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Kaieteur News
Monday February 14, 2022
Monday February 14, 2022
Kaieteur News
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“Nice speeches not Liza Two poses grave enough” - Activists danger to Guyana without
full coverage insurance
…calls grow for Dharamlall to be removed from office As Guyanese across the miles digest the statements made by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, calls continue to build for appropriate action to be taken against the public official, since “nice speeches” are not enough. Over the weekend, A New and United Guyana (ANUG) added their voice to the protest against the Minister’s ‘dildo’ comment in Parliament, urging that he be removed from his office. Activists from the nongovernmental organization, Help and Shelter also called for sanctions to be imposed on the Minister for his “sexually abusive behaviour”. O n We d n e s d a y, Dharamlall, in response to heckling from Opposition MP, Natasha Singh-Lewis said, “Is a dildo you want, that is what you looking for”. The Minister later published an apology on his social media page explaining that he was merely responding to “incessant insults” by another Opposition MP, Sherod Duncan. According to the M i n i s t e r, “ O n m a n y occasions, the MPs on the government side have been ridiculed with some of the most uncouth and slanderous things about their bodies, their spouses, their children, their sexuality and even their dead relatives. Some of the chief culprits in the heckling crowd of APNU+AFC include MPs Sherod Duncan, Coretta Mc Donald and Natasha Singh-Lewis”. He said too, “my heckle regarding a dildo was aimed at verbal excesses of MP Sherod Duncan… to those offended by my comment I am truly sorry. That is the truth”. To this end, ANUG, a political party represented in the National Assembly has argued, “If he (Dharamlall) can show such colours under the spotlight of recorded Parliament debates what is he capable of as head of the Ministry, to which he has been entrusted, where the scrutiny is less rigorous? What treatment and conduct can the public servants who work under him expect from him?” In this regard, the political group said, “A New
and United Guyana calls on the President to remove the dishonourable Minister of local government and regional development from office. He has no place among the leadership of our country”. The Party reasoned that the Minister’s outburst was spontaneous and not rehearsed and therefore reveals much of the nature of the official. In addition to this, the political group said that Dharamlall’s “vulgarity” is reminiscent of another PPP/C Minister’s misogynistic exchange with a female social activist some years ago, but only worse.
Help and Shelter Representative and Activist, Danuta Radzik “It is worse because the statement was made in the crumbling sanctity of our Parliament, where the nominees of the elected leaders congregate. It is worse because there was no response, no immediate and unequivocal condemnation, from (Education Minister) Priya (Manickchand), from ( To u r i s m a n d Commerce Minister)
Oneidge ( Wa l d r o n d ) , from (Human Services Minister) Vindhya (Persaud), from (Parliamentary Affairs Minister) Gail (Teixeira) or from the men seated next to them. It is worse because the Speaker, who imposes discipline, actually sanctioned an opposition member who protested a g a i n s t D h a r a m l a l l ’s
Minister of Local Govt. and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlal crassness,” ANUG contended. Even more insulting, the political party said was that Dharamlall published a “tepid attempt to repair the damage” in a bid to excuse his “vile conduct” by claiming he was responding to similar vulgarity from the Opposition. To this end, ANUG pointed out that Psychologists point to avoidance and misdirection as two devices used by abusers to escape the reality of their oppression. Therefore, “By misdirecting the conversation to APNU misdeeds, the PPP supporters can avoid confronting the ugly realities of the party they support,” the Party pointed out. Meanwhile, activists from Help and Shelter said that Minister Dharamlall’s words amount to sexual harassment, which is legally defined as an unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature which makes a person feel offended or humiliated. Further, the group of activists comprising Danuta Radzik, Josephine Whitehead, Linda Hustler and Pamela Nauth reasoned that there is no doubt that Dharamlall’s comments were intended to do just this to the woman it was directed to. The female activists did not spare the House S p e a k e r , Manzoor Nadir or the PPP/C MPs present, since the Minister was not reprimanded for his behaviour. To this end, they have stated, “It is not enough for nice speeches and pledges to be made: action consistent with words to protect against sexual and gender-based violence must be taken and applied to all. The Speaker must not allow a workplace culture or the normalization Continued on page 24
The PPP/C Government along with many industry actors have publically stated that they view the recent commencement of operations at the Liza Phase Two Project using the Liza Unity FPSO in the Stabroek Block as a major achievement for the oil producing State. On the other end of the spectrum however, are several other patriotic observers who are cognizant of the lopsided Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) the project is tied to, as well as the fact that it has no full coverage insurance. In light of these two factors, these individuals are deeply concerned about the p r o j e c t ’s d a n g e r o u s environmental implications. Specifically, Attorneyat-Law, Melinda Janki, is of the firm conviction that the Liza Phase Two Project poses a grave danger to Guyana. In an invited comment, Janki—who has been passionate about the protection of the environment especially with the onset of Guyana’s p r o l i f i c o i l discoveries—said with over 30 wells drilled to support the project, the risk of a blowout increases. She further notes that the Liza Phase Two Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) admits that an unmitigated oil spill could hit Guyana’s shores, affect marine life in the ocean, devastate Caribbean countries and could harm Guyana’s fishing sector. If this happens, Janki
– Attorney Melinda Janki
Attorney-at-Law, Melinda Janki articulated that no amount of insurance can replace the natural resources that enable people to live. She alluded to the suffering that therefore looms in the absence of adequate insurance for protection. Further to this, she said ExxonMobil has admitted to using faulty equipment in Liza Phase One project which utilizes the Liza Destiny. Mechanical issues that affected the Liza Destiny’s gas compressor system since 2019 has led to the flaring of over 15 billion standard cubic feet of gas. ExxonMobil now projects that it will address these gas compressor woes until half year. Given the mechanical issues that led to the pollution of the air space from toxic chemicals released from flaring, Janki said all Guyanese should be worried about whether ExxonMobil is likely to repeat the same mistake on
Liza Two. It is therefore Janki’s belief that there should be a halt to oil production until the Government and ExxonMobil can show beyond the shadow of a doubt that the Liza Phase Two operations are safe. According to project documents, oil production from the Liza Phase Two Development is expected to last at least 20 years. During that time, approximately 220,000 barrels of oil would be produced per day via the Liza Unity FPSO. That ship is also expected to develop 600 million barrels of oil over its lifecycle. Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) which is the operator of the Stabroek Block and the subsidiary of ExxonMobil has said that the entire Liza Phase Two development costs US$3.5B. Guyana is yet to verify whether this cost is correct. KEY DIFFERENCES According to reports perused by this newspaper, there are some key Continued on page 21
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Monday February 14, 2022
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Contract cancellation, why? The PPP/C Government and its Vice President may think they are both off the hook, and that the wind has blown over, or will soon blow over on this searing allegation of bribe taking by the Vice President. This scandalous development is not going anywhere in a hurry, as much as both the government and the Vice President may wish for it to disappear into the murk, like so many other suspicious matters in Guyana. This is because some things out in public space are not adding up, and they look bad for the government and its besieged leader. When the reporter of VICE News first posed the question with this startling allegation of bribe taking, the Vice President was not himself, not the arrogant, impatient, and intolerant man and leader that he is known to be, and as the record supports. When he should have been beside himself with vehement anger, he was a stuttering, balking, pawing shadow of himself. Still, that does not denounce him, but it does not exonerate him, either. He is on record as denying what was alleged against him by this mysterious, corporate butterfly (in Guyanese speech, a marabunta) identified as Mr. Su. According to subsequent media reports, the same Mr. Su has also denied ever making such an allegation about the Vice President in the context of bribe taking, as previously alleged and extensively covered. Though not unexpected, and because he has no choice, His Excellency, President Irfaan Ali, chipped in with his own vote of confidence and endorsement of his Vice President. This is all well and good, and should have signaled that all is well that ends well, except, something is not well at all, but is very rotten in Guyana, and inexplicably so. There have been denials all around. Some not as vigorous as they should be, some under the appearance of force of circumstances correction (that is, duress), and some that seem too smooth and too pat - as in orchestrated. Because all have been denied, and all is well (or should be), there should be no issue at all with contracts as they stand, especially the one related to the new Demerara Harbour Bridge, for which a Chinese company was already the holder. Everybody involved in this seemingly tawdry affair should be moving on, and getting down to doing the business for which they are responsible. Meaning, the Vice President concentrating even more on oil management and whatever else he has monopolised for himself. The President returns to the normalcy of his public relations exercises. The Chinese to building whatever they have been engaged to do. But, the contract for the new bridge, all $53 billion plus of it, has been cancelled, revoked, with the PPP/C Government and the Vice President putting the kibosh on that multibillion-dollar baby. Why? Why this has to be so, is what we at this publication, on behalf of all Guyana, want to know? Why was this still necessary, given all the denials by all involved following the ugly bribe taking allegations coming to light? It could be a case of righteous indignation taken to an entirely new level. Whether that righteous indignation is genuine or pretended is not our focus, but simply why this had to be, since the parties to the bribery allegation have cleared the air (denials), and all are supposedly in the clear, back to what should be good terms. In sum, whatever harm was intended was improperly motivated, and maliciously and falsely inflicted, with no foul resulting. Yet, the contract was cancelled which begs a number of questions. Former Minister, David Patterson, has raised the issue pressing for answers, and we at this publication have the same concerns. The Government, through its leading voices in this worrying set of circumstances needs to step forward and set the record straight. The President and Vice President owe the country, citizens, and the Chinese principals also, convincing explanations on why this cancellation step still stands. There cannot be more of this game playing, or more of these mysteries continuing to dog what might only be a headache to be rid of, for the government, but a nightmare for Guyana.
Help & Shelter joins calls for Dharamlall to be sanctioned Dear Editor, Help & Shelter writes in support of the calls for action to be taken against Minister of Local Government & Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall for his appalling comments made to a fellow parliamentarian at a recent sitting of Parliament. We are of the view that Minister Dharamlall’s words amount to sexual harassment, which is legally defined as, inter alia, unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature which makes a person feel offended, humiliated and/or intimated. Regrettably, sexual harassment is at present limited to the workplace (we understand that amendment to the relevant legislation is on the government’s legislative agenda) but
Parliament is the workplace for parliamentarians. There is little doubt that the words were meant to humiliate, offend and intimidate the woman parliamentarian to whom they were directed. Not only must the Speaker of the House but the PPPC be sanctioned in no uncertain terms concerning this sexually abusive behaviour. It is not enough for nice speeches and pledges to be made: action consistent with words to protect against sexual and gender-based violence must be taken and applied to all. The Speaker must not allow a workplace culture or the normalization of sexual harassment to occur in the highest decision making forum of the people of Guyana without appropriate
disciplinary action being taken. The Speaker and all parliamentarians must take personal and collective responsibility to ensure that discriminatory and sexist practices, language, behaviour are outlawed and severely penalized. The root causes of sexual and gender-based violence are the subordination of women, inequality, inequitable gender norms, negative gender socialization, rape culture, normalization of violence and abuse in all its forms and male privilege. As long as there are double standards when it comes to how sexual harassment, sexual & domestic violence and other forms of genderbased violence are treated in Guyana, increasing violence
against women, girls, boys, LGBTQIpeople and men will continue. We call on the Parliament of Guyana and the Speaker of Parliament to take a stand in relation to sexual harassment and all other forms of sexual abuse and violence in the House and for appropriate penalties to be imposed on Minister Dharamlall for his outrageous conduct. We are also concerned that the actions and behaviour of many other parliamentarians are not in keeping with the standards to be expected of those sitting in our legislature. Yours faithfully, Danuta Radzik Josephine Whitehead Linda Hustler Pamela Nauth For Help & Shelter
A short note to thank Mr. Kissoon for his revision Dear Editor, A short note to thank Mr. Kissoon for his revision (though, given the tone and content of his original pieces, an apology would have sufficed) and to clarify a few points. First, my public comments in the letter columns are made as an independent individual, a citizen concerned for the future of our country. I do not
speak on behalf of an institution. Second, I own shares in Guyana Publications Inc, publishers of Stabroek News. But this does not entitle me (or any other shareholder) to speak on behalf of Stabroek News or to meddle in its editorial direction. Both of those responsibilities rest with the
Editor-in-Chief. Third, at the risk of incurring another volley of abuse from Mr. Kissoon, it is my firm view that, if political allegiance is allowed to serve as a credential or a disqualification for senior posts in the country’s institutions, we are lost. We must hire transparently, based solely on experience and ability. The
public sphere in Guyana is hyper-politicised. To make political loyalty a condition of employment is to entrench and endorse that corrosive tendency. Similarly, public officials must be made to understand that they are there to serve the public interest, not those of the politicians. Yours faithfully, Isabelle de Caires
Eagerly awaiting Vice Media report on corruption Dear Editor, With regards to the Vice Media interview, anyone who does not believe that Guyanese politicians (many, not all) and or high government officials (not all) are not corrupt are very naïve or don’t want to deal with the truth. Vice Media’s exposure of corruption may be of no consequence to the population or politicians as the latter don’t care what is said about them. No new information may be brought forward in Vice’s release of its report because Guyanese have become immune to corruption, and they largely know who is on the take. One new piece of information is the VP’s admission that he owns properties, and that he rents out at least one of his buildings to a Chinese national who does business with the Guyana government. Is there any conflict of interest given that he is a member of the cabinet, and a dominant figure, that makes decisions on contracts? Guyanese have taken corruption for granted. It is a way of life and of doing business. Succeeding
governments have been painted with the brush of corruption. It is integral to governance. Policies and programmes are designed or tailored to suit corrupt opportunities and or with kickbacks in mind. Some contracts or contractors seem pre-determined. It is known who will be awarded the contracts with drawback in mind. Corruption goes back to 1967 right after independence in which several government officials were implicated in kickback schemes by Eusi Kwayana, Peter D’Aguiar, Cheddi Jagan, and others. I recall Mr. Kwayana filing court case against an accused Minister. I do not proffer to have evidence on corruption or who is on the take. But it is common talk among Guyanese of who is (was) on the take. You talk to ordinary folks and they will give you names and amounts paid to get approval of a licence or a service – but that is small graft, chicken feed bribes that don’t interest the big boys. The big money is in large contracts and land
giveaways. Business people, contractors in particular, talk of the huge amount and who they paid to get government contracts or large tracts of land. There is only a handful of ministers (like Dr. Vindhya Persaud, Dr. Frank Anthony, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Joe Hamilton, and Sonia Parag, and a couple of others) in this present government whose names are not tied to draw back. A few are called Mr. 10% or Mr. 15%. The names of several bureaucrats or high officials or Board Directors or CEOs or Managers are also tied to kick back. And some of them also have earned the moniker of the percentages they demand. The public knows the names. Some would go to the hilt of denying they don’t accept bribe or that they are more honest than the Jagans. The Vice interview will not change anything on how business is done but it will bring corruption to the front burner and it is hoped that Guyanese will start taking an interest in combating corruption. Unfortunately, no action will be taken against the corrupt and no one will
be held accountable for wrong-headed policies. As an illustration, we know what happened at Skeldon when US$200M was wasted. We know the 2018 G $30B Guysuco syndicated bond was wasted. No one was brought to account. That US$350M on Guysuco alone plus hundreds of millions more spent on sugar could have transformed Guysuco and modernise Agriculture. Instead, the bulk of it ended up in pockets of corrupt politicians and business folks. We read of tender procedures being thrown out the window and of some contract awards determined by officials rather than the tender board. We learn about staff being compelled to pay for non-existent work. Staff who stood up to wrong doings are removed under succeeding governments. Many Guyanese believe that being corrupt is a prerequisite for hiring at certain positions in succeeding governments. Look at the names of (Continued on page 6)
Monday February 14, 2022
Freddie erred on DeCaires but right on others Dear Editor, I am pleased to read that Freddie Kissoon has acknowledged (Feb 12) that he unintentionally erred in penning (Feb 10) that Ms. Isabelle DeCaires did not condemn the attempting rigging of the 2020 elections. When I read Freddie’s critique that Ms. DeCaires did not condemn the rigging, I immediately knew he inadvertently erred because I remember very well her pieces slamming the bold attempts to rig the elections. Like Freddie, I implore Ms. DeCaires to continue her independence of thought in commenting on
issues of national importance. Isabelle was among a few of us who denounced the 2020 rigging and chastised the government for wanting to remain in office through rigging as well as censuring GECOM officials who were facilitating the rigging. She was not as vociferous and unrelenting as Freddie and myself and a few others, but she lent a scarce voice against those who sought to steal an election. Those who were mum and or came out in support of rigging wanted to maintain the status quo of coalition dominance and perhaps continuation of
MONUMENTS OF LOVE By Haimnauth Cecil Ramkirath When two lovers meet under the old oak tree, their warm embrace and kiss— it’s an unearthly bliss that stills the drums of wars and hatred, the broken dreams, and sham in this world so vain, so sordid. The world is weary of war but not of love. Let there be monuments of love in every town. Let the bell criers shout of love. Let every pen be dipped in the ink of love. Let every young heart dream of naught but love. And if we would place a garland, let it be at the feet of
Traffic issue Dear Editor, Pedestrians using the pavement on the north of Demico House are in danger of being injured or even killed as hire cars are using the pavement as a roundabout to return to the main road. I am pleading to the relevant authorities to remedy this situation. Concerned Citizen
love— they would not besmirch the pink lily’s celestial perfume. The roots are wrapped in love— they send the giant redwoods a hundred miles above. The river knows of love, though boulder-ridden miles, a thousand tumbles, a thousand pains, it tarries a while, but never ceases to look for the sea again. And few would dare to open their hearts in songs of love, as do sparrows and robins on the treetops even as dark clouds brew. All of nature is a song of love. Hear the gentle waves embrace the sand in a sweet love song. And the Universe applauds every instance of love, that holds the atoms, and keeps in orbit the stars, and anoints the human heart and makes it whole again.
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authoritarian rule that ended in 1992 with the country’s first democratic election. Freddie is right to excoriate and deprecate Guyanese academics, rights activists, civil society, church figures, prominent others, and NGOs who (and that) were silent during the rigging. Freddie and I were among the few who chastised those who lost their voice during that five-month period of the attempted rigging. As Freddie repeatedly and accurately penned, they were silent because of race and political loyalty to a party. They did not demonstrate respect and love for democracy but to power and ethnic dominance. Regrettably, some of those who fought against rigging and the dictatorship between 1966 and 1992 supported or endorsed rigging in 2020. Neither Freddie, nor I, nor several others who championed democracy between 1966 and 1992 and during those five months in 2020 were interested in power or which party would benefit from our activism and labour. And we ourselves were not beneficiaries. We supported the principle of the source of governance – power derives from the people through free and fair election. Many of those who were silent and or supported the coalition remain and or have become beneficiaries of those who fought for democracy; they continue to earn profits from government contracts and or (Continued on page 6)
Burning of cane should be reconsidered Dear Editor, A recent ProPublica article concluded that the burning of sugarcane in Central Florida has caused elevated levels of asthma in children and other health issues in nearby communities and of course it contributes greatly to CO2 emissions and global warming. Calls are now increasing in the US and elsewhere to stop this practice. For example, Brazil is heading in that direction and is still a lowcost producer. I would assume that GuySuco has no study on the effects of its practice of burning cane but
there do seem to be quite high levels of asthma in the general population. There is also another local industry that is a significant contributor to global warming: That is rice cultivation which emits 12% of the world’s total methane output, a gas that is 23 times more damaging to the environment than C02. Many studies have been done on this and estimates range from around 200 to 600 kg of methane released per hectare of wetland, double cropped rice. With 98,000 hectares under cultivation in Guyana that amounts to up to 58,000
tonnes of methane being released annually into the atmosphere. It would be good if each ministry here publishes an estimated carbon footprint for its sector. For example, the use of cement (globally 8% of emissions) in public and private infrastructure projects, mining’s clearing of forests, the use of heavy fuel oil for power generation and so on. The ministries could then develop a policy on how to reduce these emissions over the next 10 years. Yours sincerely, Lynn Nicholas
ABC engineered, now they engage again Dear Editor, The PPP/C Government is being put on notice, with subtle diplomatic cautions delivered at timely and tactical intervals. The Americans and British (the spearheads of the ABC&E quartet) keep warning the President and Vice President within the protocols and bounds of veiled diplomatic language to take heed, be alerted, and act, the appropriate kinds. They can all have a powerful say, because PPP/C leaders owe them, are nothing without them. America’s Ambassador, Her Excellency Sarah-Ann Lynch, took the opportunity and platform recently to sound the alarm, issue more
than stern hints. It was that certain things must be done (which are not), areas to be improved (which are not), and systems to be enhanced (which are not). And all deliberately. From outreach to procurement to other sensitive places, for which both the President and Vice President pay lip service and nothing more. In recent days, the British came out of the woodwork, to state that Guyana’s procurement systems need strengthening. They can be forgiven for understatement, which is part British, and part the tactfulness of diplomatic syntax. Unlike the diplomats, I am not restrained by such artificial politesse, such
studied coolness. For I translate what my fellow Americans and the British are saying in this rawer, more pungent language, which emphasises what is going on in the minds of the foreigners, and as driven by politics and leadership practices in this sick society. It is: stop fooling around, because what is being done is transparent and it stinks, where procurement and contract awards are concerned. Stop fooling around with these distortions and deceptions of the English Language, and think self so cute, clever, and cool. Stop thinking there is so much smartness with what is finalised, because this is dumb and dangerous. It is (Continued on page 6)
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Addressing the elephant in the room Dear Editor, I read recently that the West is disturbed about the deforestation in Brazil. They also want us to keep our forest intact. All of this because of climate change. We must preserve our forest to save the planet while our people suffer. A very long time ago I wrote that we can preserve our forest but that there must be some system to compensate us for opportunity lost and for the oxygen we generate considering it is the G7 country that contributes most via emissions. Their people enjoy a great life style while our people are deprived while preserving our forest to save the planet. The G7 has about 7% of the world’s population but consumes over 50% of the world’s resources. The EU has been subsidizing the production of fossil fuel to the tune of 100 Billion USD annually. This is hypocrisy. Let them use some of that money to pay us to preserve and keep the lungs of the world healthy. Now whenever someone writes or speaks critically of
the present system and I have had the experience, one comes under attack in the most illogical manner. Sometimes I am shocked at the responses of persons who have PHDs and are university professors. In one instance I made some criticisms of capitalism and a friend of mine who is a professor responded by asking me, “Name one socialist country that does not have a dictator?” It is not usual but I was left speechless. It is not unusual for persons, when capitalism is criticized to respond about the USSR collapsing, etc., etc. This way is common for if one criticizes the PPP or the PNC the response usually is look what the other is doing. I do not blame people because of cultural hegemony. We internalised spontaneously the ideology of the ruling class. Bob Marley called it “Mental Slavery” while Karl Marx referred to it as false consciousness. We all know the term House slaves where they defend Massa. But why am I discussing
capitalism as the topic is climate change. Well capitalist have to maximise profits. While production does provide for needs, the drive for more profits demands ever increasing production and the creation of wants. It needs a consumption culture. So they have to keep on producing and convincing us that we need these things. So we have a very materialistic culture. Shopping is a culture. Keeping up with the Joneses. A new set of clothing for every occasion, nice imported furniture. So we have a large number of dresses, pants, shirts, shoes, a lot of which we do not even wear except for once. As a young boy I heard of the great America where every home had a twocar garage. I later visited and really many houses had the said garages but then I saw the cars parked outside and I wondered why. I found the garages filled with purchases that are not being used. They were manufactured using raw materials while contributing to emissions, bought by people convinced by TV that they needed them and then
locked away. I recall the words of a song sung by Roberta Flack, “Business goes on as usual, the profits are high and TVs boom, in every living room. They tell us what deodorant to buy”. So if we were to stop regurgitating in response to criticisms of the capitalist system that socialism is a demon system etc., etc., and focus on the issue we may realise that a system that is driven by the need to increase profits would consume the planets resources and contribute to climate change at an ever increasing rate. This is the elephant in the room. I would not at this stage discuss its need for wars so as to increase consumption by producing what I refer to as destructive consumption, making bombs and tanks and blowing them up and another advanced jet while we park the old models in fields. The beneficiaries of the present system especially the one percent elites who owns most of the world uses the means of disseminating information of which they
ABC engineered, now they engage again... From page 5 not. Stop playing these stupid games, stop wasting the gifts that we (yes, we, the ABC&E people) placed in the hands of the PPP/C, as climaxed on August 2, 2020. Editor, the diplomats and their State Department and Foreign Office can see through the futile attempts of
the President with his word games, and the other games which he is not well-qualified to handle. They see through his doubletalk, and they see through the double-dealing that the Hon. Vice President is so famous (or notorious) for, in just every vision and endeavor of his. I have repeatedly warned PPPC honchos, wise guys all, that the Americans put in power, and they can more easily remove from power. They don’t have much regard for either of the two top dogs; and, in fact, they look down upon them in the literal sense of that word, that noun. The Americans have no stomach for the Chinese and Russians to have too much
of a presence in their neighbourhood, and they watch warily at the inroads that both make in Venezuela, how crippling sanctions are undercut, and how menacing both are to American strategic interests, and its geopolitical visions. When the President and Vice President do too much business with the Chinese, they forget who is responsible for their haughty, swaggering presence in the corridors of power. Just so I am clear about where I interpret the Americans and British are standing, I table this. They could care less about who gets contract awards that make no sense and violate the spirit of a level playing field, if not the letter of the law. Similarly, they are not overly
concerned about which leader and comrade ‘teef de people monee’, as that is the norm of local politics. What occupies their attention, and causes untold anxieties, are those developments, compliments of PPP/C leaders, that give the Chinese a larger footprint in this country, and by extension the hemisphere. Additionally, the Americans must be furious that a $53 billion plus bridge project went the way of the Chinese, along with other massive awards, when there are American companies hovering to get their piece of the Guyanese Dream. Amnesia it may be, but it is ingratitude and stupidity, too. Sincerely, GHK Lall
control about 90% to “educate” us. They educate us to defend the system and to demonise any alternatives. Even when we conclude that both systems are bad, that is good for them because the status quo is maintained. A good friend of mine wrote that we should do away with isms. This is interesting for the question would be how do we do away with capitalism. I explained to him that if this was the attitude in the past when we had feudalism then there should not have been a capitalist revolution to overthrow Feudalism. Or if the thinking was and we know that capitalism is also bad then why should the peasants have fought to overthrow the feudal order to allow the capitalist to gain power. The problem is even brilliant professors seem unable to grasp that they cannot use an ideology, a philosophy, a way of thinking and an information base generated by a system to objectively analyse the system. One has to look historically to examine the driving force behind socioeconomic transition. Which brings me to the present day and the way Guyanese look at our situation? We think in the same way. We criticise PNC and its activities when in power a few years after the PPP gained power. And the response is looked at the wrong things the PPP is doing. The coalition is in power and the PPP is criticised and the response is looked at the wrongs the
coalition is doing. My question is at the time of removal of the PNC when the PPP took power how would you have answered the criticisms? Same as when the elections in 2015 removed the PPP the defence of the PPP cannot be the wrongs of the Coalition. In the same way let’s say capitalism was being criticised prior to the socialist revolution in Russia and Capitalism was criticised the defence could not have been the ills of the socialist country. One would have had to focus on the specific criticism, comprehend it and respond. The problem is, our education system does not teach us to think this way. It teaches us to be dogmatic. It teaches us that we have this “Free Will” and even though we know the words socialisation, indoctrination, acculturation and even though we are exposed to Bob Marley’s mental slavery, or Marxist false consciousness, or Gramsci cultural hegemony we never question what we know recognising it is a body of knowledge that we were fed. We treat what we know as absolute truth. We need to work to change the way we think; the way we view the world. If we continue to defend what we know and reject what oppose then we do not unlearn. We learn nothing new. We do not change and education is a process of change so we are not being educated. Rajendra Bisessar, BSc Sociology, LLB
Freddie erred on... From page 5 big salary from state employment. They benefit either way regardless of which party in government – opportunistic political entrepreneurs as they care called by political scientists. The non-political activists
who championed democracy are left out in the cold. That is the nature of unaligned political activism. Freddie is right to call out and embarrass those who were silent during the onslaught against democracy. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
Eagerly awaiting Vice Media... From page 4 several individuals appointed in the ministries or some of those appointed as Directors of state agencies since August 2020. Several of them were implicated in all kinds of fraud schemes pre-2015. They have been brought back. And then there is the revelation last w e e k t h a t D r. R u d y Jadoopat, a decent, noncorrupt professional, had been removed as head of EITI and replaced by someone who did propagandistic work for the PPP government. Several other professionals of integrity were replaced.
What message about integrity and honesty is being sent by this and or previous governments? Is being corrupt a prerequisite qualification for hiring at certain positions? Is it that those who are most shameless in their activities seem preferred? In spite of any s h o r t c o m i n g s in the interview or effort to discredit Vice Media, Guyanese welcome and eagerly await the investigative report on corruption and contract preference with Chinese companies. Yours truly, Balram Gangadeen
Monday February 14, 2022
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Monday February 14, 2022
EITI now a compromised body with Misir as Head - Article 13 urges civil society representatives to quit Article 13 notes with deep concern the replacement of Dr. Rudy Jadoopat by Dr. Prem Misir as Coordinator of the Guyana-Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GYEITI) and has called on the Civil Society representatives of the MultiStakeholder Group which oversees the work of the body to reconsider their participation in the MSG as it has become compromised. The international body,
EITI, sets the recognised standard for accountability and openness as it relates to the proceeds from the extraction of all natural resources. In the context of Guyana, where the extractive sector is fast assuming a position of dominance in the economy, meeting those standards is critically important, Article 13 said in a statement on Sunday. In the missive, Article 13 said Guyana became an EITI
Implementing country in October 2017 and its Guyana’s Validation under the EITI Standard commenced on 1 October 2021. The GYEITI website contains a user- friendly Timeline - graph and all showing the key events in the life of GYEITI Guyana from as far back as 2010. Article 13 said while it agrees that all contracts of employment must follow processes, there is nothing in the public domain to suggest
that Dr. Jadoopat has not delivered under his contract. In fact, the opposite seems to be the case. “GYEITI has published all the Annual Reports required for the years 2017 – 2020 and the preparation of the report for 2021 is in progress. We understand that GYEITI has completed the 1st and 2nd EITI Reconciliation Reports but that the 3rd. Report has been delayed as a consequence of government’s inaction.” Article 13 said, in seeking to justify the replacement of Jadoopat with Misir, the Ministry of Natural Resources has raised the issue of Jadoopat’s relationship with the Alliance for Change (AFC), raising the suggestion that Jadoopat served as an executive member of the (AFC), a claim denied by both the AFC and Dr. Jadoopat.” Article 13 is deeply concerned that the Government gives itself the right to terminate the contract of employment of persons who have any association, perceived or real, with an opposition political party. The resonance with the days of the Party Card is frightening and completely unacceptable. The Ministry, it seems, does not see the irony in offering Dr. Jadoopat’s association with an opposition political party as a reason for the termination of his employment while endorsing the recruitment of Dr. Misir, a
New Head of EITI, Dr. Prem Misir long-time supporter of the ruling Party,” the body stated. According to Article 13, it is a matter of public knowledge that Dr. Misir has for decades served the PPP/C while they were in government and was publicly identified with the banning of ads for the Stabroek News, in breach of several provisions of the Constitution of Guyana. “Article 13 fears that by replacing Jadoopat with Misir, the integrity of the work of GYEITI will be compromised and that Guyana and its people will be the loser internationally, among international investors and multilateral institutions. Article 13 calls on the Civil Society representatives of the MultiStakeholder Group which oversees the work of the EITI secretariat, to reconsider their participation in the MSG as offering legitimacy to a compromised organisation.” Following the removal of Jadoopat, the Alliance For Change said in a statement that the termination of the
official is clear evidence of the consistency of PPP’s return to Kleptocracy and its focused policy to deny the Guyanese people international standard transparency. “The Alliance For Change notes with dismay and disappointment that the PPP is carrying through with its objective of dismantling all remaining guardrails of good governance and transparency. This is so, particularly with respect to our natural resources and revenues derived there from. Most recently, the nation watched aghast as the Natural Resource Fund legislation was rammed through parliament then all proceeds siphoned off in Budget 2022. Now, the regime’s termination of Dr. Rudy Jadoopat.” The AFC noted that under the previous APNU+AFC administration, and with the coming oil production, deliberate and purposeful steps were taken to establish the Norway based EITI in Guyana and to secure Continued on page 22
Monday February 14, 2022
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The PSA is a choke-and-rob agreement The International Oil Conference and Exposition which is being hosted in Georgetown this week provides the opportunity for Guyanese to demand that the country gets a better deal from the oil companies. This week’s oil conference is an opportunity to signal the public’s dissatisfaction with the oil deal which was handed to Guyana and which our leaders are stubbornly refusing to renegotiate. This week, Guyana is going to be swarmed by persons interested in getting a piece of the country’s oil pie. Those who are coming here seeking to do business, as well as the oil bosses, need to be sent a strong signal that the people of Guyana are grossly dissatisfied with the 2% royalties, the 12.5% profit sharing and the meagre US$18M signing bonus. Guyanese need to demand a better deal. And what better stage to make this demand than when the oil bosses and other investors are here for the International Oil Conference and Exposition. One of the problems which faces Guyana, is that the country ethnic and political divisions tend to militate against people taking a national stand. The PPP/C supporters tend to view protest as an indictment against the government. The same thing happens when the PNC/R is in power; its supporters shy away from supporting protests because they see this as being against their party. Yet, we have had
situations in which persons from both parties have protested issues which they viewed as directly affecting them. The most obvious which comes to mind was the decision to introduce parking metres in Georgetown. This was met with widespread consternation and the peaceful and orderly protests which ensued led to the decision to abandon this project. The oil deal cuts across political loyalties. The PPP/C accepts that the deal signed was a bad agreement, and one leader of the APNU+AFC has called for renegotiation. As was reported in this newspaper, during the debate on the National Budget 2022, one government representative described the Production Sharing Agreement as the worst crime committed against the country. A representative of the APNU+AFC said that the Opposition had offered the government its support for the renegotiation of the contract. Bipartisan dissatisfaction therefore exists against the contract. Lawful and peaceful protests against the oil contract and for renegotiation therefore should not be viewed as either antigovernment or antiOpposition. The PPP/C agrees that the deal is rotten and the Opposition supports renegotiation. Supporters of both parties therefore should lend their voice to the calls for renegotiation of the oil contract. The oil agreement is not a PPP/C or PNC/R issue. It is a
national issue. It affects all Guyana. All Guyana should express, peacefully and lawfully, their rejection of this choke-and-rob agreement. So far, one man has been in the forefront of opposition to the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) and of the calls for its renegotiation. Now that both sides of the country’s political divide have publicly expressed their concerns over the agreement, there should be less inhibition for calls for an immediate renegotiation of the agreement. Renegotiation is necessary to ensure that our children and their children have a better future. Unless there are better terms, Guyana will remain mired in poverty and our oil wealth will be taken away from us, leaving us to fight over crumbs. Do not expect those who are in the Conference this week to care much about the deal which the country gets. They are more interested in the deal which they will get. It is therefore for the people to let the oil czars and the bandwagon of investors in attendance know that the people, to whom the country’s oil wealth belongs, are opposed to this rotten oil deal and demand a fairer share of the royalties and profit sharing and a bigger signing bonus. Peaceful and lawful protests will send a strong signal to those coming here to do business that, under the present terms of the PSA, they are doing so amidst widespread public
Dem Boys Seh…
Guyanese deh in everything! It look like was de whole of Guyana watching de Super Bowl yesterday. You woulda believe dat Guyana does play dis contact sport. But we play another version. De British version wah we does call rugby. Some ah dem nah even know who winning and losing. Nuff ah dem wah watching nah fully understand de rule of American football. And most ah dem wah cheering on never see a rugby match in Guyana. Ask some ah dem wah is de names of some of de local rugby clubs.
Dem can’t answer. But dem know de names of de teams wah playing yesterday in de Super Bowl. And yuh had to have a few Guyanese in de stadium yesterday. Of course, deh gat some people does only be interested in de half time show. Dat does be de spectacle fuh fans all over de world because some big-ticket artistes does perform. Come hell or high water, snow or rain, American football fans always fanatical about the Super Bowl. Not even de high cost of de tickets prevents dem from going to
de biggest sporting event in America. Dem ain’t miss de action fuh anything. A man who went to de Super Bowl, notice wan empty seat. Thinking dis to be strange, de man asks de person sitting next to de empty seat if he know who bin sitting deh. De guy say: “Well, I bought two tickets for my wife and I but she passed away.” So de man ask he: “Couldn’t you have brought someone else?” De man say: “They’re all at the funeral.” Talk half. Leff half.
dissatisfaction against the terms of the agreement. Those investors therefore should carefully consider public sentiments before doing so. Protests do not have to be illegal or disruptive to be effective. People can protest by simply staying at home
and by having a Day of Rest. It is not the end which matter but the message which the protest sends, and the most important message which has to be sent is that Guyanese are not in agreement with this deal. (The views expressed in this article are those of the
author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Monday February 14, 2022
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
TIGI: This country is drifting and must be saved I read a letter in the press in the waning hours of 2021, published by Transparency International – Guyana Inc. (TIGI). When you read it, you just feel that this country is drifting into deeper chasms of human failings and as such, there needs to be moral courage to stop this direction. The letter from TIGI was signed by four persons. The president, Frederick Collins, I have never met or seen. All I know about Mr. Collins is from debates on email strings where, he and other people debated issues of African culture. He appears to me to be someone interested in the affairs of African people.
I don’t know who Veda Ram and Darshanand Khusial are. I know the fourth signature very well – Catholic priest, Compton Meerabux. Father Meerabux knew my mother-in-law very well. He visited her s u p e r m a r k e t i n Wortmanville periodically to collect stuff sent by a mutual friend for the church. He once had brunch with her and my family at home in Turkeyen before she passed away. I know Father Meerabux and I can say, without fear of contradiction, he would not agree or support but in fact condemn what took place during the long election drama from March to July
last year. I have not seen any publication in the press by Collins, Ram and Khusial on the sordid dimensions that canopied those five months. Now I may be wrong. So I would be happy to be pointed to those emanations. In the world of social media, people say unlimited things on unlimited topics but I would not know since I don’t participate in social media. The perfect example is the running mate of Mark Benschop in the 2015 general election. Her name is Dianne Madray. I was asking about her position on the election and was told she was quite condemnatory of what took place. So I would be happy to read what
Collins, Ram and Khusial had to say. The letter that appeared last week by these four persons listed three types of corruption – political, judicial and educational. Then it stated the forms of c o r r u p t i o n – b r i b e r y, favouritism, extortion. It went on to call on Guyanese to speak out against corruption. To avoid libel I will use academic language to condemn their publication. One is poor in one’s understanding of what corruption means if one does not understand how to deconstruct words. The most internecine form of corruption is to deny citizens
their right to choose the government of their choice. When the general election of a country lacks transparency and Frederick Kissoon free and fair processes, then frightening implications of the government that seizes unelected leaders and the illegal power is bound to inevitability of corruption. enslave itself to the culture In one section of their of corruptibility. letter, there is a sub-heading Many reasons explain – “how can you help fight this. Here is one of the main corruption.” You help fight ones. There is no system of corruption by speaking out accountability because the against political leaders that unelected leaders are not steal elections and install answerable to watchdog themselves. bodies. I have always argued This is one of several that if we did not have rigged columns I have done in election from 1968 in which I have called out TIGI Guyana, the world may not for not speaking out against have seen the activism of a the horror show that this revolutionary scholar named country saw for five Walter Rodney. consecutive months in 2020. The 1973 election was The TIGI has to be a rigged and Forbes Burnham frightening entity to be once again stole power. The associated with, when it has next year, Walter Rodney the word, “transparency” in was denied a teaching job at its name but failed to inform UG. The PPP would have Guyana that what Region 4 won the election and would Returning Officer for the have employed Rodney at election in 2020 was doing UG because at the time from March 3, 2020 had not Cheddi Jagan and Rodney an ounce of transparency. knew each other closely. I am currently If a government is not composing a column in accountable to legal which I will pose the institutions that can question to the leadership of scrutinise its output, the PPP, not the government corruption is inevitable. of Guyana, if it cannot Simply put – unelected liaison with Transparency power and corruption are International in Germany to intricately related. Nowhere disassociate itself from in their letter did the four TIGI. signatories touch on the I urge young Guyanese to look elsewhere for intellectual guidance other than TIGI. This is a shameless organisation that is not worth being given any recognition by any Guyanese who love their country. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Monday February 14, 2022
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Monday February 14, 2022
Govt. will get rid of Granger’s Cyber Crime Laws at ‘appropriate time’- Minister Teixeira The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration has signalled its intention to get rid of the Cyber Crime Act of Guyana, passed in 2018 by the then coalition administration, A Partnership for Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), despite an outpouring of public criticisms at the time. This objective was transmitted to the National Assembly this past week by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, who on Monday last defended a $299M allocation that comes under a department, for which there are only four c o n t r a c t e d employees—Defence and National Security. APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul, during the consideration of the current allocations for that department, observed that there had been a marked increase in a specific line item which caters for telephone and internet charges. That allocation was increased from $805,000 last
At the centre of a lawsuit - Mudwata
Mikhail Rodrigues, popularly known as “Guyanese Critic” during one of his social media rantings
APNU+AFC MP, Ganesh Mahipaul. (Photo: Parliament Office)
year—less than its then budgeted allotment of $990,000. This year, however, that allocation, with no staff increase, has seen an increase in its allocation for telephone and internet charges skyrocket to $35M. The disparity between this year’s spending as against prior years, prompted the opposition MP to quip, “we want to know if they gonna tap our telephone,” or whether the money would be used for the purchase of “other spyware.”
He contended “I believe that we need some more clarity because the line item speaks to telephone and internet charges” and in the staffing details there is no increase in staff, “so who is benefitting.” T h e M i n i s t e r immediately retorted, “…we don’t have time with you. There are bigger fish to fry.” To this end, she reminded that under the Interception of Communication Act, the ‘tapping’ of someone’s phone is lawful once sanctioned by a court and
“were any security agency looking to tap they have to go to the court. The laws provide for interception for crime fighting.” It was at this point in time that Minister Teixeira pointed to the “sedition law” reminding that it was the APNU+AFC government which had proposed the provision. To this end, she used the occasion to remind the MPs present that it was the APNU+AFC administration that introduced the Cyber Crime Act, “…a
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira, during Monday’s consideration of the estimates of expenditure for this year (Photo: Parliament Office) retrogressive Act, and it will be removed at the appropriate time.” The Cybercrime Bill which attracted country attention was approved in July 2018 by the National Assembly but with several amendments, including the removal of the controversial clause on sedition. Although the Bill, prior to its passage, had received two Cabinet reviews, a Parliamentary Special Select Committee review, public consultations and input from experts, the then PPP/C administration was adamant Government should delay its
passage, because the new amendments “did not go far enough to protect free speech and the rights of citizens.” Then Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, who promulgated the legislation, at the time a Bill, insisted that the crucial amendments made demonstrated that the government is receptive and responsive to criticisms and committed to the democratic process. “We recognise that passing of laws affect society and therefore those who will (Continued on page 22)
Monday February 14, 2022
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Cost to build Linden to Mabura road up to $32B After arithmetical errors were corrected with its bid price, the Brazilian firm, Construtora Queiroz Galvao, will be building the Linden to Mabura Hill road to the tune of $32 billion. This project, which is in partnership with the Government of Guyana, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the United Kingdom Government, includes the upgrading of approximately 122km of road from Linden to Mabura Hill to an asphaltic concrete road. When bids were initially opened for this project at the National Procurement and Te n d e r A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Board (NPTAB) office in December last, the company submitted a financial proposal of $29 billion to construct the new road. Kaieteur News understands that this amount has changed to some $32 billion since the company was notified of arithmetical errors in its bid price which had to be corrected. The company was among five firms vying for this project. The companies which competed for the contract were: China Gezhouba Group Company Limited (China) with a bid of $29,962,374,255, China
Railway International Company Limited (China) w i t h a b i d o f $33,808,790,866, Shandong Luqiao Group Company Limited (China) with a bid of $30,225,357,150, Queiroz Galvao (Brazil) with a bid of $29,546,747,077, and joint ventures Castilho (Brazil) and local company EOCI w i t h a b i d o f $35,138,144,149. The Ministry of Public Works, which this project falls under, estimated the project t o c o s t s o m e $34,197,257,104 Providing some clarity with regard to the bid price for the project, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill told this newspaper on Sunday that when the bid was submitted, one price was called out, but before it was evaluated, the evaluators discovered that the figure was not correct and “so they notify the bidder who accepted that, and that is the new price.” The Minister explained, “They had contingencies in their price but they did not add it to their original price. Before they were evaluated the contingencies were added in.” Edghill further stated that the mathematical errors were corrected by the Continued on page 24
Alleged drug dealers tell cops they sell “aji”
The suspected narcotics found in the zip-lock bags. Three alleged drugs dealers on Friday reportedly tried to keep themselves out of the Lethem Region Nine police lockups for the weekend by telling ranks that they are “Aji vendors”. The ranks had reportedly received information that occupants of a house located in Lethem, Central Rupununi, were involved in the trafficking of narcotics. According to police, ranks arrived at the house with a warrant to conduct a search and met two men and a woman there. During the search, the policemen reportedly found a scale and a quantity of zip-lock bags. The discovery of the bags and the scale raised suspicions among the ranks that the reports received might be true and decided to ask the trio what the bags are used for. The trio responded that they use the zip lock bags and scale to sell “aji” but the ranks were not buying any of it and continued to search. Finding nothing in the house the ranks before leaving decided to make some checks in the yard where they stumbled upon more zip lock bags containing suspected cocaine and marijuana stashed underneath a tree. The Aji vendors were detained and are now spending the weekend in the lock-ups pending charges.
- after company adds price for contingency
Section of the Linden to Mabura road.
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Monday February 14, 2022
Citizens call on Govt. to secure full coverage insurance for oil & gas sector By Renay Sambach Insurance plays an important part in the lives of many. To avoid putting yourself in debt and to safeguard one’s self, most people ensure they secure insurance for themselves and loved ones. It is against this background that citizens are questioning the wisdom of the government in approving new oil fields for ExxonMobil and its partners without first securing full-
coverage insurance to protect the country in the oil and gas sector. J u s t r e c e n t l y, t h e American oil giant, ExxonMobil Corporation, announced that it has commenced oil production at Guyana’s second offshore development area called Liza Phase Two in the Stabroek Block. However, Guyana does not have full coverage insurance from the companies operating in its backyard.
This article carries the comments/views of a canter driver, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), University of Guyana (UG) student, President of the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI) and a journalist. Canter driver, Codbert Archer Canter driver, Codbert Archer: “I believe the country should have full coverage insurance. The reason why I feel they don’t
want to have full coverage insurance or don’t concern is because they can always hop on a plane and go foreign,” Mr. Archer said. “The first thing I would ask my leader is if he has insurance and if he has one for himself and his properties then why he d o e s n ’t w a n t o n e f o r Guyana, when he has full coverage insurance for himself alone, why not full coverage insurance for Guyana,” he added. “If you don’t have insurance for
your canter you are looking to gift someone your canter if you crash it or anything and have expenses to pay all depends on the extent of the damages,” Archer said. Timothy Tucker, President of Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI) “Of course I think they should have insurance and we need that urgently. Like everything else we do in life, insurance is great to have, whether it is life, health etc.,” Tucker said. He added, that insurance is vital to protect and safeguard from danger and accidents. “As Guyana increases its development having more FPSOs and new discovery, it is vitally important for Guyana to have full coverage insurance. I would definitely like to see full coverage insurance,” Tucker said, in the event of an oil spill. Tucker acknowledged that GCCI has not done anything as yet, in terms of making any efforts or calling on the government to secure full coverage insurance – but noted that their main focus right now is pushing for local businesses to get a piece of the pie with the passage of the Local Content Law. Nathan Prince, University of Guyana Student “When it comes to the situation with oil insurance, right, everyone knows that when you have certain commodities of a very large value, right? It’s a wise decision to have insurance on that just in case something unfortunate happens you have coverage, and finance to offset expenses, would be very easy. Guyanese are well aware of potential danger the oil industry can have on Guyana, especially on small, inexperienced country like Guyana. So I am very surprised that this is even an issue right now. Exxon should be obligated to give Guyanese some sort of reassurance that they do care about the country, that they do care about the wellbeing of Guyanese and even their workers onboard,” Prince said. “So this whole issue with full coverage insurance I feel with more outcries from the public, people actually would have to put pressure on the government.” Paul Cheong, President of Private Sector Commission (PSC) “It is always good to have insurance. In the event Continued on page 21
Journalist, Shervin Mendonca
Canter driver, Codbert Archer
University of Guyana Biology Club, Vice President, Nathan Prince
Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI), Timothy Tucker
President of Private Sector Commission (PSC), Paul Cheong
Monday February 14, 2022
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$41M COVID-19 unit commissioned in Region Six The health authorities in East Berbice, Corentyne on Saturday commissioned its first infectious unit to treat COVID-19 patients to the tune of $41 M in the compound of the New Amsterdam Hospital. The unit, which was built by contrator Navin Deokissoon of Navin and Sons Construction Company will house COVID-19 patients instead of them having to be transferred to Georgetown. Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony who commissioned the multimillion dollar unit, stated that when the
ventilatory support they were unable to get that support.” He added with the enhancements made to date, that has changed. Dr. Anthony stated that for the year 2020, 38,000 tests were done in total and for 2022 (January- February) 74,000 tests were done. He mentioned that the National Public Health Laboratory does 3,000 PCR tests a day and as it relates to the accommodation of those being hospitalised, they have transitioned from having just seven beds to 375 beds countrywide. With the unit now in place at the New Amsterdam
Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony and other regional officials at the commissioning of the unit.
The new COVID-19 unit at the New Amsterdam Hospital. At that time, the region used the Rose Hall Estate compound temporarily. However, that location had its fair share of issues since it was left unmanaged following the closure of the estate. He was however thankful to GuySuCo for allowing the region to use the space at a time when the cases were rising. “So today we recognise that there is a need for the infectious unit, a permanent pandemic hit, Guyana did not have capacity to deal with hospitalisations for patients. As a consequence, a section of the Georgetown Public Hospital had to be secluded to be used for this purpose. He stated that with just seven ventilators available at that time, “some patients came in and if they needed
Hospital, an additional 15 beds will be added. Shedding light on the capacity at the Ocean View Infectious Disease Hospital, Anthony said that there are currently 195 beds thereeach equipped with an oxygen unit. Added to that, the hospital he said has a total of 52 ventilators and they have distributed
ventilators, oxygen concentrators and antigen capabilities and more to regional hospitals. Adding to what the Minister said, Regional Chairman, David Armogan noted that when the spread of the virus stretched across to Region Six, it was an uphill task to find accommodation for COVID-19 patients.
infectious unit, where our patients can be comfortable and the team left in charge of looking after these patients are also comfortable”, Armogan said. Adding to that, Chief Executive Officer of the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, with oversight for the Skeldon Public H o s p i t a l , D r. B o b Ramnauth, noted that when he was assigned to the Continued on page 22
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Monday February 14, 2022
Venezuelan nat’l stabbed ‘Anything for you mommy’ - 37-year-old man, mother recovering to death at Baramita after kidney transplant surgery Region One police are currently searching for a man who allegedly stabbed a Venezuelan national on Thursday last, at Baramita, North West District, for offering his girlfriend a drop on an ATV motorcycle. The dead man has since been identified as Rafael Antonio Aquino Soto, 43. Kaieteur News was told by the Region One investigators that Soto was killed during the wee hours of Thursday right next to his ATV in some bushes along a trail in Baramita Soto and his alleged killer had reportedly started drinking at a bar earlier on Wednesday evening and had stopped drinking during the wee hours the following day. The suspect
reportedly decided to leave with a female. It is still unclear what happened after but this newspaper understands that there was an issue between the suspect and the young lady. At some point the Venezuelan national reportedly decided to intervene and offered the young lady a drop on his bike. According to police, the request he made for the “girl” to travel with him aggravated the suspect. There was an exchange of words between them and the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed Soto to the left side of his chest before escaping. Soto fell and bled to death right next to his ATV. This is a developing story.
The bloodied remains of Rafael Antonio Aquino Soto lying next to his ATV motorcycle.
Ms. Wonda Dillon and the team of Doctors who performed her surgery at the GPHC.
After ten years of dealing with Hypertension and having to undergo dialysis for three and a half years, 57year-old, Wonda Dillon is in the recovery process after recently undergoing a successful kidney transplant
surgery. Dillon had her transplant done at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on December 13, 2021, by a team of seven, well equipped doctors; n a m e l y, D r. K i s h o r e Persaud, Dr. Bowlan, Dr. Samlall, Dr. Carlos Martin, Dr. Fraser, Dr. Henry and Dr. Mattai who assured her a successful recovery and told her everything would fall into place. Her son, 37-year-old Devon McCurdy donated one of his kidneys to her. McCurdy who also is still in recovery, told Kaieteur News that the decision to give a kidney to his mom is one that was taken without hesitation and he will forever be grateful for all that she has done and continues to do in his life. “If anything was to ever go wrong, I would put my life on the line for my mother” McCurdy expressed. He also commended the work of the doctors, specifically Doctor Bowlan who, in his opinion is extremely talented at what he does. Dillon for her part expressed gratitude for the nurses at the Kidney Transplant Department who assisted her during the time spent at the GPHC, and also extended a special thanks to the team of doctors who made her transplant successful.
Wonda Dillon Dialysis is a procedure to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys stop working properly. It often involves diverting blood to a machine to be cleaned. Normally, the kidneys filter the blood, removing harmful waste products and excess fluid and turning these into urine to be passed out of the body. However if an individual has kidney failure dialysis will be needed to clean the blood properly to get rid of unwanted waste products and fluids. There are two types of dialysis; haemodialysis and peritoneal of which, in most cases, persons are usually given the option to choose which they prefer. This process is usually carried out on a patient until a suitable kidney donor becomes available.
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Duty-free shops launched at Umana Yana ahead of oil conference A model of a pre-fab house which is being setup at the Umana Yana
$2,000 note goes into circulation today
A specimen of the $2000 note
A duty-free shop has been launched at the Umana Yana, Kingston, ahead of Tuesday’s launch of the International Energy Conference and Expo being held at the Marriott Hotel. The shops comprise of both small and large businesses, locally made craft products and a special display of one of the pre-fab houses which are being constructed by Dura Villa Homes. Speaking with Kaieteur News, some small business owners stated that they are grateful for the opportunity given to display their products and hope to reach a larger market eventually. Some businesses on display are: Anne’s Products, Raj Jewelry, Banks DIH, Rick’s and Sari and some local Amerindian Craft retailers. Regarding the pre-fab house, the structure usually takes two days to setup. However due to the time a foundation usually takes to harden the entire time would usually be a month until full completion. The house is a two bedroom structure and can accommodate up to five
Some of the handmade crafts which are on display by a small business owner persons and usually fetches a price around $5 million. Women involved in Amerindian craft expressed the hardship faced for having to walk miles to obtain materials “We have to go like 8 to 9 miles walk and you know, and traverse the savannah edges and like for the tibisiri, we get accustomed doing it because it’s a way of life for most of us Amerindian women” one woman related. She stated that some of the women educate themselves in craft
because they may not have jobs or a proper education, and she is thankful for the opportunities given to help them showcase their products, though it is often difficult to get market. Other businesses showcased their locally made products such as pepper sauce, Mauby, food and meat seasonings, spices, rum and other beverages also a wide variety of crafts, all of which can be found in multiple supermarkets countrywide.
An extraordinary gazette published on February 9, has set today for the official release and circulation of the new $2,000 note. The gazetted order states that the face of the note carries the Map of Guyana, with its natural resources on the right, the Crest of the Bank is in the Centre and a Clear Complex Window with an image of a jaguar as well as the value of the note is on the left. The words “BANK OF GUYANA” are also printed above the Crest and “These notes are legal tender for payment of any amount” are printed below. The signatures of the Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr. Gobind Ganga and the Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo also appear
below the Crest. “The serial numbers are horizontal at the top right and vertical on the left. The value ($2000) is imprinted at the top left and bottom right corners. Printed to the left of the Clear Complex Wi n d o w is “55th I n d e p e n d e n c e Anniversary” along with the slogan “One Guyana”. The reverse side of the note has the slogan “One Guyana” surrounded by the faces of children representing Guyana’s six ethnicities. The words “BANK OF GUYANA” are printed at the top left corner,” the order states. Other features of the note includes a “blind mark” for the visually impaired, in the form of three raised marks, and a
security feature which comprises a rolling bar changing from gold to green moving across a floral pattern while from the reverse, a part of the floral pattern can be seen in gold. The new note also features intaglio printing, a special type of printing done from ink that is below the surface of the plate. In this method, the design is cut, scratched, or etched into the printing surface or plate, which can be copper, zinc, aluminum, magnesium, plastics, or even coated paper. The note is 156mm x 65mm and “multi-coloured” according to the order. It adds to the six other bills in circulation inclusive of the $20, $50, $100, $500, 1000 and $5000 notes in Guyana.
Citizens call on Govt. to secure full... From page 14 of something happening insurance would be a great asset.” Shervin Mendonca, journalist “For me Guyana not having full coverage insurance is something that can only be described as a disaster. For example, if I have a car and I don’t have
insurance for my car, if something happens, I would not be given back the money that I spent for the car and I lose all the money I spent plus have to offset other expenses. So without full coverage insurance Guyana is very much in a bad situation because of the consequences that come with an oil spill.
How are we going to pay back the people that are affected and countries that are affected? Likewise if the oil spill goes to Trinidad and other neighbouring countries they are going to make claims and an oil spill is billions of dollars of expense to clean up,” Mendonca noted.
Liza Two poses grave danger to Guyana...
The entrance of the Benab Duty-Free Shop
From page 3 differences between the Liza Phase Two Development and the Liza Phase One Development which commenced in December 2019. In the area of Oil Production Rates, the Phase Two production rate will be approximately 190,000 to 220,000 barrels of oil per day while Phase One’s production rate has hovered around 120, 000 to 130,000 barrels of oil per day. With respect to FPSO Oil Storage Volume, Phase Two’s storage volume is approximately 1.6 to 2 million barrels. Phase One’s storage volume is 1.6 million barrels.
In terms of the number of wells, Phase Two well has approximately 35-40 wells. Phase One has 17 wells. POSSIBLE EFFECTS The reports being held by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that the Liza Phase Two project comes with a fair number of possible effects on people, wildlife and the environment. Although the probability of an oil spill reaching the Guyana coast is very low, the EIA for the Liza Phase Two project states that a subsea release of crude oil from a well control, event at a Liza well would likely impact marine resources found near the well, including marine turtles and
certain marine mammals (especially baleen whales) that may transit or inhabit the area impacted by a spill, as well as marine water quality. It was further noted that a spill could potentially impact Guyanese fisherfolk if commercial fish and shrimp resources were impacted. Kaieteur News understands that the magnitude of this impact would depend on the volume and duration of the release as well as the time of year at which the release were to occur (e.g., whether a spill would coincide with the time of year when these species are more abundant in the Project Development Area).
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Kaieteur News
Monday February 14, 2022
EITI now a compromised body with Misir...
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From page 8 membership with the international body. This was done in record time, the party said, and in 2017 a MultiStakeholder Group (MSG) was launched and a National Coordinator, in the person of Dr. Rudy Jadoopat, an Economist, was retained to lead a professional GYEITI National Secretariat. “Steady progress was made despite challenges and roadblocks erected to frustrate the implementation of the initiative. GYEITI grew exponentially from 2017 to 2021 under his astute stewardship,” the AFC said. According to the AFC, since coming into office however, the PPP has slowly whittled away at the independence and efficacy of the GYEITI by frustrating its work and demoralising the staff and the MultiStakeholder Group, which is the decision-making body according to the EITI International Standard. “Now, with the sending off of Dr. Jadoopat, it appears that the plan to deny adequate professional scrutiny of the proceeds of the extractive sector, oil revenues in particular, is complete, as he is being replaced by a PPP ‘yes-man’, Dr. Prem Misir. This is the crux of the matter, putting ‘yes-men’ to replace highly qualified professionals who make the best decisions in the interest of the people of Guyana, and not necessarily the political party in power,” the AFC release stated. “It is well known that transparency is the biggest obstacle for thieves. It appears that with the draining of the Natural Resource Fund, and the denuding of GYEITI, the PPP is setting the stage for the dismantling of all the possible obstacles which are in place to prevent a few known PPP proven slick hustlers from gorging at the national patrimony,” the AFC stated. The party said, members of the civil society sector of the GYEITI MSG, the decision VACANCY
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making body should be very angry about what is taking place, including, bringing a proven PPP ‘yes-man’ to replace a proven excellent professional, internationally recognized. “The US, UK, EU and Canada, even the International Oil Companies (IOCs), have regarded Rudy Jadoopat as an astute and towering professional in every respect. All Guyana, all Guyanese should embrace and welcome, not chase and chastise such highly qualified citizens of Guyana. It is obvious and unfortunate that by its actions the PPP is recklessly entombing good governance, transparency and accountability – to be replaced by widespread graft and corruption. The kleptocracy of their 23 years/ last two decades has reared its ugly head again. Guyanese will not be fooled this time. Action and reaction will be the rule this time around, and faster, stronger, more decisive condemnation,” the AFC stated. The Ministry of Natural Resources in response to the
criticisms said that months ago it had, invited applications for the post of National Coordinator for GYEITI. The contract for the previous Coordinator, Dr. Rudy Jadoopat, had expired almost a year ago, but the Ministry decided to keep Dr. Jadoopat on until it found a competent replacement. It was necessary that the vacancy be sufficiently advertised, and that the review process be above board. The ministry said the position had been granted to Dr. Jadoopat, an active member of the AFC New York chapter, due to his political affiliation. “This modus operandi of the previous administration, of installing politically affiliated officials, was also demonstrated in its appointment of the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Vincent Adams, and the Director of the Compliance Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Mr. Derrick Lawrence.” According to the ministry, Dr. Jadoopat reapplied and was interviewed
for the post of GYEITI National Coordinator, in an objective recruitment process. However, Dr. Prem Misir was short listed as the best candidate. Dr. Misir has a proven track record of excellent performance, and a wealth of experience and knowledge. Dr Misir was the head of government propaganda arm for several years under the Bharrat Jagdeo administration. The Ministry said it is confident in Dr. Misir’s ability to ensure that the work of the GYEITI Secretariat maintains a high level of integrity, for the promotion of transparency in Guyana’s extractive sectors, in tandem with the new GYEITI MultiStakeholder Group which was appointed in September 2021. It is prudent to note that the PPP/C is the only government to have committed to working on a beneficial ownership register and has already commenced the procurement process for consultants to achieve this objective – in line with EITI requirements and civil society calls. These calls fell on deaf ears during the previous administration.
Govt. will get rid of Granger’s Cyber... From page 12 be affected should have an input in the legislative process,” he said at the time. Since the passage the Cyber Crime Act, however, the same APNU+AFC when ousted and in opposition, complained vehemently whenever the law was used. Cybercrimes under the now extant law includes the use of a computer to carry out illegal acts. Cybercrimes are usually done with the use of the internet and the different instruments that it has available. Some penalties under the Cyber Crime Act attract as much as a $10M fine along with five years jail time. A number of APNU+AFC MPs and supporters have seen the law being activated, including former Minister Annette Ferguson and MP Sherod Duncan, among other perceived supporters. This publication understands that the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) had
even sought legal advice with a view to having several overseas based Guyanese extradited from the US to Guyana to be held liable under the Cyber Crime Act for comments made about government members using social media. Only recently photographer, Keron Bruce, who was arrested for allegedly being the man behind the “Mudwata” character, filed a lawsuit in excess of $100 million, against popular social commentator, Mikhail Rodrigues, popularly known as “Guyanese Critic.” Bruce had been arrested on allegations that he is “Mudwata”. It was reported that several pieces of electronic equipment were seized and the police were also able to acquire some voice messages and when an analysis/comparison was done, there was a match with the “Mudwata” commentary. He was later released on $100,000 bail pending the in-
vestigation. Through his lawyers, Anastasia Stanford and Tameika Clarke, Bruce filed a lawsuit against “Guyanese Critic.” According to the document seen by this publication, Bruce claims that on January 29, 2022, Rodrigues made several false and defamatory statements on his Facebook live post via an account under the name, “Guyanese Critic” about the claimant. Guyana’s Cybercrime Bill 2016 was presented by the then Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Williams. It was first published on August 4, 2016. After the Bill was presented to the National Assembly, the proposed Section 18, ‘Sedition,’ caused a public outcry. On July 20, 2018, the Coalition Government using its oneseat majority passed the Cybercrime Bill but with an amendment expunging the controversial sedition clause.
$41M COVID-19 unit commissioned... From page 19 region five months ago, the location where the unit is now in place was a “swampy area”. However there was a need for the infectious unit and so an assessment of the location was done with the REO, Narindra Persaud, a n d t h e R e g i o n a l Vi c e Chairman, Zamal Hussain, and it was decided it will be done. “Once the need was
recognised, the resources were then gathered and pooled and the will to get it done was there”, Dr. Ramnauth said. He mentioned that the cost of travel to visit relatives who were hospitalised out of the region was taken into consideration when the idea came about. With the unit now in place, he urged those who will be managing the unit, to keep it
maintained and if there are even minor issues, their superiors should be made aware so that those issues can be fixed and resolved immediately. The design of the building was conceptualised by Regional Engineer Morvin Budhan, the REO, Narindra Persaud, said. Also present was the RHO, Dr. Vishalya , and the Regional Vice Chairman, Zamal Hussain.
Monday February 14, 2022
Kaieteur News
David Lammy requests pardon for 1823 Abolitionists (THE Guardian) Shadow Overseas Secretary of the United Kingdom, David Lammy has written to the Boris Johnson Government asking it to pardon 70 abolitionists convicted for their role in the historic 1823 Demerara rebellion by enslaved people against British colonialists in the Caribbean. The shadow foreign secretary described the revolt, involving 10,000 enslaved people, as a “seminal moment” in the history of slave resistance. Although unsuccessful at the time, the event contributed to the abolition of slavery 10 years later, in 1833. Lammy said exercising the royal prerogative of mercy to grant pardons to those involved in the uprising, which was brutally crushed by the colonial militia in part of present-day Guyana, would be “a significant step in Britain’s acknowledgment of its role in the history of slavery”. The letter names 73 people who were tried, 70 of whom were found guilty, including 21 who were executed, including 10 who were decapitated after being hanged and had their heads put on poles. Hundreds of others were killed during and in the immediate aftermath of the uprising. It was known for the harsh treatment of enslaved people. Photograph: John Carter Brow n Library Lammy highlights two particular cases, that of Jack
Shadow Overseas Secretary of the United Kingdom, David Lammy Gladstone, a slave who was the principal organiser of the uprising, and John Smith, a young British Protestant minister, both of whom were sentenced to death before having their sentences commuted. Gladstone, who was “owned” by John Gladstone, the father of the future prime minister William Gladstone, was not
violent, according to testimonies – and also intervened to prevent other acts of violence. After his death sentence was commuted he was transported to St Lucia for hard labour. Smith had his sentence commuted by King George IV but died in prison in 1824 before the decision was communicated to Demerara. A two-day debate on whether to pardon him posthumously took place in parliament in June of that year, but the motion was defeated. In the letter, addressed to t h e j u s t i c e s e c r e t a r y, Dominic Raab, Lammy wrote: “In recent years, this country has entered into a discussion about its colonial history and the path to repair. The full pardoning of both John Smith and Jack Gladstone would be a Continued on page 24
The 1823 Uprising Monument
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Region 2 man is Guyana’s Youth loses his life trying to save his cellphone latest COVID-19 death A 57-year-old man from Region Tw o , who contracted the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, has died. This is according to the Ministry of Health which reported that the man died on Saturday while receiving treatment at a medical facility. As a result of this, Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll has moved to 1,194. In its daily COVID-19 dashboard, the Ministry recorded 34 new cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 62,255. Further, a total of 10 patients are admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 80 persons in institutional isolation, 1,850 in home isolation and 12 in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 59,121 persons have recovered from the virus.
Cost to build Linden to Mabura road... From page 13 bidder before it was announced that it was awarded the contract. On February 3, last, Senior Minister with responsibility with Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh had announced that Construtora Queiroz Galvao S.A has received the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) no-objection to go ahead with the US$190 million Linden to Mabura Road project. The Public Works Minister has since clarified
that the bid price “was not increased after the contract was awarded.” The road project, which is the largest ever to be approved by the CDB, is just the first phase that will ultimately lead to a completed Linden to Lethem road link that will then complete an overland link to Brazil. According to reports, the Bank is putting US$112 million through a loan towards this project, the Government of Guyana is putting US$12 million, and the UK Government is putting US$66
million. Upon completion, this road would provide major support to ease of travel, trade and general connectivity between Guyana and Brazil and open vast opportunities by linking Guyana’s hinterland communities to Georgetown. Budget 2022, which was presented on January 26, , by Dr. Singh, stated that the government had allocated a sum of $6 billion for the construction of the Linden to Mabura Hill road.
David Lammy requests pardon for 1823... From page 23 significant step in Britain’s acknowledgment of its role in the history of slavery. Both John Smith and Jack Gladstone were pioneers of the abolition movement, and they must be remembered and celebrated as such. It is for this reason that I am requesting a pardon through the exercise of the royal prerogative of mercy.” Demerara was one of Britain’s most lucrative colonies, being rich in sugar plantations at a time when the British economy was heavily dependent on the crop. It was known for the harsh treatment of enslaved people, designed to discourage them from rebelling against the white colonialists they heavily outnumbered. Lammy, who has spoken previously about the legacy of slavery and its impact on black Britons, based the letter on research into the Demerara uprising contained in the book White Debt. In a reply from Raab sent to Lammy on Wednesday, the justice secretary said that following Guyana gaining independence in 1966 and the country becoming a republic in 1970, it would be for the president of Guyana to grant such pardons. Thomas Harding, the author of White Debt, described Raab’s response as “shocking”. He said: “Britain was responsible for this gross miscarriage of justice, not Guyana, and the British government should be the one to pardon those found guilty. The men and women who took part in the Demerara
uprising of 1823 were attempting to abolish British slavery. It was a British court martial which found the 70 people guilty, a court established by a British governor in a British colony (later known as ‘British Guiana’), on behalf of the British king, under British military code. “Now is the time for the British government to take full responsibly for its legacy of slavery, to pardon the ‘Demerara 70’ and recognise them for what they were: heroes, for all of us.” … we have a small favour to ask. Millions are turning to the Guardian for open, independent, quality news every day, and readers in 180 countries around the world now support us financially. We believe everyone deserves access to information that’s grounded in science and truth, and analysis rooted in authority and integrity. That’s why we made a different choice: to keep our reporting open for all readers, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay. This means more people can be better informed, united, and inspired to take meaningful action. In these perilous times, a truth-seeking global news organisation like the Guardian is essential. We have no shareholders or billionaire owner, meaning our journalism is free from commercial and political influence – this makes us different. When it’s never been more important, our independence allows us to fearlessly investigate, challenge and expose those in power.
A youth’s plan to spend the night out with his girlfriend and to settle scores with his big cousin in a street football game were dashed after he was killed on Thursday last in a motorcycle accident, while trying to save his cellphone. What is even more tragic is that the young man identified as Elijah Profitt, 19, died just meters away from his Lot 7 Craig Street, Campbelleville, Georgetown, home. In fact, the fatal accident occurred so close to his residence that neighbours and some of his family members witnessed the moment he tragically perished. Profitt was reportedly killed on the spot around 10:30hrs on Craig Street after crashing into a parked pickup with a motorcycle he borrowed from a friend. Speaking with Kaieteur News on Sunday, Profitt’s relatives related that on the day he died he had plans to spend the night out with his girlfriend. He had even planned to settle a score with his cousin Jamal Junor in a street football match but as it turned out those plans would never come to pass. “After he phone fall out he look back and by time he look forward he was running off the road like and he tried to steer it back out but with the speed he went going with he lose control and the bike start sway and he slam into the vehicle”, Junor told Kaieteur News. Profit’s fatal crash was also captured on surveillance cameras and showed the moment he lost control of the bike. He was riding without a helmet and after the bike swayed and slammed into the pick-up, the impact flung him unto the paved road. Police had stated that the impact caused Profit to receive injuries to his head and about his body. It is believed that Profit was killed on the spot.
Killed after crashing into a parked vehicle, Elijah Profitt In a cellphone recorded video, Kaieteur saw neighbours, friends and close relatives trying to revive him but he did not respond. There was an open wound in the middle of his forehead and a distraught female family member was heard saying “Ow ow Elijah is jussa jussa dry you dead is just like the you dead oh no” An ambulance was called and he was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) as family members hoped that he was only unconscious. However, when he arrived there, doctors told them that he was already dead. During a visit to his home, Proffit’s mother was not able to speak with reporters but his younger siblings, cousins and his boyhood friends from the ztekk crew were willing to recount the happy moments they shared with him when he was alive. He was described as a jovial individual who loved street football and making jokes. His friends recalled that his favourite artist was Prince Swanny and
that inspired them to label themselves as part of the ztekk nation (a phrase that Prince Swanny’s fans use to describe themselves). They told Kaieteur News that they will always remember the late afternoon hangs they had with Profitt after work under his house and on those evenings they would listen to music, chat and make plans for the next day. His little brother remembered him as an elder sibling who had plans to build a big luxurious house so that all of them could live comfortably. His cousin, Junor said that despite he had his flaws he was an ambitious individual that had plans to start a family and even become a member of the Guyana Defence Force. Kaieteur News learned that the young man wanted to open a boutique. As they reflect on the late Profitt, his mom and aunt have chosen to cherish the last laughter they shared with him, after he made a joke with them on the night before he died.
“Nice speeches not enough”... From page 3 of sexual harassment to occur in the highest decision making forum of the people of Guyana without appropriate disciplinary action being taken. The Speaker and all parliamentarians must take personal and collective responsibility to ensure that discriminatory and sexist practices, language, behaviour are outlawed and severely penalized”. They were keen to note that the road is paved for sexual harassment and other forms of gender based violence in Guyana, when
double standards persist. In this regard, Help and Shelter recommended that sanctions be taken against Minister Dharmalall. They said, “We call on the Parliament of Guyana and the Speaker of Parliament to take a stand in relation to sexual harassment and all other forms of sexual abuse and violence in the House and for appropriate penalties to be imposed on Minister Dharamlall for his outrageous conduct”. The NGO noted too that it was particularly concerned over the behaviour of a number of other Parliamentarians, which are
not in compliance with the standards to be expected. Commissioner on the Women and Gender Equality Commission, Ms. Nicole Cole has also called for the Minister to be removed from public office. While she vehemently criticised the words of Dharamlall, she was keen to note that the same minister only recently called for the “defrocking” of two female judges, after their rulings were not aligned in his Party’s favour. Cole has concluded that there is no amount of provocation that warrants the abuse from the Minister.
Kaieteur News
Monday February 14, 2022
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‘Put up your assets against your earnings’ - Norton tells Jagdeo as bribery allegations deepen Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Mr. Aubrey Norton, is confident that the bribery and corruption allegations against Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo if properly investigated will unearth damning revelations. Norton presented his reasons for the suspicion during an interview with veteran Journalist, Adam Harris, on Friday evening. The PNCR Leader said that many m e m b e r s o f t h e P e o p l e ’s Progressive Party (PPP) are allegedly involved in corruption and bribery, not only this but that they have mastered the art of keeping their tracks clean. He explained, “There are many people in the PPP who are clearly involved in corruption and all they resort to say is; provide the evidence. Knowing full well that a lot of times first of all people are going to be afraid and secondly, they don’t do it so that a trail is left behind. But when one looks at their assets in comparison to their
earnings, one would recognize that they had to be involved in serious corruption”. Only in October last, a PPP Permanent Secretary who was attached to the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs was busted red-handed, receiving bribes before approving projects under her remit. The PS, Sharon Hicks, was caught on October 7, during a police sting operation collecting $200,000 as a kickback from a security services contractor. Several other red flags were also found under the same PS by the Auditor General during his 2020 Report. When it comes to the Vice President, Norton has said that Jagdeo can simply put his earnings against his assets, which would clear his name. This process would entail using the “correct percentage” to calculate the VP’s earnings against what he owns and if “fits into the law” Jagdeo would be cleared. However, Norton is sure that this process would instead
confirm the Vice President’s “corrupt” history. “I have no doubt that a lot of the claims that are being made will turn out to be true,” the PNCR Leader explained, as he pointed out that Jagdeo’s earnings would date back to when the salaries were not as impressive as it is today. Similarly, Norton noted, “I have said also the same thing about the president. From the time he came out of school, his work life, he can also put his assets against his earnings and show us whether they were gotten free of illegalities. Again, he will be hard pressed”. The PNCR Leader added that when the assets of the PPP elites are examined as opposed to their legal earnings, one could only conclude that they are involved in “serious corruption”. On February 1, Jagdeo was interviewed by an American reporter from Vice News where he fumbled to respond to his alleged involvement in collecting bribes from Chinese companies, in particular for contracts, approved
PNCR Leader, Aubrey Norton by his government. In fact, the Journalist told Jagdeo she was made to understand that bribing him was the only way to get business done locally. While the VP denied this on the premise that it was a mere accusation by an anonymous person, the reporter told Jagdeo that his friend ‘Su’ told them about his involvement with China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited (CSCEC). Coincidentally, it was only days before the VP’s interview that a contract between the government
and CSCEC was terminated for the construction of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge. Government announced that the Chinese company’s bid was “no less than favourable” since this bid was the lowest received for the massive project. However, Jagdeo later said that the cost of financing would have been too high, hence the contract was terminated. “Su has shown us very lucrative contracts between himself and Chinese state-run operations to develop big infrastructure projects in Guyana. He told us that China State Construction Engineering Corporation helped the Chinese company to make a deal. Up to now they pay me $500,000…,” the reporter insisted. She said too, that she was told, Su was being used as the “middle man” who collects these monies to keep the VP’s record clean. During his interview, Jagdeo suggested, “Maybe the Chinese company that did not get their agreement that they wanted here, maybe they are the ones who told you, or, it could be just a fictitious thing,” while denying the allegations.
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Kaieteur News
Monday February 14, 2022
Monday February 14, 2022
‘I guess it’s a pretty big deal’ - LeBron reacts to breaking Kareem’s all-time scoring record SportsMax - LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading points scorer in combined regular season and play-off history in the Los Angeles’ Lakers loss to the Golden State Warriors. The four-time NBA MVP led the scoring for the Lakers in Saturday’s 117-115 defeat at Chase Center with 26 points, while also adding 15 rebounds and eight assists in another impressive display. In doing so, James extended his streak of 25 points or more to 22 games and took his career points tally to 44,157, overtaking former Milwaukee Bucks and
Lakers great Abdul-Jabbar’s previous high of 44,149. However, the achievement was bittersweet for the 37year-old as it came in a narrow defeat for his side, with Klay Thompson grabbing the headlines thanks to his season-high 33 points. “It’s hard for me to speak on it now because I hate doing anything when it comes in a loss,” James said. “And we had an opportunity to win a big game tonight.” Reflecting more widely on his career to date, James added: “I’ve been appreciative of the opportunity to play this game at the highest level.
LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading points scorer. “I love the game of basketball. I love being a part of the NBA and being able to
Monday February 14, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A chance to travel, perhaps for business purposes, could present itself to you today. This might require some temporary adjustments in your personal life, but don't let this stop you. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Someone in the know could come to you today with opportunities for increasing your income, Taurus, perhaps involving investments of time or other resources in new business enterprises. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) If you've been thinking about starting a new business partnership, this is the day to take some positive action toward that end. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Some rather boring and mundane tasks, perhaps involving paperwork, could take up much of your time today. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) New enterprises that you've worked to perfect for a long time, perhaps involving writing, speaking, or publishing, might pay off today. Success definitely appears to be in the wind, and those in authority could be more than impressed with what you've been trying to achieve. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Some paperwork involving business enterprises could be executed today, possibly in your home. This might be a new and unexpected development. It could have you feeling a bit disoriented.
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LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Success in business, perhaps involving writing or speaking, might come your way today. Paperwork, such as contracts, could take up a lot of your time. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Someone in the know could come to you today with opportunities for increasing your income, perhaps involving investments of time or other resources in new business enterprises. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your optimism and enthusiasm should be very high today, Sagittarius. Business and partnerships have been proving both satisfying and profitable lately. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today your level of imagination and intuition is especially high, Capricorn. Trust your heart today, especially where new projects and money are concerned. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) This should be a very busy day for you, Aquarius, as communications involving business matters could take up much of your time. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Business matters take a sudden turn for the better, Pisces. Paperwork may need to be executed. A new sense of self-confidence contributes to these developments, and the more good things that happen to you, the more confident you’ll feel.
inspire so many different sets of generations. I guess, it’s a pretty big deal. “In all my career, any time I’ve been linked with some of the greats, I’ve always just been in awe.” James still has work to do if he is to finish his career as the highest-scoring player in the regular season, as he trails Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) and Karl Malone (36,928) with 36,526 points. He has won four NBA Championships, four NBA MVP awards, four NBA Finals MVP awards and two Olympic gold medals with the United States in an illustrious career. After hitting another milestone, Warriors pair Thompson and Steph Curry were among those to laud evergreen James. “It’s wild to think about how many games he’s played, how long he’s been doing it. The longevity of it all is legendary,” Curry said. “To be in that position where you’ve played that many games, you’ve been in so many different play-off runs, won championships and done it year after year, there is no real end in sight. “That’s a pretty special accomplishment. He’s probably got his eyes set on the ‘real’ scoring title. It’s crazy to think about.” Thompson added: “I don’t know how much longer he has, maybe it’s two years, maybe it’s three. But NBA fans should appreciate it while they’re watching such an amazing player.” James has a team-high 1,159 points this term for the Lakers, who are 26-31 following their loss to the Warriors, at an average of 29 per game across his 40 outings – only Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid (29.5) has averaged more. Indeed, James’ 29-point average is his best since 200910 when finishing with 29.7 through 76 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jamaica’s first Olympic Alpine skier just did what dozens of opponents could not Huffpost - Benjamin Alexander became the first Jamaican alpine skier to race at the Winter Olympics yesterday ¯ and after completing the event under blizzard-like conditions, he had a message for doubters. “That was for everyone who thinks they don’t belong in skiing,” he said, per Eurosport. “Get your kids into winter sports earlier. Let’s change the game. Thanks. I’m exhausted. I need a massage and a beer.” Alexander is a 38-yearold British-born former DJ who had his first ski lesson six years ago and has been training seriously for two. He made it to the finish line while dozens of fellow
competitors did not. He skied conservatively to place 46th overall, 69.17 seconds behind gold medalist Marco Odermatt of Switzerland. And his placing was better than more than 40 skiers tagged with the “DNF” designation ¯ those who did not finish. “I’ve performed better than some of the best in the world, they crashed, and that’s a fact,” he told the BBC. Jamaica has famously fielded bobsled teams for the Winter Games. Alexander called his pioneering competition a continuation of the “Cool Runnings” saga, referring to the movie about the first Jamaican bobsled team at the 1988 Calgary Olympics.
Kaieteur News
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Monday February 14, 2022
2022 BCQS Intl. Masters Squash…
Mekdeci, Ince Romario Shepherd realizes IPL crowned the top Masters dream as several Windies players
The 2022 BCQS International Masters Squash Tournament came to a close on Saturday with some masterful play from the veterans at the Georgetown Club Squash Courts. Three consecutive days of competition unfolded in the Over-45 and Over-30 Divisions as Joseph Mekdeci and Daniel Ince were crowned respective champions. In the Plate Competition, David Fernandes reigned supreme in the Over-45s, while Jason Van Dijk topped the Over30s. On Saturday, Mekdeci opposed Brian Yong and lost the first set 7/11 but rallied to clinically claim three sets that followed 11/3, 11/4 and 11/7 for the victory. In the third place
showdown, Sanjay Amin was dominant in the first two sets against Dennis Dias winning 11/4 and 11/7, but Dias managed to secure a set 1/11 to delay the eventual victor. However, Amin held on in the fourth set to win 12/10. For the Over-30s, Ince’s match against Kristian Jeffery was a hard fought battle and perhaps the longest running match of the tournament. Ince was able to prevail but only after 5 sets had been completed. In the end the scores read 9/11, 12/10, 11/7, 11/13 and 11/5 as the undefeated Ince swept the division. Finishing third in that division was Javid Rahaman who sank Jonathan Antczak in a 4-set match. Rahaman claimed the first set 11/5 but lost the second, 9/11. He
was able to comfortably secure the two sets that followed 11/6 and 11/4 to cop third. Meanwhile, the Plate Competition saw Fernandes ease past Tony Farnum 3 – 1 as the victor rushed to a 2 – 0 lead after he won 11/9 and 11/4 in the opening sets. Farnum turned the tables in the third set to win 1/11, but Fernandes regained his momentum to command the fourth set and win 11/8. Van Dijk, who was bested on Thursday in the Main Draw of the tournament by Antczak, steamrolled Ingram Edwards 11/6, 11/7 and 11/6 to take the spoils in the Over30 Plate Competition. Finishing third in this division was Reagan Rodrigues who got the result over Lee Fung-A-Fat.
cash in on day two of mega auction
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portsMax - In J a n u a r y, a f t e r Romario Shepherd smashed an unbeaten 44 from just 28 balls to take the West Indies within one run of England’s total of 171, he revealed that he hoped his heroics would get him noticed for the upcoming IPL Mega Auction that was held last weekend. For the past three years, Shepherd had registered for the draft in the richest T20 league in the world but there were no takers. However, he never gave up hope. “Eventually, if an IPL contract comes, that would be great for me. I’m not saying that I don’t think about it - I do think about it, but I try not to think about it during a game,” he said then. “It’s a great platform. For any youngster, it’s their dream to go to the IPL and I’m no different. I’m trying my best to get myself in there. It’s something that I’ve dreamed about for a very long time. My name was in the [auction] for the last three years, so this year, I’m looking forward to it.” That dream became reality yesterday when during the second day of the auction, he was sold to the Sunrisers Hyderabad for a whopping US$1.03 million dollars. His was the highest bid
Odean Smith
for a West Indies player on the second day when several Caribbean players were the beneficiaries of six-figure contracts for the 2022 season of the Indian Premier League. The big-hitting allrounder Odean Smith, who also made an impression during the series against England, was sold to the Punjab Kings for approximately US$798,000 while Rovman Powell was
sold to the Delhi Capitals for US$345,000. Evin Lewis, who missed the series was sold to the Lucknow Super Giants for US$266,000. Dominic Drakes was told to the Gujarat Titans for US$146,000 and Sherfane Rutherford will join the Royal Challengers Bangalore for US$133,000. Fabian Allen went for US$99,000 to the Mumbai Indians.
Kaieteur News
Monday February 14, 2022
Education and Sport…
Academics is only a small part of a truly educated child By Sean Devers C h a s e ’s A c a d e m y, located at 120 Parade Street in Kingston was founded on November 6, 2010. Two years after the Private School opened their scholarship program, which was introduced since the Principal and owner, Henry Chase, always had a passion for sports. The Scholarships offer free tuition and the opportunity of having their CXC and Cape subjects paid for, in addition to free lunches and transportation fees. Chase’s Academy has gifted numerous youths with these scholarships. Footballers such as Kellman Norville, Nicolai, Andrews, Marcus Wilson, Thevvon Pluck, Darron Niles, Job Caesar, Ryan Hackett, Nicholas McArthur, Jeremy Garrett and Kelsey Benjamin all attended the academy. Garrett played at U-17, U-20 and Senior levels and also captained Guyana at those levels. In cricket, the Academy had the likes of First-Class spinner Ashmead Nedd, Joshua Persaud, Sachin Singh and Ashish Persaud among others. Kaysan Ninvalle, Jamal Nicholas, Terrence de Roach and Yeudister Persaud are all national table tennis players who have attended the institution. Speaking with the
Chase’s Academy’s owner and principal, Henry Chase, poses with the Digicel’s 2016 Schools Football Championship hardware (Lorraine Harris photo) principal, he said, “I believe that education is not only academics, but real education would involve sports, academics, drama, music, debates, role play… Hence, I want to be a trendbreaker, to put back the keys parts into education.” “In Guyana we only focus on the cognitive part and we are producing people who can only function at writing and passing examination.” “They have no love for country, no compassion, no integrity. Sports help to produce that rounded student who will handle the pressure of life and we will have better citizens in Guyana,” Chase reasoned. The current Golden Jaguars team has 10 former students current in the National outfit. Added to
that, the U-17 Male and Female teams both have current Chase’s Academy students. “There was a time in Guyana when all major educators ensured that their students internalized and lived out the manta. ‘A sound mind, in a healthy body’; to those educators, this was not just a hackney’s phrase uplifted for the pages of some Principles of Teaching text. It was a sound guiding principle that influenced the Guyanese Schools. It was our Guyanese culture, a culture that no longer exists today.” “Today we celebrate the child with ten or more ones at CSEC or CAPE. Children are taught to do well at these Examinations, but what about integrity, patriotism, compassion, love, sports,
Terrence Rausch (left), Kaysan Ninvalle (centre) and Jamal Nicholas were the stronghold of Chase’s Academy Table Tennis team
Those exposures produced players like Carl Hooper from Christ Church Secondary, Faoud Bacchus of Richard Ishmael and Roger Harper of Queen’s College, among others. To a lesser extent, the same National Footballer, scenario played out with Jeremy Garrett football and table-tennis. The point being made is drama, debates, music or that these same schools so community services? These deeply involved in sports are all important aspects of were producing top students the truly educated.” who were able to qualify for “During the 50s, 60s and top universities in the wider 70s, some of the top world. Georgetown schools had Chase feels these are viable cricket and football some of the main reasons he clubs. I played cricket for my started the scholarship school, East Ruimveldt programme at Chase’s Secondary, in the 1990s” Sir Academy in 2012. Chase stated. “When the progrmme “My real passion for started, I was shocked with cricket started in the Tiny the number of people who Village of Unity/Lancaster hated what I was doing. when Colin Croft was Some of the children were selected to play for the West school drop-outs. The Indies. I was in Nursery programme gave them a School at the time and the second chance back at w h o l e c o m m u n i t y school and people hated that. celebrated. We saw how This bothered me really. sports changed the social People did not understand status of Croft’s family. In my vision. It was an the 1980s’ both Unity and opportunity for children to Mahaica Hospital Grounds c o n t i n u e t h e i r f o r m a l were functioning.” education and get CSEC or The clubs had members CAPE subjects and some and staff maintaining the people did not want that,” the Grounds, Lancaster and fervent principal disclosed. Unity were able to produce Chase’s Academy began C r o f t a n d S h i v n a r i n e their legacy in 2015, when Chanderpaul. Additionally, they reached Linden in the this early exposure to sports Digicel Schools’ Football created unique passion and Tournament. That year they love for sports for Chase. lost 2-1, but signaled to the Chase feels that we need football community that to revisit the days when there is a new kid on the Queen’s College, Tutorial block. and Central High, the Indian The Academy then won Education (Richard Ishmael t h e s c h o o l s ’ c r i c k e t Secondary) and Guyana tournament in 2017 with Oriental College to name a Need and Persaud playing f e w, h a d t e a m s t h a t major roles in that victory. participated in popular Added to that, the cricket competitions. institution also won the Milo Those were The Rajah S c h o o l s ’ F o o t b a l l Cup, White cup, Northcote Tournament in 2015, 2016 and Case Cup competitions. and 2017. In 2018 the school Many were weekend based was banned from playing in cricket competitions in this Tournament. which local clubs and The irony in all this is schools participated side-by- even though they were side. banned by the Petra
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West Indies U-10 spinner, Ashmead Nedd
Organization, they still continued to give scholarships because the objectives were to develop the best talents in Guyana using education and sports. “Children learn differently and some are motivated by sports to learn. Some children come into this world to play cricket, basketball, football or athletics but because they were born here, a land noted to destroy sporting talents, their gifts will not make a way for them. Had they been born into the Caribbean or England, Australia or the United States, their gifts would have made way for them,” the principal opined. “It’s with this in mind that I continue to sow seeds. I continue to have the faith that someone in the Business Community or someone in Government who may have the same passion for education and Sports will come on board and partner with us and assist with the vision; the vision to truly merge education and sports.” “Last year I had a very fruitful discussion with the Minister of Sports, the Director of Sports and the Chairman of the National Sports Commission and I am very hopeful that this year great things will happen.” “The foregoing reinforces the position that sports can very well be incorporated into the academic programme and thus help produce rounded Guyanese adults. By now, most of us have come to recognize that educational success is not merely the acquiring of 20 CSEC subjects by a person who cannot meaningfully interact with his fellow Guyanese on the mental, social and ethnic levels.” “There must be a more robust national attempt at symbiotically merging sports and education for the general good of the country,” Chase concluded.
Kaieteur News
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Monday February 14, 2022
Katri Lylynpera shared a number of photos of the athlete’s village flooding. (Image: Getty/Instagram)
China orders athlete to delete photos that showed flooding in Olympic Village
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ahoo Sports - A Finnish skier claims she was ordered by Chinese officials to delete photos she shared on social media showing water flooding the athlete’s village and flowing out of light fixtures at the Winter Olympics. Katri Lylynpera posted a number of photos and videos last week showing water pouring down from the ceiling at her lodging and creating puddles on the floor. Exposed electrical equipment can also be seen in a number of the photos. Lylynpera captioned the video “help”, while also sharing footage of officials arriving to clean up the mess. However the most staggering photo that Lylynpera shared was a screenshot of a message she allegedly received telling her to remove her posts from social media. A fan site on Reddit interpreted the messages, reporting that Lylynpera
joked about the “ridiculous” farce and said Chinese officials couldn’t treat her the “same way” as their citizens. “Finland’s Olympic athlete dormitory in Beijing experienced a serious water leakage today,” the Reddit site said. “Some Finnish athletes posted this incident on Twitter and Instagram ... and they were told to delete them by the Chinese authorities.” The 28-year-old competed in the women’s cross country free sprint last week but didn’t make it past the qualifying stage. China creating international headlines for wrong reasons The incident is just one of a number of embarrassing situations China has found itself in during the Beijing Games. In the lead-up to the Olympics, many braced for potential protests against the host country, which has been accused of widespread a b u s e s a g a i n s t
predominantly Muslim Uyghurs. China has also come under fire for its polices toward Tibet, its crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong and the near-total disappearance from public view of tennis player Peng Shuai after she accused a former Communist Party official of sexual assault. Concerns over human
rights abuses led some countries to stage a diplomatic boycott of the Games, while Chinese organisers warned foreign athletes that any statement that goes against Chinese law could be punished. Eyebrows have also been raised about the complete lack of real snow at the Games, with the Beijing
Olympics the first in history to use 100 percent artificial snow. China has reportedly been forced to bring in close to 400 snow guns at a cost of roughly $83 million due to the cold but dry climate in February. China estimates it will need close to 50 million gallons of water to produce
artificial snow throughout the Games. The ‘dystopian’ backdrop at the Big Air events also created headlines around the world, with the events staged at an old steel mill in Beijing. Many pointed out that the surrounds looked like the nuclear power plant in The Simpsons.
Fletcher’s unbeaten 101 powers Khulna Tigers into BPL playoffs Andre Fletcher scored an unbeaten 100 to lead Khulna Tigers.
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portsMax - Andre Fletcher scored an unbeaten 100 to lead Khulna Tigers to a ninewicket victory over Comilla Victorians on Saturday and a place in the play-offs of the Bangladesh Premier League. Chasing Comilla Victorians’ score of 182-5, Fletcher and fellow opener Mahedia Hasan made relatively light work of the target with an opening stand
of 182. Fletcher mixed caution with aggression hitting six sixes and six fours in the 62 balls he faced for his 101. Hasan smashed 74 from 49 balls with six fours and four sixes before he was dismissed by Moeen Ali in the 19th over with the scores level. Earlier, Faf du Plessis hit 12 fours and four sixes in his of 101 from just 54 balls to propel his side to 182 from
their 20 overs. Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy scored 30 while there was some late hitting from Mahidul Islam Ankon, who hit two sixes in his 11-ball 20 in what looked like a winning score before Fletcher’s Player of the Match performance. The win moved Khulna Tigers into fourth place on 10 points while the defeat meant Comilla Victorians remain in second with 13 points.
Kaieteur News
Monday February 14, 2022
Speed skating-American Jackson wins gold after stumble in trials
Erin Jackson of the United States reacts after winning gold. (REUTERS/Susana Vera)
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E I J I N G , (Reuters) - Erin Jackson of the United States won gold in the women’s 500 metres speed skating with an explosive start yesterday, giving the U.S. its first gold medal in the event since 1994 and first speed skating medal at the Beijing Olympics. She could be seen grinning widely after completing her lap of the National Speed Skating Olympics in 37.04 seconds, but had to wait for the last pair to finish before embracing her coach and bursting into tears. “I wish I could describe how I feel. It is amazing. This medal means so much,” an emotional Jackson told reporters. “It has been a tough couple of years and a tough beginning for this year. For this to come around like this I am so happy.” Jackson could have missed the opportunity to represent the United States after a stumble during the Olympic trials, but her Brittany Bowe gave her spot
Erin Jackson of the United States in action. (REUTERS/ Fabrizio Bensch)
in the 500m to allow her team mate to take it. “She (Bowe) made a really big sacrifice for me and I’ll be grateful to her forever,” Jackson said. Bowe did eventually qualify for the Olympics after a reallocation of unused spots, finishing 16th out of 30 skaters. “I’m part of the puzzle, but this one is about her. She stood at the start line and she got that job done today,” Bowe said of J a c k s o n . C o a c h Ry a n Shimabukuro said the relationship between Bowe and Jackson showed the camaraderie of the team. “It’s a team in every sense of the word,” he said. “They could see the big picture... Obviously it’s huge, and Brittany (Bowe) knows what it meant,” he added. Silver medallist Miho Takagi of Japan set the early pace, coming out on top in the fourth pairing with a time of 37.12 seconds that was not beaten until Jackson’s race. S h e a p p e a r e d unperturbed by the drama on the rink, watching the races as she cycled on an exercise
bike with a white mask on. “I was really surprised. When I first looked up to the screen, I thought my time was the result of my opponent,” she said. “Winning silver is a bonus. I’m purely happy for that.” Takagi, team captain for the Japanese delegation in Beijing, became the first Asian skater to win medals in each of the 500m, 1,000m, and 1,500m distances. Jackson made an explosive start, keeping a slim lead of one tenth of a second ahead of Takagi throughout the single lap of the oval. Angelina Golikova of the Russian Olympic Committee took bronze in 37.21 seconds. Jackson’s gold was the first medal for an African American woman in speed skating, following in the footsteps of twice gold medallist Shani Davis. American Davis became the first African American to claim a gold medal in an individual event at the Winter Games when he won the men’s 1,000m speed skating in Turin.
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GTTA National Championships
Franklin retains men’s title Christopher Franklin was once again the last man standing last night when the curtains fell on the 2022 G u y a n a Ta b l e Te n n i s Association’s National Championships which was contested at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). Franklin clashed with his national team mate; Shemar Britton, in the final match of the month-long tournament which he won 4-2. The clash was very competitive up to the fourth set which saw the games tied evenly at 2-2 before Franklin pulled away with two 11-8 and 11-7 wins to prevent a seventh set. En Route to the final, Franklin earned a hard fought 4-2 win against the
determined Miguel Wong. The match was certain to be a tough one after the first set finished 12-10 to Franklin, but Wong hit back to win the next two sets 11-4 and 11-9 but his lead was short lived as Franklin took the next three sets to book place in the
Christopher Franklin
final with Britton. The game scores read 12-10, 4-11, 911, 11-4, 11-6 & 12-10. Meanwhile, Britton booted national under-21 and B Class Champion Jonathan Van Lamge 4-1 in their semifinal fixture. (Calvin Chapman)
2022 men’s Champion Christopher Franklin (left) and Shemar Britton (right) played an entertaining final.
Ninth time lucky as Auger -Aliassime wins maiden ATP title AFP - Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime ended his eight-final losing streak to capture his first ATP title in Rotterdam yesterday with victory over world number four and top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. The 21-year-old triumphed 6-4, 6-2 in 78 minutes, backing up his semi-final win over second seed and defending champion Andrey Rublev. “It has not been the smoothest road since my first final three years ago,” AugerAliassime said during the trophy ceremony. “It is an amazing day for me to get my first title and especially here. I played my first ATP main draw here a couple of years ago, so it is right I won my first title here.” Before yesterday, world number nine Auger-Aliassime held an 0-8 record in tourlevel finals, failing even to win a single set.
Canada’s Felix Auger -Aliassime. (AFP/Sander Koning) (Sander Koning)
However, he has been in solid form in 2022, helping Canada to the ATP Cup title in January, before he reached the quarter-finals at the Australian Open, where he pushed world number two Daniil Medvedev to five sets. He now also boasts a season-leading 12 wins on tour. Yesterday’s victory took his head-to-head record against Tsitsipas to 3-5. His last win over the 23-year-old Greek had come back in 2019 on grass at Queen’s Club in London. “I have a lot of good memories playing here in front of you, so thank you for making it a special week for me that I will remember for the rest of my life,” Auger-Aliassime told the Rotterdam crowd. “It’s the happiest day of my career and hopefully it is the first of many to come.”
Kaieteur News
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GISE, Star Party Rental and Trophy Stall 1st ‘D’ semis
Tons from Barnwell & Dindyal highlight Semis
Watched by Assad Fudadin and Keeper Joseph Parry, Chris Barnwell gathers runs yesterday at Everest in his commanding 179. (Sean Devers photo)
- GCC, DCC advance to this weekend’s final
By Sean Devers A handful of fans in the stands at Everest and Bourda were treated to superb centuries from 16-year-old West Indies U-16 batsman Mavindra Dindyal and 35year-old Chris Barnwell yesterday in the semi-finals of the GISE, Star Party Rental and Trophy Stall two-day first division semi-final. Barnwell continues to be the most consistent batsman at club level and smashed a commanding 179 for DCC against hosts Everest at Camp Road, while at the historic Bourda ground Dindyal stroked an elegant 110 for GCC against Police. GCC qualified by virtue of taking first innings points from the Cops in a contest which had only three hours of action on the opening day on Saturday, while DCC advanced due to more outright wins than Everest in the preliminary rounds after the entire first day at Everest was washed out due to seepage under the covers.
Windies U-16 batsman Mavendra Dindyal scored an elegant 110 at Bourda yesterday. (Sean Devers photo) Yesterday, both matches w e r e p l a y e d i n predominately glorious sunshine and on still a very fast outfield despite Saturday’s rain. At Bourda, where West Indies achieved its first ever Test victory against England in 1930, Resuming on their overnight score of 90-7, after
Pernell London (20), Kevin Boodie (18) and Quintin Sampson, unbeaten on 27, offered token resistance on the truncated opening day, Police reached 142-9 innings closed. The 21-year-old Sampson from the Essequibo Islands dumped left-arm spinner Devon Lord on North Road to reach his 50 from 24 balls with
four fours and five sixes and galloped to 63 from just 30 balls 11 boundaries, which included seven sixes, before he hit Renaldo Mohammed to cover to give him his fourth scalp. Sampson and Kelvin Leitch (7) added 58 for the eight wicket as Mohammed (4-32), Stephon Wilson (2-28) and Lord (2-18) were the main wicket-takers for GCC who replied with 344-8. Dindyal’s century lasted 116 balls and included 13 boundaries, while Martin Pestano-Bell (54), Mohammed (52), Zachary Jodah (33) and Bernard Bailey (29) reached 25. At Everest, one of three First-Class venues in the C i t y, D a v i d Wi l l i a m s removed Raymond Perez (14) at 16-1 before legspinner Ameer Khan removed Sachin Singh (2) and Coen Ismond (7) in quick succession before the Barnwell show commenced and along with Raj Nanan, who retired hurt on 77, put together a century stand. Everest in reply were 57-4.
Monday February 14, 2022
GAPLF Novice C/ships
Hunter, Albert, Williams crowned overall winners
Romeo Hunter (L), Sherene Williams (c) and Nicholas Albert at the presentation.
Romer Hunter, Nicholas Albert (male) and Sherene Wi l l i a m s ( f e m a l e ) o f Essequibo were crowned overall winners when the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) hosted its Novices Championship yesterday at St. Stanislaus College Auditorium. Notably it seems powerlifting have no age limit to begin a chapter. They were beginners at the Master 2 in Ramesh Seecharan age 49, Master 3 in Richard
Fredericks age 67 and Master 4 Albert Archer 82yrs. Hunter, Archer and Williams displayed tremendous grit and determination as they gave their fans much to cheer about. Archer of Jungle Gym Lethem officially became the oldest powerlifter in Guyana, while Fredericks of Kingsrow Barbell Club of Georgetown set a number of records. Details in tomorrow’s edition.
Winston Forrestor’s stumps are scattered by Quinton Samspson at Bourda yesterday. (Sean Devers photo)
Richard Fredericks (L), Albert Archer (c) and Ramesh Seecharan on the podium.
Kaieteur News
Monday February 14, 2022
PAGE 33
The ECB U-15 squad take a photo after it was announced.
ECB selects U-15 squad The Essequibo Cricket Board has named its fifteen (15) member Under-15 squad and five reserves to contest the GCB Under-15 intercounty tournament to be held in March in Georgetown.
The selection was made after a three day trials at the Imam Bacchus Cricket Ground Affiance Essequibo Coast. Initially forty eight (48) young cricketers from seven area committees affiliated to
the ECB attended the trials. The Coach, Manager, Captain and Vice Captain will be named before the team departs for the tournament. Players selected are: Omarion Smith, Ethan Silas,
Ravid Fredericks, Earo Benjimin, Nazaam Mohamed, Bomesh Lall, Vi r e n d r a P o o r a n , K r i s h n a Gobardhan, Videsh Roopllall, Rakesh Kellawan, Zandon Rose, Hemant Sukdio, Nicholas Lovell,
Elisha Ramdatt and Christopher Williams. Reserves are: Rondel Singh, Jadesh Shadeo, Ian Kanhai, Mondel Edwards and Khemol Harakram.