Private Sector Commission is the business arm of the PPP/C

DEAR EDITOR, Imagine the Private Sector Commission can claim with a straight face to be an “independent organisation” and politically unbiased when its current Chairman was on the PPP/C party list for the 2020 elections and is now Chairman of the government-run GuyOil, its past Chairman is National

Security Advisor, its corporate coordinator was a PPP/C Minister and its treasurer is now a politically appointed diplomat to Washington.

Please stop this tomfoolery. The PSC is the business wing of the PPP/C. Yours sincerely Francis Newton

from the plans being developed and carried out.

I close with this, ask yourself why we haven’t heard from any of the oil companies, especially Exxonmobil and the ABC countries through their representatives in Guyana about the dangers of removing the protective measures in place to guard against Government corruption and misuse of our oil and gas revenues?

For all his shortcomings and naivety, former President David A. Granger always put Guyana and Guyanese first.

This is the principle reason he and by extension the APNU-AFC Coalition were fooled by the ABC countries into thinking they were supportive of them.

Regards C. Singh

“Weh de money deh, nuh?”

Dear Editor, In the earlier of this twopart critique of Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund Act (2019), I drew attention to two issues.

First that the way in, which deposits are made into the Natural Resource Fund means that the NRF is like “the tail” wagging “the dog” of Guyana’s national finances.

Second that the declared purpose for which the NRF was established went far beyond what a sovereign wealth fund can do.

In effect, the NRF was envisaged as Guyana’s main bulwark against “Dutch disease”, a macroeconomic task that it, alone, really cannot achieve. But there is more than just these matters at issue.

So, what ELSE is wrong with the NRF? Well, the leadership of the Fund is

Dr. Ramesh Nauth...

From page 4 of Guyana. So far, he has successfully treated thousands of patients in Guyana and beyond its borders.

In the English speaking Caribbean region, Dr. Sugrim is the most accomplished physician in the treatment of Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), commonly known as “stroke”.

Normally, people throughout Guyana refer to him as the “stroke doctor”.

In 2020, he valiantly battled against a COVID-19 infection in New York, USA. After months of hospitalisation, he won the “battle”.

Without any delay, he hurried back to Guyana to continue delivering health care to the people.

His motivation to offer professional medical service to the sick is fuelled by his love for his job, the experience of his arduous upbringing and his humanitarian and religious convictions.

Accumulating wealth does not bolster this passion.

From time to time, he has been offering optimum services even to those without money.

Such generosity tran-

Saturday December 25, 2021

scends the boundaries of race and politics.

The revered medical doctor is a licensed Marriage Officer and a devout Hindu who has been active in the Arya Samaj movement.

He performs at Hindu religious functions in his community, and records his own music for pleasure.

The life story of this accomplished doctor can be titled, From Rags to Riches.

It was certainly no easy road for this once poor “country boy”, who never gave up in pursuing his dreams.

Focus, dedication, discipline and the full and unrestricted support of his wife have brought him through.

He selflessly lives to be of service to others.

Who can disagree that this doctor is justly qualified for a suitable national award?

The residents of the Corentyne and his large constituency of patients are in support of my call. I humbly and passionately petition the relevant authorities to do justice to Dr. Ramesh Nauth Persaud Sugrim. He deserves such award. Ab samay aa gaya hai! Now is the time!

Sincerely, Rennie Chester Inniss

unhelpfully intertwined with other government institutions.

This is evident if one cuts to the chase by considering the scenario, “It’s all gone wrong, who can I fire?” A practical answer is not at all clear.

Article 11 of the Act states, “The Minister (of Finance) shall be responsible for the overall management of the Fund ...”! Further, Article 12 adds, “The Bank (of Guyana) shall be responsible for the operational management of the Fund ...”! So, the answer to the “who can I fire” question is either;a) the Minister of Finance, with the likely attendant collateral damage to the responsibilities of the Minister’s “day job” that includes management of the nation’s finances and preparation of the Budget, or, b) the Governor of the Bank of Guyana, again with likely collateral damage to the management of the Government’s bank accounts, the stability of the Guyanese dollar and the regulation of the banking sector that provides financial fuel for the economy.

The issue is further compounded by Article 4, which states “All investments made pursuant to this Act, including those managed by private managers, shall be held in the name of the Bank ...” Now we can see the underlying problem.

The Act does not establish the Fund as a separate, legal, corporate entity.

As such, it doesn’t have to have a manager that is, at least legally, distinct from Government.

It doesn’t even have to have its own bank account.

That really cannot stand!

In a more conventional arrangement, the Act would establish the Fund as a legal, corporate entity.

That entity would be led by a Fund Manager with the requisite financial, technical and organisational skills.

The Fund would be supervised by a Board of Directors responsible for the fulfillment of its purpose and, in particular, ensuring that the Fund’s Investment Policy is delivered. There would be an Investment Committee respon-

sible for ensuring the technical implementation of the Investment Policy and for supervising Risk Management.

The Fund Manager would be a member of both the Board of Directors and the Investment Committee.

The Fund would keep its own operational accounts but there would also be a Fund Administrator (usually an independent corporate entity) that maintains the official accounts of the Fund.

The Administr tor also provides administrative, compliance and related services.

The Fund’s Auditors (another independent service provider) would conduct the annual audit of accounts.

The Fund would also engage a legal firm to help navigate the increasingly complex body of financial legislation in different jurisdictions.

There are some elements of this structure in the Act, but they do not fit together well in the absence of the Fund’s status as a legal, corporate entity. The Fund’s entanglement with extant governmental entities only makes things worse by confusing a leadership structure that should be quite simple.

Having criticised three major flaws in Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund Act (2019), I must draw attention to the Act’s admirable strengths in reporting and transparency.

Part III of the Act, “Public oversight of the Fund”, details reporting arrangements for the fund that are suffused with an ethos of transparency. Its formulation of the nation as being embodied in the President, Parliament and People of Guyana when it comes to formal reporting of the Fund’s activity seems strikingly appropriate and must be commended.

The Natural Resource Fund, Guyana’s sovereign wealth fund, will be a critically important part of the nation’s macroeconomic and financial infrastructure post Oil. It is right that an urgent and rapid effort was made to establish it. That first effort, though, has flaws that need correction. The current administration presented another version of the Act earlier this month.

That version has not been well received by commentators.

I wonder if the new, revised Act is the product of a genuinely “bi-partisan” process informed by analysis of the 2019 Act and the experience of successful sovereign wealth funds and their architects.

Yours sincerely, David Pollard Pollards Et Filles (Guyana) Inc.

Saturday December 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Saturday December 25, 2021

Local Content Bill 2021 Series Pt.6

Oil companies to report use of Guyanese goods and services by value not volume - Must provide annual breakdown of salaries and positions given to citizens Oil companies and their subcontractors will soon have to provide a series of plans to the Government's Local Content Secretariat which detail how they intend to increase employment, procurement and capacity development over a period of five years. A statement on the estimate of the value of local content rendered to Guyana on an annual basis would also be required.

With respect to the Employment Sub-Plan to be submitted, the government will instruct that it has the following: (a) A forecast of the hiring needs or training needs of a Contractor, Sub-Contractor or Licensee which includes: · A specification of the skills and competencies needed; · The anticipated shortages of skill sets in the Guyanese workforce; · The specific training and competency requirements; · The anticipated expenditure that will be incurred by the C on tra ct or, Su bC

By Kiana Wilburg ontractor or Licensee in implementing the forecasted Employment Sub-Plan; · A timeframe within which the Contractor, Sub-Contractor or Licensee will provide employment to Guyanese nationals for each phase of their petroleum operations; and (b) Programmes for – · Accelerated industrial and technical education and training for Guyanese nationals and Guyanese companies consistent with the performance standards of the Contractor, Sub-Contractor or Licensee; · Ensuring that first consideration shall be accorded to Guyanese nationals having the relevant qualification and experience: Provided that where a Guyanese national has the relevant qualification but does not possess the requisite experience, that Guyanese national shall benefit from necessary training, and work, alongside a non-Guyanese national who will serve as a coach or mentor for a period determined by the Minister, after consultation with the Secretariat; · Ensuring that equal treatment and opportunity be afforded to all Guyanese nationals irrespective of race, political opinions, colour,

creed, age, disability, marital status, sex, gender, language, birth, social class, pregnancy, religion, conscience, belief or culture or geographical location in Guyana; and · Enhancing the skills of Guyanese nationals that will allow Contractors, Sub-Contractors or Licensees to meet the minimum local content levels set out in the First Schedule.

Oil companies and subcontractors will also be mandated to provide a half yearly report on: · Employment and training activities for the reporting period, including the percentages of managerial, technical and nontechnical staff; · A comparative analysis of the Employment Sub-Plan and the employment and training activities to monitor compliance; and · The number of Guyanese Nationals employed during the reporting period, their job descriptions and salary scales.

Kaieteur News

Saturday December 25, 2021

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY! In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated SUNDAY 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!

MONDAY The news is that Exxon will supply the national grid with solar power.

Exxon takes billions (US$) and gives Guyanese this piece of baccoo charity.

We w i l l t a k e t h e blackouts and darkness, just give us back some of our own billions.

Don't insult us with these pennies of charity.

TUESDAY GPL now needs another

our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecency in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

US$1.3B. Guyanese that is billions and it is in United States money (G$200 to US$1).

At the rate things are going, by the time this oil and gas production is done with us, we will all be paupers.

Guyanese will be reduced to being beggars, thanks to the PPP/C and PNC Governments.

WEDNESDAY This is a real upsidedown country. The EPA said with authority and finality that the slick on the seas is not from oil.

Yet, the same local EPA is calling on devastated fishermen for help. The shameless and helpless EPA is now depending upon the same people, whose livelihoods they are destroying.

When the EPA stands up for foreign interests, Guyanese pay the harsh price.

THURSDAY Some experts want the Yellowtail Project to be scrapped.

We think this Government should also be scrapped.

We take this further: Guyana's political leaders should all be sent to the scrap-yard.

That is how useless and harmful they are to us.

FRIDAY A more recent casualty of national political corruption is the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. $150 million was spent to fix sections of this heavily used highway.

Yet it is flooded again, and nobody is being penalised.

Here we are again wringing our hands and lamenting about flooding while allowing the same corrupting ways to go on, without a care.

Guyanese: we need to do our part in reporting. It is t i m e Y O U D O SOMETHING! SATURDAY Everybody is spreading Christmas cheer.

If Guyanese get their fair share of this oil, they will make their own fabulous Christmas cheer.

If we get what belongs to us from our rich natural resources, we will have yearlong Christmas cheer.

Christmas comes boys seh...

Dem

once a year!

Dem boys wan wish one and all a very Merry Christmas.

Dem wan thank everyone fuh tolerating dem boys fuh another year. De bad news is dat dem boys gan still be here next year and de year after.

Dem boys bin hoping dat by now things would have been restored to normalcy and dem boys could a do de things dat dem boys like do over the holidays.

But we had another year of de pandemic and it look as if dem variants plan fuh keep busy in 2022.

But we only gat we self to blame.

People vulnerable and nuff ah dem stubborn. Dem listen to all kind ah nonsense and dem hesitant fuh tek de vaccine, More dan 1000 persons drop dead locally dis year from de COVID-19 coronavirus.

So dem boys gat fuh remember all ah dem wah pass away dis year and sympathise with dem families.

Dem gat nuff families wah sad dis year, including dem wah lose loved ones from sickness and accident.

But dem boys know

Guyanese can still try fuh eat dem nice food, drink dem nice drink and enjoy time with dem family and help dem in need.

After all wat would Christmas in Guyana be like without dese things.

And Christmas does only come once a year.

Dem boys gan also be praying fuh a peaceful holiday weekend and fuh safe entry into de New Year.

While people gan celebrate dem must nat frighten dem dogs and cats with de firecrackers.

Merry Christmas to one and all!

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Kaieteur News

Saturday December 25, 2021

Regional examination body’s grades delay hindering students (Barbados TODAY) Scores of teens are approaching the Christmas holidays with no final grades from the Caribbean Ex amin atio n s C o u n cil (CXC) for exams taken during the previous academic year.

Local stakeholders including the Group of Concerned Parents, the Barbados National Parent Teacher Association and the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) are fast losing their dwindling confidence in the regional body.

In separate interviews and statements, they warned that many of the discrepancies identified in the controversial 2020 results have resurfaced.

Making matters worse, is the delay in reviewing and regrading the “erroneous” results, preventing the award of Barbados Scholarships and Exhibitions, and hindering those desirous of studying abroad.

“It’s a replication of the issues from last year, not to the magnitude of last year, but at the heart of it is that grading is clearly erroneous and that there are clear issues with the grading output and unfortunately, if CXC is left to review itself, it doesn’t give comfort to the stakeholders that there’s any independence and that any issues are being properly addressed,” said president of the Group of Concerned Parents Paula-Anne Moore.

At a recent BSTU meeting with officials from the Ministry of Education and representatives from the CXC , numerous concerns were raised by the union.

They include reports of markers and moderators being hired who may not possess the necessary qualifications and experience in the subjects that they mark and moderate.

Concerns are being raised over an unusually high number of students, including high achievers receiving “ungraded results”, and grades far below their accustomed standard. CXC’s ORS (online registration system) and general computer system seems ill-eqipped and continues to experience difficulties, especially in the receipt of the tens of thousands of school-based assessments from across the region. This is contributing to the ungraded and below standard grades received by too many students, the union said. The union also queried

Paula-Anne Moore the apparent disparities between teacher predictive grades and final grades. The BSTU also raised the fact that there were errors in the construction of some papers in the 2021 exams and concerns that some of the questions were outside the scope of the syllabus and the broad topics given by CXC in specific subject areas.

In fact, the union contends that the teachers themselves are now saying that they no longer know the methodology for marking the SBAs and are questioning whether CXC’s moderators use the same marking schemes outlined in the teachers’ subject syllabi.

“There are also queries as to the qualifications of persons hired to mark/moderate papers and SBAs. Previously the marker had to be a teacher with at least two years experience teaching the specific subject to the level corrected,” said BSTU president Mary Redman. “ T h e r e c e n t advertisements do not reflect those prior qualifications/pre-requisites and reports are reaching us of university students and nursery school teachers, among others, correcting the exam papers. What are the implications of this and to what extent has this contributed to the numerous queries regarding uncharacteristic grades and demands for reviews? “ she asked.

Earlier this month, the chairman of the CXC, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles commended the council’s employees for their commitment and work ethic over the last year. But he insisted the group must continue to learn from the missteps.

“From time to time there are missteps, but that is the magnificence of being a human. In your willingness to serve, in the willingness to move ahead and to move Continued on page 51

Saturday December 25, 2021

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Eyes on Tufton, Chang, Montague - as PM Holness signals Cabinet shuffle ( J A M A I C A OBSERVER) Christopher Tufton, the minister with responsibility for health and wellness has emerged among political watchers as the most likely to be reassigned when Prime Minister Andrew Holness shuffles his Cabinet early next year.

Political watchers yesterday zoomed in on Tufton’s ministry and the Ministry of National Security following confirmation from Holness that a shuffle of his Cabinet is looming.

Prime Minister, Andrew Holness

For weeks there have been whispers of a pending reassignment of ministers, and yesterday Holness confirmed that the changes were coming, 15 months after his party was elected for a second term in Government.

According to Holness, a revamp of his Government is likely, but he would not give a timeline just yet.

“It is necessary and, like any other organisation, you have to look at the horizon, see what is coming, look at your current situation, your current deployment of your human resources, and figure out how to change that to be able to respond to what is coming on the horizon,” Holness said in response to questions from veteran journalist Cliff Hughes on Nationwide News Network yesterday.

“We have been doing that as a Cabinet,” added Holness, who also indicated on the radio programme that the local government elections due in February next year could be further delayed.

Minutes after Holness ended his interview with

Hughes, the speculation started with one Jamaica Observer source close to the Administration willing to bet his house that the first shift would be Dr Tufton.

“It is clear the Chris is being led astray by the technocrats and it is obvious that the PM will move him to an area where he has more expertise, like industry and commerce,” said the source.

That opinion was shared by another source close to the Administration who claimed that there had been a number of foul-ups in the management of the COVID19 crisis by the health ministry which had angered Holness.

“There is no question that Chris will be shifted, but the problem the PM will face is that the right man for the job in the health ministry is Dr Horace Chang, and the question is whether the PM will want to move the deputy PM from that post, even though he has a capable understudy in Matthew Samuda,” added the second source.

“That would mean a Continued on page 51

Saturday December 25, 2021

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THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

My wife and I have Black role models in Guyana What was Christmas like when I was growing up in colonial Guyana? The business folks were mostly Portuguese merchants who imported foreign goods that we bought because there were no local alternatives.

Independence came in 1966 and both Prime Minister, Forbes Burnham and Opposition Leader, Cheddi Jagan sought to cultivate a culturally Third Worldist outlook among Guyanese. Both of these two gigantic leaders at the time advanced the paradigm of an alternative to western models that would rely on local industries.

Simultaneous with the rise of the emphasis on local industries in Guyana, there emerged in the global halls of academia, the persuasive theory of Core and Periphery in global capitalism. Brilliant professors in economics around the world argued that the new independent countries should disengage from the world capitalist system because it is inherently disadvantageous to Third World producers.

The books on the theory of Core and Periphery were phenomenally persuasive and one of its best productions was from Guyanese UG professor, Clive Thomas. His 1974 magnum opus was: “Dependence and Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n : T h e Economics of the Transition to Socialism.”

Two years later, I became a research assistant to Thomas to earn a living when I was expelled from UG for refusing to do compulsory national service. I mean it when I say I am still heart broken when I think of how much I politically and academically admired Thomas. Today, words cannot describe my revulsion of him.

Out of this new economic paradigm in global economics came an effort by the UN body named UNCTAD to sort out the unevenness of global trade.

This was because Third

World leaders, led by Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, were insisting on a transformation of global trade.

Out of the efforts of UNCTAD was born the North-South Dialogue where leaders from the capitalist core and the Third World periphery would meet to sort things out. The first one was held in Cancun, Mexico.

President Burnham represented CARICOM. He took centre stage because of his satirical appearance. He wore high top purple boots that reached almost to his knees, purple shirt-jac and purple trousers.

I was at the University of Toronto doing my doctorate and my friends ran into the lunch room shouting, “Fred, Fred look your president.” It was clear to many that by 1982, Burnham was losing his marbles. He died less than two years after; a death that literally saved Guyana from a horrible descent into the chasm of Hades. Two years before, he had ordered the assassination of Clive Thomas' best friend, Walter Rodney.

Guyana and the Third World have declined in incredible ways since the crazy dress style of Guyana's insane dictator, Forbes Burnham. Burnham was on track with his “buy local campaign” but it failed because people hated him so much that they ignored the many virtues in many of his policies. Why would you respect your president who goes riding on horseback in south Georgetown pelting cassava sticks at people and telling them to plant them?

Today, Guyana is perhaps the leading country in the Third World where local products are scorned like a rotting animal on the parapet.

What I saw this season is nothing short of the pathetic psychology of a nation in the 21st century.

I saw a line that was long and winding that it looked like the stallion that reached for the sun in that beautiful hit song of the 1970s, “Could it Be Magic” Barry Manilow

(Donny Summers has a phenomenal disco version of that song that you should dance to on Old Year's Night).

It was at an outlet on Campbell Avenue between Middleton Street and Sheriff Street. This place sells only imported fruits and vegetables. What a sad, tragic tale of lost souls.

What I saw in the supermarkets this Christmas season began to tantalise my

mind intensely. Is this the mentality of a billion Indians in India and the continent of Africa? Do they frown on local fruits and vegetables the way we Guyanese do here?

There can be nothing more pathetic this Christmas season for me to watch than that line on Campbell Avenue and how ordinary Guyanese (not only the wealthy ones) shopped in the supermarkets.

The days of Burnham, Jagan,

North-South Dialogue, buy local campaign are dead and gone.

Let me end with an attempt at satire. On Frederick Kissoon Christmas Eve, I was at the m a n Plaisance Market buying lives.

That is my nickname fruits when a gentleman for David Hinds. came up to me selling neatly (The views expressed in packed black-pudding. I read the label and it said, “Made in this article are those of the Arizona, USA.” I exclaimed: a u t h o r a n d d o n o t “what!” That is the state in necessarily reflect the the US where black-pudding opinions of this newspaper.)

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Saturday December 25, 2021

>>> ENCOURAGING EVENTS, DISTURBING DEVELOPMENTS <<<

AUBREY NORTON:

He must fulfill, not fail; he must deliver, not disappear Aubrey Norton waited a long time for this day in his life. Now he must not waste a moment longer to fulfill the huge trusts placed in him.

The margin of his victory conveys the degree of internal disenchantment, a combination of the regrets over the other main contender, and surging hope in the many promises the

winner made. I wish Mr. Harmon well as he fades into the political twilight, in these last hours of a long leadership year that was characterised by what is best left unsaid.

Now the spotlight switches to Mr. Norton. This new PNC leader. This Guyanese in whom so many have invested so much.

Once Mr. Norton rises to the challenge in the ways anticipated, I foresee a seachange in the local political dynamic. I am ready to give credit, should he only deliver on key aspects of his personal promises.

One must be management of these national resources, of which oil stands at the pyramid’s peak.

He must not fail, for if he does, then the game is up, the goose cooked, and Guyanese will be served each other to devour on a platter. For then, they would have nothing left, but those who stand before them as reminders of how it all went wrong with this oil, starting with themselves, meaning each of us.

For this, too, has been the way of skeletal Third W o r l d societies forced to scramble for crumbs, with citizens brutalising each other in the process.

This is while greed-infested political leaders and their counterparts in the private, civil society, and religious sectors gorge themselves s i c k e n i n g l y.

This is increasingly the way in Guyana, and the main political opposition has been a study in the shambolic, the sorry.

Mr. Norton can change all of that, if he is true to his word. He must not turn out to be like that other leader, of whom I wrote last Sunday, namely, His Excellency, the President. Guyana’s head of s t a t e d i d m a k e commitments, which he failed to deliver on in substance or what makes any sense. I gave him too many benefits, all of which he squandered, since his leaders (Guyanese and American) schooled him on the way things are, and how he must be. I live with that loss, which I can manage.

My bigger concern is for those Guyanese who cannot manage, who depend so much on the putrid promises by many leaders, of which the incumbent is the latest in the line.

In identical fashion, with fingers crossed and with breath indrawn, I give Mr. Aubrey Norton, the new PNC leader, the same spaces and opportunities to make good, to manifest that he is the real thing, and not just one more empty Guyanese talking head leader, and nothing else.

These oil rampages and oil rogues layered throughout our society must

By GHK Lall be brought in check, worked with, made to get much, but with insistence that they give all other Guyanese some more. More than they see now, more than they will ever get if PPP Government leaders and their cronies hold unchallenged sway.

This wealth belongs to all Guyanese, and none should ever forget that for a moment, including the unborn and uncelebrated.

In addition, he has some serious fence building to embark upon, of which he must be consistent and the genuine article, if only to get to the political Holy Grail that dangles before him. It is national leadership of a ruptured society; a distrustful people, an adversarial environment, all of which he must overcome.

His mantra and mission must be: Together we succeed, apart we are a depleted, dying breed. I don’t think he can do worse than those who went before him, those across the political aisle, which is as good a start as any.

But from there he must build, for that is not good enough. I lend my voice, my voice and shoulder to his efforts. He must perform, as promised. He must deliver, as declared.

To all Guyanese: a thoughtful holiday season, and a hope-filled, rewarding New Year.

(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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The Private Sector Commission is partial The Private Sector Commission is partial: it is partial to its own interests, and should rightly be so. No one expects that ACDA should not be partial towards Africans interests or that the Indian Arrival Committee should not favour policies which promote the interests of Indians.

There are some trade unions which leave little doubt about their partisanship. But the private sector has no permanent friends, only permanent interests.

During the reign of the PPP in 1961, sections of the private sector were concerned about the possibility of Jagan turning Guyana into a communist state. This was the narrative which Britain and the United States were fomenting.

The then local private sector saw communism as the greatest threat to their properties. They were afraid that the PPP would seize their properties and turn Guyana into another Cuba, even though at the time, Castro had not transformed Cuba into a communist state.

As such, sectors of the local private sector contrived to topple Jagan by siding with western imperialism and its local lackeys including Forbes Burnham who was on the CIAs payroll.

That local private sector ran from the frying pan into the fire. By 1976, Burnham had effectively marginalised and miniaturised the private sector, leaving only a small band of family-owned businesses which opportunistically ingratiated itself with him and his undemocratic regime.

The business class needed him since he controlled the import licences, access to foreign exchange and could unleash the taxman on them. It was in the interest of this business class to be indulgent towards Burnham and his paramount party.

When Burnham began to run the economy into the ground and was forced to raise domestic capital, he launched National Defence Bonds. Private sector firms felt obligated to support this drive, more out of fear of

attracting Burnhams disfavour.

As the economic crisis deepened into the 1980s, a new breed of entrepreneurs arose. And they too saw their interests tied to the government of the day.

By the time Desmond Hoyte commenced the liberalisation of the economy, the private sector was firmly in his corner. Yes, they were firmly in Hoytes corner. Some of them even formed a grouping called the Committee for the ReElection of the President (CREEP).

Logically, the then private sector supported Hoytes decision concerning the removal of trade restrictions, the liberalisation of the foreign exchange markets and the privatisation of state enterprises. It was in the private sectors interest to support these things and they did so because these measures set the stage for a return to a free market economy.

The PPP/C came into office in 1992 and the private sector stuck with its

traditional posture of supporting the government of the day and the countrys market reforms including the establishment of private banks. They pressed and obtain concessions for retooling and recapitalising of businesses. It was in their interest to do so. The private sector was not being partisan. It was simply protecting their interests as they have always done.

The APNU+ AFC came into office in 2015 and adopted an indifferent relationship with the local private sector. Associating the private sector relationship with the former PPP/C governments as being pro-PPP/C, the Coalition did not actively cultivate strong relations with the private sector.

But, the private sector did not abandon efforts to seek benefits under the APNU+AFC. It was able to wrest limited tax reforms from the Coalition government and even went as far as praising the government for adhering to s o m e o f i t s recommendations.

However, the private sector was equally concerned about the burdensome taxes which were imposed by the Coalition, including on electricity and water and on other items. As such, their relationship with the APNU+ AFC was not as close as that with the PPP/C. This intensified the perception within the Coalition that the Private Sector Commission was politically aligned.

Then towards the end of its first-term, the Coalition began to show signs of authoritarianism. This was bound to cause concern within the private sector, especially since many private sector firms began to complain about a massive slowdown in business.

It was logical that when the actions of the Coalition threatened constitutional rule and democracy that the Private Sector Commission would be opposed to such moves. Constitutional safeguards and democracy are necessary to protect private property and the free market economy. It therefore

was in the Private Sector Commissions interest to stand up against breaches of the Constitution and the rigging of elections.

The PNC/R is therefore correct when it asserts that the PSC is biased. It is biased in favour of business interests, as it ought to be.

Despite the recent criticism it has faced from the new PNC/ R leader, the Private Sector Commission has reason to be genuflecting before the Opposition party.

Nothing has changed in the PNC/R except its leadership. The jumbievoting narrative is still alive and kicking in the PNC/R, and so long as that mindset exists, nothing good can come out of the party’s elections.

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

Show us Exxon’s response plan for possible well blow-out in 4th Yellowtail project - UG students, lecturers, others

Oil giant ExxonMobil is gearing up to kickoff oil production in its fourth project, the Yellowtail development, offshore Guyana by 2025, but in making its preparations, the company’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) which will be undertaking the project, has failed to outline how it plans to tackle a possible well blowout, which could have severe impact not only on Guyana, but several other Caribbean nations.

In this regard, a group of University of Guyana (UG) students, along with lecturers of the institution and several others have said that Exxon must tell the people of Guyana, how the company plans to respond to such an event.

The group made these assertions in their submission to the Environmental Protection A g e n c y ( E PA ) o n t h e Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) document of the Yellowtail development.

The team comprised of Immaculata Casimero Chairperson, Aishara Toon Women’s Association, Frederick Collins, Karen de Souza Coordinator, Red Thread, Udel Edwin -Supervisor, Atta Rainforest Lodge/Iwokrama Canopy Wa l k w a y, S i n i k k a H e n r y University of Guyana, Anna Iles

Administrator, A Fair Deal for Guyana, Melinda Janki Director, Justice Institute Guyana, Tamara Leah Student, University of Guyana, Mihaela McRae Woodlands Hospital, Neal Millar Programme Coordinator, South Rupununi Conservation Society, Kimesa Mingo Student, University of Guyana, Homa Naraine -Forest R a n g e r, G u y a n a F o r e s t r y Commission, Gerald A. Perreira National Coordinator, Organization for the Victory of the People, Uma Prashad Student University of Guyana, Varun Singh Student - University of Guyana and Charlene Wilkinson - lecturer, University of Guyana, among more than a dozen others.

They reasoned, “The proposed Yellowtail project is in the Stabroek Block which is located in the Amazon-Orinoco influence zone, an area of high biodiversity.

The Yellowtail development project proposed by EEPGL involves wells that would be drilled at great depths. This ultra deepwater drilling is extremely dangerous and carries the risk of a well blowout like the Macondo/Deepwater Horizon catastrophe in 2010 which killed 11 people, devastated wildlife populations and destroyed livelihoods.”

While also pointing out that billions of US dollars could be

associated with such an event, the group added, “A well blowout would be a catastrophic event that could damage/destroy marine ecosystems in Guyana and the Caribbean.”

But even though this project is likely to impact other nations, they have not been consulted on the project.

The Environmental Resources Management (ERM), the Consultancy firm hired to prepare the EIA document for EEPGL, said that, “In the case of a deep-sea blowout, as was the case during the Deepwater Horizon incident, the source of sediment contamination may not be limited to only the oil that reaches the surface.” In fact, “Small oil droplets from the rising plume may divert and become trapped at certain depth layers and continue to travel horizontally with the currents.”

Although the damage due to a well blowout can be astronomical, the Consultancy Firm did not see it fit to outline how it intends to approach such an occurrence.

Instead, the document merely highlights in Section 3.2.5 that robust preventative measures have been implemented. ERM assured, “… apart from blowout preventers on the wellhead, there would be drill string, tubing, and/or other equipment that would be in the wellbore during a well-control

event, which would partially constrain and restrict flow from the reservoir. EEPGL’s well-control philosophy is focused on blowout prevention using safety and risk management systems, management of change procedures, global standards, and trained experienced personnel.”

In Section 2.5.4 of the document, the Consultancy firm added, “ExxonMobil’s wellcontrol philosophy (and those of its affiliate EEPGL’s) is focused on blowout prevention using safety and risk management systems, management of change procedures, good international oilfield practice, and trained experienced personnel.”

It noted that special emphasis is placed on safety, well control, and environmental protection, which includes “proper preparation for wells (well design, well-control equipment inspection, and testing), detecting an influx early, closing-in the well efficiently in such a situation (for which personnel training and proficiency drills are conducted), and circulating-out kicks with weighted drilling fluid in a controlled manner.”

It also went on to highlight key aspects of well control that will be implemented during the drilling operations at Yellowtails. These include designing wells and drilling procedures based on site-

specific data and integrated pore pressure prediction; installing blowout preventer (BOP) equipment as a secondary wellcontrol mechanism and frequently inspecting and testing the BOP and control system; and installing redundant well-flow monitoring devices, among others.

In this regard, the advocates told the EPA that Exxon must present a response plan to a well blowout.

In fact, the group questioned, “If a well blows out, how long will it take for EEPGL to bring a capping stack to the well? How long will it take for EEPGL to fit the capping stack to the well? Who will EEPGL employ to transport and fit the capping stack? How will EEPGL remove from the ocean, the oil that surges into the ocean from a well blowout? (and) How much money will be set aside to pay for the costs of clean up?”

They also noted that details should be provided with regard to the number of boats EEPGL will require for a cleanup, and more importantly, they asked, “Will EEPGL pay compensation to the Caribbean islands for damage to their fishing and tourism industries?”

If it receives the blessings of the PPP/C Government, ExxonMobil’s fourth oil project in Continued on page 51

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Deeper integration of CARICOM countries cannot wait

By Sir Ronald Sanders The destruction by tornadoes of Kentucky, a south-eastern State of the United States of America (US), on December 12, has lessons for the countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), as 2022 dawns amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and weakened economies.

One of the lessons is that those member states of CARICOM that continue to insist on CARICOM remaining “a community of sovereign states”, each pursuing separate policies – sometimes to the detriment of each other – are marching down the road to perdition, as the facts of their situation substantiate.

Many of the sovereign states of CARICOM would not be solvent if it weren't for the official development assistance they receive.

Their sovereignty is constrained by the extent of their financial and economic dependence for which they pay a price. Curiously, some of them prefer to pay a price to external powers, than to pool their individual sovereignty into a common autonomous authority with their CARICOM partners in order to build greater strength and resilience.

Why should people in other US States, such as Texas or New York, care about the devastation of

Kentucky?

After all, Kentucky's representatives in the US Senate, Mitch McConnel and Rand Paul, fiercely resist the US federal government. They want to maintain power in Kentucky's governor and legislature, just like some governments of CARICOM countries insist on their “sovereignty”.

Kentucky is a state within the Union of 50 states that comprise the US. If the US federal government does not use national resources to aid Kentucky to rebuild, the State will fall into unemployment, poverty and crime. It would eventually become a failed state. People would flee to find livelihoods elsewhere and investors would shift their money to functioning economies.

The Federal Government could not allow Kentucky to fail, not even with the likes of Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul favouring state power over federal authority.

If Kentucky were left to fend for itself, it would become a weak link in the US chain, making the country vulnerable and exposing it to security threats.

The Federal Government rallied to provide immediate relief to Kentucky, and to committing huge sums of money to its rebuilding and recovery, because the United States is one nation. It is not a group of sovereign states.

If the US were just a community of independent states, as are the members of CARICOM, it would not be the world's greatest economic and military power. Instead, 50 states would exist – some stronger and better resourced than others, but each of them much weaker individually than they are as a single nation, and certainly none of them a force in the world.

In fashioning their independence, the original 13 countries (then British colonies) debated a union with a strong federal government or a collection of independent and disparate States. They settled on a strong Federal government precisely because they recognised that only by joining their collective resources would they be sufficiently strong to resist England, France, Spain and other European powers that would have kept them dependent and in thrall.

From the beginnings of CARICOM, governments, haunted by the collapse of the West Indies Federation caused by ambitious and manipulative local politicians determined to be big fish in small bowls resisted the Union that would have reduced their vulnerabilities, enhanced their resilience, and made them economically stronger.

What is striking about the years 2020 and 2021 is

that the greatest success of the 'sovereign' states of the Caribbean Community came from joint institutions and collective action.

No country in CARICOM would have battled COVID19 without the Caribbean Public Health Agency; none would have responded quickly enough to natural disasters without the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency; and none would have mobilised insurance relief without the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility or the emergency resources of the Caribbean Development Bank. As it is, despite the help of regional agencies, almost all of them now have large debt burdens and recovery will be long and hard, except for Guyana with the addition of considerable oil and gas wealth to its traditional resources of agriculture and precious metals.

R e c e n t l y, G u y a n a ' s President Irfaan Ali, talking to the private sector in his country, declared that “Regional integration and other 'fancy talk' cannot be taken seriously unless the current (trade) barriers are removed”.

He is right about that.

CARICOM claims to be a Common Market, yet the countries have erected trade barriers against themselves, while opening their markets to the European Union and

the United Kingdom with little trade benefits in return. After almost 50 years of e x i s t e n c e , CARICOM is still not a Common Market and is far away from a Customs Union. The much vaunted 'single market and economy' has become a fading aspiration.

But, it is not only trade barriers that should be torn down. CARICOM and its purposes need to be reconsidered, reworked and redirected. No one should be satisfied with its current condition; all should be ready to revamp it.

It is most likely the case t h a t C A R I C O M governments are still not ready for the more perfect union that could help to insulate each CARICOM country from the severe challenges that lie ahead in 2022 and beyond. However, if the last two decades have proven anything, it is that individual sovereignty is not the answer to the economic progress or resilience of the member states of CARICOM. Like Kentucky, they lack the financial and resource capacity for effective resilience.

In this connection, the CARICOM Treaty needs revision now. The mistakes of its last revision should not be repeated. Implementation

Sir Ronald Sanders machinery must be established to oversee the completion of a Common Market, including freedom of movement of all people just as there is freedom of movement of capital. There should also be clear compensatory mechanisms for those states that dismantle protectionist policies.

Countries that cannot sign up to these necessary actions should not delay the integration of others; they should step aside and consider joining later.

If CARICOM is to be meaningful to the lives of its member countries, deeper integration cannot wait.

(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

Interesting Creature…

The Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) Today, just because it's Christmas, we are featuring the reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) also known as the caribou in North America. It is said to be a species of deer with circumpolar distribution, native to Arctic, subarctic, tundra, boreal, and mountainous regions of northern Europe, Siberia, and North America. This includes both sedentary and migratory populations. It is the only representative of the genus Rangifer. Herd size varies greatly in different geographic regions.

R. tarandus varies in size and colour from the smallest subspecies, the Svalbard reindeer, to the largest, the boreal woodland caribou. The North American range of caribou extends from Alaska through the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut into the boreal forest and south through the Canadian Rockies. The barrenground caribou, Porcupine caribou, and Peary caribou live in the tundra, while the shy boreal woodland caribou prefer the boreal forest. The Porcupine caribou and the barren-

ground caribou form large herds and undertake lengthy seasonal migrations from birthing grounds to summer and winter feeding grounds in the tundra and taiga. The migrations of Porcupine caribou herds are among the longest of any mammal. Barren-ground caribou are also found in Kitaa in Greenland, but the larger herds are in Alaska, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

The Taimyr herd of migrating Siberian tundra reindeer (R. t. sibiricus) in Russia is the largest wild reindeer herd in the world, varying between 400,000 and 1,000,000. What was once the second largest herd is the migratory boreal woodland caribou (R. t. caribou) George River herd in Canada, with former variations between 28,000 and 385,000. As of January 2018, there are fewer than 9,000 animals estimated to be left in the George River herd, as reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The New York Times reported in April 2018 of the disappearance of the

only herd of southern mountain caribou in the contiguous United States with an expert calling it "functionally extinct" after the herd's size dwindled to a mere three animals. After the last member, a female, was translocated to a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Canada, the caribou was considered extirpated from the Lower 48.

Some subspecies are rare and at least two have already become extinct: the Queen Charlotte Islands caribou of Canada and the East Greenland caribou from East Greenland. Historically, the range of the sedentary boreal woodland caribou covered more than half of Canada and into the northern states of the contiguous U.S. Woodland caribou have disappeared from most of their original southern range and were designated as threatened in 2002 by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

Environment Canada reported i n 2 0 11 t h a t t h e r e w e r e

approximately 34,000 boreal woodland caribou in 51 ranges remaining in Canada (Environment Canada, 2011b). Siberian tundra reindeer herds are in decline, and Rangifer tarandus is considered to be vulnerable by the IUCN. Arctic peoples have depended on caribou for food, clothing, and shelter, such as the Caribou Inuit, the inland-dwelling Inuit of the Kivalliq Region in northern Canada, the Caribou Clan in the Yukon, the Iñupiat, the Inuvialuit, the Hän, the Northern Tutchone, and the Gwichʼin (who followed the Porcupine caribou for millennia). Hunting wild reindeer and herding of semi-domesticated reindeer are important to several

Arctic and subarctic peoples such as the Duhalar for meat, hides, antlers, milk, and transportation.

The Sámi people (Sápmi) have also depended on reindeer herding and fishing for centuries. In Sápmi, reindeer are used to pull a pulk, a Nordic sled.

Male and female reindeer can grow antlers annually, although the proportion of females that grow antlers varies greatly between population and season. Antlers are typically larger on males. In traditional Christmas legend, Santa Claus' reindeer pull a sleigh through the night sky to help Santa Claus deliver gifts to good children on Christmas Eve. (Source: Wikipedia)

Saturday December 25, 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 PPP/C WANTS TO GIVE ITSELF POWER TO OVERRIDE OIL MONEY RULES – CAN WITHDRAWANY AMOUNT AS IT SEES FIT FOR EMERGENCY – PUTS NO JAIL TIME FOR ABUSE OF MECHANISM The 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.

CARIBBEAN ORGANISATIONS OBJECT TO YELLOWTAILEIA - CITE LACK OF CONSULTATIONS WITH REGION ON OIL SPILL RISKS Now that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially closed off the public submissions phase for ExxonMobil’s fourth project, the Yellowtail development 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

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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 Exxon’s Consultant, the 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-ofwell 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, 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 socio-economic 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 InterAmerican Court in para 189, this duty “extends to every case in which there is a possibility of significant t r a n s b o u n d a r y environmental harm … as a result of activities planned 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

Government of Guyana—will work closely with representatives for the respective locations to: Coordinate oil spill response operations and communication between different command posts in the region; Create a spillspecific transboundary workgroup to manage waste from a product release— including identifying wastehandling 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 planning and 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.

MONDAY PPP/C PROPOSES NO PENALTIES OR JAIL TIME FOR MISUSE OF OIL MONEY In the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Bill 2021, the People’s Progressive Party / Civic (PPP/C) administration has proposed several penalties for an official who discloses confidential information or provides misleading data about the nation’s oil money.

Noticeably absent however, is a fine or jail time for anyone found guilty of abusing or misappropriating the oil revenues.

Under Part VIII of the Bill which deals with penalties and offences, a person who gives information that is materially false or misleading or knowingly includes or permits to be included, in any report or document, information that is materially false or misleading, commits an offence and is liable on (Continued on page 20)

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From page 19 conviction on indictment to a fine of $10M and to imprisonment for five years.

A person who fails to comply with any obligation to publish information provided for in this Act, or leads someone else to fail to comply with or hinders or leads someone else to hinder the compliance with, the obligation commits an offence and is liable to be fined $5M and 10 years in jail.

The Bill goes onto state that a person who, directly or indirectly, hinders or leads someone else to hinder the exercise of powers by an external auditor commits an office and can be fined $5M and be made to serve three years behind bars.

Furthermore, a person who discloses official information in contravention of the provisions of the Act commits an office and can be fined $5M and sent to jail for three years.

There is also a section for liability of legal entities. The Bill states that legal persons, corporations or any other legal entities are liable for contraventions provided for in this part when committed by its organs or representatives in its name and in the collective interest.

The proposed legislation states that liability is excluded where the agent has acted against expressed orders or instructions properly issued.

It further notes that the liability of the entities mentioned does not exclude the individual liability of their respective agents. It adds, “The entities mentioned in Subsection 1 are jointly and severally liable for the payment of any fine or compensation or for the fulfillment of any obligations derived from the facts or with incidence on matters covered by the scope of this Act. The provisions included in this part are without prejudice to criminal and civil liability under applicable law.”

It is significant to note that the current NRF legislation which the NRF Bill will replace, does not have any punishment for the abuse of the oil fund. When Guyana had pursued the creation of its first NRF legislation back in 2018, it was warned to have clear penalties in place for the abuse of the oil fund. This advice was provided by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) which also cited numerous examples from around the world on how often Natural Resource Funds become easily mismanaged, and the perpetrators go unpunished.

The 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) fund, established in 2009, has

Saturday December 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

proven to be a major source of alleged corruption and mismanagement. Designed to attract investment into Malaysia by forming joint ventures with foreign firms, 1MDB ended up being in over US$11 billion of debt by 2014.

Among its more suspect transactions are a US$1 billion investment in a Saudi oil company in 2009 which has gone missing; funds that were diverted in 2012 from an Abu Dhabi state fund to a firm in the British Virgin Islands (a secrecy jurisdiction); and US$4 billion that has been misappropriated from Malaysian state firms.

Malaysia, the U.S., Switzerland, Singapore and the U.K. are still trying to unravel the web of corruption and money laundering schemes that are related to the fund and robbed current and future generations of their wealth.

The Azerbaijani and Iranian funds are other examples of extra-budgetary funds which have been used to fund the legacy projects of political parties instead of being prudently saved for future generations. In Azerbaijan, for instance, government authorities have used the State Oil Fund (SOFAZ) to directly finance strategic government projects such as the railway between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey.

These expenditure items were not subject to the same reporting or public procurement requirements as those financed through the regular budget process, nor were they subject to as much parliamentary oversight.

In Iran, the country’s US$40 billion National Development Fund provided loans to private-sector companies, cooperatives and economic enterprises owned by non-governmental institutions through agent banks. While the fund managers did not provide information on the specific investments, news reports revealed where they actually went. Importantly, the executive directly controlled the fund and therefore some decisions bypassed normal budgetary and parliamentary procedures.

Taking the foregoing into account, among other cases of blatant mismanagement, Guyana was urged to have “clear consequences for malfeasance.”

NORTON, NEW LEADER OF PNC/R – SHURWAYNE HOLDER ELECTED CHAIRMAN Aubrey Norton has been declared the new leader of the

Peoples National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Party, after securing more than 70 percent of the total votes cast for the position.

The announcement was made on Sunday afternoon, as was promised by Vincent Alexander, who functioned as the Chief Election Officer (CEO) for the Party’s 21st Biennial Delegates Congress.

Norton will be replacing t h e P a r t y ’s i n c u m b e n t leader, David Granger, who did not contest. He however defeated the incumbent Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon as well as Dr. Richard VanWest Charles.

Alexander told reporters at a virtual press briefing that the election process saw a voter turn-out of 1,209 in total.

Some 3000 delegates were registered to vote. The three

candidates who were running for the position of Party Leader were Dr. Richard VanWest Charles, Joseph Harmon and Aubrey Norton who secured 64, 245 and 900 respectively.

Meanwhile, out of those who contested for the post of Chairperson, Shurwayne Holder was the clear choice.

He received 407 votes while Roysdale Forde secured 256, Amanza Walton-Desir 217, Gary Best 156, Aubrey Norton 55, Sharma Solomon 36, Simona Broomes 13, Dawn Hastings-Williams 5 and Mervyn Williams4. Holder will be replacing the incumbent Chair, Volda Lawrence, who did not contest, although nominated.

One of the two Vice Chair positions was safely secured

by Elizabeth Williams Niles with 470 votes, while the position of second Vice Chair saw Christopher Jones and Viceroy Jordan receiving equal number of votes – 381.

The CEO explained that the party will later announce how they proceed with this development. A total of 12 party members were vying for the position, including former Minister, Annette Ferguson with 279 votes, Darren Wade 166, Sharma Solomon 126, Dawn Hastings 107, Aubrey Norton and Simona Broomes with 82, Mervyn Williams 48 and Ubraj Narine 47.

The election process also allowed for a Treasurer to be selected by party members.

Mohammed Faaiz Mursaline emerged as the winner with 404 votes. The other candidates, Dr. Karen Cummings secured 303 votes; Ivelaw Henry, 41 votes; Vanessa Kissoon, 83 votes; Derrick Lawrence, 67 votes; Elson Low, 116; Ubraj Narine, 144 votes; and Daniel Seeram, 303 votes.

When it comes to the Central Executive members, up to the time of the announcement, Alexander said votes were still being tabulated for the more than 123 candidates of which 15 will be selected. Alexander dismissed claims made on social media, leading up to the announcement, that the few hours delay was allowing for a negotiation to take place, of who the next leader will be.

In fact, the CEO told reporters that the team were merely seeking to deliver accurate results. He discounted those claims as “just another imaginative moment” of the accuser.

The election saw almost a full participation of voters in North America, with 53 out of 55 submitting votes. The installation of the new leader is expected to take place Monday.

TUESDAY NATURALRESOURCE FUND BILL 2021…

ALI GOVT. WANTS POWER TO EMPTY OIL ACCOUNT FOR UNRESTRICTED SPENDING ON EMERGENCIES, “GREEN ECONOMY” PROJECTS According to the Natural Resource Fund Bill 2021, the PPP/C Government is proposing that the oil revenues be used to satisfy four specific purposes.

Part II of the Bill outlines these to be: ensuring that volatility in revenues does not lead to volatile public spending; ensuring that oil revenues do not lead to loss of economic competitiveness; fairly transferring natural resource wealth across generations; and most importantly, “using natural resource wealth to finance national development priorities including any initiative aimed at realizing an inclusive green economy.”

The Bill also highlights that the overall management of the Fund along with the preparation of its Investment Mandate, will be a Board of Directors which shall constitute no less than three and no more than five members appointed by the President.

Notably, all withdrawals from the fund shall be deposited into the Consolidated Fund and shall be used only to finance: national development priorities including “any initiative aimed at realizing an inclusive green economy and essential projects that are directly related to ameliorating the effect of a major disaster.”

Furthermore, in the fiscal year that the Act comes into operation, PPP/C wants the ceiling on the amount that may be withdrawn to be the total balance accumulated in the account described as “The Natural EResource Fund” as at the date that the Act comes into operation.

On Monday, Kaieteur News highlighted in its review of the NRF Bill that there is a noticeable absence of consequences for the misuse or abuse of the oil money that is withdrawn for emergencies or green economy initiatives.

When Guyana had pursued the creation of its first NRF legislation back in 2018, it was warned to have clear penalties or the fund could run the risk of failing to serve current and future generations. This advice was provided by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), which also

cited numerous examples from around the world on how often Natural Resource Funds become easily mismanaged, and the perpetrators go unpunished.

The 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) fund, established in 2009, has proven to be a major source of alleged corruption and mismanagement. Designed to attract investment into Malaysia by forming joint ventures with foreign firms, 1MDB ended up being in over US$11 billion of debt by 2014.

Among its more suspect transactions are a US$1 billion investment in a Saudi oil company in 2009 which has gone missing; funds that were diverted in 2012 from an Abu Dhabi state fund to a firm in the British Virgin Islands (a secrecy jurisdiction); and US$4 billion that has been misappropriated from Malaysian state firms.

Malaysia, the U.S., Switzerland, Singapore and the U.K. are still trying to unravel the web of corruption and money laundering schemes that are related to the fund and robbed current and future generations of their wealth.

The Azerbaijani and Iranian funds are other examples of extra-budgetary funds, which have been used to fund the legacy projects of political parties instead of being prudently saved for future generations. In Azerbaijan, for instance, government authorities have used the State Oil Fund (SOFAZ) to directly finance strategic government projects, such as the railway between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey.

These expenditure items were not subject to the same reporting or public procurement requirements as those financed through the regular budget process, nor were they subject to as much parliamentary oversight.

In Iran, that country’s US$40 billion National Development Fund provided loans to private-sector companies, cooperatives and economic enterprises owned by non-governmental institutions through agent banks. While the fund managers did not provide information on the specific investments, news reports revealed where they actually went. Importantly, the executive directly controlled the fund and, therefore, some decisions bypassed normal budgetary and parliamentary procedures.

Taking the foregoing into account, among other cases of blatant mismanagement, Guyana was urged to have (Continued on page 21)

Saturday December 25, 2021

From page 20 “clear consequences for malfeasance.”

QUESTIONS SWIRL OVER COST, NEED FOR LINDEN-MABURA ROAD – LALL WARNS AGAINST GRAFT, SAYS FUNDS SHOULD BE SPENT ON DEVELOPING COASTAL ROAD NETWORK For years, political leaders here have spoken about the need for a reliable road link between Guyana and Brazil and the trail from Linden to Lethem has been earmarked as the perfect place to start.

Though several studies have been completed for such a project in the past, the PPP/C Government seems to be moving with great alacrity to commence work with the first phase being from LindenMabura.

The CDB which is funding the project in collaboration with the United Kingdom had said that the upgrading of this portion of the largely unpaved road from Linden to Mabura Hill is more than an infrastructure project.

The Bank said it will include social safeguards that will ensure residents benefit from the road development; and environmental protections, to preserve the ecosystem.

According to the Bank, the project will also include activities to mitigate risks associated with increased development, which will build social resilience in the communities along the corridor and preserve the rights of vulnerable groups.

As an additional benefit, the CDB said at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing poverty in the country, the road project will provide direct employment for both the short-term and long-term in a region characterised by high unemployment. It will also advance sustainable livelihoods of small and medium enterprises by facilitating access to financing, markets, and capacity-building services for residents in the project area, including Indigenous people.

The project will promote improved social resilience of communities through capacity-building sessions.

This will help to mitigate risks that could result from increased construction activity and heightened development of the area. The sessions will increase awareness about critical social issues, such as gender equality, the rights of Indigenous peoples, and the welfare of people with disabilities, children, youth, and the elderly. The project will also include an essential

road safety component to protect users and communities along the route.

Spend funds on other projects However, speaking on one of his weekly radio programmes, Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall questioned the cost of the project, as well its economic viability. Lall believes that costal road links are of far greater importance at present, given the increase in road traffic. “Everybody knows that the roads in this country are insufficient to handle and take care of the traffic, everybody knows also that this country has been on a development pathway for the past couple of years. Roads have become one of the major downfall in Guyana. At present, it is causing a tremendous dent towards development, you can’t leave your office to do anything and get back to work in an hour, ½ of a day finish in the traffic alone. It has become a nightmare, it has become a sick everyday right across this land, more so the East Coast, the West Coast, the East Bank and the West Bank of all Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara. Our leaders are clueless as to how to find a solution to this vehicular madness that has taken over this land,” Lall said.

He then pointed out that Guyana borrowed US$47M and fixed the West Coast of Demerara road, then a further US$45M to build the East Coast of Demerara highway.

It borrowed US$31M for the Sheriff Street and Mandela Avenue road; spent US$13M for the Eccles to Mandela

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Avenue and maybe another US20M to be borrowed to connect Diamond to Eccles.

“So we talking about almost US$160M of borrowed money to fix some roads. Whether we get value for money – that’s another thing, but that’s not what I am talking about here.”

He said borrowing US$160M to fix the West Coast, East Coast, Sheriff Street, Diamond to Mandela will ease a great burden on the people of this country who use the roads every day, in and out the city.

“I applaud the government for doing things like that, but when you hear your government borrowing US$190M to upgrade Linden to Mabura Road then one has to ask serious questions as to what is going on in this country with our lives,” Lall stated.

The newspaper publisher said he is certain that the US$190M from the United Kingdom and the CDB can do Sheriff Street, Mandela Avenue, West Coast, East Coast, Diamond to Mandela, then that US$190M can complete the East Coast, can complete the West Coast, can take Diamond to Timehri and if used in a more efficient manner, you can have a 4-lane to Crabwood Creek. “…but instead President Ali and Edghill and whoever is going to upgrade Linden/Mabura Road – you know what they going to do – if they ever carry through with this project, the Chinese would get the work, the Chinese would put two bulldozers and grade one and two places for the next 10 years and 5 more US$190M will come out of your Treasury to go there – exactly what they are doing

to each and every one of us with that CJIA project,” Lall said. Lall believes that the Linden/Mabura road will be another ‘milking cow.’ He then questioned what the Linden/Lethem Road will contribute to this country, he said the US$190M can pay 38.7% increase to public servants.

The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) last week opened billion-dollar bids from Brazilian and Chinese firms vying for the contract to upgrade the Linden to Mabura Hill road, a project that is Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) funded. This project is being undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works, and according to their engineer’s estimate this project is pegged at some $34,197,257,104. Those competing for the contract are China Gezhouba Group Company Limited (China), China Railway International Company Limited (China), Shandong Luqiao Group Company Limited (China), Queirozgalao (Brazil), and joint ventures Castilho (Brazil) and local company, EOCI. In December 2020, it was announced that the CDB, the Government of Guyana and the United Kingdom Government have partnered to fund this US$190 million project, for the upgrading of approximately 121km of road from Linden to Mabura Hill to an asphaltic concrete road that would improve the connectivity between Guyana’s hinterland and the coastal areas.

According to reports, the Bank is putting US$112 million through a loan towards this project, the government is putting US$12 million, and the UK Government is putting US$66 million.

This project will represent the first phase of the muchhyped Linden/Lethem roadway, which would improve travel time to Brazil and connections to thousands of hinterland people.

WEDNESDAY SURINAME ACCEPTS INSURANCE FOR OIL SPILLS ONLY FROM PARENT COMPANIES – FORMER STAATSOLIE BOSS While Suriname still has a few years to go before offshore oil production commences, it has outlined a suite of high standards for all oil companies to follow. One such principle applies to insurance for oil spills. The Dutch speaking nation has made it a practice to only

accept full coverage insurance from the parent companies operating in its backyard.

Confirming as well as elucidating this industry requirement recently was former head of Staatsolie (Suriname’s National Oil Company), Mr. Rudolf Elias.

During an interview on Kaieteur Radio’s programme, Guyana’s Oil and You, Elias noted that all the companies operating in its basin are very well prepared to handle the possibility of an oil spill, not just during the oil production stage, but in exploration as well.

Elias said Suriname, and the entire oil industry, by extension, understands the importance of being well prepared, especially when one recalls the lessons of the tragic Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which occurred in April 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico on the BP-operated Macondo Prospect.

Kaieteur News previously reported that the Deepwater Horizon incident is considered to be the largest marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry, costing the lives of 11 men.

The industrial disaster also resulted in over 4 million barrels of crude oil being spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, which disrupted an entire region’s economy, damaged fisheries and critical habitats, and brought vividly to light, the risks of deepwater drilling for oil and gas.

Elias said, therefore, “…Even if it is the daughter of the daughter of the daughter of the daughter, in the end, the parent company will have to take full responsibility…So it is always good to have the mother company be the guarantor for an event of an oil spill.”

He added, “But the oil companies are so well organized in Suriname that within moments there will be a lot of companies from Trinidad and from Houston that will be able to go to such an eventuality immediately in order to contain the spill. So I do believe that oil companies, especially the IOCs (International Oil Companies) like Exxon and whereas with Total and Apache are so responsible that if there is an oil spill they will catch it up pretty quickly.”

While Suriname has made it a nonnegotiable position to have parent companies provide insurance, in Guyana, the circumstances are vastly different.

ExxonMobil Corporation, the parent company of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) has steered clear of being tied to

full coverage insurance for its Stabroek Block projects, which are certain to deliver multibillion dollar profits on an annual basis. Instead, it has only placed its subsidiary, (EEPGL), which has little assets, on the hook if such an eventuality occurs offshore. This is the state of affairs with its Liza Phase One, Liza Phase Two and Payara Projects.

As for its Yellowtail Project, which is projected to cost over US$9B, Vice President and local oil czar, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo is on record saying that the government is trying to get ExxonMobil to acknowledge its obligation for insurance.

During his press conference in November, last, the Vice President specifically said, “As you know, we are constantly seeking to improve the permits and …in the one we are looking at in the Yellowtail Project, we are looking for a generic position where the parent company, ExxonMobil, will now guarantee; well we are looking at maybe up to US$2B for any damage caused here… because from the beginning there was no parent guarantee, it was implicit but…that is crucial for us as we move forward.”

Former PPP Minister demands urgent renegotiation of ‘wicked’ Exxon contract Successfully achieving good governance policies to avoid the resource curse Dutch Disease—is easier said than done and some symptoms of ‘Dutch Disease’ have begun to appear locally.

This is according to former Minister in the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration, Geoffrey Da Silva, who on Tuesday in a public missive lamented that “many oilproducing countries had similar good intentions like those of the PPP/C government, but they became more underdeveloped and poor because their governments early on, ignored, downplayed or denied the creeping symptoms of ‘Dutch Disease—symptoms of which are already being experienced in Guyana.

To this end, the former government minister was adamant that the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed between Exxon (with its partners) and the former APNU/AFC Government of Guyana has to be changed.

Observing that the PPP/C government’s position is that they cannot renegotiate, because they have to adhere to the sanctity of contracts, Da Silva was unwavering in (Continued on page 22)

PAGE 22

From page 21 his position, “…until the wicked, hypocritical and onerous provisions of this PSA are renegotiated, as was done in Trinidad and Tobago and other countries, the people of Guyana will be denied the sanctity of their self-respect and well-being.”

According to DaSilva, there has to be a ‘sanctity balance’ to ensure that all Guyanese workers, farmers, the unemployed, the marginalized, the poor and the hungry experience significant improvements in the quality of their lives.

Elucidating his position within which Guyana finds itself as an oil producing nation, and its exposure to the Dutch Disease syndrome, Da Silva observed that in the domestic economic sphere, there are signs that the economy could become heavily skewed towards the oil-related sectors.

There is an increase of all kinds of imports, including raw materials and foods that could be produced in the country.

As such, to ensure balanced development in a relatively small local market, the government has to prioritize, in addition to its local content policies, the creation of an export strategy that would build effective institutions for supporting Guyanese businesses and foreign-owned companies in the non-oil sectors to expand in current foreign markets and enter into new export markets with value-added products and services, he said.

Additionally, Da Silva noted that in the financial sphere, there are indications that the government may be considering to borrow, speculatively, from the future sales of oil to finance projects.

Accordingly he cautioned, “many projects still go over deadlines with cost overruns because of poor planning (trying to rush many projects) and ineffective oversight.”

Compounding the situation, he observed that, the foreign exchange rate is appreciating and in the near future, it could negatively affect the competitiveness and export opportunities of the non-oil economic sectors.

“So far, the government has not publicly outlined how its plans to source financing over the next 10 years, how it will diversify the tax base to prevent overdependence on oil earnings for its revenues, and how it will encourage both foreign and local investors to reinvest their earnings into the national economy,” he said.

Additionally, DaSilva

Kaieteur News

noted that in a situation where many types of crimes are increasing, “there are significant wage gaps between females and males, and between political office holders and workers and farmers. The education system is unbalanced with the continuing dominance of legal and medical graduates over engineers, scientists and managers. In the health sector, there is no publicly outlined programme to end the stunted growth of many children in hinterland areas.

He noted too, that in the political sphere, there are few genuine consultations with the public and to date, initiatives have not been prioritized to build political stability and overcome the never-ending inter-ethnic suspicions.

Da Silva did note that, “in spite of these concerns, there are positive signs that a significant majority of Guyanese representing all ethnicities, gender, ages, classes and different abilities, want to believe that the intended policies of the PPP/ C can make Guyana a better place, provided it acts as a national government and all its members and supporters, not just its leaders, genuinely and humbly reach out with courage to all grassroots communities to overcome the political stalemate and debunk ethnic fears and stereotypes.”

THURSDAY ARMY PAYS $298M IN ELECTRICITY BILLS, REGISTERACCOUNTS FOR ONLY $180M …AUDITOR GENERAL UNABLE TO VERIFY UNACCOUNTED MILLIONS The Auditor General’s Report for 2020 has highlighted a number of glaring deficiencies in the processes used by various government agencies in the accounting of its allocated funds annually through their respective budgets.

Among the red flags highlighted by the Auditor General in his scrutiny of the financial records for the Guyana Defence Force was its payment for utilities for which in excess of $100M could not be accounted for.

The Audit Report documented that for 2020, amounts totalling $331.816M were expended under this account area, however, a Utility Register was not maintained for telephone charges. It was noted that a print-out of telephone numbers and amounts paid were placed in file jackets on a monthly basis, “thus,

verification was a tedious and time consuming process.”

Further, a comparison of the payments with the Electricity and Water Charges Registers revealed differences. “As a result, we could not determine consumption as per account.”

According to the Audit Office, while it was reflected as payments in the sum of 298.4M for electricity, the register could only account for 180.6M. As such, some $117.7 said to be payments made for electricity, could not be verified.

This situation also obtained with, payments made for water. The Audit Office said, while $42.5M was said to be spent for payments, the register detailed $37.1M, meaning an excess of $5M for water charges could not be accounted for. It was noted that the GDF’s response to the query was that the Utility Register for Telephone Charges was previously maintained; however, since GTT ceased to provide paper bills and is now submitting statement of accounts, the register was discontinued.

However, this anomaly was noted, and steps have been taken to correct this deficiency. The Audit Office has since recommended that the Administration of the Defence Force ensure its Utility Registers are properly maintained, including the recording of all pertinent information.

GOVT. DISCARDS BIDS RECEIVED FOR GAS-TO-SHORE PROJECT …SAYS NOT OBLIGATED TO ACCEPT ANY OFFER, RESERVES RIGHTTO NEGOTIATE WITH PRIVATE PARTNER The Guyana Government has not only discarded the first set of proposals it

received in September this year, for aspects of the gas to shore initiative, but also has completely re-designed the scope of works, to now instead build an integrated gas fired power generation plant, in addition to a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) factory.

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)—ExxonMobil Guyana—at the time had also pre-qualified firms for the NGL plant—a process now scrapped and will have to be restarted. The revised scope of works, according to a new publication by the Ministry of Natural Resources— requesting proposals from firms to be prequalified—said, the rationale “for the combination of the Power Plant and NGL facilities, is guided by the findings of EEGPL that there will be substantial savings from combining these two facilities.”

Government through the Ministry explained that as part of the gas to Energy project it has elected, “after extensive evaluation of technical and execution factors with EEPGL— ExxonMobil Guyana—to have the two facilities be “designed and constructed together.”

As such, the Ministry has since re-invited interested parties to be prequalified to engineer, procure and construct the two integrated facilities.

Under the revised scope of works, the government says it intends to build “combined cycle turbines, multiple fuel consumption (including rich and lean natural gas [per specification to be provided upon request], Natural gas liquids and diesel) Power Plant to generate up to 300MW of power with a net 250MW delivered into the Guyana Power and Light grid at a substation located on the East

Saturday December 25, 2021

bank of Demerara.”

Additionally, the project will include 230 Kilo Volt (KV) substation and back up fuel capacity.

As it relate to the NGL Plant, this is expected, under the revised scope of works, to be able to process 60 million cubic feet of natural gas per day in the first phase and up to 250 million cubic feet of gas in the second phase.

Additionally, the plant must be capable of conditioning the gas (dehydration and mercury removal) and removing heavier hydrocarbons (propane, butane, pentane plus) in liquid form.

The project according to the Ministry will be located at Hermitage, identified as part of the Wales Development Zone with some 150 acres of land allocated for its purpose.

With regards the financial aspect of the project, the only reference indicated by the Ministry is that submissions should contain the bidder’s financial ability to undertake its commitments, namely the engineer, procure and construct “these two integrated facilities.”

Government in July of this year had invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) through the Ministry of Natural Resources, which had called for Joint participation in the proposed gas-to-shore project with the government and EEEPGL. According to that invitation, the government and EEPGL were looking for partners “in designing or utilising the outputs from an NGL (Natural Gas Liquids) / LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) facility and related facilities.”

This included, according to the Ministry, design, construction, and financing of a power plant fuelled by Natural gas, where the power will be delivered into the Guyana Power and Light’s

(GPL) distribution grid. This is in addition to industries that can utilise Natural gas for, “Natural gas driven developments and growth.”

This has since been integrated, and according to the new invitation, the EOIs that had been received in September last for separate components of the then, segregated project and were prequalified, can also resubmit proposals.

In its initial request, the Ministry had indicated that the decision on Wales was taken after extensive evaluation of multiple sites with ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

The Wales Development Zone, it said, has been identified as the termination point for the pipeline from the Liza Area in the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana.

The area encompasses over 14,000+ acres of land of which approximately 1,300 acres will be set aside for heavy Industry/gas-related investments.

The project, according to stakeholders, is expected to see some 27 kilometres of pipeline being buried from the Crane, West Coast Demerara (WCD) location to Wales, in addition to some 200 plus kilometres of pipeline from the Stabroek Block where the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel is located.

According to the administration, Wales will be the location for the termination of the gaspipeline measuring over 225 km from the Liza Area.

Government at the time had also requested proposals “for small scale ammonia/urea, protein synthesis, cement, glass manufacture, ceramics, and other industries that rely on gas, steam, or electricity.”

The Ministry in its invite did specify that government nor EEPGL “is not obligated or (Continued on page 40)

Kaieteur News

Saturday Friday October December 29, 2021 25, 2021

PAGE 23

Dos and Don'ts of buying home appliances at Christmas …Innovations America Director weighs in

By Kiana Wilburg

H

ow many times have you been caught in the trap of thinking that spending less makes you a smart consumer? Let me be the first to admit that I have been ensnared many times, especially during the Christmas season, with only expensive consequences to face for my affinity for cheap deals.

In November for example, I remember passing on Princes Street which is just a stone's throw away from Kaieteur News, to purchase a beverage at a fairly popular Chinese mini-mart. Like most ladies, I left with more than just my favourite drink. I browsed through the fairly short aisles and stumbled upon a stack of extension cords. A conversation with myself ensued. I said, “Do I need drop cords? I don't know. Maybe, possibly; but it cheap, is only $600. Get two.

You gon find something to do with it.” And so I did, I purchased two of the “cheap and sweet” drop cords.

Let's fast forward to the second week in December. I used one of the cords to plug in my electrical kettle. Within seconds, a burning scent filled my nostrils. I checked the gas stove, the microwave, and nothing.

When I checked the kettle, the black cord was smoking. The kettle was damaged and so was the power strip it was plugged into.

Needless to say, I counted my lucky stars for the travesty I averted and on the advice of a friend, headed over immediately to Innovations Solutions at Lot 23-24 North Road, Georgetown for the trusted items I should have purchased in the first place.

U n s u r p r i s i n g l y, t h e foregoing story is one that Geraldo Alphonso, one of the Directors at Innovations America has heard many versions of; hence, he was more than willing to share trusted tips that will make anyone a more prudent shopper of home appliances and accessories.

Alphonso said, “Customers buying cheap products especially at Christmas is an issue we observed in the market for some time…But one item I

would always advise persons not to be cheap or try to cut fiscal corners with relates to drop cords or Christmas lights.

“I have seen some stores selling Christmas lights as cheap as $200-$300 and the drop cords too and you can literally hold these cords in your hands and pull them apart. This is dangerous and I would hate to see anyone lose their home or have millions in assets go up in flames because of faulty cords and lights.”

The businessman added, “At Innovations America, we set ourselves apart because we do not sell anything that is not of high quality. All of our goods are certified and procured directly from the distributor. In fact, all of our products are CE certified and UL certified so we don't have any product that would cause any risk or harm to anyone.”

For those who may not be

Innovations America Director, Geraldo Alphonso

consumers. Besides testing, they set industry standards to follow when innovating new products.

In a nutshell, UL is a safety organisation that sets

kids like Hamilton Beach, that stands out, Cuisine Art, Kitchen Aid, those stand out too. In short, I would advise consumers to be mindful of appliances with weird names.

Always buy certified products.”

For the Christmas season, he listed a few items that are a must-have from his store along with those that would be a perfect start or complement for the new year.

The Director told Kaieteur News he would recommend a LED colourchanging Christmas tree that is pre-lit and perfect for getting family and friends into the Christmas mood.

“With this tree, there is no need to worry about installing lights and it adds little to your light bill. We also have inflatable Christmas characters like the Santa Claus or a reindeer, which are weather proof and easy for anyone to use. I

Innovations America Director, Lorenzo Alphonso

or warm for 24 hours; LED lights that provide 100 watt output but only burn two to three watts and are perfect for security purposes; toolsets for dads and for moms, highqu

The Stanley surgemax 245 features 6 Grounded outlets, 245 Joule surge protection, On/Off switch with built in circuit breaker and Keyholes on its back for easy mounting.

The Farberware Air Fryer is perfect for elevating your everyday cooking. a ware, CE stands for the French acronym "Conformité Européenne" and it is a regulatory marking symbolising that the products sold in the European market meets the health, safety, and environmental requirements as desired by the European Union.

UL, on the other hand, stands for Underwriter Laboratories, a third-party certification company that has been around for over a century. UL was founded in 1894 in Chicago and they certify products with the aim to make the world a safer place for both workers and

industry-wide standards on new products. They continually check these products to ensure they're up to these standards. UL testing also makes sure that wire sizes are correct or devices can handle the amount of current they claim to be able to. They also ensure that products are constructed correctly for the highest safety.

With the aforementioned in mind, Alphonso says it is key for consumers to always stick to trusted and familiar brand names, which have proper certification. “There are brands we have all grown accustomed to since we were

This is undoubtedly the most prevalent and exciting Griddle/BBQ stations available in Guyana at Innovations America. would recommend as a musthave, our pre-lit garlands which are safe and cut down on time spent on assorting and putting up Christmas decorations.”

With respect to the ideal gifts for 2022, Alphonso recommended his company's Blackstone Grill, which is perfect for eggs and burgers; their high-quality air fryers which are proven to be a healthier method or form of cooking than deep-frying; Tiki torches for outdoor activities as they are sure to keep mosquitoes, and other insects at bay. The Director also suggested thermos flasks to keep beverages cold

a lity pot sets and spoon sets.

A B O U

T

INNOVATIONS AMERICA Kaieteur News understands that the business is the brainchild of Geraldo and his brother Lorenzo. The company was birthed from the difficulties they faced in sourcing top-notch items for their initial business venture which focused on home renovations.

Innovations America was subsequently established in 2016 to fill the gap that was observed and later expanded in 2018 with a bigger and more sophisticated outlet in Central Georgetown.

The company sells only the best in American plumbing, hardware, and carpentry. It also features a home depot section on the second floor of its headquarters which has everything a home owner needs.

Some of its popular brands for plumbing include Kohler, Glacier Bay and Moen. For carpentry, they stock Quickset, Brown USA, Makita and DeWalt while some of its popular brands in electrical include Hamilton Beach, Elegant Lighting, etc.

Kaieteur News

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Saturday December 25, 2021

Natural Resource Fund Bill 2021…

PPP setting stage for corruption, borrowing - rushing to pass frenzy, and spending sprees legislation within days The PPP/C Government intends to debate and pass before year end, its Natural Resource Fund Bill 2021.

That Bill sets out the rules to be followed for the withdrawal and expenditure of Guyana's oil proceeds.

But upon review of the Bill, Kaieteur News uncovered several dangerous loopholes, that if exploited, could result in massive corruption, borrowing frenzies and spending sprees, as seen with other nations.

As part of its research for this review, the newspaper examined the Natural Resource Funds of four African nations and how governments took advantage of ambiguous provisions that catered for abuse without consequences.

In the case of Angola, the government had outlined that its Natural Resource Fund, called Fundo Soberano de Angola (FSDEA), and established in 2011, would follow the Santiago Principles which are international standards that promote transparency, good governance, accountability and prudent investment practices.

Angola's leaders went further to state that the Fund would have the oversight of an external auditor to ensure the money would be spent as

prescribed in the law.

Importantly, the law was crafted to say that the money would only be used to support the development of infrastructure and industry, efficient fiscal policy, increasing the country's wealth (for current and future generations), and preventing negative economic shocks.

A Board of Directors whose members are appointed by the President was in charge of spending the oil money for these purposes. But what is crucial to note at this point, is that no legal provision was put in place to prevent Angola's oil money from being misused in the name of “national development.”

Due to the absence of such provisions, Angola's oil account suffered from flagrant acts of corruption.

The fund for example, with the approval of its Board of Directors, was made to support the development of a US$500M port with a company called Caioporto.

The independent media later investigated this case and found that the company had never previously built a port and that a business associate of the head of the fund owns it. Further checks found that the agreement underpinning the port protected the business

associate and his company against all losses. Instead, all profits went to his company while Angola and its oil fund stood all the risks and losses.

Additional research shows that the fund continued to be abused and was made to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in projects where asset managers had personal interests. Unfortunately, these matters which were unearthed were technically not illegal since the legal foundation/loophole was in place for it to occur.

Industry analysts have concluded that Angola's case demonstrates that when a Natural Resource Fund is overseen by a highly politicised entity, such as a Board of Directors appointed by the president, “the fund's objectives, rules and accountability mechanisms will likely be crafted loosely to allow existing patronage networks to be maintained, even if some protocols are put in place in a bid for international credibility.”

It should be noted that the NRF Bill that the PPP/C Government is rushing to pass in a matter of days, bares similar characteristics to the Angola model that allowed for rampant corruption and cronyism to take place.

Just like Angola, there is no provision that prevents p e r s o n s i n c h a rg e o f Guyana's oil fund from making investments in companies they have ties to.

And just like Angola, the Bill promises to have an external auditor and respect for the Santiago Principles, both of which did nothing to prevent the rampant pilfering of the Angolan oil revenues.

GHANA'S BORROWING FRENZY In Ghana, there has also been a noticeable struggle to ensure the oil money that was put away in a fund, serves its purpose which was mostly for budget stabilisation and savings for future generations.

After the discovery of oil, research shows that the government borrowed against future revenues at unsustainable levels.

It was also using the oil money to finance recurrent expenditure items such as a bloated public sector wage bill, interest payments and fuel subsidies.

Just four years after finding oil, Ghana's poor fiscal position ultimately led the country to seek assistance, in 2015, from international financial agencies.

Overall, the absence of provisions to curtail Wild West borrowings worked against the people of Ghana.

Notably, Guyana has nothing in place to ensure this does not occur with its oil funds.

NIGERIA: ONE OF THE LOWEST Nigeria, the largest oil producing State in Africa, has more than three decades of experience in implementing different oil revenue funds. However, attempts at this have been

plagued by contested legal frameworks, troubling issues of governance and quite frankly, inadequate political will. As a result of this, Nigeria's US$1.5 billion sovereign wealth fund is one of the lowest in the world.

Kaieteur News' research shows that Nigeria had established its Excess Crude Account (ECA) in 2004.

However, very little savings accumulated during a period of consistently high prices, as the basic fiscal rules were simply not observed.

Because oil windfalls were continuously available for spending due to a period of high prices, it ended up being used to finance everything under the proverbial sun, except productive assets and being used for future savings.

Industry analysts have said the rampant spending was done under the illusion of more prosperity and national development being created for current and future generations. No consequence was in place for the mismanagement or corruption that followed.

Similarly, Guyana's NRF Bill offers no protective measures for wild spending to be prevented in the name of “prosperity for all.”

BOTSWANA AND ITS OPAQUE RULES Botswana's NRF is called the Pula Fund which was established in 1993. It holds revenues made from the sale of diamonds.

That money was intended to be saved for future generations. But the opaque withdrawal rules left the Pula Fund wide open to being used in contravention of the purpose it was created for.

Notably, the Pula Fund

was drawn down to stabilise fiscal expenditures during the global financial crisis after diamond revenues dropped sharply. It has also been drawn down on occasion for domestic expenses such as funding budget deficits (in order to avoid raising taxes) and establishing and funding the national public pension fund. While the funds have not been used for any scandalous reason, international organisations have flagged the ease with which the authorities are able to circumvent the rules of the fund, thereby not allowing it to serve its purpose. Agencies such as the International Monetary Fund have urged that the withdrawal rules be strengthened since they are easy stepping stones for successful schemes.

In the Guyana situation, similar conditions are catered for in the PPP/C's legislation which states, and vaguely too, that withdrawals can occur in the name of “national development priorities” including but not limited to any initiative aimed at realising an inclusive green economy and ameliorating the effects of any major natural disaster such as floods. Importantly, the Minister for the Fund can withdraw any amount he deems necessary, if he says it is for emergency purposes.

Kaieteur News will continue its exposé in the coming days on the loopholes in the PPP/C's legislation and how they mirror those funds in other African states that have been abused.

Research sources include: 1.https://media.africaportal.or g/documents/OccasionalPaper-304-markowitz.pdf 2.https://eiti.org/files/docume nts/neiti-ops2-180717.pdf 3.http://www.fahamu.org/ep_a rticles/analysis-do-sovereignwealth-funds-make-sense-forafrica/ 4.https://www.econstor.eu/bits tream/10419/211285/1/16772 61838.pdf 5.https://www.swfinstitute.org /profile/598cdaa60124e9fd2d 05bc49 6.https://www.ifswf.org/sites/ default/files/annualreports/Pula%20Fund%20201 9.pdf

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Saturday 1202 ,December 92 rebotcO25, ya2021 dirF

Santa Claus is Guyanese!

By Tassia Dickenson

T

he question as to whether Santa Claus really exists has been a hot topic for centuries.

While some are convinced that Jolly Old Saint Nick is merely a mythical character conjured

by someone, who perhaps had extra time on their hands, there are others who have fully accepted his existence.

But there are some among us who are still on the fence when it comes to the idea of Santa Claus.

Well as usual, we have the scoop and today we will set the record straight as it relates

to this Father Christmas fellow.

What we first learnt is that he goes by the name Steven Singh and was born right here in this South American country.

We were able to catch up with the man himself after getting a tip from a usually reliable source.

When Kaieteur News recently caught up with Santa Claus, he reflected briefly on his place of birth, Mabaruma, Region One, in the 1950s.

He was indeed destined for this role, for as he grew older he effortlessly transformed into the typical image of Santa Claus; a jollywhite bearded man.

Steven Singh, is a Guyanese-born Santa Clause

Santa and Mrs. Claus distributing gifts to children last Tuesday.

As the rumours go, the history of the real Santa Claus dates back to some 200 or 300 years ago in G e r m a n y. T h e r e w e r e reports of another sighting in India and now, in 2021, we have confirmed that Santa was born in Guyana and returns every year to bring Christmas cheers.

While the other sightings might have been legitimate ones, Santa Claus said that the legacy was passed on to him about 10 years ago and ever since he has been making Christmas magical for many children across our dear land.

With a family of his own, Santa Claus, who turned 70 y e a r s o l d y e s t e r d a y, celebrated this milestone with his wonderful grandchildren and his beautiful wife, Mrs. Claus, before dashing off to distribute gifts to those who were nice throughout the year.

When not distributing gifts to children at Christmas time, Santa Claus spends his time in his adopted homeland, Canada.

He sees returning to Guyana each year to distribute gifts to deserving children as a life-long commitment.

In fact, he revealed that

he was eager to take up the Santa Claus mantle because when he was a child, “to see Santa, even once or twice, was a big deal.”

With that in mind, he strives to always do his best to ensure that he helps to put a smile on the faces of as many children as possible.

According to Santa, he is always very pleased to see the smili n g f a c e s o f children.

He said too, as Santa Claus, he is also able to bring a g r e a t d e a l o f hope to children s i n c e each year they have something e s p e c ially good to look forward to, once they are nice and not naughty.

Days earlier, on Tuesday to be exact, Santa Claus distr i b u t e d g i f t s a n d snacks to many children at the Family and Children Centre located at Plum Park, Sophia, Georgetown.

The activity was undertaken in collaboration with MEDITRON and saw gifts being distributed to over 50 children.

There were smiles in abundance as Santa, accompanied by Mrs. Claus, met with the children and did his part to help make their Christmas bright.

Saturday December 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Saturday December 25, 2021

Bria Renee Lawrence

PAGE 28

This week’s beauty is Miss Globe Guyana 2021, Bria Renee Lawrence.

This 21-year-old queen works as a fashion model and brand ambassador in London and holds a Marketing Degree from a UK University. Kaieteur News wishes her all the best for the season and in her future endeavours!

Saturday December 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Saturday December 25, 2021

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Saturday Friday October December 29, 2021 25, 2021

PAGE 31

How a single mother manages to make Christmas special for her children

By Tassia Dickenson

A

ccording to s o m e commentators, there are single mothers among us who are the epitome of what a strong woman should be.

This is in light of the fact that they are oftentimes forced to raise their children without the help of their partners.

This can be quite challenging for some women, especially those with several children. But determined to ensure that their children grow up to be decent and productive citizens, some single mothers have been known to do the 'impossible' to make ends meet.

As we celebrate C h r i s t m a s t o d a y, w e welcome into the spotlight

a woman who understands all too well the travails of a single mother with limited resources.

Amanda Smith, a 58year-old who hails from Samville, Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, recently spoke of how she has always managed to ensure that the Christmas season is always special for her children.

The mother of five boys, all adults now, related that although she could not always afford to purchase gifts each year for them, she always made sure that the home was well decorated and delectable meals were prepared for the entire family.

She said too that even though she could not always fulfill her children's wishes, they were, and continue to be, very contented with whatever little they have.

Despite some difficulties, Amanda Smith always ensures that her family's Christmas is always special

Although many wishes went unanswered, Smith made it clear that this has never affected their happiness.

“They were never given toys every year, but we always ensured the house was decorated and that food was cooked and we would sit together and eat and have a great time,” she proudly shared.

Reflecting on the family's annual preparation for Christmas, Smith noted that she, along with her children, would usually start cleaning their home in early December.

They would divide the tasks and get them completed as soon as possible just to ensure that work doesn't become overwhelming when it gets closer to the holidays since there is usually even more to be done around that time.

Christmas Eve night, she narrated, is when the family comes together to decorate the home with new curtains, lights, carpets and

ornaments. They also place a huge focus on the Christmas tree decoration and light up and would usually stay up for hours ensuring that everything is just right. Once satisfied that with the decoration process, Smith noted that she would then direct her focus to baking cakes and bread and making pepperpot and other goodies in time for Christmas Day. Once she was able to get gifts for them, Smith recalled that her children, when they were young, would comb the entire house with excitement to find and open their gifts before Christmas morning.

“They would never wait until Christmas morning, they would always search the house for their gifts and open it before Christmas,” said a smiling Smith, who intends on making this and subsequent Christmases special for her family.

NCN helps Santa fulfill boy's wish for a bed for his mom

By Shervin Belgrave It has become a tradition for the state owned National Communications Network (NCN) to host an annual Santa Wish programme, where children from across Guyana would write a letter to Santa Claus telling him what they want for Christmas.

This year was no different, but among the letters was an interesting one from a little boy living at North East La Penitence, Georgetown. While other children would usually wish for toys and other personal items, this little boy's wish was for Santa Claus to bring a bed for his mother.

Kaieteur News learnt of the little boy's selfless wish while listening to an episode o f t h e G u y a n a To d a y morning show which is aired on NCN television.

The hosts of the programme related that in the letter the boy spoke of the situation in his home. His mother, he explained, is a single parent to three children and there is only one bed in their home.

As any good mother

The NCN team uplifting the mattress from Comfort Sleep.

would, the little boy noted that his mother would always ensure that her children are comfortable and would put them to bed then choose a spot on the floor to rest her head.

Concerned about this, the child requested that Santa grant his wish of having an extra bed so that his dear mother could sleep comfortable too.

On Monday his wish was granted. A team from NCN drove to Ramroop Furniture Store, located on Lombard Street in the capital city to

uplift a bed frame. The team then drove to Eccles, East Bank Demerara to uplift a mattress from the Comfort Sleep company before heading to North East La Penitence to deliver the little boy's wish.

Kaieteur News understands that both the boy and his mother were very emotional when the bed was delivered to their home.

Anyone who would like to spread even more Christmas cheer to this family can contact NCN on telephone number 227-1566.

The NCN team loading the bed frame onto a canter truck.

Kaieteur News

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Saturday December 25, 2021

Timeless Gifts that are a must have for this Season & 2022

By Kiana Wilburg Besides birthdays, Christmas is one of the quintessential periods of the year where we get to demonstrate in tangible ways what our loved ones mean to us. And quite frankly, who doesn’t like to be spoiled, appreciated and simply thought of during the holidays.

It is for this reason, Kaieteur News has compiled a list of gift ideas that are the embodiment of fashion, luxury, beauty and just overall, the promotion of confidence and self love.

There is a gift in this list for every type of man or woman. Choose wisely and have a blast for the season and 2022!

1 LIFT AND LASHES BY TOYA It is said that the eyes are the most expressive part of a person’s anatomy. But there is no greater opening or curtain to the window of the soul than a woman’s lashes. It is with One of Dorsil Zephyr’s understanding that clients showcasing her soul‘Lift and Lashes By snatching lash extensions.

To y a ’ h a s b e e n highly sought after internationally for the whimsical and ietress r recognised Babe Cave p o long-lasting looks it r p ephyr, Toya.

Lash Academy in offers citizens.

Dorsil Z d Lashes by an Trinidad.

The business which of Lift The businesswoman has been part of the said she highly local beauty industry for recommends women getting Lash five years is owned by Dorsil Zephyr, a fiercely gorgeous 30- Extensions for this season or a Lash Lift year-old entrepreneur who is popularly service. She noted that Christmas is a season known as Toya. She has been a longstanding filled with many activities and functions to member of the beauty industry for over 10 attend. With so much to do in so little time, years but it was five years ago that she either of these services will guarantee you decided to venture out of the provision of look your best throughout the season without common beauty services such as body the daily effort.

For more information, LIFT AND massage, facials, pedicures, manicures, and waxing, and revolutionised the industry by LASHES BY TOYA is located at the Palace offering high quality Lash Extension de Leon Building, on Croal Street between Cummings and Orange Walk, Georgetown. services that are second to none.

Kaieteur News understands that Dorsil You can made contact via the following has been serving as a successful Lash Stylist media: 670-803; Facebook: Lift and lashes for five years, being two times certified by b y t o y a ; a n d I n s t a g r a m : Chantel Juman CEO and owner of the @liftandlashesbytoya.

2

JUV

Though it is a relatively new company, which started in 2017, JUV has been regarded and highly praised for its skinnourishing coconut oil, which is grown from the

r i ch soils of estates in the Pomeroon.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, Cassia Alphonso, a Director at Adamantium Holdings, which manages JUV, noted that her family has been producing coconut oil for well over two decades from its estates

and they wanted to create a skincare line made with pure coconut oil that the babies and children in their family could use, hence the birth and evolution of JUV. She describes JUV as a lightly scented, total hair and body product made from Pure Coconut Oil. She said, too that it has a light feel, which is quickly absorbed into the skin leaving it fully reJUVenated.

A must have item that she listed for the Christmas season is the JUV Baby Lavender Lullaby as well as the JUV Premiere Line since some of these are for men and feature

luxurious unisex scents. These items can be had at all leading supermarkets and

pharmacies countrywide. Call or WhatsApp #665-5924 for more information.

Because we are still in a pandemic and most of us may not be doing the New Year’s Eve party, CaMeg’s believes Lounge wear is a must have. They posit that it is comfy, fashionable, and simply ideal for taking in a movie, hanging out with friends or going shopping.

3 CAMEG’S FASHION HOUSE Fashion, has, and will continue to be, one of the most revolutionary platforms for defining who we are.

It can be playful, timeless, luxurious, and an eloquent extension of what we CaMeg’s chose this gorgeous skirt that can fit into any occasion, whether it’s for a function stand for. But of all the boutiques in at church or a formal event. All you have to do Guyana that seek to help us define is choose a top that fits the occasion and our sense of self and style, CaMeg’s can help with that too.

CaMeg’s helps any lass or woman do this in the names. classiest way possible. It They hold the is for this very reason, it view that when a has been selected to be woman looks featured in Kaieteur good, she feels News’ timeless gifts good and there is collection. nothing she can’t The business which do in that state of has been in existence mind that exudes for eight years is a absolute confidence.

Sister-Sister For the season, collaboration t h e y h a v e between Carol Blair recommended two a n d M e g a n must-have items, Bettencourt. which are featured in Twenty years the photos attached. ago, they started out F o r m o r e in the beauty information, you can industry with a full find CaMeg’s Fashion service Salon House at Lot 77 (Monifa’s Beauty Hadfield, Street, WerkSalon and Spa). en-Rust, Georgetown or Carol Blair and Megan Their combined contact them on: 227Bettencourt, the owners of love and passion 2763 or 674-7619.

CaMeg’s Fashion House for beauty and the satisfaction, which they get to see in women’s faces when they leave the Salon helped to inspire the birth of CaMeg’s fashion House, which is a fusion of their

Kaieteur News

Saturday December 25, 2021

PAGE 33

Timeless Gifts that are a must have...

4 BROMELIAD.rnc (Professional Makeup Studio) BROMELIAD.rnc is owned

by Guyanese Award Winning Makeup Artist and Entrepreneur, Reneé Chester.

The company is in its 15th year of successfully catering to the beauty and cosmetic needs of women in and out of Guyana.

Under Chester’s brand, she also t e a c h e s Professional M a k e u p Application under the categories of Beginners Professional Makeup, Advanced and the Master Class. Over the years, she has earned recognition for her outstanding bridal makeup artistry but her skills aren’t limited to this, as she has done work for film, television and pageantry in and out of Guyana just to list a few. Her work has been seen in magazines, newspapers, fashion shows, blogs, photo shoots, award ceremonies and countless celebrated special events.

More importantly, Chester’s name and brand are synonymous with the Black Opal Cosmetics line of products as she is an advocate for the brand and is the official distributor of the products in her homeland.

Furthermore, Chester has made appearances at countless events over the years, promoting her artistry to fellow Guyanese and representing entrepreneurs as a woman in business. In 2018, she was featured as part of the “Guyanese Youth in Review” and in January 2019, she was awarded by CSC, the award for Outstanding Makeup Artist in the Caribbean. Presently, she continues to grow her brand with an active presence on social media platforms with over 26K organic followers. For more information, she can be reached at Lot 28 Queen Street, Kitty, Georgetown or via email

a

t bromeliad.rnc@hot mail.com or by c e l l @ (+592)6799212.

Given her outstanding background, it is understandable that she has been selected to be part of

the Kaieteur News’ timeless gift selection.

Her top two items that are a must have are as follow: 1: THE BLACK OPAL EVEN TRUE FLAWLESS LIQUID FOUNDATION. This is a win because of its lightweight yet full coverage formula that conditions, corrects and evens out your skintone. It has a luminous, velvet finish and it’s for all skin types.

2. THE MEHRON SKIN PREP PRO PRE-MAKEUP PRIMER. This is the ultimate oil control product on the market. It allows Makeup to stay set for longer hours even under stressful conditions such as being in the sun and for stage performances.

5 THE MASTERPIECE STUDIO The Masterpiece Studio has been a part of the beauty industry since September 16, 2017 and is now located on David Street, Kitty, Between Alexander and Vlissengen Road. Vincent Shelto, the proprietor of the Masterpiece Studio is an amazingly talented 26-year-old who is energetic and extremely passionate about all things makeup, beauty and wellness.

He hails from the small village of Matthews Ridge, BarimaWa i n i .

Guyana’s talented MUA, Vincent Shelto

Vincent believes that makeup plays an important role in an individual’s identity with the way it allows one to feel beautiful while expressing themselves creatively. He posits that it also allows him as a makeup artist to express his talent and abilities.

Further to this, Vi n c e n t s a i d h i s company came into being so as

to facilitate his love for makeup. It allows him to provide the service as well as items that are necessary in the process.

As for two must-have products to check out at The Masterpiece Studio, Vincent said these are the large Christmas gift box and the medium gift boxes.

The items for these specially packaged boxes were assembled by Vincent and are comprised of products that can be added to

anyone’s makeup collection as well as items that are necessary for overall wellness such as makeup palettes, skin care items, scented candles (which are therapeutic), etc.

These boxes are sure to make the perfect gift for the Christmas season and eve for 2022. Vincent may be contacted on (+592)690-6253 for more info on these luxurious beauty items.

6 D&S Ramdeholl and Son Jewellery Established in t h e 1 9 8 0 s , D e e p n a r i n e Ramdeholl is the owner of the renowned D&S Ramdeholl and Son Jewellery. He learnt the trade from his father since he was 14 years old.

Deepnarine started off as a goldsmith in Kitty, Georgetown, who would just take orders. His customers were no doubt amazed at his craftsmanship and this motivated him to eholl build a name for chin Ramd son, Mr. Sa is h d n a ll o h himself and grow his rine Ramde Mr. Deepna business. rec He subsequently ently started his studies opened his showroom in the 1990s where his customers visit online at the Gemological Institute of and place orders and also purchase jewellery America to become a Graduate Gemologist.

In October 2021, the business became on display. The craftsmanship and quality of the jewellery, which he made and sold was certified by the Guyana National Bureau of what attracted customers locally and Standards (GNBS), and was permitted to use internationally. After growing a most the National Standards Mark. This was a big recognised establishment, the business step for the business. In 2021, it also continues to grow and shine under the introduced some new designs of luxury leadership of Mr. Deepnarine Ramdeholl pieces, two of which are a must have for the and his son, Mr. Sachin Ramdeholl, who season.

7 GLAMOUR BEAUTY Glamour Beauty (GB) is a Guyanese-owned business that retails cosmetics, fragrances, skin and hair care products and accessories from luxurious and affordable beauty brands. GB branches are actually considered the ultimate experience stores where customers can browse, test and shop fragrance and cosmetics that are obtained directly from manufacturers as Glamour Beauty is an authorised reseller in Guyana.

Some of the popular brands in store are Dior, Clarins, HERMES, Paco Robanne, Bath and Body Works, Nyx Cosmetics, Bare Minerals, Shea Moisture, Maybelline, etc.

Kaieteur News understands that Glamour Beauty stores are located in the Movie Towne and Amazonia Malls. Contact numbers for more information are 622-2387, 657-0123, 502-5847. You can also check out their social media handles via: Facebook - Glamour Beauty; Instagram - @glamourbeautygy and at its website - www.glamour.gy Below are three of its must have items for the season.

-Guess Women Cessily Shoulder Bag Multi Colored This perfectly sized shoulder bag is perfect

for night-outs or brunch and dinner events. It carries a classy look that any female would love. The multicoloured effect makes it perfect to be worn with several outfits and still be able to match well. This is a “must have” for any lady and would definitely bring joy to any woman who receives this gift.

-Female Fragrance (Dior J’adore Eau de Parfum Infinissime) This intense luxurious fragrance is an endless burst of flowers that any woman would fall in love with. It is sure to make her feel like a powerful and sensual woman with this luscious and long lasting parfum.

-Male Fragrance (Paco Rabanne Phantom) This luxurious woody aromatic fragrance is one of the newest to the Paco Rabanne line. Get him this creative bottled cologne and evoke his musty masculine aura this holiday season.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 34

Saturday December 25, 2021

Ramroop’s New GPC gets more than half of Govt.’s $8B drug purchases - Audit Report …33 other suppliers share remaining contracts

T

he New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (New GPC) in 2020 was found to be the single largest supplier of drugs and medical supplies to the Government of Guyana, securing more than half of the more than $8B spent for that purpose during that year.

This was documented by the Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, in his audit findings for the Ministry of Health for that year.

New GPC, owned by Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, topped the list of 33 suppliers to government, providing supplies for contracts higher than $6M and securing some $4.4B in contracts.

The other suppliers include Western Scientific C o m p a n y, C a r i b b e a n Medical Supplies Inc., PAHO, Meditron Inc., GBTI-Water Street, Roche Diagnostic, Ansa McAl Trading Limited, TransContinental, Massy Gas Products Guyana Ltd, Linden Hospital Complex, GK Inc., DiaMed, Led Guyana, Medipharm Inc., K & P Project Management Company, Kings Pharmaceuticals & Supplies, Regium International Inc., Agatha General Consultant and Adv. Serv. Inc., Cepheid

New GPC owner, Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘ Bobby’ Ramroop HBDS, Marva Prefero Import & Export, Khalama AT Chemicals Company Inc., Scientific Supplies Tech., Cunjahs Distribution Construction & Décor Services, Regal Stationery & Computer Centre, BPI Guyana Inc., Logistics Gyexpress Inc., Portal, GUYBIZ Establishment, Jamars Associates, Cares Worth Medical Centre & P h a r m a c y, E l D o r a d o Trading and MEDB Inc. According to the Auditor General, Western Scientific Company secured the second highest number of contracts for the period under review, valued at $1.8B. Caribbean Medical

Supplies Inc. and PAHO each received contracts to the tune of $383.2M and $378.3M respectively, while all other contracts were for sums below $200M. The Auditor General in his report noted that the sum of $8.1B was allotted to the Ministry for Drugs and Medical Supplies, with a subsequent allocation of $52.959M, resulting in an increased revised allotment of $8.123 billion.

Additionally, it was noted by the Auditor General in his report that drugs and medical supplies valued $1.568 billion were paid for, but not received at the time of the audit.

Compounding the situation, the Auditor General in his report observed that only the sum of $551.819M was covered by bank guarantees and “as a result, should the suppliers default on the supply of goods amounting to the difference of $1.016 billion, the Ministry could encounter difficulties recovering this sum.”

Additionally, the receipt of drugs and medical supplies totalling $1.851 billion could not be verified, and 118 payment vouchers processed for this sum were not presented for audit as of September 2 this year.

Saturday Friday October December 29, 2021 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 35

9 songs on my

Christmas Playlist

By Allyiah Allicock

B

gift of Jesus Christ.

'Joy to the World' has since been covered in different genres and sang by popular singers such as Mariah Carey and the Pentatonix.

3. & 4. A Very Merry Guyanese Christmas and There is nothing like meh home on Christmas morning by our very own John 'Slingshot' DrePaul Tw o p r o m i n e n t Christmas songs written by legendary musician

Caribbean rendition was Lovette who in 1983 released the song in his holiday album called 'Merry Christmas'.

Since then, this version of Feliz Navidad is popularly-known throughout the Caribbean

esides my b i r t h d a y, Christmas is another celebration I look forward to the most each year, because every holiday season I am fortunate enough to spend it with the people I love; my family.

For me, the festive season begins as early as October and November when the streets usually become busy with shoppers and the music carts begin to blast the local and reggae Nikesha Lindo's Christmas genres of Christmas songs. album 'The Christmas Album' Apart from the tasty which was released in 1997. foods and beverages, the music is what really puts me 'Slingshot' and his wife, in that holiday spirit.

Ingrid DrePaul, are hits that Not just any kind of never seem to go out of style music, but as I mentioned, in Guyana. the reggae type of tunes, They really and truly from 'Cake in the oven captivate how and what baking' by Lloyd Lovindeer Christmas is like in Guyana. to 'Christmas in Guyana' by And because of their Slingshot, they serve as a catchy lyrics, these hits have reminder that Christmas is been making their way onto approaching. the international Today, I will share with you some of my favourite Caribbean music that you can dance to this Christmas.

1. Away in a Manger by Donna Marie This reggae genre hit was one Marie released from her Christmas album titled 'Christmas Cheers', which featured 11 other popular songs. 'Away in a Manger' is a Christmas carol that was composed in the nineteenth century. The lyrics centres around the adoration of the new-born baby Eddie Lovette's Jesus as he laid Christmas album in a manger.

'Merry Christmas' which This song is was released in 1983. one that we usually hear during the playing frequently during festive season. the weeks leading up to the airwav e for a number of Hark the Herald Angels holiday and which some years now.

Sing, another reggae remix, persons may wake up These songs are just two h e a r i n g o n C h r i s t m a s of which form a part of was also part of Lovette's Christmas album. morning.

Slingshot's album titled The lyrics which dates 2. Joy to the World 'Christmas is Family'. back to 1739 was first

by Nikesha Lindo 5. & 6. Feliz Navidad and written by Charles Wesley as Lindo, in 1997 released Hark the Herald Angels a hymn for Christmas Day this sweet melody which Sing by Eddie Lovette which features several forms part of her Christmas Feliz Navidad which album titled 'The Christmas means “merry Christmas” scriptures from the bible.

Album'. was first composed in 1970 This song is a famous by musician Jose Feliciano.

Christmas hymn which was Feliciano had penned the first written by Isaac Wats in song to bring people together 1719, inspired by Psalm 98, with the holiday cheer and to 96:11-12 and Genesis 3:17- wish them a prosperous year 18. This song signifies the and happiness. joyous celebration of the Wanting to bring the sovereignty of God and the same holiday spirit with a

Slingshot's Christmas Album 'Christmas is Family' which was released in 2014.

7. Give Love on Christmas Day by

Lloyd Lovindeer's Christmas album 'Caribbean Christmas Cheer' which was released in 1987.

a irie Christmas and a dancehall New Year” is a very popular rendition in the busy streets of Georgetown.

For me it is one I enjoy while

Jacob Miller's Christmas album 'Natty Christmas' which was released in 1978. doing last-minute shopping on Regent Street.

9.Cake in the oven baking by Lloyd Lovindeer Lloyd

Fiona Robinson This song starts off with a sweet reggae rhythm telling you what happens on the usual Christmas morning. Surrounded by your family and opening gifts. This song is a popular one that was recorded by Motown Records and was

made especially popular by the famous Jackson 5.

8. Wish you a Merry Christmas by Jacob Miller Released in 1978, from his 'Natty Christmas' album, Miller's hit is still a song that people dance to, unto this day. However, “We wish you

Lovindeer really knows how to put people in that Christmas Ev e spirit, you know, during all the last-minute baking and cooking.

He, in 1987, released this popular hit from his Christmas album titled ' C a r i b b e a n C h r i stmas Cheer'.

All of these songs can be found on YouTube so you have every opportunity to enjoy them, like me, this Christmas.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a delightful New Year

Kaieteur News

PAGE 36

Saturday December 25, 2021

Christmas without a wife after 38 years …the story of Reverend Gladston Bagot

By Davina Bagot

T

he smell of pepperpot won’t be the only thing missing in the life of Reverend Gladston Bagot this Christmas, since his wife of 38 years will not be beside him today.

Bagot, a preacher at the Deliverance Tabernacle Assemblies of God Church in Kuru-Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway lost his wife, Barbara Bagot, to cancer in February of this year.

First Christmas together In October of 1983, the couple exchanged vows and happily moved into their new home. Even though they were living in an apartment just below Gladston’s mom, in Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, the couple was filled with excitement and joy to be able to celebrate the birth of their Lord and Saviour together.

“My wife was the one to make sure everything was in place, just about two weeks before the big day. I play the supportive role,”

order.

The Reverend said, “Like every other man would tend to tell themselves we have everything under control, my wife was there to ensure absolutely no chances were taken.”

Christmas with a newborn About two years after Gladston and Barbara tied the knot, along came their first child, a son, whom they called Neil.

Neil was born in the year 1985 and by then, the Bagots had already moved into a spanking new apartment at Peter’s Hall, also on the East Bank of Demerara.

“We were away from family so that was a whole new era,” he reminisced. Gladston said that even though his wife had given birth a few months before the festive season, she was very efficient and effective.

With the help of Barbara’s younger sister, who spent about 16 years with the couple, Gladston recalled that his wife was able to, not only ensure the traditional pepperpot was prepared, but also that their apartment was decorated.

Reverend Gladson Bagot celebrating his wife’s 57th birthday together with their grandchildren.

Pastor Bagot and his late wife, Barbara, celebrating an event with their children, in-laws and grandchildren.

the Reverend chuckled, as he recalled.

Although the couple was newly married and could not afford all the luxuries of the day, Gladston said his wife made sure new curtains were purchased, as per the traditions of Guyanese, as well as other decorations, in a bid to beautify their home.

He remembers her to be very passionate about the holidays and keeping the home in

children have grown and started their own families, he and his wife (before her demise) would make sure that the family attended Christmas morning service before departing for a joint breakfast.

The Reverend explained that each year, the family would take turns in hosting the much-anticipated Christmas breakfast. It is much anticipated, since the siblings have spread out to different areas to live and rarely Continued on page 38

He said the birth of their son made the holidays even more intimate for them.

Christmas Day routine Flash forward to today, Barbara and Gladston’s marriage bore three more children. After Neil came his brothers Raphael and Jeremy and his only sister, Daniele.

Gladston said that even though his

The late Barbara Bagot made sure her home was decorated last Christmas, even though she was ill.

Barbara Bagot went Christmas shopping for the last time in 2020.

Saturday December 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 37

GNBS spreads Christmas cheer at GPHC’s Paediatric Ward Marketing Officer Ms. Aishah Hussain presenting a toy to a child in the Paediatric Ward.

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re-Christmas excitement erupted in the Paediatric Ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Thursday, as the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) presented toys and treats to the children.

In a release the GNBS noted that during the annual Toy Drive, staff of the Bureau shared more than 60 pieces of assorted toys to children at the public hospital, which brought

smiles to their little faces.

Nurse Abena Ellis who escorted the GNBS staff to the children in the Ward, thanked the Bureau for choosing to spread cheer to the children at the GPHC. She said, “it brings much joy to the children because being in the hospital around this time is understandingly difficult for them; you know the children would want to be home, so bringing toys to them is a great gesture and I must say thank you.”

The Toy Drive commenced at the GNBS on

The GNBS team hands over the remaining toys to the Nurses at the GPHC’s Paediatric Ward.

November 01 and ended on December 17, 2021, during which time staff members happily purchased toys for the GNBS Toy Box. Head of the Marketing Department, Mr. Syeid Ibrahim, said the organisation is happy to spread the Christmas cheer to those in need.

“Christmas is a time of sharing and it is a pleasure to

give back during the holiday season. I believe seeing the smiles on the faces of children is really the most fulfilling feeling one can enjoy. In addition, the GNBS is becoming increasingly cognisant of the importance of having a socially conscious image, and giving back to society is quickly becoming one of our

priorities,” he noted.

This year, the GNBS hosted a successful blood drive in collaboration with the National Blood Tr a n s f u s i o n S e r v i c e s (NBTS), a Book Drive for a Library in Region 7 and a Bake Sale on International Women’s Day to financially assist a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).

F u r t h e r, t h e B u r e a u collaborated with the Ministry of Health to host two COVID-19 Vaccination Drives for staff and residents of nearby communities.

The GNBS also wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, noting in its release, “We look forward to serving our stakeholders in 2022.”

Christmas cheer transcends religion Teachers to be licensed from in Guyana next year - Education Minister

C

hristmas is now celebrated in over a 160 countries across the world and, although rooted in Christianity, with time, the celebration has evolved to be embraced by persons of all faiths.

While Christians and Muslims differ over the designation of Jesus—Son of God or Prophet—this has not stopped ‘Humanity First Guyana’ an Islamic organisation, from spreading Christmas cheer during a traditionally joyous season.

Humanity First is a nonpolitical, non-religious and impartial international relief and development agency that focuses on protecting human life and dignity that provides aid on the basis of necessity alone, irrespective of caste, creed, colour or religion.

According to Chairman of the Guyana Branch of this International Organisation, Maqsood Mansoor, “our mission is to serve socially disadvantaged individuals and families in the poorer communities and disaster struck areas of the world.”

To this end, he said, “we aim to offer sustainable development solutions to society whilst providing and empowering local communities with the resources to help themselves. We promote peace and understanding

Chairman of the Guyana Branch of Humanity First, Maqsood Mansoor, with a beneficiary family. based on mutual respect and acceptance.”

The organisation, he said, through advocacy, emergency responses and efficient programming, prioritises the health and safety of those most vulnerable.

Established in 1995, Humanity First was registered with the UK Charities Commission and has expanded its operations in 60 countries, across six continents.

Humanity First (Guyana) is a branch of Humanity First International and it was reactivated in 2018.

Among the programmes that would engage Humanity First during this year are its feeding programme where “we cook meals and feed homeless, needy people. We have also provided snacks for kids who were attending various programmes through the Police Department.”

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e distribution of food hampers

“is our second programme.

Under this programme, we provide food hampers to poor, needy and senior citizens.”

The organisation earlier this year had organised at least six Medical Outreaches and, according to Mansoor, “through this programme, we provide blood pressure, sugar testing, free consultation, free medicines and free eye testing.”

For the Christmas Season, the Humanity First Chairman told Kaieteur News, “we had organised a medical outreach in the headquarter of the Special Police Constabulary on December 1 where 86 police ranks were checked and were given free medicines along with sugar testing, blood pressure and eye testing.”

This week, he said, “we are distributing 120 hygiene kits to different senior citizen homes and orphanage homes. You can find more about HF International at humanityfirst.org

The Government of Guyana in its commitment to strengthening the education sector is aiming to have all teachers in the system licensed beginning from next year.

This was announced on Monday by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand during a media brunch at the Cara Lodge Hotel, Georgetown. The Minister’s announcement comes after she made it clear that all educators in the system must be trained or be in training by next year.

“You are more likely to do well as a trained teacher and teachers who do continuous learning,” she stated.

Minister Manickchand stressed too that the teaching profession is equally important as doctors, and so teachers must be licensed to carry out the job.

“Beginning next year, we have to license our teachers; this is one of the most important professions.

Doctors have to be licensed and re-licensed every year because you know we have to make sure they have the skills. Teachers across the Caribbean, teachers in North America, they hold a licence and if you don’t engage in a certain number of professional development courses, that speaks to the

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand. level of commitment and what you might be able to know and learn; we can’t progress,” the Minister asserted.

She noted too that for years now, the rate of trained teachers across the country have been at a stagnant 70 percent and this is partially due to the number of enrollment, which the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) can facilitate and the fact that teachers retire every year.

“The highest level of trained teachers we have is at primary, and has never reached 80 percent. We don’t have any level with 80 percent trained teachers, it has all been at the 73, 71, 75, 77, and the reason for that is simple, some teachers have retired every year and we have only ever been able to put 535 (at a time) in training,” Manickchand

revealed.

The Minister mentioned too that the Ministry has recorded a drop in hinterland teachers being trained.

Though it was worrying at first, she disclosed that what they found is that these teachers preferred to do the two-year Associated Degree programme instead of the full four-year certificate programme. Although noting that this is commendable, she encouraged them to pursue the profession further.

For those teachers in the system who are untrained, the Education Minister assured that come next year, her Ministry will be working closely to upgrade them.

While, disclosing the plans the Ministry has for next year and beyond, the Minister noted that the CPCE will be expanded.

“The Cyril Potter College of Education is the only teaching training centre in the country. Usually, about 535 students are accepted for face-to-face learning every year, this year because we have gone online, we have more than 2,500 students who have begun their first year learning,” she related.

Given the plans for the CPCE, the Minister noted that in the next four years, Guyana will be able to produce more teachers than it has ever done before.

PAGE 38

Kaieteur News

Saturday December 25, 2021

==Christmas Messages== Guyana Agricultural And PRIME MINISTER BRIGADIER MARK PHILLIPS General Workers Union Fellow Guyanese, Christmas is here once again. At this time of year, gratitude is one of the strongest feelings we have, and this year, even as we observe it for the second time amid the ongoing pandemic, it is not lost on any of us that the opportunity to meet and celebrate Christmas once again is a blessing.

This year, while we have no doubt suffered losses and disappointments, we were still able to meet with family and friends in a way that we were unable to last year. Yet, the challenges of the pandemic remain before us, and every day we, as a government, as a people and as individuals, must find new ways to continue to live our lives while trying our best to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

So, even amid the festivities, we must not

forget to stay vigilant, safe and take every precaution possible, as these are the only ways we can ensure that we protect ourselves and our loved ones while still being able to enjoy the season and all that it brings.

I take this time to extend my gratitude to the public servants, frontline workers, the private sector, the entrepreneurs and all those who have been instrumental in working towards ensuring we continue to serve our people even amid necessary restrictions.

Because of you, we can still operate on some level of normalcy even at this time; it is because of you that we can still enjoy Christmas.

I urge, too, that we also keep the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of Jesus Christ, and the lessons that it teaches - close to our hearts.

It is a time of celebration of life and restoration of hope; a

time of giving and joy. These are the tenets that we must hold fast to, despite the setbacks that may hang over our heads.

As Guyanese people, whether we are at home or living abroad, we have the amazing ability to shine brightly through our rich culture and practices.

And so, I look forward to seeing that brightness this Christmas as a show of that true Guyanese spirit that we have always so proudly showcased.

This bright spirit will continue to guide us through the most difficult of times.

I encourage us all to take a moment to pause and indulge in the festivities and wish you all a peaceful, safe and joyous season filled with love, happiness and prosperity.

Merry Christmas, Guyana!

Ethnic Relations Commission The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), extends best wishes for peace, joy and brotherhood to Christians and Guyanese everywhere to crown the spirit of the holiday season. It is time again to celebrate the goodness of humanity with sharing and compassion.

The Commission steadfastly expects that the continued generosity for which Guyanese are known, and their humanitarian thoughts and prayers will be for the less fortunate. The birth of the Christ child in humble settings and later as the ascribed saviour of

mankind, continues to be inspirational with his message of goodness and love for all humanity.

The ERC encourages all to embrace the significance of Christmas which is relevant for a multi-ethnic, multireligious and multi-cultural society like Guyana. Like many of our national holidays, Christmas has pierced religious barriers and participation is seen by Guyanese from all backgrounds. Such a positive development has served to provide opportunities to bring our people together.

As friends, colleagues at

work or relatives, make a silent and determined promise to promote tolerance and peace during and beyond the season. It is a duty that galvanises the efforts of all citizens with one desirable outcome – to achieve national harmony for the sake of our country.

The Commission nevertheless, cautions everyone in the midst of the observances and festivities to exercise utmost care to stay safe from COVID-19 and its mutating variants.

Merry Christmas from the Ethnic Relations Commission!

People’s Progressive Party The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend greetings to all Guyanese, especially the Christian community here and in the Diaspora, for a joyous and blessed Christmas.

The holiday season is a time of joy, goodwill, and sharing. It is also a time for compassion and kindness as we all endeavour to spread peace and love towards our fellowmen and women for the betterment of humanity.

Christmas is being celebrated this year at a time when our country is poised

for exciting times ahead, as we work towards rebuilding our economy, moving our country forward in new frontiers of development, and creating opportunities for all.

As we celebrate, our party urges that the true spirit and meaning of Christmas helps us to advance all humanity.

The birth of the saviour Jesus Christ, his exemplary life and teachings, are not only inspiring but offer much guidance for the betterment of all. These lessons provide us with opportunities to build a more tolerant society.

Our wish is that in this

season, the less fortunate will be especially remembered, and in our caring and sharing, our arms are extended to even the stranger. In the true Guyanese spirit, as a multicultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious society, the message of love is apt.

Cognisant of the ongoing impact of COVID19, the party, therefore, urges everyone to observe the necessary safety precautions during this festive season in order to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Merry Christmas!

The year-end Season of Christmas is one which is highly anticipated by almost everyone. Indeed the Season brings the curtains down on our year’s efforts and work and allows us to reflect on our achievements and difficulties.

While the Season has adopted such meaningful symbolism, we also must remember its origins and significance. Christmas signifies that birth of Jesus Christ who laid the foundation for the Christian religion.

That religion which is embraced by a large section of the world’s people has survived many challenges, espouses peace, empathy for the poor, and goodwill towards men. Today as Christmas is once again celebrated it is almost ironic that Christianity’s birth place has been caught in the throes of conflict and violence.

Of course, we cannot fail to recognise, that this year’s Christmas Season has been unlike any in the recent past.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc globally and has significantly curtailed contemporary life.

While mankind continues to

face up to these challenges, we see too Christianity’s principles of piety, charity and assistance to the less fortunate shining through the dark clouds that have hovered over our world. This like the birth of Jesus Christ gives us hope that better days and times are ahead and that mankind confronted by adversity will not only rise but surmount the challenges in its way.

At the local level, Christmas has grown into a national observance with Guyanese from all walks of life participating. This, we hold, speaks to the tolerance and unity of our people which have been tested in recent times. Though challenges to national unity abound, we know that our people will not be led astray by those who seek to divide for their own ends.

This Christmas Season sees greater optimism among the Guyanese people.

Already several of their burdens have been lifted and efforts to lift them out of the hardships placed on them are continuing.

It is this hopefulness that

is synonymous with the Christmas Season. And it reminds us that there is indeed light at the end of the dark tunnel. It reaffirms that the people’s struggles were not in vain, and they have won in the end.

It is with such thoughts in mind that the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) extends greetings to the Christian community and all Guyanese as we celebrate Christmas 2021.

The Christmas Season signals that the historymaking 2021 is nearing an end.

It also signals that better and brighter days are ahead as we see sustained efforts to advance development.

The celebration of Christmas 2020 embraced by so many, presents the opportunity for togetherness to prevail over selfishness, political high-handedness and set our nation on the path to harmony and strive to ensure that peace and goodwill among men and women prevail.

A joyful Christmas and a New Year of Hope from GAWU – to all Guyana!

Christmas without a wife after 38 years...

From page 36 have time for such a rendezvous.

“It is something, as a father, I envisaged and always looked forward to, because even in the scriptures, Abraham was able to keep in touch with his family, so I fashion my life in a similar way to be there in good times and bad,” he said.

For the remainder of the day, Gladston said that he and his wife used to relax, since on Christmas Eve they would participate in caroling around the community.

Not the same This year, Gladston said for sure the holiday season will be different for him, especially since his wife was so passionate about Christmas.

The now 66-year-old pastor said that after he learned his wife was ill, he prepared himself mentally for the worst.

“Now that she is not here, the evidence is honestly here.

The house isn’t cleaned as often, there has been no purchase of curtains and mats and I’m not sure whether the decorations will be put up,” he said just a few days before

Christmas.

Although the pastor had assured that the holiday cleaning would be completed and the curtains will be changed, he noted that, however, there will be no cooking.

“Knowing who I am, I have accepted the fact and I don’t think I will allow my emotions to get the best of me. She has been missed because there are some things I never had to worry about because she had it under control, so that void is there…so far I thank God for His strength, the laughs we had, the moments together, and now I have to accept the absence of her,” the Reverend posited.

Up-keep of traditions He was keen to note that although his wife will be absent today, he intends to have the family keep up the tradition of having breakfast together.

“She was very meticulous in ensuring she got everyone a present. Months before (Christmas) she would pick up something she would consider a present, even if it was only a pin,” Gladston recalled.

“Sometimes, they (our children) would collect their gifts even before the Season, but she would be sure to tell them “this is your Christmas gift,” he added.

In this regard, the pastor said he may have to ensure that he keeps her tradition alive.

Barbara’s last Christmas “Within the last year when she took ill, she was not able to do very much. The energy was not there, but the passion was there. Last year, I did more than I ever did throughout the years. I baked her cakes, and of course she was there to make sure I add enough flour and mix the ingredients right. I was humble enough to do the best I can,” he related.

But, “based on what was happening in her life and what was taking place,” he said that “it seemed last year would have been her last, but we were still hopeful. It was the most troubling, testing period of all our years together. There were places we couldn’t go together like we usually would, due to her illness.”

The Reverend continued, “of course the Coronavirus affected us also, but all in all God has been good. Even though her seat will be missed, I look forward to having a good time with my children.”

Kaieteur News

Saturday December 25, 2021

==CONSUMER CONCERNS==

By Pat Dial Homes and commercial centres have been colourfully decorated with Christmas symbols and most people admire their beauty but not many are aware of their meanings.

Since Christianity and the Christmas Festival have been adopted by many cultures throughout the world over many centuries, various meanings and interpretations have become attached to the same symbol.

Though the explanations of the various symbols may differ, their core meanings remain very much the same.

In this offering, we will give the meanings and explanations of the symbols which have universal currency and are most common in Guyana.

The word "Christmas" is very often written "Xmas" and many are puzzled as to why it is so written and what the pronunciation should be.

Since Christianity was born in the Greco-Roman world, the Greek and Latin languages were used in its early writings. The Greek alphabet letter for "Ch" is "X" so in writing "Christ" in Greek, we begin with "X" and Xmas borrows that 'X" but it is still pronounced as 'Christmas'.

The star is used as a decoration, particularly on Christmas trees.

It represents the star which led the three Kings or Wise Men (Magi) to the manger in Bethlehem where the Baby Jesus was born. The three Kings brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, each gift having a significance in Jesus' life.

The gold represents Jesus' kingship and glory and is the origin of the Christmas colour gold. The gifts of the three Kings represent the origin of the gift giving at Christmas. Replicas of the nativity scene with the baby Jesus lying in the manger and the animals standing around were used as a Christmas symbol from the

Middle Ages and was introduced by St. Francis of Assissi. It taught the lesson that Man should always help the poor and homeless and show kindness to animals.

Angels are always part of Christmas decorations and represent the angels which descended on the night of Jesus' birth to celebrate and sing his praises and the shekinah, that is the light which emanated from their bodies, lit up the hills around Bethlehem.

The bright lights which illuminate homes, commercial areas and public places at Christmas replicate the heavenly light which suffused Bethlehem at the birth of the Lord Jesus. The bright lights also symbolise the enlightenment, wisdom and salvation to Mankind which Jesus brought.

Santa Claus is the Christmas symbol par excellence. Santa is a symbol for Saint Nicholas, a bishop who lived in the fourth century in Anatolia and whose vestments were red.

He was famed for his goodness and especially for his love of children and it was he who made Christmas into a children's festival. He was believed to be able to levitate and fly, and the tradition of Santa flying through the night skies on Christmas Eve in his sleigh to deliver gifts to children derives from this tradition.

But Saint Nicholas was not only kind to orphans and other children, he was known to help everyone.

There was a father who had three daughters who could not have been married since they had no dowries. The girls had washed their stockings and hung them over the fireplace to dry and Saint Nicholas put a ball of gold in each stocking. When they looked at their stockings on Christmas morning, they were elated to find that they had their dowries. The gold balls which are so much a part of Christmas decorations

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SYMBOLS OF CHRISTMAS

represent Saint Nicholas' gift.

Most are aware that the Christmas colours are red, blue, green and gold but their meanings are often unclear. Red signifies the blood of Jesus who was crucified to bear the sins of Mankind; Blue is the colour associated with the Virgin Mary, Jesus' mother; Green signifies rebirth, growth, prosperity and wellbeing; Gold reminds of the gift of gold presented to Jesus at his birth by one of the three Kings and symbolises Jesus' majesty and his spiritual kingship over the world.

The Candy Cane is one of the most unusual symbols.

It is a confection and traces its origin to the Middle Ages and its colours red represents Jesus' blood when he bore the sins of the world at his crucifixion and its white represents his purity and nobility. It was enthusiastically revived in America. If it is turned downwards, it forms a 'J' representing Jesus.

The silver bell is one of the most popular and ubiquitous of Christmas decorations and symbols and even find their way to the New Year celebrations, t h o u g h w i t h d i ff e r e n t connotations. In the Middle Ages, the bells of all the churches would be peeling on Christmas morning to announce the birth of the Lord and to summon the

populace to worship and the silver bells recall that custom.

The botanical symbols of Christmas mostly have their origins in the pre-Christian Teutonic and Celtic religions. The Xmas Wreath hung on doors and walls represents the unending love of God for Man with its circular shape without ends and is a talisman bringing good luck, happiness and prosperity. It is also regarded by many as representing the crown of thorns which was placed on Jesus' head at his crucifixion.

This is an example of a symbol from the GrecoRoman religion being coopted into the Christian religion.

The Teutonic and Celtic peoples lived in the North where the land was covered with snow and ice for several months of the year. No food could be produced, the trees lost their leaves and the landscape was white, covered in snow and ice.

This was a time of scarcity and privation. A few trees remained evergreen and these gave colour to the white landscape and brought hope to people that the Sun and plenty would again return.

These trees were regarded with reverence and a few of them were regarded as divine and since the Christmas festival fell in winter, these continued to be revered as they had been in

pre-Christian times but given Christian symbolisms.

The most well-known, the Fir, the Holly and the Mistletoe came to be an essential part of Christmas decorations. Their preChristian meanings came to be co-opted into Christian symbolism.

The evergreen Fir came to be the Christmas Tree with its conical shaped top pointing to heaven and representing the aspiration of Man. Its evergreen represented the continuation of peace, prosperity and the everlasting nature of the teachings of the Lord Jesus.

The tree over the centuries came to be decorated with Christmas symbols of various kinds making it a microcosm of the story of the birth and teachings of the Lord Jesus. The Holly and Mistletoe were equally Christianised - The holly with its thorny leaves and stems came to represent Jesus' crown of thorns and its red berries his blood while the mistletoe came to represent peace, love and good fortune.

The one universal botanical symbol which derives from the Americas is the Poinsettias. There are two traditions of its origin.

The first is that it was discovered in the Caribbean by the 17th century French explorer, De Poincy, and thus named after him. The second is two small Mexican

children, Maria and her brother Pedro, badly desired to attend the nativity service but had no money to buy any gift and so with a heavy heart, they carried a green twig from a tree near their home. When they laid down their gift among the others it was regarded with amused contempt by everyone. Then suddenly it began to change into beautiful red petal-like leaves and became the most attractive gift among them all.

The American Ambassador to Mexico, Poinsette, brought back the plant to America in 1825 and widely distributed it; it was called Poinsettia after the Ambassador. The symbolic Christian message of the Poinsettia is that if a gift is given with a pure and devoted heart, no matter how poor it may be, it is always transformed into something of value. And secondly, one should not be embarrassed or deterred from helping, no matter how small the assistance may be.

In this offering we addressed Christmas customs and symbolisms which are universally known but there are many which are purely local or confined to the Caribbean region which we will consider elsewhere.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 40

Saturday December 25, 2021

Woeful GuySuCo produced meagre 58,025 tons of sugar this year The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) produced 30,865MT less of sugar when compared with 2020, according to a preliminary report released by the corporation on Friday.

Based on the report, GuySuCo’s pre-audited production stands at 58,025MT of sugar in 2021 compared to 88,890MT in 2020.

Despite the significant shortfall, the Corporation said it met all the needs of the local market for 2021. It was explained that the shortfall was a result of the loss of some 35 percent of the standing cane during the 2nd Crop of 2021 due to the flood.

“At Albion, where 50 percent of the production was programmed to be made, the mortality rate for the standing canes planned to be harvested for the 1st Crop of 2022 is estimated at 80 percent due to the floods. On the Berbice Estates where more than 77 percent% of the production is made, the rainfalls in 2021 were 72 percent more than the previous y e a r, ” G u y S u C o detailed, while noting that it drained some 4.5 million tonnes of water off the land daily during the 65d a y f l o o d .

GuySuCo’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sasenarine Singh expressed satisfaction with the performance of the corporation.

“Despite the challenges from this unprecedented floods, the worst in 40 years on the sugar belt, GuySuCo was able to soldier on and continue production soon after these devastating floods to beat the prediction in September 2021 that the industry will not pass the 50,000 MT mark. GuySuCo pre-audit production as at December 23, 2021, is 58,025 MT,” the CEO said in the report. According to him, the agriculture team was able to strategise and re-focus on rehabilitating the damaged fields .

“S ome 4,300 hectares of sugar canes were destroyed across the industry (this land is equivalent to over 52,000 house lots) and the industry was able to rehabilitate some 38 percent of those damaged cultivation in 2021,” he detailed.

Describing the sugar workers as champions, he said, they worked tirelessly across the sugar belt to drain the 4.5 million tonnes of water from the flooded lands

during the flood.

“This herculean effort allowed the industry to save the remaining surviving cane and secure a 2nd Crop for 2022,” he added.

Having met its obligations of the local brown sugar market for 2021, GuySuCo said it will have enough brown sugar in its bond until Valentine’s Day 2022, when the factories are expected to recommence grinding.

“GuySuCo has launched into a forward-looking marketing strategy that is advancing the sale of value added packaged sugar (Demerara Gold and Enmore Crystals brands) with the primary focus being the local and CARICOM markets.

The Corporation’s strategy is to move the industry away from the EU bulk market that procures sugar at an average price of US$400 per MT when compared to US$600 MT in the Caribbean market,” the Senior Marketing Manager said.

inefficiencies. The director said for that reason, mechanisation is critical to reduce the production period and increase the output in the factories, in the productive months.

Submitting that two shorter crops with more output per day will help to reduce cost in the industry, the Director said, adding that some G$3B in immediate and urgent capital investment in land conversion, machinery and field infrastructure is required.

According to the report, there were 63 strikes in the sugar belt for 2021 which caused some 20,000 man days to be lost. The financial consequence of this situation was a loss in value to the sugar industry because of industrial action totalling G$740 million, the corporation explained.

The adverse financial impact of strikes in October alone totalled some G$378 million.

GuySuCo boasted that there has been a reduction in the annual financial losses to the Corporation despite unprecedented flooding in the sugar belt in 40 years. However, public records show that the corporation received billions of dollars in GuySuCo’s subvention during the Chief Executive course of 2021. “The Officer (CEO), opening balance sheet Sasenarine Singh given to the new executive management However, the Field after the Dr. Irfaan Ali Operations and Research Government came to office Director (ag) said the i l l u s t r a t e d t h a t t h e corporation urgently needs Corporation was never to advance its mechanisation compensated for the G$60 strategy to be able to increase billion as a result of the its harvesting capabilities Vested Order that harvested and reduce operating cost.

Skeldon, Enmore, Wales and “In 2020, the industry Rose Hall from the books of was faced with a dire GuySuCo,” the CEO said. shortage of fertilisers and He added, “When we agrochemical which had an turned up at Rose Hall for the adverse impact on 2021 cane initial take-over/hand over growth which affected cane process, GuySuCo found a yield. In 2021, this shortage grave yard of scrap metal as of critical agricultural input the factory was allowed to was resolved with great deteriorate and many of the s u p p o r t f r o m t h e functional moveable Government of Guyana,” the machines that GuySuCo left Director pointed out. at the location in 2017 either To c o m p o u n d t h e disappeared or fell into challenges of 2021, the unrecoverable disrepairs.” industry was faced with a The Executive dismal shortage of labour Management has prepared a (average turnout in the 2nd five-year Strategic Plan, crop of 2021 being 49 which was approved by the p e r c e n t ) w h i c h Board of Directors in March c o m p r o m i s e d c r i t i c a l 2021. However, due to the operational activities such as floods, the entire plan had to harvesting. The outcome be re-engineered to cater for from this situation was that the new dispensation. The the factories did not have modified five-year Strategic adequate canes to grind Plan is scheduled to be consistently for a 24-hour presented to the February period, thus increasing 2022 Board Meeting.

From page 22 bound to accept or pursue any response to this document and reserves the right to pursue discussion with any company and to modify or annul the procedure under this document at any time without further direction, without thereby incurring any liability, financial or otherwise.”

FRIDAY GUYANA SHOULD SET UP NATIONAL OIL COMPANY TO PENETRATE VEILS OF DISTRUST …CREATE MORE WIN-WIN OPPORTUNITIES FORMER STAATSOLIE BOSS If Guyanese authorities are desirous of strengthening the State’s oversight as well as its position as leader of its oil industry, then a National Oil Company (NOC) is the way to go, says former Head o f S u r i n a m e ’s N O C , Staatsolie, Mr. Rudolf Elias.

During a recent interview on Kaieteur Radio, Elias said, “I think the most important thing that Guyana should do is it should open a National Oil Company. This is not because I was the Chief Executive Officer of one but I worked there for so long and I saw the power and knowledge it afforded Suriname.”

Elias also shared his belief that a NOC would allow Guyana ample opportunities to attract its brightest minds in the Diaspora and have them serve under one roof. In streamlining universities to train persons to address gaps in the exploration, development and production cycles of the industry, Elias said this would also fortify the knowledge base needed for the NOC. “So if you combine all this knowledge, suddenly, you will see that you have a

very solid foundation,” expressed the former CEO. He shared as well, that in having a NOC, it allows Guyana to participate in the day-to-day activities of the block. He said, in other words Guyana would essentially have a seat at the table with ExxonMobil and all other oil companies operating in its basin and would therefore have a firsthand view of how they work. “If you understand better how they work, you would also understand better how you can approach them and how you can get the best out of what you have as a country. With participation in your own oil fields, you don’t only get knowledge from the oil companies from across the world but you now also get knowledge of the oil industry in your own country.

So now you know exactly what the costs are and what the benefits are because you are participating.”

He added, “So every penny that is spent you know, every contract that goes out you have to pre-approve together with your partners so you understand a lot better what is going on and when you understand each other a lot better you make better marriages…you can make better contracts. Also for Guyana, there is no distrust anymore and you can create more win-win situations.”

He stressed that the foregoing, and more, are all possible benefits when a country has a National Oil Company.

GDF SPENDS $3M A YEAR REPAIRING ONE VEHICLE …AS AUDIT REPORT FLAGS ‘EXORBITANT’ MAINTENANCE COSTS The record keeping and spending by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has raised red flags at the audit office. Documented in the Auditor General’s Report for 2021, one such instance being the case of one vehicle

costing the force some $3M annually for repairs.

That vehicle, according to the audit findings, was purchased in 2017, under the then coalition, A Partnership for National Unity, Alliance for Change Government.

According to the Auditor General, “some vehicles had relatively high maintenance costs. Noteworthy, is a Toyota Hilux 8th Gen. Pickup acquired in May 2017, which had maintenance costs, of $2.931M and $2.650M in 2020 and 2019, respectively.”

It was noted that $336.154M was budgeted under the Line Item for Vehicle Spares and Services which was later supplemented with a further $6.8M in 2020, “resulting in a revised allotment of $342.954M. The Auditor general in pointing out that the total sum of $342.937M was expended, noted that two of the vehicles catered for under that allotment utilised some 4.9M for repairs in 2020.

Four of the GDF vehicles were repaired at costs between $1.5M and $2M, totaling some $6.7M while six other vehicles accounted for $7.3M in repairs for that year. Each of the 18 other vehicles accounted for had repairs undertaken at sums below $1M. In response, the Auditor General said, the Head of Budget Agency stated that among the Force’s fleet, are a number of aged vehicles which incur high maintenance costs due to workload and terrain conditions and that efforts are being made to dispose of these inefficient vehicles and acquire newer models.

To this end, the Audit Office once again recommended “that the Administration of the Defence Force, assess the maintenance costs of its fleet of vehicles and equipment, with a view of disposing those that are uneconomical to maintain.”

Kaieteur News

Saturday December 25, 2021

PAGE 41

Respected bodybuilder, nutritionist, Emmerson Campbell shares top wellness tips for Christmas Season & 2022

By Kiana Wilburg At Christmas, we all look forward to spending time with our loved ones; being totally infatuated by the spirit and exhilarating joy of the season, and of course, opening new presents –it’s a tradition we seem to never grow weary of. But of all the activities that characterizes the season, none seem to warm the seat of the soul quite like the delightful dishes that define the ultimate Guyanese Christmas.

The mouth-watering pepperpot, the hot warm bread just out of the oven or freshly made from the B a k e w e l l B a k e r y, t h e sumptuous garlic pork, baked chicken, macaroni with extra cheese and who can forget that savoury rumflavoured slice of black cake with ginger beer or sorrel to wash it all down.

For most Guyanese, this is often just the main event.

There is still the after party or parties which involve the rhythmic, Caribbean Christmas carols playing in the background, and belly full of laughs with families and friends over our favourite spirits.

But in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has perhaps, become even more important for us to think more critically about the need to inculcate habits that promote health and wellness even as we splurge on Christmas delicacies.

Since the novel Coronavirus hit Guyana in March 2020, the time has never been more urgent for Guyanese to be more conscious about how they take care of their bodies—after all, it is our first home and most times, we don’t treat it with the respect it deserves. Sadly, we even avoid making better efforts to care for it from a

fitness and nutrition perspective until something goes radically wrong.

One of Guyana’s finest and most reputable bodybuilders and nutritionists, Mr. Emmerson Campbell, has always stressed the need for citizens to take better care of themselves. It is a point he makes to anyone he comes into contact with. Campbell is a firm believer that your body is your temple; hence you should treat yourself as the King or Queen that you are. But Campbell who has trained scores of men and women desirous of taking better care of their temples has never campaigned for his clients to avoid indulging in their cravings for sweets or high carb foods.

Even during the Christmas season, Campbell insists that persons who are on a fitness and wellness journey, can still enjoy the delicious meals of the season without undoing all of their weight loss achievements.

During an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News, the Fitness Trainer, who is adored by his clients for his positive outlook on life, and is also a columnist at Stabroek News, said he even wrote about this topic about three weeks ago.

“I had written that in order to keep weight gain at a minimum, certain strategies should be implemented like snacking wisely, watching portion sizes, going easy on the alcohol, staying active and paying attention to signs of hunger and fullness.

“I would recommend enjoying your food and savouring your family favourites with portions that leave you satisfied but not stuffed. It’s not a contest to see how much you can fit in during one meal. Pace yourself, slow down, chew thoroughly and really taste your delicious meal.”

He further noted that during the Christmas season, many Guyanese binge drink, get drunk and then drive.

Campbell’s favourite meals that he usually prepares

A focused Emmerson Campbell during one of his training sessions

Campbell said this is an absolute “no-no” for him. “I like to be the designated driver, so I never go overboard on the alcohol.

Two glasses of wine and I am ok for the night,” expressed the bodybuilder while cautioning persons to be responsible in their alcohol consumption prior to driving during the holidays.

With respect to mistakes that are often made with nutrition, Campbell said many individuals are of the view that if they stop eating rice, they would lose weight.

He stressed however that rice is not the culprit. “It is actually because they are in a caloric surplus which includes a lot of rice. You can actually lose weight eating rice by just being in a caloric deficit.”

As he advised that persons be wary of buying into the foregoing rice myth, Campbell also offered sound advice on what makes workout plans or meal plans ineffective. In this regard, he said persons often make the

mistake of not ensuring these are framed within the parameters of sustainability.

He said many times, persons make the mistake of doing crash diets that restrict certain food groups to get fast results. The columnist and respected Sports Journalist said, “Statistics show that 95 percent of diets fail, and that is because they are too strict and unsustainable. Also, many are of the opinion that starving themselves or eating as less as possible will enable weight loss. It will in the short term, but this is in fact the worst thing to do when trying to lose weight as the body will go into survival mode and shut down their metabolism.”

Campbell added, “The body will hold onto whatever water and nutrients it’s given to save for survival instead of fuel for normal daily activities and then the person will feel lethargic and unmotivated, leading to emotional eating and even

further weight gain.”

The bodybuilder said the foregoing tips would not only help men and women make healthier choices that promote the upkeep of their temples but also help them in keeping their fitness and health goals in focus for 2022. In addition to those tips, he urged Guyanese to set realistic goals that are attainable and get someone who is qualified to aid in their weight loss journey.

“Oftentimes people would train with someone who is not qualified. No one goes to someone who is not qualified to clean their teeth or anything medical, therefore why trust someone to transform your physique who is not qualified?”

PRACTICING WHAT HE PREACHES Since his high school years to now, Campbell has always been a stellar embodiment of health and wellness. He was always involved in some form of sport be it track, cricket, football, or basketball.

For almost two decades he has been a fitness fanatic and his obsession with the attainment of perfection in all aspects of his life is what led him to several commendable achievements in the bodybuilding arena.

Since competing in 2015, the fitness coach is Guyana’s f o u r - t i m e S e n i o r M r.

Physique Champion. He shared that one of his best accomplishments is definitely medalling three times at the highest Regional bodybuilding event, being the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships. ”It is always a pleasure to represent Guyana and be on the podium steps,” Campbell shared. He noted however, that his fitness goal in 2022 is to win the elusive gold medal at the C A C Champion ships.

“I’ve earned a bronze medal and two silver medals. I want to win the gold and earn a Pro Card, it will be the first in Men’s Physique at that event for a Guyanese…that will be the highlight of my c o m p e t i t i v e c a r e e r, ” expressed the fitness coach.

At just 34-year-old Campbell is not only a respected athlete, sports columnist and fitness coach locally and regionally, but he is also a firm advocate for a strong value system and key guiding principles. Speaking t o t h e k e y values/philosophies that kept him on the path to success, Campbell shared, “I am of the firm belief that if you respect yourself and treat others with respect, you will be respected. Also, in my opinion, when you have discipline and certain morals and principles like trying to be one percent better than you were the day before, a better friend, a better trainer, a better athlete, a better colleague, a better brother, son, etc, you can only achieve success...”

For the holiday season, Campbell said he intends to have a quiet day of just eating and drinking at home among friends and family. When it comes to Christmas, it’s all about family and loved ones having a fun time he posits.

As to the outlook of health and wellness that has carried him through life and will continue to guide his steps into the next year, Campbell said it will remain to take the best care of his temple as he possibly can. “…you only have one body and one life to live; why not take care of your health and wellness as best as you can?

There is a saying, health is wealth, so I want to be very wealthy for as long as I am alive.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 42

Saturday December 25, 2021

From cars to dolls …how a father’s Christmas tradition changed T

hose of you who know Somal Sharma of Innovative IT Solutions know that even at Christmas, there is nothing keeping him back from his cars—not even a piece of black cake or pepperpot—so every year, during this time, it is not uncommon for him to ignore all the Christmas traditions at home and spend the day on the road with his Honda S2000 and EVO, which he affectionately calls his “babies”.

This however, came to an end in 2020 with the birth of his actual “baby” girl, Arielle—his new obsession.

Now at Christmas, guess what he does? He plays with dolls, comb their hair, dressed them in their fancy clothes and then he would sit and help his daughter cook in her tiny kitchen—and when she shouts, “dirty, yucky!

Clean it!” he uses her mini vacuum to clean—and this is how this former “car lover” spends most of his days.

Christmas Eve Wanting his little girl to have an unforgettable time during the festive season, it has become a tradition for this father to take her to see Santa Claus. Last year, she bravely stared and waved at Saint Nick as he stood in a glass cage. This year, it was a bit different, she played

peekaboo with her new friend and asked that he send her some chocolates and cookies.

Arielle’s father, along with her mother Romila, want to ensure their daughter understands the importance of sharing and caring for those in need. As such, yesterday, after seeing Santa Claus, they took her shopping for gifts and sweets for children in the community. They then drove around and had little Arielle share them with little children—this she enjoyed doing as she met with many of her friends and even wanted to stay and play.

Once she got home, she told her aunt, Alisa, all about

her new friends. In the evening, Arielle and her father helped Romila with the baking and preparation for their first gingerbread house—a new Christmas tradition for this family.

Before the 21-month-old retired to bed, she got help to set a glass of milk and a plate with cookie on the table for Santa Claus. After that, she was happy to join her father with whom she watched some Christmas cartoons on his phone until she drifted off to sleep.

Christmas morning This morning, the family got up and wished each other a Merry Christmas. Arielle was too excited to hug anyone. She hopped off her bed and ran to the Christmas tree to see what Santa got her for being good.

This is how the rest of the day is expected to go based on last year’s experience: The father and daughter duo will open presents and play for a while. As customary, Arielle will call her grandparents: Prema, Somal Sharma and his baby girl, Arielle

Sunny and Rafeek, to wish and thank them for all the beautiful presents she receive. Arielle and her parents will go out to have breakfast and when they return home, they will decorate their ginger bread house. Little Sharma will be allowed to watch Christmas cartoons and play with all her new toys. Later in the day, she will visit her grandmother, Nalini and aunt, Becky, to open her

Somal Sharma, a race car enthusiast now embodies what it means to be the father of a little girl.

second set of presents and then she will visit her cousin, Aahil, to exchange presents.

Once she gets home, her father will take her for a walk in the neighbourhood and then they will make time for some more exciting cartoons. It is expected that again, Somal will have no rest and no time to take his cars for a spin this Christmas—the day now belongs to his daughter.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Saturday December 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Saturday December 25, 2021

Saturday December 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 45

Victoria farmers to benefit from emergency drainage works after years of neglect Farmers from Victoria Vi l l a g e , a f a r m i n g community located on the East Coast of Demerara, will soon benefit from a number of much-needed drainage works following years of n e g l e c t a n d underdevelopment.

This is according to a release issued by the Ministry of Agriculture. It noted that during a meeting on Wednesday afternoon, A g r i c u l t u r e M i n i s t e r, Zulfikar Mustapha told the farmers that most of their drainage woes will soon be behind them in the coming week as emergency works will commence within the next three to five days.

Farmers from the community turned up in their numbers to meet the m i n i s t e r, a i r i n g t h e i r dissatisfaction with the lack of proper drainage thus resulting in their farms being completely inundated when there are instances of persistent rainfall.

One farmer explained that due to the heavy vegetation in the trenches, many farms are constantly under water.

“Most of the trenches are blocked up and that’s causing flooding. All t h r o u g h t h e y e a r, w e experience flooding. Every time we go back to the farm we’re flooded again. We need good drainage,” the farmer said.

Similarly, another farmer told the minister that the main relief channel in the

- works scheduled to commence in next 3-5 days

Minister Mustapha along with a group of residents while walking along the Victoria main access road. area, which also drains three other neighbouring villages, is blocked and needs to be cleared.

“We have a company trench out there; the main drainage trench for Victoria, Cove and John, also Nabacalis and Golden Grove. That one trench drains everything. That is the most important trench and it’s blocked up,” the farmer said.

Aside from drainage, farmers also said that there was a need for a ranger to manage the Crown Dam. One farmer related that in the past, a ranger would monitor the condition of the dam and provide a report to the relevant authorities.

“We need a ranger because when the rain fall they are opening the koka (koker). Years ago when the water drop in this village

then they release the water from the savannah. If you go there right now, when the water big, it could work but the wire rope isn’t good and that is the main thing that is causing flooding in this village now. The Crown Dam leaking in several places and nobody’s getting to report the matter because we don’t have a ranger. Years ago, we had a ranger that used to run the crown dam and bring in a report but now we have no ranger and the system stop,” the farmer said.

In addition to drainage issues, the visibly frustrated residents expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the village’s Neighbourhood Democratic Council. They told the minister that despite making numerous requests for upgrades to their roads and

cleaning of the parapets the NDC continues to ignore their requests.

While addressing the farmers’ concerns, Minister Mustapha said that emergency drainage works will commence in the

coming days. He added that as the rainy season is expected to last another two months, works have to be prioritised to minimise flooding in the community.

“Things that were not done for years cannot be

done all at once. We have to prioritise and determine what works should be done now and what should be done later. What is most important should be done n o w. We a r e n o w experiencing heavy rainfall because the prediction is showing over the next two months we’ll have heavy and intense rainfall. We have to prepare now so that farmers and residents who suffered tremendous losses will not experience that again.

Systems need to be put in place. Although we are approaching the end of the year, which means our 2021 budget cycle is coming to a close, in another three to five days I will ensure that a machine comes to commence emergency works in the area. We’ll do the company trench, the two sidelines, and the middle Continued on page 46

Kaieteur News

PAGE 46

For those with PCOS ByRenaySambach

P

olycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which the ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens (much like males) but are usually present in women in small amounts. The name polycystic ovary syndrome describes the numerous small cysts (fluidfilled sacs) that form in the ovaries.

For many women, being diagnosed with PCOS means their chances of becoming a motherisreducedbyatleast50

percent. However, PCOS does not only affect the fertility rate of those living with the condition, it affects their physical and mental well-beingaswell.

Before finding out that I waspositivewithPCOS,Ibled for two weeks during the time of my menstrual cycle. The bleedingwasaccompaniedby severe pain which made me realise something was amiss since I had never experienced that level of pain before. This affectedmyabilitytoworkand domydailychores.

At first, I figured it was just me experiencing the brunt

force of period cramps. After sevendayspassedandIwasstill in pain and was still bleeding, I startedconsultingwithsomeof my close friends. This led to them recommending that I speak to a doctor who made some recommendations.After undergoing a lower abdominal ultrasound, as recommended by the doctor, I received my PCOSdiagnosis.

Since then, I have been learning of new ways to live a healthy life despite having PCOS. With the season of overindulgence upon us, for someone with PCOS like me,

Saturday December 25, 2021

…some tips to indulge and survive Christmas

eating healthy must be on our list. Let's eat healthy, enjoy treats with all the flavour and taste desired, without the guilt of eating something “bad for you”. Everywhere you turn someone seems to be cracking open a box of chocolates or suggesting another drink after work, because you know, it's Christmas. For anyone with PCOS, this season can be fraught with hard choices. Do you indulge and risk worsening painful symptoms, or abstain and feel like a scrooge? The good news is that there is a way to keep your health goals on track

without missing out on all the fun. The key is a bit of forward planning.

Don't be scared. Here are nine essential guides for surviving (and enjoying!)

Christmas when you have PCOS. [Tips taken from Katie Edwards, a Registered Nutritional T h e r a p i s t katie@katieedwardsnutrit ion.com] 1)It'sallintheplanning Anyone with PCOS knows the misery that can follow a big blow out. Sugary foods and drinks spike insulin levels, which in turn increase the levels of androgens in the blood. Excess levels of these hormones are responsible for the more uncomfortable symptoms of PCOS, such as acne, oily skin, unwanted hair growth and fat around the middle. [1] Always keep healthy snacks to hand – even the most iron-willed, can struggletomakesensiblefood choices on an empty stomach.

If you have time, aim to eat a protein-rich snack before heading out to a party or social event. Carrot and sweet pepper sticks with hummus or half an avocado with a boiled egg are nourishing go-to options. Keep a packet of seeds or unroasted nuts in your bagforemergencies.

2)Breakfastlikeaqueen If you have over-indulged the night before or have a big meal planned that evening, avoid the temptation to skip breakfast. Going without breakfast first thing, can trigger a blood sugar roller coaster, leaving you feeling tired and more likely to make unhealthy snack choices later

on.Breakfastreallyisthemost important meal of the day for PCOS! Start each day with a protein-rich, nourishing breakfast to help keep your hormonesinbalance.

Good choices include an omelette (with the egg yolks) with sautéed vegetables, quinoa porridge (this is a lovely recipe) or smoked salmon with avocado, pumpkin seeds and poached eggs. Toasted buckwheat or millet bread with nut butter and a handful of berries is a good option if you are in a rush.

3)Hydrate,hydrate, hydrate Constantly switching between cold weather outdoors and arid central heating inside can increase our hydration needs at this time of year. This is especially true if you have been drinking more alcohol than usual. Ensure you always have a glass of still, (ideally)filtered,wateronyour desk or carry a bottle when you are out and about to keep you hydrated throughout the day.

Rather than count glasses, check your urine: it should be clear or the colour of pale straw.

Ifnot,upthewaterintake.

Thirstiseasytoconfuse Continuedonpage51

Victoria farmers to...

From page 45 walk. Those four trenches we’ll do this year for you. Those areas that have breaches, the machine will also seal those breaches and, as it excavates, it will build the dams so that we can prevent flooding,” Minister Mustapha said.

In addition to the emergency drainage works announced, Minister Mustapha also told residents that officers from the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) will also be conducting a needs assessment to determine how many farmers suffered losses, after which, the ministry will be able to make available planting materials and fertilisers so that farmers can return to the land as soon as possible. Furthermore, farmers who lost livestock were also assured that, following a similar assessment, the ministry will work to offer assistance to farmers who suffered losses.

After the meeting, Minister Mustapha walked with farmers to get a first-hand look at the devastation caused by the flooding as well as the state of the roads. Residents took the opportunity to express satisfaction with the Minister’s visit and his willingness to visit several of the affected farms and homes. One resident mentioned that following the passage of the no confidence motion, the former Junior Minister of Public Infrastructure had visited the area but instead of walking with residents engaged them from the comfort of her vehicle.

Minister Mustapha also told farmers that come 2022 farmers can look forward to more developmental works in the village. He also said that he will engage the Ministers of Public Works to visit the area to address issues with the roadways in the village.

Saturday December 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 47

Newly elected PNC/R leader hosts - plans on strengthening relationship first 'walkabout' with non-traditional supporters

Scenes from the 'walkabout' yesterday.

N

ewly elected People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R) leader, Aubrey Norton, was yesterday greeted with smiles and hugs during his first 'walkabout' as the new leader of the PNC/R. Norton was in the company of Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine, Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Munroe, Opposition Member of Parliament and Chief Whip, Christopher Jones, Opposition Member of Parliament and attorney-at-law, Roysdale Forde, among other party representatives.

The walk about commenced in front of Georgetown's City Hall then moved to the market areas where Norton spoke with vendors and shoppers.

The vendors who stopped to talk with Norton congratulated him on his appointment while others shared their concerns in relation to current issues. As he responded to the concerns, Norton assured the vendors that he will deliver on his promises.

During an interview with reporters in front of Parliament buildings, Norton was questioned on the recent Police Service Commission (PSC) appointments. He said, “I heard a few names and most I know campaign for the PPP and therefore, to me, it cannot be a Police Service Commission.

The Police Service Commission is supposed to be independent and it should have credible people not party hacks.”

The PNC/R leader also took note of what he described as actions by the PPP that suggest that it is only prepared to serve a small clique of its friends and family while their supporters at large are not being catered for.

To this end, Norton noted that he plans on strengthening his ties with the non-traditional coalition supporters, so as to promote unity in Guyana's multi-ethnic society.

Additionally, he was asked whether he intends on joining the National Assembly given the fact that he is now the leader of the PNC/R. In response to the question Norton said, “Well I never suggested anything about the National Assembly…I'll put it this way; to the extent that I am on the list, there was the intention that I should.

I prefer to see myself at a place where the Guyanese people want me to be.”

Norton made it clear that he can be a part of the National Assembly without there being any conflict among his party members.

He noted that it can be done in a particular way that all

Members of Parliament (MPs) can benefit from it. He also highlighted that there is no intention of “kicking out” any MP from the National Assembly.

PAGE 48

Kaieteur News

Saturday December 25, 2021

Saturday December 25, 2021

Hong Kong universities remove more monuments marking Tiananmen (BBC NEWS) - Two more Hong Kong universities have taken down m o n u m e n t s commemorating the Tiananmen Square massacre.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) tore down a Goddess of Democracy statue while Lingnan University removed a relief sculpture.

Hong Kong University earlier removed a famous statue marking the massacre of students in Beijing in 1989.

The Chinese state has increasingly been cracking down on political dissent in Hong Kong. The Goddess of Democracy statue was modelled after the original statue erected by Chinese students in 1989 and paraded in Tiananmen Square just before the massacre.

Tiananmen Square had become the focus for demonstrations calling for greater political freedoms.

Thousands of people camped for weeks in the square, but that June the military moved in and troops opened fire.

The Chinese government says 200 civilians and several dozen security personnel died. Other estimates have ranged from hundreds to as many as 10,000.

CUHK did not directly confirm the statue’s removal, saying that an “unauthorised statue” had been taken away. ”The University never authorised the display of the statue on its campus, and no organisation has claimed responsibility for its maintenance and management,” CUHK said.

Lingnan University said

it had also recently “reviewed and assessed items on campus that may pose legal and safety risks” and had “removed [these].... in the best interest of the University”.

A spray painting of what appeared to be the Goddess of Democracy was also painted over at Lingnan University.

Hong Kong used to be one of few places in China that allowed public commemoration of the massacre, which remains a highly sensitive topic in mainland China.

But in 2020, Hong Kong authorities banned the vigil for the first time in 30 years, citing Covid restrictions.

Activists accused officials of bowing to pressure from Beijing to muzzle prodemocracy expression.

Tens of thousands of people defied the ban to attend the vigil that night, knocking down barricades that had been erected around Hong Kong’s Victoria Park.

In October, nine prodemocracy Hong Kong activists were sentenced to between six and 10 months in prison for taking part in the vigil.

Earlier this month, media tycoon Jimmy Lai also received 13 months in prison for participating in the same vigil.

Beijing introduced a strict national security law in Hong Kong last year that criminalises secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.

Activists say the law is being used to suppress civil society, jail democracy campaigners and curb basic freedoms.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 49

PAGE 50

Kaieteur News

Saturday December 25, 2021

Regional examination body’s...

From page 10 forward, missteps will be made, but intelligence also requires that you critically self-access.

“You look at what you have done, you are confident in the correctness of your motive, but the results might not always be what you expected.

“You are a learning institution, so you step back, you access, evaluate, and of course move forward, with certainty of purpose.”

The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training is working with local stakeholders who are agitating for change to the regional organisation’s structure.

The parent and teacher groups, who say they are “incredibly frustrated” want sweeping reforms and independent oversight to prevent the perennial problems from continuing into 2022.

“The performance of CXC is not just impacting the scholarship and exhibition winners, it impacts the entire reputation and brand of CXC and therefore of CARICOM in terms of our standards.

There are thousands of students, not necessarily national award winners, that are disadvantaged in many ways, not just in uni-

versity acceptance or scholarships regionally or i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y, ” s a i d Moore.

“Their entire motivation and confidence in the institutions they think they can depend on and trust is incredibly affected and there are serious negative ramifications where many students just give up.

Because, what is the point of doing your best, especially in a pandemic situation and then getting grades that are clearly not yours.

It’s really not good enough and the public must understand ‘today for me, tomorrow for you’.

We need to do better for our children,” the parent added.

Meanwhile, the BNPTA’s General Secretary, Nicole Brathwaite said the situation was unfortunate, especially given that many of the issues are recurring.

“We don’t want this to be like a stuck record coming from students sitting the examinations here,” said Brathwaite.

“Once was too much and twice now is causing a lack of confidence in the system, where students are wondering if it makes sense to go after this when they could be left in limbo,” she added.

Saturday December 25, 2021

PAGE 51

Kaieteur News

For those with PCOS....

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creased cortisol (also produced by the adrenals during times of stress), this can leave you feeling tired, anxious and blue. High levels of androgen hormones also make it harder to lose weight – particularly bad news at this time of year.

A simple daily meditation practice is a great place to start. [3] Or choose another activity which enables you to relax such as yoga, walking, listening to music or reading a good book. It doesn’t matter too much what the activity is.

The key is that you find it relaxing. Aim for 20-30 minutes a day, but if that feels too much then 5-10 minutes is fine too – something is better than nothing!

Try to see it as time dedicated to looking after your health, rather than another item on your to-do list.

6) Plant power While they may not scream party food, the phytoestrogens in foods such as chickpeas, flaxseeds, oats, lentils, alfalfa and apples are great at keeping androgen hormones in balance. Basing your daily diet around nutrient-rich plant foods will help to support you during those times when you are not able to make such healthy choices.

Many of the traditional winter vegetables are nutrient power houses and are cheap and easy to find at this time of year.

Red cabbage, broccoli and even the humble Brussel sprout are great options. Substituting sweet potatoes for

the traditional roast potatoes will increase your vitamin intake and thanks to their low GL count, they are less likely to spike your blood sugar.

7) Happy gut, happy hormones Looking after your gut health is essential if you have PCOS. [4] Fermented vegetables like sauerkraut, kimchi and traditional red cabbage help feed the healthy bacteria in your gut. They also go really well with turkey leftovers or other cold meats.

Making simple swaps can mean you can enjoy dessert too: use natural or dairy-free coconut yoghurt sprinkled with cinnamon instead of ice cream to boost your friendly bacteria and keep the sugar content low.

8) Get your beauty sleep Regular, deep, nourishing sleep is essential for healthy hormone balance. This is particularly true for women with PCOS, as adequate sleep helps to reduce insulin resistance. [5] However, getting enough can be tricky at this time of year.

No one likes to be the first to leave, especially when you are having fun with friends or loved ones. However, when you do have the opportunity for an early night, take it. Do you really need to stay up and watch the next episode of the latest Netflix boxset? Save the later evenings for spending quality time with your nearest and dearest and on the other nights choose to nourish your health by getting a solid eight hours. If you have

a noisy household invest in a good set of ear plugs and an eye mask to help you sleep.

Limit smartphone and TV use in the hours before bed as the blue light from these devices can disrupt your hormones and make it more difficult to nod off.

9) Treat yourself as you would a friend Although this is the last point, it is perhaps the most important.

The best way of keeping your health on track over the festive season is to look after yourself.

This means treating yourself as you would a loved one or friend. Rather than beating yourself up if you stray from your healthy eating goals, use it as an opportunity to practice kindness to yourself.

If you indulge one day, enjoy it! Then endeavour to start the next day afresh.

The irony is that putting unnecessary pressure on yourself or piling on the guilt can leave you feeling stressed, which can aggravate PCOS symptoms in itself.

Instead, give yourself permission to enjoy the festivities and spend time with loved ones and people that make you smile.

Your hormones will thank you for it!

Christmas is a time for you to relax, and enjoy time away from work with loved ones and to remember all the good things you are blessed with in life.

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.

Eyes on Tufton, Chang, Montague...

From page 12 move in the two ministries which could cost the JLP the next election, but Chang in health and Samuda in charge of security could work,” the source argued.

Robert Montague could also find himself shifted, based on the number of questionable incidents under his portfolio, but after trying him at national security, agricul-

ture, and his present portfolio of transport and mining, Holness could be forced to keep the powerful party chairman in his current post.

Holness could also use the shuffle to say goodbye to veterans Karl Samuda, who is in charge of the labour and social security ministry; and Audley Shaw, who recently had agriculture and fisheries added to his industry and

commerce portfolio. “It’s uncertain as to what will happen to the education portfolio, which is key to the PM based on his history, but recent missteps by the minister, Fayval Williams, could see her in trouble, although I expect the PM will hang on to her,” said the source who added that Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte could be shifted to the Ministry of Jus-

tice with Delroy Chuck being reassigned.

“I expect the PM to announce the changes early in the new year because it is clear that he has been working on it for some time and had it not been for the Christmas holiday the changes would have been announced already,” declared one source.

Show us Exxon’s response plan for possible...

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From page 46 with hunger, so make sure you have a large glass of water at least 30 minutes before a meal or before heading to a party to avoid any mixed messages.

4) Be savvy with your tipple Alcohol can be hard to avoid at this time of year, yet as a form of sugar it can play havoc with PCOS symptoms.

Does that mean you have to abstain completely? Not necessarily. Just as with food choices, the answer is in the planning. Avoid drinking on an empty stomach as this will spike insulin levels and lead to further hormone imbalance.

Eat a protein-rich meal or snack before you plan to drink and match every alcoholic drink with a glass of water to stay hydrated.

Choose your drinks wisely, avoiding high sugar mixers, and focus on quality not quantity.

A glass or two of a drink you genuinely enjoy is a much better option that knocking back cheap alternatives for the sake of it. So opt for the best you can afford and really savour it.

5) Keep your stress levels in check Not an easy one this, especially as the big day approaches. However, managing your stress is key to maintaining a healthy hormone balance and keeping PCOS symptoms in check. Stress affects your adrenals, which in turn triggers an increase in circulating androgens in the blood. [2] Coupled with in-

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gas-to-shore project, which will feed off the combined resources of the ExxonMobilled Liza Phase One and Two projects.

Kaieteur News had reported that development costs for the Yellowtail project are poised to exceed US$9B or GY$1.8 trillion.

Exxon said the costs are expected to be higher since

there would be a greater number of development wells and associated drilling costs when compared to its Payara project, which will also cost Guyana $1.8 trillion.

According to project documents, Yellowtail will consist of drilling approximately 41 to 67 development wells (including production,

water injection, and gas reinjection wells); installation and operation of Subsea, Umbilicals, Risers, and Flowlines equipment; installation and the operation of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel in the eastern half of the Stabroek Block; and— ultimately—project decommissioning.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 52

Saturday December 25, 2021

Seales helps Jaffna Kings defeat Galle Gladiators for second Lankan Premier League title

Jaffna Kings defeated the Galle Gladiators for their second Lankan Premier League title.

Saturday December 25, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may have some very good ideas relating to your professional field, but do you have complete mastery of them? If not, accept the fact that you can still learn from courses or experts in your field.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) There may be some worries nagging at you. Perhaps you have a financial concern or minor health complaint.

Don't let it get you down.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may feel somewhat grumpy and sluggish, like you have an energy deficit.

But the oppressive mood of today will also lend objectivity and reality to any examination you make of what's happening in your life.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) The mood is somewhat oppressive today. If you could, you'd send away anyone who tries to put obstacles in your path.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You'll have to deal with some internal and external conflict. Often you're so happy to be lost in your dreams that you don't really focus on what's going on in the real world.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your legendary impatience is playing tricks on you.

You're in too much of a hurry.

You may have changed things on the outside but you haven't changed who you really are.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21)You can be a little stubborn, and it seems that you're in the process of giving a wonderful demonstration of this.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may feel like you can no longer explore your inner feelings, but you must persevere. You have a tremendous capacity to bury problems deeply.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You've decided to blow the whistle on yourself! All of a sudden it's obvious that you're not performing as well as you should be.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You're in the process of changing directions in your professional life. This can't be done in a day. It's sometimes painful. Things will be going slow.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Career or family? Social recognition or personal gratification? You may feel torn between two poles and spend the better part of the day searching for answers to such questions.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 2 0 ) Yo u ' l l h a v e t o demonstrate your endurance today. Much is required of you, and you have no choice but to make the contribution expected of you. There's no way around it.

SportsMax - The appropriately named Jaffna Kings, the team of West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales, continue to reign supreme after defeating the Galle Gladiators by 23 runs in Thursday’s final to claim their second Lankan Premier League title.

The Kings took first strike and got off to a good start thanks to openers Avishka Fernando and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Gurbaz was the first to go in the sixth over for 35 with the score at 56-1.

E n g l i s h m a n To m K o h l e r- C a d m o r e t h e n joined Fernando and the two put on a further 63 runs before Fernando was dismissed by Nuwan Thushara for a top score of 63 from 41 deliveries.

The score at Fernando’s dismissal was 119-2 off 12.4 overs when Shoaib Malik came to the crease to join Kohler-Cadmore. The pair put on a further 62 runs before Malik was dismissed in the 19th over for 23 off 11 balls with the score at 181-3 off 18.2 overs.

Kings captain Thisara Perera strode to the crease to give them a big finish along with Kohler-Cadmore to post a daunting 201-3 off their 20 overs, with KohlerCadmore finishing not out on 57 from 41 balls and Perera finishing with 17 off 9 balls.

Thushara and Samit Patel were the best bowlers on the day for the Gladiators, bowling their four overs with figures of 1-32 and 133, respectively.

The reply from the Gladiators got off to a spectacular start with openers Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka racing to 63-0 at the start of the fifth over before Gunathilaka was dismissed

by Wanindu Hasaranga for a blazing 54 off just 21 balls.

Things went from bad to worse for Galle as Australian batsman Ben Dunk was dismissed by Hasaranga off the very next ball for a duck, leaving them 63-2 from 4.3 overs.

Mohammed Hafeez then joined Mendis at the crease to attempt to stabilize the innings. He didn’t last long as he was run out in the sixth over for 10 from six balls, leaving Galle now 84-3 from 6.2 overs.

Mendis was now joined

at the wicket by captain Bhanuka Rajapaksa and the pair put on a further 29 runs before Rajapaksa was dismissed for 14 from 16 balls to leave them 113-4 from 10.4 overs.

Mendis was finally dismissed in the 14th over for 39 off 28 balls to leave the team 129-5 from 13.1 overs.

Dhananjaya Lakshan and Pulina Tharanga were then both dismissed in quick succession by Chatarunga de Silva to leave the score at

143-7 from 15.5 overs.

Samit Patel, who came to the crease at the fall of Rajapaksa’s wicket, made a solid 22 from 20 balls before he became the eighth wicket on the last ball of the 18th over.

The Gladiators ended their reply 178-9 off 20 overs to fall short by 23 runs.

Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of the bowlers for the Kings with 2-30 from his four overs.

Seales took 1-36 from his three overs for the Kings.

Saturday December 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 53

NBA roundup: Stephen Curry goes for 46 in Warriors’ win

R

euters - Juan To s c a n o Anderson and Gary Payton II hit key hoops down the stretch and Stephen Curry exploded for 46 points as the Golden State Warriors finally got the better of the Memphis Grizzlies in a 113104 victory Thursday night in San Francisco.

Curry’s 46 points were the product of 13-for-22 shooting overall, including 8-for-14 from 3-point range, and 12-for-12 success at the foul line.

It was his second-highest point total of the season behind only a 50-point night against the Atlanta Hawks in November.

In just his second game since returning from a knee injury, Ja Morant paced the Grizzlies with 21 points to go with a team-high six assists.

Jaren Jackson Jr. and Melton had 20 points apiece.

Wizards 124, Knicks 117 Spencer Dinwiddie collected 21 points and 12 assists as Washington

overcame a 44-point performance by Kemba Walker to defeat host New York.

Rookie Corey Kispert scored a season-high 20 points in his first career NBA start for the Wizards, who played without leading scorer Bradley Beal. Prior to the game, Beal joined fellow starter Kentavious CaldwellPope in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

Kyle Kuzma recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Aaron Holiday added 16 points as Washington won its second straight game.

Walker made seven 3pointers to continue his recent torrid surge. The New York native has scored 94 points in three contests since returning from a nine-game benching.

Spurs 138, Lakers 110 Keita Bates-Diop scored a career-high 30 points on a perfect 11-of-11 shooting as visiting San Antonio used a balanced attack to roll past Los Angeles.

Derrick White added 23

points and Lonnie Walker IV had 21 for the Spurs, who finished a 3-1 road trip.

Keldon Johnson scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Doug McDermott and Jock Landale added 13 points each. LeBron James totaled 36 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers. Russell Westbrook added 30 points and seven boards as Los Angeles’ losing streak reached a season-high four games. The Lakers continued to be short-handed with Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore, Malik Monk, Avery Bradley and Austin Reaves in COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Head coach Frank Vogel missed his third consecutive game in protocols.

Suns 113, Thunder 101 Devin Booker scored 30 points to lead host Phoenix to its fifth straight win while ending Oklahoma City’s winning streak at three.

Booker took control in the third, with 15 points and four assists in the frame to

Washington Wizards guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) drives to the basket against New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. (Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports) help the Suns jump ahead for good. Cameron Johnson finished with 21 points and nine rebounds for the Suns, Deandre Ayton had 19 points and 12 rebounds, and Chris Paul had 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds.

Shai GilgeousAlexander led the Thunder with 29 points, while Josh Giddey had 17. And Jeremiah Robinson-Earl had 10.

In other results: Bucks 102, Mavericks 95

Pacers 118, Rockets 106 Hornets 115, Nuggets 107 Heat 115, Pistons 112 Hawks 98, 76ers 96 Pelicans 110, Magic 104 Jazz 128, Timberwolves 116 (Field Level Media)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 54

Saturday December 25, 2021

GFF, KS inaugural Futsal KO tournament (Round of 16)

Vengy go down in thriller to North East on penalty kicks

By Sean Devers It was undoubtedly the match of tournament as Vengy lost 4-3 on penalty kicks to North East in an epic encounter which ended in a thrilling 5-5 score line at the end of Overtime in the final game on Thursday night.

Played before a raucous crowd at the Cliff Anderson National Sports Hall, North East became the latest team to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Guyana Football Federation, Kashif and Shanghai inaugural Futsal KO tournament.

When an entertaining night of Football culminated just after 11:00PM, Berbice All Stars, Gold is Money and Sparta Bosses were all in winner’s row.

The feature match of the night saw a ding-dong battle with the Guyanese based Venezuelans Vengy looking the slightly better side.

Lindy Gardner opened the scoring to give North East a 1-nil lead when he beat the ‘green haired’ Gabriel Pena before the crafty Alberto Hernandez beat custodian Trevon Campo for the equaliser three minutes later and at half time the score was one all. The second half was filled with aggressive, fast paced football and plenty of skill, especially from the Spanish lads.

Wi t h t h e i n t e n s i t y increasing by the minute and fans from both teams on their feet, talented Lennox Cort scored to wild celebrations from the North East supporters.

But two minutes later Jose Vazques drilled a shot past Campo and large section of Venezuelans in the good size crowd, were jumping

Action in the opening game between Berbice All Stars and Melanie.

(Sean Devers photo) and shouting in Spanish… and the score was 2 all.

The flamboyant Hernandez made it 3-2 for Vengy but Cort scored again for North East and with three goals coming in three minutes, the excitement in the Sports Hall was reaching a crescendo with goals galore.

At the end of regulation time the two teams were tied neck and neck on 3 all.

In overtime, Hernandez scored the first goal and celebrated as if his team had won the world Cup and when Jhomnni Basabta, who showed off his dribbling skills and at times took too long to pass the ball, made it 5-3 and the Spanish fans must have been thinking of quarter-finals qualification.

But desperate times demanded desperate measures and North East were far from throwing in the ‘white flag’ and goals from Carl Tudor and Jamal Cozier levelled the scores 5-5 at end

of overtime.

It had now come down to penalty kicks and it was North East who prevailed 43 after Pana was beaten on all four times. However, a Vengy shot rocketed into the upright before a brilliant save from Campo took North East into the Quarter-Finals.

In the opening game of the night Berbice all-stars defeated Melanie 4-3 as Denze Junor (in the first minute) and Phillip Williams (5th minute) beat Berbician Tierre Phillips, who took the MVP award in his team’s first game.

Dane Johnson and Tyrice Williams scored for Berbice in the first half which ended 2-2.

The crafty Williams scored twice in the second half to register his hat-trick and spearhead Berbice All Stars to victory. Clevon Barnwell scored the only second half goal for Melanie as Keeper Phillips was back to his ‘old self’ between the

uprights.

Led by a brace from Andrew Murray and a goal from Trayon Bobb, Gold is Money, in their first game, showed that they are one of the favourites for the $1 million winners’ prize when they dominated Foot Steppers 3-1 after leading 20 at half time.

Had it not been some wonderful work in goal by

the Foot Steppers goalie, the score-line could have been easily 8-0.

In the other game, a star studded Sparta Boss destroyed California Square 5-1 with National player Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, Sheldon Shepherd, Jeremy Garrett, Nicholas McArthur and Stephen Alfred scoring a goal each as their team also

staked a claim to taking the title. Antowne Vasconcellos netted the consolation goal for California Square.

As the satisfied fans left the ‘Sports Hall’ close to 11:30PM few of them would have harboured thoughts of not making it home by the mid-night curfew time.

The action continues tonight for a Christmas night battle from 7:00PM.

Morgan to captain makeshift England T20 squad in West Indies AFP - Eoin Morgan will captain England’s five-match T20 tour to the West Indies next month under stand-in coach Paul Collingwood.

With the Ashes Test series in Australia set to end just four days before the first clash between the sides in Barbados, Collingwood will take charge with Marcus Trescothick joining him as an assistant coach.

No players involved in the Ashes are included in a squad that does still contain 11 players who reached the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in November.

Left-arm seamer David Payne and allrounder George Garton are the only uncapped players included.

“We have selected a strong squad with some serious batting power and a balanced attack as we begin preparations ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia,” said Collingwood.

“The World Cup is less than a year away and there will be increased opportunities for the squad in the absence of those players who are with the Ashes squad.”

Squad in full: Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Liam Dawson, George Garton, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Tymal Mills, David Payne, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, James Vince.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh retires

Lindy Garder scores from the Penalty spot for North East as he beat a sprawling Vengy’s Gabriel Pena. (Sean Devers photo)

SportsMax - Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has announced his retirement from all formats of cricket at the age of 41.

Harbhajan will go down as one of India’s greatest spinners, having taken 417 Test wickets in 103 matches.

He sits fourth on the list of his country’s leading Test wicket-takers and is India’s

fifth-highest ODI wickettaker with 269 tom 236 games.

Harbhajan also played in 28 Twenty20 Internationals, picking up 25 scalps, and also featured for his country in 2016. The tweaker on Friday revealed that his long, illustrious career has come to an end.

He tweeted: “All good

things come to an end and today as I bid adieu to the game that has given me everything in life.

“I would like to thank everyone who made this 23year-long journey beautiful and memorable. My heartfelt thank you. Grateful.”

Harbhajan last played for Kolkata Knight Riders in April.

Saturday December 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 55

BCB enjoys one of its most productive year - Hundreds of events/ despite covid 19 pandemic programmes successfully completed The Berbice Cricket Board under the leadership of Hilbert Foster has described the year 2021 as very successfully despite the ongoing covid 19 pandemic.

The BCB has forged ahead with a comprehensive developmental vision for the county while at the same time, observing all the required Government of Guyana Covid 19 regulations.

BCB President Hilbert Foster stated that 2021 can be described as the most successful of his four years tenure, in spite the first three been very successful as well.

The vibrant board was able to run off nineteen finals during a two months period between February to March 2021 before the covid situation forced a suspension of the season once again. The board played off ten grass root tournaments across the county at Bush Lot Kennard, Whim, Port Mourant, Chesney, Fyrish, Cumberland, Canje, Edinburgh, No 19 Kendall Union and Bush Lot United.

Other tournaments completed included the Let Bet Sport Countywide 20/20, Elizabeth Styles under 21, Lewison under 15, and Nand Persaud females and three under 19 internal zones tournaments in West B e r b i c e , N e w Amsterdam/Canje, Upper Corentyne respectively.

Eight tournaments remains to be completed due to the suspension of the season and they include the Bank Beer two days, NBS 40

Overs , Minister Mustapha under 15 and Price is Right 20//20 in Upper Corentyne.

Among the main achievements for 2021 were the donations of twenty six grass cutters across the county under a ground enhancement programme, obtaining a three hundred and twenty four thousand feet covers for West Berbice, twenty catching cribs to youth teams, cricket law books, cricket gears and uniforms among others.

Millions of gears were donated under the Clayton Lambert Trust Fund, Basil B u t c h e r Tr u s t F u n d , Shimron and Nirvani Trust Fund and Vitality Inc programmes. Clubs in Berbice benefitted from over two million dollars worth of cricket balls, scorebooks and trophies among others as the board strived to assist as much as possible.

The BCB impressive coaching programme was expanded with coaches visiting several clubs under the Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh programme, while several mini academies and special coaching clinics were also organised to benefit hundreds of youths.

The BCB also created history during the year when it published its own coaching manual and also hosted four social skills sessions with funding from Patron Vickram Bharrat to train over one hundred and forty youths in basic social skills.

A total of over three hundred youths received educational grants to assist them to

Tenelec Founder Bobby Deonarine hands over sponsorship to BCB. further their education, while one hundred and forty youths received bicycles to attend school/practice sessions. Hundreds other youths benefitted from donations of school bags, educational materials and uniforms under an aggressive Say Yes to Education programme.

Seven outstanding CSEC students were honoured with a financial stipend after been successful, while the BCB also hosted its annual Mother and Father of the Year Awards programme.

Asheik and Sons donated seventy inter county caps while the board handed out for the first time financial subventions to the West Berbice, Upper Corentyne, Berbice River and Umpires Associations. A thirty-two

pages pictorial review booklet was also published along with thousands of covid 19 and cricket development posters, one thousand Say Yes to Covid Vaccination stickers were also distributed across the county.

Another one thousand more copies of the BCB Youth information booklet were also published.

Among the other programmes hosted during the year were Tribute to Heroes, Tribute to Retired Cricketers, Tribute to Umpires and the Berbice Hall of Fame for Administrators. Ministers Colin Croal and Susan Rodrigues were among the persons honoured under the Tribute to Heroes programme.

The compassionate

board handed out over one thousand flood relief hampers with support from Shimron and Nirvani Hetmyer. The board along with the RHTYSC,MS is also spearheading the construction of a multi million dollars home for its office assistant Ruthel Henry. The home is about seventy five percentage completed and is been funded by the Vitality Inc Group of Companies.

Together with the RHTYSC, the board has also donated million dollars worth of hampers to families for xmas and covid 19.

The BCB in 2021 also obtained a sponsorship to assist umpires to be better uniformed with polo shirts and caps from the New Marketing Corporation.

Dhanesh Chaltar was honoured as the BCB Father of the Year, while Bibi Shaw copped the Mother of the Year award. The board also hosted an under 15 team from the New York area,

while Foster stated that numerous former players from overseas came on board to support the development of the game.

They include Clayton Lambert, Ray Joseph, Leslie Lambert, Narsingh Deonarine among others.

Foster stated that the success of the BCB lies in the unity among his executives and the leadership it provides.

Foster hailed the contribution of the board numerous donors especially Brian Ramphal, Dr Puran Singh, Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh, Dave Narine, Shimron Hetmyer and his wife Nirvanie, Tenelec Inc, Vitality Inc, Ministry of Agriculture among others.

Special mention was also made of the national media for their cooperation, the umpires association and the Guyana Cricket Board which provided the BCB with a financial subvention for the first time in thirteen years.

Rose Hall Town Under 21 team winner of BCB under 21 tournament.

Distribution of grass cutters to clubs.