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AIETEUR David Pattersonp. Tuesday Edition plugs motion 16 NEWS requiring EPA to take action on Exxon's flaring February 23, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 08

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- one showcases vibrating dildo to make point Body in septic tank...

Suspect surrenders Man confesses to killing, after killing cousin dumping roommate p.

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during ‘birthday bash’ - says it was because he slept with his wife

Non-functioning ERC received over $500M during 2011 - 2018 Police sergeant Father sent to jail for CCTV footage shows man remanded harbouring Mazaruni being set alight for attempting Prison escapees at Supermarket to kill wife

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Wall Street banks predict oil will reach US$100 per barrel after COVID p.

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Tuesday February 23, 2021

Suspect surrenders after killing cousin during 'birthday bash' The home of Reaz Mohamed

P

olice have arrested a man who reportedly murdered his cousin during a family dispute Sunday night.

Dead is 25-year-old, Reaz Mohamed called "Boyo," a fisherman, of Section 'A,' D'Edward Village, West Bank Berbice.

The act was allegedly

committed by his 26-yearold cousin, Rocky Harper called "Dadadoo." He was reportedly armed with a knife.

The incident is said to have taken place sometime around 18:30 hrs. on Sunday at Lot 1, Section A, D'Edward Village, West Bank Berbice.

Reports are that the cousins, along with other relatives, were gathered at Lot 1, Section A, D'Edward Village, where they were consuming alcohol, when the deceased started using foul language against his father and in the process started to hit him several times. It is alleged that the suspect tried to speak with the deceased, but he continued to behave in the same manner. Kaieteur News was told that the suspect then became annoyed and armed himself with a knife. He then allegedly slit the throat of the deceased and escaped.

Sister of the dead man, Reniza Grant, told reporters that the celebrations were being held in honour of her b i r t h d a y, w h i c h w a s Saturday. The celebrations, she said, continued until Sunday. She added that she left to drop home some friends who had slept over and then she received a phone call that her brother was fighting with their father

"because he don't want the music to cut off." She noted that at some point an argument erupted between her father and the deceased.

"My father and him had a scramble and then I got the call that he was bleeding and when I came, the police were at the scene and my brother was lying there," she related.

Grant believes that the act was not a deliberate one, but was "just a scramble and everything just went wayward." She described her brother as loving, caring and a lover of music. She also described the suspect as "shame-faced and don't get himself into problems. They both grew up together but I never see him in that state; right now he is in a state of shock."

The deceased was subsequently taken to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor. The body is presently at the said hospital's mortuary awaiting a Post Mortem.

DEAD: Reaz Mohamed

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 23, 2021

PAGE 03

Wall Street banks predict oil will meet US$100 a barrel after COVID-19 T

wo Wall Street banks, JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, are predicting that the price of oil will soar when COVID19 eases, according to a report from the Financial Post.

“The most bullish forecast has international crude prices staging a comeback towards the US$100-a-barrel region — a level not reached since 2014,” it said.

“The expected surge is predicated on the belief that fiscal stimulus will boost consumption just as investment in new production has been sucked out of the industry. Such a disconnect between demand and supply, fuelling a lasting surge in prices, are the basic conditions of a so-called supercycle.”

The Post quotes the head of oil and gas at JPMorgan, Christyan Malek, as saying, “We're going to be short of oil before we don't need it in the years to come… We could see oil overshoot towards, or even above, US$100 a barrel.”

Goldman Sachs analyst Jeffrey Currie reportedly registered his belief that there are real risks that oil will trade in the US$80 range “or even higher this year.”

Arjun Murti, another expert who had worked with Currie when predicting a

- Financial Post

Head of Oil & Gas at JPMorgan Chase, Christyan Malek

Goldman Sachs analyst.

Jeffrey Currie.

previous oil price high, said that projections of a supercycle are premature, but that he can imagine scenarios where oil prices strengthen significantly, according to the Post.

“Before the pandemic, global oil demand was around 100 million barrels a day,” Financial Post said. “It fell to an average of around 90 million bpd last year and analysts predict it is unlikely to reach pre-pandemic levels until 2022, once vaccine rollouts allow a wider resumption of long-distance air travel.”

Murti is reported as saying, “There are still some hurdles to cross but a lot will be decided by the strength of demand.”

Murti's scenarios for a supply gap would see oil demand increasing by 1.2 million to 1.4 million barrels per day. He argued that a 500,000 bpd increase in demand would not be enough for a supply gap.

French hedge fund manager, Pierre Andurand, is quoted as saying “The path of the oil price is very much in OPEC's hands for this (continued on page 14)

The Liza Destiny FPSO

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday February 23, 2021

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

Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

EPA budgetary allocation falls short We are going to say this right from the start: that GY$609M allocation for Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is far from adequate. It falls short, very short of what the local EPA would need to do its work, fulfill a considerable portion of what it needs to do, what it must do, at a barest minimum.

We are as one with Dr. Vincent Adams, former head of the EPA, whose position is that the GY$30M allocation for capital expenditure is inadequate. Now, though we have the utmost respect for Dr. Adams’ credentials, experience, and visions, we must part company with him in his thinking that the amount allocated (GY$609M) suffices. This is what Dr. Adams said, “This $609 million appears to be a reasonable amount, considering that we are still in a COVID-19 environment which will no doubt hamper the EPA work activities…” (KN February 19).

Again, we emphasize and express our high regard for Dr. Adams’s expertise and grasp of the situation, but again we must register our disagreement with him. Indeed, Guyana is struggling to operate with some semblance of strength and continuity within the severe limitations of pandemic circumstances that do not appear to be going anywhere quickly or to a degree that inspires confidence. But $609M will not get the job done, given the stark realities brought about by Exxon’s negligence and seeming indifference to its oil production responsibilities, and with sharp and pointed references to the ongoing record with gas flaring, which is only a start. That is the first big minus sign and worth many tens of millions more in allocated funds.

The second minus, and it has to be (or should have been) another huge consideration, is that Guyana’s EPA is still far from where it needs to be, in terms of significant readiness, and on many fronts. Guyana’s EPA does not have the kind of expert staffing it sorely needs, and the kind of money to attract those renowned figures that do not come cheap.

Guyana’s EPA does not have the degree of training and facilities to conduct authoritative and persuasive evaluations and conclusions of oil companies’ breaches (and that of others). Guyana’s EPA does not have the extent of the sophisticated equipment that it needs to monitor Exxon in the manner that the company should be, and especially given its seeming indifference to potential costly dangers for this country. We would go so far as to attach that the kind of money needed and not forthcoming in this budget allocation for sustained education of our citizens, for public relations purposes, for lobbying and pressuring Exxon, and others, is just not present in GY$609M to do any of these things on a satisfying basis.

For these reasons, we say that 609 million is a far cry from what is needed to perform at a basic level; and what is required by Exxon’s (Exxon alone) willful irresponsibility with regards to Guyana demands much more. Dr. Adams himself did say that what was given last year was just over half, or 58 percent, of the initially planned budget, and that was for 2020. Exxon has not been made to slow down, which begs the question as to why there is not more, much more, money for the EPA. Thus far, we have spoken mainly with a focus on oil. But starting with that, there are all those ‘feeder’ and downstream businesses that are cropping up slowly, but which will gather numbers in the months and years ahead. Those are sure to include facilities like storage bonds for hazardous materials and, as could be on the table in time, fertilizer plants and the like. It is why the local EPA had to have set a high money bar, so that it can deliver on its operational expectations, and the government had to prioritize and fund. We understand the handcuffs of the COVID-19 pandemic, but minimum standards could never be enough, given our possible exposures across the oil board.

We continue into another economic segment. The mining sector has had longstanding troubles with mercury.

Money is needed to monitor that area, where there is a long

GUYSUCO needs an economist, an engineer and accountant to move forward Dear Editor, I have watched as GUYSUCO has started to make strides with marketing packaged sugar.

This is no doubt a good move, but is it enough to save this broken industry?

GUYSUCO needs a management structure which breeds confidence in the people of Guyana.

I am proposing a threemember executive team where each person has equal voting rights when making decisions for the industry.

This team should comprise of an Economist (Agriculture Economist), an Engineer and an accountant.

These persons should obviously be apolitical and be given the licence to make tough decisions.

GUYSUCO has suffered for far too long from poor decision makers or from segregated decision makers and it is time we make the necessary changes by implementing skilled persons to form the decisionmaking body.

The Economist will be able to apply basic and more advanced microeconomic policies with the aim of creating an efficient, fair, and growing industry.

An Economist is trained specially to address

microeconomic concerns of production cost, marginal cost, and marginal benefit as well as how to deal with competition to name a few.

It is a known fact that Economic benefit of producing sugar in Guyana is far less than production cost, but the question of allocative efficiency and productive efficiency must be asked.

These are questions an Economist will focus on as part of more basic microeconomic policies.

GUYSUCO also needs an engineer with the technical understanding of how sugar is produced. This person must demonstrate an

advanced understanding of the production phases and be able to guide the economist, to ensure policies implemented are suitable, necessary, and viable.

The accountant will analyze the financial standing of the company.

This will be used by both the Economist and the engineer as a guide for future policies.

This three-member team will not fix all the sugar i n d u s t r y ’s p r o b l e m s immediately, but it would certainly be a step in the right direction.

Yours truly, Concerned Joe

The Corentyne River Bridge is excellent investment for brighter future for Suriname/Guyana Dear Editor, I refer to Mr. Charles Sohan’s attack on the concept of the Corentyne River Bridge to which the Government of Guyana is committed. (GT20/02/21).

Mr Sohan feels that the money spent on the bridge could better be spent to improve the ferry between Guyana and Suriname since

the small traffic on the Bridge would never repay the investment on it.

Actually, Mr Sohan is thinking in a very narrow economic context and fails to take into account the broader economic and socio-political effect of the Bridge.

With the Bridge, the amount of traffic moving between Guyana and

Suriname would immediately increase many hundredfold far beyond what the ferry now carries.

Indeed, one may work in Suriname or Guyana and return home the same day to Paramaribo or Georgetown and trade would exponentially increase.

Mr Sohan made a similar mis-assessment when he

supported the APNU+AFC before the 2015 Elections and wrote many letters in support of the Coalition.

APNU+AFC deeply disappointed those who gave it support and Mr Sohan is still to write a letter of contrition or apology.

Yours truly, P a u l Va l i d u m Ramlochan.

Pillar of Guyanese music passes on Dear Editor, Seeta Panday, a pillar of the Indo-Guyanese community in America has passed on. She died on Sunday afternoon at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

She was hospitalized for a few weeks. She died of COVID-related issues on Saturday night at a hospital.

Seeta is known as Guyana’s Melody Queen.

She was well known among Guyanese, Trinis, and Indian nationals as a legendary artiste. Community leaders expressed grief over her demise. She held a special place in the heart of the Indian diaspora for her singing talent and her generosity in community events. When she was hospitalized, there were prayers for her recovery. She

had legions of fans, who are saddened to learn of her demise. The Indo-Guyanese, Indo-Caribbean communities are in shock as news of her death made the rounds with tributes pouring in from fans, community leaders, religious figures, and Indian music lovers.

Seeta, as she was popular known, was acknowledged

by Indo-Guyanese community leaders not only as a fantastic singer but also a great human being. She sang Bollywood, local Chatney, and devotional songs. She recorded several albums over the last thirty years. She also led several groups on tours to India. She enthralled audiences across the US, Trinidad, Canada, India and her native Guyana.

Seeta performed at

history of free-for-all conduct as far as the environment is concerned, and with the resultant perils to poor communities and natural habitats. So, here is our last few words on this $609 million allocation, if GY$1.1B was originally asked for last year, then it can’t be less this year, when so much more is planned by those who exploit our natural resources, and have done so in less than comforting fashion. And this is whether COVID-19 is present or not.

countless functions. Her performances, renditions with an evergreen voice, were bankable. She sang single and duo as well as in choral performances. Her voice mesmerized audiences wherever she performed.

And she performed in various locations in America as well as in Canada, India, Guyana, Trinidad, Jamaica.

She carved a special place for devotional songs related to Diwali and religious services. The community expressed anguish over her passing.

She will be remembered for her bhajans and remarkable Hindi Filmi songs with her inspiring voice. She contributed to charitable humanitarian service, the way few did. She never said no to a request.

She committed herself to her people. There was hardly a public event that involved singing Indian (Hindi, Bhojpuri, Guyanese dialect) songs that she was not asked to put in a performance. Her presence at public events was always acknowledged because of her standing in

the Indo-Guyanese and IndoCaribbean community. She gave of her service willingly without payment. She performed at countless events including at every Indian Arrival Day celebrations in New York going back for two decades.

Seeta was a true patriot, a faithful servant of the Guyanese diaspora in America. She supported and or lent a helping hand every event fund raising that was Guyanese, Indo-Caribbean, and Indian diaspora related.

She was at the annual Guyana Independence Day and India Independence Day events. Her presence was noted that the India Day parade as well as at the Diwali and Holi parades. She was honored for her singing talent and charitable, community activities by dozens of organizations.

Regrettably, she was not recognized or honored by the governments of Guyana or Trinidad or India for her contributions to the diaspora of those nations.

As Dr. Tara Singh, (Continued on page 6)

Tuesday February 23, 2021

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

A new, reformed Police force in a new enlightened Guyana, is what we all look forward to Dear Editor, I received a posting from a friend on Facebook, bemoaning the fact that the Guyana Police Force is corrupt and in his judgement if reformation does not take place within the Force, Guyana is doomed. I readily agree with him on this one because for real progress to take place, Guyana must have an efficient and well managed force that will cater for the needs of everyone and a society that we can all feel free to live in. Because what will our society be if we are not safe or to trust the

persons who swore to protect and serve us. It is like spinning tap in mud.

To emphasize his point he went on to highlight a recent robbery in the community where he lives, the details which shows the involvement of members of the police force.

He contends that the robbery was too - as we would say in Guyanese parlance - “Too neat a crime” not to have had the “expert assistance” of the police. And this has been our lament ever since that is, the evidence of the corrupt activities of members of our Law Enforcement.

The lawlessness and corrupt activities of certain force members is ever present, manifesting itself in many ways, such as the use of firearms at parties to scare off enemies. I am talking about the gangster type cop who sport his service weapon at drunken parties where gunplay and other open brawls become the norm.

Then there is the sickening truth of “guns for hire,” where service weapons end up in the hands of criminals who then go on to create havoc in society. All of these and more are just a few examples of the degradation that has overtaken our police force.

Oil cannot replace Agriculture Dear Editor, This is in reference to “It can’t get worse at GuySuCo” (Feb 20). The courage of Sharmila Ally and other writers is applauded for exposing wrong doings at Guysuco. Is there political leadership to save Guysuco?

Does anyone remember the Raj Singh tenure (2012-15)?

Are we returning there?

Is the Ministry of Agriculture also facing similar woes and can it be rescued? Can we afford to let agriculture deteriorate? Oil is no reliable. Oil is finite; it will run out. That is why it is called non-renewable resource.

Integrity in the Ministry has fallen considerably. Is that surprising? Who is to be blamed? Is there a contract issue? Under the previous APNU-led administration, competence was a major challenge. Under this administration, integrity is a big problem. Will there be a solution? Who will tame the train on run away pick pocketing? Will the President

and VP act? If so, how soon?

Contractors have complained that they are victimized for resisting corruption. They don’t want to pay to play; paying has become an institution. Some contractors refuse to be corrupt in greasing hands. But in so doing, they are declared persona non grata in getting contracts.

Contractors say that the situation is dire. They have been informed by key individuals in the Ministry that instructions have been issued to withhold work from certain contractors who refused to pay to play.

Contractors have to dig deep down in their bank accounts to meet demands as there is an insatiable appetite for bribe.

Like the other writers who expressed concern about

what is happening at Guysuco, I too am troubled.

Bad news all around! Can Guysuco be saved? Will Ministry of Agriculture be rehabilitated?

Has government made a decision that agriculture is no longer important in Guyana.

The oil boom has been shown not to be reliable in so many countries. The oil curse is well known.

The oil balloon will burst and the way things are going we may not have agriculture to fall back on. The government leadership needs to act on the blunders at Guysuco and Ministry of Agriculture. Government should heed the advice of Ms. Ally and act against trespassers in Agriculture and at Guysuco.

Yours truly, Boysie M Shivtahal

Now I hate to highlight faults involving force members and not make suggestions for improvement or, in its truest sense make room for a total overhaul of the force, if needs be: 1. First on our reformation list strict rules governing recruits to the force. There must be strict scrutiny of candidates for the job, I am speaking of strict guidelines akin to one going for a visa to travel to The USA. Sound background checks must be made, in addition there should be careful scrutiny of character references of the new recruits.

2. A well trained and fully equipped force with the necessary materials to do an effective job. I make mention of equipping the police with vehicles and other service hardware to do a proper job. Our police should be on the scene of a crime almost immediately and not the usual hours or even days to visit the crime scene. About such time valuable evidence would have been tampered with or the criminals making good their escape.

3. There should be room for continual upgrades of our policemen where inservice training and other staff developmental programs are used to gain additional knowledge and strategies, to be better able to deal with crime and criminals. There are

also sensitive issues such as domestic violence and other spousal abuse matters where the police is called in, such matters need proper training.

4. Our policemen and women must be properly paid, I am not asking for super salaries, because this would bring in the factor of who pays the piper calls the tune, this is not what we would like to take place in our police force. The members of our force must not be paid super salaries, they must be paid comfortable salaries commensurate to other members of the public service, this will reduce the level of corruption that presently exists.

5. A c a d e m i c qualifications is of utmost necessity something that must be shown at the time of entry, in this way we must ensure that we are fitted with individuals who are mentality sound to lead and not to go into the realm of mediocrity.

Too often we see the rejects of society and school dropouts, persons who can only sport a birth certificate and nothing else being recruited to the force. This impedes development where a well educated and well trained force is the required objective. In this regard, our policemen must be able to write a proper report that which can withstand the test in a court of law.

6.

Police officers who act as bullies to other persons in society, by carelessly threatening them with their service weapons, these should be immediately weeded out of the force. Yet others who take their service weapon to drunken parties or used for any other purposes than which it is intended should be given the marching orders.

7. There should be active and sustained police presence in crime hotspots, I am also advocating regular and sustained stop and search action, as well as surprise raids.

8.

But far more important is the fact that the police force should be free from political, racial, religious or other interference factors.

The police should not become tainted or used as a tool in the hand of any political party to conduct its nefarious activities. This is the dangerous road we have travelled for many years now, a force that is influenced and or one that is dictated to by a political party. This nonsense has to stop and the time is now!

The police, though paid by the state is not an organization or one at the behest of any political party, rather, the police is an organization set aside by law to do its duties unimpeded (Continued on page 6)

PAGE 6

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 23, 2021

The opening notes of Guyana’s predators’ ball began during our elections Dear Editor, I am watching on at the flurry of commerce, current and gearing up, in motion for delivery in Guyana, and I am transported from the Wall Street casino of Georgetown to the Wall Street of Lower Manhattan and over three decades ago. What I see and envision unfolding here is a bona fide Predators’ Ball, and with all the singular extravagances sure to become part of Guyanese legend.

In this local Predators’ Ball, the politiciansgovernment and oppositionare set to make the biggest financial killings. Those who were not in a position to get before, will get now; those venal political leaders and inner circles that were and are not satisfied with what they got earlier (think 23 years followed by 5) will ensure that they grab more than enough to satisfy their unimaginable greed, their incomparable appetites for money, the people’s money. There are those billions borrowed and to be put to work. I start with a billion only, which is fast

becoming an everyday figure thrown around with increasing frequency.

A billion squeezed for the now traditional, and now accepted, 10% political surcharge (possibly increased to 15 or 20% to adjust for cost of living) to partake in government projects reaps a bonanza for the interested and willing; we have no shortage of them in PPP and coalition circles.

Guyanese ought not to fool themselves: some in the coalition share in the grand financial bacchanals.

That 10% minimum from a billion to be paid from the top, to have a chance to do government business is a cool hundred million; now multiply by the numerous contracts and there would be billions in pillage. In due course, cost overruns will add to the pile from the mutually rewarding cash claw back arrangements. Government contractors, mainly PPP luminaries, will get to drink and dance (and collect their prizes) to their hearts’ content, just like they did in Mike Milken’s carnivals. For those who need the education, Guyana has its own predatory

Michael Milken, and he is from a more cunning training and hunting ground than the once well-named Drexel Burnham Lambert. Bald head, beady eyes, and grubby paws are part of the attire, just like big Mike who got 10 years in the slammer. But like the American Mike, the Guyanese one is also revered by many here.

As all of this come to pass, the little people not invited to the financial festivities (Guyana’s predators’ ball) will get COVID-19 cash, Old Age Pension increase, VAT decrease, gasoline decrease, and they had better settle for that and some more bird droppings (sign of coming good luck), and be contented.

They can kiss goodbye to any thoughts of that milliondollar payday, on which I disagreed with former president, David Granger, since regular citizens could get revolutionary ideas on greater possibilities. It is, however, just too much for this government predators to consider, since it would shorten their share.

Editor, the predators already line up to attend

Guyana’s ball. None who is worth his salt wants to miss the black tie, cummerbund and sash, oil extravaganza; the bounties that are guaranteed for the taking.

Just like the ones in the 1980s with their junk bonds and leveraged buyouts that made a killing, and all who escaped the hangman’s noose of being made to account for their corrupting contributions; they included attorneys, accountants, and auditors then, and are the same here today. They number in the waves of businesses to come under the umbrella of that joint Guyana/ American body that have every interest in seizing the rich opportunities available here.

Fortune 500 companies, venture capitalists, vulture capitalists, portfolio and investment managers, gamblers and wildcatters will all make their way to Guyana’s predators’ ball. The name of the game on this wide-open oil frontier is financial fun in the sun.

We are well-positioned to be taken advantage of: a devilishly clever and corrupt cohort of politicians from

We should use our diplomatic channels to be included in the EU visa-exempt status Dear Editor, We should use our diplomatic channels to be included in the EU visa exempt status. St Lucia and St Kitts & Nevis are two of the Caribbean countries that enjoy a visa exemption from the European Union (EU) to travel within their Schengen countries. The citizens of these two Caribbean islands require only a valid passport with a minimum of three

months validity prior to travelling.

Guyana is now becoming an emerging nation in the oil and gas sector with a global recognition which we should use to facilitate the free movement of our people in order to further the goals of our nation.

A visa exempt status with the EU will allow our entrepreneurs a hassle-free access to the businesses in

Europe that will want to invest in Guyana and form partnerships.

It will also allow more goods and services to be exported from Guyana to the EU and reciprocally for goods and services to be imported from EU to Guyana. Visa exemption will encourage Guyanese to vacation in Europe which has a lot of historical sites that are the bedrock of European

civilization.

It can also be used to develop Guyana as a tourist destination for Europeans which will also mean more airline connections.

Using our diplomatic channels to access this visa exempt status with the EU will greatly enhance our development and prestige among nations.

Yours truly, Reggie Bhagwandin

Wise leaders know that the division of a nation will always lead to the destruction of that nation Dear Editor, The nation of one’s birth holds a special part in their heart, and when wicked men rule over that nation it can be very heart breaking to the true loyalist. Those whose navel strings were buried in the rich

black soil of the land.

I do respect the fact that modern day world leaders have all rejected those that use means other than the ballot to over throw failing governments, however these leaders may have failed to put

systems in place to deal with rogue governments.

Governments run by men who were elected by a percentage of people to serve all of the people, but they have become the oppressors of those who did not vote

them and have manipulated established laws to ensure that they cannot be removed from office.

Some may call this clever politics, but this is what an established dictatorship is all (Continued on page 28)

leaders all the way down; a compromised and corrupt private sector; a still more compromised professional and civil society class. Selfhelp is the order of the day, as well as conversion of foreign currency and to the Guyanese commercial culture.

The people can take care of themselves; they better had.

The opening notes of Guyana’s predators’ ball began during our elections, the orchestra is set to soar from now. It is time for the oil cow and cash cow and captive cow that is Guyana to be milked and dry.

Remember, I said so.

Yours truly, GHK Lall

Oneness, One Guyana Commission?

USA and China?

Dear Editor, “Oneness”?

What happened to notions like unity, harmony, nationalism, co-existence? Are we trying to get rid of our rich cultural and ethnic diversity? Are we going along with the American way of assimilation? I wish there were an elaboration of the content of “oneness” and how the latter is to be achieved.

“One Guyana Commission”? Really?

Apparently, the consequence of the Taiwan fiasco was greater than we thought. Are we trying to appease the “injured” party by proclaiming One this and One that? The last I heard, no one is trying to secede a section

of our territory from Guyana, nor is anyone trying hard enough to invoke federalism, nor is there a separatist movement in Guyana. Why then this Commission? Are we making amends for our infractions on the “One China” policy”? Note is taken of Venezuela’s claim to twothirds of Guyana, but that is a different matter. Unity and patriotic nationalism are terms that are much more appropriate.

As we approach our Republic Day, I suggest we celebrate our rich diversity in a unified and harmonious manner. I hope H.E. will come up with some better ideas to leave as his legacy.

Yours truly, A. Adler

...Pillar of Guyanese From page 4 President of the Guyana Democracy Project, noted, “With the death of Seeta, the community is very saddened.

She is a terrific singer, a legend. She is a cultural icon. She is one of the most respected and versatile vocalists of the Indian, Indo-Caribbean and Guyanese diasporas. Her community work is immeasurable. We have lost a great soul, a terrific personality. No one can replace her”.

Indo-Caribbean President Ralph Tamesh praised Seeta’s contributions to the Indian Caribbean Federation for over thirty years. “She was a judge for various talent and beauty competitions at the Arrival Day celebrations.

She entertained Seniors at the annual Christmas luncheon. She brought many talents together, a mentor to vocalists. We will miss her

participation”.

I’m very fortunate to have attended countless events where Seeta performed including at mandirs, weddings, matticores, funerals, wakes, jhandis, Koran Shariefs.

Bhagwats, Ramayanas, concerts, and the like. She had a very warm, friendly, charming personality.

She had a gentle voice in her remarks and always a smiling face. She was never angry or upset with anyone.

Her death is a loss to the music fraternity as well as to the Indo-Guyanese community in America. My deepest condolences to her family.

May her soul rest in peace.

Her family should take comfort in the fact that her musical legacy will live on forever!

Om Shanti!

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

...A new, reformed Police From page 5 and uninterrupted by politics. Our Police will be reformed but this can only take place when standards and norms are put in place, there should be a definite no to political influence in the force. Police must do police work and not to be a puppet

of any regime, only then can we have a force well equipped to carry out its constitutional mandate. A new and reformed force in a new and enlightened Guyana is what we are all looking forward to.

Yours truly, Neil Adams

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Tuesday February 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

This Government still thinks it can get away with keeping the Omai, Aurora, Troy and other extractive industries contracts secret.

This newspaper will not stand for it. Secrecy must not be the order of the day.

Honour the commitments Guyana has made to make the oil and extractive industries transparent, NOW!

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Understanding the draft Local Content Policy

Tuesday February 23, 2021

(Pt. 5)

ExxonMobil's transportation, storage needs should be 100% supplied

by Guyanese

I

n the draft Local Content Policy that will see a month-long consultation process, t h e P P P / C Government is proposing that within the next decade, ExxonMobil and all other oil companies must source all of their transportation and storage needs from Guyana.

The document specifically notes that disposal, distribution and waste transport services; rental of cranes and special vehicles; logistics management services; supply base, warehouse and storage services, must all be 100 percent locally sourced by 2031.

Other areas and the proposed increase in local content participation are included in the chart (at right).

Tuesday February 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

Whose brain really needs checking?

V

ice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, is of the view that fossil fuels are being phased-out around the world and therefore Guyana should extract as much oil – as fast as it can, in the shortest possible time, so as to maximize the country's returns. This is a misguided policy.

But the issue at question is not novel. It has been debated before. As late as December last year, Jan Mangal, an oil industry expert, offered some advice via a letter to the editor, which was published under the title: “Pumping more oil may not be the best strategy for Guyana.”

In that letter, Dr. Mangal provided irrefutable arguments why Guyana should not attempt to extract its oil and quickly as possible based on the belief that the development of renewables could result in our oil remaining in the ground and with diminishing value.

Dr. Mangal's arguments against this is that the strategy of “Drill baby drill!

Pump baby pump!” is one, which is in the interest of the oil companies. He said that the oil companies are always keen to pump everything as fast as possible since this gives them a quick return on their investment and because they know that as new oilproducing countries become savvier over time, they tend to demand better terms. The

oil companies therefore wish to get in and out and as fast as possible, especially when the oil contracts are stacked in their favour.

Dr. Mangal argues that countries benefit from sustained production over generations by using depletion strategies to constrain production even if it is lower production. This is because of the learning curve, which takes longer for small countries like Guyana.

He points to countries like Equatorial Guinea and Venezuela.

There is another side to this line of argument. It is that it is better for small countries like Guyana to have sustained benefits over a long period of time rather than to be awash suddenly with petro dollars. Venezuela is a good case in point. It failed to diversify its economy because it was so flush with oil revenues that it never bothered to look towards a future outside of petroleum production.

Trinidad is now facing a similar fate.

Dr. Mangal then makes a distinction, which Jagdeo seems oblivious to: the difference between peak production and peak demand. Dr. Mangal notes that the world has often been incorrect in predicting peak production. He points to the doomsday scenario in the 70s when it was predicted that the world would run out of oil. The same tune is being

rehashed today, this time about the prospects of oil being eclipsed by renewables.

Dr. Mangal notes that the idea of a short window for oil production is a scare tactic of the oil companies. They use this ruse to entice countries to produce as much oil as fast as possible. It would not be surprising to learn that Jagdeo may have fallen, hook, line and sinker, for what the oil companies want him to believe.

Dr. Mangal does not believe, however, that the sky is about to fall on our heads. While he subscribes to the view that demand is inevitably bound to be reduced, it is questionable when this will occur. And he notes that the demand for the nastier hydrocarbons, like coal, will reduce first before the demand for sweet oil falls. And with many countries investing in coal production, it may take many decades before the higher quality oil gets affected.

Guyana, he noted, has failed to enjoy economic success despite its rich resources. So trying to cashin now on oil by going on a production blitz does not necessarily mean that economic success will follow. In fact, this may well turn out to be a counterproductive strategy.

Dr. Mangal proposes that instead, Guyana should limit oil production to one or two projects (Liza 1 and Liza 2),

ERC should boys seh... be dissolved Dem

D

em boys read a sad story bout a lil boy wah sick with leukaemia and who need treatment outside.

When dem boys hear story like dis, water does come to dem eyes.

To think dat we is now wan oil producing nation and we want set up gas-toshore plant and can't even provide de sort of medical care needed for dat lil boy.

And de Vee Pee talking about paying back de cost in four years.

Which major onshore investment like dat one,

which can be de largest ever in de country's history, does get pay off in four years? Not even Amalia's Falls would ah end up being paid off before 20 years.

So dem boys wan know how come dis one getting pay off in four years? Dem boys watching fuh see de financial model wah dem gat and who gan be de one benefiting from de rapid payoff of de investment.

But dem boys mo concern today about de wastage of funds wah tekkin place while lil children nah getting de best health care.

Dem boys seh a lot of money wasting pun some of dem constitutional agencies, such as de ERC and dem other Commissions.

Dem boys seh is best de government tek dah money wah wasting pun de constitutional commission and spend it fuh help dah lil boy wah deh in pain.

Dem boys gan find nuff use fuh de money wah allocating to dem c o n s t i t u t i o n a l commissions.

Talk half and call fuh de dissolving of some of dem constitutional commissions.

and should negotiate for a fair share of the money from those projects. He asks that if it is assumed that oil demand will reduce, is it not more sensible to maximize our share from a prudent volume of oil, instead of pumping

vast volumes so as to give away the lion's share to ExxonMobil?

But as a word of caution, he observes that our local politicians have no interest in negotiations for the benefit of the country and its

people. He can say that again! Without having to do a corpus colostomy!

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Tuesday February 23, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Burnham: Visionary but narcissistic and dangerously flawed T

o d a y i s Mashramani, the event birthed by President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, a man possessed with deep and extensive authoritarian traits. Maybe the future holds the key to removing many of the symbols he saturated Guyana with that related to his narcissism.

He named what was known as Mackenzie after him. It is now Linden. The highway linking it with Region Four bears his name.

He put his daughters' names on parts of Guyana. There is Roxanne Burnham Garden and Melanie Damishana.

Some people are funny.

Two PNC members from the Atlanta PNC group in the US, Carol Trim Bagot and Denis Austin, submitted a

motion to the PNC's 20th biennial congress in 2018 to include Burnham's name on the airport. But these two funny persons, who I am glad to refer to as clowns, didn't ask for Jagan's name to be added to Linden.

Let's return to the future.

Maybe Mash Day and Linden can change thus separating this country from Burnham's negative legacy.

It depends on the future of the PNC. While PNC constituencies are happy that their party still has plenty of seats in parliament, they should face reality that with their leaders getting older and Guyana's population getting younger, the future of the PNC is in serious doubt.

My take is that the PNC committed self-destruction between March and July last

year with the rigging of the national election.

It is virtually impossible for them in the decades to come to win either a minority presidency or have a majority government. I'm afraid the PNC is going to be in the wilderness for so long, that by 2040, only a PPP government the youths will be familiar with. During the election rigging, I had a telephonic conversation with Christopher Ram and I told him Guyana is in for a long period of PPP power.

Maybe by 2040, the dialectics would have transformed Guyana so that Mash Day can be rearranged in another format on another day in the calendar that has vital importance for Guyana thus moving the event away from Burnham's narcissism.

Burnham's mausoleum in the Botanical Gardens can be relocated to Congress Place in Sophia and Linden can be renamed Sun Chapman City in memory of those large number of persons who died when the vessel went down in the Demerara River or simply Bauxite City to remind future generations that Guyana once had a thriving bauxite industry located in that area.

Burnham was deeply enthralled with what he saw as his special, psychological endowments. Another term is narcissism. There is no question about it; he believed he was special. This is the Freudian explanation for why he rode on horseback sharing out cigarettes to poor young men in south Georgetown, which was banned at the time through an edict of his.

It explains why he rode on horseback at Hope Estate and laughed when he had workers scampering in the trenches to avoid being trampled upon. It explains why he loved to wear the chosen colour of the Roman emperors - purple. In 1982, he attended the North-South dialogue in Cancun, Mexico with world leaders and was

the joke of the conference.

The colour of his sartorial assemblage was purple including a pair of high top boots Frederick Kissoon that made him look like a cowboy from was far more visionary than Texas.

The world leaders found his post-colonial counterparts; his fashion to be amusing. It e a c h p h e n o m e n a l explains why at a special a c h i e v e m e n t , e a c h emergency meeting of his international recognition, party in 1983, when all the reinforced his megalomania.

So he got Guyana to be attendees voted to remove the flour ban, he got up and said it the head office of CARIFTA; will remain because he knows got the chairmanship of the best. It explains why he loved Non-Aligned Movement; to address gatherings from represented the Caribbean at the 1982 North-South public balconies.

He settled for February Dialogue and received the 23 for Mashramani because admiration of Indira Gandhi the date was three days after and Margaret Thatcher. At his birthday. He justified the home, he implemented the date by citing that day as the N I S , m o v e d U G t o start of the 1763 slave Turkeyen, built the harbour rebellion. He settled for May bridge, among several other 26 for Independence for brilliant accomplishments. personal reasons relating to But that was his undoing. He t h e 1 7 6 3 r e b e l l i o n . thought he was Nietzsche's Everything was personal for Übermensch. So did Hitler.

Both had ignominious Burnham.

To deny him his vision endings.

(The views expressed in would be academic dishonesty. But herein lies the this article are those of the great contradiction of a u t h o r a n d d o n o t Burnham. Because he was necessarily reflect the ahead of his time, because he opinions of this newspaper.)

Tuesday February 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 23, 2021

CXC headquarters suspends printing of certificates T

he Ministry of Education, in a press release, sought to notify the general public that the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Headquarters located in Barbados has suspended the printing of certificates for the July/August 2020 examinations.

This, it was noted, is due to COVID-19 restrictions that have been imposed by the government there.

The Ministry said that the Council released a memorandum notifying the

The Barbados headquarters of the Caribbean Examinations Council

Caribbean region that in response to those restrictions that were placed to curb the spread of the virus, the headquarters cannot operate and the printing of the certificates has been suspended until those restrictions are lifted.

However, candidates who have urgent requests can submit a request for a printed preliminary slip from CXC's Western Zone Office in Jamaica, which can b e e m a i l e d , t o cxcwzo@cxc.org.

The Ministry also provided a status update on the review of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency (CAPE) results, which they recently

announced was delayed due to the lockdown in Barbados.

For CSEC, the Ministry said, “The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has provided an update in relation to the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) reviews for Guyana.

In processing the reviews, the Council further considered borderline cases, for which 6,251 subject entries were positively affected.”

Of 1,258 subject reviews submitted for CSEC by 500 candidates of which approximately 90 percent have been completed and 128 are currently being processed, grade changes were awarded to 456 grade

reviews while 674 grades remained the same.

Further, it said that a check of the pending reviews revealed t h a t s e v e r a l candidates could receive review changes that may likely affect the list of candidates with the highest number of Grade Ones.

For CAPE, it was stated that 311 subject entries were positively affected and CXC has reported that 93 percent of 526 subject reviews, which 209 candidates submitted, have been finalized for Guyana.

The remaining 33 subject reviews are currently being processed and 145 grade changes were recorded while 348 received no changes to their grades.

Tuesday February 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

GWI ramps up efforts to replace aged city transmission lines M

oves are apace to replace the more than a century old transmission lines in Georgetown.

In a release the water authority revealed that it is intensifying efforts in this regard with the support of Central Government.

This a n n o u n c e m e n t was made by the company's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Shaik Baksh, who on Sunday last visited the site of a breakage in the vicinity of the Bank of Guyana which was being rectified.

He was accompanied

by Senior Engineer in the Special Projects unit of the Ministry of Public Works, Mr. Colin Gittens.

The Ministry has been playing a major role in reinstating the roadways when these repair works are done.

Baksh explained that over the last few months there have been several

breakages within the same area, which has heavy traffic traversing and these breakages have been causing the deterioration of the road ways.

He stressed that repair works to such mains only serve as temporary fixes, as what is needed is the total replacement of these cast iron mains.

This, however, is very costly and cannot be done just over a one-year period.

Nevertheless, GWI, with financial support from Government has already commenced the replacement of the transmission mains.

Works are ongoing between Lamaha Street and Shelterbelt, and are expected to be completed by the end of March 2021.

The CEO said the replacement of these mains is high on GWI's agenda and three such projects have been catered for in the 2021 budget.

This includes the

GWI's CEO, Mr. Shaik Baksh, at the breakage site in the vicinity of the Bank of Guyana on Sunday replacement of transmission mains from Shelterbelt to Church Street, which will l e a d t o Wa t e r S t r e e t ,

Shelterbelt through Cemetery road and Shelterbelt to Cummings Street. The company is also

hoping to secure funding for the replacement of mains from Cummings Street to Water Street.

The replacement of the aged mains also form part of GWI's five year Strategic Plan for 2021-2025.

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 23, 2021

CCTV footage shows man being set alight at Supermarket The burnt body that was found in the compound of the Huaxin Supermarket

T

he Guyana Police Force is currently investigating the death of an unidentified man, who was set on fire by another man early yesterday in the compound of the Huaxin Supermarket located at Lot 371 Beezie Enmore, East Coast Demerara. The incident was captured on CCTV camera.

The body, which was clad in a short multicoloured pants and a grey

jersey, was discovered lying on the ground by a 52-yearold painter sometime around 08:16 hrs.

The unidentified man of East Indian decent was found lying on the northeastern side of the Supermarket, motionless with burnt marks to the upper parts of his entire body.

According to the reports, based on CCTV footage received from the

supermarket, it showed that around 02:46 hrs. on Tuesday, the dead man and another man were seen having an argument. It was further revealed that the man held on to the deceased for a moment before pushing him to the northern side of the fence. After that, the man was seen picking up some empty cardboard boxes and went to the spot where he pushed the deceased.

At around 03:12 hrs. a fire was seen lit in the same area where the deceased was pushed. The suspect then picked up his bicycle and headed in the western direction.

Based on information received, several persons were questioned, but no useful information was obtained.

The police have since launched a manhunt for the suspect seen in the CCTV footage. Investigations are currently ongoing.

The deceased's body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Parlour, where it is awaiting a post mortem.

Wall Street banks predict oil will...

From page 3 year, depending on how much supply they choose to release back on to the market.”

OPEC has included in recent reports that it sees Guyana among countries key to recovery of global oil supply, when the pandemic abates.

ExxonMobil intends a dramatic increase to its Guyana production in the next few years to more than 750,000 barrels per day. The company sees potential for up to 10 Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek block, which could take production to two million barrels of oil per day, uniquely positioning Guyana to benefit from an oil supercycle.

Tuesday February 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Ninety percent of the population at risk for filaria

- Ministry continues to push mass drug distribution campaign to stop spread

W

ith 90 percent o f t h e population at risk of contracting lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as filaria, the Ministry of Health (MOH), in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), is continuing its aggressive campaign to eliminate the disease.

Dr. Reza Niles, the lymphatic filariasis campaign coordinator, at Vector Control Services Unit at the MOH, told Kaieteur Radio yesterday that the ongoing Mass Drug Distribution (MDA) against Lymphatic Filariasis and Intestinal Worms would cover several regions, which have been deemed highly endemic for the disease.

“There are areas that are considered highly endemic for lymphatic filariasis including: Moruca Region One, the entire Region Two and Region Three, Region Six, Bartica in Region Seven

Lymphatic filariasis campaign coordinator, Dr. Reza Niles and Region 10. Regions Eight and Region Nine will be targeted…” she said.

According to the Dr. Niles, the campaign, which was launched on February 8, last, has already seen a mass distribution of the pills used to prevent the disease from spreading in the coastal areas.

She noted that the

Ministry has deployed workers to various communities in Regions Three and Four to distribute the pills. She said too that the exercise is initially being rolled out in these regions as they are more densely populated, before it is expanded to the other eight administrative regions. The distribution exercise will last two weeks in each region.

Dr. Niles said too that the campaign would target at least 70 percent of the population except for people who are sick, women who are pregnant or nursing and children below the age of two. Dr. Niles stressed that the aim of the MDA is to eliminate the disease.

“The exercise that we are doing is to prevent the spread and eliminate the filariasis at its core from happening. We are hoping that once we complete this exercise, nobody in Guyana should ever have to deal with filaria again,” she explained.

Dr. Niles noted too that the distribution would be

Filaria is a disease that causes severe swelling in the limbs done in compliance with the gazetted COVID-19 measures.

Earlier this month, during the launch of this year's MDA campaign, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, noted that once the programme is successful, Guyana would be declared free of filaria by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Minister Anthony expressed confidence in the officers distributing the pills and charged them to educate people on the importance of taking them as they conduct the exercise.

“We believe strongly that we will be able, with the help of the persons who are working on this, to be able to go out to the various communities. Talk to people, educate them and to ensure that they have the appropriate information so that they will want to take their tablets,” he said.

He noted that success of the programme requires a collaborative effort and cooperation from all stakeholders.

H e c a l l e d o n representatives at the neighbourhood and regional democratic councils, faith-

based organizations and at the level of political parties, to do their part to help eliminate filaria.

The MDA programme to suppress filaria started in Guyana in October 2019.

Once 70 percent of the population has been covered, Guyana would be eligible for certification from the WHO that filaria has been eliminated here.

Over the last year, some 1,400 pill distributors, 170 field officers, 20 regional coordinators and eight national supervisors were trained to conduct the exercise.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Tuesday February 23, 2021

AFC's Patterson plugs motion requiring EPA to take action on Exxon's flaring

By Kemol King

S

hadow Oil and Gas Minister and Alliance for Change (AFC) Member of Parliament, David Patterson, yesterday filed a motion with the National Assembly, which would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take action to curb ExxonMobil's flaring.

The motion is being seconded by AFC MP, Cathy Hughes, who is also expected to operate in Parliament with an oil and gas portfolio.

ExxonMobil has been flaring since late January at a rate of 16-18 million cubic feet per day.

The company has sent defective equipment to Germany for repairs, and expects reinstatement in about eight weeks. It had also placed an order for a new gas compressor, and expects it to arrive closer to the end of the year.

The MPs are not satisfied that all reasonable measures are being taken to ensure compliance with the Liza Phase One environmental permit, and will advocate by way of this motion, for the

AFC MP, David Patterson

Parliament to direct ExxonMobil's local subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), to abide by the terms and conditions of the permit issued on June 1, 2017.

They hold that the permit requires ExxonMobil to “employ effective operational and maintenance systems on all aspects of the facility whose failure could impact the environment...” and that it “expressly prohibits flaring and venting; with exceptions being made for "tank flashing emission, standing/working/breathing losses" and flaring related to the startup of the FPSO, emergencies or during periods of maintenance.”

The motion would require the EPA “to take all reasonable measures to ensure compliance including, EEPGL achieving zero flaring at the Liza One Project through reduction of oil production rates; and suspension of same Liza One Permit if zero flaring is not met, until it is satisfied that all reasonable and lawful efforts are being made to ensure that there is no flaring of gas as has occurred over the past several weeks.”

“EEPGL,” the motion states, “has routinely been engaged in flaring in direct contravention of the terms of the Liza One Permit issued and acknowledged, and as a result, has caused, and is causing substantial damage to the environment and the credibility of the Liza One Development Project.”

ExxonMobil's Government and Public Affairs Advisor, Janelle Persaud, told Kaieteur News last night, “ExxonMobil Guyana complies with the conditions of the Liza Phase One environmental permit as we do all other laws and regulations related to our operations.”

Persaud had said a few days ago, “The permit prohibits routine flaring but specifies that flaring related to FPSO start-up, emergencies/process events, or maintenance activities are not considered routine.”

While the motion, if passed, would require ExxonMobil to reduce production, the Irfaan Ali administration has allowed ExxonMobil to produce oil at nameplate capacity of

120,000 barrels per day.

Patterson's motion said that a reduction in production of 15,000 bpd would reduce flaring to pilot levels – low levels of flaring required to maintain a safe operation.

ExxonMobil President, Alistair Routledge, had told reporters on February 8 that by producing at the current rate, the company is working to find the right balance for Guyana, between mitigating flaring and securing revenues for the country as its economy has suffered from the impact of the pandemic.

The motion, if passed, would also see that the National Assembly orders “that the Liza One and Liza Two Permits be immediately amended by the EPA to become consistent with the updated conditions in the Payara Permit, relative to flaring.”

It states that “key terms such as startup, emergencies, commissioning, and maintenance periods were not clearly defined in the Liza One and Liza Two Permits, allowing EEPGL to claim that the Liza One operation was still in startup mode, thus EEPGL's choosing to flare during months of production and sales of millions of barrels of oil after initial startup.”

This refers to last year, when ExxonMobil flared for more than 12 billion cubic feet of gas all year.

It seeks to correct issues in the permit which allowed ExxonMobil to claim it was not in breach.

Patterson's motion states “key terms such as startup, e m e r g e n c i e s , commissioning, and maintenance periods have been revisited and clearly defined in the Payara Development Project Permit granted on September 24, 2020 (Payara Permit)…”

Patterson noted that Clause 13.1 in the Liza permits state, “The EPA Reserves the right to review and amend the conditions attached to this Permit.”

Revisions would not only apply to the new provisions linked to flaring but other new provisions in the permit, including better insurance provisions instituted by former Head of the EPA, Dr. Vincent Adams, in the Liza Phase Two permit, which is not present in Liza Phase One.

Tuesday February 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 23, 2021

Father sent to jail for harbouring Mazaruni Prison escapees

Escapee: Rayon Jones Remanded: Ralph Jones

Escapee: Imram Ramsaywack

T

he father of one of the Mazaruni e s c a p e e s yesterday made his first court appearance and was remanded to prison for harbouring the four high profile escapees.

The defendant, Ralph Jones, 60, a boat captain of 114 Fourth Avenue, Bartica, appeared at the Vreed-enHoop Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Crystal Lambert.

He was slapped with four counts of harbouring a wanted fugitive and was not required to plead to the charges after they were read to him. The Joint Service Unit is still to recapture the escapees.

The charges alleged that he harboured: Imram Ramsaywack, 25, of 7 Adelphi Village, East Coast Demerara; Kenrick Lyte, 44, of Grant Good Intent, Lower Pomeroon River; Samuel Gouveia, 36, of 13 Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara; and Rayon Jones, 28, of 121 Timehri, East Bank Demerara.

Ralph is the father of Rayon Jones, and he reportedly confessed to helping his fugitive son and other inmates.

Ralph is being represented by attorney-atlaw, Adrian Thompson. In

Escapee: Kenrick Lyte

Escapee: Samuel Gouveia his address to the court, Thompson said that his client's son showed up at his home with the other three escaped convicts and demanded food and money.

The lawyer added that his client was fearful for his life if he had refused to help his son and the other escapees.

However, Magistrate Lambert remanded Ralph to prison and the matter was adjourned to March 5, 2021.

On Thursday last, a patrol of police ranks went to the location where Ralph said he threw away the clothes that the escapees were wearing and they found (continued on page 28)

Tuesday February 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Body in septic tank...

Man confesses to killing, dumping room-mate A

fter he returned from a hangout with friends, 32year-old Collin Anthony was beaten to death at his Belle West, West Bank Demerara (WBD) home on Tuesday last with a piece of iron and then dumped into a septic tank. At least this is what his 28-year-old room-mate, Fazal Mohammed Ibrahim, of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD) gave detectives yesterday.

Cops nabbed Ibrahim on Sunday at Grove, EBD while he was sitting as a passenger in a minibus. Ibrahim and Anthony were friends for several years and were living together for some time now at Belle West.

In his confession, Ibrahim said that he murdered Anthony for having an intimate relationship with his (Ibrahim) wife.

On Tuesday February 16 last, Anthony had gone out to celebrate his birthday with his friends. When he returned home later that evening, Ibrahim said that he confronted him (Anthony) about the matter.

- says it was because he slept with his wife The septic tank where Anthony's body was dumped

Killed with a piece of iron, Collin Anthony

Fazal Mohammed Ibrahim has reportedly confessed to killing Anthony

They ended up in an argument and Ibrahim said that he picked up a piece of iron and struck Anthony several times to the head until he collapsed to the floor. He then wrapped Anthony in a sheet, fetched him down the stairs and dumped him into the septic tank.

The following day, Ibrahim said that he rode Anthony's motorcycle to a location in Grove where he

pawned it for $40,000.

Sources said that after Ibrahim confessed he led police to that location where they successfully recovered Anthony's motorcycle.

Ibrahim's confession came after the Major Crime Unit (MCU), in collaboration with detectives from the Region Three Police District, began a thorough investigation into the case.

On Saturday February 20, neighbours were alerted to a

foul stench emanating from Anthony's yard. With news circulating that he has not been heard or seen from since Tuesday, they followed their noses and stumbled upon his decomposing body lying face down in his septic tank.

Crime scene experts who showed up at the scene observed that his body bore injuries to the back of the head. Detectives soon learnt that Anthony lived with a

friend (Ibrahim) but that friend was nowhere around.

They were told that the friend had left since Anthony disappeared. The friend, detectives learnt, was last s e e n o n We d n e s d a y, February 17, 2021, riding Anthony's motorcycle.

With these information and other bits of evidence gathered from the crime scene, detectives moved to identify Ibrahim as their prime suspect.

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 23, 2021

PAGE 21

MPs open budget debates with insults and vulgarity - One showcases vibrating dildo to make point

S

enior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, recently presented to the National Assembly and by extension the country, the largest budget it has ever seen.

During that presentation, the Senior Minister had disclosed the whopping $383.1B budget would catapult the country's economic recovery, and improve the performance of critical sectors that were severely affected by COVID-19 shockwaves.

All 65 parliamentarians had one week to study the budget estimates and were set to return to the National Assembly yesterday with their criticisms and observations regarding the policies and measures in the

Government MP, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo

Speaker of the House Manzoor Nadir budget.

As an elected official, one would naturally expect these individuals, both on the government and opposition sides, to behave with decency and proper etiquette. Moreover, it was expected that the discussions

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy

Coalition MP, Ganesh Mahipaul

would have been at a high and respectable level as key measures in the budget were addressed.

However, what Kaieteur News witnessed in the dome of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) yesterday was the hurling of

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton

Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon

racist, homophobic, and sexist insults from one Member of Parliament (MP) to the other.

It started with the Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, who in his 35minute presentation,

Coalition MP, Geeta Chandon-Edmond

Coalition MP, Sherod Duncan

outlined a slew of initiatives in the budget that are set to boost the management and productivity of the labour sector.

Even though he had a functioning mic, Hamilton shouted his presentation across the room, and MPs from the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) shouted back, “Yuh getting hoarse, fadda, sit down!”

One of the louder Opposition MPs, Sherod Duncan, began hurling insults at Hamilton, and rather than proceeding with his presentation, the Minister shouted back, “And then you will have profanity from the lady that jumps out of a man's body regularly!”

Third in the lineup of speakers was coalition MP, Geeta Chandan-Edmond. At the beginning of her speech,

the Attorney-at-Law wished belated birthday greetings to Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall. But she did not stop there, as the MP took a jab at the childless AG by saying, “I am a proud mother of two children. All the credit goes to my husband.”

There were even homophobic insults hurled from one MP to another. In the first case, it was Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, who shouted to Minister Kwame McCoy, “I have a lil boy for you.”

S h o r t l y a f t e r, M P Catherine Hughes, who had her ear phones plugged in for most of the beginning of the debates, shouted to Minister M c C o y, “ R a i n b o w !

Rainbow! Rainbow!” This is a known reference to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and (continued on page 28)

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 23, 2021

Pedal cyclist struck down by Health Ministry bus identified Yet to regain consciousness, Cuthbert Crandon

C

o p s h a v e managed to identify the pedal cyclist who was involved in an accident with a minibus attached to the Ministry of Health on Friday last.

According to police reports, the man, who remains critical, was identified yesterday as 41year-old, Cuthbert Crandon, by his sister. She told the police that he has no fixed place of abode.

Crandon was struck down by the minibus sometime around 06:10 hrs. on Friday along Vlissengen Road, Georgetown in the vicinity of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) office.

He was at the time riding with a mattress on his head, and had attempted crossing to the western side of the road but ended up instead in the path of the minibus.

Police noted too, that the bus was speeding. Its driver, a 50-year-old resident, of P i k e S t r e e t , K i t t y, Georgetown, told investigators that he tried swerving to the right but could not avoid hitting Crandon.

The bus, police reported, after hitting the cyclist crashed further into a CCTV camera pole situated on the western side of the road.

As the driver exited the bus, Crandon lay motionless on the roadway with notable injuries about his body.

He was rushed to the hospital in an unconscious state, and to date has not regained conscious.

Doctors told police that he suffered five broken ribs and a contusion to his lungs.

The driver has since been released on bail as investigations continue.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 23, 2021

PAGE 23

Non-functioning ERC received over $500M during 2011 - 2018 S

e v e r a l discrepancies within the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) have been uncovered following independent research by Kaieteur News and the most recent finding pinpoints that it received over $500M in budgetary allocations while being inoperable for seven years.

T h e E R C w a s established on March 8, 2002, with the aim of promoting ethnic harmony and security in Guyana.

The non-political body t h a t c o m p r i s e s representatives from religious bodies, labour movements and the private business sector had operated up until 2011 when its mandate, and by extension the work of its commissioners, expired. It became operable again on February 22, 2018, when it was reconstituted and saw the swearing-in of 10 new commissioners by former president David Granger.

The forgoing details are clearly outlined on the Commission's website.

Despite being inoperable from 2011 to 2018, budget estimates, seen by this publication, reveal that the Commission would have received $504M in those seven years, leaving two significant questions: What was the money spent on?; and: Who presided over the spending?

Based on the budget estimates, in 2012, the year after becoming inoperable, it received a $99.4M budgetary allocation. In 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 the allocations were $49.9M, $63.7M, $43.1M, $81.4M and $50.5M respectively.

Then in 2018, the allocation was $115.7M. Further, budget estimates after 2015 show little to no information on what the allocations catered for.

However, this publication previously reported that in 2015, the former coalition government had amended the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) which allowed constitutional agencies like the ERC to have independence with their allocations. Before the coalition's amendment,

Ethnic Relations Commission Chairman, Reverend John Smith

Deputy Chairman, Major-General (Ret'd), Norman Mclean

Commissioner, Sister Rajkumarie Singh

Commissioner, Neaz Subhan

Commissioner, Norris Witter

Commissioner, Haji Roshan Khan

Commissioner, Ruth Howard

Commissioner, Ashton Simon

Commissioner, Barrington Braithwaite

Commissioner, Pandit Deodat Persaud

constitutional agencies had their budgetary allocations placed under scrutiny by their subject Minister.

The PPP government recently moved to yet again amend the Act stating that the coalition's amendment has removed billions of d o l l a r s f r o m Parliamentary scrutiny that by law could only be s p e n t a f t e r s c r u t i n y.

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, during the tabling of the Bill said, “The amendment (by the Coalition) laid out a two-stage process whereby the budget of the constitutional agencies would be brought to the N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y, considered and approved by the Assembly, and incorporated into the national budget, which would subsequently be submitted to the House for

consideration, at which time the budget of the constitutional agencies, would not be reconsidered, but would form part of the national budget.”

His amendment has removed that two-step process and now allows for a single process of submission to the National Assembly since the Bill has been passed.

Additionally, an ERC Commissioner, Haji Roshan Khan, is of the firm conviction that there is a dire need for a governmental audit rather than a private audit that may skip over where value leakage of public funds is taking place.

The Chairman of the ERC, Reverend John Smith, was contacted by Kaieteur News last Thursday regarding discrepancies that were highlighted by Khan.

He had promised to

issue a press statement to address the claims.

It was noted that the release would be issued the following day but none was

issued.

In a further bid to get a response from the Chairman, this publication reached out yet again

yesterday and was told a response is currently being prepared which has to be fact-checked to ensure maximum accuracy.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 23, 2021

The items that were found at the Timehri Prison

The items that were found at the Camp Street Prison

Contraband items found during Prisons' search

T

he Joint Services Unit yesterday conducted individual searches on the Georgetown Camp Street Prison and Timehri Prison, and a number of contraband items were found and seized.

According to a police report, around 06:30 hrs. and 11:00 hrs. at the Camp Street Prison, a search was conducted in the holding bays and compound and several items were found and seized.

Among them were: nine cell phones, one cell phone battery, four cell phone chargers, 10 cigarette lighters, five improvised weapons and a knife.

Another release stated that between 06:10 hrs. and 09:30 hrs. a search was conducted at the Timehri Prison.

The release stated that the police and prison officers conducted the search, while the army ranks provided outer cordon protection.

During the search, the following items were found: six cell phones, a lighter, a quantity of 'strong wine' in 10 assorted bottles, a quantity of cement, one cell phone battery, one cell phone headpiece, four improvised weapons, 40 razor blades, a cell phone charger and a cellphone adapter.

Tuesday February 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

Another senior citizen added to the COVID-19 death toll

T

he Ministry of Health (MOH) y e s t e r d a y reported the death of another senior citizen due to COVID-19.

The deceased has been listed as a 63-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

In its press statement, the

Ministry stated that the man died on Sunday, while receiving treatment at a medical facility and has been recorded as the 190th COVID-19 fatality.

The MOH also revealed seven new COVID-19 infections yesterday via its daily dashboard.

The total number of cases

has increased to 8,427. The dashboard also shows that eight patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit and another eight are in institutional quarantine, 41 in institutional isolation and 415 in home isolation.

Additionally, a total of 7,774 persons have recovered to date.

Barbados-bound woman busted with cocaine, excretes 25 pellets

T

he Barbadosbound woman, who was on Saturday busted at the Ogle airport with a quantity of cocaine, has excreted some 25 pellets.

The woman, identified as Tamira Melville, 23, was

busted with the drugs around 11:00 hrs. as she was about to check-in for her flight. She was observed acting in a suspicious manner and officers decided to intercept her and carry out a full body search. It was during that search, the drugs were

discovered.

She had even told the officers that she had ingested some 73 pellets containing the narcotic as well.

According to police, she excreted 20 of those pellets over the weekend and five more yesterday.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 26

Tuesday February 23, 2021

Police sergeant remanded for attempting to kill wife C

ollin Whyte, a police sergeant, yesterday made his initial appearance at the Blairmont Magistrate's Court, to answer to the charge of attempted murder.

He appeared before Magistrate, Peter Hugh, and was charged with Attempt to Commit Murder on Shonetta James, contrary to Section 103 (c) of the Criminal Law (Offence) Act Chapter 8:01.

He was not required to plea and was remanded to prison until March 2, 2021.

Initial reports are that the shooting occurred at Onderneeming, West Coast Berbice.

Kaieteur News understands that Whyte and James were in a relationship for four years and their union produced two children.

According to a police

report, Whyte went to the woman's house on Friday, February 12, 2021, despite her telling him previously that the relationship was over. This was reportedly due to their continuous misunderstandings.

The two, it was revealed, argued over the decision, and Whyte, who was in possession of a service firearm, whipped it out and discharged a round in her

SHOT: Shonetta James

REMANDED: Collin Whyte

direction, hitting her to the neck.

After realising what he had done, he rushed the woman to the Fort Wellington Hospital and left.

The woman was examined by a doctor and then transferred to the New

Amsterdam Public Hospital, where she underwent surgery and was admitted.

She has since been discharged.

Whyte was subsequently placed on close arrest and was told of the allegations, which he denied.

Farmer found dismembered in rice field water pump

T

he dismembered body of a 51year-old rice farmer of Mortice, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, was on Sunday afternoon discovered in the propeller of a mobile water pump in his Mahaicony rice field.

Kaieteur News understands that the gruesome discovery of the body of Seegobin Persaud called 'Suresh,' was found by his son, Hamid Persaud, at Easu and Jacob Backdam, Mahaicony.

According to a police report, the incident, which led to the death of Persaud, occurred sometime between 17:00 hrs. on Saturday and 15:00 hrs. on Sunday.

Persaud, who would normally go into his rice field to pump water, was last seen on Sunday heading to the backdam on his tractor.

The water pump was attached at the back of the tractor.

On the day of the discovery, the man's son went to the rice field after missing Persaud for some time. There he found his body “completely disfigured” in the propeller of the water pump. Kaieteur News learnt that the propeller is located in a 'Y' shape cylindrical section of the water pump.

The police were summoned to the scene and the farmer's body was taken to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, where he was officially pronounced dead by a doctor.

Reports are that several persons from the area were contacted and questioned about Persaud's death, but no useful information was obtained. An investigation has since been launched.

Tuesday February 23, 2021

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

= = Republic Day Messages = = As the nation celebrates its 51st Republic anniversary amid a dreadful pandemic, we at Kaieteur News salute all those whose efforts led to the attainment of

this milestone.

We also hope that our nation will continue to strive for greater heights as One People, One Nation and One

PRESIDENT IRFAAN ALI Four years after attaining its political Independence, our country declared itself as a Republic and assumed the title of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. These two historical milestones – Independence and Republic status – form an unbroken continuum of our people’s struggles to lift themselves out of the state of want and deprivation, to exist as free men and women in an indivisible state and by working for the development of all.

Our country’s national motto, ”One people, One nation, One destiny,” is the tripod upon which our independent and republican statehood rests.

The elements of our national motto commit us to the pursuit of unity; it affirms our sovereignty and shapes our ambitions. ‘ O n e people’ acknowledges the different strands which constitute our country’s ethnic diversity. It celebrates our rich and vibrant multiculturalism while promoting our common citizenship.

‘One nation’ signals the indivisibility of our state. It commits us to defend vigorously our God-given patrimony, to zealously guard our sovereignty and prudently manage our resources for the benefit of all.

‘One destiny’ asserts our

shared aspiration to live in a society in which our children are provided with opportunities; where the exertions of our workmen and women are fairly remunerated; where our elderly can enjoy their golden years in comfort and good health and where our vulnerable are provided with protection and support.

The ‘One Guyana’ project, which I recently launched, celebrates our oneness as enunciated in our national motto. It is aimed at excising the vices of ethnic rancour, hatred and divisiveness; breaking down barriers of mistrust, suspicion, and stereotypes; and fostering greater tolerance and understanding.

The One Guyana Project will encourage respect for the immeasurable worth of every citizen regardless of his or her race, religious belief or class.

The establishment of a One Guyana Commission attests to the inclusive approach, which is necessary to realize the ambitions which we set ourselves both at Independence and upon becoming a Republic.

As I alluded in my address to the National Assembly, the One Guyana Commission will be given legislative effect. It will harness the goodwill which exists in our society and to take the practical steps which are necessary and

desirable to cement our society while “respecting the diversity from which our oneness springs.”

The purpose of the Commission would be to try to do just that in relation to the practical steps we can take to cement our one society, encompassing and respecting the diversity from which our “oneness” springs. The Commission will foster the free contention of our people’s voices, honour our ancestral heritage while celebrating our multiculturalism.

The festival of Mashramani is a celebration of our multi-ethnic identity.

Unfortunately, this year’s observances, including today’s flag-raising ceremony, have had to be moderated because of the coronavirus pandemic. We rest assured that the pall of this pandemic will disappear, and with it will come the return to the radiance, colour and liveliness of our Republic celebrations.

In the meantime, let us continue to celebrate our Republican anniversary in the best possible way – by working and living together in peace and harmony.

May God bless our Republic! May God bless each of our citizens and our efforts at fashioning a One Guyana!

I thank you.

A PARTNERSHIP FOR NATIONAL UNITY + ALLIANCE FOR CHANGE The APNU+AFC Coalition extend greetings and good wishes to all Guyanese as we observe the 51st anniversary of our Republican status.

This year, our national celebration of Mashramani 2021 has been deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected Guyana and the entire world.

Mashramani is an occasion when we celebrate, reflect, analyse and showcase the state of our nation. As future generations of Guyanese look back at national and international events and how they were honoured or celebrated during this COVID-19 pandemic it should be evident to all that we, as Guyanese,

National Day Message from President Biden Dear Mr. President, It is my pleasure to send congratulations to the people of Guyana as you celebrate 51 years as a republic on February 23.

Guyana is a strong democracy, and I look forward to strengthening our bilateral relationship based on shared principles of good governance, prosperity, and security. The challenges of COVID-19 affect all of us and

make clear that we must advance our partnership to face the global pandemic, together. In the year ahead, I look forward to our teams addressing the issues and security concerns that threaten our shared interests, while building on Guyana’s economic growth and development.

I wish you and all the people of Guyana a joyous and safe Mashramani.

redoubled our efforts to cope with crime, disease, ignorance and poverty during this period.

As we reflect, our efforts must be defined in how we strengthened national unity, expanded national infrastructure, fortified national institutions, improved national health care, ensured national security, encouraged arts and entertainment and extended public services to all of Guyana.

Unfortunately, due to a lack of commitment, ingenuity and leadership of this administration much of this cannot be achieved.

On the occasion of Mashramani 2021, we must recommit towards being united for a prosperous Guyana, one in which Guyanese show resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic; one in which each and every Guyanese can share in the benefits of our (Continued on page 28)

Destiny.

Some other organizations have also shared Republic Day sentiments as seen below:

PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONGRESS The People’s National Congress extends greetings to the Guyanese nation on the occasion of the 51st Anniversary of the Republic. The PNC was empowered by the Guyanese people to bring the nation to Independence in 1966 and to Republican status in 1970. It was honoured to have been returned to office, again, to celebrate the 50th anniversaries of both events in 2016 and 2020.

These auspicious celebrations not only evoked emotions of patriotism and pride but, also, of satisfaction with its stewardship to the people while it was in office.

The PNC, this year, as part of A Partnership for National Unity, is not in office. The Party, thoughtfully, had the

vision to draft a blueprint for national development by launching the concept plan for the ‘Decade of Development: 20202029’ during which Guyanese should expect to enjoy a higher quality of life beyond 2030.

The PNC commits to continuing to work during the coming decade to improve the livelihood of all citizens in all sectors. The Party, most particularly, will work with our Parliamentary group and our political arms and agencies to enhance public health especially during this pandemic, public education, public security, economic growth; energy security; environmental security; regional development; social cohesion; social protection;

and the defence of our territorial integrity.

Republican status represented a substantive fulfilment of our people’s aspirations to chart their own destiny by refashioning our economic and social relations, introducing new national institutions, affirming sovereignty and advancing towards the goal of selfreliance.

It is fitting that we recall the transformative changes, which have taken place during the Party’s stewardship in and out of office. Our vision for Guyana’s future is bright. The celebration of this 51st anniversary of becoming a Republic is an occasion of national pride. Happy Anniversary!

PEOPLE’S PROGRESSIVE PARTY As our nation celebrates its 51st anniversary as a Republic, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), takes this opportunity to express best wishes to all Guyanese, both at home and in the Diaspora.

Mashramani represents our history of struggles and pride in selfgovernance and builds on celebration after hard work.

As a nation, we must reflect on where we came from and celebrate our efforts that have led to Guyana becoming a country known for its rich diversity and resilience. The Party is cognizant that due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the much anticipated annual vibrant Costume and Float Parade on Mash Day and other related activities across the country prior to and on February 23 would not be held. These celebrations have become fundamental in reflecting our revelry after hard work and Guyana’s rich diversity, which defines our multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multicultural composition.

While the characteristic splendour of the multitude of colours splashed to the pulsating beat of music will be absent and missed this year, it will not diminish the

true significance of what Mashramani means to us as a nation, which 51 years ago saw the end of the final aspect of colonial rule by achieving Republic status. This 51st anniversary comes at a time when our dear country is on a renewed path to prosperity and transformation through modernization. This path may not have been traversed had Guyanese not stood up through relentless struggles for democracy to prevail following the constitutional transgressions of the then APNU+AFC regime and its blatant attempts to subvert the will of the Guyanese people following the March 02, 2020, elections. That fivemonth period tested us as a nation and as a people. In the end, not only were our democracy and image restored, but our resolve strengthened and our commitment to safeguard our democratic processes, fortified. All Guyanese won from this and all will benefit from the country’s current developmental trajectory. As we observe this occasion, our Party reiterates that, with a proven record of unprecedented and sustained development, it remains committed to continue

working in the best interest of Guyana and Guyanese to enhance the welfare of all. The symbols of our nationhood, including our National Flag and the Constitution, must be respected by all Guyanese in demonstration of our patriotism. Our fortitude and passion for the further development of our nation should be prioritized even in the face of adversity. As we are faced with the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that we remain focused on our health and well-being. As such, despite not being able to revel in the same manner as before, we should remain mindful that we have struggled as a nation but that our efforts have not gone in vain. That in itself is worthy of celebration. It is the Party’s fervent hope that all will reflect on Guyana’s journey since attaining its status as a Republic, and continue to be imbued with patriotism and pride as we celebrate the occasion of Mashramani 2021 in a safe and responsible way. Let us commit to working together towards a united and stronger Guyana and to the important task of nation building. Happy Mashramani to all Guyanese.

GUYANA AGRICULTURAL AND GENERAL WORKERS UNION The Republican Anniversary holds a special place of pride in the eyes and minds of all Guyanese. The attainment of republicanism broke us away completely from Great Britain and severed the remaining links of

colonialism. It allowed us to chart our own destiny as one people and nation. Indeed, republicanism further asserted our independence and our own desire to build our nation in our terms and within our context. It

represented a significant achievement as we were firmly in control of our future.

The lofty ideals of republicanism today remain inherent and ever present.

Today, 51 years down the (Continued on page 28)

PAGE 28

...MPs open budget debates

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From page 21 transgender (LGBT) flag.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Charles Ramson Jr., also joined in by insulting the opposition members by calling them “political dunce.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, was heard telling MP Ganesh Mahipaul that all he owns is his “bamzie,” after Mahipaul made accusations against Dharamlall's ex-wife.

It did not stop there.

During proceedings, it was indicated that the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, had recently lost her father. At one point, when Minister Teixeira was about to make an interjection, Mahipaul turned and shouted to her, “Why you don't sit down and mourn yuh father!”

Later in the afternoon, it was Government MP, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo's turn to present.

He indicated to the assembly that in 2017, the Rehabilitation Department under the former administration requested an apparatus named WANTED

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a “medical chest vibrator.”

This, the MP said, would assist those patients who were experiencing lung and poststroke complications.

“But the Minister bought this Mr. Speaker,” Dr. Mahadeo said, as he displayed to the assembly a vibrating dildo (a sex toy). It is unclear, however, how and where the former coalition government sourced this device, since the Laws of Guyana prohibit the importation of sex toys.

And where was the Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir? The Speaker was right there in the ACCC dome, presiding over the verbal and vulgar mudslinging, but failed to take control or upbraid the MPs for their behaviour.

...Father sent to jail for harbouring Mazaruni From page 18 a white 'salt bag,' which contained the following items: clothing, footwear, deodorant, topes, pillow and pillowcases, along with a bottle of Red Star rub, a toothbrush and a food bowl.

Kaieteur News had reported that around 07:15 hrs. on Tuesday last, during the unlocking of the Brick Prison (Solitary Division), the ranks on duty discovered the padlock to the entrance gate was tampered with. Further checks were made and it revealed that two bars within the cell were cut.

The matter was then reported to the Officer-inCharge of the Mazaruni Prison, Senior Superintendent

(ag), Kofi David. David then ordered a roll call and upon conclusion, the four convicted prisoners who were housed in the Brick Prison were unaccounted for.

As a result of the incident, a Joint Patrol was launched to the outer perimeter of the prison. The ranks have been conducting water, air and land patrol to recapture the four convicts.

The four escapees are still to be located and the Joint Service is encouraging all lawabiding citizens to report to the nearest police station or call: 455-2238, 455-2222, 4552241, 226-4585, 225-2700, 2253650 or 911, should they be seen. All information will be treated with strict confidence.

...GUYANA AGRICULTURAL AND From page 27 road, as a nation we have a great deal to be proud about.

Charting our own path has not been easy, as we had to face up to many challenges.

Though testing and requiring the struggles of our people, we have defeated undemocratic rule and more recently attempts to re-impose dictatorship. We have scaled several economic fences and have built a strong economic foundation that poises us for takeoff. And, we have fought back those who have sought to covet our territory and continue to face up to such threats no matter the perceived disadvantages.

Indeed our years as a Republic have not been a smooth road, but a path fraught with dangerous bends and twist but through it all the Guyanese people and nation persevered and conquered.

As we go forward, there are still several challenges in our way. Too many of our men and women face difficulties in meeting the expectations of life, and impoverishment continues to be unfortunate features in our society. Gaps in infrastructure hold back development and the need to protect our workers adequately still eludes us.

These are some of the many challenges that confront us.

We see too brightened opportunities as the country is on the verge of a major economic boom.

While gladdened by this, the fruits of development must be shared with all our people equally. All boats must rise and rise quickly for us to unlock Guyana’s potential and take us further along the road of prosperity.

It is against that background, that we of the GAWU greet the nation and

all Guyanese on this our 51st Republic Anniversary.

This year’s celebrations are unlike those of the past.

The COVID-19 continues to rage on and though we have made efforts to staunch the pandemic as a people we must play our role.

We use this opportunity to once again recognize our frontline workers who continue to play an important role in keeping our nation safe. On this Republic Day, we urge all Guyanese to stay safe and observe all protocols.

We are hopeful that 2021 will see the turnaround from the darkness that gripped the country over the past five years. Indeed, the Guyanese people are more than deserving and our republicanism would be an ideal starting point.

A happy Republic Day to all Guyanese!

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Tuesday February 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

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From page 27 national patrimony. Too many sections of our society are unable to truly celebrate Mashramani because of an uncaring administration. Accordingly, the APNU+AFC wishes all Guyanese in these challenging circumstances, a happy Republic holiday, and

a sober celebration of Mashramani, as we observe social distancing, wash hands regularly and wear masks in public.

The APNU+AFC urges that much more thought and creativity be explored by the administration in the event that other national observances in 2021 are deferred.

...Wise leaders know that the From page 6 about. Politics can only be seen as clever when good governance is implemented for all the people.

Wise leaders know that the division of a nation will always lead to the destruction of that nation and its people.

Ugly criminal forces that promote genocide, money laundering, and selfish evil empires stuble becomes the pillars of the government in power; and the nation becomes one that is under

power drunk men.

I know that they are those that will be very angry at me for identifying this truth , but I chose to call the spade for what it is. The true patriotic must not allow their eyes to be blinded by racial party politics, they must put flag, laws, and country first.

Small nations like the land of my birth cannot continue to play games of seesaw at every national election and expect to earn the respect of the leaders of developed

nations. There must be continuous efforts to move our country forward irrespective of what the ethnicity of the President is.

Finally I wish to say thank you to those who served my homeland with integrity, those who at some time or the other built Guyana. May this great country and it’s hardworking people live in unity, and reap the fruits of their labour one day soon.

Yours truly, Adrian Wade

Tuesday February 23, 2021

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Tuesday February 23, 2021

Tuesday February 23, 2021

...Surinamese competitor From page 37 to wear a mask and have their temperature checked before entering. In addition, persons will be asked to not cluster in parking and maintain social distancing.

And for those who will miss out on purchasing tickets, the event will not only be live-streamed via the club’s Facebook page but also on cable provider, Enetworks, which is also a major sponsor of the event.

E1, SKAR TV (Channel 102) as well as Tarzee TV in Bartica, are the channels that will be broadcasting the action.

Sponsors include AR Jiwanram Printery, Associated Construction Services, BM SOAT Auto Sales, Cyril’s

Transportation Services, Homeline Furnishing, Imran Auto Works, KFC, KGM Security, Land Star Drilling Company, MMD Hollow Blocks and Pavers, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Motor Trend Service Centre, Modern Building Solutions, Panko Steel Fabrication, Power Tech Sound Company, Prem’s Electrical, Ready Mix Concrete, Rush Energy Drink, Samaroo Investments Inc., Secure Innovations & Concepts Inc. STAG Beer, Trans Pacific Motor Spares & Auto Sales, Truck Master, UNICOM – United Commodities, West Coast Customs Washbay, Windjammer, First Class Auto Sales & Spares and Castrol Oil.

...Da Silva says his game “has come a long way” but From page 36 stepped in to play significant knocks for the West Indies, none perhaps more important than his Test-best of 92 that he scored in the recent second Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka that helped the West Indies to a hard-fought 17run win.

In the wake of his recent performances that resulted in wins for his team, Da Silva thinks the experiences have helped him grow as a player.

“My game has come a long way. There’s definitely still a lot to be done but I am happy with the improvements made so far and learning to adjust to different conditions,” he told Sportsmax.TV, highlighting that much of his recent learning came while

Tuesday February 23, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Paperwork involving money needs to be executed today, Aries. It could be a settlement, new commission, or bonus of some kind.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Today your mind should be especially quick and penetrating, Taurus. You could decide to tackle some in-depth research that you've been considering doing for a while on a subject that fascinates you.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Some vivid, beautiful dreams or visions could awaken you and make you aware of new opportunities. They could be creative in nature, and you should consider taking advantage of them, Gemini.

CANCER(June21–July22) Today you might decide to attend a group activity that is primarily concerned with an intellectual, philosophical, or spiritual interest of yours, Cancer.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A public figure, perhaps an author, might capture your interest in some way today, Leo. This person could have a lot to say that appeals to you on a number of different levels.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today you might attend a party or group activity that puts you in touch with some interesting people from faraway places, Virgo.

You could find their conversation intellectually stimulating.

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Kaieteur News

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Some big upheaval in your career could take you by surprise, Libra, but it's apt to make a very positive difference to you. Your public standing and income could both skyrocket.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A social event could bring you into contact with a very intense, fascinating person in an intriguing profession, Scorpio. You could find him or her very charming and sexy.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You always tend to have good powers of concentration, Sagittarius, but today you're more focused than usual, probably on a project that means a lot to you.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) An intense conversation with your romantic partner could take place today, Capricorn. This could involve taking the relationship to the next commitment level, and the subject of marriage could come up.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today you and the other members of your household might discuss the possibility of making some changes.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today you might feel the urge to write, Pisces. This could involve nothing more than a lengthy letter or email to a friend, but it could also be creative work, such as a novel, essay, screenplay, or poem.

playing against Bangladesh.

“I have definitely improved my patience and discipline at the crease. This allowed me to bat a lot more balls in Bangladesh and not get caught up in how many runs I had scored,” he continued conceding that “I need

to improve my fitness in order to make concentrating for longer periods easier.”

His performances to date have had cricket writers characterizing him as the glue that is holding the West Indies middle-order together. He said he doesn’t pay much atten-

tion to those characterizations. “I don’t think much of it. I’m just doing my job,” he said. ”When given the opportunity, I try to make the best of it, by batting to the situation and putting runs on the board.”

...Jaguars brush aside Volcanoes From page 38 points standing. Shimron Hetmyer hammered 67 not out off 59 balls, his second half-century of the competition. He struck four sixes and three fours, adding an unbroken 93 second wicket stand with opener Tevin Imlach,

who ended on 37 off 81 balls to follow up his 38 in the last game against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

Chandrapaul Hemraj was the wicket to fall, for a well played 41 off 32 balls (7x4s, 1×6). The opening stand between him and Imlach was 62 off 9.4 overs.

The Jaguars have won four of their five games, finishing behind leaders Trinidad and Tobago Red

Force, who have won all their games. Volcanoes and the Jamaica Scorpions are the other teams in the semi-finals.

The semi-finals set for Wednesday and Thursday will see Red Force clashing with Scorpions on Wednesday, while on Thursday Jaguars battle Volcanoes. Both matches are fixed for the Coolidge Ground in Antigua with the action set to start at 1:30pm.

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Tuesday February 23, 2021

Australian Open beats the odds to lay out a blueprint

S

YDNEY (Reuters) - Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic were rightly hailed as deserved Australian Open champions at the weekend but the ashenfaced former tennis coach standing behind them on the podium might be considered the real hero of the year’s first Grand Slam.

Tournament director Craig Tiley and his Tennis Australia team faced down sizeable odds to get the tournament up and running, albeit by the skin of their teeth at times, while much of the world was still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“At the beginning, I think there were many people who doubted we could pull it off,” South African Tiley told reporters in Melbourne on Monday.

“We can look back on it now as a highly successful event in the circumstances. I believe in the coming month, there will be a realisation of the extent of what we managed to achieve in pulling off what we did.”

In a project unique in the

Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in action during his final match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. Crowds are at a reduced capacity for this years event following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). (REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

annals of sport, more than 1,000 players and support staff were flown to Australia on charter flights from around the world and quarantined for 14 days from mid-January.

Melbourne is the biggest city in the state of Victoria, which had endured one of the longest and strictest lockdowns in the world to all but eradicate community transmission of COVID-19.

Perhaps Tiley’s greatest achievement was to convince a local government determined to keep the virus

out of the state to let the players in, and to allow crowds to watch them.

The tournament survived the infection of one of the quarantine hotel workers only five days before it was due to start, but only after everyone in the tennis cohort had been tested for the virus again.

Crowds were present for just five days of action until Victoria went into a snap lockdown in response to a small outbreak of the variant of the virus associated with Britain.

“BLUEPRINT” The fans returned in reduced numbers from last Thursday, however, and were present in sufficient numbers to create an atmosphere at the weekend’s finals.

Tiley believes that the Australian Open has now set an example that other sports events - including the Tokyo Olympics - can follow, but only if they make a commitment to some form of quarantine.

“This was the first time since the start of the

pandemic began that there was a sport and entertainment event that had crowds (and) had every top player bar a few that couldn’t make it,” he added.

“I think it is a blueprint that works, it requires more resources and more time, but that’s a commitment that you have to make.”

The 14 days of quarantine prompted an outpouring of complaints from players. Most were allowed out to train for five hours a day but 72 were forced into total lockdown after passengers on their flights tested positive for COVID-19.

The stress of fulfilling his masterplan was clearly etched on Tiley’s face during t h e w e e k e n d ’s t r o p h y ceremonies and he revealed the toll it had taken on him in an interview with local media on Sunday.

In order to assuage athletes not used to confinement, Tiley had committed to spending hours on Zoom calls each day listening to their concerns.

“I got abused on the calls.

It was significant,” Tiley told Australian Associated Press

(AAP). “Normally when you take heat, you take it once.

This was 15 straight days.

It’s like being attacked for 15 straight days, verbally.”

Tennis Australia also ran up a huge financial bill for putting on the tournament, especially after the snap lockdown robbed them of crowds in the middle weekend - usually the busiest of the fortnight.

T i l e y s a i d Te n n i s Australia’s cash reserves of A$80 million ($62.96 million) had been exhausted and the governing body had taken out a loan to get them through to next year.

Prize money may drop a l i t t l e i n 2 0 2 2 , Ti l e y suggested, but there was no doubt the Australian Open would be back.

“We started planning it a week ago ... 2022 is going to be a magnificent year,” he said.

“If we’re still in a version of the pandemic, we’ll be well prepared for that. Any single thing you could list that could happen to an event, we had it these last two weeks.” ($1 = 1.2706 Australian dollars)

New Zealand beat Australia by 53 runs in first T20 AFP - A Devon Conway batting masterclass inspired New Zealand to a 53-run win over Australia in the opening Twenty20 international in Christchurch yesterday.

Conway smashed an unbeaten 99 off 59 balls as the Black Caps overcame a shaky start to finish on 184 for five after losing the toss and being put in to bat.

In reply, the tourists were all out for 131 after 17.3 overs, with Black Caps spinner Ish Sodhi taking four wickets for 28 to give the hosts an early edge in the five-match series.

Australia captain Aaron Finch refused to blame the loss on his team’s two-week Covid-19 quarantine upon arrival in New Zealand.

“It feels like a long time since we played but we were treated brilliantly (in quarantine),” he said.

“They just ran harder and we didn’t get it right.”

Jhye Richardson, fresh from signing a multi-million dollar Indian Premier League contract, was the pick of the Australian bowlers, taking two for 31.

But the tourists could not dislodge Conway, whose 59ball knock included 10 fours

New Zealand’s Devon Conway smashed an unbeaten 99 off 59 balls as the Black Caps finished their 20 overs on 184. and three sixes, helping the Black Caps bounce back from 19 for three.

Conway said he was “pretty chuffed” with his career-best effort, even though he was stranded just short of a century after failing to take two runs off

the final ball.

The South African-born batsman came to the crease with New Zealand teetering at 11 for two and was still settling in when captain Kane Williamson departed for 12.

“The key was to try to

stay positive, that’s when I’m at my best,” Conway said.

“I was trying not to think too far ahead and just build good partnerships.”

The frustrated Australians then suffered a horror show early in their

innings, as seamers Tim Southee and Trent Boult tore through the top order.

Luckless debutant Josh Philippe departed for two after sending a top-edge skyward.

But old campaigners such as skipper Aaron Finch

and Glenn Maxwell also failed to deal with the swinging ball and the tourists were soon four for 19. Mitch Marsh top-scored with 45 and Ashton Agar contributed 23 a string of batting failures gave New Zealand a comfortable win.

While trans-Tasman bragging rights are up for grabs, both teams also enter the series with one eye on the T20 World Cup in India later this year.

Established Australian stars such as Steve Smith, David Warner and Mitchell Starc are being rested as selectors look to unearth new talent.

New Zealand have a more settled line-up, though veteran opening batsman Martin Guptill will be under pressure after his poor run of form continued with a duck in the opening over.

The Black Caps may turn to uncapped Finn Allen for the next match in Dunedin on Thursday.

Scores: New Zealand 184 for 5 (Conway 99*, Phillips 30, J Richardson 231) beat Australia 131 (Marsh 45, Sodhi 4-28, Southee 2-10, Boult 2-22) by 53 runs.

Tuesday February 23, 2021

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Tuesday February 23, 2021

Sports Minister responds to Sanasie Lawyer’s letter on cricket matters

M

inister of S p o r t s , C h a r l e s Ramson Jnr. has promptly responded to a letter written to him by Attorney-at-Law C.V. Satram, representing his client, Anand Sanasie, Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), on the appointment of a Cricket Ombudsman and the setting of a date for elections of the GCB. Attorney Satram had cited errors the Minister, who himself is an Attorneya t - L a w, m a d e i n t h e appointment of Mr. Kamal Ramkarran, Attorney-atLaw, the new Cricket Ombudsman and setting of the GCB election.

Mr. Satram had also written to Mrs. Alana Medford-Singh The Secretary Cricket West Indies Inc. on aspects of the matter.

H o w e v e r, M i n i s t e r Ramson responded noting that based on the matters arising out of the courts over time the challenges made to him and his actions are wrong and in some cases without basis.

Charles Ramson Jnr Minister of Sports He noted on key aspect of the entire saga, pointing out: “The Guyana Cricket Administration Act 2014, the subject Minister is entitled, empowered, and obliged to appoint the Cricket Ombudsman and the date for the first election of the Guyana Cricket Board until completed.”

Here is the text of the letter responding to the letter

by Attorney Satram which

was carried in yesterday’s Kaieteur News, Monday 22nd February, 2021 sports section: Dear Counsel, RE: Appointment of Cricket Ombudsman & date for the holding of Guyana Cricket Board Election Your missive dated the 21st February, 2021 is hereby acknowledged and response thereto is set out

hereinafter.

While it must be stated at the outset that since the restoration of the provisions of the Guyana Cricket Administration Act 2014 and pursuant to Order of Court

by Justice Fidela Corbin in Berbice Cricket Board v Fizul Bacchus et al dated 3rd April 2019 in Action number 2018-HC-DEM-CIV-FDA1200, the capacity in which your client purports to instruct you is not recognized, paragraph two is denied and your position on the issue is incorrect as it is res judicata (see Judgement of Fidela Corbin dated 3rd April 2019 in SAYWACK V LEWIS in Action number 2018-HC-DEM-CIV-FDA808).

The Guyana Cricket Administration Act 2014, the subject Minister is entitled, empowered, and obliged to appoint the Cricket Ombudsman and the date for the first election of the Guyana Cricket Board until completed.

I fraternally take the liberty to direct your attention to paras 15, 26, and 27 of the judgment.

Paragraph three is denied and coupled with your

missive attached to the duly appointed Cricket Ombudsman, Mr Ramkarran, if published, will be defamation and may result in the institution of legal proceedings at the appropriate time upon advisement.

Paragraph four and five are denied, and it would be inappropriate for you to seek to speak on behalf of the Cricket Ombudsman. You would, no doubt, recall that Justice Singh set the Demerara Cricket Board election within five (5) days and the argument, inter alia, was advanced by you to the Full Court on appeal and the appeal was dismissed. In addition, I would direct your attention to para 28 in S AY WA C K V L E W I S where Justice Fidela Corbin states: “There has been a failure by the Minister to appoint another Cricket Ombudsman in accordance with Section 17 for reasons unknown to this court.

The consequence is that there continues to be turbulence in the administration of cricket which does not promote the slated aim of improving and

advancing cricket. This most unfortunate state of affairs will hopefully be remedied forthwith to give effect to the Act and advance its aims and objectives.”

Paragraph six is denied and premised on incorrect information. The consultation took place with t h e P r e s i d e n t , Vi c e President, several Directors, and three officers of Cricket West Indies including the Chief Executive Officer and the Corporate Secretary. In the interest of appreciating a wider objective, I am professionally obliged to bring to your attention that the consultation issue has also been ruled on already (see judgment by Chief Justice (ag) GeorgeWiltshire in Mohan Singh v Marlon Williams).

I am available for any further information or assistance.

Sincerely, Honourable Charles S. Ramson MP. The Minister has set the Election of the Guyana Cricket Board for Friday, 26th February, 2021 at 12:00 pm at the Umana Yana, High Street, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana.

GGOTA unveils plans for health improvement programmes

I

n keeping with its mandate to help improve the health and wellness of the nation, the Guyana Gym Owners a n d Tr a i n e r s A s s o c i a t i o n (GGOTA) has outlined some major plans for 2021.

According to a release from the body headed by Noshavyah King, offering a CPR course, workshops and training courses for persons aspiring to be personal trainers are among the ambitions of the GGOTA for the year.

Below is the full slate of the plans of the GGOTA: GGOTA PLANS FOR THE YEAR 2021 1. Offering our first course of CPR and First Aid to Trainers,Coaches and Gym Owners.

2. Basic Training course for persons aspiring to become a trainer or fitness coach.

3. Workshops for gym owners on gym etiquette in keeping with Covid Guidelines.

FUTURE PLANS We have set out plans to work with the Ministry of Education school system assisting with educating teachers and students on nutrition, making healthier options available in Canteens and also the importance of physical education

from the primary level.

Providing workout programmes online and through television for children and adults to encourage physical activity.

Birthed out of a group conversation due to the closure of gyms and the subsequent loss of revenue of trainers and gym owners owing to COVID-19 pandemic last October, the association aim is to build and represent a structured community for the betterment of the local fitness industry as a whole with focus on addressing the immediate & long-term problems.

Headed by owner of Genesis Fitness Gym, King, Guyana’s only licensed Zumba instructor, the GGOTA’s mandate is as follows.

Statement of Purpose: Gym Owners and Fitness Trainers Association is an association formed by the fitness industry for the fitness industry. Since the fitness industry is large yet unorganized and fragmented, GGOTA aims to build and represent a structured community for the betterment of the industry as a whole with focus on addressing the immediate & long-term problems.

Mission: The mission is to improve the health of the nation by encouraging people to be more

Members of the GGOTA, inclusive of President, Noshavyah King, (seated second from right). active, more often. GGOTA provides services and facilitates partnerships for a broad range of organizations, all of which support our vision and have a role to play in achieving that goal.

Affiliation: A formidable body representing the entire fitness industry in Guyana, our members and partners will include local gyms & studios from across the public, private and adjacent

sectors.

The Guyana Gym Owners and Trainers Association vows to selflessly work together and continue identifying problem areas in the fitness hemisphere and bring about improvements that would benefit all stakeholders across the country in a non-biased manner.

Membership: Gym Owners, Fitness Trainers, Coaches and

Nutritionist.

The full slate of the GGOTA Committee is as follows: Noshavyah King (President), Vice Presidents, Yannick Grimes and Roger Callender, SecretaryJordana Ramsay-Gonsalves, Treasurer, Kimberly DosSantos, Assistant Secretary/TreasurerSemonica Duke, PRO-Emmerson Campbell and Neil BarryCommittee Member.

Tuesday February 23, 2021

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Coach Patrick Mouratoglou Says Serena Williams Won’t Retire Until She Wins: ‘She Doesn’t Quit’ People - Serena Williams isn’t done yet.

Shortly after her heartbreaking loss to Naomi Osaka in the 2021 Australian Open semifinal, there was speculation that 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams was nearing the end of her incredible run.

Patrick Mouratoglou, who has been Williams’ coach since 2012, doesn’t believe retirement is on the horizon for the athlete, however.

“I don’t think she will stop until she at least wins a Grand Slam, because she came back to win Grand Slams,” Mouratoglou tells

PEOPLE, referring to the tennis star’s return after giving birth to daughter Alexis in 2017. “She doesn’t quit.”

Exiting the court after her loss on Wednesday, Williams received a standing ovation from the crowd, which she accepted warmly, waving to fans and placing a hand over her heart. The moment led commentators to discuss her tennis legacy and question whether it would be Williams’ last time at the Rod Laver Arena.

When a reporter at the press conference asked if it was a “farewell,” the tennis star, who turns 40 this year,

New Sri Lanka Covid case on eve of West Indies tour Sri Lankan fast bowler Lahiru Kumara tested positive Monday for coronavirus on the eve of the team’s departure to the West Indies.

simply responded, “I don’t know. If I ever say farewell, I wouldn’t tell anyone.” A few minutes later, a visibly tearyeyed Williams ended the conference early. “ I d o n ’t t h i n k s h e planned [retirement] for this certain moment. She’s dedicated all her life to tennis since she was a kid,” Mouratoglou says. “So the day she will retire, she will feel like she’s giving an end to 40 years of a life.”

“It’s something that is difficult to measure for people,” he continues.

“That’s why it’s very sensitive. That’s why it’s very emotional for her. I completely get it.”

Williams is currently one title away from tying Margaret Court, who won 24 G r a n d S l a m w o m e n ’s singles titles, making her the most decorated female tennis player in modern history. With three more major tournaments this year, there’s always a possibility Williams will soon be able to tie, or even surpass, Court.

Mouratoglou thinks it could happen.

“I have to believe it and she has to believe it, too. If she [doesn’t], she would stop. After all she’s achieved in her career, at her age, having a baby for the first time, having a family — it

was an incredible effort to come back to tennis,” the coach tells PEOPLE. “Unbelievable effort. Mental effort, physical effort, so many hours to get back in shape. She would never even start that if she didn’t think she was able to win a Grand Slam.”

He added, “That’s how Serena is really exceptional.

She puts the standards so high for herself, and she finds a way to match those standards, whatever she does.”

Though he’s training two players pursuing Grand Slam titles this year — Williams and 22-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas — the renowned coach is looking ahead to host another Ultimate Tennis Showdown, a league that started last year and uses a modified format consisting of timed quarters.

“The way people consume videos has completely changed since social media, video games, sports and platforms like Amazon or Netflix have emerged,” Mouratoglou said. “People watch videos that are shorter, more engaging, faster. Tennis doesn’t fit those formats, so the younger generation doesn’t want to consume tennis.”

“That’s what UTS does,

Patrick Mouratoglou and Serena Williams. (Daniel Pockett/Getty Images) and that’s what is extremely exciting. In a way, we [are] proposing a completely different experience of tennis,” he continued. “And top players are participating.

They play a shorter, faster, and more immersive tennis than what regular tennis is.”

One of the players who partook in the league was Tsitsipas, who Mouratoglou has trained since 2018 and is rapidly climbing the ATP ranks to be in the company of top men’s players like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Though the Greek tennis player has yet to win a Grand Slam, it doesn’t seem like he’s far off.

“He’s among the two, three that clearly showed

that they will be the next ones once Rafael, Roger and Novak will retire,” the coach t o l d P E O P L E . “ H e ’s extremely ambitious. He has the tennis, he has the mind.

I’m sure he’s going to win Grand Slams. I’m sure he can be number one, but I respect a lot of the competition that is going to be tough.”

Tsitsipas ended up losing to Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open semifinal on Friday. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, currently the world ranked no. 1, edged out Medvedev and won his 18th Grand Slam title on Sunday. Osaka won the women’s singles final one day prior.

AIBA President opened Strandja tournament in Bulgaria with 30 countries participating

A

FP - Sri Lankan fast bowler Lahiru Kumara tested positive yesterday for coronavirus on the eve of the team’s departure to the West Indies for a tour already delayed by the virus.

The 24-year-old had been with the rest of the 35man squad in a bio-secure bubble since February 10.

He played two practice matches on Friday and Saturday. News of the infection is the latest blow to the tour of three one-day internationals, three Twenty20s and two Tests due to start in Antigua on March 3.

It was originally due to begin on February 21 but

was postponed after Sri Lanka’s Lahiru Thirimanne and coach Mickey Arthur tested positive.

Both have fully recovered and will travel with the rest of the squad, which was yet to be officially named.

The Twenty20s will be played on March 3, 5 and 7 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua while the ODIs will be at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium on March 10, 12 and 14, according to Sri Lanka Cricket.

The two Tests will also be at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium with the first game starting on March 21 and the second on March 29.

Ye s t e r d a y , A I B A President Mr. Umar Kremlev visited Bulgaria to open the 72nd edition of the oldest international Strandja Memorial tournament. In total, 220 athletes were registered to take part in the competitions in Sofia.

Before the opening ceremony, the President had a joint training session with athletes from 30 countries.

‘It is always a pleasure for me to meet boxers personally. I enjoy speaking with them, to answer their questions. I strongly believe that the athletes and coaches are our main values. All the National Federations leaders should be closer to them; they should practice boxing to understand athlete’s needs from inside,’ Mr. Kremlev said.

After the session, AIBA President presented boxing equipment to the boxers and coaches.

AIBA President Mr. Umar Kremlev speaks at the opening of the 72nd edition of the oldest international Strandja Memorial tournament yesterday in Bulgaria.

Following the training, the Minister of Youth and Sports of Bulgaria Mr. Krasen Kralev welcomed AIBA President in his residence in Sofia to discuss boxing development in the c o u n t r y. M r. K r e m l e v thanked him for his support of the Strandja tournament in the pandemic situation. They also discussed Bulgaria’s bids for future major tournaments.

‘Bulgaria is famous for

its hospitality and high organizational level of tournaments, as well as strong boxers and coaches. I am confident that the country deserved to hold various major competitions in the future. This is important not only for the popularization of boxing but also for the sports heritage of the country and the inspiration of the young athletes,’ Mr. Kremlev stressed.

‘My sports career started

in boxing, I know and love this sport. Boxing is very important for Bulgaria, and the traditions in it are really rich,’ the Minister said.

‘That’s why in Bulgaria we strive to make boxing as much spectacular and popular, as possible,’ he added.

I n c o n c l u s i o n , M r.

Kralev wished AIBA success in the reform process.

In the evening, the Strandja Memorial tournament was officially opened by the AIBA President.

AIBA World Champions are participating in the tournament, including Ukrainian Oleksandr Khyzhniak, Brazilian Beatriz Ferreira, Bulgarian Stanimira Petrova, Irish Kellie Harrington, Turkish Busenaz Surmeneli and others, as well as Olympic champion Shakhobiddin Zoirov from Uzbekistan.

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Tuesday February 23, 2021

TTCB supports Skerritt, Dr Shallow re-election Trinidad and Tobago Guardian - The T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) will once again be supporting the incumbent Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Rickey Skerritt and vice president Dr Kishore Shallow when the annual general meeting (AGM) and elections of officers take place on March 28.

Skerritt, 62, and 35-yearold Dr Shallow, the current president of St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association, are being nominated by the Leeward Islands Cricket Board and seconded by the TTCB. On Wednesday, veteran CWI director Anand Sanasie announced his candidacy for the position of president saying that the time is right for new ‘visionary leadership’.

However, he is yet to announce who has nominated him and who has seconded his nomination.

His running mate for vice president is Calvin Hope, the vice president of the Barbados Cricket Board (BCB), who is also a CWI Director and like Sanasie, no announcement of nomination confirmation was provided.

However, the national executive of the TTCB met via Zoom on Friday and Guardian Media Sports was reliably informed that the main topic on the agenda was the nomination of the candidates for the positions of president and vice president of CWI. And, after close to two hours of discussion during

the meeting chaired by president Azim Bassarrath, the meeting unanimously agreed to endorse the nominations of Skerritt and Dr Shallow for another twoyear term at the helm of CWI. Guardian Media was told from a meeting insider that the discussions centred around how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had affected cricket activities in the Caribbean and throughout the world since March 2020 and that it would be unfair to judge the performance of the CWI leadership in the context of an abbreviated term of office.

Also, the TTCB believed that notwithstanding the negative impact on cricket over the past year, several initiatives initiated by Skerritt and Dr Shallow as enunciated in their manifesto gained valuable traction but needed more time to produce the desired results.

The meeting pointed to what has been described as the “Robust 10-point Cricket First” plan which is designed t o g a i n g l o b a l competitiveness and focuses on the development of the skill and character of a new generation of cricketers. And that Skeritt and Dr Shallow have placed great emphasis on science, technology and innovation, and despite the interruption of their programme by the COVID19 pandemic, tangible results have already been produced in a meaningful way.

The executive believes

that the CWI under both officers had also made headway in addressing the concerns raised about the governance of regional cricket and the Wehby Report which is seen as a work in progress and which can form the basis of what is required to positively impact regional cricket.

The TTCB also felt that no positive outcome can be accomplished with a change in CWI leadership presently, after a shortened tenure at this time and that the two candidates must be allowed another term to advance their goals. The local cricket officials were also unimpressed with the limited information available at the time of its meeting on the plans and objectives of the candidates who will be opposing Skerritt and Dr Shallow.

Therefore, the TTCB called for unity among the territorial boards in the face of the latest challenge being faced and is confident that with the resumption of cricket, much more will be done to elevate the status of West Indies cricket at home and abroad under the leadership of Skerritt and Dr Shallow.

Meanwhile, Sanasie has pointed to enhancing the fortunes of the West Indies side, strengthening the domestic game, and the transformation of grassroots cricket is crucial to his hopes of securing the votes necessary to topple Skerritt.

Additionally, Sanasie also listed the development of women’s cricket, closer

collaboration and powersharing with territorial boards, and an expansion thrust into the North American market, as other areas critical to his vision for West Indies cricket.

He said: “First, we recognise that the performance of the West Indies team serves as a barometer for the state of West Indies cricket and as the only constant in the regional psyche.”

He continued: “Secondly, regional cricket is what supplies and fortifies the West Indies team. The territorial boards manage the production line of elite players for the West Indies teams.

“We believe that regional cricket requires greater investment from the CWI level and will implement a system of greater (i) sponsorship share and (ii) larger annual subvention to each territorial board. “ T h i r d l y, r e g i o n a l cricket and ultimately the West Indies team is only as strong as our grassroots cricket programmes. We believe that there needs to be the renewed focus, revitalisation, and a revolution in grassroots and school cricket all across the Caribbean.”

Sanasie said that there needed to be a “renewed and heavier emphasis on the development of women’s cricket”, with a “comprehensive strategic measurable programme” implemented to ensure West Indies became one of the world’s elite sides.

Also of major importance, Sanasie, the current secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board, said, was the ability of CWI to capitalise on the lucrative existing opportunities in North America, and utilising them “as a critical plank of augmenting and guaranteeing financial stability. “This is what Calvin and I bring to the table and what we humbly offer to the people of the region’, he explained.

Skerritt, and running mate Dr Shallow, defeated three-term incumbent Dave Cameron and Emmanuel Nathan, in the last CWI elections staged in 2018.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr has set February 26 as the date for the long-awaited election of the new executive of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).

The Minister’s move followed the Demerara Cricket Board elections

Dr Kishore Shallow

which took place on Friday, having been previously mired in years of litigation.

A public notice put out by Minister Ramson Jr, states: “With the Demerara Cricket Board election just concluded as directed by Order of Court of the 15th February 2021 by Justice Navindra Singh in Action number 2018-HC-DEMCIV-FDA-622 and having just consulted with Cricket West Indies (formerly known as West Indies Cricket Board) pursuant to the requirements of the Guyana Cricket Administration Act, I hereby make the following appointments: 1. that the 26th February 2021 as the day for the first election of the Guyana Cricket Board; and 2. that Kamal Ramkarran, Attorney at Law, is the Cricket Ombudsman.

The Cricket Ombudsman will hereinafter advise as to the next steps in accordance with the Guyana Cricket Administration Act.”

Joshua Da Silva

Da Silva says his game “has come a long way” but he is only getting started SportsMax - He has only played three Test matches for the West Indies but wicketkeeper/batsman Joshua Da Silva believes he has made great strides in his development as a batsman since he made his debut in

New Zealand in December 2020.

The 22-year-old Trinidadian has so far scored 234 runs at an average of 39 in his fledgeling career, and in all three matches he (Continued on page 31)

Tuesday February 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 37

Harry cops Agro Services and Amazon Planx golf title Mahendra Harry with a gross of 78 HC (handicap) 14 net 64 emerged champion of the Agro Services and Amazon Planx golf tournament which was contested on Sunday.

The tournament attracted 32 players and was played under strict COVID-19 guidelines; it was contested in the medal play format.

Anand Persaud placed second with gross 92Hc 26 net 66, while Rakesh Harry gross 84 Hc 13 net 71 was third and Guillermo Escaraga placed fourth with 88 Hc17 net 71. The Lowest gross went to Mahendra Harry, the Nearest to pin Mike Mangal and the Longest Drive winner was Tom Watkins.

Secretary of the

The respective winners with their prizes after the presentation.

Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), Chet Bowling urged more companies to lend support to the club. He added that next Saturday’s tournament is being sponsored by Suresh JagMohan Construction Services.

President of the Lusignan Golf Club Patanjilee Persaud also thanked the sponsors and players for their continued support.

GMR&SC Drag Championship

Surinamese competitor confirms Tickets go on sale Thursday morning Raymond John’s Toyota Chaser

The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) announced two sets of really good news for motor racing fans and competitors alike.

The first announcement is that arch-rivals Suriname will be represented in this Sunday’s first round of the N a t i o n a l D r a g Championship with former 13 second champion Raymond John and his Toyota Chaser expected to show up at the South Dakota Circuit Drag Strip to challenge the local speedsters in the thrilling 1320ft showdown.

This has become possible since the announcement of the resumption of the Guyana-Suriname Ferry

Service on Sunday last.

The other good news is that the club has been granted approval to host a limited amount of spectators at the Timehri venue. Head of the GMR&SC, Rameez Mohamed, has shared with the media that since the amount of tickets are limited, the club will be dealing with a first come first served basis.

The tickets cost just $2000 for adults and $500 for young children and will be available at the GMR&SC office from this Thursday from 09:00hrs.

Mohamed further revealed that there will be strict covid-19 measures in place with everyone required (Continued on page 31)

PAGE 38

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 23, 2021

Jaguars brush aside Volcanoes in final preliminary CG Insurance Super50 game Raymond Williams (centre) of Hashtag Sports bar and Mark Wiltshire and representatives of the Sports bar with the second place trophy.

Hashtag bar supports Wiltshire dominoes Hashtag Sports bar of Pouderoyen has supported the Mark Wiltshire dominoes competition which is set for today at Pouderoyen Wash Bay. Raymond Williams of Hashtag Sports bar presented the second place prize to Wiltshire.

Entrance fee is $15,000, but any team that is registered before 13:30hrs on playing day will only pay $12,000, while $60,000 will be

added to the prizes. The best female player will take home $5,000 and man of the match in the final will received $5,000. All covid measures will be observed.

Meanwhile, Secrets bar of Pourderoyen has sponsored the first place trophy.

Interested teams can contact Wiltshire on 659-8672.

Double six-time is 14:30hrs.

L e d b y g o o d performances from Keon Joseph, Shimron Hetmyer, Te v i n I m l a c h a n d Chanderpaul Hemraj, Guyana Jaguars ended the round-robin phase of the CG Insurance Super50 Cup in commanding fashion, beating the Windward Islands Volcanoes by nine wickets at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Batting first the Volcanoes were in trouble losing wickets at regular intervals with only Emmanuel Stewart (46), Kevin Stoute (41) and Keron Cottoy (27) got useful starts as they limped to 153 all out in 45 overs.

Gudakesh Motie, Christopher Barnwell and Ramaal Lewis picked up a wicket each but it was Man-of-the-Match, fast

Tevin Imlach saw his team to victory batting through the chase. (CWI)

bowler, Keon Joseph, with 424, that did the damage. He had support also from Chanderpaul Hemraj with 211.

Chasing 154 for victory, the Jaguars raced to 155-1 in 28.4 overs to cement their number two status on the (Continued on page 31)

Tuesday February 23, 2021

Mike’s Pharmacy, Palm Court back ECC Speaker’s Cup

Sasha Lewis of Palm Court presents the cheque to Manzoor Nadir in the presence of Ramesh Sunich.

Mike’s Phamracy and Palm Court have supported the Everest Cricket Club Speaker’s Cup. Both entities handed over sponsorship cheques to President of ECC and speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir on Sunday last.

The tournament will be played from April 2 to April 4, 2021, Easter Weekend at venues in and around Georgetown.

The tournament will be hosted by the Everest

Masters Cricket Team in partnership with the Honorable Speaker of the N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y, Manzoor Nadir. It will be held in two categories, Masters Over 45 and Legends Over 50 with sixteen teams expected to participate, including six from overseas. Attractive cash prizes and trophies are up for grabs along with man of the match award for each preliminary game, final and player of the tournament.

CEO of Mike’s Pharmacy Lakeram Singh (left) presents the cheque to Manzoor Nadir.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 39

MCC to consult on changes to bouncer regulations

Guardian of cricket’s Laws launches global consultation on short-pitched bowling

ESPNcricinfo - The MCC has announced a global consultation on the place of short-pitched bowling in the game. Cricket recently introduced allowances for concussion substitutions to be made, but now the guardians of the Laws will examine whether regulations governing bouncers should also be

updated.

The process will begin with an initial survey, to be distributed in March 2021, after which the data will be debated within the MCC. Any move to change the Laws would have to pass through the MCC Laws subcommittee, and be ratified by the MCC Cricket committee.

The final proposal would

likely be debated by the MCC committee in December, with any changes not coming into effect until 2022. Under the current MCC Laws, short-pitched deliveries over head height are called as no-balls.

Certain playing conditions, such as those for Test or limited-overs international cricket, also limit the number

of balls over shoulder height allowed per over. The focus on bouncers has increased in recent years. Australia’s Phillip Hughes died after being hit in the neck by a short-pitched ball in 2014, while the links between concussion and degenerative brain conditions have become a live topic in many contact sports.