Kaieteur News

Amerindian villages to receive between $10M and $35M from carbon credit sales - VP Jagdeo

A m e r i n d i a n Demerara on Wednesday consultations with the communities across Guyana Jagdeo told the gathering National Toshaos’ Council are set to receive between that a total of $4 6B (NTC) and other parties, it $10 million and $35 million ( U S $ 2 2 M ) , w h i c h was determined that 15 from carbon credit sales represents 15 percent of percent would be disbursed commencing next week, Hess’payment for Guyana’s totheIndigenouspeoplesfor Vice President (VP), Bharrat carbon credits, will be community development Jagdeohassaid. disbursed in the various He said too that the amount

The VP made the communities. disbursedwillbedetermined disclosure during a meeting The disbursement comes based on the size of the with representatives from as a result of the historic community over 240 Amerindian and agreement signed with Hess “It would not have been hinterland communities Corporation for Guyana’s adequate just to discuss this across Guyana hosted at the carbon credits in 2022 that withtheNTCexecutive,that Arthur Chung Conference will see the country earning is why we wanted a larger C e n t r e ( A C C C ) a t US$750Mforitsforest. group here, so that we can Liliendaal, East Coast He said following talktoyouandexplaintoyou

the proposals that we have,” revealed that at the t h e Vi c e P r e s i d e n t government level, the funds highlighted. would have to go through a Jagdeo added that a strict separate audit, with the mechanism must be possibility of international followed to ensure v e r i f i c a t i o n “ T h e a c c o u n t a b i l i t y a n d transparencyintheuseofthe transparency regarding how fundswillbemaintained,but thefundswillbeexpended. we’renotconfusingthiswith

Each community has oil and gas, the natural already created separate resources fund. That fund is bank accounts, allowing separate,”heexplained. fundstobeaccountedfor He The major deal between said the money should be the government and Hess, e x p e n d e d f o r t h e which was signed in advancement of the December last, will see communitiesinareassuchas Guyana issuing about 7.5M social welfare, food security credits per year, on average andjobcreation. from 2021 to 2032 – so the

He said: “Although Hess deal is for the purchase we’re putting the money in of about one-third of all your account, you cannot Guyana’s credits (issued and draw down this money until anticipated)upto2032. you give it to your finance But even before the pact committeeandyoucomplete was inked, the Irfaan Ali –your village development led Administration had plan. You have to complete committed that 15 percent of that and that plan must be theproceedsfromanysaleof done by the village, would forest carbon will go to havetohaveanendorsement Amerindiancommunities,in by the village and you’ll both forested and nonhave to share with us the forested areas. Guyana will minutes of the meeting, in receive $187M, as payment which the village endorses for the ‘legacy period’ theplan.” (2016-2020). For the period

Meanwhile, Jagdeo 2021 to 2025, a payment of noted too that during $250M is expected; and for d i s c u s s i o n s a t t h e 2025 to 2032, $350M, under International Energy the agreement with Hess Conference and Expo, it was Corporation.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

A section of the attendees at the disbursement of the fund hosted at ACCC Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara

…costtogeneratepowernow peggedatUS4.2cents/KWh

Guyana to pay Exxon US$55M annually for 20 years to clear pipeline debt

By Davina

Bagot Wednesday gave an update mmbtu by 365 days by 1.26

megawatt output from the on the venture during day which is the conversion of power plant using gas, if The Government of two of the International themmbtutomcfkandthat’s government had to pay for Guyana (GoG) will be Energy Conference, being how we came up with the fuel to generate electricity, paying American oil major hosted at the Marriott Hotel US$55million.” this would have cost almost ExxonMobil US$55 million in Georgetown. The event is Generating cost US$400million. annuallyfor20yearstoclear being hosted this year under A c c o r d i n g t o

Additionally, he also the costs associated with the theme ‘Harnessing Brassington, the project will pointed out that Guyana will developing a 12- inch EnergyforDevelopment’. generate electricity for the benefit from the Natural Gas pipeline that will be used to Itwasonlylastweekthat country at a mere US4.2 Liquids that will be transport natural gas from thePresidentofExxonMobil cents. This new estimate is produced In 2021, the the Liza Fields offshore to Guyana, Alistair Routledge lower than US5 cents Vice average price to import theWalesdevelopmentsite. said that the final cost of the President Bharrat Jagdeo propane and butane- the The pipeline is a pipeline has not yet been had initially estimated. The gases used for cooking- was component of the Gas-to- determined; however, GTE Project Head said in pegged at US$100 million. Energy (GTE) project being Brassingtontolddelegatesof 2022, Guyana generated its This however increased to developed by government the conference that the electricity through Heavy US$150 million in 2022 he and Exxon, through its pipeline cost will be US$1B. FuelOil(HFO). said, pointing to the benefits subsidiary, Esso Exploration He explained that when the The cost to do this Guyanacanenjoy. and Production Guyana US$1 billion is repaid over a however was pegged at just A c c o r d i n g t o Limited(EEPGL).Whilethe period of 20 years, this under US20 cents per Brassington, “it is an oil company will be funding amounts to a US$55M debt Kilowatt hour (KWh). He extremelygooddeal.” the investment costs of the forthecountryeachyear said the cost to generate He said Guyana will pipeline, the GoG will be Brassington even sought power with HFOs last year paying US$55 million and at building a Natural Gas to share the formula used by was US15 8 cents This the same time is poised to Liquids (NGL) facility to thestatetoarriveatthiscost. however was not the final receive value about 10 times treat and separate the He explained, “That US$55 cost to distribute the greater “Even if we were to resource, as well as a 300 million is the amortized cost electricity as the Guyana use lower prices for the megawatts (MW) power of US$1 billion for 20 years Power and Light Inc. (GPL) NGLs and for the fuel, we plant to generate electricity at a discount rate. When we also factored in its

“Our actual selling

getting multiple topowerthenationalgrid. convert that to an equivalent operational and capital lastyear(or)whatcustomers Construction)costwouldbe, returns from this and of Head of the Gas-to- price of gas, so that expenses recovery which paid is about 24 or 25 cents weknowwhatwearepaying course the transformational Energy (GTE) project, conversion, we took the 50 pushed the cost to US20 but our real cost because Exxon, we convert that so impact this can have on Winston Brassington on million, we took $2.40 per centsperKWh.

Toshaos to cash in on Govt’s part-time jobs

-Jagdeoannounces

Toshaoshavebeenadded $20,000 to $30,000. Senior receptionists, negotiators, to government’s part-time Councillors in Amerindian forest rangers, managers of job programme to put an communities were also to t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e extra $40,000 in their benefit from a $10,000 communities, and the list pockets monthly, Vice increase- moving their goeson. President Bharrat Jagdeo allowances from $15,000 to The Village Councils, told the Indigenous leaders $25,000. which they head, are like an during a meeting on Back in November 2021, arm of many Ministries of Wednesday a village Toshao, Vivian t h e G o v e r n m e n t

Hesaidthatthepart-time Edwards had written a letter (Amerindian Affairs, programme, which was t o t h i s n e w s p a p e r, Agriculture, Health), since launched on the Coast land highlighting the urgency for they are expected to execute will soon move to the an increase in the monthly m a n y p l a n s o f t h e hinterland. He said with the stipends being given by Government”. He added that development slated to kick government, through the these Amerindian Village off in the interior regions, Ministry of Amerindian Leaders should be treated toshaos will have added Affairs. The Toshao said withmorerespectas$30,000 work and the part-time job then: “I think Toshaos permonthdoesnotsufficeto willcompensate. deserve better than just a pay expenses and put food

After a nine-year wait, stipend These men and on the table throughout the President IrfaanAli last year women, work tirelessly for month.

July announced a $15,000 t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e T h e To s h a o h a d hike in the monthly stipend communities. Toshaos wear suggested that the stipend be for the leaders moving it many caps and do the work increased to match the from $30,000 to $45,000. In of peace officers, police minimum wage which, at addition, the Head of State officers, councillors, thattimewas$70,000. had announced that Deputy Toshaos will receive a 50 percent increase to their monthly stipend, which would have seen their allowance moving from

G P L t o d a y i s the equivalent fuel cost G u y a n a c a n n o t b e subsidized…our real cost is based on what we are paying understated,”hesaid. aboutUS30centssoit’svery Exxon for the 50 million Recovery of capital important to fix this (cubic feet of gas per day) is Offering a financial problem,” he insisted while alittleunderUS2cents.” breakdown on how the hailing the GTE project as He added, “The O&M various aspects of the GTE thesolution. cost (operation and project will be repaid,

To this end, Brassington maintenance) we estimate at Brassington in his half hour said, “Should we look at .8 of one cent and the capex presentation explained that what our projected cost for recovery 1.4 cents so 4.2 the country will pay an generationin2026wouldbe, cents per KWh for additional US$51 million we are looking at an all-in generation versus a little annually for 20 years to costofaboutUS4.2centsfor under US20 cents for last repayfortheNGLandpower kwh. We said last year when year.” plantinfrastructure. we had the signing of the Expected savings He said that the US$759 Heads ofAgreement that the Brassington said in 2022 million for the two facilities cost of generation would be G P L e x p e n d e d willberepaidovera20years less than US5 cents. Well, approximately US15 cents period at a three percent here it is broken down. We on HFOs to generate 1KWh interestrate.Thisamountsto now know firmly what the of electricity He said if one US$51 million Brassington E P C ( E n g i n e e r i n g , were to consider the 300- explained.

Gas-to-Energy Project Head, Winston Brassington delivering his presentation at the International Energy Conference on Wednesday

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Editor-In-Chief:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

PRESS PROFESSIONALS

Today,weappealtoallofourfellowprofessionalsinthe Guyana media to remember and hold fast to our calling as agencies through which information is channeled to our fellowcitizens.

Be it television, radio, print media, online, or social media platforms, we all have a duty to represent this hallowed Fourth Estate to the best of our abilities.The best comes out when we are fearlessly objective, consistently nonpartisan, and move every stone to bring truths to those depending on such coming from us to them. It is a heavy responsibility,whichplacesahighethicalobligationoneach oneofuswhocherishourplaceasmediaprofessionals.

We are fully aware that people, whether in the media or otherprofessionalpursuitsinthislife,havetoeatandhonour theirdebts. Citizenshavetomakealiving,sothattheycan earn,paytheirway Allthatisagiven,andhonestlabourwill neverbefrownedupon,disagreedwith,bythispublication. With this said, there is an unchanging duty, a moral imperative, an ethical insistence, that our roles as media professionalsnotonlybedeliveredwithskillandsubstance, but also with cleanliness, and always with an eye to the appearance of our actions, and the hint of any taint that it inflictsuponthisspecialcallingofours.

The above must be the hallmarks, the essences, of our professional media practice. It is most unfortunate that this hasnotbeensoforalongtimenowinGuyanesemedia,and neverlikebefore,sincethediscoveryofoilinvastquantities. The discovery of oil has cleared the way for a stampede of foreigners to rush here to explore and exploit the many lucrative opportunities of Guyana. Oil made that possible, with a host of new businesses and new possibilities for Guyanese taking hold As the foreigners establish themselves, doors are opened when Guyanese come knockinginseekofopportunity

Media opportunities have arisen, with a combination of some new presences, and a cohort of seasoned faces from Guyana’spressandpublicrelationsranks.Guyaneseareseen as the more appropriate faces to present to their fellow citizens information about oil and gas developments in upstream spheres, as well as the many segments of downstreambusinessesthatarepartofthegrowinglocaloil sector It is believed, and there is some agreement on this, that a familiar name and face work well in the local environment,relativetocredibilityand,hence,acceptability

Thereissometrustvestedinthem,whichonlyaddsmoreto the already heavy role of local media presences, be they mainstream pros, or others contributing from various technologydrivenplatforms.

Regardless of which business is worked for, what sophisticatedarrangementsaremadeforcoverage,andwho are the paymasters, it is nonnegotiable that the paramount virtues,obligations,anddevotionsmustbetotruth,fairness, balance,andacertainimpeccablestandardinourindividual conduct. This is what shines through, and no money, no prestige,noheightsofassociation,andnorecognitionshould tamperwithourcalltounbiasedprofessionalism.

No foreign or local power, no matter how influential, should sway to their side and cause, not when the interests and welfare of our naive, hopeful, and vulnerable fellow Guyaneseareatstake.

It is vital that our press professionals rise about the partisan, which they haven’t. It is ideal when our media people do not hold money so highly that they risk besmirching themselves, and the whole profession. They have. It needs no repeating, but media professionals must not crave for, be so beholden to, the favours of others that theysellthemselvesandwhatevervaluestheydidpossessfor a place, a cheap dollar, some promise or the other. The sponsors are many, and they have plenty of money. It is human to succumb, and then to try to justify by either not caring, brazening it out or, worse yet, to attack those perceivedasenemies.

Guyanese interests are not well served when this is so, anditisso.Mediaprofessionalscandobetter,andtheymust, ifwearegoingtohaveabetterGuyana.

Lincoln Lewis continues to misrepresent the facts

DEAREDITOR, Reference is made to a letter from Mr Lincoln Lewis captioned ‘Under Jagdeo’s presidency the bauxite industry selfcontributing Pension Fund worth more than $2.5B was destroyed’.

Mr. Lewis not only repeats therein, previously debunked accusations about the PPP/C government’s treatment of workers in the bauxite industry, but also launchesintoawide-ranging rant accusing the government of racism and discrimination. It is no secret that Mr Lewis currently finds common cause with the APNU-AFC, thus his contrived racialisation of issues is consistent with what is evidently the political strategyofthemainpolitical opposition.

While almost all of Mr. Lewis’ accusations have p r e v i o u s l y b e e n comprehensively debunked and discredited, we are aware that every year or so, when he revives these claims, there may be people whohavenevernoticedthem before. It is for this reason thatwerespond.

Firstly,Mr Lewisasserts

thatVicePresidentJagdeois “squatting on the people’s interest”. He must explain thiscrypticassertion. Ifheis implying as his consorts in the opposition do, that the APNU+AFC won the last election, he should have the moral and intellectual courage to forthrightly posit this discredited position so thatwecandealwithit. He shouldnotbeallowedtohide behind cryptic innuendo. If thisisnotwhathemeans,he should say what he does mean so that people can engagehimtotheextentthat what he says merits such engagement.

Secondly,itisincumbent uponMr Lewistoprove(not merelyassert)thatthePrime Ministerdoesnotfunctionas the Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly.

He should also give us thebenefitofhisexpertiseon Constitutional Law and to educateusonthe‘functions’ of the First Vice President following which he can provethatthePrimeMinister does not perform those functions.ShouldMr Lewis be able to prove these two assertions, we can then proceed to treat with the unsubtle racist rhetoric that

isembodiedinhisstatement that the Prime Minister “appears content to support the [alleged but unproven] constitutionalviolation”and allthatfollows.

Mr Lewisthengoesonto makehisoftrepeatedclaims thatPPPCgovernmentshave discriminated against bauxite workers but support sugar workers The objective of making this comparison is obvious. Mr Lewishasbeenmakingthese claims repeatedly for well over two decades. On each and every occasion that he makes these accusations typically in vague and sweeping terms, there have been comprehensive factual and detailed responses by formerPrimeMinisterHinds which time and again have proven Mr. Lewis to be incorrect.

Every year or two, Mr. Lewis simply re-asserts thesebogus claimsprobably in the hope that he finds a new audience or that people have forgotten that his c l a i m s h a v e b e e n comprehensively and credibly demolished by former Prime Minister Hinds. Please see letter in the Stabroek News dated February 1, 2016, almost

seven years ago which thoroughly and factually refuteseachandeveryclaim repeatedbyMr Lewistoday

FormerPMHindsdetailsthe decades long, consistent support to the Bauxite industry including the government’s assumption of responsibility for billions of dollarsindebtsrackedupby the PNC administration so that Linmine and Bermine, freed of these liabilities, became attractive to foreign investors; government’s continuedsupportinkeeping the industry alive when certain investors pulled out, and treating with the reason that the worker’s proposal wasrejected.Despiteformer PMHinds,calm,rationaland detailed refutation of Mr. L e w i s ’s s w e e p i n g generalized accusations, it seemsthatMr.Lewisintends to repeat these identical claimseveryfewyearsinthe hope that they eventually assume some semblance of credibility merely by repetition.

One new twist in the old saga is Mr Lewis’ implication that the Granger/Nagamootoo administration prepared to settletheissuesbetween (Continuedonpage6)

Anew economic model - focusing on the right things, doing them right

DEAREDITOR,

At the conclusion of Guyana National Budget 2023, a major debate arose overtheprosandconsofthe fiscal budget Rightness arguesthatweneedabudget in the name of future generations.

Nowisthetimetolaunch major medium- and longterm public investments to drivejobcreationandcreate n e w i n v e s t m e n t opportunities for industrial sectors that remain crucial for Guyana’s development. We must address building new urban and enter-region transportation systems; i n v e s t i n e n e r g y conservation; dramatically expand low-carbon based energy sources; expand basicpublicservicessuchas childcareandeldercare;and invest much more in public education at all levels as in workers’skills.

Weknowthatallofthese investmentsespeciallythose inpublicservicesandenergy efficiency are labour intensive and create many

more jobs than increased consumer spending, and simultaneously promote our environmental, community development, and social justice goals. What we need is a period of public investment-led growth to drive the whole economy Public infrastructure and public services are key drivers of private sector productivity, public sector investment by private sector suppliers.

This relatively modest growth strategy might seem best to establish Guyana’s best modern industrial economy Given the emerging constraints on global demand, however, it is more likely to succeed in layingthebasisforsustained growth than a classical export-oriented industrial strategy

Moreover, it would do m o r e t o g e n e r a t e opportunities for the majorityofGuyanesepeople intheshorttomediumterm, helping to overcome the employmentbacklogs.

Together, as we all work to create a culture where others can compose lives of meaning and service, let’s continue to learn from one another

To begin or continue our j o u r n e y t o b e a transformational leader as President Irfaan Ali is changing a person’s life. I agree This particular President, however, also looks beyond the typical growth metrics of Guyana’s economy and into its heart andsoul.

In the Old Testament book of Psalms, the poetking David writes, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the World, and all who live in it, for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters”

(Psalms 24:1, NIV): “To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everythinginit.“Andthere’s thislittlepearlfromtheNew Testament book of James: “Everygoodandperfectgift isfromabove,comingdown

from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17, NIV).

We need to get the picture, right? When I say that God owns it all, this is what I mean. I believe that God is the Creator of the universe and owns it all becausehecreateditall.That doesn’tmeanwejustsitback and let things fall apart. No, he wants us to steward his kingdom. It can and should be a place devoted to a purpose, a place where we engage in meaningful work with people we care about andforacausewebelievein.

Finally, there’s morality Morality covers a lot of ground,Iknow Morality, for me, means understandingthedifference betweenrightandwrong.It’s staying away from the edge, so I won’t fall into the trap. It’s doing the right thing no matterthecost.

Yoursfaithfully,

SherwoodClarke GeneralSecretary

ExxonMobil headquarters justified

DEAREDITOR,

I read with deep interest the statement of Vice PresidentDr BharratJagdeo inthemediawherehestated that: “the ExxonMobil’s Headquarters currently being constructed at Ogle EastCoastDemerara(ECD) is cost recoverable, and is justifiable considering the scale of the activities being undertaken at the facility”

(Guyana Times 13th

February,2023) Vice President Jagdeo further wentontosay:“Tomanagea millionbarreladayindustry, fromasafetyandoperational

perspective, you need a building of that nature. A highendbuilding.Also,with advanced capabilities” ( G u y a n a T i m e s 13thFebruary,2023).

Personally, I agree with Dr Jagdeo’s and the Government’s supportive positionthathehastakenfor ExxonMobil to construct such a multimillion-dollar state-of-the-art headquarters here in Guyana. I was in supportofVicePresidentDr Jagdeo’s previous position that he had taken on the matter where he, prior to 2020, had indicated that a

construction of such a multimillion-dollar headquarter facility by ExxonMobil should not be cost recoverable and that if the headquarter building continued in that form; his party, which was in opposition then, would not support the construction project being cost recoverable (Guyana Times 13thFebruary,2023).

Such a multimilliondollar, state-of-the-art, hightechfacilityforExxonMobil to house its headquarters here in Guyana has now become absolutely

necessary and is crucial and very important to the extensive oil exploration activitiesthatthecompanyis presently carrying out in Guyana I will highlight some significant reasons why the construction of the headquarters should be allowed and receive the supportofallGuyana:

1. I t i s c o s t recoverable: Vice President Dr Jagdeo in his statement (Guyana Times 13th February, 2023) indicated thatExxonMobiliscurrently rentingspaceandwhenthe (Continuedonpage6)

Now routine for Govt. contracts to be awarded to underqualified

DEAREDITOR,

AfterseeingtheMinister terminating a contractor’s contract, I would have expectedvariousactionsand new rules being set in place for those already receiving contracts, and who are bidding for contracts

Instead,everythingseemsto remain the same, and my assumption is that the contractor is probably not a favourite of the ruling party, andisprobablybeingusedas a scapegoat to satisfy public’s hunger for actions

against delinquent contractors.

Of recent, many contractors started popping upandbiddingforcontracts, nodoubtafterhearingofthe massive corruption and kickback comes from bidding for contracts

Regardless of whatever contracts are available for bidding, almost everyone is under the impression that government is paying way above the cost of individual contract value(s) So, everyone go through the routinetogetanopportunity ofbitingintothebreadbasket are taking the chance. Many of these individuals doesn’t have the required qualification, experience or knowledgeonacontractthey arebiddingfor,buttheyhire someone to write the proposal for him/her, pay oneormorequalifiedperson

Residents don’t believe that Rose Hall estate will recommence operations this year

DEAREDITOR,

During the 2023 Budget

Debate, Minister of

Agriculture Zulifkar

Mustapha told the National Assembly that smoke will come from the chimney of Rose Hall estate during the secondhalfofthisyear Iwas pleased when I heard the Minister and felt that it was yet another promised being d e l i v e r e d b y t h e Government.

toputtheirnametoregistera companynameandstartwith theirquest.

Many of these contracts arebeingexecutedbyhiring andunderpayingsemiskilled person/persons and having them do the job of the qualified listed on the list bidding for the contract, but who are not present when work going on. As a result, many of these works don’t last long upon completion. The majority of contracts originate through the Ministry of Public Works and mostly are road contracts,whichseemstobe the most popular Given the way our money is being wasted, no one seems to be giving any consideration of taking precautionary measures to ensure that proper jobs are being done formoneypaid.

Editor, there are massive road works being done around the country, and the new schemes established

offerlotsofopportunitiesfor contractors. Walking into any scheme, you see the majority of the roads in deplorable conditions and most of them were just completedashorttimeback. There isn’t a new scheme that have a road that stands up against the various types of vehicles traversing, and manyaskifgovernmentwas taking into consideration of thetypeofvehiclesexpected to utilize the roads and their expectedlifespan.Ifsuchbe the case, then they should monitor the contractors w o r k s a n d t a k e precautionary measures to deny them from getting any other contracts. When work d e t e r i o r a t e s , i t inconveniences everyone

andcausesmanytocomplain untilitbecomesoverbearing and then government comes outlikeasaviorandcontinue thecrookedactions. Visiting the various new schemes, I’ve concluded that the La Parfaite Harmonie New Scheme has the most deplorable roads, and they areinsuchinastatewhenit rains, it is impossible for anyonetowalkcomfortably Potholes are in most of the streets, and some are so extraordinarilyhugethatit’s completely impossible for anyone to walk unless you wantyourfeettogetmud.Is there any hope of people living comfortably for moneybeingspent?

Yoursfaithfully, SahadeoBates

I was, therefore, full of elation when I visited some relatives in Canje recently I told them soon the estate would be back in the swing ofthingsandsomenormalcy could return. Editor I was shocked when relatives and othersinthecommunitytold me they did not believe that theestatewouldoperatethis year Theysharedwithmethat they felt that maybe the Minister was misled. I was

told that many components arestilltobeinstalled,anda major machine had recently been examined by overseas personnelto determinewhat wasrequired.Ilearnttoothat the former GuySuCo Director who was responsible for the factory works has now been named theEstateManager Editor,I amremindedwhatraincan’t full, dew can’t either They toldmethenewmanagerhas not even met the workers sincehisarrivalatRoseHall and they are unaware of his plans.

Editor,Iamhopingthose who I spoke to in Canje are mistaken and Rose Hall will startlaterthisyear Iurgethe Minister to make an on-theground visit as it is widely felttheGuySuCopeopleare misleading him and the Government.

Yourssincerely,

AndrewSingh

governance record

DEAREDITOR,

I saw the ongoing Guyana Energy Conference invited former Columbian PresidentMr IvanDuqueto deliver an address Mr Duque,whoisnowlinkedto theUS-basedWilsonCenter, according to media reports,

has urged that Guyanese benefit from improved infrastructure and cash transfers.

Incidentally or not, the Government of Guyana has embarked on a similar approach.Maybetheyareall

(Continuedonpage6)

Columbia’s Duque was a poor choice, given his own

GWI is unfairly depriving me of water supply to my home

DEAREDITOR,

Iamforcedtoonceagain publicly voice my utter dissatisfaction with the Customer Service of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).OnOctober31,2022

I made an application at the Bachelor’s Adventure branchon theEastCoastOf Demerara for water supply andconnectiontomyhome.

Sometime in December, I receivedaresponsefromMr

Jermaine Nunes, a GWI

E n g i n e e r , w h o

a c k n o w l e d g e d m y application for the service andtoldmethathewillhave to carry out a feasibility study first to determine if I can get the service or not. Theengineerthenvisitedmy propertyandtoldmethatitis located in an un-engineered area,whichmeansGWIwill beunabletoprovidemewith water supply, but If I want

the water connection that I will need to apply for an extension of service which willcostGY$80,000,which Iagreedtoandwasgiventhe go ahead to pay for the serviceforwatersupply

OnDecember28,2022,I paidforthewatersupplyand connection and waited on Mr Jermaine Nunes to providemewithanestimate for the extension of service so I could pay for it as well,

but it was never provided to me. Following that, another engineer contacted me two months later on Wednesday, February 08, 2023, and told me that he will be installing themeter Iwasnotathome and when I got home, I noticed the meter was installed next to a house in Paradise, which is about approximate 300 feet away from my house which is locatedat Foulis on the East

ExxonMobil headquarters...

Frompage5

costofrentalisconsidered,it would approximate to almostthecostofamortizing thebuildingovertime.

He agreed with

Routledge that the new headquarters would be constructedtosupportsolely the oil exploration operations of Exxon and the costwillberecoveredinthe cost recovery mechanism. Renting of space accounted for a huge fraction of the company oil expenses ( G u y a n a T i m e s 13thFebruary 2023) Therefore, by all accounts, this is a financially feasible projectwithhugesavingsfor the company and Guyana at large.

2. The facilities that the headquarters will house: The headquarter buildingwillfeaturetraining facilities, an operations suite,andacontrolcenterfor all the offshore operations, the fibre optic cable which will come from floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, staffresidentialquarters,etc. These are features that are necessary to effectively supporttheexplorationofoil inGuyanawatersandclearly a state of the art, high tech facility is required to house suchfacilities.

3. The extensive oil exploration activities conducted in Guyana by the company Exxon is projected to be producing 600,000barrelsofoilperday by next year when the facility is completed and over 1 million barrels of oil perdayby2027.

The extent of Exxon Mobil oil discoveries includesalonglistofover20 projects in the Stabroek Block.

No doubt you will agree withmethatacompanywith such extensive oil exploration ventures does indeed need a state-of-theart headquarters to effectively carry out its developmentalactivities.

4. The revenue to be generated by the company from the oil discoveries Revenues which we hope wouldbeusedwiselyforthe d e v e l o p m e n t a n d improvement of all the peopleofGuyanainthearea ofInfrastructure,Education, HealthCare,Creationofjob opportunities for the c i t i z e n s , a n d t h e environmentinasustainable way

The Department of Public Information (DPI) statedthat:“Guyanaexpects US$957,874,800 revenues in 2022, US$1,165,443,900

in 2023, US$1,335,315,100 i n 2 0 2 4 , a n d US$1,781,842,700 in 2025. These figures, accounting for profit oil, royalties and interests, amount to US$5,240,476,500 In Guyana’s currency, that amounts to nearly $1 1 trillion.”

(DPI January 29, 2022. ExxonMobil made US$55.7B in 2022, and t h o u g h , t h e r e i s understanding and acceptancethatExxonMobil earned some of its billions from the Permian Basin and other places, plus other businesses, Guyana’s highquality, oil was a significant contributortothecompany’s profitsthatarenowtheenvy of the world (Kaieteur News11February,2023).It ispreciselybecauseofthese huge financial earnings and the economic development ofGuyanathatExxonneeds to have its state-of-the-art headquarters constructed to carry out its exploration a c t i v i t i e s i n a n d environmentally sustainable effectiveandefficientway

We, as the people of Guyana, must realize than Exxon is not our enemy and without Exxon and its affiliates how would we possibly exploit our resources? We have no

technology, no satellite l o c a t i n g s y s t e m , management skills, technological skills, PR skills etc., etc. I say that we embrace ExxonMobil, but we must have full insurance protection to cover Guyana and other nearby countries. We must have ringfencing (ringfencing prevents customers of public utilities from credit risks or exposures of the parent company that may harm customers’ access to essentialservices).

In the early days of ExxonMobil coming to Guyana, I appealed to them tolookatthehumanfactorof the Guyanese and our environmentforgenerations tocome.

ExxonMobil should be c o n c e r n w i t h i t s international reputation whichisnotofthebest.

However, to use Guyana as the opportunity to showcase its humanity and care for peoples and our country

IamnoenemyofExxon and I welcome their presence. Together let us partner for a successful venture for both Exxon and Guyana.

Sincerely,

Hajji Dr Roshan Khan (Snr.)

CoastofDemerara.Thisput me at disadvantage still, since the water is not connected to my house and there is no water to bathe, washandcook,anditishard on me to get by on a daily basis On Tuesday, February, 14, 2023, I visited the Bachelor’s Adventure branch to speak with Manager Mr Ryan Dhanraaj on the issue but wastoldbyhissecretarythat he was in a meeting. The secretary then put me on to Mr JermaineNuneswhohad told me last year that the extension service will cost 80,000 I requested the estimatefortheextensionof service from him again and he brought a paper with the figure changed from GY $ 80,000 to GY $ 168,000 for the extension of service, I questioned him on why the figure has changed, he smiledandwalkedaway I have noticed that GWI is depriving me of water supplyandconnectiontomy home and being unfair me with excess cost while other persons in the community get theirs and never paid a centforextensionofservice. Sowhyme?

Editor, I have seen over

the past years many areas developed into housing schemes such as La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank of Demerara(WBD),Diamond Housing Scheme is (EBD) and Pradoville Two housing schemes at Sparendaam on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) were without basic amenities, such as water, electricity and telephone service and residences of those communities were provided with those services.Whyisitthatsome communities, including the residents of Foulis, particularly me, being treated differently? I don’t thinkitisfair

I am calling publicly on the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Hon. Nigel Dharamlall, MP, the chairman of Buxton/Foulis Neighbourhood Democratic Council, (NDC) and Mr Shaik Baksh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GWI to kindly look into thismatter,sothatIcouldget water supply to my home like others, an essential commodity which I am in needof.

Yoursfaithfully, RayvonneP.Bourne

Columbia’s Duque was a...

Frompage5 readingfromthesamehymn book?

Editor, however, I find Mr Duque’s sentiments oxymoronic During his term as President, his Government attacked its ownpeople.

Anti-government personalities were incarcerated, wounded and, in some instances, some mysteriously vanished. In Duque’s Columbia anyone who dared expressed a dissentingviewwereseenas enemies of the state A simpleinternetsearchwould

reveal the level of dastardliness and the significant condemnations fromseveralquarters. G i v e n o u r o w n difficulties in Guyana and ourownhistory,dowereally want to be lectured by an individual who had a checkeredpast?

I certainly hope that is it not an indication of the future, but I would urge the Conference’s organizers to really pay close attention to those who they invite to speaktoourpeople.

Yourssincerely, PatriciaPersaud

LincolnLewiscontinuestomisrepresentthe...

Frompage4

Rusal and Bauxite Workers justbeforethe2020General Election.

Thisisatrulymind-boggling claim given that Mr Lewis on February 8, 2020, a mere three weeks before those elections accused Minister Keith Scott and senior officials of the Ministry of Labourofbeing“abunchof

incompetent men who are working for the [Rusal] against the state ” see Stabroek News February 8, 2020 “Lewis slams Scott, other labour ministry officials for ‘incompetence’ in handling RUSAL dispute”.

In that story, Mr Lewis is reportedasassertingthatthe PPP/CadministrationofMr

Donald Ramotar tried seriouslytoresolvetheissue, but that MinisterAmnaAlly “ran away”. Mr Lewis should provide proof of the changeofheartonthepartof t h e A P N U + A F C government between February8,2020,andMarch 22020. Heknowswellthat hecannot,butitdoesnotsuit his purpose to acknowledge that his political kith did nothing in this regard to advancetheinterestsoftheir political“kin”.

He basically is trying to say thattheAPNUwasprepared

to resolve these issues in order to say that the PPP/C isn’t and for an inference of ethnicmotivationtofollow He has no regard for the facts. His sole motive is to advance a narrative of discrimination.

A similar intent is seen wherebyMr Lewisconflates the issues of union dues and collectivebargaining.

On the one hand, Mr Lewis alleges that support forthesugarindustryallows GAWUtocollectuniondues and stay alive while governmentdoesnotengage

in collective bargaining

Theseissuesareseparateand distinctfromeachother Mr Lewis does not allege that unions with which he sympathizesare not allowed tocollectunionduesbecause hecannotsodo.

He cannot treat with this issue honestly and logically because his purpose is to contrive a different standard in order to advance an accusation of ethnic discrimination.

It is in this vein that the entirety of Mr Lewis’letter has to be contextualizedand

interpreted. His sole intent appearstobetoallegeracial discrimination and inflame passions of the Guyanese people.

I respond here not becauseIbelievethereisthe slightest merit to any of his unfounded allegations but becauseregrettably,fictions, repeated often enough withoutbeingcounteredwill eventuallytake on the status oftruth.

Regards, Hon.OneidgeWalrond Minister of Tourism, IndustryandCommerce

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PPP doing everything to duck renegotiation

Cheddi Jagan must be burning up…

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He gave his all for Guyana, was reviled, demonized, ostracized.

Today, his political sons and daughters sold out his legacy!

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But even that is not enough selling for them.

Now, they sell themselves; the PPP run barefooted over hot nails to avoid renegotiation.

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This is how cowardly, crass, compromised many in the PPP Govt. are…

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Local Content Secretariat commences revision of legislation to close loopholes for corruption

-toissue750certificatesfor2023;expandcategoriesofworktoearnadditionalUS$250M

By Kiana Wilburg

He said too that Head of the Local accounting, transportation companies He explained talks are also ongoing with a Content Secretariat, Dr andimmigrationservices. that the aim is to take a localandforeigncompanyto Martin Pertab disclosed He said, “We have proactive approach towards provide surveys, sub-sea yesterday at the ongoing identified several new possible labour shortages in inspection, repair and International Energy carved-out areas. Based on the oil and gas industry maintenance (IRM), Conference- Guyana 2023, preliminary assessments, During the course of the R e m o t e l y O p e r a t e d that a number of initiatives these areas will bring in an year, Dr Pertab said the Underwater Vehicles (ROV) are planned this year to not additional US$150 to secretariat will also engage andROVtoolingetc. only remove opportunities US$200 million in business other technical institutions. Hesaidthiswillnodoubt for abuse by schemers but opportunities. One of the He said too that secretariat build on key achievements also increase the number of criteria used to add these officialswillalsohostpublic last year, adding that the 40 local companies that can areas is proven in-country workshops with Guyanese carved-out areas for participateintheoilindustry capacity Therefore, areas and Guyanese-owned Guyanese companies

Towards this end, Dr such as lab supplies, rope businesses. Dr Pertab said brought in around US$700 Pertab said the secretariat access services, offshore these workshops will go million in additional intends to issue around 750 pipe coating, vessel hand-in-handwithanintense business.

Local Content Certificates chartering, etc. will likely communicationscampaign. Speaking to other this year, adding that the find their way onto the First The Director said these notable accomplishments, process to revise the Local ScheduleoftheAct.” exercises will be critical so the Director said progress other stakeholders, and and ship and rig chandlery C o n t e n t A c t h a s Dr Pertabalsonotedthat that more companies and has been made in reducing engagement with local services. He said one can commenced. the government will be citizens by extension can be the payment period by companiesoverthelastyear, therefore expect to see these Dr Pertab said the collaborating with the better informed about the foreign companies to locals we are confident that locals areas undergoing significant strengthening of the law is Government Technical pro-business nature of the to 30-45 days.To ensure that arenowcapableofproviding increases in their respective intended to close all Institute (GTI) and some of legislation.As a result of the commitment remains by the a larger share of the targets in the law In other potential loopholes for the major subcontractors ground work already started, contractor, sub-contractors identifiedservices.” words, foreign entities will corrupt behaviour and operating in the oil and gas the Director said there are andlicensees,Dr Pertabsaid

Expounding on this be forced to increase their further prioritise the use of industry to provide paid several joint ventures with theyarerequiredtoincludeit front, Dr. Pertab said the use of Guyanese for these Guyanese suppliers in the internships to 40+ students. foreign companies in the in this year’s annual plan secretariat has seen services. sector Once completed, Kaieteur making for the provision of beforeapprovalisgranted. significant increases in the As it relates to the First

Specifically, Dr Pertab News understands that sophisticated fabrication Inadditiontohaving560 capacity of locals to provide Schedule of the Act, Dr. said, “We are reviewing all students will be given an services, vessel supply (Continued on page 10) m e d i c a l s e r v i c e s , Pertab said this outlines 40 existing targets under the environmental services and categories where foreign first schedule of the Act. studies, hazardous waste entities must use locals to

Based on our engagements management, pipe welding, varying degrees These with the private sector and

Unicomer to build $25B commercial complex, Logistics Park at Houston

Unicomer(Guyana)Inc., occupying fifty-thousand about this ground-breaking on Tuesday announced its square-foot (50,000 sq. ft.) investment, Mr Vincent plan to construct a ofretailspace,”itwasstated. Gordon, Sub Regional CommercialComplexonthe According to the press Managing Director, East Bank Public Road, East statement, the complex will Unicomer Guyana and the Bank, Demerara, and a also be complemented by an Dutch Caribbean, explained Logistics Park in Houston, array of retail stores, a gym, that the commercial project Guyanaatacostof$25B. as well as restaurants and willbebuiltinthreephases.

In a press release, it was eateries from local and He explained that phase stated that the commercial internationalbrands. onetoincludetheerectionof investment project is Notably,itwasstatedtoo the Courts Mega Store and scheduledtobreakgroundin that discussions are also Ashley Signature Stores; May 2023, following the o n g o i n g w i t h t o p phase two the build-out of necessary regulatory and international hotel brands to the Commercial Park and governmental approvals beincludedinthecomplex. phase three will deliver the The project is then slated to As it relates to the hotel and final parking becompletedby2025. LogisticsPark,whichwillbe structure.

Notably, Redstart constructed on 60 acres of Mr Gordon stated, “In Investments Guyana Inc., land already acquired in November of this year, the the real estate development Houston,thiswillcost$15B. Unicomer Group will and property management It was explained that the celebrate thirty (30) years of division of the Unicomer introduction of the Logistics Courts doing business in Group is undertaking the Park will streamline the Guyana. This multi-billionmassiveproject. retail giant’s supply chain d o l l a r i n v e s t m e n t

It was disclosed that the management process and demonstrates the company’s Commercial Complex a l l o w f o r s i m i l a r continued commitment to whichwillcost$10B,willbe arrangements to be extended the economic development along the river bank of the to other companies in the and growth of Guyana. We East Bank of Demerara. It region. are providing a world-class will house up to 30 retail When completed, the facility and a stellar spaces with 400 parking Logistics Park will also shopping experience for spaces. contain Unicomer Guyana’s residents and visitors alike.

“The complex will be brand-new 250,000 sq. ft. Truly it will take the anchored by a Courts Mega Logistics and Distribution employee and customer Store and an Ashley Center experience in Guyana to the Homestore, together Insharinghisexcitement nextlevel”.

American Airlines ignores Govt’s request for PM Rowley, PM Gonsalves to check-in at VIP lounge

American Airlines (AA) on arrival of the Prime Ministers in Guyana for Wednesday refused a request by them to be accorded the courtesies of checkthe Guyana Government to in on departure from the VIP Lounge, the

facilitate the check-in of airlinerefusedtoacquiescetotheMinistry’s Trinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent Prime requestandinsistedthatthePrimeMinisters Ministers; Drs. Keith Rowley and Ralph leave the Lounge to present themselves to Gonsalves at the VIP Lounge instead of the the check-in counter,” the Foreign Affairs counterattheCheddiJaganAirport. Ministrystated.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The ministry said the Government of International Cooperation sincerely regrets Guyana had previously protested this the inconvenience caused to the Honourable position taken byAmericanAirlines against Prime Ministers of St. Vincent and the its own High and senior Government Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago on officials, but they have continued to pay their departure from the Cheddi Jagan scant regard to the Government’s requests International Airport, Timehri on for entitlements to the positions held to be Wednesday February 15, 2023,” a statement respected.

fromtheministryread.

“ItistheGovernment’sintenttoformally

According to the ministry, all communicate its displeasure of this most government protocols were in place to recent action by the airline that has caused facilitatetheirdeparture.“DespiteAmerican embarrassment not only nationally, but also Airlines having been written to prior to the toourregionalfriends.”

Local Content Secretariat Director, Dr. Martin Pertab

Everyone except Guyana is benefitting from our oil

LeadersoftheCaribbean andLatinAmericaattending the energy conference have plenty to say about how Guyana should spend its oil revenues. But none of them iswillingtoaddresstheneed to correct the lopsided contract which the APNU+AFC government signed.

There is no shortage of advice.Oneleadercameand said that Guyana should invest in infrastructure and to improve its social safety nets. Another said that his country already has the capital infrastructure to help Guyana process its petroleum and natural gas; there is no need to reinvent thewheel.Athirdsoundeda warning.

He cautioned against us spending the money on thingssuchasincreasingour vehicle fleet which will add to congestion on our roads, andheurgedthatattentionbe paid to addressing the root causesofsocialills.

But no one is telling Guyanaastohowitcangeta fair deal. Plenty of advice is pouringinonthebestwayto developthecountrybutlittle on how to ensure that Guyanagainsmoresothatit can do more and do more quickly for its people. The PPP/C has long raised the white flag of surrender. It is now shamelessly making it quite clear that there will be no renegotiation of the Production Sharing Agreement relating to the

StabroekBlock.

And even though it promised that it would ensure better terms in future agreements, it is now being reported that ring-fencing is not likely to be part of those terms. If this is indeed so, then the public will have to demand that those responsibleresignsincethey are not acting in the interest ofthepublic.

The President has called for a coalition of likemindedcountriestopushfor food security and climate action.

But he seems to have forgotten that there is already such a coalition. He obviously missed that. In fact, there are many groupingswhichsupportthe need for climate action and forgreaterfoodsecurity

But these issues, as important as they are, must not be allowed to cloud the substantive concern about the contract which into which Guyana entered.That contract has been described as the worst ever in the history of oil agreements. Toomuchalsoisbeingmade about the need to alter the global discussion about the use of fossil fuels. No one pressured countries such as Guyana from moving towards renewables. It was Guyana which took the leap whenitlaunchedtheAmaila Falls Hydroelectric Project, as a means to move towards renewable energy It was Guyana which said that by

Dem Boys Seh...

2040, 70% of its electricity demand would come from renewables That was a voluntary commitment it made.

While all of this is happening, we are told that Guyana still needs concessional and climate financing The fastest growing economy in the worldfortwoyearsinarow still needs and expects concessional financing. It shows how little our financial gurus understand about international development financing. As long as Guyana reaches the threshold of a high-income country, it has to expect that concessional and climate financing will dry up Guyana is no longer a poor country; its people may be poor but Guyana is not consideredasapoorcountry anylonger

But is it not ironic that despite the vast wealth which the country can now boast about, it has to continue to borrow from the IADB and even from the WorldBank?Andattherate at which the economy is overheating,we may end up once again in the laps of the IMF.

All of this is reason enough for Guyana to press for a better deal from the oil companies. But instead, our leaders are now part of the chorus line of the oil companies.

And while the President and others are saying that

Dem oil company nah scaling back

A narrative is being pushed. We now hearingaboutdevelopingcountrieshavinga righttopursueafossilfuelfuturefuhmeetde needsofdempeople.Datsoundslikedeend ofthepolicyofcleanenergytransition.

De Vee Pee claiming how certain countrieswantdevelopingcountriestoscale backonexplorationandproduction.Butlike he nah following wah going on. British Petroleum (BP) scaling back but not on exploration and production. Dem scaling back on dem climate targets because dem mekkin’windfallprofits.Demoneyflowing anddeclimatetargetsganbecomecollateral damageinderushtomaximizeprofits.

Infact,deoppositehappening.Demore profits de oil companies mek, de greater de incentive for dem to drill and pump more.

Shell is also scaling back on its green development plans. And output of oil in Americaincreasedoverthepastfewweeks. Norway is also stepping on de gas and hopingtoincreaseproductionfurther

So is no use the Vee Pee getting jumpy and trying fuh justify de policy of drilling andpumpingasmuchasyoucanandasfast asyoumust. Oilnahgoingoutofstyle EricWilliamsdidsaythatoildon’tspoil. And de maount of oil dem seh Guyana gat ganlastanother50years.Sodereisnoneed topushdeturbochargebuttonandaccelerate drilling and pumping. We gan be earning moremoneythanwecanspendandmostof itsganendupindeFederalReserveBankin UncleSam.

Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

fossilfuelswillbearoundfor some time, the Vice President is at another wavelength He is of a different opinion. He says that fossil fuels are being phased out and that Guyana onlyhasanarrowwindowto exploit its oil reserves. This is why he wants as much drilling and pumping of oil and gas as fast as possible. So fast, in fact that the governmentheservesisnow limiting the number of oil blocks which any one

developercanhave.

But has he committed to ensuring that no developer can flip an oil block. There are carpetbaggers who are going to rejoice at the news that any developer can only havethreeoilblocks.

They will come here auction for those blocks and thenflipittoothers,walking away with a huge profit. It looksasifeveryoneisgoing to cash in on Guyana’s oil except the country itself which has to deal with

governments who have sold outthepeople’sbirthright.

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

Haslington woman dies after car ploughs into trench

...driver‘ontherun’

A woman died on Wednesday after the car she was in careened off the Enmore Public Road and into a trench. Police in a release said the incident occurred around 05:00hrs; deadisSamanthaMoffatt. Police said the incident involved a motorcar, registration #PZZ 7712, driven by a 24-year-old of Lot 78 Middle Walk, Buxton, and Moffatt, a 41year-old vendor of Lot 30 Block 20 Haslington New S

Demerara. According to a police report, motorcar # PZZ 7712 was proceeding east along the northern driving lane on the Enmore Public Road, East Coast Demerara at a fast rate of speed when the driver lost control and ended up in a trenchonthesouthernsideof theroad.

As a result, Moffatt who was seated in the front passengerseat,wasflungout ofthecarandintothetrench, where she received injuries about her body. She was

picked up by public-spirited citizens in an unconscious condition and taken to the GeorgetownPublicHospital by EMT along with the driver,whofledonarrivalat the hospital Samantha Moffatt was seen and examined by a doctor and was admitted as a patient. She later succumbed whilst receiving medical attention. The body is presently lying at the GPHC Mortuary awaitingaPME. Checksare being made for the driver w h o i s y e t t o b e apprehended. Investigation inprogress.

Oil can be a blessing or curse; Govt. must ensure environmental sustainability - Ralph Gonsalves

As Guyana continues to make rapid progress on the development of its newfound oil and gas resources, the country has beenwarnedthattheseGodgiven supplies can be a blessingorcurse.

This warning was sounded by the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves during the opening of the country’s second annual International Energy Conference and Expoyesterday Theeventis being hosted at the Guyana

Marriott, under the theme ‘Harnessing Energy for Development’.

The Prime Minister told hundreds of delegates at the event that while the energy marketisvital,ithasproven to be disconnected to e n v i r o n m e n t a l sustainability

“Themarketisimportant for the production of goods and services but the market hasshownitselfhistorically and in the contemporary sense,inadequatetoaddress critical issues like redistributive justice and

e n v i r o n m e n t a l sustainability,” Gonsalves said It is against this backdrop that he explained, “Oil in some countries have beenablessingandinsome acurse,andtheavoidanceof it being a curse, the market has to recognize the legitimateroleofthestatein addressing redistributive justice and regulating matters for environmental sustainability.”

The Prime Minister also sharedthattheregionisvery important to Guyana’s development He pointed

Local Content Secretariat commences revision...

Frompage8 companies registered last year, he said the secretariat also addressed the issue of bundling of services. He said,“Wehavemadeitclear, that if services are bundled, the secretariat would not r e c o g n i s e t h o s e expenditures as local content.

Furthermore, unbundling of services is one of the requirementsonwhichlocal content plans are approved. Therefore, any acts of bundling would be in violationofthelocalcontent plan.”

Guyana’s Local Content Secretariat came into being last year, following the

enactment of the Local Content Act Its core functions include implementing the Local ContentActwhichspeaksto the prioritisation of

Guyanese nationals and companies in the provision of goods and services to the oil and gas industry; ensuring local capacity development and building; a n d p r o m o t i n g competitiveness and the development of related industries to sustain the s o c i o - e c o n o m i c developmentofGuyana.

Throughoutlastyear,the secretariat has worked vigorously to develop the necessary institutional,

administrative and monitoring framework to help facilitate the implementation and monitoring of the Local ContentAct.

Specifically, it has developed a portal that shows the list of all registered companies, along with procurement and employment opportunities in the oil and gas sector To help facilitate compliance with reporting, the secretariat has also developed several guidelines, while ensuring thatGuyanesenationalsand Guyanese companies are prioritized in the supply of goodsandservices.

out that Guyana is like the country, Trinidad and Tobagointhesensethatthey look inwards Key to sustainable development howeveristheneedforthese nations to also look outwards to resolve issues that may involve the CaribbeanRegion.

He said, “The Region is vital for Guyana. Guyana though it has large continentallandmass,itisin profound ways, a seaboard civilization. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, we are part of what you may call island civilizationandtheseaboard civilization, like the island civilization, they are peculiar civilizations and given the nature of a seaboard or an island civilization, when we are in them, we tend to look inwards, but at the same time, accompanying that inward look there must be necessarilyanoutwardgaze and dialecting between the inwardlookandtheoutward gaze is important to resolve anditcanonlyberesolvedif yougotoyourneighboursin the Region, whether it is in the Caribbean that is an important connection or LatinAmerica.”

The Government of Guyana has made it clear

thattheintentistoaccelerate the production its oil and gas,buttheseactivitieshave the potential to impact Caribbean islands in the eventofanoilspill. Bethat asitmay,thecountryisstill toacquireaparentcompany g u a r a n t e e f r o m ExxonMobil, the largest shareholder of the Stabroek Block Currently, an approximate 360,000 barrelsofoilperdayisbeing produced at the Liza One and Two fields. A third project, Payara is also expectedtostartupthisyear.

Thethirdproject,Payara is expected to startup this year. The oil company has already received approval

forthefourthdevelopment–Yellowtail.Inthemeantime, the fifth and sixth projects are pending approval at the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA).

ExxonMobil has said in its EIAs that an oil spill at one of its Stabroek Block projects can impact Caribbean islands, especially Trinidad and Tobago. In the meantime, the EPA is in talks with ExxonMobil for a US$2B coverage Industry stakeholders have said that this is tantamount to a drop in the bucket, considering thatoilspillcleanupcostsin someterritorieshavebeenin therangeofUS$65B.

Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves

“Very focused” CGX says all major debts have been cleared

- deepwater, port, Corentyne block top of company agenda

By

HAlliyahAllicock balance sheet”, adding: “It’s a very cleaned up balance a v i n g sheet, we just concluded a t r a n s f e r r e d form down with my good

majority of its friend Orlando (Chief interest in the Corentyne Executive Officer of Block to its joint venture Frontera Energy) where we partner, Frontera Energy clean up all of our major Corporation last year to debts, we have carry on the cover its expenses, on Wei-1 well, we are coming Wednesday Chairman of off of a discovery and we CGX, Professor Suresh have retained the highest Narine announced that they workinginterestofanyofthe have been able to clear up all independent PPL holders majordebts. We see that as an important

12 wanted for Mon Repos ‘terror’

Wanted: “Carlos”

Wanted: Sukie Reginal

Chairman of CGX, Professor Suresh Narine yesterday delivery remarks at the International Energy Conference and Expo.

The Chairman made the achievement for our announcement during day- shareholders. two of the ongoing So it’s a very focused International Energy poised company to continue Conference and Expo which to unlock the value both in Wei-1 exploration well for is being held at the Marriott ourexplorationportfolioand up to US$130 million and up Hotel. our infrastructure portfolio,” to an additional US$29

Professor Narine while Narinetoldtheconference. million of certain Kawa-1 giving the Conference an He had explained during exploration well, Wei-1 pre- update of his company’s a question-and-answer drill,andothercosts. operations noted that having segment that his company

In addition, CGX has encountered some struggle held a significant amount of said that it shall assign an inthepast,CGXisnowmore debt to Frontera Energy and additional 4 94% of its focusedthanever that “very recently, we participating interest in the

The Chairman explained concluded a form down deal Corentyne block to Frontera that small cap independent arrangement with Frontera as consideration for the companies will always where they increased their repaymentoftheoutstanding struggle for capitalization working interest in the principal amounts under two but that is the reality in Corentyne block to 68%, we loans. today’s world and that it is decreased our working

They are the previously the task of companies to interest to 32% and in that announced US$19 million build value along the process, we removed our convertible loan to CGX investment chain and to debt and we acquired a carry dated May 28, 2021, as focus. “So what you have fortheWei-1well.” amended, and the previously todayisaveryfocusedCGX, InJulylastyear, Kaieteur announced US$35 million focused on the Corentyne News had reported that as convertible loan to CGX block, even more focus on part of the new deal with dated March 10, 2022, as the northern section of the Frontera, CGX explained it amended, and a cash Corentyneblockandfocused will transfer 29.73% of its paymentofUS$3.8million. on our infrastructure project, participating interest in the

As a result of this new the Berbice Deepwater Corentyne block to Frontera agreement, CGX will have a Port,”hestated. in exchange for Frontera 32.00%participatinginterest

He shared that CGX has funding the joint venture’s and Frontera will have a now a very “cleaned up costs associated with the 68.00%participatinginterest intheCorentyneblock.CGX said it is in the process of obtaining a formal valuation for the Corentyne block in connection with the Agreement, in accordance with the Toronto Stock ExchangeVenture Exchange requirements.

This publication had also reported that following the announcementofthetransfer of interest, Professor Narine had said his company is pleased to complete this farm-in agreement with Frontera, which enables CGX to strengthen its balance sheet and secure funding for the Wei-1 explorationwell.

TheGuyanaPoliceForce persons to be prosecuted for ECD; Trotman Tixey, alias (GPF) on Wednesday issued the aforementioned offence. ‘Quincy’ from Nabaclis, Wanted Bulletins for several The police said terror and ECDandSukieReginalfrom persons for alleged acts of mayhem were unleashed on GoldenGrove,ECD.Several terrorismstemmingfromlast persons on the East Coast of otherpersonswerelisted,but year’s protest on the East Demerara in June last year, police only identified them Coast Demerara that ended during which several bytheiraliases. with looting of stalls at the vehicles were burnt, and a These are: ‘Carlos’ from MonReposMarket. number of stalls were Golden Grove, ECD; ‘Ray Police said that the ransacked and looted at the Ray/Lilly’ from Golden charge against the men is Mon Repos Market, ECD. Grove, ECD; ‘Nedd’ from Contrary to Section 309 (A) Roads were blocked by Golden Grove, ECD; (1) (b) (ii) of the Criminal burning debris, and scores of ‘Blammi’ from Golden Law(Offences)Act,Chapter persons were beaten and Grove, ECD; ‘Dave’ from 8:01 which occurred on the robbed during the acts of Nabaclis, ECD; ‘Burke’ East Coast Demerara on the terror committed by from Nabaclis, ECD; 28thJune,2022. ‘protestors’. ‘Layne’ from Nabaclis,

In this regard, the GPF is Among those on the ECD; ‘Kaldin’from Enmore seeking the assistance of the ‘Wanted’ list for Acts of North, ECD and ‘Peters’ public for information about Terrorism are: Walkie from Haslington North & the whereabouts of these Glasgow of Golden Grove, Victoria,ECD.

Police found 90.58kg marijuana during roadblock at Mahaica

Ranks from the Anti- E C D, police said in a containing 70 transparent Crime Patrol at Mahaica release. parcels with leaves, seeds, Police Station on Tuesday At the roadblock, the and stems suspected to be nightfound90.58kilograms ranks stopped a motorcar Cannabis. of suspected marijuana in a bearing registration #PYY The perpetrators were vehicle they intercepted at a 3323 with two persons then told of the offence, roadblock. inside — the 29-year-year- cautioned, arrested, and

The driver and one other oldmaledriverofTurkeyen, placedintocustody occupant in the vehicle at ECD, and a 24-year-old Th

the time were both arrested male occupant of Angoy’s suspected Cannabis were andareincustody Avenue, New Amsterdam, escorted to the Mahaica

The ranks received Berbice. Pol

information that led to the The driver and occupant Cannabis was weighed and setting up of the roadblock were both searched, as well

in the vicinity of Helena #1 asthevehicle,andthepolice kilograms Investigations Public Road at Mahaica, ranks found six bulky bags areongoing.

FAO in move to help boost production of cherry in Guyana

Training at NAREI on cherry production

Farmers and producers during a field visit

The West Indian Cherry participated in a week-long The training in West h a r v e s t h a n d l i n g , The trainings were promoting food security and (Acerola) is a beloved and Training Programme held Indian Cherry production propagation, grafting and delivered by FAO Tree Crop the consumption of locally popular fruit that many have fromFebruary7to10,2023. sought to help the country p e s t a n d d i s e a s e Expert, Dr Rogério grown produce” She enjoyed for years in its raw Among the participants increase its production of management. Ritzinger, who will continue concluded that this would form or in fresh juices, were cherry farmers and cherries for local market Chandreka Lall, Cherry tosupporttheNationalValue also contribute to reducing j e l l i e s , a n d o t h e r representatives from the consumption by addressing Farmer participating in the Chain team in Guyana in the the CARICOM food preservatives While the Ministry of Agriculture, the some of the technical trainings remarked that he production of cherry to use importation bill by 25 per demand for cherry remains National Agricultural production challenges learntalotaboutgraftingand the techniques learned centby2025. strong in the country, Research and Extension Someoftheprimaryareasof budding which will help in during the trainings. Dr As FAO continues to especially for use in the fruit Institute (NAREI), the New focus included good his production Similarly, Gillian Smith, FAO support Guyana in building juice industry, the country G u y a n a M a r k e t i n g agricultural practices to aid Mr Dexter Van-Veen, from Representative for Guyana resilient value chains, hasnotbeenabletomaintain Corporation, and the in improving yields and TOPCO noted that the remarked that “our aim is to ensuring a consistent and aconsistentsupply Tropical Orchards Products helping farmers to manage trainings were informative, help build a resilient, high-quality supply of

In a press release, the Company (TOPCO) The Anthracnose, a major especially regarding the inclusive, and sustainable produce is an important step Food and Agriculture trainings form part of a disease that affects cherry plantingmaterialbeingused, valuechain. in this process. It is expected Organisation (FAO) said project of the Food and trees Specifically, and helped him to realise B y i n c r e a s i n g that trainers taught during although the Guyanese Agriculture Organization of participants received howcherryproductioncould knowledgeandskillsingood these sessions will train grown cherry is preferred, the United Nations (FAO) classroom training and were be improved. He added that agricultural practices among other farmers and share their some local fruit juice focused on the Sustainable taken to cherry nurseries to he had a good learning all stakeholders involved in knowledge with other producershavehadtorelyon Development of Resilient receive hands-on training in experience and that the the chain, Guyana can farmers across Guyana to imported concentrate to Value Chains and the orchard management, soil s e s s i o n s w o u l d b e achieve its objectives of help further the sustainable meet their demand. To Implementation of the management, irrigation, particularly helpful for improving its production, in production of cherry and address these supply issues, CARICOM COVID-19 pruning, fertilization and trainers who will train other an environmentally build this local industry over over 170 stakeholders Agri-FoodRecoveryPlan. nutrition, pre- and post- farmers. responsible way, while thecomingyears.

Uaru project to carry Exxon’s investment in Guyana to over US$40B

By the time Esso Exploration

This publication recently percent remaining with Exxon as

some US$11B for the Liza I & II producing developments are added and Production Guyana Limited projects, in addition to pre-contract to the list of expenses to be cost (EEPGL) ExxonMobil Guyana costs It would mean that recoveredbyExxon. makes its final investment into its ExxonMobil has been deducting Afterthe75percentisdeducted fifth project (Uaru), the oil major’s money out of cost oil to service to pay back the oil company, spending here will top over thosepayments. Guyana then shares 50/50 of the 25 US$40B.

This revelation was made by highlighted that while Guyana profits This amounts to 12 5 ExxonMobil Guyana President, managed to pay back Exxon and its percent of profits from the Alistair Routledge on Wednesday, partners, Hess and CNOOC operations. during his address at the second approximately US$4B for the Liza A passionate and almost angry Guyana International Energy 1 project – in the absence of ring- Bharrat Jagdeo while functioning Conference and Expo 2023 at the fencing provision in the 2016 as Leader of the Opposition, just MarriottHotel,Georgetown. Production Sharing Agreement over three years ago, had said in an

Routledge said: “I know there (PSA) Guyana signed onto with interview that the then A have been some questions, often Exxon the country is still receiving Partnership for National Unity + people here in Guyana (talk about) a meagre 12.5 percent in profits, A l l i a n c e F o r C h a n g e the numbers (Exxon’s) instead of reaping 50 percent of the (APNU+AFC) Coalition investment levels.” To this end he profitsfromthatproject. government “sold” the country to statedthatExxonhaspumpedsome

Presently, Guyana shares “foreigners” because that US$30B into its operations in the revenue with ExxonMobil after the administration failed to include Investment in Guyana, by the Block which has 11 billion proven Stabroek Block, with regard to the company deducts 75 percent ring-fencing to shore up profits ExxonMobilledconsortium. barrelsofoil. development of the Liza I, II, towards the cost incurred to from the 2016 PSA with Exxon.

During his address to the The Uaru field which holds PayaraandYellowtailprojects. develop the resources in the However, soon after taking office gathering, Routledge said: “By the over 1.3 billion barrels of oil is The Exxon official disclosed StabroekBlock. in 2020, the now Vice President time we make the final investment expected to cost Guyana over that the four projects, along with Thisarrangement,withthelack (VP) has not only changed his tune decision on the Uaru project, we GY$2.6T(US$12B). works on the Wales West Bank of ring-fencing, sees Guyana but also his tone when it comes to will be in excess of US$40B.” The It must be noted that Demerara Gas to Energy (GTE) paying for projects that are yet to the renegotiation of the Exxon Uaru project is the oil major’s fifth government due to its failure to Project, cumulatively account for commenceproductionactivities. contract and securing greater project in the prolific Stabroek audit bills submitted, has to pay US$30B in Foreign Direct Each month bills from future benefitsforGuyanese.

ExxonMobil

Guyana President, Alistair Routledge

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Iamtakingstockofthese suspicious fires, some of which have been conclusivelyidentifiedasthe work of arsonists. Taken together,Iaskmyselfifthere is an undeclared war going oninGuyana.An‘unowned’, untraced, and seemingly unauthored string of fires coming almost on the heels of each other pushed me to this place about whether some form of peacetime war isragingbeneaththesurface, but one of an unprecedented kind.

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Meaning, that they have no author. Everybody, other than the usual fanatics, have walked on eggshells, and diligently avoided using the dreaded‘p’word. Itisneither piety or purity, nor does it have anything to do with what may be considered patriotic. Then again, one man’spatriotisanotherman’s partisan.

Regardlessofwhoiswho, who is suspected to be behind them, there are these fires, with the Parika Market beingthelatest,withashower of welding spark the confirmed culprit. In a bad situationthatisarelief. Still, I would assert that we have hadonefiretoomanyinsuch a tight window of time. Tire fires, vehicular fires, street fires, police fires, and school fires head up a growing list. What I hope is not at work is some clinical selection of ‘soft’ targets. Perhaps, the objectiveismoreforinflicting psychological damage than physicalfall. Iampondering

ifthereissomeelementofthe random present, though that seemsunlikely. Onemanhad a reportedly bad day (Brickdam),St.George’swas electrical, but others left a sandpaper feel.

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What is unprecedented is that there is no supporting combustible rhetoric in local quarters. More genteel conflicts (I chucked war) are preferred these days. It goes with the times and territory, given that there are these sensitive foreigners in town, a new order. It simply would not do to have them as bystanders to street mayhem andmobmadness,regardless of who is planner and conductor The resulting publicity would be bad for business in this time of gushers, four-flushers, and moneychangers.

I am not inclined towards the existence of any proxy conflictinmotioncurrently.If so, it is a low intensity one lacking any accompanying incitements from the usual sources.

lifeoftheirown. Thisiswhat happens when men get restless, through a combination of impatience, uncertainty, mounting frustration, and disgust. The absence of a linking thread provides even more grounds for concern. Who is in charge? What else is being compartmentalized? And what is the likelihood of all these ‘small fires’ mushrooming into a calculated larger conflagration? In essence, where does all of this end? I have no answers, except those that I am keeping to myself for the time being. Currently, the damage inflicted has been limited to infrastructure. Nevertheless, there is a psychological impact, for one never knows when matters could go beyond property ruin, and there is that new phase of what I shall call escalation.

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There is concern over stealth operations designed to make others look bad. On the other hand, adversaries couldbetryingtothrowsome sand in the gas tank, if only to slow things down, to ensure that nobody gets taken for granted, claims of weaknesses and all. My biggest concern is about whether these fires are rogue operators taking things in their own hands, and flexing muscles that have been dismissed as flabby due to lack of a vibrant head.

If these fires, suspicious byanystandards,donothave a head that is even more alarming. Forthenthereisno identity, responsibility, accountability. Speculationis notproof,norishistoryofany value in identifying the formless, faceless, shadowless.Thatis,thereare toomanyunknownsroaming around at will, and too much lack of control through no reporting into a central channel. Such things are dangerous, and can take on a

Now,Iamnotdismissing anything(oranyone)relative to these fires being the random antics of clueless arsonists. The fiddling and fudging of the emperor Nero were not aimless. What and wherenext? Ipersistinlaying things out in this nuanced mannersettledfortoday The physical properties of oil make it a most incendiary of commodities, with proven volatility. Further, the emotionalonesflaringfromit can be high octane fuel. I urge others to check history to satisfy themselves, soothe theirmisgivings. Thosewho arenearesttooil,vestedinit, have much to worry about, since such are the burdens that come with ownership. Ontheotherhand,thosewho have nothing to lose, or have been condemned to the lot of serial losers, conclude that it isbettertopushtheenvelope than let the world go by. Oil fires such visions, passions, and actions.

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

Aracari Hotel located at WBD

Man freed in Guyana for supplying fake HIV testing kits, is now charged in US for the same crime

— allegedly diverted and sold HIV testing kits from Kenya to Guyana’s Ministry of Health

Davendra Rampersaud preliminary hearing in

as well as willfully stealing Rampersaud reportedly of Caribbean Medical addition to other legal and converting to their own provided the manufacturer Supplies (CMS)—the man procedures which was use things of value of the US with a fraudulent letter of who was May last year freed granted by US Judge Govt It was noted that authorityforCMStooperate on charges of supplying fake Jacqueline Becerra. In the KEMSA through the US as the distributor for the HIV testing kits to the superseding indictment authorities had received in Caribbean. Ministry of Health—was on against Rampersaud, the US 2014HIVtestingkitsamong By November 2015, January 19 last, arrested prosecutors outlined that the other healthcare supplies under the stewardship of based on a warrant issued in United States Agency for which was then found to be then Health Minister Volda relation to the same kits International Development divertedtootherdestinations Lawrence, CMS was supplied to Guyana, money (USAID,) is a US federal including in Guyana, which awarded a sole source laundering and other agency that provides Rampersaud with others contract for the supply of the charges. economic development and supplied to the Guyana testing kits from the

Rampersaud along with humanitarian assistance Government. It was noted manufacturer It has since others, have since been around the world with that between November been found that between that slapped with a number of missions in 80 countries and 2015 and December 2019, time and 2020, Rampersaud charges after his arrest in programmes in 100

Rampersaud and CMS made through CMS had been Florida and the matter has countries including Kenya. payments to the other wiring monies to his alleged since been transferred to As such, it was further alleged conspirators and that conspirators, as payment for another District, South outlined that USAID is part the payment was for the HIV testing kits, a Carolina.Hewasreleasedon o f t h e P r e s i d e n t ’s “medical commodities number of which was bail on Monday According Emergency Plan for AIDS which had been diverted diverted from Kenya that to US Court documents seen relief (PEPFAR) as part of companies as distributors of Guyana Government’s from Kenya and other had already been paid for by by this publication, thecountry’sresponse. its products in order to Ministry of Health. To this countriestoGuyana. USAID. Rampersaud along with his Among the beneficiaries protecttheirintegrity end, the documents allege The court documents The court documents unnamed accomplices of that PEPFAR programme In Guyana, the provision that CMS, Rampersaud and reiterated that some of the noted that in 2016, allegedly engaged in money is Kenya, and is organised of the HIV testing kits had others, knowingly conspired products had been funded by Rampersaud was informed laundering, aiding and under the Kenyan Medical been supplied by an to, and agreed to commit a USAID with the money that he was not authorised to abetting a crime, theft from S u p p l i e s A u t h o r i t y authorised dealer for the number of offences against being transferred to Kenya sell the manufacturers the US Government, (KEMSA) that falls under Caribbean, a practice that theUSGovernment. from the US. In June 2015, products. The matter was Conspiracy, stealing or that country’s Ministry of had been in place for several Theseincludeknowingly CMS through Rampersaud raised again in March the converting/unauthorised Health and is provided years.Accordingtothecourt stealing and converting to solicited HIV testing kits following year, when the selling/unlawful receipt and monthly with vouchers for documents seen by this theirthingsofvaluefromthe from the manufacturer manufacturer wrote to theft in relation to Health the operations, including for publication, CMS headed by US Government, namely the indicating that the Rampersaud’s partners, Caresupplies. thesupplyofHIVtestingkits Rampersaud is not an supplies provided under the incumbent supplier for the indicating that the actions Accordingtotherecords, andothersupplies. authorised supplier of the USAID programs to their Caribbean at the time was involving Rampersaud were Rampersaud during one of T h e u n n a m e d manufacturers’products and own use and gains “no good” and that he was unlawful. This however did his initial appearances had manufacturer, according to as such, was and is not Additionally, the alleged looking to secure some not prevent Rampersaud or waived his rights to an the court documents seen, permitted to provide the perpetrators,knowinglysold 30,000 such kits. The hispartnersfrompersisting identity hearing or a a u t h o r i s e s s p e c i f i c company’s products to the the items without authority f o l l o w i n g m o n t h , (Continued on page 18)

Davendra Rampersaud

Man freed in Guyana for supplying fake HIV testing kits, is now charged...

From page 17 and supplied to the Ministry supplied 400 units (20 According to reports, a Demerara, and from local ProductsLimited,istheonly with the unlawful practice, of Health. In Guyana, packs) of Uni-gold HIVTest quantity of the testing kits hospitals and laboratories. authorizeddistributorforthe thecourtpapersread. Rampersaud had denied Kits, Batch #HIV7120026, was seized by the GA-FDD The probe was launched into Uni-GoldkitstoGuyanaand In January 2020, it was charges which alleged that w

the fake HIV testing kits it had not participated in the discovered that 400 HIV on January 16, 2020, representation, a violation of Management Unit of the after an Irish manufacturer transaction. rapid testing kits for Kenya Caribbean Medical Supplies the Food and Drugs Act of Ministry of Public Health, at last January wrote to the In fact, Trinity called on had been diverted to Guyana Inc allegedly sold and 1971.

nk former Minister of Public Lawrence to remove the Health, Volda Lawrence, expired kits from testing warning that it is aware that centres immediately as they there are counterfeit Uni- posed health risks to Gold HIV test kits in patients.

Guyana. In May last year,

The Irish company Magistrate Zameena Alisupplied photographic Seepaul freed Rampersaud, evidence, which indicated after he had been charged clearly that the kits expired with supplying the Ministry inJulythepreviousyear The of Health (MOH) with company, Trinity Biotech, in expired HIV test kits. The its complaint, named CMS. case against Rampersaud A c c o r d i n g t o t h e was dismissed as the court manufacturer,thefakeboxes u p h e l d a n o - c a s e were created with expiry submission,agreeingthatthe datesextendedby17months prosecution failed to prove and the kits repacked in essential elements of the them. offence.

The Irish pharmaceutical The defence also company said that the c o n t e n d e d t h a t t h e products were already six prosecution failed to obtain months out of date when it sufficient evidence to show was brought to Guyana that Rampersaud imported Trinity Biotech also claimed the test kits and they also that its Trinidad-based failed to establish that the authorized distributor, court had jurisdiction to hear Transcontinental Medical thematter

Mercedes back to black and ready to reclaim titles

LONDON, (Reuters) - While Russell celebrated “We’ve seen the car now would be going “all-in” to Mercedeswentbacktoblack hisfirstFormulaOnevictory and we’re contemplating is get back in front and beat yesterday with a sleek new in Brazil, seven-times world she fast or not? Have we champions Red Bull, who Formula One car they hope championHamiltonfailedto cured some of the problems? have Max Verstappen will allow Lewis Hamilton win a race all season for the What are going to be the chasing a third successive and George Russell to fight first time in a Formula One challenges that we spot on drivers’title, and runners-up for wins and titles after a careerthatstartedin2007. track?,” added the Austrian. Ferrari. difficult2022season. “It looks good. Is she “Andthatisabigunknown.

Mercedes ran a silver

The team ended an going to be as fast as she “But we are positive, liveried car last year and the unprecedented run of eight looks? I hope so, ” there’s excitement. We have return to the black of 2020 successive constructors’ commented team boss Toto the tools to understand, to and 2021, tying in with the titles with third place overall Wolff at a digital launch growanddevelopthecarand team’s push for greater last year after wrestling with from Silverstone where both hopefully give George and diversity, has the additional a bouncing car whose drivers were due to give the Lewis something that benefit of saving weight by performance was hard to W14 some first shakedown works.” removing paint and leaving extract. laps. Wolff said the team rawcarbonfibre.

“It looks great in black,” said Hamilton, now 38 and winner of a record 103 grandsprix.

Thursday February 16, 2023

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Information received from far away could compel you to learn more about the subject. You might be inspired to use your new knowledge in a projectthatincludesapartner

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Money matters may be advanced through using your intuition and inner power today,Taurus.Youmighthave a hunch that your idea for making extra money might justwork.Lookintoitatleast.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

A surge of inner power could make you feel like you can move mountains, Gemini. If you've been contemplating actions that others believe impossible, this is the day to getthemgoing.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Memories from your distant past could resurface today, Cancer You may wonder why you're suddenly thinking about them, but they probably represent a release of old emotional hang-ups that have beenholdingyouback.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Today represents a new beginning in many ways. An old friend could reappear in your life and bring up memories that are both pleasantanddisconcerting.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

Emotions could be running high, Virgo. Someone in your entouragemayhaveaproblem with an authority figure and politicalissuescouldcomeup. You're likely to feel especially powerful now, and so you might be tempted to throw yourhatinthering.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Heightened mental powers might make you spend a lot of time reading or doing research of some kind, Libra. Your curiosity is especially sharp rightnow

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov 21)

Your intuition might increase today to the point where you feel like you could deduce the thoughtsandmotivesofpeople you've never met before Reading the news might bring you sudden insights as to how thingsaregoingtoturnout.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

You should be feeling especially passionate now, e s p e c i a l l y r e g a r d i n g partnerships Romantic partnerships definitely call for aneveningalonetogether

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If you haven't been feeling like yourself lately, a surge of inner power could push you over the top and make you feel strong and healthy again. You could decide to complete all your unfinishedtaskstoday

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

A surge of passion could dominate your day unless you find an outlet for it. Romantic passion is high, so an intimate evening with a lover is a good idea Creative passion is strong You could have a suddeninspiration

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

A romantic evening at home with your partner could bring you two closer together Your emotionsareintenserightnow, however, so you need to use your intuition to judge exactly howmuchofyourfeelingsyou shouldreveal.

The Briton, starting his 11th season with the team the team have put so much while Mercedes also have and “planning to stay a little hard work into this car, the some new sponsors with bit longer”, said he always motivation and the fire Qualcomm Technologies believedhecouldgetbetter within the factory is just signing a multi-year deal

“I’m excited to go racing immense because people with its Snapdragon brand, again. I feel calm, energised, don’t want a repeat of what previouslyatFerrari. and have my focus happenedin2022.” The season starts in sharpened. I’m ready to do G e r m a n y ’s M i c k Bahrain on March 5, with what’s necessary to win,” he Schumacher has joined the testing at the Sakhir circuit said. Russell said the team team from Haas as reserve nextweek. hadlearntalotlastyear“and hopefully we’ve taken a step up”.

“We’re all here to win, it’s as simple as that,” he added.

“We need to see what challenges we are facing but

From page 20 were aligned on freedom of speech and praised Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicaliforhissupport.

Team mate George Russell said the FIA’s move was “totally unnecessary” and was confident the situation would be resolved before the start of the season onMarch5.

“We’re not going to limit our views or our thoughts because of some silly regulation,”hetoldreporters. “We’re all here to have free speech and share whatever viewswemayhave.”

The first two races of the season are in Bahrain and SaudiArabia.

Hamilton has in the past called for more change in Saudi Arabia, expressing shock in 2022 at reports of mass executions, and has raced in the Middle East with a rainbow helmet in support ofLGBTQ+rights.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said in a separate call that everyone should be allowed to “speak their mind whilst being respectful to eachother

“I think that’s the ground rules,”headded.

Nothing will stop me speaking...

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton attend a news conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, September 28, 2022. (REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain)

Nothing will stop me speaking out, says Hamilton

LONDON, (Reuters) - vowed yesterday to continue body clamping down on The most successful Formula One, said also he always to speak out on S e v e n - t i m e s w o r l d speaking out despite drivers making “political” driver in the sport’s history did not want to provide “a things, to create awareness champion Lewis Hamilton Formula One’s governing statements. has used his platform to platformforprivatepersonal on important topics, highlight racial injustice, agenda”. particularly as we’re promote diversity and The move has been travelling to all these address a range of issues criticised by a string of different places,” added the from the environment to drivers as well as rights Briton. humanrights. groups. “So nothing changes

The governing FIA “Iwasn’treallywatching really.” updated its International thenewsoverthewinterbutI Asked whether he would Sporting Code last heard it,” Hamilton, 38, told bepreparedtotakeapenalty, December requiring prior reporters in a video call after Hamilton added: “It would written permission to make the launch of his Mercedes be silly to say that I would or display “political, team’s new W14 racecar at wanttogetpenaltypointsfor religious and personal Silverstone. speakingoutonthings. statements or comments” at “It doesn’t surprise me, “ButIamstillgoingtobe races. but nothing will stop me speakingmymindaswestill

F I A p r e s i d e n t from speaking on the things have this platform, there are Mohammed Ben Sulayem, that I’m passionate about stillalotofthingsweneedto an Emirati who has since andissuesthatthereare. tackle.” said he will stand back from “I feel the sport does Hesaidallthedrivers day-to-day affairs in have a responsibility still (Continued on page 19)

- West Indies finish 3rd place

The Big Man Cricket in association with Blue Waters & Barbados Tourism Marketing INC England overpower Aussies to lift The Big Man Cricket O60s Caribbean Cup

The BMC Caribbean Cup unbeaten22,RaviSurimade18and pace. Wilbur Bruce, the father of Anthony Bennett top scored with Peter O’Reilly for 21 with 4 concludedonFridayafterthegrand Kumar Patel had 10. Extras former West Indian all-rounder 36 with 2 boundaries and David boundaries Thereafter the finals was played on Friday at the contributed a very healthy 37 in a Dwayne Smith, did not last very Robinsonmade17. Englishmentookwicketsatregular Mecca of cricket in the Caribbean- veryindifferentperformancebythe longinthecreaseanddepartedwith West Indies finished on 3rd intervalstofinallydismissthemfor Kensington Oval where the Invitational XI. Glenfield Griffith thescoreon94. place whilst ROW finished on 4th 168.

Englishmen got the better of the had2for17.

Thereafter, the captain joined place. CaptainEricHigginstopscored Aussies in a very dominant In their turn at the crease the opener George Harris who was by Grand Finale at the Kensington with 53 (4 boundaries); ably performance West Indies Invitational XI seemed to have then in full flow and timing the ball Oval - England won the toss and supported by Glen Richardson on overcame Rest of the World in a tuned out of the game after a few perfectly The pair put on a healthy elected to take first strike in 40, Peter Dudderidge with 12 and rain affected game whilst USA rain interruptions to close on 69 for unbrokenpartnershipof108in16.2 awesome conditions at the Oval. Claude Orlando with 11. Chris turned the tables on the Americas 9 off their 28 overs. Extras top overs.GeorgeHarriscompletedhis Obviously, they preferred working Dearden was the pick of the Invitational XI at the BNOC scored with 19 and only 2ndcenturyofthetournament-105 with the scoreboard pressure bowlers with 3 for 23; John groundtofinishin5thplace. wicketkeeper Fazil Jahoor reached peppered with 8 boundaries, whilst against the Aussies and backing Butterworth 3 for 36 and Jim 5thv6thPlacePlayoffMatchat double figures, 12. Michael Captain Roy Singh finished on 43 their spin quartet to do the job. The Phillips 3 for 38 did the damage for BNOC Sports Club - In the USA v Griffin was the architect of the off 47 deliveries without a Pommies posted a solid 238 for 9 theEnglishmen.

Americas Invitational XI, the USA InvitationalXIwith5for27. boundary offtheirallotted45overswithgreat George Harris from the West team recorded their first victory in 3rdv4thPlacePlayoffMatchat RestoftheWorldneededtobeat contributions from their premier Indies copped the Best Batsman the tournament when they easily the Four-Square Oval-Pickwick West Indies to grab a consolation batters - Edward Gordon-Lennox andthePlayeroftheSeriesawards. demolished their opposition. The CC - West Indies won the toss and 3rd place and started off very well 74 with 5 boundaries and 6 Mike Riley from Australia was the Invitational XI won the toss and elected to bat on a very placid before losing Gary Whitaker in the maximums; Kevin Grant with 54 Best Bowler for the tournament electedtobowl. wicket The Windies batted 5th over with 24 runs on the board. and 8 boundaries; Neil Braithwaite whilst John Goldthorp from The USA rattled up a superbly to post their 3rd double The rain intervened with the ROW with 34 with 3 boundaries; Jason England won the Best Fielder formidable 180 for 5 off their centurytotalofthetournamentwith nicely poised at 71 for 1 to chase Grant with 18 and Captain Richard award. allotted overs with Syed Naqvi top 202for2offtheirallotted45overs. down the runs but they lost 3 quick Merriman with 13 and 2 England came out as the scoringwithanundefeated64laced The openers started very sedately wickets after the resumption to be boundaries Peter Dudderidge champions with the Aussies as the with 8 boundaries and a maximum and put on a 91 run partnership 83 for 4 after 19.1 overs when a claimed 2 for 31 and Mike Riley runners up. England received the whilst opener Chandradat before Keith Lawrence went heaviershowercameandclosedoff took2for32fortheAussies. Big Man Cricket O60s Caribbean Barlingay contributed 27 with 2 stumpedforawell-played38with3 the proceedings. Two of the The Aussies had a decent start Cup from West Indies Legend, Sir boundaries, Michael Griffin had an boundaries trying to step up the wickets fell to the run-out route. of 43 in 11.3 overs before they lost GordonGreenidge.

GBA promotes game through Shuttle Time and AirBadminton Programmes in Berbice

As promised on the the number of students calendar of activities for playinginandoutofschool. 2 0 2 3 , t h e G u y a n a “It was very delightful to Badminton Association see this, the enthusiasm continued the Shuttle time shown by the students was Programme where racquets, every encouraging and shuttles and nets were heartening, to see them play donated to Berbice High for the love of the sport,” School, New Amsterdam said Mr Moakhan the Secondary School, Fort Physical Education Teacher Wellington Secondary ofBerbiceHighSchool. School and AirBadminton He mentioned that this was introduced at the year the highest number of Berbice Educational students will take the Institute. Physical Education

Two years ago, under the Examination for CSEC, they guidance of our late will be doing two sports with the Hon. Minister of promoting the sport AirBadminton will be done Akili Haynes, Senior President Gokarn Ramdhani Badminton and Volleyball. Education, Ms Priya throughout the length and attheoneswithout. National Badminton Players the GBA visited and Special thanks to Mr Zahir Manickchand to discuss breadth of Guyana. The The equipment was who did an exhibition match introduced the Shuttle time Moakan and Mr Colin incorporating different ShuttletimeProgrammewill handedovertothePrincipals andtaughtthestudentsafew Programme to the New Bowry for promoting sports disciplines in school be done at the schools with and PE Teachers by Ms. drills to improve their Amsterdam Secondary Badminton in the school’s acrossthecountry indoor facilities and

School and the Berbice High curriculum.

The Guyana Badminton Schoolsincethenthelevelof Recently the GBA along Association intends to the game has risen as well as with other associations met continue this trend of

Priyanna Ramdhani makes a presentation of equipment.

Priyanna Ramdhani and Mr techniqueoncourt.

Children at the Berbice Educational Institute take part in AirBadminton drills.

Shai Hope, Rovman Powell are new Windies white-ball captains

SportsMax - Shai Hope be hosting the next ICC T20 Withthesupportofmyteam- which we will be jointly

28 February to 4 March: Tuesday, 21 March: 3rd and Rovman Powell have World Cup with the USA in mates and our dedicated hosting with the USA next 1st Test at SuperSport Park, ODI at JB Marks Oval, been named captains of the June2024. fans,Ilookforwardtoalong year I’m a passionate Centurion Potchefstroom

West Indies white-ball Hope is selected as ODI and fulfilling tenure as cricketer who believes in 8-12 March: 2nd Test at Saturday, 25 March: 1st teams, Cricket West Indies captain after demonstrating captain of the West Indies leading from the front and t h e W a n d e r e r s , T20Is at SuperSport Park, (CWI)hasannounced. strong leadership on and off One-Day International alwaysgiving100percent.“ Johannesburg Centurion

Hope is the new captain the field and experiencing team.” Match schedule in South Thursday, 16 March: 1st

Taylor’s 42 in vain as Windies

Sunday, 26 March: 2nd of the West Indies Men’s the vice-captain role over a CWI’s Selection Panel Africa ODI at Buffalo Park, East T20I at SuperSport Park, One-Day International numberofSeriessince2019. recommended Powell as 21 to 24 February: vs London(day/night) Centurion (ODI) team and Rovman Hebecamevice-captainfora T20Icaptain,referencinghis South Africa Invitational XI Saturday, 18 March: 2nd Tuesday, 28 March: 3rd Powell as the new captain of secondtimeinJune2022and demonstrated leadership at Willowmoore Park, ODI at Buffalo Park, East T20I at Wanderers Stadium, the West Indies Men’s T20 played his 100th ODI for the acumen and tactical ability Benoni London(day/night) Johannesburg(night) International(T20I)team. West Indies against India in when acting as the West H o p e , t h e July last year Hope has Indies T20I vice-captain and wicketkeeper/batter and played 104 ODIs and was as captain for Jamaica in Powell, the batting all- recently selected in the ICC 2022 with double success in rounder, take over from ODI Team of the Year for bothregionalcompetitions.

Nicholas Pooran, who 2022.

He led Jamaica winning stepped down from the ”It is a tremendous firstlytheCaribbeanPremier positions last November honour and privilege to be LeaguewiththeTallawahsin following the ICC Men’s appointed captain of any Septemberbeforecaptaining T20WorldCupinAustralia. West Indies team,” Hope the Jamaica Scorpions to the

The first assignments for saidofhisappointment. CGUnitedSuper50Cuptitle both captains will be the “To lead a team that is of inNovember upcoming tour of South such incredible significance “I’m truly humbled and Africa in March where the not only to myself and my grateful to be given this West Indies face the Proteas teammates but to our legion amazing opportunity to lead in three ODIs and three of fans the world over, is the West Indies. For me, this T20Is from 16 to 28 March, somethingonedreamsofasa a huge vote of confidence followingtwomatchesinthe child. and I see this as the greatest I C C W o r l d T e s t “The rich history and honour of my career,” Championship. legacy that our region and Powellsaid.

Each captain will be our brand of cricket is so “Tobeaskedto‘carrythe heavily involved in strategy famous and loved for, flag’ for the people of the and planning leading up to requires no intricate Caribbean, there’s no bigger the next ICC World explanation. I would like to role in cricket in the region

Tournaments In ODI thank CWI for entrusting me — a job previously held by cricket, the West Indies are w i t h t h i s i m m e n s e some of the greatest servants likely to need to qualify for opportunity To navigate ofWestIndiescricket. the 2023 ICC Cricket World West Indies cricket in the “I also want to thank Cup, with the qualifiers right direction will be my CWI for allowing me to scheduled to be held in fundamental priority and a guidetheteaminthecoming Zimbabwe in June. In T20I task that I shall be years as we set sights on the cricket, the West Indies will unwaveringly committed to. ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,

Gailann’s Variety Store on board with Sebai Primary School Mash Cricket and Football

Gailann Kellman

of Gailann’s Variety Store is

t h e l a t e s t sponsor joining several others for the upcoming Primary School Mash

Cricket and Football Competitions that will be hosted by Sebai Primary at Sebai Recreational ground onFebruary17.

Host Sebai Primary will battle Port Kaituma Primary in both Male and Female Cricket and Football Competition. This activity is part of the School and PTA planforthisterm.

The PTA would like to thank the following persons 3 cases thrill and water, Mr 10 gallons of gasoline and a n d b u s i n e s s e s f o r Dennis Peters of Beacon’s Permission on behalf of the supporting this Primary International Hotel for the 2 Department of Education, School event. Gailann’s casesthrill,EonJamesfor10 Sir Leon Smartt HM Port Variety Store for the Male gallons of gasoline, Kevin Kaituma for his financial Football Trophy, Peter De Ritchie fuel depot for 10 assistance and Vikram Allen FreitasofFrontierPharmacy gallons of gasoline, who will be transporting our for the Male Cricket Trophy, Maureen Rebeiro DEO for children.

Women lose to India by six wickets and remain winless at World Cup

SportsMax - West Indies trappingTaylorlbwfor42. makeit35-2. Women fell to a second

The West Indies were in Ramharack then Smriti consecutive defeat at the further trouble when Mandhana stumped for 10 in 2023 ICC Women’s World Chinelle Henry was run out the eighth over and India Cup yesterday, losing by six fortwointhe15th. were43-3. wickets to India at From there the West However, by the 10th Newlands. Indies Women struggled to over India were scoring at

The West Indies were accelerate the scoring better than six runs an over restricted to 118-6 from their despite the efforts of as Captain Harmanpreet 20 overs, a total India Chedean Nation who scored Kaur and Richa Ghosh, overhauled getting to 119-4 an unbeaten 21 from 18 balls helped by some wayward from18.1overs. and Shabika Gajnabi’s 15 bowling, filled their boots

Winning the toss and from13. with an stand of 72 that took opting to bat, the West Player of the Match India within four runs of Indies, despite the early loss Sharma would later bowl victory of Captain Hayley Matthews Afy Fletcher for a duck to Ghosh, unbeaten on 44, for two, laid a solid finish the impressive figures struck Shamilia Connell for foundation for a competitive of3-15. the winning runs first ball of scoreinthePowerplay Rashada Williams was the19overformatchtosend

After losing Matthews to not out on two at the other the West Indies Women to the bowling of Pooja end as the West Indies their 15th consecutive defeat Vastrakarwithonlyfourruns inningsclosedon118-6. in T20 internationals and ontheboard,StafanieTaylor Karishma Ramharck and their eighth straight against and Shemaine Campbell Matthews tried to make a India. shared in a second wicket fight of it claiming the first Ramharack was the best partnership of 73 before three Indian wickets with 43 ofthebowlerswith2-14with disaster struck in the 14th runs on the board in the Matthews taking 1-12 and over bowled by Deepti eighthover Henry1-21. Sharma. Ramharack took the Scores: India 119 for 4

With her third ball, wickets of openers Shafali (Ghosh 44*, Harmanpreet Sharma caught and short Verma for a 23-ball 28 with 33, Ramharack 2-14) beat third-man for 30.Three balls thescoreat32andMatthews West Indies 118 for 6 (Taylor later and one run later, got Jerimah Rodriquez 42, Campbelle 30, Deepti 3Sharma stru

again caughtandbowledforoneto 15) by six wickets.

Smriti Mandhana walks back dejected after being stumped. (Getty Images)

Gailann’s Variety store representative (R) donating the Trophy to HM Karen Benjamin.

Patrick Forde Memorial Boxing Championship

GBA boss confirms flights with the latest arrivals happening Saturday

The Guyana Boxing

A s s o c i a t i o n ( G B A ) launched the Patrick Forde Memorial championship Sunday last at the La France Restaurant and bar The event unfolds this Sunday 19th February at the National Gymnasium, located along Mandela AvenueGeorgetown.

T h e p r e s t i g i o u s competition is staged to honour the late pugilist: Patrick Forde, who etched his name in the annals of Guyana’s boxing history by Tobago, Suriname and becoming the first Guyanese Guyana. StewartofBarbados. Meanwhile, President of to contest for the world title. This one day slug-fest

A full-international bout the Guyana Boxing Forde ended his impressive will see the likes of Nikaela is also carded for the night Association (GBA), Steve career with 23-fight record KhodrafromStLuciaaswell when Nikaela Khodra out of Ninvalle confirmed that of 19 wins and four defeats as Domelzo Schet, Richard St Lucia takes on Leeann fighters are already making before his passing in 2011 at Evert, Leandro Dongo and Boodram from Trinidad and their way to our shores to theageof55. Samuel Greene out of Tobago. competeonSunday,withthe

However, the Patrick Suriname, also Leeann

Also the American Trinidadian and Surinamese F o r d e M e m o r i a l B o o d r a m ( f e m a l e ) , international boxers and have her first taste of Boxing Confederation contingent being the latest International Boxing Shawnelle Hamid (female), rising star siblings Alisha international combat; when (AMBC) Bronze medalist arrivals which they are tourney is slated to have Jaden Castillano, Nathan and Abiola Jackman will goes up against Shawnelle Desmond ‘Dynamite’ scheduled to be here by eleven International bouts DeBestte and Nickelle returntothesquaredcirclein Hamid (TT), while her sister Amsterdam square-off with Saturday. and at least four schoolboys Joseph out Trinidad and preparation for the (Abiola) will make her Nickelle Joseph (TT), while Be there to witness every match-ups The Patrick Tobago, followed by the International Boxi

nce on the Olympian Keevin Allicock punch of the Patrick Forde Forde International Boxing three Barbadians Jeremiah Association (IBA) Women’s international circuit since will be looking for his 2023 International Boxing championship will feature Toussaint, Sean Shepherd World Championship in winning gold at the 2019 second win over Samuel Championship.Action starts fighters out of five Caricom and female fighter Kemara New Delhi, India from Caribbean Championship in Greene from Suriname in at19:00hrson19thFebruary territories namely; St Lucia, Stewart. March15-312023. Trinidad and Tobago going front of the Gymnasium at the National Gymnasium, Barbados, Trinidad and Guyanese female Alisha Jackman will head to head with Kamara crowds. MandelaAvenue.

Young Sean Kitt place sixth at the USATF National Youth Indoor C/Ship

United States- where he won two silver b o r n o f medals in the 400m and

G u y a n e s e 800m event but did not parent’s eight-and-under continue his form in this athletics sensation Sean Kitt year’s championship in the continuestoimpressthefans shorterdistance following a fairly-good Both sprinters emanated performance at the United out of the Dashing Don and States of America Track and DivasAthleticsclub.

Field (USATF) National Trinidadian Yannick Indoor 2023 championship Walker placing first, running overlastweekend. 8.35 (sec) in the fastest kids

Despiteatoughdayatthe in the world U8 55m race on office for Kitt along with his Saturday at the Norton fellow club-mate Nico Healthcare and Learning Jones, who is also of Centre in Louisville, New Guyaneseparentage,theduo York (NY), Noah Brown of that represented Guyana at West Africa (Burkina Faso) the event at this year’s bagged second place while championshipplaced6thand USA’s Noah Campbell came 5th respectively in the 55m third. dash. Me

, USA’s

They are still among the Oliver Kania came forth, top eight in their age group while Kyle Newland, Jairo in the world Sean Kitt Aklasson, Adonis Halyard came back from last year’s and Alvin Telitsyn finished USATF Track and Field seventh, eighth, ninth and National Championship tenthrespectively

Kemara Stewart Barbados

Jeremiah Toussaint Barbados

Sean Shepherd Barbados

Sean Kitt (right) and Nico Jones at Milrose Games.