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Sunday February 21, 2021
Barbados-bound woman found with cocaine in vagina S
u s p i c i o u s movements by an outgoing female passenger, yesterday, at the Eugene Correia
International Airport, Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), led to her being busted with a quantity of suspected cocaine.
According to what Kaieteur News was told by its sources, the passenger is identified as 23 years old, Tamira Melville.
A police report revealed that Melville was about to check-in around 11:00 hrs. on a Barbados-bound flight, when she was observed to be
acting suspiciously. As a result, the law enforcement officers intercepted her and decided to carry out a full body search. Officers discovered that the woman had inserted a package with the narcotic wrapped in condoms up her vagina. S h e w a s subsequently detained and questioned. Melville, during the interrogation reportedly told the officers that she had also ingested 73 pellets filled with cocaine. The officers then cautioned and arrested Melville before transporting her to the
Tamira Melville Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for a further check-up.
The parcel containing the cocaine
Kaieteur News
Sunday February 21, 2021
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ExxonMobil commits to examining root cause of compressor damage - Will use 'lessons learned' to prevent future flaring By Kemol King
Rotors mounted in compressor casing (view from the suction and discharges sides – EEPGL
E
xxonMobil said yesterday in an operational update that it is working to get to the bottom of the technical issues, which resulted in flaring at the Liza Destiny Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel since January 27. Government and Public Affairs Advisor, Janelle Persaud, repeated “A detailed assessment of the compressor has found an axial vibration of the compressor rotor was the initiating event of the technical issue experienced on January 27. The resulting vibration within the compressor was the cause of the mechanical seal failure initially reported.” Kaieteur News has asked the company to clearly define the root cause of this, and whether it was linked to
the issues that caused flaring last year. “We are conducting comprehensive root cause analyses of the issues and will take full action to incorporate lessons learned for the FPSOs employed in future projects, including Liza Phase 2 and Payara,” Persaud said.
Man shoots nieghbour for talking his name
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Plaisance man yesterday shot his nieghbour twice for reportedly talking his name with a woman. Nursing gunshot wounds to his abdomen is Keith Johnson, 32, an electrician of Prince William Street, P lais an ce, Eas t C o as t Demerara (ECD). According to police, Johnson was shot around 08:00Hrs during a confrontation with his neighbour and former best friend, age 26. Johnson, reported investigators, had stepped out his yard and was about to head to work when his alleged shooter approached him armed with .32 caliber revolver. The suspect began accusing Johnson of gossiping his name with a woman. The two ended up in a heated argument over the accusations. Police were told that as the argument intensified, Johnson's brothers rushed out to make peace, but the suspect drew his weapon and shot Johnson twice to his left
side abdomen before running away. An injured Johnson was then taken by one of his brothers to a bus stop in order to find transportation. While doing so, police were summoned and arrived promptly to take Johnson to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). There he was admitted by doctors and underwent emergency surgery to extract the bullets. Cops have since been told that he is recovering and is currently in a stable condition. Meanwhile ranks are on the look-out for Johnson's shooter. So far investigators have learnt that Johnson and his shooter had been best friends in the past but their friendship ended abruptly after they were both shot in October last year by men on a motorcycle. It is believed that the friendship might have turned sour because the suspect suspected that Johnson was betraying him.
ExxonMobil intends to increase the liquids capacity of the Liza Destiny. So far, those tests have resulted in an increased capacity from 120,000 barrels of oil per day to 158,000 barrels per day, according to Production M a n a g e r, M i k e Ry a n . ExxonMobil officials had revealed during a press engagement on Monday, February 8, that the operation was producing at a rate of 130,000 barrels a day in January, just before the equipment malfunction occurred. ExxonMobil insists that the issue is not linked to
these higher production tests. Gregory Hill, Chief Operations Officer at Hess Corporation – ExxonMobil's Stabroek block partner – told analysts during a 2020 Q4 earnings call on January 27 that ExxonMobil intends to evaluate and pursue options to increase the liquids capacity of the vessel, and that this would include some piping changes and debottlenecking during a third quarter shutdown period. Meanwhile, repairs and upgrades are ongoing on the equipment in Germany.
Persaud said it could take up to eight weeks for the equipment to be repaired and reinstated. “Technical experts at the MAN Energy Solutions workshop in Germany continue to reassemble the internal components of the flash gas compressor. To date, they have completed the adjustment of all sealing components for the suction and have moved forward with the assembly and alignment of the seals and the bearings on the discharge side.” This follows the mechanical reworking of the
Nigerian court blocks Shell's accounts over alleged oil theft
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remium Times The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted an interim mareva injunction directing commercial banks to block Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited accounts.
A mareva injunction is a court order freezing a party's assets, until the determination of a case they are involved in, to stop them from taking it abroad. The order was in a bid to recover the cash equivalent of more than 16 million
barrels of crude oil allegedly diverted by the oil giant from AITEO Eastern E&P Company Ltd. Judge Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, gave the order Wednesday last following an ex-parte application where (continued on page 13)
compressor casing, which was done early last week. Apart from the flash gas compressor, Persaud said that the discharge silencer, a key component of the assembly, was transported to Germany separately due to the sequence of the disassembly on the FPSO. The ExxonMobil official told reporters that the silencer is under evaluation and assessment to determine the scope of repairs required.
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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Shut down Exxon’s operations until flaring is fixed Which patriotic Guyanese concerned about the present and long-term welfare of Guyana, and its citizens and their prospects could have a problem with a nationally minded call to shutdown Exxon’s operations until it fixes the gas flaring problem? We would have thought that there is none, but there are more than a few, of whom one body and its Guyanese spokesperson went public to voice condemnation of the call for Exxon to be forced to shut down its operations and address the disturbing gas flaring issue. For some mysterious reason that cannot be with the best for Guyana at heart, the President of Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC), Mr. Manniram Prashad, took exception to what the former head of this country’s EPA, Dr. Vincent Adams, had publicly recommended. That is, close Exxon’s production down until it does the right thing, what circumstances compel that it do, given what is happening and where things stand with gas flaring at the wells and into the atmosphere 125 miles out from our shores. GOGEC’s president was of the stance that Dr. Adams’ position was “extreme” (KN February 20). Surely, this can’t be happening? Surely, no Guyanese should take offense at what is protective of Guyana’s wellbeing and its present and future prospects? What could be wrong about that call from Dr. Adams? What is so “extreme” about it? Let us be as clear as we can, by reminding all Guyana, and the rest of the interested world, that this is how powerful and slick oil companies operate, what deep-pocketed oil majors promise so much that local elites and the locally well-positioned can take advantage of oil developments that they are no longer prone to either reason or what should be about country first and all citizens always. Rather, it is about what helps their case, their visions, their drives, their possible profits. The history of oil and the presence of the Exxon(s) of the world have left a litany of political leadership compromises and corruptions, local elite capture, and reciprocal citizen hostilities in divided societies. We invite those who agree and those who disagree to examine our current circumstances, and challenge us at this paper regarding the accuracy (or lack of it) on what has happened and continues to unfold right here and right now. Our political leaders cannot speak, because they are shackled and made to sit down like docile prisoners. This is the selfincrimination that their oil misdeeds have plastered on their foreheads and piled upon their pathetic heads. Their knees cannot hold them up, so that they can stand up to Exxon and the others. Our local elites, operating under one agency construct after another have already sold their souls for the streams of silver held out enticingly by Exxon. It is a sad and grim day, when one Guyanese sees it fit to confront another Guyanese in defense of a predatory and arrogant foreign oil company. This is what the oil powers have done in Nigeria (where North and South are in a state of virtual civil war). This is what was executed in Angola (how well the cronies of father and daughter De Santos fared). This is what is at work right next door in Venezuela (where those neighbours rail and rage at each other, then rampage against those who stand for something). It is becoming clearer and clearer that savvy Exxon has laid the groundwork well by sowing same divisive seeds here that pit Guyanese against Guyanese. Surely, there has to be something that is about country left. The only way that we are prepared to interpret GOGEC’s leader position about the call for shutdown being “extreme” is that he lost his head for a moment, forgot what should always come first, and got carried away in the slipstream of his agency’s priorities. We hate to say this, but we think that we must, as we owe this to our Guyanese brothers and sisters: From the perspective of GOGEC’s chief, Exxon’s excesses, Exxon’s continuity, and Exxon’s peace, regardless with what it does out there, must be overlooked, even condoned. Even when it has been recklessly negligent, definitely indifferent, and terribly unresponsive, the company must be given its way to do as it pleases. It must not be angered, or disturbed, or interrupted. We disagree. We are as one with Dr. Adams on Guyana’s shutting down of Exxon’s operations until it fixes its faulty gas compressor. It has had enough experience, enough missteps. Time for us to get real, by drawing hard, immovable lines with Exxon and others.
Sunday February 21, 2021
Shameless silence on Wales Gas Project DEAR EDITOR, Is silence golden on the gas to shore project at Wales? Blunders were made and there was silence except for KN and another paper. Is a white elephant along the line of Skeldon in the making? Respectable individuals of integrity who constantly write in the media have been silent on this project. Are they shameless? Two government aligned newspapers parrot and support the government; they and their agents are also shameless. Two independent newspapers raise critical questions about the project. KN daily exposes the mishandling of oil and gas. On gas to shore and Wales, the tail is wagging the dog. An individual who headed a government agency in the previous PPP/C administration was announced as the energy czar. Controversy followed him last time around. Is he
competent in energy related matters or gas to shore issues? Is he an economist or scientist or engineer to understand the project? If not, why was he selected? The Vice President announced the Wales project at a press conference two months ago. Scholars were not consulted. There were no studies done before this announcement. When two newspapers raised questions about feasibility, the VP responded two months later saying four studies would be done on feasibility and engineering. KN has logically asked which four bodies will do the studies. What will they study? How will they be selected? There have not been any announcements or advertisements for tendering of studies. Why the secrecy of the project and those who will conduct the studies? Is this government much
different from APNU on how energy project is handled? Professionals, scholars, associations, and rights advocates excoriated the previous regime for its short comings. Why isn’t the same being done now? Why aren’t those individuals of integrity who perennially pen letters in the media or those in government aligned media houses raising query about the planned studies for the gas to shore project? I have lost respect for some of them whose writings I looked forward to. If they are silent because they expect a
position or a consultancy or a contract to come their way from the leadership who run this government, they better think again. There is not much room for co mpetency, rights advocates, and integrity. Just look around who heads what and who have been brought back from the last PPP administration. How many individuals of integrity are noted? Silence won’t buy a government position unless you are prepared to be compromised. Yours truly, Hema Lokenauth
Call not in keeping with spirit DEAR EDITOR, The call to apologise or face the courts is not in keeping with the spirit of
extending olive branch and working towards better relations. Shamshun Mohamed
Sunday February 21, 2021
Kaieteur News
De facto unity governance DEAR EDITOR, For no reason at all, something made me recollect the tensions and traumas of the 2020 elections: the long delays, the social media nuclear fallouts, the racial passions stoked in the trenches. And I wonder today, as to the purpose of it all. I say this, because look at where we are, with what amounts to a de facto unity governance structure, compliments of two of Guyana’s stellar sons, the Hon. Vice President and the just as Hon. Leader of the Opposition. It only took three decades and some three years, but today the PPP and PNC are as inseparable as one, and look what it took to fuse them in the manner that they are. The irony is that it took oil - greasy, slick, and monstrously serpentine in its fearsome specter and shadow - to bring the PPP and PNC together in the classic inseparability of Siamese Twins. The bewildered political and racial children, who supported both parties so lovingly, ferociously, and fervently look on with both fascination and deep distaste at this new political hybrid, the handiwork of their
modern father figures. Sorry, no women at the heights. This hybrid creature is straight out of their nightmares, but there it is, and it is being tended carefully, cooperatively, and in a way that speaks so fulsomely of the bloodlines of the two political parents. It is of the rich seductions of oil that have made majestic men from Africa, other Third World countries, and elsewhere slide all the way to Switzerland. And as if to prove that we are quick learners, Guyana’s Vice President and Opposition Leader (with timely assistance from surrounding casts) have taken a page, many chapters, from the playbook of other leaders, to show the whole world that they got an oil game going that is as good as any from anywhere and anytime, in the sordid history of this most devilishly enchanting commodity. As I examine all this, and reflect on where this leads, I peer into my lexicon for the most fitting description of these two smartly, coolly operating political stewards of Guyana’s wealth. The best I come up with, after lengthy and challenging consideration, is that both the Vice President and the Leader of the Opposition are true
Guyanese; that is, great exemplars of what is now settled culture where matters of principle and moral certitude are involved. They cannot be bettered. If anyone was licking their lips in anticipation of the down and dirty, I regret having to disappoint with the bland, the somewhat cryptic, and which leaves so much untouched and unanswered. Just to set the bitter partisans and the oil-driven hopes of impoverished brethren at ease, I began by uttering incantations with such glowing tributes as honest and honourable, truthful and ethical, but I got sidetracked, since I ran out of material and steam, which I chalk up to the nature of the territory. I confess that enduring focus, especially with princely (think literature) leadership subjects, has become increasingly detestable; attention span fading. I note, however, that professionals from the opposition’s public service stronghold are kicked out one by one, and the group’s leader is as serene as a supertanker (loaded, of course). And as the billions for COVID-19 cash climbs, he is just as unmoved. And while the Vice President’s clandestine exploits with
crude continue, the Opposition Leader is even more silent. It takes a lot to keep certain men quiet, but there it is, and here we are in the joys of a true one-party state, made up of the oneness of likeminded PPP and coalition leaders, where the two at the top are one for the other and both for themselves only. What a smooth start to His Excellency’s ‘One Guyana’ programme! And that is what the unity governance apparatus concocted sorry, constructed - by Guyana’s two most powerful political leaders has come to represent in the rich darkness of its essence, the prosperity of its personal promises. The question is for whom? Though others have surrendered country, citizen, and character to oil temptations, I have not. And I am mighty pleased to say that such has not touched the top, which is usually the first to fall prey to the pathological greed that oil unleashes. Well done, gents! How about some more of these rulership manufactures? Sincerely, GHK Lall
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Sunday February 21, 2021
The well-being of bauxite workers is of equal importance to that of sugar workers DEAR EDITOR, This letter serves to not only highlight the government’s double standards in treatment of bauxite vis-à-vis sugar and their workers but their disinterest in losing Guyana’s bauxite foothold in the international market. It remains a clear case of economic injustice towards a category of workers who are involved in the production of a globally viable product. Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, in a recent press briefing stated that the government has no interest in
taking over the Bauxite Company Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) where it has a 10 percent share and RUSAL (Russia Aluminum) the remainder. The reasons he gave for the government’s position laid bare the thinking of this regime towards bauxite based on distortions and intent to discriminate against a group of workers. Whereas Brazil produces refractory grade bauxite (RGB) it has its own uniqueness. The three countries that produce this type of bauxite are Guyana, Brazil and China with each having their own peculiarities and values
which the Minister neglected to highlight to the media and society. Guyana presently supplies approximately 6.6 percent of RGB to the world market. The question must then be asked, why the government is allowing the Aroaima and Kwakwani mines to lie idle which would adversely impact this nation retaining or improving its supply. The government must also answer why they seem unconcerned about Guyana losing its international foothold for a viable product even as they inject billions of dollars into the beleaguered Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) that is
producing sugar at US$0.41 cents a pound and selling on the global market at US$0.13 cents, which represents a loss of US$0.28 cents. The disparity in attention and treatment of bauxite and sugar based on economics cannot withstand scrutiny. Evidently, the government is showing bias to sustain GuySuCo, even if it means the Guyanese taxpayers are funding not only its operational costs but the taste of the European markets. Poor Guyana continues to subsidize the taste of those who are financially better off than us because according to the
government the spending is necessary to address the socioeconomic well-being of sugar workers and their communities. The government must be called on to answer why isn’t the socioeconomic wellbeing of BCGI workers and their communities not equally deserving. Apart from government’s tardiness or disinterest in operationalising the mines, similar treatment is being seen in not addressing the outstanding 11-year-old grievances through arbitration. Where BCGI remains a legal entity, it must honour its obligation under the law and the government has an obligation to make sure this happens. Government is not only part owner of BCGI but also custodian of the Constitution and Laws of Guyana. They have dual obligations and responsibilities which they are refusing to honour. There is also the issue of inaccuracy in the computation of severance payment to workers which has been placed before the Ministry of Labour for attention. Government’s excuses that they are not interested in taking over BCGI, while not borne on facts, does not absolve the Ministry from the aforesaid obligations under the law. Let me make it very clear, the well-
being of bauxite workers is of equal import to that of sugar workers. Disparity in treatment on matters where the laws, international conventions and time-honoured principles are universal and clear is discriminating against a group or individual. It matters not who that individual is, or the size of the group affected. The hundreds of BCGI workers affected by the government refusal to enforce the laws and protect Guyana’s supply share in the global market are of equal importance to the attention and investment given to sugar workers. It is also of importance to remind this nation that the same PPP/C, that now wants to throw numbers at society to justify its discriminatory treatment in favour of thousands of sugar workers and against hundreds of bauxite workers, is the same party that placed thousands of bauxite workers on the breadline shortly after coming to office in 1992. Back then it was never a matter of those workers socioeconomic well-being and that of their communities, despite the numbers. Today we must not be fooled by the said government convenience of the numbers game. Lincoln Lewis
Induction into the Hall of Shame DEAR EDITOR, We do have to give a thumbs-up to the Minister of Public Works, J. Edghill, for cleaning house, by terminating contracts of ill suited contractors who are unable to finish projects in spite of the millions advanced to them. It is a good start. The Minister is on the right track in also stating a few weeks ago to summarize; that individuals will be fired who sign off on contractors getting payments, when work has not been done. So let’s see. Hopefully with this approach, Guyana should expect to see less uncompleted projects. The latest eye sore of the terminated contract of Leguan Ferry Stelling is just another recent case in point, of one of many financially mismanaged contracts under the “leadership” of the Ex Minister of Public Infrastructure. This is such a stain. Shame on all these ex leaders, regardless of
Ministry or high end government organization who have accomplished so little for Guyana, obviously hopeless in their prior government positions and yet have no problem making a fuss when they are not included in consultations. Why should such individuals or their enablers be included in anything when they are proving to have a solid track record of obvious mismanagement. What is their excuse? These are enemies of the people; plain and simple. Such non-performance shouldn’t be acceptable any more. This is one of so many projects run amok under the previous administration, an administration that had no strategic game plans for a positive legacy. At least the Minister of Public Works is leaving an impression that he means business, in this aspect. Chi Kansi
Sunday February 21, 2021
Kaieteur News
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Shareholder rebellion against ExxonMobil - World’s largest money manager demands mounts greater climate change disclosure By Kiana Wilburg American oil giant, ExxonMobil, is facing an unprecedented rise in shareholder pressure. Its investors are not only concerned about the steep decline in profits in recent times, but more particularly, whether ExxonMobil’s spending is in alignment with the global aspiration of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This concern, which has sparked an uprising among shareholders with deep pockets, has led to a clamour for change in Board Directors and more importantly, a change in the way management at ExxonMobil conducts businesses. Specifically, the world’s largest money manager and second largest investor in Exxon, BlackRock, issued in a most recent update that there would be a change to the way it engages corporations. BlackRock, which manages US$8.67 trillion in global assets, said it would be more inclined to vote in favour of shareholder resolutions, and against boards of directors at companies. In its update, BlackRock’s CEO, Larry Fink said, “…Given how central the energy transition will be to every company’s growth prospects, we are asking companies to disclose a plan for how their business model will be compatible with a net zero economy – that is, one where global warming is limited to well below 2ºC, consistent with a global aspiration of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. We are asking you to disclose how this plan is incorporated into your longterm strategy and reviewed by your board of directors. We appreciate that disclosure can be cumbersome and that the variety of reporting frameworks creates
further complexity for companies. We strongly support moving to a single global standard, which will enable investors to make more informed decisions about how to achieve durable long-term returns. Because better sustainability disclosures are in companies’ as well as investors’ own interests, I urge companies to move quickly to issue them rather than waiting for regulators to impose them…” Other shareholders of ExxonMobil, who have advocated for more climate actions in the market, saw the fund manager’s statement as representative to the movement for change. (https:// www.blackrock.com/corporate/investor-relations/ blackrock-client-letter) NOT THE FIRST REBELLION But the uprising against ExxonMobil, which trails from late 2020 into 2021 had been creeping since 2017. In May 2017 for example, ExxonMobil’s management was defeated by a shareholder revolt over climate change matters, as investors with 62.3 percent of shares voted to instruct the oil giant to report on the impact of global measures designed to keep climate change to two degrees centigrade. The shareholder’s rebellion at the 2017 ExxonMobil annual meeting in Dallas was led by major financial advisory firms and fund managers who traditionally have played passive roles. Although the identity of voters wasn’t disclosed at the time, a source familiar with the vote had told the Washington Post that major financial advisory firm BlackRock had cast its shares in opposition to Exxon management. (https:/ /www.washingtonpost.com/ news/energy-environment/
wp/2017/05/31/exxonmobil-istrying-to-fend-off-a-shareholder-rebellion-over-climatechange/) (https:// www.cnbc.com/2020/12/13/ climate-change-a-7-trillionwarning-from-markets-biggest-investor.html) In its report on the matter, The Post had said that the vote against Exxon’s management marked an important step for groups that have been trying to force corporations to adopt greater disclosure and transparency about the financial fallout of climate change. It recalled too that BlackRock, which said since 2017 that climate disclosure is one of its top priorities, had warned on its website that “our patience is not infinite.” MORE BACKLASH Since that major victory, the uprising against ExxonMobil has swollen to an unprecedented proportion. Last month, Kaieteur News would have reported that investment firm, Engine No 1, with the backing of the California State Teachers’ Pension Fund, had joined calls for a change at ExxonMobil, as it called for fresh blood to its board. The New York State pension fund also followed up with threats to divest its stake in the company unless it moves away from fossil fuels more quickly. This publication would have also reported that a group of 135 investors had earlier this month, formally cemented their intention to bring massive changes to ExxonMobil by launching, “The Coalition United for a Responsible Exxon” (CURE). As of today, CURE’s over 135 members collectively represent over US$2.2 trillion in assets. In its launching letter, CURE had raised urgent concerns about Exxon’s current
Dem boys seh ...
Government eye too fat! De government up to its old tricks. It has launched yet another foray against de cricket board. It get a court decision and it hustle through elections fuh Demerara. It even rushing through elections dis week fuh de Board. Dat is PPP/C idea of democracy. With all de talk about democracy, yuh woulda think dat young battalions would have at least tried to ensure dat de elections was free by trying to get all the sub associations of Demerara on board. But dat was not to be since dem claim two of dem associations nah submit names of dem delegates to de court. Dem boys nah understand why de reporters talking about court-managed process. Dem boys nah know court ga get involved in any election process, because of de separation of powers. Dem know about court-man-
dated process. De new president signal de dawn of new era. But dem boys think is de dusk of darkness instead. Is sheer power struggling going on in cricket and is de government to blame. Dem gat dem eyes pun controlling de West Indies Cricket Board so dat dem gan create dem own franchise and milk mo money dan de CPL. Is lang now dem trying fuh seize control of local cricket. Dem boys wan advise dem local players fuh go to Trinidad and dem small islands and play deh, because cricket in Guyana going down de drain. Is too much politics in de game and de government gan mek a mess of cricket, an all because dem eye too fat. Talk half and wait fuh mo court case.
direction, which it said is premised on outdated assumptions about high oil prices, demand, and margins that are incompatible with the reality of climate change and the inevitable transition to renewable energy sources. Once the most innovative leaders in the industry and a pillar of the Dow Jones (DJ), CURE said that Exxon today finds itself lagging behind other oil majors that have adapted their strategies to lead the global energy transition. The coalition urgently demanded change at Exxon, beginning with the Board, and a new commitment to a financially, competitively, and environmentally sustainable future for the Company, its shareholders, and all stakeholders.
Blackrock CEO, Larry Fink Under its current strategy, CURE said that Exxon continues to strand assets by making massive capital investments in upstream projects that destroy shareholder value. The Company it said, rationalizes these investment decisions through unrealistic expectations of future oil and gas prices and demand. Fur-
ExxonMobil CEO, Darren Woods ther to this, CURE said that Exxon’s poor decision-making has led to the highest debt levels in the Company’s history, with the worst operational net-debt-to-cash ratio among its peers. It said too that Exxon’s operational inefficiencies are also exacting a toll on profitability.
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Sunday February 21, 2021
Kaieteur News
FRONT PAGE COMMENTS RECAP As we continue our mission to enlighten you about issues of importance to this nation, we at Kaieteur News, have been publishing a series of front-page comments in hopes of having our leaders take the necessary actions in order to realize the desired outcome. Today, we recap the front-page comments that were published during the past week.
Oil companies must pay the OUR LEADERSHIP IS BLIND ON SUNDAY same taxes too! EXXON’S ESCALATING COSTS The Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, said it himself in his presentation of the 2021 budget: 96 percent of government revenues were derived from tax collections. That amounts to a whopping G$218.3B out of G$227.4B. We encourage our citizens to take a closer look at the numbers behind that 96 percent tax collection. One thing stands out: It is Guyanese, YOU and I, who are shouldering the bulk of those taxes. It is Guyanese who are feeling the pinch as a result of the country’s high
taxation on personal incomes. And that is why we are angry and disgusted because the oil companies are paying next-to-nothing in taxes. And to add insult to injury, they are ripping us off on our wealth. Why is Exxon allowed to benefit from a virtual tax-free status while the ordinary man is being deprived of a share of his earnings and even has to pay VAT on some of the purchases he makes for basic items in the supermarket? Why are Guyanese burdened with so many taxes – income tax, property tax, company taxes, excise tax, valueadded tax, professional fees,
capital gains tax and estate duties – while foreigners, who are exploiting our oil, gold, bauxite and timber, are doing so without paying a dollar into our Treasury? What manner of inconsiderate leaders we have, who would agree to this level of tax discrimination? The Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance was proud to announce no new taxes on Guyanese. He is right! We have enough taxes already. We do not need more. What is needed is a levelled playing field by insisting that the oil companies pay the same taxes as we do.
WEDNESDAY Our leaders have made many costly past mistakes with our oil. Instead of learning from those mistakes and working tirelessly to correct them, our leaders continue to walk this same wretched path. The coalition leaders had approved a provision, which said that Guyana would accept a measly 2% take for all of the oil to be produced in the Stabroek Block. Several world-class experts advised them to increase this to 10 or 12 percent. But the coalition ignored this advice. The PPP is doing same.
PPP leaders had the opportunity to wield a menacing sword over Exxon’s head and squeeze the company where it hurts when the company desperately needed approval for the Payara project, the third to be developed on the Stabroek Block. But it let the opportunity slip through its fingers. It refused to use other opportunities when granting permits and approving other projects, as bargaining chips for better contract terms for Guyanese. Our leaders had Exxon bent over their laps, and did absolutely nothing to benefit Guyanese handsomely. The reverse occurred, with Exxon dropping the cash hammer on us, through increasing costs. Liza-1 started at US$3.5B, Liza-2 went to
US$6B (70% more), and Payara expenses currently are estimated at US$9B (over 250% of Liza-1 expenses, and 50% of Liza-2). The oil companies are having a feast, while thinking of Guyanese as dumb and foolish. As our leaders refuse to claw back value, do an independent review of our resources, provide the studies on the gas-to-shore project to be landed at Wales, leave key projects without comprehensive or full insurance, among other things, we are left vulnerable to massive scales of abuse. Our leaders need to stop being so blind, dumb and foolish. If they don’t act differently, all of Guyana will be doomed without resources.
The Opposition Leader cannot remain silent! THURSDAY Several months ago, newly minted Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Joseph Harmon, indicated to this publication and, by extension, the nation that he would not be saying anything on the Oil Sector at that time because he was waiting on comprehensive and accurate information from overseas. Weeks later, the same Mr. Harmon said he was still waiting, as he wanted to get the right information and speak authoritatively. Still later, the same Mr. Harmon said that apparently Kaieteur News knows more about Guyana’s oil than he and his coalition group do. And now, the very same Mr. Harmon is telling Guyanese that he will not be saying anything on this country’s oil. When it comes to the country’s most lucrative resource, the Opposition Leader is strongly not saying much. To say that we are disappointed at the silence of the Leader of the Opposition is
an understatement. As the representative of a substantial constituency, we would have expected Mr. Harmon to have been more strident in his comments on the oil blocks giveaway and on the failure of the government to claw back significant concessions during the Payara negotiations. The Opposition is beholden to its supporters to adopt a position on these issues. It has a duty to let the nation know where it stands on the issue of Guyana’s oil wealth. It is obligated to hold the government accountable for its actions. The failure to speak on such a matter of public importance, unfortunately, may be perceived as a dereliction of its responsibilities. The Opposition needs to be forthright with its supporters, the nation and with itself. Its silence is sending a deafening signal, which runs the risk of being perceived as sharing a common understanding with the PPP/C government and the oil companies!
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BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY!
In case you havent heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecency in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation. SUNDAY Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, continues to show disrespect for the press by ignoring them, in favour of media squatters who display no regard for journalistic principles. The tactic is as old as time: Give interviews to people who will suck up to you instead of asking the tough questions, and expect the real journalists to provide coverage. This newspaper will not fall for it! MONDAY Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, is a brilliant man. That is no secret. That is why it is so difficult to fathom that he would allow ExxonMobil to feed him lies so it can produce oil at a breakneck pace. Meanwhile, in Suriname,
there is no hurry to deplete the oil reserves. Suriname knows that there is time, and it is using that time to develop its capacity to monitor BEFORE the oil companies pump out all the blasted crude. Can we please learn from them, for the love of God? TUESDAY Consultations on Guyana’s local content policy are there to ensure valid inputs are given into the chiselling of the document. The process is for real concerns by local businesses to be aired, so that we are operating on an even playing field. It is not for people to waste precious time telling the President and Vice President how great we think
they are. If you are not there to raise valid concerns, be quiet and let the people speak. WEDNESDAY Guyana’s Vice President seems to think that he can substitute weekly press briefings, which the Guyana Press Association has called for, with his once-upon-a-bluemoon press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. Bring back the weekly post-Cabinet press briefings. This three-month thing is not enough. The Vice President also seems to think he can get away with speaking for just about all Ministers on all issues, while some of these Junior Ministers have been hiding since taking office. Let them face the fire – that is how
they will learn. THURSDAY “This budget is another jet… a jet which the wheels are taken off, the cockpit ain’t functioning and the pilot flying, flying a dream.” Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon (February 16, 2021) If this is Mr. Harmon’s idea of an effective rebuttal to the PPP/C’s Budget proposal, and an indicator of what the Opposition’s arguments will be like, when time comes for budget debates, it is unacceptable. Now is not the time for the Opposition to present useless anecdotes and metaphors
when the PPP/C is trying to pass a $383B budget. Mr. Harmon, you are abdicating your duty to this country if you are not mounting an effective, critical analysis of the PPP/C’s budget. Get it together! FRIDAY Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, is a brilliant man. That is no secret. That is why it is so difficult to fathom that he would allow ExxonMobil to feed him lies so it can produce oil at a breakneck pace. Meanwhile, in Suriname, there is no hurry to deplete the oil reserves. Suriname
knows that there is time, and it is using that time to develop its capacity to monitor BEFORE the oil companies pump out all the crude. Can we learn from them for the love of God? SATURDAY ExxonMobil starts increasing production above the nameplate capacity of its operation, offshore Guyana. It experiences at least two equipment malfunctions. This is a “no brainer,” but the company insists there is no link between the two. How stupid does Exxon think the Guyanese people are?
Sunday February 21, 2021
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Nigerian court blocks Shell's accounts over alleged oil theft From page 3 AITEO Eastern E&P Company Ltd. is the plaintiff/applicants and SPDC Ltd. is the first defendant. Joined in the suit are Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell Western Supply and Trading Ltd, Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Ltd and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd. as second, third, fourth and fifth defendants. The respondents are the 20 banks where the Shell companies operate accounts in Nigeria. AITEO's application was filed by Kemi Pinheiro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who led six other SANs, including
Mike Ozekhome and Dapo Olanipekun. The judge directed the 20 banks to “ring-fence any cash, bonds, deposits, all forms of negotiable instruments to the value of $2.7 billion and pay all standing credits to the Shell companies up to the value into an interest yielding account in the name of the Chief Registrar of the court.” The Court Registrar is to “hold the funds in trust” pending the hearing of the motion and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed before it by AITEO. The court restrained the defendants or their agents
from presenting to the banks ”any mandate or instrument for the withdrawal of any money and /or funds standing to the credit of any of the accounts” of the defendants kept/maintained “at any of the named respondent banks.” To allow that, the court said the banks must first “ringfence $1.2 million or its equivalent in any other official currency including but not limited to the naira and/or pound sterling being the value of the plaintiff's 1,022,029 barrels of crude oil. The value was derived at the rate of $79.50 per barrel as stated in the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) letter dated 8th day of July,
2020, the court added. Again, the court ruled that the banks should not allow that without first preserving and or ring-fencing the total sum of $2.7 billion or its equivalent in any other official currency. T he sum comprises
The rest includes $578,951,901.99 claimed as having been lost by the plain-
$799 million being the amount claimed to have been paid by the plaintiff to the five defendants for the acquisition of the Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) pipelines and the assets, and $389,631,877.76 claimed as having been lost by the plaintiff arising from
equipment including wellheads, generators and pumps as well as replacing the flow lines within the NCTL. The Judge further directed the respondents' banks “to pay any sums of money standing to the credit of the defendants within 48 hours of the service of the order” of court into an interest yielding account in the name of the court's Chief Registrar, who is
the leakages in the NCTL and the degraded conditions of the NCTL.
tiff arising from the crude theft/larceny in the NCTL, and $933,000,000 claimed as having been expended for the repairs of the pipelines and acquisition of the
to hold same in trust. “Pending the hearing and determination of the motion
on notice for interlocutory injunction, the respondent banks are directed to sequestrate and/or ring-fence any cash, bonds, deposits, all forms of negotiable instruments or chose(s) in the action due to or standing to the credit sum/value of the amounts stated in prayer 1,2,2 and/or 4 above,” the Judge added. When the matter came up on Monday, the court was informed that the defendants had filed an application seeking to discharge the order. The Judge adjourned further proceedings until February 24.
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Sunday February 21, 2021
Fifth AFC member resigns since August - says party has “lost its way” The Alliance For Change (AFC) yesterday lost its fifth member to resignation since the change of government last August, this one being Joel Edmond, a two-year executive of the coalitionaligned party. Edmond publicly came out yesterday to announce his resignation, which he said was of “immediate effect.” Kaieteur News subsequently reached out to Edmond and asked him what prompted his withdrawal from the AFC. He told this publication that following the protracted March 2020 General and Regional Elections, the AFC further “lost its way.” He said that after the
loss, he had expected the party to regroup, recommence projects and “get back to the basics.” “But nothing was done,” Edmond said to this publication. “This has been brewing for some time, even after the 2015 elections,” Edmond stated, “The AFC has somehow lost their focus, and it worsened after the [2020] elections.” When asked why he waited so long to resign if he had noticed the party’s decline some six years ago, Edmond indicated that he was “hopeful that the AFC would have made a comeback.” “But everyone is basically
scattered, and I thought that the loss of the elections would have been an eyeopener for them,” he noted. Edmond, who is an attorney-at-law stated that his resignation from the AFC does not signal the end of his political career. When Kaieteur News asked him whether he holds any intentions to join another political party, he declined to share a comment. Just last week, Former AFC Member of Parliament, Reynard Ward, had tendered his resignation from the party over its “broken, abusive and one-sided relationship,” which AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, and referred to the party’s ties with the larger A
Recently-resigned AFC executive, Joel Edmond Partnership for National Unity (APNU). Ward had served in Parliament from April 2019 to the
end of the administration’s last term, as a replacement MP, after court battles following President the December 21, 2018Ali. NoIrfaan Confidence Motion determined it unlawful for some Coalition dual-citizen MPs to sit in the House. Leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, at a press conference last week, noted his disappointment with Ward’s decision to exit the party, and had said “You will have people coming off for a variety of reasons,” and “I rather suspect that there might be other reasons why he came off, but all the best to him in the future.” The APNU+AFC Coalition relationship has been
strained, following a contentious five-month electoral saga, characterized by widespread accusations of electoral fraud. The Coalition most notably attempted to have the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) declare results, which would have granted it a second term, but were exposed as fraudulent. Ward’s resignation from AFC is not the first since the APNU+AFC was unseated by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in August last year. Former Region Five Councillor, Abel Seetaram, left the party in October last, and noted in a letter to (Continued on page 63)
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Sunday February 21, 2021
From handyman to Senior Aircraft Engineer…
ASL's Sodhan Benjamin is a 'Special Person' By Rehanna Ramsay
W
hen Sodhan Benjamin was just a teenage boy, he would visit the airstrip at Ogle on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and gaze longingly at the airplanes as they took off from the runway into the open skies. Absolutely captivated by the gravity-defying vehicles, the lad would stand in the nearby grass fields and watch as the aircraft vanished beyond the clouds and the sound of their rustling engines could no longer be heard. Never had he imagined that he would one day, have a career in the field of
engineering and maintenance of the fascinating air carriers. Today, Mr. Benjamin is a Senior Aeronautical Engineer attached to Air Services Limited (ASL) with close to 40 years of experience in the field. This week's 'Special Person' has journeyed from a lower rank airport employee at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport (formerly Ogle Airport) to a respected and cherished senior staff at ASL, one of the nation's leading domestic aircraft service providers. He told Kaieteur News that he started out a little under three decades ago as an ordinary loader (handyman), fetching
basically learned by doing. “ I had I didn't go to school for it but I knew the job (even before studying). There is so much work that goes into the maintenance of the aircraft before it is safe for use.
Senior Aircraft Engineer, Sodhan Benjamin
”
luggage and other items and loading them onto aircraft at Ogle. However, determined to improve his skill and knowledge of the aircraft, Benjamin worked his way up the ladder from handyman to maintenance worker and later entered the field of aeronautical engineering, obtaining several certificates and a licence to operate under the Guyana Civil
Aviation Authority (GCAA). In the early stages of his career, while the remuneration package of a loader was not much to talk about, Benjamin found satisfaction in working close to the aircraft. As one would imagine that later drove him to train extensively in the mechanical aspects of the aircraft. His commitment to the job is what caught the eye
of ASL's management and the company organized a full scholarship for him to study aeronautical engineering. Since then, Benjamin has been a qualified aeronautical engineer with ASL for close to 20 years and an employee of the company for much longer. His dedication to his work has never waned from the day he started. Benjamin told Kaieteur
space to grow and take advantage of the opportunities within the industry,” Benjamin said of his son. The senior aircraft engineer also has a daughter, Vimla, with his wife, Priya, of whom he is equally proud. “My daughter is currently studying business management; I am also very proud of her,” the doting father added. THE SIMPLE LIFE
Mr. Benjamin is pictured with his wife, Priya, and two adoring children, Navendra and Vimla.
Mr. Benjamin in work mode on the hangar floor at Ogle airport
News that his objective is always to put out his best work. A steadfast endeavour has earned him the admiration of those closest to him. In fact, this week's 'Special Person' has a son who has chosen to follow in his footsteps. Mr. Benjamin beamed with pride as he spoke of his son, Navendra Benjamin. “He is also training as an aeronautical engineer with ASL. He started young, straight out of the St. Rose's High School. So, I am happy for him because he will have
The Benjamin clan leads a simple life as residents of Chateau Margot, ECD. When Benjamin is not down at the airstrip working on the airplanes, he is likely at home relaxing with his wife and dog Maxx. Outside of that, he enjoys spending his leisure time in his kitchen garden or watching a good game of cricket. The simplicity of countryside living is nothing new to Benjamin, who told this publication that the village of Industry, ECD, a few villages away from his current abode, is where he spent most of his boyhood years. He related that he was p a r t o f a n 11 - s i b l i n g household with his parents, Patrick and Ivy Benjamin. They lived modestly. “My father worked as a 'grounds man' for the community centre at Ogle and my mother was a housewife. My parents were simple people. They had 11 children; eight girls and three boys,” he said, adding that although they were considered poor, his parents did the best they could to ensure he and his siblings had a reasonable life. “We had the basics; food, clothes, shelter and we would go to school for as long as they could afford to send us,” Benjamin said. He noted that as a small boy, he (continued on page 64)
Sunday February 21, 2021
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Miss Zena Bland
Meet the confident yet charming Zena Bland. She was the holder of the Miss Guyana United Nations 2018 title. She enjoys reading, interacting with others and exploring nature. One of her favourite quotes is, “Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart, the absolute principle of self-sacrifice.”
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Someone forgot to tell Jagdeo… T
exas is where the headquarters of ExxonMobil is located. But all the oil which is produced in that state could not prevent the rash of deaths and suffering caused by sub-zero temperatures now sweeping that section of the United States. Nor could the investment which the State has made in wind energy. The arctic chill which swept this State over the past week is a wake-up call about climate change, fossil fuel development and the inequalities within the capitalist heartland. Despite the decline in aggregate greenhouse gas emissions over the past year on account of the pandemic and the consequent slowdown in economic activity, extreme weather events are still taking place. It would appear as if Mother Earth is not only rebelling against the air pollution. The arctic freeze is also an alert to Guyana's Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who is of the belief that fossil fuels are potentially on their way out. Because of this he feels that Guyana should therefore maximize its oil production as quickly as possible. His depletion policy is essentially captured by the legend, “Drill Baby Drill! Pump Baby Pump!” Texas is a reminder that fossil fuels will be needed long into the next century. The power went out for millions of Americans this past week. The interruptions were not entirely caused by disruptions to power plants and lines. It was also caused by the surge in demand as temperatures fell and people needed more heat. The power plants – including the renewable energy plants – in Texas could not keep up with the rise in demand. All of this punctures Guyana's Vice President's presumption about fossil fuels having a short shelflife. Given the extreme weather events which are taking place around the world and the power outages which are resulting, Jagdeo's theory about the decline of fossil fuel use and investment is out of sync with reality. Texas is America's largest oil and natural gas
producer. And it now says that it is committed to increasing, rather than decreasing investments in fossil fuel development. A report in the Houston Chronicle, states that lawmakers are now demanding greater fossil fuel use in the State's energy mix and less renewable energy. One legislator has already warned about the dangers of transitioning too rapidly to renewable energy. And while all the blame for Texas energy woes should not be laid at the feet of renewable energy, the power interruptions have certainly exposed the shortcomings of too great a reliance on renewable energy sources. For one, it is extremely expensive and inefficient to store this form of energy. Renewable energy has to be stored in batteries and this is expensive and this also makes it difficult to be able to ratchet up supply in the event of a sudden and large increase in demand such as what happens during an arctic freeze. Second is renewable energy sources have become vulnerable to breakdowns during extreme weather event. During the arctic blast this past week, frozen windmills became inoperable. The out turn of all of this is that the world will have to continue to rely on fossil fuels for a long time. As one headline blared, “Texas winter storm highlights the importance of fossil fuels.” That report indicates that in Europe, which is pressing for reduced emission levels, solar and wind power generation is declining in many states. It points out that Sweden has seen a significant decline in windpower generation and has been forced to import energy from Poland and Lithuania. When it comes to solar power, the report notes that the extreme cold weather in Europe has also but blunted this source of energy production with, for example, Slovenia also producing one percent of its total energy needs from solar power. And even if per chance US fossil fuel production declines in the coming years, this does not mean that the demand for fossil fuelgenerated energy will
slacken, a distinction which Jagdeo apparently fails to make. As was reported in yesterday's edition of the Kaieteur News, the United States already expects to increase imports of crude by 62 percent over the next two years. The fact therefore that Europe and America may institute measures to cut
their greenhouse gas emission does not translate to a worldwide slump in demand for fossil fuels anytime in the future. Oil companies do not make guesses about the nature of future demand. They undertake detailed studies of these issues before making investment decisions. Exxon and its
partners would not have committed to investing US$20B if it was their opinion that fossil fuels would be phased out over the next few years. But apparently someone forgot to mention this to Dr. Jagdeo. No one, it would seem, has taken the trouble to disabuse him of the illinformed and misguided
notion he has that the world is drifting away from fossil fuels. They should do so in order that he can begin to develop an appropriate Oil Depletion Policy and to put it down on paper. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Sunday February 21, 2021
Caribbean people at risk of prolonging COVID-19 to their detriment By Sir Ronald Sanders
P
eople in the Caribbean, who refuse to take vaccinations to counter the Coronavirus, will cause the COVID-19 pandemic to remain longer in the region, endangering lives, livelihoods, and entire economies.
Whatever genuine fears may exist, these people must be educated about the value of the vaccine to their own health and they must be encouraged by all influential agencies to take it. If they need convincing, they should look at the experience of other countries where more than 139 million people have taken the
vaccine and not one of them has died from it. The churches, whose leaders have been preaching against the vaccine, are doing neither their followers nor their countries any good. S i m i l a r l y, t h e representatives of trade unions, who argue that their members have the right not to take vaccines, might
consider enlightening them about the benefits of the vaccine to their individual well-being, their families, the wider community, and the businesses from which they derive a living. At the rate at which vaccines are currently available and being rolled out in the world, the Caribbean will be behind
Britain and the U.S. in controlling the virus by at least a y e a r. If a significant number of people remain unvaccinated, the delay will be even longer. Caribbean countries cannot afford a year, let alone a more extended period, to suppress the virus. Many economies are already in dire straits, poverty is expanding, unemployment is rising, economies are declining, hospitals are besieged, and many more people are dying. This is why at a meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) on February 17, all independent CARICOM countries joined Antigua and Barbuda in promoting adoption of a resolution calling for equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally. Action is necessary to get vaccines into Caribbean countries so that at least 80 percent of the people can be inoculated to build 'herd immunity.' This is achieved when a large part of the population is immune to the disease. If enough people are resistant to the coronavirus, it will have nowhere to go and it will peter out. Right now, every country in the Caribbean is way behind developed countries with which they interact for tourism, trade in goods and other commercial and social activity. For example, at the time of writing (February 18), Britain has inoculated 23.7 percent of its population with the first dose of the vaccine; the U.S. 12.3 percent; Canada 3.48 percent; and many of the countries in the European Union almost three percent. No country in the Caribbean has vaccinated more than 0.9 percent of their populations. The main reason for this is that rich countries, representing only 16 percent of the world's population have bought, and are hoarding, 60 percent of the available vaccine candidates. This means that 40 percent is left for 84 percent of the global population, including the Caribbean. This situation demands urgent attention if the
Sir Ronald Sanders Caribbean is to survive the already devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. That is why the Antigua and Barbuda initiative at the OAS was strongly and fully supported by other CARICOM nations. It is also why the resolution received full support at the OAS. Twenty-nine of the Organization's 34 member states, including the Caribbean, are among the over 100 nations that have vaccinated less than one percent of their people. The Caribbean needs greater access to vaccines and at an affordable price. Hence, the donation of 570,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine by India to CARICOM countries is a great relief. The rollout has started in a few countries. But, there are not sufficient stocks to accelerate the inoculation programme to get all CARICOM countries to at least 80 percent of their populations. The main vaccine manufacturers have to be urged to ramp-up their production at an affordable price. Concentrating on selling only to the rich nations will not eliminate the global pandemic. A r e s e a r c h s t u d y, sponsored by the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research in Massachusetts, shows that even if wealthy countries are fully vaccinated by the end of this year, but poor countries remain largely shut out, “the global economy would suffer losses exceeding $9 trillion, a sum greater than the annual output of Japan and Germany combined.” What should worry every citizen and resident of Caribbean countries is that their economies have already declined so significantly that, even if there is recovery later in 2021 or in 2022, it will not be sufficient to return them to (continued on page 39)
Sunday February 21, 2021
Dear Reader, in light of the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our publisher, with you in mind, has taken the decision to extend our weekly review of some of our major stories in their entirety. SUNDAY NO NEW POLICIES FOR OIL SECTOR IN 2021 BUDGET Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Friday presented the 2021 budget for Guyana at a whopping $383.1 billion, but with no changes in the vision of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) for the oil industry. The budget effectively builds on the promises made in the manifesto the party used to contest the 2020 general and regional elections. These promises are largely based on capacity building for monitoring agencies. The budget stays true to the inaugural speech made by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, the day before, which made no promise to renegotiate the controversial Stabroek block production sharing agreement (PSA) or to secure unlimited liability insurance for Guyana in the case of large-scale oil-related disasters, such as oil spills. Called ‘A Path to Recovery, Economic Dynamism and Resilience,’ Budget 2021 mostly shies away from mentioning oil, other than to emphasize that the immense focus being placed on the development of other sectors is to ensure that Guyana avoids falling prey to the resource curse. “We will remain ever mindful,” the Minister told the National Assembly, “of the need to avoid the pitfalls that have beset many new producers of oil and gas and many resource rich countries, including Dutch Disease.” In economics, the Dutch Disease is a tendency of resource-rich countries to fail at prudently managing their economies due to a decline in most other sectors, brought on by an over-reliance on the resource sector(s). The government does not intend to make any major interventions in the management of the oil and gas sector to curb or curtail the aggressive development plans of ExxonMobil and its partners. Dr. Singh said, like Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has, that the administration favours aggressive exploration for and production of Guyana’s oil, to beat the global transition to
renewable energy sources. “The window of opportunity for the extraction of this resource is finite,” he said. The government intends to create an environment, which adheres to international best practices for the running of the oil industry. “Since we assumed office,” he said, “we have come to find that the capacity for management of the oil and gas sector remains severely underdeveloped to ensure that resource extraction is efficient and profit share is maximised. The previous government appears to have spent the last five years wasting time instead of ensuring that every opportunity was aggressively pursued to expeditiously equip our regulators to effectively safeguard our national patrimony.” The following paragraphs effectively sum up the PPP/ C’s plan for the petroleum institutional and regulatory framework in 2021. Dr. Singh said, “Mr. Speaker, Government is working to create a strong and robust institutional and regulatory framework to better manage activity in the sector, including: amending the Petroleum Act; developing a model Petroleum Sharing Agreement; exploring a revised petroleum fiscal regime; advancing the draft local content policy and associated legislation; and advancing the Petroleum Commission Bill. Commensurate with this outlook is the inevitable developing of technical capacity, strengthening of institutions associated with the oil and gas sector and the collaboration with experts to achieve the most optimal outcomes. These include such agencies as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), who need to be adequately equipped to discharge their respective responsibilities in the sector.” The Senior Minister explored the government’s initiative for the development of the GRA’s capacity to monitor the oil industry, stating, “Mr. Speaker, the GRA has continued to build capacity to address the emerging and unique needs of the oil and gas sector. This has resulted in the establishment of a Customs Petroleum Unit (CPU) within the Customs, Excise and Trade Department and a Petroleum Revenue Department (PRD). Mr. Speaker it is imperative that the GRA’s capacity to
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monitor and audit the oil and gas sector be ramped up substantially. For the year 2021, training will be in the areas of ‘Interpreting and Analyzing Financial Statements,’ ‘Oil and Gas International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS),’ ‘Cost Recovery Procedures,’ ‘Computer Assisted Audit Tools’ and ‘International Taxation.’ In order to effectively scale up GRA’s capacity in light of the current dynamics of the economy, the allocation provided is $7.1 billion.” In addition, the Minister spoke about the PPP/C Government’s plan for making Guyana’s energy sector sustainable and reliable, which includes the proposed gas-to-shore project. “Guyanese anxiously await the prospect of piping gas to shore to generate cheap and reliable energy to power industry and meet our growing demand for electricity. Conceptualised as a 210 km pipeline to transport natural gas from offshore Guyana, the gas to power project will be the trailblazer to advance Guyana’s path to domestic energy security within the next three years. This transformational project includes the establishment of a power plant to generate up to 250MW of power, the establishment of an industrial park, including industries to support our agricultural and manufacturing sectors and the creation of a local LPG plant to cater for domestic demand and export.” Dr. Singh referred to the commencement of procurement for consulting services for several studies, which will inform the development of the gas-toshore project. These were mentioned by the Vice President during a press conference last Tuesday. “As we speak,” Dr. Singh said, “consulting services are being procured to conduct the geotechnical, geophysical, environmental
impact, and Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) studies to determine the location where the gas line would land as well as the sites for the drying facilities, cogeneration plant, and essential petrochemical industries. The construction of the co-generation plant and laying of the pipeline will begin next year and finish during 2023.” He expects that when the plant comes on stream, the electricity cost will be significantly lower than the current rate. The administration also expects that the reduction in electricity cost will attract large industrial, agroprocessing, and manufacturing firms. PRES. ALI COMMITS TO MAKE DETAILS OF SPENDING OIL MONEY PUBLIC President Irfaan Ali in his maiden address to the National Assembly has made a commitment to publish the particulars of all revenue and expenditure of Guyana’s oil sector in the Official Gazette. This, he said, will allow ordinary Guyanese citizens to track the transactions to better hold government accountable for every cent earned from the industry and for every cent that is spent. President Ali relayed that to accomplish that mandate; legislation will be introduced to make the Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance and the Finance Secretary responsible for publishing the details. And if this is not done, they would be “punished severely under the law.” “The revenues from the sector, like all other sectors, are the peoples’ money; they are entitled to know how much money is earned, how much is spent and on what it is spent,” he said. The Head of State revealed too that he has explicitly stated to his
government that “transparency and accountability” are the utmost fundamental principles on which he expects them to conduct themselves. “We are the custodians of the people’s assets,” the President said, “and we will account to them for all that we do.” Added to that, the President said that to hold oil companies operating in the Stabroek Block accountable, and to verify production and other expenditures, government is in the process of building audit capacity. So far, Guyana has only 10 officers from the Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) Petroleum Revenue Department involved in the auditing of costs incurred from the oil sector, even as billions in bills continue to pile on. The 2019 Auditor General report outlined that since the unit’s initial establishment back in September 2019, it boasted 15 officers but it was noted that only 10 of them were directly involved in the execution of the audits. It was explained that GRA employed a strategy of training officers from various audit functions to build a repository of necessary skills and competences, which would be mobilised and influenced by the demands of the industry. Those audit officers were said to have benefitted from multiple training sessions held by the Office of Technical Assistance and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to build capacity to ‘Administer Domestic taxes within the Oil and Gas Sector’ and ‘conduct Cost Recovery Audits’ from March 2017 to July 2019. Such a small team may not be enough as Guyana has billions in oil related expenses to audit from petro-giant ExxonMobil and Stabroek Block partners, affiliates and sub-contractors. GOVT. TO SPEND ADDITIONAL $2.5B ON RENOVATED CJIA Government has budgeted an additional $2.5 billion to complete the already US$150 million (and counting) Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, made these and other announcements on Friday when he presented the 2021 national budget. During his presentation to the National Assembly, Dr. Singh reminded the sitting that upon assuming office,
confronting the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) was a “modified and poorly redesigned CJIA.” This, the Minister said, forced government to take drastic measures to remedy the situation to ensure that the project fulfills its commitment to be a modern international airport. In this regard, he said that an agreement was recently reached with the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), to accommodate two more boarding bridges for large transatlantic aircraft. The agreement also includes the construction of the superstructure and façade for the new commercial complex, which will house additional duty free shops, restaurants, and lounges, which, he pointed, came at no additional cost to government. Now in 2021, some $2.5 billion has been allocated for the further upgrade and modernization of the CJIA to finance other major improvements including the procurement of the additional two passenger boarding bridges, bringing the total to six boarding bridges; the rehabilitating the airline and airport administration offices; and the outfitting the commercial complex. In addition, the Senior Minister said that an amount of $415 million has been budgeted for the completion, upgrade and rehabilitation of a number of hinterland airstrips; $150 million for the construction of a new administration block at Timehri; and $187 million for the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to upgrade the Timehri Control Tower, procure a Safety Data Collection and Processing System as well as critical hardware and software upgrades. MONDAY SURINAME IN NO RUSH TO PUMP OUT OIL, WHILE GUYANA’s GOVT. SAYS ‘PUMP, BABY, PUMP!’ Cognizant of the imminent threat of climate change, countries across the globe are heightening their response by moving away from fossil fuels and transitioning to cleaner energy. In hopes of capitalizing on what some call a “narrow window”, oilproducing countries like Guyana are looking to pump as much oil out of the ground as possible. Suriname, however, shares a contrary view on the (Continued on page 22)
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From page 21 matter. In fact, Rudolf Elias, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of Suriname’s state oil company , Staatsolie, believes that oil will be in the energy mix for decades to come, so there is no need to pump all of it out of the ground as fast as possible. Elias shared these and other critical points during his debut appearance on the Kaieteur Radio programme Guyana’s Oil &You, on February 4. There, the Oil Boss was asked whether Suriname’s Staatsolie had any intentions of getting all the oil out of the ground as quickly as possible, and whether it felt as though the country was caught in “narrow window”. While pointing out that the topic is a “sensitive” one and that he advocates for the preservation of Suriname’s biodiversity, Elias believes that oil will be in the energy mix in the coming 100 years. He went on to indicate that the demand for oil will reduce and estimates that between 2030 and 2050, the world will see a peak demand. “But the energy demand will keep going up” he says, “so that means that there will be more and more renewables in there and we [Suriname and Guyana] should also look at the renewables and start investing in them… One of the big things that we should look at together is our biodiversity and be able to say, ‘Let’s preserve that biodiversity for future generations’ because that natural resource will never go out like oil, bauxite, gold or one of our natural resources that we have.” Notwithstanding this, Elias reminds that the cost for Guyana and Suriname to produce its high-quality oil is very low, “so we will be in the energy mix for the coming 100 years. I am not worried about that,” he adds. In Guyana’s case, however, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) government says it wants to steam ahead with aggressive production. Notably, when the PPP/C had assumed office in August last, Kaieteur News had published a list of 20 things, which the new government must do to set the oil industry on the right path; a path that would allow the nation to build its capabilities to properly govern and monetize the resources. High on that list was the creation of a depletion policy. In simple terms, this strategy would say how fast or slow Guyana must extract its oil resources. Several local, regional and international stakeholders
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have appealed for the nation to have a policy that slows the aggressive rate of extraction by ExxonMobil; otherwise, the country would be left extremely overwhelmed and on a dangerous precipice. Taking this into account, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo was asked in November 2020, during one of his press conferences, to state the government’s interest in implementing a policy that would slow the rate of extraction. At that time, the Vice President did not give any commitment or guarantee that the government would be inclined to walk that route. Dr. Jagdeo did state, however, that his personal view is that there should be aggressive oil production. Weeks later, Guyanese, who have yet to be consulted on this critical matter, would learn that Jagdeo’s personal position has become the bedrock of what the PPP/C’s depletion policy for the nation would be. That policy for the time being says –”Drill baby drill!” During an interview on Kaieteur Radio on December 23, 2020, the official had said that Kaieteur News has often reported that the PPP/C is yet to define a depletion policy. He stressed, however, that the government has already done so “anecdotally.” The Vice President had said, “My own view is that we have a period in which oil would still be very relevant in the global mix of energy and we have a period but it is a window that is closing because of climate change. The window for Guyana will be open a little longer for us than other countries because we have low breakeven costs and because our crude is sweet, light unlike others which have heavy or sour
crude.” The Vice President also noted that the recently issued regulations by the International Maritime Organization require the removal of 80 percent of the sulphur content from global shipping. Since heavy or heavy sour oil has a lot of sulphur, “everyone is looking for sweet crude now.” Further to this, Jagdeo pointed to the fact that the world’s leading economies, China and the USA, have made it pellucid that they will be heading to renewable. In fact, China, the world’s biggest energy consumer, aims to achieve carbonneutrality before 2060. As for the USA, President-elect Joe Biden has declared intentions to increase the nation’s switch to renewable energy. Considering the implications of climate change and the global transition to cleaner energy sources, Jagdeo posited that demand for fossil fuel is either going to be static or declining in 15 to 20 years’ time. He said that this is what has influenced the PPP/C’s position to extract the oil as quickly as possible, use portions of it to build world class infrastructure and education while putting aside some for inter-generational equity. ANGOLA LOST US$5B IN OIL FUNDS DUE TO, CORRUPTION, POOR MANAGEMENT - US ANALYST – GUYANA SHOULD STEER CLEAR OF SAME Arthur Deakin, analyst at Americas Market Intelligence (AMI), an intelligence and research firm, has cautioned Guyana to ensure that “mismanagement and political cronyism” are absent from the regulation of the
Natural Resource Fund (NRF) — or what is commonly known as the Oil Fund. In one of his recent publications titled ‘Fundamental Lessons for Guyana’s Sovereign Wealth Fund’, Deakin referenced countries that Guyana should take lessons from in avoiding the poor regulation of funds. In turning to a country that mismanaged its NRF, Deakin referenced Angola. He recalled that this South African nation, with nearly eight billion proven crude reserves and a top 20 global oil producer, is seeking to reclaim $5 billion in stolen funds and has resorted to an austere $4.5 billion IMF programme to rebalance its financial standing. “The fund suffered from mismanagement and institutional corruption,” Deakin wrote, “in which the country’s leaders used political patronage to spend uncontrollably and excessively.” In contrast, the analyst pointed to Norway, which owns the largest sovereign wealth fund with US$1.3 trillion in revenues, has showcased how to effectively spend and grow its oil-based revenues. He said that through its annual contributions, the fund now provides Norway with about a quarter of its annual government budget, while also weighing in that it is also worth three times the country’s annual GDP, safeguarding wealth for future generations. Against this Deakin explained, “The success of the fund is based on its upstanding transparency and governance, in which several different entities and committees check and balance their respective management roles. The stability of the fund, reflected
by having only three CEOs in 25 years, allows for investment continuity and operational efficiencies. Norway’s strong democracy and institutions also serve as a backbone to the fund’s success.” He heeded that although Guyana’s Central Bank will also be in charge of operating its respective fund, Guyana’s ingrained culture of corruption makes the Central Bank more “susceptible to political coercion and interference.” It is against these fundamental points that Deakin pointed out that Guyana’s NRF Act should implement the best transparency practices adopted in Norway, while avoiding the politically-tied shortfalls experienced in Angola. “The announcement that the Office of the President will have oversight over the Ministry of Finance and Natural resources is not an encouraging sign. It is essential to have independent accountability of the funds—not more political involvement. Although the original NRF Act established a decent framework, it needs finetuning and proper implementation to succeed. Guyana must do all it can to avoid an Angola-like situation,” Deakin cautioned. GOVT. LOOKING TO ESTABLISH DATA CENTER TO MONITOR OIL OPERATIONS A data centre to provide government with real-time daily updates on ExxonMobil’s operations in the Stabroek Block is in the works for Guyana, says Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo. The VP at a recent press engagement relayed that
currently, government receives daily updates from Exxon providing information that details the amount of oil produced, volume of produced water, gas production, amount of gas flared and the amount reinjected. That information, he added, is passed to Guyana’s regulator, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The problem with this however, is that Guyana has not the capacity to verify what is being relayed by the contractors. And this is where the data centre comes into play. “That is what we are exploring now to see if through remote means,” the Vice President relayed “that we can verify that this is accurate. So, we do get the daily reports but we have to build that capacity.” The data centre, according to the VP will be “costly” but it is something that cannot be avoided as it is pertinent for a novel oil producing nation to have adequate capacity to monitor the exploration, development and production oil by ExxonMobil so as to ensure what is submitted by the company on paper, is an accurate reflection of what is taking place on the rig. He outlined “It is a bit costly from…we had some proposals from people…it is a bit costly but there is no avoiding it. In the future we have to do this, to verify for ourselves that this is accurate.” One important issue though, the VP outlined, is how government will obtain the data. He explained that proposals have already been received for remote transmission, which would entail placing sensors and cameras etc. on the rigs, which connect to the data centre at the Natural Resource Ministry. Further on, he stated that government may consider recruiting an industry specialist to process the data, or opt to train officials at the Ministry to do same. “Right now, we rely on Exxon for all the data submitted and we can’t do that,” the VP continued “So, whatever form it takes in the Ministry, whether a data centre or one specialist processing this, we have not made a final determination. That’s down the road, once we get the data, we move forward on how we get the data.” Kaieteur News would have highlighted the importance of real-time monitoring of oil production (Continued on page 23)
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From page 22 while referencing examples of countries around the world that ensure such systems are in place to protect the people’s patrimony. One country, which this newspaper has showcased in this regard, is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The custodian of the Kingdom’s petroleum is the National Oil Company (NOC) of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Aramco. In a 2008 CBS: 60 Minutes documentary, Journalist Lesley Stahl was given a tour of Saudi Aramco’s command centre by its former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Abdullah Juma’ah. He described it as the nerve centre of the company’s operations; a room with a 220ft digital screen, where engineers scrutinize and analyze every aspect of the company’s operations. “Every facility in the Kingdom, every drop of oil that comes from the ground is monitored in real-time in this room, and we have control of each and every facility, each and every pipeline, each and every valve in the pipeline. And therefore, we know exactly what is happening in the system from A to Z,” Juma’ah explains. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also said on several occasions that Guyana should invest in the latest technology that would record accurate measurements of the quantity being extracted and exported by ExxonMobil and its partners to ensure proper reconciliation of readings submitted by the oil companies versus what the State has recorded. Work has already commenced in this regard with the fibre optic cable, which will allow Guyana to monitor Exxon’s operations offshore expected to be laid by the third quarter of 2021. This is according to the project summary by ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) on the EPA’s website. No cost is mentioned in the document. The company’s intended high-speed fibre optic/ wireless transport service will connect its onshore and offshore facilities. The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is expected to make use of this facility to monitor Exxon’s offshore operations. The tax agency had said in 2019 that it would have a CCTV system set up, following the installation of a fibre optic cable. This will allow the authority to see what is
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happening at the operation 24/7. Following the installation of the connection to the Liza Phase One operation, Exxon intends to connect to the Liza Phase Two operation in 2022 when the project is slated to come on stream. It also intends to connect to the Payara area in 2023. TUESDAY PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON LOCAL CONTENT POLICY: LOCAL BUSINESS COMPLAINS OF UNEVEN PLAYING FIELD ON TAXES Tax administration in the local oil industry has been a sore point for years, mainly because a blanket waiver on all taxes for ExxonMobil, its partners and sub-contractors in the Stabroek block petroleum agreement, has cut off what would have been a substantial revenue stream for Guyana. Another side effect of this waiver, of concern for local businesses, is that it causes local businesses to compete on an uneven playing field with foreign suppliers. This is the case for Guyana Oil & Gas Support Services (GOGSS), a joint venture between National Hardware (Guyana)’s Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer and Concepts & Services (Trinidad & Tobago)’s Damion Jordan. The venture established a welding and fabrication facility, with local welders and fabricators trained and up-skilled in Trinidad and Tobago, building equipment for the oil sector. The company had to secure American Welding Society (AWS) certification for the type of structural welding needed for the oil sector. Boyer noted that the steel GOGSS stocks, is unlike what Guyana is accustomed to. “In a country like Guyana,” he said, “we have traditionally stocked steel for
buildings and the sugar industry – plates thicker than about an inch or an inch and a half. We had to get plates that are about two inches thick to basically make this framework. And we had to import that from the nearest stocking point, which was Trinidad. I paid value added tax on that steel coming in.” Boyer addressed the opening day of consultations on the draft local content policy, telling a room of government officials and oil industry executives that his business has had to absorb Value Added Tax (VAT) expenses into his margins because the operator would not foot the cost, something that his foreign competitor has not had to contend with. This issue drives home the importance of better tax administration, Boyer told the gathering at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). “One of our first projects that we embarked on,” he said, “we had to absorb the 14 percent VAT because the sub-contractor that we were supplying to basically used the PSA [Production Sharing Agreement] and said based on the PSA, that [for] this specific equipment, we do not pay VAT. I had to absorb that into my margins because my nearest competitor regionally wouldn’t pay VAT on export, and then the operator wouldn’t pay VAT on imports. So I had to adjust both my pricings as well as absorb any VAT I paid on materials, particularly steel.” The tax administration, Boyer posited needs to have a way of dealing with startup companies in the industry, since his company has been made to pay a tax that competitors don’t – VAT. Boyer, who is also Chairperson of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), said that an established contractor had spoken of how impressed he was with local potential to grow in steelworking, with the right
nurturing. “It’s fun to see these Guyanese who people would have said can’t participate in the industry… beat the expectations… break the mould and be the first to say ‘Look, we did it. We became certified. We can do this. We are ready to take on this industry’,” Boyer had told reporters on the sidelines of Guyana International Petroleum Exhibition (GIPEX) 2019. The businessman said Monday that critical to considerations around improving local content, is tax administration. While he did not speak definitively on a solution to this issue, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, noted on the topic of taxes, that businesses located in certain regions already benefit from tax concessions, and that that mechanism could be extended for the oil and gas industry. He said that the issues raised Monday and throughout the one-month long consultation, are under consideration and will be addressed. VP TELLS OIL COMPANIES TO RENT, NOT PURCHASE LOCAL PROPERTIES Instead of purchasing Guyanese property, Vice President (VP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, wants oil companies operating in Guyana to rent them. During Monday’s Draft Local Content Policy Consultation at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC), Dr. Jagdeo specifically told President of ExxonMobil Guyana ,”We want you to rent from Guyanese, not build a headquarter. That’s the sort of thing that we are more concerned about.” At the time, the VP was referring to the 10 acres of land at Ogle that ExxonMobil purchased to construct their headquarters, during the leadership of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration. What is notable, however, is that Exxon would be able to
recover every cent of that money if it chooses to rent property. This is according to the Guyana-ExxonMobil Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) under the section, which speaks to costs recoverable without further approval of the Minister. That section of the agreement says in verbatim that the oil company can, “Recover all rentals, charges, levies, fees, taxes, and any other assessments, charges levied by the government in connection with the petroleum operations, and paid directly by the contractor.” Also recoverable by ExxonMobil is the money that they hand over to the government for environmental projects. DRIFTING BOAT WITH BODIES FOUND OFFSHORE GUYANA A boat, with decomposing bodies was found drifting off shore Guyana in the Atlantic Ocean. According to information Kaieteur News received Monday, a supply vessel made the discovery. Sources have since revealed that the vessel, which made the discovery, is associated with oil major ExxonMobil, which is operating in the area. Photographs of the drifting boat were taken by the crewmembers of the supply vessel and forwarded, along with key details of the boat’s location, to the relevant authorities. This newspaper has been reliably informed that ranks from the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Coast Guard have been dispatched to the area. Those ranks, this publication has learnt, will be towing the boat to a port in Georgetown. Police sources said that detectives from the Major Crime Unit (MCU) are on standby, awaiting its arrival to commence the necessary investigations. GUYANAAND SURINAME SHOULD PARTNER TO BRING GAS TO SHORE – SURINAME OIL BOSS Rudolf Elias, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and
Managing Director of Suriname’s state oil company Staatsolie, has posited that Guyana and Suriname should work together with the objective of bringing its natural gas to shore. Elias shared these and other critical points during his debut appearance on Kaieteur Radio’s Guyana’s Oil & You, on January 4. The Suriname Oil Boss reminded that oil companies around the world are not interested in selling the natural gas. Instead, those companies, he said, propose that they set up the necessary infrastructure to bring the gas to shore for cheaper and cleaner electrical consumption. With the aim of capitalizing and prudently managing this type of project, Elias posited that Guyana and Suriname should be interested in partnering to bring the natural gas to shore, while noting that both countries “cannot force” the oil companies to do the same on a commercial basis. He went on to explain, “We should look at ways how we can explore and develop the gas that is offshore Suriname and Guyana together and bring it onshore in order to build industries, clean industries. And gas is an awful lot cleaner than oil, so they build clean energy producers together for the future of both countries and then we will get a lot of more sustainable development in businesses.” Meanwhile, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, had said last Tuesday that the government would conduct four studies into the proposed gas-to-shore project before it moves to implement its construction plans. This, the VP had said, while noting that there have been adverse comments in the press that the government may be rushing forward without ensuring the project’s feasibility. The project would utilize associated gas from ExxonMobil’s Liza Phase One project, which has been in operation since December 2019. ExxonMobil’s Guyana President, Alistair Routledge, (Continued on page 24)
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From page 23 has said that the company can bring as much as 50 million cubic feet of gas to shore per day, more than Guyana needs. The government has received calls from sections of the media and transparency advocates to prove the economic soundness of the project, by releasing studies on its feasibility. “So several studies are in the process of being contracted,” he said during a press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. “There is a geophysical study, a geotechnical study, a lidar study, and an environmental impact study.” The results of those studies, which he said, should have been done since 2016 under the David Granger administration, are expected to inform the design of the pipeline. The Vice President said that the pipeline construction is expected to last 18-24 months, which is why the government has set a target of mid to end of 2023. He considers this a realistic projection. The government hasn’t yet decided where the pipeline will terminate but when it does, it will go to tender for the construction of the power plant. AS PUBLIC DEBATE CONTINUES… LOCAL OPERATOR DEFENDS RIGHT TO HOLD TWO FISHING LICENCES Citing the need for equal opportunities in the local fisheries sector, La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara businessman, Rampersaud Sookdeo, has defended his right to hold two fishing licences. Sookdeo’s licence became a matter of public debate following weeks of opposition-generated pressure and questions laid in Parliament. Prior to that, opposition Parliamentarian and former Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, had asked in the National Assembly questions relating to the granting of trawler licences. Among the questions asked, were to whom two new trawler licences were issued to for the years 2020 to 2021 by the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Agriculture. In a statement disseminated to the press on Friday, Sookdeo, whose identity has since been revealed by the Agriculture Ministry, said that while he had taken note of news surrounding the granting of
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his two trawler licences to fish, he questions the logic behind the controversy. “Why should one company have 20 and 30 licences and I can’t have two? That cannot be right. If this is a government for the people, then everyone should be given a chance to make a livelihood,” Sookdeo said, contending that he deserves an equal opportunity as a Guyanese to operate in the sector. The businessman explained that the licences which he received had been long in coming. He said that he’s been in the fisheries business for over 20 years, but he operated primarily out of Trinidad because his first attempt at obtaining a licence locally proved futile. “I was never granted one so I head away to Trinidad. I opened a company in Trinidad between 12 to 15 years ago and operated under the name Hassid Enterprise Limited,” said Sookdeo. While in Trinidad, he said that he would normally employ Guyanese to work with him. He said, however, that about two or three years ago, he encountered difficulties getting Guyanese to work. He said too that the operation was becoming costly. Added to that, with the COVID-19 pandemic bringing its own challenges, Sookdeo said he decided to return to Guyana. Having experienced the difficulty obtaining the first licence, Sookdeo said that he turned to the Government for help. He said too that he applied and went through the process. “I decided to ask for help from the Guyanese government because I’m a Guyanese and I think the government is here to help its citizens. I can’t have my investment in a country and its going down… Boats deteriorate so fast because of the salt air so if you park up your boat for about two years, you’d be lucky if you get something out of it,” he explained. Sookdeo noted that he was able to build a name for himself in a foreign land and as such could not understand the controversy behind operating in his own homeland. “If I can go Trinidad and own a company, why can’t I own one in Guyana and I’m a Guyanese? What is the problem? I’ve been in the business for a long time and I’m very familiar with the industry because I owned and operated long liner boats, red snapper cage boats and shrimp trawlers.” The businessman said too
that given that he was an outsider, it was not easy for him to operate on his own in Trinidad. “I partnered with an old friend in the business under the name Hassid Enterprise Limited. If you speak with the actual trawler operators in Trinidad, they would be able to tell you about me and the years I’ve been operating there,” Sookdeo added. Now that he has his licences, Sookdeo says his goal is to employ local persons to work. “I’ll be able to hire more Guyanese than I could have in Trinidad. I want to get my business going so that I can continue to provide for my family. I would just like to be given a fair chance,” he said. WEDNESDAY JAGDEO COMMITS TO MAKING OIL PRODUCTION STATEMENTSAVAILABLE TO THE MEDIA Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on Monday, February 8, committed to reporters during a press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre that the administration would make monthly oil production statements available to the press. “So there is a daily report from ExxonMobil – the producers – to the Ministry,” he said, “and I think it’s
shared with the EPA… I don’t see anything secret about this. It’s no big deal. It’s just that maybe they have not done this.” He said that the monthly production can basically be inferred from reports on Guyana’s share and how often it received them, then added “But I don’t see any secret with this going out.” The Vice President encouraged the media to request the statements. He even shared a sample of a production statement with the press. “I’m gonna talk to them to ensure that you get it, the monthly statements,” he said, “because this is not secret information.” Kaieteur News, had reported in January that Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram, pointed to the need for regular production reports from government on ExxonMobil’s Stabroek Block production. The former administration, A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), had started publishing monthly basic production figures, as well as petroleum revenues deposited into the Natural Resource Fund (NRF). Following the Vice President’s commitment, requests were made to the Ministry of Natural Resources for production statements leading back to
the beginning of oil production. Kaieteur News understands that permission must be secured before the information is released by the Ministry. MYSTERY BOAT WITH DECOMPOSED BODIES DISAPPEARS It appears so far that the mystery boat spotted on Monday afternoon drifting offshore Guyana with what appeared to be decomposing bodies, might have disappeared. The vessel was first seen around 14:04 hrs. by a supply vessel (a motor tug) contracted by US oil company ExxonMobil, which is operating in the area. Crewmembers onboard the tug took photos and forwarded them to the relevant authority, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), along with key details of the boat’s location. Kaieteur News had reported that efforts were being made to tow the vessel to Port Georgetown, where further investigations would have been carried out. However, according to a joint press conference held Tuesday evening by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, and the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, at the Maritime Boat House, searches were conducted to locate the vessel, but it was
not found. Edghill said that the last sighting of the boat was reportedly around 19:53 hrs. on Monday. Based on what he was told by his technical team, it was drifting in a western direction at about 81 nautical miles off shore Guyana. He explained that upon receiving information from the motor tug about their discovery, a request made for its crewmembers to attach a towline to the boat and bring towards a sea buoy located some ten miles away from Port Georgetown. The crewmembers, told authorities that they needed permission from their principals, which they eventually obtained at around 15:00 hrs. Their efforts to attach the towline, however, proved futile, after the weather at sea suddenly changed and became inclement. Edghill said that the crewmembers did all they could to drift along with vessel, but soon lost sight of it. Early Tuesday, continued the Public Works Minister, two Guyana Defence Force (GDF) boats were deployed from Morwhana, North West District (NWD), Region One, with Coast Guards and members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to scope the area. The search by sea was also backed-up by a five-hour (Continued on page 25)
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From page 24 long air patrol by GDF ranks as well. Those ranks also received support from ExxonMobil, which conducted air searches too. A fishing vessel operating in the area was also contacted by the authorities and instructed to head to the direction where the boat was last spotted. Unfortunately, said Edghill, despite all the efforts made Tuesday, the vessel was not sighted. Nevertheless, the Public Works Minister assured that the search would continue. He detailed that Coast Guards departed Georgetown around 17:00 hrs. Tuesday in a privately owned fishing trawler, heading to an area where his technical team believe the boat might have drifted and are expected to arrive there at sunlight. That area Edghill said should be at 31 nautical miles just off the coast at Waini, Region One, if the boat continues to drift in the western at a steady speed. This location, he explained is based on plotting made by his technical team at MARAD. Another flight by GDF ranks will also depart early today to continue the search by air. Meanwhile, during the conference, Director of Safety at MARAD, John Flores, said that there could be a possibility that because of the inclement weather, the boat could have sunk. Apart from that, he said, depending on the direction and strength of the wind at the time, the boat could also drift in another direction and at a faster speed. Nonetheless, as the search continues, Edghill said that should the boat not be located by end of the today, then the international community would be engaged in order to determine the origin of the boat and the nationality of the decomposed bodies. So far, he added, there is no information pointing in the direction that it might be a boat from Guyana, since there is no report of a missing boat or a missing crew. Contact was made with neighbouring Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago to see if those countries might have missing a boat along with a crew but so far, they have been ruled out. Edghill said that they are speculations based on the direction the boat was drifting from, that it could originate from as far as Africa. The photo evidence obtained so far indicates that it is a relatively small river vessel. No engine was seen attached to the stern but a noticeable towline was seen attached to
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the bow of the boat. FOUR MAZARUNI PRISONERS CUT THEIR WAY OUT TO FREEDOM A manhunt has been launched to locate four high profile convicts that Tuesday morning escaped from the Mazaruni Prison, Region Seven, by cutting the bars of their cell. The escaped prisoners have been identified as Imram Ramsaywack, 25, of 7 Adelphi Village, East Coast Demerara; Kenrick Lyte, 44, of Grant Good Intent, Lower Pomeroon River; Samuel Gouveia, 36, of 13 Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara; and Rayon Jones, 28, 121 Timehri, East Bank Demerara. According to a release from the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), around 07:15 hrs., during the unlocking of the Brick Prison (Solitary Division), the ranks on duty discovered the padlock to the entrance gate was tampered with. Further checks were made, and it revealed that two bars within the cell were cut. The matter was then reported to the Officer-inCharge of Mazaruni Prison, Senior Superintendent (ag) Kofi David. David then ordered a roll call and upon conclusion, the four convicted prisoners who were housed in the Brick Prison were unaccounted for. The release stated that the Emergency Action Plan in relation to the escaping of inmates was activated and the Director of Prisons (ag), Nicklon Elliott, was informed of the incident and he in turn informed the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, and the Joint Services Head. As a result of the incident, a Joint Patrol was launched to the outer perimeter of the prison and the ranks have been conducting water, air and land patrol to recapture the four convicts. Although Guyana has not carried out any execution since 1997, two of the escapees were sentenced to death. Those two escapes are Ramsaywack and Lyte, while Gouveia and Jones pleaded to the lesser count and were jailed for manslaughter. RAMSAYWACK Ramsaywack was sentenced to death on December 18, 2019, after he was found guilty for the March 2015 murder of USbased citizen and boutique owner, Samantha Benjamin. It was reported that Benjamin was killed in a house at Middle Walk, Buxton, on March 25, 2015, and her body was dismembered and subsequently dumped into the Atlantic Ocean, along the same village.
The following morning her torso was discovered clad in a blue bra and pink skirt, the head, arms and legs removed. It was reported that upon examining the body, there were chop wounds on the abdomen. The police later retrieved her head and missing limbs from the ocean. LYTE On March 28, 2019, Lyte was sentenced to death after he was found guilty of the murder of 72-year old, Osmond Fiedtkou. Kaieteur News had reported that the incident took place at Groete Creek, Essequibo River, between July 9 and 13, 2014. It was reported that Lyte owed Fiedtkou money and was not repaying same. On July 9, 2014, the men were alone in a boat, when an argument ensued between them over the owed money. The argument led to Lyte shooting Fiedtkou to the chest with a shotgun, which was in the boat. He then threw away the gun and sank the boat in an attempt to cover up his crime. GOUVEIA Gouveia was admitted to the Mazaruni Prison on March 11, 2020, after he was jailed for the 2015 killing of gold miner, Santee Solomon. It was reported that on November 23, 2015, at Puruni Landing, near the Cuyuni River, Solomon was attacked and stabbed multiple times about his body. Gouveia was first charged for the capitol offence of murder but later
pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. JONES In 2018, Jones was sentenced to a total of 28 years imprisonment, after he pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge. Jones was initially charged with the murder of 24-year-old mechanic, Purand Baljit, who was killed on June 9, 2016, during a robbery at his Madewini, Timehri, home. On the night of June 9, 2016, Jones broke into the dwelling house of Baljit, via a window, which was left opened. He stole items, and Baljit who was sleeping was awakened by the movement in his house and confronted Jones, who stabbed him 10 times with a knife. In the release the GPS noted that aiding and abetting of escapees is a criminal offence and anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the four escapees is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 4552238, 455-2222, 455-2241, 2264585, 225-2700, 225-3650, 2261326, 911 or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence. THURSDAY DEMERARA, CORENTYNE OIL BLOCKS HOLD POTENTIAL 4.8 BILLION BARRELS – REPORT The joint venture, Frontera Energy Corporation
and CGX Energy, on Tuesday announced the results of a completed independent Prospective Resource study of the Corentyne and Demerara blocks. McDaniel & Associates Consultants Limited, an independent external qualified resource evaluator contracted by the venture, identified a combined median estimate of 4.84 billion oil-equivalent barrels in the two blocks. Most of the prospects (27) were identified in the Corentyne block, which hold a potential 4.3 billion oilequivalent barrels. The study split the Corentyne acreage into two parts, the North area with a median estimate of 3.3 billion oil-equivalent barrels, and the Main area with a median estimate of one billion oil-equivalent barrels. The remaining five prospects were indentified in the Demerara block, with a median estimate of 525 million barrels. The joint venture said its plans are proceeding on the Kawa-1 exploration well in the Corentyne block. “Well design is complete, procurement of long lead items is in advanced stages and key technical staff has been recruited.” The venture is expected to spud the well in the second half of the year, drilling to water depths of approximately 1,100 feet. It targets the CampanianSantonian-aged stratigraphic trap, which is interpreted to
be analogous to the discoveries immediately to the east on Block 58 in Suriname, where several discoveries have been made. As for the Demerara block, the joint venture is advancing preparatory work, it said, for the Makarapan-1 exploration well, “an Aptian stratigraphic prospect.” Other prospects are being indentified and matured by the joint venture in the northern portion of the Corentyne block and in the Demerara block. CGX is the operator of both blocks. Frontera said that it’s direct working interest in the two blocks and its CGX share ownership combine to result in a total consolidated working interest of 82.6 percent in the blocks. Frontera’s Chief Executive Officer, Richard Herbert, said “The independent prospective resource study reaffirms our excitement about the world-class prospectivity of the Corentyne and Demerara blocks offshore Guyana. With the support of the Guyanese government in rephasing our exploration plans, we are eagerly progressing our work programmes for Corentyne and Demerara.” Chairman of the Board of Directors, Gabriel De Alba, said “We thank the Government of Guyana for its continued support and partnership, which are essential to the long-term success of this strategic initiative for the benefit of all stakeholders. As confirmed by the independent resource evaluation commissioned, the Guyana basin offers the Joint Venture access to a leading offshore oil opportunity. We expect a robust Guyana work programme with the advancement of our exploration wells, as we continue executing on our plan to realize this value for our shareholders.” EXXON VIOLATED LIZA ONE EIA BY PRODUCING 130,000 BARRELS PER DAY – DR. VINCENT ADAMS By producing 130,000 barrels of oil per day, ExxonMobil Guyana violated the terms set out in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its Liza Phase One project. This is according to to Dr. Vincent Adams. According to the EIA, the Liza Destiny FPSO was designed to receive the full production well stream from the development wells and will process crude oil at a design rate of 100,000 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) with (Continued on page 26)
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From page 25 potential to safely operate at sustained peaks of up to approximately 120,000 BOPD. But it was only up until a few weeks ago that Exxon had cut back production to 120,000 BOPD due to another gas compressor malfunction now resulting in 16 to 18 million cubic feet of gas being flared per day. ExxonMobil’s Guyana President, Alistair Routledge, had revealed that detail only after being pressed by the media. The oil giant had claimed that after the gas compressor malfunction, it had reduced production levels to accommodate flaring above pilot levels – the minimum level of flaring required for a safe operation. However, no numerical details of what production levels were at that time was provided in that February 5 update. In fact, when asked at the time to provide the figures, ExxonMobil’s Government and Public Affairs Advisor, Janelle Persaud, refused to do so. Details provided to this paper by Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, and Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, indicated that the company had been producing at 120,000 BOPD as late as two days before the operational update was provided. ExxonMobil had been flaring above pilot for about a week, by then. This appears consistent with statements made by Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Hess Corporation, Gregory Hill, during an earnings call last month that ExxonMobil intends to evaluate options to increase the nameplate capacity of the vessel. Routledge had also stated that ExxonMobil was already conducting higher production tests in January, but sought to note that the equipment failure is not linked to any higher production capacity test that ExxonMobil was doing. But Dr. Adams, the former head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), did not share the same view. “Why were they producing at a 130,000 BOPD when the seal went bad this last time,” he asked, adding, “They were producing at 130,000 BOPD when the EIA itself said that they are hanging themselves on, the EIA said that the safe operating limit was 120,000 BOPD… an important question is whether it had anything to do with the failure of the seal?” Dr. Adams pointed out too that of equal concern as
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well is the fact that the company planned to ramp up production despite having issues with the gas compressor on the FPSO. “How high were they going to take this thing? And that 130,000 bpd, it exceeded the safety envelope of course. And if they have done this in terms of violating this safety envelope, how many other safety provisions are they violating?” he had asked as well. It is on that premise that the former EPA head recommended that it was high time for the government to conduct an independent investigation into ExxonMobil’s claims. UNDERSTANDING WHAT QUALIFIES AS “LOCAL” IN THE DRAFT LOCAL CONTENT POLICY (PT. 1) In light of the fact that the Government will be holding a month-long consultation period for the draft Local Content Policy, Kaieteur News will be highlighting some of the key points you should pay keen attention to. But before we dive into the provisions of note, it is imperative that one understands the purpose of the document along with the need to ensure certain critical terms are clear. According to the draft document, which is available for perusal on the website of the Natural Resources Ministry, Local Content is often considered the sum of inputs of local goods and services, including employment, provided to oil and gas operations. This occurs when operators hire locals as employees or contractors or buy goods or services from them. Guyana’s policy must therefore seek to: maximize the level, quality, and benefits of participation in the petroleum sector value chain by Guyanese. In order to do this, one of the key things one must pay attention to is the definition of local content. The policy proposes the term Local to mean: • In the case of Individuals, Citizens of Guyana, as defined under the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana Act, Chapter 1:01, 1980, which includes inter alia a person born in Guyana (Article 43) and a person born outside Guyana, who is a child of a parent with Guyanese Citizenship (Article 44). • In the case of Firms, Companies beneficially majority owned (51%) by Citizens. • In the case of goods and
services, those provided by local individuals or firms. “Guyanese Person” or “Guyanese Citizen” or “Guyanese” means a person or persons who have Guyanese Citizenship under the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana Act, Chapter 1:01, 1980, which includes inter alia a person born in Guyana (Article 43) and a person born outside Guyana who is a child of a parent with Guyanese Citizenship (Article 44). FRIDAY EPA GETS $609M IN 2021 BUDGET – $30M FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE “INADEQUATE” – DR. ADAMS The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guyana’s environment watchdog has received a total of $609 million in the 2021 National Budget, but Dr. Vincent Adams, the former head of the agency says the capital allocation in that sum is not enough. In an invited comment to Kaieteur News, Adams explained that the total sum is merely 58% of the EPA’s $1.1 billion request for 2020 – the initially planned budget for that year however did not materialize due to the prolonged post-elections controversy. That sum he noted was developed with the involvement of EPA staffers in order to meet the agency’s minimum needs to build a solid foundation and continue the progress made in 2019. Nevertheless he stated, “This $609 million appears to be a reasonable amount, considering that we are still in a COVID-19 environment, which will no doubt hamper the EPA work activities like it did in not allowing approval and implementation of the 2020 request.” Dr. Adams did express however, his displeasure in the $30 million allocation for capital expenditure for the agency. This sum, he explained is inadequate as the
EPA does not possess the most basic operating equipment. “Most notably is that the EPA does not have any operable basic equipment to meet its most basic function of measuring and monitoring contaminants in the air, soil, water or noise when called upon,” he relayed. The former EPA head recommended that the budget be considerably increased based on the estimated needs outlined by the agency. He added, “COVID would not interfere with the procurement of these urgently needed equipment and training to use them during the down time.” For years, the EPA has been unable to fulfill its mandate due to severe budget constraints and this worrying state of affairs was highlighted by Chartered Accountant and former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran back in 2015. In a forensic audit of the EPA, Goolsarran detailed that for the years the agency was allocated roughly 50% of their requested operation expenditure. This meant that the EPA had no alternative than to reduce its programme of activities to align with the sums approved. Basic operations such as site visits for the processing of applications for environmental permits were delayed, resulting in a backlog, Goolsarran had outlined in his report. Similar situations existed with conducting audits and renewals as well. In addition, Goolsarran noted that the EPA has also not been able to have a dedicated regional presence, so vitally necessary for a countrywide execution of its mandate, especially in the interior locations. Goolsarran also pointed out too in that audit report was that the EPA had no laboratory facilities for the testing of samples. And with Guyana’s budding oil sector on the rise, it creates a worrying situation. Dr. Adams had relayed to Kaieteur News that the EPA
did not have the human resources needed for the proper management of the oil sector. In fact, the agency did not even have the human resources needed to be an effective regulatory body. He had stated that for the EPA to be efficient, it needs a total of 262 staffers but only had 97 officers working at the time. Further to this, Dr. Adams said that the agency is continuously borrowing the equipment of other ministries to do its work. It was also unable to do proper monitoring due to its poor fleet of vehicles. With work over time, Dr. Adams managed to increase the agency’s human resource capacity to 120 and plans were afoot to boost it to at least 300 with the intention to procure a state-of-the-art laboratory for the Agency. The fleet of vehicles was also increased to aid monitoring. However, these and other plans were cut short after his contract was suddenly terminated when the new government assumed office. With the 2021 budget, there is hope to transform the agency into a stringent oil and gas regulator. Dr. Adams expressed hope that major spending will be directed towards meeting the urgent needs for capacity building. That would entail the recruitment of officers for the EPA’s Petroleum Monitoring Unit. Under his tenure, the EPA had worked with the World Bank to develop a Petroleum Unit containing 36 highly skilled staffers to streamline its monitoring duties of the oil and gas sector. However, the agency’s efforts were hampered due to the then Coalition regime’s inability to approve the requisite funding due to its caretaker status. And in light of the many issues being faced by Guyana with the Liza Destiny FPSO, it is crucial for this unit to be in place, he added. Additionally, monies should be spent to ensure that there is an EPA sub-office in each region by the end of 2021 so as to alleviate the cost and inconvenience of business and the public having to travel from the far reaches of the country to Georgetown to conduct business. NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN NEEDED TO KEEP CORRUPTION AT BAY WITH OIL FUNDS – SURINAME OIL BOSS The oil and gas sector can be considered a doubleedged sword. On one side, the sector can bring enormous wealth to a country and can sustain the economy
for generations to come. On the other side, however, some unfavourable consequences, like corruption – a form of dishonesty that the oil sector is most notorious for. With this in mind, Rudolf Elias, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of Suriname’s state oil company Staatsolie, says that a national strategic plan on how the oil monies are spent, plays a key role in keeping corruption at bay. Elias shared these and other critical points during his debut appearance on the Kaieteur Radio programme, Guyana’s Oil & You, on January 4. There, the Suriname Oil Boss was asked to share some of the systems Staatsolie has in place to ensure that it prudently manages the massive oil wealth, as well as corruption. Elias reminded that as an implementing country of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Suriname is required to provide reports on how money from its oil sector is spent. To this he explained, “Let’s say for health or they want to spend the money on infrastructure or they want to spend money on education, then they have to also show [how] they spent the money. That is one of the things where you can say ‘Okay this might be able to set aside corruption’.” But what Elias says is a more important strategy, is for the government to make budgets in advance and then strengthen the institutes where it will spend the budgets in the coming five, ten or 20 years. He went on to articulate, “If you have these projects running, it is a lot more difficult to have corruption as [compared to when] the Minister of Finance puts $100M for education, but they have a clue how to spend it. This is what brings corruption because when the next year when the other $100M comes, maybe they could spend $2M or $3M, then the other $197M on the bank. And then another $100M comes and they will invent things. They will start buying milk, I don’t know, for everybody in the class. They will buy it from the brother and the brother will ask for $3 per liter when they actually pay $1. You know, things like that will bring corruption.” This is what history taught us in other countries, the CEO said, where the oil wealth flowed in and countries had no clue on how to spend it. “They didn’t have a Sovereign Wealth Fund (Continued on page 27)
Sunday February 21, 2021
From page 26 (SWF), they didn’t have a good plan, they didn’t have good institutions. At that moment the money flows in and everybody is happy because there is a lot of work; everybody will have work, the salaries will go up, everybody will start building a house and everybody will be happy, but there is still $1B in the bank, some will steal some,” Elias cautioned, while referencing African countries and even Columbia that fell prey to this mismanagement. With this in mind, Elias says that countries need to have good plans in advance of what it is going to do with the money, not for one year, but for years to come. FINAL DOCUMENT MUST ENSURE OIL INCREASES VALUE OF OTHER INDUSTRIES UNDERSTANDINGTHE DRAFT LOCAL CONTENT POLICY (PT 2)… Kaieteur News – Today, Kaieteur News continues with Part 2 of its initiative, which seeks to provide the public with a simplified understanding of the draft local content policy that is currently undergoing a month-long consultation process led by the government. As a brief recap, Thursday this newspaper explained that the policy proposes that local content be considered the sum of inputs of local goods and services, including employment, provided to oil and gas operations. This occurs when operators hire locals as employees or contractors or buy goods or services from them. It therefore means that in the final document, Guyana should aim to: maximize the level, quality, and benefits of participation in the petroleum sector value chain by Guyanese. Equally important is the aim of ensuring the policy seeks to ensure value extends beyond the oil sector. In this regard, one needs to examine, as a whole, the forward, lateral, and backward linkages that are possible. According to the draft document, backward linkages are those created by the commercial relations between oil operators and their supply chains, which include the transfer of technology and know-how, employment of nationals, and sourcing local goods and services. Lateral linkages utilize the demand of the sector to develop skills, services and infrastructure that can positively impact on other sectors of the economy while
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allowing locals to participate in the petroleum supply chain. An example of this would be investing in training Guyanese that can serve a dual purpose, that is to say, for agriculture and oil and gas for example. Forward linkages involve the construction of facilities that process and export these resources, such as refineries and petrochemical facilities. It therefore means that Guyana’s local content policy must have provisions, which support maximum participation of its people in various aspects of the oil sector as well as ensure that other sectors like the agricultural industry are given adequate support. This is to ensure the country’s prosperity beyond oil. SATURDAY EXXON STILL TO EXPLAIN ROOT CAUSE OF FLARING Today makes three days since Kaieteur News asked ExxonMobil to clearly define the cause of flaring at the Liza Destiny Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. On the morning of February 18, Government and Public Affairs Advisor for ExxonMobil Guyana, Janelle Persaud, told reporters “Axial vibration of the compressor rotor was the initiating event of the technical issue experienced on January 27. The resulting vibration within the compressor was the cause of the mechanical seal failure initially reported.” At this point, Kaieteur News asked whether the vibration of the rotor was linked to the previous issue ExxonMobil encountered which caused it to flare all year 2020, and/or whether it was linked to a design flaw, improper maintenance or some other cause. This was asked to ensure that there wouldn’t be a related reoccurrence at Liza Phase One or any of ExxonMobil’s future developments. ExxonMobil was also asked to provide a timeline for the repairs on the compressor. Up to press time Friday night, there was no definitive answer. The company’s local subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), insists that the issue is not linked to tests; it has been doing to increase the production capacity of the operation. The first time it said this was during a press conference on Monday, February 8, which was held to brief media operatives and
field their questions on flaring occurring since January 27, last. EEPGL’s Production Manager, Mike Ryan, had said that the higher production testing was not the cause, as the equipment was operating at 70 percent capacity when the malfunction occurred. When the company sent out a release on February 17, announcing that repairs had begun on the flash gas compressor at the manufacturer’s MAN energy workshop in Germany, it stated, “MAN Energy has confirmed there is no linkage between the production optimization activities and the technical issues with the flash gas compressor. At the time of the incident with the compressor, it was only operating at ~70% of its design capacity. Production optimization is a normal process for operations around the world. A comprehensive safety evaluation took place prior to the optimization process.” This question of whether the production capacity testing caused the equipment malfunction, which led to flaring, was not raised by Kaieteur News, but ExxonMobil repeatedly insisted this in its public statements. It is yet to say what the actual root cause was. Meanwhile, flaring continues at the Liza Destiny at a rate of about 16-18 million cubic feet per day, having added hundreds of millions of cubic feet to the 12 billion flared last year, a state of affairs Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said is unacceptable. ExxonMobil intends to increase the production capacity of the Liza Destiny. It has produced up to 130,000 barrels of oil per day.
Production Manager, Mike Ryan has said that the Liza Destiny currently has liquids capacity of 158,000 barrels per day. UNDERSTANDINGTHE DRAFT LOCAL CONTENT POLICY (PT. 3) GOVT. PROPOSES INCREASE OF GUYANESE IN MANAGEMENT, TECHNICAL POSITIONS OVER 5 TO 10 YRS To ensure maximum participation of Guyanese in the oil and gas industry, the government has proposed in the draft Local Content Policy that there be a sliding scale of targets for oil companies. The chart below shows the extent to which the administration wants to see Guyanese participate in various positions for the oil operations. $413M LEGUAN STELLING REHABILITATION CONTRACT TERMINATED – PROJECT TO BE RETENDERED The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government Friday terminated the two-year-old $413M Leguan Stelling rehabilitation project after the contractor, S. Maraj Contracting Services, failed to comply with its contractual obligations. In a statement from the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW), it was indicated that Friday the Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, met with the contractor, along with a team from the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD). Following an 11-hour deliberation, which was guided by a report compiled
by the Audit Office of Guyana, the team determined that the contractor, S. Maraj Contracting Services “is incapable, unable, and does not possess the wherewithal to successfully execute this project valued at $413,259,260.” The statement went on to mention that the contractor received payments totalling $199,435,000, almost 50% of the contract sum, an “unheard of scenario”, which it notes is outside of normal procurement practices and a breach of the Fiscal Management Accountability Act (FMA). Despite the contractor receiving almost $200M of the contract sum for a project that was awarded two years ago and was scheduled to last six months, actual works and materials on site were estimated at just about $100M, the Ministry noted. “A contract that should have been completed in six months,” the Public Works Ministry wrote, “and signed on September 20, 2018, received an advanced payment on September 26, 2018, but the contractor only received his order to commence works on December 6, 2018. So the Contractor was in possession of tens of millions of tax payers’ dollars for almost three months before he was required to begin work.” The Ministry stated that on April 19, 2019, close to 20 months beyond the completion date, the advance payment bond as well as the performance bonds had expired. In addition, it was indicated that the contractor, having received the contract for the building of a stelling, used the argument of a faulty bill of quantities and earned himself by October 30, 2019,
an additional $20,650,000 for the supply and delivery of piles for the same Leguan stelling. What is notable too is that the contract did not include piles, one of the most important components for the construction of the stelling. The Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, had informed that at the time of the audit, the contractor was paid for measured works, but there was no break down attached to the payment certificates. Variations and change of scope of works could not have been measured,” the Ministry said, “and quantified since no documents were available and submitted. It was clear that there was poor contract administration and oversight. The Auditor General has indicated that payments made in some instances were in breach of the Fiscal and Management Accountability Act.” Minister Edghill sought to remind that on four occasions, he had engaged the contractor and the Transport and Harbour Department on the completion of this project, which yielded no success. Against this background and in keeping with the contractual terms, the contract was terminated with immediate effect. The Minister said that any adverse consequences resulting from this must be placed squarely at the feet of the David Granger APNU/ AFC administration. Notably, the Minister stated that the Auditor General will be engaged to recover the sums that were awarded and gave assurances that a procurement process will be undertaken to ensure that another contractor is engaged to complete the stelling.
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==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==
What about me and my wife; don’t we need money too? For decades now, there have been publications in the print media about former government minister and parliamentarian, Balram Singh Rai, being entitled to a pension and should have been receiving it a long time now. Mr. Rai left Guyana for the UK in 1970, never to return. At present he is 100 years old. Mr. Rai is just short of completing the exact period that was required. The question is – should he have a pension? My answer is yes. This man served his country in outstanding ways in the 1950s and 1960s. From all that I have read about him, he seems to have been a man of principles. Interestingly there are some dimensions to the pension quagmire. Mr. Rai lives as a recluse in London and has never communicated with the Guyanese people on the pension issue. I have read a biography of him by Dr. Baytoram Ramharack and there is a complete absence on any attitude of Rai on the pension injustice. Not even a line. For the 50 years that he departed Guyana, he has not indicated if he is interested in the pension. Surely, he has an obligation to let us know if he interested or if he wants the issue to die. It makes no sense for advocates to keep agitating for it if the man himself doesn’t want it. He has just achieved 100 years and a group of eminent East Indian Guyanese scholars has published a letter deploring the non-existence of Rai’s pension. The crucial question is, does Rai or his wife want it. His wife is in her late eighties. All of Rai’s children are in their early seventies. Do they need the money? If yes, please indicate that so the advocacy can con-
tinue. An interesting reaction about the pension story hit the news on February 11 last, when Mr. “Kit” Nascimento informed the nation that he, as a former parliamentarian, is entitled to a pension but has not received it since the eighties. Nascimento also stated that there are others like him. When I read Nascimento’s revelation I decided to compose this column. Rai is 100 years old. Nascimento informed us he is in his late eighties. But comparatively speaking my wife is young with a young daughter and is entitled to her pension, which she has not received since 2011, when she was pushed out of her job as an investment officer at GOINVEST by the then government. My wife worked for 14 consecutive years paying her money into the pension scheme of CLICO as a government servant. When CLICO collapsed the government had an obligation to its workers to pay their pension. They were serving the government. My wife lost millions of dollars in pension money and at the time had a daughter at university. We never took student loan for her studies. We paid from our meager resources. The then government in 2011 and the governments since that time need to fulfill the state’s obligation to my wife. What about me and the money I lost at UG as a lecturer when my contract was arbitrarily terminated in December 2011? The Ombudsman contracted top class legal brains to pronounce on my dismissal. They ruled I was illegally removed. I was never compensated since 2011. Since the Ombudsman report in 2013, I was never offered any compensation by
the state. I never received a query as to if I would like to resume my lecturer status at UG. For the record, I am not interested in returning to UG. That part of my life is part of my history. It is gone. I don’t want to have it back. Only Dr. Mark Kirton in his capacity as advisor to the APNU+AFC government thought I should be compensated.
He told me wrongs should be righted and he thought I was wrongly dismissed. He took the Ombudsman report and that was the last I heard of the matter. I think Mark was showing his obligation to me as a friend of 44 years. But I think he was overruled by the high priests of APNU+AFC. I know Mark very closely and thus I know he will never reveal to
me what happened. Also, he has an obligation to the PNC leadership so I know he would not tell me, and I will not ask. So yes, Rai should have his pension if he needs it. I don’t know if Nascimento wants his. I can speak for the Kissoon family. My wife is entitled to hers. I should be compensated based on the decision by the Ombudsman.
Frederick Kissoon But ask me if you think I am hopeful. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Sunday February 21, 2021
Coronavirus: Myths about COVID-19 vaccines debunked By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center Guyana, like the rest of the world, has started vaccinating its population against COVID-19. Unfortunately, there are many rumours being spread, especially on social media, about the COVID-19 vaccines. This is creating too many vaccine skeptics and is putting us all at risk of being stuck in the pandemic for longer than we should be. According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
between 2010 and 2015, vaccines prevented an estimated 10 million deaths. Scientists have worked tirelessly to create safe and effective vaccines to protect us against COVID-19. Some persons called “anti-vaxxers,’’ dedicate their entire lives to railing against vaccines and are mostly behind the many myths that are being circulated about COVID-19 vaccines. Today, I will share some common myths being circulated about COVID-19 vaccines, so that you can be properly informed and help dispel these myths. Myth: the side effects
of the COVID-19 vaccine are dangerous. While the COVID-19 vaccine can have side effects, the vast majority is very short term and are not serious or dangerous. Some people experience pain where they are injected; body aches; headaches or fever, lasting for a day or two. These are signs that the vaccine is working to stimulate your immune system. If you have allergies, especially severe ones that require you to be hospitalized, discuss the COVID-19 vaccine with your doctor, who can assess your risk and provide more information about
if and how you can get vaccinated safely. I was vaccinated just over a week ago and I am living proof— like the many health workers who were also vaccinated, that the vaccines are not dangerous. Myth: the Vaccine will alter my DNA These vaccines were designed using the RNA and DNA of the virus to create similar structures in the vaccines. These structures cannot alter our DNA in any shape or form. When our body detects them after being vaccinated, it produces antibodies that
can be stored and deployed to effectively combat the SarsCov2 virus in the event we get exposed to it. It does not directly interact with our DNA in any way. Myth: You can get COVID-19 from the vaccines The COVID-19 vaccines cannot give an individual COVID-19. Regardless of the type of vaccine, none contains the live SarsCov2 virus. Any side effects, such as headache or chills, are due to the immune response and not an infection. Myth: The vaccine contains a microchip According to some, the vaccines were designed with a microchip inside and will allow shadowy elites to track our every move. In reality, our mobile phones already complete that task effortlessly. There is no evidence that any of the COVID-19 vaccines contain a microchip, especially since each vaccine would have undergone rigorous testing and analysis by many different international regulatory bodies. Myth: COVID-19 vaccines can make you infertile There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines impact fertility. Similarly, there is no evidence that they will endanger future pregnancies. This rumour began because of a link between the spike protein that is coded by the mRNA-based vaccines and a protein called syncytin1. Syncytin-1 is vital for the placenta to remain attached to the uterus during pregnancy. However, although the spike protein does share a few amino acids in common with syncytin-1, they are not even nearly similar enough to confuse the immune system and cause abortions. Myth: You should not take the vaccine if you’re breastfeeding You and your breastfeeding baby needs protection against COVID-19 like everyone else. You cannot get COVID-19, or give your baby COVID-19, by being vaccinated. The components of the vaccine are not known to harm breastfed infants. When you receive the vaccine, the small vaccine
Dr. Zulfikar Bux particles are used up by your muscle cells at the injection site and thus are unlikely to get into breast milk. When a person gets vaccinated while breastfeeding, their immune system develops antibodies that protect against COVID-19. These antibodies can be passed through breast milk to the baby. Newborns of vaccinated mothers who breastfeed can benefit from these antibodies against COVID-19. Myth: I don’t need a vaccine since COVID-19 survival rate is high While the COVID-19 survival rate is high, the death rate is higher in the older population and those with other chronic illnesses. These people depend on others who are not as high risk to be vaccinated, so that the illness cannot spread to them. We all have loved ones who are in the high-risk group and we need to look out for them and get vaccinated. Also, while the death rate is not high, the long-term effects of COVID-19 are devastating for many that would have been infected. It ranges from damage to the lungs, kidneys and liver to numerous issues associated with damage to the nervous system. Those with nervous system damage tend to be fearful, depressed, unrelenting pains and get nightmares for no obvious reason. COVID-19 can only go away if we all get vaccinated. Otherwise, we are stuck in this pandemic and many more lives will be lost and negatively affected. Spread the word on the real facts of COVID-19 vaccine and help debunk the myths; you will be saving lives by doing this.
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>>> ENCOURAGING EVENTS, DISTURBING DEVELOPMENTS <<<
Publicizing oil money spending and Chief Works Officer, Vaughn By GHK Lall
I
t is encouraging to learn that President Ali has committed to making the details of spending oil money p u b l i c ( K N F e b r u a r y 14). Though I generally leave oil developments to other spaces, today I make an exception. His Excellency said - indeed, he has publicly committed - to sharing “how much money is earned, how much is spent, and on what it is spent.” All Guyana should welcome that promise, but which has to go a bit deeper to mean something and deliver what would be even more encouraging. The president
and his government in telling Guyanese “how much is spent and on what it is spent” must be most transparent with the supporting details. He cannot be satisfied, and we should not be satisfied, with topline numbers and the identification of this or that area or project. President and government must furnish, by making available for public consumption, the fine print that goes with the appealing headlines, when the monies are spent, and what goes on with the projects selected. If it is that so many millions are going to be spent to enhance infrastructural works or improve another sector, then all that happens with those oil monies must be an open book. If that occurs, then there is the encouraging, which I hope is how it will be. If not, then it is President Ali pretending at openness and
straightness, while being about the trickiness of the usual leadership six for a nine. May it not be this way. The disturbing came early in the week, with the abrupt and unceremonious dismissal of Chief Works Officer, Geoffrey Vaughn. According to the media releases, Mr. Vaughn was there, and then he wasn't; and without so much as the courtesy of 'incompatibility' or 'professional corruption' or 'philosophical differences.' Of course, if it was for skin colour or suspected political affiliation, no government is so foolish as to make that mistake publicly; not even one as unschooled and crude on the finer points of civilized behaviour as this one. It was goodbye and get going, there is the door. The harsh indignity of leave keys and all the state's belongings and don't bother to come back; the guards have their orders.
I find the now former Chief Works Officer a disturbing development for several reasons. In those senior positions held against his name, incompetence can only be covered up for so long; so, I rule that one out. Also, I do not recall his name being bandied about as one that was on the campaign trail for the now opposition; thus, the present automatic public service kiss of death. But there is something else that speaks about this former senior public servant, who suddenly became the wrong man in the wrong job with the wrong people. It is that Mr. Vaughn has served this country, at the Ministry of (Public) Works for some 15 years in one senior capacity following the other, and at higher and higher elevations. Now here is the spearhead of my thrust: 10 of those 15 years had to have been under the prior PPP government, and under a PPP minister. I am extremely
doubtful that Mr. Vaughn would have lasted that long, if he was a misfit, a fool, or a scoundrel, leaker, and seller. That there is a problem now, when all these billions are in motion for public works projects, looks highly suspicious and I must say rather sinister in objective. With this latest development, I can only call this as I interpret. It is part of a now low level, sporadic, but no less ominous, purge of a certain kind of Guyanese out of the public service. Instead of the prior rush of numbers, there is currently quiet creep. It definitely gives me the creeps, and there is nothing quiet about it. It just can't be; not with a high-profile official as Mr. Vaughn. President Ali flourishes of chatter about 'one' this and 'one' that, which stirs. Then, there is this line of inexplicable ugliness. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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g ts in s... re ture e t In rea C
D
Sunday February 21, 2021
Deer
eer or true deer are hoofed r u m i n a n t mammals forming the family Cervidae. The two main groups of deer are the Cervinae, including the muntjac, the elk (wapiti), the red deer, the fallow deer, and the chital; and the Capreolinae, including the reindeer (caribou), the roe deer, the mule deer, and the moose.
Female reindeer and male deer of all species except the Chinese water deer grow and shed new antlers each year. In this, they differ from permanently horned antelope, which are part of a different family (Bovidae) within the same order of even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla). The musk deer (Moschidae) of Asia and chevrotains (Tragulidae) of
tropical African and Asian forests are separate families within the ruminant clade (Ruminantia). They are not especially closely related to the deer among the Ruminantia. Deer appear in art from Paleolithic cave paintings onwards, and they have played a role in mythology, religion, and literature throughout history, as well as in heraldry, such as red deer that appear in the coat of arms of Åland. Their economic importance includes the use of their meat as venison, their skins as soft, strong buckskin, and their antlers as handles for knives. Deer hunting has been a popular activity since at least the Middle Ages and remains a resource for many families today. Deer live in a variety of biomes, ranging from tundra to the tropical rainforest. While often associated with forests, many deer are ecotone species that live in transitional areas between forests and thickets (for cover) and prairie and savannah (open space). The majority of large deer species inhabit temperate mixed deciduous forest, mountain mixed coniferous forest, tropical seasonal/dry forest, and savannah habitats around the world. Clearing open areas within forests to some extent may actually benefit deer populations by exposing the understory and allowing the types of grasses, weeds, and herbs to grow that deer like to eat. Additionally, access to
adjacent croplands may also benefit deer. However, adequate forest or brush cover must still be provided for populations to grow and thrive. Deer are widely distributed, with indigenous representatives in all continents except Antarctica and Australia, though Africa has only one native deer, the Barbary stag, a subspecies of red deer that is confined to the Atlas Mountains in the northwest of the continent. An additional extinct species of deer, Megaceroides algericus, was present in North Africa until 6,000 years ago. Fallow deer have been introduced to South Africa. Small species of brocket deer and pudús of Central and South America, and muntjacs of Asia generally occupy dense forests and are less often seen in open spaces, with the possible exception of the Indian muntjac. There are also several species of deer that are highly specialized and live almost exclusively in mountains, grasslands, swamps, and "wet" (continued on page 39)
Sunday February 21, 2021
Caribbean people at risk of prolonging... From page 20 2019 levels. Foreign direct investment in the Caribbean declined last year by more than 50 percent. With many economies across the region in a state of prolonged inactivity, the downward investment trend for 2021 is even more precipitous. The year 2022 is unlikely to get any better unless each country gets the virus under control. The populations of Caribbean countries, amounting to 20 million people, are competing with 450 million people in Latin America and another 360 million in the U.S. and Canada to achieve 80 percent inoculations. They are also competing against seven billion people globally. They cannot afford to leave themselves behind – they must get themselves inoculated. Leaders and influencers
in every sector – the churches, the trade unions and the media – have to support Caribbean governments that have tried their best with scarce and reduced financial resources to manage the coronavirus and now to inoculate against it. No Caribbean country can afford to be a year behind the nations with which they interact for their livelihood and development. (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own.) Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com.
Deer From page 38 savannahs, or riparian corridors surrounded by deserts. Some deer have a circumpolar distribution in both North America and Eurasia. Examples include the caribou that live in Arctic tundra and taiga (boreal forests) and moose that inhabit taiga and adjacent areas. Huemul deer (taruca and Chilean huemul) of South America's Andes fill the ecological niches of the ibex and wild goat, with the fawns behaving more like goat kids. Deer are browsers, and feed primarily on foliage of grasses, sedges, forbs, shrubs and trees, with additional consumption of lichens in northern latitudes during winter. They have small, unspecialized stomachs by ruminant
standards, and high nutrition requirements. Rather than eating and digesting vast quantities of low-grade fibrous food as, for example, sheep and cattle do, deer select easily digestible shoots, young leaves, fresh grasses, soft twigs, fruit, fungi, and lichens. The low-fibered food, after minimal fermentation and shredding, passes rapidly through the alimentary canal. The deer require a large amount of minerals such as calcium and phosphate in order to support antler growth, and this further necessitates a nutrient-rich diet. There are, however, some reports of deer engaging in carnivorous activity, such as eating dead alewives along lakeshores or depredating the nests of northern bobwhites.
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le==
==The Unexpected Inevitab
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The ‘Miracle Child’ who lived on borrowed time…
The Uriel Reynolds story By Shervin Belgrave When a man, after passing away, is described affectionately as a mother’s miracle baby, a father’s inspiration, an outstanding dad and the most handsome husband to his wife, it becomes clear quite quickly that he had lived a life that truly touched his loved ones. Although Uriel Reynolds’ departure to the Great Beyond probably meant that the Almighty was ready for some quality time with him, to those he has left behind it was too abrupt and horrific for such a loving soul. On January 12 last, Reynolds was killed in an accident. But this publication learnt of the accident a little after midnight on January 13, when graphic photographs of the accident scene started to surface on Facebook, a social media platform. The photos were captioned: ‘accident moments ago along the Linden Soesdyke Highway.’ The scene, as revealed by the photographs, was especially horrific. There was a mangled white minibus and a badly damaged pick-up, along with scattered debris everywhere. As I browsed through those photos, there was one which stood out. It was that of a man who appeared to be severely injured. He looked unconscious and barely clinging to life. The lower half of his body lay on the roadway, while his head was being held in the arms of two individuals, who appeared as if they were desperately trying to keep him alive. With alacrity, reporters of this publication, myself included, sprang into action to garner all the relevant
details to prepare an article for publication. In so doing, it was revealed that the dying m a n w a s 3 1 - y e a r- o l d Reynolds, a resident of Munipur Street, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown. At the time of the accident, he was driving home in the white minibus, seen in the social media posts. His wife, Ariannis, was reportedly beside him in the passenger seat when a Toyota Tacoma pick-up, crashed into them around 19:15 hrs. The aftermath was tragic as it resulted in Reynolds’ death, who from the day he was born might have been living on borrowed time. A Miracle Child is born As was noted earlier, he was tagged the ‘Miracle Child’ since his birth, and with good reason too. The story of the ‘Miracle Child’ began at approximately 03:45 hrs. on December 19, 1989, the day when Uriel entered the world. H i s m o t h e r, F a d i a Reynolds, remembered that morning quite vividly. After hours of excruciating pain, during a delivery with complications, her baby was born, but something was wrong. The new-born appeared purple in colour and was unresponsive. The nurses gave him a few slaps on his buttocks, but the baby made no sounds, nor did he move. He was labelled a stillborn and the nurses wrapped him in a piece of green cotton, known back then as ‘’Burnham Bedding,” and placed him in a cot behind the door of the delivery room. Fadia said that she was only 18 years old at the time and did not even know what the nurses meant by declaring her baby stillborn. Nevertheless, she
ng riannis alo Uriel and A on Allaric with his s times. in happier
nis Arian . d n a l not Urie the k g n i y t
recounted that she frantically questioned the nurse if her baby was okay. The nurses ignored the questions and instructed her to stay quiet as they removed the afterbirth from inside her. A few moment later, Fadia said she began to ‘’freak out’’ upon hearing one of the nurses inquiring of the other if the mortuary was called. “Questions began popping up in my head…mortuary is associated with death…is m y b a b y d e a d ? ’’ remembered Fadia. She began crying and was scolded by the nurses. “They told me ‘hush you disturbing the new-borns in the nursery next door’.” One hour passed and Fadia’s baby remained wrapped in the ‘’Burnham Bedding.” ‘’I remembered that they were placing me in a wheelchair to take me
away, when in walked a young male nurse,’’ she recalled. “He entered the room with a notebook and began to record how many babies were born that
“‘That means that your baby born dead’,” Fadia said the woman explained. “I started to cry, I tried to get up and run behind them too, but I
He was adventurous, playful and caring.
morning.” Fadia overheard the nurses reporting to him that one baby was stillborn as he noted the stats, but what happened next clearly left the nurses in shock. According to the woman, as the male nurse was exiting the room, he peeped at her baby dropped his pen and book, scooped him up and ran out shouting ‘who said stillborn?’ The nurses ran out too, Fadia recounted, leaving her alone with another woman, who was in the process of giving birth. That woman, she said, turned and asked: ‘Is your baby dead?’ and “I responded, ‘No he stillborn’.”
could not, my baby was dead, he was dead.”The nurses returned a short while after and took her into the maternity ward where she tried to console herself. As she sobbed, another mother who was nearby approached and asked, ‘did you give birth to the purple baby?’ “Crying, I responded yes he died,” but the woman responded “‘No, no he is alive, he is alive, I will take you to see him’.’’ Fadia remembered being guided into the ward by the woman. She was tense as she scanned the incubators for a little ‘’purple baby’’ but she saw none. Instead, she was taken to a pink and beautiful,
little baby boy. “That is not my baby,” she recalled telling the woman before she was shown the tag attached to him. It read Mohamed her maiden name. “I could do nothing but burst into tears, it was a miracle.” If it was not for the male nurse’s curiosity to peep at her stillborn baby, Fadia said her son would have been taken to the mortuary. Grateful to God for saving their baby’s life in such a miraculous way, Fadia and her husband, Eion Reynolds, decided to give him a Hebrew name, Uriel, which means God is my light. Modest upbringing As a child, Uriel did not enjoy the best of life, his father recalled. “We were the average Guyanese family who had struggles. I was the only bread winner at that time and did not earn a hefty salary, but just enough to feed my family and fulfil their necessities,” he shared. As Eion and Fadia reflected on the early years of Uriel’s life, they recalled that even though he was not fortunate like his friends or cousins to afford expensive toys, he would remedy the situation by inventing his own. “He would sit down even if it took him hours to make his own little toys to play with,” said Eion. Fadia added that, “There was this one time when he came home from school asked his father to get him a deck of Yu-Gi-Yoh cards. Oh, how he wanted those cards, but they were expensive. Knowing that his dad could not afford it, he made his own deck of Yu-GiYoh Cards. He found cardboard, designed it, drew the characters and made himself a deck of Yu-Gi-yoh cards.”As the Reynolds continued to stroll down memory lane, they became emotional as they recollected that Uriel even made his own handmade Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays and even Valentine’s Day cards, just to cheer them up on those special days. “He even placed his own barcodes to make them look as close as possible to those he saw in the stores,” they recounted. The unique personality Uriel possessed only got (Continued on page 53)
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10 Incredible Health Benefits Of Mint Or Pudina You Must Know Refreshing, zingy and delightful, a dash of mint can make almost anything right, don’t you agree. We love mint to this extent, that a lot of us have our own little mint plant in our kitchen garden. Mint is one of the oldest culinary herbs known to mankind. Its remarkable medicinal properties have made it one of the most commonly known and used herbs ever. Indians, especially are no stranger when it comes to mint. We use it in our chutneys,raita, and even garnish ourbiryaniswith the cooling herb. According to Macrobiotic Nutritionist and Health Practitioner Shilpa Arora ND, “Mint has very powerful antioxidant properties. The leaves can be juiced or made into a raita. Mint is excellent to manage blood sugar levels and treat skin conditions. In summers, one should particularly add mint to their diet. Mint is very cooling and aids in digestion and breathing disorders too.” From boosting digestion to keeping your breath fresh for long, mint is packed with a number of benefits that make its more than just a mocktail, chutney or raita ingredient. Here are some mint benefits you may not have known:
1. Aids Digestion Mint can work wonders for almost all your digestive problems. According to the book ‘Healing Foods’ by DK Publishing, menthol, which is the active oil in the mint, has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that help relieve indigestion and also soothe an upset stomach. 2. Treats Asthma Consumption of mint has also been linked with bringing in soothing effect for asthmatic patients. Mint is loaded with anti-inflammatory properties. It is a good relaxant and relieves congestion. However, make sure you don’t overdo your mint dosage, else it may irritate your air passages. 3. Treats Common Cold Struggling with nasty cold
and finding it difficult to focus and breathe? Try mint. Yes, there is a reason why your vapo-rubs and inhalers are often available in mint. Mint is known to clear congestion of the nose, throat, bronchi, and lungs. In addition to the respiratory channels, mint’s anti-inflammatory properties also relieve the irritation caused by chronic coughing. 4. Cures Headache As mentioned earlier, mint is a decently strong adaptogenic herb. According to the book ‘Healing Foods’, mint may help cure headaches too. The strong and refreshing aroma of mint could help ease headaches. Balms with a mint base or basic mint oil, when rubbed on the forehead and nose, are effective in curing headaches
and nausea. 5. Oral Care Picture this, you have a presentation to make and you have just tucked in a gobhi paratha and garlic chutney. You cannot be entering the presentation room with a tainted breath now, can you? Chewing on mint tablets or mint leaves could help freshen your breath instantly due to the presence of germicidal properties. It also does wonders for our overall oral health. It inhibits bacterial growth inside the mouth, and cleanses the plaque deposition on teeth. This is the very reason why so many of the toothpastes in the market also come in mint base. 6. Aids Weight Loss Mint could also play its own sweet role in weight loss,
and the reason is tied with its much famed digestive properties. Mint stimulates digestive enzymes, which help facilitate better absorption of nutrients from food. When the body is able to assimilate and absorb nutrients properly, there is better metabolism. A faster metabolism aids weight loss. 7. Improves Brain Power Mint could also rev up your brain power. According to various studies, consuming mint may up alertness, retention, and cognitive functions. One of the studies also tied effects of mint consumption with better memory retention. 8. Skin Care Mint is a traditional remedy for treating acne and pimples. It has potent antiinflammatory and antibacterial properties which work wonders on acne prone skin. Mint leaves contain a high content of salicylic acid, which is excellent in combating acne action too. The juice obtained from mint works as an effective skin cleanser. The high quantum of antioxidants also help prevent free radical activity, giving you clearers and youthful skin. You can use mint in the form of face masks as well. Combine crushed mint leaves and honey. Apply on your skin and leave for 20 minutes. Wash off with warm
water. 9. Help Ease Symptoms Of Morning sickness or Nausea Mint is an excellent remedy to treat nausea. It is also effective for treating nausea that happens in morning sickness. According to Shilpa Arora, “Eating a few leaves or smelling some leaves of mint every morning, could help expecting mothers to get past the nauseous feeling and cope better.” 10. Beats stress and depression Mint is an essential part of aromatherapy. It’s strong and refreshing smell could help beat stress and rejuvenate mind. Mint has adaptogenic properties that regulate cortisol levels and boost the body’s natural resilience to stress. Adaptogens help balance the body in whatever way is needed. By breathing in the aroma of mint, your mind is instantly calmed. According to studies, it also helps release small amount of serotonin in the brain that may help beat depression. You can add mint to your tea, use mint extract on a vapouriser or draw yourself a mint bath for immediate relief. (https://food.ndtv.com/ food-drinks/mint-benefits-10incredible-health-benefits-ofmint-or-pudina-you-mustknow-1842720)
All you need to know about spinach Although it is safe for most people to eat a bowl of spinach per day, people should be careful while eating excessive spinach every day. There are no side effects of eating spinach every day if consumed in limited quantities. Disadvantages of eating spinach in excess every day are as follows: · Oxalic acid and purines: Eating too much spinach can interfere with the ability of the body to absorb minerals. Oxalic acid present in spinach binds with zinc, magnesium, and calcium because of which the body does not absorb enough nutrients, which may lead to a mineral deficiency. High amounts of purines and oxalates can trigger conditions such as kidney stones and gout (a type of arthritis). High amounts of oxalic acid in spinach may form calcium oxalate stones in the kidney. A high purine content of spinach may also aggravate gout or gouty arthritis and lead to joint pain, swelling, and
inflammation. · Vitamin K: An individual must not consume spinach if they are taking anticoagulating medicines (blood thinners) such as warfarin. Spinach is very high in vitamin K, and this nutrient may react with the anticoagulant drug and significantly affect its action and effect on other coagulating factors present in the blood. · Metabolization: Eating too much spinach may lead to an excessive buildup of gas, bloating, and cramps because our body needs some time to digest the excessive load of spinach and cannot metabolize it all at once. Spinach is high in fiber and takes time to get digested, which may further lead to diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes fever. Spinach is a good source of iron, but sometimes, because of the high fiber content and its excessive consumption, the body is not able to absorb the plant-based iron we have ingested. · Histamine: This leafy vegetable contains
histamine that may trigger a minor pseudo allergic effect or an allergic reaction in some people. · Toxic reaction: This is a bit serious issue, and some people have complained about the toxic effect and poisoning of spinach when it gets contaminated with bacteria (such as E. coli) through pesticides, organic fertilizers, or irrigation water. · Other possible complications may include low blood pressure, tremors or convulsions, vomiting, and a weak pulse. This vegetable helps in reducing the risks of high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and cancer. Spinach is also good for the skin, hair, and eyesight. Advantages of eating limited quantities of spinach every day include: · Vitamins: Spinach is rich in vitamin B and other important vitamins such as A, E, K, and C that helps to improve the skin texture and treat numerous skin-related disorders. Spinach also helps to protect the skin from the
h a r m f u l ultraviolet radiation of the sun. It promotes healing of the skin in case of sun damage and prevents premature aging, skin cancer, and other dermal disorders caused by the sun. Because of the presence of vitamin A in spinach, it boosts immunity by preventing infections and inflammations to a large extent. It strengthens the mucous membranes of the respiratory, urinary, and intestinal tracts. Vitamin A is also a major component of the lymphocytes (white blood cells) that combat diseases in the human body. · Anti-inflammatory: Spinach helps in providing relief from several types of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, asthma, a n d even migraine headaches. · Prevents damage to the brain and nervous system: Spinach helps in maintaining brain functions, especially in patients of advanced age. The high content of vitamins C and K and folate helps keep the
nervous system functioning properly. It also improves the processing abilities of the brain. Spinach helps in the synthesis of sphingolipids that is a crucial fact in the myelin sheath of the nerve cells. · Gastrointestinal disorders: Spinach contains high quantities of beta carotene and vitamin C that maintain gastrointestinal health. It protects the colorectal cells from the cancerous growths caused by the effects of free radicals. The folate content in spinach prevents DNA damage and harmful mutations of the colon cells. · Muscle growth: Spinach reduces stress on the muscles by strengthening the muscular tissues. Magnesium, zinc, and other nutrient content help to sleep better that helps the body to heal and recover faster. · Hypertension: Spinach is an effective remedy for high blood pressure or hypertension. It also helps to reduce stress and anxiety. · Cancer patients:
Spinach is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and other nutrients that promote healthy cell d i v i s i o n , preventing malignant growths and tumors. · Bone health: Spinach is useful in maintaining and strengthening the bones because of its calcium content. It can also be used as an alternative to dairy products in patients who have lactose intolerance. It helps to prevent the early onset of osteoporosis. Spinach helps in the building of muscle tissues and the growth of collagen. · Spinach is rich in iron content and many other essential nutrients. It helps in recovering and recuperating after a long spell of illness. Spinach juice can be given to patients who have been weakened by anemia or hemorrhage (bleeding). ( h t t p s : / / www.medicinenet.com/ is_eating_spinach_every_ day_good_for_you/ article.htm0
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 21, 2021
Sunday February 21, 2021
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Kaieteur News
Namaste Wahala, Finding ‘Ohana C.B Strike: Lethal returns with (2021) to air today on E1 Channel New Season this and ever Monday The Enetworks family has two absolutely entertaining movies lined up today. At 1pm and 7pm on the E 1 channel, viewers can look forward to seeing Namaste Wahala and Finding Ohana respectively. Namaste Wahala (transl. Hello trouble) is a 2020 Nigerian cross-cultural romantic comedy film produced, written and directed by Hamisha Daryani Ahuja on her directorial debut. The film stars Ini DimaOkojie and Ruslaan Mumtaz in the lead roles. This film was hailed as the first major collaboration between Bollywood and Nollywood which are two of the biggest film industries in the world. The film is based on romantic relationship between an Indian boy and a Nigerian girl despite coming from completely different backgrounds with cultural differences. It had limited theatrical release in Nigeria on 1 December 2020 and opened to positive reviews from critics. The film was globally streamed via Netflix on 14 February 2021 coinciding with the Valentine’s Day and
received mixed reviews from critics. As for Finding ‘Ohana, this is a 2021 American family adventure film directed by Jude Weng in her feature directorial debut and written by Christina Strain. The film stars Kea Peahu, Alex Aiono, Lindsay Watson, Owen
Vaccaro and Kelly Hu. It premiered on Netflix on January 29, 2021. Finding ‘Ohana,’ takes you on a tepid adventure trip, but it’s worth hopping on, if you want to learn a few Hawaiian words and get the traveller in you excited, once again. Mahalo!
Tomorrow and every other Monday to follow, the Enetworks team will be airing a new season of Strike at 9pm AST and 8pm EST via HBO. Strike is a British crime drama television programme based on the Cormoran Strike detective novels written by J. K. Rowling under the pseudonym Robe r t Galbraith. The programme was first broadcast on BBC One on 27 August 2017, after receiving an advance premiere at
the British Film Institute on 10 August 2017. The programme follows Cormoran Strike (Tom Burke), a war veteran turned private detective operating out of a tiny office in London’s Denmark Street, who uses his unique insight and his background as a Special Investigation Branch investigator to solve complex cases that h a v e eluded the police along with his assistant, subsequently business p a r t n e r, Robin Ellacott
(Holliday Grainger). Four adaptations have been broadcast to date, adapting the first four Strike novels: The Cuckoo’s Calling (2013), The Silkworm (2014), Career of Evil (2015) and Lethal White (2018). The programme premiered on 1 June 2018 in the United States on Cinemax and in Canada on HBO Canada under the title C. B. Strike. C.B. Strike: Lethal White premiered January 20, 2021 on HBO Max.
Sparkling Wine of the Week: The Cavicchioli 1928 Rosé This bright and pale pink candy” coloured Rosé features white evanescent foam, fine and lingering perlage when poured and tasted. The wine has a fresh, fruity aroma, and a slightly spicy aromatic taste with red fruit notes and a lingering aftertaste. Cavicchioli 1928 Rosé is excellent as an aperitif with sweet and sour pairings. You can also pair it with risotto, tortellini, seafood dishes, and fresh fruits. It can be had at Ansa McAL’s Twee Gourmet Shoppe at the Giftland Mall. Do enjoy and remember to drink responsibly.
Kaieteur News
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Sunday February 21, 2021
Junior page DIY FEATHER BOWL
The Tortoise And The Bird A tortoise was resting under a tree, on which a bird had built its nest. The tortoise spoke to the bird mockingly, “What a shabby home you have! It is made of broken twigs, it has no roof, and looks crude. What’s worse is that you had to build it yourself. I think my house, which is my shell, is much better than your pathetic nest”. “Yes, it is made of broken sticks, looks shabby and is open to the elements of nature. It is crude, but I built it, and I like it.”
“I guess it’s just like any other nest, but not better than mine”, said the tortoise. “You must be jealous of my shell, though.” “On the contrary”, the bird replied. “My home has space for my family and friends; your shell cannot accommodate anyone other than you. Maybe you have a better house. But I have a better home”, said the bird happily. Moral Better a crowded hut than a lonely mansion.
Feathers are so lightweight and airy that it’s hard to believe that they have the ability to hold anything! But when feathers meet Mod Podge®, magic happens! First cover a bowl of your choice with plastic wrap. Apply Mod Podge® to a small area of the bowl, and then stick a feather on. Paint more Mod Podge® on top and keep working all the way around until the bowl is totally covered. Let it dry completely. (We turned the bowl upside down and rested it on a tall water bottle.) Carefully remove the plastic wrap from the bowl, and then peel the plastic wrap off of the dried feathers.
fun365.oriental trading.com
You can trim the edge so that it’s even or just let it be wild and free! Fill it with craft supplies, candy or let it be a colorful catch-all on your kitchen counter.
FUN WITH POETRY
The best feeling I get by Uncle Roy I feel so nice when I eat Ice cream, cookies and fruit cake, Chocolate, candy and other sweets, As well as burgers, pizza and milk-shake. I also get very happy When I celebrate my birthday Go to the park, seawall and creek, And enjoy Christmas and other holidays. But the thing that makes me feel the best, And makes me proud indeed, Is when I try to help someone, Or give them something they need. I start by doing more work at home, Then try to make my family feel good; Next I am kinder to all my friends, And help my neighbours in any way I could.
Ripple Effect The heavy lines indicate areas called cages. Fill each cage with unique digits, counting up from 1. For example, a 1-cell cage must contain the number 1, a 2-cell cage contains 1 and 2, a 5-cell cage contains 1 through 5, and so on. These numbers may appear in any order within the cage. If two identical numbers appear in the same row or column, at least that many cells must separate them. For example, if two 3s appear in the same column, they must be separated by at least three other cells that do not contain 3.
Kaieteur News
Sunday February 21, 2021
Try always to maintain Healthy Relationships with everyone
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TEEN TIME
A
ny person who w a n t s t o progress in all aspects of his/her life needs to make sure that he/she makes a special effort to gain the respect and cooperation of all those, apart from their family members, with whom they share their lives. Of course, we all realise that the way we react to our immediate family members is of utmost importance in this effort. They are the people who will be helping you to succeed in all your endeavours, as well as looking to you for cooperation and friendship for your entire life. Next you will need to ensure that you always act in such a way as to be an example to those who may be looking up to you.
I am sure you can identify younger persons in your family and neighbourhood, and some
related to you or your friends, who are looking to you for some guidance. If in no other way, you can just be
an example in proper behaviour to them, and this can go a long way in helping them, even developing new friendships, as well as get to add more value to your own life. Apart from this you will need to make this effort with those who are not close to or acquainted to you. See the importance of smiling at strangers, being polite to everyone with whom you come into contact, respecting your elders, and generally developing a cheerful disposition in all situations. You can never tell when someone you meet on the street will have to help you in some way at some later time. Even without this, courtesy and a happy attitude will get you liked by everyone and make you develop a good mood always. It will also make you feel at peace with the world, and make your life more worthy in your character. Make an effort in the coming time to develop this happy disposition and you will undoubtedly see an improvement in your personal relationships with all.
Keep Connected by Roy Paul (Uncle Roy) from his book: Shape up Your Personality) In this modern age of expanding technology, Where we are more and more communicating electronically, We oft forget that our foremost priority Is to our family and the wider community; We therefore must accept an increasing obligation To nourish and maintain our personal connections. Be always cognizant of what is necessary, To keep your relationships active and healthy – Extend courtesy, care and kindness to all, Respect each person as a unique individual, Keep your promises, and build a reserve of trust, Showing concern for others’ feelings is ever a must; Listen with an empathic ear and respect their point of view, Extend love without condition and always be true. Believe in people’s potential to always improve, So never condemn or give up at another’s negative move; If you must criticise, then do so objectively, Always leaving the door open for an attempt at remedy. There will be times when you yourself will slip, And face the prospect of endangering a relationship, Whether this be through insensitivity or other weakness, You will need to seize this opportunity for redress. Never shirk from your duty to admit and apologise, This will oftimes lead to a closeness revitalised. So take the time and care to keep your connections strong, And derive much joy from your relationships all life long.
The amount of time and energy that you expend towards maintaining good relationships will always be rewarded by personal benefit to yourself. TELL IT TO UNCLE ROY I would like to inform our readers that the Uncle Roy email address is temporarily unavailable. So please send any contributions you would like to make to this page to roypaul2002@yahoo.com
Solutions to last week’s Slitherlink
Krypto Kakuro Krypto Kakuro puzzles are a mash-up between a Crossword, a Sudoku and a Cryptogram. Each digit has been substituted with a letter. To solve the puzzle, you must figure out what digit each letter stands for, and then solve it like a regular Kakuro puzzle. Each "word" in the crossword contains only the digits 1 through 9, and the same digit will never repeat within a word. The sum of the the digits of each word are shown on the left and right sides of "across" words, and at the tops and bottoms of "down" words.
MASYU
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HOW TO EXFOLIATE YOUR LIPS Make sure your lips are clean of make up before you start Gently exfoliate lips using a toothbrush or flannel to get rid of dead skin Use a humidifier to help keep the air around you moist Wear a lip balm with an SPF factor if you’re exfoliating in the morning, or a hydrating moisture lip balm if you’re about to hop into bed. SHOULD YOU EXFOLIATE YOUR LIPS? You should exfoliate your lips once or twice a week to maintain soft, supple and healthy looking lips. Other reasons for exfoliating lips are *To remove dry skin * To make lips soft and smooth *To keep lips moist *To make your lipstick look better and stay on for longer *Exfoliating your lips can prevent dehydration of the lips which may cause swelling, bleeding or dryness HOW DO YOU EXFOLIATE LIPS PROPERLY? There are a number of simple, natural DIY lip exfoliant recipes available for you to try. Consider experimenting with one of these two practical lip scrubs: 1. HONEY-SUGAR LIP SCRUB Mix one teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of sugar Massage the mixture into your lips and leave for 10 minutes or so Remove with the help of a wet face washer Sugar is an effective natural exfoliant. When mixed with honey, it becomes a great moisturising lip scrub. Honey 2. LIP BALM AND TOOTHBRUSH LIP SCRUB Apply a thick layer of your favourite lip balm to your lips With a clean toothbrush, gently brush your lips in a circular motion TIPS FOR EXFOLIATING YOUR LIPS When exfoliating your lips, remember these important tips. Be Gentle Don’t exfoliate lips too hard! Use a toothbrush to gently exfoliate your lips in small circular motions. If your lips are sensitive, use a small children’s toothbrush to get the same impact without hurting your skin.. Don’t over Exfoliate Limit your lip exfoliation routine to once a week, this is enough to remove the dry skin to help maintain soft and supple lips. Protect your Lips When going outdoors, make sure to apply a lip balm that has an SPF component to protect your lips from the harmful sun. https://www.nivea.com.au/advice/skin/how-to-exfoliatelips
Kaieteur News
Sunday February 21, 2021
Sunday February 21, 2021
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Kaieteur News
ENSURING QUALITY ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS TO SAFEGUARD LIVES AND PROPERTIES ==GNBS IN FOCUS==
E
lectrical fires are re sponsible for the destruction of many properties every year causing death, injuries and losses of assets valuing millions of dollars. Just last weekend, five buildings were destroyed by fire in Georgetown; the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has already ruled that two were as a result of an electrical issue. The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) as of February 01, 2020, commenced the monitoring of several electrical equipment and fittings based on the requirements of thirty-one mandatory national standards, which aim to protect consumers. Therefore, persons must ensure the electrical items purchased from wholesalers and retailers are labelled and packaged properly. This week, we will look at the GYS 551:2019 –Safety for power outlets. This National Standard addresses the installation and use of a power outlet, which may contain attachment plug receptacles, circuit breakers, fuse holders, fused switches, and facilities for watt-hour meters, and provisions for field-installed circuit breakers
or switches and fuses. The Standard also governs the installation of electrical fittings including spacings between outlets, the need for non-metallic enclosures, connections for wiring systems, wiring devices, and insulating material to safeguard against accidents and fires. These products are monitored by the Bureau are flagged for examination at the time of importation. During inspections, which are done
at the ports of entry or sale outlets, Inspectors of the GNBS check for the Manufacturer’s Name/Trademark, Country of origin, Voltage ratings, Class of fuse, Short circuit current rating and certification marks. Importers and dealers of these products are required to obtain the relevant Standards
and aggressively take steps to ensure their products meet the respective requirements. Products, which are damaged or substandard, are rejected by the GNBS. The GNBS also monitors Decorative Lighting Products, Lamp Holders, Armored Cables, Panel Board, Knife Switches, Conduit, Tubing, and Cable Fittings, Surge Protective Devices, MoldedCase Circuit Breakers, Molded-Case Switches, and Circuit-Breaker Enclosures, Cord Sets and Power- Supply Cords, Thermoset- Insulated Wires and Cables, Attachment Plugs and Receptacles, Dry-Type General Purpose and Power Transformers. Importers and dealers are reminded to register with the GNBS, submit samples of new products for approval before
the importation to avoid substandard products and rejection; and to ensure Inspectors of the GNBS examine consignments of commodities before clearance and sale in the country. To ensure that products imported are for the purpose intended and are safe for use, Importers should purchase from sources that issue warranties that could be easily passed on to consumers. In addition, brochures, instruction manuals, leaflets, etc., which are associated with products, should be writ-
ten in English Language and accompany the product at the time of sale. Further, imported products should bear a national or international certification mark from a Regulatory Body in the country of origin, or a certificate of quality compliance should be submitted to the GNBS to verify the quality of the product imported. Importers are urged to check their products received to ensure conformance to the quality specification and to detect any deterioration in quality or other damages dur-
ing storage and transportation. Also, importers should address complaints received from customers regarding products purchased. Copies of the various Standards for Electrical Products can be purchased from the GNBS Head Office at Exhibition Site, Sophia. For further information, visit our website: www.gnbsgy.org, call 2190062, 219-0065, 219-0066 or send a WhatsApp message to +592- 692- 4627.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 21, 2021
Kaieteur News
Sunday February 21, 2021
The Court Journal By Renay Sambach ‘Touting’ is defined as the act to sell something by a direct or persistent approach. In this week’s article, I’ll focus on “Court touts,” what they do, and the fact that the unlawful act continues to flourish in the legal profession. If you live in the city or have visited the city, you might have had the firsthand experience of ‘touts’ trying to get you to join a bus that they are loading. ‘Bus touts’ are often seen near the various bus parks in the Stabroek Market and other areas, assisting bus drivers to get their buses filled faster. While this act is illegal, it has grown very prevalent in society, especially among the younger group of men. Besides the ‘bus touts,’ another form of touts has emerged in the court system – ‘court touts.’ Court touts are somewhat unusual to some since they are different from the touts on the bus park who look for passengers. Instead of touting for passengers, the court touts look for clients for attorneys-at-law, who they work with. The more customers a court tout provides for an attorney, the larger the pay-out the court tout collects after the attorney is on record to represent that person. Court touts are considered hustlers since they are being paid more for their services when they help out someone at the court. They are more common at the Magistrate Court level,
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An unlawful act that continues to flourish in the legal profession : g n i ut
To
but it is most prevalent at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. COURT TOUTS OPERATION Court touts perform multiple duties at the court. They are friends with lawyers so when someone at the court needs a lawyer, the court tout would recommend a lawyer that he feels is the best fit to handle that particular matter and as such, he would contact the lawyer and give him/her the job and the ‘court tout’ would then be paid for helping out. The court touts at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts are always well dressed, in their fancy pants and shirts, most times with matching shoes and hats. For decades ‘touting’ has been an offence under the Legal Practitioners Act, and to date, it is still one of the issues that it is faced with due to the increase in the use of court touts to secure cases. In the morning before court begins and sometimes in the afternoon, ‘court touts’ can be seen outside of the court on the pavement hustling to get customers for the lawyers. From being at the court, I have observed the way they operate. Often the court tout would stand on the pavement in front of the court and as the numbers at the court increase, they would approach some persons to inquire if they have a matter or if a relative or friend has a matter. After forming a conversation, in order to find out the person’s reason for
visiting the court, the court tout will then ask if the person has already secured legal representation. If the person confirms that they are without legal representation, the court tout often tells them that they know the best attorney that can assist with the matter or tell them about an attorney that would do the job at a cheaper cost. Court touts operate at the court on weekdays, and at the main entrance of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, there is a sign on the top left of the building. The sign states, “Strictly no touts within the court precincts. Anyone who carries out touting activities will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” It further states that “Anyone who is assaulted, molested or in any way harassed by any other person, must immediately report to the nearest police station. Order by Chief Magistrate.” TOUTING THROUGH COVID-19 Despite the worldwide pandemic, the change in everyday lifestyle, and the restrictions on certain gatherings and activities. The court touts can still be seen at work in front of the compound of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. THE LAW The Legal Practitioners Act outlines that any person who acts as a tout shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of $16,250 and imprisonment for six months.
The Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The sign at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The law also highlights that, “The Registrar shall publish in the Gazette the name of any person who he is satisfied, whether on the evidence of general repute or otherwise, has acted as a tout and shall by such publication declare that person to be a tout.” [Subsection 1] However, “No person shall be declared a tout by the Registrar under the preceding subsection unless he has been given an opportunity to show cause to the Registrar why such a declaration should not be made with respect to him.” [Subsection 2] As a result, “The Chief Justice may, by order, prohibit any person declared a tout as aforesaid from entering the precincts of any court except— (a) to attend proceedings to which he is a party or in which he is a witness; or (b) with written permission granted by the
Chief Justice and for any purpose specified in such permission.” [Subsection 3] In the final subsection, it highlights, “Every person who, otherwise than for a p u r p o s e men tio n ed in subsection (3) (the proof whereof shall lie upon him), enters any precincts which he is prohibited under that subsection from entering, shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of sixteen thousand two hundred and fifty dollars and imprisonment for six months.” CODE OF CONDUCT According to Chapter 4:01, an attorney-at-law who is connected with touting or who associates with touts shall be deemed unfit to practice as an attorney-atlaw. The attorneys shall not permit known touts on their premises or in their offices, and an attorney-at-law who becomes aware, or reasonably suspects that a person who, not being entitled to practice as an attorney-at-law or not being a public officer acting in the execution of his duty, for or in expectation of a fee, gain or reward, draws or prepares or offers to draw or prepare any legal document other than a will, shall be obliged to report the same properly to the Bar Association. A d d i t i o n a l l y, a n attorney-at-law shall not speak derogatorily of another attorney-at-law in good standing; nor shall he, by disparaging remarks or otherwise of another attorney-at-law, seek to attract clients to himself in preference to that other attorney-at-law. An attorney-at-law shall not solicit retainers or briefs in any manner; nor shall he
give any inducement to have his services retained. The attorney shall also avoid giving confident assurance to clients or potential clients as to the results of a case or matter, more especially when his retainer depends on his advising his client or potential client in a particular way. LAST TOUTING REPORT The practice of touting has survived and prospered in our courts for decades. In the past, actions were taken to suppress the dishonourable and unlawful practice of touting. It has been more than 50 years since the last case of touting was reported and brought before the courts of Guyana. John Leonard was the last person to be charged for touting. He was caught due to a trap that was set up by police. He was found guilty of the offence but in 1971, in a majority decision, the Court of Appeal reversed the decision by the Full Court on the technicality that legal business meant genuine legal business and did not include a trap by the Police. To prove a case of touting has been proven near impossible. This was despite police had proven beyond doubt that money was paid and it was admitted that Leonard was an employee of an attorney-at-law. However, reports indicated that the attorneyat-law was not charged because of the law as it was then, and still is…the guilty person was the tout, who was seen as the employee and not the employer, the brain behind the criminal act.
Kaieteur News
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Sunday February 21, 2021
Our Frontline Worker of the week is…
Nurse Aaisha Akbar-Mohamed On February 3, 2020, one month before Guyana recorded its first COVID-19 case, Nurse AkbarMohamed was transferred to the Suddie Public Hospital on the Essequibo Coast. According to the young
Dedicated to the profession. By Romario Blair Since confirmation of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Guyana, health workers in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) have been doing an exceptional job at containing its spread. Region Two has accounted for just over 230 of the 8,000 plus cases recorded nationally. Nurse Aaisha AkbarMohamed is among the outstanding frontline workers in the Cinderella County, commonly known as the Essequibo Coast, who have been battling COVID19. The 23-year-old Nurse Akbar-Mohamed is currently attached to the Quarantine Department at the Suddie Public Hospital and has, in fact, spent half of her fledgling career battling
“For me the most rewarding thing as a nurse is having a connection with my patients; letting them feel the love and letting them know that someone is there to help them.” the pandemic. She told Kaieteur News, during a recent interview, that she graduated from the Georgetown School of Nursing in 2019; just one year prior to the pandemic. She explained that prior to COVID-19; she was attached to the Male Medical Ward and Surgical Block, where she was tasked with tending to patients awaiting surgery. Reflecting on the start of her career, Nurse AkbarMohamed said, “When I graduated from the Georgetown School of Nursing, I worked one year at the Georgetown Public Hospital, there I worked in the Male Ward assisting patients who had urinary problems and fracture injures.”
Ready to slay some COVID-19 virus.
nurse, a month after being transferred, she was approached by her Matron who asked if she would be willing to volunteer in the COVID-19 Quarantine Department. Although she reacted with apprehension initially, she eventually accepted the challenge wholeheartedly. “I was a bit scared because like most, if not all, of my colleagues, I hardly knew anything about the coronavirus, apart from how dangerous it really is. But despite that, I said to myself, God is in charge and I agreed to volunteer.” At that time, Nurse Akbar-Mohamed was living with her parents, Mohamed Asif Akbar and Aasiya Akbar, who she said were skeptical upon learning of
her decision to work in the Quarantine Department. She chuckled as she recalled, “My parents were really scared; they asked me why I want to work in such an infectious area. But I had to explain to them and try to get them to empathize with people. I said, ‘Mom and dad, I have to do it, if it were you in my patient’s position, would you like to go there and there is no one there to assist you?’” Nurse AkbarMohamed said that she felt quite fortunate that both of her parents eventually “came around.” A dream hatched from a personal experience Most of us will no doubt have our own reasons and experiences which guided and moulded our career
Sharing a moment with her colleagues.
With her loving husband, Omar Mohamed.
choice. For Nurse AkbarMohamed, her desire to become a nurse was first set alight when she was just 13 years old. She explained, “I wanted to become a nurse because when I was in form two I was really sick, and I had to undergo a surgery and the way the nurses and doctors treated me, it was way beyond what I expected. That motivated me to give back to society and to my community at large just as those doctors and nurses did for me.”Nurse AkbarMohamed, a native Essequibian, attended the C.V. Nunes Primary School in Anna Regina before moving on to the Anna Regina Secondary School to complete her secondary education. Armed with eight CSEC passes in 2015, she enrolled at the Georgetown School of Nursing in her quest to bring her dream alive. She completed her training in 2018. But although it wasn’t a walk in the park, the needed support was always forthcoming, Nurse Akbar-
Mohamed revealed. According to her, “My challenge was the main fact of being far away from my parents, and I had to stay in the hostel throughout my years. But I was supported by my parents and some of my relatives who gave me all of my textbooks which contributed to my success.” In 2018, the same year she completed her nursing studies, Nurse AkbarMohamed accepted the marriage invitation of her sweetheart, Omar Mohamed. The two tied the blissful wedding knot and moved to Reliance on the Essequibo Coast. A typical day on the frontline Sharing details of frontline duties, Nurse Akbar-Mohamed explained that from time to time, the atmosphere there can be tense and saddening. This occurs especially when she witnesses families being torn apart by the pandemic. “Many of our patients would get very emotional and cry because they have to be
away from their families in just an isolated area. Sometimes some of them will even be saying stuff like ‘I don’t have COVID-19’. And as a nurse we don’t just have to administer medication for physical health, but we also have to treat our patient’s mental wellbeing. So at times we have to sit down and talk with them and encourage them so they can recover faster.” The hospital’s quarantine area holds patients who are suspected to have the disease. Nurse Akbar-Mohamed said that it is imperative to practice precautionary measure, since each suspected case could turn out to be a positive case. “I always maintain my precautionary measures, especially when taking off my PPEs. Even when I go home I will take my bath, use my Dettol soap and bathe from head to toe,” said Nurse AkbarMohamed. Challenges on the frontline Nurse Akbar-Mohamed went on to explain that there are quite a number of challenges on the frontline. These, she said, can range from dealing with the patients mental and physical health, to dealing with the patients’ family members. “We have to encourage our patients and build their mental health. That can be a bit exhausting at times because we have to do this continuously, until the patients can return to a state of normalcy. Then we have to deal with some relatives who sometimes want to fight (Continued on page 63)
Kaieteur News
Sunday February 21, 2021
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The Uriel Reynolds story... From page 41 better as he grew into an adult.“My miracle baby,” Fadia said, “was a leader and a strong-willed individual, who was able to overcome many obstacles he faced in both his childhood and adult years.” He had a curious mind and an immense love for computers and technology, his parents recalled. But, according to them, the first obstacle Uriel faced was during his final years in secondary school. Uriel, they said, had started his secondary education in 2002 at the North Georgetown Secondary School, where he studied for three years. In order to give him a boost, his parents decided to make a
dorm conditions and limited financial resources. These setbacks, however, did not deter him and Uriel found unique ways to overcome the obstacles. One of the ways he did this was to wake up a little early and prepare 12 parcels of ‘roti and curry’ which he would take to class and sell to his colleagues. This helped him to earn a few dollars to maintain himself in college. In 2011, Uriel returned home and the challenges continued. He could not find a job but instead of sulking and being stressed out, he did whatever he could. He worked in construction and even spent some time in the mines of Kamarang, toiling in the mud and under the
February 10, 2016, when she saw the most handsome man in Guyana. Before she knew it, they started a friendship and soon fell in love, which led to their marriage on February 9, 2018. By this time, Uriel was no longer a mere taxi driver but a successful businessman with great plans for the future which included a dream home for his family. He was bilingual and used his skills to gain the trust of Spanish-speaking migrants from Venezuela and Cuba. He had started off by assisting them to find affordable apartments which led to him becoming a subleaser. He invested in renting properties, renovating them and then subleasing them to the migrants. He was able to gain much success with this venture because of his unique personality. Some of his customers recalled that he was creative, honest, and always willing to help. Tragic turn of events Uriel was doing very well and the tale of the Miracle Child seemed like it
He was a doting father to his son. sacrifice and transferred him to a private school called, Josel Educational Institute, to complete his final two years. It was during these two years, they recounted, that Reynolds faced a major problem. He was a slow learner and found it difficult to catch on key subject areas. “We were told that he was dyslexic and needed help.” Nevertheless, his parents continued, Uriel was determined to do well and with the assistance of close friends, he did what seemed like the impossible. In 2007 he graduated as the top graduating student of his class, gaining nine CXC passes. The miracles did not stop there. Uriel’s outstanding performance earned him a scholarship to study Telecommunications and National Engineering in Cuba. He departed Guyana in 2008 and spent the next three years studying abroad. It was during these years that he faced even bigger obstacles in his life in the form of sickness, inhumane
burning sun. Rising to the occasion It was during these rough days that Uriel met a young woman, Miss Clark, with whom he shared a brief romantic relationship. Their union produced a son, Allaric Josiah Reynolds. With little Josiah’s birth on December 21, 2013, Uriel rose to the occasion and proved to be the best father he could be. “He took his son on trips, bought him gifts, toys, and spent hours of his days with him, taking countless photos and posted his little prince on Facebook,” reminisced Fadia. In order to secure a great future for his son, Uriel began to work tirelessly. He started as a taxi driver plying his trade in a rented car and, with great endurance; he was able to save enough to purchase a car of his own. It was while working toward his goal that Uriel met Ariannis, a beautiful Cuban woman. The two fell in love with each other. Ariannis recalled that it was just a normal taxi ride on
would go on forever, but things were about to take a tragic turn on January, 12, 2021.It was a normal and beautiful day and there was no hint that anything could possibly go wrong. Uriel and Ariannis decided that they would get away for a bit from the busy atmosphere of the city.They journeyed up to the Soesdyke/Linden Highway in their minibus to spend the day with Uriel’s friend at a farm. Ariannis described the day as a funfilled one. One of Uriel’s friends added too that it was a peaceful one with delicious food, good conversations, long walks on the trail, plant hunting and some photography. As the afternoon hours encroached, Uriel took lots of photos, they recalled, and even recorded videos and shared jokes. Soon after the fun ended, and it was time to go home.Uriel and Ariannis entered their minibus and drove off and their friends did the same too. Ariannis recalled having little chats with Uriel while driving down the highway.
“ S u d d e n l y, ” s h e continued, “a bright light started to approach at a fast rate and Uriel shouted, ‘Hey look at that’ and then there was a loud impact.” According to her, “it felt like the bus lifted into the air and then crashed back towards the ground.” A crowd gathered and persons started rushing towards them.Uriel was pinned, there was blood everywhere, and above the voices of the public-spirited citizens who came out to assist, her husband’s groans could be heard. They managed to free her quickly, but it took a while before they could free Uriel. The public spirited-citizens had to literally pull-apart the front of the bus to get him out.By the time they were done, Uriel’s groans were barely audible. Probably there was one last miracle. First aid was applied by first responders to stop his bleeding before he was rushed off to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for medical attention. It was a little after 20:00 hrs. that evening when Eion’s phone rang. He answered but the voice on the other end had a sad tone. The exact words he heard were: “Uriel met with an accident and he look ‘bruk up’ bad.” Eion and Fadia raced down to the hospital; a chill ran through their bodies, but they comforted themselves with thoughts that “it might not be that serious.” They entered the ward and asked for a patient called Uriel Reynolds.
The mangled remains of the bus Uriel was driving. ‘’Who are you to the patient?’’ the doctor asked. “He is our son,” the Reynolds responded. Fadia noted that the d o c t o r ’s c o u n t e n a n c e changed and he followed up with these words: “Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds please have a seat.” Yes, those memories of December 19, 1989 when her son was pronounced a stillborn came flooding back into Fadia’s memories. She knew it even before the doctor said, “I am sorry Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds, your son did not make it.” Fadia recalled bursting into tears and saying, “God gave me my Miracle Baby only for 31 years.” As the doctor led Eion to where his son’s body lay, memories came flashing back to him too. As he gazed on his son’s bloodied remains, he could not describe the emotions he felt. He was sad and heartbroken, but at the same time he was angry. “It was a reckless driver,” he said, “that snatched my
son, my inspiration, my light away from me.” Deep inside he cried for justice as he tried to adjust to the emptiness he felt. The Miracle Child, Uriel Reynolds, was called to the Great Beyond. A month later and Fadia still struggles to cope with h e r s o n ’s u n e x p e c t e d departure.That bitter moment will forever remain etched in her psyche. Nevertheless, she is seeking to find sweetness from the bitterness by keeping her Miracle Child’s legacy alive, because he had touched her life so deeply, leaving behind many happy memories that she can cherish for the remainder of her days. Fadia said that she wants to share that happiness with others by creating a support group for parents like herself who have lost their children to tragic accidents. Though still grieving, she wants to share Uriel’s miracle which is to smile during the stormy days and find a way to remedy the situation.
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Sunday February 21, 2021
Kaieteur News
==CONSUMER CONCERNS==
Budget restoration of exemption from capital gains tax on property owned for 25 years welcomed By Pat Dial In simplistic terms, Capital Gains tax is a 20% tax on the amount a seller receives over and above what he had paid for the property. For example, if he had bought the property for $100,000 and sold it for $130,000 he would have gained $30,000 more than for what he had bought the property and it is this $30,000, which is the gain and is subject to a tax of 20%. Until a few years ago, if a seller owned property for 25 years and over, then he/she was exempted from paying capital gains tax. The last Government abolished this 25-year rule and all property, no matter how long one would have owned it became subject to capital gains tax. In the case of the abolition of the
25-year rule, its negative effects were not immediately seen or felt but only began to make its impact afterwards. For although it appeared to be of comparatively small significance, its social and economic effects were immense. Mr. Nicholas Boyer, the Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, on behalf of the Private Sector, petitioned the Government to reinstate the 25-year exemption from taxes on Capital Gains. He pointed out that the removal of the Capital Gains tax exemption on properties owned for 25 years and over “not only affected the construction and real estate industries but also the desire to invest in real estate and to hold real
estate on a long-term basis.” He also pointed out that though countries around the world have Capital Gains tax, “they all have such an exemption in order to encourage investment into real estate.” He also pointed out that the removal of the 25-year exemption from capital gains tax would encourage tax evasion: “It also incentivizes people not to report the correct sales figures and to try to find illegal ways of getting around the taxes and this is something we do not want.” Dr Jagdeo, when in Opposition, remarked on the removal of the 25year exemption on Capital Gains: “All the older folks who own their buildings across Guyana would not have had to pay capital gains tax if
they had sold their property before now.” The consumer community is in full support of the Private Sector on this issue, since, when the construction and real estate industries are expanding and are prosperous, more employment is created and more wealth is generated in the society. However, the consumer community also supports the reinstatement of the 25year rule because it will bring justice to poorer property owners: After Emancipation, the freed slaves left the plantations and settled in various parts of the coast and in the vicinity of Georgetown. Their settlement in the coastal areas is known as the Village Movement,
where the freed men founded various villages such as Buxton while those who settled in the vicinity of Georgetown mostly occupied the bush-covered belt south of Brickdam. In this area, they and their descendants cleared the land, drained it and acquired house lots. They filled up their yards against flood, maintained their mud roads and painstakingly built their cottages or ranges. The same pattern was followed by the indentured immigrants when their indenture period had expired and they settled in areas such as La Penitence and Campbellville. The lots acquired by these (Continued on page 63)
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Young Entrepreneur On The Move
How Valentine's Day gave birth to
Marissa's Assorted Treats By Sueann Wickham
L
ast week Sunday, we celebrated Valentine's Day, the holiday for lovers. A key player in the celebration was 19-year-old entrepreneur, Marissa Greene. Greene is the owner of 'Marissa's Assorted Treats'. Three years ago, around Valentine's Day, Greene decided to test the waters in the baking business, and now, she has a good foothold. In fact, these days, persons look forward to her affordable and tasty bundles of baked goodies to tantalize the taste buds of their loved ones, or even themselves, especially on Valentine's Day, since she started three years ago. At the time, Greene was still a student at the Bishops' High School, where she completed both her CSEC and CAPE examinations. Greene is now a student of the University of Guyana studying International Relations. She, during an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News, said that she ventured into the business to
see “if it would actually work out" for her. Then, it became something she fell in love with and as of August last year, she decided to pour all of her efforts into the business and officially kickstarted it under the name Marissa's Assorted Treats. Despite her love for baking, Greene shared that she was inspired by her support system, which comprise of her loved ones, including her immediate f a m i l y, h e r friends and all others who played an integral role in her life, and where her small business is concerned. Her long-term goal is to have a little bakery that will be remembered for its tasty treats and elite customer service, since, according to her, what's a business without good customer service. Greene noted, “Like everything in life, challenges are met, but for me, challenges became lessons. Juggling between school, work and my small business
can do better. On the bright side, Greene stated that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic pushed her business a little, because it gave her the free time necessary to practice and perfect her c r a f t . “Believe it or not, the ith so w d pandemic e bless ng people s pushed my i a n Guya lented you gs and we s m a l l ta in business a many mazing th hem and l ittle bit t a t doing uld protec elp them b e cause it to h lves sho t s gave me the e b e r do ou lop thems try. opportunity to practice doing deve our coun what I enjoy and it and made me realize that this is something that I of deeply enjoy doing,” Greene h e r said. ability F u r t h e r, t h e y o u n g because she knows that a entrepreneur disclosed that certain expectati even though persons are skeptical of what they eat on has to be met. She said that when she during this time, she was finds herself failing to meet a surprised that so many certain standard and she persons placed orders and repeatedly attempts her craft allowed her the opportunity to get it right, she gets to learn more from what she saddened because deep does. Her main specialties down inside she knows she has not been an easy task, mainly because I've found myself multi-tasking and compromising to get it done regardless.” Adding to that, she said that when she takes orders, she likes to g i v e h e r customers the best
“
”
y treats
Some of her tast
Young entrepreneur, Marissa Greene include cupcakes and cheese straw. She does intend to extend her variety and enhance her knowledge about other pastries and goodies, so she can introduce them to her small business, while allowing others to experience the results of the benefits she reap. Greene strongly believes that this generation of small business owners wields the passion and talent needed for the future. She noted that persons hold the belief that young entrepreneurs should do more to push themselves further and develop, when the reality is that young and n e w f a c e s t o entrepreneurship are not given opportunities as much as those who are seasoned. Nevertheless, she is encouraging young entrepreneurs to trust the process. “A great way to promote small business locally is by simply spreading the word.
Supporting a small business is easy and it can be done free of cost by simply sharing and telling others about it. Guyana is blessed with so many talented young people doing amazing things and we should protect them and do our best to help them develop themselves and our country,” Greene added. Last Sunday, just for those who celebrated Valentine's Day, she offered nicely packaged cupcakes of assorted flavours. Four of the delicious cupcakes were sold for only $1,000. She also offered another package, which included the items in the previous bundle along with pink Moscato, an artificial rose, and a wine glass for just $3,000. At her pick up location, she also sold cupcakes on a firstcome, first-served basis. Persons who may wish to savour her tasty treats can contact her on her Instagram p a g e @marissasassortedtreats.
A snapshot of one of Greene's Valentine's Day bundles, which was available last Sunday
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Sunday February 21, 2021
Sunday February 21, 2021
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Man who murdered Rose Hall Town watchman sentenced to 13 years - co-accused to only serve two months A 22-year-old Williamsburgh man was yesterday sentenced to 13 years, 2 months imprisonment on the charge of Manslaughter, committed on Munesh Prem Ayasammy Munien called “Tad,” while his co-accused, who was seventeen years old when the crime was committed, was sentenced to two months imprisonment by Justice, Simone Morris-Ramlall, through virtual proceedings of the Berbice High Court. Carlos Bollers, 22, of Lot 119 Williamsburgh Village, Corentyne, Berbice, and the second accused both pleaded guilty to Manslaughter. The victim was a security guard at a hardware store in Rose Hall Town, where the two accused were also employed. They were slapped with the joint charge of Murder committed on Munien in April 2018, during the course of a robbery. During the sentencing of Bollers, Justice MorrisRamlall, handed down a sentence of 27 years but considered several mitigating factors, and made deductions on the time to be served along with the time already served in prison. His sentence was subsequently reduced to 13 years, 2 months. Bollers, addressing the court prior to his sentencing said, “Your honour, I am very sorry for the terrible mistake that I have made. I am very sorry to Rampersaud and his entire family for the pain and sorrow I caused them. It was the stupidest thing I ever done, and I regret it every day of my life. I am very sorry to Uncle Bula for losing his trust for me and I thank him for employing me at the store, the store work was the best work I ever had and I didn’t know until I lost it. I regret it.” Representing Bollers was Attorney-at-law, Surihya Sabsook. She told the court that her client was only 19 years old when the crime was committed and noted his remorse. She asked that mercy be granted noting that they understand a life has been lost. Meanwhile, Prosecutor, Tuana Hardy, stressed that the accused must face the consequences of his actions. Justice, Simone MorrisRamlall, while handing down her sentence considered the nature and gravity of the offence and stated that Bollers was of age and was expected to be conscious of his actions. She also noted that there is evidence that a plan was concocted to rob the premises and those actions resulted in the death of the deceased, who was the guard at the premises. Justice Morris-Ramlall said that the deceased met his
death in a gruesome manner and that the offender was aided by the co-accused, who were both employed at the location with the deceased. She took into consideration that instead of Bollers showing gratitude after being pardoned for his previous transgressions, he planned and executed a bigger robbery, breaching the trust of his employer. She started the sentence at 27 years, but deducted 1/3 for his guilty plea, two years and ten months that have already been spent on remand and three years for his expression of remorse. “The offender is therefore sentenced to a term of 13 years and two months.” The judge also ordered that Bollers receive counseling. Meanwhile, an in-camera proceeding was held for the co-accused. Justice MorrisRamlall gave the co-accused a custodial sentence, together with counseling, probation and supervision. “I believe that this will fos-
ter a sense of responsibility in the offender and promote his education, rehabilitation and reintegration,” the Judge said.Justice Morris-Ramlall noted that pursuant to section 44, the maximum sentence, which the court can impose on the offender under the Act, is five years. She took into consideration that the offender has a previous good character. She also considered his genuine expression of remorse and his personal history and the possibility that he could be rehabilitated. ”These are mitigating circumstances on the basis of which I discount 6 months.” However, from the remaining 4 years 6 months, 1/3 was discounted on account of the guilty plea and an additional 2 years and 10 months for time served in remand. This means that there is a remaining period of two months imprisonment for the offender to serve,” the Judge said while handing down her
sentence. The sentence, also stated that the offender be placed on a period of probation and supervision for a period of three years upon the conclusion of his two months in prison. During that period of supervision, he is expected to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, report to the Chief Probation Officer on or before the last Monday of every month, notify the Chief Probation Officer of any change of address or any change in his place of employment, remain in the territorial jurisdiction of Guyana, unless the offender obtains the permission of the Court to leave the jurisdiction, complete a course in computer studies and/or any other technical field with guidance from the Chief Probation Officer, make reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain suitable employment, perform community service in the Albion or Rose Hall communities for two hours weekly, for a period of six
Deceased, Munesh Munien. months at a place or institution directed by the Chief Probation Officer commencing from one month of the end of the period of his custody. Also, within one month from the end of his period of custody, the Director of Childcare and Protection
Sentenced, Carlos Bollers. Agency shall issue a positive peer association directive, requiring the offender to associate for a specified period with a specified person, who the Director has reason to believe can contribute to the positive behaviour of the offender.
COVID-19 case toll increased by 42 new infections The Ministry of Health reported 42 new COVID-19 infections yesterday, via its daily dashboard update, which increases the case toll to 8,399. The dashboard also shows that ten patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 16 in institutional quarantine, 34 in institutional isolation and 437 in home isolation. Additionally, a total of 7,729 persons have recovered to date with 75 new recoveries recorded yesterday. The COVID-19 death toll remains at 189 deaths.
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Sunday February 21, 2021
EITI launches programme to advance beneficial ownership transparency The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and Open Ownership, a global non-profit organization recently launched Opening Extractives, a global programme to advance beneficial ownership transparency. It aims to make a dramatic and sustainable difference to the level of publicly available information on the individuals who own and control extractive companies. The project will be partly funded by the BHP Founda-
tion, a leading global resources company, and delivered by the EITI International Secretariat and Open Ownership. According to a statement on the launch from the EITI, to which Guyana is a member of, anonymous companies remain a major obstacle in the fight against money laundering and corruption. The global body reminded that these unknown companies enable corrupt and criminal actors, often with close political con-
nections, to hide behind chains of companies registered in multiple jurisdictions. The EITI went on to point out that a recent study using data from Colombia highlighted the value of this data, while weighing in that publishing details of company ownership enables effective taxation and brings data to light that can be used to identify and address corruption. It added to that it could help build fairer markets, encourage responsible investment
and manage business risk. “Opening Extractives will ultimately improve the quality of life of millions of people in resource-rich countries,” said James Ensor, BHP Foundation Chief Executive Officer and President. “Natural resources are ultimately owned by the citizens of every country in which the resources industry operates. Beneficial ownership transparency is critical to ensuring the revenues generated by the natural resources
industry provide maximum benefit to every single citizen. But to be successful it requires governments, industry and civil society to work together – which is why this initiative is so important.” Thom Townsend, Executive Director of Open Ownership said: “We are at a tipping point to move from commitments to the implementation of beneficial ownership transparency, and Opening Extractives will accelerate progress. Anonymous companies are the getaway vehicle of choice for stolen public money, and beneficial ownership transparency is the most effective way to close this down. The Luanda Leaks were a powerful reminder of how some resource-rich countries have suffered and how public information can thwart corrupt activity.” “I am confident that this unique partnership is a recipe for delivering a step change in natural resource governance,” said Mark Robinson,
EITI Executive Director. “The project will seek to mobilize political and stakeholder commitment and build the technical capability required to publish and use complex data. It has the potential to scale beyond the extractive sector and beyond the programme’s initial group of focus countries.” This project comes at a time when the transparency advocates are calling for more transparency in the award of two of Guyana’s lucrative oil blocks. These blocks, the Kaieteur and Canje Blocks, with a total unproven prospect reserve of 12.11 billion barrels of oil, were awarded under less than transparent terms. Notably, two of the owners of the two blocks, JHI Associates and Ratio Petroleum, are incorporated in secrecy jurisdictions like the British Virgin Islands and Gibraltar, a British overseas territory.
Missing man found dead in septic tank The septic tank in which the remains of Anthony were found.
A man who was not heard from or seen by his friends since celebrating his birthday with them on Tuesday evening, was yesterday found dead in his septic tank. Speaking with Region Three police last evening, Kaieteur News was told that the now dead man goes by the name of Anthony and resided in a wooden house within the Belle West Community located on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD). The man’s body was discovered in the morning hours after his neighbours who were alerted by a foul stench emanating from his yard. With news circulating that Anthony has not been answering calls or seen since Tuesday, the neighbours were prompted to follow their noses into his yard. It did not take long when they stumbled upon the decomposing corpse wrapped in a sheet and lying in the septic tank. The police were sum-
moned and crime scene experts along with other investigators arrived shortly after to commence investigations. The body was retrieved by undertakers and after the experts did the necessary observations transported the body to the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour. Detectives did the necessary inquiries and learnt that Anthony’s friends had been searching for him since Wednesday. According to other sources, he had celebrated his birthday with them the previous day and went home. The subsequent day however, when they tried to contact him he was unreachable. His whereabouts were not known since then. Detectives also learnt that Anthony occupied the house with another individual. That individual too has not been seen since Anthony’s disappearance.
Sunday February 21, 2021
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Kaieteur News
Enrico Woolford sues Guyana Times, Leslie Ramsammy for $185 M in libel Enrico Woolford, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Communications Network (NCN), has filed a $185 million libel suit against Guyana Times and Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, a columnist, for libel. According to court papers drafted by his attorney Eusi Anderson, Woolford is suing Ramsammy over an article printed in the Guyana Times in which he alleges that he (Woolford) colluded with the APNU/AFC to rig the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections. In a Statement of Claim, the veteran journalist outlined that in March 18, 2020, in a column titled: “Ramsammy’s Ruminations” the former Minister of Health in his capacity defamed him. In the circumstances, Woolford is seeking more than $185 million in damages from Dr, Ramsammy and Times Media Group Inc., publisher of the Guyana Times newspaper. He is also seeking a mandatory injunction compelling the newspaper, Ramsammy whether themselves, or their servants to immediately remove the libelous article from the online edition of the newspapers. Woolford also asked the Court to order Guyana Times and Dr. Ramsammy to publish a retraction and apology to him in the print and electronic/online version of the newspaper for the false, malicious, and defamatory statements impugning his character and reputation. He is also asking the court to award him costs, interests on all monetary awards for damages and any such or fur-
ther orders the court deems just. In a document to support, Woolford on March 18, 2020, said Dr. Ramsammy made defamatory statements about him and his family concerning the March, 2020 elections. According to the Claimant (Woolford), the defendants Guyana Times and Dr. Ramsammy expressly called for him to be sanctioned, by name, and as part of the media fraternity they assert is partially responsible for alleged efforts to rig. He noted that Ramsammy called on the international community including but not limited to the governments of the USA, UK, Canada, the European Union as well as the Commonwealth, the Organisation of American States and CARICOM must sanction both him and his family members. According to Woolford, the article also suggests that he actively participated in the contamination and or manufacturing of statements of poll. “The willful malice of this allegation is to be found in the defendants public and international call for adverse consequences not just to the claimant but to his innocent family (against whom they have raised not the iota of an allegation) without due process or a hearing only a conviction in Court of their opinion where they hold the posts of judge, prosecutor, defence counsel, jury and executioner,” he said in the document. According to Woolford, the defendants made the allegations without affording the opportunity to confront them or offer a comment in defence.
Labourer found with firearm in backpack A 27-year-old labourer of Lot 291 Chesney Front, Corentyne Berbice, was yesterday found in possession of a firearm in his backpack by ranks on the police mobile patrol. In police custody is Witamanie Kevin Moonsammy. Reports are that while the police mobile patrol was patrolling Rose Hall Town, Corentyne Berbice, Third Street, in the vicinity of GTT, a Male East Indian was seen riding a bicycle with a white bulky salt bag on the bicycle bar with a black backpack on top of it, along with a black bucket on the bicycle handle. He was said to be acting in a suspicious manner. Upon observing his behaviour, the police stopped Moonsammy and a search was carried out of the salt bag and bucket and a quantity of fish was found. A further search conducted on the backpack unearthed three metal and partially wooden objects, suspected to be the
Witamanie Moonsammy, called Kevin. components of a single barrel shotgun. Moonsammy was told of the offence on the spot and he told the police, “Me found it in a garbage heap”. He was subsequently arrested and escorted to the Rose Hall Town Police Outpost. The backpack and the suspected firearm were lodged. Moonsammy is presently in custody assisting with investigations.
Woolford contends that the publication has inflicted damage on his name, income, future earning capacity, and international reputation. He further contends too that any right-thinking citizen reading the article would conclude that he is dishonest, of questionable character and devoid of integrity, unscrupulous, engaged in illegal activities and unethical behaviour, and not professional.In his opinion,
the veteran journalist said that the Guyana Times and Dr. Ramsammy should have known of the international and regional credibility associated with his name. In this regard, he detailed a list of notable media entities for which he has contributed through his career including ABC News, NBC News, CBS News and Fox News, Aljazeera News, BBC News, and the Associated Press Television.
He noted too that he is a USA State Department accredited journalist through its foreign press centre in New York USA, ESPN, and a CNN marketing representative in Guyana in addition to being a former Director of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, an Official Commonwealth Observer in the 2017 Bahamas Elections, and a founding member of Transparency International’s Guyana Institute.
Veteran Journalist, Enrico Woolford.
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Sunday February 21, 2021
Two Local companies ready to invest over $800M in quarry projects
T
wo local compa nies, Royal Build ers Inc. and Queensway, are set to invest over $800 million into two proposed quarry projects to cater for Guyana’s demand for aggregate, considering the current limitations of supply and the anticipated increase in demand from the emerging oil and gas sector. According to the public notice published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the proposed projects were screened to assess the potential environmental impacts. The EPA determined that the projects will not significantly affect the environment
or human health, and were exempted from the requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The Agency nonetheless urged persons who feel that they may be affected, to lodge appeals of the decision to its Environmental Assessment Board. Queensway’s project According to project documents lodged with the EPA, the company is proposing to develop a stone (granite/gneiss) quarry within the Cuyuni Mining District, south of Batavia. The project will consist of a number of heavy-duty equipment along with a crushing plant and support
equipment. It is expected that approximately 300,000 tons of material will be mined and produced annually from the Flatrock Quarry over a mine life of six years unless additional reserves are discovered. Quarrying operations are anticipated to commence at the end of Second Quarter of 2021, once all regulatory approvals are obtained. According to Queensway, the capital investment of the project is approximately $180 million, however, though the project’s capital investment totals $180 million, this amount will be deployed over the project’s estimated life of six years with
an estimated annual turnover of $65 million. The production objective for the quarry is to produce rip-rap and aggregates for the local market. Over the six-year period, 60% of the quarrying material will be aggregates with 40% rip-rap. Initial production will focus on 2.8/6 and 6.3/10 Category GC aggregates for local construction and road building industry. The development stages of the project, Queensway detailed, will consist of the exploration phase, which will include drilling boreholes for the geotechnical and hydrogeological investigations and conducting topographic and
environmental surveys of the project area. It will also include a construction phase, which will include land clearing, over burden stripping and stockpiling, construction of mine site access roads, on-loading
facility, office and camp facilities and the procurement of the processing/ crushing facility and an operation phase, which will include granite/gneiss rock excavation ripping and blasting, crushing, aggregate screening, on-loading and tug and barge transport to markets. While the EPA did not a require a EIA be conducted
for this project, the company will still be going ahead to have one completed to address the potential environmental and social risks associated with the project. Details of the environmental mitigation measures to be employed at the quarry will be provided in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to be commissioned by the Company. The EMP will address potential impacts of the design, construction, operation and closure phases of the quarry. Royal Builders’ project According to Royal Builders, the Mazaruni New Quarry project site is located on the left bank of the Mazaruni River, approximately 115 kilometers from Georgetown. It said that the proposed project site encompasses approximately 3,888 acres of land.
This covers an unnamed, large topographic high that is over 200 feet in elevation and occupies most of the 3 aerial extent of the proposed QL. Royal Builders Inc. stated that the company would be investing and expending more than US$3 million ($630,000,000) in the development and commissioning of this new quarry operation. That investment will be made to meet the growing
demand for aggregate domestically, as the economy continues to be boosted by increasing construction, infrastructure and sea defence works, with further expansion anticipated with the increasing oil production related activities. The initial output of this quarry is expected to be at least 2,000 tons per week of aggregate (½”, ¾”,^!”). The company outlined also that assuming an annual crude ore supply of 134,400 tons to satisfy a minimum
annual out-loading of 131,040 tons for the first three (3) years of operation from the fourth year, production will be boosted by 50% by works done in the third year to increase capacity and productivity. The company envisaged that this quarry would have a life of at least 11 years based on the reasonably estimated reserves. The expected total reserves in the proposed QL subsequent to drilling verification should see at least 10 years added to the life of the quarry for a total of at least 21 years.
“Stab out” in black water backdam leaves one dead -Wounded man on the run One man is now dead and a wounded suspect is on the run following a “stab out” on Friday at Pedymachi Black Water Backdam, located along the Cuyuni River, Region Seven. Dead is Randolph Semple, a resident of Third Avenue, Bartica. According to police he was killed around 18:00Hrs by a Brazilian who he allegedly stabbed first. Based on police investigations, Semple was at a shop when he saw the suspect on the road sitting on a motorcycle.Semple reportedly walked up to the man and stabbed him to the back and ran away into a nearby shop. The suspect jumped off the
motorcycle, armed himself with a knife and followed Semple.He entered the shop where Semple was and stabbed him to the chest before escaping. Semple, investigators were told, exited the shop and walked at least 400 feet away before collapsing on the road. Onlookers reported the incident to the police who entered the area some time later to investigate. The body was removed and is currently on its way to Parika where it will then be transported to a morgue.Meanwhile, a team of officers have remained behind to continue investigations and locate the wounded suspect who is still on the run.
Sunday February 21, 2021
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Pedal cyclist critical after hit down by Health Victim Ministry’s bus- unidentified
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A pedal cyclist is now critical after he was struck down on Friday along Vlissengen Road, Georgetown by a minibus attached to the Ministry of health. According to police, the cyclist is yet to be identified. The unidentified victim was struck down by the bus sometime around 06:10Hrs in the vicinity of the Guyana Water Incorporation’s (GWI) office.Police reports detailed that he was riding with a mattress on his head and had attempted crossing over to the western side of the road but ended up instead in the path of the minibus. Police noted too, that the bus was speeding as well. Its driver a 50-year-old resident of Pike Street Kitty told investigators that he tried swerving to the right but could not avoid hitting down the cyclist. The bus, police reported, after hitting the cyclist down crashed further into CCTV camera’s pole situated on the western side of the road. As the driver exited the
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bus, the cyclist lay motionless on the roadway with notable injuries about his body. An ambulance was summoned and transported the unconscious man to the emergency ward at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). There he was admitted immediately after doctors noted that he was critical. Doctors told police that the
The pedal cyclist pedal cyclist suffered five broken ribs and a contusion
Bandits on Friday interrupted a student’s virtual classroom session and robbed him at gunpoint.Police have identified the student only as a 19-year-old, male resident, of A-field, South Sophia, Greater Georgetown. The young man was attacked by the two men armed with a gun around 13:00 hrs. while he was participating in a virtual classroom session.He told cops that he was at the time sitting in his kitchen, when the gunmen barged in his home and walked up to him.
to his lungs. Police were later updated, that he remains unconscious and critical. In fact, according to the police he is currently being supported by a ventilator machine. Noting the seriousness of his condition, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is now seeking the public’s help in identifying him. As investigations continue into the accident, cops have detained the minibus, its driver and the man’s bicycle at the Kitty Police Station.
He detailed that they held him at gunpoint and told him to stay quiet. One of the bandits then proceeded around the entire house where they stole cellphones, an undisclosed amount of cash and a total of $430,000 worth in gold jewellery, before escaping. The matter was subsequently reported and police headed to the area to investigate. So far, detectives have questioned several individuals and also obtained camera footage from the area.
Fifth AFC member resigns since August... From page 14 Ramjattan that he was disgruntled with the AFC’s relationship with the APNU, particularly its largest constituent, the PNC/R. Similarly, Ward, in a resignation letter addressed to the party’s General Secretary, said that his best time in the AFC was when it was the “public’s Pitbull and not as the PNC’s puppet.”“However, sadly,” he added, “post 2015, the implementation of the vision was tunneled. The vision for the new Guyana girdled with wishes and dreams of the 1970’s and 1980’s hopefuls. This started the deterioration of the hope and trust of party supporters and that of the people, even those who did not voted for us but supported what we aimed to achieve.”In his resignation letter, Ward told Patterson, “The AFC that consumed me, my then young friends, like-minded associates (intellectuals, professionals and others), family and even other party support-
ers was a political force to reckon with. The party was full of energy, hope and diversity. It was what the new Guyana wanted; it was what the majority of youths wanted; it was what the diaspora wanted.” The AFC, Ward said, has towed the line with APNU despite the “abusive” relationship, hoping for better, but that “Unfortunately, there seems to be no hope for a better tomorrow with the current players even with a reshuffle.”Notably, there are reports from other sections of the media that another AFC member, Vladimir Glasgow, an executive member of the party’s Linden, Region 10 Branch, had tendered his resignation late last year. According to those reports, Glasgow had said, like Edmond, that the AFC has lost its way and has become “consumed” by the People’s National Congress (PNC). Former executive, Leonard Craig, is also reported to have resigned from the party since last year.
Nurse Aaisha Akbar-Mohamed... from page 52 down the nurses saying ‘why you have our relatives, they don’t have no COVID’.” Nurse Akbar-Mohamed pointed out, however, that team work plays an essential role in overcoming all challenges in the quarantine area. The fight is not yet over Just recently, Guyana received its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines and the vaccination process has commenced. Nurse AkbarMohamed was among the healthcare workers who have received an initial jab and she has been encouraging mem-
bers of the public to take theirs when the time comes. “There was just a little side effect after the shot. I had a slight fever and headache, but eventually the vaccine’s side effects wore off,” she said, even as she confidently asserted, “taking the vaccine is a plus because it helps to protect you, your family and friends. Though there may be side effects, it will only last for a short time. Once the body adapts to it, headache, fever and chills will all go away,” Nurse AkbarMohamed assured. She also pointed out that
320 cat Excavator bucket. Used surveying instruments.1200- Gals Bitumen From page 54 spray kettle.Call 275-0367/ original settlers and their descendants and 683-7225 friends remained in their hands and today when they decide to sell them because of old Mitsubisi contact 4M40 6 age or because their families would have months insurance goods & emigrated, they are offered higher prices than service and alarm system Con- their ancestors paid. tact 693-3003 Their higher prices were due to their improvements, inflation and currency Parts for 3408 cat engine devaluations over the years and not because block, crankshaft, head maniof speculation. Indeed, they probably barely fold, con- rods, etc Call 622broke even with such sales and to demand 8265 Capital Gains tax from such people verges on
persons should not view being vaccinated as an excuse to be negligent, pointing out that, “The vaccine is there for protection yes, but it still does not give you immunity against the virus, so you still have to use your necessary precautionary measures like wearing your masks and sanitizing.”As she fully embraces her career, Nurse Akbar-Mohamed intimated, “for me the most rewarding thing as a nurse is having a connection with my patients; letting them feel the love and letting them know that someone is there to help them.”
Budget restoration of exemption... the confiscatory. The reinstatement of the rule exempting owners who have held their properties for 25 years and over from payment of capital gains tax is fair and just. In reporting on the Budget, the media have so far given no notice to this measure because of its apparent insignificance as against the bigger and fundamental issues, but its social and economic effects are far-reaching and important. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Unemployed Linden man charged for rape of girl, 10 A 38-year-old, from the Soesdyke Highway, Linden, was arraigned before Magistrate Esther Sam yesterday, charged with the rape of a child below the age of sixteen. The accused, Theon Torres, appeared in the Suddie Magistrate Court, where the charge was read to him. The charge alleged that on Monday, February 15, 2021, at Grant Tenecey, Lower Pomeroon River, Torres engaged in sexual penetration with a child below the age of sixteen.
The accused, Theon Torres. The accused was not represented by an attorney, but told the court that he knows the victim through her mother, who he presently
shares a common-law relationship with. The prosecution objected to bail out of concern that the accused might interfere with the witness. Magistrate Esther Sam, on the other hand, said that there is no evidence that reflects the accused’s intention to tamper with the witness. Bail was set to the tune of $150,000 under the condition that the accused stays 100 ft. away from the witness. The matter has been adjourned until March 22, 2021.
Sunday February 21, 2021
...ASL's Sodhan Benjamin is a From page 16 relished in the things that are synonymous to life in rural Guyana. “I played a lot of cricket and followed the cows out in the pasture to graze,” the engineer said of his childhood. Those years, the young Benjamin attended kindergarten and primary school in Cummings Lodge. He was, however, only able to attend school until he was 14 years old, due to the financial constraints of his family. As a result, the teenage Benjamin spent most of his days frolicking in the streets and nearby pastures of the East Coast villages playing sports and climbing fruit trees.
AIRCRAFT FASCINATION He recalled specifically that during that time, he would visit the Ogle airstrip whenever he went to the nearby pasture to watch over his father's cows. He said that it was during this time that he developed a fascination for the aircraft. “I loved to watch as the planes took off and land on the airstrip. So I would go over there a lot,” he said. As a result of his constant visits to the airport, Benjamin became familiar with some of the staffers, whom he would converse with and find out about the jobs, which they had available. “One day, I visited and one of the guys said that they needed loaders and so I applied and got the work...I think I was around 19 years old,” Benjamin said of joining the airport staff complement. His job as a handyman/ loader gave him access to the airplanes. “I was basically a handyman; I would help to load up the planes with whatever cargo the passengers had to carry on board,” he said. After just a few years loading cargo, Benjamin worked his way up to join the maintenance crew of ASL. As part of the maintenance crew, he spent years learning the intricacies of aircraft mechanics and engineering. Some of what he learnt included regular draining of oil, cleaning plugs, and other minor repairs in addition to the ground preparations. “I started to show interest in the work, which the crew was doing on the hangar floor and eventually I joined them as assistant maintenance operator,” he said. Though he was not officially trained in the field, Benjamin was as good as any of the guys in his department. “I had basically learned by doing. I didn't go to school for it but I knew the job (before studying). There is so much work that goes into the maintenance of the aircraft before it is safe for use,” he said, noting that he had spent long hours working on each aircraft to ensure that they were in flying condition when the time came. That commitment to servicing the planes must have caught the attention of his employers because Benjamin was soon after offered a full scholarship to study aeronautical engineering from ASL. “I was working one day when management called me for a meeting. They offered me the scholarship and I took it,” he said, explaining that, at the time, to study aeronautical engineering, he needed at least $2M. “I couldn't afford to pay to study at the time. I was married and the children were small. So when the company offered to pay for my studies,
I was really happy about it,” he said. According to Benjamin, the years of study required sacrifice. He noted that given that his children were young, his wife did a bit of catering to help supplement the family's expenses. “The company also made it flexible for me to complete my courses. I would only work shifts that allowed me to work and study,” he added. As part of his training, Mr. Benjamin had to complete his studies in the six-module course, which included aircraft regulation, piton engine, propellers, and modules three and four. After obtaining the necessary qualification, Benjamin was later licensed by the GCAA. LEGACY These days, as a Senior Aeronautical Engineer, he is a mentor to several of the upcoming engineers, several of whom refer to him as “Uncle Benjie”. In addition to supervising the young team, Benjamin has the privilege of signing off on any aircraft that has undergone maintenance work. His approval is essential to the aircraft having clearance to take to the skies for a certain number of hours. At any given shift, he and his crew are tasked with the maintenance and repairs of the engine and structure of the various types of aircraft under ASL's domestic fleet. “These include the Cessna 206, 208, 172, and the Britten Norman Island,” he said, noting that the company has approximately two dozen aircraft in its fleet. And although he still does some of the maintenance works, his efforts are more focused on training the younger engineers. He told Kaieteur News that while he is “getting up in age,” he wants to leave as much as he can with the younger men. His son, in particular, will benefit from the experience and knowledge. The younger Benjamin, who is already certified in his field, told this newspaper that his father was the inspiration behind him joining ASL as an aeronautical engineer. “I always used to visit the airport and hangar floor with him when I was younger and I said I wanted to be a pilot but when I left school and started my work study at ASL, I started to realize the importance of what he did. There is so much that happens behind the scene with the maintenance of the aircraft that makes it safe for people like us to travel,” the proud son said. Much like his father, Navendra is seeking to advance in his career in the coming years. “My goal is to one day work in a managerial position in the aviation sector, hopefully, to help advance the way we do things locally,” he stated.
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Africa lost US$40B from their extractive industries due theft in 2015 Africa lost US$40 billion in 2015 from illicit financial flows (IFFs), related to exports from extractive industries. This is according to a report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Titled Tackling illicit financial flows for sustainable development in Africa, the report defines IFFs as movements of money and assets across borders, which are illegal in source, transfer or use. Most of the loss was calculated in the gold supply chain (77 percent), with diamonds and platinum making up the rest. (IFFs) from exports of ex-
tractives commodities account for a significant portion of IFFs in Africa, the report said. Yearly IFFs from Africa in all industries stand at US$88.6 billion, equivalent to 3.7 percent of Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The aim of the report is to equip governments of Africa with the knowledge to identify and evaluate the risks associated with illicit financial flows, and curb them, then to redirect the finances to the achievement of their national priorities and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNCTAD Secretary-General, Mukhisa Kituyi, is quoted saying “Illicit finan-
cial flows rob Africa and its people of their prospects, undermining transparency and accountability and eroding trust in African institutions.” UNCTAD said that though the IFFs are large, they likely understate the gravity of this issue and its impact. The illicit financial flows include capital flight, tax and commercial practice and criminal activities like illegal markets, corruption and theft. According to UNCTAD, Africa’s total illicit capital flight from 2000 to 2015 amounted to US$836 billion, more than the continent’s total debt stock of US$770 bil-
lion, making Africa “a net creditor to the world.” The report complains of the issue undermining productive capacity and prospects for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), so much that in those countries with high illicit flows, the governments spend 25 percent less on health and 58 percent less on education. It stated that Africa would not be able to bridge the financing gaps with current government revenues and development assistance. If illicit capital flight is moved, this report said that Africa would generate enough capital to finance almost 50 percent of the US$2.4
trillion sub-Saharan Africa needs to fight climate change. It recommends the improvement of regional cooperation on IFFs and taxes. “Solutions to the problem must involve international tax cooperation and anti-corruption measures. The international community should devote more resources to tackle IFFs, including capacitybuilding for tax and customs authorities in developing countries,” it stated.
Michael Kuhlmann
Businessman allegedly receives COVID-19 vaccine meant for frontline workers - GPHC senior staff member being investigated A screen capture of the businessman’s Facebook post.
A local jeweller has allegedly received a shot of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID19 vaccine meant for frontline workers, facilitated by a senior staff member at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) with whom he is said to have personal ties. The businessman recently posted a picture of himself receiving the jab via his Facebook account, which was seen by this publication. Kaieteur News yesterday contacted the GPHC’s Head of Strategic Planning and Communications, Chelauna Providence, who confirmed that the matter is being investigated. The Government has constantly reiterated that the first preference for vaccination is being given to frontline health workers, the elderly and persons with comorbidities. Upon the arrival of vaccines, frontline health care workers were designated the first to
be vaccinated under the current phase of the government’s immunization program. On February 13, Guyana received its first set of COVID-19 vaccines, which came as a donation from Barbados. The donation saw Guyana receiving 3,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, the same brand the businessman boasted as having received on his Facebook page. President Irfaan Ali had stated that of the 3,000 doses, 100 persons at the CARICOM Secretariat will benefit and the remaining will be given to frontline healthcare workers. Since the vaccine is a double dose vaccine, the businessman’s receipt of what would have been a first dose, while not qualifying under the current rollout, raises questions with regard to the government’s security, record-keeping and verification system for the COVID19 vaccine distribution.
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...Khan’s 5-32, Mohammed (82), Bravo (58) From page 69 celebrated with a gorgeous six off Shepherd. But with the score on 1273 in the 30th over, Bravo skied Motie to Shimron Hetmyer at mid-off. Pooran got going with a disdainful six and hit Motie for a boundary just out of the reach of a diving Shepherd who injured his shoulder in his effort to take a catch at long-on and was forced to leave the field. In windy and cold conditions, Pooran pounced on a short ball from Smith like a cat upon a mouse and pulled him for six over square-leg before charging Motie and being left stranded as Anthony Bramble did the rest at 155-4. Ramdin joined the 32-
year-old Mohammed and ended the contest with backto-back boundaries off Keon Joseph, the first one clearing the boundary. Earlier, the Jaguars strengthened their team with Leon Johnson, fully recovered from a strained hamstring, returning as Captain after missing the last game against Jamaica, Imlach replacing the out of form Assad Fudadin at the top of the order and pacer Keon Joseph,who replaced Jamaican born off-spinner Ramaal Lewis. Imlach played the supporting role to the left-handed Hemraj as they provided the Jaguars with a solid opening partnership and after the 10over power-play the South
American Franchise were going at just over six runs per over on the small ground on a good track. Imlach, who got going with a swept boundary, looked very organized in his first match and without taking any risks, worked the ball around and was the perfect foil for Hemraj who batted with plenty of positivity and took the attack the bowlers. Hemraj, who has played six ODIs but none since October 2018, played an array of dismissive pulls and back foot punches through the off-side as Red Force, who rested Skipper Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul and spinner Sunil Narine, struggled to make a breakthrough.
Sunday February 21, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Romance blossoms for you today, Aries, and commitment or marriage may be just over the horizon. You and your beloved may have recently reached a new understanding that has bonded you more tightly. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Service to others might take up a large part of your day, Taurus, perhaps on an artistic level or maybe in the form of sharing psychic or healing energy. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) The words for today are "romance" and "creativity," Gemini. Romance is enhanced by passion generated by a gratifying love relationship that will probably last for a long time. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Has a new housemate recently moved in? If so, you can expect this person to live with you for a while. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A love letter or perhaps a poem or other artistic work dedicated to you could make your day, Leo. A warm feeling of being cherished and adored could stay with you throughout the day as a result. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A love relationship that's been around for a long time could be enhanced today by an increased level of sensuality, Virgo. Intense emotion could pervade your being, making it difficult to concentrate on much else.
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LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Artistic activities or those involving healing are enhanced today, Libra. Whatever you try is going to be more a part of your very being than it would be at other times. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Love takes on an idealized and fairytale aura today, as you and a current or potential partner spend time alone, talking or just enjoying being together. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Meditation circle or other group activity devoted to spiritual pursuits could be on your agenda today. It's important that you attend, as you need a little peace and quiet, as well as the support from others in the group. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Career and financial successes might finally come your way after months and perhaps years of striving, Capricorn. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A complex creative project could require some in-depth research today, and you could spend much of the day online or in the library. This is probably a subject you love, so you won't mind the time you put in. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Financial growth adds to a growing sense of selfworth, Pisces, especially since your current situation should continue. You may have a vivid, emotional dream.
Hemraj, with two tons from 37 List ‘A’ games, was not afraid to go over the top and reached his third fifty at this level, while I m l a c h , a f o r m e r We s t Indies U-19 batsman, grew in confidence as his innings progressed and increased his strike with a couple of fours and an effortless six. The pair reached the 10th century stand for the tournament and second for Guyana following Johnson and Chris Barnwell’s effort against the Leewards Volcanoes, but with the score on 106 in 20.4 overs Imlach missed an unnecessary swipe at left-arm spinner Khary Pierre and was bowled. Hetmyer got going in typical ultra-aggressive fashion with a powerfully hit boundary over wide mid-wicket, while Hemraj continued to play confidently as the partnership quickly progressed to 22 before Hetmyer, the highest paid IPL Guyanese player, fell for 10 at 128-2 in the 25th over. Hetmyer, who blasted an explosive 80 from 53 balls with eight fours and fours sixes against Barbados, drilled Khan brainlessly to Pierre at long-off as he departed with just 100 runs from four innings. When Hemraj edged an injudicious cut at a ball too close to him off a googlee from Khan to Keeper Ramdin at 143-3, the floodgate were wrenched open as the Jaguars lost their last eight wickets for 45 runs. Johnson (3) with a century against the Volcanoes was stupendously taken right-handed at a slip by Pooran as he pushed forward to a flipper from Khan, who celebrated his 50th L i s t ‘ A’ g a m e w i t h h i s maiden 5-wicket haul, as Jaguars slipped to 151-4. Four runs later, Anthony Bramble (3) danced down the track to Khan and was stumped before Barnwell with a ton in his last game, edged pacer Anderson Phillip to Ramdin for 12 as the Jaguars slumped to 158-6. Only Romario Shepherd (12) and Kevin Sinclair (11) of the remaining batsmen got into double figures as the last four wickets tumbled for just eight runs. The Jaguars, already qualified for the Semis, play their final preliminary round game tomorrow when the face-off with the Windwards Hurricanes at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in their only day game which starts at 09:30hrs.
...GFF president urges all From page 68 governance of football in Guyana. 10. Support the rule of law and the orderly organization of public activities under values and regulations that have been agreed by the national football community, with the long-term support of the Government of Guyana and regional authorities. “Without these structures in place, we risk enabling a lawless free-for-all
that will not only jeopardise the sustainable development of the game and our young talent, but also open the door to criminal elements and match fixing,” he said. “Together, all legitimate stakeholders – from the GFF community to the Government of Guyana – must take a firm collective stand and act swiftly now to nip these unauthorised activities in the bud.”
...ECB clarifies non-participation From page 70 exceptional Marketing Skills and if he is so interested in Essequibo’s cricket and want to help, he can solicit sponsors to bridge the Essequibo River so that teams from all three counties can travel conveniently and we would have more Essequibo vs Berbice and Demerara matches in Essequibo. We have always been the least of the three counties when it comes to cricket and even our outstanding achievements are downplayed. Yougeshwar
Lall made 170 + in an Under 19 Inter-County match at DCC years ago which is a record but it was downplayed by the media. Kevon Boodie made 200+ a few years ago in a Senior Inter-County 50 Over Competition which is still a record and that was also downplayed. However, these guys are Essequibians! We do hope that the media would give this release coverage in its entirety since all that have been mentioned are facts and nothing is libelous.
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Sunday February 21, 2021
Djokovic marginally ahead of Medvedev for final, feels Corretja
M
ELBOURNE (Reuters) N o v a k Djokovic will need to be at his best to beat Russian Daniil Medvedev in today’s Australian Open final but the eight-time champion will be slightly
ahead due to his experience, former world number two Alex Corretja has said. The 33-year-old Djokovic has triumphed in every final he has reached at Melbourne Park but in Medvedev he faces a challenger who has won 20 consecutive matches, including 12 straight victories over top-10 opponents. “I think they are going to kill each other,” said Eurosport pundit Corretja. “I am expecting a very long
match, both play a very similar game style. “They both need their serves, their backhands are both unbelievable. Forehands – Novak moves his wrist a little bit more, but not too much more, than Daniil. “I think they will play like a mirror to each other, unbelievable back-hand cross court, they change down the line, both great competitors.” Medvedev, 25, lost his only Grand Slam final when
he went down in five sets to Rafa Nadal at the 2019 U.S. Open and will go into t o d a y ’s m a t c h h a v i n g defeated the reigning men’s world number one in three out of their last four meetings. A win today under the floodlights of the Rod Laver Arena will extend Djokovic’s aura on the blue hardcourt and give him his 18th Grand Slam title, two shy of the men’s record of 20 shared by Roger Federer and Nadal.
Novak Djokovic will need to be at his best to beat Russian Daniil Medvedev.
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GFF issues provisional suspensions after reports of unauthorised competition at Buxton
P and P Insurance, Crown Mining back GSCL Inc President’s Cup
Several national team players, registered coaches and match officials have been provisionally suspended from all football activity with immediate effect pending a Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Disciplinary Committee investigation following reports of an unauthorised football event in Buxton. The individuals will be unable to participate in any international or club football until the resolution of Disciplinary Committee proceedings and could face further disciplinary action. They will be notified of the venue, date and time of their separate hearings in due course. The provisional suspensions apply to the following: National team players: Trayon Bobb, Kelsey Benjamin, Nicholas McArthur, Kevin Dundas, Sese Norville Match officials:
Anupa Lall (right) of P and P Insurance presents the cheque to Telesha Ousman.
Dwayne Johnson, Deon Feasall, Roydon Ramsay Coaches: Dwayne Jacobs, Philbert Moffatt, Sharon Abrams, Sherwin Neblett This action, in line with the GFF’s constitutional mandate and responsible governance duties, has been taken following notification of an unsanctioned football event at the Buxton Community Ground. F u r t h e r G F F investigations into the participation of other individuals are ongoing and may result in similar disciplinary action in due course. To defend the integrity of the game and protect the safety and wellbeing of its membership, the GFF Constitution – a p p r o v e d b y F I FA – contains specific clauses related to unauthorized football activity. Under Section 5.3 of the Constitution, registered
“players may not take part in football matches that are not under the jurisdiction of the Federation and/or FIFA and /or Concacaf”. Under Section 13.1(a), “members must comply f u l l y w i t h t h e Statutes/Constitution, regulations, directives and d e c i s i o n s o f F I FA , Concacaf, and the Federation at all times and to ensure by a statutory clause that these are also respected by its Affiliates”. Under Section 13.1(h), members are obliged “not to maintain any relations of a sporting nature with entities (e.g. clubs, Leagues) that are not Members or Affiliates nor with Members that have been suspended or expelled”. Section 13.2 states that the “violation of the abovementioned obligations by any Member may lead to sanctions”. Furthermore, under (Continued on page 65)
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and P Insurance and Crown Mining have supported the
Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc President’s Cup which is set for March 5-7. Both entity recently presented cheques to GSCL I n c S e c r e t a r y Te l e s h a Ousman Yamin. Anupa Lall Receptionist/ Secretary of P and P Insurance, which is located at 272 to 273 Lamaha Street, said they are happy to be part of the competition and they are looking forward to a successful tournament. Patanjilee Persaud of Crown Mining, which has come on board under the Parsun outboard and Tolsen tools brands, stated that they are pleased to be associated with the President’s Cup. He added that they are passionate about the game and are happy to give back. Persaud said that they hope the tournament will be an annual affair. Both entities pledged their continued support. Ousman Yamin thanked them for their
support. Teams must deposit their refundable $60,000 so as confirm their participation; they must do so today. The three-day tournament which is organized jointly by the Honourable Counsel of Guyana to Florida, Ramzan Roshanalli and the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Incorporated (GSCL) was launched on Sunday February 7 at the Everest Cricket Club banquet hall with Guyana’s President, His Excellency Dr. Ifraan Ali delivering the feature address and officially committing to the mega tournament. The inaugural President’s T20 Softball tournament will be played in three categories; Open (All ages), Masters (over-40 years old) and Legends (over-50 years old) at venues in and around Georgetown. (Zaheer Mohamed)
Telesha Ousman Yamin accepts the cheque from Patanjilee Persaud.
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Sunday February 21, 2021
Osaka juggernaut rolls on to second Australian Open crown
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ELBOURNE (Reuters) Naomi Osaka c r u s h e d Jennifer Brady 6-4 6-3 to secure her second Australian Open title yesterday and cement her standing as the new queen of the women’s game. Osaka’s one-sided win over the 22nd-seeded American in the final at Rod Laver Arena gave the Japanese juggernaut her fourth major crown, with her career still budding at the age of 23. She joined Monica Seles and Roger Federer as winners in their first four Grand Slam finals, marking her out as the ultimate big match performer. “My reaction is that t h a t ’s v e r y a m a z i n g company,” Osaka told reporters, sitting next to the winner’s Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup. “I hope that I can have one grain of how their career has unfolded. But you can only wish and you can only just keep going down your own path. “But it’s definitely something crazy to hear.” More major trophies surely await if she can
Japan’s Naomi Osaka celebrates winning her final match against Jennifer Brady of the U.S. (REUTERS/Kelly Defina) convert her irresistible hardcourt form to French Open clay and grass at Wimbledon. Having humbled Serena Williams in the semi-finals, a victory that reinforced a changing of the guard, Osaka was untroubled by Brady in the clash of power hitters. She romped to a 21st straight win in completed matches, a streak dating back
more than a year. Fans hoping for a repeat of the pair’s engrossing U.S. Open semi-final last year were left disappointed as Brady froze in the spotlight of her first Slam final. U.S. Open champion Osaka was also short of her best tennis, joining Brady in producing a dour, errorstrewn first set. But she settled to clinch six straight games, roaring to
a 4-0 lead in the second before serving out the match to love. A big serve sealed it, causing Brady to fire a forehand return long, and Osaka held her racket over her head, beamed and gave a little leap in an understated celebration. “Tonight I felt like was (it) more of a mental battle,” said Osaka who also won the 2019 title.
“Of course, I can’t speak for her, but I was extremely nervous. I honestly just told myself before the match, I’m probably not going to play well. “I shouldn’t put that pressure on myself to play perfectly but just go out there and fight for every point.” EARLY NERVES On a cool and breezy night at Rod Laver Arena, Osaka warmed up with two aces but the fast start fizzled out in a stream of errors from both players. A nervous Brady was especially culpable, spraying 18 unforced errors in the opening set. Both players dropped their serve before Brady breathed some life into the contest at 4-4, luring Osaka in with a drop-shot, then scrambling forward to retrieve and lob her for break point. Osaka cancelled it nervelessly with an imperious forehand winner fired from the baseline and hung tight until Brady gifted her the lead. Serving to stay in the set at 5-4, Brady slapped a wild forehand over the baseline to cough up set point then stepped in to pound a would-
be forehand winner straight into the net. The crowd groaned and Brady went to her chair ashen-faced. Osaka seized the momentum, breaking Brady again in the second game of the second set with a sumptuous crosscourt backhand winner. She rolled on to a 4-0 lead before Brady belatedly conjured some resistance to break Osaka. The American clawed back to 5-3 but bowed out as she started, smashing wild returns to allow Osaka to serve out the match without trouble. It was a forgettable display from Brady’s racket but she had a remarkable run in Melbourne, after being one of the 72 players unable to train during their twoweek hard quarantine in the lead-up. “I think she’s human like the rest of us in this room,” Brady told reporters of Osaka. “She just brings out her best in the big moments. “But I don’t think, you know, she’s God,” she added with a smile. “I think maybe Serena is. Maybe she’ll get there, I don’t know.”
GFF president urges all stakeholders to make a stand against unauthorised football events
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ll members, p l a y e r s , coaches, match o ff i c i a l s a n d clubs that fall under the umbrella of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) are constitutionally obliged to abstain from unauthorised football events, both for the long-term benefit of football development and the safety and wellbeing of the football community, GFF President Wayne Forde has said. In the current climate, with the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing and lockdown rules still in force, Forde said any such unsanctioned events should be boycotted by the public and handled appropriately according to the law. “ We h a v e b e e n extremely concerned and alarmed to hear several reports of top national players and registered match officials participating in a specific unauthorised football competition in Buxton, alongside images of large crowds
convening at the community ground at night to watch,” he said. “It beggars belief that anyone would put the health of players, match officials and the public at risk at this delicate time, and that this should apparently go completely unchecked by the national authorities and the local police,” he said, urging the National COVID1 9 Ta s k F o r c e a n d Government of Guyana to intervene in the interests of public health. “Separately, we expect our national team players and registered referees to act as role models and lead by example, both by making responsible decisions for themselves and their loved ones during this health crisis and by following the rules of the GFF Constitution that they are bound by. The behaviour of some of our national players is even more baffling given that the Golden Jaguars are currently preparing for FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month.”
Forde calls for collective action against all unsanctioned football activity in his column in the new monthly GFF newsletter – GFFNOW – which is published today on the GFF website at https://www.guyanafootball .org/gff-now-football-isback/ and on its social media platforms. The GFF announced provisional suspensions for several national team players, registered coaches and match officials y e s t e r d a y, p e n d i n g Disciplinary Committee hearings, based on reports of the unauthorised competition at Buxton. “Under the GFF Constitution, all members and constituents are prohibited from taking part in any football activities that have not been authorised by the GFF. Enforcing this is the responsibility of the Federation as part of its duties within FIFA’s global governance structure. The Constitution seeks to
ensure that all football in Guyana is played to certain standards and in an orderly, structured manner – for the long-term benefit of football development and governance, and the health and safety of the entire football community,” he said. “If the GFF does not act to defend its Constitution to avoid a state of lawlessness resulting from unregulated football, the Federation’s compliance with FIFA and Concacaf statutes will be threatened, possibly r e s u l t i n g i n G u y a n a ’s suspension from football governance structures, international football competitions and funding for football development projects,” he said. “This is what is at stake.” Forde said the role that the GFF plays in the regulation of football activities is intended to: 1. Ensure that competitions are played in accordance with the Laws of the Game.
Wayne Forde GFF President
2. Ensure that competitions are organised in a manner that places the highest priority on the safety and wellbeing of players, coaches, match officials, spectators and the public. 3. Ensure that adequate medical facilities and certified first responders are on hand in the event of an injury. 4. Ensure that match fixing does not occur and that players and officials are not exposed to intimidation by criminal elements seeking to manipulate results. 5. Ensure that individuals involved in the organisation of any competitions are in
good standing with the Federation, have not been convicted of any crime and have the adequate expertise and capabilities required to stage public activities. 6. Reduce the potential for money laundering, illegal gambling and other illicit financial activities. 7. Ensure that all conflicts, sporting and otherwise, arising from a competition are adjudicated through the GFF’s FIFAapproved constitutional processes. 8. Ensure that the GFF annual football calendar of activities is respected by all. 9. Protect the image and (Continued on page 65)
Sunday February 21, 2021
Kaieteur News
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BCB/Lewison General Store 2020, U-15 Final
Rampertab Ramnauth leads Port Mourant past Albion by 30 runs By Franklin Wilson in Berbice
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quality and responsible allr o u n d performance with bat and ball by West Indies Under-15 player and Captain of the Port Mourant Cricket Club team, Rampertab Ramnauth, resulted in a well deserved 30-run win over arch rivals Albion Cricket Club (ACC) in the final of the long awaited Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) / Lewison General Store Under-15 competition yesterday at the
Jai Hand Cricket Ground, Albion, Berbice. P l a y e r- o f - t h e - m a t c h Rampertab Ramnauth, who opened the batting, laid the foundation for his side’s eventual 158-9 off their 50 overs, batting first. The exciting left handed batsman stroked a classy 61 (6x4 3x6) and put on 35 for the first wicket with Rampersaud Ramnauth who made 6. He was dropped on 46 as the ball slipped through the hands of the fielder on the midwicket boundary and trickled into the boundary boards to bring up his half
CG Insurance Super50 Cup
Khan’s 5-32, Mohammed (82), Bravo (58) spurs Red force 6-wkt win - Jaguars suffer 1st loss despite Hemraj’s 80 A mesmerizing nine-over spell of leg-spin bowling with yielded five wickets and cost just 32 runs from 36year-old Imran Khan, with support from left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein who took 2-25 from six frugal over sank Guyana Jaguars to 187 off 41.5 overs after Chanderpaul Hemraj and debutant Tevin Imlach had featured in a 107 opening stand. Hemraj stroked an 84ball 87 after reaching the boundary five times and clearing it on six occasions, while Imlach’s 38 lasted 57 balls and included three fours and a six. But both batsmen gifted their wickets due to poor shot selection as nobody else reached 13. The Red Force kept their unbeaten record intact by reaching 189-4 in 40.2 overs to win by six wickets to register their fifth consecutive win and top the points table as they head into the semi-finals. The 32-year-old stand in skipper Darren Bravo hit six fours and a six from 77 balls in his second fifty of the tournament and 37th in List ‘A’ cricket from 172 games with an elegant 58. Bravo shared in a 112run third wicket stand with t h e t o u r n a m e n t ’s t o p performer with the bat Mohammed, who reached the boundary eight times in an unbeaten 82 from 116 balls. Nicholas Pooran with a
cameo 18 from nine balls with a four and a couple of sixes and Denish Ramdin’s unbeaten 17 with two fours and sixes also contributed with the bat for the pretournament favorites. Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie took 2-36 from 10 overs to move to the top of the wicket-takers list with 11 scalps. When Red Force began their reply under a clear night sky and no fans in the stands due to the Covid-19 protocols, Evin Lewis,with a century and fifty in this tournament, got off the mark with a four off Kevin Sinclair but was trapped LBW in the same over at 4-1. The left-handed Kjorn Ottley (4) was sent packing by the lively Nail Smith at 15-2 and the Jaguars were fighting back. However, Bravo joined Mohammed, the leading runscorer in the tournament, to orchestrate a major recovery and frustrate a Jaguars attack trying to defend their small target. Mohammed swept Motie delightfully for four to post his 21th List ‘A’ 50 with his fifth boundary before moving into the 60s with a glorious straight push off Shepherd. Bravo, who has seven tons in List ‘A’ cricket, executed several classy shots and soon reached his 37th fifty in List ‘A’ cricket off his 69th ball which also brought up the 100 partnership. He (Continued on page 65)
century. Only two other batters reached double figures; extras contributing a healthy 35 runs (29 wides 3 byes 3 leg byes). Ganesh Seosahai smacked 17 (2x4) coming in at number 7 to add momentum in the closing overs while Romesh Bharrat, batting at number three, made a composed 15, he also reached the boundary boards twice. Taking a pair of wickets each for Albion were left arm spinner Kumar Deopersaud (2-13) from his 10 overs which included three maidens, off-spinner Devin Lalbehari (2-15) from three overs and another offspinner, Tameshwar Mangal (2-32) from 10 overs with a single maiden. There was one for Shared Persaud (130) form his quota of 10 overs. With a 159 required to win the match and the 2020 tournament that was delayed after covid-19 struck, Albion’s batsmen were
BCB Competitions Committee Chairman Leslie Solomon pictured with the BCB/Lewison General Store 2020, U-15 Champions, Port Mourant Cricket Club. (Franklin Wilson photo) never allowed to settle in as they lost wickets at regular intervals as a result of the skillful management of his bowlers by Port Mourant’s Captain, Rampertab Ramnauth. Coming on as the sixth and final bowler, Captain Ramnauth’s leg spin was way too hot for the Albion batters to handle on a sunny afternoon as he snared 5-32 from 7.1 overs; Albion being bowled out for 128 off 38.1 overs. Lending solid support
with the ball was Khanromel Budwa whose off spin brought him rewards of 4-36 from 10 overs. Shiv Harripersaud led with the bat for Albion with 30 (3x4), while Damon Cecil made 28 (4x4) and Antonio Ramphal 17 (1x4), the only batters reaching double figures; the last three batsmen falling without scoring. Extras again made a healthy contribution of 26 (20 wides 5 byes 1 leg bye). President of the BCB Hilbert Foster in brief
remarks at the presentation ceremony, congratulated the players for making the tournament possible whilst singling out the champions for special mention. Foster also took the opportunity to brief the players about the plans his Board has for their on and off field development for 2021. Presenting the trophies to the respective teams along with their prize monies was Chairman of the BCB Competitions Committee, Leslie Solomon.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 21, 2021
7 teams for GRFU tag tourney on Saturday
The GRFU has been approved to host a tournament this Saturday.
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resident of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), Ryan Dey, has confirmed to Kaieteur Sport that rugby will be able to compete finally after being dormant for over a year due to the covid-19 pandemic with a Tag Tourney which will get underway this Saturday at the National Park from 10:00hrs. The event will feature a total of seven clubs, five males and two females and it will be strictly no contact. In Tag Rugby each player has two ribbons attached to their body and a tag is simply the removal by a defender of one of the two ribbons. Once tagged the player in possession must stop and pass the ball to a team-mate
within three seconds. However, the game is continuous and tagged players may pass within the act of stopping. Besides the tagging rule the game remains the same. Tag Rugby was identified by the International governing body of the sport; World Rugby, as part of the return to play protocols and this version of the game will allow the players to hit the ground running and will alleviating the potential spread of the covid-19 virus. The event that is being sponsored by the GRFU will see trophies for first to third place teams, while the Male and Female with the most tries will also receive accolades.
ECB clarifies non-participation in female Inter-County tourney The Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) wishes to clarify the reason for the non-participation of its female team in the 2021 GCB’s Senior Inter-County 50 Over Tournament since facebook and some media houses have stated grossly incorrect reasons. On February 16th Mr. Colin Stuart, TDO of the GCB emailed the Secretary of the ECB, Mr Otto Christiani informing him that the GCB cannot accommodate any team at the Hostel at LBI for the said female tournament. After consulting our Board members, Mr Christiani responded the very afternoon to Mr Stuart, citing the following reasons: 1. It is impossible for the team to travel from as far as Charity to LBI daily to play the same day using public transportation all the way, which would mean leaving Charity at 4.00am and returning at approximately 9.00pm. 2. Our Under 19 players had to endure this very schedule which was physically demanding. 3. We are talking now about females who would feel the physical effects even more.
4. Night travelling on the river is always dangerous, moreso at this time when the water is very rough. 5. The more you travel using public transportation, the more susceptible you are to pick up the COVID virus. Mind you, COVID is the reason for not making the GCB’s Hostel available. It must be noted that Essequibo had a team in training under Coach Nankishore Andrews and Manager Debra Daniels. This team played Essequibo Eagles Male Under 19 on Saturday, February 13 and were scheduled to have extended training sessions on February 20 and 21, prior to their participation in the Inter-County Tournament. The GCB being fully aware of this, nevertheless has opted not to grant our request but instead remove our team from the tournament, that ‘s our caring GCB. We have noted that the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) thru’ Mr Hilbert Foster, seems to know more about our Board affairs in the past and now than we do, thus he has opined that we cannot field a team. We know that Mr Foster has (Continued on page 65)
Sunday February 21, 2021
Kaieteur News
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