Kaieteur News

Citizens during their protest action in front of the Umana Yana

‘DON’T REINVENT THE WHEEL’

...T&T PM offers up facilities to help Guyana, other regional partners to cut costs on new infrastructure, effectively monetize oil and gas resources

ByKianaWilburg

With Trinidad and Tobago’s(T&T)collectionof world-class oil and gas infrastructure, there is no needfornationslikeGuyana to reinvent the wheel by pumping millions of tax dollars into new facilities to refine their oil and gas resources They can cut significant costs on infrastructure by utilizing what is already in place in theirneighbour’sbackyard.

This was the crux of the message delivered by Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Keith Rowley at yesterday’s opening of the International Energy Conference and Expo –Guyana2023.

This year’s conference is themed: “Harnessing Energy forDevelopment”

R o w l e y i n h i s presentationwaskeentonote that his homeland has the relevantinfrastructuretohelp Guyana and other nations

effectively monetize their oil andgasresources,notingthat the infrastructure is readily available.

The Trinidadian leader said his country has 10 ammonia plants, seven methanol plants, four LiquefiedNaturalGasplants, an iron and steel complex, and an oil refinery which recently produced up to 140,000 barrels of oil per day

“Our current natural gas production averages 2 8 billion cubic feet of gas per dayandwearestillexploring the market for a user of our refinery as mentioned

Trinidad and Tobago therefore provides a viable option for those countries that wish to optimize the monetization of their hydrocarbons without incurring substantial capital expenditure and not to m e n t i o n d e l a y i n monetization,”hesaid.

Rowleywaskeentonote the commencement of the

coveted Dragon Gas Project whichwasleftinlimbosome years ago Kaieteur News previously reported that the US Office of ForeignAssets Control (OFAC) recently grantedTrinidadandTobago a waiver to explore the Dragon natural gas field in

Venezuela.TheUS$1billion deal was initially signed between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela in August 2018 Those involved included energy giant Shell, Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA, and TT’s National Gas

Company

(NGC).

The Dragon deal would have seen T&T developing thefieldwhichisestimatedto produce approximately 150 millionstandardcubicfeetof gas a day The gas was supposed to be imported through a billion-dollar pipeline to the Hibiscus platform off the northwest coast of T&T The platform isjointlyownedbytheT&T government,NGCandShell.

Thedealwasleftinlimbo after the US imposed sanctions on Venezuela in 2019 but was been restarted due to the lifting of the sanctions

“This is what is possible when there is cooperation amongnations,”thePMsaid, adding that he remains open to discussion with other CARICOM neighbours on the benefits of leveraging each other’s resources and expertise.Rowleyalsonoted that his country stands ready to assist Guyana in developing programmes to

meet the necessary training needs for energy personnel

“Trinidadpossessesanumber of governmental and nongovernmental agencies that have been meeting the h u m a n r e s o u r c e development needs of the energy and industrial sector as well as the emerging oil and gas economies,” PM Rowleysaid.

He said too that regional leaders have a window of opportunity to take a proactiveapproachinpooling collective knowledge to optimize new opportunities goingforward

In conclusion, the CARICOM leader said, “We mustuseourenergyresources for the benefit of all our peopletobuildresilienceand createenergysecurity”

Dr Rowley said he has every confidence that the spirit of the CARICOM community, which has been keytoitssuccess,willensure theCaribbeanisaneconomic forcetobereckonedwith

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley

APAslamsDharamlallover

“misleading”Facebookstatements

...urges proper consultation with Amerindians

TheAmerindianPeoples Association (APA) on Tuesday took umbrage at statementsmadebyMinister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall on his Facebookpage.

The minister in addition to accusing the Association of being politically aligned with and receives financial support from the People’s National Congress (PNC) stated that theAPAis trying to block indigenous communitiesfromreceiving “ billions of dollars in developmentfundsfromthe CarbonCreditFacility.”

On his Facebook Page, Dharamlall said, “The Amerindian Peoples Association(APA)isuptono good The APA, a PNC affiliated organization, is seeking to block the Amerindian Villages from receivingbillionsofdollarsin development funds from the CarbonCreditFacility”

Theministersaidtoothat the “APA does not support self determination of Amerindian villages because it would lose hundreds of millions of dollarsindonorfundswhich the organization spends to enrichafewofitsexecutives andthePNC.

For example, the APA officeinSantaRosahasbeen convertedtothehomeofone ofexecutives”

In response, the Association said, “TheAPA wishes to take this opportunity to remind the Honourable Minister of the dangers of making unsubstantiated claims as wellastheethicalguidelines and code of conduct his positiondemands.

We further take this opportunity to reiterate that the APA is a democratic organisationandisawarethat many of its members and executives support various politicalpartiesincludingthat oftheMinister,”theAPAsaid inastatement

Further, the organisation soughttoremindtheMinister that the Constitution of Guyanaaffordseverycitizen the right to participate in the politicalprocess

“Thatbeingsaid,theAPA remains a politically neutral organisation with the main objective of advocating for and defending the rights of indigenous peoples in Guyana

The APA wishes to remindtheMinisterthatthe organisation has a

decisions before signing on tothem,”theAPAsaid

TheAPAsaid it is aware of the move by the government to summon Toshaos to Georgetown and informing the village leaders to walk with documents to create bank accounts to facilitate the transfer of monies from the carbon creditsagreement

50%ofSuriname’selectricity comingfromhydropower

While currently meeting around 50 percent of the nation’s electricity needs withtheirhydropowerplant, the Surinamese government stands firms on its commitment in reducing emissionsofcarbon-dioxide and other green-house gases as part of its global fight againstclimatechange.

responsibility to monitor the policies and decisions that particularly affect the lives of indigenous peoples in Guyana It is a responsibility we take seriously and will continue to do so to ensure that indigenous peoples are accuratelyinformedoftheir rights and that such rights are respected, ” the Associationsaid.

The APA reiterated its call for the government “to uphold the tenets of free, prior and informed consent [FPIC] when engaging indigenouscommunities.”

“We have noted numerous instances of the violation of FPIC standards by the government with the latest being the consultation processforthesaleofcarbon credits.The Minister should be aware that the Amerindian Act of 2006 identifies the Village General Meeting as the decision-making body for indigenouscommunitiesand as such, villages should be afforded the opportunity to properly scrutinize policies, agreements and other

“The Toshaos were not informed of the amount of moneytheywillbereceiving and how that will be governed.Again,theactions of the government indicate thatthereisverylittleregard for the FPIC process which is a slap in the face of indigenous peoples in Guyana,”theAPAsaidwhile noting that it welcomes assistance to the indigenous communities as they are in need of better infrastructure for health, education and otherservices

“However,wearecalling onthegovernmenttoengage indigenouspeoplesinamore structured way and not foist its decisions on them. We reiterate that the APA is not blocking villages from accessing governmental supportbutiscallingforthe administrationtorespectthe FPIC principles,” the APA saidreiteratingitscallforthe Minister of Local Government to desist from “ c a m p a i g n o f misinformation on the organisation”.

This is according to Surinamese President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi who was at the time addressingtheopeningofthe four-day International Energy Conference and Expo, at the Marriott Hotel, whichopenedonTuesday Santokhi who attended virtually said that the need for energy continues to increaseandtheworldhasto developalongtermsolution tomeettheenergyneedsofa growing world population.

Accordingtohim,“whilethe world is facing a climate crisisandisatthegrassroots to choose sustainability over immediate needs for energy, energy demand is a present needthereforetheworldwill need to take adaptation and

mitigation measures to lessentheimpactsofclimate change and make the transitiontorenewable.”

This he said, means adopting solar, wind and hydropowerenergy Withthe pushtowardstransitioningto renewable energy, the Presidentsaid,“Solarenergy is the key to development of Suriname’sinteriorsinceitis a clean and endless energy source.”

Santokhi told the gathering that his country is

building and installing 10 solar power mini grids and mini solar energy system with diesel generators, as a backup for solar-generated electricity for the villages in theirhinterlandregions.

Lookingtohavethemini grids installed, Santokhi further stated that presently “My country is meeting around 50 percent of the nation’s electricity needs with the already existing hydropowerplant.”

Ultimately, he said countries need to transform how they deal with energy efficiency, energy demand management,energystorage mobility, and future energy sources. According to him, the Surinamese government is committed to reducing emissions of carbon-dioxide and other green-house gases as part of its commitment to the global fight against climate change.With this he announced yesterday that Surinameisnowlookinginto improving access to electricity and has recently discussinterestingpossibly

Continuedonpage9

Minister of Local Govt. & Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall

- President Santokhi tells Energy Conference

President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi during his address to Int’l Energy Conference and Expo held yesterday.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor-In-Chief:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

EXXON’S AND THE GAS-TO-SHORE PROJECT

Does ExxonMobil’s Country Head in Guyana, Mr Alistair Routledge, really expect anyone to fall for that gimmick abouthiscompanynotgoingtomakeanyprofitonthegasto-energy project? We are disappointed that this slick Americanoilcompany,anditswiseCountryHead,amanof thecaliberofMr Routledge,couldthinkthatGuyaneseare thisshortofbasiccommonsense,anymentalkeenness.

SincewhendoesExxonMobilinvestUS$1Binanyproject anywhere, and goes into such an undertaking with prior knowledge that there will be no money in it for the company? It surprises to learn that ExxonMobil is now in the charity business. What other concoctions does ExxonMobil have in mind, along these same lines for Guyaneseears,wherethecompanyisGuyana’sbigbrother? Meaning, one that is always looking for it, and a deeppocketedphilanthropisttothiscountry?

On each occasion that we believe that ExxonMobil, or Mr Routledge, has exhausted the corporate bag of goodies for Guyanese, this versatileAmerican oil superpower outdoes itself. We had billboards sharing the cheering news with localsofhowwellExxonMobilhasdoneforthem,howitis the best thing that ever happened to this country Like lipstickandtalcumpowder,bothwashedawaywhenahard showercame.Intheregularfashion,thepeoplepilotingthe ship at ExxonMobil share a half of a quarter of the whole story, and keep the other 87.5% for themselves. As Guyaneseknowbynow,thatiswheretherealmoneyis. Next,thesameAlistairRoutledgeinsistedbeforethisnation thattotamperinanywaywiththe2016contractwouldchase investorsawayfromGuyana.

ThisGuyanaoildealissosweet,sounbelievablycheapfor ExxonMobilanditspartners(andvendors),buttinkerwithit insomesmallways,sothatGuyanesecangetafairshareof their wealth, and investors would race for the Ogle and CheddiJaganairports,wipethedustofGuyanaofftheirfeet. Inaddition,thehintisthatprospectiveinvestorswouldstuff a sponge in their mouths to stop the drooling that comes when they think of Guyana’s prospects, their own prosperingpossibilities. Fromallindications,theonlyone falling for that one is Guyana’s PresidentAli, who put his own spin on that 4-alarm warning from Mr Routledge.It goes without saying that the cohort of PPPC Government insiders and cronies and other direct beneficiaries of ExxonMobil’s gifts are also pretending to be caught in Mr Routledge’swebofbusinesswisdom.

Is this remarkable American corporate leader, Mr Routledge, for real? We would like to see one foreign companythatfoldsupitstentandleaves,shouldthecontract be renegotiated with a little more, just a little more that is fair, for Guyana. Or one new foreign company that expresses a changeof heartand not comeherebecausethe contract is renegotiated so that Guyana gets a few paltry percentagepointsmore. Again,isMr Routledgeforreal? It standstoreasonthattheChinesearewaitingtofillanysuch breach, and of that the US Government may not be too pleased.

WehavetoaskagainifeitherExxonMobilorMr Routledge isreal,whenthereisthisfabrication,thissorcery,aboutno profit for the company from its US$1B investment in the Wales gas-to-energy project. The gas (our gas) that ExxonMobilisgoingtosellGuyanaat‘competitive’prices, we are expected to believe that there will be no markup in there for the company We are supposed to accept that the transportation costs for that gas will be cut to the bone, so thatExxonMobilisoperatingatorbelowbreakeveninthis instance. The funding, all US$1B of it for the project, GuyanesemustappreciatethatExxonMobilisgoingtoget religionandnotaddalittlesomethingtotheinterestrateit paysforsuchborrowing.Guyaneseshouldbethankfulthatit wasnotsaidthatExxonMobilislosingmoneyonitsUS$1B investmentforthegas-to-energyproject. Abigthankyouis extended to Mr Alistair Routledge for his company’s generositytoGuyana,eventakingahitforit.

Recent experience at Public Scoping meeting of EEPGL’s 6th Project

DEAREDITOR,

I went to the Leonora Technical Institute (LTI) on Friday February 3, 2023 for thepresentationofEEPGL’s 6th Development (Whiptail) Project The in-person scoping meeting was presented by Project Manager Anthony Jackson on behalf of ExxonMobil. Hehadalsopresentedthe5th Project (Uaru) last year, having landed in Guyana only one day before that presentation. I had many questions then, which remained unanswered, despitepromisesandwriting my contact information in their book. So, this time I onlyhadtwoquestions.

The first was for the current Liza Project gas-tooil ratio (GOR). I had asked that question at the 5th scoping meeting. He said then that it was Uaru, not Liza we were considering, but understood that Liza figureswouldgiveanideaof what to expect for Uaru. However, since he had just arrived, he did not have the figuresathand.Ninemonths later,hestillcannotgiveme an answer.This time he said he would not like to take up (thehalfhour)questiontime (they allocated) and would talk to me afterwards.When I went to him afterwards for the secret GOR he apparently did not want the restofthepublictoknow,he saidIshouldasktheMinistry of Natural Resources I replied that I asked the

Ministry of Natural Resources for such information two years ago andtheyhavenotgivenme,a resident citizen of this country, any answer whatsoever

The next question was for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Last time, they said they would not be answering any questions; and they have a history of never answering my questions. This time I onlyaskedforyesterday’soil and gas production. They could not answer and still havenotanswered.

The session was packed with students, with only some from the Leonora Technical Institute and the Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) capable of pertinent questions. Moderator, Alex Graham used up time waiting for students to ask elementaryquestionsinstead of allowing the members of the public to scope the project. And when the time was up, he stopped the meeting, dismissed the students (other than of LTI and SVN), and said he had anotherappointment.

I had heard that Mr. Graham was a great professionalathiswork,but he completely drowned that reputation by rigging the time so that the few earnest members of the public present could not be heard. At both the 5th and 6th scopingsessions,heusedup valuabletimeextollingmeas

his former teacher I will therefore have to flunk him in these instances. Only an apology to the Guyanese public at the session can restoremyregardforhim.A scoping meeting is to hear from the public. We were callouslydisregarded.

I cannot understand why Mr Jacksoncouldnottellme the GOR. A few days later, the Ministry of Natural Resourcespublishedtherest of the unverified production data for 2022, though not in an accountable format, from which the average GOR can be estimated The rated productionleveloftheLizaI FPSO is 120 000 barrels per day (bpd). Exceeding the rating in ExxonMobil’s home country warrants shutdown by the regulators andjailfortheoperators.Not so in our Guyana. Here the operators can not only increase the rate to over 150 000 bpd, but they have also been gifted the incentive to dosowithrelativeimpunity

Forthatextra(150000–120 000=)30000bpdofoilwith an estimated GOR of over 1 300 standard cubic feet per barrel can be flared (instead of being reinjected as originallyagreed)toproduce 2 200 tonne (t) of carbon dioxideperdayforwhichthe EPA and the Vice-President boast that the operators are finedUS$50pertorUS$110 000perday Thisisgleefully accepted by the smart oil companies,becauseevenata low oil price of US$50 per

barrel they collect 30 000 x US$50=$1500000perday!

No one expects politicians to know everything, but their steadfast refusal to be transparent in their dealings with our natural resources flunks them in governance. No amount of Energy Conferences can sanitise that. Government apologists like to tell us that other countries burn more fossil fuel. What they don’t tell us is that the figures are transparent in those countries. The EPA and the Environmental Assessment Board(EAB)willhavetobe flunked separately for either being complicit or not being competent to do the above calculations.

The oil companies get top marks for exploitation. As a teacher most of my workinglifenowexistingon a Guyanese pension and work when I can get it, I do not have the money to fight this indecency, which perverts the expectation of the citizens for benefits the exploiters and those in tow are enjoying. So, I will no longer waste time attending E I A s a n d r e l a t e d presentations. The oil companies and their accomplices in our politics havewon.LettheGuyanese people live in the hope of handouts 6 and trust the secret management of their ‘fastestgrowingeconomy’.

Yourssincerely, Alfred

Bhulai

DEAREDITOR,

One should congratulate the Guest Editorial appearing in Stabroek News published on February 7, 2023, titled ‘Decentralizing thepresidency.’

It is a scholarly analysis by the author and deserves ourcongratulations.Further, it may as I have argued before be another well intentioned initiative by President Dr Irfaan Ali However,forthosewhohave studied human history and the Guyana political experience including our constitutional and other experiments over the last three odd generations, there is a very worrisome and

serious aspect to this adventure of taking the capital government to the people.What is seen evident is the application of, as we say,abandagetoa festering soreorgivingapainkillerto a patient without any reason attempting to find out the causeofthepainorsoreand to tackle it skilfully At the risk of being repetitive this can be the beginning of a dangerous descent and disentanglement of the essenceofviabledemocracy

We have seen this, four generationsagowiththerise of a corporal to a chancellor and similar situations elsewhere.Thebeginningof thesedisastrousconditionsis

where we lose faith in our institutions such as security forces.

Judiciary and the parliament.Tacklingthesore or pain with our substantial recently found financial resources is possible but requires careful planning, a commitment to the wholesomeness or oneness of Guyana It requires statesmanship, boundless honesty, decency, and forgiveness on both sides of ourpoliticaldivide..Ifthese characteristics are nonexistentthenthisbusinessof decentralizing the presidency to the people is eventually putting us on the slippery slope into a murky

bottomless pit. Listening to the statements from the President’s office , it is a deliberate or subtle attempt to destroy and disfigure the cherished institutions upon which a truly democratic state rests, a country of 83,000sqmilesandlessthan a million souls. I have like others been part of an effort todecentralizeGovernment, thereby taking government, and that is the presidency physically and emotionally closer to the people. That is the rationale even before Independence, for municipalities where a large number of citizens reside.Todayinadditionto (Continuedonpage6)

We need a system where the truth is available to be passed on from one generation to the next

Silence from all on the discontinuance of Freddie Kissoon’s column

DEAREDITOR, I thank you for allowing mespaceinyournewspaper to share my opinion on this very important matter of the discontinuation by management of Kaieteur news of the column of Freddie Kissoon. Editor, I personallyfeelthateveryone isentitledtosharehisorher viewsonmattersofnational interests. Freddie Kissoon wasdeniedhisrightsandnot avoicehasspokenorwritten about this great act of silencingavoicethatspeaks for many of Guyana’s voiceless. Yes, the Human rights Association is silent; the prominent social, cultural and political organizationsaresilent.

Itisimportanttonotethat Kissoon got the full support of the present opposition when they were in the Government In fact, he stood on their platform and campaigned for them on the A.F.C, and by extension, an APNU ticket, thus helping them to win the 2015 elections Kissoon gave them a honeymoon period b u t s o o n b e c a m e disillusionedwiththemwith such blunders like the closing of sugar estates, resulting in the dismissal of 7000 sugar workers, and by

extension, putting some 42,000onthebreadline.

Atthesametime,APNU parliamentarians increased their salaries by 50%. Then came the NCM (No Confidence Motion) and the numerous court cases which caused great resentment in the country, and many more short comings Kissoon spoke out against these blunders and he became a target.WhenthePPPwasin Government and Kissoon took them to task, he was a hero to the city black intelligentsia, the Hinds, APNU supporters and many who resent the PPP However, what is sauce for the Goose is Sauce for the Gander! Let there be free speech! Let us hear both sidesofthestory!Letusnot gag someone because he seems to highlight the developmentsinthecountry

What is disappointing is the response of people like Rickford Burke and Mark Benschop on Facebook

There seem to be a sense of gloatingandjoyatFreddie’s dismissal. Burke described Kissoon as “This diabolical, maniacal racist [who] has been a wolf a sheep’s clothing…”whileBenschop in referring to dismissal, wrote,“Idon’tknowwhatto

Mr Lewis should stop believing his own make believe!

DEAREDITOR,

say aboutthesituationother than to ask his friends and neighbors to keep checking onhim.AfterallSUICIDEis real: “These responses from people-whoaresupposedto berolemodelsforGuyana’s young people- are despical and heartless. After all, as Voltaire said,” I disagree with what you say but I will defendyourrighttosayit.”

Guyana has lots of people with integrity who now need to stand up and defend Kissoon’s right to expresshisview

Sincerely,

MahindraPersaud

P U B L I S H E R ’ S NOTE: Publishers reserve the right to part with any contributor at any given time,particularlywhenthe contributoris being paid a salary. This is standard in thebusinessworld.

Mr.Persaud,noonehas prevented Mr. Kissoon from writing to the newspaper. The letter pages are open to all and sundry to express their views and provide commentary on matters they deem important. Mr. Kissoon, like many other citizens, is free to take advantage of the letter pages of the Kaieteur News.

The GAWU has taken note of yet another attack in the media by long-standing trade unionist Lincoln Lewis.Werecogniseseveral elementsofthemissivewere appropriately addressed by former President and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds However,inhisoutburst,Mr Lewistellsthenationthatthe Government’ssupporttothe sugarindustrycomesagainst the background of supportingourUnion. It seems to us that Mr Lewismayrequiresomesort of examination to determine whether he has lost his proverbial marbles. To us something is not right with himandnow-a-dayshehasa penchant for making wild, unsubstantiated statements that have no resemblance to reality The Government’s position regarding sugar is

already publicly known as it takes into account the massive social contribution the industry makes to the well-being of thousands of Guyanese.

This of course is well known, and the absence of the industry was vividly captured in the socioeconomic study conducted bytheILO.

Thatstudyfoundthatthe livelihoods of workers laid off by estate closure was severelycompromised.Why wouldMr Lewiswanttosee an expansion of such hardships in our society?

Certainly given his trade union credentials, which he neverfailstotout,wewould imagine that he would be supportiveofpolicieswhich safeguard and protect the livelihoods of workers and theirfamilies.

Are you a genuine trade

unionist,MrLewis?

So Mr Lewis, the Government’ssupportisnot aimed at GAWU contrary to yourbeliefs.

But it is much broader than that and is in recognitionoftheinvaluable contributions of an industry which built Guyana. It is saddening that in your narrow-minded, twisted diatribe you have not seen it fittogiverecognitiontosuch thrust.

Then again, such examination may not suit yourdivisivepropaganda.

It seems that Comrade Lincoln is living in his own wonderland and where he chooses to believe his own makebelieve.

Wearehopefulhecanget thehelpheseemstoneed.

Yourssincerely,

SeepaulNarine President,GAWU

Weneedasystemwherethetruthisavailabletobepassed...

Frompage4

those we have ten Administrative Regions and Iunderlineorunderscorethe word Administrative. The bandaidpainkillersolutionis whatitis.WhatPresidentAli and his plethora ofAdvisors should be doing is to restore the Public Service to its positionofprideandplaceof honour, staffed by educated persons appropriately trained with a sense of morality and who are to be proud that they are public servants, and here I include the military arm, the Fire Service, the Police and Prisonbranchesofthepublic service, Teachers, Nurses andMedicalServices..

When over time, we tinker, massage and manipulate the public service, you have the inefficiency, corruption and slothfulness evident today and which is a justifiable

concernforallofus.

Let’s fix those things right - (1) In all these branches, reintroduce a Cadet Training Programme, whichwehadintherunupto Independence and this must include members of the public service who show an interesttostudyandlearn,to be given every opportunity to climb to the top while serving with honour and dignity their particular discipline.

InsomeoftheCaribbean Islands, I met Policemen who were qualified as A t t o r n e y s a n d Administrators who have University degrees in different disciplines. As an aside, I learnt at the funeral serviceforthelateSnr Supt Edmond Cooper, after gaining his law degree, additionallyconsideredtobe averycompetentofficer,his promotion was denied for

extraneous reasons. When you have this environment, you suffocate and frustrate thosewhowishtomaketheir skill available to the public as professional public service.This is one example that speaks to the problem that exists today throughout thelengthandbreadthofthe tenAdministrativeRegions.

Second, if you have a well trained, honest and this means non-corruptible staff, everywhere where citizens dwell and do business with government, you solve the problem alluded to in the Guest Editorial of Tuesday, February 7, 2023. If we spend the massive sums we now have on an educational system so that our youngsters are given opportunities irrespective of race, color, creed, place of birth or perceived political allegiance to allow them to release their creative

energies in the service of citizen to serve the people from Pakaraima’s peaks of power to Corentyne lush sands, we will have an wholesome and better countryservedbyacadreof young men and women who we can then labeled as professionalpublicservants, professional soldiers, professional policemen, professional teachers, professional nurses, p r o f e s s i o n a l administrators,etc.

For the purpose of this letter, the public servant includes a judiciary that can trulyandeffectivelyholdthe balanceofthescaleofjustice inourcountry TheJudiciary is one of the three key branchesofgovernment.We oughtnottohaveajudiciary headed by two persons unconfirmed for so many years and where persons have gone to their graves withreceivingneitherjustice nordecisionsfromatireand tediousjudiciary

I listened to some of the debates in Parliament recently and was appalled that scant regard is given to

the pleadings and questions bytheOpposition.Solongas incompetence, corruption and square political pegs in round holes are allowed to flourish these sorties or rather excursions by the President into the various parts of the country may be deemed necessary but woefully inadequate to address the concerns and deeper issues that affect residentseverywhere.

Speaking about another area is the emancipation of the truth. Speaking to two youngsters over the weekend, they said they were glad to know that at last, their words not mine, theGDFwillgetaircrafts.As youngstersinthearmy,their ambitionistobeaPilot.

Here again, we need a system where the truth is available to be passed on from one generation to the next. I reminded the two youngsters that they should not use the word ‘at last,’in relation to the army and aircraft,sinceatonetime,the army was equipped with a cadre of well trained pilots andengineers.

These vessels and aircrafts,apartfromsecurity reasons, gave Ministers, government officials and othersthecapabilitytogoto remote areas and vice-versa and to bring residents to the centreswherenecessary

Before we had this abundanceofcash,wehadat one time two Russian made MI8 helicopters, capable of lifting heavy equipment, TwoBell206,TwoBell212, OneBell412,TwoAlouette, Six Britten Norman Highlander,(fixed wing aircraft) ThreeSkykan.And one executive type Beech craft,allflownbyofficersof theGDFAirCorps.

Boats- Roy Blackman was the chief navigator who brought the vessel, named PICARI from England to Guyana and there were six support vessels at the time. To the young and old, let us takecomfortinthewordsof Meas ‘Truth is truth to the endofreckoning.’

Let us have the courage andgoodsensetosourceand cure the pain since the bandaid and painkiller offer no more than a temporary relief. We need to cure our ills so that we will bequeath to our children and their children of Guyana that is great,unitedandfree.

Regards,

HamiltonGreen

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

Exxon wants more

More oil blocks are what Exxon wants.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

No worries, it will happen, which is guaranteed by the PPP Govt.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

Given time, Exxon may not stop at oil blocks.

Guyana could end up a subsidiary of the American company.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

Many Guyanese believe that this is already so.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

The call is for the PPP Govt. to make it official

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

Bent Street man drowns during creek outing

A28-year-oldBentStreet, Wortmanville, Georgetown man drowned during an outingataSoesdyke-Linden Highway creek on Sunday last,theGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF)reported.

DeadisKesterGuilliams, of Lot 61 Bent Steet, Wortmanville,Georgetown.

According to reports, Guilliams and his friends were at a creek where they consumed alcohol. At about 15:30 hrs, Guilliams reportedlylefttoswiminthe water and shortly thereafter, an alarm was raised that

someone was encountering difficulties in the water and disappeared.

Public-spirited persons formed a search party, and Guilliams’ motionless body waslaterfoundinthecreek.

The man’s body was removed from the creek and examined, but no marks of violence were seen The body was taken to the Diamond Hospital and pronounceddeadbyadoctor.

The body is presently at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortemexamination.

Police in Regional Division4Bareinvestigating theallegeddrowning

ByRenaySambach

P r e s i d e n t o f ExxonMobil’s Upstream Company, Liam Mallon on Tuesday boasted about the breakneckspeedwithwhich ExxonMobil was able to cut thetimeinhalftomovefrom exploration to production in adeepwaterproject.

Mallon was at the time speaking at the second International Energy Conference and Expo 2023 being held at the Guyana MarriottHotel.

He underscored that since the first discovery in 2015, the estimate of Guyana’s resource has grown to nearly 11 billion barrels, which makes it the largestinindustryinthepast decade. “In total we’ve made more than 30 discoveries, and we’re still exploring Guyana’s vast potential,”Mallonadded.

He continued, “And really critically, we moved from the very first Liza 1 exploration well to first

productionnearlythreeyears ago in under five years That is roughly half the industry average time for a typical deepwaterdevelopment”

Exxon’s performance is in line with Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo’s request for theoilandgascompaniesto accelerateexploration.

Importantly, while the Government has been pushing for the oil companies to go faster, the country is without full liability insurance from the oilandgasmajors.

Guyana is currently producing 380,000 barrels per day with a mere US$600M insurance policy in place with ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary to cover costs in the event of an oil spill Notably, Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)disclosedlast year that a parent guarantee f r o m E x x o n M o b i l Corporation is still in the discussionstage.

Also, a December 2022 report by the International

Labour Organisation (ILO) emphasisedthatGuyana’soil and gas industry is moving too fast for the country’s limitedskilledworkforce

According to Mallon, in total, the oil major anticipates having six projects online with a capacity of more than 1.2 million barrels per day by end of 2027. However, he highlighted, “It is not just aboutpace.Thisstoryisway beyond pace. It’s also about developingresponsibility.”

During his address, Mallondisclosedthatwhat Continuedonpage22

DEAD: Kester Guilliams

-sayswhatcompanyachieved inGuyanais“absolutelyunique”

President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company, Liam Mallon

Our political leadership is weak

Wh e n o i l multinational s decide to negotiatewithgovernments, theyensurethattheyarewell prepared. They undertake a carefulanddetailedstudyof that country’s situation, including its economy, and the personalities with whom theywillhavetonegotiate.

They also have the advantage in terms of information. They and they alone know what they have foundandwhatitwillcostto developit.

Newcomers to the oil industry such as Guyana, do not have the information whichisinthepossessionof the oil companies and therefore these newcomers start from a disadvantage. Do we trust what the oil companiesaresaying?

The oil companies are h i g h l y s k i l l e d i n negotiations. They hire the best legal and technical expertstoadvisethemandto negotiate on their behalf.

When they place a figure on the table, say 2% royalties, theyknowthattherewillbea counter demand And so theirinitialofferwilltendto be very low If a country settles for that offer, you cannot blame the oil companies.Youdidnotlook after your own interest and

gottakentothecleaners.

Ontonowtherehasbeen little transparency concerning the negotiation process in which Guyana entered into with

ExxonMobil, CNOOC and Hess. It is not clear, onto now, who was responsible for assembling the negotiating team and what was the team’s reporting obligations. It is not even clear onto now whether Cabinet did vet the draft contractbeforeitwassigned. IfitdidthenthethenCabinet h o l d s c o l l e c t i v e responsibility for the decision. What is known is thatthePetroleumAdviserto the then President said that when he told President Granger about the contract, he, Granger, seemed surprised.

It is not surprising also that the PPPC government has refused to even attempt to renegotiate the contract. TheAmericans are likely to have had a major say in this decision.

Theywouldhaveapplied pressure to the government to not touch the terms of the contract. It would not have been the first time that this hashappened.

It is a fair assessment to make that neither Burnham nor Jagan would have inked

suchanagreement.Atatime when the country was in desperate economic straits, Burnham rejected an IMF programme because he said that the terms were a recipe forriot.

But even Burnham foldedtoAmericanpressure. WhenBurnhamdecidedthat heneededtooutflankJagan, hedecidedtonationalizethe commanding heights of the economy, including the bauxiteindustry

T h e A m e r i c a n s dispatchedanenvoytomeet with Burnham. He ended up having to pay massive compensation to the bauxite companies, an agreement whichmadeamockeryofthe ideathatthebauxiteindustry was nationalized It was taken over and paid for, and those payments eventually capitalized and led later to thedebtcrisis.

So, evenBurnhamcould not have resisted American pressure.

When the PPP was in Opposition it was highly critical of the OMAI deal. Jagan promised to reexamine the agreement whenhecamein.

Butpressurewasapplied also and he buckled under the pressure and the agreement which paid a 5% royalty and no taxes

50% of Suriname’s electricity...

Frompage3 withIndiaonthis.

During his brief address, the Suriname President also mentioned that both his government and Guyana should partner to explore opportunities in natural gas industry According to him, theextractionofSurinamese

gas was so far not profitable however the war in Ukraine change the situation as Surinamese gas can offer a solution.

“Suriname and Guyana should explore these opportunities together by developing a joint programme. Suriname and

Dem Boys Seh...

Guyana will share expertise and resources, save cost and reducerisksandimproveour relations and develop the border areas and to develop shore bases and airports and increaseproductionandalso p r o m o t e g r e a t e r t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability,”henoted.

Valentine Day is fuh lovers and divorcees!

Yesterday wasValentine Day One man ask he work colleague if she get any dates for Valentine Day She turn to he and seh howdesupermarketsellingdateswahcome fromdeMiddleEastanddemtastenice.

Talking about dates, a man was after a youngladywhodidnotreturnhisaffections. Buthestilldecidedthathewouldinviteher out for a Valentine dinner To his surprise before he could call her, he received a valentine card from her… disguised as a restrainingorder

Onemandidnotknowwhattobuyfor hiswifeonValentineDay Sohedecidedhe would ask her what she wanted. He said a divorceandshesaidadivorce.Hethentold her, “I was not planning on spending dat

much.”

Sometimesyuhaskyuhbetterhalfwhat demwantfuhValentineanddemdoestryto be modest and tell yuh, “ I don’t want anything.” But when yuh honour dem wish anddon’tbuydemagift,demdoesgetvex andaskyuhhowyuhcouldnotbuyanything fuhdem. Itreminddemboysofdemanwah wastellinghefriendhowheaskedhiswife whatshewantedforValentineDayandshe told him not to get her anything. So he did notbuyheragift.Hecalledhisfriendlater and told him how his wife was so proud of himthatshewastakinghimoutforawalkin thejungle.Buthecouldnotunderstandwhat theshotgunandshovelwasforthough. Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

remainedinforce.

Now, if Jagan and Burnham could not withstand the imperialist pressures which were brought upon them, why should anyone expect that moreweakerleaderssuchas JagdeoandAliwouldbeable tostanduptotheAmericans? They have failed to even standuptotheoilcompanies much less to the oil companies’ backers - the Americans, the British and theChinese.

It is now clear that the prospects for renegotiation of the Production Sharing Agreement are bleak Following the statement made by Exxon that it does not favor renegotiation, the governmenthasallbutmade it clear that there will be no

renegotiation.

And therefore the Guyanese people have been betrayed yet again by their rulers The APNU+AFC

signed a disgraceful agreement and the PPPC w h i c h p r o m i s e d renegotiation has turned its backontheprocess.ThePPP promised to renegotiate but have backpedaled on this commitment

But these decisions wouldnothavesurprisedthe oil barons The oil companies leave nothing to chance.

Thisiswhytheyhirethe best. They have studied our politics and political actors. They know which screws to turn – they do not even bother to rub heads and slap backs.

Untilandunlesswehave stronger leadership in Guyana, the betrayal of the people will continue to be a politicalnorm.

U n l i k e t h e o i l companies,wedonotinvest in our best; we opt for political lackeys that are more form than substance and who really are a mismatchwhendealingwith theoilcompanies.

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

DDL’sManagingDirectortoheadupNISnewBoardofDirectors

…tasked

with ensuring long-term viability of the Scheme

Ramesh Persaud, the Managing Director of Demerara Distillers Limited(DDL),hasbeenappointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the ailing National InsuranceScheme(NIS)

The appointment was made at the end of last month, by Senior Minister within the Office of the President, responsible for Finance, DrAshniSingh

DatedJanuary19,last,aformal notice published in the Official Gazette indicating that Cabinet had considered a Memorandum presented by Dr Singh, to appoint the members of the NIS Board of Directors

In addition to Persaud’s appointment as Chairman, Holly Greaveswaschosenashisdeputy Other board members approved to serve for a one year period effective January 1 last, includes, People Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) Member of Parliament (MP), Fazal Jaffarally, Maurice Solomon, Satanand Gopie, Kathleen Jason, Yvonne Pearson, Gillian Burton-Persaud and SeepaulNarine.

The appointments have been dated just four days after Dr Singh would have presented the National Estimatesfor2023andlamentedthe stateofaffairsatNIS

During that presentation, he observed that NIS has historically been the provider of social security when earnings are interrupted by illness or accident, for exceptional expensesrelatedtobirthordeathand forretirementbyage.

He said that “indeed, for many pensioners this has been their only source of income It is for these reasons that the efficiency of the operation of the Scheme is critical because in many instances lives, health and wellness are dependent onthissourceofincome.”

To this end, he indicated that Government has been proactive in itssupportoftheAgencyandhasin theimmediatetermurgedthenewly appointed Board of the Scheme to prioritize resolving the inherited backlog of long outstanding matters.

The National Estimates were presented to the House on January 16 last and the appointments formalized on January 19, with the signature of the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance,GailTeixeira

In his presentation prior to the appointments, Dr Singh had indicatedthatthenewboardwillbe tasked also with addressing the deficiencies in the systems within the Scheme, in addition to implementing programmes to

improvecompliancebydelinquent employers, to protect the interests ofallworkingpeople.

To this end, he noted that, as of August2020,thebacklogofclaims outstanding and on query was 20,106 and noted that, “it is encouraging that as of December 2022, the backlog was reduced to 10,902” It was further stated that, of the 1,362,734 suspense and invalid numbers existing in the database, the Scheme was able to resolve1,103,835during2022.

NISlastyearoperationalizedthe connection for electronic transfers into the national payment system architecture, which resulted in 750 pensioners being paid directly into their bank accounts at one commercialbank.

According to Dr Singh, it is anticipated that this service will be expanded to cover all commercial banksduring2023,therebyenabling thousands of pensioners to be paid directlyintotheirbankaccount

He said too, that compliance campaignsandexpandedoutreaches willcontinuetobeanactivestrategy, “to ensure that we educate both employers and workers of their benefitsfromjoiningtheScheme”

Poignantly, Dr Singh did observethatthefinancialviabilityof the Scheme has over the years depended primarily on the

contributors’ payments and that “most importantly, medium- and longer-termsolutionscontinuetobe actively examined with a view to ensuring the long-term viability of theScheme.”

OTHERAPPOINTMENTS

Other board appointments considered and confirmed include members for the Guyana Forestry Commission(GFC)

Thepositionswereprofferedby Minister of Natural Resources, VickramBharratandsinceapproved byCabinet

As such, the new GFC Chairperson appointed is Sandra Indira Vanessa Benn Other board members of the GFC include Andrew Bishop, Nazim Hussain, Zamal Hussain, Jacques Foster of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission(GGMC)andYvonne Pearson Other posts approved include ex officio members, Commissioner of Forests and a GFCLegalOfficer

Additionally, the board will includerepresentativesoftheForest ProducersAssociation,theMinistry of Amerindian Affairs, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services AssociationinadditiontoaGuyana AgriculturalandWorkersUnion.

Attorney-at-Law Rajendra Jaigobin,wasalsoapprovedtositon theBoard

Other official appointments for this year include those for the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, to be headed by Chairman, former Ministry of Finance Executive, Sukrishnalall Pasha,whowillbesupportedbyan Ex Officio Vice Chair, Errol La Cruz. Other members to secure Cabinet’sapprovalforappointment to the board include, Bank of Guyana Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga, Lennox Benjamin, Donald Dyal, Sabina Savory and Evelyn Hamilton.

AsitrelatestotheStateowned, GuyanaOilCompany,PaulCheong has retained Chairmanship of that Board with other members including Yogieraj Das, Abena Moore, Vishnu Bandhu, Donald Dyal,andTracyBlair

Newly appointed NIS Chairman, Ramesh Persaud

Dieseltobeusedasback-upfuelforNaturalGasPlant

…geo-technical studies, onsite surveys still to be done — Project Summary

The Guyana Government is pursuing the construction of a Natural Gas fired electricity generation plant, capable of producing some 300 Megawatts (MW)ofelectricitytobesuppliedto thenationalgrid

Touted as a means to transition away from traditional fossil fuels, such as Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) to a renewable energy mix, the Natural Gas Fired Plant is among the flagship projects earmarked for WestDemerara

According to the most recent Project Summary for the Gas to Power Project submitted by the Guyana Power and Light Inc., (GPL) the intention is to install generating capacity of 300MW of Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT)andthattheCCGTswillbe capable of combusting rich and

lean natural gas as their primary fuel. ItshouldbenotedthatGPLis not the developer of the project, which was recently highlighted by international Attorney-at-Law, MelindaJanki

Theprimaryfuel,GPLsaid,will besuppliedbyanonsiteNaturalGas Liquefaction (NGL) facility That NGL facility will be supplied with pipelinequalitynaturalgasviaa12inch diameter pipeline, connecting to the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels located in the Atlantic Ocean.

“Additionally, the current functional technical specifications of the 300MW GTPP require the CCGTstoconsumepropaneand/or diesel as their back-up fuel. The definitive back-up fuel for the CCGTswillbeknownattheendof the Engineering Procurement and

Construction (EPC) bidding process.”

According to GPL, the power plant will be designed for the full operating range while for natural gas, diesel fuel oil and propane firing, while maintaining emission requirementsandthattheplantwill be designed for sustained “simple cycle” operation to accommodate conditions where the steam turbine(s) are unavailable due to a forced outage or scheduled maintenance.

As it relates to the use of diesel fuel,GPLsaiditssupplysystemwill consist of some key components, including,aDieselFuelOilStorage Tank(s) with a minimum aggregate capacityequivalenttothreedaysof fuel for the maximum continuous ratingofthepowerplant.

The planned minimum storage

capacity for three days of fuel is expected to be 22,364 UK barrels, which is equivalent to 1,073,471 imperialgallons

Additionally, there will be the needforFuelOilUnloadingPumps, DieselFuelOilForwardingPumps, one for each Combustion Turbine Generator (CTG) and Control Valves, one for each CTG, fuel oil recirculationsystem

According to GPL, the diesel fuel oil system will be a permanent system Additionally, the plant will require emergency/Black-Start

DieselGeneratorDayTanksizedto accommodatetheblack-startofthe power plant supplied with Diesel Generator.

Asitrelatestothesecondoption for backup fuel, GPL said Propane will be supplied onsite by the NGL facility and stored onsite in ISO

tanks and that the storage capacity would be for four days to support continuous plant operation at full capacity According to GPL, the estimatedcapitalinvestmentforthe development of both power generation and inclusive of water supply and treatment, is currently pegged at US$300,000,000 and is subject to review based on tenders’ submission NOSTUDIES

Poignantly, the document submitted to the Environmental ProtectionAgency(EPA),attheend ofJanuarylast,notedthatatthistime “no geotechnical study or onsite surveys have been done for the project site” namely the Wales DevelopmentZone”

GPL said, “ upon the completionofthegeotechnical

Continued on page 17

Brazil,Qatar,India,Kuwaitinline-upto benefitfromGuyana’sOilBlocks-Jagdeo

ByDavinaBagot

With 14 of Guyana’s Oil Blocks presently up for auction,thegovernmentwill be awarding special spots to countries with particular interest.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo announced on Tuesday,“We’vegoneoutto auction now for 14 blocks and we still have remaining someareaswherewehopeto work through a bilateral arrangement with the governments of Brazil, Qatar,Indiaandthoseothers who have expressed (interest). Kuwait has just expressed some interest in thatregard.”

Last month it was reportedthatVicePresident, Bharrat Jagdeo is soon expectedtoleaveGuyanato tie up agreements with the Government of India for cooperation in the blossominglocaloilandgas industry

President

Irfaan

Ali

along with a high-level team were in India for a seven-day trip and entered i n t o s e v e r a l n e w agreements with the Indian state for collaboration in other sectors, inclusive of manufacturing and power generationamongothers.

It is the Vice President, however, who manages the Petroleum sector that will visit India to tie up related arrangements.

Jagdeo in announcing the auction of 14 of Guyana’s oil blocks last November had said the process, “is consistent with thepromisewemadewhile in Opposition that future blocks will be given out only through auction. We are not going to do this directly, except if it’s a state-to-state engagement with the government participating.”

During his visit, the Guyanese President met with India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

and Housing and Urban Affairs,theHonourableShri Hardeep S Puri in Delhi, India, where the leaders

d i s c u s s e d “ d i r e c t

G o v e r n m e n t - t oGovernment cooperation across the oil and gas

spectrum, including increased long-term offtake, participation in exploration and production activities in

Guyana, technical cooperation in the midstream and downstream sectors, and capacity building, as well as the synergies which exist between the two countries,” a release from the Head of Statedetailed.

Itwasalsonotedthatthe twocountrieshaveagreedto set up technical teams to advancethesediscussions.

Reuters reported thatAli whenaskedifGuyanawould offer blocks to Indian companies through direct negotiations said, “Apart from the auction, we are discussing Government-to-

Governmentpartnershipina number of areas including exploration.”

In October last year, PresidentAlirelatedthathis Government has set aside certain oil blocks which would be used for G o v e r n m e n t - t oGovernmentpartnerships.

The Head of State made thedisclosureduringapress conference with British High Commissioner, Jane Miller Ali refused to divulge further details on which specific blocks were set asideaswellaswhatspecial purpose vehicle would be used to represent the State’s interestsinsuchmatters.He didpledgehowevertodistill such details at the appropriatetime.

The President said this development followed engagements that were held earlier in the year with former UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson as regards energysecurity

Guyanese picket energy conference

...citebreachesofenvironmentalpermits,otherlaws

As both local and international delegates on Tuesdaymadetheirwayinto the Marriot Hotel for the 2023 International Energy Conference and Expo, they were greeted by protestors who stood in front of the Umana Yana with placards insistingthat“oilcompanies can’t make profits while Guyanaloses.”

Some held placards demanding “full liability coverage on any spills from parent companies” while others called for full compliance with Guyana’s

law when it comes to environmental permits. One of the protestors, Danuta Radzik, an environmentalist toldKaieteurNews,“Itisnot right for Exxon to make profits and other people to makeprofitsoffouroilwhile residents and citizens of Guyanaarepotentiallybeing affected by the waste from oilandgas”.

She said that oil companies operating here in Guyana have not been adhering to country’s laws e s p e c i a l l y t h e Environmental Protection Act “We have this

international conference going on oil and gas so we thought it really important for the delegates coming here and for the Guyanese peoplealsotoknowsomeof the truth about what is happening with oil and gas and the lack of rule of law, complianceandadherenceto theruleoflaw”,Radziktold KaieteurNews.

One example, according the environmentalist, is that companies are handling radioactive and hazardous waste for the oil and gas sector are being allowed to operate in residential communities without environmental permits “…Weknowthatthereisone (company) that is Schlumberger Company, we went to court and the judge ruled that the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) failed to give reasons as to why they were waiving the Environmental Impact Assessments and ruled against them. There is an injunction against them operating and their

environmental was cancelled”, Radzik said while adding that there are fiveothersimilarcompanies operatinginGuyanaandthe public does not know if the EIAs were waived for them too.

“We do not know how they got the environmental permits and we cannot see the environmental permits that they received because they are not available to the Guyanese people” Radzik explained. She said too that the Environmental Act mandates that the EPAmust each year report “of all the waste and pollution that is being engendered in

Guyana” However, according to Radzik, since ExxonMobil started pumping oil in 2019, the government agency is yet to complywiththelawandisin clear violation of the Environmental Protection Act.

Meanwhile, Attorneyat-law, Elizabeth DeaneH u g h e s w h o a l s o participated in the picketing exercise said that the law is also being broken when it comes to the Gas-to-Energy Project “They never consulted the people living intherightaway(closetothe project) and that is a breach of the environmental act

also”, Deane-Hughes said whilepointingout,“Wehave permits being granted without people getting to reviewthem.”

She explained too that Guyanadoesnotevenhavea gas dispersion plan in the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) for the gas shore project leaving Guyanese clueless of where the “noxious gas” from the plant will be dispersed “First of all the EIA they claimtorelyon(forthegasto–shoreproject)isnoteven legal” claimed Deane –Hughes as she signaled challengingitinthe“courtof law”.

Environmentalist, Danuta Radzik

Attorney-at-Law Elizabeth Deane-Hughes protesting.

Protestors in front of the Umana Yana on Tuesday

Trinidad’s Prime Minister officially opens Energy Conference and Expo 2023

Trinidad andTobago’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley wasonTuesdaygiventheprestigioustaskofcuttingtheribbon to officially open the second Guyana International Energy ConferenceandExpo2023attheMarriottHotel,Georgetown.

The conference is themed, “Harnessing Energy for Development”.

Almost 200 companies are said to be participating in this year’s event-majority locals- a significant increase from the 120exhibitorsthatparticipatedlastyear

Among the new comers is a Barbadian Company, Lynch Caribbean Brokers, which specialises in key risk services, insurancesolutionsandstrategicRiskservices.

TheconferenceandexpowillcometoanendonFebruary 17 and will see the signing of a number of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for joint ventures between local and foreigncompanies.

Dieseltobeusedasback-up...

Frompage14 study, the results will be provided, along with other relevant studies.”

Theearmarkedplotoflandthatisrequiredforthe300MW NaturalGas-firedPowerPlant,isapproximately100acresand this,accordingtotheprojectdocumentincludesthesubstation andothercriticalpowerevacuationfacilities.

Itwasnotedhowever,“atthetimeofprojectexecution,the required project footprint may vary, but not in such a manner thattheprojectwouldexceedtheavailablespacedescribed.”

Providingsomedetailsontheproject,GPLsaid,thePower Generation project shall consist of a combined cycle configuration as recommended by the EPC Contractor and acceptedbytheEmployer,consistingofmultipleGasTurbines (GTs) exhausting into Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs).

Itsaid,thesteamproducedfromtheHRSGswillpowerone ormoreSteamTurbineGenerator(s)(STGs).

The STG exhaust steam will be condensed in a watercooled condenser, which uses a circulating water system and coolingtowertodisplacesteamcycleheat.

Trinidadian Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley speaking at the opening of the Guyana International Energy Conference and Expo 2023.

Some of the Booths on display at the Guyana International Energy Conference and Expo 2023.

President says contracts for Wales Gas-to-Energy project to be released at “appropriate time”

keynote

International Energy Conference and Expo 2023, PresidentIrfaanAlivowedto

release all contracts signed by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government for

the US-multi-billion Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD) Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project but “at the appropriatetime”.

P r e s i d e n t A l i ’s

commitment follows the February 6, 2023 Motion submitted to theNationalAssembly by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Ganesh Mahipaul calling for the release of all documents for the Wales Gas-to-Energy (GTE)Project.

“Havenomistake,every single contract under this projectwillbemadepublicly available,[and]wehavebeen speaking about it at the appropriatetime,”President Ali said during the opening of the four-day conference being held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown.

He continued, “You are not living in an environment and operating in an environmentwithamateurs”

The Government of Guyana has touted the ambitiousGTEprojectasone that will fix Guyana’s electricitywoes TheUS$2B andcountingprojectisbeing undertaken with American oil giant, ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary Esso Exploration & Production GuyanaLimited(EEPGL).

The project will entail three components inclusive ofthepipeline,aNaturalGas Liquids (NGL) facility to treatandseparatethegasand a power plant to generate 300 megawatts of electricity Exxon has pegged the cost of the pipeline to bring the gas to shore as US$1.3B and the NGL and gas-fired plants are being funded by the Government.

Kaieteur News had reported that since the inception of the project, the entire agreement has been shrouded in secrecy When theHeadsofAgreementwas signed,thepresswasinvited but was not allowed to ask questions.

Importantly, there has been no press conference on the mega project too, even though there is no updated feasibility study proving the viabilityoftheproject.

During his address, PresidentAlisharedthatone ofthegreatestimpedimentto national development in Guyana, “has been and continues to be the cost of energy…and the reliability ofenergy.”

He added, however, that his Government has managedinrecordtimetoput together the Wales project which will cut the cost of energyinhalfbeforetheend of2025.

“Let me make this very clear that [the project will] meet every aspect of international scrutiny and transparency,”hesaidtoo

During his

address at the opening ceremonyofsecondGuyana

Impact Fluid Solutions launches cutting-edge products to oil operators in 'thriving guyana market'

Impact Fluid Solutions, a leading provider of advanced oilfield additives designed to tackle complex wellbore issues, has announced the availability of its cuttingedge products to operators in Guyana.

This includes Impact's FLC®drillingfluidadditives and SHIELD BOND® cement spacer system, built on proprietary Wellbore Shielding® technology that has been successful in preventing wellbore instabilities in challenging formationsglobally

The announcement was made in conjunction with Impact's participation at the International Energy

Conference and Exhibition 2023 in Georgetown, Guyana,thecompanysaid.

At the event, Impact will be showcasing its solutions, including a presentation on a global operator's recent success using FLC 2000® to ensure wellbore stability in deepwater wells offshore Suriname.FLC 2000® has been used to extend the

operating window in

d e e p w a t e r d r i l l i n g

operations, avoiding formation damage and lost circulation, which can save operators millions of dollars

p e r w e l l U n l i k e conventional remedies that address wellbore instability after it occurs, Impact's

Wellbore Shielding® solutions provide a proactive approach that protects against fluid and pressure invasion “Minimizing the environmental impact of the energy sector is another way Impactproductsaremakinga difference. The company's product lineup boasts low toxicity levels and high biodegradability, exceeding environmental standards in all regions where it operates,”theentitysaid.

“We are pleased to be a b l e t o l a u n c h o u r technologies into Guyana's growing oil and gas industry and be a part of its success,” said Rodney Uchytil, President & CEO of Impact

who said “We look forward to leveraging our growth in other Latin American basins to help operators solve wellbore issues and meet theirESGobjectives."

According to the statement, Impact (impactfluids.com) is a premier fluid

solutions provider to oil and gas operators, service companies and fluid companies worldwide. The Impact team combines advanced chemistry with deep oilfield expertise to deliver products purposebuilt to solve real and

c o m p l e x w e l l b o r e challenges “Trusted by industry leaders and independent operators alike, Impact technologies are used to enhance predictability, performance, and production in basins around the world,” thestatementsaid.

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hood cancers in an easy-toremember way. It also provides information on what to do if a concerning symptom is present. “The campaign is an excellent way to provide parents,caregivers,teachers, and primary care providers with crucial and comprehensive information on the signs of childhood cancer”, Dr DanielBastardo,Managerof theStJudeTogetherprogram for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, said.

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Two bedroom concrete, bottom flat. Call: 630-0961 after5PM.

launched on the eve of International Childhood Cancer Day (15 February) seeks to raise awareness of the most common types of pediatric cancer,includinglymphoblastic leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, and retinoblastoma, among others. Some of the common symptoms include fatigue,unexplainedbruising, lumpsorswelling,lossofappetite, persistent headache, dizziness and vomiting, and bonepain. “InLatinAmerica and the Caribbean, nearly 29,000 children and adolescentsarediagnosedwithcancer each year,” Dr Anselm Hennis, Director of the Noncommunicable Diseases and MentalHealthDepartmentat PAHO,said.“Whiletheoverall regional survival rate for childhood cancer currently standsat55%,thisvariessignificantly from country to country.” In lower income countries of the region, children and adolescents experience survival rates as low as 20%,whereasthoseinhigher income countries face much different odds of survival, reaching up to 80%. This is primarily due to delays in diagnosis, lack of specialized care,limitedaccessandavailability of essential cancer medicines and preventable mortality due to infections.

“While childhood cancer cannot be prevented, most typescanbecuredifdetected early,”Dr.Hennissaid.“Providingparentsandcaregivers with the information they needtoraisethealarm,iscrucial to ensuring timely diagnosis.” The campaign features an animated video and a song, which highlights the symptoms of common child-

Childhood cancer

In LatinAmerica and the Caribbean, one in every 360 children and adolescents is diagnosed with cancer each year, yet less than half of all countriesintheregion(46%) haveanationalpolicyforthe early detection of cancer, including childhood cancers. The most common types include acute lymphoblastic leukemia,Burkittlymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, Wilms tumor, retinoblastoma and low-grade glioma, which account for up to 60% of all childhood cancers. “The six mostcommonchildhoodcancers have unique characteristics, with detectable early signs and symptoms, and are highly curable with proven therapies,” notes Marcela Zubieta, Head of the Latin American network at Childhood Cancer International.

“This is why getting the information out to parents via this campaign is so vital.”

International Childhood Cancer Day is a global campaign that takes place each year on February 15 to raise awareness of childhood cancer and to support children and adolescents with cancer, survivorsandtheirfamilies.

ExxonMobil brags of rapid...

From page 8

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ExxonachievedinGuyanais “absolutely unique.” Expounding further, he stated that in his 40 years of working in the oil and gas industry, around the world and on almost all mega projects, “I have never in my career seen anything like this.”

Kaieteur News had highlighted on numerous occasions that the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed onto with the oil giant is lopsided.

Though Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has maintainedthatthemere2percent royalty, massive tax breaks, and the absence of a ringfencing provision, are three key flaws of the 2016 StabroekBlockPSA,hisgovernment will not seek to renegotiate the deal.

Similarly,PresidentIrfaan Ali during his keynote address at the energy conference on Tuesday reiterated hisGovernment’spositionto stayloyaltothelopsideddeal.

Aracari hotel located at WBD(Versailles,Vreed-enHoop)-

OP:ED

By GHK Lall

I take the liberty of publicly and directly approach Exxon's Country HeadinGuyana,Mr Alistair Routledge.

In this instance, it is purely as a son of this soil, a citizen of this place held in high esteem. In tendering this communication to Mr Routledge, it is my belief that I speak for a great number of Guyanese. He should know that I have neither standing nor reach nor prestige of any kind, that noonecastavoteforme,that more than a few keep the farthest distance from me. These, Mr Routledge, are my calling cards, which suffice to make me even more of a messenger and a servant of the Guyanese people. I take this seriously, andappealtoMr Routledge, a virtual corporate p l e n i p o t e n t i a r y f o r ExxonMobil.

The message is simple. The thinking is that it is the epitome of what is fair, reasonable, palatable, m a n a g e a b l e , w i t h everything of what is justifiable embedded in it. We, some of the Guyanese people, have been calling for, pressing toward, insisting on renegotiation of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (contract) between ExxonMobil and the Republic of Guyana. I

One citizen's exhortation to Routledge

believe that it is necessary, definitely vital, to the interests of all Guyanese. In its most expansive interpretation, renegotiation could mean discarding the contract, and starting with fresh minds and sharp pencils to obtain a radically differentresult.

Though that has a sweet sound,scent,andtastetoit,it is not that kind of sprawling, open-ended, outcome that is envisioned. Rather, it is what would empower, energize, and effervescence Guyanesefromallwalks. In a nutshell, a contract that is better than what was executed in 2016, what we livewithnow

N o t s o m e t h i n g spectacularly enriching, but what gives to Guyanese a sense and touch ofAmerican fair play, of what it is for localstorisefromtheirknees on the basis of their patrimony, and what affords themtheluxury,thegrace,of living with dignity Guyanese seek more, and I come to you, sir, on their behalf. In a self-appointed capacity, to be sure, but one, which became mandatory by default because there were no other candidates, no volunteers.

The objective is for Guyana to get more so that every citizen can be in a place to claim his or her rightful share of their resource legacy Guyanese

need more: more royalties, moreprofits,morebywayof some taxes, and those are a start. Afew little droplets, a tinge, of what is fair would go a long way, Mr Routledge We are not speaking of multiples of the percentages finalised for various components of income from our oil and into our New York-housed fund. We are talking of a few percentages upwards for royalties,profits,taxes;anda fewdownwardsforexpenses and recoverable deductions. When aggregated, these add up, and once handled in a principled manner (leave the politics to us), every Guyanese would look upon ExxonMobil in a different way, with a different feeling in their hearts, and a new songontheirlips.

Thinkofthegoodfeeling

generated by what is interpreted to be the good faithofExxonMobil,andfor which only the greatest goodwill is possible Guyanese are known to be a most hospitable people, Mr Routledge, and ExxonMobil could be a beneficiary of such.

I t w o u l d n o t b e momentary, or based on whimsy,butvestedinwhatis enduring, and of the greatest l a s t i n g v a l u e f o r

ExxonMobil and its activities in Guyana

Because it would have been earned. Because Guyanese wouldthinkandfeelthatitis due Instead of Guyanese ( l i k e m e ) i n s i s t i n g , oftentimes sharply and impatiently for a better deal through renegotiation, it is infinitely better, more rewarding, for ExxonMobil

totakethefirstsignalingstep tothetableofdiscussion,Mr Routledge. There could be fewer things grander than such a gesture. It would serve as an inspiration, possess a permanency that is pricelessbecauseitwouldbe so unprecedented, so

m a t c h l e s s i n t h e

breathlessness of its irresistibleessences.

Thesageshavelongsaid that the most arduous journeys begin with the first firm step Who knows where the first determined stepwouldlead? Whocould visualize what it could encircle? How much it would convey the powerful insight of business done in a rare and subliminal manner Not so much as by the book, or what has all the unchallengeable might of standing orders. But by the

immaculacy of what is beyond the norms that mere mortals are capable of conjuring.

Mr Routledge, think of how well ExxonMobil could be written of in the annals of G u y a n e s e h i s t o r y Regrettably, it is not a privilege, honour that would be mine. Contemplate how well, you yourself, Mr R o u t l e d g e , w i l l b e remembered during the time that ExxonMobil prospers here, and long after the last echoes of its presence would have faded, be among the stories shared around campfires, and spoken of in hushed and awed, tones. Mr Routledge, this is more than communication and suggestion It is an exhortation from the depths ofGuyana'ssoilandsoul.

I,Sir,am,GHKLall.

Guyana records another COVID-19 death; nine new cases

A 51-year-old man from DemeraraMahaica (Region Four) died on Monday from the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, the Ministry of Health reported. It isunclearwhetherthemanwasvaccinated.

The man's death takes the total number ofdeathsfromthepandemicto1,298.

“The MOH expresses sincerest condolences to the family of the deceased andwillmakeeveryefforttoprovideallthe necessarysupportduringthisdifficulttime to render any assistance needed,” the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday while calling on the public to respect the confidentiality of the deceased and his familyandtoallowthemtomourn.

Meanwhile, the Ministry disclosed that there are nine new reported cases of COVID-19 taking the total number of

recordedcasesto73,052.

Further, the Ministry is urging all citizens to continuetoobservingthepublichealthmeasures set out by the Ministry of Health. The public healthmeasureencouragesthe:

* the need for everyone five (5) years and oldertogetvaccinatedagainstCOVID-19

* the need for everyone to get a COVID-19 booster dose after completing the primary vaccinationseries

* the need for correct and consistent use of a facemaskwhenleavingyourhome

* the importance of the need for good hand hygienetohelpreducethespreadofCOVID-19. Persons displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or need any additional information, are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 6246674 IMMEDIATELY or visit the Ministry's websiteatwww.health.gov.gy

NewPeaceCorpsResponseVolunteerson12-monthstint

w o r k a s s i g n m e n t requirements to meet the needsofservice.Thegroupis expected to be officially sworn in as Peace Corps Response Volunteers on Monday,February27,2023.

T h e n e w g r o u p supplements the 27-month Volunteersalreadyinservice in communities across Guyana as well as Peace Corps Virtual Service Program Volunteers who are supporting local priorities virtually

The US Embassy said that since President John F

Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive orderonMarch1,1961,more than250,000Americanshave servedin142hostcountries

Peace Corps first served the people and Government of Guyana from 1966 to 1971, and returned in 1995, with more than 1400 volunteers supporting Guyana’s communities

t h r o u g h s e r v i c e ,

relationships, and partnershipsforasustainable

future Peace Corps

Response Volunteers last servedinGuyanain2017 We

are excited to restart this program.

Peace Corps Volunteers reflect the diversity of America and return to the United States as more informed global citizens and withincreasedunderstanding ofthepeopleandcountriesin which they worked The Peace Corps extends its gratitude to the people and Government of Guyana for the hospitality and opportunity it offers these Volunteers to assist in the pursuit of the nation’s developmentaspirations

Three Peace Corps Response trainees arrived in GuyanaonFebruary10,2023 to begin their 12-month service to the people of Guyana The short-term, high-impact program includes senior professionals and returned Peace Corps Volunteers with advanced degrees and specialized certifications, the United States Embassy in Guyana

said in a statement on Tuesday

The new trainees will offerexperttechnicalsupport totheGuyanesepeopleinthe development of policies through service with the Ministries of Education and Health For the next two weeks of orientation, they willlearnaboutPeaceCorps’ approach to development, Guyanese culture, and their

Peace Corps Guyana welcomes three Response Volunteers

Annie's Snackett and Cedric Imports support Jefford Classic Mile

An n i e ' s Snackett of Hunter and Y a r r o w D a m Georgetown, and Cedric Imports yesterday combined to offer supportfortheupcoming and much- anticipated Jefford Classic Mile scheduled for March 12 at the National Park Circuit.

Proprietor, Cedric Payneindicatedthatheis an ardent supporter of the events of the Jefford Track and Field Classic

organisation He said that now that he is an entrepreneur, he couldn't wait for the opportunity to sponsor the upcoming ClassicMile.

Meanwhile, Edison Jefford, who's brainchild is the event, is on record asking for the support of thecorporatecommunity and civil society to assist in the resuscitation of a prestigious calendar event He said that middle distance athletes willfinallyhaveanevent tocalltheirown.

Wednesday February 15, 2023

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19

You will be in an especially affectionate and loving mood today, Aries. Your romantic nature is heightened and your nurturingqualitiesarestrong.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20)

Annoyances of daily life may rub you the wrong way today, Taurus. Other people's strong opinions and odd quirks may be difficult to swallow and your fuse may beabitshorterthanusual.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Be open and honest about your feelings toward others today, Gemini Your receptive nature should be ready Take a break and let others come to you Unexpected events may pop outofnowhere.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Your heart beats extra strong today, Cancer, but it may not seem like anyone knowsitbutyou.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

This is a fantastic day for you, Leo. Join close friends and share a night on the town and fine meal. This is a chance to begin a new cycle ofromance.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

Your warm, sensitive nature is perfectly suited to today's aspects, Virgo. Your emotionalenergyisstronglytied to your heart, and you will find thatthere'salongingtobeclose.

Qatar ships World Cup fan accommodation to Turkey-Syria earthquake zones

DOHA (Reuters) - Qatar

has donated portacabins and mobile homes used for last year's World Cup soccer tournament to earthquake zones in Turkey and Syria where they will accommodate people left homeless, a Qatari official told Reuters on Monday

A ship carrying the first 350 units left Qatar for Turkey onSunday,theofficialsaid.

The Gulf Arab state has pledgedtosend10,000mobile housing units to the

earthquake zones, Qatar's Fund for Development said in atweetonSunday

"In view of the urgent needs in Turkey and Syria, we have taken the decision to ship our cabins and caravans to the region, providing much neededandimmediatesupport to the people of Turkey and Syria,"theofficialsaid.

The combined death toll in Turkey and Syria from last Monday's 7 8 magnitude quake and aftershocks is near 36,000 and looks set to rise, as the focus of the response switched from rescuing survivors trapped under the rubble to providing shelter, foodandpsychosocialcare.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

You will enjoy a great deal of affection from others today, Libra. You radiate an air of love and beauty Love will come in strong, erratic bursts and you should be on the alert to expect the unexpected.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Your heart may be especially sensitive today, Scorpio. You may feel a bit vulnerable Your romantic nature is particularly strong, so treat yourself to a pamperedevening.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

All aspects of love and romance will go especially well today, Sagittarius. You mighttakethisopportunityto makeaboldmovetowardthe objectofyouraffection.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Your connection with others is especially strong today, Capricorn. You will enjoy an important nurturing role.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)

You might feel especially playful today, Aquarius. You canexpecttofeelagreatdeal of love and affection from others.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

The bizarre nature of the day may leave you feeling a bit bewildered, Pisces Don't sweat it Focus on your romanticnatureandincredibly nurturingheart.

Qatar's World Cup organisers had always planned to donate the housing units, which were installed on empty stretchesofdesertsurrounding the Qatari capital Doha to house fans visiting for the soccerWorldCup.

Fans paid some $200 per night to stay in the housing units, which helped avoid a potential housing shortage during the month-long tournament held in November andDecember

Jamaica open CONCACAF U-17 Championship with 4-2 win over Cuba

SportsMax - Jamaica opened their campaign in the CONCACAF U17 tournament with an emphatic 4-2 victory over Cuba at the Doroteo Guamuch Flores Stadium in GuatemalaCityonSunday Playing 4-4-2, Jamaica th opened the scoring in the 17 minute when Jahmani Bell buried a volley from inside the box.The score remained 1-0 until half time. Orane Watson doubled Jamaica's lead in the th56 minute before Ashton Gordon put the side up 3-0 in th the70 minute.

Watson put the match th beyond the Cubans in the 75 minute to give the Jamaicans a 4-0 lead Cuba were never without a fight, however, and th got a consolation in the 78 through Didier Reinoso who th scoredasecondinthe89

The win means Jamaica temporarily go top of Group G that also has Costa Rica and Guadeloupe.

Proprietor of Cedric's Imports, Cedric Payne (right) hands over the donation to Edison Jefford yesterday in The National Park.

ASK-G holds first Karate Championships for the year

TheASK-G held its first National K a r a t e

Championships after reopening due to Covid closure.

The weather was fantastic Parents and supportersturnedoutinlarge numbers.

Many had to stand for all seats were taken. Two rings had to be used so as not to go lateintotheevening.

Afterashortdelayevents started at 10.30 hrs. The SeniorBlackBeltsstartedthe Championships off to a rousing spectacle The spectators were thrilled by the performances as was evident by the constant applause.

Following were the 5 and 6 years old children both maleandfemale.

Thrilling to watch, it was.There was one on the spectrum participant who waswellreceived.

Events finished at about 14.30hrs, followed by the medalspresentation.

Shihan Amir Khouri, Chairman of ASK-G and President of the GKF noted, “Thanks to the YMCA for use of the auditorium, the parents and competitors (especially those from out of Georgetown), judges and officers who enabled the championships to flow smoothlyandsuccessful.”

Thefullresults:

Association Do Shotokan Karate - Guyana -2023 NationalKarate ChampionshipsResults Sunday12thFebruary,2023

-- Ymca Yhomas Lands

PatrickHaynes...

From page 32 basketball and to organize competitions within the SubZone of CentralAmerica and theCaribbean.

Currently, the National Member Federations assigned to CONCENCABA by the FIBA Central Board are: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, J a m a i c a , M e x i c o , Montserrat, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the VirginIslands.

Shihan Amir Khouri (right) with fellow Instructors and students at the event.

Republic Bank Five-for-Fun cricket competition returns from February 13 - March 10

As the Republic Bank “Five for Fun” Cricket programme rolls closer to the County and Country Festival th Finals scheduled for 10 March, seventy-five (75) primary schools from across the three counties continue cricket training to get their teams ready to face-off in the “Five for Fun” zonal preliminary round of matches The zonal preliminary matches will be played between the 13 to 24 February, with five (5) schools in each zone competingtoemergeaszonal champions to secure a spot at the Republic Bank Five for FunCountyFinals.

Schools hails out of all three county; Upper and Lower Corentyne, West Berbice, New Amsterdam, Canje, Upper Demerara, East B a n k D e m e r a r a ,

From page 31

The Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes said: “Athanaze is one of the young players who we have invested in, and he played well in the 'A Team' andCWIPresident'sXI. He showed great promise in the CG United Super50 last year and then got his first hundred in the West Indies Championship last week. We believe he should be given an opportunity at this level. He has also showed leadership, as captain of the Windwards atthestartofthisseason.”

Haynes added: “Jordan has been very impressive from last year, he has continued to bowl well, and has been excellent in the first two matches so far this year He is very skillful, can bowl the new ball, and looks to put the ball in the right areas. He is also a sharp fielder and good catcher close to the wicket.

Thiswillbeachallenging tour. There is no easy away tour in Test cricket. South Africahaveagoodteam,butI am sure we will be up for the task and will do well in these two Test matches ”The upcoming Series is the final Test fixture for both teams in the ICC World Test Championship.

West Indies are currently in sixth place and have the opportunity, with a Series win to move above South Africa, currently in fourth place, in the final table. West Indies are due to arrive in SouthAfrica on 17 February

They will face South Africa in two Test matches at SuperSportParkinCenturion

Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, West Demerara, Leguan, Wakenaam Island, South Essequibo Coast, East Bank Essequibo, South Essequibo Coast and North EssequiboCoast.

Republic Bank “Five for Fun” Cricket is part of CWI's Future Stars Programme to introduce cricket to primary school-agedchildren.

This new five-a-side format drives participation, activity and inclusivity with mixed teams of boys and girls. Reon King, the former Guyana and West Indies playeristherepresentativeof Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) as the programme's coordinator; in an official statement at the launching of the competition back in June 2022 He said: “Over 1,000 primary school

(28 February to 4 March) and t h e W a n d e r e r s i n Johannesburg (8 to 12 March). Following the Tests, West Indies will then play a white ball series. The squads for these will named at a later date.

FULLSQUAD

Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain)

Jermaine Blackwood (ViceCaptain)

AlickAthanaze

TagenarineChanderpaul

RostonChase

JoshuaDaSilva

ShannonGabriel

JasonHolder

AkeemJordan

AlzarriJoseph

KyleMayers

GudakeshMotie

RaymonReifer

KemarRoach

DevonThomas

FULLMATCH SCHEDULE

21 to 24 February: vs South Africa Invitational XI at Willowmoore Park, Benoni

28 February to 4 March: 1st Test at SuperSport Park, Centurion

8-12 March: 2nd Test at theWanderers,Johannesburg

16 March: 1st ODI at Buffalo Park, East London (day/night)

18 March: 2nd ODI at Buffalo Park, East London (day/night)

21 March: 3rd ODI at JB

MarksOval,Potchefstroom

25 March: 1st T20Is at SuperSportPark,Centurion

26 March: 2nd T20I at SuperSportPark,Centurion

28 March: 3rdT20I at the Wanderers,Johannesburg

boys and girls have already been exposed to “Five for Fun” cricket training e n a b l i n g t h e m t h e opportunity to learn the fundamentalsofthegame.

F r o m a c r i c k e t perspective, both CWI and GCB are excited about giving our children the opportunity to play and learn the game in a fun and safe environment.

However, Teachers are currently providing in-house training for their students at thevariousschoolsacrossthe country which will be participating in this competition.”

Meanwhile King added:

“This programme is critical to the foundation of the cricket development pathway, especially as we restart cricket post COVID19, both recreationally and competitively in primary and secondary schools across Guyana. Since its launch in June 2022 to this point, the programme has offered over 30 existing cricket coaches the opportunity to complete

refresher coaching courses, and has exposed school teachers to foundation level coacheducationtraining.”

Weareextremelygrateful for Republic Bank's partnership on this initiative, with the support of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Sports to makethisimportantinitiative

Dr Ritesh Tularam,

Deputy Chief Education Officer commented; “The Ministry of Education is pleased to be a partner with Cricket West Indies, Republic Bank Limited and the Guyana Cricket Board on this timely cricket initiative at the primary schools' level, which intersects and complements the Education Sector's plans for 20212025.”

Alick Athanaze and Akeem Jordan...

In School Training with a Coach Demonstrating Ball Handling.

Bounty Farm's 2023 Mash-Handicap starts today

Handicap

February 15-19 with the Category A players scheduled to start competing fromThursday

Interestingly, at this year's Bounty Mash tournament they are two players going for Handicap Win's records. Alex Arjoon leveled the record for the Largest Handicap win with35 and Jason-Ray Khalil, if he comes out as champion in this year's tournament; he will set a new GSA record with a 38 Rank.Much are up for the taking at this year's

Bounty Farm LTD MashH a n d i c a p S q u a s h tournament.AlexArjoonhad a wonderful performance at the recent BCQS Masters while Jason-Ray Khalil a season Bounty MashHandicap campaigner equipped to go against all odds.

The GSAask that squash fans to come out and witness fine squash action from Wednesday to Sunday at GTC. The Tournament is sponsored by the Bounty Farm'sLTD.

Bounty Farm's Mash-handicap 2023

Alick Athanaze and Akeem Jordan named in 15-member Test squad to face South Africa

ST JOHN'S, Antigua –Cricket West Indies (CWI) Men's Selection Panel named two newcomers, Alick Athanaze and Akeem Jordan, in the 15-member squad for the upcoming twoTest Series against South Africa. Athanaze, the lefthanded batter is the captain of Windward Islands Volcanoes while Jordan, the right-arm seam bowler plays for Barbados Pride Both have demonstrated good form in the first two rounds of the current four-day West Indies Championship Athanaze had scores of 41 and 51 against Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in Round 1 and followed up with a career-best 141 against

Guyana Harpy Eagles in Round 2. He is a product of the West Indies Under19s Rising Stars where he was one of the stand-out players at the 2018 ICC Men's U19 CricketWorldCup.

Jordan had matchfigures of 5-86 against Guyana and followed up with 7-113

againstJamaicaScorpionsto beoneoftheleadingwickettakers in the West Indies Championship after two roundsofmatches.

Athanaze and Jordan replace left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican and batter Nkrumah Bonner who were part of the squad for the just-

concluded series in Zimbabwe. Jayden Seales is unavailable for selection

following a knee injury and subsequent surgery, while Anderson Philiip has

returnedtotrainingbutisnot yetmatch-fit.LeadSelector, (Continued on page 28)

From left: Akeem Jordan and Alick Athanaze

Patrick Haynes is new CONCENCABA President

…becomes first Guyanese to head the organization

Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) General Secretary, Patrick Haynes, was elected President of the Central American and Caribbean Basketball C o n f e d e r a t i o n (CONCENCABA).

Haynes ran against formerCaribbeanBasketball Confederation (CBC) president Glyne Clarke of Barbados for the position at t h e C O N C E N C A B A Assembly and Elections yesterdayinMiami,USA.

He will become the first G u y a n e s e t o h e a d CONCENCABA and will also serve as the FIBA Americas' First Vice President.

Modesto Robeldo of

Mexico, president of the C o n f e d e r a c i ó n Centroamericana de

Baloncesto (COCABA) will serve as Haynes' first Vice President, while Interim president of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC),LeslieCollymore(St Lucia) is the Second Vice President.

Sabrina Mitchell (St Vincent and the Grenadines) is the CONCENCABA

Secretary

The CBC At Large

MembersareClaireMitchell (Trinidad and Tobago) and KennethVrojijk(Aruba);the

C O C A B A A t L a rg e Members are Jair Peralta (Panama) and Frank MartinezArias(CostaRica).

T h e G B F w a s represented by Vice President Rawle Toney and Technical Director Sileena Arjune at the important CONCENCABA event at theNovotelHotelinMiami.

Founded in 1926, CONCENCABAisabodyof FIBA Americas with mirrored powers and responsibilities for its geographicregion.

C O N C E N C A B A recognizes the superior authority of FIBA and FIBA Americas Subject to the overridingauthorityofFIBA and FIBA Americas, CONCENCABA is the only competent authority to promote the practice of (Continued on page 28)

Beacon Café 'Paceline' cycling race hails new Senior's 35-laps record

On Sunday the Kaieteur Attack Racing Cycling Club held its Beacon Café's 'Paceline' cycling race at the National Park, Thomas lands Georgetown.

BritonJohnshowcasedhis sublime fitness in the Men's senior's race, setting a new 35 laps' record after placing first; in one of the most stellar early seasonperformancesatalocal cycling meet. Briton John, only one day after placing second to Jamual John in the Alanzo Greaves Classic, Briton returned with great strength and tenacity to dominate his namesake and otherrivals.

Briton however, soloed to t o p o f t h e B e a c o n Cafe/Kaieteur Attack Racing criterion event staged under

thetheme'Paceline'.

In the Juvenile category

Christian Dudley came first, while Akon Europe came second and Torell Noel finished third. Also in the junior's35lapsAaronNewton registered first place, in second place was Seabastian Nathan. Tandeia Noel reign supreme in the Ladies 2-laps event.

AcrossintheVeteran's50years Open 6-laps category race,TalimShawwontherace while Rokan Penard won the U5035lapsevent.

Meanwhile, Beacon Café; theproudsponsoroftheevent, hosted a presentation ceremony for the athletes on T u e s d a y m o r n i n g acknowledgingthewinnersof theevent.

Canadian-based Guyanese donates to the development of youth cricket

Kenton Chance (right) hands over the donation to Raymond Williams and W Claude Raphael (left) recently

Kenton Chance, a Canadian-based Guyanese cricket fan, has donated a substantial amount to the development of youth cricket inGuyana.

Mr Chance cites the Guyana Cricket Board's efforts to bring structure and stability to youth cricket as a

driving force for his donation:

"When I visited Guyana during the CPL tournament, I had a chance to see the efforts made by the Guyana Cricket Board with the development ofyouthandIwasenthralled," he had stated. Mr Chance has pledged future support for youthcricketdevelopment.

A Scene from the Beacon Cafe 'Paceline meet.

Motie makes history as West Indies complete 1-0 series win over Zimbabwe

SportsMax-GudakeshMotieendedwith match figures of 13-99, the best ever for a West Indies spinner in Tests, as the West Indies defeated Zimbabwe by an innings and fourrunsondaythreeofthesecondTestatthe QueensSportsClubinBulawayotocomplete a 1-0 series win.Day three started with the West Indies 290-8 off 90.4 overs with Motie (11)andHolder(3)thenotoutbatsmen.

Thepairwereabletoaddonlytworunsas the tourists were bowled out for 292 in 92.3 overs,leavingZimbabweneeding177runsto maketheWestIndianshavetobatagain.

VictorNyauchitookacareer-best5-56off 17.3 overs while Brandon Mavuta took 3-73 from24oversforZimbabwe.

In their second innings, only captain Craig Ervine and opener Innocent Kaia were

abletoprovideanyresistanceasMotieripped throughtheZimbabweanbattingline-up,just ashedidinthefirstinnings.

Ervine made 72 off 105 balls including four fours while Kaia had earlier made a 57ball43includingsevenboundaries.

Motie, who was later named man of the match and man of the series, bowled 17.3 oversforhis6-62.Hepickedup19wicketsin

the series.The regional side will now turn their attention to two Tests against South Africa from February 28-March 4 and March 8-12.

Scores: West Indies 292 (Chase 70, Reifer 53, Nyauchi 5-56, Mavuta 3-73) beat Zimbabwe 115 (Kaia 38, Motie 7-37, Holder 2-18) and 173 (Ervine 72, Kaia 43, Motie 662) by an innings and 4 runs.

Akeem Jordan

FIBA Americas President Carol Callan (left) and CONCENCABA President Patrick Haynes.

In School Training with a Coach Demonstrating Bat Handling Technique.