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AIETEUR CGX estimates up Sunday Edition to 628M barrels NEWS at Corentyne Block, plans for first oil by 2030

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

December 17, 2023

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Price $150

Online readership yesterday, 59,984

ExxonMobil billed Guyana over $204M for expenses it racked up before 2016 ...auditors flag cost PSA was signed as unrecoverable UK fines Repsol £160,000 for unauthorised flaring and - Guyana has nothing in venting of gas place for such infractions Single parent Two-year-old drowns one family homeless day after after Berbice fire meeting Santa

Relatives of murdered Trinidadian man believes suspect hiding in Guyana

Venezuela paying close attention to operations of Exxon, public commentaries on border ‘dispute’- Attorney General

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Kaieteur News

Sunday December 17, 2023

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Sunday December 17, 2023

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ExxonMobil billed Guyana over $204M for expenses it racked up before 2016 PSA was signed …auditors flag cost as unrecoverable

Costs flagged by the auditors that were incurred prior to the 2016 PSA ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), the operator of the Stabroek Block has billed Guyana over US$1 million for costs incurred before the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) of 2016 came into effect.

This was exposed in the Audit Report completed by VHE Consulting (Ramdihal & Haynes Inc; Eclisar Financial; and Vitality Accounting & Consultancy Inc) and SGS and Martindale Consultants. The team was contracted by the Government of Guyana

(GoG) back in May 2022 to review the US$7.3 billion expenses of EMGL – formerly Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EMGL), that were incurred between 2018 and 2020.

In the report, auditors noted that the oil company submitted cost recovery statements to the tune of US$1,019,945.58 or approximately $204 million for pipe racks and shore base operations. According to the Report, “Guyana Energy Support Services provided labour for loading and offloading

EPA waives EIA for new $80M medical Centre slated for Springlands

The proposed site where the medical Centre will be constructed.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revealed that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will not be required for the construction and operation of the Phoenix Clinicare Inc., a medical Centre to be built in Springlands, Corriverton, Berbice.

This is according to the project summary published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday.

The document states that the $80,000,000 medical Centre, Phoenix Clinicare, which is scheduled for completion in one year, will be a three-storey facility.

The facility is set to be equipped with a pharmacy, a doctor’s clinic, X-ray department, and will also provide laboratory services. It will also have a small café and living quarters.

Phoenix Clinicare Inc. is said to be an allin-one place for quality healthcare for the

community at large, the project summary stated.

The EPA in its Environmental Impacts Screening on the project concluded that there are no identifiable, significant environmental impacts likely to be generated from this project considering the location, scale and duration of the operation.

According to the EPA, the impacts arising during the construction and operation phases are considered to be minor, localized, and mitigable thus no further environmental studies such as an EIA or Environmental Management Plan (EMP) will be required.

The EPA recommended that the project be published so that persons who may be affected will have the opportunity to appeal against the agency’s decision within 30 days of the project’s publication.

boats and transporting equipment to various locations.”

While the invoices were booked in February, April, and May 2018 and January and February 2019, auditors determined that the costs were incurred prior to October 7, 2016. Notably, costs incurred prior to October 7, 2016, are not Recoverable Costs.

The auditor pointed out, “Section 3.3 of Annex C to the June 27, 2016, Petroleum Agreement (PA) stipulates costs incurred before the Effective Date are not recoverable.” The contract also provides for specific costs, already settled, to be recovered as Pre-Contract costs.

Consequently, the audit team noted that since the Effective Date of the Licence is October 7, 2016, costs incurred prior to that time are not Recoverable Contract Costs.

EXXON RESPONDS In response to the alarming findings of the auditors, ExxonMobil wholeheartedly disagreed that the sum should not be recovered.

The company explained, “Invoiced

President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Alistair Routledge

amounts and activities identified by the Auditors were accrued in the pre-contract costs outlined in section 3.1(k) of Annex C. The delay between the activity occurring and the invoice being finalized and paid was caused by the lengthy process for EEPGL to receive VAT exemptions (per Article 15.1) from the GRA. Prior to first oil (December 2019), EEPGL was not VAT registered as had Continued on page 11

>> Apology << In an article published by Kaieteur News on December 2, 2023 under the headline ‘Jealous bar owner shoots customer for dancing with Spanish employee,’ the name Eon Evans was mentioned in the article.

Kaieteur News apologizes to Mr. Evans for any inconvenience or distress the article’s content may have caused.

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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

Publisher: DR. GLENN LALL - TEL: 624-6456 Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

$108B gone It is a staggering sum to waive considering how many Guyanese live with a daily struggle to survive. It is slightly over US$500 million that Guyana gave away in taxes to oil companies in 2022. It is just under half of the royalties and profits deposited into the Natural Resources Fund for 2022.

To some extent, when the tax giveaways are compared to what Guyana received for its oil wealth in 2022, it is the equivalent of grabbing what is coming with two hands, while giving up one leg to do so. It is not surprising, therefore, that the PPPC Government is so meager in its provisions for pensioners, public servants, and those living in poverty in Guyana. The oil companies are profiting at the expense of the citizens, who are supposedly the richest in the world. Many Guyanese are struggling, and some of them are even starving, but more than a half billion American dollars could be waived so that oil companies can plunder and pillage the patrimony of the peoples of this nation.

We raise the enraging issue of oil companies paying their fair share of taxes, and a steel wall of resistance is encountered. The PPPC Government, with Vice President Jagdeo in the lead, is unmoving: no taxes on ExxonMobil’s earnings from the Stabroek Block. The government finalized a new Production Sharing Agreement, but Jagdeo digs in his heels, which means, ExxonMobil’s operations and escalating production levels in the rich Stabroek Block are exempted. No one should have any doubts whose side he is on, and ferociously so. This newspaper’s publisher brought a tax filing in court, only for the Government of Guyana astonishingly to rush out immediately to stand by the side of the oil companies. If there were any Guyanese who still harbored some slight belief that this country and its citizens came before the interests of oil companies, with ExxonMobil at the top of the list, the PPPC Government’s smashed any such belief. The Attorney General of the Guyanese people, Mr. Anil Nandlall, was given the dirty job of fighting against his own citizens, for the benefit of ExxonMobil and others, and he promptly did so.

Payment of some level, some amount, of taxes has been a big bone of contention in Guyana. The oil companies love where there are with zero taxes on profits, and in Vice President Jagdeo and Attorney General Nandlall, they could not have asked for better allies.

These two veteran Guyanese political figures use their wisdom and their strength to derail what could benefit Guyanese immensely. The people who are the richest, the most talked about in the world, are also the most weakened from the inside (by their own), reduced to the most pathetic by the machinations of their own.

The government fills the financing needs for public works projects by borrowing from everywhere, while ensuring that oil companies, especially ExxonMobil, are free to fill their coffers. The people of ExxonMobil, from investors to Darren Woods to Alistair Routledge to the most junior worker, are all having their version of a predator’s ball from Guyana’s oil. Meanwhile the Guyanese people are pushed to crawling on their knees due to a crippling costof-living environment.

The PPPC Government and its loyalists condemn those who rail against the 6.5 percent increase for public servants.

But neither government nor propagandists have anything to say about getting an amount as low as 6.5 percent in taxes from the oil companies for all the wealth that they ship out of this country.

The government made a total joke of itself with its increase in pensions for the elderly, and then added insult to injury with the sickening way in which it distributed the one-off $25,000 cash grant.

If the likes of Bharrat Jagdeo, Anil Nandlall, and Ashni Singh spend a quarter of the energies and fight that they manifest on behalf of ExxonMobil and its ilk, then that little effort would do so much to better the lives of Guyanese.

Taxes totaling $108 billion are given up to oil companies, while a sizable portion of Guyana’s population hangs by their fingernails. This is government at its worst and oil companies at their happiest.

Sunday December 17, 2023

Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News, 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com

Timely hearings in criminal proceedings DEAR EDITOR, The importance of timely hearings in criminal hearings prevents public confidence in the administration of justice from being undermined and allows an accused to access to justice.

This article will seek to discuss that a hearing within a reasonable time is guaranteed in Guyana as a human right by international conventions which Guyana has ratified and set out in its Constitution.

The reasonable time guaranteed for criminal hearings has been consistently infringed in Guyana. This right is guaranteed by Article 5(1) of the 1961 Constitution, Article 10(1) of the 1966 Constitution and to date Article 144(1) of the Constitution.

Further, Guyana ratified the ICCPR in 1977 and the Convention on the rights of the child in 1991 both of which guarantees this right.

One of the oldest cases that dealt with this right in Guyana was R v Ogle, where the accused was committed to trial and awaited over three years for it to commence. The Court held this was an inordinate delay.

The Court stated that a reasonable time will always be a question for each Court to decide by listening to explanations offered by the prosecution for the delay in the hearing and by exercising its discretion thereafter.

There were no explanations offered by the prosecution for the delay in this case.

Ogle was followed in Gordon Sandiford v DPP. The question there was

whether a period of fourteen months for the hearing of the preliminary inquiry was unreasonable. The prosecution blamed the lack of a Magistrate in the district.

The Court was of the view that such as excuse could not ever be offered for a delay in the hearing. The Court held that such a delay was inordinate and ordered the preliminary inquiry to commence.

The decision of Guyana’s final Appellate Court; the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in Singh v Harrychan, was instructive, more than nine years from conviction of a simple offence had elapsed. The prosecution offered no plausible explanation the delay. The Court ordered the matter to be remitted to the Court of Appeal and for the record of

appeal to be prepared expeditiously.

In Bridgelall v Hariprashad, the accused was charged with two counts of possession of cocaine he was convicted and appealed.

The accused matter had been languishing over a decade in various Courts. The CCJ approved the decision of the English Courts thereby laying down the test for the breach of this right. The Court held that the overall period that has been elapsed must be first considered, if on the face of the lapse there is an overly lengthy lapse of time, then the Court will interrogate all of the circumstances and facts of the case with a view in determining whether the explanation from the prosecution is justified. The (Continued on page 06)

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 17, 2023

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Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox Let calm heads prevail in Guyana/ Venezuela controversy DEAR EDITOR, CRG extends its congratulations to His Excellency President Ali and his Administration on ensuring an agreement on a peaceful path forward with Venezuela.

Both countries should be congratulated on letting calm heads win the moment.

CRG also looks forward to the removal of the Venezuelan military buildup at the border with Guyana. Let us see the actions of

Venezuela be in line with their words, and only a reduction in the presence of their military forces at the border with Guyana will be a true indication of their peaceful intentions.

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

Securing peace in our region DEAR EDITOR, The most fundamental interest of a country is its security. This is not to say that states do not have other interests – they do, such as prosperity and social wellbeing. But they fade into insignificance unless they can protect their physical integrity.

Right now, our security is threatened by Venezuela that has been ratcheting up its aggression ever since Exxon struck oil off our shores in 2015. The facts are so well-known that they do not need to be rehearsed; save to note that even with the just concluded Argyl Declaration, Venezuela continues to openly and notoriously annex twothirds of our national territory contained in Essequibo. In 1966 Venezuela annexed our half of Ankoko Island and to date, we have not attempted to recover it even as we continue teaching our schoolchildren that Guyana remains the 83,000 square miles we possessed before Ankoko was seized.

The question has to be asked, why not? States usually employ one or more foreign policy instruments, for instance, alliances, arms sales, dispute resolution – eg. the World Court, foreign aid and cultural soft power, diplomacy or war to secure their interests, depending upon their domestic, political and economic conditions etc. if they are acting rationally, states generally would weigh the

costs versus the benefits before choosing a course of action. While I have not seen any definitive statement on our inaction on Venezuela’s Ankoko seizure, the implicit assumption appeared to have been that the costs would have outweighed the benefits since our portion of Ankoko was “only” 3 square miles. We were definitely no match for the Venezuelan armed forces – which is why the Venezuelans decided to invade – and it would appear we did not even possess the wherewithal to take diplomatic and legal recourse to the international multilateral institutions.

Since 1966, Venezuela has buttressed its foreign policy option to wage war by inexorably increasing its armed might whether their governments were dictatorships, democratic our authoritarian, as it presently is under Maduro.

This became especially true under Chavez after he was elected as president in 1998 following his failed coups earlier in the decade and was intensified by Maduro who succeeded him in 2013. S t a r t i n g f r o m g r o u n d z e r o in 2 0 0 5 , Ve n e z u e l a purchased over four billion dollars’ worth of military hardware including 24 Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30 MK2 fighter jets; 53 military helicopters and 100,000 AK-47’s - from Russia, which it declared to be an ally versus the US to which Chavez Bolivarian Revolution was implacably

opposed. He supported FARC guerrillas in Columbia, launched alternative regional grouping such as ALBA and oil-aid to the Caribbean mini-states with Petrocaribe.

Even Guyana benefitted from the seeming largesse of Petrocaribe and there were murmurs of finding a common cause against the old “imperialists”.

Under Maduro, there has been an additional US$15 billion in arm purchases from Russia.

While with reference to the participants, the Argyle Declaration “reiterated their commitment to Latin America and the Caribbean remaining a Zone of Peace”.

If Venezuela really believes in peace, then they must be following Clausewitz’ reaffirmation of the venerable Roman dictum that “if you want peace prepare for war.” Meaning of course, any potential aggressor will be deterred a strong response and peace would most likely ensue.

We can only look at the a c t i o n s o f Ve n e z u e l a towards us since 2015 and conclude their foreign policy instrument to wage war against us was encouraged by our continued anaemic capabilities in this area.

To secure a strong peace, we must be capable of exercising the option of waging a credible war.

I r o n i c a l l y, the very circumstance that stimulated Venezuelan aggression has also given us the wherewithal to explore options other than (Continued on page 09 )

The Argyle Agreement is a win for Guyana DEAR EDITOR, The “Argyle Agreement” is a win for Guyana.

We can now breathe a sigh of relief, continue the dialogue and take other actions with our partners to protect our territorial integrity.

The President’s

unwavering gumption and inspiring leadership must be admired.

Perhaps I would have reworded clause 9 (by deleting “territory in dispute”) to read “Both states committed to a followup meeting in Brazil within the next three months, or as

otherwise agreed, to discuss any matters impacting their shared interests, including the update on the established joint commission”.

This is a minor point - a win is a win.

Regards, Michael Seepersaud Kingston, Jamaica

Guyana must integrate the facts of the Essequibo border into the education system and launch a large-scale programto disseminate the information internationally DEAR EDITOR, It is heartening and encouraging to see the national show of unity and resolve regarding the Ve n e z u e l a t e r r i t o r i a l controversy. All around the land we are united under the refrain of ‘Essequibo is ours’ and ‘not a blade of grass’.

However, we must become accustomed to the idea that the threat is a permanent factor in this nation’s existence going forward. We must be prepared to defend our country by every means available.

So far, except for our pursuit of the matter at the International Court of Justice, it seems to me that we have been going mostly on appeals to loyalty, whether from our own citizens or f o r e i g n s u p p o r t . We expect our Caribbean neighbors to support us out of a sense of a common, historical brotherhood, but is this enough?

An important lesson of the present crisis is that we need to integrate the facts of the case into our very education system, starting at the primary school level.

Our case is strong. Our people must have a deeper

awareness of this existential threat to the nation and stand on a foundation of knowledge of the facts.

And we must go further and disseminate this information using the most effective media available to our Caribbean neighbors and around the world.

I have felt compelled to express this view publicly by statements I have heard in the international media, from well-intentioned commentators, that caused me some concern.

One such statement was that the 1899 Tribunal decision ‘sided with’ the British in deciding where to set the border between British Guiana and Venezuela.

That statement is misleading and untrue.

It is conceivable that the border could have been set as far west as the Orinoco River.

The Tribunal exercised its judgment in determining the border, and its decision was accepted by both sides.

The Venezuelans made the necessary legislative changes that recognized the border and participated in the marking of the border in 1905.

It must be stressed that

the deliberations of the 1899 Tribunal were not about Essequibo.

They were about determining the border, period. For over 50 years, Venezuela and the world recognized and accepted the border. It was only in the 1 9 6 0 s t h a t Ve n e z u e l a suddenly made an issue of Essequibo.

Every Guyanese, at home and abroad must be exposed to these facts. We must also have a permanent program to disseminate these facts to our Caribbean neighbors and around the world.

I would like to see The University of the West Indies, like UG, mounting seminars and webinars on the issue aimed at reaching the widest Caribbean audience.

And, undoubtedly, it would do no harm for the Venezuelan public to be exposed to this information, also.

Yours sincerely, Desmond Thomas

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 17, 2023

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox Many positives with the Argyle Declaration DEAR EDITOR, When the Heads of Government of CARICOM met with our President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, supported by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), to recommend an Ali /Maduro meeting, subsequently to be followed by an invitation from the Prime Minister of S t . Vi n c e n t a n d t h e Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, to President Ali and the President of Ve n e z u e l a , N i c h o l a s Maduro, to meet in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, few in Guyana were optimistic of a positive result and many, including myself, were doubtful of the wisdom of President Ali even attending the meeting.

As I had pointed out in my letter published on the 13th December in the Stabroek News, Guyana Chronicle, and Guyana Times, President Maduro had made it clear in his letter to Prime Minister Gonsales accepting the invitation, that he had no intention of respecting any ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and he persisted

i n c o m p l e t e l y misinterpreting and distorting the provisions of the Geneva Agreement.

The meeting of the two Presidents was concluded yesterday (14th December, 2023), monitored by the presence of a host of CARICOM Prime Ministers, facilitated by Gonsalves and the Prime Minister of Dominica and Chairman of CARICOM, Roosevelt Skerritt, and observed by high representative of the President of Brazil, Celso Amorim, as well as the high representatives of the UN Secretary General, Earle Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet of the Office of the Secretary General and Miroslav Jenca Under Secretary General of the UN Department of Political and Peace BuildingAffairs.

No higher, more important nor significant set of witnesses and participants from our hemispheric region could have been assembled to ensure that whatever the two Presidents said to each other and ultimately agreed to, would be respected and, hopefully, honoured.

The universal relief and some satisfaction felt well beyond our region, including

the most powerful countries in the world, is patent, at the outcome of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines meeting held in Argyle Airport, and the Joint Declaration of Argyle. The Declaration clearly and unequivocally agreed, albeit in suitable diplomatic language, that there will be no war, and no use of force between Venezuela and Guyana with regard to the current controversies involving that part of Guyana called Essequibo.

When one considers that in advance of this meeting and up until the very moments before it took place, that Venezuela had taken explicit action and had issued explicit threats to annex and, probably, invade our country, the result of the S t . Vi n c e n t a n d t h e Grenadines meeting is an e x t r a o r d i n a r y, i f n o t remarkable, achievement on the part of President Ali and those around him and an acknowledgement by President Maduro, that, whatever his enunciated claims to the Essequibo are, peace is preferential to war, dialogue is preferential to violent conflict and respect for the rule of international

law is preferential to criminal behaviour towards another country.

With reference to the Joint Declaration, paragraphs 1 and 6 are especially important in their commitment to the denial of the use of force and the avoidance of conflict: 1.Agreed that Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, will not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States.

6.Agreed that both States will refrain, whether by words or deeds, from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from any controversy between them. The two States will cooperate to avoid incidents on the ground conducive to tension between them. In the event of such an incident the two States will immediately communicate with one another, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Community of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC), and the President of Brazil to contain, reverse and prevent its recurrence.

It is truly unfortunate that having been invited to attend

the meeting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, that the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Aubrey Norton, decided against participating, particularly as the Opposition APNU/AFC are completely at one with the governing PPP/C with regard to the retention and protection of our territorial borders.

It is difficult to understand why Mr. Norton stuck his heels in with regard to the need for a specific agenda before attending the meeting. There already was an unspoken agenda on the part of the CARICOM and CELAC leaders, as Vice President Jagdeo had pointed out, that the focus of the meeting would be de-escalation of the conflict, avoidance of the use of threats and force and respect for international law.

The Declaration of Argyle, of course, is not the end of the matter of the Venezuelan claim to twothirds of our land. Guyana will continue to rely on the ruling of the International Court of Justice to bring the matter to an end in spite of Venezuela’s current refusal to recognize the Court. The fact is, as a member of the

United Nations, “by signing the Charter, a Member State of the United Nations undertakes to comply with the decision of the Court in any case for which it is a party”. The government of Venezuela is bound by that provision of being a UN Member.

I find, as does the Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs for the opposition, Ms. Amanza Walton-Desir, paragraph 9 of the Declaration unsettling, in that it uses the term “territory in dispute” rather than “controversy” for the precise reason of triggering future meetings, but we must accept that in any Joint Declaration the language is never perfectly what one side or the other would like.

What we do know and what is precise, is that President Maduro has agreed to abandon his threats of force against our country and the expressed intentions of his contrived Referendum to take forceful possession of the Essequibo. It now remains to be seen whether President Maduro will be a man of his words expressed in the Declaration of Argyle.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

Timely hearings in criminal proceedings...

From page 04 Court held that administrative staffing of the Court of Appeal was no excuse that can be offered by the prosecution.

Consequently, inordinate delay was found, and the accused was not required to go back to prison.

Finally, in Inderjali (as next friend of Bisram) v DPP, the Court stated that the right is not an absolute right and must be balanced against the public interests in attainment of justice. The CCJ considered the America decision of Barker v Wingo and formed the view that delays caused by the judiciary should be weighed less.

The prosecution in Inderjali admitted that there was a larger systemic issue in Guyana as it relates to hearings. The challenges are: a) An overburdened legal system. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is primarily responsible for appointment of Judges and Magistrates in Guyana has not been constituted since

2017. On the 14th July, 2023, the JSC was constituted. To date the JSC has not appointed more Judges and Magistrates; b) Insufficient resources; and c) P r o c e d u r a l Challenges. Statute requires Magistrates to take notes in writing of testimonies and lengthy preliminary inquiries creates backlogs.

5) Consequences of Prolonged Delays a) Impact on the accused and society. The accused in having a prosecution hanging over his/her heading for a protracted period can lead to psychological and emotional distress; and b) Prolonged pre-trial detention. This makes up 27% of the prison population. Further, the average length of time for a prisoner to await his trial is three years.

The decisions of Ogle, Sandiford and Harrychan made it clear that the ‘reasonable time guarantee’ is applicable to hearings of a preliminary inquiry trials and appeals.

The CCJ in Bridgelall’s adopted the English test on whether there is a fair hearing within a reasonable time. The CCJ considered the American test in Barker v Wingo. The test adopted in Guyana is far less onerous on an accused than the American test.

Guyana’s position has evolved considerably from Ogle to Inderjali.

There were initially one party at fault for the delay; the prosecution. It can be reasonable inferred that in Sandiford the prosecution’s blame of the judicial system and its constraints could not be any excuse for a breach.

However, Harrychan and B r i d g e l a l l ’s d e c i s i o n changed that position and named two liable parties to that delay: the prosecution and the judiciary.

The constitution created remedies for the breach of this right through redress in the High Court of Guyana and via the Human Rights Commission of Guyana. The remedies available through the High Court is tailored made to the circumstances of

each case. This reflects the English and the Canadian positions.

The writer posits that the lack of financial resources in Guyana is the root of the systemic problem which has led to the consistent breach of this right.

H o w e v e r, r e c e n t l y Guyana’s real GDP is estimated to have increased by 63.4 percent in 2022 due to Guyana recently discovered vast oil wealth.

The root cause may be cured by this wealth.

The writer recommends the following to deal with the systemic issues: a) Changes to legislation: by repealing section 28(5) , in place of a system to institute in the Magistrate Court audio recordings and stenographer in place so that the Magistrate would be free from recording written testimonies. Further the abolition of preliminary inquiries, which requires evidence in chief of witnesses to be led and the mandatory imposition of hybrid paper committals;

b) Establishment of Criminal Procedure Rules, which in effect would require case management and case flow management; and c) Appointment of more Magistrates and Judges in Guyana, efficient resource allocation to the judiciary and advocating for increased resources in the justice system.

The right to a hearing within a reasonable time has been infringed in the criminal justice system throughout the history of Guyana.

This right has its genesis from European colonization of Guyana which was enshrined in Guyana’s constitution and reaffirmed by international conventions.

The old test of the breach of this right has evolved from Ogle to Harrychan to Inderjali.

The burden of proving that the delay was justified has always remained on the prosecution. However, it was Bridgelall which laid down the true test to be

applied in breach of this right, thereby adopting the English approach and rejecting the American approach, irrespective that the term ‘reasonable time’ has never been defined.

It was until Inderjali which perfected the law and considered ‘all’ of the delays experienced by the accused.

The Guyanese position took on the English approach as it relates to this human right and went further by adopting the American’s view on the weight attached to the delays caused by the judiciary.

The systemic issues in Guyana range from statues and procedural rules that are either lengthy or archaic, to lack of resources.

The recommendations proposed requires a large quantity of resources.

However, based on the potential economic wealth in Guyana, the judiciary would be aptly financed in years to come, thereby curbing this future breaches of this right.

Donavon A. Rangiah, LLB Attorney-at-law

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Sunday December 03, 2023

Kaieteur News

Following historic “peace talks” on Thursday in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela have agreed to a number of measures aimed at maintaining peace and stability within the region.

These measures include an agreement that both partners will refrain from the use of force against one another in any circumstances, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States.

Both States have also agreed to cooperate to avoid incidents on the ground conducive to tension between them. In the event of such an incident, the two States will immediately communicate with one another, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Community of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC), and the President of Brazil to contain, reverse and prevent its recurrence.

It is hoped that Venezuela will abide by these new rules of engagement pending the outcome of the border controversy case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 8 10

Sunday Monday December May 02,17, 2022 2023

Seven years later…

$72M motion scales yet to be delivered to Public Works Ministry S

even years since t h e y w e r e purchased, the Ministry of Public Works is yet to receive three motion scales which were sourced back in 2016.

This was revealed in the 2022 Audit Report prepared

by Auditor General (AG) Deodat Sharma. The scales were procured by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, now named Ministry of Public Works.

In the report, the AG related that the Works Ministry had paid a contractor $72.264 million to supply and deliver the motion scales within 90 days of signing the contract.

The document stated that the supplier received the entire sum in 2016, contrary to the contractual terms of 50% advance payment within thirty days of signing the contract and the balance on delivery.

“More than six years after

the payment, the scales have not been delivered to the M i n i s t r y, ” t h e A G highlighted.

He related in the report that the ministry had explained that due to delays in clearing the scales, the items were still at the wharf.

Moreover, there were issues with the payment of valueadded tax (VAT) to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

It was disclosed that the Public Works Ministry wrote the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation seeking assistance to resolve the issue.

The ministry also enquired from Laparkan Shipping about the status of the scales after a fire destroyed its wharf in January 2022.

The AG noted that at the time of reporting in September 2023, the matter was engaging the attention of

the courts.

Responding to the AG's findings, the ministry indicated that the observations about the scales were correct.

According to the ministry, the scales are not in the possession of the agency.

However, a joint inspection between the ministry and the Audit Office was conducted in September 2021 to confirm the items were on the wharf.

The matter was subsequently forwarded to the Attorney General's Chamber for advice. The Attorney General Chambers and the Minister of Legal Affairs have begun proceedings against the supplier and the former Minister of Public Works for breach of Contract.

T h e P u b l i c Wo r k s Ministry said it is making every effort to bring the matter to a close. The ministry further noted that it

has written the contractor to enquire about the status of the scales, given the fire that occurred at their bond in January 2022. Additionally, the Ministry wrote Laparkan via correspondence dated 22 February 2022, making a claim for the said motion scales which it said were destroyed in the fire.

Seven years still undelivered, the Audit Office recommended that the Head of Budget Agency follow up with the Contractor and the Ministry of Legal Affairs to bring closure to the matter.

On the subject matter, Kaieteur News had previously reported that the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, had moved to the High Court over the three Mettler Toledo weight-in-motion scales that the former Government, through the then Ministry of Public Infrastructure, had purchased in 2016 but was

never delivered.

It was reported that the Attorney General sued former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, then Permanent Secretary (PS), Balraj B a l r a m , a n d Engineer/Manager Lawrence Mentis. The Attorney General also sued Nevpro Realization Limited, a Jamaican company for breach of contract by failing to deliver the scales.

This publication reported too that on November 1, 2016, the then Ministry invited suppliers through the National Competitive Bidding and Restricted Te n d e r i n g m e t h o d o f procurement, to bid for the procurement of 14 different Lots of specified goods, which included the motion scales.

El Dorado Trading, a local company was listed as the only bidder for the supply and delivery of the scales,

and the company had made a bid of $10,200,000.

However, the company was disqualified from the tender procedure due to its submission of a fraudulent manufacture's authorisation for the supply and delivery of another Lot within the same tender procedure. As a result, El Dorado Trading was ineligible for the award of the contract for the supply and delivery of the scales.

Minister Nandlall had further noted in the court document that instead of using the correct method of inviting suppliers to bid for the supply and delivery of the scales, PS Balram entered into a contract with the Jamaican company for the supply and delivery of the said scales, despite the company never being formally invited to bid for the contract in accordance with the provisions of the Procurement Act.

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 17, 2023

PAGE 09

The PPP is acting in the interest of its masters The only reason why the government has not offered a decent wage increase to public servants this year is because of the PPP’s class alignment with the bourgeois class. The PPP is no longer the party of the working class; it has been co-opted by the bourgeois class.

The bourgeois class does not wish to pay or cannot afford to pay substantial increases to its workers. To do so would reduce the large amount of funds that is sent overseas to fund the lavish lifestyles of the members of the bourgeois class. It will also reduce their profit margins.

Because the interests of the PPPC government is now the same as the bourgeois class, the government is not predisposed towards offering a decent wage increase above the usual formula that was introduced under the Jagdeo administration.

That formula is that the government offers wage increases annual merely to compensate for a questionable inflation rate.

And for good measure it throws in a few percentage points above this dubious inflation rate.

The government therefore continues with its

long-standing practice of starting with a base of 5% which it either tops up or uses as a standard formula for wage increases. It fails to make accommodation for the fact that as much as onethird of the increase it offers is taxable and therefore the actual 6.5% it offers this year will in real terms end up being less that 5%.

The official inflation rate is not credible and does not accord with the reality which consumers face. Which government Minister will go and face a working-class crowd and tell them that he or she is convinced that the actual inflation rate for 2023 is below 5%.

The government’s pitiful offer to public servants has nothing to do with affordability. In the Budget for 2023, the government had set aside five billion dollars for cost-of- living relief. But as year-end approached it was clueless as to how to assign these five billion dollars. And even though it claims it has to act in the interest of all workers, it ended up using this sum of $5B dollars to pay a $25,000 bonus to public sector workers and to pensioners. If that $5B had been assigned to public servants, this along with the estimated $7.5B that it will cost the

government to finance it wages increase to public servants for 2023, could have allowed for a 10% increase to public servants.

In any event, money or affordability is not the problem. The government has been constantly dipping into the Sovereign Wealth Fund to finance its infrastructural projects. If it wanted it could have dipped into the same Fund or it could have cut expenditure to finance a decent wage increase for public servants.

The bourgeois class is going to be happy with the wage increases the government has offered to public servants, this year, because this increase by the government is a powerful incentive to the private sector to avoid paying double digit salary increases to its workers. It will use the 6.5% to make a case that its workers should be content with less than double-digit wage increases.

The private sector manipulates the government because their interests are aligned. When the private sector has to increase wages for its employees, it looks to the government to cover some of these costs. One method employed is persuading the government to raise the income tax

Securing peace in our region...

From page 05 the judicial route we have chosen up to now because of the Exxon Bonus. As we suggested two weeks ago, it is time that we have a fully functional military base in Essequibo to which we can permit the US access as we strengthen our alliance with that nation beyond our common commitment to democracy. Our

security interest is matched not only by their interest in protecting their corporation Exxon that has been given notice by Venezuela to leave but also in their wider interest for the Western Hemisphere, in which it is situated, to be a zone of peace occupied by democratic states.

Sincerely Ravi Dev

DEM BOYS SEH

De Government give de people a math lesson in inflationary absurdity

D

em boys seh, hold on to your piggy banks ‘cause the government only give a 6.5% wage increase for public servants this year. Yes, you heard right, 6.5% – a number so mindboggling, it could make a math professor contemplate early retirement.

The logic behind this increase could only be that inflation for the year was a modest less-than-5%. Now, if you’re sharp with numbers, you’d quickly realize the government’s cunning plan: a wage increase that overshoots the inflation rate.

Now if we accept this logic, it mean that dem

public servants should not be paying prices higher than 5% over last year. But we know dat is not the case because in some cases prices increase more than 50%.

Even the cost of water gone up. And nuff people claiming dat de electricity bill suddenly start increase as if it climbing a tree.

Even dem school children complaining. Dem asking fuh more pocket money fuh school since dem claim de price of sweet drinks and snacks also increase. If inflation is less than 5%, and the government generously o ff e r s a 6 . 5 % w a g e increase, then by the logic of the marketplace,

everything from rice to roti should be playing catch-up at the inflation game.

Imagine the shock on the faces of store owners as they try to explain the concept of arithmetic to our newly enlightened public servants.

So what we have there with this wage increases is a clear case of fiscal folly.

Dem boys hope that dem contractors nah raise dem prices by more than 6.5% over what dem bin charging de government last year.

Now it would be most interesting if the government caps construction projects at prices less than 5% higher than last year. Would it not?

Talk half. Leff half

threshold. This results in an increase in disposable income for all workers, at the expense of higher taxes. The private sector can then communicate to its e m p l o y e e s , “ Yo u a r e receiving more money this year than in the past” even though part of the increases is due to the waiving of taxes.

Simultaneously, the increase in the income tax threshold enables the private sector to avoid directly shouldering the full burden of higher wage increases.

Consequently, raising the income tax threshold acts as a subsidy for private sector wage increases since the government, in the form of

taxes forgone, provides an increase in disposable income to workers.

Vice President Jagdeo is correct in pointing out the prevailing fixation on annual percentage increases.

However, it is worth noting that beginning with him, successive PPPC governments have actively adopted and promoted this approach in its wages policy for public servants.

It is hoped that, given his recent realization, his government may now shift away from the practice of providing yearly percentage salary hikes for public servants and instead commit instead to paying a living wage.

But then again, such a shift will not align with the interests of the bourgeois class, as it could potentially impact the substantial funds, they send abroad annually to sustain their lavish lifestyles.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10 S

UTH

D TR

HAR

HK

BY G

L

LAL

Sunday Monday December May 02,17, 2022 2023

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Maduro to Moscow Nicolas Maduro Moros has called a timeout, he needs to consult with his coaches on the sidelines. They are the Russians and the Iranians.

The Russians occupy the place of honour, with Iranians retained for psychological purposes in deep background.

Since China is sitting on the fence, at least publicly, that leaves Russian strongman Vlad Putin with the role of lead counselor and strategist. I think Guyana should be wary about this man on the side of Maduro, and how creative he was in calling a declaration of war a “special military operation.” As operations go, and the enduring power of this one in Ukraine, some record has fallen.

But Maduro is going to Moscow, and the question for all Guyanese is with what he will return. From Russia with love? Or from a Russia on the move? A Russia with a

point to prove.

For starters, the Guyana Government has made diplomacy and the international community the cornerstones of its efforts to wrap a ring around Senor Maduro. In the interests of politeness and the censors, it is better not to ask what part of his anatomy. According to reports, the US and the UK say that they are for Guyana; then a whole barrage of other friends of Guyana came out of the woodwork. If I were Mr. Maduro (I never learn, do I), there is sure to be a feeling of being overwhelmed, but that is his problem. It is the one that he created and then convulsed people on both sides of Guyana's western border. In the first and last analysis, Maduro needs allies and boosters of his own, and there is Comrade Putin. I heard of Cuba, but they will follow the party line coming out of St. Petersburg.

Second, Putin is reeling from what the Americans are doing to him, and he yearns for the opportunity to level the scales on this side of the world. Yeah, Rusal is here, but that is small fry, and could be easily sacrificed should push comes to shove, and he has to show his hand.

Venezuela's need for a powerful friend is just the opening that Vladimir could have been craving. I call it tit for tat (duh fuh duh nah…), but this is now my concern (all of Guyana), given that it is this country that is staring into Russian made gun barrels.

It is my understanding that Mr. Putin has an AK-47 factory in Venezuela for over a decade now. Things are getting warm around here.

For I do recall also that not too long ago some Russian bombers had landed on one of our neighbour's aprons. If Mr. Maduro gets only a

fraction of what he is seeking, matters could go from talking to, well, what is not so Catholic.

Third, the fact that Maduro chose December for his trip to the Russian tundra confirms that this fellow is thinking on all six or eight cylinders, notwithstanding the disparagements aimed at his mental state. Christmas is celebrated in early January in Russia, so Maduro will be able to engage his Russian backer, and have his full attention, despite the occasional toast of vodka to the heroes of the Russian Revolution, and a rant against the imperialists of the West.

No, but no Zhou en lai quotes today about the glories of capitalism and its heroic practitioners in this country (no names). Russia has its investments in Venezuela, and Putin has his ideas. What is good for

Taxi driver slams into car at traffic light, drives off

In this screen grab of the accident, the driver of the blue motorcar can be seen driving off from the scene after driving into Alvin Budhram's car.

A motorist, who had minutes earlier completed a midnight shift at work, received a shock on Friday night as he waited on the traffic light to turn red at the Houston Bypass when a taxi driver drove into his car and drove away.

“Everything just happened so fast.

I hit my head and chest on the steering of my car; by the time I got to talk to driver of the other car he drove off,” Alvin Budhram told this publication.

He said he completed his shift at midnight and between 0:00hrs and 00:20hrs, he stopped along the Houston Bypass. He said he was waiting on the light to change to green when an old model, blue Toyota Premio, which carried an HD number plate, drove into the back of his car.

In a video seen by this publication, the impact of the crash resulted in Budhram's car, a new model Toyota

Alvin Budhram's car following the accident.

Premio, being pushed forward.

In the video, the errant driver nonchalantly pulled his car to the left of Budhram's car and sped away, driving through the red light in the process.

Budhram said he could not make out the

full registration of the car.

He said he made a report at the Ruimveldt Police Station and he was advised by ranks there to return on Monday to review camera footage of the accident.

Maduro and Venezuela, may not be so healthy for Ali and Guyana.

Candidly, the president has his, ah, defences.

Unfortunately, much of the same cannot be said for other Guyanese.

Fourth, I remember what happened about 50 years ago to a region called Indochina and a country named Vietnam. Quagmire is a start, but all the usual suspects were there. The French first, then the Yanks, and ANZAC, and only the divine knows who else. On the other side, there were the Chinese, the Koreans, and the Russians. Could we here in Little Guyana be seeing matters come to this muddled pass?

Fifth, I would hope not, but there are the Iranians lurking in the background, and they have some old and newer debts to repay to the Great Satan.

That is not me, blue passport and all. Whatever they are up to in this local imbroglio shaping up to be the Great Guyana Game is anyone's guess. One thing I

a m sure of is that it is not so sunny for Guyana's side of the story.

Last, what commitments, what strengths, what tactics will Nicolas Maduro Moros bring back from Russia with Love?

He may have succeeded in arranging the field of play more favourably for himself and his ambitions about Guayana Essequiba.

As we say in America, over my dead body. This is with or without Russia.

Here is a parting thought: it would be interesting to observe how all the typewriter warriors, and the well loaded and highly place are really about should Maduro return from Moscow with renewed resolve. We shall see who the traitor is then, and who is craven, sniveling coward also.

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

Shopkeeper placed on bail for inflicting grievous bodily harm on minor A 40-year-old shopkeeper was placed on $60,000 bail after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court on Friday, to answer to the charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm which he committed on a minor on December 4, 2023.

Samuel Duncan of Lot 23, Durban Backlands Squatting Area, Georgetown, father of two, made his first court appearance before Magistrate Rhondell Weever, where he was charged for the offence, unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on a minor.

According to police, it is alleged that on December 4, 2023 at Durban Backlands Squatting Area, Georgetown, Duncan unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm on a teen (name known).

The accused pleaded not guilty to the offence when it was read to him by the magistrate.

Duncan, who was not represented by a lawyer, refuted the claims leveled against him in court.

The prosecution did not object to bail, but requested that the defendant must be placed on a bond with the virtual complainant, mainly because they are neighbours.

The prosecutions also noted the seriousness of the offence and the fact that the virtual complainant is a minor.

The magistrate granted bail to the accused, with the conditions that he refrain from making any contacts with the defendant and to be placed on a bond. Magistrate Weever then sternly said that if he breaches any of the conditions imposed by the court, he will be remanded to prison. Duncan is scheduled to re-appear before the court on January 26, 2024.

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 17, 2023

PAGE 11

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY! In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecency in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

SUNDAY – DECEMBER 10, 2023 FACT OF THE DAY: Venezuela had crystallized its acceptance of the 1899 Arbitral award with postage stamps It is astounding how conveniently Venezuela has allowed the memory of the past 60 years to fade, during which it not only accepted but celebrated the Arbitral Award of 1899 that clearly delineated the Essequibo Region as part of Guyana.

History shows that Venezuela's celebration was not a silent affair; it was marked by the issuance of several stamps, indelibly imprinting the region within Guyana's boundaries for the world to see. Yet, now, it s e e m s Ve n e z u e l a i s attempting to rewrite history, disregarding its own jubilant acknowledgment of the very borders it now contests.

It's a selective amnesia that tries, but fails miserably

to erase Venezuela's decades of acceptance of a geopolitical reality then, as it is now.

MONDAY – DECEMBER 11, 2023 IN PURSUIT OF PEACE IN THE REGION Kaieteur News, recognizing Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves as a respected elder in the Caribbean, acknowledges his wisdom in urging Guyana and Venezuela to discuss their issues.

The aim here is clear: these talks are not just about dialogue, but about cementing a commitment to peace and international law.

Kaieteur News sees real merit in conversations that align with the provisional measures set by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). To recap, those measures insist that no action must be taken by Venezuela

to alter Guyana's control over the Essequibo Region.

This newspaper, reflecting the nation's hopes, fervently wishes that these discussions will lead to the most favorable outcome for the entire region of Latin America and the Caribbean.

We note the importance of stability for the region, as the lives of every person, even in the most distant communities in the Caribbean and Latin America, depend on peaceful and fruitful relations.

TUESDAY – DECEMBER 12, 2023 Venezuela misleading “…they [Venezuela] are trying to say to our colleagues and to the international community that the recourse to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is not provided for by the Geneva Agreement.

That's false. It was the [UN] Secretary General who referred the matter to the

ICJ,” Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo.

WEDNESDAY – DECEMBER 13, 2023 Venezuela is a lawless state “Venezuela's actions violate the fundamental principles of international law enshrined in Article 2 (4) of the United Nations Charter, which makes it unlawful for any state to use or threaten force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state.

The acquisition or attempted acquisition of another state's territory constitutes aggression which violates obligations under peremptory norms under international law,” Prime Minister, Mark Phillips noted.

THURSDAY – DECEMBER 14, 2023 Why we must meet?

“If we are serious about the development of our

people and ensuring that this region remains a zone of peace, there are many issues consequential to the controversy that have to be discussed.

I think that we can discuss on modalities on future interactions and establishment of technical groups and working groups to look at the development path,” President Irfaan Ali said in justifying meeting today with Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro.

FRIDAY – DECEMBER 15, 2023 The controversy must be resolved by the ICJ “Guyana's position is and will remain that the controversy must be resolved at and by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The referral of this matter to the ICJ is consistent with and pursuant to the Geneva Agreement.

Guyana's only intention is to pursue a course that will

secure and ensure peace and stability in our region and respect for Guyana's sovereignty and territorial integrity,” President Irfaan Ali December 14, 2023 SATURDAY – DECEMBER 16, 2023 Guyana has a right to facilitate any investment within territorial space “I made it very clear that Guyana has all the right to exercise its sovereign right within its territorial space, to approve of and facilitate any development, any investment, any partnership, any trading, any collaboration, any cooperation, to issue any license and the granting of any concession within our territorial space and within our sovereign space.”President, Dr. Irfaan Ali following the first and second phases of peace talks with Ve n e z u e l a ' s P r e s i d e n t , Nicholas Maduro on December 14, 2023.

ExxonM billed Guyana over $204M for expenses it racked up before...

Marlon Felix was playing on a beach near the Kurupukari Crossing on the Essequibo River when he slipped into the water.

Dead, Marlon Felix

Two-year-old drowns one day after meeting Santa A two-year-old boy, who was on Friday filled with joy when he collected his gift from Santa Claus, died on Saturday morning after he fell into the Essequibo River near the Kurupukari crossing.

Dead is Marlon Felix.

Reports are that the toddler's mother took him to a beach a short distance upstream from the crossing along the river.

The young mother and other residents were washing clothing at the river side

when they discovered that the child was missing. A search immediately commenced and sometime later, his body floated to the surface of the water.

On Friday, the child was among several other children who collected gifts when oil and gas company, Repsol in collaboration with Iwokrama Rainforest Lodge, brought Christmas cheer to children at the Kurupukari Primary School. He was expected to attend school from next September.

From page 3 not VAT Output, this prevented EEPGL from reclaiming VAT Input through a VAT refund claim.”

It added, “To ensure compliance with Article 15 of the Petroleum Agreement, EEPGL was unable to pay any invoices from local suppliers containing Guyana VAT and such payments could only be made once the GRA had granted VAT exemptions in accordance with Article 15.1.

In any case, given the ongoing accruals of the identified exploration and appraisal wells, the delay in the invoices being finalized / paid had no overall net impact to the pre-contract amount.”

Meanwhile, the auditors have since advised that irrespective of the date and time submitted of the invoices submitted for the “recoverable costs” any sum incurred prior to the effective date of the agreement would not be considered.

They explained, “These statements (from the contractor) suggest the costs in question are already contained in the PreContract Costs; as a result, in addition to the current claim being improper, including the costs in the Cost Recovery Statement would constitute double-counting.”

The report said that the Contractor's response will be evaluated “but any cost incurred prior to October 7, 2016, no matter when

booked, is a non-recoverable cost.”

It would be prudent to note that Guyana's first oil audit of the company uncovered similar findings.

That audit was conducted by a British firm, IHS-Markit for the period 1999-2017.

The audit team was tasked with reviewing some US$1.6 billion in costs.

Kaieteur News had reported that before Hess Corporation or CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited signed on as partners with ExxonMobil to the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement for the Stabroek block, they apparently racked up US$31.4M in certain expenses which they claim Guyana must pay.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Sunday December 17, 2023

Week-in-Review SUNDAY Guyana’s land boundary not up for discussion - President Ali assures ahead of meeting with Maduro - Talks aimed at maintaining peace in the region - St. Vincent PM Guyana’s Head of State, Dr. Irfaan Ali has made it clear that Guyana’s land boundary is not up for discussion, ahead of a meeting with Venezuela’s President, Nicolas Maduro.

The Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, in a correspondence to the two heads of states, dated December 9, 2023 said, “The leaderships of the Community of States of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) consider that it is necessary and desirable to facilitate the convening of a meeting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., between the Presidents of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on matters consequential to the border controversy between these two great countries.”

It went on to state that both heads have agreed to this meeting in the presence of President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, His Excellency Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Gonsalves noted that in light of the recent events relative to the ongoing border controversy, “the leaderships of CELAC and CARICOM have assessed, in the interest of all concerned, including our Caribbean and Latin American civilisations, the urgent need to deescalate the conflict and institute an appropriate dialogue, face-to-face, between the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela.”

President Ali in a subsequent media release explained that he was contacted by leaders representing CELAC, Brazil and several bilateral partners, encouraging dialogue with the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

He said on Friday evening in the emergency meeting of the Heads of Government of CARICOM, the Heads urged Guyana to explore the possibility of a meeting with President Maduro in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

While the invitation to President Ali is clear that the talks are premised on the border controversy, the Head of State pointed out “Guyana’s land boundary is not up for discussion, as it is currently before the ICJ and when adjudicated will be fully respected by Guyana.”

The President said he will

Chief-of-staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Omar Khan, stands alongside female ranks of the army during a visit to several border locations on. (Photo: GDF) continue to engage Guyana’s bilateral partners on defence cooperation pacts, as well as the ongoing range of political, social and economic arrangements.

According to the Head of State, “Guyana is clear that the advancement of our development agenda will not be compromised.

Our development partners and investors can be assured that there will be no changes nor alterations to existing arrangements.”

The President also reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) process in the resolution of the border controversy, and to ensure that the region remains a Zone of Peace.

Peace talks Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gonsalves during a press engagement on Saturday evening clarified that the talks between the two heads is geared towards maintaining peace in the Region.

Gonsalves was asked by Denis Chabrol of the Demerara Waves to explain the purpose of Thursday’s meeting if Guyana is insisting the border controversy must be resolved by the ICJ and Venezuela is maintaining a bilateral solution.

The Prime Minister in his response pointed out that the bilateral discussions are intended to ensure the Region remains at peace.

He said, “There are many things to be addressed and the matter of the commitment to international law, the commitment to peace, to maintain the region as a zone of peace and not to go to open conflict.

All those things are of great importance and I’m sure when leaders sit down, they will search for and find modalities to continue to maintain the peaceful coexistence”.

He stressed that the two nations are neighbours and must live alongside each other. As such, the Prime Minister said he believes there is great value to the communication between the two

leaders.

Moreover, he stressed, “I want you also to look at what is preferable; talking in peace and respectfully than fighting...it is not beyond the leaders to help to save the Region from intense conflict which will bring about lots of pain and suffering and set back this Region more than a generation.”

P r e s e n t l y, G u y a n a a n d Venezuela are before the ICJ to settle the ongoing border controversy. While the outcome is still pending, Venezuela forged ahead with a referendum on December 3, 2023 to consult its citizens on a move to annex Guyana’s mineral-rich Essequibo region into the map of Venezuela.

Following this process, President Maduro’s government announced a suite of measures in defiance of the ICJ orders, to essentially take control over Guyana’s sovereign territory.

The World Court had told Venezuela on December 1, 2023, that it should not take any action that would alter Guyana’s control over the Essequibo Region. It also instructed both nations to refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.

B e th at as it may, th e Venezuelan government on December 5, 2023 announced the appointment of a governor of Guyana’s Essequibo Region, Major General Alexis Rodríguez Cabello.

International media reports also note that the Maduro regime has also announced that he and his team will grant concessions in the Essequibo region and have also given companies within the area three months to vacate.

On Tuesday evening, Venezuelan authorities also presented a new map to its people which shows the Essequibo region being part of the Venezuelan territory.

The Guyana government has condemned the desperate act by the Venezuelan government and has updated the international community on these and other developments.

It would be poignant to note that the border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela was settled since 1899 through an International Tribunal of Arbitration, an award that was accepted and celebrated by Venezuela, since through that instrument it secured control over the mouth of the Orinoco as well as the Orinoco Basin.

Pres. Lula tells CNN he will break ties with Maduro if Venezuela invades Guyana President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) told allies heard by CNN that he is increasingly disappointed with the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, and signalled that he can break politically with the leader of the neighbouring country if the invasion of the Essequibo region, which corresponds to 70% of the territory, is confirmed.

The long-standing border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela is properly before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

While the substantive case is still ongoing, on December 1, the ICJ in a unanimous decision ordered Venezuela not to take any action that would alter Guyana’s control over its Essequibo region – acting on the results of its contentious referendum which is aimed at getting the public’s support for Venezuela’s decisions regarding the Essequibo region.

The court also ordered both Guyana and Venezuela to refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the controversy or make it more difficult to resolve.

However, since then, in defiance of the ICJ’s orders, Maduro made several announcements in relation to

Guyana’s Essequibo territory.

M a d u r o o n Tu e s d a y n i g h t announced the appointment of a governor for Guyana’s Essequibo Region, the granting of concessions in the territory, and demanded that companies vacate the area within three months.

CNN reported that in private conversations, Lula has nostalgically recalled the friendship he had with former President Hugo Chávez, who died in 2013, and said that he does not maintain the same relationship with the current president.

The Brazilian president, according to close sources, would be “less sceptical” than Itamaraty about the possibility of a war in the region and regretted that Maduro “exploded” the Brazilian effort to normalise next year’s elections in Venezuela and thus take the country out of isolation.

CNN said if the president of Venezuela moves forward with his war plans in the region of Guyana, Brazil will respond harshly. The country, however, still bets on the path of negotiation. On Tuesday, Chancellor Mauro Vieira spoke with President Irfaan Ali, and on Wednesday, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil. On Friday, Brazil won the support of Mexico. Mexico’s foreign secretary, Alicia Barcena, stated that her country was “alonging” to Lula’s initiative for Celac to “promote dialogue” between the two countries “in order to find a peaceful solution”.

The Brazilian diplomatic messages, however, are all of reprimand to Venezuela. The South American trade bloc – Mercosur in a statement criticised “unilate attitudes”, which, in Brazil’s view, so far, have been taken only by Venezuela.

The passage from the document in which both countries are “stimulated to dialogue” should not be seen as criticism of Guyana, (Continued on page 13)

Sunday December 17, 2023

From page 12 diplomats explain. For Brazil, the Guyanese only sought international support when resorting to the United States, although the country sees with great concern the American military presence in the region.

Moreover, according to international reports, in a phone call on December 9, Lula reportedly urged Maduro against taking unilateral measures that could escalate the border controversy.

“Lula emphasized the importance of avoiding unilateral measures that could escalate the situation” in the disputed oil-rich Essequibo region, the Brazilian presidency said in a statement.

It said Lula had told his Venezuelan counterpart of fellow South American countries’ “growing concern,” citing a joint declaration Thursday by Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay that called for “both parties to negotiate to seek a peaceful solution.”

Lula reiterated that call in his conversation with Maduro, proposing the head of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States contact both sides to set up talks on the dispute, according to his office. He told Maduro that “we are a region of peace,” the statement said.

MONDAY Guyana to discuss peaceful co-existence, respect for int’l law and avoidance of threats with Venezuela- President Ali informs St. Vincent PM …maintains Guyana’s control over Essequibo not on cards President Dr. Irfaan Ali yesterday accepted an invitation by Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves for dialogue with the Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro.

The two states are presently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a final resolution on the border controversy. Venezuela claims that two thirds of this country’s mineral-rich Essequibo belongs to that country, but Guyana argues that this matter was already settled through an Arbitral

Award in 1899 that has long been accepted by Venezuela.

In light of the deepening of tensions between the two nations, with Venezuela announcing measures to seize the territory, regional bodies have called for dialogue with the Guyanese and Venezuelan Presidents.

President Ali in his acceptance of the invitation

by Prime Minister Gonsalves on Sunday informed that while Guyana is open to discussions with Maduro, the subject of the border controversy will be off the cards.

In fact, Guyana’s Headof- State made it clear in his correspondence to Gonsalves, dated December 10, 2023 that the talks should be focused on peace, respect for international law and avoidance of threats.

The President said, “I will be there in answer to the call by colleague CARICOM Heads of Government on 9 December, 2023 for appropriate dialogue between the leaders of Venezuela and Guyana to ensure peaceful coexistence, the application and respect for international law and the avoidance of the use or threats of force.”

The talks between President Ali and Maduro is set to take place in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday, December 14, 2023.

St. Vincent’s Prime Minister in his letter to Guyana’s Head of State, dated December 9, 2023 informed, “The leaderships of the Community of States of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) consider that it is necessary and desirable to facilitate the convening of a meeting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., between the Presidents

Venezuela's President, Nicolás Maduro

Kaieteur News

of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on matters consequential to the border controversy between these two great countries.”

Kaieteur News understands that President Maduro has also accepted the invitation for talks with Guyana.

Meanwhile, President Ali in a subsequent address to the nation on Sunday, made it clear that there will be absolutely no compromise on the border controversy. His statements come amid tensions in the country on the scheduled engagement with Maduro.

The Head of State explained, “This matter is before the ICJ and that is where it shall be settled.

There is no negotiation on this, there is no compromise on this…we have committed ourself to international law and that will not change.”

President Ali also r e a f f i r m e d G u y a n a ’s commitment to peace and stability in the Region and every action geared towards achieving this objective. To this end, he said Guyana has no objection to any conversation with Venezuela that does not include the b o r d e r c o n t r o v e r s y, presently before the ICJ. The President was keen to note that the 1899 Award by the International Tribunal not only provided a full and complete settlement to the border dispute over the Essequibo region, but the Geneva Agreement also allowed for the United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) to determine a place where this controversy can be settled. Consequently, he pointed out that the UNSG has determined that the ICJ is that place and Guyana remains not only committed to that legal process but the outcome.

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President Dr. Irfaan Ali With the matter still pending before the World C o u r t , Ve n e z u e l a n government on December 5, 2023 announced the appointment of a governor of Guyana’s Essequibo Region, M ajor G eneral A lexis Rodríguez Cabello.

International media reports also note that the Maduro regime has also announced that he and his team will grant concessions in the Essequibo region and have also given companies within the area three months to vacate.

Venezuelan authorities also presented a new map to its people which shows the Essequibo region being part of the Venezuelan territory.

These acts are in blatant defiance of the ICJ’s orders on December 1, 2023. The Court had instructed Venezuela that it should not take any action that would alter Guyana’s control over the Essequibo Region. It also instructed both nations to refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.

Amid border controversy with Guyana, Maduro to visit Russia this month As the controversy between Guyana and Ve n e z u e l a o v e r t h e Essequibo region rages on,

Russia President, Vladimir Putin

Ve n e z u e l a n P r e s i d e n t Nicolás Maduro is set to visit Russia in December, a development that could have implications for the territorial quarrel. The exact dates of his visit will be confirmed soon, as stated by Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, according to Russian News Agency TASS. This meeting comes at a time when the role of Russia, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), is pivotal in relation to the GuyanaVenezuela controversy. The matter hinges on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which granted the Essequibo region to then British Guiana. Guyana has sought the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) intervention to affirm the award’s validity, while Venezuela contends it as fraudulent and has challenged the ICJ’s jurisdiction.

The ICJ, having already issued provisional measures instructing Venezuela not to exacerbate the situation, including by seeking to modify Guyana’s control of the territory, has been met with plans by the Bolivarian Republic to incorporate the territory as a new Venezuelan province. This move could significantly aggravate the situation, and Guyana has sent the matter to the attention of the UNSC, whose decisions are binding for all UN members, including Venezuela.

Guyana’s forthcoming non-permanent membership in the UNSC, starting January 2024, places it in a strategic position. However, the key to a swift resolution at the UNSC may lie in the stance of Russia. As a permanent member with v e t o p o w e r, R u s s i a ’s position, historically noninterventionist in this matter, gains critical importance. In 2022, Russian officials assured protestors in Guyana

that they would not support Venezuelan actions against Guyana. This assurance was given during a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where the protestors explained their principled stance, drawing parallels between Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the G u y a n a - Ve n e z u e l a situation. Guyana’s own government has spoken out against Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

A recent statement from Russia urged a peaceful resolution to the controversy between Guyana and Venezuela, but spoke out against foreign interference in the matter, seemingly alluding to the involvement of the United States.

Other members with veto power on the UNSC include the United Kingdom, the United States, China and France. The UK and the US have expressed support for G u y a n a ’s t e r r i t o r i a l integrity, firmly in support of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

France has spoken in support of ICJ as the means to solve the controversy. China, like Russia, urged peace but did not take a side nor did it expressly state support for the ICJ as the solution.

While the agenda of Maduro’s impending visit to Russia, as announced by Ushakov, is not explicitly linked to the GuyanaVenezuela controversy, the timing is crucial. With Russia’s influence in the UNSC and its historical relationship with Venezuela, any discussions or outcomes from this visit could significantly impact the course of the controversy, as the UNSC is now considering it. Moreover, the visit is notable as it occurs in a month packed with domestic and international engagements for Russian President, Vladimir Putin, indicating the importance of Maduro’s visit.

TUESDAY Exxon tells Maduro “We ain’t backing down” -remains committed to agreement with Guyana ExxonMobil Guyana Limited said in a statement on Monday that it is not backing down from its plans to develop the 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent resources discovered in the Stabroek Block.

The statement is a (Continued on page 14)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

From page 13 stinging response to recent threats by Venezuela’s President, Nicholas Maduro for Exxon and others to exit the Essequibo Region. An unfazed Exxon said: “We are not going anywhere.”

The oil giant added, “Our focus remains on developing the resources efficiently and r e s p o n s i b l y, p e r o u r agreement with the Guyanese Government.”

Readers would recall that M a d u r o ’s t h r e e - m o n t h ultimatum was given after he held a sham referendum on December 3, 2023. The referendum which sought to galvanise support from his people to annex Guyana’s mineral-rich Essequibo was only supported by a mere 11 percent of the voting populace. Following his referendum, Maduro announced a slew of measures that would be taken to advance his quest for the Essequibo region. In addition to the ultimatum, Maduro instructed his administration to set up two state-owned divisions that would begin exploring for oil, gas, gold and other minerals. He has also instructed his parliament to pass a law that would allow for the governing of the region, making it a new state within Venezuela’s territory.

The top brass in Guyana’s government, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali; Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo; and A ttorney G eneral and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall have all urged companies to ignore Venezuela’s threats. They have all said, if Venezuela continues along this reckless path, then Guyana can make calls for sanctions.

Guyanese authorities have already informed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of Venezuela’s disregard for its provisional orders which state that no action should be taken to alter Guyana’s control over the Essequibo Region. The United Nations Security Council has also been informed of Venezuela’s actions.

Since Guyana’s announcement of oil being discovered in the Stabroek B l o c k , Ve n e z u e l a h a s engaged in a series of aggressive tactics which have increased in recent times. These actions included the deployment of troops near the border and threatening statements to deter investors from

ExxonMobil Guyana's CEO, Alistair Routledge partaking in Guyana’s maiden auction.

Irrespective of Ve n e z u e l a ’s p o s t u r e , Guyanese authorities have maintained that they will zealously protect, every inch of the nation. They have also stressed that nothing shall stymie Guyana’s development.

Exxon, in partnership with Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, has been able to bring three oil producing projects on stream. The Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two Projects currently produce about 400,000 barrels of oil. The Payara Project which started producing in November, is expected to push the nation’s output to 600,000 barrels of oil per day.

Yellowtail and Uaru, the fourth and fifth projects, are in progress and will each have a production capacity of approximately 250,000 gross barrels of oil per day.

The operator is currently working with the Government of Guyana to secure regulatory approvals for a sixth project at Whiptail. In total, six FPSOs

with a gross production capacity of more than 1.2 million barrels of oil per day are expected to be online on the Stabroek Block by the end of 2027, with the potential for up to 10 FPSOs to develop the estimated gross discovered recoverable resources of more than 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent. $108B in taxes waived for oil companies in 2022- AG Report The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) in 2022 waived $108 billion in taxes to petroleum companies operating locally.

This information is outlined in the Auditor General’s (AG’s) report that was released to the public on Monday. According to the AG, Deodat Sharma, “the total contractual tax exemptions granted to the Oil and Gas Sector during the year under review totaled $108.275 billion.”

The report also noted that the total revenue collected from taxpayers within the Oil and Gas sector during the

period amounted to $86.207 billion. It was explained that this sum comprised of revenue of $80.711 billion and $5.496 billion from the internal revenue and customs respectively. The AG pointed out that the Oil and Gas Sector accounted for 28.6 percent of the gross overall revenue collected by the Authority.

Meanwhile, the taxes waived by the GRA for oil companies in 2022 amount to approximately US$541 million; this means that the total taxes waived to the oil companies since production activities commenced in 2 0 1 9 t o t a l s US$2,841,000,000.

Kaieteur News reported that tax exemptions granted between 2019 and 2021, according to previous AG Reports, amount to a whopping US$2.3 billion. In 2019, Guyana lost US$600 million in taxes and in 2020 another US$685 million; this was followed by US$1 B in tax exemptions in 2021 and US$541 million in 2022.

It must be noted that during the same period2019 to 2022- Guyana only received US$1.861B in revenue from the sector.

According to the Bank of Guyana (BoG) statements on the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) inflows, the country received a total of US$1,861,770,494.46.

Guyana has agreed to pay the taxes for the oil companies in the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) it signed with ExxonMobil in 2016. The PSA states at Article 15.1 that the Contractor (ExxonMobil Guyana Limited) as well as its affiliates shall not be subjected to tax, valueadded tax, excise tax, duty, fee, charge or impost in respect of income derived from petroleum operations, property held or transactions except as specified under the agreement.

It goes on to state at Article 15.4 that the sum equivalent to the taxes owed by the company will be paid by the Minister responsible for Petroleum to the Commissioner General of the GRA. A legal suit brought against these abusive tax giveaways by the Publisher of this newspaper, M r. G l e n n L a l l w a s unsuccessful as the Court dismissed the case in February of this year.

He argued that many of the provisions listed under Article 15.1 of the Petroleum

Sunday December 17, 2023

Agreement grants exemptions to persons other than licensees, which violate the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act, the Financial Administration (and Audit) Act, the P r e v e n t i o n o f Discrimination Act, and the Constitution.

In light of this, Lall t h r o u g h h i s l a w y e r, contended that the provisions are unlawful, null and void, and of no legal effect. High Court Justice Nareshwar Harnanan said the minister is vested with the power under Section 51 of the PEPA and the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) (Tax laws) to grant EEPGL, CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited, and Hess Guyana Exploration Limited, all companies that are parties to the case, concessions of extensive tax exemptions.

Read more here: https://www.kaieteurnewso nline.com/2023/02/23/glenn -lall-loses-case-challengingtax-waivers-to-exxonmobil/ WEDNESDAY Guyana is the fastest offshore oil development in the history of the world S&P Global Chair Daniel Yergin, Chairman of American analytics firm S&P Global, recently described Guyana as being very important to the energy market as it is “the fastest offshore oil development in the history of the world.”

During an interview with CNBC, Yergin said he b e l i e v e s G u y a n a ’s exceptional oil growth is what piqued the interest of Venezuelan leader, Nicolas Maduro. He said, “…Nicolas Maduro, the dictator president of Venezuela, had this farcical referendum (on December 3, 2023) where maybe 10 percent of the people voted to claim two-thirds of Guyana but what has really piqued his interest is the offshore oil.”

Yergin said the US has strongly indicated its support for Guyana, reminding that the US South Command recently partnered with Guyana for military drills near the border. Yergin said, “Maduro is in a weak position. A quarter of the people of Venezuela have become refugees.” Be that as it may, he said there must be careful attention to his

GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia threats to annex Essequibo as well as his close relationship with allies such as Russia, Cuba, and increasingly, Iran.

Since Guyana’s announcement of oil being discovered in the Stabroek B l o c k , Ve n e z u e l a h a s engaged in a series of aggressive tactics which have increased in recent times. These actions included the deployment of troops near the border and threatening statements to deter investors from partaking in Guyana’s maiden auction.

Irrespective of Ve n e z u e l a ’s p o s t u r e , Guyanese authorities have maintained that they will zealously protect, every inch of the nation. They have also stressed that nothing shall stymie Guyana’s development. ExxonMobil, in partnership with Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, has been able to bring three oil-producing projects on stream. The Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two Projects currently produce about 400,000 barrels of oil. The Payara Project which started producing in November, is expected to push the nation’s output to 600,000 barrels of oil per day.

Yellowtail and Uaru, the fourth and fifth projects, are in progress and will each have a production capacity of approximately 250,000 gross barrels of oil per day.

The operator is currently working with the Government of Guyana to secure regulatory approvals for a sixth project at Whiptail.

In total, six FPSOs with a gross production capacity of more than 1.2 million barrels of oil per day are expected to be online on the Stabroek Block by the end of 2027, (Continued on page 52)

Sunday December 17, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 17, 2023

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s l l a f r e t a W The

Festival of Carols returns ...after two-year hiatus 41

PAGE

Yoruba Singers Lead Singer and Founder, Patrick Eze Rockcliffe

Folklore Legend Eze Rockcliffe 34 receives prestigious Sunshine Award for exceptional contributions to Guyana's music industry PAGE

Sunday December 17, 2023

Kaieteur News

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COP28: SMALL DEVELOPING NATIONS LEFT IN THE SHADOWS OF FOSSIL FUEL GIANTS

By Sir Ronald Sanders

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own.)

COP28 in Dubai, presided over by a major oilproducing nation, has ended with a compromise that, d e p e n d i n g o n o n e ’s perspective, either represents a milestone or underscores the persistent inadequacies in confronting the climate crisis.

From the standpoint of small developing countries, grappling with the existing damaging impact and the continuing threats of climate change and global warming, very little cheer emanated from COP28. This includes the areas of the Loss and Damage Fund and climate financing, on which pledges have been made. But that record has played so many times, it has worn thin.

INSUFFICIENT MOMENTUM While COP28 marked an important agreement explicitly calling for a shift away from fossil fuels, the compromise reached still grants energy-exporting giants like Saudi Arabia substantial leeway to continue drilling. The lack of legally binding rules to curb fossil fuel production raises serious concerns about the acceleration of global warming, posing an increased threat to vulnerable nations, particularly small island states in the Caribbean and Pacific and Central American states. These countries are among the greatest victims of the impacts of climate change.

THE HARSH REALITY OF 2023 Despite commitments to triple the installation and use renewable energy technology by 2030 and

cease carbon emissions by 2050, this year, 2023, has already witness recordbreaking temperatures globally. The slight progress made for small states at COP28 falls significantly short of the necessary measures needed to counteract the escalating impacts of climate change.

According to the latest Global Carbon Budget Report, global fossil carbon dioxide emissions this year are set to hit a record high of 36.8 billion tonnes, an increase of 1.1% relative to 2022 levels and 1.4% above pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.

COLOMBIA A BRIGHT SPOT It is noteworthy that Colombia became the first Latin American country as well as the largest fossil fuel producer to endorse the Fossil Fuel nonProliferation Treaty, the push for a Treaty is led by a bloc of 10 states from Latin America, the Pacific, and the Caribbean. Colombia has led t h e w a y, a n d e v e r y encouragement should be given to its government’s responsible leadership.

LEGACY OF DUBAI AND CONCERNS FOR AZERBAIJAN While providing a platform for developing countries to voice their concerns, COP28 should not be prematurely celebrated as a significant advancement.

There is a growing apprehension that if fossil fuel interests were prioritized in Dubai, the trend might continue in Azerbaijan, the host of COP29. This concern is accentuated by the fact that Dubai, as one of the world’s ten largest oil producers, hosted an unprecedented number of oil and gas lobbyists – at least 2,456, according to recent reports.

Those lobbyists would certainly have outnumbered all the delegates from every small states that attended the gathering in Dubai, showing the severe disadvantage in which small states are trapped.

Of course, the lobbyists would also have far more incentivising methods to secure support for their positions than small countries that can only appeal to reason and conscience.

LOOPHOLES IN THE COP28 AGREEMENT The compromise at COP28 lacked specific commitments to finance energy transitions in poorer nations. According to the World Bank, a multi-donor trust fund has been announced, mobilizing an initial US$250 million to help developing nations cut CO2 and methane emissions generated by the oil and gas i n d u s t r y. H o w e v e r, contributions from major oil companies like Chevron and Exxon Mobil were notably absent.

LOSS AND DAMAGE FUND The final text on the Loss and Damage Fund is critiqued is woefully inadequate, despite the string efforts of small states both to get the Fund made

operational, and to secure adequate financing.

Pledges for the fund exceeded US$700 million, including $300-400 million from the European Union (EU) collectively, $100 from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), $50 million from the UK, $17.5 million from the US, and $10 million from Japan. However, pledges are not delivery, and the record shows a history of pledges not being fulfilled. Further, we still do not know the number of countries that would qualify to benefit from the Fund and what conditions would be applied, Of great concern is that, at least for a 4-year period, the fund will be administered by the World Bank whose reputation for applying onerous conditions with lengthy periods of assessment does not instil faith that benefits would flow with the urgency they should.

Also, it should be noted that contributions to the Fund represent less than 0.2% of the economic and

non-economic losses developing countries face every year from global warming.

Therefore, while it is something; it is distressingly insufficient.

CLIMATE FINANCING With respect to climate financing, the failure to meet the $100 billion per year climate finance target and the lack of progress in doubling adaptation finance by 2025 reveal the shortcomings of affluent nations in meeting their c o m m i t m e n t s .

Consequently, developing countries have developed grave mistrust of the rich nations. That mistrust is not cause for giving up; it is the reason for continuing to speak up in all international fora, and to expose the need and urgency for the plight of the vulnerable not to fall off the table of global consideration.

CONCLUSION In evaluating the outcome of COP28, some

Sir Ronald Sanders progress was made, but much more needs to be done.

Small states, particularly, must remain vigilant against potential dominance by fossil fuel interests in future conferences. The urgency for meaningful, binding actions to address the existential threat of climate change faced by vulnerable nations is underscored by the escalating temperatures; destructive extreme weather events that wreck livelihoods and national economies; and the persistent shortcomings of the current global response.

The people of small developing countries must rail against being left in the shadow of fossil fuel giants.

Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com

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Anne’s Products -agro-processed

Anne’s Products are certified by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) under the Permit to use the ‘Made in Guyana’ label.

condiments to look for this holiday season bearing the ‘Made in Guyana’ label F

or many years, Anne PetersBristol is known by her overseas friends and relatives for making tasty hot sauce or pepper sauce which they looked forward to during the Christmas season and all year round.

In 2013, the hobby of making these sauces became a business with the launch of ‘Anne’s Products.’ This allowed for the sharing of the delicious condiments with others while at the same time, creating a viable source of income.

Ten years later, Anne’s Products has won multiple awards, and the products of the business are now certified by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) under the Permit to use the Made in Guyana Certification Mark Programme.

“I started off making hot sauce in 2013 with the use of a normal kitchen blender…it wasn’t easy but on the first day, all of my pepper sold out and that motivated me to continue doing so,” the proud business owner said.

In 2017, the product line of business was expanded to include Green Seasoning, and it was around that time the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) was approached for Anne’s Products to be added to the shelves of the New Guyana Shop and in supermarkets.

The businesswoman admitted that at first, the list of requirements including labelling, testing and documentations (records) seemed a bit far-reaching but with perseverance, she was successful in achieving her life-long dream of running a successful business.

The success of Anne’s Products was tangibly recognised through several awards won by the business.

In 2019, the business won the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) President’s Award; in 2020, the Small Business Bureau’s (SBB) Small Manufacturer Award for Excellence; and in 2021,the GMSA President & Small Business Award.

Today, Anne’s Products boasts a further expanded product line which includes Souree Achar, Mango Achar, C h u n k M a n g o A c h a r, Tamarind Achar, Hot Sauce, Lime Chunks ‘N’ Pepper, Mauby Drink, Lime Drink, Cassava Cassareep and Chinese Sauce.

Confident that her products are of quality, the proud business owner in 2022 applied to join the GNBS’ Made in Guyana Certification Mark Programme, and on June 13, 2023, permission was granted to use the mark on all the products except the Lime Drink, which will be added when the company pursues recertification in 2024. Anne admitted that the certification process was

difficult but she believes that investing time and resources to acquire the Made in Guyana Mark is beneficial to her business.

“When you have the ‘Made in Guyana’, people will know that you’re certified by Bureau of Standards and at least you uphold a certain standard,” Anne said. She added that she joined the GNBS Certification programme to be able to brand her items with the approved Made in Guyana Standards Mark.

A n n e ’s P r o d u c t s employs five to ten staff throughout the year. As a result of its certification status and the Christmas season, Anne said she and her employees are constantly working to meet the increased demand for her hot sauce, cassareep and other products.

The businesswoman is urging others to join the GNBS Made in Guyana Certification programme. “I encourage others to get certified because when the public see that you’re

A variety of condiments made by Anne’s Products.

actually recognised by the GNBS, they know that your

products have some quality because the Bureau will not

issue the certification if the criteria are not met”, she said.

The Made in Guyana Standards Mark is a registered mark that aims to provide recognition to locally manufactured products on the local and international markets and is a signature of quality for authentic Guyanese Products.

The certification is valid for one year after which businesses can pursue renewal.

Application forms for the Permit to use the Made in Guyana Mark Programme can be found via GNBS w e b s i t e h t t p s : https://gnbsgy.org/formsall/. For more information, contact our Certification Services Department on 219-0064-66 or email certifcation@gnbsgy.org

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Delegates of the Miss Crane 2023 After a three-year absence due to the pandemic, the ‘Miss Crane’ Pageant has returned and according to the organisers, this year, it’s a pageant with a difference.

The pageant is aimed at instilling confidence in young girls within the Crane area on the West Coast of Demerara and it is an opportunity to showcase their beauty and intelligence and to serve as a forum to build their self-esteem and empowerment skills. This year’s promoter, Sean Swan, popularly known as “Fresh” decided that for the 5th edition of the pageant, he wanted to have delegates with pageantry and modeling experience due to a tight timeframe for training and other activities.

The Miss Crane Pageant is slated to be held on December 30th, 2023 at Lot 322 Crane Housing Scheme and will see seven beautiful ladies competing for the crown and grand prize, as well as runner-up prizes.

This year’s contestants who will grace the stage are more mature when compared to previous years and this time around; a swimsuit segment has been introduced.

Delegate #1 Saran Ann Braithwaite, 21, is the CEO, manager and founder of Sarah’s Unique Braids and Beauty studio and Caribbean Glow skin care products. She said, “I am a true testimony of a young lady who came from nothing to something and I believe that through my career, myself and team can bring the young women of crane back to a place where they are allowed to grow gracefully by hosting free cosmetology workshops in and around the area of Crane Housing Scheme to keep the youths active, busy and away from idleness.”

Delegate #2 Phelicia Adams, 23 hails from the beautiful village of Parika. She is a teacher,

Contestants of the Miss Crane 2023 pageant

model, entrepreneur and designer whose favourite colour is yellow. “I’m a passionate, determined and kind individual who loves to crochet in my spare time.”

Adams is the only daughter of her parents and she said, “I have four strong brothers by my side.” She said, “It would be a privilege to contribute my time and effort into another village with a greater voice, I want to leave my impact on the youths and people of Crane.”

Delegate #3 Makeda Adams, a resident of Pouderoyen.

Adams is a teacher and she said, “I am a strong believer that everyone has the right to a choice and to make their own choices.” She is a nature lover and a fun person to be around, she said. She decided to take part in the pageant to gain a boost of self-confidence. She said she has a passion for modeling and pageantry.

Delegate #4 Hey there, I am Ashley Somerset, a 20-year-old Sales Rep, aspiring model

and advocate for survivors of sexual abuse. Beyond sales and the world of fashion, I am deeply passionate about using my voice and platform to support those who have experienced such challenges. Whether I’m

striking a pose or lending a listening ear, I’m committed to empowering others and raising awareness about these crucial issues. Excited to make an impact in the worlds of fashion and advocacy!

Delegate #5 Sanchia Samuels, 18, a logistics clerk, entrepreneur and aspiring lawyer decided to take part in the Miss Crane 2023 pageant because she loves, “the glitz and glamour of the pageantry world.”

She said it feels great to be able to dress up, look fabulous and walk across stages to showcase one’s self and talent.

Delegate #6 Anasa Williams, 24, is a journalist who loves nature and all things natural. A selftaught makeup artist, business owner and aspiring heart surgeon, she said modeling and pageantry have been her long-term hobbies. “I joined this pageant to have a feel of the stage in another part of Guyana after a few years and to also inspire others that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.”

Delegate #7 Tonia Harris, 25 is a makeup artist who gets along with everyone. “I am an easy-going person that frequently enjoys my own company,” she said. She said that it has been a while since she took part in a pageant, and according to her, “I had put my modeling life on hold.”

She said the Miss Crane 2023 pageant is a stepping stone out of early retirement, “to putting myself back out there and doing what I love.”

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g tin s... s re re e t In eatu Cr

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The Penis Snake

Nicknamed the penis snake because of its looks, the Atretochoana eiselti (scientific name) is a species of caecilian originally known only from two preserved specimens discovered by Sir Graham Hales in the Brazilian rainforest, while on an expedition with Sir Brian Doll in the late 1800s.

The species was more than a century later rediscovered in 2011 by

Penis Snake on the hunt from food.

engineers working on a hydroelectric dam project in Brazil.

The animal was reportedly discovered while workers were draining a portion of the Madeira River — a major tributary of the Amazon — for a controversial hydroelectric project.

Six penis snakes were found that day, according to reports.

Scientists said that little

is known about the creature but interestingly, it does not have lungs and breathes through its skin.

Caecilians are typically predators, feeding on small fish, worms, and other aquatic invertebrates. They have poor eye-sight and navigate primarily through smell. Penis snake is the largest known caecilian attaining a length of 81 cm (32 inches), and it is believed that it might have the same diet.

The Penis Snake population status is unknown and research is still ongoing to find out more about this strange creature.

Source of Information: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wi ki/Atretochoana) https://news.mongabay.c om/2012/08/penis-snakediscovered-in-brazil-isactually-a-rare-species-ofamphibian/

The Penis Snake in a resting position

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Rotary Club of Georgetown Central hosts Joyful Christmas Party for West Ruimveldt Children

Scenes from the joyful Christmas party hosted by the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central

T

he Rotary Club of Georgetown Central [RCGC] as it continues to observe its 40 Anniversary celebrated the spirit of the season by hosting a heartwarming Christmas party for children participating in its West Ruimveldt Literacy Project on Friday December 15.

The event brought together members of the community, volunteers, and Rotary and Rotaract Club members to create a festive and memorable experience for the children.

The Christmas party, organized by the Rotary Club of Georgetown th

Central in collaboration with its Youth Arm - The Rotaract Club of Georgetown Central, featured a lively atmosphere filled with laughter, joy, and holiday spirit.

Attendees enjoyed an array of activities, including interactive games, Christmas tree decorating, and special awards for children who performed creditably during the term - all carefully planned to make the occasion magical for the children in attendance. The afternoon commenced with prayer, biblical storytelling and the children were treated to snacks and drinks, gift distribution, and other goodies such as muffins, sweets

and a meal.

Club members, adorned in festive attire, worked diligently to ensure the success of the event.

Through the generous support of members and corporate and community sponsors, RCGC was able to provide each child with a gift, creating moments of delight and excitement.

“We believe in the power of community and the joy that comes from giving,” said Mr. Peter Pompey, Presidentof the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central. “Our Christmas initiative is a reflection of our commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of

underprivileged children during this festive season. It’s our way of bringing the spirit of Christmas to every corner of our community.”

RCGC extends gratitude to all the volunteers, sponsors, and community members who contributed to making the Christmas party a resounding success. The event exemplifies the Rotary Club’s mission of service and its dedication to creating positive, lasting impacts on the lives of those it serves. RCGC is extremely appreciative of the support received from corporate partners, in particular Tropical Shipping, for its support to the

club’s projects being undertaken in the areas of literacy and youth development.

The Guyana Country Manager of Tropical Shipping Mrs. Glenis Hodge, indicated that as part of their mission as a true community partner throughout the regions in which the company operates, “Tropical Shipping is proud to support initiatives that help youths to thrive…Tropical Shipping, based in Florida, is a logistics and shipping company which this year celebrated 60 years of serving the industry specializing in ocean transportation and is proudly serving Guyana for more than 28 years, with a dedicated weekly service between Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and Suriname.”

Rotary is a dynamic organization of community leaders committed to making a positive impact through service projects and initiatives. Embodying the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self,” Rotarians actively contribute to the betterment of the local community and beyond.

The Rotary Club of Georgetown Central this year is commemorating its 40 Anniversary since receiving the Charter on November 1, 1983. As such, the Club has embarked on a series of innovative projects in keeping with the mandate of Rotary International. One of its main projects is the West Ruimveldt Literacy Initiative which provides after school classes for 25 children ages 5 – 13 years, four days every week.

The programme runs until the end of the school year and is anticipated to achieve, at minimum, an average improvement in performance by at least 50%.

For more information about the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central and its community initiatives, please visit the Club’s Social Media Pages – Facebook, Instagram. t h

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This week in History Wright Brothers record first Actor Brad successful airplane flight Pitt’s birthday The first airplane ever built was done by the Wright Brothers

December 17 On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers, Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright, were American aviation pioneers generally credited with inventing, building, and flying the world’s first successful motor-operated airplane recorded their first successful flight. The duo made the first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-thanair aircraft with the Wright Flyer four miles (6 km) south of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, at what is now known as Kill Devil Hills.

The brothers were also the first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed-wing powered flight possible.

In 1904–1905, the Wright brothers developed their flying machine to make longer-running and more aerodynamic flights with the Wright Flyer II, followed by the first truly practical fixed-wing aircraft, the Wright Flyer III. The brothers’ breakthrough was their creation of a threeaxis control system, which enabled the pilot to steer the aircraft effectively and to maintain its equilibrium. This method remains standard on fixed-wing aircraft of all kinds. From the beginning of their

aeronautical work, Wilbur and Orville focused on developing a reliable method of pilot control as the key to solving “the flying problem”.

This approach differed significantly from other experimenters of the time who put more emphasis on developing powerful engines. Using a small home-built wind tunnel, the Wrights also collected more accurate data than any before, enabling them to design more efficient wings and propellers. Their first U.S. patent did not claim invention of a flying machine, but rather a system of aerodynamic control that manipulated a flying machine’s surfaces.

The brothers gained the mechanical skills essential to their success by working for years in their Dayton, Ohio-based shop with printing presses, bicycles, motors, and other machinery. Their work with bicycles, in particular, influenced their belief that an unstable vehicle such as a flying machine could be controlled and balanced with practice. This was a trend, as many other aviation pioneers were also dedicated cyclists and involved in the bicycle business in various ways.

Slavery in America was officially abolished December 18 On December 18, 1865, Secretary of State William Seward announced to the world that the United States had constitutionally abolished slavery — the 13th Amendment had been ratified.

The ratification of the 13th Amendment, the first of the Reconstruction Amendments, was truly the beginning of the end of one our nation’s ugliest and saddest eras.

Historically, however, it has always been overshadowed by President A b r a h a m L i n c o l n ’s “ E m a n c i p a t i o n Proclamation.”

While Lincoln’s initial pronouncement to his Cabinet on September 22, 1862, formally tied slavery

t o t h e C i v i l Wa r, h e repeatedly stated that preserving the Union was his primary objective — not ending slavery.

In essence, Lincoln’s proclamation — officially signed and issued on January 1, 1863 — freed only slaves in Confederate states where he and the Union Army could not force the issue, but allowed slavery to continue in states where the Union could

impose its will.

The Emancipation Proclamation was a work of political irony.

Lincoln understood slavery was wrong, but did not want to anger the border states that had remained supportive of the Union.

H o w e v e r, t h e Emancipation Proclamation served as a catalyst for abolitionists in Congress to start working in earnest to end slavery in every state.

December 18 P i t t William Bradley Pitt was born December found greater 18, 1963. The American actor and film commercial success starring in Steven producer is the recipient of various accolades, Soderbergh’s heist film Ocean’s Eleven including two Academy Awards, two British (2001), and reprised his role in its sequels. He Academy Film Awards, two Golden Globe cemented his leading man status starring in Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. As a blockbusters such as the historical epic Troy public figure, Pitt has been cited as one of (2004), the romantic crime film Mr. & the most powerful and influential Mrs. Smith (2005), the horror people in the American film World War Z (2013), and entertainment industry. the action film Bullet Train Pitt first gained (2022). Pitt also starred recognition as a cowboy in the critically hitchhiker in the Ridley acclaimed films Fight Scott road film Thelma Club (1999), Babel & Louise (1991). His (2006), The first leading roles in Assassination of big-budget productions Jesse James by the came with the drama Coward Robert Ford films A River Runs (2007), Burn After Through It (1992) and Reading (2008), Legends of the Fall Inglourious Basterds (1994). He also starred in (2009), The Tree of Life American Actor: the horror film Interview (2011), and The Big Short Brad Pitt with the Vampire (1994), (2015). Pitt received alongside Tom Cruise. He gave Academy Award nominations critically acclaimed performances in for his performances in The Curious David Fincher’s crime thriller Seven (1995) Case of Benjamin Button (2008) and and the science fiction film 12 Monkeys Moneyball (2011), and he won the Academy (1995). The latter earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing Award for Best Supporting Actor and his first a stuntman in Once Upon a Time in Academy Award nomination.

Hollywood (2019).

Titanic, the movie was released December 19 The movie, Titanic was released on December 19, 1997. It was praised for its visual effects, performances (particularly those of DiCaprio, Winslet, and Stuart), production values, direction, score, cinematography, story and emotional depth. Among other awards, it was nominated for 14 Academy Aw a r d s a n d w o n 11 , including Best Picture and Best Director, tying Ben-Hur (1959) for the most Academy Awards won by a film. With an initial worldwide gross of over $1.84 billion, Titanic was the first film to reach the billion-dollar mark. It was the highest-grossing film of all time until Cameron’s next f i l m , Av a t a r ( 2 0 0 9 ) , surpassed it in 2010. A number of re-releases have pushed the film’s worldwide total to $2.264 billion, making it the second film to gross more than $2 billion worldwide after Avatar. In 2017, the Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.

In 1996, aboard the research vessel Akademik Mstislav Keldysh, Brock Lovett and his team search the wreck of RMS Titanic. They recover a safe they hope contains a necklace with a large diamond

known as the Heart of the Ocean. Instead, they find only a drawing of a young nude woman wearing the necklace. The sketch is dated April 14, 1912, the same day the Titanic struck the iceberg that caused it to sink. After viewing a television news story about the discovery, centenarian Rose Dawson Calvert contacts Lovett, identifying herself as the woman in the drawing. Hoping she can help locate the necklace, Lovett brings Rose aboard Keldysh, where she recounts her experiences as a Titanic passenger.

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Sunday December 17, 2023

Folklore Legend Eze Rockcliffe receives prestigious Sunshine Award for exceptional contributions to Guyana's music industry

By Kiana Wilburg

L

egendary lead singer and founder of the Yoruba Singers, Patrick Eze Rockcliffe, was recently honoured by the S U N S H I N E Aw a r d s Programme in the USA for his 52 years of invaluable contributions to the Guyanese music industry.

Since its creation in June 1989, The SUNSHINE Awards Programme has been dedicated to celebrating Caribbean heroes across various art forms. While it has expanded its vision to honour cultural ambassadors in countries from South America, Central America, and Africa, its recognition of regional legends has never waned.

Over the years, the programme has received major endorsements from the National Academy for the Recording Arts and Sciences, responsible for the annual Grammy Awards. It

has also been revered by the United Nations.

The 73-year-old folklore artist recently shared with The Waterfalls Magazine that he received the award on October 14, 2023 at the 35th Annual SUNSHINE Awards Ceremony.

African music.

“Eze's leadership and unwavering commitment to t h e Yo r u b a S i n g e r s throughout the years have resulted in many hits (e.g Black Pepper, Danger Water, Massacurra Man, etc.) and memorable performances throughout the Caribbean, Central America, South America and North America…”

Rockcliffe expressed gratitude for being

bestowed with the award as it places him in the company of other greats like the Mighty Sparrow and Chalkdust.

Apart from musical extraordinaire Dave Martins and the late King of Comedy, Habeeb Khan, Rockcliffe said he is now the third Guyanese to receive the award. “…I am grateful that such organizations recognize the contributions I have made but it is not only me; it is an honour for all those who passed through the Yoruba Singers. They all

Yoruba Singers Lead Singer and Founder, Patrick Eze Rockcliffe On the award it states, “Patrick Eze Rockcliffe, affectionately known as Eze of Guyana, founded the Yoruba Singers in 1970. He is credited for his vision, dedication and passion for

Lead Singers (from left) Kenneth Rockcliffe, Joycelyn Rockcliffe and Eze Rockcliffe.

The Yoruba Singers

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Sunday December 17, 2023

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Hair care products are suitable gifts for this holiday Season (Adapted from stylist) Struggling to think of a good gift idea for someone on your list? We’re telling you, everybody will thank you for a luxe (richness, elegant, luxury) hair care gift set.

Hear us out: opening up a fresh bottle of shampoo on Christmas Day is like the beauty equivalent of receiving a new pair of socks. It might sound fairly boring, but actually, its practicality is its very charm.

Particularly if said shampoo is decidedly fancier than the one you usually buy yourself. Or, of course, if it comes alongside a posh new hairbrush, nourishing hair mask or silk scrunchie, as is the case for some of the hair care kits you’re about to discover.

That’s why we are major advocates of the hair care gift set. It’s functional but indulgent. It’ll provide an always welcome restock of their bathroom cabinet and – should you select a good one – it’ll help elevate a fairly

standard hair routine to more salon-worthy heights.

The best hair care gifts sets for Christmas Larry King HaircareThe Volume Edit Take a look at all the incredible celebrity hair selfies you have saved in

your Instagram archive folder. It’s more than likely that Larry King is the hands behind many of them. This set contains his much-loved Social Life For Your Hair styling cream in two sizes (one for the bathroom, one for your handbag) and a

bottle of the pine-fresh Volumising Hair Mist.

Dizziak- The Hydration Collection You’ll struggle to find a beauty editor or hair expert that isn’t wildly in love with Dizziak’s deeply hydrating formulas. Teaming the OG

Deep Conditioner with the non-stripping Hydrating Wash and the brand new Body Conditioner, this gift set is bound to be a surefire hit, no matter the recipient.

The Afro Hair and Skin Co Minis Discovery Set The Afro Hair and Skin Co’s formulas are rich, nourishing and decadent, just the ticket for dry or afrotextured hair types. This set contains a gentle, nonstripping shampoo bar, an omega-packed hair oil and a hair butter that can be used to hydrate or style. Plus, there are a few of the brand’s top skincare formulas throw in, too.

Fable & Mane Holiroots Discovery Set It was Fable & Mane that got our beauty director hooked on scalp oiling, but t h e b r a n d ’s s i g n a t u r e nourishing blend is also available as a shampoo, conditioner and hair mask, each found in miniature form within this set.

Equi Botanics Nourish and Revive Deluxe Set

With a moisturizing hair cleanser, deep conditioner and shine-inducing hair elixir, this set is great for anyone with dry or porous hair.

Redken All Soft Gift Set Dry, brittle hair can seek solace in Redken’s All Soft range which is specifically designed to leave hair feeling much more supple than it starts out. This set contains the signature shampoo and conditioner as well as One United, a multipurpose treatment spray that protects from heat as well as detangling and moisturising.

Drunk Elephant Hair and Body Trunk You might know Drunk Elephant for its skincare, but its haircare is pretty epic, too.

This set contains a glossinducing shampoo, a creamy c o n d i t i o n e r, a f l a k e banishing scalp scrub as well as a detangling spray formulated with marula oil.

Better still, there’s also a ton of body products inside – we’re particularly fond of the almond-scented deodorant.

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Chase & Status, Bou’s Dancehall-Inspired ‘Baddadan’ Certified Gold In The UK Chase & Status with Bou (center)

Chase & Status and Bou’s EDM/Dancehall-inspired track Baddadan, featuring IRAH, Flowdan, Trigga and Takura, is now certified Gold in the United Kingdom, just five months after its release.

According to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the song was issued a BRIT Certified Gold award on Friday (December 15) after selling over 400,000 copies in the UK, as measured by The Official Charts Company.

Released on July 27, Baddadan is currently at No. 69 (down from its peak at No. 5) on the UK Singles Chart, where it has spent 20 weeks.

The official visualizer has over 2 million views on YouTube, while the track has over 56 million plays on Spotify Against a characteristic bassheavy, up-tempo EDM beat, Baddadan, which translates from Jamaican creole to mean ‘Badder Than’, convincingly delivers on its menacing message via patois.

With hardcore lyrics

reminiscent of the typical ‘Bad Man’ anthem, the track also shines as a testament to Chase & Status’ longtime love affair with Dancehall music.

Icons on UK’s Jungle scene, the duo, whose real names are Saul Milton (Chase) and Will Kennard (Status) revealed in an interview last year, that David Rodigan – a master DJ who was nationally recognized for his contributions to the advancement of Jamaican music across the world – is among their top deejaying idols.

They had shared: “[David Rodigan], he’s a big inspiration.

He’s a Reggae DJ who is probably the coolest DJ I have ever seen.

He’s an absolute legend and he’s about 45 years old and still killing it.”

Additionally, Chase & Status’ albums, the 2019 RTRN: The Originals, RTRN II Jungle and 2022’s What Came Before, both had nods to their Dancehall influences.

RTRN II Jungle was recorded in

Jamaica, and is an experience they recalled fondly to RedBull.com in an earlier interview.

“We worked with a real variety of proper established Jamaican dancehall reggae legends like Buju

Jada Kingdom Featured In Pardison Fontaine’s New Music Video Jada Kingdom (Left) and Pardi

Rumored couple, Jada Kingdom and Pardison Fontaine are living it up in the visuals for his new single, That’s Cute.

Produced by Buddha Bless This Beat, the party track has a video treatment that captures the glittery, fast life of the rapper/songwriter. Madame Twinkle appears towards the end of the video, seemingly a bit inebriated after a turn-up.

“We’re about to get big drunk, f–k is you talking bout,” Kingdom said while walking in a lobby with the help of Fontaine, holding her up by the waist.

Separate scenes capture them out and about with a group of people, and another with Kingdom dining by his side.

The video premiered on Tuesday, a day before he dodged questions centering on his

relationship with the Win hitmaker on The Breakfast Club. Fontaine was previously in a two-year relationship with Savage rapper Megan Thee Stallion.

Murmour of a split came in May after Stallion was seen hand-in-hand with soccer star Romeli Lukaku, while Fontaine was spotted with Kingdom in September.

The rappers confirmed their breakup in November with the releases of Stallion’s Cobra and Fontaine’s Thee Person, with the latter mentioning that his affiliation with Kingdom brought out the “Jada Pinkett” in his ex-girlfriend. When confronted this week about the nature of his relationship with the IDG1F artist, Fontaine smiled and diverted to the fact that he’s been separated from Stallion for some time.

Banton as well as with a lot of the young fresh hot names like Masicka. The experience of working with those different kinds of artists kept it really interesting for us,” they explained.

Tracks like Weed and Rum with Masicka, Program and Blazer with IRAH, and last year’s Censor with Popcaan, document well the duo’s fascination and appreciation for Dancehall music.

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Sunday December 17, 2023

GNBS IN FOCUS

DECK THE HALLS SAFELY – BUY AND INSTALL QUALITY HOLIDAY LIGHTS With just one week until what is dubbed as the ‘most wonderful time of the year’, some homeowners are still rounding up their seasonal indoor and outdoor lights for installation. While this festive tradition brings joy and transforms homes and neighbourhoods into wonderlands, it is essential to prioritize safety and q u a l i t y, b o t h w h e n purchasing and installing Christmas lights. The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) offers valuable insights and tips to ensure a merry and safe holiday season.

To ensure safety when installing electrical lighting is crucial for the well-being of your family and the safety of your home. The need for safety, however, starts from the purchase of standard -

compliant lights that are of quality and which must be correctly installed.

The GNBS under its Product Compliance Department monitors decorative lights according to the requirements of the National Standard GYS 232:2017, UL 588:2018 – Safety for Seasonal and Holiday Decorative Products. The standard outlines crucial labelling and quality requirements for this widely used holiday item.

B a s e d o n t h e requirements of the standard, decorative lights must undergo rigorous scrutiny to ensure they carry vital information for users.

Essential details include the Manufacturer’s Name or Trademark, the Month or Year Manufactured, the Vo l t a g e R a t i n g s ,

Certification Marks which attest to quality and User Instructions for appropriate installation and care.

Labels on lights shall provide legible instructions pertaining to the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury, operation of the product and the user-maintenance and storage. These instructions encompass a comprehensive overview of risks and empower users with the knowledge to navigate potential hazards. Over the years, there have been several instances of injuries and fires caused by holiday electrical lights. To avoid these misfortunes this holiday, the GNBS offers valuable tips for purchasing these decorative electrical items, which are as follows: Firstly, users must be on the lookout for the safety

approval marks such as UL, CE, CSA and NOM, which are included in the labels of these items and they are crucial indicators of compliance with safety standards. Lights must be tested for safety and approved for use by recognised independent testing and certification bodies. Certification marks provide consumers with tangible evidence of the product’s reliability and adherence to quality benchmarks. Secondly, with outdoor lighting, choose options explicitly designed for such conditions; never use indoor lights outside, as their insulation may not withstand wet and windy weather, posing risk of fires, electric shocks, and further injuries. For those reusing lights, inspect them for defects like damaged wires, burnt-out bulbs, or loose connections before use. New lights should always be tested, ensuring all bulbs are functioning before purchase and installation.

Thirdly, when mounting outdoor lighting, exercise caution and keep them away from flammable materials like paper, cardboard, curtains, and metal foils to

minimize the risk of accidental fires. Use plastic clips or hooks for mounting rather than metal pins, nails, or staples. Avoid connecting one set of lights to another unless explicitly designed for such purpose, as this can lead to circuit overloading.

Lastly, to promote safety, always turn off lights when going to bed, refrain from modifying lights, fully unwind extension cords to prevent overheating, and regularly test safety

switches.

By following these guidelines, homeowners can enjoy their festive décor s a f e l y. T h e G N B S encourages everyone to celebrate the season responsibly and safely.

For further information on this subject, please contact the GNBS Product Compliance Department via 219-0065, 219-0066 and 219-0069, WhatsApp: 6924627 or visit our website: www.gnbsgy.org

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 17, 2023

Autopsy Report Reveals Matthew Perry’s Cause Of Death The medical examiner has released Matthew Perry‘s autopsy report, confirming that several pre-existing factors contributed to Perry’s untimely death.

On Friday (December 15), the Los Angeles coroner’s office revealed coronary artery disease, drowning, and the effects of buprenorphine — commonly used to treat opioid addictions — as contributing factors in his death.

However, they regarded the manner of his death as an accident. He was 54.

On October 28, ‘Friends’ fans were devastated by the news of Perry’s death after he was found unresponsive in his hot tub at his Los Angeles home. Authorities had declared him dead at the scene, and the autopsy took place on October 29.

Per the medical examiner’s report, Perry had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy to treat his depression. Still, he hadn’t consumed any ketamine for one and a half weeks before his death, USA Today reports.

The report stated that considering

ketamine only stays in someone’s body for four hours, it did not directly link the drug to Perry’s passing.

“At the high levels of ketamine found in his postmortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression,” medical examiner Raffi Djabourian reportedly said. “Drowning contributes due to the likelihood of submersion into the pool as he lapsed into unconsciousness; coronary artery disease contributes due to exacerbation of ketamineinduced myocardial effects on the heart.”

The findings made during Perry’s autopsy indicated that he had been “clean for 19 months,” according to PEOPLE, adding that there was no sign of foul play or fatal trauma.

Investigators found other prescription pills and medication at his property but reported none near the pool. The report concluded that while Perry had been a “heavy tobacco user for many years,” he had not been smoking for some time.

Christian Keyes reveals sexual harassment by a “powerful man” in Hollywood Christian Keyes became a trending topic on X on Saturday (December 16) after taking to social media to share he’d been assaulted by a “powerful man” in Hollywood.

The ‘Madea Goes To Jail’ actor made the shocking revelation in a video posted to his Instagram account on Friday (December 15).

Though he details his experience with the man, he never discloses their actual name.

“Some of them are your heroes, some of them are people who y’all like, ‘Ah, yeah, such and such is amazing, and he does this and he does that,’” Keyes explained. “Yeah, but he also does… this.”

Keyes showed fans a keychain recorder, saying he has kept one on him since 2005. He admitted to wanting to protect himself after the sexual harassment started. “Sometimes, it’s our own people,” Christian

Keyes said.

The Hollywood man repeatedly harassed him, and Keyes said he rejected the man every time. On a separate occasion, the unidentified man allegedly told Keyes about “young Black men on the payroll” in exchange for showing as requested. In another instance, he says the man appeared at his apartment and offered him $100,000 to “take his clothes off.”

It appeared to be part of the effort to recruit Keyes, but the actor kept asserting his lack of interest. Later in the video, he made it clear that he’s heterosexual, adding that his “policy” is his beard “is the only one in the bed.”

On another note, out of fear that his decision could significantly affect his career, he admitted to having recordings of this particular individual– in case there were repercussions for his refusal to participate.

“The wonderful thing about confidentiality agreements and nondisclosure agreements is that they can’t prevent you from turning all of those things over to the police,” Christian Keyes added. “Because sexual harassment is a crime, attempted sexual assault is a felony.”

Keyes revealed that he’s “tried [his] best to forgive t h i s p e r s o n , ” b u t i t ’s something that “bothers him at night” when he’s alone.

Christian says he “wants to tell it” — meaning the whole story — “over the mountain,” but his brother convinced him to wait.

Despite the nature of the reveal, Christian Keyes reassured his fans that he’s “good…God got [him]. He claimed to be strategically planning his “next eight moves.” One of those moves includes playing the recordings for the police, though he didn’t specify when.

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Mathew Perry

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Sunday December 17, 2023

Paris Hilton Stars as a Powerful Label Executive in Jason Derulo & Meghan Trainor’s ‘Hands on Me’ video Jason Derulo is in need of approval for his latest music video, “Hands on Me” with Meghan Trainor — released on Wednesday (Dec. 13) — and Paris Hilton is in the label executive seat with

judging eyes.

The video kicks off with Derulo making an impassioned plea to the suited “Stars Are Blind” singer about putting unique spins on beloved classics,

some of which include his and Trainor’s own material.

“Picture this — Hollywood goes country. From billy trucks to tractor truck...From “All About That Bass” to mud on your face, from

Nicki Minaj Talks About Her ‘Connection’ to Whitney Houston, Dishes on Pink Friday 2 World Tour Details

“Wiggle Wiggle” to stroking my fiddle.

From “It girl, to s–t girl,” he tells Hilton, who replied, “Remakes are huge right now.

Okay Jason, let’s see it.”

The video then enters a sitcom like format, with Derulo and Trainor having to adjust to life on a farm.

Derulo quickly becomes smitten with the next-door neighbor, who invites him in

to unclog her toilet which is so filthy, it causes him to vomit.

On the other side of the fence, Trainor gets up to more glamorous activities and applies makeup to her face while watching Derulo milk a cow, and takes her mini tractor — which she later crashed into a tree — out for a daytime spin.

“So, baby, put your hands (Hands) on me (On me)/

Both your hands (Hands) on me (On me)/ Right now (Right now), you’re the only (You’re the only) one I need,” the duo sings, a nod to Ben E. King’s 1961 classic “Stand By Me.” The video ends up being a hit with Hilton in the end — she gives the visual a thumbs up with not one, but two of her signature catchphrases: “Loves it.

That’s hot.”

Winners of Billboard’s 2023 Fan-Voted Favorites Korean Boy Band

Rapper Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj is booked and busy following the release of her latest album, Pink Friday 2, but made a quick stop at Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live for the Thursday (Dec. 14) episode to talk about one of her major personal influences, as well as what the Barbz can expect from the global trek for her new record. “I don’t think people realize how much singing or singers like Whitney [influenced me]. Whitney’s first album, I know it front to back,” she told Cohen of the late singer. “I was such a little kid, but I would be with my aunt all the time on the weekends and we would play it on the actual turntable, and it was one of the most fun parts of my childhood, so I have a real

connection to her. And Diana Ross because my mom would always play Diana and the Supremes in the house, too.”

Minaj is in good company with Houston.

With summer smash “Barbie World,” the Queens native’s 23rd Billboard Hot 100 top 10, she tied Whitney Houston for the sixth most among women overall in the chart’s history. During the 41-year-old’s 2022 Video Va n g u a r d a c c e p t a n c e speech, she wished Houston were still alive and that “people took mental health seriously.”

Elsewhere during the “Barbie World” rapper’s Watch What Happens Live appearance, she discussed her upcoming world tour and what fans can expect to see in

the setlist.

“I’ve done three world tours by now, so my fans know the material, so my focus on this tour will definitely be the new album, creating a world of that album and sprinkling everything else around that,” she explained. “But of course we’re still going to have the same fun with our throwbacks like we always do. I always make sure I perform my rap stuff, my pop stuff, like, everyone enjoys themselves. I make sure my fans feel well fed at the show.”

The Pink Friday 2 World Tour will kick off on March 1 in Oakland, Calif., and will make stops throughout the United States and Europe before concluding on June 7 in Berlin.

2023 is coming to an end, and Billboard reminisced on some of the top moments of the year with your help.

Fans worldwide took part in Billboard’s 2023 FanVoted Favorites polls, and the results arrived on Friday (Dec. 15). Coming in with 47.88% of the votes, Billie Eilish’s Barbie soundtrack hit “What Was I Made For?” won favorite movie song, beating out Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night” and Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice’s “Barbie World” from the same film, as well as Doja

Cat’s “Vegas” from Elvis and Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Favorite documentary went to Louis Tomlinson’s All of Those Voices, while BTS won best chart achievement after becoming the first K-pop group to have multiple members top the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, thanks to Jimin’s “Like Crazy” and Jung Kook’s “Seven” with Latto. BTS won fiercest fan army in the K-pop category, beating ENHYPEN, SEVENTEEN, TWICE and

EXO. In the hip-hop/R&B category, Nicki Minaj’s fans took the crown, beating out The Weeknd, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat and Cardi B. In the pop category, Taylor Swift’s loyal Swifties won over Beyonce, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus and Kim Petras.

In country, Morgan Wallen reigned over Jelly Roll, Zach Bryan, Kane Brown and Lainey Wilson.

Finally, in the Latin category, Shakira won over Karol G, Anitta, Bad Bunny and J Balvin.

Sunday December 17, 2023

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Festive drink…

Rompope; the Mexican eggnog Rompope is a popular holiday-time Mexican c o c k t a i l t h a t ’s s w e e t , creamy, and flavored with warming spices.

Often bright yellow in color due to the inclusion of m a n y e g g y o l k s , i t ’s delicious sipped warm or chilled over ice.

Sometimes made with the inclusion of ground almonds, we kept our version a little simpler and nut-free, but still delicious.

Rompope is one of many Latin-American versions of creamy spiced cocktails, including Puerto Rico’s coquito or Venezuela’s ponche crema. If you’re an eggnog fan, we have a feeling you’ll love rompope too. This celebratory drink e v o l v e d f r o m S p a i n ’s ponche de huevo (egg punch), or rompon, and was made popular by nuns at a convent in Puebla, who began producing the drink around 1600.

Their brand, Santa Clara, still produces bottled rompope, available worldwide.

Modern-day recipes like ours tend to include fewer egg yolks than the traditional recipes, which results in a drink that’s much more cream-colored than yellow.

Still, this version is rich and custardy, balanced with the warming flavors of cinnamon and cloves.

And speaking of cinnamon, we suggest using Mexican cinnamon sticks in particular if you can find them. Mexican cinnamon is milder and more floral than the cassia cinnamon that’s often sold in the U.S. HOW TO MAKE ROMPOPE This recipe requires a bit of attention while it’s being prepared, but the results are so worth it.

Once your egg yolks are added, it may feel like nothing is happening, but don’t step away from the pot!

The mixture should not boil at this point, to avoid lumpy, scrambled yolks in your drink.

Once the mixture starts thickening, everything moves quickly.

Don’t rush it and keep stirring consistently for the silkiest rompope.

It’s common to spike this drink with rum or brandy, but aguardiente and cachaça are also popular choices. It’s also delicious without alcohol, so feel free to skip the booze entirely!

Did you try making this?

Let us know how it went in

the comments!

YIELDS: 6 - 8 serving(s) PREP TIME: 5 mins TOTAL TIME: 1 hr 15 mins CAL/SERV: 278 Ingredients 4 c. whole milk 2/3 c. granulated sugar 1 (3" to 4") cinnamon stick; plus more for serving (optional) 2 whole cloves 6 large egg yolks, beaten 1/4 to 1/2 c. rum or brandy 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1/4 tsp. kosher salt Ground cinnamon, for serving See All Nutritional InformationChevron Down Icon DIRECTIONS STEP 1 In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring milk, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves to a low boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is reduced by about one-third, 15 to 20 minutes.

Let cool to room temperature.

STEP 2 Whisking constantly,

Rompope, the Mexican eggnog

slowly pour in egg yolks.

Return pot to stove and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture resembles an eggnog-like consistency and coats the back of a wooden spoon, 10

to 12 minutes more.

STEP 3 Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl or pitcher.

Stir in rum, vanilla, and salt.

STEP 4 Serve warm or chilled.

Garnish glasses with ground cinnamon and a cinnamon stick (if using). creamy rompope in clear mugs with cinnamon sticks.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 17, 2023

Six best things to drink to help support your immune system Keeping your immune system strong is an important way to help fend off dreaded winter coughs, sniffles and the flu.

When you pick up a bug or virus, your immune system kicks into gear to protect your body and keep you well. It also helps protect us from other nasties on a daily basis. There are plenty of remedies touted to ward off winter sniffles. So, do the old wives’ tales like hot honey and lemon drinks really work? And what should you be drinking to build and maintain strong immune system through winter? No single food or supplement is a “silver bullet” to prevent us from getting sick. Eating a healthy balanced diet gives our body the best chance for defence, but there are some options that might be able to help.

1. DRINK YOUR GREENS Eating (or drinking) more fruit and veggies is a great way to support and strengthen your immune system. Just like our heart, brain and muscles, your immune system benefits from healthy eating. The trouble is, when it comes to veggies, most Australians fall well short of the

recommended five serves a day.

Adding veggies, like spinach, to a morning smoothie helps tick the box on a serve of veg and also provides vitamin C and iron both essential for a healthy immune system. Vegetable soup is also another way of ‘drinking’ more veggies.

2. HONEY AND LEMON A warm honey and lemon drink may sound like a cuppa your Granny would offer at the slightest sound of a sniffle, and the fact is, she was on to a good thing.

Adding lemon to your water not only provides a boost of

flavour, but it may also offer some nutritional benefits.

Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which helps support immunity. It also helps your bodies absorb iron from plant foods like green veggies, legumes and whole grains. You can’t store vitamin C in your body, so you need to make sure you are getting a good daily dose.

Add to those benefits, the value of honey - a traditional medicine for 8000 years.

Honey has antibacterial, anti- inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which among many things, may help support your immune system

3. ALMOND MILK (WITH B12) As well as helping to reduce fatigue, vitamin B12 helps the immune system.

The main sources of vitamin B12 are animal products, so if you are vegan or vegetarian it can be difficult to get enough vitamin B12.

That makes vitamin B12 fortified almond milks like So Good™, an excellent choice to add to your smoothie, cuppa or cooking.

As well as tasting great, just one glass can provide half your daily vitamin B12 needs. Almond milks also contain vitamin E, a natural antioxidant to help protect

cells from free radicals and some like So Good Almond Milk, are fortified with calcium, for healthy bones.

4. INFUSED WATER Cutting back on caffeine, avoiding alcohol and drinking more water is good for your health in general, as well as your immune system.

Try infusing your water with berries or citrus fruits for a delicious drink with extra vitamin C, to help keep your immune system working well.

5. BOOSTED SMOOTHIES Adding a handful of nuts to a smoothie is a delicious way to incorporate a wide

range of vitamins and minerals to your usual smoothie mix. Nuts contain a combination of at least 28 essential nutrients, including vitamin E, iron and zinc – nutrients that are vital in supporting your body’s natural defences.

Another great addition to your smoothie is whole grains, such as oats and wholegrain breakfast cereals. As well as helping to keep winter hunger pangs at bay, the pre-biotic fibre in wholegrains helps feed good gut bacteria - a healthy immune system needs to be supported by a healthy gut.

6. GINGER TEA Whether as a tea or infused in water, ginger is an ideal go-to when the weather cools. Ginger is another food or spice that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Modern science supports its antiinflammatory and, antioxidative benefits, which may help support your immune system. Other ways to build and maintain a strong immune system are getting plenty of sleep, maintaining a healthy body weight and exercising daily.

For more tips on supporting your immune system visit our Immunity Hub.

Sunday December 17, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Festival of Carols returns ...after two-year hiatus

Scenes from the 52nd edition of the Festival of Carols hosted by the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Brickdam Cathedral) on Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy, Minister of Education - Priya Manickchand)

A

fter a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Brickdam Cathedral) on Wednesday held its 52nd edition of the ‘Festival of Carols.’

The Festival of Carols is held annually by the Cathedral since December 1968.

Speaking with The Wa t e r f a l l s M a g a z i n e , Administrator of the Cathedral, Father Joel Rathna said that the event has been the brainchild of

Mr. Francis Canizus who has been the coordinator of the event for years.

The event takes place during the Christmas Season.

According to Father Rathna, the Festival of Carols is usually held in a bid to bring about togetherness among people.

“Just to get people together and spend the time listening to the Christmas hymns and rejoicing in it together and to have the togetherness going,” he shared.

He stated that the event

features invited choirs from different churches and Catholic Churches from the various areas also take part in the event.

Also, school choirs would participate in the event.

He noted that at Wednesday’s activities, some 13 choirs took part in the event and it featured children as young as eightyears old, and participants in their 70s.

Father Rathna said that they performed well and gave renditions of famous Christmas carols.

Folklore Legend Eze Rockcliffe receives prestigious Sunshine...

From page 34 made significant contributions towards enriching the folklore culture and music of this country and I hope that people who have made similar contributions can also be recognized,” shared Rockcliffe.

POWER OF MUSIC As Guyanese authorities continue their efforts to counter aggressive tactics from Venezuela and its quest for the Essequibo region, Rockcliffe said this time of crisis shows the binding power of local music.

He noted that the beloved “Not a blade of grass” song

by Dave Martins has been a recurring part of the government’s repertoire of anthems that evoke a deep sense of patriotism.

H e s a i d t h i s demonstrates that the government recognizes the power Guyanese music holds in being a source of inspiration.

Given his appreciation f o r t h e g o v e r n m e n t ’s approach in this regard, Rockcliffe said it could be

further enhanced by considering more “older folk/singers” who can be tapped to support national events and cultural programmes.

“A year ago, I had a meeting, one-on-one, with our beloved president (Dr. Irfaan Ali.) I was trying to explain to him that the public has been given the impression, that as soon as you reach 60-years-old, you’re no longer counted in being part of the “One Guyana” and I’m talking about the cultural arena, because most of the emphasis is being placed on young people,” Rockcliffe said.

He added, “I understand that young people are the future, but…I think it is absolutely important for us to let it be apparent most, if not all the time, that people of all ages can share in and exemplify the rich cultural heritage of this country...”

Rockcliffe also stressed the importance of having more cultural activities taken to Berbice and Essequibo, adding that the traditional

Guyanese sounds can only become known and embedded into the next generation if the work is done to make it so.

The Guyanese singer also implored the need for more patriotic songs to be played country-wide. “This is part of our history, our identity and we have to reinforce the power of its value,” he added.

HONOURING OUR HEROES The 73-year-old Guyanese legend also appealed for authorities to consider the creation of a talent-seeking taskforce.

Such a body, he posited could be critical to finding the next generation of singers not just on the coast but also in far-flung areas.

“With Guyana’s oil wealth, we can use a portion of that revenue to support these initiatives,” he said.

S i m u l t a n e o u s l y, Rockcliffe advocated for more to be done to recognize the contributions of those Guyanese singers who have dedicated their lives to preserving the authenticity

of the Guyanese sound.

The musical giant also called for a portion of the national budget to be dedicated to developing Guyana’s music industry.

“We need a budgetary support system for music,” he said. With strategic investments, Rockcliffe said.

Artists can have a more enabling environment to refine their talents in various genres while experimenting with blends of Indigenous, African, and Indian sounds.

He said focus should also be on infrastructure like recording studios, music education, and platforms for international exposure.

He said too that cultivating local talent and fostering collaborations with established global artists can significantly enhance Guyana’s presence in the global market.

Rockcliffe said the government can receive even more advice on this front from local greats like Burchmore Simon and Bonny Alves.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e

Guyanese music legend called on the private sector to get more involved in supporting the development of music and other art forms.

“Enriching our cultural identity has to be a collective effort; it cannot be left to government alone,” said Rockcliffe.

YORUBA AT 52 With respect to the longevity of his band, the Yoruba Singers, Rockcliffe said he is proud that it has survived for 52 years. He noted that an anthology is in the works.

It should be released in 2024.

“The only challenge or setback has been sourcing sufficient funds…But I would continue to work towards this, especially because of our heritage as a band, and especially to continue bringing entertainment to the older folks,” shared the folk artist.

Apart from Eze Rockcliffe, the band includes three other lead singers: Kenneth Rockliffe, Keron Richards, and Joycelyn Rockliffe.

Rockcliffe said Kenneth has been with the band for 48 years while Keron has 16 years under his belt.

As for his wife Joycelyn, Mr. Rockcliffe said she has 15 years of service with the band.

This makes her Yoruba’s longest female singer.

As for the other members, he said Xonphon Golliah has been with the band for 38 years; Paul Barker, 29 years; Herman Burnette, five years; Gordon Henry, five years; Earl Paul, five years; Carl Chan, two years; and Trevor John about seven years.

To date, Rockcliffe said 93 persons have passed through the Yoruba Singers, all to keep alive the quintessential folklore sound that has mesmerized Guyanese and audiences worldwide.

As Rockcliffe looks forward to releasing the Yoruba Singers’ anthology in 2024, his story remains a compelling reminder of music’s vital role in shaping our national identity and cultural consciousness.

PAGE 44

Kaieteur News

Santa Never Forgets!

by M.A. Haley Little Bertie never remembers to do anything his mother asks him. Until one Christmas, Santa forgets!

Bertie was a very good boy. He was kind, obedient, truthful, and unselfish. He had, however, one great fault,—he always forgot.

No matter how important the errand, his answer always was, “I forgot.” When he was sent with a note for his teacher, his mother would find the note in his pocket at night. If he was sent to the store in a great hurry, to get something for tea, he would return late, without the thing he was sent for, but with his usual answer.

His father and mother talked the matter over, and decided that something must be done to make the little boy remember.

Christmas was near, and Bertie was busy making out a list of things which Santa Claus was to bring him.

“Santa Claus may forget some of those things,” said his mother.“He can't,” replied Bertie; “for I will write sled, and skates, and drum, and violin, and all the things on this paper.

Then when Santa Claus goes to my stocking he will find the list. He can see it and put the things in as fast as he reads.”Christmas morning came, and Bertie was up at dawn to see what was in his stocking.

His mother kept away from him as long as she could, for she knew what Santa Claus had done.

Finally she heard him coming with slow steps to her room.

Slowly he opened the door and came towards her.

He held in his hand a list very much longer

than the one he had made out. He put it in his mother's hand, while tears of disappointment fell from his eyes.

“See what Santa Claus left for me! He could have at least given me one thing!”

His mother opened the roll. It was a list of all the errands Bertie had been asked to do for six months. At the end of all was written, in staring capitals, “I FORGOT.” Bertie wept for an hour.Then his mother told him they were all going to Grandpa's. For the first time he would see a Christmas-tree.

P e r h a p s something might be growing there for him.

It was very strange to Bertie, but on Grandpa's tree he found everything he had written on his list. Was he cured of his bad habit?

Not all at once; but from that day forward, whenever his mother saw that he was not listening to her, she would say, “ R e m e m b e r, Santa C l a u s does not forget.”

Santa's Watching You FUN WITH POETRY

Christmas time is coming, It's time we must be good, For Santa's watching every day, And we should behave as we should.

Clean our room and wash the car, Help mom with every chore, For presents we are after, And a good one we must score.

No time to chat, no time to play, There's dishes to be done; There will be a lot of time later For us to have some fun!

Sunday December 17, 2023

Junior page

Christmas Tree Garland Audrey Burk / our days outside This festive holiday garland is designed by crafter extraordinaire Audrey Burk of Our Days Outside.

Materials Needed *Cedar clippings *Colorful leaves *Felted pom pom balls * Hole punch * Hot glue gun and glue sticks * Pencil * School glue * Scissors *Small hedge clippers (for trimming twigs) *Star jewels * Thin cardboard (old cereal boxes are perfect!) *Thin twigs * Twine

Instructions 1. Flatten your cardboard boxes and draw the outline of a Christmas tree.

We used a variety of sizes and shapes! Make as many or as few trees as you'd like depending on how long you want the garland to be.

2. Cut out your Christmas trees.

(If you have young kids, do steps 1-2 before involving them.)

3. Head outside with your kids hand have them help trim some cedar, gather small twigs, and collect colorful leaves.

4. Make your leaf confetti by cutting out several small circles with a hole punch.

(If you don't have access

to any colorful leaves, sequins can be substituted!)

5. Bring everything inside and lay out all the decorating supplies on your workspace.

6.Cover the cardboard trees with a squiggle of glue and layer with cedar.

7. Next, trim your twigs to fit the tree stump and glue them on.

8. Put random dots of glue on top of the cedar and decorate with the pom pom balls, stars, and confetti, then let dry completely.

9. Once the trees are dry, glue them to a strand of twine with a dab of hot glue on the back.

10. Hang up your Christmas tree garland and enjoy!

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 17, 2023

PAGE 45

TEEN TIME

Do your part to make the coming holiday a part of the effort to promote our government's policy of One Guyana

I

n this season of Christmas which is so meaningful to Christians, it is very heartening that people of all religions celebrate it, which has been the tradition since our forefathers came to this country from various other places from around the

world.

This is just as true for the festivals of the other main religions which are followed by our people, mainly Hinduism and Islam, in so much that most of them have been declared national holidays.

In a world where some

feel that religion has been the cause of people being divided in many societies, this must make Guyana unique even at a global level.

Along with the good times that we will personally enjoy and share in this season, it is important that all Guyanese recognise and keep in mind this tradition, and make it one of the reasons that we should use as a means of promoting unity and brotherliness among our people.

During the week leading up to this great holiday, try to contribute to this tradition, so that you will be playing your part, not only to make yourself satisfied that you are helping your countrymen to become free of all ill feelings towards one another, but to make an impact in this national effort

Kakuro

Kakuro puzzles are like a cross between a crossword and a Sudoku puzzle.

Instead of letters, each block contains the digits 1 through 9. The same digit will never repeat within a word. If

Giving at Christmas Christmas is for giving And for showing that we care, For honouring the Christ Child With the loving gifts we share.

The wise men gave of riches; The shepherds, faith and love.

Each gift, in its own measure, Was smiled on from above.

of bringing us together.

There are many ways by which you can help in this effort – giving presents to your friends and neighbours who may be not as fortunate as you are to have what is necessary to make life worthy, and not seeking for any returns from this, making it possible that you spend happy times with those mentioned above, sharing happy times together, and expressing sincere wishes with all those with whom you associate during this blessed season..

you add the digits in a word, the sum will be the number shown in the clue. Clues are shown on the left and right sides of "across" words, and on the top and bottom sides of "down" words.

Let every gift be treasured; Not always size or price Determines the extent of love And willing sacrifice.

Handsome gifts with festive trim Bring smiles of sweet content, But modest gifts of humble means Are ofttimes heaven sent.

Whether it be large or small, Each gift will share in part The message of true Christmas joy, If given from the heart!

Christmas above all else is for sharing – make sure you fulfil this by doing what you can to make others happy.

Solutions to last week’s Christmas maze

Hexadecimal sudoku

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Skin care rules you can't ignore if you want healthy skin Tips to improve skin health To help you take the best care of your skin, here are 6 expert tips to keep in mind!

1. Protect your skin from the sun Overexposure to the sun can cause skin damage, age spots, and other skin-related issues. In fact, it is the biggest factor behind premature ageing symptoms. So, protect your skin by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with natural formulas that defend against UV rays and further damage.

2. Nourish your skin Revitalise your skin with natural products that are free of chemicals and preservatives. Their natural qualities can improve the glow from the inside out and keep skin problems at bay! Also, follow a healthy diet and avoid junk food to achieve optimal results.

3. Eat a healthy diet Achieving flawless skin requires more than just topical skincare. You must also maintain a clean, healthy and nutritious diet. Avoid processed and sugary foods, and quit smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking drugs to guarantee better outcomes.

4. Consider natural supplements In addition to healthy food, supplements made from plantbased extracts can complement the process. They contain vital ingredients that may not be present in food, but can help reverse free-radical damage, boost pro-collagen levels, and revitalise dull-looking skin by minimising pigmentation and wrinkles. Choose supplements that are prepared with natural extracts and free from allergens or preservatives.

5. Destress Uncontrolled stress makes your skin more sensitive and can trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To achieve glass-like skin, it's essential to control stress. Get plenty of sleep, reset your routine, and make time to do the things you enjoy.

6. Monitor your skin Pay close attention to your skin and seek medical attention if you notice any sudden changes, even if they're small.

Consulting with a dermatologist and taking natural supplements can help meet your skin's nutritional needs and achieve better results.

7. Strike a balance Skin care is essential, but you shouldn't overdo it. Striking a balance is key because excessive external pressure from products and treatments can harm the skin and adverse effects may multiply. Despite the fact that it may seem challenging to achieve glowing results in a fast-paced lifestyle, by following the fundamentals religiously and consulting a dermatologist as needed, you can improve the outcomes, achieve a natural glow, and even slow down the ageing process. The secret to getting the desired results is to stick to a natural skincare routine and pamper your skin gently while adhering to all the fundamentals. https://www.healthshots.com/beauty/skin-care/7-skin-caretips-to-get-healthy-and-glowing-skin/

Sunday December 17, 2023

Sunday December 17, 2023

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Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 17, 2023

Guyanese designer Sonia Noel honoured in Moscow, Russia Guyanese Fashion designer Sonia Noel was among designers from around the world who were honoured at the inaugural BRICS+ Fashion Summit, which concluded earlier this month, in Moscow, Russia.

Hailed as the ‘most representative fashion event of the year’, the BRICS+ Fashion Summit served not only as a showcase of international fashion diversity but also as a forum for impactful discussions on sustainability, cultural preservation, and the current and future trajectory of the fashion industry, the world over. The BRICS alliance includes a grouping of representatives from Russia, Brazil, India, China and South Africa capable of influencing global fashion trends.

The BRICS+ mandate goes beyond merely adopting trends from developed fashion markets; it aimed to establish trends that originate from within the BRICS nations - Middle East, Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa, as well as countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

At the Summit, hosted from November 28-December 1, Sonia Noel was honoured to be the only Caribbean fashion designer and speaker at the event, celebrating Guyana’s mark on the regional fashion footprint and claiming a New World relevance and status in the international trade arena and style barometer.

She revelled in her African heritage, alongside the key African influencers at the forefront of the Summit. More than 30% of the nations at the summit came from Africa, highlighting the continent’s impressive presence in the modern global fashion industry. Notwithstanding, she

Ms. Noel (2nd left) attends the dinner and gala for BRICS+Fashion Summit in Russia

parlayed her Amerindian identity to create the unique and indelible Guyanese stamp, so singular, within our Caribbean Aesthetic.

This distinctive character served her in good stead to salute one of the missions of the Summit, that of preserving cultural identity through fashion.

She was singled out as a global partner to engender global cooperation through fashion and was identified by Leadership News, a Nigerian Newspaper, as a significant player at the event.

Guyanese designer Sonia Noel during a panel discussion at BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow, Russia

The review read, “Sonia Noel, a designer from Guyana with African roots, anticipated that new collections from many designers would be inspired by Russian culture post-BRICS+ Fashion Summit.

Sonia highlighted that fashion is a universal language, expressing freedom and transcending borders. She emphasized that fashion speaks to love, unity, and peace, always bringing people together.’

Our intrinsic Caribbean-style mosaic appealed to the global call for inclusivity and diversity directives, accessing and

targeting selective niche markets beyond our traditional market borders A substantive follow-through on this participation at the Summit, The Sonia Noel Designs brand will be featured in these filmic vignettes, circulating globally, not only distinguishing her brand but commemorating the Caribbean as a distinctive destination with its peculiar design template. Further, her collection was showcased at Manilla International Fashion Week in the Philippines last weekend, serving to propel our regional identity in the vanguard of world fashion and cementing a formidable place for Caribbean-styled products in nontraditional, progressive fashion foray.

Willy Batura, CEO and Founder of Fort Fashion Council, in Meydan, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, spoke highly of Ms. Noel, “it was a pleasure meeting Dr. Noel during the BRICS+ Fashion Summit. Her knowledge of the industry is beyond words and we look forward to exploring the Caribbean’s fashion, tourism and cultural industries and creating extended relationships in Dubai for the Caribbean, through their creative and travel industries.

Noel expressed sheer exhilaration seeing Guyana’s national flag fluttering among the other international flags at the Zaryadye Moscow Concert Hall and felt immensely proud to be holding the torch for the Caribbean region as well as being a stalwart among the representation from the Americas. It gave her a great sense of honour, filled with conviction, to participate in this trailblazing inaugural international breakthrough enterprise set to institutionally strengthen the infrastructure and integrity of the value chain of global fashion.

Scenes from BRICS +Fashion event in Russia

Sunday December 17, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Anna Gafoor Meet the gorgeous Anna Gafoor, a passionate psychology student with a profound love for photography, beauty, and fashion. Anna’s dream is to seamlessly merge these interests by pursuing a career in modeling while delving into the enigmatic world of criminal psychology. A quote that resonates deeply with this week’s beauty is, “May I never forget on my best day, I still need God as desperately as I did on my worst.” She said that this powerful mantra serves as a constant reminder that amidst the glamour of success and joy, the unwavering love of my faith remains my anchor.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday December 17, 2023

UK fines Repsol £160,000 for unauthorised flaring and venting of gas - Guyana has nothing in place for such infractions

T

he United Kingdom has issued a fine to the energy company Repsol for unauthorized flaring and venting of gas, setting a stark contrast to Guyana’s handling of similar issues.

Guyana has no fines in place, and had imposed a paltry fee to American oil giant Exxon, giving permission to flare, when the company had a mishap at the Liza Phase One project.

The North Sea Transition Authority, which oversees offshore energy activities in the UK, imposed a penalty of £160,000. Repsol’s penalty of £160,000, equivalent to approximately US$203,200 at an exchange rate of 1.27, translates to US$2,783.56 per tonne of gas. This fine was for the flaring and venting of over 73 tonnes of gas, comprising 46.8 tonnes of hydrocarbon flaring and 26.8 tonnes of hydrocarbon venting.

The UK’s rigorous approach underscores a commitment to environmental protection and adherence to regulatory standards. The North Sea Transition Authority emphasized the importance of such compliance for maintaining the oil and gas industry’s social licence to operate and securing public trust. The authority has reported that the local industry has successfully reduced North Sea flaring by nearly half over four years, contributing to a 23% decrease in total greenhouse gas emissions between 2018 and 2022.

The decision to fine Repsol was based on the North Sea Transition Authority’s Financial Penalty Guidance. This guidance outlines that a penalty must effectively address noncompliance, dissuade future violations, and be proportionate to the significance of the failure. Repsol is required to pay the fine within 30 days of receiving the sanction notice, issued on December 5, 2023. This fine is the highest that the North Sea Transition Authority has issued to date for unauthorised emissions.

In contrast, Guyana refused to fine Exxon when the company flared gas beyond the start-up period for the Liza Phase One project. Its approach to ExxonMobil’s flaring was more accommodating.

The government imposed a fee of just US$30 per tonne, gradually increasing to $50 per tonne. Exxon paid approximately US$9 million to Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for flaring 279,537.33 tonnes of gas. If Guyana had prohibited flaring and imposed a fine - not a fee - at a rate commensurate with the UK’s, the total would have exceeded US$778 million (GY$162 billion) for the volume of gas flared by Exxon offshore Guyana.

While the UK’s established energy sector and stringent environmental policies contribute to its ability to enforce tougher penalties, the difference in approach is striking. The UK’s actions demonstrate a firm stance on environmental protection, while the situation in Guyana, stakeholders believe, demonstrates a willingness to excuse environmental harm.

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CGX estimates up to 628 million barrels at Corentyne Block, plans for first oil by 2030 CGX Energy Inc. and Frontera Energy Corporation joint venture partners have announced their plans to initiate oil production by 2030 in the Corentyne Block offshore Guyana. This goal is based on an estimate that the northern Corentyne area holds between 514 and 628 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) in prospective resources, as discussed in a virtual informational presentation last week.

Gabriel de Alba, Chairman of Frontera’s Board of Directors and Co-Chairman of CGX’s Board of Directors, noted that the estimate is confined to one zone of the block.

“The Joint Venture believes that approximately 514 to 628 mmboe PMean unrisked gross prospective resources may be present in the Maastrichtian horizons alone,” de Alba said.

He therefore noted the possibility of additional resources in the deeper Campanian and Santonian geological horizons.

However, the joint venture is treating the Maastricthian as a priority zone.

The news release also clarified that the estimate considers those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from undiscovered accumulations by application of future development projects. This

means the estimate is not purely proven barrels in the Kawa-1 and Wei-1 wells, but it is inclusive of unproven barrels from prospects yet to be drilled.

CGX and Frontera have been working to find sufficient resources to support a standalone commercial oil development, following ExxonMobil’s successes. The partners are actively pursuing options for a potential farm-down of their interests, to bring in a new partner, with advisory support from Houlihan Lokey.

Professor Suresh Narine, Executive Co-Chairman of CGX’s Board of Directors, reflected on CGX’s journey as an early exploration pioneer in the Guyana basin. Despite facing numerous challenges, the joint venture with Frontera has remained steadfast in its focus. “We have weathered border challenges, economic downturns, and unsuccessful exploration wells; our Joint Venture with Frontera has maintained and strengthened this unwavering focus. With successful discoveries at Wei1 and Kawa1, we are encouraged by the definitive presence of oil in the Corentyne block, and our commitment is being rewarded with potentially commercially viable prospective resources in the Maastrichtian interval with potential upside in the

Campanian and Santonian intervals.”

Orlando Cabrales, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Frontera, expressed excitement a b o u t t h e discoveries made in the Corentyne block and the prospects of the Golden and Silver Lanes in the Guyana-Suriname basin. The presentation provided insights into the positive results from the Maastrichtian, the unexplored potential in deeper horizons, and the multizone potential in the central area of the block.

The joint venture is currently in the final stages of the exploration phase.

It said deepwater projects like this typically require four to seven years from discovery to first oil. It said the complexities of such developments necessitate appraisal drilling, conceptual modeling, and the making of Final Investment Decisions (FID).

Following the Wei-1 and Kawa1 discoveries, SIA, a Subsea 7 – Schlumberger Joint Venture, was

tasked with creating a conceptual field development plan for the northern portion of the Corentyne block. The plan encompasses subsea architecture, development well planning, production and export facilities, among other considerations.

Further appraisal activities are required to ascertain the commercial viability of the discoveries. The Joint Venture currently holds a 100% working interest in the Corentyne block, with Frontera owning 72% and CGX owning 28%.

Venezuela paying close attention to operations of Exxon, public commentaries on border ‘dispute’ - Attorney General Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall S.C.

During a historic meeting on Thursday between Presidents Dr. Irfaan Ali and Nicolas Maduro, many observed the sizable chunk of documents the Venezuelan Head of

State was furnished with.

Those documents were materials being used by Venezuela to bolster their outrageous claims over two thirds of Guyana, known as Essequibo.

Revealing this in a public statement was the Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall S.C. He explained, “many would have seen that President Nicolas Maduro had with him at the meeting, several volumes of documents. Many of those were compilations of public statements made on this matter, critical commentaries on the operations of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) and the several legal proceedings filed in relation thereto – all extracted from the local media.”

He went on to note, “These are materials which Venezuela is using to bolster their narrative. Whatever

weight is placed upon them, they certainly do not and will not assist Guyana in any form or fashion.”

The Attorney General therefore urged, “those who wish to travel this road by making such statements, or taking such actions, must now become alive to this consequential reality.”

The AG was part of Guyana’s delegation that participated in the high level talks with President Maduro in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

He was keen to point out that while Guyana came out of the Argle engagement without ceding any of its positions but gained much.

Be that as it may, he noted that the nation now awaits to see whether the

commitments made on paper will materialize.

A major declaration made by the two countries is to avoid the use of force or threats amid the ongoing border dispute.

The AG said that should these commitments be trampled on, it would only serve to solidify Guyana’s position for future engagements.

BORDER DISPUTE Meanwhile, the Legal A ff a i r s M i n i s t e r a l s o explained that while historically, there was an insistence on the avoidance of the term ‘dispute’ in reference to the issue at hand, the matter has since evolved.

He noted, “It has been submitted by Guyana to the

International Court of Justice (ICJ) for adjudication and the Court has assumed jurisdiction over the matter.

The jurisdiction of a Court of Law is activated only to resolve legal disputes, not controversies.

Indeed, there is a whole school of jurisprudential thought that compels a Court to decline jurisdiction if there is no real or bona fide dispute between the parties before it.

He went on to point out that the ICJ in its judgment granting provisional measures used the term “dispute” and “territory in dispute” seamlessly and interchangeably. Therefore, he reasoned that this objection is one overtaken by events and bears no merit.

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From page 14 with the potential for up to 10 FPSOs to develop the estimated gross discovered recoverable resources of more than 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

Seven state agencies allocated billions have not been audited for several years - AG Report The Auditor General (AG), Deodat Sharma in his 2022 Report has flagged the breach of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act by seven state agencies under the remit of the Office of the President. These agencies have not been audited for several years.

According to the report, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Parks Commission, Guyana Lands & Survey Commission, Institute of Applied Science and Technology, Guyana Office for Investment, Protected Areas Commission and Wi l d l i f e M a n a g e m e n t Authority are subject to separate financial audit and reporting.

It was explained that a total of $2.660 billion was budgeted for Subsidies and Contributions to Local Organisations. There was a supplementary allotment of $11.756M along with an allotment transfer that revised the total funds to $2.631 billion.

The Auditor General pointed out that the Appropriation Accounts totaling $2.6 billion was expended as at 31 December 2022. Included in the sum of $2.660 billion, were amounts totaling $2.347 billion which was released to the seven entities under the control of the Office of the President.

The AG highlighted that these agencies continue to

breach Sections 80 (3) and 80 (4) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act of 2003 by failing to have their accounts laid in the National Assembly and submissions of Financial Statements for audit in a timely manner.

The EPA, a key agency in Guyana’s oil and gas sector has not been audited since 2018. On the other hand, the National Parks Commission has not been audited for 14 years, as the last audit was conducted since 2008.

T h e O ff i c e o f t h e President (OP) in response to the AG’s findings indicated that the Heads of these Agencies were repeatedly engaged on the issue. OP also committed to working with the agencies to ensure all accounts are brought up to date and the audited reports laid in the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the Audit Office recommended that the Office of the President continues to follow-up with the defaulting agencies to have the outstanding Financial Statements submitted for audit and ensure that all outstanding audited accounts are laid in the National Assembly in a timely manner.

THURSDAY Ahead of St. Vincent “peace talks”…

Venezuela brazenly passes 2024 budget with allocation to annex Essequibo T h e Ve n e z u e l a n Congress passed a US$20.5B budget on Wednesday for 2024, with allocation to advance their illegal claims to the Essequibo region which has been part of Guyana’s territory since 1899.

The announcement was made by Executive Vice

President of Venezuela, Delcy Eloína Rodríguez during her reading of the budget.

The troubling announcement represents another act of defiance for an order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on December 1, 2023. That order categorically stated that Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro should refrain from any act that could affect Guyana’s control over the territory.

It is also another worrying development that occurred ahead of “peace talks” today with President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. That meeting is being hosted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and mediated by its Prime M i n i s t e r, D r. R a l p h Gonsalves. Also expected in attendance are Prime Ministers of Barbados and Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o respectively, Mia Mottley and Dr. Keith Rowley.

During her presentation, Rodríguez said, “…for the first time, we are formally including in the budget, the defense of Guyana, fulfilling the mandates given by the Venezuelan people on December 3 of the current year.” (See link for full s p e e c h : https://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=wPXn7cNSGXA) Readers would recall that on December 3, 2023, Venezuela held a sham referendum to galvanise the support of its people to annex the Essequibo region. Eighty nine percent of the voting population had refused to participate in Maduro’s imperialist agenda.

Weekly publication, the Latin American Advisor, recently featured several comments from industry stakeholders who also c o n d e m n e d M a d u r o ’s reckless actions. Two such persons included Michael Shifter, former president of the Inter-American

Sunday December 17, 2023

mineral-rich area.

Chairman of S&P Global, Daniel Yergin

Executive Vice President of Venezuela, Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Dialogue, a leading policy f o r u m o n We s t e r n Hemisphere affairs based in Wa s h i n g t o n , D C ; a n d Andrea Colombo, a former intern at the Inter-American Dialogue. In a joint statement, they said, “With his back against the wall, Maduro is seeking to galvanize Venezuelans and whip up nationalist sentiment around the country’s long dormant territorial dispute with neighboring Guyana…”

They added, “Maduro’s

Table showing the state agencies that have been flagged by the AG.

irresponsible and dangerous gambit clearly reflects the regime’s frustration in successfully countering opposition leader María Corina Machado’s overwhelming victory in the October primary vote. That the U.S. company ExxonMobil is deeply involved in the oil-rich region further fuels Maduro’s anti-imperialist narrative…”

Ahead of the meeting w i t h M a d u r o t o d a y, President Ali has assured that he will not entertain any discussion about deviating from the International Court of Justice which has been asked to determine the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award which gave Guyana control over the Essequibo region. With that understanding in mind, the Guyanese leader said he is open to having talks aimed at de-escalating Venezuela’s aggressions which recently included threats for companies in the Essequibo region to leave in three months and an imminent law to govern the affairs of the

Govt. foregoes more than half of its tax revenues collected by GRA in 2022 - AG Report The Government of Guyana (GoG), through the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), waived $169.262 billion in taxes and duties for investors here last year.

This sum represents 56.93 percent of the actual revenue collected by the Authority for the same year, as revealed in the Audit Office of Guyana (AOG) 2022 Report.

Exemptions from duties and taxes totaled $169.262 billion for the year under r e v i e w, c o m p a r e d t o $247.632 billion in 2021, reflecting a decrease of $78.369 billion or 31.65 percent over the corresponding period.

The Auditor General Report detailed tax exemptions granted according to concession categories. Here is a breakdown of the types of exemptions and the amounts f o r e g o n e : companies/businesses ($149,985,745,000), ministries/government d e p a r t m e n t s ($10,800,944,000), remigrant ($2,370,230,000), churches/charitable o r g a n i z a t i o n s ($1,139,872,000), diplomats ($1,264,120,000), public officials/officers ($2,149,266,000), foreign funded projects ($993,447,000), Hospitals ($427,286,000) and Local VAT ($131,925,000).

While the total for these figures amount to $186,997,601,000, after deducting $17,714,806,000 in unconditional tax exemptions, the final total stood at $169,262,795,000.

Tax exemptions granted to companies and businesses accounted for 88.61 percent, equivalent to $149.986 billion of the total conditional tax exemptions granted.

S i g n i f i c a n t l y, t a x exemptions in this category were 36.31 percent or negative $85.5 billion less than the previous year. The decrease resulted from declines in conditional tax exemptions, especially Investment Agreements facilitated through the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) and the Guyana Geology and (Continued on page 53)

Sunday December 17, 2023

From page 52 Mines Commission (GGMC), Manufacturing, Fuel, Mining, and Fishing.

Tax exemptions granted to companies and businesses represented 88.61 percent equivalent to $149.985 Billion of the total conditional tax exemptions granted.

Notably, tax exemptions in this category were 36.31 percent or negative $85.5 Billion less than the previous year. The decrease was as a result of the decline in the conditional tax exemptions (Companies/Businesses) especially Investment Agreements facilitated through the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), manufacturing, fuel, mining and fishing.

Another breakdown outlined a comparative analysis of tax exemption categories for companies and businesses, including: investment agreements ($116,451,949,000), m a n u f a c t u r i n g

exemptions granted in 2022.

In response to the AG’s findings, the GRA Head of Budget indicated that their role concerning the tax exemptions regime is to administer various provisions outlined in the Tax Acts through which exemptions are granted.

These exemptions, enshrined in law and/or policies, are nondiscretionary on the part of the GRA. The Commissioner General has advocated for the removal of the concession regime and suggested replacing it with a system of tax credits, akin to practices in developed nations, to enhance compliance with tax laws and Investment Agreement conditions. The decrease in conditional tax exemptions may have resulted from amendments to laws concerning fuels and other pivotal industries.

Additionally, it was stated that the GRA cannot demand taxpayers to make exemption requests.

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A comparative analysis of tax exemptions categories for companies and businesses applications processed, 81.82 percent of the applicants did not provide audited Financial Statements, while 9.09 percent submitted and 9.09 percent partially submitted.

As such, the financial stability of the companies who are receiving billions of dollars for projects may not be able to successfully complete these projects due

Agreements changed significantly as these functions were absorbed by Go-Invest. GRA’s role now primarily involves oversight to ensure that the items in draft Agreements align with long-standing government policies and tax laws.

Notably, GRA mentioned conducting its review to ascertain applicants’ tax status and identify any

to poor cash flow. It is imperative to note that, Financial Statements provide insights of a business financial health, and gives insight into its performance, operations and cash flow. For instance, it provides information about a business revenue, expenses, profitability and debt.

Additionally, 52.17 percent of the sample applicants did not submit their Business Registration or Articles of Incorporation, making it impossible to determine the establishment year of these businesses.

The GRA clarified that effective from 2020, its role in processing Investment

significant anomalies before the Minister of Finance makes a decision in each case.

The table of the tax exemptions

($3,040,804,000), non-oil ($2,071,298,000), fuel ($1,772,040,000), a g r i c u l t u r e ($1,536,295,000), c o n s t r u c t i o n ($670,833,000), mining ($444,288,000), fishing ($117,248,000), aircraft ($89,109,000), forestry ($44,296,000) and public transportation ($2,765,000).

Notwithstanding the decrease in exemptions granted under investment agreements, manufacturing, and fuel, these categories accounted for 92.24 percent, 2.41 percent, and 1.40 p e r c e n t , r e s p e c t i v e l y.

Together, they represented 96.05 percent of the total

Moreover, the Investment Act No. 1 of 2004 Section 4(1) states, “The Government encourages and seeks to facilitate persons, either individuals or legal entities, to invest capital in Guyana on the basis of mutual benefit and observance of the laws of Guyana and international treaties or agreements to which the State or Government is a Party.”

Section 3(c) highlights the objective of “promoting the development of international best practices regarding investment.”

The report also revealed that from a sample of 23 Investment Agreement

FRIDAY Venezuela agrees to scale back aggression against Guyana — Guyana insists border matter must be resolved by ICJ, Venezuela maintains position court has no jurisdiction

By Kiana Wilburg in St. Vincent & the Grenadines The historic “peace talks” between Guyana and Venezuela on Thursday in St Vincent and the Grenadines

have resulted in a joint declaration where the Nicolas Maduro government has agreed to scaling back its aggressive tactics to seize the mineral-rich Essequibo.

The joint statement followed hours of dialogue that started at 10 am at Argyle International Airport in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, between President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and Venezuela’s President, Maduro.

Both leaders arrived on Thursday morning for talks which were mediated by St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. Other leaders present included Trinidad a n d To b a g o ’ s P r i m e Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley and Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley.

S e n i o r o ff i c i a l s f r o m CARICOM and the United Nations were also in attendance.

During a brief press engagement, Dr. Gonsalves read the statement both leaders signed onto. Notably both leaders were not present for this part. Dr Gonsalves said all parties attending the meeting at Argyle, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines reiterated their commitment to Latin America and the Caribbean remaining a Zone of Peace. Expounding on the measures in the joint statement, the Prime Minister said Guyana and Venezuela agreed that they will not, directly or indirectly threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States.

Both nations also agreed that any controversies between the two States will be resolved in accordance

with international law, including the Geneva Agreement dated February 17, 1966.

They also committed to the pursuance of good neighborliness, peaceful coexistence, and the unity of Latin America and the Caribbean.

I n t e r e s t i n g l y, b o t h nations agreed that they will continue to hold their respective positions. In this respect, Guyana maintains its commitment to the process and procedures of the International Court of Justice for the resolution of the border controversy.

Meanwhile, Venezuela maintains its position that it does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICJ in resolving the border controversy.

Furthermore, both nations agreed to continue dialogue on any other pending matters of mutual importance to the two countries. They also agreed that both States will refrain, whether by words or deeds, from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from any controversy between them. The statement said the two States will cooperate to avoid incidents on the ground conducive to tension between them. In the event of such an incident, the two States will immediately communicate with one another, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Community of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC), and the President of Brazil to contain, reverse and prevent its recurrence.

Another critical development was that both nations agreed to establish i m m e d i a t e l y, a j o i n t commission of the Foreign Ministers and technical persons from the two States to address matters as mutually agreed. Kaieteur News understands that an update from this joint commission will be submitted to the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela within three months.

Additionally, both States agreed that Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves, the ProTe m p o r e P r e s i d e n t o f CELAC, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, the incumbent CARICOM Chairman, and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil will remain seized of the matter as Interlocutors and the UN SecretaryGeneral, Antonio Guterres as (Continued on page 54)

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From page 53 Observer, with the ongoing concurrence of Presidents Irfaan Ali and Nicolas Maduro. For the avoidance of doubt, Prime Minister Gonsalves’ role will continue even after Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ceases to be the ProTempore President of CELAC, within the framework of the CELAC Troika plus one; and Prime Minister Skerrit’s role will continue as a member of the CARICOM Bureau.

Both States also agreed to meet again in Brazil, within the next three months, or at another agreed time, to consider any matter with implications for the territory in dispute, including the abovementioned update of the joint commission. It should be noted that the outcome of this historic face-toface meeting occurred just hours after the Venezuelan Government set aside a large sum of money in its 2024 budget to brazenly annex the Essequibo region.

That financial support is expected to buttress the other measures Maduro had announced on December 5, 2023, all of which are aimed at taking control of the mineral rich region. It was not clarified during yesterday’s meeting if the Maduro regime would now repurpose those funds.

Several stakeholders regionally and internationally believe that it is Guyana’s oil wealth that has piqued Maduro’s interest, hence he has intensified his baseless claims for the region.

Since the announcement of oil offshore Guyana on 2015, Maduro stepped up its claim for Essequibo which led to the matter being referred to the ICJ. The World Court is expected to rule once and for all on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award which gave Guyana the Essequibo region.

Oil rich Guyana could not afford more that 6.5 % salary increase for 2023-Jagdeo Although Guyana has been regarded as the fastest going economy in the world because of

Sunday December 17, 2023

Pres., Dr Irfaan Ali (left) and Pres., Nicolas Maduro in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

the billions of dollars it has earned in oil revenues, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday explained why the government was only able to grant a 6.5% across the board increase to public servants.

“I see people calculate we brought in $200M this year, $1B US from the oil and gas sector in the budget, and how come only six and a half percent? They didn’t say that the school kids now are getting $10.5B more, and the pensioners are now getting $14.5B more in their increase,” he said.

Jagdeo also said that since it’s annualized the increases for the last three or four years have to be factored into this year’s payout to civil servants. “When you increase salaries it’s recurrent, you have to pay for this year, last year, the year before increase, because that’s part of your salary. So they only look at 6.5 % and say, oh 6.5 {percent} of $200M,” Jagdeo said.

To this end, the VP noted that people are not taking into consideration previous increases, and how much the country’s wage bill has grown within the last few years. Additionally, he said that the part time workers obtaining $40,000 per month, adds to the wages bill.

“Joint Services bonus, you gotta look at it. Then we are investing in housing, that’s for our people, we have invested over $100B in housing because it’s subsidized, to do 50,000 house lots, it means a benefit to 50,000 of our people.”

As he elaborated on the subject, Jagdeo stressed that, “Any salary increase that is not grounded in an analysis of your economy, the state of your finances and doesn’t take account of the future revenue stream will be conjectural. It will not be sustainable we have seen this happen in many countries in the past.”

Following the announcement by the government of what many see as a paltry increase in salaries, publisher of Kaieteur News Glenn Lall raised concerns about the pay hike, as he noted that the payout cannot match the rising cost of living in the country.

Lall said that, Guyana being an oil rich country, pumps over half a million barrels of oil per day, and this generates to approximately US$30M in oil profits daily.

However, he said the increase which public servants will receive this month, amounts to GY$4,800 for minimum wage workers.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo “Generating over US$30M profits a day, and can only give US$35M as an increase to all 54, 000 public servants for the whole year, tell me man. Is this not a crime being committed against its citizens?” Lall stressed.

Not stopping there, Lall said, “more than half of this population, who not going to bed hungry, finding it difficult to grab one proper meal when the day comes, in a country that is now one of the richest per capita, and the fastest growing on planet earth.”

Recounting the massive profits made from the oil, the businessman emphasized that the GY$4,800 in increase that will be added to the minimum wage workers, is small, given that the cost of living here has skyrocketed by a 100 percent and in some cases, 200 percent. To this end, he said that the meager increase translates to four slices of pumpkin.

SATURDAY Guyana waived US$540M in taxes to oil companies, gives public servants US$37M salary increase Guyana in 2022 lost US$540 million in revenue owing to the

excessive tax waivers extended to oil and gas companies, but could only afford to pay US$37 million in pay increases to public servants.

Last week the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh announced a 6.5 percent across-the-board salary increase for workers in the public sector. This triggered an almost immediate reaction from stakeholders, arguing that those on the higher salary scale would benefit more than those earning minimum wage for instance. In fact, it would be poignant to note that the salary increase for a minimum wage worker, currently earning $75,000 would only benefit from about $4,900 more monthly.

While the government has explained that a drastic increase in public sector wages could be unsustainable, due to the availability of funds, it has willingly forgone billions in taxes that could have improved the salaries of its public sector employees.

The Auditor General, Deodat Sharma in his 2022 Report indicated that a total of $108B, equivalent to about US$541 million in tax exemptions were granted by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to oil and gas companies.

Meanwhile, in his announcement of the wages increase on December 8, 2023, the Finance Minister revealed that the payout to public servants would amount to some $7.5 billion or approximately US$37.5 million.

While the taxes lost by the country could have indisputably been used to offer better salary increases, it is important to note that the tax holidays are permissible under the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed with ExxonMobil and CoVenturers, Hess and CNOOC. The PSA states at Article 15.1 that the Contractor (ExxonMobil Guyana Limited) as well as its affiliates shall not be subjected to tax, value-added tax, excise tax, duty, fee, charge or impost in respect of income derived from petroleum operations, property held or transactions except as specified under the agreement.

It goes on to state at Article 15.4 that the sum equivalent to the taxes owed by the company will be paid by the Minister responsible for Petroleum to the Commissioner General of the GRA. A legal suit brought against these abusive tax giveaways by the Publisher of this newspaper, Mr. Glenn Lall was unsuccessful as the Court dismissed the case in February of this year.

The GoG, though it has accepted on numerous occasions that the oil deal is lopsided, has made it clear that the agreement (Continued on page 55)

Sunday December 17, 2023

Kaieteur News

The incomplete works identified by the Audit of Office on July 28, 2023. (Photo courtesy, Audit Office) From page 54 would not be renegotiated.

Guyana’s oil contract has been analyzed by international specialists who have cited support for Guyana to secure fairer terms. In addition to foregoing taxes from the sector, the country has agreed to collect a meager two percent royalty on its sweet light crude. Also troubling is the fact that Guyana allows 75 percent of the monthly revenues generated to go to the investors as cost recovery.

The remaining 25 percent is then shared equally as profits with Guyana. In the absence of a key provision, known as ring-fencing, Exxon is allowed to shorten Guyana’s profits and utilize the revenue to invest in projects that are yet to come on stream.

A ring-fencing provision would ensure that the country enjoys the benefits of its petroleum sector early on and would mandate that each oil development pays for itself.

Diamond Sec. School’s new wing incomplete despite more than 80% of contract sum being paid out- AG report T h e R e g i o n a l Democratic Council (RDC)

of Region Four has paid a contractor approximately 80 percent of the contract sum to complete the new wing of the Diamond Secondary School, East Bank Demerara (EBD). However, works are incomplete according to Auditor General (AG), Deodat Sharma in his 2022 Audit Report.

The AG in his report noted that in 2022 a $69.828M contract for the construction of the new wing at the Diamond Secondary School was awarded by National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office.

He noted that the contract was signed on June 2 with the commencement date being June 10, and a completion date set for November 30, 2022.

The Auditor General shared that at the end of December 2022, amounts totalling $62.846M were paid out to the contractor. He noted too that during a physical verification exercise on July 28, 2023, it was revealed that the works on the new wing were incomplete and the contractor was not on site.

“At the time, it was observed that electrical, furnishing, plumbing and painting works were all incomplete,” the AG described.

He explained that the contractual completion date expired since 30 November 2022 and at 28 July 2023, eight months beyond the completion date, the works remain incomplete. In addition, no approved extensions of time were noted, he presented.

In response to the AG’s findings, the Regional Administration had indicated that works are currently ongoing.

Following the findings, the Audit Office recommended that the Regional Administration ensures that all works are carefully inspected before signing off payment certificates for the project.

This publication had reported following a fire that destroyed the old structure in 2018, the new wing was being constructed.

The $69,828,367 contract was awarded to Navin and Sons Construction. The construction firm was among 13 contractors that had submitted bids for the project which was estimated to cost some $75 million.

It was reported that the $69 million contract is just the first phase of the project which is slated to be completed in two phases – both phases are estimated, by the engineer, to cost $163M.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday December 17, 2023

Wing in UG’s New Science and Technology Building at Turkeyen Campus to be named for fallen GDF Brig. Gary Beaton WANTED

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Senior officials of the University of Guyana and the Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI) pose for a photo op at the site of the new Science and Technology building, with the design of the building in the background. In photo are from L-R: Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Engagement, Professor Emanuel Cummings, CNOC Representative, Ambassador Bayney Karran, Socio-Economic Manager, ExxonMobil Guyana Ltd, Susan Scott, Project Oversight Lead, Dr. Kofi Dalrymple, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge and Deputy P&GA Manager, ExxonMobil Guyana, Matthew Scharf.

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The University of Guyana and one of its key development partners, the Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI), on Friday, turned the sod for a three-part project which includes the construction of a new and modern state-of-theart Science and Technology Building at the University’s Turkeyen Campus.

The other two parts of the project will include retrofitting of labs in the Faculty over the next few months and addition of three new labs into the existing Faculty of Engineering building. All of this towards five main goals 1)Creating 50% of the lab – teaching spaces currently needed for new and upgraded programmes 2)Extending the disciplines offered in STEM by the Faculties of Engineering and Technology and the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences 3)Doubling the number of graduates in Engineering in three years in keeping with the high demand for UG trained engineers by the Public Sector, GoG, Oil and Gas as well as private sector in Guyana 4)Providing purpose-built facilities for staff and students, promoting collaborative cutting-edge research and problem focused interdisciplinary teaching.

5)Supporting the first International Accreditation of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology which is due in 2024. In a press statement, the University said that the project is part of a larger US$2.1 million 5-year collaboration between the University of Guyana and the GGI which was negotiated in 2019 by UG’s Office of Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE).

The GGI comprises of the Stabroek Block co-venturers - ExxonMobil Guyana Limited,

CNOOC Petroleum and HESS Corporation their gift to the University will benefit thousands of students who desire to develop careers in science, technology and engineering.

The project will also support the massive developmental push in Guyana by doubling the number of Engineering and tech graduates in the next 3 years and helping to prepare the Faculty of ABET accreditation next year.

The project represents an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) and the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences (FEES). The 15,000 square feet space has been designed as shared spaces to facilitate areas of work where synergy exists for these faculties, including water and energy sustainability through use of solar energy and information technology. It will include labs, new classrooms and offices. Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Paloma Mohamed Martin underscored the importance of the facility noting that it will boost the capacity of the University to produce the quality and quantity of engineers that are needed which she noted has increased tremendously over the past few years.

The VC further explained that over the past six to seven years, the University has seen a massive increase in the number of applicants to the engineering and other technical programmes being offered and to keep up with this demand, such a facility is very much needed. “This is a very significant moment; I would like to thank GGI. I would like to thank our GGI family because t h e y h a v e r e a l l y stood with the university,” the VC said.

Prof. Mohamed Martin added that several new

path-breaking projects aimed at further developing the University and its students and staff have been in implementation phase over the last 14 months and are now ready to be launched very early in 2024. Project Oversight Lead and Head of Department of Civil Engineering at UG, Dr. Kofi Dalrymple, in presenting an overview of the project, stated that the project is part of a larger plan to equip the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, along with its interdisciplinary partners, specifically the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, to serve our great nation.

Dr. Dalrymple explained that the project provides for the retrofitting of the existing Faculty of Engineering and Technology facilities to address issues and adapt to new learning approaches. He said: “Our labs are in dire need of upgrade. To train the engineers of the future, we need facilities that foster learning, cutting-edge research centers, and well-equipped classrooms that create an environment to stimulate curiosity and foster hands-on learning experiences.”

He noted that the project will seek to modernize the facilities to serve as incubators for innovation, allowing aspiring engineers to engage in groundbreaking research and development projects.

Dr. Dalrymple added that the project will allow for the expansion of the existing FET laboratory noting that the student enrollment rate has almost tripled, but the facilities remain the same.

“The Faculty has estimated the need for an additional 23,000 square feet in new lab space.

This project will add a much needed 5000 square feet. We also are adding new expanded labs for Petroleum and Geol-

ogy–areas of priority for our faculty and our country,” he said. Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Ms. Verlyn Klass said that the Faculty was very much appreciative of the support being given by the Greater Guyana Initiative and noted that it will boost the efforts being made by the University to produce top quality engineers and architects for the development of the country.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Engagement, Professor Emanuel Cummings in his closing remarks also underscored the importance of the facility noting that it will add significantly to the University’s landscape and more importantly improve the quality of engineers which Guyana now needs.

Prof. Cummings further noted that the FET has started preparations for programme accreditation and noted that the modern facility “will certainly put the Faculty in a very strong position in having those educational resources that are required for achieving programme accreditation.” Current engineering students and President of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Student Chapter, Ms. Kezia Chinian, and Reyhanah Abdul-Kadir, a former engineering student, both pointed to the many positive impacts the new building will have on students as they seek to develop their careers in science, technology and engineering.

The design team comprises architects and engineers from the Faculty, including Dr. Anna Perriera, Dr. William Wilson, a world-class structural engineer, and Mr. Colin Quintyn. The UG team (Continued on page 57)

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 17, 2023

PAGE 57

Relatives of murdered Bar owner granted Trinidadian man believes $40,000 bail for damaging bus windshield suspect hiding in Guyana A bar owner of Kwakwani, Region 10, who Kelvin Daly is accused of damaging the front windshield of a 'pitbull' bus, was granted bail in the sum of $40,000 by Magistrate Rhondell Weever when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court on Friday. Thirty-two-year-old Kelvin Daly, a father of three, who resides at Lot 115 Kwakwani, Housing Scheme, was charged with unlawful and malicious damage to property.

Daly is accused of damaging the front windshield of a 'pitbull' bus valued $170,000, property of Ricardo Carter, on November 10, 2023 at Hadfield Street, Stabroek, flight risk. He also pointed Georgetown.

He pleaded not guilty to out that Daly has no prior the charge when it was read antecedents. The attorney to him by the Magistrate. then indicated to the court Daly's lawyer highlighted to that his client is willing to the court that his client is the settle the matter. He then sole breadwinner for his requested bail in reasonable family of four, whilst noting amount for his client which that the accused is not a w a s g r a n t e d b y t h e

magistrate.

The magistrate further informed Daly that he will have the chance to talk about compensating the virtual complainant on his next court date which is scheduled for January 26, 2023.

Relatives of a murdered Trinidadian man, 25-yearold Antonio Manickchand believe that the suspect might be hiding out in Guyana and is seeking the public’s help to track him down.

Manickchand of Rees Road, Barrackpore, Trinidad was reportedly killed on the Island. According to reports, he was at a Bar on Saturday, November 18, 2023 when there was a fight at approximately 23:50 hrs.

The victim had reportedly gone to the location to support his father who was playing in an All Fours competition at the bar and was standing outside w h e n t h e 2 7 - y e a r- o l d suspect, 27, struck him to his head with a “Wheel Spanner”.

Manickchand

Murdered: Trinidadian, Antonio Manickchand

was rushed to the Princes To w n D i s t r i c t H e a l t h Facility in Trinidad and then transferred to the San Fernando General Hospital where he remained in a coma

Single parent family homeless after fire at Berbice A single mother of two young children is now homeless after fire of unknown origin destroyed their Hopetown, West Coast Berbice (WCB) home on Thursday.

The mother has been identified as 34year-old Lisa Greenidge.

The fire reportedly took place around 23:00hrs and no one was home at the time it

started.

According to reports, Greenidge and her children were visiting her sister when someone alerted her that her house was on fire. The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was called but firefighters were unable to save the woman’s home.

Investigations are ongoing.

Wing in UG’s New Science and Technology...

From page 56 has also been supported by the talented design team of CB and Associates.

T h e U n i v e r s i t y ’s collaboration with the GGI spans several critical areas of capacity building and development for the University including the Zoom Rooms project which laid the first building blocks for the University’s blended learning architecture, the Campus Safety and Security project which seeks to enhance safety for staff, students and visitors to the Campus, the Regional Accelerator for Stem Students Readiness (RASSR) programme which is a mentorship and development initiative targeting young STEM students across Guyana, among others. Subsequent to verifying that Brigadier Gary Beaton of the GDF who

was also laid to rest yesterday morning along with 4 other servicemen who tragically lost their lives last week, was a graduate Engineering of the University of Guyana’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology the University proposes to name a wing of

the building after the fallen hero . UG will also introduce the Five Heroes Award in the names of all 5 fallen, a university-wide award for students who are officers, servicemen or reserves who attain a high academic profile from 2024.

Steven Boodoo, the suspect wanted for questioning in relation to Boodoo’s death.

for six days before succumbing to head injuries.

Trinidadian police have identified the suspect as Steven Boodoo of Kanhai Road, North Barrackpore, Trinidad. The suspect’s relatives have reported him missing and have alleged that he was last seen on November 18-the night of the attack on the victim.

However, Kaieteur News understands that the Trinidadian investigators suspect that Boodoo “skipped country” in a bid to escape.

Speaking with Kaieteur News on Saturday, the victim’s mother, Cassie Manickchand, said that she and other relatives believe that the suspect has fled to Guyana. “We have received information that he received help to go to Guyana,” the distraught woman told Kaieteur News.

Manickchand also called on the Guyanese public to inform the police about his whereabouts.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 17, 2023

Israeli hostages killed in Gaza were holding white flag, official says JERUSALEM, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Three Israeli hostages killed mistakenly in Gaza by Israeli forces had been holding up a white flag, a military official said on Saturday, citing an initial inquiry into the incident that has shaken the country.

A soldier saw the hostages emerging tens of metres from Israeli forces on Friday in Shejaiya, an area of intense combat in northern Gaza where Hamas militants operate in civilian attire and use deception tactics, the official said.

“They’re all without shirts and they have a stick with a white cloth on it. The soldier feels threatened and opens fire. He declares that they’re terrorists. They (the Israeli forces) open fire. Two (hostages) are killed immediately,” the official told reporters in a phone briefing.

The third hostage was wounded and retreated into a nearby building where he called for help in Hebrew, the official said.

“Immediately the battalion commander issues a ceasefire order, but again there’s another burst of fire towards the third figure and he also dies,” the official said. “This was against our

rules of engagement,” he added.The military on Friday identified the three hostages killed in Shejaiya, an eastern suburb of Gaza City, as Yotam Haim and Alon Shamriz, abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, and Samer Al-Talalka, abducted from nearby Kibbutz Nir Am. H a m a s m i l i t a n t s rampaged through Israeli towns killing 1,200 people and capturing 240 hostages on Oct. 7. Israel then launched a counterattack, during which Gaza health authorities say close to 19,000 people have been confirmed killed.

Demonstration f o l l o w i n g I s r a e l ’s military announcement that they had mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages in Gaza, in Tel Av i v [ 1 / 2 ] A w o m a n holds a candle as people protest following an announcement by Israel’s military that they had mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages being held in Gaza by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at a d e m o n s t r a t i o n i n Te l Aviv, Israel, December 1 5 , 2 0 2 3 .

REUTERS/Violeta

A woman holds a candle as people protest following an announcement by Israel’s military that they had mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages being held in Gaza by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at a demonstration in Tel Aviv, Israel, December 15, 2023. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights.

Santos Moura/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights Around 300 people turned out to mourn AlTalalka, 25, at his funeral on Saturday in his hometown of Hura, in southern Israel. “ We h a d s o m a n y hopes, expectations, that he would come back to us,” his cousin, Alaa Al-Talalka told Israel’s public broadcaster Kan from his Bedouin

community’s mourning tent.

“We’re not going to start pointing fingers, who is guilty and who is not. It is just not the time,” Al-Talalka said. “The families are thinking only of how to bring the hostages back alive.

This is the time to ask for the war to end,” he said.

More than 100 hostages remain in Gaza, held incommunicado despite Israeli calls for Red Cross

access. More than 100, women, children, teens and foreigners were released in a deal struck in late November.

Others have been declared dead by Israeli authorities.

The news on Friday that three had been killed by Israeli forces prompted a late-night protest outside Israel’s defence headquarters in Tel Aviv, where hostage families were expected to deliver a

statement later on Saturday.

One father said each day left families guessing whether they will be next to receive bad news.

“We’re in a kind of Russian roulette,” Ruby Chen, whose son Itay is captive in Gaza, told reporters as he held up an h o u r g l a s s . “ I s r a e l ’s government needs to get a grip and bring back the hostages.”

At least 61 asylum seekers drown after shipwreck off Libya: IOM International Organization for Migration’s Libya office quotes survivors as saying the boat was carrying about 86 people.

A group of migrants rescued by crew members of a ship operated by Doctors Without Borders off the coast of Libya [File: Darrin Zammit Lupi/Reuters]

Aljazeera - At least 61 refugees and migrants, including women and children, have drowned following a “tragic” shipwreck off Libya, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says.

T h e o rg a n i s a t i o n ’s Libya office early on Sunday quoted survivors as saying the boat was carrying around 86 people.

A “large number of migrants” are believed to have died because of high waves which swamped their vessel after it left from Z u w a r a , o n L i b y a ’s northwest coast, the IOM’s Libya office said in a statement.

Libya and Tunisia are principal departure points for migrants risking dangerous sea voyages in hopes of reaching Europe, via Italy.

In the latest incident, most of the victims – who included women and children – were from Nigeria, Gambia and other African countries, the IOM office said, adding that nearly 25 people were

rescued and transferred to a Libyan detention centre.

An IOM team “provided medical support” and the survivors are all in good condition, the organisation said.

Flavio Di Giacomo, an IOM spokesperson, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that more than 2,250 people died this year on the central Mediterranean migrant route, a “dramatic figure which demonstrates that unfortunately not enough is being done to save lives at sea”. On June 14 this year, the Adriana, a fishing boat loaded with 750 people en route from Libya to Italy, went down in international w a t e r s o ff s o u t h w e s t Greece.

According to survivors, the ship was carrying mainly Syrians, Pakistanis and Egyptians. Only 104 survived and 82 bodies were recovered.

More than 153,000 migrants arrived in Italy this year from Tunisia and Libya, according to the United Nations refugee agency.

Sunday December 17, 2023

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Former Jamaican sprinter Dewayne Salt 109*, Brook late cameo fire England to dramatic chase of 223 Barrett charged in doping case (BBC Sport) - Jamaican Dewayne Barrett is one of two former elite sprinters, now track coaches, charged by Federal prosecutors as part of a widening case alleging a conspiracy to supply banned performance-enhancing drugs for athletes in advance of the Tokyo Olympics.

An indictment unsealed Thursday in the Southern District of New York charges O’Neil Wright of Liberia and Barrett with working to provide sprinters from Nigeria, Switzerland and Britain with drugs to get them ready for the Tokyo Games.

Barrett won a silver medal for Jamaica in the 4x400 relay at world indoor championships in 2008.

Wright was a 200 and 400m sprinter for Liberia who ran at the 2005 track world championships.

The indictment says Wright and Barrett worked with Eric Lira, who has already pleaded guilty under the Rodchenkov AntiDoping Act, which was passed in 2020 to target wideranging doping schemes across the globe.

One of the athletes Lira worked with was Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare, a 2008 Olympic silver medalist who has been banned for 11 years for taking human-growth hormone and the bloodbooster erythropoietin (EPO) and also for failing to cooperate with the

investigation.

EPO and HgH were among the drugs Barrett and Wright were discussing with Lira, labeled as “Coconspirator 1” (CC-1) in the indictment.

“Prices. CC-1 responded via text message: ‘100 million stem cells at $1900, Human Placent is $350, Hgh 12 mg $450,’” the indictment said, in recounting a text exchange between Barrett and Lira.

The indictment details an exchange with Okagbare, who is referred to as “Athlete 1,” in which the Jamaican asked: “How do you need us to help you and (another athlete) be gold medalist?”

And, later: “U need a coach that will lie for you.”

Sunday December 17, 2023 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today your brain is supercharged, Aries. If you've been thinking about doing some writing or have put off analyzing a particularly tricky problem, this would be the perfect day to get started.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) The celestial energy signals a pleasant change for you today, Libra. Finally, the overpowering emotions that have been surging from your relationships will subside.

You are now beginning a more contemplative phase.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) With today's planetary energy, you'll find yourself a little more extraverted than usual, Taurus. You'll finally be able to say what you really think about things.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you're unstoppable!

You're a very hard worker by nature, and with the current planetary alignment you'll be able to accomplish even more than usual.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This is a good day to devote time and thought to spiritual pursuits, Scorpio. Do something inspirational that instills a sense of wonder deep in your soul. .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A new phase in your life is beginning, Sagittarius. The previous phase could be interpreted as having taught you to be serious and devoted to professional responsibilities.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Discard those items from the past for which you really no longer have use. As much as you like to surround yourself with objects of sentimental value.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today's aspects might clear up some rather sketchy ideas about your professional future, Capricorn. If you long for a change, such as daring to undertake a more artistic pursuit.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Intimacy will be in the air over the next few days.

Loved ones suddenly want to spend more time with you, and you'll want to invite friends over every night! By all means, do.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You have acquired some sound confidence in yourself, Aquarius. Now it is time for you to show everyone else by actually putting it to use in your life.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Feeling unusually adventurous, Virgo? You're often motivated by your idealistic expectations, and the planetary configurations today .

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today's planetary energy should compel you to commit certain acts of self-affirmation that are needed to define your territory and protect your rights.

(ESPN Cricinfo) - Nicholas Pooran produced a T20I career-best as West Indies showcased their six-hitting chops once again in Grenada’s National Stadium.

Phil Salt then did the same on the way to a maiden T20 hundred as England rediscovered their batting mojo. And at the end, an explosive assault from Harry Brook was the clincher, as England burgled 21 runs from final over to bring themselves kicking and screaming back into the series at 2-1 down with two to play.

Brook finished unbeaten on 31 from seven balls, having taken Andre Russell for 4-6-6-2-6 to seal a record chase on the ground with a ball to spare. Salt was the man watching on from the other end, having himself hit nine sixes in 109 from 56 to set up England’s third-highest successful chase in T20Is. The final sixes count, after Brook’s ice-cool finish: West Indies 16-18 England.

As in the second match, England opted to bowl first and managed to inflict early damage only for West Indies’ power to leave them bruised in the final analysis. Pooran weathered the loss of both openers in the first two overs and batted astutely through

the gears to make 82 from 45 balls, with a series of muscular cameos - most notably Rovman Powell’s 39 off 21 helping to raise a formidable Manhattan through the back end of the West Indies innings.

Having limped home short of a target of 177 two days earlier, England found a spark of their own in a valiant attempt to keep the series alive.

Salt and Jos Buttler, who made 51 from 34, put on a century stand as the runs flowed from the outset, only for West Indies - notably through the efforts of left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie - to keep a lid on the scoring at a crucial juncture. After Motie had finished his allocation, England were left staring down a re-

quirement of 102 from the last seven overs.

But Liam Livingstone helped add 70 from 34 for the third wicket, Salt bringing up his century from 51 balls moments after hitting Jason Holder for back-to-back sixes.

Livingstone holed out but Brook signalled his intent by launching his first ball for six to leave England needing 31 from 12. Joseph conceded 10 from the 19th, leaving the odds in Russell’s favour - only for Brook to leave West Indies’ talismanic allrounder flat out on the canvas after a delirious finale.

Match details: England 226 for 3 (Salt 109*, Buttler 51) beat West Indies 222 for 6 (Pooran 82, Rashid 2-32) by seven wickets

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 17, 2023

Tom Lockyer: Luton captain ‘stable’ after suffering cardiac arrest

(BBC Sport) - Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer is “stable” after he suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during the abandoned Premier League match at Bournemouth, his club confirmed.

Both sets of players were taken off midway through the second half as Lockyer received medical treatment.

The 29-year-old was responsive as he was carried off on a stretcher to applause and taken to hospital.

Luton said Lockyer was “stable and currently undergoing further tests”.

“Our medical staff have confirmed that the Hatters captain [Tom Lockyer] suffered cardiac arrest on the pitch, but was responsive by the time he was taken off on the stretcher,” Luton said.

“He received further treatment inside the stadium, for which we once again thank the medical teams from both sides. “Tom was transferred to hospital, where we can reassure supporters that he is stable and currently undergoing further tests with his family at his bedside.”

Following confirmation the game was abandoned, both the Luton and

The game was suspended in the 65th minute with the score at 1-1 (Getty Images) Bournemouth players came back out on to the pitch to applaud the supporters, with Hatters manager Rob Edwards visibly emotional.

Lockyer collapsed during the play-off final win against Coventry in May before being taken to hospital. He subsequently had heart surgery and was

given the all-clear to return to playing in June. The Premier League said in a statement: “The match between AFC Bournemouth and Luton Town FC has been abandoned due to a player medical incident.

“Our thoughts are with Tom Lockyer and all players involved in today’s match.”

Luton called for players, staff and supporters “to come together” in support of Lockyer and his family.

“We are sorry to all supporters present that players from both sides were in no state of mind to continue with the game after seeing their much-loved team-mate and friend taken off like that and

staff could not carry on with managing the game in such circumstances,” Luton said.

“We thank everyone for the wonderful applause and singing of Locks’ [Lockyer’s] name inside the stadium at such a difficult time.”

Bournemouth responded to Luton’s update on Lockyer’s condition, saying: “We’re

relieved to hear Tom is responsive.”

The club added: “Our thoughts will continue to be with Tom and his family at this time. We’d like to thank all the medical staff for their quick action as well as everyone inside the stadium for their support and unity during a difficult moment.”

Brunson goes for career-high 50 as Knicks take down Suns (Reuters) - Jalen Brunson established career highs of 50 points and nine 3-pointers while leading the New York Knicks to a 139122 victory over the host Phoenix Suns on Friday night.

Brunson scored 35 points in the second half and made all 12 of his shots, including eight from behind the arc. He was 17-of-23 shooting overall, didn’t miss a single 3-point shot and had nine assists as the Knicks won for just the second time in the past five games.

Brunson matched the NBA record for most 3pointers without a miss, shared by Ben Gordon (2006, 2012) and Latrell Sprewell (2003). Sprewell set the NBA mark of nine without a miss when he was a member of the Knicks in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 4, 2003. Gordon twice tied the record — first as a member of the Chicago Bulls against

the Washington Wizards on April 14, 2006 and again with the Detroit Pistons in a contest against the Denver Nuggets on March 21, 2012.

Julius Randle scored 23 points and RJ Barrett added 21 for New York. Immanuel Quickley had 10 points for the Knicks, who outscored Phoenix 42-23 in the fourth quarter.

Kevin Durant scored 29 points and Devin Booker added 28 for Phoenix, which lost for the sixth time in eight games.

Jusuf Nurkic had 21 points and 12 rebounds and Grayson Allen scored 13 for the Suns.

Phoenix’s Bradley Beal exited with 7:28 left in the first quarter after injuring his right ankle.

The setback came in the second game that the ‘Big Three’ of Booker, Durant and Beal were playing in the same contest. Beal scored six points before his departure.

Jalen Brunson (USA TODAY Sports)

The Knicks shot 59.8 percent from the field, including a sizzling 17 of 29 from 3-point range.

The Suns connected on

52.2 percent of their attempts and made 11 of 28 from behind the arc.

New York scored 19 of the first 26 points in the final

stanza to turn a two-point deficit after three quarters into a 116-106 advantage with 7:23 left.

Phoenix moved within

nine with 5:47 left before Brunson scored the next nine points. He made back-toback treys, including one that took a couple bounces on the rim and hit the glass before dropping in to make it 129-111 with 4:48 remaining.

Brunson reached 50 with a 3-pointer with 1:46 remaining as the Knicks finished off the game in which they set a season high for points.

Durant scored 17 firsthalf points as Phoenix led 68-63 at the break. Brunson had 15 in the half for the Knicks.

Phoenix increased its lead to 90-80 on a 3-pointer

by Jordan Goodwin with 5:05 remaining in the third quarter.

But Brunson was in the midst of a 19-point quarter in which he was 7 of 7 from the field, including five 3pointers, to help New York pull within 99-97 entering the final stanza.

Sunday December 17, 2023

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Clyde Butts laid to rest as tributes pour in from Cricket fraternity It was a magical session yesterday, such as his time with the ball, when former Guyana /West Indies spinner Clyde Butts’ life and times were celebrated yesterday by the cricket fraternity.

As expected, a capacity crowd filled the church, as several high-profile names like Minister of Sports Charles Ramson Jr. National Sports Commission boss Kashif Muhammad, Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) president Bissoondyal Singh, GCB CEO Claude Raphael, Secretary Ronald Williams, Former teammate and West Indies spinner Roger Harper, former Guyana captain Leon Johnson, all-rounders Steven Jacobs, Chris Barnwell, Mayor of Georgetown Alfred Mentore, Guyana Harpy Eagles Assistant Coach Garvin Nedd and many others from local and overseas.

Raphael, who spoke on behalf of the GCB, spoke highly of Butts’ early life as a cricketer and his eventual role in cricket. Raphael, who was a former West Indies cricket director back in the day, gave insight into their time spent talking about

cricket development and focusing on the younger generation of cricketers.

Harper paid tribute to his former teammate who was a bit older than him, sending his healing wishes to the family of the man nicknamed ‘Bowl-Man’.

The former West Indies all-rounder spoke on Butts’ introduction to the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and joining the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to which he effectively played for the lawmen; before becoming coach and commentator among other stories, up until his untimely passing.

Fellow commentator Matthew Kissoon spoke about his teammate from the commentary box. He described Butts as a disciplinarian who would not shy away from correcting his teammates during live commentary should they err. He added that the former spinner was great at his craft both on and off the cricket field, as his time in the box helped to make his teammates better at their craft.

Mayor Mentor outlined that he was shocked when he got the text message about the former West Indies Chief

GCB president Bissoondyal Singh ( right), GCB secretary Ronald Williams (left) leading the Paul Bearers under the traditional bat arch, formed by a number of cricketers including Leon Johnson, Steven Jacobs, Chris Barnwell and others, following yesterday’s funeral service for the late Clyde Butts Selector’s demise.

He said he was blessed to have the opportunity to play briefly with Butts.

“He was a stingy spinner, and he was responsible for a lot of careers of players in this room, helping them

bring their talents to the highest level during his time as WI selector,” said Mentore.

Meanwhile, former West Indies captains Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard poured out heartfelt tributes

via voice notes which were played via speakers. Both former World T20 Champs credited the Guyanese for their success.

They thanked him for his contribution to West Indies cricket as a player and an

Administrator while sending prayers to Butt’s family and his children especially. They cited his passing as one of the toughest times in West Indies cricket and hoped that the cricket fraternity would heal from this dark phase.

Injured Shami to miss South Africa Tests, Chahar unavailable for ODIs

Mohammed Shami’s last Test was the WTC final (AFP/Getty Images) (Cricinfo) - Mohammed Shami will miss the upcoming two-Test series in South Africa because of an ankle injury. Shami wasn’t

part of the Test contingent that left for Johannesburg on Friday, and is currently under the watch of the BCCI’s National Cricket

Academy. Deepak Chahar, meanwhile, will not be available for the ODI series in South Africa because of a “family medical emergency”.

While announcing the Test squad late last month, the BCCI had said that Shami was “currently undergoing medical treatment” and that his inclusion was subject to fitness. A media release on Saturday confirmed that Shami “was not cleared by BCCI’s medical team” and was subsequently withdrawn from the squad.

Shami last featured in a Test in June when he played t h e Wo r l d Te s t Championship final against Australia. He was rested for the Caribbean tour that

followed to manage his workload ahead of India’s busy white-ball season that ended with the 2023 ODI World Cup, where Shami topped the wicket-takers’ chart.

The selectors haven’t named a replacement for Shami. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar and Shardul Thakur are the other fast bowlers in the touring party.

As for Chahar, he also missed the T20Is in South Africa last week. Chahar made his comeback during the T20Is at home against Australia last month, but featured in just one game the fourth game in Raipur before flying home for personal reasons.

Akash Deep, who was earlier part of India’s Asian Games-winning squad, has been called up into the KL Rahul-led ODI squad.

In another update, Shreyas Iyer will leave the squad after the first ODI in Johannesburg on December 17 to prepare for the Test matches that will follow.

Iyer is likely to play the intra-squad three-day fixture in the lead-up to the Boxing Day Test. His last Test was against Australia in March, after which he was sidelined with a back injury.

It’s likely Iyer will reclaim his middle-order spot, which had been occupied by Ajinkya Rahane in his absence.

With Rahul Dravid and his team of Vikram Rathour

(batting coach), Paras Mhambrey (bowling coach) and T Dilip (fielding coach) involved in preparing the Test squad for the two-match series, India’s second assignment in this WTC cycle, the ODI side will be assisted by India A’s coaching staff: Sitanshu Kotak (batting coach), Rajib Datta (bowling coach) and Ajay Ratra (fielding coach).

India’s updated ODI squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad, B Sai Sudharsan, Tilak Varma, Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (capt, wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Wa s h i n g t o n S u n d a r , Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Akash Deep

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Sunday December 17, 2023

KFC Goodwill Series 2023…

St Benedict’s too sweet for Carmel - St Ignatius records first win S t B e n e d i c t ’s C o l l e g e maintained their undefeated streak while St Ignatius Secondary clinched their first win in a thrilling Saturday showdown at the Queen’s College (QC) ground during the Petra-organized KFC Goodwill International Schools Series’ third round.

Early on in match #9, St Ignatius showed a late surge of energy against Bartica Secondary, keeping the game evenly poised at 2-2 by halftime, with Stephon Sprosta and Sharukh Nedd scoring the initial goals. The second half tilted in favour of St Ignatius as Glenn Fredicks and Romel Ernest secured two more goals, sealing a comfortable 4-2 victory.

Meanwhile, at the same venue, the clash between St B e n e d i c t ’s C o l l e g e f r o m Trinidad and Tobago and Carmel Secondary was a crucial one for the Georgetown side.

However, the Trinidadian team dominated from the start,

with Malachi Webb and Salim Soanes scoring the first two goals within the opening half. Webb added another goal in the second half, sealing a convincing 3-0 win and securing their spot in the semi-finals.

Simultaneously, the Ministry of Education ground saw DC Caesar Fox Secondary (Waramodong) faced off against VWO-4 from Suriname, while Chase’s Academic Foundation challenged the dominant Carendon College from Jamaica.

However, the detailed outcomes of these matches were pending at the time of reporting and will be featured in the Monday’s edition.

The Petra-organized tournament, backed by Beharry Restaurant Holdings Inc. through its KFC Guyana franchise is also supported by MVP Sports, ANSA McAL (Lucozade), the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture, the Ministry of Education, the Guyana Football Federation and ExxonMobil.

Port Mourant Turf Club takes charge for Boxing Day …event to feature $10m in incentives

Plus Return pulled off a major upset in March at the KMTC during a memorial event for the late Horse Racing stalwart, Justice Cecil Kennard.

(Brandon Corlette Photo) The Port Mourant Turf Club (PMTC) has taken up the slack left by the Kennard M e m o r i a l s Tu r f C l u b (KMTC). The club will be staging a grand one-day horse race meet at the club's venue, Port Mourant, Corentyne Berbice. The venue, known as the “Big Yard' for its size has organised a seven-race meet for a total taking of over $10M in cash trophies and other takings.

There are two feature events on the day's event with the Metro Mile,

sponsored by the Metro Company being the most anticipated event. It is open to all horses in Guyana for a winning purse of a whopping $1.5 and a trophy over 1600 metres. The other top race is the OBL Derby for 3-years old Guyana and West Indies Bred horses over 1600M with the winner set to carry home $1M and a trophy. There is an event for 2-years old open Guyana Bred animals over 1300M with the winner set to take away $500,000 and a trophy.

The animals classified E

and lower will be racing for $500,000 and a trophy over 1000M. The H-class race will see the winner taking away $400,000 and a trophy.

There is an event for animals classified J and K and lower over 1300M for a pole position reward of $300,000 and a trophy. The finale event is for animals classified L and lower also over 1300M with the winner set to collect $300,000 and a trophy. Entries are set to close on 20th December and a grand day of racing is anticipated.

Trinidad and Tobago’s St Benedict’s College remained unbeaten against Carmel Secondary

Holder receives special edition Wisden to mark his Cricketer-of-the-Year award (SportsMax) - Jason Holder on Saturday received a cherished memento marking one of the most celebrated moments in his legendary career.

The talismanic West Indies all-rounder was presented with his special edition, leatherbound Wisden Cricket Almanack – the prize for being named one of W i s d e n ’ s F i v e Cricketers of the Year for 2021. At the time of the award Holder was the Number one ranked all-rounder in the World in Test Cricket. During the tour of England, he also took six for 42 in England’s first innings at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton’s to set up a memorable victory for West Indies in the first Test.

In a brief ceremony at the Grenada National Stadium, Holder was handed the book by teammate Shai Hope, who was one of Wisden’s five Players of the Year in

Jason Holder

2018. In 2017, he made back-to-back centuries to lead West Indies to a famous Test match win over England at Headingley.

They are among a list of outstanding West Indies players who have received the prestigious accolade.

Wisden is the game’s

most prestigious and recognizable publication has been naming its Five Cricketers of the Year since 1889, making it the oldest individual award in any sport and this outstanding recognition is presented to players who excelled in the game.

Sunday December 17, 2023

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National Chess Championship Playoff hits Ocean Spray Hotel on Wednesday Taffin Khan (left) and Loris Nathoo

T

he Ocean Spray International Hotel will host the rapid playoff on Wednesday, December 20, between top finalists and senior chess players Loris Nathoo (1703) and Candidate Master Taffin Khan (2005), both vying for the National Open Chess Champion title.

The confrontation begins at 17:30hrs sharp after a coin toss by Tournament Director Mr. Irshad Mohamad to determine who gets the white pieces and plays first in the initial threegame match. A ticking electronic chess clock will countdown the time allotted to each player under strict tournament conditions in the presence of the Tournament Arbiter.

The first game can last a maximum of 30 minutes while the second and third another 30, totaling 60 minutes for three games in the fast-paced encounter.

Ye t , i f a t i e s t i l l results, Khan and Nathoo will enter the sudden death stage and be

allotted a meagre 5 minutes each in another three-game contest.

The face-off between t h e t w o w o u l d characterize an intense battle of cunning and strategy over the chessboard to achieve majority wins and secure the Senior National Champion title for 2023.

The playoff games will be live-streamed as well.

T h e G A I C O sponsored National O p e n C h e s s Championship ended recently with Nathoo and Khan emerging with a tied score, triggering a playoff to determine the next Senior National Champion. GAICO has been a long-time sponsor of National Chess competitions and has earned the gratitude of the entire chess community for their unwavering support over the years.

The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), extends its sincerest thanks to the Management and Staff of Ocean Spray Hotel for facilitating the playoff and granting the use of its facilities at short notice.

KFC Goodwill Series 2023… rt Spo

s

St Benedict’s too sweet for Carmel

Some of the action between Bartica Secondary and St Ignatius Secondary at QC ground

- St Ignatius records first win

Salt 109*, Brook late cameo fire England to dramatic chase of 223 Phil Salt and Harry Brook savour the moment of victory in Grenada (Associated Press)

Clyde Butts laid to rest as tributes pour in from Cricket fraternity

GCB executives including president and secretary, operations manager and others during Saturday’s funeral service