Kaieeturr News

GDF spends $3M K NEWS a year repairing one …as Audit Report flags vehicle'exorbitant' maintenance costs AIETEUR

Friday Edition December 24, 2021 - Vol. 14 No.52 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 79,076

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

'Don't rush the bill' ...Opposition needs three months to scrutinise NRF bill ...says Govt. rushing to quickly put hands on oil money

Local Content Bill 2021 Series Pt.5

Oil companies mandated to

prefer bidders with highest Guyanese employment, procurement targets

The protest continues for change to ExxonMobil’s contract.

...must educate citizens on tender process

Body with ExxonMobil boasts of crushed “very safe year” in Guyana skull found despite two years of flaring at Mahaica Blacklisted company among contractors for EBD road link works

...gets $889 million to build Lot 2 of project

Guyana should setup National Oil Company to penetrate veils of distrust …create more win-win opportunities

- Fmr Staatsolie Boss

PPP/C rushing to pass laws to grab oil money, rather, than bring in revenues from the oil sector for all Guyanese.

Join Glenn Lall for an explosive Christmas Day Special Edition of the Glenn Lall Show at 3PM on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM.

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Friday December 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAHO welcomes international endorsement of first COVID-19 vaccine produced in Latin America PAHO Director Carissa F. Etienne

T

he Pan American H e a l t h Organization (PAHO) welcomed the WHO listing today of an AstraZeneca vaccine jointly produced by Argentina and Mexico – the first such decision for a COVID-19 vaccine manufactured in Latin America.

The vaccine, with the international denomination C O V I D - 1 9 Va c c i n e ( C h A d O x 1 - S [recombinant]), is jointly manufactured by Argentina's mAbxience, which reproduces the active pharmaceutical ingredient, and Mexico's Laboratorios Liomont, which mixes and finishes the product for distribution.

“We applaud this news,” the PAHO Director Carissa F. Etienne said.

“This is an important milestone for Latin America and highlights the importance of technology transfer to increase the availability of quality COVID-19 vaccines in the region.”

The regionally produced AstraZeneca vaccine is already in use in some Latin American and Caribbean countries, and inclusion in the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use Listing will facilitate its procurement and distribution through PAHO's Revolving Fund as well as COVAX, the international mechanism to increase global COVID-19 vaccines access.

The approval comes as the pandemic enters its third consecutive year and the region sees a steady climb in

COVID-19 cases. In the past week, the Americas reported over 1.1 million new COVID19 infections – a 6% increase in cases from the previous week.

Va c c i n e i n e q u i t y , however, continues to divide the region, with a handful of countries unlikely to reach the 40% vaccination target by the end of the year and many just above the 50% threshold of f u l l C O V I D - 1 9 immunization.

Boosting regional capacity to produce vaccines is key to bridging this gap, the PAHO Director said, citing the international endorsement as an example of how the region is primed to develop its p h a r m a c e u t i c a l manufacturing capacity. “If given the opportunity and tools, our region can deliver,” she stressed.

PAHO recommends countries opt for WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines, which are evaluated based on international standards for quality, safety and efficacy.

In an effort to expand access to such vaccines in Latin America and the Caribbean, PAHO provided support to the regulatory authorities in the two countries to fulfill the WHO listing requirements.

The PAHO Director added, however, that the milestone was achieved thanks to the commitment of the public and private sectors in Argentina and Mexico, especially “investments made in the development of a scientific and technological (Continued on page 22)

Friday December 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 03

'Don't rush the bill' ...Opposition needs three months to scrutinise NRF bill ...says Govt. rushing to quickly put hands on oil money

By Davina Bagot

Shadow Oil and Gas Minister, David Patterson

S

hadow Oil and Gas Minister, David Patterson has accused the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) of forcing the critical National Resources Fund (NRF) Bill into legislation, so as to quickly access the fund.

The NRF is one of the latest Bills laid in the National Assembly and outlines the way in which the earnings from oil and gas production are to be spent. In fact, the Bill was tabled only on December 16 and is slated to be debated on December 29 and passed.

There have been calls for the proposed legislation to be discarded even as some asked that it be sent to a special select committee as is done with complex bills. Already a civil society group, Policy Forum Guyana has filed a petition to Parliament for the bill to be stayed.

In this regard, Patterson, the former Minister of Public Infrastructure under the previous administration, said that due to the nature of the bill, it is only fitting that the

National Assembly and the nation at large be given three months' time to fully scrutinise the document that contains more than 30 pages of information.

In an invited comment, he said: “There are about two petitions in Parliament asking for them not to pass the legislation as yet, but to give the whole country time to go through the bill and comment on it, because people are very concerned and we (as Opposition) are

very concerned about the fact that they have dismantled the 22-member committee and replaced it with handpicked persons.

Then there are several other issues”. Patterson is convinced that the Government is rushing to enact the legislation since it would enable it access to the oil funds sooner.

“We are aware that they would like to get the Bill passed so that they could take the half a million US dollars

Article 13 member, Ramon Gaskin

out of the Fund and put it into the 2022 Budget, so that is what the rush is about,” he speculated.

He explained that if passed in its current form, Government would be given the green-light to access at least US$500,000 of the US$641 million, currently sitting in the fund.

More so, he said with this proposed Bill, the incumbent administration would be able to, not only access the funds, but do so without any

supervision, since the Government has proposed to remove the 22-member oversight committee.

The former APNU/AFC administration had set up a 22-member oversight committee, comprising of a representative from civil society organizations and community based organizations, civil society organizations; the Bar Association of Guyana, the Guyana Consumer's Association; the Guyana

Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the Transparency International Guyana Inc. (TIGI) and the Guyana Press Association, among others.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo's position is that this body makes it “almost impossible to operationalise” the fund.

Instead, the new legislation proposes that there be two key committees and a Board of Directors to preside over the management of the nation's oil money.

Importantly, all of the members on these committees as well as the Board will be appointed by the President or his Minister responsible for natural resources.

In this regard, the Opposition Member of Parliament posited “So they will rush it through on Wednesday, they will rush through the appointments, if they need to, but they want that money to put it into the budget.

At least three months should be given but they don't want to do that because they (Continued on page 22)

AG Office boosts capacity for oil audits …gets help from Canadians, staffer at University in London

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he Audit Office of Guyana is boosting its capacity in anticipation of its role in Guyana's still nascent oil and gas industry and has since turned to the Canadian Audit and Accountability Foundation for assistance.

Additionally, one of the office's staffer is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Oil and Gas at the University of Bedfordshire London.

This was disclosed by Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, who in his 2020 report, noted that “being cognizant of the discovery of oil in Guyana, the Audit Office has been anticipating and planning for our role in the Oil and Gas Sector.”

To this end, he disclosed that “apart from staff being previously trained in the extractive industries, there is currently a staff within the

Office who is pursuing a Master's Degree in Oil and Gas at the University of Bedfordshire London.

Members in the Performance Audit Section, with the help from CAAF, are being trained on how to audit the oil and gas sector.”

According to Sharma, “the Audit Office of Guyana has strived to promote good governance, transparency and improved public accountability. In this regard, we ensure that the most upto-date operating procedures, professional practices, technical standards, and modern technology are incorporated and utilised in the execution of audits.” He did recognise however, that despite this, “the Office has been faced with the challenges imposed by COVID - 19 in the working environment.”

He noted nonetheless that through continued relationship with CAAF, the Performance Audit Unit has been the beneficiary of training and mentorship programs.

This has already yielded tangible results, since according to Sharma, his office was able to complete four Performance Audits which will be submitted soon to the Speaker.

Additionally, 18 persons from the Performance Unit were trained in (Teaming up for Successful Audits).

He said too, that plans are also in place for the Audit Office to benefit from two additional staff being trained, in Performance Audit under CAAF Fellow's Program, for nine months.

“This fellowship programme is usually

completed in Canada with attachments in the Audit Office of British Colombia.

However, due to the current travel restrictions, this program will commence with a virtual component.”

It was noted too, that in keeping with the “new norm” and trends, staff development was undertaken virtually. As it relates to strengthening the capacity and competencies of the staff, Sharma said the Forensics Unit benefitted from Interviewing Techniques and Report Writing facilitated by Arthur Lok Jack School of Business of Trinidad and Tobago and training in several areas of Forensic Accounting and Auditing through a Technical Cooperation Agreement between Guyana and Jamaica which is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma

“Upon completion of these programs, it is expected that the Audit Office will be equipped to provide forensic audit reports that can withstand scrutiny in the Court of Law.” According to the Auditor General, his Office “is

assiduously striving to achieve its mission to promote good governance, transparency and improved public accountability and with the continual support of all stakeholders” and “I am certain our mission will be realised.”

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Kaieteur News

Friday December 24, 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

Guyanese ripping off Guyanese We have always had the devious and crooked in this country. What is different today, is that we have never had as many cheating leaders and citizens as before. Those who betray the trust of Guyanese, take advantage of them.

Most political leaders and many citizens work overtime to get one over their fellow Guyanese. The time nor occasion does not matter, since anytime is good to mislead and rob.

A simple example in this holiday season should resonate with Guyanese. It came from a New York-based Guyanese, who was rather upset that Guyanese are deceiving their fellow overseas-based Guyanese with a product that falls short of expectations, with sharp regret following. Believe it or not, this involved cassareep. This unhappy Guyanese called upon us “to shed light on the unsavory practice of Guyanese who produce what is purported to be real, authentic Cassava Cassareep, but is really nothing more than a concoction of burnt sugar, molasses or whatever they could pass off onto the unsuspecting consumer as the real thing.” We know that costly and scarce local items like these enjoy high demand in overseas locations, where Guyanese reside. Getting ripped off doesn’t sit well, which is best relayed by our reader. “Here in the Diaspora, the one thing many of us look forward to at Christmas is our Pepperpot and we spare no expense purchasing our meats, etc. to ensure we have this Guyanese delicacy ready to serve on Christmas morning. Cassareep however is a problem. It’s the one ingredient that is most important in the creation of the Guyanese Pepperpot and manufacturers of it knowingly and willfully sell us something that is not real Cassava Cassereep.”

Many Guyanese at home encounter the same problem with inferior products marketed by unscrupulous Guyanese.

Assurances flourish that they are the real thing, only to discover that a fraud was perpetrated on the unsuspecting and trusting. We all know of people familiar to us, who swear that what they sell is from the Pomeroon, which means that it is as good as gold.

Regrettably, the situation is more often the opposite.

This is realised when the pot is boiling and it is time for the serious business of finishing off what is hoped to be a delicious pepperpot meal, with plenty of leftovers. What required much cash, time, and energy in preparing, turns out to be a disappointment. The joy of the holiday season, and what was supposed to be the envy of friends and neighbours, and other visitors lucky enough to get a rich helping, ends up being no more than a dud, another failed promise. It is sometimes closer to an embarrassment. More and more, this has become the Guyana story, the national culture of trickery and thievery. It does not matter that it is Christmas time. Or that custom and great care failed to present something superb. What matters is that some see an opening to rob their fellow Guyanese, by lying to them, cheating them, and disappointing them. Look at oil and our leaders. Look at the Natural Resources Fund 2021 Bill.

Political leaders throughout Guyana, from Government to Government, and Opposition to Opposition, have lied, distressed and disgusted locals. It could be Christmas time, Mash time, Easter time, religious time, and almost all the time. Once there is money to be made, they will do it. Citizens have learned well from them, which is why there are these cries of Christmas time cassareep crisis.

This rightly peeved Guyanese caught in the cold breath of winter, and looking forward to a steaming pepperpot dish is now forced to reach for something stronger. Usually, genuine Guyanese rum is the next best, most reliable substitute that fills the gap.

Last, he asked this question: “Why they have chosen to deceive us is the million-dollar question” along with the hard suspicion that “producing the real thing is too labor intensive.” We gently disagree, because the way we see this it comes down to some now vanishing ingredients in the Guyanese character. It is a lack of basic honesty and having no regard for principle or personal honour. What we have all around us are conmen for politicians and fellow citizens.

Youths will not tolerate the PPP/C reckless spending and borrowing DEAR EDITOR, The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs last year purchased several tractors and trailers for the Amerindian Villages and Communities. The Auditor General in his report found that Cabinet granted its ‘No-objection’ to the purchase and delivery of the tractors in the sum of $446.880M. It must be made clear to the public that no competitive bidding was involved before the contract was signed and awarded. It was also noted in the Auditor General’s report that the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs during the past year had purchased a quantity of agricultural tools for distribution to various communities in the interior at a cost of some $27.1M. However, investigations had found that only a handful of the

equipment that was purchased had been distributed.

Further, the Auditor General found that, while $12.052M was paid in December for the purchase of 15 outboard engines for hinterland communities, which were received since April 2021. Almost six months later, a physical verification by the Auditor General revealed that all the outboard engines were still in boxes at the Ministry’s stores. This is a waste of the taxpayers’ money by this government.

The Auditor General, in his report for government spending in 2020, also revealed that the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) awarded a contract in the sum of US$9.500M on 14th December 2020 for the procurement of one Bell 412 EPI air-

craft, and US$500,000 as miscellaneous fees for the cost of fuel, ferrying, etc. Again, there was no competitive bidding.

Compounding the situation is that the government continues its reckless spending of the taxpayers’ money as if there is no tomorrow. Not only has the government borrowed more than it has earned, but it is also awarding contracts without competitive bidding and is purchasing equipment without approval from the procurement commission.

The truth is the PPP/C government is back to its pre2015 arrogant, haughty, disdainful, and contemptuous behaviour, which will not be tolerated by the youths of the country.

The leaders of the PPP/C seem not to learn from their

mistakes of the past that led to a minority government in 2011 and its defeat in 2015.

Studies have shown that youths who are 65 percent of the population should not be taken for granted.

They would not sit idlyby and allow this government to jeopardise their future by its excessive and reckless borrowing and spending and its arrogance by the cabinet.

They could vote the PPP out of office in 2025 as they did with APNU+AFC in 2020, because they believe that in all democracies undergoing such a plethora of pilfering and non-accountability, dismissals should have occurred together with criminal charges being instituted. But this will not happen under the PPP corrupt regime.

Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine

Nation, rush and get vaccinated now for national herd immunity DEAR EDITOR, Nation, imagine everyone in Guyana died – all 800,000 of us! Over 800,000 people have died in the USA from the virus - that is more than the entire population of Guyana.

Some died before a vaccine was available, and many of those who died refused to take the vaccine. On their dying beds, many anti-vaxxers and resisters asked relatives and friends to get the vaccine and not to make the mistakes they made.

People, the virus is not a joke. The Government has spent billions to obtain vaccines for us, so why are some people waiting and dilly-dallying instead of rushing to get the vaccine. Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair said, “eligible people who are not vaccinated against COVID and have no medical reason not to get the jab are idiots.”

There is a new surge of COVID cases across the USA and the world, and just a matter of time Guyana will have the same problem. Here are some headlines: “Preliminary data suggests that omicron is significantly more contagious than previous versions of the coronavirus.” “Omicron sweeps across nation, now 73% of new US COVID cases.” “Omicron sweeping through California with staggering speed, raising alarms.”

“In highly vaccinated New England, hospitals are under unprecedented strain as coronavirus surges.” In Guyana, these facts should jolt us to take urgent action if we are not vaccinated. Don’t be part of the death statistics.

Only 70% of teachers are vaccinated; this is unacceptable if we want to open school. Is the Ministry of Education enforcing the vaccination mandate? How about

the nurses getting an extra two weeks of tax-free pay (funded through deficit spending)? Can the ministry release figures of those vaccinated? How about the rest of the joint services (getting an extra month of tax-free pay funded through deficit spending) and other Government services? Is the vaccine mandate being enforced across all of Government agencies?

In my recent visit to Guyana, I noticed most people were wearing masks at the malls, in the markets, and at funerals. That’s very commendable. Some places enforced proof of vaccination such as Demerara Bank and Gafoors at BV. Others did not.

Nation, we cannot afford to be complacent.

Let’s keep wearing our masks until we are given the all clear. As a poor, struggling “rich country of poor people” with limping health services,

please don’t gamble with your life and hope you will be the lucky one to not get infected.

That is simply reckless.

If you get the virus and have to go to the hospital, God be with you and your family.

You will need all the divine help you can get!

We want to open up our economy and maintain full employment. We want to be normal again, but everyone has to get vaccinated to achieve that herd immunity.

We have lost over 1,000 of our people and most were unvaccinated.

I call on all churches, unions, and organisations to make one more push to get our people vaccinated. “A hole in the boat, is a hole in the whole boat.” Every unvaccinated person threatens the whole Guyana boat!

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

Will Aubrey Norton, now Leader of Guyana Opposition Party, disassociate from radical elements?

DEAR EDITOR, Now that the PNC Party internal election is over, it is my hope Mr. Aubrey Norton look deep in the mirror and reflect on his party’s poor achievements since 1964; bankrupting Guyana several times, neglect of its base; election rigging, violence and more recently an upsurge of anti-Indian diatribe which will not help the PNC win any fu-

ture elections since the PNC base is only about 29% of Guyana’s population. The most misplaced myth is juxtaposing BLM on the Guyana landscape when the other people of Guyana are also Brown and Black. All these machinations only alienate the PNC from the larger Guyanese population.

To begin with, Afro Guyanese leadership inher-

ited the mantle of independence and ruled Guyana by a brutal dictatorship. They were only a plurality. IndoGuyanese was the majority of the population. Indians had no political representation in the country from 1964 to 1992.

Only through rigging could the Burnham dictatorship remain in power, and that’s exactly how the minority PNC ruled the majority of Guyana.

The PNC and its supporters did not complain. The statusquo was acceptable to them.

Today, Afro-Guyanese are still the majority in the armed forces, the police, the public sector, and most heads of departments. Furthermore, many Afro-Guyanese own their own businesses or are self employed. Also, many Indians are Black and they (Continued on page 6 )

Friday December 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

Manufacture sugar, not Letters DEAR EDITOR, In their risible retort, Rose and Rajkumar accused me of “dictating” to them what to write (KN Dec. 22). I did no such thing and this accusation only betrays paranoia. I offered a friendly advice not to scandalise the character of reputed former or current GuySuCo management staff unless you have evidence. As our respected Justice Claudette Singh said in a case, “He who asserts must prove”. The duo says they didn’t “name” any of the exmanagers or staff. Are they serious? Do they understand the meaning of “context” and the role it plays in determining the identity of persons referred to under, say in the law of libel?

All of the managers — Jai Peetam, Vishnu Panday,

Yussuf Abdul, Khemraj Tulsi, Paul Bhim, etc. — could make outstanding CEOs. The former and current staff have families and reputation to protect. These attacks would cause the public to view them in opprobrium. Scandalising their names make it difficult for them to find jobs. Yet, the two writers persist in their attacks on the characters of former GuySuCo staff without a shred of evidence. Why? All I humbly requested was please don’t tarnish good names of people. I didn’t criticise Rose, Rajkumar, or Sase Singh and I was tersely told “mind your business”.

This is my final letter on the duo!

The writers say they are supporters of the CEO Sase Singh; that is their right as former or current members of

AFC or whatever party they support or switched their allegiance to. There is no need to defend the CEO even though he is said to have carried the heavy loads when he and Rose’s names were appended to numerous letters criticising Jagdeo, Ramotar, and the PPP. His record will speak for him. I never questioned the competence of the CEO for the job, and in fact I stated he should be allowed to do his job without obviously manufactured letters in opposition to or in favour of him. All that I requested from writers is please don’t accuse staff (former and current) without evidence. Instead of manufacturing letters and penning spiteful remarks against people, they should join the CEO in Guyana to manufacture sugar.

Kwayana advocated partition of Guyana for which he was expelled DEAR EDITOR, Kindly allow me to respond to Dr. David Hind’s letter of 12-19-21 titled “The record shows that Eusi Kwayana was expelled from the PNC in 1961”. Dr. Hinds neglected to explain why Mr.Eusi Kwayana was expelled.

Sidney King as he was known then advocated the partition of Guyana while he was PNC General Secretary.

Additionally, Mr. Forbes

Burnham’s PNC had agreed that whichever party won the 1961 elections would be entitled to lead British Guiana to independence.

Mr. Kwayana was adamantly opposed to the PPP leading Guyana to independence as the PPP was projected to win the 1961 elections.

After the PPP won the 1961 elections, the PNC reneged on its election promise to support whichever party

won the 1961 elections to lead Guyana to independence.

Mr. Kwayana did not want to live under a PPP/C administered government of Guyana.

He currently lives in the USA. Mr. Kwayana had no qualms in actively campaigning for the PNC during the first rigged 1968 elections according to Dr. Hinds.

Respectfully, Vassan Ramracha

Moving forward together DEAR EDITOR, I wish to congratulate Mr. Aubrey Norton on being the newly elected leader of the opposition PNC(R) party.

Sir, I don’t know you but to have gained the trust of your comrades as their leader speaks volumes of your character which I hope will shine brightly as you take up the mantle of leadership.

Being the leader of any political organisation bears the responsibility of good conduct, good judgment, and the ability to see and admit, with civility and respect, the other person’s point of view may be better than yours in matters of State - a virtue few aspire.

King Solomon, the wisest

man that ever lived, on becoming king of Israel knew he had a formidable task before him.

He prayed and asked God for wisdom to judge Israel and carried out his duties in a fair and equitable manner.

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us [5] Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge HIM, and he shall direct thy paths. May God grant you the wisdom to carry out your duties as he did King Solomon Sincerely, Gloria Holder

Garbage politics DEAR EDITOR, The President serves up a daily dish of fantasies of his new Guyana… new highways, bridges and even a Silica City with a golf course and designer shopping mall.

And then he wants the soldiers of the Guyana Defence Force to pick up garbage in our capital city of Georgetown?

He should have his merchant class do it themselves since they import most of the garbage.

Yours sincerely, Francis Newton

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Friday December 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

Tackle the use of firecrackers from every angle DEAR EDITOR, The Region Three Police Commander, Errol Watts, rightly emphasised that “The Guyana Police Force will ensure that we robustly enforce all laws with respect to the use of squibs and firecrackers around this time, so that our animals and people can be safer throughout this holiday period and beyond. Rest assured, I’m going to brief my commissioner and we’re going to ensure that we circulate nationally, instructions for this effort to be intensified so as to bring peace and tranquility to our animals and safety to our people.”

Let me commend this kind of mindset, as it is already quite late in our Guyanese culture to stem the tide of ‘having dangerous fun at the expense of all others - people, property and animals.

A recent editorial noted that “Playing with firecrackers is no longer fun. One of the major concerns about the practice is that citizens cannot distinguish between the sound of a firecracker popping and a gun being fired.

With the proliferation of firecrackers during these holidays, gun-toting bandits would have an easy time escaping after committing their acts.” To this aspect, I add that ‘gun-toting’ bandits, in proliferation these days, need not fire; the gun is a commanding weapon and most times dictates compliance.

What I am quite concerned about are the immediate and lasting effects of these thunderous and highly flammable explosives that are so easy to access in numbers and money (as they seem to be quite affordable).

Let us face it. Our people are not only ill-informed, but are unwilling, uninterested or even incapable of understanding the horror of these explosives.

We need to realise that firecrackers have severe effects on people with heart disease, respiratory or nervous system disorders. It can also aggravate problems for people suffering from common cold and coughs as well as cause congestion of throat and chest. Overall, infants, elders and the sick require peace and serenity.

They are generally weak hearted and cannot bear sudden shock or trauma. Their lungs and nostrils too are very tender. Smoke and other gases produced while burning firecrackers could suffocate them to death. It is that serious.

Medically, it is well established that noise is not just irritating; it can have direct human health impacts. Indeed, chronic exposure to noise levels above 55dB dramatically increases the risks of heart disease and stroke, while aircraft noise has been shown to impact the development of reading skills in chil-

Inelegant

DEAR EDITOR, The photograph of the Head of the Disciplined Forces handing a box across the table to a rank as he serves lunch, is inelegant and not in keeping with table etiquette.

Let’s strive to get it right as little things mean a lot.

Shamshun Mohamed

dren attending schools close to busy airports. The WHO estimates that in Europe at least a million healthy life years are lost every year due to traffic noise. Here in Guyana, our bodies are being bombarded daily, and we still remain dormant. We need to wake up.

I followed recently in England that a baby boy was hit by fireworks and is still suffering from serious burns. He was taken to hospital after emergency services were called in. The report stated that the infant sustained significant burns but his injuries are not believed to be lifethreatening.

This was just last month, during which three budgies were among 34, belonging to a rescue centre in England, started “panicking and flying around”, and suffered from seizures. Locally, I recall how an Anna Catherina man and his son were severely beaten after a row with two men who were throwing firecrackers in front of their gap. This matter is still left unattended. In my street, two vendors publicly sell firecrackers and they are well-supported. What am I to surmise?

I posit that if the GPF really has the will to bring about a change and reverse the ‘firecracking’ trend, then it can do so. Officers need to make a deliberate and concerted effort to track down the sellers and then in the event firecrackers go off, hunt down those involved and apart from charging them, make sure that the source of the product be questioned.

On a closing note, I want to know what the Environmental Protection Agency is doing or if it has any say in this matter.

Yours truly, H. Singh

What about the retirees?

DEAR EDITOR, Season’s Greetings to you and your staff, I bring to your attention the uncaring attitude of the authorities of NIS to all retirees.

When they fail to pay the Government’s yearly increase that is awarded to all Public Servants which has a recip-

rocal increase to pensioners, both to the (Book Person) and is retroactive, they either reduce that sum, do not pay it at all, or in this present situation, fail to increase our gratuity.

His Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali recommended 7% across the board to all public ser-

vants and government pensioners, so far, the authorities at NIS have not paid this increase and in my opinion, may not pay this 7% and its retroactivity for up to Friday 19, December, 2021, this payment has not been paid to retirees.

Retiree

Will Aubrey Norton, now Leader...

From page 4 have been marginalised throughout history.

Does Mr. Aubrey Norton want to be a leader of Guyana and all Guyanese?

Or will he continue to use the race card? How long will he continue to fool his supporters that Indians stole the 2020 elections? This myth has been used to sow discord between the two groups, but Afro-Guyanese are not falling for it. Both groups coexist peacefully in Guyana.

They know that the PNC tried to rig the national election of 2020.

It was on global display for five long months.

How often was the PNC/ AFC cabinet in Black Villages in Guyana? They did nothing for Afro-Guyanese community, much less for others.

When farmers complained about the APNU+AFC neglect for the Agriculture sector, I penned a letter and sent it to APNU members.

They ignored it, just like they ignored their supporters in Linden, Kildonian or Sophia. They imposed exorbitant VATs on all Guyanese.

They raised fees on everything.

My land rates and fees went up by 300%, but they did not care.

Many people who left the PPP for the Coalition, returned to the PPP in 2020 and that’s why they won. No one “installed the Irfaan Ali” government. It was the PNC/AFC corruption, neglect of the Guyanese people, violations of the constitution and exchanging gold jewellery among heads and staff using state funds during holiday parties that led to the PPP win in 2020.

Will Mr. Norton disconnect himself from the Anti-Indian radicals?

Do these people realise that no one ethnic group can win an election in Guyana today? Afro-Guyanese are about 29% of Guyana, and the PNC will need other races to vote for their ticket like what happened in 2015.

However, what happened in March to July 2020, and the anti- Indian violence that followed, will keep the PPP in power for another decade.

This isn’t “mental laziness,” but rather, an issue of security for Indo-Guyanese. The PNC not returning to office is

even more possible now because PNC sympathisers are inciting anti-Indian violence.

Will Mr. Norton end the anti-Indian campaign? Can he control these radical elements at home and abroad?

The world is a different place today, and the PNC knows that well. They are no longer the utensils of the Cold War. The United States has no need for them.

They can’t rig and use violence to bully and burn Indian votes.

India today also is a very different country.

India has a vast global political and economic leverage, and with a strong nationalist leader in power in New Delhi, Mr. Modi, who I am not a fan of, India will not be a silent witness to any anti-Indian violence anywhere in the world.

Furthermore, CARICOM is no longer accepting PNC rigging and violence. Africa isn’t listening to the PNC fake cries.

Accra, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa and Pretoria are aware of the PNC’s long history of political and ethnic machinations.

Africa, Israel, and India today are closely knit through trade, investments and weapons sales.

Mr. Norton and his party have no moral backbone to talk about, “we have to put an end to this kleptocracy, we cannot allow the resources of this country to be siphoned off by a corrupt PNC cabal.”

This is the same PNC that has bankrupted Guyana every time they are in office.

When they were in office, they did little to root out corruption in government, build transparent institutions and social cohesion.

Above all, they have done little to uplift their base since 1964 and constantly look to Indians as scapegoats.

Mr. Norton speaks for 29% of the population and that can’t win an election if he continues to foster antiIndian racism.

There is not a single Indian or Dougla in a high profile position in the New Aubrey Norton PNC Party.

Sadly, what may very well have emerged from this new PNC election, is a radical antiIndian cabal that is using race to cover up its failures since 1964 to now.

The PNC is infamous for using its base to destabilise Guyana.

At the Desmond Hoyte memorial event some days ago, Mr. Norton said that his party’s recent elections is an “indication that the party’s constituents want a “vigorous response” to any corrupt intentions of the PPP/C government to squander the country’s patrimony through reckless spending and bloated…”

May I remind Mr. Norton that his supporters want to see the corrupt and incompetent PNC dinosaur gone.

They are not looking for confrontation.

They want to see Norton take over immediately the leadership from Lil Joe; recall and appoint new PNC Parliamentarians.

PNC supporters want to see their party in governance take Guyana to new heights in social, economic and political development, and not confrontation with IndoGuyanese.

It’s time Mr. Norton’s party set good examples as role models.

This can begin with a hard look in the mirror and stop looking for scapegoats.

Mr. Norton must demonstrate that he will be a leader of all Guyanese and disassociate himself from radical racist elements of the PNC and their social media surrogates.

Like Freddie Kissoon, a columnist from the Kaieteur News puts it: “Fourthly, a certain lunatic fringe in the social media atmosphere is out. It is one thing as a party official to go on a madman’s Meta page and be part of his howling rage about running ministers off the roadways and accusing the ministers of stealing five billion American dollars.”

“It is a different thing when you are the leader of the second largest political party with 31 MPs and the eyes of Guyana are on you.

Is it in your interest to be seen with this lunatic fringe?

This is where Norton will know that permanent interests can take different shapes.”

I hope that Mr. Norton makes radical changes for the betterment of his party and Guyana like Freddie suggested.

Ray Chickrie

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Friday December 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

A more recent casualty of national political corruption is the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. $150 million was spent to fix sections of this heavily used highway.

Yet it is flooded again, and nobody is being penalised.

Here we are again wringing our hands and lamenting about flooding while allowing the same corrupting ways to go on, without a care.

Guyanese: we need to do our part in reporting. It is time YOU DO SOMETHING!

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Kaieteur News

Friday December 24, 2021

Local Content Bill 2021 Series Pt.5

Oil companies mandated to prefer bidders with highest Guyanese employment, procurement targets ...must educate citizens on tender process

By Kiana Wilburg

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he PPP/C Government's Local Content Bill 2021, proposes to vest in a special oversight Secretariat, the power to scrutinise the bid evaluation process used by oil companies. In so doing, the Secretariat would produce a suite of rules oil companies and their subcontractors must follow.

The Bill categorically states for example, that every Contractor, Sub-Contractor or Licensee shall incorporate local content targets as part of their bid evaluation criteria.

It goes on to state that the Contractor, Sub-Contractor or licensee shall award a contract on the basis of a competitive bidding procurement procedure that has been initiated by a widely circulated public tender process.

It categorically states that the procurement method of sole sourcing shall only be utilised with the approval of the Minister, after consultation with the Secretariat.

Furthermore, where two or more bids are adjudged to be equal or, two or more bids are within five percent of each other when financially evaluated but is otherwise adjudged to be equal, the Bill states unambiguously that the bid containing the highest level of local content shall be selected.

The Bill also advocates for companies to conduct half yearly workshops to educate Guyanese nationals and Guyanese companies about the procurement process, qualification criteria, bid evaluation criteria, performance standards and lessons learnt from previous bidding processes.

Friday December 24, 2021

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Kaieteur News

THE COURTS ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE RULE OF LAW We often hear about the rule of law, and especially about the need for government to ensure that it carries out its functions with due regard and compliance with the law. But what is this thing that we call the rule of law? And is the rule of law the sole responsibility of the government?

Many persons, whenever they hear about the rule of law, feel that it refers simply to an obligation of the government to act in a lawful manner.

The most simplified definition I have come across about the rule of law was given at the 13th Commonwealth Law Conference in April of 2003.

Ron Heinrich, the then President of the Law Council of Australia quoted A.V. Dicey in paraphrasing three senses of the rule of law.

First, the rule of law implies that government should not use its coercive power in an arbitrary manner.

Second, everyone is subject to the ordinary law, determined in ordinary courts.

Thirdly, rights are not just consequences of constitutional statements, but of judicial determination by ordinary courts.The last two senses reveal the pivotal role that courts play in guaranteeing the rule of law.

One sense of the rule of law implies that it is the courts that 9determine the law .

This refers to the jurisdiction of the court to interpret the law and to adjudicate on disputes relating to the law.

Then there is the sense that

we can speak of rights. But these rights do not just flow from constitutions, but from judicial determination by the courts.

It is important that we recognise the role of the judiciary in not only circumscribing rights, but also of determining whether these rights have been violated. Thus, while someone may speak about having freedom of expression guaranteed by the constitution, the courts have determined that this right is not absolute and does not allow someone to shout “fire” in a crowded cinema.

The rule of law is not confined to government.

According to Heinrich, “The rule of law is a joint venture of the entire society. Its strength comes from a commitment from all quarters, but that commitment cannot simply be assumed and then ignored. It is in maintaining and building a commitment to the rule of law that lawyers hold a special duty beyond that owed by every participant in civil society.”

Respect for the rule of law extends to members of the Bar. It is for them to test the legality and propriety of executive action in a court of law, and not to simply pronounce on the constitutionality of actions even before they are decided in a court of law. To do so would be to co-opt the powers of the Court. To do so brings the Court into disrepute.

If lawyers can decide on

matters even before the Courts have pronounced on them, then why bother going to the courts at all? When a lawyer speaks to his client about rights, he is proffering an opinion. When the courts speak on this issue, it does so authoritatively.

The job of lawyers is to advise their clients on the law.

It is not for lawyers to hold themselves out as adjudicators of the law, in as much as they may hold an opinion as to the legality or constitutionality of the actions of the executive and the coercive arm of the State.

The rule of law is applied to everyone, and while decisions of the Courts can sometimes be protracted, there can be no substitute for due process, because without it, the very foundation of society, ruled by law would collapse.

Within law-based societies, there must be mechanisms within which disputes could be settled. It is hoped that in the years ahead, everyone with an interest in upholding the rule of law, whatever our preferences for specific outcomes in cases, would allow the Courts to adjudicate on the constitutionality and legality of executive actions If public pressure or legal opinion takes precedence over due process and the settling of disputes in a court of a law, then the rule of law will be irreparably damaged.

There is much wisdom in urging not just only compliance with a particular law, but moreover in

Dem boys seh ...

Easy lessons Dem boys learn a lot of things dis past week. Dem learn dat democracy is de best way fuh keep out de jumbie constituency. Dem jumbie stay in de cemetery and nah vote at de Kangress. And because of dat de losers accept dem defeat, dem concede and no matter had to go in front de court. Thank God fuh democracy Dem boys now know de difference between “facilitate” and “felicitate” One is to mek something easy or easier. De other is to mek things easier fuh yuhself by

congratulating another.

Dem boys also learn de difference between “leaving de party” and “being expelled”. De former is when yuh tek de decision to move on.

De latter is when yuh get force out. But dem boys also learn dat even though yuh get expel, yuh could still nah get expunge.

Dem boys also learn dat dem nah gat nothing contradictory bout forming yuh own party to compete against yuh old party and supporting yuh old party. Yuh can still support yuh old party by running

against dem with yuh new party.

Dem boys learn yuh can gat new leadership without changing de old narrative.

Dem does call this new wine in old wine skins.

Guyana does redefine de political vocabulary.

Words does mean different things in different situations.

When yuh in power yuh don’t talk bout power sharing but once yuh in de Opposition yuh does find cause fuh call fuh new governance systems. Is suh we does roll hay.

Talk half. Left half!

encouraging a culture of lawfulness. Unless this applies to both government and corporate clients, the rule of law would be diminished.

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

Kaieteur News

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Friday December 24, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

PNC election results 2021, part 2: Norton faces colour and class

T

he mullato middle class (MMC) was reluctant to back Forbes Burnham. The League of Coloured People (LCP) wasn't comfortable with Burnham's flirtation with socialism and the “lesser breed” that populated the PNC. But when the LCP's political wing, the National Democratic Party under John Carter, joined with Burnham, the entire mullato class in British Guiana, without exception, including Rory Westmaas and Martin Carter, backed Burnham

because only Burnham and his party could keep out the Indians from coming to Georgetown.

The MMC saw Burnham going into a direction they could never have conceived.

Carter bolted to the US with his American-born elitist model wife. The MMC was distraught. They wanted Burnham out. The MMC t h e n r e c r u i t e d Wa l t e r Rodney to remove Burnham.

Despite all the praise for his revolutionary credentials, Rodney was embedded within the MMC and accepted their social and cultural world.

At the request of one of the most brilliant analysts of the Caribbean's social and political evolution, American born Caucasian professor, Jay Mandle, I was asked to express my thoughts on why Rodney didn't form an alliance with Cheddi Jagan. The reason was Rodney's helpless imprisonment in the MMC. More on that later.

When Burnham died, his apology to the MMC was left unwritten but it took the form of Desmond Hoyte.

Burnham in his grave made sure he left someone who had come from the MMC.

Burnham knew Hamilton Green did have the colour and class standing to rule Guyana.

If the MMC was livid after Burnham's betrayal of them, they were degutted when Hoyte lost the 1992 election and the Indians had finally arrived at the gates.

Successive PPP election victories disheartened the MMC because there was no longer a strong WPA to remove the PPP. The moment of truth came for the MMC after Hoyte's death. The MMC hated Corbin, disassociated themselves from him and the

PNC and starved the PNC of money.

Just as they birthed the W PA t o r e m o v e Frederick Kissoon Burnham in the 70s they did so at the beginning of t h e Indians. The the 21st century with the MMC will not associate with AFC. Unlimited funds went Norton. They believe he is into the AFC including not MMC material just as m o n e y f r o m t h e U S Corbin wasn't. They will not government. give the PNC any funds.

In 2006, the MMC The businesses that denuded Corbin and the bankrolled Hoyte and PNC. Corbin knew it was Granger will chase away over for him.

Norton.

The MMC turned to In 2025, the MMC will Rupert Roopnaraine, the do one of two things. jewel in the crown for the They will either try to MMC, the purest custodian resurrect the AFC asking of the world of the MMC. Nigel Hughes to return and Knowing the class that pleading with Dominic G r a n g e r c a m e f r o m , Gaskin to become the leader R o o p n a r a i n e h a d n o or they will put their money h e s i t a t i o n i n m a k i n g behind probably ANUG with Granger the head of a new Timothy Jonas as the leader. formation with the PNC and Norton will be crushed in WPA called APNU. 2025 in the identical fashion In 2011 and 2015, the Corbin was in the 2006 MMC finally defeated the general elections. Even if Indians. When Granger and Norton doesn't accept the Raphael Trotman spoke at election results of a PPP the airport in Nassau, victory in 2025, the MMC Bahamas, years before 2015, will still not embrace him. the plan was for the MMC to Norton could try to relight birth their own party to mo/fyaah/slo fyaah in 2025 achieve two goals – return but still the MMC will not political influence to the accept him.

MMC by an alliance with the What the MMC will do PNC and ensure the return of in 2026 is what they did to a PNC government.

Corbin in 2006 when the T h i s e x p l a i n s t h e AFC took six seats from the telephone call from Granger PNC. Norton is going to face to Trotman after the victory enormous pressure to “call it in May 2015 when Granger George” in 2026. said, “Raphael this is By that time he will be 70 Nassau.” years of age and the MMC But history repeated will be indentifying younger itself. Hoyte devastated the blood to replace him. If MMC with his loss in 1992. Norton fights the MMC in Granger decapitated the 2026 and chooses to stay on, MMC with his loss in 2020. the MMC will destroy him The Indians came back at the and the PNC. Norton's reign gates. as PNC leader is fated to die The time for class like a withered rose. contempt had come back. If (The views expressed in Corbin was despised in this article are those of the 2002, Aubrey Norton will be a u t h o r a n d d o n o t treated with the same disdain necessarily reflect the the MMC has forever shown opinions of this newspaper.)

Friday December 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Friday December 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

GDF spends $3M a year repairing one vehicle …as Audit Report flags 'exorbitant' maintenance costs

T

GDF spends $3M a year repairing one vehicle.

he record keeping and spending by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has raised red flags at the audit office.

Documented in the Auditor General's Report for 2021, one such instance being the case of one vehicle costing the force some $3M annually for repairs.

That vehicle, according to the audit findings, was purchased in 2017, under the then coalition, A Partnership for National Unity, Alliance for Change Government.

According to the Auditor General, “some vehicles had relatively high maintenance costs.

Noteworthy, is a Toyota Hilux 8th Gen. Pick-up acquired in May 2017, which had maintenance costs, of $2.931M and $2.650M in 2020 and 2019, respectively.”

It was noted that $336.154M was budgeted under the Line Item for Vehicle Spares and Services which was later supplemented with a further $6.8M in 2020, “resulting in a revised allotment of $342.954M. The Auditor general in

pointing out that the total sum of $342.937M was expended, noted that two of the vehicles catered for under that allotment utilised some 4.9M for repairs in 2020.

Four of the GDF vehicles were repaired at costs between $1.5M and $2M, totaling some $6.7M while six other vehicles accounted for $7.3M in repairs for that year.

Each of the 18 other vehicles accounted for had repairs undertaken at sums below $1M. In response, the Auditor General said, the Head of Budget Agency stated that among the Force's fleet, are a number of aged vehicles which incur high maintenance costs due to workload and terrain conditions and that efforts are being made to dispose of these inefficient vehicles and acquire newer models.

To this end, the Audit Office once again recommended “that the Administration of the Defence Force, assess the maintenance costs of its fleet of vehicles and equipment, with a view of disposing those that are uneconomical to maintain.”

Kaieteur News

Friday December 24, 2021

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Guyana should set up National Oil Company to penetrate veils of distrust …create more win-win opportunities - former Staatsolie Boss If Guyanese authorities are desirous of strengthening the State's oversight as well as its position as leader of its oil industry, then a National Oil Company (NOC) is the way to go, says former Head of Suriname's NOC, Staatsolie, Mr. Rudolf Elias.

During a recent interview on Kaieteur Radio, Elias said, “I think the most important thing that Guyana should do is it should open a National Oil Company. This is not because I was the Chief Executive Officer of one but I worked there for so long and I saw the power and knowledge it afforded Suriname.”

Elias also shared his belief that a NOC would allow Guyana ample

Former Head of Staatsolie, Rudolf Elias

opportunities to attract its brightest minds in the Diaspora and have them serve under one roof. In streamlining universities to train persons to address gaps

in the exploration, development and production cycles of the industry, Elias said this would also fortify the knowledge base needed for the NOC.

“So if you combine all this knowledge, suddenly, you will see that you have a very solid foundation,” expressed the former CEO. He shared as well, that in having a NOC, it allows Guyana to participate in the day-to-day activities of the block. He said, in other words Guyana would essentially have a seat at the table with ExxonMobil and all other oil companies operating in its basin and would therefore have a firsthand view of how they work.

“If you understand better

how they work, you would also understand better how you can approach them and how you can get the best out of what you have as a country.

With participation in your own oil fields, you don't only get knowledge from the oil companies from across the world but you now also get knowledge of the oil industry in your own country. So now you know exactly what the costs are and what the benefits are because you are participating.”

He added, “So every

penny that is spent you know, every contract that goes out you have to preapprove together with your partners so you understand a lot better what is going on and when you understand each other a lot better you make better marriages…you can make better contracts.

Also for Guyana, there is no distrust anymore and you can create more win-win situations.”

He stressed that the foregoing, and more, are all possible benefits when a country has a National Oil Company.

Kaieteur News

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Friday December 24, 2021

ExxonMobil boasts of “very safe year” in Guyana despite two years of flaring President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge boasted yesterday that his company has had a safe year of operations in line with its commitment of “Nobody Gets Hurt”.

Recalling the safety performance for the year, he disclosed that there were hundreds of days across offshore operations without a recordable safety incident.

Routledge also classified

2021 as an outstanding year for ExxonMobil Guyana, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have been able to overcome operational issues and deliver on volume targets

including five cargos to the Government of Guyana.

We've also continued our wonderful exploration success. Again, people tend to forget that this is a frontier exploration acreage and we shouldn't expect the kind of success we've seen,” Routledge outlined.

The Country Manager recalled that his company has recorded multiple discoveries in the Stabroek Block in 2021, which increased the recoverable resource estimated at approximately 10 billion oil equivalent barrels.

While Routledge spoke to safety of operations in the context of persons offshore avoiding incidents of harm, he neglected to acknowledge the tonnes of toxic chemicals that have polluted the nation's airspace for two years due to its faulty gas compressor aboard the Liza D e s t i n y. I n t h e t w o paragraphs it did dedicate to this flagrant violation of citizens' right to a clean and safe environment, it said, “Earlier challenges with the flash gas compressor on the Liza Destiny have also been overcome, resulting in steady, continually safe operations on the vessel.

President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge

Production on the Destiny remains above 120, 000 barrels per day, while the flare is maintained at regulatory required levels. At ExxonMobil Guyana, our teams strive for continuous improvement in our o p e r a t i o n s a n d environmental performance.

In early 2022, we expect to install a new redesigned flash gas compressor on the Liza D e s t i n y, a n d w e w i l l commission the gas injection system on the Liza Unity utilizing lessons learned from our first project.”

Extensive research conducted by Kaieteur News shows that gas flaring

contributes to climate change, which has serious implications for the human security and wellbeing g l o b a l l y. I n f a c t , t h e Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, outlined in one of its studies, that gas flaring is actually a major source of greenhouse gases, which accelerates global warming.

It was noted, that flaring releases Carbon Dioxide and Methane, the two major greenhouse gases. Of these two, Methane is actually more harmful than Carbon Dioxide. It is also more prevalent in flares that burn at lower efficiency.

Of the greenhouse gases researched so far, Kaieteur News understands that the global warming potential of a kilogramme of Methane is estimated to be 21 times that of a kilogramme of Carbon Dioxide when the effects are considered.

The University of Ibadan study also noted that flaring contributes to local and regional environmental problems, such as acid rain with attendant impact on agriculture, forests and other physical infrastructure. The acid rain results in environmental degradation, which includes soil and water contamination and roof erosion. Furthermore, there have been over 250 identified toxins released from flaring, including carcinogens such as benzopyrene, benzene, carbon disulphide (CS2), carbonyl sulphide (COS) and toluene; metals such as m e r c u r y, a r s e n i c a n d chromium; sour gas with Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2); Nitrogen oxides (NOx); Carbon dioxide (CO2); and methane (CH4) which contribute to the greenhouse gases.

Friday December 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Friday December 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

Way clear for new Police Service Commission ...Parliamentary committee nominates four to be appointed by President Four persons have been nominated to sit on the new Police Service Commission (PSC) by the Parliamentary Committee of Appointments.

These individuals are businessmen Ernesto Choo-a-Fat, and Hakeem Mohamed along with Bishop Anthony Findlay and Attorney-at-Law Lloyd Mark Conway.

The nomination process took ten meetings by the Parliamentary Committee and consultations with the Guyana Police Association (GPA), the Association of Former Members of the Guyana Police Force and the National Community Policing Executive (NCPE) to submit nominees.

Choo-a-Fat, Mohamed, Findlay and Conway were recommended by the GPA while the Association of Former Members of the Guyana Police Force nominated Gavin Primo and the NCPE named Reshi Das as its nominee. At the final meeting of the Parliamentary Committee of Appointment, the members unanimously agreed that Chooa-Fat, Conway, Findlay and Mohamed be nominated for appointment to the PSC. The life of the previous PSC, chaired by Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe ended in August this year.

The Police Service Commission is a Constitutional Body, established under Article 137 (1) and was given the authority under Article 212(1) subject to the provisions

Patrick Findlay is one of the four persons nominated to sit on the commission. of Article 211 (1) of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to make appointments to any offices in the Police Force of or above the rank of Inspector, and exercise disciplinary control over and to remove persons holding or acting in such offices. The procedures adopted by the Commission in its considerations are set out in Chapter 16:01 The Police Act. and Chapter 17:01 The Police Discipline Act. Given its mandate, the Commission seeks to ensure no claims of partiality can justifiably be brought against it.

Friday December 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Pres. Ali calls for greater networking within the private sector President Irfaan Ali addresses the gathering at the private sector breakfast.

President Irfaan Ali on Thursday called for greater networking within the private sector to create more investment opportunities and navigate the global supply chain challenges.

The Head of State made these remarks during a Christmas breakfast, hosted in honour of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) at State House. Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret'd), Mark Phillips and Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, joined several other members of the cabinet for the meal.

The President spoke of shortcomings affecting business development, including the challenge of meeting with high-level banking officials and the need for more efficient interactions, a release from the Office of the President stated. The President committed to not only creating an enabling environment to promote and grow new businesses, but to provide comprehensive support. As such, Ministers gathered for the event were tasked with listening to the concerns of the PSC members, individually or as groups. “Let me be very clear, from the Government's perspective, we value the private sector. We value the contribution of the private sector, and we believe strongly that the private sector must be able to generate jobs, create wealth, expand, grow and become wealthier but at the same time, contribute socially to the country, and also ensure that they adhere to the tax laws.”

The Head of State also spoke about the importance of having direction and security in investment and development. To this end, he expressed the importance of the Natural Resource Fund Bill and the Local Content Bill. “Both bills were tabled in the National Assembly, and we're going back to

debate those bills because they are critical. They are two critical pieces of legislation.

It gives predictability, and this is important…you don't have to guess what the formula is. The bill sets out in a very clear way how the resources will be utilised.”

EXCITING PROSPECTS President Ali said that in 2022, his Government will continue to create an environment to promote business development and enhance the lives of all Guyanese.

He spoke of Government's investments and those done through the private sectors, including hotels, wharf facilities, and housing programmes.

Despite the many positives, the President called for the business community to expect challenges. “…Next year would not come without challenges. Already we're seeing major problems on the supply chain. I was looking at Aljazeera this morning, and more than 60% of the shelves in the US are empty right now. More than 60% of the shelves are empty…so you have to be ahead of what is going to take place. You know where the country is going; you know the type of investment that has to be made.”

BANKING MEETING The President said that he has charged Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, to meet with the bankers and representatives from the PSC to charter a way forward that will be beneficial to the business community and ordinary Guyanese alike.

“The interest rates on savings would not help the ordinary people who are saving or encourage ordinary people to save. We have to find safe and innovative vehicles and investment opportunities, where we can deploy the savings in the country from

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh consults with Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on the sideline of the event . the banking sector and encourage those who are outside of the sector to bring their savings into the sector.”

He said that it is

imperative to find simple ways to bring “the entire population with us as we pursue this path of development….When we

say we want to build One Guyana, it is not by word. All our actions in Government, every single thing we do is geared towards achieving

this objective. Building One Guyana in which the prosperity of all our people can be realised—all our people.” (DPI)

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Friday December 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

Army pays $298M in electricity bills, register …Auditor General unable to accounts for only $180M verify unaccounted millions T he Auditor General's Report for 2020 has highlighted a number of glaring deficiencies in the processes used by various government agencies in the accounting of its allocated funds annually through their respective budgets.

Among the red flags highlighted by the Auditor General in his scrutiny of the financial records for the Guyana Defence Force was

its payment for utilities for which in excess of $100M could not be accounted for.

The Audit Report documented that for 2020, amounts totalling $331.816M were expended under this account area, however, a Utility Register was not maintained for telephone charges. It was noted that a print-out of telephone numbers and amounts paid were placed in file jackets on a monthly basis, “thus, verification was a tedious and time consuming process.”

Further, a comparison of the payments with the Electricity and Water Charges Registers revealed differences.

“As a result, we could not determine consumption as per account.”

According to the Audit Office, while it was reflected as payments in the sum of 298.4M for electricity, the register could only account for 180.6M. As such, some $117.7 said to be payments made for

electricity, could not be verified.

This situation also obtained with, payments made for water. The Audit Office said, while $42.5M was said to be spent for payments, the register detailed $37.1M, meaning an excess of $5M for water charges could not be accounted for.

It was noted that the GDF's response to the query was that the Utility Register for Telephone Charges was previously maintained; however, since GTT ceased to provide paper bills and is now submitting statement of accounts, the register was discontinued. However, this anomaly was noted, and steps have been taken to correct this deficiency.

The Audit Office has since recommended that the Administration of the Defence Force ensure its Utility Registers are properly maintained, including the recording of all pertinent information.

AG flags Region Four Admin for overpayment to ex-staff In the 2020 report, A u d ito r G en er al ( A G ) Deodat Sharma, highlighted a recurring issue that resulted in the overpayment to public servants by the regional administration in Region Four.

According to the AG report, the issue related to public servants who left the job but their names were still in the system as employees.

Hence, salaries were still being allotted to them. In some cases, the overpayment for 2020 resulted from the late submission of documentation for teachers who resigned or were dismissed. The report pointed out that under Region Four, some sixteen leavers of which thirteen were teachers and three were public officers were being paid even though they no longer worked for the government.

The document noted that the audit examination of the relevant personal files and pay sheets, as it relates to teachers, revealed that it took an average of fourteen days for the resignation to be

processed from the Head Master/Mistress to the accounting unit.

Further, the report noted that ten persons were overpaid salaries amounting to $1.245M inclusive of the related deductions totalling $261,622 overpaid to various deduction agencies.

Similarly, the audit pointed to amounts totalling $2.556M which remained outstanding as overpaid net salaries to employees with respect to 2015 to 2017 and 2019. As a result, the report noted that a sum totalling $341,000 paid over to the various agencies were also not recovered. Despite the slow progression in recovering the overpaid sums, the Regional administration indicated in the audit report that it will continue to make all efforts to recover overpayment for the prior and current year.

The audit office therefore r eco mmen d ed th at th e Regional Administration follow-up this matter with the view of recovering the (Contiinued on page 23)

Friday Friday December October 29, 24, 2021 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

Blacklisted company among contractors for EBD road link works ...gets $889M to build Lot 2 of project

A

blacklisted company which was debarred by the now dismantled Public Procurement Commission (PPC) back in 2019, and remains on the list, has received a contract to the tune of $889 million to complete an aspect of the Eccles to Diamond road link, under the Ministry of Housing and Water.

O n We d n e s d a y, t h e construction firm V. Dalip Enterprise was awarded Lot 2 of the project, at a cost of $889 million.

A total of $13.3B in contracts was signed by 12 contractors, which will pave the way for the new four-lane Eccles to Great Diamond highway.

The signing took place at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in the presence of the Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Susan Rodrigues and other senior officials within the Ministry.

The new four-lane project has been divided into 12 Lots and will measure some 9.4km of concrete road. Some of the features of the highway include heavy duty bridges, converts, 12km of drains, concrete medians, solar street lights, two roundabouts and an emergency lane.

The duration for this project is 15 to 18 months and works will begin from January 2022.

I n 2 0 1 9 , V. D a l i p Enterprise was listed on a circular, addressed to all procuring entities from the PPC, advising them that no contract shall be awarded to an entity that has been debarred by the Commission.

Among the companies or

individuals who were blacklisted until 2030 are Mr. Vevakanand Dalip and Vevakanand Dalip Enterprise appeared at least thrice on the list, given that three addresses were listed for the company or individual.

The other individuals or companies who remain on the blacklist include Ms. Sabrina Mary Williams, Invepar Construtora LtdaMe, Ron Jaisari, Sidrai Enterprises and Abel Khemraj Rai. The suspension took effect in October 2019, after the list was officially gazetted on June 21, 2019.

In addition to receiving a local suspension, the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) had also barred Ve v a k a n a n d D a l i p Enterprises and Vevakanand Dalip, its principal from participating in IDB contracts, for the period December 29, 2017 to December 28, 2030.

Dalip was blacklisted by the IDB for “Fraudulent and Collusive Practices”.

Dalip, reportedly based in Lethem, Region Nine, has been bidding for state contracts.

Though it is not the first time that a local contractor and individual has been barred by IDB, it must be noted that the institution is one of the biggest funders of government projects.

It was learnt that a previous Coordinator of the Citizen's Security Programme, Abel Khemraj Rai, was banned for eight years from August 23, 2016 to August 22, 2024.

Four other companies and individuals that seem to have connections with Rai – including Sidrai Radiator

Body with crushed skull found at Mahaica Police on Thursday were alerted that a body of an East Indian man, with its skull crushed, was found lying along the De Hoop Public Road, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The body was discovered around 01:50Hrs and is yet to be identified. Police stated that the corpse was naked and bore multiple bruises.

Brain matter was reportedly seen close by and there was a huge gaping wound to the forehead.

Investigators removed the body and took it to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital for further examination.

After the doctors examined the remains, it was then taken to the Anthony Funeral home.

Works, Sidrai Enterprises, Siddaharta Rai and Ron Jaisari – were also sanctioned and banned for four to eight years.

“Debarred firms are declared ineligible to be awarded and participate in any IDB-financed contract for the periods indicated.

Ineligibility may extend to any firm or individual who directly or indirectly controls the debarred firm or any firm which the debarred firm directly or indirectly controls.

In the case of a debarred individual, ineligibility may extend to any firm which the debarred individual directly or indirectly controls,” IDB explains on its website.

However, even though these measures are outlined by the financial institution, Guyana has made zero provisions in this regard and in fact has clearly ignored the command given by the PPC. Local watchdogs have intensified their call for the PPC to be reassembled, given the current irregularities that continue to take place, daringly, before the eyes of the public.

Only recently, a contract was issued to a company with no public experience in construction work.

Nevertheless, the 'fly-bynight' company, St8ment Investment Inc. has been granted a whopping $346 million contract to build a new Primary School at Bamia in Region 10, although the Procurement

The list of companies who were debarred by the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) back in 2019.

Act of 2003 clearly states that suppliers and contractors seeking Government projects must substantiate their past performance with the necessary documents for consideration.

Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon has accused the People Progressive Party (PPP) of dismantling the PPC and replacing it with a system that in turn benefits Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo.

Harmon, during a news conference last month explained, “The PPP Administration decided that they would take a grip on the Public Procurement Process, (Continued on page 22)

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Friday December 24, 2021

'Don't rush the bill'...

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From page 3 want to do the Budget in February”.

Controversial He was keen to note that not only is the document controversial in that it excludes key members of society, but it also does not limit how much money can be accessed from the fund. “The Bill doesn't limit how much they can take out, so they can spend as much as they like, once it is passed on Wednesday. One of the issues is oversight.

There is no PPC, no Integrity Commission and no oversight on how it will be spent or tendered,” Patterson cautioned.

The MP reminded however that the Natural Resource Fund Act is supposed to be designed so that it benefits the people of the country, but without oversight on how the funds will be spent, Patterson is sure that it will only be to the benefit of the sitting Party.

“The idea of the fund is that it should be used for the betterment of the people, but when they take that money out, there is no oversight as to how they are going to spend that, therefore we are sure that it is not going to go towards salaries and things like that,” he said.

Meanwhile, economist Ramon Gaskin, a member of the civil society group Article 13, also in an invited comment, noted that the bill should not be rushed. In fact, he said that the Constitution provides for consultations to take place, prior to such legislation being enacted. “This document is far too important

to be rushed. They only have until the end of the year…secondly a matter of that nature requires consultations and the Constitution says that in Article 13 and these consultations have not taken place,” he argued.

Additionally, he said this proposed bill allows for the politicians to decide how to spend the revenue garnered from oil and gas, which remains an “unacceptable” portion of the proposed legislation. He said, “The Government is planning to create a system where the politicians will make the decisions on how to spend this money and I think this also is unacceptable. When you put politicians in charge of spending money of such huge sums especially, you are going to have a lot of problem”. “You will have wastage, you will have squandermania and you will have corruption,” Gaskin warned.

As part of the governance structure for the NRF, the government proposes to establish a Board of Directors which shall comprise of not less than three and not more than five persons who shall be appointed by the President, and one of whom shall be appointed Chairperson by the President.

The amended Bill proposes that the directors be selected from among persons who have wide experience and ability in legal, financial, business or administrative matters. It was noted that one of the Board members shall be nominated by the National

Assembly along with one from the private sector. The Bill states that the directors shall be appointed for a period not exceeding two years and shall be eligible for reappointment.

With respect to its functions, it is being proposed that the Board be responsible for the overall management of the Fund, reviewing and approving policies of the Fund, monitoring the performance of the Fund, ensuring compliance with approved policies, exerting general oversight of all aspects of operations, and ensuring the Fund is managed

in compliance with the Act and other applicable laws.

Apart from the Board, there would also be an Investment Committee which shall have seven members appointed by the Minister of Natural Resources. They will include nominees from the Minister of Finance, Minister in charge of the oil sector, the Attorney General, Leader of the Opposition, the Private Sector and two ex officio nonvoting members: the Senior Investment Advisor and Analyst and a nominee from the Governor of Bank of Guyana.

Blacklisted company among...

From page 11 to ensure that only those persons and companies that support them get any form of contracts from the Government.” He added, “What they have done, they have dismantled the Public Procurement Commission; they have dismantled the National Procurement and Tender Board

Administration and replaced them with a system which leads directly to Bharrat Jagdeo.”

Harmon said that due to the Commission not being in place, the Government has been awarding contracts to their friends and family, who they hope will in return keep them in power.

PAHO welcomes international...

From page 2 base and in regulatory oversight.”

“We remain committed to continuously supporting our countries to increase the production of critical medicines, as the region can meaningfully contribute to addressing the inequities we have seen to date,” Dr. Etienne said. She added that the recently launched PAHO Regional Platform will boost state-ofthe-art pharmaceutical capacity, and “facilitate the trans-

fer of technology to develop mRNA vaccines in the region while strengthening regulatory capacity and convergence to support these processes.”

The WHO Emergency Use Listing is a procedure for assessing and listing vaccines, therapeutics and other medical tools to expedite their availability during a public health emergency. To date, eleven COVID-19 vaccines are listed under this mechanism.

Kaieteur News

Friday December 24, 2021

$30M for new Outpatient building at Port Mourant Hospital the building three companies On Thursday at NPTAB, showed interest - two of tenders were opened for the which bid higher than the construction of the National Toshaos Council Secretariat ministry's engineer estimate.

Also opened earlier in Complex building, a project the week were bids from two which falls under the companies vying for the Ministry of Amerindian contract to renovate the Affairs.

According to its patient ward at the Mibicuri Hospital which is also e n g i n e e r ' s e s t i m a t e , located in Region Six. construction is pegged at According to the engineer's some $133M. Below are the estimate, this project is expected to cost some $16M. companies and their bids: Ministry of Health Construction of a new Out Patient building at the Port Mourant Hospital, Region Six.

The Ministry of Health is gearing up to construct a new outpatient building at the Port Mourant Hospital located in Region Six at an cost of $30M. The cost for the construction was revealed earlier in the week when bids for the project were opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office. To execute the construction of

Renovation to Patient ward at the Mibicuri Hospital located at Black Bush Polder, Region Six.

Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (retender) Construction of the National Toshaos Council Secretariat Complex building.

The Port Mourant Hopsital.

AG flags Region Four Admin for overpayment...

From page 20 overpayments and ensure that pay change directives are communicated in a timely manner to the Regional Accounting Unit.

In recent years,

P a r l i a m e n t 's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been raising questions about overpayments, not only to contractors, but also to staffers within the state ministries and agencies.

In many cases, the

contractors were paid and the works signed off.

However, checks by state auditors found that various aspects of the job were incomplete and therefore the contractor would have been overpaid.

PAGE 23

Two more Berbicians succumb to COVID-19

Tw o u n v a c c i n a t e d residents from Region Six, who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, have died.

This is according to the Ministry of Health, which reported that the fatalities are that of a 45-year-old man and an 87-year-old woman who died over a three-day period (December 21 to 23) while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

As a result of this, Guyana's COVID-19 death toll has moved to 1,042.

Meanwhile, in its latest COVID-19 dashboard, the Health Ministry recorded 32 new infections, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 38,998.

The dashboard also shows that five patients are admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 33 persons in institutional isolation, 673 in home isolation and six in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 37,245 persons have recovered from the virus.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Friday December 24, 2021

Friday December 24, 2021

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

10-wicket hero Ajaz Patel misses out on NZ test squad AP - Ajaz Patel’s historic feat of taking 10 wickets in a test innings was not enough to secure his place in New Zealand’s squad for a home series against Bangladesh.

Offspinner Patel became only the third player in test history — after England’s Jim Laker and India’s Anil Kumble — to take all 10 wickets in an innings when he claimed 10119 in the second test against India earlier this month.

But he was absent yesterday from New Zealand’s 13man squad for a two-test series against Bangladesh, beginning on Jan. 1.The squad includes fast bowlers Trent Boult, Tim

Southee, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner and Matt Henry along with medium pace allrounder Daryl Mitchell and only one spin option, allrounder Rachin Ravindra.

The tests will be played at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui and Hagley Oval in Christchurch which are expected to favor quicker bowlers.

“You do feel for Ajaz after his record-breaking display in India,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said.

“However, we’ve always applied a horses-for-courses selection policy and believe the players selected best fit the way we want to take on

Bangladesh here at home.

“We feel having both Rachin and Daryl in the squad gives us a nice balance and the ability to pick a side best suited to the conditions we expect.”

Tom Latham will captain New Zealand in the absence of Kane Williamson, who has an elbow injury, and Devon Conway will return to the squad after breaking his hand at the Twenty20 World Cup last month.

“It’s obviously disappointing not to have Kane available for this series but, as we noted in India, he is undergoing a sustained period of rest followed by rehabilitation, strengthening and gradual batting loading,” Stead said.

“We have every confi-

Friday December 24, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may be a bit confused today. Other people's actions may send you into a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. You may be sensitive regarding your goals.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Things may be mentally focused today, which could conflict with your emotional nature. Strong opinions may crop up, and you should take the time to listen.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Communication is key today.

Make your intentions known right away to avoid unnecessary confusion. The more you can settle now, the better off you'll be down the road.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Communication is a big theme of the day for you.

Every time you speak, a large audience is listening to every word.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Channel your energy into constructive tasks. Look to where you can make important connections. There's a fine line between helpful suggestions and manipulation. .

CANCER(June21–July22) Restrictive forces may come into conflict with you today.

The good news is that you should be able to find a space of peace within your emotions.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A planned, disciplined approach works best today. One thing to keep in mind is that it's important to connect with others now.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) This is a terrific day for you.

Your emotional state of mind is wonderfully upbeat. Things should be flowing your way, and there's an instinctual knowing that will help you navigate through whatever rough spots.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your emotions may feel restricted today, but this could be for the best. Try to take a lighthearted approach to the situation, and don't get too serious about anything.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) This is a great day for you.

You should find that your general mood is excellent.

You'll have the perfect thing to say in every situation.

Your adaptable nature will come in handy, as people around you will be quite rigid and unyielding.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) It may be hard to come to grips with your emotions today. You may be flightier than usual. Realize that this is to your advantage.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your words may get you into trouble today, so be careful of what you say. Try to keep a lid on hasty comments fueled by intense emotions.

New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel celebrates the dismissal of India’s Mayank Agarwal during the day three of their second test cricket match with India in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021.

(AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

dence in Tom leading the side.

He’s done an excellent job in the past when called upon.”

New Zealand: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Devon

Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, Will Young.

Shoes to have uniform sole thickness...

From page 26 between 20-25mm.

“There has been an enormous amount of background work and meetings held both internally and externally on our shoe rules since the inception of the Working Group on Athletic Shoes in June 2020,” World Athletics’ Chief Executive Jon Ridgeon said.

“There is still more to do but I would like to thank the Working Group, the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry and the shoe companies for their openness and collaboration in finding solutions.”Shoe technology has been in the spotlight since records started to tumble, with the governing body trying to draw a line between innovation and giving athletes an unfair advantage.

Norwegian 400 metres hurdler Karsten Warholm shaved 0.76 of a second from his own world record at this year’s Tokyo Olympics — a massive margin in a one-lap race — and warned that shoe technology was hurting athletes’ credibility.

World Athletics also said athletic shoes must not contain any embedded “sensing or intelligent” technology now or in the future, with the new rules and regulations set to be in place from Jan. 1, 2022.

PAGE 26

IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad appoint Brian Lara as Strategic Advisor and batting coach for coming season SportsMax - Indian Premier League franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad has brought West Indies batting legend, Brian Lara, onboard ahead of the coming season.

The 52-year-old Trinidadian has been named the strategic advisor and batting coach for Sunrisers that have also hired South Africa’s Dale Steyn as their pace bowling coach.

“Humbled by @sunriserhyd faith in me.

This appointment as strategic advisor and batting coach gives me the opportunity to do a job I have always yearned to do, and that’s to pass on what I know about our wonderful game of cricket to its future stars,” Lara said on Instagram.

“I look forward to the challenge with the same energy and zeal as my playing days.

Tom Moody will now be the head coach, replacing Trevor Bayliss.

Lara and company will have their hands full in attempting to turn the

Friday December 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

Shoes to have uniform sole thickness from November 2024-World Athletics

West Indies batting legend, Brian Lara franchise’s fortunes around.

Last season under Bayliss, Sunrisers Hyderbad won just three of their 14 matches in the group stage of the competition and hence failed to make the playoffs.

The franchise had made it to the IPL playoffs in each of the five previous seasons.

During his playing career,

Lara was considered one of the best batsmen of all time.

In 131 Tests for the West Indies, he scored 11953 runs at an average of 52.88.

Among his 34 Test centuries, he has scores of 375 and 400 not out, the latter being the world record for the highest individual score in Test innings.

Karsten Warholm of Norway poses next to his new world record as he celebrates after winning gold. (REUTERS/Andrew Boyers) (Reuters) - The sole thicknesses for all athletic shoes in track and field events will be simplified to a stack height of 20mm from Nov. 1, 2024, World Athletics

said yesterday.

Current regulations allow for shoes to have maximum thickness between 20-25mm depending on the event while it can go up to 40mm for road races.

World Athletics said the timeline was agreed to give shoe manufacturers enough notice after they had made “significant investment” in shoes with a sole thickness (Continued on page 25)

Friday December 24, 2021

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

USA cricketers defeat Ireland by 26 runs in T20 contest AFP - The United States scored a famous and deserved T20 cricket triumph over Ireland on Wednesday to get the most important series in their history off to the best possible start.

A brilliant 65 from Gajanand Singh helped the hosts reach a competitive 188 for 6 in their 20 overs and some disciplined bowling from Saurabh Netravalkar and Ali Khan helped keep the Irish at bay to secure an opening victory in the five-game set, the first USA home series ever against a Test playing nation. The United States, wanting to compete at the very highest level, will need more performances like this to stand them in good stead moving forward.

Ireland had never lost to an American side coming into the clash, thrashing them four times in T20 World Cup qualifier tournaments from 2010 to 2015. But the visitors were distinctly second best in Florida as the US notched their best-ever win against a Test playing nation in the Twenty20 format. “This is a good start,” spinner Nisarg Patel, who bowled well in tak-

ing 2-27, told AFP. “We’ve been playing well for the last year and a half.

Winning against bigger teams like Ireland will send out a good message across the country and the world.

“Hopefully we can keep it going.”

It was the first of five games — two T20s and three one day internationals — between the sides, with Ireland’s arrival in the United States complicated by some Covid-19 cases in the camp.

Reaching the World Cup in either format, as well as possibly competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, remains the US aim while moves are well underway to establish an American professional competition, Major League Cricket, within the next two years.

Young players are also being produced, with 18-yearold Ritwk Behera, born in Rockville, Maryland, and New Jersey native Yasir Mohammad the only players in the starting XI at the Broward County Stadium who were born in the United States.

Skipper Patel’s side were

desperate to make a strong start and show the lively couple of hundred fans in attendance as well as the International Cricket Council (ICC), the sport’s global governing body, the team was deserving of future high-profile series. - USA struggled early - Early stages against a new look Ireland side aiming to bounce back from a disappointing T20 World Cup showing were a struggle for the US team, which slumped to 16 for four quickly, which included losing captain Patel to the second ball of the match.

But a brilliant fifth-wicket stand between Singh and Sushant Modani helped turn the tide for the hosts. Their partnership of 110 saw Singh lay into a Irish bowling attack that seemed to alarmingly wilt in the Florida sun.

Singh smacked the first six of the match in the 12th over — a sign of just how slow the US came out of the blocks — and proceeded to hit four more maximums in a splendid, crucial innings of 65.

Modani weighed in with an equally important 50 before Marty Kain, one of five

Dramatic CAF Super Cup victory for Al Ahly AFP - Taher Mohamed and Akram Tawfik played key roles as Al Ahly of Egypt edged Raja Casablanca of Morocco 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to win a CAF Super Cup thriller in Qatar on Wednesday.

Mohamed levelled during the final minute of regular time in Al Rayyan, firing a low shot into the corner of the net after being set up by South African Percy Tau. Raja had led from the 13th minute when an Abdelilah Madkour shot deflected off Yassir Ibrahim into the net at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, one of eight 2022 World Cup venues.

In a superb exhibition of penalty taking, the clubs converted five each to send the shootout to sudden death.

Tawfik nudged Ahly ahead for a sixth time with a kick that gave Raja goalkeeper Anas Zniti no chance before a large crowd in the 45,000capacity ground.

Madkour had to score to keep Raja in contention, but he blazed his shot over the crossbar and Ahly celebrated

Akram Tawfik (R) of Al Ahly is tackled

by Zakaria el Wardi (L). (AFP/KARIM JAAFAR)

a record-extending eighth Super Cup success.

“My team showed wonderful spirit — they never accepted that defeat was inevitable,” said South Africa-born Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane.

Mosimane, who joined Ahly in 2019 from Pretoria club Mamelodi Sundowns, has won six CAF club titles, two less than record-holder Manuel Jose, the Portuguese who had two spells in charge of Ahly.

In the other dugout was Belgian Marc Wilmots, who joined Raja last month and

will be hoping for a more successful second stint in Africa after lasting just six months as coach of the Ivory Coast.

The nail-biting success confirmed Ahly as the dominant force in Africa with 23 titles — 10 in the CAF Champions League, eight in the Super Cup, four in the Cup Winners Cup and one in the Confederation Cup. TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo and another Egyptian club, Zamalek, share second place with 11 titles each.

US cricketers such as Akshay Homraj, right, hope triumphs such as the Americans enjoyed over Ireland on Wednesday will help boost the sport’s growth in the United States. (AFP/Kaushal ADHIKARI) debutants for the home side, crushed a quick-fire 39 from only 15 balls to reach a very competitive target of 188 for six from their 20 overs.

Ireland’s bowling at the death was woeful and their batting response suffered the worst possible start when captain Andy Balbirnie was dismissed in just the second over. A breezy 31 from 15 balls

from opener Paul Stirling, however, steadied the ship and at the halfway point, Ireland were 74 for three and a close finish beckoned.

The Americans hung in, however, and allied by some tight bowling and excellent fielding, the visitors found themselves needing a daunting 76 from 37 balls, which was way beyond them.

The teams meet again on Thursday before playing 50over games on December 26, 28 and 30.

Scores: USA 188-6 (G.Singh 65, S.Modani 50, M.Kain 39; B. McCarthy 430). Ireland 162-6 (L. Tucker 57*, P.Stirling 31, S.Getkate 19; S.Netravalkar 2-26).

Result: USA win by 26 runs.

Double-double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah is Track & Field News’ Female Athlete of the Year SportsMax - Olympic double sprint champion Elaine Thompson-Herah has roped in another award on the back of her stellar 2021 season.

The 29-year-old sprinter was on Wednesday named the Track and Field News Female Athlete of the Year.

Thompson-Herah was voted the winner of the award by a 35-member international voting panel of the highly-respected track and field magazine, narrowly edging Venezuela’s Olympic

triple jump gold medalist and world-record holder, Yulimar Rojas.

The remainder of the topfive in voting included Dutch distance runner Sifan Hassan, American 400m Hurdler Sydney McLaughlin and Kenyan middle-distance runner Faith Kipyegon. During her history-making season, Thompson-Herah became the first woman to win the 100m, 200m sprint double at consecutive Olympics, winning the 100m in a time of 10.61, an Olympic record, and the 200m

in 21.53 in Tokyo in July. She would go even faster in the 100m at the Prefontaine Classic in August, recording a 10.54-second clocking, the second-fastest time in history.

Thompson-Herah was also named World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year and the British Journal Athletics Weekly’s Female Athlete of the Year this month. She was also named NACAC Female Athlete of the Year and is favoured to be the RJR Sportswoman of the Year for 2021.

Olympic double sprint champion Elaine Thompson-Herah.

PAGE 28

Friday December 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

Everest Launches China funded Solar Lights...

‘Cost cutting for Electricity will go towards player’s development’ Club President Nadir Everest’s President Manzoor Nadir greets the Chinese delegation at Everest yesterday. (Sean Devers photo)

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Haiyan Guo cuts the ribbon at solar lights launching yesterday at Everest as President of the club Manzoor Nadir & others share the moment( Sean Devers) In pouring rain yesterday at the Everest Cricket Club the Solar generated electrical panels project was launched after the project which cost $5.8 million and commenced in June, was finally completed.

The panels were installed on the roof of the Camp Road club which changed its name from East Indian Cricket Club to Everest 51 years ago.

The successful project, funded by the Chinese, was set for completion in August but was delayed due the late arrival of shipment of the Solar panels.

The project was done by six private contractors from Specom.

The cutting of the ribbon

was done by Ambassador Haiyan Guo after the Chinese delegation was given a detailed explanation on how the project will benefit the club which intends to use the money they will save from electricity bills to Guyana Power & Light (GPL) to develop cricket, Tennis and squash.

GPL’S project officer Orville Critchlow, Dr Sharma and Everest Treasurer Ramjet Kumar also spoke about the project before the Chinese were given a tour of the facility which is preparing to the host two matches in the ICC U-19 cricket world cup on January 14 & 15.

Speaker of the National Assemble Manzoor Nadir,

who is the President of the Club which gained First-Class status in 1997 when Guyana opposed England, said that the solar project will save the club approximately $100,000 per month in electricity bills.

If Everest project is good, Nadir said that other clubs could do the same, although not on that magnitude.

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China is a member of Everest and will be taught cricket, while Chinese will assist in the development of table tennis at the club.

Nadir also disclosed that Everest’s captain and West Indies player Chanderpaul Hemraj will be getting married on Sunday.

International Mixed Martial Arts Federation signs up to WADA Code

A woman walks into the head office of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada November 9, 2015. (REUTERS/Christinne Muschi)

Ambassador Haiyan Guo makes a point to Everest’s President Manzoor Nadir as Dr Kumar, Everest Treasure Ramjit Kumar & GPL’s project officer Orville Critchlow listens. (Sean Devers photo)

(Reuters) - The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has become the latest signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said yesterday.

The IMMAF’s application to become a WADA signatory had initially been rejected in 2018, prompting the sport’s governing body to file a lawsuit.

A WADA signatory status is required for all sports federations wishing to become members of the Global Alliance of International

Sports Federations (GAISF), which helps secure funding as well as being recognised as an Olympic sport.

“We would particularly like to acknowledge the efforts that have been made by IMMAF to bring this to fruition,” WADA President Witold Banka said in a statement.

“In order to gain approval under the terms of the revised policy, the federation needed to go through a stringent process.”

The process includes independent experts assessing the IMMAF’s governance, a

Signatory Expert Group independent from WADA management reviewing its application and completing a Code Compliance Questionnaire to check the quality of its antidoping programme.

“This is a positive step for IMMAF and its athletes, who will now enjoy the protection afforded by the Code,” Banka added.

“In signing the Code, it joins the approximately 700 sports organizations that have already pledged their support to the harmonized global anti-doping movement.”

Friday December 24, 2021

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

Pakistan opener Abid Shane Dowrich seeks Ali on road to recovery redress from CWI over loss of retainer contract after heart scare AFP - Pakistan Test opener Abid Ali faces a long road to recovery following surgery after he was forced off the field with chest pain during a domestic match, officials said yesterday.

The 34-year-old fell ill Tuesday while batting for Central Punjab in a Quaid-eAzam Trophy match in Karachi and was rushed to a hospital.

He underwent two angioplasty procedures after being diagnosed with Acute Coronary Syndrome, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) statement said.

“Abid has commenced rehabilitation... did light walking in the morning without showing any discomfort,” it said, adding he is likely to be discharged next week.

The stocky Abid made headlines in December 2019 when he became the first batsman to hit a century on debut at both Test and one-day international levels.

His ODI hundred came against Australia in Dubai in March 2019, while the Test century was scored against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi nine months later.

Abid has so far scored 1,180 runs in 16 Tests, and played six ODIs for Pakistan.

He is one of several sports figures to have suffered cardiac problems recently.They include Danish footballer Christian Eriksen,

Pakistan’s Abid Ali suffered heart problems while playing in a domestic match and is recovering\ in hospital. (AFP/Munir Uz zaman) who suffered a cardiac arrest during a European Championship match in June.

Pakistan’s next Test series is at home against Australia in March next year.

SportsMax - Barbados and West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich has retained an attorney as he seeks redress over the process used by Cricket West Indies to deny him a renewal of his contract.

The matter came to light earlier this week when Barbados Cricket Association President Conde Riley revealed that he had received a letter from the player’s attorney on the Mason and Guest sports talk show.

In May 2021, Cricket West Indies announced the players who had been retained for the next cycle and Dowrich was not among them. Dowrich, 30, last played in a Test for the West Indies from December 2-5, 2020, against New Zealand.

In the early stages of that tour, Dowrich suffered a finger injury but later asked to be released from the tour citing personal reasons.

However, according to his lawyer Philip Nichols, after being given leave from the West Indies, CWI then claims that he was not offered a new retainer contract because he had not played the requisite number of games to qualify for the said contract.

This is the bone of contention for the player, who at the time when he left New Zealand, was the first-choice wicketkeeper/batsman for the West Indies.

Shane Dowrich

Dowrich was subsequently replaced by Trinidad and Tobago’s Joshua da Silva, who has, for the most part, acquitted himself well representing the West Indies as its wicketkeeper/batsman.

Following the New Zealand tour, CWI failed to follow up with the player to determine whether he had managed to put his ‘personal issues’ behind him and was now ready to return to repre-

senting the regional side.

Nichols tells Sportsmax.

TV that his client hopes to have the matter resolved amicably as it is not his intention for the matter to end up in court.

Dowrich has played 35 Tests for the West Indies scoring 1507 runs at an average of 29.07.

He has scored three hundreds and nine fifties in that time.

Road and Track - Lewis Hamilton has reportedly sold his one-off purple-colored Pagani Zonda 760LH after seven years of ownership.

The news of the sale comes just one week after the 36-year old Mercedes-AMG driver’s controversial loss in the Formula 1 championship at Abu Dhabi.

The AMG-powered V-12 supercar was sold to a new owner in the United Kingdom according to thezondaregistry on Instagram. It’s one of just five official “760” Zondas built, but the only to carry the “LH” moniker (LH standing for Lewis Hamilton, obviously).

It’s also one of the only Zonda 760s to send all 750 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque to the

rear wheels through a true sixspeed manual transmission rather than a single-clutch paddle-shift automatic gearbox.

Hamilton took delivery of the 760LH in 2014 and kept the car in Monaco, where he’s been spotted driving it on numerous occasions. In 2015 Hamilton was involved in a minor accident involving the car but had it quickly repaired.

Because it’s a one-off, we’re sure this car is safely tucked in a private collection in some climate-controlled garage, never to be seen again by the public. That’s too bad, because we enjoyed seeing the car appear on car-spotter channels from time to time over the years. Oh well.

Lewis Hamilton Has Reportedly Sold His One-Off Pagani Zonda 760LH The Lewis Hamilton one-off purple-colored Pagani Zonda 760LH which he recently sold. (ExoticCarSpotters – YouTube)

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Friday December 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

Foster unveils ambitious two-year plan in historic cricket manifesto for Team Progress Four years ago, when the Hilbert Foster led administration took over the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), the cricketing structure in the Ancient County was on the verge of falling apart due to internal conflicts and poor management. Today, the county is now widely considered the role model of cricket management across the country and even the Caribbean.

The BCB on Sunday last hosted its elections and the Hilbert Foster slate was reelected unopposed as delegates reward Foster for his outstanding leadership over the last four years.

Team Progress created history in cricket administration in Guyana when it presented an eight page manifesto to delegates of the AGM. The manifesto consisted of the many achievements of the board between the period 2018 to 2021 and also reviewed the dismal situation that Foster and his executives inherited. The manifesto includes the slate’s commitment to the overall county and then commitment to the five sub areas - West Berbice, New Amsterdam/

Canje, Lower Corentyne, Upper Corentyne and Berbice River.

Among the commitments made to the overall county was the hosting of fifty cricket tournaments at all levels, expansion of the coaching programme, educational grants for 300 youths over two years, over ten million dollars in assistance to clubs and twenty million to youth cricketers in form of gears, uniforms, cycles and educational materials. Three hundred youths would benefit from involvement in social seminars, by the end of 2023 the county would have adequate pitch covers, the BCB Office would be upgraded, sub-associations would continue to receive financial grants and several international players would visit the county for coaching sessions. The slate also committed themselves to working along with all stakeholders, be every transparent and to represent the interest of every Berbice player and official.

The eight page manifesto also includes areas of development for the sub association with the group commit-

ting itself to organising a minimum of five internal tournaments in each zone for teams including grass root tournaments, mini cricket academies, social skills seminars, special coaching clinics and to obtain at least one 100 by 24 feet pitch covers. Clubs in each of the zones would receive cricket balls and scorebooks.

The BCB would also assist generally with items such as catching cribs, stumps, coaching manuals, water pitchers among others.

Foster also stated that first division teams would also benefit from a special donation of cricket balls to assist them to cover expenses, while several commitments were also made to some members of the BCB including Chesney, Whim, Kildonan, Rose Hall Canje, Mt Sinai, Guymine and Port Mourant.

Port Mourant, once the leading cricket club in Guyana is now undergoing a period of rebuilding and would receive several assistance packages from the BCB in this regard.

The smallest of the sub-associations, the Berbice River Cricket Association, would receive special attention with

Guyana Cricket Board President Bissoondyal Singh extends Christmas wishes “It’s that time of year again, a time for spreading Christmas joy and sharing messages of peace, hope and happiness as we reflect on the challenges and the achievements of 2021 and prepare for the New Year with hearts filled with prayer and hope. This season of goodwill provides us with the opportunity of being even closer with family, loved ones and friends as we look forward to a future of peace, joy and contentment,” the GCB boss wrote in a Christmas message.

He further noted, “2021 has been a year of mixed fortunes for the Guyana Cricket Board. After a protracted period of legal issues, and for the first time, an Executive Committee was elected to office in March under the Guyana Cricket Administration Act. However, much to our dismay, cricket activities were severely curtailed because of the Covid-19 Pandemic. It is therefore my fervent hope that, as we bowl off a new year, there will be a return to normalcy in our lives

Bissoondyal Singh after almost two years of the Pandemic.”

“As President of the Guyana Cricket Board, I take this opportunity to thank our valued sponsors, cricket officials and fans for your continued support and loyalty and trust that 2022 will see the long-overdue restart of cricket competitions which we all do desire.

On behalf of the Executive Committee, the Member Boards and the staff of the

Guyana Cricket Board, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Peaceful and Rewarding New Year.”

Hilbert Foster and Simon Naidu-BCB PRO

tournaments, gears and training programmes planned over the next two years, while clubs in the area would also collect assistance.

The area was also assured of fulfilling their long cherished dream of playing first division cricket as the BCB would allow them to play in the Ivan Madray 20/20 tournament with the other established first division teams.

Commitment was also made to work along with the Umpires Association to lift the standard of umpiring and to provide a developmental fund along with other assistance as required. Special at-

tention would also be paid on the training of several prelevel one coaches for clubs and the training of scorers in an effort to lift the submission of match reports to the board from clubs.

Foster, who authored the manifesto, stated that his administration would work very hard to fulfill every commitment made and bluntly told his executives to either ship up or move on.

Noting what the first four years of his administration had achieved, the CWI Director stated that he expects much more to be done between 2022-2023 as the BCB

strives to produce at least ten West Indies players across all the levels.

Laziness, corruption, favouritism and a negative attitude would not be allowed in his administration.

Special praise was reserved for Public Relations Officer, twenty one year’s old Simon Naidu who over the last two years has made sure that every activity of the BCB was promoted across the nation. Foster told delegates at the AGM to make sure that they keep their copy of his slate manifesto and to follow the progress of each commitment.

GFF-K&S Super 16...

GDF and Milerock win on Wednesday The Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/Kashif & Shanghai (K&S) 2021 Super 16 football tournament continued on Wednesday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground in Linden where previous winners; Guyana Defence Force (GDF) drubbed Linden All-Stars 3-0, while Milerock gave the home fans much to cheer about during their 2-0 win over East Bank All-Stars. GDF played the opening match against Linden All-Stars that was deadlocked 0-0 after the regulation 90 minutes of play but the more physically fit GDF side netted three unanswered goals during the extra time courtesy of Sherwyn Caesar in the 91st minute and Ian Dooker who bagged a brace in the 98th and 109th minutes.

In the feature match, Rayon Ramdehol (45th minute) and Colwin Drakes (75th minute) were on target for Milerock.

The GFF/K&S Super 16 is made possible by the following sponsors, Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, KFC GUYANA, Mohamed’s

Milerock goal scorers Rayon Ramdehol (left) and Colwin Drakes.

Enterprise, MVP Sports, Dinars Trading, DDL with Pepsi, Gatorade, Diamond Water, Statement Investment Inc., HJTV & 94.1, Stars Party Rental, Namilco, Capelli Sports, Fireside Grill N Chill, Cevons waste Management, Tony’s Jewellery Store, Daphness Foundation of New York, Ground Structural

Engineering, Fast Lane Auto Spares, Bakewell, Pegasus Guyana, C MOBILE, Jim’s Variety Store, New GPC – Mr. Bobby Ramroop, Secure Innovation and Concept Inc, SIMEXTRA TRADING GUYANA, Superior concrete, Fitness Express, Banks DIH and Rose Ramdehol Auto Sales.

Friday December 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

Trophy Stall sponsors Boxing Day dominoes tourney in Wakenaam

T

he annual Trophy Stall Boxing Day D o m i n o e s competition is set for Sunday in Good Success, Wakenaam.

The entity presented the trophies to the organisers yesterday at their Bourda

Market branch. Trophy Stall representative, Alexis Barrington, said she is looking forward to an exciting and successful competition.

Entrance fee is $6,000 and the winning, runner up and MVP will received

Family Foods backs Twin Towers King and Queen Dominoes Nick Rahaman (R) of Family Foods presents the cheque to Dhyan Carter.

F

amily Foods has supported the Twin Towers King and Queen Dominoes tournament which is set for December 27 at Turning Point. The competition will commence at 15:00hrs and entrance fee is $2,000.

Players can contact Dhyan Carter on 696-7781 for registration.

Family Foods recently presented a cheque to organiser Carter.

Over $200,000 in prizes is at stake and all covid guidelines will be observed.

trophies.

Action commences at 13:30 hrs and teams can contact Vijay Persaud on 689-7308 for registration.

Among the teams set to take part are V Net, Underdog, Melville, All stars and Good Success.

PAGE 31

Alexis Barrington and Zaheer Mohamed with the trophies.

Everest Launches China funded Solar Lights

rt o p S

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Haiyan Guo cuts the ribbon at solar lights launching yesterday at Everest as President of the club Manzoor Nadir & others share the moment. (Sean Devers)

‘Cost cutting for Electricity will go towards player's development' Club President Nadir

GFF-K&S Super 16 GFF goal scorers Sherwayne Caesar (left) and Ian Dooker.

GDF and Milerock win on Wednesday