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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 16, 2022
Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 16, 2022
‘Guyanese must not be tenants - Barbados in their own country’Prime Minister By Davina Bagot When it comes to the oil and gas sector, Guyanese should not be tenants in their own country, but should instead tap into the growing opportunities flowing from the industry. This is according to the Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley who on Tuesday addressed the International Energy Conference and Expo at the Marriott Hotel. She told the gathering, “We will have difficult conversations, as well as in Caricom and we must, but those conversations recognise that in every country, there are even regional and local conflicts and disagreements and it is our duty to be able to smooth that over, but to ensure that at no stage as newly independent countries of the world do we leave our citizens as tenants in their own land, but make them owners…” M ottley received a resounding applause as she went on to caution, “The day that we do not provide opportunity for our citizens who participate in active citizenship of being able to benefit from the patrimony of our country is the day we sow the seeds of destruction of our nation and invite disruption”. Following his perusal of the PPP/C Government’s local content targets included in its legislation, Co-Director of Energy at Americas
Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley Market Intelligence (AMI), Arthur Deakin is of the firm belief that Guyana has still fallen short of outlining realistic procurement, training and employment goals for oil companies. In one of his columns back in November last year, Deakin highlighted that the government, for example, expects that within 10 years, Guyanese firms should be used to cover 95 percent of the energy sector’s insurance risks. Deakin was keen to note that this alone is just not practical. Except for Brazil, which has managed oil and gas projects for half a century and has the 12th largest economy in the world, the analyst said no other Latin American country has the local insurance capacity to provide this type or level of coverage. Using this reasoning, he concluded that such an expectation or target shows a mismatch between the government’s expectations and the current
reality on-the-ground. Meanwhile, Guyana’s Head of State, President Irfaan Ali on Tuesday also told the dozens of foreign investors present that while the country welcomes international partners, they must also consider our locals. He said, “We are going to state directly the narrative. There is no need for any interpretation, this is the narrative. We are pursuing this path; we know of the responsibility we speak about. We welcome investors but we believe that local opportunities, the private sector and every single Guyanese and regional stakeholder must be part of the prosperity and benefit from the prosperity”. Guyana’s Local Content Law was passed in the
National Assembly in December last year. The legislation is specifically geared at ensuring locals participate in servicing the nascent oil and gas sector with products and services. On Monday, the People’s National Congress Reform, the largest faction of the political Opposition, rehashed that Guyanese should benefit from the oil and gas industry and more specifically the revenue generated from the sector. The party said, “Even as oil production is about to triple, there continues to be an increasing disconnect between such developments (inclusive of international oil conferences) and the daily reality and experiences of ordinary Guyanese. Budget 2022, the country’s first oil budget, compounded this pervasive sense of despondency among our citizens by its stingy offerings to the poor and its generosity to the well-off and the well-connected.” It added, “The country cannot proceed in this manner,” and added, “If our rich natural resources cannot be used to uplift our people and transform the country u r g e n t l y a n d comprehensively, then what will?”
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‘New found oil wealth must benefit generations to come’ - Suriname President President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi
President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi has urged this country’s leaders to ensure that its new found oil wealth benefits all Guyanese and to secure for the future generations. Santokhi was at the time addressing the opening of the f o u r- d a y I n t e r n a t i o n a l Energy Conference and Expo, at the Marriott Hotel, which opened on Tuesday. He acknowledged that both Guyana and Suriname are on the path of development towards a sustainable
economy that will make the transition from carbon-based energy to green energy. President Santoki noted too that apart from the pandemic and global financial and development risks, the countries also face the impact of climate change as well as a looming global instability as a consequence of political conflict. “All of this will have an impact on the energy generation demands and prices, so ladies and Continued on page 30
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday February 16, 2022
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Upping the ante It is said in the scripture that the tiny mustard seed, though among the smallest, grows into the largest of plants. In Guyana, there is a local saying that small axe cuts down big trees. And from the world of science and mathematics there is that marvel, that mystery, of chaos theory called the ‘Butterfly Effect.’ It is where seemingly minute changes, such as the whirring of the wings of a butterfly in the distant Far East can, in time, build and influence gargantuan changes, as in a hurricane all the way across to the Caribbean. We have some of that in some form occurring in our social and political arenas in this country right now that is stirring and flexing sinews and which is growing into what could be a storm of unimaginable proportions. This is what started a few years ago with the first announcement of the discovery of oil. Then more oil, until it became the talk of the planet. There were a few voices raised against the obscene and repugnant terms of the ExxonMobil-Guyana oil contract when it became known. The more Guyanese came to understand the full weight and implications of the monstrously disadvantageous provisions of this abominable oil contract, the more they began to have doubts and to worry. As they became increasingly distressed and agitated, more pens were put to paper, and more voices rose to the rafters. This was not good. In fact, it was very bad for the present and future generations of Guyanese. The criticisms and objections started to gain in intensity, which reflected the butterfly’s wings waving more rapidly and consistently. There were news articles, then more of them from more media outlets. Voices were raised on radio and television channels in sustained condemnation of the great wrongs, the terrible unfairness, done to this country, its citizens, and their prospects. Letters and columns were written, skillful and thoughtful analyses were done on a continuing basis. Guyanese were up in arms, and constantly upping the ante. It was of pressure on the previous Coalition Government, pressure on today’s PPP/C Government, pressure on the oil companies, well established here and doing rich business. While the oil companies, led by ExxonMobil did fabulously enriching business, Guyanese came to understand in still more detail the magnitude of their surrender, their great and humiliating loss. Citizens started to be more than unsettled and agitated. They became consumed by disappointment at losing out on our biggest payday ever. It took a while, but now they are becoming increasingly inflamed with burning anger. They are barely making it, but a group of well-connected and well-set locals (politicians, their inner circle, and elites) are drowning in prosperity, and having a wonderful time. This is not acceptable, can never be, regardless of which group is in power, or who is the leader. The time was ripe to take matters to another level, a more combative one, but in the realm of the judiciary. The first lawsuit challenging the incredible tax giveaways was filed on Thursday, January 13, 2022. The bar was being raised; the complexion of the fight changed. Now, people are taking to the streets to say, this contract is wrong. It is robbery. We need more for Guyanese. On Wednesday, January 19, 2022, some Guyanese came out and protested in Houston. They were very visible and also very audible. It could be a sign of things to come, for the people have had enough. One more well-aimed shot across the bow of Guyanese political leaders, their affiliates, and the foreign oil powers, led by ExxonMobil. The pressure ratcheted up relentlessly, the ante being upped continually. This could be the beginning of the groundswell of Guyanese going out of their way to get what belongs to them in a fairer, squarer deal. Scrap this vulgar and insulting oil contract and start over. The message is that we are poor and struggling. Give us more. Our children do not have enough. We are not and cannot be satisfied with what is on the table before us in the form of this draining, devastating oil contract. We must have more. Small beginnings taking shape. It could balloon into something big.
Guyana leaders fail to send message to Exxon’s boss about renegotiation and fair deal Dear Editor, As the Energy Conference opened up yesterday, Guyana failed to send a public message to Exxon’s boss who is in attendance. With the worst oil contract in the history of the world that gives Guyana 14.5% of all gross revenues while Exxon gets 85.5% to cover expenses and profits, the Guyana leaders were silent, although they had promised during the election campaign to review and renegotiate the oil contract. During the election, they were telling the voters they would “review and renegotiate” and behind the voters’ backs, both major parties were making a solemn promise to Exxon that they will not renegotiate. They failed to redeem themselves at the Energy Conference and the Exxon boss must have been smiling how docile we are. Using phrases such as “sustainable development” means nothing and conflicts with Government’s strategy of “drill, baby, drill.” They
are getting all the oil and gas out as quickly as possible when the royalty is low, the profit is low, we are paying the oil companies’ taxes, we are not auditing expense accounts, and have no monitoring capacity. How smart is that? Exxon and friends must be following the Guyanese adage, “When you ketch a packoo, burst its back.” In this case, the working poor of Guyana are the packoos, living in perpetual poverty. Our Government has no depletion policy; we have no proper guarantees of adequate insurance when a large number of wells will be in operation concurrently and the risks will be greater; flaring continues and we get a small freck for it; we fail to audit expense accounts of oil companies; there is no ring fencing; and the list of poor governance of oil is long. Our Government granted a 23-year EPA agreement instead of 5 years for Liza 1, and it took court action of vigilant Guyanese environmentalists to
overturn that. So, when our leaders say “Guyana is committed to e n v i r o n m e n t a l preservation…Our development strategy is built on a low carbon pathway,” how do they plan to operationalise that? What the heck do they mean by that when they are hounding the environmentalists and criticising these Civic Society groups who want to help them by asking the hard questions? Our dear Lord put the rain forests there. That was no magic act and genius leadership of politicians who now claim credit for “low carbon” strategies. My friend Suresh said, “there was so much hot air being spewed there, that could have triggered climate change.” Ms. Mottley talked about “inconvenient truths” but did not have the courage to sound a warning to the Exxon boss that flaring is unacceptable and that any oil spill will decimate the economies of CARICOM territories. Several Civil
Society members had lobbied her office asking her to raise that issue in her speech. The Ghanaian President should be commended for saying that mechanisms should be put in place to minimise the flaring of natural gas offshore Guyana. He also said oil resources should be used for the development of citizens explaining that his country enacted legislation to cater for the maximum involvement of its citizens in the exploitation of the country’s resources. Contrast that with Guyana where government railroads the NRF Act, Amaila, and gas-to-shore projects, and where party operatives and bloggers are unleashed to criticise those who dare to have independent thinking about oil and gas. We wish the Conference well, but we are watching closely because “It’s Our Wealth, Our Country.” Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall
Paul Williams DSM is the next senior ranking officer and most suitable to be the next Top Cop Dear Editor, Another milestone was recently recorded in this country’s history after it was announced that a larger FPSO has become operational and thus our oil and gas outputs will experience a dramatic increase. Several other FPSOs are planned before 2025. Guyana will need all hands on deck and our regulators, law enforcement entities and of course, the Government of Guyana will have to up their game. The delivery of services will be paramount. It is a fact that our country is facing unprecedented growth. One area especially will be on the immigration and work permit front. Transnational crimes and the evolving nature of criminals will collide with the expectation of the populace. Scarce human resources are being utilised on fronts including traffic control that should be focusing the attention elsewhere. It is known that in March Deputy Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie, DSM, will be proceeding on his pre-retirement leave, paving the way for a new Top Cop. We cannot afford to get it
wrong. The next Commissioner must be equipped in all aspects to properly and skillfully handle the challenges, and have to rise to the occasion of providing the timely and appropriate measures to enhance public security and confidence of the ranks and the public together. There can be no contemplation to a commissioner who does not attract the confidence of the Guyana Police Force and the populace. It is well known that Deputy Commissioner Paul Williams has performed the duties of Training Officer, Commander in several Policing Divisions, Crime Chief and Top Cop in the past. He is a graduate from the University of Guyana on three occasions, Wladen University in the USA, and several other international institutions with a Masters in Criminal Justice, Post Graduate Diploma in Drafting, Degree in Law, Diploma in Management and the list goes on. He is well qualified and has the experience and energies to galvanise the changes that will have to come. The GPF’s future has to be charted on a course that is
modern, that contemplates technology as well as be accommodating to the high expectations of the people for crime fighting in this new e r a . H i s E x c e l l e n c y, President Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, will have their work cut out for them. They must move quickly to ready our country. We w i l l h a v e t o endeavour not to make the mistakes of the past where commissioners were chosen p r imar ily o n p o litical consideration, and o v e r l o o k i n g professionalism, integrity, leadership, qualification and vast experiences in policing o p e r a t i o n s a n d administration, which should be the paramount hallmarks for the next Top Cop. Williams possesses and exhibits those qualities inside and outside of the GPF. Deputy Commissioner Williams has been serving admirably and will bring about a positive change in the security landscape of Guyana. He is highly respected and appreciated across all ethnic divides. He commands the respect of all and sundry in
the Force from the junior to the senior ranks. He has trained almost 80% of the present serving members. Therefore, he has already established that command and respect for gelling and working with commitment of the officers, juniors, civil society and international agencies from around the world who had numerous engagements with him at all forums. It must also be noted that, Deputy Commissioner Williams is the next senior rank in line after Acting Commissioner Nigel Hoppie. Therefore, by all expectations, a man who have worked through the ranks from Constable and kept that unblemished character and posture, should be able to function in the capacity of the next Top Cop, and to lead the GPF for challenges ahead. The senior and junior ranks of the GPF will breathe a sigh of relief that finally we can have someone of his calibre at the top. We are excited about the future of the GPF and our beloved country. May the Almighty continue to bless Guyana. Seniors, junior ranks of the GPF
Wednesday February 16, 2022
Poor will not benefit from Oil or conference Dear Editor, The poor and the middle class will not be among the attendees at the oil or energy conference. And they will not be beneficiaries of our oil. So far, money has not been transferred to them. The energy conference is for the ruling and opposition elites. The previous oil conferences benefited the ruling elite and this one is exclusively for the elites of the ruling and opposition parties. Both sides are opposed to renegotiation of the oil contract. And the elite of both sides will enjoy the three meals and the snack breaks between the meals during the four-day conference and longer. We already read reports of a dinner meal being close to G$20,000 per person with lunch three quarter and breakfast half that amount. The elites will bring their spouses and family members and splurge. The poor and
working class can’t afford $60K a day to eat and government won’t pay for their attendance. So clearly, that conference is not for poor working class folks. Has any government (PPP or PNC) held an energy conference for poor folks – on how the population would benefit from oil? Was there any energy conference on the Corentyne or West Berbice or West Coast or Essequibo or the interior to educate the people about oil and what they should do to be beneficiaries. Look at the people who will be participants at the oil conference! And look at the registration fee! Where can ordinary Guyanese fit in? The government uses our money to entertain foreigners to our neglect. How will the conference benefit the nation’s poor and working class? Yours truly, Calvin Braithwaite
Positive step Dear Editor, Even though it has reservations, the position taken by the minority arm of the coalition regarding the NRF Board is a positive step (SN Feb 15). While this may not go down well with the majority
arm, the anti-Board stance serves no purpose and defeats the purpose of strict and rigorous scrutiny of the Fund. Compromise and common ground can be found if only we try. Shamshun Mohamed
Why are we so bad at preserving good things? Dear Editor, On my visit back to Guyana at the moment I notice a plethora of nonworking street lights especially along my village, Cumberland and the general East Canje area. How can the administration allow so many of these lights to go bad so quickly and for so long without any attention? Most of the roadways are dark again. Also, the Canje River Bridge is falling apart, literally. The steel plates are
not secure at certain jointed sections of the bridge. I walked the bridge Saturday. There are broken rails and loose joints where the rubberized material used to be. There is no pedestrian demarcation. Very, very dangerous situation. While on top and a heavy duty sand truck was passing, the bridge was literally shaking. Why are we so bad at preserving good things in Guyana? Leon Suseran
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Four women made of feathers possibly Dear Editor, Recent parliamentary developments involving a sitting Minister of the Government and a lawmaker (believe it or not) have tarnished others, who were there and heard him. They cannot plead innocence of absence, the protection of distance. These four honourable daughters of Guyana, part of the PPP sorority, failed their female relatives, their female comrades in Guyana, and all females everywhere. Males, too. Most of the four manifest signs of rank captive partisanship, where their unhinged comrade is seen as pious battler in Guyana’s truth and justice wars. Nothing is expected of them, but what serves party interests only and cult leader visions only; and this is no matter how destructive either
may be. But I single out the Hon. Minister of Social Protection, somebody for whom I have some regard, who has failed females when she found a safe harbour in silence, when she had to rise up, speak out, and separate herself from the chaff that is part of political life in Guyana, be it with females or males, but refused to do so. The Minister of Social Protection has been in the vanguard of positive actions on such fronts as genderbased violence, particularly against women. She has taken steps to offer more protection to children, the abused, the weak. I have repeatedly hailed her efforts publicly, for I detect that she means well and does well. I am not one to withhold commendations when they have been earned. Similarly, I am not one to
withhold difference of evaluation and conclusion from the public domain when such is the case. I must disagree with and call out the Hon. Minister of Social Protection for being too quiet in the matter concerning her colleague in parliament. It is not only the Hon. Speaker who has made a mockery through many travesties inside the once august National Assembly; it will take eternity to recover from his blatant farces and failures. No! that colleague and much patronised comrade is one with a fetish that is found fascinating, with enslavement to postures of a twisted nature, and which all speak to that which profanes the House of the People. His kind and his ways are best suited to another type of house. They used to call them bawdy, and similar such
names; I believe that he would have at home in such. When this is considered, the Minister of whatever smeared not hated political opponents, but those women colleagues on his side, for whom he may (or may not) have some regard. In his instance, I speculate on how much shelter he would enjoy, if his words were addressed to his own. For the Hon. Minister of Social Protection to turn a blind eye, and pretend to possess a deaf ear does not accrue to her favour. At certain times, when lines are crossed, there are no comrades, only one’s conscience. I trust that Dr. Vindhya Persaud can live with herself in what is a sordid and putrid affair. Sincerely, GHK Lall
Caribbean Airlines refund Dear Editor, I was advised to email my concern. Caribbean Airlines is a major company and it surprises me to see how this company can have no regards for people -its customers during this COVID-19 pandemic. My family purchased tickets from the company in 2019 and had to postpone our vacation due to the pandemic and travel restrictions at the time. We
were required to rebook our tickets before a year but the pandemic continued and so we cancelled all the tickets and requested a full refund, which Caribbean Airlines was offering customers at the time. This cancellation was done in February 2020 and up to now it has been a royal hassle to get the refund from Caribbean Airlines. The only way to contact the Airlines regarding the refund is via email and the
company takes forever to reply. It is always a constant “they are processing the refund and it will take about six to nine months to process” and “we are expediting your refund” but nothing has been forthcoming. What is more is that these tickets were paid for via credit card which payments were satisfied fully by us given the undue and lengthy delay to collect the
refunds. Request was made for the refund to be paid directly to us given the undue delay in issuing the refund and now Caribbean Airlines is saying they have stopped issuing cheques to customers for refunds and continues to deliberately frustrate the refund process rather than assist to make it hassle free for customers. I am aware of several other persons who are (Continued on page 6)
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Kaieteur News
Translating ‘Human Development’ into a reality Dear Editor, The Budget presentations of 2022 tended to concentrate on programmes relating substantially to ‘Infrastructure’; and while there was also reference to ‘human development’, e.g., scholarships, technical and vocational training, at the same time, they carefully ignored the need for institutionalising a cadre of qualified Human Resources Managers whose portfolios would translate the concept of ‘human development’ into a reality. This would include authorisation to prepare and coordinate, in the first instance, succession plans informed by a series of training needs analyses – precedent to the formulation of any human resources development plan. The question, however, is to identify the capacity within the Public Service that can rise to the challenge of creating an environment that inspires growth, more so as teams; that can correct such chronic deficits as in conducting needed job evaluation exercises which apply immediately to the selection and recruitment of vaunted talents as ‘Contracted Employees’ - a category misguidedly entrenched in the Guyana’s constitutionally established Public Service. Of relevance is the insistence in budgets over time, of the job descriptor ‘Personnel Officer’, unfamiliar anywhere in the Caribbean Region, as well as internationally; and which must provide bemusement for
our new citizen organisations. However, the following agencies have described some ‘personnel’ more appropriately: Public Service - Human Resources Officer; Education Human Resources Manager; Labour - Senior Recruitment and Manpower Officer. At the other end of the spectrum, the agencies listed here have no assigned ‘personnel’ capability whatever: Housing and Water - 29 staff; Office of the Prime Minister - 107 staff; Natural Resources - 116 staff. It should be mentioned that within the fourteen (14) grade Public Service, Personnel Officers are ranked as follows: GS12 - Chief Personnel Officer; GS11 Principal Personnel Officer; GS 9 - Senior Personnel Officer; GS 6 - Personnel Officer II; GS 5 - Personnel Officer I. At this juncture, those unfamiliar with the job structure should find the following samples of comparabilities with the respective grade of ‘Personnel Officers’ informative; starting with the lower grades: GS5 - Personnel Officer I Confidential Security Senior Photographer Carpenter Foreman Electrician II Administrator, Master Fisherman GS6 - Personnel Officer II Administrative Clerk Locksmith Overseer Amerindian Residence Senior Livestock Assistant
Hopefully, the above comparabilities would indicate the analytical capacity expected of colleague Personnel Officers II and I. The latter can hardly be considered promotable to the next Grade – GS9 (Senior Personnel Officer) which compares with the following competing positions: Legal Officer Expenditure Planning and Management Analyst Chief Accountant Assistant Secretary (G/F) Foreign Service Officer III Auditor Architect In the process, it is quite arguable that the above incumbents and those in comparable positions are involved in more analytical exercises than their ‘Personnel’ counterparts and are therefore deserving of being better valued, and remunerated accordingly. All this brings us around full circle to identifying the foundation of the relevant competencies on which (political) decision-making is based if indeed it is considered that advice is needed. Once more all parties should recognise the indication of the urgent need for a highly professional job evaluation exercise as a critical component of the reconstruction of the Public Service. E.B. John Organisational Development and Human Resources Management Advisor
Highly unusual for the VP to back away from the proper thing Dear Editor, I cannot agree more with everything that is written in yesterday’s Editorial (Jan. 15, 2022). Why indeed, the stubbornness of our present government to re-negotiate the oil contract or at least throw the ball in ExxonMobil ‘s court and let ‘them’ be the one to deny Guyana a better oil deal. OR is there something the people should know? I find it highly unusual for
the Hon. Vice President, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo to back away from what he knows to be the right and proper thing to do as he once said: “America
cannot tell me how to run Guyana, they can only advise me”. Respectfully, Gloria Holder
Dishonouring the honourable Dear Editor, Is it time for the word ‘Honourable’ to be banned when referring to a Member of Parliament?
Their recent language in the House is dishonouring the word honourable. Sincerely, Muhammad Alli
Caribbean Airlines... From page 5 awaiting refunds for close to a year now from this particular airline. I am appealing to you to highlight this matter in your
newspaper because Caribbean Airlines is being unscrupulous and unjust to customers. Sincerely Susan
We should embrace expat’s expertise like Bisram & others Dear Editor, Because we live in a world that is really a global village, one day we are here and the very next day we are there – on the other side of the world, technically, we have become citizens of the world. Even long before we were jetting about the place, life was never static, and so here today and in another country some other time, has characterised our nomadic lifestyle. Out of that sense of mankind’s wanderlust emerged the discoverers, Columbus, Drake, Raleigh, etc. Since America was discovered and turned out to be the real Biblical land of milk and honey, the world has headed West – even those countries of the West – of Canada, Central and South America – have seen the United States of America as the Promised Land. Immigrants everywhere rushed to America. Even Guyanese and Trinis have headed for the USA since the 1960s. So among the millions of the world who have migrated to the US is for example, wellknown itinerant pollster Dr. Vishnu Bisram from Guyana in South America. As in almost all cases, Bisram left his homeland seeking a better life in America as he desired to escape the hardship of his homeland. Because that was the ambition of all immigrants to rise and shine, most actually did so like the morning sun. Bisram succeeded as an academic and otherwise making a name for himself in New York where he is known
in the Caribbean diaspora there as something of a roving ambassador for the various islands. Because he is a pollster covering elections in Guyana, Trinidad and other countries of the region, and is hired in that capacity by regional media, Bisram has become a recognisable name and face in these islands. That the media utilises his expertise in this field is commendable. So in this case, all that is well and good, but the mere fact that his other latent talent and fame have not been utilised by these countries (Guyana, especially) as something of a springboard, a presence in America, is myopic. For here you have someone who is familiar with the territory, who knows the ropes, and who could help launch one’s diplomatic offensive across there but is ignored when it comes to selecting persons for such overseas appointments. One remembers Trinidadian Mervyn Dymally, a former Lieutenant Governor of California, USA and a significant member for several decades of the US House of Representatives who befriended Basdeo Panday in the nineties and was a visible player in the UNC victory of 1995 that catapulted Panday into the Prime Minister’s seat. Vishnu Bisram was also there campaigning for Panday’s UNC and conducting opinion polls that predicted a tied election, which was the actual outcome. Bisram was not rewarded and he sought no recognition for his work. One wondered how Dymally might
have been rewarded for his contribution – if as an Ambassador, Consul General or a lobbyist for the Trinidad government – all of which would have been to the benefit of this country. But in the pettiness of this banana Republic mentality, nothing was apparently offered Dymally and he left empty handed. Today, one hears we pay lobbyists millions of dollars to represent us in diplomatic wheeling and dealing matters that some expat could have done for us for perhaps less and more diligently. In fact, Dr. Bisram did exactly that for Guyana since 1977 while living in the US. The treatment of Dymally was a classic example of a wasted opportunity gone awry. The question of celebrated expats like Guyanese Vishnu Bisram and others, Trinidadian sporting icons Ato Boldon and Shaka Hislop, award-winning actress Heather Headley, world-class oncologist Aneesa Ahamad and others of their ilk surface. These Caribbean persons with special diamond studded handshakes and bosombuddy connection in high places globally might be considered when we are looking to hire persons beyond our boundaries and thereby stop frittering away precious foreign exchange on foreigners who after all might not be the best choices we make. Yours truly, L Siddhartha Orie (Novelist and Author of Conversations with an Atheist)
We need to ask ourselves some profound questions as we join the ranks of the oil-producing world Dear Editor, Guyana has rolled out the red carpet and is welcoming dignitaries and visitors from all across the world to attend the 2022 International and Energy Conference. While it may be denied, it’s hard not to see that this Conference is receiving the active support and possibly more from the Irfaan-Ali Government. While, editor, nothing is wrong with this, as a Guyanese taxpayer I shudder to wonder how much this extravaganza is costing the Guyanese people. I wonder how many roads could have been fixed, or how many more vials of COVID-19 vaccines could be bought, or what more could be given to our ordinary people who continue to suffer in the world’s newest Dubai. Editor, the private sector has, from what I saw, taken a leading role in the Conference. Certainly, they have the most to gain from the confab. But though the greatest beneficiaries they have hardly put their monies where their mouths are but, as in times before, depended on the largesse of the State. A few days ago a friend of mine shared with me a copy of the Conference’s programme. Indeed, there is the
who’s who participating and their presentations will say a lot yet say nothing new I believe. What I believe we will have will be a game of horse trading where our locals jockey to see what crumbs they can get from the tables of the oil barons. There is not even, from what I saw, a minute to address the serious concerns in labour the sector faces. Rather what may well happen is a knowledge transfer of exploitation from foreign to local wanna-be’s who may bend over backward to aggrandize themselves and flaunt their socalled status. Editor, we need to ask ourselves which version of the Dubai we want to be. Do we want to be the one where our people are well-off, able to put food on their tables and enjoy a comfortable life? Or do we want to be the one which exploitation is rampant, inequity is a hallmark, and poverty is for the masses? We need to ask ourselves these profound questions as we join the ranks of the oil-producing world. Yours faithfully, Liebert Alleyne
Wednesday February 16, 2022
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Wednesday February 16, 2022
Husband, lover remanded for murder of Soesdyke woman
Remanded, Dianand Lakhan
Remanded, Aubrey Williams
The husband and the lover of Soesdyke resident, Edith Reuben who was found dead last week hanging from a mango tree were on Tuesday remanded to prison on a charge of murder when they appeared at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court. Forty-one-year-old Dianand Lakhan, a labourer of Lot 1286 Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke-Linden Highway,
the husband and Aubrey Williams, 36, a labourer of Yarrowkabra Squatting Area, the lover, were jointly charged for murder. The duo appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman. They were not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleges that on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at Yarrowkabra, SoesdykeLinden Highway, they
murdered 48-year-old Reuben. Kaieteur News reported that an alleged decision Reuben made to cuddle with her lover while her husband was asleep led to her being strangled to death by both of them. It was reported that detectives were able to learn of this after both men allegedly confessed to the crime on Saturday last. After reading the charge to the defendants, Magistrate Latchman remanded them to prison and the matter was adjourned to March 3, 2022. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in an initial statement
reported that on the day in question the woman was reportedly found dead around 06:30hrs hanging from a mango tree in her yard, with her feet touching the ground. Lakhan had initially denied having anything to do with his wife’s death and had told the police that he had found her dead after waking up from a hangover. Although it appeared as though Reuben had committed suicide, investigators from the inception suspected that she was murdered. Crime scene Continued on page 26
Wednesday February 16, 2022
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Tenants in our own home Glenn Lall, the publisher of this newspaper and the force behind the campaign to ensure a better oil deal, has long insisted that we have become tenants in our own home. The deal which was signed with ExxonMobil and the other oil companies effectively, he says, relegates us to the lower flat and to paying rent in this property which is called our country. Imagine someone walks into your home, orders you to move into the lower flat and takes over the running of the entire property. Glenn uses simple examples to illustrate his point. He asks us to imagine that we have a home and we have the transport in our name. But when it comes to how the home is managed, we have no say. We, he said, have become tenants in our own home. Each month the oil company sends us the bills and we have no say in any of the spending of the oil companies, even though we have to repay every cent of the recoverable costs. According to this newspaper, “The oil companies have come here and taken over our oil resources. They are making all the decisions: They are determining how much oil is being produced. They are determining what is to be spent and how it is to be spent. Guyana has no say.” We have in other words become tenants in our own home.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister of Barbados, addressing the International Energy Conference and Exposition noted, “The day that we do not provide opportunities for our citizens who participate in active citizenship from being able to benefit from the patrimony of our countries, is the day we sow the seeds of destruction for our nations.” She was at the time referencing the controversy which has erupted over Guyana’s local content laws. She went on to add that at no stage, as newlyindependent nations of our world, we leave our citizens as tenants in their own land.” But this is effectively what is taking place in Guyana because of the one-sided deal which was signed with the oil companies. Local content or no local content we are already tenants in our own land. Guyana has effectively become a tenant in its own land because how the country’s petroleum resources are developed is in the hands of the oil companies. We do not even have a National Depletion Policy in place, one of the most basic requirements for any oil and gas sector. Our leaders have deemed this not to be priority. The oil companies are therefore free to do as they please and bring up as much oil as they please and when they please. We have no control over costs. The oil companies have total control of this. They can reserve the entire Marriott for
their staff and determine who flies first class and who gets what pay. Guyana has to foot the bill. In effect, we have become tenants in our own land. Three and a half years ago, New Zealand banned foreigners from buying property in their country. The government made it clear that New Zealanders will not become tenants in their own country. Yet, in Guyana, we do not have a law which prohibits foreigners, including oil companies from owning lands. But, we have the audacity to pass a local content law to allow locals 100 percent participation in rental of buildings. ExxonMobil is building its own headquarters in Guyana. Trinidadian firms have already begun to buy up lands and properties and other nonregional investors are no doubt doing the same. We are going to become tenants in our own land. We have no oil spill insurance. In the event of an oil spill, our fisher folks are going to be pauperised. They will be unable to fish in our local waters. In effect, they will become tenants in their own country having to depend on the kindness of others. The International Energy Conference, however, is not going to address these issues. This Conference is about doing business. It is a Conference for the bourgeoisie who clapped heartily when reference was
Dem Boys Seh…
De conference is a pappy show De circus is in town. But all are not invited. One party, which when in guvament never invite de den Opposition leader to any conference, seh how de present Opposition get lock out de conference. But who bin stopping dem from registering and paying de registration? Opposition nah gat no role to play in guvament conference. Dat is how it does wuk. Yet some people repeating dis criticism as if it is gospel. Some people still floating. Some ah dem asking wat de protest
outside de Marriott was about. Is weh dem living? If dem nah know wat de protest is about it shows dat dem nah following wah going on and deh nah gat much help dem boys can give dem. De conference is wan big pappy show. Dat is how dem oil companies does get people excited. Dem does support dem conferences wah does mek de people feel dat de future looking bright and how good things in store fuh de country. But dem conference nah deliver de goods. Six months after, dem boys gan ask how much additional business dem
local companies do since de circus. Is den yah gan know whether de conference mek much of a difference. Yesterday was a lot of speech. And while dem people mekkin de speech, motorists swearing under dem breath. A few blocks in some streets close off and is sheer confusion on the road. Dat is why dem boys seh is time we stop all further development in Georgetown. Is too much businesses and too much vehicles in a small space. Any lil jerk and is traffic jam. Talk half. Leff half.
made about ensuring local participation in the oil sector. Little did those applauding realise that because of the terms of the oil contract and the position of dominance held by Exxon Mobil, we are already tenants in our own
country. Their applause was a salute to our own misfortune. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Wednesday February 16, 2022
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
2021 Review Part 4: Entitlement and betrayal I would like to apologise to my readers for the confusion I caused by numbering Part 4 of reflections of 2021 as Part 6. My review published on February 7 should have been Part 4 but I numbered it as Part 6. Here is how the confusion came about. I stopped the series on the PNC congressional election at Part 5. Then I continued the series on 2021 and numbered it as Part 6. What I will do then is conclude my looking back series on 2021 by publishing Part 4 and 5 after Part 6. I guess in that way, there will still be a package of 6 articles. Here now is Part 4 retroactively. Among many African rights activists is the acceptance of the entitlement ideology. It goes like this African Guyanese came here as slaves and build Guyana ensuring its survival. Slave labour then built this country
and that is the seminal section of Guyanese history that must be recognised when that history is being discussed. Out of this sacrifice should come the entitlement of African Guyanese but others control the wealth of Guyana and that must be corrected. There isn’t one exception among African rights Guyanese that fail to advance this ideology. As recent as December last year, Charles Ceres noted: “…all lives cannot matter when the current level of disparity exists between African Guyanese who were enslaved to build Guyana and other Guyanese who are enabled by the state.” Last year, the story of entitlement and betrayal in Guyana was laid bare for the world to see. The NDC of Beterverwagting (BV) sold John Fernandes Ltd, 134 acres of land for 35 million Guyana dollars. That is
about $240, 000 per acre. There isn’t any parcel or plot of land in Guyana where an acre of land is less than five million dollars. The NDC of BV is allAfrican and elected under the PNC ticket in the 2018 local government elections. It is closely associated with ACDA and is part of the annual emancipation festival. BV is 99 percent an African village. The land was not sold to an African family but a Portuguese one. After the price tag was made public, the NDC cancelled the sale agreement. There hasn’t been one word about this transaction from those who advocate African entitlement. More importantly, no African-rights activist has put forward the suggestion that if the NDC could have contemplated selling the land for $240, 000 per acre then now that the deal is cancelled why not sell it to
BV residents and African Guyanese elsewhere. I am absolutely sure if the NDC round off the price at $300,000 per acre, literally thousands of AfricanGuyanese would rush to buy. I cannot comment on the public waterfront property sale by former Minister, Winston Jordan because the matter is before the courts. But one can examine the political attitudes of African rights commentators during the announcement that Jordan would be charged. All of them supported the arrangement Jordan made w i t h B . K . Ti w a r e t o purchase the property which is state land. It never occurred to any Black politician that argues for the ideology of entitlement that public property in Guyana belongs to the Guyanese people and that includes those that are supposed to be entitled because their ancestors preserved Guyana while working as slaves. The average Black Guyanese no doubt, is quicker and quicker becoming aware of the
betrayal of those w h o a r e relentless in efforts to instill anti-government sentiments and entitlement instincts in them. That awareness Frederick Kissoon increases when these betrayers are consistently of those who shout for exposed. African rights each day. Some of the advocates of Rickford Burke openly African protection have advocated violence against been protecting themselves the government when he by remaining in office for 30 opined that unless someone a n d 3 5 y e a r s w h i l e is run off the road the PPP demanding transparency will not change its ways. from the government and run When the police charged t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e him for incitement, Burke organisations without even was literally laughing when an ounce of transparency. he told his viewers that the T h e r e a r e t h o s e Guyanese police cannot p r e a c h i n g t o A f r i c a n touch him because he lives in Guyanese in this country and the greatest country in the are happily ensconced in world – the US. He went on foreign lands while there are to wax lyrical about his thousands of vacancies comfort in the US. 2021 can existing in Guyana in both easily be described as the the private and public sectors year of Black betrayal. where they can serve. But (The views expressed in they aren’t coming back; no this article are those of the matter what. author and do not 2021 ended on a note of necessarily reflect the blatant contempt for Black opinions of this newspaper.) people in this country by one
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Mottley urges Govt.’s to incentivise transition to renewable energy By Gary Eleazar Governments across the world including countries such as Guyana and those in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) that face the brunt of the effects of climate change, and are now on the pathway towards transition towards the use of renewable sources of energy must incentive the transition. This, according to Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, who during Tuesday’s opening of the International Energy Conference and Expo 2022, championed a people-centric approach to development and economic empowerment in the region through the energy sector which that country is now exploring. Emphasising the need for support to citizens and the private sector with regard the transition towards using more renewable and less fossil fuels, she used as example a programme in her country, where persons domiciled there can in fact see home ownership made easier, through the installation of photovoltaic panels on their roof tops. She explained that the excess energy generated from the solar panel is then fed back
…says citizens must share when the bounty is there i nto the electricity grid and that this will help to offset the cost of home ownership and to even help provide access to mortgages and other such services. This approach she said, would allow for all the citizens of the country to benefit from the bounty of renewable energy. According to Mottley, energy sources such as the sun, water and wind should never be privatised just for a few. She reminded that some years ago: “we asked our people to share in the burden of adjustment,” a reference to the recent wages freeze in that country and quipped that in the inverse when there is bounty, the citizenry should share in the prosperity, “they must share when the bounty is there.” Noting that the facts speak for themselves, the Barbadian Prime Minister used the occasion to convey to stakeholders that Barbados too is moving towards the exploration of its potential offshore resources but this has not distracted from its commitment for net zero
emissions and targets. Accepting that Natural Gas is a potential bridge in the energy transition, Mottley noted that taking into account Barbados’ own exploration, the leaders of the world must realise that the decisions to be taken is a complex discussion. “With most things in life we are not a single-issue people; the complexity of conversation requires maturity.” To this end, she sought to remind the conference that Guyana and Barbados have been the victims of colonisation and exploitation and posited that regrettably, instead of the developed world filling the gap, the disparity has been perpetuated. According to Mottley, at present the world faces not only a medical crisis but energy and energy transition crises and a climate crisis that threaten the very fabric of society. She was adamant, however, that with the challenges there are both threats and opportunities for the people of the region but in order to protect against the threats while
Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley taking advantage of the status quo, in order to achieve growth, governments must create policies that incentivise the use of the r e g i o n ’s e n e rg y r e s o u r c e s . CARICOM countries, she reminded have embarked on a mission to chart a sustainable energy future. The Barbadian PM reminded that as a Region, there is bountiful renewable energy potential much like Africa, which is blessed with the power of the sun, wind, water and more. With this in mind, she noted that the Caribbean has always been vulnerable to acts of nature
such as volcanoes, earthquakes and hurricanes coupled with the threats of climate change such as rising sea levels and temperatures.”We are more vulnerable to rising temperatures and sea levels than most others,” she told the conference, cautioning that “the energy transition that must occur if the world is not looking to burn up; is a complex conversation.” With this in mind, she reminded of Barbados’ commitment to being carbon neutral by 2035. Expanding on her country’s push to achieve this, Mottley noted that Barbados at present hosts one of the highest densities of Electric vehicles, Buses and complementing charging stations per capita in the world. She said her country has also replaced 88 percent of their street lights with LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) in addition to the use of solar on all public buildings, the use of offshore wind and marine power and wave energy technology among other sources such as the development of hydrogen. “We are also conscious that there is a need for us to maximise the solar revolution,” Mottley said, adding that Barbados 50 years ago started a process of using solar water heaters
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Wednesday February 16, 2022
CCJ accepted into the Int’l Consortium for Court Excellence
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he Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has become the first court in the region to be accepted into the prestigious International Consortium for Court Excellence (ICCE). The ICCE is an international network of courts and other organisations with expertise in court and judicial administration, dedicated to ensuring high-quality service delivery, the CCJ said in a press release on Tuesday. Just a few months shy of its 17th anniversary in April 2022, the Court has joined the ranks of other long-established organisations such as the Supreme Court of Singapore and the National Centre for States Courts of the United States that also belong to the ICCE. To be accepted into the ICCE, organisations must demonstrate a commitment to excellence using an International Framework for Court Excellence (IFCE), a quality
management system designed to help courts consistently improve their performance in seven core areas. These include court management and leadership, court policies, court proceedings, public trust and confidence, user satisfaction, court resources and affordable and accessible court services. The IFCE was first introduced to the Court by its former CCJ President, the Rt. Hon. Sir Dennis Byron in 2016. Following an objective self-assessment undertaken by the Court, several projects were subsequently initiated to address limitations identified from the assessment. Under the leadership of the current President, the Hon. Mr Justice Adrian Saunders, the system has now been fully incorporated into the CCJ’s administrative practices. Together with the Court’s strategic plan, the Framework has become a major influence on all
Court projects and organisational processes. Some of these initiatives include the implementation of an online e-Filing system which now allows individuals to file documents at the Court electronically, reducing the cost and time spent on filing, the
implementation of a Human Resources Information System that has improved the organisation’s ability to effectively collect and store employee information, the linking of the Court’s Strategic Agenda on its Excellence Framework with the creation of
monitoring and evaluation processes and the introduction of Enterprise Risk Management to help the Court identify and manage risks. These initiatives have helped to transform the manner in which the Court currently operates. In thanking employees for their contribution in achieving this honour, President Saunders, noted that the journey does not stop here. He remarked “while we can proudly state that we are living our strategic vision of being a model of judicial excellence; excellence is not a static achievement. It is a nonstop cycle that requires continuous improvement.” He also pledged that the Court will “continue to serve the region to the best of our ability; fulfilling our mission of providing accessible, fair and efficient justice for the people and states of the Caribbean Community.”
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‘Be transparent with oil money; minimise flaring’ By Davina Bagot In offering advice to the proverbial “new kid on the block” when it comes to oil and gas, the Ghanaian Head of State, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged the leaders of Guyana to ensure that the proceeds from the country’s oil wealth are managed in a transparent manner, while also pointing to the critical need for a reduction in flaring offshore. President Akufo-Addo made these remarks as he kicked off the International Energy Conference and Expo, being hosted at the Marriott Hotel, in Georgetown from February 15 to 18, under the theme ‘Charting a Sustainable Energy Future’. The President told a packed conference hall, in the presence of President Irfaan Ali and his Cabinet that the recommendations
- Ghanaian President tells Guyana Govt. were critical to ensuring a sustainable sector. Ghana, a west-African country, with a wealth of experience in the oil sector, given its over 10 years in oil production, has been mentoring Guyana as the country progresses with its oil and gas production. The President said, “Effect proper management of oil and gas revenue transparently and ensure equity for the benefit of all citizens, through institutional reforms and transparent regulations through proper legislative guidelines”. Moreover, he pointed to the need for Guyana to reduce its offshore flaring, while offering the country some advice. “Minimize the flaring or venting of natural gas generated
and develop a viable domestic petrochemical industry, based on natural gas,” he urged. President Akufo’s comments and recommendations to Guyana come at a time when only last week, Guyanese were assured by members of the government during the Budget 2022 Debates that they would have been told exactly how the first withdrawal from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) or the oil account would be spent. However, despite constant inquires by the nation’s civil activists and the political opposition government is yet to disclose just how the funds would be spent. In fact the Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh ended the discussion on the matter by telling the nation that the $126 billion from the oil money will be spent as budgetary support, to fund what his party has dubbed “national development priorities”. The country also recently fell on the transparency index last year, meaning that corruption in the public service has again started to climb. On the other hand, when it comes to the flaring of excess gas, US oil giant ExxonMobil is being allowed to flare unlimited gas, as long as it forks out a meager sum as penalty. Currently, the oil company is paying Guyana US$45 per tonne of carbon
Ghanian Head of State, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo addressing the International Energy Conference and Expo. dioxide. While appearing on a Kaieteur Radio programme late last year, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Kemraj Parsram revealed that Exxon was flaring 15 million standard cubic feet of gas per day but this is now down to six million standard cubic feet of gas per day. The EPA Head said, “The EPA and by extension the government’s policy is zero routine flaring. Flaring is only permitted in circumstances where it is necessary to ensure safety and in cases where emergencies occur. We know Continued on page 29
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Peru fines Oil Company US$121,500 for failing to identify areas affected by oil spill
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he Peruvian Government has initiated the first periodic fine against Spanish oil giant, Repsol, for failing to identify areas affected by the recent oil spill that came from one of the company’s refineries. In an update shared by P e r u ’s M i n i s t r y o f Environment, Minister Modesto Montoya detailed that the Environmental Assessment and Control Body (OEFA) has already applied the first periodic penalty payment to Repsol. In fact, he said that Repsol has already received the first coercive fine, of Sol$460, 000, (US$121,500) for the non-compliance of identifying the areas affected by the oil spill. The minister also stated that in addition, a sanctioning administrative procedure was initiated for the non-compliance where the fine can be up to Sol$18.4 million (US$ 4,835,742). Kaieteur News recently reported that the minister had indicated that Repsol is not fulfilling its obligation in regard to the clean-up of the aftermath of the oil spill. Montoya shared that a white foam, similar to that of detergents, formed as a result of the Repsol oil spill. The Minister also shared that the foam is killing the wildlife that inhabits the Bay of Ancón and the National Reserve System of Guano Islands, Islets and Points. He said, “There is white foam that is killing everything on the surface.” The minister further explained that the contaminated substance makes young birds die of hypothermia. In this regard, Minister Montoya stated that he considered the situation irreparable, since various species of wildlife died, fishermen are unemployed and there are people with health problems due to pollution. The oil spill occurred on January 15, 2022 at one of the La Pampilla refineries off the coast of Ventanilla in the region of Lima, Peru. It was reported that the spill was caused by shock waves from an undersea volcanic eruption near Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean. At the time of the undersea eruption, Suezmax tanker, Mare Doricum, was offloading a shipment of Brazilian crude oil at one of La Pampilla refinery’s offshore mooring buoys, and
...can face administrative sanctions of up to US$4M
A picture depicting the oil spill aftermath along Peru shores. [Photo credit, Peru’s Ministry of Environment]
as such, a quantity of the four Repsol executives from grounds of the potential risk leaving the country. The that the officials might leave cargo was released. R e p s o l h a d prosecutor is said to be Peru. Those that have been underreported the quantity considering a criminal case of crude that was spilled but against the company’s barred are refinery manager, later investigations by Peru’s representatives and had Jaime Fernández-Cuesta Agency for Environmental approached the district court Luca de Tena; terminal A s s e s s m e n t a n d to issue an order preventing manager, Renzo Alejandro E n f o r c e m e n t ( O E FA ) the executives from leaving T e j a d a M a c k e n z i e ; revealed that almost 12,000 the country. This was done to environmental manager, barrels of oils were spilled – ensure that they will be Gisela Cecilia Posadas more than double the amount available for any possible Jhong, and production that was initially reported by criminal proceedings should manager, José Gregorio Reyes Ruiz. It was the company. reported that the lawyers In a recent update, for the Repsol executives Minister Montoya did not appeal the decision specified that to date only and said that they will about 2,000 barrels of oily collaborate with the liquids have been investigation. recovered, from the more In taking additional than 11,000 barrels of steps, it was revealed by crude that contaminated Peru’s former Minister of their waters. the Environment, Rubén In that sense, he said Ramirez, on Monday, that, although there are January 31, 2022, that the advances in water government had taken the cleaning, intervention is decision to suspend the needed on the seabed and company’s hydrocarbon the coasts where the crude loading and unloading harmfully impacted. activities. As a result of the In other words, it devastating oil spill, meant that Repsol’s several Peruvian officials had called for the oil Peru Minister of Environment, operation in the country Modesto Montoya was halted until it can company to compensate substantially prove that for what they described as another oil spill will not an ‘ecological disaster’ occur again in its waters. that has occurred in Lima in the need arise. B a s e d o n t h e However, in an update recent times. Kaieteur News had prosecutor’s submission to shared on the Ministry’s reported that following the the court, Judge Romualdo Facebook page, a fuel devastating oil spill, the Aguedo on Friday, January shortage in Peru had forced Peruvian government took 28, 2022 granted the order to P e r u ’ s A g e n c y f o r its first action to seek a court prevent the four executives Environmental Assessment order via a Specialised from leaving the country. and Enforcement (OEFA), to P r o s e c u t o r f o r Peruvian media reported that l i f t t h e s u s p e n s i o n Environmental Matters for Judge Aguedo imposed an temporarily of the operations Lima, Noroeste, to prevent 1 8 - m o n t h b a n o n t h e of Repsol. However, the
company will only be allowed to continue its operations for 10 days and under supervision from the OEFA. As the Government of Peru takes action to protect its people and its environment, Guyana in contrast, continues to give American oil giant, ExxonMobil Corporation permission to operate without full coverage insurance to cater to such a disastrous oil spill. Just r e c e n t l y, E x x o n M o b i l announced that it has commenced oil production at Guyana’s second offshore development area called Liza Phase Two in the Stabroek Block. Kaieteur News had reported that Guyana’s pocket would bleed tremendously if an oil spill or any other disaster should occur at any of ExxonMobil’s approved projects. Why? It is due to the fact that the country remains without comprehensive insurance coverage from Stabroek Block operators; ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC/NEXEN. In fact, what Guyana does have however, is an agreement with Exxon’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL). But that company has little assets. So little that it would not be able to carry the cost of any disaster that could occur in
the Stabroek Block area, which would leave Guyana to bear the costs. It is along these lines that Guyana’s Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, is reported in the media on February 10, 2021, saying that he believes that Exxon and its partners should be the ones accepting liability for such disasters; the current administration has received no commitment from ExxonMobil detailing this. However, one year later, this is not in writing. Later in the year, the Vice President is reported in the media as saying that the government is working to secure up to US$2B from ExxonMobil to cover any damage that may result from the US$9B Yellowtail Project, the fourth to be developed in the prolific Stabroek Block. As the pussyfooting on full coverage insurance for continues, Dr. Jagdeo, during his press conference last week shifted the responsibility for full coverage insurance from Exxon to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This publication reported that when asked for an update on the fullcoverage discussions with the oil operators, the Vice President shifted the attention from himself and government, by extension on the matter to say, it is the EPA that is handling this crucial insurance negotiation with Exxon.
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Citizens protest lopsided ExxonMobil contract - demand full coverage insurance, renegotiation of oil deal, as protest continues today
By Shervin Belgrave Kaieteur News’ Publisher, Glenn Lall and Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Sherod Duncan on Tuesday braved the sun and the rain to join citizens in a protest in front of the Marriott Hotel where the fourday Guyana Energy Conference 2022 and business expo is being held. The protesters clamoured for Guyana’s Government to secure a “better oil deal” and full coverage insurance from American oil Giant Exxonmobil. As both foreign and international delegates, along with government politicians and members of the private sectors, posed for photos and socialised at the energy conference, the citizens shouted, “change the contract, we want a fair deal”. The police tried to bar the protesters from getting close to the Marriott Hotel and tried to deter them from using a loud speaker to make their cries heard by the dignitaries attending the conference but they insisted that their pleas must be heard. They held their placards
with pride and continued to demand that the government must negotiate a better contract with Exxon. Opposition MP, Sherod Duncan told reporters that he joined the protestors to lend his voice in pleading for renegotiation of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) that the Coalition had signed with ExxonMobil’s Subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEGPL) in 2016. “Duncan said, “we need more out of this oil deal with ExxonMobil and so in my capacity, I am lending my voice, to the Guyanese out here demanding more for the citizens of this country”. Glenn Lall, Kaieteur News’ Publisher made clear in front of the cameras that he is fighting for all Guyanese. His exact words were, “We are fighting for all”. Lall has been on the fore front, not only in his daily newspaper but also on his own Kaieteur Radio programme called the “Glenn Lall Show”, educating Guyanese on how they have been short-changed by the deal their government had signed with Exxon.
O ne of the changes, he along with the protesters, is demanding is full coverage insurance. According to Lall, Guyana right now only has limited liability insurance. Lall said multiple times on his show that this is not sufficient should an oil spill occur offshore Guyana. He noted that Liability insurance is limited meaning that Guyanese will have to accept whatever ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, EEPGL and its partners in the Stabroek Block, CNOOC and Hess Corporation can afford or choose to give, whether it be US$2B or US$1M. Moreover, if the subsidiary cry, that it does not have sufficient money in its local
accounts to foot any cost of an oil spill disaster, then there is nothing Guyana can do but indebt itself in trying to offset the impact that such a disaster can have. Guyana, according to Lall will be better off if it can secure full coverage insurance and tie ExxonMobil’s parent company, based in Texas, , to this deal so that it can step in should its subsidiary cry bankruptcy. (See more protest photos on the centre
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Ex-Honduran President arrested, to be extradited to the US on drug charges The Guardian – Former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández has been arrested, a day after the US Department of Justice requested his extradition for drug trafficking and weapons charges, culminating a spectacular fall from grace for a man who was once considered one of Washington’s top allies in Central America. On Tuesday afternoon, Hernández left his home in a wealthy neighborhood in the country’s capital, Tegucigalpa, where he was cuffed at the hands and feet and provided a bullet-proof vest before being taken away in a police caravan to a Special Forces base. He will appear before a judge for his first hearing within 24 hours. According to the extradition request submitted to Honduras, Hernández was part of a “violent drug-trafficking” conspiracy that trafficked roughly 500,000 kilos of cocaine since 2004. The long-rumored indictment comes just over two weeks after Hernández, 53, left office and strikes a critical blow to the reputation of a former president who had been praised early in his presidency by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for his government’s
Arrested, former President of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández
efforts to extradite drug traffickers. About 100 police officers surrounded Hernández’s home late on Monday, pending the decision by the Supreme Court to issue an arrest warrant. Hernández has previously described the allegations against him as lies made up by violent drug traffickers who are seeking revenge and to reduce their sentences. “They found the magic key to go unpunished, surrender and negotiate and accuse the institutions for putting them behind bars,” said Hernández in a February 2021 address. He has also pointed to a constitutional reform allowing Hondurans to be extradited to the US – passed while president of Congress in 2012 – as evidence of his innocence. “A person who
has colluded with drug traffickers would never approve extradition,” he said. But evidence presented by US prosecutors in recent trials of Honduran drug traffickers suggests that Hernández believed he could control who was extradited –and therefore avoid repercussions for himself and close allies. Formal accusations of H e r n á n d e z ’s a l l e g e d involvement in drug trafficking first came to light in August 2019 when he was named in a court filing as a co-conspirator of his brother J u a n A n t o n i o “ To n y ” Hernández, who was arrested while visiting the United States. During the subsequent trial, prosecutors accused the brothers of overseeing a scheme they described as “state-
In his video grab, former President Juan Orlando Hernández is handcuffed as police take him out of his house. Photograph: Honduras police/AFP/Getty Images sponsored drug trafficking”. Tony Hernández was convicted on drug trafficking conspiracy and related weapons charges. He was sentenced last year to life in prison. In April 2020, Hernández was named again as a coconspirator when US
prosecutors indicted former national police chief Juan Carlos “El Tigre” Bonilla Va l l a d a r e s w i t h d r u g trafficking and related weapons charges. According to the indictment, Hernández entrusted Bonilla “with special assignments, including murder”.
In a third case, less than a year later, a court heard that Hernández had allegedly plotted with another Honduran drug trafficker, Geovanny Fuentes, to “shove the drugs right up the noses of the gringos”. Fuentes was convicted of Continued on page 26
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Jagdeo pushes oil companies to go faster ...but makes no demand for full coverage insurance from Exxon and renegotiation of contract By Gary Eleazar Guyana is looking for an accelerated exploration programme not just in the Stabroek Block with Esso Exploration and Production L i m i t e d (EEPGL)—ExxonMobil Guyana—as the operator but in the other oil blocks too. This, as EEPGL parent company looks to invest more in Guyana with the right policy direction. These were among the assertions adumbrated yesterday at the opening of the International Energy Conference being held at the Marriot Hotel. Addressing the packed Marriott Ballroom gathering, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, dealt with Guyana’s oil and gas policy, noting that despite there are shortcomings in Guyana’s regime with regard its structures, frameworks and regulations in place for the industry, the developments in the industry must continue in an accelerated manner. Jagdeo’s remarks came amid heightened calls for ExxonMobil to give this country’s full coverage insurance to protect it in the event of an oil spill. Also citizens have been demanding a renegotiation of the contract the Government of Guyana signed with ExxonMobil. According to Jagdeo, “we have been trying to evolve the regime; because the pace of development has been rapid.” As such, the
Vice President was adamant, “…we have to, at the level of the government, try to keep the regime evolving at a pace where we don’t become a humbug on the development of the industry and slow down the pace.” Addressing the stakeholders, he conceded that Guyana has not, as yet, been able to evolve its policy, regulatory and other required structures in a mature manner. Conceding, “we are still lagging in that regard, Vice President Jagdeo noted that in evolving the new regime for
which will ensure the industry evolves in a way to not remove incentives for fast-paced exploration or a decent return on capital. This he said, would be achieved while at the same time ensuring that there is a greater portion of benefits coming to the people of the country. He said one of the guiding principles that would lead to the development of the new PSA is the preservation of a decent return for the investor that would allow them to raise the capital in order to press ahead with its
“….we have to, at the level of the government, we have to try to keep the regime evolving and regulatory approvals at pace where we don’t become a humbug on the development of the industry and slow down the pace,” - Vice President Jagdeo o perating in Guyana, the objective is to ensure that there is shared prosperity and that investors in “this high-risk sector” would also have an opportunity to get a return that mirrors the risk; that is important for us.” It is in this vein the Vice President drew reference to a new fiscal regime to be introduced under the new Production Sharing Agreement to be developed
exploration programmes. As such the vice president in addressing the hundreds of delegates at the conference sought to assure that investors should not be “unduly alarmed that it (new PSA) will take away all the incentives.” According to Jagdeo, the evolution of the industry has to be done in a manner “where the prosperity has to be shared.” Seeking to assure of predictability with regard
Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo addressing the delegates on Tuesday during the opening ceremony of the Guyana Energy Conference, 2022. investments in Guyana, Jagdeo reminded that the existing Petroleum Legislation in Guyana is dated 1986 and is “not fit for purpose.” To this end he said, “we are aggressively working to resolve this.” Expounding further on the changes in the oil sector of the future, Jagdeo told stakeholders that Guyana, in building out an oil and gas policy in the net zero situation, will see an obligation to push companies that are investing to use new technology, lower emissions technology.” Failing this, could even see penalties. According to Jagdeo, any changes to the framework within which the industry is situated was not meant to shut down private foreign capital, “in fact it is badly required in the sector.”
According to Jagdeo, he is hopeful that by setting up an updated framework, locals can also benefit and that Guyana can avoid “what has been happening in many countries” where there are small pockets of enclave like prosperity but the masses, “not feeling it; we resolve to not have it in this country.” He used the opportunity to also remind that Guyana is at present welcoming foreign investors since there isn’t the capacity existing domestically. Vice President Jagdeo used the occasion to remind that the projects that have been approved in the Stabroek Block alone, namely the Liza I, II Payara and imminently the Yellowtail Development represent some US$30B injected in the Stabroek
Block. To this end, he was adamant that this represents about ten times the total deposits in the domestic system, “just to give you an idea of the scale of resources, which cannot be found here.” Maintaining Guyana’s commitment to a Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Jagdeo reminded that at that time there will still be demand for fossil fuel and said, “somebody has to supply the fuel to meet that demand.” Taking aim at the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Gutterres, who had been widely reported on calling for no new investments in fossil fuels, a position that conflicts with the adumbrations of other world leaders. To t h i s e n d , Vi c e President Jagdeo said that for the UN and other developed countries to adopt such a position it would mean that “if we can’t develop it you are locking in the existing producers.” Such a position he said, is effectively arguing for a monopoly. To this end, he also lashed back at the assertion that investments in industry could actually result in stranded assets saying, that is the risk borne by investors and quipped, “what about unused potential.” A s s u c h , t h e Vi c e President was unwavering in his government’s policy Continued on page 29
Wednesday February 16, 2022
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Three more COVID deaths; 95 new infections The Ministry of Health on Tuesday reported that three more persons, two men and a woman who contracted the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, died. The latest fatalities are that a 55year-old woman from Region Three, a 69-year-old man from Region Six and a 54-year-old man from Region Four, who died over a three-day period (February 12 to 14) while receiving treatment at a medical facility. As a result of this, the country’s COVID-19 death toll has moved to 1,199. Meanwhile, in its daily COVID19 dashboard the Ministry recorded 95 new infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 62,360. The dashboard also shows that seven patients are admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 83 persons in institutional isolation, 1,289 in home isolation and 30 in institution quarantine. To date, a total of 59,782 persons have recovered from the virus.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 16, 2022
Husband, lover remanded... From page 8 experts had pointed to the fact that her feet were still touching the ground and explained that while not impossible, it is extremely difficult for someone to die from hanging if their feet are still on the ground. An autopsy later conducted on her remains revealed that she was strangled and this was compounded by blunt trauma to the head. The results from the autopsy only added to the detectives’ suspicions that someone had murdered the woman.
Ex-Honduran President arrested, to be... From page 23 drug trafficking conspiracy and related weapons charges. His sentencing is scheduled for February. Bucking tradition, Hernández did not attend the inauguration of his successor, Xiomara Castro, on 27 January – the same day an arrest warrant was issued for him, in the United States. Hernández began his political career in 1998 when he won a seat in congress to represent his home department of Lempira – located within a key drug trafficking corridor in western Honduras. In 2010, he became president of congress then four years later, president of the republic. According to prosecutors, his rise in politics is owed in part to millions paid in bribes from drug traffickers. The drug trafficking conspiracy charge carries a sentence of 10 years to life.
Wednesday February 16, 2022
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procurement and delivery partner of COVAX in the region. The latest batch of vaccines includes 151,200 doses of Moderna vaccine as part of the COVAX support to Haiti, and 1,511,640 doses of Pfizer vaccines for Ecuador donated by Spain. “The 100 million doses mark a significant milestone,” PAHO Director Dr. Carissa F. Etienne said. “Thanks to close coordination between COVAX and our Revolving Fund, and the generous support of partners that helped our region secure doses when supply was limited. Our countries are better placed to get shots into arms and protect their
populations, including the most vulnerable.” The PAHO Revolving Fund is the designated procurement agency for COVAX in the Americas. Leveraging over four decades of experience in vaccine procurement, the Revolving Fund has now supplied 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to 33 countries. Approximately 30% of these were donated by the United States of America, Canada, Spain, Germany, France, Japan, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. PAHO coordinated deliveries with other COVAX partners, such as UNICEF, CEPI, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi, and supported
international logistics to ensure the vaccines arrive in countries safely and in the shortest possible time. To complement efforts by COVAX, in August 2021 PAHO also launched an initiative for additional access to COVID-19 vaccines in the region by entering into Long Term Agreements with three manufacturers. While 63% of people in Latin America and the Caribbean have now been vaccinated against COVID19, coverage remains uneven, with 14 countries and territories yet to immunize even 40% of their populations. Haiti remains at the bottom of the list with vaccine coverage less than 1.2%.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 16, 2022
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Chinese, Brazilian firms among 36 bidding to upgrade hinterland bridges to ‘international standards’
C
hina Road and B r i d g e Corporation (CRBC) and Brazilian firm, Construction Cobra Eireli are among 36 companies vying for the contract to upgrade 32 hinterland bridges to international standards, stretching from Kurupukari to Lethem.
This was revealed on Tuesday, during the opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board ( N P TA B ) o f f i c e . T h e procuring entity undertaking this project is the Ministry of Public Works. Kaieteur News understands that the project
will be divided into six lots, and according to the Ministry’s engineer, Lot one is estimated to cost $425,691,078; Lot two $587,828,534; Lot three $604,418,415; Lot four $530,530,345; Lot five $539,379,456 and Lot Six $473,514,325. The locations where the
bridges would be built are: Iwokrama, Pirara, Surama, Camudi Bash, Annai, Yararinta, Genip Landing, Massara Junction, Point Ranch and Hunt Oil. This publication was told that the intention to fix these bridges is not because they are in a poor state but to upgrade them to international
standards. International standards meaning, reconstructing the wooden structure bridges with concrete. Upon completion the bridges i would have the capability to accommodate heavier vehicles which usually traverse the Kurupukari to Lethem trail. In this year’s budget, the
government had allocated the sum of $4.1 billion for the re-construction of several bridges along the Kurupukari to Lethem corridor, noting that it will support the phased construction of the Linden to Lethem highway. Below are the companies and their bids:
Ministry of Public Works Reconstruction of hinterland bridges from Kurupukari to Lethem (Lot 1 to 6).
Jagdeo pushes oil companies to go faster... From page 24 position, “in Guyana we support accelerated exploration; we support accelerated exploration and our incentive regime will reflect that.” He told those in attendance that in rearranging its existing regime they would see measures being implemented to encourage existing holders of licences in the oil blocks to move swiftly to exploration and expand the pace. “We have been trying to evolve the regime,” Jagdeo said, and reminded of “the pace of development” in the industry which he described as rapid and, “we have to, at the level of the government, we have to try to keep the regime evolving and regulatory approvals at pace
where we don’t become a humbug on the development of the industry and slow down the pace.” M e a n w h i l e , ExxonMobil Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Darren Woods, in Guyana for the second time since taking that post, in his addressed to the packed gathering told those in attendance that his company has set aside some US$15B for investments this year in Guyana and this could be increased based on the policy initiatives of the government. “With the support of government policy, we can invest more,” said Woods. Providing an update on the company’s operations in Guyana, the ExxonMobil official used the occasion to
regale of the successes in the Stabroek Block and spoke to the 3,500 locals employed with the operation in addition to some 800 suppliers. According to Woods, with regard that company’s operation in Guyana, it is “important that this progress continues” and disclosed that based on conversations with Head of State, President Irfaan Ali, and Vice President Jagdeo, “this is a very high priority for them.” The ExxonMobil boss was adamant “people need access to energy including the energy resolution right here in Guyana; as people become more prosperous the need for energy will increase” and expressed the sentiment of a long future ahead in Guyana.
‘Be transparent with oil money; minimise... From page 16 there are issues with the compressor (for the Liza Destiny vessel) and we have been working with the operator (ExxonMobil).” While he gave this reassurance in September last year, ExxonMobil is yet to operationalise its gas compressor to ensure that this dangerous activity ceases. Extensive research conducted by Kaieteur News shows that gas flaring contributes to climate change, which has serious implications for the human security and wellbeing globally.
In fact, the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, outlined in one of its studies, that gas flaring is actually a major source of greenhouse gases, which accelerates global warming. It was noted that flaring releases Carbon Dioxide and Methane, the two major greenhouse gases. Of these two, Methane is actually more harmful than Carbon Dioxide. It is also more prevalent in flares that burn at lower efficiency.
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‘New found oil wealth must benefit... From page 3 gentlemen, let us transition from one energy source to a cleaner and renewable one. We must consider how energy itself will transform our lives and our economies as we go forward,” he said. Moreover, the Surinamese leader explained that he is certain that both Guyana and Suriname can aid in mitigating the global energy poverty, which he says makes it difficult for almost a billion people to develop productive livelihoods. To this end, he posited, “In charting this transition we must recognise that others have gone before
us and have profited from the earned revenues to develop a more modern economy and create a future path of economic development where oil and gas may not play such a significant role anymore”. “These fortunate countries have saved a major part of the revenues to be able to provide for generations to come. We have the same goal and commitment to our current and certainly, our future generations,” President Santokhi noted. But in addition to being able to provide for generations to come, the President urged too that the two countries be
responsible in the development of the oil resources in an “environmentally-friendly and sound manner”. He was keen to note, “human activities including fishing, shipping or the exploitation of marine resources are rapidly developing,” while pointing to the need for safe oil operations. Even as the Surinamese Head of State urges Guyana to save its oil resources, it must be noted that the government has already “raided” the Natural Resources Fund of $126B to supplement its recently approved Budget.
Wednesday February 16, 2022
Hurricanes on top after blowing away Harpy... From page 37 89-7 with Permaul and Clinton Pestano at the crease. After Lunch Permaul, Guyana’s first match Hero, tapped Jerimiah Louis to point for a single to post the 100, but 12 runs later Pestano (14) pulled Doram to short mid-wicket. Motie (4) played an irresponsible shot off Doram and was taken at cover as Guyana sunk to 116-9 before Permaul (11), looking to take on Archibald, was caught in the deep without addition to the score to end an inept batting display from the Guyanese. Today is the second day. Match summaries on Day 1 of Round 2 of matches
in the West Indies Championship. At Kensington Oval: Jamaica Scorpions 299-3 (John Campbell 123 not out, Paul Palmer 76 not out, Nkrumah Bonner 49, Leroy Lugg 39) vs Barbados Pride. At Queen’s Park Oval: Guyana Harpy Eagles 116 (Anthony Bramble 38, Keemo Paul 20; Daniel Doram 3-16, Colin Archibald 3-29) Leeward Islands Hurricanes 126-0 (Kieran Powell 55 not out, Montcin Hodge 51 not out). At Brian Lara Stadium: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 217-5 (Yannic Cariah 72, Jeremy Solozano 66, Joshua Da Silva 52 not out; Sherman Lewis 3-24).
Kaieteur News
Seven Seas re-commits... From page 34 focused and disciplined, which are qualities necessary for anyone to achieve success in Life and Sports. As such, Seven Seas see itself as a natural collaborator with the Sport of Archery. This is especially true given the intense level of stability, precision, and concentration required to ucceed in the sport. Therefore, naturally, Massy Distribution (Guyana) Inc. through its Brand, Seven Seas, looks forward to supporting and growing with the Sport of Archery over the years to come. Thanks were expressed by Mrs. Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon, Secretary-General of Archery Guyana, for Seven Seas continued collaboration as a competition sponsor. Special Thanks to
Wednesday February 16, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today you'll have a banker's precision, Aries. You will recheck everything from your expenses to your investments to your children's pocket money, not to mention how much you've paid back on your loans. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Do you wonder whether other people are attracted to you, Taurus? If you'd like to reassure yourself, you could work on your outward appearance today. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You're probably looking for new objectives in your career and personal life. Today you'll get the opportunity to share some dynamic ideas with new people. CANCER (June 21–July 22) This will be a great day for you! Your children, grandchildren, or siblings may have a lot of excess energy. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A wonderful day lies ahead. Life is giving you more space and freedom at the moment. You could take advantage of this space to do something with your creativity. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Do you feel like you're in a video game and about to get eaten by a monster? Today you should try a new game avoiding stress! Whether this concerns your career or personal life, you need to find some neutral territory where you can relax.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) After a few days of moving in slow motion, today you will get back all of your energy, Libra. Your instincts will be excellent and draw you to the people who can help you. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) If you've encountered a lot of resistance on some of your projects, Scorpio, you should probably let them go. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) The planetary positions are telling you to watch what you eat, Sagittarius. Why don't you think about eating more fruit? Buy the nicest fruit you can find and really be good to yourself. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) What a perfect day to go to a spa, get a massage, or enjoy a sauna, Capricorn. You've accumulated a lot of tension and stress lately, and you may have had a hard time trying to calm down. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) If you've been hesitant about whether you should go on a diet, this would be a great day to start. If you're one of those people who really doesn't have to watch what you eat, good for you! PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) If you don't feel that you make enough money, this is the time to do something about it, Pisces. Are you sure you're doing everything you can to earn as much as possible?
the Management of Massy Distribution (Guyana) Inc. and Seven Seas as we move forward to promote the sport of Archery in Guyana.
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Wednesday February 16, 2022
Mbappe scores late winner for PSG against Real after Messi had penalty saved Kylian Mbappe scored his 22nd goal of the season to give PSG victory. (Getty Images)
BBC Sport - Kylian Mbappe scored a brilliant goal in stoppage time as Paris St-Germain beat 13time Champions League winners Real Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie. The France striker, linked with a move to Real in the summer, received the ball on the left from a clever backheel by Neymar, and got between two defenders inside the box before slotting
through Thibaut Courtois’ legs to send the Parc des Princes wild. It was a dramatic finish to a game that had looked set to end in frustration for PSG, especially after Lionel Messi saw his penalty saved just after the hour mark. The hosts had dominated possession but struggled to break down a well-organised Real defence that had limited PSG to one shot on target in the first half, when Mbappe saw a shot denied by Courtois’ legs. But the introduction of Neymar, making his first appearance since November after recovering from injury, proved decisive. He caused Real a number of problems with his dangerous crosses and clever runs before providing the crucial pass for Mbappe to work his magic with seconds remaining. The win will give PSG hope that they can head to Madrid on Wednesday, 9 March and get the result they need to keep alive their hopes of winning a first Champions League title. A successful audition for Mbappe All the build-up to the game had centred on Mbappe and how the striker would perform in what
appeared to be an audition against his future employers. The 23-year-old is one of the best players in the world right now and has been in superb form this season, with his goalscoring prowess pulling PSG out of difficult circumstances a number of times. Just a few days ago, he scored in the 93rd minute to secure a 1-0 win at Rennes in Ligue 1 - and once again he had the decisive impact in this game. Real, to their credit, had defended superbly for so long, with their doubling up on Mbappe having largely limited his impact. But the introduction of Neymar in the closing stages gave the visitors an additional threat to deal with and in turn more space for Mbappe to cause problems. There was relief for Real when Mbappe saw a shot from the edge of the area beat Courtois but bounce just wide of the far post late on but in the end he was not to be denied the match-winning moment. The goal was Mbappe’s 22nd in another incredible season for the youngster and his performance will surely have only served to enhance Real’s desire for him to be leading their line next term.
GCB congratulates Hetmyer, Shepherd and Rutherford on IPL Selections The Guyana Cricket Board has offered congratulations to three (3) Guyanese cricketers who were selected by teams during the Indian Premiere League (IPL) recently auction held on February 12 and 13, 2022. Shimron Hetmyer, who has previously represented Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC), was snapped up by Rajastan Royals (RR) for approximately USD$1,133,000. He is presently representing Guyana Harpy Eagles in the West Indies Championship as he looks to help Guyana regain the Regional four (4) day trophy. Romario Shepherd has been selected for his first IPL season following
impressive showings over the past six (6) months both with the bat and ball during the last Caribbean Premiere League (IPL) and for West Indies. He has been selected by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a p p r o x i m a t e l y USD$1,033,000. Sherfane Rutherford, a CPL champion with the St. Kitts Patriots where he had some solid performances, was picked up by RCB for a p p r o x i m a t e l y USD$133,000. Rutherford is back in the IPL after missing last season. He was a member of the victorious Mumbai Indians team in 2020. The GCB wishes Hetmyer, Shepherd and Rutherford well as they continue to make Guyana and West Indies proud.
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‘WI not ready to give up on Hetmyer’ - Pollard says team looking forward to having batsman back in near future Shimron Hetmyer
Valieva shines through doping cloud as Beijing holds its breath BEIJING, (Reuters) - there had been a mix up with Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva yesterday shrugged off her Olympic doping scandal to dominate the women’s competition with an emotional performance that put her ahead in the hunt for a gold medal that is unlikely to be awarded at the Beijing Games. The 15-year-old fought back tears as she completed the 2 minute and 40 second routine, watched by millions around the world, her music almost drowned out by the clicking of cameras. No medals will be awarded at the Winter Games for the women’s event if Valieva finishes in the top three of the two-day competition, which resumes on Thursday. The teenager, who was cleared to compete by sport’s top court despite testing positive for a banned heart drug, will not have her case resolved before the Beijing Games end. Valieva tested positive at her national championships on Dec. 25 but the result was not revealed until Feb. 8, after she had already competed at the Beijing Games in the team event. Earlier yesterday, an O l y m p i c o ff i c i a l s a i d Valieva’s defence was that
her grandfather ’s heart medication. The teenager’s case has prompted uncomfortable questions about figure skating, and whether or not the minimum age for competitors - 15 — needs to be raised. American Mariah Bell skated in the women’s singles yesterday, and as she left the ice took a swipe at minors competing on the biggest stage. “I absolutely believe that there should be an age limit,” the 25-year-old said. “I know for me, personally, I know when you’re growing there’s a lot of changes happening. There are minors competing... that’s a whole different thing.” The nine skaters who featured for the U.S. and the seven who competed for Japan in the team event will go home without receiving their medals because of Valieva’s drug case. The United States finished behind the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) with Japan third. “My heart goes out to the rest of my team mates and hopefully we’ll find some way to celebrate together,” U.S. ice dancer Madison Hubbell said.
SportsMax - West Indies captain Kieron Pollard insists the team is nowhere close to being ready to give up on talented batsman Shimron Hetmyer, despite the player’s recently welldocumented struggles with fitness. The 25-year-old batsman was left out of the West Indies’ previous series against Ireland and England and also failed to be included in the squad for the ongoing
India tour. The issue stemmed from the fact that the player failed to achieve the basic fitness standards required to be eligible for selection. It was not the first time Hetmyer had been plagued by the issue as he also failed to get a passing mark in 2020, ahead of the team’s tour of Sri Lanka, and then again later that same year during Sri Lanka’s tour of the West Indies. The Windies
skipper, however, backs the player to get things right in the near future. “I think the coaches have spoken on their assessment of Shimron. I miss Shimron when he is not around. He is a young player and a superstar in his own right. He will get it right and get back to the West Indies squad pretty soon. I will be looking forward to having him,” Pollard told members of the media, ahead
of the team’s first T20I against India. “We know what he can do as an individual and he has a bright future. You can never write off a guy who is 25. My love for Shimron is paramount, and he knows that and we all know that. It is a matter of time for him to do all that is necessary to get back to the team. We will welcome him with open arms.”
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Wednesday February 16, 2022
Seven Seas re-commits support to Archery Guyana “Seven Seas,” a brand distributed by Massy Distribution (Guyana) Inc., has reached out once again to re-commit its support to Archery Guyana, and will be exclusively sponsoring the 2021 Indoor Archery Competition at the Muslim
Yo u t h O r g a n i z a t i o n yesterday. Seven Seas has been around for generations, becoming a household name over half a century ago. Its products are the culmination of a continuous, rigorous, and intense research and
development process resulting in formulations that are known for their excellent quality and high standards. Seven Seas products help families live their TRUEAGE through their range of products built on the science of OMEGA-3.
The Seven Seas brand started out with COD LIVER OIL, which our parents fed to us at a tender age, and has since developed a range of essential health products, aimed at enhancing our hair, skin and nails, reducing joint inflammation and more importantly, assisting with brain development and memory support. Helping us to look younger, think smarter, and be radiant inside and out are some of the
benefits of using Seven Seas Products. It should also be noted that Seven Seas has an established Joint Care range, which supports an active lifestyle and consists of different formulations, such as Joint Care Supplex, Complete, and Max. These products start with Omega-3 and Glucosamine and include various additions such as Calcium and Chondroitin which focuses on the health of bones,
cartilage, muscles, and connective tissue. The launch of the Partnership between Massy Distribution (Guyana) Inc. and Archery Guyana took place at the end of July 2019 (Pre Covid-19 Times) at the Massy Distribution Office at Montrose, East Coast Demerara. The then Brand Coordinator noted that, Seven Seas Omega-3 products are essential in enabling us to become (Continued on page 31)
Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 16, 2022
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Bobsleigh-Friedrich supreme in unprecedented German podium sweep YANQING, China, (Reuters) Any pretenders’ hopes that the undisputed king of bobsleigh might relinquish his crown were brought crashing down to earth yesterday as Germany’s Francesco Friedrich and Thorsten Margis rocketed to another Olympic gold medal. Friedrich, the police officer from Dresden, led three German teams in a sweep of the podium, a feat unprecedented in any Olympic bobsleigh event going back 98 years. Friedrich was unsatisfied with his performance in the first heat - he and Margis led but a few bumps along the “Flying Snow Dragon” track meant compatriots Johannes Lochner and Florian Bauer were still capable of an upset. In the race’s finale, however, the master left no doubts about his superiority, hitting speeds close to 136 kilometres an hour as they rocketed through the -12 degrees Celsius air of the Yanqing hills. Their time over four runs was 3:56.89, 0.49 seconds faster than Lochner and Bauer, and 1.69
Francesco Friedrich and Thorsten Margis of Germany in action. (REUTERS/Thomas Peter)
seconds quicker than compatriots Christoph Hafer and Matthias Sommer who took bronze. “Today in the third run we say we have to fight, we have to attack Hansi (Lochner), that we can make the distance,” Friedrich said after the race. “It was so great to come in the
finish in the third run and see the 58.99. We want to be the only ones who come under 59 (seconds) and we did it.” It was an awesome show of German dominance even at an Olympics where the country has won seven out of eight available sliding golds and half the 24 sliding medals.
“It’s a team victory,” said Sommer. “We work together, we tested the sleds and the runners. It’s a victory for Germany.” The country is bobsleigh’s stronghold. It is home to a quarter of the world’s bobsleigh tracks, with its team enjoying a warchest that is the envy of other winter sport
federations, not to mention a crop of tremendous talent. L8N2UP5BR “The whole season was the same thing, so I think nobody is surprised,” said Switzerland’s Michael Vogt, who finished in fourth. “They have the best material, it is a pretty long track, so it’s even harder for the other teams to reach them.” Friedrich, the man regarded as bobsleigh’s greatest of all time added to his gold medals in the two-man and four-man events in Pyeongchang four years ago, with a chance at another four-man medal on Sunday. A wave of shock rippled through the crowd as Britain’s Brad Hall and Nick Gleeson flipped at high speed at the perilous curve 13, the bobsleigh skidding through the finish line with the two men’s helmets uncomfortably close to the ice. But they stood up and returned for a strong final run to finish in 11th place. It was also Monaco’s best Olympic finish in both summer and winter varieties, with Rudy Rinaldi and Boris Vain placing sixth.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 16, 2022
Lady Jags seeking right chemistry ahead of Dominica battle Head Coach of Guyana’s Senior Women’s National Team, Ivan Joseph, expects to face a strong, physical Dominican team in the first step towards the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup when they battle at the Leonora Stadium tonight from 20:00 hrs. The Lady Jags were engaged in intensive preparations at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre, ahead of their opening qualification match of the 2022 Concacaf “W” Championship, which acts as the gateway to the FIFA Women’s World Cup to be hosted in Australia and New Zealand. The encampment is the first time many key squad members have been involved with the national team since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Joseph said the first few training sessions were designed to “get the rust off” and “help the players get introduced to each other”. “You’re going to see us assess the players here,” Joseph said. “We’ve got 36 players in the camp and the talent is pretty deep. You’re going to see us try to sort out the players who
play in the best positions, who has the right chemistry, and move that 36 down to 23 players and then our starting eleven.” He said his coaching team would be gauging players on a range of criteria, including skill, decision-making and level of competitiveness, with the latter attribute likely to be crucial given the nature of their opponents today. “Dominica are a formidable team,” he said. “The video that we’ve been able to see from them is from 2018, but they are strong, they’re physical and they can play football.” Guyana has been drawn in Group F of the qualification stage for the Concacaf regional competition, alongside Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, Nicaragua and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Only the winners of each of the six groups progress to the final tournament, alongside automatic qualifiers Canada and the United States. After tonight’s opening fixture, the Lady Jags travel to Turks and Caicos for their next match of the FIFA international window, which is scheduled for Saturday, February 19.
Wednesday February 16, 2022
Kaieteur News
PAGE 37
West Indies 4-day C/ships
Hurricanes on top after blowing away Harpy Eagles for 116 - Powell (55) & Hodge (51) put Islanders in full control By Sean Devers In the middle of the dry season in Trinidad, the Leewards Hurricanes, led by an unfinished century opening stand from Kieran Powell and Montcin Hodge, were in total control against Guyana Harpy Eagles on the opening day of their second round of the West Indies First Class tournament at the Q u e e n ’s P a r k O v a l yesterday. Despite a fighting 50-run stand between WicketKeeper Anthony Bramble who made an attacking 38 from 39 balls with five fours and two sixes and Keemo Paul, whose 20 lasted 17 balls with two fours, the joint leaders were skittled out for 116 as poor shot selection helped to orchestrate their demise. A p a r t f r o m Te s t Batsmen, Skipper Leon Johnson and Vishaul Singh, most of the others threw their wickets away with injudicious shots as left-arm spinner Daniel Doram (316), left-arm pacer Colin Archibald (3-29) and West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph (2-26) did the damage. When bad light stopped play the Volcanoes were 126 without loss, enjoying a lead of 10. The 31-year-old Powell on 55 from 114 balls with seven fours and 34 year-old Hodge on 51 from 168 balls decorated five boundaries. When Volcanoes began their reply before empty stands and under blue skies, Powell got going with a boundary as he and Hodge carried their score to 45 without loss by Tea. Powell was on 13 and Hodge on 18 with both batsmen reaching the boundary twice. A f t e r Te a , P o w e l l stroked Permaul to long-on to post the 50 while Hodge played the supporting role. The left handed Powell, who played 44 Tests, danced into West Indies left-arm s p i n n e r Ve e r a s a m m y Permaul and dispatched him past mid-off for four as both batsmen played confidently with several good shots on both sides of the wicket.
The century stand was posted when Powell off drove Gudakesh Motie for a single to reach his 39th50, while Hodge stroked Motie past cover for three to reach his 31st50 from 156 balls. Earlier, after opting to bat on a good track, Hemraj (9) was taken at cover at 161, playing a loose drive off Jerimiah Louis to trigger a dramatic collapse which saw the Harpy Eagles quickly sink to 37-5. Shimron Hetmyer played his first ball into the ground and as it ballooned behind him and was about fall onto the wicket when he swatted it away with his left hand. Realising what he had instinctively done, Hetymer, recently bought by the Rajasthan Royals for US1,130,500, immediately tucked his bat under his arm and slowly walked off the QPO’s sward to become the first West Indian batsman to be dismissed ‘Obstructing the field’ since the ‘Handle the ball’ Law was changed. At 16-2 Johnson joined Tagenarine Chanderpaul who, a run later, meekly steered one to Gully after making five from 17 balls as Joseph, another IPL pick, struck. It was soon 27-4 when Johnson (2) got a good ball from Joseph and drove at one that left him and was brilliantly taken by a diving Jomal Hamilton, in front of second slip. Bramble got off the mark from a firm push off Joseph past mid-off before pushing forward to a ‘flipper’ from the burly Rakeem Cornwall and edged the ball just out of the reach of first slip for a fortuitous boundary. Singh, who fell on 93 in the first game, got a ball from Archibald that left him and was taken at second slip for eight as Harpy Eagles stumbled to 37-5. Bramble deposited Cornwall for six before a confident appeal for caught at short leg was turned down. Bramble’s big drive at left-arm seamer at Archibald, took the inside and speed across the fast outfield to the fine-leg
boundary to bring up the 50. Paul who made 73 in their one wicket win over the Volcanoes, reversed swept Cornwall for four before Bramble who hit an unbeaten 196 at Providence against the Hurricanes, lofted Archibald over long off for six. Bramble edged a cut at Doram for four, while Paul
stroked Archibald for a boundary as the partnership began to build. But just before Lunch, Bramble edged Archibald to the keeper at 87-6 before Paul (20) got one that turned from Doram and was taken at slip by Cornwall two runs later. At Lunch, Guyana were (Continued on page 31)
Unbeaten century partnership between John Campbell and Paul Palmer. Jamaica Scorpions close at 299-3 against Barbados Pride at Kensington Oval.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 38
Wednesday February 16, 2022
Herstelling A and B secure places in finals Herstelling A and B teams have secured their places in the final of the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association 40-over tournament which continued on Sunday last.
Herstelling A defeated Silver bullet by 121 runs at Farm. Herstelling A took first strike and made 243 all out in 32.3 overs. Martin Salick struck six fours and three sixes in a top score of
57, while Safraz Esau made 55 with six fours and one six, Derrick Mc Calmon contributed 25 and Rickey Sargeant 24. D. Paul claimed 3-40 and Roopnarine Ramsundar 2-29.
Silver bullet were bowled out for 122 in 26.2 overs in reply. R. Rajaram made 26, C .Ragnuath 17 and Abdul Bacchus 11. Sargeant grabbed 4-16, Anand Bharat 2-26 and Reaz Esau 2-27.
At Queen’s College, Herstelling B overcame Ruimveldt by 11 runs. Herstelling B managed 1228 from their reduced quota of 22 overs, taking first strike. Jermain Ramroop scored 35 not out, Buddhan Baksh 19
and R. Narine 18. Ruimveldt responded with 111-9. Ershad Ali made 30, Danny Narayan 18 and Shemroy Barrington 15. The final will be played on Saturday at Farm.
Martin Salick (L) and Ricky Sargeant.
Guyana Beverages Inc. renews sponsorship with Archery Guyana
Archery Guyana’s Secretary-General, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon.
General Manager of Guyana Beverages Inc., Samuel Arjoon.
Guyana Beverages Incorporated (GBI) has recently renewed their sponsorship with Archery Guyana as the sport continues to foster its growth throughout the county. Secretary-General of Archery Guyana, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, noted that for Archery and any sport overall, hydration is very important. On the morning of July 30, 2019, the National Gymnasium was the venue where the two entities entered their agreement, now almost two years later on February 14 the partnership was once again renewed. Persaud-McKinnon expressed great delight at the fact that Archery Guyana will be continuing its partnership with GBI, located at Plot 4A Area AA1 Plantation Great Diamond East Bank Demerara. Guyana Beverages Inc. will be sponsoring its Oasis brand of purified water products for Archery
G u y a n a . O a s i s o ff e r s consumers a refreshing balanced taste of premium purified water. GBI, a leader in the beverage industry, remains at the cutting edge of innovation. To this end, the company launched in the Guyana market its new Sports Drink, ‘Altitude’ which contains sodium, potassium and magnesium and comes in 3 flavours – Fruit Punch, Grape and Blue Frost. This product will also form part of the sponsorship, offering the participants the ability to replace electrolytes lost through sweat. A deep level of gratitude is expressed to General Manager of GBI, Samuel Arjoon, and the Management of the company for focusing on sports development and for seeking to make Oasis the official water of Archery Guyana. More information on Archery Guyana can be found on its website www.ArcheryGuyana.org.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 16, 2022
PAGE 39
BCB Patron Trust Fund starts distribution of $1M worth of white cricket balls to first division teams - Second installment of Minister Zulfikar Mustapha Educational scholarship handed over
Naeem Khan receives his University of Guyana scholarship from Sir Curtly Ambrose.
Representatives of six clubs pose with Sir Curtly Ambrose after receiving cricket balls under the Patron fund programme.
T
he Berbice Cricket Board continues to assist clubs under its watch with another distribution of items in the ancient county. On Saturday last, the board during a special ceremony for the legendary Sir Curtly Ambrose started the distribution of one million dollars worth of white cricket balls to first division clubs. The balls were distributed under the BCB Patron Trust Fund. BCB President Hilbert Foster stated that the trust fund was established in late 2020 when Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat was inducted as the board first official Patron. In 2019, the fund handed over a total of $1.2M worth of balls and cricket gears to clubs and youth players. Minister Bharrat committed $2.5M to the fund for last year and had handed over a cheque for $1.5M in October 2021. That amount was used for the hosting of several mini cricket academies and social skills seminars, while close to fifty youths benefitted from educational grants to assist their pursuit of an educational career. The distribution of the cricket balls completes the pledge of $2.5M by the Patron for 2021. Discussions for 2022 would soon start with the Patron, who Foster described as one of main
reasons for Berbice success over the last few years. The white balls, Foster stated would be used for practice by the first division teams and in tournaments organised by the BCB. The BCB has already secured sponsorships for the Ivan Madray 20/20 Memorial tournament, Tenelec 50 overs and another tournament has been committed to by the Guyana Brewery Ltd. The board would shortly be meeting with representatives of the different clubs to decide on the way forward in light of the ongoing covid 19 situation. The board distributed boxes of balls to the Skeldon Community Centre, Upper Corentyne Cricket Association, Police, Albion, Port Mourant, RHTYSC, Rose Hall Canje and West Berbice. The BCB would also hand over balls to Young Warriors CC, Tucber Park CC, Berbice River Cricket Association and Blairmont who were absent from the ceremony. Legendary Icon Sir Curtly Ambrose handed over the balls on behalf of the board and Patron Vickram Bharrat. Meanwhile, the board also handed over two catching cribs to representatives of the East Bank Berbice CC and Kildonan CC under the Patron Fund. The board also handed over a large set of sneakers to four clubs for
distribution to less fortunate cricketers. The sneakers were donated to the BCB by former national player Sheik Mohamed. The clubs receiving sneakers were Achievers, Port Mourant, Edinburgh and East Bank Berbice. The BCB also handed over a cheque for $247,100 to Naeem Khan. The cheque represented the second payment to Khan as payment for the historic BCB / Zulfikar Mustapha University of Guyana Educational Scholarship.
Early Last year, the Berbice Cricket Board created history when it became the first cricket board in Guyana to hand out a University of Guyana scholarship. Khan is a medium pacer who plays for the Albion Cricket Club and attends the Tain campus of the University of Guyana. The young player expressed thanks to BCB President Hilbert Foster and Minister Mustapha for their support. Minister Mustapha is a Berbician by birth and is a strong supporter of the BCB.
Sir Curtly Ambrose hands over a catching crib to a representative of Kildonan CC.