Kaieteur News

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Thursday Edition Guyana NEWS finally passes Local Content Bill

AIETEUR

December 30, 2021 - Vol. 14 No.49

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 73,642

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

...provisions to increase civil society scrutiny, equal pay for Guyanese included

Oil fund law

...way cleared for massive abuse, corruption without any jail time

passes amid

chaotic - Opposition in-House protest Opposition to ramp up protests against See story on new NRF lawpages 16,17 &18 ...threatens court action against 'wholesale thievery of oil money' Local Content Law 2021 Series Pt 9

ExxonMobil, subcontractors to pay only US$5000 fine for The protest continues ‘for failure to hand over records, change to ExxonMobil’s contract. reports and preventing access to facilities Tune into Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM at 11:00hrs for a rebroadcast of The Glenn Lall Show.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday December 30, 2021

Oil fund law passes amid chaotic in-House protest ...way cleared for massive abuse, corruption without any jail time -Opposition Members of the political opposition surround the Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh to protest his move to have the NRF Bill passed.

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gnoring mounting criticisms and appeals in the past two weeks to have the Natural Resource Fund Bill 2021 sent to a special select committee for proper consideration and input from the citizenry, the PPP/C Administration used its one-seat majority to ram it through the House Wednesday night, although the Opposition has raised questions about its legality, citing several breaches in the Standing Orders during the chaotic scenes that unfolded.

Chief Whip for the Parliamentary Opposition, Christopher Jones was first to lead the charge for a stay of the debate as he recalled the criticisms the Bill faced from various quarters since being tabled in the House on December 16, 2021. He said it is only fair that the government sends it to a committee for further consideration as it can have grave implications for the future of all Guyanese.

Speaker of the House,

Manzoor Nadir refused to allow Jones' petition to go through as he instructed him to save his words for when the debate gets underway. He then proceeded to invite Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh to deliver his remarks on the Bill. It was at this point the House erupted into mass confusion. Opposition members started chanting, “No thieving Bill must pass!” as they slammed the bottom of their plastic water bottles to their desks in rhythmic fashion and unison. This was then elevated to members circling the Finance Minister as they continued their wailing with the intention to drown the sound of his voice.

Some opposition members even crowed the podium where the Minister stood as they screamed, whistled and howled at him. The Speaker at this point, called for a suspension.

Following the short break, it was clear that the government would proceed with the Bill even if there would be no civilized contribution from the political Opposition.

Despite some members throwing themselves into a fit of (Continued on page 22)

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 30, 2021

PAGE 03

Oil companies will have to provide five year plans for employment, procurement, capacity building

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ow that the Local Content Bill 2 0 2 1 h a s received the blessing of the National Assembly, oil companies and their subcontractors will have up to December 2022 to prepare a five-year plan that outlines how they intend to employ and procure indigenous services, along with the implementation of programmes for capacity building.

Outlining this was Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, during the opening of debates on the Bill yesterday morning.

Bharrat who was listed among 16 parliamentarians to speak on the Bill was keen to note that the contents of the bill are not cast in stone. He said the government will make changes as the law is implemented and there is need for strengthening. The minister stressed as well that the Bill was not crafted in a willy-nilly fashion as it benefitted from a year of consultations and expert reviews.

Bharrat was keen to note

that the Bill protects the interests of all citizens, starting with the very definition of what constitutes a Guyanese company.

The Bill defines a “Guyanese company” to mean any company incorporated under the Companies Act which is beneficially owned by Guyanese nationals who ultimately exercise, individually or jointly, voting rights representing at least fifty-one per cent of the total issued shares of the company; and that has Guyanese nationals holding at least seventy-five percent of executive and senior management positions and at least ninety percent of nonmanagerial and other positions.

It has also been expanded to mean: any partnership between Guyanese nationals and a company constituted in accordance with the Partnership Act. Minister Bharrat said too that a Local Content Secretariat of highly skilled professionals will be in place to monitor and ensure

enforcement of the Act as well as to do assessments.

He said the first task of the body would be to create two registers: one for persons who would like to undergo training and seek employment and the other for businesses in any related field that can provide services to the sector.

Following this, he said oil companies and their subcontractors will be asked to provide a master plan which will cover a period of five years and contain sub plans for employment, procurement and capacity development.

Upon submission of the master plan, Bharrat said every year operators and their subcontractors will have to provide an annual plan for review by the secretariat and the minister.

Bharrat said he believes that the foregoing plans would be crucial to the nation as it would provide a better understanding of the oil sector and what the requirements are for skillsets as well as for businesses to know what they need to

- Natural Resources Minister bring to the table on an annual basis.

If it is found that certain targets within the Schedule of Minimum Local Content Requirements are too high or low, the Minister said an order can then be issued for changes to be effected.

Additionally, Minister Bharrat said it would be easy for one to criticise the schedule to say that certain targets should be higher. He stressed however, that such an approach cannot be taken when there is no true understanding of what the

national capacity is.

The Minister said, “We have never really done that assessment so we had to base the schedule on consultations with various groups over the year so by the end of 2022, we will have an understanding of capacity in the sector… We will keep changing and adding different services as we build capacity but we need to recognize our limitations…”

He concluded, “We need to be honest and straight up because we have challenges and we lack capacity within

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat certain technical areas in the oil sector and therefore there are certain services we cannot offer now.”

Coalition says new NRF was not legally passed …cites several breaches including missing Mace

Mentally-ill man drives away with businessman's car

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25-year-old man who suffers from a mental illness w as arres ted after he reportedly stole a $1.9M car from Salick Sohan, a 42year-old businessman, who resides at Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

During an investigation, it was revealed by police that at around 15:00hrs on Tuesday, Sohan parked his Toyota Spacio in his yard, leaving the keys in the ignition, before he went upstairs into his home.

However, shortly afterwards, Sohan returned downstairs just to discover that his car was missing.

He subsequently contacted the police. Acting on information received, investigators went to Vergenoegen, West Coast Demerara, (WCD), where the vehicle was recovered.

The vehicle was parked in front of a home at McWatt Street, Vergenoegen. Contact was then made with a man who was lying in a hammock in the said yard. The man

immediately admitted to taking the car.

He was told of the allegation, cautioned, and taken into custody.

Investigators stated that the suspect is a patient at Dr. Bhiro Harry's clinic at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The victim later arrived on the scene and identified the vehicle which was handed over to him.

The vehicle had minor damage to the front left side bumper and fender.

Woman, 54, assaulted, robbed during home invasion A 54-year-old woman was on Tuesday morning robbed by two men who invaded her Phase Two, Good Hope, East Coast Demerara home.

The elderly woman who lives alone had responded to noise in her house when she was confronted by the suspects who placed a cutlass to her neck while demanding money and jewellery. Subsequently they tied her up and relieved her of a quantity of jewellery

among other items. The suspects then dealt the victim several lashes about her body causing her to receive injuries before making good their escape.

The woman, who managed to untie herself, raised an alarm and was assisted and accompanied to the Vigilance Police Station where the matter was reported. She was then taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation to seek medical attention.

A Parliament staff holds on to the Speaker's Mace, which the opposition said was not in place during the passage of the bill.

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mid the chaotic scenes in the National Assembly Wednesday, the APNU+AFC Coalition said that the reality of the sitting is that the Natural Resource Fund Bill No. 20 of 2021 was not legally passed in the House.

The coalition MPs had protested the sitting after the government refused to heed to calls for the bill to be sent to a special

select committee for fine-tuning. In a statement the Coalition said, the Mace which is the symbol of authority and which must be present throughout the sitting of the Assembly when a law is to be passed, was not present.

Secondly, the Standing Orders state that a Member of the Assembly must be in his or her seat to vote in the National Assembly. “Most

of the Government MPs were out of their seats, especially the Prime Minister who was on his feet waving. It is therefore clear that there was no legal vote.

Clearly all of the aforementioned circumstances, rendered the passage of the Bill null and void,” the Coalition said.

“Yet, the PPP in its quest to denude the NRF Act of 2019 so that it can pillage and (Continued on page 22)

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Thursday December 30, 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

EPA honchos - which one is more persuasive?

There are conflicting public positions taken by two Guyanese over what could only be termed a sensitive issue (“Current, former EPA Heads clash over safe production levels for Liza 1” KN November 27).

The first is from the current head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr. Khemraj Parsram, while the second is that of Dr. Vincent Adams, the former head of the same state agency. Instead of focusing on which one is being straight and telling the whole story, we concentrate on who is coming across as the more persuasive one, in what could be a problem for this country. Or to put it in starker terms, as our article noted, “whether the oil company’s operations are safe or hanging on a dangerous precipice.”The former EPA head said that the safe production level is 120,000 barrels per day, which the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) memorialises, and going beyond that, risks an oil spill. It sounds reasonable, like regular commonsense. On the other hand, the current EPA Executive Director asserts that page 28 of the same EIA (referred to by the former head) mentions that “emissions associated with the project were calculated based on peak production at a conservative 144,000 barrels of oil per day.”

Hence, in the opinion of the EPA, “it is safe for the company to operate beyond 120,000 barrels.” The current head of Guyana’s EPA, however, made a critical observation regarding the EPA’s opinion, in that the “EIA considered the impacts of production beyond design capacity for the Liza Destiny.”

In response, the former head of the local EPA was having none of that. His position is that the 144,000 barrels represents a conservative air emissions rate, whereas the 120,000 barrels speak to the safety limit. In his own words, “A lot of analysis goes into safety limits, and when it is set in an EIA, it becomes sacred and is not touched.” He made a further point saying that: “To stay safe, operators would always set their own internal safety limits to ensure that it is never exceeded.” We interpret that to mean the safety limit enshrined in any EIA. We provide an illustration from daily life, which may not be the best one, but helps to shed some clarity and substance on what is involved in safety limits. The recommended safe air pressure in our car tyres is not something to be played around with, as it pleases us. We do so, and there is the risk of trouble, since, to use a common expression, the envelope is being pushed. Compound the potential problem by driving above the speed limits set by traffic rules and regulations, and the likelihood of danger multiplies. That 20 percent differential (144,000 barrels less 120,000) is significant, and not something to be toyed with, because we take it lightly.

We pause at this point to state that our position is that the former EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams, comes across as really knowing his onions, and making a most persuasive case in favour of staying within (under) the safe 120,000 barrel a day limit, and not fiddling around with other numbers, such as 144,000 barrels of daily production. We advance some more, when Dr. Adams’ technical background and work history in the oil and gas plus environmental fields are all given their proper weight.

This takes on added weight, when we note Mr. Parsram’s response to the assertions of Dr. Adams, which was basically that it is as the EIA says, and that is, since he would not be contributing anymore to the back and forth about what constitutes safety limits. With respect to Mr. Parsram, that sounds like an exit strategy foisted upon him. Meaning, put a zip on lips and move on, for to say more digs a deeper hole for him and the EPA he oversees. In cruder terms, it is the old cop-out. We, though, will say this: something is not adding up here. This is not about an argument, only what is safe for us, and protects citizens and future prospects. Given its recent standards, positions, and vagueness with oil, doubts abound that Guyana’s EPA is not too concerned about what is safe for us.

NRF Bill is nothing short of legalising theft of Guyana’s oil funds DEAR EDITOR, Allow me a space in your newspaper to express my disbelief at the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) bill, proposed for enactment by the People’s Progressive Party.

Editor, the NRF Bill is nothing short of legalising the theft of Guyana’s oil fund by the PPP. Upon reading the Bill, one would notice that in its entirety, it gives unlimited power to a board of directors appointed directly by the President. At part lll 5(1) of the Bill, it states inter alia that the members of the NRF board are to be appointed by the President along with a chairperson

also appointed by the President! Therefore, What the NRF will do, is effectively remove the oil and gas industry from the purview of the Ministry of Natural Resources thereby removing parliamentary scrutiny!

This, Editor, is a blatant attempt to subvert the elected representatives of the people of this country and thereby effectively removing the people themselves from gaining an insight into the operations of the oil and gas industry and how it is benefiting them.

It is nothing short of legal skullduggery practiced with such ease by the current ad-

ministration.

This administration continues to manage the affairs of this country as though it belongs only to them! There is no way that Guyanese will see the benefit of the oil and gas industry should it come under the control of the NRF. The entire board will be stacked with PPP cronies and henchmen as have been done by every state board so far and each member will serve the interest of not the Guyanese people, but the interest of the ruling cabal!

Editor, no right-minded Guyanese, should support the passage of this bill.

Guyana’s National patrimony

belongs to all Guyanese and each and everyone of us should be able to have a say in how that patrimony is safeguarded from the tyrants running this country.

I therefore call on all Guyanese, the public sector and the private sector, the Parliamentarians elected by the people, to raise your voices against this atrocity against the Guyanese people.

Do not allow the PPP to use the resources of this country as they see fit and to the benefit of their cabal, stand up for what is right!

Pt. Ubraj Narine JP, COA Mayor City of Georgetown

Oil sector’s heavy duty vehicles causing roads to depreciate faster DEAR EDITOR, Commuting on the East Bank of Demerara is quite a challenge and in spite of all the promises to ease the traffic congestion there seems to be no end in sight.

I am encouraged by efforts being made to increase the road network but the process is taking much too long and some of the problems are created not only by road congestions but by those in authority who can make a difference but seem not to care.

Take for instance the Haags Bosch Landfill road, this thoroughfare is in a deplorable state and every day

it is getting worse. This road is used by residents and businesses in Herstelling, Providence, Perseverance, Eccles industrial area including the landfill and also serves as a detour when there is traffic congestion on the East Bank Public Road including the recently opened Diamond to Eccles access road, yet the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has left it to deteriorate.

The increasing number of heavy duty vehicles transporting paraphernalia for the oil sector and other commercial activities is causing these roads to depreciate faster.

I am appealing to Presi-

dent Irfaan Ali and the Minister of Public Infrastructure Hon. Juan Edgill on behalf of residents and commuters to kindly intervene since we are encouraging investors to come to Guyana many of whom live in gated communities in these areas as well as new residents who are now occupying the East Bank schemes at a fast rate.

In addition, just over four months ago, road rehabilitation work was started in Herstelling, Providence and other communities which brought temporary relief to residents since the roads

were graded, rolled and a layer of stone placed on the roads. However, the rainy season is here and these roads have returned to their usual craters that we as residents are now resigned to.

With schools reopening on Monday, can we expect emergency work on the Haags Bosch thoroughfare at least to bring some relief to commuters?

We are fatigued by the traffic congestions and the deplorable roadways we have to face on a daily basis.

Urgent help is needed.

Your sincerely, Name provided

Leadership change has brought no change to the PNC DEAR EDITOR, Why is it that some people are of the false notion that Mr. Aubrey Norton as the leader of the PNC will herald a metamorphosis that has eluded the Party for more than half a century?

Let us rewind a bit. The PNC was formed in 1957 with LFS Burnham as the leader. It could only have won 11 seats in the 1961 Elections but in 1964 it was able to form its first Coalition Government with the United Force Party. This alliance was formed to oust the PPP since it was clear that the PNC by itself will never be able to win an election. But the Coalition soon disintegrated and in 1968, Forbes Burnham saw that the only way the PNC could hang on to power was to rig the Elections which it did until democracy returned to Guyana in 1992. Over the years the PNC, though it had undergone some label changes and leadership trials, had failed to change its corrupt and rigging psyche.

During the period 1964 to 1992 Guyanese witnessed a

sharp descent into the abyss of dictatorship, resulting in devastating social and economic degradation. This period referred to as the ‘28 years of PNC dictatorship’ caused Guyanese to flee in numbers to all parts of the world. After Burnham’s demise nothing changed until the Hoyte Administration was forced by threats to be under the economic guillotine that they agreed to install the mechanisms for free and fair elections.

The PNC was never a responsible Opposition and never displayed any level of patriotism. Its leaders were simply interested in power at all cost. It did everything in its power to make Guyana ungovernable under the PPP: there were violent street protests, burning and looting and rape and murder. They stopped at nothing and they carried out an open ethnic cleansing which targeted Indo-Guyanese. The PNC has a new leader but from past experience the innate mentality of the old PNC will remain unchanged.

Guyanese has witnessed that after the demise of the maximum leader, Forbes Burnham and the taken up of the leadership of the PNC by the late Desmond Hoyte, nothing changed and in fact the rigging got worse and after the return to democracy in 1992 the PNC embarked on a journey of ‘mo fya slow fya’.

Then in 2002 Hoyte died and the leadership was passed on to Robert Corbin and the ‘mo fya slow fya’ mantra continued wreaking havoc to the country. This was the new dispensation and it continued with each and every General Election which the PPP/C won.

The Party’s leadership changed again in 2012 and Granger took over the helm.

Unfortunately, despite great expectations, the old PNC terror tactics went unabated.

Some had thought that Granger will make a difference if he became the President.

This was wishful thinking. Mr. Granger as President disregarded the Supreme Law of the land and he began to remodel Guyana on the path

back to Burnhamism. In addition, the corruption and cronyism experienced during the 28 years began in earnest after just a few months in Government and it was only a matter of time before the Treasury was emptied and the reserves depleted. Then the No Confidence Motion (NCM) in 2018 precipitated the downfall of the PNC dominated Coalition in the 2020 General Elections, but not after many frivolous, vexatious and costly court cases to overthrow the NCM. However, after 5 months of relentless attempts to rig the 2020 Elections in plain sight, the PPP/C Government came in to power.

It must be noted that after every failure to win an Election, the leadership of the PNC is questioned and came under scrutiny. The membership wanted a resurrection of the late dictator, L.F.S Burnham who ensured that the rigging machinery was on full throttle all the time. The late Hoyte was lambasted as being ‘too soft’ and was (Continued on page 6)

Thursday December 30, 2021

GECOM’s recruitment process was procedurally and substantively flawed and produced a flawed outcome DEAR EDITOR, Though belated, it would be remiss of me not to respond to Dr. Bisram’s latest epistle on the Vishnu Persaud appointment.

May I refer to my response as gospel, albeit in letter form, since it does two things: it corrects inaccuracies in Bisram’s letter and refutes his contentions.

It is ironical that my previous letter on this matter is referred to as ‘raving and ranting’ but attracts a response of approximately seven columns from Dr. Vishnu Bisram.

I do not intend in my point by point response to be equally verbose.

Firstly, may I advise Dr. Bisram that I reserve the right to be constructively critical of the Chairperson. I do not regard it as an attack on her and will whenever necessary hold the Chair or anyone accountable for their decisions and/ or actions. Accountability is one of the elements of Good Governance, which we should all embrace. The Chair is not exempted.

I never argued that Mr. Persaud does not have the required academic qualifications for the job. What I argued is that his qualification is inferior to his competitor’s and that in a competitive process the classification of the qualifications have to be taken into consideration, especially when values are ostensibly attributed to qualifications in the evaluation process. That is one way to determine who is more ‘academically’ qualified for the job and is a ‘gold standard’ in job interviews. It should be noted that my contention was not limited to academic qualifications. I dealt with procedural and substantive flaws.

Bisram’s contention that

GECOM ‘has a process which has to be followed’ is as flawed as GECOM’s process.

GECOM refused to use an instrument as the basis for evaluation. It reduced its instrument to the status of a guideline and allowed for voting to be the basis of the determination, albeit there were oral presentations. In that circumstance, the Chairperson in delivering her “Ruling” made absolutely no reference to, considered, nor compared the applicants’ academic qualifications although in the guidelines the highest value was attributed to qualifications. However, she contended that a testimonial, a document not listed for consideration in the ‘guideline’ and not normally considered until the quantitative evaluation is completed, was a major plank on which she premised her “Ruling”. To wit, that testimonial should not have been considered, since the author was the one who brought Mr. Persaud to the organisation, on invitation, where he served as his ‘defacto personal assistant’ and was chaperoned by him into the position of Deputy Chief Election Officer by deeming a level 5 qualification to be equivalent to a bachelor’s degree when in fact the UK Qualifications Framework which determines those matters clearly states that level 5 is not equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.

Most egregious was the fact that the ‘Ruling’ was given, without pause, after the presentations of the Commissioners but purported to have taken those presentations into consideration. Dr. Bisram also misrepresented the Judgment in the Persaud vs. Alexander law suit. The Court never adjudicated on

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Kaieteur News

Vishnu’s qualification. It adjudicated on whether I had fingered Mr. Persaud as misrepresenting his qualification.

I never did but his qualification in 2014 was misrepresented as I have herein outlined. The award to which Dr. Bisram refers is another instance of misrepresentation, by him. He grossly overstates the award granted by the Judge, suffice to say that it has been appealed.

Let’s assume that Dr. Bisram is right that I turned a blind eye to previous aberrations at GECOM, is that justification for my now valid contentions to be disregarded? I noted his implicit acknowledgement of the aberrations which I have identified and bring to his attention that the employment of the former Legal Officer was facilitated by the Commission’s 4 to 3 vote not to employ the best candidate. The Opposition appointed Commissioners were not party to that aberration.

His point on aberrations is irrelevant in his attempt to justify the employment of Vishnu Persaud.

Dr. Bisram also misrepresents the conclusion of the Ethnic Relations Commission on the complaint of Ethnic Discrimination in relation to Vishnu’s none employment.

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) concluded inter alia that: “There are no institutional rules or practices in GECOM which allows for ethnic discrimination in hiring.”

“The six Commissioners are all vigilant to ensure that no such discrimination can be practiced without challenge.” “…, from the material placed before us, it cannot be said that there has been any evidence of deliberate hiring of (Continued on page 6)

What is the track record of the President’s detractors?

DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me space in the letters column of your esteemed newspaper to share my views on the Natural Resource Fund.

In 2020, the people of Guyana went to the polls and voted for Dr. Irfaan Ali to be the President of Guyana.

With his election the people of Guyana rejected the vision and open corrupt practices of APNU+AFC. President Ali’s vision is to develop Guyana for all its citizens and from day one he has done so.

Since taking office, President Ali has done exactly what he promised, which is to rebuild and improve drainage and irrigation systems, roads, bridges, water distribution, electricity generation and distribution, health care, and education.

He has provided for the poor through food distribution and direct monetary aid.

He has created systems and policies to ensure that these social issues are remedied for the long term.

Thousands who would have suffered because of natural disasters have benefitted from the government’s direct intervention.

Since taking office, President Ali has been consistent as he has said on numerous occasions that he is taking Guyana into the future and taking Guyana into the future will not happen with a donkey cart infrastructure.

I will let the economists tally the man hours and monies that have been lost because of a lack of a modern social and physical infrastructure and the amount of monies to be realised with a modern one.

Throughout the length and breadth of Guyana the people have welcomed the President’s plans. Our people

are asking for more, not less.

Nowhere in Guyana are our citizens saying I want less roads, less electricity, less water, etc.

The President has been reducing taxes while engaging in a national rebuild through prudent management of our treasury.

For decades Guyana has gone bowl in hand asking for loans and aid to mend and rebuild our dilapidated social and physical infrastructure.

We are fortunate today to have revenues from oil which can fast track our efforts.

The objective, as the President has outlined in numerous speeches, is to build a modern Guyana which will improve the quality of life for all Guyanese and to attract Foreign Direct Investments.

President Ali has proposed using some of the revenues from oil and gas to do just that while increasing transparency and oversight.

Out of the woodworks have come the regular suspects with their not so hidden political agenda.

Under the guise of transparency, they want the President and his government to hand over control of the Natural Resource Fund to them (I

will not call them organisations since many can’t produce a membership list). Who elected them?

Who do they represent? Do we allow people who are parroting the opposition’s failed ideas to hijack development? Some are the same individuals who could not find their pens or voices while APNU+AFC was trying to rig the election.

Some are the same ones who want to keep the oil in the ground.

And many could not garner a single vote at the ballot box.

The people of Guyana voted for Irfaan Ali to be President of Guyana.

We entrusted him with managing our natural resources and the treasury.

He must be given support free of those with fringe ideas and agendas to bring his vision to fruition.

He will be held accountable at the ballot box if he fails.

His track record so far has demonstrated that he can get things done while maintaining transparency and oversight. What is the track record of his detractors?

Sincerely, Sherlock Depoo

Take a look at your governance model DEAR EDITOR, The Government is being lashed and bashed from all sides and on every front. It needs to step back and take a look at its modus operandi, especially its governance model.

Everyone cannot be wrong.

Shamshun Mohamed

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GTT is still working to improve its services DEAR EDITOR, I write in response to a letter published in your newspaper on December 28, 2021 under the caption “Poor Service from GTT” by Dissatisfied Customer.

We acknowledge that the customer made multiple fault reports. Our team of experts promptly resolved the reports made in October 2021. Further to the letter to the editor, we

immediately contacted the customer and resolved the additional connectivity issues with alacrity.

As promised earlier this year, we at GTT are constantly working to improve our processes in line with our new company mission and key customer promises to reliably connect our customers, strengthen our community, and innovate for all in our

country.

Our commitment remains the same as we approach the new year, and we will continue our efforts to pivot GTT to become a 21st century customer centric organisation.

Sincerely, Eshwar Thakurdin, Chief Operations Officer, Home Solutions and Fixed Network Services, GTT

GECOM’s recruitment process was...

From page 5 Guyanese of one ethnicity rather than of another.”

Bisram attributes a contrary conclusion to the ERC. His misrepresentation also extends to his contention that Ms. Myers was hired before a report on Persaud’s qualification was submitted.

There was no such situation The fact of the matter is that Myers and Persaud both presented documented evidence of their degrees which clearly showed that Ms. Myers’ degree was of a far higher classification. Finally, any argu-

ment that GECOM could not engage Human Resource professionals in its recruitment process is ill-founded. It was never intended for GECOM to give up its authority. The intention was for professionals to be involved in the process in a manner that would lend confidence to the process with the Commission retaining ultimate responsibility for the appointments. Instead, GECOM employed a contrived system as illustrated herein, which did not provide for Good Governance practices such as openness, trans-

parency and accountability, rather it facilitated bias and other anomalies. No adherent of Good Governance or human resource professional would associate himself or herself with what GECOM embraced as a recruitment process. It was procedurally and substantively flawed and produced a flawed outcome which was conveniently embraced by the like of Dr. Vishnu Bisram on a fallacious premise as herein proven.

Yours truly, Vincent Alexander GECOM Commissioner

Leadership change has brought...

From page 4 censured for allowing free and fair elections and Corbin was condemned for his inability to wrest power from the PPP. The latest victim was Granger even though he tried his utmost to hang on to power, he lost. Now the PNC needs a leadership which can propel them into Government

Thursday December 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

regardless of what it costs.

The end will justify the means.

It is now expected that Norton will once again ignite the old PNC modus operandi and wrest power at any cost.

Some Guyanese were misled in 2015 with false promises to believe that the PNC and the AFC together can bring about a better life for

Guyanese.

This never materialised. It was corruption galore. Guyanese saw this firsthand and they suffered from severe economic hardships.

They also witnessed the rigging propensity and the inherent evil of the PNC live and direct. No Coalition was ever good for this country.

The PPP/C has once again in just a year chartered a progressive trajectory and the lives of Guyanese are improving daily.

No more will Guyanese believe the lies peddled by the PNC and the AFC. The leopard will never change its spots and the PNC will never change despite the changing of the leader.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Cane farming in the sugar industry - Premier Jagan’s legacy DEAR EDITOR, Few of the current decision-makers, since the nationalisation of the sugar industry, would recall the passage of the following legislation: a)National Cane Farming Committee Act (1965) b)Cane Farmers Contract (General Conditions) Rules c)Cane Farmers Special Funds Act. It would be of interest to learn when last the documentation has been reviewed for its applicability to current relationships between cane farmers and the management of the industry. In this connection not many would be aware that it was Booker Sugar Estates who deliberately created the first cane farmers community – at Belle Vue in the vicinity of Wales Estate, West Bank, Demerara in the 1950’s. Fifty-seven sugar workers and families were selected from across estates to establish a comprehensive housing scheme, with each house lot accommodating a kitchen garden. A community centre with playground was a feature of the settlement.

Each farmer was allocated a15-acre plot of cane land, and arrangements virtually imposed on Wales Estate to purchase the cane and pay for the sugar produced therefrom - all this nearly a decade ahead of the aforementioned legislation.

The latter in fact resulted

from discussions between the Premier Cheddi Jagan and the Chairman of Bookers Group of Companies World-wide, Sir Jock Campbell, a proclaimed socialist. The Premier, possibly utilising the Belle Vue model, suggested it being applied industry-wide.

Empathetic as he was, Campbell pointed out its economic and other defaulting implications, particularly given the industry’s commitments to the United Kingdom market at the time. Already the idea of nationalisation had intermingled in the light and shade of their conversations. Campbell temporised by committing to establishing a more comprehensive cane farming development programme across the industry. The commitment to Dr. Jagan translated into Booker Sugar Estates Limited and Demerara Company, together with the Barclays Bank and Royal Bank of Canada establishing a Cane Farming Development Fund of G$3.7M consistent with the prior legal provisions, which included the requirement for farming groups to become legal entities, so that they can draw down from the Fund and pay back, based on the legal contract which had been agreed between the parties, and in which the formula for the price of sugar produced by farmers was carefully applied.

All these activities and transactions were monitored by a legally established National Cane Farming Committee made up of membership of established Cane Farming Cooperatives and related Estate Managements.

Each estate was also required to appoint a Cane Farming Officer who trained farmers and advised on required agricultural practices to ensure optimum cane yields.

But more critical was all the preceding communication exercises needed to persuade individuals into a legal cooperative structure.

Of course, in those days there was a thriving Government Cooperative Department whose District Officers cooperated fully. The reason for this submission is to remind the parties concerned that there are still viable cane farming operations, in respect of which both suppliers and purchasers need urgently to review the fifty-seven years old legislation and related management arrangements-with a view to those contributors adding to the productivity of the industry as a whole.

Fortunately, it is understood that a National Cane Farming Committee currently exists.

E. B. John Human Resources Management Executive

Something is amiss DEAR EDITOR, SOMETHING IS AMISS. One wonders why the PPP/C Government is in such a rush to pass Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund Bill when the rest of Guyana is screaming for time to examine the flaws and loopholes that can encourage all sorts of misappropriation of funds.

Has any money already been used without any notice to transparency? We the people of Guyana have every right to know how our money is being spent.

Dis time nah lang time.

Respectfully, Gloria Loo

T N U L B . . .

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Thursday December 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

An elderly woman was tied-up and beaten in her home for her modest valuables.

After robbing her family, a bandit accosted a young woman with the perceived intent of raping her.

All this brutality and hooliganism in an oil-rich country which should be showing signs of 'moving on up'.

But this should come as no surprise.

If criminality is being perpetuated at the highest level then, most certainly, those below will follow suit.

The evidence is seen daily in our nation.

Wake up Guyanese, wake up and do your part to help safeguard this nation.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday December 30, 2021

Local Content Bill 2021 Series Pt.9

ExxonMobil, subcontractors to pay only US$5000 fine for failure to hand over records, reports and preventing access to facilities

A

ccording to the PPP/C's L o c a l Content Bill 2021 which was passed y e s t e r d a y , a Contractor, SubContractor or Licensee shall allow the government's Local Content Secretariat, or a representative of the S e c r e t a r i a t , unrestricted access to its facilities, records, reports, documents, data and information

By Kiana Wilburg for the purposes of monitoring, assessing, e v a l u a t i n g , investigating, auditing and verifying compliance with this Act. Importantly, the failure to comply with a request by the Minister or the Secretariat to review, or provide information on any return, report, record, or any other document pursuant to the provisions of this Act would ONLY BE FINED $1M (US$5000).

While this meager penalty has raised concerns about the extent to which it

would deter noncompliance by ExxonMobil and other operators and their subcontractors, the Bill does state that the Minister may, by Order subject to affirmative resolution of the National Assembly, amend the monetary penalties specified in this Act. It therefore means that there is still ample opportunity for such a penalty to be increased.

Thursday December 30, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Jagdeo should borrow a fishing boat and head out to sea

V

ice President Bharrat Jagdeo is supposed to hold responsibilities for the mining and environment sectors. But it appears that he is now an expert in the fishing industry.

Claiming to emanate from a fishing village, he points out that no scientific evidence has been produced to show that the decline in fish-catch is due to the operations of the oil companies.

While it is true that no study has been done to confirm that the reduction in fishing output and catches is due to the oil operations, his government stands in dereliction of its responsibility to ascertain the cause or causes of the decline in output.

Fish production is said to have declined by 7.1 percent in 2020 and shrimp production by almost 15 percent.

The export earnings from fish were also reduced by US$25M, far more than was earned from the sugar industry.

We are told that this year production is down by more than 20 percent. This decline cannot be attributed to the usual variations or seasonal fluctuations in catches, as Jagdeo seeks to imply.

The fishers, however, are not all buying that.

Some of them are adamant that the oil industry is destroying the country’s fishing industry.

Fisher folks are complaining about low catches. Some say that they facing bankruptcy.

A woman called in to a recent edition of The Glenn Lall Show.

She bemoaned her declining fortunes as the owner of three fishing boats.

She lamented the present plight of the industry, claiming that she has already been forced to park two of her three vessels.

The one working vessel is bankrupting her because the catch cannot compensate for the expenses of sending the vessel out to sea. She is losing money every time the vessel goes fishing.

Her story is being reproduced throughout the fishing industry in many parts of the country.

In some cases, fishers have complained that they are catching less than 30 percent of their usual intake. One local representative of the fishing industry was quoted as saying that the fishing industry is collapsing.

Jagdeo’s reference to variations in catch is at odds with his government’s acceptance that the fishing industry is in a crisis.

The Minister of Agriculture is reported to have admitted that there has been a noticeable decline over the years in fishing catches, and that the government was fully supportive of having analyses done to ascertain the cause.

Why then has Jagdeo not pressed or insisted on this analysis being done?

Surely, he can then use this analysis as the scientific basis for a possible explanation for the decline in the fisheries output.

But why does Jagdeo even need scientific evidence?

Does he not know about the effects of seismic surveys?

In such surveys, sound blasts are emitted from a vessel into the seabed. The sound waves are then bounced back and refracted to the vessel and used to determine whether petroleum reserves exist.

The sound waves are so powerful that marine fish cannot withstand the constant and loud sounds emitted.

Fish are also threatened

during drilling and actual oil production.

Jagdeo does not need to look any further than the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) submitted for the Liza Phase 1 Development Project to appreciate the threats posed to marine fish by oil drilling and oil production.

The Liza 1 EIA establishes the impacts on marine life and their habitat due to the “presence of Project infrastructure; entrapment in water intakes; auditory [sound] impacts from vessel traffic and installation activities; and the attractive potential of artificial lights on the FPSO, drill ships and other major installation vessels.”

Specifically, the EIA found that drilling operations could result in gill fouling and reduced visibility.

The report also highlighted that permitted waste discharge could have toxic effects on marine life.

During the production stage there is the potential of loss of fish eggs and larvae, which, as we know, reduces future fish stocks.

The EIA concluded that these impacts would be more significant during drilling and installation when most of the habitat-disturbing activities and vessel traffic occurs.

Jagdeo should therefore not even contemplate discounting the effects of oil operations on the country’s fishing sector.

The losses to the fishing industry should have been predicted and compensation sought as part of the renegotiation of the oil contract.

Two percent royalty simply cannot compensate for the destruction of the fishing industry on which thousands of Guyanese depend for their livelihoods.

And, just in case he still has doubts about the impact

Dem boys seh...

If yuh can’t hear, yuh gan feel We had a good chance to end de pandemic before Omricon reach hay.

But we blow it over de festive season. And we now facing de consequences.

De number of active cases and persons in de ICU falling but de number of new cases getting too high fuh comfort.

Is all because we lack discipline.

Dem gat people who know dem nat suppose to organise or go to party and dem still doing so.

And de Task Force should be tekking stronger action against dem wah

breaching de law. Instead dem just breaking up de sport.

Dem should close down dem places wah illegally hosting party; close dem down fuh a couple of months and people gan get de message.

Dem also gat people wah organising fete and dem nah getting charge.

De fete just getting break up.

Dat is why de slackness and lawlessness continuing.

But people pointing also to double standards.

De guvament organising concert and dem own event and nobody nah telling dem nothing. And dem had a trailer

moving round de town and nuff people nah had on dem mask all de time. So when people see dese things, dem does feel dat dem can do de same thing.

Ole Year’s Night coming and dem boys know people gan be coming together fuh drink and sport.

But afterwards some ah dem same people gan get sick and some might end up weh dem nah want end up.

De virus gan spread and de country can be under restrictions fuh another year.

But dat is all because we nah gat disciple.

Talk half. Leff half.

of oil operations, he can defer fishing in the Boerarsie and take one of his village’s fishing boats and head out to sea, to see whether he can catch a few fish. Who knows

what his luck may bring!

(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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Thursday December 30, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Today is my birthday: Here are the three loves of my life

I

was born as a Capricorn during the festive season of the calendar year but was never ecstatic about Christmas. I think it had to do with my poverty background. I hated when the season came around because Christmas is a moment of oceanic expectations.

As a kid you want toys and Christmas food. As a grown up youth, you want clothes, I never got any of those things because money was not there.

My father was the groundsman for the sports ground of St. Stanislaus School. My mom sold wood and coal for a living. There were six kids older than me.

My father in 1956 spent all of his savings on my famous brother's (Harold) wedding, who went by the nickname “Lightweight”.

Harold was an ungrateful devil. When things got really bad my mom sought him out for help but he simply refused. Here is a little piece

of history for Cathy Hughes of the AFC, a politician whose name I care not to mention.

My brother, Lightweight, was the gardener for her grandparents – the Chomondeleys. My brother watched Mrs. Hughes' father grow up.

The year before my brother's wedding, I got the one and only Christmas present in my entire life. My mom bought a light green water-gun.

That was my present every Christmas since I kept it neatly hidden away and would dust it off and put it to use every year. When I got married in 1979 and was leaving to study at MacMaster University in Canada, I took it down from the window ceiling where it resided for decades and kissed it and asked my mom to take care of it.

Months after leaving Guyana, my father died.

Months after his death our rented house that I grew up in

on D'Urban Street, Wortmanville crashed to the ground and that gun, the symbol of my Christmas desires, was lost forever.

I am not doing anything for my birthday; I will just be spending it quietly with my family – my first love. My family is my wife, only child, Kavita, one dog, two cats and a rabbit.

Those are my first love.

Nothing can stop me from going on the seawall with my dog today. I am obsessively attached to the six members of my family.

My wife is my life and I would never want to be without her.

Whenever the marshals from the court brings the libel writs and stands at the gate, she would be there and she would exclaim: “another one,” but I would be comforted in the reality that she will always be there when the trial begins.

The second love of my life is the University of Guyana. Growing up in

Wo r t m a n v i l l e w a s a Shakespearean drama where from moment to moment you live without thought and aspiration.

There was nothing to aspire to. I met a friend, Leyland DeCambra, who later became the head of the WPA London branch. We met in an organisation named Guyana-East German Friendship Society headed by the famous Boyo Ramsaroop. He was taking his GCE lessons and I got influenced by him. I took my GEC exams and on passing I applied to UG. If UG wasn't there for me, I would never have made anything of my life. UG saved me from mental wandering. I was heartbroken when my teaching contract was terminated.

I was equally heartbroken because the AFC that I did so much for did not facilitate my return to UG. I guess politics has never been kind to me.

I always loved UG. It is part of Guyana that is part of me. It will remain Frederick Kissoon part of me. It is too late to serve it again because age has Reaper of winds. caught up with me. But if And I have happiness to there is anything I am scatter, grateful for, it is the Dreams for coming true, University of Guyana for Love to last for always, making something out of me. And it's all for you, The third love of my life is All for you, my country. I don't know why All for you, I love Guyana but I do. Below All for you, are the words of one of my All for you, favourite songs by one of pop All for you... music's greatest stars, Shirley Bassey. The title is, “I I Capricorn, Capricorn”.

Worker of wonders, Mover of mountains, I Capricorn, Lover of you.

Child of the morning, I Capricorn, Climber of rainbows, I Capricorn, Rider of winds.

I Capricorn, And I have summer days to I Capricorn, squander, I Capricorn...

Seven lives to live, All the fires of winter, (The views expressed in this All my love to give. article are those of the I Capricorn, author and do not Born of the sunrise, necessarily reflect the Keeper of seashells, opinions of this newspaper)

Thursday December 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Thursday December 30, 2021

GGMC's decision to award Aremu Road Rehabilitation Contract to Chunilall Baboolall was unlawful

T

he Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has ruled that a decision of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to award the Aremu road rehabilitation contract to G u y a n e s e g o l d m i n e r, Chunilall Baboolall was unlawful.

On June 4, 2021, the CCJ had dismissed an appeal against a decision of the Court of Appeal of Guyana in the consolidated matter of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission v BK International and Chunilall Baboolall; and Chunilall Baboolall v BK International and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission [2021] CCJ 13 AJ (GY). On that date, the Court indicated that it would give the reasons for that dismissal at a later date.

Yesterday, the Court issued those reasons.

According to a summary of the decision released via

the CCJ website the case stems from a move by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (“GGMC”) around June 2013, to invite bids through a public advertisement for the rehabilitation of the Aremu Road in Region 7.

The release noted that back then, an advertisement stated that bidding would be conducted according to the Procurement Act Cap 73:05.

GGMC shortlisted four “prequalified” entities to submit bids but only three responded to the invitation: Baboolall's CB&R Mining (“CB&R”); MMC Inc; and BK International Inc (“BK”).

BK submitted the lowest bid and CB&R's bid lacked certain important documentation.

Nevertheless, GGMC contracted Baboolall, on behalf of CB&R, to execute the road rehabilitation works.

BK was dissatisfied with the GGMC's decision and

initiated an action in the High Court to invalidate that decision. At the High Court, GGMC argued that it was not a “procuring entity”, as defined in the Procurement Act Cap 73:05 and was therefore not required to follow the procurement procedures in the Act. The statutory definition of a procuring entity included Government agencies, but GGMC argued that it was a private body in law. The High Court rejected that argument, holding that GGMC was a public agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment. GGMC and Baboolall appealed this decision to the Court of Appeal but that Court agreed with the High Court and dismissed the appeal.

GGMC and Baboolall subsequently appealed to the CCJ, which identified three issues for determination: (1) was the GGMC a “procuring

- CCJ rules entity” under the Procurement Act? (2) was judicial review available to challenge GGMC's decision to award the contract to Baboolall?; and (3) did GGMC comply with the Procurement Act? M r. J u s t i c e A d r i a n Saunders, CCJ President; Justice Jacob Wit, Justice Winston Anderson, Mr. Justice Denys Barrow, and Justice Peter Jamadar comprised the bench from the CCJ. Justice Anderson, who delivered the judgment of the Court, indicated that the GGMC was a government agency because of three main factors: (1) the public nature of its functions; (2) the extensive ministerial control exercisable over it; and (3) the sources of its funding included inflows from the

Guyanese gold miner, Chunilall Baboolall.

Government.

As an agency of the Government, GGMC fell under the definition of a procuring entity in the Procurement Act and, therefore, had an obligation to conduct bidding according to that Act. Anderson J CCJ, also found that judicial review was available to BK because GGMC was conducting a public function; that is, a road rehabilitation project, where the funding came from the Government.

Further, Justice Anderson considered that BK had a legitimate expectation that

GGMC would comply with the Procurement Act. The judge then determined that there were several instances where the GGMC had not adhered to the Procurement Act. For example, the rejection of BK's bid was not done in accordance with the Procurement Act. Additionally, there was no proof of how CB&R, or any of the bidders for that matter, were “pre-qualified”.

Justice Jacob Wit, in a concurring opinion, added that judicial review in a constitutional democracy (Continued on page 22)

Thursday December 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Guyana finally passes Local Content Bill ...provisions to increase civil society scrutiny, equal pay for Guyanese included

A

fter seven hours of debate and contributions from 16 parliamentarians, the Local Content Bill 2021 was passed in the National Assembly.

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat who tabled the Bill disclosed that 14 amendments were added, 10 of which were taken from the political opposition while the government added four of its own. With respect to the government's Amendments, the first was an expansion of the definition for a “Guyanese company.”

It previously stated: any company incorporated under the Companies Act which is beneficially owned by Guyanese nationals who ultimately exercise, individually or jointly, voting rights representing at least

fifty-one per cent of the total issued shares of the company; and that has Guyanese nationals holding at least seventy-five percent of executive and senior management positions and at least ninety percent of nonmanagerial and other positions.

The government has added a section to state: any partnership between Guyanese nationals and a company constituted in accordance with the Partnership Act is also a “Guyanese company.”

With respect to the minimum level of local content targets, the government has amended the accounting services category from 20 to 90 % by December 2022 and insurance provision by Guyanese from 90 to 100 percent. Bharrat said this was

done based on consultations with the private sector.

He said too that the bill will prevent the creation of monopolies while catering for the provision of capacity building programmes so that Guyanese would be able to provide high quality services and skills.

The Minister said too that the Bill will also ensure Guyanese get equal payment or remuneration to that of expatriates once it is found that they both have similar qualifications and experience.

As for the amendments proposed by the political opposition, Bharrat said 14 were received on Tuesday but only a few were taken on board. In this regard, he said the opposition's recommendation for there to be an oversight committee was accepted.

He said the proposed Inter-Agency Committee will now be termed the Local Content Advisory Committee.

The Opposition's s u g g e s t i o n f o r representatives from the National Toshaos Council, Guyana Bar Association, the Parliamentary Opposition; and from local Petroleum Organisations, has also been adopted. Other members of that committee will be taken from Office of the President, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Labour, Guyana National Bureau of Standards, Guyana Revenue A u t h o r i t y, A t t o r n e y General's Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs, Guyana Office for Investment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat

International Cooperation, M i n i s t r y o f To u r i s m , Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Public Works, Private Sector Commission, and the Labour Union.

Furthermore, the Bill has been altered to have the Local Content Advisory Committee select its own Vice Chairperson as opposed to the President. In fact, the

Chairman would be appointed by the Head of State.

Also taken on board was the Opposition's recommendation for the Local Content Registers of qualified companies and nationals, published on the website of the Ministry responsible for petroleum or any other media of wide circulation.

Kaieteur News

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Thursday December 30, 2021

Bar Association says AG disrespectful to legal practitioners?

D

u r i n g yesterday's sitting of the N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y, Attorney General Anil Nandlall in defending the proposed Local Content Bill told the House that when it comes to the provision of legal services, Guyana will contribute 90 percent of services, while the other 10 percent would be reserved for foreigners to peruse the more “technical contracts”.

This statement was heavily criticised by the Guyana Bar Association - a body of legal practitioners.

According to the Association, “There is no justification for the provision of legal services to be anything other than 100 percent (mandatory)” and that the AG's statements “give the impression that Guyanese Legal Practitioners do not have the capacity and or are not qualified to handle matters which he described as

“technical legal documents” and “joint venture agreements”, as a seeming justification for the target of 90 percent instead of the requested 100 percent by the Bar Association”.

“It further gives the impression that persons who are not duly admitted to practice law in Guyana under the Legal Practitioners Act may do so, performing legal services,” the organization added.

In this regard, the legal practitioners said they reject these “ill-informed comments” since, despite having requested, they have not been told what areas of law they are not qualified to practice and more so, who is to provide the additional 10 percent.

In fact, the Bar Association urged Nandlall to not only withdraw his comments, but also offer an apology to its members.

“Such comments by the Hon. Attorney General are without basis, empirical or

President of the Guyana Bar Association: Teni Housty

otherwise, in violation of the LPA as aforesaid and wholly disrespectful to members of the Bar who already perform the said services including Senior Counsel.

There ought to be a withdrawal of these

comments on the record and an unreserved apology to members of the Guyana Bar,” the organization contended.

In addition to this, the Bar Association complained that they were invited to a

consultation on the Local Content Legislation, with less than one day's notice.

Notwithstanding the short notice, the organization told members of the media that due to the tight timeline and absence of the proposed Bill, it made submissions thereon.

It said that since the publication of the Bill, the Bar Association has sought further engagement, made comments and raised queries, to which there has been no considered response, despite the undertaking to do so one day before the debates were held.

It is the view of the Association that “the provisions of the Bill collide with other legislative instruments”.

It explained, “With regard to legal services, the practice of law in this jurisdiction is governed by the Legal Practitioners Act, C a p . 4 : 0 1 ( L PA ) . N o recognition appears to have been given to the fact that ONLY Attorneys-at-Law

admitted to practice Law in Guyana under the LPA, may hold themselves out to be entitled to perform legal services in Guyana”.

Moreover, the organization said that the provision made for legal services is not in accordance with similar provisions in other jurisdictions with Local Content Legislation, such as Kenya, Ghana and Ta n z a n i a w h e r e i t i s mandatory for the legal services in the country to be provided by nationals with an established office in c o u n t y, r e q u i r e m e n t s advanced and submitted by the Bar Association, so far, without being given effect.

The Bar Association concluded that the Bill was tabled only eight days before it was passed in the National Assembly and does not give sufficient time for considered comment and engagement and overall, falls well below the legal minimum stan dard for meaningful consultation.

Thursday December 30, 2021

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Thursday December 30, 2021

Opposition to ramp up protests against new NRF law ...threatens court action against 'wholesale thievery of oil money'

Scores of Guyanese on Wednesday picketed in front of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC)—where a sitting of the National Assembly was being held to protest their opposition to the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government's rush to pass a new Natural Resources Bill, which many have since condemned as a move to legalise wholesale thievery of Guyana's oil revenues.

The Bill aimed at replacing the NRF Act already in place in order to give sweeping powers and control over the oil fund and its use by the sitting President.

HIJACK, STEAL, RAPE & ROB The placard-bearing protestors, though prevented from entering the precincts of

the ACCC venue, staged a vociferous activity on the roadway, chanting slogans such as “stop the Bill, stop the steal; don't pass the law; and Guyanese voices must be respected.” They were soon joined by several Members of Parliament from the political Opposition who took a break from the parliamentary debates. The MPs included: Chief Whip, Christopher Jones, newly elected Peoples National Congress Chairman, Shurwayne Holder and Senior Counsel, Roysdale Forde among others.

The Alliance for Change's Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan could also be seen among the protesters calling for the administration to not proceed with the Bill.

Substantive Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon was absent from yesterday's sitting of the National

Assembly as was his colleague Member of Parliament, Geeta Chandan Edmond.

Among the nonparliamentarians to also lend support to the protest action were Working People's Alliance (WPA) Executive, David Patterson, Georgetown City Mayor, Pandit Ubraj Narine, newly elected PNCR leader, Aubrey Norton, former government Minister Ronald Bulkan and Publisher, radio host and social commentator Glenn Lall.

Lall—who had been among the key persons calling for the protest action in addressing the gathering said “what is happening in there, the police should be arresting these people for what they are about to do there.” Referencing the intended passage of the NRF Bill 2021, Lall said “they are

sneaking in the wee hours of the morning, to hijack, to steal and to rape and rob not only the present generation but future generations with this new law.”

GREEN ECONOMY PROJECTS As such, Lall was adamant, Guyanese must understand the importance of the law being passed since it was empowering the government with “the power to go and withdraw every cent from that oil account that sits in America.”

This, he said, would be done under the guise of spending on natural disasters and “green economy projects; you know when it comes to accountability and transparency with these governments they have none.”

He further lamented, the lack of penalties in the proposed bill saying, “they are putting laws in place to go and take the people's oil money, me and you oil money, take it and spend it and there is no jail time.”

Lall used the occasion to cite similar instances in counties such as Angola and others where public oil funds were expended to enrich private persons and political interests.

Addressing some of the unambiguous provisions in the law, Lall pointed to the fact while the law applies penalty for non disclosure, it does not address misuse of funds.

In other words the law, he said, demands only “telling the nation” what is received and not to “safeguard or protect the money….that is what Jagdeo telling this nation, we will tell you how much we will be drawing but we will not be telling you how we will spend um or how or what are the kinds of things we are going to spend on, this is the kind of law they are putting there, this is the most dangerous law.”

Compounding the situation, Lall explained that the provisions in the new law not only provides for withdrawing all of the funds but “they are giving themselves the power to borrow billions on that account.” This, he said, means that the loans will have to be repaid using the proceeds to be had at some point in the future, to pay for loans already taken, with the account as collateral.

FORCE PARTIES TO THE STREETS

WPA Executive, Dr. David Hinds in an interview

with the media said the oil resources hold the potential to “get rid of squalor, fix our infrastructure, make our people live like full human beings.”

He was adamant, that an important issue such as the passage of this bill should be made a national issue that is driven by all stakeholders. To this end, Hinds told media operatives that the party in government is only one stakeholder in the entire affair. The new Bill, will remove the 22 member oversight committee, Hinds reminded.

Speaking directly to yesterday's protest action and its likely impact on the proceedings, Hinds responded in the negative saying “no, this is not the type of government that is going to be driven by small numbers of people.”

He nonetheless posited, “…this is a good start” and qualified his position by saying “these people (who) came out here today, they weren't called out by political parties, they came out on their own and that is a very good sign.”

To this end he said, “I think, if the political parties had called this protest, it would have been a bigger (Continued on page 20)

Thursday December 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Fully vaccinated woman is Wanted bulletin issued for Guyana's latest COVID-19 fatality Albouystown murder suspect A fully vaccinated 65year-old woman from Region One (Barima Waini), who contracted the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, has died. This is according to the Ministry of Health which reported that the woman died on December 28 while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

As a result of this, the country's COVID-19 death toll has moved to 1,051.

Meanwhile, in its daily COVID-19 dashboard, the Health Ministry recorded 87 new infections, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 39,238.

The dashboard also shows that there are six patients admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 33 persons in institutional isolation, 604 in home isolation and six in institutional quarantine.

To date, a total of 37,544 persons have recovered from the virus.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF), on Tuesday issued a wanted bulletin for the suspect who they believe is responsible for the murder of a 28-year-old man executed on Christmas Eve night in Albouystown.

Wanted for the murder of Deon Charles is 18-yearold Ezekiel Hawker aka Alpha. His last known address is Lot 246 Fortshaw Street, Queenstown Georgetown.

Charles was reportedly seen standing on the southern side of the street around 23:50hrs Christmas Eve night, when a white 'Axio' motorcar came from the eastern direction and stop in front of him.

It was reported to the police, that two men exited the car and approached Charles, after which a loud explosion, suspected to be that of a gunshot was heard.

Police revealed that the young man fell to the ground and the two men reentered the car and made good their escape.

A wounded Charles was picked up by publicspirited citizens and taken

Wanted by police for the murder of Deon Charles is Ezekiel Hawker to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The dead man's body was examined and a gunshot wound was seen on the left side of his head.

His body was removed and taken to the mortuary.

Police noted that efforts made to locate the suspects have so far proven futile.

Nevertheless, investigations continue.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Ezekiel Hawker is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 2267065, 227-1270, 226-7476, 226-7065, 227-9271, 2271611, 227-1149, 227-1270, 225-6940-9, 225-3650, 2261928, 911 or the nearest police station.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Thursday December 30, 2021

Opposition to ramp up protests against...

From page 18 protest but the people must start their own action. So this is about self-activity on the part of the people and I think, if and when that government goes ahead and passes that Bill, it will ignite a righteous indignation among the population that will force the political parties to come out onto the streets.”

He was adamant, “we are not going to win the battle inside of parliament because they have a majority and they are prepared to ram the bill and other bills through parliament. In order to change what's going on here we have to put pressure outside.”

As such, he called on the civil society oganisations that have been appealing recently for more consultations on the legislation to, “come out here.” According to Hinds, “making press releases will not move this government.”

RAID & PILLAGE TREASURY AFC's spokesperson on oil and gas related matters and MP, David Patterson, told this publication he was in full support of the protest

action mounted since, “there are no safeguards, there is no transparency. It is a recipe for full corruption.”

According to the former minister with responsibility for the sector, “the idea of a NRF is for us to put aside, save and spend sensible.” He said what government was looking to do was to pass a law using its one seat majority, to raid and pillage the treasury.

Addressing safeguards pointed to by the President and Vice President, such as the use of the Public Accounts Committee, Patterson said “we have already seen how they have used their majority to stymie the work of the public accounts committee.” He said by the time that body gets a chance to look at the spending by government for 2022 it would already be 2026, “so that is not an option for us, absolutely bad for the country.”

Patterson in recognising the voting strength of the ruling party, told media operatives he is of the view that the lawyers in his party would be seeking to quickly file a court action. “All their economic policies have

failed, so the last resort they have is to raid the NRF. So I do hope that we can do a legal challenge. Maybe by law we can stop them from putting their hands on the money but they are desperate to get their hands on the money.”

AFC Leader Ramjattan, in expressing his disagreement with the Bill, told media operatives that it should be a case where the 'politicos' will be dealing with the revenues to be had from the sale of oil in Guyana. Referencing the administration's argument that the monies would first be deposited into the treasury and as such would be subjected to Parliamentary Scrutiny, the AFC leader pointed to the vagueness of aspects of the bill, such as provisions for emergency financing. To this end he argued, “these things could be better had by a macro economic committee and a transparency and oversight committee.'

POLITICAL ACTION According to Ramjattan, “now the definitions are going to be totally in the hands of the executive

branch, Ashni Singh, Irfaan (Ali) and Bharrat Jagdeo.”

This he suggested, leaves ways open, for the individuals deciding on giving another $250,000 to sugar workers as emergency spending and that this would be catered for in the law.

According to Ramjattan, given the reality of the parliamentary make up, there was every likelihood the Bill would have been passed and as such his party will be exploring the legal avenues within which the legislation can be challenged in the court of law.

He did concede, that the constitution does provide for what is called law making by the Parliament and as such is empowered to pass the law.

To this end, he suggested exploring researching the constitution with a view of challenging the PPP's law, based on its constitutionality.

Unless this can be proven, Ramjattan said “you can't really litigate against the Act.” LEGAL ACTION Referencing calls by civil society bodies to put a pause on the Bill's passage, Ramjattan questioned rhetorically, “why you decreasing our oversight?

Look at the regime. The first year all US$500M could come out of the bloody thing.”

Forde in speaking to the media also raised the spectre of exploring the possibilities of legal challenges to the legislation, since in its present form it can be seen as

a mechanism for a complete wipeout of the resources, the resources that will be coming and be putting in the fund over the next couple of years.

Another Member of Parliament, Amanza WaltonDesir, lamented the 'carte blanche' spending that is now being provided to the government using the Natural Resources Fund law.

“They are free to withdraw the money, so they don't care about any of that. What they care about is getting their hands on this money.”

Speaking to an equally egregious provision in the Bill, Walton-Desir noted that, “as soon as it is passed, the government can withdraw 100 percent of the funds currently in the natural resources fund.” That means, “that if we allow this bill to b e s i g n e d i n t o l a w, immediately they are going to drain every cent from the NRF; why are they doing this? This bill has received widespread criticism from every quarter, but you have a government in office who is bent on running roughshod over the hues and cry of the Guyanese population.”

SUNLIGHT REPLACED WITH DARKNESS Guyanese, she warned, have to be aware of what's happening, in that the government has essentially removed all of the safeguards that were in the previous Bill.

“What that means is that they will be withdrawing without any oversight, without any concern with

whether it causes hyper inflation.”

Former Government Minister, Ronald Bulkan, told media operatives “this bill is a travesty.

It is taking Guyana down the wrong road. It is moving away from transparency.”

He reasoned that what the PPP/C's Bill does is to remove “the sunlight that exists in the current Natural Resources Act and it is replacing that sunlight with darkness.”

As such, he contends that the bill “violates what is known as the Santiago Principles to which this administration committed to in the manifesto among others; the Santiago Principles says among other things that it is the owners of the resource who have to decide how it will be spent.”

According to Bulkan, the owners of Guyana's wealth “as we all know, is not a government, it is not a political party, it's not the coalition nor is it the PPP. The owners' representatives are represented in the National Assembly.”

Newly Elected PNCR Leader, Aubrey Norton, who also joined in with the protestors, described the situation as akin to putting a cat to watch milk.

“They don't care about proper governance systems, they don't care about future generations, they are prepared to change the law, to be able to take as much money however they want, regardless of what they want it for and leave future generations in poverty.”

Thursday December 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

Govt. to strip ExxonMobil's Business Centre of power to determine local content ...says companies gave detailed accounts of discrimination, neglect With government proposing to create a Local Content Register of approved companies and citizens that must be used by oil companies and their subcontractors, ExxonMobil will no longer have the power to determine on its own, what constitutes local content.

This was highlighted yesterday by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall during his contribution to the Local Content Bill 2021 debate. The Senior Counsel noted that the government intends to create a Local Content Secretariat which would create two registers of companies and Guyanese.

These registers will return to the State, the power to ensure operators and their subcontractors are fairly

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall

directing opportunities for employment, procurement and capacity building to Guyanese nationals.

In response to concerns that the Bill would be in conflict with ExxonMobil's controlled Centre for Local Business Development, Nandlall said the government is in receipt of a

litany of stories from the private sector which have detailed acts of discrimination, neglect, and how they were ostracised from getting fair opportunities in that organisation.

He said the Secretariat would not replace the Exxon centre but it would ensure

the State has its own apparatus of measuring true local content.

He said anyone who is not part of the register can still compete, but would not be considered as part of any company's local content achievements.

Nandlall said too that the Bill provides a one year period for companies to get their house in order and be compliant with the law.

The Attorney General said, “We are not saying the bill is perfect but it is a good start. We looked at best practices learned from those jurisdictions such as Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o , Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and… it is regarded as one of the best in this hemisphere. It therefore represents the conscience of the people…”

The Legal Affairs Minister then commended the Bill for passage where it saw 15 other speakers and was subsequently passed by the House.

PAGE 21

Woman who was allegedly chopped to head by ex-boyfriend, charged for wounding him Shamika Greene

A 27-year-old woman who was allegedly chopped to her head by her exboyfriend was on Wednesday charged for wounding him.

Shamika Greene appeared at the Diamond/Grove Magistrate's Court before Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse where the matter was called. She pleaded not guilty and was subsequently placed on $25,000 bail.

Greene along with her current boyfriend, Vikta Rhodes were both charged for the wounding of her ex-

boyfriend Hansel Elgin and both were placed on bail for the mentioned amount. The matter was adjourned until January 25, 2022.

Kaieteur News after contacting Commander of Division Four 'B', Mahendra Siwnarine, learnt that Elgin's matter was read but he was not present, due to him being on remand currently for another matter.

The commander noted that the police will require an order to take him out of prison on the date of which the matter was adjourned in order for him to plea.

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 30, 2021

Oil fund law passes amid chaotic in-House...

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natural disaster, the government has the power to override those rules in place and withdraw any amount it deems fit for the said emergency. Importantly, there is no provision that caters for any abuse of this “emergency” mechanism.

When Guyana had pursued the creation of its first NRF legislation back in 2018, it was warned to have clear penalties or the fund could run the risk of failing to serve current and future generations. This advice was provided by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), which also cited numerous examples from around the world on how often Natural Resource Funds become easily mismanaged, and the perpetrators go unpunished.

The 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) fund, established in 2009, has proven to be a major source of alleged corruption and mismanagement. Designed to attract investment into Malaysia by forming joint ventures with foreign firms, 1MDB ended up being in over US$11 billion of debt by 2014. Among

its more suspect transactions are a US$1 billion investment in a Saudi oil company in 2009 which has gone missing; funds that were diverted in 2012 from an Abu Dhabi state fund to a firm in the British Virgin Islands (a secrecy jurisdiction); and US$4 billion that has been misappropriated from Malaysian state firms. Malaysia, the U.S., Switzerland, Singapore and the U.K. are still trying to unravel the web of corruption and money laundering schemes that are related to the fund and robbed current and future generations of their wealth.

The Azerbaijani and Iranian funds are other examples of extra-budgetary funds, which have been used to fund the legacy projects of political parties instead of being prudently saved for future generations.

In Azerbaijan, for instance, government authorities have used the State Oil Fund (SOFAZ) to directly finance strategic government projects, such as the railway between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. These expendi-

ture items were not subject to the same reporting or public procurement requirements as those financed through the regular budget process, nor were they subject to as much parliamentary oversight.

In Iran, that country's US$40 billion National Development Fund provided loans to private-sector companies, cooperatives and economic enterprises owned by nongovernmental institutions through agent banks. While the fund managers did not provide information on the specific investments, news reports revealed where they actually went. Importantly, the executive directly controlled the fund and, therefore, some decisions bypassed normal budgetary and parliamentary procedures.

Taking the foregoing examples into account, among other cases of blatant mismanagement, Guyana was urged to have “clear consequences for malfeasance.”

The Bill, in spite of these and other concerns being raised, has been passed with numerous loopholes.

Coalition says new NRF was not legally...

From page 3 plunder the Natural Resource Fund, went ahead and purported to have repealed the 2019 Act. The Act was not repealed.

What is alarming is that

the Speaker who should know better was complicit in this gross violation of the Standing Orders, Principles and Conventions associated with the good conduct of Parliamentary affairs.

The APNU+AFC wishes to inform the Guyanese people that the prevailing law continues to be the Natural Resource Fund Act of 2019 because no legal vote was taken.”

GGMC's decision to award Aremu...

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From page 2 anger or frustration and one even attempting to make good her escape with the Speaker's mace, Dr. Singh still pushed through and delivered his presentation on the importance of the Bill. After a notably short speech, the Speaker then rushed the consideration of the entire Bill's clauses simultaneously and moved for a vote. The government members all gave their stamp of approval and the Bill which was expected to see 21 speakers, was passed with all of its troubling flaws.

Since the Bill was tabled on December 16, Kaieteur News has been at the forefront of highlighting some of the key loopholes that could give way to massive corruption, borrowing frenzies, as well as spending sprees. In the Bill, there are various methods of calculations for the withdrawal of the nation's oil dollars. But if there is a major

From page 12 like Guyana must be brought under the umbrella of constitutional values and principles. Doing this broadens the scope of judicial review.

Justice Peter Jamadar underscored that in countries with

written constitutions, courts must ensure that administrative decisions accord with fundamental constitutional and human rights values and principles.

During the case Attorneys Nikhil Ramkarran and

Rebecca Khan appeared for the GGMC; Edward Luckhoo SC and Robin Stoby SC appeared for BK International Inc. and Chandrapratesh Satram, Roopnarine Satram, and Ron Motilall appeared for Baboolall.

Thursday December 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

Infrastructural works for ECD, Linden & Reg. 9 to cost $1.5B - Engineer estimates D

uring the opening of tenders on Wednesday, at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office, a total of $1,580,900,718 in engineer's

estimates were opened for infrastructure development works for communities on the East Coast of Demerara, Cummings Lodge, Regions Nine and Ten. The procuring entity for these projects was the

Ministry of Housing and Water- Central Housing and Planning Authority Infrastructure development works for Cummings Lodge.

Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA).

At the contracting signing for the Eccles to Diamond four-lane highway project, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal had mentioned that by December

month end, tenders would be opened for infrastructural works in Onderneeming on the Essequibo Coast to Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara. During the year, the Housing Ministry had allocated a number of house

Ministry of Health Supply and delivery of laptops computers and accessories for quality analysis.

Ministry of Amerindian Affairs Provision of air transportation to Amerindian communities in Region One.

Provision of air transportation to Amerindian communities in Regions Six and Seven.

Provision of air transportation to Amerindian communities in Region Eight.

Infrastructure development works for Vigilance, Bladen Hall and Strathspey.

Infrastructure development works in Lethem for Lots 1 to 5.

Infrastructure development works in Amelia's Ward, Linden for Lots 1 to 4.

lots in these communities.

“On the 29th and 30th of this month, we will have the opening of tenders for a number of upcoming infrastructure works that are planned for areas where we have allocated this year and

those will form part of the budgetary programme for 2022, for which the national budget is expected to be presented,” the Minister said.

Below are the companies and their bids:

Provision of air transportation to Amerindian communities in Region Nine.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 30, 2021

Thursday December 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 30, 2021

Thursday December 30, 2021

Carmichael claims three-for, Naidu anchors as Windies U19s level series with South Africa SportsMax - Left-arm spinner Jaden Carmichael claimed figures of 3 for 25 as the West Indies U-19s coasted to a comfortable 8-wicket win to level the series against South Africa U19s on Tuesday.

Sent to bat first, the South Africans found very little answers at the crease as they were dismissed for just 103 off 31.3 overs.

In response, the West Indies eased to 104-2 off 24.2 overs, to level the four-match series at 1-1.

The South Africans had claimed the opening match of the series by 18 runs.

Carmichael had solid support from fellow left-arm spinner Anderson Mahase (2-34) and pace bowlers McKenny

West Indies U-19s celebrate a wicket during the match.

Clarke (2-12) and Johan Layne (2-14).

During the West Indies’ time at the crease, it was opener Matthew Nandu who anchored a rou-

tine run chase.

The left-hander struck a patient unbeaten 42 from 75 balls and added 58 for the second wicket with Teddy Bishop (25).

Thursday December 30, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) If Today you might learn something about a friend that could be rather disconcerting, Aries.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Outside responsibilities might temporarily interfere with your love life, Taurus.

You may feel a strong desire to get together with a love partner early in the evening, but circumstances.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you're likely to find your routine too boring for words, Gemini, and may have a sudden powerful urge to cut loose and play some serious hooky.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You could be feeling especially sensual and passionate today, Cancer, and you'll want to get together with a love interest.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may feel a bit of disappointment today, Leo. You might tend to view whatever snags you've hit on the path to accomplishing your goals as personal failures, and if you let it, this idea could persist with you throughout the day.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A rather disheartening phone call could come to you today, Virgo. This might bring news of a setback in one of your projects that is only temporary but nonetheless frustrating.

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today you might learn something about a friend that could be rather disconcerting, Libra.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A goal that you've been trying to reach may be temporarily stalled, Scorpio, and you could be tempted to slip into despair, wondering if it will ever really happen.

Remember that the keyword for today is "temporary."

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today you might realize that you need to make a certain purchase, Sagittarius.

Perhaps your home or car requires some important repairs, or maybe some new equipment is necessary for your work.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The weight of too many responsibilities, perhaps involving family, a job, or group affiliation, could be very much on your mind today, Capricorn.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may have your ups and downs today, Aquarius. You could get at least one phone call of the "good news, bad news" variety, and this could have your moods swinging back and forth like a pendulum.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Normally you tend to be a very spiritually oriented person, Pisces, but today you might find metaphysical concepts of all kinds rather baffling.

He was then part of a 42-run unbeaten stand for the third wicket with captain Ackeem Auguste who made 28 not out.

For South Africa, it was Michael Copeland who top-scored with 24 from 52 balls, but he was one of only two top-order batsmen to reach double figures and the only one to pass 20 for South Africa.

Goals galore as Leopold...

From page 31 back well and Jamal Pereira scored and another large and raucous crowd was on their feet with the score on 4-3 for Leopold Street. A good save from Norville prevented the equaliser as Renegades stepped up the intensity.

However, it was Leopold Street who made it 6-3 as the on-fire Benjamin scored twice in rapid succession just before the final whistle was blown. The very competitive encounter saw hard fought football being played which resulted in 18 fouls being registered in the game with 10 of them going against Renegades.

In the second match, the fans in the stands, who were

ever so often reminded by the DJ, to keep their masks on, witnessed another riveting contest in which Bent Street demolished a spirited Back Circle unit 7-4 after a competitive first half.

In the first half Jermaine Junor opened the scoring for Bent Street before Daniel Wilson made it two-nil. Bent Street’s keeper saved a penalty before the ball rebounded from his body and Jermaine Beckles fired in the rebound for Back Circle before Stephon Reynolds made it 22 a few seconds later. In an entertaining first half, William Europe scored for Bent Street and at half time the score read Bent Street 3, Back Circle 2 and a pulsating

Underdog prevail...

From page 28 Mohamed Sheriffudeen made the maximum 18 games for V Net, Anil Ramrattan 15, Akbar Ali 13 and Roy Persaud 10.

Underdog and V Net were tied in the semifinals on 70 games each while Hustlers

made 68. Amit Ramnarine and Ganesh Ram Narine scored 14 games apiece for Underdog while James Ramnarine scored 13 and Dhanayshure 12. Akbar Ali led the scoring for V Net with 17 games, while Mohamed Zafrul and Roy Persaud made 12 each and Ramrattan 11. Ano Kumar scored 12, Vickram Ramnarine 10, Shafdar Ali nine and Nazeer Mohamed eight for Hustlers.

Underdog drew the bye to the semi finals.

In the first round, Allstars marked 82 games, beating V Net with 81 and Hustlers 72, thereby qualifying for the final. Vijay Persaud made 17 games, Sukhram 16, Raj Narine Singh 14, Kalam 12 while Tom Singh and Surujpaul scored 11 each for All Stars.

Ramrattan chalked 17 games, Roy Persaud 15, Khalid Zaman 14, Mohamed Zafrul 13, Sheriffudeen 12 and Buddy Lokram 10.

Fidel Birbal and Kumar scored 15 each for Hustlers, Shafdar Ali contributed 14 and Lloyd Dazzell 12.

Underdog pocketed a trophy and $15,000, All star a trophy and $6,000, while Sheriffudeen was voted the MVP. Organiser Nazeer Mohamed expressed gratitude to Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall and thanked the teams.

Djokovic skips ATP Cup...

From page 29 vaccination was tantamount to “blackmail”. The seasonopening ATP Cup also saw Austria, which failed the eligibility criteria following the withdrawal of Dominic Thiem and Dennis Novak, replaced

by France. Russia, which won the 2021 title, will be missing Andrey Rublev and Aslan Karatsev from that team.

PAGE 28

Thursday December 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

Underdog prevail in tense Trophy Stall Boxing Day dominoes final in Wakenaam

By Zaheer Mohamed Underdog emerged champions of the annual Trophy Stall Boxing Day dominoes tournament which was contested on Monday at Carlosh

Sports bar, Good Success, Wakenaam.

In a closely contested final, Underdog took an early lead with 17 games while V Net scored 11 and All star nine.

Underdog climbed to 28 games in the second sitting while V Net mounted their way to 26 and Allstar ventured to 24.

Underdog made 17 games

in the third round to maintain their lead while V Net chalked 13 games to remain in second position and All star managed 11, taking their tally to 35.

Underdog continued to hold on to their lead as they made seven games to take their overall games to 53 in the fourth round while All star jumped into second spot after making 13 games and V Net scored eight games to be

on 47. Underdog and V net were both tied on 61 games after the fifth and penultimate round while All star were on 58.

In the sixth and decisive round, Underdog marked 15 games to survive a stern test from All star which made 14 and V Net 10.

Underdog tallied 76 games, All star 74 and V Net 71. Alex Chung, Krishendat

Hansraj and James Ramnarine top scored for the winners with 14 games each, Anand Dhanayshure scored 13 while Ganesh Ram Narine and Amit Ramnarine made 11 each. Raj Narine Singh scored 17 for All star, Vijay Persaud and Khemraj Surujpaul made 13 each while Heera Sukhram marked 12 and Mohamed Kalam 11.

(Continued on page 27)

The victorious Underdog team with the hardware.

Underdog Captain James Ramnarine accepts the

Runner up All-Star side

Thursday December 30, 2021

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

GCOS highlight raffle results and review of the past year

The house in Bartica.

Some of the prize winners in the raffle.

By Sean Devers The Executives and members of the Guyana Committee of Services (GCOS) expressed sincere gratitude to the many entities and individuals whose benevolence, generosity and sense of patriotism helped us to successfully undertake a variety of charitable projects during the Year 2021.

The Committee was also able to provide assistance to many citizens who faced daunting challenges, while during the same period they continued to focus on the development of young ath-

letes. The Guyana Committee of Services spearheaded the building of a cottage at Mora Camp, Bartica, for a singleparent mother in distress and another at Fort Ordinance, Canje.

“We organised athletic training and financed camps for schools in Linden, Georgetown, and Berbice. We supplied athletic gears and equipment to youth clubs in several regions; and distributed close to 700 quality running shoes to individuals and clubs in several regions.

The Committee contributed stop watches for the

Guyana Teachers Union’s Schools Athletic Championships for several years, and a modest per diem for athletes who participated in the Junior Carifta Games as well as athletes who obtained scholarships to study abroad,” said Committee member Leslie Black, a former National Athletes Coach.

The Committee also distributed hampers during the period when the Covid-19 pandemic stung hardest.

According to Black, all that was accomplished was realised solely because of the goodwill and philanthropic

Djokovic skips ATP Cup, adding to Australian Open uncertainty SYDNEY, (Reuters) Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the Serbia team for the ATP Cup in Sydney, event organisers said yesterday, raising further doubts over whether the world number one will defend his Australian Open title next month. There has been intense speculation over Djokovic’s participation in both events, with the 34year-old, who is opposed to COVID-19 vaccinations, repeatedly declining to say if he has been inoculated against the virus.

Organisers of the Australian Open, which starts on Jan. 17, have stipulated that all participants must be vaccinated against the coronavirus or have a medical exemption granted by an independent panel of experts.

“Novak Djokovic has officially withdrawn from the ATP Cup in Sydney, we have no update as yet on his plans for the Australian Open,” a Tennis Australia spokeswoman said in an emailed statement. “Regarding the medical exemption process, which pertains to all players,

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action during his match against Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff. there is a rigorous and independent process in place. As with all medical information it is subject to confidentiality.”

The global men’s tennis governing body ATP did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ATP Cup organisers said Serbia’s team would now be led by world number 33 Dusan Lajovic.

Owing to Djokovic’s current world ranking, Serbia received top billing for the 16team event, which runs from Jan. 1-9, and have been drawn

in Group A along with Norway, Chile and Spain.

Djokovic has won a record nine Australian Open titles, including the last three, and is in a three-way tie on 20 major titles with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal in the all-time list.His father Srdjan told a Serbian television channel last month that Djokovic would probably pull out of the major, saying Tennis Australia’s stance on mandatory (Continued on page 27)

spirit displayed by generous sponsors; among them Payless Variety Store, Star Party Rentals, Builders Lumber Yard, M & M Snackette, Mike’s Pharmacy, Compatriots Peter Clark, Danny Persaud, Jason Black and Andy Medas King all of New York, GuyBisco, Royal Glass & Aluminium Works, C Mobile, Elegance Jewellery, Reggie’s Wholesale & Auto Sale, Bob and Sons Supermarket, Danzies Auto Sales & Boutique, Game Express, Anil Regal Stationary, Parmasar Accounting Firm, Ken Philips York AC, Gismos & Gadgets,

Mohamed’s Enterprise, HJ Radio, Love and Laughter, the hard-working Guyana Committee of Services volunteers and His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative republic of Guyana.

“At this special period of goodwill, the Guyana Committee of Services wishes to extend Yuletide Greetings and best wishes for the continued success of endeavours managed by our sponsors and supporters; as well as our members whose sacrifices have yielded so much joy to many failing

hearts,” continued Black.

The Guyana Committee of Services final project for this year was a Raffle which was drawn on Sunday 19th December, 2021 at NCN Channel 11 Studios, Homestretch Avenue.

The following are winners: These are the winners: 1st Saskia Cummings, 2nd Triple A, 3rd Elegance Jewellery and pawnshop, 4th Christina Richards, 5th Cyril, 6th Vijay Balgobin, 7th Calo, 8th Theonya Lambert, 9th Owen Verwey, 10th Ruth Wilson The first prize winner collected $1,000,000.

PAGE 30

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 30, 2021

Eon DeViera Goalkeeping Academy Inc. sponsors Best Goalie prizes for Women and Men Super 16 Tourneys Still a young and fledgling entity, the Eon DeViera Goalkeeping Academy Inc. has still seen it as part of their responsibility to encourage and motivate goalkeepers

aiming to be the best they can b e .

To this end, the Eon DeViera Goalkeeping Academy Inc. has committed to sponsoring the respective Best Goal-

keeper prizes for the GFF-K&S Super 16 Cup and the Women’s Super 16 Festival, the latter being played for the first time ever.

Director of the Eon DeViera

Goalkeeping Academy Inc., former National player and current National Coach commented: “We are committed to the development of all Goalkeepers in Guyana. We

understand the importance of the Goalkeepers in football and would like to create an enthusiasm for this position.”

DeViera posited that his Academy has been working to create that mindset in the specialized position ever since 2018.”We have contributed and would continue to contribute to the GFF-K&S year end tournament and we are pleased to be associated with them. This year we would be sponsoring the Best Goalkeepers prizes for both the Men and Women Super 16 tournaments.”

He revealed that the player winning this prize in the Men’s version of the competition would be receiving a Trophy and Cash, while the Female winner would be rewarded with a Trophy and three months’ supply of Bliss

by Blu Hair Cream which is the official sponsor of the

Eon DeViera Goalkeeping Academy Inc. Accepting the sponsorship packages from Mr. DeViera was President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde who, whilst thanking him for his benevolence, complimented the Academy for partnering with the organisers. ”On behalf of the respective organisers, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Eon DeViera Goalkeeping Academy Inc. for being a part of both competitions in a tangible way.

I am sure the goalkeepers would be taking note of the prizes and go all out to capture the eyes of the adjudicators in order to win the prize in each tournament.

We look forward to your continued support and wish the Academy the very best for years to come.”

Director of the Eon DeVeira Goalkeeping Academy, Mr. Eon DeViera (right) hands over the prizes to GFF President, Mr. Wayne Forde.

Welch to become first woman referee in FA Cup third round LONDON, (Reuters) Rebecca Welch is set to become the first female to referee in the FA Cup third round, organisers said yesterday.

Welch will take charge of Birmingham City’s home tie against Plymouth Argyle, which will be played at St Andrews on Jan. 8, as the first woman referee at that stage of the competition.

She became the first female referee to be appointed to an English Football League match in March.

Welch has refereed men’s matches in the National

Referee Rebecca Welch in action.

League plus elite women’s games including the 2017 FA Cup final.

Thursday December 30, 2021

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

GFF, KS inaugural Futsal KO tournament (Q/Finals)

Goals galore as Leopold Street, Bent Street advance to semis Kevin Dundas scored from the penalty spot. (Sean Devers photo)

By Sean Devers On a cold and wet Tuesday night in the City, the action in the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall was sizzling hot as 20 goals were scored in the two Quarter Finals of Guyana Football Federation and Kashif and Shanghai inaugural Futsal KO tournament.

In the first quarter final a helmet-trick from Daren Benjamin spearheaded Leopold Street to a 6-2 win over Renegades, while five gaols from Jermaine Junor powered Bent Street to a 7-4 victory against

Back Circle. Watched by a large and vocal turn out, Renegades had the first meaningful shot on goal but it was saved by a diving Sase Norville in goal.

Daron Niles and Daren Benjamin scored twice before Kevin Dundas scored from the penalty spot make it 2-1.

Leo-Orion Lovell drilled in the equaliser from close range in an entertaining first half which ended 2-2 although Leopold Street played the more attacking football and defended well when it most

mattered. Twice within a minute Revaldo Walcott brilliantly saved two controversial penalties for the Renegades.

In the second half, Leopold Street continued to attack but Renegades counter-attacked as the action was fast and furious.

Leopold Street’s Niles was the first to score in the second half to make it 3-2 while Benjamin soon beat Walcott to make it 4-2.

But Renegades fought (Continued on page 27)

Jermaine Junor (centre front row) scored 5 goals on Tuesday night.

Another large gathering showed up on Tuesday night. (Sean Devers photo)

Action in Back Circle (blue) and Bent Street encounter. (Sean Devers photo)

PAGE 32

Thursday December 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

Nexgen Global recognises media personnel Guyana’s major media houses and top operatives

were present at the annual Nexgen Global Media Appre-

ciation Event (not held in 2020 due to covid-19) where the

media is celebrated for their efforts and dedication throughout the year.

Emmerson Campbell (5time men’s physique champion), Clifton Ross and Zaheer Mohamed (sports writers) helped to organize and host the event for their fellow media operatives. The inaugural Nexgen Media awards was held in 2018 with a focus on sports media but the event has grown to include other media personalities including radio, television and on-line personalities who are also recognised for their commitment.

Campbell said, “This means a lot to see how much we are appreciated by the top companies in the country and we are grateful to Aleem and the team for everything they have done.”

Ross echoed those sentiments adding, “We look forward to another grand event in 2022.”

The golf-themed evening (decor by Party Castle, Michelle, Nikita, Philip and Steve) started with guests walking the green carpet with velvet ropes, treated to wine, hors d’oeurves, and music before being served an international menu for dinner, Ital-

ian pastas, Parmesan Chicken, Spanish Rice, Moroccan Beef topped off with Mexican flan for dessert.

All of the attendees received a token of appreciation that was provided by the following major companies who joined to support this year’s event: Maraiko Bay Resorts (home of the largest investment outside of the oil and gas industry in Guyana); Toolsie Persaud Ltd (largest hardware supplier); DDL(largest producer of rum); Assuria General (fastest growing Insurance company); GuySuCo (largest employer outside of government); the Italian Gourmet (only authentic Italian foods and wines supplier); GuyConStruct; Royal Chicken (major supplier of quality chicken); AR Printery (leading print services in the country); Party Castle (largest supplier of confectionery and supplies) and Super Graphics (provider of services nationwide) who understand and appreciate the dedication of the members of the media.

COO of Maraiko Bay, Rudy Ramalingum, expressed his support, “These are the people who are responsible

for keeping our nation informed and aware of all newsworthy activities and we all felt it was important that they know that their efforts are appreciated.”

Mayor of Linden Waneeka Arrindell, Former Director General of the Tourism Authority Donald St. Clair, Bishop Guy Griffith, Mayo Robertson along with heads of major businesses such as Bank of Baroda, Maraiko Bay Resorts, GuyConstruct, GuySuco, Royal Chicken, Super Graphics, Ramchand Auto, Party Castle, AR Printery, Jai’s Engineering and Demerara Bank joined in congratulating the media operatives for an outstanding year of hard work.

President of Nexgen Golf Academy Aleem Hussain stated that this was the first of many more events that would be put on at the fabulous Nexgen Golf Academy Woolford Avenue venue, adding that it was the most elegant and best kept secret in the country – but not any longer.

“We have every intention of making this location with its gorgeous sports and garden setting, the number one retreat in the heart of the city.”

President of Nexgen Global Aleem Hussain (left) with some members of the media that were present.

Thursday December 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

GFF, KS inaugural Futsal KO tournament (Q/Finals)

Goals rt o p S galore as Leopold Street, Bent Street advance to semis

Revaldo Walcott brilliantly saved two penalties for the Renegades. (Sean Devers photo)

Sir Lewis Hamilton knighted days after title heartache

Jasprit Bumrah celebrates after dismissing Rassie ven der Dussen Dec 28, 2021 © Associated Press

Bumrah's late strikes tilt game India's way Eon DeViera Goalkeeping Academy Inc. sponsors Best Goalie prizes for Women and Men Super 16 Tourneys p.26 Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.