Kaieteur News

Guyana already re-negotiated

Exxon’s

oil contract

…now appears unable, unwilling to do same for taxes, royalty

-

ChrisRam

Based on utterances by

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Chartered Accountant and Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram

officialdom in the persons of specifically to a presentation Vice President Bharrat had by Brassington in which Jagdeo and Chairman of the it was disclosed that Guyana Taskforce leading the Gas- will in fact be paying some to-Shore Project on the US$55Myearly,posited“we Guyana end, Winston are left to guess whether Brassington, Guyana did in Exxon will be allowed to Brassingtondiddisclosethat (EEPGL) ExxonMobil fact manage to re-negotiate claim only US$55M per thatGuyana’spaymenttothe Guyana and their cothe 2016 Production Sharing annum as recoverable cost Exxon Mobil co-venture ventures, Hess Guyana Agreement (PSA) on the andifthatamountisfactored partners for the US$1B Exploration and CNOOC matter of the treatment of into the cost ceiling of 75 investment in the pipeline Guyana, it treats specifically natural gas but appears percent.” will be US$55M per annum, with cost recovery and unwilling or unable, to re- He elucidated further, over a 20-year period, production sharing, not just negotiate other terms of the suggesting that Brassington “ this comes up to for crude oil but associated agreement, more so royalty cannot be unaware that the US$1.1B” andnon-associatedgases. andtaxes. 2016 PSA expressly Having disclosed the According to the

The nexus was drawn by provides for production investment however, Ram provisions under thisArticle e m i n e n t C h a r t e r e d sharing on a 50/50 basis of observes that Brassington of the 2016 contract, the Accountant andAttorney-at- ProfitGasatArticle11ofthe went on to offer “some contractor shall bear and pay Law, Christopher Ram, who Agreement Additionally, overelaborate, technical all contract cost incurred in yesterdayinapublicmissive the PSA at the subsequent explanation which confused carrying out “Petroleum observed that this was made Conference held at the information, it also tells us Article dictates “friendly morethanexplained.” Operations and shall recover even more clear during the M a r r i o t t H o t e l i n that Exxon will recover the negotiations” where Exxon He pointed out for C o n t r a c t C o s t a s course of the recently Georgetown “While the money as cost oil under the believesthatimprovedterms example, to reportage in the Recoverable Contract Costs, concluded International Government waits for the 2016 Agreement,” Ram are necessary and further the local media, representing only from Cost Oil and/or E n e r g y E x p o a n d appropriate time to share prefaced. Ram in his contract dedicates a whole Brassington’s account of CostGas.”

Article 13 to the valuation of how, “they came up with the At Articles 12 and 13 Natural Gas.” As such, he US$55M” figure Ram there are in excess of 40 surmised, “I must be reminded that according to clauses and sub-clauses to cynical” and questioned reports,thefigure,according treat specifically with the “does the Government not to Brassington, was arrived valuation of crude oil or wish Guyanese to know that at by “convert[ing] to a unit naturalgas. it submitted itself to Exxon price per gas, calculated at Article 12 specifically on [re]negotiation of the Gas 50 MMCFD [one million treats directly with terms of the Agreement but cubic feet per day] x $2.40 Associated and Nonwas unwilling or unable to for MMBTU [one million AssociatedGas. have Exxon [re]negotiate on British thermal units] x 365 To this end, it directs that royaltyandtaxes?” [number of days in a year] x associated gas produced Ram noted too that while 1.26 [conversion factor of from any oil field must, as a our Government does not MMBTU to MMCFD].” In priority be purposed related consideritappropriateatthis the2016PSAsignedwiththe to the operations of time to share with Guyanese Guyana Government and production and production any information on the Gas- Esso Exploration and enhancementofoilfield, t o

E n e rg y p r o j e c t , Production Guyana Limited (Continued on page 16)

West Ruimveldt man dies after falling off bike

Anthony Pierre ofWest Ruimveldt Estate Scheme was early Monday morning killed in a motorcycle accident on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.

According to police reports, around 00:20hrs on Monday, the 21-year-old motorcyclist was driving his motorcycle on Vlissengen Road in the vicinity of the Botanical Gardens heading south, reportedly atafastrateofspeed,whenhelostcontroland felloffhismotorcycle.

Dead, Anthony Pierre

As a result this, it was reported that Pierre collided into a utility pole on the eastern parapet of the road, where he suffered several injuries to his head and about his body. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) who were contacted responded to the incident and pronounced Gardens Mortuary awaiting a post mortem Pierredeadatthescene. examination. Police said an investigation has His body was taken to the Memorial beenlaunchedintothefatalincident.

Chairman of the Taskforce leading the Gas-to-Shore Project, Winston Brassington, during his presentation (Photo: OILNOW)

Jagdeo ignored threats of driving out investors with local content laws, but refusing to adopt same principle on contract renegotiation

“Not having done it Guyana is cognizant of the leaderforthisboldstep,even market and send the wrong elsewhere in the world in fact that the country holds as he continued to point out s i g n a l s ” h o w e v e r , Exxon’s global experience world class resources, also that a similar issue was government still managed to over the last many years is referencing the words of a evident when government strike an agreement for the not reason for not doing it previous speaker, President wantedtointroduceafinefor company to supply the gas now in Guyana If it’s of ExxonMobil Upstream flaring of associated gas freeofcharge. necessary to promote Oil and Gas Company, who offshore during production According to Jagdeo, sustainability, we are going said there must be a activities. “the gas is free…there is a toensurethatthathappens.” partnership for investors to “We had the same issue gas sales agreement but

This was the assurance make money as well as for here when we were trying to that’s the vehicle through given by Vice President the people of the country to redo the Environmental which we are paying for the Bharrat Jagdeo during the benefit. Permits and we were told, infrastructural cost on the opening of Guyana’s Energy At the same time, Jagdeo well we have never had to pipeline.” Conference on February 14, saidgovernmentisoftentold pay a carbon tax globally for It was against this relationship” they have been here. 2023. by the oil companies that flaring- because we have a backdrop that he made it accommodative.

ThePeople’sProgressive

The four-day event was they have “never done that no flaring policy and any clear “not having done it Even though Jagdeo said Party (PPP) said in its 2020 hosted at the Georgetown before and we didn’t do that flaring beyond the initial elsewhere in the world in government did not heed to Elections manifesto that the Marriott Hotel, under the elsewhere”. Forinstance,he period now, it starts at $45 Exxon’s global experience threats of Local Content administration would theme ‘Harnessing Energy explained, “When we spoke per tonne- and we were told over the last many years is shutting down the oil sector, engage in better contract for Development’ VP about Local Content we never did that before and not reason for not doing it his party has refused to a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o r Jagdeo was invited to speak Legislation, they were not we put it in the permits and nowinGuyana.” change the lopsided renegotiation of the oil deal, on Guyana’s Energy Policy very pleased with that and the companies have agreed He said the relationship Production Sharing however after assuming whenherequestedtodeviate we were told that it could toitandtheyhavepaidwhen with the oil companies has Agreement (PSA) signed office, the group now from the subject to address lead to shutting down they flared beyond the not been easy but “once the with Exxon in 2016, over believes in “sanctity of the country’s progress from operations here and we allowable limits,” Jagdeo government knows clearly fears that the oil company contracts” to ensure investor last year’s event and insight have done so and it didn’t boasted. what it wants out of this would cease operations confidence. into the driving factors of shut down the industry and Similarly, the Vice governmentpolicies. it’s driving more local President said Exxon cried

TheformerHeadofState businesshere.” that supplying the country said in his presentation that Delegates applauded the withfreegasmay“distortthe

Exxon continues to sideline populace with consultations for oil projects

…sets 2 ½ hours for one region, 17 ½ hours for five outlying regions & completely ignores Regions 7 to 10

EssoExplorationandProductionGuyana

The following day, February 28, the

Limited (EEPGL) ExxonMobil penultimate session will be held at the Guyana—together with the Environmental Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its TrainingCentre,PortMourant,Berbice. schedule for face-to-face sessions to be held On March 1, there will be a final session with the public as the developer aims to held at the Umana Yana in Georgetown, develop its fifth project in the prolific representingtheonlysessiontobeheldinthe StabroekBlock. largestpopulatedregionofthecountry

To this end, it was explained that the The Umana Yana is in Region Four, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Demerara-Mahaica, which as of 2012, was together with the Environmental Impact recorded at 313,429 that accounted for 41.71 Statement (EIS) have been submitted to the percentofGuyana’spopulation. EPAforevaluationandrecommendations In Region One, Barima-Waini where

As such, eight separate two and a half there are two proposed meetings, the hours sessions have been earmarked across population size was registered at just 26, 941 six of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions persons. As it relates to Region Three, beginning yesterday at the Flavio’s Hall, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara that SantaRosaRegionOne. accounts for 107,416 Guyanese while in

Another session is scheduled for today in Regionfivewheretherearealsotwoseparate Region One this time at the Regional sessions scheduled, Mahaica-Berbice Democratic Council’s (RDC) Office in the accountsfor49,723. Mabarumasub-district. Region Six, East Berbice-Corentyne,

The following day the face-to-face records109,431 persons. sessions will then head to the Anna Regina As such, it would mean that a two and a Town Hall on the Essequibo coast where half hour session to address the EIAand EIS anothermeetingisscheduled. is set aside for the large majority of the

With the following day being a National Guyanese population while, a total of five Holiday, the next session is scheduled for hourssetisasideforRegionOne. February 24, this time moving to Region Altogether, a total of two and a half hours Three where one session is scheduled for the has been set aside for 42 percent of the Leonora Technical Institute, West Coast country’s entire population while reserving, Demerara. 17 and a half hours for the rest of the

On February 27, the sessions would then country—minus Regions Seven, Eight, Nine move to the Mahaicony Technical Institute, and 10—or for 340, 321 persons across five EastCoastDemerara(ECD)at10:00hrsafter regions. With the exclusion of Regions which the session would head to the Seven,Eight,Nineand10,itwouldmeanthe LatchmanSinghPrimarySchool,WestCoast exclusion of 94,134 Guyanese from the Berbiceforbacktobackevents. engagementprocess.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo addressing the Energy Conference

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor-In-Chief:NIGEL

WILLIAMS

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

MORE LOANS

Ifthisisthefirstthingthatcomesoutofthemindsand mouths of leaders, then Guyanese are in for a long, hardtimethatgoesbeyondthisgeneration,thenext severalones. WhenwehearofGuyananowbeinginabetter place to access more loans from the brightest mind in the Government (KN February 17, 2023), then there is great alarm regarding where all this bingeing on debt is going to lead.

It can only be to a bad place, like we have been before: heavily indebted, a burdened population, and government helpless and useless on how to extricate citizens from the deep hole that leaders dug for them.At the end of the day, governments, Presidents,Vice Presidents, and Ministers of Financedonotrepaydebt. Itisthepeoplewhodo,througha varietyofmeasures,liketaxesandcostcutting,thatcripple them,leavethemwithoutmanythings.

WethoughtthatDr AshniSingh,amanofconsiderable learning, a minister of influential standing, would know better.All the textbooks and classrooms, the seminars and symposia, the lessons of debts and the harsh punishments thattheyinflictonpoorpopulationswouldhavegivenhim theinsightstosayno.

Notsomuch,notsoclosetogether,notsofrequently,not forsomanycostlyprojectsallatonce,notsomuchwithouta thought to the downside of debt. More than anyone else, Guyana’sMinisterofFinance,hasthewisdom(orheshould have)thatcomesfromhisknowledgeofthedebtcycleand howpunishingitcanbe.

Heknowsofoilmarketcyclesandwhatthatmeansinthe depressed economic way that they leave countries that gamble on prices of this precious, much in demand, commoditystayinghighperpetually

The debts incurred against oil revenues still have to be repaid, but now with less than was anticipated coming into the national treasury These slumps can be prolonged, and bringmucheconomicpainwiththem. Dr Singh,ascholar ofnomeanrepute,alsooughttoknowthatsuchpainisnotan abstraction,butofwhatisreal,andfeltbyrealpeople.

To make matters worse, the PPPC Government is not only hunting for any opportunity that opens up to borrow more,butitsleadersarealsodrawingdownfromthemoney depositedintothenation’sOilFundinaNewYorkbank.

Therainy-daymoney,theoilcushionforstormytimes,is beingdepletedinthemannerofajuvenilewhojustcameinto atrustfund,withmassive,reckless,splurgingresulting.The reality is that Guyana is borrowing, and draining its oil ‘reserve’ fund, at the same time, leaving this country exposedandvulnerabletothewhimsoftheoilmarket,and its known choppiness. Other countries that are bigger and stronger, and longer in the great oil game, have been capsizedbefore,withgreatnationaltraumasoccurring.

Dr AshniSingh,Guyana’smoneymanandwisefinance man, knows all of this, and we have only skimmed the surface.

Bingeingondebthasalmostalwaysledtobrutalisingof the population, when oil is used as the collateral for borrowing, and when oil markets experience a long, steep downturn.Oilpricesarehightoday,andwithChinapoised toadditsgiantweighttodemand,thereisthelikelihoodthat pricesaregoingtogohigher.

Already, the SaudiArabians have sounded the warning thattheirsparecapacitytogeneratemoredailyproductionis extremely thin, which could really ratchet up prices. And whenoilpricesgoup,justabouteverythingelsegoup.On the other hand, should some unforeseen development happen, then oil prices could plummet, which could leave Guyanainabind,givenitsincreasingdebtoverhang,GDP andotherratiosallconsidered.

The irony of all this is that as millions and billions are borrowed (or withdrawn from the Oil Fund), many in Guyanaarestillhangingbyathread:verylittleofthatmoney isreachingtheirhands.

They have oil, they are statistically rich, they are indebted more and more, and with that they live. They remainhungry,sometimesstillhopeful.

Ukraine: One year after

DEAREDITOR,

With the looming first anniversary of Russia’s invasionofUkraine,analysts and historians will long debate whether Russia’s securitywasindeedseverely compromised and its invasion of Ukraine in defence of its national security had any basis in international law and whether the United States and its allies were overambitious in expanding the European Union and NATO tothebordersofRussia.

Big debates will also likely continue whether President Biden and other Western leaders could have done more to assuage PresidentPutinnottoinvade Ukraineandavoidawarthat now looks as though no end isinsight.

P r o f e s s o r A l a n Bulharofsky, a scholar of ‘Russia and Public Opinion’ at Tufts University was quoted as saying; “No State canorshouldensureitsown security separately from the security of the rest of the world and at the expense of thesecurityofotherStates.”

Bulharofsky then rhetoricallyasked;

“When the U.S. drove five waves of NATO expansion eastward all the

waytoRussia’sdoorstepand deployed advanced offensive strategic weapons inbreachofitsassurancesto Russia, did it ever think about the consequences of pushing a big country to the wall?”

Historical data shows that diversionary wars fought beyond a country’s borders and aimed at concealing social and economic problems at home haveusuallyboomeranged.

Though a diversionary war might not be the casus beli, in Russia’s case, the bigger picture that potentially, could have impacted Russia’s internal and external stability should not be discounted. Note for example; Alexie Navalny’s trial and imprisonment that occurred just about one monthbeforetheinvasionof Ukraine; the January mass protests in Kazakhstan against the government and former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who led Kazakhstan for three decades as well as the mass demonstrations and protests against the Belarusian government and President AlexanderLukashenko,both alliesofPresidentPutin.

History tells us, that military aggression over

time, decreases the aggressors capacity to win. Weonlyhavetolookbackin historytofindthatbeginning with the defeat of Napoleon in 1815, followed by the defeat of imperial Germany in 1918, Hitlerite fascism in 1945, the defeat, of first the Frenchin1954,andthenthe USAin1975inVietnam;the invasion of Cuba by mercenaries at the Bay of Pigsin1961;France’sdefeat in Algeria in 1962, and the Portuguese in Angola, Mozambique and GuineaBissau in 1974. In all the above cases, the aggressor ran out of time and military options. The big question therefore is, will Russia’s invasionofUkraineproveto be an exception given the historicalantecedents?

The Russia-Ukraine war isnotjustawarbetweenthe twocountries,norisitjusta European war To adopt that position, would be to do so from a rather narrow perspective.

All thirty NATO countries including the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada are involved,onewayoranother inawarthatRussianForeign Minister, Sergei Lavrov described recently as “a comprehensivehybridwar.”

O b s e r v e r s h a v e described the war as having all the features of a proxy war.Theprincipalaimsbeing to punish, and if possible, defeat Russia militarily, weaken it financially and destroyiteconomically Clearly neither side is winning There is an apparent deadlock. Reports indicate that to break the deadlock,Russia,apartfrom mobilizing as many as 500,000 conscripts last month in addition to the 300,000 it called up in October last year; Reports indicate that Russia is amassing fighter jets on the borderwithUkraine.

And in response, President Zelenskyy has appealed for modern fighter jets but NATO’s focus is on the ground. The allies are pouring in artillery, armor and air defense systems to help Ukrainian forces fend off an impending Russian offensive.

TheUSwillsendlongerrange rocket artillery; Germanywillsend112ofthe older version of its Leopard OnetankswhileSouthKorea has been asked to provide weapons. An escalation of thewarisintheair Thestark objectivesofRussia’s

(Continuedonpage6)

CallingAttention to National Labour

DEAREDITOR,

Itwouldbeappreciatedif youkindlypublishthisletter, calling attention for the observance of national Labour laws, particularly at this time with the establishment of many new foreign and local companies inGuyana.

Calling Attention to National Labour Policy in Guyana

The system of industrial relations in Guyana is informed, influenced and functions within the norms of national legislation, international labour standards, and regional labourpolicyofCARICOM. The national Constitution of Guyana,thelabourlaws,and international labour conventions of the ILO, ratified by Guyana as treaty and international law, provide the legal basis, foundation, and framework for the conduct of labour relationsbytheGovernment, its agencies, and the social partnersrepresentedbytrade unions and employers and their organizations Together, these instruments constitutetheLabourcodeof

Guyanaasfollows:

(1) The Constitution –Chapter 1:01 of the Labour LawsofGuyana

Thegeneralprinciplesof Part 1, Chapter two of the Constitution:

• entitle trade unions to participate in the management and decisionmaking processes of the state, and particularly in the national, economic, social and cultural sectors of nationallife;

•recognizetheLabourof the people as the source of socialwealth;

• guarantee the right to work, including by socialist Labour laws, and by sustained efforts of trade unions with others to developtheeconomy;

• acknowledge the rights of every citizen to rest, recreation,andleisure;

•providerighttoequality ofopportunityandtreatment inallaspectsofemployment, education, social and politicallife;and

• impose a duty on the statetoprotectthejustrights and interests of citizens (workers)residentabroad.

The foregoing principles

are only enforceable in the courtsupontheenactmentof appropriatelegislation.

Part 1, Chapter III of the C o n s t i t u t i o n o n Fundamental Rights: Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the individual entitle every citizen basic rights without distinction anddiscriminationincluding the right, regardless of his/her race, origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex subject to the rights and freedoms of others and the publicinteresttofreedomof conscience, of expression, assembly, and association.

(Articles40,145,146,147)

Part 2, Title 1 of the Constitution provides specific rules for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of the individualsincluding:

•fromslaveryandforced Labour: “no person shall be heldinslaveryor servitude. No person shall be required to perform forcedlabour.”(Article140)

• the protection of freedom of assembly and association - the right of all citizens and residents to assemble and associate

freelyortoformorbelongto trade unions or associations of their own choosing to protect their interests

(Article147)

(2) Essential Labour Lawsare:

a)TheTradeUnionsAct, Chapter 98:03 (No. 17 of 1921), provides for registrationandregulationof trade unions, their rights, protection, obligations, the registrationofrules,changes in rules, amalgamation, the rendering of financial accountability, audit of accounts, and the report of the Registrar to the National Assembly

b)TheEssentialServices Act, Chapter 54:01 (No. 44 of 1956). This Act provides for the establishment of an Arbitration Tribunal to determine trade disputes in public utility undertakings and the listed essential services The Act also prohibits strikes and lockouts, and provides for a trade dispute procedure, and for the establishment and functioningofthearbitration tribunal.

c)LabourAct,Chapter (Continuedonpage5)

CallingAttention toNational...

Frompage4 98:01: (No. 2 of 1942), p r o v i d e s f o r t h e establishment of the Ministry of Labour, for the regulationoftherelationship between employers and employees, appointment of theChiefLabourOfficerand staff, the statutory responsibility of the Chief Labour Officer and the PermanentSecretary

TheActalsoprovidesforthe conciliation in industrial disputes, defines the powers of the Minister to intervene in trade disputes, and to establish advisory committees, procedures for the regulation of wages and hours of work, rights and obligations of employees, and the status and enforceability of collective agreements.

( d) Trade Union Recognition Act Chapter 98:07 (No. 33 of 1997), providesfor

p r o c e d u r e s f o r determining appropriate bargaining units and for certifying trade unions as recognized majority unions for collective bargaining purposesbyaseven-member trade union recognition and certification board, a corporatebody

The Act also defines the composition of the board, their appointment by the Minister, the secretariat of the Board, the duties of the board, procedures for hearing, and determining compulsoryrecognition,and the duty to treat and bargain in good faith by employers andtradeunions.

(e) Termination of Employment and Severance

PayAct,Chapter99:08(No. 19of1997),providesforthe conditions governing termination of employment, and the grant of redundancy or severance payment to employees for reasons connected with redundancy

The Act defines unfair dismissalsandtheprocessof termination, including termination on the grounds of redundancy, and the formula for severance allowance.

(f) Prevention of DiscriminationAct, Chapter 99:09 (No. 26 of 1997), provides for the elimination of discrimination in employment, training, r e c r u i t m e n t , a n d membership of professional bodies The Act also provides for the promotion of equal remuneration for

work of equal value It f u r t h e r p r o h i b i t s discrimination, defines unlawfuldiscrimination,and p r o t e c t s a g a i n s t d i s c r i m i n a t i o n i n employment, and protection against discrimination in otherareas.

(g) Occupational Safety and Health Act, Chapter 99:10 (No. 32 of 1977). provides for the registration and regulation of industrial establishments, and for occupational safety and health of persons at work. TheActalsoprovidesforthe establishment and functions ofnationaladvisorycouncil, a n d A u t h o r i t y o n Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), defines the power and authority of an inspector of labour, medical i n s p e c t o r , O S H commissioner and their appointments.

TheAct further provides for the participation of nongovernmental agencies through safety and health representatives and joint workplace and health committees with defined functionsandpowers.

The duties of the employer, supervisors, workers, occupiers, owners, and directors are clearly set outintheAct.

In relation to hazardous chemicals, physical and biological agents, the Act requires their identification and hazardous nature with appropriate inventories, and regulates their use, storage, instruction, and training Notificationofaccidentsand occupational diseases, inquest in case of death by accident or occupational disease are further requirementsofthisAct.

(h) National Insurance andSocialSecurity,Chapter 36:01ActNo.15of1969

This Act provides for a systemofnationalinsurance and social security for old age, invalidity, survivors, sickness, maternity, and funeral benefits for all employees bases on contributions of the employees and the employers The Act also complements compensation under the Workmen’s Compensationlawforinjury or accidental death arising out of, or in the course of employment or disease due tothenatureofemployment. TheActfurtherestablishesa NationalInsuranceFund.

Sincerely

SamuelJ.Goolsarran

Freddie has found his deserved niche

DEAREDITOR,

One, Mahindra Persaud, asked about the ‘Silence f r o m a l l o n t h e discontinuance of (the) Freddie Kissoon’s column (intheKN).

He explains that “ everyone is entitled to share hisorherviewsonmattersof national interests. (and that) Freddie Kissoon was denied hisrightsandnotavoicehas spoken or written about this greatactofsilencingavoice that speaks for many of Guyana’s voiceless ” So, whatismytake?

First, if ever Freddie Kissoon ‘was denied his rights,’ it was when he was ‘fired’ by the present government from UG, a matter which I will not comment on right now). As Mr Glen Lall pointed out, “Publishers reserve the right to part with any contributor at any given time, particularly when the contributor is being paid a salary.”

Simply put, Glen Lall’s philosophy for his newspaper was not being adhered to by Freddie Kissoon, and in remaining recalcitrant, Freddie ‘dismissed’himself.

Readers,pleasenotethat this was the exact scenario withAdamHarris.

Harris could not deliver the ‘candour’ that characterises Lall, and ‘out’ he went. In Harris’s case, he couldnotexerciseequaland unbiased ‘objectivity’ againsttheAPartnershipfor National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) for their 2020 elections rigging attempts. He came over as a partisanemployee.

Thesameisthesituation withFreddieKissoon.

The very evils he wrote about the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) during their 19922015 tenure, he seems to haveforgotten,andforsome reason, he is pre-occupied withlambastingAPNU/AFC for their rigging attempts. Thatisnow,ateverylevel,a non-issue. It is consummate boredom and even the Commission of Inquiry into theriggingsdidnotgenerate the expected levels of interest.

Let me say forthrightly, that Glen Lall historically hasshownnofavourorbias. His various media platforms were and are still open to focus on issues that need confrontation He has remained steadfast and neutralregardingtherigging attempts, secret oil deals, lackoftransparency,poverty

and a host of other matters, andhecareslittleforwhoare the culpable ones, as he is equally generous and scathing against any and all regimes, namely the PPP/C andtheAPNU/AFC.

He may lack the conventional ways of doing things,butwhateverhedoes, andtheprincipleshefollows, remain consistent. He expects this of his employees, and they all knowthisbeforehand.

I am reminded of Room 592. When that programme stormed Guyana and the Diaspora, PPP-ites were exhilarated.

The big-wigs of Anil Nandlall and Jagdeo capitalised on this Yog Mahdeoshow Sowhy,now, because the Lall sees ‘governmental follies’ he must remain silent. I think this is the major reason his platform is so far-reaching and his viewership and audienceoutnumber,maybe the combined efforts of the StabroekNews,TheGuyana Times and the Guyana Chronicle.Forme,GlenLall is the embodiment of ‘fairness’ and ‘real’ democracy

Secondly Editor, please take note that I am not attempting to ingratiate myself to you, or anyone. I am safely removed from Guyana (geographically and economically).

I have a simple job in NorthAmericawhereIhave been residing with my family, a working wife and two children (both in schools). I escaped Guyana legally

I now live with no

pervasive fear, like that of being ‘choked and robbed,’ attackedonthestreets,being avictimofahomeinvasion, killed in the road chaos or stressedoutbypoorservices from the Neighbourhood DemocraticCouncilandlack of police interventions in issues such as noise nuisance.

Imagine people are still fearful of going into Georgetown, especially in certain areas and at certain hours.

Imagine, when blackout comeson,whichisfrequent, mywashingisleft(un)hung up. Imagine buying bottled water in a land that boasts about ‘portable’ water The list is interminable. Now for a word on Freddie Kissoon.

The man is either functioninginanintoxicated stupor or suffering from impairedmemory,orevenan injuredmentality

Letmeillustrate.In“The rise and role of paranoia in the PPP,” Jul 21, 2008, he rantedthat“Mr Jagdeoisno different from his predecessors who lived many moons before he was born. I continuously refer to thePPPasaculture.

All its leaders are

prisonersofthatculture.Mr Jagdeo was not born when the paranoia took over He wasn’t born when the paranoia reached horrible levels in the sixties. But his reaction, like that of all PPP leaders gone before him, is oneofparanoia.”

In his “Elected dictatorshipandEastIndians like me.” Jul 16, 2008 Freddie Kissoon wrote that “Daysafterthe2006general elections,Iwrotethatonthe day I saw the breakdown of the election results I was ashamed to be an East Indian.

Itakebacknotonesingle word in that article Looked at from any angle –moral, philosophical, political, scientific– it was wrongforthegreatmassesof East Indians to have voted back the PPP into office. There was in 2006 no conceivable reason why the East Indian communities should have returned to power a group of politicians thatdidnotachieveanything forthebulkoftheEastIndian population but more so constituted and constitutes a cabal that is corrupt, undemocraticand

(Continuedonpage6)

Ukraine: One year...

Frompage4

enemies aside, the fundamental question is; what would this world look like at the end of the war? Will the loses on both sides be accepted by the next generation of Russians and Ukrainiansasthelegacyofa differenttime?Aboutthiswe canonlyspeculatesincetobe clairvoyant presupposes supernaturalimplications.

Will the outcome see another fallacious ‘end of history’ or, to put it more mildly, the end of a era for Russia and the beginning another for Ukraine or vice versa?

Or will we see the emergence of a new global human order where the extant world order, is replaced by a more humane onewithgreateremphasison and more concrete efforts to bring an end to global poverty, hunger and underdevelopment,resulting in the ushering in of prosperityforallandnotjust afew

Manyhavecalledforand end to the war and for a returntodiplomaticeffortsto b r i n g a b o u t a political/diplomatic solution totheconflict.

But what will be the

natureofthis‘end’themany are calling for? Will there everbeadiplomaticsolution manysoferventlyseek?The answers to these questions arenotclear,atleastnotyet.

Reflecting on the question of wars, Thomas Aquinas, Italian priest and philosopherasked;“Whenis a war just’?’then answered; “For a war to be just three conditions are necessary; There needs to be a right authority to declare war; a just cause, and a right intention on the part of the belligerents ie; achieving somegoodoravoidingsome evil”.

Placed in the context of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, these are searching questions that continue to stir debates in diplomatic, academic and political circles worldwide. Meanwhile,PopeFrancisfor his part, in his 2022 Christmas Day Message called for an immediate end to the “senseless” war in Ukraine.

As humanity marks the first anniversary of the conflict, small states like Guyana with a border controversyanddisputetoits East and West respectively, cannotstandbyponderingas

it were what position it should adopt in the face of theongoingwarinEuropeas if it is of no relevance to us. We are affected in many ways as in the supply chain, food security, global inflation and international transportation.

It is for these reasons we mustcontinuetoadvocatein favour of the Caribbean as a ZoneofPeaceandforworld peace and international security How to advance thesegoalsandtoavoidwar is debatable In the meantime, we must exert every effort to link these questions to our own geostrategic and national interests.

According to Indian political scientist, Noor Ahmed Baba; “After all, countries balance principles with real politicking and diplomacy”

Efforts must be made to encourage others in mass organizations as well as Guyanese personalities belonging to religious bodies, academia, trade unions, environmentalists, journalists,artistsandretired diplomats to join in the advocacy

Yoursfaithfully, Clement

J.Rohee

Freddie has found his deserved...

Frompage5 hopelesslyincompetent.You wantmore?

I can go on ad infinitum, and if one can stand Freddie’s ennui, Kaieteur News archives can be accessed, so I will add just thisinfantilepieceonVishnu Bisram, PPP/C’s apologist.

In pillorying the man,

Freddie Kissoon described him as a quack, saying that “Justincaseyoudon’tknow, bismuth is a chemical in the periodic table … one of its values is its changing form I am using the word here in that context ” He elaboratedthat“Itmaycome acrossasfunnytoyoutoread me referring to Vishnu

Bisram as Bismuth Bisram but I have no jocular intention. I believe Vishnu Bisram’s changing forms have caught up with him (as it has Freddie Kissoon) Bisram had gotten into enormous tangles when confronted with the reality thatthereisnogroupnamed NACTAandthathe,Bisram, isnotateacherintheUS.

Enough is enough Freddie Kissoon has found hisdestiny

He has no belonging in anything political nor academic. In “Lie detector and electricity theft,” May 19, 2008, he concluded that “In the two and a half years thatareleftinhis(Jagdeo’s) tenure, that he has lived under the power of Mr Burnham. (and) I will stand upinanyforuminanypartof the world and say that the Burnham Government was less corrupt than what we h a v e t o d a y ( t h e PPP/C) and I say most unashamedly that if there shouldbeatribunalsetupto investigate any of the postIndependentgovernmentsin Guyanafordubiousfinancial conduct,itshouldbethepost 1992regime.”

Yourstruly, PrescottMann

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

LOANS COULD KILL US

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

The only thing that the PPP now know is borrowing.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

The thing that the PPP prioritizes is raiding the Oil Fund.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

Debt is a trap that could tie Guyanese hand and foot.

Where would the PPP financial mandarins be then?

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

Who, but Guyanese, will be left holding, fetching, the debt bag?

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

EPA ignores concerns of unsigned EIA submitted by Exxon for 5th project

…commences consultation with incomplete study

The Environmental ramifications as the departure and previous comment period has not and ExxonMobil are ProtectionAgency (EPA) on company can walk away departures from established been triggered, as the EPA violating basic principles of Mondaycommencedaseries disowning the study in the practice in relation to has not followed the law It fair consultation as well as of consultations with the future. ExxonMobil’s applications has failed to provide a c i t i z e n s ’ r i g h t s t o public to discuss impacts Yesterday, the EPA undermine public trust and document on its website that information and to be from ExxonMobil’s fifth oil started public stakeholder confidence in the fairness can be identified as an EIA consulted as specified by the project- Uaru- even though engagement even though the a n d q u a l i t y o f t h e submittedbyExxonMobilin Environmental Protection the Environmental Impact study has not been signed. Environmental Assessment relation to the company’s Act. Assessment (EIA), which Efforts to contact Parsram Process and begs the a p p l i c a t i o n f o r a n In fact, she believes even forms the foundation for the werenotsuccessful. question of Exxon’s environmentalpermit.” Acorn International is discussions,isincomplete. In the meantime, commitment to good In the absence of the equallyresponsible. Environmentalist, Mangal-Joly in an invited Environmental and Social company’s signature, she “The consultants Simone Mangal-Joly in a c o m m e n t t o l d t h i s Governance practices, she argued that the public has no involved in the preparation letter to the Executive newspaper that she has not said. way of knowing where the of this study are complicit Director of the EPA, Kemraj received a response from the Exxon’sEIAfortheUaru document on the EPA’s whether knowingly or Parsram dated February 18, Head of the EPA regarding project was published by the website came from and inadvertently Their 2023, alerted the regulator such a serious violation of EPA since January 8, 2023. whether it is complete and obligation to ensure an and verified complete and that the EIA submitted by theengagementprocess. This date also marked the truthful. authentic stakeholder accurate document or Exxon’s consultant, Acorn She explained that the commencement of a 60-day A s s u c h , t h e engagement process does otherwise - then both the International is not certified government has long had the comments period in which environmentalist insisted, not end when they submit a veracity and technical since the developer’s commendable practice of members of the public can “The process must stop and draft Environmental Impact quality of their study signatureismissing. making certified EIA offercommentsorquestions. the EPA must restart the 60- Assessment They are becomes suspect To be

Environmentalist, Simone Mangal-Joly

As pointed out before, documents available on the According to Mangal- day public comment period obligated to consider the clear, procedural fairness is this can have serious EPA’s website This Joly,“The60-dayEIApublic on the date that the full and feedbackthepublicprovides particularly impactful in the certified EIA becomes in the 60-day comment conduct of an EIA available through all means periodinanyrevisionsofthe Procedural fairness not only advertised in the Public EIA and in their submission affects the public’s legal Notice.” of a final document,” rights but also the scope and

She reasoned that by Mangal-Jolyexplained. depth of technical analyses. continuing to hold oral She added, “If public The public performs a consultationmeetings,while feedback has been tampered f u n d a m e n t a l a n d the public is deprived of the with in anyway - either by complementaryroleto certified EIA, both the EPA failure to provide a certified (Continued on page 9)

GYSBI boasts of 1000-day injury-free work force

Guyana Shore Base Inc. through focus and an all- reaching this achievement (GYSBI)saidithasrecorded round commitment from our trulyremarkable. a milestone of zero Lost team and our clients. Our “ T h i s i n c r e d i b l e Time Injuries (LTI) for the operations are a testament to milestone could not have past1000Days. investment in infrastructure, been achieved without the

LTI refers to an injury best-in-class fleet of exceptional teamwork and sustained on the job by an equipment, and the attention to detail by our employee, which results in necessary maintenance and dedicated and committed the loss of productive work expertise and management staff.What really matters for time In a press release systems needed to upkeep usattheendofthedayisthat GYSBI said lost time them Our in-house and everybody goes home safe. injuries encompass both third-party training and We do not compromise on temporary injuries that keep certification programmes safety As a world-class the employee away from also allow us to harness the shore base and logistics work for a day as well as greatest of our resources, the provider, safety governs permanent disabilities and staffofGYSBI.Everyoneof every aspect of how we do conditions that prevent the our staff comes to GYSBI business. I am very proud of employee from ever under the umbrella of our impressive achievement returning to the job or unwaveringsafety,”hesaid. a n d e x t e n d m y performing their regular Andy Dowson, GYSBI’s congratulationstoourteam,” worktasks. QHSSE Manager, said that he said. In 2022, GYSBI

D e p u t y G e n e r a l the Oil and Gas sector, with copped two first places and Manager of GYSBI, Rabin its high-paced environment one second place at the Chandarpal said that this requires strict adherence to Government of Guyana/ achievement is not by safety practices. He noted Ministry of Labour’s 2022 c h a n c e , b u t r a t h e r that when all elements are Occupational Health and demonstrates an enduring considered – including Safety Awards. GYSBI is and all rounded commitment having a workforce of more the largest shore base by the Management and than 700 workers, most of throughout the country and Staff of the company to whomareGuyaneseandnew provides employment for protect its greatest assets, its to the oil and gas sector, a 705 persons, 95 percent of people “This is a 155 acres facility, and whom are local Guyanese. remarkable achievement in working thousands of hours Its US$25M Heavy Lift any industry, anywhere in – successfully managing all Berths were recently the world. Safety doesn’t t h e s e c o m p o n e n t s commissioned by President happen by chance but simultaneously makes Dr MohamedIrfaanAli.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

The cardinal rule in journalism is that facts are sacred and that nothing is to beassumedtobefactunless checked.Ioncereadabouta sign in an editorial room which stated, “If your mother says she loves you, checkitout!”

The second cardinal rule is that the obvious is never that simple. Just recently a friendasked,“PeepingTom, wheredoyoulive?”

The question had an obvious answer. I found myself however asking myself,“WheredoIlive?”

“Where exactly does a man live?” Is it where you sleep at nights? I know of some men who sleep at a different house every other night.

1. So where exactly do they live? Most men spend themajorityofworkingdays outside of the home?So can we say that we live at home ordoweliveintheoffice?

Little Johnny and Susie, each five years old, decided to get married. So Little Johnny went to Susie’s dad to ask for her hand in marriage.

“Where will you live?” asked Susie’s dad, thinking thiswascute.

“Well,” said Little Johnny, “I figured I could justmoveintoSusie’sroom. It’splentybigforbothofus.”

“And how will you live?”

“I get $5 a week allowance and Susie gets $5 a week allowance That shouldbeenough.”

Getting exasperated since Little Johnny seemed to know all the answers, Susie’s dad asked, “And what if little ones come along?”

“Well,” said Little Johnny, “we’ve been lucky sofar.”

2 Once you have identified a place that you can call home, the next step istoknowtheaddress.

A fire department once

received a call from an excited man. “Help me, my houseisonfire!!”

The fireman says, “Wheredoyoulive?”

The man replies, “I am too excited, I can’t tell you theexactaddress.”

The fireman asks, “How do you expect us to get there?”

The man replies, “What doyoumean‘how’?Thebig redtruck.”

Regardlessofwhereyou live,knowyouraddress.One night, two police officers saw this old woman staggering down the street, stopping her they could tell she had had far too much to drink, and instead of taking hertojailtheydecidedtojust driveherhome.

As they drove through the streets they kept asking the woman where she lived, all she would say as she stroked one of the officer’s arms was “You’re Passionate” They drove awhile longer and asked again, again the same response as she stroked his arm“You’rePassionate”.

Theofficersweregetting alittleupsetsotheystopped the car and said to the woman, “Look we have driven around this City for two hours and you still haven’t told us where you live.

She replied I kept trying to tell you: “You’re Passin’ It!”

Some people usually walk with a small folder in which they write down personaldetailssuchastheir blood-type,acontactperson incaseofanemergency,and theiraddress.

This is helpful in some respects since should you have an accident there is information for your family tobecontacted.Ontheother hand, should you lose that folder some stranger can haveaccesstoyourpersonal details.

3. Once you are home

and know your address, you must next know how to get there?

A policeman pulled an inebriated driver over after he had been driving the wrong way on a one-way street.

Cop: Do you know whereyouweregoing?

Thedriversaid,“No,but whereveritis,itmustbebad because all the cars were leaving.”

Knowingwhereishome, knowing the address, knowing how to spell that addressandknowinghowto find one’s way home is howevernotall.

4. Where you live must be a special place, somewhere that you can enjoy even if it is on a desertedisland.

A man found himself swept up on the shore of an island with no other people, no supplies, nothing but bananasandcoconuts.Sofor the next four months he ate bananas, drank coconut juice,longedforhisoldlife, andfixedhisgazeonthesea, hopingtospotarescueship.

Oneday,ashewaslying on the beach, he spotted movement out of the corner of his eye. It was a rowboat, and in it was the most gorgeouswomanhehadever seen.Sheroweduptohim.

Indisbelief,heaskedher: “Wheredidyoucomefrom? Howdidyougethere?”

“I rowed from the other side of the island,” she said.

“I landed here when my cruiseshipsank.”

“Amazing,” he said, “I didn’tknowanyoneelsehad survived. How many of you are there? You were really lucky to have a rowboat washupwithyou.”

“It’s only me,” she said, “and the rowboat didn’t washup;nothingdid.”

He was confused, “Then how did you get the rowboat?”

“Oh,simple,”repliedthe woman.“Imadeitoutofraw

EPA ignores concerns of unsigned EIA...

Frompage8 technical specialists in the developmentofanEIA.The Public is a co-constructor of an EIA, as stakeholders are best placed to identify and interrogate the various ways in which their interests may beaffected.”

The Environmentalist told Kaieteur News that the EPA cannot argue that a certified and complete copy of the EIA is available in hard copy at their office or elsewhere as the documents on the website must be

identical to those housed elsewhere.

Similarly, she noted that the regulator also cannot arguethattheEnvironmental Protection Act does not requirewebdisclosure,since the agency undertook to provideitbythatmeansand informthepublicofsuch.

An EIA forms the foundationforapermittobe grantedtoadeveloperbythe EPA.

The document is intended to clearly outline the risks a project can cause

material that I found on the island.”

“But, but, that’s impossible,” stuttered the man. “You had no tools or hardware — how did you manage?”

“Oh, that was no problem,” the woman said. “On the south side of the island, there is a very unusual stratum of exposed alluvialrock.IfoundthatifI fired it to a certain temperature in my kiln, it meltedintoforgeableductile iron.Iusedthatfortools,and used the tools to make the hardware. But enough of that.Wheredoyoulive?”

Sheepishly, the man confessed that he had been sleeping on the beach the wholetime.

“Well, let’s row over to myplace,then,”shesaid.

After a few minutes of rowing, she docked the boat atasmallwharf.Astheman lookedontoshore,henearly fell out of the boat. Before

himwasastonewalkleading to an exquisite bungalow painted in blue and white. Whilethewomantiedupthe rowboat with an expertly woven hemp rope, the man could only stare ahead, dumbstruck.

As they walked into the house,shesaidcasually,“It’s notmuch,butIcallithome. Sitdown,please;wouldyou liketohaveadrink?”

“No, no, thank you,” he said,stilldazed.“Ican’ttake anymorecoconutjuice.”

“It’s not coconut juice,” thewomanreplied.“Ihavea still How about a pina colada?”

Trying to hide his continued amazement, the man accepted, and they sat downonhercouchtotalk.

A f t e r t h e y h a d exchanged their stories, the woman announced, “I’m going to slip into something morecomfortable.

When she returned, the womangreetedhimwearing

nothing but vines –strategically positioned. She beckonedforhimtositdown nexttoher

“Tell me,” she began suggestively, slithering closer to him, “We’ve been outhereforaverylongtime. You’ve been lonely. There’s something I’m sure you really feel like doing right now,somethingyou’vebeen longingforallthesemonths? Youknow….”

Shestaredintohiseyes. Hecouldn’tbelievewhat he was hearing: “You mean…,” he replied, “I can checkmye-mailfromhere?”

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

and state measures that will be taken to mitigate or respond to such events

Given the important nature of the document, project developers are required to affix their signature/s to guarantee that they not only accept the environmental study, but more importantly, its findings and assurances for response activities. By attaching their signatures, it legally ties the company to accept liabilities caused as a result of the listed impacts, likelytobecaused.

Nine men charged, released on $300k bail for Mon Repos ‘terror’

Theninemen,whowere arrested for alleged acts of terrorism at the Mon Repos Market last year, were on Monday released on

$300,000 bail each after they were charged for the offence. Making their first court appearance in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court were: Tony MacKinnon, Terrance Adolphus Nedd, Anthony English, Carlos Kingston, Mark Hercules, Keon Glasgow, Juillian Peters, Dave Berkshire and Phillip Burke. The men appeared

before Magistrate Alisha George.

The nine accused were not required to plead to the indictable charge

Magistrate George granted the men bail to the tune of $300,000 each and ordered that they lodge their passportswiththecourtand report to the Cove and John PoliceStationonthe14thof every month. The matter was adjourned to February 28,2023.

Kaieteur News had reported that the men are b e i n g a c c u s e d o f

Carlos Walkie Glasgow Burke

Some of the men who were arrested and charged for the Mon Repos unrest which occurred last year June.

committing terrorist acts by looting stalls and burning vehicles at the Mon Repos,

EastCoastDemerara(ECD) during protest actions in June, 2022 over the killing

ofQuindonBacchus,25,by a special branch rank, Kristoff DeNobrega.

Amisleading report that the suspect was freed had reportedly sparked protests at Golden Grove, ECD and later spread to other nearby villages.

Kaieteur News had reported that protestors began their march from Golden Grove, passed through the villages of

Melanie,Coldingen,Bladen Hall, Strathspey, Vigilance, Friendship, Buxton, Annandale,Lusignan,Good Hope and stopped at Mon Repos where stalls were looted and persons beaten. During the protest, roads were blocked with debris and burning tires while scores of people were allegedlybeatenandrobbed. As police continue its investigations, they are hunting for three more men whoarestillatlarge.

Dave

Whim/Bloomfield NDC receives tractor-trailer to assist with garbage collection, other services

Residents from the work needed so we are into a fund to watch it grow villages,”heexplained. v i l l a g e s o f W h i m , making these investments,” We are committed to He disclosed that it is the Bloomfield, and other henoted. feeding, building, and hope of the government that surrounding areas along the Prime Minister, Hon ensuring all the people are the village’s agricultural Corentyne Coast will now Mark Phillips said that alive today benefit from that activitiesarerevitalizedwith benefit from improved Guyana is currently money, while at the same the planned infrastructural services with the addition of experiencing accelerated time, we’ll put aside an upgrades that will be abrand-newtractor-trailerto growth and that the amountsofuturegenerations executed during the course theregion’sfleet. government was focused on can benefit That is our oftheyear

The new addition comes ensuring that both the approach to government,” “This year, right here in followingmountingrequests p r e s e n t a n d f u t u r e thePrimeMinisternoted. Whim, 14 streets will be from residents and members generations benefit from the Meanwhile, Minister built. We’ve already desilted of the Whim/Bloomfield funds received from the Mustapha also told the almost all of the internal Neighborhood Democratic country’s oil and gas g a t h e r i n g t h a t t h e drains in the community Council (NDC) for resources. government has been We’ve started to do assistance with a tractor to

“We are now at a stage in working to strengthen the excavation works in the complement garbage Guyana where all of us are infrastructure within the cultivation areas so that collection activities within experiencing and being part villages after they would’ve farmers can go back to the thevillages. o f a c c e l e r a t e d been neglected prior to land.WeknowthatthisNDC

During several meetings development;development August 2020. “I know for a used to produce a lot of last year, residents voiced at a faster pace than anyone fact that in this community agriculture products, Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha withatractorandwearehere their concerns over the of us would’ve experienced and in a number of other especiallyrice. handed over keys of a $5 t o d e l i v e r o n t h a t unhygienic state in several before in Guyana... When communities, we’ve seen Weareworkingovertime million tractor-trailer which commitment. I hope that the parts of the villages as you look around you see m a n y p i e c e s o f to ensure we rebuild the was procured by the NDC uses the tractor garbage would be piled up streets are being done; infrastructure were infrastructure, desilt the Agriculture Ministry’s effectively because many for days in designated and hospitals are being repaired neglected Since we’ve canals, and replace and A g r i c u l t u r e S e c t o r residents have been undesignated areas for or new hospitals are being resumed office, we’ve upgrade the existing Development Unit (ASDU) complaining that their garbage disposal When constructed; you’re seeing started a transformation in infrastructuresothatyoucan under the Rural Agriculture garbage has been piling up questioned, members of the water treatment facilities this community. Over 21 go back to the land. When I Infrastructure Development and that the NDC is not NDC indicated that they being done; housing streets were either built of came here two months ago, I (RAID) project to members effective in their garbage were in need of a tractor- schemes in all regions of the are in the process of being said that within months oftheNDCforusewithinthe collectionservices.Nowthat trailer to carry out the country…I’m here to tell completed. Right here in you’d have a new pump. In villages. they have a tractor, they will necessary services but you that you have a Whim; when you look at the less than two months we’ve

While offering remarks, use it for that purpose. The because of the lack of funds government that is focused entire Whim/Bloomfield installed that pump and it is Minister Mustapha said central government has they were unable to procure not only on collecting the oil NDC; it is the most flood- functional today,” he noted.

residents have been given support in this and one. They also said that it and gas money and putting it prone area out of the three (DPI) complaining about garbage everyNDCandmunicipality was affecting both the health collection services within around this country because and commercial activities of the area which continued to we know,in many cases, the those residing within the pose health threats to those monies collectedfrom catchmentoftheNDC. residing within the NDC residents for rates and taxes

Prime Minister, Mark catchment. “We committed cannot carry out all of the Phillips and Agriculture to assisting the community necessary infrastructural

King of Chutney!

Bunty Singh was on Sunday night crowned the king of Chutney at the completion of the Chutney Monarch Competition 2023 held at the Skeldon Ground, Berbice. Singh scored 237 points to be placed first with Sonia Singh gaining 215 points to come in at second. Third place went to Roger Hinds with 211 points and Haresh Singh scored 198 for the fourth position.

U.S State now seeks 25% royalty from oil companies

-Senatorsays:

New Mexico has from charging market rates Office is backing the bill, competitive bidding. That of volume and value, or the SunaleiStewart. introduced a bill that could onourresources.” which would raise the rate refers to the most productive “best of the best,” said Land “Regular,” or less increase the current 20% The media entity only for leases on tracts with the highest oil- O f f i c e D e p u t y productivetracts,would royalty the state receives reported that the State Land “premium” land offered in and-gas reservoirs in terms CommissionerofOperations (Continued on page 15) from oil and gas companies to25%.

This move by New Mexico, a state in the Southwestern United States, comes at a time when American oil giant, ExxonMobil-theoperatorof Guyana’s Stabroek Block which has an estimated 11 billion barrels of oil pays a mere 2% royalty to the country The 2016 deal Guyanasignedontohasbeen

heavily criticised as being lopsided and civil society groups and citizens have b e e n c a l l i n g f o r a renegotiation of the contract but their calls have fallen on deafearsthusfar

The Albuquerque

Journal reported that the legislative initiative by New Mexico could not only raise the royalty rate for oil and gas produced on state lands but could potentially generate up to US$84M in new annual revenue. It was statedthatearlierthismonth, New Mexico’s Senate Conservation Committee approved the proposal, Senate Bill 164, in a partyline 6-2 vote. The bill is cosponsored by three Albuquerque Democrats, Senators Bill Tallman and Harold Pope, and State Representative Debbie Sariñana.

TheJournalreportedthat Tallman told committee members in the February 7 hearing that increasing the royalty rate, which hasn’t changed since the 1970s, would put New Mexico on a par with Texas, which charges25%.

“Ourroyaltyratewaslast updated 50 years ago, but Texas has been at 25% since the 1990s,” Tallman said adding, “… It doesn’t make sense to prohibit the state

“itdoesn’tmakesensetoprohibitthestatefromchargingmarketratesonourresources”

New Mexico State Senator, Bill Tallman

Migrant indigenous group gets food and hygiene supplies from CDC

The Civil Defence The location has access Commission (CDC) on topotablewater,andassuch, Sundaydonatedaquantityof the Commission has agreed much needed resources to a to donate three (3) water significant group of tanks to assist with proper Venezuelan indigenous water storage. Additionally migrants living in Lethem, sixty (60) collapsible water Upper Takutu-Upper containers, sixty (60) food Essequibo(Region9). hampers, at least two dozen T h e i n t e r v e n t i o n (24) IOM baby kits and a surfaced after the Mayor of large quantity of towels and Lethem indicated that the bathing soap have been migrants are living in less- distributed Among the than-ideal circumstances in migrants are at least ten (10) the town’s industrial district, pregnantwomen. the Department of Public The water tanks will be Information(DPI)reported. handed over in the next 24 An average of 50 hours to the migrant area via households, mainly of the Mayor’s Office and the women and small children, indigenous persons there are currently residing in the willbemonitoredcloselyfor area that the Mayor has health and safety reasons, temporarilyprovided. DPIsaid.

Preparedness and Response Manager (ag), Captain Lakshman Persaud (white T-shirt) and other staff of the CDC distributing supplies

The Corporate Sustainability Review celebrates 10 years

The Corporate must be led from the top, the Sustainability CEO, the Board, and point Review (CSR) persons who will help to

recently launched change behaviours and its 10th annual edition on e m b e d e n l i g h t e n e d reporting and telling the philosophy and corporate stories of corporate action in policy.” It’s not about public creating a more sustainable relations or branding Caribbean. “Companies that get ESG

Over the past decade, right will find that their selfsome 40 companies have image and reputations are been featured in this enhanced as a by-product. publication that is dedicated CSR is an indicator, a step in to demonstrating how the right direction, taking business and communities Singh-Ramsammy business for profit towards should co-create better attributes her interest in a fulfilling its obligation to societies. commongoodtoherfather’s benefit the society as its true

Established in 2013, the influence.Veteran Guyanese andvisionarygoal.

Corporate Sustainability journalist, Rickey Singh is a In this issue readers get a Review (CSR) is a content- political journalist who was glimpse of social strategies rich magazine that is committed to fairness and being implemented by delivered in both digital and transparency in reporting. companies in Banking and print formats and aims to She explains that the Finance, Energy, and make available to readers publication has evolved to Manufacturing.Thereisalso what’s happening across the reflect societal changes and a CSR Honour Role of past Caribbean in the area of corporate responses to participants, most of which Sustainability critical matters encapsulated are from Guyana and T&T

T h i s i n s i g h t f u l in the UN Sustainable L o c a l l y o p e r a t i n g publication also tells the Development Goals. It has companies featured in the stories of the corporate been “an on-going seminar CSR include Metro i n t e r v e n t i o n s a n d in the progress of conscious G u y a n a , D e m e r a r a investments that business business – and still growing D i s t i l l e r s , E m t e c , and NGOs are making in to reflect the best business ExxonMobil,RepublicBank striking meaningful social practicesforthetimes.” Guyana, the Massy Group, partnerships that build The 2022 special edition Nexus Hub Inc, Demerara capacity and capability isthemed‘Aligningbusiness Bank, Technip FMC and the a c r o s s t h e E n g l i s h to ESG goals’. Performance Guyana Women’s Chamber Caribbean. on ESG aspirations is ofCommerce&Industry

‘The Review’ is the increasingly being defined K a i e t e u r N e w s signature publication of and monitored by various understands that ‘The Virtual Business Services, a professional bodies, and an Review’is both the example discreet boutique resource indicator of measurable and the showcase for for business leaders and p r o g r e s s t o w a r d s companies that understand corporate communications sustainabilitygoals. their value to society; they professionals, and has been Performance on ESG commit to a shared operating in Guyana since aspirations is increasingly accountability, and 2020 and in Trinidad & beingdefinedandmonitored participate in collaboration, Tobago since January 2010. by various professional and in fair and transparent Editor-in-Chief, Donna bodies, and serves as an reporting.

Singh-Ramsammy creates, indicator of measurable

The 2023 edition will describes and shares a p r o g r e s s t o w a r d s feature what companies are philosophy of mutuality for sustainabilitygoals. doing in youth development companies and individuals There are companies andyouthempowerment. in business. She articulates operating across the T h e C o r p o r a t e this as an ingrained Caribbean today that have Sustainability Review is conviction that human fully embraced ESG. They available in print from the purpose must be to the understandthatit’saworkin publisher or in digital highest benefit of the social progress. f o r m a t order, in communities, Ramsammybelievesthat @https://thecsrcaribbean.c nationsandtheplanet. “new and visionary ideas om

U.S

Statenowseeks25%royalty...

From page 13 Senate Tax and Revenue rate, it would also impose remainat20%,andonlynew Committee. But it will likely royalties for the first time on premium leases would be be tabled there temporarily natural gas wasted through affected,notexistingones. for later review alongside venting, flaring or leaking.

It was explained that all other bills to consider their But revenue projections on additional revenue would collective fiscal impact t h a t p r o v i s i o n a r e flow into the state’s Land before sending them to a unavailable because a new Grant Permanent Fund, floor vote, Tallman told the state law prohibits venting which provides the lion’s Journal. If approved, the bill and flaring going forward in share of trust-based funding could generate between $50 order to reduce methane for New Mexico’s public million and $84 million in emissions to just 2% by schools. new revenue annually, 2025 According to the

“Companieswouldgetto starting in fiscal year 2025, Journal, if the bill advances keep 75% of the resources according to the Legislative out of Tax and Revenue, it’s produced,” Stewart told Finance Committee’s fiscal bound to face stiff committee members. “We impactreport. oppositionfromindustryand want school kids to get Importantly, apart from f r o m R e p u b l i c a n 25%.” The bill is now in the raising the current royalty lawmakers.

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OnehaulertruckDriverand licence Excavator Operator needed, must have at least 3yearsexperience.Call:6447088/624-7248.

SkilledCarpenters,Masons and Labourers. Call:6029469or615-7526.

Persons to install outdoor carpet.Call:615-9132.

One Female Sales Rep required.Call:225-2313/6588559.

Onemaleable-bodiedClerk required.Call:231-2029,6938462.

Security,ExcavatorOperatorandCookneededtowork inCharity,Essequibo.Call: 687-5814/ 688-0417.

Receptionist required at Xenon Hotel. Call: 2235273/ 223-5274.

Handyman, Porters and Driver needed. Call: 2235273/ 223-5274.

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One Masseuse/ Physiotherapist needed. Call: 6159132.

Experienced Sewing Machine Operator to work in Eccles Garment Factory. Call Bibi: 233-2697/ 6305547.

Female Caregiver needed for a elderly woman in Georgetown.Call:650-5496.

General Domestic needed to work in Campbellville, Georgetown.Call:621-5140.

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General Domestic needed toworkinHerstelling,ages 35yrs and older. Call: 6970157.

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Maid required to cook and cleaninEastBankarea.Call: 615-9132.

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VacancyexistsforSalesPerson at Bourda Market. Salary$90,000,8am-6pm.Call: 669-9258.

Vacancyexistsfor1Domestic Worker, person must know to cook, clean wash and Iron. Call: 645-5008 / 609-9829.

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Swimmingpool,familyfun, crystal clear pool, kids and adults sections at Aracari Resort,Call:264-2946-9.

OneCRVHonda,$3.3M negotiableand1ToyotaAllion, $3.350 M,

Guyana already re-negotiated Exxon’s oil contract... earlierthismonthdiddisclose “we are developing this jointly with Exxon (Mobil Guyana), we are financing it out over cost oil, so we have our share of paying back because it’s coming from cost oil.”

From page 2 suchasgasinjection,gaslifting and power generation. While the company has been powering its Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, using natural gas, the EnvironmentalProtectionAgency has since allowed the paymentofamarginalfineforthe flaringoftheexcessgas.Additionally,thePSAorcontract goes on to provide for feasibilitystudiestobeconducted to determine the commercial viability of any excess gas discovered and where and howfundingwillbemet. According to all and sundry involvedintheProject,Exxon Guyana has agreed to supply some50MMCFDofNatural Gasbywayofpipelinetothe Wales Development Zone, WestBankDemerarafromthe Liza Destiny and Unity FPSOs.

To this end, it would be apposite to note that at subclause‘B’ofArticle12,which provides for the treatment of natural gas, it states; “if the Contractor believes that excessAssociatedGasofanOil Fieldhasfurthercommercial value,theContractorshallbe entitled to, but not required, tomakefurtherinvestmentto utilize such excess Associated Gas subject to, at least those that are attractive as thoseestablishedforcrudeoil inArticle11,includingbutnot limited to, cost recovery as recoverablecostforsuchfurther investment.”

To this end, it would also be poignant to note that ExxonMobil Guyana has already signaled an imminent Final Investment Decision (FID),itadditionthefactthat Guyana has already inked agreements with the oil operators and others in pursuit of the overall project.

Additionally, the PSA/ Contract states further that if the contractor believes improved terms are necessary for the development of the excessgas,“thenPartiesshall carry out friendly negotiationsinatimelymannertofind a new solution to the utilization of said Associated Gas and reach an agreement in writing.”

At sub-clause ‘F’ of that Article in the contract, it cements further that expenses related to the studies and infrastructure for the use of the gas,shallbecostrecoverable. VicePresidentJagdeo,during awidelycirculatedinterview

He posited this was the reasonwhyExxonMobilofficials would claim no profits are to be had by that company for its share of capital injected.

Aracari hotel located at WBD(Versailles,Vreed-en-

Call: 2642946-9.

Heelucidatedfurther,that contrary to previously announced positions, the 50 MMCFDofgas,andthepipelinebeingsponsoredinitially by ExxonMobil Guyana was not free. According to the VicePresidentatthetime,“we havetopayback,becauseit’s not free, they’re putting in some money, we have to put insomemoney.”

He sought to explain further saying, “we decided that over20yearssaythepipeline is1billionwedon’tknowthe exact cost as yet or it could belowerbutweputanotional figureonebilliondollars,how much money do we have to pay to amortize a billion dollars over 20 years and our shareofthat,Exxonhastoput up 52 percent of that cost we have to come up with 48 of it.”

To this end he said, “we comeupwithafigure50something million dollars that we have to pay yearly to amortize the pay for our share of the pipeline over 20 years to pay back.”

According to Jagdeo’s in responding to ExxonMobil Guyana’s request on payments said, “we took the figure to pay back for the pipeline and we divided that figureby50millioncubicandso we say this is like the commercialagreement,it’snotlike we’repayingforthegaswe’re justasconveniencetakenthe figuretoamortize,”

“There’s no profit but it’s reflected almost like a gas payment but we’re paying zero for the gas, we’re paying to amortize the pipeline that’s the exact figure; becauseit’seasiercommercially for us to do that to reflect it commercially.”Tothisend,he re-iterated “we’re paying backover20yearsfor48percentofthepipeline,simpleas that,”

Addressingthepayments to be made on the Guyana end, he went further to say, “so where would this money come from,” and posited “when we sell the liquids alone—and that is for the pipeline and to operate the pipeline.

According to the Vice President, “when we sell the liquids,rememberwetakethe gas, we take out, extract all the liquids, the cooking gas and everything else, at the current price we will get enough money to pay back for our share of the pipeline as reflected in in the in the price of gas.”

He further suggested “youwill(also)beabletopay for the power plant and the NGL(NaturalGasLiquefaction)facilityfromjustselling the liquids, so what happens effectively we’re financing this whole project from the sale of our liquids, which we are getting for free, we’re financingthewholeproject,so you’re practically getting electricity, no not just gas, electricityforfree.”

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Nine Annandale squatters receive keys to new low-income homes

Nine families who were families,”hestated. previously squatting The families were engaged by along the sea defence commercial banks to source

reserve at Annandale, fundingfortheconstructionoftheir East Coast Demerara (ECD) homes which cost $5 million each. received the keys to their new After taking up occupancy, the homes, marking a significant step residents will begin to repay their towardsbetterlivingconditions. loans,whichwillrunforaperiodof

On Monday, Housing and 25years.

Water Minister, Collin Croal Minister Croal stated that each handed over the keys to the low- family will pay approximately income, two-bedroom homes that $25,000 per month towards their were built at Annandale New mortgage. Scheme, ECD. He explained that The minister also highlighted the initiative was sparked by a visit the government’s efforts to address made by President, Dr Mohamed the issue of squatting and Irfaan Ali to the community in unregulated settlements. He said September2022. the administration is currently

At that time, 15 families were taking measures to eliminate many informedofthegovernment’splans of these areas within the system, to relocate them to a safer and and is not acknowledging any new wholesome community Ten of the instancesofsquatting. familiesacceptedthegovernment’s “So, if there’s anybody who offer to construct homes for them, thinks that they can go put up a while the remaining five opted for shack or a structure, and believe lands. that we will incorporate them as

Minister Croal expressed his part of this we are doing, it will optimism about the positive impact not be so. “What we are that the relocation would have on addressingismanyofthebacklog the families, noting that the move or those who are within the will provide a significant system for a while,” Minister improvement in their living Croalstated. Roopchand, while thanking the Jaipaul, a father of five expressed didn’t have light or water I standardsandwell-being. The residents expressed government for allowing her to his elation to have a new home, appreciate what the government is

“Obviously if you compare gratitude to the government for own a piece of land and a newly since it will allow him to provide a doing,” he said Overall, this here to the environment, they facilitating the process of ensuring builthome,said“thiswillhelpmea comfortable environment for his initiative serves as a testament to were in you will realise this is an theyareaffordedtheopportunityto lot because it’s a better life for my family. “It gonna be better because the government’s commitment to upliftment and this brings haveaffordablehomesinasafeand children.” where I use to live when the addressing the issue of squatting betterment for them and their decent environment Manjanie Another beneficiary, Rajesh rainfall, we would flood and we countrywide.(DPI)

U.S. Military medical team commences two-week mission in Guyana

The United States’ t e a m c o m p o s e d o f Ministry of Health Deputy Lesser Antilles Medical approximately 29 U.S. Air DirectorforRegionalHealth Assistance Team (LAMAT), ForceandArmymedicaland Services, welcomed the in partnership with the dental professionals and team at GPHC. Dr Griffith Ministry of Health will support staff who will expressed excitement in conduct an exchange provide free general surgery, developing the militaryknowledge and perform a emergency room care and civilian partnership between range of surgical operations dental care at Georgetown the U S team and the from February 20 through Public Hospital Corporation medical professionals in March 3 as part of the U.S. and West Demerara Guyana. Southern Command’s Regional Hospital, the US LAMAToperations have ( U S S O U T H C O M ’s ) Embassy in Guyana said in a been coordinated with the EnduringPromisemission. pressrelease. Ministry of Health and LAMAT is a medical Dr Veronica Griffith, hospital medical directors to take advantage of additional operating room capacity without displacing medical providers U S medical professionals will work in tandem with local doctors to hospital medical directors, have been invited by the dental clinic, helping with ensure continuity of care based upon the types of Ministry of Health and U.S. emergency room or following all surgical surgeries and procedures the Ambassador to Guyana to experiencingtheculture.” procedures. The team brings U S medical team is participate in this much In addition to Guyana, with it the medicines and certified to perform; needed operation,” said Lt. theLAMATteamcompleted supplies necessary for the primarily GI surgeries such Col Gentry Mobley, operations in Suriname and operations and will leave asherniasandcystexcisions. L A M A T M i s s i o n will proceed to St. Lucia to surplus supplies with the The U.S. dental team will Commander “It is important conduct medical assistance h o s p i t a l O v e r a l l , f o c u s o n t r e a t i n g to the U S to provide operations, providing relief approximately $225,000 underserved populations, whateverhelpwecantotake to overwhelmed medical USD of supplies are being concentrating on cleaning, care of people in need. Our facilities and improving the donatedtomedicalfacilities. fillings, extractions and teamispreparedtoengagein region’s collective ability to Medical patients are preventativecare. Guyana, whether that be in meet complex global selectedin

coordinationwith “My team is humbled to the operating theater, the challenges.

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal with the beneficiaries

The new low-income homes

Dr. Cheman Ramdharry provides a tour of the operating theater to LAMAT surgery team members at GPHC. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman, Alexus Wilcox).

Master Sgt. Timothy McClelland, LAMAT Biomedical Equipment Technician, receives a tour of the emergency department at GPHC. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman, Alexus Wilcox).

Panic in Turkey and Syria as another 6.3M earthquake rocked both countries

Reuters - A magnitude

6 3 earthquake struck southern Turkey near the Syrian border late on Monday, setting off panic and further damaging buildings two weeks after the country’s worst earthquake in modern historylefttensofthousands dead.

Two Reuters reporters saidthetremorswerestrong and lasting, damaging buildingsandleavingdustin the night air in central Antakya city, where it was centred. It was also felt in EgyptandLebanon,Reuters reporterssaid.

T h e E u r o p e a n

M e d i t e r r a n e a n Seismological Centre (EMSC) said the tremor struckatashallowdepthof2 km(1.2miles).

Police patrolledAntakya while ambulances rushed to

the quake-hit area near the city center Two people fainted, while others filled thestreetsaroundthecentral park making emergency callsoncellphones.

Reuters saw Turkish rescueteamsrunningaround onfootafterthelatestquake to check on residents, most of whom were living in temporary tents after the tremorstwoweeksago.

Muna Al Omar, a resident, said she was in a tent in a park in central Antakya when the earthquakehit.

“I thought the earth was goingtosplitopenundermy feet,”shesaid,cryingasshe heldher7-year-oldsoninher arms.

“Is there going to be another aftershock?” she asked The two larger earthquakes that hit on Feb. 6, which also rocked

neighbouring Syria, left more than a million homelessandkilledfarmore thanthelatestofficialtallyof 46,000 people in both countries.

Smaller tremors have jolted the region in the last two weeks but the Monday quake was the largest since Feb.6.

“It was very strong. It jolted us out of our places,” said Burhan Abdelrahman, who was walking out of his tent in a camp in Antakya city centre when the earthquakestruck.

“I called relatives in Syria,Adana,Mersin,Izmir, everywhere, to check on them.”

Turkey’sdisasteragency AFAD urged residents to stay away from the Mediterranean coast over a possible 50-centimetre rise inwatersduetothequake. Videos

media,

posted on social

unverified by

Reuters, showed passengers at Antakya airport taking cover in panic as the quake joltedtheglassbuilding.

An aerial view shows collapsed and damaged buildings following an earthquake in Hatay, Turkey February 7, 2023. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Tourney Set to bowl off February 25...

Frompage23

AntonyAdams. West Indies pacer Keemo Paul will spearhead the bowling with support from national pacer Ronsford Beaton and skipper Adams Talented wicketkeeper batsman Kemol Savory will lead the batting department with support expected from Kevon Boodie and pugnacious left hander RicardoAdams.

Demerara squad: Leon Johnson (Captain), Matthew Nandu, Raymond Perez, Tevin

Imlach, Akshaya Persaud, Shamar Yearwood, Christopher Barnwell, RonaldoAliMohamed,Richie Looknauth, Ashmead Need, Steven Sankar, Qumar Torrington, Sachin Singh and Sachin Balgobin The Manager is Puneet Jaigopaul and Head coach is Garvin Need The reserves are Nehemiah Hohenkirk, Christ Balgobin, Navendra Persaud, KishanTracy,RonaldoRenee, Riyad Latiff and Jermain Ramroop Essequibo squad:

Antony Adams (Captain), Kevon Boodie, Sheldon Charles, Kemol Savory, Neland Codogan, Ricardo Adams,KeemoPaul,Quentin Sampson, Ronaldo Renn, LeonSwamy,AvinashPersaud, Malcolm Hubbard, Wazim Mohamed, Ronsford Beaton TheManagerisYogeshwarLall and Head Coach is Ryan Hercules The reserves are Ricardo Peters, Rajendra Ramballi, Shane Wong, Carl Gilgeous, Beesham Moses and Garfield Phillips Berbice squadistobesubmitted Itmust

Tuesday February 21, 2023

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

You may be courting your lover today, Aries. Whether you're in a relationship or starting one, you're in the mood to seduce your partner withatouchofsophistication.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

You will get the most satisfaction today through your activities with others, Taurus.Soyoushouldtakethe initiative and propose something you and your friendscoulddotogether

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Todayyouwillbelikeagoodluckcharmtoyourfamilyand friends. It's up to you to motivate people to get going and have fun together. Show themyourenthusiasmforlife.

CANCER(June21–July22)

If you can't feed your artistic tendenciesintheworkyoudo, todayisagooddaytocreatea better balance and make your daysmoresatisfying.Artisn't justforartists,Cancer

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Regardless of your gender, why not show a bit more virility in your relationships and actions? If you're dominated by your emotions, the day could be extremely trying for you Protect yourself from your anxieties by talking things over with a friend or someone else close toyou.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

Todayyoumayfeelalotmore energetic after a tiring past fewdays.Whenyou'refeeling good,everything'sfine.You're feelingmotivatedagaintoget down and tackle the work that'swaitingforyou.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Itmaybedifficulttogetpeople tolistentoyouatthemoment, Libra. The people around you may even be annoyed at hearing all of your new ideas. The stars are pushing you to changeyourtacticsbeforeyou alienateeveryone.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov 21)

You may not have been taking very good care of yourself lately, Scorpio. The planetary aspectsareencouragingyouto be a little more disciplined in yourlifestyle.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

What would happen if you decidedtotakecareofyourself today,Sagittarius?Thisiswhat the planets are trying to tell you. You need to relax, to let yourself be taken care of, and closeyoureyesanddream.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

This is an intense phase of interior modification, both p h y s i c a l l y a n d psychologically.Don'thesitate to padlock your refrigerator andavoidyourfavoritestores.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

The period you're in now is about getting ahead. If you've been dissatisfied with some aspect of your career over the lastfewmonths,don'twaitany longer to do something about it. Things aren't going to get betterallbythemselves.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

What meticulousness, Pisces! You may feel a sudden, urgent needtotakeacloselookatyour financial situation, wardrobe, cupboards, or car List the things you need to do in order to fix them over the next few days.

benotedthatShimronHetmyer and Romario Shepherd are available for the Inter-County thereforeweexpectthemtobe part of the Berbice team The GCBSelect’sXIwillbenamed shortly. Teams will commence training in their respective counties from today,February21 Demerara will be at GCC from 09:00 hoursto13:00hours,Berbice will be at Port Mourant from

Frompage22

ToussaintoutofBarbados,in myopinionthisfightwasan equal match-up, both fighters showed good technique, they both had solid jabs and counter punches However, Williamson was adjudged winner of the contest after three rounds of classic boxing.Williamson won the contest by way of unanimous.

Atthistime,thecrammed Gymnasium crowd rose to their feet to welcome Alesha Jackman and Shawnelle Hamid to the ring as Alisha with the home crowd support hadanearlynight Hamidthe shorter of the two was no match for hard hittingAlesha Jackman Hamid later abandonedthematchwithonly fifty-threesecondsintothefirst roundtohandAleshaabrilliant firstroundvictoryJuliusKesney was later defeated by JuSean Shepherd out of Barbados He (Shepherd)wasforcedtoreckon with a number of rapid combination-punches from the hands of Kesney of the GDF boxing gym Shepherd was made to work very hard He (Shepherd)eventuallywentonto win the fight by way of split decisionattheendofthethree rounds As promised Abiola Jackman defeated Kemara StewartoutofBarbados Abiola withhersister(Alisha)standing ring-side Yelling, “raise your head and beat this girl, abbi” Abiola did just that defeating Stewart two minutes and fifty seconds into the second round due to a stoppage. In rematch settings, Anthony Joseph out of Trinidad and Tobago went up against Olympian Keevin Allicock. Both fighters provided three rounds of massive entertainment for the largecrowd

At the sound of the bell, they both went at each other; bothlandingmultiplepunches attheother Allicockhowever managed to punch Joseph againsttheropesafewtimesin the second round Allicock caughthim(Joseph)withmultiple headandbodyshots Luckilythe

14:30 hours to 18:00 hours, Essequibo at Imam Bacchus 09:00 hours to 13:00 hours whiletheSelectXIwillbeat Malteenoesfrom15:00hours to 18:00 hours Live streaming will be available for both matches of each roundwhichwouldbeshared

GCBSenior4-DayInterCountyscheduleRound1 –February25-28,2023

strong Trinidadian managed to takeittothejudgesscorecard In the processAllicock punished the courageous Trinidadian boxer;Josephhadthreeeightstand-counts before he was struck to his knees by a solid right-hook from Allicock Unfortunately, the sizzling south-pawed Trinidadian fighter couldn’t get pass the flamboyant Allicock; who would have landed more punchesinallthreeroundsof the contest, as Allicock picked up his second win againstJoseph.

Dynamite Amsterdam closed off the evening at the National Gymnasium around 11:15pm on Sunday in a dominant manner The National Sportsman of the

Berbice vs Demerara at Providence Essequibo vs SelectXIatEnmore Round 2 – March 3-6, 2023 Berbice vs Essequibo at GCC, Bourda Demerara vsSelectXIatEnmore Round 3- March 9-12, 2023

Essequibo vs Demerara atGCC,Bourda Berbice vs Select XI at Enmore

year reigned supreme at the third Patrick FordeMemorial International Boxing championship; as the large Gymnasium crowd witnessed the Desmond ‘Dynamite’ Amsterdam demolition of Nickell Joseph also out of Trinidad and Tobago Amsterdamknockingthetall Trinidadianboxerfourtimes to the canvas before the refereeendedthecontesttwo minutes and fifty-eight secondsinthesecondround.

The Army Sergeant: Amsterdam picked up another excellent victory at 2023 Patrick Forde International tournament as the curtains closed on the GBAsfirstinternationalcard ofthe2023boxingseason.

Dem. Cricket Board U-15 Inter-Assertion Tournament 2023

Georgetowndefeat

WestDemeraraby10wickets

The Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) resumed their Under-15 Inter-Association Tournament that was put on hold due to the rainy season in December 2022

Georgetown faced West Demerara in the fourth match at Meten-Meer-Zorg on Saturday February 18, 2023.

West Demerara won the toss and elected to bat scoring just 64 runs from 36.3oversoftheirallotted50 overs. Parmeshwar Ram top scored with 14 and was the lone batter to reach double figure. Reyaz Latif was the most successful bowler grabbing 3 for 5 and was supportedbyJoshuaCharles and Brandon Henry who

collected 2 for 5 and 2 for 7 respectively, Sameer Bhola took 1 for 8 In reply Georgetown raced to their target of 65 from 8.5 over

OpenersRavinSinghscored 37andLomarSeecharran18 to take Georgetown home with a 10-wicket victory overthehometeam.

On Sunday February 19, 2023, East Coast battled West Demerara at MetenMeer-Zorginthefifthmatch whereEastCoastrumbledto a213-runvictory

East Coast won the toss and chose to take first strike scoring a well-composed 267 all out from 40.3 overs.

SkipperMickelSharmalead the batting line up with a brilliant 80, while Ravin

Berbice names star studded team, Chandrika to captain Select XI

Persaud chipped in with 37 and opener Navendra

Isurdeen scored 36 Parmeshwar Ram collected 3for33,ShahalLall2for62 andNathanPuran2for27.

In response, West Demerara struggled after Munesh Outar ripped through the batting line up grabbing 6 for 5 while Mickel Sharma collected 3 for 10. Ram was the lone battertoreachdoublefigure scoring18unashisteamwas bowledoutfor54runsfrom 22.1 overs. East Coast won by213-run.

On Saturday February 25, 2023, Georgetown will battleEastCoastinthefinal gameatBuxtonCommunity CentreGround.

Inter-countySuper-50 Champions Berbice has named a star studded team to compete in the GCB Senior InterCounty 4-Day Tournament.

Guyana Harpy Eagles Vicecaptain, Veerasammy Permaul will lead the star studded squad which includes the Shimron Hetmyer,RomarioShepherd andKevinSinclair

Former West Indies opening batsman, Rajendra Chandrika will captain the GCBSelectXI.

This team includes the Vice captain for the Select X1, in First-class pacer Demetri Cameron, Guyana Under-19 Captain Alvin Mohabir, off spinner Jonathan Rampersaud and leg spinner Zeynul Ramsammy who were also members of the Guyana under-19team.

Net training sessions for the GCB Select XI will be held from 15:00 hours to 18:00 hours tomorrow, Wednesday,February22and Friday,February24,2023at Malteenoes Sports Club ground.

The Select X1 comprise players from the three

Counties who were not initially selected to their Countyteams.

The Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) team for the third round of the West IndiesChampionship(WIC) 2023, is expected to be selected by the end of the second round of the GCB Senior Inter-County Tournament,2023.

Those selected to the GHEteamforthethirdround of the WIC 2023, independent of the County teams for the period of the third and final round of the GCB Senior Inter-County Tournament.

Consequently, the respective County Boards are asked to resubmit their teams by 1700 hours on March 6, 2023 for the third

round of the GCB Senior Inter-Country Tournament, 2023.

B e r b i c e s q u a d : Veerasammy Permaul (Captain), Tomanni Caesar, Adrian Sukhwa, Garfield Benjamin, Shimron Hetmyer, Kevlon Anderson, Jonathan Foo, Kevin Sinclair, Anthony Bramble, Romario Shepherd, Nial Smith, Shamar Joseph, Shamal Angel, Junior Sinclair

The Manager is Travis Harcourt and Head Coach is Julian Moore. The reserves are Javed Karim, Seon Glasgow, Seon Hetmyer, Suresh Dhanai, Nigel DeodatandKwesiMickle.

GCB Select XI squad: Rajendra Chandrika (Captain), Alvin Mohabir, Jeremiah Scott, Carlos La Rose, Zachary Jodah, Rajendra Ramballi, Nathan Persaud, David Williams, Mark Gonzales, Demeter Cameron, Jonathan Rampersaud, Zeynul Ramsammy, Sylus Tyndall andKevinUmroa.

The Manager is Ravindranauth Seeram while the Head Coach is CliveGrimmond.

Rajendra Chandrika

Narayan Ramdhani is ‘golden boy’ at ACAC Badminton tourney in Canada

Na r a y a n

Ramdhani won gold at the

A C A C 2 0 2 2 - 2 0 2 3 Provincial Badminton Championships, he also copped the ACAC All Conference Award and the ACAC Men Singles Player oftheYearAward2023.

(February 20, 2023)

Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Badminton Championship(Provincials) was played over the weekend, February 18 and 19 in theAuditorium of the Concordia University of Edmonton.Dayonesawthe players competing in the team tournament while the individual championship washeldondaytwo.

IntheTeamTournament Narayan Ramdhani assisted

the King’s University Badminton Team (TKU Eagles) to win gold at the P r o v i n c i a l Te a m Championships for the second time in a row when he played and won Men Singlesandwentundefeated insinglesandmixedforthe seasonfourtournaments.

AtaBanquetheldonthe night of February 18, 2023 Narayan was awarded one offiveoftheACACMenAll Conference Award and captured the coveted Men Singles Player of the Year Award.

This is the third time NarayanRamdhanihaswon the Provincial Individual Championships in Men Singles in his university career

The results for the

Dem. Cricket Board to commence 2023 Inter-Association Cricket Competition

Individual championships areasfollows:

SeededNo.1andgained a bye to the quarter-finals where he played Shepherd Dow and won 21-14, 21-5. HethendefeatedJasonChiu -21-14,21-9.

Inthefinalheplayedand lostthefirstgame17-21but camebackstrongtowinthe last two games 21-14, 21-4 and won the match against SanskarChopra.

Narayan Ramdhani will represent the Kings University and the province of Alberta at the Canadian Collegiate Athletics Association (Nationals) Badminton Tournament to be held in the Province of NovaScotiaonMarch7-12, 2023 where he will play in theMen’sSinglesCategory

The President and Executive Members of the recently elected Demerara CricketBoardheldtheirfirst meeting on Saturday February11,2023,attheLBI Cricket facility and reeled outtheirplansfortheyear

The Bissoondyal Singh led Board will launch its cricketseasonwiththeInterClub First Division Knock Out Fifty Overs Cricket Tournament which involves first-divisionclubsinallfive Associationsaffiliatedtothe DCB.

The new marketing committee,whichwillbeled b y A n i l B e h a r r y, professional banker, and

former Berbice Cricket BoardPresident,hasalready secured sponsorship for this competition All the top players in the County of Demerara are expected to participatewhichisslatedto commence on February 25, 2023 Cricket Clubs are asked to make contact with the Ms Kavita Yadram, Chairperson of the Competition Committee, DCB on telephone # 6551010. Contact can also be made with Davteerth Anandjit, Secretary of the DCB on 617-8502 or any other Executive Member of theBoard.

That tournament will be

followed by the InterAssociation Under-17, Under-19,Under-21,Under23, Senior T20 and Senior 50-Over The Board has engaged sponsors for the above competitions The DCB aims to return to its formergloryanddominance it once had in Guyana’s cricket.

O u t s i d e o f t h e competitions,theBoardwill conduct training for scorers, umpires, match referees, coaches, seminars for players and every activity thatwillimprovethegamein Demerara Fundraising activitiesarealsohighonthe agenda.

Guyanese dominate at 2023 Patrick Forde Memorial championship

wins

The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) along with McDonald Promotion hosted the Patrick Forde International Boxing championship Sunday at the National Gymnasium, MandelaAvenue.

T h e N a t i o n a l Gymnasium seats where filled with a large crowd on Sunday evening; chanting fortheirfighters.

Early up in the evening, Shacquon Marshall, Mark Crawford and Jamal Eastman won gold medals after winning their contest. CrawfordfromtheForgotten Youth Foundation boxing gym (FYF) would have defeatedCliftonGrahamout of the Police Boxing gym after three full rounds of boxing Jamal Eastman likewise defeated Patrick Harvey by way of unanimous decision to close offthelocalsegment.

As we bounce straight into the first international bout of the evening between Brian Harris and Jaden Castillano out of Trinidad and Tobago. Brian Harris launched a couple of heavy combination-punches onto the Trinidadian early on in the contest before striking with a solid body-shot; hitting Castillano into the ropes,asCastillanofailedto recover from that shot. The

refereewasforcedtostopthe fight;twominutesandFiftyeightsecondsintothesecond round. Harris had an easy win over the weary Trinidadian.

Soon after that, the first female international bout between Trinidad’s Leeann Boodram and Nikaela Khodra out of St Lucia took

center stage as the towering Boodram defeated Khodra. Boodram was able to land more punches than Khodra in that contest. Boodram eventuallywentontowinthe fight by way of a split decision.

Next, Joel Williamson wentupagainstJeremiah (Continuedonpage19)

- Boodram and Shepherd the only foreign athletes to pick up

Keevin Allicock receives gold medal at the Presentation ceremony of the Patrick Forde Memorial.

GMR&SC’s 2023 Drag Wars 1.0 successfully staged despite the Unlimited class having hiccups

The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) 2023 Drag Wars 1.0 was successfully staged on Sunday at the South Dakota CircuitTimehri.

The well subscribed event saw the fans getting a treat from all the competitors in the various categories.

However,thefeatureUnlimited class had a hiccup and did not unfoldasplanned.

Terrence Cox claimed the categorybydefaultinthe#1Nissan GT-R(Goliath)aftertheinabilityof the #3 Nissan GT-R to continue in the action after an incident. The GoliathGTRvsNismobilledtorun final but did not happen due to an incident with the #3 Nissan GT-R Nismo driven by Azruddin Mohamed.

The #3 Nissan GT-R Nismo driven by Azruddin Mohamed defeated the #112 Toyota Supra (Kong) driven by Denzil Hopkinsoninrace1ofround1.

The #1 Nissan GT-R (Goliath) drivenbyTerenceCoxdefeatedthe #19 Ford Mustang, driven by Rameez Mohamed, in race 2 of round 1 leaving the #1 and #3 NissanGT-Rsforthefinal.

Action in the GMRSC’s 2023 Dray Wars 1.0 on Sunday at the South Dakota, Timehri. (GMRSC)

9second-noentries

Unlimited - Goliath GTR vs Nismobilledtorunfinalbutdidnot happen due to an incident with the #3 Nissan GT-R Nismo driven by AzruddinMohamed.

The #3 Nissan GT-R Nismo driven by Azruddin Mohamed defeated the #112 Toyota Supra (Kong) driven by Denzil Hopkinsoninrace1ofround1.

The #1 Nissan GT-R (Goliath) drivenbyTerenceCoxdefeatedthe #19 Ford Mustang, driven by Rameez Mohamed, in race 2 of round 1 leaving the #1 and #3 NissanGT-Rsforthefinal.

Due to the inability of the #3 Nissan GT-R to continue, the winner of the unlimited class by default is the #1 Nissan GT-R (Goliath)drivenbyTerenceCox. Superbikes 600 cc - Shem Chattersingh

Superbikes1000cc-Jermaine Chattersingh

Allfemaleclass-#86-Natalia Singh-MitsubishiEvolution

Top 4 fastest times by female drivers:

1. Kishanti Tejram - #55Toyota Carina 212 - 14 195 seconds

The ToyotaLevin 14second-#54-KomalTejram -ToyotaCarina212 13 second - #16 - Pankraj Ramdeo-ToyotaCorollaRun-x

OfficialResultsasissuedby

second - #47 - Ravindra

-

12 second - #94 - Raymond

Higgins

2 Natalia Singh - #86MitsubishiEvolution-14.623

3. Sarah Chattersingh - #11ToyotaStarlet-15.171

GCB brings back 4-Day Inter- County…

Toyota

Caldina 10

4. Malicia Lawrence - #29SubaruForester-15.641

Tourney Set to bowl off February 25, 2023

Keemo Paul Matthew Nandu Antony Adams Veerasammy Permaul

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)hasannouncedthereturnof the Senior Inter-County 4-Day Tournament. This tournament will commence on Saturday, February 25, 2023, and would be used as preparation for the Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) prior to the resumption of the West Indies Championship which is scheduled forMarch15.

LastOctober,theGCBheldthe

first senior inter-county

team would be named with GHE leadingthepointstableattheendof thesecondround.

Demerara has named a strong squad, led by Guyana Harpy Eaglescaptain,LeonJohnsonwith a very strong batting line-up on paperasmostofthebatsmenhave regional experience. The in- form Matthew Nandu, who scored a centuryondebutagainstBarbados PrideinRound1oftheWestIndies Championshipwillleadthebatting

along with talented batsmanTevin Imlach and experienced batsman Christopher Barnwell. Ashmead Nedd is expected to spearhead the bowling department with support from leg-spinner Steven Sankar, off-spinner Richie Looknauth, formerWestIndiesunder-19pacer RonaldoAli-Mohamedandseamer QumarTorrington.

Essequibo will be led by experiencedleftarmspinner

(Continued on page 19)

Romario Shepherd with his trophies

Desmond DynamiteAmsterdam (standing) knocks Trinidadian Nickell Joseph (on his knees) to the canvas.