Sunday February 09, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Govt. misleads nation with centre-spread ad using Rystad’s “unjustified” figures
Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram
Attorney-at-Law and Petroleum Academic, Charles Ramson Jr.
Global Witness Senior Campaigner, Jonathan Gant
On Monday, international anti-corruption body, Global Witness, released a report called “Signed Away” which places under the microscope, the poor fiscal terms of the Stabroek Block deal. Upon examining that report, the government has responded with a centrespread advertisement in today’s newspaper. The advertisement relies heavily on comments recently made by Rystad Energy, a research and business Intelligence Company which is headquartered in Norway. In one of its most recent releases, Rystad Energy said it did its own analysis of the Stabroek fiscal regime and benchmarked it against those of other “frontier” and upcoming oil and gas
producing countries, such as Brazil, the United States (deepwater Gulf of Mexico), Mozambique, Israel, Tanzania, Mauritania, Suriname, and the Falkland Islands. To measure the impact of the fiscal regimes in these countries, Rystad Energy said it ran its “economic model analysis” on the Liza Phase One project and compared the results against the fiscal regimes for the peer group countries. For Guyana, Rystad said it found that the average government take is 60 percent, which in Rystad’s benchmarking overview, places the country right between major producer Brazil at 63 percent and fledgling producers
Mozambique and Mauritania, at 57 percent. But several local and international observers have rubbished the analysis put forward by Rystad, while highlighting the fact that its economic model is not in the open so that it can be independently scrutinized for its soundness or lack thereof. During an interview on Kaieteur Radio’s Programme, Guyana’s Oil and You, Global Witness Senior Campaigner for Oil, Gas, and Mining, Jonathan Gant, was keen to highlight that the economic model used by Rystad is not out in the open. On the other hand, an analysis that it had commissioned Open Oil to do, shows that Guyana not only left US$55B on the table due
Most hospitalised patients at GPHC are young bikers
Most patients that are currently hospitalised in the male surgical ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), are young motorcycle riders. This is according to a senior official at the medical facility. In a recent interview, with this publication the official, while revealing information garnered from an internal audit of the ward stated that between November 15, 2019 and February 3, 2020 a total of 136 bikers, all men between the ages of 17 and 27 were admitted to the medical facility, with accident related injuries. The official further stated that at the city hospital, almost every two days there are cases of young bikers being involved in accidents at the city hospital. “The same way the issue of speeding is affecting the police force it is affecting us too. I am not saying that we don’t have enough
resources to treat illnesses at the city hospital, but I strongly believe that prevention is better is cure. “In Guyana we have people that are really sick, persons that are in desperate need for medications to treat issues that they could not have prevented,” the official explained. Kaieteur News understands that due to the influx of injured bikers in the male surgical ward of the city hospital, there is now a shortage of beds in the unit. “All it takes is for you to slow down; nothing else. And the way I saw some men riding on this roadways show that they have no regards for anyone. And that is wrong. “Due to the years I have been working at this medical facility, I have seen bikers being admitted in this medical facility with injuries so severe it cost them their lives. And it amazes me that people are still not learning.”
to poor negotiations with ExxonMobil, but also leaves the State with a 52 percent take from the Stabroek Block. Gant said, “The reason why Open Oil gets contracted (by governments and agencies around the world) is because all it does is transparent. Anyone can go look at their model and play with it...and I am open to showing people how to use it.” The Senior Campaigner noted that Rystad does not publish its economic model to justify how it arrived at certain fiscal conclusions. Gant said, “Rystad does not publish their model and so we don’t get to open up the bonnet and figure out
their math. Everyone can open up our bonnet. Please feel free to do so...” Attorney-at-Law and Petroleum Academic, Charles Ramson Jr., also agrees that the 60 percent take calculated by Rystad is questionable. He described it as “nonsensical.” Ramson said, “How you can have a 50 percent split of the profit oil along with a two percent royalty and you end up with 60 percent total take? There is no other report of repute that suggested this, and in any event, it is nonsensical to even conceive.” He further stated that Rystad is basically acting as mercenaries while noting that
the assessment produced by Global Witness makes more sense. “Their analysis is incorrect from a technical standpoint. The government is sharing it because they are hurriedly trying to accept anything.” Like Ramson, Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram told Kaieteur News that he has perused the model used by Open Oil and has found that their math is “robust”. The transparency advocate said the same cannot be said of Rystad which has failed to make its economic model open for public scrutiny.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 09, 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
Silence would not do That’s what the name of the song confirms: everybody’s talking (at me)… The Global Watch people are talking through their reporting, but there is nothing, as in no responding at all. The Guyana government is talking in its own defense, and so did the country’s opposition through increasing its attacks, but still the deep, unmoving silence continues. A host of other contributors have added voices and endless streams of opinions, positions, and criticisms--all intended to be seen as objective and authoritative--and there is not any stirring from the target that is mocked and vilified, denounced and insulted. Where is ExxonMobil in all of this? There is its record of releases in the media before the world of what it has been about, and there is nothing about that dismal Guyanese contract, no official reaction to scorching developments. Exxon has been content to speak of the things that are settled and finished, as far as it is concerned: earnings and profits and dividends, spending plans, and the rest of its multifaceted strategic visions. It steadfastly refuses to be drawn into the debate, or any defending of its oil deal with Guyana. Shabby and sickening, it is called, and a monument to extreme corporate banditry, especially of the unsuspecting and vulnerable. It is a position from which, we at this paper will not budge but will keep trumpeting to the heavens (and all the way to hell, if necessary). Exxon has shown that it is untouched by the verbal and written missiles that rain hourly, and which demonizes its contractual terms relative to Guyana and its oil. The allegations range from stalking to overpowering to date raping, as insisted upon by the positions rushing forth from Guyanese pundits, prestige American media sources, and oil industry watchers, among countless others. There are few saying or standing for any of the morsels enshrined in that Exxon contract, as highlighted by Global Watch. Chatham House took a thrust, and so does a thin band of Guyanese, who risk the rage of the roiled when they dare to say --it is over, move on, bide time, and then pounce, when the circumstances are favourable. On the other hand, very few Guyanese are interested. None has the time of day for any sort of rationalizing any element of the detested contract. Almost the entire population of Guyana is up in arms. Even the outsiders are on the march and they come equipped with fearsome broadswords and battleaxes. From beyond the horizon, like Genghis and Timur and Batu Khan, Global Watch emerged out of nowhere as the newest leader of the pack that howls at high notes. The outside missile launchers have struck nerve and sinew, with severe flinching occurring at this most sensitive of elections times. And still ExxonMobil remains shrouded in thick, impenetrable, and untroubled silence. As the provisions of the contract relationship between Exxon and Guyana are emphasized and attacked, the company has responded in the manner that characterizes adversarial proceedings taken before the bar. In the time-honoured manner, there has been not one word, not from senior leadership, not from its corporate press office, not from any of its sizable investors, who usually step forward to register objections to things environmental and about child labour and human rights and the rest. When money, big money, is involved, the word is mum. That silence is inviolable on the pain of death, as any good defense counsel would instruct. Do not be so sure of position that the temptation to speak on behalf of self with one’s own side of the story is overwhelming. But the authoritative guidance and insistence from its army of highly skilled attorneys must be that self-defense could lead to the self-incriminating. Stay cool, stay quiet, which is exactly what Exxon is doing. We in Guyana have no need to any such cover, and we at this paper have no interest in being quiet. We challenge
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 tax-free. 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, valueadded 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
Exxon to do what is fair and reasonable, what is equitable and just. Invite Guyana back to the table of renegotiation, genuinely partner with its agents, and come up with a formula that is more balanced and more rewarding to Guyana, which could be more self-respecting for all Guyanese. Even as we insist upon this, we recognize full well that Exxon will walk away with a pirate’s haul, for such is the vast
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 (Continued on page 5)
richness of what comes out of the Guyanese ground. But, with renegotiation, the company gets to build some precious goodwill, while it gives Guyanese something for which to cheer excitedly about, and on which it could erect a solid and stable future, a real one. Iike the song said, “banking over the northeast winds…” could lead somewhere positive. It is needed.
Sunday February 09, 2020
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Kaieteur News
The transformation of governance should be a priority 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 be 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 priority, the president 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 his military background, President Granger for 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 communities and other sectors of our economy. 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 eco-tourism, 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 have to insure that public policy benefits touch the 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 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
The Minister Pays Exxon US$15 Billion... From page 4 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
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Sunday February 09, 2020
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 factory-built 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 all others? Do they not support and vote? Do they
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
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
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 police-citizen relations, building trust and willingness of persons to provide tips to help solve and prevent some crimes. Since 2015, numerous CCTV cameras have been (Continued on page 6)
Sunday February 09, 2020
Guyana’s Future is... From page 6 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 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
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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 09, 2020
No evidence of corruption found in award of Kaieteur, Canje oil blocks - GW Senior Campaigner I By Kiana Wilburg
n its damning report called “Signed Away”, international non-governmental organization, Global Witness, not only examined the circumstances under which the 2016 Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) was awarded by the Granger administration, but also those licenses that were
granted by the PPP regime. Global Witness looked at the Kaieteur and Canje Blocks which were granted to four companies. The Kaieteur license was granted to Cateleya Energy Corporation (CEC) (formerly Ratio Energy Limited) and Ratio Guyana Limited, a subsidiary of Ratio Petroleum Energy Limited Partnership headquartered in Israel. The Canje license was awarded
to JHI Associates Inc. and Mid Atlantic Oil and Gas. During its probe of the award of the two blocks, Global Witness’ Senior Campaigner on Oil, Gas, and Mining, Jonathan Gant, confirmed that there was no evidence to suggest corruption took place or that any laws were broken. He was keen to note, however, that there are still enough red flags which for all intents and purposes,
require that more research be done to ensure the awards were indeed above board. With respect to the red flags, Gant noted that most of the companies that were awarded the licences had no track record of being in the industry as explorers of any kind. Gant also raised concerns that the companies which received the licences, subsequently flipped them to ExxonMobil, which actually has a track record in deep water exploration. Kaieteur News understands that the American oil giant became a majority holder for both blocks just one year after they were acquired by smaller companies. When one combines those factors along with the fact that the licenses were awarded just before the 2015 elections, Gant said that in his view, it does not look good. The Global Witness official said, “We aren’t saying that you broke the law; we are saying this isn’t good practice and it is scary. If Guyanese are satisfied that companies with no track record are getting their national assets and then selling them, and making a profit and the Guyanese people haven’t then be satisfied with it. But I don’t think people want that.”
KAIETEUR’S INVESTIGATION Prior to the Global Witness report, Kaieteur News was the first to seek answers on whether the awards of the oil blocks to the four companies were above board. In this vein, this newspaper interviewed Commissioner for the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC),
Newell Dennison, who was central to the said awards. Dennison was keen to highlight what Guyana’s laws state as to who qualifies to have a license in the oil industry. Guyana’s Petroleum Exploration and Production Act says, “No licence shall be granted to an individual unless he is a citizen of Guyana or to a body of persons, unless it is – (i) a company; or (ii) a corporation. A licence may be granted to two or more persons associated together in any form of joint arrangement, if each one of them is qualified to hold the licence under subsection (1).” (See link for the Act: http://parliament.gov.gy/doc uments/acts/8170act_no._3_of_1986_petrole um_(exploration_and_prod uction)_act_1986.pdf) Considering this, Dennison said that newcomers, particularly the small companies which were granted licences received them in accordance with the foregoing law. He had further noted that apart from this, GGMC even went above and beyond by doing due diligence and holding several rounds of discussions regarding the proposal and work plan of the small companies as it relates to raising financing and attracting more operators. T h e G G M C Commissioner said, “We have entertained people who did not have an established presence like other majors but they came and were able to bring the expertise and a solid financing programme to the table. CGX is a typical example of that. When it
Global Witness Senior Campaigner, Jonathan Gant came, it brought experts who were well known in Calgary; it brought the financier, John Cullen, and was able to say, ‘while we are not a company that has 40 years experience in the game, we are going to form this consortium which has cumulative experience in drilling, geology, business, geophysics etc.’ and that is one way we have been able to get people to the table in the early stages to explore Guyana’s basin.” Looking to awards made after the 90s, Dennison pointed to the offshore concession that was granted to Ratio Petroleum of Israel and Ratio Energy Limited in Guyana. The Commissioner noted that Ratio was in talks with the Government for the Kaieteur Block licence since 2012. He said, “Their application had been in the pipeline for a long time…They came with their people and put their proposal to us and our team hammered it out to a T. After rigid due diligence, passing our litmus test, we were satisfied that they were legitimate, that they were going to do legitimate work and attract the funding and oil majors to get the job done. And this was way before we even conceived the notion of becoming an oil nation. They were also willing to take the risk, knowing that they could only explore 40 percent of the block.”
Sunday February 09, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Births at hospitals...
GPHC 25% by C-sections, private hospitals double A
mi d g r o w i n g concerns over the operations of private hospitals, there are figures available now that is throwing a little more light. Acc o r d i n g t o Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), a quarter of all the mothers who delivered babies over the last three years had caesarian operations (Csection) In comparison, according to initial indications from private hospitals, more than 50 percent of all births, shockingly, are via Csections. The story would lend credence to the growing
claims that private hospitals are deliberately pushing mothers to take the Csections, which is about six times more costly than natural births. A natural birth at a private hospital is about $70,000 provided there are no complications. A C-section could cost around $350,000. The figures from GPHC have been released at a time when several complaints have been made to Kaieteur News, about the operations of private hospitals and a number of doctors. From operations not needed, to tests that were unnecessary, the story that is
coming out paints a picture of private hospitals which are operating at a level where profits came first. The Medical Council of Guyana has been contacted and according to Chairman, D r. N a v i n d r a n a u t h Rambarran, they have been following the reports in the press. He said, last week, that as a regulator, the council will soon be issuing a statement. With regards to the private hospitals, at least one of them has said through its public relations firm that it will not be making comments at this time. Another one that has been implicated has not said
Dem boys seh...
Exxon deceive Guyana and we leaders confuse Who de hell does sell a property without checking de VALUE? Some people does seek two and three different opinion. Some does advertise and sell to de highest buyer. A foreign media agency, known to investigate corrupt oil contracts and deals around the world, come to Guyana and looked at our oil deal. Wha dem find in de deal shock every Guyanese! This media agency tell Guyana, "Don't eff-up de deal with ExxonMobil; just let Exxon give Guyana wha it deserves!" Dem seh that deal between Guyana and Exxon get sign either when dem was drunk in a rum shop or somebody pass a bribe because dem can't understand anybody who will sign a deal without
knowing de value of the item. Fuh example. Yuh live in Georgetown and yuh brother dead and lef a big property in Berbice fuh you. You gun sign a contract to sell it without knowing the true value? Nah! Nah! Wouldn't you contact the real estate people to find out wha is the best price you can get for de property? YES! YES! If de real estate people tell you to wait till next week so they can give you a proper value, would you sell de property before getting that value you asked for from the real estate agents? Nah! Nah! Well Guyana, according to dem foreign people report, tha is wha Trotman do with de Exxon oil contract. He did ask for expert advice and the
people tell him to wait a bit, but he didn't wait. He went ahead and sign off the contract without knowing the value of Lisa 2. Wha get dem boys vex is Exxon crookishness. Dem know wha dem find in Lisa 2 but dem didn't tell dotish Trotman till after he sign. And is not long after. Dem tell him de day after he sign. That signature he put on that Lisa 2 contract wid Exxon cause Guyana to lose over US$55 billion, according to de calculations by de farrin report. Why would Gov't or anybody sign away de country's biggest assets, oil, without knowing its true value or worth? That is wha got dem boys baffle. Talk half and think about that, GUYANA!
anything also. At least one hospital and a doctor are facing a lawsuit. Geoffrey and Jean Sankies, the siblings of renowned pioneering engineer, Melvyn Sankies, have filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Medical Arts Centre of Thomas Street, Georgetown, and wellknown surgeon, Dr. Sheik Amir, over the death of their brother. Melvyn Sankies had undergone a surgery at the institution in 2011. The matter is now engaging the courts. With regards to the births, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GPHC, Brigadier (Ret’d) George Lewis, disclosed last week that in 2017 there were 6,164 deliveries of which 4,746 were normal ones. The number of C-sections was 1,418 while the number of natural deaths was 15. In 2018, the deliveries were 6,189 with 4,811 of the babies coming though natural birth. The number of Csections was 1,378. Last year, the number of births at the GPHC did not vary much. There were 6,277 deliveries with 4,636 through normal means. The number of C-sections was 1,641. According to the official, the majority of births were for mothers who joined the clinic and were being monitored by GPHC’s doctors. There were significant cases of referrals from outlying areas too. Meanwhile, sources at two private
hospitals admitted that from their observation, about half of the pregnant mothers end up taking C-sections. “We can’t say if the operations were needed. It is the doctor who makes that call. We can’t question the doctor. What I can say is that more than half of them women who give birth, are through Caesarian operations,” one worker said. For years now, there have been a growing number of complaints about the attitude of doctors. There was little information coming out whether doctors were being s a n c t i o n e d . Whether it is for a simple cough or something else, patients are told to do blood tests and the works. In fact, one particular case has raised alarm about mal-practice cases. In 2014, Edward Subryan, 74, was admitted to a private hospital in the city. He had no internal bleeding. A colonoscopy conducted on the Enterprise, East Coast Demerara man went horribly wrong with the colon of Subryan being p u n c t u r e d . It was not repaired properly and Subryan died days later. A post mortem found fecal matter and pus in the chest area, and evidence of sepsis. Subryan died on February 1st, 2014 with the family later filing a complaint to the Medical Council. The then chair, Dr. Vivienne Mitchell, in her report, was
scathing in her criticisms of the private hospital and two doctors. The doctors not only did not meet the standards of being doctors, but did not exercise care and should have seen the warning signs that Subryan had suffered complications. The Medical Council then recommended the two doctors be sanctioned and that together with the private hospital, negotiate a private settlement with Subryan’s relatives. Dr. Mitchell left the country soon after to work in Jamaica. There are a number of other cases of alleged malpractice being handled by the Medical Council, which as regulator overlooks the operations of physicians. Dr. Mitchell in her report recommended periodical visits by the Ministry of Health to all medical institutions to ensure that standards are met. She also called for periodic refresher exams to keep physicians on their toes. One private hospital is facing a lawsuit after a p e d i a t r i c i a n r e c e n t l y, suddenly ordered x-rays for two children he has been treating for years. In under five minutes, he was able to determine that the children had severe cases of scoliosis (curved spine). The x-rays came back negative. The mother has indicated that a lawsuit will be filed in coming days for damages and a public apology.
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Sunday February 09, 2020
Vehicle driven by ex Chief of Staff kills former National cyclist Jude Bentley …breathalyzer test shows driver way over prescribed limit
W
hat started as a routine training exercise ended in tragedy after national cyclist, Jude B e n t l e y, w a s k i l l e d yesterday morning on the Rupert Craig Highway. The accident occurred in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy. His death left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Guyanese outside of the cycling fraternity who idolized the sportsman, described as a national inspiration to the mass. Messages of condolence have been pouring out in the thousands as many apart of his cycling team process the news of his death. A c c o r d i n g t o information reaching Kaieteur News, the tragic accident occurred at around 5:00am. When Kaieteur News arrived at the scene of the accident, Bentley's mangled body was removed but other cyclists were still present, and reeling from shock. Jude was struck by a black Land Cruiser with Rear Admiral (ret'd) and Former Chief of Staff Gary Best at the wheel. Reports indicate that Best and Bentley were heading in the eastern direction when the former slammed into the
The wrecked vehicle that hit Bentley cyclist, taking down a utility pole located on a median at the same time. Traffic Chief Linden Isles disclosed that Best was arrested at the scene and two breathalyzer tests were administered. Both tests revealed that the former Chief of Staff was way above the legally prescribed alcohol limit. Best was taken into custody and charges are expected to be laid soon. A sad day for cyclists The mood was somber at the 33 Robb Street, Bourda, home of the dead cyclist. Supporters, family members and the youths he inspired crowded at his store to offer their condolences, crying that justice will be served. His wife, Fauna McWatt,
Former: National Cyclist Jude Best
wept bitterly as she recounted the last few moments with her husband. The woman told Kaieteur News that she received a phone call and got the devastating news; her husband was struck by a
speeding car while training. “The person on the other end said, Jude got hit down and they think he's dead…So I rushed out to the scene and I was met with his body, lying in a pool of blood, his ankle was visibly broken, his upper
body was mangled, his helmet was broken, his bike was destroyed…parts scattered some feet away from where his body was.” The grieving woman stated that eyewitnesses at the scene disclosed to her that Jude was struck, his
body then dragged a few feet by the vehicle before it came to a halt. According to her, the driver was still on the scene when she got there. “The man was still there. I tried talking to him to find out what happened but he (continued on page 16)
Sunday February 09, 2020
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Sunday February 09, 2020
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US$55B can double every Guyanese worker's salary for the next 40 years
G
lobal Witness has put out a report stating that Guyana is set to lose US$55B in value over 40 years, due to a poorly negotiated deal with ExxonMobil for its right to continue exploring the 6.6 million-acre Stabroek Block. But because that amount is so much, it may be difficult for one to fathom just how much money US$55B really is. To put it into perspective, like Global Witness did, Guyana's 2019 budget was presented as $300B. That is about US$1.4B. When that is compared to what Guyana could lose (US$55B), it becomes clear that that money could impact Guyana's budget 40 times. In other words, US$55B could double Guyana's budget for the next 40 years.
That amount of value, for every Guyanese worker, would mean a doubling of all salaries… for 40 years. For every bridge, school, or other infrastructural project Government undertook in 2019, it could build 40 more of each with US$55B. For every good or service Government undertook to fund, it could double them for 40 years. Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram had also sought to put the US$55B figure into perspective. In a release to Kaieteur News, he wrote, “It means that at the national minimum public service pay of $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. The attorney said that 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 “ s t r a n g e s t o f 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 firm, Global Witness, commissioned to conduct the analysis, OpenOil, has released a report and a detailed economic model to support the (US$55B) figure. The firm assumed a US$65 price
per barrel of oil for 7.9B barrels of oil. That extended over the fiscal terms of the Stabroek Block deal, determines that Guyana would get about US$168B. Then, it came up with fiscal terms it considers in keeping with industry norms, what would be called a fair deal, and found that that would get Guyana US$223B. The difference between those two shows that Guyana could lose US$55B.
In its report, OpenOil in providing its detailed economic model for public scrutiny, has acknowledged the potential variance in the oil price. Nevertheless, its projections show that the loss for Guyana is very likely to be in the vicinity of tens of billions of US dollars. When OpenOil reached out for ExxonMobil to comment on its projections, its Guyana Country Manager,
Rod Henson, responded with a letter, rejecting the firm's calculations. Supporters of the deal, including Government officials, have touted a recent Rystad report which states Guyana will get 60 percent of oil revenues, instead of 52 percent, as calculated by OpenOil. However, unlike OpenOil, Rystad's figures are unjustified, since it has not published its economic model.
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Sunday February 09, 2020
Climate conscious Harvard, Yale students protest int’l law firm to drop Exxon
A
group of climate conscious students from two of the America ‘s most elite law schools has banded together to launch a national campaign to pressure international law firm, Paul Weiss to drop ExxonMobil as a client. A group of Harvard and Yale law students are asking counterparts at other law schools to sign a pledge that they will not interview for summer associate positions or work for Paul Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison until the firm no longer represents the oil and gas giant. They say the firm’s representation of Exxon in a series of climate change lawsuits makes it complicit in the planet’s destruction. “As future lawyers, we have a choice,” the pledge reads. “Will we commit ourselves to enabling corporations to continue putting human civilization at risk of climate catastrophe? Or will we dedicate our careers to making a positive impact in our communities
and helping build a more just and sustainable future?” Th e # D r o p E x x o n organizers are also encouraging students at other law schools to protest the firm at its recruiting events, which typically target first-year students and are intended to encourage them to interview with the firm during the oncampus interview season at the start of their second year. The Yale students staged the second such protest on Feb. 6, when Paul Weiss held a recruiting reception at a New Haven restaurant. About 40 law students dressed in business attire unfurled #DropExxon banners and chanted for 20 minutes while a similar number of classmates mingled with partners from the firm. A group of Harvard law students held a similar protest at a Paul Weiss reception three weeks ago. “Some of the attorneys who were there were paying attention, but some just wanted to continue on with their conversations, which seems representative of how they are treating this whole
issue—business as usual in the face of the climate crisis,” said Karen Anderson, a second-year Yale law student who helped organize the protest. “It was powerful to be a part of.” In a prepared statement, Paul Weiss chairman Brad Karp stood by the firm’s work for Exxon. “We are proud of the outstanding work we do for a wide range of commercial and pro bono clients in their most challenging and highprofile matters, including our recent defense of ExxonMobil in a securities fraud case in which the court found, after trial, that plaintiff ’s claims were entirely without merit,” Karp said. “Paul Weiss is committed to free speech and debate, just as we are committed to the principle that we represent our clients and safeguard the rule of law zealously and to the best of our abilities.” Paul Weiss is representing Exxon in multiple cases related to climate change. In December, A New York judge dismissed the state attorney
Yale law students protested Paul, Weiss, Rifkind & Wharton at a Feb. 6 recruiting reception. (Courtesy photo)
general’s securities fraud case against Exxon, which alleged that the oil company misleads investors over climatechange related disclosures. A similar case is pending in Massachusetts. The students are targeting Paul Weiss not only because of its aggressive defense of Exxon in the climate change litigation—the firm has countersued states that have brought lawsuits against it—but also because that work is in tension with the reputation the firm has
worked to cultivate, Anderson said. “They like to talk about pro bono work they do,” she said. “They have said they have this unwavering commitment to the public interest. They present themselves as this positive force in the world that people can work at and feel professionally fulfilled.” By spotlighting the firm’s Exxon work, the organizers of the #DropExxon campaign hope not only to cut off the
firm’s law student recruiting pipeline, but also prompt attorneys now at the firm to consider their complicity in climate change, Anderson said. “Starting this conversation with first-year students has been a powerful introduction to this idea that: These law firms are making choices, these choices do matter, and there are ways to differentiate what firms have chosen to do with their legal fire power,” she said. (Law.com)
Sunday February 09, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Guyana's health issues addressed at WHO board meeting T
he 146th session of the Executive Board took place at WHO headquarters in Geneva from February 3 to February 8, 2020. Although Minister of Health, Volda Lawrence, currently Vice Chair of the WHO Board, could not attend due to duties at home directly related to the Novel Coronavirus, Guyana's Geneva mission participation was guided from Georgetown and called for increased attention and support to critical health issues in Guyana. Guyana made several interventions at the meeting, including on Primary Health Care (PHC), Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Cervical Cancer, Food Safety and the need for more accessible and affordable Vaccines. On the second day of the meeting, the Director General of WHO Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned, “The winds of change in health care often call for big visible health interventions such as new hospitals, but to make progress in tackling noncommunicable disease and communicable diseases, primary health care is the answer – that goes for highincome countries and lowincome countries as well…if we really believe in primary health care (PHC) we need to stand against the wind.” In his intervention on PHC, Ambassador John Deep Ford, leader of the Guyana delegation pointed out that the Government of Guyana has fully endorsed the PHC initiative and one important commitment is to work to ensure that citizens do not have to travel more than five kilometres to receive free primary healthcare services. Guyana's Ambassador further indicated that with the rest of the CARICOM region Guyana is keen to develop a joint roadmap, based on the WHO's Operational Framework on PHC, to achieve our PHC objectives. Further, the Guyana mission said that Guyana is committed to ensuring Universal Health Coverage and embraces the PAHO 30-30-30 Compact that calls for a concerted effort to eliminate access barriers to health care by at least 30%, increasing public
spending on health to at least six per cent of gross domestic product, with 30% of these resources invested in the first level of care, to achieve universal health and the SDGs by 2030. Ambassador Ford emphasized that there is need for innovative approaches for financing health insurance given the small populations in some countries and the vulnerability of the region to disasters. WHO's draft global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer emphasized prevention policies, expansion of screening and early treatment services at the primary care levels. Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of death for women in the CARICOM region. Guyana supported the resolution on cervical cancer calling on the Director General to expand assistance to Member States to implement the global strategy. In emphasizing the need for increased access to vaccines Ambassador Ford indicated Guyana's support for the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) and called for vigilance related to vaccine needs of migrants and persons in post disaster situations, especially in the case of children that are missed and/or do not complete their vaccination program. He urged that universal access to vaccines remain a high political priority, including responding to
increasing pressure from “anti-vaccine” groups. The impact of Unsafe Food on health was emphasized in the Board meeting, indicating that harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites cause more than 200 diseases, ranging from diarrhea to cancers. Those children under five years of age carry 40% of the food borne disease burden, accounting for 125,000 deaths every year. The Guyana mission indicated its recognition of the problem and that food safety practices needed to be strengthened all along our food value chains. In this regard one critical need to be addressed was identified as the weak data on food borne illnesses and traceability systems that link the unsafe food to the source and basis of the problem. The importance of the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) leading in this area was emphasized and that its limited capacity needed to be strengthened. CARICOM recognizes this weakness and at the 81st COTED meeting held in Belize in Oct 2019 a recommendation was approved to establish a Caribbean Food Safety Task Force to serve in an advisory role to CAHFSA and to support coordination of food safety activities in the region. The WHO Executive Board is composed of 34 members elected for threeyear terms. The annual Board meeting sets the
agenda and agrees on resolutions to be considered
b y t h e Wo r l d H e a l t h Assembly. Other topics under discussion this year included WHO's response t o s e v e r e , l a rg e - s c a l e emergencies; research and
development for diseases with epidemic potential; antimicrobial resistance; healthy aging; harmful alcohol use; eye care; and promoting the health of migrants.
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Sunday February 09, 2020
Announcement of Liza-2 find, one day after contract signing, shows ExxonMobil's dishonesty - Chris Ram
E
xxonMobil's announcement of a world class oil
discovery just one day after the Government awarded the 2016 Stabroek licence to it,
shows that the oil company acted deceitfully and dishonestly.
That is the remit attorney-at-law, Christopher Ram, shared in the Thursday edition of his Stabroek News Column 'The road to first oil'. The lawyer, in describing the circumstances surrounding the controversial award, stated, “Nothing… shows Exxon's bad faith more than its announcement of a major find, one day after the Granger Government awarded them a tainted Petroleum Agreement made possible by the infamous Bridging Deed. It is either trickery or conspiracy.” The agreement was signed on June 27, 2016. The Bridging Deed, which sought to link it to what would be a “dead” 1999 agreement, was signed on June 29, 2016. The world class Liza-2 discovery was announced by ExxonMobil, the next day, with an estimation of at least 800 million oil-equivalent barrels. Ram's comment comes after a report published by globally respected anticorruption watchdog, Global Witness, revealed that ExxonMobil and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, knew of the second discovery in the Liza field. It reported not only that, but that Trotman failed to capitalise on Guyana's
Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram strong negotiating position by waiting for the details of a find he knew Exxon was analysing. Global Witness found that Trotman even knew the company would announce its results on a specific day. Had he waited, the Minister would have been able to bargain that he represented a country with ownership of one of the world's largest recent finds. While this would indicate that Trotman's hurried negotiation would place him solely at fault for failure to capitalise on Guyana's strong bargaining position, another report buttresses Ram's assertion, and shows that both parties had a hand in maintaining Guyana's disadvantage. The British law firm, Clyde and Co, was hired by Government to conduct an
investigation and report on the circumstances surrounding the contract signing. That firm found it likely that ExxonMobil's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) and its partners, Hess and CNOOC, pressed the Ministry of Natural Resources to get the new agreement signed prior to their formal announcement of the results of the Liza-2. It stated that ExxonMobil probably feared a change in Government's negotiation strategy, resulting from knowledge of the discovery's “world class” nature. That, and a reason given by ExxonMobil, that it needed to step aside from rig commitments if no new agreement was signed. The hurried signing of the 2016 contract is one of major reasons in public discourse about why the terms of the contract placed Guyana at such a purportedly severe disadvantage. That, and the fact that, according to Clyde and Co, securing better terms for Guyana just wasn't a priority for the Government. It was more focused on ensuring the continuity of its relationship with the Exxonled consortium.
National Cyclist Jude Bentley struck... From page 10 seemed disoriented. And then persons told me that he was drunk…but I couldn't get any information…What I know is that Jude's death has hit us really hard…He has left an entire community to mourn.” Fauna McWatt shared with Kaieteur News that Jude touched many lives and his death left many cyclists in shock.
“Jude touched many lives. He was the small man but a man of the people...We had to pick up a bunch of kids from the scene who were there crying, some fainting because they couldn't handle it…This hit them so hard, you can't imagine the impact he had on these young kids. He represented strength, unity…” The woman stressed that
the family is hoping that Jude gets the justice he deserves since several allegations have been floating around citing her husband as being in the wrong. “Other persons around have been saying that the driver told police that Jude did not have any reflectors or anything on his bike but we have photographic evidence of the parts that were hit off from Jude's vehicle…his light was on the road, his reflector, everything, he was someone who advocated for road safety, always…he own this shop and gives away lights to make sure that people have lights on their bikes..” Fauna maintained that the cycling fraternity and other family members believe that Guyana's active justice system would not fail a well respected man of the soil. Bentley would have celebrated his 42nd birthday this month. He leaves to mourn his wife, his son and other family members.
Sunday February 09, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Donald Ramotar libel suit over oil blocks allocation...
Company registered and granted licence one week before elections Former President Donald Ramotar remained adamant that he relied heavily on the advice of others in the award of contracts and subsequent approval of licenses in the allocation two of Guyana’s most valuable oil assets. Ramotar returned to the witness stand on Friday to face further cross-examination in the matter for which he is suing Kaieteur News for libel. The former Head -of- State sued the newspaper over a report on the distribution of the Kaieteur and Canje oil blocks. Ramotar ’s lawsuit stemmed from an advertisement in the newspaper which accused him of allocating the oil blocks to companies with no known experience in the industry. Following the expose by Kaieteur News, Ramotar moved to the High Court claiming that aspects of the advertisement were false and slanderous. The former President has sued Kaieteur News, its Publisher Glenn Lall, and Editor-in Chief Adam Harris for in excess of $10M for libel over the alleged publication of which he claimed resulted in immeasurable damage to his character. The case is ongoing before Justice Navindra Singh at the Georgetown High Court. On Friday, under crossexamination by defence attorney Nigel Hughes, Ramotar fumbled to provide details on the individuals and companies which benefited from the award of the Kaieteur
and Canje oil blocks. He sought to defend the deals as above board. However under crossexamination by defense attorney Nigel Hughes, the witness fumbled to provide details of the individuals and companies which benefited from the award of the Kaieteur and Canje oil blocks. He also accepted suggestions from the defence that the manner in which the contracts were given out could be viewed as suspicious by some sections of society but provided no response when asked who stood to benefit from the arrangements. Under cross examination, Ramotar told the Court that as President he was not privy to the details but trusted information fed to him by the agencies of the State authorized to vet the companies wanting to conduct oil exploration offshore Guyana. Ramotar essentially told the Court that he signed off on the information handed to him without troubling himself too much about the companies’ track record or capacity to conduct the explorations. He said that his main concern as President was to attract entities to invest in drilling for oil in Guyana’s offshore basin. Ramotar claimed that the four companies – JHI Associates, Ratio Energy, Ratio Guyana and Mid Atlantic Oil and Gas Inc. were awarded contracts on the basis of recommendations.
Former President Donald Ramotar At the initial stage of the proceedings, Ramotar’s Attorney Anil Nandlall, objected to a series of questions about the signing and the timing of the national and regional elections. Nandlall pointed out, “The issue here is not whether Mr. Ramotar would have prorogued Parliament before the deals were signed… Whether or not parliament was prorogued is an extraneous matter.” The lawyer said that the Court should only concern itself with the matter at hand. “Whether it was a yawsie mango, whether he gave away the oil blocks to his brother and sisters, whether he took bribe for the contracts, those are issues under contention here that Mr Hughes should stick to…” Hughes noted, however, that the questions had to do with the fact that Ramotar had previously admitted that when he signed off on the
licenses, he had already announced a date for the elections. The lawyer then drew Ramotar’s attention to the contracts signed, questioning him on the specifics of each company’s track record in the oil industry. While he admitted that he had no evidence of their record, the witness maintained that he was confident that the companies’ capabilities based on the advice proffered by the technical people attached to Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, (GGMC) and the Minister of Natural Resources. Ramotar emphasized that the agencies were authorized to examine the legal aspects of the application process and evaluate companies that expressed interest in oil exploration. “I was advised that these were legitimate companies,” Ramotar said. He stressed that he did not see the need to verify information which was provided to him. Hughes in turn pointed to disclosures the witness had previously made about having the applications for oil exploration licenses in the system for a long time. Ramotar conceded to a press statement which he sought to defend the handing out of contracts for Kaieteur and Canje blocks weeks before he demitted office. “Would it surprise you then, that the company JHI
Associates Inc was incorporated in Guyana on May 4, 2015?” “I didn’t check to see that,” Ramotar started to say. “I didn’t ask you that,” Hughes interrupted. “I asked if it would come as a surprise that this company was incorporated in Guyana one week before the elections.” In response to the question Ramotar noted that at the time Guyana was still a high risk country for oil exploration. “I didn’t ask you that,” Hughes stopped him. “I asked whether it would surprise you that this company was incorporated one week before the elections.” “I didn’t have that knowledge,” Ramotar responded eventually. The lawyer then questioned whether the former President had required any information on the company or its principals. Again, Ramotar maintained that he relied on advice that companies had the exploration capabilities. “Would you agree with me, then, that JHI Associates if incorporated on May 4, 2015 would have no history in oil and gas discovery?” To this, Ramotar replied, “My focus was not on when the companies were incorporated but whether they had the financial capability to conduct the exploration.” “Are you familiar with the name John Collins?” “No” replied the witness. “Would it surprise you
that he was the Director of JHI Associates Guyana Limited at the time the license was issued?” “I cannot recall the names of the Directors,” held the witness. He sustained that his actions were based on advice. The lawyer then suggested that given the company’s incorporation date in 2015, it would have been impossible for their application for licenses to be made in 2012. Ramotar insisted that the applications were in the system sometime between2012 – 2013. His Attorney then objected to the line of questioning. Nandlall argued that JHI application for licenses could have been made by the company’s Canadian affiliates. Hughes then noted Ramotar statements suggested the applications for licenses in the Kaieteur and Canje dated back to 2012 – 2013. Meanwhile in relation to two companies; Ratio Energy and Ratio Guyana, Ramotar accepted that he was never presented with evidence of the financial and other capability of those companies. And in relation to Mid Atlantic Oil and Gas, he accepted that he had no idea who the principals were. He held, nonetheless, that “the companies are not shells; they are made up of people. It‘s people who have the technical expertise and not Continued on page 63
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 09, 2020
Investors express interest in setting up Cold Storage at Wales Estate – NICIL reveals Several investors who were in Guyana during the past week have expressed an interest in establishing a cold storage at the former Wales Estate. The investment which was secured through the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) has an estimated cost of several millions. This was the disclosure made by President of Caribbean Marketing Enterprises Inc (CMEI), Edmond Braithwaite. Braithwaite said that recognizing the volume and great potential of produce grown in Guyana his investment company is serious about establishing a cold storage at the Wales Estate. This, he stressed, will see several farmers having an opportunity to maximize on the cold storage opportunities. He said that with the Caribbean food import bill being so high, Guyana stands to benefit significantly with an established storage. The CMEI head revealed that the storage bond was discussed at length with NICIL who controls the Wales buildings and lands. He said that the discussion was very fruitful, and they are expected to begin construction later this year after the final pieces of documents would have been signed. “We met with the people at NICIL and had some lengthy but very fruitful discussions with Mr. Colvin Heath-London who like us is excited and eager to see the reality of this storage bond. Several countries are interested in purchasing
vegetables and other agricultural produce from Guyana. “However, with no cold storage facilities it makes shipment of these produce very challenging, thus denying many farmers an opportunity of increasing their revenues, while expanding their markets. “We intend to provide numerous opportunities to several of these farmers so whatever they produce we will purchase as we would have secured various markets for them,” he promised. Braithwaite said that farmers in Guyana will be given an opportunity to part own the Cold Storage. Twenty percent of the Cold Storage would be owned by the farmers including the building. He disclosed that the investors will own the remaining 80 percent. He dismissed the view that the investors may be seeking only to garner profits, but rather stressed that their primary focus is creating markets for several farmers through the construction of the cold storage. “This Cold Storage is very important as it allows the farmers to own twenty percent of it along with the building, while we will take the remaining 80 percent of sales. The great thing is that they would own the building and an established state of the art cold storage that they can use to process a number of fruits and vegetables, while servicing several regional and international markets with various agricultural produce. Heath-London has given
The investors after they would have examined and confirmed their interest in the former Wales Estate.
The processing machine that NICIL secured through a grant. us the assistances that NICIL will ensure that all systems are out in place so that we can begin rolling out this multimillion US cold storage shortly,” Braithwaite assured. NICIL’s Privatization Specialist, Rachael Henry, who is managing the project, said that her team has already begun finalizing the deal as it will significantly benefit residents and farmers. She said that NICIL is excited with the prospects that such a cold storage will bring to Guyana and how it can help in reducing wastage in agricultural produce significantly. “Over the years many people would plant, reap and sell and for what is left over it would be wasted. However with the construction of a cold storage this will be something of the past. Farmers will not only be able to save and preserve their products but also to tap into a number of available markets. Part of this cold storage deal will see farmers bringing
their produce here and it being bought from them, thus saving them from having to find markets,” Henry noted. Meanwhile, CEO acting Colvin Heath-London, expressed satisfaction over the discussions. He said that they are confident that the proposed business venture is one that will propel West Demerara and more directly, Wales, significantly. He said that such an investment is critically important for farmers in Guyana as it creates a golden opportunity for them to secure markers, while ensuring that the significant wastage that many of them suffer would be something of the past. “Each day you will have farmers complaining about the significant losses that they have experienced. “When they do not have everything sold they are forced in some cases to give them away and or to throw them away. This can be greatly reduced with the storage as we would be able to find secured markets so that they
can be able to expand their reach,” he assured. He revealed that NICIL secured a processing machine through a grant and as such, the entity would be able to assist a number of small farmers with processing. He said that the machine which is worth millions of dollars will certainly boost their agricultural plans for Wales. He disclosed that with plans afoot to establish an industrial area consisting of 200 acres of land that the public can expect a number of great business ventures being realized at Wales. “Wales has been identified for the establishment of the Industrial area and with the cold storage being one of the business ventures that will be there and with the processing machine that we secured it spells great news for a number of farmers,” he declared. He confirmed that construction of the Cold Storage is expected to commence later this year. The paperwork is being finalized at the moment.
Sunday February 09, 2020
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Kaieteur News
--- Hinds’ Sight by Dr. David Hinds ---
We are all racists, Freddie - You, Me and Benschop In his February 3, 2020 column, Freddie Kissoon revealed that he has had to come to my defence against charges by Indian-Guyanese that I am a racist. According to him, he has had to also defend Mark Benschop against such charges. Mark has since responded to Freddie. I want to use the opportunity provided by Freddie’s column to again comment on the core problem he raises. He ended the column with the observation that I feed such accusations because of the nature of my “activism.” The activism Freddie speaks about is my support for the re-election of the APNU+AFC Coalition, which, according to my detractors and presumably Freddie, runs against my Rodneyite politics. I have already publicly said that Freddie and I disagree on what’s next for Guyana. He thinks the emergence of a Third Party with the capacity to produce a minority government would reduce the PNC and PPP grip on Guyanese politics. I think the strengthening of the current coalition would achieve the same outcome.
My support for the Coalition’s return to power, then, is not a justification of its errors, but an endorsement of its possibilities despite those errors. I am not swayed by the argument for a minority government as a progressive outcome, but I respect the right of its proponents to advance it and work for it. I have already spoken to the misguided view that my support for the coalition is driven by racial considerations. But the truth of the matter is that I am quite aware that in Guyana, the qualification as a racist rests on two pillars—advocacy for the dignity and rights of your own ethnicity and opposition to the party of the other ethnicities. I study and teach about race and racism. So, I know that the definition of a racist is one who advocates the superiority of his or her ethnic group and practices the political, economic and cultural domination of his or her group over others. But in Guyana we do not use that definition. We have concocted our own simplistic but potent definition to
justify the ethnic enclaves we have erected over time. So, the charges of racism against me by Freddie’s prominent Indian-Guyanese friends is less about me, and more about a cultural sickness in our society when it comes to politics. I have said before that the view that anyone who speaks about the cultural pride and dignity of his or her ethnic group is a racist, is the height of foolishness. Some people think that to be non-racist, one must avoid affirmation of one’s ethno-racial identity and/or condemn one’s group. I stubbornly refuse to toe that line, because I see it as a betrayal of the sacrifices of my ancestors who made it out of enslavement so that I could walk this earth free from physical bondage. And I don’t care if Freddie’s prominent Indian-Guyanese friends call me a racist for doing that—they will someday account for their willful ignorance of what a real racist is. Some people ask why I don’t advocate for IndianGuyanese cultural dignity too—why only Africans? The answer is simple—it would be presumptuous of me to believe that I can speak for In-
The Baccoo Speaks Another murder will occur east of the capital. This too will result from another drunken brawl. It will be a case of an argument about whose wife is playing the crowd. People in the vicinity will do nothing to stop the brawl and the subsequent killing. ** It is never pleasant when a crowd catches a burglar. This will be the case when a man tries to enter a home.
The household will raise an alarm and the neighbours will
respond. The intruder would be severely beaten before the police arrive. ** Guyana is land of many waters so there is always a drowning. A swimming outing will end in disaster when a young man will simply disappear. His body will be found shortly after. Initially foul play would be suspected.
dian-Guyanese in the cultural realm. I can lend solidarity to the Indian-Guyanese cultural cause, but not speak for it. I come to the second definition of a racist in Guyana. Any African and Indian leader who opposes the PNC and PPP respectively is branded a racist. You are given some slack if you criticize the party of your race, but the minute you cease that criticism, you become a racist. I was cut some slack by many Indian-Guyanese while I was pounding the Coalition government. But the minute I announced that I was supporting the Coalition’s reelection, I moved from being a good Negro to a racist. I was “a wolf in sheep’s clothing”, they say. “Hinds is now showing his true colours, “they scream. And guess what, Freddie. Many prominent and not so prominent Africans who serenaded you when you were pounding the PPP, are now labelling your antiAPNU+AFC advocacy as racist bigotry. They see you as the Indian who cannot be trusted, even though you do not advocate for Indianism. I don’t bother to “defend”
you, because I know the simplistic origins of that narrative. And those Indians who said you betrayed the race when you helped to bring down the PPP and put the Coalition in office, are now embracing you with open arms. They care not that you are voting for Shuman—what is key is that you are not voting for the PNC-Coalition, and that you are hammering them. Just as they care not that I am voting for the WPA as part of the Coalition—not the PNC. And Freddie, you feed that perception that the Coalition is a sham, because you refuse to give any legitimacy to the idea of the Coalition as more than just PNC. You and I and all Guyana know that the PNC dominates the Coalition, and will do so for some time to come — that is inevitable. But you also know that that domination is resisted by an anti-domination, and that out of that clash something new is slowly emerging. The motion of history cannot be stopped by pronouncements by you and me. You are too intelligent an analyst not to see that. In the end, Freddie, in our fragile Guyanese racial reality we are all racists - you, Mark
Dr David Hinds and I, and others known. You know very well, Freddie, that many Indian-Guyanese — not all — love Walter Rodney’s activism against the PNC, the party they detest. They care not for his Black Power Groundings with my Brothers. In fact, they silence that part of Rodney so that they can love him up. It’s called sanitizing. (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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Kaieteur News
A double-murder and a man who did odd jobs
By Michael Jordan Shortly after Mashramani Day in 2004, residents living in a long yard in Public Road, Kitty, became aware of an unpleasant smell emanating from one of the houses in proximity. The house, a two-bedroom property at Lot 57, was occupied by 50-year-old Fazia Insanally and her youngest daughter, 11-yearold Allia, a student of F. E. Pollard Primary. It dawned on the neighbours that they had not seen the occupants since the day after Mashramani. But the neighbours weren’t very concerned. They and Mrs. Insanally were constantly at loggerheads. One matter had even ended up in court, with a magistrate placing Mrs. Insanally and a female neighbour on a one-year-bond for fighting. But when days passed
and the smell grew worse, and there was still no sign of the occupants, the neighbours became somewhat uneasy. Then, on February 28, 2004, the residents observed that something was dripping from Fazia Insanally’s floor to the ground below. They also observed that flies were gathering on the damp spot on the floorboards. Some speculated that Mrs. Insanally had gone for a holiday and that the contents of her refrigerator had spoilt and were dripping onto the floor. But others suspected the worst and contacted one of Insanally’s daughters. The initial fear of the daughter was that her mother, an epileptic, had collapsed and died during a seizure. At around 14:00 hrs, the daughter, Dianne London, accompanied by her husband and ranks from the Kitty Police Station, went to
Insanally’s home. They observed that the lights were on, and all the doors and windows were locked. They then forced open the front door and entered. In the front bedroom they found the decomposing body of 11-year-old Allia Insanally. The child was still dressed in her school uniform. The couple and police then ventured into the second bedroom, where they found Fazia Insanally’s body under her bed. A post mortem revealed that she had been battered in the head and strangled. According to another daughter, Latoya Mohora, the post mortem also showed that Mrs. Insanally had been sexually assaulted, while 11-yearold Allia was suffocated with a pillow. According to her, evidence at the crime scene showed that the killers had consumed alcohol, smoked
cigarettes, and even used cocaine in her mother’s bedroom. Relatives suspected that Allia had come home at around 18:00 hrs from lessons and the killer or killers had attacked her as soon as she entered the front door. From all appearances, the motive appeared to be robbery, since the slain woman’s television set and many other valuables were missing. Police detained several of the victim’s immediate neighbours, but found nothing to link them to the doublemurder. But there were two other motives; one of which surrounded another murder in the same yard. The victim, a female in her teens, had been stabbed to death by her boyfriend. One of Insanally’s daughters said that 11-year-old Allia had witnessed the murder from her bedroom window. Although
Sunday February 09, 2020
the alleged killer was caught and charged, she believes that the man’s associates feared that the child and her mother might provide the police with more evidence. One daughter said that the same man had tried to kill another girlfriend, but the victim had escaped by seeking refuge in their mother’s home. But the second and stronger theory suggests that the victims had been slain by someone they knew well. The suspect, known as ‘Felix’, had lived in the area and did odd jobs for Mrs. Insanally. He was even sometimes allowed to enter her house. According to the daughters, ‘Felix’ disappeared after the bodies were found. It is alleged that police located the murdered child’s schoolbag while searching the suspect’s house. They
also reportedly found several sheared dreadlocks, which indicated that the dreadlocked ‘Felix’ had cut his hair to change his appearance. ‘Felix’ has never been seen since. There are rumours that he was slain in Guyana some years ago after returning from Cayenne. If you have further information on this case or any other, please contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown office or by telephone. We can be reached on telephone numbers 22-58458, 22-58465, or 22-58491. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s mjdragon@hotmail.com.
Sunday February 09, 2020
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Kaieteur News
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
The National Park bosses stopped me from feeding a stray cat I
n many of my columns, and in television and radio discussions, I have argued that there are areas of governance that deteriorated under the APNU+AFC regime. I remember citing the City Council and UG, in a radio interview with Mark Benschop. My dissertation on the performance of APNU+AFC centres on superior governance. Guyanese expected this from APNU+AFC. Not only did superior governance fail to show, but there are areas of authority where the level of arrogance, autocracy and victimization exceed what was practiced under the PPP. I am an authority on three areas of this country - the Georgetown seawall, the Botanical Gardens and the National Park. I literally spent my childhood era right up to teenage years in the Botanical Gardens. In those days, the caretaker of the
Gardens (like the zoologist of the zoo) lived in the gardens. My mother's cousin and her husband lived in the Botanical Gardens. I spent my entire years of study for my GCE subjects in the gardens. I first saw Forbes Burnham there. He was on horseback. He looked down at me. I looked up at him. Both Burnham and I would never have imagined that we would come to be volcanic adversaries, and victimizer and victimized. My father was the chief groundsman for Saint Stanislaus school ground. I left school and spent endless days roaming the seawall. No one in Guyana knows that place more than me. It sounds chauvinistic, but is the gargantuan truth. I never left the seawall, except when I went abroad to study. I will never leave the seawall. I told my daughter I want my ashes to be thrown on the ocean opposite the Saint's
ground when I die. I have spent over fifteen years jogging and exercising in the National Park daily. There has never been a Christmas Eve morning and Old Year's morning that I was never in the park. The National Park is one of the areas that has deteriorated badly since APNU+AFC came to power. I see manifestations of cruel management style in that place and because I have spoken out, the National Park monarchs have sought to victimize me. Many times these columns have publicized the violations I have seen in that place for years now, but especially since APNU+AFC put its own people in charge. One of the things in one of my columns that has upset these little monarchs is the lack of recognition of workers' rights. GAWU as the representative union is utterly unfit to represent the employees of the National
Park. The bigwigs there were upset because I highlighted that the security ranks protecting the newly-built car park had no shelter from the elements. They had to endure the harshness of sun and rain. Let me beat my own drum. It was through my exposure of this violation in one of my columns that a guard hut was built. First, they stopped me from parking my bike in a guard hut that is seldom used. I parked without hindrance since the late nineties. There was no diplomatic approach. I quote from the edict sent to me by Ms. Denise Fraser, the head of the Protected Areas Commission (PAC); “We hereby demand that you immediately cease and desist from parking your bicycle…if you fail to comply the Commission will be forced to take legal steps.” F r a s e r, D r. R a q u e l Thomas, the chairman of the National Park board, and the
political head of the PAC, Ms. Ndibi Schwiers and their political bosses in APNU+AFC do not know me. I am no walkover. I refused to remove my bike. But they defeated me. They locked the guard hut, so I couldn't access my bike for weeks. Then when I got my bike, they locked the hut so I couldn't put it back. They won round one. They won round two last year. The guards informed me I am banned from entering the compound where the head offices are. We are now engaged in round three. I met a tabby cat that resembles my tabby at home. For months now I have been feeding the cat. Last week, they said I can no longer feed the cat near to the guard hit where the tabby sleeps. I have refused. I went to Mark Lewis, the administrator for security of the PAC. He refused to discuss the issue. I insisted that the security ranks told
Frederick Kissoon me it came from him, Ms. Fraser and Ms. Bentick, the manager of the Park. That poor cat has become a victim of those who don't like Freddie Kissoon. I will not stop feeding the cat. Let Fraser, Thomas, Schwiers and others continue to underestimate me. (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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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 09, 2020
The Coalition has put Guyana back on track Are you tired as yet, fed up with the stupid lies, the deliberate twisting of obvious facts by the PPP’s campaigners? If you’re getting yourself worked up because they repeat the same garbage over and over, the same empty promises that you hear time after time, please save yourself the stress. It is bad for your health, because you certainly know the truth. Try not to quarrel and argue trying to help them open their eyes and see the progress that is so obvious, the same progress that Guyana is receiving high marks for from international organizations. We have to trust
and depend on your ability to separate the nonsense they are being bombarded with from the truth that you and they are living and benefiting from. We understand that some people have been programmed to turn a deaf ear when the Government speaks, especially during this campaign season, and this may never change, though we live in perpetual hope that it does. We may win some and lose some, but the indisputable facts will remain. One particular fact that no one can deny, is that the Guyana economy has progressed beyond expectation in
four years, but there is still a long road to travel to bring us to the reality of being called a developed state. There is one question you have to consider: Who can you trust to steer Guyana safely through the next five years? Who are you certain will manage the country’s revenue from the oil and other minerals industries, the Agriculture and Forestry sectors; to build up the Education, Health, Environment, Technology and other services sectors? Who can you trust to face the world with confidence on your behalf because they are honest and determined to see
Guyana win?? Who could you trust to keep this country from once again becoming a narco-state that earned the disrespect of every other nation, even our closest neighbours? As Guyanese, individually and collectively, we bore the brunt of that international disrespect. We are the ones who received the abuse and it happened sometimes while we were standing on our own soil. We used to be subjected to shaming, intimidation and gross disrespect from the minute we entered airports in other countries Because of the Coalition Government’s honesty, decency and proven determination to govern with fairness and caring for its people and resources, all of that bad treatment has gone away. We are now greeted with welcoming smiles when we travel. Do we want the captains of big industries and government representatives of foreign countries Guyana does business with to go back to disrespecting us? Imagine what they will think of every Guyanese if we vote to put the destructive PPP back in office! A Trinidadian Calypsonian once said in his winning calypso that a nation ‘deserves the Government it gets”. He was not wrong, because the power to decide who governs this land remains in our hands. We urge you to think about this when you go into the voting booth next month. THE COALITION HAS PUT GUYANA BACK ON TRACK The Coalition came to govern with a simple promise: to deliver a good life for all
Guyanese. We mean that every last citizen must have a solid job, be able to create your own opportunities to earn a good living, have easy access to proper public services, financial and social assistance for the vulnerable, and good health and education systems for you and your children. The Guyana we inherited in 2015 was headed backwards. The PPP’s dishonesty and incompetence gave rise to drastic increases in violent crimes; and they had no interest in upgrading to modern infrastructure or maintaining what we had. Unfortunately we are still seeing the residual effects of a poor education system; poor healthcare, and the loss of overseas markets for our traditional exports. The sugar industry was on its knees; the manufacturing sector was tottering because the cost of production was so high, even the clothing and textile sub-sector; building and construction had hit a wall (pun intended), and there were no investors because electricity and water services were just plain poor. The Coalition Government took on the massive task of fixing all of this mess, because that is the only way this country could have made any progress. We made long term plans and short term plans, and then we went to work to fix the problems in every single sector, all at the same time. This is still in progress, because what was destroyed in 23 years could not be fixed in four. But Guyana has come a long way since then. This government needs more time to build that better future for Guyanese, a promise we intend to keep!
TRAILOFCHAOS When the PPP left office after the 2015 elections, they left behind a trail of chaos resulting from more than two decades of poor management of the entire country. Unfortunately, they have kept a stranglehold on parts of the Berbice Region. They don’t care how important Berbice is for the people’s growth and the nation’s well-being. Agriculture is the traditional way of life for Berbicians, but the region’s potential for diversity is being stifled. Berbice will only progress when the PPP’s stranglehold on the region is broken. Berbice has to be set free for any development plan to work. This Government’s plan includes a deep water port, industrial parks, factories to process agricultural produce to move the region up to manufacturing and exporting secondary products such as rice cereals. Berbice has been able to use its strong history to become a centre for Heritage and Eco-tourism. That plan also includes a strategy to strangle crime which has haunted the region for too many years. The Coalition has made some inroads, but there is more to do. This region is too important to Guyana, for the future of the children, to risk placing it back in the hands of the party that still continues to hold back its progress. President David Granger is fond of saying that Berbice is a sleeping giant that needs to be woken up. This Government believes that this region will play a great role in the plan to return Guyana to being the breadbasket of the Caribbean. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Sunday February 09, 2020
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Kaieteur News
My column
Corruption in the Guyana Police Force A story doing the rounds involves some policemen. The police are there to serve and to protect, and this recent story shows that the police are indeed serving and protecting. They are serving themselves and protecting those who can pay for the protection. In September they arrested a young man with a submachine pistol and a large quantity of ammunition. This has not been the first time that something like this has happened, but it is the first time that top officers in the force are involved in this situation. Normally, when the police make an arrest the suspect is taken to the police station and processed for court. Indeed, the parents may be influential people. Many will have money and will try to bribe the arresting officers. There was a high-profile case where people were arrested and prosecuted for offering a $4 million bribe. To any policeman this is a very large sum. But in this case, the person to whom the bribe was offered decided to report the matter to his superiors. There have been numerous other instances of bribes being offered. In some cases, the person who was asked for a bribe decided to report the matter. He was then encouraged to mark the money and a sting was set up. The policeman was prosecuted and cashiered. In this case, something serious happened and remained under cover for almost six months. Some say that the issue came to the fore when somebody was left out of the loop. Because newspapers hardly ever follow-up on an issue, situ-
ations are left to die. In this case, the arrest was reported but nothing else. We now hear that one investigating officer was approached, but he sent the matter on to someone else. It is not stated that he reported the offer, so one can only conclude that he suppressed a crime. The person making the offer did approach others. The report now states that the sum of $10 million was offered and accepted. The word out there is that the lead investigating officer is involved. If that is the case, then I can only assume that this particular matter will get nowhere. The evidence is in the custody of the police, but there is no report of whether the weapon was found in the possession of an individual. This could only mean that the suspect would walk free. The report on the matter would be so distorted that when the file is sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, the action taken would favour the suspect. I have since heard that the DPP ordered the release of a licensed weapon found at the scene, but ordered the detention of the submachine pistol. Weapons like these apparently abound in the society. Many innocent people have been killed during home invasions or otherwise. Every such weapon that is seized means that one more person would live longer. The Police Commissioner is now asked to mount an investigation. Who will he get to investigate one of his senior officers? Just recently, Kaieteur
News published a series of articles emanating from a report by the Guyana Medical Council. There was a case of medical malpractice at a city hospital. The Council was able to mount an investigation, because there are enough senior medical practitioners to investigate their peers. The report was damning, but it never saw the light of day, because inside the council there were other doctors who closed ranks. Some were attached to the hospital where the malpractice occurred. The relatives of the victim are at their wits’ end to get something done. They have the evidence of the report by the medical council, but will this report be approved by the existing medical council? One family has gone to the courts over another case of alleged malpractice. I do not know where this will end, since medical practitioners will be asked to testify against their own. Situations like these force some institutions to create independent bodies to monitor such situations and to take action. In the United States there is a body within the police force that investigates policemen. The job is dangerous, because rough things can happen to the person investigating if he/she is exposed during the investigation. But this agency has enough experienced people to avoid any confrontation. There are enough senior people who would have retired with very senior ranks to undertake the task.
While these people may be safe, the policeman who dares to squeal on his comrades is literally dead meat. So we come back to this situation in the Guyana Police Force. It may be time to set up a private organization to conduct the investigation. There may be people who could do the interviews, but there is the problem that what is said about one of the people being investigated would be leaked back to the subject. I would like the police to get to the bottom of this situ-
ation. An ordinary person would have been languishing in jail. That is why they say that there is one law for the rich and another for the poor. A Chinese national knocked down a pensioner on a pedestrian crossing and killed her. To this day the identity of the Chinese national has not been disclosed. Worse yet, the individual has not been prosecuted, although the death was recorded on security cameras in the area. I do not want to believe
Adam Harris that the entire police force is rotten, but issues like these foster the belief. I do not envy the Commissioner. So far he has said nothing.
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Book reviews: The President and the Constitution (A review of four books by David Granger: Credible elections: The political situation in Guyana; The way forward: Consensualism vs. unilateralism; The political situation in Guyana: The Legislative, Executive and Judiciary and Elections; and, The political environment and economic development; Constitutional compliance and commercial progress) Guyana occupies a unique constitutional corner in the Anglo-phone Caribbean. It took a tortuous path away from the 19th century Dutch Court of Policy. Its passage through to the suspension of the Constitution in 1953 in the
first elections after the introduction of universal adult franchise; introduction of the ‘proportional representation’ electoral system; establishment of its Court of Appeal and, eventually, the adoption of the Independence and Republican constitutions, signified changes which, often, were the results of political collisions. Political controversy, notwithstanding, constitutional developments added to the country’s complex electoral history. The powers of the executive presidency enshrined in the 1980 Republican Constitution, for example, differ from those of Caribbean
prime ministers, markedly. David Granger’s fourbook collection about the political situation in his country, following the passage of no-confidence motion in the National Assembly in December 2018, falls within this tradition. The collection highlights the interplay of the roles of Executive, the Legislature (that is, the National Assembly), the Judiciary and the Elections Commission and the electoral system in its constitutional evolution. The collection combines political perspicacity with critical perspectives into controversial constitutional questions, the solutions to which
are of enduring significance to constitutional development. The four books have their genesis in political developments in the National Assembly in December 2018. The political Opposition, gleeful over its successes in the local government elections one month earlier, moved to unseat the Government by tabling a no-confidence motion. The Opposition succeeded on the 21st December 2018 when the motion was debated and passed by a simple majority of one with the support of a single backbencher on the Government’s side which, since the previous elections in 2015, enjoyed meagre majority of one-seat in the National Assembly. It was the first time that a Government had been unseated by a noconfidence motion in Guyana. The motion’s passage triggered a suite of legal challenges which went all the way to the country’s highest court – the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). This process took almost six months to conclude. The legal and political arguments during and after this period revolved, primarily, around the legality and constitutionality of the Government’s actions. The collection constitutes the President’s responses to critics and detractors who had accused him of squatting in office and leading an illegal government. He has defended his Government constitutionality, employing a blend of legal and political arguments. The collection is a reminder that constitutional issues cannot be considered in isolation from their political context. The legal challenges to the no-confidence motion resulted in elections not being held within the three-month timeframe contemplated by the Constitution, a problem which was exacerbated by the facts of the readiness of the Elections Commission and the expiration of the existing Official List of Elections. *** Credible elections: The
political situation in Guyana, the first book, debates the issue of whether the President should declare a date for elections when he has received no indication that the country’s electoral authority – the Elections Commission –would be in a state of readiness to hold such elections, and in light of the then ongoing legal challenges to the no-confidence motion. The book provides evidence of engagements, including correspondence, between the Executive and the Elections Commission on the one hand, and the Leader of the Opposition, on the other. The President faced a ‘chicken-and-egg’ dilemma which he answers, pointedly, using legal decisions and the Constitution to support his stance. *** The way forward: Consensualism vs. unilateralism, the second book, argues a case for political consensus in appointing a Chairperson of the Elections Commission, following the annulment of the appointment of the previous Chairman, by the Caribbean Court of Justice. The President makes a case for an interpretation of the ruling which assigns him a role in ‘hammering out’ a candidate for the appointment that is consensual – acceptable to both the governing coalition and the parliamentary Opposition while remaining consistent with the letter and spirit of the Constitution. *** The political situation in Guyana: The Legislative, Executive and Judiciary and Elections, the third book, constitutes the text of an address the President made to the Diplomatic Corps and civil society in Georgetown after the ruling and the issuance of the Consequential Orders by the Caribbean Court of Justice. The book details the steps which his administration took to comply with the
courts’ rulings and to ensure credible elections in the shortest possible time. This book is supplemented by another – Consequential Orders of the Caribbean Court of Justice– which contains the unofficial text of the CCJ’s orders but which is not a subject of this review. *** The political environment and economic development; Constitutional compliance and commercial progress, the fourth book in the collection, makes a convincing case for the constitutionality of President Granger’s government and the efficacy of its actions since the passage of the noconfidence motion. It was aimed at assuaging apprehensions of commercial instability caused by the political situation. The President, using the CCJ’s judgment in the very case in which it affirmed the validity of the no-confidence motion, argues for his Government’s continuity in office. He emphasizes that his Government complied with the CCJ’s final ruling in every detail, justifies his stance of not declaring a date for elections, whimsically and in the absence of advice by the Elections Commission, and gives assurances of his Government’s commitment to respect the Constitutional role of the Elections Commission in order to ensure credible elections. President Granger’s fourbook collection is essential reading for everyone interested in the eventful year – 2019 – in this Caribbean Republic. The books, despite references to legal sources, are written in clear language which can be digested as easily and equally by the legal luminary in his or her chambers as they can by the man or woman in the street. It is an intellectually stimulating collection. Students of Caribbean constitutional law, politics and history will find the arguments erudite, enlivening and enriching. They should not ignore the most vital lesson of the Guyanese electoral experience, that discourses on constitutional development cannot be divorced from their political contexts. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s)and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Sunday February 09, 2020
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Peripheral artery disease: The leg pain that you need to know about By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition that can cause leg pain that gets worse with activity. Muscle pain that gets worse with activity and better with rest is called “claudication.” PAD affects the blood vessels (called arteries) that bring blood to the legs. PAD can also cause wounds to heal more slowly than usual. Today we will focus mainly on the leg pains associated with PAD, as it is often a complaint that patients are often baffled by. Normally, blood flows easily through arteries to all parts of the body. But sometimes, fatty clumps called “plaques” build up inside the walls of arteries. Plaques can cause arteries to become narrow or blocked. This prevents blood from flowing normally. When muscles do not get enough blood, symptoms can occur. Some people have a greater chance of getting PAD, such as those who: – Smoke – Have diabetes – Have high cholesterol – Have high blood pressure WHATARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PAD? PAD often causes pain in the back of the lower leg. The pain usually gets worse with walking or other exercise, and gets better with rest. PAD can also cause pain in the buttocks, thighs, or sometimes in the feet. People who have leg pain can have other symptoms, too, such as: – Trouble walking up stairs – Trouble getting an erection (in men) or trouble with sexual arousal (in women) Symptoms of claudication can be mild or severe, depending on: – Which arteries are affected – How narrow the arteries are – How much activity a person does People with PAD often realize they have the condition when they have ulcers developing on their legs or poorly healing wounds. They are also at higher
risk of having heart attacks and strokes because of similar blockages in the arteries of their brain and heart. IS THERE ATEST FOR PAD? Yes. Your doctor can do different tests to find out if you have PAD, and to check how severe it is. He or she might: – Take the blood pressure in your arm and lower leg (just above the ankle) at rest and right after exercise, and compare them – Take the blood pressure in other places in your leg (like the thigh) – Order a blood vessel imaging test such as an ultrasound, which can show pictures of your leg arteries HOW CAN I HELP TREAT MY PAD? To help treat your PAD and prevent it from getting worse, you can: – Stop smoking – Get your diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol under control (if you have these conditions) – Walking – Doctors recommend that most people with PAD walk every day. Ask your doctor or nurse how best to begin a walking program. WHAT OTHER TREATMENTS MIGHT I HAVE? Along with a walking program and getting medical conditions under control, some people are also treated with medicines. The medicines
used to treat PAD can reduce symptoms, increase blood flow to the legs, and help people walk farther without pain. If you still have severe symptoms after trying medicines, your doctor will talk with you about the possibility of having surgery or a procedure to increase blood flow to your legs and feet. Your treatment options might include: – Angioplasty or stenting – During angioplasty or stenting, the doctor sends a thin tube with a balloon at the end of it to the part of the artery that is blocked. Then the doctor inflates the balloon to open the blockage. Often the doctor props open the artery using a tiny mesh tube called a stent, which stays in the body. – Bypass surgery – During bypass surgery, the doctor removes a piece of blood vessel (vein) from another part of the body. Then he or she reattaches that piece of blood vessel (called a vein graft) above and below the area that is clogged. This reroutes blood around the clog, and allows it to get to the part of the leg that was not getting enough blood. Sometimes instead of taking a graft from another part of the body, the doctor can use a manmade graft. WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT THE DIFFERENT PROCEDURES? Angioplasty and stenting are used to treat one or two
blocked areas that are short. Surgery works best to treat many or longer blocked areas. People who have the fewest long-term problems after bypass surgery include those who are younger than 70, do not have diabetes, and do not
have PAD below the knee. If you suspect that you have PAD, then quitting smoking, eating healthy, exercising and treating your blood pressure or cholesterol levels will help to decrease your symptoms. The earlier you act, the
Dr Zulfikar Bux lesser the likelihood of having complications in your legs later in life.
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SUNDAY 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 As 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. Saturday 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
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman concentric left ventricular hypertrophy.” DESPITE ENJOYING DECADES OF MASSIVE PROFITS… GTT’S PARENT COMPANY NOW COMPLAINS ABOUT POTENTIAL LOSS OF REVENUESAHEAD OF TELECOMS LIBERALISATION Over the years, Kaieteur News has exposed the modus operandi of foreign companies—their Executives enter these shores and cut deals, which allow them to walk away with the lion’s share of the nation’s resources. This trend often contributes to the underdevelopment of country’s industries. In this special series, Kaieteur News will endeavour to show that the same has occurred with the Atlantic Tele-Networks Inc. (ATNI), the US-based company that owns GTT. Specifically, this newspaper will examine GTT’s monopoly and its effects on Guyana’s development. All who wish to share in this constructive discourse are welcome. 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 TeleNetworks 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. RUSAL TELLS GRA AUDITORS: “LEAVE OR WE LEAVE” Auditors 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.
Advisor to Foreign Affairs Ministry, Sir Shridath Ramphal (left) and Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge. GRA decided to act. It sent in a team to the company’s operations in the 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 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 non-compliance, 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. SALE OF GOVT.’S 20% SHARES … NICIL TO DRAW DOWN US$7.5M MORE FROM GTT On 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. MONDAY KEY DOCUMENT HELD BY SIR SHRIDATH RAMPHAL, NOT ATTACHED TO EXXON BRIDGING DEED, LEAKED TO MEDIA Kaieteur News has finally managed to secure a copy of the long sought after Bridging Deed. The purpose of the Deed is to re-ignite ExxonMobil’s expired agreement with Government for its operations on the Stabroek Block. But all has not been disclosed. The Deed mentions an ‘Escrow Agent’ who is meant to hold an ‘Escrow Letter’ and other documents. While supporting documents accompany the Deed, the Escrow Letter is not attached. According to the Deed, ‘Escrow Agent’ refers to Sir Shridath Ramphal of [address withheld] or any replacement pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Letter. No replacement has been indicated by the Deed. The ‘Escrow Letter’, according to the Deed, “means the escrow letter dated the same date as this Deed from the Escrow Agent to the Parties setting out the terms of the escrow arrangement, whereby the Escrow Agent (Continued on page 33)
Sunday February 09, 2020
From page 32 agrees to hold the Documents on behalf of the Parties subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions”. Other terms are listed in the Deed without a definition, save to say that they have been defined in the mysterious Escrow Letter. Those include ‘completion date’, ‘Contractor Parties’ Confirmation Notice’, ‘Escrow Termination Date’, and ‘Minister’s Confirmation Notice’. While the Deed sets out a bridging process in detail, these missing definitions leave blind spots in public understanding of how Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, went about trying to breathe life into what Christopher Ram referred to as a dead agreement. In a recent column in the Stabroek News, Ram wrote of the Escrow Letter, alleging that it is a “closely guarded secret”. “It is unclear whether Sir Shridath Ramphal performed any other functions in connection with the Bridging Deed or the Petroleum Agreement and how he was compensated, but if he was paid by the Government of Guyana, it is hoped that in the cause of transparency, particulars of that arrangement will be shared with the Guyanese public,” Ram wrote.
the elites who rule the country choose to spend that money on themselves and on reinforcing their own political power as opposed to investing the money in the economy and for the betterment of the citizenry.” Hayman, who has led global efforts to end money laundering and financial crimes, stressed that the oil money comes in huge volumes and therefore serves to encourage corruption and patronage. Pointing to the second reason, the transparency advocate, who holds a Doctorate from the University of Reading added, “The huge surge of money in itself, lends to binge spending. It pushes up inflation and makes (sections of) the economy less competitive. But disclosure and transparency are key parts of the antidote.” The Executive Director of OCP, (a silo-busting collaboration of governments, companies, technologists and civil society that work to open up public contracting through disclosure), said that Guyanese need to keep their eyes on the oil money, given the temptation and challenges that come with it.
DISCLOSURE IS KEY TO KEEPING CORRUPTION AT BAY IN THE OIL INDUSTRY – EXPERT
According to all the Production Sharing Agreements (PSA) Guyana has with the world’s oil majors, the Government will pay the companies’ income taxes from this nation’s share of the profit oil. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said there is absolutely nothing wrong with this arrangement, except for the part where Guyana fails to increase its take of the profit oil upon agreeing to pay the said taxes. In a technical report dated April 2019, the IMF told the government that this arrangement it has in the PSAs is referred to as Pay On Behalf (POB). The IMF said POB is quite common and used in over 20 petroleum producing countries. The financial institution said, “As a consequence, when the POB scheme applies to the sharing of profit petroleum, the agreed percentage of government’s share in profit petroleum has to be higher…” It therefore means that since Guyana agreed to pay the income taxes of ExxonMobil and partners, its take of the profit oil as outlined in the Stabroek Block agreement should have
There are two key reasons why countries fail to make petroleum resources a success. One reason is that the political elites use the nation’s oil resources for their own gains. The other is due to inefficient spending which leaves a country trapped in a cycle of underdevelopment. This is the observation of Executive Director of Open Contracting Partnership (OCP), Gavin Hayman. But the Illicit Financial Flows Expert says that readers should not be disheartened by this dismal picture, since the antidote does exist to reverse things. During his first appearance on Kaieteur Radio’s Guyana’s Oil and You, Hayman said that the remedy for keeping corruption at bay includes the disclosure of all pieces of information relevant to the sector. Expounding on his position, Hayman said, “There are two key reasons why countries fail with oil. First is that it is a huge amount of money and often,
GUYANA’S TAKE OF PROFIT OIL SHOULD BE HIGHER IF IT PAYS OIL COMPANIES’INCOME TAXES – IMF
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been higher than 50 percent. Furthermore, the IMF which is one of Guyana’s key partners in developing its capacity for the management of the oil sector, also noted that the PSA provisions supersede the Income Tax Act. In its 2019 report, the IMF said, “While the ITA (Income Tax Act) applies to the petroleum operations performed under a PSA, its provisions are superseded by the provisions of the PSA dealing with the determination and payment of income tax, subject however to the special authorization process set forth in Section 51 of the Act.” The Fund noted that Section 51 allows for the Finance Minister to take an order to the National Assembly which allows for the Income Tax Act to not apply to the oil companies. That Order for ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC/ NEXEN, was passed on August 2, 2016 in the National Assembly. TUESDAY INVESTIGATE TROTMAN, OTHERS IN SUSPICIOUS STABROEK BLOCK DEAL …MINISTER SOUGHT BUT DID NOT AWAIT EXPERTADVICE – GLOBAL WITNESS REPORT A damning report called,
“Signed Away,” unambiguously states that Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, may have disregarded certain crucial pieces of advice. The advice could have led to Guyana having a way better deal than the one in place with American Oil giant, ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC/NEXEN. The report was prepared and released Monday morning by international NonGovernmental Organization (NGO), Global Witness. In light of this, and other glaring anomalies, the international anti-corruption body says, an immediate investigation is needed into the role Trotman and others played in securing a deal that leaves the country cheated out of US$55 billion. According to Global Witness, the negotiations and subsequent signing of the ExxonMobil-Guyana deal was done quickly. From evidence it saw, negotiations began April 4 or April 5, 2016 at the Exxon headquarters outside Houston, Texas. Twelve weeks later, on June 27, the deal was done – signed away by Trotman, Exxon’s Vice President Erik Oswald, and representatives from CNOOC and Hess. Further to this, Global Witness said it has been able to determine the roles played by three Guyanese officials during the Stabroek
negotiations, although it is likely additional officials were involved. These three were Trotman and the officials who visited Exxon on April 4 and April 5, 2016: Christopher Lynch and Newell Dennison, both with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). According to Global Witness, Minister Trotman was legally responsible for assessing and approving or rejecting Guyana’s oil licences. Global Witness said that in August 2019, it had asked Trotman about his involvement in the 2016 Stabroek negotiations, to which he responded, was marginal. Global Witness said there is some evidence to back up this denial. SURINAME POISED TO BAG HUNDREDS OF US$MILLIONS IN SIGNING BONUSES …CAPITALISES ON GUYANA’S OILAND GAS DISCOVERIES The State-owned oil company and regulator of Suriname’s oil industry, Staatsolie, is set to reap vast benefits when it starts selling stakes in a large area of its shallow waters, by year end. The value of those waters to oil and gas companies around the world has been buttressed by ExxonMobil’s discoveries in Guyana’s Stabroek Block.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Staatsolie, Rudolf Elias, elaborated on this during Spotlight on Energy Monday. Spotlight on Energy is an annual energy conference held in Trinidad & Tobago, hosted by the country’s Energy Chamber. The Dutch-speaking nation struck oil last month in Block 58, thanks to Apache and Total. The Block, Elias said, is bigger than Trinidad and Tobago. Revealing a map of Block 58 and other surrounding blocks during the conference, Elias elicited chuckles from the audience at the location of the block, as it is the closest block to ExxonMobil’s 16 material discoveries in the lucrative Stabroek Block. Staatsolie is in extremely interesting times, the Director said. Capitalising even further on its opportunities, the company has been studying a large shallow water acreage offshore Suriname, for which it has amassed a wealth of data. On its website, the Staterun oil company explained how its work in the near shore areas, though not yielding material discoveries, have already done enough to confirm the “potential” of oil in the coastal area. Kaieteur News has reported on how data amassed about certain areas (Continued on page 41)
Sunday February 09, 2020
From page 33 could increase the value of the acreage. It is for the same reason that Guyana has been urged by industry experts to ensure it publishes data on relinquished blocks as soon as possible. In Suriname’s case, the Staatsolie CEO said that the acreage has already become a very attractive destination. Hence, the company will be looking to farm down the stakes. He added that the company will not sell out entirely, but that it will look to form joint ventures with interested parties. WEDNESDAY DAMNING FINDINGS OF GLOBAL WITNESS REPORT… GRANGER SHOULD DEMAND TROTMAN’S REMOVALFROM ELECTORAL LIST UNTIL INQUIRY IS COMPLETED – CHARLES RAMSON JR. In light of the shocking details of the Global Witness report called “Signed Away”, Attorney-at-Law and Opposition Member, Charles Ramson Jr. says it would be in the best interest of the nation for President David Granger to launch an immediate investigation or Commission of Inquiry into the role that Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, played in the Stabroek Block negotiations with ExxonMobil. “Signed Away” which was released on Monday and has sparked a national debate, states that Trotman may have ignored critical advice that could have saved Guyana US$55B as well as secure better financial terms than those which exist in the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). During an interview with Kaieteur News Tuesday, Ramson said that the damning findings of the report are more than enough for Granger to demand that Trotman step down from the electoral list until an independent investigation or inquiry can clear his name. The Opposition Member said, “An inquiry has to be done to determine whether any or none of this is true, and if it is true, then ‘sellouts’ should never offer themselves to be candidates on the list for elections. They should never be able to put themselves forward to be elected representatives.” Further to this, Ramson said that if Guyanese are to truly see the benefit of its natural resources, it needs to have elected officials who possess the courage to stand up for their interest, as well
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as the technical expertise to understand the value of the nation’s natural resources. Ramson also said it is important for the nation to bear in mind that the Global Witness exposé vindicates the few individuals and media houses such as Kaieteur News which have been standing up for Guyanese on these matters, irrespective of the severe ridicule, pressure, and criticisms received from the sellouts and blind supporters. The Global Witness report that was released on Monday calls for an investigation into Trotman, since his actions prior to the signing of the Stabroek Block deal raise numerous questions. According to Global Witness, the negotiations and subsequent signing of the ExxonMobil-Guyana deal was done quickly. From evidence it saw, negotiations began April 4 or April 5, 2016 at the Exxon headquarters outside Houston, Texas, with Trotman and other officials from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). The international NGO said that the trip was a glamorous affair. FOLLOWING DEATH OF PATIENT IN 2014… MEDICAL COUNCIL HEAD HAD RECOMMENDED PERIODIC EXAMS FOR DOCTORS In 2014, head of the Medical Council of Guyana, Dr. Vivienne Mitchell had recommended a system where local doctors be mandated to take routine examinations to keep them sharp. The recommendation was one of several contained in a report by the official, following the death of a patient. The patient, 74, died after a botched colonoscopy. A scathing report which was leaked recently found a private hospital and two prominent doctors culpable, and they were told to settle the matter outof-court with the family of Edward Subryan, the Enterprise, East Coast Demerara man who died. The family has been seeking closure in the matter, but claimed that they abandoned efforts last year after being given the royal runaround by the Medical Council. They said that representatives of the council kept telling them for a number of years that the matter was being handled at the council level. “It is time for the Caribbean to emulate the USA which requires physicians to undergo
periodic examinations in order to maintain their board certification,” Dr. Mitchell recommended in her report, a copy of which has been seen by Kaieteur News. She proposed that refresher examinations be created for general physicians and specialists. “This aims to ensure that physicians remain updated in their specialty,” the report said. Both the private hospital and the Medical Council have been silent on the matter, not returning messages and requests for comments. The two doctors in question are still in practice. The family said they are now examining legal recourse and even contemplating releasing the document publicly to ensure that no other families suffer. In January 2014, Subryan, from Enterprise, East Coast Demerara, was rushed to the private hospital after not feeling well. There was no internal bleeding and nothing serious. Doctors ordered a colonoscopy. During the examination, which involved sending a camera via the rectum, the man’s colon was perforated.
MORE RESEARCH NEEDED TO ENSURE AWARDS OF KAIETEUR, CANJE BLOCKS WERE ABOVE BOARD – GLOBAL WITNESS REPORT While the corruption fighting body, Global Witness, unequivocally states that it does not have evidence proving that the Kaieteur and Canje Block licenses were awarded illegally, it still recommends that the local authorities conduct more research to ensure, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that the awards were above board. Global Witness made this call in its damning report called “Signed away.” That document which was released on Monday, places under the microscope, the lopsided Stabroek Block deal which sees Guyana being cheated out of US$55B due to poor negotiations Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman conducted with ExxonMobil. The report also placed the spotlight on the Kaieteur and Canje licenses which were awarded to four companies by former President Donald Ramotar before he lost the General and Regional Elections to the
APNU+AFC coalition in May 2015. The Kaieteur license was granted to Cateleya Energy Corporation (CEC) (formerly Ratio Energy Limited) and Ratio Guyana Limited, a subsidiary of Ratio Petroleum Energy Limited Partnership headquartered in Israel. The Canje license was awarded to JHI Associates Inc. and Mid Atlantic Oil and Gas. But these companies are not the operators of the blocks they were awarded, ExxonMobil is. The acquisition of the majority interest by Exxon is what concerns Global Witness. It is not clear to Global Witness, whether ExxonMobil did enough due diligence to ensure it was buying into legally awarded blocks. Global Witness said it sent a request for comment to Exxon regarding its purchase of shares in Kaieteur and Canje. But the company provided only a broad statement regarding Global Witness’ findings. Exxon said, “We consider the accusations unfounded and baseless. ExxonMobil is committed to the highest standards of business conduct, and we follow all local laws and regulations wherever we operate.”
THURSDAY OIL SPILL EMERGENCY PLAN FOR CARIBBEAN REGION URGENTLY NEEDED – TT MINISTER OF ENERGY Given the fragility of the environment in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Minister, Franklin Khan, is of the firm view that Guyana and other oil producing nations in the region need to collaborate on an oil spill emergency plan. The Minister made these and other remarks at his country’s three-day Energy Conference which concluded Wednesday at the Hyatt Hotel. There, the Energy Minister said that urgent attention needs to be given to the development of this plan. Khan specifically stated, “There needs to be sensitivity to the potential adverse impacts of oil and gas exploration. To date, operators in the region have been responsible in their exploration activities and there have been no major adverse events. “Notwithstanding, in relation to offshore exploration, risk assessment, disaster management planning, and disaster recovery, the region requires (Continued on page 42)
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From page 41 a common approach.” The TT official said it is therefore important that the countries involved in offshore oil and gas exploration consider the development of an oil spill regional emergency plan. Khan said that Trinidad has an oil spill agreement with Venezuela while noting that there have also been preliminary discussions between the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) and ExxonMobil which operates in several blocks offshore Guyana. The Energy Minister said, “This matter requires the urgent attention of the Caribbean Governments and the energy companies operating in their marine environment. T&T has had experience in the development of protocols and in the management of oil spills, and is available, to lend its expertise to the other countries.” GARBAGE COLLECTORS ROBBED BY GUNTOTING BANDITS It is no secret that thieves also roam in the broad light of day but it is a serious cause for concern when even the garbage collectors are not safe. That was the case Wednesday morning when three workers from Puran Brothers were assaulted and relieved of their valuables by two gun toting bandits while tending to their daily tasks. The incident was said to have occurred around 05:30am in Warlock, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown. According to reports, the crew consisted of five workers plus the driver. While two of the workers were emptying two nearby bins, it was then that the bandits struck. Puran Brothers Chief Executive Officer, Kalesh Puran, explained to Kaieteur News that he got a call from his employees stating that they were robbed and injured and refused to work in the area. “What them guys told me is that the guys stick up the driver then go around the back and tackle the other two workers who were unloading the trash.” According to him, the men said that the bandits were not masked and carried what appeared to be a pistol. The traumatised men were also assaulted by the bandits during the robbery. “Two of the guys got injured; one got a cut to his head and other was beaten with the gun over his eyes. We had to rush them to the hospital.” The men carted off cell
Kaieteur News
phones, an undisclosed amount of cash, and the driver’s wedding band. According to Puran, not even the men’s lunches were spared. The CEO expressed his displeasure and concern for his workers stating that this is not the first time his workers have been robbed but this is the first time, the incidents have resulted in severe injuries. FRIDAY WE’RE NOT SAYING CANCEL DEAL WITH EXXONMOBIL; JUST GIVE GUYANAWHAT IT DESERVES – GW SENIOR CAMPAIGNER Global Witness, an international organization that has fought against natural resource exploitation, poverty, and corruption since 1993, recently published a report called “Signed Away” which has added more firewood to the heated debate on whether Guyana got a good deal with ExxonMobil for the oil-rich Stabroek Block. In summary, Global Witness says its fiscal analysis shows that Guyana left US$55B on the table due to poor negotiations on the part of Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. The non-governmental organization also believes that ExxonMobil had a role to play as it employed some strong-arm tactics. Since being released for public consumption, the report has attracted concerns from many about the veracity of the inherent accusations and their real intentions, as well as scathing criticisms from the government. To set the record straight,
Jonathan Gant, Senior Campaigner for Oil, Gas and Mining at Global Witness took part in an interview on Kaieteur Radio’s programme, Guyana’s Oil and You Thursday afternoon. There, Gant explained that the main intention of the report was to determine whether the Guyana-ExxonMobil deal was any good, in Guyana’s best interest, and whether it was what the country deserved. Gant acknowledged that even before Global Witness started its investigation back in May 2019, there were already concerns about the deal in the local media. In this regard, the Senior Campaigner recalled that the local media would have exposed the fact that the contract was hidden for more than a year, that the US$18M signing bonus was shrouded in secrecy, and that there were concerns about possible corruption. Gant said that the team at Global Witness started collecting evidence and upon examination of same, found that Guyana got a deal that was simply exploitative; hence the recommendation for a renegotiation was made. Further to this, Gant noted that Open Oil was contracted to do a fiscal analysis, and the results showed that Guyana did leave US$55B on the table. Gant said that the model used to compute this is free for anyone “to play with” while nothing that it is absolutely credible. DEMANDINGABETTER DEAL FOR STABROEK BLOCK WAS NOT PRIORITY FOR GOVT. – INT’L LAW FIRM SAYS A report commissioned by Cabinet itself, reportedly in response to the Global Witness report, has found that the negotiation of
improved terms for Guyana in the 2016 agreement was not a priority for the Government of Guyana. Those negotiations were led, on the Government’s side, by the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. Hired in September last to prepare a report on the circumstances surrounding the signing of the 2016 Stabroek license, the British firm Clyde and Co had been provided with the drafts of the 2016 agreement exchanged between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Exxon’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL). The currently unreleased report states that Clyde and Co analysed the points of agreement raised by each side. Government did make efforts to propose improved terms, but the report posited that the consortium was not receptive of its proposals. Yet, Government wanted to get the negotiations over with, in a short period. Clyde and Co found that the negotiations were limited, taking place over just the course of a month. While the Government could have approached the situation differently, through extensive negotiations on the agreement’s terms with a view of improving them, the authors of the report wrote “such an approach was not in the forefront of the Government’s mind.” Because of that, the Global Witness report now sees Guyana losing US$55B over the life of the agreement. It has urged a renegotiation. What the Government prioritised, according to Clyde and Co, was ensuring a continuity of its relationship
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with the Contractor consortium, ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC. As companies originating from two of the world’s most influential countries – China and the US – Government reportedly saw the companies as assets while it defended itself from Venezuela’s claim over two-thirds of its territory. PRES. GRANGER MUST ANSWER TO DAMNING GLOBAL WITNESS REPORT – OPPOSITION LEADER SAYS The Global Witness report is giving new life to criticisms that locals have been leveling for years against the Government of Guyana, for its poor negotiation of the fiscal terms in the Stabroek license Granted to ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC, the lopsided nature of the deal has now reached several globallyrecognised international publications that had, for the past few years, focused almost entirely on the magnitude and quantity of Guyana’s oil and gas discoveries, instead of the nature of the fiscal terms. The report states that Guyana is set to lose about US$55B due to the “unjustly exploitative” deal, and urges all parties to renegotiate the deal for the betterment of Guyana. Despite this matter reaching international proportions, President David Granger has not directly addressed it, though the report was published since last Monday. The Department of Public Information has, however, released a statement condemning the Global Witness report. Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, criticised
Granger’s silence on this and other oil sector developments during his most recent press conference, at his Church Street office Thursday. He referred to an even more recent report, by Clyde and Company, which also speaks to the nature of negotiations leading up to the signing of the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). The report mentions Granger and his 2016 meeting with some ExxonMobil officials to “discuss the terms of the new petroleum agreement.” The President has seldom spoken directly on developments in the petroleum sector. He has, at times, displayed ignorance about what is going on in the sector. Up to late 2018, this publication had reported on Jagdeo’s criticism of the President for having failed to read the contract. That was two years after the signing. It is unclear how much the President’s knowledge has evolved on the sector, but Jagdeo is adamant that, as leader of Guyana and of the industry, Granger must take responsibility for the deal that he approved. SATURDAY LAW EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED TROTMAN’S RENEWAL OF STABROEK LICENCE – RAM The Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act sets out definitive conditions for the award of blocks. Attorney-at-law, Christopher Ram, who has perused the Bridging Deed and studied the conditions under which the 2016 licence was (Continued on page 43)
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From page 42 awarded to ExxonMobil, has ascertained that Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, had no legal authority to award that Block. In fact, in the Thursday last edition of his Stabroek News column ‘The road to first oil’, Ram informed the public that the Act expressly prohibited Trotman’s award of the licence. Ram drew attention to Section 21(2) of the Act, which states, “A petroleum prospecting licence shall not be granted to an applicant in respect of a block which is, at the time the application for the grant of the licence is made, comprised in a licence already granted.” The provision describes the very 2016 signing of the Stabroek Block award by Trotman, in explicit language. Ram stated in his column, “It is clear, then, that no amount of legal gymnastics could circumvent this express provision prohibiting a second bite of the cherry” – the cherry being the entire 6.6 million-acre Block awarded by former President Janet Jagan in 1999. The Attorney posited that the Government is faced with a dilemma whereby, if it argues that the 1999 prospecting licence didn’t expire, Section 21 (2) applies; and if it argues that the licence did expire, as indicated in Attachment ‘A’ of the Bridging Deed, then the Government must clear two hurdles. “The first is that its purported Relinquishment is meaningless since under Section 28 of the Act, relinquishment is only permissible ‘at any time when the licence is in force’.” “The second is that Attachment ‘A’ to the Bridging Deed refers to the ‘expired Stabroek Licence Area’.” In that case, Ram posited, the Deed would be of no effect, since the 2016 agreement could not be linked to “a dead anything”. He continued that, in likening the legally questionable bridging deed unto a ‘savings clause’, Trotman may not have considered that the permission granted by such a provision would have to exist in some legislation or higher document, not in a document of lesser status. In a previous iteration of his column, Ram also pointed to another aspect of the Act, Section 10, which the Bridging Deed, leaked to the media, seeks to ground itself in. The Deed states, “Pursuant to Section 10 of the Act, the Minister has entered into this Deed together with the Contractor parties to set
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HIGH COURTASKED TO ORDER JAGDEO TO PRODUCE IRFAAN ALI’S ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION
out the process whereby the 1999 License and the 1999 Petroleum Agreement will be replaced by a new petroleum prospecting licence and petroleum agreement in respect of the Contract Area.” Kaieteur News has perused the Act, which shows 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”. The Section states 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 licence, 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. GUYANASHOULD COMMIT TO OPEN CONTRACTING WITH OIL MONEY – EXPERT A sizeable portion of the oil revenue to come will be spent on several infrastructural projects. In doing so, Guyana must ensure that these projects are not mere avenues for funneling billions of dollars into the pockets of political elites or/and their cronies says Illicit Financial Flows Expert, Gavin Hayman. During an interview on Kaieteur Radio’s Programme, Guyana’s Oil and You, Hayman said that Guyana can protect the revenues from projects becoming corruption schemes by committing to a process of “open contracting”. The Industry Expert said, “This is incredibly important because when you have the
sheer size of the contract, and undue influence and political power are added to the mix, they can be really harmful for Guyana. “I would therefore like to see Guyana commit to a process of open contracting which is where you go through a process of systematically disclosing every piece of information connected to the contract, from the tendering stage to planning, its award, etc.” Hayman also suggested that Guyana should seek to make investments in having a fully open, data driven, public procurement system, where all the information is available. He said that there are multiple countries, which do this, citing Colombia and Paraguay as two fine examples for Guyana to follow. “These two countries have robust systems that allow you to track the money. That is a key safe guard; you will need transparent systems for the oil money,” the industry Expert said. With respect to the local companies that will bid for contracts in the oil industry, Hayman warned that they should be mindful of who they partner with. The Illicit Financial Flows Expert said, “…Demand the disclosure of beneficial owners for these (foreign) companies,” he cautioned. Further to this, Hayman noted that it is quite easy for politicians to award contracts to those they are well connected with or to shell companies that they are hiding behind, hence his recommendation for the media and local anticorruption advocates to also ensure they do rigid due diligence on all companies that stand to benefit from infrastructural projects funded by the oil revenues. “I have seen that happen way too much in my career and it is a real danger Guyana
needs to look out for. Guyanese need to understand that good or bad decisions will have implications for the next generation so it is in their interest to stay vigilant. I would also remind that putting really good g o v e r n a n c e structures in place will yield good dividends,” Hayman added. He was keen to note however that if policy leaders start cutting corners, binge spending, engaging in acts of cronyism, and awarding contracts to their political cronies then public trust and the c o u n t r y ’s development will be put in harm’s way. The industry expert said, “It therefore means that Guyana should waste no time in investing in g o o d t r a n s p a r e n c y and governance structures which support open contracting.”
The spotlight is now again on the academic qualifications of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali. In fact, citizens Dianna Deravinee Rajcumar and Phillip Marcus have filed an action in the administrative and constitutional divisions of the High Court. They are asking the court to order Leader of the People’s Progressive Party, Bharrat Jagdeo, to produce the academic qualification of the party’s presidential candidate, Ali, for their perusal. As a basis for their applications, the citizens through their Attorney-at-law Stephen Lewis contend that consequent to their constitutional right to vote, they have a right to information on the candidates for the upcoming general and regional elections. Against this backdrop, they say they are entitled to know the educational antecedents of the candidates to access, process and interpret along other with information, before deciding to vote for them. According to them, “As persons, intending to exercise their right to vote [they] are entitled to be privy to facts giving insight in the candidate’s capacity and suitably for acting as a President, Parliamentarian or a legislator including details
of his/her life educational qualifications.” In light of the foregoing, they are seeking a declaration that they are entitled to know the qualifications of Ali, and for Jagdeo to produce the first degree certificate and transcripts for any first degree conferred on Ali. They are also asking for information on the name of the university from which Ali obtained the first degree, as well as information concerning the nature of the study completed in relation to the first degree. They also want to be privy to information setting out whether Ali was issued with a Certificate of Graduation, which states that it was issued by the Business College, West Demerara Chamber of Commerce and information on whether any studies at the College led to him obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Planning. Furthermore, they want a copy of any transcript issued by the Business College, West Demerara Chamber in respect of the Bachelor of Arts in Planning; information on whether any degree was obtained by Ali from the University of Sunderland; a copy of the certificate of any said degree from that university along with a transcripts to any degree obtained by Ali from that university. Should the court rule in their favour, Rajcumar and Marcus are asking that the documents be produced within seven days from when the court’s order is handed down.
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‘Jubilee Jazz’ at NCC for 50 Republic Anniversary
The Shuffle Demons
th
- Int’l artists to headline performances
O
n February 20, next, the stage of the National Cultural Centre (NCC) will come alive with a great mixture of international and Guyanese artists in celebration of Guyana’s 50 Republic Anniversary. The event is produced by GEMS Theatre Productions and Dream Team Productions in collaboration with the Government of Guyana. Just out from the Naniki Music Festival in Barbados and heading to Suriname after their Guyana performance, is headline performers, Canadian ‘Shuffle Demons’, appearing for the first time in Guyana with support from Canada Fund for the Arts. The Shuffle Demons are a high-energy Canadian band that blends virtuosic jazz and funk playing with eye-catching costumes and over the top stage antics to produce an incredible show. A hit at festivals all over the world, the Shuffle Demons are a crowd pleasing, full-on musical group that backs up wild stage antics with phenomenal playing by th
some of Canada’s most talented musicians. The Shuffle Demons first broke onto the Canadian music scene in 1984 with an electrifying musical fusion, highly visually entertaining, funny, and best of all, can really PLAY. All their eye catching, crowd-pleasing stunts are backed up by incredibly solid musicianship and real groundbreaking playing. The band has toured extensively in Europe and around the world. It has played at the Molde, Oslo, Stockholm, Lund, Pori, Birmingham, London, Edinburgh, Montreal and North Sea Jazz festivals, Jazz a Vienne, Outside In Jazz Festival, the Yokohama Jazz Promenade (Japan’s biggest Jazz Fest), on the Barenaked Ladies Ships and Dip Cruise, at the Bangkok International Festival of Music and Dance, at the Taranaki Arts Fest and the Dubbo Jazz Fest in New Zealand and Australia, the Jarasum Jazz Festival in South Korea, the Zacatecas Cultural Festival in Mexico, the Beijing Jazz Festival, in India, the USA, Cuba and all across Canada.
Over a 28-year span the S h u ff l e D e m o n s h a v e released eight CDs, two hit videos, won several music awards, done numerous TV and radio appearances and had 20 cross Canada tours, five US tours, 16 European tours, a tour of India, a tour of China, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Cuba, They played on big festival stages, theatres and clubs. The Shuffle Demons
Ruth Osman
released six albums and seven videos in their 23 year c a r e e r. T h e y p l a y e d thousands of shows at every
major jazz and folk festival in Canada during 20 Canadian tours. Also, they toured Europe 15 times playing from Estonia to Italy, from the Netherlands to Norway, from Switzerland to Sweden, from Germany to Belgium. And all the while they kept audiences excited, dancing and smiling as they built up a solid fan base that to this day will never forget the music and the antics...stopping traffic with the famous ‘SpadinaBus’ walk around, playing a Mingus tune and really meaning it, thrashing around the stage in crazy interpretive dance and delivering the classic poem ‘What do you Want.’ Other entertaining features will include Ruth Osmon-Rose, who is a Trinidad-based Guyanese
Courtney Fadlin plays singer, songwriter and flautist. She will be accompanied by Trinidad’s ‘LOVE WARRIORS’. Also, Courtney Fadlin, an internationally renowned Guyanese-American saxophonist, known for his signature style and silkysmooth delivery will be among the lineup. Sean
Bhola and Wendell Bunbury will complete the performance team. JUBILEE JAZZ, according to the production company, starts at 20.00 hours (8.00p.m) on Thursday February 20, 2020. Tickets are: $6,000; $5,000 and $3,000 are now on sale at the NCC.
Corriverton man pleads not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter
A
Corentyne man who is accused of killing a fellow resident has pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter Vejai Rickman, of Corriverton appeared before Justice Simone Morris Ramlall in the Berbice High Court. He is accused of causing the death of Muhamed Assad Abdul also of Corriverton
which occurred on October 29, 2017 at Corriverton. However Rickman, who was being represented by attorney at Law Chandra Sohan, pleaded not guilty to murder, but guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. He will have to return to court on Tuesday when State Prosecutor Seeta Bissoondial will address the court.
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STANDARDS IN FOCUS ASK FOR GRAMS AND KILOGRAMS WHEN BUYING YOUR CHANNA, PEAS, RICE AND OTHER SOLID ITEMS The International System of Metric Units as opposed to the Imperial System of Measurement is the legal system of measurement used in Guyana. The system is usually represented as simply S.I., an abbreviation meaning Systeme Internationale or International System. Being a decimal based system, it follows measurements and units that have bases in multiples of ten (10), one such being the kilogram which is used to measure mass. Channa (chick peas), beans and rice are examples of solids food products and should be weighed at the time of sale. Therefore, consumers are encouraged to request these products in grams and kilograms instead of in pints and gallons. It continues being a practice of consumers to request solid food products using the imperial units for liquids and has continued even after promotion of the metric units. The concern that this raises is that shopkeepers and vendors encourage the practice although they themselves purchase these items in 45 kg bags (by weight). While it is believed that this only occurs in Guyana, resellers are urged to stray from this culture and adhere to the metric system. Vendors and shopkeepers who engage in practice of selling solid good by volume (liquid measure) need to follow the steps of most of our supermarkets and sell such products by weight (grams and kilograms). Consumers, on the other hand, need to demand that such goods be sold to them in the correct manner. To ensure that both consumers and retailers understand how to use the international system of units, let us look at the unit used for measuring mass commonly referred to as weight: The SI Base Unit for measuring mass is the kilogram (represented by ‘kg’). When the kilogram is divided by 1000, the result is 1 gram (g) and when the kilogram is multiplied by 1000, the result is 1 metric tonne (t). Therefore 1000 gram = 1kilogram and 1000 kilogram = 1 tonne.
The units of Mass (Weight) For everyday transactions especially in the conduct of commerce, there are four commonly used units: the milligram, gram, kilogram and tonne. Milligram (mg) - This unit is used for measuring very small amounts of substances for example, ingredients in medicines or drugs and some ingredients in recipes. It is the equivalent of 1 gram divided by 1000. Gram (g) - The gram is used for measuring intermediate amounts. For example, 100 grams of butter, 250 grams of cheese, 500 grams of peas, sugar, flour, etc. Kilogram (kg) - The Kilogram is used for measuring larger amounts. For example, 1 kilogram of potatoes, 10 kilogram of bananas, 25 kilogram of rice, etc. For conversion purposes, one kilogram is equivalent to two pounds and three ounces. Tonne (t) - This unit is used for measuring very large amounts, for example, truckloads of sand or stone, bulk sugar or rice. Remember! 1000 milligrams (mg) equal 1 gram (g) 1000 grams (g) equal 1 kilogram (kg) 1000 kilograms (kg) equal one tonne (t) Consumers, you are urged to start requesting solid goods such as rice, peas, onions and potatoes in grams and kilograms. The kilogram should also be used to weigh solid hardware items such as nails, putty and glues that are sold by weight. These goods can be easily and accurately weighed on verified metric scales used in the market place and at stores. Wholesalers and retailers have a significant role to play by packaging and selling their solid goods in metric quantities. Advertise your goods, and prepare and display pricelists in SI quantities. For further information, please contact the GNBS on Tel: 219-0062, 219-0065, 2190066, 219-0069, visit our Facebook page @gnbsgy, message us on WhatsApp: 692-GNBS (4627) or visit the GNBS Website: www.gnbsgy.org.
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Moblissa, Soesdyke Linden Highway,Dalgin Eccles & Middle Road La Penitence Georgetown. Contact Ray’s Realty #627-9685 Parfaite Harmonie $1.5M Schnoord New Scheme (100ft x 50ft) $3.8M Tel#651-1969/ 648-1635 Two (2) acres of transported land at La Grange, Middle Dam WBD for sale. Contact # 6155372 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
Lot 1397 Section A, Block ‘X’ Great Diamond, Housing PEN PAL Scheme, Serious Buyers only. An Indian male seeking (110x62) 231-6345 female, age between 30-35 From road to river, La Retraite years old, serious enquiries. WBD, High Street, Princess & Call:675-4517 St Steven St. Call: 699-5194
Ransom (Concrete mixers), Scaffolding, Power washer, compactors, hire truck service etc, free delivery. Telephone: 610-5360. Email: dmdscaffolding@yahoo.com 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 Snackette for rent, Bourda Market. Call for details: 2260450 2 bedroom house, hot & cold shower, spacious garage & yard in Hibiscus Palace, Blankenburg WCD gated community. Contact #6505345 Price $70,000 Good Hope ECD Phase 2, (2) flat 3 bedroom, 2 baths, large kitchen & dining, parking. Pay own bills. Call: 679-6773/6578130
SCOTIA BANK WILL REMAIN IN GUYANA WANTED
Night receptionist needed at In November 2018, Bank the Millenium Manor Hotel of Nova Scotia trading under come in with Application. the name of Scotia Bank anBar/Beer Garden to rent. Tel# nounced that it was selling its 695-9140 branches in Anguilla, Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Maid. Requirements: person St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, must be living on the East Sint Maarten and St Vincent Bank. Contact# 600-6887 and the Grenadines to Repub1 Live in domestic, must know lic Bank Financial Holdings to cook $25,000 wkly. #648- {RBFH). 7866 Seamstress. Contact: 6911918. Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm Senior Kitchen assistant, Primary education & Experience driver & cashier, Apply at Hack’s Halaal with H/written application
VACANCY
1 Waitress to work at Bar in Albouystown. Tel# 691-1918
Domestic. Contact# 2235273/223-5274
Puri cooks, kitchen assistant, Apply @ Shanta’s- 225 Camp St
Cashier, 45-65 years with experience, Maths & English, R.M Baichandeen Inc. 78 Church St
Fully furnished, luxury 2 bedroom apartments. Long & Short term. Rentals #687-8818/ 666-7028
Oil company looking to buy residential house lots in Guyana. We pay in USD $. Tel# 617-9930/+305-2972803(whatsapp only)
Semi furnished executive style 4 bedroom, 3 bath, home in residential neighbourhoodEccles. Tel#633-8489 for apts
Experienced domestic 3 days per week in Bel-Air-Park, Excellent salary. Call: 226-2322
Lower unfurnished 3 bedroom home in Eccles. Spacious & Parking available $150,000/ USA $750. Contact Ajai #6297132/ USA# 281-739-6550
PROPERTY FOR SALE
High & Saffon St (Business) Office Space at High & Hadfield Street. Contact Ray’s Realty #627-9685 Self contain rooms to rent in Prashad Nagar. Tel#227-2993 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 PROPERTY FOR SALE Newly Constructed 4 bedroom,3 bathroom, house overlooking the sea for sale.ECD#675-1510/613-7964. Broad Street, Republic Gardens, Durban Street, Georgetown & Enmore East Coast, Zeelot. Contact Ray’s Realty# 627-9685 Modern home Georgetown, 3 self contain rooms upstairs, 2 rooms dopwnstairs, Automatic Garage & Gate. Contact Ray’s Realty # 6279685
By PAT DIAL
House and land available at Parfaite, Tuschen, Diamond etc. Contact Pacific Development Inc. 223-6035/ 604-4909
Vacancy for (1) experienced Driver/Salesman @ Humphrey’s Bakery & Farm Product Nail Technician. Contact# 223-5273/223-5274 Vacancy for Domestic maid who is good at cooking. Call: 618-1853 Receptionist, Deskstaff, 25-50 years, three shift system. Tel# 225-0198
TO LET
Diesel mechanic/welder to work on TM trucks. Contact #223-5273/223-5274
Self contain rooms for working couple/single person $35,000 monthly, Light & water, Lodge. Call: 623-0076, 2 months security
Looking for hauler driver, mechanic #600-0722 & Quest rental paver & subcontractor for constructing Accessing road. Tel#670-8853
One bedroom apartment in Georgetown for decent working couples. Parking &Teleohone $50,000. Tel# 6238759/675-7842
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Lodge Apartments (Vlissengen/Durban): Unfurnished $40,000-$60,000 p/m. Furnished ( For Visitors) $600 US p/m. #633-8514/6687305/697-6421 Spacious 2 bedroom upstairs unfurnished apartments in Queenstown. Garage parking and water included $120,000/ month. Call: 669-0698 2 bedroom fully furnished, airconditioned apt (gated community, Herstelling EBD)Parking, utilities included. Call: 699-6891/2657777
Volvo XC-60 for sale, Excellent condition Fully Loaded ,White with leather interior,PXX series. Call 6128369 for more details 1 Suzuki Escudo.Excellent condition, Low Mileage (50,000Km).$3.4M Neg.Call #649-0956. Nissan Bluebird (Silver) series PXX for sale. Contact # 6010223 New Volkswagen Jetta, going cheap, owner leaving country. Tel# 629-2619
VACANCY
1 Toyota Picnic car, Lady driven, 7 seats $1.6 Neg. Contact # 615-8499 Honda Accord, Automatic, cruise control 17" Mogs LHD. Excellent Condition Tel#6122258
Driver/Expediter. Contact# 223-5273/223-5274
Red CRV-2007 Model.Contact 666-7895.
This announcement was unexpected and even the Branches of Republic Bank were unaware of the transaction. At the Annual General Meeting of the Guyana Branch, the Management could give no further information than what had been carried in the media. It therefore seemed that the deal was done at the highest levels between RBFH and Scotia Bank. In Guyana, there was surprise at the suddenness of the announcement and the aura of secrecy surrounding the deal and there was immediate public opposition to it. Led by the consumer community, there was strong opposition to the deal since it would result in Republic Bank moving into a monopoly position to control credit and bank charges and eliminating whatever competition remained in the Banking system. Republic Bank at the moment holds 35.5% of the Banking system’s assets and 36.5% of deposits. With Scotia’s assets and deposits, it will be a monopoly. The customers of Scotia did their banking business there because it was an international institution and had no wish to join Republic. As indicated above, the Guyana Consumers Association opposed the sale and in the Consumer Concerns column, carried two or three articles on how a monopoly could negatively affect the interests of consumers. The Association did some lobbying and for instance, approached the Consumer and Competition Commission to throw their weight against the sale. It was felt that if Scotia must sell, they should sell to the indigenous banks or a consortium of them. In any case, the Bank of Guyana did not permit the sale since, in the words of Dr. Gobind Ganga, the Governor “[takeover] would lead to systemic issues which would have affected the health of the financial system here...” After many months of silence, Scotia has said it will not be selling its local Branch. This decision could well be prompted by the fact that Guyana has now become an oil producing country with great financial and economic prospects. This is clearly evidenced by the number of financial institutions which have been approaching the Ministry of Finance to enter the Guyanese market including the great American multi(continued on page 62)
Sunday February 09, 2020
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Kaieteur News
2017 PUC Report reveals...
GTT admits failure to uphold license obligations
- But collects massive profits from Guyana market
By: Kiana Wilburg
I
n Part 1 of this series, Kaieteur News focused on GTT's parent company, Atlantic Tele-Networks Inc. (ATNI) and its generation of massive profits from the Guyanese market as a result of a monopoly. It was also noted that in its filings to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ( S E C ) , t h a t AT N I i s concerned about the expected revenue loss that will accrue from the i m m i n e n t telecommunications liberalization. Today, Part 2 of this series will examine GTT's approach to taxes and concessions, and related party transactions which could potentially enable reduced tax obligations to Guyana, as pointed out in a 2015 Order made in relation to GTT by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) is 80 percent owned by US-based Atlantic Tele-Networks Inc with Michael T. Prior as its current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Financial analysts
reported on December 4, 2019 that ATNI experienced a 28% decrease in share price over the preceding 12 months (see link to article: https://simplywall.st/news/d id-changing-sentimentdrive-atn-internationalsnasdaqatni-share-pricedown-by-28/). A possible explanation for this subpar performance can be partially attributed, as referenced by ATNI in its SEC filings, to the impact of telecommunications liberalization in Guyana – a market that accounts for a significant portion of its gross revenues. With a loosening hold on the Guyana market, potentially resulting in reduced revenues, ATNI (as discussed in Part 1 of this series) has opted to diversify its offerings in Guyana. This would be outside of its licence for the provision of international voice and data, to other unregulated sources of income (such as Internet and Mobile Money). Observers have noted that the loss of this monopoly, which would force GTT to compete in an open market, can continue to negatively affect ATNI's overall performance, and u l t i m a t e l y, h o w i t s shareholders and financial analysts view its stock.
ATNI's SEC filings also reveal that the company has provisioned US$5 million to settle tax matters in Guyana – US$39 million less than the US$44 million in dispute by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). This shortfall in ATNI's allocation must also be considered in the context of GRA CommissionerGeneral, Godfrey Statia's recent declaration that he has no intention of reducing this tax assessment outside of established tax principles. If GRA realizes this demand, it will undoubtedly impact GTT's bottom-line and, by extension, ATNI's financial performance. GTT'S APPROACH TO TAXATION GTT officials have repeatedly expressed in the media and other forums that the company is taxed highly at a rate of 45%, in comparison to other providers in other sectors. This is, however, only one piece of the puzzle – with the wider picture showing GTT leveraging considerable benefits pursuant to its 1990 Purchase and Licence agreements to possibly shroud the true value of its operations and tax obligations to the Guyanese
ATNI Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Michael Prior
government. This can be illustrated by statements made by the PUC in its Order No.1 2015 decision (“the 2015 Order”), (available on the PUC website). In the 2015 Order, it was revealed that transactions with GTT and its related parties were not at arm's length, therefore clouding the commission's view of the company's true finances. The 2015 Order stated: “A few years ago (GTT) spent US$30 million to establish an underwater cable from Suriname (SGSCS cable). We had requested particulars of this transaction and were told that it had no business plan for that enterprise!!!
(GTT) also told us that the cable will not form part of the asset base in any tariff filing, that it does not plan to operate the cable system as any type of common carriage, and as such the cable system is not subject to the Commission's approval or authority pursuant to Section 28 of the PUC Act. (GTT) has, however, incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary in the British Virgin Island and has transferred to that subsidiary - its part of the submarine cable and the Americas II cable. This is really an investment by (GTT). The business of the subsidiary is to sell bandwidth to service providers, and (GTT) has been that company's only purchaser of bandwidth in 2011. Bandwidth is an essential component in the lucrative internet business and in which (GTT) is prominently involved. We are not aware that (GTT) has been earning any interest on the funds expended in the creation and functioning of the subsidiary.” By bypassing the PUC in landing the SGSCS cable, the Commission said that GTT's stated position is that its provision of services via this cable are outside of the PUC's regulatory control
and, by extension, the ambit of its 1990 licence. The PUC also pointed out that GTT should separately account for regulated and unregulated services in order to allow for a true assessment of the company's actual rate of returns on investments under its licence. Further to this, the 2015 Order states , “A utility company may have little incentive to minimize its own expenses while remitting funds to an overseas enterprise, be it parent or lateral subsidiary, which may result in significant increased profit to that entity with no regulatory limit on its permissible earnings. “There must be dealings with affiliates at arm's length. This Commission does not have the practicability to regulate transactions with affiliates which may involve the examination of their books and records. “This can be very critical in tracing the bona fides of an affiliated transaction. The subsidiary does not come u n d e r o u r jurisdiction/purview thus making it impossible to review/examine its books, account papers or records (continued on page 62)
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Sunday February 09, 2020
GTT admits failure to uphold license...
From page 11 kept by them.” The PUC further stated that it has long held the view that GTT appears to inflate the cost of its capital acquisitions. This would effectively allow
GTT to claim higher depreciation values and create lower taxable profits over time. In June 2017, at GTT's request, the 2015 Order was reviewed and revised in Order No. 2 2017 (“the 2017 Order”),
in which the PUC stated: “(It) would appear that (GTT) is consistently and conveniently overlooking the fact that the (licence agreement) provided that GTT shall have the obligation to provide
universal services which meant that the business and development plans of GTT will have been designed to provide as many residents of Guyana as possible the benefit of a telephone service.
“As the Director of Regulatory Affairs of GTT told us at the public hearing it does not matter whether GTT gets 50% return, but they are entitled to earn not less than a guaranteed 15%.” The 2017 Order continued, “They (GTT) have very importantly conceded that they are in default with their license obligations but require assistance to level the playing field to expand their services.” In granting GTT's request for rate review, the PUC applied certain obligations, including the requirement that GTT installs at least 1,000 landlines per quarter. This, however, was not delivered by the company, and that number was later reduced by the PUC to 350 per quarter (see link to article: h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2018/08/12/gtt-complyingwith-order-for-350-newlandlines-every-quarter-puc/). It is significant to note that GTT also benefits from preferential tax concessions under the 1990 Purchase Agreement, such as duty-free and other tax exemptions, including for the importation of vehicles and equipment. In spite of the foregoing, it has been suggested that GTT is also seeking further benefits post-liberalization as part of its negotiations with the government. In a level playing field with new entrants and optimal competition, industry stakeholders posit that this should not be allowed. With respect to GTT's repeated claims of over taxation at a rate of 45%, which may, at surface level, seem like a high figure, observers believe it is important to take note of GTT's inability to provide detailed accounting, especially to its regulator (the PUC), which is tasked with overseeing GTT's benefits and obligations under its licence agreement. Moreover, its operations are also driven by revenues mostly from the Guyanese market and therefore any taxes paid are directly passed on to the consumer. The question to be asked, after taking into consideration all the above-mentioned factors, is: what is GTT's real, effective tax rate? It may very well be less than the tax rate paid by local com-
panies. GOVT.'S APPROACH TO LIBERALISATION While the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, has been working on the liberalization process and negotiations with GTT, it is evident that the Government has enabled functional progress in the sector through the permissibility of certain developments. One such example occurred when GTT repeated its calls for the blocking of UMobile (Cellular) Inc. (Digicel)'s trans-border microwave link from Suriname, which Digicel uses to provide capacity to its customers in Guyana, complaining that Digicel should be forced to buy its data capacity from them instead. (see link to article: https:// demerarawaves.com/2017/04/ 19/gtt-govt-at-odds-overcalls-for-audit-of-digicels-alleged-illegal-bypass/). The subject Minister, instead, suggested that GTT could also be cited for breach of contract as far as improving its landline service or meeting its obligations per the 1990 agreement. The Government has also publicly supported the landing of E-Networks' submarine fiber optic cable and issued 3G/4G spectrum to both GTT and Digicel to ensure reliable mobile internet access. Through the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) and E-Governance Unit, the government has also delivered free internet access through ICT hubs to hundreds of communities in many unserved areas, particularly in the hinterland regions, in which GTT was unable to deliver connectivity. The Government's encouragement of the use of these alternative services using internet over the past four years can possibly reveal a strategy by the Ministry of Public Telecommunications to ensure that Guyanese are able to relinquish traditional means of communication in order to benefit from developing technologies - without being held hostage by protracted liberalization delays.
SCOTIA BANK WILL ... From page 60 national, Citibank. Now that the Scotia issue has been settled, the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Guyana, the Political Parties and the citizenry should turn their attention to resolving the following banking issues: (i) Bringing the savings and lending rates of interest closer. At the moment, the savings rate is 1% while the lend-
ing rate is 12% to 15% . (ii) Bank charges should be reviewed to bring them in consonance with the lower charges which obtain elsewhere; (iii) Loans should be granted more easily. (iv)The Guyana Diaspora send their relatives hundreds of millions of dollars each year but the cost of transfer is at least 10%, In other parts of the world, such remittances cost 4% or even less.
Sunday February 09, 2020
Kaieteur News
Company registered and granted... From page 17 the companies themselves.” Further he sought to defend issuance of licenses claiming “The licenses I issued were applied for.” Asked whether he knew of the experiences of Ratio Energy and Ratio Guyana, Ramotar told the court that he was informed that the companies had experience drilling for oil offshore the Mediterranean/GAZA. He said too that he learnt, too, that the companies were incorporated in Gibraltar. Hughes then suggested that if the company was only incorporated in 2013, that would not allow for it to have adequate experience in the oil exploration. In reply, Ramotar told the court that he did not see any operational document for the company before signing off on the contracts or licenses. “As President, I had to deal with a lot of things. So I had to trust the people that worked with me,” Ramotar added. Hughes then asked Ramotar if the contracts were made public by his administration after they were
signed. The lawyer referenced the contents of the Kaieteur News advertisement which insinuated that the contracts were signed in secret. “Do you recall (the signing) being published in the official gazette?” Ramotar told the Court that he could not recall whether oil agreements were published in the official gazette. “So when Kaieteur carried that the Donald gave away secretly they were entitled to say so, “Hughes added. Nandlall objected to the query. He noted that publications made to the official gazette were not a part of his client purview as President. Hughes then clarified that the question of secrecy relates to the publication by Kaieteur News that the deals were done in secrets. Nandlall protested that there was no such evidence before the Court. “Mr Hughes has to lead evidence of secrecy …Where is this secrecy?” Hughes noted, however, the newspaper is entitled to
say that deals were done in secret given that the law provides for contracts made by the Government of Guyana to be published in the official gazette. Hughes contended that there was no publication in the gazette and therefore the newspaper was in its right to point out the secrecy surrounding the signing of the agreements. Further, Hughes suggested that not only were the deals secret but they did not constrain the companies which benefited. “Do you agree with me that based on the agreements you signed, these companies could have sold their interest to other entities without restraint or having to return to the State for approval?” Ramotar accepted that there was nothing restraining the companies from selling their interest. Pressed on the point of who benefitted more from the deal, Guyana or the oil companies, the former President did not provide an answer. The hearing continues on March 19, next.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 09, 2020
Relatives of pensioner struck down on pedestrian crossing yet to receive justice
T
he relatives of the 81-year-old woman who was struck down by a Chinese national on the pedestrian crossing located near the Nigg Post Office on the Corentyne, are yet to receive justice, several weeks after death. Parvidi Ramcharan, from Albion Front, Corentyne, Berbice died from shock and haemorrhage due to multiple injuries about the body according to an autopsy done on her just three days after the incident. The examination was conducted at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary by Government Pathologist Nehaul Singh. Kaieteur News was informed by relatives that the police are still awaiting advice from the DPP in the case. As they wait, the driver of the car is roaming the streets freely. It is understood that the driver with the help of a translator from Georgetown had offered compensation to the relatives but while the amount has not been revealed, Ramcharan's family are still waiting for the matter to progress so that justice could be served. Parvidi Ramcharan met her untimely demise after she was hit by a speeding car bearing license plate number PPP 1008 driven by a Chinese national. Ramcharan was at the time making her way across a pedestrian crossing situated near the Nigg Post Office in Nigg Village. She had just uplifted her pension from the postal office relatives said. Surveillance footage from a nearby business place showed the elderly
Parvidi Ramcharan
woman making her way across the road on the pedestrian crossing when she was hit by the car.
Sunday February 09, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
NZ bowlers seal 22-run victory, series win over India
Ross Taylor is an expert at hitting the ball in the leg side. (AFP)
Sunday February 09, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Good decision making will be a prominent asset today. It's an excellent time to make a list of things that you’ve either put off or haven't been able to settle on. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Your ability to concentrate will be enhanced today. If you have studying or detailed work to tend to, this will be an opportune time to get to it. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) It's time to get up and get moving, Gemini. If your job or home life leans toward the sedentary, your health can suffer if you don't engage in some physical activity. . CANCER (June 21–July 22) It's a great day to explore your creativity. This probably isn’t a new thing for you, since you’re artistic. Staying focused on one thing can be another story, though. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Taking the easy way out won't tempt you in the least today. This isn’t to say that you usually favor this approach, by any means; yet it's safe to say that everyone is tempted from time to time. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Practicality and planning will work well for you today. It's a good time to take a long look at your financial situation. Are you where you want to be?Have you got plans in place for down the road?
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) It's a super day to make decisions, Libra. You can sit on the fence for a little too long when it comes to serious choices. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) It's a great day to set some of your ideas into motion, Scorpio. The courage you need to forge ahead is available to you with this day's planetary aspects. All you need to do is use it. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A renewed sense of values and integrity may be present for you today. Connecting with this can be extremely uplifting, as it can put everything into perspective for you. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A Settling a dispute may be on your agenda today, Capricorn. You may find yourself getting caught smack in the middle of the stew if you aren’t careful. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You're likely to be feeling pretty energetic today, Aquarius, making it an opportune time to do some much-needed cleaning and organizing. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) See about getting as active as possible today, Pisces. This could really give your overall health a boost, especially if you've been sedentary lately. Try something fun like engaging in sports or taking a pooch for a walk.
WELLINGTON (Reuters) - An ill Tim Southee and superb debut from Kyle Jamieson helped New Zealand to a tense 22-run victory over India in their second one day international at Eden Park in Auckland yesterday and clinch the three-match series with a game to spare. Southee was unsure as to whether he would play the game due to a gastroenteritis outbreak that forced Mitchell Santner out and assistant coach Luke Ronchi to act as a substitute fielder, but took 2-41 before he left the field after his 10 overs. India were dismissed for 251 in 48.3 overs with Ravindra Jadeja (55) producing a superb rearguard fightback after he came to the crease with his side in trouble at 96-5 and almost won the game in partnership with fast bowler Navdeep Saini (45). New Zealand had scored 273-8 in their innings with Ross Taylor following up his century in the first match in Hamilton with 73 not out. Taylor combined with debutant bowler Jamieson (25 not out) in an unbroken 76run ninth wicket partnership to give their team a respectable target after they
Cycling fraternity... From page 70 unfortunate and tragic incident took place at around 05:00hrs; both men were heading east along the highway. A shocked and sorrowful Best told the media that he did not see the cyclist on the road and that he regretted the accident. Racing Secretary of the Guyana Cycling Federation, Malcolm Sonaram told Kaieteur Sport that this is a big loss for the cycling fraternity. “Safety for the cyclists is a major concern for us; I hate the fact that we have to wait for something of this nature to happen before this issue can be addressed. We have been asking for a training facility for the cyclists for some time now and I hope that something can be done so that the cyclists can train in a safer environment.” Sonoram said that cyclists should be respected on the road way. “If people use the road with care, these things can be avoided.” Bentley represented Guyana at the 2006 Sydney Commonwealth Games in Australia. He was also a businessman; he owned and operated the Bike Shop on Robb Street.
had wasted a golden opportunity to score a total in excess of 300. The run out of Martin Guptill for 79 when he attempted a quick single while batting with Taylor halted New Zealand’s momentum and they slumped from 157-2 in the 30th over to 197-8 in the 42nd. Taylor and Jamieson, however, ensured they had a target to defend and the bowlers reduced India to 965, with the visitors chances then resting with Shreyas Iyer and Jadeja as the last recognised batsmen. Iyer, who averaged 51 in the Twenty20 series and scored his maiden one-day
century in the first game, however, was caught behind for 52 to leave his team 129-6 in the 28th over. Jadeja and Saini then scored 76 runs from 80 balls and looked to have seized the momentum before Jamieson bowled Saini in the 45th over and Yuzvendra Chahal was run out for 10 in the 48th over. Jadeja was then caught on the fence with nine balls remaining to end the game. The third game is in Mt. Maunganui on Tuesday. Scores: New Zealand 273 for 8 (Guptill 79, Taylor 73*, Jadeja 1-35) beat India (Jadeja 55, Iyer 52, Saini 45, Southee 2-41) by 22 runs.
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Sunday February 09, 2020
Kaieteur News
They are off today at Rising Sun Turf Club
Over 50 horses entered as Trophy Stall donates trophies for outstanding performers It is expect to be a day of action when the Rising Sun Turf Club in collaboration with Banks DIH Limited, Trophy Stall and others stage their grand one day horserace meet at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park West Coast Berbice. Over 50 horses have taken entry in the six race event which has close to $3M in cash, trophies and other prizes up for grabs. The feature event is for horses classified G and lower over 1400M for a winning take of $400,000 and trophy. The event which is sponsored by Banks DIH Limited has some of the best animals in that category vying for contention. As Settling Star, Santa Cruz Lady, Valentina, Goodwill Boy, Chamelie and Precise Moment will be looking to settle the score as to which is the better horse. Among those entered to compete in the 1400M event for H3 maiden horses and those that hasn’t raced for
One of the trophies presented by Trophy Stall for the Rising Sun Horserace meet today. over a year for the $300,000 winning take are Sweet Return, Not This Time, Miss Olympic, Catch A Glimpse and Touch Down. Bank Note, Simba, She is a Man Eater, Perfect Dream, Catholic Boy, Perfect Drift,
Sunday Silence, Up Top Boss, Perfect Storm and Perfect Pleasure will all be looking for a perfect day in the event for three years old Open Guyana Bred animals. The top prize is $300,000 and trophy over 1100M. The K and lower event will see the animals racing over 1100M for a winner’s take of $200,000 and trophy. Cherish Me, Irish Boy, First Prince, Prince D and Game Over are among those set to compete. The L and lower Open animals will be galloping for a bounty of $150,000 and trophy over 1100M. Looking to cross the line first are first Prince, Secret Escape, Fresh Dancer, Prince D and Irish Boy. The L class maiden race has the likes of The Republican, Osana, Song Bird, Dan Star, Escape, Princess Selene, City Of Lights, Maximum Cash, Rhiman Star and Joyful Love competing for the winning
Settling Star (in the lead) will be one to beat in the main event today as it wins a previous event shown. prize of $125,000 and trophy over 1100M. Among the sponsors are Banks DIH Limited, Colin Elcock Delmur Trading, Trophy Stall, Romell Jagroop,
Jumbo Jet and Shariff Racing Stables among others. Outstanding Jockey, stable and trainer will all be presented with accolades compliments of Ramesh
Sunich of the Trophy Stall. Contact and queries can be made with Fazal Habibulla on Telephone 657-7010. Race time is 13:00hrs. (Samuel Whyte)
China women’s Yearwood slams century, 50s for Singh, basketball team secure Ramdeen and Forrester - France bags 5 Tokyo Olympic slot (Reuters) - China secured their slot in this year’s women’s Tokyo Olympics basketball tournament by edging European champions Spain 64-62 in a tense qualifier in Serbia yesterday, with South Korea set to join them. The Group B qualifiers had to be moved from the city of Foshan in China to Belgrade as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. China beat Britain 86-76 on Thursday and, with the top three in the four-team group qualifying for Tokyo, made sure of their ticket after holding off a late fightback by the Spaniards. China were 15 points clear in the second quarter but Spain, still second in the group, roared back into the lead with Alba Torrens netting six in a row before a decisive Shao Ting lay-up with a minute to go. The Chinese women were runners-up at the 1992
Barcelona Games and will be appearing at their ninth Olympics in Tokyo. Champions the United States and hosts Japan have already qualified. South Korea beat Britain 82-79 in a later match that was a must-win for two teams realistically fighting for third in the group. Britain have never before qualified for an Olympic basketball tournament on merit, appearing only as host nation previously, but had arrived in Belgrade hoping for a breakthrough. Bottom of the group, they left themselves too much to do in the final quarter despite a late surge and will now have to beat Spain today to have any hope of qualifying. “The girls did a great job to come back in the fourth and to get as close as they did. I think maybe we just started to chip away a bit too late,” said Britain forward Chantelle Handy. “But you know, we still have one more chance. So it’s not over...we cannot dwell on this game.” Other Olympic qualifiers are taking place this weekend in Ostend, Belgium, and the French city of Bourges.
By Zaheer Mohamed Shamar Yearwood struck a fine century to put host Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) in a comfortable position against Bel Air Rubis at the close of play on the opening day of the Georgetown Cricket Association/Noble House Sea Foods Second Division two-day tournament which continued yesterday. Yearwood struck 11 fours and three sixes in an unbeaten 108 and added 125 for the sixth wicket with Sachin Singh as DCC declared on 243-6 at stumps, in reply to Bel Air Rubis first innings score of 104 all out. Singh made 61 with three fours, while Alphius Bookie scored 39 as Mohamed Nassir and Shionarine Budhu took two wickets each. Earlier, Bel Air Rubis opted to bat and struggled against some steady bowling as they were reduced to 3-3. Budhu propped up the total somewhat with 28 not out, while C. Geenarine made 18, Floyd John and Aarvind Gainda 15 apiece. Daniel Mootoo grabbed 4-36, Qumar Torrington 4-39 and Kadeem Paris 2-34. At Queen’s College, GNIC SC were 54-4 at stumps, in reply to Muslim Youth
Khemraj Ramdeen
Leon Andrews
Diquan Murray
Organisation (MYO) first innings total of 225. Premchand Sookdeo and Dexter Solomon are not out on 16 and 12 respectively; Jamall Major has so far taken two wickets while Marlon Boele and Bryion Bowen have one each. Batting first, MYO lost some early wickets before Rishi Hiralall and Boele steadied the innings fairly; Hiralall was dismissed for 29 while Boele made 21. However, skipper Khemraj Ramdeen was the mainstay of the innings as he slammed five fours in a top score of 53, while Visand Rampersaud contributed 24. Dwayne Dick and David Dick captured four
wickets each. At Malteenoes SC, Guyana Defence Force took first strike and were bowled out for 150 in 41.2 overs. Leon Andrews slammed 88 with seven fours and five sixes while Keith Simpson made 28 and Quacy Mc Pherson 19. Diquan Murray bowled with some pace to bag 4-50 while Akeem Critchlow had 3-30 and Dellon Dalrymple 2-17. MSC closed on 110-3 with Jeremiah Scott on 22 and Shaquille Williams on 14. Shemroy Barrington struck six fours and one six before he was dismissed for 41 and Clarence Baird scored 26. Joshuna Jones has so far
taken two wickets. At Gandhi Youth Organisation, Georgetown Cricket Club batted first and managed 215 all out. Winston Forrester led with 53 which included 10 fours while Deonarine Seegobin made 49, Zachary Jodah 29 and Carlos La Rose 22. Trevon France bagged 5-45; Demeter Cameron had 2-52 and Divesh Ramjattan 2-64. In reply, GYO were bowled out for 64. Yeudistir Persaud made 21 as Stephon Wilson claimed 4-22 and La Rose 2-22. Batting a second time, GYO closed on 61-1 with Jason Sinclair on 24 and Persaud on 17. Play continues today.
Sunday February 09, 2020
Kaieteur News
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MVP Sports debut as sponsor for 6th Kares Caribbean Crossfit Challenge Apparel and sportswear store, MVP Sports, located at the Giftland Mall, Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara has joined the list of partners and sponsors who have combined to ensure that the 6th Kares Caribbean Fitness Challenge set for today at the National Park Tarmac is a success. MVP Sports made its contribution to the organisers, Guyana Fitness Games (GFG) Friday at the Giftland Mall, whilst complimenting the GFG for the initiative of introducing the sport to Guyana, six years ago. “MVP Sports is proud to be associated with the 6th edition of the Kares Caribbean Crossfit Challenge. We recognise the importance of organisations like the Guyana Fitness Games providing opportunities for our local athletes to perform and venture on to represent us on the international sports arena, and as such are happy to support their combined efforts. We look forward to this Sunday’s event and continuing support of the organisation and the sport in the future.” Responding on behalf of GFG, Ms. Jordana RamsayGonsalves expressed gratitude to Manager/Owner Ian Ramdeo and MVP sports for partnering with them for the event, noting that they
strive to make it better each year. “We do appreciate MVP Sports coming on board with us for this evolving sport in Guyana. As the organisers, we strive to improve every year and one way of doing so is to increase the level of corporate support/ partnership. We can assure you that this year’s event would be the best ever, in every regard.” Today’s action will get going with the first event from 06:30hrs which is for athletes only. Fans will be able to get into the fray from 13:00hrs when the remaining four events would unfold. There would also be the Teen Challenge which would feature a total of 15 athletes (male and female) from around Guyana. Tickets were on sale at KaresCrossfit in Queenstown, Genesis Fitness Gym on Durban Street, and Fitness Express on Sheriff Street at the cost of $1000 while children Under 10 would be free. The partners and sponsors are KaresCrossFit, Lotus Hardware, AnsaMcAl with their I Cool Water and Lucozade brands, MVP Sports, Berkinstock Guyana, Pollo Tropical, Star Party Rentals, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Fitness Express and Genesis Fitness Gym.
Babar, Shan hundreds put Pakistan in box seat in Rawalpindi ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan opener Shan Masood and batting mainstay Babar Azam smashed individual hundreds to put the hosts in charge of the first test against Bangladesh after dominating day two at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium yesterday. Babar capitalised on an early reprieve to score a career-best 143 not out when bad light forced early stumps with Pakistan 109 ahead with seven wickets remaining. Babar raised 137 runs for the burgeoning fourth wicket stand with Asad Shafiq (60) who looked on course to be the third centurion in the Pakistan innings. Abu Jayed claimed two wickets for Bangladesh who endured a tough day after managing a below-par first innings total of 233 on
Friday. Abu drew first blood when he dismissed opener Abid Ali for a duck in the second over and went on to claim the wicket of home captain Azhar Ali who made 34. Babar was on three when Ebadat Hossain dropped him off Taijul Islam and it proved a costly mistake as the righthander went on to forge century-plus partnerships with Shan and Asad. Shan made 100, which included 11 boundaries, before being bowled by Taijul. Babar and Asad then feasted on Bangladesh’s wayward attack, scoring at nearly four-an-over during their unbroken stand. Stumps Pakistan 342 for 3 (Babar 143*, Shafiq 60*, Jayed 2-66) lead Bangladesh 233 (Mithun 63, Afridi 4-53) by 109 runs.
MVP Sports Representative, Steffon Ting-A-Kee hands over sponsorship cheque to Guyana Fitness Games’ Jordana Ramsay-Gonsalves. Others in photo from left are, Ian Ramdeo, Noshavyah King of GFG and MVP Brand Ambassador, Dillon Mahadeo.
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CWI Regional four-day cricket
Kaieteur News
Sunday February 09, 2020
Guyana need 27 with last pair at the wicket to win
- Salmon grabs 7-56 on debut, Permaul captures 6-50
Nkruma Bonner made a valuable 57 for Jamaica yesterday.
In a game in which 16 batsmen perished via the LBW route on a poor Providence track, Guyana Jaguars ended the penultimate day of the CWI Regional four-day fourth round game at Providence yesterday against Jamaica Scorpions needing 27 to win with their last pair at the crease. Jamaica resumed on their overnight 50-3, fell for 184 leaving Guyana make 183 to win. The 31-year-old Nkrumah Bonner hit five fours in a fighting 57; his 18th First-
class fifty but only number 10 Jamie Merchant who struck 26 from 29 balls with five fours reached 20 as Jamaica were bowled out for 184. The 30-year-old Permaul followed up his four-wicket haul in the first innings with 6-50; his 27th five-wicket haul at this level to finish with match figures of 10-85; his sixth 10-wicket haul at this level. Left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer had 2-19 and offspinner Kevin Sinclair 2-56. Guyana ended the day on 155-9 with Anthony Bramble who smashed 32 from 31 balls with five fours and Permaul, unbeaten on 20 reached 20 on a difficult track to bat on with
many balls keeping low. Debutant off-spinner Pete Salmon has 7-59 so far as 16 wickets tumbled yesterday. When Jamaica resumed yesterday Fudadin was first to go for the second time in the game to Sinclair. Fudadin (19) was trapped LBW to one that skidded through and kept low at 73-4 before Paul Palmer (15) was bowled by Permaul six runs later. Denis Smith (1) was LBW to Permaul at 81-6 before Bonner and Derval Green revived the position under blue skies with a 46-run stand before Permaul made the breakthrough by trapping Green LBW for 19 at 127-7. Salmon was removed by Reifer for a duck at 131-8 before Bonner found a useful partner in Jamie Merchant and carried the score to 176-9 with a frustrating 45 runs for the ninth wicket before Reifer struck by dismissing Merchant, while Permaul had Patrick Harty LBW for duck to end a good day with the ball. After losing Tagenarine Chanderpaul (12) LBW to Salmon at 16-1, Chanderpaul Hemraj and Skipper Leon Johnson carried the score to 48-1 by Lunch. Hemraj (13) and Johnson, who seemed very unlucky to be given LBW to Merchant for 19, fell and Guyana had slipped to 49-3 and when Vishaul Singh was LBW to Salmon for a duck and Chris Barnwell was also LBW to Salmon for 12 the score was 62-5. Bramble and Reifer took the score 106 before Reifer was bowled by the wily Salmon. Bramble was soon LBW to left-arm spinner Patrick Harty at 119-7 before Sinclair was caught behind for 12 off Salmon at 130 before Salmon sent back Nial Smith, LBW for a duck without addition to the
score. Keon Joseph (5) was with Permaul after Jamaica took the extra half hour with nine wickets down. Today is the final day and play starts at 09:30hrs. Scores:At National S t a d i u m (GEORGETOWN): Jaguars require 26 runs for victory with one wicket remaining. J A M A I C A SCORPIONS 187 (Jermaine Blackwood 81, Nkrumah Bonner 29; Veerasammy Permaul 4-39) and 184 (Nkrumah Bonner 57 not out, John Campbell 31, Jamie Merchant 26; Veerasammy Permaul 6-50). GUYANA JAGUARS 190 (Chandrapaul Hemraj 38, Veerasammy Permaul 35, Chris Barnwell 34, Raymon Reifer 33 not out; Patrick Harty 3-30, Jamie Merchant 338) and 155 for nine (Anthony Bramble 32, Veerasammy Permail 20 not out; Pete Salmon 7-56). In the other games: At Warner Park (BASSETERRE): Hurricanes trail by 207 runs with 10 second innings wickets remaining. LEEWARD ISLANDS HURRICANES 181 (Kieran Powell 76; Camarie Boyce 565, Kevin Stoute 3-18) and 10 without loss. BARBADOS PRIDE 398 (Shamarh Brooks 116, Shane Dowrich 79, Kyle Mayers 69, Jonathan Carter 47, Jonathan Carter 26 not out; Rahkeem Cornwall Rahkeem Cornwall 4-104). At Windsor Park (ROSEAU): No play due to rain. T&T RED FORCE 373 for nine decl. (Jason Mohammed 119, Yannick Ottley 116; Shane Shillingford 3-63, Kerron Cottoy 2-38). WINDWARD ISLANDS VOLCANOES 71 for two (Devon Smith 35 not out).
Taveena Kum is first... From page 69 Qualifiers in Argentina. Winning at these Qualifiers will entitle me to represent Guyana at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.” Guyana last qualified for the Olympics in 1996 through ‘Big’ John Douglas. Kum’s inclusion is likely to increase the chances of breaking the boxing jinx. The GBA has also sent Lewis, Amsterdam, Thomas and Allicock to Cuba for a three-month training stint in Cuba. According to Ninvalle, all paper work leading to Kum’s clearance to represent Guyana was finalized last week. “Our executive has been working at this for some
time with Miss Kum. We have engaged the Guyana Olympic Association and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both of these entities provided valuable support. I am also happy to inform that Miss Kum’s participation places no financial burden on the GBA as she will be covering expenses associated with airfare and accommodation and meals. We are happy to have her on board,” Ninvalle declared. The GBA boss thanked the Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ivan Evelyn for unflinching support, while applauding the efforts of president of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control Peter Abdool.
Sunday February 09, 2020
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Kaieteur News
6th Kares Caribbean Fitness Challenge
Dillon Mahadeo is the man to beat, going for his 5th successive win, today By Franklin Wilson Ever since his second place finish at the inaugural Crossfit Games in March 2015 when Joseph Rivera of the USA won, Dillon Mahadeo has been the man to beat as he has won every year since then and is going for his fifth consecutive title today when the 6th Kares Crossfit and Lotus Hardware Caribbean Fitness Challenge comes off at the National Park Tarmac. The sport and the level of competition has been improving since being introduced here by Guyana Fitness Games and without a doubt, Mahadeo has more or less become the face of the competition as he has set the standard. Today would be no different as Mahadeo, believes that he has put in the work and is ready to reap the rewards by occupying the top podium spot come this evening at the presentation ceremony. “This being my sixth year of prepping for this competition, every year I learn and I’m still learning where I can push my body and mind to be resilient to
Dillon Mahadeo, aiming for another 100% performance today. whatever challenges we face on competition day. This year is no different; I’ve put in the most training ever leading up to a competition, not just physically but mentally as well.” The confident Mahadeo,
who has already secured his spot at this year’s Reebok CrossFit Games, the pinnacle for the sport to be held in Madison, Wisconsin, USA from July 29 to August 2, believes that it is now down to executing correctly with the
least amount of faults, baring injuries. “Most of the pressure I put on myself is internal, I can’t really control the outcome of another individual’s performance, that’s why on competition day I compete against the best version of the athlete that I can be. I respect all other competitors and take no-one for granted. I approach all competition with the same diligence. We are all competing to get the top spot and most of these guys I’ve had experience competing against previously both locally and regionally and they’re all really fierce competitors. I welcome the competition to Guyana, my home soil.” Athletes from Canada, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname will be vying for the top prize of USD$2500 (GYD$500,000) and the action is anticipated to be intense as will the sweltering conditions. Admitting that no one competes to lose, Mahadeo stated that he hates losing more than he appreciates winning and is looking forward to what would be served up today, competition wise.
Being able to dominate at this level consistently is not easy according to Mahadeo who credits his success to a number of persons: “I’m privileged to have an entire team that believes in my abilities and supports my journey daily and it wouldn’t be possible without them, my family, my mother who always ensures my nutritional and basic needs are met. And I’m sure my DAD is smiling upon me in heaven. My sponsors: Fitness Express, MVP Sports, Degree Deodorant, Preymum Canola Oil, Fireside Grill & Chill, Lotus Hardware Store.” He too is commending the main sponsors, Kares Crossfit and Lotus Hardware Store for putting up cash prizes that is equal for male and female athletes. “I absolutely love that fact of equality; I don’t think there should be any question about it. All the women that sign up to compete have my respect. They train and push their bodies relatively harder than most of these guys, regardless of the stigma against women lifting weights. I think they deserve
the same rewards as male athletes not only in crossfit but across all disciplines.” The first event today will get started at 06:30hrs, with a time cap of 30-minutes, athletes would be involved in a one mile odd object carry (20lbs, 40lbs); 75 overhead squats (55lbs, 75lbs) and cap it off with a one mile run. This opening event is not for spectators but Mahadeo is urging all to be out in their numbers from 13:00hrs to witness the other events. “My message to the General populace, especially the youths to come out today is, the phenomenal athletes competing may inspire you to begin your recreational fitness journey. Just get started, pay attention to your health and fitness or whatever it is you can benefit from for the longevity of your life. When I began my fitness journey, competition day is a product of all the hard work and sacrifice we’ve put in over time, so come out and support your local athletes.” The 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th place athletes would receive $400,000, $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000, respectively.
Taveena Kum is first BCB/Premium Asphalt and T/R Construction 20/20 Second Division Tournament female boxer selected Fyrish, Tamarind Root, Kennard Memorial, for Olympic Qualifier Belvedere, Albion Open, Ramnarine Memorial among first round winners
The Berbice Cricket Board very packed schedule for 2020 continued on Sunday last with the opening round of the Premium Asphalt and T/R Construction 20/20 Second Division Tournament. The tournament is been played with nineteen teams from the Lower Corentyne/ Central Corentyne area. Berbice cricket power houses RHTYSC, MS and Albion CC along with their cricketers have been debarred from participating in the tournament in an effort to allow other clubs an opportunity to win a championship. Fyrish, Tamarind Root, Belvedere United, Kennard Memorial, Albion Open and Ramnarine Memorial were the teams to advance to the second round, while Courtland was knocked out of the tournament due to the fact that they played an unauthorized cricketer. The Competition Committee of the BCB also ordered a replay of the Rose Hall Town Tigers
and Kilcoy match after Kilcoy was found guilty of playing a player in non-cricketing attire. Both Courtland and Kilcoy had won their games but paid the price as the BCB enforces its strict disciplinary rules. Results in the matches played: 1. Fyrish defeated No1 by ten wickets at Fyrish. No10 -110 all out in 26 overs - Tony Ramnarine 26. Sayaad Bactowar 4 for 14 and Yogindra Chinapen 2 for 09. Fyrish - 113 for 2 in 18.4 overs Chandradat Roopnarine 52 and Yogindra Chinapen 39. 2. Belvedere United got past Whim by 34 runs at Belvedere. Belvedere United - 125 all out in 16.4 overs - Permaul 26 and R. Balgobin 24. D. Venkhai had 6 for 15 and V. Samaroo 3 for 22. Whim- 91 all out in 16 overs- D. Venkhai 16. R. Balgobin 3 for 18 and T. Khemraj 2 for 12. 3. Chesney got a walkover against Fyrish Road, who
failed to field a team. 4. Kennard Memorial CC defeated Kildonan by 7 runs at Kennard’s. Kennard Memorial 202 in 20 overs. Ravi Bassoo 76 and Kamadin Permaulo 30. G. Mc Donald 3 for 25. Kildonan 195 all out in 21.4 overs. Q. Emanuel 23. Eshwar Singh 3 for 16 and Mahendra Rabindranauth 3 for 19. 5. Tamarind Root of Hampshire defeated UG Elites by 8 wickets at Hampshire. UG Elites - 84 all out in 14. 5 overs. Daniel Samaroo 20 and Prem Khemraj 15. Dilip Ramsammy 2 for 6 and Kelly Overaj 2 for 8. Tamarind Root - 88 for 2 in 9.3 overs with Prem Deonarine 32 and Avinash Looknauth 26. 6. Kilcoy defeated Rose Hall Town by 5 wickets at Jai Hind Ground. Rose Hall Town - 182 for 3 in 20 overs - Delbert Hicks 49 not out, Verapen Permaul 38, Mark Papannah 35 and
Balchan Baldeo 30. Kilcoy 186 for 5 in 19.3 overs - Levi Thomas 40, Joel Johnson 39 and Deonarine Ramnarine 31. Andre Percival 2 for 31. 7. Albion Open got past Jai Hind by 4 wickets at Jai Hind Ground. Jai Hind CC- 151 for 7 in 20 overs. Imran Hussain 59 and R. Mangla 37. P. Baldeo 5 for 35. Albion Open - 153 for 6 in 19.3 overs. M. Lalbehari 32 and Adrian Singh 24. 8. Churaman Ramnarine defeated Tain Block 4 by 76 runs at Tain. Churaman Ramnarine 208 all out. Paul Tyndall 76, Michael Tyndall 49 and Colin Bynoe 26; G. Budhu 3 for 39, R. Patiram 2 for 27 and N. Mangal 2 for 45. Tain Block 4- 132 all out D. Dullan 36, M. Mangal 24 and R. Pagras 22. J. Tyndall 3 for 17, F. Mendonca 2 for 6 and Paul Tyndall 2 for 13 were the successful bowlers.
Diminutive Taveena Kum moved into the history books of Guyana when she was recently named as one of five boxers selected by the Guyana Boxing Association for the 2020 Olympic Qualifiers in Argentina. The Canadian-Born Kum is the first female boxer ever selected to represent Guyana an Olympic Qualifier. The Former Canadian national flyweight champion has joined Colin ‘Superman’ Lewis, Desmond ‘Dynamite’ Amsterdam, Dennis ‘Menace’ Thomas and ‘Lightning’ Keevin Allicock as the quintet expected to fly the Golden Arrowhead in Buenos Aries from March 26 to April 3. GBA president Steve Ninvalle, in an exclusive interview with Kaieteur Sport yesterday disclosed that Kum, whose father was born in Guyana, has an impressive resume. “She is a former twotime Canadian flyweight champion, a silver medalist at the Women’s Continental Championship, Ringside World Championship Belt gold medalist and a silver medalist at the 2020 Brampton Cup Championships. Her
Steve Ninvalle selection brings a new dimension to boxing in Guyana and we expect much from her based on her experience,” Ninvalle said. “I can, without a doubt of being contradicted, say that she is extremely excited about representing Guyana. Her selection alone is historic and I am confident that she will make an impact in Argentina,” Ninvalle, a vice president of the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) added. In a release Kum said: “It is my dream to compete in the 2020 Olympics for Guyana. I am honoured to be representing the Guyana flag on the international boxing stage at the American (Continued on page 68)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 09, 2020
GFF names 20-man squad to represent Guyana at Concacaf U-20 Men’s Qualifiers A 20-man squad, including two internationalbased debutantes, will represent Guyana at the Concacaf U20 Men’s Qualifiers in Nicaragua from February 15 – 23, 2020. The two, Hudson Hazlewood from Washington University FC, USA and Javier George from Stade Beaucairois FC, France are both central midfielders but have different playing styles as well as roles
and functions in the team. “Hazlewood is a #10 type of midfielder who does more attacking,” said Head Coach Wayne Dover prior to the announcement of the squad while George is more of a #8 type of Midfielder who does more defending. They both added strength to the squad which made it more competitive in sessions and for selection to the first team.”
Cycling fraternity mourns Jude Bentley’s death following unfortunate and tragic accident The cycling fraternity was plunged into mourning yesterday when cyclist Jude Bentley was killed on the spot in an early morning accident during one of his training sessions on the Rupert Craig Highway. Information reaching Kaieteursport stated that Bentley came into contact with a black land cruiser, allegedly driven by retired Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Gary Best. The (Continued on page 65)
Jude Bentley
Commenting on the other members of the squad, Dover said many of the players have been part o f t h e G F F ’s Academy Training Centres and have international experience at the U15 and U17 levels: “The work done with the players who are/were part of the ATCs was evident during the training sessions. This is a disciplined and special group, which gave of their best at every training session in the more than four weeks we’ve been together. This is a good reflection as to how far we have come. Once again, I’ll state my optimism of our chance of coming out the group on top by competing and giving our best effort.” Guyana has been placed in Group A with St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Montserrat, US Virgin Islands and host Nicaragua. Guyana’s match schedule is as follows: MATCH 1: 15th February @ 17:30hrs – Guyana vs Montserrat MATCH 2: 17th February @ 17:30hrs – St. Vincent & The Grenadines vs Guyana MATCH 3: 21st February @ 20:30hrs – US Virgin Islands vs Guyana MATCH 4: 23rd February @ 20:30hrs – Nicaragua vs Guyana
National U-20 Player Javier George
National U-20 Player Hudson Hazlewood (file photo)
National U20 Men’s Team – February 2020 – Nicaragua Name Position Club 1 Shawn Adonis Goalkeeper Dynamic FC 2 Ronaldo Blair Goalkeeper Timerhi Panthers FC 3 Nicholai Andrews Defender Santos FC 4 Kemule Batson Defender Milerock FC 5 Joseph DeFreitas Defender Timerhi Panthers FC 6 Keanu Lawrence Defender Den Amstel FC 7 Eric Moore Defender Milerock FC 8 Marcus Wilson Defender Santos FC 9 Andre Mayers Defender Capital FC 10 Ravon Bailey Midfielder Fruta Conquerors FC 11 Javier George Midfielder Stade Beaucairois FC 12 Jamar Harrigan Midfielder Buxton United FC 13 Hutson Hazlewood Midfielder Washington University FC 14 Joel Issaacs Midfielder Winners Connection FC 15 Darron Niles Midfielder Santos FC 16 Threvon Pluck Midfielder Fruta Conquerors FC 17 Omari Glasgow Forward Fruta Conquerors FC 18 Dorwin George Forward Pele FC 19 Nicolas McArthur Forward Fruta Conquerors FC 20 Osafa Simpson Forward Fruta Conquerors FC Technical Staff Head Coach - Wayne Dover Assistant Coach - Calvin Allen Goalkeeper Coach - Eon DeVeira Development Goalkeeper Coach - Travis Bess Medical Physiotherapist - Pablino Cupido Sports Science Head of Sports Science - Wilson Toledo Operations Team Operations Manager - Daniel Thomas Equipment Manager - Devnon Winter
Sunday February 09, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 75
6th Kares Caribbean Fitness Challenge
Taveena Kum
Dillon Mahadeo is the man to beat, going for his 5th successive win, today
rt Spo
Dillon Mahadeo is the man to beat today.
CWI Regional four-day cricket
Veersammy had 6-50 yesterday for match figures of 10-85 (Sean Devers Photos)
Taveena Kum is first female boxer selected for Olympic Qualifier
Guyana need 27 with last pair at the wicket to win
Pete Samlon had 7-56 on his debut at Providence yesterday.
- Salmon grabs 7-56 on debut, Permaul captures 6-50
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