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Thursday December 02, 2021
Hold off on Yellowtail, get your act together T h e G u y a n a Government is clearly overwhelmed by the number of oil-related activities it is engaged in and according to Darshanand Khusial, of the Guyana Oil and Gas Governance Network (OGGN): “if you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is to stop digging” He made this suggestion in reference to the rush to approve the ExxonMobilled fourth oilfield development in the Stabroek Block—Yellowtail. “The oil companies will exploit this
disorganised approach by the government for the benefit of their shareholders.” To this end, Khusial observed that government seems to be in a rush to approve Yellowtail and suggested “we should question why the rush.” T h e O G G N spokesperson in a recent public missive in questioning the government’s rationale with regard its approach to the Yellow Tail project observed that “instead of being concerned that a major oil
spill can bankrupt Guyana, the government is concerned about the supposedly US$22 billion Exxon loss, due to the pandemic that hit in March 2020.” This much was illustrated over the weekend, in a public report which OGGN observed that government released an article stating that the Stabroek Oil Block is not up for renegotiation and cited a number of reasons for its position, including the sanctity of contract, the stability clause and because Exxon lost US$22 billion last year.
- OGGN tells Govt. “The article reads like a marketing campaign for why Guyana should approve the Yellowtail project given the risks faced by Exxon and its partners.” To this end, Khusial said “there are some serious flaws in the government’s arguments which raise the question about whether the government is acting on behalf of the oil companies instead of the people of
Guyana.” Qualifying the g o v e r n a n c e n e t w o r k ’s position, Khusial noted that the administration in its defence of the oil major “didn’t state that Exxon paid out US$14.9 billion in dividends to its shareholders in 2020.” Pointing to the anomaly that a company that supposedly lost US$22 billion in 2020 still paid $14.9B in dividends, Khusial said “this quirk can be explained by temporary actions required by accounting rules.” He explained saying: “in 2020, Exxon was forced to mark down about US$19.3 billion in natural gas reserves because the price of natural gas fell in 2020. But recently natural gas prices have been hitting multiyear
OGGN spokesperson, Darshanand Khusial US$14.9 billion in cash dividends.” To this end, he suggested the Government of Guyana is too busy defending a bad deal than spending time to consider these facts. This in addition to flipflopping positions, on whether or not the contracts with the oil majors would be negotiated. Compounding the
“…there are some serious flaws in the government’s arguments which raise the question about whether the government is acting on behalf of the oil companies instead of the people of Guyana,” Oil Governance Network r ecords – substantially reversing the temporary markdown. Hence, the US$22 billion lost was not a cash loss (it is called a paper loss); that explains why Exxon could still justify paying out US$14.9 billion to its shareholders.” According to the OGGN spokesperson, “if Exxon had a US$22 billion cash loss, then its shareholders would have fired management for leveraging the company too much by paying out
situation he suggested that government seems to be in a rush to approve Yellowtail and said “we should question why the rush.” He noted that the now more than US$600M derived from oil still sits untouched while the Corona virus ravages its citizens and floods destroy farmers’ crops. “It has not even answered the many questions posed during the E PA ( E n v i r o n m e n t a l Protection Agency) session on the gas-to-shore project, but it rushed to have EPA
Thursday December 02, 2021
Kaieteur News
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Discard ‘cut and paste’ Local Content Bill ...get independent firms to set targets - Professor
G
uyana needs to immediately discard, ‘cut and paste’ model of its Local Content Bill that has set out requirements and targets, some of which were derived excessively from that of the government of Ghana. “This does not work all that well, I don’t think either Ghana’s or Nigeria’s Local Content Policies (LCP) are the precise model to follow.” These were among the recommendations recently had by Executive Director for Latin American and Caribbean, Department of International Business, College of Business and the University of Miami, Professor Jerry Haar. INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT He was at the time discussing the findings of a recent report, regarding Guyana’s proposed Local Content Policy bill and concomitant capacity in relation to the demands—current and projected. Professor Haar, was at the time a guest on an online
Executive Director for Latin American and Caribbean, Department of International Business, College of Business and the University of Miami, Professor Jerry Haar panel discussion, which included renowned G u y a n e s e P r o f e s s o r, Terrence Blackman, under the rubric, ‘Strategic Considerations for Local Content Requirements in Guyana’s Oil Sector.” According to Professing H a a r, h i s t e a m w a s concerned that the targets set out by the Guyana government are, “derived
Hold off on Yellowtail... From page 2 sessions for Yellowtail.” According to Khusial, “many questions raised to the EPA about Yellowtail remain unanswered” and “the government has not yet released the US$460 million pre-contract audit and has failed in its duty to audit US$9.5 billion for Liza 1 and Liza 2.” To this end, he suggests “it appears the government is overwhelmed by the number of oil-related activities it is engaged in. If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is to stop digging.” This since, “oil companies will exploit this disorganized approach by the government for the benefit of their shareholders.”
excessively from that of the government of Ghana.” This he said, “does not work all that well, I don’t think either Ghana’s or Nigeria LCP are the precise model to follow.” To this end, he was adamant, “…any model developed has to be based on Guyanese reality, they are the ones to do this but again the assessment needs to be done by an independent party.” He qualified his position by postulating, “…if there were a cricket match between Trinidad and Guyana for example, I would not like the referee [sic]—(umpire)—from either country, but from Iceland.” According to Professor Haar, the government and the private sector should instead be working closely, to assist local firms in meeting the technical
requirements for oil services and equipment. In providing his team’s recommendations for the Guyana Government, Professor Haar said definitely, “I believe the Government of Guyana should discard the current percent target level in the local content bill 2021.” H e s u g g e s t e d alternatively, that achievable local content targets need to be derived from an independent source, “let me emphasize that, independent source.” As such, he said, “we recommend a consortium of three consulting firm, with no ties whatsoever to the government, to evaluate the present capabilities and high
Professor Jerry Haar believes government and oil companies, should increase the short and long term education and training opportunities both in country and abroad. corruption polices, their implementation are essential. They send the right sign not just to the foreign investor but more importantly the local investment community as well.” NEGATIVES
“…we recommend a consortium of three consulting firm, with no ties whatsoever to the Govt., to evaluate the present capabilities and high priority needs for local personnel and local sourcing,” Professor Haar priority needs for local personnel and local sourcing and employ not a ten year time horizon but a five year time horizon.” He noted too that when it comes to the successful implementation of any Local Content laws, this must also be accompanied with, “rigid anti-corruption policies. You have no idea, and I worked all over the Americas. Anti
Breaking down, the assessment of Guyana’s proposals when it comes to LCP and legal protections, Professor Haar observed, there are some of positives, and pointed to preferred access and opportunities for Guyanese and an emphasis on governance. He noted too, that for successful policy implementation, an
engagement of the Guyanese Diaspora community is vitality important. Conversely, he said, “we also identified a number of negatives” and to this end, described Guyana’s LCP proposal as, a “mixed bag.” Professor Haar expounded saying, “first, there is an extensive and rigid compendium of local content targets that are questionable in their derivation and exceedingly difficult to attain.” He said, “in essence, we believe that these targets in LCP, they are a blue print on how to keep away foreign investors.” According to Professor Haar, while “one can have very noble policy pronouncements—and who can quibble with those—when you see what is required, and I have been through those, extensively, Continued on page 6
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Kaieteur News
Thursday December 02, 2021
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
We have squandered much time We laud former Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, SC, for the areas he addressed in his blog, and as covered in our article captioned, “7 years later, Guyana struggling with basics for oil and gas sector -as migration crisis looms -Ramkarran” (KN November 23). Again, we commend former Speaker Ramkarran for his insights into the troubling areas he named, which leaves us with what we have before us, and if we are ever going to go to newer and higher places. Seven years later is a long time to be languishing where we are. On this oil, it is an articulation of the feebleness of thought, uselessness of action, weakness of the state in which we find ourselves. For, if we can’t even get some of the basics right, then what the hell are we about, what are we doing, where are we going to end up? We will answer these questions in our usual fashion. The APNU+AFC coalition showed that it was illprepared and unknowing of the vast new horizons that the oil discoveries made possible, and the many demanding obligations that went along with those. It went at it alone, and lost us much, leaving us with the meagre and monstrous. The numbers speak for themselves, the exploits and boasts of oil majors tell their own story, and our own woeful ignorance, lack of depth, and absence of oil wisdom leave us not just running to catch up, but falling farther and farther behind a galloping Exxon and its partners. This is not just about Exxon and company, but the whole array of projects and businesses; as well as those opportunities, needs, and things which we are sorely lacking, and that are now a disastrous part of Guyanese life. What the APNU+AFC coalition commenced on the wrong foot, the PPP now takes and makes worse with one inexplicable and appalling leadership stupidity after another. From its time in the opposition, PPP leaders and analysts had numerous occasions to study what its political opponents were doing wrong, and to gear themselves up to overcome those serious errors. They had to do what is right for the country and its prospects, to deliver on the dreams of its hopeful peoples. But beyond that, the watchers in the PPP also had the openings to figure out what they would do to limit some areas, reverse the distinctive advantages enjoyed by Exxon. But they had to be about what was positive for the nation as a whole, and not for themselves. Not for what is devious and damaging still further to the national promise. Instead, it has been quarreling and battling over politics and elections and divisions, while the energies and the arms needed to encircle the meanings of this oil wealth have eluded us. So, we are all not prepared, even though we know that we lack skills and talent. In fact, PPP leaders, operating under many subterfuges, have neutralised state agencies, or got rid of people who could have rendered pivotal assistance. The PPP has compounded the problem by building more trickily upon the shaky foundations laid by the APNU+AFC combination. It knows that it can’t deal with our oil business alone, but it persists with the utter foolishness that one man alone has what it takes to get us where we must go. The consensus that can get us places is dismissed. Rather than move away from the partisan negative, it has fostered under different guises. Exxon is not devastating us, our political parties are, when they fail to appreciate what they must do: present a unified front, lead doggedly on oil management by building the basics, expanding the national oil architecture rung by rung (laws, husbandry, checks and balances). By obtaining what we need from inside and outside of the diaspora (know-how, expertise), by having a thoughtful immigration policy (residence, citizenship, temporary workers) that is sensitive to local political dynamics. It starts with recognising our limitations, and that we are almost totally unready for oil challenges, including benefits, implications, and our own obligations. We have wasted much time; we lose the next two years, and we are dead. The oil will have left us behind.
Treatment by the CH&PA is like a stab in the gut DEAR EDITOR, I must register my disappointment with the Ministry of Housing, over the pace at which it works and its incompetence. I was allocated a house lot at the Zeeburg/ DeWillem Housing Scheme in 2015. I paid for it in full by 2016. After much inquiring and running around, I was issued the Agreement of Sale in 2019. Intent on moving into my own home as soon as possible, I went to the New Building Society (NBS) to apply for a home loan in that very year. I was enthusiastic when I was told the mortgage would be approved within a month. However, the approval required the issuance of a Letter of Assurance from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). A letter was sent by NBS to CH&PA on 13th August, 2019 requesting the letter of assurance. I have a copy of this. A letter of assurance to the bank indicates that whenever the ownership document is available, it will be given to the bank. During the period 20192021, I have made at least six visits to the Housing Office in Georgetown. In addition to that, I have made numerous telephone calls. Eventually
on the 17th of February, 2021 I met Minister Susan Rodrigues. She told me that the issue would be resolved within a couple of months. I visited the CH&PA again on the 17th ofMarch, 2021 but no progress was related to me on the issue. I called CH&PA again on 23rd November, 2021 but again, no positive response was given concerning the issue. It is almost the end of the year, and it is disheartening that after five years of fully paying for a house lot from the government (PPP/C and APNU+AFC), one cannot have any assurance that he/ she will ever be in possession of the title or transport. This is an extremely hopeless situation for the allottees of house lots at the Zeeburg/ DeWillem Housing Scheme. If the CH&PA cannot assure the banks of the availability of the title or transport at any time in the future, then it is reasonable to think that the allottees may die without ever acquiring ownership for land, which they toiled and sweat for. With ‘COVID’ in the air and people dying from this very contagious virus, the CH&PA may very well succeed in ripping people off.
This is unprincipled action by the government in plain sight. This operation is similar to a Ponzi scheme. We were encouraged to pay in full to receive ownership. Having paid in full we were given documents that are totally useless to the banks. Every time I make contact with senior officials at CH&PA, I am told that nothing is being done for Zeeburg/ DeWillem Scheme. Every time I hear this, it’s like a stab in the guts. Every time I experience the heart-wrenching pain of having to pay rent for another year and another year. It is distressing and appalling that the government treat their young professionals in this manner and expect to curb brain drain. I suggest that if the Government cannot issue ownership documents to allottees in a timely manner, then they should extend the building of contract houses to those allottees, who are desirous of this at the Zeeburg/DeWillem Housing Scheme. Another suggestion is that the CH&PA give building materials as listed in allottees’ building estimates. The government can also stand as guarantor for the allottees at the bank,
so that their loans can be approved, and they can commence building their homes, so that their ‘dreams can be realised’. Finally, I am suggesting that the CH&PA simply issue the letter of assurance to the banks, until they have resolved internal matters to give out land titles. With the increasing price of building materials, the high cost of rent, and the high cost of living in Guyana, it is impossible to save and build. It should be noted that our current President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, was the Minister of Housing at the time the lots were allocated. Given that he now holds the highest office in the land, I am pleading that he uses his power to fix this injustice that is meted out to the allottees of house lots at the Zeeburg/ DeWillem Housing Scheme. We have been neglected for far too long. If they cannot fix this issue in the next few months then, in my analysis, they are just as incompetent as the previous governments and Guyana would have been a better country under British rule. Yours sincerely, B. Persaud
The officers at the Georgetown Passport Office think Guyanese have time to waste DEAR EDITOR, If Guyana is to make some headway in the services industry, a serious look should be taken at the services offered at some of our critical government agencies. Primarily, when we think about or speak about the services industry we think about tourism, restaurants, and other things of that nature. Many government agencies have, for years, been chastised for the way persons desirous of conducting business are treated. My recent experience at the Georgetown Passport Office over the past few days has not only left a bitter taste in my mouth, but it has also further lessened my confidence in the professionalism of some of the people paid to effectively serve us on behalf of the Government of Guyana. I am therefore issuing a call to those in authority to investigate the way people visiting this critical office are advised. For the past few days, I’ve been attempting to renew my daughter’s passport as she is due to travel soon. Last Thursday, before journeying there, I made several attempts to call the office on the number I got from a Google search to get some information on what documents I’d need in the absence of her father but, as is the case when calling many of these organisations, the number rang out. After
calling for close to two hours I was left with no other choice but to go there myself. Last Friday morning I visited the passport office with the documents I had. When I got there, the officer at the door said I would need to get a copy of her father’s ID along with a letter of authorisation from him to process the passport. I asked the officer what should the authorisation entail and does it have to be authorised by a Justice of Peace or a Notary. He answered in the negative and proceeded to state what should be included in the document. He then told me that it could be written or typed but that it would have to be signed by her father. Based on the information I was given, I left the office and proceeded to have that done. I returned later that day with the additional document and was told to take a seat inside. When I got to the counter, the officer behind the glass took my documents, examined them, and said that I would need to have the authorization letter notarised. I became frustrated. I informed the officer that I’d asked the officer at the door if the document had to be notarised and he said no. There was nothing I could do at that point so I left there and proceeded to make arrangements to have the docu-
ment notarised.Documents in hand, I returned to the passport office on Tuesday afternoon only to be told that the authorisation wasn’t done correctly. At this point, two officers at the passport office had examined my documents on two separate occasions. Both of them failed to inform me that there was a specific format in which this had to be done. I was beyond frustrated at this point because both my time and money had been wasted. The female officer at the door who collected my documents (the only one who I think acted professionally in this ordeal) went into the building to speak with a senior officer. I assume after speaking with him, I was invited to take a seat by the female officer. When the purported senior officer came to me, he too explained that the document was incorrectly worded and that there was a specific format in which it had to be done. I questioned why it was that during my prior visits to the office I wasn’t advised correctly? Without any empathy, the young man basically said that he was a supervisor and that he was now advising me. While expressing my dissatisfaction about being ill-advised on several occasions, the officer said “anyone with sense can see that this document is not right and
that a specimen was on the wall. You can use your phone and take a picture of it.” Editor, because of my profession, I deal with different people with different attitudes every day. I understand that people invest their time and resources to get things done and that expressing empathy when people’s time is wasted is important. When the fault is on your end, the wronged should be issued an apology. At no time during our interaction did this officer apologise for the time and resources wasted because I was ill-advised on two separate occasions by officers under his command as he claimed to be a supervisor. Moreover, to state that “anyone with sense could see that the document was wrong…” implies that the officers who examined the document before he did do not have any sense also. Once again I am calling on those in authority to look into the way people are advised when visiting these offices. If those who are tasked with engaging people on a daily basis do not pull themselves together, the organisation as a whole will continue to face heavy criticism, and the phrase ‘only in Guyana’ will always precede negative comments as a result of a bad experience. Yours truly, Janell Cameron
Thursday December 02, 2021
David Hinds’ rantings, has he lost it? DEAR EDITOR, Recently a Guyanese friend from the United States sent me some video clips showing the rantings of David Hinds on the topic of the black pudding lady. After reviewing the clips, I could not help but going into fits of convulsive laughter, which naturally spurred my friend to ask the question if my laughter was the reaction to the spineless antics of Hinds, and my answer was a resounding no! I explained that he was witnessing the revelations of a Doctor of Philosophy, a renowned historian and a so-called authority when it comes to matters of the Black Race. Interesting! This caused my friend to become even more bewildered as to why someone with such a wealth of knowledge could behave in such a manner. Well, my answer to him was that Hinds was, indeed, an educated man, and certainly not mad, let’s say at least not yet, but an academically certified educator he is. But I had to do some further explanation, that education does not necessarily make one intelligent, which you can clearly see from Hinds’ rantings. But still the question lingers why should a
grown man be ranting and raving over a harmless delicacy such as black pudding? Is it because the name ‘Black’ in the pudding conjures up such hate and acrimony in this Black Consciousness man? Or is it because an Indian Lady has now infiltrated something Hinds considers a ‘Black Lady’s” domain, which is it? Has black pudding lost its blackness because it is packaged and sold by an Indian Lady, which is it? Well, for starters, I direct Hinds to the Afro-Guyanese gentleman that sells dhal puri in front of the horseracing betting shop by the East Coast bus park. In my book he sells some of the best there is in the food world. His delicacy is micro-thin, moist and super sweet. Does this change the fact that this dish originated from the Indian sub-continent and I would give you a resounding no for an answer? In like token, the Indian Lady at Mon Repos, who sells the best Black pudding in town should not evoke the ire of anyone. What Hinds must come to is the realisation that cross cultures do have a healthy existence in Guyana today, something that any sensible aca-
demician should encourage and not criticise.Now, this brings us right back to the discussion as to the root cause for Hinds being so caustic against Indians and, by extension, the PPP/C Government, and this has nothing to do with the Indian, black pudding lady at Mon Repos. In fact, it lies deep in the heart of Hinds and others of his ilk, that is, the stealth craft of rigging has been dealt a severe blow and is now dead. No more can his or any party, cheat and steal to win an election in Guyana. This is what has caused Hinds to become so paranoid in his undertaking to undermine Indians and the PPP/C Government. This is the root cause for a seemingly normal man to behave in such an irrational manner.Hinds and his cohorts are hopping mad over the fact that they are not going to see power another time on a rigging ticket. Hinds and his friends in the PNC are, in essence, looking down the chute, no more would the despicable system of rigging haunt our electoral machinery again. This is the reason, in my opinion, for Hinds losing his mind. Respectfully submitted, Neil Adams
The one who is in charge of the PNC elections determines the winner DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to your news report (Dec. 1) on Van West Charles hoping that the elections for leadership and other executive posts would be transparent (free and fair). How ironic that Van West Charles is appealing for FFE in his party when, under his government, from 1966 to 1992, and again in March 2020, it was denied to us. If I remember my history well, it was his father-in-law, the late Forbes Burnham, who said those who vote don’t determine the outcome (winner) of the election. It is the person responsible for (who does) the counting that determines the outcome of elections. Indeed, that was the case in Guyana during the tenure of the PNC. In all PNC internal elections, the person in charge of the elections determined the outcome. If the counting was right, Carl
Greenidge would have won the leadership some years ago and the PNC would have been a different party and Guyana probably a better place. I don’t think he would have attempted to rig elections, although he served a government that rigged elections and he was quiet during the effort to rig the 2020 election.People I spoke with feel that the outcome of the Dec. 6, 2021, party election has been long determined. That is why Greenidge opted not to accept nomination for any post. Van West Charles is not even close in support with the other candidates aspiring to become leader. At any rate, according to my sources, even if he were to have the best election machinery and the voting process is free and fair, Van West Charles does not have much of a chance to win the leadership. He is trailing way behind the
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other three candidates. Basil Williams also does not have much of a chance. In this contest, slates of candidates matter as they bring out more voters on ‘your side”. A oneman team will not cut it, as it lacks manpower to convince delegates to vote for you. Harmon seems to have a better ethnically diverse slate. But ethnic overreach is a turn off among PNC supporters. Embracing members of another ethnicity is not necessarily an asset.The contest is between Joe Harmon and Aubrey Norton’s slates. One is better than the other for the country in combating corruption. It is not secrecy in Guyana on who will win the contest; people are openly saying it will be manipulated in favour of one candidate. We await till after the declaration to see if they are right. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
The President must deal with this matter DEAR EDITOR, The response published in yesterday’s Kaieteur News by our prominent citizen, Lincoln Lewis, to the disgusting, disrespectful and dangerous racial Statement by Charles Ramson, Jnr. is in order and I share Lincoln Lewis’ concern that President Ali who talks about One Guyana, has been ominously silent so far. In most democratically run societies, the President would have asked Ramson to offer his resignation. Ramson’s Statement in a polarised society is not only obnoxious but provides an opportunity for conflict and discord, taking us back to the troublesome 50s and 60s, when his Party, the PPP fanned the flames of Apaan Jaat. Concerned Afro and Indo Guyanese, I have spoken to do not wish to return to those dark days.The silence of the President on this matter suggests that his administration somehow feels that Ramson’s Statement is in order and that their wish is to provoke Afro Guyanese.I grew up in South Georgetown, where my parents taught me to respect and admire every other ethnic group and that is where I stand to this day. We want Peace not Conflict.I wrote the President on another matter which has clear racist overtones but to date after sev-
eral weeks no response. It was in reference to instructions given by the PPP Minister of Home Affairs, that in future batches entering the Police and Constabulary must reflect an ethnic balance. This racially inspired order ignores Guyana’s history and the preferences and proclivities of each of our six races.Again, the President’s silence on this matter, compels me as I now do to accuse this Government of blatant racism. Apart from the wellthought out letter by Lincoln Lewis, it was the labour and cruelty meted out to the African that built by hand, (there were no bulldozers and machines) the infrastructure on the plantations.The immigrants who came benefitted from the African blood, sweat and tears. Remember the European plantocracy made our Amerindian brothers into head hunters, paying them to catch the runaway slaves, and when they complained about the burdensomeness of bringing back whole bodies, the European plantocracy paid them money for each severed right arm of the runaway African slave. The Indentured Labourers brought by the British after Emancipation, main purpose was to replace African labour on the Plantations. In Spite of this Divide and Rule Policy, African Leaders, because of their
moral groundings, never demonstrated hostility to the other groups.It was the African teacher who provided educational opportunities for the children of immigrants, It was the African Nurse and Midwife, who safely delivered the Mothers of Immigrant population. It was the African man who offered his life to fight on the side of the allies in the two World Wars, so what role models is this Minister Ramson talking about? The first Indigenous Bank started in Albouystown by an Afro Guyanese. If as it seems, Ramson’s ugly utterances reflect the views of the current administration, let the people of Guyana understand that we are heading for trouble and dark days. My mother told me this story. The flat where she lived in Long Island, overlooked an open air wrestling ring and when the black wrestler pinned his white opponent, the crowd, mostly white would shout “oh darkie, give him a chance”, when a white wrestler pinned his black opponent, the crowd would shout “keep him down,” because when the darkie (Nig...r) raised ‘is hell raise’.I look forward to the President, who talks about One Guyana, dealing with this Minister condignly. Hamilton Green, Elder
Questions for Vincent Alexander DEAR EDITOR, I read Mr. Vincent Alexander’s letter and I would like to ask him as the chairman of the International Decade for People of African
Descent Assembly – Guyana (IDPADA-G), is it not true that the organisation has already received some $375M (three hundred and seventy five million dollars) from the Govern-
ment of Guyana and if yes, how has the organisation used it to advance the creation of wealth in the people of African Descent? Osafa Anderson
Proposal reasonable DEAR EDITOR, The proposed merger by PAC of some audit reports in order to clear the backlog is reasonable, even in view of the AG’s pronouncement that
there should be no rushing on the examination of the reports. Flexibility in positions in arriving at consensus must be found. This is one way.
Of course this does not mean due care and attention would not be taken in the review of the reports. Shamshun Mohamed
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COVID-19 claims lives of three more persons The Ministry of Health reported yesterday that three more persons, who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, have died. As a result of this, the country’s COVID-19 death toll has moved to 997. According to the Ministry, the latest fatalities are that of a fully vaccinated 59-yearold man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), an 86-
year-old man from Region One (Barima-Waini) whose vaccination status was unknown and an 80-year-old unvaccinated woman from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). It was reported that the three persons died on Tuesday while receiving treatment at a medical facility. F u r t h e r, i n i t s d a i l y COVID-19 dashboard, the Ministry recorded 77 new
infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 37,951. The dashboard also reveals that 17 patients are admitted in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 57 persons in institutional isolation, 1,162 in home isolation and two in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 35,718 persons have recovered fully from the virus.
Better Hope man jailed 12 years for Mash day killing Devon Thomas, of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was on Wednesday sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for the brutal killing of Enterprise ECD resident, Kumar Mohabir. He was sentenced by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Georgetown High Court. Thomas was originally indicted for murder of Mohabir called ‘Duksy’ and ‘Fire Link.’ Last October, he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. In considering her sentence Justice Barlow said that while there were mitigating factors including Thomas’ youthfulness, the reality of his actions has caused great hardship to the family of the deceased. As such, the judge sentenced Thomas to 12 years imprisonment but deducted one third from the sentence for his plea and eight years, seven months for the time spent on remand. In July, Thomas and his co-accused, 25-year-old Randy Isaacs were jointly placed before the court to face a retrial for the murder of the Enterprise businessman, who was killed on Mashramani Day (February 23) in 2013. Following a retrial, however, Isaacs was found not
Thursday December 02, 2021
Kaieteur News
Jailed: Devon Thomas. guilty by a 12-member jury, and Thomas was ordered to face a retrial since the jury failed to arrive at a verdict for him. That retrial was scheduled to start last October before Justice Barlow. Thomas however, opted to plead guilty to the crime.Prior to this, the Court of Appeal had ordered a retrial for Thomas and Randy Isaacs, who were originally sentenced to 75 years imprisonment each for the murder of the Enterprise, East Coast Demerara (ECD) businessman.In 2015, the duo had faced a trial before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Georgetown who handed down the hefty sentence which was later overturned on an appeal. Back then, Thomas, a construction worker from Lot 95
Better Hope South, East Coast Demerara and his coaccused Isaacs, were sentenced for the murder of Mohabir, called “Dusky” and “Fire Link”, of Lot 7 Fernandes Street, Enterprise, ECD. Mohabir was attacked and brutally stabbed by a drunken mob on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, on February 23, 2013. The man, who operated a tent rental business at his residence, was attacked after he went to the location to collect a tent he rented to his neighbours for the Republic Day celebrations. According to the reports, a group of drunken men who were armed with broken bottles attacked Mohabir after he went to collect a tent at Vlissengen Road in Georgetown. He was stabbed by a group of intoxicated persons and subsequently rushed to the Woodlands Hospital where he died while receiving treatment. Following the incident, the victim’s older brother, Navindra Mohabir, who was also wounded in the attack, had identified two suspects (Thomas and Isaac) as the persons who participated in the incident, which led to his brother’s death.
Contractor agrees to fix crumbling $32.1M Tuschen Road Fawaz Bacchus, the contractor who was paid over $32M to repair sections of the Tuschen Access Road is denying that it was as a result of poor work that has caused it to deteriorate eight months after the works were completed. The current poor state of the road was highlighted recently by residents by way of a letter which was published in the Sunday’s edition of this newspaper. Residents noted that some parts of the road, especially in the vicinity of the Tuschen Police Outpost, are in a deplorable state which severely affects road users, mainly motorists. They described in the letter that there are huge potholes, pools of water and mud in some parts of the road. Bacchus however clarified his company was contracted to execute sectional repairs of the road and the sections which were in need of repairs were rehabilitated. He was keen to note that the section under the spotlight was not in a deplorable condition while he was executing his job. Nevertheless, he noted that his company is committed to remedying this section of the road, so as to maintain its reputation. Kaieteur News was told that the contractor was paid some $32,147,360 to carry out “sectional repairs” to the roadway. It was related to this publication by Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar that the road was never accepted by his ministry because their engineers were not happy with the works done. “We have not signed off on that road, when we looked at how the road was being done, I had asked for an inquiry on the construction of the road; the
road was not yet signed off by our ministry as completed,” he explained. Minister Indar had noted too that the contract for the area was done under “sectional repairs” (meaning that only the sections that were bad had to be repaired). According to him, only a small part of the road was completed by the contractor. When the Minister was asked what action would be taken against the contractor, he said that “the contractor under the defect liability will have to remedy the part that deteriorated” while, the Ministry will fix the part of the road that they are responsible for. Meanwhile, the Ministry in a subsequent press release yesterday stated that the section that has current pot holes were not paved by Fawaz Bacchus. “The large pot holes seen now did not surface at the time these inspections were conducted and have developed due to water being
trapped in this 70 meters section of the road, due to private property concrete to the road shoulder and lack of drainage on the paved sidewalk,” the Ministry highlighted. The Ministry further noted that the lifespan of the existing asphaltic concrete has elapsed given that the road was constructed many years ago. And as a result, its surface has worn down and is under one inch thick and heavy raveling is occurring which cannot bear the traffic load conditions. In conclusion, the Public Works Ministry said that it would immediately address the deplorable sections while the contractor was instructed to remedy the defects, “since it’s within the contractor’s one year defects liability period under the contract.’ Picture: Tuschen road Caption: A deplorable section of the Tucshen New Housing Scheme main access road.
Discard ‘cut and paste’ Local Content Bill From page 3 there are big questions that pop up.” Speaking on further threats to Guyana’s local content success, Professor Haar not only lamented the infrastructural and other deficiencies but also highlighted the shortcomings of the country’s business environment as flagged by the World Bank. “The business climate is essential,” he implored and continued, “regardless of what one thinks of the World Bank’s Doing Business Reports, doing business did cite that Guyana ranks 134 among 190 countries. That’s nothing to brag about.” To this end, he elucidated that in Guyana, it takes 208 days for a construction permit, according to the Doing Business study, 82 days to get electricity and 46 days to register a property “Overlay on top of that,
problems in the country with crime, bureaucracy, red tape, and the infrastructure challenges and you can see this is a daunting task to be able to move economic development forward and tying this into oil growth,” said Professor Haar. Conceding that Guyana certainly has a fairly decent level of educated people, he cautioned there is a caveat. BLACK GOLD He explained saying that “many that could be attracted to the oil sector are (presently) working in transport, agroprocessing and construction. So the question, is there going to be enough human capital to address the needs, not just of the oil sector but across the board?” To this end he suggests, “a multi-sectoral approach to move the entire diversified nation forward.” Professor Haar, used the
occasion to remind that since the end of the 2008 financial crisis, there have been over 145 new Local Content requirements put in place worldwide, “which one can argue pose many, many challenges, especially for the private sector.” According to Professor Haar, this also obtained “for the public sector as well,” and reminded that, “as they are shaping these policies, they need to implement them correctly and be able to monitor the results.” Adamant Guyana is aware of the opportunities that oil will bring, Professor Haar cautioned that while “this black gold is a blessing” and is fabulous, Guyana must also be aware of the challenges as well. The Professor to this end noted that, “we see oil on an upward trajectory but there will be a fall off in demand by
2040, most studies show, and these oil revenues will not be enough to cover the budget deficits, so diversification is essential.” To this end he pointed out, that “in short hand, oil cannot be a one trick pony for Guyana. For the sake of the nation it needs to focus heavily on that, but diversify at the same time.” As such, he used the occasion to remind that oil producers, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are (already) diversifying their economy rapidly. Adumbrating the goals of the government and the foreign companies need not be incompatible; Professor Haar urged “all parties need to embrace the three CCCs, Communicate, Cooperate and Collaborate.” In terms of building capacity locally, which he deemed vitally important,
Professor Haar’s report has since recommended that a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis of the national economy be conducted.” This, in order to identify the human capital needs and competitive capabilities of all sectors, again, not just oil, “and truthfully I doubt that you will find any oil company that would disagree with that.” Funding Available Both government and oil companies, he said, “should increase the short and long term education and training opportunities both in country and abroad” and lamented, “unfortunately at the higher education or the tertiary level the top career choices of young people, I found, did not include management. That’s ranked number five, and engineering which is ranked number 10.”
According to Professor, Haar, the nation needs managers and engineers and emphasis should be placed on that. The services sector, he said, can be developed to serve the needs of the extractive industries but also for others including IT, services, graphics design and business processing outsourcing. To this end, he posited government expanding investment in infrastructure, roadways, broadband, port facilities along with public services. “This is necessary for the government to assure in a transparent, efficient and effective manner that these infrastructural concerns are addressed. Are there resources? Absolutely not just locally. You have the IMF, the World Bank the UN agencies, there is no reason that this cannot be ramped up and implemented.”
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Thursday December 02, 2021
Vishnu Persaud, Jamaican Govt. says mining permits for make final cut in race for CEO
Marudi Mountains is not new
…INSISTS CONSULTATIONS WERE HELD
MAKING THE FINAL CUT: Former acting DCEO, Vishnu Persaud (left) and a former Elections Officer of Jamaica, Leslie Harrow. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is moving closer to appointing a new Chief Elections Officer (CEO) with two top candidates being selected for interviews. The two candidates making the final cut are the former acting Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Vishnu Persaud and a former Elections Officer of Jamaica, Leslie Harrow. Persaud served as Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Elections Commission for several years before being appointed to the position of Deputy Chief Election Officer. He remained in that position for three years, but his contract
was not renewed. The candidates are expected to be interviewed by the GECOM on Monday. Kaieteur News understands that Chairman of the Elections Commission, retired Justice Claudette Singh sided with the Government nominated Commissioners who believe that Persaud should be interviewed for the position. B a s e d o n advertisements, GECOM requires the CEO to be examined and approved by members of the commission. Among the other requirements for the CEO post, candidates must have requisite qualifications which
includes a Post Graduate Degree in Public A d m i n i s t r a t i o n , L a w, Management or relevant discipline from a reputable and recognised institution, and specific training and verifiable experience in managing election systems, along with at least 10 years of experience in a senior management position overseeing and directing diverse operations aimed at achieving targets within specific deadlines. Additionally, candidates would need at least 10 years relevant experience in Management of National Elections and Election Systems. The selection of the names comes after the six commissioners met with Chairperson Singh on several occasions this week to finalise the list to filling the vacancy that exist within the election machinery. In addition to its search for a new CEO and DCEO, GECOM is also on the lookout for a Chief Accountant, Legal Officer, R e s e a r c h O ff i c e r a n d Logistics Manager.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has defended its decision to the sign away of mining lands at Marudi Mountain to a Canadian gold company without consulting with residents there, saying that the new agreement will also allow for small scale miners in the area to resume operations. According to the minis try, “the current agreement is not a new prospecting or mining licence. However, there have been small scale mining in Marudi since in the early 1980s mostly by Amerindians”. The Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat told Kaieteur News that “many consultations were held on the entire Marudi (mining) issue” but could not say whether the Indigenous people were told that a new company, Aurous Mining Inc. was granted a licence to prospect the land for gold. The Ministry explained, “Subsequently, a Prospecting Licence (PL) was issued to Aurous Mining Inc and the Ministry wishes to state that a PL is only for prospecting, no mining is allowed within the boundaries of a PL. The PL specifically states that the “Licensee is granted the exclusive right to occupy for the purpose of exploring for Gold and Precious Metals and Minerals but not to be worked for a profit”. The PL holder is required to furnish the Commission with all the results of any exploration work on a semi-annual basis”. Meanwhile, it was pointed out that the licensee will implement a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme of up to a total of US $250, 000 over the life of the PL which will benefit surrounding Amerindian Communities. Therefore, for the fiveyear validity of the PL, there will be no large-scale mining by the company in the Marudi area, except the Region Nine small scale miners, whereby a Special Mining Permit (SMP) was granted to regulate and monitor their mining activities. Kaieteur News understands that the agreement was signed between the Rupununi Miners Association, Aurous and Romanex and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) as the
regulator, on November 17, 2021. This was reportedly done following a long hiatus of several years. Nevertheless, the SMP will conduct its activities approximately 1000 acres within the Marudi area. The operations, according to the Ministry, will be guided by strict monitoring policies. This will include; a Mine Plan, a Mine Closure Plan, a Social Responsibility Plan and an Environmental Management Plan. These plans will be submitted to the GGMC for approval and is expected to be adhered to by all miners. In addition to these measures, an Environmental Bond will be required to be paid to the Commission, as insurance. The Ministry of Natural Resources was also keen to note that the SMP
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat prohibits the use of Mercury. “It should be noted that the SMP is restricted to 40 Miners, once registered with the Rupununi Miners Association Co-operative Society Limited,” the Ministry pointed out. “Also, it must be noted that these are the same miners who were mining in Marudi when Major General (retd) Joe Singh was requested to conduct mediation to regulate mining activities within the area. Hence, several follow up consultations were held in Marudi, Region 9 and in Georgetown with several interest groups, officials from the Region 9 RDC, Villagers from Marudi/Aishalton and other stakeholders”, the Ministry explained. It said that several concerns were raised, especially regarding the environment and the general health and safety of the village and those in close proximity. As a consequence, numerous
safeguards were included in the Prospecting Licence and the Special Mining Permit in keeping with the GGMC’s Mining Act and Regulations. Even though none were highlighted in the Ministry’s statement, which sought to proffer clarity on the issue, it was noted that five temporary Mines Officers were employed by the GGMC from Region 9 to assist with monitoring and enforcement of the conditions outlined in the PL and SMP. The onset of mining exploration and prospecting activities in Marudi began in the early 1940s by various companies such as; Rupununi Gold Company 1946-1949, NorMan Mines Ltd. 1981, Noranda Inc. 1984, Eastern Caribbean Mining Development (Guyana) Ltd 1988-1990, Romanex Guyana Exploration Ltd Sutton Resources Ltd 19901999 and Vanessa Ventures Ltd 1999-2005. Romanex mining licence was cancelled by the Government effective November 01, 2021, so as to facilitate small miners in Region Nine with an opportunity to engage in small scale mining activities. The Ministry of Natural Resources recently came under fire for signing an agreement with the miners to resume mining activities in Marudi, Region Nine without prior consultations with the villagers. This attracted the attention of Human Rights Lawyer, Malene Alleyne, who said that the incumbent administration should not only apologise to the locals but rescind the contract until the required processes are followed. Her comments came on the heels of an earlier report by this newspaper of residents demanding respect from Government, as they claimed they were not consulted on the resumption of mining activities. They protested the fact that they only learnt of the agreement through a social media post, which resulted in an almost immediate visit by members of Cabinet on Saturday. In attendance were Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, and Minister of Amerindian Peoples Continued on page 16
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Kaieteur News
Elections should not become more complex than advanced calculus
T
he PNC/R had approached the Court, following either the 2001 or 2006 elections, for an Order to ensure that the correct legal procedure was followed in relation to the declaration of the results of those elections. The intention was to have the results declared in accordance with the country’s laws, first by the respective Returning Officers before the Chief Election Officer submits his final report. Ironically, this legal procedure exposed a loophole in the system. What would happen were a Returning Officer to declare a false result? We now know how impacting such an eventuality could be. The spread sheet and bed sheet employed, during the March 2020 general and regional elections, exposed the degree to which that loophole could be manipulated. What happens if any of the Returning Officers declares a concocted result? And what happens if the Chief Election Officer accepts such a perversity? We now know as well the degree of absurdity which can result from the manipulation of these loopholes. These loopholes should have been the primary focus of electoral reforms. By plugging these loopholes, the electoral system would have become more insulated from attempts to foist false results onto the population. Guyana’s election system is not perfect but it contains sufficient checks and balances to guard against electoral fraud at the polling station. It is virtually impossible for dead or migrated persons to vote. There are systems in place, which if followed – and they were followed on the 2nd March, 2020 – would guard against voting fraud. The country’s electoral system balances
enfranchisement with protection against voter impersonation. And the system therefore does not require the institution of the sort of draconian penalties which are now being proposed. Those penalties will deter persons from applying to work on Election Day. There is need to deter election fraud at all levels of the electoral process, but draconian penalties will be counterproductive and unnecessary, especially given the numerous checks and balances which are inherent to the present system. Where there is need to develop greater checks and balances is at the levels of the post-Election Day processes. Specifically, those checks and balances should be geared to ensure that the respective Returning Officers are compelled to undertake their tabulations strictly, and only on the basis of the certified copies of the Statements of Polls. This process should be made more transparent. It should be conducted in the presence of Polling Agents and the representatives of the political parties. No Returning Officer should be so empowered to declare results before the tabulations are complete. Instead of zeroing in on these areas, the present preoccupation seems to be with determining who should be the Chief Election Officer (CEO). It does not matter if the CEO is black, brown, white or blue. So long as there are adequate systems of checks and balances to counteract and countervail the CEO from doing as he or she pleases, the ethnic identity of the preferred CEO is irrelevant. A few years ago, there was a controversy over the actual calculation, using the HARE formula – even I made the same mistake. It is alleged that there was an attempt to give the PPP/C an extra seat. But there was a system of
checks which allowed for this mistake to be spotted. The report with the mistake was submitted – not officially declared – and it was submitted for the approval of the Commission – which is a form of check. One of the Commissioners spotted the mistake. But that mistake of 2011 pales in comparison to what was attempted in 2020. At present, there is intense political jostling for the post of Chief Election Officer. No doubt, the Chief Election Officer should be subject to greater checks and balances. That person should not be allowed to go on his or her own frolic and to determine valid or invalid votes. The declaration of that person should be rule-based and subject to oversight and instruction from the Commission proper. The reforms to the country’s election laws, which were recently drafted, are proposing to disaggregate the largest district – District 4. This does not change the allocation of seats but is aimed instead at ensuring a faster completion of the tabulations of that District. This makes practical sense since it is District 4 which delays the final declaration of results. With this new system, the final results can be known within two days. The elections’ laws should also be amended to give all political parties the right to a recount. It should remove the discretion of the Returning Officer to deny a recount. Elections should not be more complex and difficult than advanced calculus. There is no need for North Korean-styled penalties. Once there is a capable CEO, that person should be subject to a rule-based system. Instead, therefore, of haggling over the candidates for CEO, greater attention should be paid to
Dem boys seh ...
Apaan Jhaat economics! Lang ago, dem use to have people telling yuh fuh vote fuh yuh own. Dem use to call it Apaan Jhaat politics. Nowadays dem gat people telling yuh fuh buy fuss from yuh own. Dem boys calling dat Apaan Jhaat economics. No country does able produce whatever it wants. And dat is why yuh does gat to produce what yuh can cheap, export am and import wah yuh need. But nah tell dat to de black pudding man. He wan people fuh buy only from dem own fuss.
Dem boys like black pudding but dem boys nah concern who mek am. Dem only interested in how de black pudding taste. It nah matter if is Black, Indian, Portuguese, Amerindian or Chinese wah mek de black pudding. Once it taste good, dem boys buying am. Dem boys used to buy from Betty back in de day when de shop bin near de funeral parlour. Dem boys nah know who mekkin de black pudding by Demico but it does taste nice. But de best is de Chinee man in Kitty.
So dem boys nah gat no time with de black pudding man wah wan yuh buy from yuh own. He seh he like black pudding and when he see a line in Mon Repos he join de line only to discover is wan Indian woman selling de black pudding. Since dis is de same man wah wan tell people dem muss buy from dem own fuss, dem boys wan ask he a question. Dem boys wan ask he wah he bin doing in Mon Repos Market in de fuss place. Talk half. Leff half
strengthening and expanding the existing system of checks and balances to prevent a repeat of the perversions of 2020.
(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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Thursday December 02, 2021
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Indian Lives Matter: History cannot ignore Vishnu Persaud
W
hen I read pieces by some African Guyanese referring to the relevance of Black Lives Matter (BLM) to Guyana, I knew it was a propagandistic line that Indian rights activists should confront. These African Guyanese commentators were pronouncing on a sociological situation that obfuscates the real fact – Indian lives do not matter in Guyana. Indian lives did not matter for Ronald Waddell. During the raging flames of “mo fyaah\slo fyaah,” he urged Indian Guyanese who voted for the PNC to seek physical safety from PNC supporters. Some people have described Waddell as a nonviolent man. Obviously, they do not know what Waddell did in Buxton during the gory violence there between 2002 and 2006. From mo fyaah/slo fyaah, from 1997 to the Buxton mayhem right up to
September 2020 in Cotton Tree in Region Five, there were instances when Indian Guyanese were mercilessly and relentlessly harmed and killed but no Indian rights activist has invented the slogan – Indian Lives Matter (ILM). Despite this pattern of consistent violence against Indians, some people began to talk about BLM in Guyana as if Indian lives did not matter. In the unfolding of things, there are claims being made by PNC surrogates on their Meta pages that African Guyanese are being discriminated against. There is no mention of anti-Indian violence since 1997. The list is almost inexhaustible. No one can tell me about Indian Lives Matter. I investigated the mayhem in Buxton from 2002 -2006. It was an orgy of violence directed against innocent Indian Guyanese because the government was seen as Indianised. There is no
mention of 42,000 sugar workers, their families and relatives who were driven onto the breadline. This activist picketed against the increase in electricity rate in Linden in 2012. This activist protested for one year outside Parliament in a grass-root movement we called “People’s Parliament” when three protestors were killed in the protest. The People’s Parliament had as its chief organiser an Indian woman named Sherlina Nageer. Where were the voices in support of Indian lives when 42,000 families connected to the sugar industry were torn asunder? Many suicides occurred in the sugar belt after the closure of the sugar estates. There were no voices from civil society. There were no voices from the dozens of women rights groups we have here. Why was this so? Because Indian lives do not matter. Against this background is the story of one of the
vacancies in the GECOM Secretariat for a Deputy Chief Election Officer (DCEO) to replace removed DCEO, Roxanne Myers. Ms. Myers contested the post against the incumbent, Vishnu Persaud. He lost because then chairman, James Patterson, voted with t h e t h r e e P N C commissioners to replace Mr. Persaud. The ousted DCEO filed a case of racial discrimination with the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) and won. But he was never recalled. The ERC ruled on two things one of which is shocking and for which Mr. Patterson should have been brought before the ERC. The ERC concluded that on both experience and qualification, Mr. Persaud was more suited for the position than Myers. Secondly, Patterson never interviewed Persaud but gave him a poor scoring. When the ERC enquired of this anomaly, Patterson
said he arrived at his decision based on a document which he would supply to the ERC. The ERC did not Frederick Kissoon receive it. Based on commissioner, denied their rights must be Vi n c e n t A l e x a n d e r ’s given their day. I know all description of Persaud, he my life about the pain of was sued for defamation of having your rights trampled character and Mr. Persaud on. As the dialectics roll on won judgment. and social progress moves This society has been towards greater forms of unfair to Persaud. His denial justice, wrongs must be of his rights is life’s righted. unfairness that has driven Cruel violations against me in my existence on earth innocent humans should to fight against it. The have no statute of limitation. Stabroek News has carried People must have their day three editorials decrying the in court. They must have removal of Dr. Vincent their day in front of natural Adams from the law. They must have their Environmental Protection day when human conscience Agency, even though Dr. rules over society. Vishnu Adams is one of the leaders Persaud must have his day. in the main opposition party – APNU+AFC. The Guyana (The views expressed in Human Rights Association this article are those of the never uttered a word about author and do not Persaud. necessarily reflect the Wrongs must be righted. opinions of this newspaper.) People who have been
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The Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill
Kaieteur News
Thursday December 02, 2021
Mayor concerned about waste disposal rate at Haags Bosch — calls for national solid waste plan to guide townships, NDCs Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine has expressed concerns about the rate at which the Haags Bosch landfill site is filling up even as he called for Government to engage with stakeholders to implement a National Solid Waste Plan. Mayor Narine said such a plan will guide the disposal practices of municipalities, Neighbourhood Democratic C o u n c i l s a n d Vi l l a g e
Councils in a collaborative approach to ensure safe disposal of waste. He highlighted that as Guyana continues its transformation and development with the oil and gas sector there will be an increase in waste production from commercial and domestic activities, as well as directly from the oil and gas industry. The mayor stated: “modern countries are moving away from landfills which contribute to significant negative impacts on the environment. The organic material in landfills decomposes and methane gas is released as
Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine experienced in the old Mandela Landfill which was a health hazard to residents and a constant threat to property in the community”. Continued on page 15
Linden contractor in hot water after $11M retaining wall collapses
The collapsed retaining wall. The retaining walls of a major thoroughfare in the Silvertown community, of Wismar, Linden, collapsed on Tuesday, two days after it was constructed by Contractor, David Sugrim, of D&R Construction Company. The 16ft road was completed on the 28th November 2021, to the tune of 11 million dollars. Sugrim was awarded the contract by the Regional Democratic Council, Region 10. Regional Executive Officer, Dwight John, said that the road was constructed and retainers were added to alleviate flooding in the area. It was built higher and wider so as to accommodate two lanes. “We would have had a very low road, that was prone to flooding for many, many years. What we did was to raise the wall so that we can get a higher road. The retaining wall was done from one end to the other end of the road, but as a result of pressure, the highest end of it collapsed, which is about Continued on page 15
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Thursday December 02, 2021
North Georgetown Secondary students get help for Agri Science SBA
S
tudents of the North Georgetown Secondary School are no longer burdened with the costs associated with sourcing planting materials and livestock to support their School Based Assessments (SBAs), following a timely donation from the Ministry of Agriculture. On Wednesday Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha donated a number of planting materials and broiler chicks to the Agriculture Science Department of the North Georgetown Secondary School, following a request for assistance by the department’s head, Benjettan Osborne. Osborne had reached out to the ministry requesting assistance with materials for students who are preparing for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination in 2022 and 2023. Minister Mustapha while handing over the items said it was important for young people to be involved in agriculture and that the ministry will continue to make resources available to schools desirous of expanding their agriculture science department. “When I received the request from the school, I was delighted to know that the school was involved in agriculture. Quite often, youths believe that agriculture is a minimal job that is only for the
- Ministry donates planting materials, broiler chicks
Head of the school’s Agriculture Science Department flanked by some of the students who benefitted from the donation.
mature population. I am happy that the students and teacher are interested in developing the school’s agriculture department and I am optimistic that the interest displayed by the students and teacher will allow them to excel and move on to further develop the sector in this country. In Guyana, every day our agriculture sector is expanding and, as a government, we are putting more resources so that development can continue to take place,” Minister Mustapha said.
The Minister also committed to having an extension officer meet with the students to offer technical advice and support while they perform practical exercises which form part of their SBAs in the lead up to writing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. Kaieteur News understands that the donation yesterday consisted of 256 cabbage seedlings, 256 celery seedlings, 128 lettuce seedlings, 128 tomato seedlings, and 50 broiler chicks with feed.
A d d i t i o n a l l y, M i n i s t e r Mustapha announced that the ministry will also be donating carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower seeds and seedlings along with a shade house to further enhance the school’s agriculture science department’s potential. Head of the school’s Agri. Department, Benjettan Osborne said students are often left to bear the cost of materials to complete the practical aspect of their SchoolBased Assessments (SBAs) which most of them are finding difficult
due to the financial pressures their parents are facing as a result of the global pandemic. “Students would usually have to pool money in order to get things done like to buy seedlings, to buy birds, to buy feed, to buy everything as it relates to getting their practical done. This donation will help to alleviate that. Remember we are in a pandemic and we know a lot of parents cannot afford extra expenses. This donation will help to minimize the financial strain on students as it relates to doing the practical aspect of SBAs because it is a lot of work,” the teacher noted. Minister Mustapha also said that the ministry will be offering support to other schools across the country to assist with developing the practical aspect of the agriculture science curriculum. In the early part of next year, the ministry is expected to launch a programme targeting schools with active agriculture science departments. The programme will see schools benefiting from shade houses, tools, and planting materials for both traditional and non-traditional crops like broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower, as well as poultry. The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) will also be offering soil analyses to schools as part of the programme.
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Residents STILL IN THE DARK on impacts of NEW Demerara River Bridge The Ministry of Public Works is yet to set a date for consultations with residents of Nandy Park and surrounding communities on the impacts of the construction of the new Demerara River Bridge. The new bridge which will replace the decades-old existing two-lane facility, is not expected to cause extensive environmental impacts during its construction, but a number of homes in the area of Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD) will have to be acquired by the state, a c c o r d i n g t o a Environmental Protection Agency screening report. In an interview with Kaieteur News, Regional Chairman, Daniel Seeram explained that he has not yet received a response from the Ministry, to his letter dated November 16, 2021, which outlined the Region’s position on the request for a ‘No objection’ to be granted for the new bridge. Seeram maintained his position that the Region will only offer its ‘No objection’ to the project, after residents are consulted. “Nothing was done. Right now they haven’t even responded to the letter that I had written to the Permanent Secretary,” he noted. The Chairman said that even though a lot of families are scheduled to be relocated, no word has been forthcoming from the Ministry. The Chairman said, “We would have done our part at the level of the RDC (Regional Democratic Council), to bring some amount of clarity on what is going on and ask the necessary technical persons to deal with it. If they (the ministry) choose not to consult with the people, then
- Ministry of Public Works yet to set date for consultations
Region Four Chairman, Daniel Seeram we can see a backlash coming from the people living in those areas. I have been told that many persons from the area are very concerned. I cannot direct the Ministry how to do their jobs, but I told them that unless they do that, then I can give them the ‘no objection’. If they choose to go ahead without the approval from the Region then it’s basically on record that we did our part.” In a previous interview, the Chairman pointed out that while the project is indeed poised to be transformative and beneficial in the reduction of traffic he is not satisfied that the residents have not been consulted. Kaieteur News understands that the Permanent Secretary of the MPW, Vladim Persaud on November 2, 2021 issued a request for the Region to grant a no-objection to the project, citing that it is a national one that has already reached an advanced stage. In light of this letter of request, the Regional Chairman said he asked for a site visit, where the Ministry was asked whether it consulted residents, but it
Linden contractor in hot... From page 12 100 feet of 1800 feet of the entire wall,” John explained. He said the corrective works will commence immediately and this should be completed by the end of the week. The contractor told Kaieteur News, that contrary to the accusation that he did substandard works, the wall collapsed as a result of the compaction and the earth’s pressure. Regional Chairman Deron Adams however, called him out for executing substandard work and this he said was observed when the RDC Works Committee inspected the road. Residents also claimed that the project was done hurriedly and that the foundation of the road and drain was not solid enough, before the walls were added. To ensure the collapse does not reoccur, REO John said braces will now be added. “Throughout the length of the road, we will be putting braces so that we can keep the wall in place because we will have heavy duty trucks traversing this area from time to time, so we are trying to prevent anymore from this happening. The project was awarded in May 2021.
could not answer. But since the site visit, Seeram said that his office has been receiving multiple calls from residents in the area, with complaints and concerns about the project. He said that this move by the Government is “very disrespectful” to the residents of the area. “It is not that we won’t grant them no-objection, we are awaiting a public consultation,” he clarified. The Chairman reminded that the bridge is proposed to pass through two ‘huge’ residential communities and the people must know how they stand to be impacted.
“The ball is now in the Ministry’s court to ensure the consultations are done. The residents need to know how this construction will affect them, in terms of noise pollution, dust, etcetera,” he added. The Ministry of Public Works which is overseeing the construction of the new facility, has since been cleared by the EPA from having to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). While o u t l i n i n g s o m e environmental impacts said to be negligible, such as noise and some dust pollution during
construction, it was noted that an initial assessment of the proposed alignment on the eastern bank of the Demerara River shows that approximately 24 lots of land may be acquired. According to the EPA’s screening report, in determining whether an EIA was warranted or not, it was pointed out that approximately 10 of the plots that will have to be a c q u i r e d h a v e concrete/wooden structures erected on them. The report did indicate that there are no properties to be acquired on the western bank of the Demerara River.
According to the EPA’s screening report, “when it becomes clear which properties will be affected, it has been proposed that property owners will be engaged for voluntary acquisition at fair compensation in keeping with the acquisition laws of Guyana.” It was noted, too, that there has been initial consultation with residents “who welcome the project and subsequent to consultations, a voluntary relocation/resettlement plan will be required and developed.” Continued on page 18
Mayor concerned about waste... From page 12 He continues to raise awareness on the issues of leaching and the contamination of surface water and drains of nearby water sources at the Haags Bosch landfill. Narine also expressed concern about diseases and other adverse health effects, such as respiratory illnesses and cancers which studies have shown are linked with exposure to landfill sites. “An updated National Solid Waste Management Plan is necessary to guide institutions on proper disposal strategies and provide a platform for engagement to inform Government policies on the construction and maintenance of these facilities to limit the negative environmental and human impact of waste disposal. At the current rate of production, the Haags Bosch landfill would no longer be able to accommodate the garbage produced in 10 years,” Mayor Narine said. He said the M&CC is ready to support such a collaboration to ensure that we must move away from the landfill culture to protect our environment and citizens. Back in October this newspaper reported that Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)—ExxonMobil Guyana was dumping some 30 to 35 tons of residual waste daily from its operations. This much is documented in the company’s latest Cradle to the Grave Waste Management Analysis which had identified the landfill as a possible dumping ground for some of its waste. According to the document, at present, the HBL is the only engineered landfill in Guyana for the disposal of municipal solid waste and nonhazardous commercial/industrial wastes. The original cell (Cell 1) started receiving wastes in 2011 and is currently at 99 percent capacity. It was noted that Cell 2 became operational in March 2021 and that the landfill currently receives approximately 500 tonnes of waste per day, including about 30 to 35 tonnes per day of residual wastes generated from EEPGL projects. It was noted however, that with an
increase in offshore activity expected, along with potential for growth in other industrial and commercial sectors, the quantity of waste going to the HBL will increase going forward. To this end, it is calculated that at current disposal rates, Cell 2 is expected to last for approximately four to six years. “This estimated life span of Cell 2 depends upon how much the waste volumes received at the landfill increase with the expanded economic development expected in the Georgetown area over the next five years.” The report documents that there remains two additional cells at the site (Cell 3 and Cell 4) for future development. Each of these cells is 6.5 hectares in size and could be anticipated to last for five to six years each. As such, the company indicated that the current available landfill capacity certainly appears sufficient for the short term between two and three years, with Cell 2 having begun operations in March 2021 and considering the forecasted growth in waste volumes from industrial use. According to EEPGL, presuming Cells 3 and 4 would be brought into operation, the future HBL landfill capacity appears reasonable for the long term, at least up to 10 years. It was noted however, “there are several development aspects related to
the HBL that may impact future operations.” These include, new housing, commercial, and industrial developments which continue to be developed in the Eccles area, in the vicinity of the landfill site. Additionally, it was noted that in general, landfills and residential development are not perceived as compatible land uses in light of the potential pollution of odours, traffic, and smoke from fires. At HBL, the nearest residences are currently 500 metres away and further along a new roadway is currently under construction near the landfill site which will serve as a main connector to the East Bank-East Coast Road Linkage Project. The new roadways are expected to create new access for housing and other economic activities in the nearby areas that were previously inaccessible. It was noted too that the new roadways will also increase traffic in the area. As such, “these competing land uses and expansion of residential and commercial areas create uncertainty as to whether the HBL will be a sustainable location in the future.” According to EEPGL, “ c o n s e q u e n t l y, n e w l a n d f i l l development in the region may be appropriate for consideration going forward.”
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Thursday December 02, 2021
Kaieteur News
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merican oil giant, ExxonMobil Cor poration, was proud to announce to the international market that it is taking action to reduce its emissions output. To achieve this through to 2027, the company said it has committed US$15B in investments that will ensure a balance between projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing operations and increased investments in its Low Carbon Solutions business. But, even as ExxonMobil says it has set aside a sizeable sum to lower emissions output, it has neglected to highlight that it is pumping over US$45B into massive fossil fuel projects during the same period. These projects are part of the oil-rich Stabroek Block being led by its affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL). They include the Liza Phase One Project (US$3.5B), The Liza Phase Two (US$6B), Payara (US$9), Yellowtail (over US$9B), and two more projects similar to the size of Payara. EEPGL’s partner, Hess Corporation, had said recently that Guyana should expect six oil projects by 2027 while adding that it is not a matter of if but when these will come on line. But Stabroek is just one aspect of the fossil fuel agenda of Exxon in Guyana.
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The oil major is also pursuing 24 wells evenly across the Kaieteur and Canje blocks with another 12 exploration wells planned for the Stabroek next. With a line of sight of up to 10 Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSOs) in Guyana to develop approximately 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent resources in the Stabroek Block, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hess Corporation, John Hess boasted that his company is poised to deliver “unparalleled” growth from the fossil fuel projects.
During his recent participation in Bank of America’s Global Energy Conference, he praised the economics of the Stabroek Block projects as he noted that they will be generating between US$3B to US$4B for the company which holds a 30 percent stake in the block. Expounding further he said, “When Liza Two comes on, we will steadily move down the cost curve. Our Guyana developments have a Brent breakeven price between US$25 and US$35 per barrel. And as our Bakken production in the USA goes up to
200,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in the next several years we will be able to go down the cost curve.” The Hess boss added, “By 2026, we predict that our cash unit cost will go down by 25 percent versus this year to approximately US$9 per barrel of oil equivalent resources...”Further to this, Hess said his company is clearly positioned to deliver industry leading cash flow growth. In this regard, he said between 2021 and 2026, the company’s cash flow is forecast to increase by 25 percent annually.
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Map showing the location of ExxonMobil’s future projects offshore Guyana
Aikwang Backdam located along the Cuyuni River, Region Seven. A company official told the Kaieteur News that they had just completed a three-week rotation, and had “wash down” (extracted gold trapped in its sluice box) on Sunday. The 70 ounces of gold that was extracted, was stored in a box and locked, the company official related. Vieira as GM was the only one allowed to keep the keys. His colleagues alleged that later that night, Vieira waited until the company’s three security guards left the campsite to make his move.
He allegedly accosted his colleagues and threatened that if “anyone says anything or raise an alarm he was going to kill them”. The GM then reportedly went to the box where the gold was stored, removed it and escaped that same night. When t h e s e c u r i t y guards returned the workers related to them what the GM did and the company launched an investigation. The company official related that based on information they received the suspect was reportedly spotted in a boat heading
The GM that allegedly stole his boss’ gold up the Cuyuni River en route to Venezuela. DaSilva Mining has since reported the matter to Region Seven Police who are on the lookout for the suspect.
Govt. says mining permits for Marudi... From page 8 Affairs, Pauline Sukhai. Officials from the Guyana Geology and mines Commission (GGMC) were also present. The Human Rights lawyer in an interview with this newspaper was keen to note that under Intentional Human Rights Laws, Indigenous people, such as the Wapishana tribe who have
settled in the Rupununi region, have a right to free, prior and informed consultations and consent. According to Alleyne, “This right requires the state to accept and disseminate information. It also entails constant communication between the parties. The state should have ensured that the Wapishana people were aware of possible risks before entering into an
agreement to develop projects on their lands.” In fact, she noted that information should have been shared with the land owners pertaining to environmental and health risks. “This is essential so that any consent that is given by the Wapishana people is informed, so they give their consent knowingly and voluntarily,” Alleyne said.
Thursday December 02, 2021
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Kaieteur News
‘Just don’t do audits, make the findings public’ - TIGI joins calls for transparency of audited oil expenses By Rehana Ramsey While it is common for oil companies to operate in secrecy across the globe, the onus is on governments to deal with these companies in a manner that allows for transparency.This is the view of the President of Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc. (TIGI) Frederick Collins. Collins was at the time joining calls made by Chartered Accountant and Attorney-atLaw Christopher Ram and others to have the findings of any audit of Exxon’s expenses made public including the US$9.5 B, which President Irfaan Ali and Vice President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo promised to do despite the deadline has elapsed. Following public criticisms of government’s failure to audit the US$9.5B bill handed to
them by Exxon for expenditure for the Liza 1 and 2 projects Ali and Jagdeo had committed to getting the audits done. In an invited comment to Kaieteur News, Collins expressed the view the Chartered Accountant should not have to call on the Government to publicise the documents. He said rather that transparency should be second nature of the government. “Ram should not have to ask to do that. We [the citizens] should not have to call on them for this. The government’s default position should be making the finding available,” he said. The TIGI President continued that, “Transparency is a default position of good governance. It should be the natural order of things. These docu-
ments should be published so that we can see what is going on.” To this end, Collins emphasized that while the government is responsible for holding the oil companies to a level of transparency it is up to the citizens to be vigilant about their resources.He stressed that “the people have every right to be vigilant and speak up for transparency and advocate for change where necessary.” As it relates to the issue of getting the oil companies to agree on auditing the US $9.5 expenses past the deadline, the TIGI Head said, while the task may not be easy for the administration, it is doable. Collins expressed the view that Guyana’s government has the wherewithal to get the
oil companies to agree. He reasoned: “Even if the time has passed for the audit of the expenses, a contract is not a one party agreement; all parties have to be on the same page… “ In this regard, he noted that “with oil, there have been deviations from the contract by the companies ... flaring, for example, is not supposed to happen but the oil companies are doing it and there are other examples of deviations from the contract in other areas as well. I say this to say that one party should not be allowed to deviate from the contract while another cannot… the government needs to take advantage of this and demand the oil companies give them the same scope to allow the audits” Similarly, Ram had noted
Frederick Collins. that getting the audits done is all in the interest of good governance.“At this point, I think the President and the Vice President should be taken at their word that the audits will be done. Hopefully, it gets
done as soon as possible so if there are adjustments to the spending, for instance, if any incorrect costs are allocated we can make the appropriate adjustments,” Ram said. While it is unclear how the government intends to get the oil giant to agree to such an audit beyond the deadline, Ram noted that the commitment made by the leaders is a good place to start. “The previous APNU+AFC administration had set the bar low by allowing the oil companies to basically do what they want. But, it would be an act of good faith if this government can get the oil company to agree to audit the expenditure past the deadline. It would also be commendable if the oil companies allow that to happen,” the chartered accountant had said.
Local Content Bill among several others to be tabled this month - AG By Renay Sambach Guyana’s draft Local Content Bill is among several other draft of bills that are to be presented in the National Assembly this month, Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall has disclosed. He was at the time speaking on his Tuesday night programme ‘Issues in the news.’According to the Attorney General other bills that will be tabled before the New Year are: Amendments to the Power of Attorney Act, the Condominium Bill and the Human tissue and transplant bill. “So, as you know, Parliament recess has come to an end and we will soon be in Parliament. The dates are not fixed as yet, but we have to have more than one sitting of the Parliament before the year ends and we have some very important pieces of legislation that we have to take to the Parliament before the end of the year,” Nandlall explained. Local Content Bill Local Content is an important strategic issue in the oil and gas industry and already public opinions on the current draft bill have been scathing. The AG explained that the Bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation that will be tabled and enacted in Parliament, in Guyana’s independent history, since its newfound oil wealth. He even stated that the Government has to ensure that the riches of the country remain in Guyana to be enjoyed by its citizens, and the ways in which others have done that around the world in the petroleum industry is by implementing a Local Content Legislation. Minister Nandlall pointed out that ExxonMobil, Shell, Hess and all the other major
companies working in Guyana’s petroleum sector are all foreign companies that can do untold damage unless they are regulated. He then explained that the Local Content Bill is a law that is intended to regulate the way the companies that are operating in Guyana’s oil and gas sector, employ persons, buy services and the way that they procure goods. “This law sets out a framework which mandates the purchase of goods, the procurement of services and the employment of persons to mandate that Guyanese have the highest priority in the process,” the AG said. The Bill addresses services such as transportation, rentals, restaurants, medical, legal, accountancy and engineering. If passed into law it will also regulate how the companies procure goods from Guyanese companies and citizens. Power of Attorney Act amendment Meanwhile, regarding the Power of Attorney bill, AG explained that a Power of Attorney is a written authorisation to represent or act on another’s behalf. The holder of a Power of Attorney is given the broad legal or limited authority to make decisions about the principal’s property, finances, or medical care.Earlier this year the Attorney General had announced the Government’s plan to strengthen laws and systems to combat property fraud. According to reports, dozens of persons lost their properties by way of fraud, through no fault of theirs, but owing to a lack of understanding of the laws and systems that govern the sale and transfer of properties. Even the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) had also highlighted the high incidence of prop-
AG Anil Nandlall, SC. erty fraud in Guyana and had called upon the National Assembly to address this issue.During his recent broadcast, the Attorney General said, “We promised important alterations to existing land law in relation to protecting proprietary interest from fraud. I spoke a lot and at length on the high incidence of fraud in Guyana in relation to immovable property where persons lose transports by fraud.”To this end, he disclosed that the Government has two pieces of legislation that will go to the Parliament shortly that seek to address that issue. He then highlighted that based on evidence, Power of Attorneys are one of the instruments that are being used to perpetrate these frauds. As such he noted that the Power of Attorney Act is being amended to strengthen the law, so that a person who goes to execute a power of attorney must produce his photograph and identification card, passport or driver’s license, which must be attached to the document when presented at the Deeds Registry. The person will also be asked to sign before a notary public. It was further detailed that the Donee, a beneficiary
of a Power of Attorney will also be required to sign before a notary public, and it will be compulsory form the person to produce a photograph and their ID card, passport or driver’s license, which will be kept as records at the Deeds Registry. Condominium Bill In June 2021, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, had announced that the amendment of the Condominium (Regulation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act begun. It was reported that the Bill was first prepared, then it went through the consultative process with key stakeholders, like the banks, insurance companies and other relevant institutions that will have to give their input. The Minister assured his listeners on Tuesday that the Condominium Bill is also ready and will be taken to Parliament this month. The amendment of the Act will pave the way for owners of condominiums and duplexes to access titles for their land. The amendments
will also allow commercial banks to be able to accept the properties as collateral and offer loans to the homeowners for expansion and insurance companies will also be allowed to issue policies for protection. Currently the Act caters for the regulation and division of properties into parts that are to be owned individually and parts that are to be owned in common, to make provision for the use and management of such properties and to make provision for the assignment of certain properties owned by the Government. Human Tissue and Transplant Bill Lastly, the Attorney General disclosed that the other Bill that will be tabled in the National Assembly soon is the Human Tissue and Transplant Bill. It should be noted that Guyana’s legislation on organ transplant, particularly from cadaveric or brain dead patients, has been in draft format for close to a decade, with no serious steps taken towards implementation.
Dr. Kishore Persaud, the Head of Department, MultiOrgan Transplant and Vascular Access Surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), has been among the group of local medical professionals lobbying for implementation of the legislation, given the benefits, which it can have on the increasing number of patients in need of urgent transplant surgeries. The Attorney General’s Chambers had stated earlier this year that Guyana is currently bereft of legislation governing, authorising and regulating the donation of tissue and organs to persons who meet the criteria of either being a donor or recipient of such donation. It was noted that in order to protect the citizens of Guyana from being victims of trafficking in human organs and tissue, the legislation will propose to address the prohibition of trade in human tissue, organs and blood and as a result will create offences and penalties to monitor such dire incidents.
Container with ‘Rum and coke’ had spent five days in Caribbean country - CANU says The Guyanese vessel with a consignment of Eldorado Rum that was busted with half ton of cocaine had reportedly spent five days in a Caribbean island before the liquor was loaded onto another vessel and shipped to Netherlands. This is according to a statement issued by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU). CANU stated: “After the container departed Guyana, it transited another Caribbean territory where it was offloaded and remained there for a period of five days be-
fore it was loaded onto another vessel and shipped to the Netherlands where the bust was made”. Kaieteur News reported on Wednesday that CANU James Singh had said that in-
vestigations revealed no cocaine was loaded into the cargo of rum here in Guyana. CANU related that current measures in place ensure that all containers be scanned before departing the country.
PAGE 18
Thursday December 02, 2021
Kaieteur News
Guyana records reduction in new HIV infections
National AIDS Programme Secretariat Manager, Dr. Tariq Jagnarine and his staff
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony along with US Ambassador, Sarah Lynch and other officials at the World AIDS Day event With 71 new infections from HIV/AIDS this year, the Government of Guyana said that it is putting measures in place that could see an end to HIV/AIDS here by 2030. This is according to Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony who was speaking at a World AIDS Day forum on Wednesday at the National AIDS Programme Secretariat on Hadfield Street, Georgetown. Among the measures being advanced is the introduction of the Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), which will reduce the risk of infection in persons who have been exposed to the deadly virus. The health ministry will also re-enforce sexual education in the school system, while encouraging more persons to get tested for the disease, the
Department of Public Information reported. “We can get past that. Despite COVID we can work to end AIDS by 2030. This has been a dream for a lot of people for a long time. If we stay on track and if we work hard, we can be able to do that, and that’s what we have to set our sights on. We can prevent it (HIV) by introducing PrEP that is, Preexposure prophylaxis, meaning that if you believe you are at risk for this infection then come in to one of our centers and we’ll work with you, assess that risk, do some tests…once you are eligible, we will then be able to give you the treatment so as to prevent infections from occurring.” Dr. Anthony said the COVID-19 Pandemic has created many challenges in the
fight against HIV/AIDS. He said many persons stopped attending clinics, however, the ministry has been tracking those individuals to get them back on their treatment schedule. Further, Dr. Anthony said the ministry will seek to ensure more self-testing kits are made available to allow persons to test themselves in the comfort of their homes. Meanwhile, National AIDS Programme Secretariat Manager, Dr. Tariq Jagnarine reported that Guyana currently has some 9,022 persons living with HIV/AIDS. Dr. Jagnarine said the disease is having a profound impact on societies around the world. He said in order to end the global epidemic, the society must come together to support and care for persons in-
stead of discriminating against them. “Globally the HIV/AIDs epidemic compounded with the most recent COVID-19 pandemic is having a profound impact on our society, bringing out the best and worst in people, it triggers the best when individuals group together in harmony to combat societal, community and individual denial and support and care for people living with HIV/AIDs. Sadly, it brings out the worst when individuals are stigmatised and ostracised by their loved ones, their families and their community and discriminated against,” he said. He added that over 50 percent of people living with HIV/AIDs in Guyana have been COVID-19 vaccinated.
“The COVID-19 vaccination coverage in persons living with HIV is at 55 percent and that number is climbing, this was achieved through medial outreaches combined with vaccination drive, one on one counselling session with persons living with HIV,” Dr. Jagnarine noted. United States Ambassador to Guyana, Ms. Sarah Ann-Lynch said the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) continues support to countries’ fight against HIV. “It further highlights PEPFAR’s ongoing efforts to assist countries in achieving sustained epidemic control of HIV, by supporting equitable health services and solutions, enduring national health systems and capabilities in lasting collaboration.
It also conveys PEPFAR’s deep commitment to ensure that the diverse voices of all affected ages, ethnicities, genders and population groups are heard and valued in the global AIDS response,” she said. The ambassador also noted that the PEPFAR’s supported programmes have safely ensured access to HIV services and have significantly expanded while keeping clients and staff safe from COVID-19. With seven new facilities equipped to test and treat HIV/AIDs in Guyana, there are now 50 operating facilities providing services to this group of people. Records from the health ministry show a decrease in HIV/ AIDs cases this year, with 71 persons testing positive for the infection.
Govt. wants more money for US$31M Sheriff/Mandela road - deadline for completion push to Valentine’s Day next year - says Edghill The US$31 million Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue road project will require additional funding to complete, according to Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill. Though the additional funds are required, there will be no major changes to the design of the road and citizens have begun to question where the over $6B that has already been spent went. Edghill who had boasted that there would have been no extension on the project told the media on Tuesday that it will now be completed for Valentine’s Day next year. “Well I don’t have money to pay outside of the contract
sum, we have had some adjustments, and we will need some additional monies to be able to cater for everything but it will be no major, major difference,” Minister Edghill explained. He further related that he cannot definitively say if the money will come from the government, given that the matter of accumulating more monies is currently in discussion between himself and Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh. According to Edghill the US$31 million loan was reprogrammed into two sectors after his administration left government and some of it went to the adequate hous-
Residents still in the dark... From page 15 According to the EPA, “these impacts are certain to occur, but due to the small number of households to be relocated and the legal and consultative process to be followed by project proponent(s), the overall significance is therefore considered low and not potentially significant.” Additionally, it was noted that the bridge will
pass close to approximately 40 households in Nan d y Park and Providence and that the “impacts will be neutral to minor, as there are existing roads and similar traffic volume and flows in the general area.” The EPA in its pronouncement did say, “…this impact though certain to occur, the overall significance or risk is therefore considered minimal.”
ing projects with the Central Housing and Planning authority (CH&PA) and the sums allocated for the road have already been utilized. The minister went on to say that the price of materials would have changed from then to now and the ministry had to hold the contractor at prices at the time of the signing of the contract. He further went on to say that with all of the work that had to be done to the pre-existing road before moving ahead with the project, the ministry was forced to use quantities that were more than in the original bill. The Chinese contractor, Sinohydro Corporation Limited was awarded the US$31M contract which was provided by the Inter-American Bank (IDB) back in December 2017. In the Ministry of Finance’s mid-year report it stated that within the first six months of 2021, the sum of $1B has been expended on the SheriffMandela road expansion project. It was also mentioned in the report that the work done on the project thus far, included the asphaltic paving of Sheriff Street from Rupert Craig Highway to Drury Lane. Preparatory works for the over laying of asphaltic concrete on Sheriff Street and Mandela Avenue, the roundabout at the intersection of Sheriff and David Streets and the Railway
The contractor showing the minister parts of the round about that is yet to be completed
Embankment. The widening and construction of drains on both sides of Sheriff Street and Mandela Avenue, and the placing of a median which commenced at the intersection of Mandela Avenue and Homestretch Avenue. It was noted that the US$31M road project was badly mismanaged by the previous A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) administration. When the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/ C) Government took office, it was keen to note that it had
to expend a further $134M for works on the road project. In 2011, the Government expended $1.7Billion on the designs for the widening of the flagship Sheriff-Mandela Road Project and on preparatory works for the widening of the East Coast Demerara Four Lane Highway between Better Hope and La Bonne Intention, where the latter project is complete. The US$31M project was launched in 2018 but hit delays with the Coalition government threatening to yank the project from the Chinese contractor. The expansion is
a major part of a holistic road network link to reduce congestion. Meanwhile back in November 2019, this publication reported that the road expansion project was halted after the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) ceased funding due to noncompliance of the Contractor with health, safety and traffic management standards. At the time of the suspension, Former Minister with responsibility for Public Works, David Patterson, noted that the issues brought about by the Contractor’s negligence had persisted, even though the company was being engaged on its shortcomings.”Sinohydro was warned on several occasions to rectify these issues but unfortunately, the majority of failures identified remained outstanding,” the former Minister had stated.Earlier this year the minister stated that the Sheriff/Mandela project was a mess that the PPP/C administration inherited and that it was one of similar nature as the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project. D espite such challenges, the minister stated that since he became the minister in charge he is satisfied he got what he paid for and him along with every member of his team are elated of their progress thus far. He named it a “Success project.”
Thursday December 02, 2021
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Thursday December 02, 2021
Kaieteur News
“Cricket gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”
Two more cricketers benefit Two young and promising cricketers from Kendall’s Union Cricket Club, Lower East Coast, Berbice, recently benefited from the ‘Cricket gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana’ project. Seventeen-year old Ganesh Harris and 15 years old Devindra Victor received a bat and pair of batting gloves each. Harris bats left handed and bowls right arm off spin, while Victor is a right handed batsman and off spinner. They both represent the club at all junior levels and
attend Lower Corentyne Secondary School. The President and Captain of the No19 Village based Cricket Club, Albert Budhoo was commended for keeping the youths constructively occupied in these days of so many distractions. The club participates in all junior cricket run by the Berbice Cricket Board, something lacking in some established first division clubs. At a simple ceremony held recently, Anil Beharry, a partner in this initiative, encouraged the players to work hard on their game but at the same time,
concentrate on their school work. He reminded them that the best path to success in life is education and he is happy to give back to the youths of the village of his birth. Former National Player and Coach Huburn Evans said he is happy to know that the club participates in all youth tournaments run by the BCB. Harris and Victor expressed their gratitude and promised to care and make full use of the gear. Total cricket related items collected so far: $40,000 cash, two cricket boots, twelve pairs of batting pads,
Thursday December 02, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Whatever you do, infuse it with passion. You tend to overanalyze things when you should follow your intuition. You know in your heart which way to proceed and how to treat the people around you. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Dive deep. This isn't a day to stay in shallow waters. This is a day to go beyond your normal limits. Although there may be a great emotional charge accompanying everything you do. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may think only advanced surfers can handle the big waves. But how are you going to improve your ability if you don't test your limits? This is your day. CANCER(June21–July22) Finding solutions won't be hard, thanks to your detective side today. You may feel like the real truth lies below the surface. At times you're tempted to skip along the top of things without really considering what's going on. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) If something is good, it's likely to feel like utopia. If something is bad, it's like the end of the world. There's no middle ground. This is a day of emotional extremes. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Move away from the problems instead of stepping into them. You may not be able to see the potholes, so consider taking another road. Don't waste time falling into a hole you can avoid. It may be difficult to deal with emotions.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) This is a terrific day in which you'll be able to cut through the falsehoods and get to the essence of the issue. Don't waste your time on superficial conversations. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) There's a terrific intensity to today that may have you running for cover. You may be tempted to say your peace and run for the hills. Your self-confidence may not be at its strongest. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) There's a terrific, warm, and nurturing quality to the day. The people around you are validating your inner and outer aspects. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You may be uncomfortable with the emotional intensity that's likely to seep into every part of your day. You may wonder what the big deal is and why people are so hopped up over nothing. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) There's intensity in your relationships now, and you may feel like every situation is life-or-death. Calm those voices in your head. Meditate, take a yoga class, and breathe deeply. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may feel weighed down by the emotional pall hanging over everything. Don't let this feeling overwhelm you, although at times this may be impossible. A good friend could call on you for help and emotional support. Don't end up turning the focus around and talking only about your experiences.
fourteen bats, nine pairs of batting gloves and four cricket bags. To date, nineteen young players from Essequibo Coast, Pomeroon, Georgetown, the East Canje area and now Lower East Coast, Berbice have already benefited from a junior gear bag, eight bats, six pairs of batting pads and six pairs of batting gloves. In addition, the Rose Hall Estate Cricket Club benefited from a pair of stumps and bails and two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats. This project is a joint initiative by Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry. Cricket related items, used or new, will be distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders will also assist to identify talent. Persons who wish to make a contribution can contact Anil Beharry or Kishan Das. Beharry and Das take this opportunity to thank Javed and Imran of West Indian Sports Complex, Option Group of USA, Hilbert Foster, Bish Panday of P and P Insurance Brokers, Sean Devers, Trevis Simon, Årïêl J. Tïlkú, Aaron Beharry, Leanna Bachan and Imran Saccoor, Devon Ramnauth, Teddy Singh, Romesh Munna, Ravi Etwaroo, Ravin Harkishun, Surendra Harkishun, Allan Mangru, Vishal Mahabir, Sherman Austin and Huburn Evans. More distribution will be done as soon as the gear is available. (Sean Devers)
Berbice contingent... From page 21 desired results, it gives us that extra zest to continue. We have a strict training regime and we take it seriously. It’s a pleasure to not only compete, but to do better than the more established gyms.” Abdool, who currently holds the deadlift masters’ record in the heavyweight division, said he is happy with the progress the athletes have been making. “We are where we wanted to be in terms of preparation for this championship. The guys are showing the type of commitment which is required for long-term success.” Apart from Abdool, those that will be competing from Berbice are Vijay Rahim, Fazim Abdool, Hardat Tarson, Marlon Wilson, Marley Vyphius and Nigel Phillips.
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Thursday December 02, 2021
ExxonMobil National Indoor Hockey Championships
Hikers continue dominance on night two The second night of indoor hockey in the ExxonMobil National Indoor Hockey Championships being played at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) saw Hikers establishing dominance in two divisions while the GCC ladies, in typical fashion, showed their class. Playing in their first match of the season, the GCC Roulettes managed to upstage opening night winners Saints by a 3 -1 margin. A powerful penalty corner flick by young national striker Abosaide Cadogan followed by two spectacular individual goals from visiting Belgian midfielder Leo Berlie and Captain Alysa Xavier, sealed the match for the Roulettes. Nicole Eastman managed a penalty corner for Saints who put on a good show in the early minutes but then faded toward the end. Despite also finishing
with a victory, GCC Ignite had a tougher challenge against the Misfits who led for almost the entire first half following an early goal from former national Maria Munroe. Midfielder Sarah Klautky then launched the comeback of Ignite with a double in the second only for Misfits Romichelle Brummel to draw even at 2-2. Captain Aliyah Gordon, who had been the stabilizing force for her team, scored the final goal of the match to secure the 3-2 hard-fought victory for Ignite. The Pepsi Hikers managed the highest goal tally for the second night in a row when they defeated the Guyana 40s 6-3 in the men’s first division competition. The Guyana 40s put up a brave challenge and seemed to draw the best out of the Hikers but tired as the night wore on and succumbed to the constant pressure of the Hikers. Captain Robert
France was the high-scorer of the match with a hat-trick. Saints and YMCA Old Fort battled to a 2-2 draw in a match featuring two youthful and energetic sides. This match contrasted that of the Hikers and 40s tactical duel and was played at lightning speed with both sides fighting to the final buzzer. Saints Scorpions were the big winners in the men’s second division competition with a 4-0 victory over the Saints Sensations. Scorpion Baraka Garnett was the star of the show with a hat-trick of goals for his team. The Hikers Cadets completed the list of matches with a narrow 5-4 victory over YMCA Old Fort in the other men’s second division matchup. Full Results are as follows: MALE Division Pepsi Hikers defeats Guyana 40s by 6 - 3 Goals: Pepsi Hikers (6) – Robert
Belgian guest player Leo Berlie weaves through the Saints defence.
France 3, Jamarj Assanah 2, Aroydy Branford 1 Guyana 40s (3) – Dwayne Scott 2, Chris LowKoan 1 YMCA Old Fort drew with Saints by 2 - 2 Goals: YMCA Old Fort (2) – Shaquon Favorite 2 Saints (2) – Leroy Geer 1, Baraka Garnett 1 Bounty GCC defeated 50 Not Out by 4 – 2 Goals: Bounty GCC (4) – Meshach Sargeant 2, Kareem McKenzie 1, Kevin Spencer 1, Saints - Philip Fernandes 1
FEMALE Division GCC Roulette defeated Saints by 3 - 1 Goals: GCC Roulette (3) – Abosaide Cadogan 1, Leo Berlie 1, Alysa Xavier 1 Saints (1) – Nicole Eastman 1 GCC Ignite defeated MisFits by 3 - 2 Goals: GCC Ignite (3) – Sarah Klautky 2, Aliyah Gordon 1 Misfits (2) – Maria Munroe 1, Romichelle Brummell 1 MALE Second Division Saints Scorpions defeated Saints Sensations
by 4 – 0 Goals: Saints Scorpions (4) – Baraka Garnett 3, Shomere Garnett 1 Hikers Cadets defeated YMCA Old Fort by 5 – 4 Goals: Hikers Cadets (5) – Orlando Machado 2, Devin Munroe 1, Sherwyn Caesar 1, Brian Asregado 1 YMCA Old Fort (4) – Daniel Woolford 3, Warren Williams 1 Games continue all week in the evenings from 5:00PM and conclude on the weekend beginning at 3PM on those days.
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Sri Lanka claw back in 2nd Test as Mendis sparks West Indies collapse
A
FP - Ramesh Mendis led the Sri Lanka fightback at Galle with a sixwicket haul to bowl out the West Indies, but the hosts stumbled after returning to bat in the second Test yesterday. Sri Lanka were 46-2 at stumps on day three, trailing by just three runs. But they lost Dimuth Karunaratne, who made six before he was run out in a superb piece of fielding by Kyle Mayers. Karunaratne was man of the match in the first Test with scores of 147 and 83 but paid the price for attempting a quick early single as Mayers ran in and found him
well short of the crease. Oshada Fernando too was run out after being turned back by non-striker Pathum Nissanka. With Angelo Mathews out with a hamstring injury, losing two early wickets was a massive blow for Sri Lanka. They have never lost a home Test to West Indies. E a r l i e r, o ff - s p i n n e r Mendis belatedly found his line and length, dismissing Nkrumah Bonner to end his 75-run stand with West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite. It broke a two-session drought for Mendis, who then ran through the tourists’ middle order, ending with
figures of 6-70 as the West Indies were all out for 253 after tea — a lead of 49. The West Indies fell apart against the bounce of the new ball, though Mendis was denied a seventh wicket when wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal dropped Kemar Roach on eight. Left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya dismissed Brathwaite with a ball pitched on leg-stump that turned away sharply from the right-hander to clip the top of off-stump. The West Indies, who have yet to win a Test match in Sri Lanka, were looking at a decent total and a considerable first-innings
Berbice contingent looking excel at upcoming GAPLF seniors By Zaheer Mohamed Lifting heavy weights has always been a pleasure for many, but dedicated powerlifting competitions, centered on specified groups of lifts are a joy to watch. Cluster of barbells, breathing heavily, slapping each other’s backs and aggressively blaring as they grab weights from the base or press incredible poundages is just a glimpse of how rigid the training in iron sport can be. Powerlifting in Guyana has always been keenly contested and it has delighted not only the competitors, but those who have a passion for the sport. On many occasions it has been a showdown between those from the city and those competing from outside Georgetown. The Berbicians have over the years provided much excitement for their fans and with Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) senior championship set for
Vijay Rahim
December 19, they will be looking to excel once again. Preparations have been going well so far for the Berbice contingent as they seek to surpass their previous feats. Seasoned powerlifter Farouk Abdool, who also serves as a coach for the younger athletes at the Hardcore gym in Rosignol, told Kaieteur Sport that they are confident of surpassing
Farouk Abdool
their previous records. Abdool said one of their aims is to set new records. “We always strive for overall improvement and the guys are very confident and raring to go,” he added. Abdool said that chances of injury are small since they train with a programme. “We train very hard, the athletes are fit and are in good form so the fans can expect some excitement,” he posited. It takes a great amount of motivation, courage and endurance coupled with proper diet, rest and regular and unbending training routine to not only stay in the sport, but to achieve elite status. Undoubtedly, the Berbicians have consistently displayed their eagerness to excel and Abdool pointed out that achieving the desired results is one of their key motivational factors. “When we achieve our (Continued on page 21)
lead when they finished on 145-2 at lunch. B r a t h w a i t e ’s straightforward footwork and impregnable defence were a vital bulwark for the West Indies after two toporder collapses in the first Test. The skipper cashed in when loose balls were on offer and was relentless against Sri Lanka’s two leftarm spinners, forcing the hosts to recalibrate to boundary protection. But the afternoon collapse saw the visitors hand the initiative back to Sri Lanka on a fast-deteriorating wicket. The second Test has been plagued by inclement weather and bad light, and Wednesday was the first full day played. Sri Lanka lead the twoTest series 1-0. Scores: Sri Lanka 204 and 46 for 2 (Nissanka 21*) trail West Indies 253 (Brathwaite 72, Blackwood 44, Mendis 6-70) by 3 runs.
Ramesh Mendis was in fine form for Sri Lanka (AFP/Ishara S. KODIKARA)
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SeWeon McGarrell (centre), Trade Marketing Executive, event organiser, Rawle Toney (left), along with Guyana Breweries Inc’s Country Manager, Kelvin Singh, are locked in discussion.
Mackeson gives Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic a timely boost Ye s t e r d a y, G u y a n a B r e w e r i e s Incorporated announced their support of the Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic, which is set for February 19 – 20, 2022, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The 16-team tournament will carry a firstplace prize of US$3,000 and it is scheduled to be launched on December 10, at the country’s premier indoor facility on Homestretch Avenue. “I would like to congratulate Mr. Rawle Toney for putting this tournament together. This is indeed a historic moment for basketball in Guyana; this will bring in more eyes to the sport and Guyana via the various digital platforms,” said the company’s Country Manager, Kelvin Singh. Singh, who is known for his philanthropy towards sports and athletes in Guyana through Guyana Breweries Inc, said the company is, “Extremely happy to continue our support of the Rawle Toney Classic under the Mackeson brand for this tournament.” Mackeson was the tournament’s title sponsor in the 2019 Edition, which was held at the Burnham Basketball Court and saw Pitbulls 2.0 cashing in on the event’s US$1,500 winner’s purse. Singh confirmed that Guyana Breweries Inc’s partnership, “Will go beyond the event in February 2022, we are looking at
supporting the sport at the root level in Guyana.” “Leading up to the tournament, we will be having promotions and other activities to enhance the fan viewership and experience. This is also a great opportunity for our local players to test their skills against some of the top players in the Region, and we would like to wish all the players all the best for the tournament,” Singh said. The Mackeson brand is credited as the first major sponsor of 3X3 basketball in Guyana, dating back to 2011 when they hosted the ‘Mackeson Smooth Moves’ 3X3 tournament, which carried GY$1M as its first-place prize. The Mackeson Smooth Moves 3X3 country-wide tournament still stands today as the highest purse ever paid to teams in basketball locally. Meanwhile, tournament organiser, Rawle Toney, thanked Singh and Guyana Breweries Inc for not only showing faith in the tournament, but also basketball’s shortest format in Guyana. Toney said while all the details related to the tournament will be given on December 10 the event’s launching, he was happy to point to the strong interest of teams from the Caribbean, particularly Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia and neighbouring Suriname.
Thursday December 02, 2021
King, Devers to host BCB Clinics for fast bowlers and off Spinners on Sunday as coaching programme expanded The profound effort of the Hilbert Foster led Berbice Cricket Board to develop the game and to make sure that all players have equal opportunities to fulfill their talent would be taken a step further on Sunday when the active board hosts two separate clinics for fast bowlers and off spinners. The two clinics would be conducted by former West Indies pacer Reon King and former national under19 player Sean Devers at the Albion Cricket Ground from 11am to 3pm. The clinics would be held under the board’s highly successful County wide Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh coaching programme. Hundreds of under19 players have benefitted from the programme which is sponsored by overseas based Guyanese Dr Singh. The board has since expanded the programme to include former national and international players who are highly respected in the county and are viewed as positive role models. Foster, who has s p e a r h e a d e d a transformation of Berbice cricket over the last four years, last Sunday announced a plan to produce at least ten players for the West Indies at the different
Reon King levels over the next two to three years. This includes the under15, under19, female under19, senior females and senior team -20/20, ODI AND Tests. The county coaching staff led by Winston Smith has been visiting clubs and hosting mini academies across the county. Foster disclosed that as a follow up to these programmes, the board would be hosting a series of special clinics for fast bowlers, off spinners, leg spinners, left arm orthodox, wicketkeepers and batsmen. The BCB is in discussion with several former and current players to assist with their knowledge and Foster stated that all the responses have been positive. As part of the programme, the board would also be publishing more copies of its historic
Sean Devers coaching manual and youth information booklet and in 2022, would be producing its own coaching video for youths. King played nineteen test matches and 50 ODI for the West Indies between 1990 and 2005. He took 53 test wickets at an average of 32.7, while his 76 ODI wickets came at an average of 23.80. He currently works as an International Cricket Match Referee and is highly respected for his knowledge of the game. Devers, is widely known across the country for his work as a sports journalist for the Kaieteur News and is also an international cricket commentator. He represented Guyana at the youth level and also played for Berbice at the senior inter county level.
P&P supports Gibran Sarfaraz participation in table tennis championship in Costa Rica P&P Insurance Brokers& Consultants Limited, a long-time supporter of sports and sports sponsorship in Guyana, responded positively to a request from the Guyana Table Tennis Association for a sponsorship for Gibran Hussein Sarfaraz. Mr. Sarfaraz will be participating in the Para Copa Costa Rica Table Tennis Championship in Costa Rica schedule for December 8th to 13th, 2021. This championship provides Guyana with the opportunity to showcase its Para player in addition to allowing the Association to promote and expose our young players. In brief remarks, Accounts Executive Urmila Shamsundar said that P&P was very happy to again respond positively to a
Ms. Shamsundar (right) presenting the cheque to Mr. Johnson. request for sponsorship and wish Mr. Sarfaraz every success. General Secretary of the G u y a n a Ta b l e Te n n i s Association, Mr. Linden
Johnson who accepted the cheque on behalf of the Association thanked Ms. Shamsundar and P&P Insurance Brokers for their generous support.
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Thursday December 02, 2021
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Junior PanAm Games-Table Tennis
Guyanese fail to advance despite showing fight ‘This was best supported team in my memory’- Coach Lewis By Sean Devers
W
i t h swimming, Boxing, Squash and Badminton failing to provide Medals for Guyana, the Guyanese pair of Table Tennis players Jonathan Van Lange and Miguel Wong went into action on Tuesday Evening in Cali Colombia in the inaugural Junior U-23 Pan American Games. However, despite some spirted Table Tennis against older, more experienced and better players, Guyana failed to advance to the podium r o u n d s i n t h e Championships which conclude on Saturday. Playing in the U-21 Men’s singles 14-year-old Van Lange was beaten in four straight sets by Cuban Rene Mendez at the Coliseo Ramon Elias Lopez. After going down 5-11 in the opening set, Van Lange demonstrated plenty of intestinal fortitude as the Multi-talented Guyanese, who also plays cricket for GCC, battled the Cuban point for point with some execelent rallies. Twice in the game Van Lange survived ‘game point’ to eventually lose the set 1012 before losing 8-11 and 711 in the next two sets to lose 4-0. Wong was even more competitive against his opponent from Paraguay before going down 4-1 after taking the third set 11-8. Sabastian Lopez
Coach Idi Lewis is flanked by Jonathan Van Lange (left) and Miguel Wong in Colombia. eventually prevailed, winning 11-6, 10-12, 8-11, 5-11. In the Men’s doubles the Guyanese pair took the first set 11-9 with an array of clinical shots, but Lopez andElias Apud took the match 9-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-8 Yesterday, speaking from the fifth largest country in Latin America, Guyana’s Coach Idi Lewis gave his views on the performances of his charges in Colombia. “First I must give a special thank you to President Godfrey Munroe and executives of GTTA, G.O.A and all other sponsors and supporters,” said the former Caribbean Champion. “The level of investment made in terms of preparation this was one of our best
supported teams in my collected memory. Jonathan at 14 years old showed he has a lot of talent, determination and fight. He held his own against a strong and more experienced player in Cuban Rene Mendez. He also still has alot of work to do on his foot-work serves and receive, he made some tactical errors at key points and that’s very costly on this level,” explained Lewis. “Miguel had a great draw and we all expected a lot from him but for some reason he just couldn’t get his rhythm and that was a bit disappointing, so it’s back to the drawing board,” said Lewis, who coached Chelsea Edghill when she achieved a win in Guyana’s first-ever game in Table Tennis at the Olympic Games.