Kaieteur News

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AG Report:

9,000 out of 11,000 NEWS citizens who qualified for COVID-19 relief did not get money AIETEUR

Tuesday Edition December 14, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 47

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 94,202

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

Govt. spends $53B more than budget approved for this year Exxon to build its own onshore base for Yellowtail Project

The protest continues for change to ExxonMobil’s contract.

More than $34 billion $1.5 billion CDB loan to in medical upgrade Linden/ supplies paid Mabura Road for, yet to be

…Chinese/Brazilian companies dominate bids

delivered

Public Works Ministry unable to account for $1.3B in electricity, unverifiable transactions

GRA at pains to keep auditors for ExxonMobil’s cost audit says officers leaving for higher salaries after being trained cost audit office now vacant, without clear direction from Govt.

When you got leaders with 2% brain, what do you expect to get, 200%? No, you will get 2% buddy because is only 2% brain they have. You get 2% royalty, 2% insurance and yuh get a 2% - 50/50 profit sharing. @11:00hrs on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

Kaieteur News

PAGE 02

Tuesday December 14, 2021

Exxon to build its own onshore base for Yellowtail Project

E

sso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)—ExxonMobil Guyana—is planning to build its own shore-base to service its fourth development in the Stabroek Block, Yellowtail, despite the fact it is yet to obtain any permits from the Guyana Government.

The disclosure was made this past week by ExxonMobil Guyana President, and Country Manager, Alistair R outledge, during his address to the 231nd Georgetown Chambers of

Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI) Award Ceremony which boasted the presence of top local private sector officials.

Also present in the a u d i e n c e w e r e Vi c e President Bharrat Jagdeo and Subject Minister, Vickram Bharrat.

The announcement was made a week before the promised Local Content Legislation is tabled in the National Assembly.

Addressing the private sector representatives in attendance, the EPPGL official used the occasion to disclose that the company

has in fact been relocating its supply chain services to Guyana from neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago.

He said that this was the case with a number of contractors engaged in the operations with the ExxonMobil led consortium that are currently relocating their supply centres to Guyana.

Reminding his listeners that the company is currently in discussions with the Guyana Government with regard to approval for the Yellowtail development, Routledge said the company will be

looking to build a shore base to cater for that facility.

Guyana currently boasts one shore base facility, with another on the cards for construction.

Addressing the GCCI gala affair, the ExxonMobil Guyana President said, “as you know, we are currently in discussions with the Government regarding the field development plan for the Yellowtail Project.”

He was at the time emphasizing the role of the private sector in the development of Guyana, and pointed to the operations in the Stabroek Block which,

he said, provides a foundation for that growth in domestic capacity.

Reminding of the potential for up to 10 developments in the Stabroek Block, the ExxonMobil Guyana President said that this bodes enormous potential not just for the contractors engaged already, but a host of others.

As such, he disclosed that “to date all of the major international oil and gas contractors have a presence in Guyana and have steadily been moving activities from the United States, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago to Guyana.”

A c c o r d i n g t o Routledge, “almost the entire supply chain for our offshore activities has been relocated to Guyana.”

This, he said, “has created opportunities for the Guyanese private sector, whether it’s to build out the shore-bases, warehousing, (or) waste treatment facilities.”

To this end, Routledge disclosed that “as we look forward to the projects to come” the company plans to “as part of the Yellowtail Project, we also plan to invest in a project shore-base that will enable an increase in fabrication and load out activities in Guyana.”

According to Routledge the consortium has to date already pumped some US$30B into its operations in the Stabroek Block, with regard to the development of the Liza I, II, Payara and Yellowtail Projects, thus far.

A c c o r d i n g t o Routledge, with the Liza I field producing since December 2019, the second Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel will come on stream in the New Year, tripling production for Guyana.

T h e P a y a r a Development, which he said was approved by Government last year, is expected to begin production in 2023.

He was adamant that the money pumped into the Stabroek Block by ExxonMobil will generate billions in revenue in coming years.

Routledge used the occasion to remind that the company has a scope for up to 10 developments in the Stabroek Block in future and pointed to the five discoveries to articulate “who knows where this could go.”

With the oil major boasting of some US$30B being pumped into Guyana, it is poignant to note that

ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge Government has, through its failure to audit bills submitted, to pay some US$11B for the Liza I & II projects, in addition to precontract costs.

It would mean that ExxonMobil has been deducting money out of cost oil to service those payments, none of which was ever checked and verified by the Guyana Government.

This past month, the political opposition had called the failure on the part of the administration, a dereliction of duty.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, during a recent press briefing, had said the G o v e r n m e n t i s disappointed that it has not been able to push through with critical audits, which cover over US$9B in expenditure for the Stabroek Block’s Liza Phase One and Two Projects.

The Vice President said, “…we have been very disappointed that we have not been able to select a group to do the audit of the post-2017 expenditure by Exxon. The reason is that we didn’t have strong local content. We had two groups, two local groups that came in, but they were not strong enough. We want to build the capacity in Guyana to do this audit. We think that our people have enormous skills, forensic skills and auditing capacity.”

The former President added, “…we’re looking to see if we can’t have an arrangement, where we have a consortium of our local people to come together to do part of this work, while working alongside an international group.”

That position, however, was roundly rejected by a number of civil society organizations, among others.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 14, 2021

More than $1.5 billion in medical supplies paid for, yet to be delivered I n 2 0 2 0 , G u y a n a ’s Government paid for supplies valued $1.615 billion, but up to when Auditor General (AG), Deodat Sharma and his team were making a review of the government spending for the fiscal year, the items were still undelivered.

The AG’s 2020 report noted that $1.615 billion were paid for the items to be delivered to the Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Home Affairs and Regions ¹.7 and 1, but the items remain undelivered.

According to the AG’s report, of the $1.615 billion, the Ministry of Health (MoH) had $1.568 billion of drugs and medical supplies paid for, but which had not yet been received.

The report noted that the non- delivery of items can have a serious impact on the Health Ministry’s ability to meet the needs of our citizens.

“Only $551.819M of the $1.568 billion advanced to suppliers was covered by bank guarantees. As such, should the suppliers default on the supply of goods, the Ministry could encounter difficulties recovering the difference of $1.016 billion,” the report outlined.

The 2020 reports of massive amounts of undelivered medical supplies follow the 2018 account of a similar occurrence.

In 2018, the Public Accounts Committee, (PAC) had highlighted problems with the award of contracts, and the distribution of drugs

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma and medical supplies by the Ministry of Health.

According to the PAC, several of the issues, which were highlighted in the 2015 Auditor General report, remain unresolved. In some cases, drugs and medical supplies purchased are still to be delivered.

Back then, Permanent Secretary, (PS), of the MoH Collette Adams noted that the Ministry had responded to queries about delivery of drugs and medical supplies dating back to 2015 in the Auditor General’s 2017 report. Adams shared that some of the cheques are in the process of being disbursed.

“What happens in some cases, there is a delivery schedule, so the drugs or supplies don’t come all at once. Therefore, the cheques remain on hand to be released to the suppliers over a period of time that the deliveries are made.

Adams noted, too, that some of the information contained in the PAC need to be updated.

The report should have included a response because the Ministry would have provided it since 2017. But what happens is the information from the previous reports keeps reappearing in the document each year, so it appears as though the Ministry has not taken any action or provided an explanation. That is not the case, the Ministry official insisted.

Meanwhile, in its response to the queries contained in the 2017 AG report, the Health Ministry explained that drugs and medical supplies valued at $12.352 M were delivered during 2018. The sum of $25.982 M is still to be delivered.

In the report, the Ministry admitted that the balance should have been remitted to the Consolidated Fund and the adjustment made to the book and accounts records.

In addition to the nondelivery of items, Minister o f H e a l t h , D r. F r a n k Anthony had reported earlier this year that $1.1 billion in expired medical, laboratory, and diagnostic supplies have been dumped following the completion of an audit of the medical supplies sent to all the administrative regions.

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Govt. spends $53B more than budget approved for this year The total budgetary allocation for fiscal year 2021 was approved in March last for a total of some $383.1B, but government has already spent more than US$52B that was represented in Financial Papers submitted to the House for approval.

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

The Financial Papers represent government’s accounting for funds issued from the Contingency Fund for the year.

The first such paper was presented to the House by Dr. Singh in June last, after which two more were submitted yesterday.

Financial Paper 1, represented an accounting of $1,906,775,000 million, expended from the Contingency Fund for Capital and Current Expenditure.

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

Asking for the Papers to be debated in the House this T h u r s d a y, D r. S i n g h yesterday submitted Financial Papers Three and Four, for $5,112,355,210 and $21,477,833, 982 million respectively.

Senior Minister within Office of the President, Dr. Ashni Singh As such, it would mean that the government has already expended some $53B more than the $383.1B allocation for this year.

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

According to the Finance Minister, that money was used to provide for operational expenses to the Lands and Survey Commission, and security expenses across the regions, in addition to cash grants for students among other allocations.

As it relates to Financial Paper 4, accounting for some $21,477,833 982

million, it was noted that allocations were made to the Office of the Prime Minister to cater for loans contracted from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB).

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

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

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

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

Finally, there were provisions for more fire hydrants in housing schemes, school upgrades and the accounting of loans contracted by government, such as a $56.8M provision for the law reform commission.

Members of the House are expected to flesh out the details of the expenditure ahead of a vote, when the National Assembly meets next Thursday.

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Kaieteur News

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

Corruption - tendering

G

uyanese scream bloody murder on every occasion that corruption shows its dirty, sickly face. Things are so bad here that those Guyanese who care are screaming all the time. When consideration is given to what is officially in place to function as a powerful filter, the question is why corruption continues to plague this country in the manner that it does. Today, we look at what is called the tendering oversight process.

Any state project that is GY$15M and above requires an expert evaluation from a team of engineers or proven technically competent people. Part of their expert evaluation includes a careful review of the records of those bidding for public works projects, such as the provision of goods and services ranging from building to supplying to consulting, and the many other things in which a country gets involved, or for which it has a need and demand.Those who declare an interest to bid for any project over that GY$15M must submit bid documents that state their bona fides that qualify them for consideration, or cause them to be rejected out of hand, because they don’t measure up, or possess what is required in advertisements placed by one of two agencies.

The first is the procurement body, usually a ministry or some other state agency, and the second is the government appointed group that sits as a screener/decision-maker of such projects, which is known as the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

There are various teams of evaluators that form an essential part of the screening of the bid process. As an example of one in the local arena, such a team of evaluators could come from and consists of a senior engineer from the Ministry of Public Works (for bigger, costlier projects), and a resident engineer (or more) from the procuring entity, along with others from other fields of expertise, usually determined by a very senior public officer in the procuring ministry or state agency.

It goes without saying that whichever team of evaluators is finalised, it has much work before it, and great responsibilities to fulfill. Responsibilities involving taxpayers’ money, the urgency of the project or programme, and the sensitivity of what is placed before it. Among the areas that the team of evaluators must review are the kinds of skills and relevance of those bidding for what is needed.

Also, the types of specialised equipment that may be required to get the job done efficiently.

Then, there is a look at whether bidders have a successful history of handling projects of such magnitude, vis a vis,the financial backing,the clearances, the coverages, and the whole range of underlying competencies and resources necessary to complete timely and satisfactorily. Like we said, which this snapshot provides, it is much gruelling work, possibly with limited hands.

As for the evaluating teams themselves, given what has happened in the past and keeps happening today, it becomes necessary, perhaps vital, that some issues are put on the table and in the open, so that longsuffering Guyanese paying through the nose, have a clear understanding of what they are paying people for, and what they are getting in return.

This is especially meaningful in the case of evaluating teams.

The issues are best presented in the form of a couple of questions.

First, how are bidding reviews conducted? How are the final decisions on recommendation(s) are made? Do the members of the evaluating teams sit in the same room throughout and at the same time and sift through the huge stacks of documents containing tedious details about numbers and places and people and what they have or don’t, and did or didn’t? To expand: are they discussing and debating, weighing and measuring, arguing and disagreeing about pluses and minuses of projects, and of who should qualify and who shouldn’t? Are evaluators conducting project reviews TOGETHER OR SEPARATELY? Or does one person sit alone and makes decisions that are emailed to the others? Last, what compromises do they reach to agree on bidders, while rejecting others?

These questions present serious concerns for Guyanese because of the shocking occurring, when bid winners are announced. Something is wrong, something is not working somewhere.

Tuesday December 14, 2021

Government’s dismantling of oversight committee for Natural Resource Fund must be resisted and condemned by all Guyanese DEAR EDITOR So now we know why after a year and a half the Guyana Natural Resource Fund – NRF (the money we get from oil) held in a New York Bank was not activated and the oil money was just sitting there not earning any interest.

It appears as if the Government was figuring out how to hijack those funds by having sole authority and unbridled power to spend the oil money, and to hell with Guyanese stakeholders.

Since the PNC’s bill for the NRF included 22 stakeholders and the PPP bill wants to exclude these stakeholders, the PPP should be concerned that the PNC will say this is a power grab. I call on the Guyanese people to resist this move and call on the Government to withdraw such an illconceived proposed amendment.

What Mr. Fred Collins of TIGI (Transparency Institute of Guyana, Inc.) calls the “original sin” whereby the PNC Coalition Government signed a giveaway contract of our most valuable resource in the country, happened because of secrecy, trickery, lack of discussion with the Opposition in parliament and no consultation with stakeholders. That was treasonous for a poor country for its Government to hand over billions in resources to a foreign corpo-

ration when the majority of its people are poor and destitute.

This lack of transparency and accountability is a problem to be solved, not something to be perpetuated. When the PNC did it, that was wrong, and it’s also wrong if the PPP wants to do the same thing.

Never again, should one party engage in signing big deals and spending large sums of taxpayers’ money without bringing such matters to Parliament and involving Guyanese civic groups and stakeholders to review these projects. Neither the PPP nor PNC owns Guyana.

We cannot give ultimate power to one man in the “PPP’s Engine Room” to treat the NRF as a personal “piggy bank.” Look how they failed to audit the $US 9.5 billion expense account submitted

by Exxon!

At a time when concerned groups are lamenting the poor governance of oil and gas, and the lack of transparency and accountability, the PPP’s proposal to dismantle the 22member NRF Board is not only a backward move, it shows the simple contempt the Government has for the people of Guyana in oil and gas matters. Clearly, the PPP wants to march to the beat of its own drum and does not seem prepared to listen to anyone.

Mr. President, for a government hanging by a thread

with a one-seat majority, this misguided direction renders your “One Guyana” slogan as worthless. When you dismantle the 22-member stakeholder group, you remove half of Guyana in decision making.

Nation, do we trust the PPP or PNC alone to handle the NRF? On Anti-Corruption Day, 2021, US Ambassador Lynch said “We continue to look forward to the 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. 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 utilize the country’s resources to the long-term benefit for all Guyanese.” Madame Ambassador, clearly the Government’s proposal removes transparency and oversight, and dismantles “a meaningful and inclusive process of stakeholder engagement.”

The Government’s proposal to remove the 22-member stakeholder group is reckless and shows wanton disregard for Guyana’s responsibility in following the Guyana Constitution. This also violates the Extractive

Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Principles, the Santiago Principles, and the Escazu Accord to which Guyana is a signatory. (EITI underlines the importance of transparency by governments and companies in the extractive industries and the need to enhance public financial management and accountability; EITI believes all stakeholders have important and relevant contributions to make – including governments and their agencies, extractive industry companies, service companies, multilateral organisations, financial organisations, investors and non-governmental organisations. The Santiago Principles promote transparency, good governance, accountability and prudent investment practices whilst encouraging a more open dialogue and deeper understanding of Sovereign Wealth Fund activities. The Escazú Agreement is one of the most effective tools for holding States accountable, defending rights, and protecting the health of people and of the planet).

I call on the Government to withdraw the amendment to dismantle the 22-member stakeholder group, and enact more not less “sunshine” provisions for managing the people’s oil fund.

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

WOULD THE NEW PNCR LEADER BRING HIS PARTY CLOSER TO STATE POWER?

DEAR EDITOR Guyanese were hoping that the PNCR internal election would have taken place on Saturday December 11, 2021 as advertised. However, it was reported over one week ago that the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) had decided, in the interest of democracy and transparency, to postpone the polls until December 18, 2021.

The PNCR election has attracted great public attention as never before. The prospects of capturing state power in the future depend heavily on the integrity of the election process and the choice of a visionary leader and supporting team.

The postponement of the election from December 11, 2021, to December 18, 2021, has given rise to speculation.

Nominations for office holders were conducted a month earlier and this should have given the CEC enough time to prepare the logistics, including ballot paper and list of delegates. There is appar-

ently wrangling among party members. One candidate for leader asked, for example, that the PNCR General Secretary be removed from the process.

Why? About two weeks ago three members of the Accreditation Committee resigned because they claimed a conflict of interest. And last week a candidate for leader, despite his initial exuberance, withdrew from the race. Do these happenings make way for the re-alignment of delegates’ votes for a particular candidate?

Based on previous election experience, critics wonder if the PNCR team can conduct a free and fair election, as proclaimed! Guyanese are watching this election closely as it would send a signal how close or far, is the PNCR from the democratic process. A clean election will allow for atonement for past misdeeds and remove some of the darkness that has haunted the party over electoral rigging at the national level. One way to mitigate any fear of electoral

malpractice is for the CEC to invite election observers.

Whether the choice of Returning Officer is strategic is uncertain as his role in the 5- month’s post-election saga has hurt his standing as a GECOM Commissioner. One critic Alvin Hamilton wrote: “This man still posits that the Opposition did not lose the Guyana March 2, 2020, elections. He cannot bring himself, against incontrovertible evidence, to admit that the Opposition was engaged in repeated attempts to rig the said elections...” It was also reported that he was willing to have ex-CEO Keith Lowenfield submit his fictitious election results for consideration by GECOM. It is therefore with some measure of uneasiness that Guyanese are critically analyzing the PNCR election and its outcome.

Notwithstanding these reservations, whoever is chosen to lead the PNCR has a formidable task ahead. Once he decides to walk on the

democratic track, he must sort out his party’s relationship with the smaller APNU affiliated parties, particularly the AFC which has indicated that it might leave the APNU coalition. The chosen leader has, among other things, to ensure that a competent opposition, inclusive of shadow ministers are kept abreast with issues and policies. He must create a coherent vision for his party and for the country. There are several other challenges facing the new leadership of the PNCR, including the urgent need to repair his party’s battered national and international image particularly due to the 5months’ post-election fiasco, which was accentuated by a nebulous claim that the Russians interfered with the 2020 national and regional elections.

It would be interesting to know if delegates have a good grasp of each candidate’s political philosophy, perspective, and vision. Here are (Continued on page 6)

Tuesday December 14, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Aubrey Norton will wake up as Recapturing the spirit of unity Leader of PNCR December 19 DEAR EDITOR There is an awakening, a sort of sudden consciousness that has overtaken our members and supporters.

They have made up their minds as to who they wish to see assume leadership of the PNCR. They have no intention of budging; there will be no change of heart at the final hour.

The dye is cast.

Guyanese are a patient and tolerant people when it comes to assessing their leaders. Sometimes they can come across soft, sympathetic and even indifferent but we should never take them for granted. Today, their minds are made up. When they decide enough is enough, not even a billion dollars in bribe can convince them otherwise.

Aubrey C Norton can go home at this moment and sleep until the day of con-

gress.

He can wake up, yawn, rub his eyes and doze off again. He will wake up as Leader of the People’s National Congress.

Here is where our supporters and members will not be insulted any longer. They have watched Joe Harmon’s leadership while in opposition. They saw the ineptitude, they heard of how compromised he had become. They observed his focus on everything else but solid representation of their cause. They brushed aside rumours of his close relationship with powerful players close to the PPP and they did not rise up against him or call for his head on a platter. How dare anyone become perturbed when democracy is kicked into gear and members and supporters have to decide who they wish to lead our party and they

choose a leader they believe is the opposite of what they have been working with all along?

Dr. Van West Charles reemerged out of thin air. He plunged forth from the early eighties back to the future of now presenting qualifications on par with international personalities of repute. The young, middle-aged and even the old are asking a simple question, WHERE WERE YOU IN THE DECADES OF DARKNESS, DESTRUCTION AND DEATH? He is yet to respond. He will not respond.

I am relaxing for the rest of the week because I must save my energies for Step Two. Step One is signed, sealed and ready to be delivered.

Regards, Norman Browne Political activist

DEAR EDITOR, We have a great opportunity before us to recapture the spirit shared during the movement towards Independence.

China has done a beautiful rendition of their national drive for independence as expressed in opera.

Guyana’s National School of Dance, the Theater Guild, the National Cultural Centre and our traditional schools of dance in the Amerindian, African, Portuguese, Chinese and Indian cultures should come together to create our own national legacy that recounts the events leading to the movement of the 1950’s.

Our national independence opera could be comprised of the following Acts and Scenes:Act 1 Scene 1: An overview of the feeling in British Guiana in 1945 Scene 2: Introduction to Jung Bahadur Singh Scene 3: Introduction to J.A. Nicholson Scene 4: Introduction to Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow

Scene 5: Introduction to Ashton Chase Act 2 Scene 1: Formation of the British Guiana Labour Party Act 3 Scene 1: Introduction to Cheddi Jagan Scene 2: Introduction to Janet Jagan Scene 3: Introduction to Jocelyn Hubbard Scene 4: Enter Ashton Chase and the formation of the Political Affairs Committee Act 4 Scene 1: The 1947 elections Scene 2: Introduction to Forbes Burnham Scene 3: Merger of the Political Affairs Committee and the British Guiana Labour Party to form the People’s Progressive Party Act 5 Scene 1: The first Congress of the PPP Scene 2: The third Congress of the PPP Scene 3: The 1953 elections We have been blessed as a Nation to still have in our midst Senior Counsel Ashton Chase who is a living National

Treasure.

His guidance for historical accuracy and scene development would bring to life an opera capturing the spirit and history that he had been a part of over the years.

China’s opera The Red Detachment of Women is a beautiful artistic form that showcases their history.

Our talented dancers in the various cultures that make our Guyana Beautiful should benchmark their work and work together under the guidance of a skilled and experienced Director to create a national tribute to the spirit of unity in the pursuit of our independence as a Nation.

The current and future generations will thank you and visitors will gain a better appreciation for the multiethnic beauty that Guyana possess that is second to none.

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

DEAR EDITOR, The United Republican Party congratulates Mr. Vishnu Persaud on his selection as new CEO of Gecom and wishes him every success in his new duties and responsibilities.

We cheer Gecom Chair Justice Claudette Singh for her tie breaking vote.

It was an excellent decision.

The elections commission has been without a CEO for several months and we are so pleased that the position has been filled after much rancor between government and opposition election commissioners.

We are not surprised that Vishnu has been selected for the position.

He is deserving of it. We are very delighted that t he vacancy has been filled. Gecom can now resume its work to register new voters, update its electoral roll, and prepare for local government elections.

Mr. Persaud is the right

person for the job.

We are so glad that he put in an application for this position.

He was/is the perfect choice for this role given his many years of experience working at Gecom and serving a few years as its Deputy CEO. While there, he worked very hard, earning accolades from his boss as well as colleagues.

His work history was very impressive.

Yet, he was (unjustly) denied the position in 2017 because of a biased selection process.

But his persistence paid off this time around.

He finally has an opportunity to demonstrate his strengths and accomplishments.

URP says he has earned his new position.

And we feel he will add incredible value given his hardworking nature and determination.

There is no doubt that he

is very qualified for the position. He comes with a lot of experience and served professionally.

We are confident that he will lead the agency with integrity that was his hallmark there and that was regrettably shattered under his predecessor during the failed attempts to rig the March 2, 2020 general elections.

And we are sure that under his leadership there would never be a repeat of what took place between March 2 and August 1, 2020.

URP takes this opportunity to pledge our support for his work to help strengthen the integrity of the elections commission.

We are confident that he will serve the nation well! We wish Vishnu Persaud a successful tenure and the absolute best.

May he live up to the nation’s trust and faith in him to deliver credible elections!

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bandhu URP Leader

It is vexatious that Govt. is seeking to remove oversight URP hails selection of Vishnu of the oil funds Persaud as new GECOM CEO

DEAR EDITOR I always had the thought that there was a limit, some place of stopping, with certain things. Even good thingsfood and drink, company and cheering-have a way of coming to an end, sometimes not so sweetly.

But I am forced to confess that I was wrong, and in a way that leaves me breathless, worried; the latter is a most difficult thing to achieve.

There is now this feeling for a way forward, which is prompted by the latest assaults on the intelligence and dignity of Guyanese, compliments of a runaway PPP Government, completely committed to one corruption atrocity after another. The PPP Government, and the range of interests that speaks to the corrupting are endless, so committed are these fine Guyanese to a certain mode of operations, a settled way of life. In a word, it is of continuing, pervasive corruptions that twist their souls into the unrecognizable and barbaric.

I am convinced that the Government’s strategists and analysts, with the insistent pressures of leaders on them, pour over, and painstakingly study the Laws of Guyana, and the related rules and regulations that spring from those laws and come up with pleasing recommendations for their masters. Sometimes, their masters do the heavy studying and reviewing themselves to pounce upon those

places and provisions that hold the prospects of being hindrances to their corrupting national visions and their deep-seated personal ambitions. By now, Guyanese should discern who the driver in this sitting government is, and who the passengers along for the ride are. There are the regulars from many days traveled together, and there are the younger ones, who have to be shown how the thievery program works, and the need to get quickly with it. The man in charge has proved to be a fast learner of things that belong in dark back alleys and should stay there.

But this is governance, in the now traditional PPP style.

The big boss-man and biggest dog in the local political pound controls the show.

And what a show he came up with in the last few days. First, it was the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee, which became a prime candidate for the legislative chopping block. Most likely, the honourable man of Guyana’s law chambers will be assigned to do the honours, as public executioner. It is a job he has come to relish, because he himself has his eyes on bigger prizes, and now is not the time to quibble about protections and sentinels and safeguards and all that crap. Sorry, I forgot myself in this season of truth and righteousness.

For when I first heard of the parliamentary preparations to gut Guyana some

more, with the planned removal of that sensible and safeguarding oversight committee (they call them checks and balances), my reaction was that this could not be.

Just could not be. And when the reasons for its destruction were presented by the Honourable Vice President of Guyana, what I did was to dismiss with utter contempt the stated rationales-cumbersome nature, likely laborious inefficiencies, and not being able to get anything donethey deserve, as the most frivolous and misleading of positions.

It is vexatious that Guyana’s Vice President, its self-anointed oil authority (the man is an OPEC all by himself) could not find any reason to keep the needed protections of that oversight provision. In view of what has happened with this nation’s oil under his watch (and those before him), this country can ill-afford less watchdogs, fewer sentinels.

The 22-member group is the 4-eyes principle taken seriously and expanded to furnish the much-needed protections needed here with this oil, and the confidence that they give. As this PPP Government should be well-aware, the corruptions with this oil of ours began as far back as 1999, and have extended through every government since, without exception. To be clear, the corruptions flourishing with this oil is happening more today than it ever did before. Hence, I don’t give a damn (regrets, again) about cumbersome (Continued on page 6)

PAGE 6

It is vexatious that...

From page 5 and all the rest, especially coming from individuals as troubling and troubled as these leaders in the PPP Government. When I reflect upon that first oversight dilution development, I came to rough places.

It is that PPP leaders sleep and dream of how to deceive and cheat the hopeful peoples of this society. And when they come to life daily, they step forward to introduce their newest handiwork, which fosters more corruptions, because it takes away the sight and teeth in the little laws that we have over oil and its cash.

Without pausing to admire their oversight destruction handiwork it was full speed ahead within a matter of hours with another corruption masterpiece. The messenger was the Vice President again. Like I said, the man doesn’t sleep at night, engage in social conversations and exchanges (other than when mandatory), so obsessed is he with taking this oil down dark and dangerous paths that seduce and lead to still more falling and costly failures with our riches. He

Tuesday December 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

conjures ways to unravel what is there to protect all of us from the allures of oil that have laid low many poor societies. His newest gig is to discard the Macroeconomic Committee, another feature of our laws. He says this helps eliminate complexity.

I scorn that for being selfserving, and removing anticorruption boulders blocking his path, while replacing such with what jumps to do his bidding, damages Guyana.

When we go full tilt with this reckless haste to dismantle anti -corruption provisions, we smash windows and cut through grills that give us some comfort and trust. What is left are the many corruptions sure to come, and which I lay on the head of the PPP Government in general, and the head, shoulders, and feet of the erstwhile Vice President, specifically. Those Guyanese waiting for something from this oil had better find something else to watch, and place their hopes in, to give them peace.

To all my fellowGuyanese, happy holidays, and safe and sensible celebrating.

Regards, GHK Lall

Would the New PNCR...

From page 4 some teething issues: (1) Since PNCR operatives have been accusing and demonizing CARICOM leaders of complicity with the PPPC just because they support free and fair election results, would the new leader apologise to Caribbean leaders whom they have vilified?

(2) Would the new leader apologize to the nation for his party’s leadership behaviour during the 5-months’ postelection saga?

(3) Would the new leader recognise the legally elected PPPC government, a status recognized by 100 countries, including all western democracies: the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union, as well as by international organisations such as CARICOM, Organization of American States, and the Commonwealth?

(4) Would the new leader approach the US authorities to restore visas to PNCR operatives who were deemed by the US to be hostile towards democracy?

(5) Would the new leader denounce and reject racism and violence as political tools?

The new PNCR leader and team must address urgently the above and other issues if they are going to enhance their chances of winning state power in the future.

Regards, Dr. Tara Singh

GGDMA elects new executive committee - PRESIDENT PROMISES TO PUSH FOR BETTER INFRASTRUCTURES IN MINING AREAS

The new management committee of the GGDMA. L to r Ronaldo Alphonso, Mahendra Persaud, Geraldo Alphonso, Azeem Baksh, Andron Alphonso, VishantiBalgobin, Hilbert Shields, Dabria Marcus and Avalon Jagnandan- Administrative Manager absent from the photo are Charles DaSilva, and Terrence Adams.

A new committee has been elected to manage the affairs of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) for the next two years, the association said in a press release.

Andron Alphonso was reelected, unopposed, for a second consecutive term as president of the body at elections held on the 8th of December 2021 at the Everest Cricket Club. The new management team also includes Hilbert Shields - Vice President, Azeem Baksh – Secretary, Mahendra Persaud – Treasurer, and Ronaldo Alphonso - Organizing Secretary. Committee members are: Vishanti Balgobin, Geraldo Alphonso, Charles DaSilva, Dabria Marcus, and Terrence Adams- immediate past president.

In remarks following his elections the president promised to continue to advocate for the industry to ensure its survival.

Specifically, he has promised to push for improving existing infrastructure such as roads and bridges, 24-hour access in and out of mining areas, development of new roads and bridges to provide access in areas where there is

great prospect for miners, and also continue lobbying efforts to eradicate the scourge of illegal mining.

“As the industry develops, the GGDMA and miners must evolve,” Alphonso said, adding that miners must endeavour to mine safer and more efficiently while minimising impacts. However this change, while necessary, must be managed to ensure that the pace of change does not negatively impact the industry.

Andron Alphonso said for the next two years, the executive “will research new technologies that would enhance

recovery and simultaneously reduce the impact on the environment.

He explained that this will involve conducting research and development testing where applicable in countries in which those technologies are currently being used.

The president said too that the GGDMA will be looking for technologies that allow miners to increase recovery and production while simultaneously reducing environmental impact.

Additionally, he said miners must continue to put focus on occupational safety and health along with recov-

ery and production rates.

Alphonso also thanked the Government for the renewal of the Investment Development Agreement that is very beneficial to tax compliant miners and also the reapplication of the VAT free status on heavy equipment and ATVs utilized in the industry.

Alphonso further noted that discussions will continue towards finding the right balance between the implementation of the new Anti-Money Laundering (AML) legislation and the practical limitations that are to be considered in ensuring the survival of the industry.

Youth gets 4 years for wounding uncle, who ‘borrowed’ phone charger

20-year-old Joshua Witter was yesterday sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment during his arraignment at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court for chopping his uncle.

Joshua Witter appeared before Magistrate Russell Liverpool, where he was found guilty of feloniously wounding Darion Witter.

The court heard that on the day in question, the two had a heated argument over a phone charger head belonging to Joshua, which the uncle had collected without his permission. During the argument, Joshua threatened to chop Darion, his uncle.

According to police reports, it explained that while the uncle was inside the house, Joshua sneaked up behind him and dealt him several lashes across his body with a cutlass.

As a result, Darion received several chops to his body and injuries to his right thumb and left foot. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was a d m i t t e d t o t h e h o s p i t a l ’s E m e rg e n c y Wa r d . D u e t o t h e injuries he sustained, he lost\ his right thumb.

Charged, Joshua Witter

Tuesday December 14, 2021

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Tuesday December 14, 2021

GRA at pains to keep auditors for ExxonMobil’s cost audit says officers leaving for higher salaries after being trained cost audit office now vacant, without clear direction from Govt.

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

Monday.

The report recalls that in July 2020, approval was granted by the Board of the Authority for the establishment of the Petroleum Revenue D e p a r t m e n t . Wi t h t h e implementation of the new structure, the Petroleum Revenue Audit Department

was changed to the Petroleum Revenue Department, and its functions were extended.

Since this is a new industry for which the skills were virtually non-existent in Guyana, and current salary levels could not attract expatriate staff, the GRA said the decision was made

for the Authority to do its own internal training with the help of the Office of Technical Assistance and the International Monetary Fund. The training, Kaieteur News understands, sought to build capacity to ‘Administer Domestic taxes within the Oil and Gas Sector’ and ‘conduct Cost

GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia Recovery Audits’ from March 2017 to July 2019.

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

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

Management, therefore, had moved to sources external to the GRA for qualified accountants, auditors and financial analysts.”

Kaieteur News

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

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

9,000 out of 11,000 citizens who qualified for COVID-19 relief did not get money - AG Report Approximately 9,284 persons out of 11,098 (83%) who gained eligibility for the COVID-19 Pandemic Assistance Voucher, a programme that was undertaken by the former APNU/AFC Coalition Government (Coalition) did not receive anything. This is according to the findings reported by the Office of Auditor General (AG).

According to the AG report, a performance audit was conducted on the Coalition’s relief voucher programme for the period March to September 2020 and found that only slightly over 1,000 persons received vouchers.

It was explained that under the former Government had provided economic relief to citizens during the pandemic via the COVID-19 Pandemic Assistance Voucher Programme.

Eligible persons received toiletries, food and sanitary supplies, by way of a voucher which valued between $25,000 and $32,000. The vouchers were for residents in Regions 2, 3,4,5,6 and 10.

Kaieteur News calculates that the unpaid persons, using an even 9,000 of the qualified and a flat $25,000 per person, amounts to GY$225 million in relief funds not handed over to strapped citizens.

It should be noted that this programme was funded through the allocation of funds from the budget for the financial year 2020 of the various agencies responsible for the management of the Programme. This programme was a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Finance, Communities and Social Protection; and the National Data Continued on page 17

Tuesday December 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

Omicron – Pt. 1 A new Sars-CoV-2 variant of concern - Omicron - has emerged in the past few months, and is already playing havoc around the globe. It is important not to point fingers. This variant was first detected in South Africa, but for all we know it may have originated in Guyana. It is important not to stigmatise the reporting of variants or of new diseases, or we may become even worse at detecting and responding to threats.

At first glance, it seems that the world has not learned its lessons from the devastating Alpha and Delta variants, which have collectively claimed the lives of millions this year. Critics of the global response will point to the fact that politicians the world over, satisfied that vaccination had reduced the mortality rate of the disease, have allowed the virus to spread unchecked, and hence provided an opportunity for mutation.

This is an appealing story, but in the case of Omicron it does not quite line up with the facts. The sheer number of mutations present in the Omicron variant - far more than any variant of concern seen before - has lead virologists to hypothesize that it may have developed in an immune-compromised individual who has suffered from COVID over a period of many months, allowing the virus time to adapt and mutate against their weakened but persistent immune response.

As such, unlike with the Delta variant, we cannot entirely lay the blame for this mutation on the wide spread of the virus, though it certainly has not hurt [the virus].

Viruses mutating in immune-compromised individuals is nothing new.

School children are taught in biology classes about the importance of finishing antibiotic regimens for

diseases such as TB to prevent the emergence of antibiotic resistant-variants.

And immune-compromised individuals often do not develop strong immunity after vaccination. This is why public health officials were so desperate to achieve herd immunity - to ensure that the community’s immunity - from vaccines or infection - would shield immune-compromised individuals.

That does not mean there was nothing that could have been done to protect these individuals. Vaccines should not have been hoarded by the most developed countries.

This applies both to the doses they pre-purchased as well as manufacturing capacity and intellectual property. We were told at the beginning of this year that waiving vaccine manufacturers’ exclusive rights to produce and distribute vaccines would not help because other countries would not be able to manufacture these vaccines at the scale and standard required. The current American president initially supported this position, then changed his mind, then changed it again under pressure from the pharmaceutical industry.

Now, with licenced vaccine manufacturing taking place at a large scale in India and Brazil, it has become apparent that the barriers to manufacture were not insurmountable.

MRNA delivery was touted as allowing vaccines to be developed specifically targeted at variants, but with a new dominant variant emerging every four to five months even these cannot be developed, tested and delivered fast enough to keep up with the virus.

So what do we know about the new Omicron variant? So far not much, other than that it is spreading fast. From the data in South Africa, it appears

to be more effective at reinfecting individuals who have already contracted COVID. This also coincides with waning immunity from infection and vaccination, which further diminishes protection against the disease.

There have been reports that it is less lethal than previous variants, but the same was initially hoped about Delta, with little to show for it.

Whether or not Omicron is able to evade previous immunity, eventually variants will emerge that can.

Eventually, with improvements in treatment, we may be able to learn to live with COVID. But we are not there yet - over a thousand people in this country have died already. I would like to ask you all to have just a little more patience, to save the lives of your fellow citizens.

So what can you do to protect yourself from Omicron? The same as usual - if you haven’t been vaccinated, get vaccinated. If you have been vaccinated, get a booster. Practice social distancing - this does not mean staying five feet away from people, it means staying five miles away - avoid inperson social activity. Wear a mask - especially indoors, which is where masks are most effective. If you are stuck indoors with other people, keep the space ventilated. There is no magic bullet to end this pandemic (for now, at least), but, as I am reminded on the radio every morning, “Each man must do his bit for his comrades”.

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

Dem Boys Seh…

Confession of a Party Dem boys remember when a young child went to confession. De child begin, “Father, I have done a small but cruel thing.

It is no great or terrible sin, but it eats upon my conscience.”

De Father reply was, “Speak, it does the soul much good to be absolved of a venal sin.”

To dis de child say, “Father, my sister keeps a dog which I presented to her as a wee puppy, and she loved to feed and play with him. But as he grew she came to neglect him, leaving him to feed himself.

Father I cared for the dog as my sister would not. When he was thirsty I gave him milk, and fish when he was hungry. Yet in the evenings he would crawl back to my sister.””And you never mistreated him?

Never beat him or left him hungry as punishment?” de Father question.”No, Father! But I did do him wrong, for I began to pen him in the evenings, for his own good, so that he did not go back to my cruel sister.

But now instead of with me he lives unloved in my sister’s house again, for she has let him back in and feigns remorse.

It was a wrong thing I did Father, putting a dog in a pen, but I truly meant it as a kind act,” de child clairfy.

“Even the kindest acts can be wicked. But all you need do is repent. Now that you accept you have done wrong,” said de father.

De child continue, “But Father, I would do it again if I could. ”You say your sister has allowed him back into her house? Are you sure what you did was really the best for the animal?” de father ask. To dis de child say, “Father, I came here for absolution.”

But according to de father, “There can be no absolution without true repentance.”

“But I have, Father,” de child insist.

“No child. I’m afraid if you will not repent you must go. Go and Sin no more!”

Talk half and wait to see who prepared to sin no more.

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Tuesday December 14, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Writing about ethnic groups in Guyana: The facts The contents of the paragraphs below took the form of a letter sent to the Stabroek News (SN). It was my response to a missive I saw in the newspaper in which Akola Thompson had made some comments on me.

S u r e l y, t o c l a r i f y comments made on my output by Ms. Thompson, I had to send my notes to the newspaper where they originated.

To date my letter has not been published. What is sickening and morally horrible is that none of the so-called decent people who write often in the newspapers about this or that minister or the wrong things the government is doing is going to ask SN for an explanation on my right to reply. Here now is the original response.

I reject the theory that Guyana has inherent antiBlackness. On the contrary, f o r r e a s o n s o f argumentative provocation, one could say anti-Indianess instead. I am referring to

Akola Thompson’s letter (Thursday, December 9) in which she mentioned some thoughts of mine.

I am much older and would never deter a young person like Ms. Thompson from expressing her feelings. It is for this reason I was very circumspect in my observations. By Black, I think she means African people. For me, antiBlackness means anti-dark skinness.

Ms. Thompson is too young to know the humiliation Indians have gone through in this country from the time they had to fight for the right to vote in the early 20th century to systematic discrimination by the Burnham regime to systematic violent attacks from 1992 to September 2020.

My advice to Ms. Thompson is that she would be better able to shape her presentations by doing research. If any slogan is relevant in this country it is this - “Indian Lives Matter.”

Indians have borne the brunt

of cultural, racial and religious discrimination for over 100 years. Darkskinned Indians suffered all three types of humiliation plus colour snubbing.

If Ms. Thompson had my complexion and went to UG in the days when UG was a recipient of privileged students, then she wouldn’t write about anti-Blackness but anti-dark skinness. What I would concede is that Africans have borne the brunt of economic and financial discrimination in the immediate postemancipation period.

I cannot keep emphasising to Ms. Thompson that she must do her research. Indian and Portuguese economic and financial power was virtually decapitated from 1968 until 1989 when President Hoyte opened up the economy. There was no Indian rich peasantry and rural Indian petty bourgeoisie after 1974.

You did have an Indian urban middle class but they were found among private

professionals.

I would suggest that Thompson read two very well done books on the near erasure of Indian money power under President Burnham – John Gafar, “Guyana: From State Control to Free Markets,” and Ramesh Gampat, “Guyana’s Great Economic Downswing, 1977-1990.”

What people need to know is that Indian money that has been flowing in Guyana since 1989 does not belong exclusively to local Indians but those who went away after 1970. A perfect example is the Beharry family that earned its money from the US during the time Burnham was miniaturising Indian businesses in Guyana.

Let me remind Ms. Thompson that there are few other Indians in the history of Guyana that have embraced the passion of the cause of removing disadvantages of AfricanGuyanese than me. She should read my research papers on that topic when I lectured at UG. But my

research also shows me that Indians have been brutalised more intensively in Guyana than Africans. I point her to my essay, Frederick Kissoon “ A f r i c a n extremism in an Age of Political Decay” in Thompson I know what went Cedric Grant & Mark Kirton on in Buxton.

Finally, it is a total (eds), “Governance, caricature in Guyana’s Conflict Analysis, and sociology to apply Black Conflict Resolution.”

Lives Matter to Guyana.

I don’t think Ms. H i s t o r i c a l l y, B l a c k Thompson at her young age wants to know what I know Guyanese have been in about the Buxton mayhem, charge of every aspect of state functionalism 2002-2006. including the sugar industry No Indian mind would under the PNC from 1968 to entertain the horrible anti1992 and then from 2015African racist thoughts that 2020.

As a Black Guyanese, went through the antiMs. Thompson, tell me what Indian minds of those you know about state Buxton-based gunmen. discrimination against They used to have history and politics classes Indian people in their own and I would be sued for libel country?

(The views expressed in if I tell you who would this article are those of the creep into Buxton and a u t hor and do not lecture to those gunmen. necessarily reflect the Those classes resulted in o p i n i o n s of this widespread murders of newspaper.)

Indian people. Trust me Ms.

Tuesday December 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Students of the Alexander Village Nursery, West Ruimveldt with their newly gifted toys in their hands.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 14, 2021

Newly launched charity, distributes gifts to kids Joy was brought to the faces of many children as they received Christmas gifts from the newly launched charitable o r g a n i z a t i o n - To p a z Entertainment (TP) The organisation was founded by 10 women whose aim is to provide for less fortunate children within the most vulnerable communities across our country. The gift distribution was organised and executed by the 10 founding members: Shonis Rodney, Nabijala Nelson, Shelon Simon, Carolyn CaesarMurray, Natasha GoodmanAdams, Evonne Vickerie, Monique Hall, Ogeria Gittens, Torrica McRae and Natasha Narine.

These women aspired to create an organisation of impact, and one which will see better lives for those who are vulnerable and may lack resources to do better for themselves.

One of the Founders, Ms. Carolyn Caesar-Murray, said that the organization has, over the past few months been planning and preparing for this launch; the founders have also been assessing their target areas across the country. It was only last week that they distributed over 200 gifts out of their 300 target to nursery school students from various schools across Georgetown, including the St. Christopher and Selman Fraser Nursery.

Murray noted that the

launch of Topaz Entertainment has been in the works for a few months, and she is quite elated with the organization’s progress thus far. Their aim is to continue to do more in the future for those who are vulnerable. Speaking on behalf of the TP family, she announced that this is just the start and the organization will be doing more in the future, such as scholarships and much more. “We just want persons to know that Topaz Entertainment has been launched and we’re gonna be creating memorable events” she emphasized.

She said the decision to start a charity was something, which was always discussed among the founders, and it was only about two months ago that she and team came together to finalize the launching of TP and appointed members to their respective positions.

The toy drive, Murray acknowledged, was made possible by the funding the group was able to garner after they hosted their first event, which was an inaugural brunch held at Park Rayne earlier this month. She noted that they were yet to make distribution of toys throughout the Festival City area before the Christmas Holiday, as their aim is to complete or, more so, surpass their 300 distribution target.

UMAMI expands to U.S. market with storefront on Amazon.com

UMAMI, one of Guyana’s leading manufacturers of sauces and condiments, disclosed on Monday that it has widened access to its products with the launch of its Amazon.com storefront.

The award-winning company says it plans to bring its range of Guyanese products across the borders, both to the Continued on page 18

Tuesday December 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday December 14, 2021

$34B CDB loan to upgrade Linden/Mabura Road …Chinese/Brazilian companies dominate bids Section of the Linden/Mabura road.

The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office last week opened billion-dollar bids from Brazilian and Chinese firms vying for the contract to upgrade the Linden to Mabura Hill road, a project that is Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) funded.

This project is being undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works, and according to their engineer’s estimate this project is pegged at some $34,197,257,104.

Those competing for the contract are China Gezhouba Group Company Limited (China), China Railway International Company Limited (China), Shandong Luqiao Group Company Limited (China), Queirozgalao (Brazil), and joint ventures Castilho (Brazil) and local company, EOCI. In December 2020, it was announced that the CDB, the Government of Guyana and the United Kingdom Government have partnered Continued on page 18

Below are the companies and their bids: Bidder China Gezhouba Group Company Limited China Railway International Company Limited Shandong Luqiao Group Company Limited Queirozgalao Castilho (Brazil) joint venture with EOCI (Guyana) Engineer’s Estimate

Amount Tendered $29,962,374,255 $33,808,790,866 $30,225,357,150 $29,546,747,077 $35,138,144,149 $ 34,197,257,104

Tuesday December 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Public Works Ministry unable to account for $1.3B in electricity, unverifiable transactions The Ministry of Public Works is unable to account for over $1.3 billion spent on electricity, and a series of unverifiable transactions, according to the Ministry of Finance’s Auditor General (AG) 2020 Report.

The Ministry of Public Works replaced the Ministry of Public Infrastructure in August 2020 and the expenditure that was highlighted in the Auditor General’s report for the first nine months were budgeted under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, which was headed by former Minister, David Patterson. While the expenditure for October to December was budgeted under the Ministry of Public Works, which is being headed by Minister Bishop Juan Edghill.

According to the report, the Ministry spent the sum of $490,162,000 for the payment of utility services, that is, telephone, electricity and water charges.

H o w e v e r , a n examination of the three utilities registers revealed that they were not properly written up to reflect pertinent information. It was highlighted in the report that as a result of not all of the payments being entered into the registers – the accuracy and propriety of the payments could not be determined.

A table in the report illustrated that the sum of $457,572,000 was expended on electricity. Nevertheless, the sum of $148,000 was entered into the register, making a difference of $ 457,424,000. It was further

Accountability Act 2003.

The Auditor General reported that the basis on which these transactions were processed could not have been determined at the time, and it could also not be determined whether the Ministry complied fully with Section 31 (3) of the FMA Act, as it related to the processing of these transactions.

That section stipulates that “No requisition for the payment of public moneys shall be made in respect of

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill illustrated that the sum of $17,495,000, was expended on telephone charges, but only the sum of $4,692, 000 was entered into the register, leaving a difference of $12, 803,000; and for water charges, the sum of $15,095,000 was expended but the sum $12,867,000 was entered into the register making a difference of $2,228,000.

In response to the Auditor General remarks on the Public Works Ministry spending, the Ministry’s Head of Budget Agency stated that for the electricity bill “It should be noted that the amount stated/reflected as difference in the (?) was recorded separate in an electricity file and will be provided for audit purposes.”

It was stated in the response that the telephone expenditure was accumulated by both the Ministry and the Works

Accounting for Expenditure.

Former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson Services Group (WSG). The Ministry explained that some payments were omitted from the registers owing to the fact that several vouchers were processed at various times, and some were missing. The Ministry then pointed out that steps have been taken to have this corrected and all payments recorded.

As for the water difference, the Ministry said that it is being updated and reconciled. To this end, it was noted that the format of the registers is being reviewed so that accurate information can be easily retrievable.

The Audit Office recommended to the Ministry that the Head of Budget Agency ensure that its Utility Registers are properly maintained and reconciled periodically.

Additionally, another finding by the Auditor General revealed that 94 transactions totaling $912,355M for the period December 30, 2020 to January 2, 2021, was processed without supporting documentations – it was highlighted that this amounts to a breach of the Fiscal Management and

The table showing the difference of the Ministry of Public Works spending.

any part of the Government, unless the head of the budget agency concerned, or an official authorised in writing by that head for the purpose certifies – in the case of a payment for the performance of work, the supply of goods or the provision of services…”

In response to the findings, the Ministry’s Head of Budget stated that documents to support payments were subsequently received and affixed to the payment vouchers, and that

the vouchers have since been presented for audit examination.

However, nothing further was mentioned, regarding whether or not the transactions were later verified.

The Audit Office recommended that the Head of Budget Agency ensure that payments are prepared and processed, based on the relevant supporting documents, and that the same should be attached to the vouchers.

PAGE 16

Law passed for police to use less lethal weapons

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- Govt. hopes it will help reduce fatal confrontations

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Tuesday December 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Ministry of Home Affairs Robeson Benn proposing the new law to National Assembly yesterday.

Members of Parliament (MPs) from both sides of the political divide voted in unison yesterday to pass a law that will allow police ranks to carry “less lethal weapons” such as, batons, clubs, taser guns, chemical irritants (pepper sprays).

Ranks can now also use water cannons, tear gas or rubber pellets to restrain a riotous crowd or suspects.

This new law is an amendment to Section 2 of Chapter 16 of the Police Act and was proposed to parliament by Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn.

The government believes that by amending the Act, physical conflict between citizens and police, which can sometimes end with the death of a suspect, will be reduced.

In the bill that government presented to the National Assembly, there were insertions of two new definitions for the terms “Arms” and “Less Lethal Weapons”.

The term “arms” was defined to include less lethal weapons and the term “less lethal weapons” is defined to include nightsticks, batons, clubs, chemical irritants,

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conducted electrical weapons, Kinetic impact projectiles and water cannons.

According to Minister Benn, the intention of the bill presented to the National Assembly is to avoid circumstances whereby an officer will be forced to use a firearm to restrain a suspect, who might be resisting arrest violently. He argued that if ranks are armed with less lethal weapons then their recourse to use firearms will be significantly less.

The Home Affairs Minister even told the National Assembly, that physical confrontations between police have been quite evident in videos that are posted on Facebook and the various social media

platforms, and iterated that the use of less lethal weapons will reduce the risk of someone being seriously harmed or killed.

Sanjeev Datadin, another MP representing the government, backed up his colleague by highlighting United Nations’ (UN) research on the use of less lethal weapons by lawmen.

He said the study shows that with more use of these types of weapons, lethal injuries are significantly less.

Opposition Member of Parliament, Dawn Hastings, while making her contribution, declared that her side of the political divide agrees with the bill proposed by the government and give it her full support.

She said that it is quite true that the amendment can avoid fatal confrontations between police and citizens.

Some opposition MPs even pointed to the recent killing of Orin Boston in September on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two. Ranks from the SWAT Team were reportedly conducting operations on the Essequibo Coast and had entered Boston’s home to conduct a search.

During the search, Boston was shot dead with a highpowered rifle. The ranks stated that a confrontation

had led to the shooting, but the dead man’s relatives and residents from his community had refuted their claim and staged a massive protest.

The ranks accused of shooting him are currently being investigated by the force’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).

Boston case is not the only one being investigated.

Recently, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had recommended an inquest in the killing of Peter Headley

by East Bank police ranks.

Headley was shot dead in May this year, while being transported to the Providence Police Station by the ranks who allegedly shot him in a car.

Cops had stated that he was a suspect in a robbery that had taken place along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

These are only two of the cases where police have fatally shot suspects, while carrying out operations.

Apart from amending the section of the law that deals with the weapons police use to restrain suspects, the National Assembly also voted to amend Section 25 of the same Act. That amendment is to empower ranks to take DNA samples from any suspect in lawful custody for the purpose of identification.

Tuesday December 14, 2021

Police must shutdown unapproved Old Year’s night parties – Health Minister Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony during his COVID-19 update yesterday stated that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) must shutdown all unapproved Old Year’s Night parties, once permission was not given by the COVID-19 National Task Force.

Dr. Anthony pointed out that the Old Year’s Night celebration is rapidly approaching and event promoters are advertising their parties.

Minister Anthony explained that if these promoters do not have the permission required in keeping with COVID-19 guidelines, they must be dealt with by the Police Force.

He said “If they don’t get permission from the Task Force, the police will deal with the matter. Simple.”

Meanwhile, Old Year’s Night events have been a longstanding tradition for Guyanese leading to welcoming the New Year in grand

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony style. This, however, has been disrupted by the COVID-19 emergency boundaries to limit the number of persons, who can gather in a single space at one time.

The Health Minister iterated that Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll recently surpassed 1,000, and current active COVID-19 cases amount to 906 persons. Regions Four

and Six are areas of special concern for the Health Ministry and the National Task Force.

Minister Anthony further explained that there is a significant increase in the number of persons getting COVID-19 booster shots in Region Four.

Kaieteur News yesterday contacted the Director of the National COVID-19 Task Force, Colonel Nazrul Hussain for an invited comment based on the measures that will be implemented to tackle persons, who breach the COVID-19 protocols.

The receptionist told Kaieteur News at the time that Col. Hussain was in a meeting, however she promised that the Task Force head would return the call. This, however, did not happen.

Meanwhile, this newspaper yesterday continued with attempts to contact Col. Hussain, which were unsuccessful.

Another three persons succumb to COVID-19

The Ministry of Health yesterday reported that three more persons, who contracted the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, have died. As a result of this, the country’s COVID19 death toll has moved to 1,023.

The country’s latest fatalities are that of two unvaccinated women, a 79-year-old from Region Five and a 75-year-old from Region Six, and a partially vaccinated man, a 54-yearold from Region 10, who died over a two-day period (December 12 and 13), while receiving

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Kaieteur News

treatment at a medical facility.

Meanwhile, in its daily COVID-19 dashboard, the Health Ministry recorded 14 new infections, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 38,568.

The dashboard also shows that 12 patients were admitted into a COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 40 persons in institutional isolation, 802 in home isolation, and 4 in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 36,691 persons have recovered from the virus.

USAID helping to build the Agricultural Processing Sector A Virtual Pitch Presentation is being held to advance as many as 15 Guyanese agroprocessors from the first phase of the USAID-funded Economic Development Accelerator (EDA) programme that was launched in June 2021.

The EDA is a platform for small and growing agro-processing businesses in Guyana, the US Embassy in Georgetown said in a press release.

According to the release under its umbrella of support, EDA provides a “Business Bootcamp” workshop, oneon-one coaching, access to international industry experts, and non-debt and nondilutive financing for businesses making sauces, seasonings, and other foods.

The EDA was launched in June 2021 with an open call to Guyanese agro-processors to apply for participation. Local chefs judged a producttasting event after which 30 small and growing agro-processing businesses were selected to participate in the program. These businesses were selected from more than 70 applicants who responded to the open call.

The release stated that developed and implemented by the Guyana Economic Development Trust (GEDT, EDA will assist at least five highgrowth agro-processors with

U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch significant capital contributions to facilitate business expansion through exports.

The embassy said the first phase of the programme began in September, with a virtual 12-week training programme.

Regional and international experts provided training and hands-on technical assistance to the 30 agro-processors. In addition, the New York University Stern School of Business and the Columbia University Graduate School of Business provided coaching to the program participants.

U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch made remarks during a brief opening session for the pitch presentations. Speaking to

the programme participants, she said, “The growth and development of these businesses, which will help diversify the economy, and your ability to create employment for fellow Guyanese, contributes to the ‘prosperity for all’ that should highlight this period in Guyana’s history.”

Ambassador Lynch also thanked the project team, MBA coaches, subject matter experts from Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago, and members of the Guyanese diaspora for their dedicated efforts.

She added, “This has been a truly collaborative effort, with many partners committed to supporting a group of deserving, hardworking, and visionary business owners.”

The Guyana Economic Development Trust is an independent, U.S.- and Guyana-based initiative that supports early stage scientific-, technology-, and agriculture-oriented enterprises in Guyana.

Through venture philanthropy—a business-minded approach involving long-term investments and strategic management support—GEDT incubates and accelerates small firms that help contribute to Guyana’s development and creates jobs.

For more information, visit www.theguyanatrust.org.

9,000 out of 11,000 citizens who qualified...

From page 8 Management Authority and the Civil Defence Commission. “Officials processed COVID-19 vouchers in line with the programme guidelines.

However, significant gaps were noted during the conduct of the audit. Officials of the National Data Management Authority did not respond to the audit findings,” the report noted. The AG Office stated that what they found was that under this programme is that “People who needed assistance were denied. Over 9,000 out of 11,000 qualified applicants did not receive vouchers, and officials have not explained why.

The programme excluded persons in the hinterland regions.

Instead, they were promised hampers.”

Persons who were interested in benefiting from the Programme were required to register online. Those without internet access were required to contact either the Ministry of Social Protection or the Ministry of Communities to have their application forms completed. The Programme targeted singleparents, senior citizens, disabled persons, and persons who suffered a loss of income as a result of the pandemic.

Other findings revealed that vouchers worth some $56 million were not verified before they were paid to suppliers.

“This weakness could have resulted in overpayment to suppliers and eligible persons not given much needed relief,” the report highlighted.

Further, it was noted that over 3000 unused vouchers valued at least $90 million were left unsecured. The AG report pointed out that as a result of that the vouchers could have been easily accessed and used to obtain items from suppliers. “Information system was not fully

protected.

Lack of standard controls put the information system at risk. Therefore, unauthorized persons could have changed or deleted information. In addition, there were no yearly security checks and business continuity and disaster recovery plans prepared,” the AG Office reported.

The Audit Office went onto share that it has since made 13 recommendations to management for improvements and disclosed that that through full implementation of these recommendations, future programmes will be better managed.

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Tuesday December 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

Man beats ex-wife for refusing Minibus union implements UNIFORM POLICY TO to rekindle relationship A 27-year-old Lethem woman received a trashing on Sunday afternoon from her ex-husband with a piece of wood and a clay brick, for refusing to rekindle their relationship. Police identified the alleged beater as a 42year-old man, and stated that he has been detained for the vicious attack on his exspouse, which occurred around 17:30hrs at Kanuku Drive, Lethem, Region Nine.

Investigators have learnt that the two parted ways some four months ago. The woman, during those months, was spending time in Georgetown, but returned to Lethem on Sunday around 16:40hrs.

News of her arrival reportedly reached her ex-husband

and he headed to the bus service office to confront her, but she managed to elude him by hiding.However, the man did not give up his search, and allegedly turned up at her home about an hour later.

The woman told police that when he arrived, she was washing her clothes. He then approached her, and said that he wanted to mend their relationship, but she refused. The woman recounted that he became angry, threatened to kill her, and then take his own life.

Upon hearing this, she abandoned her laundry and decided to run, but the ex-husband reportedly grabbed her by the hair. He allegedly located a piece of wood and began beating her. As she tried to escape, the wood fell

out of his hands and the man located a clay brick and dealt her some more blows, this time to the head. The woman related to the cops that she continued to fight back, and eventually managed to escape him by running into a nearby store, where she was rescued by the workers there.

Police ranks were summoned to arrest her ex-husband.

The woman was taken to the Lethem Regional Hospital for treatment. Apart from the head injuries and bruises to her skin, doctors there reported to police that the woman had suffered a broken left arm from the beating she received. The man accused remains in the Lethem Police lock-ups as investigations continue.

ERADICATE ‘TOUTING’

$34B CDB loan to upgrade Linden/Mabura...

From page 14 to fund this US$190 million project, for the upgrading of approximately 121km of road from Linden to Mabura Hill to an asphaltic concrete road that would improve the connectivity between Guyana’s hinterland and the coastal areas.

According to reports, the

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

This project will represent the first phase of the muchhyped Linden/Lethem roadway, which would improve travel time to Brazil

and connections to thousands of hinterland people.

The unpaved 450km road from Linden to Lethem is often impassable in the rainy season, due to flooding along low-lying sections of the road. The upgrading of the road will provide year-round connectivity between Linden and Mabura Hill, improving conditions for many locals.

In October this year, Minister Juan Edghill had mentioned that they were aiming to award the contract, and sign it before the end of the year.

From left dispatcher, Orin Tappin, President of the UMU Eon Andrews and Chairman of the South Park district Marivn Williams.

The minibus union had implemented a policy for the use of uniforms for bus drivers and dispatchers for quite some time. However, it was only last week that some members of the South Bus Park/ 41 district received their uniforms. According to the President of the United Minibus Union (UMU), Eon Andrews, the union is seeking to get more youths uniformed, so as to alleviate the lawlessness and the challenges faced by persons pulling and tugging passengers to get them to travel with a specific minibus, and which happens daily at several bus parks around

Georgetown.

Andrews noted that a number of these drivers and conductors are well-educated individuals, who come from great backgrounds, but the culture is so dangerous and demeaning that some persons have to descend to some level to survive, which is what the union aims to change.

He stated that they have gotten the support of the Guyana Police Force, and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce has budgeted to train persons in various areas such as, hospitality, safe driving and much more. However, due to

COVID-19 there are less persons being trained.

He noted that this initiative will encounter challenges, but the aim is eventually to have every bus driver and dispatcher and conductor in uniform.

When the union was formed, it was only for persons who wore uniforms to work.

The Chairman, Marvin Williams, stated that they have made various efforts to keep the area clean, and ensure that passengers are sanitized and follow strict COVID-19 guidelines when entering minibuses.

UMAMI expands to U.S. market with...

From page 12 massive Diaspora population, as well as across the ethnic divide.

It said in a missive to the media that the decision to expand on Amazon was made earlier this year after recognizing the massive export potential that Amazon.com provides, whilst allowing the company to maintain control over the products’ end user experience.

The company disclosed that it invested in brand registry services to ensure access to the unique tools and facilities available to bona fide manufacturers verified on the platform. It said this prevents any attempt to counterfeit the products under the brand portfolio, whilst simultaneously allowing for a homogenous brand image across the platform.

“Our team is very excited about this natural progression in our company’s growth plan” said Mr. Chris Persaud, Managing Director of UMAMI Inc., while adding,

“Our dedicated presence on the world’s largest retail marketplace now affords us an on-demand solution designed to fit the rapidly evolving needs of the new generation of shoppers, especially post pandemic. This strategy allows us to assert the UMAMI brand as ultra-capable within the Guyanese context of competing within the global arena.”

Further to this, the company said it held extensive discussions with the relevant domestic agencies in advance, which allowed for a completely smooth and efficient export process to the U.S. It said, too, that being a USFDA registered facility also allowed for an exceptionally efficient clearance on arrival in the U.S. to the respective fulfillment centers across the U.S. Kaieteur News understands that all products listed on Amazon.com are eligible for Prime benefits and are Fulfilled by Amazon. This guar-

antees shoppers on the platform secure access along with same or next day delivery, gift wrapping, and other great benefits. The company hopes that this move proves beneficial to Guyanese both at home and abroad as it seeks to have all things “Made in Guyana” more accessible to all.

Kaieteur News previously reported that UMAMI Incorporated was established in 2013. The company manufactures a range of value-added, high quality agro processed food commodities to include sauces, seasonings and condiments.

With tremendous focus placed on consistent product quality, through the utilization of appropriate technology, the company’s dedicated team works tirelessly to ensure optimum customer satisfaction. Being the infant in the industry, the company remains restless in continually seeking new and innovative mechanisms to advance Guyana’s brand image domestically and abroad.

Tuesday December 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday December 14, 2021

Tuesday December 14, 2021

French Olympian Agnel, under investigation for rape, admits to sexual relationship with minor, says prosecutor PARIS, (Reuters) - Former French Olympic swimmer Yannick Agnel, who was placed under formal investigation last week for suspected rape of a minor, has admitted to a sexual relationship with a 13-yearold girl, a public prosecutor said yesterday.

The 29-year-old Agnel, who won two Olympic golds at the 2012 Games in London, was arrested in Paris on Thursday and transferred to Mulhouse in eastern France for questioning. French prosecutors said the alleged offences occurred around

2016.

Prosecutor Edwige RouxMorizot told a news conference on Monday that prosecutors believe that the age difference between Agnel and the girl is sufficient to show there was coercion despite the former Olympian saying there had been none.

Agnel’s lawyer declined to comment.

At the time of the alleged offences, sex between an adult and a child younger than 15 was illegal but could only be prosecuted as rape if there was proof the minor was coerced through violence,

constraint or surprise.

“When there is a ten-year age difference, this is considered by the law to be a case of constraint,” RouxMorizot told yesterday’s news conference.

Agnel had told investigators he “did not have the feeling that there was constraint”, RouxMorizot said.

“I think that he regrets not thinking seriously enough about the age difference at the time,” the prosecutor added.

In April this year France, adopted legislation that characterises sex with a child under the age of 15 as rape and punishable by up to 20

Tuesday December 14, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Have you been getting strange vibes from someone close to you? Chances are this person isn't upset with you. He or she may be worried about upcoming changes in the professional environment.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) A current or potential love partner may drop out of sight and not return your calls. You could panic, wondering if your friend has lost interest.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A gathering of psychics, artists, and spiritually oriented people could take place in your home today.

This may be a fascinating and stimulating meeting, but there may be someone who likes to stir controversy and debate.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) A class you've wanted to take may open up, and you'll want to register right away.

You might have a few difficulties.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Do you have a lot of money in investments? Even if you have only a savings account or home equity, you could be a bit disconcerted when the stock market takes a nosedive.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A love partner may seem distracted. Don't jump to the conclusion that your friend has found someone else.

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Kaieteur News

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Equipment could give you trouble today. You're probably good at working with it, but when it comes to troubleshooting, you might not know as much as you should.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A friend's lack of communication and perhaps even shortness with you could bring up your insecurities and have you wondering if this person still cares about you. Don't worry.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A member of your group may have gone away without telling anyone where he or she was going. This could be worrisome for the rest of you, but don't fret.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A strange, unexpected call or email could puzzle you.

You may not know the caller, the information might not make sense, or it might bring news that doesn't feel right.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Is your financial situation confusing? Are you starting to panic about it?

You may be getting worked up over nothing.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Ideas for creative projects may be flooding your mind, but they may be too general or vague to grasp. Make a list if you like, but don't feel you have to start anything today.

years in jail, bringing its penal code closer to many other Western nations, but the law cannot be applied retrospectively.

The investigation was triggered after the daughter of one of Agnel’s former coaches filed a complaint last summer, citing sexual acts committed around 2016, French media reported.

Agnel, who won the 200 metre individual freestyle and 4x100 metre freestyle relay in London, now works as a sports and media consultant.

Hamilton to be knighted just days after F1 title woe AFP - Lewis Hamilton will receive his knighthood tomorrow as the British driver comes to terms with controversially losing the Formula One world title.

Hamilton is due to attend an investiture at Windsor Castle to be honoured for services to motorsports.

The 36-year-old was given his knighthood in the New Year Honours list in 2020 following pressure on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to

approve the accolade.

Despite being one of the UK’s most successful sportsmen, Hamilton, who matched Michael Schumacher’s record seven world titles in 2020, had previously been overlooked.

Hamilton’s knighthood was awarded in the overseas list as he relocated to Monaco in 2010.

His royal appointment comes just days after he was denied a record eighth Formula One crown.

Max Verstappen pipped the Mercedes star to the world title on Sunday after his battle with Hamilton came down to a one-lap shoot-out in Abu Dhabi.

The Red Bull driver stormed past his title rival in the closing stages of the Grand Prix season finale at the Yas Marina Circuit, having benefitted from a late safety car decision that bunched up the pack.

Mercedes are expected to appeal again after two protests they made against Verstappen’s victory were rejected by stewards.

The man in their sights is race director Michael Masi and his controversial decision to withdraw the safety car for the final lap.

The appeal must be lodged within 96 hours from the moment they indicated their intention to appeal, which in this case would be 0700AEDT Friday (2000GMT Thursday).

Pakistan thump...

From page 24 30 off 10 balls.

Wasim uprooted the off stump of Pooran (18) and trapped Devon Thomas (2) thanks to yorkers, and returned to claim two tailenders in his last over.

Opening batsman Shai Hope top-scored with 31 while Smith (24) and Romario Shepherd (21) narrowed the margin of defeat after West Indies slumped to 88-7 in the 14th over.

The second T20 is on Tuesday followed by the final game on Thursday. The series will be followed by three ODIs — also in Karachi — from Saturday.

Scores: Pakistan 200 for 6 (Rizwan 78, Haider 68, Nawaz 30*, Hosein 1-19) beat West Indies 137 (Hope 31, Odean 24, Wasim 4-40, Shadab 3-17) by 63 runs.

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Tuesday December 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

Nassar victims reach $380 mln settlement with USA Gymnastics

U.S. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles is sworn in to testify during a Senate Judiciary hearing about the Inspector General’s report on the FBI handling of the Larry Nassar investigation.

(Saul Loeb/Pool via REUTERS) WA S H I N G T O N , (Reuters) - Victims of former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar have reached a $380 million settlement with USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and their in-

surers after a five-year legal battle, an attorney for some of his victims said yesterday.

As part of the settlement, USA Gymnastics (USAG) and the Olympic Committee also agreed to designate some of their board seats to survivors

and to implement other new policies aimed at protecting athletes from future abuse.

To get those reforms in place, USOPC committed to allocating $5 million, the lawyer said.

“This settlement is about the brave survivors who came forward, forced these organizations to listen, and demanded change,” Michelle Simpson Tuegel, who represents over two dozen Nassar survivors, said in a joint statement with Tasha Schwikert Moser, co-chair of the Survivors Creditors Committee.

“Through this agreement, these survivors are finally being acknowledged and USAG and USOPC are being forced to change so that this sport can begin a new chapter,” they said.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier on Monday that the settlement will cover claims brought by Olympic gold medalists including Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney, all of whom are among Nassar’s most high-profile victims of sexual abuse.

All three women testified

Ali’s grandson Nico Ali Walsh improves to 3-0

38.

The third judge had it 39-

Ali Walsh said he was thrilled to be fighting in the iconic arena where his grandfather battled Joe Frazier for the heavyweight championship in March 1971.

“It is amazing,” the 21-year-old Ali Walsh said. “This (Garden) is a piece of history.

Just to be in here, let alone fighting here, is a big honor.”

Ali Walsh easily won the first round, backing up Sanchez by letting his hands go and landing combinations.

He hit Sanchez with a solid

about the abuse they suffered during a Senate hearing this year. At the hearing, they blasted USA Gymnastics and Olympic officials for failing to stop Nassar, and they took the FBI to task over its botched investigation into Nassar’s actions.

Nassar, who had been the main doctor for Olympic gymnasts for 18 years, was sen-

tenced in federal court in 2017 to 60 years in prison on charges of possessing child sex abuse material.

The following year, he was also sentenced to up to 175 years and up to 125 years, respectively, in two separate Michigan courts for molesting female gymnasts under his care.

The settlement was

reached after TIG Insurance agreed to pay a large portion of the money, the Wall Street Journal reported.

USA Gymnastics filed for bankruptcy in 2018, after Olympic bronze medalist Jamie Dantzscher had filed a lawsuit and additional claims were filed on behalf of a growing number of Nassar’s victims.

Former Melville softball player Boodram makes donation to Wakenaam youths

Nico Ali Walsh lands a punch in his middleweight victory over Reyes Sanchez at Madison Square Garden (AFP/Sarah Stier)

AFP - Nico Ali Walsh won his third fight of 2021 with a majority decision over the previously unbeaten Reyes Sanchez in a non-title middleweight fight on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, has been busy in the ring since turning pro four months ago.

He improved to 3-0 by winning the four-round fight on two of the three judges’ scorecards.

One judge gave Ali Walsh all the rounds while another scored it even, 38-38.

After their day of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee gymnasts Jessica Howard, McKayla Maroney and Aly Raisman — sexual abuse victims of former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar — join U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. September 15, 2021. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

overhand right late in the second round that hurt the fellow American fighter.

Sanchez managed to finish the second round and then delivered his best round of the fight in the third.

Ali Walsh tried to get the knockout in the fourth but Sanchez proved to be a evasive target as the fight went to the scorecards.

Ali Walsh beat Jordan Weeks by a TKO in his pro debut in August in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Two months later he won by another TKO over James Westley in Atlanta.

Two of the students with their cycles.

Overseas based former Melville softball player Kedernauth Boodram recently presented a number of cycles to students in Wakenaam.

Boodram said he is

pleased to render assistance to the youths since he would have come from a poor family background and always to give back to the society.

The cycles were given to

several students of Sans Souci Primary school which Boodram attended. Boodram urged the students to be disciplined individuals and to focus on their education.

Tuesday December 14, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Minister Rodrigues, OPM, Dave West Indian and Beacon Cafe on board with RHTYSC Christmas programme - John Lewis Styles, The Gift Centre, Star Rental, Delmur Shipping offer support

Minister Susan Rodrigues (2nd right) hands over her contribution to RHTYSC Simon Naidu in the presence of other club members.

Dave Narine (left) hands over his donation to RHTYSC Hilbert Foster.

The plans of the twelve cricket teams of the RHTYSC, MS to make a positive difference in the lives of the less fortunate and single parent households during the festive season received a massive boost on Friday last when several donors handed over their contributions to the effort.

The twelve teams under the supervision of club management would be

undertaking a total of twelve major activities and would also be hosting the seventh edition of the very popular Christmas Village.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster along with Vice president Mark Papannah and Assistant Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu visited Georgetown on Friday and received a wide array of contributions from friends of the club as preparation

streams ahead. Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Junior Minister of Housing Susan Rodrigues, both honorary members of the RHTYSC,MS, handed over financial contributions to the programme which would include the distribution of one thousand food hampers, seven thousand Christmas toys, cycles to youths, educational materials to students, Christmas

Ramdeo Kumar (centre) of Beacon hands over toys to Hilbert Foster in the presence of Speaker Manzoor Nadir (left).

Breakfast for senior citizens, Christmas packages for single parent households, feeding programme, Christmas concert and assistance to other NGO, Churches and clubs in the county.

The programme was launched on the 1st of December and would conclude on the 24th with the final night of the Christmas Village.

Dave West Indian Imports handed over two hundred thousand dollars which was used to purchase toys, while Ramdeo Kumar of Beacon Cafe also handed over a large amount of toys to the club.

Other donors to the programme who handed over

their contribution on Friday were Delmur Shipping, Jennifer Ciprani, The Gift Centre, John Lewis Styles, Chrandardat Chintamani, Fitroy McLoed and Lennox Cush of Star Party Rental.

RHTYSC Asst Secretary/ CEO Simon Naidu expressed thanks to all the donors and reassured them that as usual, the events would be well organised. He also disclosed that the club had obtained permission from the Covid 19 task force for the hosting of the Village and stated that it would be held under very strict covid 19 guidelines.

Only vaccinated adults would be allowed into the village and they would be allowed a maximum of twenty minutes.

The village would involve the transformation of the Rose Hall Town Primary School into a dreamland of fantasy for kids with fairy lights, dozens of inflatable’s characters, the Nativity Scene, 20 feet Christmas Tree, Christmas Star, Toy houses among numerous other attractions.

Foster, who is also the President of the Berbice Cricket Board and Director of Cricket West Indies stated that the objectives of the village are to promote the true tradition of Christmas, provide clean entertainment to families, promote social cohesion and keep children away from loud music and lewd behaviour.

PAGE 24

Tuesday December 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

AIBA becomes IBA as Extraordinary Congress embraces widespread reform The International Boxing Association (IBA) Extraordinary Congress today ushered in a new era for the sport as the federation changed its acronym from AIBA to IBA while adopting a comprehensive set of governance reforms developed by independent experts. A total of 107 of IBA’s national federations were in attendance to approve these wide-spread changes.

“As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, I am very proud of the way IBA is quickly and comprehensively becoming fit for the future. Only a year has passed since I had the privilege of becoming President of IBA. Working together, we have already completed reforms that would not have been thought possible before,” said President Umar Kremlev. “We could not have achieved this alone. In preparing the measures approved by the members of IBA today, we have had the support of leading independent experts in sports integrity and in governance. And all of this has been made possible only with the help of re-

A banner depicting the name change of AIBA to IBA. sources provided by our General Partner, Gazprom.”

An update was given to the Congress on parts one and three of the investigation carried out by Pro-

fessor Richard McLaren and his team into boxing. Professor Ulrich Haas then presented the report of the Governance Reform Group, previously approved by IBA’s Board

of Directors. The report was approved by IBA’s National Federations, which also unanimously approved a series of constitutional amendments.

Included among the amendments were the creation of a new Boxing Independent Integrity Unit, which is expected to become operational in the course of 2022. The Board of Directors will be reduced from 28 members to 18, following elections which will be held by June 30. Candidates for election will be subject to extensive eligibility checks which will be conducted independently. Very extensive changes to the Board’s composition are expected, based on the imposition of term limits and enhanced eligibility criteria.

In order to enhance IBA’s commercial viability a new visual identity was revealed, with the new acronym at its heart and a new logo has been unveiled. IBA changed its full name to “International Boxing Association” in 2007, but had maintained its previous acronym of

GFF-K&S Super 16...

Western and Fruta win on Sunday

The opening ceremony of the 2021 GFF-K&S super 16 tourney.

The 2021 Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/ Kashif & Shanghai (K&S) Super 16 tournament had the official opening ceremony and a double header on Sunday night at the National Track & Field Center (NTFC), Leonora.

The ceremony, which was preceded by a march past, had brief remarks from the head of the GFF; Wayne Forde, Sports Minister; Charles Ramson Jr. and Organiser Kashif Muhammad. Muhammad, Codirector of the K&S

organization that has been promoting football in Guyana for 32 years now, explained his happiness with the amount of support that football and the K&S organization are still getting.

He thanked all the sponsors for the 2021 Super 16, especially KFC that came onboard in a major way and noted that the players and fans alike really deserved it.

Meanwhile, Forde highlighted that the GFF/ K&S Super 16 is a product of the power of partnership.

“We have a very good relationship with corporate Guyana and they have come on board in a massive way.”

He also posited that, “We want to ask fans to be patient because after a long layoff, most of the players are now getting back to competition.”

Sports Minister, Ramson, revealed that his Ministry will continue to support the development of sports and that going forward he is anticipating even more support from corporate Guyana.

On the field, Fruta

Conquerors defeated Berbice All-Stars 2-0 in the opening match of the night courtesy of one goal each from Dennis Edward (23rd minute) and Jamal Codrington in the 48th minute.

The feature clash of the night saw the star studded Western Tigers edge Rupununi All-Stars 2-1.

National players Daniel Wilson (14th minute) and Trayon Babb (33rd minute) gave Tigers an early lead before Franklyn Parks (41st minute) halved Rupununi’s deficit.

AIBA, which referred to the Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur. The new acronym marks a new chapter in the sport’s history focused on upholding the highest standards of integrity and ensuring every boxer has the chance for a fair fight.

“Just three days ago, the IOC gave its most recent advice to IBA, which included the adoption of governance reforms and diversifying our sources of revenue. It is a sign of how far IBA has come that we were already prepared to deliver convincing progress towards this at full speed,” continued President Kremlev. “We are doing much more than making very big improvements in individual parts of IBA. We are changing our whole culture in a lasting way. The new IBA is ready to serve the boxers of today and tomorrow, together with all those who support them.” The IBA has also begun work towards defining weight categories and developing an Olympic Qualification System, subject to IOC approval, for Paris 2024.

Pakistan thump West Indies by 63 runs in 1st T20 KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) — Mohammad Rizwan hit 78 runs and fast bowler Mohammad Wasim took 4-40 as Pakistan thumped a depleted West Indies by 63 runs in the first Twenty20 yesterday.

Rizwan increased his tally this year to 1,201 runs in 27 T20s with another masterful knock that stood out in Pakistan’s imposing 200-6 after being sent in to bat.

Haider Ali opened up in the latter half of the innings with a career-best 68 off 39 balls that featured four sixes and six boundaries.

The West Indies folded for 137 in 19 overs as Wasim bowled impressive yorkers to claim his career-best figures, and Shadab Khan grabbed 317.“Rizwan and Haider Ali played handy knocks and the way (Mohammad) Nawaz finished was outstanding,” Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said. Babar added that the way the West Indies batsmen struggled against the spin of Shadab and Nawaz was encouragement to pick an extra spinner for the remaining two T20s.

The visitors are touring without several T20 specialists, and suffered a major blow on Saturday when fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell and allrounders Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers were ruled

out of the series after testing positive for the coronavirus in Karachi.

The West Indies gave debuts to fast bowler Dominic Drakes, who claimed 1-43, and batsman Shamarh Brooks, who made 5.

“We gave away 20 runs more in the field and there were a few boundaries off the edges, too,” stand-in captain Nicholas Pooran said.

“I loved the effort and energy from the guys tonight.

We are a young side, but it all comes down to execution.”

Earlier, Rizwan, who made 78 off 52 balls, and Haider combined in a beefy 105-run, third-wicket stand after the West Indies bowlers did well briefly in the batting powerplay.

Babar was dismissed for his third ever duck when he edged left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein.

But once seeing off Hosein’s overs, Rizwan and Haider scored at will against the fast bowlers with Odean Smith having a forgetful night at the National Stadium with expensive figures of 1-56.

Smith had some consolation when he took two smart catches in the deep to dismiss Rizwan and Haider, but Mohammad Nawaz provided a perfect finish with a blistering knock of an unbeaten Continued on page 21

Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 14, 2021

Tony’s Jewellery Establishment representative, Ms. Ashley Ally hands over the MVP ring to GFF President, Wayne Forde.

GFF-K&S Super 16 Cup

Tony’s Jewellery Est. sponsored $520,000 diamond ring awaits MVP

A

s rivalry in the 2021/22 edition of the Guyana Football Federation / Kashif and Shanghai Super 16 Cup knock-out tournament heats up amongst the competing teams, the quest to walk away with the Most Valuable Player award is set to become more intense with To n y ’s J e w e l l e r y Establishment of 22 First Street, Alexander Village, coming on board with an attractive reward.

The jewelers have acquiesced to handsomely reward the player winning this accolade with a diamond encrusted gold ring valued $520,000 come January 1, 2022. This commitment has already been cemented in fine gold to GFF President, Wayne Forde by Tony’s Jewellery Establishment representative, Ms. Ashley Ally.

In handing over the prize, Ms. Ally expressed the company’s joy to be able to

partner with the organisers to make this tournament a memorable one for the winner of the prize.

“We here at Tony’s Jewellery Establishment pride ourselves in creating quality items and are really pleased to be able to be bring this quality to an equally classy tournament in such a huge way. We are confident that the winner of this ring would be very pleased. Our craftsmen have done a fantastic job in creating this attractive ring and the winner will surely wear it with pride for a lifetime.”

President Forde expressed gratitude to the Management and Staff of Tony’s Jewellery Store for their wonderful gesture whilst assuring that the player who would eventually win the prize will be winning a gem.

“This gesture by your company is really, really appreciated, and on behalf of the GFF and the Kashif and

FIFA launches dedicated commercial programme for women’s game to boost growth FIFA’s logo is seen in front of its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland August 5, 2020.

(REUTERS/ Arnd Wiegmann) (Reuters) - FIFA has introduced a new commercial partnership structure that includes dedicated programmes for the women’s game for the first time, world soccer’s governing body said yesterday.

FIFA said that under the commercial programme, companies will have more tailored opportunities to work with women’s soccer and directly support their growth and development.

“This marks a groundbreaking moment to maximize the growth of the women’s game and its marketing appeal, as we create equal commercial models across women’s and men’s football for the first time,” said FIFA’s chief women’s football officer Sarai Bareman said.

“We’re excited about the opportunities for brands who want to support women’s sport, help accelerate women’s equality, and wish to align themselves with the unparalleled momentum around women’s football.”

The commercial partnership structure also includes packages for men’s soccer and e-sports or gaming.

“The new model will allow our partners to create more tailored programming and marketing activations that align directly with their strategic business goals...” said FIFA’s chief commercial officer Kay Madati.

Shanghai Organisation, I extend heartfelt thanks. I can almost feel the excitement moving up a few notches as players will be putting their hands up to claim this prize.

The work of the adjudicators would certainly be cut out as we look forward to handing it over to a deserving player.”

PAGE 25

rt o p S

Pakistan thump WI by 63 runs in 1st T20 Akeal Hosein celebrates his first wicket of the match • Dec 12, 2021 © PCB

Pakistan’s Haider Ali, 2nd left, and Mohammad Rizwan run between the wickets. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)

Nassar victims reach $380 mln settlement with USA Gymnastics

Western Tigers’ goalscorers Daniel Wilson (right) and Trayon Bobb (20) during one of their many linkup plays.

GFF-K&S Super 16

AIBA becomes IBA Hamilton to as Extraordinary be knighted just days after Congress embraces F1 title woe widespread reform

Aubrey Major and Kashif Muhammad (right) during opening remarks of the tourney on Sunday.

Western and Fruta win on Sunday 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.