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AIETEUR

February 18, 2024

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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Online readership yesterday, 57,064

‘Tobago oil spill a stark

reminder there is no safe way to produce or transport oil’

- Int'l Lawyer, Melinda Janki

Teachers protesting for better wages in front the Ministry of Finance last week

Grenada continues to monitor oil spill Alleged drunken driver kills deputy toshao in accident

Speeding Private Sector to discuss role in Cop dies in ending nationwide teachers’ strike smash-up p.

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Japanese company profits US$800M from Guyana for ...annual leasing FPSO order last year costs not included

Kaieteur News

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Sunday February 18, 2024

Japanese company profits US$800M from Guyana for FPSO order last year ...annual leasing costs not included Japanese shipbuilder MODEC reported revenues of US$800 million in 2023 related to its Guyana work, which accounted for about a quarter of all its US$3.57 billion revenues for the year.

The company had successfully secured an order for the Uaru project from ExxonMobil. Under the engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) contract, MODEC will deliver the Errea Wittu floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel to the Stabroek Block.

Notably, the revenue made by the company on the order does not include annual leasing costs which are likely to kick in once the ship is up and running.

The Uaru FPSO is expected to play a pivotal role in Guyana’s oil sector, with first oil anticipated in 2026.

With an oil production capacity of 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) and a gas production capability of 540 million standard cubic feet

per day, alongside a storage capacity of 2 million barrels of crude, it will be one of the largest FPSOs globally. This capacity sets the stage for the project to be one of the highest revenue-generating projects undertaken offshore Guyana, significantly impacting the nation’s oil production capacity. With the Uaru project’s operation, Guyana’s offshore oil production is set to exceed the 1 million barrels per day mark.

MODEC had entered into a joint venture so it could be better equipped to deliver larger FPSOs. Offshore Frontier Solution Pte. Ltd., a MODEC Group Company and a joint venture with Toyo Engineering Corporation, is responsible for delivering the FPSO Errea Wittu, which will utilise MODEC’s M350TM new-build hull.

The oil projects producing offshore will continue to reap billions of US dollars annually. Most of the proceeds, however, have

been leaving Guyana, primarily benefiting Exxon and its partners. This is attributed to the terms of the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed between the previous government and Exxon.

Despite the significant revenues generated by projects like Uaru, there continues to be growing scrutiny over the fairness of the distribution of wealth derived from Guyana’s oil

reserves. Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said that revenues will increase in the next few years.

In addition to the Uaru project in Guyana, MODEC’s 2023 financials were supported by three other significant EPCI projects, namely the Raia, Bacalhau, and Sangomar FPSOs, contributing to a total EPCI earnings of approximately US$2.5 billion for the year.

The Raia and Bacalhau

projects were commissioned

by Equinor in Brazil, and the Sangomar project was ordered from MODEC by Woodside Energy for Senegal. None of these projects earned more revenue for MODEC than the Uaru project.

The Guyana FPSO also has the highest oil production design capacity of them all.

The FPSO Sangomar is designed to produce 100,000 barrels of oil per day, with a storage capacity of 1.3

million barrels and a gas production capability of 130 million standard cubic feet per day.

In Brazil, the FPSO Bacalhau is set for first oil in 2025, with a capacity to produce 220,000 barrels of oil and 500 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. The Raia FPSO, aiming for first oil in 2027, will have a similar storage capacity with an output of 125,000 barrels per day.

Kaieteur News

Sunday February 18, 2024

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Private Sector to discuss role in ending nationwide teachers’ strike

Teachers have been on strike for the past two weeks Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Komal Singh has said that the Commission will be meeting next week to discuss whether there is a role for the Commission, as a mediator, to bring an end to the nationwide strike by teachers.

“The Private Sector will be meeting this week to discuss that matter, and we are a body and so we have to make the decision as a

collective as to what role we will play. At the moment I can’t state our position as until we are able t o meet,” the PSC Chairman told Kaieteur News.

The teachers strike has been ongoing for the past two weeks. Last Friday, the President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Mark Lyte said since the strike was initiated, there has been no movement by the Government to return to the

negotiating table to discuss an increase in salaries for teachers While he noted that the strike is impacting all sectors of the population, including the Private Sector, Lyte called on the PSC to intervene. “The Private Sector is vocal in a lot of areas. It is time the Chair of the Private Sector engage government to let good sense prevail, and to treat with this important matter,” he said.

The GTU has since said that the strike would continue indefinitely, hinting that other trade unions would join the industrial action in solidarity. “We have gotten the solidarity and the support from the other unions and they are going to show their solidarity in a tangible way as well so you may very well have other unions coming out, calling out their members and having a massive shutdown of the

state,” Lyte said earlier in the week.

“Is that what this government wants so close to a next election? Is it that you want to anger the people that trusted you into office?,” he asked.

Last year, the government ignored repeated calls for collective bargaining and instead engaged a cross-section of teachers to hear their grievances and requests.

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Publisher: DR. GLENN LALL - TEL: 624-6456 Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

GCCI, gas project and possible disconnect Richard Rambarran, Senior Vice President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has provided verbal backing for the chamber’s letter to the US Export Import Bank (EXIM) in support of a Guyana Government loan application. The loan is for US$646M for the natural gas and power plant components of the Wales Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project, and EXIM has held up approving the loan for unknown reasons. Considering this project’s visibility, and with American companies involved, the expectation is that the loan approval would already have been in hand, and not the mystery that it has become.

We thank Mr. Rambarran for taking the time to elaborate on the underpinnings that prompted GCCI’s letter to EXIM. Mr. Rambarran is an economist, so he possesses a better than layman understanding of the anxieties concerning this Wales Gas-toEnergy (GTE) project. Guyanese want cheap, reliable electricity supply, but all they have been presented with to date are the insistent words and postures of a politician, who has not inspired much confidence. Vice President Jagdeo is the driving force behind this GTE project, but he has not offered Guyanese much convincing backing. We regret that this is not good enough, far from acceptable when Jagdeo’s record is scrutinized under an honest microscope. Failure has been the middle name of many of his previously highly touted pet projects.

But Mr. Rambarran, a man who should know, now says that the GCCI had enough information to take its confident position, which inspired the chamber’s letter to EXIM. According to Mr. Rambarran, the GCCI did its own analysis, consulted with its own experts, and came to its own conclusions.

Further, the GCCI has the necessary supporting information, and he promised to make it public in a few days. Once again, it is encouraging to learn of the work that the GCCI has done behind the scenes, and the results of its efforts. Again, we thank Mr. Rambarran and look forward to what the GCCI will place in the public domain, and how much persuasive power it has.

But there is what seems like a slight disconnect, with what Mr. Rambarran expertly put forward versus what was already put out before the Guyanese public by the President of the GCCI, Mr. Kester Hutson. The learned Mr. Hutson said this: “Our responsibility or my responsibility as president and by extension the executive and councilor is to inform our members with the requisite knowledge that is being shared. So as much information that we have we will share with our members and of course we are well informed to take that business posture to invest. Once sufficient information is presented then certainly yes.” From our perspective, there is a puzzle here, a contradiction in Mr. Hutson’s own statement, and which also has the telling effect of making us look at Mr. Rambarran’s words a little differently. On the one hand, “as much information that we have…we are well informed to take that business posture to invest.” That is pretty cut and dried. But, on the other hand, Mr. Hutson qualified his response with “once sufficient information is presented then certainly yes.” We are baffled by Mr. Hutson’s conditional about “sufficient information”: it is either there, or it is not there, which brings into question the complete basis for its seeming recommendation (“business posture”) to the GCCI’s members. Moreover, Mr. Hutson’s employment of “once” indicates that some related information may still not be in the chamber’s hands.

To return to Mr. Rambarran, he said that the GCCI had done its homework, and had all that it needed for that letter to EXIM to be sent.

But prior to Mr. Rambarran’s stout representations on behalf of the GCCI, there was no less a person than Mr. Hutson, the GCCI’s president, speaking about “once sufficient information” is there, then there would be the follow-up to the chamber’s members to put their money into the GTE project.

Because it is sound, and would be worth the investment. Unless we are misinterpreting Mr. Hutson, he appeared to be engaging in some careful hedging about investing. The same cannot be said of Mr. Rambarran, and this only adds to the riddle that is this GTE project.

Sunday February 18, 2024

Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News, 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com

Tobago oil spill a wakeup call for Guyana DEAR EDITOR, The minority arm of the coalition made the valid point that the Tobago oil spill should serve as a wakeup call for us. I agree.

The spill is too close for comfort and cannot be shrugged off nonchalantly,

especially, according to reports that the vessel was heading to Guyana with the oil cargo.

Days following the spill, and the twin island is still coping to deal with cleaning up and containing efforts.

Reports have surface that the

oil slick is heading towards Grenada and Venezuela.

A l r e a d y To b a g o ’s tourism and fishing sectors are negatively impacted from the disaster.

There are lessons from this disaster, which should serve as a rehearsal of our

preparedness. In the immediate aftermath of the spill discovery, Tobago authorities lamented the island was never prepared for such a catastrophic event. We must not be in such a position.

Yours faithfully, Shamshun Mohamed

An education in local Indian music from Ravi Dev

DEAR EDITOR, The passing of Mohan Nandu (3/9/1936 – 8/2/1924), the iconic Guyanese Indian singer, marks the end of an era in local “Indian” music. When Indians were brought as indentured labourers between 1838 and 1917, they inevitably brought their languages and ways of life with them. In a word, they were carriers of their

cultures – plural, with 16% from South India (“Madrasis”) and 12% Muslims to the majority Hindus. But being rural peasants, their perspectives, practices and “products” – the “3-Ps of culture” - had strands of commonality that soon coalesced around the majority North-Indian Bhojpuri variant.

On the plantations, the first era of “Indian music”

was represented by the folk songs they brought from India, and which offered a respite from the unremitting toil demanded from them, just as “back home”. These songs were of several genres of which the “work songs” such as “jatsar” (while grinding grain) or “ropani” (while planting rice); life cycle songs like weddings songs of the “matikor” or “dig dutty”; childbirth

(sohars), funeral songs; songs of the seasons like saavan, kajri etc. songs of parting (bidesia) and the call-and-response biraha.

Religiously, there were the Hindu Bhajans and Dhoons; joyous Phagwah songs, Muslim Qaseedas and Qawalis, while South Indians sang to their village deity Mariamman.

There is the distinction (Continued on page 06)

Kaieteur News

Sunday February 18, 2024

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Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox Joey Jagan needs to manage himself, learn some basic courtesies DEAR EDITOR, Dr Joey Jagan scathing attack on me is referred (Feb 16). Joey contends that I distorted and attacked his father’s legacy. I did no such thing. I suggest he look-up the meaning of distortion and attack since he misused the words. He also claims that Prof Clem Seecharan slandered Cheddi. I suggest Joey re-read my pieces as he misunderstood them about his father of whom I showered praises and simply pointing out he erred in being a communist leader of a capitalist people. I suggest he also look up the meaning of that word. Clem did not slander Cheddi. I urge both Joey and Clement Rohee to read Seecharan’s voluminous book that is professionally written with countless citations for every argument he makes about Cheddi. It was about power and the Cold War. Cheddi was on the wrong side of the Cold War in terms of Guyanese strategic interests, and he was proud of it.

I re-read my three pieces on Cheddi and the Cold War over the last week for signs of anything remotely close to an attack on Dr Cheddi and distortion of his communist ideology. I came across none. I consulted independent academics to point out where and how I attacked and distorted Jagan’s legacy. They saw none. They also noted that Joey and Clement Rohee did not identify distortions. I simply pointed out errors that I and others felt were made by Cheddi in his struggle for independence.

The root of his errors was communism (socialism and its other synonyms). He challenged America at the height of the Cold War, siding with the Soviet bloc.

The British tried to moderate Cheddi’s behavior coaching him in DC what to tell JFK before he met the President in Oct ‘61. Cheddi ignored the advice. He virtually told JFK that he had a different way to go. And that was the Soviet-Cuban way, not

Nyerere’s as Joey states.

Even Nyerere would have landed himself in trouble as left wingers in the Americas were unacceptable. When he met Kennedy at the White House, Cheddi told the President he was a Fabian socialist and proceeded to explain the superiority of socialism over capitalism.

That led to his undoing in government until the Cold War ended whose end made it possible for Cheddi to return to office.

Unable to point out examples of distortions and or attacks, Joey resorted to personality attacks on me. It is an old but discredited strategy that when one does not have a strong case in a debate or discussion, one responds with personality attacks. I will reject advice to respond in kind about remarks people have been making about Joey. I won’t descend into the gutter.

Cheddi would never approve of personality attacks.

Cheddi used reasons to win an argument and was

excellent at it. Joey seems concerned about his father’s legacy. What did Joey do to preserve and promote it? His father was a founder of the PPP. In 2011, 2015, and 2020 Joey sided with opponents who sought to undo Cheddi’s legacy. Joey attacked and opposed candidate Donald Ramotar in 2011 and President in 2015. He also attacked Rohee and Ramotar as communists. And he slammed Ralph Ramkarran, an elderly statesman. All three were Jagan’s loyalists.

Ramkarran, Rohee, Ramotar, Karshan, Mel Carpen, Samad Ally, Joe Kanhai, Raj Singh, among others were genuine Jaganites who stood up for Cheddi’s legacy.

It is pointed out that when the sign of Cheddi’s name was rooted down from the Red House and when the Cheddi Jagan Center was evicted, Joey was silent.

People like me spoke up for and defended Cheddi; I was vociferous in opposition to the attempt to destroy Jagan’s legacy. Joey was silent during the 2020 rigging to deny the PPP and Irfaan Ali a victory. Irfaan and Jagdeo are upholding aspects of Cheddi’s legacy.

Joey praised Aubrey

Norton stating that he would rise perhaps to the Presidency against Irfaan. It won’t happen, according to respondents in a poll, although the findings are dynamic. Joey distorted the poll’s findings which called for a Congress to choose new leadership. Norton may well retain leadership of the PNC in a Congress, but he will be trounced by Irfaan who is doubly popular than him.

The Congress is two months overdue, and Norton has not (Continued on page 58)

Kaieteur News

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Sunday February 18, 2024

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox An education in local Indian music...

From page 04 between the above as the “little tradition” and the “great tradition” of the upper classes, which in Indian music includes the raagbased genres predating the Moghul courts. While the latter was not replicated in Guyana, after the end of indentureship, an acknowledgement was made in the introduction of an indigenous “classical music” called “taan singing”. The style alludes to classical styles like dhrupad, tillâna, ghazal, and thumri but are quite distinct. It has been suggested that the name derives from “Tan Sen” one of the great classical

musicians from the Mughal Court. This era of folk and taan singing extended into the 1940’s and Mohan Nandu’s father was a popular Taan singer. The biraha tradition lent itself to witty topical compositions in a mixture of Bhojpuri and English becoming a vibrant art form. In 1962, the ethnologist Ved Vartik collected and recorded thousands of songs from across the country.

The introduction of Indian “talkies” with playback singing in Guyana from the end of the 1930’s presaged the end of this first era of local Indian music, and we enter the second era

from the 1950s represented

by Mohan Nandu and his great contemporary Gobin Ram. This new era coincided with the great exodus from the logies into new villages occasioned from 1947 by the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund. Mohan Nandu’s parents would have moved from the logies of Cornelia Ida to the housing scheme of Anna Catherina.

Indian movies now became the exemplar of “authentic” Indian culture – including music. Ironically, those movies were suffused by western influences while the folk music performed in Guyana were much more “authentically” Indian.

Radio stations were established during this period and every Indian “high house” had to have a radio from which sponsored Indian programs blared Indian film tunes.

That these programs were assigned to the unholy hour of 5am signaled the dominant creole “whitebias” culture’s view of Indian culture’s peripheral standing. By the 1960’s there was an “Local Indian Performance” program on Sundays to which Indian singers - backed up by their bands - were invited to compete in singing Indian Film songs.

From the 1950s musical

bands with western and Indian instruments had sprung up across the country and they and their singers – like Gemini and Gobin Ram or Mohan Nandu and the Uitvlugt Community Center Band - became household names in the Indian community. There were also fairs – especially the Maha Sabha Diwali fairs - that sponsored singing competitions. Gobin Ram and Mohan Nandu were inevitable finalists, and some saw them as rivals, but the reality was far from that.

The late 1950s to 1969 was the heyday of Indian musical renaissance but the capture of the Maha Sabha by the

PNC led to the politicization of the fairs and their demise.

On Radio, one of the popular announcers Eshri Singh revealed he emigrated to NYC after Minister Harewood-Benn instructed him to include “English’ songs in his Indian sponsored program.

From the 1980s the Maticore-influenced Chutney music arose out of the folk-song era and its popularity eclipsed filmmusic by the 1990s. While there are some practitioners of the latter in NYC, the passing of Mohan Nandu also marks its passing.

Sincerely, Ravi Dev

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Sunday February 18, 2024

Kaieteur News

Trinidad was dragging along, now Tobago is being dragged down.

A mysterious oi spill and T&T caught naked and defenseless.

There was time and space for T&T to get its house in order, protect itself.

Leaders wasted time, had other priorities.

Now, serious trouble looms for Tobago.

Guyanese leaders and ordinary Guyanese must take note.

Leaders must stop playing games with safety and economic security.

Ordinary Guyanese must force their leaders' hands.

Get proper coverage, get it now, get it out in the open.

What is now faced by Tobago could be what trips us up.

Take precautions, get coverage, get to Exxon.

Get it to what is right for Guyana.

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sKaieteur weN ruetNews eiaK

Sunday Monday February May 02, 18,2022 2024

Kaieteur News

Sunday February 18, 2024

PAGE 09

The lateral thinker J

agdeo turned up at his last Press Conference with a spreadsheet which shows projected production that would continue until 2047.

This was his defence in relation to the argument that at production of 645,000 barrels per day, the Liza , Liza 2 and Payara projects would exhaust the oil reserves in those projects in five years based on the numbers provided by Exxon on its website.

Jagdeo’s arguments are to the effect that, first, future oil projects will sustain production and, second, that oil production is expected to peak and then decline.

Interestingly, he is using the need for sustainability of oil production to buttress his argument against ringfencing at present, saying that Guyana is foregoing present benefits for future gain.

So desperate he is to defend his position that he claims that Glenn Lall, the most strident advocate for ring fencing, engages in linear thinking on the issue.

Presumably, Jagdeo is not a linear thinker and it is this which gives him the foresight to know that it is better for Guyana to forego present benefits for future gain.

The text books will explain that linear thinking is a structured approach to problem-solving or

decision-making where one moves logically from one step to the next in a straight line. It involves a systematic and sequential progression of thoughts or actions, typically following a predetermined or conventional path.

Linear thinking can be contrasted with ‘lateral thinking’ which is more creative and unconventional approach to problemsolving that involves exploring multiple perspectives and considering ideas that may not seem immediately relevant. Lateral thinking encourages thinking “outside the box” and often involves making unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated concepts.

It is probably the employment of lateral thinking which allows Jagdeo make the illogical conclusion that it is in Guyana’s interest to forego present revenues in favour of future benefits. Despite refusing to ring fence existing projects, Jagdeo still does not accept that Guyana is a co-investor in oil exploration and development. If my money is being used for future oil development, then if that does not make me a coi n v e s t o r, t h e n l a t e r a l thinking is not for me.

He also will not concede that by allowing the oil

companies to extract monies for future development that Guyana is effectively subsidizing the operations of the oil companies. But that too may be because of thinking ‘outside of the box’.

But by not ring-fencing the projects, Jagdeo is contradicting his own logic.

He was the one who in defending his unpublished depletion policy claimed that the policy is to extract as much oil as fast as possible.

His justification for this is that fossil fuel production is on its way out due to the emphasis on renewables.

Well, if fossil fuels have a limited shelf-life it means that in the future we are likely to see lower production and lower costs.

Oil prices may well decline to around $10 per barrel when that time comes. And this is when Jagdeo wants us to collect the benefits that are being foregone now, when prices and production are low. But perhaps lateral thinking offers him a foresight which cannot be contemplated by mere ordinary mortals.

On the issue of the amendment to the formula for withdrawals from the Natural Resource Fund, Jagdeo points to the example of Norway. That country, as is known, began oil production in 1971 but did not establish a Sovereign Wealth Fund until 1990.

DEM BOYS SEH

Deh gat a word named ‘Schadenfreude’

D

em boys seh dis country got ah real bad habit, yuh know. It is nasty habit. It is a disgraceful thing. We be like dem spectators at ah gladiator match, cheering as de mighty tumble from dem high horses, reveling in de spectacle of humiliation and shame. Oh, how we relish de taste of humble pie served piping hot to de powerful and popular!

It’s like we got ah national addiction to schadenfreude, dat sweet satisfaction derived from de misfortune of others. We nah even tryin’ to hide it no more. We feastin’ on de downfall of de mighty like it’s ah buffet spread before us, lickin’ our lips as we

watch dem squirm under de weight of public scrutiny.

De misfortune of others does cause we fuh howl with delight! De memes be flowin’ like water in de rainy season, each one more savage than de last.

We be sharin’ and likin’ and commentin’, baskin’ in de glow of de embarrassment of others.

But while we busy pointin’ fingers and laughin’ at others, we forgettin’ de real cost of our addiction.

We forgettin’ dat behind every scandal and every downfall is ah human bein’ with feelings and families. We forgettin’ dat de same fate could befall any one of us, ‘cause nobody perfect in dis

world.

Instead of revelin’ in de misfortunes of others, we should be reflectin’ on our own flaws and workin’ to build ah different kind of society. We should be liftin’ each other up instead of tearin’ each other down, ‘cause ain’t nobody benefitin’ from dis toxic cycle of ridicule and shame.

So next time yuh feel de urge to join in de chorus of laughter at de expense of others, stop and ask yourself: what kind of society do we really wanna live in? One built on de ruins of de mighty, or one built on de foundation of k i n d n e s s a n d understanding?

Talk half. Leff half

Jagdeo uses this to justify his government using more of its oil revenues now, pointing out that in 1990 when Norway established its Fund it had a higher level of development than Guyana.

He therefore implies that Guyana should use a greater share of its oil revenues now to rapidly catapult development and save more later on when the country would have reached a higher level of development. So he wants to front-end development using oil revenues.

But this is the same

Jagdeo that wants to bankend ring-fencing. If he had ring-fenced the oil projects, he would have not had to borrow money for the rapid development he wants to see in the early years. He would not have had to worry about borrowing from Exxim Bank of the United States for the gas-to-energy plant and the other infrastructural works in the social services sector. He would have had his money for the rapid development and this would have allowed him, in later years, to do what Norway did after it has attained a high

level of industrialization: invest in societal welfare.

But don’t tell that to Jagdeo. He is thinking ‘outside of the box’ so much so that he seems to have forgotten about the ‘box’.

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

Kaieteur News

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Sunday Monday February May 02, 18,2022 2024

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Teachers: have a conscience “Teachers have to have a responsibility too. We have to be fair. We have to have a conscience, we can't allow ourselves to become political pawns.” The speaker was Guyana's head of state. In any general context, those words have their merits. But they do not have one-sided application. They cut both ways.

Every sentence.

Every phrase.

Those projecting such postures, saying such reasonable and appealing things, should know that they must be embraced by the ones putting them on the table, to be accepted by the ones to whom they are directed.

Embraced and exemplified.

In what is balanced. What receives a nod of approval in that the same calls, the identical standards, are also practiced in other areas and aspects of Guyanese life. I now sift through and dissect the president's words, as quoted above.

It should be noticed that Guyana's president isn't referred to by name. It is a consequence of diminished expectations, disturbing evaluations of his record. No

amount of bluster can plaster over his presidential errors of judgment, the egregious voids in his national stewardship.

Out of deference for the constitutional office of the presidency, I address the issues quietly, humbly and, most of all, genuinely.

The president has fallen victim to his own potions of parsimony to perceived adversaries, on the one hand, and plenty to the friendly, on the other.

He said that “teachers have to have a responsibility too.”

I completely agree, sir. But th e rudimen ts of that responsibility, the first specks that grow into a sterling pillar, start with the head. The Government of Guyana is not a ruthless corporate entity (a punishing foreign one) determined to walk on the backs of the locals, and wringing every concession out of them. No! the government has a responsibility to be more listening to the wails of its women, the fears of its men, who see how other citizens are cared for, and how they are catered to, propped up, s t r e n g t h e n e d .

R e s p o n s i b i l i t y, M r.

President, is not a onehanded affair.

“We have to be fair”.

Agreed. Clearly, this wise national leader considers the high double-digits provisions (close to and upwards of 50%) budgeted for certain sectors in Guyana as fair.

And, for some curious strain of reasoning, he also concludes that single digit percentages of charity (6.5%) as the essence of what is “fair” for the people he lectures about what it is “to be fair”. I couldn't suppress the thought that the president was heckling striking teachers, playing some sort of callous game. It is my painful duty to inform His Excellency that earlier goodwill has evaporated.

He squandered such.

Platitudes have lost any potencies that they may have once had. His word games are transparent in their essences: words only, with no meaning, and nothing else.

The president threw down the gauntlet before teachers: “we have to have a conscience.”

Well said,

captain.

It is good to hear someone at the high elevation of national leader suddenly speaking of conscience. I am glad for the company, since it was admittedly mighty lonely talking about “conscience” in this country, and wondering whether it would ever be found.

Welcome to this most rarified of territories, Mr. President. Conscience can never be associated with 6.5%, and as handed down as if beggars were the recipients.

Conscience would and could never be mistaken for being at work in an economy that is at wave-topping heights, when there is the stinginess of what has been extended to teachers and the wider realm of public servants versus the lavishness delivered to other segments of Guyanese society. But I sense more than stinginess. I discern meanness.

The politics of 20182020 triumphs over the quality of governing called for in this new era in Guyana's existence.

Meanness and vindictiveness have become the norm, I submit, Mr. President.

I believe that a twoword term captures the caliber of governance and leadership that have become the chief characteristics of this Oil Dorado, this new Guyana. With the honorable attorney general's permission, I think that depraved indifference is what has featured most p r o m i n e n t l y, m o s t inarguably.

The president and his army may object (furiously).

The constitutional right is still exercised.

Said the president in what he must have believed was a soaring flight of insight, “we cannot allow ourselves to become political pawns.” In one breath, the leader urges “conscience”, and in the next, he reduces that to ashes.

Teachers are in pain, and to pin the label of “political pawns” on their backs, only adds to their trauma. When the president waxed brightly about “fair” and “conscience” he could be listened to, no matter how difficult.

When the president insists on introducing the copyrighted curse of “political pawns” into the discourse about pay, then his pretenses are seen through. Political pawns just slammed a door shut in the face of striking Guyanese teachers crying out for bread.

Is the president trying to tell this nation that the only nonpolitical presence in this country is he and his party? I suggest that he polish that clouded lens, and look at himself in the mirror. Some effort should be made to ensure that it is not one made of stained glass.

“Responsibility” and “fair” and “conscience,” begin at the top. If not, only hypocrisy and heartlessness, maybe even obtuseness, prevail.

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

Sod turned for US$7M CDB-funded hospitality institute Prime Minister (PM), Brigadier Mark Phillips on Friday turned the sod to commence the construction of the first ever Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute in Guyana which will be built in Port Mourant, Region Six. The project will cost US$7,002,126 and is being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in collaboration with the Ministries of Education, Finance, and Tourism. Kares Engineering Inc. and the architectural engineer, Deen and

Partners have been awarded the contract. This publication had reported that back in December 2020, the Caribbean Development Bank had approved a US$11 million (approximately $2.3Billion) loan for the development of the institute. The project was signed on December 12, 2023 and works on the structure are expected to be completed on January 21, 2026.

The Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute when completed is geared at training personnel Prime Minister (PM), Brigadier Mark Phillips, along with Senior Minister with the responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag on Friday turning the sod for the Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute. (Photo courtesy, Ministry of Tourism)

Artist impression of what the US$7 million Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute in Port Mourant would look like when completed. (Photo courtesy, RDC of Region Six)

ensuring they are equipped with the skills and knowledge that are necessary to staff and manage the growing tourism and hospitality sector in Guyana. Prime Minister Phillips in his address said that the government anticipates that by 2030 they would have a tourism sector that can create around 50,000 jobs. He noted however, that to reach this target they have to overcome several challenges.

Some of the challenges he mentioned are to increase the

number of hotel rooms by some 3,000, address the high cost of air travel, improving destination marketing and improving product development.

Phillips said that the several internationally branded hotels that are being established across the country are part of the process of moving Guyana closer to that target.

Another important challenge he highlighted is training for hospitality service workers and

reducing the high turnover of staff in the tourism sector.

He noted that the main reason “why we are investing in the construction of this Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute, we have to develop continuous cohorts of trained hospitality workers to assume the management of this sector and to provide the multiplicity of services required in this sector.”

In brief remarks, Minister of (Continued on page 56 )

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SUNDAY Exxon leaving Equatorial Guinea in shambles to focus on emptying Guyana’s oil In a revelation of priorities, ExxonMobil, the American oil giant, has announced its intention to wind down operations in Equatorial Guinea, bringing a close to a chapter spanning nearly three decades. The company said the main pull factor is Guyana’s lucrative oil fields.

David Goldwyn, an international analyst, recently highlighted the oil discoveries in Guyana’s Stabroek Block as one of the “giants” of the decade, painting a picture of the country’s significance as a “hotspot” for the oil industry with its 11 billion barrels of

oil-equivalent reserves.

This pivot away from Equatorial Guinea, once dubbed the fastest-growing economy on Earth just like Guyana, reveals key lessons a b o u t E x x o n M o b i l ’s relentless pursuit of maximizing value for its shareholders, even at the expense of the prosperity of its host countries.

A grim picture of Equatorial Guinea is left in ExxonMobil’s aftermath.

The country, once buoyed by the discovery of oil in the 1990s that propelled it to become the third-largest oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa, now grapples with the debilitating effects of the resource curse. This phenomenon, where countries rich in natural resources end up worse off, is starkly evident in Equatorial Guinea. Despite

its oil wealth, the United Nations reports from 2019 to 2023 highlight a nation where less than half of the population has access to clean drinking water and 20% of children die before reaching the age of five, with the majority living on US$2 a day.

The only development that has been taking place is within the bank accounts of selected members of the Government which is led by President Teodoro Obiang.

While the people suffer and swim in the slums of poverty, the members of the Government live lavish lifestyles.

An exclusive report by US award winning journalist, Rachael Maddow noted that one of the President’s sons, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, enjoyed a rather lavish

lifestyle on the oil revenue that was supposed to go to w ar d s his countr y ’s Treasury. With monies intended for the state, he bought himself a luxurious US$30M mansion in Malibu, California, some of the world’s finest and rarest sports vehicles such as Lamborghinis and Ferraris.

He even bought some of the world’s most expensive Michael Jackson memorabilia such as statues of the pop icon. (See link to f u l l v i d e o : https://www.msnbc.com/rac h e l maddow/watch/exxonmobil -exploits-poor-nation-scorruption-for-oil-in-africa853945411885) With the resource curse taking firm root in Equatorial Guinea President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and his family have been the focal point of scandals and investigations r e v e a l i n g t h e misappropriation of oil revenues, even at times facilitated by agents of Exxon.

This was examined in an American Senate SubCommittee investigation in 2017, during Rex Tillerson’s tenure as ExxonMobil’s CEO, which uncovered

Sunday February 18, 2024

payments diverted to private accounts controlled by President Obiang’s family, rather than the country’s National Treasury.

The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) latest report from January 2024 paints a bleak future for Equatorial Guinea, forecasting a recession in 2023 and a continuous economic contraction. The report stresses the need for policy reforms to avoid the full unraveling of gains in per capita income over the last two decades.

ExxonMobil shifting attention to Guyana indeed signifies its unyielding drive to exploit new opportunities for shareholder value maximization. With plans to bring six projects online to elevate national output to 1.3 million barrels per day by 2 0 2 7 , E x x o n M o b i l ’s operations in Guyana are poised for expansion, with the full support of the Irfaan Ali administration.

However, this aggressive pursuit raises concerns about the potential for repeating patterns of exploitation and neglect experienced in Equatorial Guinea.

C e r t a i n l y, t h o u g h t h e situations in Guyana and Equatorial Guinea are very

d i ff e r e n t , t h e A f r i c a n country’s experiences can be instrumental. The starkest lesson may be that the experience of Equatorial Guinea does not agree with Exxon’s repeated claims that it cares for the prosperity of its host country.

ExxonMobil’s departure from Equatorial Guinea, leaving it in a state of economic and social disrepair, coupled with its fervent focus on Guyana, starkly illustrates the company’s most important purpose: maximizing value for its shareholders, often disregarding the long-term prosperity of its host countries.

By foregoing oil profits, Exxon admits Guyana is a co-investor in Stabroek Block In the absence of a ringfencing provision, President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), Alistair Routledge has agreed that Guyana is a co-investor in the Stabroek Block. imited (EMGL), Alistair Routledge has agreed that Guyana is a co-investor in the Stabroek Block.

Ring-fencing means that each oil project should pay for itself. It would also allow the country to benefit from 50 percent of profits at individual projects after expenses have been recovered or repaid to the Contractor.

Guyana, however, has been foregoing billions in US-dollars each year that is used up by the Stabroek Block co-venturers, Exxon, Hess and CNOOC, to develop the vast resources discovered offshore. Be that as it may, the country does not benefit from a significant portion of the profits; instead, it receives a meagre 14.5 percent share.

Guyana also does not have a seat at the table to make investment decisions and determining relevant expenditure, although it carries this title. The country has instead settled to audit the company’s expenses after they have been incurred.

On Tuesday, during E x x o n ’s f i r s t p r e s s engagement for 2024, Routledge in response to a question from this publication explained that Guyana is a co-investor in the Stabroek Block, though it does not take money out of (Continued on page 13)

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Sunday February 18, 2024

From page 12 its treasury for this purpose.

“In essence the country is a co-investor, that’s the nature of our Production Sharing Agreement. You share in the upside of the investments that are being made. The good news is, the country doesn’t have to put any capital at risk, doesn’t have to find the capital to make the investment upfront,” he said.

The Country Manager went on to point out that to date the Co-Venturers have invested US$29 billion, while Guyana has not taken resources from the public purse to finance the oil and gas operations.

“There’s no dollars [that] comes out of the treasury from the country and yet its making- in financial termsinfinite returns on a zero investment,” Routledge said.

Kaieteur News had asked the Exxon official whether he believes the country should benefit more, given that its profits are being shortened to invest across the Block.

To this end, he noted, “Well I think the profits are significant. You think about it in economic terms…so its zero risk but generating billions. I mean to date the country into the Natural Resource Fund; there’s been over US$3.6 billion that have been paid. Of that, US$1.6B was paid last year alone so you can see that this is accelerating as production increases and its gonna continue to do so as we go from this year.”

The Country Manager told this newspaper that Guyana may want to pursue a different model agreement in the future; however the country would do so at its own risk.

“Does Guyana in the future want to have a different model, there are countries around the world who in the early days start with a PSA but then in the future decide that they want to have a licensing round with a different contract structure and that’s entirely viable, it’s up to the country on what risk it wants to take with the nation’s financial resources and whether it wants to play that game,” he explained.

P r e v i o u s l y, Vi c e President Bharrat Jagdeo said that the arrangement Guyana currently has with ExxonMobil and partners to develop the country’s oil endowment, does not afford the nation a “co-

management” position. He was addressing concerns relative to the company’s expenses when he explained that the lack of a comanagement position does not allow the country insights into the companies’ spending to ensure beforehand, that Guyana is not being given bills with inflated costs for goods and services needed within the s e c t o r. “ T h e r e i s n o provision in the contract for co-management,” Jagdeo clarified.

He continued, “Although we are entitled to 50 percent of the profit; they manage.

There is an operator that operates on behalf of the shareholders that run the company.” Read more in the l i n k b e l o w : https://www.kaieteurnewso nline.com/2022/08/20/intribute-to-bibi-shadick/ MONDAY Day five, T&T unable to determine quantity of oil in unknown vessel off Tobago – Prime Minister …Can’t determine cost to clean up oil spill as yet Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) finds itself in the midst of an environmental crisis as authorities grapple with an oil spill caused by a mysterious vessel with unknown proportions.

Despite five days of efforts, the quantity of hydrocarbons in the vessel remains undetermined, leaving the twin-island nation in a state of uncertainty and concern.

O n S u n d a y, P r i m e Minister Dr. Keith Rowley addressed the nation during a press conference, revealing the challenges faced in addressing the situation.

“Fact number one is that an unknown vessel has apparently drifted upside down into Tobago’s literal zone, that vessel we don’t know who it belongs to, we have no idea where it came from and we also don’t know all that it contains,” Dr Rowley said.

Dr. Rowley highlighted the significant size of the vessel, approximately 90 meters long. He added, “That’s not an insignificant size so if it has a lot of fuel in there it will take quite some time for it to dribble out and we just can’t disengage until it is emptied.”

T h e s p i l l e d hydrocarbons have already contaminated the water and shores of Tobago, posing a

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The unknown vessel that caused theoil spill offshore Tobago (TEMA photo)

severe threat to the environment.

“That vessel could have come from any kind of operation, especially if that operation is illicit…” the Prime Minister said. He stated that while there is no record of the vessel entering the country’s territory, observations by divers indicate that the vessel may have been towed at some point, raising questions about its operations.

Authorities have been unable to ascertain the nature of the vessel, whether it is a freighter, tanker, or barge, as only the keel is visible.

Despite mobilising a contingency plan, the situation remains precarious, with ongoing efforts to contain and minimize the spill’s impact.

Of particular concern is the uncertainty surrounding the type of hydrocarbon which is in the vessel and other contents that might be onboard. “We haven’t been able to determine if its bunker fuel…or raw crude, those are answers we don’t have at this point in time,” Dr Rowley said. The Prime Minister emphasized the necessity of determining this information to effectively mitigate the disaster ’s effects.

Notably, he said too, “Steps are being taken to have infrared (infrared radiation (IR) look to see what’s in the vessel.”

The Prime Minister noted that the authorities are now in the containment phase which will remain for some time as long as the vessel is still in the water posing a threat to further contaminate the

environment.

“But then we would want to move from that stage to emptying the vessel, because the one thing we cannot do is to leave the vessel there with contents that could just keep spewing into the water and because if we do that we will

then be at the mercy of the tide and the weather,” Dr Rowley said.

He continued, “Because fortunately the weather is good right now so the booms are effective in holding the spill in the zone that it is in, but if the weather changes

significantly, especially on high tides or on falling tides the behaviour of what is spilled from the vessel could change…”

Addressing the financial implications, Dr. Rowley said at this time there is no precise figure available; however, he stressed the importance of prioritising response efforts despite the uncertainty.

During a question and answer segment, the Prime Minister further acknowledged the complexity of estimating the financial toll of the spill, describing oil spills as m e s s y, s t r e s s f u l , a n d expensive endeavors.

He said, “…so it’s a priority because we have to respond and we don’t know the full scope and scale of what is going to be required and therefore to try to say how much it will cost will simply be an uneducated estimate.”

As efforts continue to contain the spill and assess its impact, T & T authorities (Continued on page 14)

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From page 13 remain vigilant, recognizing the urgency of addressing this environmental catastrophe.

The Prime Minister told reporters, “Cleaning and restoration can only seriously begin after we have brought the situation under control. The vessel is literally precipitously located, it can change its location based on the tide and remember the tide lifting and banging that vessel against the rock it can break, new holes can open and then the vessel can slip into deeper waters and the situation can change so let us not behave as though we have it fully under control.”

Trinidad & Tobago’s history in the oil and gas sector spans over a century, marking its enduring involvement in the industry. Its Caricom neighbour Guyana has emerged as a prominent player in the oil industry, with five years of oil production and a staggering output of over 650,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) from three ships in the Stabroek Block—Liza Destiny, Liza Unity and Prosperity.

The spill in Tobago comes at a critical juncture, when Guyana is grappling with a legal battle to ensure American oil giant, ExxonMobil, the parent company of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), the operator of the Stabroek Block, provides full liability coverage to protect Guyana financially from costs associated with a spill, since many experts have warned this can bankrupt the nation.

Litigants Frederick Collins and Godfrey Whyte had secured an unlimited parent company guarantee from the local court for ExxonMobil to cover costs the US$600M insurance would not meet. The ruling was however challenged by the ExxonMobil Guyana and Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

As such, a US$2B oil spill guarantee was ordered by Justice Rishi Persaud, as the Appeal Court continues hearing the appeal.

Lawyers for Whyte and Collins had made several attempts to view the guarantee reportedly lodged.

Following failed attempts, they approached the Court for the release of the document. In the meantime, the company has since declared that the guarantee was lodged.

GCCI begged US Exim Bank for gas-to-energy loan on its own - Jagdeo The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) begged the United States (US) Exim Bank on its own to allow the loan for the Gas- to-Energy (GTE) project to be approved.

This is according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo who

Sunday February 18, 2024

Wenot gold deposit in Guyana.

(Omai Gold Mines photo) made the notion on Thursday at his weekly press conference.

As reported last week, the GCCI resorted to writing a letter to the US Exim Bank, pleading for it to fund Guyana’s US$2B Gas to Energy project.

“We don’t need to lobby the GCCI because you are disparaging.

You just said that we put GCCI up to write this letter. This is the disparaging view that you have but it comes directly out of Congress Place and the mind of Glenn Lall,” Jagdeo said when questioned by Kaieteur News.

The VP explained that the GCCI wrote the letter with their own agenda since it is the expectation that the body’s membership will benefit from cheaper electricity once the loan is approved and the project comes on stream. Another benefit is increased profits since a lot of its members who are manufacturers will be able to export hence their “vested interest in this project.”

Additionally, he said, “people of this country would save $100M US dollars every year from this project alone, leaving out what we would save as a country.”

This publication reached out to the President of the GCCI, Kester Hutson for clarity on the matter. He requested to have the questions sent to him via email. Hutson then informed the reporter to clarify who formulated the questions. Up to press time he has not responded to the questions via email or text.

In the letter to the bank’s President, Reta Jo Lewis, the GCCI wrote: “As you are aware, the Government of Guyana would have applied for a funding facility from the U.S. EXIM Bank to help finance this watershed initiative for the people of Guyana,” adding that the bank’s support will contribute significantly to the country’s energy transition, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and promote sustainable practices.

GCCI continued that the GTE project will reduce electricity cost in Guyana by half for its citizens and enterprises. “The GCCI sees

this project as having immense potential to drive economic growth, enhance energy security, and promote sustainable development in the Western Hemisphere,” the GCCI told the bank, before moving to advice its president not to listen to the pundits who have been criticising the gas project.

The Guyanese business body said that it condemns “certain attempts by a small minority of individuals to discredit the project and discourage the US Bank from providing the financial support to complete the project.”

It said, “…we are appalled at missives penned requesting that the loan to fund the initiative be blocked.”

The government has submitted an application to the US bank for a US$646M loan to build a natural Gas fire power plant and a Natural Gas Liquids facility at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD) but it has not been approved.

TUESDAY PNC still wants more info on benefits of ring-fencing oil projects Economic Advisor of the Leader of the PNCR, Elson Low on Monday stated that the party still requires more information on ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) offshore operations in the Stabroek Block, before a position is taken on ring-fencing the oil projects.

During a news conference Low reiterated that the party would not only require well data but also expert’s advice to ensure that they do not harm the overall development of Stabroek Block through ring-fencing. Ringfencing, in the realm of oil and gas, is a financial safeguard to segregate the economic activities of distinct projects. This strategy prevents the mix of funds from different ventures, ensuring that profits generated by a particular project are solely utilised to cover its associated costs.

Low said that he is aware of the current distribution of the earnings in the Stabroek Block, which is profit oil to cost oil ratio of 25 75%.

The 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed by the previous Coalition government, stipulates that a whopping 75% of the monthly revenues are to be deducted as costs to repay the companies’ shareholders, while the remaining 25% proceeds are split as profits equally with Guyana – the country also receives 2% royalty making the total monthly earning 14.5%.

However, in the absence of a ring-fencing provision, the companies have the leeway to use the profits from producing oil projects to pay for others that are yet to commence production. Low said that he is cognizant that the oil companies have already recouped their US$4 billion for developing the Liza Phase One offshore project, adding that the profits from the producing developments (Liza One, Liza Two and Payara) are being used to develop future oil projects – which is the cause for the profits oil and cost oil ratio remaining the same.

Low stated too that the party welcomes the recent statements made by Vice President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo and President of EMGL, Alistair Routledge, in relation to Guyana’s share of oil revenues projecting to increase substantially in the next two years.

It should be noted that Exxon’s boss recently stated that Guyana’s profit will increase as the company will not be cost recovering at the same level. “We welcome this news but wish to strongly advise as follows.

The PPP government, in its remaining time in office during this tenure, must ensure this projection materialises to the fullest extent possible,” Low noted.

However, when asked that in order for Guyana to see increased profits if that does not justify the call for ring-fencing, Low responded, “I see where you are coming from but, we need a bit more information on the impact of

ring-fencing on future developments.”

It should be noted that the benefit of a ring-fencing provision would prevent oil companies from using revenue generated from a production field to offset costs in another project. It would also mean that when that project cost is repaid, Guyana would enjoy 50 percent of the revenue generated there.

However, the PNC is adamant that a position on ring-fencing the projects in the Stabroek Block cannot be taken, until they receive the relevant information and advice on the offshore operations.

“So we want to ensure that the developments across the field are all viewed in a competitive light by investors and that we don’t dissuade investment by ringfencing but in order for us to come to that determination we would need to see he data from the wells themselves and we will have to seek appropriate expertise to be able to ensure that we’re not harming the overall development of Stabroek Field through ringfencing,” the PNC economist said.

Low continued, “So they are benefits to ring-fencing, it is something that we are looking at but in order to come to a clear position on that, in order to have I think give the investors the type of clarity that we want to (see) as Guyanese, we need additional information of course which the government is unwilling to share with the Guyanese people.”

Omai gold finds increase to 2M ounces Canadian mining company, Omai Gold Mines has unveiled an enhanced mineral resource estimate for its gold project located in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) Guyana.

Omai holds a 100% interest in the gold project, which encompasses two gold deposits: the shear-hosted Wenot Deposit and the adjacent intrusive-hosted Gilt Creek Deposit. The latest assessment incorporates expansions to the Wenot and incorporates the previously disclosed Gilt Creek deposit, solidifying the project’s potential for substantial gold production.

The combined Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) from the Wenot and Gilt Creek deposits now stands at 2.0 million ounces of gold grading at 2.15 g/t gold in the indicated category and 2.3 million ounces of gold grading at 2.26 g/t in the inferred category. This represents a notable increase compared to the previous resource estimate conducted in October 2022, with indicated ounces seeing a 4% uptick and inferred ounces experiencing a substantial 28% surge.

Of particular significance is the (Continued on page 52)

Sunday February 18, 2024

West Dem Secondary school student cops Guyana, China Friendship youth leadership prize for Region Three

West Demerara Secondary student Ranveer Narine during his visit to China Malik Farley 15, a s t u d e n t o f t h e We s t Demerara Secondary School is the new winner of the Guyana, China Friendship Youth Leadership prize for Region Three.

Farley was selected for the top prize after competing against eight other participating secondary schools in the Region. Mr. Harrinarine, the principal of t h e We s t D e m e r a r a Secondary School, lauded the student’s performance and triumph in the programme.

He noted that this is the t h i r d y e a r t h a t We s t Demerara Secondary has participated in the competition but this is the first time that the school won the first prize. “I wish to congratulate Mr. Farley and his teacher Ms Natasha Greene who coached him through the competition, as well as his [other] teachers, his parents, community, and school as a whole on a job well done, “Harrinarine stated.

He added, “We would also like to thank the Chinese Embassy for their support to schools in Guyana which

will help foster better relations between Guyana and China.” The Headteacher explained that the competition has different levels and components of which relate to the project in keeping the theme of 170 years of Chinese contribution to Guyanese society.

“As part of the competition the student completed a community project where he did a book drive in his village of Bagotville [West Bank Demerara] to encourage reading in his community, he had to critique a piece of art, and he also did a fitness challenge at his school which I think overall, he did e x c e l l e n t l y, ” M r.

Harrinarine added.

The Principal noted that Farley’s accomplishment is just an addition to the school’s line of achievements. According to Harrinarine, the West Demerara Secondary School has been excelling both on the academic and social fronts. “This year, our school recorded a 97 percent pass rate for Mathematics Continued on page 58

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From left: West Demerara Secondary School Principal, Harrinarine, students Malik Farley and Ranveer Narine along with their teacher, Ms Natasha Greene.

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‘Tobago oil spill a stark reminder there is no safe way to produce or transport oil’ - Int’l Lawyer, Melinda Janki In the wake of the oil spill that has adversely affected the island of Tobago and is now encroaching on Grenada and Venezuela, International Lawyer Melinda Janki noted the incident as a dire warning about the hazards of oil production and transportation.

According to Janki, this incident is a “stark reminder that there is no safe way to produce or transport oil.” She believes that the oil industry underplays the risks associated with oil spills, which can have devastating consequences on the environment, economy, and marine life. The environmental activist recalled the Exxon Valdez disaster that wreaked havoc on the Alaskan shoreline in 1989, with spillage of 11 million gallons of crude.

The Tobago oil spill involves two vessels, a tug and a barge, confirmed by the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, both of which were bound for Guyana but never arrived. The spill has caused environmental concerns and impacted Tobago’s southern beaches and coastline.

Tr i n i d a d ’s P r i m e Minister Keith Rowley has declared a national emergency, with significant restoration efforts pending containment of the leak.

Janki in an invited comment said, “People must learn the lesson that the oil industry is focused on profit and does not care about the damage that it inflicts on the environment or the economy of host countries and their neighbours, unless caught and forced to pay.”

She pointed out that Guyana is inadequate in its capacity to mobilize resources to clean up an oil spill. Citing the BP Macondo spill, Janki said it “took 45,000 people and thousands of watercraft. And yet, in the BP Macondo clean up around 75% of the oil was left in the Gulf waters.”

Janki noted that Exxon’s oil spill response plan promises to call the Coast Guard, the harbour master, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Maritime Administration Department and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) if there is a spill.

But she questioned what those organizations would do

International Lawyer, Melinda Janki without the resources or expertise to deal with a spill.

The lawyer also said that if a spill were to occur, Exxon plans to use dispersants, which she said push oil under water, instead of removing it.

“The bulk of the oil disappears from sight because it sinks into the ocean where it does further harm.”

Guyana passed the Petroleum Activities Act into law last year to govern the petroleum sector. Janki believes that it is inadequate, as it is “pro-oil” and not proGuyana.

“A key lesson for the whole of Guyana, government and people to learn is the need at the petroleum sector level for strict regulation of oil exploration, production and transportation followed by strict enforcement of the law,” Janki said.

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, discussed the Tobago spill during his press conference last Thursday, arguing that the risk of a spill is not unique to Guyana.

Questioned about the potential for a spill like Tobago’s to happen to Guyana, the official said “Any event like that could happen to any country... It could happen in Barbados. It could happen offshore St. Vincent. It could happen offshore of St. Kitts.”

He said that Guyana is open to lending support to Tobago to deal with the spill, according to its capacity.

Collaboration between Trinidad’s Ministry of National Security, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, Guyana Coast Guard, CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), and international partners is ongoing in the investigation and response to the spill.

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Fun and Frolick: Kids part of the colourful and festive displays at the Children's Mashramani Costume and Float Parade 2024 held on Saturday (Photo Credit: Ministry of Education)

Children's Mashramani Costume & Float Parade 2024 Mulanii Art: Serena Telford Artistic Journey Serena Telford, Owner of Mulanii Art

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Sunday February 18, 2024

Andrea Crystal King

This week’s beauty is none other than the reigning Miss World Guyana, Andrea Crystal King. Andrea is employed in the business and sales field of corporate Guyana. The alluring Guyanese beauty is currently preparing to take the international stage as she heads to Miss World 2023 finale in India. She will be engaged in a series of competitions ahead of the finals on March 9. We wish her the best of luck as she embarks on her new adventure.

(Photo credit: Andrea C. King Facebook page)

Sunday February 18, 2024

Kaieteur News

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Fortifying International Law: Safeguarding Global Stability

By Sir Ronald Sanders In today’s complex global landscape, peace and prosperity face significant threats due to a blatant disregard for international law and the meticulously constructed human rights framework established since the aftermath of World War II. This disregard poses a grave threat to the stability of nations worldwide.

Hence, all nations, particularly the small and powerless ones, must be deeply concerned about the actions of Israel in Gaza and the Russian Federation in Ukraine. In both cases, international law and the global humanitarian system have been ignored, not only

by Israel and Russia but also by other nations with a vested interest in supporting them, despite the illegalities that have been perpetrated.

C o n s e q u e n t l y, t h e United Nations Security Council (UNSC) finds itself paralyzed, with its five vetowielding nations failing to act collectively, either due to direct involvement (as in the case of Russia) or because of alliances with Israel (as with France and the US).

The consequences of this inaction are stark and evident to all. It is a grim tableau of death, destruction, and displacement, with innocent individuals, including women and children, bearing the brunt of the conflicts. In Ukraine, nearly six million people have been forcibly displaced, with almost eight million fleeing to neighbouring countries and beyond. Alarmingly, UN officials report that more than 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported to Russia, given Russian nationality in violation of established rules of war.

In Gaza, Palestinians have been forcibly displaced, enduring indiscriminate, disproportionate, and direct attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals. More than 28,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 69,000 wounded, with the majority being women and children. In contrast, since Hamas launched an assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, the Israeli death toll stands at 233 soldiers and 1,200

civilians. The atrocities and gross violations of human rights and international law persist.

Yet, in the Israeli-Gaza conflict, the countries that have been the strongest advocates of human, civil, and political rights have failed to condemn Israel’s disproportionate and excessive actions, which are indiscriminately killing Palestinians. Instead, powerful Western nations continue to provide billions of dollars in support to Israel, while refraining from supporting calls for a ceasefire in the UN Security Council.

To a d d r e s s a n y m i s c o n c e p t i o n s , i t ’s important to note that I have unequivocally condemned the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas, describing it as “stupid.”

This condemnation stems not only from the inherent wrongness of attacks on civilians but also from Hamas’s reckless miscalculation, providing Israeli leaders with the pretext to pursue what they term as “total victory.”

Similarly, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation has indicated that a ceasefire with Ukraine can only be achieved if there is agreement that Russia will not relinquish any Ukrainian territory gained during the conflict.The fundamental point that should never escape acknowledgement is that Russia blatantly and knowingly violated international law and the Charter of the UN by its attack on Ukraine and annexation of its territory.

This is a particularly egregious act because the Russian Federation is a veto power in the UNSC with the responsibility to safeguard peace.

Many smaller countries of the world, for example those in the Caribbean, have not developed any military muscle. None of them have military air forces or naval battleships, and such armies as they have, are rudimentary with no capability for war. This is so because, when they became independent from European powers, they regarded the Charter of the United Nations and international law as their protection from aggression, including invasion, by external forces.

Small countries are now left to question the value of the international system to them.

It would be easy for developing countries to take the position that since powerful nations have betrayed the international system, it is no longer effective or beneficial.

However, such a position, while understandable, would be a mistake. For, it would play into the hands of authoritarian regimes everywhere.

The International legal and humanitarian systems, which have been painstakingly assembled over seven decades, should continue to be strongly upheld and vociferously advocated. They remain vital protections for democratic countries which should insist that they be upheld and vigorously applied to all.

This is why in all the organizations of the UN and other regional organizations such as the Organization of American States, smaller nations should not surrender their voice nor cede their votes to those who use the international system selectively and as a convenience for their own interest.

Similarly, the one-sided approach, taken powerful nations in relation to Russia and Israel in their conflicts with Ukraine and Hamas respectively, and their flouting of the international legal and humanitarian systems, has weakened their authority and influence.

They should learn lessons from the ways in which they have damaged themselves by double standards.

In the face of all this adversity, it is imperative that democratic countries do not succumb to despair or cynicism.

Rather, all nations must redouble their efforts to uphold and strengthen the international legal and humanitarian frameworks that serve as their collective shield against chaos and tyranny.

Small countries need global peace and stability in which to achieve economic prosperity and social progress, or their peoples will face persistent poverty and global inequity. The key to such prosperity and progress is the international legal and humanitarian systems which must always

be upheld, strengthened, and broadened.

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. He is also the current President of the OAS

Permanent Council.

The views expressed are entirely his own.

For comments and previous commentaries, see:www.sirronaldsanders .com)

Sir Ronald Sanders

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How to get the best out of your Doctor’s visit - The Dos and Don’ts Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine The average doctor’s appointment lasts 10 minutes.

Lots of people are aware of this fact; but have you ever actually stopped to think how long that actually is?

The answer is, not long. If a doctor sees 20 patients during his/her shift, spending just two extra minutes with each person will cause an additional half an hour by the time the last person is ready to be seen. So, please try to remember this while your anxiety and temper may start to reach unbearable levels while you wait.

In a medical setting, time is always tight.

In order that you get as much as possible out of this small time slot, there are a few things you can do to help things go as smoothly as possible.

Today, I will discuss how you can get the best o u t o f y o u r d o c t o r ’s visit.

Remember, I don’t mean to sound rude, but its best you know the facts so that you can get the best out of your visit.

Don’t take too long to get down to business Don’t take too long to put your bags down and settle into your seat before you start speaking with the doctor.

Yo u a r e w a s t i n g valuable time that could be better spent discussing your problems.

The same applies to discussing matters that are not relevant to your condition.

The longer you take to get down to business, the longer the waiting time for every patient coming after you.

If possible, leave the kids at home I n e v i t a b l y, p a r e n t s get distracted trying to keep their baby or child in order.

This results in a tendency to not only waste time, but also stops you from being fully focused and engaged in the consultation.

Children tend to run around and play with items in the office. This distracts you and the doctor from

focusing on your condition.

Don’t bring a list Please don’t come in brandishing a list of umpteen complaints that all needs to be sorted in one day.

It is unrealistic to expect the doctor to deal with so many issues at one time. It’s not in your interest, apart from anything else - faced with a list of five problems (that’s less than two minutes each) the doctor will be forced to address each one superficially, rather than giving it the time it deserves.

Pick the most pres s ing problem and try working through that, rather than leaping between troubles and not addressing any of them properly.

It’s also not fair on your fellow patients, who will inevitably end up waiting longer.

If you do have lots of problems to discuss, speak with the doctor for a repeat visit.

Speak about your problem in a sequential manner.

If possible, try to tell your story from the beginning; for example: ‘It all began three months ago when I first had a pain in my side.’

You want to try to paint a picture for the doctor of your symptoms and the story that goes with it.

Don’t try to get to what you may think is the cause of your issue; that is for the doctor to figure out. You need to describe a progressive sequence of your condition so that the doctor can put the pieces together more efficiently.

When giving timings, try to be accurate When asked when your s ymptoms s tarted, it’s bes t to try to be as s pecific as pos s ible.

Saying ‘a long time’, ‘it seems like forever’ or

‘not long at all’ are all really unhelpful because the meaning varies so much between patients.

If possible, try to talk about durations in terms of hours, days, months or years; broad-bush timescales which everyone can understand. Again it just saves time if your story is as clear as possible from the outset.

Don’t be embarrassed Your doctor will most likely not be shocked by what you tell them.

They have been sworn to keep your matter confidential and they should. The more you open up about your probl em the better the chance of the doctor figuring out your condition.

Be aware of how consultations usually work Generally speaking, your consultation will follow this pattern: 1. You tell your story.

2. The doctor asks you specific questions based on your story.

3.The doctor may examine you.

4.The doctor will discuss what they think might be going on and suggest treatment options or plans.

5 . Y o u a s k questions/discuss ‘the plan’.

Do not start with a test first! Doctors are trained to treat patients and not the test result!

Get the important issues out first If there is something you are really worried about - for example a breast lump or crushing chest pain- please, please mention it first.

Many people tend to talk about somethin g relatively minor to start with as a kind of ‘warm-up’.

If the doctor doesn’t know that the real

problem is coming up, they will spend your 10-minute appointment discussing things that are not relevant to help with your condition.

Should you quote google?

This is a bit of a tricky one and I suspect all doctors feel differently about the internet.

You may take your doctor down the wrong path because of your reading.

It’s best to follow the steps above and then speak about what you read in the end.

Give the doctor a chance to do his/her thing before you change their direction with your

reading.

Be kind Yes! There are doctors out there who are unkind/unethical but despite what you might read in the press, the vast majority of doctors really are trying their best to help you.

If you can muster up a smile or a thank you, it will make their day that bit better.

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Kaieteur News

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Sunday February 18, 2024 g stines... e r r e Int eatu Cr

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US stingray falls pregnant

despite having no mate

By Maddie Molloy BBC News- A stingray called Charlotte is pregnant despite not sharing her tank with a male for at least eight years.

Charlotte is a rust-coloured round stingray that has spent most of her life in an aquarium in North Carolina.

Staff originally thought that Charlotte's pregnancy was a tumour after noticing a growing lump on her back.

She could have as many as four young in the next two weeks, according to the aquarium's owner.

The pregnancy is likely due to a phenomenon called parthenogenesis.

This is a form of asexual reproduction where a female egg is fertilized without the sperm from a male.

The process can occur in some species like insects, reptiles and even some fish.

Dr Kady Lyons, a research scientist for Georgia Aquarium, who is not involved with the North Carolina aquarium, spoke to the Associated Press and said Charlotte's pregnancy was the only documented example she was aware of for this species.

Dr Lyons explained that these animals are not cloning themselves.

Instead, a female's egg fuses with another cell, triggering cell division which leads to the creation of an embryo.

Charlotte, the Pregnant Stingray without any mate. (Photo credits: ITV News).

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Sunday February 18, 2024

Kaieteur News

“My home is where the heart is”, an exhibition opens to the public “My home is where the heart is” is an exhibition that opens to the public on February 23, 2024 and runs until March 1 by Former Prime Minister of Guyana, Hamilton Green and his family who have generously opened home and his private art collection to the viewing public.

The exhibition site is located at Plot D Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown and will feature the ‘ w h o i s w h o ’ o f G u y a n a ’s renaissance art era. The featured artists include Ras Ita, Gary Thomas, Doris Rogers, Philbert Gajadhar, Colin Ward, Phillip Moore, Stanley Greaves, Dudley Charles, Roderick Bartrum, Winslow Craig, Stephanie Correia and Andre Sealy.

Art Enthusiasts may recognize some of the names from the 2023 ‘Reimagining Borders’ collaboration between Roots and Culture Gallery and The Rufaro Centre. This is a continuation and expansion of that series which recognize that period of renaissance but also those that came before that era.

To schedule a visit to the exhibition contact the gallery; rootsansculturegallery@gmail.com

A piece titled six races by Ras Ita

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Box Office: ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ Easily Beats ‘Madame Web’ Over Valentine’s Day Source: Variety P a r a m o u n t ’s “ B o b Marley: One Love” stirred things up at the Valentine’s Day box office. The biopic about the reggae legend is outpacing estimates after opening to $14 million domestically. It added $4.9 million to its haul from 10 overseas markets, including the U.K., France and Spain.

Its global gross stands at $19.4 million.

Those domestic numbers easily overshadow the opening of Sony’s “Madame Web,” the latest entry in the s t u d i o ’s h i t - a n d - m i s s , cinematic Spider-verse (for

every “Venom,” there’s a “Morbius”!). The comic book adaptation generated a little over $6 million domestically.

“Bob Marley: One Love” was initially projected to collect $30 million to $35 million stateside between Wednesday and President’s Day on Monday. But unless the grosses are front-loaded, it could exceed those estimates. “Madame Web” is expected to generate $26 million during the same sixday period.

Neither film was cheap.

“Bob Marley” cost $70 million and “Madame Web”

carries an $80 million budget — and those figures don’t includes the tens of millions more that is needed to market and distribute the films.

“Madame Web” was directed by S.J. Clarkson (“Anatomy of a Scandal”) and stars Dakota Johnson as Cassie Webb, a paramedic with an evocative surname and clairvoyant abilities.

Sydney Sweeney, Tahar Rahim and Emma Roberts pop up in an ensemble that may not be too thrilled to have this credit on their resumes. That’s because critics hated the movie, with reviewers finding fresh and

innovative ways to decry its laden dialogue and tired plot.

It currently has a deplorable 15% “rotten” ranking on Rotten Tomatoes.

Critics weren’t too enthused about “Bob Marley.” Even as reviewers

A scene from Bob Marley’s One Love movie

praised Kingsley Ben-Adir’s lead performance as the musician, they complained that the film is overly conventional. Audiences were much kinder, giving the film an A CinemaScore (“Madame Web” earned a

C+). Reinaldo Marcus Green (“King Richard”) directs a cast that also includes Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley and James Norton as Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records, which released Marley’s music.

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Sunday February 18, 2024

Eleven beauties to vie for the Miss Guyana Teen with a Purpose Pageant, 2024 title

The eleven teens who have entered Miss Guyana Teen with a Purpose Pageant, 2024 competition

Eleven teenage beauties are set to vie for the Miss Guyana Teen with a Purpose Pageant, 2024 title slated to take place on April 20.

According a statement from the pageant's franchise holder, Pamela Vaughn, the Miss Guyana Teen with a Purpose Pageant , 2024 is being hosted under the theme "The Metamorphosis butterflies, breaking stereotypes in pageantry, while showcasing beauty, intelligence and talent."

The delegates: Sueann Yipsam, Sheneka Peterkin, Terriann Williams, Aleciea Morrison, Nyaka Norville, Raina Thomas, Denesea Freeman, Derriann Anderson, Mikayla Beckles, Keziah Leacock and Avona Bourne will compete in a pre-interview segment based on their individual platforms, sports day activities and general behavior and attitude throughout the pageant.

On pageant night they will compete in costume segment, talent segment, Evening gown segment and question and answer segment According to the franchise holder, the pageant

was created to empower young women and help them find their purpose, through robust training, activities and exposure to mentors.

She noted that the sashing ceremony for the pageant will be held set for March 2nd.

Last March, Akilah Fredricks, 19 won the firstever Miss Guyana Teen with a Purpose Pageant. That was after the pageant was rebranded from its previous title Miss Region Four Teen with a Purpose Pageant.

She went on to make her mark at the 2023 Hanes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant in St Kitts and Nevis. Fredericks did not capture the crown but copped the second runner up spot at the pageant held at the St Kitts Marriott Resort on December 30, 2023.

The 1st runner up spot went to the delegate from St Maarten while Takyla HartJohnson of St Kitts and N e v i s w o n t h e crown.Guyana was previously represented at the 2016 Hanes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant by Aliyah Wong under the Miss Guyana Talented Teen franchise.

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Plaisance's Mrs. Unis Bunbury joins centenarian club surrounded by well wishers on Love Day Scene from Mrs. Bunbury's birthday celebrations

By Anasa Williams

J

ust over 100 years ago on St Valentine's Day, Walter and Lydia O'Neil welcomed a beautiful baby girl. They named her Unis Vernice O'Neil. In the Plaisance community on the East Coast of Demerara where she spent most of her life, O' Neil later married became Mrs. Bunbury.She recalled that her family led a simple life. As a young girl, she said the family would sell whatever fruits were in season whether it mangoes or plums to make ends meet.

Her father spent time in the backlands; he was a farmer and a fisherman of sorts. He owned a boat, hence fish and shrimps, also played a vital

occasion.

Sitting on a throne like chair at her residence, smartly decked out in a white hat, blue, red and white dress and a pair of color matching flats, Mrs. Bunbury was all smiles and her eyes lit up as the crowd sang the birthday song, did some cheerful hooray's and shared fond memories.

Though the festivities seemed to her bit socially demanding for the centenarian, she still managed a 100 megawatt smile when she was presented a fresh rose bouquet by a student of the Plaisance Primary and Member of Parliament, Amanza Walton-Desir.

Her eldest son Leslie Bunbury, the proprietor of the Plaisance Guinness Bar

Mrs. Unis Vernice Bunbury interacting with a child. role in supplementing the family's diet and source of income. “Even though, life was simple we were happy,” Mrs Bunbury said.

As a result of their income earning activities it involved a lot of walking, the family became well known, and the then young ONeil became acquainted with most if not all of the persons in the area.

When she became of age to marry and start a family of her own, O'Neil wed Clifton Bunbury and their union produced nine wonderful children-- of whom seven are alive today.

Last Wednesday, the family gathered to celebrate the matriarch's 100th milestone.

Members of the community came out to show their love and share best wishes for the village's new centenarian.

Also in attendance were children from the Plaisance Primary and Secondary Schools as well as some of her family members who flew back home to Guyana just to celebrate the momentous

recalled his mother was so respected that “When we playing on the road and they doing anything and see Mrs. Vernice coming they run in the corner and they gone. So you know, they had great respect for her.”

He fondly recalled that he wasn't the brightest of the bunch so his mother encouraged him to learn a trade.

“With me I used to go to school I wasn't bright even going to church and say a poem and my brother laughed at me because I buss in the poem. But going to school my mother noticed I wasn't bright enough to be what she want me to be so she used to send me to learn trade every Saturday or Sunday.”

He said that he became the plant engineer at DDL because of the exposure.

Another son, Sydney Bunbury is what his sibling described as 'the book worm' of the family. He was a teacher before joining the Guyana Police Force where he climbed the ladder all the way to (Continued on page 37)

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BACIF – Manufacturers of Quality Aluminum and Cast Iron Products for 65 Years (L-R) BACIF Quality Control Manager Mr. Adrian Barkoye, Managing Director Mr. Peter Pompey and Operations Manager Mr. Rondel Ali poses with the GNBS Certificate on Feb. 8

E

stablished in 1959, Brass Aluminum and Cast-Iron Foundry (BACIF) was founded by Mr. Claude Leslie Geddes who began the limited production of Aluminum Pulleys and Cooking Utensils. Sixty-five (65) years later, the company manufactures over 200 different types of items for agriculture, mining, public infrastructure, and other industry stakeholders.

The company is now a recipient of international certification to the ISO 9001 Standard and local certification under the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) permit to use the Made in Guyana

Certification Mark Programme.

BACIF shares a longstanding partnership with the GNBS. In fact, among the products it manufactures are the 500 kg, one tonne and two tonne testmasses used bythe Bureau’s Legal Metrology Department to verify weigh bridge scalesfor primarily manufacturers, hardware dealers, and rice millers across Guyana.

Managing Director of BACIF, Peter Pompey noted that BACIF first achieved certification to the ISO 9001 Quality Management System Standard in 2019 and was recertified in 2022.

International certification,

he said, has always been the desire of the company’s management. “ISO certification or any certification adds to credibility and the value of an organisation,” he said.

Mr. Pompey said being certified to the Quality Management System (QMS) Standard is testament to the quality of work produced by the company. “Quality is not about an individual or an individual product, it is about a team of people working together to ensure that the objectives are met, and that’s what we continue to strive for,” he said.

BACIF ISO certification has allowed the GNBS to routinely offer training and

technical assistance along with auditing services to the company to ensure that its QMS is maintained.

In 2022, the company began pursuing the GNBS Permit to Use the Made in Guyana Certification Mark on its products and was successfully certified under the programme on January 09, 2023.

Products manufactured

by BACIF which are certified made in Guyana are fire hydrants, man hole cover with frames, test masses and saddle straps.On Thursday, February 08, 2024, the company was recertified to use the GNBS approved made in Guyana mark on its products.

Fire Hydrants certified for BACIF

The Made in Guyana Certification Mark Programme aims to provide recognition to locally manufactured products on the local and international markets and is a signature of quality for authentic Guyanese Products.

The Managing Director of BACIF said achieving certification from a local certifying body like the GNBS adds value to local products and he encouraged other businesses to get certified.”I would say a resounding yes to [encouraging other businesses to get certified] because we need to take our businesses and our country to a place where we are

recognised for authentic things that were made here in Guyana; from cosmetics to haberdashery and so many new and creative work being done by Guyanese, we need to own it”, Mr. Pompey advised. Finally, as a partner of the GNBS for over four decades, the Managing Director of BACIF committed to continually working with Bureau to access training and other services for the advancement o f t h e b u s i n e s s establishment.

To access any of the GNBS services or to purchase a copy of a standard, contact the GNBS on 219-0064-66, 2190069 or WhatsApp us on 692-4627 (GNBS).

BACIF is ISO certified

GNBS Technical Officer Orlando Sturge looks on as Managing Director of BACIF Mr. Peter Pompey signs the TORs for the recertification

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Sunday February 18, 2024

GNBS IN FOCUS T

he Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) continues to be at the forefront in the delivery of a wide range of standards and measurement services to businesses across several sectors of our economy.

Participation in this week’s Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo slated for the Guyana Marriott is a well anticipated opportunity for the GNBS to promote these services to a broad group of esteem participants.

The February 19-22 event is expected to attract hundreds of attendees, speakers, exhibitors and sponsors and it is usually regarded as one of our country’s signature events.

The GNBS will once again participate as an exhibitor to share crucial information on standards and their benefits and to gain insights into the needs of current and prospective clients looking to tap into the transformative development of our country.

With its overall services as an ISO 9001:2015 Certified Agency and with its ISO 17025 Accredited Calibration Laboratory, the GNBS is focused on customer satisfaction and continual improvement.

Wi t h t h e b a c k i n g o f conformance to these internationally recognised standards, throughout the four days of the expo, the GNBS team will be

promoting its Calibration and Testing, Training and Technical Assistance and Standards Development services.

The reality today is that many of our local businesses require the calibration of their measuring instruments because they directly or indirectly operate and serve other businesses within the key sectors of our economy including oil and gas, health, mining, building and construction. The GNBS as the custodian of the National Measurement Standards, through its Industrial Metrology and Testing Department, offers traceable and efficient calibration services to businesses requiring these services.

Instruments which can be calibrated by the Bureau include balances, masses, measuring cylinders, liquid in glass and infrared thermometers, pressure gauges, micropipettes, torque wrenches, multimeters, micrometers, calipers, and digital multimeters.

During the Expo, the GNBS is the organisation to approach if there is need for training and technical assistance to implement the requirements of national and international standards or to develop a management system within your o r g a n i s a t i o n .

The GNBS has a cadre of trained and professional staff capable of educating and

GNBS TO PROMOTE ITS STANDARDS AND MEASUREMENT SERVICES AT ENERGY EXPO 2024

assisting businesses looking to implement a Quality, Laboratory, OSH, or a Food Safety Management System.

At our booth at the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, the GNBS team will share on boarding details with you for us to commence support to your organisation or business.

Finally, with the growing awareness and demand for standards comes the growing need for these documents w h i c h p r o v i d e specifications, requirements and guidelines for products, processes and services.

As the National Standards Body, the GNBS has a wide range of standards in various categories including Oil and Gas, Management Systems, Environment, Tourism and more. Additionally with its affiliation to renowned international standards bodies including SO, ASTM and API, the GNBS can help you get the standards you need.

Just engage our team at the Expo for assistance or you can visit our Standards Portal (gnbsguy.com) to see what is available. For standards that are not available, we can initiate the standards development process to develop, adopt or adapt them as required.

Ensure that you visit the GNBS booth at the Energy Expo this week and have that conversation with any

Plaisance’s Mrs. Unis Bunbury joins...

From page 34 Assistant Commissioner. He described his mother as a “hands on mom” who accompanied him to both his jobs on the first day.

Mrs. Bunbury’s youngest is the owner of Classic Styles store located on Regent Street. He attributed his success to his m o t h e r ’s p e r s i s t e n c e a n d h u m b l e beginnings.

PAGE 37

He started in the Plaisance market assisting his mother before venturing out to acquire his own stall and eventually rented a space on Regent Street and that now called Classic Styles.

Besides her family, residents all seemed fond of the elderly woman, some describing her as a sweet soul, helpful neighbour and a pillar of the community who deserves to be graced with longevity.

member of our team regarding all the GNBS offerings. The Team will do its best to provide the link

you need to our standards and services.

For further information, please contact the GNBS on

telephone numbers: 2190064 – 66 or WhatsApp: 6924627 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org

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...premiere creates major buzz in Jamaica

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Sunday February 18, 2024

Junior page

A princess, to save her swan brothers, may not speak until a curse is broken.

Once on a time a king was hunting in a great wood, and he pursued a wild animal so eagerly that none of his people could follow him.

When evening came, he stood still, and looking round him, he found that he had lost his way; and seeking a path, he found none. Then all at once he saw an old woman with a nodding head coming up to him; and it was a witch.

“My good woman,” said he, “can you show me the way out of the wood?”

“Oh yes, my lord king,” answered she, “certainly I can; but I must make a condition, and if you do not fulfil it, you will never get out of the wood again, but die there of hunger.”

“What is the condition?” asked the king.“I have a daughter,” said the old woman, “who is as fair as any in the world, and if you will take her for your bride, and make her queen, I will show you the way out of the wood.”

The king consented, because of the difficulty he was in, and the old woman led him into her little house, and there her daughter was sitting by the fire.

She received the king just as if she had been expecting him, and though he saw that she was very beautiful, she did not please him, and he could not look at her without a n i n w a r d s h u d d e r.

Nevertheless, he took the maiden before him on his horse, and the old woman showed him the way, and soon he was in his royal castle again, where the wedding was held.

The king had been married before, and his first wife had left seven children, six boys and one girl, whom he loved better than all the world, and as he was afraid the step-mother might not behave well to them, and perhaps would do them some mischief, he took them to a lonely castle standing in the middle of a wood. There they remained hidden, for the road to it was so hard to find that the king himself could not have found it, had it not been for a clew of yarn, possessing wonderful properties, that a wise woman had given him; when he threw it down before him, it unrolled itself and showed him the way.

And the king went so often to see his dear children, that the queen was displeased at his absence; and she became curious and wanted to know what he

went out into the wood for so often alone. She bribed his servants with much money, and they showed her the secret, and told her of the clew of yarn, which alone could point out the way; then she gave herself no rest until she had found out where the king kept the clew, and then she made some little white silk shirts, and sewed a charm in each, as she had learned witchcraft of her mother. And once when the king had ridden to the hunt, she took the little shirts and went into the wood, and the clew of yarn showed her the way.The children seeing some one in the distance, thought it was their dear father coming to see them, and came jumping for joy to meet him. Then the wicked queen threw over each one of the little shirts, and as soon as the shirts touched their bodies, they were changed into swans, and flew away through the wood.

So the queen went home very pleased to think she had got rid of her step-children; but the maiden had not run out with her brothers, and so the queen knew nothing about her. The next day the

How to Make Your Own Paper Flower Boxes king went to see his children, but he found nobody but his daughter.

“Where are thy brothers?” asked the king. “ A h , d e a r f a t h e r, ” answered she, “they are gone away and have left me behind,” and then she told him how she had seen from her window her brothers in the guise of swans fly away through the wood, and she showed him the feathers which they had let fall in the courtyard, and which she had picked up. The king was grieved, but he never dreamt that it was the queen who had done this wicked deed, and as he feared lest the maiden also should be stolen away from him, he wished to take her away with him. But she was afraid of the stepmother and begged the king to let her remain one more night in the

castle in the wood.

Then she said to herself, “I must stay here no longer, but go and seek for my brothers.”And when the night came, she fled away and went straight into the wood. She went on all that night and the next day, until she could go no longer for weariness. At last, she saw a rude hut, and she went in and found a room with six little beds in it; she did not dare to lie down in one, but she crept under one and lay on the hard boards and wished for night.

When it was near the time of sun-setting she heard a rustling sound and saw six swans come flying in at the window. They alighted on the ground and blew at one another until they had blown all their feathers off, and then they stripped off their (Continued on next Sunday edition)

August 24, 2022 | By Alexis Middleton DIY Paper Flower Box Supplies: *Coloured Cardstock * Silhouette, Cricut, or Brother Scan N Cut * Glue Stick or Permanent Adhesive * Glue Dots *Pencil * Paper Flower Box Cut F i l e https://persialou.com/wpcontent/uploads/2019/04/Pa per-Flower-Box.zip Step One. Cut Out Box and Flower Pieces. Peeling cut unassembled paper flower box off Silhouette cutting mat. The first step is

to cut out the box and flower pieces using your Cricut, Silhouette, or another cutting machine. You can get the free cut file from the link at the end of the post. The cut files are sized to fit on an 8.5″ x 11″ piece of cardstock and will make a 1 7/8″ cube box (with a little extra height for the flower on top), perfect for holding candies and other small treats. If you want to make bigger boxes, just be sure to scale all the pieces together in your cutting machine software.

Step Two. Assemble Box. The flower boxes are easy to put together. Start by folding

along the perforated lines.

Next, apply glue or adhesive to the side tabs or flaps and then adhere those tabs to the side to form the box. Finally, slide the notches in the top flower tabs over each other to close the box. To assemble the box: Step Three. Assemble and Add Flower. To give the top of the box more dimension and colour, we will finish it off with an extra layered flower. To make the flower, start by rolling up the fringed flower centre starting

at the end opposite of the circle. Then, fold the circle over to cover the rolled edge of the fringe centre and secure in place with glue (a glue stick worked well for me here). Next, use a pencil to curl the petals of the two flower pieces to give your flower more dimension. Use adhesive to stack and secure the three flower pieces on top of each other. Finally, fill your box with whatever treats you like, and secure the flower decoration on top of the box with a glue dot. Et voila! Cute little paper flower treat boxes!

Sunday February 18, 2024

Kaieteur News

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TEEN TIME

Make the best use of your time to study if not at school With many teachers absent during the ongoing strike, students will have to make sure that they use the time available to study at home.

I expect that most of you will be aware of the lessons that would have been taught during this time, mainly through the curriculum to which you have had access, as well as the text books which you are using. If not, the best alternative would be to try to revise those you have been taught since the start of the school year.

Uncle Roy would like to put forward some pointers for you to consider so as to make the most of your time in which you would not be having the benefit of your teachers in your class.

First, you will need to

ensure that you make the best use of the plentiful time you will have on your hands.

To do so, you will have to wake up nearly as early as when you had to get ready for school, so as to give you as much time as necessary to study. You will also need to plan the day's activities to include this when you have finished what you normally do on waking up, The next important thing that you will have to consider is to try to avoid the many distractions that can rob you of the time that you have set aside for your studies. These can also interfere in your work by taking away your attention from your real occupation, and so make you constantly unsuccessful in what you are studying.

It would also be helpful if you can get someone to assist you with your lessons, maybe a parent, older brother or sister, or a family friend.

In addition you can arrange with one or two of your classmates to come

together and revise your work.

The effort you make to continue with your studies will not only help you to learn, but will demonstrate how determined you are about your own success, and inspire you to work harder.

by Uncle Roy As we observe Mashramani, it's good to remember The reason for this huge celebration – It is the greatest achievement of our people In this young and vibrant nation.

It was not so long ago we were a colony, Ruled by the state of Great Britain, And our people had to wage a hard struggle So as our Independence to attain.

Then we found we needed more freedom To fulfil our national aspirations, So we had to intensify the battle To gain real and outright liberation.

Thus was born the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, And we should all be justly happy, And join together now and forever To keep our country proud and free.

Make a sincere effort to make the best use of your time, if you cannot go to school, to learn new matter or revise your past lessons.

Solutions to last week’s

Slitherlink Bridges Connect these islands with bridges until each island can be reached from any other island, and each island has as many outgoing bridges as its number. You may only connect islands vertically or horizontally and bridges may not cross. There may be one or two bridges connecting pairs of islands, but no more than two.

Each puzzle has a unique solution that canbe found without making guesses.

by Krazydad

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Sleep tips: 6 steps to better sleep You're not doomed to toss and turn every night. Consider simple tips for better sleep, from setting a sleep schedule to including physical activity in your daily routine.

By Mayo Clinic Staff Many factors can interfere with a good night's sleep — from work stress and family responsibilities to illnesses. It's no wonder that quality sleep is sometimes elusive.

You might not be able to control the factors that interfere with your sleep. However, you can adopt habits that encourage better sleep. Start with these simple tips.

1. Stick to a sleep schedule Set aside no more than eight hours for sleep. The recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult is at least seven hours. Most people don't need more than eight hours in bed to be well rested.

Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, including weekends. Being consistent reinforces your body's sleep-wake cycle.

If you don't fall asleep within about 20 minutes of going to bed, leave your bedroom and do something relaxing. Read or listen to soothing music. Go back to bed when you're tired.

Repeat as needed, but continue to maintain your sleep schedule and wake-up time.

2. Pay attention to what you eat and drink Don't go to bed hungry or stuffed. In particular, avoid heavy or large meals within a couple of hours of bedtime.

Discomfort might keep you up.

Nicotine, caffeine and alcohol deserve caution, too. The stimulating effects of nicotine and caffeine take hours to wear off and can interfere with sleep. And even though alcohol might make you feel sleepy at first, it can disrupt sleep later in the night.

3. Create a restful environment Keep your room cool, dark and quiet. Exposure to light in the evenings might make it more challenging to fall asleep.

Avoid prolonged use of light-emitting screens just before bedtime. Consider using room-darkening shades, earplugs, a fan or other devices to create an environment that suits your needs.Doing calming activities before bedtime, such as taking a bath or using relaxation techniques, might promote better sleep.

4. Limit daytime naps Long daytime naps can interfere with nighttime sleep.

Limit naps to no more than one hour and avoid napping late in the day.However, if you work nights, you might need to nap late in the day before work to help make up your sleep debt.

5. Include physical activity in your daily routine Regular physical activity can promote better sleep.

However, avoid being active too close to bedtime.

Spending time outside every day might be helpful, too.

6. Manage worries Try to resolve your worries or concerns before bedtime. Jot down what's on your mind and then set it aside for tomorrow.

Stress management might help. Start with the basics, such as getting organized, setting priorities and delegating tasks.

Meditation also can ease anxiety.

Know when to contact your health care provider Nearly everyone has an occasional sleepless night.

However, if you often have trouble sleeping, contact your health care provider. Identifying and treating any underlying causes can help you get the better sleep you deserve.

Kaieteur News

Sunday February 18, 2024

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Sunday February 18, 2024

Sunday February 18, 2024

Kaieteur News

A RISING STAR IN THE CULINARY SCENE

By Renay Sambach

I

n the heart of culinary creativity and entrepreneurial spirit lies Maisha’s Bakery, a burgeoning venture that has been making waves since its grand debut on Valentine’s Day in 2021.

Renowned for its delectable treats and heartfelt commitment to quality, Maisha’s Bakery is the brainchild of 22-year-old OxfordOxford, a visionary young entrepreneur with a passion for baking and a heart full of dreams.

During an interview with The Waterfalls, Oxford shared, “I’ve been interested in building my own restaurant ever since I was very young. It wasn’t until doing Food and Nutrition at The Bishops’ High School that I really solidified my love for food, and more specifically baking.”

For her 14th birthday, she baked her first sponge cake from scratch with my grandmother’s recipe, after that two of her friends requested her service to bake their birthday cakes.

The turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Oxford, a full-time medical student with a penchant for modeling and a myriad of other interests, found herself drawn to the idea of turning her passion into a profession.

“Throughout all those years, baking with my grandmother during Christmas were my fondest memories of baking. With the push from so many of my friends and family, I made the bravest step I’ve ever taken to this day. And for that, I am forever grateful. Creating something that people enjoy gives me so much joy and fulfillment, and I am certainly enthralled that I’ve been afforded the opportunity to do so.”

With unwavering support from friends and family, Oxford took the leap of faith and launched Maisha’s Bakery—a labor of love that would soon capture the hearts and taste buds of the community.

What started as a home-based operation quickly gained momentum, thanks to her dedication to delivering exceptional quality and personalized service to her customers. Despite the challenges of balancing her studies with the demands of running a business, Oxford’s commitment to her craft never wavered.

“Owning a food business is certainly an exciting journey. I can say that I’m always being challenged to become better and do better. Sometimes I spend 12 hours and more on my feet just to prepare adequately for an event. The work that goes into maintaining the business is immense. However, hard work does pay off.”

Her ability to juggle multiple roles with grace and determination serves as a testament to her resilience and unwavering pursuit of excellence.

“I’ve also learned that a little support goes a long way. The friends, family, strangers and colleagues who support me are my backbone. Without them, Maisha’s Bakery wouldn’t be what it is today.”

She shared that in her spare time, she read, watch anime or K-drama and gaming.

At the heart of Maisha’s Bakery lies Tamasha’s vision of creating more than just a place to purchase baked goods.

With dreams of opening a cozy bakery/café adorned with a minilibrary—a haven for food enthusiasts and bookworms alike—Oxford is determined to foster a sense of community and connection through her culinary creations.

From indulgent cakes and cookies to savory delights and unique Asian treats, Maisha’s Bakery offers something for every palate.

“A range of baked and non-baked goods, from cakes, cookies, we have more than 10 types available, to cheesecakes baked and non-bake, and even savoury treats such as chicken puffs and cheese straws. In addition, there is an Asian treats menu which boasts taiyaki, milk pudding, onagri, and many other unique Japanese and Korean treats to appeal to anime fans like myself.”

The young businesswoman’s commitment to innovation and diversity is evident in the eclectic menu, which features an array of flavors and textures guaranteed to tantalize the taste buds.

As Maisha’s Bakery continues to flourish, Oxford remains grounded in her commitment to her community and the values that have guided her journey thus far. With dreams of expansion and a vision for the future, Oxford’s entrepreneurial spirit shines bright—a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere.

For those seeking a taste of culinary excellence and heartfelt hospitality, Maisha’s Bakery is more than just a destination—it’s an experience to be savored and cherished. With Oxford at the helm, the journey promises to be as sweet as the treats that grace the shelves of her beloved bakery.

Oxford credits her loved ones for playing a vital role in the upkeep of her business. She shared that it was her mom who gave her the start-up for her first sale and her boyfriend who bought her first mixer. She also thanked her best friends, her brother, her father, her grandmother and her aunt for their unwavering support.

Oxford offers customers two pickup locations, at Collage located on Sheriff Street and at Safe Space located at Courtyard Mall.

“Both of these woman-owned spaces are like home to me, and provide many businesses with the opportunity to showcase their products. They also take such good care of the business owners within their space, and for that I am so grateful to Aunt Donna and Nadine.”

Contact Oxford at Maisha’s Bakery for orders and inquiries at +592 624 9527 via cell or WhatsApp. Stay connected with Maisha’s Bakery on Instagram, Facebook, a n d Ti k To k f o r updates.

Owner of Maisha’s Bakery, Tamasha Oxford

Maisha’s Bakery:

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Sunday February 18, 2024

M|A MULANII ART:

Serena Telford Artistic Journey

By Renay Sambach

I

n the quiet hum of her bedroom, Serena Telford, a 21-yearold artist known by her sobriquet, Mulanii, brings to life a vibrant tapestry of characters and emotions through her paintings.

During an interview with The Waterfalls, Telford shared that it was during the quarantine period when she started her artistic journey.

“I decided to pick up a pencil and attempt to r e p l i c a t e Ta n j i r o , Protagonist from the Anime show ‘Kimestu No Yaibai’, popularly known as ‘Demon Slayer’.” This was only the beginning as Telford’s friends, gave her a challenge to draw and paint Nastu Dragneel from the anime Fairy Tail. “At the time, I didn’t have any art supplies, so I took a cutout from a cereal box and used Crayola water paint and that’s where the magic began.”

Little did she know that this impromptu endeavor would mark the inception of her artistic journey.

As she delved deeper into her craft, Telford

unearthed invaluable lessons in patience and time management.

“There’s a lot of behind the scenes work that is being done, it’s easy to become discouraged and want to give up,” Telford said adding “Also, having to manage work, school and my art. It has really taught me to prioritize myself and my objectives.”

With each brushstroke, Telford breathes life into her canvases, offering a diverse array of artworks to her audience on both glass and canvases. The artist offers from anime and cartoon characters to expressive pieces to nature-inspired motifs.

“I work with acrylics as they work best for me. I don’t offer portraits due to its intricacy and requires a lot of time.”

She says there is a joy of connecting with her audience which fuels her creativity and drives her to hone her craft.

Looking ahead, Telford envisions a future where her art transcends borders, enriching the lives of individuals worldwide. “To

Serena Telford, Owner of Mulanii Art

continue to add valuable and creative pieces to persons comfort space at affordable prices,” she shares, adding, “I would also love for my clientele to expand regionally.”

Despite her packed schedule, she finds solace within the confines of her bedroom, where she spins her artistic magic into existence. “All of my magic is brewed in the four walls of my bedroom on the floor,” she shared, offering a glimpse into her world of inspiration.

There is no fixed time for

painting for Telford. She works from 8am to 5pm, then school from 5pm to 9pm Monday through Friday. “The bulk of my work is usually done night into morning and on the weekends. Some paintings take a minimum of 3 hours while some would take days due to the limited time that I have.”

The artist shared that she usually collaborates with her l i t t l e s i s t e r, S t e f i n a , exchanging ideas. Stefina is a traditional artist and a budding digital artist/ illustrator.

After entering the artistic realm, Telford participated in her first exhibition in August 2023, at M.A.R.S Anime & Comic Convention and Rave hosted by Sozo’s Enterprise.

“It was a new and exciting experience for me to debut my work and of course, the love and support was immense.”

On April 20, she will be heading to Berbice for the Berbice Anime Expo. In the future, the artist has plans to host her own art events for art enthusiasts like herself.

The young woman reflects on her artistic

influences and aspirations, paying homage to her mother and local artist, Christopher Killikelly. “I would say I developed my artistic skills and eyes from my mom. Growing up, she had this sketchbook where she would draw dresses of all sorts and I always admired it. I would try to copy her from time to time and here we are today.”

To connect with Telford or to check out more of her artistic pieces you can reach out via Instagram at Mulanii’s Art or WhatsApp at +592 600-3194.

Kaieteur News

Sunday February 18, 2024

Sod turned for US$7M CDB-funded hospitality institute P

rime Minister (PM), Brigadier Mark Phillips on Friday turned the sod to commence the construction of the first ever Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute in Guyana which will be built in Port Mourant, Region Six. The project will cost US$7,002,126 and is being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in collaboration with the Ministries of Education, Finance, and Tourism. Kares Engineering Inc. and the architectural engineer, Deen and Partners have been awarded the contract.

This publication had reported that back in December 2020, the Caribbean Development Bank had approved a US$11 million (approximately $2.3Billion) loan for the development of the institute.

The project was signed on December 12, 2023 and works on the structure are expected to be completed on January 21, 2026.

The Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute when completed is geared at training personnel ensuring they are equipped with the skills and knowledge that are necessary to staff and manage the growing tourism and hospitality sector in Guyana. Prime Minister Phillips in his address said that the government anticipates that by 2030 they would have a tourism sector that can create around 50,000 jobs.

He noted however, that to reach this target they have to overcome several challenges. Some of the challenges he mentioned are to increase the number of hotel rooms by some 3,000, address the high cost of air travel, improving destination marketing and improving product development. Phillips said that the several internationally branded hotels that are being established across the country are part of the process of moving Guyana closer to that target.

Another important challenge he highlighted is training for hospitality service workers and reducing the high turnover of staff in the tourism sector.

He noted that the main reason “why we are investing in the construction of this Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute,

we have to develop continuous cohorts of trained hospitality workers to assume the management of this sector and to provide the multiplicity of services required in this sector.”

In brief remarks, M i n i s t e r o f To u r i s m ,

Senior Minister with the responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh who said that “we want to create Guyanese who are celebrities and this hospitality and tourism institute has the potential to do just that.”

Artist impression of what the US$7 million Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute in Port Mourant would look like when completed.

(Photo courtesy, RDC of Region Six)

Prime Minister (PM), Brigadier Mark Phillips, along with Senior Minister with the responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag on Friday turning the sod for the Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute. (Photo courtesy, Ministry of Tourism) Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond said that establishing the institute is an essential step in building technical capacity in the hospitality sector. She added that the objective is to ensure that the necessary skills to manage this rapidly expanding evolving sector are available right here in Guyana.

According to the minister, “This institute is geared towards equipping students with hands-on training in a world-class facility that would enhance their knowledge of the sector including modern approaches required to operate at international industry standards.

Importantly, the skills acquired will not only allow for access to direct tourism jobs but also indirect jobs and opportunities.”

She mentioned also that when the facility is ready for use, they intend to have a curriculum fitting the c o u n t r y ’s e c o s y s t e m products. “As we build out the curriculum, it will distinguish itself as being particularly tailored to our indigenous services and our indigenous communities and focus on building out an eco-tourism product that is environmentally sound and friendly,” she explained.

Speaking also at the sod turning ceremony was

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Sunday February 18, 2024

Children’s Mashramani Grenada continues to monitor oil spill Costume & Float Parade 2024

Grenada has been battling the effects of the Tobago oil spill (CMC) The National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) says it continues to carefully monitor the ongoing oil spill which occurred off the coast of Tobago.

Since the last update NaDMA has held meetings with several entities including the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency, the I n f o r m a t i o n a n d Tr a i n i n g C e n t r e (RAC/REMPEEITC CARIBE), and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) in Trinidad and Tobago.

“The objective of these engagements was to ascertain the exact location and likely continued trajectory of the oilslick to

determine the extent to which it may affect Grenada’s marine areas,” said NaDMA in a release on Saturday.

The agency also said that an oil spill committee has been activated and will continue to work with regional and hemispheric partners to monitor the situation.

The Agency said that it will continue to provide timely updates to the public as and when more accurate information is available.

“NaDMA reassures that the situation is being monitored, and the public should continue to pay attention to the updates and any announcements related to the oil spill.”

The oil spill committee has also been placed on standby to activate the emergency plan if necessary.

The Ministry of Education’s Allied Arts Unit yesterday hosted the annual National Children’s Mashramani Costume and Float Parade, 2024. Some of the colourful and festive displays at the Children’s Mashramani Costume and Float Parade, held on Saturday en route from the Parade Ground to the National Park.

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Sunday February 18, 2024

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Georgetown Magistrates’ Court round-up Below are several court cases which were heard at the at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court, between February 12, 2024, and February 16, 2024.

Monday Twenty-year-old Akeem Ali, known as 'Beef Stew', a three-time convict, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court, before Magistrate Rhondell Weever on Monday, where the robbery charge was read to him. He is accused of robbing Shawn Adams of his pedal cycle valued $30,000 and $70,000 in cash at Sussex Street, Albouystown, on January 13, 2024. The court case was dismissed, due to Ali compensating Adams of the items stolen.

Rackesh Arjune, 36, was sentenced to three months imprisonment, after he appeared at the city court, before Magistrate Weever, and pleaded guilty to a charge of simple larceny. It was stated that he stole a solar light valued $18,000, from Merundoi Incorporated on January 19, 2024.

Wednesday On Tuesday, Mohamed

Esuph, who appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, was placed on $75,000 bail after he pleaded not guilty, to the charge of attempting to bribe a police officer. The charge stated that on November 10, 2023, at the Criminal Records Office, Eve Leary, Georgetown, he allegedly give $10,000 to a police officer , as an inducement to cause a conviction to be removed from police records unit, in favour for himself.

Friday Twenty-one-year-old Leon Garraway was released from prison on $600,000 bail, when he appeared virtually at the court, before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly on Friday.

The accused had allegedly shot a 14-year-old with an unlicensed .32 pistol at Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown. He was charged for discharging a loaded firearm with the intent to maim, disable, or cause actual bodily harm; possession of firearm without being a firearm licensed holder; and

Speeding Cop dies in smash-up Dead: Devaraj Dhandreaw A 41-year-old, Police Lance Corporal, attached to La Grange Police Station, was on Saturday morning killed in an accident after the motorcycle he was riding collided with another vehicle, on the Public Road at Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

Dead is Devaraj Dhandreaw of Lot 1 Anna Catherina New Housing Scheme, WCD. Police reported that the accident occurred at about 09:25hrs involving a truck GAE 8523, owned by Pooran Brothers of Bella Dam, West Bank Demerara (WBD), and driven at the time, by a 35-year-old from Tuschen and the motorcycle CL 6178, owned and driven by Dhandreaw.

Investigation disclosed that the truck was reportedly proceeding west along the southern side of the road,

when the driver put on his indicator to turn right to Newland Lumber Yard. On doing so, the motorcyclist who was proceeding west on the road allegedly at a fast rate, collided with the left side rear portion of the truck.

As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist fell onto the roadway and sustained injuries about his body. The motorcyclist was picked up in an unconscious state, placed in the truck and escorted to Leonora Cottage Hospital where the body was examined by a doctor who pronounced him dead.

The body was taken to Ezekiel Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination. A notice of intended prosecution was served on the truck driver, who is in custody assisting police with the ongoing investigation.

possession of ammunition without being a firearm licensed holder.

Mark Bess, who appeared before Magistrate IsaacsMarcus, was granted bail in

the sum of $400,000, after he allegedly stabbed his cousin, Rolston Younge several times about his body, on January 17, 2024, at Camp and Regent Street,

Georgetown. He was charge with the offence, unlawful and malicious wounding.

Following that was, Ackeem McLeod, he was placed on $70,000 bail after

he pleaded not guilty to the simple larceny charge that stated he stole six electrical lamps valued $72,000 at Kingston Seawalls, from Dharamdat Heeralall .

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From page 14 expansion of the Wenot deposit, with indicated resources rising by 10% to 834,000 ounces and inferred resources skyrocketing by 45% to 1.6 million ounces, attributed to heightened gold grades in both categories.

Notably, approximately 39% of the Wenot resource now lies west of the historical pit, presenting an area ripe for initial mining operations, according to Omai Gold Mines.

Situated 500 meters north of the Wenot deposit and beneath the pastproducing Fennel pit, the Gilt Creek deposit boasts 1.2 million ounces of gold in the indicated category and 665,000 ounces of gold inferred. Elaine Ellingham, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Omai Gold Mines, expressed satisfaction with the substantial increase in the mineral resource estimate, highlighting the noteworthy rise in gold grades.

Ellingham highlighted that the project’s contained ounces now surpass the total gold production from the former mine, achieved at comparable grades. “The Omai Gold Mine produced approximately 3.8 million ounces at an average grade of 1.5 g/t Au between 1993 and 2005, when the gold price was less than US$400/oz.,” the CEO noted, adding, “We believe that with the current Mineral Resource Estimate combined with the many benefits of a brownfields project, that Omai is proving the potential to rival its historical status.”

During its operational peak, Omai was renowned as the largest primary gold producer in South America, boasting an average annual output of over 300,000 ounces of gold.

The 2024 mineral resource estimate will serve as the foundation for the p r o j e c t ’s P r e l i m i n a r y Economic Assessment (PEA), currently underway and slated for release in the first quarter. It was stated too that baseline studies have been completed, paving the way for subsequent environmental permit applications and mining license acquisitions upon PEA completion.

In 2020, Omai re-entered Guyana’s mining industry.

The company had said that their work completed thus far, has put them on track to become the next large-scale

gold mine to open in Guyana. Notably, by 2026, Omai and three other Canadian mining companies are expected to start gold production in their respective mining projects in Guyana. This was revealed

by Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh during his 2024 budget estimates presentation.

WEDNESDAY “We’re not afraid of sanctions” - teachers defy threats by govt. to continue protest for better wages Teachers braved the midmorning sun to protest in front of the Ministry of Finance on Main Street, where they continued their calls for better salaries and working conditions.

The teachers told Kaieteur News that they are unafraid of sanctions to be imposed by the Ministry of Education in the form of deductions from their salaries for the days they participated in the teachers’ strike and protest, which is in its second week.

“We are not children, we are not slaves, don’t treat us as if we are,” said Carolyn Garraway, a teacher who was resolute in her stance that the Guyana Teachers’ Union’s demands must be met by the government.

She said, “My call now, then and forever, is to engage the Teachers’ Union in collective bargaining.”

On Tuesday, Kaieteur News reported that despite g u a r a n t e e s f r o m Vi c e President Bharrat Jagdeo that protesting teachers will not be victimized, the Ministries of Education and Local Government and Regional Development advised that there will be salary deduction for teachers who did not report for duty or did not have approval for leave for the week ending February 9, 2024. The joint advisory stated that the ministries are in possession of a list of names from each of the 11 Education Districts who did not report for duty last week.

“We are not victimising anyone because you go on the strike but I want them to understand that this is a political strike,” Jagdeo told reporters last Thursday at his weekly press conference.

Meanwhile, Garraway explained that the government needs to demonstrate maturity and sit at the table with teachers to d i s c u s s t h e U n i o n ’s proposal.

“We put forward a proposal, sit with us and have a discussion as it relates to the proposal with us, and not making decisions that you think will best suit us. The Government cannot know what will best suit us. Our union would have engaged with us and so they know and understand our concerns, so the best person for them (Government) to sit with, is our union. That is all we are asking for, collective

bargaining.”

Garraway told Kaieteur News that teachers are not blinded to the fact that they will not get all that has been asked for but are hopeful that the government will meet the Union half-way.

“We know that we cannot get all that we want, but we must get what is necessary and that is our economic needs and that is why we will continue to be here, regardless of the government laws…

Because we will still die with this little salary, whether they cut it or not, we will still die, because we c a n ’ t e a t ro a d s a n d b u ild in gs , an d roundabouts,” she said as her colleagues nearby expressed their agreement.

Garraway posited that if the government fails to act, then the economy will be affected. “If the government does not budge let them watch the nation fall to pieces on an economic level, because this time is National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. Our children and our economy and all of this, will be a waste of time.”

Ryan Heywood said the move by the government to deduct money from striking teachers’ salaries demonstrate its uncaring nature. He said, “Personally when persons threatening me, I retaliate, and if you noticed this is the reaction of teachers. When you threatening people, you are telling people that they have

Sunday February 18, 2024

no other choice, no other options, and we as human being, we always like options and the government isn’t giving any options and all we are asking for right now, is that we have options and that we go to the table with the GTU, and we put forward what we have, and they put forward what they have and we meet half-way or something.”

Heywood noted that the government’s indication that it will deduct money from teachers’ salaries seeks to suggest that teachers have no other option but to return to the classroom and be content with whatever little they are receiving.

“They are telling us that we have no other option but threats and threats, taking away our salary, deduction, or whatever it is, those are share threats and we don’t react nicely towards threats,” the teacher said.

He continued: “At the end of the day, they [the Government] may think that cutting our salary may hurt us. Yes, because we need our salary, we need every bit of it. That’s one of the reasons you see soon as pay day is announced, all the teachers line up at the bank, mostly public servants, because they just waiting for this pay day, and that is the evidence of living from pay check to pay check, because, soon as pay day, we line up. If they [the Government] don’t budge, the children at the schools, or who are not in school at this time and not being taught, they are the ones

and their parents, who will feel it the most. So it has a ripple effect on the cutting of salary, and it has so much of a ripple effect, hurting us, but mostly, it will hurt the children and the parents, when they see them grades, come CXC and common entrance (NGSA).”

Another educator Roy Bishop who stood in solidarity with his colleagues on Main Street told Kaieteur News that, “The ministry gatta do what they gatta do, we will do what we have to do. We will remain here until they meet with the union.”

Bishop noted that despite the government’s threats, teachers will not back down.

“We are going to stand strong and we will stand in solidarity with our union and each member. If they cut our salary, we will live, we have been living on that small salary and we will live, so if they take it away, so go ahead.”

Bishop added, “We will remain here until they budge, Common Entrance (NGSA) is coming, CXC is coming, School Based Assessment (SBA) gatta be submitted so we will remain here.

Government… the State will feel the pain.”

Claude Wilkinson, like his colleagues, said the government can opt to deduct teachers’ salaries but the issue remains that teachers deserve to be properly paid.

“We don’t care if they deduct the money, because at the end of the day, bread and (Continued on page 53)

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Sunday February 18, 2024

From page 52 butter is not a political issue or what they say, and they know for a fact that the money we are being paid, it cannot sustain us for a whole month,” Wilkinson told Kaieteur News.

He continued: “As teachers, I will tell you straight up, what we do is help out children. We help them buy lunch, we help them with transportation and there is no money allocated at the school for us to do that, so, our income helps out the children.”

Another teacher Stephon Josiah described the threat to deduct salaries from striking and protesting teachers as “shameful”.

He told Kaieteur News that the Ministry of Education’s approach is quite disappointing.

“They should be focusing on resolution and not necessarily a fight. What we are seeing from actions like that is that they are signaling to the teachers, we [Government] are going to fight you. Teachers are saying that they are not comfortable and it is the government’s responsibility to contribute to us in being comfortable, and when they are taking actions like that, they are really contributing to a bigger fight.”

Josiah posited that the posture adopted by the government suggests that “we don’t have a functional society”.

“It is saying to us that we don’t have a functional society, it saying to us that actions in the future will not be recognized. If people have grievances, there are ways to resolve that and when you have a nation resorting to ignoring its people like that, you are not going to have peace in your society.”

The teacher explained that, “I am fairly qualified, I’ve done the trained teachers’ certificate, I’ve done the Certificate of Education from the University of Guyana (UG), I have done a Masters, and I still do not take home $200,000, when the month comes.”

The frustrated man told Kaieteur News: “Before the month is over, I am looking for the other pay cheque; I am looking to answer questions from my family, where we are getting our next meal from? I am saying that because, the cost of living is so high that my earnings are not adding up.”

Another teacher who asked to be identified only Sir Thomas said he stands firmly with the Union.

“We are with the Union, we stand by the Union, and if our sacrifice is that sometime or some point of time we will lose, we are here to gain.”

He added: “If we are here and we are standing by our word. We are intelligent teachers and if we standing by our word; we must not be trampled on, we are standing here all the time, and if they

PAGE 53

[Government] are not budging, they better budge to positiveness.”

Thomas said too that teachers go the extra mile to provide for their families. “That can be in many forms, we work nights, we work extra in the afternoon, and we work weekends, just for something to supplement our income,” he said.

High Court rules ex-husbands can now claim for maintenance after divorce Former husbands are now in a position to claim for maintenance or spousal support following divorce proceedings. In a landmark ruling on Monday by Chief Justice (AG) Roxane George-Wiltshire, it was determined that either party can apply for maintenance.

The ruling stemmed from a constitutional motion filed to challenge the alimony laws that have existed in Guyana since the early 1900s.

In the matter, a husband through his attorney, Tamara Evelyn-Khan, sought to apply for his ex-wife to pay him maintenance following their divorce but was told that he could not apply because the law does not allow for men to benefit from spousal support.

As a result, the man moved to the High Court to challenge the law, specifically Section 14 of the Matrimonial Causes Act on the grounds that it violated his constitutional rights to equal protection and benefits from the law and is discriminatory on the basis of sex and gender.

In her arguments, Evelyn-Khan noted while that section of the Matrimonial Causes Act secures what can be described as a tremendous benefit to a wife it disallows the same benefit to accrue to husbands.

“He is simply disallowed as is the applicant in this matter from seeking alimony/maintenance,” the attorney said in her arguments to the court.

She noted therefore that the necessary questions of discrimination and equality became relevant.

Evelyn-Khan noted that, “Article 149 D guarantees that laws and their provisions shall not be discriminatory, in themselves or their effect. Discriminatory means treating persons differently wholly based on gender, sex, et al. The article notes exceptions and speaks to different treatment where it is reasonably justifiable. There is a further scope of different treatment where it is reasonably justifiable.

There is a further scope of guarantee /s regarding fundamental right in Article 149 D which secures to the applicant equality before the law or equal protection and benefit of the law.”

She submitted too that Section 14 of the Matrimonial Causes Act infringes on these guarantees with

Former President of Colombia, Iván Duque no justifiable reason while noting that the applicant being a man cannot be a reason to deprive him of the benefit of the application for alimony/maintenance.

“Such a restriction certainly also offends against the full enjoyment of the fundamental right; protection from discrimination e quality before the law and equal protection and benefit of the law,” the attorney added.

In her ruling on Monday, Justice George-Wiltshire struck down provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act which provided that only men were liable to pay maintenance.

In her decision, the judge declared that Section 14 of the Matrimonial Causes Act, Chapter 45 :02 is discriminatory on the basis of sex and gender and is therefore unconstitutional as being in violation of Article 149 and Article 149 D of the Constitution of Guyana, to the extent that on a decree for dissolution or nullity of marriage, it provides for men only to pay a gross or annual sum of money to or maintain their former wives, and not for women to pay a gross or annual sum of money to or maintain their former husbands.

Therefore, until the National Assembly makes adequate provision, Section 14 of the Matrimonial Causes Act, Chapter 45:02 is hereby modified to permit applications by either a husband or a wife for payment of a gross or annual sum of maintenance so that the said Section 14 is in compliance with Articles 149 and 149D of the Constitution of Guyana.

As a consequence, it was declared that the applicant is entitled to apply for maintenance from his former spouse.

THURSDAY Guyana must use rich underground resources to defeat poverty on the ground - Former Colombian President

Former President of Colombia, Iván Duque said on Tuesday that Guyana is well within its right to extract and develop its resources trapped underground. He stressed however that the exploitation of these resources such as oil and gas, must be used to defeat poverty on the ground.

The politician made these and other remarks during a reception that was held by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali at the TWA Airport Hotel in New York. Ali used the event to not only engage members of the Diaspora on key development issues but to also underscore the importance of Guyana being in charge of the United Nations Security Council for the month of February.

Duque in his remarks reminded that Guyana will host its Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo from February 19 to 22 at the Marriott Hotel. He reminded of a key message that he shared at that significant event in the past. Duque said, “...Guyana has to use the richness of the underground to defeat the poverty in the ground.

Guyana also needs to make the transformation to having an energy matrix that is more balanced and highly dependent on renewable energies and you have embraced that thought.”

Furthermore, Duque said the country’s energy mix will be critical as the eyes of the world are looking at Guyana as an opportunity for long term investment in housing, water and storage. He said there is also potential for Guyana to become a hub for connectivity and even help regional partners in CARICOM meet their food security goals.

Additionally, the former President expressed confidence in President Ali’s leadership in ensuring that the country’s developmental aspirations are realized.

“President Ali is the embodiment of a young Caribbean leader that trusts in democracy, that believes in the importance of integration and that also embraces

the right balance between energy development, environmental development and social transformation,” said the former Head of State.

He added, “For many years I have been an honoured friend of Guyana. As President of Colombia, we were able to strengthen our relationship in security where we also shared intelligence information to fight transnational crime, but we also fought very hard to make the case that it is possible for a country to develop, using its materials, its minerals and all its energy assets while at the same time becoming an environmental superpower.”

Duque said Guyana now finds itself at the brink of becoming one of the most successful social economic transformations in this hemisphere. He was keen to note his satisfaction at being able to witness this unfold.

In conclusion, he reminded that Guyana has faced many turbulent periods of poverty and the exclusion of many communities. In spite of this history, he believes the country is well positioned to have the fastest expansion of the middle class in any Latin American and Caribbean country.

‘Cut we pay, we gon keep lessons and mek back the money’ - striking teachers tell Govt Teachers on the picket line for better wages on Wednesday said that possible salary cuts will not deter them from standing up for their rights.

“We gon keep lessons, we gon go and do home school in the evenings and mek back the money”, one of them chanted as scores of teachers protested in front of the Ministry of Labour on Brickdam, Georgetown.

Led by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), teachers across the county continued their strike/protest for higher salaries.

Wednesday was day eight of their countrywide effort to bring the government to the bargaining table.

Despite guarantees from Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo that protesting teachers will not be victimised; the government has moved to deduct money from their salaries for the days they have been on the picket line. Faced with salary cuts the teachers on Wednesday said they will not back down. “We gone tek the punch, we gon tek the slaps and everything, because when we win everybody gon win”, they said.

The teachers made it clear that they are not bothered by the salary cuts because they can find other ways to make back the lost money.

“We are creative people, we gon do things in we house and sell,” they said before adding: “we gon do fish (Continued on page 54)

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PAGE 54

From page 53 fries, we gon mek juice and sell things (at) home, people always willing to support teachers. We nah gon fall this is not the first and it won’t be our last. We standing up for our rights.”

According to the teachers, they are going to continue their industrial action until the government agrees to meet with them because they “fed-up” of being broke. “We expenses higher than we income, We get pay today and we bruk since yesterday,” one of them said while another added, “we owe Singers, we owe Courts, we owe the credit union, we owe everybody.”

Meanwhile, the GTU has filed a court case against the government on Tuesday over the salary deductions and its move to stop deducting the $700 union dues from t e a c h e r s ’ p a y. G T U ’s General Secretary, Coretta McDonald said, “We are very hopeful that the courts will pronounce in our favour especially with regards to the withdrawals of the dues, not deducting the dues from teachers’ salaries.” As it relates to cutting teachers s a l a r y f o r striking/protesting, McDonald added: “It is in the law that if you don’t work then you can’t get pay but what we have looked at in previous years is that the GTU and its members would withdraw their services from the classrooms, from the education sector and that government the APNU+AFC did not take out one cent from a teacher’s salary even though teachers were out for nine days.”

FRIDAY GTU rolling out plans to pay striking teachers ...assures of local and overseas help ...strike to continue until demands are met Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) President, Mark Lyte, stood in solidarity with teachers in Essequibo Region Two on Thursday morning, addressing concerns and outlining plans for reimbursement for teachers who will have their salaries cut for participating in the ongoing industrial action.

The Union has initiated legal proceedings in the High Court to challenge the Government of Guyana

Sunday February 18, 2024

Solidarity Forever! Essequibo teachers continued their strike action on Thursday (GoG) decision to deduct the salaries of the teachers participating in the strike, as well as to stop deducting teachers’ fees on behalf of the Union. Lyte addressed the gathering in Essequibo, stating, “We have had over 6,000 teachers on strike.” He explained that the Union will have to do an analysis, instructing branch representatives to compile a list of affected teachers and the corresponding deduction in pay for strike days.

Additionally, he assured teachers that GTU would announce the percentage of lost wages to be reimbursed.

D i s p e l l i n g m i s c o n c e p t i o n s , Ly t e stressed GTU’s commitment to supporting its members, stating. “Contrary to the narrative, GTU is not only saying we have your back; we are going to demonstrate it.” He revealed that persons from the United States and the United Kingdom have also pledged to support the teachers. However, Lyte highlighted the need to establish a channel for these contributions, assuring that efforts were underway to facilitate donations.

“We also have local persons who will donate. We have given them our bank account number…” the Union President added.

Moreover, Lyte disclosed the prospect of a third court action without divulging further details. He reiterated that the industrial action will continue until the government meets the demands of the teachers and

meet with the Union to discuss better wages and salaries.

In the meantime he urged teachers to familiarise themselves with nonacademic standards and their rights and working hours.

“So there are several ways in which we can do that. I want you all to start getting familiar with the nonacademic standard. You know what that is. I want you all to start getting familiar with the non-academic standard. I want you to start reading up on some of your rights. What time you must go to work, and what time you must go home. Y’all hear me,” he said.

Last week Monday the nationwide teachers’ strike commenced. In response the government issued a notice to deduct pay from the salaries of the teachers involved in the strike as well as to stop deducting Union dues from the teachers’ salaries on behalf of the union. As such, on Tuesday afternoon, a lawsuit was filed challenging the government’s decision. The Union’s application includes a wide range of declarations and orders sought from the court.

GTU is asking the court for a conservatory order that the status quo remains the same that is the government will not deduct monies from the wages and salaries of teachers engaged in any industrial action, and to continue deducting the Union fees and remitting same to the GTU, until the

determination of the matter.

The other orders and declarations, inter alia, include discrimination, breach of freedom of association, and breach of protection from deprivation of property. Furthermore, GTU requests declarations of bad faith by the government and breach of natural justice. They also request costs, aggravated damages, exemplary damages, and any other orders the court deems appropriate.

‘Priya says is OP: Jagdeo says is Priya’ — as Govt. flip-flops on who is responsible for salary talks with teachers Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday said that despite the government engaging with the Guyana Teacher’s Union continuously, they chose to walk away and instead called

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

strike action.

He also contradicted Education Minister, Priya Manickchand who had said that salary negotiations for teachers are being led by the Office of the President and not her ministry. Jagdeo said that those talks are being done by the Education Ministry. At his weekly news conference he was asked by this publication “at what stage of this industrial action will the government relent and meet with the union?” Jagdeo said that, “They had meetings. I just demonstrated to you that they had meetings that were ongoing. They met on the 31st of January they had a meeting scheduled for the 21st of February, based on an understanding that they and the Ministry of Education will meet continuously every third Wednesday of every month.”

The VP explained that there were engagements and the union chose to walk away from that, calling for a strike even though the Ministry would have resolved around 30 of the 40 plus issues, they had highlighted in their letter.

Adding that, “salary talks are not done by the Office of the President,” Jagdeo noted that President Irfaan Ali when he had met with teachers did not have a salary and wages negotiations with the head teachers. He said the meeting that the President had with them, was just for them to air their concerns. “That was not a negotiation with the

headteachers or the teaching body on wages and salaries.

That was not a negotiation the President was listening to them as citizens of this country.”

The VP told the media that the union’s demands are unreasonable. “If we accede to their demands that will put a teacher at $500,000 per month. Where in this region or any country at our stage of development where would you get that pay?”

President Ali last Friday assured teachers protesting for better salaries that there is no need to down tools, urging them to be patient.

During his speech at the commissioning ceremony for a simulator facility at the Berbice Oil and Gas college, the Head of State sought to address how his government is going to “fix the welfare” of not only teachers but also public servants including doctors and nurses.

“I said this to them then, that listen, we are going to commence the process of fixing your welfare but I wanted you to understand and Alistair (Alistair Routledge ExxonMobil Guyana Head) is here,-we suffer from our own good news sometimes- everybody believes that all the resources are available now (but) in 2027 then is when the real growth in revenue coming in would be seen in the country,” Ali pointed before adding , “and I said to our teachers, our nurses, our public servants and I say to them now again that we are committed to giving you the best life possible.”

SATURDAY Massive turn out as teachers strike widens —protest to continue until pay issues are addressed Teachers line both sides of the streets on Friday as they continued to register this public demonstration in front of the Ministry of Education’s Brickdam office calling on the Government to relent to their demands for higher salaries via the collective bargaining process.

This was the biggest turn out since the nationwide teachers and public demonstration exercise commenced two weeks ago.

The Guyana Teachers Union (GTU)-led protest has seen thousands of teachers and their supporters take to (Continued on page 55)

Sunday February 18, 2024

From page 54 the streets, braving the humid weather and standing for hours in front their respective regional education offices to publicly register their concerns.

Friday marked day 10 of the protest and it was characterized by a similar display by the disgruntled teachers. The GTU has since vowed that industrial action will continue until their concerns are addressed.

While the demonstration continued in the other regions, several of the teachers joined their counterparts in front the office of the Ministry of Education, Brickdam Georgetown.

The teachers stood on opposite sides of the road holding their placards and umbrellas, chanting phrases in keeping with their desire for livable pay package.

“Slippers on the ground and we aint backing down!!!” the teachers chanted loudly over the sounds of drum beats and horns indicating their resolve to continue to industrial action until they achieve their desired results.

Many shared the view that the Government has chosen ‘to beat around the bush’ on the issue of salary negotiations rather than address it head on.

General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers Union, Coretta McDonald commented on the fact the Government has been nitpicking at everything else rather than address the salary concerns of the teaching population.

Responding to recent claims by Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo that despite the government engaging with the GTU continuously, they chose to walk away and instead called strike action, McDonald clarified that the talks are in relation to policy issues and not in relation to finances.

She explained that “The Union and The Ministry of Education continue to speak on level of the professional development of teachers which deals with the policy aspect matters like teachers attending school late how can we curb that should we look at moving teachers to schools closest to their homes; we talk about reduction of class sizes; we look at reducing the number of teaching period, reducing the number of notes of lessons…”

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Teachers in Mabaruma turned out in their numbers

McDonald continued that “The Ministry of Education’s professional arm which is headed by the Chief Education Officer, has nothing to do with finances, we have never seen able to meet with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, In fact the Ministry of Education said to us that all matters as it relates to finances will be dealt with b y t h e O ff i c e o f t h e President.”

Rather than skirt around the issue, the GTU General Secretary said that Jagdeo should appeal to his Government to have dialogue with the Union towards resolving the issue.

“We would expect that a man like Bharrat Jagdeo rather than have the teachers out here, he would be able to say we need to talk to the teachers just like he was saying in 2018 but now its 2024 his speech is d iff er en t… ” s h e s aid .

McDonald’s comments come one day after Jagdeo

told a press conference that the Ministry of Education is responsible for all negotiations with the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU).

Jagdeo had contradicted Education Minister, Priya Manickchand who had said that salary negotiations for teachers are being led by the Office of the President and not her ministry.

Jagdeo said that those talks are being done by the Education Ministry. At his weekly news conference held on Thursday, he was asked by this publication “at what stage of this industrial action will the government relent and meet with the union?” Jagdeo said that, “They had meetings. I just demonstrated to you that they had meetings that were ongoing. They met on the 31st of January they had a meeting scheduled for the 21st of February, based on an understanding that they and the Ministry of Education will meet continuously every

third Wednesday of every month.”

The VP explained that there were engagements and the union chose to walk away from that, calling for a strike even though the Ministry would have resolved around 30 of the 40 plus issues, they had highlighted in their letter.

However, the GTU has been adamant about the issue of salaries being addressed calling on Government to show a willingness to engage in collective bargaining, GTU’s President, Dr Mark Lyte made yet another appeal to the Government during a Friday morning live stream saying “If we write you, it is your obligation and duty to write us in return. We are not going to accept a verbal invitation to any meeting.

We would like you to invite us formally to a meaningful meeting where we can agree to the terms of resumption,” he said. The GTU president nevertheless

vowed that “this strike will go on as long as government refuses to engage the union.”

Tobago oil spill should be additional wake up call for Guyana-AFC The Alliance for Change (AFC) said on Friday that it has taken note of the ongoing challenges being experienced in the neighbouring island of To b a g o d u e t o t h e devastating effects of an oil spill.

Regional media reports have thus far indicated that the source of the oil spill is a capsized barge reportedly heading for Guyana. Eight days after Trinidad and Tobago’s coastguard first spotted the oil from an overturned and abandoned barge, the vessel continues to leak fuel, and portions of the stain have moved about 144km (89 miles) into the Caribbean Sea at a rate of 14km/h.

“It has now entered

G r e n a d a ’s t e r r i t o r i a l waters,” said Tobago’s Chief Secretary, Farley Augustine, following a fly-over by Trinidad and Tobago’s air guard. He told the Guardian, “We are unable to plug the leak and unless we have information on how much fuel is in the barge or what exactly it contains...”

Authorities in Grenada, Panama, Aruba and Guyana have been contacted by Trinidad and CARICOM for information as part of an investigation into the disaster.

Despite the fact Trinidad and Tobago has been an oil producing country for over a century and having had to deal with several major oil spills in the past, the AFC said the country is still struggling to contain this recent oil spill.

Taking this into account the opposition party said, “This unfortunate event should be an additional wake up call for Guyana.”

The AFC said currently, Guyana is producing 645,000 barrels of oil per day, representing about three times the daily volume of oil produced by Trinidad and Tobago at its peak, thus resulting in an increased risk.

The opposition party said, “It is time that Guyana puts in place a comprehensive oil spill plan backed by provision of adequate resources and equipment, as well as ensure that the operators in all our oil blocks have in place full and unlimited liability coverage.”

Further to this, the AFC said it has taken note of the fact that the Tobago oil spill has now spread to the neighboring countries of Grenada and Venezuela.

With this troubling development in mind, the AFC sought to remind that having in place unlimited liability coverage, not only covers the costs associated with the immediate oil cleanup efforts, but will also include the short, medium, and long costs associated with the damage to these countries’ tourism and fishing sectors.

In the meantime, the AFC said it will be monitoring the effects of this oil spill, including the final clean up costs, and other associated claims, adding that this will make for a most suitable comparison for the adequacy of the current US$2B financial coverage in place for the Stabroek Block.

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Sunday February 18, 2024

PANCAP turned 23 on Valentine's Day The Pan-Caribbean Partnership (PANCAP) against HIV and AIDS celebrated 23 years of service last Wednesday.

PANCAP was established

by the CARICOM Heads of Government on February, 14 2001 in response to the spread of HIV, which threatened the development of the Region. It is a

mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean's response to the HIV epidemic.

The regional body

currently comprises of over 65 members and has been the umbrella for the provision of regional goods and services to various stakeholders, including People Living with

HIV (PLHIV). Its membership includes CARICOM and other Member States from across the English, Dutch, and Frenchspeaking Caribbeanr e g i o n a l organisations/institutio ns; regional civil society organisations; bilateral and multilateral agencies; and contributing donor partners of the Caribbean.

Over the years, PA N C A P, h a s reportedly been hailed as an international best practice by The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

The Partnership, which has as its vision “An AIDSFree Caribbean”, is guided by its framework document, the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS (CRSF) 20192025.

The fourth iteration of the CRSF 2019-2025 highlights policies and programmes to accelerate progress toward achieving the UNAIDS scientific 90-90-90 Targets to test, treat and defeat AIDS, to which the Region has committed.

These are aligned with strategies for reviving the momentum with prevention, refocusing resources towards d i f f e r e n t i a t e d , comprehensive combination prevention interventions, and rekindling the zeal for public education to drive new infections downwards in the general population.

The belief that ending AIDS can soon become a reality is motivating and

inspirational for PANCAP. According to PANCAP, observing 23 years in the fight against HIV and AIDS is a testimony of the unstinting commitment and support provided by its partners and stakeholders because together they can continue to take bold action towards ending AIDS in the region.

PA N C A P s a y s t h a t looking towards the future, it expects the unflinching political commitment and leadership to end AIDS in the region, and the continued implementation of human rights-based approaches, to tackle the inequalities holding back progress, including harmful laws and policies, stigma and discrimination, and gender inequalities.

The organisation promises to continue supporting, engaging and enabling community leadership and a communityled response while advocating for sustainable funding with a sharp focus on protecting the HIV gains made in the region.

Sod turned for US$7M...

From page 10 Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Wa l r o n d s a i d t h a t establishing the institute is an essential step in building technical capacity in the hospitality sector. She added that the objective is to ensure that the necessary skills to manage this rapidly expanding evolving sector are available right here in Guyana. According to the minister, “This institute is geared towards equipping students with hands-on training in a world-class facility that would enhance their knowledge of the sector including modern approaches required to operate at international industry standards.

Importantly, the skills acquired will not only allow for access to direct tourism

jobs but also indirect jobs and opportunities.”

She mentioned also that when the facility is ready for use, they intend to have a curriculum fitting the country's ecosystem products. “As we build out the curriculum, it will distinguish itself as being particularly tailored to our indigenous services and our indigenous communities and focus on building out an ecotourism product that is environmentally sound and friendly,” she explained.

Speaking also at the sod turning ceremony was Senior Minister with the responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh who said that “we want to create Guyanese who are celebrities and this hospitality and tourism institute has the potential to do just that.”

Sunday February 18, 2024

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Thousands take part in pro-Palestine protests across the world (ALJAZEERA) Thousands of people have taken to the streets around the world to protest against the war in Gaza as Israel pledges to go forward with its offensive in Rafah in southern Gaza.

Waving pro-Palestinian flags and banners, thousands marched through the streets of Madrid, Spain to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The crowd snaked through closed-off streets in the Spanish capital from Atocha train station to the central Plaza del Sol square behind a large banner that read: Freedom for Palestine.

Many carried signs that read “Peace for Palestine” and “Don't ignore Palestinian suffering”.

At least six ministers from Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's cabinet also took part in the demonstration, five from the left-wing Sumar party, his junior coalition partners, as well as Transport Minister Oscar Puente of the prime minister's Socialist party.

“We need an immediate ceasefire, an end to the killing and attacks against innocents, we must achieve the release of all hostages,” Puente told reporters at the start of the march. In the UK's capital London, approximately 250,000 people took part in the protest demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, according to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC). Reporting from London, Al Jazeera's Harry Fawcett said that according to organisers the demonstration taking place in London is expected to be among the top three in terms of size since the start of the war in Gaza in October.

“This could be an indication of the increasing concern about the situation in Gaza, on the cusp of Israel's intended intensification of military operations in Rafah in the south. YouGov has issued a poll saying that twothirds of people in the UK now support an immediate ceasefire,” Fawcett said.

Fawcett said that the main body of the march arrived outside the Israeli Embassy, where solidarity speeches and a static protest took place.

The organisers also timed the beginning of the march to ensure that an event at a

nearby Jewish synagogue was over. More than 1,500 police officers were on the streets in London to police the protest. According to the Metropolitan Police, 12 people were arrested for placard-related offences, assaults on officers and refusal to remove face coverings.

“Despite these arrests, the overwhelming majority who took part were peaceful and acted entirely with the law,” the police said in a statement on the social media platform X. Pro-Israeli groups have attempted to paint the mass pro-Palestinian movement in the UK as anti-Semitic.

The protest movement regards that as an attempt to whitewash Israel's assault on Gaza, which has now killed almost 29,000 people.

Pro-Palestine protests also took place in Sweden and other countries, where people demanded that Israel stop its offensive on Rafah and called for a ceasefire.

Demonstrations in Israel Protests also took place in Israel's capital Tel Aviv and outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in We s t J e r u s a l e m w i t h demonstrators calling for a captive-prisoner exchange deal and immediate elections in the country.

The rallies took place in the wake of Netanyahu's decision last week not to send an Israeli delegation to Cairo for further negotiations on a deal to release more than 100 captives still held in Gaza.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called the decision a “death sentence” for the remaining captives.

But in a news conference on Saturday, Netanyahu denounced the possibility of elections in Israel right now.

He also said that Israel's military “pressure is working” against Hamas, claiming the army has “reached areas in Gaza that the enemy never imagined”.

“Whoever is telling us not to operate in Rafah is telling us to lose an ear,” he added, saying that the Israeli army would attack Rafah – a city in southern Gaza that now hosts more than one million displaced Palestinians – even if a deal to release captives is reached with Hamas.

Protesters hold up flags and placards during a demonstration in support of Palestinian people in Gaza, in London [Alberto Pezzali/AP]

PAGE 58

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Dead Deputy Toshao, Karl Lewis pick-up traveling in the opposition direction drove into Lewis’ path and struck him down. The driver of the pickup, according to police, claimed that he attempted to swerve away from the motor-

cyclist but failed to avoid a collision. The impact flung Lewis some distance away along the road while his motorcycle went up in flames.

Lewis was picked up by the police and public-spirited citizens in an unconscious condition and taken to the Lethem Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver was arrested and remains in police custody. Investigators learnt that he was imbibing alcoholic beverages at Katoonarib Village with a friend before leaving for Lethem but ended up knocking down Lewis along the way.

thanked his parents, teachers, and church for their input in his successful completion of the social projects.

In addition to a trophy, the 15-year-old is also the recipient of a cash prize.

Kaieteur News understands this is not the first instance that the school benefited from a project sponsored by the Chinese government.

Last year, another student Ranveer Narine visited Beijing, China for eight days as a student summer camp

programme for school children hosted by the Chinese Government.

Narine told this publication that the experience was unique in that he was able to be immersed in Chinese culture for eight along with eleven of his peers from Guyana.

The student was able to visit the infamous Great Wall of China as well as other popular sites in the province of China. He said that the experience was overall a good one.

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The driver of a Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) pick-up on Friday reportedly knocked down a motorcyclist and killed him along the Quarrie Access Trail, Central Rupununi, Region Nine just moments after he was seen drinking beers with a friend.

Police identified the dead motorcyclist as 52-year-old Karl Lewis, the Deputy Toshao of Shulinub Village, South Central Rupununi.

The accident took place around 19:22 hrs. Police said, “Enquiries disclosed that the motorcyclist (Lewis) was proceeding South along the eastern side of Quarrie Access Trail” when the speeding

From page 15 and a 99 percent pass rate for English. The school is also the current champion of the JOF Haynes debating competition,” he said.

For his part, the student said that participating in the Guyana, China Friendship Youth Leadership was a unique experience that boasted his confidence and self-esteem.

“The hardest part of the competition was the fitness challenge but it helped me to grow…,” Farley said as he

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From page 05 set a date which supporters demand. In attacking my polls, Joey failed to mention that I predicted a Norton victory in the 2021 leadership contest. I also stated that it would be unjust to deny him the Opposition Leader position and advocated for him.

When the polls predicted his father’s and mother’s victories, he found no problems with them.

I note that I visited Freedom House multiple times during the 1980s through 1992, I never saw Joey.

I interacted with Nagamootoo, Navin Chanderpaul, Harry Nokta, among other stalwarts of that era. I purchased the party’s publications to support the PPP printing press. I donated funds to the party every year as I did to WPA, PCD, URP, DLM, and other parties.

Did Joey donate to the party or purchase its publications? I hardly saw Joey at protests and picketing exercises. I organized many that benefited the party. When I was cutting classes and or calling sick from work to attend rallies relating to Guyana, Joey was at his dentistry making money in capitalist New York (Brooklyn). Karshan and Chuck Mohan, and a few other ACG activists, were consistently at protests. As I

stated umpteenth times, Jagan was and will remain a hero.

Every time I was in Ankerville, I would go to the old man’s birth home or samadhi to pay homage.

Whenever I had guests in Guyana, I took them to Cheddi’s home and his samadhi (cremation monument). The caretakers can attest to that fact.

How many times Joey and Rohee visited that house or the Samadhi? Cheddi was a great man with good intentions, but he was not faultless.

And his faults should never be ignored. It is noted that the way to hell is paved with good intentions.

And we certainly experienced hell from 1962 till the end of the dictatorship.

I should also note that Jagan didn’t save us from civil war. We had a ‘civil war’ 196264. Cheddi called the sugar strike in 1964 that worsened the race violence with the massacre of Indians in Wismar as the defining moment of the civil war.

Joey argued that nationalists in independence movements around the globe were socialists. Of the names he mentioned, all of their governments were overthrown except Nehru who was a different case and who worked closely with the British

Crown. The west didn’t see a need to topple Nehru but toppled many radical governments in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. All left wingers were overthrown in the Americas.

Joey stated that I was only concerned about the fate of Indians. In a racially polarized society, which side should I, as an Indian activist, support?

Which side should Cheddi, the de facto and de jure leader of Indians, support? I care about all of Guyana not only my race. On race, I note that when Ravi Dev and I interacted with Cheddi in late 1980s on organizing the opposition against the dictatorship, he advised us to organize the Africans pointing out that he was organizing the Indians.

He gave the same advice to Walter Rodney and other WPA activists in the 1970s when they met to coordinate strategies against the dictatorship. So Cheddi did appeal to race and is not to be blamed. He didn’t have a choice in a racially divided society where people voted and still vote race.

In responding to critiques, Joey needs to learn to disagree without being disrespectful.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Kaieteur News

Sunday February 18, 2024

PAGE 59

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY! In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecencies in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

SUNDAY – FEBRUARY 11, 2024 Is the US$2 billion oil spill guarantee really in place? the games being played by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and by extension the Government of Guyana (GoG) has set a dangerous precedent for the foreign oil companies in Guyana.

As though the country is not already in a calamitous position with the World's worst oil deal, the government is now playing games with protecting this country from an oil spill.

It is not only spending Guyanese tax dollars to fight against full protection from such a catastrophic activity, but is now hiding ordered by the Court to protect this nation.

This begs the questions as to whether this guarantee is really in place.

MONDAY – FEBRUARY 12, 2024 PPP Govt. propaganda on the teachers' strike The propaganda strategy of the PPP Government and its calculating leadership is obvious. Stain and taint the strikers and those behind them. It is only a small percentage of teachers behind the strike barricades.

Put differently, schools and children are in good shape; the number of teachers on duty more than offsets those absent from classrooms.

G o v e r n m e n t propagandists would like Guyanese to believe that the

strike was a loser from the inception, one that never got any muscle to get going. I think that the numbers on the street have sufficiently strong persuasive power. The next PPP Government propaganda exhibition that backfired was a social media post indicating the handsome pay levels of teachers. In their dogged efforts at deception, the highest paid were publicized, but nothing was said of the majority of rank-and-file teachers.

I believe that what is seen again is a dishonest government peppered with dishonest leadership.

Propagandize and pulverize.

Is this a democratic government, or a set of mobsters? (GHK Lall Hard Truths February 12, 2024) TUESDAY – FEBRUARY 13, 2024 Teachers vs Priya Education Minister, Priya Manickchand has failed to represent her teachers- no wonder they have been calling her all kinds of names on the protest line.

The current teachers' strike is probably the third under her watch in a short space of time. It must be of some concern to the young minister, that her tenure has been punctuated with industrial actions by teachers. Any self-respecting minister in such circumstances would have by now handed in their resignation.

But that doesn't happen in PPP/C Cabinet as even alleged rapists have to be

hounded out of office, rather than stepping down.

In the middle of a crisis, where most of the schools are closed, hundreds of teachers are on the streets, the education minister is busy every day on facebook gaslighting the situation, posting pictures of her playing volleyball with school children; fighting with citizens in the comments section; responding to comments on how poorly she has been managing the sector and even making the people she supposed to be leading her enemies. Maybe the chant of the teachers, “Priya must go!” has some truth about it.

WEDNESDAY – FEBRAURY 14, 2024 Teachers holding out The concerns of teachers have been given the royal runaround. In this current strike, all they have asked for is for the government to come to the table to engage in collective bargaining.

Instead, the government has sought to demonise the Guyana Teachers' Union, going as far as using state bodies to release information on the union's financial affairs.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand who ought to be on the side of her teachers have used her social media platform to malign them and even gaslight the situation on the ground.

And while all of this is playing out, the children who should be absorbing their

Man, 21, granted bail for raping child under 16 A 21-year-old, resident of Success, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was on Friday charged allegedly raping a child.

He appeared before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrate's Court and was granted bail in the sum of $300,000. Orvin Samsair, also known as 'Nicholas,' was arrested on Monday last on allegations that he raped a child, under 16 years of age contrary to section 10 (3) of the Sexual Offences Act, chapter 8:03. Samsair was not required to plea to the charge. He is scheduled to return to the court on March 28, 2024.

Granted bail: Orvin Samsair

lessons are caught in this crossfire. There must be a meeting of the minds to close this out quickly.

FRIDAY – FEBRUARY 16, 2024 Serial violators condemning the GTU “The people who are trying to embarrass the teachers are serial violators when it comes to accounting and accountability. To the best of my knowledge, the PPP/C in its decades long history, has never presented a full account of its annual financial operations to its members.

More dangerously for the country's delicate democracy, both the PPP/C

and the PNC/R have never, ever submitted the statement of election expenses required by the Representation of the People Act. That sadly is their concept – or contempt – of accountability and the rule of law. That disdain is not only bad per se, but opens for all forms of unlawful activities, including money laundering, tax evasion, smuggling etc.”

(Christopher Ram) SATURDAY – FEBRUARY 17, 2024 Banning of the schoolgirl's calypso Since when, children are disqualified from engaging in social and political commentary?

Which part of the constitution bars schoolchildren from singing songs that comment on topical issues?

If children are permitted to sing songs which are considered “jam and wine”, why are they banned from singing songs with serious lyrics?

What moral or other forms of danger can singing such a calypso bring to the child in question and children in general? if the calypso violated the “guidelines, why it was not disqualified during the preliminary stages of the competition—why now?”

Working People's Alliance, Thursday, February 15, 2024

PAGE 60

Kaieteur News

Sunday February 18, 2024

Volodímir Zelenski

Kaieteur News

Sunday Thursday February November 18, 2024 24, 2022

PAGE 61 19

2024 CWI Regional 4-Day Championships Round 2 Day 4...

Cornwall’s six helps put final nail in coffin as Eagles lose by 273 runs Tagenarine Chanderpaul

Sunday February 18, 2024 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Travel may cause more problems than it's worth today, Aries. You may forget some vital items when packing or there could be too little time to get everything ready.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Finances may cause an upset between you and a friend today, Taurus. Perhaps this person owes you money and can't pay it back, or vice versa.

If this is the case, try to work out some kind of arrangement that suits you both.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A social event could put you in touch with someone who's carrying around a lot of bitterness and anger, Gemini.

This probably won't be very pleasant for you, as this person could well see you as the perfect listening post for all their problems.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) The workplace could be very hectic today as a colleague prepares to leave on an important business trip.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may have a wonderful d a y t o d a y, L e o . Yo u r imagination, intuition, and creativity are all high, and inspiration for new artistic works could be filling your heart and brain.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your home could be a very busy place today, Virgo.

Visitors could come and go throughout the day, probably annoying you at times. You might also find yourself having to soothe angry outbursts on the part of a member of your household.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Someone you work with might need a sympathetic shoulder to cry on today. Stresses on the job extend beyond everyone's capacity to endure, so don't be surprised if at some point a colleague sheds a few tears.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Children or possibly some close friends or a love interest could be upset today, Scorpio.

The financial coffers aren't full enough to afford something they think they absolutely have to have right now.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Worry about a family member may be on your mind today, Sagittarius. This person could be all wrought up over work, money, or possibly a love affair that's broken off.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Uneasy feelings may be plaguing you throughout the day. There could appear to be no valid reason for this. Everything seems to be going well for you, and no one close to you has anything heavy going on.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) A friend, perhaps a woman, could well be upset or even a n g r y w i t h y o u t o d a y, Aquarius. Money might be involved in some way. There may be nothing you can do to reassure her at this time, so it's best to give what reassurances you can and then back off.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Is your boss a woman, Pisces?

If so, stay out of her way today.

To put it mildly, she isn’t in a good mood. Work hard, be very sweet to everyone, and make copious use of your innate diplomacy.

Leeward Hurricanes Captain Rakeem Cornwall snagged 6 second innings wickets as the Guyana Harpy Eagles were blown away by 273-runs on the final day at Warner Park.

Cornwall championed his side to a huge win over the defending champions, who faced a whopping 400plus run total by the end of the Leewards second innings on day 3.

Leewards piled on 352 and 295 respectively in their first and second innings.

Opener Mikyle Louis was the instrument of destruction, racking up 113

followed by 130 which set the tone for the bowlers.

Guyana had a dismal outing with the bat, scoring 188 in the first innings before needing a whopping 395 for victory upon resumption of play on the 4th and final day of action in St. Kitts.

Their second pursuit of the already huge target was interrupted by Cornwall who spun webs around the Harpy Eagles batting unit.

Despite starts from Raymon Perez (23), Anderson (26), Kevin Sinclair (23), Kemol Savory ( 2 4 ) a n d Ve e r a s a m m y Permaul (30), the Champs

failed to get anywhere close to home.

Cornwall eventually ended with 6-61 finishing with a match haul of 7, adding to his lone first innings wicket.

Eagles opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul shrugged off poor form to hit a top score of 47 with six fours from 173 deliveries.

T h e s p i n f e s t commenced after lunch, as Cornwall with a little help from left-arm spinner Daniel Dooram (2-48), sliced through Guyana’s line-up, leaving Isai Thorne (3*) the last man standing.

Dominican Republic...

Berbice River Bridge Closure to Road Traffic

From page 64 Goalkeeper Paloma Peña was ready and made the first save for her team.

The Dominican Republic finally found the back of the net in the 55th minute when Sosa received a ball from a corner kick, sending a blast from outside the box, giving her team the 1-0 lead.

The Dominicans tried to add to their lead, almost doing so in the 74th minute when Jaylen Vallecillo received the ball on the left side, but her shot was denied once again by Sandiford to keep Guyana within a goal.

The day belonged to the Dominican Republic, though, as they kept control of the game, finishing strong to advance to Group A, in which they will face the United States, Mexico, and Argentina, beginning with the U.S. on Tuesday evening.

Sunday February 18, 2024

For Ocean going Vessels & Trawlers 11:15hrs Monday February 19, 2024

For Ocean going Vessels & Trawlers 12:40hrs For Ocean Going Vessels opening last 1-1½ hrs

Demerara River Bridge Closure to Road Traffic Monday February 19, 2024

For Ocean going Vessels & Trawlers 00:30hrs For Ocean Going Vessels opening last 1-1½ hrs DATE:17/02/2024

6

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10 15 18 DATE:17/02/2024

Evening

Afternoon

6

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0 DATE:17/02/2024

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18 19 24 L

G.L.C. 357 Lamaha Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown Tel:226-0753. While every effort is made to ensure numbers are correct, please call the hotline for confirmation, The G.L.C. and Kaieteur News cannot be held responsible for printing errors.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 62

Sunday February 18, 2024

KMTC begins preparations for Phagwah Horse Race meet

By Samuel Whyte The Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) located at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne Berbice has started preparations for their annual

Phagwah Horse Race meet set for Sunday 17 March 2024, at the club’s entity.

A total of six races are carded for the day with a whopping $5M in cash, trophies and other incentives

up for grabs in what is expected to be a keenly contested day of racing.

The Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) undoubtedly has the best facilities among the

horseracing tracks in Guyana and the organisers are putting everything in place to make sure it remains that way.

As preparation continues for the grand day of racing sponsors have already started to get on board.

Metro Stationary and Office Supplies, MR Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall Guyana and Matriarch of the KMTC Mrs. Chan Kennard herself has already agreed to sponsorship for the day.

Metro has once again agreed to sponsor the feature event for C1 and Lower horses. That event will see the horses racing over one mile for a winning purse of $1M. The other events listed are the H1 and Lower six

furlongs race for a winning take of $500,000 and a trophy.

There is an event for J and K and lower runners will also compete over six furlongs for a winner’s haul of $300,000 and a trophy.

The arrangements in place for animals competing in the Three years old Guyana Bred animals over 7 furlongs for $350,000 and a trophy.

Mrs. Chan Kennard will be sponsoring the L class event over six furlongs which will see the winner taking home $200,000 and a trophy.

The final event is for L non-winners animals. They will have the opportunity to get on the winner board as

they compete over 5 furlongs. The winning take is $200,000 and a trophy.

The outstanding jockeys, trainers and stable will all receive trophies and other accolades compliments of Businessman Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall Guyana fame.

The day’s event will be conducted using the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) and these rules will be rigidly enforced.

Interested persons can make contact with Basil Bactowar 661-7815, Fazal Habibulla 657-7010, T Jagdeo 618-7278 or Isaac Dalloo 689-0629 for more information.

Bugle time is 12:30hrs.

2024 Bounty Farm Mash Handicap Championships…

Fung-A-Fat, Alli & Maikoo impress on penultimate day The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) organised 2024 Bounty Farm Mash Handicap Championships continued on Friday evening with another list of thrilling matches on the card at the Georgetown Club Squash Courts.

Among the categories contested were the Elite, Rising and Open, which all produced exciting match ups for the entire evening.

The tournament was scheduled to conclude yesterday.

Friday night’s results were as follows: Elite Mary Fung-A-Fat defeated Deje Dias 1614, 16-14 [1] Alex Arjoon defeated Peter de Groot 12-15, 15-12, 15-8 Jonathan Antczak defeated Taylor Fernandes-Henry 15-9, 15-4 [2] Jason-Ray Khalil defeated [4] Steven

Xavier 5-15, 15-3, 15-12 Rising Kristian Viapree defeated Ella Fernandes 13-15, 15-13, 15-14 Tehani Munroe defeated [3] Matthew Daby 7-15, 15-14, 15-13 Egan Bulkan defeated [1] Zion Hickerson 10-15, 15-1, 15-9 [2] Kaiden Alli defeated [4] Jibril Alli 157, 7-15, 15-11 Open Miguel Wong defeated Justin Bulkan 815, 15-11, 15-14 Malia Maikoo defeated Justin Goberdhan 15-13, 15-14 Lloyd Fung-A-Fat defeated Blake Edwards 15-11, 15-9 [3] Ryan Rahaman (Demerara-Mahaica) defeated Alysa Xavier 15-13, 11-15, 15-11

Guyana Beverages Inc. and Guyana...

From page 64 products will be up for grabs at Hole-in-One Challenges at the Nexgen Golf Academy, the Westside Golf Course and other locations around the country!”

President of the Guyana Golf Association Aleem Hussain stated, “We wish to thank Guyana Beverages Inc. and their brands Fruta Premium Juices and Busta Soft Drinks for joining our growing list sponsors. It is because of support from major companies like these that Guyana now has the largest golf program for students in the entire region!

“In partnership with the Ministry of Education’s Secondary School Priority

Programme which requires that all learners be exposed to a sport during their formative years, the GGA and Nexgen Golf Academy has introduced golf to thousands of Grade 7-9 students during PE classes in schools around the country. The next stage is to create competitions and tournaments which, the support of sponsors will be of tremendous importance.”

Players will have a chance to win the $100,000 Prize at the Hole-in-One Challenge at the Easter Eggstravaganza at Westside Golf Course during the March 30-April 1 activities that are anticipated to attract over 10,000 persons over the 3-day period.

Sunday February 18, 2024

Kaieteur News

PAGE 63

Cotton Tree’s star bowler Waqar Hassan aims to top charts in AJM T20

C

otton Tree Die Hard star bowler Waqar Hassan is a man on a mission, as he aims to top the wicket charts at the upcoming AJM T20 tournament, which bowls off on February 24 at Bush Lot Sports Complex, West Berbice.

Hassan who ended with 17 wickets in the AJM second division tournament last December, and won the best bowler accolade, said he is also aiming to contribute with the bat. “ We l l , t h e l a s t tournament was very competitive, and I really enjoy the game with ball, especially with those fivewicket hauls. I’m looking forward to dominating again this tournament not with the

ball alone with the bat as well.”

“The last AJM tournament I had a fivewicket haul along with a four-wicket haul as well. I am mostly a left-arm spinner that contributes in the bottom order with the bat as well but during the tournament I did not have many opportunities with the bat, but I dominate with the ball,” Hassan said.

Hassan also continued his form after that AJM tournament, where he played the Jafarally T20 final against Achievers B and he was the best bowler and man of the match with figures of 4-27.

In the AJM final, which was held on Boxing Day, Hassan had 2-10 from four overs, a player-of-the-match

effort. “From my perspective, I want to take the game more serious and yes looking forward to win another title and be the leading wicket taker this tournament,” Hassan added.

Four teams in the West Berbice area will be on show at the AJM Mash It Up T20 tournament on February 24: namely AJM defending T20 champions Cotton Tree Sports Club, D’ Edwards Sports Club, Achievers A and Bush Lot Sports Club.

The day’s activity will commence at 09:00h and the final will be played under lights. There will be big screen, commentary and live scores at the venue with Crown Vibes International providing sounds.

This tournament promises a CPL atmosphere,

Top horses entered for Jumbo Jet’s Mashramani race ...Over the bridge to play ‘Marsh’ at the Sun

S

even of the country’s leading imported horses will battle for the ‘Mash’ crown on Sunday next (February 25, 2024) at Rising Sun Turf Club, Rising Sun, Berbice.

This showpiece on the nine-race card will see the horses pass the finish twice in 1,600-metre event sponsored by Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC).

It is expected to bring down the curtain for patrons to play ‘Mas’ in what is billed as a very competitive race.

At the entry stage which started last week Guyana Cup winner, Easy Time, and Sprint Classic winner, Spankhurst led the betting for the third race day of the new season.

However, recent importations, Phil In Echo owned by Nand Persaud, and Stolen Money owned by Dennis Deoroop’s family, along with owner Deleep Esreepersaud’s Bossalina, Slingerz Brazilian-bred El Tarzan, and Night Eyes Jessica’s Pride round off the field.

This race is a handicap

event, and Easy Time being the highest classified horse (B3) in the race, will shoulder the top handicap impost of 126 lbs.

This means that the other runners in the race will be carrying less weight than Easy Time. The next highest classified horses are El Tarzan (D Class) and Bossalina (D2).

Bossalina, who on New Year’s Day defeated Horse o f t h e Ye a r w i n n e r, Spankhurst in a very rough race is set to announce that the run wasn’t a fluke. Her connection is confident that success wasn’t a fluke and will repeat the thrashing.

Meanwhile, Deoroop revealed that Stolen Money ran grand in defeat in both his starts and is a stronger horse for this event.

He explained that Stolen Money did not get time to settle in, from his arrival from Canada in December, as the races on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day came too quickly for the grey.

Deoroop advised that Stolen Money has settled and is better prepared for this race.

He warned, “He has an added advantage because Stolen Money’s will carry a

lighter weight.”

Newcomer Phil In Echo unraced in Guyana is relatively unknown but is a lovely looker. He comes with a big reputation from overseas. He is one of the two runners in the race from over the ‘bridge.’ They are the horses that will be the ‘bandleaders’ for their hometown supporters on horse racing Mash celebration race day.

Victory for horses will create a ‘road march’ for their supporters to be dancing to, as the Sun sets on ‘this side of the bridge’ in the day’s finale.

Either way, it will be a ‘Mash’ on Sunday next. The card will highlight some possible future stars as several West Indian-bred three-year-old will make their local debut on the card.

While the country’s leading light, Rachel voted Champion Guyana-bred at last year’s Horse of the Year Award ceremony is also entered to make her 2024 debut. And several threeyear-old Guyana-bred will also compete on the card.

Post time for the horse racing ‘Jump Up’ will be 12.30h.

the organisers have promised. Cheerleaders will be on show, in addition to other side attractions.

AJM Enterprise aims to develop cricket in the West Berbice area and provide quality entertainment to the cricket-loving population.

This event is sponsored

by AJM Enterprise and Jumbo Jet and powered by Banks DIH Limited.

Waqar Hassan spunwebs during the last AJM tournament

PAGE 64

Kaieteur News

Sunday February 18, 2024

2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup Prelims…

Guyana Beverages Inc. and Guyana Golf Association Enter Dominican Republic ends Guyana’s campaign with 1 – 0 triumph Major Marketing Agreement The Dominican Republic ended the Lady target after the Guyana defenders left the ball Guyana Beverages Inc., the distributor of non-alcoholic beverages; Fruta Premium Juices, Busta Soft Drinks and many other well-known beverage products has signed a major marketing agreement with the Guyana Golf Association that will see the two organizations promoting each other around the country.

Marketing Manager Fharis Hamid said, “We have been a long-term supporter of Mr. Hussain and his team that brings golf to thousands of young players. This is a

program that Guyana Beverages Inc. is proud to be associated with and we plan on increasing our involvement as golf develops in the coming years.”

Promotions Manager Mr. Collins Higgins explained, “Guyana Beverages will provide support for the school programme with prizes and product hampers for tournaments throughout the year.

“Additionally, a MEGA-HAMPER filled with $100,000 worth of our various (Continued on page 62)

Jags’ quest to advance to the main draw of the Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup, following their 1-0 victory yesterday at the Dignity Health Sports Park Track and Field Stadium in Los Angeles. Kathrynn González Sosa found the back of the net in the 55th minute to give the Dominican Republic the win, which will see them advancing to Group A of the women’s Gold Cup to play alongside Mexico, the USA, and Argentina.

Both teams started strong, with the Dominican Republic having the first shot on

rolling in the area in the 6th minute, only for Guyana’s goalkeeper, Chante Sandiford to stop the attack.

A dangerous header from defender Brianne Reed in the 9th minute almost opened the scoring for the Dominican Republic, as Sandiford once again made the stop. The first big chance from Guyana came in the 17th minute, with forward Shanice Alfred controlling a cross and shooting for the lower left corner. Dominican Republic (Continued on page 61)

Kaieteur News

Sunday February 18, 2024

PAGE 65

Former national cyclist assists National Junior cyclist Jeremiah Joseph

Jeremiah Joseph receives a trophy of appreciation from former national Cyclist Franco Crawford as Coach Randolph Roberts and Franco Crawford Junior share the moment Former national cyclist, Franco Crawford, continues to assist his homeland in whatever way possible.

Crawford, who lived several years in England, has now re-migrated and returned home. Even when he resided in greener pastures, his heart has always been with his homeland as he would return regularly and showcase his benevolence.

Crawford started his cycling career as a member of the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) and is still a member of the club, which is one of the most active in Guyana.

On this occasion, after being asked by coach Randolph Roberts he decided to give National junior cyclist Jeremiah Joseph a token of appreciation.

Joseph, who was one of the top juniors in the country was having some difficulties

recently. He was assisted by the FACC and dominated at the interschool and branch levels, but was unable to go to the national school championship.

As such the club contacted Crawford who decided to give him a token of appreciation which will encourage him to continue riding. Crawford, is now a businessman that owns the Crawford Trucking Enterprise in, Tucber Park, New Amsterdam.

In brief remarks, he stated that he is always motivated to assist his fellow Guyanese in whatever way possible. He urged Joseph to continue training hard, put a s i d e w h a t e v e r disappointments he had before and make full use of the opportunity he has been given.

He wished him well and promised to reward him as long as he continued to be

successful.

Joseph thanked both Crawford and Roberts and promised to continue to do his best to make all his wellwishers proud.

Roberts expressed thanks to Crawford for his kind gesture and for always remembering the club. He used the opportunity to wish him well and all the success in the future.

Crawford had churned out a name for himself in Guyana as a top cyclist before migrating to England where he plied his trade in the European and the North American Circuits.

Roberts once again used the opportunity to call on others including the government to do more for cycling. He added that the government should quickly establish a bank track so that the cyclist can train off the road away from the busy traffic.

Admin Assitant at Tech Pro, Annalisa Kamaludeen hands over their contribution to Edison Jefford.

E-Net and Tech Pro hand over sponsorships for Mash Street Football Championship

E

-Net and Tech Pro recently handed o v e r i t s sponsorship for today’s much-anticipated Mashramani Street Football Championship at the National Park scheduled to start at 6:30pm Ye s t e r d a y , E - N e t Marketing Manager, Lindon Henry made the presentation to Terryann Caesar, who represented Sports Management Inc., the organisation behind the Mash Street Football event.

On Friday, Tech Pro ensured that all the cash prizes are secured when the company handed over the fourth place prize.

The fourth place team in the showdown will go home with $100,000, compliments of Tech Pro, which is a security products and information communication technology company, based in Second Avenue, Diamond.

Tech Pro leading the plan of the organisers to set up a live internet feed at the venue for patrons, using and showcasing its cutting edge technology.

Sports Management Inc., the organisation behind the event, had said that patrons will be allowed to access free internet from the venue.

According to Jefford, the aim is to allow patrons to share and access social

media. He said that it is AllStar Weekend in the NBA and patrons will be able to stream the game and get live updates. The plan is to ensure that patrons attend the event and have access to other international sports events.

He said that the event will not be live streamed.

Meanwhile, the winning team will pocket $500,000 while second, third and fourth places get $250,000, $150,000 and $100,000 respectively.

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament will also be rewarded in what promises to be a thrilling night of sports and entertainment.