Kaieteur News

Businessman, Glenn Lall has denounced US oil giant ExxonMobil for erecting a billboard just over the Demerara Harbour Bridge with a message that Guyana is getting 52% out of theStabroekBlockdeal.

The company also indicated on the billboard that Guyana has receivedmorethan$280Bsinceoil productionstartedherelate2019.

Speaking on this issue, Lall said

citizens need to know that the cost to erect the very billboard is being recoveredbyExxonMobilbasedon the lopsided contract it signed with theGuyanaGovernment.

“ExxonMobil is spending millions, further shortening our share to build and erect huge bill boards, to tell us the Guyanese people we are getting 52% out of the Stabroek Block,” Lall stated. He asked 52% of what? Not the

whole apple, but 52% of a ¼ of the totalrevenuemade.

He added that what Exxon should have been telling Guyanese on those huge bill boards, who is getting the ¾ of the apple plus the other half of the quarter apple which remains “It is mind boggling,thattheseguyscanputup billboards staring us in our faces to misleadallofusandourleaders,all ofthemaresilent.”

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

Husband and wife die after stepping on illegal live wire

The lifeless bodies of a husband and wife were on Mondaymorningdiscovered by their 11 year old daughter after they were reportedly electrocuted by anillegallive-wireleadingto their Success Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara (ECD)home.

Thedeadcouplehasbeen identified as 32 year old Sorajanie Hansraj and her 39 year old husband PrahaladJagnarine.

TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) in a statement disclosed that the incident occurred between 19:00h on Sunday and 06:00h on Monday

According to the police, the couple resided with their young daughter in an unpainted wooden structure on the northern side of the Success Squatting Area, ECD.

The child related to the police that on Sunday night, her mother informed her that she is going on the road to pickupherfather

On Monday morning when the child woke up and realised her parents were not at home, she left and walked outtothealleyway Thechild discovered her parents lying motionless beside each other She then alerted the neighbour, who then called thepolice.

Police said when they

arrived, the couple was observed motionless in the alleyway The bodies were examined and burn marks wereseenontheneck,chest, and right wrist of Jagnarine while burn marks were visibleonHansraj’sleftwrist andleftsideback.

Investigators searched the area and discovered a length of red and black wire nexttothetwobodies.Police said that the wire was connected to an electrical post leading to the couple’s home.

The Guyana Power & Light (GPL) and the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) were then summoned to the scene. GPL disconnected the wire from the post and the bodies were pronounced dead by a doctor on the scene before they were transported to the mortuary for a post-mortem examination.

President Ali to attend CARICOM-Cuba Summit in Barbados

This

The Head of State is accompaniedbytheMinister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Guyana’s Ambassador to CARICOM George Talbot and other officials.

The couple’s lifeless body beside each other

Dead, Prahalad Jagnarine and his wife, Sorajanie Hansraj

President Irfaan Ali left Guyana on Monday afternoon and traveled to Bridgetown, Barbados to participate in the 8th CARICOM Cuba Summit, which will be held today at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

month also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n CARICOMandCuba.

P r i m e M i n i s t e r , Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips has been sworn in to carry out the functions of President.

President Irfaan Ali

ExxonM CEO and executives gets 10% salary increase

Kathryn Mikells, who ExxonMobil Corporation on became the Company’s Monday announced that Chief Financial Officer in from next year, the

American oil giant,

August, last year, will company’s Chief Executive receive a base pay of Officer (CEO) Darren US$1 22M in 2023 The Woods and other executives company also raised the will benefit from a 10 salaries of its senior vice percent increase on their presidents, all effective annualsalaries. January 1, 2023, Reuters

This increase to the oil stated. giant’s top-brass comes at a

Notably, the news time when the company has agency also reported that the seen record shattering base salaries, however, profits this year, all owed to represent less than 10 the Russia Ukraine war percent of total pay, with which has sent oil prices stock awards and bonuses soaring.Thispublicationhad making up a bigger share of highlightedthatforthethird- compensation committee what Exxon’s executives quarter of 2022 the oil major approved an increase in the pocketeveryyear streets protesting more than “Give me a break, Biden had called on the earningswasUS$19.7B. annualsalaryofCEOWoods While ExxonMobil has the ‘pitiful’ 2 5 percent enoughisenough,lookI’ma oil majors who are “war

On Monday, Reuters from US$1.70M this year to announced a 10 percent increase.

CapitalistandIhavesaidthis profiteering” to meet their reported that the US oil US$1 88M Notably, in annual increase for its CEO

Pres. Ali leads tributes for Father, Malcolm Rodrigues following his death

President, Irfaan Ali has

Video footage from before, I have no problem responsibilities to the major is raising the annual 2021, Exxon paid Woods a and executives – a few days London based civil rights with corporations turning a country and give the basesalaries. total compensation of ago Kaieteur News reported group, ‘ReelNews’ showed fair profit and getting a American people a break at It was stated too that US$23 6M in 2021 and that the company’s British scores of oil workers return on their investment thepumpstations. E x x o n M o b i l ’ s US$15.6millionin2020. employees has taken to the protesting against the 2.5 and innovation, but this is The U.S President had percent pay increase. The not remotely what’s noted too that, at the time of videowhichairedonSunday happening. Oil companies’ war any company receiving November 27, 2022 recording profits today are historic profits like the oil presented interviews with not because they are doing majors are recording, have workers who claimed that s o m e t h i n g n e w o r the responsibility to, “act the company was making innovative,theirprofitsarea beyond their narrow selfextraordinary profits but windfall of war,” he interest of its executive unwilling to speak with explained. shareholders.” workers over a pay increase. “Acompanymakingbillions simply refusing to pay its workforce a decent wage,” one worker told the activist group.

Mediasaid. led the tributes to Jesuit After retiring from fullPriest, Father Malcolm time teaching, Fr Malcolm Ridrigues who passed away was appointed parish priest Sunday night at the St of Bartica parish and later JosephMercyHospital. parish priest of the many

“Itiswithgreatsadness,I Catholic communities of the learnedofthedeathofFather North West District. He also Malcolm Rodrigues wrote a series of articles Guyana and, in particular, chronicling the Councils of the Roman Catholic Church the Church, from the First have lost a true champion. Council of Nicaea to the His life was punctuated with Second Vatican Council humility, simplicity, justice “We thank God for the life and a strong commitment to and service of Fr Malcolm a free and democratic Rodrigues SJ to the Church society,” Ali said in a in Guyana and to our statement… “To his family, arrest. He was also chairman country May God who the church and all his loved of the Electoral Assistance calledhiminhisservicenow ones, please accept my Bureau and served in welcome him into the deepest sympathies during e n v i r o n m e n t a l kingdom of heaven,” the this difficult time. I pray for organizations, the Catholic statementconcluded. his soul to find eternal peace.”

Meanwhile, the Catholic Media that announced the passing of Rodrigues extended prayers and sympathy to the Jesuit Communityandtherelatives of Fr Rodrigues S.J. who diedattheageof81.

O r d a i n e d t o t h e priesthood in 1973, Fr Malcolm taught for many years at the University of Guyana, rising to the post of deputy vice chancellor. Embracing the Jesuits preferential option for the poor, promotion of justice and the integrity of creation, Fr Malcolm was in the forefront in the fight against i n j u s t i c e a n d marginalisation, through his activism and fearless voice which sometimes led to his

Just over a month ago, President of the United States of America Joe Biden threatenedtoincreasethetax on the oil majors who saw “outrageous” profits this year

Jesuit Priest, Father Malcolm Ridrigues

- While the company’s British staff protesting on the streets for better pay

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

Exxon workers during another protest in April

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EDITORIAL

TheVicePresident’sdefence ofpublicservants8%payhike

VicePresidentBharatJagdeomustbecommendedforhis versionofwhatiscaringandcompassionate. Ithastodowith therecentlyannounced8%payraiseforpublicservants. The fact that theVice President actually spared the time to shed some additional light behind the 8% pay increase is itself a majordevelopment. Wehopethatitisofthingstocome,such ashisauthorizingthereleaseofconcealedminingcontracts, andthoseoilreportskeptfromGuyanese.

Onthe8%paymove,Dr Jagdeoassertedthatitcannotbe viewedinisolation,butotherfactorsmustbeconsidered,and they all make the 8% raise for public servants much better thanitlooks. HepointedtowhattheAPNU+AFCCoalition did with taxes, and how it drained people’s pockets (including public servants), and which the PPPC Government helped to undo to the tune of GY$40B. It is factual,aheftysum. WhatDr Jagdeoconvenientlyleftoutis how much of the different tax eases actually touched the pockets of public servants, and whether they made any materialimpact.Theminimalresultedforpublicservants.

Further,Vice President Jagdeo mentioned this country’s “hugefiscaldeficit”whichisreal. Weagreethatthereissuch adeficit.Butwealsonotethatbillionsinnewdebthavebeen incurred by his own PPPC Government, some believe accordingtohiscommands,inthelasttwoyears,andwiththe national debt ceiling raised to accommodate still more borrowing. This bingeing on debt like credit unconscious consumers contributed heavily to the “huge fiscal deficit.” Moreover,westeerDr Jagdeotowherehewishestoavoid. A significant percentage of the nation’s debt is channeled to a slewofinfrastructureprojects. Theseprojectsaremostlyin thehundredsofmillionsindividuallyand,inaggregate,many billions.

While the PPPC Government-approved infrastructure projects race ahead on steroids, Guyanese still have to exist day to day and, too often, paycheque to paycheque. The problem with the monthly paycheques of public servants is thattheyarefallingwellshortofwhatisrequiredforadecent life. Theystillhavetofeedtheirfamilies,clothethem,and house them, with those expenses being only the beginning. Neitherpublicservantsnoranyothercitizenatthebottomof the economic stairway has yet perfected the art of eating infrastructure,orclothingthemselvesandtheirfamilieswith bricksorsteelorwood.

Also,weacknowledgeVicePresidentJagdeo’saccuracy inidentifyingthatoilincomeisonthemodestside. Whatwe have difficulty with is his sustained obstinacy towards bringing ExxonMobil to the discussion table and squeezing some financial concessions out of it. The new Production SharingAgreement (PSA) terms that he unveiled, and to be madeofficial,shouldapplytotheoilprojectsintheStabroek Block waiting for the PPPC Government’s green light. Simplyput,Dr Jagdeo’sapproval. Hehasitinhishandsto make that difference by extracting the royalty and taxation rates in his new PSA; and the Vice President knows in his headhowmuchthatwouldcontributetotheoilmoniesthat Guyanaearnmovingfrommodesttothemoremeaningful.

With that in mind, Dr Jagdeo is enlightened enough to knowhowmuchmorecashhisgovernmentcanputintothe hands of poor Guyanese, not just public servants. More billions would be available to give to all those struggling communities he mentioned, all those programmes that have happened. NowthatweheardfromDr Jagdeo,andwethank him,abouthowmuchhisgovernmenthasdoneforGuyanese, and how much more than 8%, in reality, public servant received, our bottom line is that it is not enough. More is needed,morecanbedone. Hemustrebalancehishandand go after ExxonMobil using different strategies (approvals), for more, so that more can be given to hurting and hungry Guyanese. The PPPC Government should focus more on people, and less on public works, which disguises many trickeries. Finally,asmuchasDr Jagdeomaynothavesaid so,butwishit,8%isnot80%,maybenoteven18%alltold, consideringeasesfromhisgovernment.

“Race-baiting” is not a solution for the country

DEAREDITOR, everyone is aware of how istoregainpoweratanycost, conflict and provide The Opposition has easily the country erupts even if it means tearing the solutions to the country’s reached a new low with its when an injustice occurs countryapart. problems with transparency, accusations of Apartheid across racial lines.ThePNC This was their strategy a high level of integrity, After failing to rig and steal leadership was documented when the PNC was created financial prudence and can the last elections, which in the news as encouraging and it remains their strategy do so effectively and resulted in sanctions and conflict when there was a today Independent of the expeditiously them losing international police case in the African animosityofPNCsupporters Race baiting is not a support, they are now Guyanese community This towards PPP supporters, the solution for the country, it is resorting to false claims of led to the closure of roads current administration an old problem creating tool discrimination to try to gain andriotsinthestreets.Many continues to develop all of that has no place in the pity from the international innocent Indian Guyanese Guyana. c o u n t r y ’ s f u t u r e community If the truth is to wereassaulted. If the shoe shifts to the development When the be told, Guyana is a place Increased participation opposition, we all know not voting habits of the nation where the opposite is true. by other races in to expect any reciprocity of transcendrace,thenandonly Discrimination by African predominantly African multiethnic development thenwillGuyanaexperience Guyanese opposition Guyanese civil sectors of Discrimination against truetransformation. supporters against other society may help reduce the Indian Guyanese PPP A transformation that races is so prevalent that disparity and injustices that supporters was so prevalent goes beyond wealth, a many find injustice in parts have plagued our country during the Burnham years transformation that is rooted ofsocietysuchasthecourts, since independence, but the that many Indian Guyanese in a peaceful society where schools and police stations, reality is that sincere familiesleftthecountry One crime, especially those that wheretheyareprevalentand relationsbetweentheracesis only has to go to Richmond are racially motivated are havelotsofinfluence.Every becoming more difficult as Hill in Queens to see where negligible and the safety of time we have general the wealth of the country many have settled. The new ourcitizensisneveratrisk. elections, there is a lash out increases.

LittleGuyana. A transformation where by African Guyanese Thereismoreresentment Apartheidtheysayisthe all communities matter and Opposition supporters and more controversy new winning strategy of the the relationships amongst against Indian communities. People play nice when opposition. You may fool Guyanese across racial lines Theylootourbusinessesand receiving help, but shortly someone who doesn’t know aregenuine,andthepatriotic assault our women. Now afterwards can be heard the true Guyanese spirit amongst our people they have the audacity to speaking badly of those that experience, but you will bringstolifethemottoofour claim to be victims of the theyreceivethehelpfrom. never fool a Guyanese in country racism that they have been The push for recognition Guyana. Wewillthentrulyliveas perpetuating for over a half of racial injustice at the If you have no value to One People in One Nation century. international level by add to the lives of all withOneDestiny.

The current government African Guyanese who Guyanese then you have no Sincerely, may choose to close their support the opposition place at the table to govern Mr.JamilChanglee eyes to the reality of what is clearlyshowsthatthereisno our country. It is time for Chairman taking place and has taken goodwilltobehadfromthe another political presence T h e C o o p e r a t i v e place in Guyana, but oppositionwhoseonlydesire that can transcend racial RepublicansofGuyana

This really is empty sloganeering

DEAREDITOR, the issue [of inflation] address the issue from the production. The production Having read Sir Ronald satisfactorily? His policy supplyside.Thatistofunnel of poultry requires massive Saunders’ column entitled, prescription: Caribbean investmentsintoagriculture. investment in a number of “Higher cost of living countries should be working For example, the American areas. First, the government demands competent feverishly to increase trade farmer is one of the most has to improve the delivery governments ” I was ingoodsandservicesamong productive because the ratio and reliability of electricity thinking about some of the themselves, establish joint of capital goods per worker and water to farms. Poultry issuesheraised. ventures in manufacturing is one of the highest in the production need reliable Inflationingeneralterms and agricultural production, world. In practical terms, an power: Imaging a hatchery istheriseofprices.Itisfeltat andenhanceairandsealinks American farmer has more with thousands of eggs and theconsumerlevelintherise for the movement of people, tractors, combine, the power goes down, of the cost of a gallon of goodsandservices. Inother mechanization that brings imagine the power supply gasoline or diesel, the price words, the Caribbean has to their cost of production surgesandknocksoutallthe one pays for foodstuff at the become more self-sufficient down. computers regulating the market - be it locally grown and less vulnerable to I use the example of the temperatureofthecoops,the orimported,andthelistgoes externalfactors. American worker because deliveryoffoodandwaterto on. At the producer level, Sir Ronald implicitly the Guyanese public was theflocks. inflation shows up as the endorses programs to treated to the alarming story To address structural increaseinthepriceofinputs subsidizebasicfoods,oiland of smugglers using the inflation, Guyana [and the - gasoline, diesel, fertilizer, gas. His logic requires some ambulance to transport Caribbean] needs to make etc In macroeconomic fine-tuning: at the consumer contraband chicken This significant investments in terms, inflation comes from level, subsidies interfere situationisillustrativeofthe roads, electricity, water, two sources: “demand pull with the working of the problem and the solutions. education and over time inflation” where in the short market mechanism By Clearly, local demand for these will pay handsome term, demand for goods and subsidizingthepriceofbasic chickens outstrips local dividends [reducing services outpace supply foods,thegovernmentkeeps production to the point production costs] and over causingpricestorise. the price low while demand where it is profitable to time will curb runaway

And“costpushinflation” remains high relative to smuggle in “imported inflation. whereproducersseearisein supply In fact, Sir Ronald’s chickens.” The solution is

SirRonald’sprescription the price of inputs which prescription aggravates the nottosubsidizeconsumption that the Caribbean should causesthemtoraisepricesof problem by increasing but to funnel investment in feverishly promote intra theirproducts. effective demand/disposable poultryproduction. regional trade. This really is

Sir Ronald posed the income without increasing Sensing that there is an empty sloganeering. When question: what policies can supply opportunity here, I onelooksatthevarious theCaribbeantaketoaddress The objective is to researched poultry

Indigenous Organisation Congratulates Guyana on first Carbon Credits sale

DEAREDITOR, andMr Hess. Foundation (NADF), benefitsfrompreservationof

As President of the In retrospect COP 15, Guyanese Organisation of Forests, I now shelve this National Amerindian which was held at the Bella Indigenous Peoples (GOIP) grandaccomplishmentinthe Development Foundation Centre in Copenhagen, and archivesofClimatechange. (NADF and on behalf of the Denmark during December T h e G u y a n e s e T h e N a t i o n a l supporters of NADF, I wish 2009, proved to be a Organisation of Indigenous Amerindian Development to extend heartiest motivational, empowering Peoples (TAAMOG) Foundation, applauds the congratulations to the and energizing tool for the workedassiduouslywiththe Government of Guyana for Government of Guyana for Indigenous Peoples in Government in its its committed strong achieving this historic Guyana. collaborationandinteraction leadership, strategic milestoneofsigningthefirst The Government of with the Indigenous

management of Georgetown

MPclassificationofMocha youthsas‘duncethugs’ shouldbecondemned

DEAREDITOR, young men and women by Mocha Arcadia residents Flue-Bessandothersbecause condemnbeingcalled‘dunce they refuse to join the thugs’byAPNU+AFCMP APNU+AFC’s bitterness

planningandastuteabilityto sale agreement of carbon GuyanaonthatOccasionhad population on climate propel the fight against credits between Guyana and a battery of Indigenous changeawareness. climatechange. Hess Corp. at State House, NGO’s waving to the world Vice President at the Thesuccessstoryofsales MainStreet,Georgetown. the flag of the Low Carbon signingoftheCarboncredits of carbon credits did not I shall not attempt to Development Strategy and sale agreement sadly evolve without its repeat the sterling the fight against Climate reportedthatCOP15didnot challenges. As mentioned, presentations by our Change On return to foster much positive results COP 15 motivated, PresidentDr IrfaanAli,Vice Guyana, the National assomedevelopedcountries empowered and energized President, Bharrat Jagdeo Amerindian Development failed to accept climate the Amerindians, as at that change as real and some forum the road to mitigating failed to honour their climate change was never commitments to mitigating visualized to be a walk Climate Change. However, throughthepark. that did not deter Guyana’s Forest preservation and position as we are dwelling within the forest is recognized for our Global a way of life for the leadership on climate and Amerindians and so forests. Those who echoed supported and stood the opinion of misguidance steadfast with the andnon-realisticevidenceto Government while support the fact that climate negotiations on the carbon change is happening are storagecapacityofGuyana’s silenced today through the 18 million hectares and the historic signing of service it can offer to the agreementof‘saleofcarbon worldwasbeingnegotiated. credits’betweenGuyanaand Today,thesaleofcarbon Hess Corp. To curtail the credits to Hess Corp. has prolonged chronology of a createdoneofthemost masterfulvisionofgarnering (Continuedonpage6)

The Mocha Women on towards the development of Track vehemently condemns ourcommunity the abusive comments and Asacommunity,wehave shameless behaviour of suffered enough humiliation APNU+AFC MP, Nima in the past and we can no Flue Bess perpetrated longer afford to sit on the against the residents of sidelines and be dominated MochaArcadia. by the self-serving political In particular, we wish to interests of a few misguided register our grave individuals. disappointment over the Our group remains recent abusive social media apolitical and open to post by Flue Bess which constructive engagements refers to the hardworking with various groups that will residents of our community lead to the upliftment of as‘dunce-thugs’. residents of Mocha Arcadia Weareencouragedbythe and lead to development for swift response and bravery all residents of the from residents to protest community Wecallonallthe against the continued residents of our community confrontational and crass to continue their rejection of behaviourofFlue-Bess. the foolish attempts by FlueThisisaworryingsignof Bess to divide us with sustained aggression against derogatorylabelsandthreats. theresidents. Additionally,wecallonFlueNotably,theAPNU+AFC Bess to issue an unreserved MP’s social media post apology to the residents of follows on from her Mocha Arcadia for her illdespicable act a few weeks advised classification of our ago where she confronted a youthas‘duncethugs’.Such cameraman, who lives in the behaviourhasnoplaceinour community, as he recorded discourse, especially at this theAPNU+AFCrally time of our developmental We wish to place on history recordthatourgroupofover Our community is 40 plus women, including strongertogether mothers, is also deeply Regards, disappointed by the BonitaMcDonald continued vilification of our MochaWomenonTrack

DEAREDITOR, invite a relevant team to There is no question that adviseontherealignmentof the management of what is a city whose flooding and continuouslymisrepresented garbage are of minimal as the ‘Capital’ City of interest to the hoteliers. But Georgetown, for the last all the foregoing is only an threedecadesatleast.Allthe i n d u l g e n c e i n high flying political superficialities What decision makers have obtains is the most persisted in ‘division’in the fundamental deficiency in managementofonecity the principle and practice of B y 2 0 2 2 , m o r e organisational management, thoughtfulcitizensareleftto as reflected boastfully in the be entertained by behaviour of whom is Presidential cleanups of described as Government garbage, presumably as part and Opposition. How in this of a strategic plan for the particular environment future development of the cannot the flailing parties city, despite the reams of recognise the futility of the well intentioned criticisms, divisive relationship that including those on the mustbeanembarrassmentto glaring need for creative oldergenerationsofcitizens, parking facilities, the and just possibly remigrants absence of which makes for who have experienced too many stressed out higher standards of city employeesatalllevelsandin management Interestingly variouspartsofGeorgetown. enough, there appears little

Thisdepletivescenariois or no appreciation of the compounded by the boastfuldeclarationtocreate fundamental reluctance to another city up from the establishatleastonemodern coastland, presumably to be market facility, models of managedprofessionally,and which can be seen in withoutcontestation.Ifso,is neighbouring Caribbean it impossible therefore for townships. Preferably also theMinistryofLocal the government should (Continuedonpage6)

Our politicians have persisted in the division of the

GMSAapplauds the Government of Guyana on carbon credit transaction

DEAREDITOR, The GMSA further minimumofUS$750Mfora protecting the forest such as forest management. In this deforestationratebelowone T h e G u y a n a c o n g r a t u l a t e s t h e period 2016 and 2032 of conducting sustainable regard, the GMSA percent(1%). Manufacturing & Services Government in leading the which the government forest management and recommends that monies The GMSA reiterates Association (GMSA) charge as being the first commits to inject into the complying with the wood received from this that the selling of carbon applauds the Government in among 14 other countries development of Indigenous tracking system during their Agreement are invested creditsfromGuyana’sforest the recent signing of and large sub national communities The GMSA logging operations In toward maximizing the augers well for meeting the agreement with Hess jurisdictions toward their also hopes that special addition, support is given to allowable utilization of the target of the Low Carbon Corporation for the own issuances of TREES provisions are made using the Guyana Forestry forest resources into Development Strategy Architecture for REDD+ credits. these funds for forests users Commission for its role downstream processing, (LCDS) – 2030’s target of Transactions (ART TREES) With the projection of includingloggers,sincethey which underpinned this agro-forestry,andimproving accelerating the deployment credits. Guyana receiving at the play a pivotal role in Agreement. land use planning between of renewable energy of

Hewasamanforallseasons andservantofallpeople

DEAREDITOR, their children to attend resolve and ever present It is with great sadness school.WereportedtotheSt. enriching insights that that I received the news of Stanislaus College guidedmeinthepursuitofa the passing of Fr Malcolm Conference of the St commongoalforjusticeand Rodrigues, whose life has Vincent de Paul Society human development when I been to me, as to many whichwouldprovidemodest represented Guyana as others, a testimony of assistance. The experience AmbassadorinBrusselsand unwavering and principled of those years confronting the European Union to commitment to the search ghettopovertymaynodoubt secure assistance for the for justice for all people of have contributed to sugarsector,theworkersand Guyana, the Caribbean and Malcolm’s life long families in rural Guyana.As beyond. There will be, no commitment to eradicating acaringbrother,mentorand d o u b t , m a n y poverty After our years at colleagueinjointpursuitsto commendations from the Saint Stanislaus, Malcolm’s end injustice and Jesuit Community and path was to England and exploitation not only in Roman Catholic Diocese in joining the Jesuits with Guyana but also for all Guyana, to which he gave studiesinPhysicsandMaths peoplesofAfrica,Caribbean dedicatedserviceasteacher, at Oxford then back to andthePacificsocietiesthat counselor, pastor and Guyana and serving UG in IalwaysknewMalcolmwas champion of Christian teaching, research and theresteeledincommitment Social Teaching both in administration. and kind words to advance understanding and in the His inspiration and our the struggle for justice. concrete struggle for human communications on social, Milkyhasgoneaheadbuthis liberation. political and development deep dedication and service

I was privileged and issues supported me as a toallpeopleiseternal. honouredtosharesecondary Diocesan priest both on the He is A Man for All school days with Malcolm EastBankandearlyyearsat Seasons and Servant of All (Milky as he was fondly the Guyana Institute for People Farewell Brother known) both in the Social Research & Action untilwemeetagain. classroom and in the (GISRA) with his founding Regards, working class areas of fellow Jesuit Michael P.IGomes C h a r l e s t o w n a n d Campbell-Johnston.

F o r m e r G u y a n a Wortmanville to search for While Malcolm gave Ambassador to the children whose parents more than six decades of EuropeanUnion& could not afford, at times, sterling service in our Secretary-General, ACP clothes, shoes or books for homeland, it was his strong GroupofStates

This really is empty sloganeering

Frompage4 competitive advantage in a doingonethingonehundred countriesintheregion,they distinguishable product that percent better but doing a allproducesimilarproducts. can be traded. For example, hundred things one percent All these economies are Guyana/Barbados/Jamaica better relicsfromthecolonialera. all produce excellent rums. Please join me in IntermsofGuyana,what In fact, we have an over advocating for more should we buy from St. abundance of spirits in the investments in our Vincent? Bananas? For Sir region Export not inter productivecapacity Ronald’s broad policy regional trade is the answer Sincerely, prescriptions to work, each toourproblems.SirRonald: RogerAlly island/country must have a competitiveadvantageisnot FortLauderdale

WithGuyana’sforestsof forestryandmining. which the GMSA foresees about eighty-seven (87%) TheAssociationbelieves would greatly reduce beingintact,itisthehopeof that these are some of the production cost for the Association that priority efforts that will aid e x t r a c t i n g a n d government continues to incontinuingtoenhancethe manufacturingoperations. involve key stakeholders in valueofforestresourcesthat Regards, the conversations for forest canbeextracted,whileatthe Guyana Manufacturing protection and sustainable same time, retaining &ServicesAssociation

Indigenousleadersshouldcarefully craftplanstosupportgovernment

DEAREDITOR,

peoples in terms of land trajectory while maintaining The Liberty and Justice tenure security, economic our world leading Party commends the d e v e l o p m e n t , a n d responsibly forest Government of Guyana on governance. management. their recent sale of carbon Withinthecontextofthe Veryrareitistoseeinthe credits. Low Carbon Development global environment an oil-

It is the actualisation of Strategy (LCDS), the recent producing nation enjoying a visionary leadership and saleofcarboncreditsandthe carbon negative economy thinking by the Government earmarking of over GYD We now call on the ofGuyanainrecognisingthe $23 billion in support for Indigenous leadership to importance of sound Indigenous communities carefully craft plans to environmental stewardship demonstrates that the support the government in and its importance to government is resolute in assimilating this support to sustainable and responsible fulfilling their commitment the people’s benefit and economicdevelopment. totheIndigenousPeoplesof developing transformative H a v i n g h a d a n Guyana.The initial sale of frameworks that will foster opportunity to contribute to USD$750millionofcarbon their communities’ t h e L o w C a r b o n credits is expected to be development. Development Strategy followedbyasecondtranche Regards (LCDS), the LJP sees the of another significant Hon Lenox Shuman, LCDS as one of the most quantum. MP progressive steps forward to These financing will DeputySpeaker; supporting Indigenous support Guyana’s upward CivilAviationAdvisor

Our politicians have persisted...

Frompage5

management structure to numbers of foreign Government and Regional replace the bifurcated residents, for the current Administration be political and under insipidity to exist into an encouragedtoappointateam productive decision-making indeterminate future, not whose membership would arrangement which merely of the City Council, include representation from pervades, (with the Mayor Local Government but the M & CC, possibly also and City Engineer seen as moreso the exalted other relevant expertise, to fallibleplayers). Government of ONE develop a concept paper Itisanembarrassmenttoour NATION. aimed at substituting a national psyche, particularly Regards, totally professional inthepresenceofincreasing E.B.John

Indigenous Organisation Congratulates...

Frompage5

commitment to make life projective, and crafty in robust intervention better for the Indigenous planning, develop platforms for the peopleswasdemonstrated. community “think tanks” Indigenous peoples in F i n a l l y , t h i s and be supportive of Guyana. manifestation came from Government’s efforts to

Theseplatformsinclude Governments hard work, spread benefits that will economic development, strong leadership, clear enhance communities’ governance, land security, vision, commitment and development throughout health, education, social, astute planning which Guyana.Lastly,establish food security and clearly validates the a financial mechanism to i n f r a s t r u c t u r e G o v e r n m e n t ’ s manage, monitor and development. commitment to Guyana control the expected wave

This great achievement and its Indigenous of activities and follows closely behind the Peoples.NADFnowjoin expenditures towards heels of one of the most Amerindiandevelopment. the Government in successful National

charging the Indigenous To s h a o s C o u n c i l

peoples to be visionary, Conferences where a clear

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Guyanese criminals preying on Guyanese citizens

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Aman hit it big in the betting shop.

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

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His grieving family is now fighting for truth and justice.

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Guyana keeps hitting it big with oil.

Political criminals lay in wait to pounce and rob us of present and future prospects.

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They kill dreams, ravag hopes and are getting away (for now) from looting the oil treasury.

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Eureka Labs Introduces PCR diagnostic tests to identify STDs to Guyana

Eureka Medical EML’s Microbiology gonococcalurethritis. Labs (EML) on and Virology Laboratory

Meanwhile, EML has

M o n d a y Manager, Paul Cheddie, also introduced a qualitative announced that it is now said, “The PCR method real-time PCR test to detect offering diagnostic tests for being introduced is a high high-risk Human Papilloma the 12 most common sensitivity, high specificity Virus(HPV)infections. Sexually Transmitted assay that can detect the “It is intended to identify Diseases (STDs) through DNA of the 12 common DNAfrom14high-riskHPV enhanceddetectionpanel. organisms associated with types, as well as two main In a press release, the S T I s / S T D s , w h i c h HPV types – HPV 16 & 18, entity said that with its dramatically reduces the from cervical samples”, scientifically updated likelihood of a missed Cheddieexplained. technology, EML will use diagnosis.”

According to him, the Polymerase Chain Reaction Cheddie explained that turnaround time for these (PCR) testing to identify the in most sexually transmitted PCR tests is 24-48 hours and presence of DNA associated infection cases, the infected can be accessed by men and with organisms that cause person shows no symptoms women. STDs. DNA is a complex and may produce culture- EML’s Chief Executive molecule containing negative results due to the Officer, Andrew Boyle, information that is unique to insufficient number of notedthatthesenewservices eachorganism. organisms present in the offered at the Lab signify a P r e v i o u s l y, o n l y genitaltract. significant development for screening was offered at However, with this STD the medical landscape in EML, using rapid tests that PCR diagnostic test, Guyana. detectedeitherChlamydiaor definitive results are

He said EMLis happy to gonorrhoea, but these guaranteed for more be able to build on existing require an additional organisms in less time. As PCR infrastructure, to confirmatory test to be done such, the EML is the first expand the availability of to verify a positive or medical laboratory in healthcareserviceshere. negativeresult. Guyana to offer an STD test

The CEO said EML is EML’s STD PCR testing ofthiskind. committed to developing the will no longer necessitate The STD PCR test medical sector in Guyana persons undergoing both a detects bacteria associated through new and innovative screening and confirmatory withchlamydia,gonorrhoea, technologies. test, particularly if their and bacterial vaginosis, as Both the STI and HPV physician suspects an STD well as the causative agents panels are currently but may be uncertain of the of herpes, syphilis, yeast available at Eureka Lab cause. infections, and non branchescountrywide.

Lawsuit filed against GRA challenging classification of four-door pickup

Alawsuithasbeen vehicles State agency seeks filed against the However on December declarations that the two G u y a n a 10, 2021, a letter from the Toyota Tundra pickups are

R e v e n u e GRA’s ‘Harmonized System motor vehicles used for the Authority (GRA) and its Classification Committee’ transport of goods falling Commissioner General, informed them that the said under the classification code Godfrey Statia challenging vehicles were “vehicles 8704 of Chapter 87 of Part 1 t h e A u t h o r i t y ’ s principally designed for the of the First Schedule to the misclassification of two transport of passengers” and Customs Act, Cap 82:01, four door Toyota Tundra not goods vehicles (this that the Commissioner pickups. meant that in total, Ross General acted arbitrarily,

The lawsuit was brought would have had to pay ultra vires, unreasonably, by businessman, Hanson approximately $16,771,949 irrationally, unfairly, Ross of Atlantic Gardens, toclearbothvehicles). abusively of power, East Coast Demerara (ECD) This led to Ross’ lawyer u n c o n s t i t u t i o n a l l y, and was filed by his lawyer, writing to the GRA on the whimsically, capriciously, SiandDhurjon. issue and the Authority against the Revenue

One of the 2007 Toyota Tundra pick-ups

The suit was filed at the agreed to examine the Authority’s own policy and Demerara High Court before vehicles and to ‘further without any legal foundation Chief Justice (Ag) Roxanne review’itsposition. orauthority George, SC on Wednesday H o w e v e r , a f t e r The businessman also November30,2022. examination, the GRA seeks an Order of Certiorari

In court documents seen maintained its decision and to quash the Tundra’s by this publication, Ross on July 7, 2022, the GRA classifications as passenger contended that he imported published Ross’ Tundra vehicles and an Order of two extended cab 2007 pickups on their ‘want of Mandamus to compel the Toyota Tundra pick up entry list for disposal’ in the Commissioner General to trucks on September 19, Kaieteurnewspapers. take all steps necessary to 2021, and on October 7, Following another letter recognize, classify and 2021, under the expectation from Ross’ attorney, GRA accept the said vehicles as that they would be treated agreed to withdraw and motor vehicles used for the and classified as goods remove the Tundra’s from transport of goods and to vehicle (attracting about the want of entry list for assess the taxes and duties $417,000 tax for each pick- disposal. correspondingly up). With no resolution of the Rossalsoclaimsfromthe

It was further stated that matter, Ross filed a Fixed GRA the cost of storing the Ross and his customs Date Application under the said vehicles at the brokers spoke to officers of Judicial Review Act last Muneshwers’ wharf to date the GRA both verbally and weekchallengingtheactions which now amounts to over in writing to appeal to them of the Commissioner $2,900,000, according to the to have the vehicles GeneralandGRA. vehicles’ storage invoices properly deemed as goods Ross’lawsuit against the putintoevidence.

DEFLECTION IS THE NAME OF THE GAME

Following the defeat of Thishappenedfollowing between the APNU and the

class political elites elections to regain those thePNCat1992elections,a the 2015 elections when the AFC. There was no central manipulatethemasses.They positions.Andmanyofthem strongmanofthepartybegan PPPC took to protest action commandcentrealsoforthe dosoinordertoprotecttheir are behaving as if they are to exhibit signs of post- to claim that the elections Coalition.TheAFChadtheir own skin and preserve their suffering emotional trauma. (The views expressed in this elections trauma. He began were rigged Moreover, own operation on the train own standing within the It is time that Guyanese article are those of the tolashoutathispartyandto while there was some line and the APNU had a political parties Many begin to reject this form of author and do not claim, on the one hand, that evidence of wrong votes centeronLamahaStreetand middle class persons lost manipulationbythepolitical necessarily reflect the DesmondHoytehadsoldout beingallocatedafewpolling the PNCR had a setup in their lucrative political elites Those who are opinions and beliefs of this the elections; and, on the stations,thiswouldnothave Congress Place where it is appointments. They want to traumatised should seek n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s other hand, that Jimmy altered the overall result of believed certain decisions be around for the next mental health treatment affiliates.) Carter came and tampered theelections,whichledtoan were taken after it became withtheelections. APNU+AFC victory The clear that the Coalition had SoconcernedwasHoyte PPPC even filed an election lost. withthetraumaticbehaviour petition. No one called the The elites are into selfof this individual that he PPPCleaderstoaccountbut preservation mode. They do dispatched an envoy from the very elites within the not want to shift aside and Congress Place to the PPPC decided five years allow for the rebuilding of individual. And the end of later to go with a new boththePNCRandtheAFC. theirconversation,theenvoy Presidential candidate. The They are also fearful that said that the individual was PPPC elites were not their support base will traumatisedbythelossofthe dethroned. crumble after the elections. Right now, there I n 2 0 2 0 , t h e humiliating loss of the are thousands of persons APNU+AFC failed to elections. who are suffering post benefitfromanattempttorig And what better way to elections depression. This the elections. However, the galvanize their support base seemstohavebeenacaseof elites told their supporters than by contending that the delayedonset.Manymiddle that the elections were fixed ruling PPPP/C is practising class persons are suddenly and that the American ethnic discrimination.There awoketotherealitythatthey installed the PPPC in office. is no better way than to ask no longer enjoy the This is the ‘Big Lie’ which supporters to forget the perquisitestowhichtheyare was pedaled and which the grouses which they may accustomed. As such, they majority of the Guyanese harbour against their parties are lashing out at the people know to be than by creating an external government with the most untruthful. But in Guyana, a enemy In this case, the outrageousclaims. suckerisborneverydayand enemy is the PPPC which it

But this deflection of therearetensofthousandsof is being contended is responsibility is merely a Guyanese who not only practising discrimination symptom of their trauma. believethe‘BigLie’butthey But this narrative will But it is not as dangerous as alsodosobecausetheywant change nothing. All it will whattheyaretryingtodoto to. They cannot come to do, and all it appears preservethestatusquoante. grips with losing. It is a intended to do is to ensure Aftereveryelection,thereis traumaticexperience. the preservation of the usually an inquisition in At the same time, the politicalelites. which the leaders of the Coalition did not wish for By making their losing party are supposed to theretobeaninquisitioninto supporters feel that they are be held to account. In order theirruleandespeciallyinto victimsofracialoppression, to forestall this reckoning, their poorly administered these supporters will cling the political elites of losing elections campaign For more firmly to the APNU parties normally try to example, there has been no andtheAFCandforgetabout deflect attention from their public release of the holding their leaders own shortcomings in order Cummingsburg Accord accountablefortheelections nottobeaskedtostepdown. whichcausedmuchdivision loss.This is how the middle

Dem boys seh...

Back pay done before it received

Itusedtoonetimeayeardegovernment

Derestofworkersdoesbethinkingdat

extra month bonus fuh Christmas. Is only used to gat to go back to Parliament fuh dem does get bonus from de PPPC approval fuh spend mo money But now is government. twotimeayeardemgoingback.

Andisnatbecauseofanyemergencydat debackpaydemgettingisbonus.Butback demgat.Isbecausedemtryingfuhdomore. pay is not bonus. Back pay is back pain But dem should have known dat when dem because some people does cater fuh it even preparing de Budget. In odder countries, beforedemgetit.Nuffbackpaydonespend peoplewouldbeaskingquestionsastowhy out even before it received. Orders done dem did not get it right during de Budget gone in fuh new fridge, new stove, new estimates.Why two times a year yuh gat to furnitureandnewblinds. ask fuh supplementary approval. And why But some people quiet about de solateindeyearyuhaskingwhendeBudget supplementary. Dem nah wan talk about de gan soon come out or we gat to wait until electricity support because it gan put a big March. Defreenessnahdoneyet.Wanmore hole in dah balloon wah dem blowing up announcement gat to be made De aboutdiscrimination. DisciplinedServicesgrowaccustomedtoan Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

CARIBBEAN AIRLINES HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR TOO LONG

Ican’t publish names on oil have never discussed class contempt by civil This kind of complaint has groups will run but you know the thefivemonthelectionsaga society groups for ordinary characterized Caribbean amok shouting all number of people, withme. people as I see in this Airline’s attitude to over the place that

some well known Theyneverbothertoask country Guyanese since it went government is hardthat have spoken harshly to meaboutaplethoraofcruel If you can picket underthename,BWIAandI headedanddon’tlisten. me about not writing about violations that I write about governmental offices on wasinshort-pants. But is Guyana a oil. My response has been sooften. t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d It is a traumatic place where wrong follows day, there will routine. They never bothered to governance issues, why experience when you return things only occur within the another occasion like this “Why don’t you ask join me in at least penning can’t you picket Caribbean home and your luggage is governmental sphere? tomorrow and the next day yourself why you do not even a short letter on these Airlines?Therewasaheart- gone.Itmentallyhurtsbadly Aren’t there wrong things And people’s pain goes write on the things I cruel mistreatments of breakingaccusationbya74- because your kids and being done to other people unnoticed. Just look how condemnallthetimeonthis Guyanesecitizens.WhydoI year old Guyanese spouses cannot receive the from the corporate world in morally sickening in this page and on the Gildarie- have to write on the heart- passenger who arrived in nice things you brought for Guyana, from lawyers and country Freddie Kissoon Show,” is breaking violation of a Guyana without one of her them. Why such a hurtful doctors, landlords, private

TheBarAssociationand what would be my senior citizen’s right by suitcases. thing can occur to a citizen, schools,etc.? some lawyers protested immediate reaction. I am Caribbean Airlines when Thewomanrelatedtothe the story is carried in the I s i t r i g h t f o r outside the police station disgusted when people ask other columnists in other media how all her mediaanditbeginsandends MovieTowne to rent out because a lawyer was me about the oil question as newspapersandcivilsociety medicationsandgiftsforher there.Wherearethepolitical their car-park to a private arrested but you don’t hear if Guyana is going to perish groupsshoulddoit? relatives and family parties that beg for our person to hold a concert the voice of the association becausewesignedabaddeal That is their obligation. members are gone votes? where the resulting noise is in this country as if it does withEXXON. Anyonewhoreadsthispage However, the missing Where are civil society nerve shattering and the not exist. There was an But why Guyana wasn’t would know I have zero suitcase is not the issue in groups that want Guyanese event goes right through the outpouring of letters in the going to fall off the cliff tolerance for a majority of myperception.Airlineslose to believe that the raison evening until sunrise the press about the Charrandass between March and July in civil society organisations passengers’suitcasesaround d’être of these entities is to nextday? incidentinIndia.Whatabout 2020 when the very with special wrath assigned the world When that helpGuyanesepeopleenjoy Iaskinallsincerity,how the lady without her existence of Guyana was totheGuyanaHumanRights happens, customer service abetterlife?

political parties that want suitcase? threatened with the success Associations. kicksin. The airline lost the you to vote for them remain (The views expressed in of fraudulent general Itsverynamedenotesthe This is what the suitcase of a 74-year-old silent on these moral this article are those of the elections and impending concern for human rights. passenger is angry about. woman who is out of the depravities? Who is to help author and do not internationalsanctions? Where are these civil rights Despite filling up her lost medications she bought, the that woman get back her necessarily reflect the You would not believe bodies that suppose to baggage claims and several airline has treated her luggage? opinions and beliefs of this thatmanyofthewellknown champion the rights of enquiries, she has not contemptuously and she is Sotoday,itisthesuitcase n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s personsthatwouldprobeme people?Theydonotexistin received a satisfactory left unprotected Yet and the crass attitude of affiliates.) on my avoidance of writing other countries such crass explanationfromtheairline. tomorrow, civil society Caribbean Airline. As night

FrederickKissoon

Govt. aims to end AIDS by 2030

The government through the Ministry of Health is working assiduously to end t h e A c q u i r e d I m m u n o d e f i c i e n c y Syndrome(AIDS)by2030.

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony said Guyana has made significant progress in the fight against HIV since recording its first casein1987.

– Health Minister says at inaugural HIV/STI Conference

“Compare 35 years ago to where we are today, we have really made a transformation in how we have been managing this disease.We have had a lot of dedication; a lot of work being done and because of that, we have seen this transformation. When you look at what we have accomplished, while locally we have people making those sacrifices, we also had alotofgoodpartnerships.” positivepatient.

The Minister of Health

Minister

“So, I am sure that once said that with the type of westartusingviralloadsthat technical assistance being 28 percent that we now have offered “We were able to would go up significantly I advance our HIV treatment think the estimate is that we and care programme and if I probably have 89 or so dare say, one of the best in percent of the people, who the Caribbean.” He was at are receiving treatment the time speaking at the virally suppressed but we Guyana’s first HIV/STI can’t demonstrate that. With Conference held at the a place if we work a little bit theminister.

personsknowtheirstatus,76 that government has already this machine and testing, we Arthur Chung Conference hardertowardsthisobjective Further, Dr. Anthony percent of those diagnosed procured a vital load-testing will be able to demonstrate Centre(ACCC)onSunday that we have in the world of noted that based on the 95- are receiving antiretroviral machine which is expected that and I am sure we can Guyana is confident that ending AIDS by 2030, we 95-95 targets set by the Joint treatment and 28 percent of to be in the country early work towards making sure ending AIDS by 2030 is can actually do so. It is just United Nations Programme those diagnosed have next year When installed, that we get to that target by highlyachievable. not an aspiration but I think on HIV/AIDS, in Guyana, achievedviralsuppression. the machine will become 2025,”MinisterAnthony “And so, today we are at it’s within our grasp,” said 94 percent of HIV-positive

The

The National Assembly

people. “That is the only on Monday approved over reason we have requested $2.9billionaspartofanend- these monies,” the Prime of year request by the Ministerstated. Government of Guyana to

He further explained that withdraw sums from the the electricity is generated contingencyfund. by the Bosai Minerals

The amount represents Group, which requested the more than half of the $4.7 additionalsumduetotherise billion the government is in fuel costs. ”The LECI has period of time without costs, as such, additional seeking for supplementary a contract with Bosai…This electricity,”hesaid. sums are needed. “These p r o v i s i o n s f o r is based on an invoice In addition to this, the power companies operate on developmental projects submitted by Bosai; cheques Minister within the Ministry subsidies and the original countrywide Among the were written and paid to of Public Works, Deodat subsidies earlier this year sums approved is $1.7B for Bosai,”henoted.

Indar pointed out that did not foresee that type of additional resources to

In response to questions reasonfortheheftysum. the opposition is not against electricityprojectsinRegion m a r k e t f l u c t u a t i o n , ” support the Linden from Patterson on the cost of

Lawrence noted the sum the government subsidising

Nine will benefit from Minister Indar explained. Electricity Company Inc fuel, the Prime Minister representsalmost50%ofthe the cost of electricity for $110.7 million; Mabaruma, He reminded the House that (LECI) in Region Ten in e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e

voted provision included in Lindeners, the sums to be

Region One will get $106 there is an entire programme Upper Demerara- Berbice. g o v e r n m e n t h a s a the National Budget. She expended must be open for million and Kwakwani, under the Hinterland Prime Minister, Brigadier responsibility to ensure that noted too that the Prime scrutiny

Region Ten will receive Electrification Company (Ret’d) Mark Phillips who the necessary resources are Minister’s Office received In response to the $103.238million. Inc. for the maintenance and presented the request was made available for adequate more than $3 5B for questions, PM Phillips He said the electricity surveillance of the utility tasked with defending the electricity supply in the subsidies and projects when explained that the additional company in Port Kaituma, companies. sum as Leader of the A mining town “We don’t the national budget was $1 7B was expended to

Region One will receive an Additionally, approval Partnership for National want to have a situation presented earlier this year subsidize the rise in fuel cost additional $76.809 million, was granted for $85 8 Unity+AllianceForChange where Bosai cannot supply The Opposition MP’s to ‘keep the lights on in while Mahdia, Region Eight million in supplementary (APNU+AFC) Opposition electricity and then we are questions were supported by Linden ’ “As a caring will get $49.020 million and funding for the Guyana Au

d

running to get money or

her Leader, Mr Norton, who government, we have Matthews Ridge, Region PowerandLightInc’sPower Opposition Members of asking Bosai to continue to asked to be supplied with decidedthatnotwithstanding One,$20million. Utility Upgrade Programme Parliament (MPs), Volda provide electricity while we details of how the money for theincreasedcostoffuel,the

The minister told the (PUUP). The approved sum Lawrence and David try to get the money and the the LEC will be spent government will absorb that House that there has been a will facilitate the project’s Patterson questioned the people of Linden suffer for a Norton noted too that while cost and not pass it on to the 65 percent increase in fuel closure.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony and youths at the conference (DPI photo)

of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony (DPI Photo)

U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch signs onto Guyana’s goal of ending AIDS by 2030 (U.S. Embassy Guyana photo)

minister highlighted available to every HIV

approves over $2.9B to subsidise fuel cost for power plants in Linden, other regions

Prime Minister, Brigadier (retd) Mark Phillips

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works

$97M to ‘fix up’ Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

ongoing to the front

ECS Construction & General Supplies has been awarded a $97, 425, 000 contract by the Government of Guyana to rehabilitate the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue. The project was estimated to cost $103.6M.

T h e N a t i o n a l Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) announced via its DuringavisittotheSport down and be modernized.” rehabilitation is aimed at Ministry had also invited September had mentioned w e b s i t e t h a t E C S Hall on Monday, Minister of This specific phase is modernizingthefacility bidsfortherepairofthemain that the Government has Construction was awarded Youth, Sport and Culture expected to be completed in “You know we are in a roof which is estimated to plans of constructing Sports the $97M contract on Charles Ramson told eightmonths. modern country We need to cost $12 5M, electrical Halls in several regions November21,2022. Kaieteur News that the The other phases will see have a modern facility installation works which is come2023.

Some 19 companies $97M covers only the first the entire facility air especially a modern indoor estimated to cost $37.9M Thesefacilitiesheshared submitted bids for the phase of the rehabilitation conditioned and the facility, it would be the only and the heating, ventilation will be placed in Regions project with six bidders project. installation of bucket seats. air conditioned facility that and, air conditioning One, Three, Seven, Eight bidding lower than the The Minister explained The Minister disclosed that is indoor in the country and (HVAC) installation works, and Nine Quoted in a Ministry of Culture, Youth that the work at the Sports the Sports Hall’s flooring that’s important not only for estimatedtocost$74.2M. Department of Public and Sports’ engineers’ Hall will be done in phases will be enhanced as well the sports that we play there While the Ministry is Information (DPI) article, estimate of $103.6M. The thatwillrunconcurrently while the bottom sides of the currently,let’ssaywewanna looking to upgrade the Cliff the Director said, “We are Ministry was approved Speaking of the first building are to extended “to host international boxing Anderson Sports Hall, having funds to make sure $3.2B in this year’s budget phase,theMinistersaid“this give us a little bit more this would be a good facility Director of Sports, Steve that there is the construction f o r t h e c o n t i n u e d one is for the redesign of the room.” forthat,”heexplained. Ninvalle during the opening of sports halls in all of these development of sport in the front section; the entire front Ramson said that the Following the tender to ceremony of the 2022 regions to the tune of $80M country section is going to be pulled Sports Hall is old and rehabilitate the facility, the Heritage Games back in each.”

House clears $740M for drainage works

The NationalAssembly “Mr Speaker, these works are “Soanumberofthesedoorshave on Monday approved very important because you become vulnerable because the

some $740 million for know for a fact that we have seen repairs were not done during the the Ministry of Agriculture for a an influx of persons entering the time that they were supposed to number of drainage works across agriculture sector people who be repaired so we are doing all severalregionsinthecountry would have called it a day in those works and now we are

The $740 million would 2015 and 2020, we are seeing having more people coming into cover works such as the more and more people coming in the agriculture sector,” he rehabilitation of drainage back and want to get into explained. channels, access brides and agriculture.

Kaieteur News had reported revetments in various regions. We are seeing our agriculture back in October that the Ministry Givingabreakdownofwherethe sector thriving as a matter of fact had issued several invitations for money will be spent, Minister of almost every single month, we bids for contractors to undertake Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha are seeing containers of produce drainage works across the said that out of the $740 million, going to the eastern Caribbean country in Region Three $260 million wherefarmersinGuyananoware Some of the tenders were for will be expended, in Region Four exportingtheirproduce,”hesaid. drainage works at Bonasika, $115 million will be spent, in Mustapha said too that it is Essequibo River, Region Three Region Five $153 million will be also important to have the which was estimated to cost the expended, in Region Six $121 drainage infrastructure countrysome$104M. million will be spent, and in r e h a b i l i t a t e d b e c a u s e

Similarly, bids were issued

RegionSeven$89millionwillbe maintenance of these has been for works in Bartica, Region expended. longoverdue.

Seven which was estimated at

The minister noted on He said a number of sluice $90M and in Mahaicony, Region Monday that these works in the doorshavetoberepairedbecause Five which was estimated at $68 various regions are important. they have become vulnerable. million.

An artist’s impression of the rehabilitated Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (Photo courtesy of Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson)

The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall located on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown

Works

section of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

Broken koker door

EPA waives study requirements for US$3M docking facility to service oil sector

he

TEnvironmental Singh Jr in his Project services and capacity P r o t e c t i o n

Summary- made public on building,” Pritipaul Singh Agency (EPA) theEPA’swebsite-notedthat saidinthedocument.

has determined withoilproductionactivities Against this backdrop that an Environmental settomorethandoubleinthe the DockYard (DY) is being Impact Assessment (EIA) next five years’time, there is established.The scope of the will not be required for a a need for supporting project is the establishment docking facility being infrastructure “Since the of a dry-docking facility in pursued by local business discovery in 2015, and Guyana, with the specific man Pritipaul Singh Jr. to subsequent production of oil intention of servicing the serve Guyana’s booming oil in 2019, there has been a aforementioned increase in sector. gratuitous increase in the maritimeactivity. In a public notice, the amount of maritime activity Notably, the facility will environmentalregulatorsaid inGuyana. allowforhullinspection,full the ship repairs facility/ dry- Thus, by logical maintenance and other docking to be established at extension, the rate at which services such as waste Support on the East Bank of services will need to be removal, equipment rental D e m e r a r a w i l l n o t provided to support this andamachiningshopamong significantly affect the increase in maritime activity others. environmentandistherefore will need to increase,” the Dock Yard, a business e x e m p t e d f r o m a n localbusinesspointedout. duly registered under the facility is the bank of the will be no significant land of some degree of solid environmental impact study It was keen to note that B u s i n e s s N a m e s DemeraraRiver Onthebank clearing, earthworks, waste, as well as, health and To justify its position, the the impact of inadequate (Registration Act, Cap of the river, there also exists stockpiling, machine safety related. The impacts, regulator explained, “the facilities to accommodate 90:05) of the Laws of a two-lane road facilitating operation or concrete works however, are expected to be proposed project has the work in the maritime Guyana, is a ship repair and all types of vehicular traffic. being undertaken in the insignificant and short term environmental safeguards sector represents a loss of dry-docking facility geared Further east, across the road, course of this project which in duration and therefore and embedded controls to l o c a l c o n t e n t a n d tocarryoutmaintenanceand is a narrow strip of will have the potential to mitigable, the document address impacts during opportunities to Guyanese. repairs to ships. Its principal residentialhousing. affect the environment said. In the meantime, the construction and operation Further, without supporting office is located at Lot 12 It was noted that an directly or indirectly,” the EPAhasmadeitclearthatthe (and) the application and infrastructure, much of the SupplyEastBankDemerara. investment of US$3 million company insisted in its waiver of the EIA does not supporting documents business opportunities are The facility will be built will be made to support the ProjectSummary mean the project has been submitted outline adequate carried to other countries on the eastern bank of the facility that will employ at Assuch,itwasnotedthat approved. mitigation measures to where services can be Demerara River comprising least 25 full-time workers there is little to no potential As such, any person who reduce the impacts that these carried out in Guyana. “This approximately 30,000 and about 100 to 150 part impacts to loss of land and may be affected by the projects may have on the will result in significant square feet with a concrete timeemployees. habitats, pollution of air or proposed project may lodge environment.” benefits to the local foundationandfloor As it regards impacts to heavy sedimentation of an appeal against the M e a n w h i l e , i n e c o n o m y i n c l u d i n g Tothewestofthefacility

environment, Pritipaul surfacewater Agency’s decision within 30 presentingtheneedforadry- employment, duties and is the Demerara River, while Singh assured that these Notwithstanding,thereis daysofthepublicationofthe docking facility, Pritipaul taxes, ancillary goods and on the easterly side on the would be minimal. “There expectedtobethegeneration notice.

Man wanted in connection with ‘Aunty Betty’ murder arrested

Police have arrested

…denies involvement

unidentified man who was ran to the upper flat of the pension book and other Mohamed Ramzan also with Sawh appeared in the house and saw Sawh laying important documents was known as ‘Bhagee’who was lower flat and both men motionless on her bed in a missingfromthebedroom. wanted in connection with 16:45h on Sunday and at searched the flat before poolofblood. The following day, the brutal murder of about 19:00h, she and Sawh makinggoodtheirescape. The woman told police Basdeo’s story changed. She Sumintra Sawh called retiredtobed.Shetoldpolice After their exit, Basdeo that Sawh’s handbag where thentoldpolicethatshe ‘Aunty Betty’ of Bushlot that Sawh slept in the front said she untied herself and she kept all her money, (Continued on page 16) Village, West Coast Berbice bedroom while she slept in (WCB). thebackbedroomofthetwo-

Crime Chief Wendell storey wooden and concrete Blanhum confirmed that the house. 48 year old man was

Mohamed Ramzan aka ‘Bhagee’

She claimed that she was arrested on December 3, awakenedbyanunidentified 2022 in Bushlot Village, male,whoheldaknifetoher WCD. The man has since throat and demanded money denied any involvement in at about 03:00h on Monday themurderofSawh.Ramzan Basdeo said the man has since provided an alibi lyingfaceupandbatteredon removed her from the which is being checked by her bed with blood stains bedroom she was sleeping police. about her body A post in. While outside, she said

Roshnie Basdeo, Sawh’s mortem examination she noticed another man great niece had confessed to conducted on Sawh revealed with Sawh in the front the crime and was on Friday that she died from asphyxia, bedroom. The woman said remanded to prison until seven stab wounds to the she was taken to the lower December 14, 2022 when face and head, shock, flat of the house and tied to a she appeared at the Weldaad haemorrhage and a fractured chair with a sling. While Magistrates’Court. skull. there she said, she heard

Sawh of Lot 131 Section Basdeo had initially told Sawh yelling,“Don’tkillme ‘B’ Bush Lot, West Coast police that she arrived at the granddaughter”. Berbice (WCB) was found deceased’s home at about Shortly thereafter, the

Commonwealth group begins observation of elections in Dominica

The Commonwealth humanright,”shesaid. have briefings with the Observer Group (COG) has The Chair said that the police, political party started its work in group “will report on representatives and other preparation for the general whether the elections have local stakeholders including e l e c t i o n i n t h e been conducted to the the Electoral Commission, C o m m o n w e a l t h o f standards to which the the media, citizen groups as Dominica, scheduled for C o m m o n w e a l t h o f well as groups representing today. women, youth, and persons

The observer group, withdisabilities. whose members are drawn

The observers will issue f r o m a c r o s s t h e an interim statement of its Commonwealth, is in preliminary findings on 8 Dominicaat the invitationof December before departing Prime Minister Roosevelt Dominica by December 11, Skerrit. 2022.

T h e y h a v e b e e n

The final report, which deployed to locations across w i l l i n c l u d e the country to observe and recommendations for future assess the pre e l e c t o r a l e l e c t i o n processes, will be environment, the submitted to the c o n d u c t o f Commonwealth Dominica has committed elections on polling day, and Secretary General, and itself, including its own the post election period thereafter shared with the laws” while assuring that the against the backdrop of the G o v er n men t o f th e Group’s mandate is “to C o m m o n w e a l t h o f C o m m o n w e a l t h o f observe, and not to interfere Dominica’s national Dominica, relevant with,theprocess.” legislation and regulations - stakeholders, and the people “We urge stakeholders to as well as regional and ofDominica. make full use of the international commitments.

The Commonwealth freedoms that have been On polling day, the Group Observer Group members granted to them by law, in will observe the opening, are:Hon.AminaMohamed–support of the further voting, closing, counting, Chairperson, Former development of democratic and results management CabinetSecretaryforSports, process, and commit to processes. Heritage and Culture and p e a c e f u l e l e c t i o n s , In her arrival statement, formerCabinetSecretaryfor consistent with the the Chair of the COG and Foreign Affairs Kenya; Commonwealth’svaluesand former Kenyan Cabinet Former Minister of Foreign principles.” Throughout the Secretary, Hon Amina Affairs United Republic of mission, the Group will be Mohamed said she was Ta n z a n i a , L i b e r a t a supportedbyateamfromthe honoured to lead the Mulamula; Commonwealth Commonwealth Secretariat ObserverGroup. Envoy India Prof Praja which has been on the “We are keenly aware of Trivedi; Assistant Chief ground since November 28 the importance of elections Electoral Officer of to observe campaigns and in a democracy as they are Elections Commission preparations ahead of the the ultimate expression of a Antigua and Barbuda, Ian elections. people’s will and ability to Hughes and Wyvolyn

As part of its mandate, shapetheirsocieties.Casting Patterson, a Jamaican the Group will also meet and a vote is a fundamental Journalist.

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Oil falls nearly 3% after data raises Fed interest rate worries

Reuters - Oil prices fell nearly 3% on Monday, following U.S. stock markets lower, after U.S. service sector data raised worries that the Federal Reserve could continue its aggressive policy tightening path.

Brent crude futures were down $2.18, or 2.6%, at $83.39 a barrel by 1:23 p.m. EST (1823 GMT). West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) fell $2.28, or 2.9%, to $77.70 a barrel. Both benchmarks had earlier risen

more than $2, reversing direction.

WTI’s front-month contract began trading lower than prices in half a year , a market structure called contango, which implies oversupply.

U.S. services industry activity unexpectedly picked up in November, with employment rebounding, offering more evidence of underlying momentum in the economy as it braces for an anticipated recession next

year. read more The news caused oil and stock markets to pare gains. The data challenges hopes that the Fed might slow the pace and intensity of its rate hikes amid recent signs of ebbing inflation.

“Macro-economic jitters about the Fed and what they’re going to do on interest rates are taking over the market,” said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures group.

Govt. aims to end AIDS by 2030...

From page 12 stated as he reiterated government’s commitment to spreading awareness on health-related issues and so, the conference will be hosted annually.

Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch said that the U.S. Government is proud of its longstanding partnership with Guyana in a number of areas through USAID dating back to 1961; and specifically to combat HIV.

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She said that since 2004, through PEPFAR, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has supported Guyana Ministry of Health’s HIV prevention, care and treatment efforts. To date, the U.S. Government has provided more than $189M to support HIV prevention, testing, care, and treatment services in the country through PEPFAR. It

has been a remarkable partnership – and one that saves lives. PEPFAR’s investment in laboratory system strengthening included construction of the National Public Health Reference Laboratory in 2008 through CDC. The facility conducts HIV and related testing to diagnose and monitor patients on treatment, while supporting diagnostic capacity for other diseases. “In recent years, Guyana has made significant strides in the fight against HIV. Notably, more than 90 percent of people living with HIV know their status. This is critical knowledge, as it allows individuals to be initiated on life-saving HIV treatment. With treatment, individuals’ health can be sustained and the levels of virus can be reduced to an undetectable level, preventing transmission to others. However, of every four individu-

als diagnosed, only three are on treatment,” the U.S. Envoy said.

Further, the Ambassador said that the CDC and USAID have worked with vulnerable populations and community and faith-based organizations in Guyana to help more people reduce their risks, initiate treatment, and remain on treatment to achieve viral suppression. “PEPFAR support has led to the development and implementation of protocols, guidelines, SOPs and manuals aimed at providing quality HIV services and strengthening the supportive environment for key and vulnerable persons in Guyana. To ensure sustainability of programmes, we have worked with the Ministry of Health to support training of health workers and to strengthen the supply chain to ensure life-saving treatment is available,” she said.

Man wanted in connection with ‘Aunty Betty’...

From page 15 colluded with Sawh’s neighbour, 48-year-old Shaeed Mohamed Ramzan, to steal the woman’s $350,000 savings to purchase a motor scooter while she would by virtue of her relationship with the woman, covet the house.

Basdeo, who was Sawh’s caretaker, told law investiga-

tors that she left Sawh’s door open so that he can gain entry to execute their plan. Sawh was sleeping when the man entered the upper flat of the house and Basdeo led him to the woman’s room and showed him her handbag which contained the money she was saving to build her fence.

The 37-year-old woman told police that Ramzan beat the elderly woman with an object. She claimed that she begged him to stop but he continued to pound the woman. After brutally killing Sawh, the neighbour left her room with the bag containing the money and reportedly scrambled Basdeo by the neck and cut her left hand.

found. However, a few days later, she changed her story again, this time confessing to the murder. The woman said Sawh accused her of stealing her money and an argument ensued.

Basdeo said she became angry and armed herself with a hammer and a piece of wood and dealt the elderly woman several lashes to her head until she became unconscious.

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Basdeo told police that the man threatened to kill her and the rest of her family if she revealed their plan to anyone.

The GPF had issued a wanted bulletin for the man indicating that he was wanted in connection with Sawh’s murder. The man is yet to be

Basdeo said that she then used a razor to cut her hands and neck to make it look like she was assaulted during a robbery. The nightgown she was wearing was stained with blood and she removed it and placed it in a black plastic bag before dumping it in the pit latrine in the yard. The hammer was also dumped in the latrine while the piece of wood was thrown on a shed in the yard.

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Essequibo Pump attendant seeks for justice after being attacked by irate customer, accomplice

Farmer, labourer freed of cattle rearer murder

A 27 year old pump attendant is seeking justice after he was badly chopped to the head and beaten by irate customer and an accomplice on October 30, 2022.

The injured man, Khemraj Ramcharran of Cotton Field, Essequibo Coastisalsosufferingfroma broken arm. At the time of the incident, Ramcharran worked at Rif Gas Station at AnnaRegina,RegionTwo.

He told Kaieteur News that he was attacked by two persons between 21:00h and 21:30h on the day in question.

“A cream-ish white-ish car approached the pump to purchase gas. I was standing up for the guy to open the tank… I stood up there for like 5 minutes and then the guy wind down the front window and ask me if I got helikeaclownwaiting.Itold him that he was supposed to open the tank because he is the driver of the vehicle. He then came out and stand up about 2ft away and say if ‘you want I jook you up.’ I

told him to leave and he left and got annoyed and say he g o n c o m e b a c k , ” Ramcharran told Kaieteur Newsinaninterview

Ramcharranwasaboutto close the gas station when he was struck from behind and fellunconscious.

When he regained consciousness the following day, he was a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) He received four chop wounds totheheadandabrokenarm, with no recollection of what transpired.

The frustrated man said, “Since I was attacked, I been in the hospital and out of work, I have a son to take care of and I have to find some source of financing for himattheendoftheday AllI wanttocomeoutofthisisfor me to have justice. I want these persons arrested and chargedisall.”

CCTV footage retrieved from the gas station revealed t w o m e n a t t a c k i n g Ramcharran; one was armed with a cutlass and the other a pieceofwood.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the armed men were in a parked car somedistanceawayfromthe g a s s t a t i o n a n d a s Ramcharran was closing, they snuck up behind him, choppedandbatteredhim.

Meanwhile, police told this publication that efforts are being made to arrest the suspectswhoarecurrentlyin hiding Kaieteur News understands that the mother of the suspects has since been contacted and has reportedly advised her sons tosurrendertothepolice.

Biden invites Brazil’s Lula for White House visit

Reuters - U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday invited Brazil’s Presidentelect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to visit the White House, which may happen after he takes office on Jan. 1 U S national security advisor Jake Sullivan met with Lula in Brasilia for almost two hours and discussed strengthening democracy in the Americas, combating climate change and addressing the situation inHaitiandVenezuela.

Lulasaidonsocialmedia

that Sullivan extended an invitationfromBidentovisit theWhiteHouse.

“I am excited to talk with President Biden and deepen the relationship between our countries,” Lulatweeted

The leftist leader won Brazil’s presidential election in October, d e f e a t i n g f a r r i g h t incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro, who was an ally of former President Donald Trump and was the last G20 leader to recognize Biden’s

2020 victory. Lula’s top foreign policy advisor, former Foreign Minister CelsoAmorim told reporters afterthemeetingthatnodate was set for a visit to the White House. He said Lula toldSullivanitmighthaveto wait until after he takes officeinJanuary

Sullivan mentioned the possible need for an international security force for Haiti, given the serious situationthere,Amorimsaid, but a new contribution by Brazilwasnotdiscussed.

A farmer and a labourer of Number 65Village Upper Corentyne, Berbice, on Monday walked free of the 2020 murder of cattle rearer, Parmanand Lakram called “Bachan.”

The murder case was discharged against 62-year old Gobin Balram, a farmer and Jerry Pirtam, 27, a labourer, after Magistrate Alex Moore at the No. 51 Corentyne Magistrates’ Court, upheld a no case submission made by their lawyer,BernardDaSilva.

Balram and Pirtam had made their first court appearancebackinFebruary 2020 for the capital offence. They were not required to

plead to the charge, which stated that on January 30, 2020, at Number 67 Village, theymurderedLakram.

Themenwereonremand while a preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murder was conducted by Magistrate Moore.Aftertheprosecution closed its case, attorney-atlaw DaSilva made a no-case submission in which he co n t en d ed t h a t th e prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case againsthisclients.

Magistrate Moore on Monday ruled and upheld the defence’s no case submission and this led to the murder case being discharged against Balram

andPirtam.

Kaieteur News had reported that on the day in question, Lakram and two cattle rearers went to the Number67Villagebackdam tountietwounbrandedcows thatweregrazing.

According to reports, the men were approached by the farmer and the labourer who werearmedwithguns.

While Lakram was being riddled with bullets, the other two cattle rearers reportedly hid in come bushes.

The police had reported that when the men came out ofhiding,theysawLakram’s lifeless body lying in a pool ofblood.

$3B supplementary funds approved for GuySuCo, NDIA

The Ministry ofAgriculture on Monday secured an additional $3 billion to provide resources for operational expenses at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority(NDIA).

Ofthesumapproved,atotalof$1billion will be injected into advancing works at GuySuCo, while the remaining $2 billion will go towards advancing NDIA’s operations. Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha explained that the money will be spent on rehabilitating critical areas in the factories, while enhancing and expanding cultivationinthecanefields.

The Albion Sugar Estate will receive $363 million, Blairmont estate $76 million and Rose Hall estate $561 million. Among the items listed to be procured are five 30inch disc ploughs and five tilling harrows for the Rose Hall estate. Minister Mustapha pointed out that under the APNU+AFC Government, some 23,000 hectares of cane lands were abandoned due to the closure of the Wales, Rose Hall, Enmore and Skeldon estates.

“We were able to put back approximately 2,000 hectares which are already under cultivation at Rose Hall, and

we will continue to move apace with the workwehaveundertaken.Hopefullybythe second crop 2023 Rose Hall can come into operation,” the agriculture minister posited. He said government was successful at employing about 1,500 sugar workers who were dismissed when the doors to the factorieswereforcefullyshut.

“So, these monies are critical funds to rehab GuySuCo, and we are seeing now because of the flood that we have encountered in 2021, a lot of the prime estateslikeAlbion…manycultivationareas were damaged. Now we are retooling and trying to get enough cultivation to have enough cane and increased production,” the ministerhighlighted.

While disaggregating information on NDIA’s allocation, the minister disclosed thatthesumof$46millionwillgotoRegion Two, $272 million to Region Three, and $588 million to Region Four Accordingly, Region Five was allocated $97 million, Region Six $228 million, Region Nine $9 million and Region 10 $70 million. The minister noted too that $426 million was budgeted to undertake mechanical works to NDIAequipment,aswellas$261millionis setasidetocoverfuel.(DPI)

Khemraj Ramcharran holds up his broken arm.

An injured Khemraj Ramcharran

Stitches of the chop wound to Khemraj Ramcharran’s head

Dead: Parmanand Lakram called “Bachan” Freed: Jerry Pirtam

Freed: Gobin Balram

Chief Elections Officer seeks correction of voters’ registers for LGE

Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud has written Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Claudette Singh urging that the electoral body gives considerationtothedelaying o f h o l d i n g L o c a l Government Elections to facilitate corrections to the registersofvoters.

Persaud’s letter comes days after the APNU+AFC Coalition approached the court seeking several declarations and four orders intended to nullify the preliminary list of electors and give rise to a new register of voters, before LocalGovernmentElections (LGE) are held. Persaud in his letter to the GECOM chair warned that as a major election stakeholder, the Coalition’s concerns should not be ignored and as such, he set out several proposals to cure the defects on the lists.

In his letter, Persaud told Singh that whereas the Registers of Voters (RoVs) for all 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs), have been extracted in accordance with the provision of Section 5(6) of the Elections Law (Amendment)Act, No. 15 of 2000,herattentionshouldbe drawn to the APNU+AFC courtaction.

In this regard, Persaud underlined that the “APNU+AFC is a major parliamentary stakeholder in the conduct of elections in Guyana, in this case, overdue Local Government Elections. This Coalition is c o n c e r n e d t h a t , notwithstanding the

provision of Section 5(6) of t h e E l e c t i o n s L a w (Amendment)Act, No. 15 of 2000, the current RoVs were not extracted in compliance with the provisions outlined in the Local Authority (Elections)Act,Cap.28:03.”

The GECOM CEO said the main concern of the APNU+AFC, as has been repeatedly raised by Commissioner Charles CorbinatStatutoryMeetings of the Commission, is that the electorate was denied the opportunity to scrutinize the RoVs, with specific referencetotheconstituency RoVs. More, Persaud said specifically, it appears that t h e A P N U + A F C i s concerned that members of thepublicwerenotgiventhe opportunityto(i)claimentry i n t h e r e s p e c t i v e constituency RoVs, providing they qualify for such inclusion based on residency, and (ii) object to the inclusion of electors in constituency RoVs who do not meet the residency requirement for such inclusion.

“One of the foremost standards that defines free and fair elections is that citizensareabletoregisterto vote. In this regard, and in order for an election to be freeandfair,allcitizenswho meet the eligibility requirements need to be able to register to vote, and equally to be given the opportunity, to object to persons who they have reasontobelievedonotmeet the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the Lists of Electors, in this case, the

RoVs,” the CEO said According to him, the APNU+AFC Coalition, as a major parliamentary stakeholderintheconductof elections, has a large support base among the electorate.

“In this regard, it would not be unreasonable to assume that the constituents of the Coalition would withhold their participation in the u p c o m i n g L o c a l Government Elections i.e. something any electoral management body should guard against insofar as transparency and inclusivity asfundamentalstandardsfor democratic elections are concerned.”

Persaudclarifiedthatthe reference to transparency and inclusivity is about the electorate and political and other stakeholders being given the opportunity to scrutinize and make legally permissible interventions pertaining to the preparation of the RoVs before they are certified for use to conduct the Local Government Elections.

On a related matter, he

said too it must be of the greatest importance and urgency that the Guyana Elections Commission is not seen, whether justifiably or by perception, to be unmindfuloftheconcernsof amajorpoliticalstakeholder, inthiscase,theAPNU+AFC Coalition. “To do so would attractthecondemnationthat the Commission did not complywiththestandardsof transparency and inclusivity Thisinitself,shoulditoccur, would have deleterious effects on the character and r e p u t a t i o n o f t h e Commission, as it would on the outcome of the elections.

Inviewoftheforegoing,itis hereby proposed that the Commission approve the conduct of a 14-day exercise u n d e r S e c t i o n 2 4 A “Correction of Registers by Elections Commission”, for the said elections This would not only guarantee transparency and inclusivity, but would address the specific concern of the APNU+AFC Coalition, but by extension engender participation of the Coalition’s support base in the Local Government Elections,”theCEOwrote.

14daysofcorrection

Meanwhile, Persaud proposed that subject to the Commission’s approval, the following will be enabled during the Correction of Registers Exercise: - Claims for entry in the Register of Voters; Correction of the incorrect listing of particulars of any voter; application of change of name; application for transfers from one local authority/constituency to another or from a non-local authority area to a local authority area; objections to incorrect listings in the Registers of Voters; hearings to objections; verification of address is associated with claims for entry, transfers and objections made on the basis ofincorrectlisting.

Additionally, he said all correctionswillbeappliedto the Registers subject to the approvaloftheCommission. “In order to facilitate the transactions under 4 2 aboveitwillbenecessaryfor the divisional/sub divisional Registers of Voters to be posted at two buildings within each division/Subdivision in each local authority area. This activity will take about seven (7) daystobecompleted.

“The transactions listed at 4.2. above would be made

at the Offices of the Respective Returning Officers. Registration Staff from the respective Registration Areas will be placedattherelevantOffices of the Returning Officers to assist the Returning Officers in treating with the various t r a n s a c t i o n s T h e registration of any new person as an elector would require that the fingerprints be cross matched before his/her entry into the relevant Register is made,” Persaudnoted.

H e s a i d i t i s acknowledged that the approval of this proposal would cause the conduct of Local Government elections to be further delayed “However, it is humbly submittedthatthevaluetobe derived from the unimpeded i n v o l v e m e n t o f a l l concerned at the level of all Local Authority Areas is of greaterimportance.

This proposal is submittedinviewofthevital need for the upcoming Local GovernmentElectionstonot only be free, fair and credible,buttobeseenbyall concerned as being free, fair andcredible,”theCEOletter concluded.

The APNU+AFC has long expressed major c o n c e r n s o v e r t h e compilation of the Voters’ List on the basis that it is bloated with dead people and thousands of Guyanese thathavemigrated

Through her Attorney, Senior Counsel, Roysdale Forde, the Coalition’s Chief Scrutineer, Carol Joseph has asked the High Court inter alia, to declare that the Elections Commission acted unlawfully when it opted not to compile the Preliminary List of Voters for the Local Elections in accordance with the Local Authorities (Elections) Act asamendedbyActNo 15of 2015

She is asking Court to rulethatGECOMisrequired

to act in accordance with Section 11 of the Local Authorities (Election)Act in compiling the Preliminary List of Voters, and further that it is legally required to prepare a Register of Voters foruseatElectionsforLocal Authority Areas in accordancewithSections12, 13,14,20,22and23.

Joseph said failure to comply with the legislation would render the Register of Vo t e r s f o r L o c a l Government Elections (LGE) null, void and of no legal effect She is also asking the Court to declare that the Constitutional duty o f t h e E l e c t i o n s Commission,asprovidedfor in Article 162 of the Constitution to compile a Register of Voters imposes a duty to compile a reasonably accurate and credible RegisterofVoters.

The APNU+AFC Chief Scrutineer also wants “a declaration that the Register of Voters extracted pursuant to Section 5 (6) of the Election Laws Amendment Act by the Guyana Elections Commission for use at Local Government Elections is not reasonably accurate or credible, thereby making the same unconstitutional, unlawful, null, void and of nolegaleffect.”

Ms. Joseph is asking the Court to declare that Section 5 (6) of the Election Laws, ( A m e n d m e n t ) A c t consequent upon the judgment of the High Court in Ram versus Attorney General of Guyana is obsolete, unworkable and wholly ineffectual as a law forthepeace,orderandgood governance, and that a List of Electors prepared for General and Regional Elections under Section 5 of the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act can no longer be prepared on the basis of Electors resident in Guyana.

On behalf of his client, Forde asked the Court to issue an Order setting aside the Order issued by the Elections Commission for the purpose of extracting a List of Electors for Local Government Elections on the ground that it is ultra viresandunlawful.

They are also seeking an order directing GECOM to compile a Register of Voters in accordance with Section 23 (3) of the Local

Authorities (Elections) Act Cap28:03beforeconducting of any Local Government ElectionsinGuyana.

Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud

Chairman of GECOM, Claudette Singh

½ 1½ Megawatt hydro

US$12.8M to put down 1 Megawatt hydro in Region 9, upgrade Moco Moco plant

The Government Theexpectedcompletion 100percentofwhichisbeing of Guyana has date for the project is put towards budgetary entered into an December2024. support for the 2022 biggest

agreement with a Publicconsultationswith budgetever–$552.9B–will Sri Lankan firm, Vidullanka key stakeholders, including be going towards the PLC to build a new 1.5 the RDC, Town Council, construction of a 300 m e g a w a t t ( M W ) LMPC and Village Councils megawatt hydrocarbon fired hydropower project at andresidentsofMocoMoco, gas plant at Wales, West Kumu,RegionNine. Kumu, Quarrie and St BankDemerara.

The contract was signed Ignatius, were held to on November 22 last to the provideupdatesonthestatus tune of US$12.85 million of the project, address all between the Guyana Energy concerns/issues and to seek Agency (GEA) and theirviewsandadvice. VidullankaPLC.

T h e m o s t r e c e n t

T h i s n e w s p a p e r c o n s u l t a t i o n s w e r e understands that the EPC reportedly held on February project is being funded by 22-25, 2020 and February Guyana through financing 28, 2021 A follow up f r o m t h e I s l a m i c consultation is scheduled for DevelopmentBank(IsDB). thismonth.

As part of its scope of P r i m e M i n i s t e r , works, the Sri Lankan firm Brigadier (Ret’d), the will also rehabilitate and Honourable Mark Phillips, upgrade the defunct Moco who has responsibility for Moco hydropower plant to the energy sector and who some0.7MWcapacity. hasbeenworkingtoenhance

The main objectives of the electrical capacity of the the project are to support the region, had visited the Government’s drive for a Lethem Power Company low carbon, climate and the Moco Moco resilient economy by hydropower sites in late providing affordable, stable October and reliable electricity using According to its website, Indigenous energy sources, Vidullanka PLC has over reducing fossil fuel twodecadesofexperiencein consumption and CO2 the renewable energy power emissions. generation sector in Sri

The key results of the Lanka. projectaretoincreaseaccess It has completed about to electricity to the 14 projects with a total population in Lethem and capacity of 36 MW The thenearbyvillagesofKumu, company also completed Moco Moco, St Ignatius and renewable projects in Quarrie, the Office of the Uganda. PrimeMinistersaid.

ThePeople’sProgressive

The hydro projects will Party/Civic (PPP/C) be executed by the GEA. It Government has committed was explained that a Project to transitioning towards a Management Unit (PMU) greener economy utilising comprising key technical renewable energy such as and administrative staff solarandhydropower,andto assisted by other senior staff move away from the use of from the GEA will oversee fossil fuels such as the execution of the project. hydrocarbon powered Bids for the projects were electricitygenerationplants. retenderedonFebruary28of In pursuing this agenda, thisyearwiththeissuanceof however, the government the Specific Procurement has resorted to borrowing Notice(SPN). hundreds of millions of

The closing date for the dollars from a number of submissionofbidswasApril bilateral partners and 28, 2022. Three bids were international financial received and following a institutions to fund a number review, negotiation, no of small hydropower objection and approval projects in some hinterland process, the EPC contract areas. was awarded to Vidullanka This is in addition to a PLCofSriLanka. number of other small

A team from Vidullanka projects such as small wind PLC is expected in Guyana and solar farms to be by December 15, 2022, to constructed as part of the commence preliminary administration’s Energy works at the Kumu and DiversificationMatrix. Mocosites.

Oil revenues however,

Government is building a new 1.5 megawatt (MW) hydropower project at Kumu, Region Nine

Serbia charged by FIFA for team, fans conduct at World Cup

DOHA, Qatar (AP) FIFA brought disciplinary charges against Serbia yesterday for alleged misconduct by players and fans including offensive chants at a World Cup match against Switzerland.

Tensions flared in the stands and on the field in a rematch of their stormy game at the 2018 World Cup that revived ethnic Balkan rivalries.

Fredericks’ century lifts Essequibo to victory over Berbice

Tuesday December 06, 2022

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

You're certainly in a strange mood today, Aries. True, things have been going smoothly for the past few days but be careful not to be fooled. Pride goes before a fall, as they say.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

It will be as though you're in a new and hopeful world today, Taurus. The people you meet will be cordial and caring, and the future will seem like a bright, attractive place to live.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Because you tend to brood over everything right now, Gemini, a day like this can't be anything but beneficial. It has been difficult for you to find satisfaction within the realm of the known world lately.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

There are days when you feel wonderful without being able to attribute the feeling to any real event. Of course, your rational mind will search for a reason for your happiness.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

The day ahead should be excellent, Leo. For the past several days you've been searching for meaning in life. There have been changes in your chief occupation, new relationships.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) You will probably be perfectly in tune with the day ahead, Virgo. Of course, it's tempting to run away from the reality and hardships of the moment.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Don't try to control what happens today, Libra, because you won't be able to fathom what's going on. How could it be otherwise when collective currents are interfering with your life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This kind of strange day doesn't come around often, Scorpio. It will seem as though you no longer know what you want. Do you have a yen to take off for the other side of the globe.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21) Do other countries represent real openings for you? This is a question that you will soon have to answer. This may be true, but it may also be an illusion that gives you a simplistic explanation.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) = It You're going to think this is a strange period. It isn't, Capricorn. It's just that today won't be like others. Look around and you will see that people are either depressed or trying to keep up a good façade.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Today, Aquarius, you might get the chance to take a trip around the world to visit fabulous palaces and experience a timeless love, and all - get this - totally free! This could be called a sensitivity test.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You will float today, Pisces. You won't talk, you will be sleepy, and your mood won't be the best. OK, perfect! Get back into your novel, take several siestas.

Switzerland was captained by Granit Xhaka in Friday’s match, and Xherdan Shaqiri scored the opening goal in a 3-2 win that eliminated Serbia. Both Swiss players have ethnic Albanian roots and family ties to Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Serbia doesn’t recognize Kosovo’s sovereignty.

FIFA didn’t specify which incidents at Stadium 974 led to charges relating to ‘’misconduct of players and officials,’’ discrimination and ‘’misconduct of players and officials.’’

Anti-Kosovo chants were heard from the section of Serbia fans, who targeted Shaqiri with verbal abuse in the first half.

Several Serbia players in the dugout encroached on the field in the second half when the referee didn’t use video review to study a claim for a penalty kick.

FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, gave no timetable for the disciplinary case. Any punishments could apply when Serbia next plays competitive games in March in a European Championship qualifying group.

Essequibo captain Ravid Fredericks registered an even century as he led his team to a four-wicket victory over Berbice in the second match of the GCB Under-13 trials held yesterday at the National Gymnasium.

Fredericks’ century came off just 88 balls. His captains’ innings ensured Essequibo achieved their target of 182 with three balls to spare. Bowling for Berbice, Danish Singh took 2 wickets for 21 runs. Earlier, Richard Ramdeholl top scored for

struck 47.

Bacchus

chipped in with 29 and 29 not out respectively as Berbice made 181-5 off their allotted 30 overs.

Mark Abemuller was the pick of the Essequibo bowlers with figures of 2 for 9.

The third GCB Under-13 trial match will be played today, December 6, with Demerara taking on Essequibo at the Gymnasium from 10:00 hours.

Serbia’s Nikola Milenkovic, center, pushes Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka during the World Cup group (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Richard Ramdeholl Ravid Fredericks Berbice with an unbeaten 49, while Mahammed Balle

Arif

and Nathaniel Ramsammy

Pooran, Wiese, Little make Gladiators back-to-back Abu Dhabi T10 champions

Croatia beat Japan on penalties to reach World Cup quarter-finals

AL WAKRAH, Qatar, (Reuters) Croatia goalkeeper Dominic

Livakovic saved penalties from Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida before Mario Pasalic netted the winning spot kick in their 3 1 shootout win over Japan yesterday to reach the World Cupquarter-finals.

ESPNcricinfo - T10 is a funny game Twenty two men hit a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, Deccan Gladiatorsalwayswin.

Mushtaq Ahmed’s side entered the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Saturday eveningknowingtheyhadto win three games in successionovertheweekend if they wanted to retain their Abu DhabiT10 title and that isexactlywhattheydid.

Gladiators edged their way into the playoffs but were far too strong over the final weekend, defending theirtotalof94againstTeam Abu Dhabi in the eliminator before chasing successfully against Morrisville Samp Armyinthesecondqualifier

Given the advantage of chasinginshort-formcricket and the dew factor coming into play as the evening goes on, whoever won the toss in thefinalwasalwaysgoingto chase. On paper, the New York Strikers were the inform side after finishing top of the league stage. They went into the final on the back of a seven game winning streak and after winning the toss and choosing to chase, there was every hope that seven could turnintoeight.

But this is a Gladiators side that is now getting used to winning, and despite losing Suresh Raina, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, andAndre

Russell cheaply, captain Nicholas Pooran and David Wiese put on 74 in the last five overs to set Kieron Pollard’s team a target of 129. In a team of superstars, if one doesn’t get you, then anothercertainlywill.

The pair smartly played out the threatening Rashid Khan before taking on Jordan Thompson and Wahab Riaz. Wahab’s two overs alone went for 43 runs withWiesesmashinghimfor 24 in the eighth over Across nine games, Wiese had managed just 31 runs but he trumped that with an unbeaten43off18deliveries in the final. The big-hitting allrounderhadsavedhisbest withthebattillthelast.

Meanwhile, Pooran carried on his stunning form with 40 off 23 balls and finished as the highest runscorer of the tournament. No batter passed the 300 mark for Season 6 of the competition bar Pooran’s tally of 345 including more sixes(31)andfours(25)than anyone else. For a man in desperateneedofrunsaftera tough few months with West Indies, this tournament couldn’t have come at a better time for both his form andhiscaptaincy

“I had a challenging year this year so it was good to come and play cricket with a smile on my face and just enjoy it,” he said after the

game.

Pooran’s side were superb from ball one in the fieldbutinfairness,Strikers’ chase never got going. The in form Muhammad WaseemwasbowledbyJosh Little off the second ball of the innings and when Mohammad Hasnain removed the deadly Paul Stirling and the experienced Eoin Morgan in the second over, the game was as good asdone.

Azam Khan tried to counter by hitting Zahir Khan consecutively for four and six but he was done the nextdeliverybyonethatwas flighted up and Strikers’ misery went full circle when Pollard tactically retired towards the latter stages of theinnings.

Little returned to remove Pollard’s replacement Rashid for his tenth wicket of the tournament and finished with stunning figures of two wickets for fourrunsoffhistwooversto sealthetrophy

“Four years, three finals, twice winners It’s a w o n d e r f u l f e e l i n g altogether,” said Gaurav Grover, the owner of Gladiators. No side had ever defended their Abu Dhabi T10 title until Sunday evening and you’d be a fool to write off the Gladiators making it a hat-trick this timenextyear

Wi t h t h e s c o r e s deadlocked at 1 1 after an absorbing 90 minutes, Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma went closest in the scrappy half hour of extra time, forcing Livakovic to parry awayhis powerfuldrive Daichi Kamada had shot off target after a flowing Japan counter attack minutes before Daizen Maeda deservedly

put them ahead in the 43rd minute, firing home from close range after Ritsu Doan delivered an in swinging cross into the penaltyarea

Croatia forward Ivan Perisic, who was denied by Japan goalkeeper Shuichi

Gonda in the opening minutes, pulled them level 10 minutes into the second half after meeting Dejan Lovren’s cross with a powerfulheader

Croatia will face either Brazil or South Korea in the quarter-finals.

Ronaldo set to sign for Saudi side Al Nassr

SportsMax - Cristiano Ronaldo is set to sign for Saudi Professional League clubAl Nassr on a two-anda-half-year deal following his exit from Manchester United, according to reports.

The Portugal forward saw his stint at Old Trafford brought to an early conclusion by mutual agreement last month following an inflammatory interview with Piers Morgan where he revealed hisunhappinesswithUnited and their manager Erik ten Hag.

Ronaldo has been in action for Portugal at the WorldCupinQatar,scoring in their opening game of the tournament to become the first man to net at five

differentWorldCups.

The 37-year-old wished to leave United ahead of the 2022 23 season, and confirmed in his interview with Morgan that he had turned down a lucrative offer from a Saudi Arabian club.

However, Marca on Monday reported that Riyadh-based side Al Nassr areclosetosigningthefivetimeBallond’Orwinner.

A move to the gulf state would mark the end of Ronaldo’s illustrious career in Europe, having starred for United, Juventus and Real Madrid - indeed, he is Los Blancos’ record goalscorer No player has scored more in the Champions League than Ronaldo, who is also the

highest goalscorer in international football, with 188tohisname.

At Al Nassr, he is expected to net close to €200million per season, with additional economic incentives,asumthatwould make him the highest-paid athleteintheworld.

Al Nassr’s squad also includes Cameroon’s World Cup star Vincent Aboubakar and former Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina.

Ronaldo originally returned to United ahead of the 2021 22 campaign, but has mostly been frozen out under new boss Erik ten Hag this season, prompting an explosive interview that c o n t r i b u t e d t o h i s

departure

Deccan Gladiators won their second Abu Dhabi T10 title. (Abu Dhabi T10) Abu

Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic saves a penalty from Japan’s Takumi Minamino during the shootout. (REUTERS/Lee Smith)

Croatia’s Mario Pasalic scores a penalty during the penalty shootout to win the match and qualify for the quarter finals. (REUTERS/Matthew Childs)

Imperious Brazil smash Koreans 4-1 to reach quarters

DOHA, (Reuters) - An irrepressible, irresistible Brazil lit up the night sky yesterday with one of the performances of the World Cup to shred South Korea 41 and set up a quarter-final clashwithCroatia.

The Brazilians brought a beach soccer swagger to the iconic Stadium 974 with a display that simply overwhelmed the Koreans, and brought an end to Asian hopesatthetournament.

After Japan’s penalty shootout loss to Croatia earlier, and Australia’s loss

toArgentina,itmeansthatall three Asian Confederation teams were eliminated in the firstknockoutround.

Having failed to score in the first half of any match so far this tournament, fivetimes champions Brazil correctedthatwithfourgoals before the break, to end the match as any meaningful contestearlyon.

They took only seven minutestobreachtheKorean defenceforthefirsttime.

Raphina sliced through the red wall leaving several of its bricks flailing

on the ground — and, when his cross eluded the closelymarked Neymar, Vinicius Jr was at the far post, a picture of composure, to gently lift the ball over scrambling d e f e n d e r s a n d t h e desperately reaching goalkeeper

If the Koreans were winded by that early blow, worse was to come. Five minutes later Richarlison was hauled down in the penalty box and the referee instantlypointedtothespot.

Up stepped Neymar for a game of cat-and-mouse with KimSeung-gyu.

The Korean stood to the farrightofhisgoal.

Neymar waited, smiling. Finally, he trotted towards the ball in his faltering runup and left the wrong-footed keeper sitting in the middle of his goal as he stroked the ball home for his 76th Brazil goal — one shy of the great Pele’sinternationalhaul.

Brazil were effervescent in attack and organised in defence, restricting the South Koreans to long shots. By the half-hour mark it was 3-0, thanks to one of the best goalsofthetournament.

Richarlison won the ball back in an aerial duel, kept it by heading it several times –receiving a head in the face for his trouble then juggling it with his foot before laying off and, in an astonishing move which scythed the Koreans to shreds, ran onto an incisive pass from captain Thiago Silva to easily beat the goalkeeper Lucas Paqueta got in on the act, firing home in the 36th minute for 4-0. Brazil had too much quality up front, and were being given fartoomuchspace. That Brazil went in only 4-0 up was as much to do

with their profligacy as anything the Koreans could musterintermsofdefence.

With their elaborate goal celebrations, the Brazilians had done more dancing than defending in the opening 45 minutes and the second half followed a similar pattern, with goalkeeper Kim singlehandedly denying Brazil anotherhatfulofgoals.

T h e y e l l o w c l a d superstars launched wave after wave of attack as a raggedKoreatriedtoholdon forhonour

A more prosaic side would have added several goals early in the second half, but seemingly you

cannotturnBrazilonandoff, and chances went begging duetooverlyelaborateflicks or backheels when the simple solution would have workedbest.

Itcamebacktobitethem when Korean substitute Paik Seung ho thundered home a long distance screamer, aided by a slight deflection, to reward the red team for their endless industry with a consolation goal.

Brazil saw the game out spurning half a dozen goodchancesbeforetheend before unfurling a banner of Pele, and dancing once moretocelebratewithfans

England won’t fear France in World Cup showdown, says Saka

AFP - Bukayo Saka said yesterday England have no reason to feel inferior to France as they prepare to face the World Cup holders in a blockbuster quarter

final.

Fuelled by the brilliance of Kylian Mbappe, France have powered through to the last eight in formidable fashion as they look to retain

the trophy. Mbappe is the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals and his lethal form has convinced many pundits to make France the favourites in the last-eight showdown at the Al Bayt StadiumonSaturday

Even England boss Gareth Southgate conceded after his team’s 3-0 win against Senegal in the last 16 that France will pose the “acid test” of the Three Lions’title bid. But England forward Saka, who scored against Senegal after being selected instead of Marcus Rashford,isadamanthisside deserve as much respect as LesBleus.

“We know the qualities they have but we also know ourownqualities.We’vehad three clean sheets and at the same time we’ve scored the most goals (in the tournament),” Saka told reporters. “There’s a lot of tournament experience now Ifyoulookattheresultsfrom the last few tournaments we’vebeenin,we’vegottoa semi-final and a final. So when the big games come, we have a lot of players who

knowwhattheyneedtodo.

“We are feeling good right now Of course, we have to believe we can win the tournament.” - ‘So much quality’ - With the red-hot Mbappe providing the cutting edge to a formidable France attack, there have been suggestions Southgate should use a three man central defence in a bid to tametheholders.

Saka acknowledged France’s threat, saying: “There’s only one Kylian Mbappe. He’s up there with the best players in the world. “We know the quality he has andwehavetobepreparedto stop him. But not just him, France have lots of other qualityplayers.

“It will be a really difficult game We have performed quite well in our first four games. We just have to stay hungry ” However, Saka suggested England, scorers of 12 goals in four games, have done enough at this World Cup to show they can take the game to France rather than focus on containing them. “That’s no doubt the quality we have

in our team. We are blessed with an amazing frontline with so much quality,” Saka said.“I’mnotamanager,I’m a player I have to trust Gareth and his staff to preparethebestgame-plan.I don’t see us needing to change too much. “We all backthemanager

He has an unbelievable record in these big tournaments. We need to believe in him and stop doubting him.” England’s firstWorldCupmeetingwith France since 1982 is expected to be a tight affair and if penalties are required to settle the tie, Saka is ready to take one despite his Euro

2020 heartache. TheArsenal forward was one of three England players to miss during their shoot-out defeat against Italy in the Euro final.

“Obviously I’ve matured and progressed a lot as a playerandapersonsincethat moment,” he said. “I can never forget it. But coming out here and scoring three goals has lifted me a lot. The love I’ve received from the fans lifts me as well. “I wouldn’t have taken penalties for Arsenal if I wasn’t confident If the moment comes and I’m selected to take it, I will be morethanhappy.”

Bukayo Saka

Brazil’s Lucas Paqueta celebrates scoring their fourth goal. (REUTERS/Paul Childs)

Brazil’s Neymar, Eder Militao, Pedro, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Richarlison celebrate qualifying for the quarter finals. (REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji)

Kylian Mbappe

QPCC, George United dominate on tourney’s return

Aggressive England beat Pakistan by 74 runs in 1st test

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — England showcased its masterful approach of aggression in test cricket with a superb 74-run victory over Pakistan in the final session of thefirsttestonSunday

Needing 363 runs with eight wickets in hand on Day 5, Pakistan were dismissed for 268 against the reverse swing of James Anderson (4-36) and Ollie Robinson (4-50) — losingitslastfivewicketsforjust11runsaftertea.

Jack Leach wrapped up the game by having the last wicket of Naseem Shah, trapped leg before wicket, after England delayed the second new ball for well over an hour withAndersonandRobinsondoingthedamagewiththeold ball.

Pakistanalsosuccumbedtotherelentlessattackingfield settingsofEnglandcaptainBenStokesthroughoutthefinal day before Robinson and veteran Anderson sliced through thelowerorderwiththehostneeding86runs.

“Whatwe’vehadtodealwithcominginmakesthiswin even better,” Stokes said, referring to a virus that hit half of histeammatesontheeveofthematchbeforetheyrecovered in time for England’s first test in Pakistan in 17 years. “We wanted to come here and carry on with our mantra of excitingcricketandgivingourselvesanopportunitytowin. We’venointerestindrawing.”

ThewinonadocilePindiCricketStadiumwicketfirmly underlined England’s fearless aggressive approach under new coach Brendon McCullum, which saw them win six of theseventestmatchesbackhomethissummer

The 2022 edition of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival came to an exciting finish on Sunday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), where QPCC and George United claimed the Men’s and Women’s titles, respectively

The Trinidadian teams dominated to walk away withthreeofthefourtitlesin the four day tournament, which resumed for the first time since 2019 due to the pandemic.PepsiHikerswere defeated by QPCC, 3 - 7, as

the latter took the Men’s Title,GeorgeUnitedheldoff GBTI GCC to win 3 - 4 and claimtheWomen’stitle.

In the Over 35 final, Y M C A O l d F o r t ExpendablesgotpastQPCC, 8 - 6, while QPCC brushed aside YMCA Old Fort Legends, 5 - 9, in the Over 45final.

QPCC’s Jordan Vieira wasthehighestgoalscorerin the Men’s Division with 9, followed by TTPS’s Jordan Reynos and QPCC’s Akim Toussaint with seven goals each while Pepsi Hikers’ Jamarj Assanah was fourth

withsixgoals.

For the Over-35 final, Jerazeno Bell of QPCC topped the charts with a whopping 10 goals, Jonathan Roberts from the Expendables was second with eight while Sherwyn Caesar (Antonio’s Hikers) and Aderemi Simon (Expendables both finished withfivegoalseach.

The Over 45 Division had Roger Daniel from the Legendstopthetablewith11 goals while Bell had nine, GCC Vintage’s Dwayne Scott and Raphael Govia of QPCC both ended with eight

goalsapiece.

I n t h e Wo m e n ’s Division, George United’s Brianna Govia excelled with 12 goals while her teammate Savannah de Freitas was second with nine goals, Sonia Jardine of GBTI GCC had eight goals to her tally while Krizia Layne (George United) ended with seven goals.

This tournament was sponsored by Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL)the Gold sponsor, TCL Guyana Inc the silver sponsor and Banks DIH, the bronzesponsor

Robinson exposed Pakistan’s long tail soon after tea when he hadAgha Salman (30) trapped leg before and then Azhar Ali (40) fell in the fielding trap when Joe Root grabbedalowtwo-handedcatchinthelegslip.

Robinson had earlier ended the nearly four-hour defiance of one of the four Pakistan debutants – Saud Shakeel–inthesecondsessiontoabrilliantdivingcatchby KeatonJenningsasthelefthandertop-scoredwith76.

Andersonbrokethe87-runstandbyhavingMohammad Rizwan caught behind off a delivery which moved a shade outsidetheoffstumpandtooktheoutsideedgeofthebatas EnglandkeptoncominghardatthePakistanmiddle-order

Earlier, Anderson denied Imam-ul-Haq a half century after Pakistan resumed on 80-2 and reached 169-3 in the firstsession.

Shakeel completed his fifty while Rizwan, who took 45 minutes before scoring his first runs off the 24th ball he faced, reached 42 off the next 62 balls. But Stokes stuck to hisplanofplacingfieldersclosetothePakistanbatters.

Anderson had Imam caught down the legside by wicketkeeper Ollie Pope in the day’s sixth over as the lefthandertriedtoworkthefastbowleroffhiship.

Stokes dried up the runs by placing men close to Rizwan’s bat on both sides of the wicket, before the batter accelerated against the spinners to help Pakistan make 89 runsintheday’sfirstsession.

England had posted an electrifying 657, including a world-record 506-4 only on Day 1, and Pakistan responded with 579 to concede a 78-run lead on a grass-less wicket wheresevenbattersfrombothsidesscoredcenturies.

England made a bold declaration with another rapid 264-7 in just 35.5 overs on Day 4 and set Pakistan a challengingtargetof343infoursessions.

“We had an opportunity to win, but we couldn’t get partnerships going,” Pakistan captain Babar Azam said. “Our bowling was inexperienced and we didn’t bowl in the right areas in the first innings, but still we had a chance to chase down the total, but we missed the golden opportunity.”

England leads the three-match series with Multan hostingthesecondgamefromFriday,followedbythetestat Karachi.

Scores: England 657 (Brook 153, Crawley 122, Pope 108, Duckett 107) and 264 for 7 dec (Brook 87, Root 73, Crawley 50) beat Pakistan 579 (Babar 136, Imam 121, Shafique 114, Jacks 6-161) and 268 (Shakeel 76,Anderson 4-36,Robinson4-50)by74runs.

George United were crowned the Queens of the Hockey Festival.

AAGhopingtosendatleast20athletesto2023CARIFTAGames

ByRawleToney

Guyana could have a representation of at least 20 athletes at the 2023

C A R I F T A G a m e s , according to the president of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson.

Speaking to Kaieteu News yesterday, Hutson saidnextyear’sCARIFTA Games will be the first of many international meets forGuyaneseathletes.

“We’ve already started looking to putting things in place for CARIFTA 2023 We’r working on a system where instead of holding trials and having the athletes grind themselves out. So we’ll focus on the events that we’re currently doing and focus on those events,” Hutson said in an exclusive interview

The AAG found itself in an embarrassing dilemma in

Jamaica this year, where the 49th CARIFTAGames were held.

News of the team being short of funding for food, an extranight’sstayintheLand of Wood and Water, as

costing them approximately $10M, and they will soon finaliseplanstoapproachthe Government of Guyana and several notable corporate entitiesforassistance.

“Once we complete the calendar for next year, we’re moving to the budget for events, starting with the CARIFTA Games,” Hutson said.

Hutson said the new system will allow for an early encampment of the athletes

well as payments for COVID 19 testing made headlines throughout the local news spectrum; something Hutson said would not be repeated this year.

Hutson said the AAG foresee the 2023 games

At the 2022 games in Jamaica, Guyana ended their participation with seven medals two gold, three silver and two bronze while finishing f i f t h i n t h e m e d a l standings behind Trinidad and Tobago (23), British Virgin Islands (7), The Bahamas (17) and Jamaica (92)

Attoya Harvey and Anisha Gibbons won gold in

the 1500m and U20 Javelin respectively

However, Harvey’s memorable performance on the track left the competition inawe. Competing in the U17

eventatherfirstoutingatthe CARIFTA Games, Harvey won gold in the 1500m (4:45 75), silver in the 3000m (10:51 40) and bronze in the 800m (2:14.08).

silver (U17 400m), Javon Roberts silver (U17 1500m) and Adriel Austin –bronze (U20 800m)

the other medallists from the country’s13-memberteam.

England Women condemn Windies Women to 142-run defeat in opening ODI

ST JOHN’S,Antigua- England Women took a 1-0 lead over the WestIndiesWomenfollowingtheir 142-run victory in the first ODI at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in AntiguaonSunday

Batting first, England was led by Natalie Sciver, who scored a

game high 90 from 96 balls, amassed 307 7 from their 50 overs Sciver and Dani Wyatt shared in a fifth wicket partnership of 103 in just under 17 overs that took the match beyond the reach of the West IndiesWomen

Wyatt contributed 68 to the mammothtotal.

Tammy Beaumont (33) and Amy Jones (30) also made useful contributions.

Chinelle Henry was the best of the West Indies bowlers taking 359.AfyFletchertook2-66.

The West Indies Women were never able to cope with the demand of scoring more than six runs an over and unable to form useful partnerships, were bowled out for 165in40.3overs.

The exception was a 70 run second wicket partnership between Kycia Knight and Rashada Williams that produced a respectable 70 runs Both were dismissed for 39 and 34, respectively

Captain Hayley Matthews, who retired hurt early on, returned to score 34 for the home side

Charlie Dean took 4 35 and KateCross 2 27forthevictors

Matthews lamented her team’s inability to stick to the gameplan

“Both facets of the game (batting and bowling) we didn’t do what we wanted on a decent

and England was able to capitalizeonit,”thecaptainsaid “We’re going back to the drawingboardandseewhatwecan improve on in the next game. Our power play was pretty good but we letalittletoomanyrunsgobyinthe middle overs. It was good to see the partnership between Kycia and Rashada and I hope we can get a fewmoreofthose.”

Scores:EnglandWomen 307/7(50overs)

Nat Sciver 90ChinelleHenry10-1-59-3 DanniWyatt68 - Afy Fletcher10-0-66-2

WestIndiesWomen 165allout(40.3overs)

Kycia Knight 39CharlieDean9-0-35-4

Hayley Matthews 34 - Kate Cross8-1-27-2

RashadaWilliams34

PlayeroftheMatch:NatSciver

Narissa McPherson

are

Some members of team Guyana at the opening ceremony of the 2022 CARIFTA Games (Emmerson Campbell photo).

AAG president, Aubrey Hutson

Lauren Bell celebrates the wicket of Hayley Matthews. (CWI Media)

Chinelle Henry appealing to umpire Jacqueline Williams. (CWI Media)

Imperious Brazil smash Koreans 4-1 to reach quarters

Queen’s Park Cricket Club’s Hockey Team won the Men’s title at the 2022 edition of the Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival.