Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Saturday February 12, 2022

Saturday February 12, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Govt. borrows to fund small renewable energy projects …but takes ‘oil money’ to build gas plant at Wales …Exxon to be repaid for pipeline with crude from Stabroek Block

The defunct Moco Moco hydropower station in Region Nine

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat and Permanent Secretary, Jocelyn McKenzie during the second day of the consideration of this year’s budget estimates The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has committed to transitioning towards a greener economy utilising renewable energy such as solar and hydropower, and to move away from the use of fossil fuels such as hydrocarbon powered electricity generation plants. In pursuing this agenda, however, the government has resorted to borrowing hundreds of millions of dollars from a number of bilateral partners and international financial institutions to fund a number of small hydropower projects in some hinterland areas. This is in addition to a number of other small projects such as small wind and solar farms to be constructed as part of the administration’s Energy Diversification Matrix. Oil revenues however, 100 percent of which is being put towards budgetary support for the 2022 biggest budget ever – $552.9B – will be going towards the construction of a 250 megawatt hydrocarbon fired gas plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara. This year’s Budget has some $20.8B set aside to commence that project and is being funded, at least based on government’s commitment to the Wales Development Zone, directly from central government. As such, it would mean that government is borrowing hundreds of millions of dollars to pursue small renewable energy projects that will benefit a negligible proportion of the Guyanese population, while the nation’s oil resources is being pumped into a project swamped in controversy over its feasibility. A project that will see ExxonMobil Guyana selling Guyana its o w n n a t u r a l

gas—hydrocarbons extracted from the Stabroek Block—through a third party. The information was laid bare for Members of the National Assembly over the course of the budgetary allocations, at least for those that would have paid attention to the Budget contributions to the House both during the debates and Committee of Supply stages of the process. The Energy portfolio for the administration comes under the auspices of the Office of the Prime Minister, Mark Phillips, who in his presentations to the National Assembly confirmed that the administration was not only forging ahead with the gasto-shore project but also with renewable initiatives. A perusal of the Power Generation Capital allocations totalling some $24.4B would show however, that with US$20.8B coming directly from government a good chunk of the remainder of that amount is in fact loans. There is, for example, a $1.6B allocation provided for the continuation of an E n e r g y M a t r i x Diversification Programme. It has as its total price tag $4.4B with government putting $916.3M thus far with an additional equal amount, coming from the I n t e r A m e r i c a n Development Bank (IDB). The total $1.6B this year however, is coming from the IDB. Under that project profile, the programme accounts for the installation of mini-grid systems in Bartica, Mahdia and Lethem, the upgrading of the Sophia Substation, rehabilitation of transmission lines and institutional strengthening and capacity building. There is allocated in

Prime Minister Mark Phillips Budget 2022, some $469.2M for the pursuit of a Renewable Energy Improvement—Power System Project. That money is being provided by the Japanese, and according to the Budget document, the total amount projected for the initiative is some $3.2B. Prior to this year, $2.6B had already been spent under this programme head and, according to the project profile, it will account for the installation of photovoltaic and energy management systems for the CARICOM Secretariat. This is in addition to “enhancing substations, equipment and distribution lines at Canefield, Onverwagt, Good Hope and Sophia.” According to the Budget document, the benefits of that foreign funded project include improved transmission and distribution capabilities and “increased use of clean energy alternatives.” Additionally, there is a $300M allocation in the Budget this year for the development of small hydro projects. That money, according to the government

document, will be coming from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). The details for this project as provided in the Budget document outlines the construction of hydropower facilities at Moco Moco and Kumu. That allocation will also, according to the document, go towards funding geotechnical and topographical surveys, environmental and social management plans, consultancy services and land acquisition. The benefits of this foreign funded government programme, which is estimated to cost a total of $3.1B, are expected to be “increased use of clean energy alternatives” and “improved power generation”. With regard the pursuit of solar power projects, there is a $172M allocation for this year, again foreign funded. This time coming from

AFC’s David Patterson questions the allocations in this year’s budget India. U n d e r t h a t loan—estimated to cost in total $2.1B—it is documented that this “project entails provision for solar systems for households in hinterland communities” with its benefits being, “improved generation of electricity”. The gas-to-shore project, for which government has advertised and received Expressions of Interests, the joint development of the Wales Development Zone is allocated $20.8B, for which government’s portion will be coming 100 percent from the coffers. This means that government has resorted to borrowing for its renewable energy projects and upgrades to its transmission and distribution system, while it takes the nation’s oil earnings to pursue a gas fired power plant among other initiatives. It would be apposite to note that as ExxonMobil

forges ahead with the pipeline aspect of the project, that too will eventually be paid for by Guyana through, ‘cost oil’ according to the Substantive Minister, Vickram Bharrat. He gave the confirmation during the second day of the consideration of the Estimates of Expenditure when he responded to his Shadow Counterpart, MP for the Alliance for Change, David Patterson saying that he knows that the gas-toshore project is not ‘in the pipeline’ but rather is already in its implementation stage. To this end, he told the House that Patterson was fully aware that the “pipeline” aspect of the project, which is being pursued independently by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)—Exxon Mobil Guyana— “is being funded from cost oil under production sharing agreement (PSA).”

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Saturday February 12, 2022

KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: SHARMAIN GRAINGER Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Insurance coverage – the spectre of bankruptcy We don’t have full insurance coverage in the event of a catastrophic oil spill from Exxon’s operations in our offshore oilfields. We don’t have it, and Guyana’s leading oil expert, its Vice President, seems unfazed by this menacing deficiency to our environment, our way of living, and the wellbeing of our people. Because a disastrous oil spill from those wells has the potential to spread to the other countries in the region, we could be on the hook for untold billions in liability, but for which we have nothing, no comforting insurance blanket. The Vice President, in his best imitation of a beggar, informed incredulous Guyanese that he is waiting for some kind of ‘acknowledgement’ from ExxonMobil, the parent company of the local Exxon subsidiary. We have this oil by the billions of barrels, and this is what we have come to: waiting for an acknowledgment. Rather than giving the Vice President, the President, and the Minister of Natural Resources the severe verbal pummelling that all three deserve, we try another route today. This is so that our fellow citizens can appreciate what happens when there is a massive oil spill, with specific reference to what the leaders of Exxon do, the kind of sophisticated hardball games they play, notwithstanding that great damage was done (for which they were responsible), and that lives were subjected to the severest ruptures. It involved the Exxon Valdez and what happened, what Exxon did, and how it plays dirty and tricky. The purpose of which information is to alert Guyanese as to the possible perils in store, and the fate that we hope is never ours, but which could be engineered by our partners, ExxonMobil. The Exxon Valdez ran into a reef in Alaska, and spilled 10 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound. Marine life took a harrowing beating, tens of thousands of migratory birds died (plus another 400, 000), and scores of eagles. As we proceed to subsequent developments related to this calamity of an oil spill, we ask our fellow Guyanese to bear in mind that this oil spill occurred in America, not in some poor Third world country. If what followed could happen in America, then God had better watch out for Guyana, and its population of largely coloured people, who don’t count in the eyes of Exxon’s leaders. After lengthy discussions with Alaska’s Governor, and to avoid Federal court proceedings that could lead anywhere and expose much about how the corporate superpower does business, Exxon agreed to pay a fine of US$100 million to misdemeanor charges and another US$900 millions to settle civil suits. The then-CEO of Exxon, Lawrence Rawl, next proceeded to boast that the settlement didn’t even dent Exxon’s earnings, and that the company’s shareholders would not feel any impact. Clearly, his priority and the concern of Exxon’s was for the company’s shareholders, with scant regard manifested about the wide sweep of damage inflicted on Alaskans, the environment, and the health and livelihood of many thousands. The arrogance of Rawl and Exxon infuriated Federal Judge Russell Holland so much that he wasn’t open to letting Exxon off the hook so lightly, where its chiefs could turn around and crow how meaningless to the company’s profitability was that US$1 billion settlement. Exxon then withdrew its plea to the four misdemeanor charges, and decided to chance the Exxon Valdez case before a federal jury. The jury then lashed Exxon with US$5 billion in punitive damages, which was promptly appealed. In June 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court reduced the US$5 billion award for punitive damages, to a mere US$507.5 million, or a miserly 10 percent of the original amount. Lee Raymond, Exxon’s new CEO, was unrepentant, combative, and arrogant throughout. We presented this high-level snapshot of the Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster, so that our fellow citizens could have a clear idea of how Exxon is (callous and unresponsive, regarding its failures), what its priorities are (profits and shareholders, by any means), and what it would do to win at any cost (legal, political, rarely ethical). We don’t have full insurance coverage. We could be impoverished forever, by our own hands, especially those of criminally negligent leaders.

Residents destroying new road in Mon Repos DEAR SIR, The residents of Block 8, Mon Repos ECD, are very pleased and relieved that after many years having to traverse through what were called streets but were more comparable to the trails in our hinterland, the authorities have finally gotten around to having the roads built. I am no expert but it seems that, even though the roads are not completed as yet, the contractor is making a good effort. However, there is a situa-

tion that is of concern to the residents. An individual that resides at the north-eastern corner of the playfield, often referred to as the “Wash-bag lady”, may be damaging the road even before it is completed. She often gets large quantities of flour bags to wash but instead of doing so in her yard, she runs a hose across the street and does her washing at the edge of the road across from her. For the entire duration of the exercise, the water is flowing continuously.

Needless to say, the dirt at that point is getting very soft as the water accumulates and percolates into the soil. Even as the contractor’s equipment traverses the road, it is observed that there is already damage being done to the parapet at that section. We have been living with such deplorable road for such a long time, none of us want to return to those conditions. After the roads are completed in our area, I am sure the authorities will not be revisiting our area in the foreseeable

future, since there are many more areas that need to be serviced. Plus a lot of taxpayers’ money is being spent on these contracts. We are appealing to the Minister of Public Infrastructure or any other responsible authority to look into this matter. After all, if the road fails, it is the Government and the contractor who will be accused of doing substandard work. Regards. Residents of Block 8 Mon Repos

The late Lata Mangeshkar DEAR EDITOR Much has been and will be said way into the future about Lata Mangeshkar, now sadly, the late Lata Mangeshkar. Her over seven decades of contribution to music were not confined within the boundaries of India, but affixed across the globe. Her accomplishments are unparalleled -recorded songs in over thirty different Indian languages and a few foreign ones including Russian, Dutch, English and Swahili; one of the first Indian playback singers to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London, the significance of which may have been diminished as a result of the evolution of the world through the progression of time; conferred with France’s highest Civilian award; received many awards in India including its highest for civilians; listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most recorded

artist in history between 1948 and 1987, are just a few. Much time would be needed to expound on her contributions, achievements, influence and the beacon of inspiration she was to many across the world. Amongst her legacy, the high standard she created, set and adhered to, is of immense significance. That high bar presented the opportunity for others to aspire towards, thereby ensuring a pursuit of professionalism with quality uncompromised. While she maintained and influenced such high standards, she remained a towering pillar of humility and generosity with a penchant to help mold others to ensure continuity of arguably the most influential art form; music. Her work ethic and unbridled passion to music have led to the birth of new relationships and the strengthening of bonds among human-

ity even if it was just in the universal agreement of the positive impact of her voice. Indeed, we were fortunate to live in her time; fortunate to be able to hear her voice even though her mortal remains are no longer with us. Fortunate we are indeed to be able to hear her voice as we seek much-needed comfort in our times of challenges. Her music has and will continue to have that impact; to comfort, motivate and entertain. Unfortunately, as a schoolboy when the opportunity arose to sneak a glimpse of her as she traversed the East Bank public after her arrival here in the early eighties, I missed out. I was on the receiving end of the then stringent unwritten rules of what constitutes the village raising children. While I do not regret those circumstances of being raised by the village, I still may not have gotten over my re-

sentment of that moment of not being able to cast my eyes on the iconic Lataji. That said, the joy, which her music continues to infuse in my body, is mitigating the emotions which were heightened following her death. For any mortal to be able to offer such, in life and after death, can only be within the realms of immortality. The deserving awards bestowed upon her, speak to the immeasurable positive impact of her life. Space and time will probably never be enough to truly pay tribute to her. I can therefore only trust that this will add to the many others that will allow us all to not only remember and appreciate her invaluable global contributions, but to be inspired by the humble being she was who toiled for over seven decades to bring happiness to mankind. Neaz Subhan Indian Cultural Activist

The Indian Fund and Cultural Center DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to letter by Ms. Gem MadhooNascimento (Feb 5) supporting my view ( Jan 29) that there should be a plaque at the national cultural center (NCC) that states that it was built with the Indian Immigrants Fund and that the NCC should have a permanent display of Indian art. Both are missing ever since the (Burnham) center was built in 1974 with the Indian Fund. I proposed that the money used from the Indian Fund should be returned and used to build regional Indian Cultural Centers since the money belong to the Indian community. Ms. MadhooNascimento stated that she is opposed to my suggestion that there should be regional Indian cultural centers, saying these would “further divide the country”. I don’t see how Indian cultural centers would divide the nation any more than it already is. Guyana is a multi-cultural nation with fascinating cultures of its diverse people –

Africans, Indians, Chinese, Portuguese, Amerindians, etc. Each culture has been and continues to be autonomous or else there will be cultural genocide, a crime against humanity which can be prosecuted by the UN. Government can’t impose another culture on a group of people. In White America and UK, every group practices and displays their culture. Whites don’t impose their culture on others. Afro-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese cultures thrive in the US and they have their own separate performances in Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Atlanta, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Ft. Myers, Chicago, Minneapolis, Houston, etc. In Guyana, every group has a right to their cultural centers. The Africans have the attractive Lichas Hall in Linden, as Ms. Madhoo praised. The Africans also have the majestic Tipperary Hall in Buxton that was modernized with government funds by President Jagdeo in 2011, among others. There is

no local Indian Cultural Center (other than the one funded by the government of India) in Bel Air. Why would regional Indian cultural centers lead to division of the country but African cultural centers won’t. In a divided country like Guyana, one cultural center leads to animosity and further divides the country as one culture would end up being dominant as has been the case with the NCC since 1974. Ever since Burnham appropriated (usurped) the Indian Funds to build the NCC, there has been animus. For decades, Indians have refused to enter that building. Indian community leaders swore, issued an Indian sarap (curse), that they would never set foot into that building and have refused to do so till now. They have been enraged that the money of their ancestors was taken away from them to build something for which they have not been beneficiaries and that lacked their input in design and display of arts. Ms. Madhoo said she felt

it was appropriate for Burnham to usurp the money to build the NCC because Guyana was hosting Carifesta and needed a cultural center. I think it was wrong to use the Indian Fund to construct it as it furthered the racial division between Indians and Africans. Coming right after the race riots, the Wismar Massacre of Indians, and so many other incidents, it was too insensitive to appropriate the Indian Immigrant Fund. It came across as Burnham thumbing his nose at Indians that he could do whatever he wanted to them. Ms. Madhoo has every right, like me and all other Indians, to offer a view and to determine the purpose and use of the Indian Immigrant Fund. It was suggested since the late 1950s that the fund be used to construct regional Indian cultural centers. Political events of the 1950s and 1960s placed the usage of the fund on the back burner of the community that was caught up with election fever (Continued on page 6)

Saturday February 12, 2022

The nation’s self-appointed leading oilman holds no aces, no winning cards DEAR EDITOR, The Vice President of Guyana offers a fine lesson in what oil does to people, usually those leaders closest to it. I look at him, and observe someone who thinks he walks on water, when all he succeeds in doing is shower himself with the sewage that flushes from this oil. It is what makes men lose their bearings, ultimately any soul they had. The Vice President, Guyana’soil master, and the mastermind of what is suspicious about it. He, who was once powerful in his condemnation of what went wrong with it, is now exemplary in telling impotency, the lengths he goes to conceal his tracks, to shrink from the bright lights of oil truths that don’t add up, make no sense. Where he steamrolled opponents before, he now stonewalls. When a national leader, one in supreme command before, and still so today, is compelled to skulk towards the refuge of shadowy media agencies to get his messages across, that is the first trou-

bling sign of things amiss. When he refuses to face the whole nation, and say this is the oil story, it is my story in the handling of it, the slippery slide down sinister precipices gains momentum. When he is fumbling and in mumbling retreat, he makes a spectacle of himself. It bares his torment for all the world to dissect, and to find him wanting. I call it recoiling from the dictates of ethical leadership, prudent stewardship of the people’s gifts. It is theirs, isn’t it? There are still many opportunities for the Hon. Vice President to retrieve some precious lost ground. He must be open, be receptive to coming clean. He knows, and I know-all Guyana know-that the unclean visited this oil wealth from the first day. And with each passing day, and every new development today, the dreadfulness multiplies; we are now beyond salvaging. No leader of any substance can survive the disrepute that is now part of the unshakeable apparel that others have dressed him in, where he stands like a frozen

plastic mannequin in the nation’s glass showcase. A figure of intrigue and every manner of speculation: what was done (or not), why some road taken, who holds the cards, and which ones have keys to the oil kingdom’s vaults. I am absolutely sure that the Vice President is familiar with what I say, where I point him, for he is nobody’s fool. When he engages in these antics with others who are into what tricks, then a great disservice is inflicted upon the nation, from his own to the disowned. He may object; but some awful truths are nonnegotiable, and the nation’s self-appointed leading oilman holds no aces, no winning cards. If only Guyana’s Vice President were like Yamani or Pedro Gomez, maybe Al-Naimi, but that is not to be. So, we have what we have, which is knowing nothing, and expecting less. And all the while watching a leader twist himself into knots, swing aloft. Sincerely, GHK Lall

The Speaker’s failure to reprimand Dharamlall for his vulgar attack on you looking for.” and deep concern that the a woman MP that’sThiswhatbehaviour is vulgar, Speaker of the National AsDEAR SIR/MADAM, Local Government Minister, Nigel Dharamlall, has offered an apology of sorts for his crass behaviour in the National Assembly on Wednesday, February 9, when he reportedly told a woman MP on the opposition bench “You got to get a dildo,

unparliamentary and further perpetuates a culture of violence and misogyny towards women in Guyana, particularly women in politics. We the Sisters of Mercy and Associates in Guyana condemn in no uncertain terms the minister’s statement and his behaviour. We also note with dismay

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sembly did not upbraid Minister Dharamlall for his “dildo” comment, neither did any of his colleague ministers. The fact that the minister’s comment went unchecked by the Speaker points to a dangerous normalization of violence against women MPs and a (Continued on page 6)

One year on…

80% of Guyana’s population received at least one dose Covid-19 vaccine DEAR EDITOR Today marks exactly one year since Guyana started its COVID-19 vaccination programme. The Guyanese health care providers, led by Guyana’s distinguished immunization nurses, and including other nurses, medex, community health workers, doctors and community volunteers, have excelled at a time when the Guyanese people needed them. For one year, these nurse-led teams have been out of their regular work stations and in community settings, even in the streets, ensuring all those Guyanese who volunteered to take their COVID-19 vaccines were able to be recipients of one of the most coveted vaccines in the history of medicines. The vaccination teams led by public health nurses deserve commendation. When people did not show up to the health centers and vaccination sites, health workers walked house-to-house and did drive- thrus and other means to reach people. The success in the COVID-19 vaccination program is testimony to the dedication and commitment of the health workers. As one of the Ministry’s and the Government’s officials that was intimately involved with the COVID-19 vaccination program, I would like to express my gratitude to the selfless work of the public health workers. It would be remiss of me if I were to ignore the leadership roles played by the leaders in the program – Drs. Ertenisa Hamilton, Dr. Onieka Scott, Dr. Farrah December, Dr. Anand Persaud and their team at the MOH. It would be remiss of me not to mention the team leaders in the ten re-

gions of Guyana and the leadership roles of the RHOs. Guyana owes these leaders a depth of gratitude. The first person in Guyana to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was a pharmacist from the Georgetown Public Hospital. Since then, more than 462,000 Guyanese citizens older than 12 years have received, at least, a first dose of COVID19 vaccine. Of those who have received at least a first dose, almost 429,000 are older than 18 and almost 34,000 are between 12 and 18 years old. This means that almost 84% of Guyanese adults have had at least one dose of COVID19 vaccine and that almost 79% of all Guyanese 12 years and older have had one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Thus far, 345,000 Guyanese 12 years and older have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This means that almost 45% of the entire Guyanese population are now fully vaccinated and more than 62% of the population 18 years and older are fully vaccinated. More than 45,000 Guyanese have had a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine. For Guyanese 60 years and older, more than 83% have had a first dose, more than 73% are fully vaccinated and 21% have had a booster. For the population 40 to 59 years old, 83% have had a single dose, 68% are fully vaccinated and 10% have had a booster at this time. For the age group 18 to 39, 81% have received a first dose, 57% are fully vaccinated and 5% have had a booster. For the 12 to 17 age group, 46% have had a first dose and 33% are fully vaccinated. These are impressive numbers and some of the per-

sons who have not been registered as receiving any vaccine might have had their vaccines done overseas also. At this first year point, gratitude must also be expressed to the Guyanese people who have overwhelmingly responded to the COVID-19 vaccination program. While there is disappointment that a full 15% of the population have remained hesitant, we must continue to work with this sub-population to ensure that all eligible Guyanese are fully vaccinated with booster shots. The Government of Guyana has shown its determination and its commitment to ensuring no Guyanese citizen is left behind. As a Guyanese citizen, I am grateful for the proactive posture the President Irfaan Ali-led government adopted from the very beginning when the President declared that no cost would be too much to ensure all Guyanese are vaccinated against COVID-19. The leadership of the President and the Vice-President in ensuring Guyana had the resources to administer such a vast program is testimony to their own commitment to the health and safety of our people. At the same time, gratitude is owed to the private sector companies, like Banks DIH, DDL and Sterling Ltd. and their corporate management. They stepped up when we needed them to produce logistical support. As a Guyanese citizen, we must value the work done by the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony and his MOH team of administrators who ensured timely supply of the vaccines and (Continued on page 6)

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Decolonise our white-bias, hybridised and creolised plantation culture DEAR EDITOR, I return once more to my caution that we need to decolonise our “education” at the onset of our children’s education, starting with the Atlantic Readers that ignored much of the efforts of the previous seventy years. The Jamaican poet Olive Senior, of mixed heritage, used the activity of “gardening” as an extended trope in her book “Gardening in the Tropics” to analyse well the brutal colonisation all of us in the Caribbean by the Europeans and their influence in the formation of all our identities. Gardening does involve “rooting out”, discarding” “cultivating”, “nurturing”, “grafting”, “hybridity” and so many activities that are also at work in cultures and relationships in the construction of identities. All of us have been and continue to be “cultivated” whether we like it or not and are, to a lesser or greater extent, been “hybridized” with a “white bias”. The question is whether we will “cultivate” our new generation through the hegemonic ideas of our erstwhile “masters” that evidently linger in the heads of our curriculum developers. In the Caribbean, the Indians, Portuguese and Chinese indentured met the

Africans who had been subjected to hundreds of years of European imposition of culture and religion – brutally with whips and chains and then through discursive practices, starting with the school system after “emancipation”. They were expected to inculcate “English culture” even though their African humanity was denied, producing Du Bois’ debilitating “double consciousness”. The Royal Readers in the schools from the 1870’s been English to the core and denounced “savage” Africa. Against all odds, the Africans retained elements of their West African cultures and it was into this hybridised, creolised plantation culture that the new arrivals would be thrown. The indentured servants’ cultures were inevitably influenced by the same plantation environment. However, in Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean after WWII, people of African origin sought to counter the European hegemonic cultural imposition with the ideologies of anti-colonialism, “Black Power”, “Negritude” and “Pan Africanism”, all of which privileged African-creole culture as the “root” of “national culture”. There was never a comparable Pan-Indian movement even in majority Indian

Guyana to counter the Creolecentered “national culture”. Yet with independence it was announced that we were “One people; One Nation; One Destiny”. Indians were now defined outside the “nation” as an “ethnic group”. Reviewing the broad sweep of Caribbean history, however, Senior sought to make the point that there are no “pure” origins and no “one root” that we can discover on which to construct our Caribbean identity. She borrowed from the Martiniquean Edouard Glissant, the metaphor of the “rhizome” – with its multiplicity of roots that privilege no one root for Caribbean identity. He was consciously reacting against the construct of “negritute” and of “hybridity” that been proposed to describe French Antillean identity. The first excluded all others such as people of Indian and French origin while the latter, acknowledged by Walcott in his Nobel speech in 1992, still privileged the “African root”. It doesn’t appear that the teams that created the Atlantic Readers read Olive Senior, even though it was required reading for “CAPE English B” a few years ago. Sincerely Ravi Dev

Saturday February 12, 2022

80% of Guyana’s population... From page 5 the supplies necessary. The international community played a pivotal role in our success story. Our first vaccine came from India from a donation India made to Barbados. The Barbadian government donated some of their vaccines to other CARICOM countries, Guyana being one of those. The Astra Zeneca vaccine, 3,000 doses were administered to various first- and front-line health care providers. Since then, Guyana has administered AZ, Sputnik V, Sinopharm, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, and Moderna vaccines to the Guyanese people. Our gratitude is owed to COVAX and PAHO/WHO

and UNICEF, the UNDP and other UN agencies for coordinating COVAX support and also providing valuable technical and logistical support. International partners such as the USA, Canada, the UK, the EU, Spain, France, Middle Eastern countries, India and China deserve our respect and gratitude. The President had declared that our goal is for more than 70% of the population fully vaccinated by end of June. As we mark one year since the COVID-19 vaccination program started, we are in a position to achieve this. I am hopeful that we can surpass the goal of 70%. The President and the government of Guyana have done their

part. We the citizens must do our part. For those of us who have fully complied, let us work with those who for one reason or the other have not yet come forward. It is in the interest of our country and our people for all of us to be vaccinated against COVID19. Let us remember that Guyana is free of polio, smallpox, mumps, rubella, yellow fever and other killer diseases because all our children are covered with vaccines against these diseases. We can end COVID-19’s journey as a killer disease. But the starting point has to be a population fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Regards Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

The Speaker’s failure to reprimand... From page 5 total disregard for parliamentary norms. It is our considered opinion that the Speaker has a responsibility to ensure that order and decorum are maintained in the House. He fell woefully short of his obligations when he failed to reprimand Minister Dharamlall for his vulgar attack on a woman MP. Misogyny and violence in Guyana have resulted in the deaths of thousands of women and girls. Therefore, the Minister’s statement has to be seen as part of a larger culture of violence against women in our country. The safety of women is always under threat whether in the home, workplace, on the street, places of worship and now in the National As-

sembly. Those who legislate against gender-based violence cannot also be seen to perpetrate that same kind of violence. For women to be safe in Guyana, changes must occur at every level of our society, including the Parliament. Maybe it is time to take a serious look at gender-based violence training for parliamentarians. This should begin by teaching respect for each other and outlining what sexual abuse and misogyny look like. There is need to also examine the institutional and cultural sexism that engenders violence against our women and girls. ALL parliamentarians must be held accountable for their behaviour, both

inside and outside of the National Assembly. The people of Guyana want better from our elected leaders. We deserve transparency and accountability in how the affairs of the State are to be managed, and we demand civility and decorum from those who are tasked with governing this nation. It also goes without saying that we cannot, and must not, ever become a nation where misogyny and violence against women are accepted or condoned. Regards Alexis Stephens Mercy Associate (Guyana)

The Indian Fund... From page 4 and who was going to replace the Whites as inheritors of political rule. After he was installed as leader, Burnham set his sight on the Indian Fund. Dr. Jagan, the de facto leader of the Indian population for five decades, endorsed the recommendation of multiple Indian cultural centers and opposed the use of it for construction of the NCC. For now, there is no opposition to government putting up a plaque stating that the NCC was built with Indian Immigrants Fund, permanently displaying Indian arts at NCC to give recognition to the presence of this group, and refunding the money (in today’s value with interests) to the rightful heirs of the Indian Fund. Let the heirs decide through consultation or a referendum or through some other means on what should be done with the money! Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N T B . U . L . L T B . N . U . N U T L N B . U . T . L N T U N B . N U . L U L LUNT. B . T . . T T N N B U B . U . L . L T B . B . . N . . . T U T L N N T U U L N L B U . B . . L . . . T B T . . N . N T U L N LU B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . NT LUNT...B NT...BLU N U L B . . B . U . . T L . N T B . . U N . L N T B U N . . L . U T L B . . N B . . . T U . L N T B U . . L . UN T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L B U UN .BLUNT. . . L . T B . . N . T U . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . LU ...BLUNT LUNT...B NT...BL T B U . . L N . T B BLU T...BLUN BLUNT... UNT...B . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B BBLU T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU . T . N . N T T U L U L N L B U T...BLU U B . L . N . B T . . . N T U N N N L U U U B L . L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Saturday February 12, 2022

Kaieteur News

Leave Vice News alone!!

Not surprising, we are witnessing a government in panic mode following damning allegations that Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo is linked to bribery. They are attacking a journalist, from the US-based media agency, Vice News Media.

What is her crime? Daring to ask Mr. Jagdeo about allegations that he receives kickbacks from Chinese companies in exchange for lucrative government contracts?

We here at Kaieteur News urge the government to leave the journalist alone and instead launch a full-scale investigation into the allegations to determine whether what the journalist presented to the VP is true.

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Saturday February 12, 2022

“Suspicious termination” of new DHB contract must be explained - Patterson Former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, is seeking answers for the suspicious termination of the agreement between the government, and China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited (CSCEC) for the construction of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB). Patterson, by way of a missive issued by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change Coalition (APNU + AFC), on Friday questioned the termination of the agreement, which government had once touted “no less than favourable” but has now moved to pull the US$256.6 million contract. The administration now finds that the cost of financing would be “too high” as was elucidated by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, during his interview on February 1, last, with an American Journalist who is attached to Vice News. According to Patterson, the recent move by the government “raises serious issues of due process, contract evaluation and

probity by the administration.” It went on to say that government’s intent to move to the second best bidder for the project was “suspicious and requires a proper, detailed and coherent explanation.” The former Minister reasoned, “For the country to believe the Vice President now raises questions as to why in November he clearly stated that the financial terms and conditions would be no less favourable than those submitted in the preferred bidder’s price pro.” As a consequence, Patterson said that the sudden termination does not add up, when one considers the reasoning proffered by the VP. In this regard, he called on engineering and financial advisors to weigh in on what he dubbed a questionable decision. “Mr. Patterson said the announcement’s proximity to corruption revelations in the recent Vice Media Group interview is also curious and of great concern to the Alliance for Change. It is also no secret there is great suspicion that one of the contracts referenced by

the interviewer is the proposed contract with CSCECL (China State Construction Engineering Company Limited), and there is now a strong belief that the two events signal that there was more in the” mortar than the pestle,” the APNU+AFC outlined in the missive. The statement added that transparency and openness were the only solutions to the conundrum facing the Guyanese who have been aligned to believe that the government’s posture of secrecy fuels speculation about the lack of probity within the PPP Administration. “He said it was essential to recall that this project was shovelready during the APNU+AFC government, but the new PPP government chose to discard all the work and start all over again,” the statement said. T h e C h i n e s e c o m p a n y, CSCEC, which was listed as one of the beneficiaries of underhand business with the VP during the interview with the Vice News Journalist, recently had a contract

to build the four-lane high span bridge across the Demerara River terminated. During his interview, Jagdeo speculated, “Maybe the Chinese company that did not get their agreement that they wanted here, maybe they are the ones who told you, or, it could be just a fictitious thing.” The Chinese company had submitted the lowest bid, to the tune of US$256,638,289 under the Design-Build-Finance (DBF) model. Nonetheless, it was only a few days ago that government concluded the company’s bid was no longer favourable. During the interview Jagdeo said, “we have just terminated the negotiations with them (CSCEC) because the cost of financing is too high.” To this end, he signalled that the second lowest bidder would have been engaged. In October last year, tenders were received from four companies for the construction of the new Bridge. The firms were China Gezhouba Group Company Limited, which submitted two

Former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson financial proposals of US$387,566,116 and US$491,810,000. China Road and Bridge Corporation in joint venture with Peutes and Calzadas Infrastructuras SLU (China and Spain), which submitted bids of US$340,698,473 and US$364,160,202. China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited which submitted a bid of US$256,638,289. China Railway Construction Corporation International Limited which is in joint venture with China Railway Caribbean Company Limited. China Railway Engineering Bureau Group Company Limited submitted three financial proposals of US$260,852,464, US$260,852,464 and US$300,000,000.

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Kaieteur News

The people are fighting back T

he citizenry have had to endure un abated crime and lawlessness for too long. Now, they are fighting back and not by taking the law into their own hands, but by helping the law enforcement agencies with video evidence of crime and lawlessness. Armed with their cameras of the cell phones and with footage from CCTV cameras on their homes and businesses, citizens are posting up on Facebook, recordings of robberies, muggings, assaults and traffic violations. A few weeks ago, video footage was shown of a young lady being attacked. That footage led to the arrest of persons who have since been placed before the court on charges. Following the clean-up campaign launched by President Irfaan Ali, in concert with the private sector, citizens have been showing their support for the need to keep the country clean. Recordings have been posted on social media of persons indiscriminately dumping rubbish at various locations. Many of those filmed and exposed have been charged and placed before the courts. What has been revealed also is a certain pattern involving solid waste disposal. It appears as though couriers are often hired by businesses and vendors to dispose of the rubbish and these garbage couriers are doing so not in the approved bins but in other public places. Some citizens have also been caught in the act. A few days ago, some men were arrested for dumping, what appears to be construction waste in Enmore. What many of the violators do not recognise is that citizens are watching them

and when they commit these illegal acts, they are being recorded and these images are finding their way on Facebook. In light of the public outrage which these illegal actions are attracting, the police are taking action. A few weeks ago, some men were filmed dumping what appeared to be the entrails of animals into an outfall at Hubu, aback Parika. It is not certain whether any arrests have been made in this matter but it is hoped that this will be done soon. Those who flout our traffic laws, especially some minibus drivers should be forewarned that citizens are now recording these violations on their phones. But also many vehicles are now equipped with webcams which is taping what is taking place. A few days ago, a minibus was detected driving along a pedestrian walkway on a public road. The violation was captured on camera and posted on Facebook. The driver also was recorded remonstrating with the driver of the vehicle from which the recording was being made. It has now been reported that an arrest has been made in this matter. Criminals are now being caught because of the use of CCTV cameras. In one incident, two young men mugged and robbed a man opposite Demico House. One of the attackers viciously placed the man in a vice. The vice around the man’s neck was of such force that the man was rendered helpless and almost lifeless. He was relieved of his possessions and was seen fluttering like a fish on the

ground. Perhaps a few seconds more in that vice and that man may have gone to meet his Maker. It was a terrifying ordeal. However, using the video footage, the police have been able to make two arrests. If those arrested are guilty, they should face the full brunt of the law because that was a terrible act that was done to that man and all for a cell phone and few hundred dollars. They say that justice must be tempered with mercy. But when you look at that footage, there is not much mercy you would want to grant to those who robbed the man. The use of social media and the ubiquity of cell phones is transforming crimefighting. The evidence is being collected which will help the law enforcement agencies, including the police, the municipalities and the Environmental Protection Agency, to solve crime and effect arrests. These devices are also empowering citizens. No longer can violations be ignored by the authorities. The footage is being transmitted to tens of thousands of interested persons in and out of Guyana. The public outrage resulting from this transmission on social media is forcing the authorities into action. People are also being made more conscious about other types of violations – political violations. The wholesale giveaway of Guyana oil resources is being highlighted almost daily by this newspaper, on Kaieteur Radio and on the Glenn Lall Show. People are taking note. The same outrage, as with the muggings, the dumping of rubbish and violations of traf-

Dem boys seh...

Sex toys is now plaything

De Opposition gat to understand de changing times. Wat we use to call sex toys is now plaything. Dildo is no longer wan obscene object. People does consider it a tool of pleasure. So how can de Speaker sanction an MP fuh suggesting dat de person need some pleasure. And how can de Speaker act when de Opposition did not object through a point of order. De Speaker can only upbraid an MP if dat person make a derogatory remark bout another MP. And how

yuh gan discipline someone over heckle, retort, repartee, jeer or tantalise which is not part of de official record but was an off-de-cuff remark? De Opposition fail to act properly. Wat dem should have done was to raise an objection immediately on a point of order. De Speaker would have den been obligated to address de matter and to ask dat de statement be withdrawn. But instead of doing dis dem had a vocal disruption in de Assembly. And de Speaker rightly

call for de person disrupting de session to cease. When dat person did not do so, de Speaker rightly call pon de person to remove himself from de Assembly which is an order to leave de House. When dat did not happen, de Speaker, in accordance with de Standing Orders ask fuh a motion be move for de person to be suspended. De Opposition know de rules of de House and dem gat to use de rules to dem advantage instead of making counter accusations. Talk half and leff half.

fic offenses is not yet being manifested about the oil deal. But there will come a time when the people, now being enlightened as to what their leaders did, will demand a renegotiation of the oil contract

and the repossession of the Kaieteur and Canje oil blocks. (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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Saturday February 12, 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

I appreciate and applaud the independent direction of Isabelle DeCaires

M

s. Isabelle DeCaires has provided evidence to me that she came out against the election rigging on three occasions and expressed her rejection at what happened to the sugar workers under the APNU+AFC government. I thank Ms. DeCaires for these corrections and sincerely welcome them. In doing what she did, she distinguished and separated herself from the school of civil society voices that dangerously, horribly and tragically let down this nation during the no-confidence vote (NCV), the five months of election rigging and the violent attacks on Indian people during racial incitement by the opposition personalities in Region 5 last September. Given her influence in Guyana through the ownership of the Stabroek News, Ms. DeCaires can and will make a difference in the negative and harmful direction independent minds have gone since the NCV. I have spent all my life in Guyana as an activist and academic and at no point, I repeat no point,

since I was a polling agent for the PPP in the 1968 elections, have I seen the downright racist and antidemocratic outlay by civil society in Guyana as it is now. As a trained academic, I say in all honesty, a huge section of civil society poses a great threat to eradicating racist thoughts and strengthening democratic freedoms in this land. Against this sinister reality, Ms. DeCaires must know her independent and objective polemics will be valuable. I personally hope she will increase her interventions. I may not agree with everything she pontificates on (for example the actual contents of the Natural Resource Fund Act) but the independent, objective mind has been badly missing in Guyana since the NCV. Ms. DeCaires’ continued expressions of what is right and wrong in the political sphere can act as a deterrent to those in civil society whose agenda is dangerous and will definitely impact on the stability we need in Guyana, stability that keep eluding this nation since the beginning of the 1950s. That is 71 years. That is

much too long to ask the Guyanese people to wait for an inviting future. I have no personal motivation when I ask here and now that Ms. DeCaires takes a firm hands-on approach on the Stabroek News (SN). I am a social analysis and my studies of Guyanese society led me to think that the SN has completely, and I repeat completely, lost its journalistic mission since the Irfaan Ali presidency came into power. I honestly don’t know what motivates the SN, who or what agenda drives it, but the glory days of the SN, pioneered by Ms. DeCaires’ father is gone. In making this appeal, I offer Ms. DeCaires the evidence. 1 - During the election rigging, I was attached to Kaieteur Radio monitoring the events. The Kaieteur News told its editorial staff that the paper knew the election was being rigged and exposing such was the editorial position of the paper. On this basis, the paper did not accept support of election rigging from editors, columnists and letterwriters. Such columnists were removed or removed themselves.

The editor was removed. SN went in the opposite direction. Its columnists were in support of the rigging and were insulting to the international observers. Mr. Ralph Ramkarran is excluded since he is not a SN columnist. 2 - SN in five editorials argued against the removal of Dr. Vincent Adams as CEO of the public institution – the Environmental Protection Agency. Dr. Adams sits in the hierarchy of a parliamentary opposition party. It is unadulterated nonsense to ask one of the leaders of an opposition party to head a sensitive public institution. 3 - SN rejects any member of the private sector commission being on the natural resource fund board. It concluded in an editorial that those members are too close to the government to be objective. But this is ugly hypocrisy and miasmic double standards because Dr. Adams is close to the opposition. 4 - SN continues to give extensive coverage to an organisation that exists on paper only – the Guyana Human Rights Association. It is no exaggeration to say that SN keeps this entity

Frederick Kissoon alive. 5 - SN offered weekly column space to a disgraceful, ugly and fetid organisation named Transparency Institute- Guyana INC. (TIGI). There is nothing civil or transparent or patriotic about TIGI. It has chosen not to denounce the machinations of the government after the NCV was passed. It chose not to denounce the lack of transparency in the election counting. In its first column last year, it barefacedly noted, it will choose which subject to speak on. My God, Ms. DeCaires! Isn’t a rigged national election such an issue? In closing, once again I thank Ms. DeCaires for her critical positions on the election and the sugar workers. (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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Benn ‘resurrects’ Community Groups to help police fight crime …reports missing shotguns, ATVs, motor vehicles …as Force gets $400M to rebuild burnt out Brickdam Station Having been disbanded and abandoned by the previous coalition government, A Partnership for National Unity Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn this week announced that not only has the incumbent resuscitated the more than 170 Community Policing Groups (CPGs) countrywide, but another 170 plus groups will be added to the system this year. This is in order to aid the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in the execution of its mandate of crime fighting and the prevention of criminal activities within Guyana’s borders. Minister Benn gave the affirmation during the consideration of the $15.7B current allocation for the GPF’s recurrent expenditure. To this end, the Minister noted that the Force was strengthened last year with 6,623 persons, and 80 of them are in fact contracted civilians. He revealed too that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has in the past found success with the use of CPGs in tackling crime at the community level and, as such, has decided to reactivate the system. Moreover, money has been allocated to not only sustain the more than 170 groups that have been resuscitated but an addition to the establishment of a similar new amount. He said that at present, there is an excess of 2,000 volunteers in the functioning groups and this will be bolstered with the introduction of a similar amount this year. When pressed by the opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) on some of the allocations, the Minister was quick to point out that this was not only an initiative disbanded by the APNU+AFC administration but police had to be called in to recover a significant amount of assets that had been provided to the groups over the years. To this end, the Minister reported to the House that when the administration took stock, it was discovered that a number of assets including shotguns, motor vehicles and All Terrain Vehicles, among other items,

Opposition MP, Geeta Chandan-Edmond poses questions to the Ministry with regard allocations for the Ministry of Home Affairs had been missing. According to Benn, the Police had to be called in to assist in recovering some of the missing assets, many of which are still to be recouped. Meanwhile as it relates to some of the Capital Expenditure to be undertaken by the Force, Benn informed the House that included in this year’s allocation is the sum of some $400M to reconstruct the burnt out Brickdam Police Station. He told the members of the Assembly that, “we have had three conceptual designs, from which we have adopted one.” To this end, he said, there will be collaboration with the Ministry’s Engineering group stating, “We intend to work with some consultants in respect of the structural designs and the foundation designs.” Additionally, monies have been allocated for the completion of rehabilitation or construction works on a number of police stations countrywide—works to be completed during the course of this year. On the matter of training, Opposition MP, Geeta Chandan-Edmond in her inquiry was told that with the substantial increase in allocation, ranks would benefit from, not only local, but overseas training and further the Force will be establishing a Police Academy. According to Benn, already some 300 persons, policemen and women have been identified for training so far, in addition to those that would benefit from a Memorandum of Understanding that was inked with the University of

Guyana in respect to training of police officers for the first time this year. Pressed on what was perceived to be a miniscule increase in provision for fuel and lubricants for the Force’s fleet of vehicles for patrols, emergency response and other activities—an increase of $2,005—the opposition was told this can be attributed to new vehicles, more efficient vehicles and the replacement of old vehicles. As such, even with the purchase of more vehicles to complement the police’s fleet, the Force determined that it only required $2,005 more for fuel and lubricants this year. At the end of the process,

The Technical Team from the Guyana Police Force assisting Subject Minister, Robeson Benn, with details for answers requested. the almost $17B allocated for the GPF’s current and

capital spending this year was approved as part of this

year’s $552.9B Estimates of Expenditure for this year.

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Woman found hanging from mango tree was strangled - PM - might have been knocked unconscious first By Shervin Belgrave

I

nvestigators believe t h a t t h e Ya r r o w k a b r a , Soesdyke woman, Edith Reuben, who was on Tuesday found hanging from a mango tree in her yard may have been knocked unconscious before she was hanged. They suspect that this might have been the case after an autopsy conducted on her remains yesterday revealed that she died as a result of asphyxiation due to hanging compounded by blunt trauma to the head. Commander of the East Bank Demerara police division, Mahendra Siwnarine, explained that his detectives are still suspecting foul play because her death was compounded by blunt trauma to the head or in other words from a hit to the head. He said that, “while the hit did not kill her it may have rendered her incapacitated before she was hung.”

This means that if there is a killer involved, the individual might have struck Reuben to her head with a heavy object, knocking her unconscious first. It could then be the case that the individual probably believed she was dead and decided to hang her on the mango tree to make it look like a suicide. As the investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding Reuben’s death, police are looking for an Amerindian man who had slept at her home after a drinking session on Monday night. Since the discovery of the woman’s body, the man was reportedly never seen in the community again. Detectives learnt that on Monday evening the man and some neighbours had joined Reuben and her husband at their home to drink high wine on the verandah. Sometime later, the neighbours left the drinking session, leaving the man behind with Reuben and her husband. When questioned by the

d e t e c t i v e s , R e u b e n ’s husband recalled that the three of them had continued drinking until around 00:30hrs the following morning before he and the man decided to sleep. He revealed too that around 04:30hrs the man woke him and said that he was leaving. After acknowledging the man, the husband said, he went back to sleep. Some two hours later, the husband said that he awoke again and went downstairs and found his wife hanging from the mango tree in their yard. Crime scene experts, who visited the scene that morning, noted since then that based on the position the woman’s body was found, it could be that she was murdered. One of the investigators said, “We are at this time assuming that it could be murder since her feet were touching the ground.” The detective went on to explain that, “it is extremely difficult to die from hanging if your feet are touching the ground.”

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Guyana begins oil production at Liza Phase 2 without full coverage insurance

A

The Liza Unity FPSO begins oil production in the Stabroek Block

merican oil g i a n t , ExxonMobil Corporation, announced yesterday that it has commenced oil production at Guyana’s second offshore development area called Liza Phase Two in the Stabroek Block. Along with the Liza Phase One Project, this will bring total production capacity to more than 340,000 barrels per day. This second project comes only seven years since the

country’s first discovery in 2015. Exxon said production at the Liza Unity floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel is expected to reach its target of 220,000 barrels of oil later this year, as operations continue to be brought safely online. It adds to the more than 120,000 barrels per day of capacity at the Liza Destiny FPSO, which began production in December 2019 and is now delivering at better than design capacity. “We are collaborating closely with the government and people of Guyana to develop this world-class r e s o u r c e r e s p o n s i b l y. Helping to meet the world’s energy needs and delivering enhanced value for all stakeholders at a record pace and well ahead of the industry average,” said Liam Mallon, President at ExxonMobil Upstream Oil and Gas. He added, “With unparalleled project execution, we now have two production facilities operating offshore Guyana.” ExxonMobil said it anticipates that four FPSOs with a capacity of more than 800,000 barrels per day will be in operation on the Stabroek Block by year-end 2025. Expounding on upcoming projects, the American company said Payara, the third project in the Stabroek Block, is expected to produce approximately 220,000 barrels of oil per day using the Prosperity FPSO vessel, which is currently under construction. The field development plan and application for environmental authorisation for the Yellowtail project, the fourth project in the block, have been submitted for government and regulatory approval. Exxon said timely development of these additional projects and continued exploration success offshore will enable the steady advancement of Guyanese capabilities and enhanced economic growth while adding that more than 3,500 Guyanese are now supporting ExxonMobil’s activities in Guyana. Kaieteur News previously reported that the Liza Unity arrived in Guyana in October 2021. It is moored in water depth of about 1,650 metres and will be able to store about two million barrels of crude. The Liza Unity is also the world’s first FPSO to be awarded the

SUSTAIN-1 notation by the American Bureau of Shipping in recognition of the sustainability of its design, documentation and operational procedures. Importantly, operations have commenced at the Liza Phase Two project in the absence of Guyana being provided any full coverage insurance to cover costs associated with an unmitigated oil spill or similar environmental disaster. Following the announcement by ExxonMobil, its partner in the block which holds a 30 percent working interest, Hess Corporation, said it is proud to be involved in the successful development of a world class oil resource. The entity’s CEO, John Hess in brief remarks said, “We look forward to continuing to work with the Government and the people of Guyana to realise the remarkable potential of the Stabroek Block for the benefit for all stakeholders. The world will need these low cost oil resources to meet future energy demand and help ensure an affordable, just and secure energy transition.” As for the Ministry of Natural Resources, it w e l c o m e d t h e operationalisation of the Liza Unity FPSO while noting that it increases earnings from the oil sector. S p e c i f i c a l l y, N a t u r a l R es o u r ces M in is ter, Vi c k r a m B h a r r a t s a i d earnings from the new FPSO coming on stream will drive Guyana’s infrastructure development and improve the delivery of services to all citizens. Minister Bharrat pointed out that the increased total daily capacity of oil augers well for Guyana, especially on the heels of operationalising the Local Content Secretariat and the Natural Resources Fund, in keeping with the Santiago Principles of transparency and accountability within the petroleum sector. He said the government will continue to work closely with the Stabroek Block partners to ensure the safe development o f t h e c o u n t r y ’s o i l resources. ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), is operator of the Stabroek Block and holds a 45 percent working interest. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.

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‘Remove Dharamlall from public office’ - MPs, women’s rights activist call for dismissal of government minister over ‘dildo’ remark Commissioner on the Women and Gender Equality Commission, Ms. Nicole Cole has called for Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, to be removed from public office, deeming his “is a dildo you want” remark to a female Member of Parliament on We d n e s d a y a s s e x u a l harassment and abuse. Cole made these comments during an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News on Thursday, one day after Opposition MP, Sherod Duncan was immediately suspended from the National Assembly, for defending his female colleague against derogatory comments made by Dharamlall, who recently publicly called for the defrocking of the Chancellor of the Judiciary and another Appeal Court Judge because they ruled against his government, in an election petition matter. During the consideration of the budget estimates of Region Five on Wednesday, Dharamlall told one of the opposition’s female MPs: “Is a dildo you want, that is what you looking for.” Later into the consideration, the Minister then launched a further attack on the MP saying “…that same young l a d y, t h a t h o n o u r a b l e Natasha Singh, sorry a relatively elder looking member...” as he responded to a question asked by another MP. Opposition MP Duncan then chimed in calling Dharamlall a “nasty fella” which was disallowed by the House Speaker, Manzoor N a d i r, w h o r e q u e s t e d Duncan to take his seat. Duncan shouted in response, “I will not take my seat! I will not withdraw,” as he continued heckling the Minister, adding too “the

Speaker is condoning you all of the time.” The Speaker then called on the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira to move a motion for Duncan to be suspended for the next four sittings, which was allowed. “Mr. Speaker, based on the behaviour of the member and disrespect to you as the Speaker of this House, I move that the honourable member, who is not speaking from his seat, he is not in his chair that he be suspended from the house for the next four sittings,” Teixeira stated. On this premise, the Women’s activist said that sexual harassment is a crime and the “unparliamentary behaviour” of the Minister is indicative of what is taking place in Guyana. While she vehemently criticised the words of Dharamlall, she was keen to note that the same minister only recently called for the “defrocking” of two female judges, after their rulings were not aligned in his party’s favour. “This is the same man who, when the judges ruled, called for their defrocking and look at the language he used, then when he was called out by the Bar Association he was forced to say sorry,” Cole argued. “He is a serial abuser. He is unfit to lead! He should not be in the National Assembly. Since then he was supposed to be gone. This attacking and abusing women then issuing an apology is to give him a free pass and what is really at play here is deep rooted patriarchy,” the Women’s Rights Commissioner concluded. Furthermore, she said, “His party, if they had the inkling of any type of feelings for women should immediately ask him to vacate his office. He is unfit

to lead. He should no longer hold public office. So in other words he should no longer be in the House.” It must be noted that after Dharamlall made the “dildo” comments, he posted an apology on his social media page. Explaining that he was merely responding to “incessant insults” by Duncan. According to the M i n i s t e r, “ O n m a n y occasions, the MPs on the government side have been ridiculed with some of the most uncouth and slanderous things about their bodies, their spouses, their children, their sexuality and even their dead relatives. Some of the chief culprits in the heckling crowd of the APNU+AFC included MPs Sherod Duncan, Coretta McDonald and Natasha Singh-Lewis.” He said too, “my heckle

regarding a dildo was aimed at verbal excesses of MP Sherod Duncan… to those offended by my comment I am truly sorry. That is the truth.” Cole is however adamant that the Minister’s apology only added more damage. “There is no amount of provocation that warrants the abuse that he did. It is sexual harassment in the workplace. How do people survive in a country where the members of parliament are being openly abused then the abusers are given a slap on the wrist? That is what the apology is meant to do. To give him a free pass. He got no real sanction. If he is sanctioned like how they sanctioned Sherod then he would not want to carry on with this behaviour...that’s no apology. You come out to (Continued on page 22)

Women and Gender Equality Commissioner, Nicole Cole

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Agri. Ministry to spend $1B for urgent flood - says Economic Recovery and protection equipment Resilience Programme underway Since it is the priority of the PPP/C Government to modernise and upgrade infrastructure to advance water management as strategically guided by the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, $13B has been approved in budget 2022 for the expansion and strengthening of drainage and irrigation systems countrywide. Of that allocation, the Ministry of Agriculture has

said $1B will be invested in the urgent acquisition of equipment needed to enhance flood protection and build operational capacity. According to Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, mobile pumps will be strategically placed in locations that are considered flood-prone. He said too that earth moving equipment (such as long and short boom excavators, mini excavators, and bulldozers)

will be purchased to help build the nation’s flood protection systems. Mustapha said these two interventions are important since the majority of the n a t i o n ’s d r a i n a g e a n d irrigation system is operated using gravity flow hence these mobile pumps will accelerate the run off during heavy rainfall. He added that they will also be crucial to the update of the current fleet of machines of the National

Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA). Mustapha said this will improve the drainage and irrigation systems along with the flood-prone agricultural areas. The Agriculture Minister said too that plans are in place to construct major outfall channels in Regions Three, Five, and Six that will be similar to the Northern Relief Channel at Hope/Dochfour, East Coast

Demerara, which was conceptualised and constructed by the current administration before demitting office in 2015. He said, “Had it not been for the Hope Canal, the majority of villages along the coastland in Region Four and Georgetown would have been devastated by floodwaters in 2021. It is impactful projects like these that will build the resilience (Continued on page 22)

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha

Kaieteur News

Saturday February 12, 2022

PAGE 21

9 Guyanese students recognised for outstanding performance at CSEC, CAPE

Nine Guyanese students were on Thursday awarded by the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) for their outstanding performance at the Caribbean Secondary Examinations Certificate 2021 and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CXC held its 2021 Regional Top Awards Ceremony using a blended approach. It was held in the British Virgin Islands and was broadcasted live across the Caribbean Region where awardees tuned in virtually to receive their awards in their respective countries. According to a statement from the Ministry of Education, the following Guyanese students received awards: Zaynab Shaffie of Queen’s College received the Overall Outstanding Achievement award for CSEC 2021. Roshni Samaroo, also from Queen’s College, copped the Humanities awards. Naresh Jagnanan, from the Essequibo Islands Secondary School, received the top Business award. Serena Razak from Queen’s College received the top Technical Vocational award. Riley Dominique Nurse, another student of Queen’s College and Saalih Muhammad Rahim from I.S.A Islamic School both

Some of the top awardees along with Permanent Secretary within the Education Ministry, Mr. Alfred King; Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson, and Queen’s College Headmistress (ag), Ms. Candacie Cave. received the ACCA CSEC Accounting Award for Principles of Accounts. M o r e o v e r, S a m u e l H a y n e s f r o m Q u e e n ’s College copped the CAPE Overall Outstanding Achievement award. The ACCA CAPE Accounting Award went to Crystal Benjamin from the Bishops’ High School and Abdul Subhan from St. Stanislaus College was the top History Awardee for CAPE 2021. Also, Queen’s College received the Top School Award. The top CSEC 2021

student, Zaynab Shaffie, in brief remarks, credited her achievements to hard work along with support from her f a m i l y, t e a c h e r s a n d colleagues. She also expressed her gratitude to God, as she noted that her success would not have been possible without Him. Zaynab also encouraged other students to continue working hard to accomplish their academic dreams. “Believe in yourself, formulate a plan and work towards it because you’re capable of more than you think,” she said.

PAGE 22 VACANCY

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Saturday February 12, 2022

Kaieteur News

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LEGAL NOTICE 2021-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-854 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION Petition No. FD854 BETWEEN: (PACHAI) ARMATIE DEVI nee JAGNARACE Petitioner -and-(PACHAI) MAHENDRA Respondent TO:MAHENDRA PACHAI Last Known Address: 124-25 Hawtree Creek Road, Jamaica, New York 11420, United States of America. TAKE NOTICE that on the 1st day of July, 2021 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by ARMA TIE DEVI PACHAI nee JAGNARACE, thePetitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 21 day of January, 2022 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspaper printed, published and circulated in the State of New York, United States of America. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the petition together with related documents. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention

‘Remove Dharamlall from public...’ From page 17 say that you are sorry but you are blaming somebody for being provoked? That is not taking responsibility. That is puerile, infantile and downright despicable…you shouldn’t even be where you are because you can’t even take responsibility for the words that come out your own mouth,” Cole contended. While condemning the behaviour of the Minister, she also turned her attention to the House Speaker, whom she says did not act impartially during the latest ruckus in the National Assembly. “The Speaker is not impartial. By his very action, you know, he would have said that he is impartial but he is not. He is partial, he is biased, duplicitous and deceitful to the very faith that he holds,” she said. Cole reasoned that Mr. Nadir “who is supposed to be a Muslim brother” allowed his sister, wearing a hijab in the House, to be “slaughtered” in his presence. LEGAL NOTICE to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), an Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirtyfive) days from the date of the Second and final publication of this Notice. TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Friday the 25"” day of February, 2022 at 9:00 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the High Court at Georgetown via Zoom Meeting ID: 503 218 6789 and Password: courtla. IN DEFAULT of you filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, an Answer and/ or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00 am to 2:30 pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed. Dated the 24th day of January, 2022.

She then turned her attention to the government MPs who defended Dharamlall. “Imagine a lawyer runs out to say nothing is wrong with that. We have a Bishop, a man of the Church who runs out to say there is nothing wrong with that,” she debated. As a consequence, the Women’s Rights Activist said that not only should the minister be relieved of his duties, but the Opposition should also take it a step further by informing Guyana’s international partners. She reasoned, “Guyana does not exist in a vacuum, we sign international laws and I want them (Opposition) to write the Commonwealth and all the international partners on this abuse, because it will happen again. What is being allowed will happen again because patriarchy supports violence against women. It is their weapon. It is how they keep power.” In addition to this, Cole called on the Women and Gender Equality Commission to publicly denounce the

abuse against the MP, in like manner when MP Priya Manickchand claimed she was abused in the National Assembly. Opposition wants sanctions for Dharamlall Meanwhile, on Thursday the Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones dispatched a letter to the House Speaker urging that Duncan’s suspension be reviewed and sanctions be considered instead for the Local Government Minister. “You may recall on review, and there is enough video footage to support this, that the suspension was done while in the Committee of Supply instead of the larger National Assembly. Giving the sanctity of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Guyana, we feel this error must be corrected for the record,” Jones told the Speaker. Government yesterday corrected the error and a fresh motion was moved and passed for Duncan to be suspended.

Agri. Ministry to spend $1B... From page 20 of the agriculture sector. Our government remains resolute to ensuring the agriculture sector is equipped with the resources it needs and has the necessary infrastructure to aid the increase in domestic production and remain food secure.” Minister Mustapha was also keen to note that in 2022, his ministry will embark on a Flood and Economic Recovery and Resilience Programme that focuses on long-term agriculture infrastructure development. He said the programme is intended to build the climate resilience of the agriculture sector and ensure food security by ensuring there is little disruption to the food supply due to shocks such as floods. Towards this end, he said the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority has been allocated $11.3 B to carry out some major supportive works.

He noted for example that $90M has been allocated towards the construction of a pump station at Charity in Region 2, which will provide flood control for 400 families and farmers by draining 200 acres of farmlands for the cultivation of cash crops. This will replace the two mobile pumps in the area. Another $90M will also be invested in the rehabilitation of the pump station at Cozier, also in Region 2, along with the installation of a new pump to improve drainage for farmers and residents for approximately 2,500 acres. He said too that allocations have been set aside for the construction of sluices at Friendship, Wakenaam, Cottage, West Bank Berbice (WBB); and Capoey, Essequibo Coast. The sluices in these areas are projected to cost $80M, $350M and $140M respectively.

Saturday February 12, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Man busted with ganja in Pringles tins gets $300k bail Jamal Millington, 24, who was busted at the Ogle airport with 56.3 grams of marijuana concealed in two Pringles tins, was yesterday released on $300,000 bail. The defendant appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrare Court before Principal Magistrate, Rushelle Liverpool, and was charged with the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Millington pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was represented by his attorney, Jevon Cox from Dexter Todd Associates who requested bail on his behalf and it was granted in the sum of $300,000. As one of the conditions of the bail, Magistrate Liverpool ordered that he lodge his passport. The matter was adjourned until April 4, 2022. According to reports, Millington was a departing passenger at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport located at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, when a Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) officer decided to search him. While searching Millington, it was discovered that he had

- Joe Biden tells US citizens should leave Ukraine now Ukrainian forces have been carrying out exercises amid concerns of a Russian invasion

56.3 grams of marijuana in his possession. He was subse-

quently detained and taken to CANU headquarters.

National COVID-19 curfew lifted - as 2 more fatalities, 95 new infections recorded The National COVID-19 Task Force Secretariat announced yesterday, that with immediate effect, the national curfew has been lifted. The national curfew, which took effect back in 2020, was put in place to safeguard citizens against the deadly disease which had entered the country earlier that year. Despite the curfew being lifted, other restrictions outlined in the updated COVID19 measures for this month still remain in effect. That is, no person should host or attend a private party, club, wedding reception, wake or any other social event. Restaurants, casinos, cinemas and betting shops are still allowed to operate at a certain capacity as outlined in the emergency measures. Notably, persons are still required to be fully vaccinated to enter public buildings. The Task Force in its brief statement yesterday stated that all swimming pools are permitted to operate at a 50 percent capacity, with a requirement that swimmers be vaccinated. “Notwithstanding, these relaxations of the measures, the National COVID-19 Task Force urges all Guyanese to demonstrate responsible behaviour and extend best wishes for the upcoming Mashramani celebrations,”

‘Get out of Ukraine’

the release added. Meanwhile, in its daily COVID-19 update, the Ministry of Health reported two more COVID-19 fatalities. This time, the deaths are those of an unvaccinated 25year-old woman from Region 3 and a fully vaccinated 84year-old man from Region 4 who died on Thursday. As a result of this, the country’s COVID-19 death toll has moved to 1,190. In its daily COVID-19 dashboard,

the Health Ministry recorded 95 new infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 62,156. The dashboard shows that 15 patients are admitted to the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 84 persons are in institutional isolation, 1,937 are in home isolation and 20 are quarantined institutionally. To date, a total of 58,930 persons have recovered from the virus.

(BBC NEWS) US President Joe Biden has called on all American citizens remaining in Ukraine to leave the country immediately, citing increased threats of Russian military action. Mr Biden said he would not send troops to rescue Americans if Moscow invades Ukraine. He warned that “things could go crazy quickly” in the region. Russia has repeatedly denied any plans to invade Ukraine despite massing more than 100,000 troops near the border. But it has just begun massive military drills with neighbouring Belarus, and Ukraine has accused Russia of blocking its access to the sea. The Kremlin says it wants to enforce “red lines” to make sure that its former Soviet neighbour does not join Nato. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday that Europe faced its biggest security crisis in decades amid the tensions. The US State Department urged Americans in Ukraine to leave immediately. “American citizens should leave now,” Mr Biden told NBC News. “We’re dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. It’s a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly.” Asked whether there was a scenario that could prompt him to send troops to rescue fleeing Americans, Mr Biden replied: “There’s not. That’s a world war when Americans and Russia start shooting at one another. We’re in a very different world than we’ve ever been.” Other nations, including the Netherlands, Japan and South Korea, have banned travel to Ukraine and urged their citizens in the country to leave as soon as possible. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on a visit to Australia, said on Friday that “an

invasion could begin at any time, and to be clear, that includes during the Olympics”. The Winter Olympics in China are scheduled to end on 20 February. World leaders, meanwhile, continued their frenzied diplomacy to defuse the current crisis over Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine announced late on Thursday that they had failed to reach any breakthrough after nine hours of talks with French and German officials aimed at ending the separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian envoy Andriy Yermak said while there were disagreements “there is a will to continue and there is a will to negotiate”. The current tensions come eight years after Russia annexed Ukraine’s southern Crimea peninsula. Since then, Ukraine’s military has been locked in a war with Russianbacked rebels in eastern areas near Russia’s borders. Earlier, the UK prime minister said he hoped “strong deterrence” and “patient diplomacy” could find a way through the crisis but the stakes were “very high”. In a joint news conference in Brussels with Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg, Mr Johnson said he did not believe Russia had yet taken a decision on whether to invade Ukraine but the UK’s intelligence “remains grim”. UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace met his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in Moscow on Friday. Speaking to reporters after their meeting, Mr Wallace said he had made it clear that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would have “tragic consequences” and that Britain wanted to find a way to de-escalate tensions. He also said that the UK was not currently recommending that its citizens leave Ukraine, adding that the foreign office guidance - to only

travel to Ukraine when necessary - reflected “where we are at”. His visit came a day after a frosty encounter between Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Britain’s Liz Truss. Mr Lavrov said relations between the UK and Russia “leave much to be desired” and were at the “lowest point over the past few years”. Ms Truss accused Russia of “Cold War rhetoric”. Meanwhile, Ukraine accused Russia of blocking its access to the sea as Russia prepared for naval exercises. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the Sea of Azov had been completely blocked and the Black Sea almost fully cut off by Russian forces. Russia’s naval exercises were due to take place next week in the two seas to the south of Ukraine, the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. However, Ukraine’s Border Guard Service said on Friday that Russia had told them it had cancelled its drill in the Sea of Azov, an internal sea bordered by both Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine’s port authority later said restrictions there had been lifted. Russian naval drills were already taking place in Crimea on Friday, while 10 days of military exercises continued in Belarus, to the north of Ukraine. There are fears that if Russia tries to invade Ukraine, the exercises put the Russian military close to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, making an attack on the city easier. Russia says its troops will return to their permanent bases after the drills end. Ukraine has launched its own 10-day military exercises, though officials have given few details. Moscow says it cannot accept that Ukraine a former Soviet republic with deep social and cultural ties with Russia - could one day join the Western defence alliance Nato and has demanded that this be ruled out.

Saturday February 12, 2022

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Danielle Williams storms to world-leading Hennessy pours support... 7.75 in 60m hurdles at Tiger Paw Invitational SportsMax - Danielle Williams stormed to a world-leading 7.75 to win the 60m hurdles at the Tiger Paw Invitational on Friday. In winning, she lowered her previous lifetime best of 7.83 set at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in New York last Sunday. The time also eclipses the 7.81 set by Kendra Harrison at Clemson on January 14. The 2015 100m hurdles world champion gave a preview of what was to come when she cruised to a 7.86 clocking to win her heat earlier in the day.

Paula Salmon of North Carolina A&T ran a fast 7.83 for second place, tying Williams’ previous best which was also the secondfastest time in the world this year. Masai Russell of Kentucky also went below eight seconds, crossing the finish line in 7.93. Meanwhile, St Lucia’s sprint queen and Texas Longhorn Julien Alfred won the 60m dash in 7.26 ahead of Nort h C a r o l i n a A & T ’s Symone Darius who was a close second in 7.27. A l f r e d ’s t e a m m a t e Kevona Davis took the third podium spot in 7.35.

Danielle Williams stormed to a worldleading 7.75 in the 60m.

From page 28 (ECB) for attending the launching and his few remarks.

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Missed connections and unfortunate misunderstandings will happen less frequently if you slow down and focus. Remember that you can do things yourself, Aries.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may feel a bit of restriction working to hold you back from your current plans today, Libra. It could be that your mind is feeling restless and that you’re anxious to go.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Things that require restriction and discipline on your part may be causing tension and opposition in your world today, Taurus. The good news is that your mind is clear and you should feel in tune with the people around you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You’ll find that a sensitive mind that’s open to everything and every possibility is exactly the thing you need at this time in order to be successful in reaching all the goals you’re working toward, Scorpio.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Careful planning on your part is starting to pay off, Cancer, but be careful that you don't alienate others in your quest to be the best. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A little foreign culture could be the thing you need right now to spice things up a bit, Leo. It could be that you aren't feeling a very strong connection with the environment around you. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Some days it may be hard for you to get motivated, Virgo, but if ever there were a day in which it was easier than others, this would be the day.

Toney said. Meanwhile, Atina Samad, Hennessy, Moet and Wines Manager, pointed to Hennessy’s global interest in basketball and pointed out that Guyana will not be left behind. She stated that the Burnham Court project was just the beginning and added that they’re happy to also support the shorter format of the game. The Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic is in its second installation, the first being held in 2019.

Simons’ memorial...

Saturday February 12, 2022

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your internal fire may be feeling a bit smothered by a fierce reality check today, Gemini. Give people the benefit of the doubt. They are more perceptive than you may think.

From page 30 of the tournament will be properly rewarded. Fans will also be in for some Hennessy treats once they participate in the novelty events that will take place nightly.” “Truth is, Ansa McAl has always been a friend of basketball in Guyana over the years. They were the first company to really give the 3X3 format prominence when they held the Smooth Move tournament. I’m just grateful that they’re continuing to show love to the game,”

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today is a good day to be receptive to other people's energies, Sagittarius. You’ll find that a sensitive attitude toward the people around you. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You’ll find that your mind is sharp and penetrating today, Capricorn. Make sure you stay focused and organized. You have the power of discipline behind you that will help you manifest quite a bit on a day like today. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) There is a rough stubbornness to the day that you may find hinders your progress, Aquarius. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) There are forces working in your favor that you should be sure to latch onto and take advantage of, Pisces.

According to Singh, in his first stint as the leader of the ECB, he is also ecstatic to see such an initiative by the CECC for having a memorial tournament with four competitions being played simultaneously. “This is commendable by the Simons’ family for this gesture; this certainly will help with the continued development of Essequibo cricket and I must congratulate Trevis and his family for making this a reality,” Singh declared. Singh also told the gathering that included several former national youth players and ex-Essequibo skipper Dinesh Joseph that he wants to see other committees emulate CECC for coming out and run tournaments of such great magnitude which the players can benefit. Brian Christiani, the VicePresident, of CECC chaired the proceedings and echoed similar sentiments of Singh. He mentioned that this is definitely a solid foundation for more exciting cricket competitions to come in the near future. He praised the Simons and thanked the sponsors for their commitment and dedication towards the development of cricket on the Coast. David Simon, in an invited comment, stated that the family is still saddened with the deaths of their families but expressed elation and excitement to make a contribution to the sport.

PAGE 28

Doormat no more, Bengals take improbable script to Super Bowl Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals helmets are seen with a Wilson NFL official Duke football and the SBLVI numerals at SoFi Stadium. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo)

(Reuters) - The Cincinnati Bengals were an NFL doormat for decades until quarterback Joe Burrow put the longsuffering franchise on his young shoulders and quickly turned the team into a force that are suddenly one win away from their first Super Bowl title. Under the direction of Burrow, who was drafted first overall in 2020 by a Bengals team coming off a 2-14 season, Cincinnati have become just the third team to reach the Super Bowl two years after finishing with the NFL’s worst record. Should the Bengals beat the hometown Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl tomorrow, it would cap both a speedy and remarkable turnaround for a team that were a 150-1 longshot to win the NFL’s championship game this year.

“If you would’ve told me before the season started that we’d be going to the Super Bowl, I probably would’ve called you crazy, but then we played a whole season and nothing surprises me now,” Burrow said after his team upset the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime to reach the Super Bowl. The Bengals, one of 12 NFL teams that have never hoisted a championship Vince Lombardi Trophy, are 02 in the Super Bowl having lost to the San Francisco 49ers in 1982 and 1989. But Burrow, a fearless 25year-old who has been lauded for his coolness under pressure, has brought a swagger to a Bengals offense that has been missing ever since Boomer Esiason and Ickey Woods led Cincinnati to the Super Bowl in January 1989. Along with Ja’Marr

Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, who make up one of the most feared receiving groups in the NFL, and workhorse running back Joe Mixon in the backfield, the Bengals have proven they can put up points against any opponent. Now after enduring a 31year playoff win drought, the Bengals made the most of their postseason ticket this year with wins over Las Vegas, top-seeded Tennessee and defending AFC champion Chiefs. “We are a special team that is capable of doing special things. We believed from the getgo, whether people believed us or not, we did,” said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. “We are not surprised. This is where we are meant to be, and I am proud of the guys in the locker room.”

“It needs urgent attention” - Simmons blasts batting after 3-0 ODI series loss to India SportsMax - The West Indies just played three OneDay Internationals against India and failed to make 200 runs in any of them. 176, 193 and 169 were the scores the Caribbean side managed to put up during the series and Head Coach Phil Simmons, speaking in the post-series press conference yesterday, says this trend is concerning. “It needs urgent attention. It cost us the last two games. If you bowl India out for 230 and 260, you expect to chase it,” he said. The West Indies, not too long ago, showed improvement in their batting performances in ODIs, particularly in Sri Lanka’s tour of the West Indies in early 2021 which saw the regional side make scores of 236-2, 274-5 and 276-5 in the three matches. “Just under a year ago, we were cruis-

Saturday February 12, 2022

Kaieteur News

Former Olympic champion Gatlin announces retirement (Reuters) - U.S. sprinter Justin Gatlin has announced his retirement from athletics after a career that included an Olympic gold medal, several world titles and a pair of doping bans. Gatlin, a three-time Olympian whose bid to qualify for last year’s Tokyo Games ended when he aggravated a hamstring injury during the U.S. trials, made the announcement in a social media post late on Thursday. “Through all my ups and downs, victories and losses, I have loved you track,” Gatlin wrote in the post on his 40th birthday. “You gave me tears of sadness and of joy, lessons learned that will never be forgotten. “I’m grateful for our relationship and the many others that I’ve had along the way. The torch is passed but the love will never fade. On your mark, get set ... Gone!” Gatlin won the 100 metres gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics and a year later at the world championships in Helsinki achieved the 100m and 200m sprint double. He went on to win 100m gold at the 2017 world championships and gold in the 4x100 relay two years later in Doha. Gatlin’s first drugs viola-

Justin Gatlin of the U.S. with his gold medal during the national anthem. (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo) tion came in 2001 when he tested positive for an amphetamine contained in attention deficit disorder medication he had taken since his youth. Talk of that suspension might eventually have faded or been downplayed until he failed a test for the banned steroid testosterone in 2006. The American was banned for four years and many thought that would be the end of his career. But to the ire of many, Gatlin remained a force when he was eligible to run again in 2010.

Gatlin has never admitted to doping and continued to insist his 2006 test came from a massage therapist rubbing testosterone cream onto his legs, a contention the therapist has denied. “Looking toward the future, I want to live a legacy that continues to inspire others,” wrote Gatlin. “Turning one year older and shifting my energies into new career endeavors, I hope to continue to inspire those who have supported me throughout my whole career.”

Hennessy pours support for Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic Atina Samad, Hennessy, Moet and Wines Manager (R) and Rawle Toney during a simple presentation at Ansa McAl’s East Coast Demerara Headquarters.

Head Coach Phil Simmons

ing to 280 and 290 against Sri Lanka who has similar spinners so the batting is a huge concern and people have got to stand up now as we go into our next set of ODIs in June,” Simmons added. On a more positive note, Simmons praised the performance of his bowlers in the series. “I think a positive is that the bowlers have done what we’ve asked of them. We’ve

kept a strong India batting line-up to 230 and 260 and I think that’s a huge positive. The way how we’ve gone about our task on the field when bowling and fielding have been a huge positive allround,” he added. The West Indies will play India in three T20Is beginning on Wednesday while their next ODI assignment will be a three-match tour of the Netherlands in June.

Ansa McAl, behind one of the world’s most popular Cognac, Hennessy, aligned themselves with the Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic, which is set for February 19 – 20 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Hennessy had announced itself as the ‘spirit’ of basketball in Guyana when they adopted and refurbished the Burnham Basketball

Court under their global basketball initiative. The Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic will feature 16 teams from around Guyana, the Caribbean and North America, vying for a winner’s purse of $500,000. Apart from the lucrative reward for being crowned champions, players from the winning team will each receive a championship

gold ring. “I’m extremely happy that Ansa McAl behind the Hennessy brand is on board with the tournament this year. They will add a premium touch to the event,” Toney said. According to Toney, “Thanks to Hennessy, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) (Continued on page26)

Saturday February 12, 2022

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Confusion reigns after Chinese men’s short track relay team advances on judge ruling Yahoo Sports - The Chinese men’s 5000m short track speed skating relay team advanced to the final on Thursday night in Beijing, but no one was quite sure how. And many watching felt it was oddly similar to the mixed team relay competition in which China also advanced amid controversy. China raced in the first 5000m relay semifinal with Canada, Italy and Japan. With around 10 of 45 laps remaining, Canada and China were first and second, respectively, when a gap opened on the straight-away portion of the track. China’s Li Wenlong went for the pass and was briefly abreast with Canada’s Pascal Dion when Wenlong wiped out. He went directly into the boards as Canada took the corner and full command of the lead. The race opened up considerably with Italy into second and Japan in third. China skated back in, but trailed everyone. By initial finish, Canada and Italy automatically advanced with two more to join after the second semifinal race. A replay on NBC’s Peacock streaming package showed the right skate of Wenlong potentially tapping the skate of Dion while he pushed for the pass. The Canadian’s skate was down and China could have simply over-pushed, tapping the competitor’s skate, as he at-

China’s Li Wenlong falls behind Canada’s Pascal Dion in a semi-final heat of the men’s 5000m relay short track speed skating event. (Photo by Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty Images)

tempted to re-take the lead. Judges underwent a lengthy review of the pass. It was a confusing time frame for viewers as they weren’t explained the rules by commentators who simply repeated “there’s a lot being looked at here.” There was no announcement of a penalty, but China was listed as “advanced” despite being 12.288 seconds back of winner Canada on the results sheet. “Final A,” the champi-

onship heat on Feb. 16, will consist of China, Canada, Italy, South Korea and the Russian Olympic Committee. The Netherlands, Hungary and Japan will compete in a consolation bracket for places 6-8. Penalties in short track skating Penalties in short track competitions are commonly levied for deliberately blocking, charging, impeding or

pushing another skater. Competitors can be disqualified for two false starts, skating inside the turn markers rather than staying in the wide lane, slowing down unnecessarily and/or conspiring with other races to impact the outcome. They can also be disqualified for kicking out a skate and diving across the finish line. Relay rules do not allow interference to other teams during exchanges and require

non-racing members to stay inside the turn markers. Via the 2021-22 International Skating Union Media Guide for rule infractions: IMPEDING: Impeding, blocking, charging, or pushing another Skater with any part of the body. Interfere with another Skater by crossing his/her course thereby causing contact; KICKING OUT: Kicking out of any skate during any

part of a race thereby causing danger including at the finish line or throwing the body across the finish line is forbidden.Disqualifications are given for infringements, but no competitor was disqualified from the 5000m relay. Chinese controversy at short track It’s the second short track speed skating controversy involving China at these games. The first was on Sunday in the mixed team relay competition. Team USA appeared to advance through the semifinal, finishing second behind Hungary, but the race went under review to determine if China was impeded. The Chinese came in third. It was determined after a lengthy review that China was impeded twice and both Russia and Team USA were disqualified. China moved into the qualifying spot for the final and some questioned if it was warranted. Team USA’s Ryan Pivirotto was penalized for crossing the blue line early, impeding China in the process, and simply wrote on Twitter “lessons learned” and it was time to look forward to the next competition. China went on to win gold with Wu Dajing finishing .016 seconds ahead of Italy’s Pietro Sighel. That finish was also placed under review. It was China’s first gold of the games.

Rams hope long road back to Los Angeles ends with Super Bowl glory LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) - Under the bright lights and lofty expectations of Hollywood, the Rams will look to win tomorrow’s Super Bowl and with it the hearts of Los Angeles sports fans, who are still warming to the franchise after it returned to LA six years ago. The Rams departed in 1995 after 49 years and spent 21 seasons in St. Louis before returning to begin the arduous process of rebuilding a fanbase in LA’s crowded sports marketplace. Their return has been no stroll down the red carpet. In their first season back, they managed just four wins as quarterback and number one draft pick Jared Goff struggled. Two seasons later they made Super Bowl 53 but their offense failed to fire as they

fell 13-3 in a dispiriting loss to the Patriots. This season, the team shifted firmly into “win now” mode, replacing Goff with the more experienced Matthew Stafford. All-Pro wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Super Bowl MVP linebacker Von Miller were also added to a roster that includes three time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald and breakout receiver Cooper Kupp. The team got another boost this season when they were finally able to play in front of fans in the new, $5.5 billion SoFi Stadium, the site of tomorrow’s game. But they sometimes found those fans were not on their side. San Francisco supporters flooded the stadium at the NFC Championship game,

but the Rams overcame the sea of red and gold to beat the 49ers and reach the Super Bowl. Now they will look to deliver a championship to the city in the hopes of standing shoulder to shoulder with beloved LA franchises like the Lakers and Dodgers. “I think there are a lot of reasons for this city to be excited about this team,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said this week. “We’ve got great players, and it’s a fun brand of football that you’re seeing them play. LA is a city of champions. They like winners, and that’s something that our players embrace and love.” PLUCKY SPIRIT LA Mayor Eric Garcetti told Reuters that the team embodies the “plucky spirit” of the city. “A guy like Cooper Kupp shouldn’t be one of the greatest, and now he is,” Garcetti said of the third round draft pick, who led the league in

Los Angeles Rams players run out before the match. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers)

catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns this season. “He’s kind of a perfect metaphor for LA. We figured

out a way to get it done. And Aaron Donald is that can’t quit spirit, the toughness of this city.” The Rams’ return symbol-

izes the city’s resiliency, he said. “We always rise up again, and football was always going to come back,” he said.

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Saturday February 12, 2022

BCQS Int’l Masters Squash Open Ninvalle pledges NSC, Tournament concludes tonight Government support to Shepperd Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, has pledged the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Government of Guyana’s support towards helping National Volleyball player, Kristoff Shepperd recover from an accident. Shepperd, behind the wheels of his motorcar, collided with a truck while navigating onto Mandela Avenue from Homestretch Avenue on the evening of February 7. The injuries sustained from the accident placed Shepperd in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital where doctors, as of today, listed his condition as ‘critical’ but stable. Ninvalle visited the 22year-old National volleyball player on Friday, where he met with Shepperd’s mother and family. The Director of Sport assured that “the NSC and Government of Guyana are with them throughout this ordeal.” Apart from assuring Shepperd’s family that the volleyball player will have the best care possible while at the GPHC, Ninvalle pointed out that the NSC, which is chaired

Jason Van Dijk (left) misses one during his loss to Jonathan Antczak.

Javid Rahaman (left) gets a good stride in against Dane Pereira. (Kizan Brumell photos) The BCQS International Masters’ Open Squash Tournament, wraps up tonight with the finals and third place playoffs in the Over-45 and Over-30 Divisions, at the Georgetown Club Squash Courts. On Wednesday evening, the knockout competition began with qualifying matches then the quarter-final rounds commenced on Thursday. In the Over-45 Division quarterfinals, Joseph Mekdeci was the first to advance with a victory over Lloyd Fung-A-Fat as the game ended with scores of 11/5, 11/8 and 11/ 2. Following that, Dennis Dias secured his spot in the

semis with his win over Tony Farnum that ended 11/4, 11/3, 11/7. That win meant Dias booked a match with Mekdeci to see who advances to the final round, today. Brian Yong them prevailed in his match against Brian Edwards with scores of 12/ 10, 12/10, 11/5 to book his semi-final berth against a well rested Sanjay Amin, who advanced with a walkover victory compliments of David Fernandes. The younger Division saw Daniel Ince advance to the final-four as he triumphed over Lee Fung-A-Fat with scores of 11/5, 11/1, 11/4. Ince and Jonathan Antczak were billed to meet in the semis of Friday evening. Antczak defeated Jason

Van Dijk in the lengthiest quarterfinal match that ended 9/11, 11/5, 13/11,116. Kristian Jeffery convincingly got past Ingram Edwards in their final-eight bout; 11/1, 11/2, 11/3. That win paired Jeffery with Javid Rahaman in the final-four. Rahaman also made it to the semis with a comfortable win over Dane Pereira; 11/2, 11/5, 11/4. Today the action gets underway at 10:30 hrs at the same venue with the third place match in the Over-45 Division then the final follows at 11:00 hrs. At 11:30 hrs, the Over30 Division begins its penultimate match then the final showdown unfolds at noon.

Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle during his visit to national volleyball player Kristoff Shepperd who is a patient at the GPHC’s ICU. by Kashif Muhammad, will continue to have all of the country’s National athlete’s interests at heart. Shepperd is one of the country’s most popular volleyball players and has represented Guyana at various youth and senior

tournaments. The flamboyant player, a former student of the St Rose’s High School, also served in the 2018 Youth Parliamentarian of Guyana, where he served as the Shadow Minister of Legal Affairs.

Simons’ memorial competitions launched Several executives and players strike a pose with the trophies.

In the Learning Resources Centre of Imam Bacchus at Affiance Essequibo Coast on Thursday, the annual Simons’ memorial competitions were launched. The tournament was inaugurated in 2017 but halted for two consecutive years, 2020 and 21 understandably so due to the Global pandemic. For this year’s edition, there will be four categories, under-15 and under-19 playing with 40-overs, while the open and over-40 categories will be twenty-twenty. The competition, which

will be played on a roundrobin basis, will get cracking on February 19 at various venues across the Coast and once again the competitions are being run under the auspices of the Central Essequibo Cricket Committee (CECC). At the function, President of CECC Trevis Simon outlined the structure of the tournament and informed that his family is indeed delighted to have another competition going. He related that several of his family members passed away including his father Leyland.

“We started to remember our loved ones with a village match in 2017 but now we decided to expand the competition, and at the same time inviting teams from across the Region to participate,” Simon commented. He expressed his gratitude to the other Simons’ families for their support and with a large number of trophies up for grabs he stated that this is another demonstration of their generosity to the game. He further thanked Deleep Singh, the president of Essequibo Cricket Board (Continued on page 26)

Saturday February 12, 2022

India beat Windies by 96 runs in 3rd ODI to sweep series AHMEDABAD, India (AP) — India crushed West Indies with a 96-run victory in the third one-day international yesterday to sweep the series 3-0 and give Rohit Sharma, its new white-ball captain, an impressive start. Shreyas Iyer scored 80 runs off 111 balls and Rishabh Pant hit a quicker 56 off 54 to propel India to 265 all out after the hosts won the toss and chose to bat first. In reply, West Indies was bowled out for 169 in 37.1 overs at Ahmedabad. India made a poor start by losing both Sharma (13) and Virat Kohli (0) in the fourth over. Alzarri Joseph (2-54) dismissed both batters in the space of three deliveries. Sharma was clean bowled while Kohli was caught behind for a two-ball duck. It marked a disappointing series for the former captain and batting great. Kohli hasn’t scored an international hundred since November 2019. He had scores of 8, 18 and 0 in three innings in this series. Odean Smith (1-36) dismissed Shikhar Dhawan to reduce India to 42-3 in 9.3 overs. But Iyer and Pant then came together for the fourth wicket and added 110 runs. They started slowly and rebuilt the innings with purpose. Iyer hit nine fours, while Pant hit six fours as well as a six.

Pant reached his fifth ODI half-century off 47 balls, while Iyer scored his ninth half-century off 74 deliveries. “I am flexible to bat at any number. But given the current situation, four is a good number,” Iyer said. “Today I had to play off the new ball ... There’s a rhythm you have to set to your innings.” With the middle order clicking for a change, India looked set for a near-300 score. But Pant and Suryakumar Yadav (6) were dismissed in quick succession as India slid to 164-5 in 32.3 overs. Hayden Walsh took 2-59 as he dismissed both Pant and Iyer. Washington Sundar (33) and Deepak Chahar (38) added a quick-fire 53 runs off 51 balls for the seventh wicket. Jason Holder (4-34) mopped up the lower order. In reply, West Indies’ batting collapsed for a third straight time. The visitors were reduced to 82-7 in 18.3 overs. The top order had been dismissed with the score at only 25-3 in five overs as India inflicted early blows with pace. Deepak Chahar (2-41) struck twice in the fifth over to remove Brandon King (14) and Shamarh Brooks (0). Prasidh Krishna (3-27) then dismissed Darren Bravo (19) who added 43 runs with Nicholas Pooran (34). Krishna

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also removed Holder (6). Returning spinner Kuldeep Yadav took 2-51 as the West Indies’ chase ran out of steam despite resistance at the end of the innings. Smith (36) threw his bat around to push the score past 100. He hit three fours and three sixes in his 18-ball stay. Joseph (29) and Walsh (13) added 47 runs for the ninth wicket. Mohammed Siraj took 329. India had already won the first two ODIs at the same venue — the first ODI by six wickets with 132 balls to spare, and the second match by 44 runs. It is India’s 11th consecutive bilateral ODI series win against West Indies since 2007. West Indies skipper Pooran praised his bowlers. “The way we bowled in the series was wonderful. The way the guys bowled in the last two games was fantastic,” Pooran said. “We have a lot of work to do in ODI cricket (in batting). We have a lot of work to put in in the longer formats.” The two teams will now travel to Kolkata to play a three-match T20 series at Eden Gardens, starting Feb. 16. Scores: India 265 (Shreyas 80, Pant 56, Holder 4-34) beat West Indies 169 (Odean 36, Prasidh 3-27, Siraj 3-29) by 96 runs.

Championship Golf Community Coming to Guyana Construction Giant CIMGRO racing to deliver gated Communities here.

CIMGRO, Developer of the estimated US$1.4B Mega real estate project Maraiko B a y (www.maraikobayresort.com) in Mahaica that features the country’s first 18-hole championship Golf course and Marina, has announced that two of the seven subdivisions just opened for commencement of construction in the Development were already snapped up by local builders within hours of its release. Maraiko Bay is the crown jewel in the massive changes being seen in Guyana since the discovery of oil by ExxonMobil, CGX, Hess, Total, Resolution, and other oil majors in the past few years bringing many firsts to the developing country such as a Marina, 18-hole PGA standard golf course, luxury resort hotels, state of art hospital, international school, shopping and dining along a magnificent beach on the Atlantic Ocean. Described as ‘Little Dubai’ by the locals, the 1,029 acre project is racing ahead in an effort to fulfill the housing and recreation needs of the more than 160,000 expat workers (according to the recent International Organization Migration report funded by US State Department) that are expected in the country with the next ten years.

Speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors, Ragindra Persaud and Devesh Persaud, Sudama Ramalingum, said that construction on the front nine holes of the golf course was proceeding rapidly as was the initial infrastructure development of roads and drainage, with construction of homes set to commence shortly, “We expect that a significant number of homes will be completed before the end of 2022 and competition golf by October.” Phase I which encompasses the hospital, school, shopping and approximately 500 homes is set for completion before end of 2025 and will create thousands of construction and permanent jobs for area residents. Ramalingum said, “With all the required permits in place, we expect the new bridge linking the community to the public road as well as all our internal roads, drainage and utility connections will be completed in record time”, noting that GPL had already extended services to the project he went on to thank the various governmental agencies for their strong support in ensuring that there were no delays in processing the applications. CIMGRO has already received expressions of interest from local and international companies such as Gafoors,

Kallco, M&B Construction, etc. to supply materials, services and expertise to ensure that Maraiko Bay is completed on schedule and the company is being guided through the development process by American Caribe, the regional arm of construction giant Bouygues Batiment. Devesh Persaud explained that the company was following a unique model that would provide contractors of all sizes and capabilities the opportunity of partaking in this historic venture, “We have created several (25-60 homes) exclusive gated and secure subdivisions that allows builders to quickly finish building out so we can deliver homes to the waiting clients.” Ragindra Persaud emphasized that the tremendous response by purchasers and local builders confirms the level of interest in real estate in the fastest growing economy in world and urged others to get registered before the opportunity was gone. “We have a variety of financing options and keen interest from local banking institutions to make funding available for everyone, and we also offer in-house financing, deferred payments and joint ventures, so there is really no reason for any client or builder to not get involved today.”

Guyana Defence Force defeat opponent in come from behind win.

Odean Smith smashes one into orbit, India vs West Indies, 3rd ODI, Ahmedabad, February 11, 2022© BCCI

The once powerful Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Volleyball unit is making strident efforts to be back to the potency they once were. Participating in the ongoing Demerara Volleyball Association senior league competition, the GDF put on a strong showing to defeat

newcomers Venguy 3-2 in a come from behind victory. In the game which was played on Tuesday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, the army boys showed their resolved and superior physical strength to come out victors in the keenly

contested encounter. After losing the first set 21-25, the GDF returned to take the second 25-23, before losing the third stanza 24-26. The army then called on their resolved to take the final two sets 25-15 and 15-8 for the 3-2 win. (Samuel Whyte)

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Saturday February 12, 2022

Kaieteur News

West Indies 4-day C/Ships...

Singh falls in the 90s, Paul impress with bat & ball Harpy Eagles sent blood despite Volcanoes fight back On a day blessed with glorious sunshine at Queen’s Park Oval, a 146 sixth wicket stand between diminutive lefthander Vishaul Singh and allrounder Keemo Paul highlighted day three of the West Indies four-day First-Class game yesterday in Trinidad. Guyana Harpy Eagles were dismissed for 327 in reply to the 339 made by the Windwards Volcanoes with Singh, who made 93 from 221 balls decorated with nine boundaries, while Paul’s third fifty of 73 came from 133 balls laced with six fours and a six. Kenneth Dember (4-36), Sherman Lewis (4-59), Preston Mcsween (2-78) were the main wicket-takers for theIslanders who were 157-7 in their second innings, leading by 169 runs. Alex Athanaze top scored with 58 while Larry Edwards (29 no) and Ryan John (9 no) took their team to stumps. Paul and Clinton Pestano took two wickets each. When the Volcanoes began their second innings, with a slim 12-run lead, and started in horrendous fashion when the 40-year-old Devon

Smith was bowled by his lively unrelated namesake Nail Smith for a duck at 6-1. West Indies U-19 batsman Grenadian Teddy Bishop making his debut as a concussion sub for Kimani Melius, who was hit on his helmet on the first day, joined Kavem Hodge before he was caught at fourth slip off Paul for 15 at 20-2. Hodge (15) was LBW to Paul and Windwards were 48-3 as Guyana fought back before Athanaze and Keron Cottoy took the Windwards to tea at 62-3 with Athanaze on 25 and Cottoy on five. After the break, with the score on 71-4, Cottoy (15) pulled a short ball from Pestano straight to Paul at short mid-wicket. Wicket-Keeper Dennis Smith (4) was soon bowled by Pestano and at 77-5 and with a lead of just 89, the South Americans were in the ascendency. The left-handed Athanaze slapped Permaul past extra cover for four before following it up with majestic back punch for another boundary off successive balls. The 23-year-old Domini-

Windward Islands’ Preston McSween charges into the match’s top scorer, Guyana’s Vishaul Singh, while Keemo Paul ob serves at the other end.

can pulled Pestano for a scorching boundary while consecutive fours from John brought up the 100 for the Windwards. John was dropped on eight off Permaul while Athanaze clobbered him down the ground for four before on driving Motie to longon to reach his second fifty

of the match. Permaul’s quicker ball pushed John on the back foot to trap him LBW for 11 at 112-6 before Athanaze drilled Permaul to short mid-wicket for 58 at 1257. Edward deposited Gudakesh Motie for six, hit Permaul for four before cover driving Paul for back-to-back boundaries and along with

Dember, who played the supporting role and the partnership was beginning to be a cause for concern for Guyana. Earlier, Guyana resumed on 189-5 with Singh on 40 and Paul on 20 and the 33-yearold Vishaul Singh, who played three Tests but none since May 2017, tucked leftarm spinner Larry Edwards for a single to reached his 19th fifty from 106 balls. Both batsmen looked well composed and played some lovely shots on the fast outfield. The 23-year-old Paul, who has played three Tests and 22 First-Class matches, worked a short ball from Edwards for one to square leg to post his third half-century at this level from 108 balls and at the water break the score was 248-5 with the partnership on 107. Paul pulled Mcsween for a pugnacious boundary to bring up the 250 and Paul, batting confidently, seemed well poised for his second First-Class century while a reverse sweep carried Singh into the 80s. While Paul played the ‘bigger shots’, Singh used his feet nicely to the spinners as the partnership grew. Singh, who was dropped at mid-wicket off Edwards, danced down the

track to the left-arm spinner and smashed him over midwicket for four. Singh and Paul seemed set to bat out the first session after joining forces at 141-5 on Thursday afternoon but Paul was trapped LBW on the back foot to a quicker ball for 73 off Dember at 287-6 just before Lunch. At Lunch Guyana were 290-6 with Singh on 93 and Pestano on two as 109 runs were scored in the two-anda-half-hour session. Singh, in his 74th FirstClass match since making his debut in 2009, was seven away from his ninth hundred when he was stumped off the first ball after Lunch as Dember struck again. This was the third time in Singh’s last five innings that he has been dismissed in the 90s. Permaul joined Pestano who attacked the spinners but when on 15 and Guyana on 317, he charged Dember and was taken at wide longon. Permaul was caught behind off Lewis for 15 at 318-9, while Motie (8) went after Lewis and clobbered him for consecutive boundaries before Smith (1) was caught and bowled by Dember with Guyana 12 short of Volcanoes’ score. Today is the fourth and final day. (Sean Devers)

Bob Marley birthday football celebration rescheduled to tomorrow “Football is freedom,” according to Bob Marley, who would have celebrated his 77th birthday and the celebration of his birthday, which was postponed from last Sunday 6th February 2022, because of rain, will now be staged tomorrow, Sunday 13th February 2022 at GFC Ground from 8:00am. The Guyana Master’s United Committee is the host of the Master’s Appreciation and Bob Marley One Love Football Celebration tomorrow at GFC Ground. The Georgetown Football Club Ground is expected to be buzzing with excitement with the first staging of the Master’s Appreciation & Bob Marley One Love football matches to honour former national players and celebrate Marley’s 77th birthday from 8:00am to 12:00 pm. The late Reggae icon, Bob Marley, was an avid soccer player, whose love for the game drove him to play at every opportunity. Even

while on tour, the famed singer found time to participate in friendly scrimmages at the nearest park with members of his band. “It will be free, no charge. Persons can just come in and drop small contributions that will be used towards other master’s football future events. Hosted by the Guyana Master’s United Committee, the event will feature three (3) friendly matches: Game 1: Over 50 North Georgetown vs South Georgetown 8:00AM Trophy Game 2: Ballers FC vs Park Rangers FC at 9:00AM- Trophy Game 3: Thomas United FC vs Beacon FC at 10:00AM – Trophy Game 4: Pele FC vs Santos FC at 11:00AM- Trophy Love Honorees Meanwhile, In keeping with the “One Love” tradition, 10 individuals will be recognized for their outstanding service to former British Guiana/Guyana Football. This first year’s 10 honorees: •Hubert “Senor” Braithwaite – Former British

Guiana International & West Indies player 1959- Debut 1959 Vs Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain Trinidad & Tobago. •Lewis “Water-Boat” Weithers- Former British Guiana International & Caribbean Selectee 1952- Debut 1950 Vs Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain Trinidad & Tobago •Birdette Marshall — Former British Guiana International–Debut 1962 Vs. Barbados at GCC, Bourda Guyana •Alvin “Geronimo” Braithwaite – Former British Guiana/Guyana International & West Indies selectee 1973Debut 1963 Vs Barbados at Kensington Oval Barbados. •George Green (Deceased), Former British Guiana International player, captain and coach, West Indies Selectee and coach– Debut 1958 Vs Trinidad & Tobago •Godfrey “Poudis” Norville - Former British Guiana/Guyana International-Debut 1966 Vs Barbados at Kensington Oval Barbados at GCC, Bourda Guyana •Robert “Bobby”

Fernandes (Deceased)Former British Guiana/ Guyana International and Caribbean Selectee– Debut

1973 Vs Trinidad & Tobago at GCC, Bourda. Guyana •Earl “Pig” O’Neil - Former Guyana International player and captain & Caribbean Selectee 1978- Debut 1971 Vs Barbados at Kensington Oval Barbados. •Vibert “Durby” Butts - Former Guyana Inter-

national - Debut 1976 Vs Cuba at Mackenzie Sport Club – Linden Guyana • Gordon “Ultimate Warrior” BrathwaiteFormer Guyana International player, captain and coach at Mackenzie Sport Club – Linden Guyana All Covid-19 guidelines will be adhered to.

Kaieteur News

Saturday February 12, 2022

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Coach Nolan McKenzie chatting with the female players following the end of yesterday’s session.

Historic BCB/Dr. Frank Denbow Fast Bowling Clinic bowls off in style Getting it done the correct way! Coach Nolan McKenzie working with the female players yesterday at the Albion Community Centre Ground.

Facilitator, Sir Curtly Ambrose impressed with commitment shown by players Determined to see the fortunes of Berbice cricket shine bright in the fast bowling arena, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) with sponsorship from renowned Guyanese Doctor, Frank Denbow yesterday commenced a historic threeday Fast Bowling Clinic at the Albion Community Centre Ground in the Ancient County. Facilitated by the legendary West Indies Fast Bowler, Sir Curtly Ambrose, over fifty (50) young fast bowlers turned up to participate in the historic event with the aim of one day going to become a West Indian quickie. Ambrose at the end of day one said he was very happy to be in Guyana where he commenced his Regional and West Indies careers to give back to the sport and to help impart what he would have learnt to the players

attending with the hope that in the future, one or more of these youngsters would be donning the maroon uniform having represented their nation. The first day went very well he said and he is very pleased with the attitude displayed by the players and the discipline shown towards learning the fine arts of the trade. Several Berbice Coaches along with England based Level Three Coach, former Guyana opener Nolan McKenzie assisted Sir Curtly Ambrose during the day. Also in attendance was sponsor, Dr. Frank Denbow who said he was more than satisfied with being a part of history, noting that this all started to germinate back in August of 2021. McKenzie also ran a three-hour batting clinic for twelve female players who were very attentive and excited to learn. The clinics continue today.

Sir Curtly Ambrose (left) being welcome to the Albion Community Centre Ground by BCB President Hilbert Foster.

Sir Curtly Ambrose setting up for the day’s activity yesterday.