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Oil-rich South NEWS Sudan trapped in dangerous cycle of debt

Sunday Edition

AIETEUR

December 20, 2020

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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

Price $140

Online readership yesterday, 99,349

Today’s one year anniversary for oil…

Our leaders still to put 30 safeguards in place to protect Guyana’s $$$ EPA has authority to correct Exxon’s outdated Liza Phase One permit now

Halt all promotions

- cops with pending matters say to Police Service Commission

Thief nabbed New High Court Grandmother result in in Superbet; rules speedy trials and child, 2, cash recovered but delays in

dead after river mishap

Pres. Irfaan Ali production of promises audit court orders - Supreme Court asks for of COVID-19 patience and consideration - drunk grandfather in custody cash grant in resolving issue

Auditor General recommends police investigation into Sussex Street drug bond p.14

No end in sight, as Exxon continues to pollute Guyana’s airspace

Harmon needs to stand, speak and deliver How long is Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon going to dodge critical questions on the oil and gas sector? As he should know from Scripture, little brother Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers, yet he turned around and rescued them in their hour of great need.

This is what we at the Kaieteur News call upon our own brother Joseph to do.

Don’t sell us down the drain with this oil, but give us, expectant Guyanese brothers and sisters, courageous and strong leadership in our time of need, just like the biblical Joseph did for his own people.

Look at the Vice President, who gets away with babbling about releasing a whole set of things – permits, licences, and reports – but delivers absolutely nothing.

Guyana needs an Opposition Leader to stand up and say something tangible. Say something meaningful on this oil and gas of ours. Mr. Harmon should know that the longer he keeps on dodging, the more suspicious – even terribly compromised – he appears. When a man takes vows of silence to this extreme on matters of national importance, then all Guyana is left to wonder, who he is protecting? Which political friends is he covering for, and willing to make himself look impotent and lacking in understanding of his role and the expectations that go with his responsibility?

To Opposition Leader Harmon, we at KN say: “Stop the silence. Stand up, say something, do something. Live up to the demanding obligations that are part of oil patriotism and national political leadership.”

Listen to the Glenn Lall Show at 11:30am, to hear how our leaders gave away our lands and saddled us with oil bills on 99.1/99.5FM Kaieteur Radio. (Rebroadcast)

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 20, 2020

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

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

EDITORIAL

Repayment of less than 0.01 percent of debts Think of this issue in this simple manner: a debt of $1,000 dollars is owed because of tricks and cheatings. A promise made-indeed, a very firm commitment, complete with ringing attorney assurances-that all deceived parties will be repaid within 30 days. And despite continuing speeches and what we believe are nothing more than practised public performances, all that some of the bilked have received is less than a dollar.

This is what thousands of cheated Guyanese investors, some of them borderline poor, have had to contend with, in the last few months. That is, the equivalent of less than a dollar on a $1000 dollar debt, obtained by fanciful and allegedly outright fraudulent means. It is not only insulting and alarming, it makes a mockery of Guyana, its judicial system, and its negatively impacted citizens. It makes for troubling observation, and wondering as to the effectiveness of local laws.

In everyday life, when such a circumstance occur (and multiplying the numbers by many zeros), matters could deteriorate to the nasty swiftly. The repeatedly jilted may resort to taking matters into their own hands: let the chips fall, which would be indicative of the frustrations and rages stoked by what appears to be yet more con games being played out before a court that has been understanding and patient for too long, before a country that functions in states of brazen lawlessness.

It is in this state that the attorney for the two alleged conspirators to defraud the investing public, endeavours valiantly to deliver damage control, to offer the soothing, which only triggers more scorning and disbelieving from the general public. He is trying hard, but does not have much to work with, since his clients have not given much that incurs confidence in their truthfulness, even in their genuine willingness to step up and deliver, and bring a satisfactory conclusion to a situation that has lingered too long.

But there is another side to this coin of calculated greed brought to full flower by carefully scripted actions always intended to separate gullible people from their money.

The other side of this sordid story of wrongdoing is that the longer it remains in the unsparing gaze of the public, the better the lessons that are there to be learned. The first is that this early Ponzi scheme involving some 17,000 unthinking and unsettled Guyanese and $4B dollars is but a learning experience, the growing pains that are indicative of what is to come. Care should be taken to note that there is neither hedging nor conditioning in our position at this paper. It is of what it is to come, as sure as the stars come out at night, moon or no moon. Because we have oil, we are now a frontier, the biggest, broadest, most beckoning of frontiers anywhere in the world at this time.

They will come in droves. Think of dogs in heat, or addicts around a liquor truck spill. That is what oil does in every place that it has been found. The gamblers and prostitutes and heavy hitters and schemers will come as part of the influx. They will blend in nicely, or try to do so, with the rollicking crowd of oil adventurers and explorers. Those will come to invest money and make much money in the many lucrative opportunities that are there for the begging.

And amongst this wave of outsiders, which provides the perfect cover, there will be the hustlers and cheaters and tricksters. They will come with one grand scheme after another to shore up Guyanese hopes and dreams with their false promises of getting in on the big-time and making big money, and it is all such a big easy exercise that there is not an iota of risk. That is the next lesson that we share today.

Beware and be sensible, when the Ponzi schemers come.

For there is no such thing as no risk, not where cash is concerned, when strangers (and friends, too) come calling with their surefire schemes overloaded with danger.

Remember this last lesson: when deceit is the name of the game, it is over before it started. There is no upside; be sensible, please!

In recognition of Dominique Ahmad Dear Editor, I met Dominique Ahmad in the late 90’s through the late Mrs. Elsie Taylor and Dr. Steve Surjubally.

Mrs. Taylor had phased out of running the clinic/shelter and passed the thankless responsibility to the GSPCA Committee comprising eight persons.

C u r r e n t l y, O l i v e r Insanally is President and Dominique is Treasurer as well as the person in charge of running the day-to-day affairs of the clinic.

From the moment I met Dominique, I knew she was competent and a person who takes her volunteer responsibilities seriously.

Management of the GSPCA shelter/clinic from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm five days a week, Saturdays 8 am to 1

pm, is not an easy task, even with a staff of nine persons.

Daily activities include: picking up stray dogs and cats and miscellaneous other animals; responding to reports of animal neglect/cruelty; rehoming animals in the shelter; ensuring the clinic is stocked with necessary supplies; maintaining the bus and other tools and equipment; collecting food and feeding animals; organizing and executing spay & neuter programs; not to mention administration jobs such as record keeping; management of donations; o n t i m e A G M ’s , a n d coordinating with international humane societies on diverse programmes offered.

To carry out such tasks

for a nice salary is one thing but to undertake such work on a volunteer basis for over 30 years is truly an act of love.

Just in the past 15 years, the clinic/shelter has spayed thousands of animals, found forever homes for thousands more cats, kittens, dogs and puppies.

T h e s h e l t e r ’s t w o inspectors investigate animal abuse, often in coordination with rescue groups, GLDA and police.

As the work of the GSPCA becomes more effective, the demand only grows. For example, between May 2019 and June 2020: ü Total animals seen at the clinic: 10,042 ü Cases of cruelty investigated: 162 ü Animals payed/neutered:

1,398 ü # animals received that were re-homed: 11.48% Dominique is not only running the shelter, she is also a mother, grandmother, wife, business woman, vet tech, and animal lover to her private collection of injured domestic and wild animals.

I’m proud to have been able to know and work closely with Dominique over the past 25 years. Too many, superwomen in Guyana are not receiving the recognition they deserve.

I’m pleased to be able to share these thoughts. I ask each and every animal lover in Guyana to support the amazing work that Dominique is undertaking.

Yours truly, Syeada Manbodh

Sunday December 20, 2020

The new PPP government is just as scheming as the old one Dear Editor, A couple of things that occurred recently confirmed what was a big concern of numerous Guyanese. It is that, despite much propagandizing efforts, the new PPP government, supposedly cleaner in outlook, is just as scheming as the old ones. In fact, this one is worse, because it has learned slicker ways to go about matters and people that disturb its smooth flow.

The first sign came from two sources. It was from two well-recognized local men, who resigned from the GUYSUCO board a few months into their tenure. One may depart for compatibility, or atmospherics, or personal developments, or similar appreciated things. But that was not so with the first resignation, as matters went deeper on a broader and principled front.

And when the second director left the GUYSUCO board last week, I detected the unfolding of what many suspected and believed all along about the PPP: the more things appear to be different, the more they are not. The new is just like the tricky old, only more slithery. The two directors who resigned tried.

They thought they knew senior PPP leaders from being

close to them; and that they had a good handle on their roles and the environment in which they were to operate and do some positive things for country and citizens. I regret if this comes across as even mild criticism (which is not intended), but they deceived themselves. PPP powers are set in their ways, too full of hauteur to change.

It is their way or the alleyway.

To their credit, the two departed directors did try, but quickly realised that the deck was stacked against them, and that there were others who simply were about party priorities and directives, and never about country. Of course, once there was opportunity for the individually beneficial, then that was icing on the cake.

Very early, the two men, and on different issues, came to grips that certain writings were on the wall.

Those were not mysteries, but were cleanly interpreted as to directions and thrusts; hence, it was time to go.

Because as that old adage (Guyanese, I think) goes: lie down with dogs, and the fleas flourish to one’s personal discomfort. One of the things that is distinctive across all boards is that largely loyalists, ideologues, sycophants, and

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opportunists have been put in place there, here, and everywhere and given their marching orders. And how they can march!

As an aside, a PPP insider, one of few who I would exchange a word or two with, assured me that they-PPP leadership, old and new-was a changed beast; that they had learned from previous follies; and that they were going to change, since they did not like being where they were post May 2015. I remember disagreeing and saying that that remains to be seen and I am an atheist. I recall saying also that some people are beyond change, they just can’t.

Editor, events are providing the evidence, and I am far from the scurrilous action(s).

Like those resignations of men who supported and then had to distance themselves by compulsion of circumstances.

Now, I move on to that other confirming piece of evidence: the president himself.

I empathise with him, for he has been given a hand to play from canned lines thrust in his face to read; hand and lines do not align well with each other. I think of some of the areas covered and committed to by the new president and I cringe. This

office holder is the head of state, and heads of state do not play word games, do not mess around with the suspect, and do not tamper with the fullness of truth. Let me be excruciatingly candid and say that if someone other than a president had said some of the things that were said, and then turned around and did what was done, I would call him a serial exaggerator (at best), a pathological liar (at worst).

My regard for the presidency does not permit me to do so of its holder; I live by that hard, but necessary, restriction.

But the record speaks loudly, and the day is yet young.

Though the new PPP is already inseparable from past iniquities, with new ones added, it has changed in a few material ways. It has mastered the art of camouflaging its conduct, through carefully selected communications, which pretend at the new, but on closer inspection are of the old, crooked ways.

The people are there; and so are the practices. Last, the brass has settled on a strategy of: let them talk and write; we will be as we are.

Done!

Yours truly, GHK Lall

We CPCE graduates have not been paid our correct salary for years Dear Editor, I am messaging you on behalf of my colleagues, trained teachers from the 2016 and 2017 batches of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) to shed some light on a problem, which we have been facing.

Teachers who graduated from CPCE 2016 and 2017 cohorts are not being paid their correct salary for the past four plus years.

Initially, our salary used to be approximately $8000 short monthly – presently, it’s close to $13000 short monthly. Over the years, we have made countless trips to the Regional Education Offices, the Teaching Service Commission, and the

Ministry of Education.

We heard countless promises of our salary situation being rectified. It was supposed to be rectify last month, then this month.

Every month we are hearing the same promise.

Presently, we are very disappointed as we are heading into another year with a defective salary.

Yours truly, Pre-service teachers of CPCE (2016 & 2017 batches)

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Kaieteur News

Sunday December 20, 2020

I urge all religions to respect the environment, particular in their ritual practices Dear Editor, As is well known, I am a lover of all the scriptures, religions, and all peoples.

Because of these values that I hold dear, I refuse to discriminate and/or choose that which is greater or better in society, in the scriptures, and/or in the religions. I thank God for this heart that helps me to see others with the wisdom of true rationality. I thank the Creator for discovering that platinum line that connects humanity, religions, and scriptures. Consequently, I am also very pleased to see that other people are becoming more and more tolerant for people of other religions. Moreover, I see that Muslim scholars are quoting the Bhagavad Gita and other Hindu scriptures today. In light of this, I feel a sense of pride as I initiated this over thirty years ago, albeit with a lot of criticism and humiliation. I see too, Hindu priests who quote from the Holy Quran and other scriptures of holiness. To me, this is a true expression of maturity, respect, and intelligence.

In history, we have seen how many groups of people abused humanity for the sake of the thinking that their faith and/or ethnicity is superior.

In the past, and even to this day, people with such beliefs would even cause pandemonium, destruction, and misery among the creatures of God to follow the beliefs of their nature and culture. However, it is my opinion that religions are of great blessings; chosen by

free will, and all people should have the freedom to choose their religion or convert as they feel in their hearts.

In recent times, I have observed that many complaints have been made against the Sanatanists (Hindus), particularly when they have their beach rituals.

While I believe that the items they use are essential in their worship and respected by the undersigned, some have a habit of leaving them on the shore in large quantities or in our waterways, which inevitably washes back on our shores, thereby creating a very unsightly image and causes environmental destruction. I humbly propose that Sanatanists walk with bags that can be used to remove these items when they leave and dispose of them accordingly. However, I am of the conviction that it would be more pleasing to their deity(s) if they were to use materials that can be composted, made into compost, or natural fertilizer that can enhance the growth of food and generally, the environment. In this way, the blessings of their sacrifice perpetuate. While I believe that religions must be permitted to function openly without disrespect or inconvenience, I feel it is against the wisdom of Sanatan Dharm (eternal laws) to leave these objects behind to become waste. The irony is that we are polluting the waters, which are supposed to be enhancing the worship.

The aim of this advisory is not only directed to my most esteemed and Divine brothers and sisters of Sanatan Dharm (Hinduism), but all religions, and their practitioners to never abuse or inconvenience nature, the environment, and/or fellow beings.

In many cases, we have seen insensitivities towards nature and fellow man by man himself.

This also shows that it is not only in religions but at times, an

inclination in some of mankind to be unruly, deceptive, and cruel.

My goal, therefore, is to call upon all Hindu institutions, organizations, representatives, Mandirs, and every individual member of this Divine Group to ensure that their adherents clean up when they are done with their rituals or to use biodegradable items that can be composted as I proposed above. We all know the dangers of plastic and styrofoam which take hundreds of years to decompose.

The Hindus, whose primary scripture, the Bhagavad Gita or as I view it, the “Celestial Song,” is one that teaches human nature, natural sciences, astronomy, sociology, psychology, etc. In my view, cleaning up after the prayers are complete, demonstrates love for nature, which is a vast part of the teachings of Sanatan Dharm and personal cleanliness. It also displays discipline, spiritual enlightenment, and wisdom, which may be considered as the most essential aspect of worship.

Merely praying, worshiping, and not respecting nature and the universe, and/or the teachings of the scriptures, will come to nothing as a rationalist. I have studied the Hindu scriptures intensely - I am not an expert, but as a selftaught respecter of the religion, I know that this kind of behaviour has no place in its teachings and should therefore be frowned upon.

As a matter of fact, from a scriptural viewpoint, it is cursed: “A person, who is engaged in killing, polluting wells, and ponds and tanks, and destroying gardens, certainly goes to hell,” ( P a d m a p u r a n a , Bhoomikhananda 96:7-8).

In the same way, we have seen far too many complaints

about the noise emanating from some Christian churches; the thumping, wailing, shouting at times that disrupt communities and representatives of other religions who might be praying and meditating themselves. I have great reverence for Christianity, and as one who has also studied the Holy Bible and the way and life of Jesus Christ, we have never seen Him nor his apostles behave and act in such a way as to disturb people.

Worship has always been in a respectful manner. I have seen the Assemblies of God Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, the Anglican Church, etc., and others who do not allow their worship to cause excessive noise nuisance and disturb people. I know the religion has evolved, but my plea to you is to do your utmost not to disrupt the neighborhood to such a degree that it disturbs people’s health and the children concentrating on their studies.

As the Bible eloquently teaches: “… in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets,” Mathews 7:12. My advice is to worship in a tone that you can still enjoy, but without disrupting others.

This is my appeal and my cry to you. It is in no way an attack or critique, but guidance from a fellow brother of religion.

As it relates to Islam practised in Guyana, Muslims are not known to be of disturbance to people, except that in recent times some people have been amplifying the Adhan (Muslim prayer call) as early as 4:30 a.m. or 5:00 a.m. The natural sound of the Adhan, without the use of these amplified systems, is one of the most comforting sounds to listen to. So much so that some general citizens of other religions assert that it is indeed soothing and it

also helps them to wake up early as well. The Adhan does not last longer than two or three minutes, but there are still some people who feel disturbed. This is a secular country and not an Islamic nation, so Muslims need to be mature and cognizant of their neighbours and their feelings. The sick and students who are studying need to be considered as well.

I must point out that nowhere in Islam are we told that we can use this medium to call the Adhan.

The Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (PBUH) constructed minarets on which we are supposed to climb to the top of and call the Adhan (without an amplified system), and then the sound will travel in the air.

This produces a really beautiful sound when you hear it. Human beings should not be subjected to loud and annoying noises to prevent harm, physically, and psychologically. Do not get me wrong, I honour and appreciate the Adhan but I am going to stand by my conviction that I do not think the amplifier is necessary. In these modern days, we all have technology; alarm clocks, and/or an inbred wakeup mechanism by instructing our subconscious mind to wake up at a specific time. No one rushes to the masjids on hearing the Adhan – they are either already there to pray or if they depend upon the Adhan to remind them to pray, then they are late.

My dear Muslims, my humble advice to you is that if the amplifier is so significant, please play it at a level that does not cause people to abuse our faith in the same way. I have already gotten into trouble a few times

with some of my fellow Muslims who make the amplifier holier than the Adhan itself. I was even asked to apologize for suggesting that people should not use the amplifier.

However, as I said above, if the amplifier has reached such prominence in your heart, then play it at a volume that will not annoy anyone.

Instead, my advice is to ascend to the top of the minaret, as they did in the days of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), and do it naturally.

And, whoever calls the Adhan, whether on an amplifier or normal, should be a person with a beautiful voice that will induce meditation, relaxation, and contemplation.

I also humbly appeal to all religions to avoid the use of plastic and styrofoam for religious activities and to try to hold on to what is good for our home, our planet, and to use biodegradable products or objects that could be recycled. I say all of this as a caring, loving citizen of our country, and as a brother to each of our peoples. We need to just dial certain things down a bit to make it sweeter and easier to understand and relate to each other as one human family under God. Let us create a truly harmonious nation of elegance, decency, and compassion for one another. I always pride myself on the wonderful thought of where I see a mosque next to a mandir, and not too far away from it is a Christian church.

When I see this, I am often reminded of the Guyanese bond that unites us in love and peace despite our differences in cultures.

Yours truly, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr.

Raising minimum wages might not necessarily help the poor Dear Editor Kaieteur News has done an editorial on living on the current minimum wage of $44,200 per month “Minimum wage – how far can it go?”, KN, 18th December 2020).

KN believes that raising the minimum wage from $44,200 per month to $60,000 per month would benefit the working poor even though it acknowledges that prices would rise to compensate.

This 35.75% increase may be warranted and may even be affordable by the Private Sector who will obviously raise prices.

My concern is could this lead to a depreciation of the Guyana dollar because of inflation (inflation is when there is too much money chasing too few goods). And, it does not help the poor, those who are currently unemployed.

Would it not be better to let the private sector expand their operations leading to more job creation?

It is not as easy as raising wages by 35.75% to bring relief to the poor or every country in the world would do so.

If Guyana is going to raise wages then I suggest that it is done in stages to assess the impact it has on prices.

The problem is not low

wages per se. The problem is the value of the Guyana dollar vs US$.

If the Guyana dollar increases in value then prices would not keep rising and may even come down. If Guyana does raise wages then imports would increase but export will not lead to increasing trade deficit which has to be paid for.

Yours truly, Sean Ori

Sunday December 20, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 20, 2020

Kaieteur News

“Halt all promotions” - cops with pending matters say to Police Service Commission Seven senior cops have written the Police Service Commission to halt promotions.

S

even senior police ranks have written to the Police Service Commission (PSC) through their attorney, C.V. Satram, demanding all promotions be halted until outstanding disciplinary matters they are involved in, are concluded.

The ranks all hold senior positions and have matters that go as far back at 2016.

That request was formed on the basis that the PSC is allegedly using the pending matters the ranks are involved in as a direct means to stifle their promotions.

“The Commission alone has the power to promote our client/s and has relied, as it routinely does, upon these pending investigations to deny the promotion that they would have otherwise secured,” the attorney outlined in the letter, dated Thursday, December 17, to the Chairman and Secretary of the PSC. As is customary around the Christmas season, cops are identified for promotion and the complaining ranks were among those chosen.

The PSC, upon the recommendation of the Police Com-

missioner, Nigel Hoppie, has responsibility to promote the ranks but at the same time, the Commission also handles disciplinary matters.

The ranks deemed it “fundamentally unfair” for the

Commission, which has the ultimate responsibility for adjudicating disciplinary complaints, to delay the conclusion of that process and at the same time, rely upon those pending investigations to deny promotion “to those who are otherwise entitled for consideration for (Continued on page 14)

Sunday December 20, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Mahaica golf estate developers offering free condo, electric cars

Maraiko Bay Resorts in Mahaica, Guyana, which was unveiled in August, promising a US$1.4B Golf and Country Club Estate, is promising to give away a free condo.

The developers have what it says is a first-of-itskind sales center in Giftland, the country’s largest mall.

There will be free condo up for grabs for the first 100 clients and one year use of a complimentary electric car to the first 100 renters.

“The mega-project was the first major project announced in the newly oil rich Guyana and seemingly the investment catalyst that has spurred announcement of several world class hotels and a host of other major investments in the country that will ensure that thousands of construction and hospitality jobs are brought to Guyanese,” a statement of the developers said yesterday.

Maraiko Bay’s amenities, which include a world class school, hospital, shopping, PGA standard championship golf course, marina and a beach, will only serve to complement the upcoming hotels and major airlines that are scheduled to bring a projected four million travelers to Guyana annually.

“Since the initial announcement of Maraiko Bay Golf Resort, ExxonMobil confirmed that two additional discoveries in the GuyanaSuriname basin has made the region the most potentially profitable in history and expects to be operating five FPSOs…” The developers pointed to the recent statement of ExxonMobil’s Senior Vice President of Exploration and new ventures, Mike Cousins, who said: “Our first discovery in Suriname extends ExxonMobil’s leading position in South America, building on our successful

investments in Guyana…” we will continue to leverage our deep-water expertise and advanced technology to explore frontier environments with the highest value resource potential.”

Add to that, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced sweeping changes to support Direct Foreign Investment and several massive infrastructure projects have already been approved that will see Guyana, Suriname and Brazil benefiting from recently signed accords between the countries.

The developers said that several major local Guyanese businesses have signed agreements to purchase lots and homes, supply services and materials, build and operate sections of the project in the recent weeks, and offers to construct a luxury resort and the marina still under consideration.

“From the design of the underground utilities to the Artist’s impressions of the planned mega-project.

Dem boys seh...

An Opposition Christmas Dem Opposition politicians getting jumpy. Dem know dem naughty dis year during de elections and dem wondering wha Santa gun bring fuh dem.

Already nuff of dem businessmen wha used to shower them with gifts nah send nothing fuh dem. And it look like Santa might also do de same.

But Santa seh how dem punish enough. He tell his elves that one of dem aged 20 years over de past seven months. De man does dye he hair but even dat can’t hide

how older and magga he looking these days. Santa seh he gat de perfect gift fuh dis man. He gun send e de Lolo man and de Bingo Man. He seh dem three deserve one another.

Dem could play snakes and ladder like how dem bin playing with de votes of Region Four during de tabulations.

Lil Joe tell Santa how he has been good dis year. Santa can’t stop laughing.

De Worst Possible Alternative up to dem wickedness.

Dem trying fuh stir trouble in

de country. And Santa vex with them too. He seh dem is rebels without a Claus.

Santa meet up with de man who part de Red Sea. He ask him, “What you want fuh Christmas?’

De man wha part de Red Sea shouted, “You mean you did not get my email?”

But de best story was de man wha lose power. When Santa ask he wha he want, he seh he want deh back at State House. Santa arrange fuh he be in Irfaan guard hut.

Talk half and enjoy de holidays!

sea defence and security systems, the well thought out green economy project has captured the imagination of both Guyanese and international buyers with offers to purchase coming from as far away as Australia, Singapore and Saudia Arabia.”

One of the developers, Rudy Ramalingum, explained that their approach to design

and construction was unique in that by offering investors the land for construction of homes, hotels, shopping centers and other amenities at low prices or as a joint venture, they are being flooded with dozens of offers from companies and individuals who see Guyana as the last investment frontier in the 20th century.

Prospective local buyers

and renters can visit the Maraiko Bay showroom at Giftland Mall every day from 10:00 hrs. to 21:00 hrs. and register to win a complimentary visit to the project that includes a beach and river tour, lunch and beverage.

International buyers can call or obtain more information on the project by visiting www.cimgro.com

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Sunday December 20, 2020

Kaieteur News

Grandmother and child, 2, dead after river mishap - drunk grandfather in custody

Oil-rich South Sudan trapped in dangerous cycle of debt A terminal under construction at Juba International Airport (2017) with a US$150 million loan from China Ex-Im Bank (AFP)

Dead: Agatha gill and her grandson, Marley A grandmother and her grandson, 2, died on Friday following a boat mishap in the Pomeroon River, Region Two. Meanwhile, the grandfather who was captaining the boat and said to be intoxicated at the time is in police custody.

Agatha Gill, 38, and the toddler, identified as Marley, drowned around 20:00hrs in Friendship Canal, Lower Pomeroon, Region Two. Reports are that earlier that evening, Agatha, also known as ‘Aunty Gata’ and her husband, Riley Gill, had left their Friendship Canal home in a wooden “balahoo” boat to imbibe alcohol at a shop in the area. The couple took Marley, who was left in their care, with them.According to police, while returning from the drinking session, an intoxicated Riley Gill lost control of the boat, which was powered by a 75-horse power engine.

He told investigators that as he entered the Friendship Canal, his propeller struck a

coconut husk causing him to lose control of the engine.

The boat then crashed into the edge of the left-side river bank and capsized, covering them underneath. He was able to free himself but his wife and their grandson remained trapped under the boat.

He claimed that he tried to pull them free but all his efforts proved futile.

Kaieteur News understands that he then alerted nearby residents who rushed out to assist him in turning over the boat.

Unconscious, both Marley and his grandmother were taken to the Oscar Joseph District Hospital, Charity.

Doctors there pronounced the two dead on arrival. Their bodies were taken to the Suddie Morgue, on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two. The reportedly drunk grandfather was taken away into police custody at the Charity Police Station.

T

he Republic of South Sudan is a landlocked country in East Central Africa that is trapped in a borrowing cycle that it is finding it very difficult to get out of.

The country continues to borrow funds from multiple major financiers for projects to lend to its development.

Despite having billions of barrels of oil reserves, the country is finding it difficult to drag itself out of debt.

Anti-corruption watchdog Global Witness (GW) sounded the alarm in 2015 on South Sudan’s borrowing, when its Parliament approved the decision by the government to negotiate a loan of hundreds of millions of dollars with the Qatar National

Bank (QNB). GW called the loan risky. It pointed out that the country received US$1.7 billion in oil money in the year prior, and that the US$500 million Qatari loan has an interest rate so high that Qatari would owe an additional US$281 million to pay back over seven years. This is no chump change to South Sudan. Its economy has proven to be very volatile over the years, due to years of ethnic strife, civil war, and over-dependence on oil. GW said that the deal is risky also because the government agreed that if it is low on cash, it will pay in oil.

“Using crude as collateral threatens to lock the country into a dangerous cycle of debt,” GW said. “Oil dollars

are used to pay off old loans while new loans fund the budget. By taking this loan, the government risks selling South Sudan’s future to pay for today.”

Worse yet, GW said, is that there are serious concerns about the government’s spending priorities and corruption, while millions suffer in poverty.

In October, Sudans Post, an independent media organization, said that the Qatar National Bank lodged a complaint against Sudan at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) for its failure to repay a US$700 million debt.

Sudans Post said that the African country has benefitted (Continued on page 14)

President Ali promises audit of COVID-19 cash grant President Irfaan Ali has promised an audit of the $25,000 COVID-19 cash grants currently being distributed.

This came after concerns were raised that there might be discrepancies in the distribution.In September, the President had announced that every household would receive the $25,000 cash grant, to ease the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following this, distribution began later in September with residents from Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) benefitting first. It was stated that they were given priority due to the vulnerable economic states of those hinterland regions.

On Thursday, the President stated that he has instructed the Auditor General’s Office to conduct an audit which will verify whether or not the cash grants were properly distributed.

He further disclosed that he has asked the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, the Ministry of Finance and the Auditor General to examine the concerns that have been highlighted on social media and by members of the Opposition, about persons not receiving their cash grants.

According to Ali, a two-tiered system has been implemented for full transparency. “The AG [Auditor General] will go back house-tohouse to ensure that the houses match the payments that were made and the second tier,

His Excellency President, Irfaan Ali that will include checking on the pink slip applicants to confirm the additional families in the home,” Ali said.

He also noted that if there is any household that did not receive their grant, they can contact the distribution team and a number will also be published in the media so that members of the public can alert the relevant authorities if households were missed.

In the National 2020 Budget, the government allocated $4.5 billion for the COVID-19 relief programme. Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) is the last region to receive the cash grant and approximately $3.4 billion has been set aside for distribution in that region.

Sunday December 20, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Sunday December 20, 2020

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY! Diamond man dead after struck 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 on ongoing indecency in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

SUNDAY PPP/C leaders are like drunken sailors, spending without thinking.

Their spending is based on extravagant borrowing.

First, US$30M received last month; another US$30M approved this month.

Each month of indebtedness is $6B for a total of $12B for COVID-19.

On top of that, they have taken over US$120M for technical and infrastructural projects.

MONDAY Guyana, demand renegotiation of all our contracts and deals signed by both PPP/C and Coalition Governments!

TUESDAY Russia had Ivan, the Terrible.

On oil, Guyana has Joe Harmon with this horror show of his.

Three months later, he is a no-show on oil.

Three months later, the Opposition Leader continues with this ‘pappy show.’

Guyana’s oil is now a game show, with Jagdeo as host, and Harmon as co-host.

Harmon has joined with Jagdeo to change Guyana’s oil into a peep show.

WEDNESDAY The people of Guyana must wake up and realize that they are filthy rich.

The people of Guyana must understand, not tomorrow, but now, that politicians work for them.

The people of Guyana

must understand that they are shareholders in the wealth of this country.

The people of Guyana must know that they cannot play with the future of their children and generations to come.

The people of Guyana must understand that staying silent and watching their wealth being stolen is not an option.

Wake-up, stand up, speak out now!

THURSDAY In this modern age, no country can grow without education and information.

As time goes by, it is clear that successive governments have withheld both critical education and critical information on the oil industry from Guyanese.

There is no benefit to deliberate ignorance other than making room for corruption.

Ask yourself why there is no government information site for oil and gas.

Ask yourself why information on oil blocks ownership and details of contracts continue to be withheld.

No responsible government, or opposition, keeps their people in ignorance while foreign companies suck our wealth dry. Demand more from the people you put into power.

FRIDAY Fading oil hopes bringing feelings of the shabby.

Deepen the gloom by taking a dose of Irfaan Ali. Interested in a reputation

as an oil man, who can see far.

Try some sleeping tablets, compliments of Donald Ramotar.

For those having a craving for some oil fun.

Try listening for something from Joe Harmon.

When there is need for some oil sun.

Have a ray from Rafael Trotman.

If there is a sense of the bad and the sad.

That has to be coming from one Robert Persaud.

Last, when the desire is to be an oil yoyo.

Take a chance with a man named Bharrat Jagdeo.

SATURDAY We’ve got politicians who like to present themselves as Lions representing the People and the People’s interests.

However, when it comes to facing the People on basic questions on the Oil and Gas sector, questions that have to do with management of the People’s wealth, these lions suddenly become sheep.

One Lion in Government is yet to take up a full invitation to come and discuss the Kaieteur and Canje blocks giveaway on Kaieteur Radio.

One Lion in Opposition three months ago promised a full press conference to discuss the Kaieteur and Canje blocks giveaway but keeps giving excuse after excuse why he isn’t holding it. It may be that these shape-shifting Lions are just wolves in sheep’s clothing after all.

Thief nabbed in Superbet; cash recovered A thief was caught in a Superbet outlet located at Zeeburg, Public Road, West Coast Demerara, attempting to steal some cash and other items.

To compound problems, it was after hours when the business was closed that the intruder was caught.

The suspect was identified as Santanan Sahadeo, 47, a labourer of Zeelugt Squatting Area, East Bank Essequibo.

According to the police report, the incident occurred between the hours of 19:30hrs on Friday and 00:30 on Saturday.

Based on information received, the owner of the Superbet, Jeetchadra

Arrested: Santanan Sahadeo.

Kishore, 42, of Stewartville, reportedly told investigators that the outlet would normally be supervised by one of his staffers.

Reports are that about 19:30hrs, the staffer secured

the outlet and then went home.

Later that night, someone from the area called and said noises were heard coming from inside the building.

The police responded and checks were made.

They observed a man inside the building.

The owner was subsequently contacted and informed of the incident.

Upon the arrival of Kishore, the main access door was opened and the suspect apprehended.

Checks were made in and around the building and at the western end of the building, a sum of $156,620 in cash and five packs of cigarettes were found in a clear plastic bag.

The suspect was arrested and taken to the Leonora Police Station, where investigations are still ongoing.

down by Housing Ministry pickup

A Diamond man is now dead after he was struck on Friday by a pickup owned by the Ministry of Housing and Water.

The pedestrian has been identified as Vijai Doodnauth, 27, of Sea Dam, Diamond Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara.

The man was reportedly struck down by the ministry’s vehicle just around 18:45 hrs.

According police, the driver of the pickup who resides in Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown, claimed that Doodnauth ran into the path of his vehicle.

He told investigators that he was heading north towards Georgetown along the Diamond Public Road on the western carriageway. The driver said that while in the vicinity of Courts, Doodnauth who was reportedly standing on the concrete median in center of the road ran across suddenly.

He allegedly mashed brakes but could not avoid colliding with the man.

The impact flung Doodnauth some distance away and he fell onto the paved roadway. He was severely injured and lay there motionless. The driver picked him up and rushed him to the

Last Monday’s accident: The Ministry of Human Services’ Pitbull minibus which struck down the salesman at Plantain Walk, West Bank Demerara (WCD).

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Doodnauth was still alive but unconscious, and doctors there admitted him in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Hours later at 02:22 hrs., police reported, Doodnauth succumbed to his injuries.

The ministry’s driver was arrested and police tested him for alcohol but not a trace was found in his system.

This has been the second time in six days that a pedestrian has been struck down by a vehicle belonging to one of the ministries.

Kaieteur news reported last Wednesday that a

drunken ministry driver was in custody after an accident with a salesman.

That accident took place around 20:45 hrs. on Monday, December 14, along the Plantain Walk Public Road, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

The victim, Basil Persaud, 57, of Lot C Middle Street, Pouderoyen was reportedly crossing the road when a Pitbull minibus hit him down.

That bus belongs to the Ministry of Human Service and Social Protection.

Persaud survived but had sustained injuries. Police had tested the driver for alcohol (Continued on page 14)

Sunday December 20, 2020

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Kaieteur News

FRONT PAGE CANU seizes 188 pounds COMMENTS RECAP of ganja in Dartmouth;

woman among 4 arrested

We don’t have to be this way SUNDAY Every country, no matter how wealthy, has its share of poor. Guyana has approximately 12,000 persons that receive public assistance.

Thousands more need such assistance. Without help, these persons cannot live other than like stray dogs foraging for scraps.

We don’t have to be this way. We have oil. Not a single

Guyanese should be on public assistance. Guyana is like a man sitting on a million dollars, and not having anything to wear or eat, not even a proper home. Naked, hungry and homeless!

Guyana is poor because its wealth is hidden away, given away, or spirited away by our political leaders.

750,000 Guyanese are sitting on millions, but our political leaders have hidden this wealth from them. They engage in double talk, double-

dealing, and doubling down for their own benefit.

When PPP/C and APNU and AFC leaders conduct themselves in this sleazy and corrupt manner, they cheat us and impoverish us. It does not have to be this way for any Guyanese.

Isn’t it time we all pay attention? Isn’t it time that we all say something? Isn’t it time that we all let our anger flow to the surface and in the faces of these lying, cheating leaders?

The seven leading sons of Guyana Ministers Robert Persaud which a world class expert and Raphael Trotman; not noted left a loophole open, TUESDAY President Irfaan Ali; and not and our neighbours lost a We at the Kaieteur News Network say to the seven leading sons of Guyana: oil is our future. It is not a sevenday wonder. And neither are we at Kaieteur News a sevenday wonder. We tell all Guyana why, as we enlighten these seven men, too.

This oil is Guyana’s future; it is many people’s hope for generations to come. It is more than gold, timber and fisheries combined.

Silence and sitting on one’s hands are not options for the seven of them: not Former Presidents David Granger or Donald Ramotar or Bharrat Jagdeo; not former

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon. Silence is not an option for us either.

Many powerful companies, powerful people, and powerful places around the world pin a significant part of their future prospects on this oil of ours. They know more about our oil than we do. We must know much more; told more. We, who are poor, have more of our future invested and dependent on this oil.

Silence is not an option for us. Playing hide and seek is not an option. Playing at ignorance is not an option; not for them, not for us.

We point to Trinidad,

staggering US$17B in under a decade. We do not want to, nor should we lose that kind of money because of our leadership’s negligence, or failure to have political will.

The silence of these seven political figures confirms negligence, incompetence, and things that do not speak to either prudence or intelligence.

We want to hear about this oil. We call on the sitting president, former presidents, and former ministers: tell the nation everything! Tell all the people all the truths about our oil. And remember: we are not going away, or fading away.

Something is not adding up!

THURSDAY Four of Guyana’s presidents came together, but something is not adding up.

These four Guyanese leaders had a lot to say on a few important things. BUT ON THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR GUYANA, THEY SAID NOTHING! None of the four

presidents had time to talk about oil.

President Ali spoke of strengthening Guyana’s electoral system. Not bad! But he shrinks fearfully from speaking anything about strengthening the terms of the oil and mineral contracts and regulations.

Neither did our four wise presidents speak of strength-

ening local content policies or the country’s environmental laws.

While we squabble over electoral and constitutional reforms, our oil is being drained off, leaving us anaemic and weak.

This is the state in which all of our presidents have us.

It is time for us to say no to this form of captive politics.

‘Oil-Dorado’ called Guyana FRIDAY Like Exxon, Guyana is banking on the earnings from its existing and projected oil finds. However, Exxon is going to gain billions more than it sunk into its field development plans in search for productive oil wells. That is guaranteed. The company is sitting on an Oil-Dorado called Guyana. What is far from assured is what Guyana will earn for the large sums needed to fix its Petroleum Bill and draft

Local Content Policy.

If the billions borrowed from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) – US$34M at the last count – are spent sensibly, then Guyanese have a slim chance of reaping enduring prosperity. If we get an authoritative and comprehensive Petroleum Bill and a robust Local Content Policy and Local Content Law, then it stands a chance at improving its present disadvantageous position.

But this will only materi-

alize if it spends the present sums prudently and our politicians do not help themselves to some of the loans and oil monies.

The many “ifs and buts” remind us that the public has little trust in our political leaders when it comes to negotiating about oil.

This is all the more reason why Guyanese should remain vigilant and become more outspoken, even to the point of calling on our political leaders to stand for us or move aside.

The seized ganja.

An intelligence-led operation at Dartmouth, Region 2, yesterday resulted in four persons being arrested and a large amount of marijuana seized.

According to the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU), four persons are in custody. A woman is included.

The marijuana was neatly packaged, bearing what appears to be a British flag on the plastic.It is believed that the packages were smuggled to Guyana from Venezuela.

The Dartmouth operations were as a result from intelligence gathered, Kaieteur News was told.

The marijuana was seized and the persons

remain in custody pending additional investigations.

CANU’s chief, James Singh, said that these operations are all countrywide, in keeping with government’s directive.

“CANU is extending is operations across the country - Berbice , Essequibo… the aim is to disrupt the routes and to also deter persons. We are not waiting at the airports or wharves. We are coming where you feel comfortable. We are not going to allow any community to become contaminated. We are working closer with the community policy groups and other agencies. We want to continue to build public confidence and trust.

PAGE 14

Sunday December 20, 2020

Kaieteur News

Auditor General recommends police investigation into controversial Sussex Street bond The Sussex Street Bond

A

uditor General, Deodat Sharma, has recommended that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) launch an “in-depth” investigation into the controversial Sussex Street bond, which was rented for $12.5M monthly by the Ministry of Health (MoH), under the previous APNU+AFC regime.

In the AG’s special audit report on the Albouystown bond, it was highlighted that proper procedures were not adhered to with respect to awarding of the contract to Linden Holding Incorporated (the landlord) for the leasing of warehouse facility at Lot 29 Sussex Street, Albouystown, to serve as an offsite medical storage facility for the MoPH and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The principal for Linden Holding is businessman, Larry Singh.

He is also facing legal actions by the government for a supply of arms and ammunition for the army which were reportedly not delivered, according to a contract that was signed.

“Notably, tender board procedures were not followed,” the released AG report explicitly highlights. It was released by the Attorney General Chambers yesterday.

As part of its recommendations, the Audit Office recommends that the MoPH ensure that there is full compliance with the Procurement Act 2003 with respect of awarding of contracts.

It was also recommended that the Ministry of Legal Affairs, with intentions of bringing closure to this matter, and if necessary, take appropriate disciplinary action against any culpable officers.

In 2018, Kaieteur News (Continued on page 16)

Oil-rich South Sudan...

From page 10 from multiple payments from the Qatar Bank and has defaulted.

In its Article IV consultation 2019, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that South Sudan is in deep economic crisis, and that debt sustainability is a key issue.

Along with the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), the IMF prepared a debt sustainability analysis in 2019 which placed the decade-old republic’s total external debt stock at US$1.196 billion or 34.4 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to that analysis, as of March 2019, South

Sudan owed the World Bank US$53 million, the African Development Bank (AfDB) US$28 million, the China Export Import Bank US$150 million, Qatar National Bank US$627 million, and oil-related advances US$338 million.

The IMF and the World Bank said that South Sudan has weak debt-carrying capacity. Even then, Reuters reported in August that South Sudan is seeking a US$250 million loan from the African Export Import Bank. The loan was requested so the country can implement a delayed peace agreement from the war ended two years ago, fight COVID-19 and work toward food security.

“Halt all promotions” From page 8 promotion.”

Further on, it was stated that “The Commission must not place weight on the allegations in considering whether to promote and in the circumstances, given the length of time that the investigations are ongoing, the complaint should be disregarded by the Commission in its deliberations.”

“The promotion of more

junior or less qualified ranks will be the result of your conduct,” the letter noted too, adding that “such appointments would be in a clear violation of the Constitution by which you are bound and should the Commission proceed to make such appointments ahead of our clients, we will be forced to institute legal proceedings against the Commission to vacate all the appointments.”

Diamond man dead after...

From page 1 and they found that he was above the legal limit.

The driver has since reached out to Kaieteur News to state his side of the story.

He admitted that he had imbibed a few but denied failing the breathalyzer test. He even

alleged that he did not strike the man down but rather the man ran into his mirror.

He told Kaieteur News that he had taken the victim to the hospital. He labeled the man as a “junkie” and claimed that he was not severely injured.

Sunday December 20, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

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Kaieteur News

Sunday December 20, 2020

COVID-19 cash grant… $299M distributed; almost 12,000

households reached in Region 4 -1,170 ‘pink slips’ filled out Distribution clerks present this resident with her COVID-19 $25,000 cash grant

A police rank escorting distribution clerks in one of the areas.

Approximately $299M of the Government’s COVID-19 relief cash grant has, so far, been distributed to 11,968 households in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

The Government, according to a statement, said it aims to disburse $3.4 billion to 136,000 households in the region.

Region Four’s Regional Executive Officer (Ag.), Deryck Persaud, said with 6,641 households receiving the cash grant on the East Coast Demerara, an estimated $166,025,000 has been disbursed on the coast.

The communities include Cane Grove, Hope, Victoria, Unity and Supply (Mahaica).

A total of 969 pink/query forms have been issued.

On the East Bank Demerara, 5,327 households have received the grant, with $133,175,000 already disbursed. Some 201 pink forms were also issued.

Communities along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway and the Demerara River have also benefitted.

Minister of Local

Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, had said the Government’s position on disbursing the cash grant would remain constant.

Earlier this month the Minister said: “We will be issuing to primary households, and those households that cannot be verified as independent, they will have to fill out a ‘pink’ form to be verified. Following the verification, the secondary households will be provided for.”

The names, addresses and contact information of persons who were not at home during the distribution have been collected, and arrangements will be made for them to collect their grants at a later date.

Primary household owners have been advised to have a valid form of identification in their possession to receive the grant. A valid Guyana identification card, a valid driver’s licence or a valid passport are all effective forms of identification.

Auditor General recommends...

From page 14 had reported that the former A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government had exited the drug bond at Sussex Street, Albouystown, but not before racking up a bill of $314.6M. The controversy became intensified when it was discovered late 2016 that the fa-

cility was merely storing items such as lubricants and condoms.

However, in the AG’s report, it was highlighted that while the government was slated to pay $475M in rent, it only managed to pay $338M. Notably, no letter of the outstanding payment for $137 has been dispatched to the MoPH.

Sunday December 20, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Dear Reader, in light of the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our publisher, with you in mind, has taken the decision to add a few more pages to our newspaper to recap, in their entirety, some of the major stories carried during the past week.

SUNDAY TRINIDAD TOOK DECADES TO CLOSE LOOPHOLES – OIL EXPERT WARNS GUYANA NOT TO WALK THE SAME ROAD Even though Guyana’s CARICOM sister, Trinidad and Tobago, has been in the oil and gas industry for well over 100 years, its poor management and weakened institutional capacity that spans decades have thrown its economy into a state of ill health.

The government, led by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, is struggling to repair the damage by embarking on a campaign of contract renegotiations, while its experienced industry stakeholders zero in on Guyana’s emerging oil wealth as a means of survival.

To ensure it does not find itself in the same predicament, Trinidad and Tobago’s energy expert, Anthony Paul, firmly asserts that Guyana needs to begin the critical groundwork now. The energy strategist made these and other remarks during his recent appearance on Kaieteur Radio’s Programme, ‘Guyana’s Oil and You.’ There, the transparency advocate noted that Trinidad and Tobago has been in trouble with the management of its gas resources for years.

The problems have only been exacerbated since the COVID19 pandemic.

“Trinidad offers a lot of lessons for Guyana because the country has been struggling with managing its natural gas for some time now in terms of production. And in my view, it is something that requires good governance, strong institutional framework, good decisionmaking to correct…”

Further to this, the industry expert shared that Trinidad’s institutional capacity to govern the sector weakened considerably over the years, while noting that this even resulted in the late observation that there was a shortage in production.

In this regard, he said that production was falling by almost a billion cubic feet per day and very little revenue was going to the people. Paul said, too, that the country

subsequently became aware of the fact that there was massive tax avoidance by the oil companies.

“That means that the gas was being sold but the benefit was not coming back to TT.” Considering how weak the institutional capacity had gotten over time, as well as the significant effort it would take to correct this once and for all, Paul shared that the government in 2018, moved to increase its royalty for natural gas to a whopping 12 ½%.

By doing this, Paul said that millions of dollars Trinidad was losing over the years via tax avoidance by the oil majors started returning. He said too that this loophole was able to be plugged by ensuring that legislation was put in place.

To ensure that Guyanese are not made to suffer the same way, Paul urged the authorities to ensure the relevant protective measures are in place.

WORLD’S BIGGEST OIL TRADER QUICKLY PAYS US$160M TO SETTLE CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS

By Christopher Yasiejko, Andy Hoffman, and Peter Millard www.bloomberg.com: The U.S. unit of the world’s biggest independent oil trader agreed to pay more than US$160 million to settle allegations that it conspired to pay bribes in Latin America and attempted to manipulate energy markets, in what’s the most significant anticorruption case against a commodity trading house in years.

Vitol Inc. plotted to pay bribes in Brazil, Mexico and Ecuador, in some cases as recently as in 2020, and separately also attempted to manipulate benchmarks for fuel oil prices, according to a

deferred prosecution agreement filed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York.

The settlement is likely to revive memories of the murky world of commodity trading back to the era of Marc Rich, the buccaneer trader indicted in the U.S. in the 1980s and pardoned by President Bill Clinton on his last day at the White House.

For Vitol, the fine marks a large setback that casts a shadow over its “zero tolerance with corruption” mantra.

The U.S. Department of Justice and authorities in Brazil and Switzerland are also investigating Glencore Plc., the world’s largest commodity trader, and rival Trafigura Group for corruption in several countries.

Vitol was accused of two violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, an American anti-bribery law, for its conduct from 2005 through 2020. The company will pay US$90 million to the U.S. and $45 million to Brazilian state oil producer Petroleo Brasileiro SA, known as Petrobras.

Brazilian Bribes According to the settlement, Vitol paid Brazilian officials more than US$8 million in bribes in exchange for oil-product business from Petrobras. The company earned at least US$33 million in profits from the corruptly obtained contracts, according to the filing.

Outside of Brazil, Vitol agreed to pay more than US$2 million in bribes to officials at Petroleos Mexicanos and Ecuadorian state oil company Petroecuador from 2015 through 2020 to gain advantage in buying and selling oil products.

A Petroecuador spokesperson, after consulting with acting Chief Executive Officer Ricardo

Merino, said in a text message that the allegations stem from 2016 and the guilty parties or the authorities of the company from that year should explain themselves.

Merino was appointed to the post in September.

Pemex didn’t immediately respond to an email requesting comment.

Under the deal, U.S. prosecutors will drop the charges against the U.S. unit of Vitol Holding BV in about three years if the company complies with certain conditions. The company wasn’t required to plead guilty during proceedings Thursday in Brooklyn.

“The company fully cooperated,” U.S. Justice Department lawyer Derek Ettinger said in court.

Russell Hardy, Vitol’s chief executive officer, said in a statement that the company doesn’t tolerate corruption or illegal business practices.

“We understand the seriousness of this matter and are pleased it has been resolved,” Hardy said. “We will continue to enhance our procedures and controls in line with best practice.”

Quiet Giant Vitol, a quiet giant that in 2019 handled more than eight million barrels of crude and petroleum products a day, also agreed to pay more than US$12.7 million to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in a related matter, and to pay the CFTC a US$16 million penalty related to trading activity not covered by the deferred prosecution agreement with the Justice Department.

Miguel “Mike” Loya, the long-time head of Vitol Group’s operations in the Americas, left in May. Loya hasn’t been accused of wrongdoing.

In its statement on the case, the CFTC said that Vitol also had attempted to manipulate two price

benchmarks for physical fuel oil, in August 2014 and July 2015.

Vitol’s Americas division has also been a focus of the Brazilian “Carwash” investigations.

A former Petrobras oil trader who went by the code name “Phil Collins” told a Brazilian judge last year he received bribes from the trading house to favor the firm in contracts from 2003 to 2005.

In Brazil, the Carwash corruption and moneylaundering investigation has toppled some of the country’s top business executives and political leaders, including former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Petrobras has put a stronger compliance and governance system in place and continues to cooperate with authorities, Chief Executive Officer Roberto Castello Branco said in a Dec. 1 interview.

Many of the biggest trading houses — including Trafigura, Glencore and Gunvor Group — have vowed to stop using intermediaries or agents in foreign countries to stop bribery and corruption. They’ve also agreed to disclose some payments made to governments for oil deals.

Trafigura and Glencore have also been targeted by investigators in Brazil as part of the Carwash probe. The U.S. Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation are also investigating. In Switzerland, where many of the top traders have major operations, local police searched the Geneva offices of Trafigura and Vitol in 2019 as part of the probe.

Prosecutors in Brazil this week filed a civil lawsuit against Trafigura, the second biggest independent oil and metals trader, and some of its top executives, alleging bribery payments to secure deals with state oil producer

Petrobras.

Trafigura said it hired the law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP to review allegations of improper payments.

“Based on its review to date, which is ongoing, Quinn Emanuel believes any allegations that current management were involved in, or had knowledge of, alleged improper payments to Petrobras are unsupported by the evidence and untrue,” Trafigura said in a statement.

US$150M AND COUNTING… GOVT. REJECTS CHINESE CONTRACTOR’S DEMAND FOR MORE MONEY FOR CJIA EXPANSION – THREATENS LEGAL ACTION, DEBARMENT FROM FUTURE PROJECTS The governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/ C) regime has rejected requests by troubled Chinese contractor, China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC), for additional funds to complete the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project.

S i m u l t a n e o u s l y, government has threatened to pursue legal action and possibly bar the company from under taking future projects, if it fails to execute the contract per the agreed specifications.

In a letter sent to the company’s Chair, Lin Yizhong, Attorney General and Legal Minister, Anil Nandlall, made it clear that the company agreed to carry out the planning, design and construction of the extension of the country’s main airport.

“The project includes the construction of a New Terminal Building (NTB) and the extension of the existing (Continued on page 26)

PAGE 26

From page 25 main runway to allow for Code E Aircraft operations at CJIA. This project, when completed, is expected to attract more international airlines and travellers, to promote tourism and to provide economic development,” Nandlall explained in the letter.

However, the AG noted, the company failed to deliver on its contractual obligations, some nine years after the contract was awarded.

“Pursuant to the contractual obligations of the underlying contract,” the AG stated in the letter, “your company has failed to satisfy the employer’s requirement, contractor’s proposal and schedules and all works necessary for the stability, safe and proper operation and completion of the whole works.”

Not only that, Nandlall noted, too, that the contractor failed to remedy defects and failed to complete the project at the agreed upon time.

As such, government also lodged complaints with the Chinese government expressing their displeasure in the quality of work provided by CHEC. “Our dissatisfaction with your performance and your breach of contract has already been reported by our Ministry of Public Works to the Chief Executive Officers of the Export-Import Bank of China and by our Prime Minister to Mr. Wang Tongzhou, Chairman of China Communications Construction Group, your parent company,” Nandlall stated.

“Any failure to comply with the aforementioned demand, will result my advising my client to seeking legal remedies and to forebear from any engagements with your company in the future,” the AG also said.

Contention continued to grow over the cost of the airport, after in January of this year, recent invitations for bids advertised in the daily newspapers had indicated that the airport needed a new fence for its public car park and an access-control security hut. These intended projects, which stand outside of the US$150 million and counting contract, are not alone.

There are also plans for a new parking lot valued at $122 million, a cargo facility, a commercial centre, an office area and a parking lot, all advertised last year.

It has been argued, however, that these projects should never have been left out in the first place, as contractors have told Kaieteur News that the amount and quality of work

Kaieteur News

being done to renovate the terminal building since it began, could have been done for far less than US$150 million that taxpayers are expected to foot.

Guyana’s Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, had already expressed government’s view and made it clear that the governing administration will be expending no further funds on the project.

“It is a solution that does not fit within the US$150 million programme that was signed as the original contract. We are coming from a position that whatever is the solution, it must not require the Government of Guyana to have to spend any more money,” the Minister told Kaieteur News.

“We have a count of US$150 million; US$138 million from China EXIM Bank, US$12 million from GOG, we have already gone pass the US$150 million because of the two extra air bridges. We have had to pay for some work in terms of getting the tarmac fixed. We had to spend additional money outside of the contract to do other things, to get the airport running,” he said.

The Coalition government, under David Granger, had drastically reduced the project, settling for a renovated old terminal building instead of a new one completed with glass roof and energy saving technology.

CHEC itself has entered into projects to with private businesses – the MovieTowne project and the Pegasus Hotel expansion project. It has completed the MovieTowne project and a significant way in completing the Pegasus one.

There have been accusations that CHEC has misused its tax concessions also on the MovieTowne project.

MONDAY T&T’S IGNORANCE ON GAS TRADING LED TO MASSIVE EXPLOITATION -LOST US$17 BILLION BETWEEN 2010-2017 – EXPERT REVEALS Lack of knowledge and, perhaps, a heavy dose of gullibility are two of the main reasons why Trinidad and Tobago ended up losing billions of dollars in oil and gas revenue over the last few decades.

Expounding on this front during an exclusive interview, Trinidadian energy strategist, Anthony Paul shared that his home country took for granted, the importance of learning everything it should

about the trading of gas, and instead, trusted oil companies to sell their gas resources in a transparent and honest manner. Paul shared that, as a result of this, the oil companies were able to funnel US$17B into the pockets of its shareholders.

He said this is money that the oil companies should have paid in taxes between 2010 and 2017. Had Trinidad been a prudent manager, the expert was keen to note, this money could have been collected and used to clear a significant part of Trinidad’s national debt which stood at US$22B during that time.

Expounding further Paul said, “TT is not a player in the downstream part of the Liquefied Natural Gas Market (LNG), which is where most of our gas goes. In other words, we don’t get involved in LNG trading. As a result, we don’t get the best price, and the companies which sell our resources on our behalf, skillfully choose which markets to do so…” Kaieteur News understands that in many instances, these companies would sell the gas resources to their affiliates at low prices to avoid paying their rightful taxes. When the affiliates sell the gas resources to the world market, they make a killing in profits and wire those moneys to the headquarters.

The industry expert added, “…Now this is not illegal. Remember, companies have one goal, which is to maximize profits. So they would do what they can to pay as little tax as possible…”

Paul said that Trinidad tried to mitigate this abuse by trying to use more of its gas for manufacturing purposes but even this failed to solve its problems as the government he said, did not pay attention to market prices for the products, which it sought to produce nor was it guided by a policy on what were the best gas products that should be manufactured.

Paul said that the country did manage to make some money in the initial stages but

another big misstep was that TT failed to properly push productive capacity in other sectors. He said that this failure to diversify and not be overly dependent on oil money resulted in more costly consequences. The Chatham House Advisor said, “…You see, it does not take a lot of brain power from the government to get that money flowing from the oil and gas sector…But without the control systems to manage expenditure and other challenges that come along the way, quite frankly, it leads to corruption. And soon enough, significant value is lost.”

While Guyana may not be trading in gas at this time, Paul stressed that Guyana can certainly take a cue from the consequences Trinidad and Tobago was made to suffer.

At the end of the day, he stressed that the authorities of the day must at all cost operate with the frame of mind that they have to return the most value to its shareholders, that being Guyanese, while adding that one of the key ways it can do this is to equip itself with the knowledge that it needs on each aspect of the sector so that the right decisions can be made.

Sunday December 20, 2020

DON’T EXPECT PPP TO REMEDY SUSPICIOUS KAIETEUR, CANJE BLOCK AWARDS – DR. MANGAL The governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/ C) administration continues to portray an unmoved attitude to the calls from the local media corps and global transparency bodies for an international probe into the suspicious giveaway of the lucrative Kaieteur and Canje Oil Blocks.

In this regard, Oil and Gas Consultant, Dr. Jan Mangal is of the strong view that the PPP/C will make no move to remedy the suspicious awards of the nation’s prime assets.

“Why would the same people who gave away these two blocks now behave differently and remedy the situation,” Mangal told Kaieteur News in an invited comment.

The PPP furthered showed how unmoved it is by those calls, when it rehired former Natural Resource Minister, Robert Persaud as Foreign Secretary in spite of the concerns of the role he played in the awards. As this paper reported, the awards of

the Kaieteur and Canje Oil Blocks breached every known international best practice and were riddled with red flags.

The Canje Block was awarded by the Donald Ramotar administration on March 4, 2015 weeks before the elections to local company, Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas. The Kaieteur Block was awarded April 28, 2015 – just two weeks before the elections – and like Canje – on the advice of former Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud.

Two companies received the block with 50-50 stakes- Ratio Energy Limited (now Cataleya Energy Limited) and Ratio Guyana Limited.

The red flags which have manifested in both situations include that the awards were given to unqualified companies, that the initial owners quickly flipped the blocks without doing any work, that they are incorporated in secrecy jurisdictions, and that Guyana likely lost revenue due to the avoidance of an open, competitive bidding process. And even with anticorruption watchdog Global (Continued on page 27)

Sunday December 20, 2020

From page 26 Witness showing too that the blocks were awarded under suspicious circumstances, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo told this paper that he does not believe any laws were broken, nor is there any evidence of corruption.

With all the evidence in the public domain, Dr. Mangal believed that the awards should have been rescinded, a long time ago. In fact, Dr. Mangal explained that former President David Granger had enough power to do so during his tenure.

But instead, Granger launched an investigation into the awards, with the former State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) taking the reins.

“I felt the investigation was not needed as there was already sufficient information in the public domain to justify the rescinding, and there was already sufficient information in the public domain for the President to act executively.

Unfortunately, President Granger did not rescind the Canje and Kaieteur Blocks, and thereby missed a huge opportunity for Guyana,” he stated.

Mangal pointed out that he had “not much confidence” in the agency’s ability to conduct the investigation.

SARA’s probe got nowhere after it was discovered that the lead investigator, Eric Phillips was listed was still an active member of a company with a pending application at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) for an offshore block. He later resigned.

THREE MONTHS AFTER COMMITMENT, HARMON YET TO HOST OILAND GAS PRESS CONFERENCE Three months after his initial commitment to do so, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon has failed on hosting his party’s oil and gas press conference to deliver information on the awards of the Kaieteur and Canje Oil Blocks, among other pressing sector-related issues.

On October 2, after being pressed on oil and gas issues, Harmon gave his first promise to host a press conference specifically dedicated to answer questions related to the sector.

“We will have a specific press conference on oil and gas,” he had said, “and at that time, the question will be answered once it is posed.”

This was in the wake of Kaieteur News having, for weeks on end, produced articles on the shoddy awards

of the two lucrative assets, the Kaieteur and Canje Oil Blocks that were signed away by the Donald Ramotar administration under questionable circumstances.

For the entirety of the coalition’s term in government, Harmon played a key figure at the helm of the Ministry of the Presidency (MotP). He was Minister of State, then Director-General and throughout that period, the Ministry of Natural Resources fell under the Presidency, giving him oversight over the sector.

Yet, later, on October 20, Harmon had told Kaieteur News that he was relying on this publication’s information to take action on the Kaieteur/ Canje Oil Blocks giveaway.

A month after that, on November 20, at another press conference, Kaieteur News had posed questions to Harmon about the award of the blocks. He had avoided giving a direct answer and indicated that information would be shared at the special press conference, which he had initially promised would take place.

In that press conference he has stated, “Let me say that I am not in a position this week to indicate to you.

However, I did say in my previous press conference that we will have a special conference on the question of oil and gas. That has not happened as yet. I will inform you when that will take place, but it is something that the team is looking at carefully.”

Harmon has held no press conference since then.

Notably, when David Patterson, Opposition Shadow Minister for Oil and Gas, was asked on November 28 about Harmon’s press conference commitment and whether he was aware of the intended conference, and said only, “I have read about it but unfortunately, I have not

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engaged the Leader of the Opposition so obviously, I would not comment on that.”

Patterson then added, “But obviously, if the Leader of the Opposition…maybe will hold the press conference when it is convenient.”

TUESDAY EXXONMOBIL PLANS THREE WELLCAMPAIGN ON SUSPICIOUSLY AWARDED CANJE BLOCK Even as it continues to lay the groundwork for two critical projects to pump thousands of barrels of oil out of the Stabroek block, American oil giant, ExxonMobil, still remains laser focused on executing an aggressive exploration campaign for its other offshore concession called Canje.

In fact, the oil king has already begun spudding the Bulletwood-1 prospect, which is reported to have a channel complex that is similar to the Liza geology in the Stabroek concession.

This prospect will target approximately 500 million barrels of oil equivalent resources. The next two wells on the Canje block will target Sapote-1 in the east of the block and Jabillo-1 in the northwest of the block, which is reported as a billionbarrel class basin floor turbidite fan.

Kaieteur News understands that back in 2016, ExxonMobil had acquired in excess of 6,100 km2 of 3D seismic on the Canje block. Subsequent processing and interpretation of this dataset were used to define a substantial prospect inventory on the block with the three prospects (Bulletwood, Jabillo, and Sapote) high graded as the

most promising potential targets for the initial drilling campaign.

Even though a 2018 DeGoyler McNaughton Competent Persons Report on the Canje block remains unpublished, the offshore concession is reported to contain more than a dozen prospects in the Canje portion of the Liza play fairway, representing more than 10 billion barrels of prospective recoverable oil resources, with a number of the prospects exhibiting the same DHI (Direct Hydrocarbon Indicator) characteristics as the neighbouring Stabroek discoveries.

In a series titled ‘The Fleecing of Guyana,’ Kaieteur News exposed in great detail, the suspicious circumstances that led to the giveaway of the block to industry unknowns by the PPP/C regime.

In the comprehensive series, this newspaper noted that the Canje Block was awarded by the Donald Ramotar administration on March 4, 2015, days before the elections, to local company, Mid Atlantic Oil and Gas, which was incorporated in 2013 by Hewley Nelson, a management professional and Nicholas Chuck-A-Sang, a geologist. The former has served on several public boards, including on the board of the Marriot Hotel’s parent company, Atlantic Hotel Incorporated. He was appointed to that post in 2017 by the David Granger administration.

This newspaper also found that Nelson would dedicate many years of service at the Handin-Hand Trust Corporation Inc., even serving as its General Manager.

Chuck-A-Sang, a petroleum engineer currently serves at the Department of Energy, and has a long history of service with the Government, dating back to the early 1990s.

Dr. Edris Kamal Dookie, who was not officially a Director at the time the company received the block, came on later and is the sole shareholder.

Kaieteur News would have been at the forefront of exposing as well, that Mid-Atlantic had sold away shares in the block, a mere six weeks after it received it.

This sale was executed with JHI Associates Inc., a private, Ontario-registered, company. It was set up in 2014, to focus on oil exploration opportunities in the emerging Guyana-Suriname Basin.

The Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) has warned on several occasions that the quick flipping of blocks without having done substantial work, is a major red flag that

should require inquiry into possible corruption.

It is notable that the principals of JHI and MidAtlantic, Edris Dookie, and the Canadian John Cullen had co-founded CGX in 1996. That company has benefitted from several licences, but was never successful in finding oil. Both men have left CGX. Exxon only farmed into the Canje in February 2016, becoming the operator with 35 percent of the shares later that year. The sum Exxon paid for its share is unknown. In February of 2018, JHI and Mid-Atlantic also struck a deal with Total, which resulted in Total having a 35 percent stake.

GOVT. FAILS TO PUBLISH REDFORD’S PAYARAREVIEW, THREE MONTHSAFTER PROMISING TO DO SO After promising transparency in its management of Guyana’s oil and gas sector, the Government of Dr. Irfaan Ali is shirking a key aspect of that mandate: the release of the US$9B Payara project review, done by controversial Canadian consultant, Alison Redford.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, promised that the findings of the review would be made public in September, weeks before the government approved the Payara Field Development Plan (FDP) submitted by ExxonMobil.

The new government, after being installed in August, decided to complete the review started by the David Granger administration’s consultant, Bayphase Oil & Gas Consultants. That company is a client of ExxonMobil. Using a grant from Canada, the Government hired a team headed

by Redford. The team’s job involved reviewing Bayphase’s work.

Redford, an ex-politician, resigned from her post as Premier of Alberta, Canada in 2014 for inappropriately spending Canada’s tax dollars.

She was also found to have benefitted from money donated to her former political party by an ExxonMobil subsidiary in Canada, called Imperial Oil. Redford’s team completed its review in six weeks.

Pivotal issues include the cost of the Payara project.

Notably, Exxon stated in a release that the Payara development will cost US$9B to produce 600 million oilequivalent barrels. This is US$3B higher than its US$6B estimate for the Liza Phase Two project, which will be producing at a similar peak rate from a reserve with a

similar volume estimate. Exxon is yet to justify this significant cost difference.

There are also two major environmental issues, which were not brought to finality.

Government said it has strictly prohibited routine flaring without approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and explicitly stated that any flaring to maintain oil production is not allowed at the Payara project.

ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), will be expected to compensate the government for the cost of wasted gas during flaring and will be subject to fines under the EPA, which are related to emissions from flaring. It is also expected to establish a framework for a carbon price in line with international standards.

The EPA can grant permission on a month-bymonth basis after taking into account, a study of the circumstances and a detailed report for requiring same. This is not a departure from the situation occurring at the Liza Phase One project, where ExxonMobil has flared over 12 billion cubic feet of natural gas.

As for the dumping of produced water, Government said that it has now required EEPGL to include tie-in points and space for produced water injection equipment, in its base design, consistent with its commitment to advocate for discharge of produced water at internationally accepted standards.

Government is supposed to oversee a study to be conducted by Exxon by the first quarter of 2021 to examine the safe and efficient reinjection of the produced water, and determine the effects of the reinjection on the reservoir. The licence states that the study will also seek to determine how the effects of dumping produced water in the ocean can be minimized. Government said that this is in keeping with its commitment to preserve marine life and water quality.

The dumping of produced water at Payara has not been prohibited.

ExxonMobil has also been dumping thousands of barrels of produced water into the ocean at its Liza Phase One operations.

WINSTON BRASSINGTON HEADS GAS-TO-SHORE TASKFORCE Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL), (Continued on page 28)

PAGE 28

From page 27 Winston Brassington, now heads the gas-to-shore taskforce, which will be responsible for bringing natural gas to shore.

According to the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, during the Consideration of Current and Capital Expenditure for the 2020 budget debates, this taskforce, “Will look at the previous study to see how it fits into our policies and programmes to bring gas to shore.”

The working group will focus on the enhancement of the legal framework, capacity building of key institutions, and project management. “It will also look at power generation utilized from this project as early as possible, so Guyanese can have cheaper and more efficient supply,” the Minister had said.

The task force will comprise members from key agencies. The cost of consultations and logistics for the group has been allocated in the budget.

“The task force will be members who are already in the system, for example, EPA, GGMC and other agencies, so they will not be paid a salary, the expenses will basically be for logistics, project management, consultations and meetings, but not remuneration,” the Minister had said.

WEDNESDAY GUYANA’S LAWS DO NOT ALLOW OIL REGULATOR TO ACT INDEPENDENTLY – DO NOT COMPEL ADHERENCE TO INDUSTRY NORMS–IDB The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has once again pointed to glaring loopholes in Guyana’s legislative framework which essentially weakens the veil of protection that is needed for the oil sector.

According to the bank, the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act and the Petroleum Commission Bill, in their current state, do not contain any clauses that guarantee the independence of any regulator that is appointed for the sector nor does it ensure adherence to industry norms.

The financial institution said that a new Petroleum Commission Bill is needed to address these gaps that avoid or reduce control over technical and procedural aspects of the regulator.

Expounding further, the IDB noted that the current Petroleum Commission Bill

Kaieteur News

leaves the Commission at the behest of the Minister of Natural Resources or in strictly an advisory or supporting role to the Minister of Natural Resources and the Cabinet.

The Bank pointed out that this situation impacts the approval, amendment, and rejection of information submitted by international oil companies for petroleum prospecting and production licences; preparation and management of bid rounds for licence grants; and approval, amendment and rejection of petroleum operators’ budgets, work programmes, field development plans, production forecasts and decommissioning plans.

In addition, the Bank said that the current Petroleum Commission Bill does not assign to the Petroleum Commission, functions such as receiving and fully processing applications for petroleum prospecting and production licences and proposals for Petroleum Agreements, and negotiating Petroleum Agreements, or preparing model contracts for the petroleum sector.

The financial institution said it is important to attain the required level of independence and fiscal autonomy for the Petroleum Commission that can be achieved through a new bill.

It also noted that a review of the old petroleum law is necessary to protecting the industry as well.

Since the emergence of the oil and gas sector, the IDB has been one of Guyana’s key development partners, especially as it relates to strengthening its capacity to govern effectively.

Towards this end, the IDB has approved a Policy-Based Loan (PBL) labelled Strengthening the Energy Sector (4698/BL-GY) for US$11.64 million in 2018; and technical assistance programmes, including four under execution: Guyana’s Emerging Oil and Gas Sector: Getting Institutions Right (ATN/OC-16532-GY) for US$580,000 in 2017; Strengthening the Capacity of the Department of Energy (ATN/OC-17100-GY) for US$1 million in 2018; Strategic Communications and Knowledge Sharing Support for Guyana’s Oil & Gas Sector (ATN/OC-17165-GY) for US$582,682 in 2018; and Strengthening the Technical Functions of the Department of Energy (ATN/OC 17844GY) for US$606,062 in 2019.

The bank’s support follows the immediate need of building an entirely new oil and gas regime which requires the strengthening of the nation’s governance

framework in order to streamline planning interventions, regulatory reforms, and the general needs of an evolving sector.

The design of this operation considered lessons learned from IDB-financed operations, including the importance of close collaboration and coordination with other agencies geared towards building the capacity of the government to manage the sector.

The bank is also implementing an investment operation that has synergies with this Programmatic Policy-Based Loan (PBP).

This newspaper understands that the Energy Matrix Diversification and Institutional Strengthening of the Department of Energy (4676/BL-GY; 4676/BL-GY-1 and 4676/BL-GY-2), for US$21.16 million in 2018, will diversify the energy sector with renewable energy and strengthen the nascent oil and gas institutional capacity.

This newspaper also understands that this support has been designed to address the needs of a country that has never been an oil producer. However, there is still significant work to be done in national sector planning at the governmental level, but the IDB has helped the government build a foundation to manage this emerging industry.

JAGDEO YET TO HONOUR PROMISE TO RELEASEALL OIL PERMITS TWO MONTHS LATER Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, said on October 2 that the Government would release all the permits granted to oil companies for their development operations, but more than two months later, the production licences remain elusive.

At the time of making this commitment, the VP had been touting the Payara production licence as superior to the ones handed out by the

David Granger administration for the Liza Phases One and Two developments.

Not only did the former Government keep the permits hidden, it also refused to conduct sufficient due diligence checks on the integrity of Exxon’s developments. This is evidenced by the fact that the Granger administration approved the Liza Phase One permit on the same day that it received the 1,500-page environmental impact assessment from ExxonMobil.

The Payara project is a US$9B development and the third of its kind to be spearheaded by the supermajor.

Dr. Jagdeo was so adamant that the Payara production licence is superior that he insisted that media operatives comb through the three permits to find the differences.

“So look at the petroleum licence for Liza that Trotman signed, and do a comparison with the petroleum licence for Payara that we signed,” he said… “and therein, you will see the massive improvements and how we have moved to protect our patrimony.”

He said that the improvements are there to ensure that the Payara development would be executed in a more environmentally safe manner, among other critical considerations.

When informed that the media did not receive these documents, the Vice President said that he will ensure they do.

This is not the first time the new government has made promises of transparency and failed to keep them. Despite publicly releasing the Payara production licence and accompanying environmental permit, the Government has kept the Payara review report in the dark. The review was done by a team led by the controversial Canadian consultant and ex-politician, Alison Redford.

Sunday December 20, 2020

She had been forced to resign from her post as Premier of the Canadian province of Alberta after facing staunch criticism for what was later identified as mismanagement of public funds.

Kaieteur News also discovered that Redford has benefitted from tens of thousands of Canadian dollars donated to her political party by an ExxonMobil subsidiary, called Imperial Oil. These issues raise doubts about the integrity of Redford’s work.

Her review led the government to approve a licence with terms which did not outright prohibit the dumping of produced water in the ocean and the flaring of toxic gas.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, had said that the findings of the review would be made public. Three months later, it has not been published.

Politicians on the other side of the aisle have also made promises to fess up to the nation, but ended up not keeping them.

Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, was pressed on the matter of the Coalition’s silence on oil and gas matters three months ago, and he told reporters that he was assembling a team of persons with responsibility for the petroleum sector for a special oil press conference.

Pressed on this oil issues multiple times, the politician later insisted that Kaieteur News seems to know more than him on these issues.

When the Alliance for Change (AFC) was asked about this promised press conference, its General Secretary, David Patterson, said that he did not know about such a press conference, despite being shadow minister for oil and gas.

The promised press conference is especially urgent, since the Coalition’s failure to properly investigate the giveaways of the Canje and Kaieteur oil blocks has

signaled complicity in the loss of billions of dollars in much needed revenue to the state.

LETHEM POLICE COMMANDER INTERCEPTED BY GRA WITH OVER 30 CASES OF LIQUOR – CLAIMS HE WAS BRINGING OUT FOR FAMILYAND STAFF MEMBERS Many were left surprised Tuesday, after law enforcement officers of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) intercepted the Police Commander of Region Nine with over 30 cases of liquor.

Superintendent Keithon King, was stopped along with other ranks at Linden, Region 10.

King and the ranks were heading to Georgetown in a police pickup.

Kaieteur News was told that the GRA lawmen received a tip-off of smuggling activities and decided to intercept the police vehicle.Stacked neatly and covered under a tarpaulin inside the pickup’s tray were 38 cases, of which thirty cases were bottles of Black Stone Whiskey and the rest were colognes. GRA officers believe that the necessary taxes were not paid on the items.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, King said that he was heading to Georgetown to attend the Police Commissioner’s breakfast, scheduled for this morning.

He added that the items carried in the pickup were not being smuggled. King claimed that the liquor and the cologne are being sold right in Lethem, an area that borders with Brazil.

He explained that they were bought by his staffers for family members.

“You know people does buy things and send for their families, especially at Christmas time,” he said.

He explained that the boxes even had name tags on (Continued on page 29)

Sunday December 20, 2020

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From page 28 them for its owners. “They were being bought out for family and staff members,” he insisted.

For a number of years now, GRA has been affixing special stamps onto alcohol imported into Guyana to show that taxes were paid.

GRA enforcement officers have been stepping up their campaign.

THURSDAY ANOTHER US$34M IDB LOAN TO HELP FIX PETROLEUM COMMISSION BILL, NEW LOCAL CONTENT POLICY While Guyana’s request for a US$34M loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is still in the preparation stage, the financial institution has already made it clear that a portion of it would be used to help the country get its Petroleum Commission Bill and new Local Content Policy in order.

With respect to the Petroleum Commission Bill, the financial institution has noted that Guyana needs to make urgent reforms to the current draft so as to ensure that head of such a crucial body is empowered to act independently and is able to demand that stakeholders obey industry norms.

In relation to the new Local Content Policy being pursued by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic administration, the IDB holds the view that a push towards local content strives to ensure, at the very least, that a company is hiring local labour and procuring local goods and services from the host country. Towards this end, the bank said it will help Guyana update its new local content policy to increase the participation of the local companies along the value chain of the oil and gas sector.

Last month, the government had disclosed that it had received the first report on recommendations for the policy from the Local Content Advisory Panel which was chaired by Shyam Nokta. Even though the document is yet to be released, Kaieteur News understands that it is expected to contain a review of all existing initiatives and policies where local content is concerned and guide the development of a new policy and legislation.

The local content policy currently in place was drafted under the former David Granger administration but was controversial because of a glaring absence of

provisions to give Guyana more benefits. That document was finalized by ExxonMobil affiliate, Dr. Michael Warner.

Warner is the UK consultant that APNU+AFC used to replace Trinidadian local content expert, Anthony Paul. Paul has been retained by the Irfaan Ali administration to assist with the revision of the policy and the installation of legislation.

The private sector has criticised the current policy as unfit for purpose, and has expressed that it did not heed the recommendations of the business service organizations. Also sharing these sentiments was Opposition Member of Parliament and shadow oil minister, David Patterson.

The AFC Member has since challenged the government to set local content targets for oil companies in its policy.

GOVT. TO BEG FOR MORE MONEY TO FIGHT COVID-19 In terms of international financial assistance that is needed to address the unprecedented financial demands of fighting COVID19, the Government of Guyana is seeking support from multilateral institutions for a total amount of US$74

million. This includes a US$20 million budget support from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) – Fund for International Development (OFIDI) along with several loans from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Thus far, the IDB has provided Guyana with more than US$54M in loans to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, with the most recent approval being for US$34M. According to the loan proposal perused

by Kaieteur News, the government intends to use the majority of the funds to promote the availability and timely execution of financial, material, and public resources to respond to the effects of the health crisis caused by COVID-19.

To achieve this, the IDB noted that the government will implement in the first operation, the following policies regarding the availability of financial and material resources: establishment of the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) to enable inter-agency planning and coordination of pandemic preparedness and response actions; development and approval of the COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan (P&RP) that covers prevention,

preparation and response; and design and establish a webpage providing critical information relating to COVID-19 (health and nonhealth responses) to target messaging to the population most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the policy measures to support the timely execution of public resources are: issue a directive to ensure necessary budgetary resources to undertake emergency measures related to the pandemic; use of the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) system to pay health sector workers; and establish a record of expenditure made for emergency from the Consolidated Fund to promote transparency.

The Bank was keen to note that it is in continuous communication with the World Bank (WB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Caribbean Development Bank, the European Commission, Canada, and other partners concerning requests for support from Caribbean countries while exploring potential areas for collaboration.

In Guyana, the financial institution noted that development partners,

including bilateral donors, meet monthly for a Donor Coordination meeting to discuss and coordinate work in the country and in the response to the current pandemic. During the preparation of the latest loan proposal for Guyana, the IDB said it consulted with the IMF, the WB and the United States Department of the Treasury Office of Technical Assistance in order to share information and coordinate technical programme support in the country in several areas.

These included public financial management; public investment; public procurement; and (iv) macro fiscal management, in order to avoid duplication of efforts.

OMAI STRIKES GOLD BUT NATION STILL CLUELESS ABOUT CONTRACT TERMS Omai Gold Mines Limited Wednesday announced a massive discovery of highgrade gold in its abandoned Wenot pit at Cuyuni, Region Seven, with the promised findings originating from unassayed core from a 2012 drilling programme that had been preserved by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

While this may seem like

promising news, Guyanese have no clue what benefits they will reap from this massive find as the contract signed between Omai and the government remains shrouded in secrecy although it should have been made public as part of Guyana’s requirements as an Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) member.

Under the EITI’s contractual requirements, Guyana is mandated to publicize all natural resources contracts and licences that provide the terms attached to the exploitation of oil, gas and minerals.

But to date the contract has not been published.

Nonetheless, Omai in a release on Tuesday announced that the assayed results from the first two of these holes drilled, 12WED11 and 12WED13, which were never logged or sampled, indicate that high-grade mineralization extends below the Wenot Pit and there is expansion potential of gold mineralization to new sedimentary targets.

“Visible gold was encountered in hole 12WED11. Highest assay values include 29.19 g/t Au over 1 meter from 460 to 461 meters. Hole 12WED13 (Continued on page 30)

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From page 29 intersected 4.5 meters of 2.93 g/t Au from 54 to 58.5 meters to the south of the Wenot Pit in sedimentary rocks, where there has been no previous exploration,” Omai stated.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Omai Gold Mines, Mario Stifano, was quoted as saying, “We are very pleased that the results from these two holes confirm that high-grade gold continues beyond the limits of the Wenot shear and the Wenot Pit to the south within the sedimentary package, and that mineralization from the Wenot Pit continues at least 150 meters below the depth of the historical pit that was mined.”

These results, Stifano added, supports Omai’s planned initial 5,000-meter drill programme expected to commence at the beginning of 2020. The company had abandoned operations here but announced its return back in October.

Though its return was met with high praise, the prospect of huge investments and job creation for Guyanese, Omai over two decades had exploited Guyana and its resources and caused considerable damage to the environment.

On August 19, 1995 a manmade environmental disaster had occurred in the Omai Mines; the walls of an earthen tailings pond, constructed to contain cyanide utilized in the gold-mining industry became breached. More than 400 million gallons of cyanide-laced material spilled into the Omai River and subsequently into the Essequibo, the country’s largest river.

The spill resulted in severe environmental, ecological, social, economic and political consequences. Added to that, from 1993 the company commenced actual extraction of gold, and during its 24-year run, the company extracted some 3.7 million ounces of gold but only paid five percent of that in royalties to Guyana.

Had the terms of its contract for the lucrative gold mine entailed more benefits for Guyana, the country would have reaped billions of US dollars. To make matters worse, the company also benefitted from a slew of tax, fuel and vehicular concessions— totaling millions of Guyanese dollars.

FRIDAY LACK OF INSURANCE FROM EXXON… GUYANA FOOTS THE BILL FOR ANY DISASTER AT LIZA PHASE ONE PROJECT Guyana may be covered for Exxon’s future oil

Kaieteur News

developments, Liza Phase Two and Payara, in the event of an oil spill. But when it comes to Exxon’s current development, Liza Phase One, Guyana is left exposed. If an oil spill happens today, with repercussions for neighbouring states, Guyana would be paying compensation for losses for generations to come.

Former Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams, had found that Guyana was not insured for Exxon’s ongoing projects, so he decided to include a provision in the company’s permits which would safeguard Guyana. This provision would be included, not only in Exxon’s permits, but in those of all oil companies.

He had explained that the Production Sharing Agreements (PSA) Guyana signs are with subsidiaries of oil companies, and not their parents. With limited assets, these subsidiaries are not equipped to cover the insurance needed if a major oil spill were to occur.

“So what we did was to ensure that in the permits, we got the parent companies to agree that they will pick up any costs that are not covered by the subsidiaries.”

Dr. Adams had said.

For example, with the Stabroek Block, instead of signing a deal only with Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) and its other partner subsidiaries, the Government would ensure that the parent companies (ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC) make a commitment to accept unlimited liabilities in the case of a disaster. They would be required to provide legally binding agreements to the EPA, which require them to provide adequate financial resources.

While Dr. Adams was able to secure this provision for Liza Phase Two and Payara, as well as Exxon’s later operations in the block, there is no such provision in the

Liza Phase One permit.

By the time he took up leadership of the EPA, it was already too late for Liza Phase One. ExxonMobil has been producing oil for about a year at this operation, using the Liza Destiny Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

The ship can produce as many as 120,000 barrels of oil every day.

Kaieteur News reached out to Dr. Adams Thursday and he confirmed that Guyana is not covered from a disaster at Liza Phase One. The World Bank has encouraged emerging oil producers to ensure that they have comprehensive insurance in place for disasters of this nature, as other nations have suffered dearly by not covering themselves.

It cited the case of a major oil spill which occurred in 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico.

The spill led to a loss of 53,000 barrels of oil a day for many weeks. It covered 6,500 square kilometers and involved five million barrels of oil.

The source, the Deepwater Horizon field, was operated by BP under a joint operating agreement with Anadarko Petroleum and Mitsui Oil Corporation. In February, Bloomberg reported that because of the decade-old spill, BP is still paying for damages, with about US$70 billion in costs so far.

ExxonMobil is no stranger to oil spills either. One of the most devastating man-made environmental disasters in the world happened from Exxon vessel, the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. The Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran into a reef in Alaska in 1989, causing more than 10 million gallons of oil to envelope the Alaska coastline. The spill killed thousands of whales, seabirds and other marine life.

The tourism and fishing industries were devastated for years.

Imagine what would

happen to Guyana if a spill like that happens and the country is left to pay off billions of dollars for generations while ExxonMobil walks away. That is a real possibility for the company’s operations offshore Guyana, right now.

US$150M AND COUNTING… GOVT. HELPLESS AS CHEC CONTINUES TO DANCE ON AIRPORT PROJECT Almost a decade ago, Chinese contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), signed a US$150M contract for the expansion and modernization of the country’s premier airport … Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

At the end of 2020, Guyana is still awaiting the new and modernized airport it was promised and the now People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) regime, back in power, appears to be helpless as the company shows no indication that the agreed specifications in the initial contract will be delivered anytime soon.The project was to extend the runway by another 1,000 meters and build a new terminal building that would boast eight air bridges, escalators and bigger arrival and departure halls. It would have included several TV monitors, and a glass roof to reduce energy costs.

Somehow, under the previous administration, the initial contract was reduced from 9,000 square meters to 4,046 and still, CHEC could not meet the numerous deadlines set.

That contract was controversially signed back in late 2011 under then President Bharrat Jagdeo and later passed through the short presidency of Donald Ramotar.In fact, it was not till in early 2013 that the sod was turned. The project chugged along under the David Granger presidency and now is being inherited by the Irfaan Ali administration.

Sunday December 20, 2020

When Granger’s administration took over in 2015, it claimed that the plan was in need of adjustments.

Then Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, had said that only seven percent of the work was completed, with claims for US$90 million equating to more than half of the contract sum. He laid the blame on the PPP/C’s management of the project.

But the adjustments made were kept hidden from the public for several years and were only revealed after consistent reports by this newspaper of several red flags related to the project.

In addition, while different aspects of the construction works were completed, several issues pertaining to quality of materials and work required dire attention. Those issues and more are listed among the reasons why the project has been delayed for years.

Now it is back with the new Irfaan Ali-led People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/ C) administration which is unable to gauge a final completion date. They, too, returned blame on the Coalition government for its handling of the contract as part of the reasons why it was not completed on its December 31, 2018 deadline.

The issues only worsened over the years.

ONE MONTH LATER, JAGDEO YET TO RELEASE NAMES OF CRUDE MARKETING EVALUATORS It is one month later and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo is yet to honour his promise of releasing the names of the evaluators under the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) who will select the trader to sell Guyana’s share of oil.

At a press conference on November 6, Jagdeo was pressed about whether the government had any intentions of releasing the names of said evaluators…the VP gave his assurances of such being done.

“We don’t have a problem with releasing the names of the people. We’ll get the names to you shortly,” the VP had said at the press conference.

But to date, no updates have been given. Notably, anti-corruption advocates have argued that details on those tasked with selecting the traders should be publicized, as it ensures that those evaluators are competent enough in

selecting a winning trader.

In November when Kaieteur News had contacted the new NPTAB Chairman, Taranhand Balgobin for those same details, he had refused to share. He had told Kaieteur News that he would not release the names since it was Jagdeo who had promised to do so.

The VP’s delay in releasing those evaluators’ names comes after months of resistance from NPTAB. In fact, in May of this year, Kaieteur News had asked the former Deputy Chairman of NPTAB, Mark Bender, to confirm if guidance would be provided by international consultants who have experience in detecting fraudulent or corrupt traders.

Bender had declined to provide details on whether they are local or international, information on the experience of the individuals, and their qualifications, making it clear that he would not be answering those questions.

Background checks In its pursuit of a marketer for Guyana’s share of the Stabroek Block oil, the Energy Department had said that it would be doing a thorough background check on all bidders.

When the Expressions of Interest was first released in February by the Energy Department for applications to market Guyana’s crude, the procuring agency was keen to note that the applicant must demonstrate that it has at least five years of experience in crude oil marketing and trading, and provide copies of its Certificate of Incorporation.

Applicants were also required to provide details of their capabilities and the volume of crude oil trading and marketing done by geography, over the last five years.

The Energy Department had also said it wanted to see details of previous experience in introducing a new grade into the market as well as the applicant’s Code of Conduct Statement.

Significantly, bidders were asked to make provisions to allow the Department of Energy to verify all claims made in submission, and also, to verify that the bidders’ organization is not in receivership, or the subject of any form of insolvency of bankruptcy proceedings or the subject of any form of winding up petition or proceedings.

A written statement confirming that the bidders do not have any director who (Continued on page 31)

Sunday December 20, 2020

From page 30 has been convicted in any country for a criminal offence relating to fraud or any financial impropriety or criminal misrepresentation or falsification of facts relating to any matter also has to be provided. Accompanying that statement it said, should be details of any pending litigation, which the bidder may or may not have.

Kaieteur News understands that the successful candidate will be required to provide support to the Energy Department in all operating and back office responsibilities of managing crude sales and for each individual lift from the Liza Destiny, Guyana’s first Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

The successful crude marketing agent would also have to support the Energy Department in the first year of introduction of the Liza grade in multiple geographies and refinery systems, and work closely with the Department in understanding the behaviour and yields of the Liza Blend and how these affect pricing differentials.

Of note is the fact that it will have to conduct training sessions for personnel attached to the department in matters relating to crude oil supply and trading fundamentals, and more specifically, those relevant to the Liza grade pricing.

Kaieteur News understands that the crude marketing agent would have to use all reasonable efforts to provide relevant information, documentation and/or training in a timely manner for Energy Department personnel. The contract is expected to last for 12 months.

Some rotten tomatoes Based on extensive research, Kaieteur News has already found that many of the companies bidding to market Guyana’s oil have a troubling history of corruption. Companies including Gunvor, Shell, Petrobras, Sinochem, Vitol SA, Glencore PLC, and Mercuria Energy Group are just a few of the companies with a notoriously corrupt past that submitted bids to NPTAB. Public documents show for example that three of the world’s largest commodities trading firms – Vitol SA, Glencore PLC and Mercuria Energy Group have used intermediaries to funnel over US$31 million in bribes to corrupt Petrobras employees in order to win massive contracts, along with acquiring other benefits.

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Kaieteur News

Many other companies share similar troubling stories.

SATURDAY WORLD COURT RULES IT HAS JURISDICTION TO HEAR GUYANA -VENEZUELA BORDER CASE The International Court of Justice (ICJ) – otherwise known as the World Court – Friday ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the Guyana-Venezuela border case.

The 12-3 decision of the 15 member bench of the International Court, which live-streamed via the Court‘s website Friday, was viewed by a contingent of local dignitaries including President Irfaan Ali; members of his Cabinet; former Speaker of the National Assembly, Barton Scotland; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge; and other officials who converged at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) to hear the delivery of the judgment.

Delivering the ruling from the Court’s seat at the Peace Palace in Hague, Netherlands, President of the ICJ, Justice Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, noted that the Court’s jurisdiction to hear the case is founded upon the conferral of both countries in the authority of the UN Secretary-General under Article Four, Paragraph Two of the February 17, 1966 Geneva Agreement.

That agreement was brokered by then UN Secretary General U Thant.

The ICJ President said that the agreement allowed the Secretary-General to choose a means of settlement underArticle 33 of the Charter of the United Nations, which included judicial settlement. In the circumstances, the ICJ found that the questions of the validity of the 1899 Award and of the definitive settlement of the land boundary dispute between Guyana and Venezuela fall within the Court’s jurisdiction.

While examining the legal effect of the decision of the Secretary-General on its jurisdiction under its statute, President Yusuf noted that “[t]he jurisdiction of the Court comprises all cases which the parties refer to it and all matters specially provided for in the Charter of the United Nations or in treaties and conventions in force.”

The Court, he said recalls that Venezuela has argued that the Geneva Agreement is not sufficient in itself to found the jurisdiction of the Court and the subsequent consent of the parties for the Secretary-General to choose the means of judicial

settlement. “…[But] the Court concluded that, by conferring on the Secretary-General the authority to choose the appropriate means of settlement of their controversy, including the possibility of recourse to judicial settlement by the International Court of Justice, Guyana and Venezuela consented to its jurisdiction.”

It was nonetheless noted that the ICJ does not have jurisdiction to entertain Guyana’s claims arising from events that occurred after the signature of the Geneva Agreement.

In this regard, Justice Yusuf said that Guyana had contended that the Court’s jurisdiction extends to all the claims submitted in its application, on the grounds that the Court’s jurisdiction is determined by the text of the Geneva Agreement.

Further, in giving an overview on the contentions, Justice Yusuf noted Guyana’s argument is that since the 1899 Award delimited the boundary between Venezuela and the colony of British Guiana, the controversy between the parties is territorial and the Court must therefore necessarily determine the boundary between Venezuela and Guyana, which implies first deciding whether the Award is valid.

He said that “Guyana further argues that the Court would not be in a position to reach ‘a full agreement for the solution’ of this dispute by addressing “any outstanding questions,” which is the objective set forth under Article IV of the Geneva Agreement, without first ruling on the validity of the Award.”

On the other hand, the World Court President noted that in its memo, Venezuela alleges that the question of the validity of the 1899 Award is not part of the controversy under the Geneva Agreement. “According to Venezuela,” he said “the

Geneva Agreement was adopted on the basis that the merits of the contention of nullity of the Award could not be discussed between the parties as the “validity or nullity of an arbitral award is non-negotiable.”

The judge said that Venezuela considers that “the subject-matter of the Geneva Agreement is the territorial dispute, not the validity or nullity of the 1899 A ward.”

He noted further that Venezuela adds that a legal dispute such as one regarding the validity of the 1899 Award is not susceptible to a “practical” settlement.

The Guyana- Venezuela border issue stems from a quarrel that dates back to 1787. The two countries had made an arbitral award establishing the boundary between them in 1899 but their latest quarrel came after a 2015 Presidential decree from President Nicolas Maduro saw Venezuela claiming Essequibo and its offshore territory. The claims resulted in Venezuela’s naval invasion into the area on numerous occasions to stop any exploration from taking place in those quarters.

The claims were met with protests from Guyana, the dispute that now lies in the hands of the ICJ, the international court established by the United Nations Charter for a resolving such issues.

A refusal by Venezuela, in March of this year, to participate in the matter on the grounds that the ICJ lacked the jurisdiction to adjudicate the border complaint meant that the Court had to determine the preliminary issue of jurisdiction before it could hear and determine the merits of the territorial case in accordance with international

law.

Moments after the ruling, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister, Jorge Arreaza, issued a statement to the press published by Unionnewsnet, in which he stated that the national government rejected the decision of the ICJ, as it does not view the Court as competent to handle the matter.

GUYANAYET TO INSTALL FIVE YEARS OF IMF RECOMMENDATIONS Over the last five years, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been one of Guyana’s key partners in developing the technical capacity that is needed to properly govern the oil and gas sector. In addition to this, the financial institution has been at the forefront of highlighting many loopholes in Guyana’s oil deals as well as its legislative and regulatory framework, which can aid in mitigating significant value loss.

In this regard, it has produced several reports between 2015 to now which offer critical recommendations that should be adopted. In spite of the prudent advice it has offered in these documents, there has been no significant application by Guyana’s political leadership.

For example, on numerous occasions, the IMF has appealed to Guyana to strengthen its petroleum fiscal regime through the revision of the Petroleum [Exploration and Production]Act 1986 (PEPA), the Petroleum [Exploration and Production] Regulations 1986, as well as other tax laws and sector regulations.

The IMF has been keen to note that while the PEPA gives the government broad powers to grant petroleum prospecting and production licences, and to negotiate oil contracts, it is silent on processing and refining of petroleum products, pipelines

and other modes of petroleum transportation, as well as how petroleum marketing arrangements are to be observed. In spite of this, the country has been pushing ahead with the marketing of its oil and plans to bring gas to shore.

Additionally, with regard to the lopsided oil deal, the IMF has expressed alarm over the opportunities Guyana gives Exxon Mobil and its partners to be abusive in the way they add interests to its expenses, all of which would be recovered in full.

Left unchecked, the IMF said that this can have a detrimental effect on the oil profits that would be left to share. In one of its reports, the IMF said it is a wellestablished industry norm to have limitations on how much interest can be charged and deducted on loans by oil companies. It noted that some countries disallow interest expenses or limit the amount of debt permitted for cost recovery purposes through caps. Other countries, it advised, go the route of prescribing that interest may be deductible only on borrowing to fund development costs or a maximum percentage of such costs. Interest on loans to finance exploration is not allowed. Considering the dire consequences this loophole can have for Guyana, the IMF said it would be appropriate for Guyana to limit the amount of debt for cost recovery purposes or disallow interest expense altogether.

Further to this, the IMF has called on Guyana to close other fiscal loopholes in existing Production Sharing Agreements; undertake a policy review of fiscal terms contained in existing PSAs to ensure that these are implemented appropriately, and assess areas of improvement for future investment; design a new generally applicable fiscal regime for upstream petroleum projects that increases the government take and limits the scope for individual negotiations; introduce a revised production sharing mechanism for new PSAs that provide the government with a higher share of profit oil as the profitability of projects’ increases; and publish a model PSA that includes the minimum fiscal terms accepted by the government for future contracts. The IMF has also called on Guyana to apply tighter ring-fencing arrangements to contracts so that oil companies would be unable to deduct the costs associated with exploring other wells or developing other projects from another field that is producing oil.

The foregoing represents a mere fraction of the IMF’s recommendations which the nation’s leaders have failed to implement, yet continue to tell the nation that every possible measure is being put in place to protect the oil sector.

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==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==

It will be a strategic disaster for the President and the AG I refuse to believe that the President and the Attorney General could be so politically naïve not to understand crucial aspects of realpolitik. In politics, it is important that a leader stay ahead of his opposition plotters. He/she has to do that or he/she will generate intense leadership challenges.

Cheddi Jagan was always behind Burnham and Burnham kept outsmarting him. Each time Burnham was in trouble, he used the Jagan card which Jagan allowed him to. Boris Johnson literally brought down Prime Minister, Theresa May, because he was always a step ahead of her, knowing full well that the Conservative Party wanted a harsh EU withdrawal agreement. The Democratic Party outsmarted Trump, that up to this day, he cannot recover.

Trump believed that the Democrats were going for a radical candidate like Elizabeth Warren and he, Trump would have used the socialism ghost to win. Trump had no idea that the Dems would have picked a middle of the road politician – Joe Biden.

The Dems outsmarted Trump again by selecting a Black woman as Vice President. The Dems knew that two white candidates will share the white votes equally between Trump and Biden but a Black running mate will bring out Black America in colossal numbers, something that did not happen for Hilary Clinton. Biden won some close contests because of the large Black turnout in some states.

Now here is what Lenin once wrote that has become one of the anthems of the PPP

because Cheddi Jagan quoted it millions of times to his protégés. One of them – Gail Teixeira – is still around and is in the PPP leadership. Lenin observed that you must “take one step backward in order to take two steps forward.”

The backward step the PPP must take is to inform the leader of the House not to put the new version of the Carrington Bill on the Order Paper. The Carrington Bill was the amendment to the antinarcotic legislation that was drafted in 2016 by Nigel Hughes, accepted by the AG, Basil Williams, put on the Order Paper to be read in the name of AFC parliamentarian, Michael Carrington. It upped the legal amount of possession, did away with compulsory jail on conviction if the possession was a small amount, and allowed for bail in cases of trafficking. The Bill never made it to life. It died long before its sponsor, the AFC died.

Now the AFC is bringing back the Bill, this time in the

name of Sherod Duncan, who is the AFC’s version of the PNC’s James Bond. In Guyanese politics the most ghoulish manifestations become normal. For five years, the AFC was part of the government and one of its top guys, the Prime Minister was Leader of the House. The AFC killed its own Bill.

The AFC is out of power and the AFC is bringing back the amendment as a Private Member’s Bill. It is premised on the promise of the PPP when it was in opposition it would have voted for Carrington’s Bill. That is asinine thinking. The President and the Attorney General should tear up the Sherod Duncan amendment and compose their own.

Even a school boy that cannot spell the word parliament would know that is absolute stupidity for the PPP government to approve the Duncan Bill. The reason is basic to the politics of pragmatism. It is giving a dead party the medicine of rebirth.

The AFC admitted through a published letter in this newspaper by its chairman, Raphael Trotman, that from 1966 to 1992 and from 2015 to 2020, the PNC served its African constituencies to the exclusion of other ethnic communities and the PPP did the same from 1992 to 2015. It was an admission that the AFC in government was not a re-shaping factor in the life of this country. For more on Trotman’s confession, see my column of Monday, December 14, 2020, “The sickening admission/confession of Raphael Trotman.”

The AFC is going to pa-

rade itself throughout the country telling the young people what it did for them.

What would be concealed in this masquerade is the AFC’s five-year old opportunism when it refused to pass the amendment. My advice to the PPP is to tear up Duncan’s Bill, put it in the dust bin and ask the Assembly’s Clerk, Sherlock Issacs, to summon Puran Brother’s Disposal to take the stuff to the dump site at Haags Bosch. The Attorney General should compose his own amendment and use its majority in the House to pass it. Then it should emulate Trinidad. On legalizing

Frederick Kissoon marijuana, Trinidad released those convicted of small amounts and expunged their record of conviction.

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

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Sunday December 20, 2020

Coronavirus: January may become our toughest month yet

By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center As the developed world begins vaccination against the Covid-19 infection, many are beginning to celebrate and relax thinking that the end to the pandemic is near.

This is far from reality as the pandemic will not end until there is about 70 to 80 percent vaccination worldwide.

In Guyana, we have relaxed too much especially in the month of December where crowds are gathering to celebrate and prepare for the holidays.

It worries me when I see this as I am in the frontlines and my experience there scares me as we approach the month of January.

What usually happens in January?

During this month, we tend to see a rise in numbers

and severity of sick patients presenting for care.

We are normally pushed to the brink with the amount of sick persons that we have to attend to after the holidays.

The lavish eating and drinking that comes with the holidays, exacerbates underlying medical conditions and lead to many medical emergencies.

To compound this, there are many hospitalized pa-

tients from alcohol related illnesses and injuries that spill over into January and occupy bed spaces.

Persons with chronic diseases either neglect their condition or their relatives neglect them during the holidays.

They subsequently present in larger numbers in January from complications that arise with neglecting their health. As a result of these factors and others, hospitals are stretched to the limit whenever the month of January comes around.

Possible Covid-19 surge What worries me is the massive gatherings that have started to occur since the month of December started.

Whether it may be from shopping, gift sharing, end of year luncheons or the end of year parties, many are taking the chance to have a “release” as the year comes to an end.

I have said before that the virus thrives in gatherings and if we are not careful, there is bound to be a surge in Covid-19 cases after the holidays. Unfortunately, this will collide with all the other cases of sick patients that usually present for care in January.

Can our health system cope?

I wish I knew this answer so that I would not have to

worry about what will happen in January. The combination of a surge in sick patients with a surge in Covid-19 cases in January can only be disastrous for the health system.

If the system is overwhelmed, then patients will not receive optimal care as they will not be able to access usual medical services in an efficient and effective manner.

Our number of health workers and the available space to take care of patients is finite and will not be sufficient if there is a surge in Covid-19 and non Covid-19 cases in January. My biggest fear is the scenario where care cannot be provided to patients because we ran out of space or there aren’t enough health workers.

This is happening in the first world currently and we are not immune to this possibility.

Can you imagine having Covid-19 and you cannot breathe and not being able to access oxygen because all the available oxygen ports are being used by other patients?

This is the stark reality of the effects of the pandemic in some countries.

What you can do to help?

What we do and how we behave in the next couple of weeks will determine if we

Dr. Zulfikar Bux break our health system in January 2021.

We are in the middle of a pandemic and we cannot expect to be normal and celebrate the holidays like we usually do in other years.

Avoid gatherings, defer luncheons, shop online or do your shopping in spaces that are not crowded.

If you are in a surrounding where you cannot be six feet apart from others, leave.

Adapt the “no gathering and responsible celebration” attitude for the Holidays and encourage others to do same. If we are successful at this, then January 2021 will be easier for us all and the sick will be able to access the care that they desperately need.

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Despite COVID-19 recession, sea of logistical complications...

Guywillship Int’l determined to go above and beyond to deliver Christmas cargo The COVID-19 pandemic has presented formidable challenges to businesses across the world. While some industries have inevitably endured some hardship, others, such as the shipping and courier services industry, continue to be in high demand.

Demand for courier and logistics services has boomed during the pandemic, with growth largely propelled by online shopping as consumers remain at home, however, the Christmas season is the main contributory factor for the increase.

Naturally, this augmentation would bring with it, a host of logistical complications as the entire industry must adhere to strict

guidelines. Delays are therefore inevitable.

Testifying to this recently was Guywillship, one of the nation’s most trusted and valued shipping companies for decades.

During an exclusive interview, Lescil Munroe who serves as Assistant Manager and Export Coordinator was quick to note that the year 2020 has presented not just GuyWillShip, but the world at large with unprecedented challenges and experiences.

For Munroe who has served the industry for 15 years, she acknowledged that her company has seen an increase in the volume of cargo it has shipped around the world as early as October into December period.

She noted too that

December in particular, has seen a noticeable increase since many families are unable to make it home for Christmas, and have chosen instead to send packages and barrels to their loved ones in Guyana.

The Export Coordinator said, “This increase has been phenomenal, when measured against last year, 2019.

Unfortunately, there have been delays in getting the shipments out on time.

Try as we may, it is oftentimes beyond our control since the delays are unequivocally a product of the lock down and the need for us to adhere to procedures of various countries’ ports.

These have, without question, added pressure on the world transport infrastructure and equipment.”

She said too that team members have been dedicated towards ensuring that valued customers of Guywillship International are informed that while there are many issues leading to delays in transportation, management is working assiduously with all partners, business associates and various government authorities worldwide to address bottlenecks where detected and have momentum sustained.

For those who are not yet familiar with this local establishment, Guywillship is located on the ground floor of DHL, another well known shipping giant in Guyana.

Mr. Gavin Welcome serves as the company’s Director in NY, USA while Ms.Syreeta Welcome is the Director of the operation in Guyana.

Enetworks all set for premier Fireside Grill-n-Chill of Special Episodes for offering special Christmas Batwoman and Euphoria menu for three days If you’re overworked and still busy with completing your Christmas cleaning, then stress not about getting the tastiest meals served on time for the Fireside Grill-n-Chill has got you covered.

According to management, this beloved Guyanese grill and bar is offering the most decadent options for appetizers, main course, sides and desserts that your family and friends

are sure to love.

For appetizers, customers can choose from stuffed clams, lobster rolls and jumbo lump crab cakes.

For the main course there is honey glazed rotisserie chicken, mussels in white wine sauce, whole Cajun red snapper, lobster ravioli in tomato cream sauce, crab topped T-bone steak, whole grain salmon fillet in garlic butter sauce and lots more.

With respect to the sides, the establishment is offering linguine with garlic and olive oil, loaded garlic mashed potatoes, roasted red potatoes and so much more.

As for the dessert, customers can choose between classic strawberry cheesecake and triple chocolate fudge cake. To place your orders call 623 3473 or 681 9306.

Enetworks is gearing for the premier of two special episodes of Euphoria on January 24 at 10PM and Batwoman on January 29 at 8PM. For those who may not be aware of what these shows are about, Batwoman is an American superhero television series developed by Caroline Dries. It is based on the DC Comics character Batwoman and

shares continuity with the other television series in the Arrowverse.

As for Euphoria, it is an A m e r i c a n t e e n drama television series created and written by Sam Levinson for HBO, loosely based on the Israeli miniseries of the same name.

Euphoria follows a group of high school students through their experiences of sex,

drugs, friendships, love, identity and trauma. The series stars Zendaya in the lead role, alongside an ensemble cast consisting of Maude Apatow, Angus Cloud, Eric Dane, Alexa Demie, Jacob Elordi, Barbie Ferreira, Nika King, Storm Reid, Hunter Schafer, Algee Smith, Sydney Sweeney, and Colman Domingo. It premiered on June 16, 2019.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday December 20, 2020

Health, Diet & Fitness…

Mastering the techniques of gaining and losing weight the right way For those women whose body type falls into the category of what one might describe as “skinny” and have been yearning for a healthy way to put on a few extra pounds in the right places, then here is the perfect guide for you.

But it is important for you to understand that your body type allows you an advantage: you possess a fast enough metabolism that allows you to eat while not gaining a single pound.

Ninety percent of our women folk do not enjoy this privilege.

Therefore, it is advised to always approach your weight-gain exercises with caution. If the weight you gain comes primarily from increased body fat, you have no control of where the extra fat will be going to on your body. Your extra fat could end up unevenly distributed in all the wrong places, such as your tummy, arms, thighs, and so on.

To improve your physique in the way you want, aim for lean muscle weight gains. In this way, not only will you gain healthy weight, you would be in a position to dictate where the extra pounds are going to be. In other words, you can sculpt your body the way you want it to shape.

The best way to gain healthy weight is through diet and exercise and there are several ways in which this can be done. Here are some tips, once adhered to, can guide you to your ideal figure.

1. Increase your caloric intakes by about 500 to 1000 Calories per day. Extra 500 Calories/day will help you gain up to one pound in one week.

2. Eat frequently: Eat your three main meal (breakfast, lunch Dinner) spaced about five hours apart. In addition eat two to three snacks a day in between meals.

3. Snacks should be of high calorie such as milk shakes, yogurt, and highcarbohydrate foods, such as banana.

4. Eat more complex carbohydrates like wholegrain breads, pasta and Brown Rice, etc.

5. Never sk i p y o u r breakfast. Include one egg and fruit juice to your breakfast.

6. E a t b i g g e r t h a n normal portions for your regular meals.

7. E a t f o o d w i t h higher calories, moderate fats, higher protein, higher fiber, and higher nutrition.

8. C h o o s e highquality protein sources such as eggs, meat, fish, milk, seeds, protein s u p p l e m e n t s , e t c . Yo u r body needs 0.8gm/bodyweight (kg)/day of protein to build new muscle.

9. Since most of the calories for weight gain come from carbohydrates and fats, do not replace them with protein.

10. E a t starchy vegetables (Potatoes, Peas, C a u l i f l o w e r, P u m p k i n , Sweet potatoes).

11. C o n s u m e n u t s , calorie dense ripe fruits like Banana, dried fruits like dates as snack between meals.

12. Eat the right kinds of fats. Avoid trans-fats.

Add healthy unsaturated fats in moderation such as olive and canola oil, nuts, s e e d s , p e a n u t b u t t e r, avocados to your diet.

13. Do not drink water before meals. After meals, wait about 10 minutes before drinking water.

14. B e v e r a g e s c a n help you gain a weight too.

If it is possible, drink shakes, milk, juice, etc. instead of tea, coffee and diet sodas.

15. Av o i d a l c o h o l i c beverages. Its high calorie with minimum nutrition.

16. Do 30 minutes of resistance training. Weight training helps to convert the extra calories into muscle, hence add some extra pounds to your body.

17. D o some compound movements, such as body-weight squats, push-ups, rows or deadlifts.

18. Aim to lift a heavy enough weight that you’re fatiguing within the 8-12 rep range, completing a total of 2-4 sets for each exercise.

19. Do NOT engage in aerobic exercises (running, stationary bicycling).

Aerobic exercise help you lose body fat (weight loss).

You may lose more weight than gain weight.

20. K e e p t r a c k . I f possible, keep a food journal to track your

weight gain progress. Keep a record of your daily calorie consumption.

Weigh yourself at the end of each week to see your development. Keep doing this each week until you start seeing a noticeable progress.

In a nutshell, you must increase your intake of good calories and encourage the right kind of cellular growth through weight training. One thing is for sure, you must eat!

What you eat is the key to putting on the pounds and keeping it there so those new sexy curves are not temporary but permanent.

Losing weight the healthy way When it comes to losing weight there are three key “M” words we must pay rapt attention to mind, muscle and menu.

Losing weight is not going to be a trip to tropical paradise. Often, some regiments for losing weight are spurred by desired to fit into that cute, little dress, and while that short term goal is all fine and well, it is not nearly as important as working towards getting to your ideal weight so that you can be a healthier being.

This is to say that when you do embark on a program to lose weight be sure to do so for all the RIGHT REASONS. It would be a sure way to ensuring that you stay on track on your plan when the going gets tough.

There are many ways to lose a lot of weight fast. But some extreme ways may very well leave you feeling famished and unsatisfied.

Losing weight through extreme, low-calorie diets can wreak havoc on your metabolism, leading to chronic fatigue, suppressed immune and thyroid function, and adrenal stress. If you eat less and exercise more in order to lose weight, your body responds by increasing your appetite and lowering your resting metabolic rate, making it increasingly difficult to lose weight. In order to maintain your weight loss, you must learn to eat full, balanced meals consisting of lean proteins, healthy fats, and plenty of fruits and vegetables.

When it comes to losing weight, there are a number of things you must do.

Cut back on sugar and starch intake:This step in your weight loss plan is critical. It is important to cut back on sugars and starches (carbs). These are the foods that stimulate secretion of insulin the most.

If you didn’t know already, insulin is the main fat storage hormone in the body. When insulin goes down, fat has an easier time getting out of the fat stores and the body starts burning fats instead of carbs.

Another benefit of lowering insulin is that your kidneys shed excess sodium and water out of your body, which reduces bloat and unnecessary water weight. It is not uncommon to lose up to 10 pounds (sometimes more) in the first week of eating this way, both body fat and water weight.

Use more protein and vegetables:Each one of your meals should include a protein source, a fat source like olive oil or coconut oil and low-carb vegetables.

Constructing your meals in this way will automatically bring your carb intake into the recommended range of 20-50 grams per day. Some sources of protein include beef, chicken, pork, lamb, bacon, salmon, trout, shrimps, lobsters, and Omega-3 enriched or pastured eggs.

This has been shown to boost metabolism by 80 to 100 calories per day.

High protein diets can also reduce obsessive thoughts about food by 60%, reduce desire for late-night snacking by half, and make you so full that you automatically eat 441 fewer calories per day just by adding protein to your diet.

When it comes to losing weight, protein is the king of nutrients. Period.

Healthy forms of carbs which can be incorporated include cabbage, lettuce, cucumber and celery.

An important note when it comes to the “menu” aspect of your weight loss plan is that protein shakes and organic pressed juices, boxed meal programs are nothing but dietary crutches.

They stop you from taking control of your diet and sustaining a healthy weight.

Take time to analyze your schedule throughout the week, and set a schedule for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Commit to cooking your own meals so you can control the portion sizes and ingredients used, and stick to eating your meals on the same schedule every day.

Aerobic exercises and weight training Most dietitians and trainers advise that it is best to go to the gym three to four times a week. It is always advised that warm up exercises and stretches are done before you get into your workout plans.

Further, if you are new

to the gym, it is recommended that you check with a local doctor to determine whether your body can truly withstand strenuous exercises without any life threatening side effects.

By lifting weights, you will burn a few calories and prevent your metabolism from slowing down, which is a common side effect of losing weight. Studies on low-carb diets show that you can even gain a bit of muscle while losing significant amounts of body fat. If lifting weights is not an option for you, then doing some easier cardio workouts like running, jogging, swimming or walking will suffice for about 20 minutes followed by exercises which focus on the arms, thighs and abdomen. These include, leg lounges, crunches and side laterals.

Sleep This aspect of your routine should not be taken for granted. If you suffer from a lack of sleep, your body cannot maintain a regular appetite and eating schedule. Your hormones become imbalanced, stimulating your hunger and decreasing the production of Leptin, which suppresses appetite.

If you regularly sleep less than seven hours a night, studies show that you may be as much as 30% more likely to be obese than those who sleep nine hours or more (MD-Health, 2013). Avoid watching television or bringing unfinished work in your bedroom, and keep your sleeping environment cool, dark and quiet in order to get the best quality sleep.

Sunday December 20, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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The Legend Of The Christmas Rose

By Basab Ghosh Once upon a time, long ago, the day when Jesus was born, an angel came to see the shepherds. The very same shepherd who led the three great kings also told the shepherds of the newborn, “King of Peace.”

The Magi and the three great kings came with their beautiful gifts. When the shepherds heard of the new king, they wanted to meet this boy, this newborn king of peace. Before they went to see the new lord, they took their presents. As they were shepherds, the took honey, fruits and white doves as offerings.

While the kings brought beautiful yet precious gifts.

All the shepherds left their flocks and ran to see the child. All of them took their gifts. Among them, there was a young shepherdess. Now, she was tending to her family’s flocks. When she heard of the baby king, her heart became full to the brim with love and devotion and faith.

Sunday December 20, 2020

Junior page

FELT STOCKINGS

So, she decided to go see the baby in the manager. She walked down the hills and saw the three kings enter the manger where baby Jesus was being taken care of by Mary and Joseph. When she came closer, she could not gather the will to enter.

You see, all the others came bearing gifts.

And this poor shepherdess had nothing to offer to baby Jesus. So, she looked around the hills. Up and down she went, but she could found nothing. In the end, she began crying bitterly. She felt ashamed because she could not find anything for baby Jesus.

When the angel, who called everyone, saw the poor little shepherdess cry, the angel understood why she was crying.

“Do not cry my child,” the angel said. When the girl looked up, the angel spoke again.

“Do not cry because you have no gifts, there is nothing better than blossoms given with love and that which springs to life from the bed of tears.”

And with that, the angel touched the ground, and bed of beautiful roses sprang up.

The shepherdess took the blossoms and went to see baby Jesus with a smile.

Doing the right thing

by Uncle Roy There are times when I do something That hurts someone in some way, It usually makes them want to act To make me feel bad and pay.

So now I know that I must always Try to do what is right, But then this is many times hard to tell, Even though I try with all my might.

After much thought I have found the answer To how I should always be – Before I act make sure it will not hurt others, And they will surely do the same for me.

by womansday.com Tracing paper; pencil; scissors; ruler; felt: red, white; matching threads; stencils or cookie cutters in flower, tree and floral patterns; pins; sewing machine; fabric glue.

Directions: 1. Print a stockings template with your desired size.

2. Trace template onto tracing paper to make pattern. Using pattern, cut 2 pieces of red or white felt for stocking front and back.

3. Trace stencils or cookie cutters onto tracing paper to make patterns. Using patterns, cut out contrasting pieces of felt in desired shapes.

4. Pin stocking front to stocking back, with right sides facing and raw edges even.

Stitch sides and lower edges with 1D4-inch seam, starting and stopping 2 inches from upper edge.

5. Turn stocking right side out; fold down cuff. Glue contrasting felt pieces on stocking

front.

6. Cut 1D2 x 6-inch strip of matching felt; fold in half crosswise and glue ends together to make hanging loop. Glue ends of hanging loop inside back of cuff.

INKIES Fill in the blank squares so that each row and each column contain all of the digits 1 thru 3.

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 20, 2020

Determine the Principles to Govern your Life

PAGE 45

TEEN TIME

We hope that you have been seriously following the advice being given for the past few weeks about inculcating the right principles to steer your life. The following are the rest of these, that you will do well to make a special effort to adopt into your personality:Growth – this is the process of progressive development in all aspects of one’s life; growth is a natural phenomenon in all beings, but you have to make a special effort to ensure that you are developing in the right direction.

To l e r a n c e – s y m p a t h y o r indulgence for beliefs, practices or qualities differing from or conflicting with one’s own; capacity of a body to endure or become less responsive to an insult or other expression different from one’s own. It also includes a positive characteristic of empathy for others who are less endowed that oneself.

Peacefulness – the state of being devoid of any desire for violence or force; it encourages calmness or state of being untroubled when confronted by conflict, agitation or commotion.

One who desires to live in peace must also accept the obligation to make a positive effort to restore harmony and goodwill when any violent situation is encountered.

Respect for nature – a high regard for natural things, inculcating a desire to live a life which is attuned to nature’s cycles; conservatism in dealing with or using the creatures and things that nature provides. This will also involve avoiding waste in all that one uses in living one’s life, and trying to prevent this whenever witnessed.

Loyalty – the quality of being

one to decide to whom or to what one owes this loyalty, in which choice one must try to determine who or what is right in any situation.

It is absolutely necessary that all young adults at this stage in their lives see the need to adopt and maintain these principles so as to make their lives fulfilled and the best they can be.

Please make the effort to keep a copy of

Be the Best of whatever you are If you can’t be a tree at the top of the hill, Be a bush down in the valley, But be the best little bush by the side of the hill, Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.

If you can’t be a bush be a grass, And some highway happier make; If you can’t be a snapper, just be a patwa, But be the liveliest patwa in the lake.

We can’t all be captain, some have got to be crew, There’s something for all of us here, There’s so much work to do, and lesser to do, And the task you must do is quite clear.

If you can’t be a highway, then just be a trail, If you can’t be the sun, then be a star; It isn’t by size that we win or we fail, Just be the best of whatever you are.

When you live your life guided by right principles, you set a great example to those around you, and so help them to live their best life. unswerving in allegiance; faithfulness to a person, cause, ideal, custom, product or institution to which fidelity is due. It will always be necessary for

these so as to refer to them as you go through life, as principles are timeless and affect us in all situations and at all ages.

Killer Sudoku Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each

TELL IT TO UNCLE ROY Uncle Roy is once again appealing to all teens to write to him about any problem you may be facing for which you need a solution.

He would also like you to contribute to this Page by submitting other material that he can include here. These include: 1. A poem, short story or bit of advice that you have written and would like to share with your fellow teens.

2. Any significant event that has happened, or any interesting item about what is going on around you.

3. A commentary about where you live to acquaint others about it.

As mentioned before, you can email me at: uncleroy1992@yahoo.com

Solutions to last week’s

Suguru

Slitherlink Puzzle,

PAGE 46

How Can I Take Care Of My Naturally Curly Hair?

1. Choose Shampoo Wisely Washing your hair is the first and foremost step in any hair care routine irrespective of the hair texture. Washing or cleansing ensures that there is no dust, excess oil, dead skin cells and product buildup on your scalp.

2. Avoid Excessive Shampooing Curly hair tends to become dry easily. Excessively shampooing your hair can suck out its natural moisture. Also, look for moisturizing ingredients in your conditioner.

Conditioning makes sure that your hair cuticle is sealed and protected against environmental damage.

3. Pre-Shampoo Treatment Pre-shampoo treatment is a bliss to those with curly hair. It helps in detangling and removing the frizz from your hair.

4. Never Brush Curly Hair Resist the urge to brush curly hair. Use a wide-toothed comb on your curly hair before shampooing. After washing your hair, simply run your fingers through your hair. Never ever brush your wet hair as it is more prone to breakage and damage.

5. Hair Styling With Moderate Heat The high temperature from heat styling tools can remove the natural texture of your curls, making them dull and lifeless. Limit the use of heat styling and use a good heat protectant spray whenever you can’t avoid it. Use moderate heat and a diffuser to protect your naturally beautiful curls.

6. Use A Very Wide-toothed Comb Use a wide-toothed comb to remove the tangles in your curly hair. Comb from bottom to up to remove the knots if any. Each curl can be considered as a potential breaking point, handing gently is the way to go. A hairbrush can mess with your natural hair texture and can cause damage to your hair.

7. Always Use Cold Water For Hair Hot water showers strip off the natural oil or sebum from your scalp and hair. It can also open up the cuticle making the hair strands prone to frizz and breakage. Coldwater rinses are your safest best whether you are shampooing or conditioning your hair.

8. Trim To Avoid Split Ends Get your hair trimmed every 6-8 weeks to get rid of the split ends and damaged hair. Curly hair too needs to look and feel healthy.

9. Curly Hair Sleep Routine Haircare experts swear by the pineappling trick as part of the sleep routine for curly hair. Pile all your hair on top of your head into a bun or a loose ponytail. This way, there is less friction between your hair and the pillowcase. Switch to satin or silk pillowcases instead of cotton cases to reduce the friction.

10. Try Natural Treatments For Healthy Curly Hair Use hair masks containing natural ingredients for your curly hair: • Make a mask of olive oil, eggs, vinegar and mayonnaise and apply it on your hair. Rinse with a mild shampoo after 30 minutes.

While eggs provide protein to your hair, mayonnaise adds moisture and shine to the dry curls.

• Avocados are rich in vitamin B, E and good fats. Mash a ripe avocado with a tablespoon of honey and two tablespoons of olive oil. Apply this mask on to your curly hair and leave on for 30 minutes. Wash off with a gentle shampoo.

Apple cider vinegar, milk, fenugreek seeds and hibiscus are all great natural treatments to have healthy curly hair.

11. Oils For Curly Hair No matter what the hair texture or type, the basic rules of hair care remain the same. Oiling your hair improves blood circulation to the scalp and promotes healthy hair growth.

•Use light and non-greasy coconut oil for curly hair. Use your fingertips to massage the oil onto your scalp. You can apply coconut oil before bedtime and wash the morning after.

Alternatively, you can also apply oil an hour before shampooing your hair.

• Olive oil is a great treatment for your curly hair. It adds in a lot of moisture to your dry locks. Take 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil in a bowl and heat for a minute. Apply evenly on your scalp and hair with your fingertips. Wrap a warm towel over your head and rinse off the oil with a mild shampoo after 45 minutes to 1 hour.

•Castor oil is a lesser known ingredient when it comes to oiling your hair. The reason being its stickiness. But castor oil is a wonder in itself. It can moisturize your curly hair and add shine.

Haircare experts recommend using castor oil before bedtime and washing the next morning. https://skinkraft.com/blogs/articles /how-to-take-care-of-your-curly-hair

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 20, 2020

SEEING STARS

Sunday December 20, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Sunday December 20, 2020

Sunday December 20, 2020

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Kaieteur News

New executive elected to lead Institute of Internal Auditors - Guyana Chapter

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) – Guyana Chapter on Monday December 7, 2020 held its Annual General Meeting.

The main item discussed was the election of its Executive to man the Chapter’s operations for the year 2021 to 2022.

Elected are persons that have contributed to the IIA immensely over the past years.

All of whom are vastly experienced and possess a mix of skills.

At the meeting, the following persons were elected to office: Chateram Ramdihal (President), Pavita Ramkissoon (Vice President), Sherry Kissoon (Secretary), Samantha Green (Treasurer), Joshua Hammichand (VP Programming), Rohan Sewnarine (VP Membership), Jaigopaul Ram (Governor), Ramesh Seebaran (Governor), Ramesh Dookhoo (Governor), Mandie Mickle (Immediate Past President) and Goorwantie Devi Kaladeen (Past President).

Chateram Ramdihal is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and a member of The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). Mr. Ramdihal held positions of Board Member and Vice President before being elected as President of the Chapter.

In a short speech via the zoom platform, he has informed the members that he will continue to further the work of the previous Executive which is set out in a threeyear plan of which only one year is completed, and it was a year that was plagued by the Covid-19 pandemic that has affected a lot of the Chapter’s programme during 2020. He also made note of the gradual decline in the membership and vow to work on building back the membership of the Chapter.

He is also of the view that internal audit is not given the recognition that it deserves and has committed to work hard during his Presidency to ensure the importance of the profession is understood and embraced by all.

Being established in the year 1941, the Institute of Internal Auditors Global, is an

international professional organisation set out to promote the value and standard of internal audit professionals. Its mission is to provide dynamic leadership for the global profession of internal auditing.

The IIA Global provides inclusive professional educational and development opportunities, standards, and other professional practice guidance, and certificate programmes to internal auditors worldwide.

The IIA Global is proud to be the world leader in certification, education, research, and technological guidance for the profession globally.

Headquartered in Altamonte Springs, Florida, USA, the IIA is obligated to meeting the needs and development of Internal Auditors worldwide.

This Global Institute is committed to: • Providing on an international scale, comprehensive professional development activities, standards for the practice of internal auditing, a code of ethics, and certification of its examinations.

• Researching, disseminating, and promoting to its members and to the public throughout the world, knowledge and information concerning, among others, governance, risk management and controls.

• Having international conferences worldwide in order to educate members and others about the current practice of internal auditing as it.

• Exists in various countries throughout the world.

• Bringing together internal auditors from all countries to share information and experiences in internal auditing and promoting education in the field of auditing through local (Guyana), regional (Caribbean) and international meetings.

• Providing a Code of Ethics in order to promote an ethical culture in the profession of internal auditing.

This Code is necessary and appropriate for this profession, founded as it is, on the trust placed in its objective assurance about governance, risk management, and control.With members in just about 190 countries globally, the Institute of Internal Auditors - Guyana Chapter (IIAGC) was approved by the

IIA Global on April 30, 2000.

With the appointment of a new executive, the Guyana Chapter hopes to continue working together and maintain the concerted effort that has been shown over the past 20 years.

This has led to the recognition of the IIAGC by the IIA global, for the continuing development and contribution it has provided to the internal auditing profession locally.

This Chapter attained a major landmark on July 11, 2019 when it became an International Chapter of IIA Global. Prior to July 11, it was a member of the North American Chapter which comprises the United States of America, Canada, and 11 Caribbean Countries which include Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, only to name a few.

The Chapters around the world are the building block of the IIA Global.

This Chapter’s aim is to serve the IIA membership as well as commercial, industrial and governmental organizations. Auditors from both the private and public sectors make up the membership of this Chapter.

Representatives from public accounting organizations, educators from the University of Guyana and students interested in the internal auditing field are welcomed to be members.

This member diversification provides a real forum for a rich interchange of ideas and information.

Guyana is now a global partner of the IIA and is no longer under the ‘umbrella’ of IIA North America Chapter. In order to be an International Chapter (IC), this Chapter must maintain a minimum of 50 members. In effect, this is not a problem area.

Additionally, members will benefit in the following ways: • Members can now renew their membership for a fee of US$100, as against the former fee of approximately US$265.

With such a significant reduction (62 percent), it is expected that its membership should surpass 100 shortly.

• There will be on demand 24/7 a webinar playback. In so doing, its members will now have access to an extensive

library of an archived webinar, which will include topics such as audit fundamentals and soft skills technology.

• Archived webinars will also be eligible for Continuing Professional Education Credits, which is a key annual requirement for holders and as well for other IIA Certifications.

Over the past 20 years, the Guyana Chapter has been recognised by the IIA Global for its continuing development and contribution to the internal auditing profession locally. In this context, this profession has been benefiting from: • Training Seminars and Workshops which are presented by well qualified and experienced Facilitators with a focus on current global best practices.

• Maintaining a membership over its second decade of approximately 60-80 members, and actively conducting membership recruitment.

In year 2000, this Chapter had started with a membership of 15.

• Providing a Chapter Website and other technology resources to serve its members as determined by the IIA Global.

• Developing and providing the services as it deems most appropriate to serve internal audit professionals.

• Ensuring that the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) is made available to all its members.

• Marketing and increasing the demand for IIA’s Certification Programmes. Worthy of mention, in 2005, Guyana had its first Certification-Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), in 2020 it now has 16 CIA’s.

• The strategic alignment of the activities of this Chapter since its existence with that of the IIA Global.

• Promoting outreach programmes in both the Private and Public Sectors’ entities on the current best practices of the internal auditing profession.

• Allowing members holding executive positions to be given the opportunity to attend IIA’s overseas conferences with a view to sharing their knowledge obtained with Chapter members.

Despite 20 years of exist-

ence, the role of the internal auditor has not yet been fully recognized although the Chapter has been promoting its mandate from the IIA Global.

Evidence of this, and this is not a full list, is that: • Management in both the public and private sectors is yet to fully accept the important role the internal auditor is in an organisation.

• The internal audit profession is not fully receiving the recognition it deserves from its stakeholders.

• The auditing emphasis is yet to fully focus on, among others, governance, controls and risk management. Further, preference is still being given to appoint auditors with an accounting background; however, such a unit needs to be also staffed with non-accountants in order to add value and improve the organisation’s operations.

• There is still the view that the internal auditor and the external auditor are one and the same.

• The internal auditor is not being allowed to perform and act independently at all times. As an example, the reporting function is to a senior line staff and not to an Audit Committee of the Board of Directors in order to preserve the auditor’s independence.

• More funds should to be provided in the training budget for internal auditors in both sectors since the audit scope has been constantly expanding.

That budget should also provide adequate funding for ongoing research and development of this profession.

Over the past years, the contributors to the successful growth path of the Guyana Chapter are: • The Board of 10 Governors, which became operational in year 2017.

• The Executive Committee, which is headed by a President and supported by three to four members.

• Ad Hoc Committees to support the Executive Committee.

• Stakeholders in both the Private and Public Sectors who can be classified as partners with the Guyana Chapter.

The Guyana Chapter is fully aware of the areas where it needs to focus on. It is the hope that the internal audit profession will continue to receive the recognition it deserves from its stakeholders, and that the importance of the profession is understood and embraced by all.

Today’s internal auditors must be seen as a partner, instead of a watchdog, assisting management to increase its organisation’s effectiveness as promoted by the IIA Global.

In 2021, IIAGC will continue to intensify its promotion of the profession and in partnership with the global body.

It has to encourage all internal auditors to follow the IPPF. This IPPF is reviewed and updated every year, which is excellent. One of the major challenges being faced is that internal audit is still not well understood in some quarters, and one way to overcome this is for auditors to be guided by using the IPPF. We in Guyana have to keep abreast with the developments of this profession and to focus on not only on risk-based auditing, but also on value-based auditing and performance improvement.

Internal auditors need to keep advancing this profession within their respective organizations, so that they can be viewed as not only relevant, but also as an indispensable asset.

IIA Global is recognised for the sharing of knowledge and raising the level of the auditing profession worldwide over the past seven decades.

This Chapter continues to follow the Global Institute’s motto, which is “Progress Through Sharing.”

To conclude, the members of the IIAGC take pride in the profession, and want to make a difference for the future.

In so doing, this Chapter is forward thinking, takes a stand for professionalism and competency, and is committed to elevating the practice of internal auditing in Guyana to the required quality assurance standards. (IIA – Guyana Chapter)

Sunday December 20, 2020

STANDARDS IN FOCUS On Christmas morning, many folks will be scampering to see their gifts under the Christmas trees. If you are one of them and your gift turns out to be a cellular phone, good for you!

To ensure that your new phone is of quality and performs the way it should, you must be aware of some important details, which verify its newness and general care and use.

As the organization responsible for monitoring the quality of cellular phones offered for sale in Guyana, the GNBS takes this opportunity to

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Kaieteur News

ARE YOU GETTING A CELLULAR PHONE FOR CHRISTMAS?

share the following information with you as consumers.Firstly, if your phone is newly purchased, it should not have signs of scratches, stains, fading on the keypad and display areas. Additionally, check for tampering of screws or evidence of screwdriver use.Secondly, check for original manual, charger and battery.

The brand and series of these should be the same as the phone.

Thirdly, check the call timer, check for missed calls, stored numbers, text messages and dialed calls in the phone which are evidence of

prior use. Fourthly, to make sure the phone is not refurbished, you can check the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number by inputting *#06# and the number will appear on the screen. That number should correspond with the IMEI number stated at the back of the phone.

To ensure that your phone works well and last for an extended period, every user should take the following care of his/her device: Ø Do not allow your phone to fall. To reduce the impact of a fall,

put your phone into an appropriate casing. Ø Do not allow your phone to get wet, as this can cause corrosion and damage. Ø Do not put your phone in your back pocket because this may cause unwanted pressure on the device or it is likely to be crushed if you sit on it. Ø Do not download or store too much data on your device, as this can result in its sluggish performance or possible crash. Ø Do not handle your device

roughly, as this may impact ware and tare. Ø Finally, do not try to repair your phone when something goes wrong.

If it is under warranty, take it back to the store where it was bought for repairs. Otherwise, take it to an expert.(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper).For further information, call the GNBS on Telephone number: 219-0065 or 2190069 or visit the Bureau’s website: www.gnbsgy.org

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Kaieteur News

Sunday December 20, 2020

New High Court rules results in speedy trials but delays - Supreme Court asks for patience in production of court orders and consideration in resolving issue

By Rehanna Ramsay The introduction of the 2016 Civil Procedures Rule (CPR) or High Court Rule

would have represented the dawn of a new era, for the Supreme Court of Judicature.

The implementation of the

new procedure meant that the High Court had adequate guidelines and mechanisms towards facilitating speedy

trials, thereby reducing the backlog of cases that was in the system, in some instances for decades.

However, the CPR rules brought with it a new challenge- a delay in the production of Court Orders.

With the courts now churning out hundreds of matters on a daily basis and the registries having the sole responsibility under the new CPR to produce the orders, members of the Bar are finding it difficult with the length of time it takes for the orders to be produced.

Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall told Kaieteur News that the new rules have created a hamstring in the process for practising lawyers and their clients.

The AG explained that a court order is an official proclamation by a judge in a trial, an appeal or other court proceedings.

He stressed therefore that a delay in the production of court orders can tamper with the evidential value or weight of a judge’s proclamation in a matter.

He noted that this essentially means that an order can be viewed as not taking effect, among other things.

The AG suggested that lawyers regress to the old way of doing things to help push the process along.

“Under the old system, attorneys would draft the orders themselves and the court sign off on them which takes the burden off the registry and fast-tracks the process. I think that if the court reverts to this method, it will ease the difficulty,” the AG said.

President of the Guyana Bar Association, Teni Housty, is among the attorneys who expressed frustration at the delays.

He noted the complaints have been raised at the level of the Bar and Bench.

“The Court is well of aware of the difficulty, which we face in this regard and we are only hoping that some work can be done towards rectifying the problem,” Housty asserted.

The Supreme Court, in response to the queries, noted

Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings–Edwards

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. that the administration is aware of the complaints about delays in the production of court orders.

As a result, the Court ask for continued patience and consideration from attorneys and the public as it seeks to resolve this issue regarding the timely entry and issuance of orders for the benefit of all.

In a statement, the Supreme Court explained that the Registry, within its constraints, produces the orders pursuant to the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) including interim, interlocutory or final, rather than the old system, whereby lawyers were required to lay over their orders (Continued on page 62)

President of the Bar Association, Teni Housty

Sunday December 20, 2020

Kaieteur News

Multiple charges for Henry boys’ family in driver’s licence drama Charged: Colwyn Henry sitting on the bench at The Sparendaam’s Police Station

Charged: Gail Johnson

T

wo family members of brutally mur dered West Berbice teens, Joel and Isaiah Henry, have been slapped with a total of six charges following an incident that stemmed from a demand by a traffic cop for a driver’s licence.

Appearing at the Sparendaam’s Magistrate Court on Friday was Colwyn Henry, 24, and his mother, Gail Johnson, of Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

Henry and his mom were jointly accused of assaulting a peace officer and disorderly behaviour. They pleaded not guilty and were placed on $10,000 bail each for both charges.

Henry was also charged for failing to produce a driver’s licence and resisting a peace officer. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was granted $10,000 bail.

Johnson was charged separately for resisting a peace officer and obstructing

justice. She pleaded not guilty too and was placed on $10,000 bail as well.

The mother and son are expected to return to court on January 21, 2021.

According to reports, on December 15, a statement by the family’s attorney, Nigel Hughes, followed by a video uploaded on Facebook, which showed an altercation between a police officer and the two family members of the Henry boys.

It all started at a road block in front of the Sparendaam’s Police Station.

Henry was the driver of a car which was stopped by police. His mother and reportedly the father of one of the Henry boys were passengers in the car at the time.

According to their attorney, Hughes, they were returning home from a presentation held at Cathedral of Immaculate Conception on Brickdam. The Henry boys’ (Continued on page 62)

PAGE 59

Sunday December 20, 2020

CONSUMER CONCERNS Spirit of Christmas has Defeated the Pandemic -Merry Christmas to All! Today is the beginning of Christmas Week, which in the Guyanese tradition, forms part of Christmas with the 25th - Christmas Day, being its climax.

It is therefore appropriate for us to greet our readers with the traditional greeting: ‘Merry Christmas to you and yours!’In the past, there were many years, which were described as “annus mirabilis” - a wonderful year but almost none which could be described as “annus miserabilis”- a disastrous or distressing year.

The year 2020 has the infamous distinction of being classified as one of the worst years in Guyanese history- an “annus miserabilis.”

In this year, Guyanese people were tormented with strange and dangerous political happenings, the likes of which had never before been experienced. But even worse, the country suddenly became enveloped by the COVID-19 pandemic, which almost destroyed the social and cultural life as well as the business life and economy of the country.

People could no longer meet in groups - the restaurants and other public places had to be closed and at funerals and weddings, only the few who were directly concerned could attend.

Business meetings were aborted or had to take place

by Zoom, a very impersonal way which led to minimum participation. Examples of this were the Annual General Meetings of public companies such as Banks DIH and Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL) which were once attended by thousands, all in a festive atmosphere.

With the lockdowns and curfews, business hours were severely restricted and the tempo of the economy became slower and slower, resulting in thousands of workers in the private sector being laid off or put on halfpay.

As we moved from the third to the last quarter of the year, the atmosphere began to change and it seemed to us that the Christmas spirit and ethos, which are so much a part of the Guyanese psyche, began to assert or manifest itself and people seemed to become kinder and more charitable to each other.

Though the state was in deficit, it decided to encourage the population with a message of optimism and hope: Old Age pensions were increased; many taxes were abolished or reduced; cost of water was subsidized; hampers of food were distributed and households

gifted $25,000.

Whether or not the state was influenced by the Christmas spirit, ordinary folk showed greater concern for their fellow man and would do what they could to help the needier.

Christmas time, with its long school holidays, the Nativity Story with which children could identify, the many Christmas songs and carols which refer to children and the festive celebrations where children always had a place, made Christmas a children’s celebration.

Though the schools were closed for several months, children communicated with each other by telephone and internet or would even visit each other and were the group, which had overcome the fear of COVID-19 and were prepared to celebrate Christmas.Now we are at the threshold of Christmas, the blythe spirit of the festival seemed to have put the drooling moroseness exuded by the pandemic to flight.

The shops have been decorated and have brought out their Christmas goods, and shoppers are appearing in greater numbers, and the commercial districts have recovered much of their liveliness with the brilliant light-up of the tree-lined Main Street Avenue being the centre piece proclaiming that Christmas is alive and well as it always was.

The newspapers and television stations have their fill of colourful advertisements with various Christmas motifs and music strengthening the “feel” of season, and allowing people to enjoy the famous “Christmas weather” with its cool breezes, blue skies, low silver clouds, vegetation of a brighter green, sunlight with a golden tint, pastel sunsets and long dusks bathed in light blue light.

The pandemic has not affected the Guyanese Christmas menu, which has continued with its cook-up, pepperpot, ham, barbecued chicken and roast potatoes, curries and roti, braised or fresh vegetables, with desserts of fresh fruit and various types of cakes and the ever-present ginger beer.

The Guyanese Christmas lunch or dinner has asserted its invincibility to the pandemic.

The pandemic mists of depressing pessimism which had clouded most of 2020 have now been dissipated by the resurgence of the Christmas Spirit.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 61

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Kaieteur News

Sunday December 20, 2020

New High Court rules results in speedy...

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From page 58 with the court.

The Court noted, however, that some lawyers still produce their orders on their own initiative or on the order of the court and email them to the Registry.

“This assists the Registry in producing the orders in a timelier manner. The Registry prioritizes orders according to urgency. For example, Injunction Orders are in this cat-

Multiple charges for Henry...

From page 59 family had gone there to listen to a lecture from the head of the Argentine Forensic Team (EAAF) who is currently in Guyana to assist police in solving case of the slain Berbice teens.

When they were stopped at the road block, Henry was asked to produce his driver’s licence, but he did not have it on him at the time.

Hughes had indicated in his statement that Henry had shown the police a photo of his licence. Instead of letting him go, Hughes alleged that his rights were violated and both his clients were assaulted by the officers.

He claimed that Henry was beaten by at least six police ranks and thrown into cell.

Hughes further alleged, because of the inhumane treatment, Johnson fainted and had to be transported via ambulance to a hospital.

A video was also posted on Facebook showing a policeman forcing Henry up a flight of stairs. In attempt, to presumably, assist her son, she held on to the officer and pulled him back. She was also seen in short altercation with the said policeman.

A few hours later, photos surfaced of a bloody mask and Henry with a split lips sitting on a bench with shackles on his feet. Another photo surfaced of Johnson sitting in a chair and later on stretcher heading to the ambulance.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) also sent out a statement calling Hughes’ version of events “grossly misrepresenting.”

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egory,” the Supreme Court said in its statement.

Alluding to the process, the Supreme Court noted that in all matters, the Judge’s registrar must write the order granted as noted in the Judge’s minute book on the flysheet of the file before the file is sent to the Registry for the order to be typed.

“Once typed, the order is checked and certified before being signed off for entry and issuance,” the statement added.However, the Court explained that in the vast majority of cases, there would be multiple orders granted in each case.

“The numbers of orders per day varies depending on the numbers of matters fixed by each Judge for hearing in

a day.

Usually, orders are received from a minimum of six Judges per day in Demerara, one Judge in Berbice and one Judge in Essequibo,” the Court explained.

The statement continued that, “On average, the court said that each judge in Demerara deals with five to 20 matters per day. Thus on average between 30 to 120 orders is issued per day in Demerara.” Further, it was explained that some orders are complex while others are simple. “Judges,” the Court said, “sometimes produce their orders for entry in the Registry. This is especially where time is of the essence or it is a complicated order.”

“The Registries are also

responsible for orders of the Full Court of Appeal which is the Appellate Division of the High Court.

Although draft orders are filed in Fixed Date Applications, when the orders are granted, they do not necessarily follow the draft,” the Court added.

On the other hand, the Court noted that while the complaints are acknowledged, there are often cases where the orders are ready but counsel does not send to uplift them.

“As at December 15, 2020, there are 193 orders that are typed and entered awaiting Counsel or their clerks to attend at the registry to uplift them,” the Supreme Court said in the statement.

Sunday December 20, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Giftland introduces measures to limit crowding during Christmas shopping As the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill, Giftland is insisting that it is trying its best to keep everyone working and shopping in a safe environment.

“Having effective COVID19 safety measures in place has been our paramount priority and it is key in providing service that is safe for our patrons and employees. As we approach our biggest season of the year, we wish to reinstate our strict protocols to remind our patrons of the importance, as we are facing the greatest public health challenge of our lifetime.”

The Turkeyen mall warned that customers visiting that they must wear a mask at all times.

“It is compulsory before entering to get a temperature test, then sanitize either by washing hands vigorously or by simply walking through any of our sanitization chambers. Customers are advised to maintain social distancing at all times in which no loitering or congregating is allowed. All passageways and walkways are required to remain clear at all times.”

To avoid overcrowding, Giftland said its personnel will be working with a strict section measuring system to closely monitor the traffic in various areas of the mall.

“If a particular area has reached its maximum capacity, without compromise, patrons will be required to wait

or allowed access to another available area that has not reached its maximum capacity. Together, we need to remain vigilant and continue to follow all recommended health and safety precautions.”

Giftland reminded that COVID-19 does not recognize borders and no one is safe until all are protected.

“Our sincere thank you to all public health workers, scientist, front line workers and federal government agencies that are working tirelessly to upkeep the safety within our country, their commitment to fight against COVID-19 has been an inspiration to us all and we are forever grateful for their efforts.”

Giftland Mall says it has introduced measures to limit overcrowding during the holidays.

Sunday December 20, 2020

“We must continue to stand united in the defence of our sovereignty” -President Ali - Charges army ranks to recommit to country, people President Irfaan Ali on Friday told hundreds of ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) that the country must continue to stand united in defence of our territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The Head of State was at the time speaking at the GDF’s annual Christmas Lunch at Base Camp Ayanganna.

In his feature remarks, President Ali, reminded the ranks of the earlier judgment from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that said it has the jurisdiction to hear Guyana’s case seeking the validation of the 1899 arbitral award establishing the boundary with Venezuela.

The President explained that the decision by the ICJ removes an “important hurdle” in resolving the longstanding controversy between Guyana and Venezuela and gives the country a chance to put its case to the court.

“I take this opportunity once again to thank all the stakeholders, our technical staff, the lawyers, successive governments, and importantly, all Guyanese for their unified stance on this issue. It indeed shows us what unity can do for us as a country, what coming together can do for us as a country.”

After thanking the ranks, the Head of State reminded them of their tasks to protect the citizens, sovereignty and resources of Guyana and urged them to be vigilant, strong and committed.

“When it comes to our territorial integrity and sovereignty there has to be no division, political or otherwise. We must continue

to stand united in defence of our territorial integrity and our sovereignty.”

He further reminded the ranks of Government’s commitment to providing housing and educational opportunities to them, as well as improved health care services.

“We see you owning your own house lots… own your own homes and come next year we are going to commence this process,” President Ali explained, while noting that the Government will ensure that there are special housing programmes right at the headquarters of the GDF to facilitate the ranks.

He also highlighted that the ranks of the GDF will be able to be part of a special programme to ensure that they benefit from the 20,000 scholarships that the Government will be making available for citizens.

Additionally, in order to better facilitate the ranks, President Ali explained that a system will be set up to have the ranks select scholarship awardees based on merit and performance.

The Head of State reasoned that these opportunities will be provided not only to improve the institution but also to move it forward.

“We have some exceptional talent, great brain power in the Guyana Defence Force but we have to utilize that talent and our brain power for national development. And I’ll assure you this is the direction we are going to go towards.”

This is why, he explained, there is a clear outlined strategy for enhanced roles

for ranks of the GDF and officers in community development; and overall national development.

He stressed that the ranks will become part of the national security architecture and will be utilized to give logistical support to the Government.

“I want to assure you that we have already started the discussion on how we can make things better, and whilst I have had a lot of discussion at the top, be assured that in the coming year I’ll be visiting all the units to hear from you, to listen to you and to understand your perspective on the improvement of the Guyana Defence Force.”

President Ali told the ranks that despite the COVID19 pandemic, the Government was still able to provide a twoweek tax-free bonus that will be paid before the end of the year.

He proclaimed that this will only improve because “there is no other direction for our country and our people than a forward, upward direction.”

The President charged the ranks to not only recommit to Guyana, but also their oath of office, to the people and to give their best to the country and citizens.

“I have seen the respect and regard the population gives the uniform you wear, the honour they give the uniform you wear. But equally, we must earn and show we uphold our oath, we must earn and show that we also bring dignity and honour to the uniform we wear. And I ask you today to recommit yourself to the country.”

(Office of the President)

Sunday December 20, 2020

Kaieteur News

Three soldiers, chosen by colleagues, receive scholarships President Irfaan Ali, on Friday, made good on his pledge to improve the educational opportunities for ranks of the Guyana Defence Force.

The Head of State presented Corporal Ryan Jordan, Lance Corporal Nikolai Moore and Private Michael Yarde with scholarships, in keeping with a commitment made while visiting soldiers stationed at Kaikan in Region 7 (Cuyuni Mazaruni), last week.

During that visit, the President had said that three of the ranks stationed in the bordering community will benefit from University of

Guyana scholarships.

“We were in Kaikan and I asked the soldiers from among themselves to select who they thought were priority in gaining scholarships…they selected these three officers and for this I thank them.”

In addressing the GDF ranks on Friday, during their annual Christmas Lunch at Base Camp Ayanganna, President Ali said that the scholarship presentation was the tip of the iceberg and that the soldiers will benefit from many other opportunities moving forward.

He pointed to the significance of giving them

President Irfaan Ali presenting the scholarship to the three soldiers.

the power to select their peers, which he said will contribute to empower the unit to make decisions collectively.

He stressed, too, that this approach will help to foster an environment in which ideas could be shared through constructive and strategic discussions.

“We have set aside a special number of training opportunities... this time it is not top down, this time the units will select who they believe is not only most qualified, but who they think should be given the priority.

This is the way we are going forward.”

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Digicel spreads cheer to children’s homes

Digicel over the past week visited the Mahaica and Hope Children’s home to spread some much needed Christmas cheers to the children.

On Thursday, staff members of Digicel and Santa also distributed goodies to the children of the Kingston community.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday December 20, 2020

Sunday December 20, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Start of Australian Open confirmed for Feb. 8 ...Suarez nets double MELBOURNE (Reuters) The Australian Open will start on Feb. 8, three weeks later than scheduled, organisers confirmed yesterday after months of speculation over the first Grand Slam of 2021.

The start date of the main draw of the tournament was originally slated for Jan. 18 and organisers have been locked in drawn-out negotiations with local government over COVID-19 health security measures.

“This will be an historic Australian Open on so many levels,” tournament director Craig Tiley said in a statement.

“For the first time in more than 100 years the Australian Open will start in February

and we look forward to offering the players what we believe will be one of their best playing experiences in 2021.”

The state of Victoria yesterday recorded a 50th straight day without a case of community transmitted COVID-19 but many health restrictions remain in place in Melbourne and international travel into Australia is still strictly limited.

Victoria’s state government said that players would be tested for COVID19 prior to departure for Australia and a minimum of five times during quarantine, during which they would be able to train for five hours a day.

“From the outset, ensuring players have the best possible preparation for the Australian Open, while at all times protecting the precious COVID-free environment that the Victorian community has built ... over the past six months, has been paramount,” Tiley added.

This year’s Wimbledon tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the U.S. and French Opens went ahead with the players confined to bio-secure ‘bubbles’, unable to leave their hotel rooms except to train and play.

Qualifying for the Melbourne Park

Sunday December 20, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Aries, you shouldn't even try to find a reasonable explanation for what goes on around you today. There isn't one.Be carried by the tides of emotions from the past that run through your body and soul.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Today you may ask yourself if you're satisfied. How is your personal life? Do people live up to your standards or are you always left feeling dissatisfied?

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Nothing is simple where your family is concerned. If you've forgotten that, don't worry. Today will remind you. You may have to deal with some of your lingering problems with certain family members.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You like to give people advice and help them find direction in their lives - sometimes when they haven't even asked. But now it's your turn to feel a little lost.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Certain very narrow-minded people may get on your nerves. You're lucky enough to be an open, tolerant person. You take people and situations just as they come.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today you will be able to explore the power of your emotions. Don't try and fight what you call your "oversensitivity." A force from childhood will permeate you and help you to find out what your real needs are.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Sagittarius, you feel secure in the warmth and depth of your emotions. Today you will have the opportunity to reenergize and regenerate yourself from the inside out.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The atmosphere may seem a bit oppressive today. You like to be free to do what you want to do, and it may bother you that the people around you don't make themselves available to you.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Leo, you may put your integrity under the microscope today. We all have deep convictions that we would never let go of.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) ou may feel a bit tied down today. It won't necessarily be a bad day, but you may wonder about certain aspects of your family life.

Don't try and kid yourself.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your freedom is more important to you than anything else in your life. It's often very difficult for you to get involved, whether personally or professionally. Nevertheless, today you may have to think about it.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) There are days when you should take everything with a grain of salt. Today you may realize how important it is to gain the appreciation and respect of a certain person.It isn't worth getting worked up about.

tournament will take place overseas for the first time — in Dubai for the women and Doha for the men — before the players travel to Australia to undergo 14 days of quarantine.

After quarantine there will be men’s and women’s warm-up events in Melbourne to allow players some match practice before the start of the Grand Slam.

The ATP Tour on Thursday pre-empted Tennis Australia’s announcement in releasing an update of its calendar for 2021 revising the first seven weeks of the season.

The WTA followed suit yesterday, announcing two tournaments in Melbourne in the week commencing on Jan. 31 and another in the second week of the Australian Open for players knocked out of the Grand Slam.

The women’s tour will open its 2021 season with the Abu Dhabi Open starting on Jan. 5 before Australian Open qualifying in the neighbouring city of Dubai from Jan. 10-13.

Tournaments in Auckland and Shenzhen, China, have been cancelled but will return to the tour in 2022, the WTA said in a statement.

...Joshua Da Silva is 6th Windies From page 67 for the England Test tour when West Indies and England became the first teams to play an International match during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

But despite the dismal batting performance of the top order in the last two Test matches Da Silva was ignored by the selectors, even after scoring an attractive unbeaten 133 in the practice match and standing as substitute keeper for Shane Dowrich in the final Test.

With Campbell continuing failures in England and in the first Test which West Indies lost by an innings and 34 runs many felt Da Silva had done enough to replace one of the openers since that was a position he batted in First-Class Cricket. It was Dowrich’s injury which provided him with a place in the X1 but only as a Keeper and he had to bat at number eight. However, the right-hander grabbed his opportunity with both hands.

The Trini will want to follow in the footsteps of Dujon but one achievement of the acrobatic Keeper that Da Silva can never match is that the Jamaican never played in a losing series during his entire Test career which lasted from December 1981 to August 1991.

From page 71 slightest touch on a low cross from Kieran Trippier to score for the first time since Nov. 7. Suarez then slid in to knock home another from a delightful low pass by Yannick Carrasco in the 58th for his ninth goal of the season, taking him joint top of the scoring charts alongside Celta Vigo’s Iago Aspas and Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal.

“Luis had to adapt to 20 days without participating and then last week he played three games,” said Simeone.

“I was so happy for him, especially with the second goal, when he waited until the last moment to ensure he wasn’t offside and got on the end of a great move from Carrasco.”

Elche got back into the

game with a header from Boye in the 64th following a well-worked corner routine, becoming the first side to score against Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano since the first game of the season.

Boye nearly found an equaliser when he swivelled to shoot inside the box but Atletico keeper Jan Oblak got across to tip the ball around the near post.

The hosts soon sealed the points though when substitute Costa went to ground to earn a debateable penalty and then lashed home from the spot in the 80th.

Elche’s 40-year-old striker Nino then came off the bench to try and help his side get something from the game and almost scored but saw his header cleared off the line.

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Sunday December 20, 2020

Indian press, ex-players rue ‘massacre’ in Australia AFP - The Indian press and former players savaged the national cricket team on Saturday after they slumped to their lowest-ever score in a “humiliating” and “jawdropping” Test defeat in Australia.

India were bundled out for 36 in the second innings of the first Test in Adelaide as Australian pacemen Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins put the visitors to the sword.

In cricket-crazy India, The Times of India dubbed the performance and the defeat — the hosts cruised to an eight-wicket victory on just the third day — the “massacre in Adelaide”.

“India did almost everything right on Day 2,” the paper said. “Day 3 however saw the Aussie fast bowlers especially Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins come out with a vengeance.”

The Indian batting performance — no player even reached double figures — was a “jaw-dropping act of meek surrender,” the paper said, calling Hazlewood with his stellar figures of five for eight the “wrecker-in-chief”.

The Indian Express wondered if the “summer of 36” was “Indian cricket’s lowest point”, adding tongue-in-cheek that the players had at least “buried the ghost” of 1974, when the previous record low of 42 was set.

Forty-six years ago when India were thrashed by

Jasprit Bumrah trudges off after becoming one of Australia’s victims as India crashed to a historic low of 36 runs.

England at Lord’s, that innings at least saw one player — Eknath Solkar making 18 not out — reach double figures, the paper recalled.

The Republic TV channel on its website called the batting performance “humiliating”, with the middle order of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane “badly exposed”.

Virat Kohli said he was confident that the team would bounce back, but the talismanic Indian skipper is now returning home to be with his Bollywood star wife for the birth of their first child.

With Kohli absent, and a “question mark” over the fitness of key batsman Rohit Sharma, “Team India have a lot to think about,” the Times of India said.

- Gracious Tendulkar Former India great Sachin Tendulkar was gracious about the defeat, congratulating the Australians.

“With the way India batted & bowled in the 1st innings, they were in the driver’s seat, but the Aussies came back really hard this morning,” he tweeted.

“That is the beauty of Test cricket. It’s NEVER over

till it’s over. India was outclassed in the 2nd half.

Congratulations to Australia!”

Former India pacer Irfan Pathan said though he was “very disappointed”, adding: “We all expect the Indian team to play better cricket.”

Kris Srikkanth, a former India opener, captain and selector, was similarly unforgiving.

“All the hard work done by india in the 1st innings lost by pretty pathetic batting in a span of 20 overs! Congrats @CricketAus,” Srikkanth tweeted.

“Time for our boys to dig deep and put a decent total on the board for our bowlers!”

Parthiv Patel, another former player, called it “India’s most shameful performance”.

“Players like Virat Kohli, Hanuma Vihari, Ajinkya Rahane, have all played on the biggest of stages, “ Patel told Cricbuzz.

“Even if you are facing Hazlewood, Starc, Cummins, someone could have put their heads down and at least stitched one partnership.”

- Some sympathy Indian batting great Sunil Gavaskar defended Kohli’s men, saying that any batting side would have struggled against Australia’s “simply superb” bowling attack.

“I mean, any team that is all-out for its lowest Test

score since the time it started playing cricket, that’s never good to see,” Indian media quoted Gavaskar as telling Channel 7.

“But having said that, if any other team had been facing that kind of bowling, they would have also got out.”

Australian spin legend Shane Warne hailed the “outstanding” bowling but also expressed some sympathy for the visitors.

“Have to feel for the Indian batsman as never saw that coming - it was one of those days where the batsman nicked everything & didn’t play and miss at all !

Unbelievable,” Warne tweeted.

Former India pacer R P Singh expressed optimism about the rest of the fourmatch series: “We have bounced back in past and this team can do that too.”

But former England captain Michael Vaughan was having none of it.

“Told ya ... India are going to get hammered in the Test Series ... #AUSvIND #4-0,” he tweeted.

Clinical Liverpool thrash Palace 7-0 to go six points clear

Arsenal fall to eight league defeat as Everton go second BBC Sport - Everton ensured manager Carlo Ancelotti celebrated the first anniversary of his appointment with victory over Arsenal that moved them into second place in the Premier League to increase counterpart Mikel Arteta’s woes.

Ancelotti’s side have now beaten Chelsea, Leicester City and Arsenal in the space of seven days and while there were some anxious moments in the second half, this was a deserved win.

Everton took the lead after 22 minutes when Rob Holding deflected Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s flick past Bernd Leno, but Arsenal were level 10 minutes

Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino scores their third goal. (REUTERS/Clive Rose)

Everton have won eight of their 14 Premier League games so far this season. (Getty Images) before the break when Nicolas Pepe scored from the spot after Tom Davies fouled Ainsley MaitlandNiles.

The Gunners barely deserved to be level and

Everton were ahead again on the stroke of half-time when Yerry Mina headed in at the near post from a corner.

Arsenal improved after the break, David Luiz seeing a shot deflected on to the post, but Everton also had opportunities and this loss leaves Arteta’s struggling side 15th as he has no cause to celebrate his own first anniversary in a few days’ time.

LONDON (Reuters) Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah each netted twice in a scoring masterclass as the visitors thrashed Crystal Palace 7-0 to record their first away win in the Premier League since September and move a provisional six points clear at the top.

It marked the first time the Reds had won away in the topflight by a margin of seven goals and was their biggest league victory since they hammered Palace 9-0 at Anfield in 1989 when they won the old top-flight First Division title.

The result put the defending champions on 31 points after 14 games ahead of second-placed Tottenham

Hotspur, who host Leicester City today.

Japanese midfielder Takumi Minamino repaid Juergen Klopp’s decision to start him instead of Mohamed Salah by scoring after just over two minutes and Sadio Mane then made it two when he twisted and fired home form the edge of the box in the 35th.

Firmino added a third just before the break, flicking home to finish off a glorious Liverpool counter-attack that swept the length of the field, and Jordan Henderson added a fourth seven minutes into the second half as Palace fell apart.

Firmino got his second with a brilliant chipped effort in the 68th and Salah came on

to net with a header before superbly curling a shot into the top corner five minutes from time.

Henderson praised his side’s efforts in front of goal but, despite the dominant display and the margin of victory, the midfielder said his side could still improve.

“I thought we were ruthless today and took our chances which is always important. We dominated the game for large periods but I still thought we were sloppy at times,” he told BT Sport.

“Overall, the performance level, we have to be happy.

Now we have a week leading to the next game. Then another tough test again,” he added ahead of the visit of West Bromwich Albion.

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 20, 2020

PAGE 69

Joshua Da Silva is 6th Windies Keeper to score a fifty on debut - First White WI player since Nash to play Test cricket

By Sean Devers When 22-year-old Trinidadian Joshua Da Silva, made his Test debut against New Zealand in Wellington last week, he became the first Caribbean-born white West Indian to play Test cricket since Barbadian Geoff Greenidge in 1973 and the first white player to represent West Indies since Australian-born Brendan Nash in 2011.

Da Silva is of Portuguese background and his family hails from the Island of Madeira, the birthplace of Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Australian cricketer Moises Henriques.

Da Silva’s mother was born in Canada, as was his grandmother while his father (Michael Da Silva) was born in Trinidad, but his family roots stretch back to the migration of Madeirenses to the Caribbean and North America in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Da Silva also became the sixth West Indies WicketKeeper to score a fifty on Test debut and the second youngest to achieve the feat.

After replacing Shane Dowrich, who was hit on his face while keeping by Shannon Gabriel, Da Silva made three in the first innings of the second Test

Da Silva in West Indies colours.

and followed it up with an accomplished 57 from 84 balls and 135 minutes with six boundaries, batting at number eight, before he was LBW to Neil Wagner.

The talented young man joined Clifford Mc Watt who was 31 when he scored 54 & 36* against England in Jamaica in 1954, Jackie Hendricks who was 28 when he made 28 & 64 against India in Trinidad in 1962, Ivor Mendonca who was 27 when he scored 78 against India in Jamaica in 1962, Desmond Lewis who was 25 when he made 81* against India at Bourda in 1971 and

Da Silva celebrates as West Indies Emerging Players beat B’dos in last Regional Super50 tournament in T&T.

Denesh Ramdin who was 20 when he scored 56 & 11 against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, as West Indies Keepers who scored a fifty on their Test debut. Da Silva and fellow Trinidadian Ramdin were the only ones to do so outside of the West Indies.

Jeff Dujon and Shane Dowrich made half centuries in their first Test as WicketKeepers but both began their Test Careers as specialist batsmen.

Dowrich made his Test debut as a top-order batsman against Australia in June 2015 in Dominica in a West Indies team that was s k i p p e r e d b y Wi c k e t k e e p e r / b a t s m a n Dinesh Ramdin. Dowrich, batting at number four, scored 15 in the first innings and 70 in the second. In his first Test match behind the stumps against India in Antigua in 2016, Dowrich contributed an unbeaten 57 at Number eight in the first innings.

Dujon, who has 272 dismissals (the most by a West Indian) and scored the most Test runs by a West Indies Keeper (3,322) with five centuries and 16 fifties from 81 Test matches, made a couple of 40s in his first two Tests playing as batsman against Australia in 1981. He replaced David Murray behind the stumps in his third Test and reached the elusive half century.

Da Silva joined Samuel Guillen (who also played Test Cricket for New Zealand), Deryck Murray, Ralph Legall, David Williams and Ramdin as Trinidadian Test WicketKeepers.

Da Silva represented Trinidad & Tobago U-19s,

Joshua Da Silva was a Footballer before he made cricket his career.

Trinidad & Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, West Indies Emerging Players &West Indies. Da Silva also played in England for Old Wimbledonians CC in Surrey as a 17-year-old as a part of the Atlantic/Kieron Pollard scholarship programme.

He made his first-class debut for Trinidad and Tobago in the 2018–19 Regional Four Day Competition on 13 December 2018 and made his List A debut on 7 November 2019 for the West Indies Emerging Team in the 2019–20 Regional Super50 tournament.

In January 2020, in the opening round of the 2019–20 West Indies Championship Da Silva scored his maiden century in first-class cricket, with an unbeaten 113.

In June 2020, Da Silva was named as one of eleven reserve players in the West Indies’ Test squad, for their series against England after an impressive 2019-20 domestic season. Da Silva made 507 runs at an Average of 50.7 and replaced Ramdin from the T&T side.

The Test series was originally scheduled to start in May 2020, but was moved back to July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the third day of the third Test of the series, Da Silva was used as a substitute wicketkeeper in the match, after Dowrich suffered an on-field injury.

In October 2020, Da Silva was named as one of six reserve players for the

West Indies’ Test squad for their series against New Zealand. Ahead of the second Test, Da Silva was added to the squad for the match as a replacement for the injured Dowrich and made his Test debut on 11 December 2020.

In 18 First Class games Da Silva has 932 runs with an unbeaten 113 being his only ton in addition to his six fifties at an Average of 32.13.

He effected a stumping and held 29 catches. He has scored 331 runs from 10 fifty-overs games including 103 not out against Windward Islands in the group stage in the Regional Super50 for eventual Champions ‘West Indies E m e rg i n g P l a y e r s ’ i n Trinidad last year. He has 16 dismissals including a stumping, while in his six T20s his 59 is his only halfcentury, while he has held three catches behind the stumps for the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

Da Silva was born on June 19, 1998 and attended St. Mary’s College in Portof-Spain and was involved in several sports as teenager.

He played cricket and football at School but decided to focus solely on cricket when he was 17 and got selected as a wicketkeeper for the Queen’s Park’s second team.

Young Da Silva worked on his skills sets and more importantly, his fitness level under the watchful eyes of coach David Furlonge.

Playing Club Cricket in England, Da Silva made

close to a 1,000 at an average of 64.42 with five fifties and two centuries and was good behind the stumps with 19 d i s m i s s a l s . Wi t h t h e confidence gained from the impressive showing in England he scored 600 runs for the Queen’s Park team in the 2017/18 season and ended up making his firstclass debut for Trinidad & Tobago in the Regional Four-Day Tournament in the 2018/19 season. After managing only 348 runs at an average of 21.75, he was not selected for T&T for the Regional Super50 competition.

When he got an opportunity to represent the West Indies Emerging team in the Regional Super50, Da Silva scored 310 runs at 44.28 including a matchwinning 103* against the Windward Islands to see his team to an upset win over Barbados in the Final.

Da Silva only decided to pursue a cricket career instead of football in 2016.

He played just a handful of games for Trinidad at youth level and never made the West Indies Under-19 team and placing a greater emphasis on fitness, Da Silva got into the T&T’s squad for the Regional FourDay competition in the 2019/20 season. He finished as the leading run-scorer for T&T; scoring his maiden first-class hundred.

On the back of that performance, he was named in the 25-man West Indies squad as one of the reserves (Continued on page 67)

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Kaieteur News

Sunday December 20, 2020

Australia romp to victory after India’s lowest total in Tests

The famous Adelaide scoreboard records the details of India’s collapse. (Getty Images) Pat Cummins is pumped after ripping through India’s top order © Getty Images ESPNcricinfo - A fascinatingly poised Test match. What sort of target could Australia chase? The scene set for Virat Kohli to sign off the tour with a defining innings? The third day in Adelaide promised so much - in many ways it delivered, but in scarcely believable fashion as Josh Hazlewood - who reached 200 Test wickets - and Pat Cummins dismantled India for their lowest-ever Test total with Australia securing victory before the floodlights were even needed.

India resumed at 9 for 1, having lost Prithvi Shaw late the previous evening, with a lead of 62 under their belts and the expectation that anything over 200 would make them favourites to repeat their 201819 victory on this ground. In the space of 16 overs they were all out, without a single batsman reaching double figures - a first in Test history.

To compound their woes, last-man Mohammed Shami was forced to retire hurt to close the innings after a fierce blow on the arm from Cummins.

Australia’s bowlers were on the mark from the first ball and when Cummins collected a low return catch off nightwatchman Jasprit

Bumrah they became unstoppable. Not that the collapse needs any further breaking down, but the nine wickets on the third day fell for 21. From Kohli’s run out on the first day, when India were well placed on 188 for 3, they had lost 17 for 92.

What can be considered a perfect day for Australia was capped by their new opening pair of Matthew Wade and Joe Burns putting on 70 for the first wicket.

Wade played confidently and compactly while there were signs of Burns, who was struck a painful blow on the arm, coming out of his funk.

He made his highest score of the season which included some increasingly neat strokeplay, bringing up a halfcentury with a top-edged hook for six that brought victory. That’s a big tick for the Australia selectors.

Four overs after his first wicket of the afternoon, Cummins made the breakthrough that really began Australia’s surge when a perfect delivery took Cheteshwar Pujara’s outside edge and carried low to Tim Paine - the first of five catches for Australia’s captain, whose unbeaten 73 on the second day all of a sudden became matchwinning.

Mayank Agarwal followed in similar fashion against a peach from Hazlewood as did Ajinkya Rahane four balls later with Australia’s quicks locating the perfect, slightly fuller, length to draw the edges.

There will be criticism aimed at India’s batsmen for such a low total, but it was pace bowling of the highest calibre.

While Kohli remained there was some hope that he could galvanise the lower order towards a total that would give the bowlers something. But that soon vanished as well in a moment that showed how things were all rolling Australia’s way.

Lured into a drive by Cummins, the edge flew quickly to gully where Cameron Green couldn’t grab it cleanly but the ball rolled from his chest back into his hands.

The third umpire checked it for a while and was satisfied it was a clean catch. Kohli walked off, and shortly to the airport as his tour comes to a close.

It was Cummins’ 150th Test wicket and only one Australian - Clarrie Grimmett (28 Tests) - has done it quicker than his 31 games.

At 19 for 6 the record books were being thumbed.

Sadly for New Zealand’s sake, their 26 in 1955 remained the lowest total ever but India’s 42 - made against England in 1974 - could not

be avoided. Wriddhiman Saha, chipping to midwicket, and R Ashwin fell in consecutive balls to Hazlewood with the latter wicket bringing up 200 Test scalps.

Hazlewood had another crackerjack up his sleeve to account for Hanuma Vihari

which completed one of the game’s swiftest five-wicket hauls. Cummins was denied the chance to match him when Shami was unable to continue following the blow on his arm despite lengthy onfield treatment. It will be another problem for India who will have to dig deep into

their resolve to recover from this drubbing, and without their main man.

Scores: Australia 191 (Paine 73, Ashwin 4-55) and 93 for 2 (Burns 51*) beat India 244 (Kohli 74, Starc 4-53) and 36 (Hazlewood 5-8, Cummins 421) by eight wickets.

GABF releases provisional squad for FIBA WC qualifiers The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has identified 13 players for a provisional training squad in preparation for their participation in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Pre-Qualifiers which is scheduled to be held in El Salvador next year from February 17 -21.

Guyana are the reigning Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) senior men’s champions after

winning their first title in Suriname, 2018, and they will be looking to make another first by making it through to the second round of FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

The GABF would’ve been disappointed after their petition to the National Covid19 task force to begin training in preparation fo r t h a t tournament was denied, but head of the body; Mike Singh, in an invited comment with Kaieteur

S p o r t , r e v e aled that the National COVID-19 task force instructed the GABF to reapply for approval in the first week of January, 2021.

The provisional 13-man training squad reads: Stanton Rose, Travis Belgrave, Travis Burnett, Akeem Crandon, Delroy James, Anthony Moe, Nikkoloi Smith, Yannick Tappin, Timothy Thompson, Ray Victor, Shaine Webster, Terron Welch and Kevon Wiggins.

Messi equals Pele’s record of 643 goals for a single club B A R C E L O N A (Reuters) - Lionel Messi equalled Pele’s haul of 643 goals for Santos after scoring for Barcelona against Valencia in La Liga yesterday, matching t h e B r a z i l i a n g r e a t ’s scoring record for a single club.

The Argentine, 33, hit the milestone goal with a diving header just before halftime immediately after his

penalty was saved by Valencia keeper Jaume Domenech.

The goal made it 1-1 in Barca’s La Liga game and cancelled out Mouctar Diakhaby’s opener.

Pele scored 643 goals in 665 competitive games for Santos, while Messi needed 748 matches to reach the tally, although he did it in 17 seasons compared to the 19 Pele needed.

Pele, now 80, made his Santos debut aged 15 in 1956 and left in 1974 after winning six Brazilian league titles plus two Copa Libertadores crowns, South America’s equivalent of the Champions League.

Messi, who made his first appearance for Barcelona aged 17 in 2004, has won 10 La Liga titles with the club plus four Champions Leagues.

Sunday December 20, 2020

White Castle Fish Shop, Borrow back King and Queen Dominoes

Jermain Langevin (left) of White Castle Fish Shop presents the cheque to organiser Dhyan Carter.

W

hite Castle Fish Shop of Hadfield Street and Dunstani Borrow have thrown their support behind the Twin Tower King and Queen dominoes competition which is set for today at Turning Point Sports Club.

Both sponsors have contributed towards the winning prizes and have expressed their pleasure of being part of the competition.

A number of the top local

players are expected to participate in the tournament which gets underway at 14:00hrs.

Entrance fee is $2,000 and players will battle for over $100,000 in cash prizes.

There will also will a prize for the best female player.

Among other sponsors are HJ 94.1 FM, DeSinco Trading, Big Boss, Royal Castle and 5Js. Interested players contact Clair Benjamin on 641-1069 or Barbara Marshall on 663-8280.

Dhyan Carter (right) accepts the cheque from Dunstani Borrow.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 71

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Kaieteur News

Sunday December 20, 2020

KMPA’s Shaq Adonis (extreme right) makes takes a photo-op with the athletes in the presence of PPYC coach Anson Ambrose (centre).

KMPA continues support of athletes Last week, the King Medas PansyAdonis (KMPA) foundation continued their goodwill in giving back to Guyanese athletes with a donation to the Police Progressive Youth Club (PPYC) that is based in Eve Leary.

The donation included resistance bands, parachutes and an infrared thermometer.

Founder of the KMPA foundation; Andy Medas-King, mentioned that the equipment are very necessary for training especially the

thermometer since the COVID-19 outbreak earlier in the year.

Medas-King shared with this publication that the KMPA always look to assist young athletes since they are the future and mentioned one of their bigger projects which will see over 20 grounds being developed in region four for track and field.

To this end, the KMPA is asking for donations for this venture but in the form of building materials not cash.

Sunday December 20, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 73

Timothy’s Motorcycle & Spares donates man of the series motorcycle for Big Man Cricket The Big Man CricketGuyana is pleased to announce that the recommencement of planning for the Domestic Over 45 T25 Tournament which will be held in Guyana during the period January/February 2021.

Firm dates for the fixtures will be released in due course.

At their last meeting, the Committee was strongly favoring a competition with 8 strong teams rather than a depleted Tournament with several teams; the focus being more on quality and not quantity.

The Committee is now especially pleased to announce that they have just secured the Man Of The

Series Tournament prize of the popular Zanella 110cc Motorcycle to be awarded to the most proficient player of t h e To u r n a m e n t . T h i s prestigious prize was donated by Timothy Bhagwandin of Timothy’s Motorcycle & Spares Store located at 122 Regent & Oronoque Sts, Bourda, Georgetown.

The Zanella motorcycle is a Single cylinder 4 stroke engine with a displacement of 107 cm3. It has air cooling with 4-speed semi-automatic power. Maximum power of 7.2hp with both electric and kick start type motorcycle.

These cycles are very aggressively priced at Timothy’s Motorcycle Store.

Other features of the cycle

Suarez nets double as Atletico go clear at the top

Atletico Madrid’s Luis Suarez celebrates scoring their second goal with teammate Marcos Llorente. (REUTERS/Juan Medina) MADRID (Reuters) Atletico Madrid forward Luis Suarez was back among the goals to help his side to a 3-1 win at home to Elche yesterday, taking them three points clear at the top of La Liga.

Suarez scored either side of halftime to put Atletico two goals up, while Lucas Boye pulled one back for the struggling visitors before Diego Costa sealed the points for Diego Simeone’s side from the penalty spot.

The victory moved Atleti to 29 points from 12 games,

three clear of second-placed Real Sociedad who suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat away to Levante later on.

Real Madrid, who beat Atletico 2-0 last week, are third on 26 after 13 games and can go level on points with their local rivals when they visit Eibar today. Elche are 16th on 14 points.

Uruguay striker Suarez, who recently had a spell on the sidelines after contracting COVID-19, gave Atletico the lead in the 41st minute as he got the (Continued on page 65)

include: Hydraulic telescopic Fork front suspension; Double Hydraulic Shock Absorber Rear Suspension; Front disc brake & Rear drum brake; Alloy wheels.

There will be several prizes and trophies to be awarded at the end of this Tournament but this one is expected to be the most cherished one for all the players.

Willy Farouk, Manager of Timothy’s Motorcycle hands over the Zanella motorcycle keys to John Ramsingh, Director of Big Man Cricket-Guyana.

A jubilant Josh Hazlewood is congratulated by team-mates after his devastating strikes © Getty Images

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi looks dejected during a recent match against Real Sociedad.

(Reuters/Albert Gea)

Messi equals Pele’s record of 643 goals for Australia romp to victory after a single club India’s lowest total in Tests

GABF releases provisional squad for FIBA WC qualifiers

Guyana’s Ray Victor about to layup during the Guyana versus Grenada series last December at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

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