Kaieteur News

Relativeof

officialfingeredin electionsbombscare Copon$1.6Mbail forfatalshootingof colleague,fisherman Man survives after being burnt by GPL high voltage wire …asChairwalksbackondecisionto hireITManagertoperformDCEOduties

ExxonnowpreparingGasLeakManagementPlan

...butEPAalreadygaveclearanceforpipeline

Even though the Environmental P r o t e c t i o n Agency (EPA) has already approved an application by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited - ExxonMobil Guyana - to transport natural gas from the Liza Fields in the StabroekBlocktotheWales Development Site, West BankDemerara,theoperator is still in the process of completing its Gas Leak ManagementPlan(GLMP).

Minister of Natural Resources,Vickram Bharrat recently told the National Assembly that the oil company is not only conducting this study itself, butisalsofundingtheplan.

His comment came in response to a question from Opposition Member of Parliament, David Patterson who asked for an update on the document and for the Minister to state the source offinancing.

According to Bharrat,

“These studies are ongoing. The operator has been assisting with all the studies along with our technical team so you will not see an allocation assigned to it, but it is being done between ourselves and the operator Theyareactuallypayingfor itthen,inotherwords.”

In addition, the Minister pointedoutthathisMinistry, with the assistance of President Irfaan Ali has secured expertise from Qatar,freeofcost,toassistin craftingtheGLMP Henoted that two experts from Qatar were expected to arrive in Guyana this week to lend theirexpertise.

Patterson had also asked Bharrat to say whether it is prudent for the operator to conduct a GLMP on behalf ofGuyanaasopposedtothe country procuring these servicesindependently

MinisterBharrattoldthe MP that Guyana is saving funds through this mechanism, as Exxon will befundingthestudy.Onthe other hand, he assured that the Ministry of Natural Resourceswillbereviewing

the document and have an input.

FormerheadoftheEPA, Dr. Vincent Adams in a previous interview had stressed the importance of the Gas Leak Management Plan being included in the Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA)submitted by Exxon for the pipeline aspectoftheproject.

He said, “How does it make sense that the highest hazardous risk is a leaking pipeline but it is not addressedintheEIA?”

Dr Adams explained, “Remember what an EIAis; that’s the document that defines,it’swhatIliketocall the bible of any project. It defines all of the environmental risks and hazards.

No other document does itindetail,soifariskhasnot been identified and not only identified,ithastosayinthat EIA how you are gunna address that risk in terms of mitigativeactionorhowyou are gonna respond if somethinghappens.”

To this end, the former Executive Director of the state-owned agency pointed out that if the EIA fails to addresssucharisk,itshould bedeemedincomplete. In the environmental study submitted by Exxon, through its Consultant, Environmental Resources Management (ERM), it was stated that gas leaks, and worse yet explosions are likely to occur as a result of corrosion, objects striking thepipeline,andabuildupof Continuedonpage3

Guyana must pay decommissioning cost even if equipment is abandoned on seafloor...saysExxonMobil

Guyana has already commenced the payment of decommissioning fees, even though the ExxonMobil’s subsidiaryandoperatorofthe Stabroek Block, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) may abandon the subsea equipmentontheseafloor

Anthony Jackson, the ProjectsManagerofEEPGL, commonly referred to as ExxonMobilGuyana,saidon Monday during a public scoping session for the sixth project that these costs must be deducted even though decommissioning is not a fixedplan

Decommissioning, for those unfamiliar with the term, refers to cleanup and restoration of the environment, following the life of an oil project At previous consultations, Exxon said it may leave its equipment on the seafloor as marine life often tends to make this its new habitat Removingthesemayactually cause more harm than the goodtheoperatorbelieves

In the meantime, it must be noted that in 2020 and 2021, Guyana paid ExxonMobilanditspartners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Group, some US$355 7 million for decommissioning This is only the beginning as more costs are to be deducted annually

Kaieteur News hadasked Jackson to explain why Guyanaispayingthesecosts before the decommissioning plan is established, since in his presentation on the sixth project, he made it clear that thisisstilltobedetermined Jackson in response e x p l a i n e d ,

“Decommissioning plan is not fixed and firm but if you were to go and look in the FieldDevelopmentPlan,you will see a specific number l i s t e d f o r decommissioning it is possible that we have either over or underfunded that decommissioning and that is simply something that we have to accept as part of our initialuncertainty”

The Projects Manager noted that the cost for decommissioningisagreedto by government in the License, thereby paving the wayforittoberecovered

He said that at the end of Exxon’s operations, the government can say that the assets are working well and have no intention to decommission It is also possiblefortheequipmentto be handed over to interested stakeholders too, rather than bedismantledhesaid Insuch a situation, Jackson posited that the decommissioning fundwouldnotbenecessary

He was keen to point out that as the operator, ExxonMobil will be obligated to handle decommissioning, in accordancewiththeLicense, to the satisfaction of the government of Guyana, irrespectiveofifthesumsset asidewereenough

Additionally, he assured thatdecommissioningwillbe done in adherence to the governing regulatory bodytheEnvironmentalProtection

ExxonnowpreparingGasLeak...

Frompage2 stress in the pipe wall, causingbuckling.

Eventhoughthisriskwas identified,theConsultantdid not see it fit to also attach a detailed response plan, accompanied by the various scenarios in which such an eventcanoccur

TheformerEPAbosstold this publication that ExxonMobil must address this dangerous risk in the EIA. “You can’t say you are goingtodoitaftertheEIAis submitted.Thatisthereason fortheEIA;youlookatallof therisksupfrontbeforeyou move forward. You cannot say well now that I’m finished with the EIA, I am goingtobeaddressingarisk afterwardinsomedocument. Thatisabsoluteinsanity!It’s nonsense,”heargued.

According to him, ExxonMobil is well aware that the company would not be permitted to submit a GLMP after an EIA is submitted especially in developedcountries,suchas theUnitedStates.

When questioned about t h i s d o c u m e n t , ExxonMobil’s Gas-toEnergy Project Manager,

Friedrich Krispin, told Kaieteur News that the document will be developed and submitted to the EPA, about a year before the projectcommences.

The pipeline to transport the gas is expected to cost around US$1.3 billion. The

Government of Guyana will be separately pursuing a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility to process the gas, while a Power Plant to generateelectricityisalsoin the making These two aspects are pegged at US$759million.

Agency There are also international agencies that have specific guidelines and requirements to ensure that decommissioning is done responsibly by the oil company

The Projects Manager was then asked to explain what Guyana would be paying for, if the equipment wouldbeleftontheseafloor

Tothis,heoutlined,“It’stwo thingswearepayingfor,first nomatterwhat,ifwedohave to decommission the FPSO [Floating Production Storage andOffloadingvessel]thatis acostandthatisindependent of the SURF [subsea umbilicals, risers, and flowlines]”

Jackson said that even if the equipment will be abandonedontheseafloor,at the very least, ExxonMobil must detach the risers which are the equipment that goes from the seabed floor to the surface of the FPSOs After that is removed, he said the lineswillbepurgedtoensure thereisnowater,oilorgasleft there

Thirdly, he said that the wellsmustbecappedthereby pluggingtoabandonit,afterit has reached its production timeline Itmustbesealedto ensure there is no release of hydrocarbons to the environment

Heassured,“Wehavehad decades of experience working in subsea development so the methodology for responsibly

Guyana Projects Manager, Anthony Jackson

decommissioning subsea equipment is established in theindustry wearegoingto be following prudent and rigorousstandardswithinthe offshore decommissioning guidelines We have a reputationtomaintain”

Based on its 2021 financialstatements,Exxon’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) recovered $152B in 2020 and $17B in 2021 for decommissioning costsassociatedwiththeLiza One Project It therefore meansthatitstotaltakeforthe twoyearswasUS$160M

Itspartnersalsorecovered monies too Though their financial results have not been made public as yet, Kaieteur News was able to calculate their take based on

the percentage of working interest they hold in the StabroekBlock

With Hess’ 30 percent stake, it recovered approximately US$106.7M while CNOOC’s 25 percent working interest would be equivalenttoUS$89Mbeing r e c o v e r e d f o r decommissioning

ExxonMobilGuyanahad acknowledged that decommissioning funds are not needed until 20 to 30 yearsdowntheline Bethatas it may, the company noted thattheprovisionsofthe2016 StabroekBlockdealallowfor early recovery The oil giant assured nonetheless that when Guyana needs that moneyforcleanup Itsaidthe country would not be left to handlesame

It said too that a Decommissioning Security Agreement is being sorted with government to ensure only the companies are held liable and that the country is indemnified

The company said, “This agreementwillensureallthe funds are in place to pay for the costs when they are needed couple decades from now”EEPGLconcludedthat neither the people Guyana nor the Government have no reasontobeworried

ExxonMobil

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor-In-Chief:NIGELWILLIAMS

Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210

Free to speak, free to write

The Publisher and CEO of Kaieteur News, and thrice weeklyhostofalargelyoil-focusedprogrammeonKaieteur Radio, is putting his money where his mouth is. It is also accuratetosaythatheisputtingoutwhatandwherehisheart is.PublisherGlennLallhasmadeAmerica’soilsuperpower ExxonMobil, and Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)anofferthatbothshouldacceptwithenergy and urgency In fact, it is accurate to state that that he has madethemanofferthatneithershouldrefuse.

For that would raise a whole array of questions, speculations, and conclusions about how serious and genuinebothareabout,howcommittedtheyareto,whatis inthebestinterestsofGuyana,ExxonMobilandothers.

We repeat today what we have said many times before: we are pleased when the oil companies and their vendors make money from Guyana’s oil bonanza, but we are not pleased at all with what Guyana gets for its treasure. It wouldbemostpleasingtousforExxonMobiltomakeitsfair share, and Guyanese get their rightful share; that would be justiceinfinelybalancedscales.

To this end, ExxonMobil and Guyana’s EPAhave been presented with an opportunity to share their visions, their actions, and their conditions of operations, so that learned and unlearned Guyanese are better equipped, then fully educatedaboutthismagnificenttroveofprosperitythatlies underneathGuyana’swaters.TheinvitationofMr Lallisas clearasabellranginthemidstofdeepestsilence “As the Publisher of Kaieteur News and also the Kaieteur Radio, I am here proposing to ExxonMobil and the EPA to have the newspaper and the radio station open to let us inform and educate the entire nation as to what’s happening in the oil sector.” What could be better than that, could be more welcomed? Nothing could be more straightforward, or simpler,orsincererthanthatthrowingopenthepagesofKN, andclearingairtimeonKaieteurRadio,withbothfree.

Both ExxonMobil and the local EPA should take immediateandthefullestadvantageofsuchgenerosity In this manner, through these channels, both the American companyandtheGuyaneseStateAgencygettopresentthe respective sides of their stories relative to everything in motionwiththisnation’soil. Insteadofcontinuedclashing throughmisinformation,misunderstanding,ormisdirection, there just may be a blending of visions and programmes, eventosomesensiblemeetingofminds.Honestandtruthful minds and minds that speak frankly and freely Because everyone involved, all who come here to explore local oil opportunities,andthoseresponsibleforoverseeingsuch,are aboutwhatisbestforexpectantGuyanese.

The Publisher of KN and presenter on Kaieteur Radio hasbeendoingmorethanhispartonmattersofoilandother naturalresources. ExxonMobil’svoiceandtheEPA’swork both belong in the growing narrative of what this oil is all about, and what it could mean for every citizen of this country FromthesoundofMr Lall’swords,thereappears tobenostringsattached,withfreemeaningexactlywhatit said, meaning, free The fair interpretation that accompaniessuchanofferisthattherearenoconditions,no limitations, other than the free space and the free time be used to educate honestly, and not to misuse a good deed extended.

Kaieteur’sPublisherhasmanifestedhisbonafidesinno uncertainfashion. Heissacrificingforcountryandcitizena sliceofhisbusiness,fromwhichmoneyhasbeen,andwould be,made. Thereoughttobenotasliverofdoubtabouthow much he desires to have an open and fair and balanced nationalconversationaboutthistrillion-dollaroilsector.

ItwouldbemostinterestingtoobservehowboththeEPA andExxonMobilrespondtowhathasbeenputonthetable, andbeforeeveryone.Asseen,thiscanonlyberewardingfor all parties concerned about their role in Guyana’s oil. ExxonMobilseizesthisopportunity,anditwins(oncedone right). Guyana’s EPA responds cleanly, and it could be lookedupondifferently Kaieteur’sPublisherdemonstrates thetrulypatriotic. Guyanesearebetterinformed.

Government must impose stricter penalties on those blocking roads, taking law in own hands

DEAREDITOR,

A recent news release stated, “Stop blocking roads in Buxton - Home Affairs Ministry” (Feb. 1, 2023), in whichtheMinistryofHome Affairs appealed to persons who have blocked roads in Buxton with burning tires and other debris to stop doing so, as they pressed demands for the release of a suspectednarcotictrafficker

I was on the Corentyne heading to Georgetown when my driver received phone calls from his friends that they are setting fires, blocking the road and burning a truck in Buxton, that we should not travel to Georgetown.

Iamsureothersreceived similar information from friends.

Sincewhenisitokaythat people should create public terror to stop law

enforcement from arresting drug dealers, and pelting of f i r e f i g h t e r s f r o m extinguishing fires? This is simply unacceptable and Government must take the firmestactiontopreservethe ruleoflaw

In this case, the drug runner was carrying over 50 poundsofmarijuana.Maybe some terrorists have been arrestedbutIhavenotheard anythingaboutanyonebeing charged as there is ample videofootageidentifyingthe perpetrators breaking the law,asinothercasesofroad blockingsandburnings.

The Ministry of Home Affairs calling on persons engaged in the blocking of the roadways and other illegal activities to desist from this practice is a weak, patheticresponse.

If we do not charge the violators, we are in effect

r e i n f o r c i n g s u c h lawbreaking behaviours.We are still waiting on the promise that more violators will be charged for the Mon Repos terrorism. Where are we with that Mr.AG? If the Government shows weakness, terrorists will continue with their terrorism,anddruglordswill calltheshots.

We must change the law to impose stricter penalties including mandatory jail time for those who would encourage and organize to block roads especially in a one road situation that people must use to get to appointments, travel to the airport, and attend to businessandemergencies.

So far, by its inactions, the Government is sending strong signals that terrorists cancreatepublicterrorasthe Government will be soft on

suchcrimes.

How much more burnings should we endure beforetheGovernmenttakes strongeractiontoprotectthe nation?

The other action at Hopetownofbeatingadriver involved in an accident is also regrettable. Since when is that acceptable to take matters in your own hands? Howmanypeoplehavebeen charged for beating the driver?

Even in unfortunate accidents, the rule of law musttakeitscourse.

When these things happen, Government must take follow up actions and ensure these would not be recurring behaviours Wrongdoers must be duly punished. Government must takeaction.

Sincerely,

Dr.JerryJailall

Lawrence, Walton-Desir seen as likely replacement of Norton

DEAREDITOR,

National political attitudes have not been kind or favourable towards Opposition Leader Aubrey Nortoninthispoliticallyand culturally polarised society President Ali, on the other hand, is very likeable and popular

ThePNCleaderhasbeen struggling to win peoples’ confidence and for support or traction within his own party’s political base as well asnationally

This is one conspicuous finding of an opinion poll conducted by Dr Vishnu Bisram for the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) over the last few weeks.

NACTA has been monitoring political attitudes (favourability or positive views and unfavourability or negative views) towards leading politicians.

While the public has a huge net positive favourable ratingofPresidentIrfaanAli, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, among others,thereisanetnegative favourability rating of Norton unlike several others (like Amanza Walton-Desir, Ganesh Mahipaul, Roysdale

Forde, Geeta Chandan, Vo l d a L a w r e n c e , Christopher Jones, among others) within his party who haveapositivenetrating.

Norton was elected leaderoftheoppositionPNC inDecember2021.

But ever since, he has been struggling to attain traction within the party and win national appeal to solidify his place as leader and to lead his party to victoryinelections.

Surveys conducted in December 2021 and in February 2022 found favourable support for N o r t o n b e c o m i n g Opposition Leader It was felt that since he won the leadershipcontest,hehadthe right to serve as Opposition Leader

He became Opposition Leader in April 2021 and eversince,hehasbeenlosing popular appeal within the party’sbase.

He trails others in popularity ratings within the party base. Support for him as leader of the PNC has whittledawayandplateaued.

Only 13% of traditional PNC supporters back him, whereas his political opponent, President Irfaan Ali, has soaring approval ratings (80s) in his party’s base and sixtieth percentile

nationally

Nortonhasnocrossover ethnic support, and he is not attracting support from floating or middle of the ground voters critical to winning an election Discontented traditional supporters of the PPP reject him.

He is not viewed, not e v e n a m o n g P N C supporters, as an alternative President in the making to replace incumbent Irfaan Ali. Ali comes across as a populist likeable leader whereasNortonisviewedas the opposite, and not surprisingly, he lags behind Ali in popular appeal and votersupport.

The general view among thenationalpublicisthatthe PNC will not rebound under Norton’s leadership and will lose the upcoming LGE Respondents are of the view that Norton should make way for younger, more likeable leadership of the PNC to stem tide against supportloss.

However, within the party, almost half its supporters feel Norton should be allowed to completehistenureasleader of the PNC and be given the opportunitytoleadtheparty intothelocalelectionslikely laterthisyear

When asked who should replace Norton should he demitoffice,RoysdaleForde is the leading choice followedbyVoldaLawrence and Amanza Walton-Desir, with others trailing way behind.

The latter two exhibit challengeswinningtrustand confidence and cross over support from Indians because of ill-advised remarks uttered years ago although Volda has strong grassrootssupportasaparty organizer; Indian voters seemingly don’t forget their remarkswhereasFordedoes not carry a similar baggage. Forde is also viewed as having good cross-over appeal Respondents describe Forde as a professional with an amicable persona and who engagesandlistenstopeople and as having apt leadership credentials. The duo trail Forde by double digits as potential successor to Norton.

(Dr. Bisram has been conducting opinion polls in Guyanasincethelate1980s. The latest poll interviewed 570 likely voters to reflect theethniccompositionofthe population; the poll has a marginoferrorof5%.)

Regards, VishnuBisram

Forde,

Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper was a strong leader

DEAREDITOR,

Ilearnedwithmuchgrief about the death of Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper News of this irreparable loss struck me like a bolt from the blue although I knew that Edmond was ailing for over ayear Ibelievethatallthose who knew him are equally perturbed.

We shared a father/son relationship. It spread over three decades. He used to call me dad. I recruited him for the Guyana Police Force andhecommencedhisinitial police recruit training at the Felix Austin Police College ‘B’Division.AttheCollege, he displayed tremendous potential for growth and development.

He did not disappoint me. He quickly climbed the ladder of success, reaching the rank of senior superintendent He performed with excellence in several police divisions and departments. He held many senior positions i n c l u d i n g t h a t o f commander I can vividly

recallselectinghimtoattend the police Special Prosecutors’Course.

It was a one-year fulltime training engagement which was conceptualised by Commissioner Laurie Lewis. It consists of the following components: Evidence, Criminal Law, Criminal Practice and Court Procedure, Legal Research and Writing, Advocacy, English and Attachment to Courts.

This course was conducted by the Felix Austin Police College in association with the University of Guyana and the office of the Director of PublicProsecutions.Cooper excelled on the Course and sawitasasteppingstonefor him to enter the University of Guyana where he obtainedaLawDegree.

Hethenproceededtothe Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago where he graduated as an attorney-at-law There were no GOAL scholarships. He spent his own money to complete his studies. He

invited me to his admission ceremony at the Supreme Court in Guyana. I did not attend. Business kept me away Hecalledmethesame day and expressed his disappointment of my absence.

He also accused me of behaving like some senior members of the Guyana PoliceForce.Hecomplained thatheinvitedthemtoattend hisadmissionceremony,but nooneturnedup.

Even the Hon Chief Justiceremarkedthatnoone from the policewas present. My absence caused me a couple of GT Beers and Guinness which the two of us consumed at two locations in Georgetown Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper believed in self-development and that police ranks should develop a c a d e m i c a l l y a n d professionally at the same time Hence, he sought higher education and graduated from several universities in various fields oflearning.

Senior Superintendent

Edmond Cooper was a strong leader which resulted in him encountering serious challenges with the administration of the Guyana Police Force It climaxed when he was the Commander, Regional Police Division 5 during the standoff between the police and residents at West Berbice after the killing of Isaiah and Joel Henry Cooperinformedmethathis superiors instructed him to use lethal force against unarmedprotestors.

He did not comply as he did not want to resolve conflict through the barrels of guns. He learned from what took place a few years ago on the Linden/ Wismar Bridgewhenthreeprotesters were unlawfully shot dead bythepolice.

He believed that negotiations would have worked and that it was working as he interfaced withtheprotestorsbutitwas not moving fast enough to thelikingofthePoliceHigh Command and the GovernmentofGuyana.His

Using oil incomes to lift up the Have-Nots

DEAREDITOR,

Readers, before getting intothemeatofthisarticle,I must give recognition to the relentless and fearless agitations and advocacies being maintained by Mr Glenn Lall and others in order to ensure that the Guyanese masses get fairer shares of the PIE from the Nation’soilresources.

In addition, I have written it elsewhere that I wantedtobeassociatedwith

thecallsthatarebeingmade forMr LalltoseekPolitical Office, because of the consistentbattlesthathehas been putting up against Government Negotiators andtheoilmagnatesinorder seekbetterfinancialrewards from the powerful oil companies. {FEARLESS is a very important and relevant variable in this context.}

Some might claim that generally, Guyana is

progressing rapidly, but that is a superficial assessment, because sufficient attention is not being paid to the plights of the poorer ones and have-nots who are dependent on remittances, boxes, barrels and parcels from overseas in order to survive and exist. The other mistake being made is that the gifts and hand-outs that the poor and have-nots exist by, are hardly accounted for in Official statistics. Some

refusal to comply with instructions from his superiors to use lethal force against unarmed protestors costhimhiscommand.

Senior Superintendent Cooper was removed from WestBerbiceandsenttothe Project Office of the GPF at EveLearywhichbytheway isnowrenamedCommunity Relations Office At the Projects Office, there was not any project for him to evaluate.

However, he was asked to overlook the Equine Section of the Force and to doabitofequitation.Hewas frustratedbecauseaccording to him, he wanted to do real policework.

The situation became verystressful.Iremembered reading that 85% of the illness in the world is stress related.

After sometime Cooper suddenly became ill He suffered a massive stroke.

He was hospitalised for a coupleofweeks.

Throughtheeffortsofhis medical team, his loving wife Keane, children and religious leaders, he started the stressful road to recovery

He was well on his way to real recovery when he died quietly in his sleep on Saturday, January 28, 2023. We used to calå Edmond Cooper ‘Rocket.’ Perhaps the ‘ Rocket’has blasted off on its way to heaven Sometimes the ripest fruit fallsfirst.Ihastentoexpress my deepest sympathy to his beloved wife Keane, children Tiffany, Tinesha, Timesha and Roshanna, relativesandfriends.

Rest in peace my dear son.

Yourssincerely, ClintonConway Assistant Commissioner ofPolice (Retired)

Mr /Ms Knows are suggesting that direct payouts should be relayed to each household within the Guyanese society That would mean that both the HAVESandtheHAVE-

(Continuedonpage6)

Prime Minister Mark Phillips’budget speech

DEAREDITOR,

With the exception of a few, most of the themes and issues addressed by the Members of Parliament (MPs)frombothsidesofthe isleduringthebudgetdebate were to some extent not too impressive mainly because most of the MPs focused on political issues and did not deal directly with matters in thebudget.

Many in the public were aghastattheMPswhomthey elected to represent them. It mustbetoldthattheMinister of Education Ms Priya Manickchandmadeasuperb budgetpresentationinwhich she outlined policies to expand education across the country to benefit all the children.

Not only did Ms Manickchand highlighted the progress made by her ministry but she also explains the ministry’s future educational plans which include the hiring of more qualified science teachers, reduce the number of school-drop-outs, construction of modern schools, and a 21st curriculum that would make Guyana the leader of the Caribbean in all facets of education.

Likewise, both the Ministers of Housing Mr Colin Croal and Ms. Susan

Rodrigues were on top of theirgame.

In their budget presentations, they wasted no time in telling the nation that in only two and a half years in office, the PPPC government has reduced the lengthoftimeinhalfonehas towaittoacquireahouselot, and has issued three times more house lots to residents than what the previous administration distributed in five years. Their delivery wassmoothandtothepoint. However, perhaps the most outstanding budget presentation was made by Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips who did not mincedwords.

First, he praised the Minister of Finance Dr AshniSinghandhisteamfor presentingabudgetthatwill touch the lives of every Guyaneseacrossthecountry and transition Guyana from anunderdevelopednationto adevelopingcountry The Prime minister characterizedthebudgetasa working-class budget that will benefit all the people and not only the wealthy or theprivatesectorassomein the opposition have constantlystated.

According to the Prime Minister, the budget would inspire confidence in the masses and embolden them

to use their ability and skills to accomplish anything worthyforthem.

He stated that the administrationhasshownits wherewithalinexplainingits economic strategies and fiscal policies to the Guyanese people and mobilizing them around its economic development programmes.

Brigadier Phillips asserted that the $781 9 billion budget which is the largest in the history of the country will lead to a brighter future for all Guyanese, especially our children and grandchildren as long as the PPPC governmentledbyPresident Dr Aliremainsinpower

Unlike others, Prime Minister Phillips felt that it

wasawasteofprecioustime to mount an attack or spent toomuchtimeanalyzingand criticizing the views of the opposition MPs because in hiswords,theiragendaisnot to develop and advance the country but to tear it apart. Hepointedoutthattheironly ability is to criticize the budget and hence the policies of the government for the sake of criticizing. Instead, he focused on the massiveaccomplishmentsof the government in several areas including the improvement of its energy and communication infrastructure.

HecontendsthatGuyana will pursue an aggressive economic and development policy at home that would improvethelivesofthepoor

a n d d o w n t r o d d e n , m o d e r n i z e i t s communication networks to the highest standard In reference to the energy sector, the Prime Minister assertedthatthegovernment is committed to transform the energy sector from its primary energy source of fossil fuel to a mixture of energy comprised of hydropower, natural gas, solarandwind.

He highlighted the government’s commitment to invest in renewable and sustainable energy systems andhowtousetheminaway that would not destroy or disrupttheecosystems.

PrimeMinisterBrigadier Mark Phillips provided a detailed overview of all aspects of communication

and the energy system as well as the gas to shore project.

He was adamant that the nation will prosper with an affordable and reliable energy system and communicationnetworkthat would extend from the coastal belt to the hinterland communities.

He was very persuasive in his presentation and in concluding the Brigadier intonedthatbehindallofthe speechesmadeinParliament by members of the government about the budgetarethedecisionsthat r e f l e c t t h e P P P C government’s commitments and making good on its promisestothepeople.

Sincerely,

Dr.AsquithRose

Using oil incomes to lift up the...

Frompage5 NOTSwillgetequal$relays.

This controversy frequently comes up within the American society whenever hand-outs have to be given; and I rely on the recommendationof(thelate) SenatorEdwardKennedyfor dealingwiththathurdle…He always asked for MEANS’ tests to be done in order to determine who should get thevpay-outsandhand-outs.

The poorer masses and

HAVE-NOTS could also be helped by income-tax eases; subsidies on food, clothing andhousing;aswellasother essentials and the provision ofemploymentandbusiness opportunities for larger sections of urban and rural populations.

In most societies, the poorer masses need helping hands to prevent them from being squatters, selling on pavements and in front of public buildings (for

example)…

The United States uses terms like ‘AffirmativeAction’ for its corrective devices…The Authorities in Guyanacouldcoinculturally appropriate terms for their correctiveactions.

Readers, it is not necessary for me to bother you with direct actions that the Authorities should take, becauseIamawarethatthere are reams of conclusions, a n d s o l v e n t -

recommendations on this topic from a variety of i n d i v i d u a l s a n d institutions…

Let us bear in mind, that beforeoilcameonthescene, Guyana already had an abundance of natural resources.

Fortunately, we have the means to come between the needs of the poorer ones in Guyanaandbeyond.

Regards,

CarlyleHarry

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GUYANESE NOT SUPPORTING GUYANESE

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How can you, BrotherAlex Graham?

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When Guyanese go against Guyanese, it is a sad day.

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When Guyanese go on like this, then the oil would go, with little benefit.

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Afew Guyanese do very well, most Guyanese do very poorly.

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Exxon is enriched; Guyanese are impoverished.

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How can you, Brother Alex Graham?

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GECOMapprovesworkplanforLGE

…as Chair walks back on decision to hire IT Manager to perform DCEO duties

Following weeks of opposition, Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) retired Justice Claudette Singh on Tuesday rescinded her decision to appoint IT Manager Aneal Giddings as Operations Coordinator. And the commission also approvedaworkplanforthe c o n d u c t o f L o c a l GovernmentElections.

Opposition-nominated commissionersmadeitclear that the approval of the plan

wasdonethroughamajority vote, stating that they abstainedonthegroundsthat afreshlistandamechanism tocurtailmultiplevotingisa sinequononfortheholding o f a n y e l e c t i o n Commissioner, Vincent Alexander said too that the opposition also maintained thatthedemarcationprocess washijackedbythePPPand that gerrymandering was perpetrated in keeping with what the minister had illegally set out to do. He

said the Government appointed commissioners also opposed entertaining any discussion on the introduction of digitization of the registration and voter identificationprocesses. The “temporary post of operations coordinator was aimed at filling the void of theof asubstantiveDeputy Chief Elections officer (DCEO) Oppositionnominated commissioners had objected to the appointmentandthecreation

of the post, citing sinister motivesbythechairandthe governmentcommissioners.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that at a statutory meeting of GECOM on Tuesday Singh indicated that after listening to the various submissions on the creation of the Operations Coordinator positionandtheappointment of Mr Giddings, she has decided to rescind the post witheffectfromFebruary8. The opposition nominated commissioners had argued for weeks that both the creation and appointment were ultra vires Justice Singh had defended her decision to create the temporary post at the Commission noting that the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) is overwhelmed and the absence of a DCEO warrantedtheselectionofan internal employee to fill the void.

Justice Singh also made it clear that there is precedence at the Commission where staff is seconded to fill posts. In a statement to the media, the GECOM Chair said that in one case, a staff seconded was hired to serve without the Commission’s approval. In response to concerns highlighted in this

newspaper by Opposition

Commissioner Vincent

Alexander, GECOM indicated that no new position was created, only a title of ‘Operations Coordinator’ since the staff would be working in the Operations Department of the Commission’s Secretariat.

In a timeline of what transpired, GECOM in a previous press statement said that on November 9, 2022, the agency’s Chief Election Officer (CEO), Vishnu Persaud wrote a memo to the Chair requesting approval for the secondment of Mr Giddings,ITManagertothe

Operations Department of the Commission’s Secretariat to assist with the day-to-day implementation and evaluation of the statutory and administrative tasks delineated in theWork planfortheconductofLocal Government Elections (LGEs).

In justifying his request, GECOMsaidtheCEOnoted that, unlike the conduct of General and Regional Elections,whichtakesplace inadisaggregatedmannerin ten different Electoral Districts, the LGEs will be conducted in eighty Local Authority Areas (LAAs) comprisingten

Continuedonpage20

Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) retired Justice Claudette Singh

TALK TO THE GRA!

Rice farmers have r e p o r t e d l y complained that theyarebeingsubjecttohigh mark-upsonsparepartsused in the sector One farmer reportedly said that he previously paid $25,000 for astarterbutthatthepricehas sinceclimbedto$46,000.

It was also reported that some spare parts dealers are charging VAT on spares. In response, one government official is reported to have said that the matter will be raised with the Guyana

RevenueAuthority

Asfarasitisknown,the VAT on capital machinery and equipment and allterrainvehicles(ATVs)used in the forestry, mining, manufacturing and agricultural sectors were all zero rated.This was done in the2020Budget.

There has been no announcement that spare parts for these sectors are now free ofVATat least not in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Budget speeches. The GRA website speaks to the zerorating of capital machinery and equipment used in the agricultural sector It says nothingabouttheremovalof VATonspares.

Itisthereforeperplexing why anyone would be approaching the GRA to complain about VAT on spare parts used in the agricultural sector Unless t h e r e w a s s o m e announcement which was missed by the media, spare partsarenotfreeofVAT

When it comes to high mark-ups for anything, includingspares,complaints totheGRAwillnotyieldany

result because the GRA is concernedtherelevanttaxes and not to moderate markups by spare parts dealers. Guyana operates a free marketsystem.Thereareno pricecontrols.

There have been calls howeverforthegovernment to consider price controls in order to limit inflation. But this is easier said than done. PastexperienceinGuyanais that imposing price controls leadstohoardingandblackmarketing Consumers, especially those who need suppliesthemost,tendtobe more disadvantaged as a resultofpricecontrols.

Last year, the Bahamas implemented price controls of basic food items Wholesalers were limited to a 15% increase and retailers to25%.

Unfortunately, such measures will not be effective in Guyana. The government offered local importers a concession on taxes paid on freight. They were only required to pay taxesonpre-pandemicrates. The freight rates have plunged since that measure was put in place but prices havenotbeenreduced.

This column has called for government to exercise greater surveillance over prices in the markets and to link concessions to businesses to them reducing prices The government recently reduced taxes on vehicles with an engine capacityof1500cc.Buthave any checks been done to determinewhethertheactual selling price of the vehicles hasbeenreduced?

All of this points to

Dem Boys Seh...

imperfections in our market economy Government can play a role of correcting these imperfections including by using State corporations such as the Guyana Sugar Corporation to compete with the private sector Itdoesnotmeanthat thesugarcorporationshould be given more favourable treatment; but the sugar company, for example, is already a large importer of fertilizersandcanbeusedto importbulkfertilizersforthe riceindustry

The idea was floated during the APNU+AFC government to convert GUYSUCO into a food corporation But this suggestion gained no traction Presently, the government is subsidizing the production of ‘brackish’ water shrimp. It is reported, for example, that the NDIA is being used to increase the size of ponds and the government is reportedly also assisting with better drainage.

Wearetoldthatthisyear the government will spend another G$350M on these farms.

Since the project started in2020,productionhasbeen said to increase seven-fold. Butwhoarebenefittingfrom this investment by the government? What is the economic status of those whoareengagedinbrackish waterfarms?

The government should publish the names of those who have benefitted from government assistance in cultivating brackish water shrimp. And why if there is suchaglutontheshrimpon

Be careful of those who come bearing promises!

Demboyssorryfuhalldempeoplewah dead and suffer losses from de earthquake. WeinGuyanadoesalwaysliketoboasthow wenahgetearthquakeandhurricane.

Butwehadweowneconomichurricane during de 1980’s De economy was devastatedbydedengovernment.Wasasif ahurricanepassthroughdecountry

Dempoliticiandoesliketoturnupwhen dem gat disaster and mek all kind of promises to de people. Dem does do this to try fuh win de support of de people. But whendemleff,yuhdoesnahseedemback. Ole people does always warn yuh fuh be careful of those who come bearing gifts andpromises!

Itreminddemboysofdetimedemhad anearthquakeinavillage.Alocalpolitician

decide fuh visit and fuh mek promise to improvehepopularity

He land down in de village and ask de peoplewhatdemneed.

Onemantelldepolitician,“Wegattwo mainneeds,Sir Wegatahospitalbutwegat nodoctor.”

Whendepoliticianheardishetekouthe phone and dial a number and then after speaking,heassureddepeopledatadoctor would be dere de next day to look after de injuredanddesick.”

Hedenturntodevillagersandaskdem whatwasthesecondproblemdemgat.

To which de same man tell he, “Secondly sir, there is no telephone signal anywhereinthevillage.”

Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

the market, has process not dippedmoreappreciably

There is no reason why GUYSUCO, as a food corporation, cannot be engagedintheproductionof brackish water shrimp. So why is this not happening? This will create jobs and incomeforthecorporation.

Why is the possibility of

converting GUYSUCO into afoodcorporationnotbeing pursueddespitethepotential ofthecorporationtoproduce food in large quantities?

Perhaps, like the issue of VATonsparepartsandhigh mark-upsontheagricultural spares,thisisamatterwhich must first be raised with the GRA.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

$38Mwatersupplysystem commissionedinKato

fingeredinelectionsbombscare

AssistantCommissionerofPolice,Edgar Thomas in his testimony before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the events surrounding the March 2020 elections, on Monday revealed said that a relative of a former Deputy Permanent Secretary(PS)wasfingeredinthebombscare that disrupted proceedings during the tabulationexerciseatAshminsBuilding.

Some 450 residents of Kato, Region Eight, now have improved access to potable waterfollowingthecommissioningofanew watersupplysystem.

The well was commissioned by Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, Regional Chairman, Mr Headley Pio, GWI’s Hinterland Service Director, Mr Ramchand Jailal and other regionalrepresentativesandresidents.

Speaking at the commissioning Minister Rodrigues noted, “I’m pleased to be here to commission this well. From 2020, I’ve been coming and I learned about the struggles, especially with access to water and we devisedafive-yearplantoensuredeliveryto thehinterland.”

TheMinistersaidthatbytheendof2023, Region Eight should have 90 percent water coverage.

The new system at Kato will now see 95 percentcoverageinthecommunity “Weare abouthonouringourcommitmentofbringing development,”MinisterRodriguessaid.

TheMinistryofHousingsaidpriortothe implementation of this project, the existing shallow well system was insufficient to supplywatertotheentirecommunityassuch, onlyhouseholdsandpublicbuildingscloseto theoldsystemreceivedwater

The scope of works for the Kato project included: the drilling of a new potable water well to a depth of 120 meters, installation of 5500metersof50mm(23)PVCpipes&2500 metersof19mm(3/43)pipeswith80service connections,theconstructionof2reinforced concreteslabstoragebase,theinstallationof the photovoltaic pumping system including submersible pump, controller, solar panels and accessories, and the construction of a fencearoundthephotovoltaicsystem.

On Monday, the minister also commissioneda$26.5millionwellatTaruka, to the benefit of more than 200 persons. Meanwhile at Paramakatoi, two new wells willbedrilledin2023.Thiswillbringreliefto an estimated 1100 residents, who receive waterfromaspring.

Ashmins Building was GECOM’s Command Centre and the seat of the Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo. The Assistant Commissioner of Police who had previously testified before the COI was called again to the stand to give further evidence.

He also revealed that the former Deputy Permanent Secretary had called him, requesting bail for her relative, who was a suspect in the bomb threat at the GECOM Command Centre at Ashmins building at HighandHadfieldStreets,Georgetown.

“Onthe5th(March2020),Ireceivedacall from one Miss Vansluytman who at the time was the deputy PS. I think was Business Ministry and requested bail for her relative who was the suspect with the mischievous phonecall,thebombthreat…butitwasoutof myhands,”Thomassaid.

He noted that he informed Miss Vansluytmanthathecouldnothelphersince thematterwasbeingdealtwithdirectlybythe Top Cop. He had previously testified that on March 5, 2020, ranks and officers from at least three sections of the Guyana Police Force converged at Ashmins building in the midstofabombscare.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Edgar Thomas

According to Thomas, several of those ranks then played a role in the vehement attempts to clear the building, even after concernwasexpressedaboutthesafetyofthe StatementsofPoll(SoPs).

On Monday, Thomas’ cellphone records for the period March 5-6, 2020 were presentedtotheCoI.

It showed a series of calls from senior police officers, including former Commissioner of Police Leslie James Attorney,SophiaChoteS.C.,ofTrinidadand Tobago, who led the proceedings, asked Thomas for a breakdown of the calls. He explained that out of the calls, 19 were betweenhimandtheformerCommissionerof Police and 16 were with then Deputy Commissioner of Police, Maxine Graham, sevenwerebasedoncommunicationwiththe former head of the Special Branch, Nigel Hoppie.

The $38M water system at Kato Village

Nigel Hughes to cross examine GECOM Chair, other witnesses at Elections CoI

Permissionhasbeengrantedfor attorney representing former Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myers to cross examine Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)Justice(ret’d)Claudette Singh and other witnesses who testifiedbeforetheCommissionof Inquiry (CoI) into the March 2020 GeneralandRegionalElections.

On Tuesday, Myers’ attorney, NigelHughessoughtpermissionto cross-examine at least six witnesses including Justice Singh and GECOM Commissioner Sase GunrajwhenheappearedattheCoI alongsidehisclient.

Cross examination is expected tostarttoday

Meanwhile, when Myers took the stand, she invoked her right to remain silent. She is currently facing charges in relation to

elections fraud where Hughes is alsorepresentingher Based on previous testimonies beforetheCommission,Myershas been accused of breaching Standing Operating Procedures Persons have testified that Myers

attempted to evacuate the District Four Command Center of observersandpartyagentsbyusing her influence over other key elections officials and members of theGuyanaPoliceForce(GPF).

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Edgar Thomas who was in charge of police operations in Region Four during the 2020 elections, during his testimony on November 4, 2022, claimed that former Police Commissioners Leslie James and Nigel Hoppie were bent on carrying out Myers’ instructionsdaysaftertheMarch2, 2020elections.

Thomas said Myers was most aggressive in her attempt to order theofficerstoevacuatethebuilding where the vote count for Region Four was being tabulated. It was reported that Myers was among a groupofelectionsofficialsaccused

Former Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO),

of attempting to fraudulently changetheresultsofRegionFour

The Assistant Commissioner alsoclaimedthatbecausehedidnot accede Myers’ request, the then Commissioner of Police, James had him removed from the

commanding position, replacing h i m w i t h h i s D e p u t y Superintendent of Police Phillip Azore.

Themovetoallowtheattorney to cross examine comes as the Commission’s Secretariat acknowledgedthatastheevidence unfolds in the inquiry, the reputation of those who were part of the electoral process could be tarnished.

Asaconsequence,Chairmanof the CoI, Justice of the Appeal (retired) of Turks and Caicos StanleyJohnhasmadeitpublicthat affected persons are entitled to appearbeforetheCommissionand beheardiftheysodesire.

“Anyone who is interested in appearing before the Commission and/ortoberepresentedbeforethe Commissionshouldwritetothe

Continued on page 24

Attorney-at-law, Nigel Hughes

Roxanne Myers

ILO sees uncertain labour markets in Latin America and the Caribbean

Latin America and the Caribbean face a “highly complex and uncertain” labour market in 2023 due to a conjunction of multiple crises that impact labour markets

andmakeitnecessarytoimplementpolicies to create formal employment, the ILO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean said on Tuesday today as it

presented a new edition of its Labour Overviewreport.

“At this time, it is urgent to implement andstrengthendifferenttypesofpoliciesthat contribute to the creation of formal employment and to sustaining labour income,”saidILORegionalDirectora.i.for Latin America and the Caribbean, Claudia Coenjaerts, when presenting the analysis of the employment situation, which has been publishedannuallyforthepast30years.

The estimated average regional unemploymentrateof7.2percentattheend of 2022 “is significantly lower” than that of 2019,beforethecrisiscausedbytheCOVID19 pandemic, when it registered a level of 8 percent.Thereporthighlightsthatthisdropin the unemployment rate was driven by job creation (employment rate) that by the third quarterof2022hadrecoveredpre-pandemic levels, coupled with a still incomplete recovery in labour participation rate levels, whichremainslightlylowerthanin2019.

Thereporthighlightsthattherecoveryof employment in 2022 was stronger among women than men, and among young people than adults. In both cases, these are groups thathadbeenfiercelyimpactedinthelabour crisisasaresultofCOVID-19.Ontheother hand, structural gaps by gender and age are stillpresentinthelabourmarkets.

The drop in unemployment “is positive news, especially after the large-scale crisis caused by the pandemic,” said Coenjaerts. But at the same time, she said that this year progress could stall. “The low dynamism of the economy forecasted for 2023 will

negatively affect the generation of new jobs andthiswillcauseunemploymenttoregister only slight variations in 2023,” reaching levels of between 7.2 and 7.5 percent. The ILO report also states that beyond regional averages, it is important to consider the situationsofindividualcountries.In9outof 15 countries, the employment rate was still lowerthanthreeyearsearlier,whileinonly2 outof15countrieswastheparticipationrate above pre-pandemic levels The unemployment rate fell in 10 out of 15 countriesbythethirdquarterof2022.

TheLabourOverviewhighlightsthatthe region is affected by the conjunction of multipleglobalcrises,suchasthepersistence of the pandemic or the war between Russia and Ukraine, and at the same time faces the prospect of low economic growth, the aftermath of high inflation, limited fiscal spaceandhighlevelsofindebtedness.

Coenjaerts said that “in this economic scenario, the most pressing labour issue for the region is the quality of employment and the insufficient labour income generated by workersandtheirfamilies.”

The report highlights that the labour recovery has been strongly driven by the increase in informal occupations, which representedbetween40and80percentofthe jobs generated. Although in recent months, this trend has been attenuated in favour of formaljobs,theregionalinformalityratehas alreadyreached50percent–whichiswhere itwasbeforethepandemic-althoughinsome countries,itismuchhigher “Therealityis Continued on page 23

Car hijacked at knife-point recovered in Albouystown

Man survives after being burnt by GPL high voltage wire

A construction worker is currentlyreceivingtreatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for burns about his bodyafterbeingshockedbya Guyana Power and Light (GPL) high voltage wire while working on a Regent StreetbuildingonTuesday

The injured worker has been identified as Leon Turpin.Turpinhasreportedly received severe burns about hisbody

Reports are that the incident occurred at about 09:20h at a multi-storey building located next to Royal Jewel House, on RegentStreet.

Inabriefstatementonits Facebook page, the Power Company said that at

approximately 09:20hrs, a network disturbance disrupted service to customers in sections of Georgetown and the entire West Bank and West Coast Demerara.

Upon investigation, it was revealed that a construction worker came into contact with the company’s network with a metal pole while working on top of the multi-storey building.

“Once again, GPL implores contractors to observe the necessary safety precautions to avoid injury and unnecessary service disruptions,” GPL said in its statement.

Theworkplaceincidentis currentlybeinginvestigated.

The construction worker, Leon Turpin who was injured during the incident.

The building Turpin was working on at the time of the incident.

Acar that was

hijacked on Mondaybythree men armed with a knife was recovered hours later in a couple’s yard at Cooper Street,Albouystown.

The car, a Toyota Allion bearing registration number PRR 5212, was reportedly hijacked around 18:00hrs at Camp Street, Georgetown from 33-year-old Stephen Clarke of Diamond, East BankDemerara(EBD).

Clarke told police that that the car is owned by a resident of Sophia, Georgetownbutheusesitto work private hire in the Diamondcommunity

The man said that he madeatripfromDiamondto Georgetown and was hijacked after picking up a womanfromtheTimehribus park and dropping her off at CampStreetandBrickdam.

Clarkeclaimedthatthree men entered the car soon after the woman exited, one

in the front passenger seat and two in the back. The man seated in front then placedaknifetohisneckand toldhimtoexitthecar

Fearful for his life, Clarke obeyed and the men droveawaywiththevehicle.

The matter was reported immediately to police and within hours, Georgetown detectives located the stolen carparkedintheyardofa43year-old waitress, Zezeka

Yaris and her male companion 43-year-old

Roscoe Carter at Lot 156 CooperStreet,Albouystown.

The couple was questionedandCarterdenied havinganyknowledgeofthe car while Yaris claimed that her father, Dennis Yaris, a resident of ‘B’Field Sophia had parked the car there, handedherthekeysandtold hertokeepitforhim.

Policetookpossessionof the stolen car and arrested b o t h o f t h e m a s investigationscontinue.

The stolen car that was recovered by police

Couple homeless, play school damaged in separate arson attacks

TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) has launched an investigation in two alleged arson attacks that have left the Little Treasures Play School at Golden Fleece, West Coast Berbice (WCB) partially damaged and a couple homeless at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

According to Guyana Fire Service (GFS), the fires took place on Sunday and Tuesday respectively. The play school was housed in a two-storey wooden and concrete building owned by 59-year-old Ronald Archer Reports are that the school caughtfireSundaymorning.

A fire truck was sent to thesceneandthefirefighters were able to extinguish the blaze very quickly but the walls were scorched and furniture and documents weredestroyed.

Investigations conducted by GFS found that someone had maliciously set the play schoolonfire.

Meanwhile, the second arsonattacktookplaceaday lateraround03:35hrsatNew Market Street, Wales, WBD and destroyed the one-flat woodenbuildingof56-yearold Denise Adonis and 58year-old Christie Sidney Phoenix.

Firefighters contained the blaze from spreading to nearby houses but could not savethecouple’shomefrom beingdestroyed.

MothergivesbirthunderTurkey

earthquakerubble,diesalongwith entirefamily,babysurvives

After concluding its investigations, the GFS foundthattheWBDfirewas alsoanactofarson.

“The fire, which was the result of a malicious setting by unknown persons,

Independent-Anewborn girl has been rescued from underacollapsedbuildingin Syria,withitsmotherhaving given birth while buried under the rubble in the wake of the devastating earthquakes that struck the countryandTurkey

The baby was found buried under the debris with her umbilical cord still connectedtohermother,who wasfounddead.

Footage shared online shows rescuers lifting the dust-choked newborn to safety as they scale the mountingdebrisofbuildings crumbled by a devastating earthquake.

The baby was the only member of her family to survivethebuildingcollapse

onMondayinthesmalltown of Jinderis, next to the Turkish border, Ramadan Sleiman, a relative, told the Associated Press. Jinderis, located in the rebel-held enclave of northwest Syria, was hard hit in the quake, with multiple buildings destroyed.

A female neighbour cut the cord, and she and others rushed with the baby to a children’s hospital in the nearby town ofAfrin, where she is being kept in an incubator, said Dr Hani Maarouf, the physician treating. The baby’s body temperature had fallen and she had bruises, including a largeoneonherback,butshe isinstablecondition,hesaid.

Dr Maarouf said he

believed the baby had been bornaboutthreehoursbefore being found, given how far hertemperaturehaddropped.

The baby’s miraculous rescue was one of the thousandsacrossTurkeyand Syria, as overwhelmed emergency workers worked through close-to-freezing temperatures, unrelenting rainfall, and power outages. Jinderis saw another dramatic rescue on Monday evening when a toddler was pulled alive from the wreckage of a collapsed building Video from the White Helmets, a civil defence group, shows a rescuer digging through crushed concrete amid twistedmetaluntilthelittle

Continuedonpage22

destroyed the house, leaving the two occupants homeless”,GFSstated.

TheGFSwarnsthatarson attacks are illegal and once caught, the perpetrators will facethefullbruntofthelaw

Mesut Hancer holds the hand of his 15-year-old daughter Irmak, who died in the earthquake in Kahramanmaras (AFP/Getty)

Search and rescue teams continue their work at the collapsed buildings, in Idlib, Syria (Anadolu Agency/Getty)

The partially damaged play school at Berbice.

CH&PA estimates $3B more to continue works on East Bank four-lane road

During the opening of tenders on Monday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board(NPTAB)officeitwas

revealedthattheMinistryof Housing and Water through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is looking to

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids: CentralHousingandPlanningAuthority (CH&PA)

ConstructionofFourLaneRoadGreatDiamond, EastBankDemeraraReg4

Bidder AmountTendered

S.Jagmohan

Construction& GeneralSupplyInc.

PooranBrothers DisposalInc.

spendapproximately$3.143 billion on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) four-lane roadproject.

AccordingtotheNPTAB information, the project is fortheconstructionofafour laneroadatGreatDiamond,

EBD Kaieteur News understands that this project wouldbeanextensionofthe currentroadwaythatisbeing built from Eccles to Diamond.

Lot1$887,536,125

Lot2$745,377,675

Lot3$720,783,210

Lot4$546,756,105

Lot5$564,531,252

Lot1$1,093,573,950 Lot2$861,186,743

This project has been dividedintofivelotsandhas attracted a total of five contractors During the Consideration of the Estimates of the 2023 Budget last week, Minister ofHousingandWater,Collin Croal had mentioned that this year some $7.3 billion has been set aside for the current works ongoing on thenewfour-laneroad.

BackinDecember2021,

thispublicationhadreported that the Ministry had signed a $13.3 billion project with some12contractorstobuild a new four-lane road from Eccles to Diamond. That new four-lane project has been divided into 12 Lots and will measure some 9.4kmofconcreteroad.

Some of the features of the Eccles to Diamond highway include heavy duty bridges, culverts, 12km of

drains, concrete medians, solar street lights, two roundabouts and an emergencylane. The duration for this project is 18 months and works had reportedly begun from January 2022 The EcclestoDiamondfour-lane road is said to be a continuation of the Mandela toEcclesfour-laneroadthat h a s a l r e a d y b e e n constructed.

Police on Monday recovered parts that were allegedlystolenfromatruck

that was allegedly vandalizedbyaresortowner and his workers at a sandpit located along the Linden/SoesdykeHighway

The parts, a power steering, battery, primary fuel pump were reportedly last Friday after the businessman and the workers allegedly assaulted a 49-year-old truck driver, Ramkumar Persaud, following an argument over therightpriceforsand.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the stolen items were found in possession of one of the workers.Thatindividualisin custody and so far has not implicated anyone else in stealingtheitems.

Meanwhile, the resort owner and his colleagues havebeenreleasedonstation bail as police continue investigations into the allegedassault.

Ramkumartold Kaieteur News that he was beaten by the men around 06:30hrs on Friday following a “cuss out”betweenhimandoneof theresortowner’sworkmen.

The argument had

reportedly stemmed from him not paying the right price for sand during one of histripstothesandpitowned bytheResortowner He had canceled the moneyheowedandpaidfor afreshloadofsandwhenhe returned to make a trip on Friday but the worker refusedtoloadhim.Persaud

claimed that he collected back the money he paid for the new load and left empty butwasconfrontedbyoneof theworkerswhileleaving.

“The man [worker] cuss meoutaboutmemother,suh me cuss he back,” he told Kaieteur News It was while theargumentensuedthatthe Continuedonpage23

Works ongoing on the new four-lane road from Eccles to Great Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara.

Photo taken of the truck after it was vandalized.

GECOMapprovesworkplan...

Frompage8

Municipalities and seventy Neighborhood DemocraticCouncils(NDCs).However,this was not enough to justify Giddings’ appointment As such, the commission remainswithoutaDCEO.

Meanwhile during Tuesday’s meeting

GECOMalsoapprovedtheworkplanforthe conductofLocalGovernmentElections.

Initsstatementtothepress,GECOMsaid the Secretariat will proceed with the full implementationoftherelevantstatutoryand administrative activities to ensure the successful conduct of the elections in the

eighty (80) Local Authority Areas (LAAs) countrywide.

The statement added that going forward the GECOM Secretariat will immediately move to (i) roll out a robust civic and voter education programme, (ii) appoint Electoral RegistrarsandAssistantElectoralRegistrars, and(iii)extractthePreliminaryListofVoters (PLV).Theseactivitiesaredirectlylinkedto the preparation of Registers of Voters for

each of the 80 Local Authority Areas. Preparation for the conduct of LGE commenced in 2022 The GECOM Secretariat had already completed the trainingofmanagementandpollingdaystaff for all of the LocalAuthorityAreas, and the receipt of applications for and approval of symbols submitted by political parties, voluntarygroupsandindividualswhointend tocontestintheelections.

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Police on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD)arecurrently investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Kevin Singh whose body was found floating in a trench along the Ogle Embankment on Tuesday morning. According to reports, around 06:30hrs yesterday, ranksfromtheareapromptly responded to information receivedviaanunknowncaller, whostatedthatamaleofEast Indian ethnicity was seen motionless in a trench at the OgleEmbankment.

Policestatedthatfrominformation received, 45-yearoldSinghofCrownDam,Industry is a known alcoholic andwaslastseenimbibingon Sunday. On Tuesday, his body which was clad in a white T-shirt and blue threequarter jeans was facing downwithhisheadandbody submerged in the trench. Singh’s body was retrieved and checks were made for any marks of violence, but none was visible. His body was then taken to the Memorial Gardens FuneralHomeandisawaitinga postmortemexamination.

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From page 16 girl,namedNour,appeared. However,withthousands havingdiedintheinitialearthquake, a second major one and dozens of aftershocks –many families have been left mourning the loss of loved ones. One image from the Turkish region of Kahramanmaras, shows a father holding the hand of his deadteenagedaughterasrescuers and civilians pick through the flattened building where she died on Monday. Sitting hunched in the rubble, Mesut Hancer keeps hold of 15-year-old Irmak as she lies on her bed beneath the slabs of concrete, smashed windows and broken bricks that were once apartments. Close to the fatheranddaughter,amanwith a sledgehammer tries to smash his way through the ruins. The epicentre of the first earthquake was the Pazarcik district of Kahramanmaras,whichliesin southeast Turkey Turkish authoritiessaysome13.5million people were affected in an area spanning roughly 450kmfromAdanainthewest to Diyarbakir in the east, and

300km from Malatya in the north to Hatay in the south.

Earlier on Tuesday, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said it was especially concerned about areas of Turkey and Syriafromwhichnoinformationhademergedfollowinga major earthquake that killed thousands.

“We’re especially concerned about areas where we donotyethaveinformation,” Dr Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesustoldtheWHO’s executive board meeting in Geneva.“Damagemappingis onewaytounderstandwhere we need to focus our attention.”

Dozens of countries deployed rescue teams to assist inthesearch,includingateam of British search-and-rescue specialistsheadingtoTurkey

The development minister, Andrew Mitchell, confirmed on Tuesday morning that the British package of support – which includes a teamof76search-and-rescue specialists, complete with state-of-the-art equipment and four specially trained dogs – would be leaving in the next couple of hours.

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Dead: Kevin Singh

Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor. Say no to it.

By GHK Lall

Some thought has been giventowhatIbelievetobea broadening Guyanese norm. It is of what are questionable truths, subtle deceptions, and sly falsehoods, either by commissionoromission.

It is my position that we are creeping towards a society of pathological liars, and mostly in political circles, with a hearty supporting cast doing its part loudly,unashamedly Iinvite fellow Guyanese to recheck for themselves, recall their own encounters, and revisit what is public, at every level, thenconnectthedots.

Guyanese sit around a table, and there is concern aboutforkedtongues,ulterior motives, and those listening to be 'news carriers ' Guyanese note politicians making claims, taking postures, delivering what they insist that the rest of accept as what is clean and clear, when most in their audiences (including some faithful) discern that much is missing, more does not add

Pathological lying: a Guyanese crisis

up. No political party is i n n o c e n t , v e r y f e w politicians untarnished, as in speaking to what is

consistently truthful Elections stand as Exhibit

N u m b e r O n e ; S t a t e institutions transformed into snakes crawling on their bellies; and most politicians, especially notable ones, are the brightest canvases through their evading, stretching, circling around, ducking, distancing, or denyingwhatistruthfulwhat is accurate, what is wholly clean.

How the taxpayers' money is spent is another In s u m , t h e p o l i t i c a l fabrications that spice-up messages, fuel lies and more damn lies from bigshots, and others.

The result, from my perspective, is the suspect, the slippery, where truth is concerned; and the widening power of chronic lying to the face, which dehydrates an already anemic society Guyanaisnowaminefieldof pathological lying. Be it about oil management,

COVID-19 claims life of Reg. 6 pensioner

An 84-year-old m a n f r o m

Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) who contracted the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease,diedonWednesday whilereceivingtreatmentat a medical facility, the Ministry of Health announcedTuesday

The man's death moves the country's COVID-19 deathtollto1,296.

In its daily COVID-19 dashboard, the Ministry reported that within the last

24-hour period five new infections have been recorded, bringing the total number of confirmed cases inthecountryto73,003.

Presently, there is one patient who is admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), seven persons are in institutional isolation, 81 in home isolation and two in institutionalquarantine.

Todate,atotalof71,618 persons who tested positive for the virus have recovered.

individual credentials, or postures about trusted governance, and governing for all; about who cheated, whoisofoneness,andwhois divisive.

In view of the manner to which pathological lying is now rooted and branched in this country, I find myself agreeing with what has long been considered to be a problem, a serious health problem It is that pathologicallyingisamental disorder, be it by politicians of rank, or from that elevation to the populace at t h e p e a s a n t l e v e l (“Pathological lying could finally be getting attention as a mental disorder” -CNN February3). Istronglyagree that pathological lying is a sickness,andifanyoneneeds a big laboratory to carry out surveys, experiments, and studies to gather data for interpretation, there is Guyana Rich proof is p r e s e n t , b e c a u s e pathological lying is now a natural resource, as observed, as encountered, as impacted. It is because the

most common definition of pathological lying applies here:peoplelyingalot.

According to the CNN article, psychiatrists have recognised pathological lying as a mental affliction since the 1800s, yet experts say it has never been given serious attention, funding or realstudy

The experts should come toGuyana,anditisfreeinthe countless instances of what has now mutated into the culture of pathological lying throughout most of the nationalpoliticalbody

I would assert that we don't have to be psychiatrists to conclude that we live with men and women, who think that falsehoods and deviousness are the most ordinary things in the world; second nature, nothing that should amount to a concern. Dealinliestoomuchleadsto believingthem.

Even the most unlearned and unexposed in our Guyaneseenvironmentknow when something is being held back, when what is offeredisnotasitseems,and

when they are being taken for a ride. We call it cunning, splitting h a i r s , a n d manufacturing truths that are nonexistent.

I contend that half-truths, partial truths, and shades of truths are what have been delivered as nothing but the whole truth, and the full truth. Politicians lie through their teeth, and none are what is called 'little white ones'. Guyana is in the big time and prime time today and there is no better time for our political people, and those positioning themselves to get something from them, to make a national industry out of chroniclying.

I urge doubters to ask a question, a simple one; or raise an issue of concern that calls for a straight answer, andstudywhatresults.

One political stalwart h a s s e t t l e d f o r aggressiveness, another political luminary for

Police recover stolen parts from truck vandalized...

From page 18 resortownerarrivedatthelocation. “Me ain't know way he come from, if them call he or wa but when me see he coming, I seh he musse coming fuh see waistheproblemsoIstartexplainingto hewahappen,”Persaudalleged.

To his surprise, the truck driver alleged that the resort owner joined in cursing him too, and walked straight up to the truck, jumped on one of the steps andcuffedhimtohisfacebeforeturning offhisignitionandtakingpossessionof thetruck'skeys.

The resort owner's workers then reportedly joined in the assault and started by shattering one of the truck's windowswithalargerock.

Persaud said that he tried to secure himself in the truck but the workers and the resort owner dragged him through the shattered window and took him to a shed where they allegedly took possession of his wallet containing $120,000 – money for diesel- and his cellularphone.

The workers then allegedly held Persaud down while the resort owner pounded away on his body and face withcuffs.“He[resortowner]busupme mouth and cuff me all in meh stomach and suh”, the truck driver told Kaieteur News.Persaud's alleged assaulters then abandonedhimundertheshedandwent away with his wallet, cell phone and truckkeys.

The truck driver reportedly remained stranded there until 11:00 hrs when his employer sent men to rescue him.Persaud's superiors said that they found Persaud beaten and sitting under theshed.

They took him to the Madewini Police Station where he reported the assault before returning for the company'struck.

However, Persaud's bosses claimed that when they returned for the truck, it wasfurthervandalized.

Theyclaimedthatthebattery,power steering and the primary fuel pump were gone. The resort owner and his workers had also refused to give them thekeysandPersaud'swallet.

concealing, and others for s i l e n c e o r s t e a l t h y pussyfooting. Per Christian Hart, who directs a Human Deception Laboratory at Texas Woman's University, “when people go into politics, there's pretty good evidence that the most successful politicians are the ones that are more willing to bend the truth”. Guyanese politicians don't bend the truth, they break it into a millionpieces.

C i t i z e n s , h a v i n g recognised a prospering, survival attribute for politicians,thentakethepath of least resistance: they imitate Georgetown: we have a problem. It's a huge one.

ILO sees uncertain labour markets in Latin America...

From page 14 that one out of every two people has an informal job, w h i c h i s u s u a l l y accompanied by job instability, low income and no social protection,” said Coenjaerts. The Regional Director explained that according to ILO estimates, “informal workers are between 3 and 4 times more likely to be poor than formal workers, while accounting for between 70 and 90 percent of the total working poor”.

In addition, the report warns that the real incomes of working people in the region are being affected by a regional inflation rate that would have been above 8 percent in 2022, causing a lossofthepurchasingpower of average wages and minimum wages. In the case of minimum wages, for example, in 9 of the 17 countries analysed the real value was lower than before thepandemic.

“The impact of informal employment, added to that of the loss of purchasing power of wages, is fundamental to understand why we must be alert to the ' w o r k i n g p o o r phenomenon', i e , those people who even though they have a job, even a formal job, may find themselves in a situation of

poverty,” explained Roxana M a u r i z i o , L a b o u r Economist at the ILO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and Coordinator of this edition of the Labour Overview

Maurizio explained that in the region “Labour income represents 80 percent of family income”, and is therefore essential to understand the inflows and outflows of people living in poverty To address this situation “policies to sustain and create more and better jobs, especially formal jobs, are necessary,” she added. The ILO report states that policies are also needed to provide income guarantees for those most affected by the loss of purchasing power, and if possible, in conjunction with active policies for accessing the labour market. On the other hand, wage negotiation mechanisms emerge as an imperative need in a context of high inflation that also demands the strengthening oflabourinstitutionslikethe minimum wage and collectivebargaining.“Ifwe want to move towards a region with greater social justice and less inequality, it will be necessary to adopt strong measures to generate more and better jobs,” concludedCoenjaerts.

GHK Lall

Shane James, the 26year-old police constable of Perth Village, Mahaicony, was on Tuesday placed on $1.6M bail for the New Year’s Day fatal shooting of his colleague 31-year-old detective corporal Dwayne McPherson,and22-year-old fisherman, Kishan Budburgh.

James made his second courtappearancetodayatthe Mahaicony Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate

MarissaMettleholzer

The police constable, who was slapped with two counts of manslaughter charges contrary to Section 94 of the Criminal Law Offences Act Chapter 8:01 had made his first court appearance on January 25, 2023.

The charges were brought against James by a rankattachedtotheOfficeof Professional Responsibility (OPR). He was not required topleadtothechargeswhich stated that on January 1, 2023, at Grove Huntley, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD) he u n l a w f u l l y k i l l e d McPhersonandBudburgh. The magistrate granted the cop bail in the sun of $800,000 on both charges and the matter was adjourned to February 8, 2023.

Kaieteur News had reportedthatthecopandthe fisherman were shot dead andanotherinjuredinaNew Year’s Day incident. While McPherson and Budburg succumbed, Budburgh’s 19-

year-old brother, Marlon wasinjured.

A c c o r d i n g t o information reaching this p u b l i c a t i o n , b o t h McPhersonandKishanwere shot and killed during the wee hours of January 1, 2023. Details surrounding the fatal shooting are sketchy

K a i e t e u r N e w s understandsthatMcPherson and other ranks attached to the Mahaicony Police Station, located in Region Five, were at the time responding to a report at the Budburghbrothersresidence at Grove Huntley, Mahaicony, ECD, when the police corporal and Budburgh were shot and killed while Marlon was wounded.

Nigel Hughes to cross examine...

Frompage12

Secretary to the Commission making that request,”astatementadvised.

Astheinquiryproceeds,theSecretaryof theCommissionwillwritetothosepersons againstwhomanyallegationofimpropriety hasbeenmade,settingoutthedetailsofthe allegations and inviting such persons to appear before the Commission and providingafairopportunitytosuchpersons to comment on any adverse comment or

allegationmadeagainstthem.

The public hearings which began on Friday, November 4, 2022 are aimed at determining what went wrong during the March2020GeneralandRegionalElections andidentifyingthosewhoareculpable.

The Commissioners, in their report expected by March 2023, will also make recommendations as it deems fit and necessary for the GECOM to discharge its statutorydutieseffectively

InaPressStatement, the GPF noted that a comprehensive probe is underway and promised togiveregularupdatesas the investigation progresses However, since the initial release, the police had not given any update on the investigation and it was only on Tuesday when they disclosed that the cop was charged two weeksago.

This publication had reportedthatBudburgh’s mother,BeverlyDundas, told reporters that she was not aware that the shooting incident occurred. Thegrievingmother,whois a security guard, said she askedtoleaveworkearlyso thatshecanattendchurchon December 31, 2022. Upon arrival at her home, Kishan and Marlon were not there. Sherecountedthatthefather of her children and other childrenwereathomewhen she arrived. Dundas said theypreparedforchurchand lefthomeatabout21:30h.

“WhenIcomebackfrom church around 1 o’clock time (January 1, 2023), we seethepolicevehicleonthe dam and as we come in,

when we watch, we see a man lay down not knowing was one of the police officer,”Dundassaid.

The distraught woman later found out that Kishan was killed and Marlon injured and was taken to the hospital.

P o s t - m o r t e m examinations conducted on thebodiesofMcPhersonand Budburgh, have revealed that McPherson was shot twice to his neck while Budburgh was shot three timesabouthisbody

According to the police report, the autopsy showed that Corporal McPherson died from shock and

haemorrhageduetogunshot injuries. It was also stated that there were two gunshot entrywoundsseentotheleft ofMcPherson’sneckwithno exit.

Budburgh’s autopsy also revealed that he died due to shock and haemorrhage caused by gunshot wounds. The report said that the fisherman was shot thrice. There were three gunshot entry wounds which was observedonKishan’sbody–alltotheleftside–one4to5 cm below the armpit, one further down the left side back, and the third, about 4 to 5 cm from the shoulder blade.

Thompson scores 42 as Warriors crush Thunder

AFP - Klay Thompson flirted with breaking his own single-game three-pointer record before settling for 42 points as the Golden State Warriors routed the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday

Long-range specialist Thompson drained 12 shots from outside the arc with a vintage exhibition of shooting to power the Warriorstoa141-114win.

Thompson looked poised to beat his own NBAmark of 14 three-pointers in a single game, set in October 2018, but came up just short before exiting to a standing ovation attheWarriorsChaseCenter Thompson's red-hot shooting was part of a stunning performance from three-point range by Golden State.

The Warriors finished with 26 threes from 50 attempts -- just three shy of the all-time single-game record of 29 set by Milwaukeein2020.

Thompson received scoring support from Jordan Poole (21 points, 12 assists and four rebounds) and Andrew Wiggins (18 points) as the Warriors shrugged off the injury absence of Steph Curry to score a resounding win.

Afterwards Thompson admitted he was hoping to have remained in the game before being withdrawn by Warriors coach Steve Kerr lateinthefourthquarter

"I was campaigning for it -- but we've got a quick turnaround with a game on W e d n e s d a y , " s a i d Thompson.

"And I don't think the basketball gods like it when you chase records. Gotta let thosehappenorganically,"he added.InPortland,theon-fire Milwaukee Bucks rolled to an eighth straight win to movewithinstrikingdistance of Boston at the top of the EasternConference.

Brook Lopez scored 27 points while Giannis Antetokounmpo added 24 in a127-108Buckswinoverthe TrailBlazers.

Damian Lillard led the Portland scoring with 28 points.

In Detroit, Jayson

Tatum's 34-point haul led the way as the Boston Celtics tightenedtheirgriponthetop spot in the Eastern Conference with a 111-99 winoverthePistons.

Tatum, who is averaging morethan30pointspergame this season, also added 11 rebounds and six assists as theCelticsimprovedto38-16 atthetopoftheEast.

Tatum received scoring support from Derrick White with 23 points, while Robert Williams III and Sam Hauser each added 15 off the bench asBostonbouncedbackfrom lastFriday'ssurprisedefeatto Phoenix.

-Tatum'wakesup'Boston ace Tatum had struggled in the defeat to

Phoenix,shootingonly3-for15fromthefield.

That poor outing looked to be haunting Tatum in the firsthalfagainstDetroitashe madeonly3-for-13.

But Tatum clicked into gear with an 18-point third quarter to guide Boston to victory."I just had to wake up a little bit," he told NBC Sportsafterthewin.

"I started off a little slow and I just had to get myself going. Because in the first half,Iwasstinkingitup."

Tatum, meanwhile, was pleased that Boston appeared to have bounced back after a recent dip in form that had seen them lose four of their previoussixgames.

"We haven't been playing as well as we'd like to lately," hesaid.

"Just had to respond and keep in mind what the goal is and keep working towards it "Elsewhere on Monday, the Cleveland Cavaliers made it three consecutive winsinawire-to-wire114-91

win over the Washington Wizards Cleveland's balanced offense proved too much for Washington, with all of the Cavs' starters finishingindoubledigits.

Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland finished with 23 points apiece, while DonovanMitchellscored21.

In Brooklyn, meanwhile, Nets guard Cam Thomas erupted for 47 points, but it wasnotenoughtopreventthe home team slumping to a 124-116 defeat to the visiting

LosAngelesClippers.

Thomas led the scoring with a total that included seven three-pointers, but Brooklyn were outgunned by a Clippers team hitting form attherighttime.

Veteran Paul George nailed 29 points for the Clippers, with Kawhi Leonardadding24.

Ivica Zubac chipped in with 19 points and hauled down 12 rebounds for Los Angeles, who are fourth in theWesternConference.

World champs gold medallist Jonielle Smith opens with 60m win in Boston,Akeem Bloomfield second in 400m

SportsMax - Jamaican

Olympian Jonielle Smith won her 60m season opener at the 2023 Bruce Lehane Scarlet and White Invitational in BostononSaturday

T h e 2 0 1 9 W o r l d Championship sprint-relay gold medalist, who recently th celebratedher27 birthdayran 7.50 in the preliminary round before winning the final in 7.35. The MVP International sprinter held off the fastfinishing Dominique Clarke, whoran7.38forsecond.

Third was Smith's MVP teammate Kasheika Cameron, who crossed the finish line in 7.58.Itwasawelcomereturnto competition for the 2018 CAC 100m champion who has been plaguedbyinjuryoverthepast two seasons and who ran only

three 100m races in 2022 at the JamaicaNationalChampionshipsin June.

Meanwhile, Michael Campbell also of MVP International won the men's equivalent in 6.71 as he continues his return from a broken backsufferedduringamotorvehicle accident in 2017 that claimed the lifeofhisfriendJordonScott.

Campbell won in a close finish with Ethan Exilhomme, who was timedin6.73.

BryanSosoowasthirdin6.85.

In the Men's 400m, Akeem Bloomfield, who is now a member of the Puma Chase Athletics Training Group after a year at Tumbleweed in Florida, finished second to Wellington Ventura in a tightfinish.

Ventura clocked 47 10 to Bloomfield's47.11.

ShevioeReidwasthirdin47.21.

Klay Thompson scored 42 points as the Golden State Warriors beat Oklahoma City Thunder.

Jonielle Smith

Ballance scores unbeaten 137 on Test return to lead Zimbabwe fight back on day four

SportsMax

- Former England batsman Gary Ballance made an unbeaten century to lead a Zimbabweanfightbackondayfour ofthefirstTestinBulawayo.

Day four started with Zimbabwe 114-3 off 41.4 overs, trailingtheWindiesby333runs.

The Zimbabweans were in furthertroublewhenhalf-centurion Innocent Kaia was struck plumb in frontbyAlzarriJosephfor67.

Wicketkeeper Tafazdwa Tsiga then joined Balance at the crease, facing five balls and making only twobeforeJosephdismissedhimin a similar fashion, leaving Zimbabwe 132-5 after 51 overs at thatpoint.

Brad Evans then made his way tothemiddleandaddedafurther15 runs with Balance before he was caught behind off the bowling of KemarRoachforseven.

The fall of that wicket was the start of somewhat of a revival for Zimbabwe as Wellington Masakadza then joined Balance at thecrease.

The pair put on a partnership of 45 for the seventh wicket, more importantly, batting for 24 overs andfourballsintheprocess.

Thispairworkedandfrustrated the West Indian bowlers, something that the next pair capitalized on as Balance and Brandon Mavuta, who took his maiden five-wicket haul inTests in theWestIndiesfirstinnings,puton what may very well be a matchsaving 135-run eighth-wicket partnership.

Mavuta, who had a previous highest Test score of six, made his maiden half-century off 107 balls before being bowled by Jason Holderfor56off132ballsjustafter theteabreak.

Just before tea, Ballance brought up his maiden Test hundred for Zimbabwe, having previously making four for England,off190balls.

A f t e r M a v u t a w a s dismissed, Ballance had partnerships of 14 with Victor Nyauchi, who made 13, and 38

with Richard Ngarava, who finished 19*, as the hosts declared on 379-9 off 125 overs, trailing the WestIndiesby68runs.

Ballance finished not out on 137from231balls,hitting12fours andtwosixes.

AlzarriJosephledthewaywith the ball for the Windies with 3-75 off his 26 overs. Gudakesh Motie and Jason Holder also bagged two wicketseach.

Atstumps,theWestIndieswere 21-0 off 13 overs in their second innings with Kraigg Brathwaite on 11 and Tagenarine Chanderpaul on 10.

Scores: West Indies 447-6 declared off 143 overs (Tagenarine Chanderpaul 207*, Kraigg Brathwaite 182, Brandon Mavuta 5-140) and 21-0 off 13 overs ( K r a i g g b r a t h w a i t e 11 * , Tagenarine Chanderpaul 10*) Zimbabwe 379-9 off 125 overs (Gary Ballance 137*, Innocent Kaia 67, Brandon Mavuta 56, Alzarri Joseph 3-75, Jason Holder 2-55, Gudakesh Motie 2-110)

Gary Ballance and Brandon Mavuta shared a 135-run stand for the eighth wicket. (Associated Press)

Bellator 290 results:

Brennan Ward blasts Sabah Homasi with head kick and punches to end violent battle

MMA Junkie - INGLEWOOD,

Calif. – Advertised as one of the most violent fights in Bellator history, Brennan Ward vs. Sabah Homasidelivered.

In the first Bellator fight to air on CBS in promotion history,Ward (17-6 MMA, 12-6 BMMA) defeatedHomasi(17-11MMA,6-5 BMMA) with a head kick and punches at 1:34 of Round 2. The welterweight bout opened up the Bellator 290 main card at Kia Forum.

Homasi and Ward both came out aggressive, as expected. Ward shot for a takedown initially Homasi stuffed. Moments later, Ward shot a takedown as Homasi leaped for a flying knee. Ward

caught Homasi and took him to the ground. Once there, Ward worked from the back for a rear-naked choke, which he couldn't get Homasi worked up but Ward found success once back on the feet. The two fighters were bloodied, but not brokenattheend-of-roundbell.

In Round 2,Ward continued his momentum swing, as he rocked Homasionvariousoccasions.Ward was patient in the attack, as he beat down a durable Homasi. Referee Blake Grice appeared close to a stoppageonmultipleoccasions,but a head kick and punches were what eventually persuaded him to intervene.

Afterthefight,Wardwasjoined inthecagebylegendaryactorJean-

ClaudeVanDamme,who attended the event with a mutualfriendoftheirs.

Ward returned in February 2022 after nearly five years away from MMA competition due to an ongoing battle with drug addiction. At Bellator 274, Ward was successful in his comeback bout when he defeatedBrandonBellby second-round TKO. In June, he defeated Kassius Kayne by second-round TKO at

Grange pleased with launch of sports collaboration with Trinidad and Tobago

SportsMax-TheMinisterof Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced that a delegation of 23, comprising eight students and two coaches each from Edwin Allen High School and Kingston College and three executive members from InterSecondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) will leave for Trinidad and Tobago on February 7, 2023, to participate in the Secondary School Relay FestivalonFebruary9,2023.

The participation of the Jamaican team at the Relay Festivalfollowsasportsstudytour by the Minister of Sport and Community Development for Trinidad and Tobago, the Honourable Shamfa Cudjoe, and a teamofofficials.

Minister Cudjoe and members of her delegation had met with

Honourable Olivia Grange

They also visited four high schools and a primaryschool.

MinisterGrangesaid, “It is expected that this bilateral cooperation between Jamaica and TrinidadandTobagowill bear much fruit for both ourcountries.”

Bellator282.

Reinvented under the Bellator banner, Homasi, a close friend and trainingpartnerofUFClightweight contender Dustin Poirier, won six of his past eight bouts before Saturday A two fight skid was snappedwiththeloss.

Up-to-the-minute Bellator

290resultsinclude:

Brennan Ward def Sabah Homasi via TKO (head kick and punches)–Round2,1:34

Lorenz Larkin def. Mukhamed Berkhamovviaknockout(elbow)–Round1,1:41

Henry Corrales def. Akhmed

Magomedov via unanimous decision(29-28,29-28,29-28)

AliIsaevvs.SteveMowryends inaunanimousdraw(28-28,28-28, 28-28)

Chris Gonzalez def Max Rohskopf via TKO (punches) –Round2,1:22

Grant Neal def Karl Albrektsson via split decision (2928,28-29,29-28)

Diana Avsaragova def Alejandra Lara via split decision (29-28,28-29,29-28)

Nikita Mikhailov def. Darrion Caldwell via unanimous decision (29-28,29-28,29-28)

Nayaran Ramdhani wins another tournament in Canada

He did it again!!

Narayan Ramdhani

Minister Grange, a technical team from the Ministry and its agencies, representatives from the Jamaica

Athletics Administration Association (JAAA), ISSA, the University of Technology (Utech), GC Foster College of Sport and Physical Education, and the Ministry of Education and Youth.

The Jamaicans will be competing in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays at the festival Barbados and Guyana are the other countries that have been invited to send teams to participate intheRelayFestival.

The exchange activities are also th being celebrated as part of the 60 Anniversary of Independence of JamaicaandTrinidadandTobago. The delegation will return to Jamaica on Friday, February 10, 2023.

once again placed 1st in the ACAC Tournament #3 in Men’s singles and Mixed Doubles.

The Alberta Colleges’ AthleticsConferenceTournament # 3 was played on Sunday, February 05, 2023 at the King’s

Alberta Narayan seeded # 1 in the draw gained a bye to the quarter finals where he played against Shepherd Dow and won 21-3, 21-6, in semis he came up against Davis Wong, winning

21-8, 21-12 and advanced to the final anddefeatedonceagain Sanskar Chopra in a close match 21-16,21-18.

In mixed doubles category he also gained the top spot when he partnered with Abby Ledda his King’sEaglesteammate.

An appreciation token was presented to Narayan Ramdhani by his Coach Mr Naeem Haque for his contribution to the King’s Badminton Team for the past four (4)years.

ThisisNarayan’slastgameon home court (King’s University) before graduating this coming semester

Lorenz Larkin defeated Mukhamed Berkhamov with a wicked elbow shot.

Brennan Ward delivered a brutal head kick to Sabah Homasi to end the fight.

Man City face uncertain future after Premier League charges

AFP - Manchester City were the ultra-rich "noisy neighbours" who became the Premier League's dominant force. But they now face an uncertain future that includes the ultimate threat of relegation.

Abu Dhabi-backed City were charged by the English top flight on Monday with more than 100 alleged breaches of financial rules between 2009/10 and 2017/18, and referred to an independentcommission.

The reigning champions have also been accused of failing to cooperate with investigations by the Premier League.

The club faces a range of possible punishments, includingareprimand,points deduction or even expulsion fromthePremierLeague.

City, who last month topped the Deloitte money league of the world's richest clubs, appear to be confident they can ride out the storm, insistingthereis"irrefutable" evidence that supports their case.

It is not the first time the club, transformed on and off the pitch after their takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, have been in

Newcastle United's Christian Atsu before a match.

(REUTERS/ Scott Heppell/File Photo)

the spotlight over issues of finance.

City was fined 60 million euros ($64 million) in 2014 for breaching UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations.

The club was banned for two years from UEFA competitions in February 2020 by European football's governing body for "serious financial fair play breaches", but the sanction was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport later that year Last year City manager Pep Guardiola made it clear that he would walkawayfromtheclubifhe discovered he had been lied to by the club's owners -- a worst-case scenario for City, who have won four of the past five Premier League titlesunderhisleadership.

-'Industrialscale'The Times' chief football writer Henry Winter said City faced "allegations of wrongdoing on an industrial scale...If proved, the ensuing punishment should be designed to deter others who believe they can copy the Cityplaybook."

But Simon Chadwick, professor of sport and geopolitical economy at the

Manchester City face uncertain future after Premier League charges.

SKEMA Business School in Paris, said wider issues were atplay

He pointed out that the British government will shortly publish a white paper -- a consultation document, whichcouldformthebasisof legislation -- which is expected to support the creation of an independent regulatorforfootball.

"The Premier League is stuck between a rock and a hard place because it feels

Ghana's Atsu

pulled alive from Turkey earthquake rubble

Christian Atsu has been found alive after being buried under rubble in the earthquake that hit Turkey, the vice president of his club Hatayspor told media on Tuesday.Atsu was reported missing in Turkey's Hatay province following the 7.8 magnitude quake that brought down thousands of buildings,killingsome5,000

people, in several Turkish andSyriancitiesonMonday

"Christian Atsu was pulled out injured Our sporting director, Taner Savut, is unfortunately still under the rubble," club vice president Mustafa Ozat told RadyoGol.

Atsu, 31, played in the

in September He

pressedbythegovernmentto take a more robust approach to finance and governance but it will also be acutely aware that the government is essentially getting it to do its dirty work for it," said Chadwick.

Football finance expert

Kieran Maguire also highlighted the political context of the government's drive to shake up football administration.

"The Premier League is opposed to an independent regulator in football and I don't want to go down a huge

conspiracy route, but the Premier League wants to prove to all interested parties thatit'scapableofkeepingits house in order," he told the BBC.Neither Maguire nor ChadwickbelieveCityfacea realisticprospectof

(Continued on page 25)

...16-team tournament set for

March 18 – 19 at Burnham Court

Enet, the country’s everythingnetwork,hasonce again thrown its support behind the Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic, following the presentation of a donation to the organisers at the company’s Camp Street, Georgetownheadquarters.

The 16-team tournament will be held March 18 – 19 at the Burnham Basketball Court, with this year’s event featuring regional teams’ participation.

male and female teams at the initial FIBA AmeriCup in Miamiin2021.

ENet was also behind Guyana’s senior men’s team which won, for the first time, the Caribbean Basketball

Toney3x3Classic.

S h e n o t e d E N e t recognizes the effort of Toney in helping to develop basketballandhispassionfor sports in Guyana, and it is those merit the company has

was last selected to play for Ghana in 2019, but has not officially retired from internationalfootball.

Ozat told BeIN Sports on Monday that several players and officials had been rescuedfromtherubble.

Second-tier Turkish club Yeni Malatyaspor confirmed on Twitter later yesterday that their goalkeeper Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan had died in theearthquake.

The tournament’s winner will pocket $400,000, with the teams finishing second and third going home with $200,000 and $100,000 respectively

Event organiser, Rawle Toney, lauded ENet’s support, which he said dates back to the inaugural tournamentin2019.

Toney added that the company,formerlyknownas E-Networks, has always been a ‘friend’ to basketball inGuyanaandwasoneofthe first sponsors for Guyana’s

Confederation (CBC) Championship in Suriname in2018.

“I’m extremely grateful for ENet showing support

o n c e a g a i n , a s i t demonstrates their readiness tohelpinthedevelopmentof sports, and in this case, 3x3 basketball,”Toneysaid.

Meanwhile, ENet’s Marketing Coordinator, Ashley John, said the company was happy and willing to support the Rawle

beenastrongsupporterofthe RawleToney3x3Classic.

ENetisGuyana’sleading provider of digital cable television, internet, information technology and mediaservices.

The company, which will soon roll-out its cellular service, strives to provide their customers with choice, innovation and value as they deliver premium content and new ways to access and view content.

Big Man Cricket O60s Caribbean Cup Tourney in Association with Blue Waters &Barbados Tourism Marketing INC

Australia, England & Invitational XI

register wins in the 4th round

Th e B M C Caribbean Cup

r e s u m e d o n Monday with excellent Barbadosweatheratallthe3 venues - Four Square Oval, Wanderers CC & the BNOC Sports Club. This round, England and the Invitational XI had quite an easy day at the park registering comprehensive victories in their encounters whilst Australia and West Indies had to sweat it out in their thrilling encounter at the BNOCground.

MATCH 1 at BNOC SportsClub-IntheAustralia v West Indies encounter at the BNOC ground, the Aussies registered their 4th successive victory winning by 3 wickets. The trend of teams winning the toss and electing to bat was overturned by most of the teams who seemed to prefer chasing in this round

Aussies won the toss and inserted West Indies to take first strike on a sticky wicket

a g a i n s t s o m e v e r y disciplined bowling. West Indies lost wickets at regular intervals and could only muster 144 for 9 off their 45 overs.

RichardSieuchanbatting at number 7 was the top scorer with 35 with 2 boundaries and had put on a very valuable 57 run partnership with Zamin Amin for the 7th wicket whentheyjoinedforceswith WI precariously placed at 75 for 6.These two got together after Wilbur Bruce was unfortunately run out at the non-striker end backing up after a Sieuchan straight drive was intercepted by the bowler who barely managed to get his fingers on the drive.

Brucewhoisthefatherof Dwayne Smith was batting very responsibly and had scored26with2boundaries.

Zamin Amin contributed 27 with 2 sweetly timed boundaries Jefferson Gibbons was the only other

batsman to get into double figures-12withamaximum. Man of the Match for the Aussies Peter O’Reilly was the pick of the Aussies bowlers with 3 for 19 very ably supported by Mike Riley 3 for 29 and Syd D’Mello2for22.

Australia began their innings very shakily also as the Windies bowled very tightlytohavethemat32for 2 after the first 15 overs water break. Peter O’Reilly contributed a very valuable 25 without a boundary but ran very well within the wickets. Glen Richards top scored with 31 and a solitary boundary

Peter Miller scored an undefeated 25 to take the Aussies home with 3 boundaries. Earlier captain Eric Higgins also made 18 withaboundary Motarawas again the pick of the West Indiesbowlerswith2for24.

MATCH 2 at the WANDERERS CC- In the England vs ROW encounter,

the ROW won the toss and lost wickets at regular intervals and only had their highest partnership of 39 between Peter Moses and Andre Manders for the 6th wicket. The English bowlers put a tight lid on the free scoring ROW batsmen and they could only muster 151 for 8 off their allotted 45 overs. Chris Deardon had 3 for 20; Phil Deakin 2 for 11 andJimPhillips2for20.

The Englishmen in their turn at the crease batted with supreme confidence and had their first century opening p a r t n e r s h i p o f t h e tournament.

They lost their first wicket at 117 when captain RichardMerrimanwentfora well-played77lacedwith12 boundaries. Matin Watkin then joined Kevin Grant and took them almost close to victory before he was also bowled by Rex Bennett for 20 with 3 boundaries. Kevin Grant soldiered on for 49 without a boundary to take

his team home, winning by 8 wickets in 33.1 overs.

MATCH 3 at the Four-Square OvalPickwick CC - This match resulted in somewhat of an upset victorybytheInvitationalXI vs the supposedly mighty USA team. The Invitational XI won the toss and elected to bowl after overnight rain caused a delay in the start and the match was reduced to38oversperside.

Muchwasexpectedfrom thisUSAteam,buttheyhave flatteredtodeceive.

They had a fairly strong start from their top order to be 72 for 2 in the 21st over butthenslumpedto115for7 in the 33rd over They eventually reached 142 for 8 off their allotted 38 overs.

Opener Ravi Suri top scored with 34 with 4 boundaries w i t h o t h e r u s e f u l contributions coming from Kumar Patel 22, Michael griffin 13, Syed Naqvi 12

and Barlingay 12. Extras contributed a healthy 26 runs Wicketkeeper Fazil Jahoor had 3 smart stumpings in the innings. CaptainJanakPatelhad3for 30 and Mihir Gandhi had 3 for28.

Intheirturnatthecrease, the Invitational XI lost their first wicket at 31 and their captain Janak at 56 after he had made 18. But Bajan Glenfield Griffith with a responsible 30 and Winston Herbert, who made an undefeated 44 with a boundary and 2 maximums, took them home after they lost Griffith at 97. Dave Ramdan was there at the end making 16 with a solitary boundary to win by 7 wickets and more than 5 overstospare.

their last championship defeat Chiefs holding onto bad memories from Super Bowl 2023:

Ya h o o S p o r t s -

PHOENIX Winning a Super Bowl is special Patrick Mahomes knows. He hasaringalready

But losing a Super Bowl? That feeling might last even longer Mahomes knows all aboutthattoo.

The last time his Kansas City Chiefs were in the Super B o w l , t h e y w e r e embarrassed. The Chiefs lost 31-9 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.Two years later, that memoryhasn'tfaded.

"That loss, that still stings,"Mahomessaid."That motivatesyouforyears."

Many of the Chiefs have been through Super Bowl Opening Night before. They were part of that Super Bowl in Tampa Bay two years ago. The Chiefs are back now, readytoplaythePhiladelphia Eagles, and they want to make sure they don't have to repeat that feeling from a loss "It's still lingering," defensive lineman Chris Jonessaid.

C h i e f s r e m e m b e r blowoutlosstoBuccaneers

Jones was also part of the Chiefs' Super Bowl championship team from three years ago and the Super Bowl loss in 2021. So which feeling is stronger, the euphoria of winning a Super Bowl or the despair of losing?

"The despair of losing," Jones said. "You learn a lot whenyoulose."

defeat was the second worst in any Mahomes start (Kansas City lost 27-3 to the Tennessee Titans in 2021).

T h e l o s s t o t h e

Buccaneers was one of the worst losses the Chiefs have had in Mahomes' five seasons as their starting quarterback The 22-point

The Chiefs came into that Super Bowl with an injured offensive line and the Buccaneers took advantage, pressuring Mahomes the whole game. Meanwhile the defence gave up too much to Tom Brady.The Chiefs who were on the field in Tampa think " Clark said."Youwatchthefilm100 times."No team comes to a Super Bowl wanting to lose, but those who have been throughalossdefinitelydon't wanttorepeatit.

Chiefs want a better outcome

Two years is a lot of time to think about doing things differently during Super Bowlweek,eventhesmallest ofdetails.

"The biggest thing you learniswhatnottodo,"Clark said "It's like, dang, I warmedupwrong.Iworethe wrong headset. My socks were a little too low It's all those types of things, when you look at it, if I would have done the little things. A little more studying. In practice on

Wednesday, I could have done better, I could have pushed a little more. It gets down to the littlest of things. Literally, in the Super Bowl, if you make one or two mistakes, that can be the mistakes that cost you the game."This matchup might feel like a bit of deja vu. In that Buccaneers game, pressure on Mahomes ruined the Chiefs. Kansas City's offensive line has been rebuilt, but the Chiefs will be up against an Eagles defense that led the NFL with 70

sacks. That's not far off the record of 72 sacks set by the 1984ChicagoBears.

"It's one of the best defensive lines in history," Mahomessaid."Weknowit's goingtobeachallenge."

The Eagles will be a tough opponent, just like the Buccaneersweretwoseasons ago. Maybe the things the Chiefs learned from that loss will be a benefit this time around "The lessons you learn after that loss are going to stick with you for life," Clarksaid.

Devin White of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackles Patrick Mahomes during the Chiefs' last Super Bowl appearance.

(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty

2023 West Indies Championship… Guyana Harpy Eagles resume hunt today

Today the second round of the 2023 We s t I n d i e s Championship commences in Grenada andAntigua with three scheduled matches on thecard.

The Guyana Harpy Eaglesenterthisroundasthe current leader after one round,tofacetheformidable Leeward Islands Volcanoes at the National Cricket Stadium in St. George’s, Grenada, in their hunt to reclaimthetitle.

In the other two matches, defending champion, Barbados Pride, go head-tohead with the Jamaica Scorpions at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Coolidge,Antigua, while the Leeward Islands Hurricanes take on the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.

All matches are fixed to bowl off simultaneously at 10:00hrsECT

The first round of the Four-Day formatted tournament commenced on January 31 between the Volcanoes and Red Force, which ended in a draw on February3.

Theothertwomatchesin the opening round bowled off on February 1 and saw Hurricanes play to a draw with Scorpions while Harpy Eaglessecuredavictoryover Pride.

At the conclusion of the round,HarpyEaglescaptain, Leon Johnson stated he was very happy for the result even though they were in a bothersome spot on the penultimate day of the match.

“I think he played well in thefirstinningsbutverywell played to the young Nandu (Matthew) who came in and

showed a lot of maturity and became the fifth Guyanese batsman to score a hundred

Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay launch WC2030 bid

Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay launched their official joint bid to host the of Football World Cup in 2030.

on debut, so very good for him. Also Permaul, the old stalwart, claiming 500 wickets; six wickets in the game and contributing in both innings with the bat. So I think we had a very good

game.”

The captain elaborated further on Matthew Nandu’s performance, disclosing that it was him who was actually vocal about how the pitch wasplayingandalsosteadya lot of partnerships, hence, the statement of his maturity attheageof19.

Nandu scored 126 in Guyana’s first innings that accumulated 371 runs and also became the first centurionoftheseasonwhen heachievedthefeat.

On what seemed to be a flat pitch, the Harpy Eagles’ pace attack accounted for eight wickets in the second innings, a job that was also commendedbyJohnson.

Ahead of the next round the skipper believes his squad should be happy in the momentofvictory

“It’s always good to start on a winning note. With a shorttournamentwerealized from last season that you havetostartwellandgetthat momentumandtrytocarryit through. Even though we

haveabreakitisimportantto start well because you find it’s hard to catch up in the back end; you don’t have the 10 games, you don’t have home games and things like that to catch up. So it’s very important to start well because you’re playing all the games on the road basically,”thecaptainadded.

Harpy Eagles squad: Leon Johnson (Captain), VeerasammyPermaul(Vicecaptain), Chandrapaul Hemraj, Matthew Nandu, Kemol Savory, Tevin Imlach, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith, Ronsford Beaton, Akshaya Persaud,Ashmead Nedd and ShamarJoseph.

Windward Island Volcanoes Team: Alick Athanaze (Captain), Preston McSween (Vice Captain), Jerlani Robinson, Kimani Melius, Kavem Hodge, Sunil Ambris, Justin Greaves, Tevyn Walcott, Kenneth Dember, Daurius Martin, Ryan John, Teddy Bishop,KeronCottoy

AFP - Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay yesterday launched their official joint bid to host the Football World Cup in 2030, exactly 100 years after the event was firstheld,inMontevideo.

"We are convinced that FIFA has an obligationtohonorthememoryofthosewho organized the first World Cup," Alejandro Dominguez, president of the Conmebol South American federation, said in Argentina.

He was attending a launch event at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) headquarters in Ezeiza, south of Buenos Aires.

Competition is intensifying before FIFA choosesahostin2024.

TheSouthAmericans'mainchallengeisa joint bid from Spain, Portugal and Ukraine,

which has the backing of European governingbodyUEFA.

Saudi Arabia is considering bidding to hostalongwithEgyptandGreece.

In December, Dominguez said FIFA should honor the legacies of SouthAmerican icons Pele and Diego Maradona by awarding the centennial 2030 World Cup to the continent.Uruguay was the first-ever world champion in 1930, beating Argentina 4-2 in the final of the 13-team World Cup it hosted inMontevideo.

Argentina is the reigning champion, having triumphed over France in Qatar last year

The next World Cup will be hosted in 2026 by the United States, Mexico and Canada--thefirsttimetherewillbe48teams competing,upfrom32.

Guyana Harpy Eagles captain, Leon Johnson, makes a point following his team’s victory in the opening round. (Photo: CWI)