Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR NEWS

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Gaza death toll pegged at 29,000

Tuesday Edition February 20, 2024 - Vol. 17 No. 08

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 58,349

Judge who ordered ExxonMobil to lodge

US$2 billion guarantee says he cannot direct p. 11

Justice Rishi Persaud

EPA to show citizens the proof Teachers take protest to Energy conference

Guyana paying US$3M per day to rent six drill ships for Exxon's – Upstream says operations President

Man dies after car plunges overboard Teachers pushed close to the Marriott Hotel on Monday to protest “starvation wages” during the opening ceremony of the Guyana Energy conference

Guyana investing in Lethem road and Corentyne - Pres. Ali tells

Bridge to sell gas oil conference

Inmates ‘shake-off’ handcuffs, escape at prison gate Keon Webster

Kareem Douglas

T&T willing to share infrastructure, expertise to help Guyana, develop oil resources - PM Rowley tells Energy Conference

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Tuesday February 20, 2024

Kaieteur News

Guyana paying US$3M per day to rent six drill ships for Exxon's operations – Upstream President says L i a m M a l l o n , ExxonMobil Upstream President yesterday disclosed that ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) is operating six drill rigs in the Stabroek Block daily costing US$500,000 (GYD$100M) per day based on current market-rate.

It was during his address at the opening of the 2024 Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo when Mallon made the disclosure.

“Meanwhile, we talked a lot about the source of the revenue, six drilling rigs and their crews are at work every single day 24/7 throughout the block, drilling and exploring, preparing yellowtail and Uaru for startup tirelessly developing the existing resource base

and seeking to find even new discoveries,” Mallon told the conference.

The Yellowtail and Uaru projects were already approved and are expected to achieve first oil in 2025 and 2026. This publication had previously reported that Exxon is utilising six drill ships for its Stabroek Block project – four vessels from American drilling company Noble Corporation and two from Stena Drilling.

A 2023 report by Wood Mackenzie, a global research and consultancy group, had shown that rig utilisation returned to pre-COVID levels, driving rates up.

Wo o d M a c k e n z i e h a d reported that by the end of 2023 rates were expected to be at US$500,000/day or

One of Noble drill ships working offshore

Liam Mallon, ExxonMobil Upstream President above for highly-prized, advantaged ultra-deepwater rigs.

Notably, owing to the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed onto with Exxon – all of the company's expense will be recovered. Under the

deal, Exxon receives profits after 75 percent is withdrawn to cover operational expenses.

Kaieteur News had reported that for every day that the four drill ships work, Guyana will have to foot the bill. In May 2023, Noble

announced that ExxonMobil Guyana has extended their contract for the rental of the ultra-deepwater drill ships Noble Tom Madden, Noble Sam Croft, Noble Don Taylor and Noble Bob Douglas to work in Guyana at an average day rate of about

US$420,000 (GYD$84 million) for each - until second quarter of 2027.

N o t a b l y, N o b l e h a d explained that market-based day rates are reset twice per year (March 1, and September 1) to the projected market rate at that time.

Tobago oil spill shuts down two schools The Division of Education, Research and Technology (DERTech) in Tobago has confirmed that the Scarborough Secondary School and Lambeau Anglican Primary School will remain closed until further notice.

This decision is based on the advice of the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) due to ongoing air quality concerns resulting from the recent oil spill incident, a statement indicated yesterday.

In response to this extended closure, DERTech convened an emergency meeting to discuss learning loss mitigation strategies.

The meeting included the

S e c r e t a r y, A s s i s t a n t Secretary, Administrator and School Supervision Unit of DERTech; the director of TEMA; the principals and Parent-Teacher Association ( P TA ) p r e s i d e n t s o f Scarborough Secondary School and Lambeau Anglican Primary School; the TTUTA Tobago Officer; and the CEO of the Tobago Information Technology Limited (TITL).

“To mitigate the loss of learning posed by the closure, both schools are implementing various strategies to ensure continuity in quality education.

Remote learning platforms, and online

BEACH BRIEFING: A group of volunteers are briefed before the start of clean-up operations yesterday at Lambeau beach, Tobago. Photo: TEMA resources are being implemented, enabling students to engage in structured lessons from the

safety of their homes.

It should be noted that the Standard Five class of Lambeau Anglican

Primary School will c o n t i n u e t o b e t e m p o r a r i l y accommodated at Tobago

I n f o rmation Technology Limited,” the Division of Education said.

(Trinidad Express)

Tuesday February 20, 2024

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

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

EDITORIAL

ExxonMobil and trust Any Guyanese that places an iota of trust in what ExxonMobil does here needs to obtain some professional attention. Any national government, populated by patriotic leaders, that thinks of ExxonMobil as a trusted partner, really ought to be nowhere near the corridors of power. We say it as bluntly as we can: ExxonMobil is not to be trusted, ExxonMobil has done little to garner credibility with Guyanese on their oil, has been as untrustworthy as they come when certain deplorable aspects of its presence here are weighed. The company has been found wanting, and by a large margin.

It is the view of an increasing number of Guyanese that ExxonMobil should not be trusted to be the sole provider of oil production and other data to this country. We could not agree more, for the company has done little to dispel such a hard, dismissive judgment. As more developments about the kind of partner that ExxonMobil is surface, more citizens get to see more about what ExxonMobil is most consumed by.

In reverse order, there is this fascinating US$214 million in audit findings that was mysteriously shaved all the way down to US$3 million. Right now, both ExxonMobil and the PPP/C leadership have egg on their faces, and it is not of the freshly cooked kind. This US$214 million audit is a stink bomb that it is not losing any of its aroma, even as the PPP/C Government labours around the clock to suppress the odors that intensify.

Why did ExxonMobil engage in what it did, and how could a partnership that calls for the highest levels of reciprocal trust deteriorate to this ugly state? With the production of oil some 120 miles from Guyana’s shoreline, this question takes on even more severity. With Guyana limited in terms of capacity and technology, and all the essentials of requisite expertise, the issue of trust becomes even more urgent.

Then, there is this inexplicable matter of billions in oil expenses that the Government of Guyana conceals from its own citizens. Guyanese are the ones paying these expenses. Given what is taken out from their oil revenues, they have every right, therefore, to see every item that ExxonMobil has billed Guyana for under one project heading or the other. This assumes an even greater momentum when the absence of ring-fencing is given the sharpest gaze. Could ExxonMobil be trusted to be fair and principled in billing this country for expenses that belong only to our oil projects? We at this paper are insistent: NO! Should ExxonMobil be trusted to bill Guyana with accurate quantities and prices for materials and labour and systems said to be used in our oilfields?

Again, our answer is a resounding: NO! Going deeper into the past, but which has only made the news now; ExxonMobil executed two transactions with Shell, another global oil giant, which had to have generated some revenue. Yet there is no such record in the company’s books.

We agree that Guyana must honour its share of legitimate expenses pertaining to its oil, but this country must also, by the same standard, participate in any monies that are a product of subleasing any portion of any block that is under the control of ExxonMobil. It is likely that tens of millions of American dollars, at the very least, were involved, but on those ExxonMobil has gone blank. Its accounting books and records are, for a start.

In focusing on ExxonMobil’s accounting books, the company was caught with its pants down, and it is a sight from which Guyanese turn their faces. ExxonMobil billed Guyana US$460 million for pre-contract costs from 1999 to 2015, but its own accounting systems disclose the revealing amount of US$368 million. This is how a US$92 million differential got bagged and tagged and dropped on Guyana’s head. How can this company called ExxonMobil ever be considered as worthy of any smidgen of trust from any Guyanese?

ExxonMobil is ripping off Guyanese, laughing all the way to the bank, and actively seeking ways to gouge this country still more. Given all this, it is clear that ExxonMobil’s production numbers cannot be trusted. The same can be said for everything that it does offshore. (Republished)

Tuesday February 20, 2024

Opposition’s diatribe laden propaganda DEAR EDITOR Historically, in times of waning public support, it is not unusual for Opposition Leaders and surrogates to heighten their propaganda campaigns in hopes of mobilizing resistance to destabilize the government.

In present day Guyana, recurrent propaganda campaigns are laden with diatribes, and stacked with unsubstantiated accusations, all of which focus on efforts to undermine the PPP/C’s government increasing national support and crosscultural loyalties.

To the impartial reader of Guyana’s daily newspapers, such propaganda campaigns are regularly quite pronounced in the writings of Hamilton Green, Henry Jeffrey, and Lincoln Lewis.

Almost every week, these individuals peddle their attacks, either against the Government, President Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, or all three – regularly with the aim of generating discontent and distrust. To ascertain this claim, one can simply examine the past week’s letters to the KN editor.

In his letter entitled, “The effectiveness of a Constitution is dependent on the personnel in the captain’s d e c k , ” ( K N 2 / 11 / 2 4 ) Hamilton Green wasted little time in engaging in a tirade against the government – a tirade laced with three paragraphs of unattested propagandistic claims.

Green punctuated his

negativities with, “We live in a country…”followed with such statements as, “where morality is either trampled upon or trivialized… where persons vaulted into high office, seem not to know the difference between what is right and what is wrong… where the financial resources are allocated based on ipse dixit of the ruling cabal… where it appears that every effort is being made to frustrate workers in the traditional public service so that they take refuge by migrating to other countries.

Giving the present government the opportunity to bring in others from certain places, obviously to change the demographics which existed from postslavery” These are just a few examples.

In reading Hamilton G r e e n ’s h e a v y l a d e n negative verbiage, one is left with the impression that he was providing testimony to Guyana’s realities during the Burnham, Hoyte, Green’s regimes. His “We live in a country” statements are apt descriptions of Burnham, H o y t e , a n d G r e e n ’s governing years. Thanks to Green for providing us the opportunity to vividly recall what Guyana was like during various PNC oppressive administrations. Without going into too many counter claims, let’s take Green’s accusation that the PPP is bringing in others into Guyana to change the country’s demographic landscape. Perhaps the Elder

Green can tell us who invited the Nigerians, Antiguans, Jamaicans, and other AfroWest Indians into Guyana under the various PNC administrations. Why were they allowed to take up residence in Guyana? Who gave several of them small farm plots along the Linden Highway? Who invited Jim Jones and his religious cult to establish Jonestown in Guyana’s hinterland - sadly, nearly all of whom fell victim to cyanide-laced kool aid that ended their lives.

Furthermore, who invited and sheltered Rabbi Hill and his band of thugs into the country, and why?

With the above in mind, let us take a quick examination of Henry Jeffrey’s letter, “The Vice President took teachers to Ti m e s S q u a r e , ” ( K N 2/13/24). Even at first glance, one readily sense Jeffrey’s propagandistic attack on the government as exemplified by his second sentence. As he states, “One could have spoken ad infinitum about this government being authoritatively classified as an autocracy without ordinary people having had the opportunity to understand the actual implications of this condition for their daily lives.” Jeffrey continued with his use of the word “autocratic” to describe the PPP and President Ali, for he said, “In its amoral and foolhardy determination to dominate Guyana’s political

space the PPP has brought the autocratic reality into almost every home in Guyana… Only an autocratic regime such as the one at present headed by Dr. Ali would think it legitimate to frustrate and then totally ditch these constitutional and legal requirements…”

The reader quickly realizes that Jeffrey’s use of “autocratic,” is not only incendiary propaganda, but a pathetic misuse of the term to describe the Guyana government and Ali. One would expect the learned Dr. Jeffrey to know that at a minimum, an autocrat is an individual, or a small group of individuals who wield unlimited or absolute power, curtails civil liberties, and utilizes political oppression to control citizens.

Customarily backed by a military, paramilitary force, or oft labelled “goon squad.” autocrats govern through intimidation, domination, and various forms of oppression.

As Guyanese of every political persuasion are aware, the PPP/C ascended into government through democratic and not fraudulent elections. And, that Irfaan Ali regularly engages citizens in a variety of local/national policy decisions. In addition, neither Ali, nor the PPP/C have utilized a military or paramilitary force to oppress the population, maintain power, or restrict civil liberties. Had they done so, (Continued on page 16)

Time to address the road carnage DEAR EDITOR, Wi t h a t e m p e s t o f frustration and outrage boiling within, I am compelled to address the epidemic of recklessness that has laid siege to our roadways. This is not merely an issue; it is a crisis, one that mirrors the folly of a blindfolded daredevil, save that our streets are no stage for such recklessness, but rather a macabre arena where lives are forfeited with abandon.

Our roads, which should be conduits of safe passage, have degenerated into the grim reaper’s playground, where he, with grotesque glee, reaps the souls of the innocent. This malevolent harvest is made possible by t h e a g e n t s o f chaos—reckless drivers who wield their vehicles like weapons, with a cavalier

disregard for the sanctity of life, the concept of safety, and the basic tenets of human decency.

When, I implore, will this madness be curtailed?

When will the collective conscience of our society awaken to the reality that our roadways are not arenas for the foolhardy, but lifelines that should be navigated with respect and care? The cavalier attitude with which some approach driving, as if engaging in a high-stakes game where the currency is human lives, is both abhorrent and unacceptable.

It is a source of profound dismay that our law enforcement, despite being charged with the monumental task of safeguarding our roads, appears beleaguered and ineffectual against the tide of recklessness. Penalties,

when meted out, seem to barely scratch the surface of this deep-seated problem, as if the rule of law awakens from its slumber only when the death toll escalates to figures that should shake us to our core. We were all taught that in the absence of oversight, disorder prevails.

Yet, it seems our roads have become a stark embodiment of this maxim, with the guardians of order too few and far between. This status quo is untenable. We require, with a sense of urgency that cannot be overstated, a rigorous and unwavering enforcement of road safety laws. Those entrusted with our safety must rise to the occasion, ensuring that the rule of law is not just a principle, but a palpable force that restores order and safety to our roads.

The toll of this

recklessness is not just a statistic; it is a poignant narrative of shattered lives, broken families, and dreams extinguished prematurely.

This letter is more than a call to action—it is an impassioned plea for a return to civility, for a collective recommitment to the values of responsibility and respect for human life.

Let this be the moment when we, as a society, stand in defiance against the scourge of recklessness that plagues our roads. Our resolve must be steadfast, our actions decisive.

Together, we have the power to forge a new path—one marked by safety, respect, and a shared commitment to preserving life.

In a spirit of urgent resolve, Sincerely K. Anderson

Tuesday February 20, 2024

Kaieteur News

The teacher’s strike must inevitably become the catalyst for a national struggle of justice and fair play DEAR EDITOR Soulless is a nation that mistreats and oppresses its teachers and when a government tramples on the livelihoods and rights of our nation’s educators, the entire country must stand up to that government and stand with the moulders of our nation’s children.

The Guyana Trades Union Congress- the umbrella body of trade unions in Guyana must act boldly and mobilise workers across Guyana to walk, march and hold hands in solidarity with our embattled teachers. The duty of the GTUC does not stop at opinion pieces in our dailies and on talk-shows. It must strategise and act. It must engage the private and public sector and opposition political parties and the man

and woman in the streets.

And it must agitate until the government is forced to acquiesce to the demands of the teachers and their union.

Vice President, Jagdeo talks about the politicisation of the teachers’ strike even though he is fully cognizant that currently that is not the case. It is a preemptive move to cast shadow over what must become the inevitable.

An Opposition party must be seen as a government in waiting and the political representative of all the people of the country. Its foremost purpose is to hold government accountable in and out of Parliament.

We are faced with an unusual situation in which a government seems to be able to bully the union and opposition into submission and therefore such a scenario

signals to us that any chance of hope for a better Guyana under the PPP regime is a fleeting illusion. It does not augur well for the defenders of the people against a dictatorship and while they fail to act decisively in holding the regime accountable, the people must hold them accountable.

The teacher’s strike must inevitably culminate into a national struggle for justice and fairplay. It must become the catalyst to bring a halt to the runaway train of dictatorship in Guyana. Two weeks on and those who have to prepare us for life after childhood, stand alone in the rain and sun, losing pay and being victimised for asking for decent and liveable wages and salaries.

Sincerely Norman Browne

Pomeroon Farmers are thankful to the Ministry of Agriculture.

DEAR EDITOR, I do not want to drag on and make this a lengthy letter. Still, I want to commend the Ministry of Agriculture and the Minister of Agriculture Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha for his commitment to enhancing the coconut and coffee industry in Region 2.

Considering the recent visit by the Minister and his team to the region, residents and farmers were given the opportunity to raise issues and have them resolved while also having the minister speak on his plans for the Pomeroon. It was particularly pleasing to hear that more investments will be made into the coconut and coffee industry to further expand it into viable and profitable industries.

The minister said that farmers will receive the

Brazilian Green Dwarf seed nuts, which is expected to expand cultivation. This is not the first time we will hear of this variety because the first shipment of this arrived in 2022 from Tecnologia Na Produção De Coqueiros (COHIBRA), Brazil, surely a ‘sweet’ investment.

Did you know this variety of coconuts is considered one of the best?

The palm itself is said to be thin stemmed and the fruits are oblong shaped with an intense green color. This variety usually starts bearing fruit two-three years after

planting and can produce as much as 250-300 fruits per palm per year in natural growing conditions with proper irrigation and fertilization practices put into play. It is also described as very sweet to the taste! I’d say this is a win-win for coconut farmers. The minister also talked about resuscitating the coffee industry in the Pomeroon for which he has been making inroads. We are thankful and optimistic about what is to come especially in these areas of agriculture.

Sincerely Dalip Mohamed

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Death on our roads, how can we stop it?

DEAR EDITOR Accidents have become the national disaster tragedy on the Guyana Landscape, hardly a day passes where we are greeted with the morbid news that there had been another fatal accident.

The same can be said of vehicular accidents, or should I say vehicular homicides. Our roads are veritable death traps, danger and death is everywhere!

The sad thing about a place called Guyana, is that modern roads are being built, highways and four lane structures are going up all around us, this is a good thing as we match development with proper infrastructure. However, as the roads are being built our road usage has retrogressed way below acceptable standards, our new roads and highways have been converted into four lane racing circuits with the associated casualties, and I say this nonsense has to stop now!

Responsible road use involves driving at a required speed, nonalcoholic usage, when you are the designated driver, and most of all, keeping your eyes on the road for the errant driver out there. If these steps are followed there would be a drastic decline in vehicular homicides.

In a previous article I advocated for stiffer penalties for the horrible misuse of the roads, that is,

the revocation of the licenses of those found breaking the law. Drunk driving and excesses speeding, I strongly suggest there be a revocation of one’s license. We cannot allow such persons to be on our roads, period, end of discussion! This I believe would send a strong and lasting message to all those reckless and would be reckless drivers out there.

In addition, there should be adequate compensation to the families of the victims of vehicular homicides, when these measures are put in place notable changes as it relates to proper road use will fall into place.

Another major move government should be engaged in is the establishment of a department of motor vehicles, one that has the sole responsibility for the certification of drivers and the issuance of licenses. The point I am making is, many of those who are road users cannot drive, expressly so due to the corrupt practice of “Buying one’s license,” it is

a painful problem that has enveloped The Guyanese Society for as long as I can remember.

The establishment of such a department would reduce the incidence, if not wipe it out, of someone obtaining a license without having the requisite certification standards to do so.

Have a Motor Vehicles Department with a pool of certifying officers, this would stop the malpractice of those who would want to bribe the certifying officer who would be carrying out the driving test. The student driver would have no knowledge of who would be administering the test.

The abovementioned measures should be enshrined into law if we are to make any headway in curbing vehicular homicides on our roads.

I have forwarded this letter to the Home Affairs and Attorney General for their consideration.

Respectfully Submitted Neil Adams

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday February 20, 2024

Teachers must have crucial conversations, confront the brutal facts, and also keep student interests at the center of their actions DEAR EDITOR I have been a strong advocate for better salaries and benefits for teachersboth in Guyana and in North Carolina where the North Carolina Constitution prohibits collective bargaining and strikes for public sector workers. We do have a NC Association of Teachers but they have no bargaining rights or no rights to strike. In North Carolina, we have never gotten a 6.5% raise. It’s always nothing, a small bonus, or 1% to below 5% but mostly at the lower end. Twice in the past 30 years we had a 5% increase.

In North Carolina, if teachers ever received raises of 7%, 8% and 6.5% consecutively, teachers would think they died and gone to heaven.

The strike must not cause us to say and do silly things.

If it is true that the GTU

President said, “You can’t build roads and teacher hungry” then that’s plain silly. (GTU President says all citizens need a decent life” (KN, Feb 17, 2024). We need both massive infrastructural development as the Government has been doing, as well as a new system of income distribution that brings benefits to the working poor.

It’s not one or the other.

Similarly, Governments have to think about the “whole boat” of all workers and not just one sector.

“Wukking obeah” will not bring results, just hilarity.

Ask the Opposition who was doing that during the five months of rigging!

The commentary by Mr. Ralph Ramkarran is quite instructive. He said, “The strike also comes at the wrong time to be successful – after the 6.5 percent pay

increase was announced for public servants late last year.

This amount cannot be increased for teachers without creating severe imbalances in pay in the public service. An increase for teachers must mean an increase for all other public servants which the Government will not concede. Militant action could only have had potential if it had taken place before the increases were announced by the Government. A fight to the death would not have been necessary. It would have been enough if the GTU and other unions had expressed their views in as vigorous a way as they considered necessary to get the Government’s attention” (“The Teachers’ Strike,” SN, Feb. 18, 2024).

I also liked what Mr. Clinton Conway said:

“…the teachers cannot continue for much longer. It has the potential to get out of control with devastating consequences. It must be nipped in the bud. It is time for the warring parties to sit down and talk, sit down and have critical conversations, sit down and have frank and honest discussions, sit down and eyeball each other across the table in an effort to bring back normalcy to the situation.”

In his bestselling book “Good to Great,” Jim Collins uses the term “brutal facts” to describe the need for leaders to confront the realities of their organizations: “Leadership does not begin with just a vision. It begins with getting people to confront the brutal facts and act on the implications.”Yet again, you want to create a culture in the organization where people

can tell you the brutal facts, which allows them to voice their opinions and feel valued within the team.Collins suggest that we engage in dialogue and debate, not coercion. He said we must build “red flag” mechanisms whereby people would not hide the burning issues but instead you want them to be able to present information to you that cannot be ignored. You want to empower then to raise issues as soon as possible, so that they can be corrected sooner rather than later.

Similarly, in “Crucial Conversations:Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High” by Patterson and others, crucial conversations are the day-to-day conversations that affect your life.

Now, what makes one of your conversations crucial

when opinions vary, stakes are high, andemotions run strong.What makes each of these conversations crucial—and not simply challenging, frustrating, frightening, or annoying—is that the results could have a huge impact on the quality of your life.

Patterson et al said, “Despite the importance of crucial conversations, we often back away from them because we fear we’ll make matters worse. We’ve become masters at avoiding tough conversations.

Coworkers send e-mail to each other when they should walk down the hall and talk turkey. Bosses leave voice mail in lieu of meeting with their direct reports. Family members change the subject when an issue gets too risky.

We (the authors) have a friend who learned through a (Continued on page 09)

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Tuesday February 20, 2024

Kaieteur News

The contrast was so glaring, the divide exaggerated. Teachers protesting for a livable wage on Water Street on Monday- just a stone's throw away from where the well-to-do; the oil masters were meeting for a four-day conference.

At the Guyana Marriott where the energy conference is being held, a booth for four days cost over GYD$1M, while none of our teachers from head to toe, takes home at the end of month, anything close to half of that amount.

As the teachers chanted and displayed their placards- the head of a caring government was comfortably mingling and perhaps having lunch with the big boys, but refusing to even meet with the people who teach our children.

It's what we call the great dividepoverty in the midst of plenty and a government that says 'because we care' with their mouths but don't mean a sh*t.

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Kaieteur News

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Tuesday Monday February May 20, 02, 2024 2022

“We know how to do it safely, reliably and responsibly” ...ExxonMobil Upstream President tells critics of gas pipeline

P

resident of ExxonMobil's Upstream Company, Liam Mallon yesterday addressed critics of the gas pipeline being built in Guyana to support the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project.

He was delivering remarks at the third annual Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo being hosted at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, under the theme “Fuelling Transformation and Modernization.”

Mallon said, “I've heard critics here talked about the risks of the gas to energy pipeline. I'll remind you that 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of our company's, that first long distance running pipeline.

We've been doing this for a century.

We know how to do it.

We know how to do it safely, reliably and responsibly.”

ExxonMobil is currently constructing a 12-inch pipeline that connects to the Liza One and Liza

Two fields in the Stabroek Block to the Wales development site where the government of Guyana is developing a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and a 300-megawatt power plant.

Mallon talked up the company's commitment to environmental protection, urging that Exxon can produce the energy and products critical to modern life and at the same time, make a meaningful contribution to reducing emissions.

He lauded Guyana for what he described as “world leadership” for sharing the commitment to environmental protection and commitment to safe operations.

It must be noted that while the Upstream Company President boasted of safety and reliability of Exxon's operations, a quick internet search showed that the global energy giant has been slapped with multiple lawsuits for pipeline explosions during its decade-old

operations.

Energy Intelligence reported in November 2001 that Exxon was fined $225,000 for a pipeline blast that killed one person, injured two others, and damaged property. In 2015, Pipeline and Gas Journal reported that the California agency that investigates workplace accidents has cited and fined ExxonMobil more than $560,000 for workplace safety and health violations following a probe into a February explosion at a Los Angeles-area refinery.

Meanwhile, Reuters in a June 2019 report said Exxon Mobil Corp has agreed to pay a $1 million civil penalty to settle U.S. charges involving a 2011 pipeline rupture that spilled oil into the Yellowstone River in Montana.

Flooding was blamed for an underwater breach that spread more than 1,500 barrels of oil along the waterway and caused the

evacuation of about 140 people near Laurel, Montana.

There are numerous other instances in which the company was slapped with legal action for incidents stemming from its oil and gas infrastructure.

In Guyana, the company submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the gas pipeline where it signaled early on the damage that can be done by gas leaks.

Exxon's Consultant, Environmental Resources Management (ERM), said in the study that gas leaks, and worse yet explosions are likely to occur as a result of corrosion, objects striking the pipeline, and a buildup of stress in the pipe wall, causing buckling.

Even though this risk was identified, the Consultant did not see it fit to also attach a detailed response plan, accompanied by the various scenarios in which such an

President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company, Liam Mallon event can occur.

The government had said that a Gas Leak Management Plan (GLMP) would be conducted prior to the startup of the facility, which is expected for year end, or early 2025.

Guyana must consider renewable Man accused of energy for stable and affordable Robbery Under power generation - Bahamas Prime Minister In the face of climate change and other vulnerabilities as island and coastal states, the Prime Minister of Bahamas, Philip Davis on Monday urged Guyana and other members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to consider the role of renewable energy in providing stable and cheaper electricity for its people.

The Prime Minister was at the time delivering virtual remarks during the o p e n i n g o f G u y a n a ' s E n e rg y Conference and Supply Chain Expo at the Marriot Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

The four-day conference this year is being hosted under the theme “Fuelling Transformation and Modernization.”

The Bahamian Prime Minister explained, “As small states we have long recognized the need to work together given our inherent vulnerabilities be they environmental, political, social or economic. Our nations are set apart from larger states, not just by our unique cultures but by the intrinsic characteristics which have made us resilient. Our economies tend to be open thus we know how to navigate shocks. Our geographies tend to be disaster prone hence we know how to rebuild.”

Davis was keen to note that The Bahamas supports Guyana in its quest to boldly fuel its industrialization on its own terms, according to the resources that the people of Guyana have been blessed with.

Equally important, Davis said, was for the country's long-term plan for energy production to include a “meaningful effort to be responsible

Arms remanded

Prime Minister of Bahamas, Philip Davis stewards of the environment.”

To this end, he recognized that while Guyana is forging its own path in the energy sector, other small states in the Caribbean are also taking unique steps towards energy security.

“Collectively, we are moving forward but we must think hard about how we preserve our economies, create opportunities for our people, and power our nations to success.

We must consider the role that emerging technologies in renewable and sustainable energy. can play in providing stable and affordable power generation for our people especially against the backdrop of climate change,” the Prime Minister urged participants of the third installment of the Guyana Energy Conference.

He added, “Considering our vulnerabilities as island and coastal nations, we must lead the way in embracing clean energy. I believe it is possible to achieve this objective but also respecting the fact that every

CARICOM nation has its own unique energy realities that necessitates different approaches.”

Davis said there is no doubt that the energy production future must include heavy emphasis on cleaner fuels and renewable energy for the good of the region and the world.

The Prime Minister's charge for countries to consider renewable energy for stable and affordable energy comes amidst Guyana's plans to spend more than US$2 billion on a Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project, in the absence of a feasibility study.

While stakeholders worry about the high cost of the project, government continues to argue that the venture will reduce the cost of electricity by 50 percent.

The project entails a 220 kilometers pipeline to transport natural gas from the Liza fields in the Stabroek Block, as well as a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and a 300-megawatt power plant.

A 26-year-old man was on Monday charged with Robbery Under Arms (RUA) and remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court.

It is alleged that Reon James robbed Kenton Myers at Durban Street, Georgetown on November 24, 2023.

James of Lot 1 Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, made his first court appearance before Magistrate Rhondell Weever, where the RUA charge was read to him. The charge alleged that on November 24, 2023, at Durban Street, while in the company of another, and armed with a dangerous weapon, that being a gun, James robbed Myers of a Samsung phone valued $85,000 and $490,000 in cash.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecutor disclosed that James gave the police two different addresses while in custody.

In one instance, he said he resides at Leopold Street, Georgetown and subsequently he said he lives at Lot 1 Mandela

Avenue, Georgetown.

Bail was objected to on the grounds that the defendant may fail to return to court as required for trial, due to him not having a fixed place of abode. Bail was also objected to because of the nature and gravity of the offence. The prosecution also noted that police have in their possession Close Circuit Television (CCTV) footage of the said robbery and an oral confession statement.

Meanwhile, an unrepresented James refuted the claims leveled against him in court. He claimed that he grew up on Mandela Avenue; however, occasionally he would stay at his 'girlfriend' on Leopold Street. The accused also denied giving making an oral confession to the police.

He told the court that he was unaware of what he was being charge for until he appeared before the court.

Notwithstanding the accused's statements, Magistrate Weever said denied bail and remanded the man.

James is scheduled to return to court on March 18, 2024 for statements.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 20, 2024

PAGE 09

Judge who ordered Exxon to lodge US$2B guarantee says he cannot direct EPA to show citizens the proof

J

ustice of Appeal Rishi Persaud on Monday ruled that the Court of Appeal has no jurisdiction to summon the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to produce evidence that ExxonMobil Guyana has lodged the $2 billion oil spill guarantee with the agency, as ordered by the Court.

Sanjeev Datadin, the lawyer representing the State-owned EPA, had challenged the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal to order the agency to show proof that ExxonMobil Guyana had lodged the $2 billion oil spill parent guarantee.

Datadin raised the issue of jurisdiction in the case where two Guyanese, Frederick Collins and Godfrey Whyte, challenged the oil

Justice Rishi Persaud company over the failure to provide unlimited liability coverage to Guyana in the event of oil spills. Pending the final outcome of an appeal to stay the order by High Court Justice, Sandil Kissoon, that ExxonMobil Guyana provides

unlimited liability coverage for oil spills, Court of Appeal judge, Justice Rishi Persaud had instructed ExxonMobil to lodge a US$2 Billion oil spill guarantee.

Since that order was issued on June 8, 2023, the litigants said their lawyers were unable to secure a copy of the said guarantee for perusal. A summons was subsequently filed on November 1, 2023 for orders directing the EPA and ExxonMobil to produce a copy of the US$2 billion oil spill guarantee.

The summons to see the US$2B [interim] g u a r a n t e e t h a t ExxonMobil was ordered to lodge, was filed by Senior Counsel, Seenath Jairam in association with Attorneys Ms. Melinda Janki and Mrs. Abiola

Construction worker charged for illegal possession of ammo, drugs

A

27-year-old identified as Jamal Anthony was charged on Friday with three offenses.

Anthony who is a construction worker was charged with Possession of Ammunition without Licence and possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking and cultivating a prohibited plant.

The man appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court where the charges were read to him.

Anthony pleaded not guilty to all charges and was remanded to prison. He is slated to make his next appearance at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court on March 26th.

Charged Jamal Anthony

Teachers must have crucial conversations...

From page 06 voice-mail message that his wife was divorcing him. We use all kinds of tactics to dodge touchy issues.”

The GTU chooses to see their glass as half-empty, while the Government and Ministry wants them to see the glass as half-full, as the

Government has been willing to look at more dutyfree concessions, free scholarships for teachers, house lots for teachers, and items beyond the collective bargaining agreement, etc.

As part of the brutal conversations, we must confront why 70% of

teachers show up for work daily (absenteeism and tardies) and why 40% of our students are failing at NGSA and CSEC. Keep students at the center always! Keep everyone accountable!

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

Wong-Innis.

In his ruling on Monday, Justice Persaud concurred with the contentions raised by Datadin.

He held that under Order Two; Rule 16 of the Court of Appeal Act, a single judge cannot make an Order of Discovery for the respondents to produce the evidence that the Order was complied with.

The Court held further that the judge does not have the inherent jurisdiction to enquire into his own Order.

The lawyers for the

litigants had filed a case back in September 2022 asking the court to order the EPA to secure from ExxonMobil Guyana, unlimited liability [parent company] coverage for oil spills.

In so doing, Guyana would be fully protected from any hidden costs associated with an unmitigated spill from one or more projects in the Stabroek Block. On May 3, 2023, High Court Judge, Justice Sandil Kisson ruled in favour of the litigants and ordered the EPA to secure an

unlimited parent and/or affiliate company guarantee for oil spills.

To circumvent compliance with that order, Exxon and the EPA through their lawyers, appealed and were successful in staying Justice Kissoon’s decision.

It is in this case that, Justice Persaud had ordered Exxon to lodge the USD $2billion oil spill guarantee until the outcome of the substantive appeal, which is currently before the Court of Appeal.

Man dies after car plunges overboard A 22-year-old died Sunday night when the car he was driving ploughed into a trench on the Enterprise East Coast Demerara Access Road.

Dead is Timothy Kublall of Enterprise Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara. The incident occurred around 20:50hrs.

Investigations disclosed that the car was heading in a westerly direction at a fast rate of

speed when the driver allegedly lost control of the motorcar vehicle PRR 6860 and ended up in a trench. The vehicle ended up being submerged underwater with Kublall still inside of it. He was rescued by publicspirited citizens and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital in a police vehicle. The man was examined and pronounced dead on arrival.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10 S

UTH

D TR

HAR

HK

BY G

LALL

Tuesday Monday February May 02, 20,2022 2024

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Leadership: the kind Guyanese need now I am easing up ever so slightly on prior insistence on this country's urgent need for transformational leadership.

The same goes for ethical and moral leadership that are both entwined in what has been labeled the transformational that Guyanese need, more often crave. Guyanese need a totally different kind of leadership now, at this point in its existence. Guyana and Guyanese need a nationalist leader.

My definition of a nationalist leader is one who puts the people and their interests foremost. Nothing comes close. Nothing. Not power. Not money. Not a pat on the head from Excellency Nicole D. Theriot (good boy), nor being made an Exxon hero by Alistair Routledge. No such hollow prominence or prestige matters. Personal honor is webbed in being the best that a nationalist leader can offer.

This country has oil. Just stop in stride for a second.

Examine how it has transformed President Ali and former president Jagdeo.

They open their mouths, and it is Exxon, Exxon, Exxon.

Its profitability next (returns), its shareholders in warm embrace (confident).

If anybody hears Guyanese interests featuring there, please share. Far from featuring, the interests of the Guyanese people cannot

even compete for a toehold in the priorities of His Excellency Ali, and his former excellency Barry J. This is how much the oil, and doing their best to please their new kith and kin, Messrs. Darren Woods and Alistair Routledge, has transformed Ali and Jagdeo.

As they go, the rest of the cabinet and government fall in line and follow the leaders.

T h i n g s a r e s o transformational locally that

the senior most leader is content to play second fiddle to the straw boss.

There are no fancy concepts here, no attempt at sophisticated reasoning, pounding arguments. I point to the best evidence available: reality in Guyana's leadership ranks, and the stultifying outcomes for citizens of this country.

Reality is the gun that smokes. The President tries futilely through his overuse of transparent platitudes and bombastic postures to persuade Guyanese that he is on their side, has their backs with this oil. How, sir?

When, skipper? In what m a n n e r, c o m m a n d e r ?

Fearing the formidable presence of superpower Exxon does nothing for Guyanese, other than neutralize their hopes.

Presidents are not elected to please foreign investors.

Work with them, yes; drive a tough bargain with them, and extract a fair price from, yes.

But presidents are not put into office to prostrate themselves to every artifice and caprice of foreign exploiters, and then turn around and put a spin and sheen to sell the pathetic leadership yielding to Guyanese. If and when any Guyana has heard President Ali speak with the authority becoming of a nationalist leader in that Guyana will not be cheated, nor will he allow the swindling of the people's birthright (by anybody), I would like to know.

All that has been heard and seen are these fawning, kowtowing, groveling practices that reveal how much oil and Exxon (and America) have been transformational where Guyanese leadership is concerned.

Excellency Jagdeo has deteriorated into a muckraker, rumormonger and dirty tricks player for Exxon.

His transformation is so complete and pronounced that he is more for the investment community, and American capitalist interests than the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times combined. When Guyanese need Bhaar-raat Jagdeo to transform into a true nationalist leader due to the significance of the people's inheritance, he has transformed into a one-man multinational all by himself.

To b e a g e n u i n e nationalist leader with staying power is a difficult

consideration at any time. To project the instincts and impulses of a serious nationalist leader where there is oil calls for the best in courage, the kind of impassioned convictions that generate their own unmoving will. The people (my people) must get, must benefit, must ascend. Look at Barry J today: his people are Exxon's people. His visions are how to align smoothly and seamlessly with Exxon's visions.

His practices are not about what personifies the grit of a nationalist leader, but of what feeds into, boosts, and is now inseparable from Exxon's ambitions and calculations. When Jagdeo should be bold and bulletproof himself in what inspires Guyanese, his preference is for the bawdy and the boisterous.

His record is of an uncontrollable intolerance of dissent, sheer resistance to reasoning on what stands the Guyanese people in good stead. His ongoing clashing with economic logic and oil justice renders the man immeasurably inferior to the challenges of the era, and unfit for holding any office in any democracy, no matter how halting.

He has declared himself a willing party to capitalism's (Exxon's) dehumanization of 'cullud' people. Here is a leader that is a man with a pool hall cast of mind, and a surrounding pool hall cast of clientele. Brandish a cue stick and beat the few Guyanese who call for a nationalist leader into silence.

In the final stanza, Guyanese need a nationalist l e a d e r n o w, a s i n immediately.

There is willingness to cut he or she some little occasional slack on the ethical and moral. If that is part of the price that Guyanese have to pay, then it is worth a try. President Ali and co-president Jagdeo are too far gone to reincarnate themselves into nationalist leaders.

Aubrey Norton could have been, but has passed.

The search continues.

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

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 20, 2024

PAGE 11

Day 11 of strike action… Teachers take

protest to Energy conference The opening of the well anticipated Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo was met with a long line of protesting teachers, who have vowed that their industrial action will continue indefinitely until the Government engages in collective bargaining towards resolving their salary woes.

Teachers across the country continued to stay away from their classrooms in large numbers.

Yesterday their strike action entered its third week. Across the country, teachers gathered in large numbers and hosted protest marches. Outside the Marriot Hotel in Kingston, teachers held placards, and chanted to the beat of drums registering their frustration at the government refusal to accede to their cries for a livable pay package.

Standing on both sides of the road, in the heat of the midday sun, the teachers chanted loudly "We don't want no small change from we oil money…6.5 percent increase can't work,” as dignitaries commuted to and from the compound of the Marriot Hotel.

General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Coretta Mc Donald noted that the protest exercise was taken to the Marriot to make the international community aware of how the Government of Guyana is treating citizens of their own land while boasting of how much oil resources Guyana has. “We want to international community to know, that this is how the Government of Guyana is treating public servants, teachers who are important to the building up of its society” McDonald said.

The GTU official noted that Guyana has too many resources, not to be able to pay its teachers livable salaries. “With all of the development in the oil and gas

sector, all of this oil coming up, we are finding it difficult to pay teachers… We want people to know that teachers and other citizens are still to see direct benefits, even as billions of dollars is being earned.”

“I don't know why the Government is so bent on disrespecting the teachers. I am hearing that if they increase teachers salary, what will happen to other public sector workers, But I am asking what do we all receive at the end of the year, it's the same across the board increase, but the increase you give us, is what you want to give us, but at the end of the day you give it to all sector of workers”, McDonald added.

Some parents joined the teachers' protest in Georgetown yesterday calling on the Government to begin engaging the union, since the children are suffering. “I have my three boys out here with me because they are unable to attend school since the strike starts… We also understand that teachers need a livable salary we are out here standing in solidarity with them,” the parent whose three boys stood with placards on the protest line on Monday said. “We want school to return to normal but we also want our teachers to get their rightful, deserving pay increase, so we are in support of the action that will force the Government to address the teachers' plight,” the woman added.

As it relates to the proposed option on having children attend online classes, the parent noted that this may not be feasible since most teachers will still be unwilling to teach online. “Whether you twist or turn it, we need these teachers because even you say school can go online who will teach the classes?

You will still need these very teachers” she reasoned.

Teachers on strike took their public demonstration exercise outside the Marriot Hotel in Kingston on Monday

Most schools in Georgetown were almost empty for an 11th day as the strike continues. The GTU is pushing for the Government to begin negotiations on its multi-year proposal which was submitted more than three years ago.

President of the GTU, Mark Lyte on Sunday disclosed that less than 30% of students went to school during the two weeks of the

A frustrated parent stands outside the Marriot Hotel in Kingston on Monday

nationwide teachers' strike. During a live Facebook session, Lyte also disclosed that the industrial action will continue until the Government of Guyana (GoG) agrees to meet with the union to discuss improved welfare packages for some 14,000 teachers.

“This strike has gone on for too long, the government has to be the big person in the room, they have to demonstrate maturity, and they have to demonstrate the ability to govern by bringing this standoff to an end,” Lyte said.

He said after 10 days of strike less than 30 percent of the students showed up for school. During the first week of the industrial action,

this publication had reported the many empty classrooms across the country.

“No government that cares…how can a caring government sit back and allow 70% of the learners not to be engaged by their teachers because they have taken an arrogant position,” Lyte stated.

Lyte lamented that one day of learning loss has significant impact on students. In a message to the government, Lyte said, “Swallow your pride, we didn't bring this upon ourselves you pushed us to where we are…” “We move into day 11, we ain't backing down,” Lyte added.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Tuesday February 20, 2024

With proper planning and partnership, nations can achieve Energy Security – Qatar PM tells Energy Conference

P

rime Minister of the State of Qatar, Sheik Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani is of the view that with proper planning and partnership every nation can achieve its energy security.

He made the comment on Monday at the opening ceremony of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo which is being held at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown. The conference is being held this year from February 19 -22 under the theme: Fueling Transformation and Modernisation.

In brief remarks via a video message, the Qatar PM said that his country's success story in the energy field has made them to believe that every nation has the right to explore and secure its energy resources.

He stated that energy security is the backbone of economic prosperity and development and that the two

Former United States Secretary Prime Minister (PM) of the State of Qatar, Sheik of State, Michael Pompeo Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani are interdependent and cannot be separated in any context. “And we believe with the proper planning tools and partnership, every nation can fulfill its energy security,” he said.

The PM further mentioned that Qatar Energy is actively working with partners in every region to responsibly develop their

natural resources, enabling nations to expand their economics and reduce energy poverty felt in countries around the globe.

This natural resources exploration not only help provide energy security and equity for future generations but also develops the host country's infrastructure and growth for the future, he

noted.

According to him also, the opportunities created through these partnership including jobs in science and technology ensures home

grown technical expertise which can be leverage across multiple sectors.

“The world will require a robust mix of all available energy resources to provide for the needs of growing population, the exploration and investment of today will provide for the future energy needs of tomorrow,” he stated.

Speaking of partnership also, the Qatari PM said in Latin America, Qatar teams worked with Argentina, Brazil, Guyana, Mexico, Suriname and Venezuela, deepening the bilateral friendship shared between the nations.

“I hope the discussions facilitated today will enrich our ties and guide us toward the future that fulfills our people's aspirations for a world that is secured and energy sufficient,” he said in his massage. Meanwhile,

also delivering remarks at this year's Energy Conference was Former United States Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo who noted in his virtual presentation that energy is not merely an economic issue, that it is deeply connected to every nation's national security, the cause of global peace and prosperity and freedom.

The Former Secretary State went on to state that when energy becomes more costly, the consequences are global, resulting in higher inflation, higher energy prices, lower growth, and more suffering everywhere.

He warned against using energy as a weapon, stating that “We see nations like Russia and Iran use energy as a weapon to advance their own dark games. And we may well see Nicolas Maduro (Continued on page 16)

Inmates shake-off handcuffs, escape at under prison gate ...cops close arrest

Escapee, Kareem Douglas Two policemen are under close arrest after two men remanded by the Georgetown Magistrate Court on Monday escaped after arriving at Lusignan Prison gate located on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

Police said that they escaped around 15:00hrs and identified them as Keon Webster, a 31-year-old Bus Driver of Graham Street, Plaisance, ECD. He was charged with simple larceny. The second inmate is Kareem Douglas, a 23-year-old Taxi Driver of Alberttown, Georgetown who was also charged with simple larceny.

Police ranks from the Brickdam Police Station were tasked with escorting the two men and another prisoner, Reon Jonas, a 26-year-old of East La Penitence, Georgetown, charged with Robbery Under Arms. The trio was all handcuffed and placed in a police vehicle. The escapees

Escapee, Keon Webster were reportedly handcuffed together during the journey to the prison. When the vehicle arrived, it reportedly reversed to the 'Reception Gate' of the prison. Jonas walked in but “the other two inmates Webster and Douglas who were previously handcuffed to each other, jumped out of the prison van and began running north towards the public road.”

Police did not say if the ranks had opened the handcuffs or they had picked it open themselves but reported that Webster had the handcuff still hanging on the left hand. Police ranks along with the Prison Service ranks reportedly chased behind the men but they ran west through the prison farm and then split up in different directions and disappeared. Up to press time a joint search party was still in the area trying to find the prisoners. CCTV footage from the prison is being reviewed and the two police ranks who escorted them to the prison are under close arrest as investigations continue.

Tuesday February 20, 2024

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Tuesday February 20, 2024

Local businesses dominate oil conference Expo L

ocal businesses have reportedly dominated the rebranded Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, 2024 this year.

This year's conference is being held under the theme “Fuelling Transformation and Modernisation”, at the Marriott Hotel, located in Kingston, Georgetown.

Kaieteur News learnt that approximately 180 companies are participating in this year's event to showcase their products and services they have to offer not only for Guyana's oil, gas and energy sector, but also in the hospitality and tourisms sectors.

A large majority of the companies participating this year are locals and among the newcomers this year are companies from Qatar and the Dominican Republic.

Monday's opening ceremony of the conference

saw remarks from several world leaders. These included the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley.

President Ali and Prime Minister Rowley in deep discussion with some of the delegates during a tour of the booths at the Energy Conference

A snapshot of the some of the booths on display at the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, 2024.

Prime PrimeMinister MinisterBrigadier Brigadier (Ret'd), (Ret'd), Mark Mark Phillips Phillips and and President PresidentAli Alitakes takesaaphoto photo with with reps reps of of aa company company at the theEnergy EnergyConference Conferenceand andSupply SupplyChain ChainExpo.

Expo.

An ExxonMobil employee explaining to a group of school children how a FPSO vessel operates in offshore Guyana

Tuesday February 19, 2024

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Track down ‘Solo Creed’ ...Maritime attorney names tugboat in oil spill Maritime attorney Nyree Alfonso says she has uncovered new information about the mysterious oil spill which has stained parts of the Tobago coastline and caused environmental damage.

On February 7, 2024, a barge called the Gulfstream was found overturned in the sea 200 metres off the coast of the Cove Industrial Park, Tobago. It was being pulled by a tugboat-identified as the ;;Solo Creed.

The tugboat has not been found since the spill.

In a phone interview with the Express yesterday, Alfonso noted that there have been a number of reports about the overturned vessel named 'Gulfstream' but this is possibly the old name of the barge. “Our information is that there is no 'Gulfstream' involved in this accident unless it happens to be the earlier name of the current barge. The barge that is turned upside down (in Tobago's waters), her name is Coolie Boy and we believe her to be owned by a Guyanese entity. The fuel was destined for Guyana,” she said.

“Our information is that the consignee is a Guyanese entity. The 'Solo Creed' came through the Panama Canal empty, meaning not without a tow and went to somewhere

by Aruba and collected Coolie Boy and was passing through Trinidad and Tobago on its way to Guyana,” she

said.

She said investigations will determine whether something transpired with the barge itself and whether it sprang a leak or whether the Solo Creed tug negligently manoeuvred it and the barge hit something, causing it to run into trouble. Alfonso said she believed that after the barge started leaking, the 'Solo Creed' cut her lines and buss it and gone”.

She said the 'Solo Creed' w a s f l a g g e d i n Tanzania—meaning it was registered in Tanzania and more than likely went through the Panama Canal where it would have submitted all its documents to officials there. She said an alert should have been issued to the Panama Canal in the search for the 'Solo Creed'.

Alfonso explained that there is a difference between a barge and tug—as most “dumb barges” can “hide” since they do not have Automatic Identification System (AIS) or GPS tracking. She said when a vessel is trying to hide, they turn off the AIS tracking which is satellite-based but sooner or later it has to be turned back on.

“In fact there are countries that do not allow you to come in their waters with (your) AIS off,” she said. Alfonso said she did her research on the incident because members of the media had been reaching out

Duo remanded for allegedly stealing motorcar's front grill Tw o m e n w e r e o n Monday remanded to prison

by City Magistrate Rhondell Weever when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court.

The men, 23-year-old Kareem Douglas of Lot 31 First Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, a bus conductor and Keon Webster, 31, of Lot 1 Graham Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD), a bus driver, are accused of stealing the front grill of a motorcar from A n t h o n y Wr i g h t s o n February 15, 2024.

The duo, who pleaded guilty, made their first court appearance on Monday.

It is alleged that on February 15, 2024 at Stabroek Market, the duo stole the front grill for a motorcar valued $90,000 from Wrights.

The prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds that the grill was recovered in Webster's minibus and also the nature and gravity of the offence, the duo is accused of. The prosecution also highlighted that the police are in possession of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) footage linking Douglas and Webster to the crime.

The men are scheduled to return to court on March 18, 2024 for statements and fixtures.

'GUYANA OWNER': Nyree Alfonso to her for her expert opinion.

“I was able to find out that Mr 'Solo Creed' 'coming through the Panama Canal picked up a barge called the 'Coolie Boy' and he headed to Guyana,” she said as she reiterated the journey through Trinidad and Tobago waters when disaster struck.

Asked why she thinks the 'Solo Creed' fled from the scene and abandoned the barge, Alfonso responded: “When it realised the potential disaster of having 5,000 metric tonnes of fuel leak out all over the place, instead of being saddled with any liability, they buss it.”

Hold vessel liable Questioned on what were the consequences for such an incident, Alfonso said the tugboat must be held liable.

“In the ordinary course of things when there is an accident with a tug and a

barge, the tug is held responsible because it is manoeuvring the barge which cannot manoeuvre on its own. Maritime law holds the manoeuvring vessel liable,” she said. Trinidad and Tobago's Maritime Services Division, she said, should be reaching out to its counterparts and issuing alerts for the Solo Creed.

“They need to track down the Solo Creed and find out who her owners are. Our Maritime Division can call up the maritime authorities in Tanzania and get the details,” she said.She said there are also enhanced marine traffic websites that can track all these details. Alfonso said vessels have something called “PNI Insurance” which is third party liability.

“You should be getting on to the PNI Club and ask them how they paying for the

clean-up here,” she said.

Alfonso said a “poor” job is being done to contain the leaking oil. “Had they put down the commercial grade booms that they should have, in a timely fashion, that oil would have never reached the shore lines of Tobago,” she said. She said an environmental services operator was not deployed until days after the spill to utilise booms to contain the leak.

This was unacceptable, she said.

Alfonso said containing the spill required a tiered approach and “tier three” status should have been implemented immediately by bringing in the experts to plug the leak. “I think that can be plugged but not where she (barge) is, the water depth is insufficient to send down divers. And we don't have the equipment to pump that oil from that vessel upside down. So you should have brought in people to plug it and pump out the oil in its upturned position safely,” she said.

In response to questions as to why this barge would be transporting oil to Guyana which is oil-rich, Alfonso said the product that was being carried was not oil. “It is not oil, it is refined products. I have clients who are actively selling refined

products to Guyana,” she said.

She said Guyana has a wealth of crude oil but a shortage of refined products.

Alfonso also noted that there have also been public reports that the Dutch islands of Aruba, Curacao and St Eustatius launder refined products from sanctioned countries. She said when vessels reach their destination the pick-up location of the product is labelled as Aruba or St Eustatius and not Venezuela, Iran, Russia or Libya which all have US sanctions. At the Parliament sitting on Friday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley delivered a statement where he said there was no “cover-up” of the incident.

Also speaking in the Parliament, Energy Minister Stuart Young said there are over 350 vessels named Gulfstream, which makes it difficult for State agencies to source information.

He said that expert divers were unable to obtain information from the overturned carrier due to the sea current and low visibility.

Young said the Maritime Division, Coast Guard and other intelligence agencies, including Caricom IMPACS are working to trace information on the vessel.

(TRINIDAD EXPRESS)

Farmer pleads guilty to manslaughter for Bourda Market killing Richard Martin, a 54-yea-old farmer of Wismar Linden on Monday pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the killing Ovid Chester back in September 2020. His confession comes two years after he was remanded to prison for the offence. Martin's plea was accepted at the Demerara High Court at mid trial before Justice Ramlall. The confessed killer admitted that on September 2nd 2020 he unlawfully killed the man at Bourda Market.He is being represented

by Attorney-at-law Domnick Bess while State Counsel Praneta Seeraj and State Counsel Simran Gajraj are prosecuting the matter. On April 3rd Martin will return to the court for sentencing.

The Chief Magistrate had ruled that there is sufficient evidence against Martin, for him to stand trial in the High Court for the murder of Chester, 52, called “Bruckie,” a handyman formerly of Vryheid's Lust, East Coast Demerara.

According to a police report, Chester was allegedly killed around 10:00hrs on the day in question during an argument with Martin over money for a

Ovid Chester a few moments after he collapsed at the market. construction net that the accused had given to the deceased to sell. While looking for a buyer, he was approached

by Chester who offered to sell the net for him.

The farmer agreed and handed over the item to Chester, who immediately left to source a buyer. Investigators were told that the farmer waited a while for Chester to return but he never did.

Eventually the farmer left but returned the following day in search of Chester and found him in a track leading towards North Road, Bourda. There, he confronted Chester and asked for the

money from the sale of the net.

However, Chester failed to produce the net or the cash which resulted in a heated argument between the two.

According to reports, the enraged farmer pulled a knife from his waist and stabbed Chester to the region of his heart. Chester ran but collapsed and died a short distance away. Vendors and eyewitnesses alerted police and an AntiCrime Patrol Unit that was in the vicinity moved swiftly and caught Martin before he escaped. He was allegedly nabbed with the murder weapon in his hand.

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 20, 2024

Gaza death toll pegged at 29,000

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RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel’s assault in Gaza has killed more than 29,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7, the territory’s Health Ministry said Monday, marking another grim milestone in one of the deadliest and most destructive military campaigns in recent history.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive until “total victory” against Hamas after the militants’ Oct. 7 attack on Israeli communities. He and the military have said troops will move soon into the southernmost town of Rafah on the Egyptian border, where over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have sought refuge from fighting elsewhere.

The United States, Israel’s top ally, says it is still working with mediators Egypt and Qatar to try to broker another cease-fire and hostage release agreement. But those efforts appear to have stalled in recent days, and Netanyahu angered Qatar by calling on it to pressure Hamas and suggesting it funds the militant group.

The conflict has also brought near daily exchanges of fire between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group that frequently threaten to escalate.

Israeli warplanes on Monday carried out at least two strikes near the southern port city of Sidon in one of the largest attacks near a major city, Lebanese state media said.

There was no immediate word on casualties. The Israeli military said it attacked Hezbollah arms depots near Sidon in retaliation for a drone that exploded in an open field near the northern Israeli city of Tiberias earlier Monday.

In Gaza, the Health Ministry said the death toll had

risen to 29,092 since the start of the war, around two-thirds of them women and children.

More than 69,000 Palestinians have been wounded, overwhelming the territory’s hospitals, less than half of which are even partially functioning.

The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count.

The Health Ministry is part of the Hamas-run government in Gaza but maintains detailed records of casualties. Its figures from previous wars in Gaza have largely matched those of U.N. agencies, independent experts and Israel’s own tallies.

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 men, women and children hostage.

After a round of exchanges for Palestinians imprisoned

by Israel in November, around 130 remain captive, a fourth of them believed to be dead.

The Israeli military released a video on Monday showing what is believed to be the youngest hostage, his brother and mother being led through the streets of the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis soon after their kidnapping on Oct. 7.

The video provides evidence that Shiri Bibas and her two young boys, Ariel, 4, and Kfir, who was 9 months old at the time, survived the initial kidnapping. The boys are the only children who remain in captivity, along with their mother.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the military’s chief spokesman, said the army is “very concerned” about the family’s wellbeing. He said the army found the videos in

security cameras seized during its offensive in Khan Younis.

The video appears to show Bibas, wrapped in a blanket, being led through a dirt street by her captors as she carries Ariel. The military said it believed that Kfir was in a baby sling and could not be seen under the blanket.

The infant with red hair and a toothless smile has become a symbol across Israel for the helplessness and anger over the hostages still held in Gaza. Their father, Yarden Bibas, is also still in captivity.

In a statement, the extended Bibas family said the videos “tear our hearts out.”

They made a desperate plea for negotiations to release all of the hostages. In January, the family and hundreds of activists marked Kfir’s first birthday in what his family called “the saddest birthday party in the world.”

With thousands of Palestinians detained by Israel since the war began, an Israeli human rights group reported that Palestinians inside Israeli prisons face daily violence from guards, who enter cells and beat inmates with batons, kicks and fists without provocation in abuse it said could amount to torture. Physicians for Human Rights—Israel said in a report Monday that detainees reported guards urinating on them and forcing them to kiss the Israeli flag and to strip.

Prisoners are also held in overcrowded cells and deprived of water for long periods, it said.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern about hundreds of Palestinian women and girls in Israeli detention.

It said there were credible (Continued on page 18)

Opposition’s diatribe laden propaganda...

From page 04 Jeffrey would perhaps shiver at the thought of publicly attacking the government in his regular letters to the editor.

Unless Jeffery is suffering from a deficit in long-term memory, he should be able to vividly recall the period of PNC rule when Burnham declared, “Paramountcy of the Party,” a time when Captain Blood terrorized citizens, and House of Israel leader, Rabbi Washington -an American convict- and his group of thugs instilled fear in the minds of Guyanese, followed by the murder of Father Bernard Darke, and the assassination of Dr. Walter Rodney.

Was Guyana an autocratic state then?

Let’s turn attention to Lincoln Lewis who regularly endeavors to generate divisiveness among Guyanese and create distrust for the government through his Afro-centric

propagandistic penchants. In his letter entitled, “Bharrat Jagdeo is out of order,” (KN 2/12/24) Lewis accuses the Vice President of “sowing seeds of discord in [Guyana] a nation striving to heal historical wounds from political conflicts…” Anyone familiar with Lewis’ letters to the editor would quickly realize that his statement is self-reflective, for, it is Lewis, and not Jagdeo who regularly “sow seeds of discord” between Afro and Indo Guyanese. I doubt whether Lewis is suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) which would explain his obliviousness to the fact that both Vice President Jagdeo and President Ali are the champion strivers for a humane, just, and unified Guyana, through their advocations of a One Guyana policies - policies that run counter to his (Lewis’) Afro-centric propagandistic

inclinations.

From the foregoing, the reader can readily grasp the diatribe laden propaganda campaign efforts to create discontent and disharmony among Guyanese.In times of dwindling political support, it is not unusual for opposition leaders and surrogates to heighten their propaganda campaigns in hope of accruing benefits for themselves and not the people. Knowing this, Guyanese of every persuasion should be alert. Overlooked, or dismissed, the Opposition’s diatribe laden propaganda campaigns could be detrimental to Guyanese harmonious existence, the creation and solidification of a truly One Guyanese unity.

Regards Narayan Persaud, PhD Professor Emeritus From page 04 Jeffrey would perhaps shiver at the thought of pub-

Tuesday February 20, 2024

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

Guyana investing in roads, Corentyne Bridge to export excess gas - Pres. Ali tells Energy Conference

P

resident Irfaan Ali, during his address at the opening of the 2024 Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, u n v e i l e d h i s administration’s ambitious plan to bolster its infrastructure to cater to the export of the country’s excess natural gas products.

Reminding attendees that the country’s oil story is known, President Ali focused his address on the government’s gas strategy.

He told the gathering of attendees at the Guyana Marriott Hotel that Guyana’s energy potential can only be translated into value if there is a market within the region.

He said, “And that is what we are focusing on… in the logistics build up, how do we build out this eco-system to support the energy development that would lead the other important development in the country.”

Ali highlighted the strategic investments in infrastructure and logistics to tap into neighboring markets, particularly in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), South America, and the Dominican Republic (DR).

He pointed to the Gas-toEnergy project, which entails transporting natural gas from ExxonMobil’s offshore Stabroek Block operations to a processing facility at Wales, West Bank Demerara, alongside a 300megawatt power plant and a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility.

The President cited the GTE project’s in its first phase will be producing 4,000 barrels of propane and butane (cooking gas) per day, with the gas pipeline only operating at 40% of its capacity.

As such, he said there will be a significant amount of gas for export.

“Now, what does this mean? What does this 4,000 barrels translate to in transport, logistics and in building out an ecosystem.

Our local consumption now is 800 barrels per day so we will be producing at least 4,000 barrels and that is in phase one 40% of the pipeline (capacity).

Our local consumption is 800 barrels immediately, we have 3,200 barrels for available for export,” Ali told the gathering.

He said too, “This has to be moved, has to be transported and here is where the bridge link to Suriname across the Corentyne River is key and critical that is why we are pushing to advance the building of this bridge so that market in Suriname becomes available even in the first phase of the excess.”

To also facilitate this, Ali pointed to the ongoing construction of a 122-

kilometer road to northern Brazil.

“All of that investment we are already making so that that market becomes immediately available,” he added.

The President noted that based on the interest, a second power plant will be needed.

President Ali outlined the economic benefits of i n f r a s t r u c t u r e investments, envisioning Guyana as a major player in fulfilling regional energy demands, particularly within CARICOM and the DR. He highlighted the potential for job creation, industrial development, and revenue generation stemming from enhanced connectivity and access to regional markets.

Ali said that at full capacity, “We are looking at 10,000 barrels per day that is propane and butane…so we

are mobbing to 10,000 barrels per day.

Now what does this mean to us, now even with a growth in our demand we will have 9000 barrels per day ready for export.”

To this end, he added that this is why the DR and CARICOM market demands are important.

He affirmed, “So this is the link between investment, when people ask why build roads, why build bridges, this is the economic link that it create…if we don’t have it we will sit on 9000 barrels of propane and it can’t hatch so you know some of these experts sometimes… wonder gazingly academically as to why you invest in roads and bridges this is the critical link to the opportunities that open up for the country.”

Moreover, Ali unveiled that the new deepwater port could be constructed in New Amsterdam, Region Six,

which can be a pivotal hub for trade and transport, particularly with neighboring Brazil.

He said with improved road infrastructure, it will significantly reduce travel time from northern Brazil into Lethem to New Amsterdam.

In addition to energy initiatives, Ali revealed plans for bauxite development and the establishment of a gold refinery.

“I ask all the gas value chain participants today and, in the future, to work closely together with a common objective of developing Guyana’s gas now to ensure the maximum value from our gas resources to ensure that future development and prosperity of all Guyanese and the reason for that is in relation to the master plan for gas,” President Ali said

Robbery accused Trinidad willing to share infrastructure, on self-bail due to expertise to help Guyana, Region develop oil lack of evidence resources-PM Rowley tells Energy Conference

W

ith over 100 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Trinidad and Tobago stands able and willing to share its knowledge, expertise and infrastructure to help Guyana maximize the gains that can be had from its oil industry.

This assurance was provided yesterday by T&T Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley during the opening ceremony of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo.

This event, now in its third installment, is being held from February 19 to 22 under the theme: “Fuelling transformation and modernization.”

In order to ensure energy security and combat the negative impacts of climate change, Prime Minister Rowley said it is imperative that regional stakeholders utilize their resources effectively, whether they be hydrocarbon or renewable.

He said these can and should be done through collaborative efforts. “Only by working together can we attain our objectives of fostering productive and

resilient economies in what promises to be an increasingly hostile business environment,” said the Prime Minister.

With the emergence of the Caribbean Region as a significant player in the hydrocarbon industry, Dr. Rowley said policy leaders are presented with a valuable opportunity to proactively utilize its combined knowledge and expertise in order to maximize future prospects.

“By ensuring our region fully capitalizes on its resources, including human and mechanical, we can guarantee the alignment of e n e rg y a n d i n d u s t r i a l transformation with collaborative economic strategies,” said Dr. Rowley.

Further to this, the Prime Minister was keen to note that oil and gas resources are wasting assets and therefore, it is imperative that efficient exploitation is undertaken to maximize their contribution to sustainable economic development.

In the oil and gas sector, he underscored that collaboration is especially important due

to the high cost and long lead times associated with oil and gas advancements.

He reiterated that on this front, Trinidad stands ready to share its expertise, knowledge and infrastructure.

Dr. Rowley also told the energy conference that homeland has been able to boost its economy for decades by leveraging its oil and gas resources.

Through this process, it has amassed significant knowledge that can result in cost savings for regional partners. He added, “…we have successfully maintained our position in an evolving energy market through the fostering of strong relations with upstream developers, downstream players and an energy services industry that is on par with those of developed petroleum economies.”

With increasing pressure on the oil industry from all quarters, Rowley reiterated once more that there is a need for collaboration for effective and efficient delivery.

“It is a philosophy that we as a government and as

an oil and gas producing country have taken on board.

In our model Production Sharing Agreements, provision has been made for the sharing of energy infrastructure by approved operators, subject to a p p r o p r i a t e arrangements…,” said the Prime Minister.

He said this spirit of collaboration is also evident in the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) Trinidad and Tobago signed with Suriname and Guyana regarding energy cooperation.

Dr. Rowley also noted that unitization agreements have also been executed with the Governments of Venezuela, Barbados and Grenada which allow for the exploration of maritime boundaries shared with these nations.

By sharing knowledge, infrastructure, and fostering mutual support agreements, Dr. Rowley said Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana can e x e m p l i f y h o w collaboration can lead to shared prosperity and resilience against the evolving challenges of the energy landscape.

City Magistrate Rhondell Weever on Monday placed a 29-year-old tattoo artist/construction worker on self-bail, due to the lack of evidence against him for the alleged robbery of the virtual complainant at the Kitty Seawalls, Georgetown.

Ry a n A d a m s , w h o claims he resides at Kitty Seawalls, in an abandon resort, made his first court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where the robbery charge was read to him by Magistrate Weever.

Adams pleaded not guilty to the charge that alleged that on February 13, 2024, at the Kitty Seawalls, whilst in the company of others, he robbed the victim of a quantity of clothes valued $6000, groceries valued $1000, a pair of shoes valued $4000, stationery valued $400, a Samsung phone valued $20,000, a gold ring valued $30,000, one red bag valued $2000, and $5000 in cash, amounting to the sum of $68,000.

Adams denied committing the offence. The unrepresented man told the court, “I didn’t rob nobody”.

The Prosecutor objected

to Adams being granted bail on the grounds that he does not have a fix place of abode, which can result in him [Adams] not returning to the next scheduled court date.

Further, the prosecution also argued that it would be difficult to properly serve a summons on Adams.

Bail was also objected to on the nature and gravity of the offence Adams was charged for.

In light of Adams’ defence, the Magistrate requested evidence of Adams’ involvement from the prosecutor. It was then revealed that the complainant was not the one robbed, but her friend.

The prosecution told the Court that the complainant was the witness.

According to the prosecutor, the statement said, “A dark skin male snatched her [the actual victim] bag from her s h o u l d e r. ” N o identification parade was done to ascertain the identity of the accused.

As a result, Magistrate Weever placed Adams on self-bail and the case was adjourned to March 11, 2024 for statements and fixtures.

Tuesday February 20, 2024

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Three Lindeners among new Magistrates to be sworn in today

A

total of nine new magistratesthree of whom are from Linden will be sworn-in today by Prime Minister Mark Phillips.

The batch is said to be the largest ever to be sworn in at one time. The new magistrates according to the Judicial Service Commission are: Omadatt Chandan, Tamieka Clarke , Abigail Gibbs , Tuanna Hardy, Shivani Lalaram, Michelle Matthias, Ravindra Mohabir, Teriq Mohammed and Orinthia Schmidt. All of them served as Lawyers and some as State Prosecutors.

Tamieka Clarke is from Linden and worked as a State Counsel at the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and then as a Lawyer at a private law firm from 2019 to 2024. She is reportedly qualified in alternative dispute resolution, negotiation and mediation.

Abigail Gibbs is also from Linden and served as a State Counsel with the DPP too before being promoted to Assistant DPP. Gibbs holds a Master of Laws degree in Corporate and Commercial Law. Tuanna Hardy is a

Teriq Mohammed former Queens College student and also worked with the state at the DPP until 2020 before working briefly at the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). She worked too in the Antigua DPP office and engaged in private practice as a Lawyer in that Caribbean island.

Shivani Lalaram, a former Queen’s College student was called to the local bar in 2018. She began her career in private practice and also worked in an international law firm and dealt with corporate, commercial law, taxation and insurance law matters.

Michelle Matthias is a former student at the Christianburg Multilateral school and has been a practicing Lawyer at the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic

Shivani Lalaram

Ravindra Mohabir

Abigail Gibbs

Tamieka Clarke

Tuanna Hardy,

Omadatt Chandan

Michelle Matthias

Orinthia Schmidt

from 2019 to February 2024.

Ravindra Mohabir completed his secondary education at the Charlestown secondary school and was admitted to the bar in 2017.

He worked at the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic, SOCU and practiced privately.

Te r i q M o h a m e d , a former Apex Academy Student also worked with the

DPP throughout his career and more recently practiced privately at the criminal bar.

Orinthia Schmidt is a graduate from the University of Guyana and the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad.

Schmidt has been practicing as a Lawyer in Guyana for almost a decade.

She was also admitted to the

Bar in Trinidad and Tobago and worked as a State Prosecutor with the Guyana DPP. She worked too with the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

Omadatt Chandan is a former President’s College student and began his legal career in 2008 at the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Attorney General’s

Chambers as a legal assistant. He is a graduate of the Hugh wooding Law School and after being accepted to the local bar, he worked with the Ministry of Agriculture.

These individuals, according to the Judicial Service Commission, will take the Oath of Office around 10:30 hrs today.

Gaza death toll pegged at 29,000...

From page 16 reports that at least two were raped, and others “subjected to multiple forms of sexual assault,” including being stripped naked and searched by male officers and being photographed “in degrading circumstances.”

Israel says it has killed over 10,000 Palestinian militants but has provided no evidence for its count.

The military says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames the high death toll on Hamas because the militant group fights in dense r e s i d e n t i a l neighborhoods. The military says 236 of its soldiers have been killed since the start of the ground offensive in late October.

O n S u n d a y, B e n n y Gantz, a member of Netanyahu’s three-man War Cabinet, warned that the offensive would expand to Rafah if the hostages are not freed by the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, expected around March 10.

Israel has said it is

developing plans to evacuate civilians from Rafah, but it’s not clear where they would go in the devastated territory, large areas of which have been flattened. Egypt has sealed the border and warned that any mass influx of Palestinians could threaten its decades-old peace treaty with Israel.

Already, the war has driven around 80% of the Palestinians in Gaza from their homes and has left a quarter of the population starving, according to U.N. officials.

The United States says it is still pushing for a truce and hostage-release, and that it would veto a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire because it conflicts with those efforts.

Hamas has said it won’t release all of the remaining hostages until Israel ends the war and withdraws from Gaza.

It is also demanding the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including top militants.

Netanyahu has rejected those demands. In a speech before American Jewish

leaders on Sunday, he said pressure should be applied on Qatar, which played a key role in mediating last year’s cease-fire and hostage release deal.

“Qatar can press Hamas as no one else can. They host Hamas leaders, Hamas is dependent on them financially,” Netanyahu said.

“I urge you to press Qatar to press Hamas because we want our hostages released.”

Majed al-Ansari, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson, dismissed Netanyahu’s remarks as “a new attempt to stall and prolong the war for reasons that have become obvious to everyone,” alluding to the Israeli leader’s domestic political troubles.

Qatar denies funding Hamas and says its provision of aid to Gaza in recent years was carried out in full coordination with Israel, the U.S. and other parties.

“The Israeli prime minister knows very well that Qatar has been committed from day one to mediation efforts, ending the crisis and freeing the hostages,” al-Ansari said.

Israel condemns Brazil’s Lula likening Gaza war to Holocaust Published BBC - Israel has c o n d e m n e d B r a z i l ’s president after he accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, comparing its actions to the Holocaust.

Luiz Inácio Lula dat Silva said Israel’s military campaign was between a “highly prepared army and women and children”.

Israel’s foreign minister described Lula’s comments as antisemitic and said he was “persona non grata” in the country until he retracted them.

The main Jewish organisation in Brazil has a l s o c r i t i c i s e d L u l a ’s comments.

Speaking from an African Union summit in Ethiopia, Lula said: “What is happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people has no parallel in other historical moments. In fact, it did exist when Hitler decided to kill the Jews.

“It’s not a war of soldiers

against soldiers. It’s a war between a highly prepared army and women and children.”

The veteran left-wing politician condemned Hamas after its gunmen killed at least 1,200 people and seized 253 hostages in a surprise attack on Israel on 7 October.

But he has since been vocally critical of Israel’s retaliatory military campaign, which the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says has killed more than 28,800 people, mainly women and children.

His latest comments come after Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to press ahead with an offensive in Rafah - the southernmost Gazan city, where some 1.5 million people have fled - in the face of increasing international pressure.

“We will not forget nor

forgive,” Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in response.

“It is a serious antisemitic attack. In my name and the name of the citizens of Israel - tell President Lula that he is persona non grata in Israel until he takes it back.”

Mr Netanyahu earlier s a i d L u l a ’s r e m a r k s amounted to “Holocaust trivialisation and an attempt to harm the Jewish people and the right of Israel to defend itself”.

“The comparison between Israel and the Holocaust of the Nazis and Hitler is crossing a red line,” he said in a statement.

Six million Jewish p e o p l e w e r e systematically murdered

by Hitler’s Nazi regime during the 1930s and 1940s.

Israel summoned the Brazilian ambassador for a meeting on Monday.

Tuesday February 20, 2024

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 20, 2024

Tuesday February 20, 2024

Pitamber, Rajkumar take National U16 Chess title

Thirteen-year-old Sachin Pitamber emerged triumphant as the new National Under16 Chess Champion, alongside fifteen-year-old Maliha Rajkumar who captured the title of National Under-16 Girls Chess Champion last Saturday at the Marian Academy Auditorium.

Some fifty young and passionate chess players engaged in the One-Day championships to test their fighting chess skills in seven rounds of fast-paced chess.

The keen competitors were matched using the Swiss Pairing System and played with a time limit of 20 minutes per game with 5-second incre-

ments after each move.

Pitamber now holds the double title of National Under-14 and Under-16 Chess Champion for 2024. He tied with 6.5 points with his closest rival, fourteen-year-old, Kyle Couchman, the 2023 National Under-16 Open Champion, but emerged as champion on a tiebreak.

With all points tallied, Alexander Zhang ended the tournament in third place with 5 points, followed closely by outstanding performances from Timothy Cole and Arysh Raghunauth in the fourth and fifth places. Notable performances came from Mayas Khan, Dominic Sam, Omar

Maliha Rajkumar receiving her 1st place trophy from GCF President Anand Raghunauth.

Shariff, and Ethan Persaud each earning 4.5 points, with Jacob McDonald, Ethan Thakurdin, Vir Narine, Logan Simpson, and Amaziah Wood

Tuesday February 20, 2023 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Sometimes, it's amazing to see how your relationships can spin so easily out of control, Aries. Today you may have to deal with a lot of tension within your group.

You'll almost feel as if no one understands the situation.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) As the dawn of another quiet and peaceful day appears, Libra, you will be in the best disposition to observe and appreciate the lightness of things. Life can seem so beautiful on some days.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You sometimes have difficulty making up your mind. You don't always know exactly what you want.

Today, Taurus, you'll be at peace with yourself.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You will find a clean page on the agenda today, Scorpio.

You should try to think only about yourself. This will allow you to meditate about your life and be at peace with yourself. .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You will wake up today on cloud nine, Sagittarius. Your morale is at a peak. You will feel totally free and be able to clearly perceive the essentials of life.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Sometimes we all feel a little lost, Gemini. We often want to move mountains and use all our energy and enthusiasm to try to do so.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You have a natural ability to accomplish a great deal rather easily, Cancer. But today you may feel snowed under with projects. Things around you might be moving quickly.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your day has finally come, Leo. You have your own vision of life and you like sharing it with others. You're far from thinking that you're any sort of new messiah.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Today you'll have the strange feeling that something is floating in the air.

The time is right to try to understand the different needs of your family circle.

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The The astral energy will have you reminiscing all day long over childhood memories, Capricorn. These memories will take you to the houses and places where you were raised.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You love interacting with people others might consider eccentric. You can't help it. You're simply attracted to them. You will probably encounter one of these people today, Aquarius.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You have always tried to build up your health using traditional methods, and you take great care of yourself.

with individual scores of 4 points. In the fiercely contested female category, Maliha Rajkumar, with strategic finesse, gained her 2024 National Under16 Girls title with a 6-point score against gifted opponents. Aditi Joshi was next in second place with a commendable showing with 5 points, while Parnita Kishun and Ciel Clement skillfully secured the third and fourth places respectively.

Amara Branche ended her demonstration of talent with 4.5 points, while Kataleya Sam, Tharisha Montes De Oca, and Vienna Bharosay ended this seven-round journey with 4 points each. Winners in the main categories were honoured in a brief award ceremony following the tournament. Trophies were presented along with certificates of participation by GCF Board Member and Director of Public Relations, Mr. Shiv Nandalall.

Along with the championship trophy, Sachin Pitamber also received the prize for the Best Under-14 Open Player, and Aditi Joshi secured the Best Under-14 Female Player prize. Eight year old Vir Narine received the best Under 12 Open Player medal, and the Best U12 Player in the Girls category went to ten year old Kataleya Sam. The GCF congratulates all players who participated in the Under16 tournament and encourages players to continue improving their game. The Guyana Chess Federation extends its gratitude to the Marian Academy for hosting this prestigious event.

The tournament was supervised by the young National Arbiters Odit Rodrigues and Kim Shing Chong, assisted by Ethan Lee, Kishan Puran, Ricardo Narine, and Oluwadare Oyeyipo.

The GCF applauds the efforts of these young chess players who volunteered their time to assist in events such as these.

The CGF will be gearing up for the CARICOM Classic Chess Team Tournament set for March 3rd to March 10th, 2024.

GFF Elite League Season Six set to kick off February 25 at NTC - Fixtures unveiled The much-anticipated Season Six of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League is primed to ignite the passions of football enthusiasts across the nation as it kicks off on February 25th at the National Training Centre (NTC) in Providence.

With a lineup of ten elite clubs ready to battle it out on the pitch, including powerhouses like Western Tigers, Santos, and Fruta Conquerors, the tournament promises a thrilling display of skill and competition. Joining the fray this season are the returning giants Slingerz and Monedderlust FC, adding an extra layer of excitement to this premier championship.

Guyana Police Force (GPF), Ann’s Grove, Buxton United and Den Amstel Football clubs are also geared to participate in this year’s tournament.

The last iteration of the tournament saw GDF FC emerge victorious, clinching the Season Five title in a memorable campaign.

Meanwhile, matches are scheduled to take place every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from February 25th to April 25th. The action will not be confined to Providence, as games will also be held at NTC in Georgetown, Number-5 ground in Berbice, and Leonora on the West Coast of Essequibo.

The GFF has unveiled the official fixtures for the 2024 tournament, with the excitement set to commence on Sunday, February 25th, featuring an electrifying doubleheader between Slingerz FC and Monedderlust FC, and Santos FC and GDF FC with kickoff is slated for 18:00 hours.

In a format that will test the mettle of each club, teams will engage in a two-round battle, with the one amassing the most points crowned as the champions, securing an automatic qualifying spot at the CONCACAF/Caribbean Shield Championship.

As the stakes rise, so do the rewards. The champions of the upcoming season will walk away with a handsome prize of $2,000,000. Second, third, and fourth-place finishers will also receive respective prizes of $1,200,000, $800,000, and $500,000.

The GFF Elite League stands as the pinnacle of senior men’s competition in the nation, not only providing a prestigious stage for athletes but also serving as a vital pathway for talent scouting by the national team, as well as regional and international clubs.

As the countdown to kickoff begins, anticipation is high, and fans eagerly await the spectacle that Season Six of the GFF Elite League promises to deliver.

Tuesday February 20, 2024

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

West Indies Championship 2024... Imlach, Motie return to

Harpy Eagles side, as Champs seek turnaround The Guyana Harpy Eagles have made two crucial changes to their side ahead of round 3, with Tevin Imlach and Gudakesh Motie looking to make immediate impacts.

After losing by almost 300 to the Leewards Hurricanes in the last round, the Eagles have sought to

replace spinner Steven Sankar and all-rounder Richie Looknauth for tomorrow’s battle against the West Indies Academy.

Imlach, who won the U19 50-Over World a few years ago, will play a huge role for Guyana as his recent time with the West Indies A team will be useful to the

team.

Meanwhile, one huge plus for the Champs is the inclusion of Motie, arguably the best spinner in the West Indies team across all formats.

Motie, who ended his international 2023 calendar year on a high, will bring tons of experience, form and

pose a big threat to batsmen in the competition.

Alongside Veerasammy Permaul, who he operates statistically well in tandem with, Motie, his senior partner and left-arm spinner Anthony Adams could likely form a lethal 3-prong spin attack.

Meanwhile, Imlach, who has three fifties and an unbeaten century at the First-Class level, will add to the young Eagles batting unit. Having endured a tough time in the last round, especially in the first innings, the 27 year-old should help settle his team’s batting woes.

Gudakesh Motie

Jason-Ray Khalil, Ryan Rahaman, and Kaiden Alli triumph in thrilling Mash Handicap Squash Finale The 2024 Bounty Farm Mashramani Handicap Squash championship concluded in style on Saturday at the Georgetown Club located on Camp Street. The final day of the tournament showcased gripping matches, enthusiastic fans, and outstanding performances

by Jason-Ray Khalil, Ryan Rahaman, and Kaiden Alli, who clinched the Elite, Open, and Rising Divisional titles, respectively.

In the headline event of the Elite segment, Jason-Ray Khalil demonstrated his dominance by defeating the skilled southpaw, Alex Arjoon in the final. The encounter ended with Khalil claiming victory with a scoreline of 15-9, 15-12. As the vocal fans were treated to a display of precision and athleticism in a match that kept them thrilled.

The Open category final witnessed Ryan Rahaman facing off against Lloyd Fung-A-Fat. In a closely contested battle, Rahaman emerged victorious with a score of 15-13, 15-8. The match showcased the competitive spirit of both players, with Rahaman’s skill and determination ultimately earning him the Open Divisional title.

The Rising Divisional final provided its fair share of excitement as Kaiden Alli triumphed over Egan Bulkan in a thrilling encounter. Alli

Jason-Ray Khalil receiving his 1st place trophy on Saturday at GTC.

showcased resilience and adaptability, overcoming a first-game deficit to secure victory with a final score of 8-15, 15-7, 15-7. The Rising category also featured other intense clashes, including Tehani Munroe’s hardfought victory against Kristian Viapree (8-15, 1512, 15-14) and Jibril Alli’s triumph over Zion Hickerson (15-9, 11-15, 1512).

Meanwhile, the Open and Elite categories witnessed additional captivating matches on the

final day. Miguel Wong displayed skill and composure in defeating Malia Maikoo with a score of 15-14, 15-12, while Alysa Xavier triumphed over Blake Edwards in a closely contested match (15-11, 1015, 15-11).

In the Elite division, Mary Fung-A-Fat showcased her expertise by defeating Jonathan Antczak (15-12, 15-9), and Peter de Groot secured victory against Steven Xavier in a hard-fought battle (16-14, 13-15, 15-7).

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 20, 2024

PAGE 23

Delroy Tyrrell breaks Record at NE- 10 Conference Swim Meet Delroy Tyrrell (right) won Silver Medal in 200 Meters backstroke.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e Biology major collected another Silver Medal in the 200m backstroke with a time of 1:53.12 seconds.

This is an improvement from his seed time of 1:56.40 seconds.

In the Men’s 200m Freestyle Relay, Delroy and

G

uyanese born Delroy Tyrrell broke the College of Saint Rose nineyear old record in the 100 meters backstroke at the recently concluded NE- 10 Conference Swimming and

Diving Championships held at Worcester Massachusetts UPI Sports and Recreation Centre from February 15 to 18.

The old record, set by Eric Howard, was 51.15 seconds. Tyrrell lowered the

time to 50.81 seconds.

The Dorado Speed Swim club swimmer, swimming in his first conference, won a Silver Medal overall for the 100m backstroke and is the second best backstroke swimmer in the conference.

Stolen Money could steal the show at Jumbo Jet’s Mashramani horse race Fresh from a win on New Year’s Day, the promising horse Stolen Money will be eyeing a second win in as many outings in Guyana, on Sunday February 25 in the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Mashramani Horse race which will run off at Rising Sun Turf Club.

Owner of the big grey, Dennis Deoroop said his team of jockeys and grooms have some fine tuning ahead of Sunday’s big horserace event.

“We are up there, we have the horses where we want them. The horses are working fairly well, so we have to fine tune for Sunday.”

“Stolen Money needs time to settle. The last time he raced he came in a few days only before the race. Now I think he is a bit more settled, so he should show a little improvement based on the time he spent here, and settled in,” Deoroop said.

Other top horses will be out for pole position, and Stolen Money, will have to be on the money to cap off

Owner/Trainer of Stolen Money, Dennis Deoroop. another win. “We have a very big race. All the top horses are actually racing.

We expect a good feature event, and the others will be well supported in terms of entry,” Deoroop indicated.

Sharing his sentiments on the conditions expected at Rising Sun, Deoroop said: “The conditions at Rising Sun is excellent. The guys did a lot of work on the track and they are up-keeping the facilities. It is one of the premier race tracks in Guyana. We expect a lot of good timings, the horses should do well at the Mashramani race.”

The Rising Sun Turf

Club is the venue for a Mashramani horse race meet on Sunday February 25, staged by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee. Initially, eight races were on the cards, but the hard-working organizers and promoters added one more race to the day’s activity; with nine races set to run off on Sunday.

Some G$10 million will be up for grabs, the feature event will be open to all imported and locally bred horses, running at a distance of 1,600m.

The top horse of the feature event will bag G$2 million. Additionally, the provisional programme includes the West Indian-bred four-year-old and West Indianbred three-year-old horses running at 1,600m, and the three-year-old Guyana-bred non-winners of two races running at 1,400m.

All the top horses and jockeys are expected to ignite the Rising Sun Turf Club at the Mashramani event.

his teammates won Gold in a time of 1:23.36 seconds. The men also broke the previous school record they set for the event in December last year.

Moreover, Tyrrell and his colleagues secured a Silver Medal in the Men 200m Medley Relay in a time of 1:31.56.

The Northeast-10 Conference Championship concluded with Southern C o n n e c t i c u t m e n ’s swimming and diving winning the 2024 Championships with a score of 901, finishing ahead of Bentley (673) And Adelphi (590.5).

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Tuesday February 20, 2024

BCB presents gear under Action ends Dr. Dukhi Trust Fund following jam-

2024 NSC Guyana Table Tennis Association tournament...

The BCB presented a number of cricket gear to 23 clubs as part of their ongoing development programme.

packed tourney Part of the action in the Novice Singles and “C” Class Open table tennis tournament played at the National Gymnasium.

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) recently distributed millions of dollars worth of cricket gear to 23 clubs under the Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi Cricket Trust Fund.

The presentation took place during a simple ceremony at the BCB office, where items including; bats, batting pad, batting gloves,

helmets, wicket keeping pad and gloves, inners, bat rubber and personal protective equipment were presented. Dr. Dukhi stated he was delighted to assist as a proud Berbician and expressed pleasure at the current state of the game in his home county.

He stated that he agreed right away to establish the

fund late last year when former BCB President Hilbert Foster approached him. He also committed to assisting more in the future including sponsoring the required medical personnel to work on the medical state of youth cricketers.

BCB President Dr. Cecil Beharry expressed thanks to the sponsor for his support

and pledged to work hard to continue the development in our cricket.

Meanwhile, Foster announced his departure from Berbice cricket at all levels and expressed confidence in the management of the current president. He stated that his current priority is his club and his health.

The results coming out of the Novice Singles and “C” Class Open singles table tennis tournament played at the National Gymnasium on 11 February 2024 show several outstanding performances following the action over the weekend.

Jody-Ann Blake of Bank of Guyana defeated Kayden Meusa of President College at 7-11,11-5,11-4 and 11-6 in the “C” Class open singles finals (both players came from BV).

In the semifinals, Blake defeated Walter Marcus at

11-6,5-11, 11-9, 8-11 and 114 in a nail-biting finish and Meusa defeated Krishna Deolall at 11-4, 13-15,1106 and 11-4.

Novice singles finals saw Devanand Boodhoo defeating Josiah Dyall in three sets 11-4, 9-11 and 119.

In the Semi-Finals Dyall defeated Timothy Bagot at 611,11-8 and 11-6 while Boodhoo defeated Simeon Singh at 11-2,4-11 and 11-7, this category attracted 24 entries from schools and clubs.

Tuesday February 20, 2024

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

Briton John cops Forbes Burnham Memorial Meet title - United We Stand rider breaks personal record in impressive victory Overall winners assembling for photo-op at the conclusion of the 2024 Forbes Burnham Memorial Cycle Meet on Sunday.

T

he Burnham Foundation, in collaboration with the Flying Stars Cycle Club, successfully concluded the Annual Forbes Burnham Memorial Cycle Meet on Carifesta Avenue.

The senior cyclist, Briton John, showcased another exceptional performance, completing the challenging route in one hour, four minutes, and fiftysix seconds (1:4:56s),

marking a remarkable improvement of 7 minutes and 40 seconds from his previous time.

The race commenced at 2:00pm on Carifesta Avenue, following a route along the East Coast roadways to Belfield before returning to finish back on Carifesta Avenue.

Cyclists participated in various categories, including Elite, Juniors, Veterans 40+, and Veterans 50+.

In the Elite category, Briton John of United We Stand rider secured victory with a time of 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 56 seconds, clinching the coveted firstplace spot for the second consecutive year. Curtis Dey of KFC Evolution delivered a standout performance, securing the second-place with a time of 1 hour, 6 minutes, and 24 seconds.

Robin Persaud, Mario Washington, and Aaron Newton claimed the third,

fourth, and fifth places respectively.

Over in the Juniors division, youth cycling sensation Alexander Leung asserted his dominance, claiming the coveted first place.

Aaron Newton secured the second-place position, closely followed by Daniel Jaing in third.

In the Veterans Over-40 division, Robin Persaud and Ralph Williams secured the respective first and second-

place spots. In the Veterans Over-50 category, Ian Jackson and Raymond Newton claimed the top two positions, securing the first and second place, respectively.

The Four-Prime winners, Christopher Griffith, Roy Mangru, Briton John, and Curtis Dey, added to the overall excitement of the event.

The Annual Forbes Burnham Memorial Cycle Meet, organised by the

Burnham Foundation and the Flying Stars Cycle Club, serves as a tribute to Guyana’s former President, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.

Burnham, a prominent figure in Guyanese politics, was the leader of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana from 1964 until his passing in 1985.

The event pays homage to his legacy as a strong political figure and his contributions to the nation.

rts Spo

Jason-Ray Khalil, Ryan Rahaman, and Kaiden Alli triumph in thrilling Mash Handicap Squash Finale

2024 Bounty Farm Mashramani Handicap Championship winners and participants share photo-op at the closing of the event.

Delroy Tyrrell breaks Record at NE- 10 Conference Swim Meet Delroy Tyrrell

Stolen Money could steal the show at Jumbo Jet’s Mashramani horse race P. 21

West Indies Championship 2024...

Imlach, Motie return to Harpy Eagles side, as Champs seek turnaround

Stolen Money will have to be on the money to cap off another win.

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