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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 21, 2021
Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 21, 2021
By-election to determine PNC/R Vice-Chair …as new faces dominate Central Executive
New PNC/R Leader to confront PPP/C on oil money …says funds will not be siphoned off by corrupt cabal
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i t h t w o members receiving equal number of votes for the position of Vice Chair of the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR), there will have to be a by-election held in order to decide on the individual to fill the slate. This was confirmed yesterday by PNC/R Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Vincent Alexander, for its 21st Biennial Congress, which ran off Saturday last. Those tied for the position are Christopher Jones and Vinceroy Jordan. H e g a v e t h e announcement yesterday as the certified results were handed over to the party. Additionally, the full slate of the Central Executive Committee—the highest decision-making body of the party—is still without its full complement as there was also a tie for one of the spots. As such, 14 persons have since been confirmed on the CEC, while that body will determine the way forward on its 15th member.
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Tied for the position of PNC/R Vice Chair, Vinceroy Jordan Tied for the position of PNC/R Vice Chair, Christopher Jones Those confirmed, as announced by Alexander are, Amanza Walton-Desir, Annette Ferguson, Christopher Jones, Corretta McDonald, Geeta Chandan Edmond, Reaz Roopnarine, Dawn Hastings, Edward Collins, Ganesh Mahipaul, Gary Best, Hazel Pyle Lewis, Jermaine Figeuira, Kirk Fraser, Troy Garroway and Samuel Sandy. Sherwayne Holder was elected Chairman of the party having received the most votes for that post. Outgoing Chair Volda Lawrence in her remarks to the gathering at Congress Place yesterday formally
handed over the reins of leadership. With regard the position of General Secretary, to be appointed by the newly elected leader, Aubrey Norton, disclosed “I do have someone in mind.” According to Norton, the General Secretary must “be someone that everybody wants to speak to, feel comfortable with, have to have good human relations skills, must be professional, must be competent.” This person, he observed is responsible for management of the secretariat and party affairs, and as such must have management skills, meticulous in planning and implementation and must be one who can relate to Guyanese of all walks of life.
Government says Matthews Ridge well will cost $10 million
Minister of Housing and Water, Colin Croal inspecting the well that is being drilled at Matthews Ridge. Minister of Housing and Water, Colin Croal on Wednesday last, said that a well that is currently being drilled in Matthew’s Ridge, Region will cost $10M. He made this announcement while visiting the community and inspecting the site where the well is being drilled. The project is being done by the Guyana Water Incorporated as an in-house one and the well when completed will be about 150 meters deep and supply at least 100 households in Minab, a small village within Matthew’s Ridge. The project is scheduled to be completed early January next year. Kaieteur News had recently reported that the United States (U.S.) Civil Affairs Team had made a recent visit there to share out 200 hundred water filters residents, so that they can have access to clean water until the construction of the well is completed. It was reported that the community has been getting its water supply from natural springs, but the water had become contaminated with manganese due to the presence of the mineral in that area.
Current manganese operations by a Chinese company is said to have also affected the water supply. One resident had pointed out that the water would even get muddy during the rainy season. During the minister’s visit, another had said that during the dry weather, 40% of the water would be dried up. As a result, the government as part of its water expansion plan in the hinterland decided to drill a well in Matthew’s Ridge. This publication had visited the well and had requested the cost from GWI and was promised that the information would be released in a subsequent press conference. That press conference is yet to be held but Minister Croal divulged the information during his visit there. According to him, the government is saving $10M by drilling the well using in-house engineers employed with GWI and posited that if a company had to be contracted, it would have cost the government $20M. Similar wells are to be drilled in the neighbouring Region One communities namely Baramita and Arakaka.
ewly elected leader of the P e o p l e ’ s N a t i o n a l Congress Reform (PNC/R), Aubrey Norton, on his first day of taking over the reins of the party, immediately put on notice his political opponents in the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Administration that it would not be allowed to rob the nation of its resources through a corrupt cabal. Norton gave the stern warning yesterday, minutes after being formally declared the new leader of the Party following its 21st Biennial Congress on Saturday last. Delivering remarks for the first time as PNCR leader, Norton immediately drew attention to the recent amendments tabled by the administration regarding changes to the Natural Resource Fund—the depository for Guyana’s oil earnings. To this end, Norton was adamant, “we intend to confront them,” and warned that the PNC/R will not allow the PPP/C to put the machinery in place to rob this country.” Addressing the a m e n d m e n t s d i r e c t l y, Norton observed that the changes “they are seeking to make is creating the conditions to rob Guyana.” A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e impassioned Norton declared, “we have to put an end to this kleptocracy, we cannot allow the resources of this country to be siphoned off by a corrupt PPP cabal.” He was adamant, “our resources must benefit all the people of Guyana, “Norton committed that this is his intention and as such, “we put the PPP on notice.” According to Norton in his charge to the PPP/C, “we expect you to respond to the will of the Guyanese people or we will act politically.” Speaking to other immediate demands of the party given its urgency, Norton told party members and supports, among the first obstacles the party must confront is the matter of a new voters list, since “we cannot go to elections without a new votes list; we have to uninstall them.” It was in this vein that he reminded of the proposed amendments that he said the PNC/R will oppose vigorously, “the gerrymandering of elections boundaries: we will not allow them to change the
Newly Elected PNC/R Leader, Aubrey Norton boundaries in Region Four.” Norton also in his first address as leader of the PNCR took aim at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), its Chairperson Justice (rtd) Claudette Singh and the newly appointed Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud. According to Norton, the Party has to restore “in this country, the situation where people are appointed based on merit and in keeping with the specification of the job.” Thus, he was adamant that Persaud was not the best candidate for the Office of GECOM CEO and was, in fact, only appointed through the collusion of the government nominated commissioners and the Chairman. He was of the view that the basis for free and fair elections has to be fair elections officials and they are not. Further, Norton took aim at the Private Sector Commission, which he referred to as separate and distinct from the Private Sector generally since, according to the new PNCR leader, “many believe the PSC does not reflect their interest” charging that the body only served on a
partisan political basis. To e m p h a s i z e h i s position, he suggested that the party will struggle for a Private Sector that is genuine and not only serving narrow political interests. The Private Sector, he said, “should act independent, a lot of times, they don’t do that.” As such, he posited that Guyana needs a Private Sector Commission that would reflect all ethnicities in businesses. Having outlined an aggressive agenda including the rebuilding of an inclusive party, Norton has since announced that competitor; Dr. Richard Van West Charles would be named an advisor, as is the case with outgoing Chairwoman, Volda Lawrence. In making the announcement, the newly elected PNC/R leader said he, along with his newly elected Central Executive Committee, will be working towards making the party into a permanent elections machine, working together with all who are willing to contribute. Noticeably absent from yesterday’s proceedings was Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon who lost to Norton by a massive landslide.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 21, 2021
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
The long, evil political shadow blighting this nation On December 9, the world observed International Anticorruption Day. Many made fine speeches, while similar glowing commentaries came from high and low, and the tiny and influential in this society. We didn’t editorialise before, but now we will. For the next several days, corruption will be raised in this space, and focus on areas that suffocate Guyana. The spotlight will shine on the shadows of leadership corruptions that blight almost all citizens. We at this publication have been relentless, and we promise Guyana that we will strive mightily to present truth and facts, as well as clear and reasoned thinking, mainly commonsense thinking that is the best logic to be found on this national blight that is corruption in Guyana. We begin with a series of simple questions, which we will address frontally, and let fellow citizens judge. First, should corruption be a priority national concern? Second, is responsibility for corruption mainly the handiwork of Guyana’s political leaders and their teams of ministers and selected public servants? Third, is corruption, as experienced, from the PPP/C alone, or the PNC/R alone? Fourth, if it is chronically present in the actions of both major parties representing Guyana’s major ethnicities, which of the two groups has more harmed this nation and its peoples? And fifth, given the damage done, what are our obligations as citizens? There is no question regarding whether there is or isn’t corruption in this country. That is a given, at every layer in this society, from the small man to those at the heights, from the simple to the sophisticated, from those ‘in the know’ to those who know almost nothing. Second, and confirming this situation, political and ministerial leaders and their spokespeople, and their counterparts in the political opposition of the day, relish hurling accusations at each other about their corrupt practices and costs. In Guyana, citizens have a good laugh, and shake their heads at different political kettles calling other pots black. This alone conveys how chronic corruption is in Guyana, which even loyal supporters reluctantly admit of their own. It is not one, but both. Our third question involves tracing corruption to its source, which most Guyanese say rests with government. Governments control the purse strings for huge projects, running into the billions. Infrastructure, social uplift, and other programmes requiring enormous sums of money are decided upon and overseen by politicians, through the delivery by their chosen people. Simply put, Guyanese have not received value for money spent: failed projects that cost us more than they should, that takes inexplicably longer, that then collapse or fail when handed over, that return less than they should. We let our fellow Guyanese pick any project from the many failures – roads, airport, relief, oil. The fourth question raised is answered by Guyana’s two political behemoths themselves. The PPP/C and PNC/R have pounded each other as to how terribly corrupt the other is, and each have their own laundry bag of costly, dirty linen (projects) as proofs. Listen to both parties, and it is obvious that what we have are clearly criminal cabals, who condemn themselves by their own mouths. The PNC had its time for 28 devastating years, and trails of thievery and criminality deserving penal life sentences. As the PPP/C closes in on its own 28 years, the norm now is not to speak of projects costing hundreds of millions of Guyana dollars, but in American ones, which multiplies the loot to plunder 200 times over. Like the PNC/R did, now the PPP/C, presides over billions in wealth, and give them away, squirrel away, or siphon away, in corrupt arrangements. Oil brought this out in the starkest terms. We have been talking and writing almost daily about those corruptions and failures, now undeniable, because they are so monstrous. They have been costly and disastrous in the past and today, and dooms us to a tragic future, these leadership corruptions are now a national epidemic. Guyanese learn or know or understand all this daily, with little doubt left. We can let them rob us and our children or give them the hardest kick in the backside? We must distance from them, denounce them, dismiss them, discard them forthwith.
Exxon is already taking out the money for decommissioning 20 years down the line DEAR EDITOR, There is every need for the transparency and accountability advocated for in the guest editorial, “Exclusionary Democracy” on 18th December. However, it is delusionary to talk about the ‘magnitude’ of oil revenue for Guyana. As the fishermen, workers, market vendors and ordinary people who live here know, oil is making Guyana poorer not richer. This daily reality is well illustrated by Monday’s ‘In the Diaspora’ column. The exploitative production sharing arrangements combined with abusive tax provisions give ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC about 90% of Guyana’s oil. For now, Guyana gets its little 10%. But in the future, Guyana faces massive costs and liabilities. At the end of production, the oil wells must be decommissioned i.e. permanently shut down and securely capped so they do not leak
and pollute the Atlantic Ocean. The world is moving away from fossil fuels. The pace of change is getting faster. Decommissioning could become necessary sooner than people expect. Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd (Esso) is already taking out the money for decommissioning. A financial report by the global think tank IEEFA shows that by 2024 Esso will have deducted US$227M for decommissioning in Liza 1 alone. Obviously, Esso will keep on taking out decommissioning money for as long as it can. But there is no guarantee that Esso will produce this decommissioning money when the wells have to be shut down. Despite benefiting from an egregiously exploitative petroleum deal, Esso has still managed to make a loss of G$6.5B according to its 2020 accounts.
There isn’t even any guarantee that Esso will exist at decommissioning. The oil industry is known for leaving host countries to clean up its mess. ExxonMobil could wind up Esso and walk away, leaving Guyana to pay for decommissioning. The wells are ultra-deep and very dangerous. Decommissioning is expensive. The IHS Markit Report 2021 estimates it will cost US$3.1 billion to decommission the Liza and Payara wells. Clearly, the government, as servants of the people of Guyana, have a duty to ensure that the Guyanese are not left to pay US$3.1billion (roughly G$651 billion) or more for decommissioning. The government must therefore ensure that Esso puts this decommissioning money into an escrow account to pay for decommissioning and nothing else. There is little choice. Guyana has international le-
gal obligations to prevent transboundary environmental harm. If these ultra-deep wells are not shut down safely, Caribbean countries may well look to Guyana for compensation for damage from oil pollution, methane leaks, etc. The lie of oil wealth has been repeatedly exposed. The immediate national task is to protect Guyana’s people from the stupidity and cupidity of politicians who are putting the interests of foreign oil companies above the wellbeing of the nation and above the well-being of our Caribbean sisters and brothers. Otherwise, as I have previously warned, the Guyanese people will have to find billions of US dollars to shut down these oil and gas wells. And could end up liable for billions more in compensation to the Caribbean. Yours sincerely Melinda Janki
A good starting point to reduce or eliminate corruption is to eliminate the code of silence DEAR EDITOR In Guyana, corruption is a good word to start a confabulation with or even better to initiate an argument. Kaieteur News, Thursday, December 09, 2021 screamed, “Don’t let corruption limit your access to climate change financing- CDB President tells regional governments.” On the same day, Stabroek News posited, “Strong anti corruption stance will show gov’t committed to transparent institutions- US ambassador.” Those were bold statements made at functions in observance of “International AntiCorruption Day”. Both headlines were made the front page of the respective newspapers. Recently, 3 civilians were charged with offering a policeman, a $700,000 bribe. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry on Amerindian Affairs appeared before the Court on a $200,000 corruption charge. Two ex-GDF ranks and a businessman were charged with corruption of over $700M in fuel. Let me be pellucid, I am not for one moment suggesting that the persons involved in the alleged corruption are guilty of the charges. I believe in the maxim, “innocent until proven guilty.” I hope that the police, particularly the infamous SOCU will observe the rigorous standard of criminal prosecutions that is to say, “proof beyond a reasonable doubt.” That is the basis on, which someone is charged or not
charged. The police have not done so in many cases more so those matters that are politically motivated. In addition, the media and elsewhere are awash with diverse issues and concerns in relation to corruption in Guyana. Please permit me to join again in the conversation on corruption. What is corruption and what can be done to stem the flow of corruption? This missive has a law enforcement bias, but it can be equated to other organisations and departments that are operating in Guyana. The key elements of corrupt behaviour are that the conduct is (1) prohibited by law or rule, (2) involves misuse of position and (3) involves a reward or personal gain for the officer. Corruption is a corrosive element that will spread like rust if it is not contained or eliminated. The causes of corruption are complex. Many factors can contribute to corruption included greed; personal motivators such as ego, sex, or exercise of power; tolerance of the behaviour by the community; socialisation from peers/ and or the organisation; inadequate supervision and monitoring of behaviour; lack of clear accountability of employees’ behaviour; and no real threat of discipline or sanctions. Corruption is of concern because police in the fields and elsewhere are exposed to numerous opportunities to benefit personally from ac-
tion, which they take against criminals. They may be offer bribes or come across huge amount of cash or drugs. They may feel overworked, underpaid (quite rightly so) and therefore entitled to take what they consider just compensation for the risk they face on the job. According to Wayne W. Bennett and Karen M. Hess in their book, “Management And Supervision In Law Enforcement,” accepting gratuities violates most department’s policies and the law enforcement code of ethics. Even the smallest gifts create a sense of obligation. Even if nothing is expected in return, the gratuity may create an appearance of impropriety. Although most officers can discern between friendly gestures and bribes, some may not. Yet, when any member of the Police Force is found to be corrupt, hundreds of hardworking and honest cops suffer. The problem of police corruption affects agencies and departments of all sizes, in all areas of the country. Sherman’s Slippery Slope of Corruption posits that police corruption begins with a lowering of ethical expectations and values to attain a gratuity of minor value , for example, a free Chinese lunch or a couple of free beers or some money to buy gas or tickets to attend an event at Providence National Stadium. Although these actions in themselves are most likely harmless and inconsequential as a corrupt Force, it may over-
time produce a snowball effect, leading to an officer accepting gratuities of larger magnitude. Furthermore, such practices often lead to those providing the “freebies” to expect preferential treatment by recipient officers. Most times when the “freebies” are not readily available, officers will make demands and even demand with menace. Strandberg (2000) notes, “Corruption takes on many forms, and something seemingly insignificant can put an officer on a slippery slope, leading to major crimes.” Research repeatedly confirms that most scandals start with one employee doing relatively small unethical acts and grow to whatever level the leadership allows. A good starting point to reduce or eliminate corruption is to eliminate the code of silence. The code of silence encourages ranks not to speak up when they see another officer doing something wrong. However, it may be difficult in many cases to choose right over wrong as it takes courage because persons who make ethical choices often subject themselves to social and professional ridicule. Ethical decisions build personal character, but not without pain. Four times US Olympic gold medalist gymnast, Simone Biles who is considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all times received the BBC Lifetime (Continued on page 6)
Tuesday December 21, 2021
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Kaieteur News
Exxon Audit needed to determine Religious persons were always mosphere and its effects on Guyanese and neighbouring conflict of interest welcomed in the PPP countries as well as on declin-
DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to commentaries about Exxon audit and potential or probable conflict of interests in monitoring Exxon’s environmental record. There was a commentary that Mr. Shyam Nokta signed off on Exxon’s request for approval for drilling and production. He is supposed to be monitoring Exxon’s environmental record. But doesn’t his personal company have contract with Exxon? Mr. Shyam Nokta was not only a candidate on PPP list
in 2020 elections, his environmental company, Environmental Management Consultants Inc. (EMC), was reported to get contracts with Exxon and has a very close relationship with Exxon as well as with the Guyana government. And he signs off on environmental report, according to your news report. Nokta claims he is an environmental specialist. I don’t know if he is a scientist. But it would be interesting to know his take on Exxon releasing pollutants in the at-
ing fish catch. Internet news report that Nokta’s Environmental Management Consultants Inc. has a partnership with Acorn International in USA. Doesn’t Acorn Int’l also have a very close working relationship with Exxon? An audit of Exxon’s Guyana Energy expenditures would reveal who were contracted and paid (how much). Would Guyana ever see an audit which would expose all of the conflicts of interest and who were/are silenced? Yours truly Jillian Adams
When payback time to China comes, will the PPP/C hierarchy abandon ship along with the oil money? DEAR EDITOR, Is there any God-fearing, conscientious, living person left in Guyana? Every time I open the newspaper, it seems that everyone in Guyana is up to some kind of dishonesty. Have we as a nation become so caught up in worldly goods that we have lost sight of the one who according to Matthew 6: 31-33 said to us: Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, With what shall we be clothed? But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these shall be added to you. One would expect our
leaders, particularly those in governmental positions to be shining examples to the rest of us in the Guyana diaspora, but it appears they are the very ones committing these crimes. Make no mistake about it my fellow Guyanese; every time someone steals or sells some property belonging to the government of Guyana, they are actually stealing from us and our children who would have enjoyed the benefits that money could have been used to better our strife torn and under-developed country. Now the PPP/C wants to be the sole arbiter of our oil money with no penalty or jail time for the abuse and mis-
use of our money. What is the PPP/C government thinking of? Something just doesn’t seem right. First, they are borrowing millions of US dollars from China, now they want full control of the oil money without any penalty or jail time for misuse of funds. When payback time to China comes, (and one day it will) will the PPP/C hierarchy abandon ship along with the oil money? Just thinking…! Whether you are Hindu, Muslim, or Christian…Have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year! Regards, Gloria Holder
Gov’t and new PNC Leader should work together DEAR EDITOR, Good wishes and congratulations to Aubrey Norton on his victory for the leader post in PNC internal elections last Saturday. I also wish to applaud the work of the returning officer Mr. Vincent Alexander and the rest of the election’s team on holding a transparent election. There were fears about
whether the election would be free and fair. As the second largest party in the nation and one which has a constitutional role, peaceful free and fair election is an inspiration for the nation. It is remarkable, well deserved victory for Team Norton! Clearly, the delegates have instilled their faith in Mr. Norton as opposed to the two others. He
should start off on a positive message of change unlike his predecessors. The newly elected leader and his team of executives should now reach across to the government’s side on how they can work together to address development challenges. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
DEAR EDITOR From its inception, the PPP embraced and encouraged persons of all religious persuasions to support and to join its ranks. The party never declared itself to be a party of atheists nor a communist party. None of this can be found in constitutions, past nor present of the PPP. Believers have never been forbidden to join the party. In fact, the party deliberately set out to recruit such persons into its ranks. In both the pre- and postindependence periods, questions pertaining to religion were never advanced at fora where they did not belong. Neither was the Party’s attitude towards religion an opportunistic tactic so as not to scare away religious people. In ‘The West on Trial’, Cheddi Jagan pointed out that in the 1953 election, ‘racist emotionalism expressed by Indian racial leaders was used to frighten the Indians away from the PPP.’ He stressed that while the PPP supported the establishment of a West Indian Federation, the Indian leaders who were peddling race and religion opposed the idea of a Federation and in their election campaign, they propagated the call ‘’Apan Jhaat’’ meaning ‘vote for your own’. From the very early years, the PPP adopted a clearly defined attitude towards religion; it viewed religion as one of the oldest and most popular forms of social consciousness as well as to believers. In Guyana, religion for
some is regarded as a matter of their personal conscience only or, as a source of their personal morals. Others see religion as the basis of their political views. Because its struggle for independence was a national one, the membership and leadership of the PPP had to be national in character. Concerted action between believers and non-believers was vital in the struggle for national independence. Guyana’s struggle for national independence was not a struggle for socialism nor communism; it was a separate and distinct struggle to break the bonds of colonialism and colonial domination. Its focus was the realisation of the Guyanese peoples’ right to self-determination. Yesterday, it was those hopes and aspirations that motivated many religious individuals to embrace, the inclusionary mission of the party. Today, it is the national democratic path that inspires them to get on board. Under colonialism, it was the suffering and oppressive conditions under which people in the villages and wider communities lived that motivated religious practitioners in the temples, mosques and churches to gravitate towards the PPP. In his book, ‘My Pilgrimage From Jail to Glory,’ Pt. Ramlall referring to Dr. Jagan soon after his return to British Guiana wrote; ‘He was a dedicated member of the Hindu religion and would often come to the temple to worship.’
Pt. Ramlall went on; ‘I knew Dr. Jagan was an active member of the temple. He used to worship and heard me sing many times.’ This description of Dr. Jagan’s religious beliefs and practices is in stark contrast to the manner in which some have painted him in those days as the ‘communist ogre.’ Suffice it to say, there were many challenges along the way especially during the 1947 to 1956 period following the election in 1947 when Dr. Jagan entered the Legislative Assembly for the first time as its youngest member. Dr. Jagan then joined the Labour Party in which Dr. Jung Bahadur Singh was a leading light. He was at that time, the spokesperson for ‘organised Hinduism’ and President of the Hindu Maha Sabha. Referring to Dr. J.B. Singh, Dr.Jagan wrote; ‘He was a shrewd politician and carefully blended religion with medicine.’ After being unsuccessful in his efforts to reorient the Labour Party to the trade unions and working class issues, Dr. Jagan left the party and was instrumental in establishing the Political Affairs Committee, the harbinger of the PPP, launched in 1950. The general election held in 1953 was characterised by an intense struggle between the working class ideology of the PPP and a small but influential group who propagated a toxic mix or race and religion. Dr. J.B. Singh was defeated by Fred Bowman, a humble sugar worker and (Continued on page 6)
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Tuesday December 21, 2021
Kaieteur News
Natural Resource Fund Bill 2021…
A good starting point to reduce... Ali Govt. wants power to empty From page 4 the articles to him. She re- tioned McCarthy’s (2000) oil account for emergencies, Achievement Award 2021. fused his offer for a reward. seven steps that can help Many persons severely The police administration prevent or reduce corruption. criticised her for testifying gave her a substantial amount It is apposite for me to high“green economy” projects against disgraced US Gym- of money for her honesty and light them again. They are: (1) nastic Team doctor, Dr. Larry Nassar in relation to sexual assault committed on her and over one hundred gymnasts. She suffered anguish before and after testifying at the US Senate hearing. The infamous doctor is presently serving a life sentence in prison. Back in Guyana, a young policewoman recently found a computer bag containing a laptop computer and a total of $1M Guyana and USD. She traced the owner and handed over
integrity. However, naysayers including some members of the GPF used the social media to criticise her for her honesty and integrity. Fulton (2000) stresses, “Police commanders must exemplify the honesty and integrity they seek in their subordinates.” In addition, “Ethical mentoring and role modeling should be consistent, frequent and visible.” In a previous article, I men-
Recruit with great care. (2) Establish appropriate policies and put them in writing. (3) Adopt a good employee evaluation process. (4) Make sure that your sergeants share management’s philosophies. (5) Develop regular anticorruption inspections and audits. and (7) implement ethics and integrity training into every training activity. Yours respectfully Clinton Conway
Religious persons were always... From page 5 candidate of the PPP. Bowman won 42.3 percent of the votes against Singh’s 26 percent. It was the first time that working class politics had defeated appeals to crude religious and racial sentiments. In elections that were to follow, it was race not religion that played a central role. In its organisational structure and social composition, both vertically and horizontally, representatives of many religious beliefs were to be found in leading organs of the PPP. It was against this backdrop that the PPP came to be recognised as a loose mass party providing national leadership to all Guyanese irrespective of religious beliefs. During the pre-and post-independence periods, while the party’s leadership was dominated by persons who held Marxist beliefs, there were others who did not. In his booklet, ‘Cheddi Jagan (1918-97) Charisma and Guyana’s Challenge to Western Capitalism’ Percy Hintzen wrote; ‘But Jagan’s brand of socialism was infused with those distinctively
American values of ‘security, plenty, peace and freedom’ located at the core of America’s national self-concept and at the very heart of American political philosophy.’ What appeared to be contradictory to some, was; how could religious-minded party members of that time hold steadfastly to their religious beliefs and practices, and at the same time, accept the Marxist Jagan as their political Leader? The answer to the question is to be found in the ideological blend and practical policies of the PPP strongly marked by its fidelity to national, cultural, historical and religious traditions, and by its ability to find in them, a message, which was close to workers and farmers ,and to link their spiritual lives directly with the need for independent national development and the transformation of society. Amongst the religious leaders at the time who served in the leadership of the party; as candidates on its electoral slate or as Members of Parliament were; Pandit Siridhar
Misir, Pandit Chandra Persaud, Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud, Mulvi Yacoob Ally, Pandit Ramlall and Pandit Budram Mahadeo among others. This tradition continues up to this day. Under present day local conditions, unity of action and solidarity between believers and non-believers on the question of national unity; the right to elect a government through free and fair elections; defense of Guyana’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty and, above all, unity around key problems, such as the impact of climate change, a new oil and gas economy; social and economic progress; against foreign domination and building a democratic state are the broad and key prerequisites that will secure Guyana’s future. And, just as how divisiveness of our people along religious lines have disappeared, in the same way, step by step, division along racial lines will gradually fade with generations to come. Yours faithfully, Clement J. Rohee
According to the Natural Resource Fund Bill 2021, the PPP/C Government is proposing that the oil revenues be used to satisfy four specific purposes. Part II of the Bill outlines these to be: ensuring that volatility in revenues does not lead to volatile public spending; ensuring that oil revenues do not lead to loss of economic competitiveness; fairly transferring natural resource wealth across generations; and most importantly, “using natural resource wealth to finance national development priorities including any initiative aimed at realizing an inclusive green economy.” The Bill also highlights that the overall management of the Fund along with the preparation of its Investment Mandate, will be a Board of Directors which shall constitute no less than three and no more than five members appointed by the President. Notably, all withdrawals from the fund shall be deposited into the Consolidated Fund and shall be used only to finance: national development priorities including “any initiative aimed at realizing an inclusive green economy and essential projects that are directly related to ameliorating the effect of a major disaster.” Furthermore, in the fiscal year that the Act comes into operation, PPP/C wants the ceiling on the amount that may be withdrawn to be the total balance accumulated in the account described as “The Natural EResource Fund” as at the date that the Act comes into operation. On Monday, Kaieteur News highlighted in its review of the NRF Bill that there is a noticeable absence of consequences for the misuse or abuse of the oil money that is withdrawn for emergencies or green economy initiatives. When Guyana had pursued the creation of its first
Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh NRF legislation back in 2018, it was warned to have clear penalties or the fund could run the risk of failing to serve current and future generations. This advice was provided by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), which also cited numerous examples from around the world on how often Natural Resource Funds become easily mismanaged, and the perpetrators go unpunished. The 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) fund, established in 2009, has proven to be a major source of alleged corruption and mismanagement. Designed to attract investment into Malaysia by forming joint ventures with foreign firms, 1MDB ended up being in over US$11 billion of debt by 2014. Among its more suspect transactions are a US$1 billion investment in a Saudi oil company in 2009 which has gone missing; funds that were diverted in 2012 from an Abu Dhabi state fund to a firm in the British Virgin Islands (a secrecy jurisdiction); and US$4 billion that has been misappropriated
from Malaysian state firms. Malaysia, the U.S., Switzerland, Singapore and the U.K. are still trying to unravel the web of corruption and money laundering schemes that are related to the fund and robbed current and future generations of their wealth. The Azerbaijani and Iranian funds are other examples of extra-budgetary funds, which have been used to fund the legacy projects of political parties instead of being prudently saved for future generations. In Azerbaijan, for instance, government authorities have used the State Oil Fund (SOFAZ) to directly finance strategic government projects, such as the railway between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. These expenditure items were not subject to the same reporting or public procurement requirements as those financed through the regular budget process, nor were they subject to as much parliamentary oversight. In Iran, that country’s US$40 billion National Development Fund provided loans to private-sector companies, cooperatives and economic enterprises owned by nongovernmental institutions through agent banks. While the fund managers did not provide information on the specific investments, news reports revealed where they actually went. Importantly, the executive directly controlled the fund and, therefore, some decisions bypassed normal budgetary and parliamentary procedures. Taking the foregoing into account, among other cases of blatant mismanagement, Guyana was urged to have “clear consequences for malfeasance.”
T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N T B . U . L . L T B . N . U . N U T L N B . U . T . L N T U N B . N U . L U L LUNT. B . T . . T T N N B U B . U . L . L T B . B . . N . . . T U T L N N T U U L N L B U . B . . L . . . T B T . . N . N T U L N LU B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . NT LUNT...B NT...BLU N U L B . . B . U . . T L . N T B . . U N . L N T B U N . . L . U T L B . . N B . . . T U . L N T B U . . L . UN T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L B U UN .BLUNT. . . L . T B . . N . T U . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . LU ...BLUNT LUNT...B NT...BL T B U . . L N . T B BLU T...BLUN BLUNT... UNT...B . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B BBLU T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU . T . N . N T T U L U L N L B U T...BLU U B . L . N . B T . . . N T U N N N L U U U B L . L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Tuesday December 21, 2021
Kaieteur News
GPL now needs another US$1.3B.
Guyanese, that is billions and it is in United States money (G$200 to US$1).
At the rate things are going, by the time this oil and gas production is done with us, we will all be paupers.
Guyanese will be reduced to being beggars, thanks to the PPP/C and PNC Governments.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 21, 2021
Tuesday December 21, 2021
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Kaieteur News
Christmas Village The Christmas Village which has been established along Georgetown’s Main Street Avenue is sort of a social facility - though temporary - which is desired by families. It provides the opportunity for family-styled recreation that is cheap, clean and inexpensive. No wonder so many families have been coming out evening after evening to stroll along the tree-lit avenue. It is a welcome respite from having to be holed-up at home watching television. Families with small children are often limited in their recreational choices. They can choose from spending a day in the park or relaxing at the Georgetown Seawall or going to one of the creeks. But all of these take time and cost money, the latter a great deal. The Georgetown Seawall remains a favourite haunt for families on weekend. But we know the vendors and tents and trampolines and music boxes have invaded that location and punt-paid to plan for a quiet, relaxing experience. The national gardens were closed for some time because of the pandemic. And with the rainy weather, outdoor picnics at these locations are out of the question. Another option would be to have a quiet stroll along our pavements. But this has become a far from enjoyable experience and dangerous given that most of the country’s pavements have become congested with vendors. There used to be a time when the cinema provided an outlet for family entertainment. Families
would pack small bags and go to see one of the movies. But then television came and the cinema went. It has returned with more comfortable facilities but with a higher price tag. With the high admission prices, and the concession booths selling popcorn and soda, it can cost quite a fortune to take the family out to the cinema. And ever since, it is now only one movie per screening, the experience is diminished. Even a visit to the ice cream parlours can leave a deep hole on your pocket. As such, cheap and inexpensive family-styled recreational activity is much needed not only in Georgetown but in other parts of the country. It is therefore a welcome development that the government has created a space for families to go out and enjoy the ambience. But it is not the first time that this has happened. When the now President was the Minister of Tourism, he had done something similar during the Christmas Season. Christmas is a special time of the year and a time for family members to enjoy with each other. The Christmas Village is a good initiative. It brings back memories of poorer but better times when during the holiday season, families used to go for evening strolls to admire windows of businesses. It used to be called windowshopping. The many businesses in the commercial district would have beautiful and creatively decorated show windows where they would display their products. The businesses went to great lengths to decorate their showcases and make them
attractive while advertising their products on same. And families would walk along the pavements and admire these showcases and get an idea of what they need for the holidays and where they can purchase same. Crime and the times put an end to that tradition. The show windows soon had to be grilled to prevent theft and later had to be covered with steel shields to prevent entry by the rioters and looters. Perhaps one day, this tradition will return. But given Guyana’s crime situation and its volatile political climate, that may be too optimistic. The Christmas Village is not the only development, which is creating national excitement. It is understood that a walkway is being planned between the old train terminus on Main Street and Vlissengen Road. This is another excellent idea, which will spur family-styled recreation in the capital city. Not sure what will be done about the high-voltage power lines above. It also is understood that enhancement works are being done at the Georgetown Sea Wall. The ongoing development could see the return of weekly band concerts at the bandstand. These concerts used to be regular features in colonial days. However, without a National Sea Wall Authority to manage the entire area and to guard against indiscriminate vending, the planned development can be overrun by the return to the disorder and confusion, which existed at the Sea Wall. The best laid plans are subject therefore to failure unless there is strong enforcement. Unless
Dem Boys Seh…
Landslide but weak mandate De Kangress come and gone as quick as yuh can say, “Jack Rabbit!” Was a Kangress with a difference. Was wan election Kangress. Nothing much nat come out of deliberations except de election of a new Central Executive and other senior positions. De Kangress nah give no directions to de new leadership. De main focus was on de leadership race. But dat was a done deal given de number of nominations which one man did receive relative to de others.
De man win by a landslide but he mandate weak. Dem boys nah know exactly wat was de overall voter turnout. But it look like slightly more dan half ah dem wah entitle to vote, bin vote. Dem boys read dat some 2,500 delegates was supposed to vote but slightly more dan half of dis cast dem ballot. Dis mean dat dem had large-scale indifference in de voting. Nuff people nah vote. And derefore de mandate of de new leader lil weak. Dem boys nah know wah cause de low voter turnout
but dem boys wan feel dat it is de factionalism wah Soulja Bai bin talk bout. It look like if nuff ah dem delegate decide dat is better fuh nat vote dan fuh vote. Dem wah nah vote muss be vex bout something. Some people still bothering bout whether deh gan gat a new Leader of de Opposition. But dem boys wan remind dem dat de PNC/R did not contest de last two elections. Was de APNU+AFC and is de APNU+AFC wah represent dem in de National Assembly and is dem gat fuh decide pon de new leader of de Opposition. Talk half. Leff half.
therefore, the statutory authorities are created to prevent a vending ‘free-forall’, the planned developments will all be reduced to chaos and
confusion. (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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Tuesday December 21, 2021
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Charran and the reason for the NCV on this date in 2018
I have no interest in being part of political parties or political office. I simply don’t have the temperament for that aspect of life. How do governmental leaders control their rage and impatience at the absolute nonsense their detractors write? A woman goes in front of a respected international body and urges them to stop the authorities from drilling for oil in Guyana. A frequent l e t t e r w r i t e r, w h o i s committed to advising the government to always practice good governance, published a letter requesting that the government reappoint Dr. Vincent Adams as head of the EPA without any thought to the man being in the leadership of a parliamentary opposition party. I use these two examples against the background of the 3rd anniversary of the noconfidence vote which falls on this day. It is not the appalling, irrational
interpretations put on the action of Charrandas Persaud in some quarters that drive pessimism in me. It is the lack of response by others who should at least attempt to save whatever little intellectual legacy is left in this country. To this day, Charran is being vilified by those quarters mentioned above and there are always three reasons cited. I saw a television programme recently, in which AFC leader, Khemraj Ramjattan continues to accuse Charran of treachery. He said up to the last minute, Charran insisted that he would vote against the motion. The other two reasons are betrayal – you don’t vote against your own government. And thirdly, that he took a bribe. We continue to see a lack of intellectual reasoning in this country that is needed to confront these evil propagandistic outputs. The bribe thing can easily be
dismissed. Let’s debunk it. If the PPP made a deal with Charran in which he votes for the motion and is paid for it, then that deal was settled with the vote. Why then would they make him ambassador to one of the strategic countries Guyana relate to? He voted, they paid him, they each go their separate ways. Why give him a huge diplomatic post? What about the treachery accusation? Read and listen to the description of the act of treachery. The line is repetitive – he gave us the assurance then he backstabbed us. What is so banal about this explanation? Backstabbing was part of the APNU+AFC’s deportment in government. Why is Charran the only defaulter? The APNU+AFC promised changes to the Narcotics Act. It backstabbed African youths by withholding the changes without an explanation. David Granger broke the
constitutional requirement for the appointment of a GECOM chairman until the court forced him to recognise the constitution. Why is Charran the only villain? Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan walked into power through the votes of Berbicians. They never told sugar workers they will close the industry. Once in power, they did that. Most egregiously, they never consulted with the AFC’s parliamentary representative for Berbice – Charran himself. He told Guyanese that he only knew of the decision through the press. If you deconstruct the word treachery, then it applies to all those examples cited above. The question why he lied then voted for the motion is easily explainable. He wanted a group of powerdrunkards, who betrayed him and his country, to fall. He had every reason to hide his intention from them. He
was dealing with unprincipled humans Frederick Kissoon whom he had lost r e s p e c t f o r. P u t yourself in his place. Why government, British Prime should he have telegraphed Minister, Theresa May lost power because her own his thoughts to such rulers? Finally – the accusation parliamentarians voted that one should not vote against her. To d a y i s t h e 3 r d against one’s party in p a r l i a m e n t . M y anniversary of what Charran disappointment with this d i d . T h e a b s e n c e o f c o u n t r y i s t h e n a k e d intellectual defence of him hypocrites, which it has and from the older folks in this t h e y a r e m u l t i p l y i n g country is vivid testimony astronomically. People write that we have lost the world of in the newspapers and on the 40s, 50s and 60s that their Meta pages and speak once made Guyana a shining on television all the time horizon in the Caribbean. about Guyana’s need to have B a s i c c o w a r d i c e a n d m o r a l g o v e r n a n c e , horrifying double standards t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d have replaced philosophical a c c o u n t a b i l i t y i n i t s guidance. I end for the existence. But that is all they umpteen time with my favourite French saying: complain about. They didn’t have the “God is dead. Marx is dead. decency and moral courage And I’m not feeling too well to discuss the role of myself.” (The views expressed in conscience in what Charran did. And what he did was to this article are those of the put conscience before a u t h o r a n d d o n o t politics. Long after Charran necessarily reflect the voted against his own opinions of this newspaper.)
Tuesday December 21, 2021
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Tuesday December 21, 2021
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Tuesday December 21, 2021
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Renovated CJIA US$160 million and counting…
Change of contract caused additional spending - says works for amended Coalition contract already completed
M
inister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, last week stated that the changes the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition made to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) contract has caused additional monies to be spent on the project. The airport expansion project commenced in 2011, and was expected to be a US$150M venture; US$138M financed from the China Exim Bank and US$12M from the Consolidated Fund – taxpayers’ money. However, to date, more than US$160 million has already been spent on the contract. During an interview on the State-owned television station, the National Communications Network (NCN) last Thursday night – the Minister explained that Chinese contractor, China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC) has completed all the works for the amended contract, which they signed with former President David Granger and former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson.
T h e M i n i s t e r highlighted that the additional spending and modernisation of the CJIA is owed to works outside of the amended Coalition contract; to which the Government has acquired the contractor to undertake and separate works that they are doing. “Three things, the building of the curtain wall, which people are saying it’s going to be a big glass facade that changes the entire face and appearance of the airport, putting in the superstructure which will provide spaces of 20 concessions, food courts, play parks, and other facilities for duty-free shopping,” the Minister said. Minister Edghill believes that Guyana is going to be a hub for aviation, airlifts and connectivity, linking the South America with the Caribbean and North America. The airport expansion contract was signed in 2011 under then President, Bharrat Jagdeo, and was passed through the truncated presidency of Donald Ramotar. When the David Granger administration took over in 2015, it said that the very
defective plan needed adjustments. The then Minister of Public Infrastructure, Patterson, had said that upon assumption of office, the APNU+AFC administration found that only seven percent of the work was completed. Even with the substandard work, former Junior Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma, had revealed that the contractor spent more on certain aspects of the project than was laid out in the contract. However, he had not shared whether the contractor spent more than the contract sum. Sharma further said that the former APNU+AFC government would have decided whether to penalise the company for “breach of contract”. T h e p r e v i o u s government had also stated that it would not spend a cent more on the project, but that was not the case as a change order seen by this newspaper indicated that the administration made at least one additional disbursement of GY$6.8M for the “extra time delay and costs for the prolongation of the project”
Woman gets ‘buss head’ for sheltering best friend’s boyfriend A 20-year-old friendship between two women ended abruptly on September 27, last, after one of them decided to ‘buss’ the other’s head with a rolling pin for allegedly sheltering her drunk boyfriend. At least, this was what the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, heard yesterday while listening to their tales at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court. The woman who allegedly assaulted her best friend with the rolling pin is Eulex Cosbert of 41, East La Penitence, Georgetown. During the court appearance, Cosbert was charged with assaulting Shondel Frazer. She pleaded not guilty to the offence and was released on $50,000 bail, but was ordered to stay six feet away from Frazer. The defendant was also instructed to report to the La Penitence Police Station every Friday until her next court appearance on January 10, 2022. According to the facts of the matter, Cosbert had beaten Frazer, for sleeping with her boyfriend. However, Frazer said this was not case and that her now former best friend attacked her over a situation she misunderstood. She claimed that she had seen Cosbert’s boyfriend drunk one day and had taken him into her home to protect him until he was sober. Believing that her boyfriend was cheating
Eulex Cosbert, the woman who allegedly assaulted her best friend with a rolling pin.
on her with Frazer, Cosbert allegedly armed herself with a rolling pin and went over to Frazer’s home. She walked right in and reportedly began to beat Frazer causing her to receive lacerations to the head that required stitches. A report was lodged and Cosbert was detained by the police on November 16.
by 807 days. The order also indicated that it was a payment, not for the first, but the third claim made by the contractor. As the country awaits the completion of the project, which falls way below expectations, taxpayers are still obligated to repay a loan of US$138M to China, which forms part of the contract sum. A d d i t i o n a l l y, s i n c e assuming office in August 2020, the government has undertaken several multimillion projects for the CJIA. The projects have been separated into three parts. The most recent project is estimated to cost $25 million for a new office building at the renovated airport. Other projects are: the $513.7 million airport office building, which is expected
Former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson.
to be completed soon to house the duty-free bond, a conference room, offices for airlines, and other supporting agencies; the $38 million international apron and the taxiway Charlie that is also expected to be completed soon; Construction and Rehabilitation Works of the VIP Lounge and new and existing commercial buildings of the airport at an estimated cost of GY$612,500,000; GY$23,223,375 for the rehabilitation of the existing roof at the airport, and the new runway which came with an Instrument Landing System (ILS), which cost GY$518 million. The Government also disbursed US$2M to a local company named Total Solutions for the supply of
- Minister of Public Works - Edghill Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill.
two additional air-bridges for the long ongoing CJIA project, some US$ 350,000 more than what was paid for the other air-bridges. However, despite pumping more money into the airport, the subject Minister had promised that the total cost for the project will not exceed US$200 million. The 10-year-old project was expected to be completed by December 31, 2021, but Minister Edghill said that, due to the constraints of shipping as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, works might not be completed until early 2022. Additionally, according to the airport’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ramesh Ghir, the airport will need another terminal within a decade.
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An aerial view of the Eccles/Great Diamond interlink road. (MOH photo)
Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 21, 2021
$5B Great Diamond to Eccles interlink road commissioned Minister of Housing, Colin Croal, delivering his remarks.
His Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali, delivering his remarks at the commissioning of the road.
T
he President, Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali, yesterday commissioned the $5 billion Great Diamond to Eccles East Bank Demerara (EBD) interlink road. The road, which stretches from the fourth bridge along the Mocha Arcadia Access Road and ends at 6th Avenue, Great Diamond has been ongoing for quite some time. The project was first initiated back in 2013, by President Ali, who was the Minister of Housing and Water at the time. It was since discontinued under the previous administration, but was revamped when the PPP/C administration took office last year. According to the Minister of Housing and Water, Colin Croal, the project serves to bring ease to commuters both in the area and further along the East Bank corridor. He stated that the commissioning of the road will be impactful, not only for the 18,000 residents, who reside in the Great Diamond/Eccles vicinity, but for others who
are travelling from afar. The road, he said, will also lessen the challenges faced by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) with the lack of access roads and the effect this has had on housing developments. He also acknowledged that the interventions made by the government are to make the lives of citizens more comfortable. The President made it clear that the road was not built for trucks and large vehicles, “This road is designed for a specific category of vehicle and that is small vehicle, SUV’s. Trucks you will see barriers, if you think it is your responsibility to break down the barriers because you want to break the law, there will be consequences.” The government, he noted has a responsibility, not only to build but to take care of what they built. He then went on to say that, they are looking at the expansion of the Eccles road to the East Coast corridor. Using an inter-agency approach, the Ministry of
Housing and Water and the Guyana Police Force have partnered and designed a safe road usage plan. The Head-of-State noted that this is the first time such an approach has been used to develop the plan. To date, two police outposts along the route have been constructed, and a third to be erected soon. He further stated that in the upcoming phase, cameras will be connected to said outposts. This publication previously reported back in January of this year that the sum of $500M (US2.3M) was spent by the government to construct the fourkilometer road which links Greater Diamond and Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD). The road link is said to be the first phase of a road bypass project to link the East Coast with the East Bank of Demerara. The bypass road, according to government’s plans will stretch from Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) to Diamond (EBD) and is funded by a US$50M loan from the Indian Exim Bank.
Tuesday December 21, 2021
Kaieteur News
Ministry buys 3,000 pieces of Agri-tools, hands over 59 …as Audit Report finds $$$M in vehicles, other equipment never turned over The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs last year purchased a quantity of agricultural tools for distribution to various communities spending some $27.1M, but of the almost 3,000 pieces of equipment that were purchased, only 59 had been distributed. This was unearthed in the audit of the government books for the year 2020, conducted by the Audit Office of Guyana, under the auspices of its substantive head, Deodat Sharma. According to Sharma in his findings, the sum of $27.075M was expended on the purchase of agricultural tools for hinterland communities. The equipment purchased included, Swing fog machines, Brush cutters, STIHL chainsaws, cutlasses, forks, axe head and handles, shovels, guide bars, pickaxes, hoes, trim cut and link felling chain. The Auditor General in his report found that while the agricultural tools were physically verified, and accounted for in the Ministry’s records, “the majority of the items were still not issued. As a result, the intended use and benefits of these items were delayed.” According to the Ministry, the tools were purchased and are distributed upon request and “further, due to COVID-19, deliveries were compromised.” The situation replicated itself with regard the sum of $22.851M that was expended for the purchase of two Toyota Land Cruisers for Kaibarupai and Waipa
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai Villages. According to the Auditor General’s Findings, the approval was granted by National Procurement and Tender Administration Board in November last, with the contract being signed the following month on December 18, 2020. The sum of $11.425M was paid to the supplier on 13 January 2021. The Land Cruisers were registered on the 29 July 2021 and were physically verified in August 2021. However, at the time of reporting in September 2021, the vehicles were still in the Ministry’s compound and had not been handed over to the villages, “as a result, the intended benefits of the vehicles are still to be achieved.” To this end, the Ministry said it acknowledges the finding and explained that the Agency faced some unforeseen challenges during the process. This in addition to the deplorable condition of trails ensured that the deliveries were not possible, according to the Ministry. Additionally, it was found that while $7.980M
was expended for the purchase of 42 sewing machines with cabinets for Amerindian Villages and the machines were verified as being received and accounted for in the Ministry’s Stores records, “as at July 2021, 22 of the sewing machines were issued to Amerindian Villages, while the balance of 20 was at the Hostel Stores.” The Ministry had also purchased, using some $30.450M, boats, outboard engines, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). The Auditor General found that, while $12.052M was paid in December for the purchase of 15 outboard engines for hinterland communities, and the engines were received by the Ministry on 5 January and 7 April 2021, “physical verification done during August 2021 revealed that all the outboard engines were still in boxes at the Ministry’s Hostel Stores.” As a result, the intended purpose of the engines was not achieved. The same obtained with regard to a sum of $1.870M, which was expended for the purchase of two aluminum boats and one wooden boat for Quebanang Village, the Community Development Officer, Region ¹ 1, and Moruca. While the two aluminum boats were received by the M i n i s t r y, p h y s i c a l verification in August 2021 revealed that the two aluminum boats were still at the Ministry’s Stores and, as such, the intended purpose of the boats was also not achieved.
AFC slams Govt. over Marudi Mountain mining agreement The Alliance For Change has chided the government for not consultin g residents of Marudi Mountain over the signing of a mining agreement with a Canadian company recently. The AFC said it finds it abominable that the Irfaan Ali regime continues to violate the hallowed principle of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) that the world recognises as one of the strong pillars of good governance. “Over a month after “permission”
was ostensibly given for mining to resume at Marudi Mountain, Rupununi, neither the Office of the Presiden t, Ministry of Natural Resources, nor the GGMC, have seen it fit to share the obviously secret document and to revisit the arrangement that is obviously in violation of the FPIC conditionalities. ,” AFC said in a statement on Monday. It said that the manner in which this agreement was entered into is in stark contrast to the inclusionary
way in which the APNU+AFC approached the thorny issue while in office. Then, mediation was chosen as the best method to resolve the issues of all stakeholders - foremost among which were the South Rupununi communities that would have been directly affected, the AFC said. The party said Major General (Ret’d) Joseph Singh, was deemed the most suitable person to lead the mediation process and (Continued on page 16)
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Manager, sub-contractor charged for inflating construction company bill A manager and a sub-contractor attached to Adamantium Holdings Company were on Monday slapped with $150,000 bail each for fraudulently obtaining $1.152 million from the said company for the delivery of 64 truckloads of laterite but failing to deliver same. Appearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court were 44-year-old Myrvin George, of Victoria Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and Daniel Baker, of Mahaica Park, East Coast Demerara (ECD). The duo was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleges that between October 31, 2021 and December 10, 2021, at 16 Sub-Lot ‘A’ Mud-Lot Kingston, Georgetown, with the intent to defraud, they obtained the sum of $1,152,000 from Adamantium Holdings by falsely pretending they delivered 64 truckloads of laterite, knowing the same to be false. The court heard that the said aforementioned company was recently awarded a contract by the Government of Guyana to rehabilitate a stretch of road from 6 miles, Bartica, Potaro Road, to 19 miles, Bartica, Potaro Road. However, the duo worked with the company under the aforementioned transportation capacities and entered into agreements to provide trucking service for the said company transporting laterite from 9 Miles, Bartica Potaro Road to various parts of a stretch of road from 6 Miles, Bartica Potaro, to 19 Miles, Bartica Potaro, at a cost of $18,000 per truckload, which would be claimed for by sub-contractor Baker. The court further heard that thereafter, George, who is the manager, would report the number of truckloads that were transported and the company would issue payments at their office at 16 Sub-Lot ‘A’, Mud-Lot, Kingston, Georgetown. On December 14, 2021, Adamantium Holdings issued payments totaling
Myrvin George and Daniel Baker made their first court appearance yesterday $5,346,000 for 297 truckloads of laterite, which were reported by George and claimed by Baker. The company then received certain information and communicated same to its ranks, who carried out a physical check of the worksite, along with another manager who is responsible for the oversight of the said project. Upon checking, it was discovered that 87 loads of laterite were along the said stretch of road. The same was doublechecked by the manager’s record, which revealed an incomplete and inaccurate account. Further record checks were made, which revealed that only 233 truckloads of laterite were on the security’s record, a difference of 64 less truckloads of laterite transported, which amounts to $1,152,000. The accused were then contacted, told of the allegation, and they admitted, under caution, inflating the number of truckloads of laterite transported. The accused further handed over $220,000, stating that the same was received from Baker as payment for reporting more truckloads of laterite than were transported. The duo was then arrested and charged with the present offence. The two accused will return to court on January 17, 2022.
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday December 21, 2021
Questions swirl over cost, need for Linden-Mabura Road - Lall warns against graft, says funds should be spent on developing coastal road network For years, political leaders here have spoken about the need for a reliable road link between Guyana and Brazil and the trail from Linden to Lethem has been earmarked as the perfect place to start. Though several studies have been completed for such a project in the past, the PPP/C Government seems to be moving with great alacrity to commence work with the first phase being from Linden-Mabura. The CDB which is funding the project in collaboration with the United Kingdom had said that the upgrading of this portion of the largely unpaved road from Linden to Mabura Hill is more than an infrastructure project. The Bank said it will include social safeguards that will ensure residents benefit from the road development; and environmental protections, to preserve the ecosystem. According to the Bank, the project will also include activities to mitigate risks associated with increased development, which will build social resilience in the communities along the corridor and preserve the rights of vulnerable groups. As an additional benefit, the CDB said at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing poverty in the country, the road project will provide direct employment for both the short-term and long-term in a region characterised by high unemployment. It will also advance sustainable livelihoods of small and medium enterprises by facilitating access to financing, markets, and capacity-building services for residents in the project area, including Indigenous people. The project will promote improved social resilience of communities through capacity-building sessions. This will help to mitigate risks that could result from increased construction activity and heightened development of the area. The sessions will increase awareness about critical social issues, such as gender equality, the rights of Indigenous peoples, and the welfare of people with
disabilities, children, youth, and the elderly. The project will also include an essential road safety component to protect users and communities along the route. Spend funds on other projects However, speaking on one of his weekly radio programmes, Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall questioned the cost of the project, as well its economic viability. Lall believes that costal road links are of far greater importance at present, given the increase in road traffic. “Everybody knows that the roads in this country are insufficient to handle and take care of the traffic, everybody knows also that this country has been on a development pathway for the past couple of years. Roads have become one of the major downfall in Guyana. At present, it is causing a tremendous dent towards development, you can’t leave your office to do anything and get back to work in an hour, ½ of a day finish in the traffic alone. It has become a nightmare, it has become a sick everyday right across this land, more so the East Coast, the West Coast, the East Bank and the West Bank of all Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara. Our leaders are clueless as to how to find a solution to this vehicular madness that has taken over this land,” Lall said. He then pointed out that Guyana borrowed US$47M and fixed the West Coast of Demerara road, then a further US$45M to build the East Coast of Demerara h i g h w a y. I t b o r r o w e d US$31M for the Sheriff Street and Mandela Avenue road; spent US$13M for the Eccles to Mandela Avenue and maybe another US20M to be borrowed to connect Diamond to Eccles. ”So we talking about almost US$160M of borrowed money to fix some roads. Whether we get value for money - that’s another thing, but that’s not what I am talking about here.” He said borrowing US$160M to fix the West Coast, East Coast, Sheriff Street, Diamond to Mandela will ease a great burden on the people of this
country who use the roads every day, in and out the city. “I applaud the government for doing things like that, but when you hear your government borrowing US$190M to upgrade Linden to Mabura Road then one has to ask serious
questions as to what is going on in this country with our lives,” Lall stated. The newspaper publisher said he is certain that the US$190M from the United Kingdom and the CDB can do Sheriff Street, Mandela (Continued on page 18)
Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall
Tuesday December 21, 2021
WCB pensioner assaulted and robbed by armed men A 74-year-old pensioner is nursing a wound to her ear and pain in her chest after two men armed with knives barged into her home. Reports are that Savitri Umrao and her 70-year-old disabled relative of Lot 97 No.3 Settlement, WCB were robbed on Sunday around 19:30 hrs. She was in the bottom flat when the men entered, held her at knifepoint and demanded cash and jewellery. She denied that she had any cash, but at that point, one of the men ripped the gold earrings, which she was wearing, tearing away her earlobe in the process. Umrao was pushed to the ground twice before one of the suspects climbed on top of her chest demanding that
she reveal the whereabouts of her grandson. After she indicated that she did not know, he proceeded to remove her gold rings and gold bangles before escaping with the second suspect. According to the daughter of the woman, Rehanna Umrao, she received a call from her mother indicating
that she was assaulted and robbed. She said that she tried making contact with the Blairmont Police Station, but she later understood that their phone was not in working order. She then went over to her mother’s house and took her to the station, and subsequently the Fort Wellington Hospital. She also indicated that the wound her mother sustained was not treated and an examination of her chest was not done. They gave the injured woman medications and sent her away. Police said four gold rings valued at $125,000, one pair of gold earrings valued at $25,000, and one pair gold bangles valued at $87,500, a total value of $237,000 were stolen. Police are investigating.
Amerindian Affairs Ministry again fail to return unspent monies to the Consolidated Fund - AG Report Failed to return over $700M in cheques last year The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MOAA) continues to breach Section 43 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003 (FMAA), which stipulates that all unspent balances must be returned to the Consolidated Fund at the end of the fiscal year. This is according to the Auditor General (AG) 2020 Report. The Auditor General also highlighted that checks conducted in January 2021 revealed that the Ministry had on hand, 353 cheques drawn for sums totaling $787.984M – this led to the Appropriation Accounts being overstated by the $787.984M. According to the report,
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai this is not the first time this has happened in the Ministry. Similarly, in January 2020, the Ministry had on hand, 351 cheques drawn for a total of $315.938M from its 2019 allocations. Moreover, while the Auditor General was making
checks in September 2021, the Ministry still had 10 cheques drawn for the total sum of $19.696M on hand - these cheques have since become stale-dated. In response to the Auditor General’s finding(s), the Ministry’s Head of Budget Agency stated that the vouchers were subsequently returned to Finance, via the Ministry’s ‘return schedule’. It was also stated that the stale-dated cheques are in the process of being updated and will be distributed for their intended purposes. However, the Audit Office recommended that the Head of Budget Agency refund all unspent balances at the end of the year to the Consolidated Fund, in keeping with Section 43 of the FMA Act.
Approximately €7.56M Approved by EU to Support Guyana According to the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) Business News Aggregation service, the European Union (EU) has approved the allocation of €7.56 million (equivalent to G $1.8 B) to Guyana, as part of its Budget Support Programme. Last Tuesday, a joint press conference was conducted where President Irfaan Ali made clear that the grant fund represents the “final tranche of payments under a multi-year programme” at a worth of €30 million. CARICOM clarified that the funding support came into being after Guyana lost Europe as one of its preferential markets for sugar. During the press confer-
ence, the EU Ambassador, Fernando Ponz Cantó pointed out that the grant funds are fostered through the EU’s national treasury, and this contribution is a validation of the EU’s confidence and trust in the PPP/C government. Previously, the funds from EU’s Budget Support Programme for Guyana were allocated toward housing, climate adaptation, improved infrastructure, and repairing the country’s sea defences. This was evident in a similar Budget Support Programme last year, where the EU disbursed G$ 19.8 billion for Guyana. Moreover, President Ali made mention that, “the European Union remained our largest provider of
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grant resources to support our development programmes” throughout the years. However, this grant fund marks the termination of the EU’s support toward the Integrated Coastal Management Programme. This 4-year support programme lasted from 20172021 with a total fund of G$74.5 billion. Thus far, EU’s support has facilitated the construction of almost 10 kilometers of sea defences as well as the rehabilitation and maintenance of sea defences across Guyana. Sources for proofreading: CARICOM-Business-18December-2021.pdf
Tout remanded for East Coast Bus Park killing Bus tout, Paul Lynch who was in custody for allegedly killing 30-year-old Morven Nurse at the East Coast Bus Park last week, was remanded to prison yesterday. The 27-year-old father of one of Lot 1276 Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara made his first court appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan where he was charged for murder. Lynch was not required to plead to the charge, which alleges that on December 15, 2021 at Commerce Street in the vicinity of the Route 44 bus park, he murdered bus conductor, Morven Nurse of Haslington Village. Kaieteur News had reported that on the day in question, the two men had a heated argument over some $120, which later turned deadly. After remanding the young man to prison, Chief Magistrate then adjourned the matter to February 21, 2022. It was reported by this publication that the men, who were known to each other for
Dead, Morven Nurse. some 20 years, had always been involved in heated altercations between themselves. But on December 15, last, that 20-year-old dispute came to an end when Nurse lost his life. According to police reports, the two men were arguing at the park when Lynch armed himself with a knife. Investigators revealed that they began to pelt each other with empty beer bottles and bricks, before Lynch reportedly stabbed Nurse with the knife to his left side chest. The incident which was caught on camera, showed a bleeding Nurse staggering around before falling to the ground. Onlookers tried to save him by compressing the
Charged, Paul Lynch gushing blood, through tying his jersey around his wound. The father of two was then rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he succumbed while receiving medical treatment. Lynch had escaped after the stabbing, but later turned himself in to police with his lawyer.
Ed. Ministry to expand CAPE, learning channel, and launch radio station next year Committed to strengthening education for the nation’s children, the Ministry of Education is planning to expand the Guyana Learning Channel, the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) programme, and launch a new radio station next year in an effort to keep every child engage in learning. Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand made these disclosures yesterday during a media brunch at the Cara Lodge Hotel. The event which was held under theme “Defying COVID-19: Redefining Education” saw the Minister highlighting work done by her Ministry for the past year and plans for the next year and beyond. Speaking of plans, Minister Manickchand mentioned that for next year, the Government intends to expand the CAPE programme to Regions One, Six, and Nine and to the Annandale Secondary School. Just recently, two secondary schools, were commissioned as CAPE schools making them the first in their respective regions to be so launched. These schools were the Anna Regina Secondary School in Region Two and the West Demerara Secondary School in Region Three. Already a number of students have been enrolled in this
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand.
programme at those schools. “We also intend to and will launch shortly 99.9 FM, that is a radio channel dedicated to educational content, and that is currently being set up with a new studio, as well as the technical and logistical arrangement that have to be made,” she shared. Another aspect of learning, which the Ministry is planning to expand is the Guyana Learning Channel. “We are also expanding the Guyana Learning channel in two ways instead of one channel, which you are able to access now. It will be six channels dedicated to learning and these channels will be expanded to every single Amerindian, Hinterland and Riverain communities,” the Minister related. She added that already the Ministry has procured
enough of the materials to set up the channels for every Amerindian village. Further, the Minister revealed that the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) training will be expanded in 2022. “In accordance with, CPCE will be expanded, the Cyril Potter College of Education is the only teaching training centre in the country. Usually about 535 students are accepted for face-to-face learning every year, this year because we gone online, we have more than 2,500 students who have begun their first year learning,” Manickchand explained. With the expansion in the pipeline, the Minister said that in the next four years, the country will be able to produce more teachers than “we have ever put out before”.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 21, 2021
Auditors unable to account for billions due to missing records -2020 Report a WANTED Skilled Carpenters, Mason, Welder & Labourer to work in Georgetown & Linden. Call:615-7526/602-9469. SERVICES
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The 2020 audit was hampered by the absence of records pertinent to the process. According to the report, which was laid over in the National Assembly recently, it was outlined that 1328 payment vouchers totaling $2.806 billion were not presented for the 2020 audit. The missing financial records resulted in the limitation of scope for audits examining government expenditure for the year. According to the document, 1282 of the payment vouchers, which totaled $2.728 billion were in respect of Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister, Guyana Defence Force, Ministry of Public Works and Ministry of Home Affairs. The remaining 46 valued $77.921M were in respect of the Regions. As a result, it could not be ascertained whether value was received for the sums involved, and whether the funds were used for the purposes intended. Further, with regard to the missing records, the 2020 audit report noted that while returns under the records for the Ministry of Public Health noted that there was procurement, the financial records for 22 Inter-Departmental War-
rants totalling $2.817 billion received by the 10 Administrative Regions could not be verified. The financial returns from the Ministry indicated that the entire sum was expended. Although drugs and medical supplies were received by the Regional Administrations, the costs were not stated on the documentation that accompanied the deliveries. As a result, auditors could not ascertain whether the Regions received drugs and medical supplies valued $2.817 billion. This is not the first time that auditors have complained about missing financial records hampering the process of the audit. Prior to handing over the 2020 audit
From page 16 Avenue, West Coast, East Coast, Diamond to Mandela, then that US$190M can complete the East Coast, can complete the West Coast, can take Diamond to Timehri and if used in a more efficient manner, you can have a 4-lane to Crabwood Creek. “…but instead President Ali and Edghill and whoever is going to upgrade Linden/Mabura Road – you know what they going to do – if they ever carry through with this project, the Chinese would get the work, the Chinese would put two bulldozers and grade one and two places for the next 10 years and 5 more US$190M will come out of your Treasury to go there – exactly what they are doing to each and every one of us with that CJIA project,” Lall said. Lall believes that the Linden/Mabura road will be another ‘milking cow.’ He then questioned what the Linden/Lethem Road will contribute to this country, he said the US$190M can pay 38.7% increase to public servants. The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) last week opened billion-dollar bids from Brazilian and Chinese firms vying for the contract to upgrade the Linden to Mabura Hill road, a project that is Caribbean Develop-
ment Bank (CDB) funded. This project is being undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works, and according to their engineer’s estimate this project is pegged at some $34,197,257,104. Those competing for the contract are China Gezhouba Group Company Limited (China), China Railway International Company Limited (China), Shandong Luqiao Group Company Limited (China), Queirozgalao (Brazil), and joint ventures Castilho (Brazil) and local company, EOCI. In December 2020, it was announced that the CDB, the Government of Guyana and the United Kingdom Government have partnered to fund this US$190 million project, for the upgrading of approximately 121km of road from Linden to Mabura Hill to an asphaltic concrete road that would improve the connectivity between Guyana’s hinterland and the coastal areas. According to reports, the Bank is putting US$112 million through a loan towards this project, the government is putting US$12 million, and the UK Government is putting US$66 million. This project will represent the first phase of the muchhyped Linden/Lethem roadway, which would improve travel time to Brazil and connections to thousands of hinterland people.
Auditor General, Deodat Sharma.
reports, Auditor General, Deodat Sharma complained of a similar occurrence in relation to the ongoing audits of City Hall. Sharma stated that his office has been forced to return to the City Administration’s financial statements for the years 2019 and 2020, because they were not prepared in compliance with the regulations. “The balance sheet just has a list of budgeted assets, that’s not how you prepare your balance sheet. There is also a gap of several years in
the financial report from the City. They have submitted financial reports for 2019 and 2020, but the last audit was in 2004,” he lamented. At that juncture, the AG reminded that he has repeatedly advised not just City Hall, but several other defaulting agencies to start over. “Let’s close the books and open new books. Take an asset count of what is there, get a new bank account and everything. It doesn’t make sense to go back to 2005/ 2006. Let’s sit down and list all the assets. List all the cash positions and let’s start a new balance sheet. At least, from now on, your accounts can be audited,” he maintained before explaining that at City Hall, only 10% of his recommendations are being followed. Elsewhere, accounting officers are taking recommendations more seriously. “We have met virtually and most have answered queries and provided answers so we can adjust the report,” Sharma shared.
COVID-19 claims the lives of three more persons Questions swirl over... The Ministry of Health, yesterday reported that three more persons who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, have died. As a result of this, the country’s COVID-19 death toll has moved to 1,033. The country’s fatalities are that of three men, an unvaccinated 74-year-old from Region Six, an unvaccinated 67-year-old and an 84-yearold whose vaccination status was unknown both from Region Four. The men reportedly died on Sunday, while receiv-
ing treatment at a medical facility. Meanwhile, in its latest COVID-19 dashboard, the Ministry recorded 21 new infections, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 38,891. The dashboard also shows that 11 patients are admitted into the COVID19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 35 persons in institutional isolation, 713 in home isolation and no one in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 37,099 persons have recovered from the virus
AFC slams Govt. over... From page 15 did an excellent job of reconciling the differences and allowing the stakeholders to frame their own agreement. In November 2021, a few, reminiscent of the actions of policy makers from a century ago, have decided what is “best” for the Indigenous people of Region 9 without even a hint of consultation with them. This is an absurdity in modern day Guyana! “President Ali is reminded of the words he spoke in an address to the Parliament of Guyana not so long ago on February 11, 2021 where, and when, he said that “the essential character of my Government’s vision is “inclusion” and went on to
speak glowingly about Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) being a principle that will be “strictly observed”. It would appear that those words were meant as mere ‘sugar coating’ for a television audience.” The AFC said unfortunately, the attitude of the PPP/C to the Marudi issue is an indication of a wider and more serious disregard for Indigenous people, and their issues, and does not auger well for the observance of FPIC as development, in pursuit of political gain, is being pursued in an accelerated way. The people of Guyana, and particularly, Indigenous people have to take note.
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Kaieteur News
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Tuesday December 21, 2021
Tuesday December 21, 2021
Australia win 2nd Ashes test by 275 runs to take 2-0 lead ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Australia took a 2-0 lead in the five-test Ashes series yesterday by beating England by 275 runs and all but ensured the century-old urn will remain Down Under. Set 468 runs to win, England was bowled out for 192 with 21 overs remaining on the final day of play in the daynight test at Adelaide Oval. Jos Buttler (26) faced 207 deliveries for England before treading on his stumps to be out hit wicket in a losing cause. “That’s the attitude we have to harness through the whole game,” England captain Joe Root said. “The fight and attitude was great today and
we just have to do more of it.” Australia stand-in captain Steve Smith said England “showed some really good resistance and fight.” “We always felt (it would only take) a couple of balls, there was still plenty of time left. We just tried to stay calm,” Smith said. Only one team has come from 2-0 down to win an Ashes series: Don Bradman’s Australians in 1936-37. As holders of the Ashes, Australia needs only to draw the next match. Paceman Jhye Richardson took five wickets as Australia followed its nine-wicket triumph in the first test in Brisbane with another re-
sounding win, its ninth consecutive win in day-night matches. Josh Hazlewood missed the Adelaide test because of a side strain. Fast bowler and captain Pat Cummins, a late scratch from the second test because he was a close contact of a COVID-19 case, will rejoin the squad on Thursday. Under-pressure opener Marcus Harris, who averages 22.19 from 12 tests after scores of three and 23 in Adelaide, is expected to remain at the top of the order. Scores: Australia 9 for 473 dec (Labuschagne 103, Warner 95, Smith 93, Carey 51) and 9
Tuesday December 21, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Great rivers are born from drops of water. Opportunity isn't lacking in your life at the moment. This is a great time to buckle down in your personal and professional lives. You've never shied away from hard work. You embrace it. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Are you deeply satisfied with your love life? Several of the aspects will push you to take stock and develop some solutions if needed. A big issue could be your possessiveness. Try an experiment. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Loving someone is no guarantee that one day that person won't leave. You must give your love freely and without strings. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You need a guide. This is a time to learn from the master of a domain, even if it means putting yourself in the role of disciple. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) This is a meditative day. It will help you take stock of how you feel inside, which you haven't had time to do for a while. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Old demons and dreams are on the agenda today. Do you want to be an artist? Are you sure? If you're an artist, would you like to be more prominent or rich? Be wary of such daydreams because they take you away from enjoying your life.
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LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) If your daily life seems disorderly, change it. Don't delay. You say that the hustle and bustle of life has you running in a thousand different directions. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You don't like to be held back. You can't wait quietly until you reach your objectives. Know that occasionally the unpleasant tasks have to be done before you can enjoy yourself. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Is this the day you'll meet someone new? It's possible! The astral aspects are going to make it a lot easier for you. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You can expect to have a calm, efficient day. Whatever projects you've initiated in your public or private life should start taking on an interesting shape. Little by little, uncertainties will vanish. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A serious day lies ahead. It feels a bit lonely as all those around you concentrate on their own needs in silence and isolation. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You're cleaning, sweeping, and tidying up your relationships as never before. More remains to be done, but in the end, your relationships will take on completely different forms. Today, for example, someone in your group will back up your ideas.
Tarson, Roopnarine, Rahim... From page 23 1 Raw N a d i n a Ta h a r a l l y, S q u a t 147.5kg, Benchpress 75.0kg, Deadlift 172.5kg, Total 395.0kg 2nd 76kg Women’s Master 1 Raw – Homwattie Hirawan, Squat 105.0kg, Benchpress 55.0kg, Deadlift 112.5kg, Total 272.5kg Male Winners 1st 74kg Men’s Sb-Jr Raw - Romeo Hunter, Squat 220.0kg, Benchpress 145.0kg, Deadlift 205.0kg, Total 570.0kg 1st 66kg Men’s Junior Raw – Romario Gonsalves, Squat 220.0kg, Benchpress 122.5kg, Deadlift 255.0kg, Total 597.5kg 1st 74kg Men’s Junior Raw - Dominic Tyrrell, Squat 210.0kg, Benchpress 115.0kg, Deadlift 285.0kg, Total 610.0kg 1st 120+kg Men’s Junior Raw – Yogaishawar Seecharan, Squat 210.0kg, Benchpress 110.0kg, Deadlift 212.5kg, Total 532.5kg 1st 66kg Men’s Open Raw – Romario Gonsalves, Squat 220.0kg, Benchpress 122.5kg, Deadlift 255.0kg, Total
597.5kg 1st 74kg Men’s Open Raw - Vijai Rahim, Squat 250.0kg, Benchpress 152.5kg, Deadlift 310.0kg, Total 712.5kg 2nd 74kg Men’s Open Raw - Dominic Tyrrell, Squat 210.0kg, Benchpress 115.0kg, Deadlift 285.0kg, Total 610.0kg 3rd 74kg Men’s Open Raw - Romeo Hunter, Squat 220.0kg, Benchpress 145.0kg, Deadlift 205.0kg, Total 570.0kg 1st 83kg Men’s Open Raw - Shammah Noel, Squat 230.0kg, Benchpress 135.0kg, Deadlift 240.0kg, Total 605.0kg 1st 93kg Men’s Open Raw - Marlon Wilson, Squat 197.5kg, Benchpress 132.5kg, Deadlift 272.5kg, Total 602.5kg 2nd 93kg Men’s Open Raw - Leroy Trotman, Squat 210.0kg, Benchpress 115.0kg, Deadlift 272.5kg, Total 597.5kg 3rd 93kg Men’s Open Raw - Imran Mohamed, Squat 212.5kg, Benchpress 130.0kg, Deadlift 235.0kg, Total 577.5kg
1st 105kg Men’s Open Raw - Bjorn Williams, Squat 215.0kg, Benchpress 170.0kg, Deadlift 292.5kg, Total 677.5kg 2nd 105kg Men’s Open Raw - Paul Meusa, Squat 190.0kg, Benchpress 125.0kg, Deadlift 265.0kg, Total 580.0kg 3rd 105kg Men’s Open Raw - Arjun Roopnarine, Squat 200.0kg, Benchpress 140.0kg, Deadlift 230.0kg, Total 570.0kg 1st 120+kg Men’s Open Raw Yo g a i s h a w a r S e e c h a r a n , Squat 210.0kg, Benchpress 110.0kg, Deadlift 212.5kg, Total 532.5kg 1st 83kg Men’s Sb-Jr EQ Faraud Mohamed, Squat 195.0kg, Benchpress 122.5kg, Deadlift 222.5kg, Total 540.0kg 1st 66kg Men’s Open EQ NavindraTamasar, Squat 192.5kg, Benchpress 110.0kg, Deadlift 227.5kg, Total 530.0kg 1st 74kg Men’s Open EQ Timothy Bagla, Squat 197.5kg, Benchpress 125.0kg, Deadlift 225.0kg, Total 547.5kg 1st 83kg Men’s Open EQ HardatTarson, Squat 287.5kg, Benchpress 175.0kg, Deadlift 300.0kg, Total 762.5kg 2nd 83kg Men’s Open EQ - Faraud Mohamed, Squat 195.0kg, Benchpress 122.5kg, Deadlift 222.5kg, Total 540.0kg 1st 105kg Men’s Open EQ - Marley Vyphuis, Squat 220.0kg, Benchpress 127.5kg, Deadlift 265.0kg, Total 612.5kg 2nd 105kg Men’s Open EQ - Frank Tucker, Squat 200.0kg, Benchpress 102.5kg, Deadlift 200.0kg, Total 502.5kg 1st 120kg Men’s Open EQ - FazimAbdool, Squat 295.0kg, Benchpress 200.0kg, Deadlift 295.0kg, Total 790.0kg 1st 93kg Men’s Master 1 Raw - Marlon Wilson, Squat 197.5kg, Benchpress 132.5kg, Deadlift 272.5kg, Total 602.5kg 1st 105kg Men’s Master 1 Raw - Arjun Roopnarine, Squat 200.0kg, Benchpress 140.0kg, Deadlift 230.0kg, Total 570.0kg 1st 105kg Men’s Master 3 EQ - Frank Tucker, Squat 200.0kg, Benchpress 102.5kg, Deadlift 200.0kg, Total 502.5kg
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Kaieteur News
National Snr Bodybuilding and Fitness Competition...
Razor sharp Darious Ramsammy is new Mr Guyana Fung is Miss Bikini &Campbell is Men’s Physique By Sean Devers The Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) have hosted events during the pandemic, but all have been virtual live-streaming events with no patrons. But this changed on Sunday when the National Senior Bodybuilding and Fitness Competition was held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) and was watched live by patron for the first time since 2019. Sponsored by the NSC, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, DTS Trading and Shipping and Fitness Express, the competition was a resounding success. An entertaining night was provided by fully vaccinated competitors who worked hard despite the pandemic and the raucous audience which sounded far more than the 200 present in spanking new and improved refurbished NCC, showed their appreciation. Colin Chesney from Upper Demerara Barbell Gym in mining town and Unity Gym’s Ashanti Conway were the crowd favourites from the time they stepped on to the stage. But when the well organised competition was done and dusted, it was the razor sharp looking Darious Ramsammy of Razor Fitness Gym, also known in the cycling fraternity, who prevailed to take his first Mr Guyana title. Ramsammy, who won his
Mr Physique Emmerson Campbell is flanked by, Yannick Grimes & Jonathon Jeffery.
U-176lbs division ahead of Nicholas Albert, Omisi Williams, Odel Crum-Ewing and Lindon Burnette, received G$300,000 for Mr. Guyana and G$50,000 for winning his division. Chesney, who won the Masters and Heavyweight divisions, Platinum Gym’s Marlon Bennett (U-154lbs) and Roger Caldeira of Space Gym (U-143lbs) were the other division winners vying for the Mr Guyana title. Caldeira was followed by Faoud Mohammed in the two-man contest in the Under 143lbs, while Chesney won in the Heavyweight division ahead of Julio Sinclair and Rawle Greene. The eagerly awaited Miss Bikini segment, especially by the males in the house, saw
Rosanna Fung from space Gym won her second title, while Conway and Angelica Barroncas from the Space Gym, followed in that order In the Men’s Physique, Stabroek News Sports reporter Emmerson Campbell from the Space Gym captured the accolade for a fifth time, while Gym mate Yannick Grimes and Jonathon Jeffery from Unity Gym followed in that order. The winners were presented with their trophies by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport Melissa Tucker, while President of the GBBFF Keavon Bess was among three to collect their Judges licences. The other two are Aubrey Henry and Franklin BrisportLuke.
The winner of each category won $50,000, the second place $30,000 and third place $25,000. The winner of Men’s Physique collected $200,000, second place $100,000 and third $50,000 while the winner of the Bikini segment $200,000, second $100,000 and third $50,000. “The show was well organized and all the logistical pieces worked well to ensure a seamless championship for the audience in attendance. The audience in attendance followed the Covid-19 rules and regulations which resulted in an incident free night of great Bodybuilding and Fitness challenges,” informed Bess. According to the GBBFF President, the athletes all presented their great physique on stage and throughout extremely competitive sportsmanship were of the highest while adding that the judging was consistent for all the categories. “Guyana secured the bid to host the Central America and Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship in 2024. The hosting of this competition will see at least 25 countries of the Caribbean and Central America coming to Guyana for two days of
Mr Physique Emmerson Campbell collects his trophy
Mr Guyana Darious Ramsammy collects his trophy. competition and other activities,” Bess told Kaieteur port. The only time the Central America and Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships were held in Guyana
was in 2004. Bess said he had put in a bid for Guyana to host in 2023, however that event will now be held in Aruba, while Barbados will host in 2022.
Rupununi All-Stars decimate Foxy Ladies 18-0 Bess (left) along with Aubrey Henry and Franklin Brisport-Luke got their Judges licences.
The Rupununi All-Stars were in rampaging form on Sunday night as they fired a dozen and a half goals past a hapless Foxy Ladies’ side during the first match of a double header at the National Track & Field Center (NTFC) in the Guyana Football Fed-
eration Women’s Super-16 festival. Nena Cabral scored six goals to led the dominating performance for the Lethem side with her goals coming on both sides of the half in the 21st, 34th, 38th, 52md, 78th and 82nd minutes while Cheryl Roberts was al-
most as devastating, finding the back of the net four times (10th, 29th, 43rd, 44th). Cheryl Roberts, Jacklyn Williams and Danielle Spencer all netted braces while Sarach and LoreenAlcides each netted once to complete the 18-goal route.
Tuesday December 21, 2021
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Kaieteur News
Women’s Super 16 Festival...
Bartica All Stars romp to hard fought win over Essequibo in sudden death PKs
Hilbert Foster and Team Progress sweep BCB Elections
Hilbert Foster (right) and the newly elected executives of the Berbice Cricket Board. A battle in the midfield between players form Bartica and Essequibo on Sunday night last at the Bartica Community Centre Ground. Franklin Wilson photo The Bartica All Stars pre- still learning the game and minutes (7 ½ each) of extra vailed over their counterparts competing in this historic time failed to produce any from Essequibo when the competition, the first of its goals. GFF/NAWF Women’s Super kind for women at year-end. After the first five kicks 16 Festival continued at the It’s being held under the from the penalty mark, each Bartica Community Centre theme, “We Rise Against Do- team had scored once and Ground on Sunday night last. mestic Violence”. missed four chances apiece. Urged on a by a large gather- The energy and enthusiasm In sudden death kicks, Bartica ing of their home fans, espe- displayed by both teams buried their shot but the cially their young friends and made up for their lack of ex- Essequibo players sent her family members who were perience as they kept the at- shot sailing over the cross bar screaming support through- tention of all in the ground on to send the Essequibo playout the encounter, the Bartica the pitch. ers, Technical Staff and fans ladies rallied to a 2-1 win on There were a few close into a frenzy as they secured sudden death penalty kicks encounters at each end of the victory. after a 0-0 tie in regulation field but the goalkeepers kept The win has earned the time and a 1-1 stalemate after the tension at high pitch since excited young ladies a date the first five kicks from the they thwarted the efforts of with the experienced Police FC penalty mark. the scorers. Team on Christmas night at It was a bruising encounter Regulation time of 90 plus the same venue. (Franklin between two sides that are minutes, along with the 15 Wilson)
GAPLF Seniors...
Tarson, Roopnarine, Rahim, Taharally, Chappelle, Abdool shine By Zaheer Mohamed Months of rigid training melted down to few moments as athletes displayed the fruits of the labour, hence decided their own faith when the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) held its senior national RAW championships on Sunday at St. Stanislaus College. Hardat Tarson, Vijay Rahim and Fazim Abdool of Hardcore Barbell club of Rosignol, West Berbice, Arjun Roopnarine, Nadina Taharally and Angel Chappelle produced exciting performances as 37 records were shattered. In what was arguably a decisive assessment of aggressive strength, Tarson copped the best male lifter prize, while Rahim won the 74kg Men’s Open category and Abdool was successful in the 120kg Men’s Open EQ
segment. Roopnarine won the 105kg Men’s Master 1 Raw, Taharally carted off the 76kg Women’s Open Raw while promising Chapelle won the 52kg Women’s Sb-Jr Raw division. Among other standouts were Shelly Ann Gomes, Keisha Abrigo, Romeo Hunter, Shammah Noel, Romario Gonsalves, Marlon Wilson, Faraud Mohamed and Marley Vyphuis. Below are the full results: Senior Nationals Championship Results Winners in each weight class Female Winners 1st 52kg Women’s Sb-Jr Raw Angel Chappelle, Squat 90.0kg, Benchpress 40.5kg, Deadlift 82.5kg, Total 213.0kg 1st 52kg Women’s Open Raw - Angel Chappelle, Squat 90.0kg, Benchpress 40.5kg,
Deadlift 82.5kg, Total 213.0kg 1st 63kg Women’s Open Raw - Shelly Ann Gomes, Squat 117.5kg, Benchpress 70.0kg, Deadlift 150.0kg, Total 337.5kg 2nd 63kg Women’s Open Raw - Salma Hack, Squat 110.0kg, Benchpress 50.0kg, Deadlift 127.5kg, Total 287.5kg 1st 69kg Women’s Open Raw - Keisha Abrigo, Squat 155.0kg, Benchpress67.5kg, Deadlift 182.5kg, Total 405.0kg 1st 76kg Women’s Open Raw – Nadina Taharally, Squat 147.5kg, Benchpress 75.0kg, Deadlift 172.5kg, Total 395.0kg 2nd 76kg Women’s Open Raw – Homwattie Hirawan, Squat 105.0kg, Benchpress 55.0kg, Deadlift 112.5kg, Total 272.5kg 1st 76kg Women’s Master (Continued on page 19)
Popular Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) incumbent President Hilbert Foster was returned to the post by a 34 to 0 vote on Sunday when the board held its biennial Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the historic Port Mourant Cricket Ground. Foster and his entire Team Progress slate were elected unopposed, but delegates were still required to vote as per BCB rules. All thirty four delegates at the meeting supported the slate. A total of thirty eight delegates cast vote at the AGM but the two delegates from Mental Hospital and one each from Albion and the Berbice River Association were absent during the vote which was conducted by Returning Officer Colin Bynoe and assistants Winston Smith and Ryan Algu. Other executives elected were Vice President- Cricket Development Qualis Wynter, Vice President Administration- Albert Smith, Vice President Finance- Dr Cecil Beharry, Secretary- Angela Haniff, Assistant SecretaryAmeer Rahaman, TreasurerRovin Beharry and Assistant Treasurer- Neil Rudder. Foster, who was first elected in early 2018, has successfully spearheaded a restoration of Berbice cricket from a state of despair to one of high standards. He expressed thanks to the delegates for their confidence in his leadership and urged them to remain united in these uncertain times. He committed to leading an executive that would always lead by example and also to putting the development of the game and players first. The newly reelected President also told his fellow executives that he expects them to place their hands firmly on the fast turning wheel of development and urged them to be more visible across the county. Executives were told that they
must ensure that the BCB remains the most visionary, progressive and transparent board in the Caribbean. Foster, who is also a Director of Cricket West Indies stated that under his team leadership ... there was no place for victimization, racism, laziness and corruption. Delegates at the AGM were provided with a comprehensive report from the President, Treasurer and Competition Committee. The President informed delegates of the numerous achievements of the BCB in 2021 despite the ongoing covid 19 pandemic. Foster, stated that his executives followed the covid 19 guidelines and were able to organise tournaments, developmental programmes, expand its coaching programme and attract sponsorship for every one of its activities. Special mention was made of the cooperation of the Government of Guyana and the RDC of Region Six. Delegates were also provided with a eight pages booklet of commitment by Foster, which highlights the work to be done over the next two years by his administration. The clubs and sub associations also approved the setting up of a Go Fund Me page for Berbice Cricket, with funding going towards assisting clubs, players and developmental programmes. The newly elected executives held their first meeting, immediately after the AGM and re-elected Simon Naidu as the Public Relations Officer, while Vemen Walter, Shabeer Baksh, Eldgert Lyken Edwards, Omeshwar Srikissoon, Narine Deonarine, Gregory Crandon and Leslie Solomon were selected as appointed executives. Balram Samaroo was returned as Junior Selector Chairman,Albert Smith heads the Senior Selection Committee, while Leslie Solomon would continue to
serve as Chairman of the Competition Committee. The BCB also selected the names for their selection and other committees. Junior Selection Committee for Under 15, 17 and 19- Balram Samaroo{Head}, Leslie Solomon {Deputy}, Surendra Kissoonlall, Travis Hardcourt, Winston Smith, Roshan Gafoor and Riaz Hakim. Senior Selection Committee for under 21, 23 and Seniors- Albert Smith- Head, Julian Moore- deputy, Balram Samaroo, Navin Lalbehari and Heeralall Bridgelall. Financial- Rovin BeharryHead, Dr Cecil Beharry, Neil Rudder, Suresh Dhanai and Qualis Wynter Competition - Leslie Soloman- Chairman, Winston Smith, Balram Samaroo, Egnert Edwards, Ryan Algu, Roshan Gafoors, Neil Rudder, Angela Haniff, Rajin Kishun, Tremayne Smartt, Narine Deonarine. Cricket DevelopmentQualis Wynter- Head, Albert Smith- Deputy, Julian Moore, Ryan Algu, Albert Smith, Winston Smith, Balram Samaroo, Travis Hardcourt, Tremayne Smartt, Ameer Rahaman The pro active board also selected the management team well in advance for the 2022 inter county season. The following persons were selected to serve as coach and managers respectively: Under 15- Leslie Solomon, Neil Rudder Under 17- Delbert Hicks, Ameer Rahaman Under 19- Julian Moore, Neil Rudder Under 21- Balram Samaroo, Ryan Algu Under 23-Winston Smith, Philbert Wilburg Under 19 FemalesTremayne Smartt, Erva Giddings Senior Females- Winston Smith, Angela Haniff.
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Tuesday December 21, 2021
Kaieteur News
GFF-K&S Super 16 Cup – Powered by KFC Guyana...
Bartica All Stars wallop Essequibo All Stars 5-0 in commanding display to host Western Tigers on Christmas night A section of the crowd on Sunday night at the Bartica Community Centre Ground. (Franklin Wilson photo)
Andrew Simmons (#7) and teammates celebrate in style after his second goal against Essequibo. (Franklin Wilson photo By Franklin Wilson in Bartica Barticians left the Bartica Community Centre Ground on a plateau on Sunday night last after the home team playing as All Stars walloped Essequibo All Stars when the Guyana Football FederationKashif and Shanghai Super 16 Cup continued in that community. Watched by Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams,
His Worship Mayor Gifford Marshall, GFF President Wayne Forde along with Bartica and Essequibo Association Presidents, Alden Marslow and Maxine Stewart, the biggest crowd at any of the venues to date in the competition added the extra impetus for the home players to take care of the business on the field. The star and co-star of the evening were Andrew
Simmons who blasted a hattrick and Joshua Jones who netted a brace to see their opponents off. Simmons was particularly lethal upfront as the lads from the Cinderella County found it very challenging to contain him; his speed and evasiveness as well as his ability to shoot the ball fiercely created problems for the visitors. Essequibo looked their best in the first 20 minutes but
as the home team warmed up to the challenge; and with the fans fully behind them, it was clear that once they broke the deadlock, it would have been a tough task for Essequibo to contain them. That’s exactly how the script played out. Simmons ripped the back of the nets in the 24th minute and doubled the advantage in the 32nd minute, both being well directed shots. There was some
respite for the visitors at the half time break but once the Referee’s whistle sounded for the restart of play, the home team showed no letting up as the rampage continued. Young Joshua Jones increased the advantage to 3-0 with another well crafted goal as he inked his name on the score sheet. Simmons completed his hat-trick with a ripping shot that sailed into the back of the
nets in the 75th minute. The solid win for Bartica was completed two minutes later when Jones recorded his second of the night to cap a fantastic day at the office for the home team. Fans are in for another potential treat come Christmas Night, December 25th when City side Western Tigers travel to take on the host with a semifinal spot on the line.
BCB launches YWCC/Guybiz GDF advance following Educational Trust Fund for comfortable win against Swan Berbice Youth Players
“I am delighted at the current development of the Berbice Cricket Board under the dynamic leadership of Hilbert Foster and as such, I decided to get involved in the process. Mr Foster has led by example and has promoted the importance of having an educational background for all youth cricketers. This donation is from me, my business GUYBIZ Inc and the Young Warriors Cricket Club, of which I am a very proud member,” said businessman Ishwar Singh as he handed over thirty five educational packages to the Berbice Cricket Board. The businessman had last Thursday approached BCB President Hilbert Foster to give back something to Berbice Cricket and after a short discussion, it was agreed that the YWCC/ GUYBIZ INC Educational Trust Fund would be set up to assist youth cricketers in the New Amsterdam/Canje area with educational materials. Foster over the course of his four years presidency has made it a mission to as-
GUYBIZ CEO Ishwar Singh is joined by YWCC players in handing over the educational materials to BCB Asst Secretary Ameer Rahaman. sist youths to complete their education via assisting them with materials, scholarships, uniforms and educational grants. The packages included a school bag and a full array of needed supplies. Players from the following clubs would benefit - Tucber Park, Mt Sinai, Kendall Union, East Bank Blazers, Edinburgh, Guymine and Rose Hall Canje. Foster, who was reelected unopposed at the BCB AGM later in the day, noted that hundreds of youth cricketers would benefit from educational
materials and grants in the next two years and hailed the contribution of Singh. He stated that it was very pleasing when former Inter county players like Singh gives back to the game. He also congratulated the Young Warriors Cricket Club for its role, stating that he hopes the club returns to its former glory. The YWCC was founded over two years ago and has produced players like test player Shimron Hetmyer, Richard Ramdeed, Gajanand Singh, Ishwar Singh, Linden Austin, Paul Wiltz, Alex Algoo and Seon Hetmyer.
Abeocie Haywood has her shot blocked by goal-keeper Akeela Ramnirarjan during action yesterday. (Zaheer Mohamed photo) By Zaheer Mohamed The Guyana Defence Force registered a comfortable win against Swan to secure their spot in the semi finals when the Guyana Football Federation – GNWFA Women’s Super 16 continued yesterday at the National Training Centre, Providence. GDF showed marked improvement from their round encounter against a team, which despite playing in their first competitive tournament, showed determination and
the willingness to grow in the sport. Abeocie Haywood put GDF head in the 11th minute while Andrea Lashley doubled the lead in the 14th. GDF benefitted from an own goal by Indero Amardeo in 22nd minute before Haywood netted her second in the 33rd and completed her hat-trick seven minutes later to hand her team 5-0 lead the break. Swan had a few build ups, but GDF defence rapidly thwarted any threat on goal. GDF continued to attack
Malinda Scott stretched their advantage when she slotted home in the 57th minute while her team mate Akeelah Vancooten hit the cross bar with firm shot from outside the area. Haywood could have added another, however she sent her shot wide from within the area while Vancooten had a shot kept out by goalkeeper Akeela Ramnirarjan. Haywood sent another shot from inside the area over the bar before she found the back of net in the 88th minute.
Tuesday December 21, 2021
Kaieteur News
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