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AIETEUR Analysts say.... $126B oil

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Tuesday Edition February 01, 2022 - Vol. 15 No. 05

money in oil Budget is illegal

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 83,967

Exxon going deeper into Stabroek Block to tap multi-billion barrel potential CGX, Frontera land major $76M to oil discovery at Kawa-1 rebuild well in Corentyne Block Ogle Fire - Moving to drill next well in 2022 second quarter Station

est The prot es continu e to g for chanobil’s ExxonM act. contr

Cops thwart Doctor being Investigated burglar's plan for GPHC fire, terminated to rob WBD over alleged sexual post office harassment

Oil money dominates day one of budget debates - Govt. tells opposition: “none of you will get a chance to touch that money”

Govt. has no clear plan to spend $126B of oil money - Opposition MP says $89B vulnerable to being lost to corruption

Exxon in 10th Gear to Clean Out Our Oil @11:00hrs

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Tuesday February 01, 2022

CGX, Frontera land major oil discovery at Kawa-1 well in Corentyne Block - Moving to drill next well in 2022 second quarter Map showing where the Kawa-1 discovery was made

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 01, 2022

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Exxon going deeper into Stabroek Block to tap multi-billion barrel potential

For 2022, ExxonMobil's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) will be drilling deeper into several areas in the Stabroek Block to hopefully tap more of the multi-billion barrel potential of the block.

This was revealed during the 2021 fourth quarter earnings call of Hess Corporation which has a 30 percent working interest in the block.

During the call held Wednesday last, Hess was asked to provide shareholders with a few details on the oil to gas ratio as well as the oil quality of its Fangtooth discovery made earlier last month. The Fangtooth-1 well encountered approximately 164 feet (50 metres) of highquality oil-bearing sandstone

reservoirs. The well was drilled in 6,030 feet (1,838 metres) of water and is located approximately 11 miles (18 kilometres) northwest of the Liza field.

Hess' Chief Operating Officer (COO) Gregory Hill said, “I guess the first thing I'd say is the positive results at Fangtooth which was our first standalone deep exploration prospect, …has very good oil quality, and it confirms the deeper exploration potential of the Stabroek Block. So in the coming months, we're going to complete the analysis of that well, the Fangtooth well and then plan appraisal activities to really determine the best development approach.”

He continued, “So generally, we see these deeper zones as being

developed through a combination of standalone developments and tiebacks potentially to existing FPSOs (floating, production, storage and offloading vessels). So very encouraged, very pleased by the results we saw at Fangtooth.”

Hill also reminded shareholders that Exxon and its partners had other penetrations prior to Fangtooth into those deeper zones that confirmed their perspectives about the multibillion barrel potential of the much deeper plays.

“So we're very excited.

That's why we're going to drill a lot more wells in kind of the deeper prospectivity this year than years past. And so watch this space, but we're encouraged by the outcome in particular about Fangtooth,” the COO stated.

Questioned to speak about the well targets for 2022, Hill was keen to outline that the objectives of this year's programme is to get more penetrations in the deeper parts of the block.

“So the deep penetrations that we're going to be watching closely, and these are wells that we're going to spud in the first quarter are Barreleye-1 which is a lower Campanian primary target, but it's also got some shallower things as well. And then Tarpon-1 which is another lower Campanian well plus deeper Jurassic carbonate feature that we see,” expressed the COO. Other targets, he said, include Lukanani-1 and Patwa-1. Overall, Hill told shareholders they can expect to see a very rich mixture of play types. “They're all

Greg Hill, Chief Operating Officer at Hess Corporation

significant in this year's programme. They're all very promising wells on seismic,” the Hess official concluded.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration

and Production Guyana Limited is the operator and holds 45 percent interest.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.

Govt. has no clear plan to spend ...Opposition MP says $89 billion $126B of oil money vulnerable to being lost to corruption Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Amanza Walton-Desir on Monday kicked off the Budget Debates for 2022 with a fiery presentation condemning the administration of the People's Progressive Party Civic as nothing but a “mafia masquerading as a government.”

The MP in her presentation, which drew on the theme, “show me where you spend your money and I will tell you what you value,” observed that Budget 2022 will only widen the gap between the rich and the poor, the educated and the uneducated and the gap between those living on the coast and the hinterland.

Prefacing her conclusion that the PPP/C members “are a mafia masquerading as a government” that is only “focused on enriching themselves and friends.”

To this end, she pointed out that for 2022, Government has allocated out of its $553B budget, $218B for Capital Expenditure or new expenses, representing a 109 percent increase over the previous year.

According to WaltonDesir, this must be looked at in the context of the fact that

the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has identified an inefficiency gap by government in the execution of its public programmes of some 41 percent. She posited that in such circumstances, some $89B out of that money is projected to be lost to what she labelled bluntly as “corruption”.

“They (IMF) will not say corruption but we know what they mean,” the MP quipped and pointed to Guyana falling two places on the International Transparency Corruption Index.

According to WaltonDesir, government instead should reallocate the $89B to build capacity to better execute its work programme and also plugged it into measures that will bring relief to citizens.

“It is highly unlikely that this government will be able to execute such a programme,” she said, “why not reallocate, rearrange.”

She posited had this money been saved, the 50,000 workers in the public service could have immediately been given a better pay increase; health workers would have also been able to receive a $250,000 cash grant; the income tax threshold could have been immediately

Opposition MP Amanza Walton-Desir raised to $100,000 in addition to a host of other measures such as $1.3B to train sugar workers. “All of this can be done right now and Capital expenditure would still stand at 75 percent,” she said, “instead of the 109 percent.”

Regarding the Natural Resources Fund and Guyana's oil production, the MP was adamant that with 2022 being the first budget cycle to include earnings

from that sector the administration's cries of transparency can be put to rest as rhetoric. This, since, according to Walton-Desir, there is no trace of what programmes, the $126B to be taken from the fund, will be spent on. “Show me where you put your money and I will tell you what your values are,” she repeated and pointed out that the Budget Measures announced by the administration was only

aimed at the rich, reminding that “trickle-down economics don't work.”

She was adamant, “the numbers don't lie; the numbers tell a story and the story it tells is that the government does not care for poor and working class.”

On the matter of oil funds, she said, “I am yet to hear clearly what projects will be funded by this money that they will take out from NRF; we just know they are using the money.”

Insisting that the country's oil resources are the patrimony of current and future generations, WaltonD es ir arg u ed th at th e administration failed to deliver the promise of transparency.

“All you have to do is follow the money,” she said, “and it would illustrate that Budget 2022 will provide no real impact on the development on all Guyanese.”

The Opposition MP also called on the administration to show cause why it has been unable to deliver on any of its manifesto promises such as free education at the University, compensation of fisher-folk affected by the oil industry or increases for public servants.

To t h i s e n d , s h e concluded, “the fact is you don't care; they are a mafia masquerading as a government focused only on enriching themselves and friends.”

According to WaltonDesir, with each announcement of an oil find “Guyanese sink with despair; what is in it for me?” She said, Guyanese more and more are asking, what is there to be excited about when they are still burdened with the daily struggles of sending their children to school, when plantains are being retailed at $300 per lb and a pound of banga fish for $400. The MP said Guyanese were hopeful that with Budget 2022, “I hope they do something in this Budget (for me). She said what instead obtains is that Budget 2022 is “the most disrespectful, discriminatory and deceitful Budget to ever grace this House.”

Government MP and Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton in response, dismissed Walton-Desir's adumbrations. He said the opposition was headless and had no vision to lead this country. He predicted that this would be the order of the opposition presentations over the coming days.

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Tuesday February 01, 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

A fishy budget proposal

W

e have to give it to the Guyana Government for its chronic slickness. When its leaders want to dodge reality and its related responsibilities, they pull out all the stops to make things happen a certain way, and for what we must describe as murky ulterior motives, and carefully concealed agendas.

In this instance, it involves the local fishing sector, which has been plagued with punishing problems of late. As if in response to the plight of these fisherfolks and their families, and Guyanese who once used to be able to consume their catch, what the PPP/C Government came up with is now embedded in a proposal in this year’s budget soon to be debated in Guyana’s parliament.

Our caption informed readers that, “Govt. is pumping $200 million into unproven fish cage initiative - says investment will help revive industry hard-hit by low catch” (KN January 28).

If the PPP/C Government was an honest one, and if its leaders were credible and worthy of our trust, then we could say that has some substance, we could back it, and the government should run with it, once the hurdle of the National Assembly is cleared. But it cannot be believed and, therefore, the necessary confidence required to stand for investments like these is just not there. This is most unfortunate, but in view of the serial misrepresentations and mistakes of this PPP/C Government (and old ones, too), what we discern is yet another occasion where the slickness of government leaders that we spoke of earlier in this writing is just under the surface.

In the first place, this proposed $200 million budgetary investment in “unproven fish cage” helps to divert the attention of fisherfolk and watching Guyanese away from the realities that are going on with our fishermen plying the domestic seas for an honest living, as they have done for generations. The reality is that their catch in recent times has fallen off steeply, with the result that fishermen and their families are in agony, from the loss of income on a continuing basis. A collateral effect is that Guyanese who consume fish are forced to hunt for whatever product of the sea is available, and when they do find such now scarce items, they are most likely going to be extremely expensive. For its part, the Government, through this $200 million investment, gets to tout that it is conscious of the crisis in the fishing sector, and it has moved to do something of significance about it. If only that were the whole of the story.

For, as we see it, what the PPP/C Government is doing is to clear the way for Exxon’s offshore operations, and giving the company as much space (mileage) as it needs to conduct its business as it sees fit. Government leaders kneel before the priorities and dictates of Exxon, and the interests and pain of fishermen be damned. Today, it is the lot of fishermen to be steered away from their hunting grounds and familiar comfort zone. In the future, it could be our coastlands and marine life impacted in wider and wider boundaries seized by Exxon to explore for and produce and ship crude, so that its bottom line can sizzle, and its shareholders rejoice from enriching dividends, on the backs of Guyanese citizens.

The fact that the government is venturing into a still unproven area with fish cage thinking, and one with limited returns in the places where it has been experimented with, does not sound like a wise use of Guyanese taxpayers’ dollars. By now, it is an old story in this country that on most occasions that leaders in PPP/C Governments have experimented with millions in public money, there has been little to show for it. One of the most glaring examples is that white elephant, the modernised Skeldon sugar factory, which is a multi-million dollar (U.S.) monument to the expensive fiascos delivered to Guyanese, and for which they are responsible.

Taking into consideration, the $200 million price tag for the fish cage, it could also function as a slush fund for cronies of leaders to help themselves under the pretense of aiding fisherfolk. Like we said, slickness in the budget.

Call for Indian Cultural Centres in outlying areas DEAR EDITOR, There was well-rounded and justifiable complaints about the staff and sound and lighting effects at the India Republic Day event (Jan 26) at the National Cultural Centre by Gem Madhoo (Jan 28) among others in other publications.

The handling of sound and lighting and time it took for staff to prepare for each item of the programme was disrespectful to the guests and hosts as well as the Indian community at large.

Attendees were upset.

Staff Professionalism was lacking. And to think that the cultural centre was built by

Indian Immigrants funds, at a minimum, the CEO or Director of Operations and staff should have taken measures to ensure that the programme came off well. Clearly, professionalism was lacking. The Ministry must address this problem.

I have other issues with the cultural centre that ministry should address. It is located in Georgetown and therefore it is not accessible to the population of the Corentyne, West Berbice, West Coast, Essequibo, and outlying areas. In addition, the cultural centre was built with funds from the Indian Immigrants Fund without the

approval of the Indian community. That in itself was travesty.

The centre is not accessible to Indians, most of who live far away from town. Since Indian funds were used to build the centre, at a minimum, the then government should have been sensitive about its location. Indian people money was confiscated and used to build a centre, which they have hardly accessed over the 45 years of its existence. In addition, the design of the centre and various outer and inner features are not reflective and or representative of the varied ethnic groups.

Since it was built with Indian funds, it should have been an Indian Guyanese cultural centre or at a minimum have a design that reflects Indian arts and culture. There is hardly anything Indian about the centre. This injustice must be corrected.

Government should give consideration to returning the money to the Indian community that would be the equivalent of several billion dollars that can then be used to building Indian cultural centres in various parts of the country that could be accessed by the community.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

What is the impact of the introduction of the $2k note?

DEAR EDITOR, I have noted several comments by persons on certain social media platform (s) suggesting that the introduction of the new $2,000 note will lead to inflation. These comments and social media debates led me to believe that the average person is concerned whether the introduction of the new $2,000 note is indeed a signal of inflation. In this regard, I am inclined to pen this letter to contribute to this topical discussion. The notion that the introduction of a particular denomination of the currency will lead to inflation is a misperception. Also, there is simply no credible evidence to support this hypothesis.

The introduction of a new currency note whether a high denomination or low denomination has nothing to do with driving inflation.

Let’s understand what is inflation Inflation is the decline of purchasing power of a currency over a period of time.

The rise in general levels of prices, often expressed as a percentage, means that a unit of currency effectively buys less than it did in prior periods. Up to the period prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the inflation rate in Guyana was stable at levels below and equal to 2%, which is often a desired inflation rate to ensure price stability. With the prolonged effects of the pandemic and the unpredictability of when the pandemic would end, one of the major impacts of the pandemic globally was and still is supply chain disruptions, and rising shipping costs globally. These are the main culprits for rising inflation rate not only in Guyana but across the globe.

There are generally three types of inflation: 1.Demand pull inflation: this occurs when total demand for goods in an economy outweighs the supply of goods, so you have a shortage (like in the case when we had the flood and

the price for basic things like plantain, shallot (scallion) and other Agro produce went up).

2.Cost push inflation: this occurs when overall prices increase due to increase in the cost for wage and raw materials.

3.Built in inflation: this form of inflation occurs when workers expect their salaries or wages to increase when prices of goods and services increase to help maintain their living costs.

The inflation that we are experiencing in Guyana and will continue to experience in the medium term will be driven by a combination of all three types of inflation as described above; where for example, the larger driving factor of Guyana’s inflation is described by the economists as imported inflation. The reason for this is because of rising shipping costs and increases in the cost of production for the goods we consume and raw materials to produce some of the final goods we consume, as a result of the global supply chain disruption. These are goods that we import wherein about 80%90% of the goods, which we consume are imported and hence, once there is supply chain disruptions globally, prices will increase and this is beyond our local policymakers’ ability to control.

For these reasons, the best option available to policymakers is to look at policies to cushion the effects.

For example, the reduction on the tariff of fuel imports among other measures in the budget to cushion the impact of (imported) inflation.

We are also experiencing in Guyana, wage inflation where companies, particularly international companies are competing for talented and skillful professionals and workers in general and salaries are increasing to triple and quadruple levels. This in turn will lead to a shortage of skills in the labour force given that while we have a large

labour force, only 5% of the labour force is qualified at a tertiary level education. This is a signal that we all need to ready ourselves, up-skill and learn new skills, to take advantage of the sea of opportunities.

With the largest budget in history, there will be lots of cash in circulation and therefore instead of having 100 / 1000 notes in your pocket to represent $100K you can reduce that to either 20 with the $5K note or 50 with the $2k note (this is on an individual level). Think of the many businesses that will be doing millions of dollars in transactions at the bank, both deposits and withdrawals and the bulk of cash their staff have to carry. The note effectively reduces the bulk of cash and adds somewhat a layer of security the fact that you can reduce the physical bulk of cash transactionally.

Against these backgrounds, the introduction of a new note has nothing to do with driving inflation. What it does, it serves a particular purpose given that our economy is largely a cashbased economy, to reduce the volume of cash in circulation.

Moreover, inflation is not managed in any way or form by the introduction of any currency note denomination, per se, whether high or small.

It is more used to manage the volume of cash in circulation within a cash-based economy context.

Inflation on the other hand has to be managed by a combination of monetary and fiscal policies. To manage inflation in Guyana’s case, since most of the goods we consume are imported, we have to manage the exchange rate and not the denomination of currency note. Exchange rate is the signal of inflation. The average market rate for the US/GY exchange rate if one consults with the Bank of Guyana report, would find that it is about $214. For clarity, this is the average market rate by the commercial banks

who are the dominate players in the foreign exchange (FX) market and not the unlicensed money changers on the streets.

Generally, the goal is to keep inflation in the single digit range, the desired rate is 2%. When inflation spirals out of control to double digit, then that is hyperinflation. So far, our inflation rate is in the single digit range. I do not expect this to reach doubledigit levels, given the policies being implemented coupled with the development agenda of the country. Other ways to manage inflation in the medium term, are the projects such as the gas to shore that will enable cheaper energy that will make our manufacturing sector more competitive. In so doing, we can produce more value-added goods at a lower cost of production for consumption locally instead of importing.

Increased investments in agriculture as well will help us to have more control and manage inflation better domestically because we will be producing most of the goods we consume instead of importing them and in so doing, import inflation from other parts of the world that is beyond our control. In other words, because as a country we depend heavily on imports for about 90% of the goods we consume locally, we are bound to be affected by other factors leading to price increases in other parts of the world. Even the goods that are produced locally are also affected to some extent, inter alia, imported inflation because most of the raw materials to produce the local goods, are imported from other parts of the world. Cognizant of the foregoing factors, the government of the day is pursuing a set of policies in the medium term to manage inflation coupled with the mega development projects for cheaper energy that will ultimately give us more control to manage (Continued on page 6)

Tuesday February 01, 2022

Down with Woods! Down with Routledge! Down with the cowardly army of cheap local collaborators!

DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Darren Woods leaves the swanky oil towers of his beloved Exxon in Houston and comes to lowdown Guyana. Citizens have an opportunity to show the CEO how much they love, or don’t, this poor country, as stagnated and backward as it is.

Guyanese should give him a welcome befitting his regal stature, his presidential bearing, his despotic ruthlessness, for he is all of those. I say send this good ole boy exploiter and carpetbagger back to Houston on the earliest Gulf Stream jet.

Mr. Woods needs no education on what his company has done to country and citizens.

He is the vandal, who continues the legacy of predecessors. He knows of our poor and hungry and tired, and how they looked for financial liberty from that oil, just like immigrants saw in that statue in the Hudson. He knows what Exxon has inflicted on this country, and how such afflicts all of its impoverished hopefuls, except those Guyanese who sold out and were gobbled up. The man knows and lives with the results in what Exxon flourishes with here, providing the basis for the beautiful speeches, which he makes to influential heavyweight investors, ordinary shareholders, Wall Street watchers. Expect no sympathy from him, no goodwill, no good faith.

He thrives on corporate predations, exists for its financial rapines, knows how to castrate Third World leaders and other powerful internal layers.

It is of compromising the

PNC Government first, then neutralizing it, then ousting it.

Now his corporate superpower has also compromised, gutted, and humiliated the current PPPC Government and imprisoned its ramshackle leaders and helpers that they can’t even think for themselves, speak for themselves, or do anything by themselves that favours Guyanese interests. Not for the environment, look at the national embarrassment that is the EPA. Not from the government, study its disease-plagued leaders; it is not Dutch disease, but that peculiar Guyanese one, which is triggered by allergy to money.

Not in the private sector, such Quislings they are, not from the professional elite bought and banished, such turncoats they have become.

Mr. Woods minions have done their work well. There is even the Exxon Ambassador to the PPPC Government (not Guyana). Go figure that one out. As for unknowing Guyanese, I enlighten them: Clinton and Gore (he of environmental concerns) cast covetous eyes and controlling visions on Russian oil in the early 1990s and lobbied crudely for Chevron and, yes, Exxon.

Yeltsin balked, Chernomyrdin hesitated, and Putin put a spanner in the works; Russians are oil nationalists first, don’t do this to Mother Russia. Despite decades of brutal communist control, Russians would not surrender to arrogant Americans hustling to overwhelm them in their time of weakness, and dictate to them.

Guyanese should learn.

So, when Mr. Woods touches down, citizens should welcome him and rouse him with as much noise as possible. Let this descendant of cruel, dehumanizing slave owners know that he doesn’t fully own all Guyanese. Not yet. Line up the route to the dismal swamp that is the nation’s capital city, and let him have it all the way. Down with Exxon! Up with Guyana!

Down with Woods, down with Routledge, down with the cowardly army of cheap local collaborators!

If those sounds familiar, they are right from the PPP playbook of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

Except that it was South Vietnam, South Korea, and America being ceaselessly damned and downed. Times change.

Greet him: Go back to Houston.

Take the rigs and gigs.

Take those politicians that Exxon have dancing shameless countless jigs.

Guyanese should force the red-carpet prostraters at CJIA to evacuate him by another route, though my preference is for the conquering oilman to see for himself the explosive rage building in this society.

Editor, Mr. Darren Woods must be made to observe for himself the other side of his oil bargain and oil brigandage from the lips of Guyanese wrathful that a slave master has come to survey the plantation he owns lock, stock, and barrel.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Mistreatment of Guyanese working offshore DEAR EDITOR With reference to the mistreatment of Guyanese working offshore on ExxonMobil floating vessel (KN 1/30/22), Guyanese workers need to be informed and understand that the American working system is different from the British

which is what Guyana has continued with after gaining independence from England.

For example: if a person was hired to received X amount of dollars for working X number of hours, it doesn’t matter if you work as a cleaner or doing laun-

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d r y, y ou get paid t h e amount you were hired to get.

If any worker has a grievance, they should take it up with the company that hired them -in this case Newrest Guyana.

Respectfully Gloria Holder

FITUG says budget 2022 is one for all seasons DEAR EDITOR The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) having considered the 2022 Budget recognises it seeks to address every facet of national life in order to improve the wellbeing of the Guyanese people. The Federation sees the Budget as one that continues to expand the gains of the working-people as it alleviates some of the challenges they confront.

The FITUG notes that the Government, through the Budget, has listened to the concerns of the ordinary people and worked to develop a budget that places their concerns at the centre. In this vein, we recognise the improvement in the income tax threshold that will improve workers disposable income. We note too the expansion of tax-free allowances to include life and medical insurance premiums.

Apart from putting more monies in the hands of workers, the policy ensures that our workers and their families have better protection in difficult times.

Additionally, we considered the decision to exempt withholding taxes on certain level of interest payments.

Clearly, this is a pro-poor

initiative that ensures that our ordinary people can save and gain more.

Apart from tax measures, they are several pro-people initiatives, which the Federation welcomes. A significant boost was given to our schoolchildren who will now receive $30,000 aggregately. Additionally, thousands of our children will benefit from the provision of tablets and flash drives undoubtedly to close the chasm between the rich and the poor. An outstanding initiative of Budget 2022 is the provision of support to dialysis patients. The FITUG is aware that this life-saving treatment cannot be afforded by everyone, and the State’s support will undoubtedly make a meaningful difference.

We recognised from Budget 2022, the deliberate efforts to mitigate against international developments which have redound to higher cost-of-living. We laud the extension of the freight cost adjustment that seeks to levy taxes at pre-pandemic levels.

The reduction in the excise tax on fuel will also be particularly impactful. We, at this time, urge businesses to pass down the savings accruing to customers to ensure that the Government’s

policies are truly impactful.

The Federation also commends the decision to establish farmer markets. We believe the initiative will be a boon to both consumers and farmers and cushion the prices in the cost of food.

FITUG recognises that Budget 2022 is heavy on plans for tomorrow as well. It places special emphasis on infrastructure to ensure that our country can respond to the growing demands of the future. The investments in housing are also welcomed and ensure that Guyanese dreams of home ownership become a reality. We noted too the significant investments in the social sectors undoubtedly with the intention of making the lives of our people better. The Federation sees Budget 2022 as one for all seasons. We believe that everyone will benefit from the Budget and our country will grow stronger as we are poised to reach previously unimaginable heights. Our review of the Budget confirms that our future is indeed bright and our people will be able to live the life they truly deserve. The FITUG commends Budget 2022.

Regards FITUG

Not a Poor People Budget DEAR EDITOR The government has delivered the largest budget in the country’s history. The budget allocates huge amounts of money to various sectors. But it is short on specifics; for instance, on how financial burden on the poor will be alleviated. There are no specifics on job creation. The increase in old age pension by $3000 is insufficient to address the rise in costs for goods and transportation.

The $3K increase is insufficient to buy a small cylinder of gas for cooking or a 10kg bag of rice. There is no mention of an increase in the minimum wage – the minimum monthly salary should be over $80K and even that amount is insufficient to provide the basic necessity for a

family of four. Price for all goods (including food items) has been doubled over the last year. How will the government lower the cost of basic foods?

Will savings at the wharf, customs, farm, and other sources be transferred to the poor or consumers? If so, how? How will it be enforced?

Also, the government had promised to create 50K jobs.

So far, only 500 jobs have been created over 17 months.

When will the other 49K jobs be created?

Is the government relying on the private sector to create the jobs? If so, how great of the government to push the (Continued on page 6)

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2 seniors are country’s latest COVID-19 fatalities - 86 new infections recorded A 79-year-old man from Region Four and an 86-yearold man from Region Three, who contracted the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, have died.

This is according to the Ministry of Health, which reported yesterday that the men died on January 27 and

30 while receiving treatment at a medical facility. As a result of this, the country’s COVID-19 death toll has moved to 1,168. Meanwhile, via its dashboard, the Ministry revealed that there were 86 new infections, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 59,889.

The dashboard data shows that 11 patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 200 are in institutional isolation, 10,898 are in home isolation and 19 are in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 47,612 persons have recovered.

Not a Poor People Budget...

From page 5 responsibility to the private sector! But when will they be created? Unemployment is extremely high. The unemployed need relief to cope with inflation.

The government had

promised to increase pension to $40K. It was $25K, now going up to $28K. When will the pensioners get $40K? The government allocates most of the money in the budget to projects that will be done by contractors. The same con-

tractors who earned most of the money from the previous budgets will be the beneficiaries again.

Unless government stipulates that contracts will be given to new qualified contractors and that all contracts will be distributed equitably based on region and other factors then things will never get better.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bandhu Leader, URP

Tuesday February 01, 2022

Desmond Haynes’ vision for CWI must be celebrated DEAR EDITOR: Because Cricket West Indies (CWI) has been under attack for such a long time, one cannot help but give credit to Cricket West Indies’ new chief of selectors, Mr. Desmond Haynes for announcing a new vision. In business, we encourage our management staff to celebrate success, even the little ones.

It is common practice for management to celebrate “wins” as this strategy reinforces various aims toward further success. In Mr. Haynes’ case, I wish to bring attention to what I consider a “new vision”. You will recall that I have been critical of CWI imperfections, including a need for new vision, new strategy, goals and objectives.

In a recent interview, Mr. Haynes announced what I consider, refreshing, changes to the vision and strategy of CWI. Yes, Desi, after decades of secrecy, I welcome your effort to be open and transparent with your vision, policy and strategy. Although widespread policy and operations strategy, I believe that this could be the catalyst for those changes. Knowing his opponents in the organisation will question his strategy, Mr. Haynes, was careful to note, “We are not changing policies, just explor-

ing all avenues given our, limited pool of cricketers.” I believe Mr. Haynes hit that one straight to Roger Harper, who was the recent chief selector.

Mr. Haynes pointed out a flaw of the previous administration, that adapted strategies from top playing nations only to find that those strategies did not work, nor could not have worked for the Caribbean. Specifically, Mr. Haynes pointed out that, “we are not India who has 1.2 billion people” to select from.

He was pointing out that CWI adapted those strategies but did not take into consideration the limited “pool” of cricketers the Caribbean has.

Well done Mr. Haynes. I sincerely appreciate your bravery to point out that we have been failing because we have been playing “copy-cats”.

We are incapable of doing what India and others have done to improve their brand.

I consider Mr. Haynes proposed strategy as a “win” and must be celebrated. It’s a departure from doing things the same way and expecting different results. I would add that this new vision Haynes announced will bring new trust in players that have been discarded recently by Roger Harper. For example, you will recall how poorly Roger Harper treated Kieran

Powell of Leeward Islands.

I recall Powell in a press conference stating that he had scored the most runs in the local competitions, and was confounded as to his omission from the West Indies squad. Powell, indicated that following his omission, there was ZERO communication from Harper’s office explaining the omission, what needs to be improved, what measures must be taken for Powell to regain consideration. Recognising that “unfairness, and sheer lunacy was at the help, Desmond Haynes pointed that his vision is to deliver, “fairness and professionalism” for players and the public. I see this as another straight drive down the ground to Roger and the CWI administration that communications will be a priority. Yes, we devoted time and resources toward developing Kieran Powell.

Why should we discard these players making our “selection pool” even smaller? Congratulations, Mr. Haynes, for many of us wondered why Kemar Roach was not in the picture. And best of luck in bringing back players like Powell. Our pool is so small; we had no idea. Well done Desi.

With regards, Gopaul S. Rampersaud

PNCR says no discussion on recalling MPs DEAR EDITORS The PNCR wishes to inform its members and the general public that the Party has not discussed or identified a list of MPs to be recalled from the National Assembly. The

reports in certain sections of the news media that a motion from its Party in Region #5 calling for the removal of four of its MPs is a total fabrication. No such motion has been submitted by Region #5

and no such motion has been discusse d at the Party’s Central Executive Committee meeting on Sunday.

Regards People’s National Congress Reform Congress

What is the impact of the introduction...

From page 4 inflation better in the foreseeable future. Conclusion It is true that we are in inflation-

ary times, but the introduction of the $2k note is not the signal of that, the pandemic is among other factors such as wage inflation that is a natural outcome in an oil economy, etc. Finally, there is no credible empirical evidence that

suggests there is a relationship between the introduction of a currency note, whether higher or lower denomination, leading to inflationary pressures.

Yours faithfully, Joel Bhagwandin Financial Analyst

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Tuesday February 01, 2022

Kaieteur News

New COVID-19 cases, based on the Health Ministry's stats, are dwindling.

Indeed this is pleasing to us at this publication.

However, it continues to be worrying that people are still dying daily.

Guyanese, we cannot let our guard down as yet; do what you must in order to stay safe.

PAGE 07

PAGE 08

Tuesday February 01, 2022

Kaieteur News

Oil Fund dominates day one of Budget debates - Govt. tells Opposition: “none of you will get a chance to touch that money”

T

he Budget Debates over the Estimates for the national expenditure this year kicked off in earnest on Monday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) with the inclusion of its first set of oil earnings for spending dominating the day's arguments and rebuttals.

Minister within the Ministry of Local Government, Anand Persaud was adamant that Budget 2022 is fresh, innovative and bold in its focus.

He was adamant that it is people centred and community oriented and that the opposition's grouse is centred on the fact that it was unable to access the funds held in the Natural Resource Fund.

To this end, he told members of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Members of Parliament (MPs), “none of you will get a chance to touch that money.”

He insisted, the money in the NRF belongs “to the people of this country and they will benefit from it.”

According to Persaud, “the opposition APNU+AFC must be ashamed of themselves when they see what is real growth and

Recently elected Chairman of the People'sNational Congress Reform (PNC/R), Shurwayne Holder

development that would take place right before their eyes.”

To this end, he sought to point to a number of the measures that had been outlined by Dr. Ashni Singh in his budget presentation such as the increase in the tax threshold, increases for pensioners, among other measures.

He was adamant “this is purposeful spending; prudent financial management.”

According to Persaud too, “it is our intention to build a rich country with rich people.”

His presentation was h o w e v e r, v e h e m e n t l y rebuffed by recently elected Chairman of the People's

National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Shurwayne Holder, who instead labelled the administration as a, “bunch of selfish hustlers and thieves.”

He firstly outlined that not only was the opposition—which represents some 49 percent of the constituents—not even consulted on the preparation of the budget but further was only given two working days to scrutinise the document for debate.

This, he pointed out, obtains when Guyana is presenting its first oil budget and, therefore, concluded that the move confirms,

“democracy and good governance is dead” in the country.

Pointing out that with in excess of US$600M sitting in the NRF, and with a country of just about 750,000 people, its citizens would have been expecting much more.

He cited as example, Libya when it discovered oil, how it went about developing not only its infrastructure but its people.

According to Holder, the PPP/C government is dragging its feet when it comes to development and insisted that, “they need to put proper mechanism in place to end poverty now.”

This, he observed did not happen.

Juxtaposing Libya and Guyana, Holder observed that that country transformed a desert nation into a modern state and ensured that they took care of their people at the same time.

This government, he said, is only interested in boasting about hotels and highways.

Referencing the proposed Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project, the MP said there was guarantee this would reduce the electricity rates in Guyana.

Regarding the allocations in the Budget, he said, it is recognised, “they are a bunch

Minister within the Ministry of Local Government, Anand Persaud of selfish politicians who have access to resources which no other government had before.”

Adamant that the money in the NRF does not belong to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo or President Irfaan Ali, Holder reminded that Guyanese people “are suffering out there, even those who supported.”

Lamenting some of the allocations in the Budget, Holder said, “The ordinary Guyanese continue to live from pay cheque to pay cheque; the struggle is real!”

Referencing the fact that the oil industry is quickly eatin g up the non-oil

industry, Holder noted that the promised jobs by the PPP/C would no doubt have to come from the oil sector.

Holder n o t e d t h a t 2022, the country is expecting almost US$ 1B in revenues from the oil sector alone and “how do you come now with oil money in hand and give $3,000,” referencing the increase for pensioners.

“It's a shame and embarrassment,” he said, in reference to the measures announced by Dr. Singh to cushion the effects of the increased cost of living in Guyana.

Doctor being investigated for GPHC fire, terminated over alleged sexual harassment

D

o c t o r b e i n g investigated for GPHC fire, terminated over sexual harassment The Guyana Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has fired one of its doctors after he was found guilty of sexual harassment.

Confirming this was the hospital's Public Relations Officer, Cheulana Providence who said that the male doctor's termination took effect on Monday.

The doctor in question worked with the cardiology department of the hospital and was, on December 31 last year, sent on leave to facilitate an investigation into a sexual harassment allegation made against him.

A female staff member who worked along with him had related to her superiors that he would sexually harass her via multiple phone calls and they decided to investigate the claims.

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Kaieteur News understands that a committee was convened to conduct the investigation and it was found that there was enough evidence to substantiate the

woman's accusations.

Based on the findings, the GPHC then made the decision to terminate the doctor's services.

Meanwhile, this publication

was reliably informed that the said doctor is also being investigated for suspected arson resulting in the destruction of the hospital's echocardiograph (ECG) room on

New Year's Day, one day after he was sent on leave.

A police source confirmed that the doctor is one of the suspects being investigated in the ongoing probe concerning the recent fire at the GPHC. The fire, which occurred around 05:42hrs on New Year's Day, destroyed some $30M worth in equipment and has since proved to be a major setback for GPHC's operations.

Investigations had revealed that an oily substance was found at the scene of the fire.

The substance was sent to the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory to determine if it could have been flammable liquid used to start the fire. So far, investigators are yet to report on the findings of those lab results.

Police have also obtained CCTV footage from the scene, which have since been reviewed.

Tuesday February 01, 2022

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Guyana came close to becoming a pariah state The attempt to rig the 2020 general and regional elections inflicted the greatest harm to Guyana’s regional and international reputation.

Those who participated in the attempted rigging and those who tried to benefit from that rigging stand indicted today for the damage their actions did to Guyana’s credibility.

Never before were so many international organisations and so many notable statesmen forced to make statements to try to prevent Guyana going over the brink.

But there was also real fear within the Caribbean that democracy was under threat in Guyana and would pose a serious embarrassment to the regionalism.

Guyana stood shamed in the eyes of the international community.

Guyana was set to become an outcast because of those who were complicit in engineering electoral fraud as well as by the fanciful narratives which were provided to suggest massive irregularities.

The international community rejected the attempts to distort the results of the elections during the tabulation process.

The Organization of American States (OAS) – which was invited by the APNU+AFC to observe the elections – issued a statement which decried the attempt to manipulate the tabulations.

The OAS said that such manipulation was unlikely to produce a credible result.

The statement noted that the Chief of Mission informed the OAS Secretary General of the events on the ground, stressing the importance of ensuring that a strong message was sent regarding the urgency of determining and securing the will of the people of Guyana.

In reporting back to the OAS about the conduct of

the tabulations, the Head of the OAS Observer Mission noted that he had never before “seen a more transparent attempt to alter the results of an election.”

Later, following a decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice that head of the Mission, Bruce Golding was to question whether the incumbent APNU+AFC government would accept the decision of the CCJ. He hinted that the “behaviour of the functionaries of the government up to now raises serious doubt” that they would.

By mid-July, the OAS was growing tired of the shenanigans. In a statement on July 11, the regional organisation quoted Article 1 of the InterAmerican Democratic Charter which provides that the people of the region have a right to democracy.

The OAS stated that the time had long passed for the then leaders of Guyana to comply with their democratic responsibilities and allow the newly elected government to take its place.

Not only did this statement suggest that the APNU+AFC government was in contravention of democratic norms but it clearly also left the regime isolated within the OAS. Around the same time, the Commonwealth issued a stern statement in which it indicated that the will of the people as expressed in the 2nd March, 2020 General and Regional Elections must be respected for democracy to prevail in Guyana.

The APNU + AFC’s slender hope of scuttling the elections, rested on the facetious grounds that the dead and migrated persons voted during the elections.

The Coalition refused to allow the Carter Center Team to return for the Recount.

The Coalition was hoping that the Caricom Audit Team

would offer it some redemption.

The Coalition went as far as saying that it considered the Caricom Audit team as the only credible interlocutor.

But the Caricom Audit Report described the APNU+AFC’s objections during the Recount as a fishing expedition.

The Report stated the objections resulted in considerable time being wasted during the Recount.

The Audit Team concluded that it “did not witness anything which would render the recount, and by extension, the casting of the ballot on March 2, so grievously deficient procedurally or technically (despite some irregularities) or sufficiently deficient to have thwarted the will of the people, and consequently preventing the election results and its declaration

by GECOM from reflecting the will of the voters. The actual count of the vote was indeed transparent.”

Despite this, the APNU+AFC continued its spurious attempt to annul the Recount results.

It did not succeed, and was left utterly discredited, disgraced and isolated.

It is believed that within the Caribbean, there were real fears that the attempted rigging would have seen Guyana becoming once again the pariah of the Region.

It is also suspected that unlike in the distant past when during the Cold War, the Caribbean Heads had turned a blind eye of electoral rigging, this time, they were in no mood to allow the APNU+AFC to discredit the regional integration movement.

If over the past two years there has not been any harm to Guyana’s international relations, it was through the attempt to return Guyana to an outcast within the democratic fold of nations. No one coun-

Dem Boys Seh…

Oil don’t spoil but royalty does done Oil, oil everywhere and still we paying over G$200 per litre fuh gasoline and even more dan dat fuh lil cooking oil.

Cooking oil now mo expensive dan gasoline.

Dem find oil now in Berbice. CGX mek a hit.

Dem boys hoping is cooking oil and not petroleum because cooking oil gat more money now dan gasoline.

Is another set of shore bases gan be established and more people gan want believe dat dem gan get rich overnight.

But dem boys know dat is de same 2 percent roy-

alty gan sign because de Exxon agreement stands as a precedent – an earlier event or action dat does guide future events or actions.

Precedent hard fuh break.

It remind dem boys of de time when wan elderly man invite some of he old friends fuh dinner.

De food was lavish and de drinks bin plenty and everybody was having a good time.

One of de guests did come with he wife.

And de host did impress by de way he friend bin precede every request to he wife in loving terms such as: Honey, My Love, Darling, Sweetheart, Pumpkin, etc.

De friend and he wife bin marry fuh more dan 70 years and de host thought dat it was nice dat dem bin still deh suh much in love.

When de wife went in de kitchen, de host lean over to he friend and say “I think it’s wonderful dat, after all these years, you still call yuh wife dem loving pet names.”

De old man hang he head.

“I have to tell you de truth,” he say, “Her name slip my mind about 10 years ago and I’m scared to death to ask her what it is!”

Talk half. Leff half.

try has countenanced the narrative, which was spun by the APNU+AFC. If Guyana’s international reputation has suffered a hit, it has nothing to do with the post August 2020 period and

everything to do with the preceding period.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Tuesday February 01, 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

AFC, Stabroek News and my advice to Aubrey Norton I once had a disagreement with one of my closest friends, the late Colin Smith, who at the time was the editor of the Catholic Standard.

Then Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj had secured a security advisor from Trinidad and the news was broken.

Colin got hold of Gajraj and he denied the story. Colin came to me and said he has a scoop; Gajraj has denied it. I warned Colin against publishing Gajraj's statement because since time immemorial, you have to be careful with what politicians tell you because from ancient times, right up to modern

times, politicians are people who cannot afford to level with journalists because of the fear of public fall-out.

The Stabroek News (SN) printed a story after the newspaper claimed it spoke confidentially with a highly placed executive of the AFC. SN has three times repeated what it was told and on all three occasions has interpreted it as a position of the AFC. It is that Aubrey Norton will have the endorsement of the AFC's parliamentarians to be opposition leader in the House.

My job is to monitor what takes place in the world of

politics in Guyana. I write on politics in Guyana for the country's leading newspaper thus I need to peep into all types of political corners.

There is no official statement from the AFC that says its parliamentarians will vote for Aubrey Norton. There has been no formal meeting of the AFC's management committee or the AFC's executive committee that has come to that position.

What SN has failed to do is to ask that anonymous voice that it interviewed if his/her attitude is a reflection of the AFC's totality of attitudes and if the decision was formalised within the AFC. I am suggesting the SN senior editors call me at 6145927 or email me at fredkissoon@yahoo.com and I will make available one of the most disgusting and horrible episodes in the history of colonial and postcolonial politics in this land and it involves the AFC. The then Minister of Home Affairs, and leader of

the AFC addressed his senior staff in a farewell mode at his ministry. Using language that was pellucid, unambiguous, and direct, the AFC leader conceded election defeat.

It is a delivery that lasted for more than half an hour in w h i c h M r. R a m j a t t a n accepted the PPP won the election and, in language that was emotional, thanked his staff for their service. The speech consists of words of election defeat that if denied in front of a judge, Mr. Ramjattan would be chased out of the court.

There isn't a parallel elsewhere in the world today, where the man who made that speech continues to deny the words he used that thousands have heard and thousands have access to. It is like a human saying that Nadal didn't win 21 grand slams.

And when you show him on video Nadal winning, he says that is not Nadal in the frame.

It is as insane as that.

Against this background, SN must ask itself if it can

tr u s t th at executive it spoke to. Is this the party that journalists must Frederick Kissoon trust? The AFC is yet to reveal who ordered Christmas, Ramjattan's son then Minister of Natural on his Meta page announced Resources, Raphael Trotman that the APNU+AFC lost the to sign the Exxon renewal contract even though the election and it is time the AFC go on its own. I will deal AFC said he was ordered. with that revelation in The AFC is yet to provide another column. evidence that a group of My advice to Aubrey Russians came in February 2020 to help rig the election Norton is not to embrace for the PPP. Two AFC what SN was told by that m i n i s t e r s – C a t h e r i n e AFC executive. The AFC Hughes and Ramjattan consists of people who have himself made that disclosure made Hamilton Green look at a press conference on like Mother Theresa. My advice to Aubrey Norton is March 5, 2020. that the AFC has proved itself The AFC is yet to reveal what were the dimensions of to be a school of politicians the renewed Cummingsburg that has no idea what right Accord in February 2020 that and wrong are and what are had to remain secret. The principles. Norton should be AFC is yet to acknowledge aware of the nature of the its secret document titled AFC. I hope he is.

(The views expressed in “The Way Forward” in which this article are those of the it has accepted the document's adumbration that author and do not necessarily it is time to leave the coalition reflect the opinions of this with the PNC. Just before newspaper.)

Tuesday February 01, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Malali boat captain suspended for being drunk on the job Suspended boat captain, Jermaine Blackman.

C

aptain Jermaine Blackman, 38, of L o t 3 We s t Ruimveldt, Georgetown, has been suspended after he was found to be above the prescribed limit of alcohol blood level, to be operating a public transportation.

Blackman is the captain for the Malali ferry, which usually traverses the Parika to

Bartica and Parika to Leguan routes.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a statement yesterday noted that a police rank from Regional Division Three, conducted two breathalyzer tests on the captain while he was on duty en route to Leguan.

According to the (Continued on page 16)

Tuesday February 01, 2022

Speaker strikes down motion to sanction 22 Govt. MPs A motion filed by A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), Member of Parliament (MP), Joseph Harmon, is seeking to have 22 members of the government side of the National Assembly sent to the Committee of Privileges, has been dismissed by Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir.

Nadir gave the announcement as the session opened on Monday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) for the first day of the debates in the Committee of Supply for Budget 2022.

According to Speaker Nadir, having perused the motion that was presented, he could only arrive at “one conclusion.”

To t h i s e n d , h e proceeded to explain that firstly the motion will not proceed because a 'prima facie' case had not been established.

He expounded further saying, “…you can't bring a legal action, for your illegal action in the first place.”

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir (right) and Opposition MP, Joseph Harmon.

As such, Speaker Nadir told Members of the House “…based on those two, I am not allowing that motion to go ahead.”

The motion submitted

by Harmon had called for 22 MPs to be referred to the Privileges Committee for “Unparliamentary Conduct of Members of the National Assembly”.

The motion cited that during the sitting of the National Assembly on

Wednesday, 29th December 2021, Members of the Opposition and Government ended up in a physical, loud and aggressive "face off" in the walls of the National Assembly.

Harmon further alleges that members of the government side engaged in and used abusive and threatening language and behaviour towards Members of the Opposition

and that this conduct and b e h a v i o u r w a s unparliamentary to say the least, and violative of the privileges accorded to a member of this National Assembly.

He noted that, “By their conduct, Members of the Government side have brought the Parliament of Guyana and this National Assembly into disrepute and invited public odium into (Continued on page 16)

Tuesday February 01, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Guyana Food Safety Authority …promoting food safety through standards

F

ood safety is important as it helps to protect consumers from the risk of food borne illnesses. It also helps to prevent consumers from risks of health–related conditions such as allergy, and even death. A crucial way of ensuring that the food consumed do not adversely affect our health, is to prepare and handle them in accordance with the requirements of National and International Food Safety Standards and Guidelines. The designated authority responsible for protecting the health and wellbeing of consumers in Guyana is the Guyana Food Safety Authority (GFSA).

The GFSA was established in 2019 to implement and enforce the provisions of the Food Safety Act and to ensure that all agricultural produce, whether produced locally or imported, are of the highest quality, meeting the strictest of hygienic conditions.

The Body was mandated to provide guidance to persons engaged in the Food Business, implement technical standards and requirements of the Food Safety Act, and provide training for persons engaged in the preparation and sale of food items.

To better provide these services, the Authority in 2021 engaged the Guyana

National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) to train its staff and Inspectors on the food safety related standards.

Senior Food Inspector of the GFSA, Ms. Shamein Moseley said the GNBS was chosen “because of the highquality training service it is known to offer,” which is supported by favourable reviews from other lead organisations.

Additionally, the courses provided are relevant and affordable.

In July of 2021, 11 staff members from the GFSA and 10 National Plant Protection Officers, who will function as Inspectors under the Authority, underwent face-to-face trainings at the GNBS. Participants completed the Trainers – Pre-requisite Food Safety Programme, which covered Good Agriculture Practices ( G A P ) , G o o d Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Hygienic Practices (GHP).

Building on the foundation of its own ISO 9001 Certification, and the training and experience of its cadre of professionals, the GNBS also provided Quality Management Training on the ISO 9001 Standard to the GFSA. “The programmes satisfied our training needs for development of the skillsets needed for our

Inspectorate staff,” Ms. Moseley added.

S h e f u r t h e r recommended the GNBS' training programmes to individuals and companies noting, “The training environment is conducive for teaching/learning, the instructors are technically sound and very competent, the delivery strategy is effective and GNBS is the only certified/authorised national body to provide Standards and Quality Training in Guyana.”

The GNBS' Business Development Department helps organisations to achieve their mandates by providing training, and Technical Assistance to improve competence and maintain key Management System Standards and Requirements.

Training is offered on various ISO Standards, the National Standard Requirements for the operations of a laboratory (GYS 170:2021), Internal Auditing, Risk Based Thinking and Data Analysis, among others.

Businesses and organisations can also take advantage of the GNBS Customised Training and Consultancy programmes.

To learn more, visit https://gnbsgy.org/businessdevelopment/training/ to view the GNBS' training catalogue. (GNBS feature)

The Bagotville Post Office.

Cops thwart burglar's plan to rob WBD post office

Q

uick response by Region Three police ranks on Monday thwarted a burglar's plan to rob the Bagotville Post Office located on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD).

According to police, they received information around 03:15hrs that someone might be breaking into the post office. Ranks were dispatched immediately and

soon discovered that the reports they received were true.

They noticed boards from one of the post office's walls were removed.

The ranks began checking around and soon stumbled upon a man hiding inside one of the rooms inside of the post office.

Kaieteur News understands that after the suspect gained entry into the

building, found his intended loot and was about to leave, he saw the flashing lights of a police siren in front of the building.

Realising that the police had surrounded him, the burglar reportedly decided to hide and remain as quiet as possible but the ranks found him.

He is presently in police custody assisting with their investigation.

A GNBS training programme for Guyana Food Safety Authority staffers in session.

$76M to rebuild Ogle Fire Station Following competitive bidding for the contract to re-construct the Ogle Fire Station, a project which was estimated to cost some $85 million, Singh and Sons Construction has been selected as the contractor to execute the works on the new facility.

This is according to information provided on the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB')s website which states that Singh and Son Construction was awarded the contract on December 31, 2021 to the tune of $76,343,119.

For this Ministry of Home Affairs project, a total of 21 companies had shown interest, 18 of which had bid lower than the Ministry's engineer estimate.

According to reports, this project forms part of the

$1.9 billion that was allocated to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) in the 2021 budget. In February last year, the government in its national budget presentation outlined that the $1.9B will go towards the relocation of the Stabroek Fire Station, the construction of a new fire station at Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and the procurement of six water tenders and two ambulances.

It was then revealed that out of the $1.9 billion, the relocation of the Central Fire Station would utilise $648 million.

That contract was later awarded to Mohamed Enterprise to the sum of $614M. As for the Eccles Fire Station, it is being constructed to the tune of $37 million by contractor, Kawal Ramdeen General

Construction Company.

During the reading of the 2022 national budget by Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, last Wednesday, it was revealed that government has budgeted some $508M to continue works at the GFS headquarters at D'Urban Park, located on Homestretch Avenue and at Ogle.

Part of this money, according to Singh, will also be spent on a new fire station at Wales on the West Bank of Demerara and the construction of facilities at New Amsterdam, Berbice, R e g i o n S i x .

Singh noted too that an additional $49.1M was budgeted for repairs and maintenance of fire stations countrywide.

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

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Security Guard wanted to work on the East Coast Demerara.Tel:222-0196.

One general domestic Covid19 vaccinated for Tuesday & Saturday between Cove & John Unity E.C.D.Tel:2590953/623-3231.

Household items.Call:6913467,whatsapp 661-1417.

One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition,low mileage 3.3M negotiable.

Contact:649-0956.

LAND FOR SALE One houselot for sale,Lot 48 Cove and John E.C.D. Tel: 664-1856/698-7152.

Lower flat for rent @Vigilance North E.C.D. Partially furnished with 3 bedrooms, price $60,000 negotiable.

Tel:630-3750.

1-2 bedroom apt to rent for single person,3 road st C/ Town.Tel:223-9677.

The Principal Magistrate had placed the defendant on $210,000 bail for that matter.

With the settlement made in court yesterday, the monies the defendant paid as bail will be given to Queensway Security thus the matters LaFargue had before the Principal and Chief Magistrate came to an end.

Speaker strikes...

From page 12 the affairs of the Assembly.”

Harmon in his motion had called on the assembly to contend that Members of the Government side should be referred to the Committee of Privileges where their conduct and behaviour will be examined and appropriate sanctions recommended

where appropriate. Those identified in the motion are: Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Gail Teixeira, Anil Nandlall, Nigel Dharamlall, Kwame McKoy, Anand Persaud, Susan Rodrigues, Jennifer Westford, Mustapha Zulfikar, Sanjeev Datadin, Robeson Benn, Hugh Todd, Faizal Jafarally, Juan Edghill, Sheila Veerasammy, Vickram Bharrat, Joseph Hamilton, Alister Charlie, Charles Ramson, Deodat Indra, Collin Croal and Vindhya Persaud.

The dismissed motion was seconded by Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones.

Malali boat...

From page 12 statement, Commander for Regional Division Three, Errol Watts, said a request was made by the Transport and Harbours Department to conduct a breathalyser test on the boat captain.

As such, the Commander noted that he complied with the request and two tests were administered on Blackman.

Along with the statement, the GPF also sent out two video recordings, which show a traffic officer administrating the tests on the captain.

The readings from the tests were 146 and 141 respectively, which is way above the legal limit.

As a result, the captain was suspended from his duties.

VACANCY

CGX, Frontera...

Vacancy for qualified & experienced Grade 2 Teacher.

Contact:623-1615.

From page 2 the Corentyne Block in the second half of 2022.

They have since exercised their option to use the Maersk Discoverer semi-submersible mobile drilling rig for the Wei-1 well.

The partners were keen to note that this is an important step from a health and safety, efficiency, and operational perspective and will maintain both continuity in the exploration programme during a period of high demand in the region and consistency in working with a team familiar with the rig. Kaieteur News understands that the Wei-1 exploration well will target Campanian and Santonian aged stacked channels in the western fan complex in the northern section of the Corentyne Block.

T h e We i - 1 w e l l i s named after one of the tallest peaks in the Pakaraima mountain range, which has commanding visibility over the surrounding terrain.

Wei Tepu was historically used as a sentinel post by the Patamona people to guard against attacks.

Vacancy for experienced Canter & Hauler driver. Apply in person at Alabama Trading,65 Robb St Bourda.

Porters,Cleaners and experienced sales girl.Apply in person at Alabama Trading,65 Robb St Bourda.

Domestic worker to work at Peter's Hall E.B.D,must be from the E.B.D age 2545yrs.Call:231-0363/226-9492.

FOR RENT

From page 13 slapped with an additional 14 charges.

He had denied the charges which allege that between July 2021 and August 2021, at Regent Street, Georgetown while being employed as a clerk or servant at Queensway Security Service Inc., he stole $514, 486 from the security firm.

Tuesday February 01, 2022

One office clerk,must be computer literate record keeping.

Send CV to Durban Quarries Inc. Tel:608-2241/608-2240/ 220-0912.

One clerk for TSI Eccles Office,English & Maths grade 1 or 2.Call:615-9132 or email application to tech serigy@yahoo.com.

Maid to cook and clean for East Bank areaa.Call:6159132.

Fitter Machinist,Welder fabricator,Mechanic,Apprentice & Male cleaner.Three year’s experience.Call:642-9823 or email: techserigy @yahoo .com.

Tuesday February 01, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

UNICEF, World Bank laud...

From page 14 leadership of the Education Minister. “I believe together, we can ensure that every child learns wherever they are through using different channels, different materials,” Mr. Akhtar remarked.

During brief remarks at Friday's launch of the Series, Education Specialist at the World Bank, Ms. Ingrid Bjerke, said that that 53 percent of children in the developing world either cannot read or understand a story by the age of 10. She added that following the school closures due to the pandemic, this figure could rise to 70 percent.

Ms. Bjerke stated that children have the inherent ability to learn any language, which they are exposed to and as such, one of the key elements to developing literacy skills is access to books and reading material.

“These books are designed to be appropriate for children in relation to grades and moreover are appropriate for the local context.

Finally, the stories are designed to be captivating and fostering a love of reading is to support the children's progress in literacy.

As such, I want to commend the Minister of Educa-

tion, the Chief Education Officer, Assistant Chief Education Officer and everybody else that we've heard from today (Friday), and everybody else in the ministry who was part of this very important initiative.”

The Atlantic Readers Series, which is the brainchild of Minister Manickchand, is a local book series designed for students in Grades One to Six. The completed series comprises of six reader books along with workbooks and was launched at the Redeemer Primary School in Georgetown on Friday.

Demolition of North Ruimveldt...

From page 14 destroyed included the classrooms that were designated for use by students who were about to write their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations.

After an investigation, the cause of the fire was determined to be that of a defective electrical point. Following the fire, the Education Ministry released public bids inviting companies to design and supervise the reconstruction of the school and contractors to demolish the building.

On January 7, last, Marcel Gaskin Associates was the

only company to put in a bid to design and provide supervision services for the reconstruction of the section of the North Ruimveldt Secondary School.

During the opening of tenders on that day, the company had submitted a financial proposal of $24,512,016 to NPTAB to design and supervise the rebuilding of the school.

During the presentation of the 2022 National Budget last Wednesday, Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh stated that the government has budgeted a sum of $6.6

billion towards the construction, rehabilitation, extension, and maintenance of educational facilities.

This would see the commencement of the construction of the Prospect Secondary School, the reconstruction of the North Ruimveldt and North West Secondary Schools, and the construction of a number of nursery and primary schools, the Minister explained.

It should be noted that just like the North Ruimveldt Secondary School, the North West School, which is located in Region One, was also destroyed by fire last year.

Tuesday February 01, 2022

Tuesday February 01, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 01, 2022

Tuesday February 01, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Calendar finishes third Mason Greenwood: Police given more time to question in Master of the Guianas Chess tourney footballer over rape claim Guyanese chess players held their own in the first edition of Master of the Guianas, an online tournament, hosted

by Suriname based Athena Chess on January 22nd, 2022.

MTV’s Sport Journalist, Jessica Callender, won third place in the women’s category with 4.5 points after 9 matches, just one point behind the first-place finisher, Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Victoria Kaslan of Suriname.

Callender continues to mark good performances in many local and regional

events, and also competed in the last two online Olympiads.

Justino DaSilva was also awarded a prize as the top finisher for Guyana with 5 points. DaSilva, who had qualified for the 2020 national championship and won last year’s independence cup, is a very active player on the local scene.

Guyana’s Francis Simmons, who finished on 4 points, also received a prize for being the oldest competitor in the tournament.

The online chess tourna-

ment was contested with a total of 46 players combined from Guyana and Suriname.

Nine exciting rounds were contested for various prizes over 5-minute Swiss system matches on the Lichess platform.

The top five players were all Surinamese, with Imaan Kalidjo crowned the first Master of the Guianas.

Athena Chess will host several tournaments, both online and over the board, and has indicated that they hope to reach out to Guyana to compete in these as well.

Tuesday February 01, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) An opposing person or situation may rear its head today, Aries. Realize that you can draw on the same energy that’s causing them to act and state your point of view for the record.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Today is a great day for transformation, Taurus, and your actions have deeper than usual inner meaning.

Be careful where you aim your arrow, because the tip of it has extra sting today.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Use today's powerful energy to cut to the heart of the matter and strip away the façade that’s currently doing more harm than good.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Try not to get blown off course by the fire that seems to be raging around you, Cancer. Ultimately, you know what’s right and what’s wrong, so don't compromise yourself or your sense of pride.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) There is a tremendous amount of power at your disposal today, Libra, and you should take care and use it wisely. This is quite a transformative period for you, and your body may be going through many changes.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) There may be a big conflict in your life that you seem almost powerless to control at this time, Scorpio. It could feel like a war is raging around you and all you want is for it to stop.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) There is a powerful force that seems to be working against you today, Sagittarius, but realize that you do have the power to produce a positive outcome.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) People may seem especially insensitive to your feelings today, Capricorn, but try not to get down on them about it.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Pick yourself up by your bootstraps and go in for the kill today, Leo. You’re in a terrific position to make some strong and lasting impressions on others.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Go for the gusto today, Aquarius. Nothing can stop you. You’ve got a tremendous amount of power at your disposal, so use it wisely.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your emotional nature may seem revved up for action today, Virgo, although it could be that you don't know what direction to drive in.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may have the sense that something is going on around you that you just can’t seem to grab hold of, Pisces.

BBC News - Police have been granted more time to question Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood who was arrested on suspicion of rape and assault.

The 20-year-old footballer was arrested on Sunday following allegations on social media.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said he would remain in custody for questioning.

Manchester United earlier said the forward would not return to training or matches until further notice.

Greenwood has not re-

sponded to the social media allegations.

GMP said: “Detectives have been granted additional time to speak to a man in his 20s who is being held on suspicion of rape and assault of a woman.

“Inquiries are ongoing and the victim is being offered specialist support.”

The force added: “We remind people to avoid any commentary or sharing of images that could compromise the victim’s right to lifelong anonymity, or risk prejudicing a live investigation with active proceedings.”

Greenwood, who made his debut for the club in March 2019, signed a fouryear deal in February 2021 after rising through the ranks of the academy.

Manchester United said on Sunday the club “did not condone violence of any kind” and had been made aware of the allegations on social media but would make no further comment until the “facts have been established”. Nike released a statement saying: “We have suspended our relationship with Mason Greenwood.

“We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation.”

Greenwood apologised after being dropped by England manager Gareth Southgate for a breach of coronavirus protocols while on international duty in Iceland in September 2020.

A month later, his United manager at the time, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, defended Greenwood amid media speculation of his being late for training.

West Indies...

From page 22 tournament after getting 56 against Sri Lanka and 61 against Papua New Guinea.

Bishop got the second hundred of the innings and third for the West Indies in the tournament with a brilliant 112 not out off 121 balls with 11 fours and one six.

Rivaldo Clarke got 28 not out and was at the crease with Bishop when the young Windies eventually got to 262-2 off 49.2 overs to seal the win.

Wickham, with 243 runs in four innings including one hundred and two fifties, was the West Indies leading runs scorer while pace bowler Shiva Sankar was the team’s leading wicket-taker with nine scalps in six matches.

Under-19 World Cup Results: Bangladesh 175 Pakistan (46.3/50 ov) 176/ 4 Pakistan U19 won by 6 wickets (with 21 balls remaining) Zimbabwe 256/4 West Indies (49.2/50 ov, target 257) 262/2 W Indies U19 won by 8 wickets (with 4 balls remaining) Ireland 122 United Arab Emirates (26/ 50 ov, target 123) 128/2 UAE U19 won by 8 wickets (with 144 balls remaining)

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Guyana Badminton Association commends government on budget 2022 The Guyana Badminton Association has joined the list of sports organisations that has commended the Government of Guyana on the significant allocation for sport in the 2022 National Budget.

The allocation of $2.2 billion signals the Government’s intent to invest in the nation’s youths and its commitment to the continued development of sports throughout the country.

Emelia Ramdhani, Secretary of the Guyana Badminton Association, noted that the Guyana Badminton Association looks forward to working along with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in the coming months.

Just recently Badminton was one of the sport disciplines involved in the Sports Ministry Academy Programme which is being used to better the quality of players in the various sports from a younger age

and also having them involved in a structured programme to develop the correct techniques from early so as to aid possible professional development and lift the standard across the board. With more funding to aid better and more structured programme to improve athletes and associations, all are hopeful of better fortunes for Guyanese athletes on international duties.

Tuesday February 01, 2022

Apex Group to be title sponsor for England’s three-Test tour of the West Indies in March

Cricket West Indies and Apex Group have extended their partnership for the three-match Apex Test Series between West Indies and England in March.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) and Apex Group have announced an extended partnership which will see Apex Group become the title sponsor of the three-match Apex Test Series between West Indies and England in March 2022.

Apex Group, a global provider of financial, sustainability and environmental services, will feature prominently on the global television broadcast, as well as prime pitch and wicket branding placements, and the Apex logo will also appear on the breast of the West Indies Test kit for the duration of the Apex Test Series. Apex will be granted access to the West Indies team for marketing activation and content and will deliver several sustainability initiatives involving the participation of West Indies players. CWI’s and Apex Sustainability Partnership commenced in October 2021, ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with the Apex brand appearing on the West Indies’ ICC T20 World Cup shirt. Apex is providing sustainability and environmental advisory services over a three-year period as CWI’s Exclusive Sustainability Partner. By providing CWI with annual carbon footprint as-

sessments, Apex will help lead the way in driving sustainability in cricket across the region by supporting CWI in creating an action plan to reduce and offset climate-altering outputs, including international travel.

The Apex Test Series will be played for the newlyminted Richards-Botham Trophy, named in honour of legends Sir Vivian Richards and Lord Ian Botham. The Apex Test Series opens appropriately at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua from March 8-12, followed by the second Apex Test at Kensington Oval, Barbados from March 16-20. The third and final contest will be at the idyllic Grenada National Stadium from March 24-28. All three Apex Test matches are part of the ICC World Test Championship with both West Indies and England vying for points to challenge for qualification for the World Test Championship final in 2023. “We’re delighted to build on our growing relationship with Apex for the upcoming Apex Test Series, which continues to be the most anticipated and highest-profile international sports event in the Caribbean,” said CWI CEO Johnny Grave.

“With the West Indies versus England Test rivalry

dating back nearly one hundred years, this deeper partnership with Apex enables CWI to make cricket more sustainable as we move towards a second century of West Indies cricket and build the next generation of cricketers across the Caribbean.”

Meanwhile, Peter Hughes, Founder and CEO of Apex Group said this is an important partnership for his company. “Following a challenging two years for sport, we are pleased to be a part of the return of International Test Cricket hosted in the West Indies,” he said.

“This is an important partnership for us, as we look forward to further leveraging the combined global platform Apex Group and the West Indies represent, to raise awareness for driving greater environmental sustainability in the sport; for fans, players and future generations.”

MATCH SCHEDULE Apex Test Series, West Indies v England (10am local time/9am Jamaica Time) March 8-12: 1st Apex Test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua March 16-20: 2nd Apex Test at Kensington Oval, Barbados March 24-28: 3rd Apex Test at Grenada National Stadium, Grenada

Volleyball Federation not surprised at budget allocation for Sports, lauds Government The Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) is not surprised at the results/input of the Sports Budget of 2.2 billion, it stated in a media release.

As a matter of fact, the past engagements and fulfilled commitments coming from the desk of the Honorable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Mr. Charles Ramson Jnr. Was definitely a

prediction of what was to come. The Volleyball fraternity lauds the Government of Guyana for the bold initiative taken, to historically boost sports participation in the form of financial support. This will definitely be used as a catalyst to develop our sporting Nation.

The GVF pledges to e n s u r e t h a t Vo l l e y b a l l

creates that positive change for the better, as it has commenced doing so, with the intervention of the Honorable Cult u r e , Yo u t h a n d S p o r t s Minister who has been steadfast in his endeavors. Hats off to a government that has shown tantamount commitment to Sports, the release concluded.

Tuesday February 01, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Deandra Dottin stuns South Canada beat United States Africa in Super Over finish 2-0 in World Cup qualifier ESPNcricinfo - Deandra Dottin’s career-best 150* on Friday could not beat the rain but her 19 off five balls in the Super Over sealed a rain-affect second ODI against South Africa. The main event was reduced to 41 overs a side and both teams were bowled out for 160 before Dottin and Hayley Matthews starred in a record Super Over of 25 without loss against Shabnim Ismail. South Africa’s Chloe Tryon and Tazmin Brits got off to a good start with 15 runs off the first four balls off Matthews, but managed only two off the last two to concede the match.

Dottin was at her destructive best in the match proper, where she top-scored with 37, and especially in the Super Over. She swiped a full toss to mid-wicket for two to start off, then moved across her stumps to ramp Ismail for four, and then got down on one knee to drive her over longon for six. She took three off the last ball she faced leaving Matthews one ball that she sent over the leg side for another six.

“When Deandra decides to bat, it’s quite difficult to have a plan,” South Africa’s captain Suné Luus conceded.

“You can try and contain her on one side but she is a batter with a lot of experience and power.”

And South Africa were unable to match that skill.

With Lizelle Lee out of the series as she recovers from Covid-19, South Africa chose to use Tazmin Brits and Chloe Tryon, who started the reply with a six over mid-wicket. She scrambled through for one on the ball after before Brits hit Matthews for successive fours. South Africa needed 10 runs off the last two deliveries and scored two off the penultimate ball, which put victory out of reach.

South Africa and West Indies were involved in the last tied match, with West Indies’ winning the Super Over while South Africa have been involved in the last five tied ODIs and stand-in captain Luus joked that she hoped they could come out on the right side of tense affairs fairly soon. But for that, their tactics in crunch moments needed examination. In this case, South Africa preferred Ismail in the Super Over

Deandra Dottin raises her bat after getting to her century © PCB over Ayabonga Khaka, who took a career-best 5 for 26 in eight overs, and Luus was left to explain why. “We felt Shabnim with her experience and she bowled the over before so she was confident she could keep West Indies to a low total,” she said.

Ismail bowled what became the last over of the match and dismissed Shakera Selman lbw with scores level, to snatch a tie from the jaws of defeat after West Indies had clawed their way back into the chase. They were 83 for 6 in the 21st over, with danger-woman Dottin dismissed for 37, and South Africa’s slower bowlers enjoying success on what Luus called a “sticky” pitch.

Chedean Nation and Chinelle Henry came together for the seventh-wicket with the intention to take their team over the line. “We had a discussion that it had to be between me and Chedean. It was about applying ourselves and keep it ticking,” Henry said. “We understand each other and we bat well together. We knew we had to take the responsibility to take the team to the end.”

Henry became Khaka’s fourth victim to end their partnership on 54 and Shamilia Connell was out lbw off the next ball to leave West Indies needing 24 runs with two wickets in hand. Nation and Selman then shared 21-runs

for the ninth wicket before Nation was caught off Masabata Klaas and West Indies were three runs short of victory. Ismail denied them that but could not stop them from winning the Super Over.

Ultimately, South Africa may rue the way they batted, with collapses at the top and bottom of the innings. They started slowly but solidly and reached 53 without loss in the 17th over but then lost three wickets for five runs in 13 deliveries and the middle-order was required to rebuild. Luus shared a 33-run fourth-wicket stand with Mignon du Preez and a 29-run fifth-wicket stand with Tryon. She topscored with 46 before South Africa’s lower order fell away.

They lost five wickets for 18 runs in 30 balls. The five bowlers West Indies used took two wickets each, with Shamilia Connell and Hayley Matthews conceding at under three runs an over.

The third match in the series will be played on Thursday, at the same venue, where according to Luus, the persistent summer rain is helping to replicate conditions the teams can expect at the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.

Scores: West Indies Women 160 (Dottin 37, Khaka 5-26) tied with South Africa Women 160 (Luus 46, Matthews 2-21).

Result: West Indies Women won the one-over eliminator.

(Reuters) - Canada struck early and again late on to defeat the U.S. men’s national team 2-0 on Sunday to remain unbeaten and extend their lead in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.

Canada collected a goal kick from U.S. keeper Matt Turner in the seventh minute and Jonathan David set up Cyle Larin, who raced forward and fired in past a diving Turner, sending the fans at Tim Hortons Field into a frenzy.

Sam Adekugbe added a second deep into second-half stoppage time to wrap up victory for Canada.

“The guys feed me the ball, and Jonathan up top helps me a lot,” said Larin, who became Canada’s all-time leading goalscorer with 23.

“We’re a close team.

We’re a brotherhood.”

Canada top the standings with 22 points, while the U.S. are second on 18 and Mexico, who play Costa Rica later on Sunday, are third with 17 points in the eight-team group.

After falling behind, the U.S. looked like they would equalise when Christian Pulisic’s corner found Weston McKennie’s head, but Canada keeper Milan Borjan leapt up to swat the ball away, pounding his chest triumphantly after making the save.Following a sloppy first half, the USMNT had more life in the second, especially after head coach Gregg Berhalter sent on Kellyn Acosta, Ricardo Pepi and Jordan Morris in the 69th minute.

The U.S. stepped up the pressure and had another ex-

Canada’s Cyle Larin celebrates scoring their first goal.

(REUTERS/Carlos Osorio)

Paul Arriola and Ricardo Pepi of the U.S. react. (REUTERS/ Carlos Osorio)

cellent chance to score, but Paul Arriola’s bicycle kick from inside the box with about three minutes to go was off target. Adekugbe then scored on the counter in the fifth minute of stoppage time to seal the win for Canada on a cold day in Ontario.

“This means everything,” Canada head coach John Herdman said of the victory.

“For these boys, for these fans, for this country. We’re turning into a football country.” After the game, Berhalter had a positive take on his

team’s effort as they look ahead to hosting Honduras in St. Paul, Minnesota on Wednesday, while Canada travel to El Salvador.

“It was a game where, with that performance, you don’t expect to lose that game,” Berhalter said.

“So for us we say, put it away, it’s done. Turn the page, now it’s about Honduras.”

The top three teams in the group will earn automatic qualification for the World Cup starting in Qatar in late November.

Victory over England shows Windies’ character - Jason Holder SportsMax - It was a special Sunday night at the Kensington Oval in Barbados as the West Indies defeated England by 17 runs in the fifth T20 International to win the Betway series 3-2. Former West Indies Test and ODI captain Jason Holder was the hero of the day with four wickets in four balls in the final over as the West Indies defended their score of 179-4. Not surprisingly, Holder was chuffed.

“What a real night last night. I just want to thank each and every fan that came to the stadium yesterday. It was a wonderful feeling seeing everyone back in the stands cheering,” he while speaking with the media Monday morning. “Special thank you also to the supporters who travelled all the way from England

to support their team. I think both teams played a really good series and it’s good to see the way it ended.”

Holder, who was voted Man-of-the-Series after an excellent return of 15 wickets in five matches, was pleased with the attitude of the team that saw them bounce back from a disappointing 2-1 ODI series defeat to Ireland earlier in January. “I think it’s been great. After the start we had against Ireland in Jamaica and everybody was really down and deflated, to see the way we bounced back against England, it just shows the character in the dressing room. I think we really pulled together and it’s the first time in a long time it’s felt that close in the dressing room. It’s a great

feeling,” he said.

“Hopefully we can continue this and build something special. I think this group has to be the group now, with such young and talented players, to become even closer and get better. I think if we do that, the future of West Indies cricket would be in good hands.”

The West Indies next assignment will be a white-ball tour of India where they will play three ODIs and three T20Is beginning on February 6. “I think this series is a big series. India, for me, is the best all-round cricket team in the world and they’ve proven that over the last couple of years so to go in their backyard and beat them is not going to be an easy feat but it’s not impossible,” Holder said.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Guyana Badminton Association commends government on budget 2022 The Guyana Badminton Association has joined the list of sports organisations that has commended the Government of Guyana on the significant allocation for sport in the 2022 National Budget.

The allocation of $2.2 billion signals the Government’s intent to invest in the nation’s youths and its commitment to the continued development of sports throughout the country.

Emelia Ramdhani, Secretary of the Guyana Badminton Association, noted that the Guyana Badminton Association looks forward to working along with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in the coming months.

Just recently Badminton was one of the sport disciplines involved in the Sports Ministry Academy Programme which is being used to better the quality of players in the various sports from a younger age

and also having them involved in a structured programme to develop the correct techniques from early so as to aid possible professional development and lift the standard across the board. With more funding to aid better and more structured programme to improve athletes and associations, all are hopeful of better fortunes for Guyanese athletes on international duties.

Tuesday February 01, 2022

Apex Group to be title sponsor for England’s three-Test tour of the West Indies in March

Cricket West Indies and Apex Group have extended their partnership for the three-match Apex Test Series between West Indies and England in March.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) and Apex Group have announced an extended partnership which will see Apex Group become the title sponsor of the three-match Apex Test Series between West Indies and England in March 2022.

Apex Group, a global provider of financial, sustainability and environmental services, will feature prominently on the global television broadcast, as well as prime pitch and wicket branding placements, and the Apex logo will also appear on the breast of the West Indies Test kit for the duration of the Apex Test Series. Apex will be granted access to the West Indies team for marketing activation and content and will deliver several sustainability initiatives involving the participation of West Indies players. CWI’s and Apex Sustainability Partnership commenced in October 2021, ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with the Apex brand appearing on the West Indies’ ICC T20 World Cup shirt. Apex is providing sustainability and environmental advisory services over a three-year period as CWI’s Exclusive Sustainability Partner. By providing CWI with annual carbon footprint as-

sessments, Apex will help lead the way in driving sustainability in cricket across the region by supporting CWI in creating an action plan to reduce and offset climate-altering outputs, including international travel.

The Apex Test Series will be played for the newlyminted Richards-Botham Trophy, named in honour of legends Sir Vivian Richards and Lord Ian Botham. The Apex Test Series opens appropriately at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua from March 8-12, followed by the second Apex Test at Kensington Oval, Barbados from March 16-20. The third and final contest will be at the idyllic Grenada National Stadium from March 24-28. All three Apex Test matches are part of the ICC World Test Championship with both West Indies and England vying for points to challenge for qualification for the World Test Championship final in 2023. “We’re delighted to build on our growing relationship with Apex for the upcoming Apex Test Series, which continues to be the most anticipated and highest-profile international sports event in the Caribbean,” said CWI CEO Johnny Grave.

“With the West Indies versus England Test rivalry

dating back nearly one hundred years, this deeper partnership with Apex enables CWI to make cricket more sustainable as we move towards a second century of West Indies cricket and build the next generation of cricketers across the Caribbean.”

Meanwhile, Peter Hughes, Founder and CEO of Apex Group said this is an important partnership for his company. “Following a challenging two years for sport, we are pleased to be a part of the return of International Test Cricket hosted in the West Indies,” he said.

“This is an important partnership for us, as we look forward to further leveraging the combined global platform Apex Group and the West Indies represent, to raise awareness for driving greater environmental sustainability in the sport; for fans, players and future generations.”

MATCH SCHEDULE Apex Test Series, West Indies v England (10am local time/9am Jamaica Time) March 8-12: 1st Apex Test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua March 16-20: 2nd Apex Test at Kensington Oval, Barbados March 24-28: 3rd Apex Test at Grenada National Stadium, Grenada

Volleyball Federation not surprised at budget allocation for Sports, lauds Government The Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) is not surprised at the results/input of the Sports Budget of 2.2 billion, it stated in a media release.

As a matter of fact, the past engagements and fulfilled commitments coming from the desk of the Honorable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Mr. Charles Ramson Jnr. Was definitely a

prediction of what was to come. The Volleyball fraternity lauds the Government of Guyana for the bold initiative taken, to historically boost sports participation in the form of financial support. This will definitely be used as a catalyst to develop our sporting Nation.

The GVF pledges to e n s u r e t h a t Vo l l e y b a l l

creates that positive change for the better, as it has commenced doing so, with the intervention of the Honorable Cult u r e , Yo u t h a n d S p o r t s Minister who has been steadfast in his endeavors. Hats off to a government that has shown tantamount commitment to Sports, the release concluded.

Tuesday February 01, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

COVID-19 cases mount as athletes, personnel arrive in Beijing BEIJING, (Reuters) During the past four days China has detected 119 COVID-19 cases among athletes and personnel involved in the Beijing Winter Olympics, with authorities imposing a "closed loop" bubble to keep participants, staff and media separated from the public.

The tally from the weekend showed 37 new cases on Sunday, and 34 on Saturday, with most testing positive after arrival at the airport, Games organisers said yesterday.

Russian biathlete Valeria Vasnetsova said her own

Olympic ambitions were over after testing positive twice following her arrival in Beijing, one of three Russian positive tests announced yesterday."Unfortunately, my Olympic dream will remain just a dream," Vasnetsova wrote on social media. "Maybe one day I will find the strength to rise again but it will be a completely different story."

Eight athletes or team officials were among 28 people who had tested positive on arrival at the a i r p o r t o n S u n d a y. I n t e r n a t i o n a l Olympic Committee

Reggae Boyz World Cup hopes fade with loss to Panama SportsMax - Panama remained undefeated alltime against Jamaica in World Cup qualification, rallying from a goal down to win 3-2 at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City on Sunday evening.

The visitors were ahead in the fifth minute when Michail Antonio converted from the penalty spot to give Jamaica its first goal against Panama in qualification since Marvin Elliott's 2013 tally.

Panama pushed, however, and had its efforts rewarded by a penalty of its own in the 18th minute. But they came away empty-

member Emma Terho, who heads the IOC's athletes commission, also tested positive and said she has been in isolation since the weekend."Even though this is not the start I envisaged, I was happy to see the protocols that Beijing 2022 has put in place are working well," Terho, a retired Finnish ice hockey player, said on social media.The cases have set off alarm bells among athletes concerned their competition could be over before it even starts after having prepared meticulously for years.

"You're like just so

Panama remained undefeated all-time against Jamaica in World Cup qualification.

handed, as Eric Davis' shot down the middle was saved

by Jamaica GK Andre Blake to keep Jamaica in the lead.

The Panama equalizer came when Blake was beaten by his own defender just before the halftime break, with the goalkeeper trying to punch clear a cross from Edgar Yoel Barcenas, only to send it onto the head of Javain Brown and into his own net.Davis worked to atone for his penalty miss in the 51st minute, taking advantage of a rebound from another Barcenas shot and sending a low blast past Blake to give Panama the 2-1 advantage.

The advantage was then

extended in the 69th minute as Azmahar Ariano Navarro scored with a sweep of his foot after a Panama corner kick fell to him.

Jamaica wasn't ready to concede defeat, though, with Andre Gray heading a cross past Panama goalkeeper Luis Mejia to put the Caribbean squad within striking distance.In the end, though, Panama's defence held tough and got the victory that keeps the Canaleros in sole possession of fourth place in the table.

Panama now travels to meet Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, while Jamaica returns home to square off with Costa Rica.

People wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), stand inside Beijing Capital International Airport ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China January 31, 2022. (REUTERS/Phil Noble) stressed about making sure you're as safe as you can be," A mer ican lu g er C h r is Mazdzer said. "Yet at the same time, there's no way to be 100 percent safe."There have been a lot of athletes that are testing positive right now and it's scary because you put in four years since the last Games and f or all of that to go to waste in the last week, last couple of days, it would be a tragedy," he told reporters.

Some 3,000 athletes, along with coaches, officials, federation delegates and media are expected for the Feb. 4-20 Games.The "closed loop" will allow them to move between w accommodation and Olympic venues on official transport but they are not allowed out to move

freely in public.

ZERO-TOLERANCE In contrast to many countries seeking to live with COVID-19, China has isolated itself with a zerotolerance policy, cancelling nearly all international flights.An opinion piece in the People's Daily -- the ruling Communist Party's official newspaper -- praised the work done to prepare for the Games and battle the spread of the virus."The epidemic and control measures of the Beijing Winter Olympics are the epitome of China's successful experience in fighting the epidemic, and are also a focused demonstration of China's spirit and China's strength," it said.Athletes have also been testing positive prior to their arrival in Beijing, with

the world's leading women's ski jumper, Marita Kramer of Austria, rescheduling her departure in an effort to get healthy in time for her competition after testing positive in Germany.Russian skeleton racers, Olympic silver medallist Nikita Tregubov and Vladislav Semyonov, will miss the Games after testing positive before setting off.There was, however, good news for the Australian curling team after Tahli Gill returned two negative tests following an initial positive in the Chinese capital on Sunday.Gill and team mate Dean Hewitt had been in isolation for two days."We have treated this time as a rest day and a time to really focus on our Olympic goals," the pair said in a statement.

Calendar finishes Deandra Dottin stuns third in Master South Africa in of the Guianas Super Over finish Chess tourney Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin smashed 25 without loss in the Super Over. (PCB)

Jessica Callendar

t r o Sp Jason Holder looks and points heavenwards during his remarkable performance to lead the Windies past England in the series decider. (CWI)

Victory over England shows Windies’ character - Jason Holder

Teddy Bishop ensured the West Indies chased their target without much trouble.

West Indies Under-19s close World Cup campaign with eight-wicket victory over Zimbabwe

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