K
Papua New Guinea NEWS scraps gas talks with Exxon over poor terms AIETEUR
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
Sunday Edition February 02, 2020 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com
p. 10
Price $140
Online readership yesterday 112,303
Shocking details of death of man, 74, only now revealed in 2014 Medical Council report
p. 11
Rusal tells GRA auditors:
“leave or we leave” p. 8
Sale of Govt. 20 percent shares...
NICIL to draw down US$7.5M more from GTT p. Legality of 15 Bridging Deed in question p. 3
Chopping spreep. lands three in 64 Agricola tyre shop continues to reduce East Bank two lane traffic into one daily (Amanda Richards Photo)
hospital two in lockup p. Kaieteur Block holds 17 estimate of 2.1 billion oil equivalent resources
Despite enjoying decades of massive profits...
GTT's parent company now complains about potential loss of revenues ahead of Telecoms liberalisation p. 13
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 02, 2020
Kaieteur News
Sunday February 02, 2020
PAGE 03
Sale of Govt.'s 20% shares ...
NICIL to draw down US$7.5M more from GTT O
n March 15, 2019, Justice Franklin Holder issued a judgment against Hong Kong Golden Telecom Limited (HKGT) to pay up US$10.7 with interest at the rate of 12% until paid, as a result of HKGT's failure to pay moneys that were owed for the purchase of the State's 20 percent shares in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT). The National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) was able to achieve this success following stellar representation by Devindra Kissoon of London House Chambers. The particulars of the case state that in 2012,
NICIL sold its 4,125 shares in GTT to HKGT for the sum of US$30M but only US$25M was paid. Despite efforts to recover the amount owed, HKGT, refused to pay NICIL, instead employing strong arm negotiation and delay tactics to stonewall NICIL, offering NICIL arms and computers in lieu of payment. HKGT for seven years hid behind the veil of secrecy, largely relying on the fact that it was located in China, and that should NICIL get judgment against them NICIL, would be unable to enforce that judgment since it had no identifiable assets and in any event, an arbitration award issued in England would be
difficult to enforce in China. In explaining why at that time Court action had not been pursued, NICIL's former CEO, Horace James, had disclosed to Kaieteur News that NICIL initially consulted with UK counsel who at that time advised that despite significant expenditure to pursue arbitration, there was no guarantee of recovery hence it sought to enter negotiations with HKGT. After negotiations failed, NICIL received local advice that since the GTT's shares purchased by HKGT were issued by a Guyanese company, those shares, an identifiable asset of HKGT, pursuant to principles of private international law,
were located in Guyana, making recovery of the sums owed possible without proceedings in England or China. Court filings reveal that NICIL thereafter obtained judgment against HKGT, and restrained it from transferring the GTT's shares to any other person to prevent it from escaping judgment. NICIL also began enforcement proceedings against HKGT to issue a lien against GTT shares Devindra Kissoon of purchased by HKGT, and Justice Holder on July 15, London House Chambers 2019, issued an order in paying any dividends to favour of NICIL charging HKGT. the 4125 GTT shares sold. Furthermore, court NICIL also obtained a stop filings show that on January notice issued to GTT, 2, 2020, NICIL became restraining GT&T from aware that GTT intended to issue a dividend to HKGT in
GTT's BLAZE customers to get rebate if service sucks
T
he Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GTT) has committed to a new and improved level of service delivery to its Blaze residential customers within a clearly defined customer service promise, says the telephone company. If GTT falls short in meeting its publicly stated standards, as of February 1, 2020, GTT customers will receive a service rebate, it added. “We have listened to our customers and made some changes to deliver a vastly improved service to our BLAZE customers in 2020 and beyond. “We are determined to elevate our standard of service to hold ourselves accountable to our valued customers” stated Orson Ferguson, GTT's Vice President of Customer Experience and Quality.
Customers' rebates can be as much as $2000 per incident. As Guyana's largest telecommunications provider, poised to support the country's growth, GTT is acutely aware that over 25,000 customers rely on its BLAZE service. “In a direct response to our customers' demand for
excellence in 2019, our team has wholly embraced quality and efficient service delivery standards. These standards are detailed on our website, but in summary, we are taking responsibility for our performance at every level,” Ferguson explained. For details of GTT's new
promise to its BLAZE customers, visit http://bit.ly/Blaze_Promise BLAZE was launched in 2017 and is Guyana's fastest internet service offering customers speed, improved streaming, easy c o n n e c t i v i t y, g r e a t e r reliability and added security.
t h e a m o u n t o f US$3,200,000, and on January 13, 2020 Justice Holder issued an order in favour of NICIL garnishing those dividends. Thereafter, GTT issued a check to NICIL for US$3.2 M. It appears that NICIL will recover the remaining sums owed from the charged shares and future dividends to be paid. Now that the US$3.2M was received, NICIL has more than US$7M outstanding to draw down. Based on Justice Holder's judgment, NICIL will recover more than double the amount initially owed to it. It is also gaining interest of 12% until the remaining of judgment is fully paid.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 02, 2020
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
The Coronavirus and Guyana’s readiness Other countries and authoritative bodies have announced where they stand with regards to the coronavirus development, through concrete actions. Even as those seek to soothe and satisfy, they succeed in raising alarms at the same time. People across the globe are worried, and with good cause. The official word here from Guyanese health stewards is that they are ready. That should be comforting to worried Guyanese. We are not talking about hypochondriacs or those prone to overreaction at the whisper of some brewing trouble. Guyanese are worried because there is a rational fear as to the power and sweep of this disease from the distance that takes no prisoners. Worried Guyanese have been given calming assurances by Ministry of Public Health seniors that we are prepared, and that Guyana is ready. With the respect due to such confidence-inducing pronouncements we, at this paper, ask for some specifics that should not be too difficult to deliver. Others have done so and in sturdy responses to what is a spiraling threat. Country after country, some near to the starting point of the disease, and others some distance away from it, have reduced flights to and from the Chinese mainland, and airline unions are calling for more drastic reductions. In efforts to get in front of this escalating threat, the US State Department took the bull by the horns to suspend flights to and from China. Also, travelers are subject to intense scrutiny, with quarantines following. It might be viewed as overreaction, but the postures are better safe than sorry. As the Wall Street Journal of January 30 reported, “The World Health Organization declared that coronavirus is a global public health emergency.” Anytime “global” and “emergency” are uttered in the same sentence by such a prestigious health agency, then it is time to reach for whatever defenses are at hand. It confirms reasonable fears that this is a very serious problem. Meanwhile, the New York Times on January 31, pointed out that this disease and its spread is looked upon and responded to by American authorities with the grimness that it deserves. The corroborating caption was, “US issues ‘Red Alert’ after infections skyrocket.” That alert is now at Level 4, which is the highest possible tier. It seems that from all around, the news and protective actions taken are within the context of the understanding that a crisis looms and only all out defensive action will suffice. The object is to “limit” the spread of the disease, which now instills great dread. All manner of misgivings are present here. The mood, sentiment, and outlook of what could pertain here may best be gleaned from an analysis by James Gallagher, the health and science correspondent for the BBC. He asks the question of the moment: “What happens if this virus finds its way into a country that cannot cope?” By this, we here at this publication must be realistic and honest, if only to ask, whether Guyana would accurately belong to such a harrowing in the contemplation, category. As Mr. Gallagher emphasized, “Many low- and middleincome countries simply lack the tools to spot or contain it.” Our oil money is still to come, so we would qualify currently as a low-income society. The bottom-line fear is “that it could spread uncontrollably.” In view of the slow state of development at our public medical institutions, the caliber of its personnel, and the resources at the disposal, this could be an uphill fight should the virus finds its way here. These truths and realities must be faced with the frankness that the situation demands and deserves, anything less would be self-defeating. The hope is that no such occurrence comes to pass and that this country is not subject to such a challenge. There is the sobering reminder that, more and more, Guyana is a wide open society, with visitors from all points, and with fairly sizable contingents from China (and places in between with reported cases) going back and forth. A slip could lead to a slide of the worst proportions.
The Minister Pays Exxon US$15 Billion Tax Bill Dear Editor, The ExxonMobil Petroleum Agreement purports to provide Guyana with 2% royalty commission and 50% of the profits. At the upper-cost ceiling of 75%, Guyana is expected to receive 12.5% of the oil revenues. With Exxon’s discovered eight billion barrels plus a projected additional find of two billion barrels, Exxon is expected to produce and sell ten billion barrels. This will yield $600B at a current price of $60 per barrel. Thus, Exxon’s and Guyana’s shares of the net profit would be $75B each. Exxon gets its $75B taxfree. If Exxon were to pay corporate income tax at 20%, Guyana would have received an additional $15B. In other words, Guyana loses $15B. The careless way in which the Agreement is drafted denies not only Guyana revenues but also facilitates potential international tax evasion. Article 15 of the Agreement provides that no tax, value-
added tax, or duty shall be levied in respect of incomes derived from the Petroleum Operations or any property held by the Parties. At a conservative estimate, Guyana is being deprived of another $5B in value-added tax and duty and capital gain taxes. This Agreement has the potential for causing Guyana to be mired in one of the largest international tax scandals. The Agreement states at Article 15.5 “…The Minister shall note that he is paying the income taxes on behalf of the Contractor, so that the CommissionerGeneral, Guyana Revenue Authority can properly prepare the receipts required under this Article 15.5”. The activity is evident here; Exxon pays no income tax, but the Guyana Revenue Authority will issue a receipt that shows that Exxon has been issued with an Income Tax Assessment that has been paid. It is left to speculation as what purpose
this receipt will serve. One such use is to avoid double taxation in other taxing jurisdictions. This arrangement is fraught with contentious legal implications. Is Guyana aiding and abetting international tax evasion? The more immediate question is: under what law and authority is the Minister authorised to pay the Contractors’ Tax Assessments and the Commissioner-General of Guyana Revenue Authority authorised to issue a tax receipt for taxes purported to be paid but not actually paid? I am unable to find any law of Guyana, including the Income Tax Act and the Corporation Tax Act that permits these actions. The Minister and the Commissioner-General run the risk of acting contrary to law and may be held personally liable for damages to the Guyanese people, in addition to criminal charges. The big picture of this anomaly in the Agreement is
that the Contractors are not paying any taxes, but they are being assessed for income tax, and they are given receipts evidencing that the tax is paid. In addition, there is no law or legal authority to permit these transactions. Does this render some or all of the taxing clauses in this Agreement void? Given the seismic impact of the taxes and revenues involved, does this go to the root of the Agreement and renders the whole Agreement void ab initio? This exposé represents just one aspect of the many perils of the GuyanaExxonMobil Petroleum Agreement. In the interest of a clean and healthy relationship between Guyana and the Contractors going forward, I am proposing that this Agreement be revisited and revised to produce a fair, equitable and legally binding Agreement. Yours truly Tameshwar N Lilmohan
The transformation of governance should be military background, c o m m u n i t i e s a n d o t h e r have to insure that public a priority his P r e s i d e n t G r a n g e r f o r sectors of our economy. policy benefits touch the Dear Editor, There are two important priorities, which I believe our new government, after the upcoming elections, should consider: transforming Guyana’s economy and our contentious partisan model of governance. Success in these twin objectives will require a strategic partnership between the new president and opposition leader that binds them in a post- election covenant. We do not know if the second day of March this year will bring us an Irfaan Ali’s presidency or the return of President Granger in this leading role. I am hoping against hope that either of these two gentlemen would have evolved in their philosophy of political governance to the point that our outmoded system of partisan governance would b e rejected outright going forward These leaders would have to be clodhopping foolish to want to continue a model of political governance that is not good for Guyana. In regards to the first p r i o r i t y, t h e p r e s i d e n t would know he has chosen a job that gives him limited power to transform anything, let alone the economy. We would not get a high-performance economy because the president orders it. With
example would know that if he barks orders loud enough in the army, the lower ranking officers will line up to carry them out. He also knows that our political world is nothing like the army. President Granger can bark orders to rice farmers to double production and nothing will happen. He can adumbrate commands to gold mining companies as well and production will go nowhere. Our crime statistics will not plummet because the president has ordered the police to get it done. It is not the case that the president has turned on the tap of lawlessness and criminality in the first place and he is now in a position to turn it off. The way the government preferably plays a role in economic management is by creating a supportive environment, helpful to private business and foreign investment. It can do so by proper funding of public infrastructural projects, education and training programmes. No president can be so grotesquely uninformed to believe he can magically change our economic and social environment. He must pursue progress through intermediaries who play leading managerial roles in business, education, our
Our society is made up of institutions managed by lead persons and CEO’S. It is at the level of institutional management where the most important decisions are made. The president should have ability to motivate and inspire. In regards to political governance, the president can be the architect to usher in a new era of inclusive governance and persuade the opposition leader to join hands. It is not about power sharing, but mechanisms that allow for cooperation. No longer should the opposition be confined to after- the- fact governance- critique the performance of the governing party and then wait anxiously for the next election cycle to bring a victory. The opposition must be involved in shaping national policies and plans. If the governing party develops a plan to spend oil revenue, for example, then the president should ask the opposition to present an alternative plan. Let there be an integrated solution. If the governing party has plans for the development of ecotourism, let us see the opposition roll out a plan too, and let there be compromise. Let the government and opposition jointly monitor public policy result. They
lives of everyone. Ethnic bias has no presence. For much too long, rabid partisanship in governance has denied us the opportunity of building a strong nation. The lousy oil deal that we signed with the oil giants is a case in point. I am convinced that we would have done better if both government and opposition had a seat at the negotiating table. I would even dare to say that one party hegemony in governance has been the singular cause for many transformative projects that have gone bust. Too much money throughout our postindependence has gone down the proverbial drain. Inclusive governance can be the precursor of better times. Just the symbolism of government and opposition working together sends a message to the rest of our society that our political leaders prefer national unity over division. It is also noteworthy as well that the party that wins the general election gains power, but scarcely a mandate to impose hegemonic rule over us. Just look at the sliver of seats or votes that separate the winner and loser. The loser party with such a sizeable segment of support deserves to sit at the table of governance. I do not know if the socalled mother of all elections on the second of March will (Continued on page 6)
Sunday February 02, 2020
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Kaieteur News
How did we deteriorate from polling station call to this? DEAR EDITOR, How did a polling station comment end up everywhere, with a newspaper version of the Colin Powell doctrine of overwhelming propaganda volley(s) in a now regrettable exchange with the indoctrinated dogged? The letter titled “Robin Singh’s response to GHK Lall” refers (KN February 1). I thought what I had written was about calling out a senior government minister and an improper call for polling station presence, and there is the hurling of the now traditional kitchen sink, as practised by PPP boosters. I urge taking a page from me and be principled enough to similarly question their own. It is instructive how the PPP machinery stuffs its champions with spiels that seek to impress with bulk and spurious bravado where brains are needed. They refuse to think for themselves. There is disbelief that I am enlightened by a ‘taxi driver’. It should relay that I have no interest in imbibing the factorybuilt fare trotted out by party hopefuls, seeking to please their masters.
I have said publicly and repeatedly, I read the headlines of two papers and scan selected contents. I do so because matters are so predictable, so stale, and so repetitive that it is the same old story that leads nowhere, save to gain favour with handlers. I would have thought that this citizen could read, would at least possess the sufficiency of memory and the depth of capability to recall that message. Thus, the taxi man, barbershop man, market man and honest working man are those listened to, since their native intelligence surpasses the dogmas and canned products bandied about as political insights by those striving for a place in the oil kingdom. I have said repeatedly and publicly that I support the Coalition. In fact, three of Robin Singh’s political gods (I have none) saw it fit to quote from what I had written, in parliament no less, to support their fulminations. Thus, I fail to appreciate this business about “closet”. I recommend that his comrades pass on my wisdom to the
Robin Singhs of the world, since they had to quote from a man, who depends on taxi drivers for his news snippets. Incidentally, I would have thought that taxi drivers and others of similar ilk form the core of the vaunted proletariat that is so much appealed to by his political shepherds; sheep these followers are. Then, somehow, we arrived at gold, and that I should resign as chair because of my support for the government. If that were to be put in effect across this society, we would have to import Venezuelans to man our public service. Because at any one time approximately half the population is so engaged, so involved, so inclined towards the government of the day. Unlike me, they claim ignorance, innocence, and separateness mostly under the veil of silence. At least, the local world knows where I stand, without the usual pretending. I see that my identification as a government supporter (voter) casts me out from the ranks of “independent” contributors”. I ask, what about
GECOM’s Proof of Dual Citizenship To paraphrase Seneca’s belief that “a good idea is common property, especially one that is logical, reasonable and in the interest of fairness,” I reference Freddie Kissoon’s Kaieteur News column on February 1, 2020 that brought the following to the fore: There are persons still on the Candidates List who have informed the public in the mainstream media of being dual citizens after making false declarations to GECOM; be it for the 2015 or 2020 General and Regional elections and have not been asked to provide proof that they are no
longer dual citizens. Yet, GECOM has made a decision to remove New Party leaders such as Lennox Shuman, Liberty and Justice Party, Vishnu Bandhu, United Republic Party and Valerie Leung, People’s Republican Party from the candidate’s list after they signed statutory declaration forms while still dual citizens, based on information obtained from media reports. Was documentary evidence submitted to GECOM by Teixeira, Greenidge and Harmon that they are no longer dual citizens? Does GECOM have proof outside of media reports that
Teixeira, Greenidge and Harmon have given up their dual citizenship? GECOM needs equity in their system to remove persons from the Candidates List for those seeking to become members of the National Assembly in Guyana. GECOM must avoid double standards and ensure the New Parties and Old Parties are held to the same standards for determining dual citizenship. The questions above must be answered by GECOM with immediacy. Nigel Hinds
all others? Do they not support and vote? Do they not have any iota of rumination and judgment in their heads? Do they not have a mind that differentiates? By using the standard of this fine patriot, that means no contributors at all, since all (without exception) are sure to fail the standard levied against me. Next, there was the Gold Board. Do Robin Singh and his political czar really wish to speak about the Guyana Gold Board? About the billion-dollar deficits bequeathed? Or about the endless legacy shenanigans, and which are desired to be perpetuated by his people? I do not want to unnecessarily unhinge further his people, but I am thinking that the sum of the Gold Board’s story should be memorialised someday, if only to reveal the kind of
governance that once prevailed there, and the cabals of conspirators, all comrades, who took this country for a ride. Oh, that talk about mathematics and gold prices, that was what led to doubledigit billion-dollar deficits that nobody acknowledges today. Numbers were thrown about abundantly by Robin Singh, and yet when gold prices soared during his people’s time, there are only billion-dollar deficits. And that the selective application of regulatory requirements was the major underpinning that led to a banning (repeat banning) of gold exports from this country years ago. I could go on, but I am leaving the powers to whom Robin Singh reports breathing space to save face. I must admit that there are
more propagandists locally than there were at Pravda; or three-card men on the street; schooling in the evasive, illusory, and biased without any conscience (or character) is obvious. No wonder that this country is where it is. At this rate, tomorrow can only be like today, and today the nasty, dirty repeat of yesterday. I must consult with sacred texts to cleanse myself of the taints from this useless exchange; reasoning and sagacity have fled. Guyana does not need oil riches, it is already rich with oily performers, who make John Travolta, of “Grease” prowess, look like he has two left feet. It is time to move on to real people with real depth and who operate from a reality imbued with honesty. Sincerely, GHK Lall
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Sunday February 02, 2020
Kaieteur News
Guyana’s Future is Bright Dear Editor, Guyana’s future is bright. There seems to be an energy of optimism, enthusiasm and happiness that, after more than 50 years, we are finally getting it right. In 2015, the Guyanese people voted for a Coalition Government, which to date is the closet we have come to a Government of National Unity. On the political front, we are literally seeing the end of racially divisive politics. This brand of politics and political strategising, practised by both the early leadership of the PPP and PNC damaged our people’s minds, brought undue violence and killings, much of which were extrajudicial killings involving the previous Governments and deep, but not intractable ethnic tensions and mistrust. Between 1999 and 2014, we saw the rise of the narcostate and the emergence of a small group of ultra-rich people, who acquired their wealth with the support of, by supporting and in partnership with the ruling elite during this period which coincided with the ‘Troubles’ of 2002, all the way up to 2015.
The positive impact of a Government representative of all our people, committed to an open society, political inclusivity and correcting taking responsibility and fixing when it missteps cannot be overstated. Imagine in five years we have not experienced a massacre, which was so prevalent prior to 2015. We have not had instances of extra-judicial killings, or persons suing Cabinet officials because said officials targeted them with violence, threatened to slap and strip them, threatened to make them lose their jobs and/ or pensions and so on. Prior to 2015, several persons were victims of violence by the then PPP-led Government. After 2015, we are seeing the emergence of several political parties, some with familiar faces, new faces and those who are seeking to stick it to the Government, openly and freely doing their work with fear of victimisation; this is an immense positive step for Guyana. Another positive development we must all be
proud of, is the arrival of a number persons from various countries seeking work and to make Guyana their home. Similarly, the impact of the plethora of Diaspora Guyanese that have returned home since 2015 to work in Government, retire and/or start businesses or otherwise lend their talents, skills and resources to help rebuild Guyana is encouraging. This means among other things, that Guyana is poised to become a ‘Rainbow Nation’ and the economic giant of the Caribbean. And I truly hope that the arrival of other cultures and peoples help Guyanese of Indian and African ancestry more so than others, that we do not have to live poor and divided, and that it was the politics of old which many subscribed to, which kept alive tensions among our people for political advantage. Political inclusion and the participation of all Guyanese in local and regional development is another major positive indication that our future is very bright. For 23 years, imagine we had to live with Interim Management Committees, local and regional councillors, most of whom were appointed by the PPP. These people were more
concerned about pleasing the political bosses rather than serving the people in their respective regions and communities. Today, we have youth, women, retirees and a number of other persons who are councillors and directly involved in rebuilding their communities and regions. Four new townships have been established since 2015 to bring services and budgetary support for regional and community work to rural and hinterland areas, so as to bridge the development gap between the coast and hinterland. Greater confidence in the police force and justice system have improved policecitizen relations, building trust and willingness of persons to provide tips to help solve and prevent some crimes. Since 2015, numerous CCTV cameras have been installed all across Guyana. The Guyana Police Force is using these cameras to solve numerous crimes and to charge drivers who break traffic laws. Many unsolved crimes that until 2015, remained solved have been solved, persons charged and the victims finally can feel some form of closure. We still
The transformation of... From page 4 bring us a new dawn in political governance or it will disappoint us once again. It is the mindset of our political leaders that will birth a turnaround. We can only hope. In the spirit of inclusive governance, we would also deservingly benefit should we see a new attitude on the part of the president and opposition leader towards
their critics in the media, civil society or some other place. They should listen, read the newspapers, and meet their critics in person. They may learn something they need to know. Victimising those with opposing views is behaviour typically associated with the darker corners of the third world. It does not speak to good governance. Wesley Hicken
have more work to do but for the most part, Guyana is more secure from both internal and external threats to our people. Finally readers, it goes without saying that our economy is transforming for the better. Guyana is no longer recognised or are we blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force for failure to reduce money laundering, and enact the necessary laws and systems to dissuade money laundering and track the illicit finances that circulated in Guyana. We have started producing oil, hundreds of businesses have opened shop right here to do business with us. Several local business and entrepreneurs have expanded their services, or opened a business to attract the increase of legal money that is already circulating.
Our future is indeed bright, and we need strong leadership committed to a united, peace and thriving Guyana. Not leadership that will take us back to dark times characterised by racially divisive politics, Statesponsored violence, massacres, the social and economic impacts of the illicit drug trade and living in fear. There are some politicians and political groups that want us to remain divided and poor. There are some who fear they will lose control over certain groups of people, if we are united, open and free. There are some who want to take us back in time, but this is not an option. If you know such a person or group of persons, tell them no, we are not going back. Guyanese are better together! Yours respectfully, Andrew Small
Guyana will never be clean if its citizens hold on to dirty habits Dear Editor, As Election Day approaches, I think it’s fitting that we open our eyes and finally be honest with ourselves. Can we try that? We fuss and fight about voting, about policies and who will benefit from them. We talk about where the Government has been lacking throughout the years and quickly we point fingers but consider this, what is your role as a citizen and are you fulfilling it? Guyana will not be clean if citizens hold on to dirty habits. Why beg for changes in the physical things, hoping the changes will last, when knowing very well you aren’t willing to change? Why demand good drainage when you are littering? Why demand new roads when we are only going to use them to speed and take innocent lives? Why must it take crossing new borders to bring out a different version of us? You know, the one with
the fake accent, the one with respect for another’s country. Stop playing the blame game and holding people up to a standard you yourself care not to uphold. Why should any government listen to your complaints? We fail to realise that members of the government weren’t born as such. They were citizen before they became anything else. What have we taught them as citizens? Do we expect them to magically change their ways now that they are in a position to make positive changes? Why must more be demanded when clearly we haven’t been caring the little that we have? Wake up Guyana!! Also a law isn’t a law if it isn’t backed by sanctions. No one will listen when those responsible for enforcing the law are taking money and letting things slide. Yours respectfully, Juanita Jordan
Sunday February 02, 2020
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Kaieteur News
The PPP cannot run from its record of crime and insecurity! Dear Editor, I watch with amazement, as the PPP embarks on a campaign to run from its record. It is astounding that a party, which has been in power for two plus decades, would ignore those 23 years as it campaigns for the upcoming elections. One would imagine that a party that has been in office for all this time would have been proud and confident to run on its record. Instead, all we hear from the opposition is criticism of the coalition’s last four years in office and a dogma of distraction. I am not, at all saying that the PPP should not examine the record of their rivals, what I am contending is that any party which has been in power for more than two decades would have found it useful to entice the voter with its accomplishments, as opposed to using the majority of its time to harp on illusory accusations against their main opponent. However, the fact that the PPP decided that it may not be useful to run on its record should be of no surprise to the average voter. This decision clearly indicates that they are not excited about that record. But, why should
they be? I am not naive, nor will I bury my head in the sand and pretend that the PPP did nothing in those twenty-three years. In fact, I would admit that they have done quite a lot! The question is “What were those lots?” Were they primarily positive or were they mainly negative? I am quite sure the people will tell you that they were negative. Editor, since the PPP decided that it will run from its record, I have decided that I will confront that record and remind us of those 23 years. Yes, the PPP has done some things, but among those realities are some of the most egregious acts to have ever happened within the borders of the 83,000 square miles of Guyana. Guyanese will tell you that events during those twenty-three years, of PPP rule, have left scores of families with permanent holes. These are the realities that are so poignantly reflected upon by many families; even as they try to move pass that period of unthinkable atrocities. The PPP, therefore, knows that any attempt to run on its record will, as of automaticity, replay those terrifying images in the minds
of the people. Images that have come to form a large part of their legacy. The party understands that to run on its record means that it would have to confront the ugliness and the brutal images that are steadily tied to those 23 years of PPP rule. Thus, the PPP, and its frontline advocates continue to use their political platform to either evade its record or obfuscate it. The party has refused to forcefully confront those 23 years, for to do so the party would have to start with an honest and open apology to the nation. An apology that is long overdue and an apology that may occasion an opening for the national healing to begin. However, it is clear Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP are unprepared to do so. In fact, there is no inkling of evidence that the PPP might be even remorseful for that “black hole” it has tunneled into Guyana’s history. What PPP hopes, is that the people will just forget about their trauma, just get over it and vote for them! Editor, I write here as someone with a first-person account, as I have been integrally involved in the struggles against these most
brutal acts, which follows the 23 years of PPP rule. The PPP’s record would demand that it apologises for the death squad it allowed to run freely around the country. A squad that unleashed terror and pain on Guyanese. The death squad appeared to have been adopted by the PPP as a crime fighting strategy. It seemed to have been the government’s policy initiative supported and implemented by the decision makers at the highest level. Why do I think this? Remember, then Home Affairs Minister and now deceased, Ronald Gajraj’s stunning admission in the parliament. The Home Affairs Minister ’s comments convinced everyone that the government appeared to have been aiding and abetting the operations of a death squad in the country. I was right there, in the National Assembly when Minister Gajraj pompously admitted to the nation that he was in communication with the death squad. His reasoning was that they were helping
him to solve crime. Gajraj spoke with confidence. I believe, however, that the only reason the admission was done publicly was because Gajraj’s phone records obtained. Those records showed that he was in constant communication with known members of the death/phantom squad. I recall my colleague, now deceased Deborah Backer M.P, leading the charge to pressure Gajraj to respond to questions on the functioning of a death squad. Gajraj’s admission of knowledge and apparent government’s approval of the death squad was a most devastating moment for me. It was unbelievable and surreal. While I had my suspicion about who was behind these wanton killings, it was difficult for me to hear the government actually admit knowledge of its cooperation with the squad. This reality has left a gaping hole inside of me. I value life, so the slaughter of innocent people was already taking its effects on me.
A few weeks ago, while campaigning around Georgetown, I ran into mothers and entire communities still in pain and grief. Many of my interactions commenced with their unsolicited reflection and condemnation of the death squad. For instance, while campaigning in Georgetown a few weeks ago, I met a mother who still carries her son’s photograph in her purse every day. As she spoke of her son, I recognised that her grief was still fresh. Editor, it would be remiss of me to end this letter without referencing the assassination of Courtney Crum Ewing. On March 10, 2015, Ewing’s bullet riddled body was found at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme. Ewing was a regular one-man protestor in front of then, Attorney General, Anil Nandlall’s office. I pray for the healing to begin. Sincerely Lurlene Nestor
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Sunday February 02, 2020
Kaieteur News
Rusal tells GRA auditors to “leave or we leave”
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uditors of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) who descended on bauxite operations of Rusal/Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI), a few months ago, were told to leave or the company will shut operations. The startling disclosure was made Friday by Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia during a press conference. The Russian-controlled company is under fire, for the umpteenth time, for not only its labour practices but for taxes and other issues. A few months ago, questions were raised over possible abuse of duty free concessions on fuel and dividends paid to the Government of Guyana. GRA decided to act. It sent in a team to the company’s operations in the
Commissioner-General, Godfrey Statia Upper Berbice, Region Ten area. Asked if there is an ongoing issue between GRA and the company, the Commissioner-General did not mince words on Friday. “There is always an ongoing issue but anytime you go to a taxpayer, he believes he is being targeted. When I sent my guys, when they went down to do the audit, (Rusal) told them that if they don’t stop, they will close shop. And I can say that without fear.” The tax chief also made it clear that there appears to be some level of non-compliance
A few pieces of the equipment that Rusal brought out a few months ago, parked at a New Amsterdam location. It is unclear what happened to the equipment. by Rusal/BCGI. The company also would have acknowledged that it owed. “Furthermore, emanating from certain parts of the audit, we decided that because we are under discussions with the lawyers and so forth, until these things are reconciled, then they can pay what they think they owe. They said ok.” The fact that the bauxite company agreed to pay meant they there was noncompliance, Statia pointed out. “Also they said they would pay at a particular time
and we had the exemptions letter waiting on them. But they didn’t bring in the cheque so we are still waiting on them.” Rusal since coming here in the 2000s was granted a slew of benefits. These include tax holidays and duty free concessions on fuel and equipment. They took over operations that were considered a going concern…with workers and electricity, among other things. Since then, Rusal has been sacking workers in breach of labour laws, the
workers’ union has claimed. In 2009, more than 50 of them were fired. That matter is still not settled. Last year, 90 workers were sent home for demanding better conditions and pay. Workers blocked the Berbice River then to stop Rusal vessels from moving the bauxite. While that matter was resolved after a month-long standoff, one year later- last month- the company again took what was described as an unlawful decision to send home 142 workers. The action sparked another standoff and
blocking of the river. The Department of Labour is paying close attention to the matter and attempting to seek a compromise. The Cabinet is also being briefed. Rusal is one of several companies in the extractive industry that is under the microscope. The Russian company has also been blocked from shipping out its equipment. Last week, workers took photos of several pieces, including trucks, which were taken from barge, from the Kurubuka area, to New Amsterdam, Berbice.
Sunday February 02, 2020
E’bo miller in police custody for issuing over $10M in ‘bounce cheques’
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prominent rice miller on the Essequibo Coast is in police custody, after he was accused of committing fraud to the tune of over $10M. The miller, Wazir Hussein, has issued over $31M in bounced cheque to prominent miller and farmer Roopan Ramotar. According to Ramotar, last November, he credited some 464.4 tons of cargo rice to Mr. Hussein. The credited rice is believed to have valued some $31 million. Ramotar said that Hussein showed no interest in paying up. He said that he constantly pressured him to pay and was recently handed a
cheque for $10M. Ramotar said that when he took the cheque to the bank, it bounced since Hussein’s account had insufficient funds. The businessman tried to contact the miller after the cheque rebounded, but said that all efforts were in vain. Ramotar said that he took the cheque to the Anna Regina Police Station, and the miller was later arrested. Knowingly issuing a false cheque is considered an act of fraud and is punishable by law. This publication understands that apart from Ramotar, a number of other farmers have had similar experiences when dealing with Hussein. Based on reports, the
miller has a notorious reputation for owing rice farmers for paddy credited. Some farmers have been issued bounced cheques in the past, but never reported the matter. Over the past few years, Wazir has been implicated in a number of troubling stories. In November 2018, he was hauled before the courts after obstructing access to an aerodrome on the Essequibo Coast. The man was required to answer ten charges in the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court. Months prior, Wazir was hauled in by the Special Organised Crime Unit [SOCU] over linkages to questionable payments relating to the Venezuela rice-oil-deal.
Dem boys seh...
De leaders of Guyana encouraging eye pass For years now, de Waterfalls boss man telling people dat de last thing anybody should want is to have a farriner come and insult de people who live in dis country. Dat use to happen in de colonial days. De farriner use to talk to de local people like if dem was less than people. Dat change. When some people talk even dem own use to tell dem to have respect fuh de farriner. No matter if dem wrong or right, dem couldn’t talk back to de farriner. Puppy does tun daag. De people of dis country become dem own boss. Dat is why dem boys get vex when some Russians decide to believe dat dem is de boss. Dem come to Guyana and get millions in concession wha Guyanese never get.
Nuff of dem farriners get BaiShanLin, Omai, Troy, Aurora, ATN—de GTT boss— Rusal, Barama, Wong On. Now dem got all dem oil company—from Exxon right down; dem contractors and subcontractors—all of dem getting duty free and tax waivers. Dem get concession and tax waivers pon dem underwear dat dem bring to wear. When de tax people decide to visit Aroaima, up de Berbice River, to see if de GRA was really getting kak because dem hear how Rusal use to get duty free concession pon fuel and after a while, the company became de biggest fuel dealer in dat part of de world. Imagine how dem boys get vex when Rusal tell de tax people to lef de place or Rusal gon pack up and lef. Rusal got to lef. People seh dem rob
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Kaieteur News
Guyana enough and is time fuh dem to go, anyhow. But is de eye pass. Dem come in people house and want to put out people. Soulja Bai should already call a plane to ship all of dem out de country. But dem boys believe Rusal bluffing bout leaving because bees don’t run and lef honey. Dem rob dis country. Dem hide and report less bauxite than dem ship out.And de leaders silent and don’t ever think dem stupid. Dem encouraging de eye pass and dem want de people believe dem stupid. But just watch wha deh in dem pocket especially dem shaat ones. Is two things does mek a man keep he hand in he pocket . Is either to keep down de money or to scratch his nuts.
“Blame game” between suspects in custody for cattle rearer’s death As investigators begin to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the execution of cattle rearer Parmanand Lakram, called “Bachan”, 40 of Lot 52 Number 68 Village, Upper Corentyne, Berbice, two more suspects were arrested yesterday. A motorcycle reportedly used by them was retrieved. Senior police sources have since revealed that after intense grilling of the main suspect that was arrested shortly after the incident, police were led to the two other men. The latter two led police to the location of the motorcycle. However, Kaieteur News was told that the said motorcycle belonged to Lakram but “he would normally leave it parked with the keys in on the street where he resided at 68 Village”. It was from there the men reportedly took the motorcycle and ventured into the 67 Village backdam where Lakram was with his two workers.But while police continue to question the men in custody, the two who were arrested yesterday are now playing a “blame game” over “who did what and who planned what”. Commander Calvin Brutus assured that his ranks
-motorcycle, spent shells recovered are working assiduously to garner the details of what took place.He also disclosed that they have thus far confirmed that a 9 mm pistol was used to kill Lakram. Seven spent shells were also recovered from the scene.Parmanand Lakram was riddled with bullets by two men on a motorcycle Friday morning at the Number 67 Village backdam. He along with two workers had reportedly ventured to the location in his modified minibus to untie and load unbranded cows grazing, police said. Relatives had however said he visited the area to work the pumps. It was shortly after that that the news got out of his execution style killing. His body was pumped with bullets by the perpetrators before they escaped. Lakram’s two workers hid out in the thick vegetation after they heard the gunshots. The cattle rearer before he was shot, identified one of the men. He was found by his workers bracing the left rear tyre of the bus with blood
oozing from the gunshot wounds about his body. Police and one of the dead man’s brothers, Omesh Lakram, arrived at the scene shortly after. Kaieteur News was told by a police source close to the investigation that Lakram was killed because he “would normally take unbranded cows that are not his and brand them as his own”. He was reportedly known to authorities for carrying out such acts. Lakram leaves to mourn his four children, including one with special needs along with his wife and parents.
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Sunday February 02, 2020
Kaieteur News
Shocking details of death of man, 74, only now revealed in 2014 Medical Council report -private hospital, doctors ordered to settle matter with family -patient’s colon perforated accidentally; glaring breaches found
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s concerns continue to mount over the operations of a number of private hospitals, one particular case has glaringly exposed breaches, one of which led to the death of Edward Subryan, a grandfather, 74. The report of the Medical Council of Guyana which has been kept secret, until it was leaked, has blasted two prominent doctors, questioning the standards and quality of health-care they offer. The private hospital in the city, and the two doctors have been ordered by the Medical Council to settle the matter with the family of the victim. However, since 2014, the family of Edward Subryan has not been able to hear whether actions have been taken as a result of the damning report. Yesterday made it six years since he died in what his family said was a botched surgical medical procedure. This led to complications and his eventual death on February 1, 2014. According to the Medical Council report prepared by then Chair, Dr. Vivienne Mitchell, MBBS, DM, MPH, following the complaint by the family, there was a review of several documents, including from the city hospital, the Post Mortem report, Death Certificate, and responses from three doctors-- two of them are general surgeons. Subryan was admitted to the private hospital on January 21, 2014 with upper
gastrointestinal bleed. “After 11 days of investigations, procedures and treatment, he died with an abdomen full of pus and chest full of blood and clots.” In her summary, Dr. Mitchell said that Subryan underwent a haemorrhoidectomy on January 4, 2014 at another private hospital (name given). He was brought to the private hospital in question on January 21 “with a threeday history of haematemesis and one week history of melaena. His doctors elicited no known comordidities, but his post mortem revealed severe emphysema, severe atherosclerosis and concentric left ventricular hypertrophy.” According to the report, Subryan on admission to the private admission, showed a number of things, including gastric ulcers, but no active bleeding. The next day, during a colonoscopy, the patient’s colon was “inadvertently” perforated. Despite a repair, there was early clinical evidence of sepsis. Over the next few days, the man’s condition deteriorated with suggestions of “overwhelming sepsis”. According to the report, by January 29, there were obvious signs that Subryan had difficulty breathing. A CT guided aspiration saw doctors draining him of almost one litre of pus. “Post mortem performed the following day found one liter of blood and clots in the left thoracic cavity. His
abdominal cavity was found to be filled with pus. His stomach had fecal material.” The cause of death was given as peritonitis, acute pancreatitis, duodenal ulcer and COPD. In her opinion, Dr. Mitchell was harsh. She said that the doctors should have been able to diagnose or at least suspect what the man was suffering from. This would have influenced the clinical management. Shockingly, there was “no documentation by either Dr. X or Dr. Y (both named) of adequate history taking which must include past medical history, social history and review of systems. Further, there is no documented physical examination of all his systems. This is a breach of a basic standard of care taught at the undergraduate level.” The Medical Council report questioned whether the correct tests were conducted. “His colon was perforated by the surgeon. Was there adherence to standard safety practices?” The investigation found no documented evidence of pre-colonoscopy bowel preparation in either the physicians’ or nurses’ notes. “The fact that he showed almost immediate features of sepsis suggested that the surgical repair of the colon was inadequate.” Of major concern was the fact that none of the doctors recognised that there was a critically ill patient who required aggressive intervention and (Continued on page 60)
Died: Edward Subryan 74
Former Chair of the Medica l Council, Dr. Vivienne Mitchell
Sunday February 02, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Sunday February 02, 2020
Sunday February 02, 2020
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Despite enjoying decades of massive profits...
GTT’s parent company now complains about potential loss of revenues ahead of telecoms liberalisation By Kiana Wilburg Even as the government remains actively engaged in discussions with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) about the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, GTT has already taken a defensive approach to its potential loss of revenues through its filings to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and by leveraging other unregulated sources of income outside of its licence. GTT is 80 percent owned by US-based, publicly traded company, Atlantic Tele-Networks Inc. (ATNI). It is led by President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Michael Prior. ATNI has an agreement with the Government of Guyana, signed on June 18, 1990, that allows the company to have the exclusive right over the provision of international voice and data, as then defined in 1990. This agreement also had the option for renewal of the said deal for 20 years. That option was exercised in 2010 by the PPP regime, extending the monopoly until 2030. The current administration has been negotiating with GTT over the past four years for an agreement to end the monopoly. In response, ATNI has expressed worry about the loss of revenue that would result were it to lose this monopoly. Further to this, it has informed the SEC that revenue loss is already taking place due to a decrease in customers’ use of its international long-distance business. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC), which oversees the provision of GTT services under the monopoly agreement, confirms this in its 2018 report, highlighting that there was “a decline in minutes of use of approximately 163 million over the previous year,” partly due to an increase in calls made through internet applications
such as WhatsApp and Skype services. Why this revenue decrease is of significance for ATNI is because, as noted in its 2019 SEC filing, it is dependent on GTT for approximately 23% of its total consolidated revenues. (SEE LINK FOR 2019 FILING –PG 38: https://ir.atni.com/staticfiles/6081d8f2-e5f2-473680b9-5736b3167682). It is also widely believed that ATNI has used these profitable earnings from its Guyana operations to diversify its business outside of Guyana – all while maintaining a substandard quality and level of services in Guyana, in comparison to the rest of the region and to ATNI’s portfolio. Take as a classic example, ATNI’s other subsidiary company, Logic, which is based in the Cayman Islands. Logic offers internet speeds 10 times faster (500 Mbps) than the newly built “Blaze” Fiber network for Guyanese (50 Mbps). (See link for Logic’s Internet Packages: https:// www.logic.ky/residential/ internet/fibre-internet/fiberinternet-packages). Simple calculations also reveal that Guyanese are being charged almost three times more per Mbps when compared to GTT’s Cayman counterpart. In addition to the foregoing, Kaieteur News has learnt via research that ATNI in its 2018 SEC filing said that it
aims to offset its revenue declines by increased revenue that it will get from broadband services (SEE LINK FOR 2018 FILING: https://ir.atni.com/ node/13776/html). This is despite, as reported by this newspaper,
GTT being chastised by the PUC for its inefficiency in upholding its commitments under its monopoly deal, such as its sloth in installing new landlines and in remedying reported faults (SEE ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN
KAIETEUR NEWS ON AUGUST 12, 2018: https:// www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2018/08/12/gtt-complyingwith-order-for-350-newlandlines-every-quarter-puc/ ). The article noted that the number of applications for GTT landlines was over 16,000, with fewer than half in areas that had little or no telephone infrastructure. This meant that GTT did not require capital-intensive infrastructure investments for the majority of applications, yet the company only installed 350 services per quarter - down from the PUC’s initial request of 1,000 installations per quarter. Up to the time of that report, industry analysts told Kaieteur News that this amounts to GTT reducing its commitment under its monopoly agreement for the provision of landline services in order to pursue alternative sources of income, such as internet and Mobile Money Guyana (MMG), which are unregulated by the PUC. This is noteworthy be-
ATNI CEO, Michael Prior cause this essentially enables GTT to determine its own rates without oversight – as evidenced by the permissibility of the almost 60% increase in the lowest price for a basic internet package from $6,599 (DSL) to $10,499, with the introduction of “Blaze.” Stakeholders in the industry were also keen to note that this strategy has enabled GTT and ATNI to keep gross revenues and profits consistent, even while they continue to push for a considerable list of further benefits as part of its liberalisation negotiations. These benefits include additional spectrum allocation and tax benefits, even though the company has an outstanding tax claim to the Guyanese Government, through the Guyana Revenue Authority, of US$44 million.
These benefits are also in addition to existing tax concessions (including duty-free concessions) under the 1990 Purchase Agreement, which this newspaper has seen and noted is comparable to that of a state agency – for a private, overseas-based company. Observers have said that the only silver lining in this situation is that the Guyanese public now has the benefit of hindsight. They opine that this will enable citizens to use the GTT’s monopoly deal’s proven negative impact on the development of the sector, and the loss of revenue and taxes, as a case study to be even more cautious of future, long-term contracts and their potential, devastating consequences on Guyana.
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Kaieteur News
National Park temporarily closed by bee invasion
Sunday February 02, 2020
Guyanese invited to apply for Scholarships for Master’s, Doctoral studies at Trent University
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A section of the National Park The Protected Area Commission (PAC) is warning persons to stay clear of the temporary closed, National Park due to the invasion of bees. According to the Public Relation Officer (PRO) attached to the PAC, Melissa Ramsey, in an interview with
this publication, the decision to close the National Park is to ensure that all patrons and citizens are safe. Kaieteur News understands that since last Wednesday sections of the National Park have been invaded by Africanised bees.
However, the relevant authorities have already been called in and the issue is under control. “The bee experts have already been contacted and they are working to ensure the park is reopened in the shortest time frame possible.
itizens, who are em ployees of Univer sity of Guyana, have good academic standing with a Bachelor’s Degree or Masters Degree, and are willing to sign a contract for service to University of Guyana upon completion of studies, are invited to make their applications for Scholarships for Master’s and Doctoral studies at Trent University. Applicants can pursue fully funded Master’s and Doctoral Programmes at Trent University in the areas of Natural Products, Materials Physics and Chemistry, Indigenous Studies, Sustainable Food and Agriculture, Watershed Ecosystems, and Water Quality. The scholarships are made possible through the collaborative efforts of CGX Energy Inc, Frontera Energy, Trent University and The University of Guyana (UG), the officials of which are excited to be able to support the education of Guyana’s future
leaders in fields crucial for the development of the sustainable sectors of the Guyanese economy. According to the Trent University website, students accepted into the programme will be fully funded for tuition, and will receive stipends for living and travel expenses; their research project costs will be funded; and graduate students will be trained, supervised and mentored by Trent University’s faculty who are internationally recognised experts in their
fields of study. In addition, each student will focus on a research project that brings measurable sustainable benefits to Guyana. Completed applications can be submitted digitally to Alexander Lawrie at alawrie@trentu.ca. Application Deadline for May and September 2020 enrollment is February 15, 2020. Applicants should be aware that their full application shall be shared with both Trent University and the University of Guyana.
Sunday February 02, 2020
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Legality of Bridging Deed in question Details surrounding the inking of a bridging deed in 2016 between Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, and the Stabroek Block oil and gas companies are finally beginning to unfold. Some persons have got their hands on the document that the Government has kept hidden from the Guyanese people for four years. After his perusal of the much sought after Deed, Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram, has come to the conclusion that Trotman did not have the authority the Deed proffers he did to ground it in the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act. The Deed even bears an ‘Invalidity’ clause which appears to strike at the very heart of the agreement. The clause states ‘If a provision of this Deed is found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, then to the extent it is illegal, invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be given no effect and will be treated as though it were not included in this Deed, but the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of
10 of the Act gives him the “supernatural” power to revive a “dead” agreement, as there is no mention in the Section of a Deed. Ram noted that the Minister is granted the power to enter into an agreement “not inconsistent with the Act” i.e. the four specified matters. Ram’s argument would not just strike at the heart of the Deed, but it would call
Christopher Ram this Deed will not be affected.” If Ram’s statement in his Stabroek News column is correct, then this clause in the Deed would logically infer that the entire document is not legal, as its very existence is purportedly grounded in a section of the law that makes no mention it. The Deed seeks to ground itself in Section 10 of the Act. The Deed states, “Pursuant to Section 10 of the Act, the Minister has entered into this Deed together with the Contractor parties to set out the process whereby the 1999 Li-
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman cense and the 1999 Petroleum Agreement will be replaced by a new petroleum prospecting license and petroleum agreement in respect of the Contract Area.” But Ram had noted that the Section specifies four matters as grounds for entering into agreements, namely the granting of a license, the conditions attaching thereto, the procedure to be followed in exercising any discretion granted to him under the Act and any matter incidental thereto. He said that Trotman should explain how Section
Conductor, who drank poison after stabbing Bank Teller to neck, dies Twenty-four-year old Clifton Richmond, called “Steve”, the minibus conductor who on Thursday ingested a poisonous substance and jumped in the Demerara River after stabbing his reputed wife to her neck Thursday evening, has died. Richmond was at the Diamond Diagnostics Centre under police guard for the stabbing. The stabbing occurred in the compound of the Elim Christian Fellowship Church located at Timehri Public Road, East Bank Demerara sometime after 21:00 hours. The injured woman was identified as 22-year-old Bank Teller; Sheria Khalil called “Sherry”, of Lot 25 Timehri Public Road, East Bank Demerara. According to information reaching Kaieteur News, Khalil and the suspect shared a common law relationship and lived together with her parents. Kaieteur News was informed that Khalil and the suspect had made arrangements to meet at her place of work, Republic Bank’s Water Street branch at 19:30 hours. However, when he showed up, the woman was nowhere to be found. Richmond was said to have returned home and waited for her to arrive. At around 21:15 hours, Khalil arrived home, disembarked a bus and her husband went out to the public road to
Sheria Khalil and Clifton Richmond in happier
Clifton Richmond
meet her. The two engaged in conversation but this conversation turned sour and quickly developed into an argument. Kaieteur News understands that Richmond lifted
his reputed wife up and ran with her to the nearby church yard. Shortly after, family members heard her ear-piercing screams and rushed to the location. They found (Continued on page 60)
into question the validity of the Stabroek license currently in force. It has also been pointed out by the Transparency International Guyana Institute (TIGI) that the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) is illegal on the grounds that its award to Exxon and partners was not in keeping with the Procurement Act. Government has shown no interest
in rectifying this. Activist Ramon Gaskin is going after the license too, as he believes that several of its provisions are in contravention with the law. He is preparing to file a lawsuit, calling for the contract to face a judicial review. The government and the oil companies have been written to, with a request for several documents.
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Kaieteur News
Seven Ministers among those failing to declare assets to Integrity Commission Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, is listed at the top of names of Members of Parliament who are yet to de-
clare their assets to the Integrity Commission. The Commission released a new list of defaulting officials on Friday. The
list publicised via the Official Gazette noted that as of January 24, 2020 over seventyfour persons in public life failed to submit their declara-
Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland tion for the period July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019. In addition to Williams, the list included Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, Minister of Social Cohesion With Responsibilities For Youth Culture and Sports George Norton; Minister of Public Service Tabitha Sarrabo- Haley; Minister of Communities Annette Ferguson; Minister within the Ministry of Presidency with the responsibility for Youth, Simona Broomes; and Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibility for Rural Affairs, Valerie Adams-Yearwood. Former MPs Jennifer Wade, Rajcoomarie Bancroft, John Adams, Richard Allen, Mervyn Williams, Michael Carrington, Jermaine Figueira, Audwin Rutherford, Barbara Patricia Pilgrim, Donna
Attorney General Basil Williams
Mathoo, Reynard Ward and Dr. Rupert Roopnarine are also named. Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland and Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, were also named. The list also includes a number of employees from various Government agencies and Ministries. To this end, the Integrity Commission named Central Housing and Planning Authority, (CH&PA) Chief Executive Officer, Lelon Saul, Ministry of Public Health, Permanent Secretary Collette Adams. For the Ministry of Agriculture, Chief Technical Officer George Jervis; Head of the Agricultural Project Cycle Unit Cecil Seepersaud; Chief Fisheries Officer Denzil Roberts; Former Principal Assistant Secretary Andrea
Bancroft. In the Ministry of Business, Dawn Holder-Cush, Director of the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission.For Ministry of Communities, Emil McGarrell – Permanent Secretary; Naeem Khan Coordinator Engineering Service; Surendra Khayyam- Principal Regional Development Officer; Denise Hodge – legal officer, Susan Bullen Legal Officer; Danielle CampbellLowe – Public Relations Officer; Eugene Gilbert Technical Coordinator. The publication of names comes weeks after the Integrity Commission reported that it is unable publish and gazette the names of public officers who are delinquent in filing their declarations owing to financial constraints.Chairman of (Continued on page 62)
Sunday February 02, 2020
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Kaieteur Block holds estimate of 2.1 billion oil equivalent resources - First prospect to be drilled this year
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he Kaieteur Block which spans 13,500 km2 and holds a gross estimated prospective resource of 2.1 billion barrels for nine prospects will see its first target being drilled in the first quarter of this year. This was confirmed during the 2019 fourth quarter earnings call for Hess Corporation. Specifically making this known was Hess' Chief Operating Officer (COO), Greg Hill, who noted that the first well to be drilled is called Tanager. Back in May 2019, a Competent Person's Report (CPR) on the Kaieteur Block, was carried out by Netherland, Sewell & Associates Inc. (NSAI)
which provided estimates of the unrisked prospective oil resources in nine prospects located on the 5,750 km2 3D seismic survey acquired in the southern part of the Kaieteur Block in 2017. The NSAI report describes Tanager as a stacked reservoir prospect (Maastrichtian to Turonian reservoir intervals) and assigns a 'Best Estimate' Unrisked Gross (100%) Prospective Oil Resource of 256.2 million barrels of oil. It was further noted that the target has a 72 percent chance of being successful. The Kaieteur Block was awarded in early 2015 to Cateleya Energy Corporation (CEC) (formerly Ratio Energy Limited) and Ratio Guyana
Limited, a subsidiary of Ratio Petroleum Energy Limited Partnership headquartered in Israel (Ratio Petroleum). Subsequent to the Upper Cretaceous play-opening at the Liza-One discovery in May 2015, a farm-in agreement executed with ExxonMobil along with various other arrangements saw the effective date of the Kaieteur Petroleum Agreement being amended to February 2017. The Kaieteur Block is currently operated by an ExxonMobil subsidiary, Esso Production & Exploration Guyana Limited, with CEL, Ratio Guyana Limited and a subsidiary of Hess Corporation as partners.
Map showing the location of the Kaieteur Block offshore Guyana
Kaieteur News
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Sunday February 02, 2020
NICIL help ex-sugar workers turn to farming
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ince being forced to part ways with the Wales Sugar Estate, a number of ex-sugar workers have now turned to farming. This development became a reality through efforts tailored by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd. (NICIL). The farmers have expressed appreciation for the support. Former Site Supervisor o f t h e Wa l e s E s t a t e , Haribhajan Persaud, said that there continues to be a “mad rush” for farming
lands. According to him, several former sugar workers, including p r o m i n e n t l a rg e - s c a l e businessmen and foreign investors, are among those seeking lands. He said that unlike several other closed sugar factories, Wales had to take a different approach since it hadn't a factory. According to Persaud, several investors and small farmers have been able to lease lands for agricultural purposes. Some of the small farmers are former employees who are grateful
that they can earn a living through their agricultural investment. “Several persons are already on their lands and while we have not completed distribution, we have already given the lands out as there are far more applications than what is available,” he said. He disclosed that of the 7,943 acres of land that the estate owns, NICIL decided to set aside 1,000 acres for its own cultivation of rice. He disclosed that originally, NICIL had conceptualised doing seed paddy in an effort to collaborate and assist the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). This collaboration has resulted in the five crops of rice already being cultivated
since the last half of 2017. Persaud said that they are pleased to see that several former sugar workers are coming up with various business ideas in agriculture, stressing that they are mainly seeking land for cash crops, passion fruit, citrus and cattle rearing. “Several of the former sugar workers who have secured lands here are into cash crops where they plant mainly passion fruit and citrus, while some are doing cattle rearing as they seek to continue creating employment for themselves. We are pleased with this as the interest continues to grow and we are seeing more and more former sugar workers, who initially were reluctant to secure lands now coming forward to garner lands for various types of agricultural related business,” the Estate Site Supervisor said. He disclosed that some have already harvested, while others are harvesting again as they continue to maximise the lands that once were used for sugar cultivation. He said that the cash crops are being planted on arable lands, which are
Site Supervisor Haribhajan Persaud
fertile lands, while those into cattle rearing are doing this on marginal lands. He said that the marginal lands do not support agriculture but grow mainly pasture grass. Among some of the several former ex-sugar workers who have secured land and have ventured into agriculture are Jaipaul Thakur who is currently into cattle rearing; Owen Phillips - cattle rearing; Mohamed
Rasheed - cattle rearing; Lindon Phoenix - cattle rearing; Harry Ketwaroo mixed crops and Dhanpaul Samaroo, a cash crop farmer. The farmers have each worked for more than 15 years at GUYSUCO. Several of them said that they decided to access the lands as a means of earning an income.They all expressed gratitude to those who helped chart the way for them.
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Sasha Hughes Sasha Hughes-Williams is one of the ravishing quarter finalists in this year's Miss World Guyana Pageant. According to Missosology Guyana, Williams is an honour student pursuing a degree in public relations, advertising, and applied communication, with a minor in social psychology at the Florida international university. She is expected to complete her studies this year.
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Sunday February 02, 2020
Providing answers through scientific analysis…
Forensic Toxicologist, Tomica A. Bacchus, is a 'Special Person' By Sharmain Grainger
W
omen are increasingly becoming more professionally versatile, so much so that they have been infiltrating, with proficiency, jobs that were traditionally dominated by men. In essence, women have been making their mark in the world in just about every faction of society, even as they continue to master the art of being 'super nurturing' beings. Understanding this allencompassing role of the modern woman, is a young woman by the name of Tomica Bacchus. Inspired by a few persons including another woman, her great aunt – Collette Mc Curdy, Tomica decided to take a leap of faith into the science world, which she has been dominating, in keeping with her portfolio to help the judicial system unmask scientific answers in legal investigations. As she thoughtfully reflected on how she made the decision to head down this path during a recent interview, Tomica said, “I wouldn't say it's one person, but mainly my great aunt; she is also a woman in science.” Driven by a passion to be the best she can be possibly be, Tomica has for the past six years, resiliently held
down the post of Forensic To x i c o l o g i s t [ S c i e n c e Officer] at the Guyana Forensics Science Laboratory at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown. With pride, she explained the importance of the professional role she plays at the lab.
“
on to Christ Church Secondary for her induction to secondary instruction. She has many fond memories of her upbringing. Among her favourites would be the days she was allowed to hang with her older cousins, and when she got a chance to “whip something
Surround yourself with people who will aid in you reaching your full potential...you can be anything you desire to be, it just means you have to work hard to make that dream a reality. Stay positive, stay strong, stay ambitious, stay focused and stay fighting.
“It is a critical part of the judicial system; we say what the evidence is or what it is not, which then aids in the legal investigations.” But from whence did this science-driven lass come? EARLY BEGINNINGS Born Tomica Anastacia Bacchus on March 3, 1989, she is the second of three children her mother Yonette Bacchus raised. “I am a town girl,” joked Tomica, as she remembered growing up at Brickdam, Stabroek, in the capital city. As a young girl, her initiation into the education system was at the South Road Nursery School and continued at St. Margaret's Primary, before she moved
”
up in the kitchen”. This by someone who considers herself “a kitchen mechanic”. But even though she could have easily made a full-time career of creating mouth-watering delicacies, Tomica was already inspired enough to embrace the field of science, professionally. In fact, she developed such a love for science, that it helped to open her eyes to the dire need for such professionals in this part of the world. She dreamt of being skilled enough to work in a forensic laboratory one day. EMBRACING SCIENCE Her professional training to become a Science Officer
all started in 2010 at the University of Guyana, where she pursued a Bachelor of Science [BSc] in Medical Technology. She later went on to complete her Master's in Forensic Science at the University of the West Indies' Mona Campus in Jamaica, majoring in Toxicology. As part of her journey to become the professional she is today, Tomica was also exposed to a number of other training programmes offered by various institutions, both locally and internationally. With her training in hand, she was able to land her dream job of working in a forensic laboratory. But she hadn't a clue that this would have become a reality. This is in light of the fact that her M e d i c a l Te c h n o l o g i s t training had landed her a job at a private hospital, where she worked for quite a few years, before she became overtly zealous to pursue Forensic Science as a career. When asked about the requirements of her job at the national forensic lab, Tomica explained, “This entails the testing of biological samples for poisons, drugs of abuse, therapeutic drugs, heavy metals or any chemical to aid in medico-legal investigations.” The qualifications she wields could have made greener pastures especially enticing to her, but according to Tomica, she sees offering
Our 'Special Person' Tomica Bacchus her services here in Guyana as her patriotic duty. “This is home, I love it here, and I want to serve and be a part of the change that we seek,” s a i d To m i c a , a s s h e considered the critical role she plays in the Forensic Lab. Commissioned in 2014, the Forensic Laboratory is a Government of Guyana initiative with a long-term
goal to provide quality laboratory service to support forensic and non-forensic investigations. The facility, moreover, is one that offers forensic analysis on samples related to criminal investigations in the areas of toxicology, questioned documents analysis, trace evidence and chemical analysis and non-forensic (continued on page 53)
With her pride and joy, Tahirah
Some of her sumptuous edible creations
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HONESTY IS A LONELY WORD A
ny political system which has to rely on the integrity of its personnel to ensure its effectiveness is doomed to failure. Integrity and effectiveness are not the same. For centuries, thinkers have philosophised about the ideal political system. The great political philosophers have sought to propose the ideal political state and the manner in which power should be structured and used. They have never sought to offer that the best government is the one which is headed by someone who is honest or has integrity. Integrity and honesty have been treated as personal character traits, part of the virtuous leader, but not an essential requirement of a just political system. Over time, the assumption has been that governments should be subject to a system of checks and balances to ensure that it is not run by corrupt individuals. This is evident today in the United States, where a sitting President is being subjected to an impeachment hearing over allegations that he attempted to use his political office for personal political gain. I m p e a c h m e n t procedures are not moral inquisitions. They are imperfect but practical mechanisms intended to ensure that sitting Presidents understand, whether they are impeached or not, that their actions are subject to oversight, judicial as well as political, and that they will be held accountable for their actions The idea, therefore, that a country's populace must actively seek out honest
leaders, is alien to political theory. The British have their no-confidence motions and the concept of political r e s p o n s i b i l i t y. T h e Americans have their system of checks and balances, including the threat of impeachment. Democratic oversight and checks and balances have, however, failed to curtail the excesses of corruption in high political office. Political corruption, in fact, has thrived in the face of the very systems, which have been put in place to limit. There is therefore a search for new solutions to the problem of political corruption. The solution is not to find the honest leader. Rather, it is to check his or her powers through constitutional and other legal restraints. With the right restraints, it is felt that is possible to tame even a rascal. It has come to pass; however, that politicians have found ways around constitutional restraints. They can simply ignore, bypass or flout them. As such, a second round of solutions emerged. This involves institutions to check, oversee and prosecute public officials. There however is a downside to these watchdog institutions. Who will watch the watchdog? We have seen in countries such as Brazil, where institutions with oversight duties have been used to hound politicians out of office. Therefore, the search for an answer to corruption remains and the answer is to be found in ideology, the ideology of the shrinking government. The idea is that with a smaller government, there will be less corruption to
worry about. With a smaller government, it will be easier to manage corruption. The government, however, is moving in the opposite direction. It is enlarging the state. It is creating more and more bureaucracy, and unnecessary committees and commissions which not only act as a drain on the public purse, but which have been ineffective in fighting corruption. What Guyana needs is smaller government, more technically committed and
less bureaucratic. With bureaucracy comes red tape, and this red tape is used to frustrate people into paying bribes. With a larger role for government comes the need for more contracts to be issued. And with more contracts come corruption. There is a need for a serious downsizing of government. The government has become an albatross around the necks of the people. In order to finance an enlarged government, taxes have to be increased. Taxes have
increased, and this has been taking billions of dollars out of disposable income, which is necessary to stimulate the economy. The bureaucracy is adding further burdens to the population. The government is bloated, and it is bloated with a great host of incompetents, many of whom got their jobs not on merit, but based on connections, while we have bright students who have left school with good passes, being unable to even be granted an interview for a
government. The government needs to be shrunk to reduce corruption. This is the solution to corruption, not honesty and integrity in leadership. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Sunday February 02, 2020
Lies in the OAS contest: sifting the wheat from the chaff By Sir Ronald Sanders
I
f ever there was a time in global politics when governments did not indulge in deliberately and maliciously running smear campaigns against candidates they oppose for international positions, it has now passed. Indeed, powerful countries, that should be able to use their vast diplomatic machinery to argue the merits of candidates they support, are the ones that now employ tactics of character assassination and the use of agents in the media and elsewhere to discredit contenders who they oppose. These agents are either uninformed and gullible; are compensated for their collaboration; or they have benefited from favours in the past and are hoping to be rewarded in the future. In the case of the current campaigning for the post of Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), the larger and more powerful states of the organisation that are anxious to re-elect their ally, Luis Almagro, for the
advancement of a very narrow, ideological political agenda, have pulled out all the stops to revile Maria Fernanda Espinosa, the lone woman in the three-cornered race. To b e c l e a r, t h e Government of Canada, one of the countries that makes the largest contributions to the OAS, is not one of the governments that has stooped to this low level. Two other, large financial contributors – Mexico and Argentina – have joined many Caribbean countries in unequivocally backing Ms. Espinosa. The fear of losing Mr. Almagro, as what the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper recently described in an Editorial, as their “opinionated ideologue”, has driven his backers to new heights of calumny. Previously, the claim was made that, in nominating Ms. Espinosa for the OAS post, the governments of Antigua and Barbuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are operating as surrogates for Cuba and Venezuela. It is worth my repeating that, in nominating Ms. Espinosa, only other CARICOM governments were
consulted. Our governments have an obligation under the C A R I C O M Tr e a t y t o coordinate our foreign policy positions with other CARICOM governments and we do so steadfastly. We would have as much objection to the governments of Cuba and Venezuela trying to dictate to us as we have to any other government attempting to do so. Perhaps the concept of small countries valuing their sovereignty is too difficult for big countries to appreciate. The smearing of Ms. Espinosa has since escalated. The most recent slur is that the Government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) is paying her to seek the OAS job. Hence, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines must be party to this Chinese scheme. The fact that St. Vincent and the Grenadines has diplomatic relations with Taiwan and not the PRC, is an inconvenient reality that is brushed aside by those promoting this false narrative. The other more pertinent fact that is suppressed is that the government of the PRC
is a permanent observer to the OAS, and it contributes financially to the Organisation with no strings attached. None of the OAS member states objects to accepting the PRC's money. Nonetheless, the smearers of Ms. Espinosa's character claim that she received an award from China that had a financial component. The truth is that she received the award from Rehabilitation International, a non-governmental organisation headquartered in New York, that works to empower people with disabilities. She was nominated for the award by several UN Ambassadors for her active work on disabilities while serving as President of the UN General Assembly. This was one of several awards bestowed upon Ms. Espinosa for her work at the UN. As recently as January 30, she was recognised at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, along with Baroness Emma Nicholson, as a woman who has made an international impact. She received an award from the Zions Bank, which has Mormon origins in Salt Lake City. It is left to be seen whether she will now be accused of being an instrument of the Mormon Church of the Latter-day Saints. Another claim directed at Ms.
Espinosa is that her husband, Eduardo Mangas, is “a close advisor” to Daniel Ortega's “anti-democratic” regime in Nicaragua. The facts reveal a different story. Mr. Mangas was a UN official for several years before taking up a one-year appointment in Nicaragua, the country of his birth, in 2009. But, as in all campaigns designed to defame, twisting information to create a false impression is par for the course. In any event, even if Mr. Mangas was an advisor to the Ortega government at one point, what turns on that? Many others have been key advisers to other governments, and those relationships have since ended. Are they and their spouses to be measured eternally by the governments for which they once worked? To be clear, the governments of Antigua and Barbuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, along with heads of government of several other CARICOM countries, were very impressed by Ms. Espinosa's impartial Presidency of the UN General Assembly. They saw in her performance what they desired in the leadership of the OAS. That is, a statesperson working in the interest of all member states, excluding none and constantly building
Sir Ronald Sanders consensus. Maria Fernanda did not advance any ideological position, nor was she once accused of seeking to give an advantage to the agenda of one country or region. In the causes she promoted at the UN, peace and security played a large part, but she did not neglect vulnerable groups, climate change, economic development and human improvement. These latter issues - of great importance to the majority of states - have been shamefully neglected in the OAS. Powerful groups have the resources to smear reputations in their own interest; the weak and the vulnerable should sift the wheat from the chaff. (The writer is Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of To r o n t o . The views expressed are entirely his own.) Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com
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---Hinds’ Sight by Dr. David Hinds---
We tie ourselves up in knots The demise of the Grenada Revolution in 1983 and the subsequent passing of the Cold War by the end of that decade, meant that Radical Left-Wing politics had to undergo significant changes. In the Caribbean, most of the Left retreated into their shells while others went into singleissue politics. The truth is that the postGrenada Caribbean has not been friendly to Radical Politics. Left-Wing progressive political experiments were deemed a colossal failure. The region became more open to a simplistic form of politics in which form matters more than substance. Here in Guyana, all the Coalition’s detractors and almost all the public independent voices have bought into the thesis and narrative that APNU and the APNU+AFC Coalition are nothing more than fronts for the PNC. The message is simple: If you vote for the Coalition, you are voting for the PNC. One understands why the PPP centres that message. After all, for reasons known to all, the PNC is poison to the overwhelming majority of the PPP’s traditional constituency. So, after the migra-
tion of some of its supporters to the AFC at the 2011 and 2015 elections, the PPP is adamant that 2020 would be different. But I am somewhat surprised that independent voices have bought into narrative with such gusto. There is more than a hint of contradiction. On the one hand, they argue that the PNC cannot win a free and fair election. Yet they do not credit the other parties in the Coalition with contributing much to the 2015 victory. The logic is simple. The PNC cannot win an election on its own. The AFC’s votes have gone back to the PPP. The WPA brings no votes. The other parties are insignificant. So, should the Coalition win the upcoming election, it wouldn’t be a fair victory—the Coalition can only win if the elections are rigged. These are the knots in which we tie ourselves. I can understand the strong temptation to believe that the Coalition is the PNC and the PNC is the Coalition. After all, more often than not, the PNC publicly and privately behaves in that way—it feeds the narrative. One often asks why the
PNC leaders don’t see the wisdom in toning down the vibes that give rise to that perception. But then again, the PNC is still in competition with the PPP, so it has to project itself in that way. The truth is that many of these independent voices advocate for coalition politics or forms of shared governance. They also support Third Parties as a way of breaking the monopoly of the two big parties. But the contradiction is so normative that they don’t recognize it. They don’t recognize that the formation of APNU and the evolution of APNU+AFC, have in many regards altered the face of Guyanese politics, even if that has not yet translated into transformation of the soul. One has to go among the people to understand the extent to which some of them identify with APNU and the Coalition. Yet persons are allowing their disappointment with the performance of the APNU+AFC government to cloud their recognition of its positive manifestation. Perhaps it is asking too much for us to go beyond our politics of binaries, of good versus evil.
The Baccoo Speaks The murder rate continues to climb with the discovery of a body on a road. The discovery would be made by a man heading to work. The body would bear marks of violence consistent with a shooting. It will be some time before the police would make an arrest. ** The inexplicable attitude of some adults would always endanger a
attract a child, leading to an electrocution. **
child. How can one explain an exposed electrical connection in the middle of a house? The glittering wire would
A domestic dispute would end in serious consequences. A man on the west side would accuse his wife of infidelity. The denials by the woman would be futile, because the man would proceed to assault and then become increasingly violent to the point of using a knife with deadly consequences.
Political maturity dictates a movement away from zerosum politics. Yet, we create things and are prepared to dispense with them if they do not instantly realize our dreams. We are hesitant to contend with our complexities, resulting in our oversimplification of our reality. President Granger’s announcement this past week that the Coalition has finally embraced Cash Transfers as part of its menu of policies should it win the coming election, has not elicited much recognition of the WPA’s singular role in putting the idea on the table. Had the president announced the Coalition’s rejection of the idea as some expected, the roasting of the WPA would have been the headlines of most of the media. There would have been renewed calls for the WPA to leave the Coalition and commentaries of Walter Rodney’s activity in his grave. The truth is that Cash Transfer is the single most
creative policy proposal that looks out for the interest of the working classes and the poor. And it comes from a socalled non-party in the coalition. I am positing now that if the Coalition wins the election, it would be due in no small way to the promise to empower the poor through the cash transfers. And I am prepared to say now that the opinion-shapers would still say that WPA brought no votes to the victory. Are we doomed forever to over-credit the very thing that we want to eradicate? We over-credit the hegemony of big parties while we proclaim our opposition to that hegemony. The age of radical revolution in the Caribbean has passed for now. It is incumbent for revolutionaries to find new ways of advancing revolutionary ideas and agendas. The WPA put forward the most revolutionary idea of this election cycle. It defended it against the worst
Dr David Hinds forms of cynicism and ignorance in public and behind the scenes. In the end, both the PPP and the Coalition adopted it, with the latter being more forthright. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper) More of Dr. Hinds’ writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his w e b s i t e www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.news. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com
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Sunday February 02, 2020
In a dark Kwakwani room Can you help the police catch Paulette Wade’s killer? By Michael Jordan On the night of October 25, 2018, Paulette Wade’s sixyear-old daughter awoke to find the family’s Kwakwani Park, Region Ten home in darkness. Lying next to her three-year old brother and her mother, the child saw her mom, a 37-year-old midwife, struggling with someone, while crying out what sounded like the name “Delon.” It was too dark for Wade’s daughter to identify the attacker, and so terrified was she, that the child shut her eyes and remained in bed. At around six-thirty the following day, Paulette Wade’s daughter got up and found her mom lying motionless on the bedroom floor. The girl then ran to a neighbour’s house, and, accompanied by a nine-year-old friend, went to the Kwakwani Hospital, some 200 metres away, to tell her mother’s colleagues what she had seen. The hospital staffers re-
The house in which Ms. Wade was slain turned and found that Wade was indeed dead. While there were a few scratches on her body, police did not suspect foul play, and some speculated that the midwife had suffered an epileptic seizure. That suggestion was quickly dispelled a few days later, when a post mortem re-
vealed that someone had struck Paulette Wade on the head and manually strangled her. Police found no sign of forced entry to the house. This seemed to suggest that the midwife had known her killer and had trusted him enough to have let him in at
night.And the intruder seemed to have known his way around the house, since he had apparently switched off all the lights before attacking Wade. But the absence of a clear motive baffled detectives. This was clearly not a robbery, since cash, jewellery and
Murdered in her bedroom: Kwakwani midwife, Paulette Wade other valuables were left untouched. There was also no sign of an attempt at sexual assault. Turning their attention to persons who were close to the victim, they detained the midwife’s reputed husband, who was employed with a mining company. They drew a blank there and released him. Detectives also received information which suggested that the midwife might have been the victim of another woman’s wrath. Persons close to Paulette Wade said that she had seen the photograph of this woman in a phone, and that this woman had sent threats to her. There were suggestions that this woman might have sent someone to injure the midwife. Detectives took the woman into custody, but released her after 72 hours. Still working on the theory that someone was sent to kill Wade, investigators picked up a number of individuals, including some who were named ‘Delon.’ Among them was an indi-
vidual who had reportedly once done work on Wade’s home. With no breakthrough in sight, ranks from the Force’s Major Crimes Unit joined the investigation. However, while the suspects admitted to knowing Wade, they all denied killing her, and the investigators were forced to release them. Meanwhile, some persons are convinced that many Kwakwani residents, including some who had been urging the police to solve the crime speedily, know more than they have said. Police are continuing to appeal to these individuals to contact them, even if they do so anonymously. If you have any information about this case, you can also contact Kaieteur News at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown location. We can be reached on telephone numbers 225-8458, 2258491 or 225-8473. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s : kamarangnight@gmail.com
Sunday February 02, 2020
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Kaieteur News
==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==
President Granger behaves as if he owns Guyana There are things about your country that as a mature citizen you have to know, you must know, and if you don’t, you are essentially lost and you need psychological treatment. Let’s look at two simple facts that almost all Guyanese know. If at Enmore, the East Coast road is blocked for any reason, there will be utter chaos and pathetic sadness. Residents of the East Coast and Region 5 and 6, cannot get to the major hospitals, the airports, the embassies, the commercial banks, all of which are in Georgetown. The second simple fact is if Peter’s Hall is blocked for any reason, the folks who live up the East Bank are cut off from Georgetown. Georgetown is a small city in comparison with a majority of capitals in the world. The majority of essential movements of life in Guyana are located in Georgetown. A huge pileup of vehicles that holds up traffic for hours at Avenue of the Republic and Regent Street will cause nightmarish confusion. From the time the APNU+AFC government came into power, there was an arrogance and insensitivity that may have exceeded what obtained under presidents Jagdeo and Ramotar. From 2015, each time Parliament met, this arrogance and insensitivity to which you can add asininity, was on display.
Large sections of the Stabroek districts were blocked off by the fools that govern us, creating horrific traffic jams that resulted in terrible suffering to drivers and commuters. From 2015 until the parliament lived through its tenure, this nightmare existed. And a nation of sheep allowed this sadistic treatment to go on. We are now in the midst of another form of sadistic mistreatment of the Guyanese nation, and a nation of sheep suffers in humiliation. Go to major shopping complex in this country and see the expensive vehicles and the designer clothes, and the owners are happy to be treated as sheep. I am referring to the attitude of President Granger. I make no apologies for saying Granger’s deportment smacks of monarchial tendencies. I find Granger to be the most arrogant president since Independence - from Burnham to Hoyte to Cheddi and Janet Jagan to Sam Hinds, Jagdeo and Ramotar. I further make no apologies for saying that I see no heroic contribution from David Granger that would make him think that he has space in Guyana for harbouring monarchial inclinations. Granger is far removed from any comparison with Critchlow, Burnham, Jagan, Walter Rodney. Why then this king-like behaviour?
Countless Guyanese have complained to me that Granger is over-overbearing and cruel when he and his entourage are travelling around Guyana. People told me large sections of Georgetown and entire villages are cordoned off during his visits. Please see my column of Thursday, October 10, 2019, captioned “Kamarang visit: Jagan compared with Granger.” I described what happened in Kamarang during Granger’s visit. These are unacceptable things that a nation should not condone from its president. Employees at the airport told me that when Granger’s plane lands and takes off, it is as if the area is under emergency lockdown. An airport official told me his memory goes back to the days of Burnham, and no president behaved like this. On Thursday, I saw Granger’s monarchial habits in full flow. I left the National Park with my dog to get a type of cat milk that only one place in Guyana sells –Mattai’s Supermarket on Water Street. What I encountered angered me. I would urge people to speak up. Imagine if this man has five more years in power. Granger hosted the annual police officers’ conference at his official residence. Large parts of the following streets were blocked off – Quamina, Middle, New Market, Carmichael, Waterloo and
Main. I had to go back to Camp Street, take the seawall road, and turn into Water Street by Marriott Hotel in order to reach Mattai’s. The places affected were Woodlands Hospital, Bishops’ High School and the restaurant patronized by the diplomatic community, Oasis Café. Optometrist David Singh described for me what happened last Sunday. His son’s vehicle caught fire during his drive in one of the races at the circuit. While the ambulance was coming down the East Bank Highway, Mr.
Granger was returning to Georgetown. The outriders refused to let the ambulance pass. On Friday morning I met the injured young man with his wife in the National Park. He said they just would not let the ambulance through. His wife was angry when she spoke to me. She said when they posted on Facebook up what the outriders did, she received several responses from people describing similar situations with Granger’s entourage. I don’t want the PPP back, but Mr. Granger is not the
Frederick Kissoon right choice for president. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
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Sunday February 02, 2020
Our country is now stable and safe, and will remain so with this government
E
very time Guyana holds National and Regional elections, a new government is sworn in, whether it is made up of members of the incumbent party or another. Either way, it is considered a new gov-
ernment. The advancement of Guyana’s security and prosperity is of utmost importance to us. This APNU+AFC government has started this country down that road, and with the electorate’s vote next
month, we will continue to clean up the institutions and messy political situations we found in 2015. We will continue to implement new programmes, build new infrastructure, donate/ present computers to our chil-
dren to prepare them and their parents for the brave new world of high technology. With heavy investments in Education, Guyana is on its way back to the top tier of the CXC where we used to be before 2000. The PPP has continued to demonstrate an appalling ignorance of its country’s history, but this is not the forum for a lesson on the PPP’s reliance on our pre-independence legacy of social divisions, bitterness and distrust. Guyana is now entering its future with a brand new legacy, and we urge all citizens to keep your eyes on the prize. This Coalition Government is more determined than ever to strengthen our national pride through unity among communities. No division of any kind will do Guyana any good, and we are very certain that none of our foreign partners in trade, or in diplomacy, is advocating for this nation to lose the momentum we have gained. They all have a vested interest in seeing Guyana peaceful, stable and prosperous; in seeing our citizens and their business interests safe from piracy, banditry, governmental and institutional corruption. They want what we want, to see us unite to fight our common enemy like Venezuela which has been hell bent on stealing three-quarters of Guyana’s land – the entire Essequibo region – and all of our Exclusive Maritime Economic Zone where
the undersea oil fields are located, and where a number of internationally renowned oil and gas producers have brought up first oil. We must, in all situations keep the proceeds from OUR resources, our oil, gold, diamonds, and forests for our people. Guyana stands on the threshold of wealth, possibly greatness, but the PPP’s constant harping is robbing us of the excitement we all should be feeling, that anticipation of great things coming to us. They are confusing you, and distracting you, preventing you from concentrating on the new businesses you should be preparing for. While the government is doing its job to protect the income from all our natural resources in order to distribute it evenly among the entire population from Region One (Barima-Waini) to Region 10 (Upper Demerara – Upper Berbice) where even more natural resources like bauxite and kaolin are in bountiful supply), you have to grab the new job opportunities and openings for new business. You cannot allow yourself to be distracted or you can lose those opportunities to expatriates who want them badly. This land is your land, so step up! Our foreign partners are aware that the Guyana economy is developing. They have participated in the crafting of Guyana’s long-term sustainable development plans and the Green State
Development Strategy: Vision 2040, as well as the Guyana Natural Resources Fund and other new legislation to make sure that our oil resources are prudently managed. They have witnessed Guyana’s efforts to change our financial/ banking systems in adherence to the global anti-money laundering and financing of terrorism requirements. Our country is now stable and safe, and it will remain so once the Coalition Government is allowed to continue our transformation. A point to note – every promise that the PPP is making in their election campaign is mirroring the Coalition’s programmes already in place. We notice that they are promising to re-open the same sugar estates they had run bankrupt and had put up for divestment in 2010. They are promising to reduce the same 16% Value Added Tax they had imposed. The Coalition Government has since reduced it to 14% with a further reduction to come. The PPP is promising everything that they failed to deliver in the 23 years when they ruled this nation. It’s too little, too late. Guyana is moving up with programmes already in place for you and your children when you elect APNU+AFC as the new government for the 2020-2025 term. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Sunday February 02, 2020
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Kaieteur News
My column
A maddening, bloated voters’ list The elections are a month away. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is putting out a Final Voters’ List that would be severely bloated. There will be the names of dead people, many of whom would have died since 2001.I know at least five people whose names are on that list who have since died. Four of them are my relatives and the other was my friend, Dr Frank Beckles. In fact, I know many more, when I stop to recall my other friends who have died over the past three years.This bloated list has come about because the High Court has ruled that no name should be extracted from the list unless someone produces a death certificate. About six thousand Guyanese die each year, the majority from natural causes. The others died on the roads, were murdered, or died by misadventure such as a mining pit caving in or drowning. When I first spoke about the list in the run-up to the local government elections, I was told that there is no natural liaison between GECOM and the office of the Registrar General. I had expected that once a death certificate was provided, then naturally, the information would have been forwarded to GECOM. This is not the case. There was a period of claims and objections, but the scrutineers missed so many names that I wonder whether the exercise was worth the time and the money. I understand that the list stands at over six hundred thousand. That is about 88 per cent of the population of voters, an impossibility when one considers the demographics. For starters, about 66 percent of the population is below the age of 35. Then we have those who are below the age of eighteen, a significant portion of that Under-35 population. Senior citizens make up about twenty per cent of the population. There has been migration. Over the past two decades more than 100,000 people have left the country legally for North America. Indeed, many of these can return to vote, but most wouldn’t, either because they simply cannot afford to or because they cannot be granted leave from their place of employment. When the votes are counted I doubt whether the numbers would be higher than 375,000, about 55 percent of the number on the voters’ list. Of course, there was supposed to be continuous registration that would have made the list as clean as possible. GECOM did find cases of multiple registrations by an individual, but nothing hap-
pened. Today, some people have as many as three identification cards, with different variations of their names. There are those who got married, so on the list they would be recorded with their maiden names as well as their matrimonial names. Some would have regularized their status. But many would not have taken the time to do so. That might explain the large number of identification cards still in the possession of GECOM. The house-to-house registration would have put paid to many irregularities, but from the start, the political opposition was opposed to this exercise. In the end, some 300,000 persons were re-registered. Then came the problem with having the newly registered added to the list. Among them would have been people who would have changed addresses. To its credit, GECOM did manage to find the duplications, but that was not enough. The result is that this promises to be the most confusing of elections. There are those who believe that the ink used at the places of poll is really indelible. Enterprising people have been known to remove the ink from their fingers. And these people do not worry about the criminal consequences of being caught voting more than once. I have seen the campaigns and I have seen the social media posts. Strangely, no one has commented on the size of the list and the potential for voter fraud. There are reports of people being paid to commit voter fraud. And outside of the polling booths there have been other attempts at fraud. For the past few elections there have been frauds inside GECOM. After the 1997 elections it transpired that the statements of poll signed by the various polling agents were replaced by other unsigned statements. This came out in court and in the end the elections were vitiated. After the 2015 elections there were attempts to smuggle fake statements of poll into GECOM. Officials know who attempted to smuggle in the fake statements of poll, but to this day
they have not disclosed the name of the individual. There were recounts of some ballot boxes, as though the people who manned them could not count a few slips of paper sitting together in a group and sharing the information on each ballot. When the final results were declared, the Chairman of the commission was accused of rigging the elections. I would never understand how he could, when people representing all the political parties were there for the final count.He chose to demit office. The people who
campaigned against him have since moved to the courts, but that matter is still pending. I remember the diplomats representing the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union, all asked that modifications be made to the electoral process. One of them said that the new government might feel that five years is a long time. There have been no modifications and the five years have all but passed. The idea was that the count from the polling places would have been declared as they come in. That would
have provided for a speedy declaration of the results and would have negated any post-election tampering. This time around it is back to the same thing. To its credit, GECOM did disengage the main computer from online, because there were reports of people breaking into it in elections past and tampering with the figures. By removing the computer, GECOM actually safeguarded itself, but incurred the ire of some people. That computer remains offline but the myriad problems remain, not least among
Adam Harris them the maddening, bloated voters’ list. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
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Sunday February 02, 2020
Kaieteur News
WE VALUE OUR WOMEN
T
he APNU+AFC condemns in the strongest possible terms the despicable and disgusting comments made recently by former PPP General Secretary and Minister of Home Affairs while on his party’s platform. These sentiments, our Coalition feels, illuminate the speaker’s very contemptible thoughts and feelings about the women in our country and the role he believes they should play. The former PPP leader and government minister, further accents this distastefulness by invoking very similarly appalling but well denounced comments of US President
Donald Trump, as if this grants him the licence to debase the women of Guyana in this manner. APNU+AFC is aware of the attempts to characterise this degradation as a joke, but wish to strongly contend that any situation which seeks to cast aspersions on the contributions and progress made by the great women of this nation must be taken seriously and met with the contempt it deserves. Lest they all be stained by this inexcusable conduct, APNU+AFC calls on People’s Progressive Party Presidential candidate Mr. Irfaan Ali and all of their members to publicly disavow these comments
and reject out of hand, the type of behaviour that seeks to relegate the women of Guyana to positions of disrepute and dishonour. Women are the custodians of the fundamental values that sustain families, and are critical for success in generating social wealth and creating an environment of peace, justice, security and stability. APNU+AFC recognises, supports and celebrates women’s leadership participation and contribution to society; eleven cabinet ministers in the David Granger-led administration are women. However, the economic and political gap between
men and women is still too wide. Women and girls, despite a few remarkable exceptions, are being left behind and are still relatively disadvantaged APNU+AFC aims, in the first instance, at designing, along with its social and political partners, a national policy aimed at ensuring that there is, equality of women in politics and society; eradication of extreme poverty; enhancement of employment opportunities; elimination of violence against women and enhanced access to education, especially in the sciences and technology. APNU+AFC will continue to legislate and implement policies and programmes aimed at making Guyana a more equal society. Equality for women is essential if everyone is to benefit from this country’s bountiful resources. Women have made some significant strides over the past four decades, and there is now, much more awareness of women’s rights. There is, however, still a long way to go for women to achieve full equality. The gap in economic, political and social achievement between men and women is still too wide. Our Coalition is committed to eradicating extreme poverty. A major obstacle to equality is the prevalence and persistence of poverty. Poverty impacts significantly on the wellbeing of mothers and ba-
bies across the country. The burden of poverty and the task of running impoverished households fall disproportionately on women. The sole breadwinners of households in many instances are women. These burdens must be lightened if there are to be happy families and happy households. Women must be provided with greater opportunities if they are to escape from poverty. APNU+AFC is already working on various measures to assist women to lift their families out of poverty. We will continue to encourage greater entrepreneurship by women. Micro-credit and access to small business loans can have a positive impact on poor households headed by women. It can increase their incomes and improve their quality of life. Violence against women must be eliminated. Men have been abusing and killing their wives and partners with frightening frequency. The elderly, children and men have also been victims of abuse. Domestic violence “ physical or psychological abuse “ is becoming more pervasive. It does not respect race, religion, culture or class, and has penetrated every corner of the country and every stratum of society. We have operationalised the family court; given special training to our police. The judiciary and magistracy continue to receive special train-
ing on the detection and consequences of domestic violence on the family and the society at large, and the necessity for expedited determination of these cases. An APNU+AFC government will continue improving girls’ access to primary and secondary schools. Women have made their mark in education and, through education, have made their mark on society. Increased access to education by girls has been a step towards greater equality. Women have narrowed the educational gap. They have made considerable strides because of access to education and because of their performance in education. Your government wants to magnify these successes, particularly for disadvantaged women. We are keen on ensuring that those women who have not benefitted from a formal education, who dropped out of school or for some other reason did not complete their schooling, can have access to remedial programmes that focus on numeracy, literacy and matriculation. This access will allow them to improve their situation and enjoy employment opportunities. We will also actively encourage women to enter technical professions such as architecture, agriculture and engineering, in which women are under-represented. Over the next five years we will pursue policies and implement measures aimed collectively at ensuring that we have more happy families and happy households. As we pursue these policies and measures, let us bear in mind that the struggle for equality is a national one. Let us join hands with our sisters in all ten regions to promote greater equality for women. Finally, we of the coalition APNU+AFC want to reassure the great women of this country of our support, appreciation and profound gratitude for the way they have served this nation and contributed to our collective wellbeing. In that regard, we pledge to continue to build on the strides we have made in the advancement of the cause of women and girls in Guyana, and are confident that the team we have comprised to let this progress continue are more than equal to the task. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper).
Sunday February 02, 2020
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Kaieteur News
The Real Facts about Cholesterol By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Cholesterol is a substance that is found in the blood. Everyone has some. It is needed for good health. The problem is, people sometimes have too much cholesterol.Compared with people with normal cholesterol, people with high cholesterol have a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other health problems. Cholesterol blocks our blood vessels over time and slowly increases our risks of getting one of these conditions. I had written about cholesterol before, but persons still think that high cholesterol is the cause of some of their symptoms. I must emphasize again that high cholesterol is not known to cause symptoms; it causes medical conditions over time that may cause symptoms, but not the high cholesterol by itself. ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHOLESTEROL? Yes, there are a few different types. If you get a cholesterol test, you might hear your doctor talk about: Total cholesterol - Your total cholesterol level is the overall amount of cholesterol found in your blood. It consists of: low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and triglycerides – LDL cholesterol – Some
people call this the “bad” cholesterol. That’s because having high LDL levels raises your risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other health problems. – HDL cholesterol – Some people call this the “good” cholesterol. That’s because people with high HDL levels tend to have a lower risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other health problems. – Triglycerides – Triglycerides are not cholesterol. They are another type of fat. But they often get measured when cholesterol is measured. Having high triglycerides also seems to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. WHAT SHOULD MY NUMBERS BE? Ask your doctor what your numbers should be. Different people need different goals. In general, people who do not already have heart disease should aim for: – Total cholesterol below 200– LDL cholesterol below 130 – or much lower, if they are at risk of heart attacks or strokes – HDL cholesterol above 60 – Triglycerides below 150 Keep in mind, though, that many people who cannot meet these goals still have a low risk of heart attacks and strokes. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY DOCTOR TELLS ME I HAVE HIGH CHOLESTEROL?
Ask your doctor what your overall risk of heart attacks and strokes is. High cholesterol, by itself, is not always a reason to worry. Having high cholesterol is just one of many things that can increase your risk of heart attacks and strokes. Other factors that increase your risk include: - Cigarette smoking – High blood pressure – Having a parent, sister, or brother who got heart disease at a young age – Young, in this case, means younger than 55 for men and younger than 65 for women. – A diet that is not heart healthy – A “heart-healthy” diet includes lots of fruits and vegetables, fibre, and healthy fats (like those found in fish and certain oils). It also means limiting sugar and unhealthy fats. – Older age If you are at high risk of heart attacks and strokes, having high cholesterol is a problem. On the other hand, if you are at low risk, having high cholesterol might not lead to treatment. SHOULD I TAKE MEDICINE TO LOWER CHOLESTEROL? Not everyone who has high cholesterol needs medicines. Your doctor will decide if you need them depending on your age, family history, and other health concerns. You should probably take a cholesterol-lowering medicine called a statin if you:
– Already had a heart attack or stroke – Have known heart disease – Have diabetes – Have a condition called peripheral artery disease, which makes it painful to walk, and happens when the arteries in your legs get clogged with fatty deposits – Have an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is a widening of the main artery in the belly Most people with any of the conditions listed above should take a statin no matter what their cholesterol level is. If your doctor puts you on a statin, stay on it. The medi-
cine might not make you feel any different, but it can help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and death. CAN I LOWER MY CHOLESTEROL WITHOUT MEDICINES? Yes, you can lower your cholesterol some by: – Avoiding red meat, butter, fried foods, cheese, and other foods that have a lot of saturated fat – Losing weight (if you are overweight) – Being more active Even if these steps do little to change your cholesterol, they can improve your health in many ways. Now that you are more aware about choles-
Dr. Zulfikar Bux terol, the next time you or someone get a headache, feel dizzy, feel weak or have any other symptom, please do not say it’s your high cholesterol. It is definitely not your cholesterol, get checked out to find the real cause of your complaint.
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Sunday February 02, 2020
Kaieteur News
SUNDAY GREENIDGE DISPLAYED MOST RESISTANCE TO DISCLOSURE OF EXXONMOBIL CONTRACT AND US$18M SIGNING BONUS During his time as the President’s Advisor on Petroleum, Dr. Jan Mangal, said he strived to ensure the principles of transparency and accountability were part and parcel of every government decision. But this was easier said than done. Not only did he have to deal with the reluctance of some Ministers to act swiftly on critical petroleum issues, but in other instances, Dr. Mangal said he faced resistance to his proposals to disclose key information to the nation. During an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News, recently, Dr. Mangal said that former Foreign Affairs Minister and now Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge, was resistant to proposals for the disclosure of the ExxonMobil contract, which also involved the revelation of the US$18M signing bonus. The Petroleum Consultant said, “He seemed very much against releasing the contract with ExxonMobil for the Stabroek Block. “He was against providing the contract to the Guyanese people, the very people who own the oil. Not releasing the contract also meant not telling the Guyanese people about the signing bonus, which I knew had to be disclosed.” Further to this, the former Presidential Advisor said that former Minister Greenidge, of all the Ministers, showed the most resistance to the renegotiation of the lopsided deal. Dr. Mangal said, “I was pushing for a rebalancing of the contract so Guyana could get a fair share, but former Minister Greenidge and Sir Shridath Ramphal were completely against it. “(Greenidge) was extremely annoyed by the thought of renegotiation.” The Petroleum Consultant was also keen to remind how former Minister Greenidge and others claimed that “everything had to be kept secret” as a result of the controversy that arose from Venezuela’s spurious claims over Guyana’s territorial waters. US$200M OIL AND GAS SHORE BASE… STANLEY MING’S JOINT VENTURE PARTNER UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR CORRUPTION IN ANGOLA Philanthropist and motor
Philanthropist and Motor racing fanatic, Stanley Ming racing fanatic, Stanley Ming, envisions establishing a state-of-the-art shore base at Parika, East Bank Essequibo. It is projected to create hundreds of jobs for his Guyanese brothers and sisters. But he cannot accomplish this on his own. While Ming has the land, he does not have the money hence his partnership with InterOil Group Limited, a company that is based in the United Kingdom. His joint venture partner has an extensive global presence. It has businesses in Dubai, Uganda, Cyprus, Malta and Angola. Impressed with the firm’s global reach, Ming and his UK partner subsequently created and incorporated in April 2019, InterOil Guyana followed by the registration of ISIKA Shore base Inc. which will design and build the US$200M East Bank Essequibo shore base this year. Independent research by Kaieteur News reveals however that this company Ming is in bed with one of many being investigated for corruption in Angola. InterOil is one of several companies which worked with Angola’s highly mismanaged state-owned oil company, Sonangol. President José Eduardo dos Santos administration, Kaieteur News understands, allegedly stole billions of dollars on a yearly basis from Sonangol. In fact, the former President had appointed his daughter, Isabel dos Santos, as Chairwoman of Sonangol in 2016. With her father’s connections and control over the state resources, Isabel became the richest woman in Africa. Now that Angola is under new leadership, State prosecutors are going after the Angolan princess. They have since laid fraud-related charges against Isabel for mismanaging and embezzling funds during her 18-month stint as Chair of Sonangol. Angola’s state oil
Businessman Stanley Ming showing the location of the shore base (News Room photograph) company had contained US$57M in its account and by the time Isabel was done with it, only US$309 remained. The current government is now pleading for international support to recover the stolen revenue while simultaneously investigating all the companies that have worked with Sonangol. Famish RUSALTHREATENS TO REMOVE ESSENTIAL SERVICES; WORKERS REFUSE TO UNBLOCK RIVER – UNION SAYS IT HAS LOST CONFIDENCE IN LABOUR MINISTER Bauxite workers in the Upper Berbice area have refused to unblock the river despite being told by the Russian management that fuel is running low. Saturday, management of RUSAL/ Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI) met with workers telling them there is only enough fuel to last for three or four days. After that the water and power supply to both Kurubuka and Aroaima will be cut. The management wants the workers to remove the barricade across the Berbice River so that it can send vessels, reportedly loaded with bauxite, out for fuel. However, the workers are not buying that. They want the company to engage directly with their union…the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) and labour officials and not with them. There is a current standoff between the company and workers after 142 employees were sent home mid-last week because of a fuel shortage, the company claimed. RUSAL/BCGI claimed that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has not green-lighted its duty fuel concessions and as such, it
has to reduce operations. The layoffs triggered a standoff, with workers blocking the river, which is used to transport bauxite. Saturday, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, said that the matter is being handled by the Labour Department with Government paying close attention. The union also Saturday flayed Minister of Labour, Keith Scott, in which he is described as having a meeting with the company and the union to iron out the difficulties. According to the union, it is unaware that the unions met with Scott on the matter. “Reference the release by Department of Public information (DPI) captioned, “Labour Department working to have Rusal workers reinstated” (24th January 2020) circulated widely in various media, the public is hereby advised the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU) has had no such meeting with Minister Keith Scott and is dumbfounded at this deceptive claim clearly attributed to the Minister in the DPI release.” The union in its statement, said other persons were at a meeting, not Scott though. MONDAY “I NEVER RESISTED DISCLOSURE OF EXXONMOBIL’S CONTRACT AND US$18M SIGNING BONUS – CARL GREENIDGE Foreign Secretary Carl Greenidge is vehemently denying recent allegations made by former Presidential Advisor on Petroleum, Dr. Jan Mangal, that he resisted the disclosure of the ExxonMobil contract as well as government’s acceptance of an US$18M signing bonus. During an interview
Sunday with Kaieteur News, Greenidge said that Dr. Mangal’s claims in this regard can be best described as “utter fabrications” which are clearly defamatory and intended to damage the Government. The former Minister of Foreign Affairs said, “…When Mangal speaks on issues of transparency, you would think he spoke to God himself. But let me tell you, the impression that Mangal and I were frequently locked in some battle or other over his proposals is rather foolish, because we have only spoken to each other on two occasions in the course of the four or so meetings at which I was aware of his presence.” Greenidge further said that he never saw any proposal from Dr. Mangal about the disclosure of the contract or the signing bonus. “So this claim that I was the most resistant, nothing could be further from the truth,” the Foreign Secretary added. Further to this, Greenidge said that he was not Dr. Mangal’s policy Minister and was never asked by either President David Granger or Mangal’s immediate subject Minister, Mr Raphael Trotman, to comment on Mangal’s written work. The Foreign Secretary said, “It is therefore astonishing that he would have the temerity to suggest that his failure to persuade his Minister/President or the Cabinet of the wisdom of ‘all’ his proposals is wholly attributable to me or my office.” Greenidge said that the attempt to use him as a scapegoat is clearly a “barely disguised political attack on the Government.” Additionally, Greenidge stated that he is not the first object of Dr. Mangal’s ire, adding that the former
Presidential Advisor has sought to vilify in the same “intensively personal and self-righteous fashion,” not only Minister Trotman, in whose policy realm he operated, but also Sir Shridath Ramphal and Mr Rashleigh Jackson whose remits are entirely foreign policy and law. GUYANA COULD LOSE US$5 BILLION FOR PAYING EXXON’S TAXES FROM LIZA 1 & 2 ALONE …Greenidge and Trotman should explain – Former Presidential Advisor Government’s refusal to renegotiate the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for the Stabroek Block, could see Guyana losing US$5B from Liza – Phases One and Two alone, because of the permanent tax holiday granted to ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess and CNOOC. Government officials who staunchly refu s e d t o renegotiate should explain why this should happen. That is the insistence of former petroleum advisor to the President, Dr. Jan Mangal. During his time in that capacity, Dr. Mangal had staunchly advocated for the agreement to be renegotiated to get Guyana better terms. Several sections of society have criticised the deal as being lopsided and unfair to the State. One facet of the contract that has been identified as a cause of major revenue loss for the State is the tax holiday, which Government decided to grant ExxonMobil. The agreement doesn’t just waive a series of taxes. But Government intends to give tax certificates to the companies, ensuring that they’re not taxed in their home countries. Taxation tends to be a (Continued on page 33)
Sunday February 02, 2020
From page 32 major source of income for oil producing States. Dr. Mangal said, by some estimates, that Guyana could lose US$5B. When asked to demonstrate how he arrived at the US$5B figure, Dr. Mangal indicated that a simple economic model was developed at the Inter American Development Bank for Liza phase 1. He said that he performed an extrapolation to include Liza phase 2. That money, the Consultant insists, could be spent on so many projects that could improve the lives of ordinary Guyanese people, such as better salaries for teachers and nurses, the building of schools and hospitals, reliable water supplies and electricity plants, better roads and even railway systems. Many of these are promises Dr. Mangal noted Granger has made, in his bid to give people ‘the good life’. “Why are Guyanese taxpayers paying Exxon’s taxes?” That is a question the Consultant believes certain officials should be held accountable to answer, namely Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; former Foreign Affairs Minister turned Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Advisor, Sir Shridath Ramphal. Dr. Mangal said that they should explain why they believe Exxon should be the beneficiary of that money, instead of the people of Guyana. COMPANY OPERATING GUYANA’S SECOND LARGEST OIL BLOCK FINED BILLIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL INFRACTIONS Anadarko is one of the better endowed oil and gas
companies operating in Guyana, when it comes to the sheer acreage granted to those companies. While ExxonMobil has a 45 percent stake in the 26,800 sq. km Stabroek Block, Anadarko operates the Roraima Block, at 19,828 sq. km, all on its own. In 2019, the company was acquired by Occidental Petroleum Corporation. The acquisition came, not just with Anadarko’s assets, but with its sordid record of environmental and safety infractions. The fines levied against the company now amount to billions. In April 2010, the United States Exclusive Economic Zone of the Gulf of Mexico became the scene of one of the worst environmental and safety infractions of the Petroleum industry. The Maconda Prospect, located in the zone, was the site of a massive explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig. Although the prospect was BP operated, Anadarko held a 25 percent stake and was held liable as well. During the explosion, natural gas travelled up the rig to the platform, killing 11 workers. Several were also left several injured. The explosion caused an oil well fire, and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Considered to be the largest oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry, it is estimated by the US government that 4.9M barrels of oil was spilt in the Gulf of Mexico. The effect of the disaster on the environment and several industries was tragic. The oil formed a slick extending over thousands of square miles of the Gulf. In 2011, Anadarko decided to pay US$4B to BP to cover victims’ claims and cleanup costs, according to Reuters.
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Kaieteur News
The US Government went after Anadarko, seeking a fine above US$1B, and Anadarko said that no fine was justified, according to Reuters. In 2015, a federal judge ordered Anadarko to pay a US$159.5M civil fine reflecting its stake in the well, far less than the Government sought. That’s not all. TUESDAY GUYANASHOULD NOT ALLOW OIL COMPANIES TO RECOVER INTERESTS AND OTHER FINANCING COSTS – IMF Even though Guyana has Production Sharing Agreements (PSA) which allow oil companies to recover the interest garnered on loans, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is saying there is no economic logic for allowing this. It has therefore advised the Government to prohibit oil companies from recovering the interests and other financing costs. The IMF even went further to state that the nation’s production sharing framework should explicitly state that this is not allowed. The financial institution said that this would be an important step for Guyana as it would be closing a potential loophole for inflated costs via inter-company financing. According to the Stabroek and Orinduik Production Sharing Agreements (PSA), Guyana has allowed loans taken by the companies to be considered eligible recoverable costs, regardless of the interest rates. In the eyes of University of Houston Instructor, Tom Mitro, this arrangement leaves Guyana open to the
Fireboats battling the Deepwater Horizon blaze after the rig’s explosion in 2010 (Reuters/Landov) abusive use of debt by the operators, since Guyana is essentially standing all the costs. During an exclusive interview, Mitro had said, “The treatment of loan interest varies by country and situation. Countries like the USA that have only an income tax on oil and no production-sharing do allow tax deductions for interest on debt of oil companies. However, countries like the U.K., Angola and Nigeria that have royalty and special petroleum tax regimes, do not allow tax deductions for interest costs of oil companies.” The Petroleum Consultant had added, “This is due partly to the fact that these governments offer certain investment tax incentives already, such as tax credits or special allowances, and they view interest on tax deductions as unnecessary or duplicative. In some PSAs they do allow interest as part
of cost recovery, but that is no longer a common practice. If it is allowed, it is vital to establish strict rules that prevent potential abuse.” Mitro had said that most common is setting a maximum debt to equity ratio that effectively limits the borrowing to no more than 60-70% of the capital costs. Also, Mitro said that these regimes may limit the repayment period of the local computations so that interest isn’t excessive. STABROEK BLOCK ESTIMATES MOVED TO 8 BILLION OILEQUIVALENT BARRELS ExxonMobil has revised its reserve estimate for the Stabroek Block to more than 8 billion oil-equivalent barrels. Not 8 billion barrels of oil. The term ‘oil-equivalent’ includes the quantity of oil as well as the quantity of gas in the quoted estimate. The company still has not made public the proportion of oil to gas in most of its discoveries, despite calls for it to do so. ExxonMobil had previously stated 6 billion oilequivalent barrels as its estimate for the 15 discoveries it made on the Stabroek Block before the year started. Further appraisals gave the company the data it needed to make a more informed estimation of the reserves. “With recent high-quality finds at Tripletail and Mako contributing to our recoverable resources, our investments will continue to provide benefits for the people of Guyana,” Senior Vice President of Exploration and New Ventures, Mike Cousins, is quoted as saying, in an ExxonMobil press statement. Meanwhile, ExxonMobil announced a 16th discovery in the Block, called Uaru. It is the first discovery of 2020,
and is not included in the revised estimate. ExxonMobil said that in that discovery, it encountered approximately 94 feet (29 metres) of high-quality oilbearing sandstone reservoir. The well, drilled in 6,342 feet (1,933 metres) of water, is located approximately 10 miles (16 kilometres) northeast of the Liza field, which began producing oil in December 2019. Hess Chief Executive Officer, John Hess, said “We are pleased to have another significant oil discovery on the Stabroek Block at Uaru. Previous discoveries on the block including recent high quality finds at Tripletail and Mako underpin a significant increase in estimated gross discovered recoverable resources for current and future developments. We also continue to see multibillion barrels of additional exploration potential remaining.” WEDNESDAY GOV’T SHOULD PUBLISH ITS ECONOMIC MODEL FOR STABROEK BLOCK PROJECTS – DR. MANGAL Former Presidential Advisor on Petroleum, Dr. Jan Mangal, is urging that Government release its economic model for Stabroek Block projects for public scrutiny. The Oil & Gas Consultant made the comment pursuant to a discussion about how an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) model for Liza – Phase One, and a subsequent extrapolation to include Liza – Phase 2, led him to conclude that Guyana could lose US$5B in revenue, because the Government granted a permanent tax holiday to ExxonMobil and its partners (Continued on page 41)
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Sunday February 02, 2020
Foreign Policy in CARICOM:
pursuing national development benefits By Elizabeth Morgan
K
INGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – The recent visit of US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, put the spotlight on US/CARICOM relations and CARICOM countries' continuing foreign policy dilemma of balancing their relationship with global and regional powers to gain national development
benefits and influence amid hegemonic competition. Before WW II, the colonial British West Indian territories were largely shielded from US influence. The US focused on Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Central and South America. A legacy of distrust lingers. Greater US influence in the Anglo-phone Caribbean came in the post-war period. F o l l o w i n g independence, the US
became a major investor and trading partner. Independent Commonwealth Caribbean countries were generally aligned with the western powers and their ideology, and were supporters of multilateralism in the United Nations system. The Soviet Union and its socialist ideology were viewed with apprehension. The Organization of American States (OAS) was established in 1948 with
hemispheric security as one of its key objectives. British Guiana's Cheddi Jagan would be an early victim of suspicions of socialism. By 1960, the Soviet Union had a foothold in Castro's Cuba. Forms of socialism were appearing more attractive to various regional leaders as a pathway to equitable development. By the early 1970s, administrations in Guyana, Jamaica and
elsewhere, supporting nonalignment, were strengthening diplomatic and economic relations with Cuba, the Soviet Bloc and the People's Republic of China. Cold War tensions brewed within the region. CARICOM was formed in 1973 and the founders anticipated that strength in unity would aid in building mutually beneficial relationships with the global powers including the European Community which Britain had joined. National positions, h o w e v e r, w o u l d l e a d CARICOM countries to be seen as more closely aligned with one side or the other. By the end of the 1980s, US hegemony, in the Grenada aftermath, saw the offer of trade and economic cooperation through the Caribbean Basin Initiative. The period 1989-1991 was a landmark period in which the Soviet Bloc disintegrated and the Cold War ended. Alliances began to shift. US Presidents, with doubtful success, sought to strengthen relations in the hemisphere with the Enterprise for Americas Initiative, the Summit of the Americas, the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and the Caribbean Third Border Initiative. The US' Caribbean policy would primarily focus on security and immigration. By 2005, the socialist People's Republic of China had emerged as a trade and economic power. Their reputation as a more flexible development partner spread among developing countries including those in the Caribbean, though some countries still recognized Taiwan. BRICS, the alliance of emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), signalled a possible alternative to traditional development partners. Jamaica, for example, had new embassies in China, South Africa and Brazil. With rising oil prices and economic concerns, Venezuela instituted the PetroCaribe cooperation agreement providing concessions for energy supplies to interested CARICOM countries. Within Latin America and the Caribbean, Luis Lula da Silva of Brazil and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela were the regional leaders encouraging Latin America
and the Caribbean unity. The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), including Cuba, was founded in 2010. Countries in CARICOM were strengthening relations in Latin America and with China. Post 2010, a lot has changed. Lula and Chavez are off the scene. Brazilian growth has waned; Venezuela is in crisis; and South Africa is yet to realize its potential. In the global economy, protectionism in trade and the impact of climate change are growing concerns. The US and others are troubled by China's influence in the developing countries. Under President Donald Trump, tension has mounted between the US and China. In this scenario, current CARICOM administrations want to retain their relationship with both. They also want to maintain their relationship with the EU through the ACP. A new agreement is being negotiated to unite the Caribbean and EU in a treaty-bound partnership of equals. The UK is leaving the EU to chart its own course in the world, eyeing a Commonwealth alliance. Russia remains a force with aspirations. Once again, CARICOM countries, as mainly small island developing states seeking national development benefits, find themselves facing a world order in transition. They want to maintain their 'friendly' relationship with major global and regional powers competing for influence, while themselves remaining unscathed. This manoeuvre requires diplomatic agility and s t r a t e g i c c r e a t i v i t y, especially in the multilateral arena. The self-interest approach, indeed, could also be squandering regional advantages. CARICOM Members must be certain that they are coming to terms with the complexities of the world as it now exists and considering the future. (Elizabeth Morgan, who writes for CMC, is a specialist in international trade policy and international politics. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Sunday February 02, 2020
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The Russians don't know how resilient and fired up we are
T
here's doubt RUSAL, the R u s s i a n management of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI) cares how Guyanese, more so the workers employed at this company and the residents living within the four surrounding communities, see them. Management has taken the gamble that with some political support in our politically fractured environment, it is enough for them to run roughshod over Guyanese in pursuit of their national interest. They are ignoring the singular most indomitable thing, regardless of political and ethnic divide, that binds us together. They don't understand that deep within our bones lies hatred for oppression and domination, and in our soul resides a boiling passion to confront atrocities wherever or whenever they exist, and stand up to whoever think they could commit same on us. They ignore the fact that almost all Guyanese can identify with this history. It is a history where ancestors crossed the Bering Strait by their own volition and chose to settle here, but fiercely resisted attempts to enslave them by those who came as 'discoverers;' another, the Middle Passage in chains but never accepting a subhuman status, evident in the acts of rebellions waged against the enslavers; and still another, courted to come on the promise of a better life but retaliated against the poor conditions of work and standard of living. They ignore that notwithstanding the racial clashes of the 1960s, such did not stop our collective quest and fight for political independence or the embrace of Guyana's two premier leaders when that
day dawned on 26th May 1966. They haven't lived our experiences and won't understand when I say Guyanese workers of BCGI are fired up! If they think they have licked them down, better than them have tried, for centuries, and failed. Such is the legacy we carry with pride and are prepared to defend, at any time! Yo u s e e , t h e management can't understand why after 10 years of workers' battling them to respect basic human rights, persons have not grown tired or weak. They are confounded why Willie Lynch's tactic of divide and conquer, or having a man go hungry would make him live on his knees, is not working. Neither can they understand why our backs aren't stooped but remain ramrod; why we stare them back and speak to them as equals. They will never understand, because they didn't think it worthy to seek to understand and respect the workers and communities' culture (our lived e x p e r i e n c e s ) characteristics of smart businesses and good corporate citizens. Last Friday, Sis. Coretta McDonald, President of the Guyana Trades Union Congress, some others and I paid a visit to Aroaima. This was my second for the week. Tuesday and Wednesday, Leslie Gonsalves, President of the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers' Union (GB&GWU) was there. These visits are to engage with the workers and residents of the four communities in finding resolution to the impasse. Bauxite workers are fired up! The communities of HuruHuru, Landerville, Kwakwani and Lamp Island are fired up! They are of the view the intervention by the Government last year came as a result of them standing
as one and refusing to relent, until it was recognised they too are citizens of Guyana with rights and freedoms guaranteed in our laws. And whereas all are conscious that almost for a year, efforts to negotiate with RUSAL have been met with bad faith, and the Department of Labour's refusal to exhaust the Grievance Procedure is lending tacit support, they remain undeterred, for justice must be served and they are prepared to hunker down for the long haul. All are aware ours is a history where nothing was gifted but everything fought for, and some things take longer. The view is also held that it is time Government look for an alternative to RUSAL. T h e a f f e c t e d communities do not hold dissimilar views, for they too have been treated with contempt. Residents are of the view that BCGI has not been a good corporate citizen. For instance, the amenities they enjoyed under Reynolds and Alcoa have been denied. BCGI is also selling electricity to businesses in MapleTown, which is part of Aroaima, equivalent to the charges of GPL, though it has no license to sell. The community of HuruHuru - an Amerindian Mission - whose residents are farmers and loggers, find that to bring their logs to the waterfront using the road, a toll has to be paid to the Russians, who also determine when they can or cannot use the road. These people have created a state within a state. It is not known whether the Coalition is aware of these inherited situations, but an investigation ought to be conducted with the aim at corrective actions. BCGI has laid off 288 workers (142 on 23rd January and remainder on
30th). These acts violate Section 12 of the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act. First, they sought to deceive, saying government did not grant permission for the importation of duty-free fuel. The next deception was the Berbice River is blocked and the barge cannot go for the fuel and take to the power plant. The barge was always outside the blocked area, and the blockade never interrupted fuel getting to the plant. GB&GWU is on record as saying that the timing of the recent unprovoked conflict is suspect - it is not accident, but strategic, in light of the nation facing General and Regional
Elections in a few weeks ,which could create social upheavals and/or influence the results. It is being reiterated - the Government of Guyana, from the inception of this impasse (10 years ago) always had the support of the people to do what is right. What the people are asking is: 'Does our government support us in taking a stand against the relentless attack on our sovereignty and birthright? Persons are travelling from as far as Kwakwani and Lamp Island, 12 and 13 miles away, to Landerville, where the workers and residents are congregating and camped out. In our eyes, the Russians' conduct is not unlike those
before that tried and thought they'd be allowed to disrespect us, or Ve n e z u e l a n s w h o t e l l themselves part of Guyana is theirs. Guyanese will band together against any foreign force that seeks to threaten our inalienable rights and the sovereignty of this nation our forebears fought for and bequeathed us. And no internal force(s) colluding to create a tenuous environment for self-serving end, will break the back or dampen the spirit of the unconquerable! (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
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Sunday February 02, 2020
Sunday February 02, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
THE
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Sunday February 02, 2020
STORY WITHIN THE
This is nothing else but “eye-pass”! By Leonard Gildarie
W
e are in the month of F e b r u a r y. General and Regional Elections are a mere month a w a y. D o w e r e a l l y understand how crucial the elections are? At this time, aside from the many public meetings and rallies being held, there are two things happening, which to my mind will continue to reverberate beyond the elections. Oil and Rusal. Yes, Rusal. F r a n k l y, R u s a l ’s behavior is tantamount to a foreign country invading us and daring the army to do something, while it blatantly occupies a piece a land, and plant and mine on it, taking away the produce and gold without giving us what is rightfully due. We have to revisit how Rusal came before we even begin to understand what is happening here. In the 2000s, the then administration of the P e o p l e ’s P r o g r e s s i v e Party/Civic was left holding onto the bauxite companies in Region 10 after investors left. For a while, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), a state-owned company which manages assets of the people of Guyana, was left running the operations at Aroaima and Kwakwani. Rusal, a Russian-owned bauxite company that is also one of the biggest of its kind in the world, was wooed, and they came. From what I am told, the company was supposed to invest and run the operations. It must be stressed, based on what the union disclosed, that Rusal’s entrance was to an operation that was a going concern. It not only took over the plants, but homes for workers, and even a majestic Queenstown property, a temporary home to former president Bharrat Jagdeo, as its city headquarters. In essence, Rusal was given a jumpstart, a sweetheart deal if you will. To help it along, the then government granted waivers
on its fuel, tax breaks and even duty free concessions for equipment, like heavy duty trucks and excavators. In 2009, a few years after starting operations, and with excess of 300 employees, Rusal clashed with workers, firing over 50 of them for downing tools in demand for better conditions. Among the workers were supervisors and union representatives. The union and workers and civil society protested the labour ministry and other places in an attempt to put the spotlight on the plight of the workers. All to no avail. It appeared Rusal was being protected. Throughout it all, Rusal at times refused to turn up at meetings with labour officials. One year ago, 90-plus workers were fired for taking strike action. For one month, Guyana was riveted as workers, in defiance, blocked the Berbice River, and camped out at the Aroaima area, refusing orders from the Russian management to remove. The situation forced the labour and other officials, including two ministers, to visit the area. A peace was brokered with the commitment to deal with issues of wages and other conditions. In January of this year, one year later, the company is at it again. It sent home 142 workers and again angry workers blocked the river. Recently again, another large batch was told their services are terminated. The company’s excuse this time is that the Guyana Revenue Authority has blocked their duty-free fuel. Government denied the claims and Rusal said it is willing to take back the workers once they unblock the Berbice River, which is used to transport the mined bauxite ore. O n F r i d a y , Commissioner-General of the GRA, Godfrey Statia, made a startling revelation. He said he sent in auditors and the company threatened to close shop unless the auditors leave. Are we for real? As we speak, Rusal has dismantled and removed a number of
Leonard Gildarie heavy duty equipment to New Amsterdam, with the apparent intention to ship them out. This would be highly unacceptable, as the equipment came here dutyfree. We must collect our taxes, and in any case Rusal must make clear its true intentions. We are calling their bluff. It has been revealed that since coming here more than a dozen years ago, Rusal has not paid the Government of Guyana any dividends for the 10 percent stake that we have in the company. Rather, shockingly, it claimed it is making no profits. The reality was that Rusal was selling to one of its sister companies, and there were suspicions that the price was deliberately kept low. W e h a v e n o confirmation, as there appears to be no interest on the part of Guyana. Throughout its stay here, Rusal has continuously shipped out bauxite by the boatloads. It has refused time and again to attend meetings with the labour department and the union. Throughout it all, it has been working. Let me say this…no company in the world operates for more than a decade without making a profit. It is either they “proppa like Guyana” or we are being robbed. It is no secret that Rusal has a sordid history, in Africa and other places, when it comes to labour relations. Which brings us to the other point… why were our regulators sitting on their hands? We have labour, the tax man, and of course, the s h a r e h o l d e r s ’ representative…the NICIL. We also have a board member sitting on the local company. Somehow, all three entities failed in their duties. The conclusions are troubling. Were the regulators deliberately not doing their jobs because of bribes or were there other reasons? It is inconceivable that (continued on page 56)
Sunday February 02, 2020
From page 33 for their operations on the Stabroek Block. That is just one of the aspects of the contract pinpointed by commentators as unfair and lopsided. Public discourse has been rife with questions about what Guyana will get from oil production in the Block, since the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) governing those operations has been repeatedly criticised as lopsided and unfair. Public commentators have, like Dr. Mangal, projected that Guyana could lose billions – not just from the tax holiday granted to ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC, but from several sections of the contract. Governments, in their perusal of economic projects, usually produce economic models to determine the risks and benefits associated with those projects. Dr. Mangal said that he advocated for Government to develop a model when he served as the President’s advisor, as he is adamant that it is critical to have. Government has not been very forthcoming in responding to all of the contentions with the numerous aspects of the contract which have been pointed out as financially detrimental to Guyana’s success in the very lucrative global petroleum industry. Yet, it gave ExxonMobil the approval for Liza – Phase One and the operator has already started producing oil there. Government has also approved Liza – Phase Two. ExxonMobil intends to start production there in 2022. ExxonMobil has applied for approval for a third field development, Payara. That awaits a review by Government and a Consultant, which Government has indicated it needs, to hold its hand through the process. EXXONMOBIL SHOULD COME CLEAN ON GUYANA’S GAS – TIGI DIRECTOR ExxonMobil should come clean with the Guyanese people, and tell them what they need to know about the contents of the material discoveries it has made offshore Guyana. That is the insistence of Director of the Transparency International Guyana Institute (TIGI), Turhan Doerga. Doerga and TIGI’s first Vice President, Fred Collins, appeared on an edition of the Kaieteur Radio show, Petroleum 101, last Monday night. During that programme, the Institute’s leaders
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discussed transparency in the petroleum sector, against the backdrop of ExxonMobil’s continued withholding of details about Guyana’s hydrocarbon content, particularly the natural gas. ExxonMobil has announced 16 discoveries on the Stabroek Block, so far. The company’s most recent disclosure indicates that it estimates there are eight billion oil-equivalent barrels in 15 of those discoveries. The 16th discovery is not yet factored into the estimate. The term ‘oil-equivalent’ accounts for oil as well as gas content. Exxon’s public disclosures do not disaggregate. Kaieteur News posed the question to ExxonMobil’s local Government and Public Affairs Advisor, Janelle Persaud, late last year. On several occasions, she said that the company was still analysing its finds. During Monday’s radio show, Doerga said, “You cannot tell me that you don’t know or that you’re still analysing. We need more data. They need to come clean with us. This is our country.” He said that ExxonMobil has to make a decision now to move away from the trends it has established for other countries in which it has operated, around the world. “Let us be honest; let us be open. It is the people’s oil,” Doerga said. Suriname’s experience with a discovery made by Apache and Total in Block 58, made earlier this year, shows that the gas content can be estimated just days later. Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, appearing on a Kaieteur Radio show, Guyana’s Oil & You, told the listening public that the Liza1 field is estimated to contain one trillion cubic feet of natural gas. He had disclosed that he was also aware of the gas content in Liza – Phases One and Two. However, ExxonMobil had already announced 15 discoveries at the time of his statement. Kaieteur News is aware that ExxonMobil’s 11th discovery called Haimara, made in early 2019, is a gas condensate reservoir. Furthermore, ExxonMobil’s public disclosures about the Pluma well seem to indicate that it may be a gas reservoir as well. These discoveries open up a new area for development. POLICE DOG SNIFFS OUT FAKE ASSAULT RIFLE USED IN ROBBERY SPREE – THREE SUSPECTS HELD A police dog Tuesday
sniffed out a fake assault rifle that detectives believe three men used in a spate of brazen robberies on the West Bank and West Coast Demerara. Police sources said that investigators Tuesday located the ‘firearm’, buried in a La Grange, West Bank Demerara yard. Police have detained two suspects who reside at the property, along with a third man who resides at Crane, West Coast Demerara. Police sources said that video footage gleaned from the areas where the robberies occurred, as well as eyewitnesses, led investigators to the suspects. Footage gleaned from security cameras at the scenes of the robberies showed the bandits brandishing what appeared to be an assault rifle. Police have linked the trio to a robbery at the Papi Restaurant and Bar located at Lot 81 New Road, Vreed-enHoop, West Coast Demerara on January 15, 2020. Kaieteur News had reported that four masked men, including two with hand guns, one with a ‘long gun’ and another with a knife carted off over $1.8M in cash, gold jewellery and electronics during the attack. It is alleged the gang placed their victims face down on the floor. The lone female, Alistra Francipio of Lot 7 Bella Dam, West Bank Demerara who was sitting on a chair, was punched and kicked. The proprietor was also assaulted. The robbers reportedly escaped in a silver grey vehicle. Police said that the same gang has been implicated in a robbery at Parika, Essequibo, on January 3, and another robbery at a Vriesland, West Bank Demerara location on January 19, last.
approximately $3.5 billion or 21% below the sanctioned estimate.” The official was keen to remind that on December 20, 2019, Guyana would have commenced oil production from the Liza Phase One project. He said that this development is less than five years after the discovery of hydrocarbons and wellhead of the industry average for deepwater developments. GUYANAPRODUCING “APPROX. 75,000 BARRELS” OF OIL PER DAY – TO REACH FULL CAPACITY IN THE COMING MONTHS
THURSDAY LIZA PHASE ONE COST NOW STANDS AT US$3.5 BILLION The development cost for the Liza Phase One Project in the Stabroek block was initially projected to be US$4.4B but that has been revised downwards to US3.5B says Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hess Corporation, John Hess. During his company’s fourth quarter earnings call for 2019, Hess specifically stated, “…Liza Phase One was budgeted at $4.4 billion gross, including the purchase of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel (Liza Destiny). We now expect the gross cost for the development to be
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hess Corporation, John Hess, revealed Wednesday that the Liza Phase One p r o d u c t i o n continues to ramp up with current gross production pegged at approximately 75,000 barrels of oil per day. During the company’s fourth quarter earnings call for 2019, he said that production is expected to reach the Liza Destiny FPSO capacity of 120,000 barrels of oil per day in the coming months. For the full year 2020, he said that Hess forecasts its net production to average approximately 25,000 barrels of oil per day. Further to this, Hess reminded that it was on December 20, 2019 that the
Liza Phase One development achieved first production, while noting that his company recognizes this pivotal moment in Guyana’s history. On this note, he said, “…And (we) are committed to working collaboratively with the government, our partners and the people of Guyana to build a safe and sustainable industry that fulfills the promise of shared prosperity.” Turning his attention to the Liza Phase Two project, Hess said t h a t t h e development is progressing to plan. He said that on January 13, the hull for the Liza Unity FPSO, which will have a capacity of 220,000 barrels of oil per day arrived at the Keppel yard in Singapore. The CEO said that construction of all 13 deck modules is currently underway. Meanwhile, in Guyana, Hess said that installation of subsea flow lines and equipment is underway while adding that development drilling is expected to begin next month. “We continue to forecast first oil by mid2022,” the CEO added. Pending government approvals and project sanctioning, the Chief Executive Officer said that a third development at Payara is planned to utilize a FPSO with a gross production capacity of 220,000 barrels of oil per day with first oil as
early as 2023. OPPOSITION CALLS FOR PROBE INTO SEVERAL 2020 MULTI-MILLION$ STATE CONTRACTS The Opposition has written the police asking them to probe several contracts which appeared to have been illegally signed this year. From all indications, the contracts were catered for in the 2019 budget, but were only signed this year. Two of the projects, for the construction of schools at Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke highway and for the Essequibo Coast, are a whopping total of $1.3B. The Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, had warned against any signing of contracts this year for monies budgeted last year. It is against regulations, the official had said. Bishop Juan Edghill, a former Parliamentarian for People’ Progressive Party/ Civic , in his letter to Commissioner of Police, Leslie James on Tuesday, said that it has come to his attention by way of news reports that new contracts for public works have been signed by Permanent Secretaries of various ministries. This is in flagrant violation of the laws of Guyana. In fact, it was reported that a total of 57 contracts were noted by a (Continued on page 42)
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From page 41 Cabinet sub-committee as of the December 30th, 2019. “The Auditor General of Guyana made it very clear to the media a few weeks ago that it is not allowed under the law for new contracts budgeted for in 2019, to be signed in 20203 , yet we found that several contracts were signed in 2020, including the largest of those being for the sum of eight hundred and twenty-seven million Guyana dollars, (GYD 827M), which was signed with BK International for the construction of a secondary school at Yarrowkabra.” Edghill also said that it has come to his attention that despite the absence of a signed contract for the construction of a school at Abram Zuil, Essequibo coast, a cheque was cut on the 31st December 2019 for $65M by the accounting officer. FRIDAY ARE EXXON’S COSTS BLOATED? JAGDEO SAYS BILLION DOLLAR COSTREDUCTION IN LIZA 1, ALONE , WORRYING Many concerns have been raised over the years about the mammoth development costs estimated by ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess and CNOOC, for Stabroek Block projects. The initial costs for Liza Phases One and Two – both already approved – totaled about US$10B. Those concerns were premised on the fact that every single dollar claimed by ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC would have to be recovered from the oil revenues before Guyana could get some of the profit. For the Liza-1, in particular, the cost was drastically revised by nearly US$1B, according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of Hess Corporation, John Hess. During his company’s fourth quarter earnings call for 2019 on Wednesday, Hess specifically stated, “…Liza Phase One was budgeted at US$4.4 billion gross, including the purchase of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel (Liza Destiny). “We now expect the gross cost for the development to be approximately US$3.5 billion or 21% below the sanctioned estimate.” The initial estimate was published by ExxonMobil in 2017, and revised a first time in 2018 by US$700M. Hess’ recent announcement is the second revision, taking the cost down by $200M more. That’s a total reduction of
Kaieteur News
US$900M. Speaking about this during a press conference at his Church Street office, Thursday, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said, “That, in itself should be worrying.” He acknowledged that the news of such a significant reduction in development costs would strike many as good news. “I’m glad it came down because that’s less money for us to pay.” However, Jagdeo said, “If you could make such a [nearly] US$1B error, that is worrying, without oversight from the government.” Presently, no firm has been hired to audit the billions of dollar in costs that Exxon intends to claim for the Stabroek Block projects. But Liza-1 is already on stream, with the Liza Destiny producing 75,000 barrels per day. The Liza-2 project is estimated to cost US$6.6B, and that will have to be audited too. It is slated to come on stream in 2022. GOVERNMENT ENGAGES PRIVATE SECTOR ON ACCESS TO FINANCING IN RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR The Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Environment (DOE), in collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Thursday, held a stakeholder engagement forum for businesses interested in making investments in the renewable energy sector. The open forum, which was held at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown, provided participants with detailed information about the ways in which they can access the Green Climate Fund (GCF), through the GGGI. Director, Department of Environment, Ms. Ndibi Schwiers, underscored the importance of Government’s collaboration with the Private Sector in the country’s transition towards the use of renewable energy. “The Government is committed to working with the private sector in ensuring
that Guyana transitions to a green economy, in keeping with the vision articulated in our Green State Development Strategy (GSDS): Vision 2040,” she said. The Director also said through the GSDS, Guyana is expected to transition to near 100% renewable energy, amongst other important strategic actions, but “these actions are not possible without partnership. Today is therefore, an excellent opportunity for you to partner with us as we move towards the transition of a low carbon resilient economy”. Ms. Schwiers said, too, that the Government and the GGGI have collaborated on several initiatives that will significantly impact Guyana’s development. One of those projects is the technical and economic analysis of renewable energy solutions for Linden, Anna Regina, Bartica, Lethem, Wakenaam and Leguan. Meanwhile, Director of Future Earth, Ms. Catherine Allinson, during her presentation to the business persons, said the GCF guarantees coverage of political and other risks involved and that the investment is a safe one. “The GCF guarantees that if there is a regime change or a policy change, which means suddenly your project cannot go ahead, they will cover that…they also cover the risk of having climatic inconveniences. Frankly, I think that renewable energy, these days, is a safe bet. SATURDAY TAX CHIEFTO KEEP WATCHFULEYE ONALL COSTS SUBMITTED BY EXXONMOBIL Commissioner -General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia has given all assurances that he and his team will be keeping a watchful eye on all costs submitted by ExxonMobil for its operations in the Stabroek Block. The GRA boss gave this commitment at a press conference that was held
Friday afternoon at his Camp Street office, following an update from Kaieteur News that the American company revised its development cost for the Liza Phase One Project from US$4.4B to US3.5B. He was asked to say if he found the billion-dollar shortfall to be suspicious. But the official answered in the negative. He said that in the oil industry, it is normal that there would be overestimations when companies are going into projects. The official said, however, that audits of the development costs would be ongoing. Statia said too, that he and his team are relying on the expertise of IHS Markit Limited, a London-based firm, which is currently working alongside the GRA in the audit of the controversial US$900M pre-contract costs Guyana is expected to pay ExxonMobil. That audit, he said, will be completed in three months. The CommissionerGeneral said, “What we have done is, we have mirrored the external auditing firm. If they have two petroleum engineers, then we have one there with them so that they can learn. Every skill they brought in, we have someone there so we can learn. We have also been doing our own training as well as training with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).” While noting that he is pleased that the costs are down since it means that less money would have to be recovered by the contractor, he insists that GRA will still do its rigorous audits to ensure the development costs are what ExxonMobil says they are. TROTMAN HAD NO LEGALAUTHORITYTO GIVE ANEW CONTRACT – CHRIS RAM Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, had no legal authority to grant a new petroleum agreement to ExxonMobil in 2016, according to Attorneyat-Law and Accountant Christopher Ram. He (Ram) was able to get his hands on the bridging
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deed which seeks to renew the expired 1999 agreement granted to ExxonMobil by the then President Janet Jagan. The Government has kept the Deed hidden from the Guyanese people for four years, refusing to publish it, despite countless calls for its release. In yesterday’s edition of his Stabroek News column ‘The road to first oil’, Ram noted a section of the Deed, which appears to state that the Deed is grounded in law. This, Ram refuted. Kaieteur News has seen the Deed, which states “Pursuant to section 10 of the Act, the Minister has entered into this Deed together with the Contractor parties to set out the process whereby the 1999 License and the 1999 Petroleum Agreement will be replaced by a new petroleum prospecting license and petroleum agreement in respect of the Contract Area.” While the Deed seeks to ground itself in section 10 of the Act governing the oil and gas sector, the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, a perusal of that section shows there is no mention of a Deed. Ram explained this, writing that “[it] gives the Minister no power to enter into any Deed and certainly not one to breathe life into an expiring agreement”. Ram noted that the section goes even further to state categorically that the Minister is granted the power to enter into an agreement “not inconsistent with the Act” i.e. the four specified matters, namely the granting of a license, the conditions attaching thereto, the procedure to be followed in exercising any discretion granted to him under the Act and any matter incidental thereto. The lawyer hopes Minister Trotman would explain how section 10 of the Act gives him the “supernatural” power to revive a “dead” agreement. At the time of the signing of the Deed and the 2016 petroleum agreement, Trotman could have told ExxonMobil and its partners, CNOOC and Hess, that his authority was constrained by the law, Ram posited.
The Minister, according to Ram, had a golden opportunity to correct the wrong “inflicted” by the 1999 agreement, as the acreage granted to ExxonMobil is many times more than the law allows. Trotman did not. The Petroleum Contract mentions the deed, for which, the purpose is to replace the 1999 Agreement and the 1999 Petroleum Prospecting Licence for the Stabroek Block. The first agreement was signed by the late Janet Jagan, in her capacity as Minister of Petroleum in 1999 and the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) currently in force was signed by Trotman in 2016. Activist Ramon Gaskin had last year questioned the secrecy surrounding the bridging deed. Ram had long condemned Minister Trotman for not immediately revealing the 2016 Stabroek license to the public, explaining that he had acted against Section 16(2) of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, which requires the Minister to publish notice of the agreement in The Official Gazette as soon as is practicable after the licence is granted. By failing to observe this aspect of the law, Ram had said that Trotman has set a worrying precedent. Now, years after the release of that PSA, the Government has not itself taken the initiative to release the bridging deed, although some like Ram have managed to get their hands on it. Local commentators have said that, by not releasing the bridging deed, Trotman is still in contravention of the Petroleum Act. EVERYGUYANESE WILL LOSE $15M IF OIL DEAL REMAINS AS IS – GLOBAL WITNESS Anti-corruption advocate Christopher Ram is demanding that Government publicly apologise to the Guyanese people for what he (Continued on page 43)
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From page 42 describes as “colossal mistakes” in its management of Guyana’s fledgling petroleum sector. Ram said President David Granger should rethink his position on the ‘sanctity’ of the Stabroek Block license granted to ExxonMobil and its partners, and renegotiate the “improper” agreement which was signed under the “strangest of circumstances”. “He has a duty to this country to show leadership, commonsense, strength, patriotism – a duty to restore… our patrimony which his Government meekly surrendered,” Ram wrote in a letter. The lawyer’s call to the President is, this time, specifically prompted by the entrance of global anticorruption non-governmental organization, Global Witness, into public discourse about the sector. The organization has set its sights on Guyana’s oil industry, as it is well established for its record of exposing corruption and fraudulent goings-on in extractive industries around the world. It has already issued a stern message to ExxonMobil. The firm has urged Exxon, pursuant to a report it is set to publish soon, to renegotiate the controversial Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), so that Guyana gets a fair deal. The agreement has been widely criticised as lopsided and unfair. The media corps has reported copiously on the many aspects of the agreement which have been deemed in contravention with the law, lopsided and/or have loopholes that will cause billions of dollars in revenue losses for the Guyanese people. Several sections of the public have called for it to be renegotiated as well. ExxonMobil has a 45
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percent stake in the Stabroek license, for which it is the lead operator. Hess holds a 30 percent stake, while CNOOC holds the remaining 25 percent stake. By the estimation of a firm Global Witness has consulted, Guyana is set to lose about US$55B over the 40-year life of the Stabroek license. That’s nearly US$1.4B per year. Ram has calculated with OpenOil’s figures that every Guyanese would be losing over $15M if Government refuses to renegotiate the controversial agreement. That number doesn’t even include the 16th find that ExxonMobil recently released. “To put that figure into some context, it means that at the national minimum public service pay of G$70,000 per month, this Government has given away 222 months’ or roughly 18 years and six months’ worth of earnings for every single man, woman and child in Guyana,” Ram said. GRA WORKING ON CCTV FOR OIL VESSEL – WILL HAVE PERMANENT PRESENCE IN THE MEANTIME The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) intends to have closed circuit television (CCTV) systems transmitting a live feed at all times from the Liza Destiny Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel back to Georgetown. This is to ensure that the Authority gets a full view of everything happening on the ship. Commissioner-General of the tax agency Godfrey Statia, and Head of the Customs Petroleum Unit, Lancelot Wills, discussed those plans during a press conference at the GRA’s Camp Street headquarters Friday. The Liza Destiny is currently producing oil in the
Stabroek Block, pursuant to the Liza phase one project which came on stream last December. For CCTV to be up and running, a fibre optic cable has to be laid. As Wills said on Friday, “we are stymied by the lack of internet feed facilities from the Liza Destiny to shore.” The agency has had to rely heavily on vessels which come to shore, for whatever reason, to report on what’s happening offshore, through various forms, according to the regulations in the Customs Act, Wills told reporters. But the agency will have a CCTV feed as soon as it becomes practicable. In the absence of that, the GRA will have a manned presence on the vessel at all times. Asked how soon that would happen, Statia said that they are currently working out the modalities of such an arrangement. The GRA has already given Exxon notice, and has informed of the GRA’s requirements. Statia said that there should be four people on the vessel on a continual basis. “So they’re going to see what’s going on,” he said. GRA would be sharing facilities with its sister agencies who also have regulatory authority in the sector, namely the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Energy, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). He explained that, when there is a lift, members of all five agencies must be present. But the GRA will be
responsible for maintaining a presence on the Liza Destiny in the period before CCTV is up and running. In November last, GRA advertised in Kaieteur News that the FPSO had been appointed a sufferance wharf and private warehouse, pursuant to the Customs Act issued under Section 2 and Part 4 of the Act. A sufferance wharf is a place other than an approved place of loading and offloading by the Revenue Authority, where a senior customs officer may by discretion and under certain conditions, allow the loading and offloading of goods. That subjects the Liza Destiny vessel to all customs regulations which concern sufferance wharves. It is the appointment that gives GRA the authority to conduct its surveillance. CATTLE REARER RIDDLED WITH BULLETS AT NO. 67 VILLAGE BACKDAM …HAD GONE TO UNTIE TWO UNBRANDED COWS Chaos erupted in the Number 67 Village Backdam, Upper Corentyne, Berbice, when three cattle rearers ventured to the location to untie two unbranded cows that were grazing in the area Friday morning. One of those men met his demise when he was approached by two individuals on a motorcycle armed with guns. They pumped several bullets to his head and about his body just after he reportedly recognised their faces, while the other two workers hid in the bush.
Dead is 40-year-old Parmanand Lakram alias “Bachan”, a father of four, of Lot 52 Number 68 Village, Berbice. A police source has since informed this publication that one person is presently in custody assisting with investigations, while a modified bus with blood splatter on the left rear tyre and rim, belonging to Lakram, has been impounded at the Springlands Police Station. Kaieteur News was reliably informed by the source that Lakram, who is known to the police, along with two men who worked with him, ventured to the location yesterday morning with the intention of “bringing two cows from the backdam which we understand are stolen cows”. The source added that when the men arrived at the location where the cattle were, two persons on motorcycle approached them and began to fire shots at Lakram. During the hail of gunfire, Lakram reportedly recognized his killer before he died since he “called out the person’s name before he was shot”. “What normally happens is that they take these wild cows (unbranded) and brand them to make them their own. So apparently these men were traced there and when they were about to load the cows in the open back bus, two men pulled up on them and shot at them several times”, the source disclosed. Lakram’s workers were reportedly in the thick vegetation when they heard the gunshots and saw the lights from the motorcycle. They remained in the bush until the gunshots had
ceased, and when they were sure that the attackers had left, they ran towards Lakram who was found with multiple gunshot wounds to the head, chest and torso “slouched on the bus wheel”. Meanwhile, at the home of Lakram, relatives’ information differed from the police. His mother, Kuntee Hulasia, 72, who was in Suriname when she got the message, could not contain her tears as she spoke about the incident and what she was told. She told reporters that she got the message around 8:00 am Friday that there was a shooting “in the backdam”. She told this publication that her son went to the back-dam with the workers to open pumps. His brother, Omesh Lakram, 47, a rice and cattle farmer, related that two workmen came to their home and informed his wife that “somebody buss shot pon me buddy at the back deh”. He said he immediately took his bus and went to the location. There he was met by a jeepload of police ranks who immediately took control of the area, preventing him from getting close to his brother’s bullet-riddled body. “From where me was standing I just see me brother brace back pon de tyre… de bus back wheel, and just blood all over he body”, the dead man’s sibling recalled. When asked if he was aware of any issues his brother may have had with anyone, he told reporters that they are not troublesome people and his brother was not known to have issues with anyone. Police are currently probing the matter.
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WINE OF THE WEEK APOTHIC RED : A MASTERFUL BLEND OF INTENSE FLAVOURS According to Wine.com, the Apothic Red is a masterful blend of intense flavors and luscious texture creates a truly unique experience. Zinfandel lends notes of dark fruit and subtle spice while Merlot and Syrah bring hints of black fruit and a smooth mouthfeel. They are complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon that contributes a firm structure and bold flavors. Also, all of the varietals combine to offer layers of dark fruit that are enhanced by soft vanilla and mocha tones leading to a soft, lasting finish. This gorgeous selection is available for purchase at the exquisite Twee Gourmet Shoppee located in the Giftland Mall. Be sure to grab a bottle for your entertainment needs this weekend. (Remember to drink responsibly)
Enetworks to air Super bowl on Sunday
For the at-home entertainment lovers, and particularly the sports fanatics, the time you’ve been waiting for is almost here. That’s right; the Kaieteur Entertainment team is just as excited as you are about Super Bowl Sunday. Two of this season’s very best teams - the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs will soon do battle in football’s biggest game. And all the action will be aired live tonight on Enetworks’ E2 channel. Another traditional treat to look forward to is the half time show. It will be headlined by Shakira and Jennifer Lopez who will be celebrating Latina women everywhere with a historic performance in the heart of Miami.
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“ROOTS, ROCK, REGGAE” SHOW TO HONOUR BOB MARLEY SET FOR FEBRUARY 6 The Pegasus Poolside in Georgetown will come alive and resonate with the music of the “King of Reggae” – Bob Marley on Thursday, February 6, 2020 from 7p.m. This celebration is in tribute to Brother Bob’s 75 th Birthday, and is called the “Roots, Rock, Reggae” show. Featured artists will be First Born and the Irits Band, Smallman (from Toronto) who is the former leader of the Mingles Music Machine, Mario Kein, Sonjah Royalty and Tattoo Man…who will all be backed bythe Yoruba Singers Band. Special guest artists will also be featured and music is by DJ SEEN UP. The event is part of the “Jubilee” commemoration with the focus being on “roots and culture”, and a musical observance of Black History Month and Republic celebrations. Guyanese reggae artists are also being given the opportunity to be “front and centre” in the exposure and promotion of “local talent”. The event is hosted by Leon Saul’s Carib Feedback Productions, with sponsor-
ship by Chetson’s and the Pegasus Hotel. Admission for “early bird” tickets is set at $2,500
and tickets are available at the Pegasus Hotel Front Desk. Info line is 592-661-2976.
SEARCH BEGINS FOR MISS GUYANA CULTURE QUEEN 2020
They’ll be following a tradition of halftime super stars, with previous guests including Beyonce, Prince, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones and The
Who. This is definitely the show to look forward to guys. Be sure to stock up on all the chips and dips you can eat. Enjoy and have a great weekend.
For the first time ever; Guyana will be hosting a national pageant to select Guyana’s representative to the Annual Caribbean Culture Queen Pageant slated for August 2020 in St. Kitts and Nevis. Under the directorship of Guyanese born international fashion designer and Pageant Guru Randy Madray; the Miss Guyana Culture Queens aims to promote, market and preserves the diverse culture and tourism of Guyana. This year Miss Guyana Culture Queen will be selected
through a national pageant from a lineup of carefully selected quarter-finalists. Applicants will complete a well-structured application online after which a panel of the pageant, fashion and other related professionals will select which applicants will move on to the interview round. From the interviews; the quarterfinalists will be selected to begin the 2020 national pageant. The pageant in itself will feature a preliminary interview and the coronation event. On the coronation night, delegates will compete in national costume, performing talent, swimwear, evening gown and interview. At the end of the production, Miss Guyana Culture Queen 2020 will be crowned and begin preparation for the regional competition. Last year, Arian Dahlia Richmond was selected by a team of professionals within the fashion and pageant industry as Miss Guyana Culture Queen 2019 and took on the task of representing Guyana at the Miss Culture Caribbean Queens 2019 Competition. With her grace,
poise, and confidence, Arian competed with notable models in the Caribbean and secured the first-runner up position. She also won several accolades such as Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality and Best Country Promotional Video produced by local videographer Anthony Indar. The Miss Guyana Culture Team will comprise a brilliant team of creatives, professionals and local and international pageants, beauty and fashion experts. Applications are currently opened and the pageant seeks young women between the ages of eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26) who are of great physical health and possess the passion, drive and determination to showcase Guyana’s rich culture and tourism. Applicants can sign up via the “ Sign Up” button on the Miss Guyana Culture Queen Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ missGuyanaculturequeeen) or via the link provided on the @missguyanaculturequeen Instagram platform. The application deadline is 28th February 2020.
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14 Surprising Health Benefits Of Wine http://www.lifehack.org: You pop open the cork after a killer day at the office, and the luscious wine flows in mellow drops into your shiny glass. Then this voice whispers in your ear. “Should I be drinking wine?” You try to make healthy food choices and go to the gym and yoga a few times a week. Are you negating your efforts with a few sips? You know that over-indulging is a health no-no, but what about a glass of wine a few times per week? Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve surely heard of the heart-healthy benefits of red wine. But this is not your big concern; you already exercise and eat pretty well. Prepare to be amazed. More than just being hearthealthy, wine has a slew of surprising health benefits, many of which stem from resveratrol. Some plants make resveratrol to fight off bacteria and fungi, or to withstand a drought or lack of nutrients. Red and purple grapes, blueberries, cranberries, mulberries, peanuts, and pistachios are sources. Resveratrol may be the wonder ingredient responsible for many of wine’s benefits. Isolating the resveratrol does not yield the same powers, indicating that a constellation of forces act together to protect the body. Most studies focus on the benefits of red wine because white grapes do not contain resveratrol. Prepare to be amazed and relieved. You’re about to learhow your wine-drinking ritual can be a powerful health elixir. Check out the following fourteen benefits of wine that go way beyond heart healthiness. 1. Live longer That’s right. On the island of Ikarios, a recently discovered Blue Zone, people live longer than anywhere else in the world. Daily wine consumption is part of a dietary pattern that encourages long life through eating fewer animal-based foods and eating more plant-based foods. You’ll find the long-lived residents of Crete and Sardinia sipping dark red wine, a part of their anti-aging lifestyle. A 2007 study suggests procyanidins, compounds found in red wine tannins, help promote cardiovascular health. Wines produced in areas of southwest France and Sardinia, where people tend to live longer, have particularly high concentrations of the compound.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School uncovered evidence that resveratrol directly activates a protein that promotes health and longevity in animal models. Resveratrol increases the activity of sirtuins (longevity pathways), a group of genes that protects the body from diseases of aging. 2. Get smarter Resveratrol may help improve short-term memory. After just 30 minutes of testing, researchers found that participants taking resveratrol had a significant increase in retention of words and showed faster performance in the portion of the brain associated with the formation of new memories, learning, and emotions. 3. Banish breakouts with wine Resveratrol is able to inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria longer than benzoyl peroxide. And it works even better when combined with benzoyl peroxide. So far, drinking the antioxidant is the best way to benefit from its properties. Topical application in creams has not been proven as effective – so imbibe your antioxidants in wine, fruits, and veggies rather than buying expensive creams. 4. Wine may beat trips to the gym Would you rather drink wine or slave away at the gym? Scientists at the University of Alberta in Canada found that resveratrol improves heart, brain, and bone function; the same way these parts are improved when you go to the gym. Now imagine the benefits of doing both! 5. Say goodbye to the blues You know wine helps you relax…but depression? Researchers in Spainfound that men and women who drank two to seven glasses of wine per week were less likely to be diagnosed with depression. Even when taking into account lifestyle factors which could influence their findings, the reduced risk held strong. 6. Reduce (not increase) your risk of liver disease This study challenged conventional thinking about alcohol and liver disease. Modest wine consumption, defined as one glass a day, may decrease the prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Modest wine drinkers, as compared to teetotalers, cut their risk of NAFLD in half. And compared with wine drinkers, modest beer or liquor drinkers had four times the odds of having suspected
NAFLD. 7. Promote healthy eyes Resveratrol stops out-ofcontrol blood vessel growth in the eyes, according to Washington University School of Medicine in St.
who don’t drink wine. Red wine appears particularly protective against advanced or aggressive cancers. Doctors speculate that flavonoids and resveratrol contain potent antioxidants and may coun-
Louis. This may help with treatment of diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Note that these studies were done in mice, so the dose for humans is not yet clear. But this is a great start. 8. Protect your pearly whites Did you know that drinking wine is a little-known way to protect your teeth from bacteria? We mentioned wine’s antimicrobial effects on the skin. Well, it also helps reduce bacteria on our teeth.Using five of the common oral plaquecausing bacteria, scientists noted almost complete degradation of the bacteria after applying the biofilms with red wine. 9. Cut multiple cancer risks Breast Cancer Red grapes are the fruit best able to suppress the activity of aromatase, the enzyme used by breast tumors to produce their own estrogen – this is called an aromatase inhibitor. Red wine may serve as a nutritional aromatase inhibitor, which may ameliorate the elevated breast cancer risk associated with alcohol intake. Note that you can also eat red grapes; those with seeds are especially helpful. Resveratrol is also thought to kill cancer cells by cutting off a pathway that feeds cancer cells. Colon cancer Studies show that moderate consumption of red wine can reduce the risk of colon cancer by 50%. Prostate Cancer Harvard Men’s Health Watch reports that men who drink an average of four to seven glasses of red wine per week have a 52% less chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer compared to those
terbalance androgens, the male hormones that stimulate the prostate. 10. Stave off those pesky sniffles So maybe grandma’s cold remedy isn’t so strange after all. A study looked at 4,000 faculty members at five universities across Spain. Those who drank wine were less likely to come down with a cold compared to those that drank beer or spirits. Researchers think that the antioxidants help lower inflamma-
tion and reduce the symptoms of colds. 11. Lower your cholesterol (without changing your diet) Resveratrol is thought to reduce LDL and increase HDL, meaning that our blood vessels are less likely to be coated with plaque. Even the American Heart Association admits that moderate consumption of any type of alcohol can increase your HDL, or good cholesterol, by about 12%. 12. Reduce the risk of stroke Wine may reduce your risk of ischemic stroke. In analyses adjusted for age, sex, and smoking, intake of wine on a monthly, weekly, or daily basis was associated with a lower risk of stroke compared with no wine intake. The benefits were not seen in beer or hard alcohol consumption. 13. Regulate blood sugar levels without drugs Red wine is abundant in polyphenols. The polyphenols in wine interact with cells involved in the development and storage of fat and the regulation of blood sugar. The amount of polyphenols in a small glass of red wine appears to rival the blood sugar regulating activity of certain diabetes drugs. 14. Slash your diabetes
risk Men and women who drink moderately have a 30% lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This may be due again to resveratrol, which improves sensitivity to insulin. Insulin resistance is the most important critical factor contributing to Type 2 diabetes risk. Don’t make this crucial mistake The monumental mistake people make is trying to buy these benefits in a bottle, rather than looking at how wine can be a part of a healthy lifestyle. We want to bottle it, sell it, and find that magic bullet. Supplements have not proven to have the benefits of simple foods. Nature is complex, and we haven’t figured out how to put that in a bottle (and I hope we don’t). The most important thing you can do is start to look at the big picture. Think of the slow-paced life of the Mediterranean and bring a little bit of that into your life. Take time to prepare a simple meal packed with legumes and fresh vegetables. Savor this meal. Linger at the table with your friends and family. And of course – enjoy a leisurely glass of wine without feeling guilty.
13 Surprising Uses for Honey http://www.care2.com: It’s often said that the famed ancient beauty Cleopatra would soak in honey and milk baths. Well, whether or not that’s true, it’s certainly not surprising that the story has persisted for so long — honey has a tremendous effect on the skin. And that’s not all — honey is a powerful antiseptic and a fantastic natural sugar substitute. Keep reading for these and more alternative uses for honey. Health 1. Relieve Hangovers. Had a little too much fun last night? A few tablespoons of honey, which is packed with fructose, will help speed up your body’s metabolism of alcohol. 2. Heal Wounds, Cuts, Scrapes & Burns. Don’t reach for the Neosporin the next time you cut or burn yourself — simply apply honey to the affected area. Honey works as a natural antiseptic. 3. Soothe Sore Throats and Coughs. Combine honey with the juice of one lemon and drink. It works like a wonder! 4. Remove Parasites. Hopefully you’ll never have
to use this trick, but if you do, combine equal parts honey, vinegar and water and drink. The combination of these three ingredients is the perfect parasite killer. Beauty 5. Moisturize Dry Skin. Honey is a fantastic moisturizer, especially on dry patches, like your elbows or hands — even your lips! Rub onto your dry, patchy skin and let it sit for about 30 minutes before washing off. Honey also makes a great lip balm! 6. Condition Damaged Hair. Honey is a great natural conditioner. You can simply add a teaspoon of the stuff to your regular shampoo to smooth your damaged locks. You can also combine it with olive oil for a deeper conditioning. Let it soak for 20 minutes with your hair wrapped in a towel before shampooing as usual. 7. Have an Amazing Bath. Relax your body and soak your skin in a soothing bath. Add 2 tablespoons of honey to 1 cup of hot water and let it dissolve for about 10 minutes. Add 2 or 3 drops of lavender essential oil and add it to your
bath. 8. Remove Acne. Stubborn acne can really benefit from a small daily dab of honey. Place a band-aid over the pimple, and take it off 30 minutes later. 9. Give Yourself a Facial. Combine 2 teaspoons of milk with 2 tablespoons of honey. Cover your face with the mixture and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing off. Food 10. Boost Your Energy. Quit turning to coffee for your daily energy boost! Replace your cup of Joe with a cup of tea. Mix in a tablespoon or so of honey. 11. Substitute Honey for Sugar in Baking. For every cup of sugar a recipe calls for, replace it with 3/4 cup of honey. For best results, add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and reduce another liquid in your recipe by 1/4 cup. Also, reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees. 12. Make Almond Milk from Scratch. You’ll find a great recipe here. 13. Make Infused Honeys. Why have plain old regular honey when you can have ginger lime honey or hot pepper honey?
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How Arthur Made Valentines by May G. Mooar Arthur had a box of paints given him for Christmas, and he had learned to color pictures very prettily; so just as he was finishing the dress of a gorgeous Japanese lady such a happy thought came to him that he nearly spilled some yellow paint all over Miss Matsuki’s gay pink dress, in his haste to find mother and tell her about it. “I want to make my valentines all myself this year,” he exclaimed excitedly as soon as the yellow paint was safely back in the box, “for now I can paint. Why can’t I paint some valentines, same’s Aunt Frances did last year?” “Why, I think you could, dear,” mother answered. “‘Course I don’t mean I could make quite such lovely flowers as she did,” Arthur went on, “but I think it would be lots more fun to do it myself than to buy them. “So do I, Arthur,” mother said, “and I think if you look through those papers in the lower drawer you’ll find some pictures to cut out that would make pretty valentines. Then you could color them with your paints and paste them on a sheet of note paper.” “ B u t , m o t h e r, d o n ’ t
valentines have some verses written on them besides the pictures? Aunt Frances’ did. Where can I get those?” “Perhaps I could write those for you,” mother laughed, “if I tried real hard.” “Could you really write verses?” Arthur asked in round-eyed wonder. “Then we’ll have some lovely valentines, won’t we? I’ll make one for you, and one for father, and Alice and John and Clifton and Barbara and oh, lots of folks.” “Well, I guess you better get to work right away, if you’ve such a lot to do,” advised mother, “and I had better begin on the poetry.” It was fun to find the pictures, for there were such a lot to select from, and by supper time Arthur had a nice pile all ready to paint next morning. Tw o d a y s b e f o r e Valentine’s day they were all done—prettily colored and pasted on note paper with a little verse that mother had written, printed in Arthur’s very best writing. “Aren’t they bee-u-ti-ful,” he exclaimed as he laid them in a row on the dining-room table. “They are very nice, dear,” mother said, “and which do you think are the prettiest ones?”
Arthur looked a long time at the row of little valentines and then he said, “These two.” One had a little curly-haired child carrying a big bunch of flowers in her hand, and the verse read: “This bunch of roses I’m bringing, Is a valentine for you, To show that in storm or in sunshine My love is always true.” And the other valentine had a picture of two little boys carrying a big basket between them, and this was the little verse: “What do you s’pose our basket holds? Give guess one and two. You’ll never think, so I must tell: It’s full of love for you.” “And to whom are you going to give the two prettiest ones?” asked mother. An earnest look came into Arthur’s eyes. “I fought I’d send the little-girl one to that lame boy at the corner. I don’t know him very well, but he looks kind of lonely, you said, mother. Don’t you s’pose he’d like it?”Mother nodded. “And who is to have the other?” A little hand stole into mother’s, and two brown eyes full of love were lifted to mother’s face. “That is for you,” he said.
PIXIdoku ĜMŃO DǼŒØÞMǾÑ ŐMǾPÒPÒŎŌ Ö ÞŒP ŃŎŌPMÒŌ MÕÕŅÒQÑ ŐÒŃPÞǾÑŒBHŇÑŌPÒŃMÕŐÒŃPÞǾÑŒ may not touch horizontally, vertically nor diagonally. The puzzle has only one solution.
Sunday February 02, 2020
Junior page Paper Heart Flower Craft What you need: oPaper Heart Flower Craft template oa sheet of paper (pink, red, blue, green, yellow) ogreen paper straws omarkers to color the bee opaper clips or mini clothespins oclear tape oscissors oglue
Step by Step Instructions Print the flower craft template (you can grab it at the end of this tutorial) Yo u c a n p r i n t t h e template on white paper and have the kids decorate it as they see fit or you can print it on a colored paper. We used regular print paper to make this craft. ut out the flower shape. This step is optional but we think it turns out really cute! Cut a circle out of yellow paper and glue it on the flower shape. Write your message (perfect if this will be a card).
Now fold the flower shape as shown on the picture bellow. Unfold. Fold again at a right angle to the first fold (as shown on the picture). Unfold. Fold again, this time at a 45 degree angle to one of the previous folds (between the first two folds) as shown on the image bellow. This next step is a little bit tricky when you do it for the first time. But once you manage to make one you will see it’s actually easy
peasy! I do recommend you rather watch the video for this step. You need to push the last fold inside the flower shape. Start one one side and then push in the other too. You should see a heart shape. Color the bee and cut it out (if you printed on the white sheet of paper you can color the bee that is on that sheet, if not there is a separate sheet with bees you
FUN WITH POETRY
Keep Safe by Uncle Roy When we are away from those we trust, Whether in the park or street, We should always try to ensure We are as safe as can be. Walk in the light when it is dark, You should not go out alone; Do not idle around strange places, And never move far from home. Always obey traffic signs and rules, Keep to the sidewalk on your way, Only cross a street when it is safe, And look and listen all the way.
can print on the white paper). Glue it on a clothes pin or tape it onto a paper clip. Clip it on the heart shape. Take a green paper drinking straw and glue it on the back of your heart flower with clear tape – two rows will prevent the straw from moving. Cut a leaf out of green paper and glue it on the paper heart flower craft. All done! Your paper heart flower craft is ready to be gifted to someone special! Unless you want to make a bouquet then back to crafting you go!
Kaieteur News
Sunday February 02, 2020
Use the Powers of your Spirit to get to your best - Be passionate about your dreams. Have a vision for your life, and be excited about pursuing the goals that will make it possible. Most teenagers do not take the trouble to look ahead and determine what they need to do to be successful, both on a long-term and short-term basis. As a result they go through life drifting along, and most times not only waste energy and time in activities not beneficial, but end up moving in the wrong direction and doing things that can get them into trouble. Take some time and identify your special skills and talents, what you really need from life, and determine your goals, both for the short time ahead, and for the long term. You will find that when you do this, even when you are not deliberately working to achieve your goals, your subconscious mind will be
always keeping you on the path to achieving your ambitions, and your inner self will automatically be always urging you to move in the right direction towards your goals. - Use your resources wisely. Another thing we need to do is to ensure that we do not waste our time and resources in unnecessary pursuits, and to keep a focus on what is good and positive, rather than allowing the negative things to cloud up our actions and our mind. As was mentioned before, whatever you determine to d o s i n c e r e l y, y o u r subconscious mind will keep working on it, even when you are not thinking about it, to bring about the result you want. On the other hand, if you start on some project and do not have the confidence that you will succeed, your subconscious will obey and not work as hard to get you to your goal. Have a positive
outlook, move forward with confidence, and things will work out. -. Have patience. Remember also that “Rome was not built in a day”. This means that everything worth getting takes some time in the making. Therefore we always need to be patient and not expect the exact results we want to be accomplished in a short time. As long as you know that you are doing your best, the results will come in good time. By practising patience, you are also developing your personality in many ways that will prove a help to you in other efforts. This to my mind also encourages us to have faith in an Almighty Creator who will help us to achieve all the good things we desire, as long as we have faith in His power to do all things. After all, He created the Universe, and so must have the means to do anything we ask, as
long as we develop this faith in Him. -Determine your course of action to make the best of yourself. The world is such a troubled place that it is now very hard to identify the right way by which people should be conducting themselves. In a world where children are exposed to all sorts of indecency and violence, we need to determine our own course of action so as to reap the lasting success and happiness we are all striving for. From the efforts to the legalisation of drugs and same-sex marriages to the killing of innocent people in war so that others may live abundant lives, it seems that it is now more urgent than ever that we establish the things we need to do to keep ourselves safe. Take time regularly to determine how you respond to the situations you meet so that you keep on the right side always.
Fill in the blank squares so that each row and each column contain all of the digits 1 thru . The heavy lines indicate areas(called cages) that contain groups of numbers that can be combined (in any order) to produce the result shown in the cage, with the indicated math operation. For example, 12× means you can multiply the values together to produce 12. Numbers in cages may repeat, as long as they are not in the same row or column.
Goodluck!
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Positive Thinking Keep thinking positive and know that, in life, Sweet and bitter, both things do survive; When we do not lose hope in the test, Then God will surely give us the best. Don’t let a gray or blue mood prevail, Make best use of time, and avail The nice opportunity that is given to you To take every test and get through. So in life, if ever in your pace, You see troubles standing face to face, Then don’t lose hope or ever sigh, Just cling on to your dreams and ever try. Keep a smile and then strongly stand In front of troubles, and understand That joy and sorrow are the things That both come to us in life’s ring. So it’s better to face all with a smile, You will walk steadily for many a mile; Keep thinking positive and know, in life, Sweetness and bitterness both need to survive.
Tapping into your spiritual powers will keep you on the right track towards fulfilling your ambitions. THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Solutions to last week’s
DoT-to-DoT
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Simple Ways to Relieve Stress and Anxiety 1. Exercise Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to combat stress. It might seem contradictory, but putting physical stress on your body through exercise can relieve mental stress. The benefits are strongest when you exercise regularly. People who exercise regularly are less likely to experience anxiety than those who don’t exercise (1). 2. Consider Supplements Several supplements promote stress and anxiety reduction. 3. Light a Candle Using essential oils or burning a scented candle may help reduce your feelings of stress and anxiety. Some scents are especially soothing. Using scents to treat your mood is called aromatherapy. Several studies show that aromatherapy can decrease anxiety and improve sleep 4. Reduce Your Caffeine Intake Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, chocolate and energy drinks. High doses can increase anxiety ( 5. Write It Down One way to handle stress is to write things down. While recording what you’re stressed about is one approach, another is jotting down what you’re grateful for. Gratitude may help relieve stress and anxiety by focusing your thoughts on what’s positive in your life. 6. Chew Gum For a super easy and quick stress reliever, try chewing a stick of gum. One study showed that people who chewed gum had a greater sense of wellbeing and lower stress (11). One possible explanation is that chewing gum causes brain waves similar to those of relaxed people. Another is that chewing gum promotes blood flow to your brain. 7. Spend Time With Friends and Family Social support from friends and family can help you get through stressful times. Being part of a friend network gives you a sense of belonging and self-worth, which can help you in tough times. 8. Laugh It’s hard to feel anxious when you’re laughing. It’s good for your health, and there are a few ways it may help relieve stress: • Relieving your stress response. • Relieving tension by relaxing your muscles. In the long term, laughter can also help improve your immune system and mood. 9. Learn to Say No Not all stressors are within your control, but some are. Take control over the parts of your life that you can change and are causing you stress.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/16 -ways-relieve-stress-anxiety#section16
SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S WORD SEARCH
Kaieteur News
Sunday February 02, 2020
Sunday February 02, 2020
1. What did the Buddhist ask the hot dog vendor? “Make me one with everything.” 2. You know why you never see elephants hiding up in trees? Because they’re really good at it. 3. What is red and smells like blue paint? Red paint. 4. A dyslexic man walks into a bra. 5. Where does the General keep his armies? In his sleevies! 6. Why aren’t koalas actual bears? The don’t meet the koalafications. 7. A bear walks into a restaurant and say’s “I want a grilllllled………………………………………cheese.” The waiter says “Whats with the pause?” The bear replies “Whaddya mean, I’M A BEAR.” 8. What do you call bears with no ears? B 9. Why dont blind people skydive? Because it scares the crap out of their dogs. 10. I went in to a pet shop. I said, “Can I buy a goldfish?” The guy said, “Do you want an aquarium?” I said, “I don’t care what star sign it is.” 11. What do you get when you cross a dyslexic, an insomniac, and an agnostic? Someone who lays awake at night wondering if there is a dog. 12. A pirate walks into a bar with a steering wheel on his pants, a peg leg and a parrot on his shoulder. The bartender says, “Hey, you’ve got a steering wheel on your pants.” The pirate says, “Arrrr, I know. It’s driving me nuts.” 13. I saw a wino eating grapes. I told him, you gotta wait. (Mitch Hedberg) 14. What’s brown and sticky? A stick. 15. What does a pepper do when it’s angry? It gets jalapeño face! 16. What’s a foot long and slippery? A slipper. 17. Two gold fish are in a tank. One looks at the other and says, “You know how to drive this thing?!” 18. Two soldiers are in a tank. One looks at the other and says, “BLUBLUBBLUBLUBBLUB.” 19. As a scarecrow, people say I’m outstanding in my field. But hay, it’s in my jeans. 20. A man is walking in the desert with his horse and his dog when the dog says, “I can’t do this. I need water.” The man says, “I didn’t know dogs could talk.” The horse says, “Me neither!” 21. A guy goes into a lawyer’s office and asks the lawyer: “Excuse me, how much do you charge?” The lawyer responds: “I charge £1,000 to answer three questions.” “Bloody hell – That’s a bit expensive isn’t it?” “Yes. What’s your third question?” 22. What is the resemblance between a green apple and a red apple? They’re both red except for the green one. 23. I have an EpiPen. My friend gave it to me when he was dying, it seemed very important to him that I have it. 24. How did the hipster burn his mouth? He ate the pizza before it was cool. 25. What’s the difference between an oral thermometer and a rectal thermometer?The taste. 26. An atheist, a Crossfitter, and a vegan walk into a bar. I know because they told me. 27. I waited and stayed up all night and tried to figure out where the sun was. Then it dawned on me. 28. I told my friend 10 jokes to get him to laugh. Sadly, no pun in 10 did. 29. What’s red and moves up and down? A tomato in an elevator 30. I bought the world’s worst thesaurus yesterday. Not only is it terrible, it’s terrible. 31. Why can’t you hear a pterodactyl go to the bathroom? Because the “P” is silent! 32. My roommate told me my clothes look gay. I was like, don’t be a dick dude; they just came out of the closet.
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Sunday February 02, 2020
What is Public Charge? How does it apply to me? By Attorney Gail S. Seeram
O
n January 27, 2020, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to implement new rules designed to deny U.S. residency (or green cards) and admission to immigrants seen as a risk of becoming “public charges.” Many have criticized the new public charge rule as a “wealth test” to keep out non-white immigrants. Under current immigration policies, public charge refers to individuals who are primarily dependent on the government for subsistence, like people who rely on cash assistance programs, or require long-term care at the government's expense. A person can be denied admission or a green card if they are 'likely to become a public charge' which means one who is likely to receive designated public benefits at any time in the future. S E V E N - FA C T O R
T O T A L I T Y O F CIRCUMSTANCES TEST: The final rule sets forth seven factors an officer can consider in deciding the ultimate legal issue of whether the applicant is more likely than not to receive public benefits. The seven-factor totality of circumstances test involves consideration of factors such as the applicant's age, health, family status, assets, resources, financial status, education, and skills of the intending immigrant.
864, filed by one or more sponsors. Now, the focus shifts from the sponsor and onto the intending immigrant. Adjustment of status applicants are now required to file a new Form I-944, Declaration of SelfSufficiency. Applicants who are determined to be inadmissible under the new public charge rule will now be able to o v e r c o m e t h a t inadmissibility by posting a bond – but only if DHS invites them to do so.
WHO DOES PUBLIC CHARGE AFFECT? It only applies to people applying for Permanent Residence through a U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative or for a visa to enter the United States.
E M B A S S Y INTERVIEWS & OVERCOMING PUBLIC CHARGE: All immigrant visa (green card) applicants appearing for their interview at the U.S. Embassy need to be aware that more documentary evidence (besides a Form I-864 affidavit of support) will be required to prevent a denial based on public charge at e m b a s s y i n t e r v i e w. Applicants are advised to work with their lawyer to
ADJUSTMENT OF S TAT U S I N U . S . & OVERCOMING PUBLIC CHARGE: Prior to the new rule, the focus of public charge determination has been the Affidavit of Support, Form I-
gather additional evidence to meet the seven-factor totality of circumstances test reference above.
There is no public charge test for naturalization, the process to become a U.S. citizen.
WHO DOES PUBLIC CHARGE NOT AFFECT? Refugees and asylees, people with a U Visa, T Visa, Violence Against Women Act, or Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, DACA and TPS applicants, U.S. Citizens and permanent residents (or green card holders).
W H AT I F M Y CHILDREN OR OTHER FA M I LY M E M B E R S RECEIVE PUBLIC BENEFITS? The rule only considers benefits received by the person applying for permanent residence or the visa. Family members receiving benefits, like U.S. citizen children, will not count against you.
DOES PUBLIC CHARGE AFFECT A GREEN CARD HOLDER? No. Generally, people who already have a green card are not affected by public charge. There is no public charge test to renew a green card. Green card holders cannot be deported simply for using public benefits unless a fraud was committed in obtaining the public benefit. I WANT TO APPLY TO BECOME A U.S. CITIZEN, WILL IT HURT MY CASE IF I USE BENEFITS? No!
EXEMPTION FOR THOSE WHO RECEIVE PUBLIC BENEFITS: The following categories of benefits received by a foreign national in the U.S. will not be deemed using "public benefits" * Emergency Medicaid; * Services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; * School-based services; * Benefits received by individuals under age 21; and * Benefits received by
Gail S. Seeram pregnant women (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper) Attorney Gail Seeram, LL.M., J.D., BBA call | text 407-292-7730 whatsApp 407-353-1363 e m a i l : Gail@GailLaw.com l i v e c h a t : www.GailLaw.com Download FREE App: Gail Law. Copyright © Law Offices of Gail S. Seeram, 2020. All Rights Reserved
Kaieteur News
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Providing answers through scientific analysis…
Forensic Toxicologist, Tomica A. Bacchus, is a 'Special Person'
In work mode
She is also a lover of nature
From page 22 laboratory testing relating to matters not associated with criminal investigations. As such, the stated mission of the laboratory is to “…provide a quality scientific service to its clients, thus fulfilling its key mandate in being an effective arm of the judicial
Always willing to learn new things
system…foster professional relationships with agencies and academic institutions that will keep it abreast with the trends, and so adapt its methodologies, thus ensuring absolute competency and efficiency.” FAMILY LIFE Although her work at the
Forensic Lab consumes a great deal of her time, Tomica has learnt, over the years, to be an excellent manager of her time. This is important, since she is the mother of a six-year old daughter, Tahirah, who she intends to inspire to become the best possible human being. In fact, Tomica is
hopeful to one day grow her family. Describing her daughter as “adorable”, Tomica is eyeing a life filled with even more “adorable” little ones. “I'm single [right now] but I definitely want to get married and have more babies,” she admitted. But it isn't always easy to balance her work life with family life, Tomica said, as she admitted, “It's hard, I need more hours in my day sometimes, but it helps that I'm not really a social person, so if I'm not at work, I'm at home.” As she considered her 30 years of existence, Tomica is of the belief that her greatest achievement has been mothering her daughter. “I would say my greatest achievement is being a mother and watching my baby girl grow up in front of my eyes into this amazing little being, but some people don't consider making a baby an accomplishment. So I would say the completion of my academics with honours and placing a spot at my dream job at a forensic lab…” said Tomica, as she jokingly added “my heart is almost filled.” But even though her life is consumed by work and caring for her daughter, Tomica has been able to use science to her advantage to accomplish yet another feat. She has been able to establish Amani's Kitchen, from which she is able to produce a wide variety of
sumptuous edibles. This, of course, helps her to continue to fulfill her long-time favourite pastime of experimenting in the kitchen. “I am the SHE-E-O [instead of CEO] of Amani's Kitchen, where I am able to bake and design cakes and other sweet treats for all kinds of events,” said Tomica. Reflecting on her focused upbringing, she has nothing but appreciation for all those who helped steer her into becoming a dedicated and productive native of our dear land. And just about anyone can achieve this, Tomica believes. She noted,
however, that it requires that you: “surround yourself with people who will aid in you reaching your full potential...you can be anything you desire to be, it just means you have to work hard to make that dream a reality. Stay positive, stay strong, stay ambitious, stay focused and stay fighting.” For being a young, ambitious and very resilient daughter of the soil, with a flair for things science, today we at Kaieteur News bestow Tomica A. Bacchus with our title of 'Special Person' in hopes that she will continue to evolve and break even more traditional barriers along the way.
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Kaieteur News
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g ts in s... re ure e t t In rea C
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The
Ringed Kingfisher
he ringed kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) is a large, conspicuous and noisy kingfisher bird commonly found along the lower Rio Grande valley in south eastern most Texas in the United States through Central America to Tierra del Fuego in South America. The wings of adult males range between 184.9 and 211.1 millimetres (7.28 and 8.31 in), which on average measures 196.3 mm (7.73 in). Their tails range between 110.0–129.0 mm (4.33–5.08 in), and the bill measures 74.9–94 mm (2.95–3.70 in). Female wings range between 185.0-210.1 mm, as the tail measures 111.5–132.1 mm (4.39–5.20 in) and possess a bill measuring 75.9–90.9 mm (2.99–3.58 in). Individuals can weigh between 305 and 341 g (10.8 and 12.0 oz.). Such measurements prove that the species do not differ sexually in terms of size. Ringed kingfishers have a dark-brown iris that is constant amongst all age groups. They possess a straight bill that is longer than its head, along with a curved culmen and tomial serrations. The lower mandible appears to have some yellowish colourations. They possess
(Megaceryle torquata) syndactil feet with olivegreen or yellowish toes and black claws. A large crest appears to be between the base of the bill and neck. Several individuals have a white collar located around the neck. Each ringed kingfisher possesses 10 primaries, 15 secondaries, 3 tertials and 12 r e c t r i c e s . Wi n g s a r e rounded, and tail is squared. Subspecies can be found in Texas, Mexico, Central America and South America, due to slight plumage differences. Individuals themselves vary slightly as a result of variable environmental constraints and day-length regimes. Ringed kingfishers can be identified by sex due to differences in colouration. The males possess rustybrown underparts with white undertail coverts and a white throat. Females have a bluish-grey band seen on upper breast and a whitish band. A ringed kingfisher's clutch size is approximated to be 3-6 eggs, which are incubated for about 22 days. The ringed kingfisher is from the family Alcedinidae in the order Coraciiformes. The ringed kingfisher is related to the belted kingfisher. Overall, the species appears much larger than its counterpart, while possessing a rufous belly, a massive bill and a blue back.
The anatomy of ringed kingfisher's prevents efficient terrestrial movements. Individuals shuffle into and out of nesting burrows. Therefore, displacing between branches is difficult for this species. They possess strong wings that beat very slow as a result of its size. They are able to fly over land for long periods of time in comparison to other species of kingfishers. A mating ritual involves the male ringed kingfisher offering fish to the female before copulation. Richmond further explains that the pair perform where the male create calls while circling above the waters, while dropping into the water. This process lasts for a short period of time. Female and male ringed kingfishers incubate their eggs while performing other d u t i e s e q u a l l y. S h o r t foraging breaks are taken during late afternoon since incubation periods are long. Each individual take turns during the morning. Incubating birds are capable of finding prey by regurgitating its undigested food to attract flies in its burrow. Ringed kingfishers have louder and lower-pitched calls compared to belted k i n g f i s h e r. C a p t u r e d Juveniles have been heard to scream, giving a klek or kek call. The same call is heard
during human intervention or other disturbances. A softer klek is produced by the adult to signal its incubating partner. Its common vocalizations are described as rattles. Ringed kingfishers can perch for several hours on trees while watching for prey in the freshwater. Belted kingfishers perch for only a few moments. Ringed kingfishers have also been observed to forage in marine water. They catch their prey by diving from a perch. Ringed kingfisher's diet is largely dependent on fish, while sometimes targeting
invertebrates, crabs and crustaceans. Fish consumed include several species from the families Characidae and Cichlidae. A study has examined a parasitic infection caused by Pulchrosopa pulchrosopa, a type of parasitic flatworm that causes internal damages in the respiratory system of ringed kingfishers. Four infected individuals were examined and the species found in their lungs, trachea and coelomic cavity. The parasite migrates to the lungs as the host experiences s t r e s s f u l o r immunosuppressive
periods. The parasite causes significant damage to tissues due to its migration to the lungs. Predators of ringed kingfishers include the white-tailed hawk, sharpshinned hawk, bald eagle, golden eagle and peregrine falcon. The IUCN considers the ringed kingfisher to be of “Least Concern”. Increasing population trends indicate that the species are not vulnerable as they are widespread and have a large habitat distribution and breeding ranges. [Source: Wikipedia]
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K O
BO
Book: THE ISIS PAPERS – THE KEYS TO THE COLORS Author: Dr. Frances Cress Welsing Critic: Glenville Ashby, PhD
T
he late Dr. Frances Cress Welsing has her fair share of detractors. Over the years, she has been called a racial arsonist, a homophobe, an anachronism and a Black Nationalist. On the other hand, her supporters refer to her in hagiographic terms: an ancestor, a sage, a scholar, a visionary and an original. Amid the back and forth,
Sunday February 02, 2020
The Classic Series…
Race and Society through the Lens of a Psychiatrist
many forget that Welsing was a medical doctor, a psychiatrist, no less, and the foundation of her seminal work, 'THE ISIS PA P ERS ' , res ts psychodynamic psychology. Welsing, through her clinical assessments and therapeutic work, discovered that many of her patients' neuroses were caused by racism and oppression. A compendium of essays written over an eighteen-year period, THE ISIS PAPERS represents her most definitive work on race, culture and politics. Her thesis on white supremacy is hardly capricious. W h i t e s u p r e m a c y, according to Welsing, is a systemized concept deeply rooted in the collective unconscious. Not unlike a Jungian Archetype, it has,
and continues to shape culture and behaviour. It is an age-old social system evident in key areas of activity, namely, economics, education, entertainment, l a b o u r, l a w, p o l i t i c s , religion, sex and war. Tenaciously unbowed and soundly academic, Welsing pivots toward a head-on confrontation with established norms. Welsing views a world of villainous oppression against people of colour. It is war that transcends naked violence, although that was used in the past to conquer defenceless cultures. Today, oppression and the annihilation of a people are far more subtle, far more psychologically sophisticated. Clueless of the real modus operandi of white supremacy, brown and black people are deftly programmed to destroy themselves through behaviours that run counter to their cultural, social and economic sustenance.
Of black male passivity, effeminization, bisexuality and homosexuality, Welsing writes, “As Black psychiatrists and behavioral scientists, we need to understand the individual and social dynamics involved in these patterns of behaviour. We must be able to help our patients understand their conduct and change it if they so desire. We should be in a position to comment on the ultimate implications of these behaviours for their well-being and maximum development - not simply as individuals, but as a whole organism of people seeking healing.” Black Manhood, in particular, is threatened, a purposeful effort by a racist social system, according to Dr. Welsing. This system, she posits, “has steadily removed strong Black male images, such as those presented by Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr., resulting in the fragmentation of the black family. E x p e c t e d l y, s h e dismisses multiculturalism as illusory, and nothing but a spurious political hygge that masks the real threat of black annihilation. Arguably, her most provocative argument centres on sex and neurotic obsession. She assails Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis, which she describes as obscure and useless. Freud, a Jew, deluded by his own need for acceptance by white German culture, failed to identify the phallus (penis envy) as the bulwark of white supremacy. Ironically, whites, whom she considers genetically inferior (she theorizes on skin albinism and migration), have, since their first encounter with coloured and black peoples,
consciously and u n c o n s c i o u s l y, s o u g h t genetic dominance due to fear of Black genetic power and the real likelihood of their own extinction. She expounds, “The white male felt genetically w e a k e r, n o t o n l y i n comparison to the Black male but also to the black female,” but “the black male is feared more because it is males who initiate the act of reproduction.” This dynamic, she concludes, is never discussed openly in the white supremacy system/culture. However, black male envy, she notes, is unconsciously raised when whites “constantly concern themselves with the comparative size of the black phallus versus the size of the white phallus.” It is the fear of the black genitalia that leaves imprinted on the psyche the neurotic imagery of the white male assuming the role of power by puffing on a long black cigar. "Indeed, the more important they wish others to believe they are, the
longer the cigar." Welsing argues that the symbolism attached to white supremacy: guns, missiles and other weapons of war, have sexual overtones related to displacement (an unconscious defence mechanism, whereby the mind substitutes either a new object for goals felt in their original form to be unacceptable.) Recognition of the social and psychological forces behind oppression is the first step toward empowerment, but concrete steps are needed to mend the black psyche. Stopping the psychic hemorrhaging of the black family unit is only possible when “a balance is established between the adult male role of breadwinning and the female role of child socialization, with equal respect maintained for both roles.” Further, the economic health of the family demands that black males assume constructive roles with comparative earning power with their white (continued on page 63)
This is nothing else but “eye-pass”! From page 40 we can sit by for more than 12 years and show no interest in collecting our dividends. Our first priority is ensuring we get a good deal from an investor that comes here. We waived billions of dollars in taxes for concessions, including on fuel and equipment. We g a v e t h e m a n operation that was a going
concern. In essence, it was a sweetheart deal. Today, our pride should be smarting. We have been slapped several times by the gloves of Rusal, and our indignation should be made known. Let me say very clearly: the current situation with Rusal is intolerable. I have gone to the sites in Berbice and seen the tough conditions of the men and
women who work there. I ache for them. They are decent men and women. Rusal has disrespected Guyana. It is nothing else but “eye-pass” and our leaders are doing little or nothing. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Sunday February 02, 2020
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US bans travellers from China as coronavirus toll spikes Beijing criticises US move temporarily barring entry to most foreigners who had been in China in the past two weeks. The United States has declared a public health emergency and temporarily banned the entry of foreign nationals who travelled to China recently, joining a growing list of nations to impose travel restrictions due to the coronavirus outbreak that has killed more than 250 people and infected thousands. US President Donald Trump signed an order on Friday barring entry to foreign
nationals, other than immediate family members of American citizens and permanent residents, who travelled in China in the last 14 days, which scientists say is the longest incubation period for the virus. Americans returning from China will be allowed into the country, but will face screening at selected ports of entry and required to undertake 14 days of self-screening. Those returning from Hubei will be subject to a 14-day quarantine. China’s government criticised the measure, which it said contradicted the World
Health Organization’s appeal to avoid travel bans, and slammed “unfriendly comments” made by the US that Beijing was failing to cooperate. “Just as the WHO recommended against travel restrictions, the US rushed to go in the opposite way. Certainly not a gesture of goodwill,” said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. There have been seven confirmed US cases of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, which originated in December in a live seafood market in Wuhan in China’s Hubei province.
People wear medical masks at the terminal that serves planes bound for China at John F Kennedy Airport in New York [Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP]
With the United Kingdom, Russia and Sweden among the countries confirming their first infections, the virus has now spread to more than two dozen nations, sending governments scurrying to limit their exposure. The US move follows similar steps by countries, including Italy, Singapore, and China’s northern neighbour, Mongolia. The US, Japan, the UK, Germany and some other af-
fected nations have already advised their citizens not to travel to China. On Saturday, Australia said it would bar non-citizens arriving from China from entering the country under new measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus epidemic. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said only “Australian citizens, Australian residents, dependents, legal guardians or spouses” would
be permitted into the country from China. The WHO has already declared the epidemic a global emergency. Death toll in China has risen to 259 while total infections reached nearly 12,000, surpassing the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic 20 years ago. Three US airlines - American, Delta and United - said they would soon suspend all flights to China.
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Sunday February 02, 2020
Cervical Cancer Killing Slowly By Dr. Martin Campbell Cervical cancer is akin to the Sloth, one of several of the slow-moving arboreal mammals inhabiting South and Central America. It would be fatal, to link the sloth of the cancer of the cervix with apathy or laziness. It is true that it takes about a decade for cervical cancer to mature from pre-cancerous lesions, thus patients have ample opportunities for prevention, and if contracted, to benefit from early detection and life-saving treatment. Cervical cancer is common among women globally. According to 2018 figures, there were some 580,000 new diagnoses that year. This disease, affects women between the ages of 30 and 65 years. However, younger women are also usually victims of this deadly ailment. As a South American state, Guyana has not escaped the sluggish, imperceptible but relentless march of cancer of the cervix. The multi-racial Cooperative Republic ranks among the most affected countries in the Region of the Americas with an age-standardised incidence rate of 32.7 per 100,000 in 2018. Cervical cancer is also the second most frequentlydiagnosed cancer with 124 new cases or 16.5 percent of all reported cancer cases and results in the most cancer-related deaths with 64 cases or 13.6 percent of mortalities for 2018, regardless of age or sex. Although the highest
rates are documented among Guyanese women of African and East Indian heritages, women of indigenous heritage (Amerindian women) have a very high incidence of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) related cervical changes. Cancer of the cervix was the second most common cancer overall in Guyana also among women. There were 1,014 cases of cervical cancer for a cumulative incidence rate of 270 per 100,000 population. Afro-Guyanese women had marginally the highest incidence (384) followed by Indo-Guyanese women with 383. Guyanese women of Chinese decent had the cumulative rate of cervical cancer (561 per 100,000), followed by Afro-Guyanese women with 339 per 100,000 and then Amerindian women with 276 per 100,000 population. The largest number of cases was diagnosed in 2000 with minimal decreases seen in the following three years. There were reductions in 2009 with less than a hundred cases, following by increases above 100 cases in the next two years. In 2012, there was a marked reduction of cases to fewer than a hundred. Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, the lowest portion of a woman’s uterus (womb) that opens into the vagina. The normal cervix has two main types of cells: Squamos (flat) cells, that protect the outer part and Glandular
cells, which are mostly inside and make the fluids and mucus commonly seen during ovulation. Cervical cancer occurs when either of these cell
infections persist. This persistent HPV infection in the cervix causes cell changes (precancerous lesions) that can become cancerous, unless
Smoking is another risk factor since the nicotine and other carcinogenic substances found in tobacco (cigarettes) tend to accu-
types grows abnormally and progressively invades other parts of the body. The HPV is behind almost all cases of cervical cancers. Most adult women have been exposed to HPV infection. HOW? - through sexual contact. HPV infection usually clears up on its own. Although the body’s normal immune system is able to destroy the HPV infection, some
treated. HPV 16 and 18 are two of several common cancer-causing types responsible for an estimated 70 percent of all cervical cancers. However, HPV infection by itself is not sufficient factor for developing cervical cancer since that usually requires the presence of other risk elements such as one’s family history; sexual and reproductive history; smoking; Immuno-suppression, overweight and eating unhealthy diets low in fruit and vegetables. It is a known fact that early sexual intercourse and multiple sexual partners expose an immature cervix to the various strains of HPV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Additionally, women who had their first full term pregnancy by age 17 are twice as likely to develop cervical cancer as women who waited to get pregnant at age 25 or older. Any history of STIs also multiplies the risk. Women with three or more full-term pregnancies and those with prolonged use of oral contraceptives (especially if taken longer than five years) also increase that risk. Also, women who have had a first-degree relative (mother or sister) with cervical cancer have double or triple the risk of contracting the deadly disease. Plus, a woman who is a HIV-positive or suffers from any other condition that weakens the immune system (prolonged steroid use such as women with lupus and asthma or having uncontrolled diabetes) is at a higher risk of contracting HPV which may develop pre-cancer and cervical cancer at a faster rate.
mulate in the cervical mucus and cause precancerous changes heightening the chances of developing the cancer. While pre-cancers usually have no symptoms, positive signs of the disease include abnormal vaginal bleeding; bleeding after sexual intercourse; bleeding between menstrual cycles and after onset of menopause; menstruation lasting longer and heavier than normal; excessive vaginal discharge; pain during sexual intercourse and pelvic pain. Many of these symptoms can also be caused by other health problems, it is therefore important for a woman to visit her doctor for an accurate diagnosis of her medical problem(s) via a pelvic examination, Pap smear or VIA (vaginal inspection by acetic acid). If problems are detected, the physician may recommend undergoing a colposcopy (observing the cervix through a magnifying scope). If the colposcopy reveals any abnormality, a biopsy may be done to confirm diagnosis. The patient may be advised to undergo a surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy if cervical cancer is diagnosed. The treatment regimen will depend on several factors including: the stage, size and location of the cancer and the age and general health of the patient. In theory, no woman should die from cervical cancer since this is almost 100 percent avoidable through vaccination, screening and effective treatment. HPV vaccination for Guyanese girls 9-16 years old
is a big first blow to defeating cervical cancer as it offers lifelong protection from certain high-risk types of HPV known to cause 70 percent of cervical cancer cases. However, for older, sexually active women, regular screening for cervical cancer is extremely important in preventing unnecessary deaths. VIA screening is FREE at public health facilities in Guyana. It is a quick, pain-free process of assessing the Cervix after applying vinegar (acetic acid solution). This test is suitable for all sexually active women 50 years and younger. With a VIA your results are given to you immediately and pre-cancer treatment by means of Cryotherapy is offered in the same instance. This treatment option is proven to destroy precancerous cells thus preventing them from developing into cancer. The VIA service can be accessed at the following government health facilities: Mabaruma Regional Hospital, Moruca District Hospital, Anna Regina Health Centre, Charity Hospital, Leonora Cottage Hospital, West Demerara Regional Hospital, GPHC VIA clinic, National Care And Treatment Centre, Dorothy Bailey Health Centre (South Road clinic), Campbellville Health Centre , Kitty Health Centre, Industry Health Centre, Mahaicony Hospital, Fort Wellington Hospital, New Amsterdam Hospital, Skeldon Health centre , Bartica Hospital, Mahdia District Hospital, Lethem Regional, Linden Hospital Complex and the Upper Demerara Hospital. It is recommended that women should be screened every three years. It is also recommended that women with Immuno-suppressive conditions such as being HIV positive should be screened every year. Furthermore, women who have had a supra-cervical hysterectomy (without removal of the cervix) should continue routine cervical cancer screening. Specialists also urge women from 50-yrs old (and those with menopausal changes to cervix) to have routine Pap smears every three years until they reach the age of 69. They may stop taking the procedure if all previous results are found to be normal. Delaying their first sexual contact until after age 20, avoiding multiple sexual partners, using a condom correctly, quitting smoking and having a healthy weight and diet are other ways to mitigate the risk of contracting the disease. Remember screen routinely, early detection saves lives.
Sunday February 02, 2020
Forensic accounting comes to Guyana
Mr. Chetram Ramdihal and Stephon Grey The Caribbean Institute of Forensic Accounting (CIFA) Guyana Inc. was officially launched at Herdmanston Lodge with a cocktail reception on Friday. The event was hosted by the partners Mr. Chetram Ramdihal, – CEO of CIFAGuyana and Mr. Stephon Grey, Founder of CIFA & Director of CIFA Consulting Limited. The decorated history off CIFA was shared by Mr. Grey in his feature address to the gathering. The Caribbean Institute of Forensic Accounting (CIFA) was established in Trinidad & Tobago in 2008 and remains the only Caribbean-based institute dedicated to providing training in anti-fraud and forensic accounting throughout the region. CIFA has provided training to industry professionals in approximately 100 organisations spanning 11 Caribbean territories. Additionally, CIFA col-
laborates with the Forensic CPA Society of the USA to prepare students for examinations leading towards the FCPA™ (Forensic Certified Public Accountant) designation. Notably, CIFA has conducted successful investigations in places such as Grenada, Ethiopia, China and many other countries both regionally and internationally. Mr. Grey said that within a few weeks CIFA will have its office in London operational to add to the list of offices in Trinidad, Dominica, St Kitts, Guyana, St Vincent, Jamaica, St Lucia, Barbados and Suriname. This joint venture will enable CIFA Guyana to provide services in the field of forensic auditing and accounting, fraud auditing, asset tracing and‘ recovery, investigations, due diligence, procurement audits, document examination, process re-engineering, computer forensics and data recovery, contract compliance auditing, anti-money launder-
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ing compliance services, fraud risk and loss management and forensic and antifraud training. Caribbean Institute of Forensic Accounting (CIFA) Guyana Inc. has its registered office at Lot 25 Craig Street & Delph Avenue, Campbellville, Georgetown, Guyana. The team comprises professional personnel with a combined total of over 100 years of experience in the field of Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Legal, Engineering, Forensics, Training and Management Consultancy. The combination of vast international and local experience, equips the firm to take a ‘solution team’ approach that maximises the use of limited organisation resources to provide innovative and integrated solutions for all our clients. CIFA Guyana has as its goal to become the most trusted and respected professional services firm in Guyana.
STANDARDS IN FOCUS Accuracy in the petroleum industry depends on routine verification by the GNBS The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), which is empowered under the Weights and Measures Act of 1981, has been mandated to check and verify the accuracy of bulk meters, fuel pumps and other measuring devices used in the petroleum industry. Verification ensures that the quantities of fuel dispensed using these measuring devices are within the acceptable tolerances; hence, vehicle owners and other consumers can continually rely on the accuracy of fuel provided to them at the time of purchase. Over 1800 fuel pumps are verified by the GNBS annually. In addition, the GNBS verifies storage tanks, bulk meters and compartments of tanker wagons for bulk suppliers including Sol, Rubis and GUYOIL and those of smaller private companies. Tanker wagons are also checked by the GNBS to ensure measurement and safety requirements are maintained, prior to licensing by the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA). During the verification process, test measures, which are traceable to inter-
national standards are used to determine the accuracy of petrol pumps and bulk meters. These tests measure range in capacity from 2000 litres to five litres. Their use determines whether measuring devices are under-delivering, overdelivering or are within the acceptable tolerances. For devices that are inaccurate, the necessary adjustments are made and security seals are affixed to the adjustment mechanisms. This is to maintain the integrity of the verification process. If subsequent checks are conducted by Inspectors of the GNBS and the affixed seals are found to be tampered with or removed, the operators or proprietors can face prosecution. Further, as it relates to bulk meters and petrol pumps, if for one reason or the other they are not functioning properly, and cannot be verified immediately, the dispensing nuzzles are sealed off by the GNBS to prevent further usage until they are rectified and verified. Meanwhile, owners of tanker wagons that fail inspection and verification requirements are advised to
have them rectified and returned for the verification process to be redone. The entire verification process is intended to protect both suppliers and consumers. When a pump is over delivering fuel, the station is selling at a financial loss. If a pump is under delivering, then drivers are being shortchanged. Similarly, fuel terminals also need to supply the correct quantities of fuel to petrol stations that are their customers so that they too can be satisfied. The GNBS, therefore, serves as an effective monitor between sellers and consumers, thus ensuring fair trade and business practices and ultimately, protection for all. Consumers are advised to check fuel pumps for the GNBS approval seals, to make purchases in litres, and to ensure that at the end of the purchase the indicator on the pump has the quantity and/ or money value requested. For further information on this subject, call the GNBS on Telephone number: 219-0065 or 219-0069 or visit the Bureau’s website:www.gnbsgy.org.
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Sunday February 02, 2020
Kaieteur News
Shocking details...
FOR RENT
SERVICES
FOR SALE
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040
Freezer & Quality used restaurant equipment. Call: 618-5080
Snackette for rent, Mobile snackettes, price $20,000 monthly. Tel# 697-6311
Prime piece of hand at La Grange Public Road 300ft X 100ft $100,000 US Dollar.Contact Annie 6950333.
Ransom (Concrete mixers), Scaffolding, Power washer, compactors, hire truck service etc, free delivery. Telephone: 610-5360. Email: dmdscaffolding@yahoo.com
ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINE, FREEZER, SALE OF AC’S. TEL#629-4946,225-4822 House plan to draw or estimate. Call: 216-0671/6928464. Whatsapp #622-0267 We repair Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washer, Dryer-Call#231-0655/ 683-8734 Omar. Preparation of VAT returns, Form 2A, 7B, Income & property tax computation. Call: 671-8333/665-8543 LAND FOR SALE Transported land 11.6 acres, Lot 15 Public Road #2 Village W.C.B/ce 5 mins from B/ce bridge.Contact#686-4818/6487109. Parfaite Harmonie front $4M,$3M,$2.5M, Providence $5M, Herstelling $5M. Call: 666-2326 Transported land for sale in Rose Hall Town.Call#603-1441 Lot 1397 Section A, Block ‘X’ Great Diamond, Housing Scheme, Serious Buyers only. (110x62) 231-6345 Parfaite Harmonie $1.4M Farm (Main road) $6.8M 105ft x 65ft Schnoord $3.8M Farm $4M Tel#648-1635
Computer with webcam. CD/ DVD, Print adaptable. 9" x 12" screen size, Owner migrating $40,000 neg. Tel #592-6390436 8 week old pure pit bull pups. Female only, Excellent guard dogs. Tel#612-2258 Foreign used heavy machinery. Trucks & spare parts for sale. Contact PartZone Gy. #694-4489 All in one buy, entire boutique closing down, sale all ladies clothing JL bland, over 2000 pieces #225-0571/600-5076 1- Raymax X-tray machine with Konica Minolta processor. Asking $5.5 neg. Tel# 641-3001 TO LET Available - Decent working couples, One bedroom apartment in Georgetown, Parking & Telephone $50,000. Tel# 623-8759 Self contain rooms for working couple/single person $35,000 monthly, Light & water, Lodge. Call: 623-0076, 2 months security 1-2 bedroom apartment preferable 2 working people or 2 student, Albert St. Call: 2315695 Lodge Apartments (Vlissengen/Durban): Unfurnished $40,000-$60,000 p/m. Furnished ( For Visitors) $600 US p/m. #633-8514/668-7305/ 697-6421
2 bedroom concrete fully furnished apartment. Two story, family preferred, $800 US per month Peter’s Hall Public Road. Tel# 671-1441 2 bedroom house in Herstelling $40,000 monthly, 1 month rent, 2 month security. Call: 696-1680 CHARLOTTE ST: 3 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHROOMS, UPSTAIRS, $1000 USD MONTH . CALL 670-5556. NO AGENTS PLEASE KITTY: 2 BEDROOMS, SECURE $90,000 MONTHLY. CALL: 6705556. NO AGENTS PLEASE PEN PAL Male 45 yrs seeking female companionship, 45 yrs up. Contact #665-2723 PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 89 Robb street Lacytown, Georgetown. Next door to Mike’s Pharmacy.Land size-3431.25 Sq.ft.Phone:617-5323/6668052. One 3 Story building at 97 Sugar Cane St.S/Rveldt Gdns $125,000,000.Tel#674-9905/ 695-1365/225-2971. 3- Storey unfinished building, Lot 1486 Plot B Herstelling EBD. 2 storey unfinish building, Lot 1488 Onderneeming WBD. #6093777/697-4557/641-3893/6860522 House and land available at Parfaite, Tuschen, Diamond etc. Contact Pacific Development Inc. 223-6035/ 604-4909
VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Suzuki Escudo.Excellent condition, Low Mileage (50,000Km).$3.4M Neg.Call #649-0956.
1-5 Acre fruit bearing & coconut plantation for sale/ lease@WBD Oppos Timehri W h a r f . E m a i l :gzplayter@aol.com/ whatsapp#4074912026.
Red CRV-2007 Model.Contact 666-7895.
Two (2) acres of transported land at La Grange, Middle Dam WBD for sale. Contact # 6155372
Honda Accord, Automatic, cruise control 17" Mogs LHD. Excellent Condition Tel#6122258
LEARN TO DRIVE N.Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square.Affordable Package.Call#644-5166/6912561/681-2808. WANTED Driver 30-55 yrs old, must have mc/mv/ml/ license. Please call: 616-6988
WANTED Barman, Waitress and cook. Tel# 619-2877 Needed Labourers & Chainsaw operator to work on concession. Tel# 690-3535/ 651-1115 Wanted land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie on the West Coast and East Bank. Tel# 697-6311
From page 10 management in the Intensive Care Unit. Subryan was not given enough oxygen despite the likely need and he “as never returned to theater for a possible life-saving peritoneal lavage.” In her damning conclusions, Dr. Mitchell found that the two senior doctors “provided substandard care with respect to their inadequate history taking, incomplete
Wanted One cook for a family, must be 25-35 years old. Call: 231-8737 Wanted one maid between the age of 25-35. Call: 231-8737 Excavator operator to work with mining firm, must have experience. Contact Imran #226-9416/ 502-8587 Diesel Mechanic to work in interior, experience with perkins, duetz, doosan engines necessary. Contact Imran #226-9416/502-8587 Wanted experienced hire car drivers at Ramada Princess Georgetown Hotel. Contact # 265-7075 / 616-5419 1 Lorry Driver, must be able to work flexible hours. Contact Annie #233-3512 / 264-3720 Bus, Car & Lorry Drivers #2253234/225-9223 Senior Kitchen assistant, Primary education & Experience driver & cashier, Apply at Hack’s Halaal with H/written application Wanted land to buy- Parfaite Harmonie, Providence, Herstelling,Tuchen, Uitvlugt & elsewhere. Call: 666-2326
VACANCY Nail Technician. Contact# 223-5273/223-5274 1 Female Office Assistant. Must have knowledge of NIS, Payroll & computer literate, Age 30 +. Contact PSGCS #621-6969, serious enquiries only Female cleaner office & home. Call: 642-9823 Domestic. Contact# 2235273/223-5274 Female Cook/Baker for interior location. For further details. Call: 618-2020 Security Officers $85,000, Apply within @ 47 Croal St. Tel# 226-9905 or on FB page, Atlas Security Services Inc Driver/Expediter. Contact# 223-5273/223-5274 Labourers & Maintenance workers. Contact #621-6969, serious enquiries only.
Conductor, who drank...
Bar/Beer Garden to rent. Tel# 695-9140 2 Waitress at D’Edward Village Berbice.Tel#327-5923/6855024. Bus driver wanted. Tel# 6041469/267-1446 Maid. Requirements: person must be living on the East Bank. Contact# 600-6887 Porters to work in Grocery Stall, Attractive Salary at Stabroek Market. Tel#2269800/683-9500. Experience an asset One experienced welder to work in the interior, must have experience. Contact Imran # 226-9416/502-8587 Mason & Carpenter. Tel#6029469/687-2506 Bond Clerk 25-55 yrs old, East Bank area preferable. Please call: 616-6988 One Accounts clerk must be writing CAT, Previous work experience necessary, send application to P.O Box 16005
diagnoses, scant documentation, failure to recognise a critically ill patient and failure to provide effective available life-saving interventions.” In fact, the Chair of the Medical Council was emphatic: “These senior doctors did not meet the standard expected of a doctor.” The report said that the private hospital cannot be absolved and has a duty to ensure that safety standards and protocols are inadequately implemented. The report said that the private hospital, and the two doctors, should consider seeking an out-of-court settlement with Subryan’s family. Disciplinary actions were recommended for the two doctors. The surfacing of this report came as a number of patients made shocking claims of the mercenary-like treatment at private hospitals. Among other things, patients were being sent for unnecessary tests and even forced to take operations they don’t need. Kaieteur News has been flooded with a significant number of complaints. Until now, there has largely been secrecy on how many doctors are being sanctioned. In fact, the website of the Medical Council of Guyana is not working. If you know of anyone who has a story to tell and has the evidence that he or she or a family member has suffered at a private hospital, please let us know by calling 225-8491 or email us at kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
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From page 15 Khalil lying in a pool of blood, bleeding profusely from a gaping wound to her neck. The suspect who was still standing there proceeded to ingest a poisonous substance and then jumped into the Demerara River but he was later rescued in an unconscious state. Both Khalil and Richmond were rushed to the Diamond Diagnostics Centre but Khalil was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital to undergo surgery for her injury. She is said to be in a critical but stable condition. Police sources disclosed that a knife and a bottle, with suspected poison, were retrieved at the scene of the crime.
Sunday February 02, 2020
Kaieteur News
CONSUMER CONCERNS THE TOBACCO CONTROL COUNCIL EMBARKS UPON ITS 2020 PROGRAMME PAT DIAL he theme of educat ing the population against the dangers of tobacco is one to which consumer advocates always return since it is among the greatest causes of death and debilitation in modern society. The Guyana Consumers Association (GCA), PAHO/ WHO and the Ministry of Health under former Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who was himself one of the most committed crusaders against tobacco first begun the uphill struggle against tobacco. It was in those early years that the present legislation to control tobacco use was formulated as well as the graphic warnings were adopted. In this process, there was much interchange among Caribbean countries. When the Tobacco Control Council laid out its plans for 2020, the Guyana Consumers Association committed itself to lending its support to help the Council achieve a successful year. At this point, we would reiterate some facts relating to the dangers of tobacco use. Tobacco use, according to WHO statistics, causes more than six million preventable deaths each year and the majority of these occur in low and middle income countries like Guyana. In the Developed Countries, tobacco use is falling away but in the Developing countries it is growing, especially among the youth. Tobacco is responsible for the onset of a number of noncommunicable diseases
T
(NCD’s). These include several types of cancer - lung cancer, cancer of the throat and mouth, and cancers of the kidney, bladder, stomach and uterine cervix. Tobacco increases the risk of heart disease and stroke as well as hypertension. Smoking is an independent risk factor for diabetes. Diabetics who smoke die much earlier and the condition is acerbated with amputation and problems associated with vision. Smoking causes emphysema, bronchitis, pneumonia, erectile dysfunction in men and miscarriages in women. Second-hand smoking, that is others who are non-smokers inhaling the smoke emitted from smokers, is equally dangerous to health. The negative economic effects of smoking are well known. It debilitates large sections of the work force whose productivity falls and it places added financial burdens on the state with the cost of hospitalisation for sufferers from tobacco use. Families also suffer when the breadwinner becomes ill from tobacco use or may prematurely die imposing unnecessary financial and emotional stress on wives, children and other dependents. Over 57% of Guyanese suffer from non-communicable diseases of one type or another and many of these diseases could be traced back to tobacco use. Seventy percent of the deaths in Guyana are caused by heart disease, cancers, hypertension, lung diseases and diabetes.
These diseases are either caused or exacerbated by tobacco use. For its 2020 agenda, the National Tobacco Control Council (NTCC) has committed itself to enforcing the Tobacco Act. There are many facets to the Act but we will underscore a few of their initiatives: It will protect non-smokers, especially children, from second-hand smoke by instituting a ban on smoking in all public places such as parks, public transport or public rooms in offices or waiting rooms. Another important activity of the NTCC is in respect of the Tobacco industry where it will ensure the industry complies with the Regulations, especially in the promotion and sale of its product and in packaging relating to the pictoral warnings. In addition to the general public, NTCC expects to devote a great deal of its time to the education and information of stakeholders. There would be workshops for media personnel, governmental and inspectorate agencies and others who may be involved in helping to execute the Tobacco Legislation. As important as the enforcement of the Act, is the effort to have smokers voluntarily give up the habit or addiction. Various “Quit Smoking Guides” are available from various countries but in order to be successful, there must be a personal involvement with smokers who would wish to quit. Help lines should also be established.
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Guyanese man dead in Tortola accident
The remains of the SUV. Police have confirmed that one man is dead while another is in critical medical condition following two separate traffic accidents on the main island of Tortola. The dead man has been identified as 25year-old Guyanese national, and resident of Great Mountain, Reon Stephens. Stephens was involved in an accident on the dual carriageway early yesterday morning. “Stephens was taken by ambulance to the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Details surrounding the accident are still unclear. Investigations are ongoing in this matter,” the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) said in a media release on Saturday. In the meantime, police have identified 29year-old Vincentian and Diamond Estate resident, Keron Andrews, as the victim that was involved in a separate “late-night” accident hours before. “Andrews was taken by ambulance to [the] Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital where he underwent surgery for injuries sustained. He remains in critical condition. Details surrounding the accident are still unclear,” the RVIPF said.
Dead: Reon Stephens Police said investigations are also ongoing in that unrelated matter.
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Sunday February 02, 2020
Kaieteur News
Rockstone Women’s Group receives cold storage facilities
The Rockstone Women’s Group on Thursday formally received a donation of one 14.7 cubic foot solar-powered freezer and one 8.1 cubic foot solar-powered refrigerator valued at GYD $2,121,416 million to support their daily activities. This includes the community’s school feeding programme and fishing sector. It will also empower and boost the capacity of the women’s group to spearhead alternative sources for sustainable livelihood thereby,
helping to reduce dependency on logging and forest-related activities for their economic sustenance. The donation was facilitated through the gender integration component of the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) REDD+ project in keeping with the REDD+ readiness agenda. The items were presented by Minister of Natural Resources Hon. Raphael Trotman.
Govt. appoints several Boards of Directors The Government of Guyana has appointed several Boards of Directors. The notice is contained in February 1, 2020 edition of The Official Gazette. The Guyana Prison Service Recruitment Board has been appointed to serve for a period one year, with effect from February 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021. The Guyana Prison Service Training Board has been appointed to serve for a period of one year, with effect from February 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021. The Guyana Prison Service Agriculture Development Board has been appointed to serve for a period of one year, with effect from February 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021. The Firearms Licensing Board has been appointed to serve for a period of one year, with effect from February 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021. The Guyana Office for Investment (GO-INVEST) Board of Directors has been appointed to serve for a period of two years, with effect from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021. The Guyana Tourism Authority Board has been appointed to serve for a period of one year, with effect from February 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021. The National Standards Council has been appointed to serve for a period of two years, with effect from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021.
He noted that while the donation may seem small to some, it is a transformational project that will have a significant impact in sustaining livelihood and by providing opportunities for the community’s women, farmers and fishermen. He applauded the partnership between the women, village council and the FCPF as the spearhead the initiative. In this regard, he encouraged the women to make good use of the items provided towards the development of the community. The women are now able to offer cold storage services at a fee to the community fishermen who previously did not have capacity to store their daily catch. They are further involved in making and selling ice, icicles and cold fruits juices in the community. Additionally, the women are using the cold storage facilities to keep meats, vegetables and fruits that are used daily to prepare hot and healthy meals for children of the primary and nursery schools. The Rockstone Women’s Group stands as one of the many partners that the FCPFREDD+ project has been engaged with to ensure REDD+ readiness among indigenous and forest-dependent communities. The partnership seeks to build REDD+ knowledge and readiness capacity particularly among women and youth.
Seven Ministers among those... From page 16 the Board Kumar Doraisami, had noted that inadequate funding for the effective execution of the Commission’s mandate has been hindering the work of the Commission. Under the law, the main purpose of the Integrity Commission is to scrutinise public officers to ensure that they do not use their offices for financial gain.According to the law, public officers including the President, Permanent Secretaries, Director of Public Prosecutions, Auditor General, Commissioner of Police, the Army Chief, Heads of the Service
Commissions, Foreign Affairs officials, Judges and Magistrates and Department Heads are required to declare their assets to the commission.Also required to submit declaration forms of their earnings and gifts received are Regional Executive Officers, the Chief Elections Officer, Mayors, Chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers of state companies, Registrars of Lands and the Commissioner-General of Guyana Revenue Authority, along with Presidential Advisors, and Heads of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and Guyana Forestry Commission.
Sunday February 02, 2020
Kaieteur News
Chopping spree lands three in hospital two in lockup A dispute among several relatives last Friday in the Sophia community has left three persons hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and two in police custody. The incident occurred at Lot 5 ‘D’ Field Sophia, Georgetown; the dwelling place of three families. Kaieteur News understands that the dispute among the inhabitants of the home started months ago and usually stemmed from persons not wanting to pay for electricity use. The victims who all live at the same address, but share different rooms, have been identified as 25- year-old Joshua Sullivan, 22-year-old John Sullivan and 23-year-old Edward Skeete.
Due to the incident, the victims sustained injuries to their head, back and legs. While the Sullivan’s are reacting to medication, Mr. Skeete remains unconscious. According to reports, the families live together and equally use electricity in the home. They would take turns to purchase electricity since the home is being powered by a pre-paid meter from the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL). However, things took a turn for the worst last Thursday morning, when the previous amount of electricity that was brought for the meter were consumed and neither of the families was willing to purchase any. In an interview, one of the residents, Shelly Sullivan,
Race and Society through... From page 56 counterparts. Of the family, Welsing elaborates, “Children are the only future of any people. If the children's lives are squandered, and if the children of a people are not fully developed at whatever cost and sacrifice, the people will be consigned themselves to certain death. They will be destroyed from without or from within by the attack of their own children against them. And both may destroy them. Black people now are being attacked in the streets (from within) by their own youths, as well as being attacked (from without) by our collective oppressor.” 'THE ISIS PAPERS' is groundbreaking and insightful, a tour de force in radical
psychological thought. While Welsing's contribution to black psychology remains outside mainstream academia, there is a growing realization of her relevance amid the (seemingly) incurable pathology of global racism. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper) F e e d b a c k : glenvilleashby@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleashby The Isis Papers – The Keys to The Colors Publisher: African America Studies/Psychology Third World Press, Chicago ISBN 0-88378-104-2 Available at Amazon Ratings: Essential
mother of Joshua and John Sullivan, told Kaieteur News, “Everybody does live at the same address since it’s a family house; but every time Melissa (only name given) got to buy credit [electricity for the meter] is a problem knowing that her family does use the most of the electricity. “Is she and she man and six children live together and everybody else living there ain’t got any children.” According to the woman, last Thursday when the electricity ran out, Melissa was informed by the other dwellers to purchase but she declined with an explanation that “I don’t have to use anymore light”. This angered the other residents and a heated argument ensued. It then turned violent when her spouse struck John Sullivan with a piece of wood. Ms. Sullivan further stated that after realising what had happened, John’s brother, Joshua, intervened in the argument and this further angered the man who then went to the back of the house and get hold of a cutlass. He then reportedly started to chop the three cousins who did not realise he was closing in behind them, armed with the dangerous weapon. According to sources, while no one received more than two chop wounds, it is the area that was injured that cause the relatives to be hospitalised. After the incident, the matter was reported to the Turkeyen Police Station and the arrest was subsequently carried out. Those in custody are Melissa and her spouse.
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Papua New Guinea scraps talks with Exxon on gas project, over poor terms (Reuters) - Papua New Guinea on Friday called off negotiations with Exxon Mobil regarding the P’nyang gas project, casting a shadow on a $13 billion plan to double the country’s gas exports by 2024. The government said Exxon had refused to budge on the financial terms for developing the gas field and failed to come up with an offer it could accept. The P’nyang field was key to helping feed the expansion of Exxon’s PNG LNG plant, which it operates with partners Oil Search and Santos, among others. The P’nyang agreement is one of two agreements needed for Exxon and its partners to go ahead with their $13 billion plan to expand LNG exports. The other agreement, the Papua LNG pact, was sealed with Total in September. “Exxon Mobil’s offer had barely changed from its opening offer presented last No-
vember,” Prime Minister James Marape said in a statement, adding that it was not “substantially different” from a recent LNG agreement with Total. The country is hoping Total will still go ahead with its Papua LNG project, a person close to the negotiations said. A spokesman for ExxonMobil told Reuters the company was disappointed an agreement could not be reached. “We are hopeful that we can continue to work toward an outcome that benefits all stakeholders,” the spokesman said in an email. The country’s petroleum minister had said last year that the government would press Exxon for “far better” terms on the P’nyang project than it had with the Total agreement. T h e g o v e r n ment was seeking terms that would give the state more than the 4550% take that the country is
An ExxonMobil LNG Facility in Papua New Guinea set to reap on the value of Total’s Papua LNG project, the
person said, adding that the share was much less than the
80% take that Governments such as Malaysia and Indo-
nesia have on gas projects in their countries.
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Kaieteur News
Super Bowl to feature women owners on each side for first time
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and strong safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) celebrate with Norma Hunt on stage after the AFC Championship Game against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium. (Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)
Sunday February 02, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may have the sense that something is going on around you that you just can’t seem to grab hold of. Your mind is bouncing this way and that as if you’re watching a ball in a tennis match. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) An opposing person or situation may rear its head today, Taurus. Realize that you can draw on the same energy that’s causing them to act and state your point of view for the record. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today is a great day for transformation, Gemini, and your actions have deeper than usual inner meaning. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Use today's powerful energy to cut to the heart of the matter and strip away the façade that’s currently doing more harm than good.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your emotional nature may seem revved up for action today, although it could be that you don't know what direction to drive in. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) There is a tremendous amount of power at your disposal today, Scorpio, and you should take care and use it wisely. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) There may be a big conflict in your life that you seem almost powerless to control at this time, Sagittarius. It could feel like a war is raging around you and all you want is for it to stop. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A There is a powerful force that seems to be working against you today, but realize that you do have the power to produce a positive outcome.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Try not to get blown off course by the fire that seems to be raging around you. Ultimately, you know what’s right and what’s wrong, so don't compromise yourself or your sense of pride.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) People may seem especially insensitive to your feelings today, Aquarius, but try not to get down on them about it. You may feel a sudden urge to act out in a physical manner, and you should do it, but in a constructive way.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Pick yourself up by your bootstraps and go in for t h e k i l l t o d a y, Vi rg o . You’re in a terrific position to make some strong and lasting impressions on others. Any sort of group work is especially favored.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Go for the gusto today. Nothing can stop you. You’ve got a tremendous amount of power at your disposal, so use it wisely. You can accomplish a great deal and make extremely positive transformations in your life.
MIAMI (Reuters) - When the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers take the field today, new ground will be broken with this year’s Super Bowl being the first to feature two teams with women owners. With Denise York helping lead the Niners as co-owner and co-chair and Norma Hunt the matriarch of the Chiefs, Super Bowl LIV will represent a small crack in the glass ceiling of the overwhelmingly male-dominated world of pro football. “We say football is about family, and we have two of the best in sports in this Super Bowl,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters on Wednesday. “They happen to be led by women — the first match-up of its
GNIC SC, Everest... From page 67 for 14, while Nandan made 29. With the exception of Azeem Azeez who made 25, no other batsman offered any resistance as Raylin Payne captured 3-22, David Williams 2-29 and Richie Looknauth 228. Everest CC responded with 133-5 in 23.3 overs. Saheed Mohamed slammed 10 fours in a top score of 63 while Looknauth made 26 not out and Dwayne Adams 17. Oslyn Batson took 2-22 and Joel Spooner 2-28. (Zaheer Mohamed)
kind.” Chiefs’ co-owner Hunt, the so-called ‘First Lady of Football’, is the only woman to have attended every one of the 53 Super Bowls and hopes to see her team lift the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in half a century. The widow of the late Lamar Hunt, the man who founded the team and coined the term “Super Bowl,” Norma told the Kansas City Star in a rare interview that the long wait since the Chiefs’ Super Bowl IV triumph in 1970 was testament to the league’s competitiveness. “It just shows how hard it is to get there (to the Super Bowl) and how important it is to take advantage of the opportunities when they come along,” said Hunt, whose son Clark co-owns the team and acts as its CEO. York, a billionaire businesswoman who
oversees the Niners alongside husband John and son Jed, had previously served as the president of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins. Another female trailblazer in today’s match is San Francisco’s offensive assistant Katie Sowers, who will be the first woman to coach in a Super Bowl. Sarah Axelson, who heads up advocacy at the Women’s Sports Foundation, said that the teams’ female ownership was a meaningful development on top of the impact that Sowers had made on the coaching side. “They might, to some, feel like incremental steps but to make progress there need to be steps along the way,” said Axelson. “We’re excited to see increased representation of women in football both on the coaching front and on the ownership front.”
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Sunday February 02, 2020
Pakistan set up semi-final showdown against India - England beat Zimbabwe ESPNcricinfo - In what was built up as a tense clash between two neighbouring countries, Pakistan’s allround bowling effort combined with a solid batting performance helped them set up a semi-final clash against defending champions India. Afghanistan, meanwhile, can at best hope to finish fifth if they beat Australia in a playoff fixture, Pakistan’s efforts were led by half-centurion Mohammad Huraira, who ensured they didn’t have any hiccups in their chase of 190. They crossed the line with plenty to spare. Although the win was straightforward, it featured a moment of quick-thinking from Afghanistan’s left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad, who ran out opener Huraira for 64 in the 28th over for walking out of his crease at the nonstrikers’ end. However, that dismissal did not alter the result. The unbeaten fourth-wicket stand between Qasim Ahmed (25) and Mohammad Haris (29) took Pakistan to victory in the 42nd over. “Our batsmen did not take the responsibility today, and that’s where we lost,” Afghanistan captain Farhan Zakhil told ESPNcricinfo after the match. “We want to congratulate Pakistan on the way they controlled the game. They deserved to win today.” “I had self-belief that whenever I get a chance for the team, I’ll try to do my best,” Huraira, the Player of
the Match, said. “The coaches told us to not go for the big shots against the spinners. When they bowled bad, only then did we go for the boundary shots. The pacers were wayward and we waited for the bad ball. When it came, we banged them away.” Afghanistan, opting to bat first, were bowled out for 189. Pakistani right-arm pacer Mohammad Amir Khan led the way, taking 3 for 58. Afghanistan had begun their innings well, putting on 41 runs for their first wicket in quick time, but Ibrahim Zadran’s dismissal to left-arm quick Tahir Hussain opened the gates for a middle-order collapse. The score of 41 for 1 soon became 99 for 4 as Pakistan’s bowlers upped the pressure by their tidy bowling in the middle overs. If it wasn’t for No. 9 Abdul Rahman’s 41-ball 30 towards the end, Afghanistan could have been bowled out for much less. Each of Pakistan’s six bowlers picked up at least one wicket, with Fahad Munir taking 2 for 29 in his seven overs. Pakistan’s chase began smoothly, as their openers struck exquisite drives and hearty pulls off the Afghanistan pacers in the first Powerplay. Haider Ali was the first man dismissed, run out in the 12th over, but by then they had already put on 61. Pakistan captain Rohail Nazir then struck 22 in the company of Huraira to take them past 100, and despite
The Pakistan Under-19 players celebrate their win against Afghanistan. (Getty Images) Noor’s efforts of taking two wickets plus the run-out of Huraira, they eventually had too few runs to defend. Huraira was the best batsman on the day. He struck eight fours and a six, peppering most of his boundaries through the covers and even holding his pose for the cameras on a few occasions. Scores: Pakistan Under19s 190 for 4 (Mohammad Huraira 64, Noor Ahmad 2 for 32) beat Afghanistan Under-19s 189 (Zakhil 40, Abdul Rahman 30, Mohammad Amir Khan 3 for
58) by six wickets. Meanwhile, Halfcenturies from George Hill and Jordan Cox helped England Under-19 to a 75-run victory against Zimbabwe in the ninth-place playoff. England posted 286 for 9, buoyed by an 83-run fourthwicket stand between Cox and Hill, who made 59 and 90 respectively. After Cox’s dismissal, Hill anchored the best part of the innings, peppering six fours and six in his 119-ball knock. By the time Wesley Madhevere had him caught in the 48th over, England
already had 260 on the board. Hill was ably supported by captain George Balderson, who chipped in with a quickfire 30-ball 45 not out. Madhevere shone for Zimbabwe, finishing with 4 for 42. With the bat, too, Madhevere, stood out, smashing a 45-ball 52 in the opening position. While he kept the scoreboard ticking, the opposition kept chipping away at Zimbabwe’s top order. By the close of the 14th over, Zimbabwe had lost their top four, Madhevere among the only batsmen to notch a double-digit score.
Emannuel Bawa and Taurayi Tugwete led the repair task thereafter, adding 70 for the fifth wicket, but fell for 31 and 58 within two overs of each other. With 118 needed off 17 overs, Zimbabwe folded for 211 inside 41 overs. Balderson took 3 for 29, while Scott Currie and Lewis Goldworthy bagged two wickets each. Scores: England Under19 286 for 9 (Hill 90, Cox 59, Madhevere 4-42) beat Zimbabwe Under19 211 (Tugwete 58, Madhevere 52, Balderson 329) by 75 runs.
Nigeria, Canada win in latest U-19 World Cup action Udaybir Walia’s Playerof-the-Match performance helped Canada take 13th place with a win over UAE in the play-off at Potchefstroom. Walia came in at No. 8 and made an unbeaten 42 as he put together an unbroken 86run stand with Harmanjeet Singh Bedi to rescue his team after they’d fallen to 93 for 6 in a chase of 175. Earlier in the day Walia, bowling for the first time in the tournament, took 3 for 16 to close UAE’s innings after medium-pacer Akhil Kumar and offspinner Gurjot Gosal shared five wickets to restrict UAE. A Aravind, Ansh Tandon and KP Meiyappan all got into the 20s for UAE around Alishan Sharafu, who came in at 70 for 4 and was unbeaten on 65 by the end of the innings after Canada had elected to field.
In response, Canada lost wickets regularly, four of them to offspinner Rishabh Mukherjee, who finished the tournament with eight wickets in his last two matches. But little damage came from the other ends a s Wa l i a a n d B e d i s a w Canada through. Scores: Canada Under19s 179 for 6 (Walia 42*, Bedi 40*, Mukherjee 4-62) beat UAE Under-19s 174 (Sharafu 65*, Walia 3-16, Kumar 3-37) by four wickets. A five-wicket haul by Ifeanyichukwu Uboh helped Nigeria to their first win in the Under-19 World Cup, beating Japan by eight wickets. His efforts brought the opposition down from 81 for 3 to 115 all out which then set up opener Sulaimon Runsewe to score a half-century and close the game out with
Jonathan Figy plays a drive. (ICC via Getty) 164 balls to spare. Japan have not won any of their games in this tournament, nor put up a total above
120, but they looked good for it with Shu Noguchi doing his best to stick to the crease, but his wicket for 31
Ifeanyichukwu Uboh wheels away in celebration. (ICC via Getty) off 77 balls caused a sevenwicket collapse for only 34 runs. Scores: Nigeria Under-
19s 116 for 2 (Runsewe 56) beat Japan Under-19s 115 all out (Uboh 5-23) by eight wickets.
Sunday February 02, 2020
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Kaieteur News
New champ will be crowned in Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden C/Ship
Action at the Christianburg Hardcourt in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden Championship between Swag Entertainment and Amelia’s Ward Russians. Part of the action in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden Championship between Silver Bullets and Quiet Storm at the Christianburg Hardcourt. A first time winner will be crowned in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden Championship on February 8th, as Swag Entertainment will oppose Quiet Storm following respective semi final wins on Friday at the Christianburg Hardcourt. Swag Entertainment dismissed former two time champion Amelia’s Ward Russians 2-0. Kendolph
Lewis recorded a double in the lopsided contest. His first conversion came in the second minute of the 30 minute encounter, slotting from the right side of the field after latching onto a pass from Deon Charter. With the score remaining unchanged heading into the halftime interval, Lewis recorded his second of the night in the 17th minute, sealing the result with a
powerful shot from the left side of the field. The win sealed Swag Entertainment’s second appearance in the championship match. On the other hand, Quiet Storm earned their maiden appearance in the final, defeating Silver Bullets 2-1 on penalty kicks following a 0-0 score at the end of regulation time. Meanwhile, the losers will face off in the third place playoff. Tournament coordinator Rawle Gittens said, “This edition of the tournament has certainly featured unpredictable results. This is evident by the
fact that a newcomer will be crowned champion and gives credence to the fact that the event is evolving and improving. It also highlights the emergence is smaller teams who now have the ability to challenge the traditional giants so I am pleased with the outcome.” He further said, “Again I would like to thank the fans and players for their continued support in making the tournament a spectacle and creating that environment and atmosphere that has become synonymous with the event.” In the Plate
Championship, dethroned champion High Rollers crushed Capital Storm 2-0. Jonah Simon recorded a double in the third and 11th minute. Winner of the event will pocket $400,000 and the championship trophy. On the other hand, the second place side will pocket $150,000 and the respective accolade. Similarly, the third and fourth place teams will receive $100,000 and $75,000 respectively and a trophy. Meanwhile the winner of the Guinness Plate Championship will pocket $60,000. Complete Results
Semifinal-1 Swag Entertainment-2 vs Amelia’s Ward Russians-0 Kendolph Lewis-2nd and 17th Semifinal-2 Silver Bullets-0 vs Quiet Storm-0 Quiet Storm won 2-1 on penalty kicks Plate Section High Rollers-2 vs Capital Storm-0 Jonah Simon-3rd and 11th Saturday 8th Fixtures Final Swag Entertainment vs Quiet Storm Third Place Silver Bullets vs Amelia’s Ward Russians
Letter to the Sports Editor
Was justice denied to Eagles United, Blueberry Hill when the UDFA imposed a one year ban and $50,000 for not playing in their 2019 Christmas tournament? Dear Editor, It does appear that the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) has been able to get approval from its General Council to sanction the number one cub Eagles United and another, Blueberry Hill United, for not playing in their Christmas football championship in December last year. The UDFA it seems was bent on showing that clubs which challenge the authority of the governing body will not be spared the full brunt of the Constitution. However, when one considers that the UDFA apparently did allow clubs the right to play or not to play, according to some clubs, the penalty given was somewhat without conscience knowing that the clubs did indicate their reasons for not participating. In the case of the Eagles United they sent a letter before that tournament began, stating that past experiences where payment was a challenge even for the
UDFA and Blueberry Hill outlining their reasons also, there was no hearing to have a clear grasp of the conditions raised for the clubs pulling out of that Christmas tournament. They both have since written to the Guyana Football Federation appealing that one year ban and $50,000 fine which took effect on January 1, 2020. What is clear, is that while the UDFA pointed to its Constitution to build its case and defend its actions, they did not do so to the full extent of the rule/law, they conveniently quoted in Article 15: 5 since just before that in Article 15:4 it gives the UDFA reason to have a disciplinary hearing and the result of such decisions to be sent to the offending club within a specified period of three days. The fact is that the Eagles United Club sent a letter following a decision they made not to contest the Christmas tournament, to the UDFA who failed to reply to that 11th December 2019
missive, until January 22 this year. The UDFA failed to also have the Eagles United Club and Blueberry Hill United a chance to defend themselves and get natural justice. They then set up the clubs at the General Council to have a hand in enforcing that ban and fine; even though the clubs did not do so unanimously as implied in the correspondence which stated the UDFA General Council saw all clubs agreeing with the decision. It is now left to the Guyana Football Federation to step in and allow good sense to prevail. No one agrees with the clubs to not show respect to the authority of the UDFA but justice must not only be served but appear to be served. It is up to the GFF now to ensure that in such matters, due process should be followed and fair play must be the priority for the good of the game. It was only after the club was struck off the list last week to participate in the
upcoming Mash tournament which starts on Sunday, that the news became known because queries were asked by the organisers why no Eagles United Football Club? Thus, the correspondence sent since December 11, 2019 to the UDFA by Eagles United only was recognized on January 22
this year when the GFF it seems gave the instruction. However, the time is right for the GFF to get involved and ensure that justice is delivered in this matter where clubs were used to place a sanction on two affiliates based on what was related to them by the UDFA. There will be a briefing for
the clubs invited to contest the Mash Cup football competition in Linden which starts today at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. This will be held at the Linden Enterprise Network Boardroom on Republic Avenue in Mackenzie Linden. Yours cooperatively, Romeo Hazlewood.
GNIC SC, Everest, MYO record victories GNIC SC, Everest Cricket Club and Muslim Youth Organisation registered victories when play in the Georgetown Cricket Association New Building Society Ltd. 40-over second division tournament continued yesterday. At Queens College ground, GNIC SC beat Sophia by eight wickets. Batting first, Sophia were bowled out for 106 in 16 overs. Vacacy Barrow and Malcolm Morris made 18 and 15 respectively
as Trevon Jones grabbed 621 and Dwain Dick 2-13. GNIC SC responded with 112-2 in 11 overs. Dick hammered five fours and five sixes in a top score of 58, while Premchand Sookdeo scored 30 with five fours. At Everest, the host overcame Transport Sports Club by five wickets. Transport SC managed 132 all out in 39.5 overs, batting first. They lost opener Mark Ramsammy for one before Devaughn Nandan and Sunil Singh added 41 for the second wicket. Singh went (Continued on page 65)
Trevon Jones took a six wicket haul for GNIC.
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Kaieteur News
Nadir entrusted to lead Everest CC for another term One of the country’s leading cricket facilities, Everest Cricket Club (ECC), re-elected Manzoor Nadir as President for another term when the club held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday last. Nadir, who was at the helm for 2019 and his newly elected executive body, will however be the first directors to serve for two years after the membership moved a motion to increase the time in office from one year to two years. The AGM, which took place in the club’s banquet hall, saw most of the 2019 executives returning, while there are three new faces. Former club manager, Rehana Ragobeer has been elected to serve as Secretary, CEO of VNet Communications Safraz Sherifudeen is the new assistant treasurer, while second division player Joshua Kissoon comes in as an Internal Auditor. For the highlight of the evening, Returning Officer, Anand Sanasie had little difficulty going through the process of nomination and voting since the majority of the club’s membership were in support of Nadir and his executives’ efforts in 2019
thus they were returned mostly unopposed. After Sanasie invited the newly elected executives to take up their positions at the head table, President Nadir offered brief remarks. “On behalf of the entire executive, I thank you for your confidence placed in us and I guarantee you that we will continue with the ongoing works to keep Everest as the club of choice.” The political stalwart also charged the membership to play their part and to continue their support for the much loved club which continues to achieve its objectives as a cricket club that executes its role in Georgetown, Demerara, Guyana and the West Indies. Earlier, the AGM began with reports from President, Secretary and Club Captain, while the Presentation of the Audited Report and Treasurer’s report for 2019 were deferred to an Ordinary Genera Meeting which will be held no earlier than April 2020. At that point the motion for constitution amendment with regards to life of the executive was proposed, deliberated and passed. Before the voting process
The newly elected Everest Cricket Club Executives for 2020 to 2021. President Manzoor Nadir is sitting second from right. started, Returning Officer Sanasie weighed in on the motion, noting that it is the direction in which cricket associations in and out of Guyana is heading. The following persons were elected to serve in the
Mahomes eyes throne, Garoppolo seeks respect as young quarterbacks cap transformative NFL season MIAMI (Reuters) – Yesterday, one day before Super Bowl LIV today, it was safe to say quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Patrick Mahomes have had very different weeks. For the Kansas City Chiefs’ 24-year-old phenom Mahomes, the media-saturated days in Miami ahead of today’s big game were a virtual coronation, with NFL insiders pawing over his 2019 stats as they speculated about whether he could become the league’s next superstar. Those in Garoppolo’s camp, meanwhile, worked to quiet doubts over his ability, even after he led his team to the Super Bowl, with critics pointing to his relative lack of throwing yards, especially in the postseason. The 28-year-old completed six of just eight attempts for 77 yards in the Niners NFC Championship game against the Packers, marking the fewest number of pass attempts in conference championship history. It was his team’s widely lauded run game that did the talking. Asked if he spent time reassuring Garoppolo, particularly during the
postseason, head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters, “not at all.” “It’s really funny that people say that – does anyone notice how good we were running the ball? We weren’t just running it to punt and try to win three-to-zero,” said Shanahan. “Jimmy should never apologize for us running the ball too well.” As teammate and cornerback Richard Sherman put it: “Every day they find something new to criticize Jimmy about.” A year after falling short in the AFC title game, Mahomes rolled into South Beach this year as the league’s highest-rated passer, with a more-than 65-percent completion percentage for the year and few doubts to dispel. “Patrick Mahomes anywhere in the NFL is good for me,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters this week. “I’m proud to have him as a Kansas City Chief. I would guess there are 31 other teams that wouldn’t mind having him either. “The reality is he’s just made us better.” The pair are part of a younger crop of quarterbacks
who have slowly and steadily asserted themselves this season as some from the old guard, including recent retiree Eli Manning of the New York Giants, saw their share of the spotlight erode. “Eighty percent of the games in 2019 featured at least one starting quarterback under the age of 27, the most in our history,” Goodell told reporters. Sure, 28-year-old Garoppolo is one year removed from that statistic, but the sight of Tom Brady’s one-time backup in Miami while the six-time Super Bowl champion sits at home is enough to make any longtime NFL fan wonder if change is afoot. “It’s just great to see the competition of quarterbacks,” former New England tight end Rob Gronkowski told Reuters. “Not just have passes anymore but having these dual-threat quarterbacks that are young come in and be able to run and pass, you know, it’s amazing to see and it’s great for the NFL.” The Chiefs and the 49ers face off in Super Bowl 54 today.
respective posts for 2020 to 2021; President Manzoor Nadir Senior Vice President Saheed Mohamed Junior Vice President Rajesh Singh Secretary Rehana Ragobeer
Treasurer Ramdeo Kumar Assistant Secretary Prakask Balgobin Assistant Treasurer Safraz Sheriffudeen Club Captain Dwayne Adams Committee Members: Retired GDF Major
Bhageshwar Murli, CEO of Comfort Sleep Dennis Charran, Media Personality John Ramsingh and CEO of General Marine Rahaman Khan. They Internal Auditors are Javed Khan and Joshua Kissoon.
Deonarine, Persaud hit 50s, Cameron grabs five as GYO claim first innings points
From left: Demeter Cameron, Chris Deonarine, Darshan Persaud. Half centuries from Chris Deonarine and Darshan Persaud coupled by a fivewicket haul by Demeter Cameron handed host Ghandi Youth Organisation first innings points against Ace Warriors when the Georgetown Cricket Association Noble House Sea Foods second division two-
day tournament continued yesterday. Opting to bat, GYO posted 272-7 declared. Darshan Persaud stroked seven fours and one six in a top score of 61 not out, while Chris Deonarine made 51 with eight fours and one six, and Joshua Ramsammy
contributed 46 which included eight fours and one six. Mark Cumberbatch claimed 3-44. Cameron then bagged 5 for 23 as Ace Warriors were bowled out for 81, in reply. T. Whyte made 22 as Devesh Ramjattan took 2-9 to support Cameron. Play continues today.
Sunday February 02, 2020
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Kaieteur News
GTTA Senior Table Tennis Championships
Champions to be decided today The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC) will conclude the 2020 Senior Championships today at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Homestretch Avenue. According to head of the GTTA, Godfrey Munroe, all the finals of the respective divisions will be contested today with keen rivalry anticipated. The competition is being contested in the male and female open and under-21 divisions, while there is also play in the C & B divisions. Up to press time yesterday, play was yet to commence in the men’s and women’s open divisions. However, Thuraia Thomas and Jasmine Billingy were the first players to come out of the group stage. The under-21 champion will be decided between Elishaba Johnson and Jonathan Van Lange who are pitted in the final. Johnson swept Terrence Rausch 3-0 in the quarterfinal before being stretched by
Terrence Rauch (left).
The Albion Community Centre Cricket Club (ACCCC) recently held their Annual General Meeting at the Albion Community Centre. At the meeting the Club elected an executive body to run their affairs for the year 2020. Those elected to serve are Vemen Walter President, he was elected unopposed, Ervin Mangru will serve as the Vice President. Omarnauth Outar was re-elected as the
Isaiah Layne in the semifinal 3-2. Van Lange’s route’s to the under-21 final was way easier with victories against Jamal Nicholas (3-1) in the quarterfinal before walking past Colin Wong (3-0) in the semifinal. The C Class champion trophy will be hoisted by either by Troy McRae or Kyle Chung who will both contest the final today. En route to the final Chung defeated Peter Persaud and Narren
Persaud, while McRae got past Abdool Aleem Rahim 31 before edging Jasmine Billingy 3-2 in the semifinal. The national championship is the premier domestic tournament and it serves as a key component for establishing rankings and selection systems. The Caribbean Senior Championships serves off from April 2nd to 8th in Havana, Cuba, and the local racquet wielders will be
looking to go all out for a chance to represent the Golden Arrowhead. However, although some of the best local players the likes of Trenace Lowe and Chelsea Edghill will not be able to contest at the 2020 GTTA National Championship, Munroe noted that some players are automatic fixtures on the National team based on their track record and current fitness levels.
GCA’s NBS 40 overs 2nd division cricket
Everest, MYO & GNIC in winner’s row
Saheed Mohammed (left) made 68 while Richie Looknauth was unbeaten on 26 for Everest. Host Everest defeated Transport Sports Club by five wickets, MYO thrashed Third Class by 10 wickets at Bourda and GNIC bested Sophia by eight wickets at the Queens College ground in the latest round of the GCA’s NBS 40 overs second division cricket tournament yesterday. At Bourda, with dark ominous clouds hovering over the historic venue, MYO made light work of Third Class beating them by 10 wickets. Set 41 to win after Third Class made 40-8 innings closed in 14 overs, Richard
Albion Community Center Cricket club re-elects Vemen Walter as President at AGM
Latif reached the boundary twice and cleared it once in his undefeated 18, while Rudolph Singh hit a six and a four in his 12 as MYO galloped to their target in 5.1 overs with a wide. Earlier, Kelvin Singh edged Jamal Major to the keeper before he had scored, while a run later Donald Gouveia was run out for a duck before Sameer Hussain was cleaned up by Saheed Gittens to leave the score on 13-3. Randy Ramroop’s middle stump was sent cartwheeling
Rudolph Singh and Richard Latif fired MYO to a 10-wicket win in five overs. when he was bowled by Bryion Bowen for eight at 204 when rain stopped after 9.3 overs. When play resumed, Navin Mahadeo was bowled by Naveed Ali for seven at 26-5 before Anand Persaud was run out for seven at 38-6. Skipper Lenny Pancham (7) was caught behind off Ali, while without addition to the score Jermaine Douglas was trapped LBW to Gittens as two wickets tumbled on 40 for Third Class who played with two players short.
At Everest, Transport won the toss and elected to bat and were dismissed for 132 despite 29 from Devaughn Nandan. Raylex Payne 3-22, Richie Looknauth 2-29 and David Williams 2-27 bowled well for the Camp Road team who replied with 133-5 in 23 overs. Saheed Mohammed top scored with 63, while Looknauth returned with the bat to make an undefeated 26. Joel Spooner had 2-32 and Otis Batson took 2-22 as Everest won by five wickets. (Sean Devers)
Secretary with David Brigbhukan Treasurer, while Imtiaz Baccus takes up the position as Assistant Secretary/Treasurer. Three committee members were elected in Shiv Harripersaud, Prem Kanhai and Devendra Bishoo. The committee will meet shortly to select various captains and put plans in place for the remainder of the year.
Warm-up matches confirmed for West Indies ahead of Over-50s WC Ahead of the official bowl-off to the Over-50s World Cup in South Africa in March, tournament organizers have confirmed warm-up matches for the 12 participating teams. Debutants West Indies will look to fine tune preparations when they warm-up against hosts South Africa on Sunday March 8 at Rondebosch Cricket Club and again against India a day later at Claremont Cricket Club. Former South African fast bowler, Alan Donald will be at the helm of the hosts as head coach while his former teammate Jonty Rhodes is expected to make a huge impact as their marquee player. The Warm-up matches should give the Caribbean side adequate preparation ahead of their World Cup campaign opener against New Zealand on Wednesday March 11 also at Rondebosch CC in a Group A clash. Along with West Indies; Zimbabwe, India and Namibia are making their first appearance in the Over-50s World Cup which was first held in Sydney Australia in late 2018 when the hosts took the maiden title. West Indies which is being lead by Guyanese Zamin Amin is in Group A with New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Australia, Sri Lanka and Canada while the Group B teams are India, Pakistan, Wales, South Africa, Namibia and England.
All matches are scheduled to be 45 overs per-side and are set to begin at 10:15 H South Africa time. West Indies; Zamin Amin (captain), Rick Ali, Mark Audain, Narine Bidhesi, Julian Charles, Sudesh Dhaniram, Kenny Girdharry, Krishna Harricharan, Fareed Hosein, Howard Jodhan, Allison Johnson, Hafiz Mohamed, Azad Mohammed, Ishwar Maraj (vice-captain), Rajendra Sadeo, Balwant Singh, Raj Singh (Manager), Dave Narine (assistant Manager), John Ramsingh (Media Manager) and Jaggernauth Seunath (PRO). South Africa; Dave Callaghan (captain), Alan Dawson, Dave Duncan, Neil Fuesdale, Dave Holgate, Kenny Jackson, Louis Koen, Rodney Malamba, Mlungisi Ngece, Anwell Newman, Brad Player, Jonty Rhodes, Warne Rippon, Pieter Strydon, Nazeem White, Henry Williams, Alan Donald (coach), Roy Messer (Manager) and Marc Naidoo (Physio). India; Shailendra Singh (captain), ParakAnanta, Ashwani Arora, Sanjay Beri, Verinder Boombla, Deepak Chadha, Aadil Chagla, Dilip Chavan, Thomas George, Mayank Khandwala, Iqbal Khan, PG Sunder, Preetinder Singh, Srikant Satya, Pradeep Patel, Tushar Zaveri, Ajoy Roy (coach), Parag Pandya (manager) and JK Mahendra Kanaiya (selector).
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 02, 2020
Today’s Youth in focus is GT U-15 V/Captain Romeo Deonarain - As Guyana continues to churn out young talent By Sean Devers Romeo Deonarain has been appointed Vice-Captain of the Stephon Sankar led Georgetown U-15 side which will participate in the Demerara Cricket Board’s Inter-Association 50-overs tournament which starts tomorrow when they oppose West Demerara at Everest. After outstanding performances with both bat and ball, including an a masterful unbeaten 156 in the BCB’s Lewison General Store 50-over U-15 tournament, it is understood that the highly talented 13-year-old is among 28 players invited to the Berbice U-15 Trials for this year ’s Inter-County tournament. Romeo has his entire future ahead of him and for those who have seen the talented all-rounder, who bats left-handed and bowls his leg-breaks righthanded; they would say that his future certainly looks bright once he remains focus and dedicated. Romeo, who has three brothers and a sister, was born in Georgetown on July 25, 2006. His father Ricky Deonarain, hails from Corriverton in Berbice, while his Mother Kaypatti Persaud, was born in Essequibo. So technically, Romeo,
who represents DCC in Georgetown Cricket and Blairmount in West Bank Berbice, qualifies to play for any of the three Counties in Guyana. In Guyana’s Senior InterCounty tournaments, only Fast Bowler Colwin Cort has played for every County, while Sean Devers played Senior Inter-County cricket for Demerara and Berbice. Both Devers and Cort played for Demerara at youth level before playing for the now defunct Bermine Cricket Club to qualify to represent Berbice. Romeo attends the Mariam Academy Secondary School in the City and as early as two years he was picking up a small‘Autograph’ bat and swinging it in a lefthanded stance, while little Romeo began bowling a plastic drink bottle cork with his right arm, which he uses to do everything else with. His mom explained that he began bowling leg-spin with a soft ‘Kiddies cricket’ ball at the side of the yard; bowling at the stumps. Romeo played his first U13 game for DCC when he was just short of six years old. Romeo’s father, who played club cricket in Berbice, plays an important role in the Softball Cricket arena and
Patrick and Nedd clinch thriller for the West Indies ESPNcricinfo - Matthew Patrick was at the centre of a very tense game, first picking up two wickets with his offspin to further a South Africa collapse and then scoring a vital 25 runs off 61 balls to see West Indies through to victory in the fifthplace play-off match in Potchefstroom. South Africa were rather well placed at 120 for 4 in the 29th over but then Patrick and left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd (10-1-18-2) took control of the innings, triggering a collapse that resulted in the hosts losing six wickets for only 23 runs. With only 143 on the board, West Indies might
informed that Romeo, who does not play competitive softball cricket, first represented Blairmont two years ago. After DCC opposed Blairmount in a Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association organised match under lights at DCC, friendships were born between players in the two sides which led to Romeo being afforded the opportunity of playing for Blairmont in the Berbice Cricket Board’s U-15 tournaments. “After developing a good relationship with Shabeer Baksh (President of the Blairmount club) I realised that not much under-15 cricket was being played in Georgetown at that time, while Blairmont had a vibrant youth programme so that’s how Romeo got involved in Berbice Cricket,” Ricky Deonarain explained. “While I am from Corriverton it was easier for Romeo to play for Blairmount which meant that we could travel to West Berbice and return after the match on the same day,” said Romeo’s dad. Romeo scored a brilliant unbeaten 156 as Blairmount beat Bush Lot by 261 runs last week Saturday and he says that is his most memorable
moment. Romeo knows that having a sound Educational foundation is very important and he explained how he is balancing both studies and cricket. “I don’t have a problem playing cricket and studying since I go to DCC after school to practice in the afternoons. Then I go home and do my school work,” Romeo disclosed. His father is easing him off ‘tablets and video games’ and encouraging him to read. He says Romeo has started to read Hardy Boys Books. Romeo’s favorite cricketers are Guyanese Shimron Hetmyer and Trinidadian Nicolas Pooran but unlike the pugnacious batting of the two batsmen he admires, Romeo understands that at his age and physical size he first needs to learn to bat for long periods. Last year at Bush Lot, Romeo batted out all 50 overs to make an unbeaten 52 and knows that as he gets bigger and stronger he will be able to hit sixes and score quicker and once he develops the temperament of ‘batting long’ he will be able to score plenty of runs. “My parents take me to Providence to see CPL, Regional and International
Romeo Deonarain after his unbeaten 156 at Blairmount. cricket, while I get to watch cricket on TV,” Romeo informed. After taking a four-wicket haul in the Georgetown Trials, Romeo’s main focus is doing well for Georgetown with both bat and ball and making his Guyana U-15 debut this year. But before that he has to perform well in the Intercounty tournament and it is very likely that he will merit his place in both the Demerara and Berbice teams. His father will cross that bridge when they get to it, with advice from his personal Coach. Romeo says his favorite shot is the cover drive which he plays very well, while his favorite way of dismissing a batsman is by bowling him.
He says while he can bowl the flipper and legbreak, he is still learning tobowl a googly. His Coach says he is learning all the time and while he has all the natural talent to become a successful player at the higher levels there are some areas he needs to work on, little things like judging singles and rotating the strike. Romeo Deonarain is evidence that Guyana continues to churn out talent young players. What happens after that is up to the player, his parents, Coaches and most importantly a system that affords players the opportunity to develop get exposure and experience by playing as much cricket as possible.
GDF forward Sherwin Caesar pursuing entrepreneurial dream as owner of Fitbox Studio
have hoped for a straightforward finish but they ran straight into trouble, losing two wickets with only 11 runs on the board. Bryce Parsons and Merrick Brett turned five of their 19 overs into maidens and picked up four wickets between them as well to keep South Africa in the game, but Patrick, coming in at No. 6, absorbed all that pressure and made sure he stayed there while the winning runs were hit. Scores: West Indies Under-19s 147 for 6 (Melius 29, Patrick 25*, Parsons 223) beat South Africa Under-19s 143 all out (Lanje 43, Nedd 2-18, Patrick 2-12) by four wickets.
Sherwin Caesar (right) and Jamal Mona.
The exploits of Sherwin Caesar on the field of play has been successful as a forward for the Guyana Defence Force Football Club over the years. In 2017 he was named Guyana Football Federation Player of the Year, leading the GDF to the GFF Stag Beer Elite League title as the highest goal scorer. Always placing a high premium on physical fitness, the 33 year-old Caesar has now taken on a new challenge in the field of entrepreneu r s h i p a s t h e owner of Fitbox Studio which will focus on the health and fitness of its clients, inclusive of individuals and companies. A qualified Physical Training and Educational Instructor, having obtained a Diploma from the U n i v e r s i t y o f t h e We s t I n d i e s , St . A u g u s t i n e Campus, Trinidad & Tobago in 2015, Caesar informed that Fitbox Studio also caters for senior citizens as the health and wellness of all are very important.
“At Fitbox Studio, we focus on outdoor combinations training, dance aerobics, indoor and outdoor cardiovascular training, strength training, home massage, home rehabilitation and much more. Our fees are affordable and persons can contact me on 610-1462 for more details.” Caesar stated that he has an assistant who is also qualified in the person of Jamal Mona. He noted that he would still be active on the football field and would work out b a l a n c i n g h i s t i m e between the two interests. The confident Caesar said that he believes he still has something to offer at the national level as a player and once called upon, would be ready and willing to serve. “Fitbox Studio services are also available to national and other teams; physical fitness, health and wellness are imperative aspects in the world of sports. We are here to serve and that we will at a very professional level.”
Sunday February 02, 2020
Kaieteur News
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GFF SMNT Head Coach Márcio Máximo committed to real and long term development Since taking over the reigns as Head Coach of the Guyana Football Federation ( G F F ) S e n i o r M e n ’s National Team (SMNT), Brazilian Márcio Máximo has been crafting a new path for the development of the sport. He is on record stating that while winning is the way to go, qualifying for competitions also important and consistently so, development of young players is also of vital importance and this is the path he’s on which is also in line with the GFF’s long term development plan as c r a f t e d b y Te c h n i c a l Director, Ian Greenwood. á x i m o ’s coaching career kicked
M
off at a national level in 1992 when he managed the Brazilian National Under-20 team followed by the Under17 side (1992-1993). He has also coached the Qatar National Under-20s (1994), Cayman Islands (19982002), Tanzania (20062010) and a number of Professional clubs along the way as well. Coach Márcio Máximo is not just recognised as an excellent strategist and upto-date coach but he has a philosophy that is in keeping with the moving trends of the sport. He is currently being commended for playing a huge role in the development of Tanzanian player and Captain Mbwana Samatta who has been signed by
English Premier Club side Ashton Villa. Samatta became the first Tanzanian to play in the English Premier League following his debut for A s t o n Vi l l a a g a i n s t Bournemouth yesterday; the 27-year-old joined the Villans from Genk on a fourand-a-half-year deal worth £10 million. Samatta also became the first Tanzanian to score a Premier League goal, the first man from the East African nation to make a scoring debut in the tournament with his header and Aston Villa’s first headed goal this season; Ashton Villa lost 2-1. Máximo commented: “I am very excited for this Samatta who I brought into
Mbwana Samatta
Márcio Máximo the Tanzania senior national team when he was just age 17 and he has never looked back. Like the nation of Tanzania, I am very proud of his continued rise and he has
now opened the door for his fellow countrymen on one of the biggest stages of the sport in the world.” Among some other young players who Máximo have help develop at various
clubs and national teams are Ronaldo Fenômeno (Brazil National Team) and Robert Snodgrass from Scotland (a winger for Aston Villa on loan from Premier League club West Ham United).
Patrick and Nedd clinch thriller for the West Indies
Antonio Morris plays through the on-side during his 26 against South Africa on Saturday. (Photo courtesy ICC Media)
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Ashmead Nedd celebrates a wicket. (ICC via Getty) Kaysan Ninvalle during group action in the B Class.
GTTA Senior Table Tennis C/ships
Champions to be decided today Isaiah Layne.
Jonathan Van Lange (left) during a warm up before his B class match yesterday at CASH. 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.