Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR NEWS

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

Most students

to return to

- Education Minister

Thursday Edition December 09, 2021 - Vol. 14 No.46 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 80,298

classroom in January

'Cash-strapped' GPL now borrowing to generate - CEO electricity …no pay hike for workers, likely increase in customers’ bill in new year

The protest continues ‘for change to ExxonMobil’s contract.

US Govt. calls on Guyana to 'stamp out’ corruption …says private sector actors must also answer for any role in corrupt practices

Gas-to-Shore Project Brace for to further impact more rains fisheries sector until Feb - civil society representative - Hydromet Office

'Don't let corruption limit your access to climate - CDB President tells financing' regional governments

Major oil companies showing interest in Guyana's only unlicensed deep-water block - Min. Bharrat says govt. committed to transparent bidding process Housing Ministry allocated $6B but spends $14B on projects outside their portfolio; GPL spends $7B more than what was not budgeted – where did those $15B come from? $15B is equal to 105% increase for every public servant, how come the Govt. can ONLY find $1B to give 7% increase? @11:00hrs on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

Kaieteur News

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Thursday December 09, 2021

Major oil companies showing interest in Guyana's only unlicensed deep-water block

Map showing Block C's proximity to other concessions offshore Guyana.

...Min. Bharrat says govt. committed to transparent bidding process

N

atural Resources M i n i s t e r, Vickram Bharrat has confirmed with Kaieteur News yesterday that major oil companies have indeed expressed “great interest” in Block C, Guyana's only unlicensed deep-water block, which borders the Kaieteur and Canje blocks.

He noted as well that one company is so interested that it has offered to do a seismic survey of the block “at no cost to Guyana.” The official was keen to note however that all interested parties will have to be patient until next year when Guyana is expected to launch its first bid round.

“The government's position as iterated by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo and President, Dr. Irfaan Ali is that a transparent process will be followed for the award of these blocks and the legislative and regulatory framework will be in place for us to secure the most

value for these assets…So yes, there is a lot of interest in Block C but we are committed to the people and ensuring that they are not short- changed.”

Minister Bharrat also stated that the government is keen on resisting the temptation to enter into any bilateral arrangements while stressing the need for citizens to secure maximum benefits from their resources. In addition to Block C which will be up for auction next year, Minister Bharrat said relinquished portions of offshore concessions will also be part of the mix. He recalled that this was noted last month by Vice President, Jagdeo.

Kaieteur News had reported the Vice President as saying that the historic oil blocks auction will occur in the third quarter of 2022. He had said the government will be looking to auction new blocks which will now require that it aggressively

enforces the relinquishment provisions in the contracts it has with companies such as ExxonMobil, Tullow, and Repsol.

The Vice President had said, “We have been caught up with now trying to put in place the architecture for the management of the industry but now we have to move to enforcement and then a u c t i o n i n g . ” To go to an auction however, Jagdeo said the government would have to make several policy decisions. “We will have to get someone who has done this before. We have to get technical help. Secondly, we have to also make a decision like some countries are doing, whether we want to invest, like Suriname is doing, to shoot 3D seismic

and then auction the block with seismic data which gives us a higher price.”

If it decides against this, Jagdeo had said the government could decide to just auction the areas as is since it would ultimately have to stand the costs associated with the 3D

seismic survey. Another key consideration he said is whether government should preclude existing companies such as ExxonMobil to be part of the bidding round. It should be noted that ExxonMobil is the only company, which has a hold on the largest acreage in the

Guyana basin. If it acquires more, it would only serve to increase its monopoly.

“So we have to make that policy decision…,” the Vice President noted while adding that if there is need to amend the laws in the future to allow for this auction to take place then it would certainly occur.

Most students to return to

Education classroom in January - Minister Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand on Wednesday said that from January 2022 all students attending secondary schools with the exception of those in Grade Seven will return for full face-to-face learning.

The minister made the announcement at an event in Region Three at the West

Demerara Secondary School. She was at time encouraging students to get vaccinated when she noted that the Ministry of Education will be opening schools fully for Grades 8,9,10,11 & 12 students from January next year.

At the ceremony yesterday, the minister said, “We can no longer continue

with the level of distancing because this thing where you come in - one day a week, two days a week - is not working.”

She explained that with the current plan in place for students, they would not be able to complete the curriculum in time for their examinations. “We can't finish a curriculum and if we can't finish the curriculum, we are failing you, it means that you are going into the exams room unprepared and so next year, come January 3 , grades 8,9,10,11 and 12 will all be expected to come out to school fully,” the Minister related.

As for the students in Grade 7, given that majority of the students have not reach the age of 12 and have not been vaccinated, the Minister said plans would be put in place for them to attend school. She also mentioned that no doors would be closed for students if they are vaccinated or not, but she is encouraging students to get inoculated.

Currently, children ages 12 to 17 are receiving only the US-made Pfizer vaccine.

“The school doors will not

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand. be closed for any child whether vaccinated or not but whether vaccinated or not, every child will come to school from Grade 8,9,10 11 and 12 come January,” she reiterated.

Apart from that, if a student does not want to attend school, Manickchand assured that students will be allowed and offered the Ministry's online learning materials. “You will have to take the responsibility of using those materials wisely,” she told the students. Meanwhile, a new (Continued on page 16)

Thursday December 09, 2021

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US Govt. calls on Guyana to 'stamp out’ corruption As the world today observes, International AntiC o r r u p t i o n D a y, t h e government of the United States of America, has called on governments—including Guyana—“to announce meaningful commitments and initiatives, and to engage with civil society and the private and philanthropic sectors, since they play a critical role in supporting d e m o c r a c y, f i g h t i n g corruption, and protecting human rights.”

The sentiments were espoused in a statement by the US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann-Lynch, who noted that the occasion coincides with US President, Joe Biden, “hosting a virtual Summit for Democracy, at which (Guyana's) President (Irfaan) Ali, has confirmed his attendance.”

According to the US Ambassador, “Governments and institutions around the globe cannot allow corruption to flourish.”

To t h i s e n d , s h e suggested, “constructing a legislative framework that deters corrupt practices and promotes transparency is an essential step in addressing corruption.”

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e Ambassador pointed to enhancing the capabilities of criminal justice institutions, to investigate and prosecute corruption as being crucial to exposing malign influence.

…says private sector actors must also answer for any role in corrupt practices “…corruption threatens security, hinders economic growth, and siphons away public and private resources,” US Ambassador

US President, Joe Biden

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann-Lynch Government operations, she said, needs to be, “transparent, such that citizens and the media can provide oversight and hold officials accountable.”

According to the Ambassador, “procurement processes that comply with international anti-corruption standards will ensure a level playing field for investors.”

To this end, she posits, “private sector actors must also answer for any role that they play in corrupt practices, and when choosing private sector partners, it is advisable to choose the reputable over the most convenient. Most importantly, a robust civil society and free press are critical to holding leaders responsible for their actions.

“ The Ambassador noted that in Guyana, the U.S. State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has focused on training and mentoring those in the criminal justice sector to build their capacity to fight corruption.

She noted that in 2018, the Guyana Public Service Commission was reconstituted after a 13-year hiatus and that this was a step towards ensuring fairness and transparency in the public service system.

She drew reference to the fact that Guyana also passed the Protected Disclosures (Whistleblower) Act in 2018, which seeks to protect persons making disclosures

Head-of-State, President Irfaan Ali from retribution from others, including within the public service.

These kinds of legislative reforms, she said, are necessary parts of a successful plan to fight corruption. “In the United States, politicians and corporations alike know that there are consequences ranging from jail time to hefty fines if they engage in corrupt activities or violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.” She said, “our engagement through

multilateral bodies, including the region's main anticorruption body – the OAS' Mechanism for the Implementation of the InterAmerican Convention against Corruption – helps build strong international anti-corruption standards and ensures countries stay true to their obligations around transparency, accountability, and integrity.”

As such, the Ambassador noted that the US Government looks forward to the Guyana government's initiatives to combat corruption, including Natural Resource Fund legislation that offers both transparency and clear oversight, and to a meaningful and inclusive process of stakeholder

engagement.

This, in addition to a strong anti-corruption stance now, “will show Guyanese citizens, and the rest of the world, that the government is committed to transparent institutions that utilise the country's resources to the long-term benefit for all Guyanese.”

International Anticorruption Day is an annual opportunity to bring attention to the continued importance of combating corruption, ensuring accountability, and fostering transparency.

According to the Ambassador “around the world, corruption threatens security, hinders economic growth, and siphons away public and private resources.

Judge refuses to recuse self in former, current AG libel case J

ustice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in refusing an application by Former Attorney General (AG) Basil Williams SC, for her to recuse herself from a libel case filed against him by the current AG, Anil Nandlall ruled that there is no likelihood of bias on her part.

Williams' application has its origin in a libel suit filed against him on April 4, 2017

by Nandlall SC, who sought damages for slanderous statements, which he alleged Williams made about him and the theft of law books at a press conference. In response to the lawsuit, Williams had always denied the libel action, and in his defence, contended that at the time he made the statements, he was speaking in his capacity as

Attorney General, the custodian of State assets, and had a duty to give transparent answers.

He had complained of Justice Sewnarine-Beharry's granting several adjournments when the libel suit came up for hearing, and that her decision to halt the case on December 5, 2019, pending the determination of the criminal charge against Nandlall raised the likelihood of bias on the part of the Judge. Williams argued that it predetermines issues raised by him as the court attached greater importance to the outcome of the charge rather than the charge itself.

He pointed to “the great disparity in the award of costs

by Justice SewnarineBeharry against him compared with awards

against Nandlall,” as proof of this biasness.

However, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry held that her decision to stay the proceedings was in furtherance of the overriding objective of the court to do justice to the parties. She said it was also in keeping with the court's responsibility to actively manage cases in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules of 2016. In this regard, Rule 25.02(1)(c)(iv) empowers the court in actively managing cases to stay the whole or part of any proceedings generally, or until a specified date or event. It is of particular importance that this decision of 5th December 2019 was not appealed,” the Judge noted in a ruling delivered

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall SC. this week.

In his Statement of Claim Nandlall, complained that Williams said he would be charged criminally for missing law books unaccounted for during his previous tenure as Attorney General between 2011 and 2015. Nandlall was subsequently charged in 2017 with the offence of larceny by bailee.

The charge, which was

Basil Williams SC. w ithdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in October 2020, had alleged that between May 18 and May 29, 2015, while being a bailee in his capacity as Attorney General, Nandlall fraudulently converted 14 Commonwealth Law Reports valued at $2.3M, property of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, to his own use and benefit. Nandlall had

always denied the allegation, stating that the charge was politically motivated and as a result of him constantly c r i t i c i s i n g Wi l l i a m s ' performance as Attorney General. Nandlall's complaint is that Williams had said at that press conference that he (Nandlall) would be charged for missing law books, unaccounted for during his (Nandlall's) tenure as Attorney General between

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Kaieteur News

Thursday December 09, 2021

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

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

EDITORIAL

Foreigners know how to do business

We say a public ‘thank you’ to Dr. Janette Bulkan, a Guyanese attached to British Columbia University’s Department of Forest Resources Management. Dr. Bulkan is one of those in the thin ranks of knowledgeable and outspoken Guyanese, who lets the facts and figures tell their own story. It is the usual sickening one in Guyana, where our natural resources are concerned, as she made clear in a headline article for us: “Guyana loses $$$M annually while Chinese manufacturers gain -as GFC misrepresents data to disguise overharvesting -Dr. Bulkan” (KN November 27).

As we commend this frank speaking Guyanese, we also must recognise that the foreigners who come here to do business in our rich natural resources sector know how to do business. And when talking about knowing and doing business, there are none better than Chinese companies.

They get things done their way, on their terms. It is as if they own the natural resources of nations, wherever they go and setup shop. Look at the record of Africa, another resource-rich place, a whole continent of such vital game changing resources. The latest is how the Chinese have gained the advantage over America in Africa for a resource called cobalt, which is essential for electric-car batteries, and is mainly found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where two-thirds of the world’s cobalt is produced (New York Times, November 24).

But we are more concerned about Guyana, and what is happening in our timber industry. The numbers are there in our story, as provided by Dr. Bulkan, of the slick “transfer pricing” mechanism, involving port insurance charges utilised by the Chinese that bring many gains, as in millions, for them, while we are left with crumbs. To make matters worse, when Guyanese agencies and Guyanese citizens leading them and working in them should be looking out for the interests of this nation and its poor peoples, they are going in the opposite direction, as in betraying and selling us out. This is what Dr. Bulkan placed square in the lap of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). We ask our fellow citizens to take note: it is the Guyana Forestry Commission, and not a Chinese Forestry Commission that is misleading us. What the Guyanese Forestry professor said was that the GFC was fudging the numbers in its reports to misinform the nation. Also, the GFC was delaying its reports to make them lose their relevancy because regular people have moved on and lack the interest to focus, sometimes even care. Further, the GFC was making these scarcer and scarcer reports less informative. And that the GFC allows overharvesting of certain species, which Guyanese have to do without, or obtain at great cost.

Without a doubt, the foreigners, with the Chinese standing as kings of the heap, know how to do business.

But look at us: from successive corrupted, weakened and failed governments to leashed and compromised state agencies that, not only join in foreigners to swindle us, but also actually are so barefaced and callous that they play tricky games with what they document and present to us publicly. That is, when they do put things in the public domain. We know that our governments have been crooked, and we at this paper have not letup on that, because the facts are there, and the slinking, concealing behaviours of our leaders confirm their many malpractices. But it is asking too much for us(at this publication and Guyanese, in general) to have to deal with public servant professionals who stoop low to engage in what we would call obscene conduct. To get it right, and register sharply the point, we restate that as the shady world of their many misconducts.

We go on like this, where nobody is standing up and speaking out, then we will not only live in poverty, with foreigners from all over robbing us, but we will die in wretched poverty, too. When there are no ethical and credible whistleblowers, then all that we have are lies and coverups.

The foreigners are making hay, while the Guyanese people are eating it, thanks to their criminal governments and their long line of willing conspirators in the public service.

TRADE UNIONIST’S RESPONSE TO GPL’S LETTER – THE BOARD HAS EXPIRED DEAR EDITOR, Permit me the space in your newspaper to respond to GPL’s letter printed on Sunday, December 5, 2021 in Kaieteur News, captioned; “GPL’s response to concerned Trade Unionist.”

Firstly, the Public Relations Unit of GPL needs to appraise itself on the life of the Board of Directors of GPL. However, permit me the opportunity to so eloquently inform the PRU of GPL. It was printed in several daily newspapers relative to the formation of the Board of Directors of GPL. INews outlet stated, “The appointments were published in the Official Gazette under the hand of Minister of

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira and took effect Thursday August 27, 2020 for a period of one (1) year.” DPI stated, “Cabinet has approved the appointment of a new Board of Directors for the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) and the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL).” Both news agencies printed this information on September 4, 2020. I will let the readers decipher for themselves the life of the Board given the following: 1.

The date it was installed and 2. The period/term of the Board. It would become clear to all that the Board’s life has expired, unless GPL’s Public Relations Unit can show that

the Official Gazette has it differently.

Further, Editor, it is clear that the PRU is writing on behalf of the Management of GPL, and I would like to take this opportunity to relate a message to the Management.

The Union has written to GPL expressing its willingness to accept the seven percent increase in wages and salaries, after being reliably informed that the Government of Guyana is willing to extend the seven percent increases to GPL’s category of workers pursuant to paragraph 4 of circular No. 1/2021 of the Ministry of Public Service dated November 19, 2021, which

states that the Finance Secretary of the Ministry of Finance can be approached by non-traditional public servant agencies, who are willing to pay their workers the Government’s seven percent increases offered. To this end, Editor, GPL’s Management nor its contentious Board has sought to approach the Union in good faith on this matter.

It is my respectful position that this proactive Public Relations Unit of GPL seeks to inquire into this matter on behalf of the Union and respond expeditiously.

Regards, Trade Unionist

GUYANA’S NATURAL RESOURCES FUND ACT IS DEEPLY FLAWED

DEAR EDITOR, The Stabroek News’ recent editorial entitled “The China Loan” suggested that Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund Act (establishing our sovereign wealth fund) required only “… some minor tweaks …” before it could safely become fully operational. I disagree. In fact, I strongly disagree.

The NRF Act is deeply flawed in ways that are already having a significant impact on Guyana’s development and its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

None of Guyana’s US$198M in oil earnings during 2020 was available to support frontline health workers, buy vaccines, support affected businesses and unemployed workers, provide internet for online schooling, etc. Further, the Fund is not yet in a position to let the Government know how much of the Fund’s US$534M cash balance the Government can have in 2022, after the Fund has had its fill!

So, one must wonder how planning for the 2022 budget is going. How will Guyana finance the expansion of services, jobs, infrastructure and regional development that the country now surely

expects, a full two years after First Oil? So, what’s wrong with the NRF? There are two immediate problems.

First, with regards to its relationship with government, this is a “tail wags the dog” sovereign wealth fund. Second, there is a hubristic amount of “mission overreach” in the Fund’s purpose. Article 21 of the Act, “Deposits into Fund”, instructs that “Petroleum revenues shall be directly paid into a bank account denominated in United States of America Dollars and held by the Bank as part of the Fund.” Article 22 “Withdrawals from the Fund” and the whole of Parts VI and VII of the Act then elaborate the procedures for getting money back out again.

Withdrawals go into the Consolidated Fund where, only then, do they become available to the country’s budget. This ‘Fund before Country’ arrangement is a major structural error in the establishment of the NRF. It’s as if you took your whole salary and locked it into a long-term deposit account from which withdrawals are difficult and, only then,

PPP/C must try meaningful consultations

DEAR EDITOR, The PPP/C needs to reassess its paternalistic approach to development.

The Government approach (as in the case of gasto-shore pipeline project, Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project, ExxonMobil/Guyana oil contract) is more along the line of “We have decided that this is right for Guyanese, so we are going to do it regardless of what everyone thinks”.

When, in fact, the approach that the PPP/C Gov-

ernment needs to take is more MEANINGFUL CONSULTATIONS with Civil Society.

The projects (MAY) be great for Guyanese, but unless there are more meaningful consultations, we will never get optimal return for Guyanese. This Government needs to start working in the best interest of Guyanese, and not only in the best interest of investors like ExxonMobil.

Yours faithfully, Sean Ori

started to worry how to get money for family dinner that night! Not only that, but you’ve also arranged for the bank manager, not you, to decide how much of your own money you can get for meals!

It is this structural error (together with the inexplicable government delay in addressing the problem) that has led to the ridiculous position where US$534M sits in a bank in New York, while Guyana’s developmental needs continue to increase without adequate redress. The country’s finances are being wagged by the tail of their own construct, the NRF. Article 3 of the Act, “Establishment of Natural Resource Fund” describes the purpose of the NRF. Four aspects are itemised, the first two of which are; a) “Ensuring that volatility in natural resource revenues do [sic] not lead to volatile public spending”, and b) “Ensuring that natural resource revenues do not lead to a loss of economic competitiveness”. Well, that’s going to be a problem! The problem being that the management of these macroeconomic bugbears (often identified with the ‘Dutch disease’ complex) goes far beyond the remit of most sovereign wealth funds.

They are quite clearly tasks for government. Ascribing these responsibilities to the NRF can, euphemistically, be

described as “mission creep” but on a scale that few would dare to contemplate! It is governmental economic policy, marshalled through the agencies of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic Planning and Business Development (hmm, we don’t have one of those!), the Central Bank, the NRF and the Financial Sector, that has the scope and reach to manage these macroeconomic tasks. In so doing the NRF does have a role to play, most notably by being a ‘sink’ into which excess cash in the economy, with its potential to foster inflation, can be neutralised.

In a properly conceived and managed sovereign wealth fund, that excess cash should not only be kept out of circulation, but be invested to build a resource for future national projects, generations and for the amelioration of disasters. To return to that Stabroek News editorial, what is certainly true is the editor’s insistence that fixing the NRF is urgent. Lulling the population into acceptance of growing oil earnings, which are not being deployed to deliver the uplift in personal and national development that many expect, is a recipe for bad governance. There are few that wish to endure the consequences.

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

APOLOGY Yesterday we published a letter, Elder abuse is domestic violence too, sections of which cast the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security in an unwarranted bad light, since an official revealed that while a legitimate case was cited, this was done with some inaccuracies. According to the official, the Ministry has done everything within its capacity to deal with the matter, a status the letter writer was made aware of. For any embarrassment caused, we at Kaieteur News apologise.

Thursday December 09, 2021

Local lunatic fringe DEAR EDITOR, There is this national lunacy fashionable in several circles. Many with less than minimal smarts are placing ‘doctor’ (Dr.) before their names. The question is no longer: is there a doctor in the house? Rather, it is what to make of Dr. Lecter (oil); Dr. Fu Manchu (transparency).

Incredibly, I stumbled upon a Dr. Sarah Lynch in Conversations with Devil.

Every fraud that is a witch doctor, spin doctor, honorary doctor is here bringing puking. With all those doctors around, Guyana doesn’t have patients anymore; God help those who fall under their spell. The only people we should recognise as real doctors are the likes of Dr. Frank Anthony, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, Dr. VanWest Charles and kindred practitioners. I add the brotherhood (sisterhood too) of Dr. Clive Thomas and Dr. Thomas Singh, who all put in required time, and gained

actual academic recognitions and distinctions. All these other fakirs running around with mock titles insult the intelligence of Guyanese. In the special case of Guyana’s head-of-state, I limit myself to His Excellency and President, no more. The honorifics are more in deference to the office than to the holder. But begone with this gathering lunacy, where every Tom, Dick, and Jenny annoint themselves with the prestige of unearned, uncalled for, and uncouth association with things doctorate.

To repeat, Guyana is a national lunatic asylum; there is no fringe anymore, since this woeful medical condition at the individual level keeps extending by thousands of kilometres, infecting much of the population. We have a country with two presidents, one a stealth president, the other the real power, which consigns the first to being a safety pin/hairnet of convenience, the stealth one

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Kaieteur News

a radioactive presence.

Nowhere in the world can one find an equivalent embarrassing farce. From Iraq, Americans unveiled Baghdad Bob, a global joke, and one Chemical Ali, their handy media terrorist. In 2020, a new set of Americans came here, and repeated process, practice, and profanity.

Guyanese should figure out who is who.

It is said that Guyana is poised to have the highest GDP per capital. It also houses adubious honour: the highest per capita social media running dogs (I love the Red Chinese, not the green capitalist ones; all knew where they stood). We also harbour the highest per capita political criminals, white collar criminals, and oil criminals.

The first home for most of them is Freedom House and Congress Place; private sector next, places of worship last. Street criminals are the best of the bunch.

(Continued on page 6)

Fake vaccination cards endanger all of us - how many circulating?

DEAR EDITOR, ‘Too late and too few’ is my reaction, as I am reading that “Two nurses and a screening officer of the Ministry of Health were on Tuesday charged for selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards, days after they were busted in separate police sting operations on the East Coast and East Bank Demerara.” This, as it stands, is symptomatic of frightening reality.

These are my questions: How many others are still operating, as I know many do have, and more will have fake vaccination cards? And is there a national data base, where lost vaccinations cards can be replaced? This is really a national horror. Guyana now has a pandemic within the bigger COVID-19 one.

Somehow, the COVID-19 reality has become trivial, and

adds to the many other cultural manifestations in this land. For example, no one is really ‘up-in-arms’ regarding noise and any other environmental breaches, slow/no police responses, random garbage dumping and no receipts from many stores. etc.

An extra word on this health crisis is in order, and it is that we are talking about endangering so many compliant and careful persons, when ‘proof’ for vaccination is available, but the proof is fake, and well accepted. It is good that the police did break through one ring, but how many others are out there?

The details show that “Andel Valentine, age 32 years old, of Lot 2136 La Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, and Teneka Pollard, age 29 years old, of Lot 109 Golden Grove EBD, and Olivia Bonus, 21

year-old all appeared at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Judy Latchman on charges of forgery of document with Intent to Defraud the Public, Contrary to Section 278 of the Criminal Law Offence Act Chapter 8:01.” Well, my big hope is that if found guilty indeed, then condign punishment will be meted out, and that this will serve as a kind of deterrent for those still engaging in facilitating the fakes.

Let me close by stating that this situation is not unique to Guyana. This is so since many people are reluctant to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and yet desire the full freedom of the vaccinated.

So, the need for the false cards is a reality, and compromising staff in the COVID-19 (Continued on page 6)

PAGE 6

Was total silence on Mr. Shuman’s part, the Govt.’s price for giving him the post of Deputy Speaker DEAR EDITOR, In recent days there have been a number of emanations from both the Deputy Speaker and the Government that, for want of a better term, reads like a ‘lovers’ quarrel’. It would be good if the Deputy Speaker can inform the public under what conditions did he accept the job with the

Government and the post of Deputy Speaker, since, from the emanations from the Government side, it would appear that those posts came with the price of his unconditional support with no room for criticism.

The answers provided by Mr. Shuman would help the public decide on whether he

is a political opportunist, or whether the Government does not intend to tolerate criticisms from anyone associated with it.

Either way, as we are seeing in this latest saga, politics overtakes the real issues to the detriment of the citizens.

Suryaveer

FAKE VACCINATION CARDS...

From page 5 workforce are already ready for a ‘quick and easy buck.’

According to the leading experts, this kind of thing could lead to outbreaks of the virus, over and over again.

So, we must tighten all security measures regarding ‘proof of being vaccinated.’

Maybe, like they are doing in many places, the Ministry of Health can employ the GRA system of how they is-

Thursday December 09, 2021

Kaieteur News

sue drivers’ licences.

This must start immediately too, as the fake card phenomenon is extremely dangerous.

And concerning those who are careless and nonprofessional, I suggest that they be fired.

The word from the Health Minister, is that his Ministry is working on a system to generate digital versions of the COVID-19 vaccination card.

However, he did not give details regarding a definitive timeline for the completion and release of a digital card, but he noted that employees of the Ministry are in the process of creating electronic copies of the cards, as part of the first step towards digitising the system.

This is not good enough.

Urgency is required.

Yours truly, P. Mann

Bonsai tree politics has stunted this society DEAR EDITOR, It is foolish to celebrate broken systems! There may be hope for people and things that are broken since such people and things can be fixed, but broken systems must be replaced! It is my view that some political parties fall under the broken systems category. Persisting with them will never bring success or betterment for the nation and people they represent.

These groups are like the Chinese’s bonsai trees, they may age, but they are so set in their ways that they cause nations to be stunted.

This error of retaining dinosaur-like political parties and failed political figures have caused much damage to many countries of the so called developing world, where issues such as tribal and ethnic politics have resulted in the people of these nations being manipulated by selfish people whose agenda is to enrich themselves and not that of na-

tional development.

I have had the privilege of growing up in the Caribbean during the time of great leaders like L.F.S. Burnham, Michael Manley, Fidel Castro and Cheddi Jagan. These leaders were all for developing their nations and uplifting their people. Their promotion of the trade union movement and other issues, such as free education have benefited many. So also, was their involvement with the NonAligned Movement, which saw the coming together of great nations and their leaders.

It was Michael Manley who said, “we know what that system has meant for us…And tell them anytime they are willing to deal with an honourable Jamaica built on principle, sovereignty, pride and dignity, then we will talk the investment of the money. But if we are to return to our knees, they can keep the money we will find another way.” He was address-

ing Capitalism and Colonialism at the time.

There seems to be a lack of respect for the values pointed out by Mr. Manley in much of the politics shown by some today. And in local Caribbean politics, some seem to be bent on seeing to it that their countrymen who do not look like them return to their knees. The regional unity called for by the four great men who signed that famous CARICOM agreement seems to have fallen on deaf ears.

The language of many in government is now rifled with the “we” and “them” phrase.

I solemnly hope that there will be a return to that kind of thinking as attested to by Mr. Manley, who was confident of finding a better way for his people, and ridding ourselves of selfish agendas, which only benefit those in power and their friends, or those who look like them. I am fed up with this bonsai politics masquerade!

Apostle Adrian Wade

LOCAL LUNATIC FRINGE...

From page 5 The local lunatic fringe is no longer limited to Guyanese. A foreign group came here for principled work with oil management and protections and engaged in low trickeries.

It somehow took (mistook) a man’s signature and plunked it down on a piece of paper in a poor impersonation of corporate ethics.

Of all the signatures in the world, the signature of a remarkably ubiquitous Guyanese was affixed to a sensitive document, with the claim of FDA and USDA approved.

It was Lady Macbeth comes to Guyana; I thought she was more Scottish, and less American.

I thought, too, that Guyanese had a lock on the lunacy attributes, only to find Americans having fun. ‘Me thinks’, I need to get my own head checked.

The lunacy entity of the year must go to GECOM. I appreciate that GECOM is merely an extension of Freedom House and Congress Place, but the people there have enough wisdom to recognise a viral, chemical, bacteriological, and germicidal time bomb in forcing the process to the selection of Mr. Vishnu Persaud, and no one else.

Only fools go where the gods

hesitate. Don’t replace Lowenfield with (another) sure loser, a Mingo with a Visho. This must be sheer lunacy, since nothing from him would ever be given credence.

NOTHING! Not even that sham of the shortened short list of two to house a foreigner. Everybody knows that Vishnu is the man.

Like a known volcano, Guyana’s Parliament is tense, but quiet of late. Eruptions in check momentarily. No dildos, hand pumps, verbal contraptions, mental concoctions, facial expressions (with tongues sticking out suggestively). I wonder if the toys that were displayed in the 1st quarter in parliament will reappear for Christmas.

We have lunatics for lawmakers; lowlifes and loudmouths and closet lechers inside the House of the People crafting laws that would supposedly benefit citizens, but who are themselves the worst of lawbreakers. These are the people children pelt bricks at; call them disparaging names.

How can there be law in this land, with lunatics like these running loose? They are still there, strutting around, but behaving themselves for the time being.

That is, until the next lunatic parliamentary flareup.

I am waiting for someone to strip naked.

It’s coming.

Hourly, stunning confirmation comes of a country gone to swine and snakes. A hale and hearty

fellow took it upon himself to speak of role models. Then, he put foot in mouth and lips into toilet bowl with identification of role models worthy of imitation, which called for a lot of stomach.

The Brits would say someone is off their rocker.

Indeed, a prime candidate for Guyana’s ballooning lunatic fringe. When we talk about real role models, there are those unsung public servants (little people), police officer refusing bribes ($700,000); nurses and teachers delivering their duty without a whiff of suspicion or taint, because neither is there. They worship God, not obscene cult leaders and cast.

So, when we speak of role models let us look at those with ethical and moral resonances, not and moneychangers masqueraders.What’s w r o n g w i t h G u y a n a ’s leaders? Barbados rid itself of colonialism, imperialism, elitism, maternalism, mercantilism, and

medievalism. Down with the Queen.

S o r r y, H e r R o y a l Highness, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor.

Rather smartly, Barbados kept capitalism. Barbados was bold enough (Mama Mia!) to give the British the boot. Why is Guyana (Ali, Ali, Ali) kowtowing before America, and enslaving this country to China? Lunacy is in the national bloodstream, from head to toe.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Thursday December 09, 2021

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Thursday December 09, 2021

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'Cash-strapped' GPL now borrowing to …no pay hike for workers, likely increase generate electricity in customers’ bill in new year - CEO The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is currently operating at a G$2.6B deficit while surviving on loans, leading to a situation where, not only will the company's workers not be benefitting from any increases in wages and salaries for this year, but there is also the likelihood of customers' bills being hiked next year.

A stark contrast to the financial situation the power company was in under the previous administration, evident in the removal of the multi-billion subsidy that was being handed to the utility company annually.

The damning situation was laid bare yesterday, by the utility's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bharrat Dindyal, who along with other executives briefed media operatives on GPL's preparedness for the Christmas season. The revelations outlined were among some of the glaring admissions made by the power company's boss, during the press engagement, held at the GPL's Headquarters, Duke Street Kingston.

He told media operatives, that GPL's situation is in such dire

straits, that at the end of October this year, the power company would have already spent some US$69.7M in fuel for power generation—some US$26.6M more than it had anticipated.

In fact, Dindyal said, the power company anticipates that by the end of the year, it would have to spend some US$35M more than it had anticipated.

Additionally, there was the disclosure that the power company has in its Demerara Berbice, Interconnected System (DBIS), together with the isolated grids in Essequibo, a total generation capacity presently of some 182.5MW. This information was disclosed by Bharat Harjohn, the entity's Divisional Director of Operations, who during the briefing, outlined that while persons would expect that December would see peak demands, this is not the case.

According to Harjohn, in light of the recent changes on weather patterns, it has been observed that during the month of October, electricity demands spike to their highest at some 136MW, and as such, the company is

GPL's CEO, Bharrat Dindyal (right) and Bharat Harjohn, the entity's Divisional Director of Operations.

confident that it will have sufficient generation capacity for the upcoming holiday season. This, since GPL would have in excess of 40MW in reserve generation capacity.

Pressed on the losses, despite the base load capacity, the CEO conceded that the power company currently experiences technical and commercial losses at some 26 percent.

He quantified this, to mean some G$16B being lost annually.

According to the GPL CEO, loses of some $5B are directly related to the theft of electricity. This is in addition to losses incurred as a result of tampering and other mechanisms.

Additionally, he said, the technical line losses amount

for some 11 percent of losses.

As such, it would mean that GPL loses in excess of 18MW directly through losses in the aged transmission and distribution network.

Referencing the planned maintenance works for the year, at a cost in excess of $500M scheduled to be completed by December 15.

At this point in time, the planned maintenance having come to an end, would see the teams being deployed for emergency responses.

Dindyal did note that the investments in maintenance was targeting the reliability of the system and as such would not impact on the system losses significantly.

Compounding the situation with regard to

losses, he cited as example that between 2015 and 2021, “we have seen an additional 15,000 street lamps being installed, the majority of those by private persons.”

Lamenting the state of affairs, the GPL CEO said, electricity theft in Guyana is a “huge problem; it is an ongoing problem.”

Lamenting the failure of the power company to effectively police losses as a result of theft, Dindyal pointed to a backlog of cases in the court system.

Meanwhile, as it relates, to employees, the power company boss said there will be no salary increases or bonus paid out this year, owing to the company's financial situation.

According to Dindyal, it is simply a case where the power company was unable to afford it.

He told media operatives, “the unions are aware that coming to the end

to the year we started discussions with them on the CBAs (Collective Bargaining Agreements); we have been trying for the last three years to discuss multiyear CBA but the sticking issue has always been remuneration.

Speaking directly to this year, Dindyal said, “we essentially don't have, from a business standpoint, we don't have enough money to pay an increase.”

To this end, he explained that in discussion with the Ministry on a particular increase, “it has to be discussed in the context of how it's funded.”

He said, “…we know that seven percent has been awarded to public servants and the expectation of the union currently is that they would get the seven percent.”

To this, he responded with the question, “is it sustainable” and sought to argue that GPL wages are already among some of the highest in the country.”

Dindyal told media operatives nonetheless “we are still waiting on a detailed discussion, essentially, and mandate on what we can offer to the union.”

He did note, however that at present the company is unable to pay any increases.Dindyal was quick (Continued on page 16)

Liverpool man hospitalised after chopping incident Police are investigating an alleged chopping incident that occurred on Tuesday 7th December 2021 at Liverpool Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

Injured is 51-year-old Alphonso Williams called 'Lil Boy' of Liverpool Village Corentyne Berbice.

He is presently a patient at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

A 31-year-old male is presently in custody.

Reports are that the wife of Williams reported the suspect, for noise nuisance and in retaliation, the suspect verbally abused the woman. Sometime after when the victim had gone home, he inquired from the suspect about the verbal abuse meted out to his wife.

The suspect reportedly became enraged and went out in the street, armed with a cutlass and a heated argument started between him and Williams. During the argument, the suspect chopped Williams to his left wrist and right hand.

Williams was escorted to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where he was seen and examined by a doctor, who admitted him as a patient and subsequently transferred him to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital.

Ranks from the Anti-Crime Patrol arrested the suspect and escorted him to the Port Mourant Public Hospital to be medically examined since he displayed minor cuts to his left eye and right foot.

Thursday December 09, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Teaching should be a prestigious profession People say, “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.” These people are ignorant. Teaching is much harder than doing. Not only must teachers have a comprehensive grasp of whatever they are teaching (i.e., they can “do”) but they must also possess that rare talent for effectively imparting information. Teaching requires an extremely specialised set of skills and the ability to relate to people on a personal level - often to people with little interest in learning.

The preferred mode of modern education is to round up all the children in the country, lock them up in small rooms and have adults talk at them for five hours. That they manage to learn anything at all under this regime is solely due to the achievements of the teaching profession. And indeed, that we have been able to do this on a national level, so that every child gets a free education is one of the great achievements of the modern age, though this claim is slightly undercut when you hear parents bemoan the vast sums they must spend on uniforms, textbooks, exams, food and transportation.

Nonetheless, free universal public education is a great and important thing, and it is of the highest importance that this education be of excellent quality. The ever-dispassionate Sherlock Holmes, looking down at the first such schools in London praised them as, “Light-houses…Beacons of the future! Capsules with hundreds of bright little seeds in each, out of which will spring the wise, better [nation] of the future.” If pupils

are the seeds of the nation then teachers are its gardeners.

Yet teachers in this country are underpaid and undervalued. We have decided that educating our country’s citizens is semi-skilled work (despite the rigorous training required) and should be compensated as such. The low pay of the job means that people who would otherwise be passionate about education are forced to seek other employment. Often schools have to enlist freshly graduated ex-pupils as teachers, despite them having no formal training.

None of this is to suggest that teachers are innocent little angels. Quite a lot of them are arrogant little megalomaniacs who may have gotten into the profession with good intentions but are only still in it for the privilege of terrorising helpless little children. You know the sort of teacher I mean - they spend half their day screaming at children, happily humiliate them for minor infractions, and somehow know every little bit of gossip at the school, whether about pupils or teachers.

These deserve not so much to be fired as a whole firing squad. People like this leave indelible marks on children’s psyches, the scars of which will haunt them for life. So why do we keep them around? Partly because of understaffing, but mostly because they tend to be extremely good at instruction perhaps it’s because they actually enjoy their work.

And they aren’t even the worst offenders. No, the worst of all (apart from, obvi-

ously, molesters and other abusers) are the ones who refuse to teach in order to attract pupils to their lessons.

These people (they can hardly be called teachers if they do not teach) abrogate their duties in the pursuit of profit (shameful but not incomprehensible, given their low salaries), but even worse they strike a blow against the very principle of free, universal, education. They are little better than vandals, smashing up Holmes’s lighthouse, opening the capsules and choking the budding seeds.

So how can we address the issues with the teaching profession? The first step is to turn it into a real profession, one with standards as high as law or medicine or accountancy. Teaching is just as important as the first two.

Teaching must become an elite profession with regular certification, continuous training and a move away from our present obsession with exam results. How will teachers manage this on top of their already burdensome responsibilities? First, they should be banned from giving lessons. Second, there should be a reassessment of the duties involved in teaching, and a good deal of the cumbersome paperwork and bureaucratic overhead involved in teaching must be streamlined or eliminated.

Third, they should be paid more. A lot more. At least double. Maybe triple.

Doubtless the teachers’ union will find my proposals offensive. Much of their membership would not survive this new regime. There would be strikes. Resolving this conflict would be a serious

Dem boys seh ...

De jukka in de pants Long ago, if de police ketch yuh walking down de road with a cutlass and it nat conceal, dem used to tek it away from yuh. Dat is how people learn dat when dem walking with cutlass, dem gat to wrap it in newspaper or some other paper.

If de police ketch yuh with penknife, you could end up in front of de magistrate.

If dem ketch yuh with ice pick, yuh gat fuh answer what yuh doing with it. If yuh gat knife, dem gan assume yuh up to mischief.

Dese days, people walking de road with exposed cutlass in dem hands, knife and ice pick in dem waistband

and penknife in dem pocket.

And de police nah stopping nobody fuh question why dem gat dese dangerous weapons pon dem.

Every Saturday night, if you go to de Emergency Department of dem public hospitals, yuh gan find persons having to be treated fuh stab wounds.

Is like pon weekends, de stabbing does increase. And in many cases, people does dead after dem get stab.

Yet de police nah doing nothing fuh stap and search people pon de road fuh see wat dem gat in dem waist.

Dem schoolchildren getting stick-up with ice pick and

knife and getting dem cellular phone tek way. It nat hard to spat who gat jukka in dem waist. Yuh does see de bulge. But like de police looking fuh another type ah bulge, dem who gat money in dem pocket.

Yuh wutless if you bin thinking bout another bulge. Dem boys seh even madmen now walking round with knife in dem waistband.

Dem boys play brave and ask one ah dem, weh he going with de knife in he waistband. He watch dem boys and seh, “I going and peel two mangoes.”

Talk half and nah ask how he get getting de mangoes.

political challenge. I leave it to you, reader, to decide if our leaders are up to this task.

(The views expressed in

this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

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Thursday December 09, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Ego-tripping: David Hinds outside the police station Do you know what egoistic abandonment is? Do you know what egoistic bravado is? Here is both an explanation and a description. It is when you go on your Meta page and do your programme with your smart phone in front of you and you glance all the time to see how you look.

You parade yourself on your Meta programme and there are no intelligent and educated persons in a wide audience to embarrass you at question time. In an audience when that happens the attendees laugh at you because you either give an illogical reaction or your lie

was so silly that you look like a fool in front of everyone.

So these preachers of hate go on their Meta pages and exclaim the most untruthful, fictional and deceiving vocabularies all of which are designed to fool their viewers. Here is a past example of egoistic bacchanalianism and then we will go to what David Hinds said about his presence outside the Brickdam Police Station in 2012.

In 2015 a man named his party after himself and ran for president against David Granger. He got 111 votes.

Mr. Granger got 218,000.

Days after, he migrated to the

US. Later, I will tell you the source of his campaign money. My question is: do Black people who tune into this man's programme believe him?

Last week, David Hinds on his Meta page reacted to my description in my Sunday column, two weeks ago, of his behaviour when I was attacked on midnight in 2012 during our vigil named “People's Parliament.” The police were summoned by “People's Parliament” comrades. The police took me to the Brickdam Police Station to give a description of my attacker and the car he escaped in.

It was agreed that I should not go home alone because maybe the intention was to kill me and it could happen while driving alone on the old Atlantic Highway during the uncivilised hours of night.

David and his daughter, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, agreed to accompany me to the station while Michael Carrington of the AFC came

with me. The plan was David would follow my car to my home and Carrington would overnight at my house. I don't know why David and his daughter chose to stay outside the station.

When it was time to leave, David and his daughter were nowhere to be found.

Sixteen calls to David from Carrington and I produced no a n s w e r. O n h i s M e t a programme, in reaction to what I wrote, he told his viewers the following story.

As you read, bear in mind my voluminous replies to Amanza Walton-Desir that Black Guyanese leaders are fooling their people.

A policeman advised him that to be outside a police station at 2AM in the morning was not a wise thing. So he drove away.

Anywhere in the world, if you want to sleep while driving or if you are being chased or afraid to go home, outside a police station or an army barrack or a private security firm is the safest of

all places.

No police station in the entire Guyana in the wee hours of the morning has more staff Frederick Kissoon than Brickdam; not even a nd his daughter were scared E v e L e a r y. T h r e e questions David has to and felt if they were escorting answer. Why didn't he tell the me they could be harmed if officer he was waiting on me there was a plan to follow me who was attacked? Secondly, and hurt me. As the weeks, why didn't he come into the months and years wear on I station? Thirdly, what was he will continue to caution afraid of outside the station? African Guyanese to search The year was 2012 and there their souls and minds when were no reports before 2012 they listen to the propaganda and in 2012 that police of Black Guyanese leaders stations in Guyana were from the USA. These people are not under attack.

It is normal for people to coming back to even work for be outside a station late at a month muchless to live a night or in the early hours of year here. Their role is to stay the morning if they take a alive psychologically in the relative or family member to US by appealing to you to report a crime. Some family listen to them. They are members stay in the car e n e m i e s o f A f r i c a n because not everybody likes Guyanese.

(The views expressed in a police station. If you take a taxi, the driver normally this article are those of the author and do not waits outside the station.

I need not dwell on this necessarily reflect the absurdity and asininity any opinions of this newspaper.) further. My belief was David

Thursday December 09, 2021

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Thursday December 09, 2021

Gas-to-Shore Project to further - civil society impact fisheries sector representative The Gas-to-Shore Project in its current design will further impact the fisheries sector negatively, which is already suffering from a decline in catch, Civil Society observer, John Palmer has said.

Palmer, a forester who works on quality assurance schemes and audits in the United States, shared his views on the proposed Gasto-Shore (GTS) Project during a Moray House Trust virtual meeting that looked at the possible risks and benefits of the project last Saturday.

Palmer said that based on the plans he has seen, the pipelines to transport the gas will not be laid with any foundations, which can cause potential harm to marine species. “It's just going to be laid flat…it's not going to be set inside a concrete culvert (and). I find this very odd, especially as we also know from the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

that the currents running through the Liza One field was so strong that when they were trying to do baseline surveys of the fish, they couldn't set the fish traps because the current was just sweeping them away,” Palmer explained.

According to him, the pipelines must cross the Amazonian mud banks, which will certainly contribute to the bending of the pipeline, if it is not anchored.

Palmer said, “Indeed some of the commentators have noticed that this pipe, which is proposed and will be carrying highly flammable gas under pressure and I would have thought this is a real hazard...what happens if you lay a pipe, when you don't anchor it, you bend it and indeed it then splits and all the gas comes fizzing out.”

He was keen to note that such instances are not alien to the Region, but has been

occurring in Trinidad due to the rusting and bending of pipelines. In this regard, Palmer warned that Guyana must pay keen attention to the management of the pipeline.

ExxonMobil's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), recently submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) its project summary for its Gasto-Shore Project, which could cost Guyana at the very least, US$900M. ExxonMobil in the document noted that the project could impact Guyana's marine geology and sediments. It said this could occur through the installation of offshore and non-routine or unplanned events, which was not explained. Regarding the possible effects on human life and the environment where this is concerned, ExxonMobil said it could result in the “Disturbance of the seabed during offshore

pipeline installation activities, has the potential to affect benthic habitat and cause death/injury of benthic fauna.” In short, any marine life that is near or close to the

seafloor where this project is being done is at risk of being killed or injured. So far, some 30 companies have expressed interest in the Government's Gas-to-Shore

Project. Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat in an interview with OilNOW said that companies from the United States, China, (Continued on page 16)

Engineer estimates $45. 2M to shore up Friendship/Annandale sea defence with geotextile tubes An image of geotextile tubes.

The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) engineer estimates that it would cost $45. 2 million to shore up the foreshores of Friendship/Annandale, East Coast Demerara, Region Four with geotextile tubes.

Geotextile tubes are used as a cost-effective material alternative for coastal and marine projects. They are manufactured from geosynthetic based materials which are factory sewn to achieve the desired

formation. Installation of the tubes is carried out by filling them with sand or suitable dredged material.

According to an Invitation For Bids (IFB) published in Kaieteur News Wednesday December 8, 2021, edition, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), “Invites eligible bidders to submit their bids for execution of Installation of 400m Geotextile Tubes to form Groynes along the

F o r e s h o r e s o f Friendship/Annandale, East Coast Demerara, Region # 4.”

The ministry's engineer estimates that the project would cost $45.2 million.

Interested bidders can peruse the bid document at NAREI's office located at Agriculture Road, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, prior to the purchase of a complete set of the bidding documents upon (Continued on page 16)

Thursday December 09, 2021

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Thursday December 09, 2021

Accelerating access to West Demerara Secondary vaccines is an urgent now offering CAPE subjects priority in the face of new variants - says PAHO Director

W

i t h 2 0 countries yet to reach the WHO's year-end vaccination target of 40%, and the Omicron variant now detected in six countries in the region, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Director Carissa F. Etienne said that accelerating access to vaccines will be key to protecting populations, particularly the most vulnerable.

“The arrival of a new variant doesn't necessarily mean that things will be worse, but it does mean that we must be extra-vigilant,” she said in a media briefing on Tuesday, urging for continued vaccination and public health measures. Over 782,655 new COVID infections and 10,950 deaths were reported in the Americas last week, yet just 55% of people in Latin America and the Caribbean have been fully vaccinated.

In some countries, including Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, coverage remains much lower.

While the region is “racing to get people protected from this virus,” the PAHO Director called for

a long-term strategy that takes into account the duration of protection of the vaccines, their impact on different age groups, and the behaviour of new variants.

With 1.6 million doses of COVID vaccine arriving in the region this week and more expected to follow, it is crucial that “vulnerable groups like our Indigenous peoples, the elderly and those with existing conditions that leave them at higher risk of severe COVID should be first in line,” Dr. Etienne said.

However, in countries with high overall coverage, rates of vaccination among people over the age of 60 remains lower. And in countries where vaccination is further behind, healthy people are also being protected first. “This lack of prioritisation is perilous because it keeps our elderly vulnerable and our health systems at risk,” the Director added.

D r. E t i e n n e a l s o highlighted the importance of ensuring long-term, sustainable access to vaccines, emphasizing the crucial role of PAHO's Revolving Fund – a vaccine purchasing mechanism that has already secured more

than US$1 billion in routine vaccines for the region this y e a r. “ B y u s i n g o u r Revolving Fund, countries are guaranteed access to quality-assured vaccines at fair prices through a transparent mechanism,” the Director said.

As the year draws to a close and countries deploy doses to reach the WHO's year-end targets, the Director called for equity and preparedness. “We need a reliable supply of doses so that our COVID vaccination campaigns do not widen the inequities that have long divided our region,” she said.

Over the past week, COVID cases have increased in Canada and parts of Mexico, as well as in the South American countries of Bolivia, Peru, and Colombia.

In the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago continues to experience jumps in COVID cases, hospitalisations, and deaths. Other smaller islands like the Cayman Islands are also witnessing increases in COVID infections.

With the exception of Panama, Central America is experiencing a decline in infections, and drops are also being seen in Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina.

The Education Minister alongside the first batch of CAPE students in Region Three.

The Ministry of Education has now expanded the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) programme to the West Demerara Secondary School in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

The school on Wednesday became the first in the region to offer CAPE subjects to students in Region Three.

In October, it was noted by the Education Minister, Priya Manickchand that about seven more schools across the country will be added to the list of institutions that offer the CAPE subjects. Just last week, the ministry commissioned the first CAPE school in Region Two at the Anna Regina Secondary School.

Delivering remarks to

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and Head-teacher of the West Demerara Secondary School, Sir Harrinarine unveiling the plaque to commission the CAPE wing at the school. the gathering, Headmaster of the West Demerara Secondary School, Sir Harrinarine said the discussion of the CAPE programme for the school started some years ago. “We would have had this item on our school's improvement plan for a long time,” he added.He explained that, currently they are 12

students from across the Region enrolled in the classes at the school and teachers for all subject areas.

The school is currently offering two Associate Degrees, one in Arts and the other in Business, and 10 other subjects areas which i n c l u d e ; B i o l o g y, Chemistry, Pure (Continued on page 16)

'Don't let corruption limit your access to climate financing' President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CBD), Dr. Gene Leon addresses the attendees at the start of CDB's second annual Caribbean Conference on Corruption, Compliance, and Cybercrime (3Cs) on December 7, 2021.

...CDB Pres. tells regional governments President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr. Gene Leon, is urging regional governments to institute strong accountability and compliance mechanisms to ensure that corruption does not limit access to climate finance from multilateral and private sources in light of the Caribbean's extreme vulnerability to the effects of climate change.

“As is the case with most Small Island Developing States, the need for climate finance and favourable access conditions is a matter of life and death for Caribbean countries.

However, the sizeable financing required to address infrastructural and economic vulnerabilities and to recover from shocks, may also present opportunities for

corruption.

At all costs, access to affordable climate financing must be protected from maladministration and corruption,” Dr. Leon said.

The CDB President emphasised that the issue was of specific concern to the Bank, which is spearheading initiatives to secure affordable climate finance for its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs). “Given the immense need throughout the region, our member countries cannot risk any form of sanction that could limit their access to t h e s e r e s o u r c e s . We , therefore, urge our BMCs to be vigilant and to put in place strong monitoring, compliance, and accountability frameworks to not only secure climate financing, but to facilitate

timely implementation of climate change interventions for the benefit of the peoples of our region,” he said.

Dr. Leon made the call on Tuesday at the opening of CDB's second annual Caribbean Conference on Corruption, Compliance, and Cybercrime (3Cs). The twoday event is at the centre of the Bank's efforts to promote strong governance as standard practice for regional institutions. In his address, the CDB President also emphasised that strong governance systems are a pre-requisite for the success of the region's sustainable development agenda. He cited a disclosure by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime that attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals can be derailed through many forms

of corruption.

He also quoted research from the International Monetary Fund, which estimates the global cost of bribery is equivalent to a total economic loss of approximately 2% of global gross domestic product per year. “ We a k g o v e r n a n c e , therefore, places our economies and societies in peril; and CDB's

anti-corruption outreach is yet another means through which we can support sustained and resilient economic development in our region,” Dr. Leon said.

The 3Cs conference agenda for Day 1 includes panels on the role of governance in the drive to end poverty and drive growth in the Caribbean, new insights on cybercrime: lessons for the Caribbean and

the role of the private sector in curbing corruption, money laundering and cybercrime.

The event continues tomorrow with discussions on corruption and climate financing and corruption and COVID-19 financing.

Conference panellists and presenters include regional and international speakers, and the audience includes participants from more than 45 countries.

Thursday December 09, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 09, 2021

Gas-to-Shore Project to further impact...

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US$900M project.

The EOI which was advertised by the Ministry of Natural Resources, called for a joint participation in the proposed Gas-to-Shore Project with the government and Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)—ExxonMobil Guyana.The Ministry, in its invitation, noted also that the decision on Wales was taken after extensive evaluation of multiple sites with ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EEPGL). The Wales Development Zone (WDZ), it said,

has been identified as the termination point for the pipeline from the Liza Area in the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana.

The WDZ encompasses over 14,000+ acres of land of which approximately 1,300 acres will be set aside for heavy industry/gas-related investments. The project, according to stakeholders, is expected to see some 27 kilometres of pipeline being buried from the Crane, West Coast Demerara (WCD) location to Wales, in addition to some 200 plus kilometres of

pipeline from the Stabroek Block where the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel is located. According to the administration, WDZ will be the location for the termination of the gas-pipeline measuring over 225 km from the Liza Area. Additionally, it will involve the establishment of a gas-processing plant (GPP) and a Natural gas liquids facility (NGL) capable of producing at least 4,000 bbl./ day, including the fractionation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

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From page 12 European and the Caribbean region have already submitted their proposals. Locals, the minister told the oil network, have also partnered with regional companies for the project.

While he was careful not to divulge the names of the companies, Bharrat only highlighted some structural changes that have been made.

Earlier this year, the PPP/ C Government had published an Expression of Interest (EOI) for private investors or a consortium to be part of the

From page 2 World Bank Report release last week cited Guyana for having one of the lowest levels of educational engagement in the region during the pandemic.

Titled, “An Uneven Recovery: the Impact of COVID19 on Latin America and the Caribbean”, the Bank cited Guatemala, Guyana, and Belize, with only two-thirds of school-age children engaged in some form of education.

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tions to keep children engaged, such as Chile, Peru, Panama, and Ecuador, the Bank also said.

According to the report, most children are engaged in some form of educational activity in the region, although engagement levels (and quality) vary considerably across countries, ranging from 64 percent in Guatemala to 97 percent in Chile.

In most countries, engagement rates (including inperson attendance and remote learning) are below prepandemic attendance levels.

Regionwide, engagement in any education activities is below the pre-pandemic attendance rate.

This suggests severe learning losses and an increase in drop-out rates, with grave implications for the accumulation of human capital.

According to the Bank, more than one year into the pandemic, only 23 percent of students in the region were attending school in person.

Vaccine deployment and government policies differed greatly across the region, explaining these differences.

Educational engagement in Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, and Chile has been mainly virtual, as schools remained closed for the most part. On the contrary, in-person attendance was more common in the Caribbean and Central America.

Children in wealthier households, measured by the number of assets, are more likely to be engaged in schooling, but their attendance is also mostly virtual.

Lower engagement in learning activities and low face-toface attendance pose significant risks for children's learning outcomes and human capital accumulation.

Recent estimates reveal that students in the region lost between 12 and 18 months of schooling.

Those from low socioeconomic levels were particularly affected, which suggests long-lasting negative effects on social mobility and inequality.

'Cash-strapped' GPL now borrowing...

From page 8 to point out “we don't have a breakdown in negotiations with the union,” since the engagement is ongoing.

According to Dindyal, “GPL's ability to pay and to sustain this increase is what's going to be discussed.”

He told media operatives when asked about consider-

ations for a bonus to be paid if not a salary increase, “we can't afford anything, nothing at all.”

According to the GPL CEO, by the end of the year the deficit incurred by the power company will be over $2.6B, so whatever we pay basically has to be borrowed.”

He explained that the operation of the entity, in light of this shortfall is not being met by any government subsidy but rather “your tariff is being subsidized essentially

by GPL borrowing money.”

As such, “we are actually running an overdraft which is funding the fuel which has to be used to provide power.”

Engineer estimates $45. 2M to shore...

From page 12 the payment of a non-refundable fee of $5000.

It was further noted that all bidders must submit their

bids together with the bid security of $905,306, not later than 09:00hrs on December 21, 2021, at the National Procurement and Tender Admin-

istration Board (NPTAB) office, located at the Ministry of Finance at Main and Urquhart Streets, Georgetown.

West Demerara Secondary now offering...

From page 15 Mathematics, Integrated Mathematics, Management of Business, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Communication Studies, Literature in English and Environmental studies.

“In the collaboration with the Central Ministry we are going to add more subject in

the future, subjects like Tourism, Physical Education, Food and Nutrition and by extension Law at the West Demerara Secondary School.

This is just the beginning, Mr. Narine pointed out.

For her part Manickchand told the students that they must be welcoming to students from other regions who

will join the school to write CAPE. She disclosed that it is important the programme has reached the region, because previously students would had to travel to the capital city which is a difficult situation, putting a strain on families as it relates to transportation and financial costs.

Thursday December 09, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Brace for more rains until February There’s a high chance for wetter than usual (above normal) conditions across all Administrative Regions for the period December 2021 to January 2022 and possibly into early February 2022, the local Hydrometeorological Service said on Wednesday.

Regions 8, 9, 10 and Southern Region will experience the least amounts of rainfall during this period, the office said, adding that rainfall amounts and frequency are expected to increase as the season progresses.

The above normal rainfall outlook this season is being driven by the strong likelihood of a La Nina (85% confidence) phase continuing through the first quarter of 2022.

According to the Hydromet Office, as the season progresses, water levels in conservancies, reservoirs and inland rivers in Regions 1 to 6 (north), 7 and 10 are expected to reach maximum capacity. Flooding in Regions 1 to 5, 7, 10, northern 6 and 8 as a result of persistent rain is of concern during the forecast period; therefore, drainage intervention is highly recommended where and when possible.

Meanwhile, the office said temperatures will be cool as usual for this time of year with slight chance for cooler conditions expected in Regions 3, 4, and 9, while other areas can expect warmer than usual conditions. Warmer than usual day-time temperatures

can be expected in the northern Regions, while Region 9 can expect cool as usual conditions.

For farmers, the Hydromet Office said given the forecasted weather conditions, farmers are advised to take all necessary precautions to secure their crops and livestock.

Shade houses and appropriate containers are recommended to cultivate vegetable crops; mound agriculture is recommended for root crops to avoid root rot; plantation crops such as plantains and bananas should be stabilised using poles where possible; and livestock farmers are advised to build berms to keep cattle away from flooded conditions while iden-

18 patients in COVID-19 ICU, 72 new cases Eighteen persons are patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as Guyana continues to struggle to contain the virus here.

According to its daily COVID-19 dashboard, the Ministry of Health reported 72

new cases, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 38,333.

Out of that number, 20,264 persons are women while 18,069 are men.

The dashboard shows too, that 51 persons are ad-

mitted into institutional isolation, 893 in home isolation and two in institutional quarantine.

To date, a total of 36,362 persons have recovered from the virus, with some 1009 deaths.

tifying shrubs, rice straw where available, and other GLDA recommended available greenery, with which to feed livestock if grass becomes scarce.

Food processing techniques such as pickling, drying of fruits, dicing, packaging and freezing of vegetables and fruits can be applied to extend shelf life and avoid wastage of farm produce.

“The extension staff of NAREI, GLDA, NDIA, PTCCB, GRDB, the Fisheries Department, the MMA-ADA, and the New GMC remain available to provide advice using social media, rural radio, and TV programmes. The cooperation of all will be required in order to minimise

loss, ensure food availability, and security of livelihoods,” the release stated.

According to the office, the above-average rainfall is expected to recharge reservoirs, conservancies and aquifers, limiting local concerns of drought in northern Guyana.

Water accumulation in poor drainage area is expected; this can lead to localised flooding, an upsurge in mosquito breeding and other moisture related pests.

Additionally, farmers are advised to keep their drains clear in order to prevent flooding on farms, especially those located in flood-prone areas.

Further, special attention should be paid to short-range

- Hydromet Office forecasts provided by the Hydrometeorological Service in order to plan daily farm activities such as fertilizers and pesticides applications.

Consideration should also be given to planting crops that are water tolerant during the forecast period.

The Hydrometeorological Service will provide updates to its seasonal forecast as new information becomes available.

For short-range forecasts and weather analyses, stakeholders are advised to follow the Daily Weather Briefs, Outlooks and Advisories produced by the National Weather Watch Centre or visit www.hydromet.gov.gy.

The forecast desk can be reached at 261-2284/261-2216.

Bandits beat, rob sisters during home invasion at Parfaite Harmonie Two sisters were on Tuesday night robbed and assaulted by gunmen who invaded their Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD) home.

According to a police report the robbery occurred at around 21:00hrs.

The police said the 29year-old, who works as a waitress, was on the verandah when she noticed the sus-

pects approaching. She then started to scream, causing one of the gunman to discharge a round in her direction, after which, he pulled her into the house and demanded money.

The bandits then lashed the woman to her head with the gun. The 20-year-old, who works as a cashier, was then confronted by the bandits who also forced her to hand over valuables.

The suspects then escaped through the verandah door with one grey and black Samsung Galaxy tablet valued $40,000, one silver iPad in a brown case and one iPhone 8 Plus valued $140,000, one peach coloured purse containing identification card, Republic Bank Card, N.I.S card and $15,000 in cash. Investigations are currently ongoing.

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 09, 2021

Thursday December 09, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

St. Rose's School sewage breakage… Contractors can face penalty up to $90,000 in fines for failing to adhere to GWI's guidelines

Images of construction work ongoing at the site for the St. Rose's High School.

In light of the sewerage breakage and blockage at the construction site of the St. Rose's High School – the Guyana Water Incorporated ( G W I ) o n We d n e s d a y reminded that contractors can face a penalty of up to $90,000, for failing to adhere to its guidelines and policies.

In September 2021, the Ministry of Education (MOE) signed a $515 million contract for the construction of the St. Rose's High School.

The contract was awarded to Shandong Degian International.

It was reported that the contractor failed to contact

GWI prior to commencing the construction on the school's and that has resulted in a breakage of the sewerage at the location and sand entering the sewer chambers.

As such, the entity highlighted in its statement that contractors who fail to adhere to its guidelines can face penalties ranging from $15,000 to $90,000 – depending on the nature and/or magnitude of the offence.

GWI also reminded contractors that they need to consult with them prior to construction at building sites in and around Central

Georgetown, and it was also stated that this is necessary because of the location of their sewer chambers.

The disruption to the sewerage chamber at the school has resulted in the gully chambers being packed with sand and construction debris, and also caused blockage to the sewer lines at Camp and Murray Streets. It was further stated that the situation was compounded by the presence of a large amount of solid waste in the manholes and street sewers, which was seemingly entered by way of littering.

The entity also debunked

claims that was reported in sections of the media that sewage was found in the school's compound, and noted that the construction waste at the school is what prevented toilets in the school from being flushed.

The release also stated that when sewer chambers are blocked, it results in sewerage backup into homes.

Moreover, a statement issued yesterday by the Education Ministry noted that the school's construction site was visited by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and other officials from the ministry.

According to the press statement, while the progress of the construction of the school was discussed, the sewage issue was also addressed. It was further stated that Minister Manickchand had discussions with members of GWI in relation to the issue.

The release stated that the Sewer Maintenance Officer, Akedo Softley, shared that the sewage blockage is created when residents allow prohibited items to enter the sewer line – resulting in a backup in the community like what is being experienced at St. Rose's.

However, the Maintenance Officer noted that once the blockage is cleared, the situation at the school will automatically be fixed.

According to Softley, in order to prevent future disruption from happening, residents need to stop allowing prohibited items such as paper towels, sanitary napkins, dental floss, condoms, newspapers and any other item that is not toilet paper or human waste from getting into the sewer system. Moreover, within a few days, the sewage issue is expected to be fully addressed.

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 09, 2021

Thursday December 09, 2021

Letter to the Sports Editor Dear Mr. Fraser, Thanks for copying me in your letter to the editor.

Whilst it may not have been intended for a response, I think it is fair that I should do so to clear the air of the governance concerns. Thank you also for the history lessons. I greatly appreciate this incitement on the years of failure GASA has endured.

I guess you can appreciate that for all these years it would be a mountainous task for anyone to fix these in less than one year. Nonetheless, I took on this role and with it the challenges.

For the benefit of all, I wish to clear the air on some important work done during my first year. This is work done by the team of council members, the technical committee and council.

We table a modified ver-

sion of the by-laws alongside a code of conduct. This was done with the assistance of the UANA President and FINA VP. This could not have been adopted except by through an extraordinary meeting. The plan is to have this done in the New Year.

We have reached out to the Olympic association on a few issues. These include but are not limited to the assistance with an impasse that involves a coach and a club and with the assistance for guidance in setting up a disciplinary committee.

These too were not fully achieved due to time constraints. We drafted and presented a youth development plan that includes 19 of our most promising athletes. This received the blessing of UANA, CONSANAT and the GOA. This plan was also

Dwayne Scott rresponds esponds to Nicholas F raser ’s letter Fraser raser’s shared with the media on numerous occasions. We have partnered with the Ministry of Sports to launch a sports academy and tabled a Plan that was deemed to be too advanced for the academy.

This plan was done with the assistance of a FINA accredited coach based at the Florida development facility.

We have revisited the selection policy for national athletes, to present a level playing field. We have had athletes participating in all the recent FINA and IOC accredited events throughout this period. We continue to make friends, break down barriers and push on with the serious work of GASA in spite of the pandemic. This is testament to the fact that we continue

Thursday December 09, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Inspiration could hit you today like a bolt from the blue.

Your imagination, innovation, and ingenuity are high. Whatever you devise or discover should attract a lot of positive attention.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Help with a creative project either working on the project or promoting it in some way could come from an unexpected quarter, increasing your inspiration.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you might host some kind of group activity or meeting in your home. A number of interesting people could attend. Some may have a lot of good ideas to share.

CANCER(June21–July22) An intense phone call, perhaps some kind of cry for help, could come today from a relative or close friend. You're more strongly equipped than usual to help someone in need, but try to stay objective.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Experiments with computers or other technology could reveal a hidden talent you didn't know you had. You could decide to work at developing this skill as it could open doors that increase your income.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your mind is going a thousand miles an hour. Different ideas, interests, goals, and projects could dart through your mind all day.

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Occultism, alchemy, or astrology could grab your interest today. You might attend a lecture or workshop on the subject, or you could sign up for a class. Your mind is sharp, so whatever you decide to study you'll learn faster and retain more.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Friends involved in the arts and sciences may want to get together today, perhaps to brainstorm a few ideas.

You should be feeling innovative. Perhaps you have a lot to contribute.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) This is a good day to keep a low profile. Any attention that comes your way today is suspect.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Today you might have lots of plans for the future. Ideas could come thick and fast.

You might find it difficult to decide which ones are most workable.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A night of troubled sleep and strange dreams might have you feeling listless and lacking in motivation. Pull yourself together.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Mood swings and irritating little distractions could have you temporarily at odds with a partner. You may perceive insults where none are intended.

to have our monthly council meetings regardless of the circumstances. For the benefit of all I have attached a few of the mentioned documents for clarity. On the issue of the OASP fund, GASA as a not for profit organization and only gets funds through club affiliation, annual registration and from fundraisers. Any other funding comes from FINA through clinics allotments or with the OASP fund.

It must be known that the OASP funds can only be used for special projects.

Our Project submissions were for the Youth development programme and Facility upgrade.

I would like to make it

clear that in the completion of the request, we have only confirmed policies that exist and for this we had to provide evidence. On the accountability and governance side we have been specifically asked to provide a report for the use of 2021 funds which is due on the 31st December, 2021. I wish to make it clear that GASA received no OASP funds in 2021.

I do hope this helps in clearing the misconceptions regarding GASA activities, applications and funding.

Thanks to all for affording me the space.

Yours in Sport.

Dwayne Scott President - GASA

Ongoing Court case on the issue...

From page 22 there were a couple of things that were not in keeping with financial best practices…we found no significant evidence of financial transactions were posted from the middle of December 2020 to March of 2021 and there was no evidence of Bank reconciliation for that period,” revealed Sukhai, a certified Accountant.

The Treasurer indicated that the GCB was audited up to November 30, 2020 while improprieties were discovered with the accounts.

“But because we can’t find any documentation we are left in a bind as we move forward.

Outside of sponsorship and ticket sales from International cricket, revenue streams for the GCB mainly lie with Cricket West Indies,” disclosed the GCB Treasurer.

(Sean Devers)

PAGE 22

Thursday December 09, 2021

Kaieteur News

GCB can’t access CGI account... Ongoing Court case on the

issue prevents Treasurer from speaking on the matter

T

he financial state ments of Cricket West Indies (CWI) for the year ended September 30, 2020 indicates that for the years 2019 and 2020 CWI had an outstanding balance of US$553,489 for 2019 and US$547,368 for 2020.

According to the state-

ments, CWI owed Guyana Cricket Inc (CGI) US$85,298 for 2019.

It was noted that ‘the related party are unsecured, interest free and have no specific term of repayment, no bad debt expenses were recorded on related party balances’.

The new Administration

came into office in April of this year and according to the GCB there is no documentation or records of what transpired before then.

The GCB’s Administrator Savitri Persaud and its Territorial Director, former West Indies Test pacer Colin Stuart, who served in the previous

Grand Coastal Hotel sponsors GFF-GNFWA Super 16 Women’s Festival 2021 Grand Coastal Hotel has added its name to the huge corporate support rallying behind the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) end-ofyear football bonanza with the purchase of some beds for the GFF National Training Centre dormitories to accommodate more than one female team at a time for the GFFGNWFA Super 16 Women’s Festival 2021.

In expressing gratitude to the hotel for coming on board, President of the Guyana National Women’s Football Association (GNWFA) Andrea Johnson noted that the partnership of not only Grand Coastal Hotel, but all stakeholders is important to effectively showcase the talent of Guyanese footballers.

“We want to acknowl-

edge the contribution of Grand Coastal for coming on board and partnering with the GFF and the women’s association in order for us to have a smooth running of the GFFGNWFA Super 16 Women’s Festival 2021,” she said.

Grand Coastal’s Human Resources Manager Maria Khan shared the company’s interest in being part of the women’s festival and noted that, “Grand Coastal Hotel came on board with the GFF to further support females in sports as well as to help to fund necessities to ensure they can continue to strive.

And as such, the partnership will be ongoing whenever we can facilitate and support the GFF, be it food, accommodations, etc.”

The GFF has asked for further corporate support to en-

sure that all female players, match officials and coaches have the accommodation resources they need during the GFF-GNWFA Super 16 Women’s Festival 2021.

The theme of this year’s women’s tournament is We Rise Against Domestic Violence.

“We want to spotlight our commitment to educating and eliminating domestic violence in our communities,” said Johnson. “We must take note of the issues in our communities and do our part to make life better.

GNWFA stands against domestic violence.”

The GFF-GNWFA Women’s Super 16 Tournament commences on Saturday 11th December at the St. Cuthbert’s Ground where St. Cuthbert’s Mission will play against Swan FC.

Admiration, are among the few officals who have been retained by Bissoondyal Singh led Board.

When asked to comment on the CWI’s financial statements, Brian Sukhai, who replaced the late Prittipaul Jaigobin as GCB Treasurer in June after Jaigobin died in an accident in April, said, “We have seen audited accounts for the GCB for the financial ended November 30 2020.

The wheels are currently being put in motion to have the external audit of the GCB’s financial accounts for the year ended November 30, 2021 will commence shortly.

On the CGI side, we do not have any access to any Bank accounts or documents that may exist, so I absolutely cannot speak on any matters at all pertaining to that entity.”

GCB Treasurer Brain Sukhai According to the Treasurer, GCB receives US$25,000 in monthly subventions which go towards administrative costs.

“There is another source of income of US$17,500 which

mainly goes toward the Academy players but we have been unable to access that account as yet, since Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) which managed the affairs of the Guyana Jaguars, is a private entity,” added Sukhai.

Sukhai informed that the ongoing legal proceeding to gain access to the CGI accounts is also linked to the rebranding of the Guyana Jaguars to Guyana Amazon Jaguars, which is now managed by the GCB. “Because the matter is attracting the attention of the Court, I am not at liberty to say much on the matter,” added Sukhai.

According to Sukhai, the financial practices of the previous body were not good.

“We did an analysis and (Continued on page 21)

Rain intervenes after Pat Cummins...

From page 24 some outstanding fast bowling. Hameed and Ollie Pope steadied the ship momentarily prior to lunch to prevent any further loss. Hameed was obdurate in defence while Pope was busy, pushing balls into the off side with positive footwork and weight transfer to rotate the strike well.

But neither could lay a glove on Hazlewood who bowled seven overs in the first session and conceded just three singles while collecting the scalps of Malan

and Root.

The lunch break did Hameed no favours as Cummins struck again. He went wide of the crease and angled into off stump forcing Hameed to play, a hint of seam movement away caught the edge and again it was well held at slip, this time by vice-captain Steven Smith.

England’s only moment of joy for the day came with the arrival of Jos Buttler.

Having pledged pre-series to play fearless cricket he followed through on his promise and counter-attacked in

typical fashion.

While England could barely defend Hazlewood before lunch, Buttler took the long handle to him launching him through and over the offside with control. Buttler and Pope’s positivity changed the atmosphere briefly as Australia turned Nathan Lyon for containment.

The pair shared a 52-run stand and Pope passed 1000 Test runs in the process becoming the sixth-youngest English player to do so.

But Starc returned and dismissed Buttler with a superb delivery that threatened to shape in but left him off the seam to catch the outside edge.

Cameron Green then claimed his first Test wicket to raucous celebrations after going wicketless all last summer. Pope failed to control a hook shot and Hazlewood ran in from fine leg to complete an outstanding diving catch. It was the first of two for him in the deep as he took another to help Cummins complete his five-wicket haul.

Cummins returned to take the last three wickets of the innings as England lost their last five for just 32 runs.

Cummins became the first Australian captain to take a five-wicket haul since Richie Benaud in 1962 and the first captain of either nation to do so since Bob Willis at the Gabba in 1982.

It was a day he could not have dreamt up if he tried, as England added another chapter to their horror history at the Gabba.

Scores: England 147 (Buttler 39, Cummins 5-38) vs Australia.

Thursday December 09, 2021

Kaieteur News

Andre Russell signs with Melbourne Stars in Australia’s Big Bash League Andre Russell has signed with Melbourne Stars.

Fresh off lifting the Abu Dhabi T10 title with the Deccan Gladiators on Sunday, Andre Russell has signed with Melbourne Stars in Australia’s Big Bash League.

The 33-year-old allrounder last played in the BBL in 2017 after three seasons with Sydney Thunder.

He opens his account for the Stars against the Thunder Friday.“To have someone of Andre’s quality play for the Melbourne Stars is a huge signing for our club,”

Stars coach David Hussey said.

“I can’t wait to work with him in the time that he’s here and look forward to his debut on Friday night.”

Russell arrives in Melbourne in sparkling form.

On Sunday, in the final Abu Dhabi T10 League, Russell hit nine fours and seven sixes in a 32-ball unbeaten score of 90 as the Gladiators (159-0) defeated the Delhi Bulls by 56 runs to win the 2021 title.

CWI and LICB pay tribute to King Frank-I, cricket historian and commentatora ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) and Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB) paid tribute to Franklyn Francis, who passed away on Monday.

Known as “King Frank-I”, he was a respected cricket historian, broadcaster, journalist and social activist in Antigua and Barbuda. He was revered for his immense knowledge of the game, his insightful and informative commentary and analysis on local, regional and international matches for over four decades.

Enoch Lewis, President of LICB and Director of CWI, paid tribute.

“I want to offer condolences on behalf of LICB, as well as the President, Board of Directors and staff of CWI to his family, friends and loved ones, as well as the community in Antigua and Barbuda. Today, cricket in the

West Indies is poorer for the passing of King Frank-I, a man who had energy, passion, and fire for West Indies cricket, who lived and breathed the game and offered support at all levels,” said Lewis.

“When international cricket first came to the Antigua Recreation Ground, King Frank-I was among the first to witness the matches and chronicled the country’s rise to prominence on the cricketing landscape.

He was part of the fabric of the game and was on the pulse with his fair and fearless commentary and analysis.

Outside of cricket he also made a significant contribution to the society and the development of the nation.

As we say farewell to this kindhearted soul, I’m sure he would leave us with his signature line ‘Jah guide, keep fit … and be a good sport’”.

PAGE 23

PAGE 24

Thursday December 09, 2021

Kaieteur News

Rain intervenes after Pat Cummins rolls England for 147 ESPNcricinfo - The Ashes’ past have been defined by the first ball of the series at the Gabba. Think Michael Slater clattering Phil DeFreitas for four in 1994-95 or Steve Harmison bowling the first ball to second slip in 2006-07.

The 2021-22 Ashes series may well be defined by Rory Burns being bowled around his legs first ball from Mitchell Starc as England collapsed to be all out for 147 at tea on the opening day of the first Test, with Australia captain Pat Cummins claiming 5 for 38 after Joe Root won the toss and elected to bat.

A thunderstorm then washed out the early part of the final session to pour salt

Joe Root fell to leave England three down inside half an hour. (Getty Images) into a gaping wound, as England were given no chance at redemption with the ball. A

wet outfield and bad light combined to end the day’s play.

Root won’t be lambasted for life for the decision at the toss in the manner that Len Hutton and Nasser Hussain have in Ashes Tests of the past at the Gabba. Cummins admitted he might have batted too despite a distinct green tinge to the surface and some moisture both in the pitch and in the atmosphere.

But he would have been regretting it after he joined Andrew Flintoff and Andrew Strauss as England captains to make first-innings ducks in Ashes Tests at the Gabba.

Root fell victim to a superb piece of bowling from Josh Hazlewood, who now has a stranglehold on the England skipper having claimed him eight times in Test cricket.

He also may regret leaving both James Anderson and Stuart Broad out of the side for the first time in five years and the first time in an Ashes Test since 2006, as

England’s top order capitulated on a surface that gave the bowlers plenty of assistance. But some played their own part in the procession of wickets that fell in the first hour after slumping to 26 for 4.

Burns lost all bearings of where his stumps were stepping way outside off to expose leg stump to Starc who did shape the ball back down the line after it looked to be veering down leg. But Burns will rue the day as his error could be replayed for decades to come. He also claimed two regrettable records, becoming the second man in history to fall first ball of an Ashes series while registering his sixth duck of the calendar year, the most of any Test opener.

Hazlewood then went to

work testing the defence of England’s top order and they were found wanting. Dawid Malan nicked a ball he could have easily left alone on length handing Alex Carey his first Test catch, while Root wasn’t allowed to breathe for eight unwavering deliveries before one straightened off the seam to catch his outside edge.

Ben Stokes entered at 3 for 11 needing to produce another Ashes miracle. He was undone after the drinks break

by Cummins from around the wicket, squared up by a ball that climbed from a length and Marnus Labuschagne held a very sharp chance diving to his left at third slip.

Haseeb Hameed fought impressively in the face of Continued on page 22)

Pat Cummins holds the ball aloft after claiming his first Ashes five-for.

(Getty Images)

Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic...

MVP Sports sponsors cash Prize, SQ Apparel to outfit all teams All teams in the Rawle Toney 3×3 Classic Basketball tournament that is set for February 19 & 20, 2022, would be outfitted with branded uniforms, compliments of SQ (formerly Squadra), the official uniform supplier of the 16team competition.

The simple unveiling was done yesterday afternoon at MVP Sports in the Giftland Mall, Turkeyen.

Coordinator Rawle Toney during the press brief noted that the Classic has this year aligned itself with SQ, which is part-owned by overseasbased Guyanese, Colin Baker.

“He would have done a tremendous job in ensuring that every team is properly outfitted,” Toney said.

The teams would receive

their set of uniforms upon registration, which is free and must be done on FIBA’s 3x3 website (https:// play.fiba3x3.com).

During yesterday’s brief, MVP Sports was also announced as a sponsor of the event.

At the official tournament launch that is scheduled for tomorrow at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, the company will host a three-point shootout with the winner receiving a pair of Steph Curry sneakers.

In addition, the launch will also feature four male teams and three female teams going head to head in roundrobin matches.

Managing Director of MVP Sports, Ian Ramdeo,

said, “It’s heartening for me personally to see our athletes get a chance to get back out after a very long time of little competition and little play time. So we’re very happy to be part of this tournament.”

The company has also committed a cash prize to the FIBA-endorsed tournament, which is making a return after a two-year hiatus.

For Guyana to boost its chances of contesting more FIBA 3×3 tournaments and more importantly entering the main draw stage, there is a need for more FIBA-endorsed local 3×3 tournaments.

The upcoming Classic will aid Guyanese and Caribbean players to get much-needed rating points.

Thursday December 09, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

Balgobin century, Looknauth 5 for hand Meadow Bank huge win EBDCA 40-over tourney

- Lawrence 5-wkt haul boosts Farm SC

A

n attacking century from Ushardeva Balgobin coupled with a five-wicket haul from Richie Looknauth handed Meadow Bank a comfortable victory over Peter's Hall when the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA) 40over competition commenced last weekend.

On Saturday at Farm, Peter's Hall managed 144 all out in 26.3 overs, batting first after winning the toss. Extras contributed 51, while Chabiraj Ramcharran scored 23 from 29 balls with two fours and one six, Asif Ishak made 18 and Deonarine Dindial 16. Rivaldo Phillips took 2 -9, Steffan Wilson 216 and Bryion Bowen 2-20.

In reply, Meadow Bank CC raced to 146-3 in 16.1 overs with Ushardeva Balgobin blasting six fours and nine sixes in an unbeaten 102 off 58 deliveries while Brandon

Kenny Lawrence Jaikarran and Rivaldo Phillips made 13 and 12 respectively. Extras assisted with 23 as Dindial took 2-28.

At Laluni, Herstelling A Sports Club overcame Eccles SC by 64 runs.

Herstelling A opted to bat and made 133 all out in 21

overs. Derick McCalmon made 40 and Ricky Sargeant 22. Kevin Singh picked up 426 off eight overs, while Totoram Bishun captured 437 off seven overs.

Eccles Sports Club were sent packing for 69 in reply.

Shemar Yearwood made 14 and Randy Ramroop 12 as Richie Looknauth bagged 59 from seven overs and McCalmon 2-12.

On Sunday at Laluni, Silver Bullet defeated Laluni by 82 runs. In a match which was reduced to 20 overs, Silver Bullet batted first and managed 161-6. Clinton Pestano struck one four and seven sixes in a top score of 61 not out, while R. Rajaram made 25 with three fours and one six, C. Ragnauth scored 24 including one four and two sixes and L. David 14.

Leon Thomas took 2-16.

Laluni were bowled out for 79 in 20 overs in reply. Orin Marks made 21 and Reyon

Richie Looknauth

Shuman 11. V. Looknauth c l a i m e d 3 - 4 .

At Farm, Kenny Lawrence bagged a five-wicket haul to lead Farm Sports Club to a 14-run win over Uprising.

Farm SC took first strike and

Usherdeva Balgobin

scored 134 all out in 20 overs. Keisho Ramsarran scored 36 and Alex Rodrigues 35. Mohamed Baksh grabbed 4-18 while Wayne La Rose picked up 333 and Keshan Persaud 2-16.

Uprising made 120 all out in 23 overs, in response. Alex Singh top scored with 26, while Andy Narine scored 16 and Baksh 11 as Kenny Lawrence bagged 5-21 from seven overs.

From Left Lakeisha Pearson (Player), Ms. Maria Parsram H.R/Admin Manager Grand Coastal Inn Inc., Mrs. Andrea Johnson GNWFA President and Shamya Daniels (player) at the presentation.

GBTI GCC Roulettes, winners of the women's division.

Grand Coastal Hotel sponsors GFF-GNFWA Super 16 Women's Festival 2021

t r o Sp

MVP Sports sponsors cash Prize, SQ Apparel to outfit all teams

Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic

Pepsi Hikers, winners of the Men's first division.

Managing Director of MVP Sports Ian Ramdeo (centre), Rawle Toney (right) and Compton Babb display the Steph Curry sneakers which the winn The team uniforms are also on display.

Ongoing Court case on the issue prevents Treasurer from speaking on the matter Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.